The following sketches are riddled with errors: True
Some of them were intentional and many of them were not: True
I have edited them all at some point within the past five years: False
I will definitely edit them at some point: False
I will maybe edit them at some point: False
I think the most honest thing to do is to leave these the way they are: True
I think this is an accurate portrayal of the evolution of my writing over the years, and I think this is very interesting to leave the way it is. Besides, I think it would be unkind to put down my eleven-year-old self and I am not embarrassed at all about them. These are my memories and I hope they are at least somewhat enjoyable to you.
Some of them were intentional and many of them were not: True
I have edited them all at some point within the past five years: False
I will definitely edit them at some point: False
I will maybe edit them at some point: False
I think the most honest thing to do is to leave these the way they are: True
I think this is an accurate portrayal of the evolution of my writing over the years, and I think this is very interesting to leave the way it is. Besides, I think it would be unkind to put down my eleven-year-old self and I am not embarrassed at all about them. These are my memories and I hope they are at least somewhat enjoyable to you.
Marco's Adventures 5/17/20
Marco Craboff rolled down the windows and breathed in deeply, allowing the cool but pleasant air to fill his nostrils. Marco identified a number of smells as the salty air filled his lungs. This delicious smell gave way to the odour of gasoline which, in its turn, gave way to the odour of fast food. Marco identified overdone burgers with a side of ketchup. He continued to travel down the freeway toward his destination: The Craboff Seafood and Crab Restaurant. Marco had, for some time, run the restaurant until, for lack of income and greatness of building upkeep, he had been obliged to close the restaurant five years ago. Marco had then tried his hand for short periods of time at different tasks. Each one gave way as Marco proved that each job, in its turn, was simply not for him. Marco had spent the longest amount of time at a construction company. He had originally been assigned to the Planning and Drawing Committee. Yet, it was not more than three days before Marco proved that he would be better assigned to a different committee. He was then reassigned to the Water Boy Committee. From here Marco moved rapidly through the ranks to Assistant to the Secretary of Rational Logistics. Here, Marco prided himself on backseat driving. He had often proved his value by making known certain points to the driver of the truck, such as "remember not to hit the sign, the car in front of you, or the light-pole;" or "remember to stop for a red" and other such helpful tips so as to ensure that all transportation was safe and legal. It was soon realized by all that this job simply didn't do justice to Marco Craboff. He remembered with fondness when the Secretary had released him from his contract:
"Mr Craboff, neither in this committee nor in this entire company have we ever been so pleased to a grant a man his own independence and wish him good luck and fortune in whatever path he may choose to take."
Marco had, for some time, set into saving his spare earnings, and now felt safe in reopening the restaurant. Today, Marco was to meet the representative of the bank from whom he had borrowed a small sum of money to cover first stock. Later, that afternoon, The Craboff Seafood and Crab Restaurant would be opening. Marco now pulled into the parking lot at the restaurant. Climbing out of the car, Marco began to climb the stairs to the restaurant. There were a great number of stairs leading up toward the restaurant, about twelve or so. Before reaching the seventh stair, Marco set his briefcase down and stopped to catch his breath. This was, indeed a beast of a staircase. Having recovered his wind, Marco attempted to climb the remaining stairs. Tripping two stairs from the top, Marco fell, softening his fall with his briefcase. Marco muttered to himself and, banging his fist upon the top stair, inflicted upon himself a sore pinkie finger. Shaking the pain out of this hand, Marco raised his eyes to see, first, an imposing pair of black shoes, followed by recently ironed and seamed pants, followed by a black dress-jacket with a blue necktie spotted white and red. The man shook his head disbelievingly as he clarified Marco's identity: "Marco Craboff?"
"'Mr. Craboff,' to you," Marco replied, still frozen upon his briefcase and putting on an air of superiority and confidence.
"Forgive my insolence," chuckled the man, "I'm Franklin Wilcox, from the bank. Can I offer you need a hand Mr. Craboff?" Wilcox reached his hand out, offering Marco the support thereof.
Marco ignored the gesture as he said. "No, it's--it's been a long time and I've (Marco smiled oddly)--I've missed this place and I'm just emb-embracing the future that I and this restaurant will be part of. A great--great future--a successful one." Marco made a strange effort at a grin before patting the top step affectionately as one might pat one's dog upon the head: a kind, soft, delicate tap. Marco attempted to hold the position convincingly for a moment before rising to his feet and attempting to act as if nothing had happened. Finishing his journey to the front door, Marco opened the door. "I forgot how rough those steps can be," Marco commented. Passing through the doorway, Marco moved in behind the counter and register, allowing the door close behind him, automatically locking. Marco bustled around, focused intently on organizing the cash register.
"You say you have some paperwork for me to sign? I suppose it's for the money--you know I wish you guys wouldn't charge me so much interest on the loan you know (Marco chuckled) it's just that--how's a small business owner to make a profit when you guys take their money hand over fist? It's like being progressively robbed out of house and home except that I have to sign a paper to allow you to do it. I mean I need the money now but how am I to know that I won't need that money--you know--in the future, too?" Marco wasn't exactly sure what it was he had just said but he felt that what he was saying was important. Thinking again, Marco was sightly embarrassed and wished that the bank-man hadn't been present to hear his little rant. Waiting a moment and identifying an awkward silence, Marco looked up and glanced around for the first time since entering the building. He realized first with horror and secondly with relief that he had briefly forgotten his manners, inadvertently locking the bank-man out of the building. Wilcox scowled and tapped lightly on the glass. Marco moved to the glass door and opened it. Stepping aside: "Won't you come in Mr Wilx?"
"Wil-COX!" emphasized the man, stepping decisively across the threshold as though he owned the place. Marco moved toward the buffet, Wilcox following.
"I really can't wait to have this whole place full of fresh food an' customers. I really have to thank you for helping me out on this, Mr Frank."
"Oh, don't thank us, Mr Craboff. We thank you." As he spoke, Mr Wilcox placed several papers upon the buffet. Marco frowned as he considered what favour he might possibly have inadvertently done this man.
"If you continue to experience problems with those stairs out in front," the man jokingly referred to the front of the building, "feel free to get an escalator put in." Wilcox chuckled at his own humour.
"Would your guys be paying for that, too?" Marco asked hopefully.
"No, Mr Craboff, you'd be paying for that, and we would graciously cover the costs of it for twelve months. Thereafter, we shall expect repayment in full," replied Mr Wilcox, "If you should be interested in the purchase of an escalator, we would happily work with you." Mr Wilcox flipped through his briefcase for a second before saying: 'Ah, here they are." He slapped several official-looking documents down onto the buffet, smiling at Marco all the while.
"I'd like to get an escalator put in front," Marco stated decisively, "How much would one cost."
"Officially, you would be buying the machine, and we would cover the costs for twelve months. Thereafter, we shall expect..."
"Repayment in full," Marco finished the sentence.
"Yes," Mr Wilcox smiled smugly, "Would you like to fill out the paperwork now?"
"Of course," Marco replied carefully.
"How much do you think that'll cost?" Mr Wilcox asked.
"Not sure. How much do you think that'll cost?" asked Marco.
"I'd guess--unofficially of course--we bank employees aren't allowed to get involved in that side of matters, but I'd venture to guess...about a hundred grand or thereabouts," Mr Wilcox safely estimated.
"Really? You think it'll be that cheap?" Marco asked. The relief was on his face.
Wilcox: "Oh yes. Will you fill out the paperwork now?"
Marco: "Certainly. Where do I sign?"
Wilcox: "The documents regarding the opening and upkeep of the restaurant (The Craboff Seafood and Crab Shop and Restaraunt) for the first two months, complying with Florida (DOH) and OCEA safety and sanitization guidelines for the upkeep of utility and sanitation of all surfaces on the premises of the said and in accordance with all laws and regulation as stated and upheld by the..."
"Oh, enough! Please, I'll sign! I'll sign!" Marco interrupted. Grabbing a pen, Marco, in a matter of seconds, had signed his name onto the "Sum/Amount Borrowed" line. Wilcox looked quite annoyed, as he snapped: "Would you now like to write the borrowed sum of $955,005 and 53 cents onto the line marked 'Signature of'?" Oblivious to obvious sarcasm, Marco scribbled the sum onto the "Signature of" line. Wilcox frowned. Marco realized what he had done with a shock.
"I know! We can just do this..." Marco reached out with his pen and quickly drew two crisscrossing lines and arrows indicating a swapping gesture toward the two lines.
Wilcox: "YOU CAN'T DO THAT? Mr Craboff, the contract is now void as you have modified the contract after we have signed it!" Marco signed the document a second time, right in the middle of the paper.
Wilcox frowned as he, also, scribbled his name in the middle of the paper: "We don't usually do it this way, and I may, in the future, require a repetition of this process; but I believe this to be sufficient."
"Shall I sign it one more time? For good measure?" Marco gestured his pen toward the paper a third time. Mr Wilcox slapped it away as he said: "No, we rarely sign as a single document more than once per party involved. We are already pushing the legalities of this document with all this." Wilcox ran his hand across the paper.
"Did you just gesture to all of it?" Marco asked.
"I indicated that this looks like the work of a mad scientist!" Wilcox fired back. Wilcox replaced the now twice signed and once modified legal document into his briefcase. Loudly pulling the zipper closed. "May I use your restroom?" Wilcox asked Marco.
"Of course," Marco replied. Mr Wilcox slipped away, leaving Marco and the briefcase in the room alone. Marco hoped that he'd impressed Wilcox regarding the document, but he just knew that the icing on the cake would be if he were to sign the document for a third time. Marco quietly unzipped the briefcase and thumbed through the stack of papers. He couldn't remember which one was his, but this one looked like it. Marco pulled the paper out, set it on the floor, and signed the document. Placing the papers back into the briefcase, Marco quietly closed the zipper and left it lying on the floor, near to the wall. Just then, Mr Wilcox called: "Mr Craboff, is there any toilet paper in here..."
The following morning the supply truck arrived with Marco first shipment of seafood. As the truck backed into the parking lot, Marco hoped that he would be getting what he paid for. The driver exited the vehicle and came around to the back, lifting up the sliding door, revealing 7 large boxes. Marco inwardly groaned. "I'll help you unload this lot," said the driver.
"No, I think you'll get along just fine without me," Marco replied. Can you put them over in front of the door for now?"
The driver was mildly offended: "Sir, it is not in my job description to unload the truck, but merely to park it and allows you 10 seconds per pound of stock. I was offering to do you a favour."
Marco: "And I thank you for it. So please just put them over in front of the door for the moment."
Driver: "This will require a tip."
Marco: "Nine?"
The driver shook his head: "Fifty-five."
Marco snapped: "Gosh, you guys are gree-dy. I'll unload the truck rather than pay that."
Driver: "Now you're getting it! Now, you have one hour, fifteen minutes, and three seconds to unload this truck. If this truck is not fully unloaded within that time: I'm taking your stuff.
Within a second, Marco knew what was happening: He was being held up! This man was trying to rob him of 455 pounds of seafood!
"No!" Marco snapped, "No, I just won't stand for this."
The driving looked very concerned as he said: "Then you may sit, Mr Craboff and tip me sixty dollars to carry all of this stuff to the front door for you."
Marco: "Sixty dollars? I thought you said fifty-five dollars."
Driver: "Yes, I did; but every moment the value of money diminishes. It's known as inflation and it's slowly driving prices up."
Marco: "No thank you. I'll do this myself." Marco went up into the truck and set about attempting to lift the first of the seven boxes.
The driver comfortable took a seat on the stairs, lit a cigarette, and began to read a news paper dated 4 days back.
Months later Marco's business is in trouble.
Marco needs money and greases an escalator. Marco slips on an escalator and sues himself as a business owner for negligence.
Marco takes the case to court to a judge who, despite his own better judgement, deals with Marco's case.
Marco wins the case over his business and now owes massive court fees.
"Mr Craboff, neither in this committee nor in this entire company have we ever been so pleased to a grant a man his own independence and wish him good luck and fortune in whatever path he may choose to take."
Marco had, for some time, set into saving his spare earnings, and now felt safe in reopening the restaurant. Today, Marco was to meet the representative of the bank from whom he had borrowed a small sum of money to cover first stock. Later, that afternoon, The Craboff Seafood and Crab Restaurant would be opening. Marco now pulled into the parking lot at the restaurant. Climbing out of the car, Marco began to climb the stairs to the restaurant. There were a great number of stairs leading up toward the restaurant, about twelve or so. Before reaching the seventh stair, Marco set his briefcase down and stopped to catch his breath. This was, indeed a beast of a staircase. Having recovered his wind, Marco attempted to climb the remaining stairs. Tripping two stairs from the top, Marco fell, softening his fall with his briefcase. Marco muttered to himself and, banging his fist upon the top stair, inflicted upon himself a sore pinkie finger. Shaking the pain out of this hand, Marco raised his eyes to see, first, an imposing pair of black shoes, followed by recently ironed and seamed pants, followed by a black dress-jacket with a blue necktie spotted white and red. The man shook his head disbelievingly as he clarified Marco's identity: "Marco Craboff?"
"'Mr. Craboff,' to you," Marco replied, still frozen upon his briefcase and putting on an air of superiority and confidence.
"Forgive my insolence," chuckled the man, "I'm Franklin Wilcox, from the bank. Can I offer you need a hand Mr. Craboff?" Wilcox reached his hand out, offering Marco the support thereof.
Marco ignored the gesture as he said. "No, it's--it's been a long time and I've (Marco smiled oddly)--I've missed this place and I'm just emb-embracing the future that I and this restaurant will be part of. A great--great future--a successful one." Marco made a strange effort at a grin before patting the top step affectionately as one might pat one's dog upon the head: a kind, soft, delicate tap. Marco attempted to hold the position convincingly for a moment before rising to his feet and attempting to act as if nothing had happened. Finishing his journey to the front door, Marco opened the door. "I forgot how rough those steps can be," Marco commented. Passing through the doorway, Marco moved in behind the counter and register, allowing the door close behind him, automatically locking. Marco bustled around, focused intently on organizing the cash register.
