Author's Note: Ok everyone, here's chapter 39. Be aware that chapter 40 will be the last one. So make those three reviews A.S.A.P. so you know how it all ends!
Chapter 39: Bridging the Gap
"Alright," Alex said from his enclosure, on his toes trying to see the others in Marty's pen, "We'll wait for the distraction and then head over to the primate area."
"Alex, you ride on my back," Marty instructed.
"Ok," Alex nodded. He turned, "And Julien, you get on my shoulder."
"What about us?" Melman asked.
"Melman," Marty laughed, "You and Gloria are the easiest things to spot in the entire zoo. Maybe after the elephants, but still."
"Fine, we'll make sure no one notices your not here," Gloria explained.
Julien saluted, "Aye aye, mes captains!"
There was another awkward pause.
Marty turned his head slightly, "...what exactly are we waiting for?"
KERSPLASH!
Alex laughed, "That."
Rico held up another stick of dynamite. Private struck another match from the 7/11 matchbook and set the fuse ablaze. Rico handed the explosive to Kowalski. Kowalski waited for just the right moment, and then chucked it into the pool surrounding them.
KERSPLASH! Once more, the dynamite exploded just underneath the water's surface. Tiny droplets sprinkled around the zoo. Alarmed, the people began rushing towards the exits. The two old men in front of Marty's area dashed out of sight.
Rico clapped his hands in delight, "Kaboom, kaboom, kaboom!"
Meanwhile, Alex took another look around. The staff was cautiously approaching the penguin's glacial enclosure. The five guards from the primate area got a call on their walkie-talkies. They soon joined the rest of the zoo staff.
KERSPLASH! Another stick of dynamite exploded beneath the water. The area around the penguins was getting drenched. Stray water even landed on Alex. He hated water. "Alright, let's go!" he ordered.
Melman and Gloria reached down into the lion's den and pulled Alex up in a swift motion, dropping him onto Marty's back. Alex felt a rip at his side where his bullet wound resided. He made a painful groan.
Marty turned his head in alarm, "Alex, are you ok?"
Alex nodded, "Fine. I'm fine. Let's get moving!"
The zebra leaped over the black iron fence onto the assault beside him.
"C'mon Julien!" Alex commanded.
"Oh-right!" the lemur jumped onto Alex's shoulder. Julien pointed forward, "Heigh-ho Marty! Away!"
Marty began a steady gallop down the now empty guest's path. The zebra looked to the right. The zoo staff, dressed in tan uniforms, were crowding around the penguin's enclosure. Marty couldn't even see the penguins past the mass of people. With another explosion, water once again shot into the air.
The people didn't notice a thing. Marty quickened his pace, wanting to get past the people faster. Alex, Marty, and Julien past the elephants, Ted the polar bear, the camel family of the Weinstein's, the two British crocodiles, and then the empty lemur cage where Julien was meant to reside. They had now entered the primate enclosure.
Fake jungle trees were stuffed into pots and placed next to the red brick walls. The ambience speakers were louder in this area. Random sounds of jungle birds, and howler monkey's blasted into the zoosters' ears.
Nervously, Alex's eyes scanned the area. He didn't see the chimps very often, but he had talked to them at one point or another. At last, he found their cage. It was among the largest and most open. Inside was a brown tree with ropes that ran from the large branches to the black bars on the side. "Over there, Marty!" Alex pointed.
"Right!" the zebra stood in front of the cage.
Another aquatic explosion sounded in the distance.
"Hello?" Alex called out. He couldn't see them anywhere. He looked around the cage. Empty beer cans were littered across the concrete floor, as well as several newspapers and grubby books. "Is anyone in there?"
A voice sounded from the cage. "Oh. It's you. What do you want?" a heavy English accent said.
Alex, Marty, and Julien looked up. Mason and Phil, the brown chimpanzees, were resting at the very top of the tree. Phil was asleep, most likely his only escape from a bad hangover.
"Um. We just wanted to talk to you-" Alex explained.
"About what?" Mason swung down to the ground with one arm. The chimp sounded a bit aggravated.
Julien continued, "We were wondering, if you could be doing us a favor."
Mason's lip curled and brow pushed forward, "Do you have any idea what you put us through! You Lion! Zebra! And the other Goliaths you spend your time with!"
"What?" Alex was confused, "What did we do to you?"
"If you recall, all the animals caught that night at Grand Central Station were transferred to the African Wild Life Preserve in Kenya," Mason explained.
"Yeah," Marty nodded, "I know we were put on a boat to be transferred. We didn't know we were supposed to go to Africa until later."
"Why do our lives matter to you?" Alex wondered, "I know we were gone for a bit, but it's not our fault. We were shipwrecked on-"
"Madagascar!" Mason finished.
