Michael Praed, Brother Jon. Carnival Set-Up

[angie_palace]

Michael gave his hair a quick brush, promised his stomach something to eat later, and decided it was time to go. The sun was almost up -- he stifled a groan at that thought -- and first shift security should be outside already. They'd be letting in the people working set-up and Michael and Jon needed to be down there to make sure everything went together smoothly. "Into the breach," he muttered to himself, and headed out the door.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Jon stared at himself in the bathroom mirror, watching it mist over as he exhaled and wiping it away with his sleeve. Okay young feller, he told himself. You can do this. Everything is organized all you have to do is supervise! Yeah, right, the devil in his head was quick to respond. And fix mistakes and find the lost, mend the broken, comfort, cajole and communicate with people. Afraid he was going to start hyperventilating if he thought about it any more, Jon girded his loins, picked up his pens, sheets and folders-stuffed haversack and, with one last look at the scared young man in the mirror, headed out to begin managing his first Carnival.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I don't care if they have to hike in from Sedat, we are not going to fill every parking place within a kilometer with staff cars, so move them. Workers park here, here and here, it's on your map. There are shuttles running through the parking areas, and since the staff are in the lots farthest out, they'll get first pick of shuttle seats. Half the folks attending will be standing and I guarantee you some will be waiting through at least a second shuttle round by noon at the latest.... Then you'd better hurry, no?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry you had to walk so far! Yes, yes, I know you're volunteering and I do appreciate how busy you are, what a sacrifice you're making for our charity. We are so appreciative. Yes. Yes. No, Sir. I'm sorry but I can't. There's the shuttle bay right there. I'm sure you will. Thank you."

"No, this was prepaid. Yes, I'm sure. Ma'am, we are not going to run out on the bill. This is Palace, we've been here for thousands of years, we're not going to run off with no forwarding address now. No, but-- Yes, but-- Fine, fine! Check! I'll write you a check!"

"I'm very sorry, Your Lordship, but this is not a state occasion. This is a carnival and I'm afraid you have to wait in line with everyone else. No, that line, back there. Yes, I'm afraid you do have to walk that far."

"I'm very sorry, Sir, but everyone has to wait in line. He did? Oh, well I'm sorry but he must have been mistaken, the lines are universal I'm afraid. Everyone has to wait their turn; even His Majesty."

"Well, how were they supposed to go together? And you don't have any of those bolts...? You can't tape them? Tie them? Glue them...? Dammit. Umm, all right, how many panels are there? Fine. Get eight gofers, they can hold them up. Yes, with their hands. It's only an hour and if they're smart they'll scrounge chairs. I don't care if it's not elegant, it'll work and right now that's what matters. Yes, tell him I said so!"

"He said that? Well, he's right. No, I don't have the bolts, maintenance might have something that will fit, but I doubt it. It's not standard Palace issue. Well, get someone who can stand still without fidgeting!"

"Yes, I told them not to water the lawns for a few days. Yes, deliberately. Well, look at it this way -- you can go find some hammers to get the tent pegs in and then you're set. If they'd watered then set-up would've been easier but you would've had people tracking mud and grass all over your set. Yes, I thought so. You're welcome."

"The petting zoo lost a what?!?"

"Oh... umm... thank you M'am. Yes, yes. I'll keep it safe. No, I don't think your little boy was in any danger. Look, see? I'll just pop it in my backpack. All right, thank you. Here. Some gift certificates for the rides, just for your trouble. Yes. Have a good day now."

"I don't care how much tape you use, you can't run those cables down the aisle. Yes, I'm sure they're very secure but people are going to trip over that well-secured bulge in the walkway and hurt themselves. I don't know, I'm not a rigger. You have just under two hours to fix it... umm, wait, how about up there? There, see? The frame supporting the awning? That looks sturdy, how about up there? Right, I hope so too."

"I have a what on the top of my backpa.... Oh. Yes. Someone found it. It's harmless, I assure you."

"No power? All of them? Goddess.... And the first six are on in forty minutes, yes, I know. All right, here, take them to the gate and meet security. I'll call Kiefer and have him find some escorts for them. We'll send them inside, to Uppers -- most of the rooms are empty today anyway. I'll let Parker know you're coming and she'll give you a block of rooms -- they can get dressed and made up and whatever they need in there. And as soon as you hand them off to security, get maintenance out here and tell them we need that power on soonest. Thanks, you too!"

"Oh, thank goodness. Now, where are the performers?"

"Tell her the toilet paper doesn't do anyone any good in storage and that it's supposed to get used up! Goddess!"

"He's been talking for how long?! Politicians, I know. And you've tried signaling him to wrap it up? Yes? Fine. Have the gofers let go."

"Well how was I supposed to know he's afraid of snakes?! Honestly! Politicians!"