Stumbling Down Memory Lane by Luke (buster_mb@yahoo.com) Buster and Babs walked through the park. The sun was a bright orange, it was just starting to set. The two rabbits lazily walked down the path, hand in hand, and were having a conversation. Babs: It's such a nice afternoon... Buster looked over at Babs. Buster: Yeah, I can't think of a better way to spend it. Babs: Really...? Buster: No. You wanna go to my house or yours? Babs: How about yours. Buster: Okay. Buster and Babs kept walking, and soon they left the park through the front exit. Soon they were in front of Buster's burrow entrance. Buster: After you, Babsiboo. Babs: (in southern accent) Why, Buster, you are a true gentleman... Buster: I try... Hop in. We're missing Battlebots. Babs: What's the rush?? We both know that show comes on twice in the same night. Babs dove in the burrow hole. Buster: Oh. Buster followed her. Inside, Babs was laying on the floor facing the TV with Buster right beside her. Babs: Anklebiter is really doing a number on Pressure Drop tonight. Buster: Yeah. This is a good one. Babs: It's too bad Thirteensomething isn't on anymore... Buster looked over at Babs with a spooky expression. She had a short grin. Buster: Ohhh, no... Don't even think of reminding me about THAT show. You remember what happened the last time... Babs: Yes, I remember what happened the last time... Buster: That's right. Never utter that word in my presence again. Babs: Oh, alright.... Outside, Shelby was listening to see if Buster was home. He leaned down towards the burrow hole. Shelby: Buster. Are you home? Babs looked away fron the TV screen. Buster still kept watching the show. Babs: Do you want Shelby to come in? Buster...? Buster.. Babs pulled a bullhorn out of nowhere and set it against Buster's head. Babs: BUSTER!! Buster's eyes bugged out of his head as Babs shouted through the bullhorn. Buster: What?! Babs: Shelby's waiting outside! Buster: Oh, okay, I'll let him in. He got up and walked over to the entrance. Buster: C'mon in, Shelby. A second later, Shelby was inside, green shirt, glasses and all. He followed Buster to the living room. Shelby saw Babs laying on the floor watching TV. Babs looked over at Shelby. Shelby: Hey Babs. Babs: Hiieee! Nice to see you again, Shelby. Whatcha been up to? Shelby: Not very much. What about you? Babs: Nothing out of the ordinary. Buster: What happened while I was gone? Babs: Anklebiter won. Buster: How?? Babs: I don't know, he just won. Buster: Oh, great...I missed the ending. Babs: Owh, come on! This one will be on tomorrow. Buster: Yeah, I know but that's not the point. Babs: Just skip it... Buster: Okay, whatever. Buster and Shelby sat on the couch. Shelby: What else is on? Babs: I don't know. I'll try and find something. Buster: What did you come over for? Shelby: For a visit. I know you weren't expecting me, even though I said that I would stop by often. Buster: I remember. It was when you just moved into your own place. By the way, how is it holding up? Shelby: It's just fine. Even my skylight is still in it's place. Babs turned her head to look behind her. Babs: What are you two talking about? Buster gave her a weird look as if to say "Butt out." Babs just turned her head and kept flipping through the channels. Buster: She has a tendency to do that. Shelby just looked at Buster, then over to the TV. "Premium Blend" was just starting. Babs: *sigh* I guess this is the only thing on... Shelby: Come on, Babs. There's a lot of great talent to see on this show. I watch it every time it's on. Babs: You like to watch this slop?? These guys aren't funny! I can be funny! Shelby folded his arms and gave Babs a smug grin. Shelby: Okay, try me. Buster: Babs has quite a few tricks up her sleeve. Shelby: I know that, but are they good? Buster: You'd be amazed with what she'll come up with. Shelby: We'll just have to see. Babs jumped up to her feet. Shelby and Buster looked on. Babs: Okay, Shelby. I'd like to see any of those guys top this! Babs spun around, then stopped. She dawned a Madonna costume. Babs: Is this good enough? Buster: Gee, that's different. Shelby: That's a pretty good Madonna. Try something else. Babs: Okay, check this out. Once again Babs twirled around and in a few seconds she turned into a Cher look- a-like, Babs: How 'bout this, "Babe"? Buster: You always do that one. Try another one. Babs: Everyone's a critic. Babs Spun around yet again. This time she turned into Faith Hill. Shelby: Now THAT'S a good one! Buster: Wow! Babs: I look that good to you guys? Shelby: Well, you know how I am, Babs, but that's a real good impression. Babs: Thanks. She turned around and became herself again. Babs: So, what do you think? Shelby looked at Buster. Shelby: Pretty good. Buster: She can do better. Babs stood there and smiled. