Author's Note: I realized a whole bunch of people were doing disclaimers, so I thought, why not do it too…

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the hooded stranger. You can't sue me for anything in my story.

Reviews

Lozzay: I'm glad you think my writing is so talented! I like to make my reader's think. I find it attaches them more to the story. Whenever I'm thinking about someone else's work, I'm always eager to read more! I'm happy that you think this rocks! Thanks for reviewing!

A. Nonymous: I'm trying to make the 'impossible decision' effect on Squidward. The identity of the stranger will come soon enough. Thanks for reviewing!

tinksbelle85: When I started this story I didn't even know what he would pick! I usually make stuff up as I go. Thanks for the comment. I glad I got your review!

WoRdLiFeCeNa4: Congratulations! You are in first place for the most P.S.'s I have ever gotten! Lol. I know, I like being hyper too. You will find out who the hooded stranger is in chapter 10. Sorry to confuse you, I did put boarder lines on Microsoft Word, but when I copied it onto fanfiction I guess they got erased. :( Thanks for reviewing!

ComicCrystal: Squidward is taking this into serious thought. I tend to find that he becomes more caring throughout the seasons. This story concentrates more on Squidward than Spongebob, but I guess I might be able to put more of the little yellow dude in it. Thanks for reviewing!

flaming-1251: Thanks for reviewing!

Chapter 9

It was quiet in the volcanic house. It was the early morning. Just a few minutes before six o'clock. Nothing was stirring. Except for one thing; Squidward. He was awake all night debating whether to close down, or stay open. He barely slept that night. Probably for only a few seconds when a blink did not want to open again. His body was fatigued, but his mental state was wide awake. Thinking, thinking…

Squidward knew that this was an urgent decision. He had to think about it very carefully, yet he had to make the decision quickly. If he went undecided for just a few more days, then the Krusty Krab would close, whether he would want it to or not.

Squidward tossed in bed. He was facing the clock. One minute until the alarm went off. Squidward lazily watched the small second hand tick by. Tick…tick…tick…

Squidward was falling into a tired daydream.

He was playing his clarinet in front of millions of people. He sounded better than any clarinettist that ever lived. A king who was watching the performance stepped on the stage after Squidward had stopped playing.

"That's the best playing I have ever heard!" exclaimed the king. "I am going to give you the greatest…BRINGGGG!"

Squidward awoke with a start. His alarm clock was going off. Squidward sunk back into his deep depression when he realized he had been dreaming. He reached out a heavy tentacle and turned off the alarm. The ringing was still bussing in his ears.

He tried with fail to get out of bed. It was no use, he was too tired. He reached for the telephone on his bedside table and dialled a number.

Patrick was standing, facing his wall. This is what he did every night, (except if he still had restaurant work he could improve on). Something told him that he was supposed to be doing something during the nights, but he had forgotten what it was. Oh well, it looked like one of those unsolved mysteries.

All of a sudden, his phone rang. Patrick ran over to the receiver and picked it up.

"Star residence, Patrick speaking," spoke Patrick into the phone.

"Patrick? This is Squidward. I can't go to the Shimmering Star today, I feel awful. Can you run the restaurant for today?"

"Sure thing, Mr. Tentacles," replied Patrick.

"Thank you." Patrick heard the line go dead. He hung up and started to get dressed for work.

Squidward hung up. Now at least he had time to think. (Not like he didn't have time during the night). But first, he would try to get sleep. He felt terrible. Squidward closed his eyes and tried to return to the concert hall, where the king was about to give him a great honour.

Squidward woke up at around noon. He felt much better now that he had gotten some sleep. However, the heavy weight of the difficult decision still rested on his shoulders. He tried to get out of bed. A wave of dizziness overcame him, but his hunger was greater than his fatigue. H stood up and put on his purple house coat. He walked over to his kitchen and prepared lunch. (If you could even call it a lunch). Normally, Squidward would use a recipe from the Shimmering Star, but he was too depressed to make a gourmet meal. He poured some milk and some icky looking cereal into a bowl. He sat down at his kitchen table and began to munch.

He was almost finished his snack when…

Squidward noticed some small pebbles being thrown against his window. He got up from the table and walked over the glass. Rocks were still being tossed at the window. Squidward opened it to see who was smudging his glass with dust.

"Who's there?...OWE!" As Squidward was talking, a handful of pebbles had been thrown at his face.

"Oops, sorry"

Squidward looked at who he was talking to. He was surprised to see the hooded stranger.

