"SPIKES" ...on their combat boots...

[Rongar]

The game that clinched the N.L. West Championship for the Padres

Houston Astros at San Diego Padres
September 20, 1981

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Astros (HOU) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0    2  8  0
        Padres (SDP) 1 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 x    6 10  0

HOUSTON                      ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
Rick Monday (CF)              4  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .237
Rick Auerbach (SS)            3  3  1  1  0  0  0  0    .289
Jeff Jones (LF)               4  0  0  0  0  0  3  0    .316
Cliff Johnson (1B)            3  2  1  0  0  1  1  0    .275
Richie Hebner (3B)            3  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .282
Pete Rose (RF)                4  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .299
Larry Milbourne (2B)          4  1  0  0  0  0  0  0    .288
Darrell Porter (C)            4  2  0  1  0  0  1  0    .204
Steve Busby (P)               2  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .150
 Mark Ross (P)                0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
 John Mayberry (P)            0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .293
 Gene Garber (P)              0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .333
 Lance Parrish (P)            1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .136
TOTALS                       32  8  4  2  0  1  8  0

   2B:  Darrell Porter (10), Cliff Johnson (18), Larry Milbourne (14)
   GDP:  Jeff Jones, Lance Parrish
   CS:  Rick Auerbach

   DP:  Darrell Porter, Cliff Johnson, Larry Milbourne, Rick Auerbach

                 HOUSTON   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
             Steve Busby  5.0  8  2  0  6  6  4  86   5.74
               Mark Ross  2.0  0  0  0  0  0  4  29   0.75
             Gene Garber  1.0  2  0  0  0  0  1  18   1.79
                  TOTALS  8.0 10  2  0  6  6  9 133

SAN DIEGO                    ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
Rudy Law (CF)                 4  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .296
Ron Oester (2B)               3  2  1  3  0  1  1  0    .319
Ray Knight (3B)               4  1  0  1  0  3  0  0    .345
Pat Spratt (1B)               4  2  0  0  0  1  1  0    .341
Paddy Moira (RF)              4  3  0  0  0  1  0  0    .277
Al Greene (LF)                4  0  0  0  0  0  4  0    .270
Steve Yeager (C)              4  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .224
Bucky Dent (SS)               2  1  1  1  0  0  1  1    .295
Mike Moore (P)                3  1  0  1  0  0  2  0    .136
TOTALS                       32 10  2  6  0  6  9  1

   2B:  Ray Knight (40), Paddy Moira (28)
   3B:  Ron Oester (4)
   GDP:  Paddy Moira
   CS:  Paddy Moira

   DP:  Pat Spratt, Ron Oester 2, Bucky Dent 2

               SAN DIEGO   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
              Mike Moore  9.0  8  4  0  2  2  8 148   5.33
                  TOTALS  9.0  8  4  0  2  2  8 148

     WP: Mike Moore (14-14)
     LP: Steve Busby (3-5)

     Temperature: 78F
     Wind: Calm
     Attendance: 41,050
     Time: 3:00

Padres(108-54) win the N.L.West by 16 games over the Cincinatti Reds (92-70)
Padres will meet the Mets in the Divisional playoffs. The deciding game of that series will be posted tomorrow

[Rongar]

Sam Grabbed

Samantha Salming, already known as "That smashin' Swede" , not only by her new boss, Augie Conway, who had hired her to take care of his two children, but, as well by his brother, Jacy, and his Cockney cohorts, the Conway men being drawn together, again by their father, Dan.

Sam, as she was known to one and all, really enjoyed being Nanny to the placid Winston, and his bright twin, Winifred, but she still missed caring for the chubby little infants of her previous employers, who, reluctantly let her go, after their own divorce.

Perhaps one day she would have another infant of her own to care for, she mused, as she took one of her favourite walks around the back streets of Mayfair, her indulgent new employer, Augie, had given her this August Bank Holiday Monday off.

After all, she was only in her mid -twenties, plenty of time to find the right man to have a brood by; perhaps, she fantasized, Augustus, - as she always termed him, she deeming him to be as noble as his Roman namesake - might be that man, ultimately. Although he was most circumspect with her, especially in front of his children, she intuitively felt that he fancied her; perhaps after all, she reflected with an inner smile, she was being like one of Pavlov's dogs - she expected men to admire her, they always had from her childhood onward.

As she sauntered down one of her favourite walks, an alley between two workplaces now closed for the Holiday and quietly deserted, she noticed a woman ahead, standing beside the open door to the back seat of an idling Morris Minor car. The woman. middle-aged and heavy-set, was intently studying a map laid out on the roof of the car.

"She must be having trouble reading that map wearing those sunglasses, and that big floppy hat...." Thought Samantha "...Lordy, I hope that she doesn't ask me for directions..." This whimsically (although her English was near -perfect, she thought in her native tongue) "...I'm still not certain of my way around, myself"

But sure enough, the woman did look imploringly at the girl as Samantha neared the car. "Please, could you tell me where I am on this thing?..." She asked in a pleasant, refined voice as she indicated the map "...I'm quite lost"

Samantha gave in to her habitual helpful nature "Mmm. I'll do what I can ..." she said, joining the woman at the open door of the car "...But I'm afraid - "

She gasped, as something tremendous smote her in the stomach, and she doubled over; she felt herself grabbed by two strong arms from within the car and pulled headlong into the in the back of the Morris, the woman, herself, helping to propel her in.

Once, inside, Samantha was flipped over on her back, and though still voiceless by being winded by the blow, her captor, placed a large foot over her windpipe.

"One squeak..." he growled "...and I'll stomp you" He was a strapping young man,Samantha, despite her pain and her terror, discerned, she being aware that under the ski-mask that he wore, were quite good looks, disguised, as was the woman with her sunglasses and hat, who now hurriedly thrusted the decoying map inside the car, and slidiinto the driver's seat.

