PREVIOUSLY ON US ACRES...
As you may remember from our last story, Orson had rescued a charming, wise old Collie named Lord Jefferson from a cavern in the woods outside of the barnyard and took him in. However, Lord Jefferson kept stealing Orson's thunder, so they challenged each other to an election for leader of the barnyard. However, if Orson lost, he'd have to leave the farm forever. Now, he must save his leadership and beat Lord Jefferson or he'd probably never see his friends again.
Inside the barn, Orson was busy pondering on what to do for his campaign. Roy, Wade, Booker, Sheldon, Roy, Bo and Lanolin were impatient and wanted to hear what Orson was planning.
"Come on Orson" said Wade "Please tell me you have a plan"
"Even better, Wade" Orson said as he snapped his fingers "I have three plans!"
"That's a fact worth knowing" Lanolin said as she folded her arms.
"Booker! Sheldon! I need you guys to make campaign posters to show how respectful I am to the little guy" Orson pointed to the chicks.
"You got it, Pop!" Booker saluted.
"You can count on us, dad" said Sheldon.
"Come on Sheldon, let's get our glitter, glue and markers" said Booker.
Booker and Sheldon ran to get markers and paper to make posters for their father.
"Two! Bo, I'll need you to be my pollster" Orson said as he pointed to Bo.
"No problem, buddy" Bo smiled.
"And Wade is going to be my campaign manager" Orson pointed to Wade.
"Campaign manager?" Wade asked fearfully "Wh-what is that? I hope it's not something scary"
"A campaign manager is someone who thinks of idea for someone's campaign" Orson explained "You're going to suggest something for me"
"Sounds easy" said Wade "Might I suggest you make a speech to all the animals in an hour to tell people why they should vote for you?"
"That's a great idea Wade" said Orson "And finally...Lanolin and Roy! I have the most important job for you two!"
"Most important job?" Roy gasped "For me? Oh boy! What is it?"
"Yeah, and why do I have to work with buzzard beak here?" Lanolin asked Orson.
"I'm right here you know" Roy remarked.
"Guys listen, this is a very important job, so you two will have to work together on this one" said Orson.
"Fine" Roy and Lanolin sighed "We'll work together"
"Now shake it on it" Orson sternly said.
Reluctantly, Roy and Lanolin shook hands in annoyance.
"Okay now here's the thing" Orson explained to them "You guys are going to dig up dirt on Lord Jefferson to ruin his reputation, so everyone will hate him and vote for me"
"I love this plan already" Roy said as he rubbed his hands "Ooh hoo hoo!"
"Go to Roger for info" said Orson "He's the oldest animal in the barnyard, so he might know something about Jefferson"
"Got it" Lanolin and Roy said as they ran to find Roger.
One hour later, Orson went to the field to make his campaign speeches.
"And now, here's your current leader and candidate, Orson the Pig" Wade announced.
The audience all cheered as Orson came onstage.
"Attention my fellow animals of US Acres" he said through the microphone "I am Orson!"
"Orson, I have a question for you" said Wade "Is the barnyard a better place with you in charge?"
"Yes, I believe it is" said Orson "We've harvested the crops and kept the farm in tip top shape, and the farmer has been able to provide for us and his wife because of me"
The audience cheered.
"And what will you if elected?" Wade asked Orson.
"I will continue to help my fellow animals and keep this barnyard in short order" Orson proclaimed.
The audience cheered and then, they turned around to Lord Jefferson who was about to make an announcement.
"I'm just an old fashioned dog" he said "I've got a homey accent and this rocking chair. But my opponent is one of those fancy types, like he had some fancy book learning and he doesn't own a rocking chair. But don't take my word for it..."
"He says mean things about other animals behind their backs" said a goat, reading a card.
"He abandoned all of his children" a cow said with some piglets holding onto his legs.
"What?" Orson gasped "That's not true! I haven't even found a mate yet"
"Are these paid actors? Are there stories true? Who knows? But imagine if they were, which they are" said Lord Jefferson "So vote for me, Lord Jefferson, a dog who will do away with all the hoodlums under my power. And remember; Orson is a child abandoning, book smart, rocking chair-less slime ball. Paid for by the committee to crush Orson like the low life scumbag he is"
"That's not true!" Orson protested "I'm not a child abandoner and I'm not a slime ball! Lord Jefferson is the slime ball and I'll prove it"
"I've got an idea Orson" Wade whispered to Orson "Why don't you challenge him to a debate?"
"That's a great idea, Wade" Orson whispered to Wade, then turned to Lord Jefferson "Lord Jefferson! I challenge you to a debate tonight at the crack of sundown"
"Challenge accepted" Jefferson smirked.
Meanwhile, Lanolin and Roy had finally found Roger. Unfortunately, he was preparing to leave the barnyard. The duo kept trying to get him to talk, but he wouldn't tell them anything.
"Come on Roger, you've gotta know something about Lord Jefferson" Roy told him.
"Yeah, nobody knows this barnyard like you do" Lanolin added.
"Look, I don't have time to talk to you guys" Roger said in a gruff manner "I'm trying to get away from this barnyard as far as possible"
Lanolin then grabbed him by the horns and made a menacing stare.
"Unless you want my partner to get all crazy on you, tell us what you know" said Roy.
"Go ahead, beat me up" Roger boldly said "I"m more scared of Jefferson than I am of you!"
"Huh?" Lanolin and Roy each raised an eyebrow "What?"
"He was in that cave for a reason" Roger said with fear "I've gotta get outta here!"
Roger then let himself out of Lanolin's arms and ran off into the woods, like his life was depending on it.
"The cave?" Roy asked Lanolin "Maybe there was something in that cave we missed"
"Great" Lanolin said sarcastically "Now I've gotta walk in those dark, wet caverns again"
"Roger said that he was in the cave for a reason" Roy said "So, we'd better go back into that cave and see what we missed"
Lanolin hated to think Roy was right, but Roy was right. After all, they did promise Orson they'd help him keep his leadership. They all headed to the cave to see what they might have missed. Orson was depending on them.
Author's Note:
Looks like Orson's campaign isn't going as well as planned. He's going to need to find a way to get elected. But what could help him? Everybody's loving Lord Jefferson!