[If you stand very still, you can smell the ocean and hear the lapping of the waves on the beach. Even the birds aren’t up yet. But, most of all, there’s the unavoidable presence of . . . silence. There is something inexplicably relaxing about being on Main Street in the early morning hours. Don’t wait too long to come out, though. In just a few hours, this scene will become one of bright lights, scintillating food aromas, and the din of the Islandshire population at play. The betwixt and between of this palpable dichotomy is about to begin. Many hours of hard work and set-up have and will go into making Bunty’s Wool Week event the extravaganza it usually is. Like those homemade noodles that take eight hours to make and 15 minutes to eat. But, like the noodles, it will be worth it. Ah, the first of the workers is arriving now. And the seagulls are screeching a shrill welcome. A new (and special) day on Islandshire’s Main Street is about to begin. Join us when you can.]
Beep, beep.
“Back in a minute, men. This is the last of Bunty’s boxes.”
“Why don’t you leave those packages on the bench there? We’ll help you take ’em in, and you won’t have to ride your scooter through the sand to the back door again. Besides, I’d like to talk to you about walkie talkies before the place fills up. Now, Pete, let’s see what you’ve got for me today. Wow, those peppers and onions look great! If I get some olives and mushrooms from P&E, we could serve Loaded Veggie pizza tonight. Garlic, too?! Good goin’!”
“Great idea. Good man, George. The what? Oh, thanks, just got it. Bunty says this shirt’s the ‘real me’. Whatever that means.”
“So, tell me, Eliot. What’s in these boxes? They hardly weigh anything. Sorry, I should have known. Never thought about wool being so lightweight . . . Then why do sheep weigh so much? Well, maybe Harold will know. Boy, your sister sure does need a lot of stuff for her store. Hey! Look at that crazy seagull!”
“And why is Bunty’s store called the Sheep Shop, if it’s full of wool? Wouldn’t Wool Shop be a better name? I mean, look at our places. The Seaside Diner, the Salty Snack Shack, and the Fruit Smoothie Drink Stand. You know right off the bat what you’re going to get at one of those stalls. But Bunty’s Sheep Shop doesn’t really sell sheep, does it? I’ve never really thought about it before, but girls aren’t very good at naming things, I guess. I mean, whoever heard of a sheep named Wilberforce?”
“There, that’s that. Do you need help getting this into the store? Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be right over there getting my stall set up. Hey, mind if I try out the scooter? Harold wants to talk to you about the walkie talkies, and I won’t go far. I’ll stay right here on Main Street and around the block. Boy, thanks! Wait’ll the other chappies see me!”
Beep, beep, beep, beep.
“Hey, watch out! I haven’t got the hang of these brakes yet! Get out of the way!”
“Eliot, that boy’s gonna do some serious damage if you don’t show him how to use your scooter. Where’s he going, anyway? Just on– Wow, that was a close call! I wouldn’t have guessed Sun-Ho could move that fast!
You okay Sun-Ho?”
“Hey, watch where you’re going! Is that you, George? I’m okay, but just watch where you’re going next time. And slow down! Hey, will you take me for a ride? George? Guess he can’t hear much at that speed.”
“Hey, George. Take it easy. You’re gonna hurt someone if you don’t slow down. Well, why didn’t you say so before you started? Here, let me show you how.”
“That’s much better, Eliot. Now that I know how to stop it, I’m gonna take a few more spins around the block. Yep, I’ll be careful. Besides, I think I heard Sun-Ho asking for a ride before I’m done.” Beep, beep, beep, beep.
“That boy’s an accident waiting to happen. Better than Henry, though. If you ever see him driving the scooter, run for cover. That boy isn’t afraid of anything. Now, what about the walkie talkies?”
“Pete and I thought we’d make sure everyone got their radios before the day gets crazy. Bunty got hers yesterday, so I just need to give you yours. Yeah, I think you need to leave it on until we’re done tonight. Pete and Mina will need to talk to you later, when they’re setting up the fireworks, and we might need you and your scooter for something else. Ha! Okay, if you manage to get it back from George! We’ll let you know if we need it again. Need help getting those boxes inside the shop? Okay, Pete’s your boy. Pete, once you’re done over there, see if you can help Sun-Ho. He said he’s going to need some more ice for–” Beep, beep, beep, beep.
“Hey, Sun-Ho! George! Hey– Guess Sun-Ho won’t need help for a while, Harold. I’m going with Eliot, and we’ll have those boxes moved before those chaps make another lap. Okay, four laps. Just give us a holler, if they get back in one piece and need help with their stalls. Wow . . . that thing flies, Eliot! Sure, I’d love to. Maybe later. Now, about those boxes . . .”
“That thing is amazing! Eliot, you’re the best. Thanks for letting us try it out. Nah, but he’ll be back soon. I think he’s okay. He said his stall is all set up and that it’s too soon to make the popcorn. Don’t worry, though. He’ll run out of gas before he gets tired of riding in circles. Anyway, thanks a million, Eliot.” Beep, beep, beep, beep. “There he goes again. Got a radio for me, Harold? Thanks! Gotta get back to the stall. If you see Pete around, could you please ask him to bring a couple more bags of ice around when he’s got a minute? You’re right, I forgot. ‘Pete. Oh, Pete. Come in. This is Sun-Ho. When you have a minute, could you please bring two more bags of ice to the stall? Thanks. Over and out. Roger wilco. Signing out.’ Did I do that all right, Harold? Right. Back to work.”