Garrett Duke

Well y'all...I can't remember if I ever posted about who was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame this year. I probably did, because I am excited about it. The Hall of Fame Introduction was yesterday and today. I am sorry that I am posting this so late, because I think we missed it. But Donnie Allison, Jimmie Johnson, and Chad Knaus is inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. All very well deserving. Donnie was before my time of following NASCAR, but of course have heard of him. but y'all know how big of a fan of Jimmie Johnson I am! And if you like Jimmie Johnson, well, you gotta like Chad Knaus too. LOL. Talking about Jimmie Johnson...he will be in several races this year including the Daytona 500! Which is now under a month a way! (Though I am still doubting my ability to survive that long...) Here is the article on the Hall of Fame: 2024 Hall of Fame induction: TV times, info and more | NASCAR

I agree with Roger. This is beyond awesome. Thank you for sharing these with us.

Garrett Duke watches from afar as Bo, Luke, Bill, and Ernie gather around while the newspaper photographer take pictures of them in celebration of the race. He forces a smile before he withdrawals back to his car, eyeing the damage, and calculating all that will need to make it perfect once again. "That could be you up there," a voice breaks the silence and forces Garrett to quickly turn around to find Cooter standing behind him, his hand shoved into his grease stained pants pockets, "if it wasn't for Hogg and Coltrane." Garrett only shrugs as he steals a glance over at Bo, Luke, Bill, and Ernie who are now shaking hands for the photographer. Looking back at Cooter, he dryly states, "But it's not." "Thanks to Rosco and Boss," Cooter reinforces what he had said earlier. "It don't matter now," Garrett pauses once again as Boss and Rosco quickly drive past them and out of the race track, leaving a cloud of dust behind them. For a moment, Garrett allows his anger to settle within him before he abruptly turns to his car in an attempt to sidetrack his anger of what had happened. "I guess what matters now, is getting him back up and running again." "Sure thing. I got my tow truck ready. We can tow it to the garage and get it started. Ernie said he can join us once he's finished with his obligations over there," Cooter says motioning back towards them as the photographer seems to be putting his camera away and Bill and Ernie turn and face Bo and Luke as they start to talk. "He'll be back to normal within an hour. If that." Cooter pats Garrett on the back. "Perhaps one of these days you and the boys will have to race it out to see who's better. For now, let's get him doctored back to shape." Garrett quietly nods before Cooter jogs off to get his tow truck to return a few minutes later and Garrett helps him hook it up. "You ready?" Cooter questions, motioning Garrett to the cab of the truck. Garrett nods, before looking back at Bill and Ernie. Looking at Cooter, he says, "Let's go." With that they both climb in and drive off to the garage in town.

food

Garrett jumps slightly at Daisy's excitement and nods at Jesse. "They'll catch up," he slowly states, offering her a smile before turning back around to watch the race in time for Bill to slip on some mud that was on the track and the orange car catches up, leaving the rest of the cars behind. "Told ya." Ernie gives him a glare and Garrett just shrugs. "Sorry Ernie. Every race needs a little drama at the end." Ernie sighs. "True that," he responds as he mutters something into his walkie talkie to Bill before saying, "we are about to the finish!" With that everyone yells around them, jumping in excitement as Boss stands feet away, holding the checkered flag. "They are about here, Ladies and Gentlemen!" Hogg yells into his speaker, "They are neck and neck. Bill Elliott against Bo and Luke Duke. Who's going to win?!" Everyone around them begins to cheer out for Bo, Luke, or Bill. Jesse and Daisy yelling out for Bo and Luke with Ernie yelling out for them all. While Garrett remains silent, hands shoved in his pocket, holding onto his lighter. With that, the orange car and Bill's red and white car cross the line. Looking identical. The crowd goes silent, waiting for Hogg to announce who the winner is. "And the winner is," Hogg pauses as the cars stop as the cross the line, "never mind. We got ourselves a tie! The first time in history we got a tie at our great race. Bo and Luke Duke tie with Bill Elliott!" Garrett watches as Bo and Luke climb out of their orange car, followed by Bill Elliott. Smiles cross all three of their faces as they all high five each other as the other cars pass them by and Hogg fights to read off the names of the cars as they go through.

