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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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3USMxUM71
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. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3aosxOoxG
"Whew,"342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qx2aIMbpD
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! 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYt9Mwb2aH
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2FH7YuHQm
"What do you think is in there said, the boy?"342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5MZ38niRy
"None of your damm business!" Now move along young lad, I got things to do. He glared at the boy,
"Well," 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEPbo5sFn0
what are you waiting for Richard said as he struggled dragging the old chest across the hot sand.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT9XCopiYt
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...342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxPA0hP4KZ
"Hey!"
Hey kid,342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf4kBzn8hG
do you think you could lend a fellow a hand?342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpG848INWe
"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," 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzdIkgyqcB
we made it cried the lad, I can't wait to see what is inside that thing!342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QXImHVtMu
"Well," 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeqGqdfUCN
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."342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsm0C44xVf
"What?"342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov5n7vCBE4
"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. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6HymjwLjx
Scram! 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6kqT6WH4I
"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...342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjsb6kD6Ox
It didn't seem that any of them was taking an interest in what he was doing...
"Hello." 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10CRhDIW3t
How are you? 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPrZxC4rli
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. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV7KZ8iy73
"Oh!" 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46DTG0qAit
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,"342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6LK4p9fNQ
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7TPpikqzS
A dull ache in his belly informed him that it was time to eat some grub...342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjixf9iCOQ
"Ahh---342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIRjEgVpoq
let's see what I have today and he began scrounging around inside his food sack. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEkxjTCtZl
"Aha,"342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsqt1UbbJD
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," 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GFKNZJZ6S
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."342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBpWNLswuv
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, why342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYF5EsY2UR
is that damm dog always vanishing...
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIjfT9BP0h
© Charles Kemp 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwewal23UrA
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvypy94LbFv
