ABBOTT & COSTELLO — THE BOAT THAT NEVER LEFT.154
ABBOTT & COSTELLO — THE BOAT THAT NEVER LEFT
An Original Classic Comedy Story Inspired by the Photograph
PART 1 — THE OPENING: A PERFECT DAY BY THE RIVER
It was a beautiful Sunday morning in 1948. The sun shone brightly over the river, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, and boats moved peacefully across the water. Bud Abbott stood beside the riverside railing, wearing a handsome light-colored suit and a Panama hat. Next to him stood Lou Costello, dressed in a checkered jacket and his familiar black bowler hat.
For several minutes, neither man said anything.
Then Lou smiled.
“Bud, I’ve got wonderful news!”
Bud looked suspicious.
“Every time you have wonderful news, something terrible happens to me.”
“Not this time! I’ve found us a job!”
“A job? Doing what?”
“Working on a ferry!”
Bud looked toward the river.
“A ferryboat?”
“Of course! What other kind of ferry is there?”
“Never mind. What exactly are we supposed to do?”
“Take people from this side of the river to the other side.”
Bud nodded approvingly.
“Well, that sounds simple enough.”
Lou smiled proudly.
“That’s what I thought!”
“How much do we get paid?”
“Twenty dollars a day.”
Bud’s eyes brightened.
“Twenty dollars? That’s excellent!”
“And we get free transportation!”
“Even better!”
Lou suddenly looked worried.
“Bud?”
“What?”
“There’s something I don’t understand.”
Bud sighed.
“Already?”
“If we’re working on the ferry, why do we need transportation?”
“Because the ferry takes us across the river.”
“But we’re already here!”
“Yes, Lou.”
“And we’re supposed to work here!”
“That’s right.”
“Then why are they paying us to go somewhere else?”
Bud adjusted his hat.
“They’re paying us to take passengers across.”
“Oh!”
Lou thought for a moment.
“Then why don’t the passengers stay where they are?”
“Because they want to go across!”
“What’s over there?”
Bud glanced at the opposite bank.
“Buildings, shops, restaurants…”
“We’ve got those over here!”
“Yes, but they want the ones over there.”
Lou shook his head.
“People sure are particular.”
Bud decided to ignore him.
“Where’s the ferry?”
Lou pointed down the river.
“Right over there.”
Bud looked toward a small wooden dock where an old white boat was tied to a post.
“That little thing?”
“That’s our boat!”
“It looks rather old.”
“Don’t worry, Bud. The owner told me it’s perfectly safe.”
“Who’s the owner?”
“Mr. Banks.”
“Where is Mr. Banks?”
“At the bank.”
“Which bank?”
“Mr. Banks!”
“No, Lou! Which side of the river?”
Lou stared at him.
“This side.”
“Are you sure?”
“Well, he was on this side when I talked to him.”
“And where is he now?”
“On the other side.”
Bud frowned.
“How did he get there?”
“He took the ferry!”
Bud smiled.
“Good. So the ferry is operating.”
Lou shook his head.
“No, it isn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because the captain went home.”
Bud closed his eyes.
“Let me understand this. Mr. Banks took the ferry across the river, but the captain went home?”
“Right.”
“Then who’s bringing the ferry back?”
Lou smiled.
“We are!”
Bud stared at him.
“Lou, do you know how to operate a ferry?”
“No.”
“Do you know how to steer a boat?”
“No.”
“Do you know anything about navigation?”
Lou thought carefully.
“I know north is up.”
Bud looked at the sky.
“North isn’t up!”
“Then why do they always put it at the top of the map?”
Bud slowly removed his hat.
He looked inside it.
Then he put it back on his head.
“Lou, this is going to be a very long day.”
Lou smiled.
“That’s good, Bud. We get paid by the day!”
PART 2 — THE MISUNDERSTANDING: THE BOAT CALLED TOMORROW
The two men walked toward the dock.
A wooden sign stood beside the ferry.
THE GOOD SHIP TOMORROW — DAILY CROSSINGS
Bud read the sign aloud.
“‘The Good Ship Tomorrow.'”
Lou nodded.
“That’s the boat.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
Bud pointed.
“That’s the name of the boat?”
“Of course.”
“All right. When does Tomorrow leave?”
Lou checked his pocket watch.
“Today.”
Bud nodded.
