Here

Hey all,

I'm in Hay River enjoying the overcast, cool weather. 3 weeks until I get back and await my new baby. Looking forward!!

I'll post some pics in the near future, for now I settle in and work up some overtime.

D is for Denouement

For the second time Ernie awoke, only this time he was blindfolded in a different position, sitting on the cold floor and once again unable to move.

As he squirmed a voice trembled: “He’s going to kill us you know…”

“Elmo, is that you?” Ernie asked.

“Yes it’s Elmo, I’m here with Gordon and Big Bird.”

“With Big Bird? Are you in on this Elmo?” Ernie continued to question.

“No, Big Bird tied here with me, Big Bird not guilty, it was…”

“Silence!” A loud raspy voice growled from somewhere around them. “Now Elmo, you wouldn’t want to ruin my surprise ending would you? All of you are here because you can’t mind your own business. Everything was set to end, I was finally going to be happy, but you all ruined it. Officers Ernie and Bert; you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now you will all have to be removed from this situation.”

Bird capitalized on the current silence questionned softly: “Aloysius?”

A hush fell over the group on the floor which was now confirmed to be The Officers (Ernie and Bert), Elmo, Gordon and Big Bird.

"I knew I was going to be found. I just never knew that I was going to lose everything in the process." he said subdued.

As the others puzzled over the name, Bird continued:

“But why? Why Maria? What did she ever do to you?”

The group was lost as to the identity of their captor. They listened intently.

“She was going to take you from me, things were tough between her and Gordon and Maria was going to take you from me forever and I couldn’t let that happen.”

“But I wasn’t going to go anywhere; I was always your friend.” Said Bird

“That’s not what I wanted, I loved you, You ran to Maria when you needed someone, it was only a matter of time befopre I lost you for good! And you!" Making his way furiously towards Gordon. "You couldn't make her happy, you had the best of everything and you never took time to appreciate it!"

Gordon trembled blind and oblivious as to who was frightening him. Bird spoke up in the hopes of avoiding a tirade which he knew Aloysius was capable of.

“I was always good friends with Maria, she took care of me and I trusted her more than…” Bird stopped himself for fear that the next words would prompt another violent outburst.

“…more than anyone, Bird? That was the problem, you never saw me as that kind of friend or partner.”

Gordon managed to peek through his blindfold, finally he understood

“Snuffy!” He said.

“That’s right it was me, Aloysius Snuffleuppagus and now You've made my mind up for me, none of you can ever walk out of here!"

Snuffy began moving rapidly for his gun when Bird yelled:

Aloysius, you always were my best friend, that would never change, don't do this, there's another way!"

The tirade was postponed. The silence was deafening, teary eyed with an exasperated smirk Snuffy turned his head halfway to Big Bird.

“Best friend, huh?”

“Yes” Bird replied.

“Well it’s too late now.”

Another voice hollered from out of sight:

“Stop Snuffy, this has gotten way out of hand” Alice Snuffleuppagus had a shotgun pointed at Snuffy, her Brother. “Enough... I’ve been trying to help you for as long as I can and it stops now, no more killing.”

Snuffy astonished looked at his baby sister: “Alice? Sweetie, put the gun down.”

“I won’t… this ends now.”

Alice walked closer and now plainly visible to Gordon was the large beast walking upright in a feathery dress with the large 3 toed shoes.

“Alice, put the gun down.”

“I lured Maria into the street to Hooper’s store making her believe we were planning a costume party for Big Bird. I learned to walk upright for gosh sake! I stayed back after Big Bird sent you away to safety, I even killed two of Bruno’s guys while trying to get rid of Elmo since he was the only witness, I’ve been through too much big brother, but it suddenly makes sense! You thought that with Big Bird taking the fall he would turn to you for support, but it never donned on me that you were setting me up to take the fall after you rescued Big Bird. You were going to turn in all the evidence against me. This is over!”

At that moment the lone door flew open and 7 armed monsters entered the previously uninhabited church followed by their leader Bruno. I was apparent that Worm followed Elmo and Gordon and remained undetected.

“Well ain’t this just the most precious love fest you ever saw?” Bruno Chuckled.

Guns drawn at each other, the two groups stood frozen and tense, all but Bruno, who casually paced the floor while speaking.

"So Elmo caught yous up to something and you screwed it up so bad that now you’re gonna have all these bodies on your hands… amateurs... Now we have a new problem, I’ve got a potential snitch on my hands and you’ve got him over there with the rest of your mess. I want Elmo, you can take care of the rest.”

“No way!” said Snuffy alternating his shotgun aim between thugs. “Elmo dies with the rest.”

“I agree, but just let me handle him; I have some special interests in what Elmo knows about some ‘letters’ he was supposed to carry for me, once I get that, I'll be sure to take good care of him.”

