Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell
Photo of Lucy and Twiggy on the floor
“Still Wednesday, Lucy?”
“Sure is Little one.”
“Any way to hurry Friday?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Drat.”

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we all showed up at the house where we think the Cortez crowd and the hostages are holed up. As Mike was trying to get a megaphone from his car trunk, he was shot. Good thing Andrew is a doctor. Larry picked up the megaphone and announced to the house to the effect that they should give themselves up. I think we better get over there, so we don’t miss anything.

 

“I don’t see or hear anything, Mike.”

“Give them the announcement again.”

“Okay. ATTENTION YOU IN THE HOUSE. WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED. THIS IS THE FBI. THE AGENT YOU SHOT IS OKAY. SURRENDER NOW, AND NO ONE GET’S HURT.”

“Who’s phone is ringing?”

“It’s yours, Larry.”

“So it is, Andrew. This is one hell of a time for a robocall. Hello, this is Larry. Cortez? How did you get my number? Oh yeah. I remember now. I gave you my card in your office. What can I do for you? Uh-huh. Sure. I get it. Maybe we can work something out. No, I don’t think that’s going to work. I know there are a lot of innocent lives at stake. You need to put down your weapons and come out. Look, you are only facing a harboring kidnapper charge. We could probably mark that down to criminal mischief. You have nothing to gain by making this more than it is. There is a whole SWAT team out here dying to try out their new automatic weapons. Come on. Think it over. Sure, I’ll be here. No, we won’t rush the house for sure. Nice talk.”

“What the hell was all that about?”

“It was Cortez. He wants a safe passage to the airport. I told him that is not going to happen.”

“What was that markdown bit?”

“I just want him to think there are alternatives. How you feeling?”

“Like I got hit with a bolder.”

“How’s he doing, Andrew?”

“Lost a little blood, but he’ll be okay.”

“Good.”

“I don’t think the ADA is going to be interested in reducing the kidnap charge. The way it looks, he is not an accessory but a kidnapper.”

“I know, Mike. I just wanted to give him something to think about.”

“I had to laugh at you bellowing on that bull horn, and he calmly calls your cell phone.”

“When this is over, we will have a ton of laughs over a beer, but right now, I’m worried about those hostages. Oops, there goes my phone. Yeah, Larry here. Oh, hi Joachim. I’m listening. Um…Uh Huh. I really would advise against that, Joachim. You are escalating this matter for no reason. Hello. Hello Joachim. Shit.”

“What happened?”

“He says he’s going to toss a body out every hour until we guarantee safe passage to the airport. Then, he says he’s going to start with ADA Thomas.”

“We better move on the house.”

“Hold on, we have an hour to figure something out.”

 

 

 

56 thoughts on “Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day”

  6. They can’t seriously think Cortez and company would come out meekly, they should know better by now… This is not looking good right now!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Twiggy Resort preparing for Friday: Twiggy’s summer hide-and-seek & Lucy’s ordinary relaxing are effective pro-Friday measures! 😊😊😊 It is 35C in Moscow. We are burning here like hot sausages, dear John! Longing for a pretty thunderstorm! It is expected within 2 days.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. An hour?? The poor hostages are probably counting the seconds. Great episode, John. I have fleeting images of an ending. And…I love the photo of the pups. Gosh, I wish it were Friday as well!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. An hour! I can’t wait another hour, or in the real world of mini chapters a lifetime… don’t these guys consider their audience? Typical characters – it’s all me me me… you need to get a grip on them John or they’ll be running you life…

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Bodies. Oh no … I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this! Give them safe passage to the airport, and have a 100-man unit waiting to pick them up as soon as they exit the car! Um … maybe let them toss out one body first, though … I never did much care for ADA Thomas. 😉

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