Don't own Chuck

Sam led Clara and Alex back to the den where she knew a family of coyotes used to live. She was hoping that with any luck they would still be there. But even with the two pounds of ground beef patties nothing came out of the den. But that wasn't going to hold Sam back and before Alex could stop her Sam dove head first into the den.

"Where are you going? No, you come back here," yelled Alex. "You don't know what's in there." But nothing was going to stop Sam. "Oh no you don't," said Alex as she was able to grab her legs before she disappeared completely like Alice down the rabbit hole.

"Let go," yelled Sam. "There's something in here. Come here…" they heard her say then something else that was muffled.

"Geez, leave whatever it is in there and come out right now. You know there are snakes around here and poisonous ones too," said Alex. She pulled Sam out dust covered clutching to something close to her. "What do you have in your hands? Please tell me it's not a snake." That's when they heard the meow of a kitten.

"Look what I found a little kitty cat. See," said Sam as she rolled over and began petting it. At first it growled and hissed trying to break free but Sam wasn't going to let go. "Now behave yourself. Look I brought you something to eat," she said as she passed it some of the hamburger. It started eating but it kept an eye on everyone and the only one it would let touch it was Sam.

"She's cute," said Clara but as she tried to pet the kitten it turned hissed and growled with arching its back trying to look fierce. "I take it back."

"You need to give her a break she doesn't know you. She just needs to get acquainted," said Sam as she petted her. The kitten immediately calmed down and went back to eating. "What's a kitten doing out here?"

"I don't know but if that's a kitten I would think it's mother is probably somewhere nearby," said Alex as she looked down at it. "You know there's something familiar about it. I've heard of cats going ferial that means they turn wild…"

"I know what it means I watch Animal Planet. She's kind of funny with her short tail and these whiskers on the end of her ears."

"I think they're called tuffs," said Clara as she tried to bet the cat and this time it let her. Clara smiled at Sam.

"Do you think Mommy and Chuck would let me have a cat? Cat's don't need a lot of care… less than a dog and they catch mice."

"But you don't have problems with mice," said Clara as she continued to pet it and it started to purr. The kitten was soft and fluffy and Clara also would've liked to take it home.

"But a cat would keep us from having the problem. You know what they say and ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

"I don't think you can apply that to owning a cat. Besides just because you don't have to take a cat out for a walk doesn't mean they're less responsibility," said Alex as she watched the girls play with the kitten and could tell what they were thinking the same thing. But there was definitely something familiar about the kitten if only she could remember.

"Crap, look at the time. Ellie wanted me to make sure you guys got back by lunchtime. We need to go. Come on say good bye to… what did you name her?"

"I think Bob. I know what you're going to say but so what. It might not be a girl's name but neither is Sam and Bob… well look at her tail."

"Bob… bobcat," said Alex as things started clicking in her head. What she just remembered was suddenly confirmed when they heard growling from a large cat that was now standing on top of the den looking down on them. Bob answered her call then ran to her mother.

"Okay no one move fast. Get up very slowly then come towards me," said Alex as she pulled her weapon from her belt and stepped backward.

"Put that thing away. You're not going to hurt Bob or her Mommy," said Sam. She reached down made a ball from one of ground beef patties then tossed it to the two of them. The mother hissed but then smelt the ball and ate it while keeping an eye on them.

"There see we don't mean you any harm," said Sam. The mother cat jumped off the mound in front of them growling and hissing as she walked towards them.

"No, you're not going to try to pet her," said Alex as she pulled Sam back. The mother cat wanted them to back up so she could get at the rest of the ground beef patties.

"Let go of me. I know what I'm doing. If you give me a chance I know I can have her eating out of my hand."

"You mean she'll be eating your hand. It's hard to be a surgeon with only one hand. Do you really want to take the chance?

"Okay, okay, it's time to go back to the cabin anyway. But think about it wouldn't it be great to have a bobcat as a pet. She's not that much bigger than a cat."

