Time Force: The Rise of Dr. Octavius Brine

Chapter 8: Margo, Sherman, and the Squeak

The Time Force members love the summer. Mr. Peabody arranges lots of concerts. Music can often be heard drifting through the air. The Time Force members do enjoy it. One morning, the Time Force members and the North Wind members were very excited. Edith and Agnes were coming to New York City for their concert. "They are coloraturas," said Classified, importantly. "What are coloraturas?" asked Sherman. "It means they can sing high notes very, very loud," answered Classified. "I might be chosen to collect them," Sherman said, hopefully.

"Well, one thing's for sure," said Classified, "Your muscle won't choose those pathetic, useless penguins." "Don't call us pathetic!" Skipper said, crossly. "We're trying to be the best of the best." "That part is accurate," agreed Kowalski. "Private, show the North Wind their plane," said Skipper. So Private did, and he brought it in to the North Wind. "Classified," he said, "I brought your plane over to you for you to get washed down." "Thank you, Private," said Classified, and he was delighted to see that the North Wind's jet had to be squeaky-clean. "In case of planes getting riddled with mice, find something to take care of them," reminded Private. "I hope so, Private," said Classified. "That part is accurate, Private," Short Fuse agreed.

But the next day, Antonio didn't choose Classified, and he didn't choose Penny. He chose Sherman. "Make sure the Time Force jet is squeaky-clean," he said. "Yes, Antonio," said Sherman. He felt very proud. Margo and Sherman took their jet over to the washdown so they would get it squeaky-clean. So, the two friends exited their plane quietly, and they were beginning to get the Time Force jet shiny and squeaky-clean.

So, Margo and Sherman started getting the Time Force shiny and squeaky clean. First, they sprayed down the jet with the hose to get the jet all wet on the outside and the filth and grime neutralized. "Filth and grime neutralized," they said at the same time. Then, they tried scrubbing the jet with jet soap, and the Time Force jet was covered in soap all over its jet-like body. "Excellent scrubbing, Sherman," said Margo. "Same to you, Margo," agreed Sherman. Next, they rinsed off the jet to get all the soap out and off like a charm. After the Time Force jet was rinsed off, Margo and Sherman started to become proud of their new shine on the jet. Finally, the duo dried the Time Force jet with a lot of towels for the jet, and they were finally done getting the Time Force jet squeaky-clean.

Soon, the Time Force jet was shiny and squeaky-clean. Sherman and Margo felt very proud of the jet's new shine and more important than ever. But as they started getting the jet to work again, they heard a strange, squeaking sound. "What's that?" asked Sherman, anxiously. Margo quickly oiled the Time Force Jet's undercarriage. "That should take care of the bothersome squeak," she said. On the way to the docks, Margo and Sherman heard the squeak again. They were worried. It didn't sound like their jet's squeaky-clean squeak. The Time Force jet squeaked noisily into the key-side, where Edith and Agnes were waiting.

"Will we get on the plane?" Edith wondered. "Not if we see anything unusual," replied Agnes. At last, the Time Force Jet arrived. Antonio carefully held the jet's door open when— "A MOUSE!" Edith and Agnes screamed. "AHHHHHHHHH!" And they screamed, and they screamed, and they screamed. They screamed so loud and so long that windows broke and security alarms blared all over town! "Cinders and ashes!" cried Sherman. "Holy smokes!" cried Margo. The North Wind felt amused after hearing this. "Definitely a couple of coloraturas," chortled Classified. Edith and Agnes were cross. "We can't possibly travel in airplanes riddled with mice!" Antonio was very embarrassed, and Margo and Sherman didn't feel important at all. Just then, Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private returned from their guaranteed connection.

"Look at the Penguins of Madagascar!" Edith and Agnes exclaimed. "So sweet and dirty, like a proper jet airplane!" "But their plane is filthy!" Short Fuse huffed snootily. "But we clean up nice," smiled Private. He was glad somebody noticed. Edith and Agnes boarded the plane, and Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private flew away. They felt very proud of their plane for being able to pick them up. Later, Antonio and Penny got into the Time Force Jet with Margo and Sherman, and they were feeling embarrassed at the moment they saw the mouse in the jet.