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ At school the next day, Buster was sitting with Plucky and Hamton as he always does. Shelby was also in the cafeteria. He walked over to Buster's table. Everyone looked up at him. Shelby: Is there room for one more? Buster: Sure. Buster moved over a bit to let Shelby sit down. Then Buster did a King James impression. Buster: Welcome, my dear guest, to the round table... Shelby: Uhh, isn't this table rectangular? Buster: (in normal voice) Oh... Buster settled down and they began to eat. Shelby looked at Buster and his friends. Even after all this time in his new school he still felt like an outsider. Shelby tried not to think about it. He looked away and towards his "lunch." He poked it with his fork. Right then and there, Shelby's plate grew a mouth and tried to eat his hand! Shelby shook his arm violently, but the thing wouldn't let go. He tried using a pry bar, a jack hammer, and eventually, the "Jaws of Life." Then Shelby's lunch let go of his hand. His fork was missing. That insidious creature ate it. Shelby gave a disgusted look at his plate, picked it up, and hurled it aside. He sat there with his chin resting on his hands. Buster looked at him. Buster: Hungry...? He started giggling. Shelby was, no less to say, beside himself. Shelby: No... but my lunch was. This sucks... Buster: Why not sneak to the vending machine. They got some good stuff there. Shelby: I'm broke. Buster: Hold on. Let me give you a loan... Buster started for his pocket, but Shelby held Buster from reaching it. Shelby: No, I can't let you... Buster: Relax, Shelby. What are friends for, anyway? Shelby shrugged, and Buster pulled 50 cents out of his pocket. Shelby: Thanks. I'll try to pay you back as soon as I can get some cash. Buster: Don't worry about it. Go get yerself something to eat before the bell rings. Buster went back to eating his carrots and mingling with his friends. Shelby got up from his seat and started toward the cafeteria doors. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shelby walked to the vending machines. He dropped in the fifty cents that Buster gave him and looked at all the things he could choose from: miniature carrot cakes, fudge brownies, among other things of that sort. Shelby gave everything one last look before punching in what he wanted. Slowly, but surely the miniature carrot cake was pushed out by the dispenser.... it stopped just before completely letting the cake loose. Shelby: Owwwwh.. Not now... He grew a slightly disgruntled look on his face and gave the vending machine a swift kick which knocked the cake loose. He smiled, reached in the vending machine, and pulled out his lunch. He sniffed it. Shelby: Mmmmm, real food.... And it won't try to eat me. He licked his lips and headed back to the cafeteria. On the way back, the little smiley face on the package gave a show of teeth. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ As Shelby walked down the hallway toward the cafeteria, he passed a clock on the wall. He looked at it: 12:45. He got a little suprise as Gogo popped out of its face holding a stopwatch. Gogo: It's almost 1 o'clock. If you don't eat yer lunch in time for the bell, you're coo-koo, coo-koo, coo-koo! Gogo disappeared in the clock and the face closed. Shelby looked up and thought to himself "I never heard of that happening, at least not to any one person." He dismissed it and started for the cafeteria again. A few minutes of walking down the hall and the lunchroom doors were in front of him. He sauntered right through them and took his place at the table right near Buster's, sat down, and opened the package to his carrot cake. Just as he pulled out his lunch, the wrapper jumped out of his hand. It showed Shelby its teeth, chuckled, and sprinted out of sight. Shelby blankly looked at the spot where the wrapper was. He couldn't believe that wrapper came alive. A few seconds, Buster looked over and noticed that Shelby was sitting there and staring at his table. Buster: Hey, Shelby. Whatcha looking at? Shelby: My wrapper came to life! It just jumped out of my hand, bore its teeth at me, laughed, and ran off! Buster: Never heard of that happening before. Shelby: Me neither. Does everything come to life