“The Other Man That Doesn’t Exist Yet”
December 11, 2014
Skipper stood outside Marlene’s habitat. Earlier that day, the team had snuck into Alice’s office to order some sweet elusive Polish sauerkraut, and Alice had left the sign-up list for the Breeding Program on her computer. Marlene’s name was on it. From the moment he saw it, his heart fluttered. He wasn’t quite sure why. It was just the thought of Marlene feeling as if she needed someone. Why that would bother him was another mystery. He took a deep breath and entered.
“Hey, Skipper! What’s up?” Marlene said as he approached her.
“Nothing much. I was just dropping by to check on you. Is everything okay?” he asked with his heart rate beginning to accelerate.
Marlene smiled humorously. “Um, of course. Why would anything be wrong? Did something happen?”
“Oh, no, nothing happened,” Skipper answered. “I was just wondering . . . have you been — um, lonely?”
Marlene’s smile faded. “Excuse me?”
Skipper spread his flippers. “I’m sorry, that was a really bad question to start with. I just . . . Look, the truth is, I accidentally saw your name signed up on the Breeding Program,” he admitted. “I was just worried about why you suddenly felt like you needed somebody.”
Marlene crossed her arms and became defensive. “Well, I’m not sure that’s any of your business,” she said.
Skipper shifted on his feet awkwardly. “It’s not. I was just worried.”
Marlene sighed and dropped her arms. “Well, don’t worry about me. I just — feel like I’m ready to get out there. I don’t know. I heard about the Breeding Program starting up again and I thought, ‘Why not?’ It’s not like I have anything to lose. And it’s not like I’m getting any younger,” she said with an irritated roll of her eyes.
Skipper hesitated. “It doesn’t bother you that they’ll be setting you up with complete strangers?”
Marlene cocked an eyebrow. “Isn’t that the whole idea of dating?” she pointed out.
Skipper folded his flippers. “Well, I was just thinking that it might be a little more comfortable to start things off with people you already know,” he replied.
Marlene laughed melodramatically. “Like who? I already tried Fred. Julien and Maurice aren’t exactly my type, and it’s obvious why I wouldn’t go for Mort. I can’t see anything happening with me and Mason or Phil. Leonard’s scared of me, anyway. And all the other animals are either too small or too big,” she explained. A thought came to her and she hesitated. “Unless . . . one of you guys wants to . . . you know,” she suggested with an inquisitive stare.
Skipper remained silent for a moment. “No. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Marlene looked at the ground and sighed. “I appreciate that, Skipper,” she said, looking at him, “but I’m a grown woman. I can take care of myself. I promise.”
Skipper looked away. “Fine.” His voice suddenly rose threateningly. “But if any of them hurt you, I’ll —” He caught Marlene’s wide eyes and took a deep breath. “I hope you find what you’re looking for,” he said softly. He turned away and started for the exit.
“Skipper,” Marlene called. Skipper reluctantly stopped and turned back. “Are you sure there isn’t anything you need to tell me?”
Skipper locked eyes with her. “No, Marlene. I’ll see you later,” he said, heading for the door again.
Marlene watched him leave. Skipper had never acted that way before. She ran out after him.
“Skipper, wait!” she called just as he was about to hop over her wall. He stopped with an irritable roll of his eyes and turned around.
“What is it now, Marlene?” he asked.
“I was just —” Marlene exhaled. “I hope this doesn’t change the way you think about me.”
Skipper narrowed his eyes quizzically. “How do you think I think about you?”
Marlene looked down. “Um,” she started, completely unsure of how to respond. “I don’t know. I just don’t want you to think I’m — desperate,” she said, hugging herself uncomfortably.
Skipper sighed and braced his flippers on her shoulders. “I don’t think you’re desperate. I think it’s —” He took a breath. “I think it’s high-time in your life that you find a — mate,” he said, almost forcing out that last word. “Just don’t let any of them take advantage of you, all right?”
“I won’t, Skipper,” Marlene assured him. “I’ll take care of myself. To be honest, I’m a little scared,” she said, looking down. “This is new to me, the whole ‘getting out there’ thing. I want to be ready, but . . .” Her voice trailed.
Skipper dropped his flippers. “But you’re afraid you might not be seeing what’s already right in front of you?” he suggested quietly.
Marlene looked at him — really looked at him. “Yeah. Something like that,” she admitted.
