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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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwFtCLr00e
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. 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCVQjXbtqg
"Whew,"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRtKhCkdDF
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! 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjPccIlO5v
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq8JA8Kj9X
"What do you think is in there said, the boy?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A8Q0FjmhB
"None of your damm business!" Now move along young lad, I got things to do. He glared at the boy,
"Well," 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIZOBwtLMD
what are you waiting for Richard said as he struggled dragging the old chest across the hot sand.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zJSUjwPSN
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...263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNwn31JQfP
"Hey!"
Hey kid,263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4ouEXtm22
do you think you could lend a fellow a hand?263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ekIqhZwtL
"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," 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOSY1cZfkK
we made it cried the lad, I can't wait to see what is inside that thing!263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f4fnTKyrE
"Well," 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtkY7BeLw8
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHpYTlGehV
"What?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfRiIKsPAo
"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. 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOH8uMlgsj
Scram! 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutbawUXCt6
"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...263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAuMYQ0peD
It didn't seem that any of them was taking an interest in what he was doing...
"Hello." 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUmIqymSvr
How are you? 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHZAVcHLzz
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. 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmZRICVXuY
"Oh!" 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdR1eyDtUB
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,"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBWK2ZHHy0
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQmNEC0svP
A dull ache in his belly informed him that it was time to eat some grub...263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqTa5eJa5K
"Ahh---263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxxjEpMLcB
let's see what I have today and he began scrounging around inside his food sack. 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkRBPhhniZ
"Aha,"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNP9JiNLXc
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," 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuEgIaY3bV
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW70sBU0zu
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, why263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosRSrsTnqT
is that damm dog always vanishing...
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4UaA2FxSr
© Charles Kemp 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg8GE3nfKA
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYGVUuSJdB
