By @naomimrshl

Ancient Boo watched the parade of TV news and recording equipment lead a small battalion of black limousines  and trailers from her perch atop the Evil Twin Invasion 2 Memorial Bridge.

The well-polished Memorial Embedded Cannon Ball caught the sun and sent a gleam of light out  - adding to the festive feeling that graced the small village of Edenville at the start of their great adventure with the Olde Junk Roadhouse.

Then a ribbon cutting ceremony for Frank's Water Mill and Curious Inventions for Sale or Barter, to be topped off by the Founder's Day Dance, the Bi-Centenial Good Citizen Awards, and Shrimp Festival in the High School Gymacafatorium.

As the Olde Junk parade passed in front of Boo, she glared at the intruders and wondered what punishment she could inflict.  Ever since the rumors about this day had started to circulate, Bessie had started watching the show (including reruns) on TV... it had seriously cut into Ancient Boo's attention time, and she had become quite jealous.

A baby blue , Terry-cloth bathrobe attired Edward Fudge emerged, coffee in hand, to watch the line of vehicles descend on his town. From his high, clematis draped  veranda, he counted 14 vans and cars that would need parking spots - and wondered if someone had had the foresight to put that into the money mix.

After the TV company threaded its way into Frank's parking lot, and a general flurry of equipment was unloaded and set up in the warehouse - mixed with a rush on coffee and hot buns provided by the Pub.  Things had subsided to a low roar.

The townsfolk - unsure of protocol - began to line up. Each one, carrying a precious piece of Olde Junk, and hoping against hope that they would be one of the chosen.

Twila had brought Ted... Ted the Shrunken Head, as well as a genuine replica of Marilyn Monroe's wig.

Mayor Maynot had finally given up and brought all he had: grass skirt, wife's gold pin, and The Maynot Genealogical Record dating back to Charlemagne.

Tom Fiddler, after hours spent in his secret grotto, had decided on a  bright red whale bone corset once worn by Gypsy Rose Lee... for her last world tour.

More and more folks showed up and everybody wanted to see everybody else's treasure.  Most folks were happy to share, but Bessie kept hers in the box.

Tables were quickly set up and the line started to move slowly forward as the three producers decided, one by one, which piece of Olde Junk was suitable for airtime. The rejects hung their heads in shame as they slunk back to their homes... their Junk found unworthy.

But the lucky ones were categorized and sent off to wait in special places... places just for their junk... they felt real special and spent a lot of time combing each other's hair and picking lint off their sweaters.

About that time, Ancient Boo made her move..

During a preliminary examination of a sixth century burial urn, Boo jumped up on the table and slung a  long  dead rat into the urn!
The judge, a young Antiques and Curious Whatnot Trader of renown, screamed and fell backyard, kicking the table, which toppled the urn, which fell with a boom and a crash... broken into a hundred shards of ancient clay... many imbedded in the still moist dead rat.

Boo quickly disappeared into the horrified crowd... chuckling an evil cat chuckle, she headed for the mill stones.

There was mischief afoot!
( or should we call it mischief apaw?)