Something about drops of rain that forces extremes, drawing you closer to the nearest body or shoving you away from all bodies. Today, the drops are definitely forcing a divide.

These were Pumpkin's simple thoughts as she unintentionally fell into every puddle created by nature's obesity. Pumpkin was actively trying to avoid said puddlbes but perhaps she got a new set of balances that day.

Pumpkin was on her way to a concert she shouldn't be going to, that is if money, work, or responsibility had anything to say about it. But sheer desire was the winning voice. The Squash Bottom Band may be the best thing to exist especially with Pumpkin's idol leading them to greatness (who recently much to Pumpkin's private protesting married). The Big Dipper was why music existed, why mountains moved and why pigs flew. Now the Big Dipper was not huge in the looks department, but he had golden features when it came to music. His nickname came from the awkward bopping and untimed dips that occurred when he played his guitar. This was no dance of the gods, but it produced music from the heavens.

Fate dictated Pumpkin's actions that day, whether she wanted to accept that or not. The morning started as any other--she forgot to pick up The Daily Squahsher . She was still working to establish that habit. For Pumpkin habits were hard to create and easy to break. Just like a Pumpkin. Anywho, she resigned herself to another morning of not knowing what's going on in the world of Squash Bottom. As the train doors open, her mood instantly perked up as she noticed the only seat open just happened to be her favorite; the roomiest seat where she could recline and put her feet up without disturbing passengers who perferred not to house stranger's feet. Once she sat, she immediately noticed that there was a complete and barely read edition of that morning's Squasher. Not thinking a thing of it she began reading. As usual, 17 minutes into her commute the loud monotone intercom announcing upcoming stops lulled Pumpkin into her usual morning train coma. But not today, she jerked awake just to flip to the page announcing the performance of the Squash Bottom Band. Quickly, Pumpkins wheels began creaking back to life.

The Skunk King and I

"I'm living life on the edge" Pumpkin consoled herself, "Its payday and I'm already down to 200 hundred dollars."But that didn't deter her. Social change is hard work. And even that is a euphemism for bothering people. But on a particularly lonely night, Pumpkin fell into the good graces of three skunks. With the first skunk sighting, Pumpkin understandably gave it a wide berth. A lesson she did not have to learn the hard way. There's just no need to mess with a stink. So on the skunk went. And on Pumpkin went. But come the second skunk and Pumpkin became a little more curious about the goings-ons of skunks. Skunks usually didn't come off as social creatures, but there must have been something in the air- a pleasant (or perhaps not so pleasant, depending on your nose) odor must have coaxed them out of their skunk lairs. What do skunks eat? Prompted by skunks eating habits, Pumpkin began pondering how it came to be that this creature developed the defense of stink. And shouldn't more creatures have that defense, just seems effective and fair. It doesn't cost anything. Does just the right amount of harm, without really doing harm. Nothing too violent, not like a spiked tail. Just a gentle assault on your olfactories... Ah, well. "You go stinky skunk an be stinky. Stinks Unite!" And with that inner monologue, a third appeared. But this one seemed to be pondering Pumpkin. And what seemed like a silent command, the first two skunks returned. Emboldened by her recent words of encouragement and her apparent approval into the skunk community, Pumpkin did not shy away. But instead took in this shared moment and made a memory. The Skunk King and I.

The next bright morning, Pumpkin was outside getting ready for a bike ride, preparing her cheeks to be whipped raw from the wind, when a squirrel approached Pumpkin's foot. It tipped back and rested its front paws on Pumpkin's leg-like a dog inviting you to play. Pumpkin looked down at her squirrel companion and began to ponder...

A Simple Pleasure Captured

Pumpkin's routine was pretty well established in her short time in the city: go to work early, stay late, sip on lots of caffeine, stress about everything, and eat spaghetti. But the great thing about Pumpkin's routine is the small pleasure she discovered on those very early mornings. After getting off the train, and stepping on to the escalator. She ascends into the heart of Squash Bottom. Instead of rushing this precious moment, Pumpkin takes it in. The slow climb onto the bustling streets holds back the noise, slowly immersing the passenger into it. As the stairs mechanically drive Pumpkin upward and forward, she is greeted with the city's horizon unveiled for the morning. A cold snap of wind soon follows bringing Pumpkin completely into the new day.

The windings of Squash Bottom Road

Squash Bottom had many perceptions and even more realities. Squash Bottom Road ended in darkness, with one particularly nasty curve, that has been overlooked by any road authority and remains unmarked and passengers unwarned, curves its endless way into more darkness. But the world did not end on this Squash Bottom Road, even though peering through the darkness one may think it does. Life begins on Squash Bottom Road. But through this darkness, through this winding was a road that led out of this world and onto the next. This road led to Squash Bottom, a very real place, and this is the story of Pumpkin conquering or being conquered by Squash Bottom.

Pumpkin and Pepper were new friends, well forced friends really...hmm friends is probably too generous. Anywho, they were now together. Thrown into Squash Bottom without direction, without a clue, but with a tiny prayer. Feed them to the wolves and let's see if they come out. A very large and higher power controlled the fates of Pumpkin and Pepper. And on this one fateful evening, on this one dark and twisted road, and on this very late hour, Pumpkin and Pepper made a fast decision to become friends before entering the world of Squash Bottom. Any person approaching that first bend on Squash Bottom Road, would turn to a stranger, in need of an instant companion to continue the journey safely, but especially for innocent Pumpkin and naive Pepper. Around this corner, suggestive shadows and gruesome grunts gave way to a fantastic skyline and glittering lights. Twinkling their own welcome message for the unlikely pair. And with an exchange of a comfortable smile, the newly forced friends solidified their friendship for the next two years.