In an early version of the Narrows Escape, I tried to capture the flavor of the first book, "The Case of the Sneaky Robber," by portraying the DTBs as they wrote it. The method used in the clip is indeed the method we used to write it - each writing a chapter each, and then passing it on to the next in line. We even mailed the "manuscripts" back and forth through the mail.
Eventually I decided to trim down the original clip significantly since it was more sentimental than significant in furthering the plot or developing the characters. Still, the clip has great sentimental value for me and anyone associated with the original story. It was this experience that kindled in me a lifelong dream to become an author. I just didn't think it would take this long to happen. Enjoy the clip:
“Well, I finished Chapter One,” announced Brady after working for half an hour.
“That was fast,” said Trey. “It must not be very long.”
“It’s a page and a half,” Brady informed them proudly. He then proceeded to read it aloud to them.
"Why do you have us riding our motorcycles on the sidewalk?" Trey asked as Brady finished reading the thrilling account of a bike chase.
"My mom won't let me ride my bike in the street," Brady explained. "She says it's too dangerous."
That made sense, but Devin wanted to know why Brady’s character was the one finding all the clues.
"Well someone had to," Brady defended himself. "And since I was writing, I figured it might as well be me."
"Well I get to write next," Trey declared. "Besides, I've already finished the ID cards."
He held up the newly colored, mostly-red cards with their code names neatly inscribed on them. Devin and Brady promptly voiced their approval. But Brady took the cards and added stars and lightning bolts, to make them look more exciting, while Trey began writing more adventures of the DTBs.
Devin, meanwhile, was still working on the flag. It was taking a lot of time, but it was awesome! It had blue fields flanking the yellow zigzags that ran from top to bottom about a third of the way in on each side. The top and bottom of the middle section were red. The middle was left white with the words “CLUB FLAG” underneath the large “DTB” symbol.
“How do you like my flag?” asked Devin as he scribbled in the last bit of color.
“It looks pretty good except that last section,” noted Trey. “It looks like you started rushing.”
“That’s cause my marker was running out of ink,” said Devin with a frown.
“What about the back?” asked Trey.
“Oh, I hadn’t thought about that,” admitted Devin as he flipped the flag over. Some of the ink had bled through forming unseemly inkblots amid the field of blue lines on the white notebook paper. From this angle it didn’t look so cool after all.
“Don’t worry about it,” advised Trey. “I’m finished writing my chapter. How about if we switch? You can write, and I’ll work on the back of the flag.”
“These markers are still good,” announced Brady, holding up the ones that he used to touch up the ID cards. He scooted over next to Trey, and the two of them worked on finishing the flag together.
While they worked, Devin read Trey’s chapter. Chapter two was even shorter than chapter one. Naturally, Trey had himself discovering the robber's hideout and organizing a stakeout with the police. It wasn’t bad except for the fact that Devin’s character had yet to make an important contribution to the team.
Devin made sure to rectify the situation by making himself the hero. Right in the middle of the most exciting part yet, Trey said, “There. How’s that?”
Devin looked up and was impressed with how much better the flag looked. “Hey wow! That looks really good!” he exclaimed.
“That’s because we filled in all the gaps you left,” said Trey.
A movement outside the window caught Devin’s attention, and he noticed that it had stopped raining. He quickly ended his chapter and triumphantly announced that he had finished.
Brady grabbed the notebook and read Trey and Devin’s additions. Devin was anxious to go outside, but he also wanted to see how well his cousins liked the ending.
"We can't have the robber get captured yet," Brady sighed as he finished reading. "The book is only four pages long! No one's going to want to buy a book that short."
"Maybe we could write bigger," suggested Devin.
"That wouldn't do much good once it's typed," pointed out Trey. "We're just going to have to make it longer."
"But we trapped him," argued Devin. "We can't just let him get away; we would look dumb. Besides, it stopped raining, and I want to go outside and play."
"How about if we have the robber escape from jail?" suggested Trey. "Then we can add more chapters later."
"Okay," agreed Brady excitedly. "It's my turn, so I'll work on it tonight."
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