So, here is my word of advice for your week, kiddies. When purchasing and building a pc, make sure that the operating system you're using is able to see the amount of RAM you have purchased. This way, instead of you thinking that there's something wrong with your sticks and going out to buy two different sticks in order to test this, thus spending over $100, you will naturally assume that you need to install the 64 bit version instead of the 32 bit version.
Needless to say, if you've been wondering why I've been a bit late in this, there you go. But after two reformats (one full and one partioned so I can have a play pc and a work pc on one machine), I am happy to bring you the first part of what happens at our little banquet.
In case some of you have forgotten - our favorite couple Scooter and Amanda have had their first fight, our favorite power couple has come to the rescue, and a newcomer along with Amanda's dad try to get everyone back on track. In this chapter, we have the banquet - will it bring the two redhead's back together? Will Piggy's plan work? Will Kermit find out what the heck is in his pockets? Will Chase kill his future son-in-law?
Let's watch!
VI.
La Luna Banquet Hall, Los Angeles
Better Business Bureau Recognition in Management/Woman in Management Banquet Dinner
Wednesday nights weren’t particularly spectacular, for anyone in the city of LA, but tonight – within the La Luna Banquet Hall – the acclaimed Better Business Bureau was holding a ceremony celebrating those in management, especially women who held a managerial position within their business. These awards usually took place every few months, though the awards were usually done by recommendation by business owners or stock/shareholders, but sometimes through special consideration, managers can be recommended by those outside of the business.
The Banquet itself was only expected to hold a few hundred people, including those being honored, their business co-workers and owners, as well as their friends and families. For many of those assembled, this night would be a standard award ceremony, but for two different parties, the night was anything but.
Arriving early for the ceremony, Scooter Grosse was full of nervous energy that wasn’t a result of the award he would be receiving; an award that had suddenly landed in his lap, only a few days after he had a horrible argument with his girlfriend. Someone that would be receiving an award that very night, in the very same room. Accompanying Scooter was that of his boss and the boss’ girl, the same two people the page thought were responsible for his recommendation; for their part, Kermit and Piggy gave no indication that they had given the recommendation, though the diva held no qualms at taking the credit for the inclusion.
The event was a black tie affair, so all involved were dressed in their ultra Sunday best – Scooter and Kermit were dressed in their tuxedos, while Piggy – always one to make a fashion statement – was dressed in a nice blue evening gown that seemed to bring out those famous baby blues.
“Appreciate the vote of confidence, I really do,” Scooter muttered, as the trio walked into the room. “But this was a bad night for this.”
“You worry too much,” Piggy replied, intertwining her arm with his. “Enjoy your special night, dearheart.”
“Gonna be hard to do when his girl walks in on another guy’s arm,” Kermit replied, immediately regretting it when he heard the red head’s moan and received a death glare from the blond on his arm.
“Let’s not worry about what may or may not happen,” the diva stressed. “Let’s just enjoy ourselves tonight, yes? Moi certainly does not get all gussied up for a night on the town to not have a night on the town.”
“Vous would get gussied up for morning coffee,” Kermit commented.
“Moi will keep that in mind and will now never get gussied up for morning coffee.”
“It’s like a 40’s movie with the two of you around,” the red head grumbled.
[hr]
Fifteen minutes after the arrival of the power trio, another power trio entered, this group being that of father and daughter Chase and Amanda Cosgrove and Amanda’s date, Scottie Coulter. Amanda was being honored for recognition of her managerial style and experience thanks to the work that she did for her father’s pool hall; the young businesswoman was supposed to be accompanying the despondent Scooter Grosse to the event, but their earlier disagreement changed those plans, with Scottie talking his place as a result.
While Scooter was under the impression that his employer had given the recommendation for this award, in actuality it had been Scottie who had put his name in the running for the award – the result of learning that his friend and ex-girlfriend had neglected to inform her boyfriend that the blond had no romantic interest in the woman. In fact, Scottie had stated that he thought Scooter quite the catch and that Amanda was one lucky girl to have him; being a romantic himself, Scottie hated the idea that he had come in between the couple, especially when it was clear the two were clearly very much into each other.
Both Scottie and Chase cut dashing figures in their tuxedos and it was clear that both were attracting the attention of some of the ladies in the room; however it was Amanda whom everyone’s eyes seemed to be on. Dressed in a dark red sparkling dress, that she specifically gotten to wear for the occasion, the Whatnot caused her own heads to turn, including the one whose head she had hoped to dazzle when she revealed the dress to him.
And of course Scooter had noticed. His frantic “There she is!” to his entourage was only tempered with the full vision of loveliness that came into the room. “My God, she’s gorgeous,” whispered the page, in stunned reverence.
