Disclaimer: I don't own the 2004 animated film Shark Tale and all rights goes to DreamWorks Animation SKG. Shark Tale has been one of my favorite movies since my childhood, and it still is today. I've enjoyed that movie many times since I was a kid, and I still enjoy it today. Since I love the movie so much, I decided to do a whole retelling of the movie that is called When A Little Fish Tells A Great White Lie with new characters, new scenes, and different dialogue, and my OC belongs to me. Oh, and by the way, please enjoy the retelling of the movie and please review. Also, you can follow and/or favor the retelling if you want to. Please enjoy and share your thoughts and opinions of the retelling of the movie :)
When A Little Fish Tells A Great White Lie
Chapter 3: You Are Your Own Person
Back at the RMS Titanic, the members of the great white shark mafia have gathered at the glamorous restaurant for dinnertime. Some of them were eating, some of them were fooling around, some of them were talking to each other, and some of them were playing classical music by using violin, harp, flute, and trumpet on the stage which is for entertainment.
Don Lino sat at the table that is located at a corner of the restaurant with his two sons Lenny and Frankie and his only daughter Teresa. While Frankie and Teresa were eating their dinner, Don Lino was having a conversation about Lenny for being different from the other sharks and questions him about his gentle and friendly nature after learning from the seven members of his great white shark mafia who have robbed the bank from earlier, and Lenny looked very upset when Don Lino began questioning about his behavior and being so different.
"What do you mean you don't understand about being a killer? What's there to understand about it?" asked Don Lino just as he held a glass cup. "We've been over this a thousand times, and I've been telling you about being a killer a thousand times as well. I don't want to have to remind you about it all over again. You know, you're really giving me agita and complications, you know that?" He put the cup down on the table. "I don't know what else to explain this whole tradition to you, Lenny. When you see something such as a fish, a crab, or a seal, you kill it and you eat it. Period."
A sawshark butler arrives at the Lino family's table and puts a shrimp cocktail there before leaving. Don Lino quickly notices the sawshark butler put the shrimp cocktail on his and his family's table and he shows gratitude for putting the shrimp cocktail on his and his family's table so they could have some shrimp to eat while they are having some dinner.
"Thanks. Thank you very much for the shrimp, and you were right on time." said Don Lino. He then turned back to Lenny. "That's what sharks do, and they've been doing it for so many years. It's a tradition for sharks to be cold-blooded killers and you really need to follow that kind of tradition for. What's the matter with you? Why are you looking like that, huh?" Lenny stared at him while he looked upset just as he moved a spoon to another spoon on the table and looked at a menu. "Your older brother, Frankie, here, he's a cold-blooded killer. Frankie is already a cold-blooded killer just like the other sharks."
Frankie kept eating oysters for dinner while he had crumbs all over his face. "Thanks, Pop. Thank you for praising me."
"He's beautiful. He does what he's supposed to do, and he already follows the sharks' tradition to be killers." said Don Lino just as he gently patted on Frankie's snout. "Frankie, wipe your face. It's messy." Frankie wipes his face, but there's still some crumbs on his face and continues eating his dinner. "But you, Lenny…I've been hearing things about you lately. The members of my mafia have been telling things about how you weren't being a killer at all, and how you wouldn't kill and eat anything at all."
Lenny stared at Don Lino just as he looked very upset and continued looking at the menu. Teresa continued eating kelp soup for dinner, and she was completely disgusted by how Frankie is eating his oysters for dinner since he was really a messy eater and had bad table manners.
Also, while she was very disgusted by how Frankie eats, Teresa quickly began to feel greatly concerned about Lenny since Don Lino questions about his compassionate and kindhearted personality and being so different from the other sharks, and she began to feel bad about Lenny because she doesn't think there's nothing wrong with him being so different from the other sharks and she strongly disapproves of Don Lino questioning about his behavior.
Teresa really accepts Lenny for who he is, and she decides to tell Don Lino that he shouldn't judge Lenny for his gentle behavior because he is his own person and he's already perfect just the way he is since everybody is their own person and perfect just the way they are. Also, she is completely aware that even though most sharks in the ocean are aggressive and savage, there are most sharks in the ocean who are kindhearted and good-natured since Lenny is one of them, and she is one of those sharks as well.
"Um…Daddy…" said Teresa just as she tried to say something, but she didn't get Don Lino's attention.
"You gotta understand. When you look weak and suffering from hunger, it makes me look weak and suffering from hunger." said Don Lino. "I can't allow that. I just can't. And I couldn't stand to see you like that for one minute."
"I already know that, Pop. I'm so sorry." apologized Lenny just as he was upset. He continued to look at the menu.
"Daddy…" said Teresa just as she tried to say something, but she still didn't get Don Lino's attention.
"Lenny. Lenny. Look at me when I'm talking to you. Look at me when I'm talking to you." said Don Lino just as Lenny stared at him. "Handing over the family business when I retire as the crime boss of the great white shark mafia is for you, your older brother, and your little sister. And you're acting like you don't even want to become the new Don along with your two siblings." Lenny shook his head while he shrugged. "I need to know you can handle becoming the new Don of the great white shark mafia along with your brother and sister when I retire."
"Daddy." said Teresa. She finally gets Don Lino's attention.
"Yes, Teresa?" asked Don Lino.
"May I ask you something?" asked Teresa.
"Yeah, what do you want to tell me?" asked Don Lino.
"Does Lenny really have to be a killer to become the new crime boss of the great white shark mafia?" asked Teresa. "Does he really have to be a cold-blooded killer just like Frankie so could become the new Don as well as run Southside Reef."
"Well, of course he does, my little sweetie pie." answered Don Lino. "In order for Lenny to become the new crime boss of the great whites, he must be a killer because it's a tradition for all sharks to be killers. Sharks are vicious and bloodthirsty, and Lenny must be vicious and bloodthirsty if he's gonna become the new Don of the great whites as well as run the reef. Our crime family has been running the reef for so many years, and it's gonna be your kids' turn to run it soon."
"Yeah, but are you sure that Lenny really has to be vicious and bloodthirsty in order to become the new crime boss of the great whites?" asked Teresa. Don Lino nodded. "But Daddy, you really need to know about this. And it's very important."
"Well, what is it?" asked Don Lino.
"Even though sharks are vicious and bloodthirsty, and they do kill and eat something such as fish, crabs, and seals, most sharks are…" said Teresa just as she tried to explain to Don Lino. Suddenly, she burps very loudly which causes Lenny, Frankie, and Don Lino to become filled with surprise, and she covers her mouth in embarrassment. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that. It was the kelp soup I was eating. That wasn't ladylike, I'm so sorry."
"It's alright, Teresa. You just had to let it out." said Don Lino. "So, you were saying?"
"Well, you need to know that even though most sharks are killers, there are most of them who are actually…" said Teresa just as she tried to explain to Don Lino. However, she quickly loses his attention when he turns his attention to the shrimp cocktail, much to her disappointment just as she did a facepalm.
Don Lino stared at the shrimp just as he gasps and suddenly gets an idea. He pulled one of the shrimp out of the shrimp cocktail, and the shrimp's name is Horace. Horace coughed once he got pulled out the shrimp cocktail, and he became filled with fear since he is now in Don Lino's grasp.
"Alright, alright. Right here in front of me, right now, eat this shrimp." said Don Lino just as Horace whimpered in fear. "Since you haven't been killing and eating anything, I want you to eat this shrimp and I insist that you eat this."
Lenny stared at the frightened Horace just as he cringed, and there was no way he was going to be able to eat Horace since he is so good-natured and compassionate, and wouldn't anything to kill and eat anybody such as a little shrimp just like Horace.
"Wow, gee, thanks for the shrimp, Pop. I really appreciate your offer during dinner." said Lenny. "But here's the thing. I'm on a diet. You know, a healthy and balanced diet that is so special. And I've already read an article about these shrimps on the menu, they're not good for ya 'cause they're not so healthy. Do you have any idea how many calories are in one of those shrimps?" He looked at the menu for a moment. "A lot of calories."
