Scooby Doo! Meet Ellie Machine

Revenge of the Man Crab (Part 1)

"I can't believe it, Daph! How could I have a crush on my best friend?"

I was lying on the couch, with her in the armchair next to me in her posh white living room. She frowned at me. "Male best friend," she corrected. "Right, male best friend. But seriously, we've known each other since we were in diapers! I was the only person in our class who would dare challenge him in a food eating competition and actually beat him!" I exclaimed. "And how you're not fat, I will never know," she joked, picking up a magazine. "I just didn't see this coming," I sighed, sitting up and resting my face in my hands.

"But I did. Come on, you really think Shaggy and Velma will last?" she asked. "I never confirmed that they were dating, I was told of the situation in confidence," I reminded her. "Well, they aren't discreet either. The back of the van tends to echo sometimes. But, anyways," she continued. "You guys know each other like the backs of your hands. Fred and I have the classic hunk and hottie scenario going. You guys have the childhood best friends scenario like in movies and TV shows."

"But this isn't a movie or a show! This is real life! And real life doesn't pan out like that. There are the lucky few, but it's not for everyone," I told her, my tone growing more depressed. She sighed and was about to argue back, but there was a honk from outside to signify that the gang had arrived to pick us up. We grab our beach bags and climb in the van, Daphne getting in the front like normal while I hop in the back.

"Hey guys," we greeted in unison, making us laugh. "Hey Ellie, like, wanna go to the Clam Cabin with Scoob and me?" Shaggy asked with his regular goofy smile. "Well duh, dude. That's our place," I said with a chuckle. He smiled as well, and there was the sound of a voice being cleared from up front. Shaggy turned away from me as I rolled my eyes. Scooby rested his head on my lap, and I absent-mindedly stroked his head as we drove to the beach. It wasn't long before we pulled up and went to stand by the volleyball nets before the game started.

"Hey, this is K-Ghoul's Angel Dynamite, live from the Crystal Cove's girls' volleyball tournament, sponsored by Trickell's Triquid: 'What mother nature drinks when she doesn't wanna look fat'," Angel announced from above the stands as more people arrived.

"Oh, boy. Like, what a crowd. I hope they saved us some food, Scoob," Shaggy said to the dog, who nodded with a, "Yeah."

"I'm sure there's plenty of food here, Shaggy," I told him. "Trickell's Triquid. Trickell's Triquid here. The nonfat liquid diet no-calorie gluten-free moisture supplement, now in wet and extra-wet," the mascot for the abomination of a drink yelled as he walked past us. Scooby, Shaggy and I shuddered. I wouldn't be caught dead with that. "Like, we want some real food, right, guys?" Shaggy asked us, and we both nodded. "Uh-huh, like that," Scooby said, pointing to the Clam Cabin just off from the courts.

Of course, Velma had to complain. "Ugh! Not that place. That guy's a freak," she said. "No. Like, he's totally cool. Just don't mention his nose," Shaggy advised, and we walked over. Of course, what's the first thing she asks?

"Hey there, Cappy. What happened to the old sniffer?"

"What happened?! I'll tell ye, boyo. That was a clam that took it. Fierce and mighty was he, and reduced me to wearin' facial underwear, he did. But I'll find him, and I won't stop shucking till I do. Understand?" he yelled. I giggled at his antics. "Yes, sir, Captain Admiral, sir," Velma said sarcastically with a salute. "It's Skipper, Skipper Shelton. Clam hunter and waffle griddler. So, what'll it be, skinny shanks?" he asked, much more friendly. "I'll take an extra-large, please," Shaggy ordered. "Make that two," I told him.

"Didn't we agree that you would cut out the junk food?" I heard Velma say to him. I rolled my eyes again. Since when does she have the power to control his every move?