Plead Out (Socks CCCLII)

After several days, and several boxes that were deposited in the closet, Pretty and Mom stared carrying boxes to the car. The boys listened to the conversation in the car.
"He pled guilty to Unlawful Entry."
"What about Breaking and Entering?"
"They dropped it for a plea."
"How much time did he get?"
"Two years, suspended."
"What's that?"
"He doesn't really have to go to jail. He got one year probation."
"He lucked out."
"He can't even attempt to have any contact with me. The judge said that if he broke probation, he'd go to jail for the full sentence."

Purloined Pun (Socks CCCLI)

In the morning Pretty continued with her cleaning. The box went into a closet in the spare bedroom. As days passed, other boxes, containing various items, mostly sports equipment, were brought in.
There was a basketball who said that he hadn't been bounced for so long that he was now deflated and no longer supple.
The football had been out only a couple times more than the basketball.
The tennis ball claimed to have been knocked around just last season. The golf ball got used all the time.
Rar noted that the older Grunter got, the smaller his balls were.

Evidence (Socks CCCL)

The blue woman said that she had some advice, "Next time you decide to break and enter, do it sober."
"I'll take that into consideration."
Pretty shook her head, "You never give up, do ya?"
Fred started putting the items that the blue woman held back into Grunter's pockets.
"I'll take him down to the station, if you want to do the report."
The blue woman gave Fred a key, "Let's keep this as evidence."
Fred put the key in a clear bag, and walked Grunter out.
For an hour the blue woman asked questions and wrote while Pretty talked.

Address Change (Socks CCCXLIX)

The blue woman helped grunter to sit up, and told him to, "Sit right there, and don't move."
"Is anything missing, Ma'am?"
"I don't think so, he just walked in when you got here."
"Do you want to press charges?"
"You bet."
Fred helped Grunter stand, "I'm going to frisk you. Is there anything sharp in your pockets?"
Fred pulled things out of Grunter's pockets, placing them in the blue woman's hands. Fred opened Grunter's wallet, "Didn't get your address changed yet, huh?"
"Not yet."
"You're about to get an address change, for the next three to five years anyhow."

Be a Knee (Socks CCCXLVIII)

Grunter shoved the box aside, running for the back door.
Rar could see down the hall, and when Grunter opened the door a flashlight shone in his eyes, "Don't move,"
Grunter stopped.
"Lay down, and put your hands behind your back."
Grunter complied, the blue woman did something that caused a click.
"Ma'am, are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm ok."
"FRED, AROUND BACK. How many were there Ma'am?"
"I only heard one," Pretty came out of the bedroom.
Fred came in, and looked around the house.
By now lights were on, and Pretty could see the man on the floor, "You!"

Emergency Call (Socks CCCXLVII)

There came a noise at the back door, a click. Pretty stirred in the other room, her breathing had changed.
Whispering, "I can hear someone at my back door."
*
"I heard them in the back yard a few minutes ago, so I got dressed."
*
"Yes, I can stay on the line."
*
"Please hurry, the door is opening."
*
"Yes, I'm hiding behind the bed."
*
"OK, I won't talk unless I need to."
The only sound in the house was footsteps in the hall, then in the living room. Grunter was pawing in the box.
Red and blue flashed through the window.

Smelly Shoes (Socks CCCXLVI)

The twins didn't talk much, they just hung around, listening. There was a sweater in the bottom of the box complaining about the smell coming from the golf shoes, apparently the grass from the cleats was on his sleeve. A golf ball, with a nick, was in the right shoe telling the sweater that the smell was much worse in the shoe. The shoes were silent, longing for the days of walking out in the open, before the odor had set in. If the man hadn't quit using the powder, the shoes would still smell new.
"Cuckoo, cuckoo..." twelve times.

Boxing Day (Socks CCCXLV)

The boys were together again, held by the hands they both admired.
Very quietly, "This was a gift, but all you did was complain. You'll never see these again."
She put the Gylegreys on the bed, opened the closet, and piled more items with them, mostly clothing, all the while muttering. She left the room, coming back with a box. All the objects went in the box, with Lar and Rar tucked in the side, hanging over the edge. Pretty carried the box into the living room.
"You had your chance."
Pretty turned off the lights. Soon she breathed rhythmically.

Cleaning Again (Socks CCCXLIV)

Dyson understood what Margreth and Phil were saying, but remained a bit sullen over being picked on.
When the alarm sounded, Pretty, or Honey as Margreth knew her, knocked around the house and left, staying gone all day.
In the evening when Pretty returned, she stood in the doorway of the bedroom, "I'm tired of this mess." She picked up the phone, "A large with pepperoni," then gave the address.
She plugged Dyson into the wall, and hit the on button. She eventually moved the dresser, "Wow." Rar was once again in the soft hands.
She pulled the drawer open.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch (Socks CCCXLIII)

"Well, I clean all the rooms, while you just hang on the wall, and say that stupid cuckoo."
"And what is that noise that you make? Is it a roar?"
Phil couldn't help but interject, "Sounds like a rumble to me."
Dyson didn't dare mention Phil's sounds.
The argument went on for a short time until Phil felt sorry for the youngster.
"What say we give her a break. Look Dyson, we're just having fun with you."
Margreth complied, "What we've figured out is that each object has it's own talent. It's own job, if you know what I mean."

He's Back (Socks CCCXLII)

The next day Oma left. Margreth and Phil stayed in the house watching the happenings.
They saw the walls painted a different color. They saw more furniture come in. They saw the young man that visited, and after a time, moved in.
The young man didn't really answer questions directly, he made guttural noises, so Phil started calling him Grunter.
Grunter was nice for a while, then he began to talk roughly to Honey. Margreth nor Phil liked him, and when he was asked to move out, they were glad, even giddy. That's why they were pestering the vacuum cleaner.

Slumber Party (Socks CCCXLI)

Oma pronounced the home as, "lovely."
"Oma, would you like to stay here tonight? I have a double bed."
Oma and Honey sat in the living room talking, and eating the pizza that a young man brought to the front door until after one AM. Oma recounted her youth, the tale of the cuckoo clock, and their escape to America.
Margreth had been on the wall when Dana had told Honey these same stories, but Honey listened, asking questions as if she heard them for the first time.
After the women went to bed, Margreth could still hear them talking.

Another Move (Socks CCCXL)

The next afternoon Dad picked Phil up from his table, and Mom took Margreth from the wall. The objects were carried to the car.
Oma sat in the back seat, holding Margreth in her lap. Margreth felt water, "Oh Margreth, after all these years, I still miss you. Tell Wilhiem I'll be there soon."
"Were you talking to me, Oma?"
"No, I was talking to the Das Cuckoo."
"I haven't heard it called that for years."
Soon Margreth was on the wall in the new house. Phil, his table, and a couch were the only other objects in the room.

Oma Visits (Socks CCCXXIX)

Oma was now very slow, and bent, she gave a small piece of paper to Honey, "For the new house."
"I still have the money you gave me for graduation."
"Good, Opa wanted you to have this."
"But Oma, this is half of what the house costs."
"Then you can start life with a savings."
"Oma, I can't."
"Don't argue with your Oma, I want you to have it."
"OK. Thank you."
They hugged, and Honey cried.
"Now, take your Oma to see the new place."
"I'll have to call my realtor, I close tomorrow."
"Then we wait until tomorrow."

Four Years (Socks CCCXXXVIII)

Margreth seldom saw Honey when the weather was cold, but she was around the house in the summer, and when the house was decorated. By this time, she knew it was called Christmas. In fact, she had picked up on lots of holidays. This went on for four years, then Honey was around the house every day, but worked at night.
Honey told Mom that she thought it was time to get a place of her own, and asked if Dad would, please, look at a house with her.
The next week Donald, Kathernia, and Oma were at the house.

Honey Grows (Socks CCCXXXVII)

The day came when Margreth and Phil were wrapped in cloth, and each put in a box, when they came out it was in a different house.
Honey grew, past the day when she could pull on the chains.
One day when Honey had carried suitcases into the room, Dana, Edison, and Honey stood and talked, "I'll make you the same deal that Oma made to me."
"Mom, that's your clock."
"It would be worth twice the price to hear from you every week."
A horn honked outside, they hugged, and Honey went out the door, "Bye, I'll miss you."

A letter (Socks CCCXXXVI)

Late in the day Chris and the woman carried their bags into the room, "We better get going before dark."
"Call as soon as you get home."
"I hope Nixon gets us out soon, I want to move back."
"Be careful at the border, Chris."
"Call me Pete. Want to see my license?"
There were hugs all around.
The next day Cassie left with her bag. The others stayed about a week.
Time slipped by, Honey grew. Margreth knew that Honey was going to school, she had heard the conversations.
One day Edison received a letter, "It's a job offer."

Reception (Socks CCCXXXV)

The man in black told Edison to kiss Dana, he did, and everyone cheered.
Margreth was confused, "What was that all about? They kiss all the time."
Long into the night the party went on, and around nine Opa started singing and clapping Edison on the shoulder. Just after ten Oma guided him upstairs vowing to be back after she tucked him in. She didn't come back until the next morning.
By midnight the only ones at the party were the people that had once lived in the house.
Oma and Honey were up early. Everyone else slept till noon.

A Ceremony (Socks CCCXXXIV)

When the weather turned it's hottest, there was yet another party at the house.
Oma, Opa, Katherina, and Donald were there, as was the couple that Edison called Mom and Dad.
Margreteh had seen these people a few times over the last few years, but not all at the same time.
Cassie was there, and Chris brought a woman.
Cassie and Dana stood on one side of a strange, smiling man dressed in black, Edison and Chris stood on the other.
When Honey carried a pillow through the room all the women cried.
Phil and Margreth agreed, this was strange.

Two Years (Socks CCCXXXIII)

During the party Cassie said that she would go home to Ohio, there was lots of industry there, "Maybe GM needs an engineer."
Margreth heard Chris tell someone that he had two offers, one in LA, the other in Vancouver. "I think Canada would be a good place to live till this all blows over."
Chris and Cassie moved out, Honey got Cassie's room.
Two more springs brought two more parties, then only Edison, Dana, and Honey lived in the house.
Honey was walking, and knew not to pull Margreth's chains, but she did touch them when Dana wasn't looking.

It's a Girl (Socks CCCXXXII)

The next morning Edison came in, his clothes were disheveled, his hair sticking up in places, and his eyes red.
Chris was at the kitchen table, "Well?"
"It's a girl."
Damn, she was right."
"You surprised?"
"Not really."
"Will you wake me if I'm not up by noon?"
"Sure. When can she have visitors?"
"She was asleep when I left, this afternoon I suppose."
Edison dragged himself to his room.
In a few days Honey came home, and stayed in the room with Edison and Dana.
Spring came, Honey was crawling, and there was a party for Cassie and Chris.

Breaking Water (Socks CCCXXXI)

Dana agreed that she was stubborn, "but only when I'm right."
As Dana got larger, Chris, the dark man, would occasionally suggest boy's names.
"Don't need it," was the reply.
One day Margreth watched Dana dusting, cleaning, and cooking. While standing in the kitchen, water pooled under Dana's dress. She sat down for a moment, grabbed a mop, then made a phone call, "It's time," was the gist of the conversation. She carried a suitcase into the room.
Edison came rushing in talking fast, his face red, he tried to get Dana to, "Hurry."
"There's time. Let's not kill ourselves."

