Episode 17 "The Big Shot"

DESTROYS Written and Illustrated by Dana B. Larrabee dalarents@gmail.com

RATED P RETTY GOOD! PG

Previously: Malcolm D. Monster promises ad man Lester Krasse two million dollars to deliver a marauding T. Rex to promote his new Salinas Monster Mart store. But when despite Army tank fire, the creature escapes clutching teenager Neil Scallopini to wreak havoc on Salinas, it takes Air Force jets to subdue it with tranquilizer dart-tipped missiles, and the T. Rex and Neil are incarcerated. Krasse cobbles together a fake T. Rex commercial hoping to win over Monster Mart, and local media reps begin courting him, one of whom is KTOM radio’s Sue Foxx. CEO Monster nixes Krasse’s fake dinosaur commercial, insisting on the real deal. Undaunted, Krasse convinces Sheriff Naylor to release the creature on a “work furlough” for Monster Mart’s commercial starring the heavilly sedated GODZELDA. When Neil sees it, he reveals how the T.Rex came out of his iceberg hunting expedition for the Icily Nicely Ice Co., and demands to be released. Later when Captain Horatio Algae corroborates his fantastic story, Neil regains his freedom, and just as Monster Mart’s Grand Opening commences he learns from Felicia Nicely how Lester Krasse defrauded the company. So Neil sets off for Monster Mart in the Kharman Ghia he and his father restored to find Krasse and get Felicia’s money back...

Dr. Quayle clicked open his attache case. The lining was soaked with the drug meant for the Tyrannosaurus. “Oh dear! The syringe must have broken when I ran into that young man.” “Can you give her the shot or not?” Krasse demanded though clenched teeth. “Oh yes,” answered the doctor. “It will be just a moment while I prepare another....”

Godzelda was still under the effects of Doctor Quayle’s earlier injections, but Krasse knew they were wearing off. The monster was breathing more rapidly. She stirred in her drug-induced slumber frequently, and when she moved, the steel chains binding her rattled unnervingly. Krasse looked at his watch. Mr. Monster’s speech will be over pretty quick, he thought. Sure enough, over the store’s sound system, he heard Malcolm D. Monster launch into his concluding remarks.

“Through here, Doctor!” Krasse hissed, and led him on stage directly behind Godzelda. “Hurry and do it!” he whispered hoarsely. “Monster’s almost through yakking! We haven’t much time!” “And now, ladies and gentlemen,” Mr. Monster went on expansively, “I give you Godzelda, the living trade-mark for the largest shopping emporium in the world... Monster Mart!” The recorded music swelled to a crescendo, and the curtain rose on the Tyrannosaurus Rex. The crowd gasped. “Two monsters for the price of one!” quipped Tommy Kaye while Malcolm D. Monster waved good-bye to the wildly applauding crowd and departed stage left.

Timidly, Dr. Quayle approached Godzelda’s immense hind-quarters. Just above where her tail began, there were numerous puncture marks from previous injections. He swabbed the area with cotton soaked in alcohol and pressed the needle closer.

The sudden chill must have startled the beast, for she growled threateningly. Her tail twitched and suddenly whipped about, knocking over Lester Krasse and-- SMACK!! catching the doctor at the wrist. He drew back in pain. The syringe shot up into the stage lights, arced past the dinosaur and disappeared into the wings.

“You okay, Mr. Krasse?” “Yeah, yeah!” snapped the ad man. “Come on! Let’s get outta here!” He fumbled for the part in the backdrop, and they scrambled off stage.

“Scallopini, I think he said his name was. Oh, and Mr. Krasse, he was looking for you....” Krasse paled. For until that precise moment, he had failed to make the connection; Scallopini was the kid Icily Nicely sent after the iceberg. He’d forgotten all about that business. Or, maybe he’d come about those commercials he was supposed to make. No, wait a minute! He was the one climbing the fire escape the day Godzelda attacked Salinas, the same kid the sheriff asked about. That’s it, he decided.

All previous episodes available at www.foolishtimes.net He’s after the dinosaur. Maybe even wants a piece of the action. Well, no way that’s gonna happen! “Thanks, Doc,” he said. “You’ve been a big help. You’ll have to excuse me just now, but stick around, okay? We may need you later.” Then he ducked out to find a security guard, pouncing on the first one he saw. It was Calvin McGraber, who’d brought in Dr. Quayle. “Has some kid been nosing around looking for me?” he demanded.

McGraber nodded. “Yeah. Name’s Scallopini. You want me to find him?”

“I want you to find him and get him out of here!” “Sure, Mr. Krasse. I know right where he is.” “Great! Remove him at once! But be cool about it. We can’t have a fuss with all this mob. Understand?” McGraber smiled and nodded. “Gotcha, Boss.” Krasse pulled out another cigarette, lit it, and inhaled deeply. Now he could relax. With Godzelda drugged and Scallopini out of the way, his troubles were over. The store would be a huge success, he’d nail down his Monster Mart contract and pick up a bonus in the bargain. Finally, Lester Krasse was on his way to the Big Time!

Next issue: Episode 18

Smashing Prices