<Open scene up at a large mansion. Cut to hallway where doorbell rings. A meerkat in a black tuxedo runs to the dorr, and opens it. There stands another meerkat, also in a black suit, and also an umbrella to keep the fall shower off him that seems to have developed tonight>

Mageuzi: Col. Mustard, I presume?

Msondo: Mustard? No, I'm Ms..

Mageuzi: Shh! No one must know each other's real names. I'm Wadsworth, your butler.

Msondo: Of course you are.

Mageuzi: Follow me please..

<Mageuzi takes Msondo to the lounge where the maid, Annete, is already waiting.>

Mageuzi: Mustard, this is Annete, our maid. Annete? Would you get the Col. anything he needs? <she nods, Mageuzi starts to walk out, but then turns around> Within reason, that is. <continues to walk out>

Anneke: Whisky?

Msondo: Er..yes please..just a little.

<The doorbell rings again. Once again, the kat scurries over to answer. A couple lions stand there, male and female.>

Mageuzi: Mr. Green! Mrs. Peacock! Do you know each other?

Busara: No, we just happened to arrive at the same time.

Mageuzi: <slightly confused> Really? Or are you being sarcastic?

Busara: Really.

Mageuzi: I mean, REALLY? Or are you being sarcastic about being sarcastic about knowing each other?

Busara: <sligly irritated> No, really!

Mageuzi: No? So you know each other?

Nala&Busara: <irritated, yelling> NO!

Mageuzi: <jumping back slightly> Er..right, of course, come in please.. <they walk in>

I'm Wadsworth, your butler. Follow me, please.

<They are taken to the lounge where the other two kats are>

Mageuzi: Green, Peacock, this is Col. Mustard and Annete, our maid.

<All say "How do you do" all at once. The doorbell rings again>

Mageuzi: Excuse me, please. Er..make yourselves comfortable. Anneke will see to your every wim. <walks out. All look to Annete>

Annete: <slightly nervous> Within reason, that is.

<Mageuzi scurries over to the door, and there stand the rest of the guests>

Mageuzi: Ah! There you all are. <looks around the crowd> Lets see, Prof. Plum! Mrs. White! How nice you look tonight! And Ms. Scarlet! Also very distinguished. <smiles> Come in, come in!

<All walk in>

I'm Wadsworth, your butler. Follow me, please, and I'll explain why you are all here.

<They walk over to the lounge>

Mageuzi: Everyone! This is Prof. Plum, Mrs. White and Ms. Scarlet. Prof Plum, Mrs. White, Ms. Scarlet, this is Mr. Green, Col. Mustard and Mrs. Peacock. Oh! And this is Annete..our maid..And tonight, our cook also.

<All look confused at each other>

Mageuzi: Okie, now we're all clear on that!

Timon: So why are we here Wadsworth?

<all mumble, "Yeah..">

Mageuzi: Right. As I understand it, you all got a letter. Am I correct? <they nod> Asking you to come here to repay some sort of debt? <nods> And you were addressed as someone different? The alias you'll be given tonight? <nods> Okie then!

<silence. All look at each other.>

Busara: Why are we here then?!

Mageuzi: Not meant to be rude, Green, but do you have ears?

Busara: Yes, but I have no debt to this "friend" referred to in the letter.

Mageuzi: Why are you here then?

<Busara gives anxious looks. No answer.>

Look, I only know one more thing than you--that our host tonight is one Mr.Body. I used to be his butler..he invited me back..with a letter just like yours. <all gasp> Yes, I don't know either. But we're all connected to this Mr. Body.

All: We are?

Mageuzi: Yes. Remember, that is just his alias. You'll most likely recognize him when you see him.

All: We will?

<Mageuzi sighs. Doorbell rings.>

Mageuzi: Ah!

<All look nervous as Mageuzi walks out. Voices can be heard.>

Mageuzi: Ah! Mr. Body! You've been *eagerly* awaited!

Simba: Oh?

Mageuzi: Yes, follow me, sir.

<In walks Mageuzi>

Mageuzi: May I present..Mr. Body..

<Simba walks in. Gasps all around. Nala takes two steps back. Simba, with a big grin, walks over to the far corner, and sits.>

Timon: It's YOU! Why did you bring me <looks around> US here?

<all nod and talk amongst themselves>

Simba: Hush! <all quiet> As you all probably now realize, you know me. And I know you. Very well. And that's why I'm here. Oh! I've got presents for you.

