Eldridge: Guards! Open the iron gates right now and drive that animal back into its cage! Secure the child immediately!
Clara: Do not touch that boy! If any guard steps foot in that pit, I will call the federal authorities and file charges for child endangerment!
Julian: She is right, Eldridge. Look at the crowd. Everyone here has seen what just happened with their own eyes.
Down in the sand, the giant white lion slowly bent its front legs, lowering its back until its massive belly rested completely flat against the warm ground. It rested its heavy chin on the sand right beside Toby's small brown boots. The boy giggled softly, wrapping his small arm around the apex predator's massive nose.
Toby: You are very soft, big kitty. Do you want to meet my mama?
Clara: Sweetheart... stay right there. Don't make any sudden movements, okay?
Toby: He likes me, Auntie Clara. He smells like warm sunshine and old straw.
Eldridge: This entire display is an outrage! I am the head of this family, and I control the trust fund! I demand that this trial be declared invalid!
Julian: You cannot declare an ancient bloodline trial invalid, Father! You were the one who insisted on enforcing the old family charter from 1890!
Clara: You thought the lion would tear him apart, so you could claim the entire eighty-billion-dollar oil estate without a legal battle!
Eldridge: I did what was necessary to keep our family business out of the hands of an untrained orphan!
Julian: He is not just an orphan, Eldridge. He is the rightful owner of every single acre of land, every oil rig, and every stock portfolio in this state!
Eldridge's face turned pale as he grabbed the marble railing, his hand shaking uncontrollably. The wealthy guests in the surrounding VIP boxes began murmuring loudly, pulling out their phones to record the unbelievable sight in the arena below. The four-year-old boy was now sitting down in the sand, casually leaning back against the ribs of the terrifying white lion as if it were a plush couch.
Toby: Can I keep him, Auntie? He says he wants to live in our backyard.
Clara: We will see about that, sweetie. First, we have to settle some very important business with your uncle Eldridge.
Eldridge: You have no power here, Clara! The lawyers answer to me! The divorce settlement and estate papers are locked in my safe!
Julian: Not anymore, Father. I gave the key to the federal prosecutors two hours before this event began.
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