Are You Nuts?

by: Essy Jane

Welcome back to Hazzard y’all. I know, we’re in the school. In the office no doubt—waiting for Bo to see the principal. Now I bet you’re wondering what he did this time. Well, so do I.

Bo was wondering about it too. He had been pretty good today. He wondered what the heck was wrong with everyone. They were all acting funny.

First the teachers were smiling at him in the hallway. That was giving him bad vibes. Teachers never all looked at him like that without a reason. Now you can imagine what Bo Duke thought.

Yup, he was more than sure the principal was goanna tell him something big. You know what I mean. You don’t? Well let me educate you then on the thought process of Bo Duke.

Number one, they are all laughing at him for finally being caught in the janitor’s closet. Well, no one he knew opened the door. However, maybe it was the revenge of the janitor. You never know.

The second one Bo kept rolling through his mind was all the tricks he pulled on the teachers. Maybe he was caught. Perhaps they would suspend him just before grad. You know, not allowed to go.

The third, but not the final one, I don’t know for sure but Bo thought they might be telling him he doesn’t have enough credits. You know, believably Bo slept through classes or didn’t take enough. The teachers could be smiling because now he was getting his best desserts.

Bo swallowed hard as even more thoughts rolled though his mind. You know it is funny what happens when the principal gets to you. You never really know what the man wants.

“Bo come on in,” Principal Walton said. Bo walked in the office and crossed his arms. He stared at Principal Walton, drumming his fingers on his left arm. “Have a seat Bo.”

“Look if this is about the gal I was making out with in science I already got detention for that,” Bo commented.

“Bo, just sit down.”

“Yeah sure, bad news always comes when you need to sit down.” Principal Walton laughed. “It’s true. When Luke and me…”

“Luke and I…you mean Luke and I.” Bo rolled his eyes and growled. Now he knows what the words are. He just likes to talk that way.

“You know I have been teaching English.”

“Continue on with your theories.”

“When Luke and I came in here last time we were told that we were suspended.”

“Yeah so…”

“You told us to sit down.”

“Uh huh…”

“So, now you’re goanna do it to me again ain’t ya? You’s goanna suspend me before I get to go to grad and I haven’t even picked a gal to go with yet.”

“Bo…”

“Now that is just cruel Principal Walton.” He shook his head and glared at Principal Walton. “I thought we were buddies now. Friends don’t do this to each other.”

“No Bo, that’s not it at all, it’s…”

“Oh, it is the donut I did this morning in the parking lot ain’t it? I knew that Danny would squeal.” Principal Walton began to laugh. “Look, we came early. We hardly ever come early and now today here we were.”

“Bo…”

“So we decided to play around.”

“Would you…?”

“I wanted to do other tricks else where but then if I drove away I would have been late for school.”

“Bo, why don’t you ever wait for me to finish?” Bo shrugged and smiled.

“I guess it ain’t a part of my nature, Principal Walton.”

“Evidently not, Bo Duke. I don’t think you boys have ever waited for me to finish a single sentence. Not out of all the years I have know you.”

“I guess not.”

“You look like you have something on your mind.”

“Of course I do.”

“Spill it then Bo.”

“Now, did I come here to talk about the donut or the girl I made out with?”

“I didn’t even know you did those things.”

“Oops.” Bo blushed and smiled weakly. “You ain’t goanna…”

“No, I ain’t goanna apprehend you for that.” Bo wiped his forehead, showing his relief.

“Then what did you drag me in here for?”

“Bo Duke, you have the highest grade point average in the school.” Bo’s eyes widened. He slapped his ears a few times.

“Ah come again, I don’t think I heard you.”

“You had the highest grade point average on your S.A.T’s and you have the most outstanding grade record this high school has ever seen.”

“Are you nuts? I mean you have to be kidding me. There’s no way this is happening. I think you got your people mixed up. Lynn is the smart one.”

“Maybe she is smart but you are the one.”

“Me?”

“You are going to be our valedictorian.” Bo’s eyes widened even more. He shook his head.

“No way, give it to someone else, Principal Walton.”

“Bo, you know you’re the only one who I could give it to. The teachers are surprised.”

“Well I don’t want it, come on. You know I hate those things. It is bad enough everyone’s goanna be there. Now I have to go up and get on stage? Grandma will pinch my cheeks. Daisy Hogg will come up and…”

“Bo, you’re it. There is no way of getting out of this.” Bo shook his head. He couldn’t believe he had to do this.

“Fine, but don’t expect me to be happy about it.” Now for most you would think they would be pleased but Bo hated things like that. He wanted to walk across the stage and be finished. He didn’t wanna write a speech for everyone to hear.

2

Cooter began laughing. Bo shook his head. “You know I knew I shouldn’t have told you,” he grumbled.

“Bo, you’re fussing over nothing. You’re goanna get that speech done and then everything will be just fine,” Cooter said as he moved his hay from one pile to another.

“Yeah sure. Did you know that Great Uncle Luke is coming down?” Luke questioned.

“Well you’ll do fine in front of him.”

“I don’t know, I am self conscious enough with Grandpa and Grandma coming down. Daisy and Jaime-Lee are goanna be here. Essy and Judd are goanna be here and…”

“You just don’t wanna give that speech in front of them.” Cooter threw Bo a pitchfork.

“Yeah.”

“Well that’s a sad excuse.” Bo began helping Cooter pile the hay for his cows to eat.

“Well, I ain’t good at getting up there and making speeches. You know that as well as I do.” Bo shook his head. “I wish Daisy or Luke did it instead of me.”

“Well Luke has already done it and Daisy didn’t have a high enough average. You have the highest over all average in the whole school’s history. Bo, that’s big.”

“You ain’t goanna tell Uncle Jesse.”

“Nah, too big for me to tell your Uncle about—you need to tell him, Bo.”

“Yeah well maybe I don’t want it to be big.” Cooter smiled. He continued working with Bo.

“You know, I have known you since you were born.”

“You haven’t been around everyday.”

“So sue me you were in California.”

“Yeah I know.”

“I know a lot about you Bo Duke. I know that you have a big heart and that you are an amazing person.”

“Well geeze, where is that goanna get me? Roscoe P. Coltrane practically locks me up every week.” Cooter laughed. Lynn came out of the house.

“It’s dinner time y’all,” Lynn commented. Cooter ran in like it was nothing. You know? Miss Lynn Davenport has been taking all her cooking lessons from Daisy. You know how well Daisy Duke Cooks now don’t ya?

Bo continued to walk slowly. Lynn walked over to him. She looked right into his face. “I’m okay Lynn,” Bo mumbled.

“Yeah sure you are.” Lynn cleared her throat. “You know, you need to pick a date for prom.”

“How about you?”

“Me?” Lynn rolled her food in the dirt. She did have a bit of a crush on Bo. She would never let him know that.

“Sure, wouldn’t it be better to go to something with someone you like instead of some gal that will hang off you like you’re a car?” Lynn smiled.

“I would be glad to go with you. You’re goanna break a lot of hearts though Bo Duke.”

“Oh come on Lynn, they’ll live you know that as well as I do.”

“Bo, you’re a good man but you don’t know gals too well then. Everyone wants to go with you to grad.”

“Really? Am I all the talk in the girl’s bathroom?” Lynn began laughing.

“Why do you think that’s all the girls do? I mean we don’t all talk in the bathroom.” Bo tilted his head and looked at Lynn. “Okay, you are the talk of the gal’s bathroom.”

“Ah, that is good news for my reputation.” Lynn began to laugh. She shook her head.

“How about me, am I the talk of the boy’s bathroom?”

“The boys don’t talk in the bathroom—they don’t even like the word bathroom. You do your business and you get out of there as fast as possible.”

“No wonder there’s never a line up.” Bo began laughing. He gave Lynn a hug. “What’s that for?”

“For being so wonderful.”

“You’re too kind to me, Bo Duke. You know, ever since I came to Hazzard you have been the one person who I really considered a friend.”

“Yeah?”

“You better believe it.” Now Cooter, being the jealous father he was, watched them from the porch. Anyone going out with his daughter was goanna get some rules and I don’t mean hopscotch rules neither. Hang on y’all.

3

Now everyone around was planning for grad. Every teenager in Hazzard County who was old enough to attend. However, they weren’t the only ones who were planning things.

Now look over there at the Boar’s Nest. There’s Boss Hogg sitting there. Now don’t you wish the Dukes were around? I mean at least when Daisy Hogg was working there the boys got the inside scoop.

However, that gal ain’t old enough yet. Oh well huh? Anyway, Boss was sitting there when Roscoe came in. “Boss, I did it. I planted the evidence, Khee,” he told JD Hogg. Uh huh, now I don’t think this evidence is ice cream cones ladies and gentlemen.

“You done good, Roscoe—really good. Now they won’t find out what we have been doing,” Boss Hogg replied. He stood up and smiled.

“Our casino will be blamed on them and they’ll go to jail, Jit-jit…then them Dukes will be out of our way.”

“Well it’s a crying shame that Bo Duke will miss his prom.” Boss and Roscoe began laughing.

“You’re so smart my little fat buddy.” Roscoe pinched his cheeks.

“AHHHH! Stop that Roscoe.” Roscoe did as the Boss had said. Now wasn’t this funny? “Now you did make sure you did this after they collected their eggs?”

“You had better believe it Boss.”

“Good because if you did it any differently, them Dukes will try and get rid of the evidence. Then we won’t have a patsy.”

“We do have a patsy.”

“Who?”

“Patsy Morris that lives down the road from me and my mama.” Boss Hogg shook his head.

“I don’t mean a girl Roscoe I mean a fall guy.”

“You mean Terry the stunt guy?” Boss Hogg shook his head. He stuck his cigar back into his mouth.

“Roscoe, when they were handing out brains, you were in the height line because you thought it was the one for smarts. You went twice didn’t you?”

“Boss you…”

“Git going!”

“I’m gone.”

Now the Dukes were in trouble. They didn’t look in trouble sitting there to have a normal family meal before Bo went off to prom. Daisy had done his hair for him.

“You know, I really wish you would have let me cut your hair,” Daisy commented.

“It looks just fine the way it is,” Bo answered. He continued eating.

“Do you wanna bring Dolly tonight?” Bo looked at Daisy, his cheeks full of food. He chewed it up and swallowed.

“Why would I wanna do that? General Lee is working just fine.”

“She means so she don’t get her dress dirty,” Jesse cut in.

“Oh—right.” They continued eating when Luke and Bo heard something. They both stood up. Bo looked out the window. “It’s Roscoe?”

“What in tar nation does he want?”

“Uncle Jesse, don’t worry.”

“Yeah, we ain’t done nothing wrong,” Luke added.

“Why doesn’t that comfort me?” Jesse asked. Yeah, I wouldn’t be comforted either. Especially with all those slot machines in my barn. They were all sitting where the chickens would normally go.

“Just relax Uncle Jesse.” Roscoe walked into the house he looked at Jesse then at the Duke boys. The look in Jesse’s face was strong with fear.

Now, Old Jesse Duke was defensive of his boys and wouldn’t let anything happen to Bo and Luke. With Roscoe sticking his noise in the house at this hour, Jesse could only assume that it was some sort of trick.

“Hello Jesse—Daisy, boys,” Roscoe began. He looked at the oven. “What a marvelous smell, Daisy.”

“Thank you Roscoe—baking cake.” His nose went higher and higher as he sniffed.

“You know, that’s why I came over. Rhuebottom’s store closes at five and we’re out of eggs.” Uh huh, too sneaky for words—Roscoe has it down to a science.

“You wanna borrow eggs for making what cake?”

“What are you really here fer?” Uncle Jesse questioned. Luke elbowed him.

“Now Jesse can’t I ever come for a social visit?” Roscoe questioned.

“The day you stop working for Boss Hogg, sure. Until then you rat fink you can just git!”

“Uncle Jesse, that ain’t nice,” Luke commented.

“Well it wasn’t meant to.”

“All he came over for is some eggs.”

“Yeah, eggs my eye—he came for some other reason and I can smell it.” So could I. Well then again I knew something was up.

“Uncle Jesse come on, be nice.”

“You want me to be nice to someone who has put you two in jail?”

“Sure, we should give him the benefit of the doubt this time.” Jesse growled. Luke was right and he was goanna listen to him. I wish he would have listened to his own instincts.

“Come on Roscoe, we’ll ALL go out and get you your dang eggs then you can leave.” They walked out to the coop. As Roscoe looked inside, the boys were just as shocked as he pretended to be.

“These sure are some funny looking chickens—goo-goo,” Roscoe said as he looked at the buttons of the VLT’s.

“Roscoe you blundering idiot! You put them there.”

“You can’t prove that. Bo, Luke—you’re under arrest. You have the right…”

“Roscoe, we know our rights,” Bo announced.

“Well of course you do. Y’all are criminals.”

“No you’re the criminal.”

“You just hush Bo Duke.”

“Okay, then you are not a criminal,” Luke commented.

“Why thank you Luke.”

“You are a crooked Sheriff.”

“Haven’t y’all ever heard of the right of being silent?” Bo and Luke rolled their eyes. Roscoe slapped the cuffs on them and stuck them in the back of his police car.

“We have both heard of it.”

“Whether or not we wanna keep the right is a whole different story,” Bo added.

“You Dukes…” Roscoe began. He waved his fist a couple of times at the Duke boys.

“We’re pretty.”

“You two are very pretty—wait, no y’all are criminals and you ain’t escaping from me this time.”

“Not we’ve been booked up on the main floor where you can loose us in a minute.”

“Exactly.” Jesse and Daisy looked at each other and began laughing.

Now this ain’t right folks. How are the Dukes goanna prove themselves innocent if they are in the back of a police car? Well I guess we’ll have to find out.

4

The doorbell rang at the Davenport house. “Hot dang, Bo’s here,” Dodger commented. Cooter had his arms crossed. He looked pretty upset that Bo was going with him. Cooter had seen Bo work with the women. You know as well as I do he likes them all.

“Yeah, woo hoo,” Cooter grumbled.

“Oh come on big brother, he’ll be a gentleman.”

“Yeah sure, he’ll love her up and break her heart.”

“Lynn? Broken hearted—you know, you’re a lot alike you and your daughter.” Cooter sighed.

“I just remember that fast gal I was in love with back when we were in Montana.” The doorbell rang again. Lynn came down the stairs.

“Are you two just goanna let the doorbell ring or am I goanna see my date tonight?” Lynn questioned. She opened the door and saw Jesse standing there.

“Well, that’s your date I suppose.” Dodger and Cooter started laughing. “Uncle Jesse, you know if Bo was sick you could have just phoned.”

“First of all Cooter, I ain’t your Uncle Jesse. Second of all Bo ain’t sick, he’s in the slammer.” Lynn’s eyes widened.

“Dad can I use the bike?” Lynn questioned.

“In that dress?” Cooter asked.

“Oh come on, I can ride. Look, I need to get them out of there. If we can’t prove their innocent of…what did they do?”

“Roscoe planted VLT’s at our place,” Jesse added.

“Yeah, so let me use the Motorcycle.”

“Lynn, use the General Lee—it’s outside.”

“Sweet deal.” Lynn walked outside and got in. You could see part of her dress hanging out. Jesse walked outside.

“What makes you think you can help them escape?”

“Trust me, I am smart.” She started up the engine and drove away.

At the Hazzard County Jail, Bo was playing checkers with Enos. Now, the Dukes thrive when it comes to playing checkers. Anyone who has their mind in tact knows of this. Enos had Bo cornered for once and was really proud of himself.

“I’m goanna beat you this time Bo,” Enos announced.

“Nope—you forgot to king me,” Bo answered. Luke grabbed one of the pieces and put it on top for Bo. He moved his piece all over the board. Slowly Enos’ pieces all disappeared.

“Ding dang it Bo how did you…?”

“Simple Enos, Uncle Jesse taught me how to play.” Luke began to laugh.

“I should have known better.” Roscoe came down with two trays for the boys.

“It’s dinner time Duke boy—Enos, what are you doing fana—fining—talking with Bo and Luke?” Roscoe questioned. Enos shook his head.

“Sheriff they are my friends, Sheriff.”

“I don’t care if they’re mountain goats—they’re prisoners of the law Goo-goo. I am a shamed to call you my deputy.”

“Sheriff, you know someone could have framed them sheriff and we should go and look and make sure.”

“Meadow muffins! Now Enos, you will speak no more about it. They’s guilty.”

“Sorry fellas.”

“Now here’s your dinner.” Roscoe pulled off the covering. Bo and Luke shook their heads.

“Bread and water?” Bo questioned.

“Roscoe, you have got to be kidding me,” Luke added.

“Well you’re the ones who were bad. Shame, Shame, everyone knows your name,” Roscoe announced. He began to walk up the stairs.

“Roscoe, how about some grits?” He turned around, glaring at Luke Duke.

“You eat what you have or starve Khee.” He walked up the stairs.

“Dang it boys, I sure am sorry about all of this. I mean ding dang, I’ll get you something better to eat even if I have to talk Roscoe’s Mama,” Enos announced.

“Thanks Enos,” Bo replied.

“Yeah Enos, you’re a real pal,” Luke replied. Enos walked up the stairs. Bo and Luke looked at each other.

“So now what?”

“Well we break out.” Bo shook his head. “You don’t agree?”

“If you haven’t noticed Luke, the keys are over there on the far wall.” Bo pointed to them. “How are we supposed to break out of here without the keys? These locks are too old for me to pick.”

“Y’all call for a breakout service?” Lynn questioned.

“What are you doing here?” Luke asked. Lynn smiled. She looked at Luke.

“Put your hands up.” Luke did as she said. Lynn dropped down a blue waxy looking substance. Luke stared at it for a minute.

“What the heck is this for?”

“Stick that in the key hole.” Luke did as she said and took it out. He looked at the shape. It was exactly the same as the key to the cell. “Now toss it up here and be careful not to bend it.”

“Good plan Lynn.” Luke threw the wax up and laughed to himself.

“Thank you Lucas, always appreciate the compliments.”

“Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Think of what? What is going on?” Bo inquired.

“Lynn up there is goanna make us a key.” Bo smiled, he began laughing.

“Now ain’t that smart, Lynn you’re my kind of prom date.” Yup, now I wonder where Bo got the brains from anyway. I guess he’s gotta jump start his. Lynn works hard at her plots.

Miss Lynn had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. She had to you know, make a key. The wax was for a mould in which she would put the key in and pour metal over top.

Next, Lynn would take the mould and cool in water. She would then pour more metal inside this new mould and there you are, one key. Now ain’t that slick? She sure is like Cooter ain’t she? He can invent anything.

Now Lynn Davenport walked back over to the jail cell. She dropped the key, which hit Luke in the head. “Owe! What was that for?” Luke questioned.

“I don’t know, seemed like the right thing to do,” Lynn replied.

“Uh huh.”

“I’ll start the General Lee. Luke, you go pick up Daisy and figure out what’s going on. She’s at my Dad’s place.”

“Okay.”

“Bo, you come to the garage and we’ll drive you home you can get dressed and we’ll go to prom.”

“Alright, works for me,” Bo replied.

“Why do I have to do all the hard work?” Luke questioned.

“Hey, Daisy and me took care of Hazzard while you were at your prom.”

“Good point.”

“Meet you in my Dad’s truck, Bo,” Lynn commented.

“Deal,” Bo answered. Lynn walked away.

“Bo—this is the only time I am goanna ask this…punch me,” Luke said, after Lynn was further away. Bo’s eyes shifted. He couldn’t understand why his cousin would want him to hit him.

“Why?”

“Come on, just do it.”

“No, I wanna know why.”

“Look, I’ll tell you after you hit me.”

“Are you sure you want me to hit you?”

“I asked you to. Now punch me right in the mouth okay?” Bo shrugged and socked Luke right in the mouth. He fell to the ground.

“Are you okay cousin?” Luke’s eyebrows went up. He took a deep breath in. “Dang, it looked like that hurt.”

“It did.”

“Are you goanna explain what we’re goanna do?”

“Yup—you see Bo…” You don’t think I would just tell ya what was going on do ya? Oh come on, you don’t know me too well then. Now folks, don’t go too far. Is a snack really worth missing all the action? I didn’t think so. So stay near ‘cause I am only goanna explain this once.

5

You would think that Bo and Luke would just use the key that they had made. Nope, that would be too easy. Besides that, they would be caught in the first five seconds. They had to wait until Enos came back.

Now I know what you’re thinking, you are wondering why. Well simple, the Dukes have a little shuck and jive rolling in their heads. You know, this could be a little tricky folks.

