The CBS Friday Night Special
David Banner and the Dukes.
[Waylon Jennings]
The boys were cruising across the backside on Old Stump Road when the ran up on the hitchhiker. Everything had been going well in Hazzard County...but how long does that usually last around here?
1
"Hey there, fella...where ya headed?" Bo asked.
"Uh...I'm not exactly sure." The hitchhiker was looking around.
"Are you alright?" Luke questioned him.
"You know...I think I'll take a ride into town."
The General Lee was cruising at speeds that most people never drive. The hitchhiker was holding on when the car flew past Rosco's patrol car. His lights popped on and Bo stepped on the accelerator. The chase across north Hazzard County was on.
"So partner...what's your name?" Luke asked.
"My name, oh my name is David Benton."
David couldn't believe that he gets into a car, and the damn knuckleheads take off in hot pursuit with law enforcement. He knew there was no telling what was going on. They could be transporting drugs, be wanted for robbery, or maybe murder. David had no Earthly idea.
"Look guys, I don't know what's going on here, but I think I need to get out as soon as you can find a spot."
"Why? Is it because of this?" Luke points back at Rosco.
David smiles, and nods.
"Oh that's just ole Rosco. We always have fun with him." Bo laughed.
Rosco was holding on with decent driving. David was absolutely terrified of what the outcome of this chase could bring. The driver was wheeling the car like a natural. The lawman behind tthem was doing some wheeling of that police car as well. The chase was becoming more and more intense. Rosco had no intentions of letting up. JD Hogg has some bogus charges written up for the Duke Boys.
"Time to say goodbye, Rosco." Bo Duke said.
The chase continued, the sound of police sirens and roaring engines filling the air. The General Lee weaved between the trees and swerved through hairpin turns, its iconic Dixie horn blaring defiantly.
Meanwhile, inside the General Lee, David was gripping the seat, his knuckles white with anxiety. He had no idea how he managed to end up in this mess, but now he found himself caught in the middle of a high-speed chase between the Duke boys and Rosco P. Coltrane.
"Are you guys sure you're just pulling his leg?" David shouted over the noise. "You're not really fleeing the law because you're criminals, are you?"
Bo chuckled, a carefree smile on his face. "We just enjoy giving ol' Rosco a heart attack, that's all."
"Besides," Luke chimed in, "We ain't criminals, just misunderstood fellas from Hazzard."
Bo turned a corner on two wheels, narrowly avoiding a tree. "Exactly. We just know these roads like the back of our hand, and we like to show Rosco who's boss."
David looked back at the pursuing patrol car, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't believe the recklessness with which they were driving. "But... what if something happens?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
"Don't you worry one little bit, partner," Bo reassured him. "We've been doing this for years. We always manage to keep one step ahead of ol' Rosco."
Luke chimed in, "We know these roads like the back of our hand. Plus, we've got the General Lee — the meanest, baddest car in Hazzard County."
The General Lee weaved through the forest, its engine roaring as Bo expertly navigated the winding roads.
David couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and fear as they continued the chase through the picturesque countryside.
The General Lee's speed and handling were truly impressive, and the boys' skill behind the wheel was undeniable.
As they flew past a small stream, Bo let out a joyful cry. "Whoo-hoo! We're gonna leave ol' Rosco in the dust!"
Luke grinned at David. "See? There's nothin' to worry about. This is just a regular Monday afternoon in Hazzard."
The pursuit continued, the General Lee's engine roaring and the sound of Rosco's siren filling the air. David's heart was racing, but the Duke boys' confidence and skill were beginning to put him at ease. They navigated the roads like they were dancing with the car, seemingly defying gravity and the laws of physics with every turn.
As they rounded a sharp bend, Bo spotted an upcoming bridge. A sly smile spread across his face. "Luke, I have a plan."
David gripped the seat, bracing himself for whatever was coming next. Meanwhile, the General Lee sped towards the bridge, Rosco hot on their tail.
As they approached the bridge, Bo made a split-second decision. He pulled the handbrake and spun the wheel, causing the car to perform a perfect 180-degree turn. The General Lee now faced Rosco's approaching police car, facing it head-on.
Luke called out, "You got this, Bo!"
Bo nodded, his focus intense. He revved the engine, causing the General Lee to let out a deep, powerful roar. Rosco's patrol car was approaching at high speed, and the two vehicles were on a collision course.
At the last moment, Bo stepped on the gas.
The General Lee shot forward, its powerful engine propelling it toward the bridge at breakneck speed.
The distance between them and Rosco's car shortened rapidly.
Just as it seemed they were about to collide, the General Lee passed over the bridge, with Rosco's car continuing straight underneath.
Bo and Luke high-fived in celebration. "Can't catch us now, Rosco!" Bo shouted, grinning.
Rosco calls up Enos and Cletus. "Cut them off at Henderson Bend."
As Rosco's instructions echoed through the radio, Enos and Cletus responded with determination. "We're on it, Rosco!"
The pair immediately set off to head off the Duke boys at Henderson Bend.
Meanwhile, the Duke boys continued their high-speed escape through the countryside.
They knew they had a few moments of peace, but they also knew that Rosco would be enlisting help soon.
"Alright fellas," Bo said, his voice serious. "We've got a bit of time, but we know ol' Rosco will be callin' for reinforcements. We gotta keep movin' and keep our eyes peeled for any tricks he's got up his sleeve."
Luke nodded in agreement. "We can't let our guard down, not for a moment."
David, who was still trying to process everything, spoke up. "So, y'all have been doing this for a while?"
Bo chuckled. "Since we were just wee lads, partner. It's kinda our way of life in Hazzard. Rosco's always on our tail, but we've always managed to stay one step ahead."
Luke chimed in. "It's like a game of cat and mouse, only our cat is a lot fiercer."
Bo added, "And we ain't afraid to use every trick in the book to stay a few steps ahead of ol' Rosco."
As they continued on, Bo spotted a small dirt road that veered off the main road.
He glanced at Luke, a sly smile on his face. "I've got an idea. We'll use this little shortcut to keep Rosco guessin'. He'll never catch us if we keep zigzaggin' through the back roads."
Luke nodded in agreement. "You sure about this, Bo?"
Bo grinned, his confidence infectious. "Trust me, brother. It's gonna be a wild ride."
With that, Bo turned the General Lee onto the dirt road, hoping to lose Rosco and any potential backup in the maze of backroads.
The General Lee rumbled along the dirt road, its wheels kicking up dust behind it. Bo expertly navigated the winding path, taking sharp turns and avoiding any obstructions.
Luke kept a watchful eye out for any signs of Rosco's patrol car behind them.
As they flew down one backroad and darted onto another, Bo suddenly slammed on the brakes.
The General Lee slid to a halt in a cloud of dust. In front of them stood Enos and Cletus, flanked by their own patrol cars, effectively blocking their escape route.
"Well, well, well," Enos said, a smug grin on his face. "Looks like we got us some Duke boys cornered."
"That's right," Cletus added, grinning. "You ain't gettin' away this time, boys."
Bo and Luke exchanged a glance, their competitive spirits flaring. The game was far from over.
Bo smirked at David. "Just hold on tight, partner. We ain't done yet."
Luke rolled down his window and shouted at Enos and Cletus. "Y'all think you can stop us? We're the Duke boys! You'll have to try a little harder than that."
Enos chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter. "Oh, we ain't gonna make it easy for you, boys. We're tired of you runnin' circles around us all the time."
Cletus chimed in, a sly grin on his face. "Yeah, we're gonna put an end to your little joyride right here and now."
Bo revved the engine, preparing to respond. "We'd like to see you try," he challenged.
Enos and Cletus exchanged a look, their determination evident. "You're gonna wish you hadn't said that," Enos warned.
Luke looked at Bo, a gleam of determination in his eyes. "Let's show them what the General Lee is made of."
Luke glanced at David, a sly smile on his face. "Don't you worry, friend. We know these roads like the backs of our hands. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. It's gonna be a wild one."
Enos and Cletus took a step forward. "Alright, boys. You're surrounded. Nowhere to go now. Might as well give yourselves up while you still have the chance."
Luke chimed in, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Yeah, we Dukes don't know how to quit. We'll find a way out of this, no matter what tricks y'all have up your sleeves."
Enos and Cletus shared a look, realizing they weren't dealing with the Duke brothers that were gonna give up easily.
Enos spoke up, his tone firm. "You're outnumbered and blocked in. There ain't no way you're gettin' past us this time. So just give yourselves up and save us all the trouble."
Bo laughed, revving the engine once more. "You're underestimatin' us, boys. We're not gonna give up just because you've got us cornered. We've been in worse predicaments before. You ain't seen nothin' yet."
Luke nodded in agreement. "That's right. We Dukes are a lot tougher and resourceful than you think. We always find a way out of every situation."
"You might have us surrounded right now, but we'll find a way to slip right through your fingers, just like we've done countless times before." Bo laughed. Enos' patience was wearing thin. "You're just provin' my point. You Duke boys think you're invincible, but you're about to find out that you ain't as clever as you think."
Daisy came speeding around the corner at a high rate speed. Her intent was clear. She would ease the heat on her cousins.
"I'm closing the backdoor, boys" Dasiy's voice confident and determined.
Bo's eyes widened, a mix of relief and surprise on his face. "Daisy? What are you doin' here?"
Luke let out a whoop of excitement. "Looks like Daisy's got our backs, just like always."
Enos and Cletus exchanged a concerned glance. They hadn't anticipated Daisy getting involved. This had just gotten a lot more complicated.
Daisy's car slid to a halt next to the General Lee, and she leaned out the driver's side window. "You fellas looked like you needed some help, so I thought I'd lend a hand."
Bo chuckled, a grateful smile on his face. "Well, ain't you a sight for sore eyes? We could always use backup when we're in a tight spot like this."
Luke grinned and gave Daisy a wave. "Thanks, Daisy. You're a real lifesaver."
Daisy winked at Luke, her confidence unwavering. "Don't mention it. Can't let you boys take all the glory, can I?"
Enos and Cletus couldn't help but feel their confidence falter slightly. They knew Daisy was just as cunning and resourceful as her cousins, and with her here, the Duke boys' chances of escape had just significantly increased.
David couldn't believe the way this was playing out. He wished he'd never accepted the ride, although he needed it.
Bo chuckled at David's bewildered expression. "Don't you worry, partner. We'll get you out in one piece. We always do."
Luke patted David on the shoulder. "Just hang in there, buddy. The fun's just gettin' started."
As the four vehicles faced off, tension filled the air. Everyone was waiting to see who would make the first move. The silence was deafening.
Enos broke the silence. "This is ridiculous. You Duke boys are just prolongin' the inevitable. You're surrounded and outnumbered. There's no way you'll be able to slip by us this time."
Bo revved the engine again. "We've been outnumbered and cornered countless times before, and yet we've always found a way out. You think this time is gonna be any different?"
Cletus chimed in, "You Duke boys are just stubborn as mules. You never know when to pack it in and admit defeat."
Enos rolled his eyes at Daisy's stubbornness. "That's what I'm sayin'. You Dukes are just too damn stubborn for your own good. But we ain't gonna let you slip through our fingers again."
Luke glanced around, weighing their options. "We might be surrounded, but we're not out of tricks just yet. Ain't that right, Bo?"
Bo nodded, a sly smile on his face.
"You bet. We Dukes always have a few aces up our sleeves. We'll find a way to get outta here, and we'll do it leaving these fellows in the dust."
As the standoff continued, David couldn't help but feel a mix of anxiety and awe.
He had never experienced such a tense situation before, and the confidence and determination of the Duke boys and Daisy were both infectious and intimidating.
Luke added, "You fellas might think you've got us trapped, but you've underestimated us. We'll find a way to slip right past you just like we've done countless times before."
Daisy chimed in, "You boys might have us surrounded, but we Dukes have been in tougher scrapes than this before. We ain't about to give up now."
Enos couldn't hide his annoyance. "You Dukes are just a bunch of persistent fools. Y'all don't know when to call it quits."
Cletus interjected, "You Dukes are just makin' yourselves look like fools. You're outnumbered and cornered. You oughta just give yourselves up and save us all some time."
Bo smirked at Cletus. "You fellas don't know us Dukes very well, do ya? We ain't the type to just roll over and give up. We'll find a way out of this, just you wait and see."
"Umm...I'm a little worried here, fellas." David said. "Are you two wanted by the police?"
Bo chuckled, sensing David's tension.
"Don't you worry, partner. We appreciate your concern, but we're more than capable of handling ourselves. We've been in countless scrapes like this before."
"No...it's hard to explain, but let's say it's medical."
Bo raised an eyebrow, curious. "Medical, huh? Well, if it's somethin' serious, we oughta look out for your safety."
"Thanks, Bo. I can better explain myself later, but now we need to get rid of these guys."
Bo nodded, his focus shifting back to the task at hand. "You're right, we'll have time for explanations later. Right now, we need to figure out a way to shake these fellas off our tail."
Luke glanced around, assessing their options. "We're surrounded and blocked in. Ain't much room to maneuver."
Bo thought for a moment, an idea forming in his mind. "Maybe not, Luke, but we ain't completely out of options. We just need to think a little outside the box."
Daisy chimed in, her voice calm but determined. "Yeah, we Dukes have gotten out of some tight spots before. We just need to use our wits and a little bit of luck."
Bo nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Daisy. We've beaten the odds before, and we can do it again. We just gotta keep our heads and find a weak point in their defenses."
Enos, his patience wearing thin, shouted from across the road. "Enough yappin' over there, Duke boys. You're out of options. Surrender now and save us all a lot of trouble."
Bo chuckled at Enos's demand, his confidence unshaken. "Oh, come on, Enos. You should know by now that we Dukes ain't the surrendering type. You'll have to try harder than that."
Daisy smirked, her eyes scanning the area for any possible escape routes.
"That's right, Enos. You're gonna have to come up with a better plan if you want us Dukes to give up."
