Chapter 14: The Confined Prince
Some time since the cage had been retrieved from the Pride Lands, the 4x4 had stopped outside a building that looked somewhat deserted. The journey had taken place through a part of the jungle some distance from the Pride Lands. Chester was half-asleep during the journey so he had no idea how far he'd come from the Pride Lands and his newfound "family". He climbed out from the cage quickly and ran a distance away from the 4x4 and the cage. Chester waited for them to vacate the car so he could start searching for Simba and Nala's son. He had no idea what its name was but surely if he knew his parent's names he could trust him.
Jimmy: What now?
J's Dad (Sarcastically): What kinda question is that? (He starts talking in a way that sounds like he is explaining something to a very small child) First of all, we unscrew the hiiitch, and theeenn, we take it into the garaagge! (He starts talking normally) Does that answer your question?
Jimmy (Shaking his head disbelievingly): You take things waaaaay too far!
J's Dad chuckles at him, apparently pleased with himself. The son reluctantly pushes the cage into a badly kept garage. With that, they close the door and set work on the cage as apparently the only one they had at this location was the one Chester and Kovu ripped the door off of. Chester rushes from his hiding place, across the now-deserted, sun-soaked compound. He begins searching for some place to get a look inside to get some idea where the cub resided. Chester found out that he was indeed there, he overheard them arguing about how it was Jimmy's fault that only one cub sits waiting there in confinement on the ride to the "cell block".
Chester (Whispering): Come on! Where are you?
Chester silently paces around the block looking for a window or something to get a look inside.
Chester (Thinking): Man, I wonder how the others are holdin' out.
***********************************************
Meanwhile, at Pride Rock, Simba is conversation with Nala.
Nala (Worriedly): You don't think he could ran away, could he? I mean, it IS awkward having a human around isn't it?
Simba: No. I don't he'd be one to do something like that and he seemed perfectly happy about staying with us. I wonder if it was something I said-
Just then, Timon and Pumbaa come up to Simba and Nala.
Timon: 'Afternoon, guys! What's up?
Simba (Noticing them): Hey Timon! Listen, you wouldn't know where Chester is, would you? We haven't seen him since last night.
Pumbaa (Lying): Oh, no idea, he seemed O.K yesterday, so he couldn't have ran away.
Simba: That's what I was saying- (he realises what Pumbaa said) wait a second; what do you mean by "he seemed O.K"?
Pumbaa (Stammering slightly): W. well I-
Timon (Disguising his hastiness): He overheard ya talking and he's just saying he seemed O.K to him so he wasn't likely to run away!
Simba (Understanding): Oh, right! I get you now! Well, if you see him, tell him we're looking for him.
Timon and Pumbaa nod and then head off.
Timon (Out of earshot): That was too close.
Pumbaa (Concerned): Do you we should tell them? They seem worried that he's gone.
Timon: No! If we say something they might get into a panic and blame themselves for he's doing! Besides, if he DOES do it, it would be a nice surprise for them.
Pumbaa (Agreeing): Yeah, you're right, Timon. (Thoughtfully) I wonder how he's doing.
***********************************************
Back at the compound Chester had found a window outside a group of cells, he's looking in searching for a lone lion cub as according to the constantly rioting father and son; the cub was their only successful catch.
Chester is pressing his nose against the window scanning the room for a sign of life. He couldn't see anything and began to give up hope when he caught sight of a weak-looking lion cub lying on the ground alone behind an iron, grated door with a padlock on it. He prises the window open with some difficulty and carefully lays it against the wall beneath him.
Chester (Whispering): Hey! You! Little cub!
The cub makes no sound but rolls over slightly.
Chester (Whispering but louder than before): Hey, don't laze around on me!
The cub stirs a little bit, mumbling slightly.
Cub (Mumbling): Unnh, wha? Who?
Chester (Whispering): Come on man! Look lively!
The cub opens its eyes and looks around for the source of the sound.
Cub (Looking around): Who's there? Who are you?
Chester: Look at the window.
Cub: What's a window?
Chester: Look where the light's comin' from!
The cub follows the light to Chester and is taken aback.
Cub (Frantically): AH! Don't hurt me!
