Belle the Blacktip Reef Shark a Bit Bashful
Shark season opens today, but Zoey the zoo mouse and photographer Zeek are having a difficult time coaxing our Carcharhinus melanopterus out of her hiding place. Come see the talents of our first shark in the series so you can vote for your favorite.
Zeek: Here we are at the shark tank, Zoey. I’m all ready to take a picture of one of these fiercely aggressive predators.
Zoey: Oh, Zeek. They aren’t all like that. You watch too many movies.
Zeek: Hmmm…there doesn’t seem to be anyone about. This is the first in our shark series isn’t it?
Zoey: Indeed. I have it on my schedule right here. (Flips through notebook) Here it is—first shark to interview: Belle the Blacktip Reef Shark.
Zeek: Well where is she then?
Zoey: Let’s just wait for her in her tank. I’m sure she’ll be along. Got your suit and translator on?
Zeek: Yup! And I waterproofed my camera! (Jumps in, splashing Zoey)
Zoey: (Wipes water from her face) Ugh! Zeek! (Jumps in after him)
Zeek: Helloooooo! Is anybody here? (Silence) I don’t know, Zoey.
Belle: Hello? Is someone there?
Zeek: (Turns with a fright) Who said that?!
Zoey: It came from inside that huge, pirate ship wreckage.
Belle: Please go away. This is a private tank.
Zoey: We’re sorry to bother you, miss. We’re interested in learning more about you and would like to ask you a few questions if that’s okay. Could you come out please?
Belle: N-n-no, I don’t want to.
Zeek: Looks like we’re having a little trouble with our first contestant.
Zoey: Buddy did tell you we’d be coming, didn’t he?
Belle: Oh, right. I forgot. Sorry.
Zoey: So…may we ask you a few questions?
Belle: (After a long pause) Very well. W-w-what do you want to know?
Zoey: You are the Blacktip Reef Shark. Why are you called that?
Belle: Because the tip of our…our fins ….h-has….black
Zoey: Um…okay… (Silence)
Zeek: Say something, Zoey!
Zoey: Er—may we see them, dear? We promise not to bite.
Zeek: (Whispering) She should be promising that to us.
Zoey: Shhhh, Zeek!
Belle: (Peeks out) I don’t like seeing a lot of people.
Zoey: It’s okay, dear. We just want to see how pretty you are.
Belle: I’m not pretty. I like to stay in here by myself.
Zoey: Nonsense, I can see your teeth from here. And my, my, you’ve got a wonderful smile!
Zeek: (Rolls eyes)…And a great personality.
Zoey: (Glares at Zeek) Can you please come out?
Belle: Oh, all right. (Swims out revealing her full length of six feet)
Zoey: My goodness, look how long you are! You really are a nice looking shark!
Belle: Thank you. (Blushes)
Zeek: Those black-tipped fins you have are really neat! Cutting edge, even!
Belle: Why, thank you. That’s a nice hat you wear, too.
Zeek: Heh. Thanks. So, uh, let’s see what you can do.
Belle: (Blushes again) Excuse me?
Zoey: What my partner means is, do you have any special talents?
Belle: (Shakes head) No. I can’t do anything.
Zoey: Come on. Everyone can do something.
Belle: Well. There is one thing I can do.
Zoey: Let’s see it!
Zeek: Yeah!
Belle: Okay, stand back! (Swims around the tank getting momentum) Here we go… (Arches her back and leaps completely out of the water, landing with a splash)
Zoey: My goodness!
Zeek: Wow!
Belle: That’s it. I know it isn’t much.
Zoey: Are you kidding?! That’s terrific!
Zeek: (Whistles) Fantastic!
Zoey: I’ve never seen a shark do that before. Where did you learn to do that? From Lumpy the Orca?
Belle: Oh, no. We blacktip reef shark breach all the time.
Zeek: Breach?
Belle: Yes. Jumping completely out of the water is called breaching.
Zeek: I knew that.
Zoey: (Looks suspiciously at Zeek) Uh huh. Sure you did.
Zeek: Well, that was a great breach. You’ll give Lumpy and the dolphin twins a run for their money, I’m sure.
Belle: Oh, I don’t perform in the shows. I don’t think I’d be very good.
Zoey: You’re a great shark, Belle. And I’m sure everyone would love to see you perform.
Belle: I don’t know. But thank you for your kind words. Is there anything else you need?
Zoey: No I think that’s it. Thank you for your interview. You are a very charming and beautiful shark.