Episode 3

“Forget that other beer. Red and those seven ugly trolls swilled them down in a heartbeat. Here, take this money and get me another six-pac of Old Knickerbocker. Whatever you do, don’t stop at that horrible oak tree. I don’t care if the queen of Sheba steps out and wants to trade you Ethiopia for a six-pac of Old Knickerbocker.” She waved her hand toward the door. “Go and be quick about it. I have this horrible thirst coming over me.”

Jack snatched the money and bolted from the house at a dead run. He slowed to a brisk walk as he approached the dark woods. Fifty feet into the woods, he slowed to a slow creep, keeping his hand in his pocket clutching the five-dollar bill. Finally, he saw the huge ugly oak tree. He looked to the left and the right debating whether to take a detour around the tree. But plants of assorted bramble and thorns lined the road. There were wild blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries and briars in general. He stopped a hundred feet from the tree, took a few deep breaths and prepared to make a mad dash past the tree.

“Hey Jack, it’s nice to see you again.” Red Ridinghood stepped out from behind the ugly tree into the centre of the road. A bare leg flashed through a slit in her dress. “Where are you going? Did your mom like the trade? Did you plant the seeds?”

Jack eased forward hoping to see a little more leg.