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Counter Earth Chronicles

Chapter 67: Our Lives Don't Mean Anything To Anyone But Us (All Or Nothing Part One)

Day 232 (Evening)

“Thank you one and all for coming to our celebration on this Gloriest All Beast's Day!" The otter lady said to the crowd that was seated in the auditorium at the World One Performing Arts Center. “And now our presentation!" Professor Love said as she walked off stage and the curtains faded into the set.

It was then that that evenings' presentation began, narrated by each of the otter lady's students; the beastial children I had come to know.

The presentation was in Animalian and English. Probably professor Love's way of testing the cubs' language prowess.

Primrose walked on stage and started the presentation:

“Thirty one years ago this world was in peril! Ravaged by strife, hatred, intolerance and greed as its dominant life forms warred against themselves for control of the land, the air and the sea and ultimately the planet."

The rabbit-girl then stepped aside as another of the beastial children- Lee joined her on stage and continued the narration:

“There was much fighting, much bloodshed and much death as not only did the dominant life forms suffer but so did the plants and animals of this world.

Then one day the great one arrived! A being from a another war ravaged world. The great one was seeking the perfect utopia. He didn't find it here though, only reminders of what horrors he had seen on his world."

The panda-girl was then joined on stage by Minka who continued the story:

“Since the perfect utopia did not exist, he decided to create it. After seeing the devastation that had been inflicted on the planet and its inhabitants, the great one convinced the remaining survivors who were tired of war, tired of destruction to make him their ruler. If he was named leader he would stop the fighting, restore order, restore peace and stability would reign in its stead. And so the survivors did.

The great one realized that in order to create his utopia, what had happened to the world must never be allowed to happen again; the planet would never be defiled as a result of hatred, intolerance, greed or any conflict, and its inhabitants should never suffer as a result."

With that the monkey-girl ended her narration as Milo walked onto the stage:

“But how does one prevent the past from happening again in the future? The great one concluded that the dominant life forms of this world were to blame. They were flawed, arrogant, self-centered, intolerant, greedy, aggressive and adversarial; they would need to be replaced.

That is what he did. Inspired by the beauty of the flora and fauna he found suffering on Counter Earth, the great one used them as template for his new project; to create the ultimate life form whom would succeed humanity's- dominance on this world."

The wolverine-boy concluded his narration and joined the girls as Arthur walked on stage:

“One sunny spring day about thirty years ago the first beastials were created. Depending on your point of view, they were either animal - human hybrids or animals infused with humanoid properties. Beastials were engineered to be sentient, smarter and stronger then the present population on Counter Earth.

Their function was many fold: replace the flawed populace of this world, aid the great one in building his new utopia, populate this utopia, become the new caretakers of the utopia and to insure that it never ever is imperiled again."

“That is too many utopias." Milo warned the hedgehog-boy. The audience laughed at that part.

It was then the beastial children read the last part of the presentation in unison:

“During the great one's rule and the reign of the beastials, peace and stability have been established, war has been eliminated and hunger have been eradicated. Monumental cities have been created over the remnants of hatred, greed, intolerance and destruction, and lastly art and culture have flourished!

It is on this great day we commemorate our creation, the success of the great one's grand experiment and our place as the ultimate life forms on this world and its outright prosperity due to our existence!"

With that the audience erupted into applause.

(Wow, that was laying it on quite thick).

“Alex, why did you exactly drag us here this evening?" The female coyote seated next to me asked. “Sorren, Tauren and I are quite familiar with the story behind All Beast Day and how we all came into being."

“Actually, it was a favor to professor Love who wanted me to attend. Something about a special performance from Cody."

(Whom I noticed wasn't in the presentation).

“Also it was an opportunity to observe holiday celebrations on this world." I said to the trio who were sitting next to me- Sorren to my left and Lurie and Tauren on my right.

“You picked a interesting holiday as your first!" The dragon replied.

“Why would you attend a celebration that humans deem derogatory and offensive?" The minotaur asked me.

Sorren and Tauren were right. I scanned the crowd in attendance at the small theater and I was the only human there.

“Well done children. Nicely told." Professor Love said as she reappeared on stage. Minka, Primrose, Lee, Arthur and Milo bowed and then exited.

“Now what?" Lurie asked.

“I think I know." I said to the trio. “Cody's punishment for disobeying the professor during our visit to the World One Museum."

“So he was the one you told us about!" Tauren exclaimed.