Alex was shocked, "Wait. How did you know that?"
Mason rolled his eyes, "For one thing, it's all over the news! Just take a look at today's paper! Phil read it to me before he passed out. That drunk monkey." The irate ape scooped up a nearby print. He held the article up:
NEWSDAY 6/12/05
THE BELOVED ANIMALS OF THE CENTRAL PARK ZOO RETURN!
Just four days ago, on June 8th, 2005, seven more missing animals from
the Central Park Zoo were found stowed away on a cargo jet in the LaGuardia
Airport in Manhattan. The animals included, the King of New York: Alex the
Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippopotamus, Melman the Giraffe, and
three Penguins. (All named by head Zoo Keeper Joe Decamp, excepting
Melman Mankowitz the Giraffe, named by Sharon Wellesley of the Bronx
Zoo.) Along with the New York animals was an unidentified
ring-tailed lemur affectionately named, Scraggles. -
"What?" Julien was shocked.
"Shh," Alex held a hand to his lips, "I'm still reading."
Another splash emitted from the penguin's pool. A single drop of water landed on the word "Scraggles" smearing the ink. Julien grinned in satisfaction.
Phil stirred slightly, but continued snoring.
The three continued reading:
Zoo Keeper Joe Decamp rushed to the airport after hearing
rumors of unidentified animals causing a problem in the
Mombasa International Airport. "It's a lucky thing I arrived in time,"
Joe tells us moments after the incident at the LaGuardia Airport.
All the animals were in fine health, other than mild malnutrition,
with the exception of the King of New York: Alex the Lion. The
Lion was found to have a bullet wound caused by a rifle as well as a
fractured ankle. Stranger yet, was the fact that both wounds
were bandaged. The rifle wound grazed the lungs of the young lion
causing a labor of breath, as well as an extreme loss of blood
and decreased blood pressure from an exit wound on the lion's back.
By the time paramedics arrived to
help the lion, his heart had stopped. Luckily, using basic CPR, Alex
the Lion was successfully resuscitated, making it the first time
in history a lion has been brought back from the dead. Alex the
Lion is still sleeping, but the Central Park Zoo Vets say that he
should make a full recovery. PETA gave a statement on the matter.
They say that the animals clearly show a longing to be at the zoo,
having returned over an entire ocean and days of no human
contact. All of the animals, including Scraggles will be permanently
located at the Central Park Zoo.
"What were these animals doing on a plane?" the public asks.
Perhaps we should repeat the fascinating tale of these New York animals.
On May 27th, 2005 ten animals escaped from the Central Park Zoo
at approximately 9:30pm. All ten were found at Grand Central Station
after a disturbance on the Subway. PETA officials defended the animals
is saying they only wished to go to the wild. The people signed a petition, and
the ten animals were sent to a Wild Life Preserve outside of Miritini, Kenya
in Africa. The penguins would have been later set free in Antarctica. But,
the ship they were sent on never arrived at it's destination. The ship
was somehow hijacked overseas. The captain and his crew were finally
found in a small lifeboat off the coast of Hong Kong just days ago. The
only information we have is the captain muttering the word "penguins"
repeatedly before being sent to the hospital with his crew. All seem fine,
but will undergo intense psychotherapy. After being hijacked, the ship
was found days later off the coast of Northwestern Madagascar. Despite,
the location of the ship, reports of sighting the very same cargo ship
came from Southern New Zealand. This mystery will be further investigated.
On Madagascar, the wrecked ship was spotted by a passing plane.
The pilot also reported seeing the missing animals. A tug-boat
and rescue ship were sent to the scene. The rescue ship transported
eight of the ten animals safely to the Wild Life preserve. The other
two were found on the original cargo ship, still in their crates. And then,
as stated earlier the other animals were found at the LaGuardia airport.
So far, only one animal from the zoo remains missing. That is the fourth
and oldest penguin, according to Joe Decamp. He is presumed dead.
-Patricia Langstaff
"Wow..." Alex finally said.
"It sounds different from the people's point of view," Marty observed.
"I'll say," Julien added, "I didn't even know how you got to Madagascar, really."
"-Ahem!" Mason through down the paper, getting their attention. "Don't you see the reason behind my hostility? There were ten animals at Grand Central Station! There were ten animals on the Cargo ship! Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, the four penguins and finally Phil and I !"
"You were on that boat?" Marty questioned.
"Of course we were!" Mason defended, "And you left us for dead on that godforsaken boat on that bloody island!"
"Don't you be calling my island bloody!" Julien snapped back, his tonality became factual "Though it is quite a bloody place isn't it? What with the horrific deaths and all."