All: You do?

Simba: Yes! <Annete walks out> Here! <pushes a suitcase towards the group. Mageuzi walks over to it, opens it, and passes the black boxes around. Simba sits grinning.>

Timon: Oooo! I love presents! I wonder what it could be?! <Opens it up. Inside is a candlestick> A..candlestick? Er..thanks! <looks at it> I think..

<All around the room, the guests each pick up one of these weapons: rope, revolver, wrench, lead pipe. All look confusidly at one another>

Simba: Each of you hold a deadly weapon. Now. Did you realize the front door is locked?

Busara: What?!

Simba: Yes. *Wadsworth* has locked you in!

<All look to Mageuzi>

Mageuzi: Please! Hear me out! I've called the authorities. They'll be here in 30 minutes. Then, they can arerst Mr. Body here because of the withholding of your debts, and we can all leave. Until then, we have to keep Mr. Body trapped. That is one of the many ways.

Msondo: So why are *we* here?!

Mageuzi: So you can provide evidence against him and so you can get your debt re-paid.

Msondo: <looks at the gun in his paws> But why weapons?

Simba: Ah, well. Wouldn't you all like to leave and forget about this? Well, you have the chance.. <Turns off the lights>

<A few screams. Someone gets hit with something. Gun gets fired once. Nala turns lights back on.>

Timon: Oh my goodness!

<All run over to the seemingly-dead lion on the floor. It's Simba/Mr.Body. Timon runs over and climbs onto his neck.>

Timon: There's no pulse, he must be dead. I heard a gunshot, who had the gun?! <all look to Msondo>

Msondo: Yeah, I *had* it, but someone grabbed it off me. Besides, look <points to Simba> No gunshot wound!

Timon: He's right. <looks around> Look! It hit the wall! <looks to Mageuzi> Wadsworth! What do you make of all this?!

Mageuzi: I...I don't know. I had no idea this would happen. But it seems to me that whoever did it must have been one of us since we're the only ones in this house. I th--

<Anneke interputs by walking in the room>

Anneke: Dinner is.. <looks at the lion on the floor> AHHHH! <starts to whimper with fear>

Mageuzi: <walking over to comfort Anneke> It's okie, he's just..er.. sleeping.

Anneke: Really? <Mageuzi nods> Okie then, well, as I was saying.. dinner is served.

Mageuzi: Great! We can talk about what happened, then.

<All walk into the dining room and sit down at the table, which is very low. There are small chairs for the meerkats, but nothing for the lions.>

Anneke: First course is blue-bug soup.

<The meerkats jump with delight and begin eating immediately. The lions look at each other with disgust. Anneke stands, happy at the delight of some and Mageuzi, being the butler, just stands, stone-faced, but envious at the other kats eating his favorite meal.>

Mageuzi: <clears throat> So..er..can we talk about what just happened?

Timon: <still eating non-stop> No...

Busara: <half-roaring, very loud> WE ARRRRRRRRRE! <the strength of the roar blows Timon's fur back into a spike, and the soup on the spoon that he was about to put in his mouth gets splashed all over his face. When the roar stops, Mageuzi picks up a napkin and wipes his face>

Timon: Fine. Who killed him?

Mageuzi: Yeah, like the murderer is just going to hop out and admit it, Plum.

Timon: Sorry..just trying to start a discussion..

Mageuzi: I don't think we can figure out who did do the murder until we learn a little more about our connection to Mr. Body, and any possible <puts on a dark and spooky voice> MOTIVES!

<Busara tries some of the soup at that moment, stares ahead of him, and suddenly cries out with disgust.>

Busara: AHHHH! This soup is awful!! Where's the bathroom..WHERE?!?

Anneke: <in a dissapointed voice> Here, follow me..

<They walk out, Busara desperate to get to the bathroom.>

Timon: <looking uneventfully at Busara's exit> Well. Since no one else is willing to reveal their link, I guess I'll go first. I knew "Mr. Body" as a patient..

Mageuzi: You're a doctor?

Timon: I'm a psychiatrist, yes. He was complaining about too much stress on his life. I was just trying to talk away some of his worries for him. But he never paid me. So he owes me for that debt.

<Busara walks in, still a luck of disgust.>

Mageuzi: <nodding and looking in Busara's direction> All better now?

Busara: Er..yes..thanks..

Mageuzi: Plum just told his that he knew Mr. Body as a patient and that..

