ch21

The next morning, in the guys’ room…
Frankie, Greg, Chris, and Jesse get up around seven to get ready to visit Matt and Meagan in the hospital.
Frankie- (getting dressed) So wait, what happened to him?
Greg- (putting on his cologne) Um…he told me he was trampled by a bull…?
Chris- (doing his hair in the mirror) Yeah…right…
Jesse- (as he walk out of the bathroom after his shower) Well, I believe him. Cause Pollyanna likes farm animals, so she probably showed Matt her favorite pet bull. He was wearing red, right? Bulls like red. So if Matt was wearing red, then-
Frankie- I don’t keep track of Matt’s outfits.
Greg- Are the girls coming?
Chris- Yeah. They told me they’d be ready by 8:30, which is in…(he checks his watch) 2 minutes.
Jesse- Girls always take forever to get ready. Geez…we’re just going to a hospital…
Frankie- They want to impress us with their radiance.
Greg- Very intellectual, Francis.
Frankie- Thanks, I saw it on Oprah.
Jesse- What a coincidence! I was watching Kitty Bartholomew on HGTV, and she was making this really funky basket-
Chris- That has nothing to do with anything…
Jesse- Sure it does! I made two for Matt and Meagan!
Jesse holds up two perfectly woven baskets.
Greg- Whoa…you’re actually pretty good at that…
Chris- Could you make me one for my gels and balms and combs?
Jesse- Sure. But I have a waiting list. I’ll make yours after I make Frankie’s, Amy’s, Grandma’s, Aunt Gladys’s…
Chris turns to look at Frankie.
Chris- What do you need a basket for?
Frankie- My shoes.
Just then, there is a knock at the door, and in walk Tory, Anna, Melissa, and Amy.
Melissa- All ready! Nice baskets, Jess.
Jesse- Thanks.
Amy- Yeah, he’s making me one for my pom-poms.
Chris- You don’t need a basket for that! Throw them on the floor…
Amy and Jesse gasp.
Tory- I have flowers for Matt and Meg.
Melissa- I made them special cards with facts from my Useless Knowledge key chain.
Greg- I’m sure they’ll enjoy that.
Anna- I found these rare Jeter rookie cards, so I bought three. (She holds up a pair of cards)
Amy- I made copies of my cheerleading video, so they can watch it anytime they want.
Frankie- Oh come on, Amy. You don’t want them to go insane.
Jesse- (whispering to Amy) Did you make me a copy?
Tory- So, what did you guys get them? Besides Jesse. By the way, awesome basket.
Chris- I found some loose change in the couch over there.
Greg- I autographed some burnt-out light bulbs.
Frankie- I found an expired gift certificate to the Olive Garden.
Anna- Wow…how generous…
Frankie- Yeah, Greg and I have a plan…

