Endtown by Aaron Neathery for January 18, 2013

Awww… Mister Hopper R.I.P.

Good thing he didn’t eat that cake! Linda would fear it was her fault!

At least Linda was able to give him some last-minute comfort—and peace to finally rest.

Hmmm…Mr. Hopper’s sudden demise (right after seeing “Trudy’s” cake) is suspicious. It could be that he was just hanging in until he found this one sign, but I wonder about a certain trickster second class. How long has Mr. Hopper been in Endtown?

Meg looks devestated. I guess she has known Mr. Hopper quite some time..

Mr. Hopper found happiness at last and was able to move on. Linda’s new occupation – angel of mercy…

How did he die is my question. Just passed in his sleep or suicide? Her act of kindness resulted in a loss of a life. Win Win? or Win Lose.

Sometimes it is the searching that keeps one going. Finally reaching the goal then one thinks What is next? Is there any more? If the answer is No. Then what is the purpose of going on. Very delicate situation here. Did Linda help or hurt?Keeping him coming back for cake kept him alive for how long? Years? Finally getting the cake and dying. I do not see it as mercy and moving on. I see it as sad for both Linda and the loss of Mr. Hopper.

Wow…I really didn’t see that one coming. Linda was just starting to come out of her shell; I hope this doesn’t push her back in and lock the door behind her!

“I hope this doesn’t push her back in and lock the door behind her!“No, that’s going to happen when word gets out that she doesn’t wash her dishes after cooking blackmarket cake mix.

Mr. Hopper achieved his bucket list wish.

You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.

of course. it makes sense. i also feel a little sad, too. i thought she might have made a friend.

I thought that one person that came in the morning shift ate the cake, but found out it is a lot worse then that.

I absolutely did not see that coming.

Sometimes hanging on is not the best thing.If my wife were to go on before me.I would hope to not have to hang on too long after.But that is me.

It depends on what was in the mind of Mr. Hopper.On whether this was a good or bad thing.

Awww, He died Happy. You did good Linda.

So begins another weekend where the story pauses and we the Endtown family gather to reflect and share what is within us.

I think this just turned into a murder mystery or thriller.Mr. Hopper died right after getting his cake. If it wasn’t natural causes…Who would kill him? Someone who didn’t want him to talk about the cake.Who knows about the cake? Linda, Meg, and… Roz.After Roz discovered the milk, she would have discovered the cake and realized what it was for and who it was for.Milk and other non-bean foodstuffs are black market items, and the black market is run by unsavory characters who want to keep control of it. Linda’s cake did not come from the black market.The black market would have to have agents in areas where food is distributed. As we’ve seen, Roz is not a nice person.Linda and Meg may now be targets of Endtown’s mob. And I would not necessarily trust Maurice to help them, as he may turn out to be the big boss.Or I may be overthinking this.

If I’m right about Hopper’s death being a mob hit, then it was done in a way for Linda to take the blame. I wonder if there’s a convenient piece taken out of the cake, and maybe placed with Hopper.“Ms. Kowalski, were you not aware that chocolate is poisonous to canines?”She may be saved by someone (Mallard?) analyzing the cake and finding there’s no actual chocolate, if only the Tootsie rolls were used.

yes that is how you look at it…

Maybe Roz is lying.

I need a little more info before trying to speculate on this. I’m inclined to believe that Mr. Hopper died of natural causes (having received his last wish) until I hear something definite regarding foul play. While Endtown does have a black market, I’m more likely to assume Linda’s troubles will come from Roxy (or whatever her name is) than the black marketeers themselves. Still, my record of guessing the twists and turns of the plot isn’t that good.

I guess it was too much for him…an elderly Endtowner dies suddenly…I don’t think the authorities would be suspicious of that…that is, unless they look into it and find something…

You see I guess it is just the way I feel. I do not believe in surrendering. I will muster on regardless if I achieved my goals or not. I am not one to sit back and go “well made it this far time to stop”. No, for me I want to go on till I am stopped by that which I cannot defeat. And I will go down fighting all the way. I have seen men fall, get back up and go on. I have also seen them fall and just surrender to it never getting up. Surrender for me has never been an option. It is however your personal choice. I am not against anyone for whatever they chose. I support that choice. I might not like it but will accept it. Pain is a different thing to different people. Some give up to pain. Others use pain to drive them on. Mr. Hopper suffered pain in losing Trudy and her cake. Once the cake was delivered the pain ended or did it? Did the cake make the loss more painful therefor unbearable so he gave up?My question is how did he die?