Garrett watches in half amusement at seeing Hogg on the ground before slowly getting up and trotting after the deputies as they head to Rosco's wrecked patrol car. Rosco glances over at Rosco as he kicks the tires of the car, as if it was the car's fault that he wrecked. Shaking his head he glances over at the race as the orange car takes a small lead ahead of Bill momentarily before Bill catches up alongside them. "Looks like your boys are giving Bill a run for his money," Garrett dryly states to Cooter and Bill, "I'll be right back." With that he walks away from his own wrecked patrol car and away from Bill and Cooter who nod before they themselves leave the car and start walking back to the stands to join Daisy for the rest of the race. Turning back around, Garrett walks over to Jesse who was leaving the concession stand to where he looked to be heading back to where Daisy was at himself. "Hey Jesse," Garrett slowly states to gather his uncle's attention. Taking a deep breath to swallow his pride and ego he gives him a slow smile before saying, "I saw you talking to Boss in what looked like a heated conversation." He pauses a moment, thinking his words through. "I assume it was about my cut brake line as it was right after we found out about it." He pauses again as he motions towards his car. "You didn't have to do all that. I know I don't deserve it." He flashes a small smile. "Thank you."

Garrett Duke looks at his cut brake line in anger, disgust, and frustration for a long moment before slamming the hood down. The sound of the cars pierce the air and the smell of the cars fills the air. Breathing it all in, he momentarily watches the race where his cousins and Bill are racing against each other hard with everyone else racing behind them. Cooter laughs nervously to bring his attention back to the car. "What's so funny?" he questions, his voice surprisingly calm. Cooter shakes his head before pointing over to the concession stand. "Uncle Jesse is letting old Boss have it," Cooter states and Garrett looks up to see them both angrily arguing. "Uncle Jesse don't let no one mess with family. Including you. Look," Cooter pauses to bring Ernie and Garrett's attention back to him, "I apologize about earlier. I was a bit harsh." "You weren't the only one," Garrett acknowledges as he accepts Cooter's handshake of an apology. With that a loud squeal penetrates the air and everyone looks up in time to see Rosco's rigged race car slide off track and slam into a tree on the rear driver's door. After a long moment, Rosco throws open the door and shakily gets out of the car, raising a fist at the car just as his driver's door falls off and clatters upon the dry dirt. "Well at least the cheater's not gonna win the race," Ernie states to draw a dry laugh from Cooter. "Rosco never wins. His races normally end this way," Cooter responds as The General Lee and Bill battle up front. "But at least he got some pay back." Garrett shakes his head. "I could care less about this race at this point," Garrett finally states, "I just want my car back to health as it was before all this." He stares angrily at the damage upon his beloved car. "We will get it back to the way it was before the race...plus intact brakes," Ernie states, "Cooter says we can get it back to his garage once the race is over and I'll help pound it out and get it good as new." Garrett nods and gives him an appreciative smile before he glances back up at Jesse and Hogg.

Thank you for correcting me. I couldn't remember the second one. Oops. Sorry about that.

Well...I was wanting to start talking NASCAR more...but not like this. NASCAR lost a great legend today as Cale Yarborough has passed away. He even was on an episode of the Dukes of Hazzard. Sadly he was before my time of watching NASCAR, but I have to say that my favorite story of his was at the Daytona and his fight with the Allison brothers on the first televised race. Petty won the race, but Cale got all the attention. LOL. He will be greatly missed. 3-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Cale Yarborough dies (yahoo.com)

