#eb x looka

[fluttytheflutt]

“You are a tower of strength to me”

[joethetoonfanandoutcast]

Glurfsburg Triple Date

I imagine this triple date taking place in Meepville: Guy/Michellee, EB/Looka (who's visiting), and Sam/Gluntz.

[allthewritem0ves]

Episode Eight: The Gluntz-cracker

With Snerz and his accomplices on the loose

Our heroes weren’t safe in the suite

In the cover of night and heavy disguise

They flee through the Whoville streets

Since everyone had their ornaments hung up on the tree, they were all going home. This made sneaking through easier.

Everyone ran from alleyway to alleyway, looking overhead in case a sleigh flew above them.

So far so good.

Grinch led the pack. Guy and Pam were close on his heels. E.B., Cindy and Looka followed. Donna and her mother held Buster and Bean respectively in their arms. Michellee did the same with Guy Jr. Bricklebaum brought up the rear.

Still, nothing flew over them. Also, thankfully for them that no one questioned a group of people moving in secrecy out of town.

At this point the only thing that would give away their position was the crunching snow.

“This is the loudest snow I've ever heard in my life!”, Grinch said in a harsh whisper.

Just then, Max came barreling down the footpath, barking. He jumps into Grinch’s arms.

“Hey, Max. You okay, bud?”, he asked him.

The dog whimpered and barked twice.

“He’s saying that he missed you”, Gluntz said. Grinch and everyone else looked at her in stupefied silence. “What? I studied animal linguistics.”

“Oh, right. I remember”, said Guy.

“I’m sorry, Max. I won’t leave you alone again. We’re gonna go to Madame Vaneau’s place. Remember her?”

Max barks in reply.

“Come on, little buddy.”

——

Max now in the mix

They continued on as they were

But the outlaws were far from over

With their sights on a new saboteur

The three men landed their sleigh on top of a cliff half a kilometer outside of Whoville. A new sack of loot occupied the back seat. They sat around a fire, tending to their wounds.

“Any reason you had us rob the Lou-Who house this time?”, Kyler asked.

“They were associates of the Grinch, that’s why”, Snerz answered. “He’s a new enemy. If he just minded his own business, we wouldn’t have to take it out on anyone else.”

“How did you know they were associated?”

“Who doesn’t?”

“Clearly not me.”

“You’d think a hitman would know more about people’s history.”

“Uh, I only research others if I’m required to, so don’t come at me with that big-headed, know-it-all mindset of yours.”

“Now see here, Twotymer!”

“That’s enough!”, Philip yelled. His two companions stopped at once. Philip struggled to stand up. “We can’t be at each other’s throats after losing like that. We gotta prepare to hit them back harder when they show their ugly faces in town again.”

Kyler and Snerz exchange looks, both shocked at Trousers’s smart thinking. Maybe all those whacks to the dome that Pam gave him increased his intelligence, but that probably wasn’t the case.

“Trousers is right. We can’t fall apart now. There’s still a cold serving of revenge we gotta dish out.”

“So what do we do?”

——

I’d love to keep recapping what they’re doing

But this isn’t their story

Let’s check back in with our leads

And not three people who are predatory

The walk around Mt. Crumpit was long. Pretty soon the kids were complaining about the cold.

“Don’t worry, E.B. We’re almost there”, Guy told her.

“Ugh. But my feet feel frozen solid”, she moaned. Especially since Cindy was now being carried on Bricklebaum's shoulders.

Guy wanted to scoff, but didn’t want to come across as insensitive. He then asked Grinch, “Is that house any closer?”

“Shouldn’t be too far now”, he answered.

“How do you know this person by the way?”

“She’s lived here for forty years. I didn’t really talk to her until a year ago. When I…was about to throw everyone’s stuff off the mountain, she later came up to me, congratulated me for ultimately doing the right thing and told me I was welcome to visit anytime.”

“What’s she like?”

“Very smart and, at the same time, very mysterious.”

“Kinda vague, buddy.”

“I can’t do justice to describing her. You’ll have to see for yourself.” He makes a nostalgic sigh. “Still, I know she’ll let us in. Not like we have any other choice.”

Guy had a feeling Grinch was right

Happens quite a lot to him, you know?

Hopefully his friend was kind

In addition to being smart, this Madame Vaneau

Before long, they made it in front of a two story house that was painted magenta. Orange lights were flickering softly inside, which must’ve meant that she had a fire going. There was a faint smell of tea leaves and burning incense and the muted sound of music emanating from within.

“Mmm, Earl Grey tea”, said Gluntz, “My favorite.”

“How could you tell? I can barely smell it”, Guy asked.

“Oh. Just would really go for a cup right now.”

“Maybe she’ll accommodate you.”

