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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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUJ2eYZ1tK
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. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLUsEKB9wN
"Whew,"284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBTxjKZ6ol
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! 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuhSr6S4u3
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyh1FQ3143
"What do you think is in there said, the boy?"284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFaaCAtLg0
"None of your damm business!" Now move along young lad, I got things to do. He glared at the boy,
"Well," 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGb2A6Ora0
what are you waiting for Richard said as he struggled dragging the old chest across the hot sand.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3f66W3RtU
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...284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAuagPJmfp
"Hey!"
Hey kid,284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbXpW6F80k
do you think you could lend a fellow a hand?284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9t1hGQt0S
"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," 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGKrmgQuji
we made it cried the lad, I can't wait to see what is inside that thing!284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A9uR2jFYH
"Well," 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghyrFcsaN6
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."284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4A9uitCE3
"What?"284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoefuC1qMO6
"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. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDoVEM5WzX
Scram! 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFaLOrH7th
"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...284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwKoQdkKUw
It didn't seem that any of them was taking an interest in what he was doing...
"Hello." 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaD1z6iDJJ
How are you? 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjCdGtzJp1
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. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFqVHSU390
"Oh!" 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5muWeh2KpH
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,"284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9oR7Nz1or
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.284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsinwuQbdjX
A dull ache in his belly informed him that it was time to eat some grub...284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Izig7IKkR
"Ahh---284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT7DGuL7sS
let's see what I have today and he began scrounging around inside his food sack. 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQOcoClwlt
"Aha,"284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAkbzEv2A0
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," 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQhfKoKDAS
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."284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2aI9isIvd
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, why284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlAPQiNc9K
is that damm dog always vanishing...
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKV9o1Wcif
© Charles Kemp 284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURIQkNwnrw
284Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOimaC2kvhB
