EPISODE CXLVII - CLASH OF THE UNCLE JESSES*




Hibbard glanced over at the Commander, hoping he'd have an idea of where to go from here.  Reed was still staring down at Mr. Jeffy's work, shaking his head.

"Why can't we have a normal engineering officer?", he muttered.  He looked over at the ensign.  "I'm going to have Lt. Scott come down here.", he advised the young officer.  "If there are any files in the system that might help us locate the codes, he should be able to find them."

"Aye-aye, sir.", Hibbard replied, "I'll do whatever I can to assist him."

"Very good.", Reed confirmed.  He straightened his uniform and moved to where Mr. Jeffy slept on the floor.  "Mr. Jeffy", he said in a low commanding tone, "wake up."

"No, ma", Jeffy murmured turning over on the cold, hard floor, "don't call me that."  He smiled innocently as he settled into a deeper sleep.  "Call me Lucky-7."

"He's hopeless.", Reed said as he helped Nurse Yahbo place him in the hover chair.

She lifted her chin defiantly and stared into the commander's eyes.  "He's done his best, sir.", she remarked, "I would think that you'd appreciate that, at least."

Reed sighed heavily.  "I do appreciate it", he admitted, "it's just that the ship is in a great deal of danger right now, and there is very little I can do about it."

"I understand.", Nurse Yahbo replied, the scorn melting from her tone.  "He means a lot to me, and there's very little I can do for him here in engineering."

"Of course", Reed acknowledged, "you should get him back to sickbay."

He watched them go, then keyed his communicator.  "Reed to Lt. Scott."

The transmission was barely out when Number Two responded.  "Go, Commander."

"Report to engineering and assist Ensign Hibbard", he relayed, taking a seat behind the console, "and, Lieutenant", he continued.

"Yes sir?"

"Could you stop by the galley and get me a Frapaccino?"

"Roger, Commander", Number Two replied enthusiastically, "I'm on my way."

Reed leaned back and waited, mulling over their situation and the engineering officer's hapless behavior.  "Lucky-7", he chuckled, envisioning Jeffy curled up on the floor again.  "Lucky-7", he repeated, though this time it was accompanied by a fleeting thought.  What if, he considered, then shook his head.  No, that's too simple, but the idea had wedged itself in his brain.  He bounced out of his chair, feeling his heart rate increase, and began punching in numbers.



*Generally most of my titles have little or nothing to do with anything, but today's title, Clash of the Uncle Jesses, is different.  As many of you know, the name Uncle Jesse was utilized for more than one character on television.

First by Denver Pyle, when he played the patronly father figure to Bo and Luke in the fast paced, action packed, critically acclaimed television drama, The Dukes of Hazard.

Later, a young actor/musician by the name of Jon Stamos took the part of Uncle Jesse in a different direction, as the quirky, vain, but loveable uncle of three young girls in the fast paced, action packed, critically acclaimed situation comedy, Full House.

What is not so commonly known, is that Denver Pyle had purchased all rights to the Uncle Jesse moniker shortly after the cancellation of his show, for use in such series spin-offs as "Enus", "Cletus", and the adult video series, "Forbidden Love:  The Story of Roscoe and Daisy".

When young Stamos received a subpoena to appear in court on charges of copyright infringement, he became distressed.  After a great deal of time residing in the suburbs of success, he'd finally made it big in the entertainment industry, only to see said success threatened.  He attempted to contact the elder Uncle Jesse, but was denied access by Mr. Pyle's attorney.

An emotional courtroom drama ensued, both sides laying claim to the true title of Uncle Jesse, and when the dust cleared, legal history had been made.

It was decided, by a judge in good standing, that the Uncle Jesse Mr. Stamos portrayed was not the same Uncle Jesse that Pyle had laid claim to in the 80's.  When asked why he'd filed suit for such a petty reason, Pyle replied, "I ain't never seen that show!  How was I supposed ta' know!?!"

More information can be found on this famous case in California case law, under the titles:  Uncle Jesse V. Uncle Jesse, Roe V. Uncle Jesse, and Uncle Jesse and the United States of America V. Uncle Jesse Who Ain't The Real Uncle Jesse.