“Are they gone yet?”
“Yeah, they just closed the gate. Give ‘em five more minutes to get to the cars!”
“Awesome!”
Five minutes later, a small clawed hand reached out and used a key to open a gate. A small army descended from the trees, holding keys and opening various cages. There was a general commotion as over a hundred residents made their way to the zoo’s center to hold their monthly meeting.
Tixit took his place at the head of the congenial mob. His tail twitched as he paced up and down his favorite tree limb. After a few moments he “Ah’ emed” the murmuring crowd into silence. He started the meeting by asking Kayl what he thought he was doing?!
Kayl looked at Tixit and roared back,” What are you talking about?”
Tixit, not to be out done stuck out his chest and ripped back, “You know exactly what I am talking about! That little kid with the balloon last week! What, you think he wouldn’t notice?”
Kayl had the decency to be mildly abashed and lowered his head slightly shading his amber eyes with chestnut mane and said in a sulky voice. “I wouldn’t have really done it. It’s just he was there and it was there and he got so close to the cage, I could have. I mean come on it was screaming ‘EAT ME!’ You know what a freak I am for those!”
Tixit shushed him and said, “We know all about your passion for balloons but can’t you see how that would have looked to him seeing you clawing at his balloon! That could have been a one way vet trip!”
“Fala, it has come to our attention that you have been mimicking the visitors! You can’t be caught doing that! Do you have any idea how bad it would be if those arrogant humans ever figured us out? We would loose our cushy homes and be experimented on.” Tixit slammed his paw into his outstretched palm for added emphasis.
Fala, looking back could only grin and complain, “The chimps do it all the time!”
Tixit did a double take and screamed, “Yeah, but the silly humans think that’s funny. If they saw a full grown brown bear acting like that, they would be beside themselves!”
“Ok, well moving along. Geta what’s the situation at the infirmary?”
Geta lowered her long neck and addressed the small crowd, “Thomas’ surgery went well and I am sorry to report that all hoofed stock will be getting a visit from the Farrier next Tuesday.”
“Ok, Hubbard, have you any new information on the rainforest remodel?”
“Harrumph, ok, yes, the remodel. They are going to start the bird round up next week. They will be caged inside the warehouse with the monkeys until the end of the month. The new watering system and misters will take 3 weeks to install.” The ancient tortoise glancing sideways went back to absently chewing on a low hanging bush.
Tixit thought hard about this for a moment, his bushy tail flicking busily in time with his mental dialogue. Finally, he said,” Ok, We can’t make this too easy on them. If you all just line up and enter the moving crates they are sure to get curious. If a human comes at you, give them a little run for their money. Don’t be nasty though.” With that Tixit eyed Bumbly. “That means no bombing runs at the keeper’s heads this time!”
Bumbly looking about winked back at Tixit and said, “No promises, mate. A bird’s gotta do what a bird’s gotta do.” Tixit’s tail flicked at that and he moved his attention back to the crowd.
"I have also heard that ‘someone’ thought it would be funny to add humans to the menu in the snack shop. Sometimes I wonder if you all just want to get caught! Three weeks ago, Joe hid a keeper’s cell phone in his pouch, and then tried to call his mom in Adelaide. I can’t stress enough how bad it would be if we ever got found out!” Tixit eyed the crowd.
I didn’t want to bring this up but my observers have found that there’ve been several black vans parked outside the zoo over the past two weeks. I fear that some of the humans may be getting a little too close for comfort. That said; keep your eyes and ears open until we meet again. Meeting adjourned”
There was a general shuffling as creatures returned to their exhibits and where locked in again, each key carrying squirrel racing off to bury their key until next time. No one noticed the parabolic dish disappear back into a black van as it slowly backed down a maintenance road.