One Name (Socks CCCXXX)

Phil and Margreth settled into an easy existence, enjoying each others company, and the company of the people that lived in the house.
As Dana's belly grew, everyone, even the objects, called her Mom.
On one of the rare occasions that the six people living in the house were together, the dark man asked, "What names do you have picked out?"
"Honey Margreth, after my great-grandma."
"Cool, what about boy's names?"
"Don't need one."
"What? You got to..."
"Don't bother Chris," came from Edison.
"But what if..."
"I have a girl in here," Mom pointed at her belly.
"You're stubborn."

Group Support (Socks CCCXXIX)

"You'll see," Phil answered to Margrteh's questions about this guitar thing.
Soon, the man went up, got his guitar, and began to strum. Most of the group sang with him.
Margreth had seen both Wilhiem and Donald smoke, but these people shared their cigarettes, passing them one to another.
Edison was offered one of the cigarettes, "No thanks. When Dana can, I will."
"Fair enough," the dark man said, "I'll quit too, till Dana can partake," handing his cigarette to a woman.
"Me too," that woman said.
The whole group followed suit.
Margreth didn't see this activity again for months.

Party (Socks CCCXXVIII)

"Does Dana pay rent?"
"Yes, I heard them talking, she insisted, or she wouldn't move in."
The party was changing, the four people that brought Margreth had left, and some others had arrived. The new people were dressed in bright colors, with pants that were big at the bottom, or headbands.
One of the guests was a man with a dark face. His hair was big and round, and shook when he laughed, which was a lot.
This was the second dark face that Margreth had seen, she remarked to Phil about it.
"He lives here, upstairs. He plays guitar."

Edison (Socks CCCXXVII)

With only Dana in the room, Phil finished his yarn, "He brought me back to Dana, and she gave him a bundle of shirts."
He went on to explain that the man came around more often, until one day Dana brought Phil here, along with all her other stuff, "She stays in a room with Dad."
"What's Dad's name?"
"They call him Edison, but I don't think that's his name."
Phil said that Dad knew how to repair all manner of objects.
"Also a few other people live here, and pay rent to Edison."
"What's rent?"
"Green pieces of paper."

Dad and Daddy (Socks CCCXXVI)

"That's why Oma gave you the clock."
"No, you don't get it, they really missed each other, they know each other."
The two men looked at each other.
"Dad, you never believed me about this stuff."
"I've only known you a little over a year."
"All right, from now on, you are Dad," she punched her finger in the bearded man's chest, "and you are Daddy," doing the same to Donald.
"Now, both of you, get back to the party."
The bearded man rubbed Dana's belly, and put his face waist high, "Don't listen to her, I think she's unstable."

New Guts (Socks CCCXXV)

About half of the crowd had left, and the rest had migrated to the kitchen, except Dana. Phil continued his story, "He took out my guts and put AM-FM guts back in."
"What's that?"
"That's what he called it, it helps me grab two types of signal."
Dana turned her head toward the other room, "Dad, come in here."
The bearded man and Donald walked in, all three people laughed.
Dana had one man on each side, "Listen."
Nobody moved, even Phil stopped his story.
"What?"
"Shhh."
Dana said, "The clock and the radio are happy to be together again."

Cool Radio (Socks CCCXXIV)

The radio and the clock picked up where they had left off. Interrupting during a story was great fun.
Margreth let Phil finish his tale, "Dana pulled me from the closet, and handed me to the guy with the beard. He said that I was a cool radio."
"Phil, you are cool."
"Thanks. He put me under his arm, said 'I'll have it ready in two weeks,' and headed for the door."
Dana was standing in front of Margreth, playing her earlobe, looking from the clock to the radio.
"Then he said, 'The price is three tie-dyes,' and walked out."

Interrupting (Socks CCCXXIII)

"Why does Dana call that guy Dad?"
"Did you see her belly?"
"Oh," Margreth looked.
"He's the one that fixed me."
Phil explained, "I used to live in a room with Dana and Cassie, the girl talking to Oma."
"Do they know each other?"
"Cassie talks to everybody. Her and Dana used to let me report until it got hard for me to grab the signal."
"Do they have good signals here?"
"Lots of good music. I sat for a long time, unplugged. Then I got put in a closet."
"Was it dark?"
Phil didn't answer.
Both objects started laughing.

Phil Spotting (Socks CCCXXII)

The man came back, and tapped on the wall with the handle of the hammer, "Here's a stud. How high do you want it, Mom?"
Margreth was on the wall looking around the room. As soon as she saw the table on the other side of the window, "Hello."
"Phil."
"That's me."
Margreth was so happy she couldn't wait to cuckoo. It was almost noon, but it felt more like three or four in the afternoon.
Phil and Margreth were glad to see each other, and carried on a conversation in spite of all of the people in the house.

Hippie Spotting (Socks CCCXXI)

Margreth knew she was being carried again, and could hear different voices. She heard Dana's voice again. She was being removed from the bag and unwrapped. Next she was looking into Dana's face. Margreth was so happy that she wanted to cuckoo, but she couldn't.
"Oma, Opa, you can't give me your Mama's clock."
"We can. It was our deal."
Finally, Oma and Opa won. Margreth would stay with Dana.
"Dad, lets hang it between those two windows."
"I'll get a hammer and nail."
Margreth saw a strange man, with shoulder length hair and a beard walk from the room.

Pre-Party (Socks CCCXX)

After a while, Margreth heard the door open again, then she heard the voices of Wilhiem, and Elsebeth, "This bag has been moved."
She was picked up, "Nothing is missing."
"Maybe they moved it to clean, Oma."
"Probably so."
"We should get to the party now."
"We finally get to meet Dana's... What shall we call him? Her Boyfriend?"
"They will be married soon enough, then he will be her husband."
Margreth felt the bag move, being carried. She heard the door shut.
She heard a knock. A door opened, "You ready?"
Katherina's voice said, "Just about. Donald's downstairs waiting"

Two Friends (Socks CCCXIX)

Margreth was back in, and could hear the women talking as they finished their tasks.
"This room's done. On to the next."
"I'd like to take one last look at that clock."
"We can't, if we get caught..."
"I know, I won't."
"We can't tell nobody about that clock."
"If John knew we did that, he'd fire us both, on the spot."
"We? You opened it."
"But you looked too."
The two women bickered like that until Margreth heard a door shut. She got the feeling that this was kind of like Wilhiem and Donald's banter. These women were friends.

Antique Peek (Socks CCCXVIII)

The bundle was being picked up, and Margreth was being unwrapped.
"Ooh, look at this."
"That's beautiful."
Margreth was looking at two women she didn't recognize. Both had huge smiles. One had a very dark face, darker than any she had ever seen.
"It looks old."
"I bet it's an antique."
She started wrapping Margreth up again.
"I better put this away before someone comes in."
"Why would anyone bring something that valuable on vacation?"
"I don't know, it's none of our business."
"Your right, but it sure was pretty."
"You're the nosiest thing alive."
"You looked too, you know."

Rich People (Socks CCCXVII)

Margreth heard two women, then she could feel herself being moved. suddenly she could see more light.
"Stay out of that bag."
"Mind your own business."
"It is my business. If you steal something, I get in trouble too."
"I'm not going to steal anything, I just want to look. See what these rich people have."
"It's none of your business. Besides, what makes you think they're rich?"
"They flew all the way across the country."
"How do you know?"
"Here's the plane ticket."
"Wow, you sure are right. They flew non-stop from... Wait, this ain't none of our business."

Day Counting (Socks CCCXVI)

Margreth wished that she would get back to the wall, any wall, so her pendulum would swing again. This was not as bad as when she was stuck in the suitcase, but it was close. Her concept of time was way off. She knew that people went to bed, whatever that meant, and that ended one day. She counted to herself.
"Elsebeth wrapped me up, then told Opa it was time for bed. That was one day."
She had to think hard, "Did the strange, loud noises last for one, two, or three days?"
There was a knock, "Room service."

Graduation Day (Socks CCCXV)

Margreth remained in the container while the people went to supper with Dana. She remembered how Dana would mimic the cuckoo, only able to stand or walk by hanging on to the couch or coffee table. Dana would even harmonize with the clock occasionally, up to the day she left for college. Margreth missed Dana.
The next morning Margreth only heard Oma amd Opa's voices, but the phone rang twice. She could tell that Katherina was on the other end once, "Yes, we're awake," and Dana the next, "OK, see you in an hour."
Margreth wanted to see the graduation.

Arrival (Socks CCCXIV)

Margreth caught the conversation in the middle, "You'll have to wait until tomorrow, he had to work today, grading papers. He's a professor's assistant. "
"Let's get our luggage, and go to the hotel. We'll freshen up, and go to supper."
"Is there a good restaurant near the hotel?"
"Tons. Friends of ours opened a little place a few blocks from the hotel."
On the way to the hotel the conversation carried on about Dana's new job starting soon, the plans for the next days graduation, and the local sites.
"You guys freshen up, I'll be back in an hour."

Go West (Socks CCCXIII)

A few weeks later Elsebeth put two suitcases in the living room. Then she took Margreth down from the wall, and wrapping her in a soft cloth, she put the bundle in a small container.
It was hard to keep track of time, but Margreth could hear the four voices that she knew best talking. She found out that she would be carrion. She had heard this word once when DuMont had reported on Africa. She didn't want to be eaten by vultures.
There was much bustling and strange noises, and before she knew it, she could hear Dana's voice.

Sunday Call (Socks CCCXII)

On Sunday, after the usual weekly meal, Elsebeth remarked about the time and picked up the phone. She talked a short time, then handed the receiver to Wilhiem, who passed it over to Kathernia. She stayed on the phone so long, that the others went back into the kitchen. She became very serious, but soon began to smile, "Leave it to me to tell your father, he'll spout off at first, but..."
*
"I guess Oma knows him too."
Then Donald talked a short time and went into the kitchen, "She has a job offer already, she won't be moving back."

It's OK (Socks CCCXI)

"But, you must get married. My granddaughter will not be an unwed..."
*
"That was not funny."
*
"But the baby will be here."
*
"True, you could have a baby in the pictures, or a belly."
*
"Ok, honey, it will be our secret, but graduation is one month away. Everybody will see your belly then."
*
"You must tell them soon."
*
"Yes, we will call the same time this Sunday."
*
"Not to worry, your Papa will only rant for a little while."
The call soon ended, and Elsebeth spent the rest of the day humming and softly singing as she dusted and cooked.

Family Way (Socks CCCX)

In addition to the letters, there were the phone calls. Usually, the two couples would have a meal together at the house, afterward Elsebeth would dial the phone, talking first, each person would talk in turns. Margreth could tell by the conversation that they were talking to Dana.
Once the phone rang while only Elsebeth was home, "Hello."
*
"Oh Dana, how are you?"
*
"No, just me here."
*
"Ok, I'll listen."
*
"Oh no. What do you plan to do?"
*
"Of course you would keep it. I mean, do you plan to graduate?"
*
"Good. When are you due?"
*
"When is the wedding?"

Open Letters (Socks CCCIX)

Margreth saw Dana very little over the next few years, however the letters came at least once a week. Elsebeth would open each one, sit in the living room to read it, scribble a page or two, then put that one in an envelope and seal it.
The letter was left on the TV each time for the others to read. If the letter was left open Margreth could read one page, learning that Dana was stressing about finals, missing everybody, or wondering how deep Johnson was going to get in over there.
Dana also said, "The radio still works."

