Arther scratched his bald spot, cogitating. For how long – how long? – had he endured the mindless idiocy of this Estelle, much as he had needed her, as a parasite did its host? The woman had come through once, and paid for a nice holiday; but he had paid, too, paid in the mind-numbing torpor that resulted from listening to her blather. But the point of diminishing returns had arrived; he realised that it was time to cut his losses and move on. Still, he would try for a last sip from the cup.
“Send me the money,” he growled. “Or the stuffed dog and the whole damn trailer park get it, see?”
Our love might be able to endure anything Estelle, but my landlord and bookies won't. I'm behind on my rent and paying my gambling debts and you are the first person that actually fell for my scam. So pay up now!
Moss is growing over everything in Artheur's hovel and the doggie hasn't moved a muscle since the last time we saw said hovel. Conning obviously doesn't pay well.
One strange thing about Arthur's house is that it looks like a stick-built house, which means it most likely would not be on blocks. Is it possible he used Estelle's "10 grand" to have it moved from somewhere else but didn't have the money to put in a foundation for it?
So Estelle says she still believes in their love. Arthur, being the rational scammer he is, now concludes that Estelle is on to him because noone can be so stupid to believe he's still legit. She must have reported the crime and now is trying to keep the conversation going to aid the investigation. He goes silent and Estelle is left to mourn the loss of her one true love who must have met with a sudden death.
The last time we saw Arthur/er's humble abode, there was a (I believe) a dalmation. Now he has a brown mutt. Please God, tell me that this dog just wandered into this man made hell and belongs to someone not covered in green slime.
Like I said previously, I'm waiting for Arthur/er to tell Estelle "And all I have is yours!"
I'm so over Arthur/er arguing with Estelle. She needs to hang up and cut her losses. I predict she will run into Wilbur and they will bond over being gullible losers.
On one hand, Estelle appears to be thinking, however dimly. On the other hand, she still persists in believing that she and Arthu(e)r have an enduring love. Reason has a hard time plowing through all that stupid.
I think that the dog has been stationed by the neighborhood watch to alert if Arthu(e)r attempts to leave. They don’t want any black mold contagion to get into the general environment. They’re probably too late.
If we didn't know better, we might think that the light has finally gone on and that Estelle is turning the tables on Artheur and setting him up. But, of course, we know she's not that savvy, so we're left to conclude that she really means it.
BTW, props to Artie for repurposing those old tires as attractive lawn planters. Your typical slob would have just propped them up against the trailer. (Maybe he also repurposes one as a toilet seat.)
Finally, props to Nance for another excellent BFH title!
Now, how much longer do we think this storyline will last? And...did anyone else see the NBC Nightly News story last night about online dating romance scams?
Lest we forget...Arthur has Estelle’s address (from when he sent her those flowers). I’m betting he’s going to put on his Sunday wife-beater and Uber over to Charterstone to pursue his suit in person.
Thanks for posting the link to the NBC news cast, Nance. I forwarded the MW strip where Mary discussed the details of a dating scam with Estelle to our county Department of Consumer Affairs, and they posted it on their Facebook page! Here's a link to what they posted.https://www.facebook.com/CuyCoConsumers/ Just when you think Mary Worth is out of date, she proves to be the heroine we all know she is!
Arthur, we know how this is going to end for you — on the floor, with a muffin on your head, with a triumphant Mary Worth declaring you “The New Wilbur”.
Here's a story I found in an article about online dating scams:
In 2017, a woman in her 50s in a declining marriage took to online dating services for a shoulder. The Texan woman, a proud Christian as noted on her Facebook page, was manipulated into wiring money to “Charlie,” who she met online.
Charlie used her faith as a stepping stone to scam her out of $2 million over the course of two years.
“He was trying to finish up a job in California, and he needed some money to help finish that job up,” she said in an interview with the FBI. “And so I sent him [money]. I thought about it long and hard. I prayed about it. I figured if I had money in the account, that I could send him some money. And he promised to have it back within 24-48 hours. And I thought — I could do that, no one would ever know, and I’d be okay.”
After reading about these scams, Arthur/er needs to step up his game. He seems like a piker in comparison. The only thing he's got over on that guy who used the newscaster's picture is that he will talk on the phone to sell his grift.
