Read Me a Bedtime Story: Splendid Auction Finds- Chapter 3

Splendid Auction Finds

Chapter 3

Jonathan Joy

The Ashland Beacon

Lulu’s recent Storage Wars like auction wins netted a bunch of valuable old toys, books, some Christmas décor, a pair of magical shoes that make the wearer super-fast, and a Kids Space Force flying craft that attracted the attention of an interstellar gang of alien dudes. 

It took a lot of babysitting, lawn mowing, car washing, and other odd jobs, but eventually 12-year-old Lulu Campbell scraped together a sizeable sum to take auction hunting again.  

For thirty bucks she won a small unit that she probably lost money on, but Lulu really wanted the unique, tiny boom box inside, one that would play something called a cassette tape. 

For forty dollars she outbid three other treasure hunters to take home an even smaller unit.  Thankfully, it contained a big surprise inside.  “It’s a safe!”  Lulu imagined cracking that safe open to find gold, jewels, and cash.  Unfortunately, it protected nothing but some boring paperwork.

Lulu spent every bit of her remaining money – one hundred and twenty big ones – on her third storage unit win of the day.   

“A bike.  Old records.  Comics.  Candles.  I’m going to make some cash on this stuff.” 

One more treasure got Lulu’s eye.  “Oh, this is good.  I’m going to have to get this checked out.” 

Lulu was holding what appeared to be an antique pro wrestling action figure.  She was somewhat familiar with wrestling figures from the 80s, because her grandpa has a bunch on display in his house.  Included are the likes of ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, George ‘The Animal’ Steele, and close to thirty others. 

“I don’t recognize this one, though.”  Lulu said, staring down at the eight-inch-tall toy, complete with championship belt and wearing a dazzling green, gold, and silver luchador mask.   

Suddenly, the figure spoke back!  “Yeah, I don’t recognize you, either!”  It yelped.

Lulu screamed and dropped it. 

“Ouch!  What’d you do that for?” The figure spoke after smashing hard on the concrete ground below.

Lulu was stunned.

This was no ordinary action figure.  This plastic form had come to life!

“Is this for real?”  Lulu asked.

“Name’s Rocket Rodriquez, Appalachian ‘rasslin champion.  And, yes, I am very real.  And in big trouble.  You’ve got to help me.”  Rocket pleaded.

Rocket explained how he had been hexed by Lady Marlene.  “She manages my nemesis Hank Hurts.  I’m supposed to defend my title against him this weekend at Saturday Night Slaughter.  As you can imagine, in my current condition, I don’t stand a chance.  He’ll stomp on me.”

“What can I do?” Lulu asked Rocket. 

 “You don’t attend Splendid Middle School by any chance, do you?  Or know someone who does?”  Rocket asked. 

Lulu was, indeed, a student at SMS. 

“That’s perfect.”  Rocket was noticeably relieved.  “Lady Marlene is a math teacher there.  Her real name is Mrs. Hill.”

Lulu spoke aloud, trying to make sense of all this new information.  “Mrs. Hill is a pro wrestling manager with the power to hex people and make them super small.  Actually, you know, that tracks.” 

“This is your mission, Lulu.” Rocket continued. “There is an antidote hidden in her husband’s science lab at Splendid Middle.  You must find it.”

“Mr. Hill is in on this, too?”

“Will you help me?” Rocket pleaded.  

Lulu agreed to help.  Access wouldn’t be a problem, as Lulu volunteered in the library after school on some days and she had noticed that Splendid Middle empties out particularly fast on Fridays.

Friday arrived.  Lulu took a break from shelving returned library books and grabbed her backpack.  “I’ve got to go to the bathroom, Miss Sylvia.  I’ll be right back.”  She told the kindly librarian.

The school appeared to be empty other than Miss Sylvia, the principal and some administrative personnel in the front office and the eight-inch-tall wrestler hidden in Lulu’s backpack. 

Lulu made her way stealthily to Mr. Hill’s lab.  Rocket slipped out of his backpack shelter long enough to help find the antidote.  Lulu snatched it and made her escape.

“Can I help you?”  A voice summoned from behind Lulu.  She turned to find Gerald the Janitor, mop in hand, staring her down. 

“Oh, I was just looking for Mr. Hill.  I had a question about homework, but I guess he left already.”  Lulu made her excuse and ran away before Gerald could question further.  She proceeded fast down the hall, around a corner, and unexpectedly collided right into Mrs. Hill. 

“Someone has been snooping around where she doesn’t belong.”  Mrs. Hill said, menacingly.  Lulu was terrified.  Visions of being shrunk down like Rocket danced in her head, as Mrs. Hill closed in.  “Come with me.”  Mrs. Hill reached out and grabbed Lulu hard on the shoulder. 

Suddenly, Rocket Rodriquez bounded out of Lulu’s backpack and drop-kicked Mrs. Hill right on the chin.  It was enough of a distraction for Lulu and Rocket to flee with the antidote.   

Imagine the look on Lady Marlene’s face the next night when a full-sized Rocket Rodriquez showed up to defend his title at Saturday Night Slaughter.

She was even more surprised to see Lulu Campbell in Rocket’s corner.  And Lady Marlene was quite dismayed when Rocket Rodriquez retained his Appalachian title with a 1-2-3 pinfall win against Hank Hurts.

Lulu and Mrs. Hill never spoke of the events of this story, though their relationship was more than a bit strained on the school days that followed.  You could catch one giving the other the evil eye from time to time in class.

In her search for storage unit treasures, Lulu made a little cash and found a lot of adventure.  More importantly, she made a new friend in Rocket Rodriquez.  That’s valuable.  A friend is the most important treasure of all.