Patsy reflected on the question, unable to answer it; It was true she wanted to be in a relationship with the cheerful monkey, that she admired him from afar. But the truth was that it was unlikely to happen. Unable to answer she simply looked at Lazlo. Asking if he like-liked her in return.
Lazlo thought about it weighing the positives and negatives about the mongoose. eventually he could not decide how he felt.
"I Mean I do Like you, I'm just not sure I like-like you" Lazlo answered, checking his watch. Lights Out would be soon, meaning he had to be back at camp, he looked up at Patsy, waving goodbye to her as she stopped.
Patsy asked if she could at least have a hug, it wasn't the romantic moment she craved but she was willing to make a compromise for now as Lazlo agreed, holding out his arms as he felt the mongoose warmly embrace him, wrapping her arms around him and not wanting to let go, to stay wrapped around him for what felt like eternity, felling his warmth, his giddy smile, his good heart, his musk, she was in love with it all.
Eventually the hug ended as Lazlo headed back to Camp Kidney. Patsy watched him leave, admiring his rear as his tail was swaying as she made her own way to Acorn Flats. Patsy made her way to the gate unnoticed as Miss Mucus was sitting at the gate kiosk, reading a magazine. The Mongoose crawled on the floor, under the barricade and slipped back into camp.
Once clearing the gate Patsy made her way back to Flying Squirrel Cabin where she, Gretchen and Nina stayed. she made it back undetected as usual due to her stealth skills. Patsy opened the door. Inside the Cabin Nina was laying on her bed, reading one of her sci-fi novels, upon seeing the mongoose Nina turned the page.
"You barely made it" The giraffe commented reading the book, others stacked on a shelf as Patsy plopped on her bed.
"Have I EVER been caught?" Patsy asked, knowing the answer to her own question as Nina rolled her eyes at the Mongoose pushing her luck but let it go.
"Just remember to get your sleep, we're having that chili eating contest with the Bean Scouts tomorrow" Nina said as Pasty laid on her bed, looking at the ceiling, taking her purple shoes off, setting them beside her bed.
"So, where's Gretchen?" Patsy asked as Nina tilted her glasses, informing her that Gretchen was doing some jogs around to camp to build up her appetite for the contest so she can out eat the Bean Scouts.
"She also skipped Dinner" Nina added as Gretchen entered, fresh from the shower, her stomach grumbling fiercely as the gator plopped on her bed. Nina looked up from her book at the alligator.
"You know you really should eat something Gretchen" The giraffe suggested as Gretchen downed a glass of water, replying she would eat at the contest, there was no way she was going to let any of the Bean Scouts win, even if it meant starving herself. Gretchen removed her shoes, crawling onto her head, curling into her sheets.
The Next day came as the three girls got up, getting dressed and leaving the Flying Squirrel Cabin heading to the pole for their morning announcements. Standing beside Amber the Rabbit, Toodie the Squirrel, Almondine the Owl and Suzie the Poodle From 'Tree Squirrel' as Amber waved to them. The blue rabbit being the leader of Tree Squirrel. lastly three more girls showed up, being Rachel the Gopher, Terrifield the Tapir and Honey the Bear from 'Ground Squirrel', led by Rachel.
All 10 Squirrel scouts were standing in attendance, waiting for their Denmother to show up. eventually she did, Jane Doe approaching with her clipboard, followed by her assistant, Rubella Mucus as she looked at the scouts.
"Good morning, Girls" Jane called out as they smiled, repeating the greeting. "Good morning Denmother" The scouts said on cue, brandishing their smiles as Jane looked at her clipboard. mentioning that the day's activities would be Arts and Crafts followed by Nature Hike.
"But First as some of you know, Today is the annual Prickly Pines Scout Chili-Eating competition, meaning we will be going over to Camp Kidney and participating with the Bean Scouts" Jane replied as one of the girl's hands shot up.
"Denmother Doe, will the chili have meat in it, because if so, I can't participate" the rabbit said as Jane looked at her clipboard, telling her not to worry. All the Chili was prepared by Camp Kidney's Chef Mcmuesli, and was guaranteed to be meat-free as the rabbit nodded.
The discussion was cut off by Rubella blowing her whistle, making the girls stand on edge as she spoke in her loud and commanding voice, a direct contrast to Jane's soft and friendly tone.
"Listen Girls, we are walking right into enemy territory, keep alert and be prepared" the Warthog said as the girls saluted her.
