A Not-So-Sweet Valentine's Day

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Higher for Hire - Exterior

Baloo: (carrying a jumbo-sized heart-shaped box of chocolates under his arm) Hey, Li'l Britches. Watch ol' Papa Bear sweet-talk sweet Becky with this Valentine present.

Kit: (eyeing candy box that's bigger than Molly) That's great, but...

Baloo: Might even buy us an afternoon off. Wish me luck.

Kit: (shrugs) Good luck. (After Baloo enters office, he mutters...) You're gonna need it.

Higher for Hire's Office

Baloo: (strolls confidently across office) Hey, Beckers.

Rebecca: (absently, without looking up from stack of paperwork) Hi, Baloo.

Baloo slides chocolate box under her nose.

Rebecca: What's this?

Baloo: Oh, nothin' much. Just somethin' I picked up to wish the best boss lady in the world a Happy Heart Day.

Rebecca: (astonished) You're kidding, right?

Baloo: Nope. Now, aren't you gonna give me somethin' in exchange? (grins suavely)

Rebecca: (gulps nervously) You mean...?

Baloo: Yup, like the afternoon off. Valentine Day's a holiday, an' holidays mean time off.

Rebecca: (relieved, bursts out laughing)

Baloo: (confused) What's so funny?

Rebecca: (wipes her eyes) Well, it's true that today's the 14th.

Baloo: Yeah. So?

Rebecca: (turns her daily calendar towards him) March 14th.

Baloo: Oops! That's how come I snagged this big boxeroo for only a buck.

Kit: (through open window) Yeah, that you borrowed from me. Sounds like you were several days late and a dollar short, Papa Bear. (snickers)

Baloo: (disappointed) Guess this means no time off.

Rebecca: Afraid not. (hands him a clipboard with details of that afternoon's delivery) But here, just to show what a big-hearted boss I am, I'll share my candy.

Baloo: (perks up) Really? (opens box, chooses one piece, sets it on the desk in front of Rebecca, puts lid on, tucks box under his arm, and beats a hasty retreat) Thanks for the sweets, Becky!

Rebecca: Baloo! I didn't mean the whole box! (takes off after him) Baloo, get back here with my chocolate! BALOOOOO!

Kit: (watching as Rebecca chases Baloo all over the docks) Why does Valentine's Day make grown-ups act so silly?