We were right. Soon the otter lady was joined on stage by a white furred cat-boy.

“Now I would like to introduce Cody Spenser who will read us a special excerpt he has written on obedience and responsibility." With that professor Love exited the stage leaving all in attendance to stare at the eleven year old cat-boy and his presentation.

“Greetings! I am Cody Spenser! Perhaps you have heard of me?!"

The audience nodded at that remark.

“Recently I and some friends of mine took a day trip to a local museum with our teacher. During our time there I wandered off from my group and caused them to unnecessarily worry. I wanted to apologize to her and my friends. I have learned that when we are young it is important to obey our elders, the ones that love us, teach us, look out for us, care for us and try to keep us safe. It was wrong for me to wander off on my own because I was bored. For that I am sorry.

(Wow, that sounded like a back-handed remark if I ever heard one.)

However, It was also because I wandered off that I discovered even better displays and exhibits that weren't readily available to visitors that day. In fact, several of them were quite compelling and quite enjoyable and opened my eyes to other experiences I would not quite have realized at my young age. I also made some new friends that day- Dee, Dee-Dee, Shakara and The Madam. Because of them it was the bestest best trip I have ever taken to the museum and I can't wait to go back to SEE them again!" The cat-boy said while pulling back his arms and thrusting his pelvis to the side- repeatedly. The audience gasped.

“I can't believe he said that!" Lurie exclaimed realizing the very context of his last statement.

Tauren just face-palmed.

“Eleven going on twenty-one, that is Big Sexy err, our Cody." I exclaimed.

“I like that cub, he is quite funny!" Sorren said giggling. “Cody Spenser one, professor Love zero!"

Lurie, Tauren and myself just stared at him.

After the performance- specifically Cody's, the trio and I departed the theater. I didn't want to see the professor's reaction to that.

“This is a particularly beautiful area of World One complete with street performers." I said observing a peculiar human female. Her face was painted white and she wore a white shirt with black and white pants covered in a checkered pattern.

Tauren, Sorren and Lurie saw that I was transfixed on this performer who was entertaining a small crowd in front of the performing arts center we had just left. She was dancing with two rings which Tauren said were called hula-hoops, both of them flashed multiple colors which seemed to dazzle the crowd as they spun around her torso, arms and legs. She then threw the rings into the air catching one within the other forming a perfect sphere.

“Wow, she is good!" I replied as the audience gasped then applauded.

“Watching this is making me hungry!" Sorren rumbled.

“This is the theater district." Tauren responded. “There are several performance venues here as well as shops and restaurants to choose from."

“So where should we go next?" Lurie asked.

“Why not get something to eat? It is past our dinner time and I am growing quite hungry too." Tauren added. “Besides we have a bit of a wait before the next transport back to the castle."

“Okay, anyone know of a good place to eat?" I asked.

“Why not the World's Finest Restaurant?" Sorren asked.

“Ok. What its name?" I asked the dragon.

“World's Finest Restaurant." Sorren responded.

“Yeah, that one."

The trio looked at each other then back to me.

“World's Finest Restaurant." Lurie responded.

“Uh, I know that, but what's its name?" I asked confused.

“World's Finest Restaurant!" Tauren answered.

“Wait a minute, let's start over!"

“Alex, the name of the restaurant is The World's Finest Restaurant!" Sorren said placing me a armlock and giving me a nuggie.

“You will have to be patient with him Sorren- remember he is not the ultimate life form." The coyote teased.

“He can be slow on the uptake too." Sorren added.

“Hey, I never claimed I was the ultimate life form. Just a extremely lucky person." I shot back.

“Ahem," Tauren interrupted. “We sometimes eat there after we see a show."

Fortunately the restaurant was just a few blocks away, bordering the slums of World One, but still in the theater district- barely.

The World's Finest Restaurant was just that a restaurant in a small building. It consisted of three floors with multiple windows with views facing toward the theater district and obviously not the slums.

The three floors had separate but distinct dining areas where patrons could dine while taking in the glamorous view. I marveled at the section we were taken too. It must have consisted of about twenty tables nicely decorated white cloths with various silverware and placemats which I assumed were to hold dishes and bowls.

As we took our seats I noticed that the restaurant was not crowded, there were some diners here and there, but there would probably be more during the weekend.

I sat facing toward the window. Tauren opposite me. Sorren was on my right and Lurie was to my left. Just after we sat down the placemats rose from the table as if they were floating. I quickly grabbed a hold of mine studying it carefully. The mat quickly turned into the menu- and it was in Animalian.

