| Author's Note: This was originally the Prelude to Ocean Raton, though the sage advice of my readers convinced me otherwise. But as the saying goes, “Waste not, want not,” so enjoy this tidy, little flight of fancy.
Approximately 57 million years ago — 11 am. The Panther Prince proudly strode into the meadow. His sleek coat glimmered as if woven of gold, the black about his muzzle a rich obsidian. Upon his head sat the plumage of royalty, the crown of all cats, which he wore with great distinction. He earned his place, and now as Pangea was finally to be broken apart as the foregods decreed and the Cenozoic Era begin, he stepped forward with purpose to claim his rightful place.
“Cousin,” Sekula the Puma growled to him, “Come, Scrub the Jay has word to share.”
The Prince leisured to his cousin’s side. Today was the meeting of the Family Felidae, the leaders of each tribe gathering to decide who would occupy which corner of the planet as the supercontinent was divided into the seven segments of the modern era.
“My sources tell me,” Scrub whispered, “that North Americus will be the land to which all will clamor. More precisely, the southern tip of this great new world will be the most prized.”
The Prince considered this. Scrub was employed by the Felis Concolor Clan to spy and obtain information from the Kingdom Elders for the purposes of securing the best location possible. Their clan had first selection, and it was critical they make the best choice. So far, Scrub’s gathered intelligence regarding uninhabitable and undesirable locales such as Antarctica and New Jersey had proven accurate.
“Tell us of this southern tip,” the Prince inquired.
“Oh,” spoke Scrub, a faraway look in his eyes, “it will be glorious. While the perimeter of this land may initially attract many species, its sand and saltwater strike me as gritty and foul. The real hot spot will be found inland, a great glade known as the ‘Sea of Grass.’”
“This Sea of Grass, it will be both lush and inviting with all the conveniences? You know the Princess is not one for roughing it amongst the weeds with any sort of pest or parasite.”
“I assure you,” whistled Scrub, “it will be the loveliest of neighborhoods. I understand only the best of families are considering it, my genus included.” Dropping his voice even quieter, “If there was even rumor those bloodsuckers from the Culicidae family or those lousy Agkistrodons were in the market, I wouldn’t even mention it to you folks.”
The Prince gazed across the meadow. His eyes roamed until they found the Panthera contingency, the group eyeing him with great suspect and interest. Scrub caught his glance.
“I understand Lionel is seriously considering the property as well, but he doesn’t have first pick. It all comes down to who acts first,” Scrub encouraged.
“Why so insistent, Scrub?” queried Sekula. “Before us lies a great world. Surely, there must be other locations?”
“Perhaps,” whistled Scrub, “but none I have seen promise such bounty. A vulture I have become friendly with by the name of Realtore shared with me a brochure and the sketches and images it portrays of the future are breathtaking. Such nests … and the views!”
“But it is all speculation, Scrub,” snarled Sekula. “Have you actually seen …”
The Prince’s roar silenced them both. “I have heard enough,” he boomed and all gathered turned to hear him speak. “One must act today when one wants to claim their place in the sun, and so I heed those words and do just that by proclaiming my family’s choice of territory.”
The Prince turned to Sekula. “For my cousin, since he stands unsure, I claim the lands of western North Americus for his home. There I hope you find your place and peace, Sekula.”
Turning southward and raising his great crowned head to the sun, the Prince continued, “For myself and my generations to come, I claim the Sea of Grass and its adjacent woodlands for our domain. We shall call the pleasures of this paradise home until the end of our days. Name it we will the Everglades.”
And so it was the Panther came to call Florida home … and the first bad real estate deal in the state’s history was struck.
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