A Hunting I Will Go! by SnookieBunnie The men from station 51's A-shift had just passed the safety of their corner of LA County over to the capable B-Shift and were in the locker room changing, preparing to leave for a rare 3 days off. "So, Gage, what are you planning on doing with your three days?" "I'm going hunting, Chet!" "HUNTING?!?" chimed the other three men in unison, disbelief showing on their faces. "Yeah! Hunting!" Johnny grinned at his confused friends. "Um, Junior, I may regret this, but just what are you hunting?" "Well, Roy, what else would I be hunting for at this time of the year? GEEESH!" "Donıt tell me it is Prom time already, and you are hunting for a date, Gage?" sneered Chet. "Oh, so very funny, Chet! When will you ever grow up?" "I'm waiting for you to catch up to me, Johnny, so we can do it together." "What do you and Johnny plan on doing together, Pal?" Captain Stanley asked the mischievous man. "Oh, nothing, Cap............. because Johnny will NEVER catch up to me"..... Chet muttered under his breath as he tied his sneakers. "Seriously, Johnny, what are you hunting?" Marco asked as he shut his locker and walked over to Johnny anxious for an answer. "OH, NO, Gage! Donıt tell me you are going to brave the malls and actually go shopping?" "YUP, Cap! That is my plan!" Johnny replied as he zipped up his jeans and gave his captain a huge lopsided grin. "OH, MAN! You are nuts! I hate shopping at the mall at this time of the year!" "Yeah! Iım with you, Marco! I just give everyone a card or a gift certificate and call it done!" "THAT, Chet, has nothing to do with the crowds...... you are just lazy and cheap..... and unimaginative. You have to be creative to come up with gift ideas and then you can ejoy the shopping experience!" gloated Johnny as he mentally doubled checked his gift list. "Well, Partner, even if I know what I want to get, I am with the guys.... it is not fun walking a half mile to the mall because all the 'good' parking spaces were taken-- pushing through the mobs of people-- trying to find the right color or size-- bumping into everything with your packages-- trying to figure out what to do with the packages when you have to go to the bathroom-- trying to read what JoAnne scribbled on her 'hint' list-- trying to find that darn Princess Pony whatever that Jen is sulking for and the Trans-something that Chris is begging for..........." Roy suddenly stopped his monolog, realizing he was rambling on about his latest shopping fiasco. "Gee, Roy, donıt sugar coat it, tell us how you really feel about Christmas shopping?" kidding Mike from the corner of the locker room. The men of A-shift all laughed heartedly as the paramedic blushed and hurried for the door. "Well, Junior, if that is what you really want, have fun! But when you are grumpy and tired from shopping, why don't you join us for supper?" "Thanks, Roy! I'll take you up on that, under one condition." "Oh?" "You cannot bug me to find out what I got you or go through the packages, shaking them!" "You got a deal, Johnny. I can wait until Christmas, but I am not making any promises for JoAnne-- she is a sneak!!" The two friends laughed and headed out the door towards their vehicles, happily making plans for later that day. |