Clovis Declares the Overlook a Surveillance Hotspot

Scene 1: Binoculars on the Bluff

The scenic overlook off Highway 111 had long been a favorite stop for picnickers, bored teenagers, and folks who needed to stare dramatically into the distance while sorting out their feelings.

But last Tuesday morning, the peaceful spot took on a different tone.

That’s when Clovis Strickland parked his 1991 beige Chevy Lumina half on the gravel and half in the weeds, popped the trunk, and began unloading what can only be described as a deeply confused electronics yard sale: twin shortwave radios duct-taped together, three sets of binoculars in various states of disrepair, and—most strikingly—a large, parabolic dish made from a repurposed satellite TV unit, now painted camouflage green and mounted atop a rusty music stand.

“Commence Phase One,” Clovis muttered to himself as he aimed his dish due south and squinted into the valley like a man expecting incoming air traffic from Cuba.

Scene 2: The Flying Agenda Threat

By the time Mabel Dean Ashcroft passed by on her morning power walk, Clovis had already spotted his first “aerial violation.”

Two paragliders, drifting lazily down from the mountain, silhouetted against the early morning sun.

“They’re not local,” Clovis said gravely.

“Paragliders?” Mabel Dean said, shading her eyes. “That’s just Susan Pickett’s nephews. They do tandem rides for tourists.”

“They were weaving. In patterns. Deliberate patterns,” Clovis whispered, tapping his notebook. “Spelling something in cursive, maybe. Possibly Morse Code. Or cursive Morse.”

“Clovis,” Mabel Dean sighed, “go touch some grass.”

He already was. He was lying in it. In a ghillie suit.

Scene 3: Emergency Sky Defense Meeting at Fellowship Hall

That Thursday, at Fellowship Hall, a folding table was draped in a bedsheet painted with the words “SEQUATCHIE SKY DEFENSE COMMITTEE – Eyes Up, Y’all!”

Clovis had called the meeting. Twelve people showed up, which was five more than the town’s last CPR training class.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Clovis began, adjusting a headlamp he wasn’t using. “Our skies are no longer free. They are compromised. I have documented twelve suspicious flyovers, five airborne objects of unknown origin, and three silent gliders using tactical wind to avoid detection.”

Boot Barnes raised a hand. “Did one of them have a tie-dye chute and a bluetooth speaker playing Bob Marley?”

“That’s the most suspicious one yet,” Clovis nodded.

“Pretty sure that was Brett’s cousin from Chattanooga.”

“Exactly,” Clovis barked. “Outsiders. Testing wind currents. Measuring thermals. Probably funded by alphabet agencies.”

Evelyn fanned herself harder.

“Alphabet soup gives me hives,” she murmured.

Scene 4: Tactical Overreach and Goat-Related Surveillance

Terrance the Goat, unfortunately, got wrapped into the plan when Clovis strapped a GoPro knockoff camera to his back and declared him the town’s first Ground-Level Counterintelligence Officer.

Boot offered to sell the footage as NFTs, but no one knew what that was except Trixie Jo, who said, “That is not how that works,” and left in a huff.

By the end of the week, Clovis had:

• Declared no-fly zones over the pickleball court.

• Posted laminated signs at the overlook reading “SURREPTITIOUS WIND VEHICLES WILL BE RECORDED.”

• Submitted an official request to the FAA (via the town suggestion box) to install a “small but meaningful radar dome” on the Baptist steeple.

Scene 5: The Conflict Escalates

The conflict came to a head on Sunday, during the church potluck. A paraglider passed overhead as Pastor Peeler delivered a sermon on spiritual elevation. Clovis leapt from his pew, knocked over the cole slaw table, and shouted, “EYES UP, Y’ALL! CODE SKYFALL!”

In the scramble, Mabel Dean’s molasses muffins were catapulted into the choir loft. One struck Brett on the temple. He later described the impact as “spiritually confusing.”

Scene 6: The Debriefing (and the Détente)

On Monday, Mayor Essie Jean called an emergency meeting—not to address paragliders, but to stop Clovis from using the town’s emergency alert system to broadcast “SKY DEFENSE DRILL – SEEK UMBRELLAS.”

A compromise was reached: Clovis could keep his overlook “surveillance post” if he added an informational brochure rack for real tourists. He begrudgingly agreed.

Boot stocked it with flyers reading:

“WELCOME TO SEQUATCHIE CROSSING:
Elevation: 1,476 ft
Surveillance Altitude: Pending
Paraglider Policy: Float Friendly, Spy Suspicious
Try Our Pie.”

Social Media Roundup

Facebook – Evelyn B. Ashcroft
“To whomever paraglided over our fellowship brunch and caused Clovis to throw a deviled egg like a grenade: you owe me a folding chair and my peace of mind.”

Clovis Strickland’s CB Radio Broadcast (illegally patched to the school intercom)
“This is Eagle Eyes. I see all. I forgive none. Repeat, I forgive none.”

Boot’s Ad in the Church Bulletin
“New Product: Paraglider Detector Glasses. Don’t Actually Detect Paragliders, But They Do Look Cool.”

Disclaimer

All characters and events in this story, especially Clovis’ highly questionable tactical judgment, are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real paragliders, goats, or homeland security operations is purely coincidental. Please do not attempt aerial surveillance from public overlooks without a license, a grip on reality, or at least a backup muffin.

Real Places Behind the Ruckus – From The Dunlap Directory

Real Places Behind the Ruckus – From The Dunlap Directory

Yes, this story was fictional; even the parts that weren’t true. These places? Absolutely real. Stop by, support local, and keep the Wi-Fi away from livestock:

• Coops Creek Commons
• C.F Cleaning Services
• Citizens Tri-County Bank – Highway 28 Motor Branch
• Highland Drive Warehouse
• Dunlap Iron & Metals
• The Grove at Center Point
• Paul’s Redneck Salsa
• Cascade Inn at Fall Creek Falls
• Ms. Teresa’s Gymnastics
• Trail Life Troop TN 1613
• Tri-Star Seamless Gutters
• FedEx OnSite at Dollar General
• Charles G. Jenkins Jr.
• US Post Office-Dunlap
• Berg’s Diesel Repair
• Mouse Works Fabrication

Real Places Behind the Ruckus – From The Dunlap Directory

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