I sometimes write stories for people's birthdays. This is just a little something I whipped together for Cheryl's birthday. It is what happens when our Austen heroes get mixed with "The Full Monty".
The Full Austen
By Carolyn
I sometimes write stories for people's birthdays. This is just a little something I whipped together for Cheryl's birthday. It is what happens when our Austen heroes get mixed with "The Full Monty".
Part 1
The last notes of Hot Chocolate's I Believe in Miracles faded in the room. "You cannot suppose we would be willing to do that," Col. Brandon protested, "we are all (with one possible exception) gentlemen." Six pairs of eyes were looking at me with a mixture of horror, hauteur and amusement.
"That is why asked for you. I knew that you would be willing to help a lady in distress," I told him. "Besides, if you do this, your wife will never be able to envision you in flannel waistcoats again. Believe me, never again."
"And what is the cause of your distress?" asked Mr. Henry Crawford.
"Last year, I wrote my friend Cheryl a story for her birthday," I told him. "I am afraid that I cannot come up with anything this year to match. So I was hoping you would all be willing to help me out."
"I am agreeable to helping you find a present for your friend," claimed Captain Wentworth, "but surely you cannot believe that we would be willing to expose ourselves in such a public manner. Why, we would be ridiculed. Whoever heard of such thing!"
"Not public at all, I assure. Just me, who is writing the story, Cheryl the birthday girl" I told.
"Well, that would not be so bad I suppose, but still taking off my clothes for two unknown women..."
"Four, actually," I said.
"Four!" exclaimed Captain Wentworth, and Mr. Knightley, too.
"Well, yes, I will be asking Ann2 and Myretta to proof read the story. But I assure that they will read in thoroughly detached and professional manner." I rather hope that none of the gentleman knew my fingers were crossed behind my back.
"I have never had any grievance against fiction," said Henry Tilney, "until this moment. It is too much, I tell you."
"Now, Mr. Tilney, please, I beg of you. Think of my poor friend, alone on her birthday, far from family and friends, looking from some spark of life as she enters her declining years," I knew I was laying it on rather thick, but he was coming around. "As a clergyman, surely you can see how we must aid those downtrodden in spirit as well as in health or wealth."
"Yes, I do see your point.--but why us?" Mr. Tilney asked.
"Because you are all Austen heroes, Col. Brandon, Mr. Darcy, yourself, Captain Wentworth, and Mr. Knightly, too."
"And Mr. Crawford? He was the villain, as I recall," said Mr. Knightly.
"Yes, I know. But I have my reasons. One, Edmund would surely disapprove of my little production. Two, Mr. Crawford bears a strong resemblance to Kenneth Branaugh when he played Dr. Frankenstein, which I know will make Cheryl happy. And three, I believe he would be the most cooperative about my little scheme. Was I wrong?" I asked Mr. Crawford.
"Not at all. I am always happy to oblige a lady. I, at least know how to behave like a gentleman, even if I do not always act like one."
The other gentlemen conferred, finally, reluctantly the agreed to be part of my little gift.
"How much time do you think it will take to get ready for our performance?" asked Col. Brandon.
"Cheryl's birthday is in two days," I admitted reluctantly.
"Two days!" six male voices screamed at me. But they had agreed to do it!
Part 2
"Diet Mountain Dew," I told the footman, whom I could barely see through squinted eyes. It appeared in my hand. I downed all 20 ounces in a single gulp...ahhh, the miracle of caffeine.
"Good morning, gentlemen, are you ready to get started?" I asked, beginning to perk up.
They were sitting around a large table, eating breakfast. Footmen were waiting on them as they ate. There was some grumbling, but I gave them a stern look.
"Every one get up on the stage. Line up, in alphabetical order--Col. Brandon, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Knightley--Mr. Tilney, who is that attached to your leg!?"
"I was hoping that you would be able to tell me. She appeared out of nowhere and attached herself to my leg and won't let go!" His voice rose in anxiety as he tried to shake off the clinging vine.
After taking another swig of Diet Dew, my eyes focused on the girl. "Rachel, what are you doing, let go of Mr. Tilney! This instant, Rachel!"
"Mr. Tilney? I thought it was the Colonel. He certainly looks like the Colonel."