Dana Leaves (Socks CCCVIII)

"Dana, have you thought about college for next fall?"
"I would like to go to Berkley."
"Where is Berkley?"
"California," Kathernia interrupted.
"It's only four years."
"There are good schools here in the city."
"Dad."
"I know, the sharpest liberal thinkers are in California."
And so it happened, in the fall, Dana came to the house wearing a pink, baggy shirt, blue pants that were big at the bottom, and a flowered band around her head.
"I'll miss you, Oma."
"Write me every week."
"I will."
"If you write once a week, I'll give you the cuckoo for your graduation."

Digesting The News (Socks CCCVII)

Elsebeth had came in and sat down, watching the TV, "Sit down Honey." Dana sat, saying nothing, staring at the screen.
Katherina walked in, joining the others. None said hardly a word.
Within an hour, Wilhiem and Donald came in together. Almost immediately, the three women started crying.
Wilhiem said that he would cook supper, while they watched. Dana went into the kitchen, "I'll help, Opa."
The family ate in front of the TV that night, Margreth had never seen them do that before.
Everyone talked of the report, but once in a while Wilhiem would bring up another subject.

Profound Change (Socks CCCVI)

Change was not new to Margreth, so when she watched Slicker become threadbare, and be replaced by a new raincoat, she took it in stride. The new coat wouldn't talk, so she did miss the stories from the outside.
Dumont also went away. A television with a larger screen, that reported in color took his place.
Donald still called Wilhiem Tightwad, that hadn't changed.
Another change was Dana. She was big enough to set Margreth's hands.
One day Dana came into the house out of breath, "Oma." She flipped on the TV, and watched.
The TV reported, "Today in Dallas..."

Threadbare (Socks CCCV)

Over time Slicker's comings and goings became almost predictable. When DuMont reported a threat of rain, or rain was falling when Wilhiem left in the morning, the raincoat was almost sure to be back. But if it was raining in the evening, he did not show up. Presumably, Slicker was dripping off on the back porch.
One day after Slicker had been on the chair Margreth noted, "Slicker has a lot of strings hanging from his cuff."
"I don't think we should mention it. His looks are so important to him, it would just upset him."
"So true, so true."

Bumpkins (Socks CCCIV)

This coat had a unique speech pattern. He used strange words as he went on to describe the outside world.
There were times when Slicker would be handed over to a strange lady, and she would hang him up next to some coats that he had never met before. He would try to start conversations with the other coats, not always succeeding.
"Some of them are just bumpkins."
A lot of times there were hats on the shelf above the coats, they were more talkative, "More open minded." Whatever that meant.
Wilhiem grabbed Slicker and headed for the door, "Ta-ta."

Fabulous, Darling (Socks CCCIII)

"There's not much to the back room. It's real small, one window, and a light bulb in the ceiling. It's the rest of the world that's fabulous."
DuMont and Margreth had heard the word fabulous before, coming across on the broadcasts, but no one had ever said it to them directly.
"I love it when I get to go out at night. All the lights, the hustle, the bustle. Simply marvelous."
There was another word.
"The crowds are so fun. Rubbing shoulders. Meeting new friends. Once I got to talk to a Zoot Suit, but alas, that was long ago."

Raincoat (Socks CCCII)

Occasionally, an object would be brought in the room, and Margreth and DuMont would strike a conversation with them.
The slicker that Wilhiem left on the chair was one of those objects. He liked the job that he did, "I work when the rain is falling."
"But you'll get wet."
"I love to get wet. It's a whole lot more comfortable than the sun's heat."
"Why do we never see you wet then?"
"Wilhiem only brings me in here after I get dry, I drip off out on the back porch."
They wanted to know more about the back porch.

Bye Phil (Socks CCCI)

Dana became the only one to put Phil to work, and that was not very often, but when she did, he gave mostly static.
"I think that radio should go to the curb."
"Don't do that Oma. Can I have it?"
Dana was now tall enough to not only pull Margreth's chains, but also set her hands. She unplugged Phil, wound his tail in a bundle, put him under her arm, kissed Oma on the cheek, and went out the door, "Thank you, Oma."
The season changed, and the snow began to fly, "I don't think Phil is coming back."

Getting Weaker (Socks CCC)

Phil's reporting was not as strong as it once had been, not as loud. His dial had to be turned more often, so he could grab a signal, and more and more static came from his speaker, which also sounded brittle.
There came a time when Phil was not called on to work for days at a time. Suddenly, one day, music was coming from the kitchen.
DuMont had an obstructed view of the kitchen, "The music is coming from a bright yellow box."
"Must be one of those new radios that I reported on. I hope it's a Philco."

Needed Repair (Socks CCXCIX)

DuMont slowly took over most of the reports and entertainment of the family. By the time Dana got to the point that she could pull Margreth's chains without getting her hands slapped, Phil only worked for a couple hours each day, usually first thing in the morning.
One day Phil stopped reporting, and the next day a stranger came in, and took Phil's back off, removed something that was black on top, and put something back in that looked the same, except it was not black on top. The man called it a blown tube.
Phil went back to work.

Network Humor (Socks CCXCVIII)

Margreth caught on to joking, but had to learn not to go so far as to embarrass or hurt her friends. She continued to call DuMont, Snow for a long time, until he was replaced with a new model, one that displayed in color. But Phil was becoming less and less clear, so Margreth ceased using the name Static, not wanting to make her oldest friend, at the time, uncomfortable.
All three practiced their wit, copying Jackie Gleason. He was their favorite because he come across on the DuMont Television Network. DuMont claimed the network was his.
"Big Shot."
Laughter.

Attempted Humor (Socks CCXCVII)

Margreth started calling Phil Tightwad, and DuMont she nicknamed Big Shot, in an attempt at good humor. Neither Phil nor DuMont minded being called the names, but wondered why she would use names that did not fit. Both of the appliances knew many thongs, simply because of the amount of information on the signals that they grabbed. They explained the world to Margreth.
"A tightwad is one who spends as little money as possible."
"Money?"
Money was explained.
"A big shot is someone who acts more important than they really are."
"So I should call you Static, and you Snow."

Introspection (Socks CCXCVI)

In time Phil and Margreth had explained the family situation to DuMont. Telling the story made Margreth realize that her and Wilhiem had parallel lives. Both had lost Konrad when he didn't return from the front, wherever that was. Both missed the original Margreth, he had said so at times to Elsebeth. Both had been uprooted from their first home, landing where the people talked a different tongue. Yet Margreth was, most times, sullen, while Wilhiem seemed to continually be laughing, or joking with Elsebeth, Katerina, Dana, but especially Donald.
"I will try to be more like Wilhiem," Margreth thought.

Tightwad and Big Shot (Socks CCXCV)

DuMont had spent a while in a room with a bunch of other TV's. "They called the place a store."
"There were radios there too."
He went home with a nice couple that paid attention to him all the time. He entertained the couple as best as he could, until one day two men in grey clothes carried in a bigger TV, and took DuMont back to the store.
"I stayed there until the two men, Tightwad and Big Shot, came and got me."
Phil and Margreth laughingly explained that their names were Donald and Wilhiem.
"They were having fun."

DuMont (Socks CCXCIV)

The table was moved into the next room, and the box took it's place in front of the window.
The box had a tail that got plugged into the wall next to Phil's tail. Elsebeth brought a lacy piece of cloth to put between Phil and the box. There were rabbit ears set on Phil and connected to the back of the box.
"Phil, what's a rabbit, and why does it have skinny ears?"
Phil didn't have the answer.
Donald called Wilhiem a tightwad for buying a used TV.
"Phil, what's a TV?"
"I'm not just a TV, I'm DuMont."

Wooden Box (Socks CCXCIII)

Dana came to visit every day now, staying all day, with Katherina or Donald coming and taking her away at the end of the day.
During the day Dana would play near the radio listening to Archie, or Blondie.
People confused Margreth, the older couple called each other Elebeth and Wilhiem, but now they called each other, as Dana did, oma and opa. Soon Katerina and Donald were calling them that too.
One day Donald and Wilhiem carried in a large wooden box with glass in the front. Donald said that the old cheapskate was finally moving into the fifties.

A Move (Socks CCXCII)

Donald came into the house to tears, hugs, and claps on the back.
He and Katherina stayed at the house.
The two men became close, leaving every morning, coming home every evening together, and occasionally drinking out of brown bottles together, talking.
After a few years Margreth, and Phil were moved to a new, bigger house with the older couple. The younger couple lived somewhere else, and visited often, to eat, and listen to the radio.
And soon Katherina was getting bigger again. This time a baby, Dana, came visit Oma and Opa.
In time Dana mimicked Margreth, “Cuckoo, cuckoo.”

Holiday Season (Socks CCXCI)

Soon the snow began to fly. The family decorated the house the same way that they had for years. A tree was brought in, and set in the corner. Popcorn puffs were sewn together in a string, and draped on the tree, along with brightly colored balls. A circle made of the tree boughs was hung on the door to the outside, a candle in the middle.
A Menorah sat on the table next to Phil, and as darkness fell, the candles were lit, one the first night, adding one each night thereafter.
Donald came home on the sixth day.

More Letters (Socks CCXC)

The weather turned cool, then cold, yet the family was happier than they had been for the past few years. The letters from Donald arrived more often now, and Katherina was inclined to leave them on the table so the others could read them.
The clock took advantage to read the letters also. None of the words were marked or cut out anymore. Donald said that he didn't have enough points to leave Italy yet, but was doing all he could to get home very soon. He also said that working with Wilhiem would be great. He also missed Katherina.

High Spirits (Socks CCLXXXIX)

Phil grabbed the signal again with the help of Katherina, allowing the man at Times Square to continue reporting. After a couple more hours Phil relayed big band music to the family, but every so often the man would come back. The revelry in Times Square was still underway long after dark.
The next morning the family was in an upbeat mood. Katherina smiled and sang softly to herself until she left the house, Wilhiem seemed to limp just a little less, and Elsebeth hummed tunes all day that the clock had not heard in years.
"Phil, that's Fur Elise."

Tuning The Dial (Socks CCLXXXVIII)

"Hisss, Sailor, what will, hiss, now that the war, hiss, over? I'm going home to, hiss, and give 'er a big kiss. Then I'm monna ask her to marr me. If yer liss-nin', Kellie Jean, Ah'd be proud to have you be mah wahf. You hear me Kellie, soon zie get home, we're going to the preacher. Well, folks, there goes one happy sailor. He's running around in circles, kissing every woman in sight. Oh my, he just kissed a nurse so hard she bent over backwards. Don't be jealous Kellie Jean, wherever you are, he's just a happy man."

Malapropism (Socks CCLXXXVII)

Phil started laughing again, "I was hoping that I could get you to listen to me, and forget your next announcement."
"It hasn't worked yet, what makes you think it would work this time?"
"Can't blame a guy for trying."
"You're going to have to talk about something more interesting than amputation moderation." Margreth realized that she had made a mistake. Even though she didn't know the correct term, she began to laugh.
Now Phil was laughing so hard that he couldn't hang on to the signal, and the broadcast started breaking up. Katherina walked over, and turned Phil's dial.