"It's true. What he just said is very true." said Horace. "Shrimps do have a lot of calories and we are very unhealthy. My name is Horace, and the other thing is, my twin sister had a baby boy last year after her husband passed away. Then, I began taking care of my sister's son because she passed away due to a stroke, and then the baby lost its legs, and its arms due to some health issues, and now he's nothing but a stump. But I still take care of it with my wife, and even though he had some health issues, he's growing and it's fairly happy. But it's difficult taking care of my nephew 'cause I've been working a second shift at the factory to put food on the table to get enough medicine for him, but all the love and that smile I see on that little guy's face makes it worth it in the end." Don Lino stared at Horace. "It's a true story. All of that did really happen."
Lenny began crying upon hearing Horace's true story just as he wiped his tears, and Teresa stopped feeling so disappointed and began shedding tears upon hearing Horace's true story as well while Frankie became very annoyed.
Don Lino sighed. "I'm not asking you anymore. I'm telling you. Eat the shrimp! Eat him!"
"No, have mercy! Please, don't eat me!" begged Horace.
"Pop, please! I think I shouldn't eat that little guy!" said Lenny.
"Eat him!" said Don Lino.
"No! Don't eat me! Please, I beg of you!" begged Horace.
"Daddy, that shrimp is still alive and he says a tragedy has happened in his family!" said Teresa. "Lenny and I don't think eating him is such a good idea since he had a family tragedy!"
"Yeah, I shouldn't eat that shrimp because he just said that his family had a terrible tragedy, and it isn't a good idea that I should eat him!" said Lenny.
"Also, I believe what he just said!" said Teresa.
"I believe him too!" said Lenny.
"I don't care what the shrimp just said about his family! Son, eat the shrimp! Just eat the shrimp!" said Don Lino just as he got up.
"No! Please! I can't do it! I can't eat the shrimp!" said Lenny.
Suddenly, the five other shrimp from the shrimp cocktails popped their heads out of the cocktail sauce and began begging Lenny not to eat Horace.
"No!" begged shrimp #1.
"No, don't!" begged shrimp #2.
"Don't do it!" begged shrimp #3.
"Please, don't eat Horace!" begged shrimp #4.
"Don't eat Horace! Don't eat Horace!" begged shrimp #5.
"Daddy, please! Lenny doesn't really have to eat that little guy!" said Teresa.
"Lenny! I'm not gonna ask you any more!" said Don Lino. "Eat the shrimp! Eat him! Eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat!"
"Pop, please! I can't! I just can't!" said Lenny.
"Daddy, this isn't such a good idea!" said Teresa.
Don Lino, Lenny, and Teresa continued to argue while the five other shrimp from the shrimp cocktail continued to beg Lenny not to eat Horace, and Frankie just stared at Horace with a very hungry expression. Soon, while the argument continued and the five other shrimp kept begging Lenny not to eat Horace, Lenny had enough of it.
"PUT THE SHRIMP DOWN RIGHT NOW!" snapped Lenny.
Lenny grabs the Horace out of Don Lino's fin just as he jumped on the table, and he grabbed the five other shrimp along with the shrimp cocktail and held Horace and the five other shrimp gently in his fins while Don Lino became filled with complete shock and Teresa became amazed by what Lenny just did.
Also, the entire restaurant went silent just as the great white shark mobsters who were playing the instruments on the stage stopped playing their instruments and stared at Lenny in complete shock, and the members of the great white shark mafia stopped eating their dinner and stared at Lenny in complete shock as well.
"Go now. Nobody's looking." said Lenny just as he released Horace out his fin and released the five other shrimp off of the shrimp cocktail. Horace and the five other shrimp went through a hole out of a nearby window. "Nobody is noticing you're being freed. You guys are free to go now and you don't have to worry about getting eaten alive. Get out of here. You're free now. Enjoy your freedom. Go on. Go. Go."
"Yay!" said shrimp #1.
"Hooray!" said shrimp #2.
"We're free!" said shrimp #3.
"Free at last!" said shrimp #4.
"Freedom!" said shrimp #5.
"Good work, Lenny. It was really kind of you to set those shrimp free rather than eating them alive. You are so sweet." said Teresa.
"Thank you, Sis." said Lenny.
"You're welcome." said Teresa. She then turned to Horace and grabbed him in her fins. "It's alright, little guy. You and your friends are safe thanks to my brother, and you won't get eaten at all. Now you're free to go and enjoy your freedom." She cuddled Horace in her fins for a moment and then released him.
Horace went through the hole out of the window again and back to the five other shrimp. "Thank you. Thank you very much for sparing us from being eaten. You're a good person. And you're a good person too, pretty shark. You really look so pretty, and you're such a cutie."
"Really?" asked Teresa.
"Mmm-hmm." said Horace.
Teresa smiled at Horace's compliment of her. "Oh, thank you. Thank you for saying those kind words about me." She giggled.
"You're welcome, ma'am." said Horace. He then glared at Don Lino and punched his arms by telling him that he'll get revenge on him soon which made him very angry. "C'mon, fellas. Time to go."
Horace and the five other shrimp then leave while Lenny and Teresa both smiled at them and waved bye to them, but their smiles didn't last very long when they both saw Don Lino were very furious and embarrassed, and he glare furiously at Lenny for refusing to to kill and eat anything and glare furiously at Teresa for encouraging to be different from the other sharks while Frankie looked very worried about it.
Lenny became very dejected and sat back down just as he put the shrimp cocktail on the table and Teresa also became very dejected just as she felt really bad for Lenny. Don Lino sat back down while he kept glaring furiously at both Lenny and Teresa.
"Pop, Teresa and I can handle the reef by ourselves." said Frankie while hoping things will turn out okay. "It's not a problem. We can become the new crime bosses of the great whites together and run the reef by ourselves when you retire."
"Yeah, Frankie and I can take over the family business together when you step down as the Don of the great whites while Lenny could just…" said Teresa just as she tried to say something, but Don Lino interrupted her.
"No, Frankie and Teresa. It is a problem." said Don Lino. "The Lino crime family always work together, and you three are gonna be the crime bosses of the great white shark mafia and run the reef together as a family. Frankie, I want you to take Lenny out, and show him the ropes. Tutor him on the ways of the family business tomorrow."
"Oh, come on, Pop." said Frankie. "Do I really have to do it?"
"Yes, you do, Frankie." said Don Lino. "Teresa, you're gonna help Frankie with tutoring Lenny tomorrow as well."
"What? But…But, Daddy…" said Teresa just as she tried to say something, but Don Lino interrupted her again.
"Son, you're gonna learn how to be a shark." said Don Lino. "You will learn how to become a killer just like your brother Frankie while your sister Teresa helps him out and follow the tradition the other sharks have been following for so long. Whether you like it or not."
Lenny stared at Don Lino just as he became even more dejected than before. He couldn't believe that he expects him to become an aggressive and vicious shark, and he also couldn't believe that he isn't accepting him for who he is and forcing him to become something that he truly isn't.
Teresa also couldn't believe Don Lino expects Lenny to become an aggressive and vicious shark, and she wishes that Don Lino would just accept Lenny for who he is rather than forcing him to become a killer. Also, she really felt bad for Lenny and she already accepts him for who he is because he loves him just the way he is.
Later on that night at the RMS Titanic, dinnertime at the restaurant is now over, and the members of the great white shark mafia are now getting ready to go to bed just as they went to each of their bedrooms. Just as they are, Teresa is in her bedroom sitting on the couch, and she is very concerned about Lenny being forced to become a killer just like Frankie by Don Lino.
She really disapproves of Don Lino questioning Lenny for his kind and gentle nature, and she also remembers that she tried to tell him that even though that most sharks are bloodthirsty and savage, there are most sharks who are friendly and kindhearted since Lenny is one of those kinds of sharks and she's one of them as well.
Teresa really wishes that Don Lino would just accept Lenny for who he is and allow him to be himself, and she already knows that since Lenny is different from the other sharks and Don Lino is forcing him to be a killer just like Frankie while she's encouraging him to be different from the other sharks, his and her loving relationship with Don Lino has became very strained.
