#philippe's

Just posted a Short Story that I wrote two years ago. Re-reading it I have come to the conclusion that it needs to be a much bigger story. But for now, this will stand.

[Yes, THE Philippe's of the French dip sandwiches as are the stuff of Los Angeles lore and legend, situated close to Union Station, the downtown area and Dodgers Stadium ...]

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND, over a French-dipped beef sandwich: Well now, isn't it impressive to have me talking to no less than a certain Peter Potamus, dive buff extraordinaire!

PETER POTAMUS, preferring French-dipped beef as well: And isn't it rather extraordinary that we could cross paths like this over French dip ... even as I get plans figured out for the Character Convocation at Rex Beach, and our role in same!

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: You said "our role in same" just now; what exactly do you mean?

PETER POTAMUS: None other than my Travelling SCUBA Par-tay, as seen on TV! We happen to be planning some "taster" SCUBA diving experiences in Lake Betty, and will invite visitors to have diving lessons with some of the best in the game!

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: Just remind me again of who this Travelling SCUBA Par-tay of yours is to little ol' Huck.

PETER POTAMUS: In addition to myself, there's Wally Gator, Loopy De Loop, Magilla Gorilla, Hokey Wolf, Breezly Bruin, Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har-Har and Mildew Wolf.

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND, somewhat anxious: You mean THE Mildew Wolf as was forever chasing Lambsy?

PETER POTAMUS: Yup, the same Mildew Wolf. Only he decided to swear off chasing lamb and pursue SCUBA ... and he can have a real snarky sense of humour!

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: I can believe that!

PETER POTAMUS: And Squiddly Diddly handles the underwater photography side of things!

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: So how exactly did you get into the diving experience yourself, Peter?

PETER POTAMUS: It was somewhere in the remotest regions of Polynesia otherwise unknown to man ... I was about five years old at the time, and joined my late father on one of his expeditions into the unknown parts of Polynesia, and he encouraged some natives, naked and unafraid, mind you, to teach me a few pointers about diving ... eventually to join him on a decent little dive to about two fathoms underwater. Boy, what an experience that was, just wearing myself and feeling oh so wonderful in the process, no doubt setting me up for quite the love of diving!

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND: Pretty amazing story there ... and we're no doubt looking forward to your presence at Rex Beach over the summer!

[Over some decent hot soup, at that, we find no less than--]

LIPPY THE LION, with some excitement: Hardy, did I mention to you previously where a few wonderful friends of ours are heading this summer to the Rex Beach Casino up in northern Minnesota?

HARDY HAR-HAR, myopically as usual: So what exactly IS that exciting about the Rex Beach Casino, to begin with, Lippy?

LIPPY THE LION: Permit me to explain all, Hardy ... for one, The Banana Splits will be kicking off the summer season with a series of performances just before the summer starts on the Memorial Day weekend (mainly to attract some early business at Special Cut Prices), and continuing for a while thereafter!

HARDY HAR-HAR: So how exactly do we come into the bargain?

LIPPY THE LION: Later on in the summer, as a matter of fact, the Cattanooga Cats are set to perform a revue of sorts at the same Rex Beach Casino ... and I certainly hope such will afford us an opportunity to kill some time among the World-Renowned and Far-Famed Ten Thousand Lakes of Minnesota!! Wouldn't THAT be interesting, Hardy?

HARDY HAR-HAR: How would it be exactly, to begin with, especially if it's unlikely we'll be in this Cattanooga Cats Revue or whatever it is?

LIPPY THE LION: At least we have an opportunity to not only kill some summer time, but also fulfill our mission with Peter Potamus' Travelling SCUBA Par-tay to provide diving instruction and sampler dives--

HARDY HAR-HAR, quick to recall something: I believe, Lippy, that the tourism committee in Rex Beach has invited us to offer some complementary sampler SCUBA dives on the lake over the summer--we might want to look up that letter when we get back to the house!

LIPPY THE LION, taking a turkey such: You ever try diving yourself, speaking from one lion to another?

THE KING, preferring the classic beef such: I do have to admit to such once: Skids--he's an alligator in my crew--and I were diving with crude fishbowl helmets into this reservoir, guided by an ur-treasure map with no less than Big H--The Original Hungry Hungry Hippo, you might say--found on a hiking trip ... and can you believe the "treasure" was canned diced chilis found in a Mexican restaurant as was submerged when the reservoir filled in?

LIPPY THE LION: Rather fascinated there, I have to admit, speaking as a diver with Peter Potamus' crew ... I think you've seen his documentaries on the TV.

THE KING: I, indeed, have ... and I admit they may be rather silly, to begin with, but things can get rather fascinating the longer you watch them!

LIPPY THE LION: The reason I mention this is because ... I would be most welcome to arrange some diving lessons for your crew, snorkelling and SCUBA! Would such perhaps be of interest to you?

THE KING: That might not be a bad idea ... and besides, how can I contact you to discuss this proposition? I would like some time to think it over, if you know what I mean.

LIPPY THE LION: Here, let me write down my mobile number so we can get back and discuss the details sometime.

THE KING: I certainly have to admit that these sandwiches are rather chewy ... especially with their being dipped in meat juices!

HOKEY WOLF, rather excitedly: Now, Ding, believe you me ... I hear that the Hair Bear Bunch is going to be spending the summer up in the Gunflint Trail region of northern Minnesota--

DING-A-LING: What exactly does this have to do with us, Hokey?!

HOKEY WOLF: --over the ursine mating season, you understand; I hear that the Hair Bears simply cannot resist the company of lovesick female bears, especially for to mate with them big time! [Aside] And did I mention the diving possibilities?

DING-A-LING: So what does that mean for us?

HOKEY WOLF: And not to be outdone, the Rex Beach Casino will be having The Banana Splits opening the summer season, starting just before Memorial Day, with the Cattanooga Cats making their appearance not long afterwards--along with a "few close friends" of theirs in the bargain!

DING-A-LING: I presume this would mean us too, Hokey?

HOKEY WOLF: Ding, you're getting a little too ahead of yourself, methinks. And besides, I am awaiting details from the Cattanooga Cats "themselves" asking about the likelihood of our appearance in their Rex Beach Casino gig, and wouldn't that make things rather interesting, Ding boy?

DING-A-LING: And why would it be called a "casino" in the first place when it's unlikely there's any gambling to be offered?

HOKEY WOLF, explaining: I assume, Ding, you're acquainted with the Avalon Casino on Catalina Island, which obviously goes way back ...

DING-A-LING, slightly unnerved: Before Vegas, I assume?

HOKEY WOLF: Correct, Ding! And it may interest you to know that "casino" basically means "place of amusement," which does not necessarily require gambling to begin with! And the Rex Beach Casino being called a casino, to begin with, is on that basis; ergo, forget any notions about playing Vegas-type games at the Rex Beach Casino!

DING-A-LING: Well, if that's how you feel about it, Hokey ...

HOKEY WOLF: I have to acknowledge that my associate, Ding-a-Ling, still manages to show some reserve when it comes to what we may have in mind ... and besides, did I mention where Honey and Sis might bring their "pop-up" shortwave radio worldcaster to Rex Beach over the summer, doing a season of serious worldcasts?

DING-A-LING: You never mentioned to be how shortwave radio could offer some serious worldcasts, to begin with!

HOKEY WOLF: Anyhow, Ding, let's save that point for another time, especially before the summer comes along--and besides, who couldn't resist the refreshing effects of those Ten Thousand Lakes of MINNESOTA, to begin with?!!