Musical News from Buddy the Blue Marlin

Zoey, our rodent, roving reporter and Zeek, master photographer, drop in for a musical interlude with our resident aquatic announcer Buddy the Blue Marlin. The Makaira nigricans has some exciting news that concerns our resident sharks.

Zoey: Hi Buddy!

Buddy: Greetings! How are you doing today?

Zoey: Just great, Buddy. Wow! You sure have a nice clear voice.

Buddy: Why, thank you. And, as you can hear, it’s nicely amplified. I have a microphone down here to introduce the other acts.

Zoey: I noticed that! That really is an important job since so many people come to see the aquatic acts. Can we have a little demonstration?

Buddy: Why, certainly! (Ahem) “Ladies and Gentlemen! Children of all ages! It is my pleasure to introduce to you, that dynamic duo, those sultry sultans of splash … Donna and Duncan the Bottle-nosed Dolphins!

Zoey: (Laughs) That’s wonderful! They couldn’t ask for a nicer introduction, and from such a good-looking fish, too. You’re quite a catch, Buddy!

Buddy: That’s what my wife says! Hey, you’re not so bad yourself.

Zoey: (Blushes) Stop, you’re embarrassing me!

Zeek: Aw, geez. Do we have to get mushy?

Zoey: See Zeek, at least someone appreciates me.

(Zeek rolls his eyes.)

Zoey: I hear you have other talents as well.

Zeek: Other talents? What do you do? Jump through hoops?

Buddy: No

Zeek: Play the trumpet?

Buddy: Close! I play my nose!

Zeek: Hey, that’s neat, you play yo—you play your nose?!?!?

Buddy: Yeah! Just listen! (Toots a tune out of his nose)

Zoey: (Claps) That’s wonderful!

Zeek: Encore! Encore!

Buddy: All in a day’s work.

Zoey: You must be the most popular fish in the aquarium

Buddy: They have to pay me through the nose to get me to do that, though. Ba-dum-bump!

Zoey: Seriously, though, Buddy. I understand you have an exciting announcement for our friends and visitors here at the zoo.

Buddy: I sure do! (Plays a fanfare on his nose) It’s shark season here at the zoo!

Zeek: Shark season? You mean hunters will be here hunting sharks?

Zoey: Goodness, no!

Buddy: No sirree! It means that we are having a featured shark event here at the zoo.

Zoey: Will there be any special activities for the sharks?

Buddy: Glad you asked! Our sharks will all be on special display, and each will get a chance to show their stuff in the coming weeks to see who is the best shark.

Zoey: Best shark? What do you mean?

Buddy: I mean the visitors to our zoo will get to pick who they like the best.

Zoey: You mean like a contest!

Buddy: Yes, exactly like a contest…well, except there are no prizes for voting.

Zoey: Does the winning shark get something?

Buddy: Certainly! The winning shark will be presented with an award and a brand new tank!

Zoey: Wonderful! I think I got all that. I can’t wait to make the announcement to all the people.

Zeek: (Sees all the people staring at them) Um…Zoey, I think you just did.

Zoey: Oh! Well, it never hurts to clean it up and give some details.

Buddy: Precisely.

Zoey: Buddy, would you do the honors?

Buddy: I’d be delighted. People should vote in the same place they ask the zookeeper questions. They just need to send an email naming their favorite shark. But they shouldn’t vote until all four sharks are displayed.

Zoey: Got it. Everybody got that?

Buddy: Thanks for coming round to talk about our special event, Zoey.

Zoey: It’s my pleasure, you handsome devilfish!