Chapter 48: Comings and Goings
Posted by She is our guest: Thankfully, Kermit was not out on stage when it happened, and it was over before he got there.
Ah, and the frog is kept neverthewiser. *In Kermit voice: Oh good.
Posted by She is our host: The Electric Mayhem members were just beginning to gather
for a quick run-thru of the encore piece, and Dr. Teeth was preparing to settle his bejeweled figure at the keyboard when there were sharp sounds of discord—but
not from the musical instruments.
What's this we hear? A rouckous row between the bandmates?
Posted by No matter how weary, no matter the cost: He looked up and, sparing only a split-second loss of momentum because he was trying to shut his gaping mouth, he vaulted
over the railing and ran to where Floyd Pepper and Clifford seemed on the verge of blows.
Uh-oh, here comes trouble...
*Posted by *Ding-Ding! Round 1: “Get offa my—“
“I wasn’t hurting your—“
“—got no right to—“ Floyd was almost shouting.
“Man, what is your problem! I was just—“
Hello fight fans, we've a got a good one for you tonight.
Posted by The woman in stripes: Dr. Teeth interposed his barrel chest between the two panting males. He put one hand on Floyd’s chest, and the other one on Clifford’s and pushed, slowly
but inexorably, until there was space between them to move.
“Everybody calm down,” he said firmly. “No need to get un-mellow.”
And so the honorable referee steps in to conduct the proceedings.
Posted by Round 2: “That guy was messing with my bass!” Floyd said hotly. “And I think he’s tryin’ to mess with my—“
“I wasn’t messing with your bass,” Clifford said angrily, then attempted to regain his calm with effort. “I was playing it. Seeing how we’re all part of
the same show I didn’t think you’d mind if I used it.”
“Well I do!”
Clifford looked genuinely surprised. “Sorry,” he said, his face somber. “My bad.”
Dr. Teeth looked from one to the other, wondering what had compelled Floyd to take exception to Clifford’s use of his instrument. This was not like his
band-mate and friend, and the good doctor know something must be behind it. He resolved to have a chat with one or both of the men when he could get them
alone.
Clifford puts up a sincere sorry to protect him from Floyd's accusations. Dr. Teeth ends the fight in record time! Will both the guys be OK? Don't know, only the mysterious author knows fer sure.
Posted by Ring Rumbler: In the meantime….
“Look, we’re all friends here,” he insisted. “No penalty, no foul, okay?”
“Hey, no problem,” Clifford said amiably. “We were just trying to work out the bridge for the last song and I grabbed your bass to try a coupla cords.
I did not mean to get on your turf, man.”
Floyd looked at him in surprise, but Clifford’s face was completely guileless.
Maybe that'll teach you to ask before borrowing or messing with someone else's axe Clifford.
Posted by RuMinations: It made him wonder if he was just being a jealous idiot after all. Or if
Clifford was a better liar than Floyd would have guessed. That last made his hands tighten unconsciously into fists.
The man with the golden hands and the golden tooth watched the fine interplay of emotion and got the merest glimmer of a thought. Hmmm. Worth checking
into, he thought.
Troubled times, but I have faith that Dr. Teeth will finesse this as finely as the bars on his electric keyboard.
Posted by Ru-Ru-RunAround: Kermit poked his head around from backstage. Dr. Teeth blinked at him sleepily, but Floyd was staring at his frets with great concentration, and Clifford
seemed to be intent upon adjusting the one of the amplifier hookups. Kermit picked up on the energy in the space, but not the reason for it.
Oh Kermit... Always a second late and a worry short.
Posted by the big Rouxs: “Everything okay?” he asked. Dr. Teeth grinned broadly and stepped forward to meet Kermit, effectively blocking their boss’s advance into the small circle.
Uh no Kerm. We're all god, just get back to whatever it is you were doing man.
Posted by RuFul: Floyd was glad Kermit was not looking at him. His cheeks were flushed with shame and embarrassment. As if Kermit didn’t have enough to worry about without
him causing a dust-up backstage…! He sneaked a look at Clifford, whose own profile seemed taut with worry or consternation. Floyd did not know what to
think anymore. He only thought—only felt that something was happening around him that he could not fathom; though none of his conclusions seemed likely,
he still could not dismiss them. He was not a complicated man at heart, but there were deep eddies in his hard-rocking soul that would have challenged
a poet or a theologian to explain. On some deep level, he had always counted on Janice knowing that part of him so well he did not have to express it verbally.
