Banani\u2019s sister<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three scientists \u2014 Papaia, Banani, and Ravioli \u2014 and their assistant Igor, who work at NASAL, begin to show an interest in creationism. Their superiors, worried, send them to see a psychologist: Professor Faggioli, a shady character determined to get them fired by making them look insane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are in Professor Faggioli\u2019s office, and it\u2019s Banani\u2019s turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli: Let\u2019s talk a bit about your family. Do you have any brothers or sisters?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: Yes, I have a sister\u2026 But I haven\u2019t spoken to her in years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli: How come? What happened?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FLASHBACK \u2013 Banani\u2019s House, Afternoon \u2013 Interior, Living Room<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The front door bursts open. Chiara, Banani\u2019s sister, walks in excitedly, carrying two expensive shopping bags. She\u2019s wearing sunglasses indoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mooom! Look what I got for Sniffy and Pookie!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A pink waterproof coat, and a mini glitter handbag! It\u2019s too adorable!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the back of the room, Banani\u2019s mom comes out of the kitchen wearing an apron made from floral curtains. In her hands are two tiny cardboard sofas and a miniature bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sweetheart! And I finished the little living room set for their house!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s even a bed with a sliding curtain and a tiny shelf for treats! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara sets down the bags and kneels beside the two chihuahuas dozing on a velvet cushion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sniffy, my love! Want to try on your new princess coat?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And you, Pookie, look at your new bag \u2014 it\u2019s prettier than mine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mother and daughter exchange a knowing look, then start pampering the little dogs with sweet voices, cuddles, and excited squeals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scene fades slowly as Sniffy yawns and Pookie lets out a tiny, elegant sneeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FADE OUT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back to Faggioli\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You said you haven\u2019t spoken to your sister in years. May I ask\u2026 was there a particular reason?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Uhm\u2026 let\u2019s just say there was an incident. With her\u2026 dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dogs, you said? Tell me all about it! Please, do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor: Dogs, you said? Let me guess\u2026 Banani blew them up! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FLASHBACK \u2013 Banani\u2019s House \u2013 Interior, Day<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silence. Banani is alone in the living room, surrounded by plastic pieces, wires, empty bottles, and an aerodynamics manual. On a table, a homemade rocket is taking shape, half a meter tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani (to himself):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Okay\u2026 total weight: four and a half kilos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Propellant: check. Stabilizing fins: check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026But with Flaffy onboard, I end up with a crooked trajectory and ridiculous acceleration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He turns around. The labrador Flaffy is watching him, tail wagging, tongue out, sitting upright as if he fully understands the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m sorry, old pal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This time, you won\u2019t have the honor of serving science. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re just\u2026 too bulky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flaffy gives a little bark and then yawns, blissfully flopping down onto the floor. Banani returns to his project, looking thoughtful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026Still, the labrador Flaffy had missed a great opportunity to serve science, flying aboard Banani\u2019s homemade rocket. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026You know\u2026 he was too heavy\u2026 what a pity\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t worry, Flaffy, you\u2019ll take part in Banani\u2019s next experiment\u2026 with an even more powerful rocket\u2026 to go even higher! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026Although I don\u2019t think Flaffy really cared that much about becoming an astronaut! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, at the home goods and DIY store, Mom and Chiara are walking through the aisles. Mom is rummaging through rolls of felt, vintage buttons, spray glue, and empty jars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom (excited):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look at these popsicle sticks! Perfect for making the veranda for the doggy beds!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And with this fabric\u2026 I could line the inside walls!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perfect! I\u2019m heading to the fragrance section. I want to see if they have vanilla essence for Sniffy and white rose for Pookie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They need to feel adored every day, Mom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom nods as Chiara walks away toward the shiny pet products shelf. She stops in front of a ridiculously expensive scented spray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They deserve only the best. No compromises. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two reunite at the checkout, smiling and content. Mom carefully arranges the cart. Chiara strokes the mini glitter handbag with a dreamy look. The scene fades on this little domestic moment, unaware of what\u2019s about to happen at home\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Chiara said the two doggies deserved only the best\u2014referring to a two-digit-priced scented spray\u2014I\u2019m sure Papa Banani, on the other side of town, spending his workday degreasing a deep fryer crusted over from decades of use, totally agreed with her on that point! