Prompt 32- Magnet

...

Following the incident of a sea urchin infestation in the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob decided to be wary about fetching lost items from under the grill, and so the following morning, he brought a magnet for metal things- and he was lucky he had the foresight to do so, for he lost his spatula under the grill, and he hadn't a spare one to use.

"Oopsies- better rely on this good old fashioned magnet to fish her out! I'm coming, Fifi!" He called, and got down on his knees for his prized spatula, yielding the magnet like the powerful amulet of Atlantis.

...

Squidward was losing patience- Sandals and Nat were waiting impatiently for Krabby Patties, and no matter how many times the cephalopod cashier rattled or yelled the orders, he always heard a metallic banging from the kitchen.

"Dude, we want our Krabby Patties." Sandal said.

"Yeah!" Nat agreed. "Some service you guys have!"

But Squidward couldn't give them food, and since SpongeBob was nowhere to be seen, he decided to do something he should have done...10 minutes ago.

"Would you two excuse me whilst I yell at the moron in the kitchen?" Squidward asked monotonously, and then turned round to peek through the order window.

"SPONGEBOB, WILL YOU HURRY UP, YOU MORON?! WE'VE GOT ORDERS TO FILL!" He yelled. A dusty, grimy creature popped out from under the grill.

"Oh, hi Squidward!" it said, giving him a friendly wave. "I accidentally flipped my own spatula under the grill so I'm trying to get it back- but all I've found is this ancient and strangely located treasure from Octapius the IV." He replied, holding up a magnet with gold coins, jewels, and beautiful works of art and sculptures.

"Did somebody say treasure?!" Mr Krabs asked, opening the door to the kitchen with lightning speed.

"Mr. Krabs, could you please tell SpongeBob SlothPants to hurry up and fill these orders already?" Squidward asked exasperatingly.

"Ha- you're one to talk about sloth, Mr. Squidward! And besides, the boy found me some buried treasure! Where did ye find it, lad?"

"Oh, just under the grill, sir." SpongeBob replied, without a hint of bashfulness. "I was just looking for my spatula, and- well, I caught all this instead. You can have it, Mr. Krabs, sir. I'm just hoping to find my spatula so I can resume the best job in the world!"

"Well, alright, lad- but you're helping me clean all this stuff after work today!" Mr. Krabs decided. "We'll get Patrick to help- that should keep you boys out of trouble!"

"Aye, aye!" SpongeBob saluted.

"Mr. Squidward- you like artsy schmartsy stuff, don't ya?" Mr Krabs added.

"Well, yes...but what's that to do with..."

"Ye can have any paintings and sculptures you like in this lot, lad," The crustacean decided. This made Squidward brighten up.

"Oh, thanks, Mr Krabs." He answered, managing a smile. SpongeBob smiled at seeing this- he secretly loved seeing Squidward smile. He had a really nice smile, but he was so grouchy all the time that no one had the pleasure of seeing it. He moved a foot away from the pile- and heard a metallic scraping. He looked down- and saw dear old Fifi looking grimy, but none the worse for wear.

"Oh, there's my spatula!" SpongeBob exclaimed happily, picking it up. "Well, I'll just wash this and my hands, and then I'll whip up some Krabby Patties!" He said, giving the thumbs up to Sandals and Nat.

"You're just lucky I can wait this long," Grumbled Nat, who trooped back to his seat. Sandals followed- except he returned the thumbs up gesture to the town's favourite fry cook.