26 May 2021

Where Does the Red Brick Road Lead? – Part 1 (The Investigation)

by | posted in: Humor, Short Story | 15

Once again, our annual Easter showing of “The Wizard of Oz” has ended and, as enjoyable as it was, I was again left unfulfilled.  Every year, Dorothy sets off along the yellow brick road, a song in her heart and ruby slippers on her feet, and every year, I’m left wondering about the other road, the road not taken, the red brick road.

Where Does the Red Brick Road Lead? #robertglover #comedy Share on X

We know all about the yellow brick road: it leads to the merry old land of Oz, the Emerald City, the home of the Wizard, the horse of another color, and an all-purpose beauty salon equipped for humans, lions, scarecrows, and tin men.  Jolly good fun.

What about the other road?  The red brick road?  It’s swirling right there besides the yellow, but never gets a mention.  The only road the munchkins prattle on about is the yellow brick road.  As far as I’m concerned, everyone’s just a little too anxious Dorothy should take that one and not the other.  It’s too convenient for my tastes.  Where does the red brick road lead?

The Lollipop Gang

The only clue we have comes from former Munchkin enforcer and leader of the Lollipop Gang, Butch Icecreamsoda.  In his later years, he ran an illegal chocolate mining operation on the outskirts of the Emerald City.  Before he passed away in a merry old penal colony, he dropped this bombshell: “Forget the yellow brick road.  The best times I ever had were following the red brick road.”

The Lollipop Gang
The Lollipop Gang

What?

When pressed, he would add a few even more cryptic comments: “It was a great education in the school of hard candy for a young gang member.  Back then, you had to learn how to fend for yourself…  There weren’t any government handouts…  I made my bonbons on the R.B. back in ’35.”  The R.B.?  What was he talking about?  What went on on the red brick road?

The article didn’t say, and the Twister Tribune went out of business years ago.  Butch did mention another name in the article though: his former flame and the Lullaby League’s prima ballerina, pin-up girl Marsha Mallow.

Poor Marsha.  Life hadn’t been kind to her.  After her dance career fizzled, she had worked as a chanteuse in a smoky soda parlor in Oz for a time, eventually posing between two graham crackers and a slab of chocolate in Munch-boy magazine.  That was her last hurrah.

If I wanted to follow the red brick road, I was going to have to find Marsha.

The Lullaby League
The Lullaby League

The Lullaby League

Trying to find a picture of any member of the Lullaby League after the 1950s is impossible.  It’s like trying to find a jelly bean in a Skittle-stack.  For weeks, I read through old newspaper clippings and magazine articles, perusing for a clue, but the trail ended in ’62 on board the Good Ship Lollipop.  It was a sweet trip to the candy shop until it ran aground in Peppermint Bay.  After that, not a mention.

I had almost given up until I had a breakthrough.  One afternoon, I was reading a story about the migrant crisis from Loompa Land.  Apparently, Wangdoodles were eating ten Oompa Loompas for breakfast and thinking nothing of it; not to mention the Hornswogglers, Snozzwangers, and rotten Vermicious Knids.  In any case, one of the boatloads of refugees contained some elderly munchkins, one of whose names was Madame Guimauve.

Odd name, I thought.  I turned the page, then it hit me.  Sufferin’ sarsaparilla!  Guimauve!  That’s marshmallow for us anglophiles.  Madame Guimauve was being held pending her asylum application.  I was off to the border.

Marsha Mallow: Built Like a Red Brick Road

By the time I got to the border, Madame Guimauve, a.k.a. Marsha Mallow, had been processed and released, and I was back to square one.  I decided to stop off for a hamburger and drown my frustration in a few pints of beer.  I stopped at the nearest greasy spoon and placed my order, wading through my notes while I waited.  Marsha Mallow had been my last hope.  How would I find the red brick road now?

As I stared out a window that hadn’t been wiped clean in a decade, somebody shoved my shoulder forward.  I dive-bombed the lip of my beer mug and nearly chipped a tooth.  I was all set to get up and throw down as I turned to face a wizened, elderly woman who was about three and a half feet tall, if that.

“Hey, buddy,” she slurred, “how about buying a girl a drink?”  It was barely noon and she looked like she’d already had her share.

I took a shot.  “Marsha Mallow?”

She rocked backwards.  She transformed from randy cougar to hissing asp.  “Can’t get me, barney, that warrant’s two decades old!”

“I’m not here to arrest you,” I said.  She looked skeptical.  “I just want to ask you a few questions.”

“What about?”

“The red brick road.”

“In that case,” she tumbled into the booth across from me, “make it two drinks.”  She waved the waitress over.  “Gimme’ a butterscotch and soda, on the rocks.  A double.”

To be continued in Part 2…

Follow Robert:

Latest posts from

15 Responses

  1. sprunki game
    | Reply

    Sprunki Incredibox is a fantastic evolution of the original, offering a richer sound and deeper creative control. It’s perfect for both casual users and music lovers. Check out Sprunki to explore the magic for yourself!

