Warning! Ethnic pejoratives.
chapter 5: 3 days left
Thus it began, the rivalry between dr. Forrest Arsensky and dr. Estrela Skimmer. Animal Thoughts turned more into a battle of the minds, whose mission was to prove that animals deserved the same rights humans did. Viewers watched the show mostly to be entertained by the rivalry, rather than out of pure interest. In time, many of them even formed clubs- clubs, supporting dr. Skimmer and clubs, supporting dr. Arsensky.
Antonio, however, was never interested in listening to the two scientists' theories. He just wanted to live normally, without ever thinking about politics. Not that he had much of a choice, though, as most of his co-workers (or pretty much all of them, actually) were big fans of Animal Thoughts, often arguing which side is more justified.
While Antonio was busy ignoring this new show, Mason and Diane both found themselves pretty intrigued by it and they, naturally, supported dr. Arsensky.
September 8th. 3 days until the twins' birthday.
It had already been a few years, since their first day. School was still not an easy time for Jack and Jake, but it was getting better, now when their classmates and their teachers were used to them. Mason and Diane gave their sons a long list of rules, which must be followed during the day, but the most important one was "No biting!".
Teachers and classmates were both starting to treat the boys more like a pair of pupils, rather than mutants. The other children even became curious about the two snakes' interests. Asking them questions like "Who is the straight man of the two?", "What kind of music do you guys like?", "What species of snakes you are?", "Who is the more dominant twin?", and so on.
Jack was admiring the attention. He always knew it was only a matter of time. When he looked at his brother, he got a little curious.
- So?- Jack asked.- How is this?
- W-What?- Jake did not understand the question.- What do you mean?
- I mean, that these past weeks have been more or less easier. You can't complain about that!
- Uhm...yeah! Yeah!- Jake replied and nodded hesitantly. He also gave a smile to make it sound more convincing.
However, after giving it a little more thought, Jake couldn't really deny the progress he and his brother had made. Since both twins excelled in most classes, they had became quite popular among the teachers. Many of their classmates, who admired their intelligence, asked them for occasional help, but it was still far from formed friendships.
While most of the children were pretty much harmless, there were also ones, who were real bullies. Like that guy Mihail Corll, the meanest jerk in class. He wasn't the type, who stole other kids' lunch money or gave them wedgies. Instead, he counted on racist, speciesist or xenophobic slurs to crush the self-esteem of those around him. He referred to his East Asian classmates as "chinks" or "nips" , the dark-skinned ones as "coons", animals as "food", and many more.
Needless to say, that Mihail Corll, was the one, whom Jake and Jack feared the most in that school. Everyday, the twins did whatever they could to avoid being in his presence or his sight.
Today, however, was not one of their lucky days. After witnessing the two-headed snake, Mihail Corll approached it with very ill intentions on his mind. The twins panicked, when they saw Mihail coming closer, but one short Latina girl with glasses stopped him. Her name was Aloma Iglesia, and she was not fond of Mihail, due to the fact that he had the terrible habit of calling her "a beaner".
- What do you think you're doing, Corll?- Aloma said sternly. Despite being shorter than him, she was not intimidated.
- Scram, little beaner!- he ordered her.
- You're yet to answer the question, Corll.
- What are you doing? Defending that two-headed mutant there? Yeah, right!
- Two heads or one head, it doesn't matter! That's none of your business!
- Listen now, you!- Mihail aggressively grabbed Aloma by the neckline, hoping this would finally scare her, but she was still unfazed. So, he decided to use threats.- Why don't you go back to your own country and be someone else's problem, you little piece of...
He could not finish that, though, for a teacher was passing through the hallways and once he noticed the eyewitness, Mihail immediately let go of Aloma's neckline. He looked at her menacingly and then he did the same to Jack and Jake, as if telling them, that it was not over yet.
- Hey, wait a minute!- Jake spoke.
He and Jack crawled closer to Mihail. Their expressions were total mismatches- Jake seemed annoyed, while Jack was anxious.
Jake believed that everyone had had enough of that jerk. He didn't even care that there was a teacher around. Nobody was going to stop the little sea krait.
- Now listen, you asshole!- he began, but was quickly interrupted by the teacher.
- Jake and Jack Foxington!- the teacher said sternly.- Principal's office! Now!
- What?- Jack was very surprised.- But why me too?
- Because you two have the same body.- she replied.
- Unfortunately!- Jack commented snarkily, which his brother interpreted as an insult. Maybe Jake should have cared more that there was a teacher nearby.
- We really appreciate, that you've found some time to come here, governor Foxington!- the principal said to Diane.
