by: Essy Jane

Welcome to Hazzard County where all dreams are possible. I know that many things happen here. I have seen enemies become friends. I have seen enemies taken down by Dukes. You wouldn’t believe the stuff that goes on here sometimes.

Well forget about all that happens in Hazzard for now. I wanna start things off…a little different. We’re goanna play a game. Now don’t think I’m weird. I just thought it would be fun to do something fun. You can’t blame me for that one.

You know the game where’s Waldo? Well, this one is called, where’s Bo? Now can y’all find Bo in this classroom? Now I know it is tough but let me give you a clue. After all, it is only fair. Do y’all see that boy sleeping on the desk? Yeah behind Danny—yup, that’s Bo. Sorry y’all, I don’t have any prizes for ya.

Now, if you know anything about teachers you know they don’t respect people sleeping in class. This teacher ain’t any different. As she came around the corner, she noticed ol’ Bo catching the forty winks carnival. You can just imagine what she thought.

Mrs. Fracas started by clearing her throat. That didn’t work. Danny turned around and looked at his friend. He shook his head knowing this meant trouble for Bo. He couldn’t exactly tell Bo the gig was up. After all, Mrs. Fracas was standing right over him.

Danny turned around just as Mrs. Fracas was about to tap him. Now Mrs. Fracas knew nothing about waking Bo up. She tapped him even harder and Bo jumped right up. Friends, his eyes are pretty wide ain’t they?

“No, Roscoe, I wanna drive!” Bo exclaimed as he popped up. The class began laughing.

“Nice of you to wake up,” Mrs. Fracas mumbled. Now most people would be embarrassed about something like this. Bo never ever worried about stuff like that. He waved like nothing happened.

“Well this Bo moment has been brought to you by the makers of Ford…Ford, a car that is not only awesome but it is something you can afford…get it?” Everyone began laughing again.

“Mr. Duke, I don’t appreciate this outburst.”

“And I don’t appreciate being called Mr. Duke…that is my Uncle’s name.” She shook her head.

“I want to see you after class.” The bell rang and everyone started laughing again.

“Well you’re in luck, it is the end of class.” Bo straightened up. “What can I do for you Mrs. Fracas?” She shook her head as the rest of the class left.

“Bo, sleeping in class is intolerable. I don’t care what kind of marks you get. It leaves a bad example.”

“I agree it probably looks bad.”

“Then why do you do it? Are you purposely trying to make me look bad?”

“Now Mrs. Mrs. Fracas, why would I do a thing like that?” She gave him the look…you know the ‘I want you to be honest.’ look. Bo hated that look.

“Bo, I have tried everything. Detention is your favorite place to be.”

“Catch up on my eyelid inspection.”

“I know farming is hard work but so is teaching.”

“Teaching hard work? Come on, don’t give me that.” Mrs. Fracas shook her head. “What other profession allows you to have summer and winter holidays?”

“Bo!”

“Well sorry, that’s just what I think. Teachers don’t breathe in knowledge, they take long breaks.”

“Long deserved breaks.”

“You think so anyway.”

“You think you can do better, fine, you be the teacher!”

“Okay.”

“That didn’t work the way I wanted it to.”

“I know, you didn’t think that I would want to teach but I do.” Bo got up and put his books inside his back pack. “Teaching for you is a pay cheque whereas teaching for me is something fun.”

“I don’t do it for the money.”

“Sure, you do it for the perks then? I don’t think so. We’re not as rewarding as people make us out to be.”

“You would be surprised Bo.”

“We’re teenagers trying to live out our existence and figure out where we are going in the world.”

“Alright, you are going to find out how wonderful you are.”

“Sure I will.”

“Fine, you teach and I’ll mark.”

“Deal.” Bo shook her hand.

“Now I got to go, I’m late for lunch.”

“Don’t you need an outline to teach the class?”

“It’s history, who needs an outline?” Bo walked out of the class. Danny was standing right outside. He looked at his friend like he was insane.

“What are you doing?” Danny questioned.

“Mrs. Fracas asked if I wanted to teach. I said yes.”

“Bo, rule number one is to not anger the teachers. They hold your future in their hands.”

