The 3 Musketeers:
A Modern Corruption of a Much Beloved Tale

~
Henry Placenti, Sopheak Real, and Robin Roberts

Chapter One

From out of the Ksoehd they rode; their Mustangs three abreast: the old, the middle, the new.  Masters they were (or, at least, will be), wielding html with impunity and honor on a mission to reform the land of Fresno and beyond.  'Tis but ignorance, they knew, which maddened the throngs who waited (and waited) for their efforts to appear.  'Twas only Dr. D'Artagnon, they acknowledged, who could be counted on their side.  Sage was he - a veritable Aesop so they say - with the imprimatur of the Provost upon him and a heap higher than theirs and with more letters, too.  Such a one was sorely needed  in their fight against the ignorant ones.  Arrayed against the four were the powers of the mighty adMinister and his minions.  "Run amok," they say, was the adMinister; even the mighty King John W. strived against him and oft failed. 

"Never fear!" cried Aramis, "Against the mighty Mac the adMinister will not prevail.  The great 'Ten' will prove his undoing."

"But mine is weak," sayeth Prothos, the beloved musketeer. "Lo, I have waited these many months for a new one and still it does not appear!"

"Have I not said that placing your faith in the adMinister is a mad and foolish act?" rejoined Athos, the master.  "When will you listen and learn?"

"Alas," said Porthos, "I have been here so long that the adMinister has clouded my mind."

"But how can that be?" said Aramis, "You have the coveted gold seal to prove thy worth. Has it not been said that thou art finally considered a gentleman?"

"Gentle-minded more like it." spat Athos. "The web spins tightly around him and without Aramis and myself, I fear Prothos will be undone!"

"The web!" cried Aramis and Porthos, as one. "Surely we may leverage the power of the mysterious html to deliver us from this nasty trap.  Let us consult the Dreamweaver and offer an Apple to slay this mighty beast."

"It will be done." said Athos, "But first we must deal with the mess which has been left to us.  The Cardinal and Blue depends upon us; let us call upon D'Artagnon for help.  He has wisdom (in spite of his years) and can be trusted.  Have we not heaped upon him many honors and kudos in recognition of his guidance in the past?  Would he not help us now?"

"Truly your words have wisdom, Athos." Aramis said. "What think thou, Porthos?"

"When July comes, the web must be conquered. I think we need all the help we can get."

"It is agreed. To the Macs and the Mustangs we three must go. The good doctor awaits."

to be continued . . .                                                          next