“Moi must admit,” Piggy admired. “That Miss Amanda has taste, both in dresses and companions. Scottie is most definitely a hottie in person.”
“Your date is standing right next to you.”
“That’s nice, dear,” the diva murmured, her eyes on Scottie, while her hand was busy pulling on small mint box from one of Kermit’s jacket pockets. “Here Red,” she said, opening the tin. “Have a mint and make sure your breath and voice is good to go.”
“Why?”
“Why!?” she asked, startled. “Because vous is going to talk to the girl of your dreams in about ten seconds.”
“Ten seconds?”
“Yes,” Piggy sighed in exasperation. “It’ll take at least that long for them to come this way and Moi wants to make sure that she’s ready for the hottie.”
“Again,” Kermit deadpanned. “Standing right here.”
It was clear to see that the two groups obviously saw each other, with Amanda and Scooter making eye contact with each other, however before a word could be said to anyone, the master of ceremonies asked that everyone take a seat, as the ceremony was about to begin. The two groups had no choice but to sit down and enjoy the presentations and awards given; the ceremony itself was to be about an hour, while there was a reception to take place immediately afterwards in the same room.
There were several different awards being given out that evening, including those for both Scooter and Amanda; the women’s awards were the highlight of the evening, highlighting the achievements of those recipients. The honor was probably the highest within management circles, especially considering that there were so few women within management positions, it was important to recognize these women and their accomplishments in their different industries.
Amanda’s award was a definite honor, considering that her interests hadn’t always been in the business world; for such a small business, Cosgrove’s Cool Pool had a huge reputation thanks to the service the employees provided for their customers, as well as some of the business that had come in during opening hours. Thanks to their annual pool tournament which also featured several of the Muppets themselves, the pool hall had gotten a lot of publicity, thanks to the theater troupe and some of the famous pool players they had coming and going within the establishment.
Amanda had met each and every challenge of being a young business woman in the city of lights with a tenacity and determination that had come from her parents. Scooter couldn’t have been more proud of her receiving the award and he was sure that he was clapping the loudest, until he looked over and saw that Scottie had also stood up to applaud for the young Whatnot. When Scooter had gotten his award – one that both Kermit and Piggy agreed was long in coming for the redhead – Amanda had applauded the loudest, though she had quickly caught herself when the page caught her eye and the two stared at each other before Scooter was politely asked to leave the stage for the other recipients.
The reception for the winners and attendees was held in the same room, with many of the tables being moved around so that the center of the room could be available for dancing; a small lounge band had been hired in order to play some background music while folks mingled and chatted about. The power trio of Kermit, Piggy, and Scooter stood off to one side, watching as a few people started to make their way onto the dance floor, while others sat at their tables enjoying some of the refreshments and food that was being laid out towards the back of the room, with a few of the hotel staff handing and serving guests.
Ever since meeting her eyes while on stage, Scooter hadn’t been able to take his eyes off the business manager. Amanda had always been a stunning creature that he had the pleasure of knowing, but seeing her tonight – dressed as beautiful as she was – made his heart not only ache, but pine for her. “You know,” a voice to his right replied. “You could just go over there and talk to her.”
“I would,” the redhead sighed. “If she didn’t seem so attached at the hip with Scottie Too Hottie there.”
“Leave everything to me, Andrew,” Piggy responded, once again reaching into Kermit’s pocket, before going into his inner jacket pocket and pulling out a tube of lipstick, earning her an annoyed look from her date. “Give me two minutes to get his eyes on me, then you go ahead and make your move.”
And with that, Miss Piggy made her own move by making a beeline for the area where the other power trio, though minus one member, stood by the buffet area.
“I see your girl’s making her move.”
“It is her strongest feature,” Kermit said, nodding to the pool owner as he came over to them.
“I could mention many of her features,” Chase chuckled. “Her determination is far lower on that list.” Looking at Scooter, Chase nodded a greeting. “Grosse.”
“Mr. Cosgrove.”
“Any reason why you’re here and not over there with my daughter, whose heart is heavy with regret?”
“Regret?” Scooter asked, horrified. All the possible thoughts that the redhead could think of immediately popped into his head, causing him sigh heavily. Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and took the mindset of resolution. “Alright,” he said, nodding. “You’re right, Mr. Cosgrove, I should be taking this like a man and a man I am and a man I shall be. Excuse me.”
Like Piggy before him, Scooter made his move and made his way towards Amanda and the rest of his destiny.
“Did that seem like he was walking to his execution?” Chase asked.
“Most people do get that feeling while in Piggy’s presence,” the frog replied. “I know I do.”
[hr]
“Diva approaching, twelve o’clock.”
