Troop Zero

In the charming town of Wiggly, Georgia, set against the backdrop of 1977, a group of elementary-school misfits decided to challenge societal norms by creating their own troop of Birdie Scouts. Led by the indomitable Christmas Flint, this eclectic ensemble of outcasts aimed to infiltrate the established Birdie Scout youth group with one goal in mind: to triumph in the talent show and secure their place on the Voyager Golden Record, a testament to human creativity that Christmas believed might resonate with extraterrestrial life. In a surprising turn of events, they discovered that the only unassigned troop number in the state was zero. This curious numerical conundrum took on significant meaning for these hopeful dreamers.

As Troop Zero embarked on this colorful journey of self-discovery and camaraderie, they found themselves under the scrutiny of Miss Massey, the leader of the Birdie Troop, who intended to deride them with the moniker “Troop Zero.” However, the girls—and one boy—transformed this label into a badge of honor, interpreting the number zero as a symbol of infinite possibility.

In their quest for a troop mother to guide their adventures and badge-earning efforts, they formed an unexpected alliance with Miss Rayleen, who happened to be the secretary of Christmas’ father. The complicated history between Miss Rayleen and Miss Massey added a layer of complexity to their interactions. As Troop Zero put in countless hours to achieve their badge goals, they unearthed hidden strengths, faced their vulnerabilities, and embraced one another’s quirks.

When the evening of the talent show arrived, Troop Zero stood poised to make their mark, launching into an interpretive dance performance set to the haunting strains of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” Just as Christmas began to feel the weight of the moment, she experienced a small mishap that sent the troop into fits of laughter. Nonetheless, they pressed forward, earning rousing applause from an enthusiastic audience.

Though they ultimately fell short of claiming the top honors—an accolade that went to Birdie Troop Five—the magic didn’t end there. A representative from NASA made a surprise appearance during a meteor shower, extending an invitation to the troop to record their voices for transmission into the boundless universe. As Christmas looked up at the twinkling stars above, she made a heartfelt wish that the aliens would find comfort in their collective spirit, honor her late mother’s memory, and cherish the remarkable friendships that had blossomed throughout their unforgettable adventure with Troop Zero.

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 15:04