Chapter 10

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"If Cassandra finds out we fed him, she's gonna fly off the handle," Eugene warned.  "You all prepared for that?"

"Yep!"  Kiera and Catalina agreed.

"But did you see him stand up to her? l am telling you, he is the one," Lance said.

"You know, the demon was very unclear how to break the spell.  I'm not sure I quite understood.  Something about love again?  Are we sure that means true love?"  Rapunzel asked.

The others shrugged.  "It's our best bet.  We have to help them fall in love if we are to be human again."

"And how can they fall in love if he never leaves his room?"

"Arianna is talking to him.  I doubt he'll stick around much longer.  Besides, he has to be getting hungry," Catalina pointed out.

"Guys, this is Cass.  She's not going to fall for anyone, let alone him fall in love with her.  She lettered messed up his entire life," Kiera retorted. "We shouldn't try to force them.  Let them be."

"It wouldn't hurt to prompt them a little bit," Lance said.

The kitchen door opened and they turned to it.  Varian's head peeped in.  "I suppose I am a little hungry..."

Arianna hopped over to them.  "Let's heat up the stove, heat up something warm."

Lance led him to the dining hall and chair walked up beside him.  "Do they want me to sit on them?"

"Yeah, it's fine.  It makes him feel useful."  Lance whispered the last part.

"Ok."  Varian sat down.

Lance cleared his throat. "It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure, that we welcome you tonight.  Here and now, let the dining room proudly present your dinner!  After all, what's your first dinner here without a little music?"

Lance: Be our guest, be our guest
Put our service to the test
Tie your napkin
’round your neck, buddy
And we’ll provide the rest
Soup du jou
hot hors d’oeuvres
Why we only live to serve
Try the gray stuff
it’s delicious!
Don’t believe me?
Ask the dishes

Varian chuckled as he watched the dishes roll out of a cabinet.

They can sing
they can dance
After all, sir
this is France
And a dinner here
is never second best
Go on unfold your menu
Take a glance
and then you’ll
Be our guest
oui, our guest
Be our guest
Ooh!
Beef ragout
Cheese soufflé
Pie and pudding en flambé
We’ll prepare and serve with flair
A culinary cabaret
You’re alone
and you’re scared
But the banquet’s
all prepared
No one’s gloomy
or complaining
While the flatware’s
entertaining
We tell jokes, I do tricks
With my fellow candlesticks!

Lance pulled Eugene onto the scene.  The latter sighed, but went along with it.

Both: And it’s all in perfect taste
That you can bet
Come on and
lift your glass
You’ve won your own free pass
To be our guest
If you’re stressed
It’s fine dining we suggest
Be our guest
Be our guest
Be our guest!

Lance: Life is so unnerving
For a servant
who’s not serving
He’s not whole
Without a soul to wait upon
Ah, those good old days
when we were useful
Suddenly those good old days are gone
Too long we’ve been rusting
Needing so much more than dusting
Needing exercise
A chance to use our skills
Most days we just lay
around the castle
Flabby, fat and lazy
You walked in
and whoops-a-daisy!

Back in the kitchen Arianna instructed how to prepare the meal.

Rapunzel: It’s a guest
it’s a guest
Arianna:Sakes alive,
well, I’ll be blessed
Drink’s been poured
and thank the Lord
I’ve had the napkins freshly pressed
With dessert
He’ll want tea
And my dear
that’s fine with me
Catalina: While the cups
do their soft-shoeing
I’ll be bubbling
I’ll be brewing
I’ll get warm piping hot
Kiera: Goodness sakes,
is that a spot?
Rapunzel: Clean it up, we want
the company impressed
We’ve got a lot to do
Is it one lump or two?
All: For you, our guest
She’s our guest
She’s our guest
She’s our guest
Be our guest, be our guest
Our command
is your request
It’s been years
since we’ve had anybody
Here and we’re obsessed
With your meal
With your ease
Yes indeed,
We aim to please
While the candlelight’s
still glowing
Let us help you,
we’lI keep going
Lance: Course by course!
One by one
’Til you shout,
All: “Enough, I’m done!”
Then we’ll sing you off to sleep
As you digest
Tonight you’ll prop your feet up
But for now let’s eat up
Be our guest
Be our guest
Be our guest
Please be our guest!

"Pudding?"  Eugene held up a bowl.

Varian laughed.

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