The Aristopups

Chapter 8

[to the geese walking]

Callie: What beautiful countryside, Everest. So much like our own dear England.

Everest: Oh, indeed, yes. Callie, if I walk much farther I'll get flat feet.

Callie: Everest, we were born with flat feet.

[They both laugh]

Everest: I say, look over there.

[The see Chase who leaves his log and bites a twig]

Callie: Oh. Oh, how unusual.

Everest: Fancy that, a cat learning how to swim.

[Chase, holding a twig, paddles closer to the shore]

Callie: And he's going about it all the wrong way.

Everest: Quite. We must correct him.

[They swim towards him]

Callie: Sir. Sir? You are most fortunate we happened along.

Everest: Yes. We're here to help you.

Chase (through clenched teeth): Oh no, back off girls, I'm doin' fine.

everest: First, you must gain self-confidence by striking out on your own.

Chase: Go away! I'm trying' to get to shore.

Callie: You will never learn to swim properly with that willow branch in your mouth.

[Chase gets his hind legs on some rock]

Everest: Indeed not.

Callie: Snip, snip. Here we go.

Chase [opens the mouth]: Don't do that!

[He splashes wildly]

Everest: You're doing splendidly.

Callie: And don't worry about form. It will come later.

Everest: He takes to water like a fish, doesn't he? A very enthusiastic--

[Chase tugs on their tailfeathers, they shiek]

Everest: No! Now, this is no time for fun and games.

[They laugh, watching bubbles coming from where chase was.. Laughing fades]

Everest: Gracious me. You don't suppose--

Callie: Oh yes. Yes, I do. Bottoms up!

[They turn over and look underwater, then turn back]

Both: Deeper!

[Pups and Skye run to the shore]

Blitz: Look mama, there he is!

Everest: You really did quite well for a beginner.

Skye: Oh Chase! Thank goodness you're safe!

Everest: Keep practicing.

Callie: And toodly-pip!

Blitz: Can I help you, mister Chase, huh?

Chase gasps: Help? I've had all the help I can take.

Skye: Oh mademoiselles, thank you so much for helping mister Chase.

Callie: Of course, my dear. But first, introductions.

Everest: Yes. We british like to keep things proper.

[They laugh]

Callie: Now, I am Callie Gabble, and this is my sister--

Everest: Miss Everest Gabble.

Callie: We're twin sisters.

Everest: You might say we're related.

[They laugh]

Callie: Oh, how silly!

Skye: Oh, how nice. I never would have guessed.

Ace: Look! They got rubber feet.

Blitz: Yeah.

Everest: We're on holiday.

Callie: For a walking tour on France.

Everest: Swimming, some of the way.

Callie: On water, of course.

[They laugh]

Skye to wet Chase: Chase, this is Callie and Everest Gabble.

Chase: Yeah honey. Get those two web-footed lifeguards outta here!

Skye: Now, now, Chase.

Chase: Okay, okay baby. Hiya, chicks.

[Geese laugh]

Everest: We're not chickens. We're geese.

Chase: No. I thought you were swans.

[Skye gives him a look]

Callie: Oh, flatterer 

Everest: Your husband is very charming and very handsome.

Chase rolling on his back: Well, uh, you see.. I, I'm not exactly her husband.

Callie: Exactly? You either are or you're not.

Chase licks his paw: All right. I'm not.

Geese: Oh? Hmm?

Callie: It's scandalous.

Everest: He's nothing but a dog.

Callie: Absolutely, possibly a reprobate.

Everest: A roue. His eyes are too close together.

Callie: Shifty too.

Everest: And look at that crooked smile.

Callie: His chin is very weak too.

Everest: Obviously a philanderer who trifles with unsuspecting women's hearts.

Lani: How romantic.

Skye: Please, please, let me explain. Chase is a dear friend of ours. He's just helping us to get to--

Chase: Come on, Skye, come on. Let's get out of here. Well, girls, see ya around. We're on out way to Paris.

Everest: Oh, how nice! We're going to Paris ourselves.

Callie: Why don't you join us?

Skye: I think that's a splendid idea.

Chase: Oh, no.

Callie: Now, ah, you stand here, dear. And uh, let's see, you take this position.

Everest: Skye, you'll do nicely here.

Callie: Yes, very good.

Everest: And you dear, you take this place. Now that leaves mister Chase.

Callie: Oh, we can't leave him, can we?

Everest: Mister Chase, I think you should be the rear end. Ready everyone? Now think goose! Forward, march!

Ace: Mama. Do we have to waddle like they do?

Skye: Yes, dear. Think goose.

Callie: When we get to Paris, you must meet uncle Jake.

Chase: Jake?

Callie: Yes, he's our uncle. We are to meet uncle Waldo at le Petit Cafe.

Skye: Le Petit Cafe? Oh, that's that famous restaurant. Ah, c'est magnifique.