A Skilene-Filled September
Scenario 7: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
As Skipper was on his way back to the HQ following a solo recon mission, he stopped when he noticed two small, rectangular pieces of paper sitting on a nearby bench. Never one to ignore even the most minuscule thing out of the ordinary, Skipper waddled over to the bench to see what these papers were. Perhaps they were vital clues about some vast conspiracy. Maybe they were left behind by Blowhole agents or the Danish government. Or maybe even–
"Two tickets to tonight's Yankees game," Skipper said as he examined them. "But, eh, they're not really my favorite team."
He then went to place the tickets back on the bench – perhaps some other New Yorker could use them. He had a busy night of training with the boys planned anyway, and with just two tickets, how could he even choose which one of his men to take with him anyhow? So he left the tickets right where he had found them, then proceeded to walk away.
He got five feet away before an idea struck him.
"Marlene!" he said with a smile as he went back to retrieve the tickets. "I'll take her out to the ballgame. In fact, this would give me the perfect opportunity to– Hey, why am I talking to myself anyway?"
A plan in his head, Skipper went then to the HQ to tell the boys that the training scheduled for that evening had been struck out. The fact that the next day's training would be a doubleheader he decided to omit, however.
Not long after, Skipper went over to see Marlene about his plan for the evening.
"Baseball?" she asked after Skipper had told her of the game plan. "It's nice that you thought to invite me, but have you thought this plan all the way through? I mean, do you really think you could just waltz into Yankee Stadium and expect them to admit a ticket-holding penguin off the street?"
"First of all, I don't waltz, I waddle," Skipper said. "But that aside, you do have a point. So let's just forget about the tickets altogether; we'll just sneak in."
Marlene sensed that Skipper really wanted to go to the game with her, and, in all honesty, she really thought going with him was a swell idea, too. So she agreed.
"OK, Skipper," she said. "We'll find a way to get in. This actually sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun."
"It will be," Skipper replied with a smile. "I guarantee it."
"Huh?" Marlene asked puzzledly.
"Oh, nothing," Skipper responded as he casually turned away. "I'll see you in a while."
With that, Skipper left Marlene's habitat.
Hours later, Skipper picked Marlene up in the penguins' pink car and they drove out to the ballpark together. Once there, the two managed to sneak into the stadium by pretending to be stuffed animals inside the basket below a baby's stroller.
Inside, Skipper and Marlene stealthily made their way over to a nearby dark corner where they could see the game without the threat of being seen by humans. This spot also had the added benefit of greatly reducing their chances of being hit by a foul ball, which is certainly a plus when you're barely knee-high to begin with.
A perfect day cloudless and free from rain, the game started on time at 7:05 p.m. – 1905 by Skipper's military timekeeping. Innings came and went, with a good amount of action on the field by both teams.
Suddenly, as one particular inning came to a close, Skipper saw that various messages paid for by fans in attendance began displaying on the scoreboard. He smiled warmly as he turned to Marlene.
"Marlene, would you take a look at the scoreboard, please?" he said. "There's something you've got to see on it."
Marlene then turned to the scoreboard.
"'Happy birthday, George'?" she wondered, reading the scoreboard's message.
"No, keep looking," Skipper said.
And suddenly, there it was, displayed for all to see: I love you, Marlene.
"Odds are you're not the only Marlene in this stadium," Skipper said as he placed a flipper around Marlene's shoulders, "but you're the only one I love."
Marlene placed a paw on Skipper's back.
"I love you, too," she said. "I bet it was hard holding in your surprise for me all day."
"Nah," Skipper replied. "It's been much harder holding in my true feelings for you for so long. But tonight, this crowd of thousands can attest to my love for you."
And so Skipper took Marlene out to the ballgame. And like the song goes, they didn't care if they ever came back.
Publication note: As stated following the previous two scenarios, I continue to remain without Internet service at my house. While the repair will likely be made in time for me to be able to post tomorrow's scenario on time, be aware that I can make no guarantees. However, be assured that I will indeed write one and will have it available for you to read as soon as possible.
-GrandOldPenguin
September 7, 2010
