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On one side — Jenny, Brad, and Sheldon. Three teenagers caught trespassing. |
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On the other side — thirteen security guards. Some male. Some female. All intimidating. But smartly dressed in crisp black uniforms and black baseball caps embroidered with a royal blue “Crust Security” logo. |
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Jenny raised her fists, assuming a combat stance. “Gotta say, you all look good in basic black.” Somehow, she cracked her metallic knuckles. “Those outfits will look even better at your funerals.” |
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Sheldon swallowed hard, “You’re not actually going to kill anybody. . . right, Jen?” |
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Jenny whispered. “No, Sheldon. Ever hear of intimidation? I’m trying to get them to give up without a fight.” |
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The nearest guard said, “How about you give up before we call the cops and get you kids thrown in jail.” |
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Jenny gestured toward the guard. “See? That’s intimidation.” |
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Sheldon threw up his hands in surrender. “It’s working.” |
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Brad did the same. “Agreed.” |
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Jenny batted at their arms. “Put those down! I’ll do most of the fighting, okay? I’ll take twelve out of thirteen. You two can team up and fight that short, stubby one.” |
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Sheldon looked at the brawny bunch before them. “Where’s the short one?” |
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Brad bent down and looked behind the biggest guard’s bulging calves, where the stubby one was hiding. “Tuck?” |
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Tuck leaned out, waved, and tittered nervously. |
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The guard with the biggest biceps asked, “How does the new hire know these thieves?” |
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The guard with the bushiest beard said, “Maybe he’s a thief.” |
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The guard with the deepest voice, said, “But he’s dressed in black, just like us.” |
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All twelve guards spoke at once. In the resulting cacophony, Brad and Sheldon couldn’t understand any one speaker, but Jenny was able to use her auditory analysis program to isolate each individual voice. It seemed that a guard had stumbled upon Tuck in the dark, assumed he was a new hire because of his black outfit, and had given him a Crust Security hat, allowing him to blend in with the others. |
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The guards' argument ended as most of them reluctantly reached the conclusion that Tuck must be a thief in disguise. The guard with the deepest voice forcefully disagreed. “Why would someone dress in boring black if their employer didn’t make them?” |
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The guard with the bushiest beard lowered his hirsute head. “It is a rather bland way to work.” |
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The guard with the biggest biceps flexed and pointed to the crates around them. “Especially when surrounded by such amazing fashions.” |
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A light bulb went on in Jenny’s head. This was a malfunction, and the robot made a mental note to have her mom take a look at it. |
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At the same time, however, Jenny had a brilliant idea. She used her stretchy arms to reach the nearest crate and lift the lid, revealing a dozen gorgeous gowns. “What better way to keep a close watch over these outfits than to wear them?” |
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Within the hour, Jenny and the boys had helped all twelve guards find upscale ensembles that truly suited them. As they unpacked box after box, the teens also happened to “discover” the pip crystal dresses. Jenny made a point of admiring the garments, gushing about how perfect one would be for an upcoming event on her social calendar. Feeling giddy in their flashy new outfits, the guards were happy to let her borrow it. |
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The four kids waved to the now elegantly attired guards and left the warehouse as the night sky began to brighten. Jenny stared at the shimmering gown in her arms. “Phase One of Operation Crush the Crusts is complete. You boys get some shuteye and then we’ll move on to Phase Two.” |
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Brad and Sheldon exchanged worried looks. They’d hoped never to reach Phase Two. |
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Because Phase Two meant altering reality itself. |
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Copyright 2024 by Wigmore Productions
1111 Yellow Brick Road, Hollywood, CA 91602
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