February 3, 2025 • 24 mins
Have you ever wondered what might want from a small beachside bakery? Join us for a thrilling tale at Cookie Cabana, where Mandy and Barry find themselves in the midst of an unexpected heist led by a trio of blue-furred, feather-adorned robbers.
Our sponsor for today is the new business book "The Extortionist's Guide to Success." Enjoy
Content Warning: profanity, gunshots, gun violence.
Sound Effects by Pixabay
Music:
"Skinny Food Fighters Blues 85" by Won Jong Hwa from Pixabay
“Office Tour – Corporate Background Music” by SunnyVibesAudio from Pixabay
“Cha Cha Cha” by music_for_video from Pixabay
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Hi everyone, this is Coffee McCann and welcome to
episode 43 of Discount Storytime.
This week's story is CookieCabana and our sponsor for today
is the new breakthrough book,the Extortionist's Guide to
(00:26):
Success.
Enjoy.
The Extortionist's Guide toSuccess is the new business book
sensation.
Tired of others having morethan you?
More money, more stuff and moremoney?
Well, guess what else they have?
(00:55):
That's right more secrets.
Extortionist and public speakerZetz Montgomery III has
incorporated all his knowledgeinto his easy-to-use PEP or
Power Extortion Principlessystem and he's sharing it with
you in this easy-to-readpractical guide to get you up
and extorting your way to thetop.
He concludes his breakthroughbook with out-of-the-box ideas
(01:21):
to get more than just materialthings.
For example, listen to thesetestimonials Zarfield Driggle of
Driggle Industries says MrMontgomery's book is amazing.
His pep system works.
Trust me, please buy as manycopies as you can, please.
Award-winning actress BetsyFlarg says Mr Montgomery's book
(01:46):
is amazing.
His pep system really works.
Trust me, please buy as manycopies as you can, please.
And Zinnia Grandberry, chiefeditor of the prestigious Money
Business Magazine, writes MrMontgomery's book is amazing.
His PEP system works.
(02:08):
Trust me, please buy as manycopies as you can.
Please Power up your blackmaillike a pro with the
Extortionist's Guide to Success,now available at bookstores
near you.
Now available at bookstoresnear you.
(02:31):
Content warning for profanity,gunshots and gun violence.
Cookie Cabana.
Mandy stared at the mysteriousyoung man at the door.
Well, he wouldn't be thatmysterious if you knew the story
of the robbery 30 years ago.
(02:52):
But Mandy had one big problemHis husband, barry, didn't know
the story, at least not the fullstory.
And here is the full story.
And here is the full story.
30 years ago, mandy and Barryfound each other in a local
(03:13):
cooking class.
First was friendship and theywent over to each other's homes
and made lunch, which turnedinto making dinners, which one
night led to making breakfastthe next morning.
And they both always wanted toown a bakery.
So after they married, theyskipped their honeymoon to save
(03:34):
the money, wrote a solidbusiness plan and bought a small
bakery with an upstairsapartment and with lots and lots
of support from friends andfamily, mandy and Barry opened
the Cookie Cabana, a littlebakery just off the beach that
drew in snacking tourists.
(03:54):
All was sunshine and happinessuntil the day of the robbery,
which was not sunny but rainy.
That was probably because ofcoincidence or lazy scene
building.
Barry left to run errands andMandy worked on inventory in the
back.
(04:14):
After a while Mandy heard theshop door chime.
At the front door stood notthree customers but three
trouble.
Stood not three customers, butthree trouble.
The three strangers had bluefur and wore all black boots,
pants and long-sleeved shirtsNot exactly beachwear, rainy day
(04:36):
or not, and this was a tip-off.
They wore black eye masks overtheir googly eyes.
They wore black eye masks overtheir googly eyes.
The masks did little to concealtheir menacing glares.
These robbers weren't messingaround.
One was much larger than theother two and wore a diamond.
(04:57):
The second one was smaller butstill pretty big, and the
smallest one wore feathers inher fur, but Mandy's attention
was on their revolvers.
Through a dry throat Mandy saidWelcome to Cookie Cabana.
How can I help you?
The big one with the diamondsnarled Do we look like customer
(05:21):
?
No, sir, mandy said and put hishands in the air.
Now you get it Give cookies.
Each robber held up a largeburlap sack.
Mandy's voice shook and heasked Any particular cookies you
would like today?