"You say you have some paperwork for me to sign? I suppose it's for the money--you know I wish you guys wouldn't charge me so much interest on the loan you know (Marco chuckled) it's just that--how's a small business owner to make a profit when you guys take their money hand over fist? It's like being progressively robbed out of house and home except that I have to sign a paper to allow you to do it. I mean I need the money now but how am I to know that I won't need that money--you know--in the future, too?" Marco wasn't exactly sure what it was he had just said but he felt that what he was saying was important. Thinking again, Marco was sightly embarrassed and wished that the bank-man hadn't been present to hear his little rant. Waiting a moment and identifying an awkward silence, Marco looked up and glanced around for the first time since entering the building. He realized first with horror and secondly with relief that he had briefly forgotten his manners, inadvertently locking the bank-man out of the building. Wilcox scowled and tapped lightly on the glass. Marco moved to the glass door and opened it. Stepping aside: "Won't you come in Mr Wilx?"
"Wil-COX!" emphasized the man, stepping decisively across the threshold as though he owned the place. Marco moved toward the buffet, Wilcox following.
"I really can't wait to have this whole place full of fresh food an' customers. I really have to thank you for helping me out on this, Mr Frank."
"Oh, don't thank us, Mr Craboff. We thank you." As he spoke, Mr Wilcox placed several papers upon the buffet. Marco frowned as he considered what favour he might possibly have inadvertently done this man.
"If you continue to experience problems with those stairs out in front," the man jokingly referred to the front of the building, "feel free to get an escalator put in." Wilcox chuckled at his own humour.
"Would your guys be paying for that, too?" Marco asked hopefully.
"No, Mr Craboff, you'd be paying for that, and we would graciously cover the costs of it for twelve months. Thereafter, we shall expect repayment in full," replied Mr Wilcox, "If you should be interested in the purchase of an escalator, we would happily work with you." Mr Wilcox flipped through his briefcase for a second before saying: 'Ah, here they are." He slapped several official-looking documents down onto the buffet, smiling at Marco all the while.
"I'd like to get an escalator put in front," Marco stated decisively, "How much would one cost."
"Officially, you would be buying the machine, and we would cover the costs for twelve months. Thereafter, we shall expect..."
"Repayment in full," Marco finished the sentence.
"Yes," Mr Wilcox smiled smugly, "Would you like to fill out the paperwork now?"
"Of course," Marco replied carefully.
"How much do you think that'll cost?" Mr Wilcox asked.
"Not sure. How much do you think that'll cost?" asked Marco.
"I'd guess--unofficially of course--we bank employees aren't allowed to get involved in that side of matters, but I'd venture to guess...about a hundred grand or thereabouts," Mr Wilcox safely estimated.
"Really? You think it'll be that cheap?" Marco asked. The relief was on his face.
Wilcox: "Oh yes. Will you fill out the paperwork now?"
Marco: "Certainly. Where do I sign?"
Wilcox: "The documents regarding the opening and upkeep of the restaurant (The Craboff Seafood and Crab Shop and Restaraunt) for the first two months, complying with Florida (DOH) and OCEA safety and sanitization guidelines for the upkeep of utility and sanitation of all surfaces on the premises of the said and in accordance with all laws and regulation as stated and upheld by the..."
"Oh, enough! Please, I'll sign! I'll sign!" Marco interrupted. Grabbing a pen, Marco, in a matter of seconds, had signed his name onto the "Sum/Amount Borrowed" line. Wilcox looked quite annoyed, as he snapped: "Would you now like to write the borrowed sum of $955,005 and 53 cents onto the line marked 'Signature of'?" Oblivious to obvious sarcasm, Marco scribbled the sum onto the "Signature of" line. Wilcox frowned. Marco realized what he had done with a shock.
"I know! We can just do this..." Marco reached out with his pen and quickly drew two crisscrossing lines and arrows indicating a swapping gesture toward the two lines.
Wilcox: "YOU CAN'T DO THAT? Mr Craboff, the contract is now void as you have modified the contract after we have signed it!" Marco signed the document a second time, right in the middle of the paper.
Wilcox frowned as he, also, scribbled his name in the middle of the paper: "We don't usually do it this way, and I may, in the future, require a repetition of this process; but I believe this to be sufficient."
"Shall I sign it one more time? For good measure?" Marco gestured his pen toward the paper a third time. Mr Wilcox slapped it away as he said: "No, we rarely sign as a single document more than once per party involved. We are already pushing the legalities of this document with all this." Wilcox ran his hand across the paper.
"Did you just gesture to all of it?" Marco asked.
"I indicated that this looks like the work of a mad scientist!" Wilcox fired back. Wilcox replaced the now twice signed and once modified legal document into his briefcase. Loudly pulling the zipper closed. "May I use your restroom?" Wilcox asked Marco.
"Of course," Marco replied. Mr Wilcox slipped away, leaving Marco and the briefcase in the room alone. Marco hoped that he'd impressed Wilcox regarding the document, but he just knew that the icing on the cake would be if he were to sign the document for a third time. Marco quietly unzipped the briefcase and thumbed through the stack of papers. He couldn't remember which one was his, but this one looked like it. Marco pulled the paper out, set it on the floor, and signed the document. Placing the papers back into the briefcase, Marco quietly closed the zipper and left it lying on the floor, near to the wall. Just then, Mr Wilcox called: "Mr Craboff, is there any toilet paper in here..."
The following morning the supply truck arrived with Marco first shipment of seafood. As the truck backed into the parking lot, Marco hoped that he would be getting what he paid for. The driver exited the vehicle and came around to the back, lifting up the sliding door, revealing 7 large boxes. Marco inwardly groaned. "I'll help you unload this lot," said the driver.
"No, I think you'll get along just fine without me," Marco replied. Can you put them over in front of the door for now?"
The driver was mildly offended: "Sir, it is not in my job description to unload the truck, but merely to park it and allows you 10 seconds per pound of stock. I was offering to do you a favour."
Marco: "And I thank you for it. So please just put them over in front of the door for the moment."
Driver: "This will require a tip."
Marco: "Nine?"
The driver shook his head: "Fifty-five."
Marco snapped: "Gosh, you guys are gree-dy. I'll unload the truck rather than pay that."
Driver: "Now you're getting it! Now, you have one hour, fifteen minutes, and three seconds to unload this truck. If this truck is not fully unloaded within that time: I'm taking your stuff.
Within a second, Marco knew what was happening: He was being held up! This man was trying to rob him of 455 pounds of seafood!
"No!" Marco snapped, "No, I just won't stand for this."
The driving looked very concerned as he said: "Then you may sit, Mr Craboff and tip me sixty dollars to carry all of this stuff to the front door for you."
Marco: "Sixty dollars? I thought you said fifty-five dollars."
Driver: "Yes, I did; but every moment the value of money diminishes. It's known as inflation and it's slowly driving prices up."
Marco: "No thank you. I'll do this myself." Marco went up into the truck and set about attempting to lift the first of the seven boxes.
The driver comfortable took a seat on the stairs, lit a cigarette, and began to read a news paper dated 4 days back.
Months later Marco's business is in trouble.
Marco needs money and greases an escalator. Marco slips on an escalator and sues himself as a business owner for negligence.
Marco takes the case to court to a judge who, despite his own better judgement, deals with Marco's case.
Marco wins the case over his business and now owes massive court fees.
5/5/2017
The phone rang, but it remained unanswered. It rang again, causing Marco to stir. It was Saturday morning, about 8:00 AM to be exact, and Marco had been looking forward to this morning all week so that he could sleep in. Not to say that Marco didn’t sleep enough, he usually had very little to wake up for. However, the last week had been particularly rough as he had gotten his side stage, show aiding group known as “Band Aid” off the ground. It had gone pretty well, that is, until his first main job that had taken place the night before. The night before, “Band Aid”’s takeoff had bounced a bit: He had embarrassed himself and his 8 year old working partner, Jimmy, in front of an entire audience and performance group.
The phone rang a third time. This time, Marco was jolted awake. Climbing out of bed, Marco answered the phone, “Marco Crab…(yawn)...off peaching….I mean speaking.”
“Hello,” replied a voice, “I’m Yarsuf Abecky, and I was looking into your “Band Aid” services. Can you help me tonight and tomorrow night with a childrens’ play I’m putting on?”
Marco inwardly cried as he replied, “I’d be happy to.”
After breakfast, Marco took Bourlondo and Fred, the dog, on a walk.
“Daddy?” she asked, “When can I start preschool?”
“Well,” Marco began, still walking at an even pace, “It’s just as I always say.”
“What’s that?” Bourlondo asked.
“A chicken is no more a pig than a sheep is a goat,” Marco quoted smartly.
Bourlondo squinted with effort, “I don’t remember you ever saying that, and I do know my barnyard animals.” Marco was silent for some time. Then he answered, “I’ll tell you what Bourlondo an apple is no more a fig, than a….a pile of building materials is a house,” he quoted incorrectly (he was in a poetic mood Bourlondo could tell), “and remember, Bourlondo, you must choose whom you will use as an example carefully, because if not, your life may turn upside down, and you may not get a job when you grow up.”
“But Daddy! Someone else said that the blind leading the blind leads to both falling into a pit,” Boulondo replied.
“Where did you hear that? And why tell me that?” Marco was slightly shocked.
“Just saying,” Bourlondo struggled to keep back a grin, “But isn’t it also true that you don’t actually have a functioning job?”
“Well, you see Bourlondo, I’m working for a workers union, and I’m waiting for work. They pay me, but I don’t need to work until they give me something to do, not to mention ‘Band Aid’,” Marco replied.
“Oh,” Bourlondo didn’t understand, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to either. She thought it was one of those things that adults explain in confusing ways because it is something that a child wouldn’t understand anyway, “Are you cut, Daddy?” Bourlondo asked.
Marco continued walking as he scanned his arms, “Not that I can see,” he replied, “Why?”
“Why use a band aid when you don’t have a cut?” Boulondo quizzed.
“Oh, honey, ‘Band Aid’ is the name of a little organization,” Marco explained.
“So can I go to preschool?” Bourlondo asked.
“You know what?” Marco said, “Let me talk to your Mom about it first.”
“Why do you have to ask Mommy about everything? Is she your boss?” Bourlondo asked.
“No, but it’s like a team. Me and your Mommy need to decide on things together because we both love you and want what’s best for you,” Marco explained.
“But I want to know NOW,” Bourlondo whined.
“Why are you so anxious to get away from home? Don’t you know that their a lots of kids who would love to stay home from school? Me and you Mommy love you very much, and we’ve actually been considering schooling you at home.”
“Would I learn anything?”
“Sure! You’d learn plenty. Now tell me one thing: Who told you those quotes?”
“Mommy did.”
“See? Right there! You admitted that your Mommy taught you some very good quotes. That’s learning.”
“Hey Daddy…” Bourlondo began after a while.
“Yes sweety?” Marco said.
“Aren’t you supposed to look both ways before you cross the road?”
“Why sure! Why would you ask such a silly question?”
“Because you just led me out into the middle of the road without looking both ways.”
Marco looked forward suddenly, he had been watching Bourlondo too long, and now they currently stood at the head of a column of very unhappy drivers.
“Move it!” Someone shouted. Marco and Bourlondo retreated to the sidewalk to wait until the traffic stopped. Just as they were preparing to cross, a driver pulled up to the crosswalk to wait to make a righthand turn on a red light. As the driver looked both ways, a shaggy dog stuck its head out of the shotgun window. Fred immediately took charge of the moment.
“FRED!” Marco bellowed, “come back.” Marco rushed up to the vehicle where Fred was now trying to jump through the open window. The other dog began to bark back. The driver sat, staring at Marco and shocked beyond reaction.
Grabbing Fred’s collar, Marco hauled him some distance from the vehicle, waiting for the vehicle to make a right hand turn. As soon as the car made its turn, Marco, Bourlondo, and Fred turned around and went home.
Upon arriving home, Marco consulted Mary about Bourlondo’s request. I will not relay to you the entirety of the conversation, but I will tell you what happened afterwards. Marco called Bourlondo into the room when they had made their decision.
“Yes, Daddy?” Bourlondo asked hopefully.
Marco’s mouth twisted as he tried to form his thoughts into words that wouldn’t defestate Bourlondo. “Bourlondo,” he said finally, “me and your mother aren’t sure that we want you to go to school. We like having you at home, and we want you to stay home.”
“But Daddy!” Bourlondo wailed, “How will I make any friends in life?”
“Honey,” Mary intervened, “we want to be your friends. We are developing into a family. We have you, Daddy, me, and Ferguson. This family is growing, and we may become even bigger.”
“You mean you might have another baby?” Bourlondo asked.
“Anything is possible, Honey,” Mary reminded her, “but the point is, we want you to know that your family is your best friend.”
“Ok,” Bourlondo put in. She wasn’t sure how she felt about this, “does that mean I won't go to school yet?”
“That’s what it means. If teaching you at home doesn’t work out, we may send you to school later,” Marco told her. Mary nodded in agreement.
“Oh,” Bourlondo thought, “Alright Mommy and Daddy. If that’s what you want, it’s what I want.”
“Oh!” Mary exclaimed, “that’s my little girl.” Mary and Bourlondo embraced, and then Marco began to relay more news.
“Your mother and I are planning to go to the beach house for two days. Would you be fine staying home with Arnold?” Marco asked.
“Arnold?” Bourlondo asked, “You trust that...that….that guy?”
“Well, Bourlondo, he’s the closest neighbor we have. It’s been awhile since we’ve trusted him, and I don’t think we should be judgemental of him until we know he’s...he’s….” Mary trailed off.
“Incompetent?” Marco filled in.
“Incompetent! Well isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black,” Mary exclaimed.
“Mary!” Marco revealed a stunned and hurt expression.
“Oh, Marco!” Mary ruffled his hair, laughing. Ferguson began to cry, “Look now,” Mary added, “you’ve woken the baby!”
“Come on, Bourlondo,” Marco urged, “No time like the present. Let’s start schooling.”
Taking Bourlondo into a room that had until then been known as the library. Marco sat down at a table, pulling another chair up next to him for Bourlondo.
“Now, let’s start with...uh….with..uh..with...uh…..you know? I think we’ll actually start with….uh…..uh…...with history,” Marco stammered. He got up from the table and returned with a dry-erase slate and some markers. “Any guesses on who discovered the New World?” Marco wrote “knew World” on the dry erase slate.
“Uh, Christopher Columbus?” Bourlondo replied.
“Well…” Marco was taken aback, “yeah!” He wrote “Cristofer Cumulus” on the slate.
“What is the smallest building ever to exist?” Marco asked.
“No clue,” Bourlondo yawned.
“The Eiffel Tower,” Marco replied. He wrote “Ifell Tower” on the slate, “Now, many people think Christopher Columbus was the first to reach America, but there was a Viking named Leif Ericson who got their about 500 years earlier.” Marco wrote “Leaf Airiksin” on the board. “Now, Bourlondo. I’d like you to copy those down onto your piece of paper, and then I’d like you to go and show Mommy.”