Now when Enos came down to get them their supper, a surprise was waiting for him. He heard a big bang. Now for all of those wondering what’s going on—well, so am I.

If Enos were smart enough, he would have noticed that Luke’s belt was off. In other words, that was what made the sound in the first place. If Enos was intelligent enough, he would have looked in the back of Bo’s pocket and he would have seen the rolled up belt.

Well of course he wasn’t. Shucking and jiving Enos was painless. Watch this if y’all don’t believe me. Luke was down on the floor moaning. Enos dropped the plates. “Luke ol buddy, what’s wrong now?” Enos questioned.

“Oh Enos, I don’t know, you better get Roscoe,” Bo replied. Uh huh, you had better get Roscoe…well you know what that means—sorry, I was sure you did.

“Possum on a gum bush! Come on now, hold on Luke.” Enos ran up the stairs like nothing. Bo smiled for a minute. Luke opened his eyes and winked. Now you know this is goanna be good.

“What are you two faking this time?” Roscoe asked.

“I don’t know—one minute he was talking about being jailed and the next he was on the ground,” Bo announced.

“Sheriff, he’s having post dramatic stress,” Enos told Roscoe. Now Roscoe was a little bit less believing with every reason to be. Them Dukes were tricky.

“It is post traumatic stress you cow cookie! Enos, he’s faking now,” Roscoe replied.

“No he ain’t Sheriff. Look at the red spot on his face! I think he really fell and hurt himself now.” Roscoe jumped.

“Judas Priest on a pony! Enos we gotta get him to a hospital. He might have brain damage.”

“Yes sir Sheriff, sir.”

“I’ll sir you Enos, you dipstick.”

“I was only trying to be polite.” Enos grabbed the keys. Roscoe pulled them right out of his hands.

“I am your superior officer.” Roscoe dropped his keys as he waved his fist. “Now look what you made me do—you dipstick.”

“I…”

“Hush.”

“You want me to get the door Roscoe?” Bo questioned.

“Sure, at least you ain’t a dipstick like Enos here. Even the dipsticks call him dipstick, Khee.” Bo pulled out his key and unlocked the door. You know, it is funny that Roscoe didn’t think any less about Bo having a key.

Roscoe and Enos walked in to help Luke. However, them two had a problem. Yup, that’s what happened when Roscoe felt he was the superior officer and that he had first rights to everything.

They were so busy fighting as to who would go in first, that something funny was about to happen. Luke crawled out the cell door. Enos and Roscoe didn’t notice until they were in the cell and the door was closed.

“Hey Roscoe, I feel a lot better now,” Luke said as he kicked the keys away.

“Come back here you—you…” Roscoe began.

“Oh, Roscoe, such strong words for me. I’ll see y’all later,” Bo said.

“Sorry Enos,” Luke added. They ran out the door.

“It’s okay, Luke—Bo,” Enos replied.

“No it ain’t okay—you beaver bagel! They just locked us in and ran away,” Roscoe answered.

“Boy howdy Sheriff, they did a good job didn’t they now. I wish I was as smart as they were.” Roscoe shook his fist.

“I’ll knock some smarts into you, ya dipstick.”

Now wasn’t that classic? I mean them boys are geniuses. I have seen them do this so many times it ain’t even funny. I tell y’all, Bo and Luke sure have their wits.

I know, let’s get back to the story right? You know, sometimes I just get off topic. I don’t mean to. You can’t really blame me. I mean really, I am human too.

Well Bo went off with Looney Lynn who was driving the cars away. She seemed to be happy driving—even though ol Bo would rather be behind the wheel.

“Oh come on, please,” Bo begged.

“You hit your cousin,” Lynn scolded.

“Look, he told me to. What was I supposed to do? Say no?” Lynn shook her head. “He did tell me to, I promise he did.”

“Well, why didn’t Luke hit you instead?”

“Simple, he wanted my face to be pretty for the prom.” Lynn laughed.

“It’s a wonder I like you Duke Boys at all. Y’all are so violent.” Bo shook his head.

“We’re not normally.” Lynn laughed. Bo didn’t get it. You could see it in his face. “What did I say?”

“I was teasing.”

“Oh—right.”

Luke on the other side of the situation was pulling jumps to get over to Cooter’s farm. You know why don’t you? So they could look for the stolen machinery.

“This is lost sheep one to Bo Peep, Lost sheep one to Bo Peep, come in honey,” Luke said over the CB.

“Nice to hear you sprung Lost Sheep one. You on your way, Come back?” Daisy questioned over the CB

“You had better bet your last dollar on that one. I’ll be there in half a smidgen so ya sit tight and look for me.”

“10-4 cousin and good luck.” Luke smiled. I agree with Daisy, them boys are goanna need a whole lot of luck. Especially with Bo going to the prom—don’t believe me? Well you just pay attention y’all.

6

Now as Bo made it to the farm, he had a little surprise waiting there for him. Nope it wasn’t a criminal at all. In fact it was a friend—two really. Dodger and Cooter—they ain’t here to borrow General Lee two.

“Hey y’all, look, I’ll be out in a minute. Talk with your daughter for a while Cooter,” Bo commented.

“You better hurry up,” Dodger announced.

“What did I do?”

“It’s what you’re not goanna do with Lynn,” Cooter grumbled.

“Okay…”

“Don’t play innocent. I know what I did on my prom. Now you ain’t goanna pull the same stupid…”

“DAD! LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Lynn exclaimed. Bo walked upstairs quickly. Now I would have done the same thing if I were getting one of these lectures. “How could you do this? Now he probably doesn’t wanna go with me.”

“Now Lynn, I am your father and…”

“And you need to trust both me and him. He ain’t goanna do anything to me. Bo promised on the way over to be a perfect gentleman.”

“Men always make fake promises.” Bo came down the stairs holding a big brown box. Now this is different. Usually it is the gal coming down the stairs to meet the man. I guess we do things differently in Hazzard County.

“Lynn, this is for you,” Bo cut in. He set the box down. He pulled out a teddy bear and a Corsage. I don’t know about y’all but did you notice she stopped breathing for a second? Oh good, it wasn’t just me.

“Oh Bo you didn’t have to…” Lynn began.

“I did have to do this for you, Lynn.” Bo opened the box and placed it on her wrist. “Remember this night okay? Make it as special as you can make it. Before you go off to college—just remember this one night.”

“I will.” Cooter’s eyes rose to her. “Daddy I am going to college. I got the science scholarship.”

“You did?” Cooter questioned.

“Only because Bo gave it up to me—it is because of him that I get to go to…” Cooter looked at Bo. Bo shrugged.

“Bo why did you do it—why did you give up something that would have given you better chances in school?”

“Because, she deserves it, Lynn really deserves it,” Bo answered. Cooter smiled.

“Yeah but so do you. You are a smart kid Bo. You could go many places in this world.”

“I don’t need to go far. I have many things that people don’t have. That people probably will never have and so I consider myself the richest man in the world.”

“You’re serious ain’t you?”

“More serious than I will ever be.” Bo sighed and looked at Lynn. “You know, she has worked hard all of her life. She didn’t have family before you.”

“No I guess not.”

“I remember when my parents died, I was given to my Auntie Jessie. She was kin. She was the best kind of kin.”

“Yeah, I remember you saying so in your letters.”

“When she died, I still had kin who was willing to have me.” Bo swallowed, trying to push back the tears. He wasn’t about to cry in front of anyone.

“Jesse,” Lynn whispered.

“That’s right, my Uncle Jesse Duke.”

“He always did love everyone he came in contact with,” Dodger said.

“That’s what I love about him. When we came to Hazzard, it was him who picked us up and him who made us feel welcome here,” Cooter added.

“Yeah, I felt the same way. I wouldn’t trade my life here for all the scholarships in the world,” Bo announced. Cooter couldn’t help but smile at his friend. He gave Bo a hug.

“You know, you really are a good friend.” Bo smiled. He knew Cooter meant it.

“Luke would have done the same for her.” Cooter let go of his friend.

“Yeah but it means a lot from either of ya.”

“I know it does. I know that she will remember it too.”

“Of course I will,” Lynn said. Ain’t that one of them Kodak moments? I like seeing that. I hope them kids have a ball tonight, don’t you?

7

Now after picking up Daisy, Luke was driving towards the Boar’s Nest. “Why are we going this way?” Daisy asked. Luke smiled as he took another jump.

“Well I am trying to think of places where Boss would put this stuff,” Luke replied.

“Why the Boar’s Nest? I mean why would Boss Hogg risk putting it in plain view for people?”

“Simple, legal drinking age is what?”

“Well, it is 21 years old.”

“Exactly, none of us Dukes are allowed to drink.”

“Except Uncle Jesse, he can.” Luke sighed and turned the General Lee around.

“You’re right. Dang, sorry about that—I thought it would be the perfect place.” Luke looked in the stupor of thought. He snapped his fingers. “I got it.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the last place we would look.”

“Where’s that?”

“Where was our last adventure?” Daisy smiled.

“The factory by the Duke farm.”

“Yeah—I mean Boss Hogg wouldn’t have thought we would look there. Did you say the other day you saw some strange men around there?”

“Yeah I did, didn’t I?”

“Well I guess we’re goanna pay them boys a visit.” Luke jumped the General again. You know they shouldn’t have named him the General Lee. With all the flying he does—well…never you mind about that.

I think that General Lee does suit him. The General would have been thrilled to fly on a horse over a river. What makes me think he wouldn’t have done it in a car?

Well, the Dukes did something smart. Daisy took out her cell phone and called the State Police. This meant Sally would be on her way over just as the Dukes were getting there. Thank goodness for good tips.

As they drove over, Daisy noticed them loading a car. She pointed it out to Luke. He shook his head, thinking of what could be done. After all, they get away—so does the evidence.

“Luke we better get their attention and stop them from loading the car up or y’all will be up doing time for a long stretch,” Daisy told her cousin.

“I know, I know,” Luke mumbled. He shook his head. “Dang, I have to give this some thought.”

“Well you better hope your thought speeds like Superman or we ain’t goanna get through this one.”

“Yeah I know Daisy—I know.”

Meanwhile at the Hazzard County Jail, Roscoe and Enos were playing checkers in the jail cell. Now when Enos moved his king and jumped three of Roscoe’s pieces, Roscoe put them back on.

“Now Sheriff that’s cheating,” Enos commented. Roscoe growled and took the pieces off. He took out his gun and shot three of Enos’ kings.

“There, now we’re even,” Roscoe replied. Enos was about to say something else when Boss Hogg came running down the stairs.

“Who’s trying to escape from—Roscoe, what are you and Enos doing in that cell?” Boss Hogg asked.

“We’re playing checkers Boss.”

“I can see that you pea brain. What happened to Bo and Luke?”

“Well you see—they uh…they got away.”

“How long have you two been in here?”

“Three hours.”

“Roscoe, you idiotic nincompoop! You—waste for a sheriff! How did you let them escape?”

“You mean how could I let them escape!”

“How dare you correct me!”

“Sorry Boss—uh it’ll never happen again.”

“It better not.” Boss Hogg shook his head. “Look you two, if the Duke Boys ain’t back in these cells I’ll…”

“See that we get replaced with Flash.”

“I’ll see that you get replaced with—that dumb pooch? No way.” Boss puffed on his cigar. “No, I’m goanna make sure that you and your deputy get transferred to LA to do Parade Patrol.”

“Clean up horse apples?”

“Yep.”

“Open the cell Boss!” Boss Hogg grabbed the keys off the floor. He played with the set of keys. “Now, we’ll get them Boss. You can trust me.”

“Why do I have no confidence in you at all?”

“Boss come on, I am your brother in law.” Boss Hogg rolled his eyes.

“Quit reminding me, Roscoe.”

“We’re goanna go after the Dukes?” Enos questioned.

“Yes of course we are going after the Dukes,” Roscoe replied.

“Hopefully you don’t shoot them like you did them checkers.”

“Oh so you shoot at checkers and not the Dukes huh?” Boss Hogg asked.

“Well—umm Jit-jit, Enos why do you even open your mouth?” Roscoe replied.

“It’s your fault pea brain not his.” Enos began laughing. Roscoe cleared his throat. Enos stood up straight. Jacob-Daley Hogg finally found the right key.

“You know you have to turn that fat buddy.”

“I know how to use a key.”

“Sorry Boss.” Now with the Sheriff department going after General Lee, I wonder how this will turn out. Watch out y’all, let’s see if Roscoe can catch two of them at the same time.

8

Now as Bo and Lynn were having their first slow dance of the evening, Daisy and Luke were shooting off two arrows. They exploded on both sides of the baddies. When the bad guys were looking around for who done it, Daisy blasted the Dixie horn.

“What did you do that for?” Luke asked. Daisy got in the driver’s seat.

“We need to round them up. Unless you had a better way of doing things,” Daisy said as she started up the engine. Luke shook his head.

“You are crazy. They have guns.”

“You think?” Daisy laughed and Luke rolled his eyes. “Well get in Luke.”

“Alright, who am I to complain?” Daisy put it into drive and away she went. There were three cars and nine motorcycles behind them. Now when Daisy does something, she does it right.

“Alright now this is a prom night YAHOOOOOO.”

“Don’t get too excited Daisy, I ain’t itchin’ to be your date.” She turned a sharp corner. General was half sticking up.

“That’s only because we’re family.”

“No that ain’t the only reason now is it?”

“Oh my driving.” She landed flat. “There you go, all better.” One of the cars tried the same thing and ended up rolling into the ditch. Daisy made circles around the Duke farm. Luke was surprised.

“That’s one down.” Daisy winked as she continued to drive. There was a small dip in the Duke boy’s field. Daisy took it like it was nothing. “YAHOOOO!”

“That’s the spirit, Luke, Whooo.” One of the motorcycles tried to pull right along side of Daisy.

“Why are you letting him get so close, Daisy?”

“Wait for it.” Daisy drove by the rainbow mines. Now what was this gal doing? She began to shift over. The driver of the bike pulled on a rope as his bike fell down the shaft.

“Ah, I see you have taken lessons from Bo.”

“No way sugar, he took lessons from me.” Luke began to laugh as he shook his head. “You know, that’s two down.”

“Yeah and ten to go.”

“Oh come on sugar, they’ll be gone in no time. You just sit back and tighten that there seat belt of yours. We’ll really show you how to rock. Come on General.”

“Look, just don’t do anything too drastic okay?”

“You are no fun Luke Duke.” Daisy did a donut and started chasing the car that was chasing her.

“What are you doing? I said nothing drastic.”

“I am a Duke, everything I do is drastic.”

“You’re goanna get us killed.” The car turned around quickly. Two more motorcycles went off into the small pond the Dukes have on their property.

“Eight to go.” Daisy began knocking the car off the road.

“You do know this is crazy.”

“Well then call me the head nut.” Luke just stared at her. “Don’t worry, I’ll be done with this one in a second Luke. You just hold on and don’t worry.”

“Yeah, you would say that.” She hit him again, running him off the road. “Daisy, keep him steady.” She rammed him again. The car went off with the other one.

“Seven.” Luke shook his head. He picked up the CB. “What are you doing?”

“I am goanna call Cooter. Remember, he was goanna go over to our farm to talk to Bo?”

“Oh yeah before he went to prom.”

“Yeah well with the way you’re letting these dudes go—we need some help.”

“I hear ya, call him in.”

“This is Lost Sheep to Crazy C, where you at good buddy, come on?” Luke said over the CB.

“Breaker one, breaker one, I might be crazy but I ain’t fixing on being dumb, CRAZZZY Cooter comin’ at ya. I have my ears wired and my car tired. What do you need lost sheep?” Cooter asked.

“How would you like to play the part of Ol Smokey in the Hazzard play?”

“Well Lucas I would like that just fine. Who do you need me to round up, come on?”

“There’s baddies around our farm who have lost control of our vehicle. They are all over our land—and the farm beside us. Around the main roads.”

“I hear ya.”

“Come prepared to hog tie.”

“10-4 Luke, I’m gone. Dodger will help out too.” Luke put the CB down. Daisy took another jump. The seven motorcycles followed her. This time two tried to take her.

“Oh no you don’t you ain’t getting the best of a Duke,” Daisy commented. She served a few times, left and right. She began to speed up faster. Daisy turned on the main road.

“Where are you going?” Luke questioned.

“I am doing some bird watching.” Daisy did another jump through the trees. Two of the motorcycles tried it and landed in trees.

“Look at that, two yellow birds. They look pretty good.”

“I will name them.”

“What?”

“Ye Yellow dirt bikes.” Daisy laughed and Luke began to join her.

“Five left Daisy.”

“Yep I know.”

“Hey y’all this is the Bullet Dodger calling the lost sheep. How many more of these bad boys do you have left?” Dodger questioned over the CB. Daisy grabbed the CB before Luke could.

“This is Bo Peep here, we got five on our tail. How many hogs do you have in your playpen?” Daisy asked over the CB.

“Five.”

“Don’t forget to go bird watching. This is Bo Peep over and out I’m gone.” She put the CB down.

“You are just loving this, ain’t you?” Luke questioned.

“Of course I am.” Daisy’s eyebrows went up as she continued to drive. “You start with a fly, give your honey a swing.” Daisy jumped the General again. She went around in a circle, two motorcycles crashed into each other.

“What are you…?”

“Luke, why do you even ask?”

“Beats me.”

“Three left.” Daisy drove back towards the factory. She went inside and broke the back of it. Dang, Boss wasn’t goanna be happy with his new back door.

“Okay then get them.” Suddenly, Daisy heard the sirens of three state police cars. They pulled over the last three.

“Awe they ruined my fun.”

“Ah Daisy, we can let them have some sort of adventure.”

“I guess I have to huh?”

“Yeah I suppose so.” Daisy pulled over and laughed. “You know, I think I did very well.”

“You did.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah—and let’s pray I never have to drive with you again when you’re in this mood.” Daisy began to laugh.

“I wasn’t that bad.”

Let’s see, Bo had a great prom. He and Lynn were voted King and Queen of Hazzard High School. They looked good with their little items. Not bad for Bo huh? From prisoner to King. Now how much better do you get than that?

When Roscoe, Boss and Enos got there, the state police were already cuffing and stuffing. This not only disappointed Roscoe but made Boss upset.

Why? Well unless he wanted to join the boys he hired in prison, he would have to give up all his machines. Not fun for Boss but a great laugh for Daisy and Luke alike. You have got to love that.

Bo thanked Luke for his prom by doing something nice for him. The younger cousin put a steak on Luke’s face, slowing down the swelling. Luke had quite the mark there didn’t he?

Well that’s prom night, Hazzard Style.

THE END

You’re Fired

by: Essy Jane

Ah, Hazzard County. Look at the blue skies. Look at the birds flying in the air. Look at—the General going over the water. Dang, I love them boys, they never travel the way other people do. Actually, if you look behind them, there’s Cooter driving Dolly.

So Hazzard is a different place but dang do I love it. After all, watch how fast them boys can go. Look at the water as it splashes. “Luke do you mind not going over bumps I need to use the bathroom,” Bo commented. Luke took a major jump.

“It ain’t my fault that you didn’t go,” Luke answered.

“You were the one who dragged me out of the house and said, ‘come on Bo, we need to check the new shocks.’ I didn’t have time to do much of anything.” Luke began to laugh. He got out of the water and onto the road.

Well I guess no one can be a fish together. “Hey Crazy C, how does it look back there?” Bo questioned over the CB.

“Dang Bo Dukas, you got some good shocks from me. It is looking fine,” Cooter replied.

“Well good, now can we get back to the garage?”

“Sure thing Bo ol buddy.”

“10-4 Cooter.” Bo put down the CB. “Finally, the throne’s invitation will not go unnoticed.”

Meanwhile, at the Hazzard County Sheriff’s office, Enos was just coming in. He looked at Boss Hogg and Roscoe who were conversing about one thing or another. Boss Hogg elbowed Roscoe as Enos walked in.

Roscoe straightened up. He looked at Enos. “Boy why ain’t you out there going after the Dukes?” Roscoe asked. Enos shook his head.

“That’s what I came in here to talk about,” Enos cut in. He shook his head, staring at both Boss Hogg and Roscoe. He didn’t know how to say it exactly. After all, Roscoe had been his friend for a long time.

“Well, spill it out Enos.” Enos took off his hat, staring at Roscoe. He cleared his throat.

“Mr. Hogg, Sheriff, I don’t wanna play anymore dirty tricks on the boys.”

“Say that again Enos, I have something stuck in my ear. I thought you said you don’t wanna play dirty tricks.”

