Forrest Fenn’s Scrapbook Number Forty Six

From Forrest Fenn

I never go shopping…

But I was in Kaune’s grocery store with five items in my cart. Just a few things I needed to watch the Broncos play the Cowboys: pepperoni, bologna, Tabasco, salami and horseradish.
 
As I approached the check out counter, a shapely twentyish-looking woman raced past me. Her pushcart was loaded with six-packs of Corona beer. She wore tight shorts and slosh sandals, but it was her large hair – garish red and full of curlers – that struck me. The curlers were mostly white but a few were brown, and her piercings and tattoos introduced me to a world I had rarely seen before. I told myself I had to get out more.

As I slowed my cart to prevent a wreck, Mz Fashion Maven gave me a grin that said my 83 years were no match for her youth and exuberance.

The checkout line moved slowly and the delay gave me time to observe Mz Maven, who seemed to be annoyed by my preoccupation with the objects that decorated her hair. As we stood there looking at each other, I politely asked, pointing to her hair, “How many stations can you get on that thing?”

“How many stations can you get on that thing?”

– Forrest asked pointing to her hair

Wow! I quickly regretted the question as the color in her face started to match her hair tint. Suddenly she looked like she had an itch in a place she couldn’t scratch. It really bothered me when she yelled, “How dare you…!” (expletives deleted) in a loud and commanding voice.

When all of the shoppers started staring at me, I wanted them to see that my hands were in my pockets and had been there for a long time. I was embarrassed and started backing away. Outside I watched from behind a truck of watermelons until Mz Maven loaded her supplies beside a chainsaw in her pickup truck. As she pulled out, I saw she had a bumper sticker that read: Practice Beauty & Random Acts of Pleasure.

I munched on saltine crackers while the Broncos beat the Cowboys by three points. I’ve decided to stay at home more. ff

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Interesting Details About Fenn’s Scrapbook #46

What Forrest Said

I find it interesting that Forrest lists the details of the situation like he does. He says he had five items in his cart, lists the items, and then proceeds to tell us about his interaction with the lady with red hair. He remembers what she was wearing, the color of the curlers in her hair, the beer in her cart, the chainsaw in her pickup truck, and the bumper sticker on the back.

What Forrest Didn’t Say

What he didn’t say was what he said in return to the lady after his comment about her hair picking up the radio stations, whether or not he bought his food (he was munching on saltine crackers later), and why he was hiding the parking lot behind the watermelon truck watching her drive away.

The story also takes on tones similar to the ones he shared in his books where he was involved in conflicts growing up. Miss Ford specifically comes to mind. I was also wondering where the crackers were on his list, but it sounds like Forrest already had those at home.

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About Forrest Fenn

Forrest Fenn is the writer of these scrapbooks. He sends them to Dal Neitzel for sharing and posting. Forrest hid a treasure chest full of gold somewhere in the Rocky Mountains and dared anyone willing and brave enough to come look for it. You can learn more about the Fenn’s treasure hunt here: How to Find Fenn’s Treasure.