RickinNYC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,870
The cast:
Me (37) My name is Rick and I'm addicted to Walt Disney World and Mickey Mouse watches.
Joe (37), my partner of 13 years. He's not-so-much a Disney World fan as I am, but he enjoys himself tremendously.
Vinnie (37), an old childhood friend of Joe's. A professed Disney World fan but after this trip, I doubt it.
Dennis (25, just ask him, he'll tell you), a friend of Vinnie's.
Cameos by:
Jerry (37), Joe's fraternity brother from college who currently resides with his lovely wife
Michelle (30), Jerry's wife
Billy, aka the Prince of Darkness (7), Rick's best friend and evil to the core. Ok, so he's not evil, he's just a cute troublemaker who happens to be covered head to toe in fur, walks on all fours, and has a severe Beggin' Strip addiction. Ok, so he's not really a troublemaker. But trouble seems to find him.
Day 1:
We woke up bright and early on Friday. We have quite a few hours before our 11:30 flight, but I wanted to make sure we had absolutely everything packed. So I checked and rechecked. Hey! Wheres all the hair junk? Joe yelled from the bathroom.
Its all packed. You never use it anyway. Why now? I shouted back.
I just want to, thats all. Give it over.
With a resolute sigh, I shuffled things out of the way, grabbed the thingamajig bag, found all the junk and asked, You want the wax, the gel or that other stuff?
Yes was his reply.
Which?
All of it.
So with a grunt, I tossed the entire bag to him and he ambled back into the bathroom. Now, mind you, Joe usually takes 2.7 seconds to fix his hair in the morning. He usually climbs out of the shower, towels his head and brushes his do without too much thought. I, on the other hand, take a few minutes and usually walk out of the bathroom looking like a boy band member, spiky hair and all.
A few minutes later, Joe strolled out of the bathroom, humming the Tiki Room, Small World or Dude Looks Like A Lady. I cant remember but it was pretty catchy.
Looking at his hair, I couldnt really tell the difference between yesterdays do and todays. It looked exactly the same. Nice hair.
You like it? Thanks! I wanted to try something new.
With a shake of the head, a roll of the eyes and a world-weary sigh, I repacked all the hair junk. We closed the curtains, locked the doors and were prepared to wait for the car service when we heard a honk. I peeked out the front window and lo! The car was early! What better timing!
So off we went to LaGuardia. American Airlines, here we come!
We checked in through the handy dandy e-ticket kiosk and were promptly ushered to the security checkpoint. They took our luggage, tossed it into some giant x-ray machine out of Logans Run and wished us a good trip. Hmmmm, this is odd. Nevertheless, I said the Prayer for Lost Luggage and we ambled over to the metal detectors.
Joe went, then I went, neither of us stopped. Again, thats odd. Im usually stopped, told to remove my shoes and subsequently strip searched by a former KGB agent. They usually glare at me with suspicious eyes, suspecting me of horrible deeds. This time, they gestured me through with nary a glance.
Nevertheless, we strolled to our gate and saw that because our car was early, and we didnt have to wait for our luggage to be screened, and because I wasnt beaten with rubber hoses and forced to confess that I was a spy, we had time to kill! In fact, we had two and a half hours to kill.
Lets play Scrabble, Joe said with an endearing grin.
No, we dont have any time.
What? We have more than two hours! Lets play Scrabble.
Joe, every time we play a game, I beat you and then you get mad.
Completely taken aback, Joe responded with an accusatory look. I dont get mad at you because you win. I get mad at you because you win and then you rub it in my face.
Then why do you always ask me to play games if I do that?
Shut up and gimme the Scrabble game.
So we played and I, of course, beat him to a pulp. And then we played gin, and I won 8 out of 10 hands. I dont wanna play anymore. Wheres my magazine? Joe was in a huff. Youre the worst winner Ive ever met.
13 years baby! 13 years! I crowed. After 13 years you start telling me this! But I won, I won, I won!
Shut up.
Did I tell you I won?
Back to the trip report.
Our flight departed on time and landed, get this, EARLY! And get this too! Our driver from Tiffany was there. She was a really nice lady who saw that I was trying to manage all the bags and Joe was simply strolling along beside me. His back is out, I grunted like an Olympic power lifter under the strain of all our luggage.
Lemme get that, she responded.
Wait! Those two are really, really heavy! Dont do it! Lift with your legs! Dont . and she was already off and halfway out the door.
She was pretty darn strong by the way.
We piled into the towncar and were on our way to the Boardwalk. I happened to look at my watch and great googly moogly, we were an hour ahead of schedule!
