Chit-Chat
“What else do I know about you?” Foster said. “You turned down a job offer from Albie, for one thing. I thought that was pretty cool.”
Why? Who would want to work for Albie Rose? He wore a tiny bathing suit and smelled like old cheese. We work for ourselves, me and Bernie, and what could be better than that? In case there are any newcomers out there, we’re partners in the Little Detective Agency, me and Bernie. Missing persons are our specialty, and that was what we were doing now, looking for Astrid Jason, and maybe Ray Jason, too, who was Colonel Bob’s son, and Colonel Bob is one of our favorites when it comes to humans. When it comes to the nation within the nation, as Bernie calls it, I guess you’d have to put Iggy first. Iggy’s a funny little dude. Once, in the old days, when Iggy still got out, we were just about to catch this lizard when a huge bird swooped down and snatched it up. Wow! The fun we used to have. I miss playing with Iggy.
“And what did Albie think of it?” Bernie said. Or something like that. Maybe I hadn’t been listening, but that was partly because I’d just picked up a scent, very faint, but one of those scents that was real important in my job.
“Of you turning him down?” Foster said. “He was pissed, actually. It was a first, and Albie doesn’t like firsts. But enough chit-chat. Did you bring the money?”
Tags: Albie Rose, Astrid, Foster, Iggy, Little Detective Agency, nation within, Ray
This entry was posted on Thursday, May 20th, 2010 at 8:47 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
4:12 am on May 20th, 2010
Down to business….yes! It seems that Foster is not on Albie's side. Since he's trying to get money, perhaps he's trying to break with Albie. (Mmmmmm…what kind of resume' would he have? And how would you break away from that kind of lifestyle?)
Chet, what is it that you smell?
4:15 am on May 20th, 2010
This is getting interestinger and interestinger, although I still don't trust Foster. I think Chet smells a rat and his name begins with F.
Also, a lot to get caught up on from last night.
Lexi — Wolfie and I only stepped on your tail to protect you and keep you from running off and doing something dangerous. We had strict orders from Megan. While it is perfectly fine for Wolfie to blur, it is not fine for you to blur until you're older and more mature. Blurring can be very dangerous if not done properly, like Wolfie does.
Wolfie — as to Arizona as being where Chet and Bernie live, at first I assumed it was Caifornia too, but at some point in Dog On It (don't remember where) Chet makes a reference about being able to look out and see New Mexico; you can do that from Arizona, but unless you are superman you could not do it from California, so that is why I think they live in Arizona.
I've also read all of the Michael McGarrity books, they are quite good and I would agree that the early ones in particular give you a great sense of New Mexico, although he is a good story teller and the continuity in his books as to Kevin Kerney's personal life makes for compelling reading. Other great New Mexico mystery writers include of course the recently departed Tony Hillerman, James Doss (who is from New Mexico but sets his mysteries in Colorado, I think just for Rio's sake), Judith Van Geison, and Sarah Lovett (the last two have not published for a while, but are very good writers). I really like James Doss, who has a very unique informal writing style and mixes in great stories with a bit of Indian mysticism. Highly recommended. Wookie the mystery librarian
4:18 am on May 20th, 2010
Sam: Wikipedia has a very interesting article about William Smith College:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Smith_Colleg…
Elizabeth Blackwell, apparently the first woman doctor in this hemisphere, graduated from there in 1849. It looks like an excellent college. (Even though you would miss your girl, I think she would do well to go there.)
4:21 am on May 20th, 2010
Rio: I pre-ordered the dvd of Good Wife so perhaps I should wait to watch it (since you said there is a character who is back from an earlier episode). I wouldn't know what was going on. What do you think?
Wolfie: Thank you for thinking about my state of health regarding cliff-hangers!
4:45 am on May 20th, 2010
Bee – No problem. All for one and one for all, that's what I always say!
Wookie – Perfect advice for Lexi! Megan would never forgive us if we allowed her to get hurt while learning the Art of Blurring! Suggestion: When she is old enough, perhaps we can send Lexi to The Blur Logistical University of Really (cool dogs), otherwise known as BLUR. It's an expensive school, although she may qualify for a grant out of sheer adorability. What are your thoughts?
Lexi – Unless you grow too much, you can always go to college with your girl just like Elle Woods did with Bruiser. And maybe you could wear some equally cool outfits!
5:03 am on May 20th, 2010
Rio: Here's an interesting article from NYTimes about The Good Wife using NY stage actors.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/arts/20wife.htm…
5:15 am on May 20th, 2010
Scent!… Chet is picking up a scent!… snort!… Something is about to happen!…. grunt!…Watch out Bernie!… cough!
5:26 am on May 20th, 2010
Ooooh. A scent that is very important in Chet's job. Hmmmm. And, Albie is pissed off at Bernie. Oh oh.