Skipper smiled. “Well, Marlene, I don’t know a lot about what goes on in your mind most of the time, but I do know your heart’s always one hundred percent. I think if you listen to it, it’ll lead you in the right direction,” he reassured her.
Marlene smiled back. “You think so?”
Skipper saluted. “I know so.”
December 11, 2014
Skipper stood outside Marlene’s habitat. Earlier that day, the team had snuck into Alice’s office to order some sweet elusive Polish sauerkraut, and Alice had left the sign-up list for the Breeding Program on her computer. Marlene’s name was on it. From the moment he saw it, his heart fluttered. He wasn’t quite sure why. It was just the thought of Marlene feeling as if she needed someone. Why that would bother him was another mystery. He took a deep breath and entered.
“Hey, Skipper! What’s up?” Marlene said as he approached her.
“Nothing much. I was just dropping by to check on you. Is everything okay?” he asked with his heart rate beginning to accelerate.
Marlene smiled humorously. “Um, of course. Why would anything be wrong? Did something happen?”
“Oh, no, nothing happened,” Skipper answered. “I was just wondering . . . have you been — um, lonely?”
Marlene’s smile faded. “Excuse me?”
Skipper spread his flippers. “I’m sorry, that was a really bad question to start with. I just . . . Look, the truth is, I accidentally saw your name signed up on the Breeding Program,” he admitted. “I was just worried about why you suddenly felt like you needed somebody.”
Marlene crossed her arms and became defensive. “Well, I’m not sure that’s any of your business,” she said.
Skipper shifted on his feet awkwardly. “It’s not. I was just worried.”
Marlene sighed and dropped her arms. “Well, don’t worry about me. I just — feel like I’m ready to get out there. I don’t know. I heard about the Breeding Program starting up again and I thought, ‘Why not?’ It’s not like I have anything to lose. And it’s not like I’m getting any younger,” she said with an irritated roll of her eyes.
Skipper hesitated. “It doesn’t bother you that they’ll be setting you up with complete strangers?”
Marlene cocked an eyebrow. “Isn’t that the whole idea of dating?” she pointed out.
Skipper folded his flippers. “Well, I was just thinking that it might be a little more comfortable to start things off with people you already know,” he replied.
Marlene laughed melodramatically. “Like who? I already tried Fred. Julien and Maurice aren’t exactly my type, and it’s obvious why I wouldn’t go for Mort. I can’t see anything happening with me and Mason or Phil. Leonard’s scared of me, anyway. And all the other animals are either too small or too big,” she explained. A thought came to her and she hesitated. “Unless . . . one of you guys wants to . . . you know,” she suggested with an inquisitive stare.
Skipper remained silent for a moment. “No. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Marlene looked at the ground and sighed. “I appreciate that, Skipper,” she said, looking at him, “but I’m a grown woman. I can take care of myself. I promise.”
Skipper looked away. “Fine.” His voice suddenly rose threateningly. “But if any of them hurt you, I’ll —” He caught Marlene’s wide eyes and took a deep breath. “I hope you find what you’re looking for,” he said softly. He turned away and started for the exit.
“Skipper,” Marlene called. Skipper reluctantly stopped and turned back. “Are you sure there isn’t anything you need to tell me?”
Skipper locked eyes with her. “No, Marlene. I’ll see you later,” he said, heading for the door again.
Marlene watched him leave. Skipper had never acted that way before. She ran out after him.
“Skipper, wait!” she called just as he was about to hop over her wall. He stopped with an irritable roll of his eyes and turned around.
“What is it now, Marlene?” he asked.
“I was just —” Marlene exhaled. “I hope this doesn’t change the way you think about me.”
Skipper narrowed his eyes quizzically. “How do you think I think about you?”
Marlene looked down. “Um,” she started, completely unsure of how to respond. “I don’t know. I just don’t want you to think I’m — desperate,” she said, hugging herself uncomfortably.
Skipper sighed and braced his flippers on her shoulders. “I don’t think you’re desperate. I think it’s —” He took a breath. “I think it’s high-time in your life that you find a — mate,” he said, almost forcing out that last word. “Just don’t let any of them take advantage of you, all right?”
“I won’t, Skipper,” Marlene assured him. “I’ll take care of myself. To be honest, I’m a little scared,” she said, looking down. “This is new to me, the whole ‘getting out there’ thing. I want to be ready, but . . .” Her voice trailed.