“They’s good boys. They may have done a few things that ain’t good but—possum on gum bush, I really want to be honest. Bo and Luke are my best friends. They care for me. They love me a lot and to do this to ‘em…”

“Enos, I don’t pay you to think for yourself—leave that up to me.” Roscoe scratched his head. “Look, we’re anticipating the bad moves that them Dukes is goanna make.”

“Ding dang it, I just can’t do it. Daisy would be so disappointed.”

“Well boy, then hand in your badge, you’re fired!” Boss Hogg said.

“Boss, you don’t mean that,” Roscoe jumped in.

“I do, he’s been a thorn in my side since I hired him. Now, he needs to learn that I am serious so pack your bags. You don’t have a job anymore.” Enos’ head hung low. He handed Boss his badge and belt which included his gun. He headed out the door.

Now friends, this ain’t fair. This boy just wants to be a good law man. One of those just ain’t welcome in Hazzard I guess. But dang, I know this ain’t the last we have heard of this.

“Boss, why did you do that?” Roscoe asked. Boss Hogg shook his head.

“Look Roscoe, Arty will take over as your deputy. We have bigger fish to fry. You see this?” Boss Hogg questioned. He held up a poster of a wanted man. “This is a twenty thousand dollar reward for a robber who has been seen around Chickasaw County.”

“Oh Boss, he looks mean.”

“And that money looks good inside my bank. Now if those danged Dukes have anything to do with this, I won’t have my money—I mean my robber. So you get out there with Arty and you find my man.”

“Yes Boss.”

“You don’t rest until he’s behind bars and I have the reward.”

“And I have my fifty percent.”

“Roscoe, you have to account for my losses.”

“What losses?”

“Firing Enos.”

“But you…”

“Nope I say ten percent will work.”

“But I am capturing him.”

“And I am filling up your car to do it. Now, you get on your way.”

“Yes Boss.” Now friends, how do you like that one? Enos is fired and that dirty ol’ Boss Hogg uses it to cheat Roscoe.

2

Luke raced out of the bathroom he looked at the gang. Bo was sitting there sipping on a pop. Dodger and Cooter both had a beer. Now, this looks pretty peaceful don’t it?

Yeah I would say so but hey, with a robber running around this ain’t goanna keep.

“No one go in the bathroom,” Luke said. Bo laughed so hard that he flipped off his chair. The pop poured all over him. “You did that on purpose.”

“Nah, flying on my chair was no stunt,” Bo replied.

“No, the bathroom, you unloaded a stink bomb. I know it and Cooter loaned you the parts.”

“You can’t prove that.”

“Yes I can. When I lifted the seat there was a mechanism. You made it smell in there.” Bo began laughing.

“Still not enough proof.”

“You wanna make a bet?” Luke grabbed Bo’s hand and looked at it. He saw the oil on his finger tips. Bo held it up to a print Luke had on a paper. “You are blameworthy.” Cooter began laughing.

“You’ve been caught,” Dodger laughed.

“We both have didn’t we Luke?” Cooter added.

“Caught red handed,” Luke replied.

“Yeah well no one is perfect.”

“Well Cooter, you can’t have every skill.”

“Nah, being pretty is about as much as I got.” Luke began laughing. Luke noticed Bo walking out the door out of the corner of his eye.

“Where is he going?” Dodger questioned.

“I don’t know, maybe this long weekend is getting to his head,” Luke replied.

“You better go check on him,” Cooter commented.

“You think so?” Luke asked.

“Heck, when my little brother walked off, something was wrong.”

“Yeah—Bo was having fun and suddenly he walked away.”

“That ain’t like him.” Luke nodded. He yawned and stretched, looking back at Cooter.

“No it ain’t.” He walked outside and saw Bo sit down beside Enos. Luke stared at both his cousin and the un-badged deputy.

“I was fired,” Enos announced. Luke’s mouth hung open. Bo shook his head.

“He was fired for being honest,” Bo grumbled.

“What?” Luke questioned.

“Yeah, he was fired because he didn’t wanna play any more dirty tricks on us.” Bo shook his head again. His fists tightened up. “That ain’t fair.”

“Now Bo, don’t go gnashing your teeth now,” Enos cut in. He looked down at the ground. “It ain’t like there is anything we can do about it.”

“Enos, don’t say that.”

“Yeah, there is always something that you can do about it,” Luke replied. Bo nodded his head in agreement. “Enos, you can’t sit here and take this laying down.”

“Luke’s right.” Enos smiled largely like he always did. His eyes widened. Luke smiled and so did Bo. “Now that is the Enos Strait we all love and care about.”

“What are we goanna do though, I ain’t a hero or anything. I am just an ordinary man.” Luke smiled. He looked at his cousin smiling.

“Did you just catch a drift of what he said?” Luke asked. Bo smiled and rubbed his hands together.

“YAHOOOO, I sure did,” Bo exclaimed. He clapped with excitement.

“What are we doing?” Enos questioned.

“We don’t have to tell you Enos,” Luke said.

“Yeah, it was your dang idea, Enos,” Bo added. Enos scratched his head.

“What was?” He asked.

“We’re goanna turn you into a hero.”

“How are we goanna do that?”

“By paying a visit to the post office.” Now for those of y’all who are confused—well, I am on the same boat as you are. Stick around y’all, the couch maybe lumpy but the story is full of bolts from the blue.

3

Now, news travels fast in Hazzard County. Do you have any idea on just how many folks love Enos Strait? Yup, the number is huge. Now Boss Hogg can sit there and avoid the general public but there was one woman he couldn’t account for.

“Jacob-Daley Hogg!” Leila screamed. Uh huh, Boss Hogg’s wife. Well now you wanna know how to beat Boss Hogg. There are only two ways, send the Duke Boys after him or Leila Hogg.

Now Luke figured if he couldn’t win with his plan maybe Leila could bring Enos back in. Now he’s one smart cookie. Ladies and Gentlemen, now I expect great things from good ol Luke Duke.

Leila was a lot like a woman we all know, Lulu Hogg. Lulu always had the upper hand with her husband, Jefferson-Davis Hogg. I guess it only fit that Jacob-Daley Hogg also married a woman who was a Coltrane.

Anyway, Leila was a good friend of the Dukes. Always had been. You know, Jesse does get many good friends behind him doesn’t he now? Even though Perry wasn’t his friend at all, his sister really was an honorable Duke.

Leila used to come and eat over at the Duke place lots of times. I mean she was just excepted in ways you wouldn’t believe.

Everyone loved Leila Hogg. She was known for her many acts of service. I do mean many. Now this woman is acknowledged for her big heart and her…

“You full-size overweight ruffian!” As I was saying, her chock-a-block rant and rave when Boss pulls something like this. Almost amusing to watch ain’t it?

“Sugar plum I…” Boss began.

“Oh no you don’t, JD!”

“I don’t what?”

“You will not call me Sugar Plum and get away with murder.”

“It wasn’t a bloodbath that I was doing. You know I wouldn’t do something like that pumpkin.”

“I ain’t food JD, despite what I look like.”

“Look all I did was—do my job which keeps you in the life of luxury.”

“And perform a crime.”

“What crime.”

“You know what crime.”

“So what I just fired…”

“I know what you did; the whole danged Hazzard County knows what you have done.”

“Yeah—I noticed.”

“Good, I am glad you noticed something besides the money in your safe and them danged memoirs.”

“Those ain’t the only things I have noticed.” Now Boss had to do some quick thinking. Against Roscoe, this would be easy. Against Leila Hogg—well let’s just say this was a little bit harder.

“Oh?”

“I noticed that you have a beautiful face.”

“How dare you try to butter me up you plump over cooked turkey wing!!”

“Oh come Leila, it was crucial to being the commissioner of Hazzard County. It is my political duty to…”

“Be a jack ass?”

“To be a Jack—no, not to be a Jack Ass.” Boss had to think about his words for a minute. “It is my job to make choices that everyone might not agree with.”

“No one in Hazzard County thinks that poor Enos should be pushed out of the force.”

“Leila, you know—“

“That you are being a high-flying self-seeking dingle face.”

“Now Leila, that was uncalled for.” She slammed her fist down on her open palm. He swallowed hard. “Now I had too many on staff and…”

“You call three people too many!”

“Now, lamb chop…”

“Don’t you lamb chop me! Enos is the best part of this force and to have him missing makes it so I am doing fault-finding. Now you change it or else!”

“Or else what? What could you do to me?” Now come on Boss you don’t go and threaten a woman holding all the keys. Dang folks, he’s playing with fire. Not just a candle flame an inferno.

“Oh, you haven’t seen the weight of Leila Hogg!” She stormed out of the room.

“Believe me Leila, I have.” Boss started laughing. He shook his head. “Good luck on her ever getting me to change my mind,” He called down the hallway.

Now Boss is in a whole mess of trouble. And for all of those who don’t know trouble when they see it, let me spell it out for y’all. T-R-O-U-B-L-E, big trouble. Leila was sure goanna show him.

Now this day wasn’t over for Boss. You wouldn’t believe who came next. “JD you butter ball!” Jesse exclaimed. Boss Hogg rubbed his eyebrows.

“Oh great, its you,” he grumbled.

“You had better believe your buttons it is me. You sack of sad bones—you pip Mellon you…”

“Jesse come on, name calling is for children.”

“Well then, you better start yourself up because you are the only child I see here.”

“After all the things we have been through together. After you and me moon shinning together.”

“That was your idea to get more money.”

“Yeah and because you quit I had to learn how to do it again. No one likes mine as much as they like yours.”

“Don’t you be changing the topic, JD Hogg!!” Jesse shook his head. “Now you and I have been friends and enemies since we was sixteen years old. Although I didn’t always like it, we have been.”

“Yeah well…”

“Well Enos has been friends with my boys since—they were knee high to a grasshopper. You may even say he’s one of the family. To see him all crushed like that is—well it is plum awful.”

“Well that’s nice Jesse but get out of here or I’ll have you removed. ROSCOE!”

“Yes Boss?” Roscoe questioned.

“Please escort Jesse out of the building.”

“No problem Boss.” Roscoe straightened up. He took out his gun. “Alright you old goat you get moving.”

“Roscoe, don’t you dare point that pea shooter at me! I may be an old goat but I can still throw you over my knee and give you a dang good spanking,” Jesse replied. Roscoe jumped a little.

“Don’t you threaten me, I am an officer of the law.”

“And I know your pa.”

“Yeah and he don’t like you.” Roscoe stuck out his tongue. “So move it.”

“JD, you will hire him again mark my word.”

“GET!”

“I’m going.” Well friends, don’t worry, this will all work out. Just hold onto your chips ladies and gentlemen, we’re goanna make it through. Don’t munch too fast—you’ll get a tummy ache and miss something.

4

Boy howdy, now if this were a baseball game, the bases would be loaded and the coach would be bringing out his star Pitcher. Now since it ain’t baseball and we don’t have many star Pitchers in Hazzard County, we’ll have to settle for the Duke Boys.

I think that’s a better idea anyway. The Dukes know Hazzard County shuck and jive just as well as the Great Bambino knew his baseball. So move that rear end over to a snug spot and we’ll work out Luke’s plan.

Now first part of Luke’s fabulous plan was to get Enos in shape. You see Dolly driving up in there? Yup, that’s Daisy driving and Enos running behind her. Now why do you think she’s doing the driving?

Come on, have you ever looked at Daisy? Dang she has more beauty than Flash has fleas. Well that and if you know anything about good ol Enos Strait is that ol Enos loves Miss Daisy. Kind of brings about some motivation, don’t it?

After his long run, Enos went for his next training session. Luke coached him in the nitty-gritty tricks of boxing. Now Enos was pretty good for a beginner, even Luke could agree with that one. He seemed to pick it up pretty fast—but Luke still had advantage over him.

Soon he moved onto Bo, who would teach him two things. First of all, how to pace yourself while running. Now Bo was excellent in track and field. He was also a great linebacker. So you better believe Bo could run.

Enos liked working with Bo for the running. He made Enos do all sorts of training exercises they do in football. Bo was a smart cookie when it came to these.

Soon, Uncle Jesse was calling them to eat. They all sat at the table. “Dang Mr. Duke, it sure was nice of you to let me stay for a while,” Enos commented.

“Oh it is fun to have you here,” Jesse answered. He poured Enos some buttermilk.

“Gosh dang it Mr. Duke, you didn’t have to do that for me now. The lemonade would have been fine.”

“Now Enos you know as well as I do ya need a treat every once in a while. Besides, you deserve it. All that work you have been doing.”

“Yeah Enos, you have been doing really good,” Bo added.

“No kidding, he almost beamed me in the head while we were boxing,” Luke declared.

“Well he was running like a professional. I think he is ready to go and become a hero.”

“I’m so proud of you Enos,” Daisy said as she kissed him on the cheek. Enos went bright red and I do mean bright right red.

“Thank—thank you Daisy,” Enos replied. He had his big grin on but suddenly it faded. “What if Mr. Hogg doesn’t give me my job back?”

“Now Enos, don’t you worry about that.”

“Yeah Enos, we would never let you stay fired on our account,” Bo reassured his friend.

“Besides, if plan one don’t work, plan two will definitely be a sure hitter,” Luke laughed.

“Especially with Leila throwing fire from her eyes.” The whole Duke family began laughing.

“Now boys, you know tomorrow is church. Y’all have to quit scheming for the Lord ’s Day,” Jesse reminded them. Everyone rolled their eyes except Enos and Jesse of course. “Now I mean it. The Lord asked us to keep the Sabbath and dang it, the Duke family will listen.”

“Yes sir,” Everyone said at the same time. Now that is priceless. Jesse began laughing.

“What?” Daisy asked.

“Sure would be funny to watch what’s going on at JD’s house. After all, he did challenge Leila,” Jesse replied. Now everyone was laughing.

“You know that would be funny to see.”

“I wonder if she has moved back into his room yet,” Bo added.

“Yeah, me too.”

“Well by the time she’s done with him, he’ll wish he hired Enos’ whole family on,” Jesse said.

“Dang, I believe it.”

“Yeah, she’s good,” Luke added.

“Good ain’t the word for it,” Bo replied.

“What do you mean?”

“Great is the word. Leila will have Boss eating out of the palm of her hand in no time.”

“You’re probably right.”

“I know I’m right.”

“I’m with Bo. I have served her before. She can be nice but if you do something mean like not leave me a good tip…Miss Leila goes and makes sure you get what you deserve,” Daisy told Luke as she pushed her hair back.

Now just because you call fire salt, don’t mean that it won’t burn you. Hey that sounds pretty dang good. I am a great balladeer. Woo for me. Nah, I can’t take all the credit. You remember Waylon Jennings? Well now he’s my hero.

Anyway, Boss Hogg was sure that Leila’s wrath wouldn’t be horrible. However, he was about to find out just how bad it was. I told you he was in trouble. I couldn’t get him away from it even if I wanted him to.

Boss Hogg often came home to have lunch on the table. With Leila sitting there beside him. Imagine this if you will. Yes, there was a plate but no Leila. Now this didn’t bother him none. No, it had to have been the contents on his plate.

A piece of lettuce and a small slice of tomato. Well that and a note. Well you wanna see what that one says don’t ya? Well here you are, courtesy of me:

Dear Jacob-Daley Hogg,

If you look by my refrigerator, you will observe that yours is omitted from the picture. And if you look even closer, you will see that mine has a lock on it.

Until you put Enos back on the force, you will be on a diet. I had fried chicken and potato salad today. I hope this piece of lettuce and tomato makes you feel as satisfied as my meal made me.

I have moved my clothes into your room. Don’t worry, sharing that king sized bed will make me very happy. I know I snore but I can’t change that. So if you need to, you can put some cotton in your ears.

Love your wife,

Leila Hogg.

Now ain’t that a kicker. “No, white lightning!” Boss Hogg exclaimed. “Leila Hogg, you will regret this. Well no matter, I can get Roscoe to fix me up a little snack.”

Now if you think that this is bad, well it gets worse. You see, Boss went to go ask Roscoe for a bite to eat. Well Leila threatened to have him and Mama move in with her. Now the purpose of having Mama move in was to make JD go nuts. Therefore, he wouldn’t dare go against Leila.

JD hated his mother in law with a passion. He would never want her actually living with them. Not bad for a woman with weight huh? Well, keep watching y’all.

5

“Roscoe, I have lost five pounds and you have not caught that criminal. Chad Lando…now why ain’t he in my prison? Better still why ain’t I holding that money in my hands?” Boss Hogg asked.

“Well Boss, your chubby little hands couldn’t hold all that money Khee-hee-hee,” Roscoe said as he pinched Boss’ cheeks.

“Ah! Stop that you pea brain.” Boss Hogg shook his head. “Leila is driving me crazy. Look at me, I’m wasting away.”

“Sorry fat buddy but my hands are tied. Well actually no their not but maybe…”

“Roscoe do me a favor.”

“What?”

“Take off your hat.”

“Why?”

“So the circulation can return to your brain.” Boss got up and grabbed something. Roscoe waved his fist a couple of times before Boss Hogg turned around.

“Well hire Enos back.”

“Oh come on, then she’ll win.”

“Well you know I can’t do anything.”

“Not even my own waitresses will fix me a snack. They’re all part of my wife’s book club. Well that and Daisy told them not to.”

“Awe Boss.”

“Don’t you AWE Boss me, just get that bad guy.”

“Yes sir.”

“Get out of here!”

“I’m gone.” Roscoe ran out of the room. He went right to his car. He saw the Duke car parked in front of the post office. He put down one of his fire hydrants hoping that it would get the Dukes if he weren’t getting this Chad Lando.

He saw Enos inside. Now Roscoe is a many things but one thing he ain’t is a hard nosed jerk. He didn’t like the fact that Enos was fired. So when he saw him there, Roscoe wondered just what he was doing.

Roscoe cleared his throat. “Why Howdy Sheriff. I was just looking at these wanted posters. Possum on a gum bush, this one says a reward of $20 000 dollars. Ha hun! I think I could find this one,” Enos replied.

“I’ll Possum your gum bush you dipstick! What makes you think you can catch them you meow muffin?”

“Simple Roscoe,” Bo announced.

“Oh keep out of this Duke Boy!”

“Now Roscoe he’s the best deputy you’ve ever had. Now you know as well as I do that as well as I do.”

“You listen here Bo Duke. I couldn’t have stopped it. Boss’ word is the final enchilada.”

“Don’t blame him Bo, he’s just too yella to stand up to the Boss,” Luke announced.

“Now listen here you parsnip, I ain’t yella—he’s just scary.” Bo and Luke laughed.

“Now Bo, Luke, you be nice to the sheriff now,” Enos cut in.

“Yeah, be nice to me.” Roscoe waved his fist. “Or I’ll cuff you and stuff you.” Roscoe walked out of the post office.

“Hey boys, y’all wanna see if you have mail?” Miss Tizdale asked.

“Sure,” Luke replied.

“Well then take a number.” Luke did as she said, grabbing a number off the small red number holder. “Number one, you’re up.”

“That’s me.” Luke pulled out his identification. Even though Miss Tizdale had known him for a while—rules were rules.

“Here you are Luke.”

“Thanks Miss Tizdale.”

“Oh and say hello to that Uncle of yours. Every time I see him, I tell you my heart just melts.” Luke smiled and so did Bo. “Now y’all be safe now.”

“Yes ma’am,” Bo answered. Luke opened his letter. He began to read it and shook his head. “What does it say?”

“None of your business,” Luke replied.

“Luke…”

“Bo, just forget about it okay?” Luke crumpled the letter up and stuck it in the garbage can.

“Luke come on, I know something is wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong Bo. Now, we need to get going.”

“Luke…”

“We have bigger fish to fry.” Bo shrugged.

“What do I care? It was from your father. I just thought you would like to…”

“Well you thought wrong.”

“This is the first letter you have seen from him in months.” Luke shrugged. He glared at his cousin.

“Didn’t I say drop it?” They walked over to the General Lee. Enos got in first. Bo got in the passenger’s seat. “It ain’t important.”

“Yes it is important.”

“No one died if that’s what you’re conjecturing in that head of yours.” Luke started up the engine. “Dad is fine—working as the army’s best friend.”

“Then what’s eating at you?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing you wanna talk about or nothing in General?” Luke began to drive away.

“Well, pick one.” Now you know Luke’s upset. But he ain’t fixing to tell Bo what he just read in that letter. Oh well I guess it is bad enough for that one. We’ll just have to find out huh?

6

Welcome back to your regular scheduled program. I hope you ain’t goanna go to the bathroom right now. This is just getting to the good part you know. I ain’t fixing on rewinding anything for ya now.

