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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxB4QbzZi4
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. 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgLsUNqIdl
"Whew,"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT4ZSk29Ah
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! 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTaq79gCq1
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHdGy5564S
"What do you think is in there said, the boy?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMUmZJ08Oq
"None of your damm business!" Now move along young lad, I got things to do. He glared at the boy,
"Well," 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYHuV1ASOj
what are you waiting for Richard said as he struggled dragging the old chest across the hot sand.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi2bAAquX0
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...317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h4TZWNVZE
"Hey!"
Hey kid,317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OC5o39txf
do you think you could lend a fellow a hand?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCbW5fbXYk
"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," 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUgQNZCDaz
we made it cried the lad, I can't wait to see what is inside that thing!317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgVW5Yo8AZ
"Well," 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o5dhz1WRL
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkRFsob2Lg
"What?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwyl6RjaqI
"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. 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMX7R7V2Ip
Scram! 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQk4hp0bDL
"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...317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ682QfoNXRf
It didn't seem that any of them was taking an interest in what he was doing...
"Hello." 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa4fGBHtOE
How are you? 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8j4AITF1o
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. 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQCIt3EFwp
"Oh!" 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hos9ytIiN
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,"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXdNOvVcRc
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDl7xKE4KG
A dull ache in his belly informed him that it was time to eat some grub...317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmTqQbWXAy
"Ahh---317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUSSzcYRKo
let's see what I have today and he began scrounging around inside his food sack. 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFYoe7M278
"Aha,"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXXlmHBXdj
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," 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOThYiDKr4u
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTIYX8IHdg
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, why317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVlW4EZsue
is that damm dog always vanishing...
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvVqzY1TaE
© Charles Kemp 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HUOtDzeQ7
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zA12ahppn