“Danny, you worry too much.” Bo pulled the hair out of his eyes. Someone threw a football to him from down the hallway. Bo caught it and threw it back. “Look, if she wants me to spice things up then I am her man.”

“You better take this seriously.”

“The word serious ain’t in my vocabulary.” Bo jumped down three stairs. “Let’s go to lunch.” Now friends, he is a character ain’t he?

“Bo, you know as well as I do the teacher ain’t goanna settle for a half wit job.”

“Yeah I know that Danny, I really do. I know how to teach. Taught a young buck how to not throw Luke in about twenty minutes—this ain’t any different.”

“Are you kidding? You’re teaching people like you.” Bo began to laugh. “Now how is that easy?”

“Well since I know how I act, people ain’t goanna pull things on people like me. If I am me only me can stop me from acting like me.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“Sure it does.”

“You are way over your head.”

“Nah, I can do this…and I can do it in a way that people won’t be lulled to sleep. I have seen you almost drop in Mrs. Fracas’ class.”

“So what?”

“So, wouldn’t it be nice to stay awake in a class and not have to cram like there’s no tomorrow?”

“Yeah but…”

“Then it is settled. Everything will be great, you’ll see.”

“Sure Bo…sure—you are doomed. Admit it.”

“I am not doomed. I am a genius.”

“Uh huh.”

“No, I can help people out and allow teachers everywhere to marvel in my greatness.”

“Uh huh, you just want to be the center of attention.”

“You know it.” Now I can’t wait to watch him teach, can you? Should be somewhat interesting, don’t you think? I do and I can’t wait to see this. Bo and the apple…Bo working with people to start a better tomorrow; keep watching.

2

Bo was just working on his lessons at home…now how did he get more than one? Simple, the History teacher talked to the English teacher. Now he was teaching two classes. Now Bo didn’t mind, he wanted to make the day better for students all over the world that fell asleep in class.

Anyhow, Bo was at one side of the table with all of his papers. Luke was trying to cook for a date he had tonight. Uncle Jesse was reading the paper. Daisy walked in and pulled out a dress.

“Y’all, I want your honest opinion,” Daisy commented. All four guys looked up from what they were doing. The dress was red with sequence. It had two straps that covered the chest but not enough for Jesse’s taste.

“Well…” Jesse began.

“I knew you liked it.”

“Bo, you took fashion and design didn’t you?”

“Yes sir I did,” Bo replied.

“How long would it take you to modify that dress to make it…more appropriate for Daisy?” Daisy’s mouth opened wide in shock.

“Uncle Jesse, it was on sale!” Daisy exclaimed.

“You don’t need to be showing off that much of your top half.” He looked back at Bo. “So how long?”

“Depends on what she’s looking for,” Bo replied.

“Something more stylish—something Daisy,” Luke added in.

“Well I will work on it.” Daisy had a sulky look to her. She crossed her arms. “Oh Daisy, come on, you know it wasn’t for you. Red ain’t your color.”

“The only reason you know how to modify anything is because I told you lots of girls are in that class,” Daisy replied. She stormed out of the room, walked up the stairs and slammed the door.

“She was supposed to go to town. I picked up something fer my Dad’s birthday. I needed some more stamps,” Jesse mumbled.

“Well why don’t you go to town?” Luke asked.

“Simple…I have things to do.”

“We’ll go for ya.”

“Finished the sketch of Daisy’s dress,” Bo cut in.

“Already?”

“Yeah…I did it with my red pencil crayon…doesn’t look too bad.”

“I can’t believe you finished it already.”

“Yeah, I messed it up a little but it looks good.”

“How messed up?”

“Over drew the arm.”

“Can I see?”

“Sure Luke.” Bo held up the picture:
“Bo, sorry to say but I don’t think Daisy will like that one,” Jesse announced.

“Yeah Bo…you should try again on the way up. I’ll drive,” Luke answered.

“Alright,” Bo said. He grabbed a pad of paper. He began doing more sketches as Luke started the engine. “Don’t drive too fast y’hear?”

“Don’t worry Bo, I’ll drive slow…unless Roscoe and Enos come.”

“Well if that happens give me some sort of a warning.”

“Alright.” Bo drew his heart out. Finally as they stopped at the post office, Bo held up yet another picture:
“How about this one?” Bo asked.