***

Meanwhile, both Matt’s and Meagan’s parents have been visiting all morning.
Meagan’s Mom- So, how has the city been? You enjoying the hotel?
Meagan- Yeah…but um, how much is this all costing you guys?
Meagan’s Dad- Nothing. My dad’s friend’s fish’s owner’s uncle’s nephew owns the place.
Meagan- Oh, I see…
Matt- How long are you guys staying there?
Meagan- How long can we, Mom?
Meagan’s Mom- Well, your volleyball camp starts in two weeks, so you’d have to leave…oh, nevermind.
Meagan- Oh, that’s right! Damn it!
Meagan’s Dad- Easy, Meg. You won’t be able to play any sport until your ankle heals.
Meagan- How long is that?
Meagan’s Mom- Well, you will be on crutches for a few weeks, then a walking cast…so you can probably play sports again in about 10 weeks.
Meagan- WHAT?!
Meagan’s Mom- You broke it in a few different spots. You have to take it easy.
Meagan- This sucks.
Matt- So, Dad, will I be able to perform?
Matt’s Dad- You can’t walk yet. You broke a few bones in your feet, and you broke your left arm, plus, you were knocked unconscious, and suffered head traumas, so I’m thinking no.
Matt- Damn it!
Matt’s Mom- Well, honey, we are going to hire you a butler.
Matt- (perking up) Really??
Matt’s Dad- His name is Theodore Blair. He’s a real nice guy. From London.
Matt- Sweet! My own butler!
Meagan- That’s awesome!
Matt- When is he coming???
Matt’s Dad- Later on this afternoon.
Matt and Meagan reach across the open space to exchange a high five, afterwards Matt winces in pain.
Matt’s Mom- But honey, we have to go, the four of us are going out to lunch.
Meagan’s Mom- We’ll be back tomorrow.
Matt and Meagan- Bye.
The four adults leave.
Just then, Frankie, Anna, Melissa, Greg, Tory, Chris, Jesse, and Amy come dancing in the door, singing the Wal-Mart song.
Frankie, Greg, Chris, Jesse, Amy, Tory, Melissa, Anna- “Gray skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face…”
Matt and Meagan eye each other with confused expressions.
Matt- Uh…hey, guys…
Frankie- How ya doin’, guys?
Meagan- Fine…oh, nevermind. I can’t play sports for 10 weeks…
Anna- Oh no!
Matt- Yeah, and I can’t perform for a while…
The guys look up with wide eyes.
Jesse- Wha…
Chris- What are we going to do?
Matt- Um…divide my vocals I guess.
Greg- I call “Hooked On You”!
Matt- Shut up, guys. Matt is in a lot of pain. It’s ok, Matt. Take it easy. We’ll just postpone the tour.
Frankie- Huh?
Matt- That should be the reaction I get.
Frankie- Right…
Jesse-(holding up his baskets) Hey, look, I made you these baskets!
Meagan- Whoa, cool!
Matt- Those are…fun…
Amy- He saw them on Kitty Bartholomew this morning.
Meagan- That’s a…great show…(she and Matt exchange smiles)
Tory- Here’s some flowers. (She sets the vase on the table between the two of them and gives Meagan a hug)
Meagan- Thanks, Tor.
Melissa- Here’s some cards with facts from my Useless Knowledge key chain.
Matt- Gee…thank you…
Anna- Guys, I was shopping the other day, and I found these…(she holds up the rookie cards as Matt and Meagan scream)
Matt and Meagan- Give me that!
Anna laughs as she hands them the cards.
Meagan- Thanks, Anna. You’re the best.
Amy- Here’s two copies of my cheerleading video-
Meagan and Matt groan loudly.
Amy- So…since there’s a nice TV and VCR in here, you can watch it whenever you want!
Matt- (sarcastically) Oh, yippee skippee.
Amy smiles.
Matt- So, what’d you three get me?
Chris, Greg, and Frankie look at the ground.
Chris- Here’s some loose change I found in the hotel couch…
Matt- Oh gee…thanks…
Greg- I signed these burnt-out light bulbs for you guys…
Meagan- Charming…
Frankie- Here’s some expired gift certificates to the Olive Garden…
Matt- What’s the point of these??
Frankie- Well…the idea is that you two come with me and Greg to the Olive Garden with the gift certificates-
Meagan- (reading the gift certificates) They expired five years ago.
Greg- Yes, true, but we figure, because you two are cripples, they’ll let us use them.
Matt- Well…it’s good to know I’ve been put to good use.
Meagan- I’d prefer it if you didn’t call me a cripple.
Matt- Hey guys, guess what? I am getting a butler!
Tory- A butler? For real?
Matt- Yeah! His name’s Theodore.
Melissa- Um…most people don’t hire butlers. In fact, less than 1% of the population-
Frankie- Yes, right. That’s cool, Matt.
Chris- So he’ll, like, push your wheelchair around?
Matt- Whoever said I was getting a wheelchair?
Anna- If you broke your arm, you can’t expect to use crutches.
Matt sighs loudly, his head falling back onto the pillow.
Amy- Guys, I saw this add today for a carnival downtown!
Jesse- AWESOME!
Amy- It’s next Wednesday, so in 10 days. Wait…(she counts on her fingers) Yep. 10.
Anna- Good, these two should be out of here by then.
Meagan- You kidding? I’m gonna make them let me go today!
Melissa- You can’t, sweetheart. Calm down.
Meagan- Don’t call me sweetheart.
Greg- I read about that carnival! There’s this potion booth where you can drink love potions and they’ll make someone fall in love with you!
Frankie, Chris, Matt- Awesome!
Their four girls look at them.
Jesse- I like potions…they’re fun.
Amy- Yeah. They taste fruity.
Melissa- You’ve had some before?
Amy- No…but I’m thinking they’d be fruity.
The others roll their eyes.
Tory- Oh, and the night before, we should go to the roller rink!
Chris- Yeah!
Matt and Meagan cough.
Tory- Well, I’m sure you two can find something to do there, right?
Matt- (eyeing Meagan as she looks at her Jeter card) I’m sure we will…
Just then, a tall, thin man in a black tuxedo comes walking into the room. The ten kids fall silent.
Man- (in a thick British accent) Hello. My name is Theodore Blair. I shall be the butler of Master Matthew Samuel Ballinger.
The nine others laugh quietly.
Matt- Uh…that’s me. But you can call me Matt. Or Master Matt, if you like.
Theodore- I shall call you Master Matthew and nothing else.
Matt- But of course.
Theodore- Who are all of these young ladies and gentlemen? Who is the young lady in the bed next to you?
Matt- Oh, that’s Meagan. She’s my girlfriend. She broke her ankle.
Meagan waves as Theodore walks over to her bedside and bows.
Theodore- A pleasure to meet you, miss.
Meagan- Oh, nice to meet you too, Blair.
Matt- (pointing) That’s Frankie…
Theodore moves down the row, bowing and shaking hands.
Theodore- Hello, Francis.
Matt- And Anna…
Theodore- It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Matt- And Melissa…
Theodore- Hello, my good lady.
Matt- And Greg…
Theodore- Good day to you, Gregory.
Matt- And Chris…
Theodore- A pleasure to meet you, Christopher.
Matt- And Tory…
Theodore- Hello there, miss.
Matt- And Amy…
Theodore- What a pleasure it is to meet you.
Amy- Hey, right back atcha!
Theodore raises an eyebrow.
Matt- And Jesse…
Theodore- Hello, my lad. How are you?
Jesse- Aw…ok. My butt’s a little sore. I think I slept funny on it.

