This started out as a reply to a challenge on DOHFF. It recently found it's way out of the closet and I'm thinking of adding to it. The challenge was to take the first paragraph and make it into a story. Here is the one shot reply to that challenge. Please read and review and let me know if you want it taken further....

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The First Time

The phone rang at two o'clock in the morning. It never rang at two in the morning for anything...except bad news. And Lord, this was no different....

Jesse Duke answered the phone only to hear the voice of one Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. "Jesse?"

Jesse Duke the family patriarch did a mental count of his family. Bo had been in the house on time, just as Jesse was going to bed. He had heard Daisy come in a bit later, due to her closing at the Boar's Nest tonight. That left Luke who was the oldest and had turn 18 only weeks ago. "Yes, Rosco it's me."

Rosco P. Coltrane had been a friend of the Dukes longer than he'd been Sheriff of Hazzard County which is why this made this particular phone call harder than most such calls. "Ummmm, ..... Jesse, ....."

Jesse snapped, "Rosco just get on with what ever you have got on your mind in the middle of the night."

"Ummm, yeah, ..... well, ..... Ok, ...." Rosco stuttered, then said, "Jesse, it's Luke."

Jesse was now not in the mood to play games with the dim witted Sheriff. "Go on Rosco! What is it about Luke?"

Rosco scratched the back of his neck and replied, "There was a race out by the lake......."

Jesse said, "AND!?"

Rosco ducked at the sudden loudness of Jesse voice, "Ummmmm, Jesse, Luke was racing. By the time I got there, he and Ralph Green were fighting." Rosco waited for Jesse to reply.

Jesse remained silent waiting on the next shoe to fall.

Rosco finally added, "Jesse, Luke had been drinking."

Jesse stiffened at the added information. "I see." Jesse said without emotion.

Rosco added, "Jesse I had no choice but to arrest him and impound the car."

Jesse said in a voice just above a whisper, "I understand." then asked, "So, what do I need to do?"

Rosco explained that Luke would be taken before the Judge in the morning for a bond to be set. If Jesse bonded him out, he'd be free to go home until the court hearing.

Jesse replied, "I see. Exactly what are the charges?"

Rosco picked up his paper work that he would give the Judge in the morning and read, "Racing, Fighting, and Driving Under the Influence."

Jesse nodded without reply. After a long silence he said, "I'll be there first thing in the morning." As he turned around he saw four young eyes looking at him full of questions.

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Please review.