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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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiBnJYPTQG
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. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9dHCqSQDD
"Whew,"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdahLpPhfDW
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! 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYyUddTGQA
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCjnL8bFjF
"What do you think is in there said, the boy?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjKjrz0TlS
"None of your damm business!" Now move along young lad, I got things to do. He glared at the boy,
"Well," 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlElLpm8zw
what are you waiting for Richard said as he struggled dragging the old chest across the hot sand.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk6GVjtY4b
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...402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSKSIi80Xx
"Hey!"
Hey kid,402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2ZdpTEB1B
do you think you could lend a fellow a hand?402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEcDNr8Dam
"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," 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jYZWwqSvk
we made it cried the lad, I can't wait to see what is inside that thing!402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe37gKaS1qT
"Well," 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2gUvU2SxO
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."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dw5j183w2
"What?"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9f0pH9kyy
"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. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFzxnlBlC1
Scram! 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesnh7dpeTc
"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...402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfZiZFM6Sv
It didn't seem that any of them was taking an interest in what he was doing...
"Hello." 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZak3pcAG8T
How are you? 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF8RRh47BN
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. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwAEGv6pHT
"Oh!" 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRerd8gxY1
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,"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxwvTAeoTd
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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzQTrHJ3Fu
A dull ache in his belly informed him that it was time to eat some grub...402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCil7ph4W7R
"Ahh---402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMQeh1N1Z0
let's see what I have today and he began scrounging around inside his food sack. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDxMta0i4p
"Aha,"402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTLGn27Yc8
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," 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxwen5lzUW
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."402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2NOgbZkG9
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, why402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrI9WInt85
is that damm dog always vanishing...
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tgZRAE0SC
© Charles Kemp 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc1i1ZHoS3
402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EOVOROeRX
