Bol and Bel are urban (and sometimes, urbane) creatures who live on a planet called SOM (short for the "Ship of Monkeys") populated by four distinct species -- Monkeys, Doggies, AEs (short for the "Arch Enemies") and Rwaonds (short for the "rest who are of non-doggie species). Bol is a beautiful, headstrong, worldly, unpredictable (of the "Captain Jack Sparrow" ilk, for "Pirates" fans), somewhat irresponsible, adult Doggie. Bel is a somewhat cloyingly sweet, overly curious, naive, gangly teen Doggie, who appears attractive in a certain light. Bel and Bol were both lovingly adopted and live with Ma Monkey and Pa Monkey who bestow all kinds of affection on Bel and Bol and as such, are sadly, the unwitting slaves of these two Doggies. These are their conversations....
Night has fallen on SOM. Bel and Bol have reluctantly trekked up to bed under the stern (but, loving) gaze of Ma Monkey. They're silently protesting the abrupt end of the evening's new game -- Ma Monkey's Favorite Red Sofa As NASA Launching Pad For The Great Doggie Space Adventurers (Bel and Bol have neither wit nor brevity, but they keep abreast of current affairs). At this moment, life seems particularly unfair and harsh to our two young protagonists. They're in for a nastier surprise tonight!
Bel: (simultaneously snoring, sputtering, coughing as she chases mirage rabbits in her fitful sleep) Huurgghpt!
Bol: (in hushed tones) Bel?
Bel: (snores with increased vigor) ZZZZZZZZ!
Bol: (louder with increased urgency) TWERP!
Bel: (awakes, startled) Whaa? I swear I didn't lick Ma's lunch! Anyway, you can't prove it. "Innocent until proven guilty" is the Doggie way, yes siree!
Bol: (impatiently) Stop babbling! (then, with great reluctance, his throat clenching at the nature of the request) I...need...your...help....
Bel: (looks around in the dark, as usual, nonplussed, and also as usual, forgetting her night vision abilities) But, where are you?
Bol: (hissing) Look under Ma and Pa's bed, you idiot!
Bel: (regaining her composure) Oh! There you are! Is it fun under there?
Bol: (feeling his blood pressure rise) "Fun"? Why don't you come down here and I'll show you what "fun" is! (then, lowering his voice) Keep your voice down! We wouldn't want to wake Ma and Pa.
Bel: (acquiescent) Okay, what is it that you want me to do? Otherwise, (yawning widely) I'm.....sleeeepy. (Her head started to bob alarmingly.)
Bol: (panic creeping into his voice) I'm stuck under the bed!
Bel: (jolted awake) Oh, no! Are you hurt? What are we going to do?
Bol: (sarcasm his crutch even in dire straits) Hmm...I don't know. You could start by giving me a hand, perhaps?
Bel (something clicks inside her) I know! (mental lightbulb illuminates the dimmest corners of her pea-sized brain) I've seen something like this in the picture books about the Pretty Wonder Monkey Lady that Ma loves to read.
Bol: (can't believe his ears) Have you seriously lost your non-existent mind!? (gnashing his fangs) Who or what is this "Pretty Wonder Monkey Lady", and how could she or it, possibly be relevant to this situation?
Bel: You know! The one with the golden tiara and lasso and the neat bracelets. She's always lifting cars and jumping off of buildings when she doesn't have her hands full with thrashing baddies. She's my hero! Or, it is heroine, but isn't that a drug? (then, snapping back to reality) Think Bel, what would she do? Think!
Bol: (heaves a resigned sigh) Sigh!
Bel: (excitedly) Eureka! I got it! Grab my neck with your paws and at my count of three, I'll pull. One...two...THREE!
A heroic amount of pushing, pulling and scrambling later, both Bel and Bol are winded out and lie panting, panic twisting their insides. Bol hadn't budged an inch.
Bel: (in a subdued voice) Whatever happens Bol, I'll be by your side until the very last second.
Bol: (momentarily forgetting his aloof nature) Bel, I think this is curtain call. Is it getting darker in here? (in sheer panic) I can't see! I can't hear you! Bel! Bel!
Suddenly the bed is lifted and Bol scrambles out. He catches a glint of gold out of the corner of his eye.
Bel: (clapping her paws) Pretty Wonder Monkey Lady!!
Bol: (gratefully) Thank you, O Lovely Yet Strong One!
Ma Monkey: (sharply) Bel! Bol! What are you doing fidgeting under the bed? Go back to sleep! Right now!
Bel: (sucking up, as usual) Will do, Ma. Right away, Ma.
Bol: (waiting to hear Ma Monkey resume her gentle snores) Where did she go?Was that Pretty Wonder Monkey Lady who saved us, or...?
Bel: (scratching her floppy ears) I could have sworn...
Bol: (in a kind voice, giving Bel's nose a nibble) Regardless, Bel, that was a very brave thing you did back there.
Bel: (ears burning) Oh, it was nothing. You'd have done the same for me.
Bol: (unsure of whether he'd reciprocate, wisely chooses silence)
Bel: (mistaking Bol's silence for an emotional moment) I know, I love you too.
Bol: Good night, Bel.
Bel: Goo.. (yawn) nigh... ZZZZZZ
THE END
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