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[Kazimer]

 

*Maria hung up the phone and went back to work in the bakery* 




*Deep in thought while she worked, Maria was startled  when Cooter and Murphy walked into the store.* 




. . . "Maria, it's okay ~ Cooter and Murphy", reassured Cooter . . .

" Mercy Sakes!" exclaimed  Maria . . .   * She breathed a sigh of relief.*


. . ." Like some coffee ?" Maria asked.


* Both Cooter and Murphy nodded yes *

[Kazimer]

" Mercy Sakes!" exclaimed  Maria . . .   * She breathed a sigh of relief.*


. . ." Like some coffee ?" Maria asked.


* Both Cooter and Murphy nodded yes *

*Cooter took out his notepad and pen*   


. . ." Let's go over this once again." Cooter stated.

[Kazimer]

*Cooter took out his notepad and pen*   


. . ." Let's go over this once again." Cooter stated.

* Maria scratched her head and looked puzzled. *  " Lately my freshly baked Pumpernickel breads
have plum disappeared." ...

[Providence]

* Maria scratched her head and looked puzzled. *  " Lately my freshly baked Pumpernickel breads
have plum disappeared." ...

"I know that my age does not help my forgetfullness, but goodness gracious, I know the bread was here minutes ago and then ***POOF*** it vanishes in thin air. 

Do you handsome boys think you can help me find the caper?"

[Kazimer]

"I know that my age does not help my forgetfullness, but goodness gracious, I know the bread was here minutes ago and then ***POOF*** it vanishes in thin air. 

Do you handsome boys think you can help me find the caper?"

* Coot looked at Murphy then back to Maria.*

" Of course." said Cooter.  "I've got an idea." announced  Murphy.

* Murphy went over to Maria and whispered to  her. They both went to the back of the bakery out of sight from Cooter. A few  moments later Maria came back to where Coot was seated.*

" Where's Murphy" asked Cooter. 

" Just you wait a minute. He'll be out right quick." replied Maria.

 

*The door from the backroom opened*

* Cooter just looked.*

 

" Well don't just stand there.  Say something." requested Murphy.

" Gee. Murphy. I don't know."  responded Cooter with a grin on his face.

"  What?" said Murphy indignantly with his hands on his hips.

" Well." started Cooter.

"Come on. Spit it out!" Murphy said with an agitated voice.

* Cooter looked at Maria then back at Murphy.*

" Don't you think your choice of necklace is a bit gawdy?" Cooter stated with a grin on his face.

" That just tears it ! Here  I am.  Trying to be sophisticated." Murphy said with a riled tone.

" Now. Murphy. Settle down. You don't want to get over-heated or your mascara will run." Cooter said  half laughing.

" Oh. Your'e funny all right. A real comedian." fumed Murphy.

Cooter replied good naturedly " I'm just messin' with your Murph. You  being a decoy is a great idea. Now here's what we'll do next . . .

[Kazimer]

. . . Cooter replied good naturedly " I'm just messin' with your Murph. You  being a decoy is a great idea. Now here's what we'll do next . . .

* Cooter lowered his voice. *


. . . "You'll open up the bakery tomorrow morning disguised as Maria and begin setting out the pumpernickel bread and pastries.



" While your doing this, I will be just behind the  backroom door." 


Murphy responded "Then when the bad guys make their move for the pumpernickel - - - Pow! Whamo! We got 'em !" . . .

[Kazimer]

* Cooter lowered his voice. *


. . . "You'll open up the bakery tomorrow morning disguised as Maria and begin setting out the pumpernickel bread and pastries.



" While your doing this, I will be just behind the  backroom door." 


Murphy responded "Then when the bad guys make their move for the pumpernickel - - - Pow! Whamo! We got 'em !" . . .

The next morning Murphy opened  up the bakery and began baking the bread and pastries.   Cooter positioned  himself in the backroom.

After about  30 minutes Cooter got tired of standing and began looking for something to sit on.

At just this time Murphy opened one of the oven doors to check on the baking bread.


* Clang. Rattle. Crash! *





Murphy jumped up and turned around while Cooter came running into the kitchen.

" What happened Murph ?" inquired Cooter breathlessly.

Murphy - startled- replied " I don't  know Coot ! "

" Scope this out now ! " yelled Cooter . . .

[Kazimer]

The next morning Murphy opened  up the bakery and began baking the bread and pastries.   Cooter positioned  himself in the backroom.

After about  30 minutes Cooter got tired of standing and began looking for something to sit on.

At just this time Murphy opened one of the oven doors to check on the baking bread.


* Clang. Rattle. Crash! *





Murphy jumped up and turned around while Cooter came running into the kitchen.

" What happened Murph ?" inquired Cooter breathlessly.

Murphy - startled- replied " I don't  know Coot ! "

" Scope this out now ! " yelled Cooter . . .

Murphy and Cooter ran through the kitchen   to the back of the bakery to try and catch up with the  pumpernickel and pastry thieves.





They came to backroom door   which was left open. 




Cooter and Murphy looked at each other and quickly went out the back way into the alley.




Once outside Cooter and Murphy paused for a brief moment to get their bearings.

"Which way Coot?" asked Murphy.

Cooter replied "Up those steps. Just be ready." . . .

[Kazimer]

Murphy and Cooter ran through the kitchen   to the back of the bakery to try and catch up with the  pumpernickel and pastry thieves.





They came to backroom door   which was left open. 




Cooter and Murphy looked at each other and quickly went out the back way into the alley.




Once outside Cooter and Murphy paused for a brief moment to get their bearings.

"Which way Coot?" asked Murphy.

Cooter replied "Up those steps. Just be ready." . . .

Murphy and Cooter raced up the steps and followed the
bread trail past Old Smitty's garage.

 




"We're right up with 'em; I can sense it." said Coot.  The trail took Cooter and Murphy to a clearing. 

Coot raised  his hand and stated in a hushed voice "Hold up."

"What's the matter Coot?" asked Murphy.

"I believe those varmints are right behind that yonder shed." indicated Cooter in a serious tone.    

"Let's take it real slow like." he continued.   "You head 'round the left and I'll come from the right." instructed Cooter.

"Sure thing Coot." Murphy replied.


Cooter and Murphy approached the old shed cautiously.  As they got  closer they could hear movement and rustling coming directly from behind it.

They both stopped just a bit before they could see anything.  Murphy looked to Cooter. Cooter gave Murphy the thumbs up sign to make their move.

"Hands up. Stop what yer doin!" yelled Coot. 

"You heard the man. Now!" shouted Murphy.

Cooter said laughingly "Well, looky what we got here Murph. Our dad-blamed pumpernickel and pastry thief finally has plumb been tracked down."




"Yep. Old Smitty's pet raccoon Rocky was the culprit!" chimed in Murphy.

Cooter looked at Murphy with a big smile and said "Job well done pardner. Case closed."

                                       
                                                The End
                                                     ~