The idling Morris now bursting into life, and zoomed out of the alleyway bearing a helpless, voiceless smashin' Swede and her kidnappers.
(To be continued)

[Rongar]

Conway laid up

In late July 1981, Dan finds himself in a hospital bed, within a semi-private 4-bed ward, he having been diagnosed with nephritis - an inflamed kidney. His wife Hedy visits him.

Hedy: Sudden wasn't it , Dear...? Whisking you off like that?

Dan: Had it for years, Darlin'...always thought it was an ulcer...always meant to have it seen to...but, one thing and another

Hedy: And now you're in a hospital bed while the Padres are doing their thing.

Dan: Can't be helped, Hon...the doc insists it comes out before it affects the rest of me, it's gotten so bad...anyway I got the trading done, for the team

Hedy: Horrified) You're going to lose a kidney?

Dan: No sweat, Hon, one works just as well, they tell me. Who's looking after the nipper?

Hedy: That nice reliable Grant girl...Julie's happy as a clam, doesn't even realize you're gone, you're away so often for a retiree

Dan: Oh-oh, I'm being subtly nagged again..., I'll slow down once I'm outa here, I promise, Hon.

Hedy: How long do you reckon you'll be in here? What do you need that I can bring you?

Dan: The radio, please, Hon, case they don't show the Padres on the telly I'm renting here...oh, and a quire of paper...it'll be about four days, given the op, and the recovery...time enough to write something for "Company Town"

Hedy: Not going to start your bio ?

Dan: Nah, not until I'm really retired...other people are taking care o' that...that Gobbi woman's writing one, I hear.

Hedy: That bittch!

Dan: Yeah, that'll be a doozy, right?..but the one I'm lookin' forward to readin' is by my ex, Lynn when she gets to it...(chuckles) I'll find out what she really thought of me as her husband.

Hedy: What's the "Company Town" episode going to be about?

Dan: I'll think I'll base on my experience here, with those three other guys that you see in this ward.
******************************************************************************** *********
Rongar writes: Every once in a while, I'll publish bits of what "Dan Conway" wrote while he was in hospital.

[Rongar]

October 19, 1981

TOP OF THE FIRST
Fred Kuhaulua takes the mound for the Padres.
Phil Garner struck out. <--->
Roy Staiger grounded to second. <--->
Steve Garvey popped up to short. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the first, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Alan Fowlkes takes the mound for the Mets.
Rudy Law doubled in the right field gap. <-2->
Rudy Law went for an extra base and reached third. <3-->
Ron Oester singled to short right-center, scoring a run. <--1>
Ron Oester went for an extra base and reached second. <-2->
Mark Brouhard singled to right field, scoring a run. <--1>
The Padres put on the hit and run.
Pat Spratt singled up the middle. <-21>
Mark Brouhard went for an extra base and reached third. <3-1>
Paddy Moira walked. <321>
Ray Knight grounded to short for a double play (6-4-3). <3-->
Bucky Dent popped up to the second baseman. <3-->
3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the first, San Diego leads 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE SECOND
Ken Griffey reached first on a throwing error by the second baseman. <--1>
Willie Crawford flied out to center. <--1>
The Mets put on the hit and run.
Brian Asselstine grounded to the second baseman. <-2->
Frank Estrada grounded to the second baseman. <-2->
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the second, New York trails 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Mike Scioscia grounded to second. <--->
Fred Kuhaulua grounded to second. <--->
Rudy Law walked. <--1>
The Padres put on the hit and run.
Rudy Law stole second. <-2->
Ron Oester singled to right, scoring a run. <--1>
Mark Brouhard struck out. <--1>
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the second, San Diego leads 4 to 0.

TOP OF THE THIRD
Tim Foli singled to right. <--1>
Alan Fowlkes laid down a sacrifice bunt to first base. <-2->
Phil Garner doubled in the right field gap, scoring a run. <-2->
Phil Garner went for an extra base and reached third. <3-->
Roy Staiger struck out. <3-->
Steve Garvey doubled down the third base line, scoring a run. <-2->
Ken Griffey was intentionally walked. <-21>
Willie Crawford grounded to first. <-21>
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the third, New York trails 4 to 2.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Pat Spratt grounded to second. <--->
Paddy Moira lined out to right. <--->
Ray Knight singled through the left side. <--1>
Bucky Dent doubled to the wall in left, scoring a run. <-2->
Manny Muniz now pitching for the Mets. <-2->
Mike Scioscia doubled to left-center, scoring a run. <-2->
Fred Kuhaulua struck out. <-2->
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the third, San Diego leads 6 to 2.

TOP OF THE FOURTH
Brian Asselstine popped up to third. <--->
Frank Estrada singled to right. <--1>
The Mets put on the hit and run.
Tim Foli struck out. <--1>
Manny Muniz struck out. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, New York trails 6 to 2.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Rudy Law walked. <--1>
The Padres put on the hit and run.
Ron Oester grounded to second. <-2->
Mark Brouhard struck out. <-2->
Pat Spratt grounded to second. <-2->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, San Diego leads 6 to 2.

TOP OF THE FIFTH
Phil Garner grounded to the third baseman. <--->
Roy Staiger flied out to right. <--->
Steve Garvey flied out to center. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, New York trails 6 to 2.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Paddy Moira grounded to short. <--->
Ray Knight singled up the middle. <--1>
Ray Knight went for an extra base and reached second. <-2->
Bucky Dent flied out to left field. <-2->
Mike Scioscia grounded to the second baseman. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, San Diego leads 6 to 2.

