The Neverending Story

[AZ JazzyJ]

It seems that whenever Arizona Jeff goes on an adventure, there is a story to tell. Many of you have followed along as our intrepid explorer has been in and out of trouble. As you were reading these stories you have probably thought to yourself, "I could write something like that." Well now is your chance. I will begin another of my adventures on September 17 as I travel to Walt Disney World. Before I leave, I will post the first chapter of an adventure. It is your job to help complete this story. Each post on the thread should begin where the last message left off and continue the story. The more outrageous you make your chapter, the more challenging it will become for the person following.

So let your imagination run wild and join Arizona Jeff by penning your own chapter to the neverending story. When I have returned from my adventure, I will attempt to complete the story by writing the conclusion. This has all the makings of a classic adventure.

This activity is one of many that are available at The Great Pin Adventure II - Online Adventure so please join in and let the adventure begin!

Jeff

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Arizona Jeff and Mean Laureen had been on many adventures but in most of them, the objects they searched for were quite impersonal. So to actually be on an adventure where they were searching for a friend was quite unusual. It is so easy to get caught up in the emotional aspects of an adventure that Arizona Jeff had to keep reminding himself to think through each step of their journey logically.
As the sun began to peek over the horizon, Arizona Jeff and Mean Laureen were already up and breaking camp. They had a lot to accomplish and time was running out for their friend. As Jeff gathered up their adventure belongings, Mean Laureen had taken this opportunity to take a walk to try and clear her mind. She gazed up at the sky watching each star disappear from the sky as night began to turn into day. She could not help but think of poor Oliver P. Phinnius and what he must be going through. To be alone and without friends imprisoned by a mad man with little hope of survival would take its toll on even the strongest person. She knew that time was of the essence if they were ever going to find Ollie. Laureen made her way back to the camp ready to face what lied ahead. As she arrived at camp, she found Arizona Jeff waiting for her. In his hand he held a book. A book that would provide them clues as to where Henry Mordecai might be hiding.
“Well Laureen, it looks like adventure has found us again. We better be going if we are going to catch up to Mordecai.” Announced Arizona Jeff
“Any idea of where we are headed Arizona?” asked Mean Laureen
“Looks like the coast of Borneo would be a good place to start. I hear tell a man can get lost in the jungles there and never be heard of again.” Said Arizona Jeff
“Well if that is the case, I got a couple of people I would like to take with us and leave there if you don’t mind.” Sneered Mean Laureen.
Our adventurers set out on their journey traveling by whatever means possible to the coast where they gain passage on a ship headed for Borneo. It was late in the day as they made their way to the docks and there were few boats left in port. Mean Laureen stood by the edge of the water gazing out over the vast ocean while Jeff attempted to gain passage on one of the few remaining ships. He came back with a determined but somewhat confused look about him.
“Well, I was able to find us a boat headed for Borneo but the accommodations are somewhat unusual.” He said. He gathered up their belongings and walked down the pier to a waiting dingy. Jeff helped Laureen aboard and they made their way to the waiting ship. When they arrived on deck, Mean Laureen stopped dead in her tracks. There milling around the deck were circus animals dressed in tuxedos. As she looked to her left she saw a lion wearing a double-breasted suit coat that fit him quite well. It was obviously custom made as no one could find something of that quality hanging on the rack. To her right were three bears dressed quite dapper with teal cummerbunds fastened about their waist. Mean Laureen stood there motionless gazing at this sight. Suddenly she was startled by a voice from above her which said, “You know it is not polite to stare.” Laureen looked up and saw that the voice she had heard was from a giraffe who was wearing a white dinner jacket and black bow tie. “Perhaps I should show you to your cabin” he said. “You are welcome to ride on my back if you would like as it is quite a large ship.”
Mean Laureen uttered a thank-you under her breath as she climbed aboard this formally attired animal. The anchor was retrieved from its resting place and the ship began to make its way out to sea.
Our heroes had been on the boat a few days with no sight of land and the gentle rocking of the waves in the water below. Perched high above the deck in the crows nest was a three-toed sloth named Steve who was dressed in an Armani suit of very high quality. Steve usually just laid at his post working on his slothful tan but today he was quite agitated. In a bellowing voice he declared, “Pirates to the north and they are closing fast!”
The animals sprung into action making battle plans and readying the ship for battle. As the pirate ship came along side their vessel, Mean Laureen noticed that the pirates were all dressed in…

And now I leave it up to you to continue this story where I have left off.