“Okay, everyone. Hold on while I make introductions”, Grinch said. He walks up to the door and knocks. A few moments later, a woman answered. She was dressed in a magenta robe, the same color as her house, had at least ten bead necklaces on, her white hair tied in a bun and, to cap it all off, wore glasses with lenses that were at least three inches thick, magnifying her eyes beyond belief. She looked like a purple glitter bug.

“Grinch! So good to see you, my friend!” She spoke in a mild but still excited voice.

“Thanks. Happy to see you too.” He takes her hand in his and kisses her knuckles. Max happily ran around Madame Vaneau.

“I'm happy to see you too, Maxy. Have you been a good boy?”

He barks in response.

“Madame, if you don’t mind, me and my good friends here need a place to hide out for a while. I hope it’s not too intrusive.”

She looks at the group waiting outside the door, counting fourteen altogether.

Guy was silently praying Please let us stay. Please let us stay.

“Since you said please, I’ll oblige”, Vaneau said as if reading his mind.

He looks at Michellee and asks, “How did she know what I was thinking?”

“Beats me.”

Everyone walks in.

——

Upon entering, the house seemed bigger on the inside.

On the first floor, there was a study just left of the front door. To the right was the living room, which had a fire going in the hearth. Through a door in the back was the reading room. Behind some sliding doors was the music room, although there was no piano or any other musical instrument for that matter. Instead there were stools circling around a small table that had a burning incense stick and a tray of tea. A little radio was playing ambient music. On the left, next to the study, were the stairs. Presumably, the bedrooms were up there. Each room was painted with a lighter shade of pink, though it was kinda hard to tell due to the low lighting.

“I like your house”, E.B. told Madame Vaneau.

“So do I”, said Cindy.

“Why thank you.”

“Allow me to introduce everyone”, Grinch said. He then goes around naming everyone in the group. Vaneau shook hands with each of them. When she shook Gluntz’s hand, her expression lit up.

“My, my. You’re quite an excitable one, aren’t you?”

Gluntz laughs, feeling commended. “Yes I am. Just ask any of my friends here.”

Vaneau leans in closer to whisper, “Does everyone else know yet?”

Gluntz tensed up. “No. How did you-?” She couldn’t even finish her question.

“It’s what I do.”

“How did she what?”, E.B. asked.

“Oh, nothing.” Gluntz smiled, hoping to throw her off. Then she lowers her head and sighs.

Then Sam was greeted. When Madame Vaneau noticed his injury, she didn’t attempt to shake hands. Instead, she told him, “I wish you a speedy recovery, Sam-I-Am.”

“Thanks.” He didn’t really know what else to say.

Finally, Vaneau shook hands with Pam. Upon taking her hand, like with Gluntz, her mood began to reflect on whom she was greeting.

“Is something wrong?”, Pam asked.

“I’d been meaning to ask you the same thing, dear”, Vaneau answered. Then out loud to everyone, “I can see these three bear a heavy burden on all their minds. I propose we all gather in the music room for circle time.”

“No, no. We don’t need to do that”, Gluntz said quickly. “I'm not hiding anything.” She made some awkward laughs. Everyone, besides Sam and Pam, as well as Michellee and Grinch, looked at her in confusion. “Seriously, I’m not!”

“Mm mm mm. It doesn’t do the spirit any good to keep secrets from your friends. It’s always best to keep everyone in the loop.”

“Even if it’s a surprise?”

“This is different. Grinch told me you’re all on the run from some men trying to get you. Now’s a better time than later to take all your skeletons out of the closet.”

“Please. I did that three years ago”, Sam said.

“I don't think that's how she meant it”, said Guy.

“Grinch, I thought she was gonna keep us safe, not make us reveal secrets”, Pam griped to him.

“I’m sorry. I had no idea this would happen.”

——

Madame Vaneau showed them all to their rooms. Guy, Michellee, E.B., Looka and Junior shared the largest guest room. The Lou-Who’s were given the one next to them. Pam, Sam and Gluntz had the one across the hall, next to the bathroom. Grinch shared the couches with Bricklebaum in the reading room downstairs, with Max lying wherever he felt like. Due to the low number of beds, some of them had to stretch out on piles of blankets around the floors in the rooms. Wasn’t really the ideal sleeping scenario, but it’d have to do.

Meanwhile, in the I-Am’s room, Gluntz was sobbing in her hands. Sam and Pam sat on either side of her, trying their best to make her feel better.

“I didn’t want to tell everyone until Christmas. I don’t think I can tell everyone now.” Sam pulled her closer.

“I know. I was really looking forward to surprising everyone too, but Madame Vaneau thinks it’s best.”

“Trust me, Gluntz. I don’t want to do this either, but who knows? Our business with Snerz, Trousers and Twotymer isn’t done yet and no one wants to go out without a clean slate”, Pam said.