here?? Buster: No, not everything. Shelby: It seems like it... Are you doing anything this weekend? Buster: Not really... Why? Shelby: I think I'm going to take a road trip. I really didn't want to go alone, but if you want to go, you can. You can bring a friend if you want. Buster: Ummmm, alright, I'll go. I think I'll bring Babs along. Shelby: That's good. Buster looked up at the clock. Only seconds left before lunch was over. Buster: Before I have to go to class, where are we going anyway?? Shelby: You'll know when we get there. I'll see you after school, okay? Buster: Oh, okay. See ya! Shelby walked away. A few seconds later, the bell rang. Everyone stampeded through the cafeteria doors. A few students who were trampled on peeled themselves up from the floor and stumbled to class. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Later, Shelby, Babs, and Buster were all sitting in their classes at the last period. Buster was doing what he usually did, which was goofing off, Babs was daydreaming, and Shelby was sitting in his chair, paying attention to his teacher, unlike some of the other students. Shelby looked at the clock. It was almost three. He couldn't wait to go on his road trip. He was sure that Buster and Babs might not have been too anxious to go away for the weekend, but he thought it really didn't matter, even though it would be kind of lonely if he went by himself. But Buster DID offer to tag along and would also bring a friend or two if they wanted to. A few minutes later the bell rang. Everyone in his class ran out of class, but Shelby walked. He really didn't see the point in running, although it felt really good to leave school after a hard day of learning. Once outside, Shelby looked around for Buster. He spotted Buster and walked over to him. Shelby: Well, are you going? Buster: Yeah, I said I'd go, didn't I? Shelby: I thought maybe you had other plans for the weekend. Buster: Well, if I did, then I would've told you at lunch. I'm dragging Babs along, too. Shelby: That's good. Just then Babs hopped over to Buster. She was talking to Shirley and Fifi over by the bushes. Babs: I'm heeeere! Shelby: Are you sure you want to come, Babs? Babs: (spins into hiking gear) Why, sure! Whay would I miss it? ....where, exactly, are we going, anyway? Shelby: You'll see when we get there. Babs: Gee, what a nice place to visit. *smirk* Buster: Okay, Babs, enough with the sarchasm. I think we're going to have a nice weekend. Shelby: I sure hope so. I'm going home to get my things. I'll see you guys at the end of my pathway. Buster: Ooookay, wee'll be waitin'. Shelby zipped off towards his burrow. Buster and Babs started off toward theirs. Babs: D'you think this is gonna be any fun, Buster? Buster: I dunno. Maybe it will, maybe it won't, but it's only the weekend. It's not like this is our last one. Babs: You're right. Maybe Shelby won't mind if I bring along a friend. Buster: Uh, Babs, I think he's expecting just you and I on this trip. Owh, I'm sure he won't mind if I bring Shirley along. 'Sides, he likes her. Buster: If he wants her to... See ya in a few, Babsiboo! Babs: I'll be there in a bit! The two rabbits ran in their seperate ways. Babs scrambled through her brothers and sisters and got to her room. Once there, she started digging through her drawers looking for s few (hundred) things to wear. After Babs was done packing, she picked up the phone and called Shirley. Babs: Hello, Shirl'. You wanna... Shirley: Sure, like, I'll be right over. *btt* Babs grew a baffled look on her face. Then she dismissed it and went back to preparing. Meanwhile, Buster ran to his room and grabbed a few red shirts out of his closet. Shelby had no need to get any cloths, he had them already packed up in a backpack in his livingroom. He picked it up and started towards the end of his walkway. Buster and Babs finally got ready and headed towars Shelby's walkway. The saw him waiting and walked over to him. Shelby: Well, are you two ready to go? Buster: (in cowboy voice) Yiiieep, I'm ready to hit the trails. Babs: Oh, not yet. Shirley's coming, too. Shelby: Oh, she is?? That's great! I really enjoy her company. Just then, Shirley levitated into sight. She effortlessly floated right over to them. Shirley: He-llo. Like, I'm all ready to go, or some junk. Babs: Hi, Shirl'. Can you probe our tan - furred friend's mind and tell us where we're going? Shirley: Like, I already did. I'm just not gonna tell you 'cause he doesn't want you to know, 'kay? Babs: Whatever... Shelby gave