Chapter 4

Location: On the mark Casino

The munks entered the casino. "Dang, this is big!" Alvin yelled as he looked around. "Well, it has to be, Alvin. The casino business is fierce from what I hear." Dave said. "So, here, the bigger your place, the customers you get?" "That's about it. Well, come on. We came to look around, so let's look around." The munks began to wander around the casino. Simon tried his hardest to estimate the square footage of the place, but he just couldn't figure it out. He decided to find some one to ask. Meanwhile, as the munks continued to walk around, Mr. McGregor and the professor settled the tank hold Gill-ian in a corner in the back of the casino. "There. We'll leave her here until tomorrow." Mr. McGregor said. "So, how many of your fellow scientists will want to study her?" "Oh, I'm expecting quite a few will. But, they won't get to until I've had my chance. I want to know exactly how my father merged fish with man." "Personally, I could do with out that information. I mean, could you imagine how painful the transformation into one of those things would be?" "Transformation?…Oh! No, no. My father grew these specimens in test tubes. Although, what you thinking was his original idea. However, he couldn't find anyone willing to go through with it. So, he had to turn to genetic engineering." "I see. Uh, not exactly sure what to say now. Um, want to go check out the casino?" "Sure, why not?"

As the two exited the back area, they ran into the chipmunks. 'Well, look who it is. The chipmunks. What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow." Mr. McGregor said. "Well, we got in a little while ago and the kids here wanted to come see the place before tomorrow." Dave said. "I see. Well, welcome to On the mark, everyone. My name is Evan McGregor, and I'm the owner of this fine establishment." Mr. McGregor caught sight of Brittany. "Excuse me, young lady, but what's your name?" "Brittany, why?" "That's it. I told you I'd remember her name, Professor." 'Oh, so it's her, huh?" "Um, what are you talking about?" 'Oh, the professor and I were talking about who we thought was the hottest up incoming starlet and I said you, but I couldn't remember your name." Mr. McGregor said with a sly smile. "Oh, he he. Well, thank you." Alvin, meanwhile, thought 'he better not be hitting on my girl.' "Oh, by the way, this professor Stein. He helped me bag the rare creature I promised everyone." "Good evening, everyone." "So, professor, what can you tell us about the creature?" Jeanette asked. "I can promise you that it's something no one's ever seen before." "Anything else?" "Sorry, I'm not at liberty to divulge anything else. You'll just have to be patient and wait until tomorrow, my dear." "Oh darn." "Don't worry. I promise it'll be worth the wait." "Well, alright." "Well, kids, are you ready to go back?" Dave asked. "Yeah." "Alright. Well, we'll see you tomorrow night, Mr. McGregor." Dave said. "Alright, good night, everyone. Pleasant dreams." When the chipmunks left, Professor Stein said ' So, it was Brittany that Gill-ian reminded you of, eh?" "Yeah. See, I told you it started with a b." "Indeed you did. You know, it's interesting how two beings, of opposite species, can look so much alike." "Yeah, I guess." Suddenly,, they heard a loud crash in the back. They ran to check on things. There they saw a figure next to Gill-ian's tank. "Hey, get away from there!" Mr. McGregor yelled. The figure bolted out the back door. "Darn punks. I'm telling you, I don't have enough security out here." "Maybe you don't." The professor then noticed something glimmering on the floor. He walked over to it and picked it up. "Fish scales? Hmm, I wonder."