Chapter 2: The introductions, a coward contest and the sleepover
Soon, the gang and the Bagges and the purple dog were gathered in the living room with the flash lights and lantern on.
During this time, Shaggy and Scooby elected to not go the kitchen, aware that the food in the refrigerator may spoil if they opened the door with the power still out and instead decided to stay in the living room with their friends.
After taking a look around the living room, Velma commented, "Jinkies! This place looks quite lovely, uh, Mrs...uh..."
"Bagge." Muriel smiled. "My name is Muriel, and I live here with my husband Eustace and my dear Courage."
"Hello." Eustace introduced himself to the kids with an uninterested tone in his voice, while Scooby went over to Courage and the two dogs started sniffing each other curiously.
"I believe we should introduce ourselves." Fred said. "I'm Fred, and these are my friends Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby Doo."
"A nice bunch of young people you are." Muriel smiled after the gang introduced themselves. "And it seems like Courage is getting along with Scooby well."
Sure enough, Courage and Scooby were introducing themselves to each other.
"I'm Courage." Courage introduced himself to Scooby.
"And I'm Scooby." Scooby extended his paw. "Nice meeting you!"
"Likewise." Courage smiled as they shook paws
(Note: Scooby can speak perfectly when communicating with other animals, particularly dogs, in my stories, although he still maintains his usual speech pattern while communicating with humans)
"Like, they sure are." Shaggy nodded in agreement as he watched the two dogs shaking paws.
"Well, the stupid power better return soon." Eustace said bitterly. "I'm missing my favourite late night show!"
"So what is it like to live here in the middle of nowhere, no pun intended, Mrs. Bagge?" Velma asked.
"No worries." Muriel replied. "It's actually quite peaceful, although weird things does happen from time to time."
"Weird things?" Daphne asked. "What kind of weird things?"
"The usual weird monster or alien appearances." Muriel replied. "But Courage here never fails to save the day when Eustace and I are in danger."
"Ronsters? Raliens?" Scooby asked before turning to Courage and asked, "What kind of monsters and aliens do you deal with?"
"I'll rather not talk about them, but let's just say that most of them are really creepy and evil, not to mention that I've encountered some dangerous colourful characters." Courage replied.
"I think I know what you mean." Scooby nodded. "Shaggy, Daphne, Fred, Velma and I often encountered spooky monsters or ghosts during our adventures, but most of them are simply criminals in disguise to cover up a crime."
"Well, most of those evil monsters or aliens I encountered are real and not simply criminals in costumes." Courage replied.
"Yipe." Scooby remarked.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Blah, blah, blah." Eustace replied in response to Muriel's statement.
"Well, Mrs. Bagge, to be honest, the gang and I also often encounter weird going-ons during our travels." Fred said. "During those travels, we'll often stumble upon a mystery related to a ghost or monster-sighting, but most of those were simply criminals using the spooky legend or ghost story to cover up a crime."
"Wow, that's really interesting." Muriel remarked. "Speaking of which, maybe we can pass the time by sharing stories of each other's adventures and ghost stories."
Just then, they heard whimpering and scratching, and as Velma aimed the flashlight towards the source of the noise, they can see Courage screaming in fright while Scooby scratches the front door, wanting to get out.
"Jinkies, it seems like Courage is more afraid than Scooby is." Velma remarked.
"I'll take the bet." Eustace said. "Start with the stories, Muriel, and see which one of these dogs is a bigger chicken."
He then laughed after the last remark.
"You mean, some sort of a coward contest, Mr. Bagge?" Fred asked.
"Yeah. A coward contest!" Eustace laughed. "Sure glad I thought of it, and actually, let's start it now."
The old farmer then walked over to the two dogs and pulled out his scary green mask as he exclaimed, "OOGA BOOGA BOOGA!"
"Yaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" Both Scooby and Courage exclaimed in fright before racing off.
Just then, Muriel hit Eustace with her rolling pin.
"Oww!" Eustace exclaimed. "What did I do?"
"Eustace, that's no way to treat our guest." Muriel said sternly. Turning to the gang, she added, "I'm really sorry. Eustace is always like that when it comes to Courage."
"Oh, no worries, Mrs. Bagge." Velma replied. "When the power is out, it tends to get onto anybody's nerves when there's nothing to do."
"Well, so should we get started with the stories?" Fred asked.
"Why, certainly." Muriel smiled as everyone returned to their seats.
After about an hour of storytelling, the power has restored, but by then it was very late at night for the gang to carry on with their journey.
"It seems quite late now, gang." Fred said as he looked at the clock. "I don't think it'll be a good idea to drive overnight."
"Yeah." Velma agreed. "Everyone's worn-out from the long drive, Fred."
"Perhaps you kids will like to spend the night here?" Muriel offered. "We've got the living room here and the basement for you to sleep in."
"Thanks for the offer, Mrs. Bagge." Daphne smiled.
"Like, so how do we split-up the rooms?" Shaggy asked.
"Well, the girls can sleep up here in the living room, while Shag, Scooby and I sleep in the basement." Fred decided.
"Sleep in the basement?" Shaggy asked. "It's dark in there, man, and besides, I want to have easier access to the kitchen in case I want to have a midnight snack."
"Oh, come on, Shag." Daphne laughed. "I'm sure you can still get your midnight snack without waking any of us."
"Like, I suppose so." Shaggy nodded before the Bagges moved to set up the beds for their guests.
Soon, that night, everyone in the farmhouse were fast asleep. Muriel, Eustace and Courage in their bedroom, Daphne and Velma sleeping on the stretched out couch, while Shaggy, Scooby and Fred slept on an old bed stored in the basement.
However, Shaggy and Scooby were having trouble falling asleep. It may be from their hunger, but Shaggy also had a feeling that they may be being watched.
"Ri ran't sleep, Raggy." Scooby whispered.
"Like, same here, Scoob." Shaggy replied. "I don't know why I feel like we're being watched."
"Come on, Shag." Fred said in his sleep. "Who will be watching us in the middle of nowhere? Get some sleep."
"Like, we'll try." Shaggy replied before trying to sleep in a more comfortable position.
Unbeknownst to any of them, a dark-looking figure was hiding behind the nearby windmill watching the house, with a certain background tune playing.
Who is that figure? What awaits the gang for the next morning? Stay tuned!
In the meantime, rest in peace, Joe Alaskey, and thanks for your performance of the Looney Tunes characters in Back in Action and among other Looney Tunes works.