Now that that felt threatened, Floyd wondered if any part of his life would ever make sense to him again.
Aw man. What the heck's going on with one of Jerry's guys?
To quote the immortal Floyd Pepper: This is a bummer of epic proportions.
Posted by Cathutious: Dr. Teeth was running expert interference; the little green boss-man left without being the wiser about his misbehavior. Floyd looked at Dr. Teeth’s back,
wondering if it would be possible to confide in his long-time band-mate...
*Gets urge to sing "Trussssst In Me", but I'll tread here carefully.
Posted by RuMancer: but at just that moment, Janice appeared. She walked with Zoot, Animal walking
calming at heel without straining at the leash. Janice looked up, caught sight of Floyd and—mid-sentence—handed Animal off to the saxophone player so she
could walk up to Floyd and put her hand on his arm.
Aw, I always love whenever you bring in a Floyd and Janice moment.
Posted by RuMage: “Hey, Babe,” she said, then her soft hand registered the tension in his arm. “Oh!” She looked up, searching his face, but Floyd half-turned, shunning her
scrutiny.
“It’s nothin’,” Floyd muttered. “Just…tense about all this, um, reporter stuff.”
Don't lie to your girl Floyd, it's ungentlemanly.
Posted by RuMantics: Janice did not remove her hand. She put her other hand on Floyd’s cheek, turning his face back so she could see his eyes. Of their own volition, the bushy
eyebrows rose, softening in response to her look of concern. Her hand on his cheek felt satiny smooth and soft, and Floyd leaned into the feel of it unconsciously.
Janice stepped closer, pitched her voice for his ears only.
“Don’t worry,” she soothed. “Everything’s gonna work out okay.” Oh, how Floyd wanted to believe her!
1 You hit me with the feel of Janice's hand. *Melts a little.
2 *Drifts off in Janice's reassurances to her base-playing beau.
3 Believe her Floyd... Believe her and she'll surprise you in ways you didn't even know possible.
Posted by Cath Call: “—don’t see her yet, do you?”
“Nope.”
“We couldn’t lose her here in the airport, could we? Are you sure you had the flight information written down correctly?”
“I’m sure! Stop being such a worry wart!”
“I’m not worrying.”
“Hmphf.”
“I’m not! Sheesh!”
Kermit, that you? Oh no, these arguers will be revealed later, along with the person they're waiting for.
Posted by Now Arriving, the Grand Diva: In another part of the same airport, another anxious conversation was taking place.
“Wish I’d have thought to make a poster,” said Scooter worriedly. Sara had remembered to make a poster for him.
Oh yeah, I remember that back from the earlier part of the story.
“What if she doesn’t see us?”
Seeing as how he had Sweetums with him, this seemed highly unlikely, but Scooter’s worry had managed to fill the space allowed for its contemplation.
*Sings: Here she comes, here she comes! Here she comes, here she comes!
Posted by Ru-ed Herring: “What’s her hair like?” asked Fozzie. Kermit had been unable to meet this special guest, and he had sent Fozzie to bring the warm welcome of all of them.
“It’s red.”
Are you sure?
“Red red? Or dark red?
That's what I heard, but you could be wrong.
Or, um, strawberry blonde?
Yeah, I think it's more that color, or is it like honey?
Boy, I wish I had eaten breakfast!” Fozzie muttered.
Well, you could always go get a cup of coffee at the airport's little cafe.
“Um, red like mine.”
Fozzie and Sweetums turned to scrutinize Scooter’s flaming auburn hair. “Um, sortof,” Scooter mumbled. “Look, I don’t think we can miss her if we—“
Not sure Scooter knows what to expect.
Posted by Matchmaker, Matchmaker: “Hello, fellas,” came a cool, sultry voice. Two faces looked up, one down, but all were transfixed by the beauty and poise of the woman that stood before
them.
Oh, could it be?
Posted by Make me a match...: Nobody spoke, and the woman’s expressive mouth twisted a little in bemusement.
“I’m guessing you’re from Rainbow Productions.”
Three heads nodded mutely. The woman’s smile broadened, and her eyes crinkled pleasantly at the corners.
“And you’re here to pick me up.”
So expressive with that beautiful smile and lightened eyes. She seems to know about the Muppets enterprises, wonder if she'll be able to help them with their current pressing predicament.