Jeff

 

[Jenwdwfan]

Mean Laureen blinked her eyes not believing what she was looking at. All the pirates were dressed in Bob Mackie outfits. Sequins glittered in the sun, sending blasts of light back into Mean Laureens eyes. She was almost blinded by the glare, but not before she realized all the pirates were women.

She watched as the ship approached, amazed at the ships decor. The sails were made of silk and satin. Colors of every shade of the rainbow rippled as the wind blasted into them. The ship was painted pink with gold trim. What could these outrageously attired female pirates possibly want she wondered.

Mean Laureen hollered for her compatriots. No one answered. She turned to see where everyone was. The entire crew and her friends were standing still, mesmerized by this wonderous ship and its beautiful crew. Worried, she approached Jeff. "Jeff, what are we going to do?" He just stood there staring, not answering.
She punched his shoulder, still nothing. Even the animals were in a state that seemed almost comatose. Oh no, it looked like it was up to Mean Laureen to save the day.

The pirates were getting closer, time for Mean Laureen to make her plan. Hmmm, what could she do.....

Jen

 

[Duckfan]

Now, many people think of Lauri as a mild mannered but definitely personable moderator. Few people see the wild side of her nature. Lauri has diligently practiced her bopping skills and has been known to smack a few heads together when the need arises. Many smart alecks will vouch that Lauri can whack heads with the best of them. Just ask Ed sometime!!! Most of all Lauri knows she must keep her head, literally. But what to do? Should she threaten the evil pirates with grape juice spills on those marvelous outfits? Kick out the high heels from under them? Put blinders on Jeff? There are too many options she decides, I need help. She pulls out her trusty cell phone and dials the man in blue, after all who but a villian could offer aid on how to be villianous. She speed dials Engr-Chas for suggestions.......

 

[Duckfan]

“Hell-O” says the voice on the other end of the line. “This is an emergency,!” Laurie screams into the phone. “I got some modern day pirate sirens here and I need some ideas on how to bring these ladies down and fast.” “Why, if it isn’t the lovely Red, calling for advice.” Laurie wants to scream with frustration, the man is so slow and she is beginning to hear the flapping of the sails in the wind as the ship approaches. Wait, she thinks, those sails look an awful lot like old millennium banners that have been sewn together. Gee, I bet Nat would love to have those. “Can you speed it up here, got any good ideas on how to wreck havoc and mayhem on a group of prissy Mackie clad pirates?” “ Why come to me, where’s that wild man Jeff? Can’t he whip them into submission?” Lauri turned to see if Jeff had finally broken from his trance but there was no such luck. She tried whacking him along side the head again but the vision of the Barbie like crew with their flashy outfits was more powerful than the Meanlaureenpower smash. Lauri yelled into the phone.
"Give me an idea!" "Okay, Okay." the great blue one responds.
"Try..........

 

[Luv2Roam]

"...shoving a weinie into the warp drive. That will not only stop time, but transport you back into the glory days of Walt."
"But wait," Mean Laureen asked, "isn't that the same lame tactic used by the Pittsburgh Pirates in '84?"
"No," replied the evil one. "They had access to the rare deluxe edition of Majik spells and shadows! (Now only found on Ebay.)"
"Upon your return into the past, you will be on the now deserted Isle of Neverland," continued Mr Big Blue. "Go straight away to the jail near the outer boundary. Then your 'ship will truly have come in.' Your first real and mightly clue is there. Although I will allow you this hint, 'Look before you Step from the Frying pan into the Fire.'"
And then the Big Blue one turned into the deepest of turquoise, showing his true colors of protection and wisdom. His voice faded softly from the cell phone that now glowed an abnormal Sky Blue.
After showing the cold hot dog, sans bun, into the warp drive, Lauri heard a low groan come from Jeff as they were thrown back into time, going through a large paneless window, dropping to the earth below.
Lauri thought she heard the voice of Rod Serling announcing....

 

[Duckfan]

Please move all the way to the end of the row, extinguish any smoking items, no animals allowed, keep your arms and legs inside the window at all times, please remember to take all items including adventurers with you when you exit and welcome to the DISabled, DISastered, DISnified zone, better known as the pin adventures twilight zone.

Mean Laureen shook her head to clear her head, whapping Jeff in the head with all her gorgeous red hair.
“Do you hear that?” She asked him. “No, I was too DIStracted.” He replied. “What was it?” “Sounded like Tower of Terror but we are too DIStant from there.” Lauri told him. Jeff calmly nodded and sent a mental message to the story writer to lay off the DIS references for a while.

