Antarctica

*enter Susan to a sick Caleb bearing fish soup, an egg is seen rapped in blankets next to Caleb*

Susan: "Here eat this. You need to keep your strength up."

Caleb: "Susan, we both know I'm dying. I can feel it. My mother had the same symptoms. She was gone within 3 days."

Susan: "No. You can't leave me. We have to raise our baby...It must have a father!"

Caleb: "I know you will take good care of our son or daughter. Why don't you get your brother to help you?"

Susan: "He's gone all the time. I barely get to see him."

Caleb: "Susan, he can help you during migration. That's about the only time you'll need big help. By then he will have no choice but to join in on the migration. You will do just *breath* fine. I've been sick for 2 1/2 days. My time is coming. You must be strong...for our baby."

Susan: *begins crying* "OK...I love you..."

Caleb: "I love you, too." *drifts slowly to sleep*

Susan: "Caleb! No! Come back to me! No! You can't leave me!" *begins weeping harder*

*crack*

Susan: *looks up*

*crack*

Susan: *sees egg hatching* "Oh, Caleb...You just missed it..." *goes over and cradles her newborn boy* "I'll name you Private. It was your grandfather's name..."

The Next Morning...

Susan: *running up to her brother* "Nigel! It happened...He hatched!"

Nigel: "Oh, Susan! How wonderful! Uh, where's Caleb?"

Susan: "...Uh...Nigel...There's something I need you to do..."

Nigel: "What is it, sister?"

Susan: "Caleb. He's...gone. It happened last night. While you were away...I need you to help me along the migration. You have to help me raise my son."

Nigel: *takes Private from Susan* "Oh, Susan, I don't know if I can."

Susan: "Please. I have no one else..."

Nigel: "OK, my dear. I will try. So what's the chap's name?"

Susan: "Private. After Caleb's father."

Nigel: "Private. A lovely name."

5 Years Later...

*Susan & Nigel alone in the home while Private plays outside with his friend*

Susan: "Nigel, this is getting to me. You go away for a long time, sometimes even for days. You've got to tell me where you go..."

Nigel: "Susan, you know where I go. To the far side of the reserve, feeding the children."

Susan: "No you don't. I went there yesterday to say hi & you weren't there. What's going on Nigel?"

Nigel: *sigh* "I guess you'll find out sooner or later. I'm a secret agent. I go all over the reserve to help those in need."

Susan: "Secret agent? Why have you never told me?"

Nigel: "I didn't want to worry you or put you or Private in any danger. You have to promise me you won't tell anyone. Especially Private."

Susan: *sigh* "OK. Fine. But be careful out there. You know I need you."

Nigel: "Don't worry. I will."

11 Years After Birth...The Migration

*Susan & Nigel waddling along in that year's migration/Private waddling with his friends*

Nigel: *whispers to Susan* "Hey, do you hear that?"

Susan: *listens*

RUN!!!

Susan/Nigel: *belly slide toward the sound*

*2 penguins are seen trying to escape a leopard seal*

Nigel: "I'm going to help them! Stay here!"

*Nigel goes to save the penguins*

*Susan follows disobediently*

*Nigel attempts to save the penguins but only manages to save the female, however she is badly injured*

Nigel: *goes to the female penguin* "Ma'am! Are you OK? I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner..."

Penguin: "It's OK. I know I'm not going to make it so I need you to promise me one thing."

Nigel: "I'll try."

Penguin: "If you meet a young penguin named Skipper, tell him I said I love him..."

Nigel: "OK. I'll do just that."

Penguin: "Thank you. Thank *breath* you..." *drifts to sleep*

Nigel: "Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry, miss. Susan, it's OK now you can come here..."

Susan: ...

Nigel: *rises to his feet & looks around* "Susan?"

Susan: ...

Nigel: "Oh no. No, no, no. This can't be happening...SUSAN!!!!" *echos her name*

*no response*

Nigel: "I can't believe this." *buries the female penguin & walks slowly back to the rookery of migrating penguins*

Back At The Migration...

Lithia: "Hey! You! Have you seen my son? I've been looking for him ever since the migration started."

Nigel: "I'm sorry, no."

Lithia: "Oh, man. Hey! Have you seen my son?"
*walks to another penguin*

Nigel: *goes to Private* "Listen, Private. There's something I need to tell you."

Private: "What is it Uncle Nigel? Where's momma?"

Nigel: "There was an accident, your mom is...gone. I'm sorry."

Private: "Gone? Where'd she go?"

Nigel: "Um, she's...in a better place."

Private: "No, you don't mean..."

Nigel: *nods head slowly*

Private: *begins crying* "NO! This can't be happening!"

Nigel: *hugs him as he weeps* "I know, my boy. I'm crushed too."

*Private & Nigel begin walking alongside the migration slowly & silently, & gently weeping*

To Be Continued...