Skipper dropped his flippers. “But you’re afraid you might not be seeing what’s already right in front of you?” he suggested quietly.
Marlene looked at him — really looked at him. “Yeah. Something like that,” she admitted.
Skipper smiled. “Well, Marlene, I don’t know a lot about what goes on in your mind most of the time, but I do know your heart’s always one hundred percent. I think if you listen to it, it’ll lead you in the right direction,” he reassured her.
Marlene smiled back. “You think so?”
Skipper saluted. “I know so.”
Private:LET ME GO
Blowhole:why?
Private:because I am missing the LUNACORNS!!!
blowhole:u love the lunacorns? I love the LUNACORNS
Private:NO WAY!
(they'd watched the lunacorns)
---------------------------
(back at the HQ)
skipper:PRIVATE!!!!!!!!!
Kowalski:guys I have something to say
Rico:what?
Kowalski:I-I-I- LOVE PRIVATE
skipper:what about doris?
Kowalski:I said that to make private jeouls
Skipper:whoa did not see that caming
(at blowhole's lair)
Blowhole:WHY?DID U FORGOT PRISSCES SHARES A LOTS BIRTHDAY
Private:Aww commical
Blowhole:awww Harry potter u suck hope u die in the last movie YEAH VOLDY!
private:Harry potter is amazing
(back at the HQ)
Kowalski:TELL HER RON TELL HER THAT U LOVE-
(skipper slaps Kowalski)
Skipper:Kowalski! Stop watching this Harry potter movies-oh which one are u watching?
Kowalski:deathly hallows part 1
Skipper:oh did u hear that part 2 comes out next year
Kowalski:OH YEAH GO HARRY!!!
Rico:.............?
Blowhole:why?
Private:because I am missing the LUNACORNS!!!
blowhole:u love the lunacorns? I love the LUNACORNS
Private:NO WAY!
(they'd watched the lunacorns)
---------------------------
(back at the HQ)
skipper:PRIVATE!!!!!!!!!
Kowalski:guys I have something to say
Rico:what?
Kowalski:I-I-I- LOVE PRIVATE
skipper:what about doris?
Kowalski:I said that to make private jeouls
Skipper:whoa did not see that caming
(at blowhole's lair)
Blowhole:WHY?DID U FORGOT PRISSCES SHARES A LOTS BIRTHDAY
Private:Aww commical
Blowhole:awww Harry potter u suck hope u die in the last movie YEAH VOLDY!
private:Harry potter is amazing
(back at the HQ)
Kowalski:TELL HER RON TELL HER THAT U LOVE-
(skipper slaps Kowalski)
Skipper:Kowalski! Stop watching this Harry potter movies-oh which one are u watching?
Kowalski:deathly hallows part 1
Skipper:oh did u hear that part 2 comes out next year
Kowalski:OH YEAH GO HARRY!!!
Rico:.............?
one night as a storm hit marlene was asleep but mort came in and he could not sleep. marlene remembered a song her mom used to sing to her when she could't sleep so as she put mort on an spare bed she sang:
go to sleep
rest opon your bed
may this night bring dreams to your head
hear my voice
never let it die
keep this lullaby
soon the sun shall sat on
long it will be till dawn
never from you will I be gone
carry on
with this world of fear
now the time is near
peace will soon rain here
as marlene completed the song mort was fast asleep.as she was walking outside she saw skipper
marlene:hey skipper so hows the team?
skipper:marlene theres no time to talk my team said that they heard a girl singing.
marlene:skipper that was me.
skipper:what?!
marlene:mort could't sleep so I just sang a lullaby my mom used to sing and mort was out like a light.
skipper:wow marlene your song lulled privete to sleep.
marlene:huh?
go to sleep
rest opon your bed
may this night bring dreams to your head
hear my voice
never let it die
keep this lullaby
soon the sun shall sat on
long it will be till dawn
never from you will I be gone
carry on
with this world of fear
now the time is near
peace will soon rain here
as marlene completed the song mort was fast asleep.as she was walking outside she saw skipper
marlene:hey skipper so hows the team?
skipper:marlene theres no time to talk my team said that they heard a girl singing.
marlene:skipper that was me.
skipper:what?!
marlene:mort could't sleep so I just sang a lullaby my mom used to sing and mort was out like a light.
skipper:wow marlene your song lulled privete to sleep.
marlene:huh?