Then, Teresa picks up her diary and a pencil from the table, and she began writing in her diary about her and Lenny's loving relationship with Don Lino has became strained since Lenny is being so different from the other sharks and Teresa encouraging him to be different from the other sharks, and how they used to be very close to Don Lino before their loving relationship with him became very strained due to Lenny's behavior and Teresa's encouragement for Lenny's behavior. What Teresa writes in her diary is:
Dearest Diary,
One of my older brothers Lenny is having problems with Daddy, and it's all because Lenny is different from the other sharks. He really wants Lenny to be just like Frankie, but he wouldn't accept Lenny for who he is 'cause it's a tradition for sharks to be aggressive and cold-blooded.
While the other sharks in the ocean are aggressive and cold-blooded, most sharks in the ocean are not like that 'cause most of them are actually gentle and compassionate. There are sharks who are vicious and there are sharks who are friendly. Lenny is one of the friendly sharks, and I'm one of them too. I'm a shark who is friendly just like Lenny.
Oh, I wish Daddy would know that not all sharks are vicious, but he wouldn't listen 'cause he's way too focused on wanting Lenny to be a vicious shark just like Frankie and to follow the tradition of sharks being killers. Also, I wish that Daddy would just accept Lenny for who he is and understand that he is already perfect just the way he is, but he wouldn't listen to that either since he wants him to be just like Frankie.
Since Lenny is different from the other sharks and he wouldn't eat and kill anything, he began having problems with Daddy and their relationship hasn't been the best lately. Oh, and by the way, I began having problems with Daddy and my relationship has been the best lately too 'cause I've always been on Lenny's side and encouraged him to be different. The reason why I'm always on Lenny's side and encouraged him to be different is because I already accept him for who he is, and I honestly don't care if he's truly a killer or not 'cause it doesn't really matter.
It doesn't really matter who Lenny is 'cause he's his own person and he's already perfect just the way he is. Everybody is their own person and they're already perfect just the way they are.
Daddy should just accept Lenny for who he is just like I already did and understand that he's his own person, but I guess he won't do those things because he expects him to be just like Frankie so he could become the new crime boss of the great white shark mafia and run Southside Reef.
It's really important for him to understand that Lenny is his own person and he should really accept him for who he is 'cause it's a good thing.
Also, way before Lenny began having problems with Daddy and I began having problems with him as well, our relationship with him has always been the best, even when we used to be young shark pups. We would always spend a lot of time with Daddy, we would bond with him, and he does a really good job raising us, protecting us, and taking care of us just like Mom would do the same thing.
Lenny and I loved Daddy so much, and we have always loved him so much. However, while we have always loved him so much, our relationship with him wasn't the best because Lenny is different from the other sharks and I always take his side and encourage him to be different. Even though our relationship with Daddy hasn't been the best lately, we still love him so much no matter what.
Oh, and I remember something that is very important. Before Mom was diagnosed with leukemia and went to the hospital to be treated for it so she could recover, she would always tell Lenny that he is perfect just the way he is and it's okay for him to be different because he's his own person, and she would also tell Daddy that he shouldn't question Lenny about being so different, but he wouldn't listen to her either and it would cause them to get into arguments sometimes while their marriage remained full of love and compassion.
I hope that things will turn out okay sooner or later, and hopefully that Daddy will eventually understand that Lenny is perfect just the way he is and he shouldn't question him for who he is. It's a good thing to accept somebody for who they are because they are their own person, and Daddy really needs to understand that Lenny is perfect just the way he is and he is his own person. He really does.
Soon, Teresa gets finished with writing in her diary just as she puts it and the pencil back on the table, and she continues to feel concerned about Lenny being forced to become an aggressive and bloodthirsty shark just like Frankie.
Teresa really felt bad for Lenny and wishes that Don Lino would just accept him for who he is just like she already did, and she also wishes that she could tell them that even though there are most sharks who are aggressive and bloodthirsty, most of them are actually friendly and good-natured.
Also, Teresa really hopes that everything will be alright, and she hopes that Don Lino would understand that Lenny is already perfect just the way he is since it's very important for him to do so.
Suddenly, she began to feel very depressed just as she felt really bad for Lenny since Don Lino is questioning him about being different from the other sharks and how she always takes his side and encourages him to be different, and she still remembers that Mildred have always told Lenny to be himself and he's already perfect just the way he is before she went to the hospital to be treated for leukemia and she has always told Lenny the same thing as well.
Teresa sighed. "Poor Lenny. Daddy expects him to become a killer just like Frankie, and he always had expected him to be just like Frankie. He really needs to understand that he can't force him into becoming a killer and that he should accept him for who he is. I've always loved Lenny for who he is and it doesn't really matter if he is a killer or not 'cause he's his own person. I wish Daddy would accept Lenny for who he is just like I already accepted him for who he is, and I hope things are gonna be alright. Also, I really wanted to tell him that not all sharks are killers and most of them are just like Lenny."
Then, Teresa shed a single tear from her eye and she quickly wipes it away, and she continued to feel very depressed about how Don Lino questions about Lenny's gentle and compassionate behavior and forcing him to become a vicious and savage killer just like Frankie, and how he always take Lenny's side and encourage him to be different from the other sharks. She really disapproves of Don Lino questioning Lenny's behavior and wishes he would just understand that Lenny is his own person and he's perfect just the way he is.
While Teresa continued to feel very depressed about the problems Lenny is having with Don Lino for being different from the other sharks and the problems she's having with him for always taking Lenny's side and encouraging him to be different from the other sharks, she suddenly heard a knock on the door, causing her to stop feeling very depressed and become filled with surprise.
"Huh? Who is it?" asked Teresa.
"May we come in?" asked Luca from outside of Teresa's bedroom.
"Teresa, is it okay we can come into your bedroom?" asked Yvette.
"Of course, you can. The door is unlocked." said Teresa. Luca and Yvette enter her bedroom. "Oh, salutations, Luca. Salutations, Yvette. What is it?"
"Come with us." said Yvette.
"What?" asked Teresa.
"Come with us to your father's office, Teresa." said Luca. "He wanna see you at his office and have a conversation with you about something."
Teresa became filled with shock. "Wait a minute. Daddy wanna see me at his office? He wanna have a conversation with me about something?"
"Yes, he does. And we wanna see you at his office right now." said Yvette. "Oh, and Frankie is already at his office and he wanna to have a conversation with him about something too."
"Daddy wanna have a conversation with Frankie about something too?" asked Teresa.
"Mmm-hmm. He wanna have a conversation at his office with you and Frankie right now." said Luca. "C'mon, let's go to your father's office."
"C'mon, let's go." said Yvette.
"Well…alright. I'll go have a conversation with my father along with Frankie, and see what he wants to have a conversation with us about." said Teresa.
Teresa then gets up from the couch and leaves her bedroom along with Luca and Yvette, and they begin heading to Don Lino's office so Teresa could begin having a conversation with Don Lino about something along with Frankie. Just as they are, Teresa quickly discovers something that Don Lino wants to have a conversation about with her and Frankie is about Lenny being different from the other sharks and how she always encourages Lenny to be different, causing her to become very nervous.
Soon, Teresa arrives at Don Lino's office along with Luca and Yvette, and she quickly notices Frankie is sitting at one of the chairs that is right in front of Don Lino's desk and Don Lino is sitting at his desk. Once she arrived at Don Lino's office along with Luca and Yvette, she warmly greeted Don Lino and Frankie while looking very nervous, and Luca and Yvette left the office and went to their own bedrooms so they could go to bed.
"Salutations, Daddy. Salutations, Frankie." Teresa greeted.
"Hello, Teresa." Don Lino greeted.
"Hey, Sis." Frankie greeted.
"Take a seat." said Don Lino. Teresa sat on the other chair that is right in front of Don Lino's desk and sat right next to Frankie. "Well, I asked to bring my consigliere Luca and my caporegime Yvette to bring you two here for a reason."
"So, what is it, Pop?" asked Frankie.
"What is the reason that you asked Luca and Yvette to bring us here to your office, Daddy?" asked Teresa.
"It's to have a conversation about your brother Lenny." said Don Lino. "I asked Luca and Yvette to bring you two to my office so I could have a conversation about Lenny, and how he is so different from the other sharks and he must become a killer if he's gonna become the new Don of the great white shark mafia and run Southside Reef along with you two when I retire as the Don."