Posted by Find me a find: Scooter found his voice at last. “Yes ma’am,” he stammered. “Yes. We’re from the Muppets and we’re here to pick you up and take you back to the hotel.”
“Oh, good!” said the woman heartily. “I was afraid I’d have to take a taxi.”
“Oh, no ma’am,” said Scooter. He shook his head to clear it and tried to but his game face on. “I’m Scooter Grosse,” he said, sticking out his hand. She
took it gravely. “I’m Mr. the Frog’s Personal Assistant and, um, gopher,” he managed, smiling a little at the last.
“I believe we spoke on the phone.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her laugh was musical, deep and throaty. “Please!” she protested. “I know I’ve put a lot of tread on my tires, but if you keep calling me ‘ma’am’ I’m gonna
feel old!”
*Falls in love with the sound of this mystery woman's laugh. She seems to have a good sensible frame of mind. Looks like the gang will have their hands full with their new guest.
Posted by Catch me a Catch: Scooter had the good grace to blush and laugh. “Oh, no ma’am—I mean, no. You do not look, um, I mean—this is Fozzie Bear. Mr. the Frog couldn’t come himself
so he thought….”
Fozzie was too spellbound to put out a paw, but she took it anyway and pressed it between long, slim fingers. “A pleasure,” she intoned seriously.
“Habeda habeda whuh?” said Fozzie. Scooter gave him a sharp nudge in the ribs. “I mean, um, that it’s a very great pleasure—“ He blanched, then snatched
his hat off his head and held it between his hands. “I mean, it’s so nice of you to come here. To see us. And write about, um, Kermit, er, Mr. the Frog
and Miss Piggy.”
Yeah Fozzie, I'd probably have the same reaction. And he's still the same lovable bashful bear, grabbing for his hat, his personal safety blanket.
Posted by Catherine the Great: Sweetums stepped forward, towering over the slim redhead. “Ahm Sweetums,” he said with great dignity. “Ahm gonna drive you safely back to the hotel.” He
proffered his arm.
Delighted, she took it, and they walked toward the waiting car. After about six steps, she turned and looked at Scooter and Fozzie over her shoulder.
“Coming, fellas?” she asked. They hastened to follow.
*Reacting to this lady reporter's sashaying away with Sweetums and calling back to the two just standing there.
Ooooooh! *Melts down into puddle.
Vonderfully bewitching as always.
Posted by Clever Cath: The other anxious patrons of the airport had also collected a stray passenger, and the three of them made their way to the parking lot talking with great
animation.
Who could these three be? Starting to wonder exactly why these patrons are being purposefully secretive.
Posted by Chatty Catty: “--can’t believe I’m actually here! The flight was so—“
“Just wait until you see the show! It’s so amazing! And there’s this one song where everybody—“
“—didn’t know we’d get to see it twice, but we ended up—“
Guess they're still raving about the Christmas show in Vegas by the Muppets.
Posted by Catarina Wit: At the parking lot door, there was a slight commotion, as seven intent parties all attempted to squeeze through the double doors at once. Everybody looked
up. Six eyes blinked wide, Scooter made an apologetic gesture, and Fozzie stammered out “excuse us.” The lovely reporter waiting patiently, her hand resting
lightly on the crook of Sweetums’ elbow, but she smiled at the look of gape-jawed amazement on the faces of the three strangers.
“Just guessing,” she said, as they started for the car, “but I’d say those three were fans.”
Scooter and Fozzie craned back the way they had come.
“You think so?”
At that moment, there was a sharp squeal of sound from inside the terminal.
“SQUEEEEEEEEEE!” came the noise. It carried on the hot air, then cut off abruptly, as though the source of the sound had been clamped closed.
The four blanched, pulled up short by the wail, and gave and almost comic double take back the way they had come. All they saw were their would-be door-mates
laughing out loud and hastening madly down the sidewalk toward the parking lot.
Ah! And there you are! It was Prawny and Toga picking up their third half, Layla. Yaey for more MCers making it to see the show.
Posted by Rowlfie's Girl?: His presence had not been needed that afternoon. Though amiable at all times, Rowlf had tired of the even the laid-back companionship of his crowded room
and was enjoying the relative solitude of backstage. He sat in front of the piano and played idly, switching without pattern or effort from Brahms to Basie
and Bach again.
Just remember his Bach is worse than his bite. That's a musical joke there. Sorry if you have to sniff it out.
*Rowlflike laugh.
