Monkey Trouble

"Amy: Your brother loves you so much, Eva."

"[Amy takes Eva's hand]"

"[Later that night, her mum comes in to speak to her. Eva huddles under the covers, surrounded by her stuffed-animal collection. A cute stuffed monkey nestles close to her face]"

"[Then she hears the front door open and close. The singing has stopped. Eva takes her hands aside from his ears and listens. Her teenage cousin Tessa has come into the apartment and is greeting everyone. Personally, Eva often wonders what planet Tessa is from. All she ever spoke about is rock stars and shopping malls, and one hand is permanently glued to "Rolling Stone" magazine. But Tessa has one bright spot to her Queen Flake personality. As she baby-sits for Eva and Jack, she never drools over the little monster. Enough thinking about her baby brother. Eva throws herself onto her messy bed and begins dreaming about rottweilers]"

"[Trembling with frustration, Eva stands there for a few seconds, but collapses in a heap on the floor. Even though the door is closed, she can hear her mum and Tom singing the spider song to Jack. If she hears that dumb song one more time, she'll shriek. She claps her hands over her ears, she hums louder, but yet she can hear them]"

"[Speak about dropping a bombshell, Eva thinks, as Tom, Amy and Jack stop singing and stare at her in shock. No one understands. Eva runs to her room. She hooks the "No Jack Allowed" sign on the outside knob and closes inside]"

"Eva: Down came the rain, and washed the brother out!"

"[As they get to the part about the water spout, Eva pushes aside from the table, a frustrated lump in her throat]"

"[The moment is shattered. Her mother rushes over to join Tom. Together, they kneel among the baby, singing]"

"Tom: Amy, look! [He points to Jack, who is silently doing the hand motions of "Itsy Bitsy Spider"]"

"Eva: And then if I––––"

"[Bingo. Her mother is beginning to see her side of it. Perhaps there'll be a pet in the Gregory apartment after all]"

"Amy: If you're so sure you can handle it, then convince us. Help out around here a little more, pick up after yourself......"

"[There is something in her mum's tone that gives Eva hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, plan B is working. Eva gives Amy her most responsible look, the one that says "I can do it, you just wait!"]"

"Amy: Eva, listen..."

"[Eva hesitates. That is a rough one. She stares down at her plate, not knowing what to say]"

"Amy: Would you give up watching your favorite TV shows since the dog had to be walked?"

"Eva: I know."

"[Eva nods in agreement]"

"Amy: But a dog can't feed himself. You'd "have to" do it twice a day."

"Eva: Do I have to? I'm eating. He can hold it himself."

"Amy: Here, do this for your own brother."

"[Tom comes back in and hands Amy the bottle. She offers it to Eva]"

"Eva: Because I'd be doing it for my own puppy."

"Amy: If you can't even deal with a dirty diaper, how are you going to clean up after a dog?"

"[Amy eyes Eva sternly]"

"[Her stepfather takes the diaper into the kitchen and throws it in the trash, but begins permitting a bottle for Jack]"

"Eva: No, stank you."

"[Eva sniffs the air in disgust]"

"Amy: Throw this in the kitchen, please."

"[Her mum does diapering the baby, but offers the dirty folded diaper to Eva]"

"Amy: You're not responsible enough to care for a dog. You don't do anything I ask, your room is a disaster area, you never get anything finished on time..."

"[Eva catches her stepfather's eye, but looks away. Here it comes, she just knows it. Another lecture about the responsibilities and duties of taking care of a pet. Her mother is big on the reluctance of responsibility]"

"Amy: Tom's allergy is not the only reason."

"[Amy is only half listening. She is sitting on the floor, changing Jack's diaper]"

"Eva: My school nurse said people can get over allergies. Sometimes having a dog around makes your body get used to it."

"[She turns to her mother]"

"[The Gregory family is gathered around the dining-room table later that Sunday night. Eva sits in her pajamas, nibbling at her dinner and thinking. Plan A of her Get a Pet project has failed. Her father hasn't liked her drawing of the rottweiler at all. Now it is time for plan B]"

"[Shorty grabs the money with a greedy laugh. That is a big wad of bills. Soon Drake, Charlie and Shorty are cackling and laughing together. It isn't a pretty sound. The monkey wrinkles his nose and claps his hands over his ears. But Shorty orders him to grind the organ. This is one big celebration, but the monkey can't get into the spirit of nonsense]"

"Drake: Smart little guy! There's your advance, keep it!"

"[Shorty checks his monkey's hands. Nothing. The monkey uncurls his tail. A wad of bills is hidden inside]"

"Charlie: I had it, Drake, I––"

"[Charlie sticks a hand in his right pocket and comes up empty. He sticks a hand in the left pocket and yet finds nothing. Swallowing with hesitation, he begins patting the inside of his jacket. Where is the money? Sweat bursts out on his forehead. Drake scowls at him]"

"[Shorty beams. Is his monkey talented or what?]"

"Drake: Charlie, let's give him a down payment. I have a hunch we're gonna do business with this guy."

"Charlie: Take it easy. First, we have to run it among the boss."

"Shorty: Who's "he"? Just warn me what you need me to do. I won't let you down, I promise. Whaddya need me to do?"

"Drake: This is perfect for the Marlow gig. Anything goes wrong, only a monkey'll be there to take the heat. He has to love it."

"[Drake leans over to whisper in Charlie's ear]"

"Shorty: It's a monkey, not an appraiser. Well, whaddya say?"