Finding Bailey Chapter 1

It has been six months since Dory traveled to the Marine Life Institute in Morro Bay, California and reunited with her parents. Three of the aquarium’s animals, Bailey the beluga, Destiny the whale shark, and Hank the octopus, whose eighth tentacle has finally grown back, have escaped and decided to live in the Great Barrier Reef. Marlin, Dory, and Bailey were watching Nemo play with Tad, Sheldon, and Pearl play in a playground of coral, and Dory asked Marlin a question.

“Remember when we went on that adventure to Sydney to find Fabio?” She asked.

“Yes, Dory.” Said Marlin. “But I try to forget.” Suddenly, Bailey gave out a loud sneeze that blew Nemo and his classmates into the sand.

“Bless you!” Said Dory.

“Thanks.” Said Bailey, who had a nasal accent. “I’ve been feeling ill ever since I left the MLI.” Bailey was about to sneeze again, but then Marlin swam over and covered his nostrils, though air came out of his blowhole, instead.

“Bailey,” Said Marlin. “We need to see an expert. In this case, Mr. Ray.”

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Marlin, Nemo, Dory, and Bailey swam over to the sandy area of the Great Barrier Reef to find Mr. Ray, since he’d be buried in the sand. While digging with her tail, Dory hit something sharp.

“Ow!” She exclaimed. Soon, a large porcupine ray rose out from the sand.

“Hey!” Said the porcupine ray. “I was trying to take a nap!”

“Sorry.” Said Marlin. “We were trying to find Mr. Ray. He’s a blue stingray with white spots, teaches a young shoal of fish, and likes to sing."

“Oh, that guy?” Said the porcupine ray. “You won’t find him here! But if you want to find him, just follow singing.”

“Guys!” Said Bailey. “I can use my echolocation!” Bailey placed his pectoral fins on his head and started concentrating. “Oooooooh! I see a flat thing talking to some round things! Ooooooh! That must be him!” Bailey followed what he located using his echolocation, and Marlin, Nemo, and Dory followed in pursuit. The quartet soon found Mr. Ray talking to a family of parrotfish.

“Don’t worry, Barb and Phil.” Said Mr. Ray. “I’ll tell Tad’s parents that he shouldn’t tease Gladys for eating coral. It’s a natural instinct, after all!” He was about to sing, but then, Marlin interrupted him to ask a question.

“Excuse me, Mr. Ray.” Said the clownfish. “Our friend Bailey, who’s a beluga, is feeling a little down in the weather. Do you know what’s wrong with him?

“Well, where did you find Bailey?” Mr. Ray asked.

“The Marine Life Institute.” Answered Bailey, before he let out another sneeze through his blowhole.

“Well, Bailey.” Said Mr. Ray. “You’re a beluga, and belugas typically live in the cold seas of the Arctic. The Great Barrier Reef is no place for your kind. I suggest that you bring him back home as soon as you can. Alaska or Antarctica are my suggestions.”

“Can we go on another adventure, Dad?” Asked Nemo.

“That’s out of the question!” Said Marlin. “We already went on two big adventures involving sharks, jellyfish, boats, trucks, and a squid! I’m not gonna risk my only family for another adventure.”

“But it’ll be fun, Marlin!” Said Dory.

“The answer is no, and that’s final!” Said Marlin. “Ask Hank to help you.”

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When Dory told Hank about the situation at hand, he gave an identical answer to Marlin’s.

“Absolutely not!” Said Hank. “My tentacle just grew back, and I’m not risking my life for a whale you've only known for six months!”

“But Frank!” Said Dory. “If we don’t bring Bailey back to the Arctic, he’ll die!” Hank flinched upon hearing that.

“How far away is Bailey’s home?” Asked Hank.

“Nebraska.” Said Dory.

“It’s Alaska.” Said Bailey, before letting out another sneeze.

“We’ll leave tomorrow.” Said Hank.

Author's Notes: The porcupine ray is a fish that can be found in tropical waters throughout the world, from Madagascar to Fiji. Its distinctive traits include its thick, rounded shape and dorsal covering of sharp thorns.

Phil the parrotfish is named after a snail Dory and her parents encounter in an early draft of Finding Dory. In this draft of the film, Dory's parents Charlie and Jenny also had short-term memory loss, which drove Philip the snail crazy.