Task 1: The Three Ed Boys Grunt

Chapter 2

A few hours had passed since the boys had decided to take the task of finding Julio into their own hands. The street lights had just come on, bathing the black asphalt covered roads in an soft amber glow. The weather was mild, as typical of June evenings; the temperature was around 65 degrees, and was complimented by a calm breeze.

The still silence characteristic of the small side street was quickly interrupted. At Eddy's command, Ed and Rolf took hold of the large, three foot diameter manhole cover acting as the main access and egress to the neighborhood sewer system. Using their combined immense strength, the boys were able to pry the heavy plate off of it's seat, and toss it onto the adjacent asphalt with an audible ding.

"Well boys," said Eddy as he slid his remaining rubber glove on to his left hand. After ensuring his fingers were fully seated, he released the base, causing it to snap tightly to his skin, "If anyone wants out, now is the time!"

Eddy scanned his surroundings, taking notice of all four of his friends, each prepared for their adventure in their own little way. Ed had removed his large green coat, leaving him in nothing but his red and white striped t-shirt. The happy-go-lucky boy had placed an old boot on head, forming a makeshift "helmet" of sorts, complete with a workman's flashlight attached using duct tape. Kevin and Rolf were not dressed any different than usual, with the exception of each boy donning a pair of rubber gloves; and the fact the Rolf had brought with him several meathooks, bats, and other bludgeoning devices, meant to be as exterminating weapons and self defense.

Of course, Double Dee was the most prepared out of the bunch for their sewer expedition. The boy had outfitted himself in a full body, plastic suit, (complete with small transparent garbage bags as foot booties), rubber gloves, a plastic shower cap, and disposable respirator mask.

"No way Jose," said Kevin, "Let's do this!"

"Rolf is prepared to take on the vermin of the sewers!" yelled Rolf, "You shall pay for the invasion of the property of the innocents!"

Without hesitation, Rolf leaped into the manhole, disappearing into the darkness of the sewers he released a war-like scream.

Kevin proceeded to laugh as he too approached the manhole.

"After you pal!" yelled Kevin as he too jumped down the manhole.

"Geronimo!" yelled Eddy as he followed suit, assuming the stance of a cannonball as he followed his friends down the manhole.

Double Dee remained still, staring in the direction of the manhole with an expression of shock. After a few moments, the long haired boy decided to speak.

"What has become of us Ed?" said Double Dee, "Carelessly plunging into the bowels of the city sewage system, an unimaginable cesspool of bacteria, fungus, and disease carrying fauna."

Double Dee slowly approached the manhole, gazing downward with an expression of disgust as he did so. Eventually, the boy emitted a long drawn out sigh, and began the process of adjusting his gloves for his descent.

"Very well," said Double Dee, "If I shall be forced to participate in this endeavor, I will do so with regard to common sense and safety. Please excuse the delay Ed, but I must ensure that my gloves form a watertight seal with the sleeves of my suit. Preparations should be complete within the next minute, then I will proceed to execute a slow, controlled descent, using the ladder as intended by..."

Double Dee was not able to complete his sentence, as he was suddenly grabbed by the shoulders by the larger and more physically powerful Ed. The absent minded boy proceeded to lift Double Dee onto his shoulders as he dashed towards the manhole with a smile.

"Flight Attendants, Prepare for Landing!" yelled Ed as he jumped towards the manhole.

"Ed, WAIT!" yelled Double Dee, "I haven't had time to..."

Double Dee's words were suddenly replaced by a long drawn out scream as Ed's feet breached the threshold of the manhole. Double Dee lifted his arms outward in an attempt to to take hold of the manholes rim and stop his descent; unfortunately, his efforts were futile, leaving both boys no choice but to continue on their downward trajectory.

After a ten foot fall, the two boys descent was ceased by the concrete floor with an audible thud. Ed landed on his rear, and seemed completely un phased by his action, emitting his characteristic dopey giggle. Double Dee on the other hand had collapsed onto the ground, laying down on his back with a dazed expression.

"Glad to see you guys made it down in one piece," said Eddy as he pointed his flashlight in the direction of his two friends, flooding their position with a bright white glow.

Double Dee regained his composure, rising to his feet as he dusted off his plastic suit. Turning his attention towards the light, he spotted Eddy, Kevin and Rolf, all staring in his direction with sly grins.

"I'm glad to see your concern for my well being Eddy" said Double Dee in a sarcastic manner.

"Hey you know me!" said Eddy, "I'm always looking out for my pals!"

Double Dee shot Eddy a sarcastic glare as he adjusted his gloves, and removed a small flash light from his utility belt. He proceeded to activate its beam it, sweeping it back and forth as he observed his surroundings.

The main tunnel was around fifteen feet wide; the simple flashlight did not have enough power to illuminate it's entire length, only allowing visibility of around thirty feet in either direction. The tunnel was lined with two concrete catwalks, one on each side, between which was a small waist deep channel of gently flowing water. The two catwalks were connected by short bridges of sorts, spanning the water channel every fifteen feet; the ladder had dropped the boys off on one such bridge. Peppering the sides of the tunnel were several access passages, leading to other areas of the sewer.

"While I absolutely abhor the filth associated with municipal sewerage systems," said Double Dee as he observed his surroundings, "I cannot argue that these tunnels are an impressive marvel of civil engineering."

The boys remained silent for a few moments, panning their flashlights in an inquisitive manner. Finally, Eddy decided to interject.

"Well boys," said Eddy, "We know what we came here to do, so let's do it!?"

"I can't believe you dorks talked me into this," said Kevin, "These tunnels probably spider all over the city. There ain't no way we're gonna find this kid by the end of the night."

"Boy Kevin is right," said Rolf, "The area is much too large for a single expedition. We must separate our labors to fulfill the promise to the Amanda girl!"

"Loud and clear Rolfie boy!" said Eddy, "We'll split up, and meet back here in an hour. Unless this Julio is some kind of super human, there ain't no way he's gotten any further than the ground the five us could separately cover."

Double Dee sighed.

"Very well," said Double Dee, "The sooner we affirm the safety of Julio and exit this bacterial breeding ground, the better."

Double Dee reached into his suit pocket, removing a small first aid kit

"Prior to our departure, please allow me to review common first aid protocols," said Double Dee, "In the event of an injury, we must..."

"AQUATIC MODE ACTIVATE!" yelled Ed, cutting Double Dee off and simultaneously jumping into the channel of sewer water, emitting an audible splash. He surfaced almost immediately, popping out of the water as if he were the cork of a wine bottle, all the while blowing the green water out of his mouth in a laminar flow.

"Turtle in a half shell, TURTLE POWER!" yelled Ed as he began to paddle down the proverbial creek of sewer water, disappearing from view as he rounded a slight bend.

"You heard him boys!" yelled Eddy as he turned towards his friends, "Let's move out!"

Double Dee observed with distress as his friends proceeded to demobilize one by one; each dashing in a different direction, disappearing into one of the several access holes branching form the main tunnel. Within seconds, the intelligent Ed boy was all alone, cradling his first aid kit in his hand and appearing as if he were a lost puppy.

"I should have expected that," said Double Dee to himself, at which point he peered down towards his feet, taking notice of the small amount of sewage splatter adorning his foot booties.

"Messy, messy, messy," said Double Dee as he kicked the sludge off of his feet. After ensuring he was as sewage-free as possible, the intelligent Ed boy projected his flashlight forward, and began making his way down the tunnel.