TOP OF THE SIXTH
Ken Griffey grounded to third. <--->
Willie Crawford singled down the right field line. <--1>
Brian Asselstine flied out to center field. <--1>
Frank Estrada grounded to the second baseman. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, New York trails 6 to 2.

BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Leon Hooten now pitching for the Mets. <--->
Fred Kuhaulua struck out. <--->
Rudy Law hit an infield single to second. <--1>
The Padres put on the hit and run.
Ron Oester grounded to the shortstop. <-2->
Mark Brouhard grounded to the third baseman. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, San Diego leads 6 to 2.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Tim Foli grounded to short. <--->
Leon Hooten grounded to first. <--->
Phil Garner grounded to first base. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, New York trails 6 to 2.

BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Pat Spratt singled to right. <--1>
Paddy Moira grounded to first for a double play (3-6-1). <--->
Ray Knight grounded to third. <--->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, San Diego leads 6 to 2.

TOP OF THE EIGHTH
Roy Staiger singled to center. <--1>
Steve Garvey grounded to the pitcher. <-2->
Ken Griffey was intentionally walked. <-21>
Willie Crawford singled up the middle. <321>
Brian Asselstine struck out. <321>
Rusty Gerhardt now pitching for the Padres. <321>
Frank Estrada singled to left-center for two RBIs. <3-1>
Tim Foli singled to right, scoring a run. <3-1>
Ike Blessitt pinch hit for Leon Hooten. <3-1>
Ike Blessitt walked. <321>
Phil Garner grounded to first. <321>
3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, and 3 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, New York trails 6 to 5.

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Willie Hernandez now pitching for the Mets. <--->
Bucky Dent flied out to right field. <--->
Mike Scioscia struck out. <--->
The Mets guarded the lines.
Tom Chism pinch hit for Rusty Gerhardt. <--->
Tom Chism grounded to the pitcher. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, San Diego leads 6 to 5.

TOP OF THE NINTH
Barry Cort now pitching for the Padres. <--->
Dai Boyd came in to play Second Base. <--->
Roy Staiger grounded to second. <--->
Steve Garvey popped up foul down the first base line. <--->
Ken Griffey grounded to third. <--->

PADRES WIN: 6-5

[Rongar]

1981 National League Playoffs - game 7

New York Mets at San Diego Padres
October 19, 1981

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
          Mets (NYM) 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 0    5  9  0
        Padres (SDP) 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 x    6 11  1

NEW YORK                     ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
Phil Garner (2B)              5  1  0  1  0  1  1  0    .200
Roy Staiger (3B)              5  1  0  1  0  0  1  0    .200
Steve Garvey (1B)             5  1  0  0  0  1  0  0    .250
Ken Griffey (RF)              3  0  2  1  0  0  0  0    .136
Willie Crawford (LF)          4  2  0  1  0  0  0  0    .269
Brian Asselstine (CF)         4  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .074
Frank Estrada (C)             4  2  0  0  0  2  0  0    .320
Tim Foli (SS)                 4  2  0  1  0  1  1  0    .364
Alan Fowlkes (P)              0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .250
 Manny Muniz (P)              1  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .000
 Leon Hooten (P)              1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
 Ike Blessitt (P)             0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .000
 Willie Hernandez (P)         0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
TOTALS                       36  9  3  5  0  5  5  0

   2B:  Steve Garvey
   3B:  Phil Garner

   DP:  Steve Garvey 2, Phil Garner, Tim Foli 2

                NEW YORK   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
            Alan Fowlkes  2.2  7  2  0  6  6  1  62   6.94
             Manny Muniz  2.1  2  1  0  0  0  2  43   0.00
             Leon Hooten  2.0  2  0  0  0  0  1  29   3.60
        Willie Hernandez  1.0  0  0  0  0  0  1  14   2.25
                  TOTALS  8.0 11  3  0  6  6  5 148

SAN DIEGO                    ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
Rudy Law (CF)                 2  2  2  2  0  0  0  1    .154
Ron Oester (2B)               4  2  0  1  0  2  0  0    .346
 Dai Boyd (P)                 0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   1.000
Mark Brouhard (LF)            4  1  0  1  0  1  2  0    .261
Pat Spratt (1B)               4  2  0  0  0  0  0  0    .423
Paddy Moira (RF)              3  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .273
Ray Knight (3B)               4  2  0  1  0  0  0  0    .360
Bucky Dent (SS)               4  1  0  1  0  1  0  0    .167
Mike Scioscia (C)             4  1  0  0  0  1  1  0    .167
Fred Kuhaulua (P)             3  0  0  0  0  0  2  0    .000
 Rusty Gerhardt (P)           0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
 Tom Chism (P)                1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .200
 Barry Cort (P)               0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
TOTALS                       33 11  3  6  0  5  5  1

   2B:  Ron Oester, Ray Knight, Bucky Dent, Mike Scioscia
   3B:  Rudy Law
   GDP:  Ray Knight, Paddy Moira
   E:  Ron Oester

               SAN DIEGO   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
           Fred Kuhaulua  7.2  7  2  0  5  5  5 109   5.52
          Rusty Gerhardt  0.1  2  1  0  0  0  0  15   0.00
              Barry Cort  1.0  0  0  0  0  0  0  12   0.00
                  TOTALS  9.0  9  3  0  5  5  5 136

     WP: Fred Kuhaulua (1-1)
     LP: Alan Fowlkes (1-1)
     SV: Barry Cort (1)

     Temperature: 69F
     Wind: 3 MPH (in from left)
     Attendance: 50,000
     Time: 3:15

Padres win the 1981 National League Championship 4-3
They will meet the Kansas City Royals in the 1981 World Series, to be posted, starting on Monday next

[Rongar]

[B]]Sam Grabbed (continued).
[/B

The ransom note came directly to Jacy Conway's newsagent's shop, where his wife, Toni, happened to be serving. A woman, wearing, appropriately enough, on this sweltering August Bank Holiday, wore sun glasses and a big floppy straw hat, approached the counter, asking in a pleasant, cultivated tone for a packet of Rothman's cigarettes.

