A Day at the Zoo

"That's over seven figures," Jim said with annoyance, "I don't care what they are willing to offer!" As Jim and his young son, Jack, made their way down the quiet path at the zoo, other parents glared at him, irritated but the shouting.

When the two approached an exhibit of monkeys housed in an immense cage, Jack smiled at their seemingly random antics as they leapt from branch to branch, swung from tires, and occasionally dove into a pool.

"No, I won't accept that"! Jim yelled over the screeches of the primates. As he spoke, he absent-mindedly pulled and rattled the lock on the door leading to the primate area, brining into question on which side of the cage he stood.

They continued down the path to the North American exhibit, passing an open area of Blackbears lounging in the sun and occasionally getting up to stretch or swim. As they proceeded, they arrived at the deer exhibit. The area was full of white-tailed and mule deer, the herd's tranquil strength seemed to overwhelm the rancor of Jim's call. Jack pulled on his father's hand.

"Dad, could I have a dollar to buy feed for the deer?" Jim pulled out a wad of dollars from his pocket and handed it to his son while juggling his phone on his chin and not breaking the conversation.

"I can't go there now, because I am at the zoo!" Jim yelled as Jack attempted to buy feed from a machine. He stopped as his son cast his gaze to the ground.

"This will have to wait until Monday," Jim said while surveying the herd, "Tell them that is how it is going to be," he continued before hanging up his phone.

"Jack, could you buy some feed for your dad too?" he asked.