Sorry took so long, life got really complicated out of nowhere, so I can't promise that the next chapter won't take that long to come. But I can say that I have it all well plotted out now, so is just a matter of getting time and not be too tired.
Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter VII - Out in the Open
"Wait, wait!" called out Allen. "I- I don't want to go up there!" He raised a hand up in defense, just for the doors to open, followed by a flood of reporters and other media personalities.
"I'm really sorry, but there's no more time," apologized the mayor. "Just wait on that corner until it's your turn. I'm sure you can do this." She gave thumbs up to the human to reassure him before she turned and walked to the podium, though it did nothing to calm him down.
He muttered, "I have stage fright," as Bogo and Hoofington walked to the chairs behind.
The two officers had walked up to the third floor to see the entire event. Not much they could do for now, so Judy stood on a chair and leaned on the glass railing while Nick went to the back at a vending machine. He returned brandishing two small packets of fruit drops and got up on the chair, leaning at her side, and gave her one. "The madmen added a tomato flavor," he commented as he opened the small packet and took one deep blue colored sweet to his snout. "Thought you might like it."
She opened hers. "What do you think is gonna happen to him?" she asked and took a red candy out of the packet.
Nick played with the candy in his mouth. "You mean bald guy down there?" he gazed down at the human with the restless legs. "I don't know. He might have it tough with all the media attention he is getting." He takes out a pink fruit drop. "But it could be the complete opposite. He might get a like from it." He brings the sweet to his snout. "And then, we wouldn't be able to escape his muzzle for a while." He gave a half-lidded glance at the bunny and finished with, "We'll see."
"Skipper! Is about to start, get your tail over here!" called Wally, a young wallaby, for cousin to come sit with him in the living room.
"I'm here!" answered a red kangaroo, poking his head from behind the room's doorway. He strutted quickly to the couch, carrying two cans of cold soda on his gloved paws. He sat to Wally's side and gave one can to him, then stared straight at the TV in front of them. "Anything important yet?" he asked.
"It just started; don't you see?" answered the smaller macropod.
"Eesh. You are too tense from this stuff," said Skipper, and opened his can. He was there only to accompany his cousin, who hasn't stopped talking about the events of this morning and even postponed helping him with his training till after the mayor's address.
On the small CRT screen, the mayor could be seen standing behind a podium. Once the room had settled in, she leaned forward and spoke to the crowd. "I welcome the members of the press; the representatives of our dear institutions, and all who have come for this important event."
"How long do you think is gonna take?" asked the kangaroo, sipping from his can.
"I just want to see the new mammal, please be patient." Skipper rolled his hazel eyes at this and got in a more comfortable position, resting his back on the couch and his tail through the hole in the back.
The mayor continued her speech. "And is it not that what our city is most proud of? Wasn't it founded on the idea that every mammal, from every corner of our land, of our earth; can, through their sheer will and hard-work, be anything it wishes to be, no matter the species? For that, I welcome with open arms the new resident of our proud city!" The crowd applauded politely as flashes went off and photos were taken.
"Damn," said Skipper, then turned to Wally, tilting his head to the screen. "She really selling it, ain't she?"
"Of course, she is! In something like this you can't just go up there and say hi. You have to live up to the moment!" On the screen, Dr. Hoofington had already stepped forward to give his conclusion.
"And who's this bloke?" asked the kangaroo.
"He's the doctor in charge of the new mammal, and I want to hear what he has to say, so please!"
The kangaroo held a paw aloft. "Ok, ok. No need to get puffed out." On the TV, the press among the crowd were asking questions for the doctor.
"Is he a predator or a prey?" asked a beaver with her raised paw.
"Oh, well," the zebra rubbed his chin, "his teeth and jaw seem very brittle and small for the tearing of meat. His body also seems to not be enough to catch and hold prey larger than a weasel, so I'd say a prey." Another mammal raised a hoof.
"I'm here from the Sahara Gazette," a dromedary spoke. "Do you know or have any idea to which species is the new mammal related to?"
Skipper put the can on the small table to his side and said, "I bet on pigs," before the doctor answered.
"I'm sorry to say it, but that would have to wait until we get the laboratory results. If I have to guess though, I'd say-"
"Pigs."
"-rodents."
"Is gonna end being pigs, am telling ya." Skipper told his cousin, who looked back at him with an idea. He put his can on the floor next to the couch's leg and asked.
"And what if your bet is wrong?" This took all of Skipper's wandering attention and soon joined onto it with a smile.
