x
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybCmbl6y2I
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. 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQTQIx0P2q
"Whew,"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcL1FPkKlg
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! 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhnaU3xW7X
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgqZHpnQG3
"What do you think is in there said, the boy?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM7OyqlwI0
"None of your damm business!" Now move along young lad, I got things to do. He glared at the boy,
"Well," 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6qV3vY2xy
what are you waiting for Richard said as he struggled dragging the old chest across the hot sand.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlTj4mHivV
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...253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BXkVktJJo
"Hey!"
Hey kid,253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTuueV8CbA
do you think you could lend a fellow a hand?253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn9rMt4Ddf
"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," 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Exxvs0KJ9
we made it cried the lad, I can't wait to see what is inside that thing!253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u0CdU35oX
"Well," 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY96oj0QHs
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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLxSJWCppj
"What?"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8rL0rLaOX
"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. 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB5TU62dPo
Scram! 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ17l35gfg
"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...253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFWKniKkek
It didn't seem that any of them was taking an interest in what he was doing...
"Hello." 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQf6dFnrYb
How are you? 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgZ8zt8DTX
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. 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIImyOT9xM
"Oh!" 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2H0qTMDoO
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,"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjOiRWnQgP
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.253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYBTHeE24l
A dull ache in his belly informed him that it was time to eat some grub...253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA5iBO2Hdx
"Ahh---253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbUO7JTClP
let's see what I have today and he began scrounging around inside his food sack. 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIuzZgjlmc
"Aha,"253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxrTQoV5RD
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," 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xJCu9Iuy0
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."253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkAJhImnpq
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, why253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyhtcGnmFZ
is that damm dog always vanishing...
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AJFVuIa3J
© Charles Kemp 253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9mvXXQtUo
253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS2sl0m9NO
