The next day they all arrived at the old barn, (Corporate Headquarters)
Everyone had arrived by 9:30 Brian and Trav, Ton and Tank,
Brent and he brought Josh too. Rodney asked what everyones' chore schedule
was like, then wrote it on the chalk board with the expected days of completion.
Then he asked when the guys could be ready to pick up bottles from
regular customers. Then what days would be best to look for new customers
and new recruits.
At the end it seemed that everyone had to mow at least 2 times a week
usually Saturday and Thursday. The best days for regular customers was
Tuesday, that left Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the gang to look for
bottles, get new customers and hang out. And Sunday for the occasional
meeting and cookout.
When Rodney put everything on the board it looked like together they
would have to each bring in 10 cases a week for a new bike.
plus what ever else the spent on cookouts. The goal was 15 cases a week
per man.
" What about the big lie?" Brent asked
The room went quiet...
Rodney knew it was bound to be asked, "we will cross that bridge when we get to it."
"Any ideas, what to do on that?" "We could say we didn't make enough,"
Brian suggested. "No people would want their money back." Tank said.
Ton said," We could fake it" " What?" Rodney quizzed.
"We could fake it.", Ton repeated. By then he had everyones' attention.
"How!" they all said in unison. "Camp Wanamaka is at Beaver Creek!".
"We will never pull it off", said Brian. "We can't fake being dropped off at
Ton and Tanks as a Camp for Boys!"
Josh , who had been quiet the whole time, turned and said, "I can do it!"
"My dad has the keys to the church bus, we'll meet and load for camp at church."
"Just make a sign for camp in the window and we're in like Flynn."
Brent said, "That's the dumbest idea yet!" " You got anything else brainiac?",
Josh demanded. "What're you going to do steal the bus you thief?", Brent retaliated.
Josh went to hit him, but Rodney stepped in," look you guys if this is going to
work, we have to work together!" Josh added," We don't have to take the bus
anywhere, we could all walk to T and T's after our folks left." " Just say the
driver was delayed." "All we got to do is get a high school kid to pretend he's
checking us in." "Melody's brother would do it.", Rodney said, "This just might
work". " Everyone, Camp Wanamaka plan is official? raise your hands."
" Okay, all in?"
"Tomorrow's Thursday, who needs grass cut?" Brian, Travis, and me.
Rodney put together 2 man teams so everyone got done quickly.
The guys who live closest together will work together so you don't have to
drag your mower too far. By noon we can meet at the feed store and look
for soda bottles. "Meeting is adjourned." "Everyone look for bottles on the
way home, " Hey what do we do when we get bottles?", asked Travis
"Wait meeting not adjourned.", said Rodney. He thought for a moment
then said, save them for a week then we all get together and cash them in
after an official count." "What if someone cheats?", asked Brian.
"Anyone cheating, know this, we are in together and if we don't work
together, we don't stand a chance in hell of getting our new bikes got it!",
Rodney stated firmly, "Anyone screwin' around is out!"
"That means you Josh," Brent snipped." That means you too, Brent",
Rodney resounded.
"Meeting Adjourned"
All the boy's left picking at eachother and talking about the gang,
except for Josh," Hey Rod thanks for stickin' up for me. "
Rodney turned with a dead serious face, "don't make me regret it."
" Hey I know I screwed up, but it's hard to get another chance around here.
" Do you think this bus thing will work?"
" God help us if it doesn't, everyone will know we lied to them."
Josh rode away on his bike, Rodney rolled the idea around in his head,
if they got caught in a lie, what could possibly go wrong? Would people
think they were a bunch of bad kids? Would they want their money back?
Could he make up a big excuse and get away with it?
Tune in next time ............
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