The Cable Car
Zizi was probably the only one in the car who didn't move or exclaim when the car stopped. On the contrary, she felt an immense surge of relief. Maybe they would be stuck here forever. Or even better maybe they would be forced to go back down to the town and the weekend would be cancelled. But unfortunately it wasn't long before the car was moving again and they were pulling into the station at the top of the mountain. Her feeling of dread returned full force. The looks she got coming into the car were bad enough, but once they arrived at the mansion and her mother forced her to talk to all these people? It would be torture.
She followed Mother out of the car, a few paces behind.
Dina [under her breath]: "Elizabeth! Don't dawdle! And don't slouch!"
Zizi reluctantly picked up her pace so she was just behind her mother. They were making a beeline for their hostess, Sally Spectra, as was proper. Sally was a kind woman, so Zizi couldn't really fault her about all of this. But the way everyone gushed at her mother made her a little bit sick.
Yes, I'm a whale, we know.
But Zizi smiled politely at Sally.
"Madame Spectra. It's so nice to see you again."
Everyone was always telling Mother what she wanted to hear. And then Sally was moving her chin this way and that, and Zizi was sure she could see the disappointment in her face. Trying to figure out how she was going to placate Mother about her. But her mother looked like Daddy'd just doubled his fortune.
Zizi sighed. Of course, Zizi didn't want to look real special. She'd rather stay home with a book. But that hardly mattered. She gave Sally another polite smile and thanked her as she invited them to go up to the mansion. Inside, they waited for Sally to tell them where they should go next, and when she finally arrived, she gave them all a rundown of the weekend.
Dina and Zizi were shown to adjoining rooms, a porter depositing their luggage. Zizi thought her mother would have preferred to share a room, if the concept of sharing wasn't so alien to her. Even being next door, Dina was still fussing.
Dina: "Where is the maid? Are we expected to unpack our own things?"
She huffed around a bit, before declaring that she was going to see to this, leaving Zizi alone. Blessedly alone. Zizi decided this was her opportunity, and she slipped out of the mansion for a stroll in the gardens.
Zizi was probably the only one in the car who didn't move or exclaim when the car stopped. On the contrary, she felt an immense surge of relief. Maybe they would be stuck here forever. Or even better maybe they would be forced to go back down to the town and the weekend would be cancelled. But unfortunately it wasn't long before the car was moving again and they were pulling into the station at the top of the mountain. Her feeling of dread returned full force. The looks she got coming into the car were bad enough, but once they arrived at the mansion and her mother forced her to talk to all these people? It would be torture.
She followed Mother out of the car, a few paces behind.
Dina [under her breath]: "Elizabeth! Don't dawdle! And don't slouch!"
Zizi reluctantly picked up her pace so she was just behind her mother. They were making a beeline for their hostess, Sally Spectra, as was proper. Sally was a kind woman, so Zizi couldn't really fault her about all of this. But the way everyone gushed at her mother made her a little bit sick.
DINA!
<< hugs and air kisses>>
So GOOD to see you again!
This must be little Elizabeth!
Dina: Not so little anymore, Darling!
Yes, I'm a whale, we know.
But Zizi smiled politely at Sally.
"Madame Spectra. It's so nice to see you again."
Sally said:So I see! And look at her, so fresh faced, like a first fallen snow, so pretty!
Everyone was always telling Mother what she wanted to hear. And then Sally was moving her chin this way and that, and Zizi was sure she could see the disappointment in her face. Trying to figure out how she was going to placate Mother about her. But her mother looked like Daddy'd just doubled his fortune.
Dina: Sally! We're going to be attending this big celebrity ball next week...
Sally: The Fire and Ice Ball! I know all about it, darling!
Dina: Well her [ Elizabeth's] daddy and I want her to look REAL special!
Zizi sighed. Of course, Zizi didn't want to look real special. She'd rather stay home with a book. But that hardly mattered. She gave Sally another polite smile and thanked her as she invited them to go up to the mansion. Inside, they waited for Sally to tell them where they should go next, and when she finally arrived, she gave them all a rundown of the weekend.
Sally said:EVERYBODY, I just want to address one matter of housekeeping...Whether you will be staying with us only through the duration of the show, OR for the entire weekend, we have luxury accommodations available for each of you. Cassandra will show you to your rooms. Champagne Brunch will served at 11 am. After you're settled in, please feel free to explore the gardens, and other common areas of the grounds.
Dina and Zizi were shown to adjoining rooms, a porter depositing their luggage. Zizi thought her mother would have preferred to share a room, if the concept of sharing wasn't so alien to her. Even being next door, Dina was still fussing.
Dina: "Where is the maid? Are we expected to unpack our own things?"
She huffed around a bit, before declaring that she was going to see to this, leaving Zizi alone. Blessedly alone. Zizi decided this was her opportunity, and she slipped out of the mansion for a stroll in the gardens.