Chapter One: Exciting Ranch Plan
Dudette finished feeding the chickens, and ran to the hot springs for a nice, relaxing bath. Her long, straight brown hair was inherited from her mother, Karen. Unfortunately for her, she had bad eyesight thanks to her father, Rick. Her glasses were oval, unlike his. She also seemed to have his fashion sense, and wore green overalls.
After the bath, Dudette ran to her mother's shop to help out a bit. As always, her grandparents were running the shop, while her mother just helped out. Nothing ever changed in Mineral Town it seemed. Dudette got bored easily doing her daily routine, and desperately wanted a change in her life.
"Hey there, Dudette!" called Karen. Then she frowned. "What's up?"
"Nothing…I guess I'm just bored, mom…" answered Dudette.
"Say, why don't you take a break from working today? Maybe you'll feel better," said Karen.
"…sure," said Dudette dully. "See you later."
Dudette walked out of the general store dejectedly, and stopped by at the hospital where her best friend, Dude, worked.
Dude was making the only bed on the first floor of the hospital, while Doctor chilled at his desk. Elli was dozing off on the medicine counter.
Dudette walked over to Dude, her boredom still lingering. "Hi, Dude."
"Dudette? Shouldn't you be working now?" asked Dude. Dude had hair like his father's, and inherited his mother's eyes and smile. Dude wore a doctor's coat most of the time because he felt like it, but his blue shirt underneath said "DUDE" in large letters and he wore jeans.
"Mom let me out early," said Dudette. "Wanna go somewhere?"
"Wait a sec…Stu said that May said that Duke said that Doug said that Ann said that Cliff said that Carter said that Basil said that Mary said that my great grandmother was looking for you," said Dude.
"Couldn't you just say that in the beginning?" said Dudette, annoyed.
"No…because Stu said it first, and May heard him, and then Duke--" said Dude.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," interrupted Dudette. "Are you going to come too?"
"'Course! I want to see what she wants too!" said Dude excitedly.
So Dude and Dudette walked two houses away to Ellen's house, and found Ellen inside on her rocking chair.
"Oh, you're here already! Dudette, hon, tell me what you think of this. I made this quite a while ago, but I forgot to give it to you," said Ellen, handing Dudette a package.
"Oh! What is it? Thanks so much!" said Dudette. Dudette quickly tore open the package to reveal a spring-green shirt with "DUDETTE" in large letters. A pair of jeans exactly Dudette's size were also included.
"I…I don't know what to say…I'm going to match with Dude," said Dudette slowly.
"Great Grandmother made mine too," said Dude.
"I'll change into it right away!" said Dudette, putting on a smile. At least this was different from her everyday routine!
When Dudette changed, she thanked Ellen and she and Dude left to Lipton's farm. They always went to Lipton's farm when they were bored or had a day off. Lipton always found time for them, even when he had work to do.
Lipton was fishing at the river of his farm when Dude and Dudette came. He looked up at the sound of their footsteps.
"Hello, Dude, Dudette!" Lipton turned around to get a better look of them, and was shocked at Dudette's change of clothing. "You…you match…"
"Yes, Grandmother Ellen gave it to me," said Dudette.
"Of course…" said Lipton, nodding.
"Did you catch anything yet, Lipton?" asked Dude.
"I haven't caught anything all day! This winter I haven't been doing much of anything. Fishing is the last resort for me," answered Lipton.
"You're bored, aren't you? I'm bored too," said Dudette.
"Do you two…want to farm?" asked Lipton suddenly.
"I've always wanted to farm!" piped up Dude. "You make it seem so easy."
Lipton chuckled. "What about you, Dudette?"
"I'd love to farm. It'd give me something to do! Wait…" worry seeped into Dudette's face. "You're not leaving or anything are you?"
Lipton laughed again. "Quite the opposite. You're leaving, if you agree to what I'm about to say. I found an ad in the newspaper for people wanting to give farming a try. There is a lot of land available at Flower Bud Village. What do you think?"
Dudette had stars in her eyes. "I think I've found my calling in life…"
"When can we go?" asked Dude.
"Next week, I think. That's when spring begins, so you can get a fresh start. You should do it before other farmers beat you to it. I'll show you the ad, if you come to my house now. It's the Exciting Ranch Plan," said Lipton.