There was no “grim finality” in Mr. Hopper’s toneHe planned a “’til tomorrow” as he left the place, aloneBut he was deeply moved, and his delusion still in placePerhaps his tears released him to move onTo Trudy’s place.=|====/ Level HeadVote for Endtown 2.0And for Doc Rat, tooThe Endtown ForumThe Endtown AuctionThe Endtown Books

Fine how do you, Aaron. You’re ailing and you do this to your readers! I’M HURT!!

Mister Hopper…! ;^;

Whoa, looks like we hit nerve here with Benton. He’s not taking it well.

Given Meg’s cruel streak that I have witnessed in the past I wouldn’t put it past her to be pulling a fast one.

R.I.P., Mr. Hopper… Your search has finally come to an end.It’s a shame that he didn’t at least take a bite out of the cake.But on the other hand, if the autposy revealed he had some contraband cake, Linda would have been charged with food poisoning.

Whether Mr. Hopper dying is good or bad we shall just have to wait and see. There just isn’t enough information at this point. I mean we all die. It is how and why that makes a difference. The biggest cause of death is life. And none of us get out of it alive.

This is story. And a very good story. Some times to make good story characters need to die, Not just the bad guys. It tugs at my strings that a (seeming) innocent like Mr. Hopper dies. The fact that Aaron Neathery the author can make me/us care about Mr. Hopper in what? Two weeks of panels. There is a reason this is my favorite.

The like the idea of the mob or black market getting involved in the story. And/or security getting involved. Though really I think that Linda has suffered enough at the hands of security for now. But some play between the security forces and the black marketeers. Linda being chased through the streets and alleys of Endtown being pursued by both.

Not to forget the funeral of Mr. Hopper.I would really like to see a penguin in a suit.

That is the point.Good or bad a death occurred. What matters is how Linda handles this. Her first attempt at trying to fit in and do good results in a death. Its like “Here elderly lady let me help you across the street” and when you reach the other side she dies. You are run over by all kinds of thoughts. If you had not helped her would she still be alive? In the Nam I shot and killed an enemy soldier who was targeting another soldier. He was grateful I had done that. Two day later he stepped on a mine and was horribly wounded dying several days later. Did I help or just delay the fact. Would the bullet had killed him quicker and my stopping it resulted in his dying painfully and slowly. (Morphine could only dull the pain so much) I thought about that for days. I accepted it was just what happened. Death will not be denied. But still.The death of Mr. Hopper was not caused by Linda but how would she feel? Had she not helped would Mr. Hopper be alive? All are variables. He was elderly and death gets us all one way or the other. You can hold out against it but it will always win. I just plan to go fighting all the way. Death does not scare me. I have seen too many other things happen that make death look like the better alternative. Its just I plan to fight all the way. I feel Death would appreciate that. Going willing and quietly that would be appreciated to if that is your way. I am just concerned about Linda and how this is going to get under her skin. Accusations are coming. This is far from over. It will soon be all over Endtown as gossip. That is what she is facing and will be a true test of her character.

I did not see this one coming. The unexpected that in the end will turn out to be an integral part of a perfectly-formed plot. Mister Neathery is SUCH a good storyteller.

Something tells me he might have somehow left a thank you message for Linda…

Looking back, he never looked well.

Question is now: How will Linda take it. We won’t know until Monday.

at least he died happy.

did not expect this!

Does anyone suspect foul play?I hope not.

Waiting for Trudy.

Mr Hopper come and gone. Rest in peace. Trudy was waiting

I an a little late. The flip over didn’t occur until after 12:30 AM and I went to bed before that. Just in case you worried about me. This was a great shock. She will undoubtedly end back up in jail. Who is going to eat the cake? Did Maude like the egg? I don’t think that she will rat ( no pun intended) on her. After sharing the milk. AND we are at a wait out the week end spot. Curses. Thank goodness Aaron doesn’t celebrate Mondays off.Blessed Be

I think he was just waiting for that moment. My grandmother had been very sick in the hospital for a few weeks. She was ready to go, but she waited for her last (and favorite) son to see her before she passed away. I think he went peacefully. That was his moment to go….

R.I.P. Mr. Hopper!

Is anyone else getting Sesame Street flash backs?