Marco decided to go and get the mail. Going to his mailbox, about 20 yards down the street, and opened his mail lockers. Pulling the normal junk mail out, Marco sighed. Then, at the bottom of the stack, he found an envelope! It was from his workers’ union. Tearing it open immediately, Marco read it:
Dear Marco Craboff
You have been ordered by the Southern Florida Workers’ Union (SFWU) to complete the task below. You will be given a bonus salary if you complete it successfully.
You are required to assist in the planning and basic construction of an extension for the WYNEX Hotel at 8203 World Center Dr, Orlando Florida for the next 8 weeks. We expect you there on the morning of the 31 of this month. After 8 weeks, we will review your service and go from there. If you complete this job successfully, you will be given an extra $500 for the following four pay sessions.
Please remember that failure to complete this task may mean removal from the Southern Florida Workers’ Union (SFWU). To see rules for removal, please check SFWU Guidelines Nos. 51 for details about our unique removal process. If you wish to be removed immediately, we would be happy to help if you’d contact 407-580-2575.
Your boss,
Marco raced to his house and was going to tell Mary; but Mary told him first: “Marco! What happened with Bourlondo’s school? She came out and had all the words misspelled. When I went in to check the dry erase slate, you had everything misspelled! Marco, please leave schooling to me in the future.”
“Oh, sorry about that, Mary. In three weeks I get to start working again! So...I was thinking we could go on that vacation soon, before I start working again,” Marco informed her.
“I can’t wait!” Mary exclaimed, “It’s so nice to have a working husband again.” Marco chuckled in response.
About three hours later, Marco was sitting at the dining room table. “Marco,” Mary began, “please get your stuff off of the table so I can wipe it down for lunch.”
“But Mary!” Marco whined, “I need to send this acceptance letter in response to the request I got from the workers’ union.”
“I need to serve your lunch!” Mary snapped.
“Alright alright!” Marco picked his paper up off of the table and, holding it with one hand, began to make a show of trying to right on an unsupported piece of paper, “Mary! Mary, it’s not working.” Then, looking up, he noticed that Mary was now resting her chin in her hands, and her elbows on the counter, laughing silently.
“Nice act,” Mary chagrined. Marco scouled. “Why not move to our bedroom/study to write it?” Mary asked.
“Because I don’t want to!” Marco exclaimed.
“Well, alright,” Mary wrang a wet rag out over the sink, “If you are alright with sending a soggy letter, I’m fine with it.” She approached with the rag threateningly.
Marco waited until the last moment, as Mary brought the rag down on the table, he jumped up, grabbing his papers, and grumbled, “Alright, I’ll get up.” Mary smiled, and then she said, “I knew you’d see it my way.” Marco slouched.
After lunch, Marco finished his letter and put it into the mailbox. Meanwhile, Mary dialed Arnold’s number. With bated breath, Mary waited for Arnold to answer.
“Hello,” yawned Arnold.
“Arnold?” Mary asked, “this is Mary, I was wondered if you could do us a favor and watch Bourlondo for a few days while me and Marco go on vacation.”
“Oh! Sure,” Arnold replied readily, “But I’ve got a few questions.”
“Aright, shoot,” Mary chuckled.
“How much do I get paid, when, and for how long,” Arnold rattled off.
“Uh…..I was kinda thinking it would be a favor,” Mary repeated.
“Hey! I’m not running a charity here!” Arnold was irritated.
“Uh, I understand. Look, we’ll pay you according to how well you do. Ok?” Mary asked.
“Fine,” Arnold replied.
“Feel free to write down the expenses you spend on Bourlondo,” Mary said.
“Oh! I will,” Arnold laughed.
“I know you will,” Mary groaned, “Well, thanks again Arnold.”
“No prob,” Arnold replied coolly. Mary hung up. Arnold never had been one for generosity. Marco walked in, back from mailing the letter.
“Arnold will watch Bourlondo while we’re gone,” Mary began.
“Great!” Marco exclaimed.
“But...he wants us to pay him,” Mary finished.
“Oh,” Marco turned his attention to packing.
“You don’t sound surprised,” Mary told Marco.
“I’m not. Arnold wouldn’t just do us a favor, and I’m not sure I blame him,” Marco explained.
“I guess you’re right, Honey,” Mary agreed.
“I knew you’d see it my way,” Marco burst out laughing. Mary twisted her face in confusion, “Right,” she said sceptically, “Then I guess we’ll be taking Bourlondo and Ferguson.
The phone rang a third time. This time, Marco was jolted awake. Climbing out of bed, Marco answered the phone, “Marco Crab…(yawn)...off peaching….I mean speaking.”
“Hello,” replied a voice, “I’m Yarsuf Abecky, and I was looking into your “Band Aid” services. Can you help me tonight and tomorrow night with a childrens’ play I’m putting on?”
Marco inwardly cried as he replied, “I’d be happy to.”
After breakfast, Marco took Bourlondo and Fred, the dog, on a walk.
“Daddy?” she asked, “When can I start preschool?”
“Well,” Marco began, still walking at an even pace, “It’s just as I always say.”
“What’s that?” Bourlondo asked.
“A chicken is no more a pig than a sheep is a goat,” Marco quoted smartly.
Bourlondo squinted with effort, “I don’t remember you ever saying that, and I do know my barnyard animals.” Marco was silent for some time. Then he answered, “I’ll tell you what Bourlondo an apple is no more a fig, than a….a pile of building materials is a house,” he quoted incorrectly (he was in a poetic mood Bourlondo could tell), “and remember, Bourlondo, you must choose whom you will use as an example carefully, because if not, your life may turn upside down, and you may not get a job when you grow up.”
“But Daddy! Someone else said that the blind leading the blind leads to both falling into a pit,” Boulondo replied.
“Where did you hear that? And why tell me that?” Marco was slightly shocked.
“Just saying,” Bourlondo struggled to keep back a grin, “But isn’t it also true that you don’t actually have a functioning job?”
“Well, you see Bourlondo, I’m working for a workers union, and I’m waiting for work. They pay me, but I don’t need to work until they give me something to do, not to mention ‘Band Aid’,” Marco replied.
“Oh,” Bourlondo didn’t understand, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to either. She thought it was one of those things that adults explain in confusing ways because it is something that a child wouldn’t understand anyway, “Are you cut, Daddy?” Bourlondo asked.
Marco continued walking as he scanned his arms, “Not that I can see,” he replied, “Why?”
“Why use a band aid when you don’t have a cut?” Boulondo quizzed.
“Oh, honey, ‘Band Aid’ is the name of a little organization,” Marco explained.
“So can I go to preschool?” Bourlondo asked.
“You know what?” Marco said, “Let me talk to your Mom about it first.”
“Why do you have to ask Mommy about everything? Is she your boss?” Bourlondo asked.
“No, but it’s like a team. Me and your Mommy need to decide on things together because we both love you and want what’s best for you,” Marco explained.
“But I want to know NOW,” Bourlondo whined.
“Why are you so anxious to get away from home? Don’t you know that their a lots of kids who would love to stay home from school? Me and you Mommy love you very much, and we’ve actually been considering schooling you at home.”
“Would I learn anything?”
“Sure! You’d learn plenty. Now tell me one thing: Who told you those quotes?”
“Mommy did.”
“See? Right there! You admitted that your Mommy taught you some very good quotes. That’s learning.”
“Hey Daddy…” Bourlondo began after a while.
“Yes sweety?” Marco said.
“Aren’t you supposed to look both ways before you cross the road?”
“Why sure! Why would you ask such a silly question?”
“Because you just led me out into the middle of the road without looking both ways.”
Marco looked forward suddenly, he had been watching Bourlondo too long, and now they currently stood at the head of a column of very unhappy drivers.
“Move it!” Someone shouted. Marco and Bourlondo retreated to the sidewalk to wait until the traffic stopped. Just as they were preparing to cross, a driver pulled up to the crosswalk to wait to make a righthand turn on a red light. As the driver looked both ways, a shaggy dog stuck its head out of the shotgun window. Fred immediately took charge of the moment.
“FRED!” Marco bellowed, “come back.” Marco rushed up to the vehicle where Fred was now trying to jump through the open window. The other dog began to bark back. The driver sat, staring at Marco and shocked beyond reaction.
Grabbing Fred’s collar, Marco hauled him some distance from the vehicle, waiting for the vehicle to make a right hand turn. As soon as the car made its turn, Marco, Bourlondo, and Fred turned around and went home.
Upon arriving home, Marco consulted Mary about Bourlondo’s request. I will not relay to you the entirety of the conversation, but I will tell you what happened afterwards. Marco called Bourlondo into the room when they had made their decision.
“Yes, Daddy?” Bourlondo asked hopefully.
Marco’s mouth twisted as he tried to form his thoughts into words that wouldn’t defestate Bourlondo. “Bourlondo,” he said finally, “me and your mother aren’t sure that we want you to go to school. We like having you at home, and we want you to stay home.”
“But Daddy!” Bourlondo wailed, “How will I make any friends in life?”
“Honey,” Mary intervened, “we want to be your friends. We are developing into a family. We have you, Daddy, me, and Ferguson. This family is growing, and we may become even bigger.”
“You mean you might have another baby?” Bourlondo asked.
“Anything is possible, Honey,” Mary reminded her, “but the point is, we want you to know that your family is your best friend.”
“Ok,” Bourlondo put in. She wasn’t sure how she felt about this, “does that mean I won't go to school yet?”
“That’s what it means. If teaching you at home doesn’t work out, we may send you to school later,” Marco told her. Mary nodded in agreement.
“Oh,” Bourlondo thought, “Alright Mommy and Daddy. If that’s what you want, it’s what I want.”
“Oh!” Mary exclaimed, “that’s my little girl.” Mary and Bourlondo embraced, and then Marco began to relay more news.
“Your mother and I are planning to go to the beach house for two days. Would you be fine staying home with Arnold?” Marco asked.
“Arnold?” Bourlondo asked, “You trust that...that….that guy?”
“Well, Bourlondo, he’s the closest neighbor we have. It’s been awhile since we’ve trusted him, and I don’t think we should be judgemental of him until we know he’s...he’s….” Mary trailed off.
“Incompetent?” Marco filled in.
“Incompetent! Well isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black,” Mary exclaimed.
“Mary!” Marco revealed a stunned and hurt expression.
“Oh, Marco!” Mary ruffled his hair, laughing. Ferguson began to cry, “Look now,” Mary added, “you’ve woken the baby!”
“Come on, Bourlondo,” Marco urged, “No time like the present. Let’s start schooling.”
Taking Bourlondo into a room that had until then been known as the library. Marco sat down at a table, pulling another chair up next to him for Bourlondo.
“Now, let’s start with...uh….with..uh..with...uh…..you know? I think we’ll actually start with….uh…..uh…...with history,” Marco stammered. He got up from the table and returned with a dry-erase slate and some markers. “Any guesses on who discovered the New World?” Marco wrote “knew World” on the dry erase slate.
“Uh, Christopher Columbus?” Bourlondo replied.
“Well…” Marco was taken aback, “yeah!” He wrote “Cristofer Cumulus” on the slate.
“What is the smallest building ever to exist?” Marco asked.
“No clue,” Bourlondo yawned.
“The Eiffel Tower,” Marco replied. He wrote “Ifell Tower” on the slate, “Now, many people think Christopher Columbus was the first to reach America, but there was a Viking named Leif Ericson who got their about 500 years earlier.” Marco wrote “Leaf Airiksin” on the board. “Now, Bourlondo. I’d like you to copy those down onto your piece of paper, and then I’d like you to go and show Mommy.”
Marco decided to go and get the mail. Going to his mailbox, about 20 yards down the street, and opened his mail lockers. Pulling the normal junk mail out, Marco sighed. Then, at the bottom of the stack, he found an envelope! It was from his workers’ union. Tearing it open immediately, Marco read it:
Dear Marco Craboff
You have been ordered by the Southern Florida Workers’ Union (SFWU) to complete the task below. You will be given a bonus salary if you complete it successfully.
You are required to assist in the planning and basic construction of an extension for the WYNEX Hotel at 8203 World Center Dr, Orlando Florida for the next 8 weeks. We expect you there on the morning of the 31 of this month. After 8 weeks, we will review your service and go from there. If you complete this job successfully, you will be given an extra $500 for the following four pay sessions.
Please remember that failure to complete this task may mean removal from the Southern Florida Workers’ Union (SFWU). To see rules for removal, please check SFWU Guidelines Nos. 51 for details about our unique removal process. If you wish to be removed immediately, we would be happy to help if you’d contact 407-580-2575.
Your boss,
Marco raced to his house and was going to tell Mary; but Mary told him first: “Marco! What happened with Bourlondo’s school? She came out and had all the words misspelled. When I went in to check the dry erase slate, you had everything misspelled! Marco, please leave schooling to me in the future.”
“Oh, sorry about that, Mary. In three weeks I get to start working again! So...I was thinking we could go on that vacation soon, before I start working again,” Marco informed her.
“I can’t wait!” Mary exclaimed, “It’s so nice to have a working husband again.” Marco chuckled in response.
About three hours later, Marco was sitting at the dining room table. “Marco,” Mary began, “please get your stuff off of the table so I can wipe it down for lunch.”
“But Mary!” Marco whined, “I need to send this acceptance letter in response to the request I got from the workers’ union.”
“I need to serve your lunch!” Mary snapped.
“Alright alright!” Marco picked his paper up off of the table and, holding it with one hand, began to make a show of trying to right on an unsupported piece of paper, “Mary! Mary, it’s not working.” Then, looking up, he noticed that Mary was now resting her chin in her hands, and her elbows on the counter, laughing silently.
“Nice act,” Mary chagrined. Marco scouled. “Why not move to our bedroom/study to write it?” Mary asked.
“Because I don’t want to!” Marco exclaimed.
“Well, alright,” Mary wrang a wet rag out over the sink, “If you are alright with sending a soggy letter, I’m fine with it.” She approached with the rag threateningly.
Marco waited until the last moment, as Mary brought the rag down on the table, he jumped up, grabbing his papers, and grumbled, “Alright, I’ll get up.” Mary smiled, and then she said, “I knew you’d see it my way.” Marco slouched.
After lunch, Marco finished his letter and put it into the mailbox. Meanwhile, Mary dialed Arnold’s number. With bated breath, Mary waited for Arnold to answer.
