EVERGLADES FOLLIES 1 - daniel.books (hardest books to read txt) 📗

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EVERGLADES FOLLIES

Algernon Abernathy, a man well known in the town of Nugene, Florida was a spirited young man at the age of 38.He had moved to Nugene at the age of 30 and built a thriving business in the Airboat rides for hire and for sale. Being from New Orleans, Louisiana he had been very cautious with his money, his friends and his women. Algernon was a lonely soul by choice. No one lived nearer than 10 miles to Al and he liked that way.
He had a shop for the Air boats in the swamp next to his house so he had all he needed all in one place. Algernon was his own mechanic so he was alone a lot of the time, just him and the boats and the smelly old swamp.The only people that rented the airboats were tourist because the locals all had their own boats.


There was a gas station down the barely passable road to Nugene where Al had to go for fuel. He carried 55 gallon drums every week to get fuel for his truck and his boats. Algernon also owned a phone and electricity at his place which the previous owner had paid for dearly. Like I said "it is 10 miles out in the swamp".


Nicky Nolan, the owner of the only bar in Nugene was always glad to see Algernon come into town.Nicky just loved to hear about the snakes and gators ..Algernon told Nick stories and Nick set up drinks on the house" for Algernon..' Boilermakers' Algernon called the drinks, a shot of Jack Daniels Black whiskey and a cold Busch beer to chase it down. They would talk about anything and everything .After a few rounds they would be caught up on everything going on and Algernon would get the fuel and go back to the shop and fill up the boats for the next week.


Joan Jackson was a busty beauty that carried herself rather well. She worked in the red light district of New Orleans as a female escort of sorts. Jo was a little on the pricey side but she thought she was worth it.Algernon had been introduced to her by a man known as Rocky Webster. Algernon took a liking to Joan right away. They had a few good times but never got too serious about each other. Jo was a girl that Algernon could really talk to. They talked about each others plans for the future and what they really wanted out of life. Algernon told Jo he was going to buy a business in Florida and try his luck .

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After Algernon left New Orleans, Joan kept her business going for a number of years until the hurricane Katrina hit. Joan’s money came almost to a end. Joan talked to Rocky Webster her friend and asked him what happened to Algernon and had he heard anything about Al. Rocky told Joan that he heard Algernon had moved to a place in Florida called Nugene, down in the everglades. And that Al was doing rather well in the air boat business. Joan's eye's lit up as she thought of the chance that lay ahead for her to get her hands on Al’s money.


Rocky caught the look on Joan's face and asked” what are you thinking Jo girl”? Joan told Rocky“we are both broke and Algernon isn’t”. Rocky said "that’s right now how do we get his money? Joan thought for a minute then asked, Rocky” didn't you tell me you would not live in the everglades because there is swamp gas that can kill without leaving evidence’. Rocky said yes but what's that got to do with us and Al. Don't you see said Joan we can use the gas on Al and steal his money.” Absolutely not “said Rocky. We don't want to kill him and be caught for murder and spend our lives in prison,.
OK said Joan we will just get his money. We can just rob him because we know he won't use banks, he don't trust them, so the money will be in or near his home. That’s right Rocky so lets think how to rob him and not kill him if we don't have to, Joan said excitedly "Are we partners in this one Rocky "Yes said Rocky, but first we have to get to Nugene and get ourselves up to date on what’s going on with Algernon and the business so we can plan our moves. We will leave tomorrow said Rocky.


The next day it was raining ,as it happens a lot in New Orleans. Joan and Rocky met at the board walk cafe. Rocky was waiting for his 4x4 ford half ton pick up to be serviced before the long drive to south Florida. Rocky called Bill Bailey who owned the shop where his truck was being serviced to see why it was taking so long. Bill told Rocky that the oil drain plug was stripped and leaking oil. Bill said he would have to replace the oil pan to stop the leak. Rocky said I don't have time right now so I will just keep putting oil in when it gets low. Bill told Rocky he was taking a big chance but if he had to go to check the oil often because it could get worse on the trip. Rocky said he would keep check on it and take the chance .Joan and Rocky walked back to Bill's garage and got the truck and left out to hit I -10 east.