Scottie always knew a diva when he saw one, regardless of gender. In many cases, they weren’t true divas – those that were high class without the maintenance – but he was always on the lookout for those he wanted to meet and greet. In all honesty, Scottie was a big fan of Miss Piggy and the very thought that she could be there at the banquet was at least one reason he had finally agreed to accompany Amanda to this thing.
He was still a bit irritated at her, for letting that adorable Muppet believe there was something between them that was more than friendly and definitely for not notifying that same Muppet that the blonde’s interests laid with the home team, so to speak. But in the scheme of things, he did get to dress up – which he had always enjoyed – and from what he was seeing now, meet one of his favorite celebrities.
“Diva approaching,” he murmured to his date, watching as the crowd seem to part as Piggy walked through on her way towards them. “Twelve o’clock.”
“Bon jour, mon amies!”
“Miss Piggy, what a lovely surprise,” Amanda replied, smiling at the leading lady. “I didn’t expect this to be your kinda thing.”
“Nonsense,” Piggy replied, waving her hand in the air. “Moi is always appreciative of those who work hard to make us look good and certainly, both you and our dear Andrew do your part to make many people’s lives easier in the day to day. Wouldn’t you agree, Mister…?”
“Oh!” Amanda started, looking between Scottie and Piggy. “Miss Piggy, this is my…um…friend, Scottie. Scottie, Miss Piggy.”
“Diva,” Scottie breathed, taking the leading lady’s hand and kissing it. “It is a pleasure of the highest.”
“A fan?”
“Of the most loyal set,” was his response, adding a gentlemanly bow for effect. “I almost refused to come to this thing, but Mandy just had to name drop and so here I am.”
“And here I am,” Piggy added, smiling sweetly. “And now we’re both here, to our mutual delight. Fantastic. Andrew, there you are.”
Appearing at her left, Scooter nodded to both Scottie and Amanda, however his eyes never left hers. “Congratulations,” the Whatnot sputtered, clearing her throat nervously, embarrassed that she seemed to be nervous around someone she had previously had no qualms sharing intimate details with.
“You too,” Scooter whispered.
Scottie and Piggy glanced at each other before looking at the forlorn couple, just as the band started a slow jazzy number, hoping to get more folks on the dance floor. “Oh Mandy, look,” the blond piped up. “The band’s starting to play Glenn Miller, you love him. Should take a spin on the dance floor.”
“Did you want to dance?” the Whatnot asked, eagerly.
Scottie chuckled, nervously. “Oh lovey,” he said. “You know I don’t dance; two left feet, but I’m sure Mr. Grosse here is an excellent dancer.”
“Oh he is!” Piggy exclaimed, agreeing with the blond. “Andrew, why don’t you show Amanda just how good of a dancer you truly are?”
The two redhead were momentarily shocked and stunned at the turn of events, events they had hoped to avoid with such a large group of people. Steeling himself however for what needed to be done, Scooter none the less held out his hand to the Whatnot, asking, “Would you do me the honor?”
Amanda opened her mouth to perhaps decline the offer, but seeing the expressive look on his face caused her heart to tighten; perhaps she hadn’t wanted to admit to anyone – or even herself – just how much she had hurt Scooter with her actions, that she had been so happy with seeing Scottie again that the recent change in her relationship had drifted to the wayside. The silence between them, though only about a second or two, seemed to last for eons from Scooter’s point of view.
How was he going to let this woman go?
Determined to be the bigger man and let Amanda go on to happiness with Scottie, at that moment, Scooter was suddenly set to do everything he could to keep her in his life. He was prepared to marry this woman and the well-tanned, well-toned, and very attractive Scott Jamison Coulter wasn’t going to stop him; for the first time in his dating career, Andrew Martin Grosse was going to fight for the girl.
Placing her hand in his, Amanda murmured to their companions, “I take it the two of you will be fine without us?”
“Oh, I’m sure Scott and Moi will find something to do while we’re watching you and Fred Astaire there waltz across the floor.”
“Make Fosse proud,” Scottie tittered, giddily. The two watched as the couple made their way towards the dance floor, their looks clearly saying they both wanted to be near each other and equally keep their distance.
“Those two couldn’t be more perfect for each other.”
Turning a surprised look on her fellow blond, Piggy couldn’t help but smile at the revelation. “A fellow shipper?”
“Oh, I’m most definitely on the good ship Grosse,” Scottie replied, sending an admiring glare at the bespectacled Muppet. “He is dreamy.”
“Scottie dear, let’s play a game.”
“Which is?”
“Well,” Piggy started, taking the blonde’s arm and leading him to a nearby table. “Moi likes to call it ‘In or Out’.”
Scottie couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, that’s scandalous!” he giggled. “And downright devious. Let’s start with the wait staff.”
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