Flea Games, Chapter 10: Assembling the troops

Previous Chapter(s):

• Chapter One
• Chapter Two
• Chapter Three
• Chapter Four
• Chapter Five
• Chapter Six
• Chapter Seven
• Chapter Eight
• Chapter Nine
  

Harbali walked up to the crowd which still vibrated of excitement and anticipation. Unsure of what to say, he uttered, "Can I have everyone's attention please?" The crowd continued talking and milling about, not even noticing his request. Taking a deep breath, Harbali boomed, "CAN I HAVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION PLEASE?"

Had there been a record player, the needle would have slipped off of the edge as the sound came to a screeching halt. All feelers were directed towards him as the fleas gave him their undivided attention.

"Thank you," said Harbali sheepishly. "Tomorrow, as you well know, is our assault on the ginger and silver infidels. Ramzi would like to know how many of you are in for the fight."

Feelers skittishly raised as the fleas whispered and muttered amongst themselves. An uneasiness seemed to sweep through the crowd. After some moments, a voice in the back was heard over the ruckus: "Why do you need our help?"

"Well," responded Harbali, "it's not an assault if it's only two fleas."

Another voice then shouted, "If it's not an assault, then what is it?"

"I believe it's diplomatic relations at that point," answered a flea from the front.

"There is nothing diplomatic about this," cried Harbali. "We're talking about war!"

From the back again: "We're going to war?"

"Oh for the love of Flallah," sighed Harbali. "Yes," he raised his voice, "we're going to war with the infidels!"

"No one said anything about war," came the shout from somewhere in the middle of the gathering.

Harbali's voice brimmed with agitation: "What did you think Ramzi meant when he said 'jihad'?"

His question was met with more mutterings and whisperings. Harbali hadn't thought it was going to be this difficult to get his brothers to form the troops. Throwing his legs into the air, he screamed: "LOOK! You're all coming! That's it! I can't believe this!"

A collective gasp hit Harbali followed by silence from crowd. A few moments later, someone said, "Well, why didn't you just say so?"

Harbali sighed again. No one had told him leading was so difficult.

Expect more of the story to come in the days ahead!

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