Eerie, Indiana triple drabble: Spoiled for Choice
Marshall surveyed the rows of ice-rimed cartons before him, weighing his options. The decision before him had the potential to shape an entire summer, setting the tone for the rest of the holidays. It couldn't be rushed.
"Rum and raisin, please, Radford," he said.
Radford, who had been poised with ice-cream scoop at the ready, looked blank. Apparently the World o Stuff's newly revamped ice-cream counter had enough flavours to baffle even him.
"There," said Marshall, pointing to a frosty eight-pinter whose biscuit-brown surface was studded with swollen black dots.
Radford followed the outstretched finger, and his puzzled look became a frown of consternation.
"That one?" he said. "Are you sure? It's not really for, well-"
Simon, who had been cross-referencing the new menu against a colour-coded chart at the back of his history text book, mentally re-evaluating the best flavour combinations, also blanched.
"Mars," he said. "That's squashed bluebottles and rancid sugar cane. You don't want to eat that one."
Marshall rolled his eyes.
"Sure, Simon," he said. "It's dead flies. You've been hanging around my dad too long."
Radford and Simon exchanged a glance.
"How about I give you a free sample first, rather than a whole cone?" suggested Radford, setting the metal scoop back in it's basin of warm water and picking up the box of tiny plastic spades. "Just in case you change your mind."
"I'm not going to-" Marshall began, then recoiled with a quickly-muffled squeal of horror. As Radford lifted the ice-cream carton out of the display cabinet and up onto the counter, the six fine hairs protruding from one of the 'raisins' had twitched.
"Saccharum and blowfly," said Radford. "Very popular among the secret order of lizard people who rent the big house up on Langelaan Lane. Not a big hit with my human customers, though."
Trusted Associates, Inc.
Halloween by froodle, in which Mars and Simon celebrate a Von Orloff-free All Hallows Eve
Surprise by froodle, in which Mars tries to make sure Simon's birthday goes a little better this year
The Glade by froodle, in which Simon and Mars visit a place that only exists on February 29th
Egg Hunt by froodle, in which Simon and Mars partake of some traditional Easter activities
Boardwalk by froodle, in which Simon and Mars are swayed by radio advertising
Lady in Red by froodle, in which Simon experiments on the old-fashioned radio in the Secret Spot, and horror ensues
Waiting In by froodle, in which there is an ice-storm and a handyman does not arrive
Seafoam by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the seaside
A Night at the Circus by froodle, in which a carnivale comes to town, and Marshall and Simon do not enjoy themselves
Taking a Break by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall enjoy some much-needed R&R
Model Railway by froodle, in which a new business prepares to open in Eerie
Shoreline by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall investigate strange happenings on the shores of Lake Eerie
Parade by froodle, in which Mars takes issue with the Eerie Beekeepers Association's choice of mascot
Homestead by froodle, in which Marshall finally gets something useful out of shop class
Hound by froodle, in which Simon makes a friend
Errands by froodle, in which Simon has a to-do list
Slyboots by froodle, in which a certain corporal of the infernal regions comes to Eerie. Crossover with Johannes Cabal the Necromancer.
Waterlogged by froodle, in which Eerie experiences heavy rainfall
Festival by froodle, in which Eerie's local businesses celebrate the summer
Strawberry by froodle, in which there is unauthorised hubbub in Eerie
Wildlife by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the beach
Facilities by froodle, in which the Eerie Bus Station and Supper Club has a problem with the men's toilet
Anticipation by froodle, in which Simon and Harley look forward to the Equinox
Castle by froodle, in which there is unexpected architecture in Eerie
Visitor in which Marshall's grandma comes to stay
Euclid by froodle, in which Marshall and Simon investigate strange events at the Eerie Cemetery
The Hut by froodle, in which Simon takes on the forces of Eerie solo
"Rum and raisin, please, Radford," he said.
Radford, who had been poised with ice-cream scoop at the ready, looked blank. Apparently the World o Stuff's newly revamped ice-cream counter had enough flavours to baffle even him.
"There," said Marshall, pointing to a frosty eight-pinter whose biscuit-brown surface was studded with swollen black dots.
Radford followed the outstretched finger, and his puzzled look became a frown of consternation.
"That one?" he said. "Are you sure? It's not really for, well-"
Simon, who had been cross-referencing the new menu against a colour-coded chart at the back of his history text book, mentally re-evaluating the best flavour combinations, also blanched.
"Mars," he said. "That's squashed bluebottles and rancid sugar cane. You don't want to eat that one."
Marshall rolled his eyes.
"Sure, Simon," he said. "It's dead flies. You've been hanging around my dad too long."
Radford and Simon exchanged a glance.
"How about I give you a free sample first, rather than a whole cone?" suggested Radford, setting the metal scoop back in it's basin of warm water and picking up the box of tiny plastic spades. "Just in case you change your mind."
"I'm not going to-" Marshall began, then recoiled with a quickly-muffled squeal of horror. As Radford lifted the ice-cream carton out of the display cabinet and up onto the counter, the six fine hairs protruding from one of the 'raisins' had twitched.
"Saccharum and blowfly," said Radford. "Very popular among the secret order of lizard people who rent the big house up on Langelaan Lane. Not a big hit with my human customers, though."
Trusted Associates, Inc.
Halloween by froodle, in which Mars and Simon celebrate a Von Orloff-free All Hallows Eve
Surprise by froodle, in which Mars tries to make sure Simon's birthday goes a little better this year
The Glade by froodle, in which Simon and Mars visit a place that only exists on February 29th
Egg Hunt by froodle, in which Simon and Mars partake of some traditional Easter activities
Boardwalk by froodle, in which Simon and Mars are swayed by radio advertising
Lady in Red by froodle, in which Simon experiments on the old-fashioned radio in the Secret Spot, and horror ensues
Waiting In by froodle, in which there is an ice-storm and a handyman does not arrive
Seafoam by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the seaside
A Night at the Circus by froodle, in which a carnivale comes to town, and Marshall and Simon do not enjoy themselves
Taking a Break by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall enjoy some much-needed R&R
Model Railway by froodle, in which a new business prepares to open in Eerie
Shoreline by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall investigate strange happenings on the shores of Lake Eerie
Parade by froodle, in which Mars takes issue with the Eerie Beekeepers Association's choice of mascot
Homestead by froodle, in which Marshall finally gets something useful out of shop class
Hound by froodle, in which Simon makes a friend
Errands by froodle, in which Simon has a to-do list
Slyboots by froodle, in which a certain corporal of the infernal regions comes to Eerie. Crossover with Johannes Cabal the Necromancer.
Waterlogged by froodle, in which Eerie experiences heavy rainfall
Festival by froodle, in which Eerie's local businesses celebrate the summer
Strawberry by froodle, in which there is unauthorised hubbub in Eerie
Wildlife by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the beach
Facilities by froodle, in which the Eerie Bus Station and Supper Club has a problem with the men's toilet
Anticipation by froodle, in which Simon and Harley look forward to the Equinox
Castle by froodle, in which there is unexpected architecture in Eerie
Visitor in which Marshall's grandma comes to stay
Euclid by froodle, in which Marshall and Simon investigate strange events at the Eerie Cemetery
The Hut by froodle, in which Simon takes on the forces of Eerie solo