Pinky's Audience Appears

Pinky’s square face split into a grin that was wider than her whole body. “Right then, my little twinkle-toes!” she chirped, her voice like a handful of glitter being shaken. “Gather ‘round, gather ‘round! You’ve seen the drawings, you’ve heard the whispers, but now… now you get to see the *real* deal!” She bounced on her stubby little legs, a blur of vibrant pink against the drab grey of the zoo’s service alley. The children, who had been practically vibrating with anticipation since Pinky had promised them a peek at her “absolutely sensational, never-before-seen-anywhere-ever” creations, surged forward. Their eyes, round and sparkling with curiosity, fixed on Pinky. It was like a hundred tiny sunbeams had suddenly appeared, all focused on her.

“What is it, Pinky? What is it?” a small boy with a shock of red hair shouted, his voice hoarse with excitement.

“Is it a flying banana? You said it might be a flying banana!” a girl with pigtails squealed, bouncing on the balls of her feet.