(Duke and the Great Pie War)
"Petunia Rhubarb Who?"
PART 1
"Okay, fellas. We are all set in the cast, but we still have one missing." Bob reported.
"What's that?" Larry asked.
"The one who would play Sweet Petunia. We don't have any available cast members to fit to the role." Bob said.
"Maybe we should start auditioning for a new member." Mr. Lunt said.
"That's a good idea. But it would take us two days."
"Nah, we could delay the filming for a while. After all, Petunia plays an important role, right?" Mr. Lunt says.
"I guess we could give it a shot." Larry said.
….
One and a half day has passed and there's still no match to play for Petunia. Bob, Larry and Mr. Lunt were already drooping on their seats out of tiredness.
"What's the point of this? There's no perfect match! The girls' are too chatty, too shy or too brilliant." Larry groaned.
"I agree, for once." Bob whined.
It just so happens that Archibald passed by the three weary fellows whose faces was on the table in front of the auditorium stage. They've run out of girls for the audition of Petunia for Duke and the Great Pie War.
"Hello, fellas. How do you do?" Archibald asked.
"We're considering giving up this episode." Mr. Lunt said.
"What? You can't give up this episode! It has a nice plot, nice moral…"
"But no Petunia, Archie. There's no one who is right to play Petunia!" Larry moaned.
"I say we take a break." Bob suggested.
"Second it," Larry mentioned.
Archibald hopelessly watched as the three vegetables despairingly hopped to the exit door. Suddenly, a bright thought crossed his mind.
"Fellas, wait!" Archibald ordered.
The trio turned their heads to Archibald. He began to catch up to them excitingly.
"I have a sweet godchild that might be the answer to your dilemma. Her name is Petunia Rhubarb and she's very much interested in showbiz. She meditates on her Bible every day and has a strong bond with God. Plus, she just graduated from film and theater major one and a half year ago. I think she might be fantastic for the show! Can you please give her a chance to audition?" Archibald pleaded.
"Sure!" Bob beamed.
"Why didn't you say so?" Larry grinned.
"You should have thought about this sooner!" Mr. Lunt scolded.
"I'm sorry, but I wasn't quite aware of your impasse."
"Looks like this Catch-22 was all for nothing if you had just told us about you godchild. Let's just hope she's really different from the others." Larry mumbled.
A smug smile crossed Archibald's face and Larry just blandly shrugged.
"Oh, I'm very sure you would like her very much, Larry." Archibald smiled wryly.
"Bet on it," Larry said, bored and not knowing what Archibald was talking about.
….
"But, Larry, her audition is this three PM! You can't just cancel your position now!" Bob said.
"But the guys really, really need my help about their roles. I am very happy to do it for you; plus, the guys asked me, anyways. Just ask Madame Blueberry to fill the spot for judging for me." Larry replied.
Bob thought about this for a while. With a smile, Bob didn't hesitate.
"Okay," he replied, speeding off to find Madame Blue.
"I knew he'd catch on." Larry sneered.
So Larry went to his pursuit to help the cast.
When Larry was done with his work, he was suspecting Bob and the others would be, too. So he went to the auditorium and looked for Bob. He was absentmindedly looking at his script and mumbling it silently.
"Wow, Petunia. I don't know why we hadn't figured this out before!" Bob's voice echoed.
"My dear, you are exquisite! Quite perfect for the part," Madame Blueberry exclaimed.
"I think that was brilliant!" Mr. Lunt grinned.
"I told you she would be perfect for the part." Archibald said.
"You're all too kind. And I am very much privileged to play this role for you." A sweet voice said.
Once Larry heard the voice, his attention was stolen. His focus for his script lost. Then, he saw her. She was redheaded and her hair was tied up to a neat braid. She wore pearl earrings, two pearls for each one. Her lips were pink and perfect and her eyelashes were the ones women would pay money for. All Larry could think was that she was beautiful.
Larry didn't realize he was staring. Petunia caught a glance of him and stared back. There was a zing that formed between the two. Archibald had no idea what's gotten into his goddaughter at the moment.
"Petunia? Dear, can you hear me?" Archibald asked, oblivious that Larry was behind him.
Petunia snapped out of her gaze and blushed. "Oh… oh! Yes! I-I can hear you."
Archibald narrowed his eyes as he began to observe something. "Petunia, are you blushing?"
Petunia tried her best to come up with an excuse to sugar-coat her newly blossomed crush about Larry. "It's just the new blush-on I wore!"
Archibald would have sworn he heard the rustling of papers behind him. He looked over his shoulder and spotted Larry, carrying his script.
"Oh, Larry! I'm so glad you're here. This is my godchild, Petunia Rhubarb." Archibald introduced.
Archibald led Petunia to Larry and Bob and Madame Blueberry followed. Petunia tried to resist blushing and smiling. But she can't. She was smiling widely that it made Larry be more nervous.
"H-Hi, Petunia. My name's Larry." Larry said.
He mentally slapped himself. Hi? Is that all you can come up? You've got to make first impressions last, not gamble it about like a bunny! Larry regretted saying a simple greeting when he could've thought more.
"It's a great pleasure to meet you, Larry." Petunia grinned.
She meant that. She really did. Madame Blue scooted beside her with Bob on Madame's side.
"Buddy, we've recruited Petunia to play, uh… Petunia! You should have seen the auditions, Larry. Is that okay for you if she joined the gang?" Bob asked.
"It will certainly be okay!" Larry beamed.
Petunia couldn't contain it any longer. She giggled. Everyone's attention was on her now. She was a little embarrassed. But a little thankful. With everyone's attention on her, nobody can notice Larry blushing and smiling at her. Or so she thought. Madame Blueberry caught a glance on Larry. Seeing him, she chuckled for herself and nudged at Bob.
"Oh… I think zere iz chemistry here!" Madame Blue sang.
Bob wondered what she might be saying. He stared at Madame for a while as if asking her what she was talking about. Madame Blueberry rolled her eyes and pointed at Larry with her eyes. Bob looked at his pal. Then, he looked at Petunia. Then, he got it.
"Oh, ho, ho. I believe you're right, Madame Blue. Say, let's get something to eat while we discuss matters. Petunia, you coming?" Bob invited.
"I would love to." Petunia replied.
"Larry, could you show Petunia where the Mess Hall is?" Bob asked slyly.
"Why me?" Larry protested.
"Because you are more active when it comes to food than we are," Bob replied, trying not to giggle.
"Oh, okay. C'mon, Petunia. Archibald, can you come with me?" Larry asked nervously.
"My pleasure,"
Madame Blue and Bob snickered silently at Bob's plan. When they were out of sight, they laughed their hardest. Bob stopped laughing in a few moments later and told Madame to catch up with them. Meanwhile, Petunia was walking in front of the two veggies, excited for her tour of the studio. Seeing his opportunity, Archibald leaned to Larry's ear.
"I told you you'd like her." Archibald said.
And all Larry could do was blush.