This more expensive brand of cigarettes were stocked in a cabinet behind Toni, as far out of the reach of shoplifters as they could be placed, so Toni had to turn her back on the customer to slide open the glass door of the cigarette cabinet to get at them.

However, Jacy, in his wisdom, had, long ago, set a mirror in the back of the cabinet so that an ever-watchful assistant could keep an eye on the sticky- fingered types who abounded in these difficult economic times, and Toni, whose creed was that paranoia was a gift bestowed upon shopkeepers, anyway, noticed, via reflection that the woman wore gloves - in this weather!

Her suspicions now aroused, Toni deliberately dawdled selecting a pack of twenty Rothmans, as she watched what the woman was up to. To her surprise, the furtive one, tried, not to take anything, but to slip an envelope under the pile of newspapers already up for sale on the counter.

Toni was momentarily nonplussed; how could one challenge a customer who was, apparently, bestowing something upon the shop, perhaps a gift, or a shy message of appreciation from an satisfied, if anonymous, customer? It could hardly be a bomb or some corrosive substance, so Toni decided to wait it out till the customer had left the shop, and Toni could examine the envelope. She was confident that a fit young Mrs Jacy Conway wearing plimsolls could easily run down a middle-aged heavy-set woman in high heels.

The woman gave the exact price for the Rothmans, and quickly exited the shop, mumbling thanks. Toni, just as quickly, retrieved the envelope, extracted the slip of paper therein and read the printed:

"You want sam back, intact, you phone Welbeck 2155 at 8.p.m. sharp with the name of your dealer - or else. Compre? "

With a quick intelligent criminal mindset of her own, Toni realized the kidnapper's mistake, for this obviously was a ransom note and Samantha Salming, who Toni knew well from the new friendship between the brothers Jacy and Augi Conway, the victim. Whoever had abducted the Nanny had the mistaken belief that she worked for Jacy, rather than Augie, and that " dealer" given Toni's suspicions of the activities of Jacy's employees, was more likely to refer to a supplier of illicit drugs, rather than a cash-and -carry emporium.

Toni nipped out of the shop in time to see the woman enter the driving side of a blue Morris Minor,parked a little way past the shop, and the smart young Japanese girl committed the nameplate to memory, as she dashed back into the shop to phone the Boyer brothers who were tending Jacy's Thrift store, which she also suspected was being used as a depository for stolen goods.

Ken Dahl, the boxer, and probable leader of the gang of crooks that Toni supposed her husband employed, whatever Jacy's own suspicions, happened to answer the phone, and he had a brain not yet addled by the many punches he had received during his violent, if. so far, successful, pugilistic career, for he took in the import of the note as soon as she'd recited it, and the details of the woman, the number to call, and the car over the phone.

"Blue Morris, Tone,, right? ....don't say a word to anyone, got me...? " He breathed into the receiver "...the silly bleeders have got the wrong one, but its a family thingy, an' me an' the boys' ll have to sort it"

She respected Kenny for his utter competence and good judgement, and as close-mouthedness was a tradition in this arm of the Conway family, anyway, with its many dubious commercial activities, she agreed, but mentally made a note to also tell Jacy, as soon as he came back from the beauty salon, where he had been assessing the day's takings.

Meanwhile, back at the Thrift Store, Ken Dahl was addressing the Boyer brothers. " Them Endels fukkers have snatched Jacy's Nanny, the silly bleeders, thinking she belongs to us, an' you know what they want dontcha? who we 're gettin' our shitt from. Well, let's go over there and sort 'em, shall we?"
(To be continued)

[Rongar]

The "San Diego Clarion"

August 1st 1981

Conway is stricken

by Al Terego

In late July, Dan Conway, the owner and manager of the San Diego Padres was admitted to hospital for the removal of a kidney affected by nephritis, a form of inflammation that, if not treated, can spread to the liver and other parts of the body. I went to see Mt Conway while he was abed, just after the operation, and while still a little woozy, he seemed in good spirits, and expects to be back with his wife Hedy, and little daughter, Julie, even as I write this.

He will be able to carry out his full duties as G.M. as well as any man may, in his mid- sixties possessing just one kidney - which works just as well as two, according to long medical history of the phenomenom - and the Padre's G.M. is in, otherwise, good health

If Dan Conway reads what I write (He claims to), he'll learn that all is well with his team. At this time, they lead the National League West by a margin of nine games over the nearest contenders, the Cincinnatti Reds. With just two months to go, barring a humongous collapse, they seem to be sure of entering the play-offs, and my personal dream of them meeting the Montreal Expos therein, draws nearer, even as that Canadian team itself draws nearer to the New York Mets at the top of the National League East, the 'Spoes being a mere five games behind, Montreal, seemingly in better form, having won thirteen of their last twenty games compared to the Mets' 9-11 score.

Before intense pain in his lumbar region drove Dan to the emergency room of Conway Clinic, he had just completed his trades before the deadline.

I had thought that he had cut all the deadwood in the massive trade-off a year ago, but it seems like the G.M. has given up on old stalwarts like short-stop Larry Bowa, Centre-fielder Ken Henderson, and catcher Tim Connery, he shipped those and a few youngsters who have no future with the Club off to Cincinnatti Reds, their nearest contender who gave up a useful starting pitcher, Alan Wirth, in return; (It's often been remarked that Dan Conway could sell sunscreen to a Sheik) besides those a job- lot of even dimmer prospects, young and old were passed off to Oakland Athletics for Tim Burke, a young reliever who had good numbers in High School , but played little for the Aths.