"Well, it is not the Stud Muffin-- it is Mr. Tilney. Now off with you. "
Rachel glanced over her shoulder at Mr. Tilney. "Are sure it is not the Colonel?"
"Absolutely, positively! You are not even supposed to be here. How did you know of this story?"
"Oh I heard it through the grapevine!"
"Oh, no" I groaned as Rachel left the room.
"Is something wrong, may I be of instance?"
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy, but I am fine I assure you. Just let me lock the door, then we can get started." I went over to the door and locked the first lock, and the second, and the third, and then barred the door. I prayed it would be enough.
"Now, gentlemen, I thought it would be easier if you just danced to Mr. Beveridge's Maggot. I know that Mr. Darcy is familiar with it and Mr. Knightley, too." All the gentleman claimed knowledge of the dance. "First, just run through the dance as you normally would."
I put Genesis' Follow You, Follow Me into the tape player.
"I though we would be dancing to that other song--Keep your hat on?" interrupted Mr. Crawford.
"No, I am saving that for another story."
"Really, which one?"
"I do not see that it any of your business."
"Perhaps not, but I will not stop asking until my curiosity is satisfied."
"Well, if you insist. I am saving it for another yet to be completed long overdue birthday story."
"Am I in this story?"
"No, you are not. Now get on stage. "
"Well, can I read the story, then?"
"No!" I said through gritted teeth. Mr. Crawford just grinned at me.
"Now, if I have satisfied your curiosity, are you ready to begin?"
All the gentlemen nodded.
"Good, now do a dry run with Mr. B's Maggot, and the second time I will tell you what to take off and when to take it off."
Part 3
"I am seriously leaning to the Doors "Light My Fire" the long version for your dance," I told them. I had tried different tapes throughout the morning, but only "Light My Fire" was long enough, slow enough, and sexy enough for the dance.
Capt. Wentworth's stomach growled. Everyone laughed.
"Okay, everyone, lunch break," I called. The gentleman had been working hard all morning. They quickly made their way to the table, which footmen had instantly and scrumptuously laid out with all kinds of goodies, including a champagne bucket filled with Diet Dew and punch bowl filled to the brim with green M&M's. "Eat plenty of those," I advised the gentlemen.
"I think after lunch we should have a dress rehearsal. Colonel and Captain, my Captain, both of you in uniform please. Mr. Darcy the brown Pemberley outfit--you know the one that you wore after your swim. Mr. Knightley, your archery outfit. Mr. Tilney, I am sure that if we rifle the Colonel's closet we will find something to fit you.
"You do not think that the colonel will mind?"
"Last I heard he was being chased around the world by Katt and Meesh, I am sure he won't miss anything!"
"Mr. Crawford, since Dr. Frankenstein is somewhere in the Arctic at the moment, I feel that we have nothing to fear in raiding his closet either."
As I finished speaking, the gentlemen's valets appeared with the requested clothing. Mr. Darcy's valet whispered something in his ear.
"Miss Esau, I must tell you..."
"I told you to call me Carolyn--Carolyns are much more civilized than Carolines. I promise not jump your bones." As much as I would like to, I added to myself.
"Carolyn, if you insist. I would have you know that my valet informs me that all our wives are outside." Darcy was looking relieved.
"What, all five of them, out there at once?" I exclaimed, rising from my seat.
"Six, actually. Miss Price has also come along."
"She has! It must mean she cares about me!" crowed a delighted Mr. Crawford, jumping up from the table.
"More likely she is carrying a picket sign to close the place down for indecent exposure." I peeked out the window.
Unfortunately, I was right. And so were Emma, Elizabeth, Marianne, Catherine and Anne.
"Gentlemen, go change into your costumes. I will deal with your wives. Do not think for one moment that they can persuade me to abandon my gift for Cheryl."
Part 4
I invited the wives into the club first. "How did you hear about this little story?"
"Mr. Knightley talks in his sleep. But I knew for certain when I heard it through the grapevine," declared Emma.
"Grapevine? What Grapevine?" Did characters have a grapevine as well as authors?
"Ladies, do not be alarmed. I only want to borrow your husbands for one evening. I am arranging a birthday surprise for my friend and they have agreed to help."
"It will certainly be a surprise, not to say a shock to see our husbands, wearing nothing at all!" claimed Elizabeth.