"That was an accident," said the stranger. He tried to be sincere, but he was laughing on the inside.

"What do you want?" asked Squidward, still grouchy that rocks had been thrown at his face.

"I think you're having trouble making the right decision."

"What makes you think that?"

"I saw your light on all night."

"Wha…have you been spying on me?"

"Maybe a little…"

At this, Squidward became boiling mad.

"Listen, I have the right to make my own decision!"

"I know. I just don't think you're taking in all of the consequences to thought."

"What consequences?"

"Maybe the well being of you and your staff."

Squidward paused. He was at a loss for words.

"Think about it. It will be a lot better for everyone if you keep the restaurant open." The hooded stranger turned around and vanished over the horizon.

Squidward still didn't know what to say. The well being of him and his staff? What did the stranger mean by that? Squidward concluded to himself that he didn't want to find out.

Squidward reached for his telephone and called the number of his restaurant.

"Shimmering Star, how may I help you?" Patrick said over the phone.

"Patrick, this is Squidward. "I'm feeling a lot better. I'll be at work in about half an hour."

Squidward was still sitting in his office, like he normally did every other day. However, (despite what the stranger said) he still couldn't shake the feeling that he was making the wrong decision. Staying open just seemed so…self-centered. He told his staff they were staying open, and they were really happy about it, but how would Mr. Krabs and Spongebob feel? Squidward decided to ignore his conscience and work on the paper work that littered his desk.

Spongebob was in tears. Squidward was going to keep his restaurant open, and that would mean the Krusty Krab would close.

"Goodbye, Krabby Patties. Goodbye, spatula." He was taking it very hard. SO was Mr. Krabs.

"No more customers, which means no more money!" he cried.

Spongebob and Mr. Krabs were going to eat at the Shimmering Star later that night. They hoped that they could talk to Squidward and try to convince him to close down.

Later That Evening

Mr. Krabs and Spongebob had entered the restaurant. They gasped at the magnificent beauty. Everywhere they looked, something was decorated beautifully. A waiter came up to them and sat them at a table. Mr. Krabs opened the menu, and searched for the best bargain. Spongebob didn't even bother looking at it. He was in no mood to eat. He just wanted Squidward to close down.

Squidward was sitting in his office, still doing paper work. It was amazing how much paper work came with owning a restaurant. He was filling out a form for more supplies, when…

"Sir?" asked a waiter, opening the door.

"Is this important? I'm very busy right now," replied Squidward.

"A couple wishes to speak with you."

"What are their names?" asked Squidward.

"Spongebob Squarepants and Eugene Krabs."

Squidward turned pale. He knew this would happen. He knew that Spongebob and Mr. Krabs would beg for him to change his mind. He decided to get it over and done with. He deserted his paper work and walked to the table Spongebob and Mr. Krabs was sitting at. Immediately, he felt guilty about staying open. Spongebob was still in tears, and Mr. Krabs looked terrible. Squidward walked to the table.

Spongebob noticed that Squidward had arrived.

"Oh Squidward!" cried Spongebob. "You've got to change your mind! Please let the Krusty Krab live!"

"Spongebob I…" started Squidward.

"Please, Mr. Tentacles," said Mr. Krabs. "No restaurant means no money! I mean…customers."

"Actually, I've been thinking and I think I should close down…" said Squidward.

"Yippee!" exclaimed both Spongebob and Mr. Krabs. Squidward smiled. He felt a lot better. Then he noticed something… Rocks were being thrown against the back window.

"Excuse me for a second," said Squidward. He walked towards the back door. He knew who it was. He exited the restaurant, and before he knew what hit him, he was thrown against the back door.

"Owe! What the…" but before Squidward could utter another word, the hooded stranger talked.

"What is wrong with you? I told you about the restaurant. I bribed the crab so you would have time. And you repay me by closing the restaurant!"

"What are you doing? I have the right to make my own choice!"

"You should know better then to toy with me! Now…" The stranger took out a knife at held it up to Squidward's throat. "You are going to keep this restaurant OPEN!"

A deep, boiling rage built up inside Squidward. Persuasion was okay, but a threat was crossing the line.

"NO!" yelled Squidward. He pushed the stranger off of him and then lunged. Squidward and the stranger fought. Squidward got minor cuts on his tentacles because of the knife.

Spongebob and Mr. Krabs could hear fighting outside. They walked through the back door to investigate. They were shocked to see Squidward pinning down a hooded stranger.

"Now," said Squidward. "Let's see who you really are." He grabbed the hood with a tentacle and pulled it back.