"Jeez, I'm sorry," Alex apologized through the bars of the cage, "We had no idea you were on that ship."
"How couldn't you? You had a going away party on it!" the chimp continued.
"Honestly, we all just wanted to go home," Marty suggested, "We weren't paying attention."
"Well, those penguins knew we were on board!" Mason added, "Phil and I had spoken to them shortly before they escaped their crates."
Once again there was an explosion and a splash. But then, there was a voice. "Mr. Lion! Mr. Zebra!" Private shouted, "Hurry up! We're almost out of time!"
Alex looked back. Four staff members were now swimming through the blue waters, slowly making there way to the center, where the penguins stood.
Mason continued, "It was a lucky thing that tug-boat came. The cargo ship was harboured in New York, so we were taken there by accident. Days went by with no food and little water. At last, the boat docked in Manhattan. Being closer to the zoo than the wildlife preserve, we were taken home."
"Well, we're all home now," Alex said in a quick pace, "But, I need to ask you, and your friend a favor before the people come back!"
Mason rubbed his chin, "Normally I would say no, but seeing that you're one of the walking wounded... I guess you've suffered as much as we have, and more," he said, "Well, don't leave us to die next time."
Alex shook his head, "There isn't going to be a next time. If my plan works, there never will be."
"So what exactly do you want us to do?" Mason inquired.
"Your friend up there can talk to the people with his hands," Alex explained, "And we have some things that we want the people to know."
"What kind of things?" the chimp asked.
Alex looked over to the penguins' enclosure. In a militaristic fashion, one of the more built zoo staff scooped up the three penguins. Noticing an ignited stick in Rico's hand, he snatched it and threw it into the water, making the last wet explosion. Half of the penguin's cooled glacial pool was gone. The low water level exposed rusted stains etched on the side of the pool's cerulean blue wall.
"I'd love to talk," Alex rushed, "But our distraction has officially ended!"
Marty looked over, and to his horror found that Alex was right!
Julien panicked, "Well, what are we to do now?"
Alex snapped his head back at Mason, "How fast can you and your friend get out of that cage?"
"About three seconds," Mason grinned slightly. Calmly, he approached the cage door on the left side.
Meanwhile, Alex, Marty, and Julien glanced nervously between the cage and the penguins. The buff man holding the penguins was now starting back towards the guest path.
"C'mon. We need more time," Marty whispered.
SMACK! Private dealt a blow to the man's stomach. The wind was knocked clean our of him causing him to drop the penguins in the half drained pool. Naturally adept to swimming, they streaked through the water and sprang up into the air, landing perfectly back on their glacier. Reluctantly, more staff braved to approach the foul fowl.
"Yes!" Julien cheered.
Mason successfully unlocked the iron cage door, "Ah, the humans. How they underestimate us so."
'That's something I want to change, too.' Alex thought.
"Phil!" Mason shouted, "PHIL! Get up! You actually have something to do for once."
Phil simply rolled onto his side on the branch above.
"Get up you lazy no good-" Mason looked down and his eyes spotted something of interest. He reached down and chucked an empty beer can at the ape. Phil rolled over once more, but this time too far. With a thud, he dropped to the ground. Lazily, he yawned and stood as if he had woken up on his own.
"Get on the zebra's back. We've got work to do," Mason signalled.
"It won't be a very long time before we have to go!" Julien hopped up and down, "What are we going to do?"
The two apes climbed onto Marty's back. The zebra's knees wobbled. He was now supporting the weight of a lion, two full grown chimpanzees, and to top it off: a lemur. "To the zoo's office!" Marty yelled.
With the weight on his back, he could think of only one thing to do. Reach the destination faster! Going as fast as he was able, Marty zoomed across the zoo. The surroundings begin to blur with speed. Marty thought he heard a zoo keeper spot him, but he kept running anyways.
At last, they arrived at the zoo office on the east side of the zoo. He planted himself in a sitting position causing Mason and Phil to slide off his back, landing ungracefully. Marty stood up once more, now only with Alex and Julien on his back. The zebra sighed in relief.
Hearing a noise, Phil looked behind him. The zoo staff was returning to their posts, including the office people.
"We have to get in the office!" Alex pointed out.
"What then?" Marty asked.
Alex took a moment to answer, "... I dunno. We'll play it by ear."
Marty wasn't satisfied, but continued forward. The five animals entered through green wooden doors into a bland hallway with numerous doors on each side.
"Where do we go now?" Marty asked.
Alex shook his head, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but we don't go anywhere. We have to get caught by the people."
The chimps gasped. "Are you daft?" Mason protested, "I thought you had a plan."