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back to Faggioli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani\u2026 I\u2019m not here to listen, but to judge \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026I mean, I\u2019m here to judge\u2026 not to listen \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026No, wait! I\u2019m here to listen, not to judge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there\u2019s a reason you no longer speak to your sister, I think it\u2019s important\u2026 to talk about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s complicated. And also a little embarrassing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli (trying to reassure him):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can tell me anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I need your obsessions\u2026 \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026I meant your impressions. Your impressions. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A brief silence. Then Banani sighs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alright\u2026 but just know this is a story I\u2019ve never told anyone. Not even Igor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli nods encouragingly. Banani stares into space and slowly begins\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This time, Faggioli managed to beat his own record\u2014pulling off a double slip of the tongue! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026Who knows, maybe next time he\u2019ll go for three in a row! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyway, Faggioli, you don\u2019t need other people\u2019s obsessions! You\u2019ve got more than enough of your own in that twisted brain of yours! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drying Mechanism<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, in the waiting room, Papaia and Ravioli are talking about a book Banani found on the geological evidence of Noah\u2019s flood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Does the book explain how this phenomenon works?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papaia:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes. Here, I\u2019ll read it to you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen water deposits sediment in a layer, some of the water gets trapped between the grains of sediment. Among these grains there can also be clay particles. When more sedimentary layers are deposited on top, the pressure compresses the sediment grains and squeezes out most of the water. The Earth\u2019s internal heat can help remove additional water from the sediment. As the sediment layer dries, the chemicals in the water and between the clay particles turn into a natural cement. This cement transforms the soft, wet sediment layer into a hard, brittle rock layer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kind of like when we squeeze out a sponge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papaia:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, but not exactly. Unlike a sponge, clay and other sediments solidify once separated from the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Natural cement, you said?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papaia:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes. This process, technically known as diagenesis, can happen very quickly. It\u2019s known to occur in a matter of hours, though it usually takes days or months, depending on the prevailing conditions. It doesn\u2019t take millions of years, not even under today\u2019s slow and gradual geological conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kind of like when we squeeze out a sponge, Ravioli?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or maybe more like when Faggioli shrinks your brain! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FLASHBACK \u2013 Banani\u2019s House<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani is crouched next to his homemade rocket, surrounded by notes and sheets filled with calculations scribbled in colorful markers. An abacus dangles off to the side. Afternoon sunlight streams in through the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani (thinking out loud):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I need something alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only then can I validate the re-entry protocol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026and beat Johnson\u2019s record. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He pauses, grabs the calculator, punches in some numbers, then sighs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the weight\u2026 Flaffy\u2019s out of the question. Too massive. Too furry. Too\u2026 labrador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stands up, paces the room in frustration. Then he stops. His pupils dilate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On an embroidered cushion in the center of the living room, Sniffy and Pookie are curled up asleep, dressed in pink and lilac outfits, shiny bows on their heads, and a tiny plaid blanket over their paws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani slowly approaches. A spark of inspiration lights up on his face: the idea is forming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani (half-whispering, eerie and inspired):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light\u2026 and available passengers. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Excuse me, but who the heck is this Johnson? This character came out of nowhere. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the very least, Banani could\u2019ve told us what Johnson did\u2026 like, launched a pair of hamsters to 30,000 feet or something? \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026Anyway, when Banani says the little dogs were \u201clight and available passengers,\u201d I don\u2019t quite agree on the second part. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Especially if they\u2019d known what was coming! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Mom and Chiara are in the car, the interior overflowing with colorful shopping bags. The back seats are piled high with fabrics, bows, bone-shaped plushies, and custom-made outfits. One of the bags reads: \u201cCanine Boutique \u2013 Noblesse Oblige\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara (excited):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look at this collar! It\u2019s made of braided vegan leather with crystal paw prints! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pookie will finally have the gala accessory she deserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom (smiling fondly):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Sniffy will love the little kitchen I built for her. The faucet\u2019s made from two old pens and a clothespin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They\u2019re so smart\u2026 so sensitive\u2026 they understand everything! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom (moved):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know. It\u2019s like they\u2019re a part of us. And those little eyes\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026those tiny paws\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom and Chiara (in unison, overwhelmed):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026those adorable snouts!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zoom in on the dashboard as the car approaches the house. The music swells, sweet and sentimental. Abrupt fade-out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No! I\u2019m not leaving until someone explains to me what exactly \u201cvegan leather\u201d is! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026How do they make it? Out of sequoia tree trunks? \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026Yes, Mrs. Banani, the doggies are cute and clever, but obviously they don\u2019t understand everything! Otherwise they wouldn\u2019t be part of Banani\u2019s rocket experiment! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Banani is in the backyard, standing next to a homemade rocket about two meters tall, built from pipes, papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9, and duct tape. The two chihuahuas are visible inside a transparent cabin at the top, wearing tiny bicycle helmets and a tag that reads: \u201cMISSION: CUORICINO 1\u201d. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani (speaking to the doggies):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t worry, girls. The trajectory is perfect, reentry is calibrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ten meters. Liftoff, parachute, soft landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Safer than a carnival ride. And besides\u2026 this will be a triumph for science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He crouches and tightens two clamps. Takes a breath and glances toward the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani (to himself):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I just hope they come back after landing. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flaffy, you\u2019re my witness. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flaffy, the labrador, watches from a distance, sitting next to a kiddie pool, wearing a puzzled expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani turns and gives a final check to the rocket\u2019s base, where the fuel is stored. Zoom in on an empty plastic canister beside him. A handmade label reads: \u201cRegular Gasoline\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But a gust of wind lifts a second label off the ground, revealing the truth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNITROGLYCERIN \u2013 EXPLOSIVE DANGER\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tense music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zoom in on Banani\u2019s blissfully unaware eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fade to black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMission Cuoricino 1\u201d\u2026 Okay! But why \u201c1\u201d? Was Banani planning to repeat the experiment? \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026Or maybe colonize Mars! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026With dogs! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026And then he says, \u201cI just hope they come back after landing\u201d\u2026 Well! That sounds like a well-thought-out plan, Banani! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026And what\u2019s this about Flaffy being the witness? Don\u2019t you think you\u2019re putting a little too much responsibility on your four-legged buddy, Banani? \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026Anyway, if that dog could talk, I bet he\u2019d say, \u201cMe? I didn\u2019t see a thing!\u201d \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026\u201cDon\u2019t ask me! I don\u2019t even know that guy!\u201d \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, in the waiting room, Papaia and Ravioli are talking about a book Banani found, on the geological evidence of Noah\u2019s Flood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: Look! There are some examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papaia: The 4,500-foot sequence of sedimentary layers in the walls of the Grand Canyon lies well above current sea level. In the past, movements of the Earth\u2019s crust lifted this sedimentary sequence, forming the Kaibab Plateau. However, the eastern part of the sequence (in the eastern Grand Canyon and Marble Canyon areas of northern Arizona) was not uplifted in the same way and is about 2,500 feet (762 meters) lower than the Kaibab Plateau. The boundary between the Kaibab Plateau and the less-uplifted eastern canyons is marked by a large step-like fold called the East Kaibab Monocline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: So this uplift lets us observe the folded part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papaia: You can observe these folded sedimentary layers in several side canyons. For example, the folded Tapeats Sandstone is visible in Carbon Canyon. Notice that these layers of sandstone have been bent by 90\u00b0 (a right angle), yet the rock didn\u2019t crack or break at the fold point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: Do we have more examples?