"Oh, I knew it. I knew it." said Teresa. "I knew you asked Luca and Yvette to bring us to your office to have a conversation about Lenny being so different."
"Wait. You did? You already knew what the conversation was gonna be about?" asked Don Lino.
"Yes. Yes, I did." said Teresa.
"But how did you know?" asked Don Lino.
"I knew 'cause I already figured it out all by myself." explained Teresa. "I began wondering what the conversation was gonna be about, and I quickly learned that it was gonna be about Lenny. I knew the conversation was gonna be about Lenny, and does the conversation have to be about Lenny anyway?"
"What do you mean by that?" asked Don Lino.
"You know, you really don't have to have a conversation about Lenny, and how he is different from the other sharks." said Teresa. "This conversation doesn't really have to be about Lenny, and we could have a conversation about something else, Daddy."
"Actually, this conversation has to be about Lenny, and it has to be about how he is different from the other sharks." said Don Lino. "We're gonna have a conversation about Lenny and how he is being so different. Also, this conversation is gonna be about you too."
"Wait. What did you just say?" asked Teresa.
"You heard me." said Don Lino. "This conversation is gonna be about you, and how you always take Lenny's side and encourage him to be different from the other sharks too."
"But Daddy, does it really have to?" asked Teresa.
"Yes, it does." said Don Lino.
"Alright. If you say so." said Teresa.
"Also, Pop wants to have a conversation about how he wants me to tutor Lenny on the ways of the family business tomorrow too." said Frankie. "And how you're gonna help me with tutoring Lenny tomorrow too."
"Really?" asked Teresa.
"Yeah. He already told me before you came to his office, Sis." said Frankie. "So, we'll be talking about how I'll be tutoring Lenny on how to become a cold-blooded killer and understand the tradition the other sharks have been understanding for a very long time, and how you're gonna help me with tutoring him."
"Alright, then." said Teresa.
"Now, let's get started with the conversation." said Don Lino. He then cleared his throat. "So, the members of my mafia have been telling some things about Lenny being so gentle and wouldn't kill anything lately, and I've been wondering if it was true. Eventually, I discovered it was true when some of the members of my mafia just informed me that Lenny had set fish, crabs, and seals free that was gonna be the catch of the day during one of the traditional Sunday dinners of the Five Families. They were gonna be served for that Sunday dinner, but Lenny released them, and I also heard that he's been releasing catches of the day that was gonna be served for the Sunday dinners. Did you two know about that?"
"Yes. I knew Lenny had been releasing catches of the day that was gonna be served on the traditional Sunday dinners of the Five Families." said Frankie. "How did I notice him releasing those catches of the day before one of the Sunday dinners was about to start while I was helping some members of the mafia put up the decorations."
"And I knew Lenny had been releasing those catches of the day for the traditional Sunday dinners of the Five Families as well." said Teresa. "How did I know that is when I helped some members of the mafia to make some dessert for one of the Sunday dinners before it started."
"Well, I didn't have a chance to notice Lenny releasing those catches of the day 'cause he didn't want me to know about it." said Don Lino. "Oh, and by the way, I just learned from some of the members of my mafia that Lenny was gonna put some special sauce on those catches of the day during the Sunday dinners, but he only just said that so he could release them without being noticed."
"Hey, I remember Lenny saying that he was gonna put special sauce on those catches of the day during the Sunday dinners." said Frankie.
"And I remember Lenny saying that he was gonna put special sauce on those catches of the day during the traditional Sunday dinners as well." said Teresa.
"He always said that he was gonna put special sauce on them, but he was just saying that so he could release them without letting anybody know." said Frankie. "Especially you, Pop. He didn't want you to know that he only said that so he could set those catches of the day free. Oh, I was looking forward to eating one of the seals during the traditional Sunday dinners of the Five Families, but I couldn't thanks to Lenny. I wish he could stop setting those catches of the day free during those Sunday dinners."
"Don't worry, Frankie, don't worry." said Don Lino. "Lenny won't be releasing catches of the day that is for the traditional dinners of the Five Families anymore 'cause all of that is gonna change. He's gonna learn how to be a shark tomorrow, and you're gonna tutor him with Teresa's help. He's gonna learn how to be a shark and become a killer whenever he likes it or not. And there's something else."
"What?" asked Frankie.
"What is it?" asked Teresa.
"Not only Lenny has been releasing catches of the day during the traditional Sunday dinners, he wouldn't kill anything and wouldn't commit any crimes." said Don Lino. "That kid is too gentle to kill anything and commit any crimes, and that's what some of the members of my mafia have been telling me about him lately. Oh, and by the way, Luca and Yvette have been telling me those things about Lenny being too gentle as well."
"Yeah, that's true, Pop. That's very true." said Frankie. "Well, I do remember that time when Lenny, Teresa, some members of the mafia, and I went to Southside Reef to rob one of the banks. Lenny didn't do anything to steal any money from that bank because he was too gentle to do so. And there was that other time when Lenny couldn't go through with threatening to wreck a bodega store if the owner didn't pay what she owed the mafia, and there was another time when Lenny couldn't go through with assaulting some stingrays that were kidnapped by the mafia. It's absolutely correct that Lenny is too gentle to kill anything and commit any crimes just like the other sharks would."
"Well, Lenny's gonna learn to follow the tradition the sharks have been following for so many years." said Don Lino. "He's gonna learn how to be a shark and become a killer when you tutor him with Teresa's help tomorrow. Things are gonna change, and Lenny must learn how to be a killer if he's gonna become the new crime boss of the great white shark mafia when I retire and he must follow the tradition the sharks have been following for a very long time."
"Yeah, Lenny really must learn how to be a shark and follow the tradition the sharks have been following for so long." said Frankie.
While the conversation about Lenny being different from the other sharks went on, Teresa began to feel bad about Lenny since Don Lino expects him to become a killer just like Frankie and how Frankie agrees with Don Lino that Lenny should learn how to become an aggressive and savage shark. So, Teresa decides that she should try to convince Don Lino that Lenny is perfect just the way he is and that there are most sharks in the ocean who are compassionate and friendly.
"Daddy…can I tell you something?" asked Teresa.
"What is it, Teresa?" asked Don Lino.
"Well, since you've been saying that Lenny really must learn how to be a killer…I honestly think that he really doesn't have to go through with it." said Teresa.
Don Lino gasped in shock. "What did you just say?"
"Lenny doesn't really have to learn how to be a killer." said Teresa. "And he doesn't really have to follow the tradition the sharks have been following for so long either. He really doesn't have to go through with doing those things."
"But Teresa, he has to go through with doing those things. He really has to." said Don Lino. "If he's gonna become the new Don of the great white shark mafia along with you and Frankie, then he must learn how to be a killer when Frankie tutors him with your help tomorrow."
"Pop's absolutely right, Sis." said Frankie. "Lenny has to go through with doing those things, and he must learn how to be a shark when I tutor him with your help tomorrow. Also, I think he should become a killer if he's gonna become the Don of the great white shark mafia along with you and me when Pop retires."
"Yeah, well I think that he doesn't have to become a killer if he's gonna become the new Don of the great white shark mafia along with us when Daddy retires." said Teresa. "Daddy should really know that Lenny is already perfect just the way he is, and he shouldn't really question how Lenny isn't a killer. I really think he should just be himself and he is his own person."
"You can't be serious about what you just said to me." said Don Lino.
"Sis, you can't be serious about what you just said." said Frankie.
"Oh, I'm serious. I'm very serious." said Teresa. "I'm very serious about what I just said. And I think that Lenny should just be himself and he's perfect just the way he is. He really doesn't have to become a killer in order to become the new Don of the great white shark mafia, and I think he should just be himself. You should really let him be himself and you need to understand that he's already perfect just the way he is."
Upon hearing what Teresa just explained to him that he should understand that Lenny should just be himself and doesn't really have to become a killer so he could become the new crime boss of the great white shark mafia along with her and Frankie, Don Lino becomes filled with surprise and shock while Frankie became filled with surprise and shock as well.