As we turned into the drive to the Boardwalk, I felt Joes hand grab my mine. I glanced over and saw that he was jittery with anticipation, bouncing in the seat. I was too. I couldnt help grinning ear to ear! We were finally here!
We pulled up and were warmly welcomed. Our very strong driver handed our very heavy luggage to a very small cast member who struggled mightily. And struggle he did. He plunked the two gigantic suitcases and our carry on onto the strolling luggage brass do-hickey with a grunt and he said breathlessly, Check in?
Little cast member guy (didnt catch his name) gave me a receipt for our stuff and pointed us to check in. He was over the top friendly and our first cast member. He couldnt have been a better representative of Disney. All smiles, pressed uniform and perfect hair.
We entered the front doors, marveling at the lobby, thoughts of Were not worthy! Were not worthy! floated through my head.
Joe kept whispering, Look! And look! And look over there! Wow! Look! And I followed suit like a chorus.
It was beautiful. More than we could ever have imagined. I was pretty overwhelmed that we were actually there. Between you and me, I did have a lump in my throat, which I had to clear when we strolled up to guest services.
As we checked in, the young lady peered intently at her computer screen. With an engaging smile and a sweet giggle, she looked at the two of us and said, I will assume that you two would like separate beds and not a king size like you were assigned!
So with an engaging smile and a sweet giggle of my own, I responded, Actually, we would prefer keeping the king size bed if you dont mind. And then I tried to give her my truly biggest grin to show her I thought it was an honest mistake. Joe, on the other hand, kicked my foot and whispered, Stop grinning like that, its scary!
But all worked out. Our room was ready so we strolled through the lobby to find it. Room 5308.
Joe asked me, Wheres the elevator?
To which I responded with a roll of the eyes and a humored grunt.
I know youve never been here before and this is our first time. Im just making conversation!
So I grunted again.
But, soon enough we found the room. We opened the door and it was beautiful. And a balcony! We stood on the balcony and saw Spaceship Earth and the rooftops of a few World Showcase Pavilions. Looking down below us were the private bungalows and rose gardens. The view was spectacular. And once again, I felt that little lump in my throat. But thats between you and me.
Just a few short minutes later, our luggage was brought up. We quickly unpacked, hung up the fancy schmancy Pleasure Island shirts and pants, hid away our unmentionables, and spread out our bathroom stuff, with special attention to all the hair junk.
We pulled on our shorts (we were in jeans up to this point. NYC was a wee bit chilly that morning) and t-shirts and were off to Epcot. We had the entire afternoon to play and PS at 5:30 at the San Angel Inn.
Ambling through the lobby once again and out the back entrance onto their massive patio, we were amazed yet one more time. The great lawn, the little shops, the boardwalk itself, the sparkling lake, the turn of the century music playing softly, it was all incredible. Walking down the stairs, our heads were turning left and right, up and down, taking it all in.
We reached the boardwalk and walked towards Atlantic Dance, on the hunt for the entrance to Epcot. As we reached the end and saw the Swan and Dolphin, Joe mentioned, Maybe we should ask for directions. To which I responded with a grunt, I know where Im going. .
And we got lost about four seconds later. Me? Lost in Walt Disney World? Me? You bet your bootie we did. I, for one, was shocked I tell you. Joe was amused. I was shocked.
Much to my chagrin, Joe had snuck off to ask a cast member how we could get to Epcot. Apparently we went in the exact opposite direction that we should have gone. We werent just misguided, we walked the opposite way. Not just should have taken a left, then a right, then another left at the sign, then a u-turn, nope. Nothing that complex. We went left when we should have gone right.
So I blamed Joe. Whats a guy to do?
Anyway, we eventually found our way and much to my dismay, it was so easy and such a short walk, a visually impaired beagle could have found it. But heck, its Joes fault to begin with, right? I was just along for the ride.
We entered through the International Gateway and were immediately immersed in the Epcot environment. The music, the smiles, the smells, everything surrounded us. We definitely werent in New York City anymore, baby! And boy, were we happy!
We both beamed at each other and just stood, enjoying the first few moments of being in a Disney World park. It could have been any park at all in the World. Its the first few minutes that really get me.
And we were off!
We walked along the bridge and came to France first. We checked out the shops and breathed in the smells of the bakery. We werent huge fans of the stand-and-crane-your-neck movies so we decided to skip it that day. What the heck! We had nine glorious, fun filled days ahead of us. No rush!
