Charles and Carlos

 

 Once upon a time there was a hippopotamus. His name was Charles and he lived in a building block in a suburb of Mijik City. 

Charles was depressed and  fed up with neighbors complaining all the time. He could barely walk in his own flat because the whole building was shaking and everybody (except him) got terrified. So he was basically stuck in his apartment. 

Ding Dong!

- Mr. Charles! There´s post for you. 

- It´s open. (Said Charles). Come on in. 

The postman entered and, slightly distressed, handed Charles his letter.

- God day, sir. (Said the postman. Then he turned around and left)

Charles looked at the envelope where it was written with big letters: EVACUATION NOTICE!

He had an intuition about who and why is getting evacuated, but read the letter anyway. 

"The neighbors committee of Blooming Flower Street number 115B unanimously votes for the evacuation of Mr. Charles Smith a.k.a. Mr. Hippo for reasons of safety. Therefore Mr. Smith must leave his apartment before 30th Nov. 2089. In case of refusal, radical measures will be taken. 

Signed respectfully,

All Neighbors."

- 30th of November? But that´s a week from now. What am I going to do? 

He wished he would have a clearer mind, but a mosquito kept bothering him each time he got a slight idea so he ended up slapping  his ear several times instead. 

- Let me read the letter! Let me read the letter! (A mysterious voice said)

- Hey! Who said that? 

- What are you doing?

- Who is there?

- What is the letter about?

- Who is talking? Come out?

- Why the panic? It´s me. 

- Me who?

- Me, Carlos. 

- Carlos?

- Yes, Carlos.

- Carlos who? 

- Carlos Mosq. 

Charles slapped his ear one more time and then looked closely. Yes, it was the mosquito talking indeed. 

- What do you want? Go away and leave me alone!

- Let me read that letter, would you?

- No. 

- Yes!

- Here. 

Carlos buzzed annoyingly while he was reading the letter. 

- Wow! That´s fucked up, man! Said Carlos. But, on the other hand, you were like a prisoner here anyway. Maybe it is a chance to be free.  

- I don´t understand, I barely moved in years and they are still kicking me out. That´s not fair! I feel so stupid. 

Carlos looked at Charles with deep sympathy and asked:

- Excuse me, I know maybe it is not the right time, but ... what were you doing here anyway? How in the world did you think you will fit in? 

- I always wished to be a human. Humans are so cool. They seem to have everything figured out, like ... they have two right hands. They always seem to know what they are doing. They sing, they talk interesting things, they dance, they dress up in the most spectacular manners. I just wanted to be like them or ... at least among them. I thought that if I keep myself quiet enough, still enough they won´t notice the difference.

- You were hoping they won´t notice a hippo in the building? Really?

- Yes, that´s what I thought. I told you, I am not smart like they are. I guess I miscalculated.  What shall I do now? I don´t know where to go, not even how to get out. I´ve been stuck in this flat for years. What will I do?!

- Don´t despair, my friend. Maybe I can help. 

- How ever will you help me get out of here? You are just a mosquito. 

- Yes, but I am smart. Quite an engineer myself.

- Yeah right. 

- Just wait and see. We´ll get you out in no time. Can I use this carpet?

- Sure!

- Purrrfect! I´ll be right back. 

Carlos went out and came back, taking little trips all night. He was going out and coming back to do something weird with the carpet. 

- What are you doing? ( Asked Charles the Hippo)  

- I am preparing our vehicle. I am almost done. 

- I don´t understand a thing. 

- You will in a moment. 

Carlos Mosq went back and forth a few more times then stopped at the carpet and made the final adjustments and said:

- Ready when you are, my friend. Anything you would like to take along with you?

- My toaster

- Coming up. 

Carlos brought Charles the toaster and said:

- There you go, now let´s get you on that carpet. 

- How are we going to travel on that? (Asked Charles while he was making the whole building shake by moving one arm, then another.)

- I present you the Magic Carpet  model 899, made using the latest technology, eco friendly of course, fueled by blood. 

- By what?!

- You know I like it organic, baby. All blood, your neighbor´s to be precise. 

- ... Bububut ...

- Come on, they chased you away anyway, besides, at last you can move comfortably, you don´t have to worry anymore about the building shaking. You know what I mean? You are free, Charles. So get on!

Slightly scared, but also slightly more relaxed, Charles sat himself on the Lethal Carpet. 

- Ready? (Asked the mosquito)

- I guess.

- Say bye bye to this prison.

- Bye bye, prison!

Then hey flew out off the window splashing blood behind behind them on the building, down on the people walking by, terrified by what appeared to be a blood rain.

- Don´t worry, it´s all organic! ( Screamed down the mosquito)

The two friends got lost like a red stain in the distance. I have the feeling that they lived happily ever after.

 

 

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