09/24/2026
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT AT HOCHSTETLERS
CHAPTER #4
The clanging and yelling was ear-splitting. Harvey H**p and Cody Cayenne went running to see what the ruckus was all about. The “Flours of the Round Table” were in the middle of an argument which included yelling and some very intense sword fighting. KING MIDAS flour was shouting. “I am made from hard red spring wheat, have a high protein content and am IDEAL for hearth breads, artisanal sourdough, pizza dough, bagels, pretzels, and rolls, as well as being unbleached and unbromated!” He swung high and came down with a sharp twist that almost took a nick out of Sir Lancelot! SIR LANCELOT flour ducked and bellowed – “back off Midas! You aren’t as special as you think you are! I also have a high protein content and am designed for exceptional dough strength, high volume, and a chewy texture as well as being amazing for NY pizza, bagels, pretzels, artisan and whole grain breads!” He dropped to his left to avoid another low swing from King Midas. They both jumped back as SIR GALAHAD flour sprang in and almost chopped the top off their flour bags! "Both of you listen up!" he bellowed. "I am also unbleached and unbromated and I have high fermentation tolerance and have EXCELLENT dough extensibility and balanced strength for both bread AND pastries.” The swords clanged and the three "flour knights" danced around each other in ridiculous rivalry. Harvey H**p had had ENOUGH. “STOP IT!” he yelled. “If King Arthur were here, he would be ashamed of all of you! No one is better than the other…. you each have unique properties and uses! He was scowling deeply at his friends. The “Flours of the Round Table” looked at each other with shame. They knew Harvey was right. “Now shake hands and get back to the round table and behave like royal flours should” said Harvey. King Midas, Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot shook hands and jumped back into their places, each of them ready to be the best they could be. Cody Cayenne stomped his little foot in disgust. “I am now 15 minutes late to my gig thanks to this nonsense. I gotta go! Next time you three decide to fight please do it while the customers are here. They will certainly enjoy the show.” With that he rolled his eyes and ran off to join his merry band. Soon all the merchandise could hear the strains of a rather off-beat tune coming from under the deli case. "They really need practice" said Harvey H**p under his breath as he continued his nightly stroll to see what else was amiss after the lights were turned out.