Chapter 6: Back to the Museum



"Muriel!!"

Courage awoke to Eustace's shouting. The dog stretched out on his masters' bed.

"What is it, Eustace?" asked Muriel, who was just waking up.

Eustace started pounding on the bathroom door. The shower was on inside. "One of our nosy visitors has been in there almost fifteen minutes! Stupid bathroom!"

"Well, Eustace, I guess we'll just have to share it with them until they leave," replied Muriel.

"Nnrgh," groaned Eustace. "Should've built an outhouse when I had the chance."

He walked out of the room



During breakfast, Courage found out that the Hendersons would be in town today. "We might need some more supplies for the trip ahead," said Diane. "Plus, my brother and his wife might like a house-warming gift or two from a quiet old town such as Nowhere."

"And since I'm out of vinegar, I suppose I should come to," said Muriel. "Eustace, the Hendersons are probably going to eat out for lunch. Maybe dinner as well, so you'll have to fix yourself something." Eustace couldn't believe his rotten luck. He didn't like the idea of having to cook his own meals.

Courage didn't like the fact that Sandy was going with them. How could he talk to her if she was going to be gone all day?



Of course, how could the Hendersons even get to town when their car was out of commission? Muriel came up with the only alternative: take Eustace's truck. Eustace put up a fit about this decision, but, because he was outnumbered, allowed them to go. So, after breakfast, Muriel, Diane, and Katie got into the front of the truck, while the rest of the Hendersons got in the back. Muriel shifted the clutch, and the truck headed down the road toward Nowhere.

Eustace went back into the house and called out Courage's name (so he could ridicule him again), but Courage was nowhere in sight. After finding out he was going to be stuck with Eustace for the rest of the day, Courage wisely locked himself in the attic with a bag of chips to keep from going hungry.

Eustace fell into his chair and turned on the TV. "Stupid dog," he muttered.



In the town of Nowhere, a pickup truck was parked in a parking lot. The truck's occupants went in different directions. Muriel went to the grocery store. Carl and Diane Henderson went to a gift shop before rendezvousing with the Hendersons at a local pay phone. Kevin, Katie, and Sandy went to the Nowhere Historical Museum.



As they entered the museum, Kevin and Katie once again saw the displays in the same places as before. The portraits. The displays. The sliver dollar in the center of it all.

Just then, the man behind the gift shop's desk walked up to them. He was probably the curator, since there was no one else there. "Sorry, kids. No dogs allowed."

So Kevin tied up Sandy to a pole outside and apologized to her.



Back inside, Kevin walked by the displays, reading each one of them. Katie spent the time with Mr. Furry, talking to him and answering back for him. Kevin at last came to the giant portraits of Joseph Williams and Reginald Baggs. As he looked at them, Kevin saw some peculiarities about them. First of all, Reginald's chin was prominently protruding from his face. His nose was rather pointed, and the top of his head was incredibly round....sort of like that old man, Eustace. And, come to think of it, wasn't Eustace's last name "Baggs"? Kevin, therefore, came to the correct conclusion that Reginald and Eustace Baggs were related! Probably a grandfather or great-grandfather. Kevin smiled at figuring it out, and then became puzzled. Why hasn't Eustace mentioned anything about this? Answering his own question, Kevin decided Eustace was too shy (ashamed? afraid?) to say anything about his past.

Then, he saw the portrait of Joseph Williams. Kevin stared at it a long time. If he used his imagination, he could alter the portrait's appearance. He applied a few facial changes in his mind and saw, to his amazement, that the end result looked just like...



A hand tugged on Kevin's pant leg, startling him. It was Katie. "I'm hungry," she said.

Shakily, Kevin directed his little sister out of the museum. "Let's go find Mom and Dad at the grocery store," said Kevin as he looked back to the silver dollar, somehow knowing that this was not the last time he would see it.

As Katie ran on ahead, Kevin untied Sandy and told her about his discovery. A look of amazement crossed her face, but Kevin put a finger to his lips and said "Sssshhh" to keep the information confidential. Together, they walked toward the grocery store with worried expressions on both of their faces.



******



After lunch, the Hendersons wanted a tour of the town. Fortunately, Nowhere had a tour-group company that was almost out of work. The Hendersons enjoyed learning about the town's landmarks and history. Especially Kevin and his mother, Diane. (You know, by now, why Kevin's interested. As for Diane, well, you'll find out in a few chapters). By the time the tour was over, it was time for dinner. The Hendersons and Muriel went to eat at a homestyle restaurant. They even allowed Sandy inside! Everyone had a grand time talking about everything and nothing. After dinner, they headed back to Muriel's house.



"We're back, Eustace!" cried Muriel, her arms full of groceries. It was already dark by the time they got back. "Did you have dinner?"

"Yeah. Had me some leftovers," Eustace said as a bag of groceries was placed in his arms.

The Hendersons came into the house single file, each with a bag of groceries. At the top of the stairs, Courage looked on. When they were all in the kitchen, Courage went down the stairs. He was greeted by Katie and her parents, each of them patting him on the head. Courage turned to wave back at them as they headed down into the basement, when he bumped into Eustace, who was just coming out of the kitchen.

"Stupid dog!" Eustace shouted. "Bump into me will ye?"

Eustace quickly turned his back to Courage and fiddled with something. At this exact moment, Kevin and Sandy emerged from the kitchen. "Hey Eus-," began Kevin, when suddenly...



BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA!!!



Eustace turned around wearing a horrible, bug-eyed, green mask! Kevin and Sandy were startled, but Courage was scared out of his wits! He let out a shriek of horror.

"Aaaauugghh!!!"

Courage then ran as fast as his paws could carry him into the kitchen. He opened a cupboard under the sink and hid inside it, closing the door behind him.

Eustace laughed and laughed as he went upstairs.



Kevin and Sandy were stunned. They couldn't believe this man's cruelty toward Courage!

Kevin turned toward Sandy. "No wonder that man doesn't like to talk about his family!"

Sandy nodded with shock. Kevin thought some more and said, "It's too bad we can't give that dog some puppy Prozac or something."

Sandy cast Kevin a mean glance.

"Hey, I'm just joking. Sorry," said Kevin, apologizing. "I'm...uh...gonna take a shower now." And with that he headed upstairs.



Sandy sighed and looked inside the kitchen. She heard whimpering coming from inside the cupboard under the sink. With a look of heartfelt concern, Sandy entered the kitchen and walked toward the cupboard.



Next up...Chapter 7: Kevin's Gift