Presents:

Scene:           I'm sitting a big comfy chair in front of a fire. There's some classical music playing, but the stereo is off panel cause the rest of the room is a mess. I smile and welcome you to sit down…

Obaba:          A Story A Story...gather and here my tale. And this time it will be better.
Okay. I'll TRY to make it better.

Scene:           *Pastoral glade with a shining castle in distance...*

Obaba:          Whoa...not there.

Scene:           *zip pans over to a rundown house inbtween two bulidings in the city*

Obaba:          Hey...I AM TRYING!...Anyway this is the story of:

-Cast-

Obaba............Narrator
Lucy.............."The Little Red Hen" a.k.a Herself.
Amyah, Ger, Kagale,
Pawma and Vicky as themselves

Dedication:   To Rei, who taught me what friendship is all about.

Obaba:           nce upon a time...yesterday about 9:30, a little red hen got up and had an idea:

Hen:              *wakes up with a light bulb over her head*

Obaba:           *clicks off the lightbulb* Hey, you're not a hen. You're an otter.

Lucy:              *gasps with mock surprise* What a newsflash! And you're no narrator, just some hack artist...*glares*

Obaba:          *blinks* Um, heh...moving on! *walks away*

Lucy:              Yes, well I have a great idea for a business.

Obaba:          Really? What are you gonna do about it?

Lucy:              I have lots of friends. I'm sure they will help!

Obaba:           So the hen, err, otter. Anyway she set out to rally her friends and start her new business...First, she went to see her friend the fox...

Vicky:            What kinda business did you have in mind?

Lucy:              It'll be great! A little something for everyone.

Vicky:            Well that sounds a little vague...

Lucy:              So, can we get started?

Vicky:            Actually, I'm a little short on cash this week ::sweatdrops::

Lucy:              That's fine. I just need help with the...

Vicky:            Sorry. I'll catch you later. Bye. ::goes off::

Lucy:              ...oh well. :::flustered:

Obaba:          After the fox refused to help, the little white otter, asked to the unicorn.

Amyah:          Oh wow! Oh wow! Really? That sounds great!

Lucy:              Do you really think so?

Amyah:           ::nods enthusiastically:: Hai! Of course I'd like to help!

Lucy:               Thanks! Okay, here's what I plan to do...

Obaba:            And the otter explains her plans in detail to the unicorn, who seemed to be following intently.

Lucy:                ...and I want to have the first parts done by tomorrow.

Amyah:             Okay! I'll see you then! Matta ne! ::scurries off::

Obaba:             The next morning...

Lucy:                 What happened to Amyah? ::dials Amyah's digits::

Amyah:              Moshi mosh?

Lucy:                  Hey, when are you going to be by?

Amyah:               Um...later? I don't know. Are you busy? I wanted to know if I could borrow that one blue dress you have for tomorrow? You remember the one you wore at the New Year's party at that club. I know it's a few months old, but maybe I can spruce it up a bit for tomorrow night. And when I come by I can return that blouse I borrowed a while back. It isn't too dirty. I wore it only a few times, till it got torn on a nail. Maybe you can sew it up for me? That would be great! So, are you going to be home later so I can get that dress?

Lucy:                  ::hangs up::

Obaba:               Okay...so with the unicorn a no show, she asked another friend.

Lucy:                  I just want a little help with my business. Can you give me a hand?

Pawma:              Only if you defeat me in battle! Bwhahaha! ::takes a martial artist fighting stance::

Lucy:                   ::raises an eyebrow:: If I must.

Obaba:                E... Fai-to!!

Scene:                 *after a 30 second round*

Obaba:                Win-ah. Ru-si!

Lucy:                   Okay. Can you help me now?

Pawma:               Ah ow...

Lucy:                   Oh, for the love of!...

Obaba:                So after the otter called the paramedics, she was once again looking to her friends for help...

Ger:                     I heard you put my sister in traction, nice job.

Lucy:                   Ger, sweetie...you're a bright boy. Could you help me with my business idea?

Ger:                     Sure. Give me the specs, and I'll give it a go.

Lucy:                   Thank you! ::hugs Ger:: For helping me, I'm going to make you a big dinner! Would you like that?

Ger:                     ::drools:: Yesh!

Obaba:               ::drools too:: So the dragon had a big dinner, and then after he was done, the otter was ready to continue working on her idea.

Lucy:                   Are you ready to get started, Ger?

Ger:                     *SNORE* ZZZzzzzzzzz...

Lucy:                   *sigh*

Obaba:               The poor otter was running out of friends, but she did have one last hope to turn to...

Lucy:                   Kay, honey~! © Can you help me work on my business?

Kagale:                ::is playing GTA: Vice City:: What? Okay? ::mumbles:: gotta get a bike

Lucy:                   That's nice. Don't you want to hear about it?

Kagale:                Uh huh...::under breath:: come on, a little further...

Lucy:                   See what I wanted you to do is...

Kagale:                Uh huh. ::curses:: Take that you sonava...

Lucy:                   And then after that's done, we can...

Kagale:                Uh hu--What?! I don't believe it! They killed my guy!

Lucy:                   ::scowling:: Um...

Kagale:                Did you see that?! AND they made me miss my song!

Lucy:                   I'm going to have you neutered.

Kagale:                Uh huh. WAIT! That wasn't a good thing you said. No. Or whatever is good for me.

Lucy:                   You don't even care what I am talking about! ::fuming::

Kagale:                No. Well, not right now. I mean, I'm busy and maybe we can talk about it later...

Ger:                     Keep it down! I'm trying to sleep!

Kagale:                SHUT UP, BEANO! Lou...Lucy? Where did you go?

Obaba:               But it was too late. The otter had gone, and by this time, she had gotten everything done herself, while her friends had found ways to avoid helping her. She cashed in on it, and soon after, she began to see her friends again...

Vicky:                 You're doing well!

Lucy:                   ::coolly:: I suppose I have made quite a bit of bread for myself.

Ger:                     Did you say "bread"?

Lucy:                   Yes.

Amyah:                I guess I don't need to borrow that dress from you. Now I can get a new one!

Kagale:                And we can get that home theater I saw last week! Madden 2005 on a 36 inch plasma , with Dolby surround...

Pawma:                Nice to know we can live comfortably for a change...

Lucy:                   "We"? Sorry, but you must be mistaken. There is no "we" in this. I did this all by myself. Where we're all of you to help when I needed you?

Obaba:               They all looked down in shame, and apologized to her.

Lucy:                   I accept your apology, but I can't share what I've done by myself with you. I just ask that if I ever ask for help with something I feel is important again, that you are considerate enough to at least try to help, as a friend. Because I'd do the same for all of you.

Obaba:               And so the little otter lives off her bread quite nicely. And she and her friends help each other out as much as they can, as all good friends do...

                          She just won't lend them any dough.