Busara: He's a DOCTOR?!

Mageuzi: Well he *is* a professor isn't he?

Busara: Oh..right..

Mageuzi: Anyway, he said that Body owes him money for his services. <looks to Timon> So your motive for killing Mr. Body could have been revenge for not having him pay you.

Timon: <nodding> But I didn't do it!

Mageuzi: We'll see. <looks to others> Who's next?

Busara: Well, I don't know about anyone else, but my motive *could* have been money, also. If I killed Body, that is. Which I didn't.

Mageuzi: So..let me get this straight..both of you have the same possible motive? <they nod> Anyone else? <the whole crowd begins mumbling> Whoa wait!! Let me make this easier..anyone here NOT linked by money to Mr. Body? <silence, all look at each other> <sarcastically> Oh great, this helps us a lot.

<Silence.>

Mageuzi: We all have the same motive and so we have no one that has a stronger reason to kill Mr.Body than anyone else. <sigh> Any other ideas to how we can solve this thing then?

Kimya: Oh!

Mageuzi: <looking to Kimya, as does everyone else> What?!

Kimya: I..er..forgot my drink in the other room.

<All release their breath.>

Mageuzi: Oh. <Kimya walks out> Come on, we have to find who did this or..

Kimya: <voice only> AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

<Everyone in the dining room look at each other suddenly, and head towards the door, creating a big clog, where no one can get through>

Msondo: Let me OOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUT!

Timon: ME FIRST!

Nala: Excuse ME!

Sarafina: Do I only get one line in this? If so, I don't want to use it here..

Mageuzi: Whoa!! Everyone CALM DOWN!! Now..one at a time please! Mustard, you first.. <he walks slowly out, then dashes down the hall, madly> Now you, Plum.. <he walks out, and heads towards the scream. Others start to walk out orderly, now> That's it. Okie, lets see what's going on here..

<They walk (some run fearfully for their lives) down to the lounge where Kimya stands, drink on the floor, paws quivering, staring at.. nothing.>

Msondo: Mrs. White? What's wrong?

Kimya: He..he's GONE!

Timon: My god, she's right!

Mageuzi: <just walking in> What's wrong?

Busara: Mr. Body has left.

Mageuzi: Well I'm not surprised with a crowd like..huh?! Left?! But..how?!

Busara: Very good question.

<Everyone stares at the floor or Kimya, trying to figure out what to do now.>

Mageuzi: Well..er..I guess we should look for him.

Timon: *Look* for him? Why?

Mageuzi: Well if we have a lion that just came back to life, I'd like to see him.

Timon: You're weird, Wadsworth.

Mageuzi: No more so than the rest of you. <turns around and walks out. Everyone looks at Mageuzi, then each other> Come on! We don't have all night! Besides, the real reason is that the police will be here soon! We need him so he can get..in trouble.

Busara: Right! Let's split up into twos.

Kimya: <finally turning around, out of her stare> Sp..sp..split up? But what if one of us are pared with the murderer?

Busara: How do you know there *is* a murderer?

All: Huh?

Busara: <glances around breifly> Don't you see? All that noise and gun shot sounds could have been from Mr. Body himself! He may have made it *seem* like he was murdered, when really, he was just doing an elaborate hoax.

Mageuzi: <nodding, but then looking Timon> Yeah, but didn't you say he was dead, Plum?

Timon: Er..I was guessing.

All: What?!

Timon: Yeah..

Mageuzi: <starting to pace> Okie, this is getting strange..I think we still need to try and find Mr. Body, though. Come on, lets draw straws to see who goes with who so we don't let anyone pick for us, just in case there IS a murderer..

<Mageuzi grabs a pile of sticks, two sticks of each color. Similar colors make pairs. The end result is; Nala with Timon, Busara with Sarafina, Msondo with Kimya, Mageuzi with Anneke>

Mageuzi: <looking at the two sticks> Hey, where is Annete, anyway?

<All look at each other, not sure.>

Mageuzi: Okie, looks like I'll try and find her first, then. Lets be off then!

<They slowly wander off into the hallway, weary of their partner. Mageuzi quickly walks off to the kitchen, and finds Anneke there, busy getting dinner cooked and ready.>

Mageuzi: Hey Annete, I need your company in a little..search.

Anneke: Search? For whom? Or what?

Mageuzi: Mr. Body.

Anneke: Why? Can't he just find you?

