Chapter 1 – The Transformation
It was a beautiful summer dag at the Central Park Zoo. The sun shined brightly in the skies above, casting shadows of all the surrounding buildings. Visitors came in and out door the hundreds. It was another typical dag for all the animals. However, one set of invitations would end up turning this zoo into a battlefield for some desperate animals…
“Up and at ‘em, men!” Skipper yelled to the other penguins, “We’ve got a whole slate of missions to complete today, and there’s no time for us to doze off!” “Skipper, do u always have to talk so loudly?” Kowalski asked, while rubbing his flipper on his eye. “I have to. It’s the only way to get u all up in the morning!” replied Skipper, while standing firm in front of them. The three penguins got into a side-by-side line in front of him. Skipper began his daily meld on the upcoming missions of the day. “Today, we-” Suddenly, Julien entered their habitat. “Howdy, neighbors! Guess what I got today?” he asked, while it appeared that he was holding something behind his back. “Unless it’s in any way life-threatening Ringtail, we don’t care.” Skipper declared. “Oh… But I think u should, silly penguin.” Julien insisted, “Ta-da!” He showed them an envelope, which was already opened. “What’s in that envelope, Julien?” asked Private. “It’s probably filled with some kind of poisonous substance of small explosive.” Skipper declared, “Everyone get down!” The pinguïn got into a ducking position, bracing for anything. Julien laughed. “You slap-happy penguins. There is no poison gas of anything like that in here.” He opened it, and the penguins quivered in fear. Julien took the material inside of it out, and nothing happened. It was only a letter. Kowalski was the first pinguïn to get up, and examined the piece. “It appears to be an invitation of some sort.” he stated to the others. He read the fine print,
Dear Animals of Central Park Zoo,
You are invited to a new annual tradition solely for all animals, wild of captive, in New York City. The Summer Animal Ball.
If u want to find love in “The city that never sleeps,” then, this party’s for you. u are required to have one, and only one, datum with u for this night. It can be anyone u choose. No RSVP is necessary, and refreshments will be provided.
This is only one night per year. Please come to this magical night. We promise u that it’ll be one that you’ll never forget.
“What a bunch of baloney!” Skipper shouted, “An animal ball?! Who’s the crazy animal that came up with this… this… mutiny!” “Actually, Skipper. It sounds rather lovely!” replied Private. Skipper got right into Private’s face. “Of course you’ll find that lovely Private. Then, u can go yourself. We’ll stay here and mend the base.” “Skipper, I have to agree with Private on this one. It does sound rather fun, and I think u can really use this.” Kowalski countered. “Yep.” Rico continued. “You two, too?! This is absolutely mutiny!” Skipper yelled, “I can’t believe u all want to go to this lovey-dovey thing!” Julien chimed in. “You, Skipper, should go. You’ll finally be noticed as a fun-freak, even though the spotlight will be on me of course.” “If Ringtail’s going, them I’m most certainly not!” Skipper bellowed with rage. “But Skipper…” Kowalski started. “No way, no how!” Skipper answered, “You all can dress up all nice and fancy if u wish. But… Don’t bother me about it. Unless something so crazy happens… Wait. When is this ball?” “Tonight.” Kowalski replied. Skipper started again where he left off. “Ok. Unless something totally crazy happens in the volgende six to eight hours, then I will not change my mind. Is that understood.” “Yes, Skipper.” Kowalski and Private zei sadly. The three penguins, minus Skipper, climbed up the ladder to the outside. “Don’t u all be trying to convince me other-” Skipper called, “Huh! Augh! Guess sometimes u have to do everything yourself!” He began to clean around. “Sometimes, I really wonder what goes into those guys’ heads.” he thought to himself.
Throughout the morning, the other zoo animals got the message, courtesy of Julien. It appeared that one inhabitant was rather enthusiastic about the festivities.