“What? Are you saying they might kill us?”

“I won’t let that happen to anyone.”

Sam showed his hands. “Well, they almost got me. This time and last time, with both Mr. Jenkins and the Moo-Lacka-Moo. This time, they left me with battle scars.”

“Oh, Sam. I didn’t want it to come to this”, Gluntz said, her voice low trying to keep a lid on her emotions.

“Me neither. So help me, if I see that Kyler Twotymer…” He pauses. Then he remembered something his mom said in the warehouse. You won’t take anyone from me again! That and Kyler mentioning the name Gene. “Mom, who was Gene?”

Pam slowly turns the other way, closes her eyes and shakes her head. “Can’t tell you now, Sam. We’ll have to wait until morning.” She gets up and walks over to her bedroll that was laid out by the window. Fat snowflakes fell softly outside.

Gluntz was drying her eyes with a handkerchief. “I guess I can tell everyone tomorrow. Can you tell us about Gene as well?” She directs that question towards Pam.

The spy stands straight up, keeping her composure. She’s done a good job keeping her cool, even in front of her family and she wasn’t ready to end that streak anytime soon.

Yet still, the three of them were all getting stuff off their chests and she couldn’t fight the inevitable.

——

The next morning, Madame Vaneau made a big breakfast for her guests. Plain oatmeal with all the various fruits and flavorings laid out on the counter, toast and pitchers of juice.

“I hate to come off as picky, but you would happen to have green eggs and ham, do you?”, Pam asks.

“Why, I do believe I have some. They your favorite?”

“No. They’re Sam’s. I was hoping to make him some.”

Madame Vaneau walks over to her refrigerator and pulls out the required ingredients. “Here they are.”

“Thanks, Madame.”

The last one to get their food was Grinch. He filled a small bowl with oatmeal and sprinkled cinnamon on top. Then he picks up the pitcher of apple juice and pours himself a glass.

As Pam tied an apron around herself, she saw that Grinch was looking at her. She didn’t say this out loud, but his gaze gave her goosebumps. When he agreed to help make a present for Gluntz on a dime, combined with his willingness to help rescue E.B. just endeared him to her. He wasn’t that crabby recluse who only looked out for himself anymore.

“Everything okay, Pam?”, he asked, snapping her out of her stupor.

“Oh. Y-Yes”, she stammered. She picked up the ham slices and carton of eggs and brought them closer to her by the stove. As she begins prepping the food for her son, she finally says, “I wanted to thank you, Grinch.”

“What for?”

“For stopping me from killing Twotymer. You were right; Sam wouldn’t want me to be a killer even if it was for revenge. He’d probably never want his baby to be associated with me if he knew I killed.”

“It’s no big deal. I know all about stopping before going over the edge.”

Pam brought the eye down to a simmer to keep the eggs from burning. “Could you grab me one of those plates over there?”

“Sure.” He takes an empty dish off the counter and hands it to Pam. Grinch could just faintly see the nervous smirk on her face. “Something funny?”, he asked.

The spy rapidly shook her head. “No.”

Grinch lifted her chin with his finger. They locked eyes with each other. “Are you…feeling…you know, that?”

“I think I might be”, she whispered.

“Oh, thank goodness. I hoped I wasn’t the only one”, he confessed.

“You mean…you feel…as you called it, that?”

“I’d say what ‘that’ is, but it’s too early.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Pam turns back to the stove. “Don’t want to lose focus on what’s important.”

Then Sam walks in.

“Hey, Mom. Hey, Grinch”, he says with a smile. “Gluntz is really craving some more toast and juice, so I came to get her some more.” He grabs all three pitchers and an entire stack of toast.

“Well, I made you these green eggs and ham.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

As he leaves, Pam continues. “I guess we should join the others now.”

——

Meanwhile, at the dining room table, everyone ate in relaxed silence. Michellee was helping Guy Jr. with eating his breakfast.

“P- P-”, the baby babbled.

Oh my gosh! Here we go!

This is it!

Junior’s finally gonna say something

Let’s just hope he doesn’t throw a fit

“Yes, Junior?”, Michellee asked in an expectant voice. Guy and E.B. listened in too.

“His first word?”, Donna asked.

“Uh-huh. He’s been trying for days, but he’ll get there.”

“P-…P-…” He was spacing out his letters now. Then he closes his mouth.

“Aww, man. He was so close”, E.B. says.

“I wouldn’t worry too much”, Donna says. “My boys haven’t said their first words yet either, but we’re getting there.”

Further down the table, Gluntz was wolfing down her third bowl of oatmeal, along with the entire stack of toast and one of the juice pitchers.

