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Advent Drabbles: December 23rd (part 3 23:38)

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#1: Advent Drabbles: December 23rd (part 3 23:38) Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:01 pm
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Sorry for the late post.

Jane Carew made the final adjustments to her makeup and sat back to look at the results. Satisfied, she picked up the tricorn hat sitting on the dressing table and set it at a jaunty angle on her head. Then she stood up and moved to the full length mirror to make sure that her costume was all that it should be.
“You look great, Jane. Just the perfect Prince Charming,” said Adam Montgomery, lounging in a chair in the corner. Adam was already in his costume, being cast as Buttons, and tonight was the first night.
Jane grinned at him. “You’re biased, darling,” she replied.
She had met Adam when she joined the Repertory company after leaving RADA, and they had become friends at once. The friendship had deepened into something much more, and they were now thinking seriously about making the relationship permanent. The company was quite small, based in a market town in the Midlands, but put on a wide range of plays. Audiences were appreciative though sometimes quite sparse. They had decided to put on a pantomime this Christmas to encourage families, and in the hopes that a successful season would boost audiences for the rest of the year. There had been no question of bringing in a big name,. as there was no way that they could afford the fees for someone well known. Besides, the idea was to advertise their own skills, and bringing in someone else might very well defeat this object. Once Jane was ready they went downstairs to join the rest of the cast backstage, Jane stopping only to pick up a small white box. When everyone was gathered, Jane stepped forward.
“Well darlings, this is it. We’ve got a full house according to the bookings, and judging from the hum out thee, so let’s make the most of it. There’s champagne for later of course, but for now I thought we’d add some fun to the event. I have a little prize here to give to the person who gets the biggest ovation at the curtain call - excluding me of course. The only question is, do I let you know what it is now, or wait till after the show?”
The cast looked at Adam enquiringly, certain that he knew all about it.
“Don’t look at me,” he said. “It’s as new to me as to you lot!”
“I haven’t told anyone,” said Jane.
“Please tell us now,” said Anne, who was looking very ragged as Cinderella.
“Well darlings, if you’re sure you want to know straight away, here it is!” She opened the little white box, and drew out something that was difficult to identify. At first all they could see was a gaudy combination of colours, but then Jane shook it out and they could see that it was a wig. Not an ordinary wig either! This one was mohican in style, and in alternating bands of shocking pink and lime green.

Last edited by Advent Drabblers on Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:42 pm; edited 2 times in total

#2: Author: abbeybufo, Location: Romsey, Hampshire - UK

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:45 pm
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Now where have I heard 'mohican', 'wig', 'lime green' and 'shocking pink' together on here lately... Wink

#3: Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 5:22 pm
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Joey looked across at the small bright figure of The Robin. She was wearing that many coats, scarves, shawls, jumpers, trousers, skirts and gloves as well as two hats and earmuffs that she resembled the large baubles they had put on the tree earlier that day.
“Look at me Zoey,” the little girl shouted, “I can do it, I am skiing.”
Joey watched, smiling. It was rare that The Robin got a chance to do any of the winter sports, such care had to be taken of her health and Joey was more fretful than the bidable baby at the restrictions the doctors saw fit to impose. Today had been bright and frosty all day, and Madge had wrapped The Robin up well and bade Joey to take her onto the hillside for a skiing lesson.

“Watch out, don't keep her out for more than 40 minutes and don't either of you stand still at all. You must keep warm. Oh and if she looks flushed at all bring her straight back. I will have hot baths ready by the time you arrive but you both need a little exercise. Now do be sensible won't you Joey?” Madge had said, a little flustered by all the different demands on her time that day.
“Aren't I always sensible?” asked Joey, a little hurt, and ignoring the fact that she had left a bottle of ink with the lid off on the endge of the nursery table the night before, or that only on that very same morning while decorating the tree she had climbed on the stepladder in her stockinged feet, torn a hole in said stockings when they snagged on a step and then declared that she didn't actually have another clean pair without a hole!

It was a cry from the kitchen that distracted Madge from the tart reply she as about to give, and Joey rolled The Robin out of the hallway on onto her skies, telling her all about the dangers of crossing her toes as she did so. Using her common sense Joey decided that it would be easiest for Robin if she did not have to keep climbing back up the hill, so they went straight up as far as Joey was usually allowed. They had progressecd about a quarter of the way down the slope and already the Robin was finding that she had her balance and could go several steps before needing Joey to steady her.
“That is smashing progress,” Joey said, ignoring all slang rules in the joy of the afternoon.
“I do love zis my Zoey, it is such fun.”

The two girls were laughing and shouting, enjoying the mild day, and not giving a second thought to the fact that it was warmer than usual for the time of year. That warm in fact that the very noise they were making was dangerous. They did not hear the start, the slip of a bulk of loosened snow from a hut roof, but they did hear the rumbling it made as it snowballed, gathered speed and thundered towards them.

