A cautionary tale. Told in many parts, like the old-time movie serials. You have to click on "Forum" at the top of the website. Then "Discussion Forum." Then choose "Social talk" and all the parts will be shown.
Sidney awoke in a warm comfortable bed, a little sore from the softness. Staring at the ceiling, he tried to make sense of where he was, and what the heck had happened. One minute he was in the alley... then poof! Here. Plumeria was busy in the kitchen, cooking, frying, and baking breakfast. She poked her head in the bedroom. "Horatio... your morning feast is served. Get up, get dressed, get in here." Sid pulled the covers over his head. "Oh lordy, what trouble am I in now?"
Horatio was up, walking about. Stretching his legs, sore from lying on the cardboard. He was in an alley, not far from work. Why... am I here? What on earth happened? A sudden gust of wind sent dust and leaves swirling. Horatio covered his eyes. Rubbing them clear, he looked up and jumped back with a shriek. Standing there was a lady! "Howdy Horie, comfy?" Horatio stepped back, shaken. "Who... what.. are you?" "I'm the gal with the glee, the chick few ever see... Flabby! At yer service." Horatio closed his eyes. "This must be a nightmare. Something I ate caused this. I'm still sleeping... this isn't real." Flabby patted Horatio on the head and whispered in his ear, "OK champ, enough fun and games... time to rumble."
Plumeria pulled the covers off. "Get outta bed ya big galoot." Sid was terrified. He stumbled into the bathroom and got a shock. Looking in the mirror... it wasn't him. He furiously washed his face... still not him. He looked exactly like that tubby dandy he despised. Then he remembered Flabby and the golden gummy. "Oh no... what did I do?" From the kitchen Plum shouted, "Get yer fat ass in here, your majesty's breakfast is ready."
In the alley, Flabby was holding court. "So Horie, ya ate the golden gummy snuck in by Sid... denizen of this alley. He was filled with envy, watching you every day, saunter by. He wished... he could be you!" And now... he is."
Sid stared at the table. More food piled on clean plates than he'd seen in many a year. He didn't know where to start. "Don't just sit there, dig in before it gets cold! Honestly Horie, I wonder about you sometimes... chop chop!" Plumeria tucked in his bib, then retreated to the living room and turned on the telly. "The Loving Light" was about to start. Just as Sid bit into an English muffin... she was back. "Hustle your ass Horie or you'll be late for work... chop chop!" Sid was already missing his peaceful alley. After breakfast, he was pushed out the door. Slowly he walked to the candy factory, regretting each step. As he passed his alley, he tried to enter. A strong wind pushed him back... and toward Mulberry Inc.
Once inside, he made his way to the tasting lab. Trays of gummies lay waiting. An engineer strode in. "Morning Heeb. We're waiting... chop chop." Sid's head hurt. All this rushing... what have I done? Then 3 engineers entered. "Go on Heeb... start tasting. Begin with the first tray." Sid picked up a soft purple gummy. Took a bite... then spit it out... Yuk! The engineers jotted down notes. The boss poked his head in "Heeb, get the hell to work!" Sid grabbed another gummy, pink. It too tasted horrible. Surveying his desk... there were 3 more trays. This... this... sucks. Then he felt something change in his tummy. He ran to the loo. What a weird feeling. Pulling up his shirt... a bag was hanging next to his belly button! He pulled on it... but it was stuck on. Right away he remembered Flabby the witch warning him: "Sometimes wishes... backfire."
Flabby let out a chuckle. Snapped her fingers and a ticket appeared. A train ticket to anywhere. "Here ya go Horie. Anywhere you wanna go." "I'm a little hungry, got anything for that?" Horatio was starved. Snapping her fingers again, a box appeared at his feet. Opening it revealed... dozens of Kennedy 50 cent coins! "Oh Flabby... my most favorite coin ever!" Then Horatio felt a strange sensation in his stomach. It wasn't hunger. He pulled up his shirt and gasped. The ostomy was... gone! Flabby laughed. "Enjoy your new life... I know Sidney will."
Horatio closed his eyes, remembering the past. Sheila, Warrior, swallowing the coin. The colostomy. He shook his head... all like a dream. "Alright Horie, I gotta split. Letters are piling up. The lovelorn and ostomy challenged need my sage advice. Get some grub, get outta town." She bent over, touched his nose... and poof... disappeared. Yes... time for a fine meal. The Taco Tiki Hut at the mall sounds divine. Horatio grabbed the box and set off. Looking at the blue sky and wispy clouds, he smiled and mused: "Mighty fine, mighty fine indeed."
