Chapter 3: The Weight of the Problem
It was day 3 of the Animalympics and things were just heating up, with more and more exciting events coming the Cooper Gang's way, this day was just a simple one: weightlifting, an event that didn't require a lot of attention, only Murray would be interested in that event being the strong one, for the rest including Sly and Carmelita, it was just average. One of the two hosts, the poodle Brenda Springer was a little too-too for Carmelita's tastes with her always cheerful disposition, though she tolerated the other commentator Melé a Scottish Terrier with a nice accent more than the other as he more to the point than the other.
Right now it would seem like a rematch between two greats: the bull Willie Shreck and the elephant Ivan Disovensky, with Ivan coming out on top in the previous games, becoming the new Mr. Heavyweight, a title passed on from the previous champion Burt Sparks, a horse. Willie was determined to get that title more than anything, while Ivan, a pretty humble elephant who was also a circus performer with his wife Ludmilla who did gymnastics.
Out of the corner of his eye, Bentley discovered something rather out of the ordinary with Willie. It looked as if he was tinkering with his arms, as though something was implanted. Reaching into his supply of gadgets in his wheelchair, he brought up some X-ray specs. Sure enough, his fears were confirmed: Willie put some mechanical implants in his arms to amplify his strength.
"I knew it! Willie's up to something no good!" Bentley whisper-shouted to the other members, gesturing them to aid in stopping him. The Cooper Gang once again headed to the backstage area with much discretion. All this was happening, while Melé was still making the announcements. They arrived just in the nick of time, Willie was putting on his cape and warming up his arms. Carmelita discreetly took out her shock pistol and with one clean shot, stunned the bull, who collapsed from the shock bolt. The commotion stirred up the committee nearby, who approached the fallen bull.
"Interpol! We've caught a cheater using mechanical implants!" she shouted. "Bentley, show them what you've found." Bentley did as such and with the X-ray vision screen he installed, was able to prove to the staff plus Ivan, Burt, and Melé that the implans were in the Willie's arms.
"I don't believe it! Willie took to cheating to try and dethrone us!" shouted Ivan. "Well good job Inspector for catching that." He then turned to Murray. "You there hippo, what's your name?"
"Murray, great Ivan..." he replied.
"Well comrade Murray, why don't you try your luck with weightlifting? You won't get an opportunity like this again in your life!" Murray turned to his friends.
"Give it a try!" smiled Carmelita.
"Yeah, and even if you don't win, you won't walk away empty handed!" added Sly. With renewed enthusiasm and his friends behind him, Murray approached the barbell, all he had to do was make one clean press lift, if he could do it. His strength knew no bounds, and he felt confident in his abilities. He grasped the bar and began hoisting it, it was heavier than he realized, unlike the bench pressing he did back in any hideout. It was a slight struggle but Murray managed to raise it above his head, the crowd loved it, and then he put it back down, it was a bit of a fumble.
Up next was Ivan, and with one stomp he grasped the barbell and then hoisted it up almost effortlessly, the crowd loved it even more. Burt and Melé loved it as well.
"Well ladies and gentleman, Ivan still holds the weightlifting crown!" announced Melé, as Ivan plut back on his robe, crown and had the scepter placed back in his hands. "And Murray received the silver medal!" Melé handed Murray a silver medal, who smiling, raised it up. It was a great accomplishment to earn something unexpectedly and play fair considering the Cooper Gang (before and without Carmelita nearby) had to lie, cheat and of course steal, but all in the name of justice.