Now that they weren’t distracted by the Prissy Pirate Babes or strange monologues the two looked around them to see where they were. The first thing they noticed was that they were no longer on the large boar filled with animals but on a smaller wooden craft that was bigger than a skiff but not a sea ship. The friendly animals were on a receding ship that seemed to be headed toward an isle in the distance. The boat had a banner across the back BOUND FOR NABOOMBU. “Drat!” Jeff murmured under his breath, that would have been an adventure.”

Well, our adventurers looked around to see where they were. They were only slightly off shore of another island. They decided they should check it out. There might be a clue on it or barring that food, water, and a potty break so they began to row the boat to shore. Lauri couldn’t be sure but she thought she felt something helping pushing them along. Jeff could have sworn that he heard some faint giggling bu t neither said anything because rowing is very hard work. When they reached the shore they stepped ashore and were delighted to find that their packs were in the boat so that they had many of the items they would need for adventure. After much discussion (Lauri wanted to go right but Jeff was determined to go left) they decided to go straight ahead into the trees that lined the sandy shore. Just as they entered the trees, Jeff stumbled over a round object with strange writings on it. He stuck it into his pocket and the pair moved into the trees. They hadn’t been walking long when they heard a strange sound coming from the right. It was……

 

[Duckfan]

It was the sound of bagpipes. As Lauri and Jeff headed toward the sound, they found themselves faced to face with a fan of the group Off kilter. In fact, there playing a melancholy air on a slow running tape player was none other than Epcotkilterfan. Upon seeing Jeff, (Lauri had wisely hidden behind him, just in case), Ekf quickly shut off the tape player. This was a good call since the batteries were running low. Ekf gave a startling cry (it sounded vaguely like they have come to free us at last). Jeff and Lauri were surprised to see a small group come out of a nearby hut. The group seemed somewhat familiar although changed by time. Laurie exclaimed, “oh my, it is some of the pin survivor survivors!” Yes, it was indeed. It was some of the poor characters that Jeff had left caught in the middle of the story. “Have you come to finally send us home?” one poor schmoe asked. Jeff realized then that he and Lauri had landed on the one small part of Neverland that held the castaways of a Jeff told tale. One of the survivors approached Jeff. “We have kept these medals of honor for you until your return.” Jeff didn’t know what to say, for the woman held the four seasons pins that Jeff had sent them in search of. He knew he must do something for these hardy adventurers. This being Neverland, a land of magic, and he being after all the creator of the tale, he had in his power the ability to send them home. “ I can send you home at last, and I will.” He turned to Lauri who has a bit of the pixie in her and asked her if she carried any pixie dust in her pack. “Only if I get the pins.” Said Lauri who was never one to pass up a chance for more pins. Jeff reluctantly agreed, so Lauri pulled out some pixie dust (left over from when she was sent so much). As Jeff began to write in his notebook, Lauri prepared to sprinkle the magic dust over the words to make the group return home. “Wait!” cried out one of the adventures. “We heard there is a great pin adventure at Epcot. Send us there oh great Jeff. We have been too long away from pins.” So Jeff changed the story and Lauri sprinkled the dust while she danced around Jeff. The group slowly faded into the winds with a rousing Mic,,,k.e.y.
And so the pair had saved the day again but they were still stuck on Neverland and still searching for their lost friend. What is the pair to do now........

 

[Raulandpinboy]

Suddenly the roar of an Elkatrian Star Pin cruiser was heard overhead.

Captain Raul of the Pinboy war torn planet had caught up to the two adventurers Jeff and Lauri whom he had renamed Mean Mojo jo jo for his love of the Power Puff Girl that he watched with his youngest granddaughter everyday at 7:30 on the Cartoon Network, before they watched Dexter's Laboratory in which Raul could relate to Dexter…. Anyway I digress.

