THE STORY will be typed in here. I will try to work with navigation on left to make room for two pages of text on this page so one does not have to scroll down so far or click so many links. Each chapter is about 6 to 8 pages long. So...we'll see.

David and Mary looked on at shock at Mrs. Vitrollio, Isannah's mother. Mary looked up at her, “But I thought that the Queen Mum always hosted the big kick-off party? And with my parents out of town, why do I have to attend?”
“We are hosting it this year. I suspect that the Queen Mum is looking for her next successor. But, your mother is not out of town. She is right here."
It was Friday and David and Mary were trying to eat their lunch before the bomb exploded.
Mrs. Goldstein walked in, "I have ordered contractors to add on to our house immediately. So, when you come home this Christmas, Mary, you will hopefully see a much grandeur and updated home. I am adding a ballroom that is twice the size of the Queen Mum’s and three times larger than Vitrollio’s ballroom." She glanced quickly at Mrs. Vitrollio and then quickly added. "Well, that is the size that the architect came up with, and I did not want to make waves, so approved it. He was such a nice man and all."
Mrs. Vittrollio headed off towards the little stage where announcements were made during lunch. Mrs. Goldstein took advantage of the opportunity and quickly whispered, "Isannah will be the envy of you, my dear Mary.” Mrs. Goldstein then reached down and gave Mary a peck on her forehead. Mary rolled her eyes. She hated it when her mother did that!
 
At 7 P.M. they finally arrived at the Vitrollio’s. Mary and David gracefully walked in with Mary’s hand in David’s arm while her mother pushed her chair. Mrs. Goldstein wanted Mary to switch to her electric wheelchair, but Mary insisted on her sporty model instead. It was much easier to maneuver.
 
Mary removed her hand only when it came time for her to greet the Queen Mum. She wanted to be sure that everyone saw she was here with David. Priscilla scowled, but only a little. She was eyeing the British Prince and thought that she might as well become the next Queen of England.
 
The dinner bell was rung and everyone went to find their seats. David found Mary’s place name and quickly exchanged it with Priscilla’s. There was no way, he was going to be stuck next to her! Mary quickly transferred to her seat. The butler took her wheelchair into the other room. David quickly took his seat before anyone would notice the switch. Mrs. Goldstein kept the Queen Mum distracted with golden nuggets about David and Mary, not one to be out trumped in who gets who. Finally, Mrs. Goldstein and the Queen Mum took their spots. The Queen looked around the table and noticed David next to Mary and Priscilla next to Markus. The Queen decided not to say anything, seeing that Priscilla appeared very happy with her seatmate and seeing that the seats were still lady - gentleman - lady - gentleman order.
 
Mary noticed two girls that looked like Dora and Ella sitting across the table looking bored. She leaned over to David and asked, "Do you think that they might be like us? You know, not really too excited about this life style that we are forced into?"
 
"I don't know. We can talk with them afterwards and find out."
 
Mary looked around the oversized ballroom. There were several very long tables in the room so that everyone would have a seat. Even the children sat at these long tables. The younger children were curteously placed next to their parents, but still in male - female - male - female order. "It is rediculous how they split up families here, just for the sake of a pattern!" Mary shook her head.
 
Dora looked up from her plate of fancy yuck, as she called it, and spoke, "Excuse me, but my name is Dora and I could not help but notice your distaste in something. It is the whole seating thing, isn't it?"
 
Mary looked up in surprise. "Well, yes."
Hesitatingly, she added, "Do you also think so?"
 
Dora leaned slightly across the table towards Mary and David, "Let's just say that..." She paused, while looking left and right to be sure no one was paying any attention. "Let's just say that I don't agree with most things that go on here."
 
"We agree quite fully," David added. "After dinner, lets go somewheres quiet and discuss it."
 
"After dinner, we should really try to get Priscilla before she gets us!"
 
Mary knew immediately what Dora was referring too. Priscilla always tried to get people in trouble for something they did not do. "Agreed."
 
************
 
After dinner, everyone scattered into cliques with drinks in one hand, and dessert plate in another. People know longer were sandwiched in at a table. The dessert table was not your usually assortment of cookies, cakes and bars. Instead, the Queen Mum wanted to be sure that Lobster tails, Shrimp, Sushi, Caviar and other delectables were offered as well. This was under the pretence that those on diets would have something to eat while not letting on that they are actually dieting. After all, dieting is something no one actually admitted to, but quietly did.
 
Dora spied Priscilla walking towards them with a cake in one hand and punch in the other. "Quickly, Mary and David, go hide!" She then nodded towards Ella, her friend, "Get into place close to the Queen Mum, and stand every so slightly behind the Queen. Priscilla must see you!"
 
Dora placed herself in front of the Queen Mum's right side and waited. Priscilla came closer to where Dora stood, and then pretended to trip. Dora moved out of the side so that the Queen Mum would get the ful brunt of the impact. Punch splashed into the Queen Mum's face, and filtered down her front. The Dark Chocolate cake with its 3 inches high ornate dark chocolate frosting landed neatly against the Queen Mum's ornately beaded dress. Priscilla reached up quickly with her napkin and started wiping off the Queen.
 
"I do apologize, Dora tripped me and I just could not keep my balance."
 
The Queen Mum looked around and did not see Dora anywhere's in site. "Dora? How could she have! She was not even here!"
 
Priscilla, quite taken aback, thought, "How can anyone miss Dora standing right in front of them! Okay, so she was a little off to the side, but still...this is the Queen Mum we are talking about!"
 
"Priscilla, you really must learn to pick up your feet while you walk! Grace, think grace!" The Queen Mum then walked off in a huff to go change into something clean.
 