“Well…you want my honest opinion?” Luke questioned.

“Yes, of course I do.”

“That looks like something you would see in Star Wars.” Bo rolled his eyes and Luke laughed.

“I did my best here.”

“Heck Bo, I know you did but you have got to understand, drawing the perfect dress for Daisy will take a bit more time.”

“You have something else on your mind…what is it?”

“Uh…”

“Uh what?”

“Well, I think that you’re getting more detailed.”

“Well would you wanna draw just a neck.”

“I guess not.”

“Back to the dress, I think something else is wrong with it.”

“Like what?”

“Personally, I think red ain’t her color. I don’t know, Daisy doesn’t seem like a red kind of gal.”

“You’re just saying that because it is a hot color.” Bo glared at his cousin. “What? I am only speaking the truth. You don’t like when she wears those short shorts.”

“Well she shouldn’t be.”

“Fine, I have no time to argue with you.”

“So what other color do you think? I really don’t like the red.”

“What would you suggest?”

“Grey…a habit.”

“Bo, she ain’t goanna be a nun.”

“Oh Daisy would make a great nun.”

“Yeah if you forced her right into it.”

“I could do that.” Luke shook his head.

“You know what? She’ll never be a nun so try something in blue or green.”

“Okay.” Bo took out two fresh pencil crayons. Luke shook his head as he got out of the General. He walked up to the steps of the post office and looked at the door.

The sign said, “Gone for lunch.” Luke shook his head. He looked at his watch. Miss Tizdale normally has the same schedule. She would go for an hour and a half for lunch coming back at one. It was the only break she took.

Luke shrugged, knowing that she would be back really soon. Slowly he walked back down the stairs. He got back into the General Lee. “We miscalculated how much time it would take to get here,” Luke said as he got comfortable.

“I didn’t, you did. You didn’t see me get out of the car did you?” Bo questioned.

“I thought you were just drawing.” Bo laughed.

“Well next time ask.” He finished the last strokes with the blue pencil. “There we are. I think this one is the best one.”

“Which one.”

“The blue one but I’ll let you decide.” Bo held up each one.
“That one looks a little too childish for her. Besides, I don’t think green is her color either,” Luke commented.

“Okay, that’s what I thought,” Bo replied. He held up the next one.
“Woe, hold the phone…both of those girls…did you date them last week?” Luke questioned.

“Luke, concentrate on the important parts of life if you please. Which one do you like better?” Bo asked.

“Well to be honest, take the bottom of the green one and the top of the blue one and you have a dress for Daisy.”

“You know what? That’s not a bad idea…thanks Luke. Should I make it red still?”

“You said it yourself, that ain’t Daisy’s color.”

“Yeah I guess.” Bo sighed. “It does look really good on her.”

“Listen to you talk. First you say it ain’t her color and now you say it is.”

“Well maybe it was the dress she bought that was making me upset. Maybe red would look good on her.”

“No, I don’t think so. I think that you’re right. Daisy and blue really go together. If you make her a beautiful enough dress, she will hug you and everything.”

“You think so?”

“Oh yeah Bo, I really do.”

“Listen to us, talking about dresses.” Bo began laughing. “Now this could only happen in good ol’ Hazzard County huh, Luke?”

“Yeah I suppose so.”

“Should we pick out the material now or later?”

“I think later.”

“Why?”

“We need to waste time.”

“For what purpose?” Luke laughed. “Why are you laughing at me?”

“Well Bo, if we wait until Daisy goes to work…”

“Then we don’t have to hear the complaining. Smart man, Luke…very smart man.” Luke smiled and leaned back. Now the boys would be waiting there for a while. I don’t want you to see what they do in their boredom. So hang on y’all.

3

There we go, now we can skip ahead a little. Ain’t I a nice balladeer? I can do this all just for you. Yup I think so. Oh? You want me to go back to the story? Alright, fine, I know I am boring sometimes.

Bo and Luke were bored out of their minds. This is pretty weird for Hazzard County. Think about it y’all. Hazzard always has something going on. Today it seems like nothing is goanna happen. A quiet and peaceful afternoon—Bo doesn’t like those at all.

Luke had set up a cup. He grabbed pennies from the ash tray and handed some to Bo. They tried to aim for the cup. Luke had way better aim than Bo did but you know the younger cousin wouldn’t admit to that.