"But a lot meaner… Yeah some great pet until it starts taking out all the other small pets in the neighborhood and brings them back laying her victims on your doorstep. You know Bobcats hunt bunnies?"

"They do? But if I feed them a lot of cat food it wouldn't be hungry. I need to do some research on the internet before I make any decisions."

"Translated we need to do some research," said Clara. "She looks at the pictures and I have to read the text."

"We don't have to tell Aunt Ellie about Bob. I mean she's got a lot going on and I wouldn't want to bother her with this."

"What's the matter Sam? You know you'd be in trouble," said Alex. This was typical Sam. She did whatever she wanted then worried about the consequences afterwards. "You don't think Ellie hasn't figured out by now that half the hamburgers are missing and she won't guess where they disappeared to?"

"Actually, I think she'll think they got left behind at home. If I had to make a prediction judging from the sides being drawn when we left. I'd have to say it's a fifty-fifty toss up if we're still going to have hamburgers. If we do they won't be grilled or if they are charcoal won't be used. I think Morgan probably volunteered to make a supply run to replenish the hamburger level."

"Okay, I've got to know," said Alex as they got near the cabin. "Why would you think Morgan volunteered to make a supply run?"

"When I grabbed the hamburgers, I noticed he was down to his last two grape sodas and we all know how much he likes grape soda. So, he's going to need more and getting the hamburgers as well as a gas grill from the Buy More are the perfect excuses he needs."

"You're going to have a hard time in first grade next year. No one likes a wise guy no matter if they come in extra small."

"I'm not extra small. I'm within the average height of someone my age and you've got a lot to talk about. Do you and Morgan argue over which end of the egg to open?"

"See that's exactly what I'm talking about and how do you know anything about 'Gulliver's Travels'?" asked Alex as the cabin came in view. They could see Devon outside flipping burgers on a new shiny gas grill.

"It was on TV the other night and it looks like I was right. I would say I told you so but I'm not that type of person."

"And remember what I said about being a wise guy."

"Strange, I don't see Morgan. It's odd you don't see food and Morgan together," said Sam. Alex gave her a look. "Okay, I know but I'm just saying they usually go hand in hand."

"There he is," said Clara. "He's coming out of the cabin now with two bottles and he's giving Dad one. What is it?"

"It's a beer," said Alex as she waved to them.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Earlier at the Buy More Devon bought his two blenders then started looking for Morgan. Happy with the deal he got, he walked over to the Manager's Office and went inside expecting Morgan to be behind the desk but instead he found Big Mike with his feet up deep in a Danielle Steel novel.

"Just one minute," said Big Mike as he held up his hand and continued reading. He turned the page and then another and another.

"But I just…" Devon started to say but Big Mike cut him off with a grunt and by holding up his hand again. He turned the page then he put the book down keeping his hand in it to mark his place.

"I just don't know how she does it. Who would've ever seen that was coming," said Big Mike as Devon cleared his throat. "Oh, right. You know people usually knock before they barge in on you unless your name is John Casey. I see you bought two of our best blenders."

"Yes, I couldn't believe the deal that I got. I don't understand how you can afford to sale them at this price."

"Neither can I but I'm going to look into it," said Big Mike as he looked out the window and saw Skip and Fernando. "Yes, I'm going to have to look into it." They quickly ducked out of sight.

"I'm sorry to bother you but I was looking for Morgan and I thought he might be in here. You haven't seen him, have you?"

"No, can't say as I have so you say he's here, do you? Maybe I can get him to watch the store for a little while so I can make a quick run to Subway. As a doctor, you can understand the need to make healthy choices like a foot-long meatball sub with gooey mozzarella on hearty Italian with a spicy marinara sauce…now that's a spicy meat-a-balla sandwich."

"That's the way you're going to go with this? I expected you to compare it with Morgan's mother by saying something like 'muy caliente'."

"Hey, watch it that's my wife you're talking about. You know a person could get offended. When you find Morgan, tell him I stepped out."

"But we're in a hurry," said Devon but one minute he was talking to Big Mike and the next minute he was talking to the chair. "Wow, is he fast."