Oh really, you know that I want to help y’all out but I can’t. I am just a balladeer. I can’t leap through and stop the show. It must go on now. So don’t worry too much about it. Just make sure you take my advice.

The Dukes and Enos were about to go on an adventure. Now, Luke has a back up plan for everything. Remember, Leila was still working her magic on Boss.

Last night, Boss Jacob-Daley Hogg lay in bed with something that made a lot of noise. No, it wasn’t a bad muffler. It was the original sleep deduction devise—the snore. Now Leila was the champion of the snore.

Have y’all ever heard a motorcycle in the day time? Well now, take that there motorcycle and add about sixty to it. That’s Leila Hogg. JD couldn’t sleep a wink. He was food deprived and he wasn’t able to sleep.

If you wanna know what that does to a man, look at him. His eyes are droopy. He wants to fall asleep but just can’t do it. In his office, he wants to conjure up a stratagem to make more money.

All he can manage is stick drawings of him and Leila. Leila has a big pig with an apple in its mouth. Boss has a napkin tied around his neck with a fork and knife in hand.

You know, those ain’t bad for drawings. I wouldn’t of though Boss mastered the stick person so well. You know though, that was the least of his problems.
If y’all think that Boss Hogg’s wife sounds bad when he snores well then you have another thing coming. Think of a jet airplane. Now that there noise is Boss Hogg’s official I want food call.

Anyway, enough about Boss—we’ll catch up with him later. Right now, as Luke said, we have got bigger fish to fry. One fish in particular. Chad Lando, one of the biggest crooks around.

No, he don’t rob banks. He robs houses. Well, it wouldn’t be a normal Hazzard day if we didn’t have someone trying to do something wrong in Hazzard.

Now Luke knew as well as the rest of us if Boss Hogg got hold of this prisoner, the money would go to some dirty scheme. If Enos got the money he would be sure to help someone else. Now which person would you wanna give the money to?

Well, if you’re saying Boss then, why don’t you go join the force? I mean dang; you can attack the Dukes and all they believe in. If you say give it to Enos then please by all means, give yourself a pat on the back.

Now, Luke and the rest of the Dukes figured out where this robber was hiding out. Not a creative place. Now remember Boss Roscoe Coltrane? Well he made a plant by the Duke farm. However, it didn’t take off very well and he abandoned it.

Ain’t that funny ladies and Gentlemen? This thief was right under the Duke’s nose. You know though if I were that bad dude I would be running the opposite way. The Dukes ain’t someone to be messing with.

However, this guy is new to Hazzard. I can’t educate him because all he wants to do is—well you know shoot and ask questions later. I ain’t goanna approach him. My brains are sharper than that.

Anyhow, that’s where he was hiding. Chad wasn’t a smart man but I wasn’t one to argue with his choice. I guess it made it easier for them boys to come out and ask him to play.

It was time to send out Luke’s secret weapon. Barley clears a mud hut with a single jump. More powerful that a toy locomotive. Can fire a bullet—swims well occasionally. It’s Super Enos. Come on, I had to give some sort of introduction didn’t I?

Now this was goanna take some intellect. Bo and Luke knew what to do. After all, they used to play in this building when they were younger. Luke rubbed his hands together. He grabbed the bow and arrow. Luke shot up one single arrow over a post up there. The rope went over the post and the arrow hit the ground.

Now Luke and Enos would go up one side and Luke up the other. Bo had already gone up. Sorry I didn’t mention that before. I didn’t think of it as important until now. Well, there was a reason why Bo went up first.

Enos was good at many things but he wasn’t good at this part. You know, getting up without being detected and boy was it important that he was able to get up here. Luke pulled him up while Bo grabbed him and pulled him up.

Now this looked fairly easy. Enos jumps down and grabs a sleeping man. You must remember though ladies and gentlemen. This is Hazzard County. Nothing is as easy as it seems. So pay attention.

As Luke climbed up the rope, Bo didn’t think anything of it. His cousin was good when it came to climbing. He had climbed many peaks. Walls of buildings were slick but there wasn’t any problem.

“Ah, Bo…” Enos began.

“Shh, Enos, you’re goanna get us caught,” Bo announced.

“Bo…”

“Enos come on, you’re getting on my last nerve.” Bo felt the gun against his head. He put his hands up. “Is that what you were trying to tell me Enos?” Luke didn’t come any further.

“Yeah, there’s a gun to your head.” You see, if this dude saw him, those two were in hot water.

“Who are you two and what do you want?” Chad questioned.

“There ain’t no mountains around here so we thought we would explore,” Bo replied. Chad hit Bo in the head with the gun.

“Ding dang it, what did you go and do that for?” Enos asked.

“What does it matter to you?”

“He’s my friend.” Enos kicked the gun out of his hand. He grabbed his arms, wrestling him down to the ground. “I care about my friends. Luke climbed up wondering what was going on. “Hey Luke pass me that rope good buddy.”

“Sure thing Enos,” Luke replied as he smiled. He grabbed the rope and gave it to his friend.

“This is a citizen’s arrest pal. You’re going to jail now. No ticket to pass go for you.” Luke now paid attention to his cousin. “Is Bo goanna be okay Luke?”

“Probably lost a few brain cells but he should be alright.” Bo began moaning he looked up at his cousin.

“What did I miss?” Bo questioned. He sat up and saw the criminal all tied up. “Good job Enos.” Enos smiled.

“Why thank you Bo,” Enos answered. Now hey, he did a good job didn’t he? Well I bet you’re wondering what happened. Let me elaborate.

Sally and her partner came down and picked up Mr. Lando. While she was there, she gave Roscoe a little bit of love. He was a lot happier after that.

Enos got twenty thousand dollars and decided to share half with Boss Hogg. Now if you’re wondering why—so am I. Enos said if it wasn’t for Boss firing him, he would never have caught the crook.

Enos’ half of the money went to charity of course. Now you wanna know if Enos got his job back. Well of course he did. Whether it was his hero work, the money he gave Boss or Leila—we’ll never know.

Ain’t that a good ending? Nah, actually I think it is a great start. After all, this is Hazzard County and everything begins here. I like that fact. Everything begins in Hazzard.

Now soon after this happened, Bo went back to school and began preparing for prom. Oh wait, that too is another story for Hazzard County.

Breathe!

by: Essy Jane

Hey y’all, welcome back. You sure like it here don’t you now? I do too. I think that Hazzard is like the colors of the painting. You know, it just lights up Georgia. Well this time is no different.

You see the Bo and Luke Duke were goanna…well let’s go back a little ways. You don’t wanna eat the soup before it is ready, do you now? There’s Jesse and Daisy packing up. Daisy is still on crutches but she missed Jose something awful.

You know, people always say that family is the closest thing to you. Daisy would walk through fire to visit loved ones. However, Jesse wouldn’t let her go alone. She still is on crutches after all. If my daughter were going on crutches…heck, I would wanna be with her too.

Jesse was having last minute thoughts. After all, them boys of his got in a lot of trouble on a regular basis. Who was goanna get them out of it? He wanted to make sure they were taken care of.

Although I think if Luke cooked, it would keep them out of trouble. Why? Well Bo and Luke would be in the hospital. I have tried his food, it is really bad.

“Are you sure you boys will be alright on your own?” Daisy asked.

“We’ll live,” Luke replied.

“I hope,” Bo added.

“What do you mean by that one, Bo?”

“Well simple, if you kill me before I go to school…”

“That ain’t funny.”

“Your oatmeal could patch the sole of my shoe.” Daisy began laughing.

“Yeah, sure fixed my high heel,” Daisy replied.

“That ain’t funny,” Luke grumbled.

“Sure it is, cousin, you could kill a donkey with your stewed prunes.”

“Probably rip his teeth right out,” Bo added. They began to laugh. Luke seemed ready to pop. “Don’t worry, Miss Tizdale said she would come over and give some cooking lessons.”

“How’d you get her to do that?” Jesse questioned as he set the suitcases down. Bo smiled. “You didn’t…”

“I sure did. I gave her my word and you know…”

“A Duke never breaks his word. You owe me big for that one.”

“Boy do I ever.”

“Now boys, I want you to look after each other. Luke, make sure Bo goes to school on time.”

“Yes sir,” Luke replied.

“Dana next door needs someone to mend her roof. I offered you two up.”

“Well that ain’t a problem,” Bo answered. He scratched his chin. “I’ll do it after school—I can handle that job myself. I have seen the hole.”

“Her husband is out of town Bo.”

“I know.”

“He will be back next Thursday.”

“I know.”

“She’s pregnant.”

“We know,” Bo and Luke said at the same time.

“I know you boys know but, she is due any time now. I want you to keep an eye on her. If she feels too lonely, get her to come and stay with us. I don’t like thinking of her by her lonesome. Dana has been good to the Duke family.”

“You don’t have to worry about a thing,” Luke reassured his uncle. Jesse didn’t seem to won over but then again, neither would I. This is Hazzard County ladies and Gentlemen. Hazzard always bring trouble. The people who stir up the majority of it is the Duke Boys.

“Uh huh.” Bo smiled as he high fived Luke. “You boys are goanna give my white hairs grays.”

“Not if we turn them white first,” Bo answered. Luke tried to hold the laugh in but couldn’t. Jesse gave Bo the look. He straightened up and tried to present himself like a gentleman.

“Now, y’all please do your best for me, please.” Bo nodded and Luke winked. “I mean it now. Please try and not start anything you can’t finish.”

“Yes sir.”

“Don’t worry Uncle Jesse, I have Cooter some emergency bail money,” Luke reassured him.

“Now don’t you dare get—get old Cooter into one of your messes. He is a father now,” Jesse scolded the boys.

“Come on, it’ll be okay, I promise,” Bo mumbled. Jesse rolled his eyes as he got in the car. He started it up and began to drive. Well we’ll see you later Jesse and Daisy. Hopefully they don’t go through too much trouble.

2

Well you should see Bo and Luke travel together. They are quite the team. Who is behind them? Enos this time—he doesn’t look too thrilled to be chasing the Dukes though. Luke is driving this time.

“Now why do I have to sit in the passenger’s seat?” Bo questioned. Luke shook his head as he smiled. “You know, I am a better driver out of the two of us.”

“Look, Uncle Jesse said make sure you go to school. I am goanna make sure you do—even if that means taking you myself,” Luke replied.

“Well I could have driven myself, I ain’t an indolent moron.”

“First off nice new word.” Luke took a jump and landed right on the ground. Enos did the same thing.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Second of all…”

“You burnt your hand on the stove this morning.”

“Only because you scared me, Luke Duke—you and that megaphone.” Bo got in the back seat of the car. “You didn’t have to use it in the house. Especially while I was cooking.”

“Well it is cool. It will work well for the day camp this summer.” Luke jumped over Danny’s house and beeped the horn. Danny ran out of the house. He jumped in the window and moved into the back.

“Hey Luke, why are you driving?” Danny questioned.

“Uh…”

“Long story Danny,” Bo replied.

“I see,” Danny answered.

“It ain’t that long of a story. Bo was making muffins for breakfast. As he went to take them out, I used my megaphone in the house. I frightened him and he blistered his hand,” Luke cut in.

“How bad is it?” Bo pulled off the gauze and showed Danny. The skin was dark cherry on the outside. There was a big white blister on the inside. “Owe.” Danny rubbed his own skin as Bo put the white bandage down. He pressed on the tape.

“Tell me about it,” Bo replied.

“Hold on y’all,” Luke announced.

“You don’t have to tell us.” There was Hazzard Pond. Luke went over it with ease. Enos sank in the water. Luke stopped the car to see if he was okay. Enos got out with ease.

“Sorry Bo.”

“About what?”

“Burning you.”

“You didn’t burn me, the stove did.”

“Well sorry just the same.”

“Luke, don’t feel bad about it. My hand is okay. It’s just a blister. A little bit of swelling.” Luke beeped the Dixie Horn again, Lynn came out and got into the front.

“Hey, why is Luke driving?” Lynn asked. Danny and Bo started laughing. “What?”

“Don’t worry about it Lynn.”

“Alright Bo.” They made it to school. Luke sighed. He really did feel bad for Bo’s burn. He didn’t want to say anything else. Instead, he drove home.

Luke worked excessively in the fields. He was doing pretty good but knew he needed a break. As he walked over, there was Dana, standing there. Luke smiled at her and offered her a seat in the house.

Dana put her feet up. “I’m sorry Luke, I just don’t like being alone for so long. Patrick normally doesn’t go away for that long—I am worried about him,” Dana said.

“It’s okay,” Luke replied. He grabbed the ice cream and took out cheese wiz. “I am glad you came. I don’t have to be alone all day working on the farm.” Luke began to spread the Cheese Wiz on top of the Ice Cream.

“I don’t know, maybe I am worrying for nothing.” Luke handed her the bowl. “Thanks, I have been craving this all day.”

“You’re welcome.” Luke sighed. He got himself a bowl of regular ice cream. “Dana, I would always keep myself worried…keeps you from making dumb mistakes.”

“You think so Luke?”

“I know so.” Well he certainly knows how to comfort her. “Look, we’ll look for him…Bo and me.”

“Thank you both…God bless you.” Luke smiled. They continued eating their ice cream. Now I wonder what is going on…don’t you?

3

“Are you sure it was a good idea to leave her alone with Lynn? I mean she ain’t exactly the baby type,” Bo commented. Luke turned the corner.

“Well Danny offered to take the roof off of our hands and someone needs to stay with Dana,” Luke answered.

“You just had to choose Lynn. Hello, have you ever seen Cooter with a pregnant woman? He doesn’t know what to say to her. Lynn is just like him.”

“So?”

“So, she’ll say something wrong.”

“Bo, stop thinking so negatively and concentrate.” Luke thought for a minute. He snapped his fingers. “Bo, we have got to check the airport logs.”

“Just how are we goanna do that?”

“Well considering you is injured, I’ll be the diversion and you look at the records.”

“Great, I wish we could have it the other way around.”

“Well next time don’t burn yourself.” Bo rolled his eyes. Luke snuck in and looked at the security guards. He smiled at them. “How are y’all doing?”

“Okay,” All of them said at the same time.

“Do y’all like your hats?” They all looked at each other. Luke pulled each hat off their head. He began to run with them. All the guards followed with ease. Bo smiled and shook his head.

He looked at the computer and began typing in different passwords until he got in. “Ah, I wish Daisy was here,” Bo grumbled. He began to type some more. “Ah here we are, Patrick Lopez—came in this afternoon at nine AM. Dang, right on time. Then where is he?”

Bo snuck around the counter and back outside. He hit the Dixie horn. Luke stopped running. He handed the hats back to one of them. “I’m sorry boys, I didn’t mean to be such a pest, can y’all forgive me?” Luke questioned.

They all nodded their heads. Luke got in the driver’s seats. He smiled. Luke slowly made his way back to the General Lee. Bo was applying some polysporn to his wound.

“Hey Luke, welcome back to the great General Lee, cousin!” Bo exclaimed. He took out a piece of gauze from the medical kit they had in the General Lee.

“Dang, no wonder you like distraction patrol. I had great fun being childish,” Luke replied.

“You know it is a hard job.” Bo bit the tape with his teeth, applying it to the four sides of the wound. “Someone has to do it. I am glad you had good times.”

“Okay but what did you find out?”

“He is in Hazzard. However, he didn’t come home at all. His plane was in this morning.”

“This is too weird for words. Come on, if he was in, where would be the first place he would go?”

“Dana said that Patrick usually goes to fill up.”

“So…?”

“So, let’s talk to Dodger…he’s working today ain’t he?”

“Yup.”

“Can I drive?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“You burned your hand.”

“The top of my hand that doesn’t affect how I’ll drive.”

“You still burned it.” Bo rolled his eyes. “So if you will kindly move over to the passenger’s side…”

“I don’t think so.” Bo started up the engine. He began to drive. Luke shook his head.

“You are…”

“Stubborn?”

“Yeah.” Bo laughed.

“I guess that was just how I was raised.” Luke sight and smiled. He shrugged, leaning back. “Besides that, pity is not what we like in our house.”

“Sorry Bo, I just feel responsible.”

“Well when I am truly ailed then you can feel sorry for me.” They continued driving for a while, finally reaching The Davenport Garage. Now, Dodger was working away like always.

He was doing a good job on this car. It was one of these high priced new fangled ones. Dodger loved it. Cooter would have drooled over it. Now this guy was just thrilled Coot and Lynn were off to a car show or he would not have had such a treat.

“What can I do for y’all?” Dodger asked without looking up. Bo and Luke looked at each other. They smiled. “Well, are you goanna just stand there or are you goanna tell me Luke?”

“How did you…?” Luke began.

“Hey, my brother is teaching me the mastery of cars and their drivers.” Luke tapped his foot on the floor. “Alright, I heard the Dixie Horn all the way down the bend.” Now see what a little foot tapping can arrange?

“Patrick…”

“Lopez?”

“Yeah.”

“Zoomed through here at ten AM…went off towards the Lopez farm.”

“Thought so.”

“Why?”

“Well…he’s missing.”

“Hey side banana, why ain’t you talking about this?”

“Enjoying being the side banana for once, why do you ask Dodger?” Bo returned. Luke and Dodger were laughing it up. Bo winked and smiled. He was being his usual playful self.

“Okay, so why did you wanna know about Lopez?”

“He’s not back yet.”

“Woe, hold the phone now. He’s always back at the same time when he goes on these trips to see his brother. Every single time, Patrick comes home and gasses up and every time he calls your place to make sure all is well.”

“None of that happened, Dodger,” Luke cut in.

“Well, I wonder—what is happening?”

“Cooter hasn’t seen any strange characters hanging around here, has he?”

“Nah, it has generally been me all day.” Dodger scratched his go-tee. He pushed his hat up, making the Duke boys in more plain view. “You know, now that you mention it…there was some fella coming around here.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, he said he was some friend of Patrick but I don’t know, he seemed kind of shady to me.”

“Where do you think he went?”

“Probably back to his hideout I guess.” Dodger was in the stupor of thought. “Wait a minute, he did have a mucky residue in his tires.” Luke snapped his fingers.

“The swamp.” Bo shook his head.

“Great, we’re never goanna get through there without getting lost.”

“Well we have got to try. Dana’s baby is coming soon and…” Bo began.

“You think I don’t know that? I wanna find him just as bad as you do but we’re goanna need some help.”

“From who?”

“Cousin Alice’s Granddaughter.” Bo shook his head.

“Oh no, last time we got help from them we…”

“Bo, you know they are the only ones that can guide us through the swamp.”

“I ain’t going anywhere with her.” Now once you have made up a Duke’s mind, there ain’t no way of going back. Bo wasn’t goanna go for no one.

“Fine, I’ll take Danny.” Bo nodded sharply. He laughed as he shook his head.

“What?”

“We’re goanna have to wait until tomorrow before you can even find cousin Mandy.” Luke rolled his eyes and laughed. “Well I am right ain’t I?”

“Well see y’all tomorrow, bright and early. I’ll give you the motor to my boat,” Dodger cut in.

“Thanks Dodger,” Luke replied.

“Come on y’all, you know it ain’t a problem.”

“It is when Luke is driving the boat,” Bo cut in.

“Hey…” Luke began.

“I was only kidding.”

“Yeah sure.”

“Dodge, I am sure he’ll only break the boat once.” Luke glared at his cousin. Now, wasn’t this goanna be interesting? I can’t wait to see what happens. Can you? Hold onto that remote and don’t change the channel, ya hear?

4

“Bo—I…” Dana began. Bo’s eyes widened. “Sorry, I didn’t think they were contractions because of last night and…” Dana winced in pain.

“How many minutes apart?” Bo questioned.

“Two.”

“Great, we’re giving birth here. Just one problem.”

“What’s that?”

“I ain’t ever done this before.” Dana screamed this time as the pain was more intense. “Oh good gravy, we’re in trouble.”

“Do you think you can…”

“I have to.”

“Alright, what do we do?”

“First—we get you back to bed.”

“And then?”

“We call Uncle Jesse.”

“Jesse?”

“He’s the best at delivering babies.” Bo grabbed the portable phone and helped Dana all at the same time hopefully getting the young woman back before anything major happened.

She hopped into bed. Bo began dialing in desperation. When he got the answering machine, Bo slammed down hard on the bed. He needed someone, anyone to help him. Bo snapped his fingers. He began dialing.

“Hello, Hogg Residence, Daisy speaking how can I help you sugar,” Daisy commented.

“Daisy, I need your help this woman is in labor and Uncle Jesse ain’t answering and…”

“Woe, hold it. It’s okay Bo. I know what to do.”

“You’re my hero.”

