by Timothy Meinke

Slow Andy................................................................Minnehaha Passenger

The Purser.................................................................Minnehaha’s Purser

Upper deck of the steamboat "Minnehaha" on Lake Minnetonka. Andy is leaning against the railing. He waylays the purser as he/she walks by.

Andy

Excuse me.

Purser

Yes?

Andy

Does this boat go past Gale Island, into Lafayette Bay, up and down the Gold Coast, completely around Big Island, into Excelsior Bay and dock at the municipal docks in Excelsior?

Purser

No. This boat goes out into Lower Lake South, past the South side of Big Island, into Lower Lake North, into Wayzata Bay and docks at Wayzata. After a half-hour stopover, we cruise back across the Lower Lakes, between the North shore of Big Island and Huntington Point, into Excelsior Bay and dock at Excelsior.

Andy

Oh. I thought this boat went out into Lower Lake South, into St Louis Bay, around Lighthouse Island and the Minnetonka Yacht Club, North across the lake to Point Charming, past the North shore of Big Island, past the Old Narrows, past Gale Island and into Excelsior Bay.

Purser

Nope! Like I told you, this boat goes past Gale Island, into Lafayette Bay, up and down the Gold Coast, completely around Big Island, into Excelsior Bay and docks at the municipal docks in Excelsior.

Andy

Oh! I thought you said this boat goes out into Lower Lake South, past the South side of Big Island, into Lower Lake North, into Wayzata Bay and docks at Wayzata. Then, after a half-hour stopover, we cruise back across the Lower Lakes, between the North shore of Big Island and Huntington Point, into Excelsior Bay and dock at Excelsior.

Purser

(Flustered.) Oh, I’m sorry! What I meant to say was that this boat goes out into Lower Lake South, into St. Louis Bay, around Lighthouse Island and the Minnetonka Yacht Club, North across the lake to Point Charming, past the North shore of Big Island, past the Old Narrows, past Gale Island and into Excelsior Bay.

Andy

Are you sure that this boat doesn’t go past Gale Island, into Lafayette Bay, up and down the Gold Coast, completely around Big Island, into Excelsior Bay and dock at the municipal docks in Excelsior on this voyage?

Purser

(Irritated.) Yes, I am! On this cruise, we are going out into Lower Lake South, past the South side of Big Island, into Lower Lake North, into Wayzata Bay and docking at Wayzata. There’s a half-hour stopover, after which we cruise back across the Lower Lakes, between the North shore of Big Island and Huntington Point, into Excelsior Bay and docking at Excelsior.

Andy

Oh. Hey, you know what? I think I’m on the wrong boat.

Purser

Hey, you know what? I think you’re right!

Purser throws Andy overboard. Cut to Andy hitting the water. He surfaces and calls out to the "Minnehaha" as she continues to steam away from him.

Andy

Hey! I think I’m also in the wrong lake!

The End