It’s Show Time! See the Splash and Spectacle! Ooh and Ahh with Wonder!

The new marine show tank is ready for its big unveiling with the first performance of the awe-inspiring Orcinus orca otherwise known as the amazing, the incredible, the inimitable … Lumpy. Roving rodent reporter Zoey the zoo mouse and photographer Zeek drop by the new tank to rub shoulders (or is it wings?) with the star of the show and his talent manager, Rockie the rockhopper penguin.

Zoey: Hi, Rockie. I’m Zoey and this is Zeek.

Rockie: Hey there! It’s about time you showed up. My boy Lumpy is working through his warm up routine right now. You should get some action shots while he warms up over there, Zeek.

Zoey: Sorry we’re late; we got some bad directions to the tank.

Rockie: No problem, toots. These amateurs moved back the show time on us, so we’re still stuck here in the training tank waiting for the curtain to rise.

Zoey: Wow, I didn’t know they used curtains for marine shows. It’s all so new and exciting!

Rockie: Actually, sugar, that’s just showbiz talk. You know, like ”break a leg.” There aren’t really any curtains. Well, except maybe curtains of water when my boy Lumpy does his thing. You know what I mean, sweetie? [laughs]

Zoey: Please call me Zoey, if you don’t mind.

Rockie: Sure, doll.

Zoey: So what time does the show start tonight?

Rockie: Well, if those bozos get their act together on the show platform, we should be on stage in about an hour.

Zoey: Gosh, you and Lumpy must be nervous since this is your first show.

Rockie: Ah, there’s nuthin’ to be nervous about, doll. Lumpy’s been practicing hard—which is good, ‘cause he’s a little slow on the uptake sometimes. You really gotta drill it into him before he gets it. But he’s got real talent and a heart of gold. He’s gonna take the show circuit by storm, I tell ya!

Zeek: Slow? I thought orcas were really smart.

Rockie: Yeah, as a general rule. But Lumpy’s what you’d call an exception … if you get my drift.

Zoey: Oh, you’re certainly drifting. So, how did a little rockhopper penguin like you become the manager of such a magnificent orca?

Rockie: Finally, an interesting question—and, I happen to be an uncommonly large rockhopper, toots. So, I first noticed Lumpy when they started construction on the show tank. He was this big, strong, handsome star just waiting for the right manager to ride him to the top.

Zoey: Ride him to the top? Are you in the show too?

Rockie: Eh, you must’ve heard me wrong there, hon, I said ”guide” him to the top. And that’s exactly what I’m gonna do, toots. He’s the talent and I’m the guider.

Zoey: I see … and please call me Zoey.

Rockie: Hey, that reminds me … Lumpy needs a stage name. You know, something exotic, mysterious, and copyrightable. Something that says “I’m a star, an artist, an icon!” It’s gotta be a really great name; one that works on t-shirts and coffee mugs, you know?

Zoey: Yeah, well I’m sure you can come up with something that fits the bill. You’d better hurry if the premiere is in an hour.

Rockie: No suggestions, toots? How’s “The Orca Octavio” grab you? Or maybe Oberon? I kinda like that name. Oh well, I guess I’ll need to have my people brainstorm some branding options and run them through some focus groups.

Zoey: Sounds great. Could we speak to Lumpy now?

Rockie: Oh, he never does interviews before a show, doll. It’s a thing with him—like demanding bottled water, yellowfin, and sea capers in his trailer. Stars can be very peculiar, you know.

Zoey: So can their managers, it seems. Well, we should probably get going. Zeek, do you have what you need?

Zeek: Yep, I got the shot.

Rockie: You kids take care now. I’ll leave a couple of tickets for you at will-call. You don’t want to miss the show!

Zoey: Sure, we’ll come to cheer for Lumpy. Maybe get in a quick interview after the show?

Rockie: Oh, that won’t be possible, I’m afraid. He’s got another booking tomorrow and has to get some rest after the show. But I’m hosting a wrap party in the penguin exhibit, and I’d just love to see you there, sweetie.

Zoey: Thanks, but I think we’ve seen enough of your act. Come on Zeek, let’s go.

Rockie: Hey! Be sure to save your ticket stubs. When Lumpy hits the big time, they’ll be worth a fortune.

Zoey: Sure thing, Rockie.

Zeek: Hey, Zoey, is that what people mean when they talk about little penguin complex?