The Empire Strikes Back!

....Little does our rebel band on the run realize the GALACTIC EMPIRE has secretly begun construction on a new action plan even more powerful than the first dreaded Death Star. When completed, this ultimate weapon will spell certain doom for the small band on the run of Rebels struggling to restore freedom to the galaxy...

Me and Cajunballs Auvin were tooling down the road listening to the Guns N' Roses c.d. and heading for our monthly managers' meeting. At the behest of our fearless leader, the enenematic, Briggs. We were reminiscing and telling war stories, recalling our days working together with Sandy Fajitas,
as the music blared.

Loaded like a freight train. Flyin' like an aeroplane,
Feelin' like a space brain one more time tonight
Well I'm a west coast struttin',one bad mother
Got a rattlesnake suitcase under my arm
Said I'm a mean machine been drinkin'gasoline
An honey you can make my motor hum
I got one chance left in a nine live cat....

We pulled into the parking lot of the motel and made the trek to our room. We decided to drop by the bar and soak up the ambiance and talk to our peers, some of whom had soaked up more than the surroundings. One, Commander Garrison a leader of the Rebel Forces, was in the midst of a story. Seems Lord Briggs had been to his store TE ( Tatooine Ewe ) earlier in the week. We caught the tail end of Garrison's yarn at its climax.

Garrison
Lord Briggs, this is an unexpected pleasure.
We're honored by your presence.

Briggs
You may dispense with the pleasantries, Commander. I'm here to put you back on schedule.

Garrison turns ashen and begins to shake.

Garrison
I assure you, Lord Briggs, my men are working as fast as they can.

Briggs
Perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them.

Garrison
I tell you, this station will become more operational as planned.

Briggs
The Emperor does not share your
optimistic appraisal of the situation.

Garrison
But he asks the impossible. I need more men.

Briggs
Then perhaps you can tell him when he arrives.

Garrison (aghast)
The Emperor's coming here?

Briggs
That is correct, Commander. And he is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress.

Garrison
We shall double our efforts.

Briggs
I hope so, Commander, for your sake. The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am.

Commander ( Mr. ) Garrison was a bit shaken after recounting his tale. He withdrew a prescription bottle of pills from his pocket and downed a few. "Daddy's little helpers, eh? What a drag it is getting old," I thought.

After a few more brandys me and Cajunballs Auvin retired to our room. Commander Garrison and the rest of the Rebel Forces retreated as well. Our meeting with Lord Briggs was early in the a.m. and we needed our shut-eye.

The next day arrived too quickly. Lord Briggs called the meeting to order.

"All right, good to see everyone. Let's get started. Hey! You two dinosaurs in the back! If you don't mind, the meeting has come to order."

We all looked to the back of the room and saw no one.

"Lord Briggs, there's nobody there," someone said.

"Yeah, back in the back. The guy that can't compartmentalize and the guy that used to be in the club business in Sacramento," returned Lord Briggs.

"You fired them last week, Lord Briggs. Don't you remember?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah I did. Let's get down to brass tacks, guys and gals. We've got a lot to cover. We've got some new tactics and action plans to devour, and we've got a special guest."

"The Emperor?" we all said in unison.

"No, Harry Reemem."

I looked at Cajunballs Auvin and he looked at me. It was mental telepathy time. We needed help. And we needed it quick.

"Help us, Hoki One Kanobi."

"Help us, Hoki One Kanobi."

"Help us, Hoki One Kanobi....