“Goodness, Gluntz. You must’ve been really hungry!”, Bricklebaum said in surprise. Everyone else looked at her, sharing in the shock.

“My goodness”, Guy gasps.

“I thought my dad was runaway crazy about toast”, Looka remarked.

“Oh, yeah. I’m just…a little nervous about…being in the circle”, she answered.

Sam leans closer to her ear. “The baby’s hungry, aren’t they?”, he whispers.

“Tell me about it”, she whispers back. “Are you gonna finish that?” She points to his plate of green eggs and ham.

“Go ahead. You need it more than-” He wasn’t able to finish as she snatches the plate and eats.

Everyone was looking at Sam now. “What? She’s really hungry.”

Michellee lowers her head and shakes it. Pam and Grinch lock eyes with each other.

——

After breakfast, everyone sat in the music room, except for E.B., Looka and Cindy, who had to watch the babies in the reading room.

Madame Vaneau turns on her radio and soft ambient music begins playing.

Gluntz sat directly across from Madame Vaneau’s chair. To her left was Sam, Pam, Donna and her mother. To her right was Michellee, Guy and Grinch. She sat drinking her tea skittishly.

Sam offered her his hand. It was his heavily bandaged right one.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Sam”, she said.

“It’s okay. I trust you.”

She takes it, holding it softly.

“Very well. Let’s begin”, Madame Vaneau said. “Sam, Gluntz, I think you two should go first. Tell us all what’s going on. Take as much time as you need to prepare yourselves.”

The couple looks at each other. You ready?, Sam mouths. Gluntz nods.

“Here goes”, Sam said out loud. “Guy?”

“Yes?”

“Remember when we played truth or dare at my mom’s place?”

“I do.”

“This is just like that.”

“In what way? I don’t think this is a game.”

Pam was tapping her foot rapidly like a rabbit, almost ready to blurt it out herself.

Sam looks to Gluntz to let her know it’s her cue. “Everyone, I…well…” She took many pauses. “I didn’t…want to tell you all this until Christmas morning, but,…Sam and I…” She takes his hand again. “We’re having a baby.”

All the adults besides Michellee, Pam, Grinch and Vaneau made shocked expressions.

“I knew it!”, E.B. rang out from the reading room.

“Nothing gets past that girl”, Sam said, shaking his head.

Guy noticed how nonchalant Michellee reacted to the news. “You knew?”, he asked her.

“Yes. I knew as soon as I saw her. I figured she didn’t want everyone to know yet, so I didn’t say anything at the time. When I did, I promised I wouldn’t tell”, Michellee explained.

Guy could’ve slumped back in his stool, but he would’ve fallen over.

“Please don’t get hung up on it, Guy. I made a promise.”

“I know.” He turns to look at Sam and Gluntz and says, “Congratulations, you two.”

“Yeah, congrats”, said Donna.

“Many wishes”, said Bricklebaum.

Gluntz thanked everyone. She thought it’d be bad to reveal her surprise so soon, but all the thanks and support her close peers were giving her warmed her heart.

Sam, however, laid his head in his hands, his elbows resting on his knees.

“Are you okay, Sam?”, Bricklebaum asked.

“I wish”, he replied. He wipes a stray tear from the corner of his eye.

“I do believe Sam has another grievance on his mind”, Madame Vaneau notes. “Care to share it?”

Sam was letting out nervous breaths between his teeth. Then he begins.

“It’s just…” He paused. “Don’t get me wrong, I am excited. I really am. It’s just…deep down inside, I don’t think I’m ready. You all know I act too young for my age, I felt incomplete without my mother at my side and now, worst of all, my hands are scarred and my finger is gone!” He burst into tears.

Pam leans over and hugs her son. “Sam, you have nothing to be afraid of. Sometimes, we’re thrust into situations where we have to grow up all at once, but what’s important is that you have friends to help you along the way.”

Sam sniffles. “But I’ve never had anyone of my own to care for. Gluntz, I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“Getting you pregnant.”

She gasps. “Sam! Don’t ever apologize for that!”

“Why not? I’m gonna suck at this whole ‘parenting’ thing. At least Guy and Michellee got married before having Junior. I can’t even hold a baby properly anymore.” He cries some more. Pam and Gluntz hold Sam. Donna looks on with a sympathetic gaze. Bricklebaum, the eternally happy man, felt low too. Even Madame Vaneau looked like she’d crack at any moment.

I’d never seen a more gloomy group than this

In all the years I’ve been narrating

At least Gluntz and Sam had their skeletons out

But Michellee had an idea deliberating

Michellee looks at Guy and nudges her head in Sam’s direction.

“What?”, he whispered.

“Go get Junior”, she told him.