"Where's Big Mike going," asked Morgan standing in the doorway. "Don't tell me he's called it a day and is going home to… well just going home. Geez, every time I think about it… them I think I need to bleach my brain."

"Chill out dude, he just went to subway to get a… well I don't know if it's a snack or lunch but it's substantial."

"Not again he just went there. Crap, what am I going to do? One of us needs to stay here," said Morgan as he pulled out the list. "We've still got all this shopping to do."

"I tell you what. I'll got do the shopping then swing by here before we head back and if Big Mike still isn't back I'll swing by Echo Park check on the meat then make another pass for you here. By then he should be back and we can head out to the cabin in time to start the burgers. Just give me the list."

"Thanks, I appreciate and a by the way I need to add to that a couple cases of grape soda. I know what you're going to say but I can't go cold turkey."

"Okay two cases but only because I like you," said Devon. "I should be back in about an hour or an hour and a half."

"That should be plenty of time I would think," said Morgan hoping Big Mike wasn't doing a Starland Vocal band.

"No that was afternoon and this is still morning. Yuck, I think I'm going to be sick," said Morgan as he picked up the receiver. He turned back determined to find out what was going on with this early sale. Morgan spent the rest of the morning making phone calls checking with other stores and none of them had any sales going on at the moment.

"Thanks Marty, so the big sale is this weekend. … I know I got the flyer too I was just wondering about starting the sale early. … Yes, I know the difference comes out of the store if we start a sale early. Thanks," said Morgan as he hung up.

"Where's Big Mike?" said Morgan as he looked at his watch. The hour and a half was almost up and still there was no sign of Big Mike. He decided to go around the store to see if Big Mike was trying to avoid him.

"Hey, you two come over here," said Morgan as he caught Skip and Fernando coming out of the breakroom. "I'm looking for Big Mike have either of you seen him. I want to know what's going on with the early sales. I just got off the phone and the sale isn't until this weekend."

"You know we asked Big Mike the same thing. But he said it wasn't any of our business and that he was in charge of the Serengeti."

"Yeah that's right and he said that Musafa was back in the driver's seat and that little Simba was back in the back where he belonged. I have no idea what he meant."

"I think I know where he is and you do too. Where does the Alpha lion go to when he's done with his nap? He goes and finds his main squeeze and we all know who that is," said Skip as they both looked at Morgan.

"Please that's enough I'm going to have trouble getting certain images out of my head as it is. Just go take down the markdown tags and let Big Mike know I'm looking for him."

"You wanted to see me son," said Big Mike as he came up behind Morgan. "Thanks for giving me that extra hour for my break. I had enough time to run home for a little afternoon delight. Boy, your mother… let me tell you…"

"No, you don't have to please… I mean it you really don't. You can keep it to yourself, please. Somethings just can't be erased from your brain…"

"Yes, let me tell you man oh man 'Muy Caliente'. They just don't make women like your mother anymore."

"And you told me anyway. Look I don't know why these sale tags are up but they have to come down. I checked around and the sales doesn't start until this weekend. I don't know what you were thinking but the difference comes out of our profits."

"I know that's why I told these lamebrains to take them down this morning. They put them up so they wouldn't have to this weekend because they want the weekend off."

"You two nincompoops can forget about having the weekend off. This is a big sale and we're going to need all hands on deck."

"But you already told us we could have the weekend off. You can't go back on your word and I saw your hands. There were no fingers crossed."

"But he didn't pinky swear," said Fernando. Skip elbowed him in the stomach. "Ouch, what was that for? He didn't."

"What part of not helping don't you understand? But you did and I know how to prove you did," said Skip. He ran over to the camcorders grabbed one then brought it back. "This is the display model that I was using this morning. I accidently left it on after I used it. Just let me fast forwards…"

"Give me that thing," said Morgan as he took it from him. "You didn't plant this in the women's restroom, did you? Buy More takes a dim view about employees who do things like that."

