It takes a lot of convincing, but Griffin gets Ben on board with Operation Zoobreak, arguing that it might be the last plan they can work on together. The boys will need more help, and with a smile, Griffin says, “[I]t’s time to get the team back together” (44).

In addition to Savannah (the animal expert), Ben (the small child who can sneak around), and Griffin (the planner and animal burglar—though he’s not yet sure how to break the animals free), the team consists of Antonia Benson, who goes by “Pitch” and specializes in climbing; Melissa Dukakis, who specializes in computers and technology; and Logan Kellerman, who specializes in acting. Griffin formulates a plan using each person’s individual skills, which begins with a scouting mission planned for Saturday. In the meantime, he silently promises Cleopatra that “it won’t be long now” (52).

On the scouting mission, Melissa sets up wireless cameras to spy on All Aboard Animals while Pitch surveys the fence she’ll have to scale during the actual break-in. Griffin and Ben go into the zoo, deliver a hopeful message to a sad-looking Cleopatra, and decide Ben will crawl through the ventilation system to get into the zoo so he can let the others in.