Cletus huffed, frustrated by the Duke boys' defiant attitude. "You Dukes are just like stubborn mules. You never know when to fold."
Bo smirked, loving the challenge. "And you fellas are just as stubborn as well, never backing down. Seems like we Duke boys bring out the best in y'all."
Enos rolled his eyes, clearly fed up with the banter. "Enough of this nonsense. You Dukes have two options right now: surrender or face the consequences. I suggest you choose wisely."
Bo winked at Enos, his determination unshaken. "Oh, we know we're playin' with fire, but we're no strangers to a little danger. We'll take our chances."
Cletus grumbled under his breath, growing increasingly frustrated. "You Dukes think you're invincible, don't ya? Well, you're gonna learn the hard way that you ain't as untouchable as you think."
Daisy chuckled, enjoying the back-and-forth. "Don't be too sure about that, Cletus. We Dukes have faced worse odds before and come out on top. We're not about to back down now."
Luke chimed in, his voice filled with determination.
"That's right, Daisy. We Dukes ain't afraid of a little challenge. In fact, we thrive on it. So you fellas better bring your A-game if you want to stop us."
Enos clenched his jaw, his frustration clearly evident. "You Dukes are just a pain in my backside, you know that? You never know when to quit, do ya?"
"We don't understand the concept of quiting. Not in our Duke vocabulary. Never quit, give up, or surrender. That's the Dukes moto." Luke said.
Cletus rolled his eyes, growing tired of the constant back-and-forth. "You Dukes just don't know when to give up, do ya? You've got more determination than sense."
Daisy chuckled, her confidence unfazed by their adversaries. "You bet, Cletus. We Dukes are known for our resilience and refusal to surrender. It's not in our nature to back down easily."
Enos grumbled, his patience reaching its limit. "You Dukes are just asking for trouble. One of these days, you're gonna find yourselves in a predicament you can't get out of. And when that happens, don't come cryin' to us for help."
Bo saw the slightest bit of an opening and he put the pedal to the floor. "Hang on fellas...we're about really open her up."
The chase continued through the muddy terrain, with Bo and Luke expertly maneuvering the car through the obstacles while Rosco tried to stay on their tail.
David, holding on to his seat for dear life, watched the chase unfold with growing discomfort. Admirable driving from Bo. He was a good wheel man.
Bo and Luke were expertly handling the General Lee, skillfully navigating through the muddy terrain while Rosco was doing his best to keep up. The chase was a fierce one, and the tension in the air was palpable.
David nervously gripped his seat, bracing himself for whatever might come next. Although he had to admit that Bo's driving skills were impressive, the adrenaline-pumping chase was not exactly his idea of a leisurely ride.
Bo expertly maneuvered the General Lee through the narrow dirt road, dodging trees and rocks as they fled from Rosco's patrol car. Rosco's vehicle struggled to keep up, bumping and scraping against the obstacles in its path.
Luke cast a look back at Rosco, who was having trouble keeping up with the Duke Boys' skilled driving. "Looks like we're losing him, brother."
Bo nodded, his focus on the narrow path ahead. "Just a few more turns, and we'll have shaken him off."
David tried to steady his breathing, his heart racing as the chase intensified.
He hoped Bo and Luke's plan would work and they would finally be free from Rosco's pursuit.
The car rounded a sharp corner, tires squealing against the gravel. Bo's knuckles were white from gripping the wheel so tightly.
David let out a nervous exhale as the car straightened out. "I hope you know where you're going. I don't fancy a trip down the nearest ravine."
Bo let out a tense laugh. "Hey, I've driven these roads my whole life. Don't worry, I got this."
They navigated through another series of treacherous curves, the car hugging the edge of a narrow mountain road. The trees loomed tall and ominous on either side.
David glanced at the speedometer, noting how fast Bo was pushing the limits. "Maybe slow it down a bit? I'd like to live to see tomorrow."
Bo shot him a sidelong glance. "Trust me, this is the only way to lose Rosco. We gotta keep him guessing."
Bo's words echoed in David's mind as the car swerved, narrowly avoiding a particularly precarious turn.
David gripped the edge of his seat, his heart pounding in his chest. "I hope you're right. I cannot afford to be questioned by law enforcement. There'd be questions that I don't have answers for."
David's response only piqued Bo's and Luke's curiosity even more. They glanced at each other, both silently questioning what secrets David was hiding.
Bo pressed on, his voice stern: "What do you mean it's not like we think? What are you afraid of?"
"The authorities from California believe that I'm dead. I cannot let them find out I'm alive until I've found a cure for a condition that I cannot currently control." David explained.
"I've been in a tough situation since the night the laboratory exploded. The Culver Institute of Technology in Berkeley. They think that I am dead along with my partner, and that a lab created monster killed us and destroyed the lab."
Bo and Luke were visibly shocked. "A lab created monster? You mean like a scientific experiment gone wrong?"
Luke's forehead creased with concern. "And you were involved with this lab?"
David nodded, his expression solemn. "Yes, I was. My partner and I were the lead researchers, working on groundbreaking genetic modifications. But things went very wrong, and the lab was destroyed, with me presumed dead."
"Guys...I cannot really say much more. However, I'll say this. I'm not responsible for the accident, but I will be found responsible." David explained. "I'm not trying to put any of my problems on either of you. If you want to put me out I totally understand that."
Bo whistled, leaning back against his seat. "That's some serious stuff, man. No wonder you're worried about the cops finding out you're alive. But what about this condition you mentioned?"
"The condition is the creature that has taken the blame for the incident." David answered.
Bo's face was a mixture of amazement and concern. "You've been dealing with this thing for five months now? And you've kept it a secret all this time?"
Luke was still trying to wrap his head around the situation. "How have you been able to keep this creature hidden for so long?"
"It requires me to have to constantly move. If the creature gets out I have to leave town."
Bo looked at David skeptically, still struggling to grasp the enormity of the situation.
"So you're telling us that you created this creature, you've been on the run from the law, and you're still trying to find a cure for it all by yourself?"
Yes... Though hearing it back that way makes me sound terrible."
David knew the boys thought he was crazy, but he continued to try to explain.
"I've been dealing with it since 1977. For three years now. I'm yet to find a radiation unit that can help me. Our lab was about a decade ahead of everybody else. If the equipment I used doesn't exist yet." David explained. Bo and Luke's eyes widened in disbelief. "Since 1977? You've been dealing with this monster since '77?" Bo repeated, his mind reeling from the revelation.
Luke was equally stunned. "So you're saying this creature is a product of some advanced radiation unit you built? And we don't have the technology to help you deal with it?"
"No not at the moment but I do see units every day that are headed in that direction."
The Duke boys couldn't believe the story ole David was telling. They didn't doubt it being true, but imagining it was a little difficult.
"It requires me to have to constantly move. If the creature gets out I have to leave town. These are my problems. My cross to bear. I'm sorry for any troubles I have caused."
Bo's stern expression softened. "Hey, hold on a sec. We ain't blaming you for none of this. It's not like you asked for any of it to happen."
Luke chimed in, his voice more understanding. "We can't even begin to imagine what you're going through right now."
"It requires me to have to constantly move. If the creature gets out I have to leave town." David said.
Bo clarified, "I mean, you gotta have some kinda plan. If you need to move outta town at any time, you must have some way to keep yourself prepared for that, right?"
"Oh yeah...I live out of my bag here." Banner replied.
Bo and Luke looked at each other, realization slowly dawning. "You have to keep moving?" Luke said.
"If the creature gets out I have to immediately get out of town. There's a relentless reporter that was at the lab the night it exploded. He's tracked sightings of the monster since then."
So you can't stay in one place for too long, can you?" Bo asked, his voice laced with concern.
"Nope. Like it or not it requires me to have to leave." David replied
Bo clapped a reassuring hand on David's shoulder. "No problem, pal. We're in this together now."
Luke gave a firm nod. "That's right. You ain't alone in this anymore."
Bo leaned back against the seat, his mind whirring. "Man, that's gotta be tough, ain't being able to put down any roots or have a permanent place to call home."
"You just got to hold out with hope that one day it can be removed from within me." David said optimistically.
Bo and Luke couldn't help but admire David's optimism in the face of such a daunting challenge.
Bo clapped him on the back, his voice filled with compassion. "Hey, man, you gotta hold on to that hope. It's what's keeping you goin', innit?"
"Yeah," Luke chimed in. "And who knows? Maybe someday you'll find that cure, or someone else will. Just keep holdin' on, aight?"
"Is there a hotel room for rent in Hazzard County?" David inquired.
Bo chuckled. "Well, this here's Hazzard County, where hotels are scarce as hens' teeth. But we do have the Boar's Nest. It's mostly just a bar, but they have some rooms upstairs."
"Sounds good to me." David said.
Bo chuckled, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Nah, man, we're the lucky ones. You're the first interesting thing that's happened to us in a while."
Luke chimed in. "Yeah, life in Hazzard can be pretty dull, so you'll fit right in."
"Oh that's what I need. Dull, boring, and non-confrentational." David added.
The General Lee pulled into Crazy Cooter's Auto Repair. The iconic orange stock car with the Confederate flag on its roof came to a halt in front of the rundown auto garage, its hood still smoking from the high-speed chase.
Bo let out a satisfied sigh, eyeing the General Lee fondly. "Home sweet home."
Bo and Luke climbed out of the car, followed by David.
They approached the auto shop, which appeared to be a disheveled relic of a bygone era.
"Hey, Cooter!" Bo called out, banging his fist on the garage door. "You in there?"
The door creaked open, revealing a greasy-haired, overalls-clad man known as Cooter.
He stepped out, a cigar hanging from his mouth. "Bo and Luke, what in tarnation are you doin' bangin' on my door like it's the end of the world?"
Cooter's eyes widened in surprise, the cigar bobbling between his lips. "A race? This weekend? You boys are pushin' it a bit close, ain't ya? I can give her a once-over, but there's no promises on gettin'er into race-ready shape by then."
"I can help you, Cooter." David offered his assistance.
Bo and Luke were a bit taken aback by David's offer, but Cooter tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "You know 'bout cars, do you, city boy?"
"I've been around a few over the years."
Cooter couldn't hide his skepticism. "City boys usually don't know jack about cars. But alright, you wanna help, I ain't stoppin' you. Come on in, let's see if you're all talk or not."
David followed Cooter into the garage, Bo and Luke trailing behind. The space was cluttered with tools, car parts, and various automotive debris.
Cooter gestured to the General Lee, which was parked in the middle of the garage. "Well, there she is. The General Lee. You reckon you can work your magic on her?"
"What exactly are we going to do to The General?" Cooter tapped his cigar ash onto the floor, eyeing the General Lee with a critical eye.
"She needs a thorough check-up. Tires, brakes, transmission, you name it. And with that big race comin' up this weekend, we ain't got much time to waste.David gets started. "How about a little nitrous and a R/C computer chip."
Cooter raises an eyebrow, intrigued by the idea. "Nitrous? R/C chip? Ain't no regular city boy comin' up with that stuff. You might just be a bit more than a city boy after all."
"Well I guess it depends on the track and the straight shots where General Lee can max out."
Cooter nodded, contemplating David's suggestion.
"You're right about that. We need to consider the track and how we can optimize the General's performance. A little nitrous boost and an R/C chip might just give us the edge we need in those straightaways."
"Absolutely." David said. He continued to hook up the General Lee. The fluids were replaced. A heavier and more durable set of pads and rotor.
Bo and Luke watched in amazement as David worked his magic on the General Lee. They had never seen anyone work so quickly and efficiently, each step executed with precision and expertise.
Cooter, his skepticism fading, was impressed. "Well, I'll be damned. You ain't just a regular city boy after all. You're more like a wizard with cars."
"I've been everywhere, like Johnny Cash." David said.
Cooter chuckled, his cigar bobbing up and down. "You got that right, pal. You're more of a drifter than them Duke boys, ain't ya?"
Luke nodded in agreement, an admiring glint in his eyes. "Definitely. You're one heck of a surprise, city boy."
Bo chimed in, a smirk on his face. "And to think, we found you just when we needed to fix up the General Lee for the race."
Cooter looked at David with newfound respect. "You might just be our good luck charm, city boy."
Cooter chuckled, his cigar bobbing up and down as he spoke. "Well, I'll be darned. City boy with a love for anything with a motor. You're full of surprises, ain't ya?"
"Well...you've got some great tools. Makes life easier."
Bo and and Luke exchanged amused grins, clearly enjoying the spectacle before them.
As the night wore on, the General Lee began to take shape, its once shabby frame transforming into a lean, mean racing machine.
Cooter, his eyes wide with anticipation, spoke in a low, admiring tone. "It's coming along nice. With these upgrades, the General's gonna be a force to be reckoned with on the track."
David paused for a moment, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Don't forget the R/C chip. It's the cherry on top. It'll give us the edge we need in those tight turns and quick decision moments."
Cooter's eyes lit up at the mention of the R/C chip. "Ah, right. The R/C chip. That's the secret weapon. With it, we'll have the General Lee drivin' like it's attached to a string."
Bo chimed in, his voice filled with excitement. "And with the nitrous boost and all those other upgraded parts, the General Lee will be unstoppable. We're gonna leave those other racers in the dust!"
Luke slapped a hand on David's back, a wide grin spreading across his face. "You've done some fine work, city boy. The General's never looked better."
Cooter nodded in agreement, his usual gruff demeanor softened by a hint of impressed admiration. "Yeah, city boy. You're alright. You might just be the best mechanic I've ever had walk through my garage."
"Come on, now, fellas, you're laying it on thick." David said.
Cooter shook his head, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "I'm still tryin' to figure out how a city boy like you learned all that. You sure you ain't got some secrets up those sleeves of yours?"
"Thanks gentlemen...but no Cooter I have no tricks. I am willing to learn from you, ole buddy."
