The Wyld Girls

Chapter 12 - Kylie

Wyld Times, Episode 48

"Michelle! Can I take one home with us? Please!" Kylie sits cradling a black and white fluff ball, her face alight and ecstatic. Around her, a dozen baby pandas stumble and tumble in slow moving chaos.

"Pandas are cute," says Bruce, grinning widely, "but they're not very smart. We've already got someone who fits that bill in our house." He cackles and nudges Michelle.

Michelle crouches down. "Pandas don't make very good pets, sorry, Kyls. These little guys will end up weighing over a hundred kilos."

"Whoa! That's huge! You little boombahs!"

"Settle down, sunshine," Bruce bristles. "I weigh about that much."

Kylie giggles. She turns to the lady next to her helping to keep the babies in check. "You have the bestest job in the world!"

"Thank you," says the keeper. She has a gorgeous round face, and her dark hair is swept back in a low pony. She radiates happiness. "I love them all so much."

Michelle explains. "Shu is a panda nanny. She spends 365 days of the year playing with and caring for the pandas here at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Centre. What an amazing job!"

"Yeah, amazing," chimes in Bruce. "if you think earning less than the minimum wage is amazing."

Shu smiles benevolently. "My parents feel the same way. But for me, I cannot put a price on the joy my work brings me."

The panda squirms out of Kylie's arms, and another one clambers into her lap to take its place. She sighs in total adoration. "They're just so happy!"

"That's because they're just so dumb," retorts Bruce.

"Bru! Don't say that, you'll hurt their feelings!"

"It's true. Pandas are supposed to be carnivores – but they only want to eat bamboo. The mums sometimes accidentally roll over and squash their babies because they forget they've got kids. Plus, they have barely any interest in sex, which definitely makes them dummies in my book."

"Okay, but what does being dumb have to do with being happy?"

Bruce shrugs. "Dumb people are happier. Fact."

Michelle scoops up a panda baby and hugs it tightly. "Actually, the science shows that people in a positive mind frame actually perform better cognitively and experience improved creativity."

Something dark passes over Bruce's face. "Yeah, well, I reckon these idiots would be a lot less happy if they knew their species was on the brink of extinction. Trust me – you're always happier when you don't know something. There's a reason they say ignorance is bliss."

"Okay, I think this is looking good." I flop back on my couch, staring at the laptop screen in satisfaction. The second my body relaxes against the cushions, I go limp. "Ugh, I'm so tired. This week was intense!"

Next to me, Simeon smiles. He's so freaking cute in a long-sleeved white shirt and jeans, clean and fresh from his post-work shower. "This week? You mean your first ever full working week?"

"Hey!" I reach for a tropical print cushion and whack him gently with it. "That's so harsh! It's not like Michelle works a normal week."

Since Michelle has still been recovering at her mum's, I've been filling in for her at the park. "I had no idea how much she does – like a stupid amount of stuff every day. Arguing with fish wholesalers, meeting with the department heads, video calls with other zoos - on top of jumping in to help whenever someone is off for the day or there's an animal emergency. And then the seal show! And meet and greets!" I shake my head, torn between respect and annoyance. "She needs to learn to ask for more help. I could be more help!"