#4: Author: abbeybufo, Location: Romsey, Hampshire - UK

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 5:27 pm
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Has everyone else gone away for Christmas???
Anyway, I'm very interested to see how Lesley will be able to pull these 2 together... Laughing

#5: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 5:37 pm
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abbeybufo wrote:

Has everyone else gone away for Christmas???
Anyway, I'm very interested to see how Lesley will be able to pull these 2 together... Laughing

Yeah, you and me both, Ruth! Rolling Eyes

#6: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 5:45 pm
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I'm here too, and very interested to see how Lesley does this one! Laughing

Love the mohican wig Pat! Very Happy

#7: Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:34 pm
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I'm waiting for the denouement too, Lesley - please don't create too much of a cliffhanger (sorry, couldn't resist that!!!) out of it!

I'm another who loved the mohican wig, Pat!

#8: Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:02 pm
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Laughing

I'm so glad I'm not Lesley right now!
Glad you finally dyed the wig Aunty Pat Laughing

#9: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:34 pm
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Well I'm not expected to wear it!!! Twisted Evil

#10: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:47 pm
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Pat wrote:

Well I'm not expected to wear it!!! Twisted Evil

That sounds like you are tempting Lesley!! Twisted Evil

#11: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:50 pm
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I wasn't supposed to be. Rolling Eyes

#12: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:34 pm
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Shocked

Goodness! And I won't be able to come on tomorrow - will have to contain myself until post-Christmas, oh woe!

Thanks for a lot of fun, Drabblers, you've been absolutely brilliant!

#13: Author: Advent Drabblers,

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:38 pm
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Hmmm, so how come I got the short straw then? I mean - how come, when we were discussing this, it was decided that Pat would write the first one, then, either with or without reference to the first, Carolyn would write the second them, and here's the best part - I would have to write a third bit that drew the previous two bits together. Am I crazy? Why on Earth did I agree to that????? So, let's have a look then....first bit, Jane Carew - probably mid Sixties England - with the obligatory lime green and pink wig - yeeessss. Then the second bit, Joey and the Robin, early Thirties Austria - right so there is so much in common there then. Rolling Eyes

Could do it as a tragedy I suppose...

The company all looked at the object in Jane's hands,

"It's wig," Adam said, somewhat unneccesarily.

Jane smiled, "Well of course it's a wig," she said with a smile, "but it's what it represents," she paused for breath then continued, "I went to Boarding School in Switzerland but, originally, back in the Thirties, it was in Austria."

"And how does that explain this garish monstrosity?" the man playing the King asked.

Jane smiled, "It is rather hideous, isn't it? Lady Russell..."

"Lady Russell? Who's she?"

"Owner of the Boarding School my lamb - she's also sitting in the front row out there - she's bought the entire front row. Anyway, she said that tonight was a very sad anniversary for her and that seeing someone wear that wig would help."

"Help how?"

"Well, this wig is the only part left of a costume made by Lady Russell's younger sister and her ward. They had made costumes intending to put on a play for Lady Russell and her family just before Christmas - they never got to wear them though. They both died years ago - while the School was still in Austria, they were killed in an avalanche. Her sister was about fifteen I think and her ward eight."

"How terrible." Anne said solemnly.

"Yes, I don't think Lady Russell ever forgave herself - she took quite a interest in the School, you know, was there for all the Sales and Christmas Plays - but i don't think I ever saw her smile, not once. Anyway, every year Lady Russell finds someone to wear the wig - in memory of Joey and the Robin. She wants whoever wears it for the night to try to ensure as many people as possible laugh. She's promised to get her husband to speak to some friends of theirs who are well connected to the West End theatres. What do you say?"

Adam looked round, "I think we'd all be pleased to wear it anyway," he said, "if it helps the lady, just a little."

...

Hmmmm, does it work as a sad one? Not sure, could always try this instead...

...

Jane looked at the object in her hand with some surprise, "Er...sorry everyone, but I've no idea what this is doing here."

"You mean you didn't want one of us to wear a hidious green and pink mohican?"

"Of course not," Jane frowned, "it was supposed to be a panama with the words 'Director for the day' - whoever had the largest ovation would then have control over where we went for the after show party. What on earth is this...oh, I wonder?"

"Wonder, wonder what?"

Jane looked over at the rest of the cast, "Don't you remember, this time last year? How many calls did I get about things happening to school friends of mine?"

"Oh yes, and wasn't there a story about you floating around too? That you'd died of boredom being forced to watch re-runs of the School plays?"

Jane nodded, "They're at it again, aren't they? Blasted Advent Drabblers, who do they think they are - messing up a perfectly good hat. Wonder what else they've done?"

"Can you find out?"