Given that anthros are werewolves, bear with me, are they allergic to silver? I don’t think that chocolate would finish him unless he was already allergic to it, even then he may have eaten Trudy’s cake because he loved her. Love can do strange things to people. RIP Mr Hopper.

At least we know it wasn’t the cake that killed him…he didn’t eat any.

The Saturday buzz.I think the most important part is how did Mr. Hopper passed. Was it quietly in his sleep satisfied at last or did he kill himself as he had nothing left to live for.Lets leave the values of suicide out of the discussion. It is the perception of Linda’s part to be concerned with. I have thought about the position and posturing of Meg. It appears at first glance it is the fact that Mr. Hopper is gone. A long time visitor to the Café is no more. BUT. If he went quietly satisfied at last there would appear to me there needs to be more “joy” in Meg’s posturing. His search was over good for him he can move on and be happy would be Meg’s thoughts.What if he killed himself? The need to search for Trudy was over so now he wants to die. Did he have family members who will miss him terrible? Is Meg a relative now stricken by the loss of him? Is it the way he passed that has her sitting that way with no sign of joy at his passing?This will determine how Linda is viewed in the story. If it was a quiet death then others would feel Linda was good person and eased him into his passing with good thoughts.If he killed himself then she added to the losses of Endtown. Remember she was told by Maude enough bad stuff has happened try not to add to it. Did she inadvertently add to it trying to be helpful?To me the death is critical to know which way Linda would be perceived by the others in Endtown. Aaron is great storyteller and this may not come out openly. We may have to wait or view how others react to the fact that Mr. Hopper is gone. Their responses to Linda may or may not give us the answer. This is what makes a story good. You have to use your mind and perception to view it rather than being led by the nose.Have a good weekend and MLK day. See you all Monday.

" Chocolate is poisonous to canines." Yes, but not very. A number of factors determine the LD-50(50 Percent probability of death for 50 percent of the population) for Labrador Retrievers is 20 ounces of milk chocolate for a 50 pound lab. Dark chocolate is more toxic, and different breeds, and more importantly size, cause a different LD-50.

“surfstuff55 said, about 16 hours ago @Jenner Mister Neathery is SUCH a good storyteller. Amen, Jenner, Amen. And you’re doing a pretty good job yourself there down under "Sometimes things may sound a little different than intended. Aaron has at least three subtle cliffhangers here. In Jennerverse Julian could be in deep for saving Jarrad, especially given whatever Brayden told him.JusTeasin

Long shot guess, could Meg be Trudy? Never said it was his wife, could be his daughter

If Aaron kills us, do we go to the Neatherworld?

Sunday TabletThe one thing missing in all the posts.HOW WILL HOLLY SEE THIS!!!!!Holly’s reaction will be to me the most important in how Linda does from here. Holly is Linda’s only true friend. They have a history together. Monday is coming a a new chapter will begin. Will Linda be condemned as a killer or looked at as a savior?Linda’s intentions were good but the results were bad either way. As I have said if he died in his sleep Linda would only be viewed as trying to be good and not causing directly his death. If he died by his own hand then Linda is going to viewed as the cause of his death indirectly or directly. Her intentions were good so legally she is innocent but public opinion will be the pressure. I have seen this before. Police suffer this everytime they have to take deadly force. The facts prove the officer did the only thing he could do to survive or save others. The public, victims family usually see it as unnecessary killing if they so chose. The news especially loves to blow up a situation to make press. I see Endtown as no different. The facts will determine how Linda is viewed but there still will be those that blame her. Holly I believe is critical to Linda’s interests.

By the way, is there any news about Aaron?

“As I told the officer that responded to the call the neighbor placed, she had heart problems. Because it was an “unattended” death, it was the law that an autopsy be performed.”I’m sorry to hear that your mother passed away like that.As for Mr. Hopper, an autopsy would depend on how well-staffed the coroner’s “office” is. Since many mutants die or disappear on the surface in the hands of the Topsiders, there’s little that the coroner’s office can do. As for those that pass away inside of Endtown, suicide seems to be a fairly common problem, and that generally leaves obvious trauma. Other causes would include heart disease and extreme malnutrition based on a strict diet of beans. On top of this, there’s no “lab” to send tissue or blood samples to for analysis for detecting poisons or drugs. An overworked coroner could be excused if he simply rubber stamped Mr. Hopper as “natural causes” and rushed off for the next “self-inflicted”.