"First, tell me what's your bet. What do you think is gonna end being?" Skipper had crossed his arms and stared with a raised eyebrow.
"I trust the doctor. I think it will be rodents," answered the tammar wallaby. "And, if I'm right, then we'll stop with the training for a week."
This surprised Skipper, and he communicated his doubt, "But I thought you enjoyed helping me."
"I do. But is the only thing we've been doing the whole month!"
"That ain't true. We are watching the telly right now."
"Because I dragged you here, and I had to promise that we'll get into training after it!" Wally was clearly upset, so Skipper compromised.
"Alright, I accept that bet. But, if I'm right," he pointed a claw at him.
"Yeah?"
"Then we'll train you! How's that!" Skipper chuckled. He had been trying to get his cousin to train since he came back from the city with his aunt.
"Hmm," Wally pondered it for a second, then smiled and reached for a pawshake. "I accept!" Skipper took his paw and grabbed it tight.
"That's the spirit! Now let's finish watching this thing and get back into training!"
That's quite a lot of people… uh, animals? How am I supposed to address them by? Allen tried to piece together what he would say once up on the podium. Perhaps a simple 'Hi'? That sounds right. He looked forward. The doctor had finished answering questions, which meant Bogo was next, shortening the time he had to prepare. The chief sat two seats from Allen, and before he got up to speak, he glanced back at him.
Bogo leaned forward and put his hoofs on the sides of the podium as he looked to the crowd. He towered over the sea of cameras and mammals in front of him, ready to talk to them all. He wanted to keep his part as brief as possible, just to keep a safe distance from every bad thing that was sure to come from the human, and after he choose his words, he spoke. "Good evening," he started, "around nine forty-five in the morning, it came to my attention, thanks to the alert ears and eyes of the force, that a new mammal had been spotted on the city." The paw of a reporter went up to talk, but the chief clarified to the press, "I won't be taking questions," and continued. "So, I proceeded to call the two officers closest to the case to come to my office." Many paws went up, which the buffalo promptly ignored, and after clearing his throat, continued. "They were briefed on the situation, and sent to address it."
The chief continued to retell the events of this morning, a way of participating on the press roll without actually saying something in favor or against the human and his actions. But overall, separated the ZPD from him, to assure that the department won't lose the trust of the city over any future event related to the Allen. "The ZPD did as it was supposed, as it was expected by the citizens and we have delivered as we were told by our laws, by our protocols." He hesitated, briefly looking down at the polished wood top of the lectern, and once ready, he looked back at the press. "Allen Alexander, the name of the mammal behind me, will speak now." Bogo stepped down, walking straight to the mayor and doctor, sitting with them as the three turned to the human.
Since the press entered the building, most of the muttering, glances, and flashes have been directed to the human, adding to the sudden pressure he had encountered himself since the moment Swinton approached him. This is it, get up and walk forward. He lifted himself off the chair, and step by step, his face got paler. This isn't your first time doing this. Anxious as he was, he had forgotten, to some extent, about the context of his situation. This wasn't about him going out in the open to the city, to everyone who will hear his words. This was about speaking to a crowd, this was for his fear and anxiety, just being stared at, every word being judged and analyzed, like at a school play, like saying some words for his brother's graduation. It was just like hanging out with his father and being set forward in the middle of the never-ending questions and talks of every weekend. His mind, as he leaned on the lectern, wasn't centered on what to say, but on the thousand words that could screw up everything. But an idea sneaked in, and his situation became his solution.
Swinton started to notice the consequences of trying such a quick PR boost, the muttering and flashes intensifying as the silence stretched and the human swayed. But as she got ready to get up and intervene, Allen leaned to the microphone and spoke.
"Hi." The room went silent, every representative, reporter, and news mammal looking intensely at the furless mammal. "I'm… lost." Slight murmuring spread among the attendees. "I don't know what's next, and I don't how I got here." The flashes kept going off, and the muttering kept spreading and increasing, but with sweaty hands and trembling legs, he continued, "but I've met good- uh… animals." He swallowed for his dry throat. "And I know I've caused- trouble, a lot of it." He Had let his thoughts over this day loose, at least as much as he could, right now. "I was confused and scared, I still am. But I've met, what a hope at least, are good pe- uh, animals. That helped me out." Slowly he had taken a better hold of himself as he continued, "and now, I feel things will improve, I have high hopes. Thank you." Flashes, paws, the voices from the entire crowd calling for him, it was all left behind as he stumbled into a random office room and lied down on the carpet.
End of Chapter VII