Dana are you OK? Bette asks quietly.

Sure, why? Dana responds putting her best brave face on.

Well this is my mission. I need you to describe what you see here as I sketch it out and then see where we are. Are you game? Bette looks at Dana closely.

Sure when do you want me to start? Dana says as she takes a deep breath as if to fortify herself.
Bette moves a five or six steps behind Dana and takes up her sketch pad beginning to draw. Dana turns to see what Bettes doing.
Im going to stand back here so I will only draw what you verbalize. Im going to just be watching the pad and not look at what youre describing so I will only be influenced by your description. Do you have any questions? Bette asks.

Dana shakes her head.

Great you can start anytime you want. Bette instructs as she brings her pencil to a poised position.

Dana inhales deeply and lets her breath out slowly and moves closer to the rail again. With the movement the lion once again roars a warning. Again Dana flinches but doesnt move. She stands there for a long while before she begins to describe the scene for Bette.

Bette just patiently waits for Dana to become comfortable enough to describe what she sees.

Dana slowly begins to talk haltingly I see the largest teeth, white sharp and long and his mouth is only half opened. He is standing on all four legs with his head lowered and his back arched. God he is huge maybe 10 feet long. His face is huge, a tawny color which is taut, neck stretched forward, and he is looking right at me with those huge eyes. He has a wrinkly nose which is pointed in a slightly upward position.

Just then the lion roars again. This time Dana jumped but she didnt look like she was as ready to bolt as before. Wow, when he roars you can see his abdomen muscles ripple as they contract. His whole body becomes taut as he lets it rip. Now Dana is beginning to lean a little towards the lion as she is examining his features. This guy has a beautiful mane. Its massive looking thick hair which goes from his neck are all the way around his head to his belly. The mane is lighter colored than his back hair. Once again the lion roars as Dana is describing him, this time Dana barely notices the noise as she is focused on what she is doing. Now enjoying the job Dana begins to describe the lions pacing and how his muscles move as he walks from the grassy area to the little pond they have set up for him.