EDENVILLE

Two Days!

By @naominmrshl

"Two days!" Millicent squeaked into the phone.
"Two days? You have to be kidding me!"

"Not at all, Miss Peed... not at all."  Alma's matter-of-fact tone was unnerving.

"There has been a cancelation in Gum Stump - not ten miles from Edenville - and, if you can manage it, we can simply move our scheduled taping to your town instead.
Of course, if you think you're not capable..."

"I'm packable.. er bacaple... I'M CAPABLE!" Milli shouted ... you just surprised me, that's all! "

" Well good, then. I'll fax you two hundred application forms, in five different categories of Old Junk. The application  form is also a release - should an unfortunate occurrence occur.
Please have each owner make sure to include a brief explanation  of their item - including provenance - and a photo.
May I have your fax number, now, please? "

Milli stammered as she recited the number.  Her mind was racing as fast as her heart!... Two Days!

"Suddenly, Milli had a terrible thought and quickly flipped open her Edenville Current Events Calendar...
" Oh no!  she exclaimed... "Oh  Oh, no!"

Alma had pretty much reached her limit of patience with troublesome townsfolk... "What now, Miss Peed? What is your problem?" Alma inquired in a decidedly curt tone.

"In two days it will be Saturday!" Milli walked.

This imbecilic announcement pushed Alma over the edge...
"Yes, Miss Peed...  and so?..."

"You don't understand! The only venue Edenville has that would be large enough for Olde Junk, is the High School's Gymacafatorium! And it's already booked for the Founder's Day Dance and Bi-Centinial Citizen Awards and Shrimp Festival!"

"Miss Peed!  If Edenville cannot accommodate us in two days.. it will be next year before we have another opportunity to visit your citizens and assess their Old Junk and Whatnots!... Please make up your mind!"

Millicent Peed suddenly had a brilliant idea.

" Alma, you just send me those forms... I'll have them back to you by tonight!"
" Are you sure? "

" I'm sure! Just send them now! "

.............

" Frank!  Franklinmeyer!  Are you here?"  Milli hollered as she ran into the newly restored  water mill...

" Mt. Franknbeans!... YOOhoo!  Please come out! I have good news! Wonderful news!"

Milli had run so fast that she bent over, gasping for air..." MR. FRANKFURTER! PLEASE COME OUT!  I HAVE WONDERFUL NEWS!"

Cautiously, the new owner of the recently restored water mill, and inventer of a new child and dog torture device, made himself known as he sidled  out from the safety of his giant mill stone...
"It's just Frank Miss... just plain Frank."

Milli jumped with surprise at the soft voice from the shadows. Nevertheless, she persevered...

"Oh! There you are Mr. Frankelbean...  I've been looking everywhere for you!

" Just Frank" Frank said, "What is it you have to tell me?"

The Olde Junk RoadShow is coming to Edenville in two days! The Gymacafatorium is booked! But I remembered, Mr. Frabklintingle, that you have a warehouse attached to this watermill. How would you like to have the taping here? It would mean great publicity... you could show off your mill... "

" Just Frank, Miss.  just Frank .. Could I sell my latest invention? "

Milli thought for a second  and then jumped in with both feet..." Why Why,  of course, Franster! We will sell the heck out of your invention... whatever  it is! "

" Just Frank, Miss... OK.
. Ok, you may use my warehouse! "

Milli was so happy that she recklessly hugged Frank quite tightly causing the remote controlled toothbrush and hair clipper, in his pocket, to rev up and point Frank's chin  abruptly toward  the ceiling where he, with a rush of relief, spotted his last test-child hanging from a rafter.

"Oh, Mr. Justfrankmiss, Thank you! thank you! Edenville will be in your debt!"

.................

Millicent sped back to her office and quickly wrote an announcement and invitation to all Edenville citizens..

Dear Edenvillamites,
I'm thrilled to be able to announce that, in two days, The Olde Junk RoadShow will be taping a TV episode right here in our beloved Edenville! Please bring all your old Junk for a free assessment to Franklinmeater's Water Mill and Inventions for Sale or Barter.

Be there at dawn so you can sign legal forms and get catheterized.  Early worms will be able to fill out their forms tonight, as I will be taping them to your mailboxes!

This is so exciting! I'll keep you up to date on the latest developments, but, in the meantime , start searching for that junk your family treasures!

Your reporter in the know, Millicent Peed "

Fleet as a jackrabbit,  Milli ran the announcement over to the radio station.
She burst in just as Corky was reading the latest shipping schedules.

Slapping her scribbled invitation in front of him, She gasped, " Here! Read this! Tell everyone! "

Milli  followed the order with a five dollar bill  right before, wild-eyed and flushed, rushing back out onto one of the  two sidewalks that were noted, in the Chamber of Commerce visitor pamphlet, under "sights to see" for tourists interested in linear attractions.

And so it was started. the greatest challenge Edenville had ever faced.. greater than the Twin Invasions .. scarier than smugglers... more  intrigue than a purple prince or loose balls...

The course was firmly set for the coming of Olde Junk.

Millicent headed for the tiki bar to alert her friend, Twila.
Ted.. Ted the Shrunken Head , would require a good dusting and a bit of a hairdo. Plus , she needed a zippy tiki-tinni like nobody's business!

On her way across town, she stopped to make a quick follow up call at the  watermill...
"Hello. Mr Franklint? Hi! It's Millicent Peed...

" Just Frank, Miss, Just Frank... "

"What? Silly man! .. You have my name all wrong... Peed! I'm Millicent Peed, Mr  Missjustfrank... just Millicent Peed !"