HOBaRT Gets a Visitor


*HOBaRT lies in a hospital bed at the nearby HOBaRT maintenance center recovering from his recent battle. His metal casing is battered and warped. An IV pumps HOBaRT juice into his huge massive body.*

*A small plopping sound approaches. HOBaRT recognises it immediately.*
HOBaRT

wwkwrrkrr!!

*The door swings open to reveal Isabelle holding a neat bouquet of flowers.*
Isabelle

HOBaRT! Wow… you really did take a beating, huh?

HOBaRT

wrrkrrrr….

Isabelle

Well… I hope you don’t mind some company! I brought some flowers to lighten up the space. These maintenance factories can get awfully dull. There’s nothing like a little room decoration to brighten up your mood!

HOBaRT

wwkwrrrrrrrkrrrKKKK-K-K-Krrrrr-

Isabelle

Ouch… HOBaRT, it’s okay, you don’t have to make any noise… I would feel terrible if you hurt yourself more…

HOBaRT

Isabelle

**sigh** Everybody really misses you, HOBaRT. And we really miss your mixing as well. We’re getting by with the leftover food, but it doesn’t compare at all to your homemade cooking.

HOBaRT

Isabelle

…Oh! I’m so inconsiderate. I never even considered to ask – do you understand Animalese? Can you-

HOBaRT

wrRRrkrrRR

Isabelle

Ah… that’s nice. Wow, you really do come with many surprises, don’t you HOBaRT?

HOBaRT

…wrrrrrr…..

Isabelle

Oh… don’t be sad…

*Isabelle gives HOBaRT a gentle pat.*
HOBaRT

Isabelle

It must be so lonely to not be able to talk with anyone. Are other HOBaRTs able to communicate with each other?

HOBaRT

wwwRRKRRrrr!

Isabelle

Oh, how nice! At least you have other HOBaRTs to talk to to keep you from being lonely…

*Isabelle climbs up into a chair next to the hospital bed.*
Isabelle

I’ve been feeling kind of lonely myself lately. Only a handful of people here speak Animalese. A lot of people here recognize me because of Smash Brothers, so occasionally someone I don’t know will come and say hi. But we’re never able to have a conversation. I used to try and get people to understand me, but my voice is just too warbly. It’s just not possible without subtitles for people who haven’t studied Animalese. Now I just…give a smile when meeting someone new.

*Isabelle swings her tiny legs back and forth.*
Isabelle

Because of my voice I’m not able to travel by myself. I usually always have to have someone accompany me to help translate. It would be great to travel on my own… but it’s just not possible. I wish I could learn to speak Non-Animalese English. Or Japanese. Or French! I’ve always wanted to learn Non-Animalese French. Such a beautiful language… I wish I could make those sounds…

HOBaRT

…wwwrrkrrr…….

Isabelle

I suppose it’s not that different for you, huh? You can only speak in wrrrrrrs.

HOBaRT

wwwrrrrrkrrrkrr

Isabelle

Is there a name for the language you speak? Or is it just called “wrrrrrrrrrrr”?

HOBaRT

wrrrrrrrkrrrrrrkrrrrrrrrrrkrkrkrrrkkrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Isabelle

Hehehe! You’re such a funny mixer, HOBaRT!

HOBaRT

wrrrrkrrrrrkKKKCHCHHH!

*HOBaRT’s motor jerks to a halt.*
Isabelle

Oh no! Are you okay? I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have had you talk so much!!

*Lil John runs into the room.*
Lil Jon

I’M GONNA HAVE TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE LITTLE DOG LADY!

Isabelle

I’m sorry! I’ll go!

Lil Jon

SAY WHAT NOW?

*Isabelle nearly responds but she stops herself. She smiles, waves goodbye, and plops away.*