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16
A slippery customer
Debra recognised Dilo the instant he swam into the big pool. Postie had difficulty stopping Debra from running onto the platform during the show. When it was over they asked to see the person in charge. They were shown into the office of the man on the beach. He was very polite. Postie was polite also.
He started by saying, “We have come to enquire when and how you propose to return Star to the sea.”
“Who said we should return Star to the sea?”
“Well that’s where he belongs and it’s illegal to take a dolphin out of the sea without a special permit. Do you have a permit?”
“We didn’t take the dolphin out of the sea. It was stranded on the beach. It’s a sick dolphin and we are looking after it. We saved its life.” he said.
Debra couldn't keep quiet. “It doesn't look sick to me,” she said curtly.
“I can assure you it is,” the man said, still smiling. Then he became serious. “Our vet has taken blood samples and says the dolphin is under stress.”
“So would you be if you were kept in a prison,” Debra retorted.
The man had difficulty staying calm. But he managed to.
“What a silly little girl you are. Can’t you see that Star is better off here? He gets plenty of food. There are no sharks to bother him. I bet if you were a dolphin you would rather be in this cosy pool than out in open sea.”
“Oh no I wouldn’t!” came the sharp reply.
Postie could see that Debra was getting cross. He thought it best if everyone stayed calm.
“We have reason to believe the dolphin you call Star is in tact a friendly wild dolphin named Dilo,” he said firmly.
“I’ve never heard such rubbish.” said the man beginning to lose his politeness. “Even if Star is Dilo, you could never prove it.”
He immediately realised this was not a wise thing to have said and stood up.
“I’m sorry I’m a very busy man. I must ask you to leave. I can assure you that the dolphin we rescued is enjoying its stay here,” he said seriously. “Thank you for calling - and for expressing your concern. We all want what’s best for the dolphin.” He opened the door. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday,” he said smiling once again as he ushered Postie and the twins out of the door.
When they were outside Debra let her anger show.
“What a creep,” she said indignantly.
“I think he’s more interested in the welfare of his wallet than he is of the dolphin,” said Postie.
“What a slippery customer he is,” added Robin. “1 didn’t believe a word he said. I wouldn’t trust him to look after our cat. We’ve got to work out a plan to rescue Dilo.”
The moment he shut the door the man’s expression changed. He looked annoyed. He went to the telephone and dialled Sea Wolf.
“I’ve just had a man here with a couple of brats in tow,” he said urgently. “They’ve been asking awkward questions about the dolphin you delivered. They want to know when it s going to be put back in the sea.”
“That’s a very valuable animal, I didn’t go to all that trouble just to let it go again. It’s up to you to make sure that the dolphin is not put hack into the sea. Feed it some bad fish and then get the vet to examine it. Give it an injury if you have to. That dolphin stays in the aquarium. If it doesn’t, you can look for a new job. What do you think we pay you for?” he shouted angrily before slamming the phone back into its holder.
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