Tonks Talk 4/1/22 Sid, Annie, and Amber Pt1

    Good morning, and welcome to Friday. I hope you had a fulfilling week and a restful, refreshing weekend ahead. (So excited she can hardly sit still) I am so happy to start the show today. Today, I've got some fantastic guests who have influenced me, and I am sure many others. (gives a delighted yip). So, without any further ado, let's get started.

T. Good morning, and a fabulous Friday to you. In the studio today, I am joined by three great guests. These ferrets have had their art plastered all over the internet and have a massive following on social media. Sid, Annie, and Amber come all the way from Central Illinois. Thank you for joining me, and thank you to your daddy for agreeing to allow you all to make this trip. I am delighted and honored to have you as our guests. 

S, An, Amb ( in unison Annie, Sid), thank you for having us. (Amber nods) yeah, thanks for having us. (Amber turns on her tablet)

S. (Sid notices that Tonks recognizes it and speaks up.) Amber is deaf, so she can read the conversation.

T. We have one similar for Remus because he is also deaf. They are lovely to have because they make communicating so much easier. So, Sid, I'd like to start with you if it's alright.

S. As well, you should. After all, I am the one everyone is really here to see.

Amb. Excuse me, but is there more pickle juice?

T. Of course, dear, let me have Obi get you some. (peers around the room) Remus, sorry, I don't see Obi anywhere. Could you please bring Miss Amber some more pickle juice? Go ahead and just leave the bottle. (has a puzzled look and mumbles) I wonder what Obi is up to. Okay, Sid, I see here that you are a Marshall's ferret, like the rest of us, and that you found your daddy at a pet store.

S. That's very true. I still remember the day I went home with my dad. It's one of my favorite memories.

T. I have to agree with you. I'm sure it's near the top of the list for all of us. (most nod, but Amber is busy checking under her chair and mumbles a tardy "me too"). (everyone laughs, and Amber sits down). Were you very nervous? After all, you would live with Mordy, and everyone knew who he was. 

S. (A shadow of irritability washes over Sid's face for a millisecond) I probably have more followers than Mordy did. (glances down and sighs, then looks back up) okay, I was pretty nervous. I was but a kit, going to a strange place with strange sounds and smells. I was going to live with the most incredible actor of our generation. Mordy could pull off any role. (everyone gives a moment of silence, well, almost everyone. Amber knocked over the salmon oil, but it was closed)

T. Sadly, he was just before my time, but I have seen his work and agree he was great. But there is a role he couldn't play, but I hear you are outstanding at it. 

S. (Smiles suspiciously and leans forward) And that would be? 

T. (with an earnest face, tonks leans forward) Well, a Salad ingredient, of course. (Both Sid and Annie start laughing, and Sid buries his head in mock shame, followed by Annie shouting, "Don't call my Sid a mushroom!" Which causes more laughter. Everyone gets to see your great works of art, but they don't get to see the real you. So what's it like being Sid?

S. Well, I think my life is pretty darn good, though just like everyone else, I have frustrations. But, you know how it is. Yes, it's true that I am well-fed, have many toys, and can do mostly what I want, but that comes at a price. 

T. Your daddy charges you to live there?

S. (laughing) No, that's not what I mean, but consider what I have to do. Daddy finds all those silly props and costumes, and he always has to come up with a stupid joke to go along with them. It's degrading. Plus, I have to put up with Amber, and she is super annoying. (Annie smiles, Tonks looks pensive, and Amber is flicking crumbs at Sid) Sometimes, Dad has to pull Amber off me because she pounces on top of me and bites my face.

Amb. I'm just trying to eat the mushroom. (everyone but Sid laughs again, and with  a sigh, Sid speaks up)

S Do you see what I mean? 

T. (With a Straight face) It would be horrible if it wasn't funny. (Immediately looking at Annie, Sid puts on a look of shock.) Now, Annie, dear, it says here that you were adopted the same day as Sid. 

A. (Looking astonished, Annie turns towards Sid) I told you to let me proofread for accuracy. You always mess these things up. (Clears her throat and looks back at Tonks, who has a look of mild amusement on her face, and then clears her throat) Daddy actually got me first. Mordy needed a friend, so Daddy came and picked me out. (Glancing back at Sid) You were because of an error the pet shop made.

T. (before Sid can reply, Tonks clears her throat) An error, you say, sounds like an opportunity for an adventure. But, of course, that's not always a negative thing.

A. You're right, but in this case, if they hadn't made the error, Sid never would have come to the house.

T. Is that so? I must hear it.

A. Daddy thought Mordy was a little bored and wanted a sable for his photoshoots, so he picked me out and took me home. Daddy was so excited and happy to have me that he forgot to ask for my birth certificate. 

T. (Smiles warmly, and eyes glisten slightly) How could he not be smitten by you? You're absolutely gorgeous.

A. (blushes and smiles) Thank you, sweetheart, that is so kind of you. 

T. So, how does Sid come into all this?

A. Ah, yes. About two weeks later, Daddy realized what he had forgotten and went back to the store for my certificate. It just so happened that Sid was there looking for a home. So Daddy felt terrible for him and brought him home. Mercy buy, if you ask me.

S. That's not true. (gives a snort) well, it is true that Daddy got you and forgot the certificate, but it isn't true that he felt terrible for me. He was blown away by how much black I had in my coat, black nose, and lovely jazz paws. (Sid holds his paws out for everyone to see)

T. (claps excitedly) Sounds more like fate than an accident to me

A. (mumbles) I still think he got lucky. Daddy knew no one else would want him.

Amb. I have jazz paws like my big Brother. (holds out paws) 

A + S(Sid sighs, and Amber facepalms, then in unison, they reply with an exasperation) We Know!

T. ( Turns her attention to Amber). And they are lovely jazz paws. I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival, and I am excited to finally meet you. Says here, you are also a Marshalls ferret and came from the pet store. How did all that ha (Amber interrupts)

Amb. I'm a cowgirl; I never want to be a US marshall.

T. (Tonks goes to speak, but her daddy cuts in and tells her to just let it go.) I'm sorry for the wrong choice of words. Um, so how did it happen that day? What brought your daddy into the pet shop?

Amb. I was lounging when a man, well, at first, I thought that he was a girl, walked in.

A. Amber, that's not nice. How often do we have to tell you that girls aren't the only humans with long hair?

Amb (ignoring Annie, she rambles on) The man, girl (both Annie and Sid bury their heads in shame)

T. (with an encouraging smile) Person?

Amb. Yeah, that's easier. Next, the person asked if they had any light-colored ferrets and said they needed them for photoshoots.

T. WOW, that's amazing. You were in the right place at the right time, fated to find your home.

A. (mumbles) yeah, unlucky for us.

T. Why don't we discuss some of the things you enjoy doing. (Just as Tonks is about to speak, the door opens as two figures walk in, and everyone gasps as one of them yells)

O. April Fools!

T. Dear brother, what did you do? ( in the background, Annie can be heard yelling "KAJAGOOGOO," followed quickly by Sid, "NNOOOO!" Amber claps and yells, "Good one.")

T. (amid complete chaos) Well, it's the perfect time to wrap up today's session. Thank you for joining us today on Tonks Talk. (Cat screams, dish breaks) We will see you tomorrow for the wonderful conclusion. "Don't hit Kaja with the pickle juice. " Thanks again, and take care. 

"Sid, don't jump on him like that." Bye, everyone.

Nymphadora.