Simba was investigating a mystery. The Underground reported that hundreds of Prideland residents were crossing into the Outlands. Plus, his hunting party was missing. As he approached the river that formed the border he notice a new structure - it made crossing the river easier. Simba saw a sign with the name of the structure - it was called the "Peace Bridge". This was an odd name - Zira never believed in peace. As Simba prepared to cross he ran into a bar blocking his path. He looked to the side - there was a device with a slot. "Insert $ 0.75 Prideland, $ 1.25 Zira." Lions had trouble with coins - Rafiki usually handled this task. Simba decided to jump the bar.
The next structure Simba encountered was a building - "The Outlands Casino". He entered the casino. Simba was surprised by the first familiar face he saw. "Nuka! I thought that falling log killed you." "Yeah, it did. But the casino is doing such good business mother hired a Disney artist to reanimate me. So, Simba, are mother and I invited to my brother's nuptials?" "Huh? Across not! You were banished!" "Simba, I don't think that matters any more. The Pridelands are going bankrupt - look around you. Now I have to go to the Termite Lounge to do my set."
Simba saw a long line of predators (including his hunting party) with their kills. They were exchanging them for round white disks called chips. Then Simba saw another familiar face. "Rindimo, what are you doing?" The cheetah was dragging a large wildebeest kill. "When Zira see this," Rindimo said, "she'll be mine tonight!" "Seven come eleven, baby needs a new pair of shoes!" Simba turned around. "Timon! I didn't know you had little ones." "Ah, Simba, that just a saying for good luck." "Cigarette, big fella?" Simba turned around. Sarafina had a wooden tray hanging around her neck. "Nala would be shocked if she saw you. Don't you know that the Surgeon General has determined those sticks cause cancer?" "Simba, what happens to my customers is none of my concern." "Hit me!" The king twirled around. What Simba saw pained his heart. He rushed to the Blackjack table. "Kiara! Why are you asking this Outsider to assault you?" "Oh daddy. It's just an expression. I want another card." "And where did you get the money to bet?" "Daddy, the casino extends me credit." "Credit? When you lose the casino will claim my kingdom!" "Simba, it will be HER kingdom." Now Zira had joined the conversation. "She's old enough to have cubs, she's old enough to make her own decisions. Start worrying about your own troubles. We have videotapes of you jumping the barrier. The fine for not pay the toll is one hundred dollars." "Stick it on my daughter's tab." Kiara made a funny face. "Well, there goes my winnings!" "Zira, congratulations." Zira left the lion pair for the elephant. Simba grabbed his daughter and left the casino.
"Zira with the success of your casino I expect financial settlement for my legal services." "A higher court set aside our judgement against Simba. We've lost the Pridelands!" "Zira, I'm sure on appeal they'll reinstate it. But I want my payment now." "But with my expenses I havn't made any money yet!" "Zira, I'll take the casino in lieu of payment." "You crooked Sawbones!" "Zira, Sawbones is a doctor. The term you're looking for is 'Shyster'.
Nuka and Zira sat under the night sky.
"Mother, I'm sorry you lost the casino. You shouldn't spent all that money on me." "Nonsense, Nuka. You know the yellow ball that hangs in the sky during the day. That's Mufasa's. You see that light in the sky." Zira pointed up. Nuka saw a faint point of light. It disappeared. "That's Scar's flashlight." "Dad has a flashlight? Neat!" "Nuka, I think Scar made a mistake ... I think you should have been the chosen one. I love you son!"
"NO!" Simba awoke in his cave. "I have to stop eating carrion ... it gives me such wierd dreams!" "Speak for yourself. I like the part where mother said she loved me!" "For that wildebeest," Rindimo began, "all I got was a seat at a nightclub listening to this cat mangle Frank's 'My Way' ." "Cheetah, I'll have you know that the critics have called my interpretation of Sinatra 'unfathomable'! " "Yeah that means its bad!" The cheetah closed his eyes and held his paw over his nose. "Alright! Everyone not belonging to my pride leave my cave!" Nuka and Rindimo departed. Simba went back to sleep.
Much later Zazu entered the cave. "Good night, Sire." "Good night, Zazu. Zazu! What are you doing in my cave?" "I had an arguement with my significant other and I needed a place to stay for the night." "No, not in my cave! Get out of this place and NEVER come back!" Zazu left the cave with tears in his eyes. Nala woke up. "Simba, what are you screaming about!" "Zazu wanted to stay in our cave. The nerve of that bird! I told him to never come back." "Simba, you told Zazu never to come back to our cave?" No, I didn't say that." "Simba, I think you just fired Zazu! You have to find him and tell him you didn't mean it!" Simba moaned. "Will this horror ever end?"