Acorny Joke

A loud THUD against the door of Rescue Ranger Headquarters signaled the homecoming of the Hawaiian shirted chipmunk known simply as Dale. With an agonized creak, the door slammed open and hit the back wall. Dale's foot was replaced by his entire form coming through the doorway. He was bent over with a large red box on his back.

He maneuvered carefully down the stairs and headed for the hallway on the other side of the living room.

"Close the door, Dale." came Chip's sharp tone. He was reclined on the couch indulging in an old-fashioned crime drama. It was one of the few times that he did enjoy watching television.

"Sorry," was Dale's response. He set the box down and ran back to shut the door. Dale slammed the door again and rushed back to his box.

Chip glanced at his friend, "What's your hurry this time?"

"I found something that I just know Gadget's going to love!" exclaimed Dale.

Chip turned around immediately. Any mention of the team's lovely inventress mouse was more than enough to get Chip's attention. He darted off the couch towards Dale and the box. "What's in the box?" he asked.

A smirk appeared on Dale's face. He crossed his arms. "Guess," he said.

Chip rubbed his chin in concentration for a moment. "Hmm," he thought aloud, "Could it be; Koi; shoes; a coconut pie; Foxglove?"

"Foxglove!" uttered Dale. He cringed at the horrible mental image of himself shoving his longtime bat friend into a box. "Why would I put her in a box? You're on the right track with 'coconut' though."

Smacking his head, Chip stated, "Not 'Foxglove' the bat, you dope! 'Foxglove' the flower," Sometimes it just didn't pay to joke with Dale. Chip sighed and tried again, "Coconuts huh? Ok... Chocolates?"

Dale shook his head. "No, Come on, Chip. Think 'nuts'. You know, 'nuts'."

"You're nuts, Dale."

"CHIP!" Dale scolded, "Don't be crude."

Chip's face turned red with embarrassment. Once again, his hand found his face. "That's NOT what I... Oh, never mind." Chip was silent for a few seconds. Once he regained composure, he tried another tactic. His eyes narrowed and he pretended to ponder for a few seconds. "Nuts, huh? Ok...'Nuclear Utilization Target Selection'? 'Never Understand The Screwball?"

Dale put his hands on his hips and frowned. "Now you're just being silly."

"So, just tell me then."

"I told you, they're nuts." Dale grabbed the box lid and pulled it off. "Lugged 'em here myself."

Chip looked inside and gasped. Yes, it was indeed a box full of 'lug nuts'. He couldn't believe he'd just fallen for such an awful joke.

Dale placed the lid back on the box. With a chuckle, he lifted the box on his back.

As he headed off towards Gadget's workshop, he could almost hear Chip grumbling behind him. He knew he had finally one-upped Chip. He also knew that Chip was not about to let him win so easily.

After all, the game had just begun.

To Be Continued?

Chip 'n Dale (C) Disney. Characters used without permission but with lots of appreciation and respect... well, sort of. :)