Dora continued towards the pond, not concerned that the Queen Mum's night would not be ruined. Dora lost herself in thought,"I know she had at least five changes of clothes, after all isn't it the custom for all ladies to always bring at least 5 changes of clothes for just in case someone happened to show up in the same dress? Of course it is considered a faux paux to be dressed identically like anyone else! But then one might need to change if something went wrong, like a dress split, or someone spilled. Of course it was never they, themselves, who spilled. Oh no, it was always someone else who was the clutz. At least that was the way it was behind the persons back; but to their face, they bent over backwards claiming fault all the while trying to prove that they are the more gracious one! What a waste! And the mass isn't even kept in a job because of it! After all, the rich do not even buy their clothes off the rack. Instead they buy their clothes where only a few have touched the threads." Dora rolled her eyes.
 
Dora and Ella finally reached the pond where Mary and David were waiting. Dora gave them the thumbs up, "One for us, zero for them."
"Cool!" David exclaimed.
Mary asked, "So, what do we do for an encore?"
"I have an idea," said David.

 
David and Mary went over to the buffet table. David handed Mary a plate of lobster tails stuffed with shrimp. He carefully removed the shrimp from their shells and smeared a light layer of tobasco sauce inside. He then smeared a light layer of horseradish sauce, being very careful to only get a hint of horseradish inside each shell. After putting the shrimp back into their shells, he arranged the plate to look like all the other plates. Carefully, he put the plate back on the table, being sure that no one thought about grabbing that one.
 
Priscilla came towars them, as David pretended to being deciding on which plate to grab. Just as Priscilla came within grabbing reach, David moved his hand to grab the fixed plate. Priscilla quickly moved his hand away and grabbed the plate. She then grabbed a second plate with her other hand, then walked briskly away in the direction of the Queen Mum.
 
"I thought you might appreciate some Shrimped Lobster," Priscilla humbly spoke, while handing the Queen Mum the fixed plate.
 
David and Mary exchanged quick glances as they moved away from the buffet table. Priscilla made a bow towards the Queen Mum and then turned to leave. The Queen Mum did not take a bite for quite some time. In the mean time, Priscilla took the other plate and handed it to a very shocked Isannah. She then grabbed a piece of cake and some more punch then proceeded to go find Dora. Not noticing Mary, Priscilla tripped over the wheel and managed to get punch and dark chocolate cake all over herself. Mary quietly wheeled away towards the door leading to the pond. The Queen Mum took a bite of the shrimp and gasped. Shrieks were heard from both sides of the room. No one knew who to help first, Priscilla who was sprawled out on the floor, or the Queen Mum, who was fanning her mouth as if she had set her mouth on fire.
 
The Queen Mum finally found her voice and yelled, "Priscilla! You are beyond grounded!" at the same time Priscilla finally found her voice, "Dora! Just you wait!"
 
Mary finally joined the others at the pond. "Two to one. And I don't think we will get another chance. Priscilla is so beyond grounded."
 
"Well, we will see about that. Ella, ready?"
 
Ella nodded yes and started to follow Dora towards the house. Dora froze, hearing a door open, and then decided to quickly go and sit down. Ella followed suit. Dora's and Priscilla's father came running down the path. Dora started up a conversation with the others about school, as if they had been discussing it all along.
 
Mr. Jonsey bellowed at Dora, "What do you think you are doing?! Tripping my daughter in front of the Queen!"
 
"Your daughter was no where near the Queen when she tripped. I saw her sprawled out on the floor, remember?" Dora's father countered. "Dora, where were you a few short minutes ago?"
 
"Here, talking with my friends. Besides, how else am I going to network successfully if I don't start when I am young?"
 
Dora's father turned towards Mr. Jonsey, "You see, my daughter was right here. Your daughter was confused and only thought it was Dora, when it was her own clutziness that tripped her."
 
"My daughter is not clutzy! You daughter is lying. I know that Priscilla does not lie. She is not so clever as to be able to tell such a whopper!"
 
The four children exchanged knowing looks while thinking, "Isn't that the truth! Priscilla is to stupid."
 
David interjected, "Dora and the rest of us have been discussing school for the past hour or so. And, last I checked, it is quite impossible for one to be in two places at the same time."
 
Neither father wanted to offend David, as both wished their daughters to secure his hand in marriage, being that he is the son of the richest family and that makes him the most eligible bachelor! So, they looked at each other, grunted and then stomped off without saying another word to each other.
 
David opened his mouth to speak. Ella shook her head "no" and put her finger to her lips. David looked over at Mary, wondering why silence was in order. Mary merely shrugged her shoulders.
 
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Dora spoke, "My father has excellent hearing. He can hear a pin drop in the other room. I, too have excellent hearing. That is why I waited until the door actually shut tight before speaking. Well, I guess you two win this match. However, if I were to really have things my way, we would NOT get another chance ever! I so hate coming to these parties!" Dora abruptly added, "I don't mean anything against you guys. I love to see you and talk and all. It's only the parties I meant."
 
Ella decided to finally speak, "Dora, we know. We all feel the same way."
 
Mary thought to herself, "I'm surprised, she actually speaks! Ella is so quiet, I was wondering if she ever spoke in public at all!"
 
*************
 
In the ballroom, people were getting ready to leave. Happy chatter amongst the children were slowly be drowned out by Parent calling out for silence and order. Some parents were still trying to find their children, who took it amongst themselves to play hide and seek amongst the coats. Very few cars had taken off yet as people were blocking the way as they tried to find their car. No one, it seems, wanted to wait for the valet service to bring them their car. Bouncers were kept busy, handing out keys to people and trying to figure out who was driving what. It was a mass of confusion. That was, however not the mass of confusion of the year. That was yet to come.