Rick Brick and the Quest to Save Brickport: An Unofficial LEGO Novel
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
10 Rick Brick and the Quest to Save Brickport couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard the mayor speak She always sent someone else to speak for her someone who managed to answer questions without really answering them Rick took a left and headed back toward the port It would take a little longer but he was in no hurry to face bad news Besides he wanted to pass one of his favorite places in Brickport An old band shell faced out toward the harbor Like everything else in town pieces of the struc ture had been scavenged so that it wasn’t even quite a shell anymore What should have been a smooth stretch of gray was interrupted with div ots and holes where plates and bricks had been pulled away Most of the seats were missing too But just next to the band shell was a semicircle of trees and a wide green field or mostly green anyway Kids still gathered there occasionally to play soccer or to ride skateboards Even now a group of street dancers gathered at the center of the band shell Rick stopped to watch them The park wasn’t really so bad A new green baseplate or two could be brought in to fill the holes in the field and some gray tiles and new seats would do the trick for the band shell The loose bricks just needed to be collected and placed where they once were Rick could picture plays
Trouble in Brickport 11 and concerts being performed there once again It was a perfect place for children to play and for family and friends to gather The trees seemed to demand that picnic blankets be spread beneath them It was a wonder they hadn’t been removed from the base or had their branches pulled out yet Rick continued walking with a final sad look over his shoulder He turned right on Angle Avenue toward Brick and Block Associates the architecture and building firm he shared with his partner Rita He paused for a moment studying the letters on the window He had been so happy and full of hope the day they were stenciled He and Rita had taken such pains to choose the right colors Finally Rick took a deep breath fixed his hand on the door handle and pushed it open How bad is it Rita Rick asked cutting to the chase But Rita wasn’t alone There at the modest round conference table sat an imposing figure in a dark suit He had serious eyebrows and silly orange hair with a big round puff on the top Beside him on the table lay a pair of white gloves It had been so long since anyone but Rita or Rick had entered the office that Rick didn’t even know what to do at first Could this be a new client Or was it a bill collector Good afternoon Mr Brick said the man Nice of you to join us
