Spoiler
Spade in the Squash
On this particular evening, the MR Disciplinary Task Force was working.
"Churro," a hoarse whisper sounded as the door to her office opened slightly.
Churro started, seeing a serious face peer up at her from the gap, "Yes, Echo?"
"Can you help me with something?"
Churro glanced at the computer before her. Listed there were names of members who had already committed offences today. Today being Halloween.
It was her duty to ensure the safety and happiness of raiders who were out trick-or-treating. Safety meant chasing those causing injury to others and themselves or not preventing an injury. At the moment, 6 names and their offence descriptions were typed out.
[Vacant - 20:00 Along with 4 others, started a beer bottle juggling contest. Accidentally dropped bottles and made a mess at the Pub.
Lego - Ditto
Sherbert - Ditto
Swearzy - Ditto
Nairbons - Ditto
Coryn - 20:00 Stood by to watch contest. Did not intervene.]
Right now all of them were still out on the streets, but had been issued a first warning. No other commotions seemed to be happening, so Churro guessed she could step away from monitoring to assist this member.
"Sure, what is it?" Sliding off her pink swivel chair, Churro started towards the door.
Echo disappeared for a moment and grunted. When Churro opened the door, Echo stumbled in as she hauled a pumpkin into the room, arms wrapped around it.
"Wow, where did you get that?" Churro followed her to the desk as Echo set it down panting.
"Bought it."
"What did you need help with?"
"This," Echo pointed at the tool buried halfway into the top of the pumpkin.
"Carving it?"
"Well...." Echo scratched her head, looking slighty concerned, "Yes, I wanted to get the innards out."
Churro chuckled worriedly, "First off, you're supposed to use a knife... not a spoon."
"Er, it's not a spoon, it's a spade."
"...you're still supposed to use a knife." Churro turned to the drawers in her desk and produced a long knife from them.
"...I thought we're supposed to use a knife, not a katana. How did you even fit that in there...."
"No worries, I can handle both pretty well y'know," Churro winked, "And this will be more efficient."
Echo nodded, impressed. She stepped back, albeit warily, "Go ahead...."
Churro rolled the pumpkin sideways and started by taking out the spade. Or at least, she tried to.
"H-huh?" Hand gripping the handle hard, Churro tugged at it. The spade didn't budge. Using more arm strength, she endeavored to yank it out. It didn't move anymore than it did before. Feet now planted on the pumpkin, Churro pulled backwards with all the force in her reserves, "E-cho! Did - you coat this - with crazy glue before you - put it in?!"
"No..." Echo pulled the hood of her cloak over her eyes, "I just, like, stabbed it in normally, y'know, like one usually stabs things."
"Really?" Churro fell back panting, the spade unyielding, "That's very strange." Standing, she took her katana in hand, "We might have to chop off alot."
"That's okay," Echo stepped back further.
"Alright, here I go," Churro took a breath, closing her eyes. She rose the sword over her head... the shifted - and swung down.
Thunk!
Churro's arms were jarred by the katana's striking a hard surface and halting there. Her eyes shot open, and to her surprise, the blade hadn't gone further than 3 inches.
Echo's eyes looked on wide-eyed as, "Wow."
"W-what?!" Churro grabbed the sword hilt and began heaving as before. The entire pumpkin lifted, the blade still embedded into it. A sudden suspicion entered Churro's mind and she turned to Echo with a sharp look, "What is this?"
"A pumpkin."
"Really?"
"That's what the sign beside it said," Echo took out the receipt and showed it to Churro, "Or... it's not or your katana is just dull."
Churro took the paper and searched straight for the shop name -
[SyncOrTreat's All Halloween Merchandise]
"Supermarket my foot...." Churro quickly turned to her keyboard and hit the keys energetically.
SyncOrTreat - 21:00 Suspected for selling strange merchandise to members.
Finding the store number, Churro grabbed the phone receiver on her desk and dialed.
"SyncOrTreat's All Halloween Merchandise outlet. This is Sync, how can I help you?"
"Sync, this is Churro, I'd like to inquire about your pumpkins."
"Oh, you mean the special cursed pumpkin special?"
"Yes - that. Do you have any more in stock?"
"Yep, about 10, 657. Are you interesting in ordering?"
Churro glanced at Echo, "Actually no, I'm calling due to a member complaint."
Sync hesitated, "Is. That. So."
"Your pumpkins are not carve-friendly."
"My apologies. They don't like to be carved I imagine. If you'd like, I can provide a refund - "
"No, thank you," Churro tapped her fingers on her desk, "As is it, we've lost a spade and a katana attempting to carve this pumpkin. Would you be able to restore those?"
"I'm... unable to do that."
"Why is that?"
Sync hesitated again, "Well, you see.... 15 other members also purchased this product... and called back with similar complaints... we tried to solve this problem but we can't provide responsibility for the lost items. After all, it was plainly stated the pumpkins are cursed."
Churro nodded to herself, "Alright Sync, thanks for your time. I think I've heard all I need to. Have a good night."
Echo stood by awkwardly, staring forlornly at her spade. Churro offered an apologetic smile as her fingers moved to the keyboard.
"Don't worry Echo. We'll get your pumpkin carved. Very soon we'll be having Sync here to solve our problem. And if he doesn't... well, maybe we'll stick him in the pumpkin till he does." Churro pressed a button on the underside of her desk. An affirmative from the Mobile MR Disciplinary Taskforce came to her soon as they headed out.
It was another successful and peaceful Halloween night for MR.