Sorry it's been a while. Been having a little trouble figuring out where I'm going up to a certain point. I love y'all who reviewed, and even those who haven't but have read the story. Constructive criticism appreciated and welcomed. Still not mine! Moving on…
You'd think they'd start addin' a personal touch to that cell by now…
Bo and Luke stared longingly at the cell key just inches from their reach, sighing as they figured it would be doing them just as much good if it were locked in Boss Hogg's safe. The boys, Luke especially, took stock of the familiar room, trying to find a way to lessen the gulf between them and their freedom. Unfortunately Rosco wasn't providing them any opportunities.
He also wasn't providing them any explanations for why he had them arrested, either. When they demanded to know the charges, his stock answer was, "You Duke boys is guilty of somethin' and whatever that somethin' is you're guilty of, that's what I'm chargin' you with!" Trying to understand Rosco's circular logic only gave them both a headache. So instead they resolved to keep their eyes open, while praying for a miracle.
Would you have ever figured Boss Hogg for a miracle worker?
Boss rushed down to the jail as soon as he'd heard the news of Bo and Luke's capture. Sure enough, there they were, the boys inside the cell with hands wrapped around the bars tight enough to put a dent in the metal, and Rosco on the outside, looking proud enough to put a peacock to shame. It was sooooooooooooo tempting to just leave them there, but—
"Rosco, you dodo, what are you trying to do to me?" he exclaimed in misery.
"Good news!" Rosco called out gleefully, not heeding Boss' words, or their meaning. "Boss, look there what I just done. Them Duke boys, I got 'em this time. I locked 'em up and threw away the key!"
"Well you better dig that key outta that trash can real fast or you're gonna get it!"
Rosco's expression changed to one of puzzlement. "Boss, I don't get it."
"I want them boys turned loose!"
Did y'all see that comin'? Cause I sure didn't. Wonder if ol' Boss strained hisself with the effort it took to say that.
"What?" Bo and Luke, who had been listening for lack of anything better to do, stared at Boss, then at each other, in stunned disbelief. Not that they weren't happy by Boss' pronouncement but Boss Hogg setting them free usually meant he had a hidden agenda, that meant longer jail time later if they let him get away with it.
No less shocked was Rosco, who just stared at Boss. "Turn 'em what?"
"You heard what I said!" Boss Hogg shouted, mainly because he didn't have it in him to repeat those words.
"But, Boss…you sure you ain't delirious or somethin'?" Rosco tried again, failing to understand why Jefferson Davis Hogg would want Bo and Luke Duke released, after making it a lifelong goal to get them put away for life. "I thought you didn't want them involved in Lulu's--"
"Rosco," Boss Hogg said in a dangerously calm tone, "how would you like 50 percent of whatever I get next?"
"You mean, like 50/50?" Rosco said in delight, hardly believing his ears.
"On account of," Boss continued as though Rosco had never spoken up, "you're gonna get 50 percent of whatever punishment Lulu, my wife your sister, gives me if you don't let them Dukes go; and then you'll get 100 percent of Lulu moving right back in with you!"
Now that is a threat, and Rosco knew it.
Rosco grumbled to himself as he retrieved the key to the cell and released the two very pleased Duke boys. "Alright, you're free to go!" he growled, waving them out of his sight. "Scuff my vehicle, throwed poor Flash into a state, and I can't do nothing about it…it wasn't even me that arrested them…all Enos' fault--"
"Thanks, Rosco!" the boys said, making it a point to wave good-bye. "Just, hush!" came the Sheriff's embittered response.
"You know," Luke said as they walked past a seething Boss Hogg, "we really oughtta send Miss Lulu a thank you. Maybe flowers, or candy, or somethin'."
"Oh, yeah, absolutely," Bo answered in complete agreement.
Boss watched the boys exit the jail and kept his eye on them until they were out of his line of vision. Then he turned to his sheriff and lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Rosco, we need to talk."
Uh huh, I kinda figured Lulu's wrath wasn't the only thing on Boss' mind when he freed our boys. Whatever he's got cookin' I hope Bo and Luke don't end up getting burned.