Garrett Duke quickly maneuvers himself through the half of the racing field. Adrenaline rushes quickly within him as he is reminded of how much he loves and miss racing. He use to race illegally in Atlanta with his boys and it never got old. Just to feel the true power behind his car and all the hard work he has put into it makes him feel proud and for a moment he feels the anger and resentment he has felt towards everyone seem to melt away. Suddenly a big thud breaks his thoughts and emotions and he quickly glances into his rearview mirror to see Rosco's navy blue car right besides him as he clangs against him once again. "What are you doing?!" he yells gripping tightly onto the steering wheel, trying to push farther away from the sheriff. Just as he was about to pull away he feels a harder bang on the side and he feels his car lose traction on the track and as he begins to slide down the ditch, he angrily stomps on the breaks, only for the break petal to just fall to the floor. After a moment, a thick tree forces Garrett's car to a sudden halt. "Damn it!" he cusses, hitting the steering wheel and angrily looks up to see all the cars quickly rounding the turn and out of sight. He shakes his head and goes to open the door, only for the tree to be there and in the way only to increase his anger and frustration and he angrily pushes himself away from the driver's door and to the passenger side door. As he opens the door, the sound of feet running gather his attention and he looks up to see Cooter and Ernie quickly approaching on feet. "Garrett! You Ok?" Ernie asks while Cooter gives him a worried look. "I am. My car," he shakes his head as he looks at it, "not so much. Someone had to have cut the breaks. I tried breaking hard when Rosco ran me off the road and it went right down." "Well that's lower than low," Cooter slowly drawls, looking devastated at the wrecked car, "who in their right mind - " "I'll tell you who...the sheriff!" Garrett angrily yells, "he was so full of himself when he stopped by my car before the race. He went on and on about how he was going to beat me and I was going to lose!" Ernie and Cooter glance at each other. "I surely wouldn't put it past them. Boss probably put him up to it," Cooter slowly states as he looks around at the road race track and back at Garrett, "Well," he goes silent momentarily, "I'll go get my tow and how about you and Ernie make your way to Jesse and Daisy. They are worried sick about you. We ordered them to stay still and that the boys need their support, we would come check on you. Since we're the mechanics and all." He gives an ornery wink at Ernie. Garrett hesitantly nods and silently follows Ernie back to the grandstand where Daisy runs out and hugs him and he recounts what had happened to them. "I'm fine," he assures them, "my car not so much."

Putting on shiny black helmet and snapping it under his chin, Garrett grips tightly onto the steering wheel, looking at the cars around him as impatience heavily sinks in. What's taking the three piece suit clown so long to fire the starting gun? "I could have won the dang race," Garrett mutters under his breath. Suddenly a big smack lands besides him and he jumps as he sees black gloves clinched tightly onto his open window. "I got you, boy, didn't I? I saw you jump!" Rosco laughs and Garrett feels the fire of anger surge through him. "Sheriff," he musters back his anger, "I need you to step away from my car. I got a race to win." "Khee, khee," Rosco laughs, before going serious, "you think you are real funny, don't you? You, " Rosco removes his hand from the window to point it into Garrett's face, "think you can beat the legendary Bill Elliott in this heap? Even if you drove an identical car to Elliott you'd come in dead last." Rosco laughs some more. "Nah. I can see into the future boy and your's isn't looking too bright. But mine," Rosco smiles proudly, "mine's looking real bright as I beat that ugly orange car and to defend off the NASCAR champ himself!" Garrett laughs through his anger. "What are you on, sheriff? Because you obviously ain't thinking straight or seeing straight if you honestly believe all that," Garrett spits back at him, taking another anxious look at the cars around him, "Now if you don't mind," Garrett states again, "I need you to back away from the winning race car. I got a race to win." Rosco only laughs at him. "You're the one delusional, boy. Ain't no way I'd let a scumbag like you win the race," Rosco seriously states as he claps the open window again, "especially after all you did to me yesterday. You should be in Atlanta by now, looking through the bars and hanging with your home boys." "And yet," Garrett smiles coldly at the sheriff, "here I am. Free as a bird and about to give you some driving lessons." "You hush, boy! If memory serves me correctly," Rosco pauses, "and it does. I outdrove you to arrest you yesterday. And I'll do it again today!" Garrett shakes his head and looks away from the sheriff in attempt to hide his dark emotions that would otherwise earn him more time in jail. "Rosco!" a thick demanding yell pierces through the conversation silence and above the loud engines to force Garrett's and Rosco's attention to behind him where Boss runs at them and pointing his cigar at Rosco, "What in the world are you talking to this loser for?! It's time for the race. Get in your car so we can get it started!" With that Boss takes a hold of Rosco's ear and begins leading him towards the front where his car lies parked. "It's about time!" Garrett yells out at them.