The big one said no, care, allcookies, rico, not like snooty
(05:47):
celebrity cousin can getwhatever cookie he want on set
of children's show.
The medium-sized robberwhispered Rico, you say we not
use real name, remember Tony,real name no matter.
We wearing mask, idiot.
Rico growled back at themedium-sized one apparently
(06:11):
named Tony.
Rico tossed his bag to Mandywho filled it with cookies.
Mandy's shaking arms held outthe bulging sack.
Rico grabbed the sack andpulled out a sugar cookie.
He scraped off frosting andrubbed it against his gum.
That frosting been cut.
(06:35):
What the hell is this youtrying?
Rip off Rico.
He shook furiously and thepupils of his googly eyes spun
around madly.
Clearly Rico was as dangerousas he was unpredictable and
dangerous.
(06:55):
Again, mandy's hands went intothe air.
No, no, that's our standardrecipe, I promise.
The smallest robber withfeathers in her hair spoke up.
Hey, mister, we believe you.
You're doing good job.
But here deal Lola, not justlooking for standard cookie.
(07:17):
Mandy assumed one, this wasLola and two, these were not
criminal masterminds.
Tentatively, mandy asked whatare you looking for, lola?
Hey, how you know Lola name?
(07:37):
Rico roared but Tony calmed himdown.
She just say it, rico, we allgave names away, yes, but
remember we wearing masks.
Rico tapped his temple smartly.
Lola got a faraway look in hereyes and said I'm looking for
(08:02):
Big Score, the one where I canget out of Two-Bit Town and
start over.
Maybe be showgirl.
Wear dress down to there.
Do merengue and or cha-cha?
Mandy lowered his hands a bit,appraised Lola and asked what's
the big score?
(08:22):
Lola nodded her head as ifagreeing with herself about
something.
Her googly eyes sparkled as shesaid the vault.
We want cookies from the GreatCookie Vault.
As if the words the GreatCookie Vault cast a magic spell.
(08:43):
All three robbers froze for amoment.
Then Tony said yeah, mister, weragtag group looking to fulfill
dream.
Great cookie vault will fixeverything, maybe start new life
, maybe new life together.
(09:04):
Tony stared at Lola for just amoment, but long enough Mandy
sighed we don't have the GreatCookie Vault.
I too have heard the rumors,but I think it's a myth and even
if the Great Cookie Vault isreal, it isn't here.
(09:37):
Mandy, who knew love and what itmeant to have someone to love,
spoke directly to Tony and LolaIf you're young and you have
each other, who could ask formore?
Rico gave a piercing howl.
His pupils shook allhiggedly-piggedly in a sort of
funny but mostly terrifying way.
You liar you like all the rest.
(09:59):
We know you have Great CookieVault.
We case bakery for weeks.
Find no evidence that you don'thave Great Cookie Vault, that
proof.
Mandy cocked his head andmuttered that doesn't even make
sense.
Rico didn't reply, at least notwith words.
(10:19):
Instead he shook with rage butthen calmed eerily, almost
serenely, as his furry bluehands carefully trained his
revolver on Mandy's face.
Mandy could see down the barrelof the gun and wondered if that
(10:41):
would be the last thing he eversaw.
He thought of his husband,barry, and how they had just
started their lives together,their dreams of having a family
growing old.
His eyes welled up.
I would take you to the vault.
I really would Search the place.
(11:03):
It's not here, I swear it.
Tony, watching the situationescalate, said Me believe you,
we believe you, we all Me notbelieve you.
Rico grinned and cocked hisrevolver.
Tony slid between Mandy and therevolver.
(11:25):
Rico, think it through.
We cookie robbers, not monsters.
We not kill you taking too far,me not let you hurt.
A deafening gunshot reverberatedthrough the tiny shop.
Mandy flinched.
He reflexively shut his eyesand when he dared to reopen them
(11:49):
, the scene had changed.
Rico was still standing, butTony crumpled to the ground.
Blood covered his chest and hisbreathing became short and
raspy.
Lola fell down next to him andcradled his furry blue head.
Tony, tony, no, me, not lose you.
(12:11):
Tony looked up at her andsmiled, then coughed blood.
We get away right, lola, likeyou said.
Lola gently stroked Tony's headand nodded yes, tony, also me,
(12:31):
wanted to surprise you.
But well, me, pregnant, me namebaby Tony Jr after father, or
Tony, with an I if girl.
It work out pretty well eitherway.
Well, either way, baby me goingto be father.
