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Richard lived his life by his own rules, taking whatever came his way. Scavenging, dumpster diving, surviving off the scraps of society, doing private eye work on the side.
His tanned face rested upon the old worn chest as he stared hard at it. Apparently a recent bad storm washed it up onto the beach. The rusty lock was still amazingly quite strong as he busily hammered away using a large rock he found on the beach.
Resting for a moment he pondered his next move.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGaAwCA8Zr
The rising dawn was about to reveal many beachcombers and curious eyes that he didn't need around. So he reached down taking the chest by the handle, dragging it towards his shelter
on the beach.
However, the weight was quite heavy and he had to stop and rest a few times. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk7TAWbSId
"Whew,"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZpQGeYYpC
said Richard, I haven't done this much work since I was a young lad. "I wonder what's in it?" He reflected back on his days as a seafarer on ocean merchant ships, maneuvering the yard and hauling sails with youthful vigor.
I wonder what Starr is doing right now? "That is really one hot, sexy dame!"
Boy! 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwboYFr9bo
He thought I could sure use some help..."What you're doing mister, piped a young voice." He turned to see a young boy staring quizzically at him...
"Ahh, it's just an old piece of wooden crap," said Richard, I found it on the beach earlier.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRofaDKoF8
"What do you think is in there said, the boy?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jaolrHxsk
"None of your damm business!" Now move along young lad, I got things to do. He glared at the boy,
"Well," 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXsiGYbWmq
what are you waiting for Richard said as he struggled dragging the old chest across the hot sand.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINGm4aNMdK
Jeez, he thought to himself, what in the world could be so heavy in this beat up crate? He was still about 50 yards or so from his camp alongside the beach and was quickly tiring.
The kid was walking away and he didn't think he had the strength to get the crate all the way there by himself...265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UaXJyFAQN
"Hey!"
Hey kid,265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Fz5anigv
do you think you could lend a fellow a hand?265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7li1PVCRPV
"Sure," the young boy said as he walked over to assist in dragging the chest to the camp. Heavy sweat was rolling down his forehead and his aching bones were very happy when he arrived at his beach encampment...
"Oh boy," 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASoYaiNNTr
we made it cried the lad, I can't wait to see what is inside that thing!265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fri5QZrfV
"Well," 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2wPRVvi2v
said Richard, perhaps you should be getting along. "I'm sure that your parents are probably wondering where you are. I can take it from here, besides I need to rest."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHU5SezR3B
"What?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTFIYC1wHQ
"Goodbye, ahh, said the boy, can't I see what is inside that old crate. Mr, I helped you drag it here didn't I?
"Yes, I replied, but I need my rest, so off with you now young lad. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiosDbAwJcG
Scram! 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq5M2f0wyy
"Well, okay, pouted the boy, frowning, he then slowly walked away. Richard then took a piercing look at his surroundings and the tourists on the beach.
Hmm...265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlQg7u8s2Z
It didn't seem that any of them was taking an interest in what he was doing...
"Hello." 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnt7UPtu0x
How are you? 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p2ZzSgOEX
Startled, he turned around to see a male tourist intently gazing at the crate. "It looks like you might have found something of interest said the tourist. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFauEMNQku
"Oh!" 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB2KiE9aa0
This, said Richard throwing a raggedy blanket over the crate, "It is nothing, just an old weather beaten piece of crap I found on the beach." Would you be interested in buying some of my wood carvings?
"Perhaps another day,"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj6QetlbtE
the man begrudgingly said and he slowly wandered back among the other tourists. Richard had been carving his wood sculptures for years, a habit that started in his seafaring days in the
Navy.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuTCFrCtmb
A dull ache in his belly informed him that it was time to eat some grub...265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkOWP4qCq5
"Ahh---265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfsyC4I0KO
let's see what I have today and he began scrounging around inside his food sack. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURIzQyCQET
"Aha,"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCZHpkw7e5
this will do just fine he said and sat down and began munching on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Hmm, this is so delicious. Smacking his lips his gaze turned towards the old tattered chest he had discovered on the beach.
He studied it with intense scrutiny, "Oh, how am I ever going to remove that damm blasted old lock he muttered!"
"Hi," 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgZxhMOlCM
what's your name mister said a familiar voice? "Do you remember me?" He looked up to see the young boy gawking at him...
"I see that you don't take hints very well young lad replied Richard."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq2Y2WPfuY
Go away before I sic my dog Frankenstein on you! What do you want now? "Why, I came over to help you responded the boy." I sneaked this hammer out of my dad's toolbox because I seen you were having trouble with that rusty old lock.
Well kid...
Hey, where is that mutt anyway. Richard thought, why265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbARIKsqx3u
is that damm dog always vanishing...
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6itbQhbUq
© Charles Kemp 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgjI0bxQaq
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51EcalgQ5A
