Roman Holiday

The Shoe Incident.

"Paramount News brings you a special coverage of Princess Ann's visit to London, the first stop on her much publicised goodwill tour of European capitals. She gets a royal welcome from the British as thousands cheer the gracious young member of one of Europe's oldest ruling families. After three days of continuous activity and a visit to Buckingham Palace, Ann flew to Amsterdam where Her Royal Highness dedicated the new International Aid Building and christened an ocean liner. Then went to Paris where she attended many official functions designed to cement trade relations between her country and the Western European nations. And so to Rome, the eternal city, where the Princess' visit was marked by a spectacular military parade highlighted by the band of the crack Piersa Yeri Regiment. The smiling young Princess showed no sign of the strain of the week's continuous public appearances. And at her country's embassy that evening, a formal reception and ball in her honor was given by her country's ambassador to Italy."

The Embassy ballroom was filled with many important people, countesses, lords and so much more. They spilled out into the hall, laughing and socializing. Many dresses floated and danced around on the very golden like floor, whilst the men stuck to the sides. An averaged height man came out of a small room. He was the master of ceremonies. People formed a line down the center of the ballroom and peered in that aisle. "Her royal highness" first in Italian, then in English, he announced. The orchestra started to play as the master of ceremonies walked down the middle of the newly formed aisle. Princess Ann appeared, resplendent in her ballgown, diamond tiara, and necklace. She was accompanied by the Ambassador, in a formal, military uniform. Behind them together were, Countess Vereberg and General Provno and others as such. As they walked, Princess Ann smiled and nodded her head, acknowledging the people who lined her path. They bowed as the Princess walked past them. As they reached the front, the Princess and the others stepped onto the dais and the orchestra finishes playing. The dais was furnished with chairs, a large one in the center. The Princess and the others stood, facing the guests. Just when Princess Ann was about to sit, the Ambassador stopped her by tapping her arm discreetly. As they stood waiting, the guests formed a neat line. They came in one by one. "His Excellency, the Papal Nuntius, Monsignor Altomonto." Ann greeted him warmly in Italian, shaking his hand; he replied, in Italian. Suddenly, Princess Ann lost her balance as her foot slipped over her shoe, knocking it over. The Count's eyeglass popped out in surprise and he smiled back as she regathered herself. The Ambassador looked down in disappointment at her error. The Master Of Ceremonies announced the next guests. Ann tried to manipulate her shoe back into the position which had been knocked over and she greeted the couple, they distinguished her discomfort. "Good evening," She said. The man kissed her hand. The Master of Ceremonies announced the next guest as Ann pushed her shoe again in an effort to right it. As the man bent, gesturing with his hand in greeting. "How do you do?" Said Ann.  As the last guest moved back Ann looked around anxiously, trying again to right her shoe, which resulted in her pushing it further away. The Ambassador then motioned her to sit down. As she sat back into the chair with the Ambassador and the Countess on either side, her dress pulled back, revealing the shoe. The orchestra starts to play a waltz. Ann tried as inconspicuously as possible to drag her shoe back with her foot. The General, stood behind her frowning and motioned to the Countess to look at the shoe. She looked down at it and closed her eyes in horror. The Pristirredin her seat trying to get her shoe back, fiddling with her gloves as cover. A man stood behind the Ambassador motioned to him and he shrugged and got up, bowing and presenting his arm to the Princess. The Princess rose and, paused for some time to regather her shoe,  and lead onto the ballroom floor by the Ambassador. Taking her up to dance he looked at the area in front of the seat and, relieved that the shoe isn't to be seen, he continued dancing with her as the other guests watched. Later on,  the dance floor is filled with people. Princess Ann danced with a short, lively gentleman who rattled on in rapid Spanish phrases to her. She listened, nodding and smiling politely. Still later and she danced with a short, elderly gentlemen. They smiled and nod to each other silently. Later again and Ann danced with a somewhat remote gentleman. She almost spoke to him, so as to strike up a conversation, but thought better of it.