Chester leans onto the frame looking in at the cub.
Chester (Smiling reassuringly): Hey, relax man! I'm here to break you loose, not hurt ya!
Cub (Cautiously): What? Why?
Chester (Putting up a hand to silence him): Hang on a second, man. First up, do you know two lions called Simba and Nala?
Cub (Surprised): Yeah. Simba's my dad and Nala's my mom. But how did you-?
Chester (Smiling triumphantly): Thought as much!
Chester climbs inside and kneels down to talk to the cub.
Chester: Well, I heard what happened so I decided I'd try my hand at rescuing you.
Cub: But why?
Chester: That's not important! You want out, don't you?
The cub nods.
Chester: Well, let's get started then!
Chester stands up and begins working on the lock.
Cub (Stunned a bit): I'm sorry. Its just weird for me, I've never met a good human before.
Chester (Straining at the lock*): Notice anything else?
The cub thinks for a second but nothing.
Cub: No, what is it?
Chester (*): Aw, come on! Isn't it obvious?
???: You can talk to him.
Chester (*): Yeah! Exactly ri- (He breaks off)
Chester slowly turns his head and feels as though his heart had stopped. Jimmy, the poacher's son stood before him smiling peacefully at him, mock or not Chester doesn't know or care. All he knows is that he's busted before he could do anything.
Jimmy (Calmly): Hey. Remember me?
Chester (Stiffly): Wha? What do you mean?
Jimmy: I saw you two days ago, under the bushes when my dad caught the cubs. I know you saved 'em too.
Chester is stunned by this. How could he know? Why is he talking to him so calmly when he is in the middle of attempting break the cub free?
Jimmy smiles slightly.
Jimmy: Nice job you did with that cage by the way! You sure know how to improvise when you haven't got a key! (He looks at the padlock Chester had released his grasp on moments before.) Heh, having trouble, huh?
Chester looks at it and then back at Jimmy.
Chester: How are you cool with what I did?
Jimmy: Ah! Isn't it obvious?
Chester shakes his head.
Jimmy: I hate poaching; I don't even have a driver's license! My dad on the other hand thrives on it, he's trying to get me into the "business", but tell me, what good do you see in taking someone away from their family only to do something that's illegal anyway?
Chester (Frowning): Your dad's an illegal trader?
Jimmy (Rebellious): Yeah! And I hate him for it! You must have seen how sick he is when stole those other two cubs-
Cub: What other cubs?
Jimmy: The cubs back at the plains- (He suddenly stops) Who said that?!
Chester: He did. (Gesturing to the cub) Wait a minute; how can you hear him?
Jimmy (Slightly worried): I, I don't know. (He looks at Chester) How can you hear him?
Chester shrugs his shoulders and all of a sudden they hear Jimmy's dad calling him.
J's Dad (Calling): HEY JIMMY! GET A MOVE ON! THIS CAGE WON'T FIX ITSELF!
Jimmy (Calling back): JUST A SECOND! (To Chester) Here, take these- (He hands Chester two sets of keys) Get him outta here, its number five for that door (indicating the cub's door) Take the 4x4 and get him back to his parents! There's a map in the glove compartment to show you which way to go. It's the least I can do, man.
Chester (Smiling in surprise): Thanks!
Jimmy (Smiling): Don't mention it! Your name is-?
Chester: Oh! It's Chester!
Jimmy (Turning to go): Well, see you around, Chester!
Chester: You too, Jimmy!
With that, Jimmy heads off to his father's aid while Chester unlocks the cage door releasing Simba and Nala's son, then he hoists the cub out the window and then quickly gets out himself. Chester and the cub run over to the 4x4 and they get in, Chester seats the cub on the passenger seat then getting in himself.
Cub (Looking at all the dials and buttons in the car): Wow, weird!
Chester: Yeah, sure is. O.K, let's get going!
Chester inserts the key and turns it; it doesn't work so tries again and succeeds in starting it.
Chester: Seatbelt on?
The cub looks at him strangely.
Chester: Ah, never mind. (He puts his seatbelt on) Do you have a good grip?
The cub nods slowly.
Chester: Well, HANG ON TIGHT!
He puts his foot down and speeds off into the jungle. The prince was on his way home.