“How come?” Michellee whispers her idea in his ear. “Oh.” He gets up and walks to the reading room. When he returns, he has Guy Jr. in his arms. The baby was smiling due to being in the company of everyone else.

Guy crouches in front of Sam, who looks at him with bloodshot eyes.

“Hold out your hands, Sam.”

“Why?” His voice sounded broken from all his crying.

“Michellee thinks this’ll work. Try holding Junior.”

“Guy, I don’t know…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be right here.” He offers Sam both a warm smile and the baby.

Sam gingerly holds out his hands. He closes his eyes and turns his head to the side.

“No, Sam. Open your eyes.”

“Come on, Sam”, Gluntz coaxed.

“It’s okay”, Pam said.

Sam opened his eyes slowly as Guy placed Junior in his hands. He almost retracted them in fear, but he didn’t want to drop the baby. As he held Junior, he noticed how off balance holding him this time felt. He was so used to having his index finger behind Junior’s head, but now that was out of the question.

Guy was still supporting his hold. Gluntz was resting her hand on his shoulder.

“See? You’ve got this, Sam”, Michellee said across from him.

He smiled at last. He looked down at his godson, who was cooing quietly. Sam had a final tear roll down his cheek.

“Pa-pa”, Guy Jr. said.

Guy and Michellee couldn’t believe their ears. Their little boy finally said his first word!

“I can’t believe it…”, Guy said in an astonished soft voice.

“E.B.! Come in here!”, Michellee shouted to her daughter.

E.B. came in. “What is it?”

“Your brother said his first word!”

“No way! What was it?”

“Papa”, Guy told her.

“Awww…” She hugs Guy as they both look at the baby in Sam’s grasp.

“Can you say it again?”, Sam asked in a sing-song voice.

“Pa-pa”, Junior said again.

Michellee laughs excitedly.

“Who knew, huh?”, Donna asked rhetorically.

“I’m sorry to rain on your parade, but circle time isn’t quite over yet”, said Madame Vaneau.

Sam hands Junior back to E.B. and they both return to the reading room with the other kids. Guy takes his seat back next to his wife.

“Well, Sam, you feeling any more confident?”, Gluntz asked.

“I think so. We do have, what, two and a half more weeks until the baby comes?”

“That’s about right.” They lean together, holding hands.

After a few more seconds of sweet silence, Pam begins her story. “Okay.” She paused to take a deep breath. “Sam, this is about your father.”

Sam perked up. “My father?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Oh my… Is that who Gene was?”

“Yes. When I first met Gene, twenty-six years ago, we were both uncovering some money embezzlement scheme from this Sylvester McMonkey McBean fellow. Your father was a secret service agent for the Dooka of Yookia.”

“The Dooka? As in Looka’s father?”, Guy asked.

“No. His grandfather. Anyway, he was undercover as an employee and I had to sneak evidence back to the Dooka and McBean was imprisoned. After our mission, Gene and I kept in touch and before long, we got married.”

“Wow! Dad was a Yook?”, Sam asked in astonishment.

“Mm-hm. I loved him so much. Pretty soon, you came along and things were perfect. He also had a daughter from a previous marriage that he had custody of after his first wife, I think her name was Lana, passed away. So now I had both a son and a stepdaughter.”

Guy wanted to say ‘What are the odds of that?’, but he held his tongue since Bricklebaum pointed it out already. “Hey, just like Guy!”

“Yes.”

“Wait. I have a sister?!”, Sam asked, this time in excitement.

“Well, half-sister, but yes.”

“That’s awesome! What happened to her?”

“I was coming to that.” Pam made a sad look as she wrapped up. “When you were about a year old, your father was sent alone to uncover a real estate fraud in Anville, but…” She pauses. “…someone hired a hitman to take him out before the names of the corrupt workers were made public. Due to the evidence dying with Gene, the case went unsolved.”

“That’s how you knew Kyler Twotymer. He killed Dad.”

“Unfortunately. After your father’s death, his daughter was sent to a foster home and I haven’t seen her since. Last I remember, her name was Melanie, I think. Then it was just me and you, Sam. After Melanie was taken, I moved the two of us to East Flubria where I thought we’d be safe, but then I was targeted by rival spies and I was forced to leave you at the orphanage and, well, you know the rest.” She took another deep breath to keep her tears in.

Sam slouched easily off his stool as if his whole body turned to water.

“You okay, Sam?”

“I don’t know. I feel…” He didn’t say.

“How about this? When we get out of this, I’ll try to track down Melanie and see if she wants to rejoin our family.”

Sam’s position on the floor didn’t change.

