Opening Scene: The bustling San Salvador airport. Negropolis strides confidently toward the airline ticket counter while Mason lags behind, cradling Flippers like a precious baby. Flippers is wearing a tiny aviator cap, looking altogether unbothered.
Negropolis: (grumbling) “Let’s make this quick. The sooner we’re airborne, the sooner I can bleach my memory of today.”
Mason: (beaming) “Relax, Neg! This is gonna be smooth. Flippers is a natural traveler. Look at him—he’s born to fly!”
Negropolis: (eying the penguin) “Born to fly? Mason, the bird can’t even flap properly, let alone soar. He’s about as aerodynamic as a bowling ball.”
At the counter, a cheerful airline representative greets them—until she spots Flippers.
Airline Representative: (with a forced smile) “I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t bring a penguin on the flight.”
Mason: (offended) “Excuse me? This isn’t just a penguin. This is Flippers, an Emotional Support—um—Penguin Companion Extraordinaire!”
Airline Representative: “We don’t allow penguins on board, sir, emotional support or otherwise.”
Negropolis: (dryly) “That’s fine. Leave the bird, buy the tickets.”
Mason clutches Flippers dramatically and gasps like he’s in a soap opera.
Mason: “How dare you suggest such a thing! Negropolis, this penguin has been through thick and thin with us! Jungle escapes! Ambassadors! He’s family!”
Negropolis: “He’s a feathered liability.”
Mason: (to the representative) “Ma’am, you don’t understand. Flippers is an essential member of this operation. He can smell danger!”
Flippers, as if on cue, sniffs the air and then sneezes, making the representative flinch.
Airline Representative: (sternly) “Sir, please step aside. You’re holding up the line.”
Mason: “Oh, I’ll step aside all right—straight into a complaint letter to your manager! Do you know what Flippers has been through?”
Negropolis: (to himself) “I’m writing a letter, too...to God, asking where I went wrong.”
The argument escalates. Mason gestures wildly while Flippers flaps his wings enthusiastically. Negropolis slumps against a pole, silently plotting how he can abandon Mason without anyone noticing. Finally, security shows up.
Security Officer: “Gentlemen, we’re going to have to ask you to leave.”
Mason: (horrified) “What? This is an injustice! This is—”
Negropolis: (cutting him off) “—exactly what I expected. Let’s go.” He grabs Mason by the arm and starts dragging him out.
Scene: Dejected and stranded outside the airport. Mason sulks on the curb, holding Flippers, while Negropolis paces in frustration.
Mason: (sighing) “Flippers didn’t mean to cause trouble. He’s sensitive.”
Negropolis: “Sensitive? Mason, we just got banned from an airport because of a bird.”
Mason: “Don’t call him ‘a bird.’ He has a name! And a soul.”
As Negropolis opens his mouth to retort, a familiar voice booms in the distance.
Ace MacDougal: “Well, well, well! If it isn’t my favorite lads—and the wee tuxedo-wearing troublemaker!”
They turn to see Ace MacDougal striding toward them, grinning ear to ear. He’s wearing aviator sunglasses and carrying a greasy bag of empanadas.
Mason: (jumping up) “Ace! You beautiful bog-dwelling miracle worker!”
Negropolis: (groaning) “Oh no...”
Ace: (clapping them both on the back) “Ye look like ye could use a lift! Lucky for you, I’ve got me hands on a new bird—and by bird, I mean airplane.”
Negropolis: “Define ‘new.’”
Ace: (grinning proudly) “New to me!”
Cut to: the trio standing on a dusty runway in front of Ace’s “new” plane. It’s a rickety old biplane, patched together with duct tape and what looks like a section of a corrugated metal roof. The engine sputters ominously as it starts.
Negropolis: (staring in horror) “This isn’t a plane—it’s an airborne death trap!”
Mason: (ecstatic) “I love it! Ace, you’re the best.”
Ace: (leaning casually against the plane) “Ah, she’s a beauty, isn’t she? Don’t let the squeaky propeller fool ye—she’s got spirit!”
Negropolis: (pinching the bridge of his nonexistent nose) “This is déjà vu. This is worse than déjà vu. This is déjà screw.”
Ace pats the plane reassuringly, then hops into the cockpit.
Ace: “Hop in, lads! Canada’s callin’, and the MacDougal Express is about to depart.”
Mason: (excitedly) “You hear that, Neg? Canada! Maple syrup and hockey! Let’s go!”
Negropolis: (climbing into the plane reluctantly) “If I die, I’m haunting you, Mason.”
Mason: (grinning) “You already look like a ghost. What’s the difference?”
The plane sputters, shakes, and finally takes off into the sky, wobbling dramatically as Ace hollers with glee. Negropolis clings to the seat for dear life while Mason holds Flippers up to the window, showing him the view.
Mason: “Look, Flippers! We’re flying! Isn’t this the best?”
Negropolis: (muttering) “Here we go again…”
Cue the plane disappearing into the horizon as the adventure continues.
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