Some time since the cage had been retrieved from the Pride Lands, the 4x4 had stopped outside a building that looked somewhat deserted. The journey had taken place through a part of the jungle some distance from the Pride Lands. Chester was half-asleep during the journey so he had no idea how far he'd come from the Pride Lands and his newfound "family". He climbed out from the cage quickly and ran a distance away from the 4x4 and the cage. Chester waited for them to vacate the car so he could start searching for Simba and Nala's son. He had no idea what its name was but surely if he knew his parent's names he could trust him.
Jimmy: What now?
J's Dad (Sarcastically): What kinda question is that? (He starts talking in a way that sounds like he is explaining something to a very small child) First of all, we unscrew the hiiitch, and theeenn, we take it into the garaagge! (He starts talking normally) Does that answer your question?
Jimmy (Shaking his head disbelievingly): You take things waaaaay too far!
J's Dad chuckles at him, apparently pleased with himself. The son reluctantly pushes the cage into a badly kept garage. With that, they close the door and set work on the cage as apparently the only one they had at this location was the one Chester and Kovu ripped the door off of. Chester rushes from his hiding place, across the now-deserted, sun-soaked compound. He begins searching for some place to get a look inside to get some idea where the cub resided. Chester found out that he was indeed there, he overheard them arguing about how it was Jimmy's fault that only one cub sits waiting there in confinement on the ride to the "cell block".
Chester (Whispering): Come on! Where are you?
Chester silently paces around the block looking for a window or something to get a look inside.
Chester (Thinking): Man, I wonder how the others are holdin' out.
***********************************************
Meanwhile, at Pride Rock, Simba is conversation with Nala.
Nala (Worriedly): You don't think he could ran away, could he? I mean, it IS awkward having a human around isn't it?
Simba: No. I don't he'd be one to do something like that and he seemed perfectly happy about staying with us. I wonder if it was something I said-
Just then, Timon and Pumbaa come up to Simba and Nala.
Timon: 'Afternoon, guys! What's up?
Simba (Noticing them): Hey Timon! Listen, you wouldn't know where Chester is, would you? We haven't seen him since last night.
Pumbaa (Lying): Oh, no idea, he seemed O.K yesterday, so he couldn't have ran away.
Simba: That's what I was saying- (he realises what Pumbaa said) wait a second; what do you mean by "he seemed O.K"?
Pumbaa (Stammering slightly): W. well I-
Timon (Disguising his hastiness): He overheard ya talking and he's just saying he seemed O.K to him so he wasn't likely to run away!
Simba (Understanding): Oh, right! I get you now! Well, if you see him, tell him we're looking for him.
Timon and Pumbaa nod and then head off.
Timon (Out of earshot): That was too close.
Pumbaa (Concerned): Do you we should tell them? They seem worried that he's gone.
Timon: No! If we say something they might get into a panic and blame themselves for he's doing! Besides, if he DOES do it, it would be a nice surprise for them.
Pumbaa (Agreeing): Yeah, you're right, Timon. (Thoughtfully) I wonder how he's doing.
***********************************************
Back at the compound Chester had found a window outside a group of cells, he's looking in searching for a lone lion cub as according to the constantly rioting father and son; the cub was their only successful catch.
Chester is pressing his nose against the window scanning the room for a sign of life. He couldn't see anything and began to give up hope when he caught sight of a weak-looking lion cub lying on the ground alone behind an iron, grated door with a padlock on it. He prises the window open with some difficulty and carefully lays it against the wall beneath him.
Chester (Whispering): Hey! You! Little cub!
The cub makes no sound but rolls over slightly.
Chester (Whispering but louder than before): Hey, don't laze around on me!
The cub stirs a little bit, mumbling slightly.
Cub (Mumbling): Unnh, wha? Who?
Chester (Whispering): Come on man! Look lively!
The cub opens its eyes and looks around for the source of the sound.
Cub (Looking around): Who's there? Who are you?
Chester: Look at the window.
Cub: What's a window?
Chester: Look where the light's comin' from!
The cub follows the light to Chester and is taken aback.
Cub (Frantically): AH! Don't hurt me!
Chester leans onto the frame looking in at the cub.
