Halfway through Marta’s dream about swimming in a boiling pot of shrimp gumbo, the company was awakened by a rhythmic rapping on the door. A short knock, long, short, short, long, long, long, short, long, short, and it ended in a frenzy of very quick knocks. Santiago was of course the first to awake.
He said, “That’s the code 7 alert knock! Somebody’s found confidential news on the Evils! Quick get the door before someone sees the messenger outside!”
Floaty dashed to the door, repeated the same knock back, waited for the messenger to do the confirmation knock, and then flung the door open. The rising sun flooded golden light into the dwelling, and a burly figure stood in the door way.
He would be the second real sloth that Marta would see. He had a handsome face, a debonair mustache, and a robust disposition.
“Hello Floaty! I have urgent news! It’s here in this scroll.” said the new sloth.
“What does it say Juan??” asked Eufemia.
Juan scratched his head. He said he had no idea what the scroll contained. He handed the parchment to Floaty.
“Thank you friend. Do you need to stay to deliver our response back to Headquarters?” asked Santiago.
“No, no, there is no question about it! It is a mandatory mission. It will require three of you, three of you who are willing to risk your very lives! I have no time to spare, so I must be on my way. Good bye, and good luck!” responded Juan.
And with that, he bowed deeply, closed the door, and scampered off into the sunrise.
“Open it up Floaty!” requested Gilbert.
Floaty unrolled the scroll and laid in on the table. Here is what it said:
Dear Good friends:
The most intriguing news has reached us here in the Mexico City Headquarters! The ancient lost city known as Genesis, has been found! The island city was renowned in its time as the capital of Good Slothdom. However, as you probably know, it was attacked by the Evils and was mysteriously lost. It was believed that it sunk into the sea. But, recently, off the coast of Mexico, a message in a bottle was found.
The message is supposedly from the island of Genesis! Apparently it is not lost and the inhabitants are being kept there as the Evils’ slaves! It is up to you to travel to Tetuan, Mexico. There you will meet up with Tucker, a shipmaster. She will take you to the coordinates found on the message in the bottle. It will be your job to spy on the Evils, and report back to headquarters via carrier pigeons. After we are able to devise an attack plan, we will send in reinforcements. Unfortunately, the ship you will be using can only carry four. So, only three of you can go. In fact, you must go! This is not an option!
The fate of Genesis rests in your hands!
Sir Benedicto, President of Mexico City Headquarters
An excited air stirred the room. Each read the message quickly again and some of them exchanged knowing looks at this news. Following a short discussion on the symbolic name of the city, the price of travel supplies, ammunition, shoulder holsters and where Mr. Gilbert could find a cheap haircut, it was decided that Mr. Gilbert go, with Marta and Floaty at his side. Eufemia would stay in the Cuidad Juarez and Santiago would stay in hiding with her which the goal of keeping watch and making dill pickle jelly.
Marta was so excited, she could barely comprehend it. She was only on the second day of her new life and already she had a life changing mission! She, as the letter said, held the lives of the Genesians in her hands.
{This is a photograph of Marta and Floaty, which was taken after the two friends recieved the news of their mission}
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