The McBain family were traveling through the southwest and were somewhere in Arizona. Gail was reading Readers Digest to her 18-year-old son Dylan and her 20-year-old daughter Rebecca, while her husband Tom drove. This was the last family vacation before the kids went off to college. Rebecca had taken a year off to "find herself", but she didn't even know what she was looking for to begin with. It annoyed Gail, but a mother could only do so much. She'd figure it out. Dylan was the quiet shy type. Gail wondered if he even ever kissed a girl let alone had sex. Yes, it's strange to think that about your own son, but she was really worried about him. She knew he wasn't gay at least not according to the porn he searched online, but boy was he shy. His only outlet was writing. But some of his stories were really dark. Maybe he'd be the next Stephen King and buy her a house with some of his millions. Perhaps she could encourage him to write about their trip this summer. Something of a more positive subject matter.
"No Man's Land 2 miles" Tom her husband said interrupting her thoughts.
"Oh, let's stop," Rebecca said. "I gotta pee."
"TMI, Becky, TMI," Dylan said.
"Oh, and you don't? You've been squirming in your seat for the last 50 miles."
"Kids, don't argue," Gail scolded.
Dylan rubbed his eye with his middle finger while Becky stuck her tongue out at him. Gail rolled her eyes and turned back around.
As soon as the car stopped the family exited the vehicle and the kids mad a dash for the restrooms. The doors were locked. They went in and asked for the key. The woman just looked at them without saying anything.
"My kids need the keys to the bathroom, and I'd like to fill up," Tom said.
The woman sighed and handed over the keys. "Don't make a mess," she warned.
"You plan on staying long?" she asked Gail after Tom went out to fill up the car.
"Probably just passing through," Gail said in a lighthearted manner.
The woman didn't smile back.
"Is there an issue?"
"We don't like strangers here. Mainly men, hence the name of the town," the woman replied.
"Seriously? No Man's Land literally has no men?" Gail said laughing.
"Seriously. And we like to keep it that way," the woman responded.
"Well, now maybe we will stick around," Gail said, defiant now.
The kids walked back inside and returned the keys. They sensed the tension between their mom and the cashier.
"Kids, grab some snacks for the road. We don't seem to be welcome here."
Dylan and Becky looked at the clerk, then grabbed some food and soda and headed back to the car.
After Gail explained what happened with the clerk Tom drove off and tried to head out of town but was nervous and made a wrong turn.
Soon a patrol car was following them and was joined by 3 pickup trucks.
"Looks like the women in No Man's Land are chasing us out of town," Dylan said and the others laughed. Soon the lights came on the patrol car and Tom pulled over.
The sheriff ordered everyone out of the car. As soon as they were out after some protesting, the McBain family found themselves up against the car. Soon four rags of chloroform were placed over their mouth and nose and they all passed out.
Tom and Dylan woke to find themselves tied to a huge table with their arms outstretched and their legs apart dressed only in their underwear.
Gail and Becky were tied to chairs to watch.
"I guess you really didn't want to leave," the cashier said.
"We tried but got turned around," Gail said.
"Well, now you're going to pay the fine," the sheriff said.
"Okay. How much is it?" Gail asked.
"Oh, it's not a monetary fine. It's a tickle fine." Another woman said and all the woman, about 10 or so, laughed.
"A tickle fine?" Tom asked.
"Yes, we have plenty of money, but we do lack entertainment. So, when we settled here, we needed something to entertain us. Arleen here got the idea to tickle any man who comes through for our delight."