5:40 am on May 20th, 2010
Stover!… Thanks for the link to the article… snort!… That was very interesting indeed!… grunt!
7:02 am on May 20th, 2010
B., thanks but no thanks for the William Smith College info. She's not going!
Actually, our Mom went there and is in the Hall of Fame for playing 3 varsity sports – tennis, lacrosse and basketball. No reason my girl has to do that too. None.
7:07 am on May 20th, 2010
Wolfie and Rio, regarding the Isotopes, there is some interesting history there. Dating back to even before Albuquerque was the farm team for the Dodgers, the Albuquerque team was known as the Albuquerque Dukes (because Albuquerque is nicknamed the Duke City after the Duke of Alburquerque — note the extra "r" in the real Duke's name). Albuquerque became a Dodgers farm club in the 1960s, while it was still in the Double A Texas League (I think it was a Kansas City farm team before that) and at some point the name was changed from the Albuquerque Dukes to the Albuquerque Dodgers (go figure) but I believe was later changed back to the Albuquerque Dukes again. Somewhere along the way Albuquerque went from Double A to Triple A in terms of league and then I think it lost the franchise altogether for a couple of years earlier this decade. When the team came back, theyapparently felt they needed a new name, and a fan contest came up with Isotopes. Not real clever in my book, though. That's alot like saying that when Stanford changed their school sports name from the Indians to the Cardinal several years ago, it really should have changed it to the Robber Barons (sorry, just couldn't resist). And for Roswell, don't get me started. The problem with Roswell is that humans, not members of the nation within the nation, have done all the investigating. I don't think it is a myth at all, but humans have just proven incapable of solving the mystery. Canines, with their superior senses (even if we are easily distractable, like Chet sometimes, see above) would be perfectly capable of communicating with aliens, if given half a chance. I know that I communicate with my inner Chewbacca whenever I get a chance. Wookie
7:10 am on May 20th, 2010
What scent would Chet pick up in an empty housing development? I wish I was there to help Chet. I've got a pretty good nose.
Oh boy, I hope it is not what they found in one of our empty housing developments.
We miss Iggy too, Chet, and wish for him a better life. We are sure Iggy is treated very well, but dogs need more than that.
7:15 am on May 20th, 2010
Sorry, I think my last post should have been addressed to SiberH and Rio, not Wolfie and Rio. Just got a little confused there. Wookie
7:23 am on May 20th, 2010
Sam: The college has other things besides sports. Where is she going?
7:26 am on May 20th, 2010
College!… That William Smith College looks like the place to be! ….snort! … Sam maybe your girl will sneak you into some of the parties!…. grunt! … Look at it as an opportunity to make new friends!… wheeze!
Wow! …. Wookie is really full of it today!…. snort!… That was an interesting history lesson about the ‘Isotopes’… grunt!… Still hard to believe that name…. yeesh!
Roswell!…Well , that’s a whole discussion unto itself…. sneeze!
7:29 am on May 20th, 2010
Wookie, mom remembers them being the Dukes and thinks that is a more sensible name for the team. Sandy Koufax was here coaching for one year after he retired from the Dodgers, she thinks. I bet you would remember for sure.
Mom read that very good biography of Sandy Koufax, but does she remember that detail, nope.
7:36 am on May 20th, 2010
Stover!… If you have the will power to wait for the Good Wife DVD to come out, go ahead…. Snort!… You would learn something in this latest episode about that character that was left unknown the first time he showed up…. wheeze!
7:41 am on May 20th, 2010
You're right Rio, I probably can't wait. I'll watch the episode on On Demand tonight.
7:51 am on May 20th, 2010
Stover!… HA!
7:55 am on May 20th, 2010
We KNEW that Chet would smell something. He's got the best nose in the detective business!
Trouble with a guy like Foster, he might like YOU standing up to Albie, but that doesn't mean HE'S going to stand up to Albie.
Wölfie, The Pack wants you to know that they are not BLUR candidates. They are too slow. That is why they developed disappearing. It is a well known FACT that Franklin can disappear if he puts his head down and not look at anyone. Gracie has also learned this technique.
Sort of pposite of the young man in Mystery Men who can disappear but can't do it if anyone is looking.
Riö, someday a pic will come . . . Promise!! But Bess and three others had to drive 1/ 1/2 hours to the vets today to have blood taken and shots given. Then 1 1/2 hours back. Some of you guys know what the Newfs are like in the van. Today there were motorcycles out and they had to bark at each one. Very tiring.
8:00 am on May 20th, 2010
Hey!… I didn’t know Bess could drive!… wow!… Is there no end to her talents… sigh!
8:20 am on May 20th, 2010
IF Foster is doing this without Albie's knowledge, then he doesn't have to stand up to him; he's doing it behind his back (whatever the "it" is).