Cooter's gruff exterior softened slightly at David's words. "Well, ain't that somethin'. A city boy wantin' to learn from an old grease monkey like me."
He took another drag of his cigar and exhaled, smoke filling the air. "I guess I can share some of my know-how with ya."
Bo's grin widened. "I like the way you think, city boy. Let's give her a test run and see how she handles all these upgrades."
"Absolutely...feel it out. You've got more horsepower." David says. His voice filled with pleasure.
Cooter, seeing the excitement in Bo's eyes, nodded in agreement."Alright, boys, but take her easy. You don't wanna overdo it before the big race this weekend."
Bo rubbed his hands together, eager to get behind the wheel. "Don't worry, Cooter. I'll give her a gentle test run. We wouldn't want to break anything now, would we?"
Cooter chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Just don't get carried away and drive her off a cliff, okay?"
Bo laughed, patting Cooter on the back. "Ha! Don't worry, I ain't plannin' on any cliff-dives anytime soon. I'll take good care of the General Lee, you have my word."
Cooter grunted in acknowledgment. "You'd better. The General's seen enough near-death experiences for a lifetime. Don't need another one on my watch."
Bo flashed a cocky grin. "No worries, Cooter. I'll treat her like a princess on her first date. She'll be just fine."
Cooter rolled his eyes, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, yeah, be careful. I don't want to have to scrape your sorry behind off the side of a mountain."
Luke chimed in, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "Don't worry, Cooter. We'll keep Bo on a short leash. We can't have him getting himself into too much trouble."
David grinned "Come on now, Luke. That's an impossible task."
Bo feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart in mock hurt. "Hey now, I can be responsible when I have to be."
Luke and Cooter both snorted at that, clearly skeptical of Bo's claim.
Cooter chuckled and let out a puff of smoke from his cigar. "Yeah, Bo, you about as responsible as a bull in a china shop."
Bo, behind the wheel, revved up the engine a few times, a grin spreading across his face as the sound echoed through the garage.
"She sounds mighty fine, don't she?" he said, excitement lacing his voice.
The General's engine sounded like a demon from hell. Caged and ready to run free across the open prairies. Horsepower ready to get rowdy and roar across plains.
The General Lee was ready to win the Hazzard County Open Invitational. Bo Duke was pretty sure that he had the car to win. The General Lee was always fast and powerful, but this version was unreal. Bo understood why David wanted to beef up the brakes.
"That's more than enough car to win the race." Bo said.
The next day...
The morning sun had just started to rise over the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow on everything in sight. The air was still chill, and a thin layer of dew clung to the blades of grass and leaves on the trees.
In the distance, the low rumbling of motorcycle engines could be heard, punctuated by an occasional tire screech and a burst of laughter.
As the sounds drew closer, three riders came into view, tearing up the dirt track that led to the General Lee garage.
The riders, wearing dark leather jackets and black helmets, looked like three ominous shadows against the rising sun. They pulled their bikes to a stop outside the garage, the engines idling loudly, and dismounted as if on cue.
They scanned the area, as if searching for something or someone. Their eyes lingered on the General Lee, taking in its new, upgraded appearance.
Bo, Luke, and David were just exiting the garage when the riders arrived. They all froze for a moment, sensing the newcomers' tension.
Bo stepped forward, his hand instinctively resting on the handle of his belt. "Can I help ya fellas?" he asked, attempting to sound casual.
The lead rider smirked, his eyes flickering with a hint of malice. "We represent a group of racers from a nearby town. We heard that you have a race coming up and we'd like to... make a wager."
Bo's eyes narrowed as he registered the challenger's words. "A wager, huh? What kind of wager are we talking about here?"
The lead rider took another step forward, closing the gap between them. He tilted his head, his smirk widening. "We're willing to bet a fair sum of money that one of our riders can beat you in the race. All we require...is the opportunity to give it a shot."
"How much money, and what do I have to put up on the line?" Bo asked.
The lead rider leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "We're talking big money - enough to make it worth your while, and as for what you have to risk...well, let's see here, hmmm. The General Lee."
Bo's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and anger washing over his face. "You're askin' for the General Lee?! You gotta be outta your damn mind if you think I'm gonna part with her for a stupid bet."
"Well, we could just beat you up and take it, but we're trying to keep it within the parameters of the law."
Bo bristled at the threat, his hand once again twitching towards his pistol. Luke and David tensed up as well, ready to back Bo up if the situation got out of hand. "You try that and it won't end well for ya, trust me," Bo responded, his voice low and menacing.
The leader of the gang started laughing. "You don't want that, and neither do they." Pointing at Cooter and David. "Do we have a bet? Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars against the General Lee?"
Bo clenched his jaw, his mind racing as he considered the proposition. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars was a significant amount of money, especially for a small town like Hazzard County. But the thought of losing the General Lee...it was unthinkable.
Bo glanced at Cooter and David, searching for their reactions.Bo clenched his jaw, his mind racing as he considered the proposition. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars was a significant amount of money, especially for a small town like Hazzard County. But the thought of losing the General Lee...it was unthinkable.
Bo glanced at Cooter and David, searching for their reactions.
Cooter's expression was guarded, his eyes flickering with thought. David just looked tense, clearly uncertain about where this was going.
Bo turned back to the leader of the gang, his voice even and measured. "Alright. You've got yourself a bet."
"Hell no. You cannot bet the General Lee." Luke chimed in briskly.
Bo shot Luke a sharp look, silently asking him to back down. Luke, however, was not going to let this slide.
"Bo, are you crazy? We can't risk losing the General Lee. It's too dangerous," he protested.
Bo held up a hand, gesturing for Luke to settle down. "I know the risks, Luke. But we're talking about a lot of money here. Money we could use for the business. Besides, these guys are likely bluffin'. They probably don't even have two hundred and fifty thousand dollars on them."
Bo met the gang leader's gaze, his mind racing as he weighed the situation.
The risk was high, but the potential reward even higher. He knew he couldn't back down now, not after getting this far.
"You've got a deal," Bo finally said.
The two men's hands met in the middle locking in the bet. "This better be on the up and up, and I want to see the money."
"Oh we got the money. JD Hogg will be holding the money until the end of the race." The man said.
Bo's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "JD Hogg? You got the town corruptor involved in this?"
Cooter let out a low whistle, clearly shocked by the revelation.
Bo let out a sharp, scoffing laugh. "Of course he is. The man is greedy as a pig. He'll probably take half of the money just for holding it."
The other members of the gang chuckled at Bo's comment, clearly amused by the situation.
"That's Hogg for ya. Can't trust that old snake in the grass as far as you can throw him.
Cooter chimed in, his voice dripping with disgust. "I don't trust that Hogg as far as I can spit. The man would sell his own grandma for the right price."
Bo nodded in agreement.
"You're preachin' to the choir, Cooter. I've dealt with Hogg before. He's as slippery as an eel and twice as greasy."
The leader of the gang, enjoying the banter, spoke up once more. "Well, whether you trust Hogg or not, the deal's still on the table. We win the race, we get the General Lee. You win, we'll give you the money, minus Hogg's cut of course."
Bo met the gang leader's gaze, his mind racing as he weighed the situation. The risk was high, but the potential reward even higher. He knew he couldn't back down now, not after getting this far.
The two men's hands met in the middle locking in the bet. "You've got a deal," Bo finally said.
"This better be on the up and up, and I want to see the money."
The leader of the gang nodded, a smirk on his face. "Don't worry, we'll deliver the goods. You just focus on winning the race, and let us worry about the money."
The odds of the deal being legit were not real high. Bo had requested to see the money, and he did so upon it being delivered to JD Hogg.
The money was indeed there, held in a black suitcase that Bo and the others watched Hogg secure in his office. It was an impressive amount of cash, and an attractive prize for the winner of the upcoming race.
Bo felt a mix of relief and trepidation in his stomach. The deal was real, but the risk of losing the General Lee still weighed heavily on his mind.
Bo clenched his jaw, his gaze still fixed on the suitcase. "I'm takin' a gamble, that's for sure. But think about what we could do with that much cash if we win. We could expand the garage, pay off some debts, maybe even take a vacation for once."
Luke, who had remained mostly silent until then, spoke up. "I don't like it, Bo. There's too many ifs and buts in this deal. What if these guys don't play fair? Or what if Hogg pulls a fast one on us?"
Bo let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I know the risks, Luke. But we're not left with a lot of choices. We need that money, and this is the best shot we got at gettin' it."
David listened to the boys go back and forth. He understood both sides completely. The argument reminded him of those he'd have with his sister as a young juvenile.
David's quiet presence didn't go unnoticed by the Duke boys. Cooter, Bo and Luke all turned their attention to him, waiting for his input.
"I think you both have valid points. Bo is an incredible driver. So I think you've got a real good shot here." David Banner tells them.
They notice David is holding his satchel. They all stood on the front porch of the ole farm house.
Bo raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What's in the satchel, city boy?"
"My things. I have stayed too long. My search must continue." David explained. "I don't want to leave with you two going at it this way."
The Duke boys exchanged a look, their argument momentarily forgotten as they considered David's words.
Luke spoke up first. "Wait, you're leaving? Where are you going?"
"Atlanta and then Charlotte." David answered. "I want so desperately to be able to live again. So my search must go on."
David could see that the boys didn't want him to leave, but he knew that if he stayed he'd lose his consecutive days of no Hulkouts.
No specific reason, but things were a little different in Hazzard County. Just like both of them had first told him.
"I really wish I didn't. You two are real fun to be around. Cooter too." David said with sadness.
Cooter huffed, trying to appear tough but still showing a bit of fondness for the city boy. "You ain't too bad company yourself, city boy. Gonna be a little less lively around here without you, that's for sure."
"Oh no my friend. Not Hazzard. This place will never need help being lively." David chuckled.
The Duke boys and Cooter all chuckled as well, their spirits lifting a bit. There was no denying that Hazzard was never a quiet place.
Bo spoke up, his tone serious again. "When are you heading out?"
"I figured I'd go after I talked to you guys. You know a proper goodbye." David said. "I really think you can win Saturday, Bo. I wish the best for all of you."
The Duke boys and Cooter looked at each other again, a mix of disappointment and understanding in their eyes.
Luke was the first to speak up. "You're sure we can't convince you to stay a bit longer?"
Bo and Luke exchanged another look, disappointment written across their faces. "You sure you gotta go?" Bo asked, a hint of reluctance in his voice.
"Come on in here, fellas. The Chilli is done and ready to eat." Uncle Jesse said.
The Duke boys and Cooter turned at the sound of Uncle Jesse's voice. Bo's stomach rumbled a little, clearly hungry from their discussion with the city boy.
"Guess we can talk more during dinner," he said, walking towards the house.
They all headed inside and settled around the dinner table, the scent of chili hanging heavy in the air. Uncle Jesse looked at David and then at the others, noticing the somewhat solemn mood.
"What's with the long faces, boys?" he asked.
Cooter spoke up first. "City boy here is leaving us, Uncle Jesse."
Uncle Jesse looked at David, a mixture of surprise and sadness in his eyes. "Leaving already, city boy? I thought you were planning on stickin' around for a while longer."
"Well if I'm being 100% honest, I wish I could. You all are amazing people. All seemingly amazing at whatever talents you have, Uncle Jesse, this chilli. Bo driver, Cooter mechanic, Luke's strong will power. Daisy...well what is there to say about perfection? I'd love to stay here permanently. I just can't until I'm like you guys. Normal. I'd hate to stay long enough for you all to see the other side of me. I'd forever regret that you did."
Everyone was quiet for a moment, considering David's words. Uncle Jesse sighed, understanding the city boy's predicament but still visibly upset at the idea of his departure.
Bo broke the silence, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "You don't have to worry about us seeing the other side of you, city boy. We won't turn our backs on you, no matter what."
A tear rolled down his face. "You folks are simply incredible. Making it difficult for me to do what I think is best."
Bo let out a snort of laughter. "Luke's right. It'll be quiet without you. Almost too quiet."
Cooter, trying to lighten the mood, grumbled, "You're too sentimental for your own good, city boy."
Luke smirked, chiming in, "Yeah, it's gonna be a lot less interesting around here without you, even though you talk a lot."
Uncle Jesse nodded in agreement. "I've grown fond of having you around, son. It's a shame to see you go so soon."
"Well perhaps I'll hang around at least until after Saturday's race." David says.
The Duke boys and Cooter perked up at the possibility, surprised and pleased by David's statement.
Bo spoke up first, a hint of hope in his voice. "You'd really stay to see the race?"
"I want to see you hoisting that trophy above your head." David replied.
The Duke boys broke into grins, the mood at the table instantly lifting.
Bo slapped the table, chuckling. "Well, we can't disappoint our number one fan, can we fellas?"
Cooter and Luke both nodded in agreement. "You bet your sweet momma's biscuits we won't," Cooter chimed in.
"I say we go down to the Boar's Nest and celebrate properly." Luke suggested.
The Duke boys and Cooter chuckled as they headed towards the front door. "Careful, city boy, you might lose your shirt," Cooter joked.
David laughed along. "Oh, I'll be careful. Can't let you guys lose your General Lee."
The atmosphere was light and cheerful, momentarily forgetting about David leaving soon. As they stepped out into the evening air, they made their way towards the Boar's Nest.
They strolled through the quiet town, the lights of the Boar's Nest becoming more prominent as they neared.
Cooter suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence. "Ah, the Boar's Nest. A good place to drink, dance, and get into trouble."
Bo chuckled, a mischievous look on his face. "The Boar's Nest is where Hazzard goes when they want to let loose. And we're about to show city boy here exactly what that means, right fellas?"
Luke smacked David on the back, hard enough to jostle him a bit. "You're in for a treat, city boy. The Boar's Nest is where we all head to cut loose, have a good time, and sometimes, stir up a little trouble."
David's excitement was evident as they approached the Boar's Nest. The sound of music and chatter drifted out into the street, beckoning them inside.
