The One and Only Ivan

Hi, I'm Ivan.

I'm a gorilla.

It's not as easy as it looks.

You'll see.

Out this window is the billboard for my show.

I'm the headliner. Which means I'm the star.

I look pretty ferocious, don't I?

I'm never really angry, but I can pretend.

That's my job.

For 20 years humans have come from miles around to visit me

at the Big Top Mall and Video Arcade at exit eight.

And this is our tent, where we perform inside the mall.

It's pretty unique?

Welcome, one and all!

Step right up!

- Our show will commence in five minutes! - Five.

This is Mack. I've known him for as long as I can remember.

He's a little bit of a ham.

I thank you all for coming! Hello there!

I'm not sure the accent's foolin' anyone.

Welcome to the littlest big top on Earth!

Prepare yourselves for the most marvelously majestic animal show,

the likes of which you have never seen!

Introducing Henrietta!

The best baseball-playing chicken you've ever seen.

The batter is now approaching the plate.

She's got incredible beak-eye coordination.

That's my girl!

Home run!

Frankie, the seal!

I will not drop the ball. I'm gonna drop the ball.

He's a little, neurotic.

I'm gonna drop the ball.

But his act is always perfect.

Well done!

I didn't drop the ball!

- Here he comes. - Murphy!

Rabbit in a fire truck!

Whee!

Murphy's always a big hit with the kids.

Now, the queen of the Big Top, Stella!

Stella is my oldest and wisest friend.

She's been performing since before I was born.

She knows more than I'll ever know.

Now, where's my favorite poodle gone?

There's my cue.

Snickers brings a lot of class to the show.

I love an audience. Best part of the day.

Up you go, girl!

They nail their routine every time.

- Come on, Snickers. Let's do this. - Okay, Stella. Ready when you are.

- Trunk up! - There you go.

Magic.

- And this guy... - Hey, pal.

Is my best buddy.

He's not supposed to be here, but he...

He sure makes himself at home.

Now, the moment you've all been waiting for.

I don't do any tricks. Mack says it's enough for me to be me.

But I'm the headliner, so I come on last.

You've heard of the legend...

Sounds like a lot of pressure, I know, but I love my job.

See him for yourselves!

Wait for it, wait for it...

The one and only Ivan!

Watch this.

I always get the kids.

And then a little chest thump.

That's pretty impressive?

The one and only Ivan!

And this is Julia.

She comes by my domain every night because her father, George, works here.

She could sit anywhere, but she always chooses to sit by me.

I think she likes me.

- What do you think, Ivan? - How about that?

That's the real me right there.

Hey, Jules, that's a good one.

- Thank you. - Yeah.

George, your girl's got some serious talent.

She gets it from her mother.

Yeah, how's Sarah doing?

She has her good days and bad days.

And these things, they take time.

Yeah.

Jules,

why don't you go buy yourself some new crayons?

You don't need to do that, Mack.

No, I... I'd like to.

What do you say, Julia?

- Thank you so much. - You're welcome.

Go quick, all right? We gotta get going.

School's out soon. Things always pick up then.

Yeah. It'll pick up.

Yeah.

This ain't good, kid.

This won't even begin to cover food and rent.

We gotta pack 'em in again. Get the excitement back, you know?

If we don't, it's over.

Then what are we gonna do?

Great.

Asking a gorilla for advice.

"Get the excitement back"?

Don't you just love the moon, with its untroubled smile?

I prefer the sun.

I love the feel of sun on my belly.

It is an impressive belly, my friend.

- Thank you. - Somebody loves sleeping on it.

You know, the first night he snuck in here he was half this size.

He was adorable. I dreamt I ate a furry doughnut.

Stella, you remember when this place was packed with people?

Three shows a day. Standing room only.

I remember.

You think it's not like that anymore because of me?

Do you think I've lost my edge?

I mean, if they want an angry gorilla, I can still be that.

Why do they want an angry gorilla anyway?

I think humans like us one way.

And gorillas they see as angry.

My father used to say, "Anger is precious.

Use it to keep order and warn others of danger."

But here, there's no one to protect.

Sometimes it's hard to roar for no reason.

I know.

I didn't touch the kibble. It wasn't me.

Hi.

- Hi. . Hi.

Are you guys talking about me?

'Cause whatever it is, I didn't do it.

No.

Back to my dream.

Tasty.

Well, don't worry, you'll see.

I'm the headliner. I got this.

I'm gonna fix the show.

Yes.

You will, my friend.

You are the headliner.

Let's give 'em a great show, okay?

We're in this together, kid. I know we can turn this around.

That's my boy.

All right, curtain up in ten minutes.

- All right, Murph. Showtime. - It's all under control.

It's all under control.

Do the words "Bird for sale" mean anything to you? Do they?

- "Bird for sale"? - Yeah, well, just remember that.

- That is our show. - Nailed it.

I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

- Still, not a lot of people out there. - Thank you. Ta-ta!

Ivan!

I have something for you.

Sometimes when I'm drawing, I see you watching me.

I just got some new crayons.

So, I thought maybe you'd like my old ones?

Here.

They're a little broken.

- You good? - Yeah.

All right. Let's go, honey.

Good night, Ivan.

Good night, Uncle Mack!

Night.

What are you gonna do with that?

I'm not sure.

I'd probably eat it.

- It's a crayon. - I know it's a crayon.

Listen.

- It's raining kibble up there. - I'm starvin'.

- Don't you wish you could have some? - It's like a dream come true.

Let's hope he's not hangin' around tonight.

All right. See you in the morning, Snickers.

Bingo.

- You better hide. - He's never gonna catch me.

He's comin'. You're skating on thin ice, buddy.

That dog!

- Castello! - I told ya.

Castello!

Yeah, Mack, what's up?

What's up?

My blood pressure.

Are you kidding me?

How many times have I gotta tell you to get that mutt outta here?

Look, your job is to keep our animals in their cages

and all other animals out!

The last thing we need around here is another mouth to feed.

You got it, Mack. It's under control.

- It's all under control. - Sure it is.

Under control. It's all under control.

Ha.

Loser.

Crayons.

What would I draw anyway?

Hello, Mr. Beetle.

Wha...

- What is it? A flying cow? - No.

- Is it a hand? - Nah.

- Hands are so tough to get right. - Really?

- Is it Tennessee? - No.

- Kansas. - Boy.

- Is that me? - Wh-What?

- Did you draw a picture of me? - No.

- I know! It's a burrito. - No, it's not a burrito. It's a...