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[Background SFX]

(SFX created by the speaker)

{Stage Direction}

*non-spoken context*

Marvelous Manticore

[zoo ambiance?]

-and if you look this way, you may see the biggest predator we have in this zoo! Here at the Golden Goose, we boast a wild Himalayan Manticore! Himalayan Manticores grow up to nine feet tall, excluding their wings, and fourteen feet long. They weigh anywhere from five hundred pounds to a short ton! Their bones are made of an extremely durable polymer. The strongest in the animal kingdom when adjusted for size and weight. Thanks to this strength, Manticore bones can be hollow while still supporting the weight of the Manticore. This, among other genetic quirks, is how Manticores can fly with a relatively small wingspan.

*small pause*

Unlike lions, Manticores are non-social predators and will not cooperate with other Manticores for resources. Because of this, we only keep one Manticore at this zoo. Nevertheless, they are quite the sight to be seen! They were caught very early into their lifespan, but they still have a wild ingenuity to them. If everyone will gather close, I will ring this bell. This will signal the Manticore that it is time to feed. After they feed, if they’re feeling playful, they may just give you an extra show, as well.

*small pause*

Remember, all of our animals are trained not to be openly aggressive against humans, even the apex predators like our Manticore. However, that does not mean they are tamed. As you can see the Manticore enclosure has a mesh dome encasing it, and a ten-foot drop if you managed to enter. Do not attempt to enter the pen. Do not attempt to touch the Manticore. It is best if we stay in our habitat and they stay in theirs.

*small pause*

With that little safety speech out of the way, we can see what you’ve been waiting for!

[bell dings]

Here they come. If you look at the bush line on the left side of the enclosure, you’ll see a pair of eyes and a tail peeking through. The Manticore is looking for its prey. We have a few slabs of meat placed across the pen. The Manticore can smell them from afar but is having difficulty locating their exact position.

*small pause*

And they’ve found one. They’ve spotted the slab in the largest cypress, on the right edge of the enclosure. With no branches to climb, our Manticore will be forced to fly up to its meal.

*small pause*

So begins the pre-flight checklist! It’s moved into the open. Then it spreads its wings. Notice the intricate wing colors associated with Himilayan Manticores. It’s taking a moment to flare its wings, this is because it knows we are watching. The flared stance is a status symbol. It shows that the Manticore has claimed the meal as theirs, and would fight any challengers who disagreed. After they’re done posturing, they will get a running start and-!

[wings flap]

Take-off! A Manticore can gain as much as eighty feet of altitude in as little as five seconds. So getting to the top of this tree is child’s play for them. Notice how the Manticore is eating. Its tail is poised and ready to attack anything that approached. Unlike a scorpion, a Himilayan Manticore has no venom. Rather, it uses its sharp tail as a sort of long-range claw. Simply stabbing a victim in a major organ and allowing it to die of the puncture wound.

*small pause*

In just a few seconds, the Manticore has finished its first course. From the vantage point of the tree, it will attempt to locate the next meal.

*small pause*

It sees the food floating in the middle of its pond. Now the Manticore will be forced to make a tricky decision. Like a stereotypical cat, the Manticore hates water. Despite being a strong swimmer when pressured, the Manticore will do its best to avoid touching the pond.

*small pause*

Watch as it glides down to the pond, and begins to consider a course of action. Manticores have paws and very little in the way of grip strength. To try to airlift the food out of the pond would be fool-hardy. Fortunately, this specific Manticore has taught itself a very effective trick. See how it’s squaring up at the edge of the pond? It’s aiming. Watch and see how the Manticore acquires its second course.

*small pause*

[tail thwicks]

You saw it yourselves folks. The Manticore has speared the meat with its tail and slowly pulled the little raft to the edge of the pond. This is a display of the advanced problem-solving that Manticores are often known for.

*small pause*

There is one more portion within the enclosure. But it is the hardest one for our Manticore. At the top of the mesh dome, there is a shoulder of pork hanging. However, the fans used to mimic a high-altitude climate make it near impossible for the Manticore to fly straight to its meal. It has one option, but it knows it will be challenging.

*small pause*

The faint of heart may want to back away from the pen. Our Manticore plans to climb the mesh dome until it is within striking range of the pork.

[mesh clangs]

And they’ve got an initial grip! They climb slowly because this is extremely strenuous for them. Between their weight and relatively weak grip, the Manticore will be hard-pressed to make it up the dome. Especially as they get higher and are forced to fight the wind. Most Manticore would simply give up, but ours finds pork to be quite the delicacy, so it will persevere to reach it.

*small pause*

They're getting close, but now comes the hardest part of all. The Manticore must lunge off the mesh, bite or sting the hanging meat, and then free fall until they are far enough from the fans to fly. While this may seem like a simple laundry list, between exhaustion and unnatural stimuli, the Manticore is feeling quite stressed. They will have to beat the odds to get this meal.