Bo pushed open the door, revealing the lively scene within. The place was packed, the air thick with the smell of beer and good times.
As they entered, a few people called out their greetings to the group: “Hey Bo, Cooter, Luke”. They were all well-known figures in Hazzard, especially the good-looking Duke boys.
They headed to the bar, Cooter and Luke finding seats while Bo took the lead, ordering up a round of drinks for the table.
"Who's the new guy here with y'all, Cooter?" Sonny Ferguson asked.
Cooter, ever the friendly one, responded with a grin. "This here is the city boy, David Banner."
David gave a little wave, feeling a bit out of place yet strangely welcomed.
"Does he got any money, y'all wanna play some cards?" Sonny inquired further.
Bo, always up for a good game, spoke up, a smirk on his face. "What kind of cards are we talking about, Sonny?"
Luke chimed in, taking a sip of his beer. "If there's a game, count me in as well."
"How bout a little Texas Hold'em?" Sonny answered. Then signaled to Walt to set the table up.
Everyone at the bar knew Sonny Ferguson didn't play fairly. He was a card shark for sure. Yet the allure of a challenge was too much for the boys to resist.
"Poker, gents. And there's some high stakes." Sonny looked at David. "You in, city boy?"
Sonny smirked, eyeing David suspiciously. He assumed the city boy would be easy pickings for the game. "That's what I like to hear. Take a seat."
Bo, Luke and Cooter exchanged glances, knowing full well David was walking into a potentially tough game.
"I hope he knows what to watch for like you and Luke." Cooter said.
"Yeah...it'll be alright." Bo assured him.
Sonny dealt the cards, his smirk growing wider. The first few rounds passed by quickly, the game building tension as pots were raised higher.
David held his own surprisingly well, his hands moving quickly yet carefully, making strategic decisions and playing his cards close to the vest.
Everyone at the bar knew Sonny Ferguson didn't play fairly. He was a card shark for sure. Yet the allure of a challenge was too much for the boys to resist.
Suddenly David reaches out and grabbed the arm of Sonny Jurgenson. Holding his hand still, the card held there for everyone to see.
"What do we have here. Jumping from the bottom." David said. "Boys, we've got a cheater."
The moment David exposed Sonny's cheating, the atmosphere at the table changed instantly. Bo, Luke, and Cooter exchanged shocked glances, not expecting the quiet city boy to be so observant.
Sonny's smug expression faltered, a look of surprise and then anger crossing his face as he tried to pull his arm back. "Hey! Let go, damn it!"
"He's base dealing...right off the bottom of the deck." David explained how he was doing it.
That made Sonny even more angry that he gave up how he was pulling it off.
Bo let out a low whistle, impressed by David's keen eye. "Well, I'll be. The city boy knows his stuff."
Cooter chuckled, nodding his head in agreement. "Never thought I'd see Sonny get called out like that."
"He's a lying son of a bitch." Sonny said. "I'm calling him out now too. Outside so we can fist fight." Sonny informed them.
Bo raised an eyebrow, not looking concerned in the slightest. "You seriously wanna go a few rounds with the city boy?"
Luke snickered, almost excited at the thought. "This I gotta see."
"Wait a minute. I don't want to fight with you. Just a fair game of poker." David explained.
Sonny let out a scoff, still fuming in anger. "No way! You think you can just come in here, call me out in front of everyone and we're going to go back to playing poker like nothing happened? Not happening, city boy."
David could see that this was going in the wrong direction. He wasn't exactly in a non-confrentational setting. He wasn't sure defusing this situation would be possible.
"Come on boy...I'm gonna beat the shit out of you." Sonny Ferguson said.
"Oh boy...I really need to get out of here." David said. Regret setting in that he hadn't just taken off earlier.
"Look...I don't want to fight, Sonny." David said optimistically.
Sonny got in David's face, a sneer on his features. "You called me out and embarrass me in front of everyone. You can't expect me to let that slide, can you?"
"Please get out of my face. I merely didn't appreciate getting cheated. It's not personal, Sonny." David said. He wondered why the others were not more pissed than they were.
David tried to get around Sonny to get closer to the door.
Sonny wasn't about to let him escape. He stepped in front of David, blocking his path. "You're not going anywhere until you face me like a man."
The tension in the room continued to build, the crowd eagerly awaiting a fight breaking out.
David didn't stop, he continued to try to force his way out. Sonny was angry that David had exposed him. Now turning yellow. He knew this was the chance to show everyone else that he could beat someone down. David obviously couldn't fight.
Sonny pushed David back harshly, a sneer on his face. "You really think you can just weasel your way out of this? You've got another thing coming."
The crowd grew even more animated, their voices rising as they egged Sonny on.
David instinctively shoved him back and tried again to move toward the door. "Look, you're making a huge mistake here." David warned him.
His heartbeat was pounding in his chest. He couldn't feel the tension radiating through his body. Fear of what might happen. Knowing that it was close. The anxiety of the situation was growing more and more intense. Frustration was starting to build.
Bo, standing nearby, was trying to assess the situation. "This is getting out of hand. We gotta cool things down, fast."Sonny punched David in the face, and shoved him. David hit the door falling outside. He landed with a thud on the front porch.
"Oh no." David said. His eyes turned a light teal in color. He was slowly losing consciousness and his bones were hurting. Primal screams were sounding off like alarms in his head. His clothes were getting tighter. That was his last thought.
The entire scene played out in a matter of seconds, the crowd watching from inside with bated breath. Cooter and the others, having been trying to talk Sonny down, rushed outside when they saw David get hit.
As they ran out of the Boar's Nest they saw him. The big gigantic beat growled a deep guttural sound like rolling thunder. It slung the torn up shirt across his shoulders. Then let out an absolutely animalistic roar.
" Holy shit...What is that?" Someone shouted, and quickly closed the doors and locking the bolt.
Everyone in the Boar’s Nest was stunned, a mixture of shock, fear, and disbelief on their faces. Bo, Luke, and Cooter stood there in utter disbelief, their jaws on the ground.
"That....that’s...." Bo muttered, struggling to find words.
The Hulking monster took his hands together and he smashed the doors with one powerful swing. Pieces of the door flew into the bar room. The door completely destroyed and the pieces were scattered across the floor. The Hulk stood there before all the patrons.
Bo and the others stood their ground, not quite sure what to make of this. The other patrons on the other hand were in full blown panic mode.
"Did you think that he really turned into this? I mean he's told us, but he was telling the truth." Cooter said.
Bo and Luke were still speechless, their eyes wide as they looked at the monstrous figure before them.
"I never thought I'd see anything like this in real life," Bo managed to say, his voice filled with disbelief.
Sonny swung a chair with all his might. The Hulk grabbed it. Snatched it out of his hands and crushed it effortlessly. He growled in Sonny's face. Before he grabbed him and slung him like a wet towel across the room. His body hit the wall with a sickening impact.
The sound of the impact echoed across the room, causing several patrons to gasp and look away. Luke cringed at the sight, but Bo kept watching, still trying to comprehend what he was witnessing.
Buck pulled a knife on the creature and cut him across his arm. The Hulk snatched the 270 lbs man up like he was a small child. The beast growled in the man's face, and then tossed him across the bar room too. Buck smashed through the table. As he scanned the bar looking for a potential threat.
The whole scene was absolute chaos. The patrons of the bar were in a state of panic, some people hiding under tables, others making a run for the door.
The Hulk moved menacingly within the bar, his eyes fixated on anyone he considered a threat. He growled at them all as if to challenge someone to test him.
Bo, Luke, and Cooter tried their best to remain calm, knowing that any sudden movement could potentially trigger the beast.
"We need to do something, now," Bo muttered, watching the scene unfold.
"Hell no, Bo. Stay calm and still." Luke muttered.
Cooter nodded in agreement, keeping his eyes on the hulk. "Luke's right, Bo. We gotta stay cool. Look what happened to Sonny and them other fellas. This is out of our control."
Someone had called the police. Cletus and Enos pulled up outside. They had lights flashing and sirens blaring. This startled the creature. It was looking around now for an escape route.
It didn't find one. The Hulk ran toward the wall and again he placed his hands together and smashed his way out through the solid cement and log made wall. Moments later it disappeared into the darkness.
Cletus and Enos arrived just in time to see the creature make its escape. They stepped out of their patrol car, dumbfounded at the sight before them.
"What in the name of sweet baby Jesus..." Enos muttered, staring at the gaping hole in the wall.
Bo, Luke, and Cooter came out of the bar, shaking their heads in disbelief. Bo turned to Enos and Cletus. "You won't believe what the hell just happened in there."
Enos and Cletus gaped at the damaged walls and the sight of Sonny slumped unconscious on the ground.
"What happened here, Bo?" Enos asked, clearly baffled.
Bo looked around, unsure of how to explain. "It's a long story. But it involved a city boy, some cheating in poker and a creature straight out of a nightmare."
"Are you willing to make this your final statement? Do you want to stand on that?" Cletus asked.
"It's true." Luke said.
"Where is this city boy now?" Enos asked.
Bo shrugged, still trying to process everything. "Damned if I know. That thing he turned into punched a hole in the wall and was gone in moments."
Cooter added, "I've never seen anything like it in my life. Damn near pissed my pants."
"Are you willing to come into the office and make this your official statement?" Enos questioned.
"This sounds ridiculous to me, fellas." Enos explained, but observed the damage that clearly backed up their unbelievable claim.
Bo nodded in agreement. "Trust me, Enos, I understand how unbelievable this all sounds. I wouldn't blame you for not believing us, but the evidence is right there." He gestured towards the gaping hole in the wall.
"I'm not sure why, but I believe them. Something similar to what they say had to have went on here." Cletus expressed his opinion upon a closer investigation.
Enos grunted, still skeptical but beginning to consider the possibility. "Fine. I'll get you boys to the station and get your statements. But let it be known that I still think this is all hogwash."
"It's true, Enos." Daisy chimed in. "You know I wouldn't lie to you, Sugar."
"It's true. It was this big green monster and it was doing this." Daisy tried to recreate the movement of the beast.
The medical unit was moving out the injured patrons.
"This is nothing short of a complete and total disaster. Look at this shit." Enos shook his head. "Unbelievable...it's very Unbelievable."
Bo and the others looked around at the chaos, shaking their heads.
"Believe it, Enos. It's all true," Bo said with conviction. "And that thing is still out there. We've gotta find it before it causes anymore trouble."
"Absolutely not. You will come make your official statement and see what Mr. Hogg thinks you should do." Enos demanded. "You boys better hope this didn't violate your probation terms."
The guys grimaced, fully aware that their probation status was at stake.
"You think Boss Hogg is going to believe us?" Bo asked.
Enos looked at Bo as if to say, what do you think? "I can't wait to see you try it on him. I'm pretty sure that he ain't going to buy a word of it." Enos leveled.
Bo sighed, trying to brace himself for what was about to come.
"Well, let's get this over with then." He said, resigning himself to the fact that Boss Hogg wasn't going to take any of this seriously.
"Did you say the guy called himself, city boy? Or do you not have a real name for him?" Enos asked.
Bo shook his head. "We know his real name. He said it earlier. It's David."
Luke, who had been quiet up until now, interjected. "Yeah, David. That's his name."
"David...okay, what about a last name. Would you happen to have that?"
The guys all looked at each other, trying to remember.
Bo spoke up. "Honestly, I don't think we know his last name. We just started calling him city boy to give him hell and it stuck."
"Okay...come by the station and make a statement." Enos said, carefully walking over the destruction. "What a cotton picking mess this place is."
Bo sighed. "Alright, we'll come by and make our statements. And trust me, we're just as shocked as you are."
Luke muttered under his breath, "It's crazy as hell, is what it is."
The Hazzard County lawmen pulled away. Wondering how any of that could be true. Yet, seeing clear evidence that backed up their outlandish claim.
As Enos and Cletus drove back to the station, they couldn't help but shake their heads in disbelief.
"Can you believe that crap, Cletus?"
Enos inquired, still trying to make sense of what the Dukes and the others had said.
"I don't know but I know who's not going to believe a word of it." Cletus said.
"I don't know but I know who's not going to believe a word of it." Cletus said.
Enos grunted. "Good ol' Boss Hogg. He'll have a fit when he hears this one. There's no way he's gonna believe a word of it."
"Not a chance. Especially having not seen the damage. That's what I cannot figure out. What exactly did happen? That damage was not made by a man. Not David nor Goliath."
Enos nodded, bewildered by the whole situation. "That's the thing, Cletus. It just doesn't add up. This story of a man turning into some kind of monster...it's just crazy. But the evidence...I don't know, man."
He glanced at Cletus. "They seemed genuine though, right? Like they really believe their own story?"
Cletus thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, they seemed to be telling the truth. Although, I could have sworn I saw Bo and Luke sharing a look at one point, like they were withholding something."
The boys were shocked and still in disbelief. Luke sat down putting his hand over his face. "Man we really let him down." Luke muttered. "Then threw him under the bus."
Bo looked at Luke, his expression a mix of regret and guilt. "I know we did, Luke. And I feel terrible about it. But we were caught off guard. I just...I don't know. It all happened so fast."
"We did from the start. We knew that he couldn't handle the confrontation and that he would change, but cuz...I thought he was crazy." Luke pleaded his case. "We should have taken up for him. Not what we did. Uncle Jesse would be very disappointed in our actions."
"Hey, at least you didn't give up his last name." Luke said.
Bo's head dropped, the weight of their actions settling on him.
"You're right. We knew about his...condition...and still, we let it get out of hand. And you're right about Uncle Jesse being disappointed. We acted like idiots, and now we're facing some serious consequences."
"Well we've gotta find a way to fix all this, and before Saturday's race." Luke said.
Bo nodded, his mind already racing to find a solution. "You're damn right. We can't let this mess up the biggest race of the year. Especially since we're the favorites to win."
