EDENVILLE

A Town United?

By @lyttlejoe

Reverend Smidge crossed the crowded floor to where Candice was directing her troops, pausing to impose on one of his lady parishioners to buy the last book of lottery tickets he said he had been tasked with selling.
"Bless you," he smiled," pocketing the genuine 5 pound note, "you will be remembered for your charity." From a passing tray he took two glasses of wine and a small plate of Bleu l'Ermite cheese and crackers.
"Candice, a wonderful job. This is for you." As he handed her the wine, Mayor Maynot deftly intercepted the glass and offered it to Candice, leading her by the arm to an alcove.
"Pinky, this is not the time."
Holding his hands palm forward, "No, no. I'm eager to see the saree. Remember, you were going to bring back--"
"Saree? Sorry, are you sure?" Candice drank the wine and handed him the glass.
"But- but you promised--"
"Kay saree, saree, Pinky." Candice chortled and flounced away.
********
"Don't take it too hard, Mr. Mayor. One door closes, another stays locked."
He looked at the speaker, recognizing the purple afro. "Flourida Crown DDS?"
"At your service . . . Pinky . . . may I call you Pinky?"
"What did you mean about the doors?"
"This is where all the dentures get jammed up and pulled loose from gummy cheese and soggy crackers. Business will boom. I'm talking about opportunity. The saree didn't pan out but over there by the cheese fountain is Knita Wooley, and there's her sister Pearl too. Speak to them about a saree . . . they work with the finest Merino sheep wool."
Pinky stared
********
"Porter will you stop fussing with that invoice and help me find Samuel Kemp. This would be a perfect opportunity to speak with him about the pub."
"But I don't remember any music."
"Oh for heaven's sake, drink this." Dipsy handed him a glass of Rosé wine.
"What kind is this, I have allergies?"
"Just drink it, Porter. It's a Greenich or something."
********
Twila sidled up to Constable Breem and whispered, "Have you seen Mr. Kemp?"
Breem took out his notebook. "Just what is the nature of your concern, Miss?"
"I just wondered if you'd seen him."
"So Mr. Kemp is missing. How long would you say, Miss?"
"I don't know if he's missing! I was just wondering where he was."
"Could you describe this person please?"
"It's Kemp! Sam Kemp, he owns the pub."
Breem rushed to the podium where Candice was reprimanding Carlos for cutting the cheese crooked, and grabbed the microphone, alerting the crowd to the disappearance of Samuel Kemp.
Millicent Peed phoned Corky immediately and a village wide fuchsia alert went out over the air.
Sam emerged from the men's room and was immediately swarmed. No one paid attention to Porter who was in the corner, scratching furiously.