Then, Don Lino surprised and shocked expression quickly becomes anger and disappointment just as he couldn't believe his daughter suggests that he should allow Lenny to just be himself and doesn't really have to become a killer so he could become the new crime boss of the great white shark mafia along with her and Frankie, which causes her to become filled with complete shock while Frankie was still filled with surprise and shock.
"Teresa, I'm not gonna repeat myself to you about this." said Don Lino. "Lenny must become a killer if he's gonna become the new Don of the great white shark mafia along with you and Frankie when I retire, and he must learn how to be a shark and follow the tradition the sharks have been following for a very long time."
"What?" asked Teresa in shock.
"You heard me. Lenny must learn how to be a shark and follow the tradition the sharks have been following." said Don Lino. "Besides, we still need to have a conversation about how you always take Lenny's side and how you encourage him to be different from the other sharks. Since you always do that, you really need to stop doing that kind of thing. You really need to stop encouraging him to be different and tell him that he should follow the sharks' tradition of being killers. You should encourage him to be a killer instead of being different from the other sharks, alright?"
Upon hearing Don Lino's suggestion that she should stop encouraging Lenny to be so different from the other sharks and encourage him to be a cold-blooded killer just like Frankie, Teresa became filled with complete shock just as she still couldn't believe that Don Lino still expects Lenny to become a vicious and savage shark, and she still disapproves of him questioning Lenny's friendly and gentle behavior while Frankie still agrees with Don Lino that Lenny should become a killer.
Also, Teresa would never decide to encourage Lenny to be a killer just like Frankie, and she would always stay on his side and encourage him to be different no matter what because she has always loved him just the way he is because he is his own person just as she became angry.
"Well, since you've asked me that…the answer is no." said Teresa.
"What?!" asked Don Lino.
"No. I won't do it, Daddy. I won't encourage Lenny to be a killer, and I still think that he should just be himself and he's perfect just the way he is." said Teresa. "So, I won't be encouraging Lenny to be a killer at all. Sorry, Daddy, but I won't do it."
Don Lino growled angrily. "Oh, yes you are, young lady. You are gonna encourage Lenny to be a killer, and you're gonna stop encouraging him to be different from the other sharks. And you're still gonna help Frankie out with tutoring Lenny on how to be a killer tomorrow. Whether you like it or not."
"But…But…But, Daddy, you can't be serious about this." said Teresa.
"I am serious about this. I'm very serious about this." said Don Lino. "You're gonna encourage Lenny to be a killer and stop encouraging him to be different from the other sharks, and you're still gonna help Frankie out with tutoring Lenny on how to be a shark. Now here's what Frankie is gonna do when he's tutoring Lenny with your help tomorrow. Frankie is gonna take Lenny to the reef to hunt somebody so he could kill it and eat it, and he must kill the one he hunts when he's being tutored by Frankie with your help."
"Yeah, well I still think that Lenny should just be himself and doesn't really have to become a killer." said Teresa. "Also, I don't really have to stop encouraging him to be different from the other sharks and encourage him to be a killer either. Lenny doesn't really have to go through with this tomorrow, and I don't really have to go through with what you want to do."
"Oh, yes you do, Teresa. You do have to go through what I want you to do." said Don Lino. "And Lenny does have to go through it tomorrow. Look, you, Lenny, and Frankie are my three kids, and I decide what's best for you three. So, you better do exactly what I tell ya, and you're gonna go through with what I want you to do and Lenny is gonna go through with it tomorrow. Do I make myself clear?"
"Daddy, please, you really need to understand that Lenny and I really don't have to go through with those things." said Teresa. "And you really need to understand that Lenny should be himself and that he is already perfect just the way he is. Oh, and by the way, you really need to know that even though there are…" Don Lino suddenly interrupts her.
"That's enough! The conversation is now over!" snapped Don Lino. "I'm your father, I'm the Don of this mafia, I'm in charge around here, and you're gonna do exactly what I say and that's final!"
"But Daddy…" said Teresa just as she tried to say something, but Don Lino interrupted her.
"End of conversation! We're now finished with having a conversation about this!" snapped Don Lino. He then took a deep breath. "You and Frankie can leave my office now, Frankie will start tutoring Lenny on how to be a killer and you're gonna help him out with tutoring Lenny tomorrow, and you and Lenny are gonna go through with those things whenever you like it or not. The conversation is now over, and good night. I'll see ya in the morning."
"Good night, Pop." said Frankie. "I promise I will tutor Lenny on how to be a shark and follow the tradition the sharks have been following. I promise I'll tutor him on the ways of the family business tomorrow, and I will."
"Thank you, Frankie. I appreciate it." said Don Lino.
"Good night, Daddy." said Teresa.
"Teresa, remember that you will help Frankie out with tutoring Lenny on how to be a shark and follow the tradition the sharks have been following." said Don Lino. "Remember that you will help Frankie out with doing those things, and you and Lenny will go through with those things."
"I still think that you need to understand that Lenny and I don't have to go through with those things." said Teresa.
"Actually, you're gonna have to go through with those things." said Don Lino.
"No, we don't." said Teresa.
"Yes, you do." said Don Lino.
Then, Teresa began glaring at Don Lino for being so stubborn and forcing Lenny to become a aggressive and bloodthirsty killer just like Frankie, and Don Lino began glaring at Teresa for being so insubordinate and always encouraging Lenny to be different from the other sharks while Frankie became filled with surprise.
Teresa and Don Lino continued glaring at each other for a moment, and then Teresa's angry expression suddenly became depressed just as she sighed and felt really bad for Lenny. She got up from the chair and left the office in depression, and Frankie's surprised expression soon became worried just as he became concerned about Teresa, and then he got up from the other chair and left the office as well.
Right after Teresa and Frankie had left his office, and the conversation had ended, Don Lino continued to have an angry and disappointed expression for Teresa always encouraging Lenny to be different and her refusal to encourage Lenny to become a killer just like Frankie. Also, he is angry and disappointed for Lenny being different from the other shark and his refusal to kill and eat anything.
However, Don Lino's angry and disappointed expression didn't last very long when he began staring at a photo frame that shows him, his wife Mildred Lino, his father Leonardo Lino, his mother Shelly Lino, and his three children when they used to be young shark pups. He picked up the photo frame of him and his family together, and just as he stared at it, his expression soon became depressed and regretful after he saw how Teresa became so depressed after she left his office along with Frankie.
Even though Don Lino does expect Lenny to become a cold-blooded killer just like Frankie and expects Teresa to encourage Lenny to become a cold-blooded killer instead of always encouraging him to be different from the other sharks, he has always loved them so much.
He began to feel regret about how he was behaving towards Lenny for being different from the other sharks and Teresa for encouraging Lenny to be so different lately, and he began to realize that he was being too hard on them lately just as he shed a single tear from his eye and quickly wipes it away. He then gets up from his desk and leaves his office just as he began heading to his and his wife's bedroom so he could go to bed.
Meanwhile, Teresa and Frankie are now swimming throughout the hallway together, and Teresa still feels very depressed after what just happened during the conversation and she still couldn't believe that Don Lino still expects Lenny to become a cold-blooded killer just like Frankie.
Also, Teresa now couldn't believe that Don Lino expects her to encourage Lenny to become a cold-blooded killer instead of encouraging him to be different from the other sharks, and she already knows that she would never decide to encourage Lenny to become a cold-blooded killer just like Frankie because she has always loved him just the way he is.
Teresa still wishes that Don Lino would just accept Lenny for who he is and understand that he is his own person, but he is too stubborn to listen. Also, she still wishes that she could tell Don Lino that even though there are sharks in the ocean who are cold-blooded and aggressive, there are most of them who are good-natured and kindhearted and Lenny is one of those kinds of sharks.
While Teresa still feels very depressed about what just happened during the conversation and how Don Lino expects her and Lenny to go through with the things he wants them to do tomorrow, Frankie is still worried and concerned about Teresa.
"Hey, Sis, are you alright?" asked Frankie.
"Yes, Frankie. I'm alright." said Teresa.
"Are you upset?" asked Frankie.
"Upset about what?" asked Teresa.
"You know, what Pop just explained to us when we had that conversation with him." said Frankie. "Are you upset about that? Are you?"