(12:54):
Tony coughed up clotted blood.
He smiled, then went limp.
His googly eyes froze, crying.
Lola tried to do the thing inmovies where someone passes
(13:16):
their hand over the deadperson's eyes and they close.
She tried about four or fivetimes before remembering they
don't have eyelids.
She turned on Rico and, in avoice soaked in hatred, said you
took everything from me andTony done nothing but help you.
(13:38):
You are not brains of operation.
You, big and dumb Tony, trytalk reason and you shoot him,
(14:13):
him, you, you a word.
You useless to operation.
Woman like you.
Make me think of another wordthat start with C.
C is for you.
No, say that word.
You no dare say it.
Rico glowered.
C is for Connie, another loudgunshot.
(14:38):
Then five more.
Mandy watched Rico's smug smiletwist into confusion.
Then, in the slow motion gainedby shock, rico's face rippled
and a moment later the left halfof his head disappeared, simply
gone, replaced with anexplosion of blood and tissue.
(15:02):
The force spun Rico and helanded against the glass counter
, smashing it.
His body fell with blood andbroken glass, but his eyes
focused on Mandy in a malevolentglare.
A ringing followed the report,mixed with Lola's sobs.
(15:23):
She dropped Tony's revolver andhunched over him.
Mandy, who always had greathearing, made out the faint
sounds of police sirens.
Someone must have heard thegunshots and called the police.
And what about Barry?
In all the chaos and confusionMandy forgot Barry would soon
(15:45):
return.
Mandy saw Lola not as a robberor a killer, but as a young
woman who just lost everything.
He remembered just minutes agothe faraway look in her eyes
when she talked about startingover.
Mandy realized he was onlyalive because of Tony's
(16:07):
sacrifice and knew what he hadto do.
He ran to the back and grabbeda large t-shirt, baseball cap
and all the cash he could fromhis wallet.
Then he ran back and emptiedthe cash register.
It wasn't a lot, but it wasenough.
Then he shoved the cash,t-shirt, cap into a small bag
(16:28):
and returned to Lola.
Lola, listen to me, you don'thave time.
He panted.
Lola pushed him away and shookher head.
Me lost everything.
Listen up now.
Mandy barked.
This isn't just about you, notanymore.
This is about Tony Jr or Tonywith an I.
(16:52):
Lola looked up Take this.
There isn't time to argue withme, take it.
Mandy shoved the bag into Lola'shands and helped her up.
Go to the back, take off yourbloody shirt and put it in the
trash bin.
I'll get rid of it.
Put on the fresh shirt and capand take the money and get on a
bus and go where, anywhere,anywhere, but here, get away.
(17:16):
It's not much, I admit, but itcan get you out of here and keep
you out of prison.
The police sirens grew louder.
Go out the back door and downthe alley to your left.
That will get you out of here.
Lola was coming out of hertrance, but still confused.
But we robbed.
(17:36):
I am going to tell the police.
Rico and Tony came in here torob me, got into a fight and
shot each other.
You were never here.
You, you saving me, help me,thank you.
You can thank me by raisinglittle Tony to be a good person
(17:57):
like Tony Sr, oh, but maybe nota criminal.
Can we at least try for that?
Now go.
Lola, fully alert, now startedto give Mandy a hug, but he
pushed her back.
Gotta keep the blood off myshirt, so my story matches.
Lola looked down, mandy liftedher chin and gave her a warm
(18:19):
smile.
I tell you what you owe me ahug someday when this is all
blown over.
Promise, promise.
Lola said and ran to the back,and not a moment too.
Soon as the store bell chimedand both Barry and the police
rushed in, mandy ran to hisbewildered husband and gave him
(18:43):
a hug.
It's okay, these two came in torob us.
Then they started arguing andshot each other.
I'm okay.
One police officer said we gota report of three suspects
entering your shop.
No officer, just these two.
Mandy, with his keen hearing,heard the back door quietly
(19:07):
click closed and he let out asigh.
That was 30 years ago.
Mandy and Barry eventually soldthe bakery.
The trauma of that day was toomuch.
They made a sizable profit offthe sale, invested wisely and
(19:31):
retired early.
The doorbell rang at theirbeachside condo and Mandy opened
it.
There stood a young man, around30, with blue fur and googly
eyes.
With blue fur and googly eyes.
Mandy took a step back insurprise.
Yes, mr Mandy Mandelow askedthe young man in a husky voice.
