Holiday Hullabaloo

Chapter 7

In his apartment, Jeremy lay in bed with a heavy cold.

His fiancee, Andy McNally had just brought him some soup. 

"You doing okay?" she said.

"Yes, fine. I should be perfect by Thursday" said Jeremy.

Their good friend Calvin O'Keeffe entered the apartment just then. 

"Hey, Jeremy, it's Calvin. Letting myself in" he said.

Andy went out to the living room to find Calvin taking off his coat. 

"Hey," she said.

"Oh, hi, Andy. Is Jeremy here?" said Calvin.

"Yeah, and you came at the right time. He's just gotten well enough for visitors" said Andy.

"Great. Charles Wallace invited me because we've been meaning to share something with him. Where is Charles Wallace anyway?" said Calvin.

"He should be home soon" said Andy. 

She turned back and called, "Jeremy! Calvin's here!"

"Let him in, darling" said Jeremy.

Calvin entered Jeremy's room with a smile. "How are you feeling, pal?"

"Better, I s'pose. What brings you here?" said Jeremy.

"I see that XKE Jaguar I sold to you is working like a charm" said Calvin.

"Yes; I never thanked you for it, Calvin. I'd always wanted a car like that" said Jeremy.

"Satisfying customers is the best part about selling cars. I know it sounds like I'm just saying it, but it really is. Really" said Calvin.

Jeremy laughed. "I should hope so, lad."

"Anyway. Charles Wallace and I are singing at Actorville's Christmas party and I was wondering if you and Andy would like to be our test audience" said Calvin.

"I'd love that, Calvin, but... aren't Sam & Robin doing the singing?" said Jeremy.

"Yes, but we're the prelude. Now, I better get this test run handled so you can get back to resting" said Calvin.

"Shouldn't you wait for Charles?" said Jeremy.

"He doesn't need rehearsal. Mind reading helps him" said Calvin.

Charles Wallace came home with two pieces of paper just as Calvin started singing.

Calvin: Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen

Charles Wallace: Sorry I'm late. I was busy doing some rewrites.

Calvin: Rewrites?

Charles Wallace: I highlighted your parts. Sing along.

Santa Claus and all his elves are making gifts for Charlesie

Calvin: I don't think that's how it goes

Charles Wallace: You're thinking way too deeply

 Calvin: Charles Wallace, you're completely disrespecting this classic song!

You're ignoring the historical context. King Wenceslas was a great man.

You have no idea what this song is about.

Charles Wallace: I very much so know this song. 

The words were by an English guy, the music's Scandinavian 

Wenceslas was five foot six, he kept his face unshaven

Though just a duke, throughout his life, he always ruled os justly

His kingly title was conferred upon him posthumously 

Calvin: Well, I stand corrected. You seem to know a lot.

But if you know so much, why not sing the original song?

Charles Wallace: I like my version better. It's about me.

Charlesie should get lots of gifts every Christmas season

When I see presents just for me, it always is so pleasin'

That is why I changed the words to make the song more edgy

If you don't like the way I sing you'll get a Christmas wedgie

Jeremy and Andy were laughing by the time they finished.

"Oh dear" Jeremy sighed with a smile.

"I think we need to do a little more work" said Calvin.