Suddenly the boy’s attention was pushed somewhere else. You see, the last couple of days, Miss Tizdale has been driving a car while Dodger and Cooter fix her motorcycle.

Now, when you see Miss Tizdale, driving at sixty miles an hour in town, you worry now wouldn’t ya? I sure would. Look at her go…beeping her horn. “Ah Luke, hit it,” Bo commented.

You don’t have to tell me twice.” Luke sped up. Bo slid out of the General, standing on the side of the window, he managed to jump on the back on the car. He shimmied on top of her roof.

“Miss Tizdale, do you mind moving over for me honey?”

“Bo, I wish you hadn’t jumped on my car, I can’t stop,” Miss Tizdale replied.

“Okay, how about this? I am goanna go around the other side, it is unlocked, I can see it from here. We’re then goanna get you into the general. Are you up for changing cars?”

“Boy, I was jumping in car windows before you were born.” Bo smiled as he shook his head.

“Alright, I will take on this beast. You tell Luke what’s going on. He’ll know what to do.”

“No problem Bo.” Miss Tizdale climbed onto the rim of the window. She jumped into the General, sitting down carefully in the seat.

“Nice to have you aboard Miss Tizdale, now why would a sophisticated woman such as yourself would be driving so fast?” Luke questioned.

“I have no breaks Luke…Bo has just walked into a trap.” Luke shook his head.

“No wonder he’s heading out of town with your beast. Don’t worry, I know what to do.”

Meanwhile in the other car, Bo had just gone over a big jump. He continued to play beep the horn. He saw that Luke was behind him until—well, Roscoe stopped the General Lee but not Miss Tizdale’s car.

“Roscoe you bone head! Now what am I goanna do?” Bo questioned. He continued to go as straight as he could, shaking his head the whole time.

Now friends, what Bo and Luke would have done is had General Lee go in front of the blue car. Bo would pull out the keys and Luke would slow the car down. Without General to help us along in this fairytale stop, Bo would have to do something drastic.

I am worried for this one ain’t you? I mean Bo might not get out of this big situation. Then again, he had enough gas to keep going for a long time. As he continued to drive, he shrugged.

Back over at the General Lee, Luke was trying to explain to Roscoe that he needed to help his cousin. “Oh likely story, Luke Duke…you just don’t wanna go to jail,” Roscoe announced. Luke rolled his eyes.

“Roscoe, my cousin is in a car that can’t stop. If I don’t get over there, he could be in big trouble,” Luke grumbled.

“Look Luke Duke, it ain’t my fault you didn’t pay your parking tickets.”

“How can I pay them? All I have is interac and unless you have a machine for me, you ain’t getting any money.”

“Well fine, we have one of those over at the sheriff’s department.”

“Okay, I’ll be there in a minute, just let me…”

“Luke the law waits for no one. Now Miss Tizdale can drive your General and Luke, you can come with me.”

“This is ridiculous!”

“Don’t worry Luke, I’ll get Bo,” Miss Tizdale added.

Back over in the out of control blue car, Bo was about to discover another problem. “You have got to be kidding me!” Bo exclaimed. He tried to turn the wheel for a big corner. Uh huh, the steering is out.

This is pretty bad y’all. Bo quickly got up on the top of the car. There was a branch on the tree he was heading to. That would save him from a major injury. Bo grabbed onto it, just as the car was about to crash. Now that’s pretty slick.

Bo climbed the branches of the tree as he saw the gas leak. This just ain’t his day now is it? There was another tree that was about a foot away. Bo leapt out of the tree, just grabbing onto the other branch.

Bo almost fell off but managed to put his feet onto it. “I ain’t Tarzan,” Bo said to himself. He knew the explosion, if there was one was goanna move closer. So again, he scurried to the other side of the tree.

Bo jumped off and grabbed onto the branch. This time, he saw the General coming. Miss Tizdale noticed the car around the tree. “Bo? Where are you child?” Emma called.

“Up here,” Bo replied. She poked her head out the window of the General.

“How did you get up that high? When I last saw you, you were up in the car.”

“Yeah well that is too long of a story to explain.”

“I have time.”

“Miss Tizdale, I wanna get out of the tree.”

