Alligator City

(It's a cold, cloudy, rainy night. There is a mist that covers the landscape. Two friends, Chris and Mario, are carrying a tent and a backpack through the storm. They don't have an umbrella or a flashlight. The wind blows and there is a flash of lightning, and thunder)

C: Mario, where are we?

M: I dunno. I can't read the map.

C: It's freezing. We need to set up the tent.

M: I know, but I can't see anything.

C: Well, we're not on a hill. C'mon, let's set it up.

(they start to set up the tent, but there is a mysterious noise)

M: Whazzat???

C: Hey, you dropped the tent! Come on!

M: No, I heard a noise... There it is!

C: What is it?

M: I dunno. It seems like... a bear.

C: It's not a bear, they're hibernating.

M: Remember that time in the forrest... in the woods, it was winter, but we still saw a fox...

C: That was a fox, not a bear. Mario, come on. I had to carry the portable oven all this way. I'm tired, and it's freezing outside. Let's set up the tent.

M: Ok.... Yipes! What's that??

C: It's HAIL. Now help me! Oh why oh why did we decide to go camping?

M: Chris! I think something touched me!

C: You're crazy.

M: No! It was reptilian, like a snake... or an alligator.

C: There are no alligators here.

(there is a growl and a snap)

M: I don't like this. I want to move.

C: Mario, it's freezing. There is ice on teh ground, it's hailing, and it's cloudy.

M: I know, but... Look!

C: What?

(a tall menacing form appears)

Form: Why are you here?

M: (whimpers)

C: Quiet. Sir, we're tourists.

Form: Go home.

M: Of course, sir. My god...

C: Mario, shut up. Sir, we can't. We lost all our equipment in a lake and we need somewhere to sleep.

Form: You're not safe. Come with me.

C: Sure.

(there is a growl)

M: No, Chris!

C: (brings the tent and starts walking towards the form)

M: (follows, with hesitation)

C: Sir!

(the form is a zoologist, carrying a flashlight)

Z: Hello. My name is Mr. Danger.

M: Really? I don't trust you.

Z: I don't know how you got here, but this is the San Francisco Zoo, and you were in the alligator pit.

M: What?? I told you, Chris! I told you!

C: Yes, yes. Thanks, sir.

Z: Come with me. I'll give you a place to sleep.

C: Thanks. See, Mario? There's nothing to be afraid of.

M: Nothing? We were in an alligator pit! They would have eaten us!! They're skilled hunters.

C: And you're crazy, Mario...

(they don't know it, but there is an alligator at their heels, waiting to bite...)