Alexander the Great!
It would be just the two of them; her and the whale.
On the day that Ocean Land: Aquatic Park and Aquarium closed, Sally watched Alexander’s last show.
Alexander, or Alexander the Great! as he was referred to in the park’s brochure, was an orca. A killer whale. He lived in a seven-million-gallon tank of salt water in the middle of the park. At 22-feet-long, and a weight of 12,000 pounds, he was easily the biggest animal in the entire park.
Sally sat in the front row of Alexander Stadium, and stared in awe, as the mammoth creature breached the water. She marveled at the smooth black-and-white skin, and the elegant yet swift movements of such a large body. A mid-air dance, with the charm and artistry of a ballet.
And then the climax; Alexander the Great! falling gracefully to the pool, unleashing an enormous wave, devouring everything in its path.
Sally closed her eyes, and let the salt water fall over her, let it seep into her hair, clothes, and skin. She didn’t mind the sting when she opened her eyes, or the taste on her lips. She looked up and basked in the glory that was Alexander the Great!
Sally had worked as a janitor at the park for thirty years, and wasn’t technically supposed to be watching the show while on duty. But the management at the park knew how much Sally loved Alexander, and decided to be lenient. Besides, it wasn’t like there were many guests to clean up after.
Attendance at the park had been down for the last several years. In addition, the park was facing scrutiny from animal rights organizations, over its alleged mistreatment of the animals. The owners had finally had enough, and were going to close the place down. No one at the park was happy about this. The animal trainers in particular were very upset. But Sally was downright devastated.
“It’s not fair!” she’d cried at the staff meeting where the park’s closure was announced. “How can they close down such a wonderful place?”
Her co-workers and supervisors tried to console her, but it was no use. She had no family and few friends outside her job. This park had been her home for three decades. And she adored the animals. Particularly Alexander.
So, on the day that Ocean Land: Aquatic Park and Aquarium closed, they let Sally sit in the front row of Alexander Stadium, and watched the great beast’s final performance.
The show ended, and the small audience filed out. The trainers left and Sally was alone. It was just her and the whale.
She walked up to the glass, and looked into the tank. Alexander swam about slowly, as he rested from another grand performance.
“You were amazing,” Sally whispered. She didn’t think it odd or foolish to talk to this animal. Orcas were among the smartest animals on the planet. Often times, she thought that even the trainers didn’t suspect the vast intellect that this beast possessed.
But Sally knew. She couldn’t prove it, but she could feel it. Every time she walked by Alexander’s tank, every time she’d pressed her hand against the cold glass, every time the whale broke free of its watery prison, and momentarily soared through the air like the angel he was, Sally could feel the power and spirit that dwelled within the orca.
And she knew she was going to miss him.
Alexander was to be sent to a whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia, with other trained whales like himself. Sally was sure he’d be happy there; lots of open water to swim in, lots of friends to make. It would be good for him. Sally had no right to object.
But she couldn’t bear the thought of being away from her beloved Alexander. So, Sally climbed into the tank. The cold water prickled her skin, but she didn’t mind.
She dove under the surface, and opened her eyes. A blurry, black-and-white mass approached her. It opened its gigantic mouth, revealing rows upon rows of sharp teeth. They didn’t call it a killer whale for nothing.
The enormous jaws wrapped around Sally, and swallowed her whole. She felt the teeth graze her legs, felt the warm tongue press against her body. Soon the great beast would consume her entirely.
She didn’t mind. This was the only way. Now they would always be together.
