Six months had passed since Rick had finally cleaned up the water of Ghettown with Mike and April. The river now flowed freely into the ocean. Harriet had finally come out of her shell and adjust to life in Ghettown.
Rick, Mike, and April stood over the much more fertile dirt behind the town hall. Rick's brown hair was now much longer. He combed it to the side to keep it from his eyes. Mike leaned over the soil, "Do ya'll think it's ready for planting?"
"Not yet," replied April, "Wood takes a really long time to break down. It'll be months, maybe years before it's all completely decomposed."
"That wood was sitting in the water for several years. What hadn't already rotted away in the water was about ready to melt by the time we buried it," contradicted Rick.
"Well how many nutrients could've been left when we got to it?" asked April.
"I don't know. My plan was to try whatever was possible and hope for the best," replied Rick.
"Calm down," interrupted Mike, "How about this: we get Joe to give us some seeds; but something that'll grow fast. If they grow, then we've succeeded."
"I suppose," said April.
Meanwhile, Prosperville was beginning to rebuild. New buildings were being erected. Construction workers were abundant. Tortimer stood in the midst of it all to oversee the construction. Even Nookington's was being rebuilt.
Suddenly, Tom Nook appeared from the distance. He had returned to Prosperville. "Thomas, good to see you!" exclaimed Tortimer, "Your shop is almost rebuilt."
"I apologize, but I'm not here to stay," replied Tom.
"Why's that?"
"I had to put my insurance money into bail. I couldn't spend one more day in that God forsaken prison."
"How bad was it?"
"Well, now I know what people mean when they say, 'Don't drop the soap.'"
"I don't understand."
"You don't want to."
"Oh, something nasty, huh?"
"Never mind that! Time is short, where is Harriet?"
"I believe she is living in Ghettown now."
"Ghettown? That place is real?"
"Yup. She's been living there about half a year now."
"Can you get me directions?"
"What are you all worked up for?"
"I need evidence that Timmy and Tommy were outside of my reach by the time the fire had gotten to Nookington's. Harriet was with me nearly all day. She may just be my ticket to freedom."
"In that case, follow me to town hall. Make haste!"