***

The following Tuesday evening…
The eight kids leave the hotel at around 6:00 to go pick Matt and Meagan up.
Frankie drives Matt’s car. Tory, Melissa and Jesse sit in the back.
Anna drives Meagan’s car. Chris, Amy and Greg sit in the back.
They arrive at the hospital, and talk with Matt’s and Meagan’s parents, and the nurse in charge of the two. They agree to sign Meagan and Matt out of the hospital, telling them to “take it easy”.
Meagan- (crutching her way out the revolving doors) Sure thing…
Nurse- Honey, you can use the handicapped door, right over there-
Meagan- Watch it, I’m not handicapped.
Matt- I am.
Theodore wheels Matt out the handicapped door and over to his awaiting car.
Theodore- (after helping Matt into the passenger seat and putting his wheelchair in the trunk) Are you sure you’re alright for the evening, Master Matthew?
Matt- Yeah. I’m fine.
Theodore- You have the number of my cellular phone in case anything goes wrong.
Matt- Right. Thanks, Teddy.
Theodore- I shall be over at nine tomorrow morning.
Matt- Buh-bye.
Meagan makes it through the revolving doors and crutches herself over to the Diablo, carefully sitting down in the passenger seat. Theodore quickly walks over to put her crutches in the trunk.
Meagan- Thanks, Blair.
Theodore- My pleasure, Lady Meagan.
Meagan- (laughing) Quit calling me that…I hate that name…
Theodore- My sincere apologies. I will try to remember that tomorrow. Good-bye.
Meagan- Bye, Blair.
The kids all get into the cars and head off for the roller rink.