“Oh sorry love, I’ll have you out of there in a jiffy.”

“How comforting, I am ready for ya.”

“Alright, just let me get back in here.” Miss Tizdale slid herself in.

“Alright, no more Tarzan YAHOO.” She drove just under Bo who finally got to let go of the branches. When he got in, Bo rang up the volunteer fire department and Cooter. Then they were on their way back into town.

4

Okay friends, now this is where it gets technical. “Wow Miss Tizdale, two accidents in the span of four days. First with your motorcycle and now this,” Dodger commented as he continued to work on the motorcycle.

“Yeah and good work Bo on killing the rental car,” Cooter added.

“Oh come on, how was it my fault the steering and the breaks failed? It must have been your car that was the problem. I am just lucky the dang thing didn’t explode before Miss Tizdale and I got out of there,” Bo replied.

“Well you could have done it in a better fashion now couldn’t have ya.”

“Luke over here got pulled over for speeding tickets that were unpaid?”

“Bo, that wasn’t my fault,” Luke cut in.

“Wasn’t your mistake? Are you kidding me? This was your fault. If you had paid the dang things, none of this would have happened.”

“Well if you hadn’t recklessly jumped into that car…”

“Reckless…you did the same thing a week ago.”

“So? I planned out what I was doing.”

“So did I. I assumed you had my back.”

“Hold it you two! This wasn’t his fault or yours. Luke, Bo, come look at this,” Cooter broke in. Bo and Luke walked over and looked under the hood. Luke pulled up a line. He shook his head.

“Dang,” Luke mumbled.

“You think that’s bad, go look at the break line it was mutilated.”

“Who would do something like that?” Miss Tizdale asked.

“The same people who tried to ruin your motorcycle,” Dodger replied. She shook her head.

“Then that means…”

“Someone’s trying to do away with you, Miss Tizdale,” Bo said.

“Who would want to kill me?”

“I want to ask the same question ma’am…you are nice and sweet.”

“Well I know one thing y’all, we can’t risk someone else taking a chance on you otherwise…” Luke began.

“Wait a minute…Luke, who will deliver the mail? I have an official duty to help out with the mail and…” Miss Tizdale said.

“We’ll call in an old friend.”

“Who?”

“Your third cousin, Esmeralda.”

“No! Absolutely not.”

“Then who?”

“How about Daisy?” Bo and Luke looked at each other.

“You want Daisy to deliver mail? Miss Tizdale, she has a job.”

“Then get Bo to take over waitering for her.”

“Me as a waiter? Are you kidding me?”

“She works after you come home from school doesn’t she?”

“Yeah but I have homework to do…classes to teach.” Miss Tizdale looked confused. “Ah…I mouthed off a teacher.”

“You can do it Bo, I have seen you multitask,” Dodger laughed.

“No I can’t, I have way too much work to do.”

“Then Dodger will be a waiter,” Cooter said.

“Huh?” Dodger questioned. Cooter everyone else started laughing.

“Come on bro, you were the best waiter ever.”

“Can ya handle shop by yourself?”

“Uh huh.”

“You’re sure?”

“Come on, Miss Tizdale needs you.”

“Alright fine. But I am keeping all the tips.” Cooter looked at Dodger. “It is a good deal. I mean she still gets the pay.”

“Alright Dodge, you get the tips if you wear her short shorts.” Dodger’s eyes widened.

“So Daisy gets all the tips huh?” Everyone began laughing. Now this would be funny. Bo’s goanna be teaching a class. Dodger Davenport is goanna be a waiter. Daisy is goanna be delivering mail. Now all we need is Uncle Jesse and Luke to be part of the Nutcracker. What do you think?

5

As Uncle Jesse walked into the farmhouse, Emma handed him the stamps. “Thanks Emma-Lee,” Jesse commented. He kept walking for a few minutes and then stopped. He looked at her. “Now what are you doing here?”

“I am staying here for a while,” Emma replied.

“What’s wrong with your place?” Emma opened up the refrigerator and found a pie.

“Made it for you, Jesse—while you were in the fields. It’s wild berry.”

“Wild berry?”

“You know raspberries, blue berries, black berries and strawberries.” Jesse smiled and took it out. “I was thinkin’ we could umm…share it since I am here.”