(19:55):
Yes, that's me.
Can I help you?
The young man cleared histhroat.
Did you own Cookie Cabana about30 years ago?
Yes, the pieces fell in placeand Mandy invited the young man
in Me name, tony Jr or TJ Me mom, she just passed away, had
(20:26):
diabetes, probably because weonly eat cookies.
Tony Jr rubbed the back of hisneck, not sure what to say.
I'm sorry to hear that.
I only met her once, briefly,but she seemed like a lovely
woman, me, thank you.
Tony Jr rubbed his furry bluehands together.
(20:46):
Can I ask how was your mom'slife?
Good, me think.
Her single mom, but able toraise me and go to school,
became nurse and helped lots ofpeople.
(21:09):
Mandy's eyes welled and heoffered Tony Jr a seat, but he
politely declined.
No, no, thank you Me.
Not stay long, if okay.
This not easy, I understand.
Is there something you need?
Mom asked me before she died.
(21:35):
She say she promised to giveyou something so busy.
Then time go by fast Then.
Anyway, mom want to give youthis.
Tony Jr lunged forward, almostknocking Mandy over, and hugged.
(21:57):
After a moment Mandy felt TonyJr shudder and cry and hugged
him back.
Barry walked in and hiseyebrows raised oh hi, I'm sorry
I didn't hear the door.
Tony Jr released the hug andwiped tears from his eyes.
That, okay, may need to getgoing.
(22:24):
Thank you for time.
Mandy's voice choked.
Thank you, and you take care.
If you need anything We'll do.
Thanks, and Tony Jr walked out.
Hon, what's going on?
Asked Barry.
Mandy wiped away tears.
(22:44):
Oh, it's fine, it's fine.
Everything is fine.
Clearly it isn't, barry saidand took Mandy's hand.
Mandy nodded.
It's about that robbery yearsago.
I didn't tell you and thepolice everything and I'm sorry,
(23:05):
but I had to hide someone fromthe police and I didn't want to
get you involved or put you indanger.
Mandy saw the worried look inhis husband's eyes and led him
down the hallway.
Come with me into the kitchenand I'll tell you the entire
(23:26):
story.
I suddenly feel like bakingcookies the end.
Thank you for listening.
I really hope you enjoyed thisout episode and l episode and
(23:49):
that you um enjoy the format,going back to the old format,
and please write to me.
Let me know what you think.
Contact information is in theshow notes and I love hearing
from you.
And until next time, play nicewith others, be super duper kind
to yourself and, as always,remember to laugh Bye.
Hi everyone, this is Coffee McCann and welcome to
episode 43 of Discount Storytime.
This week's story is CookieCabana and our sponsor for today
is the new breakthrough book,the Extortionist's Guide to
(00:26):
Success.
Enjoy.
The Extortionist's Guide toSuccess is the new business book
sensation.
Tired of others having morethan you?
More money, more stuff and moremoney?
Well, guess what else they have?
(00:55):
That's right more secrets.
Extortionist and public speakerZetz Montgomery III has
incorporated all his knowledgeinto his easy-to-use PEP or
Power Extortion Principlessystem and he's sharing it with
you in this easy-to-readpractical guide to get you up
and extorting your way to thetop.
He concludes his breakthroughbook with out-of-the-box ideas
(01:21):
to get more than just materialthings.
For example, listen to thesetestimonials Zarfield Driggle of
Driggle Industries says MrMontgomery's book is amazing.
His pep system works.
Trust me, please buy as manycopies as you can, please.
Award-winning actress BetsyFlarg says Mr Montgomery's book
(01:46):
is amazing.
His pep system really works.
Trust me, please buy as manycopies as you can, please.
And Zinnia Grandberry, chiefeditor of the prestigious Money
Business Magazine, writes MrMontgomery's book is amazing.
His PEP system works.
(02:08):
Trust me, please buy as manycopies as you can.
Please Power up your blackmaillike a pro with the
Extortionist's Guide to Success,now available at bookstores
near you.
Now available at bookstoresnear you.
(02:31):
Content warning for profanity,gunshots and gun violence.
Cookie Cabana.
Mandy stared at the mysteriousyoung man at the door.
Well, he wouldn't be thatmysterious if you knew the story
of the robbery 30 years ago.
(02:52):
But Mandy had one big problemHis husband, barry, didn't know
the story, at least not the fullstory.
And here is the full story.
