#1
The resulting uproar shook the rafters as voices yelled in protest and people scattered from the slippery, odoriferous droplets Inky, Ruby and Junior seemed hell bent on sharing with their unappreciative people.

"Oh gag!" Clora hollered with feeling. "Out dogs, get out! Open the freakin door Wayne!"

Wayne was rolling on the floor in laughter, covered in as much manure as the dogs. Tears were streaming down his face and he was trying to talk, but couldn't.

Evie marched over and opened the door, sternly ordering the dogs outside. Inky and Ruby obeyed, Junior thought this was a wonderful time for a game of chase and he really got into the spirit of the fun.

Back and forth under the table, Junior wiped his sodden fur and assorted hitchhikers from the manure lagoon against the pant legs and skirts of the Hanson clan. Benny waited until Junior made a round and opened the door, blocking the pup and sweeping him outside with a swift foot.

"Thank goodness," Evie breathed a sigh of relief. "I don't think I could have taken another minute of all that fun. I believe those dogs are getting worse as they gang uo on us."

"Evil and vicious monsters," Sandy spat with feeling. "What ever is on my face and whatever goo I just spit out, I'm warning you, don't say a word about what it is."

Benny, Inga, Lainey and Clora laughed with good feeling. Wayne was still enjoying the fracas from his vantage point on the floor.

Evie had a curiosity she needed scratched. She wanted to see what the trophies might hold, a big heaping helping of skepticism doubting that story about diamonds.

"Benny, you and Wayne run downstairs and bring up Inga's trunk. If we women grab a rag and make a clean spot, we can test Stan's lies." Evie looked in disgust at the mess in her kitchen.

"You don't believe Stan?" Lainey was curious.

"Not a bit," Evie replied firmly. "Something doesn't sound right."

"Don't forget, my trunk took almost a year to reach here," Inga said softly, thinking back on the unusual circumstances, finding now that it made more sense.

There was crashing, bumping and some under breath cussing as the men maneuvered the trunk up stairs.

"There must be lead pigs in here," Benny panted as he levered the trunk next to the table. "How much did it cost to send this monstrosity home? It weighs a ton."

"No idea, let's get one of those up on the table and take it apart," Inga opened the trunk and lifted out a gold plated cup a foot long.

"See if the base will loosen from the trophy," Clora suggested, leaning over to grab another statue from the trunk.