"Not shocked. Titillated maybe, but definitely not shocked."
"Why should we agree to have our husbands exposed for your friend's pleasure?" asked Anne.
"Because I am sure it will provide benefits to yourself that as yet you cannot imagine. But I can."
"Whatever is your meaning?" asked Marianne.
"Elizabeth knows what I am talking about, remember, red nightdress, lots of buttons.." I could see a blush rising on Elizabeth's face, "and there was the picnic..."
"Yes, yes, I remember, do you really think we could all benefit from this performance."
"Listen, why don't you and the other ladies come into the lounge, I will pop a tape into the video and then when the gentlemen are ready for the dress rehearsal, you may act out Cheryl's part."
"Is Cheryl already on the premises?" asked Marianne.
"No, she won't be here until 9pm," I said.
"You said this show is only for your friend?" I nodded. "Then who is that woman sitting in my husband's lap!" Marianne demanded, picking up her picket sign. I was surprised because I had thought all the men had gone to change. But no, the was the Colonel trapped in his seat as Barbara tried to lap dance.
"Barbara! Get off of the Colonel, this minute do you hear!" I shouted, but was ignored. Marianne bopped Barbara on the head with a picket sign. Barbara let go of the Colonel as she slid to floor. I had two of the footman take her to the restroom to recover.
"Fire in the hole" I cried as I poked my nose in the dressing room. "I have your wives watching The Full Monty on video in another room--supplied with all the movie accouterments of popcorn, M&M's, and coca-cola for the added caffeine buzz. I told them that they could watch the dress rehearsal."
They all looked at me with incredulous stares. Mr. Crawford cleared his throat, "Will Miss Price be staying for the show?"
"As far as I know."
"Hot damn. This will be my opportunity to win her away from that stick in the mud Edmund." He started humming "Do You Think I'm Sexy" as he got ready.
Well, at least one of them was happy. The others were not.
"I want a full dress rehearsal at 2 PM!"
Part 5
"Okay, ladies the show is about to begin! I will be giving directions through out the dress rehearsal to make sure everything runs smoothly. Elizabeth hit the cassette player to start the music "Bow--off come the hat and toss." Anne caught the Captain's Hat with a delighted cry.
"Move forward" You know that it would be untrue "Right gloves Brandon & Crawford."
"On the turn, Now Darcy, Knightley," You know that I would be a liar "Good, Good."
"Next turn, Tilney and Wentworth," If I was to say to you "and throw the gloves."
"Repeat with the left." Girl, we couldn't get much higher
Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
"Now lose the jackets as you line up again." Try to set the night on fire "And toss." Kaf came out of nowhere and stole Mr. Knightley's jacket right out of Emma's hand. It happened so quickly I thought I had imagined it, but Emma was pouting, with her arms akimbo. She had wanted that jacket I could tell. "George, toss your wife the waistcoat instead." He nodded.
"Unbutton your waistcoats, but slowly." The time to hesitate is through "That's better, come forward and toss." Lynn stole the Captain's waistcoat. Where these ladies were coming from, I do not know. I had footmen guarding all the entrances.
"Cravats now, real slow. Work it, remember think SEX!"
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre
"Shirt collars. Strides, gentlemen, no sissy steps."
Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
"Boots, just as we rehearsed. Heel against the stage, work your foot loose and kick and catch--no harm to the ladies." I looked out, the ladies were really enjoying the show. "And left foot now."
Try to set the night on fire, yeah
The time to hesitate is through
"Off come the boots"--Margaret rushed out from under a table to steal Darcy's boots before they even hit the floor.
"Do the dosey-doe step," No time to wallow in the mire "And kick your foot back on the up step forward, grab your stocking."
"Up step back, grab the other," Try now we can only lose "Throw to the back of the stage, Mr. Tilney, these are not something that ladies want to catch." Catherine vigorously nodded her head in total agreement.
"Watch fobs, gentlemen. One at time, Brandon." And our love become a funeral pyre
"Crawford." Come on baby, light my fire
"Darcy." Come on baby, light my fire
Darcy was drenched with water.
"Megan, what are you doing up in the cat walk---and put down that bucket of water!"
"WET Shirt Contest" she cried, and begin tossing buckets of water on all the gentlemen.
