Page 28 of Waste Some Time
“Perfect. Thanks!”
Sydney followed Rachel out of the coffee shop and walked in the opposite direction toward her rental car. A million possibilities jumbled in her brain, and she struggled to keep them all in check while she concentrated on the drive home.
Entertainment finance.
Huh.
Not something Sydney might have come up with on her own, but the more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. No matter if that was back in San Diego or here in New Orleans.
11
KATIE
A sizable crowdgathered in front of the otter exhibit where Katie was warming up the animals and explaining about river otter characteristics and behaviors in the wild, as well as how these two ended up at the aquarium.
Katie beamed with pride at the furry faces popping out of the water to watch her eagerly. Once she was sure she had their attention, she said, “Land.”
The river otters clambered out of the pool, and she pointed at two nearby rocks.
“Up.”
She pressed her clicker and tossed each of them a piece of shrimp. They enthusiastically chomped on their snacks.
“Stand.”
Both otters stood on their hind legs. Katie clicked and treated them again, then pointed at the glass wall where spectators gathered and watched in awe of the performers.
Katie turned to address the aquarium visitors. “Today is a special treat. It’s Mel’s Rescueversary today!”
The crowd clapped and whistled, while Katie reached down with gloved hands to hold up the ice block dotted with seafood and other treats to spell out “Happy Rescueversary” in the large round block.
“She’ll get this at the end of today’s presentation. But we have a few more things to show you today.” Katie extended the microphone and then held it back to her mouth. “Do you want to sing for our guests, Mel?”
Mel grabbed the microphone while Rose sat patiently on her rock. Mel made some high-pitched noises that sounded a lot like singing. It was a trick that always got a laugh from the audience.
When she finished, Katie took the microphone in exchange for a treat, then gave one to Rose as well, for being patient and staying on her rock.
Once they quieted a bit on the other side of the glass, Katie picked up her hand and said, “Wave goodbye, Rose.”
The smaller otter performed the trick, to the delight of the guests. Katie clicked and treated her again.
“Water, Rose.” When the younger otter entered the water, Katie handed an empty plastic bottle to Mel. The river otter grabbed the flattened bottle in her mouth and followed Katie’s gesture, pointing toward a bin near the glass.
As she clicked and treated the otter, Katie addressed the visitors. “Mel wants to remind you all of the importance of recycling. It helps otters like Mel and Rose remain safe in their habitats in the wild.”
The crowd clapped for Mel, who Katie treated once more as the otter returned to her rock.
Katie pointed at the water and said, “All done.” Mel dove into the pool to rejoin Rose, and both eagerly awaited what they knew was coming next. Katie put the giant Rescueversary ice block filled with fish, grapes, and mussels into the water. It hung by a rope attached to a float so the otters could explore the treat while the crowd shifted their attention underwater.
The moment she moved through the exhibit door and into the small back hallway, she pulled her phone from her pocket and smiled at the screen.
“Who’s the winning lady on the other end of that smile?”
Stephen walked the few steps toward her, then fell in line beside Katie to walk to their lockers. It was the last show of the day, and Katie was exhausted.
But not too exhausted to chat with Sydney.
“No one,” she lied. “Just Rachel. She found someone to help the band with their accounting.”