Mageuzi: Er..he won't answer our calls. We'll have to search ourselves. Come on, I don't think we'll have time to eat dinner anyway..

Anneke: Huh?

Mageuzi: <sighs> I'll tell you later, come on, we need to try and find him!

<Anneke nods, and they walk out.>

<And so the search begins. Not much happens while looking around. A few pairs try and get away from each other in order to prevent themselves from being murdered, but all surprisingly stay on-task and search for the elusive Mr. Body>

<Suddenly, the lights go off. A scream from downstairs can be heard, as well as a massive thud. Someone upstairs screams. The front door, somehow, gets opened and a gunshot is heard. It closes, there is a slight pause, and the lights come back on. Everyone's partner is in visible range.>

Busara: What happened?

Nala: Did I hear a gunshot?

Sarafina: <shouting so as many as possible can hear> ALL DOWNSTAIRS!

<Everyone starts to run downstairs. In the center of the upstairs hall before reaching the stairs, two groups collide, where Timon runs into the back leg of Busara, who gets nudged up behind Nala and Sarafina trips over the collision, landing on top of everyone, causing a major tie-up.>

Timon: Get OFF OF ME!! I AM only a KAT!!

<Sarafina climbs off, as does Nala. Busara "peels" Timon off the back of his hind leg with his teeth.>

Timon: <flat as a pancake> Fanks. I fink.

<Timon pops open, and they continue to jog downstairs. Everyone meet at the bottom.>

Mageuzi: <seeing that it looks like almost everyone has arrived> Okie, anyone not with their partner when the lights went off?

<Everyone look to their partners.>

Sarafina: I couldn't see Busara, though I was examining things in an upstairs bedroom at the time.

Timon: And I couldn't see Nala..but I was busy trying to catch a bug that was caught in the bath tub.

Mageuzi: <sighs> Okie. Does anyone know what happened, then?

<Silence.>

Mageuzi: Oh, now we're *really* getting somewhere AREN'T WE?!

Timon: Calm down, Wadsy.. <turns away as Mageuzi gives Timon a really awful look..like he could almost kill him for saying that..> I heard a gunshot down here, and someone screaming..AND a thud..hey, where's Annete? <looks to Mageuzi> Didn't you find her?

Mageuzi: <quickly looking around> She *was* here.. <starts to run off somewhere>

Timon: Hey! Where you going?! <runs off after him, and the others follow>

<Mageuzi runs to the downstairs toilet, which is on the way to the kitchen, and finds Annete there, under Mr. Body's body, almost worn out.>

Anneke: NOW you find me? Oy!

Mageuzi: Er.. sorry..I thought you were with us..

Anneke: <glances at Mr.Body> He fell asleep again.

Mageuzi: I..don't think so.. <turns to the group, and points at some blood on his head>

Anneke: What? What's wrong?

Mageuzi: Er..nothing..um..lets get Mr. Body off you. Green? Peacock? Could you help? I'm not exactly big enough to help get a lion off someone.

<They nod and start to pull Mr. Body off, and quickly pull the body away so as Anneke doesn't see the blood and scream again. Mageuzi puts his paw up to his face, trying to concentrate, and starts to pace.>

Mageuzi: Okie, so was Mr. Body dead beforehand? <thinks> Plum! You said he was dead..then you said you were guessing. Was there blood on him before?

Timon: No! Do you think I would have climbed onto him if there WAS?

Mageuzi: True. So either Mr.Body was dead before, and some sick lunatic wanted to make sure of that..or he wasn't dead, the murderer knew this somehow, and took care of it later. <looks up and stops pacing> But then why hide him?

<Everyone looks at each other just as puzzled as the other.>

Kimya: I..I don't know if anyone else heard this but..the front door opened.

Mageuzi: What?

Kimya: Yeah..I..

Msondo: I heard it too!

Everyone else [except Maguezi]: We didn't..

Mageuzi: That's probably because the rest were upstairs. I thought I heard something..a gunshot..and a thud..<looks to the bathroom> most likely that of Mr. Body..but not the front door.

Msondo: Well why are we standing here?! Lets check it out!

Mageuzi: Er..right!

<All run over to the front door. Mageuzi reaches into his pocket to get the key, finding nothing there>

Mageuzi: It's gone!

<Msondo runs over to Mageuzi, looks at him pawing for the key, then turns to the door, turns the handle, and opens it. Outside it is raining hard, very dark, and now and then is a lightning flash or rumble of thunder.>

Mageuzi: It wasn't locked!

