Chapter Two: Set-Up

As the big day drew nearer, AL coordinated with Gary and her guys, Alton, Duff, Robert, MuseicalMarty, V’s boys (V had forgotten…for shame!) and everyone at the Inkwell minus ClockworkDoc himself so things would go as smoothly as possible. The day of, Marty got Doc out of the building so the party preparations could begin.

Lou Caruthers (grumbling the whole time), Alton and Robert headed into the kitchen to make enough food for everyone. The total people in attendance would most likely be up to 50 people with AL’s blog crew, V’s muses and the Inkwell inhabitants. When the time came, AL would go straight to Charm City Cakes to get Duff and the cakes and bring them to the party.

While the cooking was…cooking, AL, the guys and the Inkwell crew started decorating the Inkwell. The traditional first anniversary symbol was paper, but the more modern one was – and this was amusingly fitting – clocks. They hung white streamers from the ceiling and bar (to symbolize paper) and had balloons custom-made to look like the clock face from the clock tower, but instead of being set at 10:04, they were set to 8:08 for the date ClockworkDoc got the deed to the bar. Those were being hung on corners and on the walls.

AL was hanging streamers on the turrets, Steve and Gary, who were grumbling about it.

“We’re not decorations, you know,” said Steve.

“Yeah, we’re sentries!” said Gary the Turret.

“Oh, dry up,” said AL. “It’s a party. We’ll take ’em off later. Be a good sport.”

The pair of turrets muttered complaints but AL ignored them. Dee came jogging up with Hooks riding on her shoulders and tugged on one of AL’s wings to get her attention.

“What’s up, kid?” she asked, turning to the six-year-old.

“We’re done puttin’ the tablecloths on. What else ya need?”

“Um…if you’re real careful, you can put the plates and utensils and stuff out for the buffet. Just don’t get in the way of the guys in the kitchen, okay?”

Dee grinned. “Sure! C’mon, Hooks.” She jogged away with the critter holding on tight, not really getting a say in their destination.

AL chuckled and caught her Gary by the arm as he was passing by. “Hey, Gar? Keep an eye on her, eh?”

He looked toward the retreating girl, smiled and nodded. “Sure.”

“How’s that food comin’?” AL shouted towards the kitchen.

“Going fine!” Robert called back.

“We’ll be ready in a couple hours,” added Alton. All she got from Lou was muttering under his breath.

“When are you going to get Duff?” asked Tommy.

“Soon as the food’s almost ready just in case he has set-up to do.” She surveyed her work of streamer-ing the turrets. “You look good, guys,” she said with a grin.

“Shut up,” they chorused.

“Hey, could’ve been worse. I could’ve hung the clocks on you.” She went to a clipboard she had on the bar and checked off the things they’ve accomplished. “Cake and food and Doc being here. That’s basically it. Okay, it’s up to the chefs, now.”

End chapter two.

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