Part 5: Capturing Crocodylus

Zeke put down the harpoon and said, “ok Gabby what do you need me to do?” Gabby was running over to a fishing pole and said “check the cages” as she turned on a spotlight, cast a line and began to reel, trying to get the alligator's attention and guide it toward the cage. Zeke ran over and checked all the cages, making sure they were set up properly and that the latching mechanisms were functioning. “Everything looks good” he hollered to Gabby, still reeling the line toward the cage, she hollered back “great! I think we're gonna get one”. The water was rising and being pushed very fast in the direction of the line. It was almost certainly an alligator swimming at high speeds toward the cage closest to the river, with a dead chicken in it. Suddenly the line got snagged and Gabby screamed “FUCK!” My brother hollered from the cage “what's wrong?” Gabby yelled back “the line got stuck, we’re gonna lose it, I’m going in” as she headed into the river. My brother, freaked out, yelled “NO! Gabby”, But she was already in the water trying to locate the alligator. She hollered “I got it, coming your way, this is it, get ready, we’re capturing it tonight!”

The next morning people swarmed the riverbank to see the caged alligator. The cage was being put into a truck and driven to a research facility in Seattle. My brother had arranged this with a marine biologist friend of his named Jacob Shannon. Zeke drove the truck to Shannon’s Marina Zoo, as Gabriella stayed and talked to reporters from Taylor's Neighborhood Newsletter. She had more media experience than Zeke and even many of the reporters of Taylor’s Neighborhood Newsletter. Gabriella was asked mundane questions like were you scared? and obvious ones like what kind of experience do you have with alligators? She exclaimed “I’m always a little scared but I’ve been working with alligators for many years, I train them, and even swim with them in the wild from time to time, I don’t recommend people do this, it’s very much an example of do as I say not as I do. But I’ve been doing it for years and it is quite a learning experience”. Answering two questions at once like an old pro.

The story ran in Taylor’s Neighborhood Newsletter the next day. It was titled “Capturing Crocodylus” no doubt at the suggestion of Gabriela. It was likely their most popular article. Everyone in Taylor Reach read it and it was even picked up by The Seattle Times. No one was quite sure how to feel about this, some thought it may attract more tourism, on the logic that all press is good press. Still others rejected this logic and feared the lack of tourism and economic downturn might get even worse. Shannon's marina zoo certainly got a lot of attention. People came from all around the area to try and see the alligator. Though most did not get the chance as it was being studied by a number of shocked biologists and zoologists.

Jacob started his aquarium for research but also as a way to try and get kids interested in Marine Biology, as he did after visiting the San Francisco aquarium. He thought Seattle needed one that was nice and named it Shannon’s Marina Zoo to be unique, and it was. Not just due to the name but also because it was a well-equipped research center. A large warehouse with towering tanks full of interesting life forms, and laboratories. Outside was a large dock with an even larger boat and submarine that would offer tours to guests when not in use by the many great researchers working there or the few famous researchers that would visit. Although there were many experienced biologists and zoologists working at Shannon’s Marina Zoo, none of them had much experience with alligators. As a result, most were just sitting around looking with awe at the monstrous reptile in the lab, waiting for Gabriella to arrive.

Gabriella could hardly wait to work with and study this unusual creature. She had long speculated about the possibility of alligators living in cold waters, in far north climates. But this was the first one she had found, captured, and had the opportunity to study. She drove excitedly to Seattle from Taylor Reach. She could hardly wait to arrive and get to work. She didn’t even stop at the hotel she had arranged. She drove straight past it to Shannon’s Marina Zoo. When she finally arrived, she was greeted by an eager Jacob, who led her to the lab. “Gabriella, I presume” he said politely, “that’s me” Gabriella responded as they shook hands and began walking to the lab. Inside the warehouse Gabriella was in awe at the giant collection of marine life, recognizing most of them she pointed and named them with a smile on her face and excitement in her voice as they passed by the scaffolds and spiral staircases alongside the stacked towers of tanks with informative plaques next to them. Jacob led her through double metal doors in the back of the warehouse. Entering the lab the other researchers stood up and surrounded her to introduce themselves. Gabriella never felt more like a celebrity in her life.

The lab was mostly white tile with metal tables, office chairs, computers, and glass tanks. The alligator was in a large cage with a pond and big rock. The alligator was lying on the big rock, sunbathing under giant heat lamps. Gabriella entered the cage to get a DNA sample. The other researchers watched in fear and starstruck excitement. Gabrella held a long, thick wooden stick that she gently pushed against the alligator's mouth as she turned toward its back holding a large needle and syringe in her other hand. She pricked the alligator under the scales above the tail and drew a blood sample. Outside of the cage she put the sample in a slide and began looking at it through a microscope. She noticed some interesting things in the blood cells and exclaimed “EUREKA”

At 4:04 in the morning, I was having a nightmare. It started out as a wonderful dream where Penny and I were dancing by the river in fancy ballroom clothes. Suddenly a giant alligator leaped out of the river and bit Penny’s head off in midair. It was then I woke up screaming “NOOOOO, PENNY”. At that same time some seven miles away at Multicare ER in Hospital room 404, Penny lay comatose before her eyes opened suddenly and widely. It was almost like, Penny woke up, cause someone called her name...