You had to outdo me with this one, didn't you? Great hint towards the future.

Thank you Roger.

Garrett Duke sighs heavily as he lights his cigarette and leans against his car as his mind goes through the past couple of days before forcing himself to focus on the scenery around him. Mainly the cars and the drivers he will be competing against. Blocking the hot bright sun from his vision he spots Bill still signing autographs and talking to the people of Hazzard, while Luke brings corndogs over to the orange car and hands them to Bo, Jesse, and Ernie before looking under the hood of the car. Silently Garrett looks at the hood of his car, thinking maybe he should take a final look through of everything. He slowly votes against it as he had looked at it all before he had entered the fair grounds and parked his car, in the back of the line up of good old boys. A line up where he doesn't belong. A line up, that he could beat with his eyes tied shut. Suddenly a loud ringing sound penetrates the audience excited laughter and talk and everyone goes silent as the commissioner steps onto the podium, holding a large black loud speaker with his deputy standing loyally behind him. "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen!" he yells into the speaker, "Today is the day. The Day we've all been waiting for. The day of the Great Hazzard Race. The day to see my driver, Rosco Coltrane finally take over and break the General Lee's winning streak and to beat over a well known NASCAR driver!" the crowd begins to boo and hiss at him. "Oh it's not that bad," he tries to shake them off, "OK fine. Today is the day to see if the orange clunker car will continue with it's hideous streak or if NASCAR legend, Bill Elliott will break through and win!" with that the crowd goes from booing to cheering. Several loud calls for Bo and Luke and The General with several other loud calls yelling for Bill. "We are honored to have Bill Elliott and his brother, Ernie Elliott in our presence and to have Bill out on the track today as we go for my trophy and $1,000 prize money. Today, this race, will go down as one of the greatest of our history as never before has there been a NASCAR legend racing among us." "Or I," Garrett states to himself as he throws the butt of his cigarette onto the dirt and stomp it out. "OK ladies and gentlemen," Hogg yells out again, "it's time for everyone to get to their seats and for the drivers to get into their cars and to turn them on! I will be firing the starting gun in five minutes! Let's have a great race, everyone!" With that, Hogg throws the loud speaker at the deputy and rushes off the podium. Garrett watches everyone start to scurry in the stands to their seats, drivers begin to climb in and slam their doors as loud powerful engines pierce through the sunny day. After a long moment, Garrett slowly sit down in his car, and smiles as he turns his car on to hear it's powerful engine come to life.

You all sound wonderful! I hope it was a good one for you both and for everyone on here.

Garrett Duke parks his car at the starting position of the race and as he slowly steps out of his car, he notices Jesse approaching the General Lee several cars ahead and gives him a slow nod before glancing around the large slew of cars that are lined up ahead of him. Something about him not being from Hazzard had set him in the back while Bill Elliott is up front with the General Lee since he is bringing in the fans and money. The General Lee will start since they had won last year's race. After eyeing the competition, he looks around at the herd of people that is surrounding the cars, their talking and yelling echoes off the buildings while the sun shines brightly upon them. "Yo rookie," a voice rings out from behind to break Garrett's attention and thought and he slowly turns around to face Ernie, "you nervous?" Garrett nonchalantly shrugs. "I'm Garrett. I don't get nervous," he states dryly, "I'll either win or lose. But thanks to y'all...I'm here for the fight. I appreciate you and Bill stepping up for me." "Well we couldn't have you in jail with the dumb law around here," Ernie grins, "I just wish I could get you from the back to the front. I can't believe such a crooked law system even exists and they get away from it." Garrett nods. "It took me a moment to believe it myself when I moved down here," Garrett agrees, "yet here we are." He goes silent. "As for the race, this will give me the opportunity to prove myself to these losers. Ernie claps him on the shoulder. "Everyone but Bill," he laughs, "you beat him, I may get you a ride on the circuit." Garrett raises an eye brow. "Now that's some heavy motivation," he states as he watches Cooter walk past their car and start his way to the orange car up front, "as if beating those guys isn't enough motivation." "You got this," Ernie states as he looks at his watch, "hey," he looks back up at Garrett, "we are about to get this party started. I better hop up front and offer Bill some motivation to him as well. Stay out of trouble. I'll be rooting for you." Garrett offers him a rare smile. "Thanks Ernie. I appreciate it," he states as Ernie claps his shoulder once more before giving him a high five before he slowly walks away from Garrett, following Cooter to the front where Bill is standing, talking and signing autographs of several people and children.