——

Now having knowledge of his father

And a long lost sister

Sam’s mind went boom

His brain a non-exister

With Snerz and Trousers

His grudge was deep

But now Twotymer made three,

That dad-killing creep

Sam was placed in bed. For the next two days, he didn’t say anything to anyone, not even Guy or Gluntz. This worried everyone…

[allthewritem0ves]

Green Eggs and Ham: Extra Bit(e)s - Gluntz

Part 5 of the Extra Bit(e)s series

Facing the Music

(takes place immediately after season 1)

The cold air balloon finally reached Glurfsburg after 8 hours and everything seemed alright. After getting his big revelation off his chest, Sam was loved even more by his travel buddies, Guy and Michellee found a spark in each other, and E.B. got three prizes: a potential stepfather, her mom changed for the better, and she got to know what it was like to own a pet. Everything seemed to be going right for them.

Of course, Gluntz (of all people) was the one to burst their bubble.

“Well, I hate to break it to you guys, but it’s not quite over yet”, she said.

“Oh? How so?”, Sam asked.

“The thing is…McWinkle named me ‘Agent’ Gluntz for a reason and, while you did let the Chickeraffe go, there’s still a slew of offenses regarding endangered animals on your record, Sam-I-Am.”

The others gasped.

“But…I thought”, Sam stuttered, “We were gonna move on from that. Everyone got their happy ending, correct?”

Gluntz nodded. “That’s true. But this isn’t some whimsical cartoon where all problems are swept under the rug and promptly forgotten about”, she said doing a thousand-yard stare across the parking lot. The rest all looked in that direction.

“What are you looking at?”, Guy asked.

“The audience”, Gluntz replied.

“What?”

“Never mind. The point still stands, Sam. Trust me, I hate ruining other people’s fun, but you can’t run from your past forever.”

Sam hangs his head with his eyes closed. Guy pats him on the shoulder.

Just then, E.B. walks forward.

“If Sam’s in trouble, then so am I.”

“Elanabeth!”, Michellee exclaimed.

“No, mom. I don’t want Sam to go to prison. I know that Snerz put him up to this. I’d seen it with my own eyes, and I’m willing to bet that he was behind every other smuggling job he forced Sam to do. But Snerz made a fatal mistake with this job.”

“What is it?”

“Making Sam get accomplices. It’s thanks to us that Mr. Jenkins is back home and out of harm’s way. It’s thanks to us that Sam did the right thing in the end. In that case, if Sam’s in trouble, then I am too.” She steps forward and grabs Sam’s hand.

Guy steps forward and takes Sam’s other hand and says, “Me too.”

Michellee takes E.B.’s hand, also saying, “I am too.”

Gluntz looked at them with sympathy. She usually wasn’t one to take a situation seriously and she was a sucker for people sticking together. “Ok, how about this? I’ll put in a good word for you at the hearing. Since Snerz did get caught and you let the Chickeraffe go, the sentence shouldn’t be too bad”, she explained.

“What should we do?”, E.B. asked.

“Since you three haven’t technically done anything wrong, you’ll be called up as witnesses. You seemed pretty tight with Sam, so I think you’ll go easy on him.”

———

After dropping of Michellee and E.B. at their home, with Guy now staying with them, Gluntz drove Sam back to his trailer on the outskirts of town. The two of them were pretty silent when the rest were in the car with them, but now that they were alone, they carried on their conversation.

Sam begins to say with tears welling up within him, “What if I’m sentenced to a decade in prison? Then I’ll never find my mom again. I can’t stand not seeing her any longer and…” He sniffles and a single tear rolls down his cheek.

“I know, Sam. I did say I’d help in any way I can, if I’m not preoccupied at the moment. It would absolutely destroy me if you never found your mom and I don’t want you to think that I’m taking that away from you”, Gluntz told him. She almost felt ready to cry herself.

“I understand. I should’ve realized that I couldn’t run from the law forever.” He spares a look at Gluntz and a pang of sadness causes another tear to fall.

——

To put it simply, Sam’s hearing was a success.

When Gluntz called Guy to the stand as a witness, he simply explained that he was roped into it due to a mixup with their briefcases and that the damage to the ski lift and Meepville ferry were due to the Goat, who was hired by Snerz, and that he endangered the lives of both him and Sam, as well as E.B. and Michellee.

Speaking of whom, the two ladies offered their testimonies, with E.B. exclaiming, “Sam appointed me as Mr. Jenkins’s protector and I saw to it, gosh darn it.”

In the end, due to Sam ultimately sending Mr. Jenkins back home as well as he and Guy serving in jail in South Shivelston (because it turns out such time to be served was just a day), he walked away with only a one hundred and fifty bruckle fine.

“Thank you, guys”, Sam said, hugging everyone outside the courthouse.

“Don’t mention it”, said Guy.

“Anything for you, Sam”, said Michellee.

“You’re family to us”, said E.B.

