BOREDOMKILLS: Early posting because this ch is atrociously short. Sorry 'bout that :(

Chapter 26

"What have you done to your hair?"

"You like it?"

Howard was currently sitting just outside Cooper's exhibit, reaching his arm in and petting the red little fox. The kid had disappeared earlier that Sunday, and now stood before Howard with a huge grin and hair that was dyed several shades of blond and brown. There were a bit too many highlights for Howard's taste, but it was the boy's head, after all. Howard turned back to Cooper, watching the the little guy as he ate the treats Howard threw in.

"'S alright. At least it doesn't have weird streaks of red in it."

"Oh come off that. Just felt like a change, y'know? And you did say that one time you liked my hair when it was blond. So do you like it?

"Hmm? Yes, Vince, it's fine. You didn't have to change it just on account of a throwaway comment I can't even remember making."

"That's cause you were off your tits that night. It was amazin', I had to drag you home. And then you found that old rusty wheelbarrow and started wheelin' it around town, calling out to any poor woman who walked by!"

Vince began chuckling loudly at the memory, and Howard cringed at it as well. He really shouldn't have agreed to drink whatever Vince ordered for him.

Howard knew the makings of a storm when he spotted it on the horizon, or in this case in the centre of the Zooniverse that afternoon. They had had their posts switched, which hadn't happened in a long time. Howard was one of the lucky few who managed to keep their positions, but the majority were now standing around discussing and mainly complaining about the animals they were to be in charge of now.

Two such individuals were Vince and Joey. Moose had Vince cornered near an exhibit and was simultaneously explaining how to specifically care for each and every amphibian and reptile that was previously under Joey's care, and threatening Vince with violence should the boy screw up.

Howard hastened toward them as it became apparent a fight was soon to break out. Vince was shoving Moose back, and as Howard neared he could make out their lowered tones.

"...don't need you preachin' at me-"

"No I think you do; you don't know anything about carin' for any of these animals! You're way out of your depth, and if you mess up and get one of my animals sick, I promise you boy, I'll come for you. I'm a great white shark, so look out."

"Hey now!"

Howard quickly stepped in between the two, pushing Vince back into an exhibit wall and Moose into the gathered crowd. He kept his hands held on both their chests, looking first to Moose with a warning to back off, and then to Vince. He grabbed the kid by an arm and walked silently back to their house, ignoring the angered look on Moose and the disappointed expression of the fellow staff, craving a good row.

Seriously, sometimes Howard was convinced Fossil did things like this post switch on purpose, just to watch them all dance.

Ah yes, Howard had predicted a storm, but if he thought that little display was it, then he had horribly miscalculated. That was merely the light rain before the hurricane, which hit full-force not two days later, when Howard heard yelling coming from nearby. Dropping his shovel, Howard jogged toward the sound, which was rising rapidly as several other voices joined in, one of which Howard instantly recognised.

Coming around the Reptile House and to the Chameleon Boudoir, Howard saw many staff members, including Fossil, surround Joey and Vince, the former of whom was screaming at the top of his lungs now. Howard ran into the middle of the circle, coming to stand beside Vince and put both hands up as he attempted to placate a raging Joey.

"Alright now, just tell me what's happened. It's alright, Joey-"

"No it's not alright! Cause I came by to check up on my animals, ya see, and my goddamn iguanas are missing! This piece of shit has gone and lost my iguanas, Howard!"

"I did not! I don' know what happen-"

"Yes you do! You either left a door open, or you plain just stole 'em! So which one is it!?"

"Neither!"

"Joey-"

"I've 'ad it with you stickin' up for him, Howard! He's lost my animals! Mine! At least make him own up to it!"

"But I didn't do ANYTHING!"

This was clearly going beyond words, and Howard looked about desperately for someone who might help him keep these two from pulling punches. Sadly everyone either looked like they wanted to see a good bit of bloodshed, or too wimpy to stand in and call for peace. Howard reached out to the only one he could.

"Fossil, do something! They can't be brawling in the zoo while there are guests about. If we just calm them down-"

"Oh no, Moon, it's best to just let them work it out. They'll quit as soon as they're done."

Fossil, with his arms crossed, watched the two as one would observe a fight between a pair of chimpanzees, and Howard knew he was alone in this. The man's attention snapped back to the two as he heard the distinct sound of flesh meeting flesh. Moose apparently had gone in to grab the boy, but Vince was quicker, fists hitting upon the taller man's chest, effectively pushing him away. This only served to cause Joey's face to go red with rage. The man pointed a finger at the kid, stepping forward threateningly.

"You've cost me my animals, boy. Before this is over, I will break your jaw for that."

Now Howard was stepping between them again. This had gone too far, much too far. Joey shoved Howard's hand away, keeping his eyes locked on Vince, who was hauled back by Howard.

"Look, let's all just talk about this-"

"Just keep that Aussie brute away from me!"

Howard silenced Vince by squeezing his arm and yanking him to stand behind Howard. The man faced Moose himself, who still seemed in an unholy mood but wasn't quite as red in the face.

"Please, Joey, this isn't worth getting into a fight over. Vince didn't steal your animals, and I'm sure he didn't leave a cage open. He hasn't done any such thing at his last post-"

"Why are you defendin' him! If it'd been anyone else, you'd be on my side-"

"I am on your side."

Moose let out a mirthless laugh, "Yeah right, Moon. That kid's got you wrapped up around his damn finger, and you'll be standin' up for him even if all our animals go missing."

Vince charged forward around Howard, coming to stand right in front of Moose again.

"I DID NOT STEAL THEM!"

"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!"

And here they were, full circle, back to how Howard had found them, in each others' faces and screaming. Howard raised his arms in the air before grabbing Vince by his shoulders and hauling him back.

The threats and insults went on for several minutes, and eventually Howard just hooked an arm around Vince's middle and toted the boy, kicking and yelling, all the way back to the hut. Thankfully, Moose didn't follow, but Howard still latched the door and sat the kid on the sofa, giving his own barrage of threats should the boy rise from that spot. Howard then turned on the television and went to prepare tea. He even forgot they had work.

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