Fill-In-The-Blank Game!

'Yes!' laughed Doctor Sphinx, somewhat insincerely. 'If only...'

'Hey! Wait! What's that up there!?' The good Doctor pointed to the highest of the Rocky Mountains.

Everyone squinted to see what he was pointing at, but no one could see what he meant.

'The yeti!' exclaimed Doctor Sphinx, feigning excitement, in hopes of diverting the group from the yokel-town of Severance. 'I think I spotted the yeti!'

hey, if you really want to see a bunch of Yeti's, go see "Smallfoot" movie, there's a bunch of them in it and it'll give you a few laughs .....


but Christine realized they weren't listening plus most of them were "too old" to get the humor anyway especially @Doctor.Sphinx who was so old that there was no way he'd be able to ski or even ride a lift without falling off

Christine just thought "oops maybe I shouldn't be thinking bad thoughts so close to Christmas"
and decided to behave herself and find out what's going on with @LaSorcia and the running with sharp objects

and also find out why @Doctor.Sphinx seemed so perturbed with the cowboy

"think there's been a lot going on with this crew" she murmured under her breath and thought @Sam91 was the one to consult with as she'd always seemed to be in the know

said Christine40. The good Doctor wondered whether the framers of the famous CF star's contract had neglected to include the clause about not referring fans to other media which may be in competition with the exciting and bizarre adventures of the CF crew.

Sam91 would have laughed at the Sphinx's hypocrisy but she was too concerned about his ailments.

She took hold of laSorcia's hedgetrimmers and tried to lop of his head.

However, his neck was too stiff and her female arms too feeble...

'Yikes, Sam91!' said Doctor Sphinx, clearly upset by the bizarre behaviour of his favourite-potential-but-still-quite-female heir.

'I am just grateful that nature is as chauvinistic as I am, and your aesthetically-pleasing-but-otherwise-feeble female arms were unable to lop my handsome head from my stranglely stiff neck,' he chided condescendingly, as he patted his potential heir affectionately on the head, and rubbed his neck with his other hand.

She accidentally (?) impaled him with the hedgetrimmers instead.

The Sphinx incorrectly quoted his favourite battle cry

'A scratch, a scratch, but t'is enough, t'will serve.' He pointed at Sam 91 and Mr H 'a plague on both your houses' staggering about melodramatically with the hedgetrimmers still attached to his thigh...

He did have to admit, at least to himself, that this did hurt more than had Sam91 just said something nice to Mr H. He hoped someone might be able to give him a ride to the hospital, as he was starting to feel quite poorly.

Aloud, he mentioned 'Sam91, you should always use the right tool for the job. Hedge trimmers are for trimming, not impaling.'

He decided it was much more comfortable to lie down than continue the bravado of appearing macho, and did so, before realising that there were other issues in life so much more important than feminism or chauvinism. As his eyes clouded into darkness, he felt much more contented that this fate had at least saved him from Mr H's schemes around those RMO parasites, and perhaps, minus her chaperone, Sam91 might even be saved from them herself...

with the sight of blood, Christine started to panic but also knew they needed to head to Greeley for an acute care hospital unless
@Sam91 was to perform the needed care....

and did she even still have her bag of yamukes, yaks, or whatever they were called?

'No!' gasped Doctor Sphinx, waking up at the thought. 'Sam91... infected... RMOs... Must... not... operate...'

'And they're called yarmulkes,' he whispered to Christine40.

With that, he laid his head back down again, and had quite a pleasant sleep, which may, or may not, have been his last.

Sam91 took the wait and see approach.

The blood started coagulating and the doc started snoring.

@christine40 tried to not feel embarassed at panicking but @LaSorcia reassured her that it was all the Sphinx's fault due to his flair for very amateur dramatics.

'Ah, it's good to be so cared for,' exclaimed the Doctor, as he awoke from his pleasant slumber to find Christine40, LaSorcia, Sam91, and the ever-intolerable Mr-H standing over him anxiously. He noted with satisfaction that Sam91 seemed to be the most anxious of all.

'That's almost as good as an apology,' he thought to himself smugly.

As he stretched, he noticed that the hedge-trimmer was still imbedded in his thigh, so he withdrew it, much to the pained expressions of the others, and gave a few demonstative snips, much to the concern of most of the others and the disgust of LaSorcia.

'See?' explained Doctor Sphinx, not seeming to have properly learned from his recent escapade. 'This is why women should never be allowed to carry sharp objects... At least, not outside the safe confines of their kitchens,' he added thoughtfully.

'I do make an exception for you, LaSorcia,' he announced generously, 'as he noted the famed author's narrowing eyebrows. But do try to think what might have happened if this incident had involved anyone other than me. None of us would ever have heard the end of it, and you, dear Sam91, would be straight to the brig once we returned to our ship. David Firth does not suffer a woman to impale - especially not with hedgetrimmers.'