Chester (Smiling reassuringly): Hey, relax man! I'm here to break you loose, not hurt ya!
Cub (Cautiously): What? Why?
Chester (Putting up a hand to silence him): Hang on a second, man. First up, do you know two lions called Simba and Nala?
Cub (Surprised): Yeah. Simba's my dad and Nala's my mom. But how did you-?
Chester (Smiling triumphantly): Thought as much!
Chester climbs inside and kneels down to talk to the cub.
Chester: Well, I heard what happened so I decided I'd try my hand at rescuing you.
Cub: But why?
Chester: That's not important! You want out, don't you?
The cub nods.
Chester: Well, let's get started then!
Chester stands up and begins working on the lock.
Cub (Stunned a bit): I'm sorry. Its just weird for me, I've never met a good human before.
Chester (Straining at the lock*): Notice anything else?
The cub thinks for a second but nothing.
Cub: No, what is it?
Chester (*): Aw, come on! Isn't it obvious?
???: You can talk to him.
Chester (*): Yeah! Exactly ri- (He breaks off)
Chester slowly turns his head and feels as though his heart had stopped. Jimmy, the poacher's son stood before him smiling peacefully at him, mock or not Chester doesn't know or care. All he knows is that he's busted before he could do anything.
Jimmy (Calmly): Hey. Remember me?
Chester (Stiffly): Wha? What do you mean?
Jimmy: I saw you two days ago, under the bushes when my dad caught the cubs. I know you saved 'em too.
Chester is stunned by this. How could he know? Why is he talking to him so calmly when he is in the middle of attempting break the cub free?
Jimmy smiles slightly.
Jimmy: Nice job you did with that cage by the way! You sure know how to improvise when you haven't got a key! (He looks at the padlock Chester had released his grasp on moments before.) Heh, having trouble, huh?
Chester looks at it and then back at Jimmy.
Chester: How are you cool with what I did?
Jimmy: Ah! Isn't it obvious?
Chester shakes his head.
Jimmy: I hate poaching; I don't even have a driver's license! My dad on the other hand thrives on it, he's trying to get me into the "business", but tell me, what good do you see in taking someone away from their family only to do something that's illegal anyway?
Chester (Frowning): Your dad's an illegal trader?
Jimmy (Rebellious): Yeah! And I hate him for it! You must have seen how sick he is when stole those other two cubs-
Cub: What other cubs?
Jimmy: The cubs back at the plains- (He suddenly stops) Who said that?!
Chester: He did. (Gesturing to the cub) Wait a minute; how can you hear him?
Jimmy (Slightly worried): I, I don't know. (He looks at Chester) How can you hear him?
Chester shrugs his shoulders and all of a sudden they hear Jimmy's dad calling him.
J's Dad (Calling): HEY JIMMY! GET A MOVE ON! THIS CAGE WON'T FIX ITSELF!
Jimmy (Calling back): JUST A SECOND! (To Chester) Here, take these- (He hands Chester two sets of keys) Get him outta here, its number five for that door (indicating the cub's door) Take the 4x4 and get him back to his parents! There's a map in the glove compartment to show you which way to go. It's the least I can do, man.
Chester (Smiling in surprise): Thanks!
Jimmy (Smiling): Don't mention it! Your name is-?
Chester: Oh! It's Chester!
Jimmy (Turning to go): Well, see you around, Chester!
Chester: You too, Jimmy!
With that, Jimmy heads off to his father's aid while Chester unlocks the cage door releasing Simba and Nala's son, then he hoists the cub out the window and then quickly gets out himself. Chester and the cub run over to the 4x4 and they get in, Chester seats the cub on the passenger seat then getting in himself.
Cub (Looking at all the dials and buttons in the car): Wow, weird!
Chester: Yeah, sure is. O.K, let's get going!
Chester inserts the key and turns it; it doesn't work so tries again and succeeds in starting it.
Chester: Seatbelt on?
The cub looks at him strangely.
Chester: Ah, never mind. (He puts his seatbelt on) Do you have a good grip?
The cub nods slowly.
Chester: Well, HANG ON TIGHT!
He puts his foot down and speeds off into the jungle. The prince was on his way home.