THE HAUNTING OF DINKLEY

Historian's note: this story takes place between the events in "Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase" and the first season of "What's New Scooby-Doo." The gang would be in their "WNSD" garb.

CHAPTER 1

It was mid evening in early summer as the Mystery Machine traveled southward on Interstate 55, the main highway linking Chicago to St. Louis. The gang had attended a seminar for young detectives in Chicago, conducted by Dave Dikes, a field investigator with the FBI's Chicago regional office. They had a great time. Many of the other young mystery clubs was also in attendance, including members of Clue Club, the Teen Angels, and even Butch Cassidy's group showed up. Everyone enjoyed each other's company, swapping tales of their adventures, "war stories" as they called them. And everyone agreed that the seminars were most informative. But now as the multi-colored van headed south on I-55, night had fallen, and everyone was growing tired.

"Gee, I don't think we're going to make St. Louis by a decent hour," Fred Jones, the leader of Mystery, Inc. said. "Velma, do you think you can find us a place to stay for the night nearby?'

"I'll do what I can," Velma Dinkley, the brown haired, brainy, bespectacled girl replied. With that she took out her own laptop computer, complete with wireless Internet access and connected to the Web. "According to the GPS, we're getting close to Springfield, about 15 miles away. There should be plenty of hotels there."

"Springfield?" Shaggy Rogers, the "hippy beatnik" of the group responded. "Like maybe we'll see the Simpsons there!"

"Reah, Rimpsons!" said Scooby-Doo, Shaggy's pet Great Dame and mascot of Mystery, Inc said.

"Don't be silly, Shaggy," Daphne Blake, the young, red head beauty giggled. "The Simpsons aren't real. Besides, I think if they're were, they would live in a different Springfield."

"Springfield is the capital of Illinois," Velma said, looking up from her laptop. "It's also where Abraham Lincoln spent his adult life, practicing law before he successfully ran for President in 1860. After he was assassinated in 1865 by John Wiles Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington, his body was returned to Springfield, where he is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery on the north side of the city." She paused, then turned back to her computer. "Gang," she added, "I just got us two rooms at the Novell Motel, at the corner of MacArthur and Wabash Avenues, across from the Wal-Mart. Got a miniature kitchen and a full bath in every room, and even has a swimming pool. And Scooby would be welcome." She proceeded to print out a map and handed it to Fred.

"Kitchen?" Shaggy said. "Like, good deal!" to which Scooby added, "Reah!"

"Across from a Wal-Mart?" Daphne said, slightly disappointed. "Too bad it couldn't be across the street from a 'Club Banana.' I'm almost out of 'Kissy Girl!'"

"It's settled, then," Fred told the group. "Novell Motel, here we come!"

Twenty minutes later, the Mystery Machine arrived at the motel on the city's southwest side. The gang quickly got checked in, the girls taking one room, the guys and Scooby the other. Fred had ordered four large pizzas to be delivered; one for him and the girls to share, and three for Shaggy and Scooby. While they were waiting for their pizzas to arrive, Daphne and Velma were lounging in their rooms, talking.

"Gee, Vel," Daphne said, "You sure had 'eyes' for that Dikes character."

"Ah, get outta here," Velma said, teasing her friend. "He's kinda cute. And besides, can't a girl have a crush?"

"He was kind of handsome," Daphne replied, thumbing through the Springfield newspaper, looking for the fashion pages. She then found something in the paper that caught her eye, then exclaimed: "Jeepers! Gil Lopez! It's Gil Lopez!"

"Gil Lopez?" Velma asked. Who's this Gil…wait a minute…isn't he the Latin bandleader…kind of like Ricky Ricardo…plays for your father sometimes?"