“Like you did last time? You’re the reason this all got so messed up in the first place, if you would have finished him off this all would have never happened.” Snuffy yelped.

“Well ok then, it would appear we’re at an impasse… I ain’t leaving without the snitch and you’re not in any position to negotiate, so let me make this simple, give me the little furry sonofa…”

The rant was ended with one shot from Snuffy’s shotgun, which was followed by at least 13 more guns all firing. Mortar flying, benches splintering and bodies falling. It was a bloodbath.

Alice was hit numerous times but continued to fire at the goons in defence of her brother, Snuffy, wasn’t faring much better but with his size it wasn’t as if one shot would bring him down. The group of bound prisoners got as low to the ground as possible.

It seemed like an eternity and about 10,000 rounds ignited but finally the roar of gunfire simmered to a collective groan. Big Bird peered up only to catch a glance of Snuffy falling for the final time. Alice was critically wounded but managed to make her way over and free Officer Ernie, which was an obvious choice to assist since Bert had soiled himself and was passed out. Alice fell to the ground.

Ernie secured the area then proceeded to free the prisoners. Bird rose and rushed to Snuffy’s side.

“Sorry Bird…”

“You’re going to be okay Snuffy, just stay with me!”

Snuffy chuckles and takes a last breath. His large lashy eyes drift to a close and bird hangs his head in sorrow.

The scene is gruesome; all but Worm and Alice lay on the sanctuary floor, lifeless. In one fell swoop, the entire crime activity in Sesame Street disappeared.

Months later Alice was able to leave the hospital where she was kept under guard until she was well enough to go to Jail in the neighbouring town, Peanut Boulevard. She would live out the rest of her days in a cell made for one with little contact from the outside. I mean really, do you even remember her as a character on the show?

Elmo changed his evil ways and was celared of any wrongdoing. Soon after the investigation was closed, he re-opened Hopper’s and became a staple in the community.

Officers Ernie and Bert still maintain a heterosexual existence in their apartment, both awarded medals of bravery. Bert retired the day after the shootout, the police force let him keep the uniform he was wearing that day.

Big Bird was never the same, with Maria and Snuffy gone he had very little connection to the people of Sesame Street, and since Gordon hooked up with Linda (the deaf lady from the earlier show), he had very little time to spend with anyone. Big Bird left Sesame Street for a life more suited to a 8 foot tall yellow effeminate bird; San Francisco.

There is only joy now on these streets. Though Snuffy was remembered as a gentle giant it was agreed that love and loneliness can make you do things. If nothing else the people of Sesame Street made sure that nobody ever felt neglected or alone again.

G is for Guess who done it!!!!

Ernie awoke to the tightness of nylon ropes binding him back-on to his partner.
“Bert! Hey, Bert!”

There was no answer; Ernie took a moment to put his situation into perspective. As his focus improved a pain inside his head caused him to wince and close his eyes. He had been hit…hard.

Judging by his surroundings he was in some sort of abandoned building secluded, damp and near rushing water. But his lack of focus limited what he could see.

He repeated:

“Bert!”

“Ugh… what… what’s going on Ernie?” Bert laboured.

“Shhh, I think we’ve been captured Bert, I… I don’t remember anything.”

A voice from behind a wall near the far end of the building said:

“Nothing? I find that hard to believe.”

The voice was familiar but not recognizable; with their vision blurred they could only see the figure approach slowly.

“There have been a lot of people looking for me, not knowing it was me they were looking for.”

The figure grew larger and slightly more distinguishable

Ernie saw the feathers and exclaimed “Big Bird?”

Ernie was struck again and Bert fainted, they were at the mercy of their captor.

C is for Climax

Back at Bruno’s camp there was tension. Telly and Worm were turning up nothing but dead ends. Bruno’s frustration grew as the local police now had expert sniffer dog, Barkley patrolling the area. Bruno had all but ceased operation to avoid any unwanted attention with the heightened police alert in Sesame Street. His new plan was to locate Big Bird to end the constant alert in his area. Elmo would be dealt with in time, but the last thing they needed was more attention and business had to resume to keep up his high living standards.

Ernie and Bert caught up to the Circus Caravan carrying Snuffy a few miles from where their search had begun; Sesame Street. Just as they arrived at the car that housed the elephant-like creature they were stopped by The Amazing Mumford (who had now become the leader of the traveling circus or “Ringmaster”).

Ernie and Bert explained their business and after several minutes of negotiating, they were allowed to speak to him. They approached the car but inside the mobile pen was some hay and a lot of open air; the beast had escaped.