"Trust me," Alex reassured, "It will work."
Phil grimaced and made a deliberate gesture with his hands.
"What did he say?" Julien asked.
Mason answered, "I think you'd be happier not knowing."
Behind them, the green doors burst open. Three angry office members came through the doors. A blond woman, a brunette woman, and a chubby gray haired man: zoo keeper Joe. They were grumbling amongst themselves, when suddenly they looked up to see five animals staring straight at them. The room grew silent.
"Phil," Alex whispered, "Tell them that we mean no harm."
The chimp nodded and began gesturing.
Zoo Keeper Joe raised an eyebrow, "Does anyone here know sign language?"
The blonde woman, still shocked answered, "I-I do...I mean, I know sign language."
Joe pointed to Phil, "Is he saying something?"
She watched his actions. Over and over Phil repeated the sentence. She read, "...we...will not...hurt...you..." she looked at Joe, "We will not hurt you," she repeated.
"Good," Alex told him, "Now tell them that we want to talk about the zoo."
Phil nodded and signed again.
The brunette woman had already left out of fear of Alex. The blonde woman paid no notice and continued to translate, "...we...wish...to...discuss...matters...concerning...the zoo..."
"Well..." Joe attempted to think, "Well, uh...er...um...tell them that we'll be, um, happy to discuss...things?"
The woman smiled, "Actually, I think they understand you just fine. Tell them yourself."
The man stepped forward and cleared his throat, "This is a bit unorthodox, to say the least, but step into my office." Joe walked past the animals and opened the first door to the left. "Right this way." Alex, Marty, Julien, Phil and Mason stepped into the spacious room. Joe turned to the blonde woman, "Sue, you better come along. I can't read sign language."
"Yes, sir," she scuttled in after the animals.
Joe then entered himself, muttering under his breath, "I can't believe I'm having a meeting with animals."
The afternoon went by, and they all had there meeting. Several topics important to Alex and other animals were brought up. Some progress was made, and a new relationship between human and animals was built. The zoo opened after the penguin's dynamite was confiscated, luckily the penguin's bunker still remained a secret, and more dynamite was hidden beneath the ice.
Nevertheless, the meeting still continued. In fact, by the time it had ended it was already seven o'clock. Zoo Keeper Joe arranged for them to meet twice every week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then sent them back to their enclosures.
By the time they exited the green doors, a flood of flashing cameras and reporters clouded around the animals and Joe. Word about animals that could communicate with people had gotten around fast, and filled the nation with wonder and fascination. Finally, they made it back to their pens, and were all feeling quite pleased with themselves.
Alex, Marty, and Julien bode the chimps good-night and thank you before sharing the news with Gloria and Melman. After a brief situation, it was time to sleep. Alex at last convinced Julien to sleep in his own enclosure where he would be more comfortable. Julien bode the others goodnight as well, and departed, and all of the zoo drifted into slumber. The zoo staff left, and turned out the lights.
It was a relatively peaceful night. It was warm and comfortable. And for the first time in months, more than three stars could be seen from Manhattan.
Alex dreamed that he and Marty were playing tag on Madagascar. All the unlucky occurrences and bloodshed seemed to be repented now. Alex playfully stood on Marty's back. Marty laughed and pushed him off. But then a third voice entered the dream. "Alex," it said, "Hey kitty, wake up. You psychotic lion, wake up! I wanted to say hello."
Alex bolted awake. Frantically, he looked around. In front of his was a black and white figure. "Skipper?" Alex asked hopefully.
"You better believe it," the penguin smiled back.
Alex's hopes came true. He smiled, "Oh my god, Skipper! You're back! It's so good to see you."
"Keep it down," Skipper ordered, "I don't want to wake anyone up. I'll deal with the others later. I just wanted to see if you were alright."
"Yeah, I'm fine," Alex answered quietly, a large smile still on his mouth.
"I'm glad," Skipper nodded, "I knew my troops would complete the mission."
"How did you get back?" Alex asked.
"It's simple really," the penguin explained, "I simply took the next cargo flight out. I just didn't expect it to take so long. All those passenger flights."
Alex commented, "I trust it you got here a bit more quietly than we did."
"They never gave a second glance," Skipper replied.
"Like I said, it's good to see you're back."
Skipper responded, "And it's good to see you're alive and well. I was really worried about you, cat."
Alex laughed, "Thanks."
Skipper looked around, "Well I better get going. The troops will be happy to see me. I'll see you and your friends tomorrow. I feel a celebration is in order." Skipper raised an imaginary glass and turned to leave. He waddled towards the wall.
"See you later, Skipper," Alex called after him.
Skipper turned around, and gave a sly grin, "Please. Call me Skip."