“Well…we get a lot of bums in here. I usually get my money the minute I serve a drink. You two looked like ladies,” he blustered. “I didn’t think you’d try to put one over on me. I don’t have a problem with dropping the charges. I never would have showed up in court anyway. I can’t afford to shut this place down. My customers depend on me.” The serpent stopped slithering and appeared to go sleep as the bartender placed his arms on the bar.

“I appreciate that, sir.”

Outside in the warm spring air, Cady took a deep breath before she climbed into the waiting Bentley. “He’s one of those guys who walks the walk and talks the talk, but when it’s down to the wire, he bails. He said he’d drop the charges because he can’t afford to close the bar to go to court.”

Lola frowned, as did Anthony and Mandy. “I was looking forward to giving a character reference in court,” Lola said. “One worthy of my profession.”

“You’ll get over it.” Cady grinned.

“So this is the place where you were arrested. It was such an interesting article in the paper this morning,” Agnes said as she stared out the tinted windows at the sleazy bar.

Cady’s eyes accused Lola and the others.

“She snatched the paper right out of my hand,” Lola said virtuously. “Besides, I’m too old to tussle over a newspaper that will eventually go into the trash.”

“I thought you were going to save it for my memoirs,” Cady snapped.

“After the article was clipped, dear. Your mother does not have a problem with the article. Can we please move on here?” Lola said.

Move on they did. The Bentley slid into traffic as Anthony expertly guided the big car toward the turnoff leading to the pond.

“Should we place bets now as to whether we’re going to get arrested or not?” Anthony chirped from the driver’s seat.

“Arrested?” Agnes Jordan squeaked.

“You know, Agnes, orange jumpsuits, handcuffs, your Miranda rights, that kind of thing. Don’t sweat it, we’ve done this before. Just go with the flow. Bail is a wonderful thing, and you get your picture in the paper,” Lola said.

“All right, ladies, we’re here. If this was a film I was directing, this is when the lead character, which is you, Cady, would throw out her chest, and say, ‘This is where the rubber meets the road.’”

“It’s the same thing as getting ready to rumble, Mom, or as Lola says, we’re smokin’ now.”

“I see,” Agnes said, clearly not seeing at all. “Well, I’m ready. What do you want me to do?”

“We need to gather up some rocks. Good-size ones. We’re going to playact. Anthony is going to be Pete. Mom, you’re going to be Andy. Mandy is going to be Amy. Lola is going to be Boomer. If Lola plays Boomer’s part, she won’t have to scramble down the embankment. She just has to stand by the tree checking the zip line. Can you pitch a rock, Mom?”