The Great Escape
"Murray! Will you stop pacing?"
"Oh come on, Fishbrain, we need to get out of here! You know I think best when I pace!"
"Murray... Why do we even have to get outta here?!? It's nice, and quite, and there's FREE FOOD!!!"
"Is that all you think about? FOOD?!? What about freedom?!? Seeing the big sky, and the blue ocean?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right... I miss the sand between my toes..."
"So you're with me?"
"Yep!"
"Ok. First thing we do is cross the river. Then we climb the palm tree on the other side. There's a tiny window up there--I think we can reach it. Then, we get outta 'the city' and we're free!!"
"Sounds like a good plan... Why don't you go first?"
"Oh, all right... but first we have to find a way across the river."
"Look, Murray! There's some leaves!"
"You Fishbrain, how are leaves gonna help?"
"We make 'em into a boat!"
"Yeah, good thinkin' Fishbrain! You really think this will work? I mean the leaves are barely floatin' now..."
"Oh, come on Murray--I seen it on TV!"
"You better be right, Fishbrain, I hate gettin' wet!"
"Climb aboard, Murray!"
"Holy crap, it's working!"
"We've reached the other side, Murray!"
"Now, we have to climb up that palm tree to the window!!"
"I'll go first!! I'll go first!!"
"Aww, Fishbrain, why did you have to fall? Why couldn't you have just told me you can't climb trees?"
"I dunno."
"Great. Now I have to think of another idea."
"I'm sorry, Murray... Hey, look!"
"What now, Fishbrain?"
"Nail clippers!"
"Nail clippers?"
"YEAH!! We can use 'em like a catapult!"
"That's crazy enough to work, Fishbrain!"
"WEEEHEEE!! I'M FLYING!!!"
"Thank god you landed safely, Fishbrain. I'll be up in a minute."
"Yeah, I made it, cuz i can CLIMB, you moron!"
"Oh. Let's climb out the window now!"
"Yeah, yeah, let's do that."
"Can't... Quite... Reach! OOOH! LOOK! A can of beans!"
"Fishbrain, is your mind ALWAYS on food?"
"No... We use the can to stand on to get out of the window, Murray!"
"Yeah, that'll work... Yeah, I guess that'll work."
"Look Murray!! I'm free!! I'm free! I'm FREE!!!!"
The two of them scampered out and did so just in time--at that instant, a young girl came into the room and said, "Where are my two hermit crabs?"
Dedicated to Joanna K. and Lil Hiabba
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