Sam91 seemed about to respond, but was silenced by a waggling of the Doctor's finger, as he arose from his resting place. She was a little disappointed that he didn't even seem to be hobbling.

Doctor.Sphinx said:

'Ah, it's good to be so cared for,' exclaimed the Doctor, as he awoke from his pleasant slumber to find Christine40, LaSorcia, Sam91, and the ever-intolerable Mr-H standing over him anxiously. He noted with satisfaction that Sam91 seemed to be the most anxious of all.

'That's almost as good as an apology,' he thought to himself smugly.

As he stretched, he noticed that the hedge-trimmer was still imbedded in his thigh, so he withdrew it, much to the pained expressions of the others, and gave a few demonstative snips, much to the concern of most of the others and the disgust of LaSorcia.

'See?' explained Doctor Sphinx, not seeming to have properly learned from his recent escapade. 'This is why women should never be allowed to carry sharp objects... At least, not outside the safe confines of their kitchens,' he added thoughtfully.

'I do make an exception for you, LaSorcia,' he announced generously, 'as he noted the famed author's narrowing eyebrows. But do try to think what might have happened if this incident had involved anyone other than me. None of us would ever have heard the end of it, and you, dear Sam91, would be straight to the brig once we returned to our ship. David Firth does not suffer a woman to impale - especially not with hedgetrimmers.'

Sam91 seemed about to respond, but was silenced by a waggling of the Doctor's finger, as he arose from his resting place. She was a little disappointed that he didn't even seem to be hobbling.

Click to expand...

What the Sphinx took to be anxiety was actually dread that he was wakening. She thought he was just as insufferable as the intolerable Mr H today and had been enjoying the rest.

For some time, nobody said a word. Then the Sphinx noticed the look of dread on Sam91's face. 'My dear Sam91', said he, 'I must apologise for being an insufferable, intolerable...'

He searched for an appropriate word to describe his conduct.

'Chauvinist?' asked Sam91.

The Sphinx nodded. 'I had no idea I could ever be so wrong, but since your errr... treatment, I've had time to consider the error... or errors, of my ways.'

Sam91 nodded. The Sphinx was certainly not a stranger to errors. In fact, she thought that if he could just write down all his thoughts on paper, then do the exact opposite, he might actually never make a mistake.

LaSorcia started to make a comment, but the Sphinx interrupted her.

'Electrical work, flooring, building furniture, concreting, child care, washing machines...' he said admiringly. 'Giving birth,' he continued, staring directly first at Sam91's tummy, then LaSorcia's, then Christine40's, before frowning when he got to Mr H's. 'You women can do everything.'

The fearful three and Christine40 exchanged awkward glances.

On the Sphinx's awakening, Sam91 had originally thought that perhaps her aim had been out, but with the recent developments, she was wondering if her treatment had just taken a little longer than expected to take effect. The only problem was, the Sphinx seemed to be even more weird than normal. She shrugged. There were cures for weirdness, just as there were cures for chauvinism, and answered graciously, 'Oh, well, Doctor Sphinx. We do what we can. But it's nice to get acknowledgement from time to time.'

'Yes,' replied the Doctor. 'Now what was it you wanted to do? Horse-riding? Bull-fighting? Dancing? Eating? Do come on Mr H, these women are waiting!'

'So, you're not concerned about catching any errr... parasites or diseases in this place, anymore, Doctor?' asked LaSorcia cautiously.

The Doctor laughed. 'With a lady like Sam91 in charge of medicine, what could possibly go wrong? And not to mention yourself and Christine40 to provide support. No, I think the biggest risk to our expedition is Mr H, but I'm sure he's nothing you ladies can't handle between yourselves.'

And with that, the group continued to make their way toward...

The cabin. The-not-so-pretty-faced Mr H opened the door. It was actually very spacious and homely. Everyone went to investigate their rooms while Mr H went into the garage for the decorations.

The fearless group sang carols while making the cabin festive. Mr H informed them that in the morning they would visit the ranch and in the evening they would go to Severence's annual Christmas eve ball after carols in the quaint, local church.

They had a great supper of succulent steaks and retired to bed very happy.

On the way Sam91 wanted to apologise to the good doc but didn't know how. He graciously gave her a small nod to acknowledge her remorse.

The next morning...

The crew awoke to the smell of beef sausages cooking on the grill. Mr H prepared Sam91, and the others who preferred a lighter breakfasts, sumptious fruit salads.

The good-but-unusually-silent doctor faked smiles throughout the visit to the ranch. Sam91 wondered what the doctor was thinking but wisely didn't ask. The visit went smoothly, in part because Mr H addressed most of the conversation towards @LaSorcia and @christine40 fearing another bloodied nose.