Since the two camps opened in the 30's the Bean Scouts and their sister group, The Squirrel Scouts had an unofficial rivalry, but it was mostly just frequent pranks. The Beans would TP Acorn Flats, The Squirrels would egg The Bean's Cabins, The Beans would string the Squirrels underwear up the flagpole, The Squirrels would put itching powder in The Beans Shampoo and so on. Despite this there no real bad blood among them.
That seemed to change when Rubella was employed as the Squirrels Pranks became more frequent, even if the Beans had not retaliated and they were meaner spirited, the most common of these pranks was chucking Watermelons at Camp Kidney from across the lake and God help any Bean Scout that wandered into Acorn Flats.
The boat ride across the lake was enjoyable, except for the fact that Gretchen was holding her stomach, and kept asking if they were there. Eventually the Squirrel Scouts boat docked at Camp kidney and the scouts walked to where the Bean Scoutmaster was standing with his assistant.
"Hello Jane Doe" Lumpus greeting friendly as The Bean Scouts behind them were keeping eyes on The Squirrels. The two scoutmasters talked as they led to scouts to the dining area. The Girls from Flying Squirrel lead the pack as looked around, Patsy sneaking a friendly wave to Lazlo.
"Hey! who are the new guys?" Gretchen asked, holding her stomach which grumbled as Lazlo smiled, introducing the campers of Cocoa Cabin, Andy stepped forward, taking off his hat.
"Andy Chang, leader of Cocoa Bean Cabin, pleased to make your acquaintance" Andy said, holding out his hand out the Squirrel Scouts looked at him confused. "You Know, Let's shake hands, it's a sign of respect" The Tiger replied as the girls looked at each other, before breaking out laughing.
"Respect, that's a good one" Rachel replied walking by with the Squirrels, rubbing her eye. Andy was looking them confused as Edward pulled him in, telling the Tiger that the Squirrels and Beans did NOT respect each other.
"Alright, let's get this over with, I'm getting nauseous just being here" Miss Mucus replied, as the scouts all sat at a series of picnic tables, Bean Scouts on one side and Squirrels one the other. The Boys in Cocoa sat next to the Jellies who in turn sat across for the Flying Squirrels.
Jakk looked over, seeing the alligator holding her stomach which growled, as he rubbed his eyes "Are you Okay?" Jakk asked in a genuine show of concern as Gretchen simply told him to buzz off. Jakk backed away.
"Seriously If She's sick, should she be participating" Andy asked again as Gretchen snapped, saying she was fine, just really hungry. Nina informed them that Gretchen has been starving herself for the contest as The Gator smiled.
"No way any of you Beans are out eating ME" she replied, reaching for the spoon at her spot as the boys looked at each other, talking amongst themselves as bowls of Chili were set before them as the scouts took a sniff of the Chili reeling in disgust, a few Squirrels taking a sniff and they flashed a look a disgust accompanied by an assualt to their sinuses and the sound of breaking glass.
"Look there is no way those girls can beat us, we eat Mcmuesli's cooking on a daily basis" Edward told the other Beans. Suzie took a sniff, covering her nose. Slinkman shot his starting gun as most of the scouts started chowing down on the dish in front of them.
It wasn't long before scouts started backing down, some of them full, some of them unable to handle spicy food, some simply out of disgust as the eating continued. Both Tusk and Gretchen were shoveling Chili into their mouths, bowls stacked near them.
Lazlo took a bite, looking at Patsy, asking how she was holding out as the two were having a hard time as Patsy ate another spoonful of chili, the strong and spicy taste making her mouth water and both her and Lazlo were sweating. Lazlo reached his spoon down into the mix as his face fell down, Patsy letting out a silent 'noooo' as the monkey passed out in his chili. "Don't leave me Lazlo" Patsy whispered.
The Contest continued as eventually only Tusk, Jakk and Gretchen were left, Andy just having set his spoon aside as Jakk, covered his mouth, passing out into his bowl.
"And then there were two" Andy replied, glancing to Tusk and Gretchen, chowing down on Chili, not even tasting it, just shoveling it in. Tusk pounded on his chest.
"Time to break out the big guns" The boar replied, undoing his belt as the boar's gut expanded before he resumed eating, shoving chili into his already stuffed mouth. Gretchen was straggling to eat, accidently hitting her snout with the spoon.
The eating continued as all the scouts cheered the last two contestants, both sweating and uncomfortable, looking like it was anyone's game until the sound of projectile vomiting was heard.
So, this chapter is clearly based of the short 'The Eternal Flame' where Lazlo wins a baked bean eating Contest. whether this a re-telling of that or the Scouts have different eating completions is up to the reader.