Before passing the sleeping swan, she just had to get another feel of those soft snowy white feathers. She then headed out to the kitchen and began to make breakfast.
Todd was the first of the guest to awake. He headed out into the kitchen. "Good morning, Todd," Penelope said.
"Good morning."
"I'm really sorry we couldn't be together," she said. "I should have told you I already had someone."
"It's OK," he said.
"I still think you're a little cutie," Penelope said, patting his head.
He smiled and blushed, slightly dipping his head inside his shell.
"Breakfast will be ready soon."
Soon enough, Todd and his friends, as well as Bentley, were gathered at the dining room table enjoying breakfast.
"So, Brian," Bentley asked. "How were you able to afford college?"
"I was awarded a scholarship for poor orphans," he answered. "You could have gotten one too if you weren't such a kleptomanic."
"It sounds like you're still jealous that you weren't included in the original Cooper gang," Bentley said.
"Not at all, my friend," he said. "I've made quite a life for myself."
"So that's why you're leaving it all behind to join me?" Bentley asked.
"No," said the badger. "I've got some vacation time coming up, and I figured going on an adventure with my good friends would be an interesting and unique way to spend it."
"If you say so." Bentley now turned his attentions toward Todd. He felt a certain kinship with him, as both were rather shy and bookish turtles. However, Todd seemed to have more of a sense of self-confidence, and people seemed to want to be around him.
"Hey, Todd," he said. "I've been wondering, why are you so well-liked? I'm mean, we're both quiet bookworms, yet everyone seems to enjoy being around you, yet everyone finds me annoying?"
"Well," Todd said. "For starters, you need to tone down your voice a bit. It always sounds like you're shouting."
"My voice?" he said. "There's nothing wrong with my voice." He looked to the others. "Is there? Is there?"
"I think you should tone it down just a bit," said Penelope.
"And secondly," Todd continued. "You should start wearing clothes. No one wants to look at your naked body."
"That's what I've been trying to tell him," Penelope said.
"I look fine the way I am," said Bentley.
"And lastly," Todd then said. "You need to stop being a whiny, annoying douchebag."
"I'm not whiny or annoying," Bentley said. "Am I?" He looked to the others.
"You're so annoying," Oliver said. "That I wanted to throw you out the window five minutes after meeting you."
"You were always the whiniest kid on the playground," said Brian.
"There's a reason I considered leaving you," Penelope said.
"Enough of this," said Bentley. "It's time to leave. We have a long drive ahead of us."
"How are we all going to fit into one car?" Brian asked.
"I've already taken care of that," Bentley said. "Follow me."
They all followed him outside and behind the apartment building. He moved a large tarp to uncover a public bus. It had been painted black. He opened the door and led them inside. The bus contained rows of computers and various other equipment required for their mission. The driver's seat had been removed to accomodate his wheelchair.
"I'm impressed," said Oliver.
"Let's get going," Bentley said, moving over to the steering wheel, closing the door and starting the bus. The others all sat down as they left his apartment and headed off toward adventure.