"Well, I guess I am upset about that." said Teresa. "I am upset about what Daddy just explained to us, and I'm also upset that he wants him to become a killer and expects me to start encouraging Lenny to become a killer instead of being different from the other sharks. I just can't believe he would say those things about Lenny and me. I just can't."
"I'm so sorry that Pop said those things about you and Lenny, but Lenny really needs to become a killer." said Frankie. "He really needs to follow the sharks' tradition to be killers because they have been following the tradition for so many years, and I must tutor him on how to become a shark just like Pop told me to do with your help. I think Lenny must learn how to be a shark if he's gonna become the new Don of the great white shark mafia along with you and me when Pop retires."
"Yeah, but I think he really doesn't have to learn how to be a shark so he could become the new Don of the great white shark mafia along with us when Daddy retires." said Teresa. "Frankie, Lenny really doesn't have to follow the sharks' tradition to be killers since they have been following it for a very long time, and he should really just be himself and he's perfect just the way he is."
"But Teresa, Lenny should learn how to be a shark whenever he likes it or not." said Frankie. "Also, you should encourage Lenny to become a killer instead of always encouraging him to be different whenever you like it or not."
"Look, I don't really have to encourage Lenny to become a killer, and I wouldn't go through with doing that kind of thing." said Teresa.
"But you have to. Pop says so that you have to go through with that kind of thing." said Frankie. "You should really agree with him that Lenny should learn how to be a shark just like I did, and you wanna know why I had to agree with him on that?"
"Why?" asked Teresa.
"So he could be happy." said Frankie.
"Wait a minute. You agreed with Daddy that Lenny should learn how to be a shark so he could be happy?" asked Teresa. Frankie nodded his head. "But Frankie, you don't really have to agree with Daddy and you don't really have to tutor Lenny to become a killer so he could be happy."
"But I must tutor Lenny to become a killer with your help tomorrow." said Frankie. "I must do it so Pop can be happy. Besides, he hasn't been happy that much lately since has been hearing things about Lenny being so different from the members of the mafia, and if Lenny learns how to be a shark and follows the sharks' tradition to be killers, then he could be happy again like he usually does. I would do anything to make Pop happy."
"And I would do anything to make Daddy happy and Lenny would do anything to make him happy as well." said Teresa. "We all would do anything to make him happy, and we would do anything to make us happy. There's other things to make him happy besides tutoring Lenny to become a killer with my help, and you don't really have to do all of that to make him happy. So, you must understand that. Please, Frankie. Please."
"Sis, I'm sorry. Nothing's gonna change my mind." said Frankie. "I'm still gonna tutor Lenny on how to become a killer and you're still gonna help me so Pop will be happy. If
"Pop's gonna be happy, then Lenny must learn how to be a shark and follow the sharks' tradition to be killers." said Frankie. "I'm still gonna tutor Lenny with your help so Pop could be happy, and nothing's gonna change my mind. Do you understand that?"
Teresa sighed. "Alright. I understand that, Frankie. I completely understand that nothing's gonna change your mind about tutoring Lenny on how to be a killer, and I completely understand that you really wanna make Daddy happy if Lenny learns how to become a shark and follow the sharks' tradition to be killers. I understand."
"Thank you for understanding that, Teresa." said Frankie.
"You're welcome." said Teresa.
"Oh, and you're still gonna help me tutoring with Lenny on how to be a killer tomorrow." said Frankie.
"I know that, Frankie. I know." said Teresa. "And I still don't think that Lenny should become a killer and I still don't think I should encourage Lenny to become a killer 'cause he should just be himself."
"Yes, he does." said Frankie.
"No, he doesn't." said Teresa.
Then, Teresa and Frankie began staring at each other just as Teresa still refuses to stop encouraging Lenny to be different from the other sharks since she has already accepted him for who he is and Frankie still agrees with Don Lino so he could tutor Lenny on how to become a savage and aggressive killer with Teresa's help tomorrow so he could make him happy. Then, both of them decide that they should go to bed just as Teresa now completely understands that Frankie won't be changing his mind about tutoring Lenny on how to be a killer with her help tomorrow.
"Anyway, I should be going to bed now." said Frankie.
"Me too. I should go to sleep now anyway." said Teresa.
"Good night, Teresa. I'll see you in the morning." said Frankie.
"I'll see you in the morning too, and good night." said Teresa. "I understand that nothing's gonna change your mind about tutoring Lenny on how to become a killer since you wanna make Daddy happy, and I still think that Lenny doesn't have to become a killer and I still think I should encourage Lenny to become a killer 'cause he's already perfect just the way he is."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, Sis. Whatever you say about this." said Frankie.
"And whatever you say about this too." said Teresa.
"Good night, Sis." said Frankie.
"Good night, Frankie." said Teresa.
Then, Teresa and Frankie made their separate ways and they both began heading to their own bedrooms so they could go to bed just like everybody else. While they do so, Frankie still agrees with Don Lino so he could tutor Lenny on how to be a killer to make him happy and Teresa still refuses to stop encouraging Lenny to be different from the other sharks since she always loves him just the way he is.
Also, just as Teresa heading back to her bedroom, she still feels very depressed about what just happened during the conversation she and Frankie had with Don Lino from earlier, and she still couldn't believe that Don Lino still expects Lenny to become a vicious and cold-blooded shark just like Frankie and expects her to encourage him to become a killer, but she knows that she would never encourage him to become a killer since she has already accepted him for who he is and doesn't actually care if he is a killer or not.
Teresa really wishes Don Lino would just accept Lenny for who he is just like she already did rather than forcing him to become something that he's not and understand that Lenny is his own person, but he wouldn't listen because too stubborn.
While she was still heading to her bedroom to go to bed, Teresa suddenly notices Lenny sitting on his bed in his bedroom looking and hasn't gone to bed yet when she looks through the door of his bedroom that has been left open.
Also, she notices that Lenny looks very depressed due to Don Lino not accepting him for who he is and expects him to be a killer. Teresa still felt really bad for Lenny, and she decided to comfort him and enter his bedroom.
Once Teresa enters Lenny's bedroom, Lenny quickly notices her and his very depressed expression quickly becomes filled with surprise, and Teresa warmly greets him while he warmly greets her just as she swims up to his bed and sits right next to him on his bed.
"Salutations, Lenny." Teresa greeted.
"Oh, hi, Teresa." Lenny greeted.
"Hey, are you still upset about what Daddy just said to you during dinnertime?" asked Teresa.
"Mmm-hmm." said Lenny.
"You know, I can't believe he would say those things about you, and that wasn't very fair." said Teresa.
"That's right, it isn't very fair." said Lenny. "He wants me to become a cold-blooded killer just like Frankie, and he always wanted me to be a cold-blooded killer just like Frankie. Oh, I wish he would just accept me for who I am and he needs to know that I can never become a killer 'cause I'm just who I am."
"I wish he would just accept you for who you are as well, but he's too stubborn and he wouldn't listen at all." said Teresa.
"Yeah, he is too stubborn and wouldn't listen to anything we need to say to him." said Lenny.
"Hey, Lenny, don't you remember something that is very important?" asked Teresa.
"What is it?" asked Lenny.
"Before Mom was diagnosed with leukemia, she always told you that you are your own person." said Teresa. "She always told you that you are perfect just the way you are, and I told you the same thing. Mom has always loved you just the way you are, and I've always loved you just the way you are as well."
"Of course I remember that, Sis." said Lenny. "I've always remembered that Mom told me that I'm my own person and I'm perfect just the way I am, and you always told me the same thing. Also, even though Pop doesn't accept me for who I am, I have somebody who does accept me for who I am, and that's you and Mom."
"Mmm-hmm. Mom and I do accept you for who you are, and we've always had." said Teresa. "Also, since Mom and I have always accepted you for who you are, Mom would try to explain to Daddy that you're already perfect just the way you are and he shouldn't force you to become a killer just like Frankie, but he wouldn't listen to her and they would sometimes end up in arguments."
"Yeah, Mom would try to explain to Pop those things, but he wouldn't listen to her and they do end up getting into arguments sometimes." said Lenny. "Also, even though they end up in those kinds of arguments when Mom tries to explain to Pop that I'm already perfect just the way you are and he shouldn't force me to become a killer just like Frankie, their marriage has always been very happy and they've always been together."