Msondo: Thank YOU Einstein!

Mageuzi: Well I don't think <looks outside casually> ohmegosh.

<Msondo looks then gives a small scream of shock, taking a couple steps back. There on the ground is a murdered meerkat. It is only a kit.>

Mageuzi: <stepping carefully forward> Who..who..is he?

Kimya: I don't know, but whoever this murderer is, they have a cold heart. Fancy murdering a kit. <moves her head from side to side, slowly with disgust>

Mageuzi: <quickly swinging the door shut> Hey, look! <points to the lock which has a large black mark and hole near the lock> This door has been shot open. How many gunshots were there?

Timon: I only heard one.

<The rest nod and mumble a "me too" or "yeah">

Mageuzi: So if they used a gun to open the door, then what did they use to shoot the kit?

Kimya: <slight sound of hope in her voice> Did they shoot him though?

Mageuzi: I..I don't know.. <stares at Kimya>

Timon: Well come on, let's find out!

Mageuzi: Oh right, sorry.. <breaks out of his stare, and opens the door. Walks over to the kit> Hey.. <shakes him> hey little one, wake up.. <turns back to the crowd> There isn't a gunshot wound..

<All breath a sigh of relief>

Mageuzi: But he has a big bruise over the top of his head.

<Gasps all around.>

Kimya: H--how?

Mageuzi: <sigh> I have no idea. I didn't even know a kit of this size could survive by itse--..<suddenly brightening up as if remembering something>.. wait a minute..

<Mageuzi carefully picks up the soaking-wet kit and starts to run upstairs. Everyone starts to follow him.>

Mageuzi: Wipe your paws on the way back in please. <Louder as he turns the corner at the top of the stairs> And don't forget to close the door on the way back iiiiiin!

<Msondo gives a little sigh.>

Kimya: What?

Msondo: He's finally lost it.

<Cut to an upstairs room that looks like a nursery. Mageuzi bursts in with the kit, and looks around the dark room. Timon is right behind him, and turns on the lights. The sheets in the crib are all ruffled and the window is open, the wind blowing the curtains violently.>

Timon: <slowly walking towards Mageuzi> H-how did you know about this?

Mageuzi: This is the room I grew up in.

Timon: What?

Mageuzi: <turning around to Timon> You know I'm the butler..well only because I was adopted for the job.

Timon: Really?

Mageuzi: Yes. <looks down> I never liked it. I mean..I grew up fine, I guess, but as soon as I reached adult-hood..BOOM..I was the butler.

Timon: That's sad.

Mageuzi: Yes..but.. <sees the others starting to walk in> ..but I remember Mr.Body telling me about a little package he had received in his letter to me, and he wanted me to see it. <looks to the kit> I guess this must have been it.

Kimya: <with a little tear> That's very sad..and now this?

<Mageuzi nods, almost ready to cry.>

Timon: Okie, look, we need to try and find out who the heartless soul is right now!

Mageuzi: No need.

Timon: <quickly looking to Mageuzi> Huh? Why?

Mageuzi: <looking up to Timon> Because I already know who did it.

<All gasp.>

Timon: Who?!

Mageuzi: Well. To understand, I need to tell you what the murderer did.

<Mageuzi puts the kit down in the crib and starts to walk out the room.>

Timon: Are you just going to leave the kit there?!

Mageuzi: Don't worry. The police will be here in 10 minutes. We can give him to them then.

<They all look cautiously to each other, and follow Mageuzi down to the lounge.>

Mageuzi: Okie. We were all here at the start of the evening. The murderer had several options in doing the murders he did. BUT, this is what I think happened..

I think..or I suppose I should say..I know that the murderer took great advantage of the lights out in the lounge. However, he or she wasn't prepared for this beforehand, and so only was able to knock Mr. Body unconcious. When the lights came back on, everyone was mixed up. Peacock was over by the lightswitch, and if I remember correctly, everyone was so panicked that they started to move around. This made it difficult at the start to figure out who could have done it. The next incident was the moving of Mr. Body. This could have happened during the second, major, lights out event, but would make more sense to happen during dinner since the lights didn't remain out long enough for someone to drag Mr. Body's body to the bathroom.

Timon: <interupting> So it had to be someone who left the dining room during dinner!

