I had to take a taxi to get back to Sixer's house. The driver asked why I was up so early for a taxi. "Mind your own business!" I snapped.
"Okay, geez. You can take a nap in the car. We'll be there in about an hour."
Step one was finished. Step two: get Poindexter's stinkin' portal working so I can bring him back home and go sailing around the world in the Stan O' War together.
That sounds like a long shot. The last time I saw him, he was paranoid, tired, and mentally broken. He looked at my eyes with a darn flashlight, nearly blinding me, talked about some mistake that he didn't tell me about, gave me his stupid nerd book, told me to sail around the world, by MYSELF, and hide the book as far away from Gravity Falls as possible! The least he could've said was' Hi, how ya doin'? It's been a while. Want to sit down and talk about things and go sailing around the world?' Instead, he accused me of ruining his life and any chance he had at going to college all because his stupid machine broke.
Dang it, Sixer! Why were you so selfish! What happened to us? When we were kids, we were unseparable! We even wore each other's clothing and went biking and watched tv! What happened to those days?
Sometimes, I wish I can go into the past to change things. To make things like they used to. I never would've broken his machine. Sixer would've went off to college and got a good degree. He would've came back and I would've been a great business man. We would've built ourselves a Stan O' War and sailed the world. Just me and him, together. Nothing would've separated us. We would've been brothers.
But that time is gone. Sixer called me...well, not really. He sent me a postcard for this strange town. Anyway, Sixer wanted my help, so I came. It was a mistake. If I didn't come, then he never would've yelled at me, and I never would've yelled back and we would still be brothers, just living our best lives. But he HAD to tell me to take his stupid nerd book away from him. He HAD to tell me that his work was more important than family. And I HAD to punch him. If I just...
There no use in recalling this. This is all in the past. Dad told me that I can't change the past, but I can change the future. If I try to bring Poindexter back, then maybe I can fix things between us. Maybe we could be brothers again.
But in order for that future to happen, I need to keep Ford's house going. I need to pay his bills. In order to pay bills, I need money. To keep money, I need a job. I could be the owner of a tourist trap! I could keep giving tours at the Murder Hut to keep the money coming in.
"Hey, can you actually take me to the nearest store?" I checked.
"We passed one already but I could take you to the next one," he replied.
Now it's just time to get some presentable clothing. These stains on my jacket aren't really calling for a crowd.
He stopped in front of the store. I paid him and he drove off. I entered the store. At this point it was seven in the morning so the big main store was open, but all the small one weren't. What could I get that looks presentable?
I wandered into the clothes isle after getting lost a few times, I'll get used to these stores, and began looking for something. Something presentable...something presentable...something...presentable...
Aha! A suit and tie would work! I held up one of the white shirts from off the clothes wall. Now to find a matching suit...
Eventually, I gathered all the pieces for the suit and payed at the register. I walked out of the store and looked down the street for the sign. I couldn't see the sign but I did see that big mansion on top of the hill. I passed by that on my way to Sixer's house. Maybe I could use that place as a landmark until I get used to this place.
I remember going into a secluded part of the forest to find him so maybe I should head that way.
Eventually, I did find Ford's house again, which is good. I'll have to put some signs up for the tourist trap but I can do that later. First, a change of clothes is due. Once that's done, then I can plan ahead.
While fixing up my tie, there was a knock on the door. I opened the door.
"Stanford Pines?" she asked.
"N-yes," I said.
"You have until next week to pay your water bill." She handed me a paper. Then she walked away. "Dang it! Sixer could've at least payed his bills before he left the place!" I cried.
I sighed and threw it on the table.
Now that I think about it, if I want this place to be a tourist trap, I'll need a better name than 'Murder Hut.' It doesn't really call to parent who have kids. The parent pay a lot for their kids! I'll need to change the name of this place. But what to call it...
I sat there for a while until I couldn't think of anything. I decided to take a tour through this ton, especially if I was going to be here for a while, I'll need to know my way around this place. A few people greeted me. I'm not really a talker but I'll have to keep up my appearance so I greeted them back.
"Is that fancy place of yours open yet?" Susan asked. Ya know, the one that zapped her eye? "Eh, not yet. I'm getting it ready," I said.
"Why don't you come inside the diner?" she asked. "I can give ya a breakfast!"
"That sounds nice." I followed her inside...'Greasy's Diner.'
"Take a seat and I'll get your menu!" I took a seat by the counter. She handed me a menu then walked away. I stared at the menu. Most of the stuff actually lives up to the name of the diner. Although, there is this one item on the menu called 'Mystery Food.'
"Hey, what's this 'Mystery Food?'" I asked.
"Oh, you'll just have to find out," she said. She closed her eye, opened it, then paused. She grabbed the eyelashes of her other eye, pulled it open and closed and said, "Wink!" I heard her mutter as she walked away, "I'll have to get used to this eye."
Mystery Food. Sounds interesting. I used to combine things with my sandwiches. Sixer always thought it was gross but his favorite was the peanut butter, mayonnaise and gummy worm.
"Hey, hit me up with one of those Mystery Foods!" I cried to Susan.
"Right you are!" she called back. She slid me a cup of coffee. "While you wait."
Coffee? I've never tried coffee. I know Sixer drank it all the time while he studied all the time. I pulled the cup closer to my nose and sniffed it. It smells bitter. I do like bitter. I sipped it. Whoo! Too bitter!
I grabbed some of the cream nearby and spooned a little in there and stirred it up. Then, I tried it again. Much better! You know, it's actually not that bad.
A little while later, Susan came back out with the Mystery Food. There is a lid over it so I can't see what it is. "This is the limited edition Mystery Food. If you eat it, and finish it, you get a lifetime discount of fifty percent off," Susan said, smiling at me. "Enjoy!" She took the lid off.
The Mystery Food is...actually, I don't even know what it is. At least it looks edible.
I gulped and grabbed the fork on the tray. I took a chunk of it off, waited until Susan walked away, and shoved it into my mouth. It's bitter and salty. Ah, geez! How is anyone supposed to eat this?!
I put some of the coffee cream on it, hoping that'll help. I tried again, grabbing some of the cream I put on it with the fork, and shoved it into my mouth. Again, horrible. What is even in this?! This is disgusting!
But I get half off for the rest of my life if I eat this! I can't let it go to waste! "Hey, Susan! Get me some ketchup!"
She slid the ketchup over. I put some on top of it, with the cream, and forced myself to eat it. The flavor definitely makes me wonder what's in it. Wait! That's it! Mystery! Mysteries always make you wonder what's in it! Mystery...Mystery...Shack! Mystery Shack! That's it!
"Congratulations, Stanford Pines! You have eaten and finished the Mystery Food! You get fifty percent off discount each time you come here!" Susan exclaimed, clapping. The rest of the diner joined her in her applause.
"Just call me, Stan," I said. Hearing my brother's name is going to hurt the longer I hear it.
"Alright, Stan Pines," Susan said. "Congratulations!"
The whole diner applauded again. Normally, I would stay and wait until they're done, but I have some business to do. The Murder Hut will now become The Mystery Shack!