Nevertheless, I kept my eyes peeled for mimes and whatnot. You never know when one of those things is going to pop up and do the walking again the wind or caught in the box acts. I always feel uncomfortably embarrassed for them when I see them.
Next, we ambled over to Morocco where, once again, Joe went on the hunt for a fez. Without fail, on each and every trip to Walt Disney World, Joe must find and wear a fez. Ive no doubt that each and every one of you has a loved one or friend who does the exact same thing. They hunt for a fez, find one and hold it up with a look of glee, and plop it on their noggin and say, Take a picture!
Well, thats Joe. He found his fez and proceeded to demand that I take a picture. Which I did for the umpteenth time. What the heck, he deserved a little fun for getting us lost on the way to Disney World. Ive no doubt he felt absolutely horrible for that.
Next stop, Japan. Visiting this particular pavilion brings back waves of memories for me. From when I was 8 until I was 14, our family was stationed on a Naval base in Yokosuka, Japan. Plus, my mom is from Japan, with family in ***uoka, Kyushu. It never fails to bring back wistful recollections when I see the toys, candy and other doo dads.
Because of this, we usually end up spending more time than normal here. Joe leaves me to my memories and walks around window-shopping, while I quietly stroll through and summon up my childhood.
On this trip, I found toys that todays kids would think were brand spankin new, but I had in the 70s. Everything old is new again.
I fought down the little lump in my throat (are you getting the picture that Im a sap?) and caught up with Joe in the back section. He was busy coveting all the Poky and other sweet treats. I picked up a particular candy I hadnt had in almost 25 years and happily munched away as we strolled to our next destination, America.
America, the beautiful. Need I say more? We decided to skip the presentation and save it for when we met up with our friends later in the week. Its one of my favorites but we had priority seating. Priority seating?! What time is it?! I lost track of time! Forget my childhood memories living in Japan! We need to get going to Mexico!
It was 5:10 and we still had Italy, Germany, China and Norway to contend with! Italy, beautiful fountain, neat statue people, check. Germany, oompah oompah (mmmmmmm .. beeeeeer), got it. China, wow look at those kids all twisty and gymnastic-like now I feel fat, Norway, well . Incredibly attractive young men and women, all blond and full of smiles.
Come on, come on, we gots to go!
Mexico. We trotted up the stairs and did a speedwalk through the crowds, Scuse me, pardon me, priority seating here, pardon, watch it, ouch!, scuse me.
We made it with a minute to spare. We saw a veritable riot at the front podium, thinking that wed have to wait for an hour or so before our table was ready. We gave my name and were handed what looked like a mechanical coaster. We were instructed that when the coaster vibrates, please come to the podium. Gotcha.
Because our table wasnt going to be ready for a half hour, why not check out El Rio Del Tiempo, aka Its A Mexican Small World? Couldnt hurt. Joe joked, Watch, well be in the middle of the ride when the coaster starts vibrating.
I shrugged and didnt think so. The nice cast member said thirty minutes and seemed to be very knowledgeable. I trust cast members.
So we strolled through the que and were just about to daintily step into the boat when not only did the coaster start vibrating, it lit up like the Fourth of July and an eerie womans voice emanated from it, Pardon me, your table is ready pardon me, your table is ready. You would have thought that a maniac cast member had popped out of the boat and screamed bloody murder at us the way we reacted.
Joe barked something unintelligible and threw the coaster at me and ran (still not sure why but he ran like the wind), so with one foot on the boat and the other foot on the loading platform, I tried my best to catch it. One hand grab squip up it went, other hand grab squip and again and again. Finally, after doing a rather dexterous one-item juggle, I caught it.
Joe was gone. I was still spread legged with one foot in the stupid boat. The coaster kept demanding that my table was ready. Other guests were simply staring at me, jaws slack. Cast members watching to see what was next.
I sheepishly stepped off the boat and walked through the que the wrong way, politely and quietly asking other guests to please let me by. When anyone would look at me, I would merely hold out my evil coaster as an explanation.
After reaching the podium, there was Joe, chatting amiably with the cast member. Oh! There you are! Our table is ready. Grinning ear to ear and doing the paw to paw excited shuffle. Boy, just about now he looked a lot like Bill, the Prince of Darkness. All quivering excitement and glittery eyes.
Where did you go? I hissed at him.
Hmmm? When?
When that coaster went off. You ran!
With huge doe eyes, he looked at me with a quizzical expression, I dont know what youre talking about. Oh look! Heres our table!
What could I say? I just stared at him.