Mageuzi: <quickly looking to Timon, nodding> Right, but let me carry on please, Sherlock. As I was saying, the murderer moved the body during dinner, AND stabbed Mr.Body in the head with the knife, to make sure that he was now truly dead. Later on, when the whole house's electricity got cut off, the murderer obviously had something against the kit. Assuming that this person knew that this kit would be the future butler, and perhaps hating the current butler, decided to end the chain altogether. Since the murderer was closest to the upstairs, he picked the kit rather than me to be murdered. So, by simply going in the room and grabbing the kit and throwing him out the window, he thinks he solved the problem. To throw us off, he quickly ran down the stairs, shot the lock on the front door. Opened it. Closed it. Ran back upstairs, turned on the lights, and all was back to normal. So to speak.

Msondo: But who is it?!

Mageuzi: Excellent question, Mustard. <starts looking suspicously to the guests> Could it have been YOU Mustard, who, holding a grudge because I called you Mustard and not Mson when you arrived..

Msondo: Hey, how'd you know my name?!

Mageuzi: Or maybe it was you PLUM, who indeed wanted revenge because of overdue fees. We know how much doctors like their money..

Timon: It wasn't me!!

Mageuzi: <nods> Lucky for you, Plum, you're right. Because the real murderer is..YOU Green.

Busara: What?! This is an outrage!!

Mageuzi: Is it? <looks around> The gun is nowhere around. Whoever used it didn't have time to get rid of it afterwards. So the murderer is the one who has it hidden in their suit or purse. Please, ladies and gentlemen, empty all pockets and compartments.

<All procede to empty pockets. Busara pulls out the gun, with his teeth, and quickly procedes to point it at the group. Mageuzi backs away with a proud grin, as do the others. But without the grin.>

Busara: <talking surprisingly well considering he has a gun in his mouth> I must congratulate you on your detective work, Wadsworth. You're a real Sherlock. Now if you will, please, I think it will suit us all to just leave here and forget this ever happened. Hmm?

Timon: Whoa, wait a minute. Why *did* you kill Mr. Body?

Busara: <evil chuckling> If I tell you, I'd have to kill you. Do you still wish to know? <Timon shakes his head quickly> Good. Now.. <the doorbell rings> Okie, wait here. DO NOT move. I will be right back. Scream, and you die. <Walks out. The group relaxes.>

Msondo: Don't you have a plan to catch this guy?

Mageuzi: Yeah, wait for the police.

Msondo: Good plan. Is that them now?

Mageuzi: Hmm. No, I don't think so..they'd be early if it was them.

<Voices can be heard.>

Busara: Flowers?! ... Yes, I'll give them to her. ... No, thank you. ... Yes, good bye. <door closes>

<Busara walks in with a box of flowers on his back, and gun still in mouth. The group quickly tenses back up as he walks in with such a lethal weapon.>

Busara: Mrs.White! Get over here!

<Kimya quickly walks over.>

Busara: These flowers, for some reason, are for you.

Kimya: Oh, really? <takes flowers> Ohhhh, roses! And there's a card! <opens it up, and reads carefully, her smile slowly going to a frown> EVERYONE DUCK!!

<Everyone quickly ducks, except Busara who looks confused to Kimya, and then over to the window where the florist flies in through the window on a rope, breaks the glass, and lands on top of Busara, pinning him to the ground, gun getting knocked out his mouth, and out the way. Obviously the florist is really a police officer. ;o)>

<"Congratulary" music plays as the police apprehend Busara and take him away. Mageuzi walks over to Kimya.>

Mageuzi: So what did the card say?

Kimya: Push down on the top rose and duck.

Mageuzi: <laughing> Saved by a rose, eh?

<Kimya nods.>

Mageuzi: Great! <backs away, and looks towards the group> So! Who's ready for some dinner?!

<Freeze and fade out. The following text fades in onto the screen.>

The kit, who got left behind, was taken to the police after Wadsworth realized he was left behind, and had to run 5 miles to get to the station. Officers there say that he was so tired out, he wanted to die himself when he got to the police HQ. The kit, by the way, survives and gets adopted by a very nice meerkat couple.

Busara gets convicted to life in prison after being found guilty of first degree murder, and several other minor charges.

<Fade out. Suddenly, the music screetches to a hault..and THIS text appears on the screen.>

That's what COULD have happened.

But how about this?

<Fade in here..>

Mageuzi: ...To throw us off, she quickly ran down the stairs, shot the lock on the front door. Opened it. Closed it. Ran back upstairs, turned on the lights, and all was back to normal. So to speak.