a smile. He really liked Shirley, and he especially respected her because though she could find out your most confidential secrets, she would never use her powers to hurt anyone. Shelby started digging in the ground. Everyone jumped in the hole and followed him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Babs: Are we there yet? Shelby: No, not yet. Buster: How far are we gonna go? Shelby: Not too far. We should be there by the afternoon. They continued digging on, not knowing they are passing animal skeletons and other things of that nature. They went on for over a half an hour. Babs: Are we there yet?? Shelby: Almost, guys. Just hang on for a little longer. Soon, they stopped, and Shelby started digging upward. He reached the surface and poked his head above ground. He looked around and ducked his head back underground. Shelby: We're here! Buster: Thank God... Shelby: C'mon! Buster: Right behind ya! Babs: Come on, Shirl'. Shirley: Like, right behind you. I'm sick of being in this hole, or some junk. They all looked around. Shelby looked in one specific direction. He was right where he wanted to be. They all stood beside a two lane road. Shelby motioned them to follow him up a dirt road riddled with small weed patches. They all walked slowly, looking around the peaceful landscape. It looked like nobody had lived here for years. The trees, some now dead, hung over the road a bit. The grass under the trees was waist - high. Every few minutes a bird or two would fly up from the ground nearby. Shirley: Like, this place is a little too quiet. Babs: I know. Hey Shelby. Isn't this place where you stayed the night on your way to Acme Acres?? Shelby: Yeah. I had planned to come back sometime. It's really private here. You could do just about anything you wanted here. Buster: Really? Shelby: Yeah. Babs: It's kinda creepy.. Shelby: I know. I thought it was at first, but I looked around. There's really nothing, or nobody here. Buster: Well, that's good to know. They kept walking. As they walked, a large building came into view. There were windows that were just a few feet above the ground. One of them had the glass broke clean. Not one shard was left on the pane. Shelby: This it the window I used to get into the house. I made sure that I wouldn't get cut while climbing in. Here, Babs. I'll lift you up. Babs: Ohhh, you're such a darling, dear! Shelby heaved her up toward the window sill. Shelby: Shirley...? Shirley: No, it's 'kay. I can get in myself. She sat down in a lotus position and floated up to the window. Buster gave a shrug and leapt up to the window and climbed inside. Shelby followed. Once inside, they all looked around. The room was dimly lit by the sunlight. Shelby: It's exactly how I found it... Buster: So, what do we do now? Shelby: Anything you please. Take a walk, sit and rest... There was a small creak that came from the ceiling. Babs: Are you sure there's no one living here?? Shelby: Of course I'm sure! even though I haven't been here for over a year, I know it was completely abandoned. Shirley: Like, I think he's right. Babs: You think? Shirley: I don't feel any bad vibes.. Babs: Figures... Where can we get something to eat in this dump? Shelby: There is a town just down the road from here. It has a grocery store. Buster: Anybody got any money? Babs: I do. Babs pulled a purse out of her pocket and leafed through it. She seemed to have a pretty good amount of cash on her. Babs: I know almost everybody likes carrots. Hey, Shirl'. What do you eat? Shirley: Like, I eat soup or tofu. Shelby: I think I'll go and get us something to eat. Babs... Shelby held out his hand. Babs: How much do you think you'll need? Shelby: Don't know. Just give me enough so I can buy food for the weekend. Babs: Okay, here. Babs placed a small stack of bills into Shelby's hand. He put it into his pocket and started for the window. Shelby: I'll be back ina while. You all can take a look around if you want. Babs: (spins into a soldier's suit) You be careful out theah, now Sonny. The yanks might ambush ya. Shelby nodded and climbed through the window. He jumped off the window pane, landed on the ground, and walked towards the road. Back in the house, Buster, Babs, and Shirley started to look around the house. Babs went upstairs, buster and Shirley stayed downstairs. Babs walked up to the nearest door and opened it. Babs: (thinking to herself) This must be the bedroom. She walked all around the room, looking at everything in it. In the center of the room there was a bed covered