Louise F: that is so awesome that they used Mary WOrth. Just when we think KM is way off base, she is being used as a teaching tool.
Meg, you had me laughing about Arthur/er putting on his Sunday wife beater and calling an Uber. (Hopefully he still has some money left to call an Uber, otherwise he'll be taking the bus.)
I noticed all the green slime on Arthur/er's trailer. This is completely gross. Doesn't Arthur/er have any pride? If I was one of his neighbors, I'd be calling code enforcement on him. All I keep thinking is I hope that dog is a decoration, because I feel sorry if he has to share that hovel with Slobby McSlob.
Speaking of trailers, there is a trailer park not far from where I live that my husband and I jokingly call (I kid you not) Grifter Estates. (Long story on why we call it that.) Anyway, the trailers in Grifter Estates are in rough shape, but compared to Arthur/er's they look like the Taj Mahal.
The prospect of saving $5000 has prompted Estelle to revert to the patented Charterstone mobile phone grip! Now she can afford to drop and break a few! Phew!
Don't be shy! I'd love to hear what you have to say about Mary Worth. Just keep it clean, that's all I ask. This is a FAMILY FRIENDLY blog. I don't want to moderate comments, but I will if I have to.
Thanks everyone, for pointing out Arthur's extra finger yesterday. I've added Count Rugen to the post. I never thought I'd get to use that again.
ReplyDeleteArther scratched his bald spot, cogitating. For how long – how long? – had he endured the mindless idiocy of this Estelle, much as he had needed her, as a parasite did its host? The woman had come through once, and paid for a nice holiday; but he had paid, too, paid in the mind-numbing torpor that resulted from listening to her blather. But the point of diminishing returns had arrived; he realised that it was time to cut his losses and move on. Still, he would try for a last sip from the cup.
ReplyDelete“Send me the money,” he growled. “Or the stuffed dog and the whole damn trailer park get it, see?”
Our love might be able to endure anything Estelle, but my landlord and bookies won't. I'm behind on my rent and paying my gambling debts and you are the first person that actually fell for my scam. So pay up now!
ReplyDeleteToday's Boldface Haiku is titled
ReplyDelete"Unwittingly, Estelle Takes Out The (Trailer) Trash".
Made decision!
Now, this week!
Wait pays! That?
Endure! Anything!
Moss is growing over everything in Artheur's hovel and the doggie hasn't moved a muscle since the last time we saw said hovel.
ReplyDeleteConning obviously doesn't pay well.
One strange thing about Arthur's house is that it looks like a stick-built house, which means it most likely would not be on blocks. Is it possible he used Estelle's "10 grand" to have it moved from somewhere else but didn't have the money to put in a foundation for it?
ReplyDeleteSo Estelle says she still believes in their love. Arthur, being the rational scammer he is, now concludes that Estelle is on to him because noone can be so stupid to believe he's still legit. She must have reported the crime and now is trying to keep the conversation going to aid the investigation. He goes silent and Estelle is left to mourn the loss of her one true love who must have met with a sudden death.
ReplyDeleteThe last time we saw Arthur/er's humble abode, there was a (I believe) a dalmation. Now he has a brown mutt. Please God, tell me that this dog just wandered into this man made hell and belongs to someone not covered in green slime.
ReplyDeleteLike I said previously, I'm waiting for Arthur/er to tell Estelle "And all I have is yours!"
I'm so over Arthur/er arguing with Estelle. She needs to hang up and cut her losses. I predict she will run into Wilbur and they will bond over being gullible losers.
BTW Nance, great BFH title. I almost choked on my water!
ReplyDeleteOn one hand, Estelle appears to be thinking, however dimly. On the other hand, she still persists in believing that she and Arthu(e)r have an enduring love. Reason has a hard time plowing through all that stupid.
ReplyDeleteI think that the dog has been stationed by the neighborhood watch to alert if Arthu(e)r attempts to leave. They don’t want any black mold contagion to get into the general environment. They’re probably too late.
It seems increasingly likely that we won't see Estelle's Volvo parked next to Arthur/er's vehicle, sharing the moss and mold. Too bad!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete"Our love can endure anything!"