  3. Plinko Auszahlung Tipps
    | Reply

    Die genehmigte Besuchs- und Spielordnung wird vom Finanzamt Österreich (Glücksspielaufsicht) bewilligt und regelmäßig
    aktualisiert; sie liegt vor Ort aus und ist
    online einsehbar. Im folgenden Artikel stellen wir Ihnen das Casino Velden mit seinem
    tollen Restaurant und einzigartigem Flair vor und geben Ihnen alle
    Informationen, die Sie wissen müssen. Velden am Wörthersee ist als eine der beliebtesten Urlaubsorte in Österreich bekannt und das dort ansässige Casino ist eines der zwölf Spielhallen, die von Casinos Austria betrieben wird.
    Markowitz war selbst mehr als zehn Jahre beim Glücksspielkonzern beschäftigt.
    Nicht zuletzt fließt die Spielbankenabgabe an die Gemeinde“, sagt Hannes Markowitz, Geschäftsführer der Veldener Tourismusgemeinschaft.

    Mit einem Mindesteinsatz von 88 Cent seid ihr dabei!

    Jedes Spiel verfügt über den beliebten LOCK ‘N’ WIN Progressive Jackpot sowie spannende Freispiele!
    Spezielle Bonus Runden & Freispiele maximieren die Gewinnchancen Das spezielle Lock’n’win Jackpot-Feature sorgt für noch mehr Unterhaltung und
    bietet noch mehr Chancen auf große Jackpot Gewinne.
    Book of Ra, Lady Charm oder Sizzling Hot machen diese Sonder-Edition allzeit beliebter Spiele zu einem besonderen Highlight.

    Die Öffnungszeiten können je nach Wochentag und
    Saison abweichen; Tischspiel- und Automatenbereiche haben mitunter unterschiedliche Zeiten. Eine
    frühzeitige Reservierung wird insbesondere in Spitzenzeiten empfohlen. Typischerweise finden Gäste klassische Tischspiele wie
    Roulette und Blackjack, Poker (Cash Games und zeitweise Turniere) sowie eine
    Auswahl an Spielautomaten.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/evolve-casino-bonus-codes-ihr-umfassender-leitfaden/

  4. Aktuelle Boaboa Casino Angebote 2026
    | Reply

    Als geschätzter Gast genießen Sie kostenlose Spielanleitungen und einen Willkommensdrink-Service.
    Das Casino bietet Top-Spiele wie Dragon Link, Lightning Link, Mo’ Mummy JP, CASH CONNECTION Edition 3 und Impera Link, courtesy von renommierten Software-Anbietern wie Novoline,
    Novomatic, Aristocrat, Scientific Games und Bally.
    Unser Team hat sich der Bereitstellung außergewöhnlicher Dienstleistungen verschrieben, um
    sicherzustellen, dass Ihr Spielerlebnis nichts weniger als spektakulär ist.
    Zudem genießen Sie die Aufregung unseres Auto-Jackpot-Features, bei dem Sie fantastische
    Preise wie einen Jeep Wrangler oder einen Mercedes-Benz gewinnen können!
    Das Casino bietet nur Bargeldtransaktionen an, mit einer Mindesteinzahlung von 5 € und ohne Höchstgrenze.
    Außerdem bieten wir den Mystery Auto Jackpot mit wechselnden Auto-Preisen und saisonalen Turnieren, bei denen Sie groß gewinnen können. Als physisches Casino bieten wir keine Online-Boni an, aber
    unsere landbasierten Promotionen sind genauso
    aufregend. Die Spielauswahl wird durch Spielautomaten und elektronische Roulette-Optionen ergänzt, die sowohl neuen als
    auch erfahrenen Spielern gerecht werden.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/joo-casino-cashback-ihr-weg-zu-mehr-spielguthaben/

  5. Velvet Spin Casino review
    | Reply

    Crown does not operate an online casino or provide online gambling in any form.
    Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport
    is the main gateway to this New South Wales capital, and only a short distance from
    the city centre. The famous Bondi Beach is the starting point of a walk along
    the cliffs to the equally photogenic beaches of Bronte
    and Cooggee. Whether it’s the quirky King Street
    in Newtown or the elegance of the Woollahra, travelling outside of the centre uncovers each suburb’s distinct flavour.