Besides that, Conway now supplemented his skeleton crew of pitchers with the signing of a veteran Quebec pitcher, Leonard Rousseau, who was recommended to him by his own young in-law musician, Valentine Mercier, who aspires to be a professional baseball scout some day. If the 33-year -old Rousseau who had good numbers in Quebec Province's semi-pro leagues does well with the Portland Beavers, to whom Leonard was assigned, young Valentine might yet find himself hired by his uncle by marriage, Dan Conway.
-30-

[Rongar]

October 22, 1981

TOP OF THE FIRST
Clive Revill takes the mound for the Padres.
Johnny Grubb struck out. <--->
Damaso Garcia struck out. <--->
Dave Winfield struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the first, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Nolan Ryan takes the mound for the Royals.
Rudy Law struck out. <--->
Ron Oester flied out to right. <--->
Mark Brouhard flied out to center field. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the first, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE SECOND
George Brett grounded to first. <--->
Mitchell Page walked. <--1>
The Royals put on the hit and run.
Mitchell Page was caught stealing second. <--->
John Harris walked. <--1>
George Mitterwald struck out. <--1>
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the second, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Pat Spratt lined out to center. <--->
Paddy Moira flied out to center. <--->
Ray Knight flied out to center. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the second, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE THIRD
Orlando Ramirez lined out to right. <--->
Nolan Ryan singled through the left side. <--1>
Johnny Grubb grounded to the shortstop for a double play (6-4-3). <--->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the third, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Bucky Dent walked. <--1>
The Padres put on the hit and run.
Nolan Ryan threw a wild pitch. <-2->
Mike Scioscia grounded to the shortstop. <-2->
Clive Revill lined out to right. <-2->
Rudy Law grounded to the second baseman. <-2->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the third, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE FOURTH
Damaso Garcia grounded to the pitcher. <--->
Dave Winfield grounded to first. <--->
George Brett flied out to right. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Ron Oester struck out. <--->
Mark Brouhard struck out. <--->
Pat Spratt grounded to short. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE FIFTH
Mitchell Page grounded to first. <--->
John Harris reached first on a throwing error by the shortstop. <--1>
George Mitterwald grounded to first for a double play (3-6-3). <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Paddy Moira grounded to the pitcher. <--->
Ray Knight reached first on a fielding error by the shortstop. <--1>
The Padres put on the hit and run.
Bucky Dent laid down a sacrifice bunt back to the pitcher. <-2->
Tom Chism pinch hit for Mike Scioscia. <-2->
Tom Chism was intentionally walked. <-21>
Clive Revill struck out. <-21>
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE SIXTH
Steve Yeager came in to play Catcher. <--->
Orlando Ramirez grounded to the pitcher. <--->
Nolan Ryan struck out. <--->
Johnny Grubb grounded to the shortstop. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Rudy Law doubled to left-center. <-2->
Ron Oester popped up to short. <-2->
Mark Brouhard struck out. <-2->
Pat Spratt singled down the first base line, scoring a run. <--1>
Paddy Moira homered over the left field fence for two RBIs. <--->
Ray Knight struck out. <--->
3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, San Diego leads 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Damaso Garcia singled through the right side. <--1>
Dave Winfield singled through the left side. <-21>
George Brett grounded to short for a double play (6-4-3). <3-->
Mitchell Page was intentionally walked. <3-1>
Mitchell Page was caught stealing second. <3-->
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, Kansas City trails 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Bucky Dent popped up to third. <--->
Steve Yeager grounded back to the pitcher. <--->
The Royals guarded the lines.
Clive Revill singled up the middle. <--1>
Rudy Law grounded to second. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, San Diego leads 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE EIGHTH
John Harris lined out to center. <--->
George Mitterwald popped up to second. <--->
Orlando Ramirez grounded to the third baseman. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, Kansas City trails 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Ron Oester struck out. <--->
Mark Brouhard grounded to the second baseman. <--->
Pat Spratt walked. <--1>
Paddy Moira singled to center, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Ray Knight singled to center, scoring a run. <3-1>
Jay Franklin now pitching for the Royals. <3-1>
Bucky Dent popped up to short. <3-1>
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, San Diego leads 4 to 0.

TOP OF THE NINTH
Kim Allen pinch hit for Jay Franklin. <--->
Kim Allen grounded to second. <--->
Johnny Grubb struck out. <--->
Damaso Garcia grounded to third. <--->

PADRES WIN: 4-0

[Rongar]

The 1981 World Series - Game 1

Kansas City Royals at San Diego Padres
October 22, 1981

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Royals (KCR) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0    0  3  1
        Padres (SDP) 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 x    4  6  1

KANSAS CITY                  ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
Johnny Grubb (CF)             4  0  0  0  0  0  2  0    .296
Damaso Garcia (2B)            4  1  0  0  0  0  1  0    .300
Dave Winfield (RF)            3  1  0  0  0  0  1  0    .222
George Brett (3B)             3  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .414
Mitchell Page (LF)            1  0  2  0  0  0  0  0    .217
John Harris (1B)              2  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .321
George Mitterwald (C)         3  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .273
Orlando Ramirez (SS)          3  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .133
Nolan Ryan (P)                2  1  0  0  0  0  1  0    .500
 Jay Franklin (P)             0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
 Kim Allen (P)                1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
TOTALS                       26  3  3  0  0  0  6  0

   GDP:  George Mitterwald, George Brett, Johnny Grubb
   CS:  Mitchell Page 2
   E:  Orlando Ramirez

