Northern Mstie

The SOL, tanks empty, pulls a Yukon crash.
Mike and the 'bots are stranded, abjectly low on cash.
Cold, hungry, lost, they're really feeling down,
Until bush-pilot Maggie flies them into town.
Shy at first, then eased, relaxed, lolling
Diverted by the charm of Holling.
They gather among the folks and mix
While the SOL's overhauled and fixed.
The boys are bemused, but the town is not.
It is their fortune to see a lot
Of the weirdly strange with poignant mirth.
Spake Crow, "is this the planet Earth?".
Where life is fluky, nothing's formal.
Wow, our boys look almost normal!

Taken in hand by Chris as guide
(Tapping into karma, not deep, but wide)
Talking mystical union and cosmic bliss, but
Mike and Crow keep yelling "What?!",
Til Chris, in mercy, subtly bred
Passes them to the tender care of Ed
Who, full of questions (he's got a lot)
Writes down observations, forms a plot
About space-farers with a prima-facie
Case for ominious galactic conspiracy
Looking for death-ray-laser carbines
Until Crow, helpful, utters, "Here. Take mine."
So Ed is happy, he's made new friends,
Even as hope of a writer's Oscar ends.

Meanwhile, back at the bar and deli
Servo is being decorated by Shelly,
Dressed up in the latest by Dior
Servo and Shelly have style galore.
She's roseate, blooming, alluringly prime,
Animated, if flaky, skirting sublime.
She jumps and giggles, "Adventures! Tell us!"
Until Holling, skulking, mightily jealous
Glares, "When I'm done with you, robotic pup,
You'll need a sticker says, 'This end up'".
Servo, fearful of ever looking uncouth
Offers quickly, "How 'bout some straight vermouth?"
All is well as these two manly buds
Shoot pool for dimes and quaff some suds.

Seen by no one, but on a roll
Numberless nanites move in with Joel.
Out of his element, without a clue
He snivels and wails, stomping to goo
These micro Samaritans, who want nothing less
Than to stop Joel's endless whining duress.
They pledge to clean, collate, and fetch,
When in walks Maggie to complain and kvetch,
About how awful men are, what's to like?
Til the nanites, desperate, run and get Mike.
Our Adonis arrives, like a royal flush dealt,
And Maggie's fortress heart begins to melt.
She's smitten, she simpers, flirts and chortles.
Then dumps him, when finding he's not immortal.

Really getting into the spirit of things,
Irrepressible Gypsy frolics and swings.
Riding flumes, she skis in girlish frocks
(But running naked at the spring equinox),
Belting out ballads with selfless caprice,
And catches the eye of gruff, stout Maurice.
It's love at first sight, this astronaut swoons,
If only he'd had her, alone, on the moon,
He'd have been fulfilled, happily complete
With this satellite savant at his feet.
But Gypsy, seeing this gallant affection
Summons up her goodness for the fateful rejection.
"We are made for each other, but I must depart,
Destined to search for love with Richard Basehart."

The boys gladly keep this boreal pace,
But sadly, our crew must return to space.
So turning to the master of the retail arts,
Get Ruth Ann to order up essential parts.
Refurbished, refitted, SOL's prepared to leave,
As they peruse this world of make-believe.
Place of new friends, generous, wholly kind
(If slightly skewed and out of their mind).
For one last handshake, hug and kiss
Everyone vows to grieve and sorely miss.
Ed and Servo shower each other with gifts.
Crow shares with Chris some stellar riffs.
The nanites build Joel a decent study.
Mike promises forever to be Maggie's buddy.

They launch - whoooosh!- for years jaws are flappin'
And, you never know. It could happen.

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