with a white sheet. She uncovered it to reveal a big bed with old, otherwise, clean sheets on it. Babs hopped on it and layed there for a bit. It felt nice. Downstairs, Buster was in the kitchen and Shirley was in the dining room. Buster looked around. He saw some rusty old knives hanging in a wooden knife holder on the wall over the counter. Pots and pans hung directly from the ceiling by hemp ropes with hooks on the end. Shirley was also eyeing everything around her. Before her stood an elegantly decorated room. It was dusty, but it was deocrated nicely. Shirley started to get bord...fast. She pointed her finger at a candle on the table. Slowly, she lifted her finger and the candle lifted off of its holder as well. She did it again. Then to a cup, some silverware, and then to the centerpiece. After a while it got boring and Shirley walked into the kitchen where Buster was still looking around. Shirley: Like, I am totally getting bored.. Buster: There's not much to this place, but then again it's not that bad, Shirl'. Why don't you go check out what Babs is up to. Shirley: Umm, okay. Like, where'd she go? Buster: She went upstairs. Maybe she fell asleep in the bedroom. *hahahaha* With that, Shirley went to join Babs. If she was lucky, she would find Babs awake instead of asleep. When she got upstairs and into the bedroom, she saw what looked like Babs was asleep, but found that she wasn't. Babs rose up from the bed and looked at Shirley. Babs: Oh! Hi, Shirl'. Shirley: Like, I'm really bored, or something. What can we do for fun around here? Babs: Well, there may not be all that much to do, but we have a record player. Babs pointed over to a small table on the far side of the room. Shirley: Like, what records do we have? Babs: Just some classical ones. Here, I'll put one on for us. Babs jumped off the bed and over to the record player. She spun into a liesure suit and also dawned hair that stood up and a set of horn rimmed glasses. Babs: And that was the number seven hit of the week, folks. (picks up a record and looks at it) And nooow, the number six hit this week is... Beethoven! Babs placed the record on the turntable and lowered the needle arm onto the records surface. There was a soft *btt* and a few seconds later, the record player started emitting soothing sounds from it's speaker horn. Babs abd Shirley stood there, nearly entranced by the sounds that the record held. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shelby stumbled up the road with two sacks of groceries on his shoulders. It was a long walk to the store, but he needed food (and the excercise). He called into the window. Shelby: Buster! Babs! I got our groceries! Buster heard him and rushed to the window. Buster: Those look heavy. What'd ya do, clear the shelves?? Shelby: No, they had a carrot sale. I had enough money left over to get Shirley some tofu, and some other stuff for after supper. Shelby heaved one of the bags up onto the window sill. Buster took it to the kitchen and came back to get the other one. Once inside, Shelby joined Buster in the kitchen and they started unpacking the food. Buster: (spins into hillbilly get-up) Weellll, deez carrits luuk deeeeelish! Shelby: Yeah, they're garden grown. Buster: Who grew 'em? Shelby: Some of the country bumkins that live on the other side of town. They continued unpacking the food, setting all the carrots on one side of the counter, Shirley's tofu on the other, and the other stuff on the other side of the kitchen. Babs and Shirley were still upstairs listening to the phonograph. They both sat on the bed, entranced in the music. They started to sway and fell backwards on the matress. DREAM SCENE Shirley and Babs were floating over green clouds. They floated by all sorts of stuff. Stars, moons, hot air ballons, cows, goats, "dali-style" clocks, you name it, they went by it. The scene changes and they are now swimming in purple water. Weird fish, crustacaens of all sizes and varieties followed. They went through tunnels and over reefs. Then something unusual happened. They were hearing someone calling their name. This frightened them and they woke up, only to realize that it was Buster calling them. They both looked at each other. Shirley: Wow! Like, that was the weirdest dream I ever had! Babs: I had one, too! You were there.. Shirley: Like, you were in mine, too! Babs: Weird...' Shirley: Like, I know. They heard Buster call them again. Babs: Coming! Lets go, Shirl' before he loses his voice. They hopped off the bed and went downstairs. Babs