“Yes, Lou. I know we’re leaving today. What time?”
“Twelve o’clock.”
“Fine. Tomorrow leaves today at twelve.”
“Right.”
“And when does it return?”
“Tomorrow.”
Bud frowned.
“Tomorrow returns tomorrow?”
“No, Tomorrow returns today.”
“Then why did you say tomorrow?”
“Because you asked when Tomorrow returns!”
Bud stared at him.
Lou stared back.
A seagull flew overhead.
Bud took a deep breath.
“Let’s start again. The boat is named Tomorrow.”
“Correct.”
“We are standing here today.”
“Correct.”
“We want to take Tomorrow across the river today.”
“Correct.”
“And Tomorrow will bring us back today.”
“Absolutely!”
Bud smiled with relief.
“Wonderful!”
Lou raised a finger.
“Unless we miss it.”
Bud’s smile disappeared.
“Miss what?”
“Tomorrow.”
“How can we miss Tomorrow?”
“If it leaves before we get there!”
“We’re standing right beside it!”
“Then we’re lucky!”
Bud turned away.
Lou followed.
“Bud?”
“What now?”
“What happens if Tomorrow doesn’t come?”
“Tomorrow is already here!”
“Then why do we have to wait until twelve?”
“Because that’s when the boat leaves!”
Lou looked confused.
“Well, why don’t we leave now?”
“Because it’s not twelve yet!”
“Then let’s take Today.”
Bud stopped walking.
“What?”
“Today.”
“What about today?”
“There’s another boat called Today.”
Bud turned slowly.
“Another boat?”
“Yes.”
“Where is it?”
“It left yesterday.”
Bud stared.
“Today left yesterday?”
“That’s right.”
“Then where is Today now?”
“Across the river.”
“And when is it coming back?”
“Tomorrow.”
Bud grabbed the railing.
“Today is coming back tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“On which boat?”
“Yesterday.”
Bud’s mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Lou smiled.
“Mr. Banks owns three boats: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.”
Bud shut his eyes.
“Wonderful. Just wonderful.”
“Yesterday left today, Today left yesterday, and Tomorrow leaves today.”
Bud raised a trembling finger.
“Stop.”
Lou stopped.
“Don’t say another word.”
“Okay.”
Bud looked toward the ferry.
“We’re taking that boat.”
“Tomorrow?”
“YES!”
“When?”
“NOW!”
“But you said we had to wait until twelve!”
“THEN WE’LL WAIT UNTIL TWELVE!”
Lou nodded sympathetically.
“Bud, you’re changing your mind a lot today.”
They reached the ticket booth.
A large sign read:
ONE WAY — 15 CENTS
ROUND TRIP — 25 CENTS
Lou examined the sign.
“Bud, look! We can save ten cents!”
“How?”
“By buying a round-trip ticket!”
“That’s right.”
“But I don’t want a round trip.”
“Why not?”
“Because a round trip means you come back.”
“Exactly.”
“And I don’t want to come back.”
Bud frowned.
“Why not?”
“Because we’re going to work!”
“We can work and come back!”
“Then why don’t we work here and save the trip?”
Bud sighed.
“Lou, we’re not discussing that.”
Lou pointed toward the ticket booth.
“Well, I think they ought to sell half a round trip.”
Bud looked at him.
“That’s called a one-way ticket.”
Lou’s eyes widened.
“Oh!”
He studied the sign again.
“Then why does a one-way ticket cost fifteen cents?”
“Because that’s the price.”
“And a round trip costs twenty-five?”
“Yes.”
“So going costs fifteen cents, but coming back only costs ten?”
“That’s right.”
Lou shook his head.
“That doesn’t seem fair.”
“Why not?”
“Coming back is just as far as going!”
Bud rubbed his forehead.
“It’s a discount, Lou.”
“A discount?”
“Yes!”
Lou smiled.
“Then I’ll just buy the coming-back part!”
Bud stared at him.
“You can’t buy the return portion without going first!”
“Why not?”
“Because you have to be over there to come back!”
Lou pointed at the opposite bank.
“Then send the ticket over there!”
Bud slowly leaned against the ticket booth.
A nearby fisherman began laughing into his newspaper.
PART 3 — THE CORRECTION: THE CAPTAIN WHO WASN’T THERE
At noon, Bud and Lou climbed aboard the ferry.