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papaia: Yes. Likewise, the folded layers of Muav and Redwall limestone are visible along nearby Kwagunt Creek. Again, the bending of these limestones didn\u2019t cause cracks or fractures, as one would expect from ancient, brittle rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: What do you think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papaia: Ravioli, the clear conclusion is that these sandstone and limestone layers were all folded and deformed while the sediments were still soft and flexible, very shortly after they were deposited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: Convincing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor: The book? Yes! You\u2026 not so much! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FLASHBACK \u2013 The Banani\u2019s Garden<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The car screeches to a halt in the driveway. Chiara jumps out, clutching a pink handbag under her arm. Mom opens the trunk to grab the craft bags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope Sniffy will like the new porch made from popsicle sticks…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A deafening ROAR interrupts her sentence. A cloud of white smoke rises behind the house, followed by an increasing whistle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara (shouting):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What was that?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both turn toward the sky. A wobbly rocket but fully accelerating zooms above the roof. It\u2019s covered in papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 with dangling little flags. You can glimpse the transparent dome with two restless figures inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom (shocked):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
…was that… my tulle parachute?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chiara (horrified):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SNIFFY!? POOKIE!?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They rush toward the garden, dropping their bags. They pass through the smoke and find Banani frozen, face blackened, hands behind his back. The lawn is scorched, and the trampoline is destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mom (in disbelief):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani\u2026 what happened? \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silence. Zoom on Banani\u2019s guilty face, eyes downcast with a slight nervous twitch in his eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slow fade out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat happened\u201d? I\u2019ll tell you, ma\u2019am, what happened! Your son just sent two dogs into orbit! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back to Faggioli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026And since that day, we never saw them again\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You searched around the neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, every corner. We even asked the neighbors, but nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani looks at the ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At first, I thought and hoped the rocket had fallen in another town and that they had made it. Maybe someone had found them. But then\u2026 one day\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flashback \u2013 NASAL Observatory \u2013 Night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An unreal silence envelops the observatory dome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This job is so interesting\u2026 and to think I\u2019ve only been at NASAL for a few months!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani is bent over the experimental orbital telescope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What hard work! I spent hours calibrating the instrument, but this time I\u2019ll manage to observe that comet they asked me to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He notices something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wait! What\u2019s that reflection?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He adjusts the focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No! I can\u2019t believe it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A small cylindrical structure slowly rotates in space. Banani zooms in. The label traced with a marker on a faded paint can reads, trembling: “Mission Cuoricino 1.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani stops looking for a moment, as if lacking courage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani (narrating):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I couldn\u2019t believe it. It was the homemade rocket. My rocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He zooms in further. From the transparent dome, the two skeletons of Sniffy and Pookie are visible. Still wearing the dresses made by mom and sister. Inside the dome, a little note. Zooming even more, Banani reads: “To Sniffy and Pookie \u2013 have a good trip (but be back before dinner) \u2013 Banani.” \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani remains motionless. His heart pounds. He slowly sits down, moving away from the eyepiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BANANI<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(weak voice)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sniffy\u2026 Pookie\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His eyes become misty. With a slow gesture, he removes his foggy glasses and wipes a tear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one sees him. Only the stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cut to a starry sky. A spark passes by, maybe a meteorite. Or maybe not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The telescope scene really moved me! Yet, there\u2019s one thing that puzzles me! The note! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 Can someone explain what that note even means? \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 As if dogs could read! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 But let\u2019s imagine they could, what would they think? \u201cAh, thanks Banani! You\u2019re the one who really cares! You sent us here into space to suffocate, but at least you wrote us a little note. How kind of you!\u201d \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 Yeah, and what does the note say? \u201cBe back before dinner\u201d? \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 As if coming back home depended on them. \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 Imagine if Banani had actually been consistent with that note he wrote \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 He\u2019d have had to say something like \u201cAh! Naughty girls, you\u2019re late! Dinner time was 26 years ago!