If we didn't know better, we might think that the light has finally gone on and that Estelle is turning the tables on Artheur and setting him up. But, of course, we know she's not that savvy, so we're left to conclude that she really means it.
BTW, props to Artie for repurposing those old tires as attractive lawn planters. Your typical slob would have just propped them up against the trailer. (Maybe he also repurposes one as a toilet seat.)
Finally, props to Nance for another excellent BFH title!
-- Scottie McW.
Tim: I'm not so sure conning doesn't pay. Look at all those concrete blocks. They don't grow on trees, you know.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone!
ReplyDeleteNow, how much longer do we think this storyline will last?
And...did anyone else see the NBC Nightly News story last night about online dating romance scams?
Lest we forget...Arthur has Estelle’s address (from when he sent her those flowers). I’m betting he’s going to put on his Sunday wife-beater and Uber over to Charterstone to pursue his suit in person.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the link to the NBC news cast, Nance. I forwarded the MW strip where Mary discussed the details of a dating scam with Estelle to our county Department of Consumer Affairs, and they posted it on their Facebook page! Here's a link to what they posted.https://www.facebook.com/CuyCoConsumers/ Just when you think Mary Worth is out of date, she proves to be the heroine we all know she is!
ReplyDeleteArthur, we know how this is going to end for you — on the floor, with a muffin on your head, with a triumphant Mary Worth declaring you “The New Wilbur”.
ReplyDeleteAll that green stuff has me convinced this is the origin story for a new super villain called Green Glow, arch nemesis of Meddle Queen.
ReplyDeleteArt imitates life!
ReplyDeleteThis in yesterday's Daily Mail (Ain't no Tabloid like a UK Tabloid!)
Scammer used the photo of a WNBC sports anchor to fool people on dating sites that they were in a relationship with him before asking them for cash
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6979207/Scammer-used-photo-WNBC-sports-anchor-photo-lure-people-dating-sites.html
My guess is that the trailer park is in nearby Goleta and Arthur runs many scams on Charterstone tenants.
ReplyDeleteHere's a story I found in an article about online dating scams:
ReplyDeleteIn 2017, a woman in her 50s in a declining marriage took to online dating services for a shoulder. The Texan woman, a proud Christian as noted on her Facebook page, was manipulated into wiring money to “Charlie,” who she met online.
Charlie used her faith as a stepping stone to scam her out of $2 million over the course of two years.
“He was trying to finish up a job in California, and he needed some money to help finish that job up,” she said in an interview with the FBI. “And so I sent him [money]. I thought about it long and hard. I prayed about it. I figured if I had money in the account, that I could send him some money. And he promised to have it back within 24-48 hours. And I thought — I could do that, no one would ever know, and I’d be okay.”
After reading about these scams, Arthur/er needs to step up his game. He seems like a piker in comparison. The only thing he's got over on that guy who used the newscaster's picture is that he will talk on the phone to sell his grift.
ReplyDeleteLouise F: that is so awesome that they used Mary WOrth. Just when we think KM is way off base, she is being used as a teaching tool.
Meg, you had me laughing about Arthur/er putting on his Sunday wife beater and calling an Uber. (Hopefully he still has some money left to call an Uber, otherwise he'll be taking the bus.)
I noticed all the green slime on Arthur/er's trailer. This is completely gross. Doesn't Arthur/er have any pride? If I was one of his neighbors, I'd be calling code enforcement on him. All I keep thinking is I hope that dog is a decoration, because I feel sorry if he has to share that hovel with Slobby McSlob.
Speaking of trailers, there is a trailer park not far from where I live that my husband and I jokingly call (I kid you not) Grifter Estates. (Long story on why we call it that.) Anyway, the trailers in Grifter Estates are in rough shape, but compared to Arthur/er's they look like the Taj Mahal.
The prospect of saving $5000 has prompted Estelle to revert to the patented Charterstone mobile phone grip! Now she can afford to drop and break a few! Phew!
ReplyDeleteGreat additions to the jukebox, Wanders. The only thing missing is "It's Not Easy Bein' Green"
ReplyDelete