04x08 - Concrete Jungle/Starter Pack

[bunniefuu]

[♪ theme song playing]

♪ One, two
One, two, three, four ♪

[narrator] Earth,
a wondrous ball of life,

as beautiful as it is diverse.

All across the vast expanse
of our planet,

there exist vibrant ecosystems.

The desert. The ocean. The tundra.

These ecosystems are united by
a common struggle to survive, connect,

and impress potential mates.

But among Earth's many environments,

there is one that is perhaps

more strange
and fascinating than any other...

The Concrete Jungle.

From its vast, sweeping canopies
to its subterranean depths,

the concrete jungle is filled with

the strangest assortment
of life imaginable.

Millions live here, working in concert
to keep the city alive.

But those who dwell in this place

must face harsh daily trials
in their environment.

To survive here requires
unrelenting perseverance.

To document how truly challenging

life in the concrete jungle can be,

we must peer into the individual lives
of its inhabitants.

Today, we will follow a pack of humans
known simply as the Greens.

This pack consists of a male,

two cubs,

a matriarch,

and a bottom-dweller.

[snarling]

The pack's day begins with the sounds
of nature's sweet melody.

- [horns blaring]
- [screaming]

Each morning, the Greens hatch
from their warm, nocturnal cocoons,

and try to find their feet.

Though, for some,
this is more difficult.

[grunting]

In the blink of an eye,
the nest is abuzz

as each Green makes
hurried preparations for the day.

And soon, it is time to depart.

The concrete jungle awaits.

But while the rest of the pack leaves,

the matriarch remains behind.

She is the queen of this land,

and her status as the alpha
is hardly ever challenged...

- until today.
- [grunts in surprise]

She spots a band of outsiders
encroaching on her turf.

There has been a breach
into her territory.

The matriarch has been known
to change colors when provoked.

She gives a distinct warning call.

Idiots! Idiots!

[narrator] Her supremacy questioned,
the matriarch must assert her dominance

and prove, in spite of her old age,
she is not to be trifled with.

- [Gramma Alice growls]
- [grunts]

[both gasp and snarl]

[narrator] The battle is on.

[both grunting]

The matriarch's neck is powerful,

reinforced by years of poor posture
and calcium deposits.

She's stronger
than her challenger expected.

But she still must face the alpha.

[growls]

[both grunting]

The outsiders never stood a chance.

[growls]

[tires screech]

As the dust settles,
the matriarch of the Green pack

still reigns supreme.

Idiots! Idiots!

[narrator] Meanwhile, in the grasslands,

we find one of the Green cubs
engaging with a playmate.

These two cubs share a close bond.

Even though they are
quite diminutive in size,

together, they can overcome
most obstacles.

- [stomachs rumbling]
- [both groan]

[horn honks]

[narrator] It soon comes time to feed.

Though they are agile,

the cub's infantile legs
limit their speed,

and they are forced to the back
of the herd of hungry predators.

They must now wait their turn.

But no matter.

The prize is well worth the wait.

Their meal was in reach.

The cubs' hunger
is about to be satiated.

Until disaster strikes.

A herd of aggressive adolescents
defying the natural order,

steal the cubs' food.

While not normally predatory,

if the cubs wish to eat,
they must now become hunters.

[all laughing]

Overpowered and outnumbered,

they must be strategic.

[grunts]

One has fallen behind the herd.

Now is the time to strike.

- [both yell]
- Huh?

[all gasp]

[narrator] And just like that,
our cubs go from hunters to hunted.

[both panting]

[both whimpering]

[narrator] All appears lost.

[coughing]

Huh?

[all grunting angrily]

[phones buzz]

[narrator] But the cubs' ingenuity
and teamwork pay off,

and now it's time to feast.

[both growling]

Vicious, their true nature revealed.

On the other side
of the concrete jungle,

we find a watering hole where
the Green pack's bottom-dweller

plays an important role
in the natural cycle,

waste collection.

[groans]

Tending to the droppings
of other creatures

may seem like a lowly existence,

but it ensures the health
of the watering hole.

In nature,
organisms who collect waste are common.

There is nothing shocking about
the role of most bottom-dwellers.

Except for the fact
that this one has a secret.

After making sure the coast is clear,

she peers into the waste,

searching for any treasures
that might be valuable.

She spots one.

It's an easy steal.

[laughs]

[rumbling]

But suddenly,
something unforeseen happens.

The bottom-dweller is in danger

and must scream to alert her presence.

But the watering hole is now packed

and her scream would alert

the inhabitants of
her questionable behavior.

A quick social death,

or a literal one by being crushed
beneath the trash?