“I would like that.”

“You go on and sit down Jesse, I’ll handle this.” Emma got up and grabbed forks and plates. Jesse took the pie and sat down at the head of the table. Emma-Lee walked over to the table. She placed them softly on the table. She snatched a knife and walked over to the table.

“So you didn’t say why you were…”

“Eat up Jesse, it is really very good.” Jesse slowly cut a piece of pie and placed it into his mouth. He had crumbs in his beard. Miss Tizdale leaned in. Jesse pulled away. “Oh don’t be such a baby.”

“What are you goanna do?” She grabbed a napkin and wiped away the crumbs. His eyebrows went right up. Jesse smiled and cleared his throat. His face became serious once again.

“Thank you.”

“You are very welcome, Jesse.” Do you see the way she looks at him? Uh huh, someone is in love. Bo and Luke walked in with Daisy. Jesse tried to stand up without pushing his chair up. He hit his knee. Jesse held onto it for a second and then moved away.

“Ah, boys, Daisy, what are you doing here?”

“I don’t know if you remember Uncle Jesse but we live here,” Daisy replied smugly. Bo and Luke stared at each other.

“Daisy, you ain’t still mad about that dress thing,” Bo questioned.

“Darn tootin’ I am mad.”

“Okay, number one, the word ain’t mad it is angry. Number two, Bo showed me the dress plans and they’re better than the one that you were goanna wear,” Miss Tizdale announced.

“Really?”

“Yes Daisy, really. You will look better than you could have looked with a store bought dress.”

“Thanks Miss Tizdale.”

“You’re welcome baby.” Bo and Luke looked at each other. How in the world did she do that? Now Luke and Bo figured that they needed a little bit of work on the lady department it looked like.

“How do you…?” Luke questioned.

“Luke there is one thing you have to learn. Boys can be suited for every occasion however, sometimes it takes a little girl talk to straighten things out.”

“Man, I wish I knew how to perform this ritual.”

“Well unless you hang out with girls all the time you won’t get it.”

“Well Bo has gotten it.”

“He has for the most part.” Miss Tizdale smiled at him. “After all, Bo asked about the dress. He was goanna let her rant…which is what most girls like to do when they’re upset.”

“Then what?”

“He was goanna spring the dress surprise on her and she would be wisped away.”

“Then why didn’t you Bo?”

“Simple, Miss Tizdale beat me to the punch,” Bo replied.

“Personally, I don’t get how you two finished sewing before Daisy got home and made that pie.”

“Well Luke, patience is the key.”

“Emma, why are you here?” Jesse asked.

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

“Well I wanna know. She’s obviously been here all afternoon without my knowing.”

“Well Uncle Jesse you see…” The boys explained about the accident not being an accident. They told him about the trap that they had set. Unfortunately, Bo would be in school while all of the action was going on.

Bo didn’t mind too much. He was willing to take one for the team. Besides, he had classes to teach. So stick around y’all, here comes the best teaching of your life.

6

The class was settled and Bo was ready to take his cue. He smiled at the class and then at Mrs. Fracas. Now she was sure that Bo wouldn’t get very far in this class. Mrs. Fracas didn’t know Bo very well, now did she?

“Welcome to history…where today may be present but tomorrow, well it makes today the history. So, I was told that I need to teach so here I am,” Bo began.

The young man smiled as he did a back flip. Bo landed on the desk. Everyone was in awe with this move…especially, Mrs. Fracas. Now no one would have thought of this, only this young man.

“Tomorrow, that move will be considered something from the past. That’s how many people are viewed. Who wants to listen about some boring guy in the past? Well I do,” Bo continued.

He got down from the desk, looking at the students. Bo grabbed a picture. Bo held it ever so carefully. The picture there is Martin Luther King Jr.

“This was a man like no other…can you tell me why, Sharon?” Bo asked.

“Simple, he advocated for people’s rights and freedoms. Martin Luther King…” Sharon began.

“Okay, we wanted a summery, not the life and times version where we need commercials.” The class began to laugh. “We’re not goanna even use his whole name.”

“Bo, is there a purpose to this?” Mrs. Fracas asked.

“Yes there is. You know, he was an average every day fellow. Why should we use his whole name? He is just like us right?”