             KANSAS CITY   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
              Nolan Ryan  7.2  6  3  1  4  4  7 114   7.15
            Jay Franklin  0.1  0  0  0  0  0  0   4   0.00
                  TOTALS  8.0  6  3  1  4  4  7 118

SAN DIEGO                    ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
Rudy Law (CF)                 4  1  0  1  0  0  1  0    .167
Ron Oester (2B)               4  0  0  0  0  0  2  0    .300
Mark Brouhard (LF)            4  0  0  0  0  0  2  0    .222
Pat Spratt (1B)               3  1  1  2  0  1  0  0    .414
Paddy Moira (RF)              4  2  0  1  1  2  0  0    .308
Ray Knight (3B)               4  1  0  0  0  1  1  0    .345
Bucky Dent (SS)               2  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .154
Mike Scioscia (C)             1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .158
 Tom Chism (P)                0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .200
 Steve Yeager (P)             1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .167
Clive Revill (P)              3  1  0  0  0  0  1  0    .167
TOTALS                       30  6  3  4  1  4  7  0

   2B:  Rudy Law
   HR:  Paddy Moira

   DP:  Pat Spratt 4, Ron Oester 2, Bucky Dent 3
   E:  Bucky Dent

               SAN DIEGO   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
            Clive Revill  9.0  3  3  0  0  0  6 109   2.81
                  TOTALS  9.0  3  3  0  0  0  6 109

     WP: Clive Revill (1-1)
     LP: Nolan Ryan (0-2)

     Temperature: 75F
     Wind: Calm
     Attendance: 50,000
     Time: 2:25

Padres lead the World Series 1-0

[Rongar]

The London "Daily Telegraph"

August 28th 1981

Message to Margaret

by J.A.Keene

There has come into my hands, a most extraordinary document, a copy of a memorandum sent to the Prime Minister, written by three of her closest supporters, the playwright Ronnie Millar, John Hoskyns, and David Wolfson. It was composed apparently at the behest of those closest to Margaret Thatcher, who feared that her militancy would wreck her premiership, after she had battled with most of her Cabinet over the events of the summer, the harsh criticism of her budget, her seeming indifference to the Brixton and Toxteth riots, her contempt for the "Wets" in her government, her stubborn-ness in imposing further austerities, at a time of severe recession.

The title of the memo was "Your Political Survival". It was divided into four sections headlined respectively:

"You lack management competence
Your own leadership style is wrong
The result is an unhappy ship
You have an absolute duty to change the way you operate"

The paragraph about leadership style was particularly harsh

"You break every rule of good man-management. You bully your weaker colleagues. You criticize colleagues in front of each other, and in front of their own officials. They can't answer back without appearing disrespectful, in front of others to a woman and to a Prime Minister. You abuse that situation."

While the memo went on to praise what the trio saw as her many accomplishments, it also warned that "An internal revolt threatens your own position." recommending that she immediately reshuffle her Cabinet, ridding herself of those murmuring against her leadership, replacing them from the many Conservative M.P.s who support her policies.

The conclusion of the memo carried the dire warning that unless she accepted the author's advice she would soon be replaced as Prime Minister.

It remains to be seen what effect this remarkable letter has upon the Iron Lady. Will she tone her style down? Or will she heat up the proceedings?

Only time will tell.
-30-

[Rongar]

Sam Grabbed (continued)

Ken Dahl reports to the Boyer brothers in the Thrift shop

Ken: Did you hear that, Lads?

Nichol: That blue Morris sounds like them Endels gits...wot they done now , Ken?

Leonard: That Welbeck number ain't theirs...I've phoned 'em often enough to know, in the middle o' th' the night to get on their tit

Ken: Prob'ly a pay phone...it's only a kidnappin' that they;ve done, Men.

Nichol: (Incredulous) The Endels? ...never! ...they can't even sell their lousy shitt, they step on it too much.

Ken: That's why they want some of ours...they seen this Samantha Bhint about, an' for some reason they think she belongs to us -

Leonard: Fervently) I wish!

Nichol: Shut up, you fukkin' sex maniac...go on, Ken

Ken: So they grab her as a hostage-like to make us tell our source.

Leonard: Do we do that , Ken?

Ken: Fiecely) Do we fukk! We go over there and we teach 'em not to mess with us or our mates

Leonard: Whines) Do we 'ave to? ...That young Tommy Endel's a nasty basstid

Ken: We go out there eight o'clock, he's the one probably out the house waitin by the public phone waitin' for our call.

Nichol: That makes us mob-'anded, right? Just old useles Alf and his middle-aged tart at 'ome(Sarcastically to his brother, Leonard) Them odds suit you, Wimp?

Leonard: Sulky) I was just sayin'

Ken: Deciseively) We need you, Len anyway, you know how to break into Fort Knox, right?. So we go to the Endels, Lenny gets us in, we put the frighteners on the two Endels there, send 'em packin, get the girl, and wait for Tommy to get back.

Leonard: Must we? ...we get the girl, that's enough, ennit? ...we don't 'ave to go round wi' that Tommy prick, do we?

Nichol: Sooner or later we'll 'ave to, Bruv...'E won't take this lyin' down...still is it worth it makin' an enemy of 'em, Kenny?