The boat was small, old-fashioned, and painted white. Its wooden deck creaked beneath their shoes.
Bud looked around.
“All right, Lou. First thing we need is a captain.”
Lou smiled.
“We have one.”
Bud brightened.
“Wonderful! Where is he?”
“Right here.”
“Where?”
Lou pointed at Bud.
“You’re the captain.”
Bud froze.
“I’m the captain?”
“Of course.”
“Who made me captain?”
“Mr. Banks.”
“When?”
“This morning.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought you knew!”
Bud removed his hat.
“Lou, I have never operated a boat in my life!”
Lou looked surprised.
“Then why are you wearing that hat?”
“This is a Panama hat!”
“Well, it looks like a captain’s hat to me.”
“That doesn’t make me a captain!”
Lou studied Bud’s light-colored suit.
“Then what are you dressed up for?”
Bud pointed angrily toward shore.
“GO FIND SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS HOW TO RUN THIS BOAT!”
Lou nodded.
“All right, Bud.”
He disappeared down the gangplank.
Five minutes later, he returned with an elderly fisherman.
“Bud, I found a captain!”
The fisherman looked confused.
“I never said I was a captain.”
Lou smiled.
“But you know boats!”
“I’ve been fishing for thirty years.”
Bud shook the man’s hand.
“Excellent! Can you operate our ferry?”
The fisherman examined the boat.
“Well, I suppose I could.”
Bud sighed with relief.
“Wonderful!”
“How much are you paying?”
“Twenty dollars a day.”
The fisherman smiled.
“Fine.”
Bud nodded.
“Then we’re in business!”
Lou suddenly raised his hand.
“Wait a minute!”
Bud turned.
“What?”
“If we get twenty dollars a day and pay him twenty dollars a day, how much do we make?”
Bud stopped smiling.
“Nothing.”
Lou looked horrified.
“NOTHING?”
“That’s right.”
“Then we’re working for free!”
Bud turned to the fisherman.
“Sir, could you accept ten dollars?”
The fisherman shook his head.
“No.”
“Fifteen?”
“No.”
“How about lunch and five dollars?”
The fisherman considered it.
“What kind of lunch?”
Lou brightened.
“Sandwiches!”
“What kind?”
Lou looked at Bud.
Bud stared at Lou.
“Lou, what kind of sandwiches?”
Lou hesitated.
“Well…”
“What?”
“I ate them.”
Bud closed his eyes.
“You ate the captain’s lunch?”
“I didn’t know we were hiring a captain!”
The fisherman shook his head.
“Gentlemen, I think I’ll go back to fishing.”
Bud reached toward him.
“Wait!”
But the man had already stepped off the boat.
Lou waved cheerfully.
“Goodbye, Captain!”
Bud turned sharply.
“HE WASN’T OUR CAPTAIN!”
“Then why did you call him one?”
Bud made a noise that sounded like a kettle beginning to boil.
Lou examined the steering wheel.
“Don’t worry, Bud. I can steer.”
Bud looked alarmed.
“You can?”
“Sure!”
“How?”
Lou grabbed the wheel.
“You turn it!”
Bud rushed forward.
“GET AWAY FROM THAT!”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t know which direction to go!”
Lou pointed across the river.
“That direction!”
“Yes, but you have to steer properly!”
Lou moved the wheel to the left.
“Like this?”
“No!”
He turned it right.
“Like this?”
“No!”
Lou released the wheel.
“Well, Bud, you’re very difficult to please.”
Bud looked toward the controls.
“Where’s the engine?”
“Downstairs.”
“Have you checked it?”
“Yes.”
“Does it work?”
Lou nodded.
“Absolutely.”
Bud smiled.
“Wonderful! Start it.”
Lou looked worried.
“Right now?”
“Yes!”
“Are you sure?”
“YES!”
Lou reached toward a lever.
Bud watched nervously.
Lou pulled it.
Nothing happened.
He pulled it again.
Still nothing.
Bud frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
Lou shrugged.
“Maybe it’s sleeping.”
Bud pushed him aside.
“Let me try.”
He pressed a button.
The engine coughed.
It rattled.
It shook the boat.
Then it stopped.
Lou smiled.
“Bud, I think it’s got a cold.”
Bud tried again.
The engine roared to life.
Both men jumped.
