[ WP/MP ] Write a story reimagining a character from another piece of fiction as down-and-out/washed up/past their prime .

Where would he be? I'd been walking throughout New York forever, and the fact that I was still looking even at this point seemed to make me question my own mental health. I had roamed throughout LA, down to San Fransisco, and eventually took a plane to Miami. Throughout each he was nowhere to be found. The only spec of hope I had of finding him was that in some ways, his absence from an area was just as telling as his presence. In under 3 hours, I could decide if he had shown up here or there or anywhere, even for a brief moment. After Florida failed, I decided it might be hopeless. He obviously operates in warm coastal climates exclusively. `` I could go to Africa'', I said to myself, but then the thought vanished from my head as any other ridiculous throwaway idea. The Idea to go to New York, however, would n't fade. Although in my right mind, I knew I'd be better off looking for tigers in the sewers. 
 
 I was finally At Times Square. I covered all of the places I that gave me that stomach feeling. But there was nothing. That's it, it is over. I felt as a failure. I decided to keep my mind in a meditative state as I walked aimlessly through the Manhattan ally-ways. Then I saw something I will never forget. a large colony of rats, evenly aligned, marching as if they were on way to war. I had never seen anything like this before. That was, until, the colony dispersed with sudden quickness. I saw a large feline, much larger than a housecat, jump out from the sewer drain and snatch one of the rodents. The rest fleed, and the feline was happy to oblige in a chase. In an instant I fled toward that mysterious cat. I ran and ran, finally it was no use. I'd never catch them. 
 
 `` Hey!'' Those were the words that startled me and put me on hands and face in the middle of the alley. A homeless man, complete with a full white beard, a layer of dirt-laced boxes as clothes, and and underwear tied to his head to keep his long hair out of his eyes. `` I'm sorry.'' I said, `` I did n't see you. Here, take this money from me, I am too soft of heart to not feel the guilt of ignoring your situation''. His eyes widened. `` Would you care to chat with me, I get money consistently from kind strangers, but never a nice long talk''. I could n't even hope to meet this request, and I could only reply with `` I'm sorry, sir. My heart is soft but I can not do this. I have been on a long exhausting Journey and I could never find the mental strength to talk to Socrates himself. I apologize, but perhaps we will meet again.'' As I walked away he said nothing until I was at the end of the block. `` Alrighty then!'' I heard, the anger in his voice made me feel that guilt I thought I left with the money. 
 
 I stopped. I finally realized what he had said to me. But there was no way. I went back to him slowly, amazed as a man sneaking up on a bigfoot. I looked in his eyes, was this really him? I could n't believe what 19 years could do. `` Did you see those rats?'' `` Yes'', I replied, `` I did''. He smiled, `` You know, I taught them that. They said You could n't teach rats how to be organized, they were'too dumb', but you saw them, did n't you?'' 
'I did, I also saw them destroyed by a large tiger that came from the sewer.' 
'They said also, that a bobcat would never let me paint him like a tiger, and I could never teach him to play nice with rats, but I did, you saw it, did n't you?' 
 
 I knew it then. I had found him. `` A.....Ace?'' 
 
 He smiled, and at that moment, the colony of rats came from all throughout the alley, they surrounded him and walked on him as a pet would. Then, out from the dumpster, the bobcat came too, laying on his lap. Allowing the rats to cover him without even a quiver. 
 
 `` What Are you doing here!'' I said. `` I had looked from Pheonix, Arizona, Northern California, LA!'' But you were nowhere to be found.' 
 
 `` Many have searched for me, yes''. But my line of work is over....there is gps now, there is sattelite video. People put chips inside their dogs ears. What need is there for me anyway. Pet detectives are a thing of the past.'' 
'Mr. Ventura, you need to clean yourself up and come with me. We need you' 
 
'Thats what they said in Africa' 
 
'This is n't a bat, Ace. This is bigger than anything else. 2 of the Zoos in the west coast have lost all of their Animals without a trace. All GPS and computer tracking devices have been wiped, all of the video evidence, WIPED! Ace, we need you, now more than ever.' 
 
'I am an old man, I am a drunk, me and the rats split lines of coke sometimes. I am not the man I used to be, I'm sorry'. 
 
'Mr. Ventura there was a time when you would be surrounded by the things that make you happy. All animals from all types keeping you company. You were their protector. Now look at you, do n't you want to protect them?' 
 
'I gave up my friends a long time ago, it was for the best. For I could not support my family. But I still have my friends. My cat, my rats, and of course, the many fly and maggot friends that make their home in by full beard'. 
 
'Ace, do you know where all of your animal friends ended up?' 
 
'I'm sure some kind of peaceful animal paradise, where all kinds are equal. They have moved past eating meat and now work together on an agricultural based society. They support free trade, but still help out those at the bottom. They have democratic elections, where even the smallest flea cou - 
 
'ACE!, We do n't KNOW where your animals ended up, because all of the Animals being held at both Zoos were YOUR animals!' 
 
 Suddenly his eyes widened, he rose up, I now had his intention. I showed him the photo. `` This is the only photo that was able to be taken. Unfortunately, the man who took it is no longer alive to give an account. It portrays a masked man ca-'' He took the photo from me and looked at it studiously. `` This is my monkey, they kidnapped my monkey, he stopped writing to me, I thought he was dead, but he WAS getting my letters.'' 
 
 `` Ace'' I intervened. `` `` This is actually the son of your monkey, Spike Jr. They both could only sleep with a photo of yourself in their cage. His father must have told him stories of you as a protector. Mr. Ventura, Now that they need you more than ever, can you be their protector, can you rise up and protect the animals that you had raised as your own?'' 
 
 His face lit up, slight tears ran down his cheek. He jumped up, he threw the rats from his body. He ripped off his boxes to uncover a hawaiin shirt and khaki shorts, he ripped off his beard and hair to uncover a clean shaven fave and slicked back folicles. 
 
 `` We're going back to Cali'' 
 
 I was amazed by his sudden change. He then looked at me and said 
 
 `` By the way, Who the hell are you?'' 
 
 
 To be continued...... 