“Right,” The class screamed out.

“He has hair does he not?”

“Right,” The class shouted out.

“He has eyes right? I mean all of us have eyes.”

“Right,” The class screamed out.

“Then why was he treated differently Danny?”

“He was black,” Danny answered.

“But you’re an African American and you ain’t treated any differently are ya?” Danny’s head lowered. “Well were you ever at any time treated differently?”

“Yes I was.”

“I don’t get it, Martin had a dream didn’t he? He had a dream that one day, his four little children could walk around this green earth without being judged for the color of their skin. He dreamed that they would be judged by the content of their character. So does this always happen?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“People still see differences.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know Bo, they just do.” The class looked at Danny.

“Come up here.” Danny looked at Mrs. Fracas. She nodded her head. Yep, Bo was in charged. Danny walked up to the front of the class.

“I can’t believe you’re making me do this.”

“You know what? Martin wasn’t just hoping for his children to be safe, he was hoping everyone would be. Danny had a problem with racism.”

“Yeah…I did.”

“Because of this racism, he was ridiculed. I stood up for him. Although I ended up injured, I would have done it again.” Bo sighed. “I am bringing in five guests. They’re brothers. They used to go to this school.”

“Bo…”

“Trust me.” Bernard, Johan, Lucas, Jonah and Reeve walked into the room. They looked at Danny. Each one of them opened their arms and gave him a hug. They all stood with papers in their hands.

“Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation,” Bernard began.

“This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice,” Johan continued.

“It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity. But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free,” Reeve announced.

“One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.”

“One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.”

“One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.”

“So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condition. In a sense we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir,” Lucas commented.

“This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned.”

“Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’ But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt, We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation,” Jonah said.

“So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice,” Bernard said.

“We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now,” Johan declared.

“This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.”

“Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.”

“Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God’s children,” Reeve said.

“Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood,” Lucas added. They put their papers down.

“Hi, we’re the Hansen’s and what we just read was only a tiny bit of Martin’s speech,” Bernard announced.

“We have a dream…just like Martin Luther King junior did,” Reeve added.

“Our dream wasn’t realized as fast.”

“In fact, we almost didn’t realize our dream. Now, we are here to talk about the horrors of racism,” Lucas said.

“Racism is a horrible thing. It is the belief that human races have distinctive characteristics which determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate others,” Jonah declared.

“Racism can involve offensive or aggressive behavior to members of another race stemming from such a belief.

“Racial harassment offends, humiliates or intimidates and that targets a person or group because of their race.” They all looked up at everyone.

“We were filled with racism,” Bernard admitted.

“The Hansen brothers were the ones who discriminated against Danny,” Bo announced.

“We beat the tar out of Bo. Somehow, he forgave us. Though I still feel sorry everyday for what happened.”

“Don’t.”

“Look, racism is wrong…no matter how you paint it. Everyone is equal. I suggest that everyone forgets about differences. Whether they are racial or anything else—just, forget the differences of people,” Reeve said.

“Yeah, there’s no point.”

“Martin was a man before his time. He knew that there needed to be a change,” Lucas mumbled.

“A change to help the world,” Jonah added.

“A dream that we all should have.”

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’ I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.”

“I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice,” Bernard articulated.

“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today,” Bo finished.

“Will you live Martin’s dream?” Everyone had tears in their eyes. Now this is class, don’t you think?

Now at the end of class, Mrs. Fracas was amazed. She walked up to Bo who was cleaning up. “Everyone was totally engaged,” Mrs. Fracas told him.

“Not bad for a high school student, huh?” Bo asked.

“You know, I was deeply surprised. When I saw you bring in those characters, I thought you were out of your mind.”

“How so?”

“Not many guests come to History class.”

“Well, if it wasn’t for Martin, I don’t think that they could have realized their dream.”

“The part about Rosa Parks, you put that in so intensely.”

“No one would think anything about her nowadays. A woman sitting on the bus is normal. No, she sat at the front of the bus. Rosa Parks, she was so brilliant.”

“You really know your stuff.”

“Was their any doubt?” Mrs. Fracas laughed as she shook her head.

“Well I am proud of you.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I am just afraid of what you’ll do for English class.”