sniffed the air. There was a slightly pleasing aroma coming from the kitchen. Babs: Mmmmmm...carrots.. Shirley also took a whiff. Shirley: Mmmm... tofu.. They both floated to the kitchen to see their meals being prepared. Babs: Is our dinner almost ready? Shelby: Just a few more minutes. Shirley's tofu is just about done, too. Ten seconds, Shirley and Babs were both handed a plate. Babs was about to walk away when she noticed that she had nothing to scoop her meal up with. Babs: Hey! Where's our forks?? Shirley: Like, yeah, where?? Buster: We don't have any. Shelby started snickering. Babs dawned a nasty frown. Babs: Yooouu, aren't serious, are you..? Shelby: No, we were just kidding! Here.. Shelby grabbed a few forks off the counter beside him and one on either of their plates. Babs: Now, that's better. They walked to the dining room. Buster: Nice goin'. I had 'em going until you had to ruin it. Shelby: You forgot, Buster. I'm not really a joker. Buster: Yeah, well, you should start...soon. Shelby: Whatever.. Here. Shelby slid a plate of sliced carrots in front of Buster. It included a fork this time. Buster walked to the dining room and Shelby grabbed his plate and followed. The dining room was now lit by candles. Everybody sat in a chair scarfing their food. Babs was first to clear her plate. Babs: *urrrpp!* (covers her mouth) Uh, haha.. Excuse me.. (grins) Buster was next. Buster: *UUUUURRRRRRPPP!* (pats his stomach) That was good.. What's for dessert? Shirley and Shelby looked at each other with priceless lookes on their faces. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The group was sitting in the living room. They had a fire going in the fireplace. Outside, the wind picked up. Dark clouds started to glide by. The sun was being blocked out. A few seconds later, thunder rolled over the valley. Shelby got out of his chair and walked over to the window. Buster: Whatcha doing? Shelby: Looking to see if it's going to rain or not. Babs: Why? It's only rain. Shelby: Maybe to you, but I think it's great! Shirley: Like, do you really get into the weather, Shel'? Shelby: Yeah. Shelby reached under a table and pulled a small stool in front of him and sat down. He watched with near excitment as a thunderstorm started to brew over the valley. A few raindrops tapped the ground outside, then the taps grew in numbers. Just seconds later, rain came down by the gallons. Thunder rolled ans quivered the house and lightning streaked across the sky. Buster and Babs looked over at Shelby, who was watching the storm. Buster: Uh, Shelby.. Shelby: Yeah..? Buster: Why do you find this interesting? Shelby: Because I think they're interesting. Storms are unpredictable. They could last only a few seconds, or for hours on end. Babs: (wispers to Shirley) Gee.. It makes me wonder if he sits outside in this kind of weather. Shirley: (wispers back to Babs) Oh, come, on, Babs. Like, he isn't all that obsessed with thunderstorns, or some junk. He's, like, appreciative of nearly everything. Babs: And...how do we know about this? Shirley: Like, you forgot, Babs. I could probe peoples' minds if I wanted to. Babs: Oh, yeah... Buster got up and walked over to Shelby. Buster: You're..really into this, aren't you? Shelby: Yep. Buster: (spins into doctor's outfit; speaking in stereotypical German accent) Und, vhen did zis infatuation of ztorms ztart up? Shelby: One day while my parents were driving me home from school. I liked how everything came together in odd arrangements. Buster: (spins back to normal) Oh.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Later, the group was still sitting in the living room. Now they were having a good time. They brought up memories that Shelby wasn't involved in, and they talked about some things that he actually was involved in. Buster: I remember the time me, Hamton, and Plucky were camping out in the woods. We crashed Babs' slumber party. (laughs) Babs: Yeah, I remember, alright. Then Me, Shirley and Fifi ruined your picnic. Shirley: Yeah, it was kinda fun until we ran into that really creepy monster. Babs: Yeah.. Here's a good one; hey Buster. Remember when we first found Shelby while we were walking? Buster: Yeah. You were just walking down the road... Shelby: From here. I came back here for a few memories. I can't go back to Kirby. My dad probably moved somewhere else. Babs: Didn't you have a mom you always wrote? Shelby: Yeah. I still do.. Shirley: Like, what happened to make you want to come to Acme Acres, anyway. Shelby: I'll tell you, Shirl', but not now. Okay..? Shirley: Like, sure. The room was silent for a minute. Shelby: I still miss my old home.. But there are a lot of things that make me want to stay right where I'm at now. One really good thing is I have a few friends. You make me feel wanted. But even as this is all true, I still feel a little out of place.. Buster: Well, like you just said, you got friends. Babs: (elbowing Buster's side) You know what he's talking about, Buster. Buster: Oh.. They continued talking as the storm hung over the house. