After the short struggle, you finally manage to sit up on the doorframe and smile at the achievement. It wasn't the smooth maneuver that comes effortlessly to Bo and Luke but you have a feeling that, with practice, you should be a pro in no time.
Before you get any further the sound of an alarm fills the air. You look toward the bank and see two masked bandits open the doors and come running out….directly toward you.
Without warning, one of the bandits swiftly lifts his arm and brings his gun down hard on your temple. As you go into a state of semi-consciousness, he carelessly pushes you into the backseat once again before he and his partner jump in the front and take off.
Before the General Lee is out of town square, you manage to sit up and look out the back window. Things seem a bit hazy, but you can see that Rosco and Enos have taken to chasing the stock car, which the robber drives around the square in order to shake them. As you round near the bank once again, you see Bo and Luke standing outside, watching the General fly by as Boss Hogg yells 'my money!' and dances around on the sidewalk like he got stung by a bee. It's the last thing you remember before you finally succumb to the darkness that you've successfully fought so far.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
You don't know how many hours pass, but night has fallen by the time you return to consciousness. Looking around, you find yourself lying on a cot in a one room cabin, your hands tied behind your back.
"Looks like he's up." A man says as he and a woman turn from the fire they were poking at in the fireplace. Although they aren't wearing masks, a view of their dark clothes tells you that they are the bank robbers. You quickly sit up as they walk toward you, surprised they hadn't bothered to tie up your feet as well. Seeing the hot fire poker in the lady's hand makes you extremely nervous.
"Uh, just let me go and I won't say nothin', I swear." You offer with that nervous Duke grin as the instrument looms near.
"Relax, we're not going to hurt you." The lady replies, laying the poker off to the side. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Agent Loreli Banks. This is my partner Frank Wooten. We're with the U.S. Secret Service."
She ends by pulling out her badge, an act which is followed by Frank.
"Well, I don't know much about the agency…." You admit after examining her badge. "But robbing banks, kidnapping, and tying up your victims don't sound like anything that would be on a government job description."
"We had our reasons for the robbery. The kidnapping, well, that wasn't exactly planned. As for tying your hands, we wanted a chance to explain the situation, but were afraid you'd either take off running or come at us swinging once you woke up."
"You thought right, lady." You nod.
"If you'll agree to sit calmly at the table here, we'll untie you and explain the whole thing Mr …..Mr…" Frank begins.
"Duke." You inform him as you turn your back to him.
Frank then loosens the ropes binding your hands. After, you sit at the table rubbing your wrists, still doubtful of the couple's true identity.
Although you are parched, you only accept a drink after Loreli takes a good swig out of the very glass she set in front of you. Satisfied that poisoning isn't an imminent danger, you down the glass in just a few huge swallows, your trust meter going up just a little.
"Mr. Duke…." Frank begins. "As you may know, one of the main objectives of the Secret Service Agency is to control the production and distribution of counterfeit money. Thanks to an anonymous tip and some wiretapping over the last few weeks, we have reason to suspect that a rather large counterfeit ring has set up house right here in Hazzard County."
You smirk in disbelief. "So that makes robbing a bank valid?"
"Well, yes, as strange as it seems. You see the bank owner, J.D. Hogg, is the prime suspect in the case, and we've learned from government records that he is well known for being very talented in getting rid of evidence at the most opportune time. The tapping has put us under the assumption that all of the counterfeit money is being stored exclusively in the bank vault, and laundered outside of the county in order to redirect the money trail. Our goal in the robbery was not only to seize what we believed were the counterfeit bills for examination, but hopefully to spur Mr. Hogg into demanding the production of more money, and that the wiretap on his phone will clue us in as to where the operation is located."
"It's a complicated situation in which you are an innocent bystander. And for that we're sorry." Loreli apologizes.
You cross your arms as you think on the matter. You suppose there could be some truth to the explanation. Either way, you're ready to get out of there. When you get back to the Duke farm, you decide, you'll just explain things to Jesse. He's pretty good about figuring out the validity of claims such as these. At least that's what you've heard.
"Okay." You announce, standing up. "I suppose under the circumstances I can accept your apology. I also understand that this was probably all explained in order for me to keep my mouth shut, and I'll do that. Now if you will just give me the keys to the General Lee, I'll be on my way."
"The General Lee?" Loreli can't help but ask.
"The car." You clarify. While you realize that the General leaves a lasting impression even on visitors, it doesn't necessarily mean they know his name.
"Well, there's actually another reason we held you here." Frank announces. "You see, we were hoping you might help us."
You offer a nervous chuckle and shake your head. "Help? How could I help?"
"We'd like to have an insider at the bank. Someone working as an employee in order to assess the situation inside."
You pause in thought. "And you saying you want me to take a job at the bank?"
Frank nods. "We planned to place an agent in the position but felt that a local might not arouse as much suspicion."
"Then I'm afraid I can't help you there." You reply. "I'm from Savannah, just stayin' in Hazzard for the summer to visit with some of my family."
"Even better." Loreli announces after some thought. "You have a local connection and you've just arrived in town, needing to earn some cash to get you through during your visit. It's a perfect scenario!"
You hold up your hands.. "Wait a minute. I don't know anything about workin' behind a desk!"
"We'll give you a crash course on the basic aspects of banking." Frank confirms. "Of course you absolutely cannot tell anyone, and I mean anyone, what's really going on."
You shake you're head. "I really don't want to do this. I came to Hazzard to visit, not to get tied up with a government sting operation."
"Well if visiting is your goal, Mr. Duke, then I'm afraid you have no choice but to help us." Loreli replies. "You've been given far too much information concerning the case to simply be allowed to walk away. If you will agree to help us, we'll coach you through the police interview that will come about as a result of the robbery, and allow you to stay with your family. Otherwise, for the confidentiality of the investigation, we'll have to ask you to stay here. We couldn't risk having the police approach you for further questioning without being able to help you with the answers, as saying the wrong thing could blow our whole operation. You would have to remain at this cabin until the arrests are made."
You are flabbergasted. "Well how long would that be?"
"As long as it takes." Frank replies in a no-nonsense manner.
You become swimmy headed as you try to figure out how in only moments you went from being an innocent kidnapping victim to a proposed accomplice in the bust of a counterfeit operation. Uncle Jesse has made no secret of his feelings toward J.D. Hogg, and he's grown close enough to you that he's going to have plenty to say about your new 'job' working for him. Then again, you know that staying at the cabin isn't much of a choice, since you know Bo and Luke will stop at nothing to locate you and the General. Considering those facts, you look at Frank and Loreli and announce your decision.
Jump to Chapter Entitled "Bank Job" TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BUST AND TAKE THE BANK JOB
Jump to Chapter Entitled "Cabin" 6 IF YOU DECIDE IT WOULD BE BEST TO STAY AT THE CABIN