Meanwhile, as Jack, Jill, Fidel and the Pope were considering all of the above problems and possibilities, the Lady Croc was preoccupied with other matters. After exiting the plane on the same inflatable escape shute, the Lady Croc had "Hmmmmmmmmmp'd" loudly in annoyance and picking up her human-hide luggage, she procured a cab and made her way to a small hotel on the outskirts of Havana. Shortly after checking in, she decided to go for a stroll along the narrow river that flowed nearby. She was tempted to shed her apparel and go for a dunk in the murky waters, but for a change, she resisted. Instead, she went exploring on foot. Soon, she came to a large compound with chainlink fences around it. Inside, many crocodiles and alligators milled around in deplorably crowded conditions. Nearby, many croc and gator skins hung from wires drying in the sun. The Lady Croc was appalled and stood staring,... her unblinking golden orbs pressed against the fence wire... regarding this inhumane spectacle.
After a time, a few of the inmates crept over to the area where she stood. They hissed sadly and told her of their plight in this terrible detention center. The Lady Croc listened carefully while shedding a crocodile tear or two... and then told her fellow-crocs to round up all of their compatriots and meet her at the fence where it passed closest to the riverbank.
As soon as they had departed, the Lady Croc stepped into the shadows of some large ferns and spinning faster than the human eye can follow, she was suddenly transformed into her superhero alter ego... Wonder Croc... a great Crocodile of truly Amazonian proportions... clad in the toughest of crocodilian armor, and carrying a long sabre with crocodilian serrated teeth along its great length. Bearing this sabre, Wonder Croc emerged from the ferns and strode masterfully to the fence. With a few powerful strokes of her sabre, she carved the fence to ribbons. Moments later, the entire inmate population of the compound poured forth through the gaping rent in the fence and splashed away into the river and off into the Cuban jungles.... Cries of "Vive los cocodrilos!" arose from the departing mob.
Her work done, Wonder Croc transformed herself into the sedate Lady Croc, and slowly sauntered off in the direction from which she had come, and arrived back at the hotel just in time for Happy Hour... ;-}>
Meanwhile, in another part of Havana... |