And here is the full story.
30 years ago, mandy and Barryfound each other in a local
(03:13):
cooking class.
First was friendship and theywent over to each other's homes
and made lunch, which turnedinto making dinners, which one
night led to making breakfastthe next morning.
And they both always wanted toown a bakery.
So after they married, theyskipped their honeymoon to save
(03:34):
the money, wrote a solidbusiness plan and bought a small
bakery with an upstairsapartment and with lots and lots
of support from friends andfamily, mandy and Barry opened
the Cookie Cabana, a littlebakery just off the beach that
drew in snacking tourists.
(03:54):
All was sunshine and happinessuntil the day of the robbery,
which was not sunny but rainy.
That was probably because ofcoincidence or lazy scene
building.
Barry left to run errands andMandy worked on inventory in the
back.
(04:14):
After a while Mandy heard theshop door chime.
At the front door stood notthree customers but three
trouble.
Stood not three customers, butthree trouble.
The three strangers had bluefur and wore all black boots,
pants and long-sleeved shirtsNot exactly beachwear, rainy day
(04:36):
or not, and this was a tip-off.
They wore black eye masks overtheir googly eyes.
They wore black eye masks overtheir googly eyes.
The masks did little to concealtheir menacing glares.
These robbers weren't messingaround.
One was much larger than theother two and wore a diamond.
(04:57):
The second one was smaller butstill pretty big, and the
smallest one wore feathers inher fur, but Mandy's attention
was on their revolvers.
Through a dry throat Mandy saidWelcome to Cookie Cabana.
How can I help you?
The big one with the diamondsnarled Do we look like customer
(05:21):
?
No, sir, mandy said and put hishands in the air.
Now you get it Give cookies.
Each robber held up a largeburlap sack.
Mandy's voice shook and heasked Any particular cookies you
would like today?
The big one said no, care, allcookies, rico, not like snooty
(05:47):
celebrity cousin can getwhatever cookie he want on set
of children's show.
The medium-sized robberwhispered Rico, you say we not
use real name, remember Tony,real name no matter.
We wearing mask, idiot.
Rico growled back at themedium-sized one apparently
(06:11):
named Tony.
Rico tossed his bag to Mandywho filled it with cookies.
Mandy's shaking arms held outthe bulging sack.
Rico grabbed the sack andpulled out a sugar cookie.
He scraped off frosting andrubbed it against his gum.
That frosting been cut.
(06:35):
What the hell is this youtrying?
Rip off Rico.
He shook furiously and thepupils of his googly eyes spun
around madly.
Clearly Rico was as dangerousas he was unpredictable and
dangerous.
(06:55):
Again, mandy's hands went intothe air.
No, no, that's our standardrecipe, I promise.
The smallest robber withfeathers in her hair spoke up.
Hey, mister, we believe you.
You're doing good job.
But here deal Lola, not justlooking for standard cookie.
(07:17):
Mandy assumed one, this wasLola and two, these were not
criminal masterminds.
Tentatively, mandy asked whatare you looking for, lola?
Hey, how you know Lola name?
(07:37):
Rico roared but Tony calmed himdown.
She just say it, rico, we allgave names away, yes, but
remember we wearing masks.
Rico tapped his temple smartly.
Lola got a faraway look in hereyes and said I'm looking for
(08:02):
Big Score, the one where I canget out of Two-Bit Town and
start over.
Maybe be showgirl.
Wear dress down to there.
Do merengue and or cha-cha?
Mandy lowered his hands a bit,appraised Lola and asked what's
the big score?
(08:22):
Lola nodded her head as ifagreeing with herself about
something.
Her googly eyes sparkled as shesaid the vault.
We want cookies from the GreatCookie Vault.
As if the words the GreatCookie Vault cast a magic spell.
(08:43):
All three robbers froze for amoment.
Then Tony said yeah, mister, weragtag group looking to fulfill
dream.
Great cookie vault will fixeverything, maybe start new life
, maybe new life together.
(09:04):
Tony stared at Lola for just amoment, but long enough Mandy
sighed we don't have the GreatCookie Vault.
I too have heard the rumors,but I think it's a myth and even
if the Great Cookie Vault isreal, it isn't here.
(09:37):
Mandy, who knew love and what itmeant to have someone to love,
spoke directly to Tony and LolaIf you're young and you have
each other, who could ask formore?
Rico gave a piercing howl.