"You mean like the movies you shot with Lester and Jeff. If you want the negatives we get the weekend off."

"You're lying," said Morgan. But Skip just smiled at him. "Come on we can reach some sort of agreement but I know you're still lying, right Fernando?"

"Yeah, he is," he blurted out then put his hands over his mouth. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to say that. That's not fair you tricked me and it's inadmissible in a court of law."

"Just shut up," said Skip. "I don't know why I'm still friends with you. You keep pulling this crap time and time again…"

"Because I have a car and I swing by your house in the morning to pick you up for work then I take you home in the evening."

"See I knew there had to be a good reason. Such are the bonds of true friendship," said Skip as he watched Morgan fast forward. "There stop there. See there you are… see that's you. Now try to deny that."

"I don't know. It looks like me I'll grant you but I don't remember any of this. Where's Captain Awesome? I came in with him and I don't see him."

"You're talking about the second time you came in," said Fernando. "You went out the back looking for Big Mike then you showed up through the front doors with Devon."

"What are you two talking about? What second time? I came in and asked for Big Mike and you told me he'd stepped out to grab a sub at subway."

"I did what? I was in the office after I told these lamebrains to take the sale tags down which you guys haven't done yet and people have been buying all morning long. That price difference is going to come out of your pay."

"But then we won't have any money to have any fun this weekend. That's so not fair. You know what that is, it's slave labor… yes that's it. You're trying to put my people back into slavery."

"You're people… you're people… augh hell no," said Big Mike. "You want to come again with that. Let me get a whip and I'll show you what a taskmaster I can be."

"Okay, so I might've exaggerated a bit but there you are and that's when you told us we could have the weekend off. So no Indian," Skip started to say but Big Mike gave him a look.

"If I were you I would chose my next words carefully or you're going to have to take a trip to HR and they can explain to you why you were terminated for cause."

"I don't understand," said Morgan as he rewound the video then played it back. "I'm here and I'm here but I don't remember being here. How can that be?"

"I didn't want say this but maybe you've got that thing going on again. You remember when you frosted your hair and acted like a jerk. Chuck explained it to us as a sort of breakdown. Is everything okay between you and Alex. You know you can tell your dad… daddy… papi… papi chulo these things. Is there an intimacy problem? Are you having difficulties?"

"You know they made a little blue pill for that. I've hear it works wonders for problems like yours. Isn't that right Big Mike?

"How the heck am I supposed to know. I don't need any little blue pills not when I have the beautiful sensuous Bolonia Garcia Bougainvillea Grimes Tucker waiting for me at home… yes sir muy caliente."

"And there we go again. Okay everyone go back to work. I'm confiscating this," said Morgan as he took the camcorder. "Geez, where's Captain Awesome at? It's been over two hours and not sign of him. I hope he found my grape soda." He looked at the camcorder then decided to go down to castle.

"Let me go down and check the security feeds. If these guys doctored this video the castle feed will show me this is a fake. Then I'll… what will I do? I can't very well show them the video. Crap, I don't care. This is for me and afterwards I'll get them to show me how they did it. It could come in handy in the future."

[About an hour earlier]

"Hey, Morgan what are you doing waiting out here?" said Devon as he pulled up outside the Buy More. "I would've come inside and gotten you. But I can understand not wanting to be around those clowns any longer than you had to."

"Yeah, it's hard some days. I should fire the lot of them," said Morgan as he got in the van. Devon looked at him getting inside.

"That's kind of cold dude to fire your own father-in-law. And what's up with your leg, why are you limping?"

"Oh, the limp… yes the limp, you want to know how I got it. Well, it's easy to explain. There was a spill on aisle thirteen… yes there was a spill and I fell. When I did I banged my knee so it's a little stiff. I just need to walk it out now."

"When we get back I can look at it for you."

"No… no, I just need to walk it out. So, let's get back I'm dying to meet Ellie… I mean see Alex."

"Are you sure you didn't bump your head? Maybe you should have Ellie examine your head for trauma just to make sure you're all right."

"I look forward to that."