"Think about the way David has the General dialed in. Just more regret about the way we treated him." Luke glanced around.
Bo sighed heavily. "Yeah, I know. His work on that car is nothing short of magic. But we need to find him first. Who knows what state he's in right now?"
"Hopefully not the state he was in when he left. He said he'd always regret it if we saw him that way. Remember, when he was going to leave? Now I understand what he meant."
Bo nodded, silently cursing himself for not taking David's warning seriously. "Yeah, I remember. He tried to warn us, and we just blew it off like it was nothing. I feel like an idiot."
"Well do we make a report, or go find David?" Luke asked.
"We need to find him first, obviously. We've gotta make sure he's okay and try to fix the mess we've made. Then we can deal with the consequences."
Bo sat in silence for a second before speaking up again. "We need to split up. We'll cover more ground that way."
"Well let's go get another car." Luke said. "Cooter, we're going to look for city boy."
Cooter nodded, still shaken from the events of the night. "Alright, boys, lead the way. Let's find this kid and fix this mess."
"You heard what we were discussing, Cooter?" Bo asked.
Cooter nodded, still looking a bit dazed but determined. "Yeah, I heard. This whole situation is crazy, but we gotta find city boy and make things right. I'll be there with ya, boys."
"Thanks Cooter." Bo said. "Luke and I regret not doing anything when the shit hit the fan."
Cooter clapped Bo on the shoulder, trying to reassure him. "It's alright, Bo. We all make mistakes. But what matters now is that we fix things. We'll find city boy and straighten this whole thing out."
"Damn...he just wanted a fair game of cards." Bo shook his head.
Cooter sighed, his disappointment in himself evident. "Yeah, I should have stopped that. I knew city boy was in over his head, but I just stood there while everyone else kept piling it on."
"Look guys we will find him." Bo assured them.
"Should the three of us all drive or pair up?" Luke asked.
Bo thought for a moment, considering their options.
"Let's pair up. It'll cover more ground that way. Cooter, why don't you ride with me?"
"Alrighty." Cooter replied.
"Okay, Daisy will ride with me." Luke said.
Daisy, overhearing the plan, chimed in. "Sounds good to me. Let's get a move on, boys."
The groups split up and began searching for their lost friend.
Bo and Cooter were cruising down one of Hazzard's back roads, keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of David.
"You got any idea where he might have run off to, Coots?" Bo asked, peering out through the night.
"Well to tell you the truth he didn't really know his way around here as David. So I'm betting that being the monster didn't help him find his way." Cooter leveled with him.
"How far is The Boar's Nest and the garage, and the farm? Two places he'd know to go. Provided he found his way."
Bo thought for a moment, trying to recall the distance to those locations. "The Boar's Nest is about ten miles north. The garage and the farm a few miles more. But you're right, he may not remember how to get there, especially in his...state."
Hours passed and still no sign of David. "What time is it?" Bo asked.
"3:24 am." Cooter replied.
"Damn...I'm out of ideas." Bo admitted.
Cooter let out a heavy sigh, agreeing with Bo's sentiment. "I don't know what else to do either. We've been searching for hours, and there's not a trace of him."
He looked out the window, the stars and moon now high in the sky. "What if we don't find him, Bo? What if he's just...gone?"
"Well he'd have to be somewhere, right?" Bo questioned.
Cooter let out a heavy sigh, agreeing with Bo's sentiment. "I don't know what else to do either. We've been searching for hours, and there's not a trace of him."
Cooter nodded, though his tone indicated he wasn't entirely convinced. "Yeah, but where? This is a big county, and there's no telling where he could have gone. Did you see how quick he hauled ass?"
Bo's grip on the steering wheel tightened as frustration set in. "We have to keep looking. We can't just give up on him."
"No...no we can't, but we may need some help. Especially if we haven't found him by daybreak."
Bo grimaced, knowing Cooter was right. "Yeah, you're probably right. We need more eyes out there. But who can we trust with this? It's not like we can just go around telling folks that David turns into a monster."
They met back at the Duke's farm about the time Uncle Jesse was cooking breakfast. They knew that explaining it all to himself would be impossible, but they had to do it. Maybe he had a plan.
As the boys came through the front door, they were greeted by the scent of sizzling bacon and brewing coffee. Uncle Jesse was at the stove, tending to breakfast. He looked up as he heard the boys enter, his face a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"You boys are up late," he noted, flipping a slice of bacon.
Bo and Cooter exchanged glances, their weariness apparent.
"We've been out all night, Uncle Jesse," Bo responded, sitting down at the table.
Uncle Jesse set down the spatula and gave them a concerned look. "What in the world have y'all been up to? You look terrible." It was as though their fatigue and worry were written all over their faces.
"Uncle Jesse, did you really believe David was on the run because he turns into a creature?" Bo asked.
Uncle Jesse, who had been busying himself with breakfast, paused in his work and turned to face Bo. His expression was serious as he regarded them.
"Yes, son, I believe it's true. I know it sounds impossible, but sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction."
"Uncle Jesse. It's 100% true. It happened and we've been hunting for him all night long." Bo confessed.
Uncle Jesse's eyes widened at Bo's blunt confirmation, his mind trying to process the incredible truth he was hearing. But he was a wise man, and he knew that the Dukes wouldn't lie to him about something this serious.
"Bo, you're sure about this?" he asked, concern and disbelief evident in his voice.
"Yessir...you should see the damage that he did to the Boar's Nest." Bo's expression changed.
"It's true Uncle Jesse, he slung some full grown men like rag dolls. Smashed through the concrete wall at the Boar's Nest. I nearly pissed my shorts is what I did." Cooter backed up this claim.
Uncle Jesse looked at the pair, his face a mixture of shock and awe. He'd always known that David was a strong young man, but the thought of him having that kind of power was almost too much to take in.
He let out a slow breath, trying to wrap his mind around the situation. "Well, I'll be darned. I always knew there was something different about that boy, I just never thought it would be something like this."
"That wasn't him, Uncle Jesse. That think was like a not so jolly green giant. It didn't speak, but flexed it's arms and watching the whole bunch of us. As if he dared us to try him just one time." Bo recalled the scene.
Uncle Jesse listened intently, trying to picture the scene. The thought of this monstrous version of David was hard to fathom, but the fear and awe behind Bo's eyes were all too real.
He let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. "So you're saying when he changes, he's not the same person anymore? He's a different entity altogether?"
"Yes. A big 8 or 9 foot monster. About 400lbs in weight, and it's human looking, but green."
Uncle Jesse's eyebrows skyrocketed at the description. "400 lbs. and that tall?! No wonder y'all were so shook up."
He shook his head again, his expression worried. "Do you think...do you think David is still in there somewhere? Or is this other entity completely taking over?"
"He says that he eventually changes back, or something. That was back when he originally told us that he had the monster inside of him." Bo said.
"What caused the change?" Uncle Jesse asked.
Bo and Cooters exchanged glances, knowing all too well the answer to Uncle Jesse's question.
Bo spoke quietly. "We triggered it."
"What? Why in Heavens name would you go and do a fool thing like that for?"
Bo hung his head, unable to meet Uncle Jesse's stern gaze. "We didn't do it on purpose. We didn't know it would set him off like that."
Cooter spoke up, his voice filled with remorse. "We were just playing poker. David was winning, and...well..."
A skeptical look played across Uncle Jesse's face. Then Luke and Daisy walked into the farmhouse.
Luke and Daisy entered the kitchen just in time to hear the tail end of the explanation.
Bo and Cooter immediately turned their attention to them, hopeful that they had news of David's whereabouts.
"No sign of him." Luke said.
"Does Rosco or JD know about this?" Uncle Jesse asked.
Bo shook his head. "Not yet. We've been trying to keep it under wraps. We didn't know who we could trust with this."
Cooter chimed in, his frustration evident. "We all know how quick Boss Hogg would be to capitalize on this. If he got a hold of David..." He trailed off, the thought too terrifying to finish.
"The police didn't respond to the incident?" Uncle Jesse inquired.
Bo grimaced as he responded. "Enos and Cletus."
"Well the law will be out here. I've got a fresh batch in the barn. We need to stash that somewhere else." Uncle Jesse said.
Bo and Luke quickly made their way to the barn, their minds racing to think of a hiding place for the hooch. Once they arrived, they began to search the barn for a good spot.
That's where they found David. Curled up in the fetal position trying to stay warm.
"Oh my God. We found him." Luke said.
Bo knelt down beside David's still form, the relief at finding him nearly overwhelming. But there was no mistaking the disheveled state he was in. He nudged him gently.
"Hey, city boy...David? You with us?"
David sat up quickly going into a defensive position. "Bo...Luke, what happened?"
Bo looked down at David's disheveled state, his clothes torn and stained. He turned to Luke.
"Go get him some clothes, quickly."
Luke quickly nodded and headed out, leaving Bo alone with David.
He sat down next to him, his concern etched on his face. "What happened to you, David? Where have you been these last few hours?"
"Here...somehow I made it here." David wiped his face. "Do you have any coffee on?"
Bo nodded, understanding that David must be tired and shaken to be asking for coffee.
"Yeah, Uncle Jesse's got a pot going as usual. Come on."
He held out his hand, offering to help David up.
"I cannot stay anymore. The creature was exposed, wasn't he? Don't lie to me, Bo. They saw it didn't they." David urged.
Bo's expression turned grave, knowing it was time to be honest with him. He nodded, his voice serious.
"Yeah, David...we all saw it. The entire Boar's Nest saw it."
Bo's expression turned grave, knowing it was time to be honest with him. He nodded, his voice serious.
"Yeah, David...we all saw it. The entire Boar's Nest saw it."
Bo's expression softened, a hint of sadness in his eyes. He placed a hand gently on David's shoulder.
"Yeah, man, I do. After what happened...I understand why you'd think that. But running isn't the answer, David. You can't just keep living on the run."
"It's the only way. You might not believe me, but you have no idea what they'd do to me." David said.
"It's too late now. I'm not in a position to stay." David said. They went inside for a morning cup of coffee.
As they stepped into the farmhouse, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. The others all looked up as they entered, their expressions a mixture of concern and relief.
"Thank goodness you're alright." Daisy said, a slight tremble in her voice.
Cooter walked over and handed David some clothes. "I found these...you should clean up, amigo."
David took a shower and when he got out he heard the commotion in the kitchen. "Oh shit. It's Rosco and Enos." Luke said.
Bo, who had been keeping watch from a window, caught a glimpse of Rosco and Enos making their way toward the house. He swore under his breath.
"Damn it. They're here." He turned to the others. “You all stay here. I'll handle this."
"Hey Bo, how's the morning been?" Enos asked.
Rosco elbowed his deputy and took the lead. "You failed to get by the station to file a report." Rosco accused. "We have a warrant that permits us to search the property. That's what we are going to do. That is unless you want to come clean now."
Bo's jaw tightened as Rosco spoke, knowing that the lawman was enjoying this. He held his ground, his voice steady but laced with frustration.
"You know there's nothing to report, Rosco. Not a single thing happened last night that requires a search or a report or anything at all."
"The damage to the Boar's Nest says otherwise. Boss Hogg wasn't happy to see the place, but even less happy with the claims of green monsters."
Bo clenched his fists at his sides, the mention of the "green monsters" pissing him off even more. "Yeah, well, people see what they see. Especially when they've downed a few."
"You were shook, Bo. You Dukes all reported a green monster ripped up the Boar's Nest." Enos confronted him.
Bo's eyes flickered over to Enos, his patience wearing thin. "Yeah, well, if all you got is a bunch of half-drunk eyewitness accounts, I don't see how that warrants a warrant."
"Well then, what tore through the side of the Boar's Nest?" Rosco asked. "Help me, help you, Bo Duke." Rosco said.
Bo met Rosco's gaze, his lips pressed into a thin line. He knew he couldn't give them any information, especially about David.
"Let's just say it's nothing that concerns you and yours." Bo said, his tone sharp.
"Cuff him." Rosco said. Then Enos detained Bo, and handcuffed him. Bo was placed in the police car.
"I'll give another chance to whoever wants to explain what happened last night at the Boar's Nest?" Rosco asked.
"I'll search the place. We will find some answers or we will uncover some home brew. Has Jesse been working again?"
Uncle Jesse stepped out of the farmhouse. He stood on the porch, his gaze steely.
"I haven't been workin' anything, Rosco. And you know good and well I wouldn't keep anything here."
"Jesse listen, something went through the Boar's Nest like a tornado in a hen house, and I want answers and now. Something smashed through the 8 inch thick concrete wall that was reenforced with logs. I intend on finding out who's responsible." Rosco said.
Uncle Jesse knew the wall Rosco was referring to. He was caught up in thought for a minute. Thinking about the strength and power it'd take to smash through that wall.
"I think that someone had one of the 4x4 trucks and drove it through the side of the wall."
Rosco scoffed, clearly not buying Uncle Jesse's explanation. "A truck? You really think we're that stupid, Jesse? A truck would've done much more damage. And who in their right mind would drive a truck through the wall of a bar in the middle of the night?"
"Well then what are you saying. You believe that nonsense about a green monster?" Uncle Jesse laughed.
Rosco grimaced, clearly frustrated by Uncle Jesse's scoffing.
"I'm not saying I believe it, but I'm saying I sure as hell don't believe some damn truck drove through it either."
"Well you have Bo locked up in that car. You don't think Bo smashed through the wall, do you?
Rosco shifted his weight and crossed his arms, his expression growing more annoyed. "No, I don't believe Bo did it. But I'm not buying your little truck story either."
"It was a guess, Rosco, you know I haven't got a clue. I wasn't even there." Rosco let out a derisive snort, his tone growing more agitated. "Of course you weren't. You Dukes always have an alibi."
Uncle Jesse looked at Rosco, "you know that I wasn't down there, don't hand me no shit. You little scam bugger. I'll shoot your ass across this county...no you get...be gone you worthless excuse of a lawman."
