Letters from Josh
(A weekly update from Josh Urban’s adventures on the farm and in the city. #109)
Howdy, folks! Welcome back to our tale. Moody mad scientist Dr. Electro has been whisked up into adventure once again by pal Rutherford. Aboard a midnight train, old friend Walter steps out of the shadows and into the action. The three jump off to avoid a sinister tail, and arrive at a hobo camp at Walter’s urging. The leader looks up with a “You’re late.”
The Return of Dr. Electro - #6: The Jolly Ranchers
Stepping into the firelight of the hobo camp, Electro sputtered, blinded. The smoke greeted him first - in the eyes. “Ayyy, smoke follows beauty, boys!” The leader crowed, joined by chorus of rough laughs. Rubbing his eyes furiously, Electro finally regained his sight. A half dozen men sat around, grimy faces flickering in the warm glow.
“Glad you gents could make it to our little party. We just ran out of lobster, but Junior caught some crawdads in the river!” More laughter, and a small man doffed his cap, grinning. Electro glanced at his friends uncertainty , and then the hobos. They seemed to be serious. One was even chewing...something.
The leader stood up, towering over the newcomers in friendly welcome. He looked like Jesus, or a pirate. “They call me Preacher. These lads here are the Jolly Ranchers. The Depression put us all out of work, but hasn’t beat us. We’re staying on task, and we’re staying jolly! We wander the backroads and railroads and quiet places and try to give back a little bit.” Dropping his voice, he leaned in. “All of them boys are aces at something. They’ll go back to work one day. Now they just help where they can. ”
“Hey Preach, tell ‘em we’re ready to rumble” cried Junior. “I’m ready to catch more than crawdads!”
Walter shifted, and drawled to life. “You see, fellas, word travels fast along the rails. We could use some help, I reckon, so I found you the best. These here Jolly Ranchers deliver.”
Meanwhile, far to the east in Chicagoland, Lady Wilkes couldn’t sleep. She gazed out the window. The eclipse was almost over. The moon was easing out of the shadow, a half orange omen looming over the city skyline. She thought of an eclipse in Morocco some forty years ago. Now that was an adventure. The Azurite they had found in the hills was of the deepest blue, fit enough to paint Ricardo’s eyes. Ah, how quickly things fade she mused.
Her thoughts drifted to another adventure long ago- that all-night walk from the center of Lisbon to the countryside. Gilberto was such a dashing tour guide. Mars glittered, matching the red stone buildings slumbering under a summer sky. The linden trees made the warm air sweet with their ghostly white blossoms as they strolled, enchanted. He had given her the Citrine gem then.
She sighed. If only it hadn’t been stolen. What a pickle.
To be continued...