Meanwhile, far in the swamp, we meet Miss Mandy Harrington. Now, she is a relative of the Dukes. By some miracle, Alice got married. She had her baby, Bonita Duke—for short they called her Bo—after the one she wanted to marry.

Now Bonita chased after Jesse Duke. And Mandy—well, you get the idea. They seemed to want to have the cute Duke men. Hoping that since they was distant enough maybe the bride would be her. Well good luck.

So the fact that Bo wasn’t there, really seemed to help things. “You ain’t as pretty as your cousin,” Mandy announced. She smiled. “I didn’t say you were any less pretty neither.” Luke pulled at his collar.

“Well…we have a job to do cousin Mandy—let’s get it done before we talk about my beautifulness.”

“Whatever you say, Luke, you will say hi to Bo for me won’t ya? I mean you always tell the truth.”

“We don’t have time for this foolishness.”

“Well I wanna know that you’ll tell him. Oh, say to him that we need to wrassle.”

“Sure cousin Mandy, I promise. Now can we keep going?”

“Yup.” They walked further and further into the swamp. Now there was the house they wanted. Mandy knew it all too well. The Debris abandoned it when the revenuers came. Luke rubbed his hands together.

“What do you think Danny?”

“I think that this would be the perfect place for a hideout,” Danny replied, looking at the smoke. Luke nodded. Danny began to peer around the place. “You notice how the birds are steering clear? Someone disturbed the nest over there.”

“Yeah, I see it.”

Back at the farm, Dana began screaming and Bo joined him. “I ain’t ever goanna look at a woman the same again!” He exclaimed.

“Calm down Bo, it’ll be okay,” Daisy tried to reassure him over the phone.

“Calm! Daisy, this is as calm as it gets!”

“Well work harder, scaring Dana ain’t goanna help that baby come out any faster.”

“Yeah—I figured that.”

“Come on Bo, concentrate.”

“I am working on it.”

Now Luke had better hurry up, babies wait for no man. Speaking of which, Luke and Danny were assessing the situation. “You mean this place is being guarded by one man?” Danny questioned.

“Can I wrassle him?” Mandy asked.

“Mandy you—yes you can,” Luke announced. Mandy rubbed her hands together. She rammed the door down also hitting the man who was holding Patrick. The gun flew out of his hand.

“Why did you let her do that?” Danny questioned.

“Figured she could take him out in one hit. My cousin wrestles grizzlies bigger than that,” Luke replied. Danny began laughing. He shook his head.

“You know, I love you Dukes—and your kin.”

“I love us too.”

“Now you’re starting to sound like Bo.” Luke smiled.

“Someone has to.” They walked in as they saw Mandy right on top of him.

“Yeah, it ain’t the same without him on one of the many adventures.”

“I got him Luke,” Mandy announced.

“Yeah, I see that,” Luke replied.

“Good work Mandy,” Danny added. Luke and Danny walked over to Patrick. Danny pulled his knife out of his pocket and cut away at the ropes. Luke took the gag out of his mouth.

“Oh man, am I glad to see you three. I thought I was a goner,” Patrick announced.

“Patrick, I know this ain’t my business but do you know why you were kidnapped?” Luke questioned.

“Yeah, that man over there is named Billy Anderson.”

“The corporate show off?”

“Yeah…I went to New York every year to visit my brother…”

“Like you always do.”

“Uh huh, when I went a few years ago, I met Dana who was living there at the time. I fell in love with her and knew I had to marry her. However, Billy was engaged to her.”

“And he wanted her back even after all the years you have lived here.” Patrick nodded.

“Well he won’t be bothering you anymore,” Danny said.

“Yeah, he’s mine now,” Mandy said. She began petting his head.

“You can keep him.”

“Dang, really Luke?”

“Really,” Luke replied. They walked out of the cabin with Danny, Patrick, Luke, Billy and Mandy—this was one adventure I am glad I got through. After showing the boys where their boat was, the two made their way back.

“Bye Luke, bye Danny,” Mandy yelled.

“Bye Mandy,” they both said at the same time.

“Say Bye, Billy.”

“Bye, bye,” Billy yelled hesitantly.

“Mama’s goanna love you.” Billy’s eyes shifted as they walked away.

“I don’t love you.”

“You’ll learn.” Well now, if there ain’t goanna be a shotgun wedding here then I am loosing my grip on Swamp traditions. I wouldn’t be surprised if mama moved to New York with Billy and Mandy.

Well, don’t worry, they will have a good life together. Mandy is a good woman. As for Patrick and Dana’s life…well, come on y’all, follow me back to Hazzard’s famous Duke Farm.

There she was, Dana’s baby girl. They were laying there in bed. Luke stared at Bo. “How in the world did you…” He began. Patrick held onto his wife, kissing and hugging her. Bo and Luke walked out of the room, leaving them to cleave to each other.

“Luke, I don’t know about women,” Bo announced.

“Well this is a first.”

“No really, I don’t know how they do it. Men think they have so many problems.”

“Well…”

“Dang, she pushed and pushed.”

“I know.”

“She kept on going when she thought she couldn’t. Dana was amazing.” Luke smiled at his cousin.

“You know, I think of how our mothers did when they gave birth. How they must have felt when they saw us. They would give anything for us.” Bo sighed.

“Your mother gave up her life for me.” Luke put a hand on his cousins shoulder. Now friends, don’t worry about Bo. He is thrilled to have his cousin. Got to love the love in Hazzard County.

THE END.

Embracing Her

by: Essy Jane

Welcome to Hazzard County y’all. Yeah I know, you love me. I am too much to resist. It must be my deep voice that attracts you. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be shy about it. I am a good storyteller and one heck of a singer—don’t ya think?

Oh you came for the Duke Boys? Well that’s okay, I ain’t head banana and I don’t plan to be. So what is today’s tale about? Well wouldn’t you like to know? Oh you would? Sorry, I was being a little bit cheeky.

This story is a love story. I know, you have probably heard enough about all that love. Really though, this is about the normal girl and a boy—well Hazzard Style. So just pay attention now, I can’t explain everything three times for you.

Well you see that girl over there? You know, walking along the dirt road? Yeah, the one with the blonde hair. I am sure you can see her. She is the only one walking on the road.

Well, I know she’s not a Duke but she does have a big part in this story. Now, I suppose you wanna know who she is. Meet Lynn Franklin. Now this particular girl, who has blue eyes, is extremely different from most of the people you’re goanna meet.

Lynn is an orphan. Seriously, her parents are no where to be found. Yeah I know what you’re thinking and I would be thinking it too. That’s not too unusual, for Hazzard County.

After all, Bo is an orphan too. For those who don’t know about this story, I will fill you in. You know, just so you don’t get lost. Both of his parents were killed in a car wreck.

He lived with his Aunt, Jessie Duke who was a great mom to him until—well she passed. Cameron was too selfish to keep his kids not to mention his nephews so he gave them away.

Anyway, Bo soon moved in with someone who would be a friend and a father to him. He loved Jesse Duke more than anything. What was nice was, Jesse loved him and Luke just as much. He was thrilled to have them over.

Now friends, fairytale endings don’t happen to everyone. You know that as well as I do. Although in Hazzard, we love the successful conclusions. The happy ending makes every person feel good.

However, Lynn lives in a Group home—or lived in a Group home rather. This girl hates it there. She doesn’t like the children. Most of the people living there tease her. Why? Lynn is smart. She is in Grade twelve and she’s only fifteen.

When Lynn was a baby, the poor girl was left in a garbage can. A nurse found her and took her right to social services. Now imagine this…you don’t know who your family is. You have no idea whatsoever. Now wouldn’t that be a kicker?

She has never had a family picnic. Lynn has never gone on a father daughter fishing trip. She has always wanted to stay in one place longer than three months. However, they always moved her about.

It wasn’t because she was a bad kid. No, it was because they really needed the space for certain children. Lynn was the only one willing to move.

She had been all around the United States. Lynn loved to travel. However, the last home just seemed to take too much out of her. The bad kids seemed to harp on her. Lynn fought well for herself.

On the other hand, that wasn’t her only problem. Nope, this poor girl had a problem with her newest group home. They wanted to get her out of there. Some of the Group homes were like that.

Justin and Kim were the group home leaders. They didn’t like Lynn’s attitude. They continuously taunted her, telling Lynn to hit them. She couldn’t take it anymore. So, Lynn decided to make herself go missing.

If I was treated in such a fashion, I don’t know what I would do. I had a good loving family who loved me. After that, I had Jesse Duke as family. Now I don’t know about Lynn but I would feel a lot of pain.

Some people take it out in anger. Lynn takes it out on cars. No, not destroys them—fixes them. Lynn is quite the handy girl. She loves vintage cars. Anything older makes her mouth water.

So when she saw the General Lee driving down the road with police cars following, you had better believe she was attracted to it. Lynn smiled at Bo. Now when you’re a girl, you should never smile at a driving Duke. Especially when this Duke is Bo Duke.

Bo took an immediate turn. He made a leap in the General Lee, putting Roscoe up in a tree when he jumped. Bo then turned right beside this young woman.

“You want a lift ma’am?” Bo questioned her. Lynn smiled. His face was so bright and cheery. She loved it. Maybe this Hazzard County was the place for her.

“Y’all are running from the law. What makes you think I wanna drive with you?” Lynn questioned, lightheartedly.

“Well you see ma’am…” Luke began.

“You don’t have to say a thing. I saw him change the sign back there.” Luke smiled.

“So you don’t mind driving with us then?”

“Nope.”

“Hotdog! Get in miss…” Bo began.

“Lynn.” Bo shrugged. Luke moved into the back. Lynn climbed in the window.

“How did you…?”

“Oh come on, I know a race car when I see one. You have a V8 engine under there don’t you?” Bo began to drive again as Enos began to chase the Dukes.

“That’s right. We work really hard on this car to make him stay up to date.”

“Uncle Jesse would club us one if we didn’t,” Luke added.

“What are your names by the way?” Lynn questioned. Luke smiled.

“Well I am Luke and this here is my cousin Bo.”

“It is nice to meet both of you.”

“Where are you staying Miss Lynn?”

“Well uh…”

“You’re staying with us,” Bo remarked.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Dang right we are. There’s no way Uncle Jesse would let us dump you on the street now,” Luke cut in.

“Uncle Jesse?”

“You’ll like him, don’t worry about it.”

“Thanks—thank you so much.”

“Don’t even mention it, Lynn. You know, you will be just like a part of the family.” Lynn smiled. She was so pleased to have these two strangers around. I would be too.

2

Now bringing this young woman home wasn’t goanna be all easy. Uncle Jess—I mean Jesse Duke didn’t mind having the company at all. However, he didn’t like liars and Lynn didn’t make a very good start.

“Hold it, you’re not 18—you are…15 years old ain’t you?” Uncle Jesse said as he looked closely at Lynn. She rolled her eyes. Lynn headed for the door. “Where are your folks?”

“If I had any, I would tell ya,” Lynn answered. She felt bad for lying—she just didn’t wanna be reported.

“You know, I can take a lot of gunk from people. Lying ain’t one of them.”

“Well I am telling the truth, sir.” Jesse looked into her eyes and smiled at her. Lynn’s head lowered as if she had killed someone.

“I believe you.”

“Look Mister Duke, I really am sorry. I didn’t wanna lie, I just wanted to stay here.”

“I know—just don’t lie to me again.”

“Yes sir.”

“Now, you live with a foster family then or do you…”

“Group home for now. They were in the process of moving me. However, I couldn’t stay. They weren’t the nicest people around here.”

“Well—I suppose until we figure this out, you can stay with us. However, you will have to be in school if you’re under my roof. What grade are you in?”

“Grade twelve.”

“You are fifteen and in grade twelve?” Daisy asked.

“Yes, you can make me take a test if you want, Daisy. But I am in Grade twelve,” Lynn replied.

“I don’t care what grade you’re in Lynn as long as you go to school,” Jesse cut in.

“Well she’s in luck, Lynn you’re in all of my classes then,” Bo commented. Lynn smiled. She liked Bo’s personality for sure. He seemed to have a great wit about him. Lynn loved having him around.

“Well why don’t you show her around town? Tomorrow we’ll take her to the school and enroll her.”

“Okay Uncle Jesse.”

“Actually, if you don’t mind, I would rather stay and help on the farm. Daisy is somewhat incapacitated and I know y’all could use the hand,” Lynn announced.

“Really?” Daisy questioned.

“Sure, why not. I would love to help out around here.”

“You are one good egg, Lynn.” Well you know that did it. Lynn smiled at Daisy. “You might turn out to fit in here.”

“I hope so.” Daisy laughed.

“Come on, there’s nothing to be worried about.”

“Sure there is.”

“Pray that social services don’t find her here,” Luke grumbled.

“Well Luke, we’ll deal with that when it comes. For now, we’ll make our house guest as comfortable as possible,” Jesse answered his nephew.

“I guess but I am still worried about it.”

“So are we but worrying ain’t goanna make it better,” Daisy commented.

“Yeah, I remember when we worried about Daisy staying here,” Bo added.

“And look, I am still here.” Lynn smiled. She loved having the Duke family around her. Mostly because they gave her hope. Hopefully she would be able to stay.

Meanwhile, in town, Roscoe was being pulled in by Dodger. Now friends, he don’t look too happy. Them boys really did do a number on him. I wouldn’t be too happy either.

“So do you wanna have a new one this time?” Dodger asked merrily.

“You hush Dodger!” Roscoe exclaimed. The younger of the two Davenports couldn’t help but laugh.

“Easier said than done, Roscoe, you know that as well as I do.” Dodger opened the door and got out.

“You’re not nice, Davenport, not at all.”

“Sure I am.” He walked around and leaned on the passenger window. “Besides, discovering a new species of bird, I was thrilled, the Coltrane.” Roscoe began waving his fist.

“I should write you a ticket for assaulting an officer.”

“You mean insulting and no, that category doesn’t exist.” Roscoe crossed the street, leaving Dodger to himself. Now, the State police were just collecting up the money that good ol Bo and Luke called about.

That meant good things for Roscoe. There was Sally standing there in uniform. She was talking with Enos. Roscoe cleared his throat. She looked up at him.

“Good morning Sally Hunter,” Roscoe announced. Sally smiled. There was nothing better for her than to see this wonderful man, this Roscoe.

“Why hello there Roscoe,” Sally replied.

“How are you doing?”

“I can’t complain. Work has been fun…especially around Hazzard County.” That was what was funny about good ol Sally. Now this gal wanted to see Roscoe so she volunteered to make any and all trips to Hazzard.

“Well Hazzard is a special place.” They seemed to be connected no matter where good ol Sally was. “People find it to be—amazing.”

“Well tourism has gone up quite a bit.”

“Yeah, Jesse’s book about his family has given us a lot more people. Baddies love to hide here but they can’t hide from the Sheriff, Khee.”

“Roscoe, you are such a cutie pie.”

“Well I try to be.”

“You are succeeding.”

“One of these days we will be married.” Sally laughed. “No really, I will get you a big ol ring and you can have Daisy as your maid of honor. Ooo, and Flash as a bridesmaid.”

“You never know.” Her partner tapped her on the shoulder. “Dang, time to go—well until we meet again huh?”

“I wish you would stay.” Sally laughed as she shook her head. “I miss you Sally.”

“I know, I will be back again.” Sally kissed him on the cheek. She blushed and walked out the door. Now friends, Roscoe looks like he saw his first car.

I guess love is love. Luke and Bo found it with the General Lee. Daisy found it with Dolly. Roscoe has met someone special. Nothing will ever change that.

Sally sighed, not wanting to leave yet but she knew that she had to. Sally tried to put on a smile. She walked out. Roscoe followed, watching as she got into his car. He sighed.

3

Boss Hogg marched out and stood beside Roscoe. “Oh forget about that danged fool of a woman for five minutes. We have plenty of work to do,” Boss Hogg growled. He signaled for Roscoe to follow him.

“What kind of work?” Roscoe asked. He walked into the police department side. Roscoe followed Boss Hogg into his office. Boss sat down in his chair and turned to the filing cabinet.

“You know your fat sister is trying to starve me?”

“Leila means well.”

“I ain’t going on a diet. You better talk her out of it or I am taking my lunch money out of your pay.” Roscoe looked confused.

“Why my pay?”

“You’re her brother ain’t you?”

“Yeah but…”

“Well you should know how to control her from these urges.”

“She’s concerned about it.”

“I don’t care, you stop it or else.” Roscoe gulped hard. Boss Hogg pulled out a large sandwich and rubbed his hands together. “Now, we get to the real business.”

“You’re goanna share your sandwich?”

“Don’t be ridiculous Roscoe.”

“Can I just sniff it?”

“No, you ain’t a dog.” Boss took a bite and began chewing it well. “Now, here’s the deal, I looked up something in Jefferson Davis’ schemes.”

“Ooo, I love his schemes little fat buddy.” Roscoe pinched Boss’ cheeks. Boss Jacob-Daley Hogg didn’t like this. He slapped his brother-in-law.

“I hate when you do that.”

“Sorry Boss.”

“Anyway, I hired men.”

“Are they smart?” Boss Hogg rolled his eyes. “Well you should hire smart men…especially street smart.”

“I ain’t a moron.” Boss Hogg took another bite of his sandwich. He chewed pretty quickly. “You know, we need some good money.”

“For your food?”

“That’s right, for my food. Now, they’re sending money for…” Boss swallowed hard. “Burning.”

“I hate when that happens.”

“So do I, waste of good cash. So I have decided that we’re goanna do something smart. We’re goanna keep the money.”

“Boss I ain’t no genius…”

“No you ain’t.”

“Ain’t the bank goanna give you new money to replace the old stuff?”

“Oh of course they are pea brain.” Boss Hogg pulled out a two quart bottle of soda. “But, we can claim that it was stolen.” He grabbed a large cup and filled it full, sipping it slowly.

“By who?”

“Who do we always blame?”

“Ah…the Duke Boys?”

“The Duke Boys, exactly.”

“There’s just one problem with your plan.”

“What?”

“When the money is taken in, Bo Duke is in school.” Boss Hogg shook his head as he took another bite.

“For once you are right.” Boss Hogg slammed his fist on the desk. “How are we goanna change it?”

“I don’t know, unless the school is flooded in two weeks I…” Boss Hogg snapped his fingers.

“I got it! We cause a flood in the school in two weeks.”

“Well who is goanna do that?” Boss Hogg looked at Roscoe and smiled.

“You are, bonehead.”

“Oh Boss do I have to?” Boss Hogg shook his head yes. Well now that is just dirty. Those boys are in for a roller coaster ride and they don’t even know it. Watch out y’all, this is goanna be dangerous.

4

Now when Lynn signed up for these classes, she was given an option that she thought was neat. Lynn was allowed to go and work in the garage with Cooter and Dodger. Not a bad idea huh?

Lynn could outwit any of the boys in her mechanics class—well except Bo Duke. No one could beat Bo Duke. Well then again, he lives and breathes cars. Bo is in love with the General Lee.

Despite Bo’s abilities with cars, Lynn came pretty close. They seemed to be within seconds of each other. Fixing up cars was nothing for either one of them.

Even the teacher had problems keeping up with Lynn and Bo. Now friends, that is extraordinary in this County. I already knew they were good. That’s why Bo and Lynn were allowed to go to The Davenport Brother’s garage.

Now both Dodger and Cooter didn’t mind them being there at all. It was like having the ultimate sets of hands. Bo was working on Miss Tizdale’s motorcycle. He was almost finished it.

Cooter was working on Roscoe’s police car. He was far from done but that was okay. He enjoyed looking at all the damage Bo and Luke did to the car. This time, they did quite a number on it.

Dodger was on the phone trying to get some new parts. “No, I didn’t say I wanted a fella, I said I wanted some metal…you know, with a T…no, you know the type. I also need some mufflers…MUFFLERS, not muffins,” Dodger was saying.

“Y’all should go to a different parts store,” Bo commented.

“Nah, the guy just needs a new hearing aid,” Cooter told him.

“Well he should get one right quick.”

Lynn couldn’t help but laugh. She was working on her own project in the corner. Lynn was playing with the blow torch welding something for the car she just fixed…Leila’s. She finished, pulling up the helmet.

Lynn took the piece she had just created and put it in water. The heat sizzled the water just lightly. It was a rose with Leila’s name on it. She grabbed a towel and dried it.

“So Lynn…when do you get your driver’s license?” Cooter asked. Lynn grabbed the car glue.

“Well, actually, I am ready to take it now but I don’t turn sixteen until next week,” Lynn replied.

“What’s with the knowledge of cars?”

