The gang pushes open the sturdy oak doors.

“Man, when we finally get to that treasure, I’m gonna swim in it,” says Mabel. “I don’t care if it’s physically impossible!”

“I’m gonna rub the treasure on my face and make weirdly uncomfortable moaning sounds for a very long time!” says Blendin. “So heads up about that.”

The door gives way, and Blendin waves the torch.

A single pedestal stands in the middle of the room.

“That must be it! That must be where the Time Key is!” says Dipper.

They approach it, shaking. Blendin reaches out.

“What? Where is it?” he asks.

“And why is there a note?” asks Mabel.

“Guys, I think someone got to the Time Key before we could,” says Dipper, picking up the note. He reads it out loud: “‘To whom it may concern: I, famed gambler Chazforth Bumpkinfudder of Kenosha, Wisconsin, have taken this key and gone back to town to try to sell it. To be honest, I don’t know what it’s for or why I’m even leaving this note. Good day!’”

“Awww, man, I knew this was too good to be true,” says Blendin.

“Wait!” says Dipper. He inspects the paper. “He says he’s a gambler. That probably means that he gave the key to those outlaws we saw playing cards!” He looks from Blendin to Mabel. “We have to go to the card game!”

“Awww, nuts,” says Blendin. “I don’t like things when they’re difficult.”

“Just think of how good your life is gonna be when we finally get this treasure!” says Dipper.

“Think of how much better all our lives will be,” says Mabel. “Let’s go back to town and try one of those other leads. Pines Force Five!”

“There are three of us,” says Dipper.

They all put their hands in a circle and cheer before rushing back to town. Dipper feels more determined than ever to get the key as they head off to…

CONFRONT THE OUTLAWS IN THE SALOON: GO HERE