Rocky drove all night and the next day before they stopped. They were hungry,tired and needed to take a shower. Rocky's old truck had an air conditioner but it quit soon after they left on the trip. The weather was hot and that made for a miserable trip.
Rocky had stopped so many times to put in oil that it took up a lot of time. Rocky bought 8 quarts of oil and was down to the last quart when they found a motel..


After checking in at the motel as Mr. and Mrs. Smith Jo said she would walk to the restaurant and get them something for supper. Rocky got in the shower and was through before Jo got back from the restaurant. They ate the greasy burgers and French fries and sipped the chocolate milk shakes like it was to be their last. Jo said my time for a shower and she would be right back.
Rocky did not go to sleep though he was in bed. He was waiting for Jo and had been since they left New Orleans. When Jo got out of the shower she wrapped a towel around her and started to bed.Jo noticed Rocky was acting like he was sleeping .Jo let the towel slip down to the floor. Rocky sat up and rolled the sheets back for Jo to get in. Rocky and Jo were not really lovers but that did not matter to them at this time.


Bright and early the next morning they started on down to Nugene. They had left so hastily that Rocky was not even fully awake so Joan got under the wheel so Rocky could rest a little more. After about 50 miles a knocking noise in the engine woke Rocky.” Pull over" Rocky shouted, we need another quart of oil. Joan had got off the interstate and was on highway 41 south. Highway 41 had all been almost forgotten since the interstate came through and not a service station or store was in sight” .Damned”shouted Rocky as he put the last quart of oil in. It won't even read on the dip stick its still to low. Jo wasoutside the truck rather nervous for she didn't know what Rocky may do to her. Rocky said get out of the way you stupid fool. He got the engine started but the noise was still noticeable though not as loud..Rocky bent down and looked under the truck and saw oil dripping faster than before. Rocky said we will probably not make it but we have no choice now so let's go.


As Jo and Rocky eased down the lonely road Jo saw a farm house across a long meadow. The farm house had a fence around it so they looked for a gate. They found the gate almost covered with weeds and grass, nearly hidden from sight. Rocky pulled weeds and cut weeds till he could swing the gate open.They drove down the long narrow road to the house and parked just away from the barn.Rocky told Jo you go ask if they have a phone we can use or maybe some engine oil.They will most likely trust you than they would me. Jo went up to the house cautiously and knocked on the door. No one came so she tried thelock and the door opened. Jo called out loudly” is anyone home “several times but no answer. Rocky was looking around the barn for some oil when Jo came back and said no was home and it looked like it had been abandoned for some time .Jo told Rocky there was a phone but it was not working.Rocky cursed "that’s my damned luck".
Both Jo and Rocky kept looking for some oil but found none. .Jo saw a riding lawn mower and said” Rocky is there oil in that riding lawn mower”. Yes yes yes said Rocky as he looked for a wrench to drain the oil out so they could catch it and use it. Rocky found a rusty pair of locking pliers and some plastic jugs to catch the oil..2quarts of oil that’s all that was in the lawn mower but Rocky said maybe it will get us to a store with oil and gas. Rocky put the oil in the truck and they went on down the road.


After 5 miles they found a small store with some oil but no gas. After getting directions back to the interstate, Rocky filled the engine with oil and headed south again. Rocky bought a case of oil ,all the man had at the store and felt good about the rest of the trip. Jo had hardly spoke to Rocky since she ran the truck low on oil. Rocky put his hand on Jo's leg and said how sorry he was for getting mad at her..Joan sat and looked at Rocky like she didn't accept the apology at all.
Rocky turned on to the interstate once again. He got gas and headed south to Nugene .Full of oil and plentyin the back of the truck they made good time traveling. The next stop would be Nugene ,Florida..Just so happened Joan and Rocky stopped at Nick' Nolan’s bar, Nicks place , as it was called by most people around Nugene. While having a drink to cool