- Family comes first!- Diane responded confidently.- What have Jake and Jack done?
- Jack hasn't done anything.- the principal answered the question casually.- It is Jake, who's causing trouble here.
- What has he done?- Diane got concerned.- Has he bitten someone?
- No.
- Punched someone?
- No.
- Bullying someone?
- No.
- What is it then?
- He called someone "asshole".
Diane needed some time to process what she just heard. She remained silent for a minute and tried to find some logic in the principal's statement.
Then she finally found the words.
- Is that all?- the vixen asked, her tone implying she was somewhat disappointed. As if that was only a waste of her time.
If anything, Diane was more than certain that whatever had happened there, it was not Jake's fault. She knew her son well enough.
- Mrs. Foxington, this is serious!- the woman, before her continued.- I won't allow any of the children to use words like that. I don't want to ever hear words, such as "asshole", "bitch", "shit", "bastard" or "the f-word".
- And yet, you just said them all!- Diane teased before going back to serious.- Ma'am, I don't think my son is the problem here. Don't get me wrong! I don't approve of it either, but I know my boys very well. If they get this aggressive, then something must have happened. Jake must have been provoked.
- The supervising teacher said, that the other boy- Mihail Corll- hasn't done anything wrong!
- Mihail Corll?- the name sounded familiar to the fox.- I think the twins have mentioned him a couple of times before. Doesn't he often say even more inappropriate things to the other children?
- We don't want to put limits to what the kids say, but we draw the line at profanity.
Diane wished she could roll her eyes right now. "Draw the line at profanity"? What about racist slurs?
- Jake will not get a detention or anything, but I advise you to sit down and talk with him face to face.- the woman said.
Diane was driving the car back home, with the twins patiently sitting on the back seats, staring through the window. All three of them were silent, not saying even a word to each other. Diane decided to break the silence, so she could learn more about happened today.
- So...uhm...boys.- she began a little sheepishly.- How do you feel now?
- Fine, mom!- Jack answered very quietly, while Jake did not even say a word.
- Are you sure?- their mother asked.- Jake?
Knowing she was referring to the incident from today, Jake impulsively responded.
- It wasn't my fault, okay?!- the sea krait defended himself in a rather aggressive manner.- Corll has been harassing everyone for such a long time. He's like an insensitive natural disaster of insults. Somebody had to act!
- Sweetie- his mother spoke in a nurturing tone.- I think it's great and very kind of you, that you want to defend your classmates, but considering what happened, maybe you should be more careful with your choice of words next time.
- The only reason Corll tried to pick on us is because we are freaks.
- Jake!- Diane said, this time more sternly.- What do we always say?
- But...
- What! Do we! Always! Say!- she punctuated for emphasis.
- We are not freaks!- both twins replied at the same time in a rather bored tone.
- Those are my boys!- the vixen said proudly.
The whole family sat down for dinner, with Jesse eating from his own cat bowl carelessly. Mason paid attention to his own meal, without any idea about what was about to happen.
At one time, Diane looked at the boys- her sassy stare, implying she wanted her sons to tell their father about today. Jack and Jake exchanged looks and gulped.
- Children!- their mother spoke.- Is there something you wish to tell your father?
Mason stopped eating, once he heard this and prepared himself to listen carefully.
- Uhm..- Jake began, but he did not have the courage. Jack was not intending to help him, as he believed he was not responsible for any of that.
- They were in the principal's office today.- Diane decided to do the job instead.
- W-What? Why?- the wolf asked confused.- Did they bite someone?
- No.- Diane shook her head.
- Did they punch someone?
- No.
- Are they bullying someone?
- No.
- What is it then?
- Jake called someone an "asshole".
Mason sighed and shooked his head in disbelief. That was without a doubt Antonio's doing. He was the one, most likely to have used this kind of language in front of the kids.
- And you said it to...?- Mason turned to Jake.
- Mihail Corll.- Jake answered, feeling calmer this time.
- What a surprise!- the wolf replied sarcastically.
- I know.- Diane supported her husband.- But the school has a "No profanity!" policy.
- Okay! Listen now, buddies!- Mason addressed both of his sons.- Kids don't call other kids "assholes", even if it's true!
- But why?- Jack asked innocently.
- Because there are some words out there, which are not allowed for the little ones.- their father answered with a friendly smile.- Nobody likes foul-mouthed kids.
- But daaaaad!- Jack lamented.- That jerk has been insulting and mocking everyone for years. And it's always for racist or speciesist reasons. That's not fair!
- You didn't see the way he was looking at us.- Jake added.
