Big Race

[ezdays]

Saw a locomotive race on TV. Both engines were steam. One was from the Sudden-Pacific (a 6-2-0) driven by Bluto, the other was from the Onion-Pacific (a 4-2-0), driven by our hero, Popeye. The winner of the race got a kiss from Olive Oil as well as the state franchise (whatever that means).... It was a harrowing race, at one point, Bluto punched a hole in Popeye's boiler. Popeye was smart enough to take a tea kettle, heat it with a lump of coal and connect it to the hole, thereby building the steam back up before patching the hole. A clever maneuver, but not good enough. Bluto forced Popeye's engine to a sidetrack and get wrecked. That didn't deter Popeye, with the aid of a can of spinach, he rebuilt the engine, streamlined it and added rocket power to pull ahead and win the prize of his life, a smooch from the love of his life... Oh, and the state franchise (whatever that means).

Believe me, that had more reality to it and was more satisfying than watching the news...