Raul still upset by being relieved of his Shameless Plugs job, stands at the helm of this mighty war ship, that oddly enough is shaped link a continuing the traditions pin. He sees the two on the pintronic scanner, then slowly he stands and instantly flashes back to that dreadful night…

(Insert Flashback effects here) {{{{{{Whoosh whoop whoop whoosh}}}}}

Ring Ring Ring…

Raul: Hello?
Matthew: Hey Raul its Matt
Raul: Hey Matt What's up?
Matthew: Hey listen its about your shameless plugs for the adventure.
Raul: Oh yea what do you think?
Matthew: Well they seem to be too good, You did a fine job but now we have too many people signing up, It seems we are close to 200, and that Jeff's head exploding thing has him scared, so I'm afraid we have to let you go for doing to good of a job. Sorry man that's the breaks. Anyway see you in September…. Bye (click)

This in turn triggered another flashback that took Raul back to the time that he was separated from his parents at WDW, and got locked in a monorail all night listening to haunting words over and over again "Please Step away from the doors, Por favor mantenganse alehado de las puerttas"

He stood erect (not like that you sickies) and proud as he vowed revenge against the pair, and now finally he had them in his sights, the two on the ground still beaming with pride as they relish the moment watching the survivor's vanish into air merrily on their way to Epcot have no clue what is waiting for them above… Suddenly Mean Laureen turns to Jeff and says what's that sound.

The mighty war ship bears down on the two, as captain Raul looks at his weapons officer and yells in his best Klingon voice "Klatoo barrara Niktoe". The weapons officer knows immediately what to do. He looks to the weapons console, activates the pinsonic isolator beam which not only will remove all their pins but leave them totally naked, he then looks to his captain which smiles and says "Target the redhead first"

A button is pushed, there is a mighty sound and on the ground mean Laureen and Arizona Jeff look up only to see the mighty warship then a mighty flash and a loud sound and the heroes find themselves………………………….(NEXT)

 

[Duckfan]

Still standing on the island but despite the evil Captain Raul’s worst intentions (by the way where can we get an Captain Raul pin but then I digress) our heroine is not unclothed. Give me a break this is a family story after all. Much to the amusement of Jeff but to the horror of Lauri she is no longer dressed in her nice normal practical clothes oh no. That would have been too easy. Instead, our diligent heroine is now wearing a powderpuff girl dress and cape. Except that the cape was made of lime green boas and tied together by a bunch of pinless lanyards. (Ah, thought the Evil Captain Raul, at least the best part of the plan worked) To top off the horror of being seen in the skimpy crime fighting outfit, the green boas clash with her hair. Does our hero come to her rescue? Does he try to save her from this humilation? No, sorry, no way. Jeff is on the ground. He is laughing so hard he can not stand and can definitely not be called on to aid assistance. Trapped in the feather cape, Lauri screams at the top of her lungs. “Pinboy! You are going to pay for this.” For Lauri is not known as Mojo jo jo for nothing and no other being could be so cruel to think of this evil plan. But her anger is not for Captain alone, she turns again to Jeff, he is now crying he is laughing so hard. “What do you think you are laughing at.” Captain Raul knows he is caught but being red handed never stopped him from carrying out his evil and menacing plan. He still had to get the man who caused him to cease his shameless plugs. He had to get the man who kept him from his plan of pin event domination and glory. The evil Captain Raul nods his head at his weapons officer. The weapons officer chuckles with real glee as he hits the button again. Again a quick burst of light and a loud noise (louder than the noise of a thousand people pintrading in one place) is heard. It is now Mean Laureen’s turn to laugh and she who laughs last, laughs best. She momentarily forgets her own get up as she is laughing at adventure man Jeff in a leopard skin speedo with a bright green speedo on his head and a boa around his neck. Of course, the machine still fails the evil Captain Raul because Jeff had pins on his speedo. Captain Raul chuckles evilly and then breaks into outright laughter as does his crew. He knows he still must face the wrath of Lauri but in this moment the pain is worth the gain.

When, Lauri finally is able to stop laughing she knows it is time to get to work. Captain Raul can not go unpunished………..

 

[Duckfan]