I hope so.

Oh no! What's going on? I am sorry you are feeling like this.

Hi Skipper. Can you PM me? it won't let me message you. Smokey and the Bandit is my favorite movie! (The first one)

Cooter Davenport looks over the old fair ground where the race will later be held. He had signed up years ago to help get things set up and ready for the races that is annually held there. Not to help Hogg or his crooked law. But to help the town raise the little money Hogg will let slide through his fat fingers for the town. Plus it's racing. And cars. But this year it's going to be bigger and better. Bill Elliott himself was going to be in the race. A celebrity. A true NASCAR driver. In Hazzard County. Racing against his best friends and the community. Cooter shakes his head in disbelief and feels a large smile cross his face before he starts to ponder how upset Bo and Luke would be if he were to cheer on Bill instead of them this year as he always does. His smile slowly fades as his thoughts fall onto the troubled Duke that seems to throw negativity and anger everywhere he goes. This will always be the first time that he will be racing in this race against Bo and Luke. Who knows what he'll be bringing onto the dusty dirt track. Cooter shakes his head in disgust at himself for giving Garrett the credit to have the ability to beat Bo and Luke. To beat Bill Elliott. "Not a chance, punk," Cooter mutters as Daisy's dirt splattered Dixie pulls up besides him. "Hey there Cooter," she forces a smile as she gets out of the jeep, "you know today's the day of the big race. Why you slacking for?" "Who me?" Cooter gives an ornery look, "I was just torn on who to go for. And how mad Bo and Luke would be if I were to go for Awesome Bill from Dawsonville." "You'd trade your loyalty to my cousins for a celebrity NASCAR driver who has millions of fans?" she questions, giving him a disappointing look. Cooter shrugs. "Maybe they'll wreck Garrett and come in tied," he smiles at her. "Still holding that grudge, huh?" she questions. Cooter gives her a cold glare. "I had it from the day he stepped foot in Hazzard. That boy is nothing but trouble. I know he's your cousin and your uncle taught you that family is family," Cooter shakes his head, "but he don't belong here any more than I belong in the city! Heck. He don't deserve to be related to you, Jesse, Luke, or Bo. Poor Bo being his twin." Cooter shudders. "At least they are nothing alike nor look alike!" Daisy silently nods. "Well whether we understand Garrett or not, we are still family. God made us family for a reason, so I am not going to question that nor whether or not we deserve it. But talking about Garrett," Daisy states, "Jesse is worried about him sitting in jail on the day of the big race. We don't have mo-" "He deserves to be in jail, Daisy. Rosco finally got something right!" Cooter states angrily, "But your uncle can stop worrying his honest head over that fool boy. Ernie Elliott found me this morning and talked me into bringing him to see Rosco. He told ol' Rosco that if he didn't drop the charges and let Garrett go, that Bill and his fancy sponsors were going back to Atlanta." Daisy raises an eyebrow. "What did Rosco do?" Cooter laughs. "He told Ernie bye," Cooter laughs some more, "but then Hogg walked in and talked some crooked sense into him and why they don't want Bill to leave before the race. So Hogg made Rosco drop the charges. Ernie then said that he had to apologize to Garrett. Hogg made Rosco do that as well." "Oh boy," Daisy grins, "that'll help Jesse out a lot. Thank you Cooter." "Don't thank me, Daisy. If it were up to me, that boy would be on his way to the state jail in Atlanta right now where he belongs! You all can thank Ernie. For once, I agree with poor Rosco," Cooter flashes a smile, "today is the worst day ever." "Oh Cooter. It's going to be a great day!" Daisy grins getting back into her jeep, "Now I got to let Jesse know and get to work."

