Copyright 1998 -- Robert Baer Jr. D J Entry -- Dinner at Ben's W A R N I N G ------------------ D I S C L A I M E R The following is a work of PURE FICTION, it REALLY DIDN'T HAPPAN, only in my mind. It is for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY, and NOT MEANT TO BE TAKEN TOO SERIOUSLY. It represents a struggle of the mind. The Dinosaur Chronicles PROLOGUE On the outer, outer, outer reaches of cyperspace roams a dinosaur, but not just any dinosaur, a Computer Dinosaur. One who thinks a 1200 baud modem is FAST! How does this ten-ton pre-historic reptile handle things in today's world, well, let's find out......... Entry # 591 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This evening would be very special for me and the "whole gang." Ben Maddog was having a formal dinner party at his estate in Altanta and we were all invited! I had one big problem, though. I didn't have a tuxedo or even a suit big enough for me to wear! Ben was understanding about it, and told me on the phone that I could just wear a black bow tie and that would be OK. Good thing I had my Senator Paul Simon bow-tie in my sock drawer! As I put it around my neck, the doorbell on my cave rang. I STILL don't know how that silly thing rings, but I went to the entrance anyway. I poked my head outside, and there was the Computer Gila Monster, Xeren ZZoom, Computer Renegade, Wanna Talk and Otto! The Gila Monster hates to "dress up" so he simply had a funny-looking tie around his neck, but still wore his leather jacket and boots. Xeren Zzoom looked a little like a "prom date" in his tuxedo. Nathan Lovejoy aka The Renegade dressed in a tux, forsaking the Zorro suit and mask again. Wanna Talk looked quite stunning in her red designer evening gown. Xeren told me that the Computer Counsellor went via black box to Arizona to bring the Mason family to Ben's party. "Nice tie, big guy!" Xeren commented. "Yeah, you look great!" Wanna added. "You're just a big galoot in a bow-tie!" Gila Monster said,"why to we have to dress up anyway?" "Because this is a FORMAL dinner," I answered,"now remember to mind your manners." "And don't keep wiping your mouth on your sleeve!" Xeren told the Gila,"you always embarass me when we eat out." "Me?" the Gila Monster,"and I suppose I'm not allowed to do my famous high-pitched belching either." "That's right," Wanna answered,"C'mon Gila, show a little class tonight, OK?" "Well, OK," the Gila Monster said,"it goes against my grain, but I'll TRY to be a gentleman this evening." "Everyone, gather around," Nathan Lovejoy said as he pulled out his black box,"we're ready to go!" BOOM!!!! Instantly we were all in the backyard of Ben Maddog's spacious estate. The sun was almost ready to go down, but we could see all the peach trees in the courtyard, well lit fountain in the center and directly in front of us, Ben's fabulous home. As we all made our way inside, we noticed how huge and well decorated the front parlor was, paintings lined the walls and a number of Persian rugs on the floor. We also noticed that the Computer Counsellor and the Mason family had already arrived, dressed to the "nines!" Prairie Mason and Ben Maddog were already busy discussing legal matters on the other side of the room. Prairie Rose and the Counsellor were having a lively conversation also. Xeren Zzoom went back outside to join all of the Mason 'kids" for a rousing game of lawn darts. In the center of the room was a large table with all sorts of houv'erves and punch. Four of Ben's grown daughters were at the table serving as hostesses. Then was Abby who was serving up punch, Molly and Linda stood behind the table, still fixing up finger sandwiches and Vicki took our coats, all except the Gila Monster, who refused to relinquish his beloved jacket. I looked all around the room and didn't see Samantha, so I asked Vicki where she was. Vicki said,"Samantha really has been very very depressed since her divorce, she's no doubt up in her room still staring at the walls." "Gee whiz," I said sadly,"isn't there anything anyone can do to cheer her up?" "Well, I don't know," Vicki answered,"I've never seen my sister so upset, almost as sad as the day we all heard about mom. The Counsellor tried to talk to her earlier, but she still won't come down the stairs." "Maybe one of us should go up and talk to her," I suggested. "How about me, partner?" Otto replied. "Well," Nathan said,"maybe she would listen to another dog better than the rest of us, go ahead!" "I'll show you the way, sir!" Vicki offered. "That won't be neccessary little lady," Otto said,"I can detect where she is already, be back in a while." As Otto ran up the stairs, Vicki said,"Wow, a German Shepard that talks like John Wayne, is he single?" "Yup," I said, "he's certainly one of a kind!" Otto knocked gently on