Eyes narrowed with focus, Stella noted the macaque’s long, pink face and fluffy hair. Assuming the sick Dr. Munroe had given her the anglo name, Stella decided to go out on a limb. Considering her company it seemed a reasonable leap.

“Rather far from Jigokudani, aren’t ya sister?” Stella mocked, circling her low-crouching foe.

The macaque said nothing, only circled, eyes locked on Stella’s slight but curvy form.

“Found a new ichuunoonna here or just pining away?” Stella taunted, watching for her opening.

Her foe remained silent, but a faint quiver of the lip gave away the effect of Stella’s taunting.

So Stella drove it home with, “Really think you’ll ever see your beloved naichi Nippon again, freak?” That did it. The macaque howled, a gutteral slur for Westerners hidden in the sound, and leapt blindly. Stella dodged left, caught the monkey by the hind foot and started swinging.

With the aim of biblical David, she slung the far-flung monkey right at Dr. Munroe.

Special delivery.