His pupils shook allhiggedly-piggedly in a sort of
funny but mostly terrifying way.
You liar you like all the rest.
(09:59):
We know you have Great CookieVault.
We case bakery for weeks.
Find no evidence that you don'thave Great Cookie Vault, that
proof.
Mandy cocked his head andmuttered that doesn't even make
sense.
Rico didn't reply, at least notwith words.
(10:19):
Instead he shook with rage butthen calmed eerily, almost
serenely, as his furry bluehands carefully trained his
revolver on Mandy's face.
Mandy could see down the barrelof the gun and wondered if that
(10:41):
would be the last thing he eversaw.
He thought of his husband,barry, and how they had just
started their lives together,their dreams of having a family
growing old.
His eyes welled up.
I would take you to the vault.
I really would Search the place.
(11:03):
It's not here, I swear it.
Tony, watching the situationescalate, said Me believe you,
we believe you, we all Me notbelieve you.
Rico grinned and cocked hisrevolver.
Tony slid between Mandy and therevolver.
(11:25):
Rico, think it through.
We cookie robbers, not monsters.
We not kill you taking too far,me not let you hurt.
A deafening gunshot reverberatedthrough the tiny shop.
Mandy flinched.
He reflexively shut his eyesand when he dared to reopen them
(11:49):
, the scene had changed.
Rico was still standing, butTony crumpled to the ground.
Blood covered his chest and hisbreathing became short and
raspy.
Lola fell down next to him andcradled his furry blue head.
Tony, tony, no, me, not lose you.
(12:11):
Tony looked up at her andsmiled, then coughed blood.
We get away right, lola, likeyou said.
Lola gently stroked Tony's headand nodded yes, tony, also me,
(12:31):
wanted to surprise you.
But well, me, pregnant, me namebaby Tony Jr after father, or
Tony, with an I if girl.
It work out pretty well eitherway.
Well, either way, baby me goingto be father.
(12:54):
Tony coughed up clotted blood.
He smiled, then went limp.
His googly eyes froze, crying.
Lola tried to do the thing inmovies where someone passes
(13:16):
their hand over the deadperson's eyes and they close.
She tried about four or fivetimes before remembering they
don't have eyelids.
She turned on Rico and, in avoice soaked in hatred, said you
took everything from me andTony done nothing but help you.
(13:38):
You are not brains of operation.
You, big and dumb Tony, trytalk reason and you shoot him,
(14:13):
him, you, you a word.
You useless to operation.
Woman like you.
Make me think of another wordthat start with C.
C is for you.
No, say that word.
You no dare say it.
Rico glowered.
C is for Connie, another loudgunshot.
(14:38):
Then five more.
Mandy watched Rico's smug smiletwist into confusion.
Then, in the slow motion gainedby shock, rico's face rippled
and a moment later the left halfof his head disappeared, simply
gone, replaced with anexplosion of blood and tissue.
(15:02):
The force spun Rico and helanded against the glass counter
, smashing it.
His body fell with blood andbroken glass, but his eyes
focused on Mandy in a malevolentglare.
A ringing followed the report,mixed with Lola's sobs.
(15:23):
She dropped Tony's revolver andhunched over him.
Mandy, who always had greathearing, made out the faint
sounds of police sirens.
Someone must have heard thegunshots and called the police.
And what about Barry?
In all the chaos and confusionMandy forgot Barry would soon
(15:45):
return.
Mandy saw Lola not as a robberor a killer, but as a young
woman who just lost everything.
He remembered just minutes agothe faraway look in her eyes
when she talked about startingover.
Mandy realized he was onlyalive because of Tony's
(16:07):
sacrifice and knew what he hadto do.
He ran to the back and grabbeda large t-shirt, baseball cap
and all the cash he could fromhis wallet.
Then he ran back and emptiedthe cash register.
It wasn't a lot, but it wasenough.
Then he shoved the cash,t-shirt, cap into a small bag
(16:28):
and returned to Lola.
Lola, listen to me, you don'thave time.
He panted.
Lola pushed him away and shookher head.
Me lost everything.
Listen up now.
Mandy barked.
This isn't just about you, notanymore.
This is about Tony Jr or Tonywith an I.
(16:52):
Lola looked up Take this.
There isn't time to argue withme, take it.
Mandy shoved the bag into Lola'shands and helped her up.
Go to the back, take off yourbloody shirt and put it in the
trash bin.
I'll get rid of it.
