The group looks to see that the restaurant they plan to eat at is closed.
Jack tries to open the door, but no dice, Huh, no kidding. Door's locked."
"How terrible! I had so hoped to enjoy an afternoon of excellent food and conversation with the nine of you!" Rook says.
"Maybe they couldn't make enough money to stay afloat," Ruggie guesses.
But Jack looks through the window, "No, I don't think it's that. Look, through the window—I can see the manager in there. Fully asleep.
"Asleep?" Briar questions.
Floyd looks through the window, "You ain't kidding. He's splayed out flat on the floor, snoozin' away like a clown loach. Unbelievable. He oughta be fired for neglectin' customers like this."
"He's a big ol' dude, huh?" Ruggie says.
"Really big," Sereia says.
"I'm going to knock on the door and get him up," Jack says and begins to knock on the door, "Hey! Wake up, will ya? Yooo!" and continues knocking.
Soon, the door opens to reveal the manager.
He yawns and asks, "Who is it?" And soon notices Jack, "...Oh! Heya, Jack! It's been a while!"
"Don't 'heya' me. The restaurant's supposed to be open today. What's the deal?" Jack questions.
"We're actually shut down for the whole month. I've been feeling under the weather," The manager says.
This has Jack shocked, "You have? Are you sick? Did you get hurt?!"
"Just tired. Haven't gotten enough shut-eye recently..." The manager says and yawns.
"You're...tired?" Jack questions.
Then the manager explains, "Yep. Port Fest is coming up soon. That's the big festival we have here in Craneport. Ever heard of it?"
"No," Jack responds.
But Floyd says, "Oh yeah, that dinky little festival, right."
"I've heard of it, but never been," Ruggie says.
"I have!" Rook says.
"What is Port Festi?" Briar asks.
Rook then explains, "Port Fest is an annual festival held around this time of year to commemorate the construction of the port. It's been held for decades, though I hear it sees fewer and fewer visitors with each passing year."
"That's right," The manager says, "And fewer attendees means fewer food stands and even fewer businesses sponsoring the festival."
"Indeed, when I attended it was quite the affecting spectacle: not a soul could be found, and I had but the quiet sound of la mer for company!" Rook says.
"Sounds like a rip-roarin' time.," Grim says.
"Kinda funny and pointless that they'd keep doing it even though the port's goin' bust," Floyd adds.
"With Craneport in such a slump, what else are they to do?" Rook questions.
Then, the manager says, "So anyways, all of us business owners based in the shopping district had a discussion. And we decided that we'd all work together to make this year's Port Fest the biggest and best ever."
"You mean like a fresh start," Ruggie says.
"Indeed. Make the festival a grand success, and return Craneport to its former glory!" Rook happily says.
"Something like that. And they chose me to lead the project," The manager says.
"You don't say. That's really something," Jack replies.
"It's something all right..." The manager says, "And maybe not a good something, either. It's not easy trying to drum up interest for a festival that's gone downhill. All the planning has me crunched for time, so I can't give the restaurant the attention it needs right now."
"But of course. Hence the closure," Rook says.
"Sorta defeats the purpose of the festival if you have to close, though," Floyd replies.
"Guess I won't be able to treat Ruggie to the special, then," Jack says, disappointed.
And Ruggie says, "I'm sure there are specials at other places. I'm not picky, so long as I get to eat. C'mon, let's go somewhere else, I'm starvin'."
But Jack says, "We can't do that!"
"Huh? Why not?" Ruggie asks, confused.
"'Cause you have to try THIS special. You just gotta!" Jack says.
Seeing there is no convincing him, Ruggie says, "Really, it's okay. We can go anywhere as long as you're buyin'. Besides, my stomach's starting to eat itself."
"No, we can't..." Jack says. Then turns to Rook, "Rook, when is Port Fest?"
"At the end of the month," Rook answers.
"So we've got about two weeks to go. And the restaurant will be open again once the festival's over, right, boss?" Jack says.
"Of course," The manager says.
"Great," Jack says.
Then turns to Ruggie, "Sorry to make you wait, Ruggie. We'll come back for lunch then."
"A festival that's in need of some sprucing up and extra hands, eh? I think I smell a job opportunity. Oh yeah... I'm onto something GOOD. Shyeheehee..." Ruggie says to himself and snickers.
"Ruggie? Did you hear me?" Jack asks.
Ruggie turns to Jack, "Say what? Oh, yeah. Can't do much else, seein' as the restaurant's closed! Anyways, let's go home. This hang is officially over!"
"Over?! We still gotta grab some grub!" Grim questions.
"Yeah, sorry, no can do. I've got an errand to run. You all go on without me!" Ruggie says.
"What? Since when do you have an errand?" Jack asks.
"I just thought of it," Ruggie says.
"Don't you mean you just REMEMBERED it?" Jack questions.
"Yeah, that. Later!" Ruggie says and walks away.
Everyone remains silent.
Jack crosses his arms, "He was trying to get rid of us."
"What's he stickin' around for?" Grim asks.
"Dunno," Jack says.
"I have no idea," Briar says.
Rook looks through the window, "He appears to be engaged in conversation with the manager."
"What in the world is he up to?" Jack wonders.
YOU ARE READING
Twisted Wonderland - Port Fest: A Striking Performance
FanfictionA festival is being held at a Sage's Island harbor, and it's called Port Fest! Briar, and her friends, and the students of Night Raven will be running food stalls, but Jack, Ruggie, Rook, and Floyd have something else cooking...
