Rick Brick and the Quest to Save Brickport: An Unofficial LEGO Novel
6 Rick Brick and the Quest to Save Brickport bricks were missing on many buildings Even the structures that were still standing and intact were depressing to look at Many of them had been put up fast to make a quick buck and now they sat empty Odd-shaped pieces from various sets were crammed together haphazardly because the right bricks weren’t available and none of the colors matched Everything was being gradually picked apart Rick wondered if he might just walk outside one day and find nothing but piles of odd-shaped pieces that were of no use to anyone The thought made him sad He liked to think that most bricks had a job that there was at least one place for every brick Rick turned toward the harbor It took a lit tle longer to get to work that way but he liked the walk better Boats still came to the port even though there weren’t quite as many of them There weren’t nearly as many recreational boats as there once were they had sailed for bluer seas The parks were covered with gar bage and broken equipment but there were still green baseplates here and there and clusters of plants and flowers that some of the residents had attached to help cheer things up with out help from the city There was hope if you were willing to look for it It was hard for Rick
Trouble in Brickport 7 to give up on Brickport It had always been his home and he loved it Rick turned right at the corner and headed toward Starbricks There was a scuffle in front of the entrance Three young men were teasing a scruffy old man wearing a battered trench coat and a cap tain’s hat Nice hat Cap’n How much you want for it said the biggest boy in the group Nothing Good He held the cap in the air just out of the old man’s reach Hey Hey Leave him alone Rick shouted He tried to look as intimidating as possible The boys turned toward him shocked Oh you want the hat Mr Tough Guy the leader said Catch his briefcase Rick reached out with both hands and dropped That’s a good trade said the smallest boy He grabbed the case and bolted His friends followed Rick didn’t bother to chase them Aw what’s the use he said He handed the old man his hat Here you go Stan I can’t imagine you without this Stan was an old friend Rick usually ran into him a couple times a week and stopped to chat and share a cup of coffee The old guy was a lot like Brickport His shoes were worn and his coat was threadbare
8 Rick Brick and the Quest to Save Brickport but behind his rough exterior was a different story Rick liked talking to Stan because Stan knew about the old Brickport Like Rick Stan still had hope that the city could return to its former glory But that hope slowly faded with every missing brick Buy you a coffee Rick asked Why thank you Rick That’s mighty kind of you Stan replied They said the same thing every time they met And then they talked about the news and the state of Brickport Usually Rick played the part of the cheerleader He always had big ideas to share But this was the worst morning in a string of bad morn ings and Rick just wasn’t up for a pep talk today Haven’t heard much from the mayor lately said Stan Stan Ah she’s just like every other crooked politi cian Rick replied City of Dreams my foot She never had any intention of building that commu nity center Rick That doesn’t sound like you said Stan I’m sorry Stan but that’s how I feel Rick said He sighed deeply Something eating you Out with it said Rita and I are meeting at the office this morning to discuss business We’ve been avoiding
Trouble in Brickport 9 talking about it but now I think it’s time to face the music We’re gonna have to close down Brick and Block That is bad news I’m sorry to hear it said Stan Thanks Stan Rick said It’s a tough call but no new jobs have come in for a while No one cares about Brickport anymore except us of course Isn’t there something I can do Stan asked I don’t think so Stan Just keep having coffee with me and reminding me what’s good about Brickport said Rick I’d be happy to said Stan Well I better get going said Rick Try to cheer up called Stan The answer may be right around the corner u Rick had thought things might change after the last election Mayor Minn E Figg had promised to clean up the town beginning with the port She had also promised to build a community center with parks and gardens and little shops and offices for the city’s residents But after an initial flurry of speeches and public appearances Mayor Figg had all but disappeared In fact Rick