***

At the roller rink…
Tory, Chris, Amy, Jesse, Greg, and Melissa walk into the lobby and tell the man they will need eight skate rentals. Anna walks in behind Meagan, and Frankie wheels Matt in.
Ticket Man- Uh…are they coming with you…?
Melissa- Yeah, but they won’t be skating.
Matt- (whispering to Meagan) How humiliating is this??
Meagan- Tell me about it…
Ticket Man- (handing Tory the tickets) Ok, here you go. Have a nice evening.
Tory- Thanks.
Chris opens the door to the roller rink, as eight of them walk in, one crutches, and the other rolls.
“Lady Marmalade” blasts on the speakers of the dark room, the colored lights flashing all around. The ten kids make their way over to a large booth near the refreshment counter.
The four guys walk up to the counter and hand the woman their shoes in exchange for skates.
Woman- My…these are some large shoes…
Frankie- Can I have rollerblades?
Woman- Yep. Hang on…(she grabs the size Frankie needs and takes his shoes)
Greg- Me too?
Woman- Sure…(she gets blades for Greg and takes his shoes)
Chris- Rollerblades for me too, please.
Woman- Sure…(she gets Chris a pair of rollerblades and takes his shoes)
Jesse- Skates, please!
The three others laugh.
Woman- Um…hang on…(she checks the shelves) I don’t know that we have skates this big…
Jesse- Aw! You have to!
The woman searches for a few minutes.
Woman- Oh, here we go! All the way at the bottom.
Jesse cheers as he trades in his shoes for the skates.
After the guys get their skates on, they head back over to the booth, and the four girls get theirs. (Anna, Tory, and Melissa get blades, Amy gets skates)
Tory- Ok, we’re heading out!
Meagan- Great.
Anna- Cheer up! We’ll be back and forth.
Chris- Maybe you will…(he takes Tory’s hand as they skate off onto the rink)
Greg- Let’s go, Iss…(he and Melissa join hands and skate off after Tory and Chris)
Jesse and Amy- Wait for us!
Frankie- See ya a little later, guys…(he and Anna hold hands and follow Jesse and Amy out)
Matt- Oh, what a shame…they’re gone…
Meagan and Matt smile at each other as Matt scoots into the booth next to Meagan. The two start to make out…

***

Meanwhile, on the rink…
Amy and Jesse skate slowly around, being careful not to fall. They keep their balance on each other.
Tory and Chris skate at a mild pace, holding hands and just enjoying the time together.
Frankie, Anna, Greg, and Melissa race around the rink as fast as possible, trying to see who’s the fastest.
Frankie- (in the lead, about two feet in front of Greg) Ah ha, you can’t beat me!
Greg- Oh yeah?!
Greg picks up speed and skates along the inside, brushing Frankie aside.
Frankie- (picking up speed after him) Hey!
Melissa and Anna are a few feet behind them, neck and neck.
Anna- Haha, either me or Frankie’s gonna win!
Melissa- No! Greg or me will win for sure!
Chris and Tory sing along to “U Remind Me” as they skate along.
Tory and Chris- “You remind me of a girl, that I once knew…”
Amy and Jesse are practically walking on the wooden floor.
Amy- Careful…you almost tripped me!
Jesse- You be careful…Ah!
Jesse starts to slip, but regains his balance.
Just then, Greg, Frankie, Melissa, and Anna whiz past them.
Amy and Jesse spin in circles for a few minutes before falling to the ground in dizziness.
Suddenly, a familiar chord sounds on the speakers.
Frankie, Greg, Chris, and Jesse stop to listen…
“Can you hear the music playin’?…”
Frankie- Yes!
Greg- Sweet!
They eight begin skating together, dancing to the song. About halfway through, the crowd moves to the outer edges of the rink to watch them dance in the center of the rink. The crowd claps along.
“…down on Dream Street.”
The crowd roars as the eight kids take a few bows. They slap hands as they skate off the rink to go find Matt and Meagan.
They skate up to the booth to find the two making out.
Frankie- Um…hey guys…
Greg- Busy, I take it?
Amy- Allow me. (She lowers her head next to Meagan’s ear) HEY GUYS!
Meagan and Matt split apart as Meagan grabs her ear.
Meagan- Amy! (She reaches over and smacks Amy)
Matt- What?
Chris- Sorry to disrupt and all…
Jesse- It was awesome! They played “It Happens Every Time”!
Matt- I didn’t even hear it…did you?
Meagan- No…
Melissa- Well, it was the best…
Anna- We all danced in the middle, and everybody clapped and watched…
Tory- It was truly the best!!
They all exchange more high-fives.
Matt- That’s great, guys…
Meagan- (eyeing Matt and then looking up at the others) You interrupted this for that?
Chris- Haha…sorry.
Tory- I think I’m going to get an Evian. Anybody else want one?
Melissa and Meagan- Me.
Frankie- I want pop.
Anna, Greg, Matt, Jesse, Amy, and Chris- Me too.
Frankie gets up to get the pop, and Tory goes to get the water.
Chris- Man, I was workin’ up a sweat out there.
Amy nods, smiling.
Jesse notices and lowers his head.
Amy- So were you, Jester. You’re so hot when you sweat.
Jesse perks up, smiling at Amy.
Anna- How’s your ankle?
Meagan- Fine. It sucks to have a broken ankle…unless you have Matt to keep you company...(she winks at him)
Matt- (smiling) Yeah…well, I do what I can.
Melissa- I’m starting to get blisters on my feet…I can feel it…
Greg- Thanks for that.
Melissa- Sorry…(they laugh)
Jesse- What time is it?
Chris- (checking his watch) Uh…8. Why?
Jesse- 8 already??
Meagan- Dude…we just got here at like 6:30.
Jesse- Oh…well, I want to be back at the hotel in my jammies by 10 so I can watch Spongebob Squarepants.
Anna- Right, Jesse…
Amy- Oh yeah, that’s right! It’s Tuesday…so Spongebob’s on MTV!
Greg- What is the deal with putting that freak on MTV?
Jesse- Watch your mouth!
Amy- He might hear you!
Chris- (ignoring the other two) I don’t know…but personally, I think he’s a waste of a half-hour.
The others nod besides Amy and Jesse.
Melissa- They could play Cribs. I love that show.
Matt- Me too…hey, you know, we may be on there soon, guys.
Greg- Oh yeah!
Chris- We rock!
The three of them high-five each other.
Tory and Frankie return with the drinks and pass them out.
Chris, Greg, Anna, Matt, Amy, Jesse- Thanks, Frankie.
Frankie- No problem.
Tory- Yes, I know, I’m the best.
Melissa and Meagan- (mumbling between gulps) Thanks, Tor…
After about five minutes, Frankie and Anna challenge Greg and Melissa to a relay race.
Greg- You’re on!
Anna- Losers get to be dunked at the carnival tomorrow.
Melissa- Deal!
Frankie- Ready…set…GO!
Frankie and Greg race off as Melissa and Anna skate over to the side of the rink.
Chris- (standing up) How ‘bout we go back out?
Tory- Yeah, good idea.
Chris pulls her up and the two skate off.
Jesse- Well…hey Amy, whaddaya say we stay here and be like Matt and Meagan?
Amy- I say yeah!
Matt- I say no…bye…
Meagan waves as Jesse and Amy roll their eyes.
Amy- Fine. It’s better to skate anyway. ‘Least we can.
Meagan grabs a peanut and chucks it at Amy.
Amy- (laughing) Gotcha! Let’s go, Jester.
They hold hands and continue to ‘skate-walk’ on the rink.
Matt and Meagan continue where they left off…