AM Radio (Socks CCLXXXVI)

Phil went on to explain that many signals were out there, but people chose what one they wanted him to relay. Phil told Margreth about the numbers on the dial, and frequencies, and wave length.
While Phil talked about amplitude modulation, Margreth, in turns, either daydreamed, or listened to the broadcast of the celebration going on in Times Square. She didn't understand, it was too technical for her. Phil was so engrossed in the subject, he didn't notice that the clock was watching the people that were listening to Phil's broadcast.
Suddenly, "Excuse me, Phil. Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo."

Interruption (Socks CCLXXXV)

"I don't know, I never thought about it."
"Well, this information has to come from somewhere."
"I know that my tail has to be plugged into the wall."
"What for? Wait, excuse me for a second. Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo. Thanks for waiting. Ok, go on."
Phil was laughing, he was always amused by the semi-hourly interruptions. Mainly because it seemed to catch Margreth by surprise.
"I need electricity to grab the signal."
Margreth wanted to know more.
Phil didn't know where the signal originated, unless the person talking said something like, "Live from New York," or "Live from London."

Celebration (Socks CCLXXXIV)

Elsebeth listened as Phil told of people celebrating. A man would talk to different people, some men, some women, some would cheer, some would cry. All were happy that peace had arrived.
Katherina burst in the door, the two women hugged and cried and laughed and danced.
When Wilhiem came home he had a huge smile, "I guess Donald will be home soon. I should have enough business for the both of us. If that's what he wants to do."
"He will Papa, he said so in his last letter."
The report continued, Margreth wondered how Phil knew these things.

VJ Day (Socks CCLXXXIII)

Phil's reports of death continued from the Pacific, and the days turned hot.
Katherina opened a letter one day, and after reading it, set it on the table next to Phil. Margreth and Phil read the letter together, but some of the words were cut out.
One day Wilhiem sat near the radio, very quietly listening to the reports of destruction. He didn't seem to completely understand what had happened. A few days later, more reports of destruction.
About a week later, Phil gave reports from a place called Times Square. This caught the clocks attention. Time was her subject.

VE Day (Socks CCLXXXII)

After the weather turned warm, Phil reported that peace had returned to Europe. Katherina started crying at the report. She danced around the living room, hugging her parents. The family began speculating on Donald's return, and talked of little else for the next few days.
Beyond the joy of having "our boys" come home each person would be glad to be able to get certain items. Wilhiem wanted gas and tires, Elsebeth couldn't wait for flour and sugar. Katherina needed nylons. When she finally got a pair she said, "Moma, I'll not wear these until my Donald takes me dancing."

Reverie (Socks CCLXXXI)

When Margreth told a story her mind was transported to the scene of the tale, and she became oblivious of her surroundings. Many times, like this one, after coming out of a daydream, Margreth was quiet and introspective.
The room remained uncomfortably silent.
If Phil didn't do something she would be sad all day.
Phil wanted to know where das klavier was now.
The clock didn't know.
Phil steered the conversation toward big band music. Margreth knew he wanted to take her mind off the original Margreth, and was grateful.
Philco knew how to bring her out of her funk.

Chop Sticks (Socks CCLXXX)

Margreth couldn't tell how long the family was gone, but day and night had come at least seven, maybe ten times. She had lost count.
She had spent the time talking with das klavier, or the oil lamp. Das klaver had a voice that Margreth loved. They talked of how people would sit and make music with das klavier, or the little hands getting slapped for plinking the black and white keys. Touching the lamp could also get ones hands slapped.
The clock talked softly now, 'Katherina played once in a while, but not as good as..."
Margreth stopped talking.

Munich (Socks CCLXXIX)

"I hate to give you the bad news from Europe, Margreth."
"It's your job. Besides, I like to hear the place names, even if the news is bad."
The clock grew silent, then, "Did I tell you of the summer after Margreth went away?"
Margreth told Phil of the time that Wilhiem and Elsebeth talked of going to Munich. The weather was warm the day the trunks were brought into the living room. The next morning, before daybreak Wilhien carried the trunks out. Then Wilhiem took Katherina's hand and limped out the door. Lastly, Elsebeth stopped Margreth's pendulum, and left.

Philco (Socks CCLXXVIII)

Willhiem brought a radio, Philco, into the house, and over the course of several days, he got moved to different places around the living room, trying to get less static. He finally found his spot on a table in front of the window, near Margreth. They became friends, talking even when Phil wasn't working. Phil told stories, played music, and gave reports on events happening outside the house.
Margreth liked Fibber McGee and Molly. Phil was partial to bands, like Tommy Dorsey's. Neither liked the news. The news brought bombing reports from London.
The people always listened to the news.

False Alarm (Socks CCLXXVII)

Soon Katherina moved out, and her and Donald would come to eat, just like Willhiem and Elsebeth had done with Konrad and the first Margreth.
Now Katherina was getting bigger.
Margreth had connected a woman getting bigger with a baby coming into the house, but not this time. Katherina was one day, back to her normal size, she was given to fits of crying, and Donald would comfort her.
Then one day Katherina brought all her objects back to the house.
A few days later Donald, dressed in green, left the house. He didn‘t come back for a long time.

Out Again (Socks CCLXXVI)

Margreth couldn’t tell how long she had been in the suitcase when it opened and she went back up on the wall, her pendulum had stopped.
This was a different house, and all of the people that came to visit spoke in a way that Elsebeth had trouble understanding. Wilhiem could understand most times, but Katherina spoke with them, even translating for the other two. This confused Margreth, because while the words sounded different, she somehow, knew what each person was saying.
One of the visitors was a young man, Donald, who liked to hold Katherina’s hand. Katherina didn’t object.

Der Schneider (Socks CCLXXV)

And Katherina grew until she could pull Margreth’s chains by herself.
One day Margreth was on the wall, busy keeping time when Elsebeth came into the room, sat down, and sewed a yellow star on her coat.
A few days later, a man came to the house after dark. Wilhiem closed the curtains, and everyone went into the kitchen.
The next day Margreth was taken down from the wall and put in a suitcase with some of the pictures, and some clothes.
Soon she could tell the suitcase was being carried. Wilhiem‘s, Elsebeth‘s, and Katherina’s whispers could be heard outside.

New Name (Socks CCLXXIV)

A man with a black bag came to see Margreth more often, until she was taken out of the house, never to return.
A routine developed. Wilhiem left the house each morning, and Elsebeth would dust, clean, and cook. Katherina, at times, would play with the chains, and get her hand slapped.
Daily, Elsebeth would pull the clock’s chains, and softly say, “Margreth, Du fehlst mir.”
The clock missed Margreth too. She decided then that Margreth would become her name. Elsebeth said it all the time, and the clock had really liked the original Margreth.
Her name was now, Margreth.

No Name (Socks CCLXXIII)

Wilhiem, Elebeth, Margreth, and the child, Katherina, lived in the house.
Margreth stayed in another room most of the time, and when the clock did see her, she was crying. When no one else was in the room, Margreth would pick up one of the pictures , and say, “Oh, Konrad.”
That was about the time that the clock realized that she had no name. She wanted a name. She would get a name.
Margreth stopped playing das klavier, and soon stayed in bed. The clock could see the bed through the doorway.
Soon, Margreth only smiled when Katherina giggled.

Plus One, minus One (Socks CCLXXII)

The very same day that a new little person, Katherina, was brought home, all four people seemed concerned that a man named Ferdinand had been killed.
Soon, Konrad and Wilhiem wore green clothes all of the time. Then one day, the objects that were carried out came back in, the dresser, the bed, and more trunks.
The two women, and the baby were the only ones in the house for quite a while.
In turns, one woman would cry, and the other would comfort her.
When Wilhiem came home he walked with a limp. The clock never saw Konrad again.

Elsebeth (Socks CCLXXI)

And Wilhiem grew. The clock realized how big when Wilhiem pulled her chains because the cones were almost to the floor. She remembered the day when Margreth had slapped small Wilhiem's hand for playing with the chains.
Not long after, Wilhiem brought a girl, Elsebeth, home. The clock saw Elebeth quite often, until the weather turned warm. That was when objects, a dresser, a bed, and a couple of trunks were carried out of the house. After that, Wilhiem and Elebeth would come, eat, then leave after singing around das klavier.
The clock noticed that Elisabeth was getting bigger, rounder.

Das Klavier (Socks CCLXX)

The woman boarded the wagon, put the clock in her lap, and a horse pulled the wagon through town to a different house.
The clock found her place on the wall in the new home. Over time, other objects came to stay, a lamp that periodically needed to be filled with oil, a painting of the three persons living in the house, and das klavier.
Margreth, the lady of the house, would sit at das klavier, and sing. Wilhiem would clap his chubby little hands, and try to dance while Konrad tried to keep him from falling into the furniture.

Der Sohn (Socks CCLXIX)

The man, the woman, and the cuckoo clock settled into a routine including pulling the chains before the cones reached the bottom, and announcing every half hour.
The weather turned warm, then cold, but as the weather started to turn warm again another person came to live in the house. One of the big people carried this little one, Wilhiem, around a lot.
A short time after Wilhiem started walking, all of the objects were taken out of the house. The woman carried the cuckoo outside, where all the objects were waiting in a wagon.
These were strange events, indeed.

Die Kuckucksuhr (Socks CCLXVIII)

It was cold outside, and the ground was white as the man, whistling, carried the clock along the streets. The clock watched as they went into a house where a woman stood at a stove with her back to the man. The man held the time piece out, "Hersehen."
The woman turned around, put her hands together, and jumped up and down, squealing, "Danke, Kronrad, Danke. Die kuckucksuhr."
After Konrad hung the cuckoo clock on the wall, the woman kept coming in and out of the room, reaching up to touch the clock, "Danke, Liebster!"
The clock liked the woman.

Das Lernen (Socks CCLXVII)

Time was one of the first things she learned. Seconds, minutes, hours. Sekunden, minuten, stunden.
Names of things, Handes, hands, das handwerkseug, tools, and schmirol, oil she learned from paying attention when das uhrmacher, the clockmaker, talked.
One day a man came into the shop, stood in front of several clocks, "Dieses eine," then gave das uhrmacher some paper, that she later learned was geld, and took the clock away.
The shopkeeper had offered the man a box for her to ride in, but he said, "Nein, danke,"
and put the cuckoo under his arm, and stepped out the door.

Das Gute (Socks CCLXVI)

Margreth's first memory was a room full of her own kind. A man stood in front of her and slowly moved her hands. Each time her longest hand was straight up, or straight down she would sing out a cuckoo, then play a little tune.
The man took her to a bench, opened her back, and used tools on her works. That kind of tickled. He then put her on the wall and moved her hands again. He did this several times until he said, "Das Gute."
She knew hardly anything at that time, but being observant, Margreth learned quickly.

Poking Fun (Socks CCLXV)

"People look to me for the time."
Dyson didn't know what time was, but would not admit it.
"I keep the place clean."
"But you don't work as often as I do."
"I suck dirt out of the carpet."
"But you don't work every day."
Dyson didn't know what a day was either, "Just leave me alone."
"You started this."
"Well, I clean all the rooms, while you just hang on the wall, and say that stupid cuckoo."
This was a lot of fun for Margreth. She called herself Margreth after the woman of the first house she lived in.

Stirring The Pot (Socks CCLXIV)

Rar couldn't talk to his brother, because the drawer got closed when Pretty shoved the dresser. It was quiet, but Rar was peaceful just knowing his brother was close.
Lar had been in the drawer. He was tired of the scenery, and wanted to talk to Rar.
Dyson was in the living room, arguing with the cuckoo clock. Dyson thought herself more useful, more important. The clock had no opinion, but thought it fun to get the vacuum riled up. Having kept time in a few households, and seen lots of happenings, she knew that different objects had different talents.

