Episode 21

"Look at it this way. He a rich ogre. He has his own castle. He
can drift all over the world and visit strange places. He might even marry
your mom." She looked Jack in the eyes. "Then you would be his rich
son-in-law. How does that sound?"

Jack smiled widely for the first time. "Sound better all the time.
What do we do now?"

She looked at her watch and the setting sun. "The trolls will soon
be partying and swilling the ogre's beer. We'll join the party and act as if
we are drinking heavily. I'll sneak around inside and look for the goose. It
it's not there, we search outside later."

The troll held up an Australian beer when Red and Jack entered
Snow White's living room. "How are things going?" He walked over and handed
Red a beer.

Red slapped his hand from her hip. "Fine Dopey, how are things
with you? Where is Snow White?" She walked away without waiting for an
answer.

Jack went to a cooler and saw nothing but Australian beer. He
sipped on it for three hours. Red was in the doorway giving him the 'come on'
sign.

"There's no goose in the house. Snow White is visiting
Rumpelstiltskin. Let's mosey outside and check the outbuilding while
everyone is still drinking. That goose is somewhere nearby." She turned and
disappeared into the darkness.

Jack stepped outside and waited for his eyes to adjust to the
faint moonlight. He saw Red open the door to the first shed. He caught up
with her as she opened the door to the second shed. "What was in the first
shed?"

She shook her head and aimed her flashlight around the interior.
"Nothing here either. The goose has to be in the barn. Be careful and don't
make any noise." She turned her light off and walked quietly to the barn
door. She stepped in and waited for Jack. She flashed her light around the
room and went back to a wooden cage with a wire door. "This might be it."
Her voice was low and husky with excitement. "Don't let the goose get away.
You grab her when I open the door."

Jack got down on his knees in front of the door. He waited ten
seconds after Red opened the door before peering into the cage. He glanced
up and grinned. "I saw a few gold eggs. How much is one worth, you suppose?"

Love to All from the Farm
in Two Double-aught Six.