She must make her decision.

[screaming]

[grunting]

She has survived,

but the watering hole
has seen her behavior.

And they are shocked.

Fortunately, her shame
is dulled by her beautiful new prize.

For the first time all day,

our bottom-dweller
has her moment in the sun.

[shouts in joy]

Day moves into afternoon.

This is the concrete jungle's
busiest time.

Some creatures,
such as our female Green cub,

struggle with their small size
in this environment.

The cub arrives at a dangerous crossing.

There is constant movement,
and the expense is vast.

The cub must signal
her intention to cross,

but she is too small to be seen.

Other creatures possess size, presence,

and colorful markings to keep
from being crushed by the stampede.

Our cub does not possess this skill,

so she must rely on cleverness
and develop a new strategy.

Whoa!

[narrator] She turns
to another essential method

of surviving the concrete jungle,

mimicry.

- [brakes screech]
- The absent-minded traveler

is shocked to see
a new, brightly colored creature appear,

performing a dance so stunning
it brings the herd to a complete stop.

With this display,

our cub is halfway through the crossing.

But the creatures on this side
of the crossing are another story.

Where, before, the herd
was entering the concrete jungle,

on this side, the herd is leaving.

And, as such, they are faster,
angrier, and more distracted.

To survive, our cub must be
even more eye-catching.

And eye-catching, she has become.

Mimicking the attention-grabbing

inflatable beasts of her environment,

our cub marches with authority,

stopping beasts in their tracks

and inspiring fear and awe
in the other creatures.

Our cub has mastered
the secret of the concrete jungle,

cleverness and courage
can lead to success,

even for the smallest of creatures.

The sun lowers,

and we find that the adult male Green

has foraged sustenance for his pack.

Heirloom eggs, a rare find.

The male delights.

[exclaiming]

Now to get the eggs home safely.

[engine splutters]

But this proves
more difficult than expected.

Fortunately, the male knows another way.

One below ground.

The male is in unfamiliar territory.

Despite his scale,
this one can be quite skittish.

Our male finds himself
in the open, exposed and vulnerable.

[grunting weakly]

He has been lucky this time.

But should he lose his balance again,

his delicious eggs could be crushed.

And that is not the only danger.

A hungry scavenger.

[grunts angrily]

This one always in search of protein,

and an egg would do nicely for him.

Whether by gravity or by predator,

his eggs face great peril.

But the male's parental instincts

drive him to protect his family's
special gift by any means necessary.

Using his rotund body
as an offensive shield,

the male absorbs the blows
to protect his eggs.

[grunting]

[grunting and groaning]

[narrator] It seems, for now,
the male has escaped

the danger of the underground.

But have his precious eggs?

His sacrifice is not in vain.

Whether one is protecting or mimicking,

hunting or foraging,

the concrete jungle is a most
demanding environment.

So, how do these creatures
find the energy and will

to brave ahead each and every day?

What propels them?

What gives them the strength?

[overlapping chatter]

Okay. Calm down, you animals.

Quiche is ready.

Y'all won't believe
what happened to me on the subway today.

Oh, yeah? Well, wait till you hear
what me and Remy did at the park.

[narrator] Something so simple
as this time together,

bonding over the day's tribulations,
is all this pack needs.

Nice shoes, Gloria.

Thanks. They almost k*lled me.

[narrator] These precious moments,
cultivated through a warm meal,

make all the challenges
they face more than worth it.

And that's why, when the sun
comes up tomorrow,

the Green pack will be ready
to plunge right back into...

The Concrete Jungle!

[♪ epic instrumental music]

Remy, I came as soon as you called.

[Remy grunting]

Oh, Cricket. Vasquez was cleaning

and put my binder way up
on the top shelf.

I'd ask him to come get it,
but he's on a five-minute break.

Oh, break time's almost over. Oh, boy!

No worries, bestie. I got this.

Here it is. One binder coming up.

Aw, our first fishing trip together.

I got the same picture at home.

I mean, I put mine in a macaroni frame,

but not everyone's as classy as me.

[screams]

Huh? What's a Galaxu?

Not Gal-axu, Cricket. Ga-laxu!

A Japanese trading card game,

where you use
interstellar gladiator-monsters

to battle in epic combat.

[Cricket] Wow.

Yeah. Anyway, you probably
don't wanna hear about this stuff.

What? Fighting space monsters?

That was made for me.

Can I see more?

[chuckles] I thought you'd never ask.

A secret room hidden under your bed?

- You are so rich, Remy.
- Thank you.

[screams and grunts]

- Whee!
- Okay.

