“I Insist”
September 27, 2014

“All right, men. I want a perimeter. Make it fast, make it wide, and make it where you can see everything, but nothing can see you,” Skipper ordered the team in Central Park. “On my mar —”

“Hey, aren’t you those penguins from the aquarium?” Fred interrupted as he approached them.

Skipper rolled his eyes. “Zoo, actually. What do you want, Fred? We’re in the middle of something,” he asked impatiently.

“Yeah, I’m in the middle of something too. I think it’s called Central Park. Anyway, I was just wondering, is that hayop ng oter friend of yours still single?” he asked in his slow monotone.

Skipper cocked an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with the team. “Yes, why?” he answered slowly.

“Oh, I was just hoping maybe we could give it another shot. My Granny says I need a lady friend, so I guess I need a lady friend,” he explained distantly.

Skipper narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think so,” he sinabi slowly. “I don’t think your Marlene’s type.”

“Type of what? Squirrel?” Fred asked.

Skipper rolled his eyes. “Yes, Fred. You’re not her type of squirrel. If you don’t mind, we’re trying to engage in something very important, not to mention classified,” he said, turning back to his team.

“Are you sure she doesn’t —”

“I’m sure!” Skipper said, turning back to him. “She’s not interested in you and that’s that. Now, leave us — and her — alone.”

Fred sighed. “Well, it was worth a shot. See you later,” he sinabi as he turned and headed back toward his tree.

When Skipper turned back to his men, they were all staring at him with inquisitive expressions.

“What was that all about?” Kowalski asked.

“If you weren’t paying attention, I don’t feel like explaining it,” Skipper sinabi with a roll of his eyes.

“No, I think Kowalski means what was that about?” Private said. “Don’t you think Marlene should be the one to decide who’s her type or not?”

“Well, it is, but I happen to know that Marlene’s made it clear she doesn’t want that kind of relationship with Fred. What’s your point?” Skipper asked impatiently.

“You just seemed very determined to get him to stay away from Marlene. Don’t you think you were rather firm?” Kowalski suggested.

“No, I don’t. If you’re not firm with someone like Fred, you’ll never get your point across,” Skipper insisted. “Now, I believe I asked for a perimeter.”

The team exchanged a glance, and with a smile, they started fanning out.

“Hey, why are you three smiling? This is not an amusing exercise! I order you three to frown or you’ll be doing laps until you drop!” he called as they parted ways, ignoring him. Skipper folded his flippers over his chest. “Sure showed them.”