“Oh, you guys are so cute!”, Gluntz exclaimed, holding her fists up to her chin. They looked at her. “Oh, right.” She began collecting herself. “If it helps, I just want to say how sorry I am for thrusting this upon you, Sam-I-Am.”

“Don’t worry about it, Gluntz. Just goes to show that you’re really good at your job. McWinkle wouldn’t have made you an agent for nothing.”

The two exchange a warm smile with each other.

“Thanks, Sam. I wish you the best of luck going forward and I hope you find your mother.”

If It Works

(takes place in between seasons)

If there’s one thing Gluntz wants people to know, it’s that she can be zany, maybe a touch naïve, but far from stupid. Her new friends didn’t need a reminder of that, it was mostly the average Joe who needed to remember.

But this latest idea had her questioning if she was really naïve or just plain dumb: could she and Sam be a good pairing?

On the upside, he was pretty similar to her. He was the giddy to Guy’s grumpy the same way she was giddy and McWinkle was grumpy. Anyone on the outside looking in would’ve thrown that idea out there (I’m not saying, I’m just saying, you know?) and there was something about him that just caught her eye, had her thinking that they’d fit together like bread and butter (wink wink).

But the catch is that Sam harbored feelings for Guy, yet still helped him get together with Michellee (long story). That was a red flag that it wouldn’t work.

Yet you never know until you try…

——

Gluntz knocked on Sam’s door.

“Hello, Gluntz!” He seemed pretty happy today. At least he wasn’t mad at her for telling him about going to his hearing. “What brings you here?”

“Oh, nothing much.” She chuckles lightly. “I just…wanted to know…” Now she was stumbling. This was so unlike her. Let’s just hope Sam doesn’t get too curious.

“Yeeeeeeess?” Wow, he really drew out that ‘yes’. He’s suspicious alright.

“I…uh…wanted to know…ifyouwouldliketogoouttonight?” Rapid fire talking. Maybe he’d misheard her because now that she was here, Gluntz was having a few second doubts.

“‘Would I like to go out tonight?’” Uh-oh. He caught everything she said. “I’d love to, Gluntz, but Guy and Michellee are going out on a date tonight and they asked me to watch E.B. until they got back. Sorry.”

Quickly thinking, Gluntz asks, “Why don’t I help you?”

“Okay. I’m sure Guy and Michellee would like another pair of hands on deck. Plus, E.B. thinks you’re pretty cool.”

Gluntz smiles. “Awesome. What time should I come over?”

“Six”, Sam says. “That’s when the two lovebirds will be heading out.”

“All right. See you then, I-Am.”

“You too.”

——

At six, Gluntz pulled up in front of the Weebie house. As she got out of her car, Guy and Michellee were walking out at the same moment. The two of them were dressed formally like they were attending a gala. With both of their professions in mind, that was most likely where they were headed.

Then they noticed Gluntz approaching.

“Gluntz? What are you doing here?”, Michellee asked.

“Sam told me he was gonna be here and that he needed a little extra help tonight”, she explained.

“He did? Well, okay then. We’ll be back by midnight. Just make sure that the house is still tidy and E.B.’s in bed by then.”

“Sure thing. Have fun, you two.” She waves as they walk to the car. Heading inside, she found Sam and E.B. sitting on the couch, watching a movie.

“Hey”, she says out loud.

Sam and E.B. turn around and smile.

“Hi, Gluntz”, E.B. says. “You came to hang out too?”

“You know I did.”

“Yeah, I invited her”, Sam told E.B. This made the little girl snicker softly. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing.” She pretended to look at her watch, even though her wrist was bare. “Would you look at that? I have homework to do.” She gets up and heads to the stairs.

“Umm, E.B. It’s summer.” Gluntz tells her as she walks by.

“I fell behind in math.” She said that without even looking her in the eye.

Gluntz laughs and shakes her head. Then she walks over to the couch. “Hey, Sam.”

He smiles up at her, crinkles forming around the corners of his eyes from his huge grin. “Good evening.”

“Uhh…she’s not really doing homework, is she?”

“I thought you’d know that for yourself.” He pats the cushion next to himself. “Please, sit.”

She sits. Now she was shaking. Since it was apparent that Sam could read her, there was no need to mince words around him.

“Look, Sam. A few weeks back, this crazy idea popped into my head”, she began, making a quick glance at Sam, whose smile had dropped somewhat. Now Gluntz was anticipating the worst possible outcome from her decision. “The idea was…” She paused again. “Never mind. I’m just gonna say it.”

Unbeknownst to the both of them, E.B. was peeking out of her bedroom door, listening.

“Sam, I…kind of…sort of…like you.”

Sam did an aside glance, made an overdramatic shrug, and said, “Duh.”

Gluntz looked up with wide eyes. “‘Duh?’”