Mojo jojo, or Mean Laureen as we all but the evil Captain Raul know her, is extremely frustrated. Not only is she wearing a ridiculous get up but she is stuck on an island with out her main secret weapon, the super terrific MODERATORS EDIT BUTTON. If she only had the button she would show that crazy guy what for. She stomps her foot in frustration, which hurts. In fact it hurts a lot, which makes her think of someone special, which gives her an idea. Meanwhile, Jeff is disgusted with the outfit and tired of the game. He reaches in his handy dandy backpack and selects his next course of attack. He picks out several Arizona Diamondback baseballs, takes aim, and throws. Whap! He hits his target but Captain Raul (boo hiss) has let the ship get too low in the attempt to get back at the pair. The crew of the ship only barely hears the thunk but it makes Jeff feel better. Back on the ship, the Vulcanish communications officer pipes up. “Captain Raul, incoming message.” “Who would be communicating with me now, when I am in the middle of my great plan!” he bellows. “Hey Captain Raul, evil ship’s captain.” Drat, thinks Raul. It’s that other pinhead.....I mean moderator. Yes, it was indeed. Lauri had called upon another secret weapon, the famous Obiwan Pinobi. “Raul, we know that you have done an outstanding job terrorizing the heroes but, well, it is time to pack it up and move on.” “Never, I have them where I want them.” Raul yells in his second best villain voice (he decided to save his best in case he needs it later).
“Hey man, don’t make me get the lightsaber out, you know I will. Besides, did you know it is time for pin trading at the Contemporary? Time to get to the World man.” Suddenly Captain Raul and his crew pause. Miss pin trading just to harass some people. While it was fun, its not pin trading.
Matt could hear the silence and knew he had the upper hand. “And give them back their right clothes or we will never hear the end of it.” “Very well,” Captain Raul said regally. as he counted the few pins he had stolen from Lauri and Jeff. The pins were excellent plunder for trading. He might even share some with the crew. Not a bad haul for the day. Lauri and Jeff found themselves again in their adventure clothes and the ship zoomed off into space to find another world with people to hassle. “Well, I for one am glad to be out of a CaptRaul outfit. I think his days as a fashion designer would be limited.” Lauri agrees. Jeff sticks his hand in his pocket and finds a message , a clue that had not been there before. Yes, a ship had come in and they had more clues. Guess the blue guy was partially right. The note said.......

 

[Luv2Roam]

Hello! Earth to Jeff; Earth to Jeff! Get MOVING!
"Look before you Step from the Frying pan into the Fire." -- REMEMBER??!!
(It's so hard finding good goodie two shoes in today's market.)
XOXOXOXOXO
The Evil Blue One

Laureen & AZJ brush twigs and dust from their shoulders, lift their heads high, and indignantly start stumbling.. err.. marching through the heavily shrubbed island.
"Pan, fire... Know what that reminds me of ML?" asked Jeff.
"A warning?"
"No I'M HUNGRY!!!" yells Jeff!
"hhmmm," says ML while looking above while pondering.... "A warning of Fire. What's the opposite of Fire?"
"Food?" replies Jeff in a Dis-gruntled tone.
"No! WATER! We need Water to combat the fire! I think what we are in search of is the fabled Water of Life! Can it be true? Is the pure Water of Life right here on this island?!"
"If it is we can bottle and make a fortune, and buy all the pins we want! hahahah THE POWER!!" explains Jeff.
THUMP! ML bops Jeff on his head.
"Whoops, sorry. Leftover from being around so many evil ones," said Jeff rather meekly.
"Well -- if we are on an island -- and we are hunting for the Water of Life, we must be in..."

 

[Duckfan]

“In a very bad dream?” Jeff asked. Lauri rolls her eyes. Jeff tries again. “On Fantasy Island?”
Lauri just glares. “Okay, I give up. I don’t know where we are. Where are we?” Lauri sighs. There is a long pause as the look at each other and then around at the various trees and jungle plants. “I don’t know where we are either,” Lauri finally admits. “I know that I should but I can’t think of it and I was hoping you would know, after all you are the great adventurer.” Jeff bows his head. “ Sorry Red, I guess my mind is in Disneyworld instead of here on this island. I can’t shake the feeling that I am pintrading somewhere.” Laurie smiles. “I wish we were sitting around drinking Pepsi’s (no cokes z&x) and getting some great trades done too.” Well, since neither of them knew where they were they had no choice but to continue on. After about an hour of walking they stumbled out of the jungle and on to a dirt path. This was great. At last some vestige of order and sign of life. The joy was soon lessened by a bend in the trail. Which way to go? Left went back toward the forest, right went slightly downhill. The adventurers pondered for a short time, half a minute tops before deciding that downhill looked the more promising (It didn’t hurt that they could see a bench a little way away). The adventures sat down and pulled the handy dandy water bottles from their packs. While drinking, they are started by a shout. “Cowabunga!” Jeff and Lauri spit the water out in shock. Now, slightly wet and very tired they take off in a jog (it is too hot to run even for an Arizona native) to find the sound. Around a bend in the trail they come upon a huge lake. There they see a small form coming toward them. As the figure gets closer they see a little blue alien wearing an Arizona diamondback hat and a pin lanyard. As he surfs in, our frustrated soldiers of clue seeking yell at him. “Get your own story Stitch.” Disgusted with this turn of events the two head around the lake and find some canoes.
Since they know they need to find the water of life they take off in the canoe. Little did they know that just around the bend was.........