*small pause*

It seems they are going to attempt to grab the meal with their jaws. Notice the tail position? It’s low to improve midair balance. The Manticore needs a perfect shot and it knows this.

[mesh clangs]

*small pause*

[thunk on the ground]

Ooh, so close. Despite its best efforts, the Manticore has missed its shot. Even apex predators fail their hunts occasionally. Discouraged, our Manticore will probably slink away into the brush. Manticores feel a large sense of pride and failing a hunt will elicit some very interesting emotions.

*small pause*

[mesh clangs]

Do not panic people! The Manticore is not attacking! I misjudged it. It seems to be going for a second attempt at the pork!

*small pause*

This will lead to quite a show! The Manticore must be very tired. As I’ve stated, mesh climbing is very difficult. Our Manticore is only succeeding because they have had years of practice. On paper, the chances of the Manticore succeeding on its second try are almost none. If it pulls this off, you’ll all get to see an incredible sight.

*small pause*

It’s closing in on the meat. Watch how sluggishly it moves. It’s getting winded. But that incredible determination is keeping it going! Does everyone see what is different this time around? The Manticore is bringing its tail into striking position. After the failure that was a bite, they are changing their strategy. This course of action allows the Manticore’s jump to be a little less precise, but now it must calculate a winning shot while moving, while on a passive time limit. This task would be challenging for a human, and the Manticore has a much smaller Cerebellum than us when overall brain size is considered. If they pull this off, it will be the result of years of trial, error, and improvement.

*small pause*

Their muscles are tensing up. They have a matter of seconds to jump before they will need to rest. They take another second to steel their mind and-!

[mesh clangs]

[tail thwicks]

[thunk on ground]

They’ve done it! An incredible shot from the Manticore, paired with a flawless jump! Tired, and satisfied, the Manticore will drag its food back to its lair to enjoy.

*small pause*

But that’s not the end of the fun folks. While that was the most impressive display we may see, this tour ends with a visit to the Fluffy Fun Petting Area. For a small fee, you can feed and touch dragonewts, baby hippogriffs, and harpy chicks!

{fading to silence}

Just follow right this way! Kids, get your parent’s wallets out! It’s five dollars for a handful of feed or three for a sweet treat! The hippogriffs are always super hungry by now, so everyone will get a chance to play with an animal. Right this way, folks!

*pause for time skip*

[metal door opens]

(whistles)

Where’s my favorite carnivore?

*small pause*

There they are! Hey, buddy! You put on a great show today! Here’s your dinner. Zoo’s closed, so you don’t have to worry about hunting it.

*small pause*

Eat up, you’ve got to do your exercise first thing in the morning! Wouldn’t want you to be hungry on the treadmill!

*listener approaches*

Here you go, pal. I’m backing away. You don’t have to do any resource guarding here. No one is going to steal your food.

*small pause*

You really wow-ed me with the second climb of the cage. I didn’t think you had it in ya. I guess you really like your bacon, don’t you?

*pause*

All done? You know, I never get over how quickly you eat. I swear, you barely even chew the stuff! Come on then, you know the drill. I’ve got to do a little grooming before you can slink off into your cave.

*small pause*

Tail polish first. And I swear, if you knock me over again, I will not be held responsible for the amount of tickling you’ll endure!

*small pause*

That’s a good lion-beast. It’s pretty convenient that you like personal attention like this. The Chimeras are so much fussier than you. They love the petting too, but they like to pretend that it’s so awful so you’ll try even harder to please them. Little brats.

*small pause*

Paw up.

*small pause*

The aquarium has been getting some real patronage lately. Next paw. A guess a lot of people are interested in the Galapagos Hydras we got. Next paw. I guess it makes sense, their scales are really pretty. Last paw.

*small pause*

Oh, don’t get like that. Just because they’re pretty doesn’t mean I like you any less. I told you you’re my favorite carnivore, right? Well, that means I like you more than them.

*small pause*

That’s all the paws. Let me comb through your mane then you can wander off.

*small pause*

I know this is your favorite part of your little manicure, so I saved it for last. Just hold still.

*small pause*

We made a killing in the reptile wing. We just installed some special glass so we can keep a Gorgon and people can actually look at it. We named her Gilda and she’s one of nine Gorgons in captivity in the entire world! People love coming to see her.

*small pause*

Some people get a little weirded out cause she’s kinda humanoid, but she’s just as much an animal as you are. I don’t really see the problem. It’s not like she’s unhappy or anything. She was bred in captivity so she’s never been to Greece. Not like she’d want to go anyway, there’s no way she could hunt anything. She’s way too docile for that.

*small pause*

There, all done. Do I get any kisses for a job well done?

*listener licks*

Alright, that’s a good creature. Easy on the licking there, you’re going to soak me!

*pause*

You are a very good Manticore, and you did very well today. Everyone loved your little display. And you’ve made me very proud. Get a good night’s rest and I’ll see you in the morning.

*pause*

[metal door closes]