Clause

I was going to say sir, but that didn't seem to fit well either. LOL. It was odd to type that out as well. LOL

"Good morning Hazzard County!" the chipper DJ on the radio yells out as the sun begins to shine through the darkness of the early morning, "It's the morning of J.D. Hogg's big annual race and this DJ just got word that there is a big NASCAR name that will be in the mix. If any of y'all watch NASCAR, y'all will be excited to know that I got an inside source that says that Bill Elliott will be racing his number nine car in today's race!" The DJ goes silent on the radio momentarily, "Which may put a dinger in the normal outcome of the annual race that has been won by them Duke boys in the orange General Lee in the past few years. Will the Dukes be able to outrace the legend himself or will the legend be able to ruin the Dukes' good luck?" "Good luck?" Cooter questions the radio that plays in his shop, "Luck got nothing to do with them boys winning!" "I also go word that Garrett Duke got himself arrested last night as he got in the way of the sheriff's pursuit," the DJ continues on, "so that will be one less contender the Duke boys, as in Bo and Luke, will have to worry about. Now my source says his driver will have the horse power to win today's race with their eyes shut. So the money is on line as to who will win the race. If you are wanting to come by to watch the race and put a friendly wager on who the winner will be, the race will start at noon sharp and the winner will win Hogg's annual $1000 plus a year full of bragging rights. I wonder if all this has got them Duke boys nervous for once as their good luck will be bound to come to end sooner or later. And with my source's driver being so good plus Elliott himself being in the race, this year may be the year their luck runs dry." "Fat chance Hogg lover," Cooter rolls his eyes and angrily turns the radio off before stopping to stare blankly at his own racing car that he had signed up to race in today's race. "Mr. Davenport," an unknown voice thickly laced in southern drawl breaks through the thick silence to force Cooter to jump in surprise before slowly turning around to see a man with a red racing hat over light brown hair. "Sorry sir. I didn't mean to startle you." "Oh no. Not at all. I was just lost in thought," Cooter slowly stands up, "May I help you?" The man shyly shrugs as he shoves a hand out towards Cooter. "I'm Ernie Elliott. I'm Bill Elliott's crew chief and brother. You may have heard a thing or two about him." He firmly shakes Cooter's hand. "If what you heard was good, it's true. Anything bad, is a lie." Cooter laughs. "Yeah I heard a thing or two about your brother and I'm pretty sure they are all true," Cooter states as they drop hands and he motions his newcomer into his garage, "I do believe this is the first that a professional crew chief has come seeking me." Ernie laughs nervously. "Well I am sure your shop is the best around, but I am here seeking help in town. Rather for my car," Ernie slowly starts. "I have heard a thing or two about how you and Garrett Duke don't normally see eye to eye on things, so I am willing to accept that you may not want to help me out." "Woa wait a minute here," Cooter states with a smile, "I just heard about Garrett being arrested. I am not too big of a fan of him, but I am not a fan of our law either." Ernie nods. "Y'all got a crooked law system here. It's almost funny," Ernie slowly states before he slowly goes into the past couple of days of how he met Garrett and then the Dukes. "Bo and Luke are out practicing with my Bill. Bill really didn't want to go out and practice. He feels reliable for Garrett since Garrett has stuck his head out to help us to make all this possible. So Bo and Luke sent me to you. So here I am." Ernie shrugs. "This is what I get for running through the stop sign and into Garrett's car...right after he left your shop the other day." "Karma!" Cooter yells with a smile. "I say that towards Garrett. Not you. He comes running his attitude at me. He deserves to get hit. Sadly it collected you and Bill," Cooter slyly shrugs, "But with that said, I'll be glad to help you get Garrett out. But first, what he do to get arrested?" Ernie stares at Cooter for a long moment before slowly telling him what he heard that had gotten Garrett arrested. "Sounds like ol' Rosco at his finest," Cooter responds, "surprisingly he actually was able to arrest someone. Bo and Luke are always smart enough to escape from his schemes." "Always?" Ernie asks unbelieving and Cooter slowly shrugs, "Because the only reason they escaped, was because Garrett shoved him off the road." "Oh, yeah, that," Cooter slowly responds, "so what all do you need of me?" Ernie shrugs. "Well at least take me to whoever I need to see to pay for his bail