Retelling (Socks CCLXIII)

"We pulled around the corner, and they were just unloading the pinball from Greg's truck."
*
"Well, I think he must be staying with Greg."
*
"So, I stayed in the car until the officer came and got me."
*
"No, I'm not pressing charges, but I did get his back door key."
*
"Who knows, he might have another."
*
"Well, I have to work tomorrow. By the way, I still haven't finished cleaning this place yet."
*
"No thanks, I don't need help. It's something I want to do myself."
*
"Good night, Mom."
Pretty turned off the light, and soon her breathing was rhythmic.

Rude-A-Vac (Socks CCLXII)

Dyson would not be quiet, asking questions, and telling stories just to irritate the brothers for the remainder of the day.
Pretty came in, moved Dyson out of the room, and the phone rang, "No, I'm sorry, I can't work tonight. It's been a terrible day. I'm going to shower and go straight to bed."
*
"Sure, I can work tomorrow morning."
Pretty hung up, shoved the dresser back a little, undressed, and went into the bathroom.
When she got out, she picked up the phone, "Mom, you won't believe what happened today." She told Mom all about the days events.

Open Drawer (Socks CCLXI)

Rar, tired of Dyson's criticism, stopped talking. Dyson did likewise.
Now that it was quiet, Rar could hear a familiar voice. Pretty had left the drawer open when she looked for missing items, and Lar was shouting as loud as he could.
"Hello, is anybody out there?"
"Lar, is that you?"
"Rar? Where are you?"
"Behind the dresser."
Dyson butted in, "Who's that?"
"My brother, Lar."
"Where is he?"
"Would you let me talk to my brother?"
"Who's stopping you?"
"You are, you won't be quiet."
Dyson was offended, "Maybe I don't want to be quiet."
"I wish you would."

Smart and Wise (Socks CCLX)

Rar told about all of the objects he and his brother, Lar had met on the shelf. Then he told of Nick Cole, "He's the smartest guy I ever met."
"You can't have two smartest."
"What?"
"Who was smartest, Nick of Dick?"
"Both of them."
"How's that?"
"Dick is smart in one way, but Dick is smart in another."
Rar explained the difference between knowledge and wisdom, "I should have said that Nick was the wisest."
"You should say what you mean."
"I try to."
"Well, maybe you don't try hard enough."
This conversation with Dyson was beginning to suck.

Dyson's Questions (Socks CCLIX)

"When we get to the house, if the truck is there, Fred and I will talk to your ex."
Pretty asked more questions. The blue people answered, the door shut, and the house was quiet again.
Now Dyson had questions, she wanted to know what a restraining order was, what a perpetrator was, and most of all what a floozy was.
"Do I look like Dick?"
"Like a what?"
"Who. Dick's a who."
"Who's Dick?"
"The smartest guy I ever met. He could tell you any word and what it meant. He called it the definition."
"Where is he now?"

Missing Pinball (Socks CCLVIII)

"Your neighbor said that they took a pinball machine."
"I haven't looked in the rec room yet."
"If my partner and I leave right now, we might get there while they're unloading."
"It's the second house north of Elm on Vermont. A white house on the right."
The blue man spoke up, "Elm and Vermont? That's..."
"Yes, it's near the car lot."
The blue woman spoke, "We might need you to identify a person, or maybe some items. I'll have to put you in the back seat. And you can't get out of the car unless I come get you."

Red Truck (Socks CCLVII)

"I was married to him, and I never got much vroom from him."
Pretty laughed.
"I'd like to give you a suggestion."
"OK."
"If you don't have any kids, take back your maiden name."
"Already done. I just haven't got to the DMV yet."
"I didn't think about it when I got divorced."
The blue man came back in, "The lady across the street saw a red Dodge pickup."
"That's Mary, she sees everything."
"Does your ex have a red truck?"
"No, but his pal Greg has one. I don't know the exact address, but I can give you directions."

Vroom (Socks CCLVI)

"Isn't that harassment?"
"No, he's a terrible driver. He just got away with it before by using my name when he got pulled over."
Pretty stopped laughing suddenly, "I just now read your name tag. Vreeland? There used to be a..."
"You mean the lot over on Elm? That's him."
"Get your own Vroom Vroom from Victor Vreeland."
"You remember that slogan? Do you remember the woman that said it?"
"Yea, she was always in a convertible, or some other sports car."
"That's his new wife, the woman he moved in with. I think she came up with that slogan."

The Past (Socks CCLV)

The blue woman explained that her ex-husband cleaned out the bank account, and moved in with a floozy.
"I worked overtime putting him through college. He finally got a job as a car salesman. He waited two years before leaving. He opened a car lot a month after the divorce was final."
"What did you do?"
"I couldn't do anything, it was a joint account."
"You said..."
"I had been on the force seven years at the time, and I had made some friends."
"OK?"
"Within two years he had so many tickets he sold his dealership, and left town."

A Talk (Socks CCLIV)

"Do you want to press charges?"
"Do I have to decide now?"
The blue woman talked to the blue man, "Would you mind checking if the neighbors saw anything?"
"Sure," then he chuckled.
When the blue man left the house, "You could press charges now. I could go have a talk with him, and depending on his attitude, you could drop them."
"I don't know..."
"Let's sit. We'll talk, woman to woman."
The two women went into the living room.
The next room was silent for a time, then Rar could hear the blue woman speak, "I've done this before."

The Culprit (Socks CCLIII)

"OK, We'll dust this room, then you can check for missing items."
When Pretty left the room, the blue woman, and a man did things in the room that Rar could not see from his vantage point.
"We're done Ma'am. You can check for missing items now."
Pretty moved Dyson out of the way, and opened the closet, "Oh, I think I know who was here."
"Who do you think broke in?"
"My ex."
"Does he have a key?"
"Yes I forgot to have the back door lock changed."
"Do you have a restraining order against him?"
"No, not yet."

Blue Woman (Socks CCLII)

"Yes, this is a cordless phone."
*
"You want me to wait outside?"
Pretty left, and the front door shut. Shrill noises came from outside.
A blue woman walked through the house, "All clear."
She went out, and Pretty came back in.
"What have you touched since you got home, Ma'am?"
"Just the laundry basket, and this phone."
"Is anything missing?"
"I haven't looked yet."
Pretty looked around the room. "The sweeper isn't where I left it, and the dresser's not out far enough."
A blue man came into the room, "I couldn't find any damage on the doors or windows."

Cuckoo (Socks CCLI)

From down the hall, "What's the hurry?"
"Move. Let's go."
"Take it easy. I didn't hear anything."
The back door shut, and the house was quiet.
The house remained quiet, except for the announcement of the clock. She had cuckooed once, then twice. Soon after she sounded once again, the front door opened.
Rar could hear someone moving around in the other room. Pretty walked into the bedroom. Under her breath, "Someone's been here."
She picked up the phone, she gave her name and address, "I think someone has been in my house."
*
"No, I don't think they're still here."

Startled (Socks CCL)

"I told you what happened, I'd had enough nagging."
"You don't act like a man that wants to get away."
"Yea?"
"You want the new number. Your key don't fit the front door. You made sure her car wasn't in the garage before trying your key. Shall I continue?"
"Doesn't prove a thing."
"I don't have to prove anything. It doesn't matter to me. Why should it matter to you?"
"Cause, that's how it happened."
"The garage door just opened."
Grunter left the room, "Come on, let's get out of here."
The other man started laughing, "That made you move."

Truths (Socks CCXLIX)

"You really didn't listen to that message, did you?"
"Sure I did. Why?"
"The phone rang, here."
"So?"
"She said that she had LOST the NEW number."
"Oh."
"Maybe it's a new CELL number."
"You really do get on my nerves."
"Tough. I've got the truck, and you need to haul your s#!t."
"Don't..."
"And you're buying lunch. Then after we unload this crap, you're buying the beer."
"I know."
"Don't forget, you're filling my tank, too."
"I think staying with the old lady would be better than dealing with you."
"Truthfully, she kicked your sorry but out. Didn't she?"

Caller ID (Socks CCXLVIII)

Grunter stopped in the doorway, "Did you hear that?"
From down the hall, "What? Let's go."
"She's got a new number."
"So what?"
"I want that number."
"Ask her for it."
"I don't think she'll give it to me."
"Again. So what?"
Grunter picked up the phone, "I'm going to call my cell, so I can get the new number." He was looking at his cell when it rang.
"That's the same number. I'm coming back in a couple days, and call again."
"You ready to go, or do you want to get caught?"
"You're still getting on my nerves."

Lost Number (Socks CCXLVII)

Grunter let the machine answer the call.
Rar recognized Mom’s voice, “Hi honey, it’s me. Give me a call when you get home, I lost your new number already. I must be loosing my mind.”
“Well, d'you want to hang around some more, and look for your other ‘favorite?”
“You really get on my nerves.”
“I’ll be the least of your problems if you get caught here.”
“Just one more minute.”
“No more minutes. I’m leaving now. You can stay if you want.”
“All right, all right,” Grunter tossed Rar back behind the dresser, and turned to leave the room.

Search (Socks CCXLVI)

Grunter reached down, picked up Rar, and yelled, “I found my grey argyle.”
“Big deal.”
“Big deal? These are my favorites.”
“Favorites? That’s plural. Where’s the other one?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then put it back, and let’s go.”
“No, I want to look for it.”
“We’ve been here almost an hour now. Go ahead and look, if you don’t mind getting caught.”
Grunter put Rar in his back pocket, and peered over the dresser, “Where’s the basket?”
“Who cares? Let’s go.”
“Shut-up.” Grunter went to the laundry room, and kicked the empty basket.
He went back to the bedroom.
“Ring.”

Discovered (Socks CCXLV)

“You’re getting on my nerves, let’s get this stuff out of here before the old lady gets home.”
“What’s the hurry? You said she knew you were coming over.”
“Like I said, you’re getting on my nerves.”
The other man just laughed, grabbed some stuff, and headed toward the back door. They both made a few trips back and forth.
“That looks like everything. I better slide this dresser back where it was.”
“Why? She’ll know you been here?”
“Just wait in the truck.”
Grunter put Dyson back, then moved the dresser away from the wall.
“Well well, what’s this?”

Gift Exchange (Socks CCXLIV)

Rar could see that Grunter had moved Dyson out of the way also.
Grunter opened the closet and took out some stuff, “Hey, do you like this?”
“Where did you get a signed Yzerman jersey?”
“The old lady got it on Ebay. It was an anniversary present.”
“What’d you get her?”
“This vacuum.”
“Why did she let a catch like you get away?”
“She was the one that harped about the fourth anniversary being linen or appliances. So, what was I supposed to get her, towels?”
“How about a slinky, black dress, and night out on the town?”
“Whatever, Casanova.”

Exposed (Socks CCXLIII)

Grunter and the other man walked room to room. Rar could hear Grunter saying, “This comes with me,” or, “Put this in the pile,” or, “I’m taking this, for sure.”
Grunter entered the room with Rar and Dyson. “Why don’t you start carrying stuff out to the truck. Just got to check this room, and we’re out of here.”
“What door should I use?”
“Don’t be stupid, use the back.”
Rar didn’t want Grunter to see him, but Pretty had moved the dresser out, and he was partially exposed.
Grunter shoved the dresser back so hard, it bumped the wall.