"That's correct, their marriage has always been very happy and they've always been together even though they do end up having those kinds of arguments." said Teresa. "Oh, and here's something else."
"What is it, Sis?" asked Lenny.
"Frankie and I just had a conversation with Daddy about you being different from the other sharks, and about me encouraging you to be so different." said Teresa. "Oh, and during the conversation, he told me that I should stop encouraging you to be different from the other sharks and start encouraging you to become a killer just like Frankie."
Lenny gasped in shock. "Wait. Did Pop really tell you that?"
"Yes, he did, Lenny." said Teresa. "I tried to convince him that you don't really have to learn how to be a shark and I don't really have to start encouraging you to become a killer just like, but he wouldn't listen to me and he still insist that you should learn how to be shark and I should start encouraging you to become a killer."
"I can't believe he would do this to us." said Lenny.
"Me neither." said Teresa.
Lenny sighed. "Oh, I wish he would just accept me for who I am and understand that I'm my own person just like you and Mom already did, but he's too stubborn to listen. You're absolutely right, Teresa, I don't have to learn how to be a shark 'cause I'm just me and you don't have to start encouraging you to be a killer just like Frankie 'cause you've always loved me just the way I am just like Mom did. Honestly, I don't wanna go through with learning how to be a shark when Frankie tutors me with your help tomorrow."
"And I honestly don't want to go through with starting to encourage you to be a killer either." said Teresa. "I would never encourage you to become a killer just like Frankie 'cause I always loved you just the way you are just like Mom already has, and we really don't have to go through with doing those things. Look, Lenny, I hope things are gonna be okay sooner or later, and I hope that Daddy would eventually understand that you are your own person and would accept you for who you are, and it's not right for him to question you for being so different."
"Yes, it would be a good thing that Pop would eventually understand that I'm just who I am and would accept me for who I am." said Lenny. "That's correct, him questioning me for being so different isn't right at all, and I hope that things are gonna be okay too."
"Also, I really wanted to tell Daddy something that is very important, and I've been trying to tell him this for some time lately." said Teresa. "I've been trying to tell him that even though most sharks in the ocean are savage and bloodthirsty, there are most sharks who are friendly and gentle just like you, Lenny. But he wouldn't listen 'cause he's way too focused about you being so different, and I know that I'm one of those sharks who are gentle and friendly. We're both one of those kinds of sharks."
"Mmm-hmm. It's very true that there are most sharks in the ocean who are gentle and friendly, and we are one of them." said Lenny. "Not all sharks are savage and bloodthirsty, and there are most of them who are gentle and friendly just like you and me."
"Well, I wish I could tell Daddy that not all sharks are killers and most of them are just like you and me, but he wouldn't listen." said Teresa. "He really needs to know about that 'cause it's very important, and I wish he would know that right now."
"Me too." said Lenny. "It's very important that he should know that, and maybe he will eventually accept me for who I am and understand that I am my own person. I don't know if he will."
"Of course, he will. He will eventually accept you for who you are and understand that you are your own person." said Teresa. "Just give him a little time to think it over, and he will eventually accept you for who you are and understand that you are your own person. Also, that's something else I always tell you about being so different and Mom always told you the same thing."
"Yeah. You always did tell me to just give Pop a little time to think it over, and Mom always told me the same time. It's true." said Lenny. "Teresa, I'm so lucky to have you as my sister 'cause you already accept me for who I am just like Mom did, and you would always be on my side no matter what just like Mom is already on my side. You're the best."
"Thank you, and I'm so lucky to have you as my brother." said Teresa. "I already accept you for who you are just like Mom already accepts you for who you are, and I would always be on your side no matter what just like Mom is already on your side. You're perfect just the way you are, and you're just yourself."
"I know." said Lenny. "Thanks for always being on my side just like Mom was always on my side, and thanks for already accepting me for who I am just like Mom already accepted me for who I am. I appreciated it so much."
"I know that, Lenny. I know." said Teresa.
Teresa continues to comfort Lenny just as she begins smiling at him, and Lenny's depressed expression soon fades away just as he is being comforted by Teresa and begins smiling at her. Then, the two siblings began smiling at each other just as Teresa has always loved Lenny just the way he is and Lenny is grateful that Teresa has already accepted him for who he is, and they warmly embrace each other and express their sibling love for each other.
Just as Lenny and Teresa warmly embrace each other and express their sibling love for each other, they both quickly remember that even though their relationship with Don Lino has been strained due to Lenny being different from the other sharks and Teresa always encouraging him to be different from the other sharks, they love him very much.
The two siblings stop embracing each other, and they both notice a photo frame on a small table that is right beside Lenny's bed and Lenny picks it up from the table. They both began staring at the photo frame together, and it shows them and Frankie when they used to be young shark pups, Don Lino, and Mildred. Just as they stare at the photo frame of them, they begin to remember the good times they had with him before their relationship with him became strained.
"Hey, Sis, don't you remember?" asked Lenny. "You know, those days when we used to be very happy with Pop. During our childhood, we would spend a lot of time with Pop with Frankie, and we were very happy with him."
"Yes, I do remember, Lenny." said Teresa. "I do remember we would spend a lot of time with Daddy when we used to be kids, and we used to be very happy with him. Also, before we began to have some problems with Daddy, we used to be very close to him."
"Being close to Pop was way before we began to have problems with him, and our relationship with him has always been the best." said Lenny.
"Mmm-hmm. It felt like it was just yesterday." said Teresa.
Lenny's Flashback
A long time ago at the RMS Titanic, a young Lenny is on the couch of the living room, and he's crying because he accidentally cut his fin with a knife while he was trying to learn how to make cannoli, which is dessert for the Feast Of San Gennaro, and he held his fin in pain.
He continued crying and held his cut fin pain until Don Lino arrived at the living room with a first aid kit and began tending to Lenny's wound just as he sat right next to him on the couch. He gets out a spray bottle and uses it to spray Lenny's cut wound on his fin, and he gets out a band-aid and puts it on Lenny's cut wound.
Don Lino gets quickly finished with tending Lenny's cut wound and he begins to comfort Lenny as well as scold him for not being so careful when he's learning how to make cannoli, and Lenny kept shedding tears due to his cut wound while he began to feel better from his cut wound already.
"Am I gonna be okay, Pop? Is it really that bad?" asked young Lenny.
"Yes, you're gonna be alright, son. And the cut on your fin is not that bad." said Don Lino. "Look, I keep telling you that you must be extra careful when you're using a knife because you could end up cutting yourself, but you weren't being careful and you cut yourself. How many times do I have to tell you that you need to be very careful when you're using a knife?"
"I'm so sorry. It's just that I got very excited when I was learning how to make cannoli for the Feast Of San Gennaro." said young Lenny. "I was really having so much fun learning how to make the cannoli for the Feast Of San Gennaro this year, and I ended up cutting myself on my fin. I'm so sorry that I wasn't being very careful when I was using the knife when I was learning how to make cannoli. Sorry."
"Oh, you don't have to apologize. You just need to be very careful when you're using a knife or you'll cut yourself." said Don Lino. "However, your progress on learning how to make cannoli is going very well, and you've done a good job making the cannoli for the Feast Of San Gennaro so far, Lenny.'
"Really?" asked young Lenny.
"Yes, really." said Don Lino. "You did a great job on making the cannoli for the Feast Of San Gennaro, and I really praise your progress on learning how to make cannoli so far. It is turning out to be so great."
"Thank you for saying that to me. I appreciate it, and I knew that my progress of making cannoli would turn out so good." said young Lenny.
"You're welcome, and I knew that as well." said Don Lino. "Also, I'm not disappointed in you when you accidentally cut yourself while you were learning how to make cannoli for the Feast Of San Gennaro, I'm just saying that you needed to be very careful when you're using a knife 'cause knives are sharp and they could cut you."
"I know. I promise I will be extra careful when I'm using a knife next time, and I can't get too excited about something when I'm using a knife for something." said young Lenny.
