As Mr. Gilbert and Marta climbed into the cramped automobile, Marta couldn’t help but feeling some amount of fear. She had packed up and left everything behind before and knew it was a difficult process. Despite her longings to be with her friend Melty, she proceeded to get in the car and travel to far off places to fight the Evil.
“Are you excited to go Marta? I hope you don’t mind us leaving so soon!” Mr. Gilbert said.
“No, no, I’m ready, I wish I could just see Melty one last time…” sighed Marta.
At that moment, a happy faced Melty appeared in the dust and came running to the car.
“Good bye Marta! don’t for get to write to me, I amn’t happy you’re goin’, but Mr. Gil said I’m a bona fide sloth spy now! I get to stay here and take care ah the jack rabbits and such. It’s real important!” explained Melty.
“Well, as long as you’re happy then Melty! Gil says you can meet up with us at any time, so don’t forget to write!” said Marta.
At this point, Mr. Gilbert honked his horn and began to roll out on to the road.
“Good bye Melty! The security of the jack rabbits rests in your hands! You have no idea how important you are to the welfare of the entire world!” yelled Mr. Gilbert, as he sped off into the dusty horizon.
After a mile or two, Marta and Gilbert had settled into their seats and were quite comfortable. All the fear and trepidation that had once crept into Marta were gone. She now felt nothing but excitement and pride. Gil explained that they were going to Mexico, to pick up his friend and accomplice, Silent Spring, otherwise known as Floaty. Floaty was a glorious three-toed sloth. He had remained faithful to the ancient ways and was currently fighting Evil in the jungles of Central America.
Their itinerary went as follows: They were to travel Southwesterly to Mexico, cross the border, and drive to the border town of Ciudad Juárez.
Marta looked in the back of the car to see what her mentor had packed. She had no idea what they could possibly need for their journeys. She craned her neck around and found the following items: Pantyhose, peanut butter, a hi-tech camera {which Gil would use to document every step of their adventures}, a Theremin, an ace bandage, a thermometer, a slingshot, a knapsack full of rat poison, a rabbit foot keychain, a crystal wine glass, an angel for a Christmas tree, a tape recorder, a peach scented candle, a girdle, a sitar, a leather belt, salt and pepper shakers, a lone sock, a tomato plant, a phonograph, a telescope, nail clippers, a suede jacket, a rocking horse, a corn stalk, a Puritan style shoe, a monkey mask, a wooden mallet, and a red yo-yo. Confused by the motley collection, Marta settled with picking up the yo-yo and decided against asking why Mr. Gil had packed such useless items.
Along the way, Gil talked on and on about and assortment of things. After hours of him talking, Marta asked him a question that she had always wondered.
“Where did you come from Gil, I mean, what country. You talk funny!” asked Marta.
“Well, I’m actually from Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, which is a small town in Wales. The name means ‘St. Mary's Church in the hollow of white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the red cave’ in Welsh. I think it’s the longest town name ever recorded besides one in Thailand! I’m quite proud of it actually. Like you I was an only child. I came to the United States to go to college, and found it a practical place to live. It is a big country, easy to travel through, and close enough to South and Central America to stay involved in the wars,” stated Mr. Gilbert very matter-of-factly.
Marta just sat and tried to comprehend the words he had spoken.
“Well, remind me again of how you got involved with The Great Sloth Wars,” said Marta.
“It was back when I was a child…in the village. I had the most peculiar experience! I was sitting in my garden, and sloth came out of nowhere! He sat down next to me, and he used his skills to put his thoughts into my head. It is a most peculiar sensation.
{Gil's first sloth encounter}
He told me he had come from Costa Rica, and that he needed my help. He had been spying on me for a long time. He found I had the special qualities he was looking for. He hung around with me a lot, and played with my friends and I.
{Sloth teaching Gil's friends how to use a Sloth Snatcher}
He appointed me as an official sloth spy, and I’ve been in The Wars, ever since. We communicated often, and his son is Floaty, the very sloth we are going to pick up. Anyways, the sloth that found me was named Tarter, and he’s since died. He was killed in action actually. He was very brave,” rambled Gil.
“Wow, that’s quite a story Gil! That’s really neat,” said Marta.
They continued on their way, discussing agriculture, sloth claws, hair ribbons, croutons, polyester, and the forces of Good and Evil. After hours of driving, they arrived at Ciudad Juárez.
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