“Hello,” yawned Arnold.
“Arnold?” Mary asked, “this is Mary, I was wondered if you could do us a favor and watch Bourlondo for a few days while me and Marco go on vacation.”
“Oh! Sure,” Arnold replied readily, “But I’ve got a few questions.”
“Aright, shoot,” Mary chuckled.
“How much do I get paid, when, and for how long,” Arnold rattled off.
“Uh…..I was kinda thinking it would be a favor,” Mary repeated.
“Hey! I’m not running a charity here!” Arnold was irritated.
“Uh, I understand. Look, we’ll pay you according to how well you do. Ok?” Mary asked.
“Fine,” Arnold replied.
“Feel free to write down the expenses you spend on Bourlondo,” Mary said.
“Oh! I will,” Arnold laughed.
“I know you will,” Mary groaned, “Well, thanks again Arnold.”
“No prob,” Arnold replied coolly. Mary hung up. Arnold never had been one for generosity. Marco walked in, back from mailing the letter.
“Arnold will watch Bourlondo while we’re gone,” Mary began.
“Great!” Marco exclaimed.
“But...he wants us to pay him,” Mary finished.
“Oh,” Marco turned his attention to packing.
“You don’t sound surprised,” Mary told Marco.
“I’m not. Arnold wouldn’t just do us a favor, and I’m not sure I blame him,” Marco explained.
“I guess you’re right, Honey,” Mary agreed.
“I knew you’d see it my way,” Marco burst out laughing. Mary twisted her face in confusion, “Right,” she said sceptically, “Then I guess we’ll be taking Bourlondo and Ferguson.
5/29/2015
{THE WORDS IN QUOTATIONS MAY HAVE GRAMMAR ERRORS, THAT IS ON PURPOSE BECAUSE THAT IS HOW MARCO TALKS}
CHAPTER 1/3
It was April 27th. Orlando, Florida was getting hot and humid as it as the seasons approached summer. Marco was sitting on his couch reading a book called The Arabian Nights.
"Marco, since I can tell you are in a good mood, why don't we go tot he new Middle Eastern Cuisine store that just opened down the street?" suggested Mary.
"I like this book," whined Marco.
"Yesterday I could barely get you to get off the couch from watching the T.V. to read a book, now I cannot pull you away from that book!" Mary replied.
Marco decided to go to the store as Mary requested. He, Mary, and Bourlondo went to the store and bought Turkish delight, Tabbouleh, Baba Gounouge, and dolmas. When they approached the check-out lane, he saw that some a basket with some dinged-up cans put in a basket next to the cash register. Everything in the basket that was dinged-up was on discount. Marco bought them out of dinged-up cans.
He, Mary, and Bourlondo went home and ate a delicious dinner. Ten Marco went back to his book and began reading it, but he couldn't focus. Something else was going through his mind. He was planning. Planning to do something wrong.
He dialed Arnold Ratts number on his phone, but it went to voice mail. Marco sent a call to Jack.
"Hello," croaked Jack.
"Hi, can we talk?" asked Marco.
"Sure, got nothing else to do, since I'm sick," Jack croaked back.
"Hey, I need your advise," Marco told him.
"With what?" asked Jack with his voice sounding much clearer this time.
"Gee, you sound much better all much of a sudden," said Marco.
"I'm not sick, I was faking for in case you needed me to do you a favor, but I will give you advise. What do you need advise on?" asked Jack.
"I need you to tell me your opinion on somethin'," replied Marco, "I was at the store earlier and...."
"What happened?" asked Jack cutting in.
"I was getting to that! I was at the store earlier and...."
"Interesting," muttered Jack.
"(groan)...and I saw that there was a basket of thingys on discount because the cans were all dinged-up and stuff, so I bought them all, because they were on discount," said Marco.
"Continue," muttered Jack.
"Was thinking that I could go into the store tomorrow and damage the cans so that they would be put on discount so I could buy more food on discount," Marco told him.
"Bad idea, very, bad idea, AWFUL IDEA! That is a lot like stealing Marco, stealing is wrong, so what you just told me, is also wrong. Why would you think of such a thing..."
"Because I could get the food for discount price," Marco put in.
"Bye," said Jack about to hang up.
"Buy what? Wait, NO!" wailed Marco.
"Wait what?" asked Jack.
"I did not mean to make you mad, Jack," Marco said.
"That's OK; but do not cheat like that," Jack said firmly.
"I will not," Marco assured him.
They exchanged closings and hung up.
Marco went to bed, but he couldn't get to sleep. He still was not convinced that damaging the cans was a bad idea. He got out of bed and went to ask Mary if she could prepare him a bath.
While Mary was preparing his bath, he went downstairs and made Mary a sandwich. As he finished the sandwich Mary came down announcing that his bath was done and Bourlondo asleep. Marco handed Mary the sandwich and went upstairs. He put his finger in to test the water.
"TOO HOT!" screamed Marco, "much too hot!"
Mary ran up to see what the trouble was. She got 3 trays of ice cubes and dumped them all in. They were all melted within moments.
"There, that should cool it down," Mary said soothingly.
"You know what Mary? I don't seem to want a bath no more," Marco chuckled.
Marco walked toward the bed.
"Hi daddy," said a dreary Bourlondo.
"Bourlondo! What are you doing out of......Mary, why is she out of bed? I thought you were asleep Bourlondo," said Marco.
"Ohhhh, but I was sleeping, but I woked up," said Bourlondo, "what you scweaming 'bout daddy?"
"Oh," laughed Marco, "my bath was to hot, Bourlondo. Now don't you thing you ought to go back to bed?"
"I have sandywichy?" asked Bourlondo almost ignoring Marco's previous demand.
"Well, no Bourlondo. You see......."
"Waaaahaaaaaaaaaaa, I won't sandywichy but you-not-give-it to me!" wailed Bourlondo throwing herself to the ground, "want sandywichy NOW!"
"Bourlondo, I have made my decision and am not changing my mind, off to bed now......"
"MOMMY GET SANDYWICHY AND I NOT? YOU BAD, YOU BAD, YOU BAD BAD BAD! I WANT SANDYWICHY!"
Mary settled Bourlondo and gave her a bite of the sandwich, then Bourlondo went to bed, Marco and Mary soon followed.
CHAPTER 2/3
The next morning when Marco woke up he decided not to heed Jack's advise from last night and to cheat to get the food on discount.
He went to the store with one of Bourlondo's wooden mini baseball bat. Everything went as planned, until just before he was going to damage the first can.
"What are you doing?" asked the janitor.
"Some stuff," said Marco.
"Is that a......baseball bat?" asked the janitor.
"Yeah, it's a toy, made of wood en stuff," replied Marco.
"What's it for?" asked the janitor.
"To get things on discount," replied Marco.
"How would a baseball bat get you food on discount?" asked the janitor.
"Because I could use it," replied Marco cutting out the details.
"If you don't tell me how you could use it to get you food on discount I'll_I'll take you to the manager," said the janitor sternly.
"Because there is special discount for bringing it into the store," lied Marco.
"Oh," said the janitor; and then the janitor left him.
Marco banged some cans up and then left the store. Bought two boxes of Turkish Delight. He would return soon to collect the beat-up cans on discount.
"Hey!" said Mary, "I missed you this morning." Mary said setting the coffee pot on the table."
Marco said nothing as he sat down.
"I suppose that this silence means you were up to no good," remarked Mary dryly.
"I suppose," groaned Marco confessedly.
"What were you up to?" asked Mary.
"Getting these!" Marco's sorrow turn to joy as he remembered the food he had gotten. Laughing pulled out the two boxes of Turkish Delight.
"Then why did you say that you were up to no good?" Mary asked.
"I was joking!" Marco lied again.
Marco, Mary, and Bourlondo ate breakfast and Turkish Delight.
"I need to go shopping," Mary told Marco.
"Ok," Marco replied.
So Mary left the house leaving Marco and Bourlondo alone. Marco lay down on the couch with Bourlondo and began to read The Arabian Knights.
When Mary came home she went to go right upstairs.
"Hey! Mary. Where are the groceries?" Marco asked.
Mary laughed at herself and said: "I forgot them in the car, silly me." Mary went back to the car and got a bag.
When she came back in she showed Marco what she had bought.
"So, Marco, I got cheese, milk, bread, and jam," Mary said.
"It took you a half hour to buy that?" Marco asked skeptically.
"Well, no. You see Marco..."
"How baby?" Bourlondo butted in.
"As I was saying, Marco, is.....these past three months I have been feeling like we might be expecting a new family member and.........Marco, I did not just go to the store.....I...well....I went to get an ultrasound and it looks like we will have a new family member. I did not tell you earlier because......well, because I did not quite know and I did not want you to get your hopes up before we knew positively," Mary stammered out.
Marco smiled. "And how come Bourlondo knew before me?" he asked.
"Bourlondo knew that I was thinking we might have another child because I thought she would not get her hopes up before we knew surely," Mary let come tumbling out.
"So you thought it best that I not know before we knew for sure," Marco said.
"Er....well, yes..." Mary stammered.
"I understand," Marco said calmly.
Mary went upstairs. When she did not come down within fifteen minutes, Marco went up to see what the delay was. He found her fast asleep.
"Good," Marco thought, "she needs rest."
CHAPTER 3/3
Marco decided to make dinner that night because Mary was sleeping. He made Greek salad, dolmas, and tomato soup. When Mary came down she sat right down and asked Marco to serve her food. As Marco prepared for dinner Bourlondo came down from her nap. Then they all ate dinner.
After dinner they had family time and then they all went to bed.
The next morning Marco went to the store and bought out all the beat-up cans on discount, the ones he had damaged the day before. Then he read his book The Arabian Knights until Mary and Bourlondo woke up. Marco made breakfast and served it to Mary in bed, then he and Bourlondo ate downstairs.
Then he played with Bourlondo until she fell asleep on the floor. Marco moved Bourlondo to her bed and then went out into the forest to build the cabin. As he approached he heard a faint laughing:
"Hahahahahahaaaaaa, he won't believe his eyes! He'll think he's crazy!"
Marco approached stealthily until he found a tree just outside the clearing and hid there. They were right! He couldn't believe his eyes! There in the clearing worked Arnold, Jack, John, and Sam, his new neighbor on the other side.
After recovering from the initial shock, he crawled out of his tortoise shell and without a greeting, joined in the fun. Within two hours the cabin was done and they were building counter-tops, tables, and carved wood spoons and plates. When they finished, Marco invited them all over for dinner. They all accepted.
On the way home Jack asked Marco if he cheated to get food on discount.
"Yes, I decided not to heed your advise," Marco replied.
Over dinner Marco thought about the fact the he had basically stolen from the store. Maybe he shouldn't have done that. It seemed wrong.
That night, before bed, Marco decided to make it right.
The next morning Marco went to the store and went to the desk.
"Hello, sir," Marco began.
"Oh, hello, thanks for being a regular here. How may I help you?" asked the clerk.
"Actually......uh..........well......uh...you see sir I......uh...kind of cheated you," Marco stammered.
".................and how did you do that?" asked the surprised clerk.
"Well.....yesterday I came here and..."
"Yes, thank you for buying those boxes of Turkish Delight," the clerk said butting in.
"I came in with a mini-baseball bat and....kin' a beat-up cans. Then earlier today I came in and bought you out of the cans I beat-up yesterday....you see," Marco said.
"Oh? And?" asked the clerk upset.
"And I came here now to say.....I'm sorry. And I thought I might be able to make it up by working here and bagging groceries. You wouldn't have to pay me wages," Marco let poor out.
"I see we have reached an agreement. You will work here...without wages..for one month. From Tuesday-Wednesday, from 11:am-3:pm. Deal?" the clerk said with a smile spreading across his face. Marco shook on it.
He told Mary everything when he got home.
Marco started his work the next morning while Mary took Bourlondo to the park. Luckily for Marco, the merciful clerk gave him a $2.15 tip every day.....just for good measures.
THE END
Look forward to a new character.
CHAPTER 1/3
It was April 27th. Orlando, Florida was getting hot and humid as it as the seasons approached summer. Marco was sitting on his couch reading a book called The Arabian Nights.
"Marco, since I can tell you are in a good mood, why don't we go tot he new Middle Eastern Cuisine store that just opened down the street?" suggested Mary.
"I like this book," whined Marco.
"Yesterday I could barely get you to get off the couch from watching the T.V. to read a book, now I cannot pull you away from that book!" Mary replied.
Marco decided to go to the store as Mary requested. He, Mary, and Bourlondo went to the store and bought Turkish delight, Tabbouleh, Baba Gounouge, and dolmas. When they approached the check-out lane, he saw that some a basket with some dinged-up cans put in a basket next to the cash register. Everything in the basket that was dinged-up was on discount. Marco bought them out of dinged-up cans.
He, Mary, and Bourlondo went home and ate a delicious dinner. Ten Marco went back to his book and began reading it, but he couldn't focus. Something else was going through his mind. He was planning. Planning to do something wrong.
He dialed Arnold Ratts number on his phone, but it went to voice mail. Marco sent a call to Jack.
"Hello," croaked Jack.
"Hi, can we talk?" asked Marco.
"Sure, got nothing else to do, since I'm sick," Jack croaked back.
"Hey, I need your advise," Marco told him.
"With what?" asked Jack with his voice sounding much clearer this time.
"Gee, you sound much better all much of a sudden," said Marco.
"I'm not sick, I was faking for in case you needed me to do you a favor, but I will give you advise. What do you need advise on?" asked Jack.
"I need you to tell me your opinion on somethin'," replied Marco, "I was at the store earlier and...."
"What happened?" asked Jack cutting in.
"I was getting to that! I was at the store earlier and...."
"Interesting," muttered Jack.
"(groan)...and I saw that there was a basket of thingys on discount because the cans were all dinged-up and stuff, so I bought them all, because they were on discount," said Marco.
"Continue," muttered Jack.
"Was thinking that I could go into the store tomorrow and damage the cans so that they would be put on discount so I could buy more food on discount," Marco told him.
"Bad idea, very, bad idea, AWFUL IDEA! That is a lot like stealing Marco, stealing is wrong, so what you just told me, is also wrong. Why would you think of such a thing..."
"Because I could get the food for discount price," Marco put in.
"Bye," said Jack about to hang up.
"Buy what? Wait, NO!" wailed Marco.
"Wait what?" asked Jack.
"I did not mean to make you mad, Jack," Marco said.
"That's OK; but do not cheat like that," Jack said firmly.