8:21 am on May 20th, 2010
Bess can also read a map. Mom and I think that Franklin is becoming our favorite Newf. It all started with the picture of him in the snow. If I remember correctly (no remarks, Rio), Franklin is the one that doesn't like thunder, and now we learn he has perfected the art of disappearing. He is just a nice guy, as I learned on out trip to the North.
8:31 am on May 20th, 2010
Well, that reminds me of a joke. It's about ostriches, but you can substitute Newfs.
These ostriches were out and heard a strange noise. They got scared and they all put their heads in the sand. Then another ostrich comes out of the woods and says "Hey, where is everybody?"
8:50 am on May 20th, 2010
Good one!… Molly!
Sand!…. Say, do you think if we all put our heads in the sand the oil spill will go away?….snort!
9:01 am on May 20th, 2010
B Stover, Yes, but we only have Foster's word that Albie doesn't know what is going on.
LOL MollyPop!
9:15 am on May 20th, 2010
If this is all an act on Foster's part, then I think Bernie would be able to pick up on that. Actually, I don't think Foster is cunning or a scheming kind of person based on what we've seen of him in DOI and here on the blog. He blurts thing out.
9:28 am on May 20th, 2010
Bird!…. I’m just relieved that huge bird didn’t pick up Iggy instead of the lizard… snort!… when he and Chet were out playing… grunt!
9:56 am on May 20th, 2010
Foster!… You’re right Stover, I don’t think Acting is one of Foster’s talents….snort!… He’s just a goon, a thug, a bully and a body guard….wheeze!…Maybe even a snitch….sniff!
10:27 am on May 20th, 2010
Rio: Your terms are all negative. I wonder if Foster is more complex than that?
10:34 am on May 20th, 2010
Well…. I guess I haven’t seen too many positive things about him yet… snort!
Yum!… Strawberry smoothie frappuccino …delicious!…mmmm!
11:30 am on May 20th, 2010
For a minute there, I thought that Chet was speaking of Iggy in the past tense. Whew. He wasn't. Just remembering some good times.
11:52 am on May 20th, 2010
Perhaps "positive" isn't the term to describe Foster. I think Albie may represent the "negative" terms used: goon, thug….although he had the smarts to get wealthy apparently.
Albie is a bit two-dimensional. I think that Foster is more complex. We don't have many details about him but we have been given hints. Post of April 18, Foster knows "euphemism" and knows what it means and he blurts it out to finish Albie's sentence which makes Albie angry. Post of April 19, when Albie tells Foster to help Bernie frame an apology and Foster says, "Like write it down and hang it on the wall?" Is he being literal or is he making fun of Albie? I don't know what the "Foster gives Albie a quick glance" when Bernie tells them that Astrid is from Tennessee is all about (post of April 25). Is Foster trying to see the affect this has on Albie, or is he looking at him in an "understanding" way, meaning that Tennessee is significant in some way to Albie and Foster knows that.
Okay…I'm probably reading too much into this or trying to, but it's fun.
11:56 am on May 20th, 2010
Stover!… I’m glad you take the time to point all these interesting details out to us…. snort!… Sometimes after a full day of Speculating….wheeze!… I have forgotten what the initial post was about… heh!
12:43 pm on May 20th, 2010
Lovely work, B Stover!
1:45 pm on May 20th, 2010
B., we appreciate your input on these most important blog findings. I do for sure. Now that classes have ended you should have more time to devote to us.
How about coming on our next (spy) mission?
2:14 pm on May 20th, 2010
Rio, Melanie and Sam: Thank you. Do you guys have any interpretations on any of this?
Rio: I just watched Good Wife. Very good and I had no problem understanding the murder plot. Something left hanging perhaps was the motive of the dead woman in attacking the guy. What I didn't understand was what the other guy still being alive had to do with Chris Noth's character's release.
2:52 pm on May 20th, 2010
Jeez, can't think now. Too many snoring Newfs making my eyes grow heavy. . .
3:22 pm on May 20th, 2010
Hmmm!… I was hoping you had some legal knowledge… snort!… I was going to ask you that very question… grunt!.. It got very tangled up with some law that the lawyer kept harping about in an annoying way… wheeze! …Didn’t you love all the facial expressions Alan Cumming was using to show his distaste in her at first…. Ha! … The murdered woman was a very sick person… cough!… She just lost it I guess.
Re-Run! … I am so tempted to watch it again, but the Rockies are playing!… gruff! … They really need me tonight….sniff!… They are falling behind in the standings and that is not acceptable.
Clap Clap Clap-Clap-Clap!… Beer here!… Hey where’s my pal Caleb aka SiberH!…. heh!