"Why yes!" Daphne practically shouted with glee. "Plays the conga drums, a real Latin dreamboat!" She paused, then began reading out loud, "Live…Friday and Saturday Night …Gil Lopez and his Musica de la Salsa Orquestra at the Casa de Salsa Nightclub, Rico, Illinois…Music and dancing eight to midnight…Phone number…" She pulled a cell phone out of her purse and began dialing. "Casa de Salsa?…Uh uh…okay…four, please…good…will pick up at show…Blake…Daphne Blake." She then began to recite her credit card number (has it memorized, don't you know), then continued speaking, "…Directions, please…we're in Springfield at the Novell Motel…okay, straight west on old 36 to Rico, about 20 miles…turn right on Van Buren Street to Main, just before the tracks…left on Main…can park on the grass between Main and the tracks…good. Thank you. Gracias!" She flipped the lid on her cell phone, then turned to Velma and squealed in a tone as if she had found all the new spring fashions under her Christmas tree: "Jeepers! I got us tickets to Gil Lopez Show tomorrow night! I can hardly wait!"

"Uh, Daph, I hate to bust your bubble," Velma said, "but shouldn't you have talked to Fred first? He might have something else planned."

"He won't mind," Daphne said. "We got nothing better to do. Besides, it'd do him good to expand his musical knowledge. In fact, he'd probably love it." After a beat she gleefully added, "Must see GIL LOPEZ!" About that time, there came a knock on their door, Fred's voice calling, "Pizza's here!"

Daphne was right, Freddy didn't mind. In fact, he thought it'd be fun to see this show. Velma had gotten the gang's motel reservation extended through Saturday night. They were now gathered in Fred and Shaggy's room, chowing down on their pizzas. Fred was regaling the gang with a story about what happened when him and Daphne were driving along in the Mystery Machine.

"Remember, Daphne, that time when you and I were in the Mystery Machine and I 'accidentally' put on that Salsa…"

"Salsa?" Shaggy interrupted. "Where?"

"Reah, ralsa," Scooby replied. "Yummy!"

"Not the kind of salsa you eat, silly," Daphne said, giggling. "We're talking about the hot Latin dance music." But then realizing what Fred was getting at, asked, "Freddy, must you tell this story?"

"As I was saying," Fred continued, "I 'accidentally' put on that Latin CD, and you went wild!" to which Daphne sighed, "Oh boy!"

"I thought you had the 'hebbie gebbies!'" Fred added. "I had to put on some Irish folk music to get you calmed down!"

"Oh well," Daphne said, slightly embarrassed. "You know the sound of conga drums have that effect on me. That, photo booths, and roller coasters."

"Hey, wait a minute," Velma said. "I just thought of something. My Uncle John lives not far from here. Perhaps he could join us…"

"I'm sorry Velma," Daphne replied, "but he can't come to the show with us tomorrow night. I only got us four tickets."

"Oh, no, I didn't mean for him to come to the show with us," Velma said. "The show isn't till eight o'clock, so we've got all day to kill. He lives in Decatur, and that's only forty miles from here. Perhaps I could have him drive over here, show us the sights, maybe even have a picnic in the park…if he's not out on a run. Daph, may I borrow your cell phone?"

"Sure," Daphne said. Good thing I get free air time at nights and on weekends!"

"Thanks." Velma took the phone and began dialing. "Hello?…Uncle John?…It's me, Velma! Good to hear your voice again. Listen, I'm over in Springfield with my friends and I'm wondering if you could come over and visit with me…we're at the Novell Motel on MacArthur…You can?…Jinkies, that's wonderful! Okay, I'll see you in the morning. Love you, Uncle. Bye." She then turned to her friends and announced, "My uncle will be here about nine in the morning. I can't wait to see him again."

"I look forward to seeing him again, too," Fred replied. He then added, "Okay gang, it looks like we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Why don't we turn in and get some sleep. With everything planned for tomorrow, we're going to need it."

"Like sounds good to me, Fred," Shaggy said sleepily. "Come on, Scoob, let's get some shut eye. Good night."

"Good night, Shaggy," Fred said. And after wishing each other a good night, the gang retired to their rooms, and in no time at all, everyone was sound asleep.