"I will not," Marco assured him.
They exchanged closings and hung up.
Marco went to bed, but he couldn't get to sleep. He still was not convinced that damaging the cans was a bad idea. He got out of bed and went to ask Mary if she could prepare him a bath.
While Mary was preparing his bath, he went downstairs and made Mary a sandwich. As he finished the sandwich Mary came down announcing that his bath was done and Bourlondo asleep. Marco handed Mary the sandwich and went upstairs. He put his finger in to test the water.
"TOO HOT!" screamed Marco, "much too hot!"
Mary ran up to see what the trouble was. She got 3 trays of ice cubes and dumped them all in. They were all melted within moments.
"There, that should cool it down," Mary said soothingly.
"You know what Mary? I don't seem to want a bath no more," Marco chuckled.
Marco walked toward the bed.
"Hi daddy," said a dreary Bourlondo.
"Bourlondo! What are you doing out of......Mary, why is she out of bed? I thought you were asleep Bourlondo," said Marco.
"Ohhhh, but I was sleeping, but I woked up," said Bourlondo, "what you scweaming 'bout daddy?"
"Oh," laughed Marco, "my bath was to hot, Bourlondo. Now don't you thing you ought to go back to bed?"
"I have sandywichy?" asked Bourlondo almost ignoring Marco's previous demand.
"Well, no Bourlondo. You see......."
"Waaaahaaaaaaaaaaa, I won't sandywichy but you-not-give-it to me!" wailed Bourlondo throwing herself to the ground, "want sandywichy NOW!"
"Bourlondo, I have made my decision and am not changing my mind, off to bed now......"
"MOMMY GET SANDYWICHY AND I NOT? YOU BAD, YOU BAD, YOU BAD BAD BAD! I WANT SANDYWICHY!"
Mary settled Bourlondo and gave her a bite of the sandwich, then Bourlondo went to bed, Marco and Mary soon followed.
CHAPTER 2/3
The next morning when Marco woke up he decided not to heed Jack's advise from last night and to cheat to get the food on discount.
He went to the store with one of Bourlondo's wooden mini baseball bat. Everything went as planned, until just before he was going to damage the first can.
"What are you doing?" asked the janitor.
"Some stuff," said Marco.
"Is that a......baseball bat?" asked the janitor.
"Yeah, it's a toy, made of wood en stuff," replied Marco.
"What's it for?" asked the janitor.
"To get things on discount," replied Marco.
"How would a baseball bat get you food on discount?" asked the janitor.
"Because I could use it," replied Marco cutting out the details.
"If you don't tell me how you could use it to get you food on discount I'll_I'll take you to the manager," said the janitor sternly.
"Because there is special discount for bringing it into the store," lied Marco.
"Oh," said the janitor; and then the janitor left him.
Marco banged some cans up and then left the store. Bought two boxes of Turkish Delight. He would return soon to collect the beat-up cans on discount.
"Hey!" said Mary, "I missed you this morning." Mary said setting the coffee pot on the table."
Marco said nothing as he sat down.
"I suppose that this silence means you were up to no good," remarked Mary dryly.
"I suppose," groaned Marco confessedly.
"What were you up to?" asked Mary.
"Getting these!" Marco's sorrow turn to joy as he remembered the food he had gotten. Laughing pulled out the two boxes of Turkish Delight.
"Then why did you say that you were up to no good?" Mary asked.
"I was joking!" Marco lied again.
Marco, Mary, and Bourlondo ate breakfast and Turkish Delight.
"I need to go shopping," Mary told Marco.
"Ok," Marco replied.
So Mary left the house leaving Marco and Bourlondo alone. Marco lay down on the couch with Bourlondo and began to read The Arabian Knights.
When Mary came home she went to go right upstairs.
"Hey! Mary. Where are the groceries?" Marco asked.
Mary laughed at herself and said: "I forgot them in the car, silly me." Mary went back to the car and got a bag.
When she came back in she showed Marco what she had bought.
"So, Marco, I got cheese, milk, bread, and jam," Mary said.
"It took you a half hour to buy that?" Marco asked skeptically.
"Well, no. You see Marco..."
"How baby?" Bourlondo butted in.
"As I was saying, Marco, is.....these past three months I have been feeling like we might be expecting a new family member and.........Marco, I did not just go to the store.....I...well....I went to get an ultrasound and it looks like we will have a new family member. I did not tell you earlier because......well, because I did not quite know and I did not want you to get your hopes up before we knew positively," Mary stammered out.
Marco smiled. "And how come Bourlondo knew before me?" he asked.
"Bourlondo knew that I was thinking we might have another child because I thought she would not get her hopes up before we knew surely," Mary let come tumbling out.
"So you thought it best that I not know before we knew for sure," Marco said.
"Er....well, yes..." Mary stammered.
"I understand," Marco said calmly.
Mary went upstairs. When she did not come down within fifteen minutes, Marco went up to see what the delay was. He found her fast asleep.
"Good," Marco thought, "she needs rest."
CHAPTER 3/3
Marco decided to make dinner that night because Mary was sleeping. He made Greek salad, dolmas, and tomato soup. When Mary came down she sat right down and asked Marco to serve her food. As Marco prepared for dinner Bourlondo came down from her nap. Then they all ate dinner.
After dinner they had family time and then they all went to bed.
The next morning Marco went to the store and bought out all the beat-up cans on discount, the ones he had damaged the day before. Then he read his book The Arabian Knights until Mary and Bourlondo woke up. Marco made breakfast and served it to Mary in bed, then he and Bourlondo ate downstairs.
Then he played with Bourlondo until she fell asleep on the floor. Marco moved Bourlondo to her bed and then went out into the forest to build the cabin. As he approached he heard a faint laughing:
"Hahahahahahaaaaaa, he won't believe his eyes! He'll think he's crazy!"
Marco approached stealthily until he found a tree just outside the clearing and hid there. They were right! He couldn't believe his eyes! There in the clearing worked Arnold, Jack, John, and Sam, his new neighbor on the other side.
After recovering from the initial shock, he crawled out of his tortoise shell and without a greeting, joined in the fun. Within two hours the cabin was done and they were building counter-tops, tables, and carved wood spoons and plates. When they finished, Marco invited them all over for dinner. They all accepted.
On the way home Jack asked Marco if he cheated to get food on discount.
"Yes, I decided not to heed your advise," Marco replied.
Over dinner Marco thought about the fact the he had basically stolen from the store. Maybe he shouldn't have done that. It seemed wrong.
That night, before bed, Marco decided to make it right.
The next morning Marco went to the store and went to the desk.
"Hello, sir," Marco began.
"Oh, hello, thanks for being a regular here. How may I help you?" asked the clerk.
"Actually......uh..........well......uh...you see sir I......uh...kind of cheated you," Marco stammered.
".................and how did you do that?" asked the surprised clerk.
"Well.....yesterday I came here and..."
"Yes, thank you for buying those boxes of Turkish Delight," the clerk said butting in.
"I came in with a mini-baseball bat and....kin' a beat-up cans. Then earlier today I came in and bought you out of the cans I beat-up yesterday....you see," Marco said.
"Oh? And?" asked the clerk upset.
"And I came here now to say.....I'm sorry. And I thought I might be able to make it up by working here and bagging groceries. You wouldn't have to pay me wages," Marco let poor out.
"I see we have reached an agreement. You will work here...without wages..for one month. From Tuesday-Wednesday, from 11:am-3:pm. Deal?" the clerk said with a smile spreading across his face. Marco shook on it.
He told Mary everything when he got home.
Marco started his work the next morning while Mary took Bourlondo to the park. Luckily for Marco, the merciful clerk gave him a $2.15 tip every day.....just for good measures.
THE END
Look forward to a new character.
4/24/2015
It was the Friday before Easter. Marco and Mary went to the store to get egg dying kits. Bourlondo was at the park with the babysitter.
"Hey! Mary. Why don't we get this one?" asked Marco pointing at a egg dying kit.
"Let's see," replied Mary picking it up, "let's see, 'contents: yellow, red, blue, green, pink, and purple dyes, an egg holder, and a sticker set'. Let's get it."
They went home and colored and dyed their eggs. Marco colored and dyed 5 eggs.
Mary colored and dyed 7.
When they were done dying eggs, Marco sneaked outback into the bog and forest land behind their house and met with Arnold, Jack, and John. Then they went over to the foundation's of the cabin they were building. They decided that while three of them built the house, the other would stand guard to alert the three builders when Mary was coming. They all rotated the guard position for three-and-a-half hours until the silence was broken by Arnold rushing out of the forest, saying urgently, here she comes run, hide.
They all disbursed into the forest and hide in a set of hollow logs.
"Wait!" said Marco, "if Mary were to see the cabin, then the secret would be up."
"So what do we do to make sure she doesn't see it?" asked Jack.
"One of us will go into the forest, go to Mary and pretend that he is taking a nice evening stroll," replied Marco.
"Who will go?" asked Arnold.
"You can," said Marco.
So Arnold set out into the forest to find and distract her from the cabin. Marco and Arnold kept in contact with two walkie talkies.
"Do you see Mary? Over" asked Marco.
"Nope," replied Arnold, "oh! I do see her! Over."
Arnold hid the walkie talky and strode of to Mary.
"What are you doing?" asked Mary.
"Oh, just taking a walk," replied Arnold coolly, "want to come with me?"
"Where are you going?" asked Mary.
"Oh, for a walk," said Arnold.
"I mean, where are you walking to?" asked Mary.
"That tree over there," replied Arnold, pointing a a tree in the distance.
"I guess so," said Mary.
"Ok, let me get my phone," Arnold said.
Arnold went to where he had hid the walkie talky and picked it up, whispering into it:
"You can continue work on the cabin, Mary gone. Over."
Then he went with Mary to the tree he had pointed at and they sat in the tree and talked. Meanwhile, Marco, Jack, and John built the cabin.
Marco, Jack and John came out of the forest and went home. Mary came home later and they all ate dinner.
The next morning Marco, Mary, Bourlondo, Jack, John, and Arnold met at the park for a swim in the the pond and a picnic.
THE END
"Hey! Mary. Why don't we get this one?" asked Marco pointing at a egg dying kit.
"Let's see," replied Mary picking it up, "let's see, 'contents: yellow, red, blue, green, pink, and purple dyes, an egg holder, and a sticker set'. Let's get it."
They went home and colored and dyed their eggs. Marco colored and dyed 5 eggs.
Mary colored and dyed 7.
When they were done dying eggs, Marco sneaked outback into the bog and forest land behind their house and met with Arnold, Jack, and John. Then they went over to the foundation's of the cabin they were building. They decided that while three of them built the house, the other would stand guard to alert the three builders when Mary was coming. They all rotated the guard position for three-and-a-half hours until the silence was broken by Arnold rushing out of the forest, saying urgently, here she comes run, hide.
They all disbursed into the forest and hide in a set of hollow logs.
"Wait!" said Marco, "if Mary were to see the cabin, then the secret would be up."
"So what do we do to make sure she doesn't see it?" asked Jack.
"One of us will go into the forest, go to Mary and pretend that he is taking a nice evening stroll," replied Marco.
"Who will go?" asked Arnold.
"You can," said Marco.
So Arnold set out into the forest to find and distract her from the cabin. Marco and Arnold kept in contact with two walkie talkies.
"Do you see Mary? Over" asked Marco.
"Nope," replied Arnold, "oh! I do see her! Over."
Arnold hid the walkie talky and strode of to Mary.
"What are you doing?" asked Mary.
"Oh, just taking a walk," replied Arnold coolly, "want to come with me?"
"Where are you going?" asked Mary.
"Oh, for a walk," said Arnold.
"I mean, where are you walking to?" asked Mary.
"That tree over there," replied Arnold, pointing a a tree in the distance.
"I guess so," said Mary.
"Ok, let me get my phone," Arnold said.
Arnold went to where he had hid the walkie talky and picked it up, whispering into it:
"You can continue work on the cabin, Mary gone. Over."
Then he went with Mary to the tree he had pointed at and they sat in the tree and talked. Meanwhile, Marco, Jack, and John built the cabin.
Marco, Jack and John came out of the forest and went home. Mary came home later and they all ate dinner.
The next morning Marco, Mary, Bourlondo, Jack, John, and Arnold met at the park for a swim in the the pond and a picnic.
THE END
3/11/2015
One day, Marco and Mary walked down to the park. Marco read a book. About a half-hour later Marco got tired of reading his book, so he walked over to the duck pond and walked out onto the pier. As he walked, he saw a container full of duck food. He took a hand-full of duck food and leisurely tossed it out into the water. Then he continued walking.
It was a chilly day and everyone was in long sleeves. About 15 minutes later Mary and Bourlondo joined him out in on the pier.
"Great day for a swim, isn't it?" asked Marco.
"I should think not!" exclaimed Mary, "it's 56 degrees out here."
Marco, Mary, and Bourlondo returned home. Mary and Bourlondo took a nap, Marco went out-back and took some planks he bought at the lumber store. He set to work on a cabin in the area behind his house.
Marco lie the foundations of his cabin, then went back into the house. He ate chips and dip while watching the U.S. Senate on T.V..
When Mary walked down, Marco was so apparently absorbed into the T.V. he didn't even notice Mary until she dropped a medal lid on the floor.
"CLANG!"
"Waaah!" exclaimed the shocked Marco as Mary picked the lid up off the floor.
"What's for din-din?" asked Marco.
"You mean dinner?" asked Mary, "hot dogs with a Greek salad."
"Mmmm!" Marco liked Greek salad (just like the author of this book).
"I will make Greek salad if you will do something for me," said Mary.
"Anything!",replied Marco.
"Go to the store and get me jalapeno stuffed pickled Greek olives, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar," commanded Mary.
"Ohhhh! I would have to turn off the T.V. to do that!" wailed Marco.
"You said you would do anything," smirked Mary.
So Marco turned off the T.V., went to the store and got jalapeno stuffed pickled Greek olives, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar, chocolate, green tea, orange juice, and a cook book.
When Mary saw all that Marco bought she was astounded:
"Oh, Marco! You know I like chocolate, green tea, orange juice you know I needed a cookbook with instructions for how to make tarts!" exclaimed Mary.
"No I didn't. I didn't get the chocolate, green tea, and orange juice for you," replied Marco.
"Oh," said Mary, "that is unfortunate, I must say."
"Why?"
"Because I could use some chocolate right about now."
It was then, out of pure pity, that Marco let Mary have a piece of his chocolate.
