One Day at the Zoo

Or

(That call Johnny made when the Zoo was held hostage)

The zoo's holiday music cut out with a sputter. A moment later, high pitched feedback followed by crackling blasted from the nearby speakers. The sound that followed was a mix of angry mutters and a solid object as it met flesh. "Listen up and listen good. Someone had better find that damned Fox and the kid with him and bring 'em to the front. That kid is gonna be ours one way or another. You have 15 minutes to comply else we start killing hostages one by one until we find the sonofabitch."

With a groan of dismay, Johnny turned to lean back against the half-wall that prevented visitors from getting too close to the snow leopard enclosure. He reached up, face palmed then dragged his hand down his face, much to the amusement of Alexei who grinned, cooed and flailed his tiny arms. "You would find this amusing," he said with a small sigh as he fished his phone out of a pocket. He was surprised that he still had service. He wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. He dialed a number and waited.

"O'Ferral." The English voice was smooth and cultured, very (Sean Connery) Bond sounding.

"Daniel, there's a situation here at the zoo. Have you heard anything about it?"

The sound of flesh striking flesh could be heard in the background. "Ah, yes. We got wind of some malcontents who wished to better themselves within the organization."

"Should I be worried?" Johnny asks as he glanced at the people around him. Almost everyone had a phone in hand and was either dialing or talking.

A moment of quiet then the sound of a gun going off. "Not any more…. Someone please inform sanitation there's a mess that needs to be cleaned up, thank you….Sorry about that. But no, anyone who knows who you really are, are already high enough up in the organization and understand you are not to be touched."

Johnny hhmm'd a moment. "Alright. Thanks Daniel. I'll call when I'm ready to be picked up this evening."

"You're welcome. I'll see you tonight." The phone disconnected.

Johnny looked at the phone for a moment then slipped it back into his pocket. He could hear sirens in the distance fast approaching. With a shrug, he turned back around to face the snow leopard enclosure. May as well enjoy the view while he could.