A loud knock came from outside the door. "Open up in there! This is the POLICE!"
Part 6
Officer what seems to be the problem? You are interrupting a very important therapy session." (Darcy rolled his eyes at me)
"Therapy session, is it?"
"Yes, here is my card," I quickly whipped one out of my pocket. It read "Dr. Carolyn Esau, Sex Therapist" (being an author has its priviledges). We are dealing with a serious case of sexual repression," I said, pulling Fanny forward, "when you so rudely interrupted."
"Miss Esau, to talk of such things in public, even if it is to a member of the constablary, is simply not done," Fanny protested, blushing.
"See what I mean?" I asked the police officer, who nodded.
"Stripping as therapy--I thought I had heard it all," claimed the officer, "But what about this?" he asked, handing me a flyer--a purple colored flyer.
The Full Austen
Featuring:
Col. Brandon
Mr. Crawford
Mr. Darcy
Mr. Knightley
Mr. Tilney
Capt. Wentworth
As they take it off--ALL OFF!!!!
Plenty of room for everyone!! Bring a friend!!
In the Grapevine Chat Room, June 4th, 9 PM
For only ten quid it is a show not to be missed.
"Who in the world is WW Enterprises?"
"Carolyn, I thought this story was just for Cheryl? The Republic has these posters plastered all over the place!" Myretta cried as she entered the building, a fistful of flyers in hand.
"Has Cheryl seen them yet?"
"I don't know!"
"Carolyn, is it true? These posters have gone up all over Drool!" Nan rushed into the room, a fistful of flyers in one hand and a Powerbook in the other. I grabbed the Powerbook from her hands, (I just love coincidences!) and plugged into the net.
I pulled up WW Enterprises up on the Internet. An adult entertainment company, dedicated to making money off the new rise in popularity of Miss Jane Austen by any means possible.
Board of Directors
George Wickham, CEO
John Willoughby, President,
Mr. Elliot, Treasurer
Frank Churchill, VP Hair/Costume
John Thorpe, VP Transportation
Edmund Bertram, Spiritual Advisor.
"Bertram, that little weasel," snarled the wet Mr. Crawford, who was being handed a towel by a dry-mouthed, wide-eyed Miss Fanny Price.
Part 7
June 4, 8:15 PM
I had spent the day filling out forms at the police station and city hall. It seems I needed a permit for everything. One for offering adult entertainment, one for opening a club, even one for mixing real people with fictional characters! I wasted the morning trying to convince the fraud squad to go after WW Enterprises. After all, there would be hundreds of disappointed women outside my club tonight.
"It will be a riot, I tell you. There will be at least 500 disappointed women trying to get into the club tonight. At least send some men over for crowd control!" But they would not listen. Stupid men!
The hour was fast approaching. Myretta and Ann2 were going sneak Cheryl in the back way. She thought she would be going to an innocent party in the chatroom. The only fear I had was that she had already seen the flyers. I had removed them in a frantic run around Pemberley and Drool yesterday.
I stopped in the dressing room. "How is everyone, only 35 minutes until show time. Not too nervous are you?" I asked. The gentlemen seemed quite happy, their wives were seated on their laps.
"I see you followed my advice and gave your wives a private dress rehearsal last night." I was greeted with several cheeky grins, drowning me in dimples. Heavenly!
Only Mr. Crawford was without companion. "Miss Price could not bring herself to view another showing. I believe she liked the first one too much to contemplate a repeat."
"Well, don't give up her, she just might come around." I patted his shoulder in comfort. He took my hand and kissed it. I will never wash my hand again.
"I need to go check to see if everything is ready for the show. Half an hour to show time!"
I went into the club area. A special table had been set right in front of the stage. Cheryl would have no block views in any direction. The catwalk had been disabled, so I did not have to fear water falls in mid-performance.
I took a peak outside the club entrance, many were screaming "Full Austen! Full Austen!" at the top of their lungs. I could hear them trying to break the door down. For once I hoped the darn door will hold tight.
The security firm I had hired (Pushy Broads, Inc.) was making the rounds. Big Annie da Bruiser, Cassie the Crushmasher, Lise the Leveller, Malini the Mauler and Rampaging Rachel were on a search mission. Annie came back with towing along a young lady in Regency dress.