so that he can at least race in today's race," he responds. "Let's do it," Cooter tosses down his grease stained rag and walks out of his garage and motions Ernie to follow him and they walk across the street and into the police station. "Alrighty alrighty, hold it right there," a familiar voice rings out from behind them as they step into the police station and they both turn around to find Sheriff Coltrane standing behind them with his hands on his hips, "why is this grease bum in my building?" "He's actually helping me. I'm Ernie Elliott," Ernie responds, "I'm here to bail Garrett Duke out of jail." "Garrett Duke?" he questions in disbelief, "Who would want that lowlife out of jail?" "Well," Ernie responds, "my brother for one. You may have heard of him. Bill Elliott." "I ain't no dummy!" Rosco yells, "Of course I've heard of him. But why would he want Garrett out of jail?" "First of all. That's a double negative. Which makes a positive. So you just called yourself a dummy," Ernie states with a smirk. "You hush it boy! You are working on joining that jail bird downstairs!" Sheriff snaps at him. "Just saying it as it is," Ernie shrugs, "but back to Garrett. Bill has made it clear that if you want him in your race today you will drop your charges against Garrett Duke before the race or else Bill and I are leaving and taking our sponsors with us." "OK. Well good bye," Rosco shrugs nonchalantly. "Wait a minute Sheriff," a short round man in a three piece white suit jumps out through a door way, "didn't you just hear what he asked you?" "Well um yeah," the sheriff stutters, "he wants us to drop all the charges that I have against Garrett and let him walk free." "Good. Go do it," the short man states lighting a cigar. "But Boss. I arrested Garrett fair and square. He broke the law. He ran into me. He assaulted me. Your sworn officer," Sheriff Coltrane argues, "you can't just expect me to drop all charges against him on what he says." "Oh yes I can you numbskull! You refuse his request a well known NASCAR driver is withdrawing from my race. He withdraws with his sponsors so does the fans that will come to watch as will all the money they will be bringing in for me. Um...I mean for Hazzard!" Hogg holds his cigar up in anger. "Now go down there and drop the charges against the Duke boy." "He also deserves an apology," Ernie states, enjoying the skit before him, "I mean he was only looking out for the best interest of his cousins that you were wrongfully going after. You have caused him great trauma through all this!" Rosco glares at Ernie for a long moment before looking at Boss who nods in agreement. "This is the worst day of my life!" Rosco sulks as he turns around and goes down the stairs to where Garrett is locked away at. Garrett looks up from staring down at the floor as he had been trying to listen into the conversation that was taking place upstairs, but only to hear voices that he couldn't place. As foot steps echo down the stairs, he looks up to see the sheriff angrily walking down the stairs and as he reaches the cell where Garrett sits, he reluctantly takes out a set of keys. "OK Duke," Rosco's voice is stern and full of anger, "your luck has finally went your way. For now." Garrett watches him slowly open the door before he stiffly stands up. "What you talking about, Sheriff?" he slowly asks, waiting for a trap. "I am here to release you and drop all of my charges that I rightly had against you," Rosco slowly responds. "Rosco!" Boss' voice echoes down the stairs. "And to tell you that I am sorry for arresting you and putting such trauma upon you," Rosco states as he rolls his eyes at Garrett. "You are free to go." Garrett flashes a rare smile at the sheriff before nodding in appreciation at him. "Why thank you sheriff," he slowly states and Rosco motions him up the stairs. "Next time," the sheriff whispers in his ear as they get to the stairs, "you aren't going to be so lucky. Next time, you'll be getting your free trip to Atlanta. Understood?" "Yes sir. Loud and clear," Garrett states as he quickens his step up the stairs and as they reach the top floor he is relieved to see Ernie and Cooter. "Ernie and Cooter. A sight for sore eyes." Cooter forces a smile at him. "I'm sure you didn't get much sleep last night," Ernie places a hand around Garrett's tense shoulders, "but I spent last night working on your car. You think you will be ready to race against Bill this afternoon?" "Really?" Garrett's eyes light up as they walk out of the sheriff's station and Ernie nods. "I'll be ready!" "Great. I'll take you to your car. Bo, Luke, and Bill are practicing now. You and Cooter can join them," Ernie responds as they head outside and back across the street to Cooter's Garage.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

football (from Cowboy)