Travelling to new lands

Episode 9: Pika theft auto

Hop-pop sighs as he calmly drives the snail with Pika and Sprig looking around and Polly resting on Hop-pop's head as he says "Ah, a leisurely outing with Bessie. Why, we could really go anywhere. Do anything." 

Sprig then piped up asking "Ooh, ooh! Can we get Swamp Slushies? They have new flavours" 

which caused to laugh before saying nope, Sprig was annoyed with the answer as Polly asked "Can we go off-road? Do some crazy stunts?" 

"Double no" Hop-pop answered 

"hm... what if i were to drive Bessie?" Pika suggests not thinking Hop-pop would say yes 

"Sure" Hop-pop says 

"that's fine- hold up, huh?" Pika says surprised 

"You can drive Bessie. I've been trying to teach this guy for years" Hop-pop explained as he pointed to sprig 

"It's true" Sprig added 

"Cool, I'm totally prepared." Pika mutters to themself as they take deep breaths "All right! Give me those reins. I'm ready to drive" Pika tells Hop-pop, 

Once at the Planter house Hop-pop places a thick book onto a stump as he says "Not before reading this, you ain't" 

"That's a thick book, what is it about?" Pika asked 

"This is Bessie's History. Before touching a snail's reins, you gotta know them. Feel their heartbeat next to yours and become one" Hop-pop answered 

"Dude it's just a vehicle. We have cars back home. It's no big deal" Pika says disregarding the living snail's feelings, Hop-pop shoves the book into Pika's chest "jesus- this is heavy-" Pika muttered

"Don't care. You can't drive Bessie, unless you read this cover to cover. And that's final" Hop-pop says 

"Are there pictures?" Pika asked 

"There are diagrams" Hop-pop answered in a sing-song tone 

"Dammit!" Pika yelled 

"Sheesh. Dramatic much?" Hop-pop asked sarcastically 

"Now if you'll excuse me, Polly's due for a wash" Hop-pop excused himself

He picked up Polly she fought back by saying "No, no. Wait. No! I'll just get dirty again. You can't stop me! I learned this from watching you, Pika!" the door then shuts, 

Pika groans and complains "I'll be old before I finish reading this thing" 

"Yeah, page five is as far as I got. Too much description, not enough plot" Sprig comments 

"I'm not a fan of learning history that doesn't include stuff I'm interested in. I need experience. What do you say we take a harmless test-drive? Prove to Hop Pop we're fast learners?" Pika suggests, 

Sprig went to grab Pika's hand but stops and asks "Hmm. Do you get the feeling this is one of those decisions we'll look back on and say, 'Ooh-boy, we probably shouldn't have done that'?" 

"We'll get Swamp Slushies while we're out" Pika adds, 

Sprig hops on saying "No regrets!" 

"Sounds like a plan! off we go!" Pika says as they drive Bessie

Mrs. Croaker was driving her ladybug as a dust cloud was coming closer "Huh? What in tarnation?" She questioned as she saw the dust cloud in her side mirror, as Sprig and Pika drive pass Mrs. Croaker cries out as she was spun "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" 

once she stopped spinning Sprig got onto the back of Bessie and taunted Mrs Croaker while saying "Out of the way, slowpoke!" 

And Mrs. Croaker called Sprig and Pika "Hooligans! Ruffians! Swamp suckers!"