The A-Team!

Chuck handed the order to his customers. The little kid made a sad face, and clicked his tongue. Chuck held onto the plate of food. The kids parents looked at him, and cleared their throats. Chuck have a slight smile, and nod, “Here’s your cheese pizza, kid!” He said while gritting his teeth. As he was about to head back to the kitchen, he landed on his bottom. The kid quickly stood and jumped on his back. Chuck rose in a hurry, another waiter who had their back turned to them bumped into them. This sent the kid flying into the air, he landed on another close by table with his face planted right into a big bowl of mashed potatoes. He licked some of it off his face and said, “Yum!” When the manager approached from his office into the tiny dining area, she yelled, “Chuck!” He tried to hide behind the kid’s parents giant red sofa like seats, but the manager had already spotted him. Her eyes bulged every time something extraordinary or Chuck related happened, this time her eyes seemed to be ready to pop right out of their sockets from the crazy scene she had witnessed from the other side of the family diner. Chuck followed right behind her like a little pup that had been denied to play with its chew toy, or bone. The manager said, “Oh, Chuck. What happened out there today?” Chuck took a deep breath and replied, “I like kids, okay. But some just need to learn how to give other adults, who are not their parents, respect.” The manager shook her head, “Chuck- it’s not only the kids you end up getting into problems with— even some of our regular customers~ you try to challenge their patience!” Chuck nodded his head, “Alright. I’ll try to be a better server from now on.” The manager shook her head, “Oh no. I’m done, please pack up your stuff, and leave this vicinity.”

Chuck walked to the parking area. Someone there called out to him. He did not recognize them. “It’s been a while there, Chuck. How’ve you been, dude? Wanna hang out later tonight and catch a soccer match?” Chuck replied, “Nah. Thanks. But I’ll have to find another job.” His buddy patted Chuck on the back. “Don’t worry. You can join our merry band of misfits!”

Later Chuck met with the merry band of misfits. One wore a clown mask, another had a hook for a hand, and their fearless leader, George, slowly clapped his hands.

George: “Everyone— meet Chuck-”

Chuck: (waves his left hand) “Hey~ thanks for having me join the crew.”

The clown masked fella smiled and asked Chuck, “Would you like some gum?”

Chuck said, “Of course. Thanks!”

He reached out his hand, and unwrapped the gum from the paper. Chuck placed the gum in his mouth, and chewed, chewed, chewed, then chewed some more. The more he chewed the tougher the gum became. He felt his jaws tighten from pain. How long was he going to have to chew the gum before it at least became less tough?

The clown snickered. Chuck wanted to ask, “What’s so funny?” But he couldn’t, the gum was like a dollop of glue in his mouth. He tried to slowly open his jaws, and worked on carefully blowing a bubble. The gum extended out of his mouth in a giant circle, & then it burst with a loud pop sound. Parts of the gum were all over his face. Chuck chuckled.

Then he charged toward his new friend. Chuck’s chair soared backward landing right back onto its four feet. Soon, he and his new buddy were caught in a wrestling match on the concrete floor.

George pulled at the clown’s ears, “Enough!” Then adjusted his custom fit suit, “You’ll have a chance to play later, boys. First, let’s get to work on what we’ll do for our next job.”

The other member of the merry band of misfits pulled Chuck using his hook, and dragged him back to his seat.

Chuck felt beads of sweat collect right around his armpits. Why did he decide to wear a long sleeved t-shirt to this meeting?

George pulled spread out a map on the floor with job ideas. He pointed to a new community that had been developed in the area. “This is where we need to place all our eyes on. Focus on finding a way to work together to grab the treasures in those homes.”

Chuck scratched his head, “What kind of business, or job do you have in mind?”

George handed Chuck a costume. “We make birthdays a lot of fun, not only for kids, even pets, too!”

Chuck laughed. “You must be kidding. Tell me you are pulling my leg…and you want me to wear that..,” he said, and pointed at the sparkly costume with one giant horn attached to the center of the forehead. “I’d rather be caught working as a security guard than wear that!”