Next up, our evening and I pop the question.
Me (37) My name is Rick and I'm addicted to Walt Disney World and Mickey Mouse watches.
Joe (37), my partner of 13 years. He's not-so-much a Disney World fan as I am, but he enjoys himself tremendously.
Vinnie (37), an old childhood friend of Joe's. A professed Disney World fan but after this trip, I doubt it.
Dennis (25, just ask him, he'll tell you), a friend of Vinnie's.
Cameos by:
Jerry (37), Joe's fraternity brother from college who currently resides with his lovely wife
Michelle (30), Jerry's wife
Billy, aka the Prince of Darkness (7), Rick's best friend and evil to the core. Ok, so he's not evil, he's just a cute troublemaker who happens to be covered head to toe in fur, walks on all fours, and has a severe Beggin' Strip addiction. Ok, so he's not really a troublemaker. But trouble seems to find him.
Day 1:
We woke up bright and early on Friday. We have quite a few hours before our 11:30 flight, but I wanted to make sure we had absolutely everything packed. So I checked and rechecked. Hey! Wheres all the hair junk? Joe yelled from the bathroom.
Its all packed. You never use it anyway. Why now? I shouted back.
I just want to, thats all. Give it over.
With a resolute sigh, I shuffled things out of the way, grabbed the thingamajig bag, found all the junk and asked, You want the wax, the gel or that other stuff?
Yes was his reply.
Which?
All of it.
So with a grunt, I tossed the entire bag to him and he ambled back into the bathroom. Now, mind you, Joe usually takes 2.7 seconds to fix his hair in the morning. He usually climbs out of the shower, towels his head and brushes his do without too much thought. I, on the other hand, take a few minutes and usually walk out of the bathroom looking like a boy band member, spiky hair and all.
A few minutes later, Joe strolled out of the bathroom, humming the Tiki Room, Small World or Dude Looks Like A Lady. I cant remember but it was pretty catchy.
Looking at his hair, I couldnt really tell the difference between yesterdays do and todays. It looked exactly the same. Nice hair.
You like it? Thanks! I wanted to try something new.
With a shake of the head, a roll of the eyes and a world-weary sigh, I repacked all the hair junk. We closed the curtains, locked the doors and were prepared to wait for the car service when we heard a honk. I peeked out the front window and lo! The car was early! What better timing!
So off we went to LaGuardia. American Airlines, here we come!
We checked in through the handy dandy e-ticket kiosk and were promptly ushered to the security checkpoint. They took our luggage, tossed it into some giant x-ray machine out of Logans Run and wished us a good trip. Hmmmm, this is odd. Nevertheless, I said the Prayer for Lost Luggage and we ambled over to the metal detectors.
Joe went, then I went, neither of us stopped. Again, thats odd. Im usually stopped, told to remove my shoes and subsequently strip searched by a former KGB agent. They usually glare at me with suspicious eyes, suspecting me of horrible deeds. This time, they gestured me through with nary a glance.
Nevertheless, we strolled to our gate and saw that because our car was early, and we didnt have to wait for our luggage to be screened, and because I wasnt beaten with rubber hoses and forced to confess that I was a spy, we had time to kill! In fact, we had two and a half hours to kill.
Lets play Scrabble, Joe said with an endearing grin.
No, we dont have any time.
What? We have more than two hours! Lets play Scrabble.
Joe, every time we play a game, I beat you and then you get mad.
Completely taken aback, Joe responded with an accusatory look. I dont get mad at you because you win. I get mad at you because you win and then you rub it in my face.
Then why do you always ask me to play games if I do that?
Shut up and gimme the Scrabble game.
So we played and I, of course, beat him to a pulp. And then we played gin, and I won 8 out of 10 hands. I dont wanna play anymore. Wheres my magazine? Joe was in a huff. Youre the worst winner Ive ever met.
13 years baby! 13 years! I crowed. After 13 years you start telling me this! But I won, I won, I won!
Shut up.
Did I tell you I won?
Back to the trip report.
Our flight departed on time and landed, get this, EARLY! And get this too! Our driver from Tiffany was there. She was a really nice lady who saw that I was trying to manage all the bags and Joe was simply strolling along beside me. His back is out, I grunted like an Olympic power lifter under the strain of all our luggage.
Lemme get that, she responded.
Wait! Those two are really, really heavy! Dont do it! Lift with your legs! Dont . and she was already off and halfway out the door.
She was pretty darn strong by the way.
We piled into the towncar and were on our way to the Boardwalk. I happened to look at my watch and great googly moogly, we were an hour ahead of schedule!