Rosco reeled back in surprise at Uncle Jesse's outburst, not expecting the usually calm and collected farmer to speak to him that way. He quickly regained his composure, his expression hardening.
"Careful, Jesse, that sort of talk could be considered threatening a law enforcement officer."
"Do you want to search the place? Is that what you want? Then get in here. Come on and get your ass in this house."
Rosco looked taken aback, not expecting that response. He hesitated for a moment, looking at Enos. They were both caught off guard by Uncle Jesse's directness. After a moment, Rosco gathered himself and stepped forward.
"Alright, if you insist. We'll take a look around."
Daisy, Luke, and Cooter, they took David out the backside of the farmhouse.
"What exactly are you looking for Rosco?" Uncle Jesse asked.
Rosco's gaze swept over the room, noting the sparse, rustic furnishings and the lack of signs of any illegal activity. He turned back to Uncle Jesse with a forced grin.
"Anything that could give us some clues about what really happened at that Boar's Nest."
They proceeded to search the farmhouse, moving from room to room. They looked into cupboards and under beds, their hands roaming across drawers and shelves, clearly not expecting to find anything of note, but searching thoroughly regardless. Rosco even went so far as to look under the chairs and in the fireplaces.
"This is a whole lot of nothing," Rosco grumbled, his patience clearly deteriorating.
"Where's Luke and Daisy?" Rosco asked.
Enos continued to search the old farmhouse. Knowing that it was no use. There was nothing here.
"Where's the moonshine?" Rosco inquired.
Uncle Jesse's expression didn't even flicker as he met Rosco's stare.
"Do you see any evidence of a still here, Rosco? Any signs of any home brew? Because I sure as hell don't."
Rosco's nostrils flared as the frustration rose. He continued to rifle through the kitchen cabinets, knocking things over in the process.
"Oh come on, Jesse, you don't expect me to believe you stopped working the stills, do you? You Dukes live for that."
Uncle Jesse shook his head, the mockery in his tone clear.
"Well, this old Duke is retired, and you know that as well as I do, Rosco. Haven't had a working still in more than 20 years."
"Where is Luke and Daisy? We need to find out what happened at the Boar's Nest." Rosco continued.
"They're out in town. Running some errands." Uncle Jesse replied, his voice calm and even. He leaned against the kitchen counter, folding his arms.
Enos looked up from where he had been searching through the living room and nodded, clearly as unsatisfied as Rosco.
"Enos we're done here." Rosco said. His tone indicated his frustration.
"You can pick Bo up down at the jailhouse. Forty-five dollars and a signature will do it."
Uncle Jesse nodded, his expression stoic. "Alright, I'll swing by later to get him."
Bo sat quietly in the back of the police car, his mind racing with thoughts of what the others were doing back at the farm. He couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness and unease, knowing that they were all in danger. He felt a pang of guilt and worry, wondering what would become of David.
[I don't know about you folks, but the Dukes seem to be in it as deep as you can be. The Dukes don't find trouble, it finds them most of the time.]
Meanwhile back in Hazzard...
Boss Hogg wasn't happy with the results of this investigation. He wanted to know exactly what happened to the Boar's Nest.
"What happened over there, Bo? " JD Hogg asked, as Enos escorted him to the cell block.
"I've got time, boy, start talking." Boss Hogg said.
Bo sighed, knowing there was no getting out of this conversation. He sat down on the bunk, his mind racing to figure out what to say.
"Well, let's just say things got out of hand at the place last night. Someone... something messed up the Boar's Nest pretty bad."
"Oh I would say. Do you like having a good time at the Boar's Nest?"
Bo shook his head, leaning back against the wall of the cell.
"Nah, you know me, Boss. I'm a farmer first and foremost. All that drinking and partying isn't really my thing."
"A farmer? A farmer you say, huh? Son you're not the droplets of sweat running down a farmer's ass." JD Hogg replied.
Bo bristled at the insult, but held his tongue. He knew arguing with Boss Hogg wouldn't do any good.
"Well, I do what I can to help out at the farm. I just prefer to stay out of trouble, that's all."
"Well when you're ready to get in deeper on the long story. Enos will come get me." Boss Hogg says.
"Right," Bo replied, his voice flat. He knew there was no point in trying to argue or negotiate. Boss Hogg always had the upper hand. He settled into his cell, resigned to wait out whatever punishment he had in store.
Time ticked by slowly in the jail cell. With nothing to do but sit and think, Bo's mind kept wandering back to the events of the previous night and to the others at the farm.
He tried his best to focus on more pleasant things, like the farm and working the fields, but the worry gnawed at him, making it impossible to truly relax.
Bo sat up straight in his bunk when the door opened. A man wearing a suit walked in. Bo figured it was an attorney or something, but it wasn't.
"Are you Bo Duke?" The man asked.
"Yessir...I'm Bo."
"Good, good deal. I'm Jack McGee with the National Register.
Bo tensed up when the man in the suit entered the cellblock. He sat up on the bunk, his gaze sharp.
"Yeah, I'm Bo Duke. What do you want?"
The man, who introduced himself as Jack McGee with the National Register, smiled at Bo's guarded response.
"I'm just here on a fact-finding mission, Mr. Duke. Can I ask you a few questions?"
Bo eyed the man suspiciously, not entirely sure what to make of his presence. However, he figured there was no harm in answering a few questions.
"Alright, go ahead. I'll answer what if I can."
McGee sat down in a chair across from Bo's cell and pulled out a small recorder. "Can you tell me what happened at the Boar's Nest last night?"
Bo rubbed his chin, thinking back to the chaotic events at the bar. "Well, it all happened pretty fast, but there was some sort of disturbance... like a fight. It was hard to tell exactly what was happening, what with all the commotion, but it was pretty bad. Someone really tore up the place."
McGee nodded, making a note on a small pad of paper. "And you're sure it was a fight? Maybe a couple of drunks going at each other?"
Bo grimaced, shaking his head. "I doubt it. Whoever or whatever did it was strong. The damage to the place, well, let's just say it wasn't something a few drunk guys could do, not even a whole bar full of them. We've had plenty of rowdy nights there, but nothing like this."
"I've been told it wasn't a couple of drunks. In fact I've been told it was a big green monster. It smashed his way into the bar, destroyed the place, injured some patrons, and smashed a wall upon exiting the bar. Does any of this sound like what you witnessed?" McGee questioned.
"Nope. I didn’t see anything like that?" Bo replied.
McGee studied Bo for a moment, sensing that there was more to the story than he was letting on. He pushed a bit further.
"You didn't see anything? Not even a hint of what caused the disturbance?"
Bo met McGee's gaze, his expression unreadable. "No, like I said, it all happened fast. One minute everything was normal, the next it was like a tornado had hit the place. It was crazy."
"So you're telling me that nobody seen a gigantic green monster?"
Bo shook his head. "No, unfortunately I did not."
"Well they tell that you originally reported a green monster ripping the place up." McGee said.
Bo stood up quickly as he saw Uncle Jesse and Cletus come through the door. Relief washed over him.
"Uncle Jesse! Cletus! Thanks for getting me outta here."
As the group turned to leave, Jack McGee intervened. He stepped into their path, a polite smile on his face.
"Excuse me, fellas," he said. "Could I have a moment of your time?"
Uncle Jesse and Bo exchanged glances, clearly wary of the stranger's interruption. "What is it, mister?" Uncle Jesse asked, his tone guarded.
McGee held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Please, just call me Jack. I just have a few questions for you, if you don't mind."
Uncle Jesse's expression didn't soften, but he nodded agreeing. "Alright then, ask your questions."
McGee opened his notebook and clicked his pen. "I'm with the National Register. We're investigating the disturbance at the Boar's Nest, you see. I was hoping you could answer a few questions?"
Bo stepped in. "I've already told you, Jack. My Uncle Jesse here, wasn't with us. So you've gotten your answers already."
McGee scribbled a note in his book, then looked up at Bo with a small smile.
"I understand that, but I just have a few more questions. It won't take long, I promise."
Uncle Jesse eyed McGee suspiciously, not liking the idea of answering any questions. But he kept his mouth shut for the moment, gesturing for McGee to continue.
McGee noticed the tension and tried to keep his tone pleasant. "First question. Have there been any instances of unexplained damage around the town or county recently?"
McGee smiled, feeling like he was making progress. "Great. So, I've heard a few rumors that some of you fellas saw something... unusual at the Boar's Nest last night. A large, green creature perhaps?"
Uncle Jesse huffed, his patience wearing thin. "I'm not one to believe in any of that nonsense, boy. Ain't no big, green creature running around Hazzard."
McGee chuckled, seemingly unperturbed by Jesse's dismissive response. "Of course, of course. But what about your nephew here? Bo, is it?" He turned his gaze toward Bo.
Bo met McGee's gaze, his expression guarded. "What about me?"
"You were there. You know what happened. I've seen the damage, and I'm here to tell you that wasn't just some bar room brawl. We are talking about eight to ten inches of concrete busted. Not into the bar, but out of it. Come on help me out here. You saw the creature.
Bo hesitated, shooting a quick glance at Uncle Jesse. He could see the skepticism etched on Jesse's face. But something about McGee's insistence nagged at him. He looked back at McGee and let out a breath.
"Yeah, alright. I saw something."
"Good, good. Now we're getting somewhere...tell me everything as it happened.
Bo took a deep breath, recollecting his thoughts. "Well, it all happened pretty fast. We were at the Boar's Nest, having a good time as usual. It was a pretty normal night, you know? But then... things took a turn. I heard this commotion outside, and then BAM! The whole place shook. It was like a goddamn earthquake."
"People were screaming and running, and I...I looked out the window to see what was happening." Bo paused, his expression shifting as the memories came back. He ran a hand over his face as he continued.
"People were screaming and running, and I...I looked out the window to see what was happening." Bo paused, his expression shifting as the memories came back. He ran a hand over his face as he continued.
McGee nodded, his pen scratching furiously on his paper. "That's very helpful information, Mr. Duke. Thank you." He looked up from his notes, eyes gleaming. "I have one more question, if that's alright."
Bo nodded, his heart still pounding from recounting the terrifying memory. "Yeah, what is it?"
McGee leaned forward, lowering his voice a little. "You said that this creature was almost the size of a house, correct?"
"It was huge." Bo said.
McGee nodded, a hint of excitement glimmering in his eyes. "And just to be clear, you're sure it was green?"
Bo nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, I'm sure of it. I've never seen a creature that green before. It was like something out of a nightmare."
"You saw it. I'm telling you, boy. You saw the Hulk." Jack McGee said excitedly.
He continued making notes, his pen flying over the page. "And one last question, did you happen to notice where this creature went?"
Bo shook his head, his brows furrowed. "No, like I said, it was chaos. People were running, screaming. I lost sight of it in the confusion. I'm sorry, I wish I could say more."
McGee continued making notes, his pen flying over the page. "And one last question, did you happen to notice where this creature went?"
Bo shook his head, his brows furrowed. "No, like I said, it was chaos. People were running, screaming. I lost sight of it in the confusion. I'm sorry, I wish I could say more."
McGee closed his notebook and put on a reassuring smile. "That's quite alright, Mr. Duke. You've been incredibly helpful. Thank you." He handed Bo a business card. "If you think of anything else, please give me a call."
Uncle Jesse couldn't believe that Bo was telling what he saw. It was only going to make things harder on David.
As they were in the truck, Uncle Jesse asked. "Why did you tell all that information about the incident? I think that guy is the reporter David said was after him." Uncle Jesse said.
Bo let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Uncle Jesse. That reporter guy just got to me, I guess. He was insisting and asking so many questions, and I just..." He trailed off, feeling a pang of guilt at admitting it. "I don't know what came over me, honest."
"Well maybe we can use that mistake to the good. We can keep ole McGee here, and help David slip out with a good jump on this man chasing him."
"Shepherd to lost sheep...meeting at the farm."
"Yeah," Bo mumbled, still feeling conflicted about his decision to speak with McGee. "Yeah, that's a good idea. We just gotta be careful."
Uncle Jesse nodded, a resolute expression on his face. "Don't you worry, we'll handle this. We protect family, Bo. That's all we care about."
The family back at the farm. Minus Cooter who was towing a car. "Tomorrow is the big race. Everyone in Hazzard will be there. That's when Dasiy and I will get David out of here. That reporter will be at the race thinking that his guy is around there at the race." Uncle Jesse told them.
Everyone nodded, understanding the plan. Bo spoke up, still feeling a little guilty about his conversation with McGee. "I want to apologize, Uncle Jesse. I didn't mean to mess things up. I just... I just got flustered."
"We're gonna take these lemons and we're gonna make lemonade." Uncle Jesse said.
Bo nodded, grateful for his uncle's understanding. "You're right, Uncle Jesse. I won't let that McGee guy get the better of me again."
David understood the plan. He was going to miss these people. They were a throw back to the the way things used to be.
Uncle Jesse patted Bo on the shoulder. "Good. We gotta stick together, boy. We're family. Now let's get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a big day."
The room filled with agreeing murmurs, everyone preparing themselves for the next day's event. Bo settled back in his chair, still feeling the weight of his decision to talk with McGee, but determined not to let it get the best of him again. Family first.
Race Day : The Hazzard County Open Invitational
The morning started with Uncle Jesse putting some breakfast together.
David was the next one up. He sat with Uncle Jesse having a cup of coffee. The sun had yet to rise, as had anyone else that morning. As Uncle Jesse talked with David he could see how smart and well traveled he was.
Uncle Jesse sipped his coffee, studying David's face in the dim light. The young man was a stark contrast to the usual folk in Hazzard, with his quick wit and polished manners. Uncle Jesse couldn't help but marvel at it.
"You're quite an interesting fella, David," he said, breaking the silence. "Traveled a lot, have you?"
Uncle Jesse whistled, impressed. "That's quite a bit more than most folks around here. A young man like yourself should be out there seeing the world, not living in a place like Hazzard."