"That's right. Lenny, I'm really proud that you've managed to do a very great job on making the cannoli for the Feast Of San Gennaro." said Don Lino. "You can still learn how to make the cannoli, and they will be served when it's dessert time at the Feast Of San Gennaro celebration this evening. Keep up the good work, and remember to be extra careful when you're using a knife."
"I will be extra careful, and I will keep up the good work on learning how to make the cannoli for the Feast Of San Gennaro." said young Lenny. "It's gonna be very exciting that the cannoli I learned how to make is gonna be served at the Feast Of San Gennaro celebration when it's dessert time. I knew you were gonna be proud of me if I managed to do a great job on making cannoli, and I knew that I was gonna be able to do a great job on learning how to make the cannoli for the Feast Of San Gennaro this year."
"Thank you very much for making me so proud of you." said Don Lino.
"You're welcome." said young Lenny.
Then, Don Lino began smiling at young Lenny for managing to do a good job on learning how to make cannoli for the Feast Of San Gennaro just as he continued to comfort him, and young Lenny stopped shedding tears just as began smiling at Don Lino for being proud of him of being able to do a good job on learning how to make cannoli for the Feast Of San Gennaro, and young Lenny and Don Lino began expressing their father-son love for each other.
Don Lino wiped away young Lenny's tears from his eyes, and he gently rubbed him on his head just as he continued to smile at him and comfort him while young Lenny continued smiling at Don Lino.
"I love you, son. I love you so much." said Don Lino.
"I love you too, Pop. I love you so much too." said young Lenny.
Teresa's Flashback
Another long time ago at the RMS Titanic, a young Teresa is spending some time with Don Lino who is sitting at one of the chairs at the indoor garden, and he's adoring her just as he gently holds her in his fins.
Young Teresa giggles. "Daddy."
"Oh, Teresa. You're my little sweetie pie." said Don Lino.
"I already know that. You always call me little sweetie pie." said young Teresa.
"Well, that's because you're Daddy's little girl, and you always will be Daddy's little girl." said Don Lino.
"I know that I will always be your little girl." said young Teresa. "I really love it when you call me little sweetie pie, and I appreciate it that you call me that 'cause I'm your little girl."
"You're my daughter, Teresa, and I really enjoy always calling you little sweetie pie so much 'cause you will always be my little girl." said Don Lino. "I love you, Teresa, and I will always love you."
"I love you too, Daddy, and I will always love you too." said young Teresa.
"Since you're my little sweetie pie, you want me to do it?" asked Don Lino.
"Do what?" asked young Teresa.
"You know, do this kind of thing." said Don Lino. He began joyfully tickling young Teresa on her stomach which caused her to laugh. "When I tickle you a lot, and you love it when I tickle you a lot."
"That's so true. I love it when you tickle me, and I love it so much." said young Teresa.
"I'm glad that you love it so much. Want me to go harder?" asked Don Lino.
"Yes. Yes, go harder. Go ahead and do it." said young Teresa.
"Alright, I'll do it." said Don Lino.
Don Lino began to tickle young Teresa on her stomach harder which caused her to laugh harder. He continued to tickle her for a moment, and then he stopped tickling her so hard and warmly embraced her while she warmly embraced him and stopped laughing. Don Lino smiled at young Teresa and nuzzled her head, and young Teresa smiled at Don Lino and gave him a kiss on the cheek which made him chuckle.
"You're the best, and you always make me smile." said young Teresa.
"Thank you for telling me that, and I would do anything to make you smile 'cause you're my little sweetie pie." said Don Lino. "You will always be Daddy's little girl, and I love you."
"I love you too, Daddy." said young Teresa.
End Flashbacks
Lenny and Teresa get finished with remembering the good times they had with Don Lino before their relationship with him became strained, and they already know that even though their relationship is strain with him due to Lenny being different from the other sharks and Teresa would always encourage Lenny to be different, they have always loved him so much just as they continued staring at the photo frame of them and Frankie when they used to be young, Don Lino, and Mildred.
Also, the two siblings still wish that things are gonna be alright sooner and later, they both still wish that Don Lino would just accept Lenny just the way he is since it's his own person and that he shouldn't question Lenny for who he is, and they both still wish that Don Lino would know that even though most sharks in the ocean are bloodthirsty and savage, there are most sharks kindhearted and compassionate.
"When we used to be kids, we were very close to Pop and we used to be very happy with him." said Lenny. "Also, he would always make us smile, he took good care of us, and we spent a lot of time with him."
"That's right, Daddy would always make us smile, take good care of us, and we spent a lot of time with him." said Teresa. "We were very close to him and we were very happy with him, but that was until we began to have problems with him."
"Yes, our relationship with Pop hasn't been the best lately since we began having problems with him." said Lenny. "And that's 'cause of me being so different and you encourage me to be so different. I wish he would just accept me for who I am and understand that I'm just myself."
"Also, he needs to know that not all sharks are vicious and cold-blooded and most of them are gentle and friendly." said Teresa. "It's really important that he needs to know that, and he'll eventually accept you for who you are. You just gotta remember what Mom has been always telling you and I've been telling you. You just need to give Daddy a little time to think it over, and he'll eventually accept you for who you are."
"I know. I will give Pop a little time to think it over, and hopefully he'll accept me for who I am." said Lenny. "I'd rather be myself, and I still don't wanna go through with becoming a killer when Frankie begins tutoring me with your help tomorrow."
"I still don't wanna go through encouraging you to become a killer either 'cause I've always loved you just the way you are." said Teresa. "Lenny, you should just be yourself and are your own person."
"Yes, I am just myself and I am my own person." said Lenny. "Also, it's absolutely correct that Pop really needs to know that not all sharks are killers and most of them are just like me and you since we're one of them, and it's very important. I'm still glad that you're my sister, Teresa."
"And I'm still glad that you're my brother, Lenny." said Teresa.
"I love you." said Lenny.
"I love you too." said Teresa.
Lenny and Teresa kept smiling at each other just as they continued to express their sibling love for each other. They both still wish that Don Lino would just accept Lenny for who he is and completely understand that he's his own person since he's already perfect just the way he is, and they also wish that Don Lino would eventually learn that even though most sharks in the ocean are aggressive and cold-blooded, there are most sharks are good-natured and compassionate just like them since they are one of them. Then, the two siblings decide that it's now time for them to go to bed since it's getting late.
"Good night, Teresa." said Lenny.
"Good night, Lenny." said Teresa.
"I'll see ya in the morning." said Lenny.
"I'll see you in the morning too." said Teresa.
"Good night." said Lenny.
"Good night." said Teresa.
Lenny and Teresa warmly embrace each other, nuzzle each other's heads, and give each other kisses on the cheek. Teresa then gets up from Lenny's bed and leaves his bedroom while she begins heading to her bedroom so she could go to bed. Once Teresa has left his bedroom, Lenny lays down on his bed, gets up under his blanket, and falls fast asleep. Teresa swam throughout the hallways of the RMS Titanic during nighttime, and she went back to her bedroom where she laid herself down on her bed, got up under her blanket, and fell fast asleep.
While Lenny and Teresa have now fallen asleep, Frankie has already fallen asleep on his bed in his bedroom, Luca has already fallen asleep on his bed in his bedroom, Yvette has already fallen asleep on her bed in her bedroom, and Don Lino has already fallen asleep in his and his wife's bedroom.
Everybody at the RMS Titanic has fallen asleep in their own bedrooms, and Lenny and Teresa both still hopes that everything will turn out alright and still wishes that Don Lino would completely understand that he shouldn't question him for who he is because he's his own person and would just accept him for who he is, and they also wish that Don Lino would eventually learn that even though most sharks in the ocean are cold-blooded and vicious, there are most sharks are friendly and gentle 'cause they are one of those kind of sharks.
End Of Chapter 3: You Are Your Own Person
Disclaimer: I hope you've enjoyed Chapter 3: You Are Your Own Person and if you did enjoy it, please share your thoughts and opinions on it, and please review and you can follow and/or favor if you want to. Oh, and by the way, Chapter 4: The Seahorse Racetrack will be up next soon. See ya later, and stay tuned for Chapter 4: The Seahorse Racetrack :)