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The Wrong Store (Short Story)
Deedee Poowangle awakes one morning to find the telly missing. But the telly could not have been stolen because Deedee Poowangle never owned one. So she sets out to solve the problem. Upon opening the apartment door, she is greeted by Gingerfinger Wiggletoes, the cleaning lady, whom asks about her wheretos. Deedee Poowangle says that she is going to the telly store to buy a telly. Gingerfinger Wiggletoes, being the generous lady that she is, insists on coming along to help her. So Deedee Poowangle and Gingerfinger Wiggletoes set out toward the telly store. But the two progress very slowly because Gingerfinger Wiggletoes sweeps the leaves from the walkway before the two can continue ahead.
Not knowing the location of the telly store, the two enter a nearby barbershop to ask for the directions. The barber, Squeegee Squarewaffle, is snoozing on the floor, curled up like a cat. Deedee Poowangle pokes at her while Gingerfinger Wiggletoes mops the floor. When Squeegee Squarewaffle awakens, she is asked about the telly store. Squeegee Squarewaffle knows of its whereabouts and offers to take them there herself. So Deedee Poowangle, Gingerfinger Wiggletoes, and Squeegee Squarewaffle set out toward the telly store. But the three progress even slower than with the two earlier because Squeegee Squarewaffle snips the bushes with her scissors along the way as Gingerfinger Wiggletoes sweeps up the remains.
Passing by a fire station, Hefferson Greenwagon, a fireman, approaches and asks to join them for a walk since the day is happy with sunlight. So Deedee Poowangle, Gingerfinger Wiggletoes, Squeegee Squarewaffle, and Hefferson Greenwagon set out toward the telly store. But the four progress even slower than with the three earlier because Hefferson Greenwagon destroys every approached bench with his axe, while Gingerfinger Wiggletoes sweeps up the remains and Squeegee Squarewaffle snips about bits of Hefferson Greenwagon's shirt.
Upon a small bridge over a river, Bojenkins Beetlebum, a fisherman, hears the four and asks about their wheretos. Upon hearing their answer, he joins them, knowing the bait store next to the telly store could fix his low bate supply. So Deedee Poowangle, Gingerfinger Wiggletoes, Squeegee Squarewaffle, Hefferson Greenwagon, and Bojenkins Beetlebum set out toward the telly store. But the five progress even slower than with the four earlier because Bojenkins Beetlebum reels in pieces of trash while Squeegee Squarewaffle snips the line and Gingerfinger Wiggletoes places the pieces into a mop bucket. This all is made further complicated by the fire blanket that Hefferson Greenwagon throws upon Gingerfinger Wiggletoes.
Finally, the five reach the telly store, only to find that the door does not open. A detective, Pingpong Yogurtlips, walks by, pulls out his magnifying glass, and investigates. He tells the five that it appears the store is closed for the day. So Deedee Poowangle, Gingerfinger Wiggletoes, Squeegee Squarewaffle, Hefferson Greenwagon, Bojenkins Beetlebum, and Pingpong Yogurtlips wait there overnight for the store to open. The following morning, the six walk in and find all the tellies missing. But the tellies could not have been stolen because the store never owned any.