Mary made dinner and then they ate it with the orange juice Marco had bought. During dinner, Marco told Mary and Bourlondo that he was making a surprise for them; and that he would show it to them in three days. Mary and Bourlondo both begged Marco to tell them what it was, but Marco refused to give a single hint.
The next morning Marco sneaked into a closet with a phone and dialed the number 598-898-1576. At the same time Mary sneaked into a closet with a phone and dialed 598-898-1576 and then hit the "call" button totally unaware the Marco was do the same right across the hall.
(Marco's phone)"Hello," came the voice of John. Then came the sound of the other phone ringing in the background, "Jack, could you get that called John."
(Mary's phone)"Hello," came the voice of Jack.
"Hi," replied Mary, "could you come over..." the phone went dead. "Line in use," read Mary.
(Marco's phone)"Hello, John, could you and Jack come over to help me build a cabin in my backyard?" asked Marco.
"Oh sure," replied John, "and by the way, Jack, who was on the phone?"
"Mary Craboff," came Jack's voice in the background.
"Mary?" asked Marco astounded, "Mary should have no reason to call you."
"She wanted John and I to come over and do something," came Jack's voice from the background.
"What did she want you and John to come over and do?" asked Marco.
"I don't know, she hung-up, or something," replied Jack's voice.
In about a half-hour Jack and John arrived. Marco told them about the secret cabin and they crept outback into the woods toward the cabin. Five minutes later John jerked to a halt.
"What's wrong?" asked Jack.
"Mary is right there," whispered John undertone.
"WHERE!" exclaimed Marco.
"There," whispered John, "Marco if you want this to be secretive, you should keep it quite."
"What is she doing?" asked Marco.
"It looks like she's wild-crafting," whispered Jack.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildcrafting )
"Let's hide," whispered John, "until she passes at least."
They scrambled toward the bushes.
"Ahhh...!" Marco cried out as he fell toward the earth. He hit with a thud followed by an, "Uh!"
Jack turned around to see what the commotion was about. Marco was gone.
"Marco!" called Jack.
John looked under the underbrush.
"Not here," said John.
"Wait," whispered Jack scrambling toward a mossy spot, "I found a trap-door. MARCO! You down there?"
There was a moan.
"I guess," came Marco feeble voice.
"What's it like?" asked John.
"I don't know, I can't see," replied Marco.
"Here," said Jack tossing down his flashlight.
Then Marco turned on the flashlight.
"Wow!" exclaimed John seeing how far down the light was, "you're quite a ways down there."
"I know," grunted Marco.
Jack and John bid Marco farewell and began to travel through the woods looking for something that could help them get Marco out of the pit. Meanwhile, Marco searched around in the pit with the flashlight.
His flashlight fell upon a grey, rectangular section of the wall. Marco needed to get a better look, so he crept over to check it out. There was a hole in the right hand side of the door. Marco put his hand in. Suddenly there was a shifting sound. A secret passage! He couldn't believe it!
He followed the passage alert and with flashlight on. For about five minutes the tunnel was straight, then it began to twist and turn. Then it became narrow. As he walked, the beam if his flashlight fell upon a dark figure, he stepped closer for a better look. It was, Arnold?
Arnold was wearing a brown exercise shirt with shorts and a pair of boots. He was holding a bucket of soil in one hand and a spade in the other.
"What are you doing?" asked Marco.
"Uh, digging," replied Arnold.
"On my property?" asked Marco.
"I....I guess," stammered Arnold.
"Why?" asked Marco.
"Well, you see, I am digging a tunnel from my backyard all the way to your house...you see?" replied Arnold.
"Yes, I see; but why not use the sidewalk to get to my house?" asked Marco.
"Uh...I guess you might see me...you know....if I, um.....used the sidewalk," stammered Arnold trying to hold a straight face.
"What would be wrong with me seeing you as you came to my house?" quizzed Marco.
"Uh, because you would.....um..um...'cause you would catch me," Arnold replied nervously.
"Why would I catch you? Would you be coming to visit me?" asked Marco.
"No, I would be coming to.....um.....I'd be coming to take your stuff away," replied Arnold.
"Oh, isn't that called, stealing?" asked Marco.
"Guess so," said Arnold.
"Look here, Arnold, you can dig your tunnel through my property, as long as you don't use it to rob me blind," said Marco.
"Yay! Goody, goody-goody-goody. Wait!" said Arnold, "what would be the use of a tunnel if it weren't to be used to rob someone?"
"You could use it to....."
Suddenly Marco was interrupted by a:
"Aaaaahhhhhhh!" (thud!)
In the distance.
Marco and Arnold dashed through the tunnel until they came to the room with the exit/entrance. There stood a very scared and bewildered Mary. She jumped at the sight of the flashlight beam.
"Marco! What are you doing here?" said the shocked Mary.
"Oh, just chatting aren't we, Arnold?" asked Marco.
Just then there were the calls of Jack and John. Within 5 minutes they were all back to the surface of the earth. Jack and John stayed for dinner at Marco's house.
That night Marco told Jack and John (while they were away from Mary) about the house he was building. They agreed to build it during the following morning.
It was a chilly day and everyone was in long sleeves. About 15 minutes later Mary and Bourlondo joined him out in on the pier.
"Great day for a swim, isn't it?" asked Marco.
"I should think not!" exclaimed Mary, "it's 56 degrees out here."
Marco, Mary, and Bourlondo returned home. Mary and Bourlondo took a nap, Marco went out-back and took some planks he bought at the lumber store. He set to work on a cabin in the area behind his house.
Marco lie the foundations of his cabin, then went back into the house. He ate chips and dip while watching the U.S. Senate on T.V..
When Mary walked down, Marco was so apparently absorbed into the T.V. he didn't even notice Mary until she dropped a medal lid on the floor.
"CLANG!"
"Waaah!" exclaimed the shocked Marco as Mary picked the lid up off the floor.
"What's for din-din?" asked Marco.
"You mean dinner?" asked Mary, "hot dogs with a Greek salad."
"Mmmm!" Marco liked Greek salad (just like the author of this book).
"I will make Greek salad if you will do something for me," said Mary.
"Anything!",replied Marco.
"Go to the store and get me jalapeno stuffed pickled Greek olives, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar," commanded Mary.
"Ohhhh! I would have to turn off the T.V. to do that!" wailed Marco.
"You said you would do anything," smirked Mary.
So Marco turned off the T.V., went to the store and got jalapeno stuffed pickled Greek olives, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar, chocolate, green tea, orange juice, and a cook book.
When Mary saw all that Marco bought she was astounded:
"Oh, Marco! You know I like chocolate, green tea, orange juice you know I needed a cookbook with instructions for how to make tarts!" exclaimed Mary.
"No I didn't. I didn't get the chocolate, green tea, and orange juice for you," replied Marco.
"Oh," said Mary, "that is unfortunate, I must say."
"Why?"
"Because I could use some chocolate right about now."
It was then, out of pure pity, that Marco let Mary have a piece of his chocolate.
Mary made dinner and then they ate it with the orange juice Marco had bought. During dinner, Marco told Mary and Bourlondo that he was making a surprise for them; and that he would show it to them in three days. Mary and Bourlondo both begged Marco to tell them what it was, but Marco refused to give a single hint.
The next morning Marco sneaked into a closet with a phone and dialed the number 598-898-1576. At the same time Mary sneaked into a closet with a phone and dialed 598-898-1576 and then hit the "call" button totally unaware the Marco was do the same right across the hall.
(Marco's phone)"Hello," came the voice of John. Then came the sound of the other phone ringing in the background, "Jack, could you get that called John."
(Mary's phone)"Hello," came the voice of Jack.
"Hi," replied Mary, "could you come over..." the phone went dead. "Line in use," read Mary.
(Marco's phone)"Hello, John, could you and Jack come over to help me build a cabin in my backyard?" asked Marco.
"Oh sure," replied John, "and by the way, Jack, who was on the phone?"
"Mary Craboff," came Jack's voice in the background.
"Mary?" asked Marco astounded, "Mary should have no reason to call you."
"She wanted John and I to come over and do something," came Jack's voice from the background.
"What did she want you and John to come over and do?" asked Marco.
"I don't know, she hung-up, or something," replied Jack's voice.
In about a half-hour Jack and John arrived. Marco told them about the secret cabin and they crept outback into the woods toward the cabin. Five minutes later John jerked to a halt.
"What's wrong?" asked Jack.
"Mary is right there," whispered John undertone.
"WHERE!" exclaimed Marco.
"There," whispered John, "Marco if you want this to be secretive, you should keep it quite."
"What is she doing?" asked Marco.
"It looks like she's wild-crafting," whispered Jack.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildcrafting )
"Let's hide," whispered John, "until she passes at least."
They scrambled toward the bushes.
"Ahhh...!" Marco cried out as he fell toward the earth. He hit with a thud followed by an, "Uh!"
Jack turned around to see what the commotion was about. Marco was gone.
"Marco!" called Jack.
John looked under the underbrush.
"Not here," said John.
"Wait," whispered Jack scrambling toward a mossy spot, "I found a trap-door. MARCO! You down there?"
There was a moan.
"I guess," came Marco feeble voice.
"What's it like?" asked John.
"I don't know, I can't see," replied Marco.
"Here," said Jack tossing down his flashlight.
Then Marco turned on the flashlight.
"Wow!" exclaimed John seeing how far down the light was, "you're quite a ways down there."
"I know," grunted Marco.
Jack and John bid Marco farewell and began to travel through the woods looking for something that could help them get Marco out of the pit. Meanwhile, Marco searched around in the pit with the flashlight.
His flashlight fell upon a grey, rectangular section of the wall. Marco needed to get a better look, so he crept over to check it out. There was a hole in the right hand side of the door. Marco put his hand in. Suddenly there was a shifting sound. A secret passage! He couldn't believe it!
He followed the passage alert and with flashlight on. For about five minutes the tunnel was straight, then it began to twist and turn. Then it became narrow. As he walked, the beam if his flashlight fell upon a dark figure, he stepped closer for a better look. It was, Arnold?
Arnold was wearing a brown exercise shirt with shorts and a pair of boots. He was holding a bucket of soil in one hand and a spade in the other.
"What are you doing?" asked Marco.
"Uh, digging," replied Arnold.
"On my property?" asked Marco.
"I....I guess," stammered Arnold.
"Why?" asked Marco.
"Well, you see, I am digging a tunnel from my backyard all the way to your house...you see?" replied Arnold.
"Yes, I see; but why not use the sidewalk to get to my house?" asked Marco.
"Uh...I guess you might see me...you know....if I, um.....used the sidewalk," stammered Arnold trying to hold a straight face.
"What would be wrong with me seeing you as you came to my house?" quizzed Marco.
"Uh, because you would.....um..um...'cause you would catch me," Arnold replied nervously.
"Why would I catch you? Would you be coming to visit me?" asked Marco.
"No, I would be coming to.....um.....I'd be coming to take your stuff away," replied Arnold.
"Oh, isn't that called, stealing?" asked Marco.
"Guess so," said Arnold.
"Look here, Arnold, you can dig your tunnel through my property, as long as you don't use it to rob me blind," said Marco.
"Yay! Goody, goody-goody-goody. Wait!" said Arnold, "what would be the use of a tunnel if it weren't to be used to rob someone?"
"You could use it to....."
Suddenly Marco was interrupted by a:
"Aaaaahhhhhhh!" (thud!)
In the distance.
Marco and Arnold dashed through the tunnel until they came to the room with the exit/entrance. There stood a very scared and bewildered Mary. She jumped at the sight of the flashlight beam.
"Marco! What are you doing here?" said the shocked Mary.
"Oh, just chatting aren't we, Arnold?" asked Marco.
Just then there were the calls of Jack and John. Within 5 minutes they were all back to the surface of the earth. Jack and John stayed for dinner at Marco's house.
That night Marco told Jack and John (while they were away from Mary) about the house he was building. They agreed to build it during the following morning.
2/1/2015
It was winter. There was not a bird to be seen in the foggy, overcast day; not a flower alive; not a plant in Marco's garden left unfrozen; not a sound to be heard...that is, not a sound except a very joyous Marco Craboff, whistling as he walked down to his mail-box. Marco made quite the scene, in short-sleeves, happy, and joyous in the depth of the overcast winter.
When he got to his mail-box he put the key into the lock and turned it: 'click-BANG!' Went the lock, Marco tried to pull the key out, but it wouldn't budge. So he got a stick and banged on the mail-box. But the key still wouldn't come, so he ran back to the house and returned with a lighter. He put the lighter up to the lock and...'click-click-click-click'.
The lighter was ready for work, so he simply melted any snow or ice that might be in the lock. Then he turned the key again: 'eeeeck' squeaked the mail-box door as it opened. Marco got his mail and went home.
As he was going through his mail he saw that he had received an answer to his job application. The letter read:
Dear Mr. Crabboof,
We are happy to tell you that you have been given the job offer to be
a employee at the u-HAUL truck service center. As your job you will
do the following:
1. Be sure that our customers get the right sized truck.
2. Make sure that the truck tires have regulation air.
3. Provide 2 extra tires if the truck is being used to move to a dessert region.
4. Provide 1 doughnut tire if the truck is being used to move locally.
5. Provide 2 extra doughnut tires if the truck is being used to move out-of-state.
6. Obey any extra commands you may be given.
7. When you talk to the costumers, talk with good grammar, or else you will represent our company poorly.
If you accept the job, please come to the u-HAUL Moving and Storage at 36th St. on January 31st. If you decline the job, then return the letter with your signature below.
From, RAlPh TImmons
Marco was quiet for the next two minutes. Then he forgot about the letter when he remembered that there was a hockey game he wanted to watch on T.V. Midway through the second period of the game Mary came down from her nap and asked Marco to select a topping for a pizza. Marco chose ham&pineapple with an additional siding of two green peppers. The hockey game went to a 'shoot out'. Marco looked-up 'shoot out' on Google to find out the meaning of the term. The final was 3-4.
After the hockey game, he went to pick up the pizza. Across the street from the pizza shop he saw a book library that held only the newest published books, so he went there after picking up pizza. After choosing out some books he wanted to borrow, some books about religion he went the check-out desk. There was a crowd lined up at the check-out desk, so it took Marco twice as long to get his books checked-out.
When Marco got home home he tried to turn on the computer but found the his internet service connection had been disconnected.
"Mary?" asked Marco.
"Yes, dear?" replied Mary.
"Did you unplug our internet?" inquired Marco.
