Killer Spikes & Spiking Car Killer
One vehicle’s “spooky” charging system behavior proves to be a mystery
The Ranger Riddle
Riddle: \’ri-dl\ – a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed. (Merriam-Webster’s Online dictionary) You can always tell how the week’s going by the topics at coffee break. Today it was riddles.“Riddle me this, Tooner-man,” said Beanie. “What is greater than God, more evil than the devil; poor
The Great Cover-up
The morning paper rustled ominously, accompanied by dark mutterings from the reader behind it. I downed my first gulp of coffee without thinking and paid dearly for it. "Hey Tooner," I said, picking coffee grinds out of my teeth, "did you forget to use a filter again?"Tooner put down the paper. “How d’ya expect me
The Cat Comes Back
I was driving past the library on Saturday when I screeched to a halt beside a battered old Chevy pickup parked next to the curb. I knew this truck, and it was obviously in the wrong part of town. Something had to be broken.Jumping out, I looked underneath for any telltale puddles of oil or
Shaky Brakin’
"Slim, this is the worst tasting coffee I’ve ever had the displeasure of consuming at your pathetic establishment!" Buck Pincher spat loudly into the trash can. "And not only that, it’s cold." I looked over at the battered mug he was holding. "That’s because it ain’t coffee. You grabbed some dirty engine coolant I was
Ridin’ a Thin Line
"I think you’re cutting it too close for comfort, Tooner." Tooner didn’t reply immediately as he set up the finish cut on the rotor spinning on the lathe before him. Flipping the feed lever, he stood back to let the machine do its work. "Nonsense, Beanie; there’s lots of life left in this rotor."Our young
The Same, Only Much Different
Close connectors cause an engine rebuild mix-up.
Pesky Puddles
"Beanie, when you’re done with those winter tires, I need you to…" I stopped and looked around the vacant tire bay. "Hey, where’s junior?" One bay over, Tooner straightened up and jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Just a wild guess, but I’ll bet my monthly tool allowance he’s on the phone again to his
Training on Trial
"Mornin’ Slim. Need a refill on that coffee?" Rolph held the cast-iron coffee pot steady with both hands. It was much heavier than stainless steel models, but necessary – Rolph’s coffee is not for the faint of heart. Or metal. “Sure, why not.” I pulled on my protective goggles as the boiling liquid hit the
The Path of Most Resistance
"So what’s it gonna be, Beanie?" Our young apprentice stared at the open box of chocolates. "Gee, I don’t know, Toon. I made this New Year’s resolution and…" Tooner sadistically waved the box under Beanie’s nose. “…and what? The girlfriend thinks you’re getting fat? C’mon; everybody knows New Year’s resolutions are made to be broken.”
No Time Left for You…
A horrible noise suddenly careened through our shop, bashing into toolboxes and threatening to sterilize anything in its path that wasn’t wearing ear protection. I frantically looked around to see which of our customer’s vehicles was about to throw a rod, when I spotted Beanie coming through the back door, bellowing out a tune at
Losin’ It
I stared out the front office window, scavenging my brain for any hint of recognition. "Hurry up, Quigley!" I whispered fiercely. "I gave you the license number already. What’s the customer’s name?!" I was sure I recognized the customer who had just pulled in, but for the life of me I couldn’t put a name