As we turned into the drive to the Boardwalk, I felt Joes hand grab my mine. I glanced over and saw that he was jittery with anticipation, bouncing in the seat. I was too. I couldnt help grinning ear to ear! We were finally here!
We pulled up and were warmly welcomed. Our very strong driver handed our very heavy luggage to a very small cast member who struggled mightily. And struggle he did. He plunked the two gigantic suitcases and our carry on onto the strolling luggage brass do-hickey with a grunt and he said breathlessly, Check in?
Little cast member guy (didnt catch his name) gave me a receipt for our stuff and pointed us to check in. He was over the top friendly and our first cast member. He couldnt have been a better representative of Disney. All smiles, pressed uniform and perfect hair.
We entered the front doors, marveling at the lobby, thoughts of Were not worthy! Were not worthy! floated through my head.
Joe kept whispering, Look! And look! And look over there! Wow! Look! And I followed suit like a chorus.
It was beautiful. More than we could ever have imagined. I was pretty overwhelmed that we were actually there. Between you and me, I did have a lump in my throat, which I had to clear when we strolled up to guest services.
As we checked in, the young lady peered intently at her computer screen. With an engaging smile and a sweet giggle, she looked at the two of us and said, I will assume that you two would like separate beds and not a king size like you were assigned!
So with an engaging smile and a sweet giggle of my own, I responded, Actually, we would prefer keeping the king size bed if you dont mind. And then I tried to give her my truly biggest grin to show her I thought it was an honest mistake. Joe, on the other hand, kicked my foot and whispered, Stop grinning like that, its scary!
But all worked out. Our room was ready so we strolled through the lobby to find it. Room 5308.
Joe asked me, Wheres the elevator?
To which I responded with a roll of the eyes and a humored grunt.
I know youve never been here before and this is our first time. Im just making conversation!
So I grunted again.
But, soon enough we found the room. We opened the door and it was beautiful. And a balcony! We stood on the balcony and saw Spaceship Earth and the rooftops of a few World Showcase Pavilions. Looking down below us were the private bungalows and rose gardens. The view was spectacular. And once again, I felt that little lump in my throat. But thats between you and me.
Just a few short minutes later, our luggage was brought up. We quickly unpacked, hung up the fancy schmancy Pleasure Island shirts and pants, hid away our unmentionables, and spread out our bathroom stuff, with special attention to all the hair junk.
We pulled on our shorts (we were in jeans up to this point. NYC was a wee bit chilly that morning) and t-shirts and were off to Epcot. We had the entire afternoon to play and PS at 5:30 at the San Angel Inn.
Ambling through the lobby once again and out the back entrance onto their massive patio, we were amazed yet one more time. The great lawn, the little shops, the boardwalk itself, the sparkling lake, the turn of the century music playing softly, it was all incredible. Walking down the stairs, our heads were turning left and right, up and down, taking it all in.
We reached the boardwalk and walked towards Atlantic Dance, on the hunt for the entrance to Epcot. As we reached the end and saw the Swan and Dolphin, Joe mentioned, Maybe we should ask for directions. To which I responded with a grunt, I know where Im going. .
And we got lost about four seconds later. Me? Lost in Walt Disney World? Me? You bet your bootie we did. I, for one, was shocked I tell you. Joe was amused. I was shocked.
Much to my chagrin, Joe had snuck off to ask a cast member how we could get to Epcot. Apparently we went in the exact opposite direction that we should have gone. We werent just misguided, we walked the opposite way. Not just should have taken a left, then a right, then another left at the sign, then a u-turn, nope. Nothing that complex. We went left when we should have gone right.
So I blamed Joe. Whats a guy to do?
Anyway, we eventually found our way and much to my dismay, it was so easy and such a short walk, a visually impaired beagle could have found it. But heck, its Joes fault to begin with, right? I was just along for the ride.
We entered through the International Gateway and were immediately immersed in the Epcot environment. The music, the smiles, the smells, everything surrounded us. We definitely werent in New York City anymore, baby! And boy, were we happy!
We both beamed at each other and just stood, enjoying the first few moments of being in a Disney World park. It could have been any park at all in the World. Its the first few minutes that really get me.
And we were off!
We walked along the bridge and came to France first. We checked out the shops and breathed in the smells of the bakery. We werent huge fans of the stand-and-crane-your-neck movies so we decided to skip it that day. What the heck! We had nine glorious, fun filled days ahead of us. No rush!
