Burt took Neil to the infirmary where Brer Vulture slathered him with ketchup.
Patty, Brer Rabbit and Brer Bear were there too.
"We was runnin' outta ketchup, so I had ter cut it wid river water" said Brer Vulture. "If ya gets a rash, dat means it's workin'."
"Are you a licensed nurse, Mr Vulture?" said Neil.
"I don't need a license. It's voluntary" said Brer Vulture before leaving.
"Don't worry about Brer Vulture" said Burt. "He worked as an undertaker before living here."
Patty tapped him on the shoulder. "Maybe now's a good time to tell Neil how you feel."
"I dunno..." Burt stuttered.
"It's okay, Brer Burt" said Brer Bear.
"We gotcha back" said Brer Rabbit.
Burt took a big breath through his nose, then spoke to Neil. "Sir... I have something to say to you."
"I hope it's that a real nurse is coming" said Neil.
"I heard that!" said Brer Vulture. "You're goin' on ma list, mister. Right next ter Cinderella."
"Sir... I want to stay in Splash Mountain" said Burt.
"Certainly not!" Neil snapped. "This is no place for you, Boy Wonder."
"Not true. Burt has made several new and true friends in the mountain" said Patty.
"Yeah. He inspires us all ter be brave. I'd call dat heroic" said Brer Rabbit.
"An' he's gained sum real-world life savin' skills" said Brer Bear. "For instance, how ter take charge when somebody gets sprayed by a skunk."
"That was very impressive" said Neil. "But it won't impress Bill Dozier."
"But Neil, there's more to life than impressing Mr Dozier" said Burt.
Neil gasped. "What?!"
Then he stopped abruptly. "I shouldn't have gasped. I just inhaled more skunk fumes."
Burt saw this as an opportunity to say more. "I mean... this mountain has done so much for me. I'm happier, more comfortable... and it's given me the courage to tell you... you're taking your Batman role a little too seriously."
"Too seriously?" said Neil. "I'm only acting the way Mr Dozier wants me to act. Batman himself is used to it."
"Wait. Do you treat everyone on the set like this?" said Patty.
"Yes, especially the Caped Crusader. He and Boy Wonder need to stay in character. So much so, I'm having my wife discover the cure for sleep" said Neil.
"Is dat a disease?" said Brer Rabbit with a disgusted face.
"Anything that takes away eight hours from crimefighting cannot be good for you" said Neil.
"But sir, Adam finds you so difficult to work with, you two barely talk" said Burt.
"Well, he does give me a Christmas card every year" said Niel.
"Yeah. With the word 'merry' crossed off" said Burt.
Brer Rabbit stepped up. "Neil, did ya evah stop an' think dat maybe dare's a reason you an' Adam don't get along?"
Neil was taken aback. "Not really."
"Well... do you think it's because Adam resents you for never letting him be himself?" said Burt.
Neil's face softened. "Come to think of it, he might. Honestly, I'm starting to resent myself for not getting out of character."
"So you see what I'm saying" said Burt. "I don't know if you know, but Mr Dozier told me not to act at all. He told me to stay Burt Ward and be enthusiastic."
Neil's eyes widened. "I didn't know that. I'm sorry it's been so hard for me to let you be yourself."
"It shouldn't be hard; Burt's the best self I know" said Patty taking her friend's hand. "Who else would go out of his way to give me a present?"
"Or fight faw us when we's bein' held prizna?" said Brer Rabbit.
"Or agree ter lose a game on puppus f' my sake?" said Brer Bear.
"Or break up with his girlfriend when she insults me?" said Patty.
"Thanks, guys" said Burt with a smile.
Neil gave into the sight o this friendship. "Boy Wonder... Burt. I really do want you to be happy."
"Well... being with my friends in Splash Mountain makes me happy" said Burt. "And being Robin shouldn't mean having to give up being Burt. Can I please stay?"
Neil smiled. "Yes. You may stay."
"Thank you, sir! Neil" said Burt.
"It's my pleasure" said Neil. "And come to think of it, that skunk smells better than Chief O'Hara."
Brer Rabbit hopped over to Neil. "Now can we talk bout yaw last piece o' junk mail?"
"What do you know about his junk mail, Brer Rabbit?" said Patty.
"Ever'thin. I mind-read it" said Brer Rabbit.