“A ball, here, in New York City?! This is… unbelievable!” “Calm down, Marlene!” zei Julien, “It’s meer exciting to me because we can finally have our datum that I’ve been so longing for.” Julien wrapped his hand around the otter. “You Julien?! How many times do I have to tell you! I don’t want to be your queen!” Marlene yelled, as she pushed him away. “Pushy one, aren’t you?!” Julien said, “I assure u that your evening with me will be the most wildest of your dreams!” “Listen, Julien! I already have a datum in mind, and well… It’s definitely not you!” she declared, as she overlapped one arm over the other in a bored notion. “And who is this special datum of yours?!” Julien asked her. “That, Julien, is none of your business.” “Oh really?! Don’t worry. u will be my datum to the ball, and I will make your night the most special it can be. Noone turns down King Julien!” Julien angrily walked out of Marlene’s habitat. “You have fun with that.” she called out as he could no longer be seen.
Later, Marlene went to the lemur habitat, and talked to Maurice. She told him that she wanted his help with finding a good outfit for her. “I know this one place, Marlene.” he zei to her, hesitantly, “I’m just not sure that this would be a good idea.” “Come on, Maurice. I really want to dazzle my date.” Marlene begged. Maurice gave in. “All right. So, who is this datum u want so badly?” Marlene whispered the name to Maurice. “Really?! Him?!” he asked, with a surprised look on his face. Marlene nodded. “All right! Follow me.” Maurice zei to her.
The two ended up at a secret animal salon that was not too far from the zoo. Marlene did not feel threatened, so her feral side did not appear. They opened the door, and Marlene was soon in awe with the fashion foto's and accessories that surrounded her. “Wow! Look at all this! I’ve never seen so much style like this before!” “If u think that’s good, just wait and see what’s in store for you, my dear!” A beautiful female pigeon (Yes, a pigeon) came from behind an entrance to another hallway with drapes that opened to the sides. “How are u doing, Maurice?! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you!” “Very well!” he answered, and then introduced Marlene, “And this is Marlene. She’s looking for an outfit that would appeal to a special datum of hers.” “I assume this is for the ball tonight!?” the pigeon asked. “Of course.” Maurice replied. “Why am I not surprised!? u won’t believe how many animals have come into my salon today for that reason!” “I can imagine!” The pigeon then turned his attention to Marlene. “Welcome, welcome! My name is Helga, and don’t u worry Marlene, my dear, I assure that u have the dress that will make your datum absolutely gaga for you!” “You’d really do that, for me?!” Marlene asked, enthusiastically. “Of course, I can, my dear. So, what animal is the datum u seek? A fellow otter I presume!?” “Actually, it’s…” Marlene again whispered it to Helga. “I see. I have to give u credit. u are one interesting otter with a unique taste in dates. No matter. I know exactly what to fit u with. Please follow me.” the pigeon declared.
Marlene followed Helga back into the other hallway, where the makeup and dressing room was located. “All right, Marlene, have a seat.” She handed the otter a blindfold. “Now, put this over your eyes! We wouldn’t to spoil the surprise.” Marlene put the blindfold. “All right. I’m ready!” she declared. “Very well.” answered Helga. “My assistants and I will make u all beautiful for your dance datum tonight. Just stay with us, and we will transform u into the girl of your date’s dreams!”
About thirty minuten passed by, and Marlene was transformed. With the blindfold still over her eyes, Helga led her to a large mirror. She took the blindfold off slowly, and told her, “Now, my dear… Look at the new you!” Marlene looked into the mirror, and saw that her brown vacht, bont had been turned black. Her nose and legs were now mainly orange, with her white spot still there, of course. However, her white vacht, bont and paws were not changed. She had a look of disbelief on her face as she admired her new look. “Wow! Look at me! I look simply amazing!” “I see we have another satisfied customers on our hands!” declared Helga. “No doubt. I love this look. I look like one “hot” cat!” “You must certainly do, my dear.” Marlene shook her paws with one of Helga’s wings. “I can’t thank u enough, Helga.” “It’s no problem at all, my dear. I’m just happy that we gave u a look that u adore. Now, u go out there tonight, and have fun!” Marlene waved goodbye, and went back to the main hallway to find Maurice. “How do I look, Maurice?” she asked the lemur. Maurice’s jaw dropped in adoration. “Wow, Marlene. u look astonishing! I have no doubt “you-know-who” will go crazy for you!” “I sure hope so.” Marlene said, uncertainly. “I know he will.” Maurice assured her. “You’re right, Maurice. Now, all I have to do is go back to the Central Park Zoo. My date’s just waiting for me!”