Ken: you're jokin' of course! He hates us already, this whole bloody kidnappin' is aimed at us, can't you see that, you dolt! He won't be satisfied till he's taken our whole bloody pitch. Well, I got plans for our friend Tommy Endels - let's go!
(To be concluded)

[Rongar]

October 23, 1981

TOP OF THE FIRST
Brian Allard takes the mound for the Padres.
Johnny Grubb grounded to third. <--->
Damaso Garcia grounded to the pitcher. <--->
Dave Winfield grounded to short. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the first, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Jack Morris takes the mound for the Royals.
Rudy Law walked. <--1>
The Padres put on the hit and run.
Rudy Law stole second. <-2->
Ron Oester flied out to left field. <-2->
Rudy Law tagged up but was thrown out at third. <--->
Mark Brouhard singled to center field. <--1>
The Padres put on the hit and run.
Pat Spratt struck out. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the first, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE SECOND
George Brett flied out to right. <--->
Mitchell Page flied out to center. <--->
John Harris struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the second, the game is tied at 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Paddy Moira lined out to left. <--->
Ray Knight walked. <--1>
The Padres put on the hit and run.
Bucky Dent lined out to left. <--1>
Mike Scioscia flied out to left field. <--1>
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the second, the game is tied at 0.

TOP OF THE THIRD
George Mitterwald tripled to deep center field. <3-->
George Mitterwald went for an extra base and reached home, scoring a run. <--->
Orlando Ramirez grounded to the second baseman. <--->
Jack Morris grounded to the second baseman. <--->
Johnny Grubb struck out. <--->
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the third, Kansas City leads 1 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Brian Allard lined out to the second baseman. <--->
Rudy Law grounded to first base. <--->
Ron Oester struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the third, San Diego trails 1 to 0.

TOP OF THE FOURTH
Damaso Garcia reached first on a fielding error by the catcher. <--1>
Dave Winfield doubled in the right field gap, scoring a run. <-2->
George Brett grounded to second. <3-->
Mitchell Page struck out. <3-->
John Harris was intentionally walked. <3-1>
George Mitterwald singled to left-center, scoring a run. <3-1>
Orlando Ramirez flied out to left. <3-1>
2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, Kansas City leads 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Mark Brouhard flied out to left field. <--->
Pat Spratt hit an infield single to third. <--1>
The Padres put on the hit and run.
Paddy Moira struck out. <--1>
Ray Knight flied out to left. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, San Diego trails 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE FIFTH
Jack Morris lined out to right field. <--->
Johnny Grubb popped up to the second baseman. <--->
Damaso Garcia singled to right field. <--1>
Dave Winfield struck out. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, Kansas City leads 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Bucky Dent grounded to the second baseman. <--->
Mike Scioscia grounded to second. <--->
Brian Allard singled to left. <--1>
Rudy Law struck out. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, San Diego trails 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE SIXTH
George Brett grounded to second. <--->
Mitchell Page grounded to short. <--->
John Harris struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, Kansas City leads 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Ron Oester grounded to the shortstop. <--->
Mark Brouhard struck out. <--->
Pat Spratt reached first on a fielding error by the third baseman. <--1>
Paddy Moira walked. <-21>
Ray Knight grounded to first. <-21>
0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, San Diego trails 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH
George Mitterwald grounded to short. <--->
Orlando Ramirez struck out. <--->
Jack Morris grounded to third. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, Kansas City leads 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Steve Braun came in to play Left Field. <--->
Bucky Dent grounded to second. <--->
Mike Scioscia grounded to short. <--->
Tom Chism pinch hit for Brian Allard. <--->
Tom Chism singled up the middle. <--1>
Rudy Law grounded to first. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, San Diego trails 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE EIGHTH
Rusty Gerhardt now pitching for the Padres. <--->
Johnny Grubb grounded to the shortstop. <--->
Damaso Garcia grounded to first base. <--->
Dave Winfield grounded to second. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, Kansas City leads 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Ron Oester lined out to center. <--->
Mark Brouhard lined out to the shortstop. <--->
Pat Spratt lined out to center. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, San Diego trails 3 to 0.

TOP OF THE NINTH
George Brett grounded to second. <--->
Steve Braun walked. <--1>
John Harris struck out. <--1>
George Mitterwald struck out. <--1>
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the ninth, Kansas City leads 3 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
Paddy Moira lined out to left. <--->
Ray Knight lined out to right. <--->
Bucky Dent grounded to second. <--->

ROYALS WIN: 3-0

[Rongar]

1981 World Series - Game 2

Kansas City Royals at San Diego Padres
October 23, 1981

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Royals (KCR) 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0    3  4  1
        Padres (SDP) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0    0  4  1

KANSAS CITY                  ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
Johnny Grubb (CF)             4  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .258
Damaso Garcia (2B)            4  1  0  1  0  0  0  0    .294
Dave Winfield (RF)            4  1  0  1  0  1  1  0    .231
George Brett (3B)             4  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .364
Mitchell Page (LF)            3  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .192
 Steve Braun (P)              0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .118
John Harris (1B)              3  0  1  0  0  0  3  0    .290
George Mitterwald (C)         4  2  0  1  1  2  1  0    .333
Orlando Ramirez (SS)          3  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .111
Jack Morris (P)               3  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
TOTALS                       32  4  2  3  1  3  8  0

   2B:  Dave Winfield
   HR:  George Mitterwald

   DP:  George Brett, Mitchell Page
   E:  George Brett

             KANSAS CITY   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
             Jack Morris  9.0  4  3  0  0  0  5 125   0.67
                  TOTALS  9.0  4  3  0  0  0  5 125

SAN DIEGO                    ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
Rudy Law (CF)                 3  0  1  0  0  0  1  1    .152
Ron Oester (2B)               4  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .265
Mark Brouhard (LF)            4  1  0  0  0  0  1  0    .226
Pat Spratt (1B)               4  1  0  0  0  0  1  0    .394
Paddy Moira (RF)              3  0  1  0  0  0  1  0    .276
Ray Knight (3B)               3  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .313
Bucky Dent (SS)               4  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .133
Mike Scioscia (C)             3  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .136
Brian Allard (P)              2  1  0  0  0  0  0  0    .429
 Tom Chism (P)                1  1  0  0  0  0  0  0    .333
 Rusty Gerhardt (P)           0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
TOTALS                       31  4  3  0  0  0  5  1

   E:  Mike Scioscia

               SAN DIEGO   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
            Brian Allard  7.0  4  1  1  3  1  6  96   1.23
          Rusty Gerhardt  2.0  0  1  0  0  0  2  25   0.00
                  TOTALS  9.0  4  2  1  3  1  8 121

     WP: Jack Morris (3-0)
     LP: Brian Allard (1-1)

     Temperature: 66F
     Wind: 9 MPH (out to left)
     Attendance: 50,000
     Time: 2:27

The Series is tied 1-1.

