There is a story behind this strange animal. We know that Gator and Duck go back a while. They met several summers ago, by coincidence, stopping at the same rest area. Duck seemed so saddened by the disappearance of his traveling companions, that Gator befriended him. Gator was quite full by then anyway.
They had lots in common. They both liked photography, and the both liked the outdoors, hunting, fishing and sports.
They became best friends, like they had known each other since hatching. They both loved to travel. Sometimes Duck would stay over at Gator's place.
And sometime Gator would stay at Duck's condo.
When Duck was visiting Gator's swamp, Gator would take him down to the pier, and sometimes sail out on Gator's boat. It really is a nice boat, Gator was never one to brag.
One year Gator was invited to Duck's for thanksgiving. Everyone had a wonderful time, and not one of Duck's relatives were missing at the end of the meal. The next year Gator invited Duck down to his family Thanksgiving. Duck was very thankful to see he was not on the menu.
As the time passed they gathered friends into their group. All liked photography and the outdoors. They would often get together for picture taking, and eating, and drinking.
They really grew to like each others friends and family. And Gator's friends became Duck's friends; and Duck's friends became Gator's friends. With the understanding they would not become lunch if Gator asked them out for lunch. Duck was full of surprises. He was quite the professional. Like Gator, Duck was not one to brag, but it turns out that our own Duck was known as the Dastardly Drake. He even asked Gator to help him with a demonstration. Lots of adoring fans, even some groupies in the front row of Duck's corner. A couple of them were eyeing the Gator for very very a long time.
The crowd was floored by Gator, he too could have had a career in mayhem and bruises, but chose to return to his humble boat, and the swamp he loved so much. It had been a while since the gang had gotten together for a photo extravaganza weekend. Duck was kind of down in the down thinking about how much time had passed.
But he had the gret idea to see if the gang could get together at Monica's home, beautiful St. Augustine. Gator jumped for joy at the idea, but had to finish a shift at work first, and then he would head out.
Sure enough, a lot of the gang and some new people showed up, they met at Duck's favorite watering hole, well, it became his favorite after the people at Chuck's Place kind of told him "Get out and don't waddle back!!!" No one really knows the story of what happened, Duck might tell it one of these days, or you might ask Rita, but you did not hear that from me. And do not bother asking Rita's Mom about it, she is far to sweet a lady to know of such going ons.
This is where the story gets interesting, and has a direct bearing on the odd animal I discovered for Gator's WACKY ZOO. The group got back from snapping pictures of everything that could be snapped in Monica's lovely city. They went back to Decoy's and ended the long day with some libations of various tastes and colors, and then retired to their rooms. Somehow, something untoward happened, and was probably very very enjoyable as most untoward things are. This picture came to light, no one knows who took it. Nessa knows everything, but she can't remember a thing, says something about a choice she had to make. Kimmie just rolls her baby blues and sighs. Ms. Owens says "I was in the pool". Brian says to "ask Nessa". Frannie just smiles, and Russ shakes his head. And Gator says "It's not me, ask Duck!", and Duck says "It's not me, ask Gator!!".
And that was how things stood. Until, another photo appeared, time dated the same time and date as the, I can hardly say it, the boudoir picture!! It turns out that Duck was having his own fun and games in another room. Not sure if it was more fun, or more games. . .and Duck is not talking. He does smile a lot if you ask him about this though.
Which brings us to The Picture. A strange offspring of a even stranger union. We know it is not Duck in the Boudoir picture, and Gator says it is not him. And it cannot be proved it is Gator, so I take him at his gator word. But we still have the Gatuck as proof something, somewhere, somehow, happened. And I bet the lights were off.
The Ends
Please note, any resemblance to any animals living, dead or stuffed, is purely a coincidence, and should not be construed otherwise. Any complaints, my lawyer can be reached at 54-776-9277, ask for Guido.
