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.128Please respect copyright.PENANAVzVsWcjpqR
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. 128Please respect copyright.PENANAJcMoShNQ10
"Whew,"128Please respect copyright.PENANAGuOR7pI5WO
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! 128Please respect copyright.PENANAVYx0d94czu
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.128Please respect copyright.PENANAkLku825pGh
"What do you think is in there said, the boy?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAvyNO1AQaza
"None of your damm business!" Now move along young lad, I got things to do. He glared at the boy,
"Well," 128Please respect copyright.PENANABcCw86n7HP
what are you waiting for Richard said as he struggled dragging the old chest across the hot sand.128Please respect copyright.PENANAa2YRZPnqsD
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...128Please respect copyright.PENANAN9xXancv7t
"Hey!"
Hey kid,128Please respect copyright.PENANAmGObtJiIZZ
do you think you could lend a fellow a hand?128Please respect copyright.PENANAjAtAdz5qS2
"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," 128Please respect copyright.PENANAv5ikRdE8px
we made it cried the lad, I can't wait to see what is inside that thing!128Please respect copyright.PENANAZOj5DV5Byf
"Well," 128Please respect copyright.PENANABkqa1r6uZQ
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."128Please respect copyright.PENANARlG3iEwowS
"What?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAOr8dJEYJrD
"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. 128Please respect copyright.PENANA78oayb1jAw
Scram! 128Please respect copyright.PENANAmxdi1eKiHt
"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...128Please respect copyright.PENANAV9VcW4d5f3
It didn't seem that any of them was taking an interest in what he was doing...
"Hello." 128Please respect copyright.PENANAMw6W6LjZkw
How are you? 128Please respect copyright.PENANADI69DTukNE
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. 128Please respect copyright.PENANA44pLNHjCWc
"Oh!" 128Please respect copyright.PENANAXhURF0rVoR
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,"128Please respect copyright.PENANAfhH4UhRHRI
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.128Please respect copyright.PENANAKYWZm3aT34
A dull ache in his belly informed him that it was time to eat some grub...128Please respect copyright.PENANA6da4zdodnw
"Ahh---128Please respect copyright.PENANAfCLPEUNDBa
let's see what I have today and he began scrounging around inside his food sack. 128Please respect copyright.PENANAnKC0u7p2bR
"Aha,"128Please respect copyright.PENANAVbza9jj6mx
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," 128Please respect copyright.PENANAqMfx513VbW
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."128Please respect copyright.PENANAbut4BkISQo
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, why128Please respect copyright.PENANA4c5GqtHHd8
is that damm dog always vanishing...
128Please respect copyright.PENANAU5bfDRrrZK
© Charles Kemp 128Please respect copyright.PENANAUE61oOKD9M
128Please respect copyright.PENANABRlZKEgUce