“Looks like you are going to have to put your language skills to use now!" Lurie teased. “That translator of yours won't work on text."

“Yeah, it looks like I will get to put to use what the professor has taught me." I said to the trio studying the menu. It wasn't too hard to discern the items and their prices.

(What to have? Hmm...)

“Is this human bothering you?" I heard a stern voice from behind me say. “If so I could have him removed and thrown out back!"

Tauren, Lurie, Sorren and I looked up from our menus to see the restaurant's owner a six foot tall monitor lizard in a black and white uniform looking quite serious at us- arms crossed. Actually, who am I kidding, he was really looking at me!

“Pavo! How are you! Long time no see!" Sorren said as he sprang up from the table.

“I was fine until this walked in here! I know I am close to YOUR area but can't you find another place to rob? Maybe a cafeteria or furniture store?" The lizard said to me scowling.

“I am sorry." I replied to the lizard. “But you have me mistaken, I am patron and not a thief. I am here with my friends to dine in your restaurant, not steal from it."

(If you are to going to judge me, please do so by the content of my character not the fact that I am human.)

“Oh he is with you Sorren?" The lizard asked surprised. “I thought he was here to rob the place!"

“Pavo, this is Alex who is dinning with us this evening." Sorren said trying to reassure the lizard. “He is a dear friend of ours and is completely harmless."

“So he is the one you told me about!" The lizard said astounded.

When he said that I was hoping that the trio had only told him good things about me.

“Very well, I will take you at you word Sorren. But I want him on his best behavior. Is that understood?" The lizard asked.

(Then again maybe not all good things.)

“Yes sir." I replied.

“So you have been robbed recently?" Lurie asked.

“Yes, three times within the last three weeks!"

“What was taken?" Tauren asked as Sorren and I looked on.

“Some food, but mostly furniture and silverware." The lizard replied.

“Looks like those who didn't like their food rations decided to dine out even when they couldn't afford to do so." Lurie responded.

“Yeah, The World's Finest Restaurant- thieves and the poor prefer our cuisine over their rations! Sorren added giggling again.

Pavo gave the dragon such a look.

“Anyway my friends, I am a little short on staffing this evening so I will be waiting on you personally. Can I take your orders?"

“Short? You are at least five and half feet tall!" I said making jokes like Sorren trying to lighten the mood.

The lizard gave me and Sorren such weird looks.

“Uh, I think we will just place our orders....." I said turning my gaze back to the trio.

Tauren, Lurie and Sorren one by one gave their orders. Tauren decided on the house salad. Lurie and Sorren placed orders for cod. While they were ordering, I scanned the menu over and over again trying to decide in preparation for my turn.

“I think I will have the double hamburger with a light coating of mayo, mustard and lettuce." I said lowering the menu.

It was then that Sorren kicked me.

“OW!"

I started to give the dragon a look and what was that for. But as I turned toward him, I traded nasty glances with Tauren- I noticed he was frowning!

(Oops!!!)

“Pavo, forget that!" I said back paddling. “Um, let me see. Let me see... Let me have the roasted chicken breast with parmesan cheese and a side of... OW!" I said as Lurie kicked me.

After I made my correction and the coyote kicked me, I noticed a rooster at a nearby table had overheard me and was giving me a curious glance.

(Strike two!)

“No, forget that and let me have the turkey sub..." No sooner had I said that Sorren and Lurie both kicked me, I then realized seated next to the rooster was a female gobbler who joined her companion in staring at me.

(Uh Oh!)

“On second thought I will just have the tuna salad." I said sheepishly.

I quickly scanned the dining area making sure there weren't any diners who were fish people and if there were, that they had not overheard me.

“Good choice little human!" The monitor lizard exclaimed. “Could I convince you to also order our special today as well?"

“Um, what is that?" I asked.

“Foot in the mouth soup?" The lizard snickered as he walked away to place our orders.

(So the stern looking lizard does have a sense of humor.)

“Really, Alex you need to be a little more sensible." Sorren chided.

“Especially in a place like this!" Lurie piled on.

“Sorry my friends." I replied. “I don't get to eat out that often and not in a place like this."

The pause was definitely awkward and I wanted to desperately change the subject.

“Does Pavo treat all his human customers like that or am I just special?"

“Only the ones he likes." Sorren giggled.