Lou grabbed Bud’s arm.
“IT’S WORKING!”
Bud smiled triumphantly.
“Of course it’s working!”
Lou looked toward the dock.
“Bud?”
“What?”
“Shouldn’t we untie the rope?”
Bud stared.
The boat was still tied securely to the pier.
“YES, LOU! UNTIE THE ROPE!”
Lou hurried to the front.
He grabbed the rope.
He pulled.
He twisted.
He tugged.
Nothing happened.
Bud shouted.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
“UNTYING THE ROPE!”
“THEN UNTIE IT!”
“I’M TRYING!”
Bud rushed forward.
“Give it here!”
Lou handed him the rope.
Bud examined the knot.
He pulled one end.
The knot tightened.
He pulled the other end.
It tightened further.
Lou watched with interest.
“Bud, I think you’re making it worse.”
Bud glared.
“Shut up!”
Lou nodded.
“Okay.”
Bud struggled with the rope for another minute.
Finally, he stood upright.
“Lou, get me something sharp.”
Lou looked around.
“Something sharp?”
“Yes!”
Lou reached into his pocket.
He produced a pencil.
Bud stared.
“A PENCIL?”
Lou nodded.
“It’s freshly sharpened.”
Bud covered his face.
The engine continued roaring.
The ferry remained perfectly motionless.
And the fisherman on the dock began laughing so hard that his chair nearly tipped backward.
PART 4 — THE ESCALATION: THE MOST CONFUSING FERRY IN AMERICA
By one o’clock, a crowd had gathered.
Several people wanted to cross the river.
Others simply wanted to watch the two men argue.
A woman carrying a shopping bag approached.
“Excuse me, gentlemen. Is this ferry running?”
Bud smiled politely.
“Certainly, madam.”
Lou shook his head.
“No, it isn’t.”
Bud turned.
“LOU!”
“What?”
“Of course it’s running!”
Lou pointed toward the dock.
“Then why haven’t we moved?”
Bud smiled nervously at the woman.
“We’re experiencing a slight delay.”
The woman checked her watch.
“How slight?”
Lou answered immediately.
“About an hour.”
Bud glared at him.
“That’s not slight!”
Lou shrugged.
“Well, it started slight.”
The woman frowned.
“When will the boat leave?”
Bud replied confidently.
“In five minutes.”
Lou looked at him.
“Bud, you said that five minutes ago.”
Bud clenched his jaw.
“Then it leaves in another five minutes.”
Lou nodded.
“That’s what you said before.”
The woman shook her head.
“I think I’ll take the bridge.”
Lou smiled.
“Good idea, lady. It’s free!”
Bud grabbed Lou’s collar.
“STOP SENDING CUSTOMERS TO THE BRIDGE!”
Lou looked offended.
“But it’s cheaper!”
“WE’RE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY!”
“Well, then why don’t we buy the bridge?”
Bud stared.
“BUY THE BRIDGE?”
“Sure! Everybody uses it!”
Bud released him.
Another man approached.
“Two tickets, please.”
Bud brightened.
“Certainly! Round trip?”
The man nodded.
“Yes.”
Lou handed him two tickets.
The man examined them.
“These both say one way.”
Lou nodded.
“That’s right.”
“But I asked for a round trip.”
Lou smiled.
“One ticket takes you over, and the other brings you back!”
The man frowned.
“Why not just give me one round-trip ticket?”
Lou looked surprised.
“Because you asked for two!”
Bud pushed Lou aside.
“Sir, pay no attention to him.”
The man handed Bud fifty cents.
Bud placed the coins in the cash box.
“Thank you. The ferry leaves shortly.”
Lou leaned over.
“Unless we can’t untie the rope.”
Bud turned red.
“LOU!”
The man slowly reached for his money.
“I think I’ll take the bridge.”
Bud returned the coins.
Lou watched the man walk away.
“Bud?”
“What?”
“We’ve got a problem.”
Bud stared.
“WE’VE GOT A PROBLEM?”
Lou nodded seriously.
“Everybody wants to cross the river, but nobody wants to ride our boat.”
Bud raised his hands.
“BECAUSE YOU KEEP TELLING THEM TO TAKE THE BRIDGE!”
Lou scratched his head.
“Well, maybe we should stop selling tickets.”
Bud frowned.
“Then how will we make money?”
Lou smiled.