“When I was younger, I used to race. My foster parents were really in it. I have trophies all over the place at my group home. All saying first place.”

“Woe, that mean’s you’re…”

“Looney Lynn?”

“Yeah.”

“They said that Looney Lynn was a natural born driver. She broke…”

“Every single record.”

“And then…”

“My foster parents died and I was sent to a new place. They wouldn’t let me race. Didn’t care to follow me around all over the US.”

“Looney Lynn was no more.”

“Dang, I knew it. There was something about you,” Bo said from the corner. He started Miss Tizdale’s motorcycle. It purred like nothing. He turned it off.

“Where did you get the nickname anyway?” Cooter questioned before Lynn could say anything to Bo.

“Well, during my first race, my breaks failed,” Lynn began.

“Dang.”

“I crashed into a chain linked fence. When I woke up, I was next to a Canadian who was hurt in a car wreck.”

“Woe.”

“Yeah. She gave me a Looney—a Canadian dollar for luck. We welded it on the front of my car. So from then on it was Looney Lynn.”

“That and you were a crazy driver,” Bo added. Lynn laughed.

“Yes…a little crazy.” Leila walked in and looked at the new chrome rose on the front of her car.

“Lynn—this is beautiful work,” Leila commented.

“Thank you very much.”

“Cooter, if I were you, I wouldn’t let go of this gal.”

“Yeah—I was thinking the same thing,” Cooter answered Leila.

“You know, I wish that everyone was this talented. She is just like you.”

“Only female.” Leila laughed.

“Yes, only in female form.” Lynn smiled. She loved being thought of like Cooter. She and Cooter had shared a special bond. They had so much in common.

“Well I am glad you two are getting along,” Bo said from the corner. He took Miss Tizdale’s bike by the handles.

“You know what? So am I,” Cooter said.

“I hope you two stay friends.”

“Well, I think we can.”

“You mean it?” Lynn asked.

“Of course I do.”

“A lot of people just say they are your friends and then abandon you.”

“Oh come on Lynn, we haven’t ever done that to you,” Bo explained.

“Well you never know with people today.”

“Cooter is kind. He loves meeting new people.”

“I sure do. I wouldn’t lie to such a young lady,” Cooter announced. Lynn’s face lit right up. She couldn’t believe it.

“Well okay then. We’re friends,” Lynn announced.

Lynn was lucky. She really had found her place there. Hopefully it would stay that way. However, she would have a surprise waiting for her after school. Wait and see y’all.

5

The General Lee parked. Bo and Lynn got out of the car. They looked at the social worker who was standing there. Lynn’s head lowered knowing exactly who this was.

Martha and her had been working together for years. Since her favorite parents were killed in a gas explosion, Martha had been her social worker.

“Hello Lynn,” Martha said.

“Hey, how is it going?” Lynn questioned.

“You know, I have been really worried about you.” Lynn rolled her eyes.

“I have been really happy here. Please, let me stay.”

“Please, for once in your life let me finish.”

“Fine.”

“Look, Jesse Duke is a foster parent. He just has never taken anyone in.”

“You mean I can stay?”

“I didn’t say that.” Lynn shook her head. “Look, I know you wanna stay but…”

“But what?”

“Lynn, we have a permanent family who really wants to adopt you.”

“The Ferguson’s? I don’t like them. I already told you that.” Lynn shook her head. “Look, I want to stay here. There are people who care about me.”

“I don’t mind having her here,” Jesse commented.

“I know, you’re only a temporary foster parent. Six months or less,” Martha explained.

“Well then, I’ll keep her for six months. Please Martha, she has grown attached to Hazzard County. Lynn has friends. She is going to school regularly.”

“That is the criteria and I know you know that.”

“Yes I do.”

“Well she still needs permanent residence.”

“What if I could find her a home? Then could she stay?” Lynn’s face lit right up.

“Yes, she should but…”

“Well then, I will look. You give me six months.”

“I will be back soon. If you get one before then…”

“I’ll call you.” Martha handed Jesse her card. “Thank you Martha, you won’t regret this.”

“I know I won’t.” She got into the car and drove off. Lynn looked at Jesse carefully.

“Why?” Lynn questioned.

“Because I care about you a lot. That and you deserve to be happy.”

“Thanks.” Well let’s see if Jesse can find a home for this little gal. Hold on folks, we’ll be praying for her.

6

Bo was sitting there up at the front. Lynn was right beside Danny. They weren’t doing too badly—did I speak too soon? There by Lynn’s feet was the water. You know what that means? Yup, school is goanna be out.

Danny, Bo and Lynn were over the moon with happiness. Although the group loved school immensely, every kid in the world likes when it is let out. Well for now anyway.

“So they said a broken pipe?” Bo questioned as he got in the General.

“Who cares? We’re out of school!” Danny exclaimed.

“I care.” Danny shook his head and rolled his eyes. Now that is something this young man hated about his best friend.

“Look, one minute you say you hate school and the next…”

“Don’t you find this fishy? Middle of the day a pipe bursts? I mean it is…”

“Pipes burst all the time.”

“Bo’s right, it seems too fishy for me,” Lynn commented. Danny rolled his eyes.

“Of course you would agree with him.”

“Seriously…in Montana, I was used to pipes bursting due to the cold.” Lynn took out a ponytail holder and grabbed her long blonde hair. She put it up there without thinking about it.

“So what?”

“Up here there is no reason for it at all. It is pretty warm is it not?” Danny growled.

“Get out. Let’s go research.”

“I thought he would never ask,” Bo said, smiling. Now watch this folks, this is what gets them in trouble. Well that and what is happening on the other side of town.

Riddle for y’all. I am in trouble all the time, I have an orange sign painted above me. Who am I? A Duke, you got it. Now if you add these guys into the situation what do you have? A sitting duck—especially considering they are pointing a gun at Luke’s back.

Now you see Luke’s arms go up. “Don’t try anything, cowboy. Walk into the corner,” The voice said. Luke didn’t look behind him at all. He wished he could see who it was. However, before he could turn around, Luke was bashed in the head by the end of the gun.

The men put him in the car. They began to drive away. Now this looks pretty hopeless. With both sets of Dukes way out there, who knows what will happen. I wanna follow these guys for a minute. I need to know what they are doing with Luke.

Well, they’re stopping so I guess I am about to find out. The two men took Luke out of the car. They set him down. Now he is about a mile from the farm. Now I guess that is okay. Wait, why are they going into his pocket? Uh oh, they’re pulling out the keys.

This ain’t looking good. Nope, if this is goanna turn out how I think it is, Bo and Luke will be in the slammer for a long time and I do mean a long time. I don’t like to think of Hazzard County devoid of a Bo and Luke—that is just weird.

Back at the school, Lynn had just found something. “Bo you have to look at this,” she announced. Bo and Danny both walked over.

“The pipes were hit,” Danny said.

“Whoever did this was aiming to get us out of school. Who would wanna do that?”

“Boss Hogg,” Danny and Bo said at the same time.

“Now that you know who is doing it, we need a motive.”

“Hey Bo, didn’t you say it was laundry day for Boss Hogg?” Danny asked.

“Laundry day?”

“When Boss Hogg has to take his money to be burned and get new money.” Bo smiled and then his face went blank.

“Bo what’s wrong?”

“If I am right Lynn, we’re being framed as we speak,” Bo replied. Yup, Bo’s right.

“Well, you have us to back you up.”

“Boss will say that Danny is my friend and that he would support me no matter what.”

“Well he can’t say that about me.”

“Nope.”

“Good.”

“He’ll say that you are a no good orphan and you can’t be trusted.”

“What are we goanna do then?”

“WE are goanna find Luke.”

“No offense Bo but we don’t have time to do that. What we need to do is get that money back to the bank before it is deemed missing,” Danny cut in.

“What if he is in trouble?”

“Luke is a Duke. You know as well as I do that they haven’t killed him if they’re framing him.”

“But…”

“Bo…”

“Yeah I know.”

“They have probably taken General Lee two to frame him.”

“Fine, what’s the plan, Point Dexter?”

“Uh…”

“Well you know the car, just follow it and shoot dynamite at it. Come on men, why would we need to think? I’ll drive,” Lynn commented.

“You don’t have a license, I’ll drive,” Bo replied.

“Maybe you don’t know that.” Bo gave her the look. “Bo, I can’t shoot an arrow to save my life.”

“Fine, I’ll drive,” Danny commented.

“You? You drive like an old lady,” Bo growled.

“I do not.”

“Come on y’all, I am a good driver,” Lynn announced.

“Fine but if we get caught…”

“Who says they’ll see who I am?” They walked outdoors to the General Lee one. She slid on the hood of the car. Now today boys and girls Miss Looney Lynn Franklin will be the equivalent of Bo—who loves to drive. Bo will be switching roles and shooting arrows.

Lynn put a helmet on her head. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing,” Danny said.

“I do, I have driven before you were issued your license.” Bo put a helmet on his head. “Well shall I hit it?”

“Go ahead,” Bo answered her. Well they were off and I wondered how this was goanna turn out. I can’t look y’all.

The General Lee two was driving along with the two masked men in it. You wouldn’t believe how fast Lynn caught up with them. I guess they don’t call her a crazy driver for nothing.

“Hold her steady Lynn,” Bo commented.

“You got it Bo,” Lynn replied.

“Now watch how a Duke works.” He pushed his way out of the window. Bo grabbed his Bow and arrows. Bo let one fly. As the dynamite went off, the men crashed into a tree.

“Keep showing off.”

“Alright we will,” Danny replied.

“Yeah, Danny and me can handle this one,” Bo added. Danny and Bo got out, ready to punch and kick. They did their job faster than usual. Lynn came out with rope and hog tied the two of them.

“Now look boys, we don’t have room for both of y’all in the car. So we’re goanna have to stick one of ya in the trunk,” Lynn commented. Danny couldn’t help but laugh. Bo walked over to the CB.

“Yo, this lost sheep two calling Crazy Cooter, come back,” Bo said over the CB radio.

“Breaker one, Breaker one, I am surely crazy but I ain’t dumb CRAAAAAZY Cooter comin’ at ya, I got my ears peeled and listening. What do you need good buddy, come back?” Cooter returned.

“Well Coot, we need a tow truck at Possum Hollow. General Lee Two is napping on his side.”

“Well that’s a 10-4. I’ll send ol’ Dodge out to get him. Is Luke alright?” Bo’s eyes shifted.

“He wasn’t in the car. We’re goanna drop off this money and then go and look for him.”

“What money?”

“The money that belonged to the bank, dah!” Cooter’s eyes shifted.

“Okay…”

“Hey Cooter, why can’t you pick up the General Lee two?” Cooter straightened his tie. He put a suit jacket on and did up the buttons.

“Because I ain’t in the office today.”

“Why not?”

“Do I have to tell you everything?” Cooter straightened his suit jacket. He put his hand to his face, smelling his breath. “I am late for an appointment.”

“What kind of an appointment?”

“The kind where you have to leave to get there.”

“I see.”

“Look, I gotta go. I’ll see ya later.”

“Alright, 10-4.” Now this is good. Still, when I first heard this story I wondered why Cooter was in a suit. Don’t worry y’all, all will be answered in a minute.

7

Now Bo dropped Danny off before looking for Luke. He looked high and low. Finally, he thought of where he would drop him off—the Duke farm. Sure enough, Lynn found him hunched over trying to get free from the ropes.

Bo began laughing. He began imitating Luke, moving in the exact way he was. Luke glared at Bo. Now the younger cousin just winked. Lynn couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re not funny, cousin,” Luke told him.

“Well I think I am, cousin,” Bo answered.

“Can you untie me, cousin?”

“Sure cousin. If you tell me I am funny.” Lynn began laughing. Bo smiled.

“Quit showing off.”

“I ain’t showing off.”

“You sure are.”

“Oh boys, settle this like men. Luke, you punch first,” Lynn joked.

“That ain’t funny Lynn.”

“Sure it is, you’re all tied up and you won’t tell Bo he’s funny because of your pride. Now, why don’t you solve this normally and just let go?”

“Well…”

“Come on, Pride doesn’t do anything for anyone.”

“Bo, you’re funny.”

“That’s better Luke,” Bo replied. He took out his knife and cut Luke free. “You know, someone stole the General Lee two.”

“Oh we better go find them.”

“I did.”

“You mean we did,” Lynn cut in.

“Whatever.”

“Well, is he okay?” Luke questioned.

“Luke, I am sure that he will be just fine. Has some owies but I am sure Dodger can fix them.”

“What happened to Cooter?”

“I don’t know, he said he had some appointment over the CB,” Lynn explained.

“That ain’t like Cooter. Who would he be meeting?”

“Beats the heck out of me. We have been busy all evening trying to find you.”

“Why didn’t you jump for help Luke?” Bo questioned.

“Simple, this guy ties a good knot,” Luke answered his cousin. Lynn laughed softly to herself. “No really, I have been working on it all day.”

“You wanna lift?” Bo smiled and Luke couldn’t help but catch on.

“Sure thing but there’s a catch.”

“What?”

“I’m driving.”

“Okay.” Luke crocked an eyebrow. Usually Bo would fight him on it.

“Are you alright?”

“Fine, Luke, just fine.” They got in the General Lee. As they drove back to the farm, there was Martha waiting for them. Lynn swallowed hard. She didn’t understand. Why had Martha come so early for her?

Better yet, why did she have a big smile on her face? Lynn wasn’t ready to leave Hazzard and Martha knew that. How could she stay? Lynn couldn’t help but think it in her mind. Everyone got out of the car, expecting the worst.

“Hello Martha,” Lynn mumbled.

“Hello Lynn,” Martha replied. Lynn sighed she shook her head softly. “What is wrong child?”

“You’re making me leave…you’re going against your promise. Why?”

“Lynn, we found a home for you. It is a good home and…”

“Don’t say anymore Martha, you know as well as I do nothing compares to Hazzard County.”

“Lynn, you need to get in the car,” Jesse announced. Lynn sighed.

“I’ll do it for you.” Lynn got into the black Dodge van. She sighed softly, shaking her head. Lynn really didn’t want to leave her friends.

“Uncle Jesse, how can you let her leave?” Bo questioned.

“Yeah, we love her being around. She saved our bacons,” Luke added.

“She helped me return the money so Boss Hogg wouldn’t frame us.”

“Boys, trust me, this is a good home for her. She won’t be far away,” Jesse commented. The car continued driving.

“You know this ain’t fair.”

“Bo, you know she had to go. It was important. Lynn needed a real home. Staying here the full six months would have made it harder.”

“Yeah but to let her go after two weeks? Now she’s goanna miss out on everything a normal child would have in…”

“Hazzard County is far from normal.”

“I know but…”

“But what? I did my best. I found her a good home. You have to believe in me once in a while.”

“Uncle Jesse, we do believe in you. We’re just goanna miss her,” Luke finished off.

“I know you are boys but like I said she will be really close by.”

“How close is close?”

“Well…” I ain’t goanna spoil this one for you. You’re just goanna have to wait until I wanna tell you. Hold onto your pant legs folks, this could get muddy.

8

Lynn sat in silence as she looked out the window. She saw the trees that she had climbed with Luke. Lynn knew that the young man didn’t want to do it but she knew that Luke needed some fun in his life.

Luke always seemed to want to do practical things. Lynn wouldn’t let him get away with it for one second. She loved pushing ol Luke to do things he wouldn’t do anymore.

As they continued to drive, Martha put a hand on Lynn’s shoulder. The young fifteen year old pulled away. “Happy early birthday, I know it is on Friday,” Martha said.

“Well, I will be celebrating it with strangers,” Lynn grumbled. Martha sighed. She knew nothing that she would say would prepare Lynn for where she was going.

As a promise to Jesse Duke, Martha wasn’t going to tell Lynn the location. She would just have to find that out for herself. It was weird that Jesse would make such a claim for a promise. However, Lynn would like this surprise and Jesse Duke knew it.

Although everything seemed well, this young girl didn’t think it would work out. All Lynn could think about was what she left back on the Duke Farm.

“They really care about you that Bo and Luke,” Martha said, breaking the silence. It was as if she was reading the thoughts of Lynn.

“Yeah they do. I care about them also. And I care about Daisy. She is a good friend to me. I really liked spending time with her. Staying up all night just to help her out,” Lynn answered.

“They’ll always be your friends, no matter where you go to.”

“I know—I just wish I could have had them for a few more weeks before I had to leave.”

“Don’t you think that would have been a lot harder?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well to have someone so loving around here and then to loose them.”

“I don’t think it would have been hard at all.”

“I do. They are good people and to loose the love of good people is…”

“You know, it was like with my fifth foster parents. You know, when they would take me to races and such.”

“They were kind weren’t they?”

“Yeah but like everything else they were taken away from me.”

“Lynn…”

“You don’t understand.”

“I can’t unless you tell me.”

“They were so wonderful. Everything Tina and Burt did for me just made me feel very special. They loved me for being me. They didn’t worry about—about who I was before.”

“I know.”

“They were willing to take me places. Burt and Tina were real parents to me. And…in a split second I lost them.”

“I know it was hard but…”

“No you don’t know.” Lynn’s eyes filled with tears. “You’re taking another place away from me.”

“I am not.”

“Jesse Duke cared about me. He would lay down his life for any of us.” Lynn wiped her face with her sleeve. “Social Services is a mean bunch of people. You know that? They want to hurt everyone.”

“No we don’t.” Martha pulled off at a farm. “We’re here.”

“I thought you were taking me outside of Hazzard.”

“I didn’t say that.” Lynn got out of the car. She closed the door softly.

“Who would…?”

“You’ll see.” She looked at the front door as it opened. A man slowly walked out in a suit. Yes, it was Cooter. Lynn’s eyes widened.

“You know what? I thought about what Leila said. She talked about how I shouldn’t let you go. I didn’t think that you should be anywhere else but Hazzard County. If you’ll have me…” Cooter began.

Lynn wouldn’t let him finish another word. She ran up and hugged him. Cooter smiled. I told you this was a love story. I guess the kind of love was different than you expected huh?

“Oh Cooter, I would be honored to be your daughter,” Lynn announced. She didn’t want to let go of him. I wouldn’t want to either.

I told you we like happy endings…in Hazzard County.

Operation Dig

by: Essy Jane

“How about this one Bo?” Danny asked as he held up a book. Welcome to Hazzard County. Land of the free and home of the strange—well stay awhile and you’ll find out.

“War and peace? Nah, I already read that one remember?” Bo answered.

“We have to hand in this book report.”

“I know, I am the one that is assigning it remember?” Danny rolled his eyes. Well that’s what happens when you wanna play teacher. Bo was really good at it but it didn’t mean that he wanted to keep up with the gag.

“Well tell me prince, how are you supposed to assign one if you haven’t picked one for the whole class to read?” Bo pulled his hair back.

“Teaching class was supposed to be only for a few weeks.” Bo pulled out another book. Not one he was looking for at all. He shook his head, putting it back. “These dang teachers kept me going at it.” Danny began laughing.

“You’re a laugh and a half.”

“It ain’t funny Danny!”

“Well it is your fault you know.” Danny continued to skim through books. As he pulled out one book, it fell apart. Danny picked up the pieces and shook his head.

“That was your fault.”

“Yes, I know.” Danny thought for a minute. He tapped his temple with his pinky. The rest of his fingers were in a fist.

“What are you doing?”

“Thinking.”

“AH FIRE!” Danny glared at his friend. Bo smiled. “It was a joke.

“Dang it, what was I saying?”

“Before or after you destroyed the book?” Danny rolled his eyes. He hated when Bo was in one of those moods. You know, a come back for everything.

“Before the book fell apart.”

“Come on, you murdered a good classic.”

“You didn’t even read the title.”

“I did too.”

“You did not.”

“Come on Bo! What was I saying?

“I’m a laugh and a half—its my fault…”

“Oh yeah! I remember now.” Danny handed the book to the librarian without looking back. She snarled at him but brought the book up to be fixed. “You said you liked teaching and that it was easy.”

“Well I take it back, I am sick of lesson guides and picking books. Leave it to the professionals.” Danny started laughing again. “No seriously, when I am out of school, I will stick to farming.”

“I think you’re too daring for farming.”

“Nah, it keeps you honest.”

“How do you mean?” Danny showed Bo another book. Bo shook his head no.

“Well, when you work you get tired right?” Bo held up a book and Danny shook his head.

“Yeah.”

“Well how much damage can you do when you’re tired all the time?”

“Are you kidding? Take yourself as an example.” Bo laughed.

“You’re right.” Bo laughed. “Perfect.”

“What is?”