“He likes me?!" Given his reaction I thought he didn't.

“Pavo is like that to everyone." Lurie responded. “It is just the way he is."

There was a pregnant pause as I returned to looking past Tauren out the window at the spectacular view.

“Hey guys do Worlds Two, Three, Four and Five each have theater districts?"

Yes, they all do Lurie responded, some are a little bigger and some are a little smaller than the one here in World One.

“However, if you ask me, I think ours is the most beautiful." A voice from behind us chimed in.

Tauren, Lurie and Sorren turned their gaze slightly to my left. I did so as well and locked eyes with a mysterious beastial of such a species I had never seen before. He, well I think it was a he, was about six feet tall, had a moderately sized snout with a small tongue. He looked pretty much like an ant eater only he had brown scales over his back shoulder, arms and sides.

“Sorry, I overheard your conversation and couldn't help but chime in. Your Alex is too cute for a human. Is he house broken?" The creature said petting me on my head.

(Not again!)

“Hey!" I started to say as Lurie, Tauren and Sorren tried hard to mask their snickering.

(I get it, I get it I am the only human in a furries' restaurant on All Beasts Day I was bound to get picked on).

I quickly recovered and tried to change the subject.

“Excuse me uh.."

“You can call me Pan." Little human.

“Un, Pan, what are you?" I asked the beastial who looked like he was a warrior with built in armor.

“I am a Pangolin. I take it, this is your first time seeing one."

“Yeah, I don't get out too much." I replied.

“Don't get out much hun? Maybe you aren't house broken!" The Pangolin replied.

I just made an annoyed facial expression while the trio started laughing.

“So what brings you to our lovely theater district on All Beasts Day?" The creature asked.

“We were attending a presentation at the Performing Arts Center by some cubs that Alex here has come to know." Lurie responded to Pan who was listening intently.

“And we decided to stop off here for something to eat after." Tauren added.

“So do you have any plans after your meal?"

“Actually we were planning on heading back home afterward- Alex does have some homework he needs to tend to." Sorren replied.

“Aw that is too bad." The pangolin said quietly.

“Why is that?" I asked.

“There is a dance competition taking place at Club 1620 a few blocks from here."

“Dance competition?" I asked as the trio looked on.

“Yes, it began some hours ago. It is in honor of All Beasts Day and guess what the grand prize is?"

I looked at Tauren, Sorren and Lurie and then we all looked at Pan.

“The grand prize is a solar hover vehicle!" The pangolin responded.

“How is the competition being conducted?" Lurie asked intrigued.

“Contestants are let into the club in groups to dance, dance, dance and when the club runs out of contestants the last one standing wins the hover vehicle. So far no one has done so."

“We should try that!" Sorren said to Tauren.

“Um, but I don't dance...." the bull said quietly.

“Nor do I." I piled on.

“You don't have to be good at it love, just outlast the other contestants." Lurie said to Tauren. “Just think, if we win, we will have a hover vehicle!"

“Yeah! No more transports for us!" Sorren added.

“That would be the ultimate freedom. You could go any where, any place at any time you want." I said to the trio.

“One problem though." The pangolin added. “The contest is for beastials only. No humans are allowed to enter. It is All Beasts Day after all."

(I sensed that he left that part to the end just to be sadistic.)

“Aw crap!" I said looking at the window again.

“However, I do know Club 1620's human detection equipment has been broken for the last few days." Pan winked as he left us to talk about our after dinner activities.

“Let me get this straight, depending on the number of contestants who enter- this in theory could last a while and the last transport back to the castle is in about two hours." I added.

“I wonder how dance contestants are eliminated?" Tauren asked.

Sorren tapped the placemat mat on the table to reveal a graphical directory of businesses in the entertainment district. He soon found the entry for Club 1620 and the competition.

“The rules of the competition state that you dance, dance, dance until you can't dance anymore. Those who stop dancing are eliminated from the contest. When the club runs out of contestants the last one standing wins." Sorren said to Tauren.

“You don't have to be good dancers at all- just shake and move something." Lurie said to Tauren and me.

“So depending on our arrival and the number of contestants it is theoretical that we could be at the club anywhere from a couple of minutes to several hours or days." I said as our meals arrived.

Tauren was still skeptical about the whole thing and he continued to express his misgivings while we all ate despite Lurie and Sorren trying to persuade him otherwise. I for one, was all for it despite the fact that I couldn't dance either.

