Danger Bay—Episode 2—Lar meets the Strangers

By Jay Merton (writing as Molly Halloran)

Previously:

Although Lar doesn’t know it yet,the strangers at the café are Jay, Boomer, & I, my fiancé, Joe Kewl, retired banker Trigg Guudlender, and real estate broker, “Miami” Maggie Dokic.

Lar’s world will soon be tipped on its side—and this is the continuing story of how that comes to pass.

Season I, Chapter 1, Episode 2:

If you’ll remember, Gentle Reader, in our last installment, Medlar “Lar” Farkleberry as he was opening his Danger Bay Star Gas Station (full service only, thank you very much), he noticed a gaggle of strangers on the boardwalk of Silverthorns’ Café. Curiosity soon got the better of him:

“Wal, I could do m’books later, I s’pect,” he thought, “an’ nobody’s gonna be by f’gas for an hour or so, p’haps I’ll lock up an’ head over ta Silverthorn’s.”

And that’s just what he did. His heavy work-boots clopped on the boards, as he stepped up on the boardwalk, he saw the strangers through the window, two of them wearing maritime uniforms sitting at the small table, by the front plate-glass window, and four more with one also wearing a maritime outfit (that would be me) at the counter.

“Mornin,” Lar greeted the strangers as he clopped over to the lone remaining stool at the counter and sat down, “welcome ta Danger Bay.”

He received a round of “Morning” and “How are you?” in return from our little entourage, and then he asked: “What brings you folks ta town? Howdja get here, don’t see no car?”

“Came by boat,” I answered, “we’re tied up at the pier.”

“We’re checking out Danger Bay as a place to live,” added Trigg, “At least I am. I’m Isaac Guudlender, but you may call me Trigg.”

Lar, a good judge of character, thought, “This feller smiles a lot, not th’ stab ya in th’ back kinda smile, but th’ honest smile of a happy person.”

Then he said, “Not much here anymore, but th’ blue house across th’ road’s fer sale.”

“We’re also looking for a place,” I said as I placed my mug of really horrible coffee (Jay’s going to have do something about this) down on the counter, “to headquarter our boat and tour operation.”

“I think I kin help ya,” Lar replied (and if you could see his thought bubble—it would be filled with question marks & dollar signs), “Who’re them fellers in the corner? They sure don’t have much ta say.”

“Oh that’s Jay Merton & “Boomer” Jack Boardman,” I answered, smiling, “captain and 1^st officer of the Sparrow. But I’m writing this story, and I won’t let them speak!”

To Be Continued…