3:38 pm on May 20th, 2010
Hmmmphf!… I wish Melanie would wake up and take a photo of My Bess sleeping…drat!… or dreaming of Zebras…heh!… I wonder what she has against Zebras anyway?…. sniff.
Oooer!…Rocks are ahead 3-0 (now)…. Hold onto it boys!…snort!
4:20 pm on May 20th, 2010
I'm finally here, Rio, and I am clapping!!! Jimenez is pitching!!! WOO-WOO!
4:35 pm on May 20th, 2010
Sam!…. I have been thinking about your college dilemma today….snort!… I hope your girl does not feel pressured to excel in the same way someone else did when they were in their youth and attending this same college….wheeze!… And participating in 3 varsity sports (count them! Golly! Impressive!) …grunt!…Your girl is unique and needs to do what she is interested in… snorkel!… She needs to find the college she feels is ‘hers’… wheeze
4:39 pm on May 20th, 2010
Wise words from Rio.
4:42 pm on May 20th, 2010
Yeah!… SiberH is here with me and watching the game…snort!… Now what would you like, an Ice Cold Beer, or a Margarita? …grunt!… Sit down my friend and make yourself comfortable… wheeze!…We could make some ass’ kickin’ Nachos’ if you’d like?… gruff!… Just say the word my friend….sniff… I’m just so glad you are here with me… Maybe the team will win tonight! …cough!… We do have a good Pitcher up. heh!
4:51 pm on May 20th, 2010
Thanks Rio..ice cold beer would be great. It was hot here today, but not as hot as Houston. I love nachos! If the Rockies win , we can scarf up all the food that is thrown around. I am good at scarfing.
Whenever Jiminez is pitching, I relax a little.
5:01 pm on May 20th, 2010
I just watched the season finale of Fringe. Hope your game goes well Rio and SH.
5:14 pm on May 20th, 2010
Thanks Stover..so far so good. We are breathing easier tonight.
5:19 pm on May 20th, 2010
FRINGE!… darn! well, I never could quite keep up with that one anyway!…snort
Yip!….This is Great SiberH!….heh!… We have the whole back room to ourselves..- it’s a little late, top of the 8th already…snort!…. but here is your ice cold beer!… grunt!…The Rocks are holding their lead so far…grunt!… the Nachos are on their way my friend… Anything can happen in this game!… heh!
5:32 pm on May 20th, 2010
Hey!… It’s really good to see you!.. snort!.. How’s your memory?… sniff!… Any improvement in that area so far… oooer!… CarGo is up!.. He always Hits… heh!…How’s the beer and Nachos SiberH?
Stolen base!..woooo! weeee!
5:34 pm on May 20th, 2010
Rio, your wise words might pertain to someone else's girl, but not mine. There are good colleges right here. My girl will do fine right here at home. We will take some more looking-at-college trips this summer, I like roadtrips, but not for my girl to move to. No, not gonna happen.
5:44 pm on May 20th, 2010
Rio, I remember when the war of 1812 was.
The beer and the nachos are great..just what I needed tonight. This has been a relaxing, but fun game.
Hi Sam!
5:56 pm on May 20th, 2010
Hey!… The Rocks broke their losing streak tonight… snort!…SiberH! You have to come visit me way more often!…gruff!… You are a lucky charmed Husky!…wooooo!…
SiberH!…Now Please Go…snort!… Although, it is a long trip and we do have an extra room if you would like to stay?…sniff! Up to you big guy!…
6:08 pm on May 20th, 2010
Well, I'm sure that most everyone is asleep, but I'm not. I think….actually, I'm pretty certain……that what Chet is smelling is the stench of death. (That sounds grisly, doesn't it? Sorry)
I have a sinking feeling that we are finally going to meet Miss Astrid. I hope I'm wrong though.
6:09 pm on May 20th, 2010
Gosh!… I need my warm soft bed!… snorkel…Too much fun is not nearly enough fun at all.. gruff!. Love you guys and gals, I sincerely pray you are all healthy, happy and lovin’ your life!… AMEN! Pug kisses and nips!
6:18 pm on May 20th, 2010
Thanks for everything, Rio. There is no one I would rather watch a baseball game with than my favorite little pug. It was a great evening..Stover and Sam stopped by.
I'll hit the road now…have to make it to the dog park in the morning and then an electrician is coming at ten. He has to fix something on the air conditioner, and I need the air conditioner fixed.
See you tomorrow, sweet dreams dear friend…maybe you'll dream of Bess. I enjoyed your company.
6:24 pm on May 20th, 2010
Hey! Wolfie stopped by also. Hi Wolfie!
7:25 pm on May 20th, 2010
Hi Cyber! Good luck with the air conditioner!
Sweet dreams, all. Let's hope I'm wrong about you know what.