"Oh yes, just got this," she pulled out a handheld computer, "one of the benefits of having people from the future write about you," she said with a grin, "Just a sec...yes, they're also writing about someone else - follow me."

She led the cast into her dressing room and unlocked a door at the back, "Alright everyone, don't go across the threshold, just watch," she opened the door and then shivered as the view suddenly changed to one of ice and snow, freezing temperatures and...yelling children?

"I say," Jane called, "are you busy?"

Joey turned toward the voice and her already pale face whitened as she saw a woman standing three feet up in the air apparently resting on nothing. "Am I busy? What does it look like? We're in an avalanche here!" She tried desperately to keep hold of Robin as the snow thundered down.

"Oh dear, well would you like to come in?"

Joey was not sure where the door led but was certain that the avalanche was taking Robin and herself to the edge of a cliff, she nodded quickly and willing hands pulled the pair of them into the dressing room.

"Who are you?" Joey asked.

"Jane Carew, dear, you?"

"Joey Bettany and this is Robin Humphries, please Miss, what is this place, only Madge will be worried."

"Joey Bettany? I'll know you when you are a lot older dear," Jane said with a smile, "let's get you out of those wet things and I'll explain." The explanation took some time but, eventually, Joey seemed satisfied. Robin had just sat and watched, a large glass of strawberry nesquik in her hands.

"So you think this will soon be over then, Miss Carew?"

"Call me Jane, dear, you will when you're older," Jane said, amused, "yes, it will be over soon - probably in just a few hours as the Advent Drabblers seem to have a very short attention span - don't worry, we'll return you both and your sister won't even know you've gone."

The sound of a buzzer suddenly went off startling everyone, Jane laughed, "That's just telling us all that it's ten minutes to curtain up," she said to the two children, "would you like to see the show?"

"Yes please," Joey said quickly while Robin nodded vigourously.

"Alright, Adam? Take them round to the two spare chairs in the orchestra pit."

"S'il vous plait, Mademoiselle," Robin forget her shyness, "may I have the so-lovely hat?" she held up the wig.

Jane laughed, "Of course you may, darling."

#14: Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 12:07 am
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Both scenarios work, Lesley - but for me, the second one wins - why? for perpetuating the number of miraculous escapes Joey had in her lifetime, and for the lovely way Robin asked to wear the wig!!!

And why are you the last of the 3 Advent drabblers? Because you love the challenge of putting the other two together, of course.

Thank you - I'll look forward to the next (and presumably last) one on Christmas Eve - was about to say 'tomorrow' but then noticed it's already 'tomorrow' in the UK!!

#15: Author: Sugar, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 12:23 am
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Wonderful.............. do we get two endings now to the one tmw? I think you have just set a precedent there Ms Green! Laughing

#16: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 1:40 am
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Advent Drabblers have a short attention span? I do hope you're speaking only of yourself there Lesley!

Loved it! Thank you for solving the problem as well as usual.

#17: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:36 am
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Nicely done Lesley....and a choice of two endings. I don't know, you'd think it was Christmas or something.... Laughing

#18: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 6:59 am
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Laughing

#19: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 7:30 am
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Brilliant Lesley! Laughing

You could always have said no to this idea! Laughing

Any Pat is first cos she is super organised and such a good girl and likes to have everything prepared beforehand, and you're last because you write them on the day! I'm just piggy in the middle! Twisted Evil

#20: Author: Travellers Joy, Location: Middle of Nowhere

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:28 am
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Oh, very good - liked the second ending in particular. But Lesley, now you'll have to write Chalet School Choose-Your-Own Adventure stories!! Laughing

#21: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:33 am
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Well done Lesley Laughing

And Pat and Carolyn too of course

#22: Author: Vick, Location: Leeds, Yorkshire

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 1:29 pm
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Travellers Joy wrote:

But Lesley, now you'll have to write Chalet School Choose-Your-Own Adventure stories!! Laughing

I like that idea! Laughing

Well done Lesley for getting those two completely different timeframes to make sense! Very Happy

Thanks all three.

#23: Author: PaulineS, Location: West Midlands

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:26 pm
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Thanks to you all. I have logged on at the Hotel I am staying at.

I decided itcoming on the Board was one way to stay awake until I go to a midnight service.

#24: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:54 pm
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LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!

(I'm slightly disappointed that you didn't write Pat in as a guest star though Lesley..... Wink

)

#25: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:57 pm
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I'm sure you can live with that Vikki!!!

#26: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:15 am
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Wonderful - loved it all especially the choice of endings.

Thank you.

#27: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:43 pm
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Thank you, Drabblers. Smile

Another vote for #2. Nothing like good cheer at Christmas -- though the "so-lovely hat" colors sound more like the sherbet popular around 4th of July. Laughing

#28: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:59 am
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Thanks, Advent Drabblers. The 1st ending was sad and moving. I definitely enjoyed the 2nd ending!

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