 

[Luv2Roam]

Tic Toc the crusty old crock was laying in wait...
Mean Laureen, still trying to figure out their location, pulls out her world traveler PassPorter guidebook.
"Jeff," ML reads, "'On the grassy flats along the eastern coastline of Ngarchelong sit 37 ancient stone monoliths known as Badrulchau. Even Palauan legends offer more than one explanation for these mysterious ancient monoliths. According to one version, the pillars are actually the foundation of a Bai meeting house that was being built by the gods.' Didn't we see some giants figures sitting on a cliff as we were falling from that window during warp? Do you think we in the Land of the Gods, maybe?"
"Gods, Schmods," replied Jeff. "I don't care as long as the locals can feed us decent food! Hey -- STOP! What's that sound????"
Tic - Toc - Tic -Toc
"It's either civilzation or a bomb! Let's move it!" rants AZ!
They race towards the noise that seems to be a large clock, which means perhaps a village square, people and transporation!
They stop dead in their tracks as they come face to face with a huge crocoldile with shifty eyes, a large belly and a leering smile spreading across his face.
"Quick Jeff! Think fast! He has a hungry, evil look on his face! And I don't like that way my dazzling red hair is reflecting in his eyes!"
Without giving a second thought Mr Adventurer pulls from his bakpack a jumbo size container of TicTacs and throws them into the gapping mouth of the ticking croc!
"Tic Tacs to a Tic Toc? That's the best you can do?" screams Mean Laureen.
But Jeff's plan works, as the creepy old croc slides down into the water and swims off, allowing them safe passage to explore.
"Now Lauri, what does your PassPorter say about the Water of Life?" asks Jeff smuggly.

 

[Duckfan]

Lauri was saved from answering immediately because they came in sight of a village. Lauri didn't actually know the whole answer because although she is very versatile, she wasn't able to read and row at the same time. They tied the boat up at the dock. They both grabbed their packs and headed up to see the people. Laurie was reading as she walked while Jeff was following the smell of food. While the village itself was small there were a variety of little snack shacks. Jeff scoped out the beaver tail place but the things looked a bit tough. He wasn't sure if it was actually beaver tail, one can never tell in the out of the way places. Another spot had puupy chow but Jeff thought it sounded too much like dog food. While he was very hungry, he wasn't that far gone. Then they found just the place. Nat's natural cheese soup spot. The aroma was tantalizing, so much so that even Lauri had put aside the book as her stomach rumbled. Inside, Jeff ordered two bowls of soup. Nat the owner was himself, downing a bowl of soup. He looked at the travelers suspiciously. Nat loved his cheese soup very much and it was common knowledge that he ate more than he sold. “What you going to give me for my soup?” he asked them. Lauri and Jeff had no idea what the currency rate was here since they didn’t really know where they were at so they started taking things out of their packs. As they emptied, some thing caught Nat’s eye. It was a brightly colored pin map. He loved hanging things on his wall almost as much as his soup. He snatched it up before the two could say anything. Two huge bowls of soup appeared and they ate hungrily not even hearing the pounding as Nat his newest framed project on the wall. “The book states that the water is found somewhere near the giant monoliths. We need to head up to the cliffs.” Now that our adventures were full they headed up to the cliffs.
As they reached the monoliths, they saw that there were figures carved on each stone. The first showed a story about a young man who is helped by a great blue creature and finds great things, the next about a brave warrior woman with a helpful red creature. They passed monoliths with lions, a wooden boy, a princess with seven men. They could have spent hours looking at the different stories but knew that they had to find some answers. As they moved to the center of the group they began to see that there was a pattern to the stones. The rest of the stones seemed to circle or radiate out from a center stone. The center and prime stone had beautiful pictures of a mouse appearing in many stories. “Look,” Jeff observed. “It all started with a mouse.” ( yes I can hear all your loud groans) Lauri looked at her book. “It says that somewhere on the stone is a hidden switch to a passageway that remains unfound to this day but that it is the path way to the Water of Life.” So the two start to look for the trap door unaware that......

