Written by: Scott McClenny
The gang search for the missing Squiggy.
"It's almost time for the Living Nativity to begin."Shirley fretted looking at the clock,"And we can't start with out Squiggy."
"Where'd the bum go?"Frank asked,"Anyone seen him?"
Carmine and Lenny entered Cowboy Bill's out of place and gasping.
"Well?"Laverne asked,"Did you find him?"
"Not a trace."Carmine said,"And we've been everywhere Squiggy hangs out."
"On the bright side,"Lenny said,"They're having $1 all you can eat shrimp and potato night at the Salty Seabird tonight!"
"LENOARD!"Shirley looked at him shocked,"How can you think of food at a time when your best friend is missing and probably hungry?"
"Weeelll..."Lenny replied,"it IS Squiggy's second favorite restruant outside Cowboy Bill's and that takeout Chinese place."
"Now what are we gonna do?"Shirley sat down and began drumming on the table.
"Boys you'd better clear out,"Laverne warned,"I think she's about to get one of those ideas of hers."
"Ah-Ha!"Shirley snapped her fingers,"I know what we do!"
Carmine and Lenny began slowly backing out of the door as they saw the light of fanaticism dawn on Shirley's face.
"Whatever it is I bet I'm not gonna like it!"Carmine said.
"Likewise!"Lenny said.
"Boys,boys!"Shirley called after them,"This WILL work trust me."
"Uh,Shirl' wouldn't it be better if we all look for Squiggy instead." Laverne whispered.
"Oh,alright Vernie,but I still think my idea would work!"
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It was getting coolish for Southern California and the girls were beginning to shiver a little in their jackets.
"By I tell ya Shirl,this is the last time I go look for Squiggy,the next time he disappears he can look for himself!"Laverne said as they waited for Carmine and Lenny outside of the Gospel House Mission.
"I don't know why we couldn't go in with them."Shirley griped,"It would beat standing outside here all night."
"Remember when we TRIED to get in you punched those two mission workers and they kicked us out."
"I thought they were a couple of bums,besides they were making rather rude remarks about us."
"Never mind,"Laverne said,"Here come the boys."
"Any luck?"Shirley asked Carmine.
"No-one's seen Squiggy here either."Carmine replied,"But you got an invite to try out for the Intercity Mission Boxing Tournament!"
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"Why'd I end up with you?"Frank groused as he and Rhonda were walking down the street.
"Just lucky..OOOhhh..do you see what Rhonda sees?"she pointed to the left and down the street.
"What is is?Is is Squiggy?"
"No,it's one of those new Volkswagen cars."Rhonda said,"I'm saving up to buy one,and then I'm going to take driver's lessons!"
"Don't you mean take lessons first..oh never mind!"Frank said.
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Back at Cowboy Bill's the door opened and Squiggy walked in. "Hell-o!"he said,"Anyone here?"
Silence.
"Where'd everybody go?"he asked himself.
He saw the menu from the Salty Seabird Lenny left behind, "All you can eat shrimp and potato for only $1...$1!!!!" He stuffed it in his pocket.