(at the zoo)
Alex:so came and raise your glass-oh were here
Harry:yeah
Mars:look at the penguins
Skipper:cute and cuddly boys cute and cuddly
Private:skipper look 14 year olds
Kowalski:they may not be insurers
Alex:oh how cute!
Skipper:well hello
Mars:Alex look
Alex:what?
(Harry came with a Rose)
Harry:for u
Alex:aw
Ron:egh
Hermione:RON!
skipper:so there a boyfriend well 2 can play that game
Private:really?
Skipper:agh
Mars:hey look a singing competen
Alex:here I am once again feeling lost but know and then I breath it in to let it go and u don't know where u are know (Alex sang "Make it Shine")
Alex:so came and raise your glass-oh were here
Harry:yeah
Mars:look at the penguins
Skipper:cute and cuddly boys cute and cuddly
Private:skipper look 14 year olds
Kowalski:they may not be insurers
Alex:oh how cute!
Skipper:well hello
Mars:Alex look
Alex:what?
(Harry came with a Rose)
Harry:for u
Alex:aw
Ron:egh
Hermione:RON!
skipper:so there a boyfriend well 2 can play that game
Private:really?
Skipper:agh
Mars:hey look a singing competen
Alex:here I am once again feeling lost but know and then I breath it in to let it go and u don't know where u are know (Alex sang "Make it Shine")
Alex:gee who knew that it was going to be a heat wave
Ron:I did Alex
Alex:then why didn't you tell me dude
Harry:alright don't fight
Herimone:just have a nice day and-
Alex:you guys sound a lot like parents
Ron:yep
Harry:just came on and let's go see penguins
Alex:yahhhhh!
(at the penguin habit)
Ron:why do we have to see stupid penguins
(Alex slaps Ron)
Harry:cause it's her birthday Ron
Ron:when its my birthday we'll do something better
Alex:yeah right I bet you'll have it with pigs oink oink oink oink
Ron:shut up Alex
Alice:no fighting around HERE!
Alex:alright Alice sheesh
Ron:sounds like some one woke up on the wrong side of the bed
(then laugh)
Ron:I did Alex
Alex:then why didn't you tell me dude
Harry:alright don't fight
Herimone:just have a nice day and-
Alex:you guys sound a lot like parents
Ron:yep
Harry:just came on and let's go see penguins
Alex:yahhhhh!
(at the penguin habit)
Ron:why do we have to see stupid penguins
(Alex slaps Ron)
Harry:cause it's her birthday Ron
Ron:when its my birthday we'll do something better
Alex:yeah right I bet you'll have it with pigs oink oink oink oink
Ron:shut up Alex
Alice:no fighting around HERE!
Alex:alright Alice sheesh
Ron:sounds like some one woke up on the wrong side of the bed
(then laugh)
Everyone was gone except for two of the penguins.
the others where on a vacation with Kaitlyn's sister Leah which she was very annoying.
So I didn't go but my cell phone ranged a penguin said "Do you know I'm a dimwit?"
"I'm a dimwit?"i said and the penguin said "You're sure are!" I hanged up angrily and said "it could be Skipper,Lily,or Rico."
Private's phone ranged next a the penguin said "Is you're refrigerator running?" "I don't know," said private. "If it is you'd better catch it!" The voice said.
Private said angrily "It could be Kowalski,Rico,or Lily" he complained. But as soon as he said it Skipper ran in. me and Private gasped like if the winkies were going out of business.
"Don't be alarmed I was here the whole entire time,and sorry if I didn't let one of you go instead," He said."But Private all the penguins you said were wrong,"
WHO WAS THE PRANK CALLER?
the others where on a vacation with Kaitlyn's sister Leah which she was very annoying.
So I didn't go but my cell phone ranged a penguin said "Do you know I'm a dimwit?"
"I'm a dimwit?"i said and the penguin said "You're sure are!" I hanged up angrily and said "it could be Skipper,Lily,or Rico."
Private's phone ranged next a the penguin said "Is you're refrigerator running?" "I don't know," said private. "If it is you'd better catch it!" The voice said.
Private said angrily "It could be Kowalski,Rico,or Lily" he complained. But as soon as he said it Skipper ran in. me and Private gasped like if the winkies were going out of business.
"Don't be alarmed I was here the whole entire time,and sorry if I didn't let one of you go instead," He said."But Private all the penguins you said were wrong,"
WHO WAS THE PRANK CALLER?