 

[Luv2Roam]

...they had serious choices ahead.
Fumbling around, Lauri sees a tablet at the base of the ancient monolith.
It doesn't look original. The inscription looked as if it was chiseled within the week.
"Who was here before, and who would know anyone else would be snooping around, Jeff?" asks Lauri.
"This could be our red herring," replied Jeff. "Read the words carefully and lets study the true meaning behind these words."
"Here goes" says Lauri:
'20 paces Dead ahead is a vine covered wall. Cut away the vines. There are 3 doors. Only one can be chosen and there is no second choice. Behind one door is a NEW Rolls Royce. Behind one door is a goat. Behind the third door is an underground passage, a magic lamp and a map.'"
"Why do I feel like I am on 'Let's Make A Deal'?", asked Jeff.
"JEFF! That's it! Maybe there really aren't three doors! Maybe we really do Have To Make A DEAL to get where we must really be! Maybe this is just another hint! What do we do and where do we go from here?"
"We walk twenty paces ahead and see what, or WHO, we find. This may be a trap. So expect anything and everything ML."
They forge ahead the twenty paces....

 

[Duckfan]

and straight in front of them was a weird series of vines. Jeff reached in to the handy dandy backpack to pull out his machete but Lauri stopped him. She instead reached into her pack and pulled out two pair of scissors. Jeff looked at her questioningly. "These aren't real vines they are just boas, again with the boas." So our two heroes diligently cut their way through the boas putting around their necks just to get them out of the way. Underneath the boa vines they found only one door. Unsure what to do they decided they really had no choice but to proceed. Lauri very kindly let Jeff open the door while she stood a foot behind him. Jeff didn’t really want to open the door either but he took a deep breath and pulled. The door opened easily and Jeff tumbled back on Lauri. After they picked themselves up they pulled our flashlights. They didn’t need them for long because they soon came to a large dining room. Seated at the end was a queen in a chair and her chair was in front of another door. “Welcome to my home. I am BeautyLLM.” The two adventures greeted the queen in front of them. “What did you bring me to pass through my kingdom."” Well, our adventures didn’t know what to think. Here was there chance to make a deal and they didn’t know what to offer. They looked through their bags and all they could find were a few pins and a couple of pastries from the French Bakery. Lauri bowed again to the queen and the boas fell off from around her neck. The queen was instantly happy. “Oh, how wonderful! You have brought us more of our beloved boas.” Jeff, never one to pass up an opportunity threw his into the pile as well. The queen loved all the beautiful colors of boas at her feet. “Well, I also have this Cogsworth pin from the pin event.” Jeff added. The queen was happy beyond words for, as she explained; she was the Boa Queen who had many subjects who also wore boas. Not only that but she loved all pins of the Beast realm. She happily waved her arm and the door magically opened.

 

[Duckfan]

The pair walked through the door into another kingdom. Here they found the air dry, the sun hot, and lots of sand. They walked a short distance to a brightly colored tent next a beautiful spring and a palm tree. They entered the tent and found another amazing woman sitting in a chair in front of a door. There was a computer in one corner and like 20 scanners all around the tent. “I have heard of this person before,” Jeff whispered to Lauri. “This is Karinmac, the Scanner Queen.” Lauri sighed for she too had heard of the amazing pin work of the scanner queen.
“Welcome to my little kingdom. I am so glad I was here when you got here. I have so wanted to see you two and knew I couldn’t for awhile.” The Scanner queen said. The two bowed and Jeff answered. “It is an honor to meet you as well, we are hoping to get through your door.” “Well, said Miss Karin, “rules are rules. To pass my door you have to answer some questions about my collection.” Lauri laughed, she knew pins and she was ready. “First, how many state pins were in the first series of state pins at the Disney Store?” Not a problem, they yelled out the answer and did fine by the second question about the second series of state pins as well. “What character is on the Idaho pin in the third series ( she asked this because I made her put in a plug for my state)”. “Easy.” Jeff replied pulling out the famous Mr Potato Head Idaho pin. She asked them several more state questions but they were able to answer them all. “Congratulations.” The Queen clapped. “I can now let you through the door but be very careful. The next door keeper can be very tricky. Before you go, here are pictures I just scanned.” Jeff and Lauri breathed a sigh of relief and took the pictures. It was a picture of the Djali pin. They put them in their backpacks and off they went through the second door to find.........

