Dreaming in Black ‘N’ White

Chapter 4 – Dance the Night Away

    Back inside the base of the penguin, auk HQ, Kowalski showed off yet another new invention of us to the others, including Marlene. “Behold! My Dancinator 5000!” he boomed, “Just one little, tiny shock from this kofia, chapeo will guarantee wewe to dance at your wildest!” Private smiled. “This is perfect for you, Skipper. Now wewe can dance with your tarehe the way you’re-” “Whoa, whoa!” Skipper interrupted, “I don’t need that silly kofia, chapeo to be put on my head. I have all I need right here. Besides, I’ve danced before, Private. So, I think I know what I’m doing.” “But wewe told us once that wewe didn’t believe that wewe had a dance buried-” Skipper put his flipper over Private’s mouth, before he could finish. “Not in front of the lady, Private.” Marlene grinned as she walked towards Skipper. “So, Skipper. wewe say wewe have a moyo of a dancer. Since when?” she asked. “Since the siku I was born, Marlene. We, penguins, are born to dance. That’s how we like to attract the ladies…” he replied, winking at her.

    “Right… Well, I think I’ll be the judge of that tonight. Are wewe sure wewe don’t need help?”

    “Of course not. I don’t need another one of Kowalski’s inventions for this kind of situation. All I need is what wewe and I both have inside, Marlene.”

    “Aww… That’s so sweet. Really, it is.”

    Skipper then turned his attention back to his men. “All right boys. We need to prepare for any kind of crisis to happen at any time. Rico, weapons check.” Rico regurgitated several weapons from his mouth, including dynamite, a flamethrower, and a chainsaw. “Hold on a dakika there, Skipper. We don’t all this.” Marlene protested. “Sure we do, Marlene. wewe never know what kind of twisted, evil mastermind could ruin this special night.”

    “Come on, Skipper. Can’t wewe just get away from that for one night?”

    “We can’t take that chance. We have to assume every single possible scenario.”

    “Please, Skipper... Can wewe do it just for me?”

    “Oh… All right. How can I say no to a beautiful face?”

    “Oh, you.” The two hugged one another in a warming embrace.

    While they were doing so, Private looked to Kowalski, who was right inayofuata to him. “Aw… Don’t they just look so cute together.” he asked. “For once Private, I have to agree with you. Even though it may seem awkward, I get a sense that there’s zaidi here than beats the eye.” Both penguins then looked across to Rico. “Aw…” he alisema in his usual voice. Skipper turned and faced his men once again. “Gentlemen, it’s time. I believe we have a dance to get to.” he declared. “Ay, ay, sir.” the other three responded. The five of them then set off to midtown for the ball.

    Upon arrival, Marlene recognized some familiar faces just inside the door. “Hi Stacy. Hi Becky. How are wewe doing?” The two badgers turned around and were immediately filled with fright. “Please don’t hurt us! Please don’t hurt us!” they screamed. “Relax, relax. wewe don’t need to worry about my feral side tonight. Trust me. I won’t let it out.” Stacy and Becky both sighed in relief, and then proceeded to hug Marlene simultaneously. “Wow, Marlene! What happened to you?” asked Becky. “Well… wewe see…” Marlene stuttered. “Don’t tell me.” Stacy continued, “You look like that to appeal to a tarehe of yours.” “Um… Yeah.” Marlene replied. “So, which guy is it?” Stacy asked. “Let me guess. It’s this cute little penguin, auk right here.” Becky declared, as she stood inayofuata to and pointed at Private. “Actually, it’s him.” Marlene pointed to Skipper. “Really?” asked Stacy. “I thought for sure it wouldn’t be the little one. Oh well.” continued Becky. “Well, wewe two have a fun time because we’ve also got a cool date.” Stacy stated. “And who might that be?” asked Marlene. “He is the coolest little raccoon we’ve ever met in our entire lives.” Becky declared. “And he’s right here!” Stacy and Becky both sighed in awe as Archie arrived. “So… How are my two lovely badger dates doing?” he asked them. “Enjoying the moment.” replied Stacy. “Knowing that we’re going to have the greatest night of our lives.” Becky continued. “Hey, hey, all right.” Archie walked over to Skipper. “So, Skipper. I hear you’re taking that otter as your tarehe night. That’s the sweetest thing I ever heard. And, I must say, she is incredibly beautiful. And that flower… Good call. Well… I guess I shouldn’t interrupt this lovely evening anymore ‘cause I’ve got a tarehe with a pair of lovely badgers. Come on girls.” The two badgers sighed as they walked away.

