“Hey, George. What have you got for a hungry girl? I’ll take the pretzel now, please; but I’ll be back for popcorn later. Kelly says I need butter dip with this. Thanks! How’s it going out here? Looks like it’s getting really crowded. Don’t forget, if you need anything, just radio Pete. Toodle pip!”
”How’s it going, Eliot? Everybody seem to be having a good time? Have you checked the donation cans to see if they need emptying? All right, but don’t wait too much longer. Like me to get you something to eat? They did? How sweet! I’d like to take a quick walk around, but I hate to leave the girls alone in the shop for too long. Ta ta for now!”
”Hello, Sun-Ho. How’s it going? Your ice holding up? You know, if you need anything, just radio Pete. I know, but he’ll send someone else if he’s busy. So, what have you got for a very thirsty girl? It needs to be something that goes well with butter dip.” Giggling. “Yep, Kelly insisted. Okay, um, how about a Pineapple smoothie? Has Jerri been by, yet? Remember, anything she wants. Keep up the good work. Well, I’ve got to make sure that Toni doesn’t need anything. Where? Oh, my goodness! What are the chances?! Let’s stroll on down that way, Pris.”
“Eliot, we’ve got a problem. I’ve been at P&E’s for the last half hour, trying to get that refrigerator working again. The fridge seems fine, but there seems to be something wrong at the main. I’m out of things to try, other than bringing in every cooler on the island and a boatload of ice. I thought that maybe two heads would be better than one. Any suggestions?”
“No need to worry Bunty right now. And you don’t need to close shop, Eydie. Pete, take the scooter and go to my house. Head to the outbuilding where I park the scooter, and you’ll find a trailer with a generator on it. Just hook it up to the scooter and bring it back here. We’ll run the generator from the Sheep Shop over to P&E, and crisis averted. Okay, so it’ll be a bit noisy, but who’s going to notice anything over the din out here on Main Street? It should be full of gasoline– Eh? Ha ha, funny boy. Both the scooter and the generator are full, so you’ll be back here in no time flat. And, for goodness’ sake, don’t let George see you leave on the scooter. Benny, can you explain to Bunty what’s going on and clear a path between the two buildings? Eydie, it’ll be all right. ‘Shucks, maam, don’t you worry none. The Merry Men will rescue ya.'” All stare at Eliot. “Bunty bought me a subscription to the new Western movies station. ‘Now git a move on, men, and see ya back ‘t the corral.’ Oh, Benny, you need to get around more. That’s cowboy for get going, and I’ll see you at Eydie’s when you get back. Now, get going, before the cookie dough melts.”
“Can I help, Benny, or is everything under control? Do you think I should see if Eydie and Priscilla need any help? I’ve got more help here than I need, and the girls’d be glad to go over there for a while. You sure? Eliot said so? Well, then, it’ll work out just fine. Did Nanea come into town with you, or is she coming later? I haven’t been out of the shop in so long, except for a quick snack and drink, that I don’t know who’s out there anymore. Next time you see her, tell her to come and see my new shop.” Giggling. “Okay, I’ll make sure she doesn’t buy out the store. Is Raito with you? Well, maybe next year. He’s a nice guy, and I bet you two miss him. Let me know if you need help next door.”
“Can I help you with that, Lillian? Hey, Fletcher! Didn’t see you come in. He’s in the back, getting ready for the generator. Yep. Just go through that door to the store room. Now, Lillian, is this for you or a gift? You know, Jill and Silver are set up out on Main Street with a Gift Wrapping cart. Oh, perfect! Let me put it in a bag for you. Just be careful with it, until you get it wrapped. Would you like to add a Wool Week souvenir mug to your bag, too? Two? Sure. Wrapped or not? You bet. Oh, and before you leave, please cast a vote for which of these four pictures you think should grace the top of my new calendar.”
“Thanks for everything, Bunty! I’ll leave the rest here, if you don’t mind, but this souvenir mug is a present for someone outside. Hey, Bethany! I was just on my way to get my portrait done. Is Liv doing them while you’re here, or are you guys closed for a break? Super. I’m on my way now to have dinner, but I’ll see how busy she is after that. Like to walk together? Pizza at the Diner. He does? How does one make a gluten-free pizza? Ooh, I love spinach and cauliflower. Okay, we’ll split one between us. Sure you can. We’ll ask for a small pizza. So, what’s in your bag, if it isn’t a secret . . .”
“Hello, Lillian . . . Bethany. Welcome to the Seaside Diner. [. . . it’s Pizza Boy U.S.A. . . .] Name your poison. We’ve got ’em all. Yeah, sticky song, isn’t it? Just park it right there, and your order’ll be up in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. While you’re waiting, and in between choruses, would the two of you like to hear my nifty 10 Wonderful Reasons to Love Wool? As newcomers to our Wool Week events, you’ll have missed last year’s presentation. Are you sure? It’s life-changing, really. Well, if you change your minds, you know where to find me.” [. . . they love him so when he tosses that dough . . .]
