Overheard at Chipperfields' ... Part LXX ...

Dani, JayDee, The Rev and J-- were standing across the street in front of the Hardware store watching as the fire men entered and exited the front doors of the store. Wisps of smoke were still curling out the door that was propped open by one of the iron chairs used outside in the summer time.

"I knew I shouldn't have played a country song," said The Rev, trying to smile slightly, "I always said it was just bad news ..."

"Not really funny Rev," said JayDee, "how are we going to tell Ross and Bonnie about this?"

"Well, if this doesn't smoke them out of their basement, nothing will," said J--, his face looking serious, "pardon the pun ..." a slight smile crosed his lips.

As they stood with a group of folks from the community they noticed the fire chief heading across the road. He had removed his fire helmet and was carrying it tucked under his arm. He was wearing a forced smile as he approached. He nodded at J-- and The Rev as he stepped up in front of JayDee and Dani.

"The fire's out," he said flatly, "it looks like the juke box is toast and the pictures on the wall around it are gone, but we managed to get it out before it did too much damage." He paused briefly, "You're just lucky a couple of us were up at the station when this was called in, or it would have been a total lose."

"Like the Church," said The Rev shaking his head.

"Pretty much," said the Chief, "I'd hate to think about losing another Main Street institution."

"So, how bad is it?" asked Dani, shivering from standing outside without her coat.

"It's not as bad as it could be," said the Chief, "but it's pretty bad. There's a lot of smoke damage. But the place looks prett good. Nothing a good clean up and a coat of paint and some repairs couldn't set straight."

"When can we go in?" asked JayDee, biting her lip, "and when can we get the cleaners in?"

As she spoke the firemen dragged the charred remains of the juke box out and dumped it unceremoniously on the street in front of the store. The stepped away as one of thier comrades hosed the juke box down.

"So, what happened?" asked J--, "can you tell anything?"

"Well, I took a look in the Juke Box and it looks like whoever tuned it up used a fair bit of lubricant and oil, and my guess would be that that stuff overheated and lit up. The 45s in there would have lit up like a christmas tree, and the rest is ..." he exhaled, "your just lucky it wasn't worse."

"So can we go in?" asked JayDee, "to atleast lock up the cash and get out coats?"

"Oh sure," the chief said, "the fire marshall happened to be in town, and he's cleared the site already. The only loose end right now is contacting the owners of the building, and Bonnie and Ross so they can get the insurance involved."

"So, we can go in?" asked JayDee, her face serious, her eyes wide.

"Yeah sure," said the Chief, "come with me." He turned and headed back across the street. JayDee and Dani followed the Chief, JayDee turned and noticed The Rev and J-- were standing on the curb not moving.

"Come on you two," she said shaking her head, "you're part of the family."

Together the four of them followed the Chief across the street, past the remains of the juke box and in the front door. The interior of the store was dark, and the distinct smell of smoke caused them to gasp and cough.

"Gee, I didn't think I'd smell this again anytime soon," said The Rev as he stepped in the door and looked around.

"This isn't quite as bad as the Church," observed the Chief.

"No this is like the episode of Happy Days when Arnolds burned down," observed JayDee taking in the darkened tableau spread before her, "Where do we even begin?" a slight tear formed in her eye.

"I'd call Cascade Cleaning in Brandon," said the Chief, "they could be up here tonight and you could be up and running again in a couple of days."

"Don't I have to wait for Ross and Bonnie to open the Insurance claim?" asked JayDee.

"Well, if you explain the situation to them," said the Chief, "they might start the clean up so you can get back up and running. But I don't know. It wouldn't hurt to ask."

"So, do we need to find Ross and Bonnie?" asked Dani.

"I could drive up to their house and let them know," said J-- with a laugh.

"Not Funny," said JayDee flatly, "what if they really aren't at the house? What do we do then?"

"We could email them," suggested Dani helpfully, "I'm sure they'll figure something is up when they sign on to the security camera and don't see anything." Her hand waved toward where the camera once was. It was then that all of them noticed the charred and melted line of memorabilia and collectables that had taken the brunt of the fire.

JayDee gasped, "I thought you said it was only the juke box and the wall that was damaged," her hand motioned to the shelf, "there's a heck of alot more burned than just the corner."

"Well," The Chief paused, "the flames caught the fake pine tree stuff up there and it just went woosh ... looks like the TV and all the electronics there are done, and all the crap on the top shelf. I think the plastics just lit up like candles ..."

"Ross is gonna be some upset," said J-- quietly, "all his treasures are gone ..."

"Really," stated JayDee with a sigh, "I think losing his coffee memorabilia will be the very least of his worries ..."

"You okay?" asked Dani, arching an eyebrow, "you're sounding a little wound up ..."

JayDee sighed, "I'm okay ... I just feel so helpless right now ..."

Dani and J-- turned and looked at The Rev.

"Got anything to add?" asked the Chief glancing at The Rev too.

"Nope," The Rev shook his head, "I've been here before and helpless is all you get ..."

The other four nodded their heads.

"The best we can do right now is get busy and clean the place up," as The Rev spoke he pulled out his cell phone, "Phone the cleaning company now and get on to with it ..." he handed his phone to JayDee who nodded as she took it.

"Got the number for them Chief?" she asked as she flipped open the phone.

The Chief nodded and pulled a small book out his overalls and recited a number. Wordlessly JayDee began dialing it ...

J-- looked around and shook his head, "It's gonna be a big job ..."

"Got that right," said the Chief, "everything edible is gonna have to get dumped. And everything will have to be cleaned. It's gonna be big ..."

The four of them stood shaking their heads ...

"Bonnie's not gonna be happy," observed The Rev.

"Should we drive out to the house and let them know?" Dani asked, a slight smile crossing her face, "or do we email them in Costa Rico?"