“But you can’t!"
“Sure, I can. It’s in my contract.” Kermit said firmly. “I have it in all my contracts for when I travel. See, it says right here, I can go home in case of emergency.”
“And this is an emergency?"
“Yep, it is. Pays to have a good agent.”
“So what’s the big emergency?"
“I- can’t tell you that.” Kermit said quietly. ’Cause I don’t know what it is. “But I think it…it is serious, and I do have to leave.”
Alec settled back in the worn wooden chair at the café table.
“You’re putting me in a very awkward position, Kermit.”
“I know. I know that, and I’m sorry, but I have to go.” Kermit felt guilty, and let it show as apology in his face, but he also felt determined, and let that show too, eyes gazing in unswerving conviction.
“We’ll lose the chance to get more attention for the show.”
“Yes, but … word has a way of getting around all the same. There’s been a lot of interest.”
“Interest we should be feeding. More interest means more pledges, more support for the programs-“
Mr. Caraway cared, and it showed in every line on his expressive, yet weary face. Kermit sighed, but held his ground. “I know that… but sometimes, all you can do… is all you can do.” And I can’t do even that much from here.
The altruist looked at him for a long, searching moment. “It is… family trouble?"
Kermit refused to allow himself to squirm. He trusted, yet didn’t trust Caraway quite enough to let his doubt slip free. He needed to go home. “It is… trouble, of one kind or the other and … well, listen, it may not be your trouble now, but if things get worse… it will be. Our lives effect our arts, sir. It may not be the most professional admission, but it’s an honest one.”
“You’ve got another interview this evening at, uh…” Caraway pulled out a battered, well-used notepad out from his pocket and flipped through pages. Kermit had liked this low-key method of organizing from the start. “Uh, "Le bavardage quotidien" with Marie-“
“I won’t make it.” He found himself pinned under a knowing look. “Booked my ticket already.”
The quietness between them was weighted, but not ominous. When Alec finally replied, there was a twinkle in his eye. “She’s going to have a fit.”
Kermit risked it. “I’m hoping.”
“Oughta please your miss, back home.”
“I’m hoping.”’
-----------------------------------------------------------
“Again?" Fozzie hissed to Rowlf, painfully audible to everyone in the hallway.
Scooter squared his shoulders. “Miss Piggy, you… you must be feeling better by now.”
“Go on without moi. Anna Lou will be fabulous, moi am sure.”
“This can’t be good.”
“Quiet, Fozzie.” Rowlf murmured, trying to look as though he hadn’t said it.
“But Miss Piggy-“
“Quiet, Fozzie.”
“If you don’t feel up to singing, you could at least come and… and watch.”
