People Change // A VeggieTales Fanfiction

2

When Bob arrived at work, it was as if he had stepped into the Thunderdome.

Vegetables and fruits alike were fighting, screaming, clawing, and kicking like they were thirsty for blood. As he stood in the doorway horrified and surveying the scene, he thought to himself, I oversleep one time, and this happens? God help me. Any hope the tomato had for this day to not be awful almost completely diminished. He sighed.

Spotting an airhorn resting on top of a crate, Bob was able to rush to it, avoid the crowd of brawling produce, and grab it. The airhorn was big, and Bob definitely knew it was loud; it was used as a prop in every other episode. He braced himself, covered an ear with his available hand, and blew the horn.

The piercing noise overpowered all of the shouting. The fighting ceased, and all eyes were drawn to the source: Bob. When everyone's undivided attention was on him, the tomato quieted the horn and prepared himself for a lecture.

"What are you all thinking?" Bob asked, loud enough for all to hear. "Would somebody like to tell me why you're all squabbling like children?"

His question was met with silence. Ashamed eyes turned to the floor, and all of the produce that were assaulting one another not even a minute before were too guilty to speak. That is, until one fruit spoke up.

"Petunia called me fat!" bellowed Madame Blueberry.

The accusee, Petunia Rhubarb scoffed. "Did not! You were the one that started this, saying that my earrings were tacky. You don't have any room to talk either, with that ugly hat of yours."

"Excusez-moi?!"

"Jerry said that I look like a deformed pumpkin," said Jimmy Gourd, chiming in.

Jerry Gourd retorted, "You were the one that said I look like a badly aged plantain!"

As more produce spoke up to accuse others, more arguments broke out. The volume was almost at the same level as it was before, and Bob had had enough. He blew the horn again, and once again, the arguing stopped.

"Stop it!" he scolded. "You're all being childish and unprofessional. How about instead of this unnecessary bickering, you talk and sort out your problems like mature adults? We have a show to film, people! Think of the kids! What kind of example would this set for them?" Like before, all hung their heads in shame, burning with embarrassment. "Let's postpone filming for now. I want you all to cool off and talk all of this through. I expect all of this to be solved and everybody back here in an hour. Get to it."

With that, the crowd silently dispersed. Some went in pairs to reconcile, others left by themselves to clear their heads. Now drained of energy, Bob leaned back onto a crate and rubbed his temples. He wasn't always one to lecture the cast and crew, but when he had to assert his authority he didn't hesitate. The inside of his head was pounding. How could something like this happen? he thought. Everybody, fighting at the same time all at once? Did the coffee machine break or something? Begrudgingly, Bob pushed himself off of the crate and gathered his thoughts. He trudged forward, ready to get to work.

I need to get to the bottom of this.