[Rongar]

The "Canadian Chronicle"

September 20th 1981

Scrap the CBC!

by Valentine Mercier

Comes the Fall, and with it a wealth of new entertainment on the air waves. Pop and Rock radio stations will broadcast their cacaphonic music and clueless lyrics and blare as many advertisments as they dare into thier programming, and make money; various t.v. channels will trot out the same old, same old cops and robers, cowboys and Indians, good guys and bad drivel, and make money. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation will concentrate on providing objective news, educational lectures, thoughtful opinion pieces and beautiful, if ancient music, on which they will lose money, galore, but no matter - the debt will be paid by taxes.

The difference, as I see it ? Those philistine outlets earn the money for the rubbish that they turn out. For the culture which the CBC dispenses, the taxpayer foots the bill. This would be okay if the mass of taxpayers tuned into the CBC other than when "Hockey Night in Canada" is on the air, but the fact is most of those tax-payers are enjoying the lowbrow stuff on the plebeian entertainment outlets, with little time or inclination to better ourselves with the high-minded entertainment that the CBC so earnestly provides.

The comparatively few people who profess to patronize the CBC are probably the cream of our society who are gentlefolk and scholars (and some who are probably social snobs or liars or both). Ah, that all we dumb Canadians would embrace the uplifting and inspiring content that the CBC has to offer, but, at heart, we're just uncouth hooligans (despite the sober, sane, friendly image that we present to a gullible world) so we don't become enlightened .

All this is a great pity; but it is a greater pity that we, the great unwashed, have to pay for the entertainment of the elite, for something of which, we so rarely avail ourselves.

This is hardly democracy in action.
-30-

[Rongar]

Sam grabbed (Concluded)

Samantha Salming sat bound and gagged in the basement of the house of the Endels family. She also had a burlap bag over her head, but could hear, distinctly, the sounds of a television set, somewhere in the house; while she was still very frightened, her agile mind was trying to figure out how she could escape and this covering noise could be a factor. She remembered the young man who had gagged and bound her indiscreetly remarking to his female accomplice "We must get the deaf ol' coot to tone down that t.v." , but the Endels had probably forgotten her presence, in the excitement and high expectation of the eight o'clock hour which they had also, foolishly discussed within her hearing .

All in all, Samantha concluded, whoever had taken her were a bumbling bunch of abductors, and it ought'n't be too hard for a smart Scandinavian like her to escape - if only there were time, for she had but a hazy idea that it must be getting on for evening.

It was, in fact, almost exactly 8 p.m. which was why Nichol and Leonard Boyer along with the leader of the rescue expedition, Ken Dahl, were now lurking outside the Endels' back door, in the broad Autumn evening daylight, with no fear of discovery from neighbours who were probably glued to the goggle-box or out at the pub, and who, in this sleazy part of town, would be deliberately as oblivious as the three wise monkeys, anyway, turning a blind eye, closing an open ear, and, especially, zipping a loose mouth about anything untoward in the vicinity, a factor which the rescuing force had taken into account.

Leonard Boyer lived up to his reputation as a break-in artist, by easily picking the lock of the Endels' ramshackle back door, what little noise he made, covered by the blare of a t.v.from within, and the Conway cavalry rushed in to retrieve the fair damsel.

They came upon a middle-aged Alf Endels, spaced out before the t.v. which was also distracting his companion, a woman, whose status was unknown, Alf long having been a widower. The semi-drugged two were easily overcome by the husky intruding trio, Ken's shrewd assessment that the abduction ringleader, and most dangerous opposition, Tommy Endels,would be absent, proving accurate.

The mere threat of physical punishment was enough for Alf Endels and his woman to admit that their captive was in the basement, and it was Ken who played the knight errant, by going to the basement to release an overjoyed Sam.

Once freed of bonds, bags and a blocked mouth, she was impatient to be gone from this place of evil promise. "Why are we waiting...?" she demanded, rather ungraciously of her saviour, Ken, as they emerged into the Endels' living room, where the original occupants were being supervised as they busily packed a few belongings under the glower of the invading gang, Kenny allowing the option of them getting out of town before the police were involved, a situation which he and the Boyers, vulnerable miscreants, all, were anxious to avoid.

Kenny took Samantha aside, out of earshot of the distracted householders. "We're waiting for Tommy to come back, Ducks..." he whispered "...gonna give him marching orders too...can't have him hanging around to put the boot in, on us, later on"

Ken Dahl deliberately mispoke; for once a frustrated Tommy Endels had returned from a wait of over an hour for a call to a public telephone that never came, he was jumped upon by three stalwarts, his own supporters securely locked away in the basement, he being bound and gagged in his turn, after which, his father, and the unknown woman were ordered to take their belongings and drive the Blue Morris Minor as far away as they cared to,

Nichol and Leonard Boyer were dispatched to escort Samantha back to to Augie's home near Hyde Park, whilst Ken stayed behind to remonstrate with a captive Tommy.

When Kenny left, the Endel's former residence, an hour or so later, Tommy Endels was contradicting him by hanging around - from the rafters of his own family basement. As people had often remarked of him "That mad Kenny Dahl will kill somebody, one day".