"Um, I don't think so," answered Mary.
"Uh," said Marco.
"What did you do while I was gone?" asked Marco.
"I cooked you apple tarts!" she said grinning.
Marco grinned back, "Yay!"
Before long Marco had forgotten all about the internet disconnection as he lost his face in the apple tarts.
When Mary reminded him of it later, he went over to Arnold's.
"Did you disconnect my..." trailed Marco.
"Yes! I admit it," jumped in Arnold before Marco needed to convict him.
Marco was shocked by this sudden change of heart and thanked him for his honesty, then left.
The next day Marco and Mary went to visit a peanut-butter factory. They learned how peanut-butter was made and had a special private meeting with the president of Marco's favorite peanut-butter company.
Marco went home and watched a political debate. The politicians were very strict and determined.
That night Marco and Mary invited Arnold over to their property for a B.B.Q. Marco was trying to progress (pro-gress) toward a friendship. It was a surprise to Arnold. After how terrible he generally acted, he knew he might not deserve to have dinner with Marco.
The next morning Marco decided to get the entire vacuumed. Then he made a pot of oat-meal for breakfast.
After breakfast, Marco went to the river by himself while Mary and Bourlondo played in the backyard. Naturally, he lost balance and fell in. In his violent struggle to swim to shore, the current took him to an entire section of town. When he got home, he had to relate why he had drenched clothes. So he got changed and made progress (prog-ress) on the latest drawing he was making. He drew a tree, with a bird's nest in it, and he invented something that looked like a relative to the horse to put into his drawing as well.
Marco began to think that he might be engaged with Arnold in a semi-friendship. But he thought often that he sometimes got along with Arnold, but they knew it could never be a brother-like friendship.
When he got to his mail-box he put the key into the lock and turned it: 'click-BANG!' Went the lock, Marco tried to pull the key out, but it wouldn't budge. So he got a stick and banged on the mail-box. But the key still wouldn't come, so he ran back to the house and returned with a lighter. He put the lighter up to the lock and...'click-click-click-click'.
The lighter was ready for work, so he simply melted any snow or ice that might be in the lock. Then he turned the key again: 'eeeeck' squeaked the mail-box door as it opened. Marco got his mail and went home.
As he was going through his mail he saw that he had received an answer to his job application. The letter read:
Dear Mr. Crabboof,
We are happy to tell you that you have been given the job offer to be
a employee at the u-HAUL truck service center. As your job you will
do the following:
1. Be sure that our customers get the right sized truck.
2. Make sure that the truck tires have regulation air.
3. Provide 2 extra tires if the truck is being used to move to a dessert region.
4. Provide 1 doughnut tire if the truck is being used to move locally.
5. Provide 2 extra doughnut tires if the truck is being used to move out-of-state.
6. Obey any extra commands you may be given.
7. When you talk to the costumers, talk with good grammar, or else you will represent our company poorly.
If you accept the job, please come to the u-HAUL Moving and Storage at 36th St. on January 31st. If you decline the job, then return the letter with your signature below.
From, RAlPh TImmons
Marco was quiet for the next two minutes. Then he forgot about the letter when he remembered that there was a hockey game he wanted to watch on T.V. Midway through the second period of the game Mary came down from her nap and asked Marco to select a topping for a pizza. Marco chose ham&pineapple with an additional siding of two green peppers. The hockey game went to a 'shoot out'. Marco looked-up 'shoot out' on Google to find out the meaning of the term. The final was 3-4.
After the hockey game, he went to pick up the pizza. Across the street from the pizza shop he saw a book library that held only the newest published books, so he went there after picking up pizza. After choosing out some books he wanted to borrow, some books about religion he went the check-out desk. There was a crowd lined up at the check-out desk, so it took Marco twice as long to get his books checked-out.
When Marco got home home he tried to turn on the computer but found the his internet service connection had been disconnected.
"Mary?" asked Marco.
"Yes, dear?" replied Mary.
"Did you unplug our internet?" inquired Marco.
"Um, I don't think so," answered Mary.
"Uh," said Marco.
"What did you do while I was gone?" asked Marco.
"I cooked you apple tarts!" she said grinning.
Marco grinned back, "Yay!"
Before long Marco had forgotten all about the internet disconnection as he lost his face in the apple tarts.
When Mary reminded him of it later, he went over to Arnold's.
"Did you disconnect my..." trailed Marco.
"Yes! I admit it," jumped in Arnold before Marco needed to convict him.
Marco was shocked by this sudden change of heart and thanked him for his honesty, then left.
The next day Marco and Mary went to visit a peanut-butter factory. They learned how peanut-butter was made and had a special private meeting with the president of Marco's favorite peanut-butter company.
Marco went home and watched a political debate. The politicians were very strict and determined.
That night Marco and Mary invited Arnold over to their property for a B.B.Q. Marco was trying to progress (pro-gress) toward a friendship. It was a surprise to Arnold. After how terrible he generally acted, he knew he might not deserve to have dinner with Marco.
The next morning Marco decided to get the entire vacuumed. Then he made a pot of oat-meal for breakfast.
After breakfast, Marco went to the river by himself while Mary and Bourlondo played in the backyard. Naturally, he lost balance and fell in. In his violent struggle to swim to shore, the current took him to an entire section of town. When he got home, he had to relate why he had drenched clothes. So he got changed and made progress (prog-ress) on the latest drawing he was making. He drew a tree, with a bird's nest in it, and he invented something that looked like a relative to the horse to put into his drawing as well.
Marco began to think that he might be engaged with Arnold in a semi-friendship. But he thought often that he sometimes got along with Arnold, but they knew it could never be a brother-like friendship.
Marco's Adventures 1/16/2015
One day, Marco was walking down Main-Street, Miami. He and Mary were going to the aquarium. When he walked in, he pulled out his cash and asked for 2 children's passes.
"Do you have 2 children you want to come in?" asked the manager.
"No," replied Marco.
"Then why do you want 2 children's passes?" asked the manager.
"Because I don't want to pay for 2 adult passes," replied Marco.
"Fine! We'll give you a 30 cents discount each pass, if you will..."
"I'll buy 4 adult passes!" exclaimed Marco.
Then he looked around, Mary was staring at him, the manager stared at him, the janitor was staring at him.
"Marco, we only have 2 adults here who want passes," said Mary.
"Oh."
Then they passed through the security-guards and gave their tickets.
Marco asked Mary if he could go buy some hot-dogs, Mary gave her consent. When he returned they went to the penguin exhibit.The exhibit was a tunnel with windows in the walls, built so that you could watch the penguins, sliding and swimming around. Meanwhile, Marco ate his hot-dog.
After the penguin exhibit, Marco wanted to go to the open stingray tank. Mary gave her consent. So they went in the direction of the Ray Tank.
"I sure hope Bourlondo's being good for the babysitter," said Mary, "who did you choose as her babysitter?"
"Oh," said Marco, "I chose Arnold Gosamer Ratts."
"Arnold Gosamer Ratts!" exclaimed Mary, "watching my daughter? Oh! Marco!"
"But, he's been better lately!" protested Marco.
"BETTER!" shouted Mary, "he's been awful!"
"Let's stop fighting and enjoy our time, we may not get a chance like this any-time soon," said Marco calmly.
"Ok," said Mary, "but don't put him in charge of my daughter again."
"Ok."
They continued on toward the Ray Tank. They were standing over it looking down into the Ray Tank when Marco saw a flashy object in the water, he leaned over to reach in...SPLASH!!!
"Oh! MARCO!" exclaimed Mary.
"(cough, cough) I'm fine (cough)," replied Marco resurfacing.
"Marco! You're all wet!" said Mary.
"I know," replied Marco, "but I have the flashy abject."
Marco revealed a pearl in his hand.
They left the aquarium because Mary was not enjoying herself, and Marco was all soggy. Marco and Mary started the 3 hour drive back to Orlando. After they had been on the road for about 45 minutes, Marco asked:
"Hey Mary, is there any police cars behind us?"
"No, Marco, I don't think so. Why do you ask?" replied Mary.
Here is the odometer cycle:
"MAAAARCOOOO!" shouted Mary.
"Haha hahahahaha!" laughed Marco.
A 3 hour trip turned into an hour and a half drive. When they pulled in, Marco and Mary quickly jumped out of the car and ran over to Arnold's house. They knocked. The door was opened by Bourlondo, Bourlondo's face was caked with white.
"What happened?" asked Mary.
"Arfold Goosander Rotts sleeping updairs," whispered Bourlondo.
"What is on your face?" asked Marco.
"I not know," replied Bourlondo.
"Did Arnold give you that powder?" asked Marco.
"Uh, ya! Arnold give me it," replied Bourlondo.
"Does it taste good?" asked Mary.
"No, tastes like........tastes like dirt," said Bourlondo.
Mary went into the kitchen, there was a bag on the floor. Mary picked up the bag. Mary read what was on the bag:
/-----------------------------\
l Whole Wheat Flour l
l Joe's Mill l
l l
l l
l l
l l
l do not consume l
l uncooked l
"Bourlondo, did you eat this?" asked Mary.
"No, mommy, I didn't eat it," replied Bourlondo.
Meanwhile, Marco had found his way into the kitchen and was looking around in Arnold's cabinets, he stumbled upon the seed cabinet, inside there was a plastic container with some pepper seeds, in another container there were cactus seed pods.
Marco pocketed 2 seed pods and 15 pepper seeds. After getting Bourlondo cleaned up, Marco and Mary and her went back over to their house and ate dinner.
Then Marco went out back of his house and planted the 15 pepper seeds in his small garden. He set the seed pods out in the hot Florida sun to dry out.
After about 16 weeks, he had some peppers, white peppers? Marco had never heard of white peppers. He picked one, he gave it to Mary, Mary ate it, Mary's nose started to run, Mary yelled. Marco picked another one, Marco ate it, Marco's nose started to run, Marco yelled:
"Hot!!!"
"Marco, I have never heard of white peppers," Mary said.
"Me neither," replied Marco.
Marco looked up white peppers. He found that white peppers(the ones he just ate) are called ghost peppers, and that they are the hottest pepper on earth.
"Do you have 2 children you want to come in?" asked the manager.
"No," replied Marco.
"Then why do you want 2 children's passes?" asked the manager.
"Because I don't want to pay for 2 adult passes," replied Marco.
"Fine! We'll give you a 30 cents discount each pass, if you will..."
"I'll buy 4 adult passes!" exclaimed Marco.
Then he looked around, Mary was staring at him, the manager stared at him, the janitor was staring at him.
"Marco, we only have 2 adults here who want passes," said Mary.
"Oh."
Then they passed through the security-guards and gave their tickets.
Marco asked Mary if he could go buy some hot-dogs, Mary gave her consent. When he returned they went to the penguin exhibit.The exhibit was a tunnel with windows in the walls, built so that you could watch the penguins, sliding and swimming around. Meanwhile, Marco ate his hot-dog.
After the penguin exhibit, Marco wanted to go to the open stingray tank. Mary gave her consent. So they went in the direction of the Ray Tank.
"I sure hope Bourlondo's being good for the babysitter," said Mary, "who did you choose as her babysitter?"
"Oh," said Marco, "I chose Arnold Gosamer Ratts."
"Arnold Gosamer Ratts!" exclaimed Mary, "watching my daughter? Oh! Marco!"
"But, he's been better lately!" protested Marco.
"BETTER!" shouted Mary, "he's been awful!"
"Let's stop fighting and enjoy our time, we may not get a chance like this any-time soon," said Marco calmly.
"Ok," said Mary, "but don't put him in charge of my daughter again."
"Ok."
They continued on toward the Ray Tank. They were standing over it looking down into the Ray Tank when Marco saw a flashy object in the water, he leaned over to reach in...SPLASH!!!
"Oh! MARCO!" exclaimed Mary.
"(cough, cough) I'm fine (cough)," replied Marco resurfacing.
"Marco! You're all wet!" said Mary.
"I know," replied Marco, "but I have the flashy abject."
Marco revealed a pearl in his hand.
They left the aquarium because Mary was not enjoying herself, and Marco was all soggy. Marco and Mary started the 3 hour drive back to Orlando. After they had been on the road for about 45 minutes, Marco asked:
"Hey Mary, is there any police cars behind us?"
"No, Marco, I don't think so. Why do you ask?" replied Mary.
Here is the odometer cycle:
"MAAAARCOOOO!" shouted Mary.
"Haha hahahahaha!" laughed Marco.
A 3 hour trip turned into an hour and a half drive. When they pulled in, Marco and Mary quickly jumped out of the car and ran over to Arnold's house. They knocked. The door was opened by Bourlondo, Bourlondo's face was caked with white.
"What happened?" asked Mary.
"Arfold Goosander Rotts sleeping updairs," whispered Bourlondo.
"What is on your face?" asked Marco.
"I not know," replied Bourlondo.
"Did Arnold give you that powder?" asked Marco.
"Uh, ya! Arnold give me it," replied Bourlondo.
"Does it taste good?" asked Mary.
"No, tastes like........tastes like dirt," said Bourlondo.
Mary went into the kitchen, there was a bag on the floor. Mary picked up the bag. Mary read what was on the bag:
/-----------------------------\
l Whole Wheat Flour l
l Joe's Mill l
l l
l l
l l
l l
l do not consume l
l uncooked l
"Bourlondo, did you eat this?" asked Mary.
"No, mommy, I didn't eat it," replied Bourlondo.
Meanwhile, Marco had found his way into the kitchen and was looking around in Arnold's cabinets, he stumbled upon the seed cabinet, inside there was a plastic container with some pepper seeds, in another container there were cactus seed pods.
Marco pocketed 2 seed pods and 15 pepper seeds. After getting Bourlondo cleaned up, Marco and Mary and her went back over to their house and ate dinner.
Then Marco went out back of his house and planted the 15 pepper seeds in his small garden. He set the seed pods out in the hot Florida sun to dry out.
After about 16 weeks, he had some peppers, white peppers? Marco had never heard of white peppers. He picked one, he gave it to Mary, Mary ate it, Mary's nose started to run, Mary yelled. Marco picked another one, Marco ate it, Marco's nose started to run, Marco yelled:
"Hot!!!"
"Marco, I have never heard of white peppers," Mary said.
"Me neither," replied Marco.
Marco looked up white peppers. He found that white peppers(the ones he just ate) are called ghost peppers, and that they are the hottest pepper on earth.
Marco's Adventures 1/6/2015
It was coming upon the time of the New Year. Marco and Mary had big plans. They had gotten plane tickets and planned to go to New York City time square for the New Year count down.
