Operation: Moonfall | Jimmy Crystal Revenge & Redemption

The Talk

Cleo found herself seated on the couch in the den of the Moon villa. Across the coffee table Buster Moon, smile radiant and fur pristine, pulled up a seat to face his guest. Scattered around the room and watching Cleo with everything ranging from apprehension to intense scrutiny was Moon's theater company, along with a few unfamiliar faces that hadn't made it into her dossier on the koala and his troupe (mainly the charming elephant and the tiger).

She'd willingly walked into enemy territory as a sign of good will. They didn't seem like bad kids (though she could do with less of the porcupine's attitude), but she was annoyed by all the eyes focused on her. That, and Buster Moon hadn't stopped talking since she arrived, though none of what he said was of any consequence.

"This villa is so cozy; I don't think we could have picked a better spot. It really is a nice neighborhood, very accommodating. The neighbors are quiet, friendly and respectful. Oh, and the way the light reflects off the pool in the early morning—it's enough to put any soul at ease!"

Cleo's eyes flickered with irritation. "Is this really what you wanted to talk about?"

Buster's smile faltered slightly. "I just thought we could indulge in some friendly small talk while we waited for the tea. But I understand, you must be very busy."

Miss Crawly entered the den with a cup of tea in each hand. She placed Cleo's cup upon the table with particular care and stood by diligently. As Cleo reached for the tea, she noticed something white bobbing inside. Her guesses of a sugar cube or marshmallow were violently dashed when the object swiveled enough to reveal an iris and pupil.

"I've got my eye on you," the iguana said in a strained whispered.

"Miss Crawly, no!" Buster bolted out of his seat and pulled the cup away. He fished the glass eye out of the piping hot tea and cleaned it with a handkerchief before handing it back to Miss Crawly. "I am so sorry about that. Miss Crawly, what's gotten into you?"

"I know what got out of her," Cleo said, watching the iguana pop the eye back into its socket. Buster swapped the cups, giving Cleo his untainted tea, but the look of disgust on her face made it pretty clear she had no intention of consuming anything from this household anytime soon.

"Let's get to business, then," Buster said, slipping back into his seat. The shift in his demeanor was subtle enough that Cleo imagined she was the only one in the room to see it. Those glistening eyes of Buster's, often seeking out the wonder and potential in the world, sharpened just enough. She recognized that look. There was definitely a shrewd businessman in that tiny package.

"I'm going to cut to the chase and ask you the most important question: Why are you helping Jimmy Crystal?"

"I'm simply fulfilling my duties to my client," Cleo said.

"It can't be that simple, can it? Even after what he did... to me?"

"To elaborate, Jimmy was forced into a bad situation and made a horrible choice." Cleo gave a piercing look over her shades that carried the implications of her words. "I'm just making sure that choice doesn't end up burying him forever."

"I understand that you're helping his reputation, but why ruin mine in the process?"

"I'm not ruining you, Mr. Moon."

"He's been gettin' trashed with all kinds of slander for weeks!" Johnny complained in a sudden outburst. "How can you say you're not ruining him? We all see it!"

"It's only slander if it's false," Cleo said. "You're all looking at me like I'm some kind of wicked mastermind. Sometimes the best plans are the simple ones, and this one is the domino effect. You are a charlatan, Mr. Moon, and this plan only works because of that fact. It's true that Jimmy and I push a domino and watch the chain reaction, but you set those dominos up all by yourself. So no, this isn't you being ruined or slandered. This is called accountability."