Samantha's door. "Go away!" Otto heard from behind the door. "Please, Samantha, may I come in?" Otto said,"I just want to talk with you." "Who are you" said the voice behind the door. "My name is Otto, I'm a German Shepard ma'am, and I want to be your friend." "Well......alright, come in," Samantha said sadly. Samantha was lying on her bed, still crying. Otto slowly approach her and said,"I understand you've been through a bad divorce, is there anything I can do to help you?" "No," Samantha sniffled,"I stiil hurt inside. My divorce was final yesterday, and I know I did the right thing, but I feel so depressed. My life is shattered, I don't know what to do next." "Samantha," Otto said softly,"want to talk about it?" "No," Samantha said,"I just wish I was somewhere calm and peaceful, like the beach." "Your wish is my command!" Otto said and BOOM!!!!! Instantly the two canines were at Myrtle Beach, on the sand just a few yards from the ocean. Samantha was stunned,"how did you do that?" she screamed in wonderment. "I'm a dog of many talents," Otto said with a smile," now, let's take a walk and relax, my dear." As the pair walked the beach, Samantha was finally beginning to cheer up. She even smiled as she and Otto watched the sunset. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Samantha said. "You sure are!" Otto said softly,"oh, you meant the sunset." Samantha smiled, and looked lovingly into Otto's eyes. "This has been a great evening!" she commented,"are you for real? Or is this a dream?" "My dear, this is not a dream," Otto said as he put his paw on her's,"but it's been a dream come true for me!" "I bet to say that to all the ladies," Samantha said softly. "No ma'am," Otto replied,"there have been no other females in my life, until..........now!" The two kissed! "Wait!" Samantha exclaimed,"what about my father's party!" "Do you want to go back?" Otto asked. "I don't want to leave here!" Samantha said loudly,"but we'd better go back before my dad calls the National Guard to find us, but how will we get back to ..... " BOOM!!! Instantly the two were back in Samantha's bedroom. "How did you do that!" Samantha demanded, "no dog can just zap himself to South Carolina and back like that!" "Please, don't spoil the evening with questions!" Otto demanded,"it was a pleasure being with you, Samantha!" As Otto walked toward the door, Samantha shouted,"Wait! Don't leave! Will I ever see you again?" Otto turned and said,"you want to see me again, Samantha?" "Sure!" Samantha shouted,"thank you for showing me a great time." "You're welcome!" Otto said softly,"you will be seeing me again, sooner than you think, shall we join the party, my dear?" "Yes!" Samantha said as both dogs quickly shook the sand off of their legs. "Samantha, don't tell anyone about our little trip, OK?" Otto asked. "No one would ever believe me if I did!" Samantha said. The two canines ran down the stairs, they were too late for dinner. "Dinosaur, I've never seen anyone eat so much salad before in my life," Ben Maddog said as we all walked out of the dining room. "I guess I may have overdid it a little," I said. "Gila Monster," Wanna said,"you did show manners tonight, right up to a few minutes ago." "Alright," the Gila Monster said,"so I messed up during dessert, big deal!" "Gila," Xeren explained,"never try to eat a flaming dessert until after the flame burns out!" "Now he tells me!" the Gila Monster said,"it was still delicious, and heartwarming, I must admit!" "Besides," the Counsellor said,"one does not yell 'dig in!' and then stick their entire face into a bowl of sherbet!' "Haven't you heard of a spoon," Xeren added. "Hey, I had to put out the fire somehow!" the Gila Monster explained,"I thought it was great! Did you see Prairie's kids try to imitate me?" "Yes," Prairie Mason said sternly,"you set a very bad example." "Once a slob, always a slob!" Xeren said. "You just don't know how to have fun!" the Gila Monster said with a grin. Xeren just shook his head. Ben looked at Samantha and Otto and said,"you two missed dinner, where have you been?" "Otto was really cheering me up, dad!" Samantha said as they walked toward us. "He cheered you up?" the Gila Monster said,"how can he do that, he's only a mechan........OWWW!" At that moment, Otto's back foot had stomped the Gila Monster's boot. "Better have that checked," Otto said with a wink. "Did you see that?" I asked Nathan. "I don't believe it!" Nathan said in surprise,"what has gotten into him?" It was only later that we all learned what happaned between the two of them that night. None of us knew what Otto was doing, but one thing was for certain, he wasn't acting much like a robot that night? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm........... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of entry.