Copyright 1999 -- Robert Baer Jr

PROLOGUE

What if the entire world had "gone to the birds?"  It has, in BirdWorld!  
This is the continuing story of Robin Mallory, hard working wife, mother
and radio station personality.   How is she handling all of this
responsibility?  Why not ask "Chipper" Birdwell, Robin's dad about it?  
Bet he'll be more than happy to tell us!

BirdWorld - "Good News, Bad News"

As we look around for Chipper, he flies right over us and yells
"surprise!"    He chuckles as he lands on his front perch.   "You have to
admit you were surprised, wasn't you?    Ok, so all surprises may not be
pleasant ones, but there were a lot of "surprises" yesterday at Robin's
office!    It all started at in the afternoon......

Robin, Howard Yates, Meadowlark Gremmon, Edward R Sparrow and Carla Delmar
were all sitting at their desks, working on scripts for their radio
programs.   Robin was the most intense, she would be on in a half hour!  
Babs Finchly came running in and looked very excited.   "Babs, what the
matter?"  Robin asked.   

"Slow down girl, this isn't the BirdWorld Olympics!"  Meadowlark chirped.

"Give us the news, Babs, we can take it,"  Edward said coldly.

"Please say something,"  Howard squealled,"have the cat got your beak?"

"Well, everyone," Babs begin to speak," I got got off the phone with
Thrush, his doctor told him he'll be flying again soon and that he could
return to work next week!"

"That's great!"  Howard chirped.

"Good News tonight!"  Edward said emotionlessly.

"Time for a comeback!"   Meadowlark shouted.

Robin was going to comment, but then she looked at Carla.   She knew that
Carla realized what this meant.   Carla had grown very close to the entire
'gang' at the station, but she also knew that this was a temporary job,
Thrush would be returning so this meant that Carla's job was soon over.  
Carla softly spoke,"I'm very happy for him, I'd like to meet him sometime."

Just then Mr. Bizsop walked into the room, Babs couldn't wait to tell him
about Thrush!

"That's wonderful!"  Mr Biszop exclaimed,"he's returning two weeks ahead
of schedule!"

Carla's head drooped.   She thought the next words out of Mr Biszop's beak
would be something like, 'Carla, you filled in well, but it's over now.' 
Instead, Mr Biszop simply turned around and went back into his office.   

"Carla,"  Robin said softly,"I need to talk to you alone, you see ......"

"Robin, I know what you're going to say, so I'll save you the trouble, " 
Carla said sadly.

"You don't understand, Carla!"  Robin chirped loudly.

"Robin, "  Carla interrupted," I appreciate you trying to let me down
easy, but I know when my time is done."

"Will you listen to me, please?"  Robin begged.

Just then Mr Biszop returned to the room, he looked at Robin and
asked,"did you tell Carla yet?"

"I was trying to, sir!"  Robin answered.

"No need, I know this routine too well,"  Carla said with tears in her
eyes,"I love it here, all of you have taken me in like one of the family,
but I knew when I got this job it was only for a short time.   Thank you
for the opportunity, Mr Biszop, but I know I'll have to leave."

"Leave?"  Mr Bizsop said with a chuckle, "who said you were leaving,
Robin, didn't you tell her?"

"I've been trying to sir," Robin replied.

"Tell me what?" Carla said, still crying.

"Carla, " Mr Bizsop explained,"your ratings have been strong, people
really like you!   So Robin and I decided that when Thrush returns, we
want you to team up with Wild Bill and co-host the morning show with him!"

Carla looked up and said meekly,"Me?   do a show with Wild Bill?     you
mean it, sir?"

"I certainly do!"  Mr Bizsop said proudly,"you and Wild Bill will make a
marvelous team!  What do you say, Carla?"

That's when Wild Bill emerged from the booth, "Hey, did you ask her yet?  
Did you?"

"Yes, we did!"  Robin answered.

Wild Bill walked over to Carla's desk and got on his knees and said,"
Carla, PLEASE say YES!  I'll give you top billing, you're wonderful,
you're so smart, PLEASE say YES,  PPPLLLEEEEAAAASSSEEEE??????"

Carla burst out laughing," Wild Bill, my friend, I can't say no to you!"

"HOORAY!!!!"  Wild Bill screamed as he pranced around the office.   

"Will you stop that!"  Howard shouted,"have you took leave of your senses?"

"You're acting rather foolish!"  Edward said coldly.

"Go, blue guy, go!"  Meadowlark cheered.

This caused both Carla and Robin to laugh out loud!    Mr Biszop even had
to laugh a little.   "Well, Carla, do we have a deal?"  he said.

"Now, how could I refuse a dancing bluejay?" Carla giggled.

"Great!"   Mr Biszop said,"now you'll have to come to work earlier, ok?"

"Ok by me!"  Carla chirped with a smile on her beak.

"We'll start the promos today, during you're show Robin!"   Howard said.

"I'm so glad you're here to stay!"   Meadowlark shouted and jumped to his
feet.

"We're all happy that you're staying!"  Robin chirped happily.

"Thank you all!"  Carla said, starting to cry again.

So, the Carla & Wild Bill Show will premier next Monday!    I can't wait
to hear it!   Maybe I'll even call in and encourage them!    You see,
sometimes things aren't always the way we think they are, and sometimes
life has a way of "surprising" us in a good way!   Now, if you will please
excuse me, I'm think I'm going to have to go and fix dinner, maybe I'll
make "Berry Surprise" for desert!    HE HE HE   Well, nice chatting with
you, come back again soon!

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