Christmastime at the Plaza

chapter 3

"Hey, Bill." Estelle said.

"Hey, kiddos, I saw you in Eloise's room earlier." Bill smiled at them as he came up with a wheeling cart. 

"You are a marvelous actor!" Felicity beamed at him.

"I'm glad you think so." Bill smiled, feeling flattered.

"You really are." Estelle said.

"Well, I'm hoping that someday a talent scout will discover me and I'll make it big." Bill said, but didn't sound snooty or obnoxious about his dreams at all, then allowed Eloise to hop on the cart. 

"Can we help?" Felicity asked.

"Of course you can!" Bill beamed.

"Yay!" Estelle beamed.

"Great!" Akito said.

"Bill and me make a rather good catering team," Eloise told her friends as they went around the tables. "Sometimes we pretend that we're king and queen preparing a little soiree for all our closest friends. Remember to invite the Duke and Duchess or Arigato." 

"Yes, but I'm afraid I can't madame," Bill played along, juggling the condiments as Eloise spread the poinsettia leaves. "Their country had been plagued by dragons and can't travel--" he then broke character and rushed to get the one he dropped.

'Was that a part of his character?' Estelle thought.

Felicity gave Bill the shakers back.

"Thank you..." Bill told her sheepishly.

Eloise went to one of the tables, picked up a knife and licked it, then rubbed it across her blouse, then put it back.

"So, what room next?" Akito asked.

"Bill and I usually like to take a break by the piano and sing along together." Eloise told them.

Felicity seemed interested. "With a cléconseil?"

"Of course with a keyboard, silly!" Eloise giggled.

"Makes sense." Estelle said.

Bill and Eloise started to play and sing Walking in a Winter Wonderland together. 

"So, how's that Christmas list coming?" Bill asked after the song ended.

"So much work so far." Eloise nearly slumped.

"How many you got so far?"

"73."

While they were playing on the piano, Estelle was practicing her dancing even though she looked like a pro, like everyone says, practice makes perfect. Bill smiled at Estelle, then decided to play Beethoven like music such as Fur Elise for her ballet moves.

"Play Swan Lake, that's Estelle's favorite." Akito said.

"Hmm... Let's see... How did that go again?" Bill asked himself, then played Swan Lake for Estelle. 

Felicity and Eloise sat beside Bill on the bench. He began to play the swan lake ballet from Swan Lake.  And where through it all, Estelle danced wonderfully and beautifully, especially her jump and looking like she was doing a pas de deux with someone all by herself. Everyone continued to watch while Bill played the piece for the twin girl. She ended her dance perfectly. Everyone clapped for Estelle's dance performance. 

"Oh, Estelle, that was absolutely très lovely!" Eloise beamed.

"Indeed it very much was so." Felicity agreed.

"I'm impressed, little lady, maybe you and I could work with Broadway someday." Bill chuckled with a friendly smile.

"Thank you." Estelle said as she curtsied.