Private

“Skipper, the show’s about to start,” Private called from the television. “Will you be back quickly?”

“No, you three go on and watch it without me,” Skipper said from across the HQ. “I have something to take care of.”

“You sure?” Private asked. “Is something wrong?”

“No, young Private,” Skipper assured him, “everything’s fine.”

Without waiting for him to respond, Skipper climbed out of the hatch and made his way over to Marlene’s.

“Knock, knock,” he called as he entered her cave.

“Come in,” Marlene called back. When Skipper entered, she was by her mirror...

“Hey, Skipper,” Marlene said hopping onto the penguins island, where said penguin was looking out over the zoo with binoculars. “What are you doing?”

“Classified,” Skipper replied without looking at her.

Marlene rolled her eyes. “I was wondering if you wanted to go to the park with me. What do you say?” she asked.

Skipper looked at her finally. “Well, I’m a bit busy at the moment. What are you going to the park for?”

“I thought I’d get a snow cone or something, maybe swim around in the pond,” Marlene replied.

Skipper thought for a moment. “It’s been a few months since...