“I had a feeling you did. No one can resist Sam-I-Am.”

Gluntz laughs. “Now I just need to know. Is that feeling shared?”

Sam stands up and grabs her hands to stand her up too. “Yes.”

“I knew it!”, E.B. yelled from the railing.

“E.B.!”, Sam exclaimed. “You were eavesdropping?”

“Yes. Please don’t be mad. But I could tell from the way you two looked at each other when Gluntz walked in.”

“You like me too, Sam?”, Gluntz asks for clarification.

“Yes. I like everyone, but you’re special.”

“Thank you.” They hug.

Escorting a Prince

(takes place after season 2)

Technically “Crown Dooka of Yookia, Chief Yookeroo, Order of the Unburnt Toast, Seventeenth of His Name”, but that doesn’t quite roll off the tongue like “prince”. Also, Yookia and Zookia being separate nations was a thing of the past. How they’d work that out, Gluntz had no idea, but that was neither here nor there. Tomorrow was E.B.’s birthday and her mother and stepfather had a major surprise for her.

It was five in the morning and Gluntz was driving to the airport with Sam to pick up a special guest for E.B.’s birthday party: her little star-crossed lover, son of a sovereign ruler, Looka BaDooka. Due to his status, he had to travel incognito and in disguise, so he’d be hard to pick out of a crowd.

Suddenly, Sam started chuckling while looking at his phone.

“What is it?”, Gluntz asked him.

“Oh, this video Guy sent me of Junior taking his first steps. It’s so adorable”, he told her, showing the video.

“Aww!” Gluntz had tears of joy in her eyes and softly shook her fists.

“I know, right?”

They were so wrapped up in the video that they didn’t even notice someone in a beige trench coat, dark sunglasses and fedora walk up to them.

“Hey, Sam”, the figure said.

“Oh, hey, Looka.” Then it hit Sam. “Looka! There you are!”

“Shh. Don’t blow my cover.”

“Don’t worry, no one’s paying attention.”

Turning around to look at Gluntz, Looka removed his glasses. “Hi. I don’t think I’ve been introduced to you yet. I’m Looka.”

But Gluntz had lost her voice. She was staring into his eyes. They were indeed soulful. Such a deep, rich color that seemed to change in the light.

“Hello?”, he said again.

“They’re soulful, aren’t they?”, Sam asked.

Regaining her attention, Gluntz shakes his hand and says, “Right. Hi, Looka, I’m Gluntz. E.B. talks about you all the time.”

“Does she? Then again, we do talk on the phone for hours every day.”

“You talk on the phone every day? That’s so cute!”

Looka chuckles. “Thanks. Well, shall we get moving? My dad’ll only let me stay here for the day and I’m dying to give E.B. her present.”

“What is it?”, Sam asked.

Looka quickly closes his mouth and shakes his head. “Oh, nothing much. I can’t risk spoiling it so you’ll have to wait until I give it to her to see for yourselves.”

“Not even if we tell you what we got her?”, Gluntz asked.

“Nope. Sorry.”

Then Sam opened the back door for Looka. “Your chariot, Your Highness.” He even did an extremely hammy bow.

Looka rolled his eyes, laughing. “Thanks, Sam.” Before he took his seat, he says, “By the way, if you ask me, you two seem…compatible.”

“Uhh, what…makes…you”, Gluntz tried to finish that sentence, but she was pausing and stuttering again.

“Don’t worry, Looka”, Sam said. “We’re…” He paused to think of the next thing to say, “…still kind of working on that.”

“Oh, wow. I wish you two the best of luck then.” He punctuated his phrase with a smile.

——

They drove the car back to the Am-I-Weebie house, where Guy got the door for them. Luckily, E.B. wasn’t awake yet. Inside, all gathered in the living room were the party guests (which was just Pam and Guy’s family, but that’s all that mattered) and Michellee was sitting on the couch, giving Guy Jr. his bottle.

As Looka walked inside, Gluntz took Sam on the porch for a private word.

“Sam, I…well…” She was stuttering again. Sam probably knew what she was gonna say before she even said it. “I know it’s E.B.’s special day, but I was thinking about the whole ‘we’re still working on that’ thing you told Looka at the airport and…” She paused again. “…well…”

Before she could say another word, Sam leaned forward and kissed her. Thankfully, the curtains were drawn. “It’s okay, Gluntz. What do you think about dinner with me this weekend?”

Gluntz felt her cheeks warming up, yet she was trembling like she was in the snow. A smile crossed her face and she nodded. “Yes, I’d love that.” They then join the others in the kitchen waiting for E.B. to come downstairs to see everyone and the huge breakfast laid out for her. Standing at opposite side of the table, Sam and Gluntz look at each other and smile.