Joker on the Beach
Chapter three: A Work in Progress
They had walked down the beach, Shaggy throwing the ball MJ had supplied from the Jeep.
"Looks like Scooby likes chasing the ball" Mj observed.
"Yeah, being locked up in the van for four days can do that." Shaggy answered.
"Oh, here comes Duke and Sugar...at least two of the gang is around..Hi Duke, Hi Sugar."
Duke and Sugar waved back, walking toward Shaggy and MJ.
"Duke, Sugar this is Shaggy, Shaggy meet two of the gang. Where's the rest of the gang?"
Shaggy shook hands with Duke and Sugar.
"Surfing at Shipwreck" Sugar answered. "Are you two going over to surf?"
"Not today, we'll be there tomorrow morning after our run" MJ informed her friends.
"our run?" Shaggy raised his eyebrows.
"I run as often as I can. I was hoping you'd join me."
"She's good. I couldn't keep up so I gave up" Duke offered.
"I'll try to stay up" Shaggy said, deciding not to mention the fact that he had been a track star in high school. Best to keep some things quiet for the time being.
"We are headed for Joe's want to join us?" Duke asked.
"Better not, we just had pizza and my parents are planning a big dinner for Shaggy's visit. How about breakfast after our run?" MJ explained.
Duke took Sugar's hand, "See you there tomorrow then" he said as they walked off toward Joe's.
"Let's sit over here, let Scooby dry off. Joe's is the best eats in town" MJ said, selecting a vacant spot in the sand.
"What happened to the change in language?" Shaggy wanted to know.
"Caught me, didn't you? I find the 'ditzy blond' helpful. You met her on the plane. I've noticed you do a similar routine...it's like you have to remind yourself."
"Seems we've caught each other out...beauty and brains...that's a deadly combination."
"Thank you...I heard on Spooky Island that Mystery Inc broke up for two years...what did you do for two years?"
Shaggy lowered his head. He hadn't talked to anyone about those two years. Only disappearing one morning and re- appearing a year and half later.
"That calls for a long and complicated answer. More time than what we have now. Short answer is I felt lost. You have to understand, we four have been together since we were toddlers, and suddenly we wouldn't even speak to each other. "Velma went to work for NASA doing who knows what...I heard she got into some secret government stuff. I didn't even try to contact her. I heard Daphne got into martial arts. Honestly, I goofed off for some six months trying to understand what happened. I did some traveling until being invited to Spooky Island and meeting the most beautiful girl there. For now, let's say I'm a work in progress."
"Peter Pan growing up? And you're not ready to talk about it with me?" she whispered.
"With anyone...my family, not even my Mystery Inc. friends. I will tell you in time...now, I'm here on a case...I need to move around, get a feeling for Campbell Bay...show me around?"