Posted by Bow-Wow-Wow!: “Hey there, big fellow,” came a sultry little voice. Rowlf looked around in surprise.
“Well, hey yourself, sweet thing!” he retorted. He leaned forward and rubbed noses with Foo Foo, taking a few surreptitious sniffs in the process. Gosh—she
smelled good! But then, she always smelled good.
Another member of the Muppet clan shows up. It's feeling more and more like the family's getting back together again. Uh-oh, better stop now before I break out into song.
Posted by Caths 'n' Dogs: “When’d you blow into town?” he asked, doing a flashy crescendo. “Trip okay?”
Foo Foo smiled and hopped nimbly up on the piano bench. She fluttered her eyelashes.
“Just now,” she answered with a yawn. “I just caught a greyhound and, boy--!”
“Are your legs tired.”
“—was he cute!”
“Hey!” said Rowlf, indignant, but then Foo Foo snuggled up against him in a conciliatory manner. Rowlf began to play something slow with a nice, lazy beat
and Foo Foo let out a sigh and pressed her cold nose against his shoulder.
*Chuckles at the joke. *Imagining the scene at the piano bench with the cuddled canines.
Posted by Cath got your tongue: “Heard the show was a hit already,” Foo Foo said lazily. “You guys must have really wowed ‘em.”
Rowlf shrugged but looked pleased. He switched to a little ragtime, paws dancing on the keys. “It’s a great show,” he admitted. “Gotcha a backstage ticket
for tonight if you’re not too tired.”
“I’d love to,” Foo Foo said, then yawned again, apologetically. “Sorry,” she murmured. “I am truly bushed.” She looked tired, Rowlf noted absently, but
there was no mistaking the playful energy that she exuded like French perfume.
Well of course she's bushed... She's a poodle after all.
Posted by RuMates: Rowlf stood and picked up her little suitcase, which she had leaned daintily up against the piano.
“Come on then, Sleepyhead,” he teased, placing his big paw fondly on the nape of her neck. “Let’s get you up to your room so you can catch a little shut-eye.
I got rehearsal here in a few—well, half an hour, anyway. We’ll catch up after the show.”
Foo Foo looked up at him and smiled. “And I’ll be staying…?”
“Um, with Piggy and Kermit in their suite,” Rowlf said. You couldn’t see him blush, but she was aware of the rise in his body temperature. “I’m, um, rooming
with the guys,” he explained. He trained hard to mask it, but the wistfulness in his voice made Foo Foo want to melt into a puddle. Silly dog, she thought.
Foo Foo made a small “oh” with her mouth and nodded gently, then she smiled up at him with impish delight.
“Don’t worry, Rowlf,” she teased. “I’ll bet we manage just fine.”
Rowlf felt a slow, silly smile spreading across his face. He stretched out and rubbed noses again, then sighed contentedly. He hefted her suitcase, feeling
like Hercules. To heck with grey clouds! From where he sat, life was good, and getting better all the time.
Oh Rowlf... Guess it's true, looks like he's been smitten by a pretty furry face. But can you blame him?
Two things...
1 You brought in that mystery woman as the lovely lady reporter? Hmmm, from what was written in the last chapter, I was expecting a lady lioness Muppet to join the cast of new characters you've created Cath. Oh well, guess I'll put that one away for when it's time comes.
2 I know this is your fanfiction and stories from differing authors can clash, especially when written by different people. But I've rully gotten to add and love Wanda the Cat from Beth's stories as Rowlf's fiancee/wife (read Book 4: In Love and Harmony). Although, this doesn't necessarily mutually exclude her, you could play upon Rowlf's infatuation with Foo-Foo while in Vegas and then mutually break it off with no hard feelings leaving his heart open to the possibility of finding true love again which he does when he meets Wanda.
Just a suggestion, use it or discard it, s'up to you.
Now then... More please!
Welcome to the Muppet Central Forum!
Jim Henson Idea Man
Back to the Rock Season 2
Bear arrives on Disney+
Sam and Friends Book
Let's see... I have a lot to say; hope I get it all down.First of all, I loved the picnic scene way back in the beginning! So blissful and friendly. And even after the articles became a problem, and they all gathered at the house... Ah heck, I just love all those scenes where you see the muppets all bonded together as a family!
In the meantime...
I also like how he is slowly becoming a part of the muppet family, and helping not only Miss Piggy, but everyone.
and am glad you're treating him so well and giving him so much attention here.
I need a bubblebath...