They pursued Snuffy through the woods hoping to catch a glimpse of what direction Snuffy had gone. Bert being the slowest of the pair fell off pace quickly. Ernie carried on alone, finally the massive monster came into view ahead, trudging away obviously frightened for his life. Ernie pleaded with him telling him not to worry, he only wanted to talk.

With a sudden and unexpected crunch, Ernie was on his back looking up through the trees as they faded to black. Ernie was out cold.

Bert continued on slowly in the direction he assumed Ernie had gone, after a few miles of hiking he was sure he would never catch up there was silence all around him, only the pounding of his heart in his ears, so he decided to return to the caravan to ask more questions and get some backup.

As Bert turned around a shadowy figure struck him with a rock. Bert fell to the ground with only the foul stench of moss and rotten leaves. As the light faded, Bert soiled himself.

R is for Riveting

It was well after dark and the break in the silence startled Big Bird momentarily; it was Gordon with Elmo right on his heels.

“I’m glad you found the place.” Said Gordon

“You were right, it would take a miracle for anyone to stumble on this. It’s perfect. How are you Elmo?” Bird said hunching over towards Elmo.

“Elmo okay, very tired though.”

“Tell Bird what you told me on the way here.” Gordon interrupted.

“Elmo hear through the grapevine that Bruno want Elmo dead, he even hired new guys to finish the job!”

“What does Bruno want with you Elmo?” Asked Bird.

“Elmo knows about Bruno’s whole operation and police scare Bruno. Elmo have bigger problems than Bruno, Elmo saw things when Maria was killed.”

“What did you see?”

“Well I was making delivery near river bank and Elmo see Big Scary thing pulling rope out of water, Elmo hid in tree and watched big thing get bag from case and run up hill. Elmo follows and sees him change into new shoes and sweater that look like Bird’s. Then he walks funny to Gordon’s apartment.”

“Oh my… Elmo, can you tell me who it was?”

“Well Elmo wasn’t sure until Maria come walking down street with him; it was a Big Bird suit! Maria kept on laughing like it was at a joke, but other person wasn’t laughing, So Elmo hides in alley behind Hooper’s store. There was a fight then some shooting, Elmo kind of yelp and that when another big scary thing say: ‘hey you!’ I walked slowly backward and the thing start to walk at Elmo, I hid my gun under dumpster as I turned corner, I ran and ran. That’s when Officer Ernie stops Elmo and arrest for carrying ‘Letter E’, so I go to prison, but very happy to be safe.”

“Did you see who either person was?”

“Well, Big Bird, the person in Big Bird suit was… I... I'm not sure how to tell you…”

A is for answers

It was well after dark and the break in the silence startled Big Bird momentarily, It was Gordon with Elmo right on his heels.

“I’m glad you found the place.” Said Gordon

“You were right, it would take a miracle for anyone to stumble on this, it’s perfect. How are you Elmo?” Bird said hunching over towards Elmo.

“Elmo okay, very tired though.”

“Tell Bird what you told me on the way here.”

“Elmo hear through the grapevine that Bruno want Elmo dead, he even hire new guys to finish job!”

“What does Bruno want with you Elmo?” Said Bird.

“Elmo knows about Bruno’s whole operation and police scare Bruno. Elmo have bigger problem than Bruno, Elmo saw things when Maria was killed.”

“What did you see?”

“Well I was making delivery near river bank and Elmo see Big Scary thing pulling rope out of water, Elmo hid in tree and watched big thing get bag from case and run up hill. Elmo follow and see him change into new shoes and sweater that look like bird’s. Then he walk funny to Gordon’s apartment.”

“Oh my… Elmo, can you tell me who it was?”

“Well Elmo wasn’t sure until Maria come walking down street with him, it was a Big Bird suit! Maria keeped on laughing like it was at a joke, but other person wasn’t laughing, So Elmo hide in alley behind Hooper’s store. There was a fight then some shooting, was stunned, Elmo kind of yelp and that when another big scary thing say: ‘hey you!’, I walked slow backward and the thing start to walk at Elmo, I hid my gum under dumpster as I turned corner, I ran and ran. That’s when Officer Ernie stop Elmo and arrest for carrying ‘Letter E’, so me go to prison, but very happy to be safe.”

“Did you see who either person was?”

“Well, big bird, one person in Big Bird suit was… not sure how to tell you…"

The answers were broken by a rustling in the trees outside.

P is for plot

The yellow chalk in the shape of a heart on the sidewalk near Gordon’s building was all the indication he needed to know Birdwas summoning him. He made his way to the river’s edge a mile down river from where Bird was, to try and avoid any suspicious followers.

When he found Bird he was obviously tired and shaken.

“What’s wrong Bird?”

“I… I found something.”

“What is it?”

Bird raised a wing in the direction of the stashed body he had discovered.

