(1 rating) Rate this Story (5 best) 1 2 3 4 5

Bludodle."
"All have been satisfactorily co-oh-mpensated and all cha-ah-rges dropped. As well, thanks to Mrs. Ancrum, you, sir, are a potentially rich man."
For twenty-three years Maggie turned me over on a spit. Through and done with her I am.
The lawyer peeks over the dark shaft.
"Mrs. Ancrum info-oh-rmed me that you have invented a device that digs electrically without jigs."
"Well?"
"Mr. Ancrum, I am in patent law. Your invention will re-eh-volutionize the country's--the world's i-ih-ndustries. Bring in riches beyond your wi-ah-ldest dreams. You will lead lives of royalty--if you're prudent."
I eye the sputtering dude, "And that's where you come in."
He bows.
"The apparatus is kaput, Mr. Bluebottle--"
"Blu-uh-dodle."
"--Mr. Bludodle. I cannot duplicate it--"
"DESTROYED! CAN'T DUPLICATE IT! Couldn't you've drawn it on paper, on your shirt-tails or something! Good for nothing--all that beautiful cash--all down a well. I wann' a divorce this minute! To think I was right on top of the thing last night...."
Mr. Bludodle places a consoling hand on Maggie's squat shoulders and both exit through the back door of the garage.
I crouch over what used to be a hole. A joker's grin is splitting my face in two as I observe the slick black-crude mosey right along behind them.

End