\u201d \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 \u201cNow I\u2019m coming over and putting you in timeout!\u201d \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 \u201cOops! Almost forgot, you\u2019re two skeletons in space!\u201d \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 Ah, Banani! A true \u201cmisunderstood genius\u201d! Right, Mrs. Banani? \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 I never thought the word \u201cgenius\u201d also referred to the creativity someone uses to get rid of their pet! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then? What happened next?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a while\u2026 even my mother was furious. She didn\u2019t talk, didn\u2019t cook. She destroyed the paw-shaped curtains she had sewn for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then\u2026 she forgave me. She said it was a mistake \u201cdue to misunderstood genius.\u201d \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only\u2026 Chiara didn\u2019t. From that day on\u2026 she never spoke to me again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli nods, takes notes. Banani remains still, lost in memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So\u2026 Chihuahua breed, correct?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think so\u2026 they were small, always trembling. One had, like\u2026 a bow, I think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interesting\u2026 interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the color?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One maybe white, the other brownish? I don\u2019t remember clearly\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t remember?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani, this detail is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dog\u2019s color?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes. It might indicate something about your repressed guilt. Or an archetypal symbolism of orbital ejection trauma\u2026 \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or maybe just that they were little dogs with clothes and I didn\u2019t pay attention?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here comes Tony the Sock, Faggioli pulled him out and starts humming mischievously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tony the Sock (singing):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTwo little dogs, two princesses,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
now orbiting with the comets!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani does science with the explosive rocket,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
but ends up alone\u2026 with emotional grief!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli pretends nothing\u2019s happening, while Tony curls up in a theatrical bow and Faggioli puts him back in his pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli takes notes as if nothing happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faggioli:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sock\u2019s reaction is interesting. A comic projection of the superego, perhaps\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani sighs and sinks into the chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 And finally, we have Faggioli with his \u201corbital ejection trauma\u201d! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 Basically, Faggioli wants me to believe that this thing not only happened to some other patients\u2026 but it happened so many times that someone even decided to give it a name! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 \u201cOrbital ejection trauma,\u201d you\u2019ll find it in every psychology manual\u2026 obviously! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, in the waiting room, Papaia and Ravioli are talking about a book Banani found, about geological evidence of Noah\u2019s flood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: And can secular geology not explain this phenomenon?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papaia: Their calculations don\u2019t add up. In fact, they claim that the Tapeats Sandstone and the Muav Limestone were deposited between 500 and 520 million years ago; the Redwall Limestone between 330 and 340 million years ago; and finally the Kaibab Limestone, at the top of the sequence , 260 million years ago. Later, the Kaibab Plateau was uplifted (about 60 million years ago), causing the folding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: But that\u2019s a long time after!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papaia: Exactly! That\u2019s an interval of about 440 million years between the first deposit and the folding. How could the Tapeats Sandstone and Muav Limestone still be soft and flexible, as if they had just been deposited? Shouldn\u2019t they have fractured and broken if bent after 440 million years from deposition?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: Something\u2019s definitely off here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor: Where? In secular geology, or in you? \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 Maybe in both! \ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Banani\u2019s sister Part 1\/13 Three scientists \u2014 Papaia, Banani, and Ravioli \u2014 and their assistant Igor, who work at NASAL, begin to show an interest in creationism. Their superiors, worried, send them to see a psychologist: Professor Faggioli, a shady character determined to get them fired by making them look insane. We are in Professor … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-episode"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/savedblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/savedblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/savedblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savedblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savedblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5454"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/savedblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5455,"href":"https:\/\/savedblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5454\/revisions\/5455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/savedblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savedblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savedblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}