They group retired and changed for the Severence annual Christmas eve ball. LaSorcia wore a beautiful robe in emerald green. @christine40 had forgotten to return @*LILAC's ballgown of the most delicate shade of Lilac, and looked beautiful in it.

Alas, Samantha had no ball gown. She felt awful and wondered what to do. Through the door waltzed the stunning @joyshirley.

'Cinders you shall go to the ball!' She chimed.

'Ooooh no I can't' wailed Samantha.

'Oh yes you can!' Responded Joy Shirley panto style.

Out from Sam91's handbag-of-uncertain-proportions she pulled out a gown of brilliant white, bedecked with shiny crystals and elaborate silver stitching. Sam91's mouth froze in the most unbecoming expression. Tears of gratitude fell from her eyes. She rushed to cuddle her benevolent friend.

Joy Shirley informed Sam91 that the whole crew were in Severence for the ball. No questions were asked.

At the ball the Doctor watched his favourite potential heir try to dance. Sometimes she was graceful until she reverted back to true sinistra type. He wondered whether she would be able to remain single, he would not want the inheritance to pass to a potential husband.

@DavidFirth's wife had joined him and they danced a merry dance. Infact, all the crew were reunited with friends and family, which was a major boost to the town's population and economy.

Then

When the festivities died down and the courageous crew's family had returned home, @LaSorcia realised the Sphinx had disappeared.

No wonder the Christmas period had been so uneventful that nothing worth writing about had occurred Sam91 thought. Things were peaceful without him.

The crew weren't sure whether to worry but Sam91 reminded them of Philippians 4:6-8. @*LILAC added in the do not worry vwrses from the sermon of the mount.

The crew began to wonder instead. They checked his room, Sam91 found a note written mostly in code.

'TOP SECRET

*h*v*g*n*t*M*sc*w*ns**rch*f*nt*l.W*ll*xpl**ns**n.

Pl**s***tth*sc*rr*sp*nd*nc**nc*r**d.'

Sam91 was not going to obey that order and set the note alight instead.

She turned and cryptically said

'He is MIA presumed KIA'...

As the good doctor, timing as impeccable as ever, strolled into the room, and interpreted for the non-military-acronymically-knowledgable - 'that means, I am the Male - or Man, as some prefer to describe it - In Authority, rather than a South Korean car, or a mis-spelling of an intelligent New Zealand bird, although I am somewhat of a...'

The doctor's rousing return speech was interrupted by the likes of JoyShirley, Christine40, LaSorcia and several of the less-noteworthy others, who had gathered around the Doctor in awe, as if to thank him for honouring them with his presence once more. The doctor generously dismissed the adoring crowd with a slight but magnificent wave of his hand, and they all started questioning him about where he'd been, what they had missed, and what did Santa bring him for Christmas.

Sam91 - still wearing her gown of brilliant white, bedecked with shiny crystals and elaborate silver stitching - narrowed her eyes at the entrace of the doctor, and her face formed a frown, as she tried to remember what she had done with LaSorcia's hedge trimmers. Mr H choked on whatever unbecoming something he had been chewing on.

'Now, Cinderalla,' commented the Doctor, 'Or should I say Sam91? I hope you and all the worthy members of our CF crew partook in the consumption of the anti-toxic agent I left you all...'

'Anti-toxic agent?' asked Sam91. 'We only found your note?'

'Oh, that's alright,' laughed the Doctor. 'The note was the anti-toxic agent. As I was saying, in approximately 8 minutes, this cheap, spaghetti-Western-excuse-for-a-country-town is going to be bathed in the most toxic agent known to man... and woman' he added, as he glanced at Sam91, 'and anyone who hasn't consumed any of the antidote, including all those hicks and yokels, will uhh... well, they'll get what's coming to them.'

'You did share around my note with the anti-toxic agent to all of the CF crew, didn't you, Sam91?' asked the Doctor sternly.

Sam91 shook her head nervously. 'Nnnnnn...'

'Oh, I don't mean to Mr H, Sam,' smiled the Doctor. 'It seems rather fitting to me, that he should remain here in his home town. I do agree with you on that point.'

For a moment, no one spoke nor moved, but then...

The Sphink laughed out loud proclaiming...

'It is a good day, to die, in Severance'.

Doctor Sphinx looked suspiciously at this new Sphink character. He hoped that the new actor on the Fill-in-the-blank-game was not going to try and upstage him. He, Christine40, and some of the more convincing of the CF crew made a lot starring in this thread, and none of them wanting some upstart bumbling in and ruining their little racket.

But before the doctor could dwell further on this thought... he realised it was his imagination playing tricks on him, and it was he himself who had made the announcement.

But before the doctor could dwell further on *that* thought...

Sam91 said 'it is good to see you. Are we all going to die?'

The not-very-tolerable Mr H had mysteriously disappeared and so had the Sphink.

Dr S waved one hand magnaminously...