Who was I kidding I just wanted to see my friends dance! It would be totally something else to see a coyote, dragon and minotaur on the dance floor. There was one problem though.

“There is one problem guys." I said while my dear friends turned their direction toward me. “Me. No humans allowed."

“Yeah about that Alex...." Lurie said looking at me curiously.

Sorren then joined starring at me as well.

“Hmm...." The dragon said thinking.

“Hmm...." The coyote added. “What beastial do you think our little friend could best emulate?"

(Beastial? Me?)

“I think he would make a pretty good ape with just a few modifications." The dragon added.

“Wait, we need to think about this guys. I mean what if I get caught? The ramifications could be very very very bad. Bad for me, bad for mistress Ursa and possibly you as well." I said meekly.

“That is if you get caught. We will just have to make sure you don't". The coyote said slyly.

“That's our Lurie. Best engineer in Castle Wundagore." Sorren snickered.

“So we ARE going to do this?" I asked looking at Tauren.

The bull blushed and nodded.

(Um, Okay.)

We ate our dinner while discussing the dance competition. We hadn't really worn our best clothes for the All Beast Day presentation that evening. More like what anyone would wear when they were out and about. Tauren was dressed in a white shirt with dark pants instead of his typical tunic. Sorren was similarly dressed in a blue shirt with tan pants, black belt and loosely fitted tie. Lurie was wearing a purple shirt and navy blue pants. The trio agreed as a group that we could get by with what we were wearing. But as for me....

“But our Alex here will need some modifications." Sorren said.

“My yellow shirt and dark pants aren't enough?"

“You can keep the pants and shirt but we are going to have to make some modifications..." Lurie responded wryly.

After finishing our dinner and leaving the restaurant, we scoured the area looking for stores and shops. Block by block street by street. Actually it was a specific type of store.

“There has to be one around here some where!" Sorren huffed.

“What are we exactly looking for?" I asked Tauren while we walked yet another block from away from the theater district.

“A costume shop. With the theater district nearby there has to be one to cater to productions and performances."

“There's one!" Lurie said pointing.

The store was very cute and boutique like looking at it from the street. But as we entered, we discovered that it was quite large with dozens and dozens of outfits and costumes.

Upon entering the trio spread out in all directions- looking for something to turn their shy human friend into something other than human.

“Can I help you youngins?" The proprietor a rather large red panda dressed in overalls and reading a pad asked us.

“Thanks, my friends are I are just looking..." I started to say.

“You wouldn't be trying to sneak into that competition at the 1620 club are you?"

My jaw dropped when he asked that.

“Don't try to con me boy. It isn't common for you human types to be seen with us beast types. He said motioning to Tauren, Sorren and Lurie who were rummaging through the store.

“Ah..." I tried to say but was cut off.

“It is also obvious that you all are very, very close."

“How can you tell?" I asked dumbfoundedly.

“Your friends are trying their hardest to sneak you into a nonhuman establishment. Humans and beastials coexisting hmm... perhaps there is hope for this planet after all. Anyway, several others have been through here trying to do the same. I guess the grand prize must be really worth it."

“You aren't going to turn me in are you sir?" I asked.

“Naw boy, I think it is wrong that club is only opened to select individuals. It would be a hoot if one of you human types did win. It would be quite the scandal!"

“I guess." I replied.

“Come here boy." The red panda ordered me. He then examined me top to bottom. “Given the size of your face, your complexion, lack of fur and the fact that you don't have a tail, I think you could pass as an ape."

“That was exactly what my friends thought." I said to the store owner.

“You will find what you need in that aisle over there." He said pointing.

The trio quickly found what the red panda was pointing to, a self attaching nose mask, ear covers and brown fur-like makeup. Lurie promptly attached the mask to my nose and mouth. My nose and mouth started looking more primate like instantly.

Tauren and Sorren attached the covers to my ears. Which started resembling primate ears as well. The red panda stripped me down to my underwear and then applied the makeup to my arms, shoulders, chest, stomach, back and neck and just like that Alex Winter the human was transformed into Alex the ape- like monkey thing.

I felt quite hokey wearing the get up. But according to the shop keeper it was quite convincing none the less. The makeup would resemble ape fur to all unless they actually got close enough to touch it. Further, it would not run if I sweated and was only be removable in cold water.

“Now Alex, keep the nose and mouth mask on at all costs. You need to have a short snout to be believable. The same goes for the ears. As long as you keep these on you will pass for a bestial." Lurie warned.