***

At 9:30, the kids return their skates and head out to the cars.
Frankie- (high-fiving Anna) Yes…we are the best!
Anna- Oh yeah!
Greg- (whining) Melissa…how could you trip?
Melissa- I’m SORRY! If it weren’t for dumb Amy and Jesse moving slower than the ground itself, I wouldn’t have run into them.
Greg and Melissa- (looking at Amy and Jesse) This is all your fault!
Amy and Jesse stick their tongues out.
Meagan- (crutching along next to Anna as Anna pushes Matt’s wheelchair) Well, I had a great time tonight.
Matt- So did I.
Chris- I did too. It was fun, wasn’t it, babe?
Tory- Yes…especially since I was with you!
They smile at each other.
Jesse- Hey, me and Amy were thinking we should all have a pj party tonight!
Matt, Chris, Greg, Frankie- Yeah!
Meagan- Ok!
Anna- Sure!
Tory- Yeah…
Melissa- I think that’d be interesting…
Amy- Yeah! We’ll all watch Spongebob and-
Matt- Maybe that’s what you’ll be doing…
Matt, Frankie, Greg, and Chris exchange high fives.
Jesse- What will you be doing?
Chris- Oh, nothing…
Greg- One problem.
Frankie- What’s that?
Greg and Jesse- Mom.
Meagan- So? Tell them that you want to get to bed early…
Anna- And you need a good night’s rest, so they shouldn’t disturb you.
Frankie- There we go. Perfect.
Greg- Ok…I’ll call her when we get to the hotel.
Melissa- A splendid idea, Gregory.
Greg- Uh…thanks…
The five kids split into two groups like before and head back to the hotel, psyched about the pj party…