    Skipper and the gang then proceeded to the area of the building where the buffet and respective dining tables were located. All kinds of delectable chakula lay everywhere in silver metal containers, either hot au cold. Presently, Kowalski, Rico, and Private noticed a mother lode of seafood at one particular table. Their eyes and mouth began to water vigorously. “All right, boys. Go ahead.” Skipper told them. The three then raced off towards the table. “Come on, Marlene. Let’s find ourselves a place to sit before they all fill up.” Skipper said. Marlene nodded. They found a meza, jedwali towards the left-center portion of the room that was empty, and had five seats available. They made sure that there was room for the others when they came back from the seafood buffet. Skipper grabbed a chair inayofuata to him, and motioned Marlene to sit inayofuata to him. “Now, sit down right here, Marlene.” “Why, thank you, Skipper.” They both then sat down as Rico, Kowalski, and Private returned. Their plates were filled with shrimp, kamba and all kinds of fish, especially Rico’s plate, which is filled a good distance upwards. “Uh… Isn’t that a little much there for one penguin?” Marlene asked. “Don’t worry, Marlene.” Kowalski assured her, “Rico didn’t just get that for himself, no. He got his tray full for wewe two as well.” He pulled out an oyster shell from the massive pile. “See what I mean?” Marlene grabbed it from Kowalski. “Thank wewe guys. I really appreciate it.” Marlene said. “All right, everyone. Dig in.” Skipper boomed, “But do it in a signified and formal manner, like civil animals.” The five eat their chakula with the silverware left for them to use. As they were eating, numerous waiters handed small desserts and other goodies to all the tables. And at their particular table, their waiter turned out to be a not-so-invited guest. “May I interest any of wewe with a danish…? Skipper, is that you?” Skipper recognized that voice, and quickly turned around, seeing that it was, in fact, Hans. “Hans! What are wewe doing here?!” he asked, loudly. “What does it look I’m doing, Skipper?! I’ma busy serving some delicious pastries for your table.” “Oh… I’ll try one.” Private said, as he Hans began to walk towards him. Skipper stopped the puffin in his tracks. “No can do, Private. He’s obviously filled this danish with some kind of poison. These must be disposed of immediately.” Hans frowned. “Skipper, I’m sure Hans means no harm here and now.” Marlene assured him, “Besides, other wanyama are watching us. I think Hans would know better.” Skipper sighed. “All right, Hans, I’ll do try one of your danishes.” Hans smiled. “Here wewe go, Skipper. Enjoy the danish!” Skipper ate the pastry, as Hans looked on in curiosity. “How’s it taste, Skipper?” he asked. Skipper paused, and then smiled. “It’s actually very good.”

    “See… What did I tells you? Noone makes a good a danish as old Hans does.”

    “I’ll have another.”

    “Very well. Here wewe go, Skipper.”

    As Skipper chewed on the new danish, Hans leaned down inayofuata to Marlene. “So, Skipper is your date?” he asked her.” “Of course.”

    “Well, I must say that he made an excellent a choice for his tarehe tonight. wewe look very pretty-ful.”

    “Why, thank you, Hans.”

    Hans then wrapped his wings around both Skipper and Marlene. “Now, I suggest wewe two get on that dance floor and shake those booties of yours before it gets too a late. If wewe a need me, fell free to a call me.” “Well, Marlene, what are we waiting for?” Skipper asked. Marlene nodded. The two grabbed flipper and paw, and walked out to the dancefloor, while the other three penguins stayed at the table.

    Once on the dancefloor, Skipper and Marlene wrapped their flippers and arms around each other as they slowly danced. “I have to say, Skipper. You’re dancing really well. I’m impressed.” “Thanks, Marlene. I had to be, especially around you.”

    “Stop it, Skipper. You’re making me blush.”

    “You’re making me blush just looking at you.”

    “Heh… wewe know, in some ways, we are total opposites.”

    “I know…”

    “But… That’s what makes us strong and together. Our opposites attract.”

    “You’re right, Marlene. Like I alisema before, I was always wrong about you. With everything that’s happened today, I consider wewe to be the fifth official penguin.”

    “Really, Skipper?”

    “Of course, Marlene. wewe just have to do one thing.” Skipper and Marlene both blushed heavily.

    “You mean this…?” With their beak and mouth locked together, the penguin, auk and the otter kissed one another, as the variously colored lights streamed around them.

    Suddenly, the DJ boomed on the microphone, “All right, all wewe little upendo wanyama out there. It’s time for some solo dancing. If any of wewe pairs out there wants to onyesha off your dance moves to everyone, then come on out to the middle of the dancefloor circle.” “Come on, Skipper, let’s onyesha these other wanyama what we’re made of.” Marlene stated. “Ok…” Skipper replied, hesitantly. Marlene started dancing in the middle of the circle. She noticed that Skipper was a little nervous to do the same. So, she slid on over, and bumped him gently with her behind against his side. “Let’s do this thing, Skipper.” Skipper nodded, and finally entered the center. The two wanyama showed off some frantic dance moves, such as stunning slides. A rose, without the thorns, was thrown, and Marlene grabbed it and placed it in her mouth as Skipper twirled her gently around. The crowd cheered, and then applauded, when their dance concluded.

    After all the other animals, including the two badgers, Archie, and Hans, left, Skipper and Marlene continued to warmly embrace and hug each other as Skipper’s men approached. “So… This is only a one night deal, Skipper?” Kowalski asked, with a huge grin on his face. “I can’t deny it, men. It’s much, much zaidi than that. Much more…”