"Hm, looks like I may have myself a new pool toy," said Bruno smiling wickedly.
"C'mon, Bruno, we're buds. Remember I said I'd help you get Chad before coach makes us change him back," Rico said wobbling back and forth on his rubber legs.
"Yeah, but after the parade and prom. See I already got thr principal to agree to have the parade float stored in the gym until prom, and have it the centerpiece of the prom. Principal loves the idea, and coach can't tell him that his star student is a parade float balloon. That's why I was late, Rico."
Bruno continued, "Anyway, once you cure, Rico, I can make a second panther out of you. Then deflate Chad, and reshape him into my Speedo permanently. Then I'll hook you up to the helium tanks, and leave them on. Unattended when you explode no one will be looking for Chad, not quite what I originally planned, but you are helping me get Chad just like you offered. Maybe I don't have to burst you. If you blow a few big blue latex loads, and the balloon is gone, maybe everyone will assume that the blue rubber goo is all that's left of Chad."
Bruno turned and walked away, he looked over his shoulder, "You two stay right there. I'll be back in a couple minutes in my hazmat suit. Then I'll crank the helium into Chad before deflating him. Then I'll be your turn, Rico."
Chad made an odd high pitched squeaky noise. Rico wondered if it was fear or anticipation for what Bruno had planned. Rico didn't want to be a pool toy. He had an idea. The rubbery Rico bounced around on the floor moving toward Chad and the helium tanks.