“Uh, but I can barely talk with this thing on. What if someone realizes that my mouth isn't moving when I speak or asks what species of ape I am?"

“I would then keep very quiet and let us speak for you." Tauren responded.

“And we will just tell them you are a lemur or something if anyone gets suspicious." Sorren said as he paid the store owner.

I thanked him as well. It looked like we were going to go all the way with this ruse tonight.

The red panda gave us directions to the 1620 club which we found a few blocks from his shop. The 1620 club was housed in a beautiful three story rectangular shaped building about half a block long with very angular shaped glass windows on all three floors. I studied it carefully. Its design easily complimented the other buildings in World One and the theater district.

As we arrived all of us were shocked by the huge line of contestants extending from the entrance of the club to several blocks away. It seemed like half of World One was there; everyone wanted to take their shot at that hover car. I saw many beastials, all shapes sizes and species standing in that line.

The entrance to the club was guarded by two gorillas who were talking to entrants and making them sign some kind of form- for what I did not know.

(Damn, this was going to take a while.)

While I waited in line with the other contestants, I studied the dance club's exterior. From the street it appeared the first floor was the entrance and restaurant. The second floor was the dance stage and the third floor was some type of arena where spectators could watch.

Tauren stood there nervously mostly likely scared he would make a fool of himself. Sorren was trying to comfort him and Lurie was sizing up the competition.

“Greetings fellow beastial!" A female jackal who was dressed in a scandaless black skirt and with a magnanimous black top that accentuated her breasts, addressed Lurie.

“Greetings, happy All Beasts Day." Lurie replied looking her in the eye.

“I see you don't come here often."

“Well no. This is my first time." The coyote female replied."

“Yes, I could tell from your clothes. Let me guess you are here to try out for the grand prize?" The female jackal asked.

“Isn't everyone?" Lurie replied looking the female canid up and down.

“Well it looks like we are going to be competitors." The she beast said smiling.

“Oh?" Lurie replied.

“We are the last contestants in line; no one else has decided to enter." The jackal female said pointing behind us.

I looked behind us. She was right! I guess the competition had eliminated all competitors except us standing in line and no beast else was willing to come forward and take a shot.

“It looks like someone in this line is going to win the hover car. I just wanted to let you know that someone is going to be me. But I welcome the competition." The female said baring her fangs.

“We will see about that!" Lurie said locking her eyes on her rival grumbling.

“Easy love, no barring of fangs or grumbling until we are inside." Sorren warned.

“No promises!" Lurie growled.

(So much for beastials treating each other with love and respect. Wasn't that one of the High Evolutionary's laws?)

Despite its length, the long line moved very quickly which excited me and also scared me at the same time. For a line to move that quickly would mean that contestants were also quickly being eliminated inside.

We were in line only for fifteen minutes when we finally made our way to the entrance.

“Who is competing in the competition this evening and who will be watching?" One of the gorillas asked the trio and myself when it was our turn to enter the club.

“Sorren, Lurie and Alex here. I will be in the stands." Tauren said sheepishly.

“What was that love?!" Lurie said pulling on the minotaur's tail.

“OW! I mean all four of us will be competing." The bull said quickly correcting himself.

“Well then, we need you to sign these pads." The other gorilla stated.

“Uh what are they?" I asked.

“Waivers." The first gorilla replied. “Hey why isn't your mouth moving?!"

“Um...."

Sorren quickly jumped in front of me. “That's our Alex always a practical joker! Uh what are the waivers for?"

“The club is not responsible for any injuries occurring to the participants of the competition, because of the competition and during the competition which may result in paralysis, bruises, contusions, broken bones- death, life or otherwise." The gorilla snickered.

We all cautiously signed the pads. The gorilla looked at them and started to let us into the club when he suddenly stopped. “Wait!" He said in a booming voice that made us all take notice.

(Uh Oh! Had their human detector been repaired? Had I been discovered?)

Sorren, Tauren, Lurie and I were brushed aside as a former contestant was carried out of the 1620 club on a stretcher.

The boar looked like he had lost a small war. He had bruises, a lacerations on his face and his arm was in a sling as he was being carried out from the club.

“Watch Out!" The beast moaned. “They don't play fair!"

“Quit whining you knew what you were getting into!" One of the gorillas huffed.

(Maybe this contest wasn't going to be as easy as we thought.)

To Be Continued....