On a Moonlit Night
Chapter 1: A Night at the Lake
Just like any other part of the country, Hazzard County has its good days and bad days. Now, which is which might depend on who you ask - it could be raining cats and dogs outside, but it would be the best day of Boss Hogg's life if just one of his schemes actually worked and brought him all that money he wants. Then again, that same day might be real bad for the Duke boys, 'cause Boss is happiest when he can get rich and jail them in the process. Besides, on a real rainy day, even the General can get stuck in the mud.
But this isn't one of those days. Naw, there's not a person in Hazzard that wouldn't love a day like today. It's Friday - payday, which makes Boss real happy cause everyone spends their paychecks in his bar. It's one of those golden days of summer, a day for a picnic of fried chicken and lemonade, with a warm sun and a fresh breeze and friends to share it with. And when the sun goes down, the full moon rises bright and brilliant in the sky, and a country boy could hardly ask for a more beautiful and romantic night to drive his girl out to the lake. After all, what could go wrong on a night like this?
Now, for those of you new to Hazzard, that dark-haired boy there in the bed of the white pickup is Luke Duke, talking and laughing with pretty Helen Samuels as they look up at the night sky. Luke's Uncle Jesse was kind enough to let him borrow the pickup for the night. Luke's cousin Bo was driving their car, the General Lee - that's that bright orange one over there, with the big 01 painted on the side. And that blond-haired boy there on the blanket is Bo Duke himself, doing a lot less talkin' with Helen's younger sister Ann. At least, he was, until his cousin interrupted.
"Hey Bo!" Luke called over to his cousin. Bo ignored him. "Bo!"
Mocking a scowl and making Ann giggle, Bo leaned back on his elbows and turned towards Luke's voice. "What, Luke!"
"Any idea what time is it?"
Ann giggled again at Bo's exasperated look. "Luke, why would I care what time it is? Uncle Jesse isn't expecting us home soon and we ain't got anywhere to be."
"I thought you told him we'd be back around midnight?"
"I said we'd be back after midnight, and it ain't midnight yet anyway!"
"Okay, okay, sorry cuz."
Bo could hear Luke's hushed voice muttering something to Helen, and her laughter in response. He shook his head and turned back to Ann.
"Cousins!" he exclaimed with a shake of his head. She leaned up and kissed him again.
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Daisy Duke, that pretty little girl there in the shorts, is Bo and Luke's cousin. While they've been out with their girls, she's been workin' at the Boar's Nest, the classiest joint in Hazzard. Friday night's a rowdy night at the bar, and she's just finishing work at 1am.
"Shepard callin' Bo Peep, Shepard callin' Bo Peep, you out there Daisy?" Uncle Jesse's voice came over the CB as Daisy started her Jeep.
"Right here, Uncle Jesse, I just got off work. What's goin' on?" she replied back.
"Oh good. Daisy honey, I just got a call from Jim Samuels up on Parker's Bend, says Bo and Luke haven't brought the girls home yet, and he's not sure whether to be mad or worried. Bo said they'd be out late at Wyle's Lake, but I cain't raise them on the CB. Could you take a drive by and see if they're there?"
"Sure thing, Uncle Jesse. I'll let you know if I find them."
"Thank you, Daisy. Be careful."
Now, knowin' that this is Hazzard County, what do you think the odds are that ol' Jim Samuels should be worried instead of mad?