David smiled faintly, his gaze dropping to the tabletop. "Well, sometimes life has a funny way of bringing you to unexpected places."
"So tell me, son. About this creature that McGee is after. Don't worry we'll get you outta here, but I'm a little curious about the beast within you."
David took a sip of his coffee, eyes gazing off into thought for a moment before responding. "The creature... or as I call it, the beast, is an... uncontrollable primal side of me. It's something that lurks inside, always there, always hungry, and often difficult to control."
Uncle Jesse nodded, studying David's expression carefully. "And the beast, it... it comes out when you get angry?"
David fidgeted with his cup, his eyes downcast. "Yes, or when I get emotionally overwhelmed. Stress, anxiety, fear, any of those can cause it to rear its ugly head."
"Is there anything that we can do to help you? I hate seeing you this way, you know." Uncle Jesse says.
David looked up, meeting Uncle Jesse's compassionate eyes with his own weary ones. He mustered a thin smile. "I appreciate that, really. There isn't much anyone can do, unfortunately. Medication helps to numb the beast, but it's... always there. Always waiting."
"We Dukes have been right here for a long time. Back before the Civil War the Dukes were here in Hazzard. Things have changed over the years, but one thing hasn't. That's Dukes helping others. You know I think he wants it that way." Uncle Jesse points up into the sky.
David followed Uncle Jesse's gaze to the heavens, listening as he spoke of Dukes through the generations.
"You and your family stand as pillars of this town, I can see that," David said quietly. "It's evident in the way the people respect and look up to you all. You have a strong bond, don't you?"
Uncle Jesse nodded, a fond smile on his face. "Yes, sir. We're a close bunch, us Dukes. Family is the most important thing. Always has been. And the people of Hazzard, they're family too. We take care of our own."
"Yes, the boys accepted me like family." David agreed.
Uncle Jesse chuckled, a hint of pride in his voice. "The boys can be a bit rough around the edges, but they've got good hearts. They may not show it all the time, but they care deeply. Especially for Daisy, not that they'll ever admit it."
David laughed softly. "Yes, I can see that. She's quite a character, isn't she?"
Uncle Jesse snorted, a fond glint in his eye. "That she is. She's a firecracker, that niece of mine. Smart as a tack, full of sass, and a heart wider than the Mississippi."
"And she seems to enjoy pushing their buttons," David added with a smirk.
Uncle Jesse guffawed. "Oh, indeed. That's her favorite pastime, I think. Drives them all insane, and she loves every minute of it."
Uncle Jesse's expression darkened at the mention of Hoggs. "That he does. The Hogg family has their fingers in lots of things 'round here. They control the banks, the mines, pretty much all the major businesses. And they're crooked as the day is long."
How do you think Bo doing the race today? Do you suspect Hogg might try something funny? Bo bet the General Lee in a bet he couldn't refuse. The amount of 250,000 dollars. They knew he couldn't refuse, Hogg is holding the money, and something seems fishy. Those guys are pretty sure they're going to win." David explained.
Uncle Jesse grumbled, a deep frown on his face. "Hogg's up to something, I'm sure of it. He always has an ace up his sleeve. That bet... it's just too good to be true. Hogg knows that Bo couldn't resist the money, and that's exactly what he was counting on."
"You think Hogg is backing the bet?" David asked.
Uncle Jesse nodded, a look of grim determination on his face. "No doubt about it. The other team doesn't have that kind of money. They're Hogg's tools, doing his bidding. He's backing that bet and looking to take the General Lee."
"It's another chance for the beast to come out, but I don't think there's a choice. There's too much on the line here." David said. Fear on his face.
Uncle Jesse placed a reassuring hand on David's shoulder. "I understand your fears, son. It ain't an easy thing to face. But you have a good heart, and that counts for somethin'. I'm not about to let anything happen to you, you get that? We Dukes protect our own, and that includes you now."
"Thanks, Uncle Jesse. You didn't see the creature I became at the Boar's Nest. I mean thank God you didn't, but I know the others did. I'm sure it scared them, and they'll probably never forget what occurred in the bar room that night." David said, and with a dreadful tone.
Uncle Jesse squeezed David's shoulder a little tighter, his voice firm but gentle. "The Dukes, they might be a little shook up, I won't lie. But they're tough as nails, they'll get past it. What's important is that we deal with whatever's ahead of us now. And don't you go thinkin' that we're afraid of you, David. Ain't none of us scared of you, you got that?"
"Yessir," he nodded.
"Good." Uncle Jesse replied, satisfied. "Now come on, you sit tight here while I go check on Bo. I think he's gonna need a little pep talk before the race."
As Uncle Jesse headed off to talk with Bo, David continued to sip his coffee. His thoughts swirled as he contemplated the upcoming race. He knew he should have left town, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that Hogg and his goons were up to something. He decided that he would stay until after the race, just to make sure Bo was safe and the General Lee didn't fall into Hogg's wicked hands.
David sat there drinking the black coffee and thinking. He knew the best thing he could do is leave town. That wasn't the best thing for everyone involved, and despite how everything had played out, David was compelled to stay to make sure Bo wasn't taken by Hogg.
David could sense there was more to this than just a simple race. He had a gut feeling that there was something sinister lurking behind the scenes. He promised himself he would do everything he could to ensure no harm came to Bo or the General Lee.
David looked up as Luke entered the room. He greeted the younger man with a small nod. "Good morning, Luke."
Luke poured himself a cup of coffee and took a seat across from David. He sipped the steaming liquid and studied David over the edge of the cup. "How you holdin' up?"
"As well as can be expected," David said, swirling the black liquid in his own cup. He took a small sip, relishing the warm, bitter taste. "Just trying to keep my head clear for the race."
David set down his cup and leaned back in his chair. "Luke, you've been living in Hazzard a while now. You know the place, the people. Do you think this race is on the level? It doesn't feel right to me."
Luke took another sip of his coffee, a thoughtful look on his face. "Hogg's got his fingers in everything around here, you know that. And he's got a reputation for playing dirtier than a pig in a mud hole. But this race... I dunno. There's something hinky about it, don't you agree?"
David nodded, appreciating Luke's insight. "Yes, there is. It feels too easy, too one-sided. I can't shake the feeling that Hogg is up to something more than just winning the race."
Luke nodded, his expression darkening. "Yeah, he's got it in his mind that he already won that money. But the Dukes have the General Lee, and that's no ordinary race car. Bo's the best driver around. Hogg's gonna be in for a surprise when he loses that wager."
"I'll be watching for anything suspicious." David said.
Luke smiled, appreciating David's determination. "Me too. And I bet the rest of the Dukes will be lookin' out too. We don't take kindly to Hogg's shenanigans 'round here."
The General Lee sounded like thunder when Bo fired it up. He drove it down to Cooter's. Luke and David followed him down there. Uncle Jesse and Daisy would come into town closer to race time.
When they arrived, Luke and David watched as Bo and Cooter went over everything on the General Lee. Bo was focused and determined. Cooter did a final check, making sure everything was in top condition. While the boys discussed and worked on the race car, David and Luke stood nearby, waiting patiently.
Enos stopped in as he was making his rounds. Luke and David disappeared into the back of the garage. David couldn't chance McGee possibly seeing him. "The General Lee is sounding good, fellas."
Bo smiled as he heard Enos' compliment about the General Lee. "Thanks, Enos. Cooter's been workin' overtime on her. She's feelin’ good, don't you think?"
Enos nodded in agreement, looking over the General Lee with admiration. "Oh, absolutely. She's looking and sounding better than ever. You'll have no problems winning today's race, Bo."
Bo chuckled, patting the hood of his beloved race car. "Don't jinx it, Enos. There's a lot riding on this."
Enos chuckled, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm just sayin'. You and the General Lee are the best around. No one's going to touch you out there on the track today."
Enos continued on "Well, good luck in there, Bo." He said, as he walked away.
Bo nodded, his expression serious as he resumed his preparations. "Thanks, Enos. We're going to need it today."
Those interested in watching the race were filing into the their seats.
Uncle Jesse and Daisy found their spots in the stands. As they settled in, they looked around, taking in the crowd and the buzzing energy of the race day atmosphere. Uncle Jesse leaned over to Daisy.
"You doin' alright, Darlin'?"
Daisy nodded, her eyes scanning the stands. "Yeah, Uncle Jesse. I'm fine. Just hoping Bo does good today. He's going up against some tough competition, and the stakes are pretty high."
The midnight blue Chevy Chevelle was driven by the bikers who made the bet with the Dukes. The other cars were lined up and ready to race. As the drivers and their crews made final preparations, the tension in the air was thick as a Georgia summer.
Bo and Cooter were going over the General Lee, making sure everything was in top shape. Bo's expression was serious, his focus intense.
Jack McGee was watching intently from his seat, his eyes scanning the crowd of spectators. He was hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious John Doe, but so far, there was no sign of him. McGee's frustration was growing as he searched the sea of faces.
Hogg, accompanied by his nephew Cletus, strutted onto the podium, a smug smile on his face. He approached the microphone, flanked by his nephew, who wore a scowl as bad as Hogg's grin.
Hogg adjusted the microphone and cleared his throat. "Attention, everyone! I want to welcome you all to the 4th Annual Hazzard County Road Race! We got an exciting competition today, don't we, Cletus?"
Cletus nodded, looking less than enthralled by the event. Hogg continued, feigning excitement. "That's right! We got some really fine drivers and cars here today. We're gonna have ourselves a good ol' time."
Meanwhile, Bo was preparing his car in the start line. He was focused, determined. Cooter was making sure everything was in order, giving the General Lee his last final touches. Luke and David observed from the sidelines, taking in the scene.
Luke and David watched as Bo and Cooter made final adjustments on the General Lee. They could see the determination etched on Bo's face, the nervous energy buzzing around them. The other drivers and their crews were engaged in similar pre-race rituals, their focus solely on winning.
The tension in the air was palpable. Luke glanced at David, who was watching the scene with a stoic expression. Luke leaned in and muttered under his breath. "Looks like it's gonna be a hell of a race."
David's heart skipped a beat as he saw McGee, scanning the crowd intently. David ducked behind another onlooker, trying to avoid being seen by McGee. He glanced at Luke, his eyes silently communicating the situation.
Luke grabbed a pit crew helmet. David looked at the helmet in his hands, appreciating the thoughtfulness of Luke's gesture. He put the helmet on, further concealing his identity. The helmet fit snugly, and he adjusted it to make sure it hid his face. He nodded at Luke, silently thanking him for the added precaution.
Luke gave David a quick nod back, reassuring him. Then he turned his attention back to the race preparations. The start line was being set up, and the cars were lining up one by one. Bo was getting ready to get in the General Lee.
Bo climbed into the driver's seat of the General Lee, his heart pounding in anticipation. He looked over the car, his eyes taking in every detail, every tweak Cooter had made. This was it. The race was about to start.
The announcer's voice crackled over the loudspeaker, the anticipation in his voice palpable. "Ladies and gentlemen, attention please! The race is about to commence! Are you ready?"
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd, the people excitedly stomping their feet and waving their hats in the air. The tension in the air was palpable. Bo gripped the wheel of the General Lee, his knuckles turning white.
The announcer's voice continued, the excitement growing in his tone. "Drivers, start your engines!"
The crowd went wild, cheering and shouting as the cars vroomed to life. The air was filled with the scent of burning fuel and the sound of adrenaline-fueled excitement. The race was officially ready to begin.
The announcer continued, his voice practically shouting over the loud engines. "All right, drivers! Line up your cars at the line, and let's get started!"
The race cars moved into position, lining up perfectly at the starting line. The tension was at its peak as both the drivers and the crowd waited for the signal. The countdown began...
"Three... Two... One... GO!"
the announcer shouted.
The race cars roared down the track, their engines screaming in competition. Bo navigated the General Lee through the first turn, his skills as a driver on full display. He was in the lead, closely followed by the midnight blue Chevelle. The other cars were in pursuit, trying to catch up.
The competition was fierce, the racers fighting tooth and nail to reach the finish line first. The drivers were pushing their cars to their limits, the engines protesting with ear-piercing roars. The General Lee and the Chevelle were neck and neck, neither giving an inch.
The other drivers were trying to catch up, jockeying for position and looking for opportunities to pass. The race was a fierce battle of horsepower and skill. Every driver had their own strategy, their own determination to win.
The Chevelle was not making it easy for Bo. Despite the General Lee's superior performance in the straight sections, the Chevelle made up for it in the turns. The drivers were using every trick they had to outmaneuver each other, and the race was becoming more heated by the second.
Bo was trying his best to keep the General Lee in the lead. The competition was fierce, and the Chevelle wasn't giving him an easy time. The other cars were trying their best to catch up, but Bo and the driver of the Chevelle had established a small gap.
The race continued, the drivers and their cars battling it out in a test of skill and endurance. The tension in the air was thick, and the crowd was eagerly anticipating the outcome. Every tiny mistake could be the deciding factor.
The race entered its final lap, the drivers pushing their cars to the limit. Bo was in the lead, the general Lee's engine protesting as he pushed it to the edge. The driver of the Chevelle was right on his tail, determined to pass him before the finish line.
Bo's hands gripped the wheel, his focus unwavering. He could see the finish line approaching, but the Chevelle was dangerously close. He pressed down a little more on the gas pedal, willing the General Lee to give him everything it had.
The General Lee roared to life as Bo hit the nitrous boost. The extra power sent the car surging forward with a burst of speed. The nitrous kicked in, the force of the additional power almost jolting Bo in his seat. The General Lee pulled ahead, putting some distance between it and the Chevelle.
Bo's heart pounded in his chest as he saw the gap between the General Lee and the Chevelle widen. He continued to push the car, every fiber of his being focused on the finish line. The crowd was going wild, sensing that the race was about to reach its climax.