Intruders (Socks CCXLII)

Rar apologized to Dyson for not believing her, and wanted to know how a fire could get started. As the conversation continued Rar began to worry that a fire could start with Dyson.
“Don’t worry, Pretty takes good care of me. She empties my belly every time she pushes me around.”
A door opened in a different part of the house then Rar was used to. He could hear voices. He soon recognized one of the voices as Grunter.
“Are you sure we’re supposed to be here?”
“Yea.”
“Then why did we have to come in the back door?”
“Shut-up.”

Hole in the Wall (Socks CCXLI)

Pretty soon left, and a door in the other room closed.
The dresser had moved enough so that Rar could get a little different view, “Hey Dyson, I see something.”
“What is it?”
“I don‘t know.”
“Describe it.”
“It looks like a person’s face. There’s two of them, one over the other.”
“That’s the hole in the wall where I get my electricity.”
“I count six holes.”
“Right, I use three at a time. Another tail can be plugged into the other three.”
Rar was beginning to believe Dyson’s story about electricity. Maybe even the fire story was also true.

New Number (Socks CCXL)

Pretty redialed, “I have a new number,” then she said a series of numbers that Rar couldn’t remember.
“She said that she got a new number. That was a lot of numbers,” Rar noted.
Dyson didn’t understand either.
Pretty made a few more calls giving out the same information, but when she talked to Mom the conversation was a little different. When the call ended Pretty said, Sure, I can go to lunch. I have some laundry in, but f^&% it, I’ll leave it till I get back.
*
“I’m sorry, but he makes me so mad.”
*
“I’ll be right over.”

Border Fortified (Socks CCXXXIX)

“No, you can’t come over. And it’s not your home anymore.”
*
“You’ll get your money.”
*
“Aren’t you a real sweet talker.”
*
“I don’t have to listen to this.”
*
“That’s it. Don’t call here again.”
*
“When the bank gives me the money, my lawyer will have your check.”
Pretty hung up the phone, opened the drawer on the night stand, and dialed.
She said her name, then, “I would like to change my phone number.”
*
“He’s no longer my husband.”
*
“Yes, I want it in my name. Unlisted.”
*
“Ok, let me write that down.”
*
“When will it be connected?”
*
“Good, thank-you.”

Different Grunting (Socks CCXXXVIII)

“I’m off to the washer. See you later,” said Cannon.
“Lucky,” Rar muttered.
Very soon Pretty was back. Rar could see her feet get close to the dresser. The dresser started to move, then stopped. Rar could see that she had moved a little off to the side, then she grunted, and the dresser moved a little more.
Rar didn’t like Pretty making the grunting noise, even though it wasn’t quite the same.
She walked to the other end of the dresser, grunted again, and the dresser moved a little more this time.
The phone rang, “Hello.”
“Oh, it’s you.”

Dry Up (Socks CCXXXVII)

The lights in the other room went out, and Pretty walked into the room. She picked up Cannon, felt him in several places, the hung him back on Dyson. The room got dark, and Pretty crawled into bed.
Lar could hear Cannon, Dyson, and Rar talking, but no mater how loud he yelled, they could not hear him from inside the drawer. Their conversation went in fits and starts through the night.
In the morning, Pretty left the room for a while, came back in, and picked up Cannon. After depositing him in the basket, she left with the basket.

Wet or Dry (Socks CCXXXVI)

Cannon continued, “I like to soak up water, then dry out.”
“I like to get in the washer and swim around, then roll in the dryer.”
“Oh, yea. That’s a real hoot, but rubbing on a wet person is lots better.”
“I didn’t like rubbing on Grunter’s wet ankles.”
Cannon was confused, so Rar explained.
“I don’t blame you. I much prefer drying Pretty.”
“Do you like to soak up water, Dyson?”
“I’ve never done it, but I have the feeling that it wouldn’t mix with the electricity.”
After a short time, light no longer came in through the window.

Cannon (Socks CCXXXV)

Rar had learned from Nick Cole that if one met one with no name, one gave them one.
“Dyson, look at him, tell me what you see.”
“Look at him? He’s all over me.”
“What color is he?”
“Green.”
“That’s not a good name. What else?”
“There’s a tag.”
“Read it.”
“Cannon.”
“Cannon is a manly name. How about it towel?”
“I like it, sounds tough,” Cannon agreed.
“Now, tell us what you do.”
“I soak up water from people.”
“I soaked up some water once, when Grunter stepped in a puddle. I didn‘t like it.”
“Why not? It‘s great.”

A Wet One (Socks CCXXXIV)

Dyson talked about electricity all while the shower ran. Rar didn’t believe a word of what she said about electricity, but kept it to himself, not wanting to argue.
The shower stopped, Pretty came in, draped a wet towel over Dyson, put on a robe, and left the room.
Rar watched the ankles go by again, and expressed his admiration.
“The rest ain’t bad either,” said the towel.
“Must be a male thing,” Dyson said.
“Ain’t it great,” the towel added.
Rar couldn’t see the towel, “Who is that, Dyson?”
“A wet towel.”
“What’s your name?”
“I don’t have one.”

Electricity (Socks CCXXXIII)

They were on a new subject.
“It’s a hard thing to explain, but it’s the thing that gives me the energy to pick stuff up, and sing.”
“Then why do you eat?”
“I like the taste of the particles.”
“Where do you get the electricity?”
“From a hole in the wall.”
“I thought your fire story was hard to believe.”
“What?”
“Does the electricity just bounce right out for you to eat.”
“No. My tail gets plugged in.”
“Then you start singing?”
“I can feel it in my tail, until my switch gets flipped, then I get warm all over.”

Passing Ankles (Socks CCXXXII)

“Where is the string now?”
“I don’t know, but Pretty emptied my belly at the same time, so he probably went with the other stuff.”
The two objects had run out of things they wanted to talk about to each other. They looked around the room without a word passing between them, all day.
When Pretty finally came into the room, she undressed, put the clothes in the basket, and walked to the bathroom.
“Did you see those ankles?”
Dyson didn’t answer.
“Hey, are you listening?”
“I heard you.”
“Well?”
“Yes, I did see her ankles, but I prefer electricity.”

String Theory (Socks CCXXXI)

“We call the woman that pushes you around Pretty,” explained Rar. Then he explained the household situation.
Rar wanted to know about tickles.
“It’s a feeling when something makes you want to laugh.”
“A joke?”
“No, something has to touch you. One time a string got caught half way down my throat.”
“I’m made of strings.”
“This one kept tickling my throat, and made me cough while I was trying to sing.”
“What did you do?”
“I had to quit singing, so Pretty could get the string out. The string didn’t mean any harm, he was just having some fun.

Pickles (Socks CCXXX)

“When something bounces in my mouth, it tickles.”
“Is tickles like pickles? ”
“I don’t know. What’s pickles?”
“I don’t know.”
“Now I’m not sure I believe you.”
“Why?”
“Pickles doesn’t even sound like a real word.”
“But I…”
“Tell me, is pickles behind the dresser with you?”
“No, it’s…”
“You don’t look so good, maybe you have pickles.”
“You don’t…”
“Hear that? It sounds like pickles.”
“That’s not…”
“I‘m scared, pickles is after me.”
“Will you be quiet, and listen?”
“Ok.”
“It’s a real word, I heard Mom ask Pretty if she had any pickles.”
“Who’s Pretty? Pretty Pickles?”

Dyson’s Meals (Socks CCXXIX)

Rar went on to explain how Grunter got his name.
Dyson told tales of the things she had picked up that could not be eaten.
"I thought that's how you ate."
"I pick up everything, but most of it I don't eat."
"What do you eat?"
"The fine particles."
"What do you do with the other stuff?"
"My belly gets emptied when it gets full of stuff I can't eat."
"Like what?"
"All the big stuff. I picked up a paperclip once."
"I met a paperclip. He was strong."
"This one bounced around my mouth, then went to my belly."

Subject Change (Socks CCXXVIII)

"You could have made up that whole thing. How would I know?"
"Why would I make that up?"
"Did Lucien tell you the vacuum's name?"
"Hoover."
"When was this fire?"
"I don't know."
"Maybe you should have asked."
"I'm not talking about this."
"All I'm saying..."
"Change the subject, or stop talking."
"Ok, ok. Let's see. I know. I haven't seen you for a while. Where you been?"
"I've been in a closet. I used to come out and sing all the time, but the more the man yelled, the less I come out."
"Grunter."
"What?"
"We call him Grunter."

Fire Report (Socks CCXXVII)

"It was terrible. The mice and the people got out. And a couple spiders, too."
"What about the clothes?"
"Just what the people carried out."
"A table hollered to get carried out, a door screamed that his back was on fire, and a window split right down the middle."
"You weren't there."
"I know, but I heard about it."
"From who?"
"A watch."
"When?"
"I went in for repair once, and the watch was in at the same time. She just needed cleaning."
"I'm not sure I believe all of this. What was her name?"
"Lucien. Lucien Piccard. so, there."

Singing (Socks CCXXVI)

"I don't just run around the room making noise, you know."
"No, I don't know."
"Well, I slide across the floor, picking up any piece of dirt, lint, or crumbs I can find."
"What do you do with the stuff?"
"I eat it. That's what I live on."
"What happens if you don't sing?"
"My throat gets clogged, and I starve."
"Oh, my."
"I heard one time, a guy got clogged, and kept trying to eat. He got so hot that he burst into flames."
"Did not."
"Did too. The whole house and everything in it burned to a crisp."

Dyson (Socks CCXXV)

Rar could hear rhythmic breathing through the night.
The phone rang before the room got light, "Sure, I can work today."
With that Pretty sprang out of bed, knocked around the house for a while, and left as light started coming in the window.
Rar could see under the dresser. He read the word, "Dyson."
"Hello."
"Hello, where are you?"
"Behind the dresser. Look under it."
"Oh, there you are. I've seen you before."
"I've seen you too. Grunter used to lift me up in the air while you made noise."
"Singing."
"What?"
"I sing to keep my throat clear."

Cleaning Day (Socks CCXXIV)

The next morning, "Sorry Mom, I didn't feel like talking to anyone last night."
*
"I can't, I refinance the house today at eleven."
*
"Thanks, but I still want to be alone."
*
"No, I won't sulk all day. I'm going to clean the house, it really needs it."
Pretty was gone for a while, but when she got home, the vacuum came out.
Rar could hear large things being pushed around in the next room, then the vacuum would run.
Very soon after dark, Pretty scooted the vacuum next to the dresser, showered, climbed into bed and turned off the light.

Today's The Day (Socks CCXXIII)

One day Pretty stayed in bed all morning. The phone rang several times. She let the machine get it, and listened, before she'd pick up and talk. Rar heard Grunter's voice four times before Pretty talked to him.
"Yes, I got your messages."
*
"I'm doing good."
*
"I know it's final today."
*
"I know, we have until three to change our minds."
*
"No. I'm not changing my mind."
*
"No, do not come over here."
*
"Look, I'm going to refinance the house."
*
"I have an appointment at the bank tomorrow. "
*
"You'll get your money, as soon as I sign the papers."