“Haven’t you been paying attention? We’re looking for books.” Danny examined the cover.

“It looks like it was homemade.”

“So?”

“So won’t it be hard for the class to read one book between them?”

“We’ll read it in class.” Look how well Bo can solve problems? Not bad for a Duke huh? He had the biggest smile on his face.

“Oh don’t get overconfident, Bo.”

“I ain’t overconfident—just self-satisfied.” Danny rolled his eyes. Sometimes Bo was so childish.

“That means the same thing.” Bo shrugged like Danny’s answer had no significance at all. That kind of angered Bo’s friend—I would be grumpy too though.

“Does it? Does it really?” Bo rubbed his chin. “I had no idea, dear Danny.” Bo winked. Danny slapped his friend in the back of the head.

“Owe that hurt!” Danny laughed. He shook his head.

“Well you earned it Bo.”

“I did not.”

“You wanna make a bet?”

“No.” Danny laughed.

“Smart man.”

“Well not really, I just am on probation and if I gambled illegally, Roscoe would be after me.” Danny rolled his eyes.

“You are…”

“I am without a solution?” Danny shook his head. “Am I unattainable?” Danny shook his head. “Hmm, I need to narrow this down.”

“Yes you do.”

“I am unworkable?”

“No, that’s not it.” Danny and Bo both thought for a minute. A look of clarity came upon Bo’s face.

“Impossible?”

“Yeah, that is the word I was looking for. How did you know?”

“Now this is a trouble-free enlightenment.”

“Just hurry up with it Confucius.”

“Luke says I am impossible all the time.” Danny couldn’t help but laugh at his friend.

“I think that’s why Luke and I get along so well.”

“Thumbs down to that one Danny—you have it all wrong. That’s why we get along so well.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Basically, my theory is the reason why we get along so soundly is because Luke and you are so much alike.”

“I never thought of it that way.” Bo laughed. “What is it now?”

“Oh nothing.”

“Beauregard Duke!”

“Don’t call me by that unpleasant horrifying awful name.”

“What Beauregard?” Bo shuttered and glared at his friend Danny with all his might.

“Yes, that name.”

“Then tell me what you were laughing about.”

“FINE, you’re slow.” Bo ran through the library. Well that is until the librarian caught him.

“No running,” Mrs. Cadre said.

“Yes ma’am,” Bo replied. Yeah I know, you think this ain’t strange. This is two friends interacting. Come on folks, this does have something to do with today’s adventure in Hazzard County, honest. So sit down and eat your popcorn all.

2

Okay, here we go. We’re here in the woods. Oh don’t give me that look either. Many adventurous things happen in the woods. No really, I mean it. Have you ever read Snow White and the seven—uh, little people? Well come on, the world is so technical now.

Anyhow, Daisy and Luke were waiting for the perfect time to strike. You see those two men down there? Well one is named Simon and the other Ormond. They robbed the bank in Capital City.

Now with Bo busy, Daisy and Luke make a good team. She shoots arrows better than the next man. I mean that in the nicest way. Daisy has always had some tomboy in her. From the very beginning she has been working dang hard to keep pretty but able to fight.

Now Daisy had her Jeep and Luke General Lee Two. Therefore if these slick crooks were goanna try and make the slip, they could catch them with ease. Ain’t those Dukes smart now?

“How do you wanna do this?” Daisy asked. Luke thought about it for a second. “You know, the more you think about it the more they’re thinking too.”

“Yeah I know, I just wanna get this right,” Luke replied.

“What is there to get right? You jump, say heehaw and then let out a yehaw or yahoo. You get rid of the guns and fight skin on skin.”

“What would I do without you?” Daisy’s eyebrows rose.

“Who knows, Luke.” They jumped down and looked at their next target. Daisy smiled as she waved. “Heehaw.” The men looked at her. She was a good distraction. “You boys look pretty cute.” They came closer to her.

“Well you look pretty sweet yourself,” Simon commented.

“Glad to be here.” You wouldn’t believe the smile that I see on this boy’s face. “What’s your name stranger?”

“Uh…Simon.”

“I’m Ormond,” Ormond added.

“Well sugars, there is enough of me for both of you. So let’s go for a group hug,” Daisy cut in. She hugged both of them, grabbing their guns from their pockets and throwing them.

Now it was Luke’s turn to come down. Daisy took the smaller of the two, Ormond while Luke handled Simon. “I could have gone for a girl like you,” Ormond said.

“Well too bad honey, I don’t date bank robbers.” She hit him in the face. The guy was flung to the ground. Daisy’s eyebrows went up. She rubbed her hands together.

Luke was doing well also. He kicked the guy down. However, Simon bounced back up. Luke knew what he was doing though. He went right back up, head butting him in the stomach. Now ain’t this a pretty sight.

Daisy managed to get Ormond down to her level which sometimes was a pretty hard thing to do. “So when to I get my kiss?” Ormond asked. She growled. Daisy kicked him down again, she held his neck with her high heel.

“Kiss this,” Daisy grumbled. She got down to his level and punched him in the stomach.

“I like them wild.” Ormond got up. He was still out of breath when Daisy got him again.

“Well then you won’t want me because I ain’t wild sir, I am bad to the bone.”

“Yes, I am sure you are.”

“You should know, you’re worse than I am.”

“How do you figure?”

“You seem like the twisted type to me.”

“Well we’ll just see about that.” This time, Ormond was goanna play it smart. He grabbed some dirt and as he rose, he threw it in Daisy’s face. Daisy could see. He grabbed her and took his pocket knife out.

“Let me go!” He put the knife to her throat.

“Hold it farm boy or the girl gets it.” Luke stopped. He nodded to Daisy. She grabbed his arm and flipped him, getting the knife back. However, Ormond had a plan still. He shoved Daisy. Simon pushed Luke. They headed to their cars.

“Easy huh?” Luke questioned.

“In theory Luke but this is still Hazzard County. You always have to know that there is a back up plan to every plan,” Daisy replied. Luke nodded softly.

“Yeah I get that now.” Luke got up and gave Daisy a hand. “So what’s the plan, Miss Daisy?”

“I know they’re taking Miller Road. I’ll go cross country and cut them off. You keep on them like you’ve never done before.”

“Right on Daisy!” Now this is an adventure. Hang onto your chips and dip folks, you don’t want it to be knocked over now do ya?

3

As they continued to drive, Luke and Daisy got further apart from each other. Luke was well on their tail. However, the gunshot threw the window wasn’t exactly comforting. Yes ladies and Gentlemen, they found their guns before getting back in their cars.

Good for them—not so good for the Dukes themselves. Luke swayed back and forth to avoid anything being shot up. He seemed to be doing a good job. Daisy had managed to get into position.

“Lost sheep one this here is the Bo Peep, I am here, come back,” Daisy told her cousin over the CB. Luke smiled.

“10-4 Cousin, I am waiting for them to stop,” Luke replied. He turned the wheel making sure he covered the south end. Luke smiled as he put down the CB. “Here we go.”

Those guys didn’t stop, no, instead they clipped Daisy’s jeep—knocking it over. Now how can someone do that to Miss Daisy? Don’t worry none though, it caused them to roll their car.

Luke first had to chase down the guys that were running in the car. He noticed they weren’t carrying guns. This was goanna make his job easier. Luke grabbed the rope sitting in the passenger’s seat.

He punched both of them within a matter of seconds. Luke tied them up with ease. He dragged them with him. Sitting them both down by Daisy’s jeep. Luke took the last piece of rope and attached both sets of hands to part of the jeep.

“Daisy, are you okay?” Luke questioned. Daisy looked up at Luke. She shook her head no. “What’s wrong with you?”

“My leg—I think it’s busted,” Daisy answered her cousin. Luke shook his head. He looked at her leg it was stuck in her jeep pretty well.

“How does your neck feel?”

“Fine.” Luke moved his hands up her spine on the back of her.

“Can you loosen these ropes?” Simon asked.

“BE QUIET!” Luke exclaimed. He continued to feel down her spine. “No cracks or swelling. Does anything else hurt?” Daisy pushed back her hair. There was blood rolling down the side of her head. “Dang! This is all my fault.” Daisy laughed.

“No Luke, it was—my plan.”

“How can you laugh at a time like this, you’re hurt.”

“Yeah but alive.” Now Daisy always did have a good way with words.

“I guess you’re right.”

“I know I am. I was lucky they didn’t hit me too hard.” Luke smiled. He took his shirt off and ripped it into strips. “That’s your favorite shirt.”

“You’re more important than a shirt.” Daisy smiled.

“Thanks Luke.” He slowly bunched up a piece of fabric into a ball. He put it on Daisy’s forehead. Luke took the longer strips and used them to hold on the ball of fabric.

“That should stop the bleeding for now.”

“Go call Enos and the tow trucks. You can take me to the hospital.” Luke nodded. He walked over to the General Lee and looked back.

“Are you sure I should leave you alone?”

“Get calling, Luke.”

“Breaker, breaker this is Luke Duke calling our local yokels, either Sheriff Coltrane or Deputy straight. Ya have your ears on, come back?” Luke asked over the CB. For all of those who have problems with their CB lingo, local yokels are the local police.

“This is Enos here Luke, what do you need, come back?” Enos replied.

“Look, we got two goons for you attached to Daisy’s rolled jeep on Miller road. They robbed Capital City bank.”

“That’s a 10-4 Luke, I am on my way.”

“Ah Breaker one breaker one I feel a little crazy but I ain’t all that dumb, crazy Cooter comin’ at ya, did you just say rolled jeep Lucas come back?” Cooter asked, in one breath. Dang that boys is good with his CB talk.

“That’s a 10-4 Cooter, we have that and a pregnant roller skate that the police will need for evidence. Would y’all be so kind as to pick them up?”

“Well 10-4 Luke, I can pick up Dolly and the Volkswagon is Daisy alright, over?”

“Ah…she’s banged up pretty good but she’ll live. I got to get her to the hospital.”

“Dang, ya want a meat wagon?”

“Negative, I’ll drive her myself and Enos can take dumb and dumber to the hospital.”

“I’ll radio Jesse on the regular channel and let him know.”

“10-4 Cooter and out.” Now I bet you’re wondering what these guys and Bo giving a book report assignment have in common…well so do I. I was just told that they were in common. Don’t ask me.

4

Bo, Cooter, Jesse and Dodger rushed into the emergency room. Luke was sitting there shirtless. He looked up at the people who he knew as immediate family.

“Woe, what’s with the stranded look?” Bo questioned his cousin.

“Oh, I used it on Daisy…my shirt I mean,” Luke replied. Bo took of his yellow shirt, revealing the blue one underneath.

“Here, I don’t wanna look at that all day.” Luke smiled, thanking him without words. Now that there is friendship. I know, you don’t get it do ya?

For all those who don’t know Bo that well, let me educate you. When Bo says something like, ‘Here, I don’t wanna look at that all day’, he actually means, ‘You look cold, here, have my shirt.’ Bo just doesn’t wanna look all tender and stuff.

“So how is Daisy?” Jesse asked as Luke buttoned the shirt.

“She’s okay—Daisy’s a tough cookie. She just broke her leg. Doc says she’ll need stitches and a cast. She has a concussion but will be okay,” Luke answered his uncle.

“I hope y’all didn’t do this in vain.”

“Nope, we caught the crooks. Enos came to the hospital and said there was reward money for it and that Daisy and me were getting it.”

“Well we Dukes ain’t in it for the reward.”

“I know that, I talked to Daisy and she said we should give it to the library for new books.”

“Good man.”

“Can I see my cousin already?” Bo questioned.

“Go ahead cousin,” Luke replied.

“How much longer will she be here?”

“They wanna keep her for a couple of hours and then they’ll release her.”

“Good thing.”

“You might as well keep her company. You are the funny one.”

“I sure am.” Bo walked into the room and looked at Daisy. She shook her head.

“What?”

“I must have frightened everyone,” Daisy answered. Bo sat on the edge of her bed.

“Can I sign it?” Daisy laughed as she shook her head. “Come on, I know it is childish but you need something there besides the pink—too bright for words.”

“Go ahead.” As Bo wrote on her cast he looked at her face.

“What is wrong?”

“Just a little down I guess.” Bo smiled.

“As a senior citizen was driving down the freeway, his cell phone rang. Answering, he heard his wife’s voice urgently warning him, ‘Derrick, I just heard on the radio that there’s a car going the wrong way on Interstate 280. Please be careful!’ Well Herman cleared his throat and said, ‘It’s not just one car, It’s hundreds of them!’ What do you think?” Daisy began laughing.

“You’re nuts.”

“I have got hundreds of them.”

“Well then shoot.” Bo thought about it for a minute. “Come on, if you have hundreds of them, you should be able to pull one out of your hat right now.”

“I can and will.”

“Prove it.”

“What is the difference between Coy and a battery?”

“I don’t know.”

“At least the battery has a positive side.” Daisy began laughing but not on purpose. She stopped and looked at her cousin.

“That was mean.”

“Then why did you laugh?” Daisy shrugged. Bo smiled as always. “Exactly.”

“Bo, you shouldn’t be so mean to your brother.” Bo shrugged and straightened up his shoulders. “I’m serious. You should treat him better.”

“Look, when I learn how to treat him better then I will but for now, I ain’t promising anything.”

“Bo…”

“Well if you like him so much, you go be nice to him.”

“Do something for me okay? Try and be nice to him when he’s not here at least.”

“Why?”

“When he is here at least he can defend himself.”

“Fine.” Bo raised his right hand. “I Bo…”

“Re-gaurd.” Bo rolled his eyes.

“I Beauregard Duke, do solemnly swear that I won’t be mean to my brother, Coy, as much when he can’t defend himself.”

“As much?”

“Well that’s a good promise for me, Daisy.” She laughed and shook her head.

“You are…”

“Impossible?”

“Yeah…you are.”

“Everyone keeps telling me that.” Daisy laughed even more than before.

“You are also a funny man, Bo Duke.”

“Why thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Bo winked. He ticked Daisy. She flung her cast in the air and knocked him in the head.

“Owe.” Daisy laughed.

“Your fault, you started tickling me.”

“Well you kicked me. Maybe I should break my promise because of that.”

“Really?”

“No.” Now you see? Bo is the funny one ain’t he? Yeah I know, still nowhere near the bad guys and the book report theory. Well let’s wait and see what happens.

5

Welcome to Grade twelve English class, staring Bo Duke. Now remember, Bo is stuck being the English teacher and the social teacher. He still has to take tests and exams with the other students. So Bo thought to himself, what’s the point?

I think the teachers of this school really have him paying attention in class. Well Bo doesn’t like doing it at all. He would rather catch his thirty winks.

Now don’t get me wrong folks, Bo is a very gifted student. However, without motivation or a pathway, life can be boring. Bo sees most of his classes as something that is beneath him. He would rather work on the General Lee all day long than go to these classes.

Well that’s where his motivation is. I could see it now, Bo on the NASCAR circuit. However, even the best NASCAR racers tell you that education is important. Bo would listen to them. I know that piece of information is quite true.

The whole class seems to be amazed with this story already and it is only the second day of reading it. Yes, that means Daisy’s at home. Luke’s taking care of her—don’t worry about it. Stick to the task at hand will ya?

Where is the teacher you ask? Well look to your left…all the way in the back. The teacher’s round rump was firmly placed on the stool. She had her arms placed on her lap. The teacher seemed to enjoy listening to Bo as he read.

* * *

<The Shoddy Adventures of Leonardo Domino>
< Written by: Gregory Limestone >

The nighttime had become time-consuming, more so than I had ever seen it. With the passing of the third hour of the morning, I began to converse with myself as to the life here. I seemed to do this a lot lately, wondering if these journeys were worth the wait.

After all, man could go mad under these very conditions. Eating nothing but cheap food, most of the crew had become ill. I was advantageous enough to still be in good health. Though in body I was fine, I felt as if my mind had become sick under pressure.

I hadn’t seen a woman in months. The burning for companionship became plain as the nose on your face. All I wanted was five minutes alone with a lady.

Considering where I was this was not at all possible. Still, I wanted to smell the sweet perfume, dance in the company of this velvet woman. Would I get the chance? I knew not.

Heading for these lands, these Americas made me feel frantic and disturbed. Who knew what these lands might hold? Especially considering the American Revolution only happened three years before.

The waves of the ocean seemed to launch our enormous ship into an assortment of directions. There was no light with the exception of the lanterns burning throughout the vessel and the moon.

The bright moon was continuously was sheltered by the clouds themselves. It was in short supply to my eyes. I could not see it at all for the most part. It played with my senses every second.

My fellow workers were getting weary of Leonardo’s ways. He seemed to never want to listen to the preponderance hold of the group, thus causing us to want to mutiny more and more by each hour that passed.

Times were bleak and uninviting. The life of the people was slowly draining. Finding a treasure Leonardo’s ancestors, that was our task. As it had said in their memoirs, the group of ravenous pirates had left in it the fog of a new world.

All we had to probe such theories was a map and a lot of hope. It was buried on an island—which was now part of a place called New York. Who knew what this place held for us.

* * *

Bo closed the book. Everyone looked at him, especially the girls. They sighed when he stopped reading. “Don’t worry my beauties, we will continued the rest tomorrow,” Bo announced. The bell rang and everyone left.

Bo closed the book. He put it down on the desk for a minute as he collected up his other books. As he grabbed the homemade book, something fell out of it. It was made out of cloth, folded just nicely. He picked it up and stuck it back in without thinking about it.

Now school was over. Since nothing happened on Fridays practice wise, Bo got in the General Lee with Danny. “That story was so weird,” Danny commented.

“How do you mean, I liked it, Bo answered his friend. Danny shrugged.

“Well, it seemed like it wasn’t a book…like it was real.” Bo turned the corner. He went cross country going for a jump. Danny didn’t flinch for one minute. “You know, like the part where they went from the seas of Italy after Leonardo stole the riches of the overlord?”

“It is just some guy trying to tell a ridiculous story.” Danny shook his head.

“Bo, it was too real for that. I think the story is true. What if there is a buried treasure in New York?”

“There ain’t anymore even if the story was true.”

“What do you mean?”

“Read the end of the book today. Apparently, Leonardo moved his treasure after drugging his crew.”

“Woe!”

“That way it could be all his—the only one he didn’t go after was Gregory who came part way with him.”

“Geeze, what a guy.”

“However, he wasn’t let anywhere near him while Leonardo buried the treasure inland. He made a map on canvas.”

“Weird, then what happened?”

“Well you see, Leonardo and Gregory got back on their horses and rode back.”

“So they escape?”

“I’m not finished yet.”

“Sorry.”

“That’s okay, I still like ya.” Danny began laughing he shook his head. There was a sudden silence between the two of them.

“Come on.”

“Come on what?”

“You know what, get on with it.”

“As they were riding the crew ram shackled him. When Leonardo didn’t tell about the whereabouts of the treasure, they killed him. Gregory managed to get away. He went back to the place he was and hid the map somewhere.”

“So no one knows where the map is?”

“Nope—this is a tall tale though remember?”

“Yeah sure.”

“Danny stop living in a dream world. You think that there could be treasure buried in Georgia or some other place around here?”

“You know, it would be pretty dang cool.”

“Would you get off it? Dang it, I wish there was some sort of treasure but until pigs fly without courtesy airplanes, I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Yeah, sure Bo.”

“Good, you finally have some sense in ya.”

“Why? If I listen to you, how much sense could I possibly have?” Bo glared at him. “Personally, I think there’s something about that book. As homemade as it looks it is…”

“I don’t think so. Now that is enough!” Danny rubbed his chin. Now he wasn’t too sure that it was fake. It sounded—well pretty dang real. I guess we’ll find out won’t we?
6

Daisy looked pretty bored to tears sitting on that couch. She wished there was something else to do. Daisy looked up at Bo as he wrote the questions for his book report. She sat there writing something in her notebook. Daisy had nothing much to do.

Now she demanded that she would have something to do besides collect dust. Jesse kept telling her that she had to wait to heal. You know Daisy though. She is just as stubborn as the rest of the Dukes.

Why yesterday, she tried to wash dishes while leaning on the crutches. Daisy forgot she was on crutches and fell to the ground. Luke picked her up and threw her on the couch telling her to stay there.

You think she would listen? Of course not—she’s a Duke after all. No, Daisy got right back up and decided she could be useful. Now you think that feeding the chickens while on crutches is a good idea? Well I don’t.

Daisy put the bucket on her arm. She began hobbling along with the bucket. Well the dog, Brutus began chasing a little ol fox out of the field. He rammed the crutch right out of Daisy’s hand. Once again she was on the ground.

