Drucker's General Store
While all this was going on at the Douglas Farm, Mr. Drucker was busying himself by solemnly dusting around the store. Some of the regular Hootervillians, including Mr. Haney, Mr. Ziffel, Mr. Kimball, and Mr. Kiley, were sitting around the cooler, sipping sodas and quietly reflecting.
Ever since the news of Lisa's disappearance spread, all of Hooterville seemed to be in a grave mood. It seemed that she had made quite a few friends in their short time living there and all were concerned for her well-being, none more than her closest friends. At the moment, most of them were sitting there in Drucker's store, wondering how a dear friend could just be taken away.
It was at that moment that Oliver, Eb and Joseph walked into the store, determined to find out more about Lisa's kidnappers.
Mr. Drucker looked up from his solemn task when he heard someone come in, his sadness increasing when he realized who it was. "Hi Mr. Douglas," he greeted remorsefully. "Any word on your wife?"
"Yes, her kidnappers called again to ask for more money, an amount I could never raise in time," Oliver said sadly.
"Oh, that's horrible! Is there anything we can do to help you raise money," Mr. Drucker asked, the rest of the men getting up from their sits and joining Oliver's side to show that they were willing to help.
"That's very kind of you gentlemen, but I'm afraid we could work day and night and still not have the amount we need," Oliver replied.
"What about the police? Can't they do something," Mr. Kiley asked.
"I tried them, but they said there was nothing they could do in these cases," Oliver replied angrily. "That's why I came here, to ask for your help. I have decided to take matters into my own hands. I'm going to find Lisa myself," Oliver said triumphantly.
"That great Mr. Douglas," Mr. Drucker cheered. Everyone else cheered as well. An awkward silence followed. Finally, Mr. Ziffel spoke up.
"And just exactly how are you gonna do that," he asked.
Oliver stood silent with a puzzled look on his face. "I don't know," he admitted. Now that his anger had died down, Oliver realized that he had no idea what he was doing.
"Maybe you should start by thinking back and seeing if anything suspicious may have occurred," Mr. Drucker offered.
"That's a good idea," Oliver admitted. And with that, he took a seat by the cooler and began to review in his head any odd occurrences that may have alluded to Lisa's kidnapping.
After about five minutes of silence, Oliver still couldn't come up with a single strange event that may have given him a clue. With an exasperated sigh, Oliver stood up from his seat.
"I'm afraid, gentlemen," Oliver said, addressing the group, "that I'm getting nowhere. I guess I'm not so good at this detective thing, even when it does come to saving my wife," he concluded sadly while looking down at the ground.
"Oh don't worry, Mr. Douglas. I'm sure you'll think of something," Mr. Drucker said, trying to console him.
"Yes, and we'll be on the look out for anyone suspicious looking that may be around," Mr. Haney offered.
"And we'll report any sightings straight to you, Mr. Douglas," Mr. Kimball said.
Oliver looked up and smiled at the group gratefully. "Thank you, gentlemen, I really would appreciate that."
Oliver began to walk out the door followed by Eb and Joseph, but before he left, he turned around once more and looked at them all with a smile.
"You know, its times like these when you find out who your true friends are," he said. And with that, he and his hired hands left the store, leaving his touched but embarrassed friends behind.