Staying Behind (Socks CCXXII)

"I'm not taking this argyle without the other."
"Don't."
"In fact you can keep all this $#!t."
"I don't care, but it's time for you to go."
"And if I don't?"
"I'll call 911."
"You would. I'm leaving."
All was quiet again. Pretty put Boxer and the other stuff into the closet.
Lar was by himself in the drawer.
Rar was lonely behind the dresser.
Pretty used the phone a lot while lying on the bed. She spent a lot of time there.
"Yea, I'm doing ok, mom."
Or, "Sure, I can work tonight."
And, "No, you can't come home."

Full Circle (Socks CCXXI)

After a few days Pretty pulled all of the clothes from the basket, but all of the clothes that Grunter had worn got tossed back in. This happened again in a few more days, but the third time all articles went into the wash, except Rar. He was still behind the dresser.
Rar saw large feet enter the room.
Lar was back in the drawer when Grunter opened it. He took everything out except Lar.
"Where's my other grey argyle?"
"It wasn't in the wash."
"Bu!!$#!t, you lying b!t(#."
"I didn't have to let you come here."
"OK, your highness."

Emergency Housing (Socks CCXX)

"Just a couple of days."
*
"I've got to teach the old lady a lesson."
*
"Because she's forever on my case. I've had it up to..."
*
"She'll crawl back in a week."
Rar heard Grunter grunting under a strain, then he left. There was a bump as Grunter reached the door, "$#!#."
There was another bump out in the kitchen just before the back door shut.
All was quiet until Pretty got home.
Rar heard Pretty on the phone, "He's gone. He took most of his stuff."
"Both suitcases are gone, and there's a big gouge in the bedroom door trim."

Midday (Socks CCXIX)

"Can you give me a ride to the impound yard?"
"I would have to charge you, besides it's only a dozen blocks."
Grunter started walking, "Shyster."
The sun was straight overhead when Grunter got home. He stood in the bedroom doorway, undressing, and throwing his clothes in the basket from across the room. Every article of clothing landed in the basket, except Rar.
Rar landed behind the dresser. He could hear the water of the shower running. He could hear Grunter opening drawers and the closet. He could hear Grunter on the phone.
"Can I crash at your place, man?"

Late Fee (Socks CCXVIII)

Grunter returned to the table, his hair wet.
"Is this your first offense?"
"Yes."
"Good, I'll try to get you released without bail. Your wife has indicated that she would not pay your bail."
"Oh, no."
"What?"
"I need to call in to work. What time will we be done here?"
"Ten, ten-thirty."
"Oh, well. I'll say I'm sick."
When the whole thing was over, Grunter and his attorney walked out of the building.
"I'll need a thousand dollar retainer by end of business tomorrow, plus the two hundred dollars for last night's after hours call. It's a standard charge."

Fourth Man (Socks CCXVII)

"You alright? Would you like some water?"
Grunter looked up at the attorney, "How about some aspirin."
"Not in here. I'll get you some water."
The man left the table for a short time. Grunter downed the water.
"Let's get down to business. You're fourth on the docket."
"What time do I see the judge?"
"You won't, but he'll see you. It's all done by closed circuit TV."
"Ok, when?"
"Soon. I want you to ask to go to the bathroom. Wash your face. Wet your hair, straighten it up as much as you can."
"I don't have a comb."

Last Man (Socks CCXVI)

Just as Grunter laid down on the slab the guard came back. Without calling any names, "I guess your the last belle at the ball. Your lawyer's here."
Grunter was led to a room. The people from the night before were there, each one talking with a person with a briefcase.
"Your wife's attorney called me last night. I can represent you in this matter."
"How did? Who called you?"
"Your wife called her attorney. Apparently you left a message that you had been arrested."
Grunter put his elbows on the table, his face in has hands, rubbing his eyes.

Calling Names (Socks CCXV)

After a while the guard came to the door holding a clipboard, he called several names, "Your lawyers are here."
Grunter, Hairy, and one other the were the last ones left in the room. The third man, with white, messed up hair, and teeth missing, walked to the toilet, and unzipped his pants.
Grunter got up and went to the vacant slab.
"Don't lay down, that's my spot."
"Is your name on it?"
Hairy sat up on his slab, "Respect your elders, numb nu..."
The guard called two names.
Hairy put his shirt on, "You can have the bed now."

A Little Gift (Socks CCXIV)

"Didn't you get to make a call when you got here?"
"Yes, I called my wife's cell, and left a message."
From back in the room, "You don't call a wife, if she's mad, she'll leave you here. You're supposed to call a lawyer."
The hairy man was standing again, "I'm going back to sleep. Why don't you go sit down and shut up?"
As the guard walked away, "Yea, go sit down. We'll call you when the judge gets here."
As Grunter passed the toilet, "Whew!" He then flushed.
Hairy laughed, "I left that, just for you. Like it?"

Morning Surprise (Socks CCXIII)

Grunter found the only place in the room left to sit on the floor with his back to the wall. It was right next to the toilet. He was soon asleep.
Just as daylight began to break through the one small window, high up on the wall, Grunter woke. The man with the hairy back was noisily sitting on the toilet, a terrible smell filled the area.
Grunter went over by the door, "Hey. Guard."
"What do you want?"
"How long am I gonna be in here?"
"The judge will be in about nine."
"Can I make a phone call?"

Cellmate (Socks CCXII)

A half dozen other men were in the room. The room didn't smell very good.
After a few minutes Grunter started to walk across the room.
"Where you going?"
"I was going to sit down."
"No you're not," a man with a hairy back was lying one of two raised slabs, that looked as if they were made of the same material as the floor, his shirt was under his head. "Go back, and block the light so I can sleep."
"But, I..."
"Do it, a$$#*!(."
Grunter went back to the door, staying there until after the man started snoring.

Protocol (Socks CCXI)

Grunter finally took his hands from behind his back, and another blue man gave him orders, "Start with your thumb."
"Turn to the right."
"Turn to the left."
"Look straight ahead," then lights would flash.
He was taken to a small room. A blue man put grunter's "valuables" in a brown bag. Next he gave his belt to the man.
"Why the hell do you need my shoelaces?"
"It's protocol, sir."
The shoelaces were turned over, "Sign here, sir."
Now he was guided to another room, the door closed with a clank.
Grunter stood with his back to the door.

Denied Request (Socks CCX)

By now another large vehicle had backed up in front of Grunter's car, yellow flashing lights blended with the red and blue flashing lights.
Grunter stood, leaning against one of the black and white cars, his hands behind his back.
Grunter's car was pulled up onto the large vehicle, and left without Grunter.
One of the blue men opened the back door, "Watch your head, sir."
Soon they were in a well lit room with several blue men moving around. One of them had Grunter sit down, to get all of his "information."
Grunter asked to use the bathroom.
"Later."

Blue Man Group (Socks CCIX)

Soon, another blue man came, then another.
Rar began to remember something, "Lar, I think these are the guys we saw on TV at Mom's."
"What guys?"
"Can't you tell? Three men? Blue?"
"I can't remember."
"Do I have to spell it out?"
"I guess so."
"One more clue. We were on the shelf, with Dick. It was after dark, Mom and Dad were watching Leno, with the big jaw."
"I don't remember."
"Three blue guys playing music."
"Tell me."
"OK, I will, but you're just not trying."
"Just tell me."
"Stop yelling. It's the Blue Man Group."
"You're nuts."

Blue Man (Socks CCVIII)

"You went through a stop sign without stopping."
"What stop sign?"
"Wait right here, sir. I'll be right back."
After a short time, "Have you been drinking tonight, sir?"
"No."
"Would you please step out of the car, sir?"
Grunter got out. The blue man asked many questions, and had Grunter do many physical actions, "Put your arms out to the side, close your eyes, lean your head back, and touch your nose with the tip of your finger."
Grunter would have fell backwards, had the blue man not caught him.
"Will you agree to take a breath-a-lizer test, sir?"

Blue Lights (Socks CCVII)

Frank left, Grunter stayed and had a few more beers.
Out in the lot, Grunter dropped his keys twice trying to unlock the car door. He got in the car and dropped them again trying to put them in the ignition.
The car finally moved. Very soon a loud noise that the boys didn't recognize came from outside the car, and red and blue lights were flashing, "Son of a..."
The car stopped, "May I see your license and registration, please sir."
Grunter handed a man in blue a couple of items.
"Do you know why I stopped you, sir?"

Warning (Socks CCVI)

"Don't worry, I'm not firing you. I'm just saying that if Gina, or Essex, or the company ends up in the papers, it could be bad for business. And that could be bad for employment."
"It's not my fault, sir."
"Who's fault do you think it would be? I think it would be better to keep your mouth closed."
Grunter's feet shuffled under the table.
"That's better. I suggest you get those pictures destroyed."
"I will, Frank. I'll do whatever it takes."
"I also suggest that you help your team more."
"I will, Frank."
"Maybe you should call me sir."

Thin Ice (Socks CCV)

Once in the booth, "Had some trouble today, huh?"
"A little."
"Gina told me about the pictures."
"She told you?"
"I've known Gina for ten years. I lost a good employee over her."
"You won't lose me, sir."
"I'm not worried about that, let me be blunt. You're already on thin ice."
"What do you mean?"
"I know that Tim and Megan did most, if not all, of the work on the presentation. I think Megan could do her job and yours at the same time."
"But you saw me at the office late one night."
"Yes, with wet hair."

Burger at the Bar (Socks CCIV)

Gina pulled her hand away from Grunter's chin so quickly that his head turned to one side, and there was a snapping sound.
Grunter watched her walk across the lot. When she got to her car, she looked up, and flicked her hand in his direction, "Go away."
Grunter went into the bar, ordered a beer, "Can I get a burger here at the bar?"
Grunter was halfway through his burger when someone sat next to him, and ordered a beer.
"Frank, what brings you back here?"
"Gina called me. Let's grab that booth in the corner, take your burger."

Thick Head (Socks CCIII)

"Get those pictures destroyed, or you'll be removed from the Essex account."
"How?"
"Will she file for divorce?"
"Yep."
"Make it part of the settlement."
"How?"
"You will give her anything she asks for."
"I have to be out of the house tomorrow. Can I stay with you?"
"I told you, we're through."
"I'll sleep on the couch."
"And if I have company over, how can I have sex on the couch? You know I like to have sex on the couch."
"I'd be on the couch. Ready to use."
Gina put her hand on Grunter's chin, "WE, ARE, THROUGH."

Stay Here (Socks CCII)

As the large man got in his car, "Why don't you eat here, they have a nice restaurant."
Pretty started her car and pulled out of her space, the large man started his car and followed Pretty, and Grunter walked toward the hotel entrance just as Gina stepped out the door.
"Why are you still here?"
"My wife and some private detective were here. They have pictures of you and me in the room, screwing."
"How could they?"
"Well, not literally, but we were naked, you were topless."
"What are they going to do with the pictures?"
"I didn't ask."

Stay Away (Socks CCI)

Grunter agreed to stay away, "Call my cell when you get done."
"I suggest no contact for forty-eight hours," the large man said.
"Ok, I'll wait one hour. One hour, that's all."
"You can get nasty if you want, but it's over. I'll be nice. You can pick up the papers at my lawyer's, I'll call."
"What's so nice about that?"
"Should I have you served at work?"
"You win, call me, I'll pick up the papers."
"Pick up after yourself tonight, I won't be there to clean up," Pretty turned and walked.
Grunter stood in the lot, kicking pebbles.