Behold, my secret Galaxu chamber!

Wow!

I'm a Galaxu fanatic!

I love the games. I love the anime.

But most importantly, I love the cards.

[Cricket] There's too many to count.

Dang, you've even got an invisible one.

[sighs] No. That spot's reserved
for the rarest Galaxu of them all,

Starmadillo.

It's the one card I want
more than anything in the world.

Hey, Vasquez and I
are going to go look for it today.

You should come with.
We can start your own collection.

I was hoping you'd Gal-ask-u me that.

[chuckles] It's Galaxu.

Cricket, my friend,

welcome to the Galaxu
collectors' paradise!

Right, so I'll give you a Nebulam
and a Star-hog for a Twi-night!

Sean, please. I'm not an idiot.

Hey, Claire. My friend, Cricket,

would like to buy
his first Galaxu starter pack.

All right. Here you go, kid.

Thank you, ma'am. I'm sure
this'll cover it.

Are those corn kernels?

They sure are.

Get yourself something nice.

And I'll just have my usual, please.

You got it, Remy.

[grunts] That'll be every Galaxu
booster pack we have left in stock.

Thanks! Vasquez, if you would.

Okay. Star-hog. Moonatic.

No Starmadillo.

I guess my eyes will never behold
the majesty of that card shining...

[gasps]

Cool! Hey, Remy, I got one
that's all shiny.

Cricket! That's...

[all gasping]

Huh, what?

[overlapping chatter]

Let me see!


by legendary artist Richard Satoshi!

Reverse refractor hydrofoil!

[all] A real Starmadillo!

I can't believe I finally found...
I... I mean, you found one, Cricket.

Yeah, this card is pretty spiffy.

I've never seen
a Starmadillo card in action!

- Come on, let's play!
- Whoa!

I challenge you to a Galaxu duel.

This is a complex game of strategy.

The rules are very nuanced,

- so listen carefully.
- Hmm.

I'll go first. Orbi-turtle!
I select you!

Okay, Cricket. Now, you...

Yoink! [mimics fighting]

Yoink! Orbi-tortoise, meet your maker!

- [mimics fighting]
- Oh, no! Please!

Oh, make it stop!

Oh, you're right, Remy! Galaxu is fun!

[mimics fighting]

[groans]

Cricket, wait!

You might wanna be
more careful with that.

It's a really valuable card.

But here, you can put it
in this protective case.

Mmm, no, thanks.

I don't wanna lock li'l Starbo up.

I'm having fun playing with him.

Oop! Nature's calling.

Come on, Starman-Dillon!

Let's show you
what a public restroom looks like.

No! I mean...

I can hold him till you get back.

Good looking out, buddy.

Now, make way,
or this will become an emergency!

[exhales sharply] Crisis averted.

[Starmadillo] Good thinking, Remy.

Huh? Who... who said that?

[Starmadillo] Down here!

Starmadillo?

That's right.

Cricket may be my owner,

but I wish it was someone
who really appreciated me.

Someone like you.

I mean, I would have bought
the pack you were in

if I hadn't brought Cricket along.

I was literally about to say
the same thing,

which means we've got
a real Galaxu connection.

You're my true owner.

Thanks for looking after
little Starbo for me.

You're a good friend, Remy.

Now, let's head back
to my house

so we can watch some of that Galagazu
anime you were tellin' me about!

Remy, save me!

Yes! I'll save you,
Starmadillo! I promise.

♪ Galaxu ♪

♪ Go out and buy
A bunch of cards ♪

♪ Galaxu ♪

♪ Cash, money order
Or credit card ♪

♪ Tell all your neighbors
Your friends and strangers ♪

♪ Go and buy Galaxu ♪

This is what cartoons are now?

Why ain't nobody getting hit
in the head with an anvil?

Gramma, we're trying to watch!

Whatever.

[protagonist on TV] My mission
is gonna be a lot easier

now that I have you
by my side, Starmadillo.

[Starmadillo on TV] Starmadillo!

I sure do love my Galaxu cards.

I love them because they're mine.

[card thief] Hand over your cards!

Oh, no! A card thief who threatens
to steal my beloved Galaxu cards!

That's right! I make bad choices!

[laughs maniacally]

Now, give me
your Starmadillo, or prepare to fight!

Is she serious?

Stealing Starmadillo
from his scrappy and lovable owner?

That's unforgivable!

[Remy] What do I do?

I can't just steal
the card from Cricket.

He wouldn't understand.

But I can't leave it
in his hands either.

I'm in a real pickle.

Try and steal my Starmadillo
after I use duplication mirror!