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Buster yawned and stretched. Buster: Boy, am I tired.. Shelby: I'm not too tored. What about you, Shirley? Shirley: Like, no, I'm not tired. Hey Babs. Babs...? Babs was passed out in her chair. Buster walked over to her and poked her shoulder. Babs: WHAAA!! In an instant Babs was up and Buster was down! She swung her hand out blindly and connecting with Buster, knocking him flat on the ground. Babs: Don't do that!! I hate it when people wake me up like that! Buster: Oooowwww... After a few seconds, Buster, who now was a mess, picked himself up off the floor. Buster: You wanna come to bed, Babsy? Babs: Maybe, provided you don't EVER wake me up like that again. Buster: Okay.. Babs: Good. The two bunnies left Shelby and Shirley sitting in the livingroom alone. Shirley: Like, what do we talk about now? Shelby: I have no idea whatsoever, Shirl'. Shirely: Well, that's great. Like, now this is really gonna suck. Shirley placed her chin on her hand. Shelby knew of only one thing to bring up. Yes, THAT thing. Shelby: Wasn't there anything you wanted to ask me about? Shirley: Well, like, yeah. What were you talking about when you said you were a bit out of place, or some junk? Shelby walked over to Shirely and leaned over beside her head. He wispered something in her ear that suprised her a little. Shirley: Oh! I never knew that! Shelby: You didn't?? I thought you would have tried to probe my mind, or something like that. Shirley: I wouldn't have done that. Like, that would have been totally wrong of me. Shelby: Well, now you do know. I got to know Buster and Babs pretty well after I moved in. I told those two after I thought I really could trust them. It also weighed on me a lot. Shirley: Gee, like, that's pretty tough to deal with. Shelby: Yeah. Well, it's not so tough anymore, and I'm glad it isn't. What are you? Shirely: I'm a spiritual girl. Like, I'm in total oneness with the spiritual plane. Shelby: I have a belief, too. Shirley: Like a God? Selby: Yep. But I only have one. Shirley: Like, that's cool. Shelby: How many do you have? Shirley: I really don't have one. Shelby: Gee, then do you believe in immortality? Shirley: Like, yeah. I've had like a billion past lives. Shelby: Cool! They continued talking to each other all night. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The sun rose and shone bright over the house. Buster and Babs were in the bed upstairs. Their room was lit up. They barely moved from their current sleeping positions. Downstairs, Shirley and Shelby were slumped over in their chairs. They never moved, either. After a while, Shirley was awake, due to a few birds that landed on the open window sill and started chirping. She got up from her chair. Her head was bent over on her left shoulder. She grabbed her head and pushed it back to where it was supposed to be. Shirley: Like, ow! Umm, like, memo to me: never sleep in a chair again. Shelby was next to wake up. The same thing happened with him as with Shirley. He grabbed his head and pushed it upright. Shelby (creaking sound) Ooooowww..! Wow, did that hurt! Shirley: Like, you're telling me..! Shelby: Tonight, we get the bed. Shirley: Like, fer sure. Those two upatairs can sleep in the chairs. Like, I'm totally hungry. Lets get something toeat, or some junk. Shelby: Okay.. Lets go. Shirley and Shelby dragged themselves to the kitchen and started making breakfast. Buster and Babs were still upstairs sleeping like wood. A few seconds later, a tall, shadowy figure appeared in the bedroom doorway. It walked over to the bed, reached over, and tapped Babs' shoulder. Babs slowly rolled over, opened her eyes to see the shadowy figure hovering over her. It spoke to her. Unknown: Hi, I'm Herb. She could think of only one thing to do at that moment: Babs: AAAAAAAAAHHH!! That scream was followed by Babs grabbing Buster and taking off downstairs. She zoomed through the livingroom right to the kitchen and once there, she stopped