Msondo: But who is it?!

Mageuzi: Excellent question, Mustard. <starts looking suspicously to the guests> Could it have been YOU Mustard, who, holding a grudge because I called you Mustard and not Mson when you arrived..

Msondo: Hey, how'd you know my name?! <thinks> And why on Earth would I kill Mr.Body if I insulted YOU?!

Mageuzi: Or maybe it was you PLUM, who indeed wanted revenge because of overdue fees. We know how much doctors like their money..

Timon: It wasn't me!!

Mageuzi: <nods> Lucky for you, Plum, you're right. Because the real murderer is..YOU Annete.

Anneke: Me?! You've got to be joking!

Mageuzi: Oh, I wish I was. You were in such the perfect position for the whole thing Annete! Not only were you out the room at the time of the lights going out to make it seem like you weren't involved, but who would have thought a meerkat could move a lion's body, eh?

Anneke: That's right! See! How *could* I have done it?!

Mageuzi: Mr.Body wasn't really dead. As he started to come around, he headed towards the dining room. Then, towards the bathroom, for he was most likely feeling a bit woozy after the "accident". When you were heading back to the dining room after seeing to Mr.Green, you quickly took care of the concious Mr.Body with a knife.

Anneke: <looking like this is the most obsurd thing she's ever heard> This is crazy!

Timon: Yeah! How could she have done it? She was under Mr.Body during the second lights out..so how could she have got the gun? And got rid of the kit?

Mageuzi: Ooo, very observant, Plum. You will notice that Annete never liked to stay with us that much. She always seemed to dissapear. What do you think she was doing during her disapearing acts?

Timon: Cooking?

Mageuzi: HA! That's exactly what she WANTS you to think! She could have easily took care of the kit at an earlier stage, then all she had to do was grab the gun, shoot the door, open the bathroom, get underneath him. And wait. Such a perfect plan.

Anneke: And you really think "moi" could do that?!

Mageuzi: Well. <looks around> The gun isn't here. Whoever shot the door lock didn't have time to get rid of it. And so kept it. The murderer is the one who has the gun. Ladies and gentlemen..if you would please turn out your pockets and/or purses..

Msondo: Oh! I'm so sorry, I left MY purse at home..

Mageuzi: Ha-ha. This is *hardly* the time for humor, Mustard.

<Anneke quickly pulls out the gun, and Mageuzi steps back with a proud grin on his face. The others also back away, paws up..or just looking very very cautiously to Anneke.>

Anneke: Very clever, Wadsworth. Here I was thinking that it was the perfect plan. I guess I should never have underestimated a butler who can keep a straight face while saying "Colonel Mustard".

<The doorbell rings>

Anneke: <giving a quick turn towards the door, then turning back to the crowd> Stay *here*. Move, and you're in the soup. <she walks out. The crowd relaxes.>

Timon: <whispering to Mageuzi> So whats your plan for getting past that gun?

Mageuzi: Sit back and wait..

Timon: What?!

Mageuzi: Shh! Lets see if we can hear what Annete is saying..

<Silence. Only Anneke's voice can be heard.>

Anneke: Yes? ... A watch?! ... For my husband?! ... No, look, I'm kind of busy.. ... NO!! <sound of door slam can be heard>

<Anneke walks back into the room with gun held up. The crowd tenses back up.>

Anneke: Sorry about that, I don't know WHY a travelling salesman decided to visit THIS house NOW.

<Suddenly, something comes down the chimney, but surprisingly not a spec of black on him.>

Anneke: Hey! I thought I said I didn't want a watch!

Man: I'm not a salesman..

Anneke: Huh?

Man: <runs over to Anneke and grabs her, and gets rid of the gun> I'm with the police!

<"Successful" music plays as more policemen enter the scene and take Anneke away, along with the kit for help and Mr.Body's body.>

Mageuzi: <sighing> I'm glad THAT'S over. Now. <heads towards the entrance of the lounge, then turns around> Who's for some dinner?! Oh wait..no..no..that won't work now. Er..anybody know if there's a good pizza joint around here?

<Freeze frame, fade out>

<Text fades in>

The kit survives and gets adopted.

Annete gets life in prison with no bail.

Yadda..yadda..yadda

[No, that isn't written..it's just very similar to the text seen in the last part. :) ]

<Text fade out. Then THIS text fades in: >

Yes, that could have been what happened, also.

But THIS is what REALLY happened..