"Miss Price, you have returned, Mr. Crawford will be delighted. You may let her pass, Annie. She is on the invited guest list." I looked at Miss Price, who did not look so wishy-washy now. She skipped over to the dressing room. "Fire in the Hole" she roared before entering.
I glanced at the clock, 15 minutes until show time. And the clock seemed to be moving quickly and slowly at the same time.
It was five minutes until show time when Cheryl arrived. I seated her at the central table and handed a parchment scroll.
In Celebration of your Birthday June 4th, 1998
For Your Viewing Pleasure
The Full Austen
Featuring:
Col. Brandon
Mr. Crawford
Mr. Darcy
Mr. Knightley
Mr. Tilney
Capt. Wentworth
"I had this little show planned for your birthday present. It was to be a private show, but Wickham & Willoughby had posted flyers all over Pemberley (and Drool, too)! Now we have half of Pemberley beating on the door." I was silent for a moment. Shouts of "Let Us In! Let Us In!" could be heard from without. "So do you want to keep this private, or should I open the doors and let the rest of Pemberley in?"
"Sure, what the heck, open the doors and let them all in! It's too wonderful to keep to myself. "
"OK, but hold on to your seat. Annie, you and the girls can open the door, but be careful, I would not want to see you crushed in the stampede." Women flocked in grabbing up tables as quick as could be. The obliging footmen, in full livery, began to serve champagne.
Now I only had to convince the gentlemen to go on stage. I made my way back to the dressing room.
I cautiously stuck my head in the dressing room. "Hi, is everyone ready?" I said with a big false smile. "I just thought I would mention that there has been a slight change of plans. I have decided to honor all the tickets that WW Enterprises sold."
"What?" all the gentlemen squawked at once.
"Well, the tickets were bought in good faith. The poor ladies did not know it was a scam. Besides it is really not that much of difference if you perform for one or one hundred," I said, mentally adding (or two, or three, or even four hundred).
"Besides, you have all experience how deceptive the gentlemen, if I can use that term, at WW Enterprises can be."
"She is right. We all know what deceptive liars they can be," said Elizabeth. She whispered into Darcy's ear. In fact, all the wives were whispering into ears.
"Well, you can count on me," said Mr. Crawford.
"Thank you, Mr. Crawford. How about the rest of you?" I finally got five more grudging nods.
"Thank you so much, I really appreciate what you are doing for me. I do not know how I will be every to repay you!"
"How about another picnic?" asked Darcy, smiling. I am a sucker for dimples.
"It is already in the works," I said from the doorway, "Five minutes to show time!"
Part 8
I have finally recovered enough to relate the events of Thursday evening.
I went on stage, and grabbed the mike. "Okay, ladies the show is just about to begin! There is only one rule tonight--no rushing the stage. Anyone who tries will be escorted out of the club by Big Annie and her ladies." A spotlight hit Annie and her ladies...they flexed their biceps. "These are some ladies you don't want to mess with. Now, I have six gentlemen backstage who are just waiting to Light Your Fire." Lots of screaming here. "Shall I invite them on stage then?"
A deafening roar of "Yes" hit the stage and nearly knocked me over. "Here you ladies, The Full Austen!!!"
The lights dimmed. Elizabeth hit the cassette player to start the music. Jim Morrison's hypnotic voice filled the club. There was an awed silence as the gentlemen took the stage. The bowed and then tossed their hats to audience. Vivian caught Darcy's hat while Arlene snagged the Colonel's. The screaming started and did not let up until the performance was over.
In my seat in the front row, I mentally kept a list of the clothing items while at the same time trying to focus on the reaction of the crowd.
Right Gloves--check
You know that it would be untrue "OH, MY GOD!!! IT IS REALLY THEM!!!"
You know that I would be a liar ".Go, Darcy, Go Darcy!"
If I was to say to you "Oh, Captain, my Captain, throw those over here."
Left Gloves--Check
Girl, we couldn't get much higher "I am floating right now!:
Come on baby, light my fire "You can light my fire Darcy!! Anytime! Anywhere!"
Come on baby, light my fire "Oh, Baby!"
Jackets--Check
Try to set the night on fire
Kali jumped on a table to catch Mr. Knightley's jacket. Waving her fist in the air as a victory salute, she put on the jacket. "Oh, Mr. Knightly, you want your jacket back, come and get it!" she said with a sexy roll of her shoulders.