herself short. Buster, still not awake, was laying on the floor behind her. Babs picked him up by his shirt collar and violently shook him awake. Buster: Whaaaaaaa! What!? Babs: There's someone upstairs! Shelby: There is?? Babs: Yeah! It woke me up and.. it said its name was Herb.. Buster: I thought you said nobody else lived here! Shelby: Yeah, but I didn't know anybody moved in here since I had to stay the night. Shirley: Like, did he try anything? Babs: No. He just tapped my shoulder until I woke up, hung over me, and introduced himself. What kind of kook would do anything like that?? He could have just waited until we were awake. Shelby: Hold it. Babs: What? Shelby: I think there's somebody coming down the stairs.. I'll go look. Buster: Be careful. Shelby slowly walked over to the door and nudged it open. He saw the thing just hit the bottom of the stairs and head in the group's general direction. He walked right past the kitchen door and didn't even notice he was being watched. Shelby pulled his head away from the door and closed it. Shelby: He headed into the diningroom. Buster: Good. While he's busy in there, we can get out of here..! Shelby: That might be a god idea... c'mon. They all crept out the door and into the livingroom. Just as they were about to sprint for the window, a voice came from behind them. Unknown: Hi! Toons: Aaaaaaaahhhh!! The group backed up as the shadowy figure moved towards them. Then the figure stopped. Unknown: Oh, I'm sorry I scared you. You don't have to be frightened of me. Buster: We-we-we- we don't?? Unknown: Of course not! Here, I'l take this darned hood off. I think you'll see that I'm not so scary. After that, the hooded figure was hoodless, and the toons were now looking at a gentle-faced bald man. He had a wan smile on his face. Unknown: Please sit down. It's been a long time since I had any company. The group sat down in a chair nearest to them. Unknown: Oh, by the way, my name's Herb. (points to Babs) I think you and I have met before. Babs: Yeah.. So, how come you scared me like that?? Herb: Well, I really don't know. I probably could have just slid out the door and knocked, huh? Shelby: The door's stuck shut. The first time I was here, I tried it. It wouldn't move an inch. What are you doing here, by the way? Herb: I'm sort of a drifter. See, I was walking down that bi-way and I saw this road. I followed the road and I came up to this old house. I was able to slip through the window. I really don't like it here, even though it is a nice house, at least on the inside. Shelby: Yeah. I was kicked out of my home. I was wandering down the same road when I found this place. Herb: Oh, well, you did a little "drifting" yourself. Shelby: Yeah. It was a little scary, not knowing whether you'll get into a car being driven by a wacko. Herb: True.. What is your name, boy? Shelby: My name's Shelby. Herb:What about the rest of you? Buster: I'm Buster Bunny. Babs: And I'm Babs Bunny. Buster/Babs: No realtion. Herb: (points to Shirley) ..And you? Shirley: Like, I'm Shirley McLoon. Like, it's nice to meet you, or some junk. Herb: Likewise, dear. All of them sat in the livingroom and struck up a conversation. They all talked for hours. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The next day, the group was packing up to go back to Acme Acres. They were all standing by the window. Herb looked them over one last time. Herb: Well, I guess this is it, then.. Shelby: Yeah, but you never know when either of us will bump into you some time down the road. Herb: True. That is a possibility. Babs: Maybe we'll see you in Acme Acres sometime. Herb: You never know. You can count on me not staying here for long, though. I'm not used to staying in one place. Buster: Babs would know all about that. You should see her in her Wild Takes class! (laughs) Babs: Yeah, whatever.. Shirley: Like, I had a really good time talking to you, or some junk. Herb: Yes, it was interesting. Shelby: Well, we gotta go now. We got a long way back home. Herb: I guess this.. Acme Acres is quite a ways from here. Shelby: Yeah.. Shelby was the first through the window, followed by Babs, Buster, then Shirley. They started down the dirt road. Shelby looked back and saw Herb wave to them. Shelby nodded. At the end of the road, the hole was still there. To Shelby's suprise it was bone dry, even after that storm! Shelby: Well.. Are you guys ready? Buster: Ready to roll. Shelby: Let's head home. One by one, they all jumped in the hole, then started back to Acme Acres. The End