Aladdin walked out of the room, almost tripping over Genie, disguised as a bloodhound. Genie turned back into his original form, and helped him up.
"Sorry, Al."he said. "Just had to go to some extreme measures. Abu has failed to turn in his homework, and the parrot his assignments."said Genie, shaking his head. "Aha!"he exclaimed as he caught sight of Iago's tail feather behind a curtain.
He grabbed hold of them, and pulled Iago out.
"It's not fair!"he exclaimed. "He assigns us homework and then yells at us if we don't do it! And since I'm a student teacher I have to do twice as much homework!"sobbed Iago. "I'm worn out, Kid!"he said, clutching Aladdin's pants, and begging.
Genie pulled him up.
"Excuses. Excuses."he said, shaking Iago.
"Fine!"said Iago, freeing himself of Genie's grasp. "But my duties for the Kid come first."he said, perching himself on Aladdin's shoulder.
Aladdin shooed Iago off his shoulder.
"Iago!"he said, irritably. "Just do what Genie tells you!"
"Wha-"
Genie smiled and grabbed Iago.
"And now...!"said Genie as he walked off with Iago clutched in his hand.
Aladdin shook his head, and walked on. Really! He almost couldn't blame Jasmine if she was feeling jumpy. With all that, anyone would! Genie spending his time looking for Iago and Abu. Carpet usually showed up with no problem, Genie saying that he was the only one who was eager enough to learn anything, while the other two had to be forced. And giving them the classes, along with homework. Perhaps Genie might not be the perfect teacher, after all...perhaps he should look for someone else. He was putting too much pressure on Abu and Iago. And maybe without meaning to, on Aladdin, too. And perhaps Jasmine. Maybe he'd put that kind of pressure on his son, or daughter. Aladdin liked Genie, but...maybe he wasn't the perfect one for that particular job. Perhaps that was what was wrong. That he was trying to be too perfect.
"Where's Jasmine?"he asked, at the dinner table.
Iago and Abu were standing on the table, stuffing apples and grapes into their mouths, to see who could eat the most. Iago choked, began to cough. Carpet came and gave Iago first aid. Genie nodded.
"Way to go, Rugman!"he said, as he marked off the extra credit next to Carpet's name. "Yup, five points extra credit for listening in class, five extra credit points on your practical, and for your outstanding performance."he said.
"I win!"exclaimed Abu. "Oh, boy!"
"Whaddya mean you win? How come the Rug gets extra credit and not me? I served as the guinea pig in this case! The only reason I pretended to choke, was so the Monkey's self esteem wouldn't be so low all the time, and so the Rug could get some extra practice, seeing how he desperately needs it! He almost killed me!"
"What?"
Abu gave Iago a dirty look. Carpet looked from Iago to Genie.
"Hmm..."said Genie, checking Iago's paper. "Yup, the parrot's right."
Iago smiled.
"You'll have to spend an extra eight hours in class, for demonstrations."
"What!"
"Yup. That way, you'll learn not only how to perform the assignments perfectly, but you'll also improve your skills as the guinea pig. You desperately need it."said Genie, nodding, and going through Iago's notes. "Yup, and improve your behavior."
Iago crossed his arms.
"For your information-"he started to say.
"Um, has anyone seen Jasmine?"Aladdin interrupted him.
Genie looked up from his notebook, and everyone turned to look at Aladdin. Abu shook his head. Everyone looked around, as though they'd suddenly realized Jasmine wasn't there.
"Uh, I thought it was dinner."said Genie. "Usually she only misses breakfast."
Aladdin sighed.
"Don't tell me, she doesn't want to see me."
"I'll sniff her out."Genie said.
"No, thanks, Genie."he said. "I probably said or did something to upset her, that's all."he sighed. "I'm not hungry. You guys go ahead. I think I'll go to bed."he got up.
Iago shrugged, grabbed another apple, swallowed it whole, and reached for another one. Abu followed. Carpet began to work on his homework, while Genie prepared the next day's lesson plan.