I'll Pack (Socks CC)

"Now what?" Grunter asked.
"I'm staying at my Mom's tonight. I'll go to the lawyer tomorrow."
"Won't you give me another chance?"
"No I won't."
Pretty began talking, every once in a while stopping to blow her nose, "I'm going to go home as soon as I leave here, and pack a suitcase."
"But..."
"That doesn't mean that you get the house, be ready to move out tomorrow."
Grunter remained quiet.
"Sir, I'll be following your wife home. I'll be there, waiting outside. I am asking you very nicely, see me smiling, to stay away for at least an hour.

Zoom In (Socks CXCIX)

"The man and woman seem to know each other quite well. Wouldn't you agree, sir?"
Silence.
"These next three, I took in rapid succession. That's definitely you, reaching for the drapes, wearing just your boxers."
From the far side of the car, "Try and get out of..."
She stopped when the large man looked at her, "In this picture Gina sits up in bed. I can't say that she's naked, but she sure is topless."
"Any more?"
"No. That's when you closed the drapes, and I called your wife. I showed her all the pictures while we waited for you."

Voyeur (Socks CXCVIII)

"So what? We had a drink after the meeting. Proves nothing."
Pretty asked, "One?"
The large man held his hand up again.
"I apologize for the quality of the previous pictures, sir. These next ones won't be grainy. I was able to use a larger lens."
"Will you hurry?"
"When you and Gina left the bar, I came outside."
"So?"
"Well, I got outside, and through that window," the man pointed to a window on the first floor, "I shot this."
Grunter said nothing.
"Sorry, in the next one, we'll actually see the faces of the couple on the bed."

Pictures (Socks CXCVII)

"Gina? Is that the woman from Essex?"
"Yea, what of it?"
"Well, when Gina came to the bar and talked to the woman in this picture, the mad one, they didn't seem to know each other."
"Where is all of this going?"
"Here's one of you and Gina getting in her car."
"She wanted to... show me a billboard from their competitors."
"I doubt that" came from the other side of the car.
"Let me show him the rest of the pictures. I've got some from today, sir."
"Ok, go ahead."
"This is you, and Gina, in the bar, here."

Laptop (Socks CXCVI)

"You're nuts, I had a presentation today."
"We know about the presentation. I have some pictures that I think you should see before saying any more."
The large man opened the back door, took something out, and set it on the hood of his car, "I haven't printed these pictures, and I won't, unless I need to. You can view them on my laptop."
"What pictures."
"Here's one of you in a restaurant, with a woman from The Essex Corporation."
"It's business."
"Here's another. Who's the other woman talking to the two of you? She looks mad."
"That's Gina's friend."

Large Man (Socks CXCV)

Rar could see Pretty's ankles, she was standing on the other side of the car.
"What are you doing here? Who is this guy?" Grunter started to move toward Pretty, but the large man stepped in his way.
"We'll explain all of that, sir."
Pretty shut the door on the other side of the car, "The question is, what were you doing?"
The large man held up his hand, "Hold it. I'll explain everything."
"Well, get to it, so I can go home."
"Sir, your wife here, has hired me. She has reason to believe that you have been unfaithful."

Not Leaving (Socks CXCIV)

Grunter opened the door and left. The door he left open did not click shut until he had passed four other doors.
Walking down the hall he passed the front desk, through the double doors, and out into the lot.
Lar spotted Grunter's car, but Grunter didn't go there. Instead he went to the car parked directly behind his, "Could you move your car, please? You're blocking me in."
A large man got out of the car, "I will, in a moment."
"But, I need to leave now."
Then, Pretty's voice came from inside the car, "How was the meeting?"

A Leaving (Socks CXCIII)

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to...You're already naked."
"Don't make me be mean, and tell you that it wasn't that good. Just leave."
"But I'm responsible for the room."
"You didn't even know about the room, until I told you about it. I'll turn the cardkey in when I go."
Putting the card on the dresser, Grunter turned to go.
As his hand touched the knob, from behind him, "Besides I might go hang out at the bar, I might be able to get lucky."
Grunter spun around, his mouth opened, then closed, then opened again, lastly closing again.

An Ending (Socks CXCII)

"This, this, affair, this, fling, has run it's course."
"But, Gina..."
"Don't talk, just listen. It was good while it lasted"
"Do you mean???"
"We're through, that's what I mean."
"Am I still on the ad campaign?"
"Stop your whining. That's only one of the reasons I'm ending this. I can't stand a wimp."
"What about my job?"
"That's up to Frank, I won't object if you stay on."
"I can keep it on a professional level."
"I'll say this, you better."
"I will. Tell me something, Gina. Was that our last roll in the sack?"
"Unless I decide otherwise."

Dressing (Socks CXCI)

Grunter went into the other room. The door was open, and water could be heard running. He came out, one towel around his waist, drying his hair with another.
Gina lay on the bed looking in Grunter's direction, maybe a little off to the side of him, smoking a cigarette.
"You don't smoke."
"I smoke once in a while."
When Grunter finished dressing, Gina was still on the bed, naked, "Are you going to get dressed?"
By now Gina had the remote, channel surfing.
Grunter started unbuttoning his shirt, "If your not getting dressed..."
"Forget it. We need to talk."

"Oops" (Socks CXC)

Gina and Grunter stayed at the bar while other people came and went.
Finally Gina said, "Let's go. Still got the key?"
As soon as they got in the room they fell on the bed, pulling at each other's clothing.
There was a blouse and a shirt on the floor. When Grunter stood and removed his pants, Gina said, "Oh Sh!#. Close the drapes."
Grunter walked over and pulled the drapes, Boxer and Rar his only covering.
Boxer got tossed to the floor, but Rar stayed on the foot with the bunion during the whole sweaty, groaning, stubbly ankled performance.

"Oh" (Socks CLXXXIX)

Grunter put the cardkey in his pocket, and turned to grab another box.
Rar saw what Grunter could not. Tim and Megan looked at each other, Tim shrugged. Megan held her hand close to her chest and pointed at Gina, then used that same finger to spear the circled finger and thumb of her other hand. Tim's mouth formed an "O."
By the time the room was empty, Gina was not in sight.
Grunter stood in the meeting room with Tim, "You and Megan, park the van at the office, unload tomorrow."
Grunter sat next to Gina at the bar.

The Key (Socks CLXXXVIII)

Everyone carried something out to the parking lot.
Frank and Sid went to their respective cars, Tim and Megan were already back inside, and Gina and Grunter were going back in. Gina, in a loud whisper, "Get the cardkey from Megan."
"What cardkey?"
"To the room that the company gets when they rent the meeting room."
"I don't know..."
"You get a complimentary room, to freshen up, that sort of thing."
"Oh."
"Just how involved were you in this campaign?"
"Well, I..."
"Forget it. Just get the key."
Grunter got the key, telling Megan he wanted to wash his face.

Relaxing (Socks CLXXXVII)

Tim and Megan started packing while Sid, Gina, Frank, and Grunter sat at the tale talking, once in a while asking Tim, or Megan a question.
Frank stood, "I could use a drink, anyone else?"
The other three agreed, Frank asked Tim and Megan.
"Go ahead Tim, I'll drive back."
"Ok. I'll take a draft, a tall one."
All six sat at the table, leaning back, finishing their drinks, and talking.
Tim was the first to stand, "I think I'll get this stuff back to the van."
Sid stood, "I'll take a load out on the way to the car."

Due Credit (Socks CLXXXVI)

The plates were removed, Grunter stood, took a silver cylinder from the cart, and started talking. He stopped talking, looked at the cylinder, touched it with his finger, "Click."
Grunter's voice was louder, "I'd like to welcome Sid and Gina from Essex..."
He went on to say how much work had went into this campaign, "Megan and Tim were instrumental from conception to reality."
He talked a few more minutes then handed the cylinder to Megan. Tim pulled his chair next to the cart.
Megan finished speaking. The crowd, by ones and twos, shook hands with Tim, Megan, and Grunter.

All Ready (Socks CLXXXV)

Soon Tim said, "That's all. I'm going to change my shirt."
Grunter sat at one of the tables, tapping his foot.
A man and a woman, both wearing black pants and white shirts came in, and filled the water glasses on the half dozen tables.
Tim and Megan were back, and couldn't seem to stand still.
People began to enter, and sit down. Sid and Gina came in together and sat near the front with Frank, Grunter, Megan, and Tim. When most of the seats at the other tables were full, people wearing black pants sat plates on the table.

A Bracer (Socks CLXXXIV)

Grunter left the large room. As he left, Tim and Megan were unpacking boxes, talking, and setting up at one end of the room.
Shortly after Grunter sat on a high stool Rar noted that alcohol was coming from Grunter's pores.
"He's having beer."
Boxer was concerned, "I hope he doesn't dribble on me again."
His worries were unfounded, after one, Grunter went back to the large room.
"Need some help?"
"Yes, would you and Tim set the Proxima while I go put on a skirt for the presentation?"
Grunter grabbed a cart, "Tim, where should I put this thing?"

A Little Help (Socks CLXXXIII)

Grunter pushed the button, the door opened , he stood still. The door closed. Grunter turned and took the stairs up one flight, walking through the lobby, and out to his car.
Once in the car he took out his cell, "I'm going over to the Clarion. Would you go in and shut my computer down?"
*
"No, I'll be gone the rest of the day."
When the car stopped Grunter got out next to the van from the parking garage.
"Need some help?"
"Sure, grab anything from the van."
When the van was empty Grunter said, "I'll be right back."

Loading Zone (Socks CLXXXII)

"There's two more loads. Wanna help?"
The door closed, then opened. They picked up two boxes around the corner, and went back in. The door opened into a large, echoey room, full of cars. They went to where Megan was loading a van.
"I didn't expect you to be here. You going to help set up?"
"I don't think so. You two go ahead, I'll be down later."
Tim and Megan finished loading the van, talking to each other. Neither one talked to Grunter, and he didn't talk to them.
The van started and left, Grunter walked to the elevator.

Elevator Ride (Socks CLXXXI)

After Grunter hung up he went down the hall.
Stopping at a desk he asked, "Where is Megan and Tim?"
"They took some carts down to the garage a few minutes ago."
Grunter walked to a shiny door, and pushed a button. The door slid open. Grunter got on and pushed a button. The door closed.
Rar heard a "PPHHTT" sound, "What was that?"
"Take a guess," said Boxer, "If he sniffs..."
Grunter didn't sniff, so Boxer left him alone.
The door opened, Tim got on. "What the...Did you do that?"
"No it smelled like this when I got on."

Gotta Go (Socks CLXXX)

Megan stood, "If that's all, I'd like to get the presentation packed up. It's nine already, and lunch is at noon."
"She's right. That's just enough time to get to the Clarion and get set up. Remember what we said, don't take the credit for yourself."
Tim and Megan left, closing the door.
Grunter made a call, "Not much. I've got a presentation at noon, just waiting to go over."
*
"I can't, Gina wants to get together after."
*
"How's the old lady gonna catch me. It's a business meeting."
*
"Look, I just called to see if you caught Sports Center."

Strange Assumption (Socks CLXXIX)

Tim stood up, "Lets not start fighting just before today's meeting."
"That's right, Megan you should..."
"Hold it. I agree with everything Megan said, I just don't want the tension to show this afternoon."
No one spoke.
Tim sat back down, "Megan has worked her tail off on this project, so you better give her lots of credit today."
"Not just me, Tim was there every step of the way."
"Ok, I get it. You two get all the credit. What is this, a little hanky panky on the side?"
Tim and Megan both laughed, "Megan and I are cousins."