Luke and David were caught off guard when they were suddenly attacked by the bikers from the gang Boss had hired to sabotage the race. They tried their best to defend themselves, but they were outnumbered and quickly overpowered. The bikers were relentless in their attack, their sole goal being to keep Bo from winning.
The bikers had the advantage in numbers, and their strength and determination were unwavering. Luke and David fought back, their fists and feet flying in a desperate attempt to fend off their attackers. But they were no match for the gang members, who continued their assault with brutal force.
The bikers were relentless, their strikes powerful and precise. Luke and David were getting tired, their energy waning with every hit they took. They were outmanned and outmatched. It was looking grim. The bikers continued to attack, showing no signs of stopping.
David was knocked to the ground. The helmet protecting his head, but he was at him limit. His eyes went a teal color and he knew that he had lost control to the beast.
The clothes were getting tighter around his arms and legs. There were tribal screams in his head, and his head felt tight. Until the helmet split in half and fell off his head. The Hulk stood up above the crowd.
The bikers had momentarily stopped their attack, confused and bewildered by what they were seeing. David's transformation into the Hulk was quick and complete, his clothes tearing as his body expanded with power. Hulk roared in anger, his eyes glowing green with rage.
The others made an attempt at running for their bikes, but the Hulk pushed a light pole down in front of them.
Uncle Jesse stood there, gaping at the sight before him. His eyes were wide with astonishment as he watched the Hulk take down the bikers with ease. His words were barely above a whisper. "Until you see it... wow!" Uncle Jesse repeated, still in shock.
Meanwhile, the bikers were scattering, fleeing in terror from the Hulk and his incredible strength. The race itself had come to a standstill, as people watched the sight in awe and shock.
The crowd watched in dumbfounded silence, unable to tear their eyes away from the incredible display of power. The Hulk's sheer size and strength was overwhelming, and the bikers seemed like mice in comparison.
Boss Hogg was watching the scene unfold, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief. He had hired those bikers to stop Bo from winning, but now he was witnessing something straight out of a nightmare. The Hulk was taking them down with ease, displaying a strength that Hogg had never seen before.
Hogg was speechless, his eyes wide and mouth agape. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. The Hulk was a force of nature, and Hogg's plans were falling apart before his very eyes.
Jack McGee was watching the Hulk's rampage in disbelief. His eyes fixated on the green giant, recognition dawning on his face. A low murmur escaped his lips. "It's him."
McGee couldn't take his eyes off the Hulk, his mind racing as he tried to piece things together. He knew he had seen the Hulk before, but he couldn't remember where. It was frustrating, but he was determined to figure it out.
Boss Hogg's voice rang out, filled with panic and indignation. "Roscoe, arrest that thing! Arrest him now!"
Roscoe looked at Boss, confusion etched on his face. "How in tarnation do you arrest a giant green monster, Boss?"
Roscoe looked back at the Hulk, who was still wreaking havoc amongst the fleeing bikers. He scratched his head, clearly confused about how he was going to arrest a giant green monster.
Boss Hogg was getting impatient, his eyes wild with anger. "Roscoe, arrest that Hulk, I said! Don't just stand there gawking like an idiot, do something!"
Roscoe hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting back and forth between the Hulk and Boss Hogg. He knew he had a job to do, but he was also keenly aware that the Hulk was far more powerful than anything he had ever encountered before.
Boss Hogg noticed the hesitation. "Roscoe, move it! That green monster's tearing up the place!" he barked, his voice filled with growing impatience. He was getting frustrated with Roscoe's reluctance to take action.
The Hulk, finally done with the bikers, had no desire to stick around. He turned and ran into the woods, his giant strides devouring the distance. The trees and brush were no match for his incredible strength and size, and he made his way deeper and deeper into the forest.
The people watched in silence as the Hulk disappeared into the woods, their minds still reeling from the incredible display of power they had witnessed. The race was the furthest thing from their minds as they tried to wrap their heads around what they had just seen.
Boss Hogg was still seething with anger, his face twisted in frustration. "How in the hell are we supposed to catch that green monster now?" he growled, his voice dripping with annoyance. He was not a happy man.
Roscoe, still trying to regain his composure, tried to pacify Boss's anger. "Well, Boss, he did run into the woods. That ought to slow him down some. Maybe give us a chance to find him."
Boss Hogg grumbled, his frustration somewhat dampened by Roscoe's words. "Yeah, but how the hell are we gonna find him in that damn forest? He could be anywhere." He scowled, his anger still bubbling just below the surface.
Boss Hogg, still brooding, raised an eyebrow. "What's that, Roscoe?" he asked skeptically.
Roscoe hesitated for a moment, knowing that his idea wouldn't be well received. "Well, Boss, we could always use dogs to track him down."
Boss Hogg's anger flared up again. "Dogs? You think some damn dogs are gonna be able to track down that monster?" he yelled, his voice laced with disbelief.
Roscoe quickly defended his suggestion. "Well, Boss, it ain't the dogs themselves that do the tracking. It's their sense of smell. Dogs got really good sense of smell, they can track stuff for miles."
Boss Hogg huffed, still unconvinced but realizing Roscoe had a point. "Alright, Roscoe, I'll give you that. But where in tarnation are we gonna find enough dogs that can handle that monster's trail?"
Boss Hogg considered this for a moment, his initial skepticism slowly turning into interest. "This Amos fellow, you sure his dogs can do the job?"
"You bet, Boss. Amos's dogs are the best trackers in the county. They ain't gonna let that Hulk get away if he's within scent range." Roscoe assured him.
Boss Hogg pondered for a moment, trying to weigh the risks and rewards. "Alright, Roscoe, you go find this coon dog hunter and get those dogs out here. We gotta find that Hulk before he causes anymore damage."
Roscoe nodded, feeling relieved that his idea was being accepted. "You got it, Boss. I'll get Amos and his dogs here on the double." He turned and sprinted off towards his squad car.
Jack McGee, ever the journalist, was drawn to the commotion. He saw Roscoe running towards his car and quickly caught up with him. "Hey, Roscoe! What's going on?"
Roscoe was in a hurry, but he slowed down just enough to talk to McGee. "We got a situation, Jack. That giant green monster is loose in the woods, and we're gonna use coon dogs to track him down." He paused, then added, "Boss Hogg's orders."
Jack McGee's eyes widened, his journalist senses tingling. This was the kind of story that could make headlines. "A giant green monster in the woods? And you're tracking him down with coon dogs? That's unbelievable."
Jack knew this could finally be his opportunity to get the story on the Hulk. His mind was racing, his journalistic instincts telling him this was a story he couldn't pass up. "Can I come with you, Roscoe? This could be the story of the year!"
Roscoe paused, considering Jack's request. He knew that having a journalist tagging along could be a double-edged sword. But he also knew that Jack McGee had a knack for finding stories. "Alright, Jack, you can come along. But you stay out of the way and don't get in trouble."
Luke climbed in the General Lee with Bo. "Come on...we've got to find David before they do." Luke points to Rosco and Jack.
The General Lee roared into motion as it took off. The blue Chevelle was right behind them. "Why are they following us?" Bo asked.
"I don't know, but lose them." Luke suggested. They tore through the dirt roads they knew like the back of their hand.
The General Lee and the blue Chevelle sped through the dirt roads, kicking up clouds of dust in their wake.
Bo expertly maneuvered the General Lee, trying to outmaneuver the Chevelle that was pursuing them. Luke glanced back, noticing Jack McGee and Roscoe in the car behind them.
"I think I know why they're following us." Luke said, his voice filled with realization. "It's Jack McGee. He's a journalist. Probably caught whiff of the story."
Bo scowled, his focus remaining on the road. "Great, just what we need. A nosy journalist sticking his nose into our business."
"You remember that McGee is the journalist pursuing David and the beast?" Luke asked. "We have to find him first."
"Just keep your eyes on the road, Bo. We can lose him." Luke replied, keeping an eye on the pursuing Chevelle. The Chevelle kept pace with them, determined to stay as close as possible.
Bo pushed the General Lee harder, the engine growling as the car picked up speed. The road was filled with sharp turns and unexpected obstacles, each one testing Bo's skill as a driver. But he was a master at handling the car, and he weaved his way through the terrain with precision and ease.
The Chevelle was having a harder time keeping up with the General Lee's nimble maneuvers. But the driver of the car was determined and skilled, and he managed to stay on their tail, albeit with greater difficulty.
Bo took a particularly sharp turn, the General Lee's tires screaming against the dirt. He could see the Chevelle struggle to follow, losing ground in the process. Bo couldn't help but smirk, feeling a sense of victory.
"Looks like we lost 'em." Bo said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. But just as he finished his sentence, the Chevelle reappeared in the rearview mirror, closing the distance between them once again.
As the Duke boys turned the corner they saw Uncle Jesse pulled over on the side of the road. The General Lee weaved through the forest trails. They could see David in the passenger side seat of the truck. Uncle Jesse was driving and Daisy was in the middle.
When Bo and Luke were both satisfied that David was alright. They decided to take the blue Chevelle for a little trip around the backroads of Hazzard County. The General Lee was cruising at speeds that most people never drive a car.
"What are you doing, Bo? You're coming up on Cainey Creek." Luke informed him.
"Yes...I know. So are they, and we're moving fast. I'm going for the high side embankment." Bo answered.
[It was in that moment that Luke realized exactly what the plan was. The new and improved General Lee was going for it. These boys were about to try Cainey Creek. That had been hit am miss over the years. They liked their chances. As for the two guys in the Chevelle, hmm? We'll see just how that goes.]
"You're gonna try it?" Luke questioned.
"Absolutely...and we're going to make it across. The General Lee hasn't ever been so powerful." Bo answered.
The Chevelle was closing the gap. It handled like a dream compared to the Duke's Confederate Dodge Charger. Both Bo and Luke fastened their seat belts. The landing after the jump was one helluva impact. Bo was exuding confidence. He also knew that the Chevelle was not making the jump.
Bo could see the straight shot going toward the high side embankment and launching point. The General Lee was increasing with speed. Bo saw that he was at 84 mph. From prior jumps he knew he needed to be at 92 mph. No less than 89 or 90 mph. He reached down hitting the nitrous boost, and the General Lee was like a rocket.
Both boys knew they'd never attempted the jump at speeds faster than 95 mph. Cainey Creek was flowing. The rain they'd had the week before had it moving. The Dukes couldn't afford to come up short. They made the jump at 101 mph.
The Chevelle was right on their tail. The General Lee flew into the air. The Chevelle realized too late what was to come. Instead of increasing the speed to make the jump, they'd deaccelerated losing the speed to try the jump.
The General Lee landed on the other side of the bank. Bo holding the wheel hard left, and jamming on the brakes. The General slid around 180° and Bo brought it to a stop. They got out and observed the Chevelle. Which had taken a nose dive in the middle of Cainey Creek.
"You think we should check on them?" Bo asked.
"No...we'll use the CB to call for help." Luke said. Knowing that they probably didn't want to see the aftermath.
The Chevelle didn't have enough speed, but upon hitting the brakes the driver didn't get remotely close. Luke called out for help. When the medical unit arrived Bo and Luke told them what had happened, and they bolted back toward the farm
Boss Hogg was growing increasingly impatient as the dogs and their handler, Amos, had still not been able to track down the Hulk. Boss Hogg's frustrations were reaching a boiling point.
"How long does it take to track down one damn giant green monster? These dogs are worthless." Boss Hogg said, grumbling and pacing back and forth.
Amos, the handler, was unruffled by Boss Hogg's irritation. He remained focused on the task at hand, his attention fixed on the pack of dogs eagerly waiting to follow the scent.
"Patience, boss," Amos replied calmly. "Tracking ain't an exact science, and these dogs take their time to do the job right."
"I ain't got no patience left to give! That Hulk's been on the loose for hours now, and you're telling me the dogs are just taking their sweet time?" Boss Hogg retorted, his face turning red with frustration.
Amos, used to dealing with hot-headed bosses, ignored Boss Hogg's outburst and continued with his work.
He carefully studied the dogs' behavior, watching as they sniffed the ground intently, their noses twitching as they searched for the scent.
They followed the dogs that had picked up the scent. The well trained dogs moved with purpose and intent. Rosco and Jack were optimistic that this was going to prove fruitful.
"Woohoo." Amose
When the dogs popped out of the woods they were about 500 feet from the Dukes driveway. That's where they bolted off to. They went straight to the front porch.
"We've got them, now." Rosco said.
"The Hulk is here, officer." McGee asked.
Nobody knew that answer, but then Daisy Duke popped out of the house. "What are y'all up to? No good I suppose. What do you need." She asked nicely.
Jack McGee didn't answer her question. His response would be neither called for or acceptable in these parts. But Jack thought how he could use a night alone with such a beautiful specimen. Her short shorts exposed her ass cheeks. Very arousing to say the least.
[Daisy was a sight for sore eyes, but they were a day late and a dollar short of finding anything that they were looking for. David, Luke, Jesse, and Bo behind the wheel, closing in on the state's Capitol City of Atlanta.]
"Here we are." Bo said. The General Lee came to a stop outside the rest area on the west side of Atlanta.
"It's truly been a pleasure to meet you all." David said.
"I hope you find the cure that you are looking for, son." Uncle Jesse replied. "If you are ever back this way, come see us."
The Duke boys hugged David goodbye. "Wish you could stay longer." Bo told him.
Luke agreed. "It would be great, but we know that you can't. We understand why too. " Like Uncle Jesse said if you're ever back this way please stop by and see us."
"I will and the two of you take care. You all made me feel like I had a family again. Please tell Cooter and Daisy that I will miss them as well." David explained.
[The Hulk had gotten out. There had been damage. That wasn't the way David would've preferred the whole visit to Hazzard to go, but he was truly happy to have met such fine folks. Generally good people trying to make the best of the hand they were dealt. David admired that in the Dukes of Hazzard.]
Queue 'The Lonely Man'
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