<Fade in here..>

Mageuzi: ...To throw us off, the murderer quickly ran down the stairs, shot the lock on the front door. Opened it. Closed it. Turned the lights back on, and all was back to normal. So to speak.

Msondo: But who is it?!

Mageuzi: Excellent question, Mustard. <starts looking suspicously to the guests> Could it have been YOU Mustard, who had a more sinister motive than you are willing to admit..

Msondo: Why would *I* lie?!

Mageuzi: Or maybe it was you PLUM, who indeed wanted revenge because of overdue fees. We know how much doctors like their money..

Timon: It wasn't me!!

Mageuzi: <nods> Lucky for you, Plum, you're right. Because the real murderer is..NONE of you.

All: What?!

Mageuzi: That's right. The whole thing is a hoax.

Timon: What?! This can't be right! You just told us what could have happened!

Mageuzi: What *COULD* have happened. But it *didn't*.

Busara: But..why?

Mageuzi: <grinning> Because I love to have a bit of..fun sometimes.

Busara: <looking confused, then suddenly understanding> *You're* "Mr.Body"..aren't you?

<Mageuzi nods.>

Busara: Then..who was the lion?

Nala: Yeah, I recognize him as being responsible for my debt. I've never seen *you* in my life!

Mageuzi: That's just part of the fun. I lived here, relaxing, taking advantage of you..while I had that lion pose for me. And he did it willingly too. Oh, and by the way. He's just fine. He's "dissapeared" now, but he's safe. It's amazing how realistic ketchup can look, isn't it?

Timon: I can't *believe* what I'm hearing!

Kimya: What about the kit?!

Mageuzi: Ah, yes, the kit. Another little twist. He was just a dummy.

Kimya: No!

Mageuzi: Yup. A little use of makeup and convincing acting and you've got yourself a realistic kit.

Busara: You're right Plum, I really cannot believe this!

Mageuzi: Oh, I'd believe it if I were you. <pulls out a gun. The group tenses up, and either holds up their paws or looks very, very cautiously towards Mageuzi> Now we're all going to forget this ever happened, okie?

Timon: You can't do this! The police will be here ANY minute!

Mageuzi: They will? But why? No one called them.

Timon: But you..ooooohhhh...crap.

Mageuzi: Yes. You all have to do what *I* say.

Msondo: <stepping forward> And what if we don't.

Mageuzi: You'll get shot!

Msondo: We will? <looks truly baffled> But what if we've got one of these? <pulls out his own gun and points it to Mageuzi, who now gets a little scared>

Mageuzi: Who are you?

Msondo: Oh, but I thought you knew, Wadsworth..

Mageuzi: I..I..thought I did..

Msondo: I'm a bank manager, aren't I?

Mageuzi: Er..yeah..

Msondo: Who used to deal heavily with you. Correct?

Mageuzi: I..thought so..

Msondo: Well you're WRONG! Lucky for you, you never saw his face. You have no idea how the real manager looks. So I simply..took his place this evening. <looks around casually> Nice place you got here..

Mageuzi: <gulps> Who are you *really* then?

Msondo: I, sir, am with the KiB. And you have wrongfully withheld something that these people need. We are here to make sure you give these nice folks what they need and pay for the trouble you've caused them.

Mageuzi: "We"?

Kimya: <stepping forward> Yes. "We". <pulls out her gun, also> Surrender Mr.Body.

<Mageuzi starts to shake with nervousness, then drops the gun and puts his paws up.>

Msondo: Now move along, please. Towards the door.

<They walk over to the front door. Outside, the rain has stopped. There are police cars everywhere with lights flashing and officers everywhere. As soon as the three of them walk outside, a group goes over and grabs Mageuzi and pulls him inside one of the cars. Msondo and Kimya put away their guns and start to walk off.>

<They pass a man who is in the middle of the crowd, who is obviously not a police officer, and whom is carrying a box.>

Msondo: <to Man> What are these?

Man: Flowers.

Msondo: Could I see 'em?

Man: Hey..no! <Msondo grabs them anyway>

Msondo: <offers flowers to Kimya> These, "Mrs. White" are for you..

Kimya: <posh, with a smile> Why thank you. Who would have thought someone with a name like "mustard" could be so nice?

Msondo: <grinning> Never judge a book by its cover..

Kimya: ..or a mystery by the obvious.

<They nod, grinning. Freeze frame and fade out.>

THE END