This time, Uncle Jesse saw her. He picked her up and sat her back on the couch. Now you can imagine how annoying this got. Daisy stayed there the rest of the day.

Actually, the next day, she did find something to do. Daisy sat there and did a whole lot of sewing. She fixed Bo and Luke’s britches. Daisy fixed the hole in Uncle—err—uh Jesse’s hat.

She couldn’t exactly hobble around the horses to clean them. Or wash the laundry and hang it to dry. Sewing kept Daisy sane. She wasn’t a burden.

Now she was having a well deserved break. However, Daisy hated sitting there all the same. She felt like she was useless. Well you and I know she ain’t that way at all.

Bo continued to think about the questions. He bit on the end of his pencil and snapped his fingers. Bo wrote another one down. He continued working. But as most Dukes, he was getting bored. Bo smiled as he looked up.

“Are you staring at me?” Daisy asked from under her notebook. Bo bit on his bottom lip and looked back down at his paper. “Well are you?”

“Now Daisy Duke, why would I do that? I have important work to do,” Bo answered, filled with his innocent voice. You know, innocent but guilty.

“Yeah sure, which girl are you thinking about?” Bo began to laugh.

“You think that’s all I do? Think about girls?”

“Which one?” Bo smiled.

“You.”

“Me?”

“Sure, can’t a cousin think of his cousin’s woes and worries?” Daisy shrugged as she laughed. She propped herself on the pillow. She squinted at the book sitting on the table.

“What’s that?”

“Oh just one of the pages that fell out of the book—I think.”

“Hand it over.” Bo took the folded canvas cloth out of the book and gave it to Daisy. She opened it with awareness—most delicately. Daisy gasped. “Bo, it’s a map.”

“Did Danny put you up to this?” Daisy crocked an eyebrow. She stared at Bo like he was extremely nuts. “Obviously not, sorry Daisy.”

“Bo you ain’t goanna believe this but—that’s Razorback Mountain that it is buried on. On the rough trail side.”

“You mean the one that Luke sprained his ankle trying to get up?”

“Uh huh—obviously has been there for a while. Looks like before the copper miners got up there. By a big bunch of shrubs.” Bo shook his head. “What is it?”

“I’m goanna have to tell Danny he was right.” Now wouldn’t you know it? Roscoe was outside listening to the whole thing. Now ain’t that typical?

You know as well as I do, Roscoe was heading to Boss’ place. Soon, Boss Hogg had the news. “Buried treasure?” Boss Hogg questioned.

“Yes sir,” Roscoe replied.

“You don’t have some chickens rooming in your head do you. I mean you really heard that there was treasure.”

“Oh yeah Boss, TREASURE KHEE.”

“You mean Arrrr—there be treasure.”

“No, I ain’t no, Khee. That’s my way of finding treasure.” Boss rolled his eyes. “So you want me to follow them?”

“No pea brain, let them do the hard work. If you didn’t remember, the ghost town on Razorback Mountain is being restored as a museum. The only way up is UP, UP.”

“You mean up the hard side?”

“Yes. You and me may want gold but I ain’t willin’ to get dirty for it.”

“Now Boss, how are they goanna get down from there with the big box?”

“Let them worry about it that. Roscoe, this gold will be worth millions and it will be ours.” Roscoe smiled.

“Fifty, fifty?”

“You get twenty.”

“Why twenty?”

“Inflation.”

“Inflation?”

“The prices are too high nowadays for you to share in all the glory.”

“Well I found this information.”

“Yeah and I ain’t firing you because you found it.”

“Oh thank you Boss Hogg.”

“Now go home, you worked a long day.” Uh huh, Boss is pretty dang slick ain’t he? Bo and Luke do the work and he reaps the benefits. Just one problem, those boys have minds don’t they now?

7

Daisy couldn’t drive but she would be danged if she were left behind for this little adventure. So, Danny drove her Jeep for her. Ain’t that nice? Danny was always a sweet guy.

Uncle—umm—I mean Jesse always loved adventure as well. He traveled in the mustang General. Jesse said even if those doors were welded he could always push the button to get rid of the hard top.

Who else came? Well this wouldn’t be fun without Dodger or Cooter Davenport. Besides, Bo and Luke like to have spotters when they climb up big mountains. It ain’t a bad idea.

Danny got into his harness. Bo and Luke were already done. Bo and Luke have experience in this sort of thing though. Luke used to go climbing all the time. He loved it more than anything. He would drag Bo with him.

“Come on Danny, shake a leg,” Bo said as he put the roped shovel on his back. His eyebrows went up and his face was full of life.

“Yeah Danny, you’re slowing down the crew,” Luke added, positioning the shovel on his arm.

“The faster you put your gear on…”

“The faster we get to the treasure.” He threw it onto his back. Danny growled.

“You Dukes are all alike,” Danny hissed.

“How do you mean?” Jesse asked.

“Simple Uncle Jesse, y’all are impatient.”

“First of all, we ain’t impatient we are energized.” Bo and Luke stared at each other and smiled. Daisy giggled slightly. “Well we are.”

“Is there a second of all?”

“Yes son there is.”

“What’s that?”

“I ain’t your Uncle Jesse.” Now Dodger and Cooter were laughing. “No seriously. I have Daisy calling me it.”

“Only because I am your niece Uncle Jesse,” Daisy cut in.

“I have Bo and Luke calling me it.”

“We take on Daisy’s answer,” Bo commented.

“Yeah only substitute nephew in where she said niece,” Luke added. Cooter and Dodger laughed.

“Heck, I even have Coy and—and Vance calling me it,” Jesse stated.

“Yeah, well Uncle Jesse, they are your nephews,” Cooter confessed. Now Unc—err Jesse glared at Cooter.

“Now to have you three—Cooter and Dodger AND Danny, is enough to make me go crazy.”

“We ain’t trying to make you crazy,” Dodger tried to explain.

“It is just the truth when we say…” Cooter began to add.

“You’re like an Uncle to all of us,” Danny finished. Jesse rolled his eyes and folded his arms.

“Just because I am nice to y’all doesn’t mean…” Jesse began. They all stared at him. “Ta heck with it, y’all won’t quit will ya?”

“Nope.” Jesse shook his head. Well even if he don’t like it, I sure do.

“Would y’all get up there? Be careful will ya?”

“Yes sir,” Bo, Luke and Jesse said at the same time. They hooked up their first pegs, attaching their ropes to it. They began climbing up like it was nothing. Just as they were working their stuff, Luke’s rope broke.

He began to fall. Luke felt the pressure right in his stomach. He thought he was in big trouble this time. To be perfectly honest with you, I thought he was too. Uncle Jesse and Cooter could save him—or was he falling too fast?

Bo grabbed his arm with one hand, holding onto the rope with the other. Luke breathed a sigh of great relief. He was thrilled that he wasn’t dead on the ground.

“Dang it, cousin! You need to loose a few pounds around the middle,” Bo replied through his teeth.

“That ain’t funny, Bo,” Luke replied.

“Sure it is.”

“You’re immature.”

“No kidding Luke, it’s called I am a high school student.”

“Well I know that.” Luke climbed on his cousin, pushing right on his shoulders.

“You know, this is uncomfortable considering you’re my cousin.”

“Deal with it. I need to get out of this freestyle thing.”

“I thought you laughed in the face of danger.”

“Not all danger.” Luke was shaking like nothing had ever felt.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Luke shakily hooked up on Bo’s line, climbing faster ahead of him. Bo sighed for a minute.

“Yeah—I’ll be fine.”

“Your legs were shaking.”

“Yours would be too.” Luke’s unsteady arm reached out for a rock. He managed to grip it in spite of the trembling. “I mean if you almost died.” Bo’s eyes looked up to his cousin who was traveling somewhat at a snail’s pace.

“I don’t know, I think it would make me climb better.” Bo looked at his watch and then at Luke.

“Well I pray you never have to.” Luke continued to climb, gradually making his way up. Bo growled.

“One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, four Mississippi. Ready or not here I come.”

“You’re nuts.”

“Quit fighting,” Danny mumbled.

“We’re not fighting.”

“No we’re simply stating our opinions,” Bo added.

“Yeah with style.”

“In a bickering line of attack.”

“Good one cousin.”

“Thank you cousin.”

“You’re welcome cousin.” Bo and Luke began laughing. Danny rolled his eyes as they continued to go up the large mountain.

“Y’all are nuts,” Danny announced.

“You really think so? What an honor, I would like to thank all the little people for showing me that way to Nutsville,” Bo replied.

“Bo…”

“I would like to thank Uncle Cameron for being there just long enough to drop us into Hazzard. This is where all the bona fide nutty people twisted me into the harebrained lunatic I am today.”

“Bo…”

“Don’t interrupt Danny, it ain’t polite.” Danny shifted his eyes.

“Sorry.”

“That’s better.” Bo cleared his throat as he continued to climb. “I would also like to thank the teachers in our high school for having the notion of making me do their job.”

“You are totally insane.”

“I thought we already established this.” Luke expressed amusement with an undercover giggle. He couldn’t seem to contain it though.

“You and your mouth,” Luke laughed.

“Sure you laugh at him now but wait until he gets on your nerves,” Danny expressed.

“Well when he steps on your last nerve, somehow Bo adds some sort of humor to make you like him again.” Luke grabbed onto a rock and put another peg in. He put the rope in it. “That’s why you can never stay mad at the guy.”

“Yep, I am just loveable,” Bo commented. He climbed faster up the rope. Bo hit Luke in the leg.

“Owe! What was that for?”

“Going on my rope. You’re making me climb slowly and I can’t stand it.”

“It is your fault.”

“Why? You were the one that packed the rope.”

“Well you caught me.”

“I couldn’t let you die now could I?”

“Well then you should be honored that I am on this rope instead of dead on the ground.” Bo rubbed his chin.

“Yeah I should, shouldn’t I?” Bo hit Luke’s leg again. “Still, I want you to hurry yourself up.”

“Well I am still stunned Bo.”

“Well shake it off, cousin.”

“Stop it both of you,” Danny expressed.

“Stay out of it Danny,” Luke growled.

“Yeah Danny,” Bo added.

“Then stop fighting.” Now I wonder, is this goanna keep continuing all day? I guess we’ll have to see huh? Hold on y’all, I know this is a busy time ain’t it.

8

Well I figured that watching those boys dig would be too much even for you. Especially since they had their shirts off. I ain’t goanna watch girls wipe the drool off their faces. It ain’t a pretty sight for a woman.

So, let’s skip ahead y’all. They have the chest and are goanna lower it down right—now. You see that? Two ropes on this sucker. Luke wanted to make sure it didn’t do a double turn like they did.

Dodger and Cooter grabbed the chest from below. Danny and Luke climbed down one line. Bo, being the impatient one, went down the other. Cooter stared at Luke.

“What?” Luke asked.

“How was it like?” Cooter questioned him.

“What are you talking about?”

“Falling like that, how was it? Did you feel a rush?”

“Nah, Luke is a virgin to good adventure,” Bo cut in, before Luke could talk. Luke was about to make a comeback but he saw the sirens going.

“Oh great, how did he find out about this?” Luke asked.

“Who cares, if we want this in a museum, then we better rush.” Bo threw the chest inside the General Lee. Cooter and Dodger got in with him.

“We’ll keep in contact y’all. Split—maybe he’ll follow the wrong car,” Cooter replied.

“Alright,” Danny said as Jesse got into General Two. He jumped into the Jeep and began to go. Well, everyone split off. Boss Hogg figured this would happen once they got to the treasure.

He had planned it pretty well. Following Car one, the General Lee one was Roscoe P. Coltrane. Following Car two, Dolly, was Enos Strait. Following Car number three, General Lee two, was Boss Hogg himself.

Now this is confusing don’t you think? Just be happy you ain’t driving any of the cars y’all. I am sure grateful. Car one had the goods in it. However, the wrong driver was with them. Roscoe almost had an accident when he went to church.

“We have the chest,” Cooter reminded him.

“He knows that,” Dodger replied.

“Well I am just saying that we have got Roscoe on our tail. How the heck are we goanna get out of this?”

“Look, Bo is thinking about it, Cooter, he knows what he is doing.”

“Dodge, you know that if he doesn’t get us out of this, the treasure is Boss Hogg’s fortune and not ours.”

“It ain’t ours,” Bo cut in. He saw a dip and took the jump. “It is a treasure that should be seen by everyone.” General Lee landed. “I ain’t goanna let him get it though. I know what he’ll do with it.”

“So do you have a plan then Bo?”

“Yup.”

“You goanna fill us in on it?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Because.”

“Oh come on Bo, can’t you talk with more than one word.”

“Yes Cooter.” Cooter rolled his eyes. Dodger couldn’t help but laugh.

“You are such a Duke.”

“Yup.” Now Bo had a plan that would work if done right. He drove into the open truck ahead, loosing Roscoe. Now the biggest thing was not to bump into the other following cars. If Bo could manage that then he would be okay.

Roscoe went right passed the large truck, not even asking if those boys had been seen. Bo backed up and went through the field. There was a small body of water that he began driving through.

“You’re goanna need a tune-up after this, come and see us,” Dodger said.

“Sure will,” Bo replied.

“Good stuff.” Bo drove pretty well. He looked down at the rocky area.

“Dodge pick me up some stones will ya?”

“Are you goanna keep driving?”

“Yup.”

“Okay buddy.” Dodger slid himself out of the car. Cooter moved up closer to his brother, holding his legs. As Dodger would grab a rock, he would pass it to Cooter.

They grabbed about five of them. Soon, Dodger was back in the General and Bo was speeding fast once again. Not bad for Hazzard County huh?

He continued to drive, right into town. He parked in front of Hazzard restaurant. Cooter and Dodger had no idea what Bo was planning. Heck I didn’t at first either.

“Bo, this is no time to be thinking about food,” Cooter remarked. Bo began to laugh. Cooter didn’t get it.

“Be right back, okay?” Bo asked. Dodger on the other hand was just getting into his plan.

“Yeah sure,” Dodger replied. Bo got out of the General Lee and ran into the restaurant.

“Where is he going?” Cooter asked.

“To sweet talk a waitress.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Simple, he needs something.”

“Like what? A hot sandwich? Dang, he always thinks of girls and food.”

“And cars…but this time he hasn’t any of those on his mind. This boy has a mission.”

“Like what?”

“Oh you’ll see.”

“I don’t wanna see, I wanna know what is going on.”

“You’ll see Cooter. You need to be patient even though I know that is not in your nature at all.” Cooter growled at his younger brother. He hated when Dodger was right.

Not even five minutes later, Bo was back out of the restaurant. He had a big smile on his face. You know, that boy could charm his way out of prison if there was a lady cop present.

I guess that’s just the way he was. I like him for that you know? Bo is quite the character. Look at what he has in his hands, a chest…a toy chest for the kiddies when they come to the restaurant.

“Dang Bo, that’s smart,” Cooter remarked.

“We’ll drop the regular one off at the museum and fill this one with the rocks you grabbed,” Bo replied.

“I told you bro. Bo has more in his head than hair,” Dodger announced.

“I’ll never doubt you again Bo.”

“Good,” Bo replied.

“Just remember not to screw up,” Dodger added. Cooter laughed. Bo handed Dodger the chest and got into the General Lee.

The drive from here to the museum wasn’t very far but Bo wasn’t willing to just walk the chest over there. I mean this sucker was full of gold and jewels. I wouldn’t risk it either. Besides that, the danged thing would be heavy.

Bo stopped in front of the museum. He and Dodger got out of the car. Cooter moved in the driver’s seat—just in case they had to make a getaway…you know, the fast type. Dodger and Bo had no problems dropping it off.

8

General Lee one decided to play a little shuck and jive with Roscoe, Enos and Boss Hogg. This was goanna get a little tricky y’all. As Cooter drove up to Boss’ car, Bo held up the chest. Boss’ eyes widened. Now my eyes would expand too.

Cooter turned the car completely around. Bo began laughing. “Now that’s showing him Cooter,” Dodger said.

“Well this is just the beginning. You know exactly where Boss is goanna be heading,” Bo added.

“Yes and we’re goanna confuse the heck out of Luke.”

“Which is something I am good at, don’t you think?”

“Oh yeah.”

“You are the champion of it,” Cooter replied.

“He is great at it for sure.”

“Bo you could make a career out of it.”

“I could do that,” Bo answered. Dodger and Cooter began laughing.

“Now this is adventure.” General Lee was heading toward the others. Boss was following General Lee one now.

Now remember, General Lee two was the one Boss was following before. You can imagine what Luke and Jesse were thinking. Heck if I didn’t see Bo grab the other chest, I would be having the same thoughts about the exact same thing.

“Does Bo wanna blow our cover?” Luke asked. Yup, just what I thought he would say.

“I don’t know, but I am goanna make sure he doesn’t yield,” Jesse replied.

“How?”

“A little Duke Power.” Jesse grabbed the CB. He held it up to his white beard. “This is Shepard to lost Sheep two, have you lost your mind, over?”

“Why howdy Shepard this is Lost sheep two speaking of being sane as the day I was born. Don’t worry the package is safe, this one is just a present to Boss,” Bo replied over the CB. Jesse smiled.

“Well then, play catch, Hazzard style.”

“10-4 Uncle Jesse.”

“10-4 and out.” Jesse put the CB down and took a quick look over at Luke. “How close can you get this thing to General one?”

“I could get you in the trunk if you want.”

“Can you drive backwards.” Luke smiled.

“You taught me how.” Jesse smiled and then began laughing. Luke turned his car around and began driving really fast backwards. Bo handed him the chest. Luke put the General Lee two into drive.

In Boss Hogg’s car he shook his head. “I wish these dang Dukes would make up their minds,” He commented. Boss Hogg turned the car around, following General Lee one. He picked up his CB. “Roscoe, where are you, come back?”

“This is Roscoe P. Coltrane coming in live little fat buddy Gig-jit, what do you need? Come back?” Roscoe answered over the CB.

“I am behind the chest, going towards Chickasaw County get your fanny over there and create a road block.”

“But Boss…”

“Don’t you but Boss me, just do it! You too Enos.”

“Yes sir Mister Boss Hogg I’ll get there as fast as I can Boss Hogg. HA! I’m gone,” Enos announced.

“Okay good.”

Back in General Lee two, they saw Dolly coming up fast. Jesse took the chest and passed it to her. Daisy was thrilled to have the box. “Danny, good driving,” Daisy announced.

“Thanks Daisy. You are a pretty hot driver yourself,” Danny replied.

“YAHOOOOO, here we go.” Now Boss was following her. Daisy grabbed her CB. “This is Bo Peep to the Dukes and Davenports of the Hazzardnet, we got the goods and we got a Hogg on our tail.”

“This is two sheep one, you keep on heading, we’re goanna go attack the bears,” Luke replied over the CB. He continued to head towards Chickasaw County. Roscoe and Enos were covering the roadway. They both had their hands out, signaling Luke to stop.

Instead, Luke turned right around and went the other way. Now Roscoe and Enos began following General Lee Two. This is pretty funny y’all.

“Breaker, breaker, Hazzard County police department, ya around?” Boss Hogg said over the CB.

“Yes Boss, I am listening,” Roscoe announced on the CB frequency.

“Me too Boss,” Enos added, while also talking on his CB.

“Y’all are following the wrong goose. Get after Daisy Duke. She is going towards Sweetwater County—which is the opposite way,” Boss Hogg announced. Just as Boss said that, Daisy passed the Chest off to General Lee one who turned towards the Duke farm.

“10-4 Boss, we’ll head to the Duke farm Boss Ha! I’m gone.”

“No, disregard what I said, General Lee has it now.”

“Which one Boss?” Roscoe asked.

“The—orange one…who cares which one. Just get over to the Duke farm.”

“Yes Boss.” Now General one stopped. Everyone got out and went into the house. Boss Hogg followed. Enos and Roscoe stopped next. Roscoe had his gun out.

“Don’t shoot, we’ll give you the chest,” Bo commented, handing him the toy chest.

“Remember boys, I always win,” Boss replied. Dodger and Cooter just managed to keep a straight face long enough for Boss to leave. They all started laughing.

Now let’s see…everyone got an A plus on the book report except for Donny Frank who tried to copy his friend’s answers. Bo had him read a new book, the school code of honor.

Danny promised to be Daisy’s personal driver so she could have some adventure. This made her happy. You can see it in her face.

Boss Hogg—well when he opened that chest, he was crying. Especially when he found out the Dukes had donated it to the museum. Why? Well they did it in his name which meant he wouldn’t have it stolen from the museum.

Well that’s the end to a perfect day—in Hazzard County.