Kanker Sore

Chapter 8 - Damn intrusive thoughts !

The picture above was made by "Tom Munro" (you can find it on the ArtStation website)

Rick and Jonny walked the Eds back to Eddy's house, mainly because they were headed in the same direction. Once there, the Flicker could look at the new booth the three scammers had built. It was set up in exactly the same spot as the previous one, but this one looked much more robust. It boasted a flashy sign that read : "Taco Ed's Mexican Kwseen." Even though he didn't show it, Rick felt bad for the unlucky trio. Their idea was sincerely good and deserved to be successful. Especially since they appeared to have put a lot of effort into their business. Unfortunately, all it took was one little eccentricity from Eddy to ruin everything. A stupid waste...

« It's all your fault, both of you ! » Eddy yelled, pointing his accusing finger at Edd and Rick in turn. « The idea was to bust up all those losers and get away with the dough, not to apologize and give it back to them. Stop doing everything backwards ! Now, we're broke again. »

Rick tried very hard to keep his cool and not destroy the asphalt with his fist. He wondered why his uncle seemed to value and stick up for this ungrateful pipsqueak. Usually, folks with Eddy's personality drew the ire of Hooper instead. If Eddy continued on this path, he might grow up to be just like Lee, and that could be a pain in the ass for everyone, including him. Besides, he only lacked fighting skills and perverse tendencies to become her look-alike, only smaller, uglier, and with much less hair.

« Objection Eddy, we were just fixing your blunder. » Interjected Double D, clearly miffed as well. « If you hadn't turned the tacos into time bombs, by now we'd already have our Jawbreakers. »

« Too bad I missed it, I love spicy food. » Chuckled Jonny.

Although Eddy was far too proud and upset to admit it, he knew deep down that Double D was right... And that just made him angrier. For now, he could see only one good way to calm down : think of a new con and develop it as soon as possible. But first, he had to get his stand out of the driveway and into a corner of his garden. Who knows, once the sign was adjusted, maybe it could still serve him.

« Whatever, the harm is done. Now we need to get back on track, and fast ! » Exclaimed the yellow-clad hustler. « Ed, help me to move this display to my backyard. »

« Roger, buddy. »

The two pals each grabbed an opposite side of the stand. But when Eddy gave the signal to pick it up, Ed went a little hard and abruptly lifted the whole thing as if it weighed nothing. Still clinging to the booth, the dwarf was raised into the air and launched several feet. He landed in the neighboring house's yard, right in an inflatable pool. A loud "splash" was heard, and then Eddy's head emerged, wrapped in a duck-shaped buoy. Double D, Rick and Jonny could hardly contain themselves from bursting into laughter. Ed, on the other hand, felt scared when a furious and soaked Eddy rushed towards him, bellowing insanities.

« You jerk, I'll kill you ! »

« Sorry, I didn't mean to ! »

Still with the stall in his hands, Ed disappeared into Eddy's garden, promptly chased by the enraged midget. He looked like a bulldog racing after the mailman. Ed obviously has no idea how strong he is, Rick surmised. If he used it properly, people would respect him more.

« Tell me Double D, why don't you do the same thing again, minus the deadly sauce ? » The Flicker suggested. « You could even try a taco in front of everyone to prove to them it's safe. »

« I'd love to be able to do that, but we're running out of raw materials. We sold the first half, and Ed wolfed down the second. »

« Oops, my bad. Otherwise, Jonny and I are going to play video games, do you want to join us ? »