“What can I toss up for you, Priscilla? Thanks! It’s my new theme song for the Diner when I’m serving pizza. Catchy tune, huh? Want to hear my 10 Reasons to Love Wool speech? Since you weren’t here last year for the presentation, I had hoped . . . It’s quite inspirational, really. Well, if you change your mind, just ask. Will that be for here or to go? Maybe you should just have a seat here and eat your pizza. Things like that always seem to happen at the worst tof times. Don’t worry, though. The Merry Men will have it fixed in a jiffy. Hang on a sec while I hit the repeat button.” [He’s the new sensation . . .]
“Good evening, Marie Simone. Mind if I interview you for the Gazette? Great. Seems like a lively crowd here tonight, and I see they’ve had to empty the donation cans already. But can you tell us a bit about why you’re here tonight? The food, the shopping, the gift wrapping, the people? Everything is the answer I’m getting from everyone. That’s a nice package you’re carrying. Can I ask what’s in it? Oh, no, I wouldn’t want to spoil a surprise, so maybe you could tell me what you think about Bunty’s new store. Don’t you think it’s just what Main Street needed? Well, thank you for sharing your experience with me. I can’t imagine there are many Islanders who aren’t here, but everyone can’t be everywhere, and our readers will enjoy re-living the fun. Of course, I’d be glad to make a note of that. I think we all want to give a big ‘thanks’ to Eliot for making this possible, so I’m glad you reminded me to mention it. Pardon me? Yes, I’m making my way now to the end of the street to check out the 5-Minute Portrait event. And maybe grab a slice of pizza. He does? A theme song? That Harold is a card! I’ll make sure to catch it before I leave. Oh, Eliot . . .”
“Eliot, I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ for making this all possible. Everyone I’ve talked to mentions how nice the new street lights are and how fun Wool Week is this year. No, thanks! I’m on my way to get some pizza and hear Harold’s new theme song that everyone’s talking about, but those look delicious. Maybe I’ll drop in at P&E before they close and get a couple for breakfast. Nope. I don’t like what’s commonly called breakfast food. Give me a good piece of lasagna for breakfast any day. Yep, or pizza. Have you seen Kelly and Sonja anywhere? I’ve been trying to interview them for a while, but the crowd keeps getting thicker, making it hard to find anyone in particular. You can say that again! Eh? I’ll let her know, if I see her. Again, a big thanks to you for your generosity. Now, let’s see if I can find those girls.”
“Hey, Liv, I’m gonna leave my bag here. Please make sure that Sonja and Kelly find Trudy as soon as you’re done with their portraits. She wants to interview them. Well, she might, if you offer. No, I don’t think you need to hurry. I see her eating pizza at the Diner, so you’ve got time. Hi, Sonja! Looking good!”
“Thanks, but just popcorn for now. I see Livie’s got a line over there, and she’s probably waiting for me to come back and take over for a while. Yes, please. What’s popcorn without extra butter? That makes me think, though. Maybe I’d better eat it before I head back, or the butter will end up staining the portraits.” Giggling. “Oh, why not? Livie will be fine for another little while. How’s it going here? Yeah, I keep hearing the popping noise. Keep up the good work! If nothing else, it makes the whole street smell yummy. Oh, there’s Nanea! And Flossie! Flossie?”
“Ever so many people have been asking for you guys. What happened? Flossie take too long deciding what to wear?” Giggling. “Before you do anything else, you really should check out Bunty’s new shop. It’s down there, last place before the beach begins, across from the Diner. How are you, Janie? You look as adorable as ever. Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe you could find some shoes here at The Boutique that are your size. That’s something Flossie doesn’t have to worry about, isn’t it? Outgrowing her shoes, goofy. Well, I’d better keep moving. Oh, Benny, don’t leave without checking out what Harold’s done to the Diner. Now that he’s got electricity on Main Street, he’s wired the Diner to play music. Yeah, you can’t miss it! Just listen for PIZZA BOY U.S.A. Catch ya later!”
“Wanna walk around for a bit and see who’s here? Oh, those shoes. Hmph. Why did you wear them, anyway? Well, why didn’t you say so yesterday? Which ones? You mean the purple ones? Yes, they’ll match a lot of your outfits. Oh, I’m sorry. I know you’re never changing out of that, but let’s go inside and see if Toni’s got your size. It’d be better than hobbling around all night with that look on your face. It doesn’t matter. She’ll be able to measure your feet in one of those cute little foot measurers. After that, we’ll go down to the Sheep Shop. No, they don’t sell sheep there. That’s Bunty’s new store for all her wool things. Come along, Flossie. We’re just going in here to get new shoes for Janie. Watch your step . . .” Cluck.
Amazingly complicated, interesting and so well done.