"Marco's Chili Surprise!"
By Tammy Hudson
Marco walked into the kitchen. It was lunchtime around Station 51,and he was making everyone's favorite chili.
Mike Stoker looked up from the paper he was reading. "Hey, Marco, you should enter this chili contest. You could win $5,000. It's on our day off!"
"What contest?" Marco replied.
"Wow, Marco, that's a lot of money," Chet Kelly spoke up. You could take out a lot of girls with that kind of dough!"
Marco threw him a look. "Real funny Kelly, I don't know. You think I could win?"
"Sure, Marco, you have a great shot."
"Okay. Let me see that paper, Mike." While reaching for the paper the tones went off.
"Station 51, Engine 36, Engine 18, structure fire, 1927 North Hall, 1-9-2-7, North Hall, cross street Maple, time out 1100."
"Station 51,10-4,KMG365,"Captain Hank Stanley acknowledged, jumping into the engine.
############
Mike backed the engine into the bay area of the station and they headed toward the rec room. Marco was the first to speak.
"That was some fire. Hey, John. Hey, Roy."
"Hiya, Marco.What's this we hear about a chili contest?" Johnny wanted to know.
"Oh! Mike was telling me about it this morning. I think I'm gonna enter."
"You should. You make great chili."
"Thanks, John."
"What's going on, guys?" Hank asked as he walked through the door.
"Marco's gonna enter a chili contest, Cap. It's on our day off. I think we should go," Chet said matter-of-factly.
"That's not a bad idea," all the guys chimed in.
"Well, Marco, what do you think?" Cap asked.
"I could sure use the support. Sure why not!"
########
Marco walked from his living room to his kitchen, growing more nervous as the hours dragged on. He was having second thoughts about the contest. He never was too good around people, not to mention cooking for them." The guys loved his chili, but they were his friends: these people were strangers.
"Anyway, the guys will be with me."
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Coming," he yelled. Johnny and Roy stood at the door, waiting for him to answer.
"Hey, Roy, you think Marco will win?"
"Sure. You know he makes the best chili around."
"Hey guys! Sorry I was so long getting to the door. I had to stir my chili. Come on in. What's going on?" Marco said.
"Well," Roy began," We thought we would take the best chef around to the contest."
"Okay. Let me get my things. John, you driving?"
"Sure am, Marco."
"Not too fast. I don't want to spill my chili."
Grinning, Johnny said." I wouldn't dream of it."
"Alright, no funny business." Roy shot a look toward Johnny.
###########
Arriving at the contest, Marco said," I have never seen so many people. Maybe I made a mistake."
"Don't worry, Marco. You are going to be great," Johnny and Roy both said. Walking in they met up with Hank, Chet, and Mike.
"Hey guys, thanks for coming."
"We wouldn't miss it, Marco, especially getting to see all those chicks!" Chet said "Hey, Gage, maybe someone will be desperate enough to let you take them out."
"You are a barrel of laughs, Kelly I don't see anyone knocking down your door either."
"Alright, you twits, cut it out!" Hank said. "Let's go. See you later, Marco. Good luck, pal."
"Thanks, Cap. I will need it."
Marco took his place to finish his chili. Looking around, he noticed the judge. He was contestant #25, so he had a while to wait. He concentrated on finishing his chili.
"He looks like a hard-nosed judge. I haven't seen him smile once. Okay, I can do this," Marco thought.
######
"Hey, guys, look at Marco. He looks scared to death," Johnny said laughing. "Okay, the judge is tasting his chili, so be quiet!" "Chet, quit making faces at Marco he is nervous enough."
As the guys looked on, the judge took one bite of Marco's chili, twisting his face up.
"I know his chili is not that bad!" Roy exclaimed." That really looks sick."
He took another bite, clutched his chest and passed out. All the guys ran to the man's side.
Marco said, "I really did it this time. I killed him with my chili."
"No, I think he is having a heart attack," Roy shouted." Johnny, go see what they have at the first aid station and call an ambulance. Chet, call the station and get someone out here.
#####
Two paramedics from Station 51 c-shift arrived to assist the man. Just as the ambulance came. Johnny, Roy and Marco jumped in Johnny's Land Rover and followed the ambulance to the hospital. Marco worrying the whole time, still thinking he had something to do with the man passed out.
#######
Marco paced the emergency room of Rampart General, waiting to hear any news. Doctor Brackett walked out of the treatment room and Marco ran up to him
"Tell me, Doc, how is he? Is he going to be alright?"
"Yes, Marco. He had a mild heart attack, but he is going to be fine."
"So it wasn't my chili?"
Laughing, Doctor Brackett said, "It might cause him indigestion, but not a heart attack. Don't worry, Marco. It wasn't your fault."
"Thanks, Doc. I needed to hear that," Marco sighed.
#########
Johnny walked through the kitchen door at the station.
"Morning, boys. Hey, Marco, how did the contest turn out? Did you win?"
"Well," Marco started, "thanks to Chet, I will never know."
"Hey, Marco, I was just trying to help." Chet whined "See if I ever help you again."
"Okay, guys, will somebody tell me what happened?" Johnny screamed.
"Well, in the heat of everything yesterday, Chet here grabbed my chili and took it to my house, so the other judges never got to taste it. So guess what you guys get to eat for lunch today?" Marco said frowning.
"Leftover chili. Thanks a lot, Chet," all the guys said
"Well, like I always say," Roy spoke up, "chili today, hot tamale!"
THE END
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