“I’ve got an idea!”
Bud looked terrified.
“No more ideas!”
But Lou was already speaking.
“We’ll charge people five cents to look at the ferry!”
Bud stared.
“Look at the ferry?”
“Sure!”
“Why would anybody pay five cents to look at an old boat?”
Lou pointed toward the crowd.
“They’ve been looking at it for an hour!”
Bud glanced around.
Lou was right.
At least thirty people stood along the railing, watching them.
Some were laughing.
Some were eating peanuts.
Others were calling friends over to join them.
Bud thought for a moment.
“Well…”
Lou smiled.
“See?”
Bud straightened his tie.
“Perhaps you’re right.”
Lou gasped.
“Did you hear that?”
Bud frowned.
“Hear what?”
“You said I was right!”
“Don’t get excited.”
Lou looked toward the crowd.
“Everybody! Bud Abbott says I’m right!”
Bud grabbed his arm.
“STOP ANNOUNCING IT!”
Lou chuckled.
Bud took a piece of cardboard and wrote:
FERRY ENTERTAINMENT — 5 CENTS
Within minutes, people began dropping nickels into a small box.
Bud smiled.
“Lou, it’s working!”
Lou grinned.
“Of course!”
A gentleman approached.
“Excuse me, what exactly is the entertainment?”
Bud hesitated.
Lou answered.
“Watching us get the ferry started.”
The gentleman nodded.
“And when will that happen?”
Lou smiled.
“That’s the exciting part. Nobody knows!”
The crowd burst into laughter.
Bud stared at Lou.
Then he looked at the coins.
Perhaps, he thought, they had finally found a profitable business.
But suddenly, a loud voice called from the back of the crowd.
“WHO’S IN CHARGE HERE?”
A large policeman approached the dock.
Bud straightened immediately.
“Good afternoon, officer!”
The policeman pointed toward the boat.
“Who’s responsible for this ferry?”
Bud gestured toward Lou.
“He is!”
Lou pointed toward Bud.
“He is!”
The policeman frowned.
“Which one of you is the captain?”
Bud shook his head.
“Neither of us.”
Lou nodded.
“But Bud was supposed to be!”
The policeman looked suspicious.
“Do you have a license?”
Bud hesitated.
“A license?”
“Yes.”
Lou reached into his pocket.
“I have one!”
Bud looked astonished.
“You do?”
Lou proudly handed the policeman a card.
The officer examined it.
“This is a library card.”
Lou nodded.
“That’s right.”
The policeman stared.
“What does a library card have to do with operating a ferry?”
Lou smiled.
“Nothing, but it’s the only license I’ve got!”
The crowd laughed.
The policeman handed it back.
“Gentlemen, you cannot operate this boat without proper authorization.”
Bud nodded quickly.
“Of course, officer.”
“And you cannot collect money for transportation you’re not providing.”
Bud looked toward the box of nickels.
“But we’re charging for entertainment!”
The policeman frowned.
“What entertainment?”
At that exact moment, Lou attempted to step backward.
His heel caught a loose coil of rope.
He stumbled.
His bowler hat flew into the air.
He grabbed Bud’s jacket to stop himself.
Bud lost his balance.
Both men spun around and landed in a heap on the wooden dock.
The crowd exploded with laughter.
The policeman stared.
Then he slowly nodded.
“Well, I suppose that qualifies.”
Lou sat up.
“See, Bud? We’re professionals!”
Bud struggled to his feet.
Lou reached for his hat.
But a gust of wind carried it toward the edge of the dock.
Lou lunged.
Bud grabbed his collar.
The hat landed in the water.
Lou stared after it.
“Bud!”
“What?”
“My hat!”
Bud looked exhausted.
“Forget the hat.”
“But it’s floating away!”
“Then let it float!”
Lou looked horrified.
“Bud, what kind of friend are you?”
Bud turned toward him.
“The kind who’s been trying to get across this river for five hours!”
Lou suddenly smiled.
“Then I’ve got good news!”
Bud narrowed his eyes.
“What?”
“We don’t have to cross anymore!”
“Why not?”
“Because your hat can go instead!”
Bud raised his hands toward the sky.
The crowd roared.
PART 5 — THE HILARIOUS PUNCHLINE: A SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO NOWHERE
By late afternoon, the sun was beginning to set.
