Voyagers!: Later has finally come

A small vignette for your enjoyment!

I was inspired to write this from reading a famous Bogg quote in a Voyagersfan story and also from a funny anecdote my father told me about how he dealt with his young brother-in-law. If only discipline were so simple today!

"Later" has finally come. How many times did I warn this kid? How many? I couldn't help it! I just lost it. Oh look, he's writhing in agony as I hold him. He's gonna hate me for this one, that's for sure. I couldn't get sweet revenge in any old place, so we went to New York City, no questions answered. It's very fitting to mete out the punishment in Jeffrey's hometown.

Okay, I hear crickets… but that's too bad. Don't get me wrong! I love Jeffrey like my own son… if I had one, that is. I'd never let any real harm come to him and he knows it, and I believe you do too. Aww jeesh, he's crying, but I can't give in. The bank clock shows I have two minutes left. This punishment was set for ten. Yep, he's really gonna hate me now.

I'm a little tired to go into details, but c'mon, we all know Jeffrey Jones and his smart mouth. Looking around this metropolis, I blame his environment. Everyone here is tough as nails with looks to kill. New York and the people in it are not known for pleasantries. So I've learned to expect this attitude from him. But that doesn't mean I have to take it.

"BOGG! I'M DYING IN HERE!"

Please, he's so over dramatic! "Sorry kid, a minute and a half!"

"Bogg, please! I said I was sorry already, didn't I? Give it up!"

Arrrrhhh! Still smart-mouthing me! I showed him. This will be the last time he ever tells me to "can it!" especially in front of a King!

His voice is so muffled I barely hear him. I don't blame Jeffrey; I wouldn't want to open my mouth too much if I were in his position either.

He has to learn that I'm his guardian now, and he's not always gonna get away with the back talk. I think I've been too soft on him. Sure, I've threatened to leave him in a time zone with the Roman army. I've threatened the orphanage, and the worst – I was ready to leave him on a deserted island with Isaac Wolfstein. That time he took me serious.

How much trouble has he gotten into? Let me count the ways. Billy the kid nearly made me and Teddy Roosevelt Swiss cheese. Jeffrey nearly got himself, Harriet Tubman, and the future Mark Twain hung, he let Thomas Edison get ahold of the omni and unscrew every nut and bolt…there's more, but like I said, I'm too tired to get into it. Don't look down on me. I would die for the kid, anyone that knows me would vouch for that, and he knows it too. I'm tired of him taking advantage of my good nature.

I have 45 seconds, so let me take in my surroundings for the last time. Sweet! The girl by the hot dog vendor is giving me the look. Not bad – black wavy hair, puppy dog eyes, and a real cute figure. I'll give her a wink and a grin. All the ladies love that. Aww, she's blushing and she has a nice smile. Should I tell her she has relish on her teeth? I point to my own with a brushing motion. She gets the idea, but I've embarrassed her. There she goes; she'll be talking about this with her friends for weeks to come.

Boy, that little hand is sure moving slow – ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two…time's up!

"Bogg get me out of here! I mean it!" Jeffrey's legs kick at me wildly and it's causing a scene.

I carefully grab his waist and lift him up and out, then put him gently on his feet. Whoooo, he reeks! I've never seen him so furious in our entire time together. I'm waiting for him to punch or shove me…but he doesn't. He's completely flushed…wait…he's caving in! He's about to sob. Now I feel bad. Maybe ten minutes was too long? The poor kid wants a hug.

Jeffrey grabs me extremely tight. He pats my back hard and buries his face into my chest.

"Easy kid, it's just a little good old Bogg discipline. It won't kill ya." I console.

"I'm sorry I talked back to you in front of King George, Bogg! Do you forgive me? Please forgive me."

He gives me a heartbreaking face and juts out his lower lip. I turn to mush and then…it hits me.

What a fool! Now I stink too! I look down and my shirt is covered with the goop from his hair and all the crusty, smelly particles from his clothes! I don't even want to know what he put on my back; the stench is awful!

"Arrrrhhh! Jeffrey!" I think my yell broke some storefront windows.

Jeffrey pulls away from me with a wicked, yes I said wicked, smile! He got his payback. Before I can grab him, he takes off down the block. Everyone is staring at me and holding their noses. I'm quickly on his tail.

Smart kids give me a pain! Forget the garbage can! Next time, I'm hanging that kid upside down for twenty minutes in a landfill!

The End!