“Th... There”

Gordon made his way down the path and could see the pile of brush concealing the bag, he knew what to expect but nothing prepared him for the way a decomposing puppet looks when it’s been soaking in river water for a day.

“Oh my dear lord!” he whispered.

The seams on Bif’s worn and already tattered face had weakened with the increased moisture. The stuffing was protruding and it was clear from the yellowness of it that despite the murder, Bif likely wouldn’t have survived his Cigarette addiction much longer anyway. Gordon used a stick to move the contents around a bit and discovered the feathers and three toed shoes as Bird had the night before. He also spotted two gunshot wounds to the neck (the only way to truly kill a puppet). It was evident to Gordon that the killer was a very accurate shot, and knew how to decisively take life.

“Bird, where did you find this?”

“It was hooked on a branch just downriver, who could have done this?”

“Well I spoke to Elmo last night, Bird. He’s on the run and he told me that a few nights ago, he escaped Bif and Sal after they picked him up on bail. He shot blindly into the dark alley behind Hooper’s with the gun he had planted himself the night of Maria’s murder, he ran away and never looked back, Bird. From the wounds in Bif’s neck I would say that there’s no chance Elmo could have killed him without having been point blank, and even with that, there were two of them and you know they were armed and quite capable of takin gon poor Elmo.”

“But why would Elmo have planted a gun near Hooper’s the night Maria was murdered?” Those words still didn’t seem real to Big Bird.

“I think he saw something that night and was so scared that he turned himself in for police protection knowing full well that Bruno would post his bail and have his goons do away with him, he also knew that their dirty deeds were always done in the alley behind Hooper’s near the River. Elmo thought he killed those two, but couldn’t explain why bodies hadn’t been found, he definitely couldn’t have moved the two of them himself. When Bif and Sal opened that door to get Elmo out of the car, Elmo bolted and ran for his life while bullets were flying; he snagged his gun and opened fire until the shots stopped. There’s no way he could have killed them, there was a fourth person in that alley and I think Bif and Sal may have saved Elmo’s life!”

“So that means Elmo is in danger. Gordon, we have to help him!”

“I know Bird, but how do I find him? Maybe I’ll ask Telly and Worm, they were looking for him last night to catch up on old times…" Gordon paused in silence and his mouth grew wider " wait… something struck me as odd with that conversation, I couldn’t put my finger on it, but Telly wouldn’t look me in the eye and Worm was looking every which way but at me. I think Elmo has a lot of bad people looking for him even old friends are out to get him.”

“We’ve got to do something before he gets hurt!” Bird pleaded.

“First of all we need to get you out of here and to someplace safer, if murderers with Bruno’s outfit know of this place, then you aren’t safe at all.”

Gordon explained to Big Bird that he knew a place he used to hide when he was a kid. It was the last place anyone would look for him and Bird could finally get some rest without worrying.

He gave him directions about 5 miles upriver to an abandoned church in the thickest part of the woods. There was only one access to it and without having Gordon's intimate knowledge of it nobody could ever find it. Gordon assured Bird that he would find him there later than night after dark. For right now he had to find Elmo.

D is for discovery

Ernie and Bert were deep into their search when they came upon a circus convoy, there, in one of the cages was Snuffleuppagus. He had been paired with the freak attractions group and seemed quite content to be accepted by the group. Since there was no way to safely detour the convoy, Officers Ernie and Bert followed along in the hopes that the next stop would provide them some answers.

Bird gazed at the river’s edge puzzling over what had just transpired the night before, who was the mysterious figure and what had been deposited into the river, was there a connection?

Bird decided it was time to start doing some detective work and see if there was any possible way to prove his innocence. He walked the shoreline looking for footprints and trying to clearly remember the night of the murder.

“How did you do that?”, the last words Bird ever heard from Maria, maybe even the last words she ever spoke?

About 100 metres ahead (approximately 328 feet), bird spotted something snagged near the riverside. He cautiously made his way over to investigate all the while staying out of sight. He approached the bag and to his horror spotted a limb protruding from the bag and securely caught up in a fallen tree.

It was clear that the bags that were sent down the river the night before contained two new bodies. The bodies of well known tough guys from Bruno’s operation.

Bird plugged his nose and tried to look away as he peeled back the plastic. Inside with the corpse was a collection of yellow feathers, a pair or crudely modified shoes that resembled big bird’s feet and two pistols with some ammunition.

Was it a coincidence that this bag had been snagged in the vicinity? Was it a mistake? Was somebody trying to frame someone else? Had the murderer been one of these two? Bird’s head was spinning. He dragged the corpse complete with the items up from the banks and hit it beneath a pile of brush. He needed to talk to Gordon.