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“Gertrude, are you
ready for the ball yet?” Her husband, Cedric, adjusted his tie.
“Cedric, of course
I’m ready. I’m so excited about going to the ball. To think we’re going to
the Royal Scotsman Hotel. I’ve always wanted to go there. I do hope Jeems
has the car ready.” Gertrude searched the closet for her parasol.
Cedric went
outside. He saw Jeems standing near the car. “What’s wrong, Jeems?”
“The car won’t
start, Sir. I’m afraid you’ll have to call a taxi.” Jeems sighed.
“A taxi? Gertrude
will never accept that. She wants to go to the ball in our car.”
“I’m sorry, Sir.
The car is broken. You’ll have to call a taxi, Sir.” Jeems opened the hood
of the car. “I’ll see what I can do, but don’t hold your breath.”
Cedric went inside
and found Gertrude. “I’m sorry, dear, but the car is broken. We’ll have to
call for a taxi.”
Gertrude’s face
turned ugly and scrunched up. “A taxi? Never. Why can’t Jeems fix the
car?”
“Dear, it’s
broken. I’m going to call a taxi now.” Cedric went to find a telephone. A
few minutes later he called to his wife. “Dear, there are no taxis
available. If you want to go to the ball, we’ll have to take the bus.”
Gertrude held onto
the wall. “Public transportation? Never, Cedric.”
“Then we can’t go
to the ball. I might as well undress.”
“No, Cedric. I
want to go to the ball, no matter what.”
“Very well then.
We’ll take the bus.” Cedric locked the door behind them and they strolled
to the bus stop. When it pulled up they climbed on board. They sat in the
front seat.
“Oh, Cedric. This
is appalling. This bus smells horrid.” Gertrude groaned. They drove
through the town, bumping up and down, stopping at every corner. When a
man walked past wearing dirty clothes, Gertrude nearly fainted.
“We’re here now.”
Cedric helped Gertrude off the bus. “There’s the Royal Scotsman Hotel. We
made it safely.”
Gertrude sighed
with relief and the two of them went into the hotel. That night they had a
grand time dancing and sipping champagne. Much to her relief, when it was
time to leave, Jeems had fixed the car and was able to pick them up! |