It was morning of the 29th:
"Marco......Marco!.....Marco!!...MARCO!!!", whispered Mary.
"Whu!",exclaimed Marco jumping from his sleep.
"We need to get up," replied Mary.
"Uhhhhhh, what time is it (yawn)," asked Marco.
"Why, it's almost 10:00!" exclaimed Mary.
"Mary! We need to get up!" exclaimed Marco.
"That's just what I told you," retorted Mary.
After breakfast, Marco, Mary, and Bourlondo went to the park. Marco pushed Bourlondo on the swing while Mary read a book. As Mary read the book, she decided that she wanted to go home because she was cold.
Marco and Mary and Bourlondo went home to eat lunch. After lunch Marco went to the store to get some ham and cheese for sandwiches. Then he went to the store across the street to get some tea for himself, and chocolate for Mary, and cranberry juice for Bourlondo.
After he got home, they ate dinner and Marco read them a book. Then they went to bed.
The next morning:
"Marco......Marco!.....Marco!!...MARCO!!!", whispered Mary.
"Whu!",exclaimed Marco jumping from his sleep.
"We need to get up," replied Mary.
"Oh."
"Our flight is 1:30."
"Ok."
After Breakfast, Marco, Mary, and Bourlondo went to the airport. Within to hours they were well on their way to New York City.
Then, on the plane trip, something went terribly wrong! Marco was bored, and we all know what happens when Marco is bored.
"Mary," started Marco.
"Yes, Marco?" replied Mary.
"Can I go up and sit next to the pilot?"
"No, Marco. That seat is for the assistant pilot."
Before long, Marco's boredom was sustained and he was eating happily. Then he fell to sleep. Within a few ours, they were in a waiting line of planes waiting land in New York City.
"When can we land?" asked Marco.
"Soon." said Mary.
"How soon?"
"Very soon."
Apparently, very soon meant one hour, because that is how long it took before they were landing.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" shrieked Marco as they were going toward the airstrip.
"Would be quiet Marco, you're making us look bad," whispered Mary.
"Uh!" grunted Marco as they hit the landing stripe.
They got their luggage and rented a taxi. It was 5:30. They went and ate some food at a buffet. After stuffing, they went to the hotel and napped. When they woke up, it was 8:30.
"When do we go to time square?" asked Marco.
"About 10:00," replied Mary.
Marco read a magazine while Mary read the travel guide. The sound of the clock was all that was heard for the next hour and a half. After a while, Mary looked up at the clock.
"Uh, Marco! We need to go!" exclaimed Mary.
"Oh," said Marco, not lifting his eyes from his magazine, "WOHHHH!," exclaimed Marco, now lifting his eyes from the magazine, "we need to go!"
When they arrived at time square, Mary and Bourlondo rested their eyes on the countdown clock, while Marco danced through the square shouting:
"WOhhhhhhhhhhhhh, it's a lovely....ducky. I spin around the town. I might get all......mucky, while spinning through the town, ha....ha...hahaha!"
Mary marched over to Marco.
"Marco! You are raising a seen!" whispered Mary.
"That's what I mean to do, ma'am," replied Marco.
"Me and Bourlondo are going to get some food, you can continue making a joke out of our family," said Mary.
"Ok!"
"If_____ I_____ s_h_o_u_l_d, sing, and sing again, I'd sing so that I'd sing and sing, and sing and sing for YOU, ha....ha......ha!" sang Marco.
Marco continued to sing songs until the announcer announced:
"Welcome to 2015!!!"
That night, Marco got a scolding from Mary.
When they drove home the next morning. They found a banner hung between their houses that Arnold had hung.
"'I Wish You an Awful Christmas and an Even Worse New Year! For neighbors like us should never be together." laughed Marco reading it aloud, "hahaha!"
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015
It was morning of the 29th:
"Marco......Marco!.....Marco!!...MARCO!!!", whispered Mary.
"Whu!",exclaimed Marco jumping from his sleep.
"We need to get up," replied Mary.
"Uhhhhhh, what time is it (yawn)," asked Marco.
"Why, it's almost 10:00!" exclaimed Mary.
"Mary! We need to get up!" exclaimed Marco.
"That's just what I told you," retorted Mary.
After breakfast, Marco, Mary, and Bourlondo went to the park. Marco pushed Bourlondo on the swing while Mary read a book. As Mary read the book, she decided that she wanted to go home because she was cold.
Marco and Mary and Bourlondo went home to eat lunch. After lunch Marco went to the store to get some ham and cheese for sandwiches. Then he went to the store across the street to get some tea for himself, and chocolate for Mary, and cranberry juice for Bourlondo.
After he got home, they ate dinner and Marco read them a book. Then they went to bed.
The next morning:
"Marco......Marco!.....Marco!!...MARCO!!!", whispered Mary.
"Whu!",exclaimed Marco jumping from his sleep.
"We need to get up," replied Mary.
"Oh."
"Our flight is 1:30."
"Ok."
After Breakfast, Marco, Mary, and Bourlondo went to the airport. Within to hours they were well on their way to New York City.
Then, on the plane trip, something went terribly wrong! Marco was bored, and we all know what happens when Marco is bored.
"Mary," started Marco.
"Yes, Marco?" replied Mary.
"Can I go up and sit next to the pilot?"
"No, Marco. That seat is for the assistant pilot."
Before long, Marco's boredom was sustained and he was eating happily. Then he fell to sleep. Within a few ours, they were in a waiting line of planes waiting land in New York City.
"When can we land?" asked Marco.
"Soon." said Mary.
"How soon?"
"Very soon."
Apparently, very soon meant one hour, because that is how long it took before they were landing.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" shrieked Marco as they were going toward the airstrip.
"Would be quiet Marco, you're making us look bad," whispered Mary.
"Uh!" grunted Marco as they hit the landing stripe.
They got their luggage and rented a taxi. It was 5:30. They went and ate some food at a buffet. After stuffing, they went to the hotel and napped. When they woke up, it was 8:30.
"When do we go to time square?" asked Marco.
"About 10:00," replied Mary.
Marco read a magazine while Mary read the travel guide. The sound of the clock was all that was heard for the next hour and a half. After a while, Mary looked up at the clock.
"Uh, Marco! We need to go!" exclaimed Mary.
"Oh," said Marco, not lifting his eyes from his magazine, "WOHHHH!," exclaimed Marco, now lifting his eyes from the magazine, "we need to go!"
When they arrived at time square, Mary and Bourlondo rested their eyes on the countdown clock, while Marco danced through the square shouting:
"WOhhhhhhhhhhhhh, it's a lovely....ducky. I spin around the town. I might get all......mucky, while spinning through the town, ha....ha...hahaha!"
Mary marched over to Marco.
"Marco! You are raising a seen!" whispered Mary.
"That's what I mean to do, ma'am," replied Marco.
"Me and Bourlondo are going to get some food, you can continue making a joke out of our family," said Mary.
"Ok!"
"If_____ I_____ s_h_o_u_l_d, sing, and sing again, I'd sing so that I'd sing and sing, and sing and sing for YOU, ha....ha......ha!" sang Marco.
Marco continued to sing songs until the announcer announced:
"Welcome to 2015!!!"
That night, Marco got a scolding from Mary.
When they drove home the next morning. They found a banner hung between their houses that Arnold had hung.
"'I Wish You an Awful Christmas and an Even Worse New Year! For neighbors like us should never be together." laughed Marco reading it aloud, "hahaha!"
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015
Marco's Adventures 11/24/2014
One day Marco was looking at his checkbook and noticed that the rate of how much he made each month was going steadily DOWN. This was because of this:
Original Amount Made: $32,104.02
Amount For Food: $800.61
Amount For Rent: $14,500.01
Amount For Electricity: $2,373.57
Amount For Water: $3,188.03
Amount For Taxes: $4,000.98
Amount For Golfing: $340.00
Remaining Amount: $6903
Marco decided he needed a new job. He applied for three jobs. All of the interviews fell on the same day. He was not offered any of them. Marco applied for another job. At the interview he got into an argument for why he should have gotten the job.
He was later given a job offer for make:
CAUTION
signs.
Marco had to accept.
On the way to the office he flew down the highway at 300 MPH. Then he heard a police siren. An officer pulled him over.
"Yes, sir I will get you some nice cool ice water," said Marco.
"You can get me $400.5," said the official, "or go to court...your choice!"
Marco paid from his pocket, then he went to work. He was asked why he was late.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, because I got a ticket "Marco said.
"For the theater?" asked his boss.
"No, for speeding!"
"YOUR FIRED!"
"HUH!"
"Bye!"
(door slam)
Marco began dancing on the side of the street for money. His dance routine was the following: Stumble, trip, slide, dodge car, dive for sidewalk, cartwheel, dodge pedestrian, land face first on street and craw for sidewalk!
Marco Got in his automobile and drove home.
"Marco! What happened?" asked Mary.
Marco:GULP!!
Marco told his story. Mary thought all this was all impossible.
The next morning Marco spent a very long time in the shower. He got out after 30 minutes of straight water pressure on his belly.
"Marco! Get out of the shower before our water bill goes up by another 100 dollars!" exclaimed Mary.
After Marco got out he sat down he listened to a various number of tracks trying to associate the drummer in each band to every band he knew and trying to guess which band he was listening to.
That evening he went to the no smoking association to see if he could get house insurance for if his house burned down.
"Sorry! We don't sell home insurance, we go around telling people not to smoke!" said the boss.
Marco went home concerned that his house might burn down, but then he did not have the money to buy home insurance.
He invited his friends to a party. Mary and Bourlondo were the only ones who answered the invitation by coming. This is how Marco found that he was not very popular with his friends. He had estimated that four friend would come, only two showed up!
At the party, Marco tried to amuse Mary by juggling cups filled to the brim with milk. He tossed them all up and one by one they went: crash!Crash!!CRASH!!! in a circle on the floor. By the time he was done there was a circular formation of broken glass on the floor.
"Oh, Marco!" exclaimed Mary.
"Bu- (sob) but, it was an ACCIDENT!" cried Marco bursting out into tears.
"No need to cry about it," said Mary, "you are a grown man crying like a two year old, GROW UP!!! It was a bad idea in the beginning."
"No it wasn't!"
"Oh, yes it was and don't argue!"
That is just what Marco did. As Mary tried to go to sleep, Marco kept trying to prove that he was in the right. Mary cranked the volume on her musicand fell to sleep.
The next morning Marco and Mary went out for breakfast, then to the museum, then he went out for dinner. They had a great day.
That night he decided to organize a plan for the next day:
Go out for breakfast
Go to the pool
Go get a back rub
Get dinner
The thing Marco forgot to add was loan money from Jack and John. When he got dinner the clerk said: After this you will only have$4,400 in your bankaccount after this, you sure?"Marco was sure, then he went and loaned $12,000 from Jack and John.
The next morning he summoned Mary to go out again.
"NO!" said Mary, "our poor friends Jack and John are the victims of a loan that will not be repaid! You will have to pay back a vary large some of money when you come up with it."
Original Amount Made: $32,104.02
Amount For Food: $800.61
Amount For Rent: $14,500.01
Amount For Electricity: $2,373.57
Amount For Water: $3,188.03
Amount For Taxes: $4,000.98
Amount For Golfing: $340.00
Remaining Amount: $6903
Marco decided he needed a new job. He applied for three jobs. All of the interviews fell on the same day. He was not offered any of them. Marco applied for another job. At the interview he got into an argument for why he should have gotten the job.
He was later given a job offer for make:
CAUTION
signs.
Marco had to accept.
On the way to the office he flew down the highway at 300 MPH. Then he heard a police siren. An officer pulled him over.
"Yes, sir I will get you some nice cool ice water," said Marco.
"You can get me $400.5," said the official, "or go to court...your choice!"
Marco paid from his pocket, then he went to work. He was asked why he was late.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, because I got a ticket "Marco said.
"For the theater?" asked his boss.
"No, for speeding!"
"YOUR FIRED!"
"HUH!"
"Bye!"
(door slam)
Marco began dancing on the side of the street for money. His dance routine was the following: Stumble, trip, slide, dodge car, dive for sidewalk, cartwheel, dodge pedestrian, land face first on street and craw for sidewalk!
Marco Got in his automobile and drove home.
"Marco! What happened?" asked Mary.
Marco:GULP!!
Marco told his story. Mary thought all this was all impossible.
The next morning Marco spent a very long time in the shower. He got out after 30 minutes of straight water pressure on his belly.
"Marco! Get out of the shower before our water bill goes up by another 100 dollars!" exclaimed Mary.
After Marco got out he sat down he listened to a various number of tracks trying to associate the drummer in each band to every band he knew and trying to guess which band he was listening to.
That evening he went to the no smoking association to see if he could get house insurance for if his house burned down.
"Sorry! We don't sell home insurance, we go around telling people not to smoke!" said the boss.
Marco went home concerned that his house might burn down, but then he did not have the money to buy home insurance.
He invited his friends to a party. Mary and Bourlondo were the only ones who answered the invitation by coming. This is how Marco found that he was not very popular with his friends. He had estimated that four friend would come, only two showed up!
At the party, Marco tried to amuse Mary by juggling cups filled to the brim with milk. He tossed them all up and one by one they went: crash!Crash!!CRASH!!! in a circle on the floor. By the time he was done there was a circular formation of broken glass on the floor.
"Oh, Marco!" exclaimed Mary.
"Bu- (sob) but, it was an ACCIDENT!" cried Marco bursting out into tears.
"No need to cry about it," said Mary, "you are a grown man crying like a two year old, GROW UP!!! It was a bad idea in the beginning."
"No it wasn't!"
"Oh, yes it was and don't argue!"
That is just what Marco did. As Mary tried to go to sleep, Marco kept trying to prove that he was in the right. Mary cranked the volume on her musicand fell to sleep.
The next morning Marco and Mary went out for breakfast, then to the museum, then he went out for dinner. They had a great day.
That night he decided to organize a plan for the next day:
Go out for breakfast
Go to the pool
Go get a back rub
Get dinner
The thing Marco forgot to add was loan money from Jack and John. When he got dinner the clerk said: After this you will only have$4,400 in your bankaccount after this, you sure?"Marco was sure, then he went and loaned $12,000 from Jack and John.
The next morning he summoned Mary to go out again.
"NO!" said Mary, "our poor friends Jack and John are the victims of a loan that will not be repaid! You will have to pay back a vary large some of money when you come up with it."