    The Sydney Tower is the highest point on the skyline and offers a restaurant with panoramic views.
    From the glitz and glamour of the Star City Casino and trendy King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour to the waves of the Northern beaches,
    Sydney is full of great restaurants, bars and
    shopping.
    They even offered suggestions for dining options nearby.
    With 349 guest rooms, 20 villas, and 2 premium villas, Crown Sydney stands as Sydney’s first 6-star hotel, boasting luxury at every turn. You’ll find loads
    of table games and electronic machines.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/bellagio-las-vegas-hotels-in-depth-guide/

  6. free slots instant access
    | Reply

    Choose your preferred deposit method and follow the steps to deposit.
    No, our deposit match coupons can only be activated with a single deposit.
    The maximum cash-out is the highest amount you can withdraw
    from a bonus. You can check your playthrough requirements on your mobile device by logging in and
    tapping the balance near the bottom of the screen, above the Coupon button. Choose your desired coupon or
    enter a coupon code you found through some other channel.
    From spinning specific pokies to visiting designated casino sections,
    each mission is designed to unlock a deeper layer of progression, purpose, and play.
    Ozwin Casino maintains a live stream of verified winners —
    visible directly inside each user account. Ozwin’s payout logic favors speed
    and transparency, ensuring that players can track, manage, and confirm all monetary movements without external delays.
    These resources are highlighted and accessible, giving players
    not just the freedom to play — but the option to pause, reset, or step away when needed.
    Beyond slots, Ozwin delivers a portfolio of classic table games with real-time interaction and
    adaptive dealer logic. Ozwin features top-tier pokies with
    dynamic bonus rounds, interactive reels, and
    variable volatility for flexible play.
    Having an account also opens the door to various promotions and bonuses provided by Ozwin Casino.
    Here, players will discover a variety of poker, blackjack, roulette, and even classic craps games.
    If you’re on the hunt for an online casino that ticks all the boxes for Aussie players, Ozwin Casino is definitely
    worth a look. The effectiveness, responsiveness,
    and availability of customer support are vital indicators of a reliable and player-centric online casino experience.
    The responsiveness of the support team is paramount; players need assistance promptly, especially when dealing with urgent issues.
    Ozwin Casino extends its reach to mobile devices,
    offering players the flexibility to enjoy their favorite games on the go.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/les-16-meilleurs-casinos-a-paris-resume/

  7. Fair Go Casino for Aussies
    | Reply

    The Senate (not the judiciary) is the sole judge of
    a senator’s qualifications. A senator must be thirty years of age
    at least; as a representative must be twenty-five. The
    House elects the president if the Electoral College deadlocks on that choice.
    No further punishment is permitted during the impeachment
    proceedings; however, the party may face criminal penalties in a normal court of law.

    A convicted official is automatically removed from
    office; in addition, the Senate may stipulate that
    the defendant be banned from holding office.
    A bill can be held for as long as the senator who objects to the bill wishes
    to block its consideration. A senator may place a
    hold simply to review a bill, to negotiate changes to the
    bill, or to kill the bill. Unanimous consent agreements are typically
    negotiated beforehand by party leaders. Senate procedure depends not only on the
    rules, but also on a variety of customs and traditions.
    Sessions of the Senate are opened with a special prayer or invocation and typically convene
    on weekdays. Like the House of Representatives,
    the Senate meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
    At one end of the chamber of the Senate is a dais from which the
    presiding officer presides.
    The presiding officer puts the question, and members respond either “Yea/Aye” (in favor of the motion) or “Nay” (against the motion).

    There is a desire within Congress to adjust the filibuster to
    lessen the amount of filibusters. Steven Wirls argues that the filibuster,
    elevated in importance in 1917, was prominently and persistently wielded in defense of white
    supremacy.[dubious – discuss] The nuclear option was exercised by both major parties in the 2010s to
    weaken the filibuster for confirmations. The longest individual speech (though not technically a
    filibuster as there was no bill being blocked) in the Senate’s history was delivered
    by Cory Booker (D-NJ) in 2025. The longest filibuster speech in the Senate’s history was delivered by Strom Thurmond (D-SC), who spoke for over 24 hours in an unsuccessful attempt to block the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/yukon-gold-casino-a-member-of-casino-rewards/

  8. lizenziertes Online Casino Deutschland
    | Reply

    I navigate each casino’s platform on desktop and mobile, checking for
    intuitive menus, fast load times, and easy access to games and promotions.
    Do they offer clear and HD graphics, smooth gameplay, and high Return to Player (RTP) rates?
    These sites are designed to meet the needs of Australian players.
    All of the instant withdrawal casinos featured on our list pay out instantly, which
    means you should receive your money within a day, usually within minutes,
    depending on the withdrawal method. Look for an Australia online
    casino with instant withdrawal that clearly
    states payout timelines, verification steps, and supported methods,
    so you know exactly when your funds will arrive.
    Quick deposits and withdrawals mean you’re
    always ready to jump on new games, promos, or limited-time features.

    It’s important to understand that in these games, you play
    against the house, not other players. Experience classic European, French, and American Roulette games on your
    PC or mobile device, or explore modern variations like Double
    Ball Roulette at new casinos. In games like Infinity Blackjack,
    you can challenge the dealer while competing against fellow players.
    The wide variety of games is a huge attraction, but the bonuses are the most impressive, especially for crypto gamblers that
    get started with a 250% match bonus and 150 free spins.
    Enjoy an amazing selection of 1000+ games with RTPs
    up to 99%, attractive bonuses, and instant cashouts.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/circus-circus-las-vegas-in-depth-guide/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.