The monkeys were clearly stressed. Al and Fred screeched at each other in one corner of the room over a fight they had had six weeks ago. Edna had begun picking at her skin. Patches of her fur were missing and she had numerous scabs on her arms and legs. Francene, not one to shy away from throwing feces even in the best of times just sat and stared at a banana unable to remember how to open it or feeling hungry enough to try.

Evelyn kept trying to perk the group up. Everything was in disarray and there was a lot to be done. They might be monkeys but there were still expectations, a job to do if you will. She knew their leader would return soon and be displeased at the state of things. 

Evelyn tried to come between Al and Fred, but they swatted her away. Afraid for her safety she approached Francene instead and opened the banana for her. Reluctantly Francene opened her mouth and bit by bit ate the banana as Evelyn fed it to her.

Encouraged by this Evelyn brought another two bananas to Al and Fred and hit them both over the head with them. This stunned them and they momentarily forgot what they were fighting about. They sat down in a corner and began to excitedly peel their favorite treat.

On a roll Evelyn took a stab at calming Edna. This was not so easy, Edna didn't want to be touched. But no money can say no to grooming if they are feeling relaxed. Six bananas got Edna calm enough to let Evelyn pick at her toes. 

And then Mr. Jones returned. An atypical alpha, he didn't look like the rest of them but he still commanded their respect. He looked around at the mess and the look on his face let the others know there would be hell to pay.

Just then a phone in the center of the room rang. Everyone froze. It rang once, twice, three times. Still nobody moved.

Mr. Jones' face had turned red.

"Well what the hell are you monkeys waiting for!" he bellowed. "Someone answer the damn phone!"

Fred looked at Evelyn with pleading eyes. Francene became visibly agitated. 

Panicked, Evelyn raced to the phone and then gingerly held the receiver to her ear.

"Ooh," she grunted.

I can't believe I waited four and a half hours on hold! screamed the voice on the other end of the line. Our family is leaving in a week and my son's passport hasn't arrived even though we paid for expedited shipping.

Mr. Jones gave Evelyn a stern look and she looked up at him with big doey eyes full of tears. Fred and Al began pushing at one another again. The sound of a wet splat against Mr. Jones' cheek stopped them in their tracks though. 

Everyone looked up at Mr. Jones who was wiping a large steaming pile of feces off his right cheek with his handkerchief. Frances began frothing at the mouth, grunting and laughing. Evelyn let the receiver fall from her ear.

Hello, hello. I demand an answer!