“Oh come on, I’ll woe ladies. English is a great language.” Mrs. Fracas shook her head.

“You are an amazing specimen. Some doctor would be right happy to study your mind.”

“Yeah probably but I wouldn’t let them.” Mrs. Fracas shrugged.

“Science’s loss.”

“I guess so.” He walked out of the classroom as chipper as ever. Now that went well didn’t it? Hopefully for Luke, Daisy, Jesse and Cooter things go just as well. Especially with Miss Tizdale’s life on the line.

7

“This is Bo Peep calling lost sheep one. Come in lost sheep one,” Daisy said over the CB.

“What do you need pretty Mama?” Luke questioned back.

“I know who it is—the one who is after Miss Tizdale.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah…everyone else asked about her but didn’t give it too much thought when I was handing out the mail. But Mr. Harrington—boy howdy did he make a stir.”

“Did you tell him where she was?”

“Yup, he’s heading to the coffin factory…right into your hands.”

“That’s a big 10-4 cousin.” Now y’all know where she really is. The Dukes ain’t dumb—are they? You know, to keep her in the coffin factory. Well we’re about to find out.

Mr. Harrington walked into that there coffin factory. He saw a rocking chair move back and forth—now that looks like Miss Tizdale sitting there. Oh boy, I ain’t fixing on seeing her get shot.

Mr. Harrington aimed and shot three times. As the lady fell out of the chair, that rocking chair kept on moving. Now what was going on? I didn’t know—wait a minute. Mr. Harrington’s turning her over. It’s a dummy.

Those boys are smart. Cooter must have made something up to keep the chair rocking. Well this ain’t over for Mr. Harrington. As he turned around, there was Luke with dynamite in hand.

“You better put your gun down Mr. Harrington or so help me I’ll blow both of us sky high,” Luke said.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Mr. Harrington growled.

“Or really?”

“Yeah, I call your bluff.”

“Alright Mr. Harrington, your loss.” Luke went to light the dynamite.

“Okay!” Mr. Harrington finally put the gun down. Cooter walked in with rope and tied him up. Now this was great. No huge mess or nothing.

“Now tell me, why would you wanna kill Miss Tizdale, Mr. Harrington? I don’t get it.”

“Well, Miss Tizdale was the love of my life. I wanted to marry her and followed her here. She said no—why? That dang Jesse came into her heart.”

“That ain’t why you killed her is it?”

“Heck no. I had a dog who I loved a lot. When it bit her, she had me put it down. That was the only family I had. I couldn’t stand her after that.”

“A dog… Mr. Harrington, that is low.”

“It ain’t low when you have no one.”

“He’s right Luke, if I had no one and my best friend was canine, I think I would be right off angry too,” Cooter added. He finished tying the ropes.

“Thanks Cooter.”

“That doesn’t condone you going after Miss Tizdale, Mr. Harrington.”

“I guess not.”

Mr. Harrington went to jail as you can probably guess which was fine considering he tried to kill someone important. Thank goodness the Dukes interfered otherwise her bacon would have been cooked.

Daisy became amazing at the mail bit. She was sad to leave her new found job but knew that waitressing waited for no man. Well that and Boss Hogg said if she didn’t come back to the restaurant, she was in trouble. You know why? Well simple, she attracts the men.

Cooter used his new tricks for a show, had the invisible man. Well—with the help of Luke’s ventriloquism. They made a pretty good team together.

Dodger made a good amount in tips. He gave all of them to Daisy of course. Daisy took him out for lunch in return. Not bad for him.

Bo and Luke got dates for the dance. Sunny and Sharon. You can guess who Luke went out with. Yup, the one he called Sunny afternoon. He adored her.

Bo on the other hand figured he owed Sharon for answering the majority of the questions in class. That kind of left the rest of the girls all sad but they dealt with it the only way they knew how…cutting in with every dance he and Sharon had.

Jesse Duke took Emma-Lee Tizdale to the dance. This made her extremely happy. Jesse was pretty dang shy if you know what I mean. Dang I hate to see that boy blush.

Daisy loved her dress and her date. I guess Bo knows how to sew. But you do see how Bo and Luke are watching her? Like a Hawke…they are worried about her…even with her in the right dress. Well I suppose that’s how it ends…for Hazzard County.