“Where would you like to go?”
“Oh, the French Riviera. I’m thinking about the Principality of Monaco, and becoming a jewel thief. I’ve been working on a foolproof way to nip the ice. I gave it a spin, and it works fine, so that’s my plan, and there’s more jewels on the Riviera than anywhere else, so my life is finally coming together. But I still need a ticket.”
“What am I gonna do with all these signed Wanted posters if you leave?”
“You gonna spot me the cash or not?”
“I’m tired of setting type and breaking it down. I’m tired of Rock Springs. It’s desert. I want ocean. I’m going with you. I’m outa this place.”
“You? The Riviera?”
“Hell yes, Mugs. Let’s go. You’ll get a ticket, but only if I get a ticket too.”
The final issue of the Tattler reported that Sheriff Stoopnagle had recovered the booty stolen from the bank. The sheriff suspected that it was an inside job, and was gathering evidence. J. J. Jones, the bank’s president, said his bank was sound and back in business and ready to make new loans at only slightly usurious rates. Sheriff Stoopnagle announced that the Mugs Birdsong Academy of Crime had shut its doors, and its proprietor was leaving. The sheriff was honoring Mugs Birdsong at a banquet for his outstanding contributions to the criminal justice system. And that this would be the final issue of the Tattler. Its editor was moving abroad.
Mugs Birdsong's Crime Academy Page 8
