STUMPTOWN STORIES

episode 10

"One helluva day," said Roqroq to himself as he began to break down. He was breaking down his lunch cart which the entire city of Stumptown had grown to love. Yes, Stumptown loved Roqroq and his magical NO FISH! Sandwiches and delicious SOUP OF THE GODS! soups as much as it loved it's reputation for inclimate weather which kept all but the most intrepid immigrants at bay. As much as it loved it's endless varietal micro-brew beers. As much as it loved it's reservoirs open and vulnerable to the evil schemes of terrorists. A love which belied Stumptowns dark obsession with danger. "One helluva day," said Roqroq as he neatly folded his bags and napkins. As he returned the empty soup cannisters to their bins for washing. As he habitually wiped clean the spottless and brilliant stainless steel counter over which once again tomorrow Roqroq would pass countless lunches to the hungry citizenry of Stumptown. And over which in return Roqroq would accept payment preferrably in the form of cash but more often than not in the form of a grateful smile. There had been a lot of job lay offs this year and many of Roqroq's regular customers were unemployed. But they still had to eat. It was his job to feed those hungry people. And he took the job seriously. "One helluva day, eh Roqroq?" asked Z. Roqroq turned quickly in the direction of Z's voice.

"Oh good Lord! Oh good Lord up on the CROSS!" The maid had returned to room 1313. "What if heavens name are you doing, mister? Mister?" Peter thought he heard the voice of an angel commanding him to look upon the face of Jesus. Jesus on the cross. He looked. He was just able to make out a form. The light was so brilliant. Something was there. It was coming toward him. It was difficult to make out exactly what it was. Was it God? "Am I dead?" Peter wondered. The dark shape in the center of the light was coming closer. He heard a silly laugh.

As the little girl made her way to the parking lot where a black car was waiting for her, she clutched the Tiffany box she had stolen from the foolishly unattended lunch cart. "What a boob," she laughed. "There I was right in front of him with the box and he didn't even notice. Lucky for him." She caressed the still warm heater she had hidden in her baggy pants. It felt good. Real good. With a gun she was powerful. She was pulling the strings. She rounded the corner and hurried across the parking lot. A door opened and she quickly disappeared inside the waiting black car.

At the entrance to Mt. Hood National Forest Sue suddenly hit the brakes on her old Toyota and skidded to a stop. She stared ahead at the dark forest. The forest was a safe place. She knew the forest like she knew the liquor cabinet on Roqroq's lunch cart. She could find what she needed with her eyes closed. But now... right at that moment she felt lost. Should she have taken the diamond and run like that? Did she do the right thing? What was Roqroq doing with a big diamond anyway? It must be worth a fortune. Was Roqroq in some kind of trouble? Should she go back? She hit the steering wheel with her hand. The Toyota's horn began to blow. It wouldn't stop. "Godammit!" Sue began to cry. "STOP! GOD DAMN YOU! What am I gonna do now?" It was a grand waterworks display and no one was there to watch but the squirrels.

Deleroy Mfume was getting hot in the trunk of the black car. Her make up was beginning to smudge and the spare tire was flattening one side of her hair. She was very unhappy and she felt certain that her outfit was ruined. She knocked on the trunk lid. "Hello? Excuse me? Would someone let me out of here, please?" Deleroy Mfume felt the car surge forward. "How rude," she said.

WHAT WILL SUE DO? WHAT WILL DELEROY MFUME DO? WHAT WILL THE MAID DO? FIND OUT IN THE NEXT EPISODE OF "STUMPTOWN STORIES"

COMING SOON!