 

[Luv2Roam]

...a large monastery, that looked more like a castle than a religious sanctuary.
"Jeff," this is no concidence that we have a picture of a Djali pin."
"What's your theory, Red?"
"Djali belongs to Esmeralda, the beautiful dark haired gypsy, right?"
"Yeah...."
"Well don't you know about the legend of the Gypsy amulet, which is secretly a map to the Water of Life?
As the legend goes, the gypsy who originally held this was thrown into prison. The night before she was to be hung, she sang her heart out in the hopes her voice would carry itself to the outside, where others would hear of her sad life and pending death.
Gravely, she sang and revealed the knowledge of the amulet she wore over her heart.
Intrigued by her beautiful voice, a kindly old monk used the ruse of saving her dark gypsy soul to gaze upon the woman who sang from her heart. (Not to mention to gaze upon the magic amulet too.)
No, he couldn't save her life, but the monk did get the amulet, with the blessing of that poor gypsy woman. The monk took the amulet into the monastery where he hide it under the floors where the Holy water was blessed.
Water, goat, amulet, MONASTERY! See how it all connects?"
Jeff gave a loud sigh. "Yes I do, but where does that leave us now?"
"On the RIGHT trail! Let's go!"

 

[Duckfan]

Lauri and Jeff approached the monastery cautiously. There was a big wooden door and it was very closed but next to it was a rope. Jeff pulled on the rope and a loud bell chimed. The door slowly creaked open with a loud whine. “Sounds like Haunted Mansion or something.” Jeff whispered. They stared into the dark shade inside the door. A mysterious voice invited them. Reluctantly, the two inched forward into the entry way. The door creaked closed causing Lauri and Jeff to jump about six feet in the air. They all walked into the sun lit courtyard. “Hey guys.” Said the voice which didn’t seem as ominous in the light as it did in the dark. In fact, it wasn’t scary at all. It was Dom. “What are you doing here? Lauri asked. “I didn’t really think you had become a monk.” “LOL,” Dom chuckled, “No, nothing like that at all. They have a great, cheap drawing class here and I had to come. It is great, even if we aren’t allowed to draw villain here. Anyway, I said I would watch the door while Brother Benny went on an errand. I am supposed to tell anyone that comes that if they need to find what they seek, to seek it in the mediation room.” “Where is it?” Jeff asked. “I can’t take you there, got to watch the door you know. I can draw you a map though.” “ A Map, it wouldn’t be THE Map would it?” Lauri asked. “THE MAP, what in the heck are you talking about Lauri? It is just a drawing on how to get around. THE MAP, you would think you are on a quest or something.” Jeff and Lauri nervously chuckled. Dom gave them a quick sketch to the mediation room. Lauri gave him a quick hug and the two said goodbye to their friend. They practically ran the whole way. They could feel that they were getting closer to something important. Several of the halls also had a good coat of wax and the adventurers slide a couple of times in their hurry to get there. (Of course only once was accidental but Jeff and Lauri will both deny doing it on purpose.) They reached the door to the meditation room and paused. So close. Jeff gently rapped on the door. A friendly face welcomed them in. “Come in, there is always room for one more.” Jeff and Lauri explained that they were on a quest to help there friend and they were searching for the amulet. The monk lead them through the big room to a small door into a small cramped room. In the room, there were five tables with bins and bins of little wall figures. The wall was covered with little holes to place the figures in. “You must place the correct combinations in the wholes to find what you seek.” The monk said as he pushed them inside and slammed the door shut behind them. They thought they heard an evil chuckle but they knew they must be wrong. Written on the wall were these words. FRIEND AND FOE TO KNOW THE WAY TO GO. IT TAKES BOTH TO KNOW WHAT YOU SEEK. “Now what?” Lauri asked. The two looked at the bins and began to realized that the figures could be made to represent things. They put in a duck and a fan (duckfan) in one spot. Jeff put in a heart and a goofy trailer pin (luv2roam). “Hey this like build a pin!” Jeff exclaimed. Lauri moaned realizing that Jeff might get carried away now. So our pair went to work filling in the wholes. One was a pin of Mowgli (pinboy), another was a flying dragon and on and on. Finally, the two reached the end having made many combinations to represent their friend and those who had got in the way. As they filled the last hole, the wall clicked and opened. Inside was a the beginning of a tunnel, a map, and a lamp to light the way. “Shall we?” Jeff asked Lauri. “Yes, we are close now. I can feel something in the air.” Lauri replied. The two picked up the lamp and the map. They started down the tunnel……..