Keys to the Kingdom

1

The large sign that says "Magic Kingdom" always greets me as I enter my home away from home. It's hard not to smile as I walk closer to the entrance. The flowers that sit in front of the train station above always looks beautiful and never changes its Mickey Mouse shape.

"Welcome back to the Magic Kingdom, Miss Parks!" a cast member greets me as I scan my ID by the entrance.

"Thank you. Feels good to be back. What did I miss since my little break?" I respond, stepping aside for other guests to enter.

"You have a new friend. He is an intern that is being tested as your next partner."

"I thought we agreed I didn't need one? I've got this caretaker thing in the bag!" I explain.

"Apparently the Mouse disagrees."

I groan. I guess it's for my own good. After the last mission, I needed a week off to recover and sleep for once.

"Miss Alice?" a voice calls behind me.

I turn around and see a tall man wearing his usual main street uniform, and another guy standing beside him: shorter and wearing only a Disney t-shirt and jeans. Is this him? "Yes, that's me," I walks closer to the two guys.

"It's so nice to meet you, I'm Josh, and this guy is your new partner!" The Cast Member introduces with as much Disney enthusiasm.

The guy smiles and holds out his hand to me. "Nice to meet you Miss Parks. I'm Charles Moore, but friends call me Charlie."

I smile and shake his hand. "Nice to meet you Charlie, but please call me Alice. Miss Parks makes me sound older than I really am."

We both chuckle and Josh says his goodbyes and walks away into the park.

Silence. None of us know what to say to each other. Finally I speak up,"So, shall we go inside? I'll explain everything as we walk to our first destination."

"Which is?" Charlie asks as we begin walking inside.

"Ice cream," I smile.