It... it's an exact copy!

I can't tell them apart!

An exact copy!

[snoring]

- Gloria! I need you
to paint something for me! -[screams]

Why does nobody knock in this...

Uh, wait. Paint something for you?

I need you to make
this worthless Galaxu card

look exactly like this.

Oh, my gosh! My first commission.

My time has come.

[presenter on TV] Guess that Galaxu!

Who? Who? Starmadillo!

[presenter] It's Orbi-turtle!

Eh, whatever.

This looks so real.

This might actually work!

Whoa!

That was a close one, Starmadillo!

With our bond of friendship and
your mega-black-hole-death-cannon,

there's nothing we can't do.

Wow!

What do you think of that, Starma...

- What the heck is this?
- Hmm?

This ain't my Starmadillo.

What? No! Of course
that's your Starmadillo!

Nah! See? Gloria painted this.

I can tell by her distinctive
brush strokes and confident lines.

Oh, my gosh, Cricket!
You recognize my art style?

[chuckles] What a day for my ego.

But if this one's fake,
then where's the real Starmadillo?

[chuckles nervously] Yeah! Where is he?

- Uh, Remy?
- [gulps]

[Cricket] What's that in your pocket?

This is my Starmadillo
in your plastic case.

Wait, I can explain!

But Remy best friend.

Remy steal from Cricket?

If you really care about it,

you'll let an experienced collector
like me have it.

Hmm.

I think you should go now, Remy.

It's okay, buddy.

I won't ever let you go.

Remy! I belong with you!

[straining]

You've left me no choice.

Cricket Green, I challenge you
to a real life Galaxu duel!

Hand over Starmadillo,

or Vasquez takes it by force!

Vasquez!

I got muscle too, you know.

[strains]

Gramma, someone's stealing my stuff!

[grunting] Who's trying to die today?

[grunting]

- Vasquez, fight!
- Gramma, fight!

[both grunting]

Vasquez, use low blow
on Mrs. Green's wooden leg!

[both grunting]

Gramma, use real hard punch!

Hush, boy! I know how to fight. [yells]

[grunting]

- [Gramma screaming]
- [crashing]

Mrs. Green's power is wearing out.

You can't win, Cricket. Give up now!

Never!

[grunts] Milk. Purple stuff.

Ooh! Bingo bango!

I use Megapotion on Gramma.

[grunts]

[gulping]

[grunts]

[screams]

[grunts angrily]

I can't believe
you tried to steal my card!

I love Starmadillo.

I may not have a fancy case,

but don't you trust
that I'll take care of it?

But it's not about that!

Then why? Why steal my card?

Because... because it isn't fair!

I've been looking
for that card for years, Cricket!

And you just started!

I deserved it more than you!

- [Gramma grunts]
- [Vasquez groans]

[both grunting]

Well, we'll see who deserves the card

when Gramma kills Vasquez's butt!

- Cricket, get back here!
- [glass breaking]

Our fishing trip.

[voice trembling] I've never
been fishing before.

Ah, don't worry. You're doing great.

[straining]

Wow!

That's bigger than any fish
I've ever caught.

And I've been doing this my whole life.

That's awesome!

Happy for you, bud.

[Cricket and Remy laughing]

[sighs] What have I done?

- [Gramma and Vasquez fighting]
- Huh?

Gramma, get up! You gotta get up!

[groans and coughs]

[laughs] Vasquez,

I'll see you in Slumberland.

I'm tired, boy. [snoring]

[♪ ominous instrumental music]

[whimpering]

Hand over the card, Master Cricket.

[groans] Starmadillo, I love you.

- [Remy] Stand down, Vasquez!
- [both] Huh?

Cricket, I thought it was unfair that
you found the card in your first pack.

The only thing that was unfair
was how I acted.

[inhales and exhales]
I'm so sorry, Cricket.

I should've just been happy for you.

Like you're always happy for me.

Starmadillo is yours.

Thanks, buddy.

And, hey, until you find
your own ultra rare card,

you can always come and look at...

Maybe a card case ain't a bad idea.

Hey, everyone, hold still.

I'm on a roll today.

Say Galaxu!

[all] Galaxu!

♪ I got sweat in my eyes ♪

♪ Lost a bet and got bit
By a hundred flies ♪

♪ I fell out a big ol' tree ♪

♪ Hit every branch
And scraped up both my knees ♪

♪ I got chased by dogs
Licked by a frog ♪

♪ Got a rash on my legs
Dropped a dozen eggs ♪

♪ I got splinters
In seven of ten ♪

♪ And tomorrow
I'll do it all again ♪