- Jack! Jake! Feast your eyes! I'm a wolf. You can also look at your momma, Antonio, Sid, Pastelle or Pedrarias. We may not be conjoined twins, but we're all animals. We're part of a minority, so, naturally, we have been sticking out all our lives. There's nothing, we can do about that. We were born this way!
- Your father is right, boys!- Diane said.- There's always gonna be someone out there, who doesn't like us. In spite of everything.
- But it's not fair!- Jake said quietly.
- It's getting late!- Diane decided to change the subject. The boys needed a good rest, anyway.- Go to bed, you two! After all, your two amazing brains are gonna need the energy to face Mihail Corll in a smart way.
The twins sighed and replied.
- Yes, mom!
After the boys left the kitchen, Mason sighed too.
- I hate it when they go to bed sad!- he confessed.
Around 9:00 PM, the twins and the pet cat were already asleep.
Mason was lying on the bed, in his boxers, staring at the ceiling, and engulfed in deep thoughts. His wife, dressed in her magenta nightdress, couldn't help, but notice him hesitating, so she decided to ask him about the thing, bothering his mind.
- Hunny, what's wrong?
- It's nothing. It's just...I've been thinking about the kids.
Diane supposed that he was most likely talking about what happened today in the principal's office. Although, she still believed Jake could have solved the problem without the "a-word", she could still understand the situation.
- If it's about today, it was nothing much. I'm sure Jake will know better next time.- she said.- And that Jack will also learn something from this.
- I know it's small and insignificant, but I can't help but feel worried. Jake's been acting...- he looked for fitting words.- strange lately. He keeps finding excuses not to celebrate his birthday or to start a conspiracy, like how he keeps saying that animals deserve the same rights as humans.
This made Diane remember a certain monkey on TV.
- Do you think he might be watching Dr. Arsensky's show?- the vixen suggested.
- I'm not sure.- the wolf replied.- But I hope neither he, nor Jack are. Arsensky used me and the guys for reference in his pilot episode. If the kids were to find out about me...about us...
- What do you mean?- Diane asked concerned.- If they learn that you and the gang were the notorious bank robbers, known as the Bad guys?
- Well, aren't you worried that one day they might find out, that it was you, who was the Crimson paw, and not Marmalade?
- Well...- his wife gave it a thought for a second.- I guess...I would get...a little anxious, but I know they will forgive me. Just like how they'll forgive you and the others. You know why?- she patted his chest playfully.- Because they are the smartest and sweetest kids I know.- she smiled.
- I suppose, you're right.- Mason confessed and hugged her.- I just thought, that we might be seeing some sort of red flags.
This gave Diane a pretty good idea. In an attempt to cheer him up, she smirked and said.
- Flags, eh? In that case, can you tell me what this flag means?
The fox got on the top of her husband, and started kissing him passionately. She knew there was no way, he wouldn't guess what this meant. Mason hugged her tight and kissed her back. Then again. And again.
Rupert Marmalade was about to finish his meal in the prison cafeteria. Much to his dismay, being the smallest one in the prison of S.U.C.M., only gave the other inmates an excuse to make fun of him.
- Oh, look who's here?
- Well, well, well! Look what a big rat the cat had brought us?
- What an adorable little hamster!
This last one got the best of Marmalade and he lost his temper.
- NOT A HAMSTER!- he yelled angrily.- I am a guinea pig!
- Same difference!- one of them responded indifferently.
- Ooooh! I see!- Marmalade thought the tables were about to turn.- You all think I am going to be here forever, don't you? You think you're all better than me. That you can tease me and step on me as much as your rotten hearts desire, and there won't be any consequences.
- Yes!- all prisoners at once replied.
- Well!- Marmalade chuckled creepily.- KEEP DREAMING!- he yelled.- I am not going to end up here like all of you bad guy wannabes! You'll see! One day, I'll get out of here, and your sorry asses will remain in jail, regretting they ever dared to mess with me.
- Marmalade!- one of the prisoners growled.- I'd be careful with enemies in jail.
- Don't tell me you want to end up like Jeffrey Dahmer?- another one added.
- Don't you dare think I am intimidated!- the guinea pig said.
After which, he was escorted back to his cell.
The next morning, the Foxington family were having their breakfast, while watching the morning news, hosted by Tiffany Fluffit and Forrest Arsensky again. That was sure gonna be a recipe for disaster!
- This morning's news!- Tiffany began.- Rupert Marmalade, also known as the Crimson paw, was found dead in his cell last night!
Fun fact about the name "Iglesia"! It is actually the Spanish word for "church".