George smiled, “You better be there. The first event we will be hosting is at Priscilla’s. Her father works with the Mayor, so, we need to make sure we make Daddy’s little girl very happy. Capeesh?”

Chuck gave a slight nod. George placed the costume over his buddy’s right shoulder.

Bright and early the following day, Chuck tugged at his costume. He felt like he was going to cry. “Maybe I just need to move to Puerto Rico, settle down there in a community full of love, and later start a family.” His daydream was interrupted by the sound of a horn.

The guys had come to pick him up. “Get in the back of the truck.” George directed Chuck, and waited.

Chuck hopped in the back, and almost fainted. The animal greeted him with a snort. Chuck collapsed into the corner of the speeding vehicle. Whose pet was this? He jumped at the sight of the clown masked fella who was now holding the pig.

They arrived at Priscilla’s home. Chuck whistled. It was quite a grand mansion with rows and rows of rose bushes. They were greeted at the door by the butler, who stared at the men, and tried not to jeer.

Priscilla’s Dad was at work, as they had expected. It was the lady of the house who came to meet her guests. She wore a black pearl necklace, and high heeled pumps. Her hips swayed in the bold yellow dress she wore. Chuck had never before in his life seen such a royal and elegantly dressed person. He didn’t know what to say, or do.

She even had a warm smile that made her guests forget why they had come to her home in the first place. “Gentlemen. This way to the swimming pool area. Thank you.”

They followed her, and smiled. Then they were brought back to their work mode, thanks to the sight of the mountain of gifts they had seen placed around the living, as well as dining room, too.

Chuck rubbed his hands together. They just needed to make sure to not to harm anyone while they grabbed some gifts, and a few other treasures from Priscilla’s welcoming home/party.

George went to the kitchen, and came back out with a bottle of the finest drink, which he poured for all the older guests. For the kids, he handed them sweets. The only one who refused was Priscilla. “Daddy told me not to accept anything from someone I don’t know. You guys aren’t even entertaining the guests with any magic tricks, or the kids.”

Chuck stepped next to George and squatted down to look at the little girl, “Just take the candy, okay.” He begged her again, but she still said, “No way, Mister!”

She ran back into the house, and locked the door. The guys had managed to get the rest of the party relaxed, and dreaming. They only had one small problem to deal with: Priscilla.

George placed his hand on the door, and felt a wave of electricity buzz through the knob. His hair went from the nicely flat gelled look to a spiky porcupine appearance. “That little girl’s toast!”

Chuck tried to break the glass part of the door, but ended up banging his head, and he thought he could see stars floating around his forehead. On the other side of the room, the pig stared at all of the guys.

Meanwhile, the clown masked fella had jumped in the pool. He was enjoying the beautiful day, and had even served himself one of the sandwiches near the table by the pool.

Priscilla quickly dialed the line her father had told her to use in case of an emergency. The phone rang, and a voice said, “Priscilla— what’s the matter, dear?”

Soon the front door was burst down in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. They charged inside, and called, “Priscilla…we are here..where are you?”

Daddy’s little girl stepped out from behind the hidden door by the side of the library. “What took you so long?”

They smiled, and both replied, “Where are the troublemakers?”

Priscilla led them to the back. She pointed in the direction of the merry band of misfits.

They were all still trying to find a way back into the house. George panicked at the sight of the A-team.

He quickly informed the guys, “It’s time to skedaddle, fellas! Time waits for no man…run..”

Chuck wondered why George started climbing over the brick wall. The rest followed suit.

The door opened and out came the pig. Chuck now started to run for the hills, too.

Priscilla burst out laughing. She grinned, and continued to chuckle, “Thanks a lot, fellas. At least those guys will think twice before coming back to steal from my home.”

They took off their costumes, as well as faces. “Any time, Priscilla. Don’t forget to send the bill to your father. We will help you clean up and wake everybody up.”

Priscilla chuckled once more, “Will do. You guys shall also receive a Christmas bonus to go along with the payment for today’s work.”