Nevertheless, I kept my eyes peeled for mimes and whatnot. You never know when one of those things is going to pop up and do the walking again the wind or caught in the box acts. I always feel uncomfortably embarrassed for them when I see them.
Next, we ambled over to Morocco where, once again, Joe went on the hunt for a fez. Without fail, on each and every trip to Walt Disney World, Joe must find and wear a fez. Ive no doubt that each and every one of you has a loved one or friend who does the exact same thing. They hunt for a fez, find one and hold it up with a look of glee, and plop it on their noggin and say, Take a picture!
Well, thats Joe. He found his fez and proceeded to demand that I take a picture. Which I did for the umpteenth time. What the heck, he deserved a little fun for getting us lost on the way to Disney World. Ive no doubt he felt absolutely horrible for that.
Next stop, Japan. Visiting this particular pavilion brings back waves of memories for me. From when I was 8 until I was 14, our family was stationed on a Naval base in Yokosuka, Japan. Plus, my mom is from Japan, with family in ***uoka, Kyushu. It never fails to bring back wistful recollections when I see the toys, candy and other doo dads.
Because of this, we usually end up spending more time than normal here. Joe leaves me to my memories and walks around window-shopping, while I quietly stroll through and summon up my childhood.
On this trip, I found toys that todays kids would think were brand spankin new, but I had in the 70s. Everything old is new again.
I fought down the little lump in my throat (are you getting the picture that Im a sap?) and caught up with Joe in the back section. He was busy coveting all the Poky and other sweet treats. I picked up a particular candy I hadnt had in almost 25 years and happily munched away as we strolled to our next destination, America.
America, the beautiful. Need I say more? We decided to skip the presentation and save it for when we met up with our friends later in the week. Its one of my favorites but we had priority seating. Priority seating?! What time is it?! I lost track of time! Forget my childhood memories living in Japan! We need to get going to Mexico!
It was 5:10 and we still had Italy, Germany, China and Norway to contend with! Italy, beautiful fountain, neat statue people, check. Germany, oompah oompah (mmmmmmm .. beeeeeer), got it. China, wow look at those kids all twisty and gymnastic-like now I feel fat, Norway, well . Incredibly attractive young men and women, all blond and full of smiles.
Come on, come on, we gots to go!
Mexico. We trotted up the stairs and did a speedwalk through the crowds, Scuse me, pardon me, priority seating here, pardon, watch it, ouch!, scuse me.
We made it with a minute to spare. We saw a veritable riot at the front podium, thinking that wed have to wait for an hour or so before our table was ready. We gave my name and were handed what looked like a mechanical coaster. We were instructed that when the coaster vibrates, please come to the podium. Gotcha.
Because our table wasnt going to be ready for a half hour, why not check out El Rio Del Tiempo, aka Its A Mexican Small World? Couldnt hurt. Joe joked, Watch, well be in the middle of the ride when the coaster starts vibrating.
I shrugged and didnt think so. The nice cast member said thirty minutes and seemed to be very knowledgeable. I trust cast members.
So we strolled through the que and were just about to daintily step into the boat when not only did the coaster start vibrating, it lit up like the Fourth of July and an eerie womans voice emanated from it, Pardon me, your table is ready pardon me, your table is ready. You would have thought that a maniac cast member had popped out of the boat and screamed bloody murder at us the way we reacted.
Joe barked something unintelligible and threw the coaster at me and ran (still not sure why but he ran like the wind), so with one foot on the boat and the other foot on the loading platform, I tried my best to catch it. One hand grab squip up it went, other hand grab squip and again and again. Finally, after doing a rather dexterous one-item juggle, I caught it.
Joe was gone. I was still spread legged with one foot in the stupid boat. The coaster kept demanding that my table was ready. Other guests were simply staring at me, jaws slack. Cast members watching to see what was next.
I sheepishly stepped off the boat and walked through the que the wrong way, politely and quietly asking other guests to please let me by. When anyone would look at me, I would merely hold out my evil coaster as an explanation.
After reaching the podium, there was Joe, chatting amiably with the cast member. Oh! There you are! Our table is ready. Grinning ear to ear and doing the paw to paw excited shuffle. Boy, just about now he looked a lot like Bill, the Prince of Darkness. All quivering excitement and glittery eyes.
Where did you go? I hissed at him.
Hmmm? When?
When that coaster went off. You ran!
With huge doe eyes, he looked at me with a quizzical expression, I dont know what youre talking about. Oh look! Heres our table!
What could I say? I just stared at him.
Next up, our evening and I pop the question.
