Inside Dildo's Hobbit dump, it was clear the last Spring Clean was quite a many springs ago. Fungus was crawling unnaturally up the walls, stains of water from the pipe works plastered the higher supports and there was an over-all funk of venerable, unwashed socks. So, Sandgulf resolved that it was no different from any other Hobbit nook and, indeed, was almost exactly like he had left it those many years ago. Dofo and Scram sat down and rudely ignored their guest, talking of the fun times they had as boys. Sandgulf made himself welcome to some tea and interrupted the two's chitchat.

'Now the old dung-face is away, Dofo, could I take a peek at your Uncle Dildo's Thing?'

'Good Gracious!' Cried Dofo. 'You old prune! I didn't know you were gagging for it that bad!'

'No, no!' Cried Sandgulf. 'I meant the THING! You know, that round, magical, finger-sized object?'

'Oh, THAT thing!' Said Dofo, jumping up and running to a display case. 'Ever since Uncle D had that operation, I've made that mistake already!'

'WHAT?' Sandgulf yelled, standing up rather rapidly. 'Someone else has asked to see your thing?'

'Yes.' Said Dofo, pulling down a small box. 'A big, black, horse-riding fellow.'

'That must be a-' Sandgulf began.

'A Black Rider?' Dofo interrupted in his exited way. Sandgulf dealt him a friendly slap accross the brow.

'You interupt too much!' He grumbled. 'They are called Night Riders in this Parody. We don't want sued. But, alas, this can only mean one thing.'



Sandgulf slowly lifted from the small box a thick, gold-banded "O" which could fit around one's finger. With a sigh, he placed it on the table and massaged his forehead. 'This is the One Thing.'

'Surely so, Mr. Sandcastle.' Said Scram. 'It be the only one of it's sort here!'

'Damn you, you incompetent peasant!' Shouted Sandgulf. 'Did you not read the first chapter?'

'But...' Dofo winged. 'Sadron was scalded... He locked himself in his room!'

'Sadly, my little half-wit, it seems that he has been stirred once more, and his boo-boo has not healed. Indeed, he walks this earth again but not as man, but as-'

'-A SPIRIT?' Interrupted Dofo.

'No, something worse.' Moaned Sandgulf. 'He is in the form of... Donald Duck.'

There were screams from inside Dildo's chez that could be heard for miles around.

'Never utter those words again, you fool!' Cried Dofo. 'Surely Sadron will be looking for this Thing,' at this point he slipped the Thing into his trousers for safekeeping. ', So I will take it to where ever we can hide it.'

'I have a better plan.' Said Sandgulf, rubbing his chin with his wand. 'Why don't you take it all the way to Boredor, and destroy it for good!'

'No! I wo-'

'That's settled. You can take the Thing to Boredor.'