Put on the fresh shirt and capand take the money and get on a
bus and go where, anywhere,anywhere, but here, get away.
(17:16):
It's not much, I admit, but itcan get you out of here and keep
you out of prison.
The police sirens grew louder.
Go out the back door and downthe alley to your left.
That will get you out of here.
Lola was coming out of hertrance, but still confused.
But we robbed.
(17:36):
I am going to tell the police.
Rico and Tony came in here torob me, got into a fight and
shot each other.
You were never here.
You, you saving me, help me,thank you.
You can thank me by raisinglittle Tony to be a good person
(17:57):
like Tony Sr, oh, but maybe nota criminal.
Can we at least try for that?
Now go.
Lola, fully alert, now startedto give Mandy a hug, but he
pushed her back.
Gotta keep the blood off myshirt, so my story matches.
Lola looked down, mandy liftedher chin and gave her a warm
(18:19):
smile.
I tell you what you owe me ahug someday when this is all
blown over.
Promise, promise.
Lola said and ran to the back,and not a moment too.
Soon as the store bell chimedand both Barry and the police
rushed in, mandy ran to hisbewildered husband and gave him
(18:43):
a hug.
It's okay, these two came in torob us.
Then they started arguing andshot each other.
I'm okay.
One police officer said we gota report of three suspects
entering your shop.
No officer, just these two.
Mandy, with his keen hearing,heard the back door quietly
(19:07):
click closed and he let out asigh.
That was 30 years ago.
Mandy and Barry eventually soldthe bakery.
The trauma of that day was toomuch.
They made a sizable profit offthe sale, invested wisely and
(19:31):
retired early.
The doorbell rang at theirbeachside condo and Mandy opened
it.
There stood a young man, around30, with blue fur and googly
eyes.
With blue fur and googly eyes.
Mandy took a step back insurprise.
Yes, mr Mandy Mandelow askedthe young man in a husky voice.
(19:55):
Yes, that's me.
Can I help you?
The young man cleared histhroat.
Did you own Cookie Cabana about30 years ago?
Yes, the pieces fell in placeand Mandy invited the young man
in Me name, tony Jr or TJ Me mom, she just passed away, had
(20:26):
diabetes, probably because weonly eat cookies.
Tony Jr rubbed the back of hisneck, not sure what to say.
I'm sorry to hear that.
I only met her once, briefly,but she seemed like a lovely
woman, me, thank you.
Tony Jr rubbed his furry bluehands together.
(20:46):
Can I ask how was your mom'slife?
Good, me think.
Her single mom, but able toraise me and go to school,
became nurse and helped lots ofpeople.
(21:09):
Mandy's eyes welled and heoffered Tony Jr a seat, but he
politely declined.
No, no, thank you Me.
Not stay long, if okay.
This not easy, I understand.
Is there something you need?
Mom asked me before she died.
(21:35):
She say she promised to giveyou something so busy.
Then time go by fast Then.
Anyway, mom want to give youthis.
Tony Jr lunged forward, almostknocking Mandy over, and hugged.
(21:57):
After a moment Mandy felt TonyJr shudder and cry and hugged
him back.
Barry walked in and hiseyebrows raised oh hi, I'm sorry
I didn't hear the door.
Tony Jr released the hug andwiped tears from his eyes.
That, okay, may need to getgoing.
(22:24):
Thank you for time.
Mandy's voice choked.
Thank you, and you take care.
If you need anything We'll do.
Thanks, and Tony Jr walked out.
Hon, what's going on?
Asked Barry.
Mandy wiped away tears.
(22:44):
Oh, it's fine, it's fine.
Everything is fine.
Clearly it isn't, barry saidand took Mandy's hand.
Mandy nodded.
It's about that robbery yearsago.
I didn't tell you and thepolice everything and I'm sorry,
(23:05):
but I had to hide someone fromthe police and I didn't want to
get you involved or put you indanger.
Mandy saw the worried look inhis husband's eyes and led him
down the hallway.
Come with me into the kitchenand I'll tell you the entire
(23:26):
story.
I suddenly feel like bakingcookies the end.
Thank you for listening.
I really hope you enjoyed thisout episode and l episode and
(23:49):
that you um enjoy the format,going back to the old format,
and please write to me.
Let me know what you think.
Contact information is in theshow notes and I love hearing
from you.
And until next time, play nicewith others, be super duper kind
to yourself and, as always,remember to laugh Bye.
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