Bud and Lou sat on the dock, exhausted.
The ferry remained tied to the same wooden post.
It had not traveled a single inch.
Bud looked toward the water.
“Lou, we’ve spent the whole day here.”
Lou nodded.
“Yep.”
“We haven’t carried one passenger.”
“That’s right.”
“We haven’t crossed the river.”
“Nope.”
“We haven’t even untied the boat.”
Lou smiled.
“Not yet.”
Bud sighed.
“This has been the biggest failure of my life.”
Lou looked surprised.
“Failure?”
“Yes!”
Lou pointed toward the small cash box.
“Then what’s that?”
Bud opened it.
Inside were dozens of nickels and dimes.
He counted them carefully.
His expression changed.
“Lou…”
“Yeah, Bud?”
“We made eighteen dollars!”
Lou beamed.
“See? I told you!”
Bud counted again.
“Eighteen dollars and thirty-five cents!”
Lou clapped his hands.
“Wonderful!”
Bud stared at the money.
“Wait a minute. We’ve earned almost as much as our daily salary!”
Lou nodded.
“And we didn’t even have to move the boat!”
Bud slowly began smiling.
“Lou, do you realize what this means?”
“Sure!”
“What?”
“We’re good at doing nothing!”
Bud looked toward the crowd.
People were still standing nearby, waiting to see what would happen next.
Bud rose to his feet.
“Everybody! Attention, please!”
The crowd fell silent.
Bud smiled proudly.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for visiting the finest ferry attraction on the river!”
The crowd applauded.
Lou waved enthusiastically.
Bud continued.
“Although today’s crossing has been delayed, we’re pleased to announce that our entertainment program has been a tremendous success!”
More applause.
Lou leaned toward Bud.
“Bud, are we famous?”
Bud whispered.
“Not yet.”
Lou smiled.
“Well, hurry up. I’m hungry.”
Bud ignored him.
“And tomorrow, ladies and gentlemen, we promise an even better performance!”
The crowd cheered.
Lou suddenly raised his hand.
“Wait a minute, Bud!”
Bud turned.
“What?”
“We can’t promise that!”
“Why not?”
Lou pointed toward the ferry.
“Because Tomorrow is already here!”
Bud closed his eyes.
The crowd began laughing again.
Bud took a deep breath.
“Lou, we’re going home.”
Lou smiled.
“Good idea!”
Bud straightened his jacket.
“Come on.”
Lou started walking.
Then stopped.
“Bud?”
“What now?”
“How are we getting home?”
Bud pointed toward the bridge.
“We’re walking!”
Lou looked surprised.
“Across the bridge?”
“Yes!”
“But Bud…”
“WHAT?”
Lou pointed toward the ferry.
“Why don’t we take the boat?”
Bud stared at him.
“BECAUSE THE BOAT DOESN’T WORK!”
Lou nodded thoughtfully.
“Then why didn’t we take the bridge this morning?”
Bud opened his mouth.
No words came.
For several seconds, he simply looked at Lou.
Finally, he whispered, “I don’t know.”
Lou smiled.
“Well, Bud, there’s one thing I do know.”
Bud looked defeated.
“What?”
Lou put his hands in his pockets.
“We spent all day trying to get to the other side.”
“Yes.”
“We didn’t get there.”
“Yes.”
“But we made eighteen dollars!”
“Yes!”
Lou grinned.
“So tomorrow, we oughta try going nowhere again!”
Bud shook his head.
“Lou, if we keep running a business like this, we’ll never get anywhere!”
Lou smiled brightly.
“That’s all right, Bud. We can charge admission to watch us try!”
The crowd erupted in laughter.
Bud looked at Lou.
Lou looked at Bud.
And for the first time all day, Bud Abbott couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
He simply adjusted his Panama hat, turned toward the bridge, and began walking.
Lou followed happily behind him.
After a few steps, Lou called out one final question.
“Hey, Bud!”
Bud stopped.
“WHAT?”
“Do we get paid for walking home?”
Bud stared at him.
Then he walked faster.
Lou hurried after him, laughing.
Behind them, the little white ferry rocked gently in the evening breeze, still tied to the dock, still waiting for its first passenger.
And the sign above it swayed in the wind:
THE GOOD SHIP TOMORROW.
Tomorrow, apparently, could wait.
THE END. 🎬😂
