America: 50☆Stars (Vol. 3)

Episode 33: North Carolina Treasure

"So cute. So friendly. So precious. I swear I'll give my life for you." Ohio doted on his pet rabbit, watching the bluish-black buck nibble gaily on a cherry tomato.

Ding-dong!

"Not now!" Ohio yelled at the front door. "I'm very busy!"

Ding-dong! Ding-dong!

"Okay! Okay! One second!" He got up to go answer the door. "What—" He took a sucker punch to the face, knocking him back on the floor. "WHAT THE HELL?!" He glowered at his attacker.

"You have a lot of explaining to do!" North Carolina stepped inside, her face looking just as enraged as his.

"What are you talking about?"

"My Bill of Rights!" She grabbed him by the shirt collar, slamming him against a nearby wall. "You stole it, you dirty thief!"

☆☆☆☆☆

"Get your hands off me!" Ohio forcefully pushed her away from him, taking a moment to rub his swollen cheek. "Was it necessary for you to punch me?"

"You rather have a gun aimed between your eyes?" North Carolina scoffed. "Believe it or not, I prefer to keep this civil. If you don't want another punch to the face, I suggest you start owning up to your crime, you dirty thief."

"What are you talking about? I haven't stolen anything." He crossed his arms, feigning offense. "I don't know what made you come to that ridiculous conclusion, but you're making a big mistake accusing me of wrongdoing. You should know I'm an honest individual with morals—"

"Indiana told me she saw a copy of the Bill of the Rights hanging on your wall."

"Seriously, Indy! Why did you rat me out?!"

"Anyway," North Carolina disrupted his anguish screams, "you either cooperate with me or get knocked unconscious while I ransack the place." She eyed the small defenseless bunny munching on a tomato in the living room nearby. "Maybe I'll take that rabbit over there as compensation for my troubles. It isn't going to make up for a significant piece of history, but I can go for some Brunswick stew right about now."

"O-Okay! Fine! I'll cooperate! Don't hurt Bucky!" He frantically shielded his rabbit from her wicked gaze.

"Explain to me how you got your hands on my copy of the Bill of Rights."

"Okay, I'll explain." He gulped nervously. "It was during the closing days of the Civil War. A group of Union soldiers and I wanted souvenirs to bring home. And so, we scavenged for stuff at the state capitol in Raleigh. I was digging through the archives room where I found the Bill of Rights stored in one of the cabinets. I thought it was neat, so I took it and went home once the war was over," he grumbled. "Yeah, it was a dick move. But had I left it where it was, it could've been destroyed during the pillaging. In a way, you should be thanking me for saving it."

"Yeah, right! If you were trying to save it, you would've given it back to me a long time ago!" She pouted. "It's 1925. I want my copy of the Bill of Rights back now."

"A-Ah, yes. About that..." He coughed an uneasy chuckle. "I don't have it anymore."

"Don't play me for a fool!" North Carolina growled.

"B-Believe me! I'm telling the truth!" Ohio stammered. "I-I sold it a long time ago!"

"You sold it?! Who did you sell it to?"

"I-I don't know. I think I sold it to a grain salesman for five bucks."

"Five bucks?! You sold an original copy of the Bill of Rights for five bucks?!"