Waistcoats--Check
The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire "Col. Brandon we are dying here! Take off that
waistcoat. Now! Please!"
I glanced up the gentlemen. I perceived that they were aware that they had the audience in a slow simmer and were going to play it for all it was worth. Sheer torture to many of the writers who were here, but I could not help but feel that the gentlemen were just giving tit for tat.
Darcy spotted Ann2 who was too well behaved and too shy to step forward and tear the waistcoat from his hands. So he threw it to her. She buried her reddening
face in it and inhaled deeply. Apparently, Darcy liked Ann's stories.
Cravats--Check
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre
Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
The gentlemen were taking their time. "Oh, Stud Muffin, through your cravat over here!" I looked over and saw a table with Meesh, Katt, Lise and Rachel. "It is not the Colonel, it is Mr. Tilney!" I shouted.
"It doesn't matter," cried Katt, "he is still a stud muffin!" Mr. Tilney grinned and tossed the table his cravat.
Shirt collars--check
Try to set the night on fire, yeah
The time to hesitate is through
Boots--check
As the gentlemen came to the edge of the stage to remove their boots, they found that they did not it, for the had many eager assistants to remove both the boots and their stocking (I guess I was wrong about ladies not wanting those--Stockings--check).
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
"Watch fobs--check One at time, Brandon." And our love become a funeral pyre The Colonel kissed the fob and tossed it to Cheryl. She never got it. Barbara made a leaping catch worthy of a major league baseball player to snatch the fob.
"Crawford." Mr. Crawford repeated the actions of the Colonel. All the other gentlemen did. Cheryl only got two. Mr. Crawford's and Mr. Darcy's. Come on baby, light my fire
"Darcy." Come on baby, light my fire
"Knightley." Knightley's went to Natasja, who made a leaped two tables to be in the right place at the right time. Try to set the night on fire, yeah
"Tilney." Tilney's went to the Colonel's followers. The tag teamed poor Cheryl. She never had a chance. The time to hesitate is through
"Wentworth." Traci stepped out the shadows (elbowing her way into the room...) that she had been hiding in. "I almost missed this, Cheryl...thanks for the welcome back!" she said cheekily, snatching the fob as it hit the table. No time to wallow in the mire
Shirts--che....they were unbuttoning their trousers!!! That is not the way we rehearsed it. They were supposed to take off their shirts and then the trousers. The curtain would fall just as the trousers did. Only by luck would someone glimpse something of an X-rated nature. But the gentlemen had decided to change the program, and I could only sit back and watch and admire.
"First button!" The buttons went pop. Try now we can only lose
"Second button, yes, yes, yes!" And our love become a funeral pyre
"Third button, oh my!" Come on baby, light my fire
"Fourth button, yippee." Come on baby, light my fire
They proceed to drop their trousers, one by one, Brandon first. Barbara was hyperventilating. Try to set the night on fire, yeah
Crawford. Cheryl was close to fainting, I think. You know that it would be untrue
Darcy. Nan rushed to the edge of the stage "Darc, oh, Darc! Let me have them, please, please, please, please, please, please!" He obliged. You know that I would be a liar
Knightley. The Knightley contingent was all quivering like a bowl full of jello. If I was to say to you
Tilney. I could see that the Colonel's regiment had deserted him. Girl, we couldn't get much higher
Wentworth. Cassie dropped from a swinging overhead light. She caught the trousers mid-air. She landed on her feet just like a cat and wore a grin like a cat who had been into the cream grin. Come on baby, light my fire
The gentlemen deserted the stage. What was happening? I was biting my nails as the crowd began shout, "Full Monty! Full Monty!"
The gentlemen came back on stage. They were only wearing their thigh length shirts. They stood in front of the central table and one by one took off the shirts!
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
It was not quite the full Monty though. The gentlemen had strategically placed signs, keeping the privates parts private.
Oh, and the signs read:
Brandon-----Crawford-----Darcy-----Knightley-----Tilney-----Wentworth
I could tell by the silly grin on Cheryl's face as she slid under the table that the evening's entertainment had been a success.
My only problem now is what am I going to do for next year? Only 363 days to think about it.
The End
Copyright held by the author
