Chapter  9
Marlin had the address from the mask: 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney. But where was Wallaby Way? Where was Sydney?
He had to ask for directions.
A school of silvery moonfish swirled past. Maybe they knew.
“Excuse me,” Marlin said as they rushed by. “Uh—hello?”
The moonfish darted this way and that, constantly moving.
“Hey! Hold it!” Marlin shouted. “Wait a minute! I’m trying to talk to you.”
Again, they hurried by.
“One quick question!” Marlin pleaded. “Please? And they’re gone again!”
Just then, Dory swam closer by. “P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way,” she recited. She’d been repeating the address ever since she’d remembered it. “42 Wallaby Way.”
It was driving Marlin crazy.
“Okay. All right, here’s the thing,” he told her. “I think it’s best if I just carry on from here… by myself.”
Dory paused, not understanding. “Huh?” This was so hard to say. Marlin tried again. “I don’t want to hurt your feelings.” “You want me to leave?” Dory asked in disbelief.
“Well, I mean not… Yes. It’s just, you know...I can’t afford any more delays, and you’re one of those fish that cause delays.”
Dory’s eyes opened wide. “You mean… you don’t like me?”
“No! Of course I like you,” Marlin explained. “Oh! Don’t cry. I like you—”
All of a sudden, a group of moonfish stopped in front of them. “Hey, you!” one said to Marlin.
They all hovered there, staring at Marlin.
“Lady,” said the fish. “Is this guy bothering you?”
“Um, I don’t remember.” Dory sniffled. Then she turned to Marlin. “Were you?”
“Hey!” Marlin said suddenly. He finally had their attention! “Do you guys know how I can get to P. Sherman—”
“Look, pal, we’re talking to the lady, not you.” The fish smiled at Dory, trying to cheer her up. “You like impressions? Okay,” the fish said to the others. “Just like in rehearsal, gentlemen…”
The moonfish swam into different positions, forming the shape of a swordfish.
“So what are we? Take a guess?” they asked.
Dory perked up. “Oh, I’ve seen one of those,” she said.
“I’m a fish with a nose like a sword,” one of the moonfish said, giving her a hint.
“Wait… wait… um…” Dory said. “It’s a swordfish!” Marlin put in.
“Hey, Clown Boy. Let the lady guess,” another fish scolded Marlin.
The moonfish did more impressions. They changed into a lobster, an octopus, a ship… But Dory didn’t get a single one right.
“Would somebody please give me directions?” Marlin shouted angrily.
The moonfish switched places again. This time they looked like a clownfish. An angry clownfish—just like Marlin.
Finally, Dory laughed.
This is useless, Marlin thought. He swam off.
“Hey! Come back!” Dory followed him. “What’s the matter?”
Marlin turned to her. “What’s the matter? While they’re doing their silly little impressions, I am miles from home, with a fish that can’t even remember her own name.” He sighed. “Meanwhile, my son is out there... But it doesn’t matter, ’cause no fish in this entire ocean is gonna help me.”
“Well, I’m helping you,” Dory told him. “Wait right here.”
She hurried back to the school of fish. “Guys, any of you heard of P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney?” she asked politely.
“Sydney? Oh, sure,” said one of the fish. “You wouldn’t know how to get there, would you?” asked Dory.
“What you wanna do is follow the EAC. That’s, uh, East Australian Current,” the fish explained.
The moonfish shifted places so that they looked like wavy lines in the water: the East Australian Current. “Big current—can’t miss it.”
Then they turned into an arrow. “It’s in that direction. And then you’re gonna follow that for about, uh, three leagues, and that little baby’s gonna float you right past Sydney.”
“Great!” Marlin swam over. “That’s great! Dory, you did it!”
“Oh, please. I’m just your little helper—helpin’ along,” Dory said cheerfully.
“Well, listen, fellahs, thank you,” Marlin called to the moonfish.
“Don’t mention it. Just loosen up. Okay, buddy?” they replied.
“Bye,” Dory said as she and Marlin swam off.
“Oh, hey, ma’am?” said the fish. “One more thing.”
Dory turned and swam back to the moonfish. “Yes?”
“When you come to this trench,” the fish formed a picture of a long, narrow ditch with very steep sides. “Swim through it. Not over it!”
“Trench,” Dory repeated. “Through it. Not over it. I’ll remember!”
Then she turned to catch up with Marlin, who was already on his way.