"Looks like the weather is gettin worse out dere Mr. Moon!" Johnny exclaimed excitedly, pointing out the window. Thick snowflakes were falling on the ground, covering it mercilessly with a fresh layer of snow.
"Ah yes, thank you for bringing that up Johnny! I think some of you may want to stay late this evening." Buster explained, showing them the traffic reports. Several car crashes had occurred in the last hour due to ice. Unfortunately the majority of them had happened near the Moon Theatre, making it almost impossible to go home.
"What a shame, I'll call Norman to let him know." Rosita said, fishing her phone out of her handbag. Norman would undoubtedly be upset, looking after kids is one thing. Dealing with twenties ty five of them is another.
"I love snow, so does me dad. He used to take me sledding with my uncles when I was a younger." Johnny said, gazing happily at the snow outside the theatre.
"Same here, minus the whole gang thing. My dad used to take me to build snow forts with my mum." Ash told Johnny, joining him happily at the window.
As the snow gradually covered the main exit of the theatre, Buster looked at his phone worriedly. The traffic had not improved and it seemed that the theatre crew would need to stay overnight. He sighed, hopping onto a stool for a announcement.
"Alright everyone, for your personal safety, I recommend you all stay here tonight! Me and Miss Crawley could happily try and set up some beds for you. The weather is getting worse and so is traffic and at this rate nobody will be able to get home." He exclaimed, a look of worry upon his face.
"Ha! Is this a sleepover or something?! There is no way I'm doing this." Mike said, chuckling to himself and making his way to the main doors.
"Good luck with dat." Johnny said to Mike with a grin. Everybody laughed as they watched the determined mouse trying to budge open the doors blocked by snow.
"Sorry Mike, I don't think you have a choice." Buster said, turning to face Miss Crawley. "Would you mind helping me set up some beds Miss Crawley?" He asked her. The old Lizard nodded her head joining him to go to the storage rooms upstairs.
"I think I can help Buster!" Eddie said running after them.
Two hourse passed as the theatre group set up the beds. The beds themselves were made from old blankets and pillows from different scenes in previous plays. They thought it would be better for everyone to sleep in their assigned practise rooms as there was very little space. However since the glass was sadly transparent, they would each take it in turns to go to the toilets and change when it was needed. Buster let Eddie sleep on the sofa in his room and Miss Crawley set up a bed in her office.
Buster decided to go check on the others, when to his shock the power went out. Multiple screams and shrieks could be heard downstairs as he tried to navigate his way in the darkness.
"Mr. Moon, what's going on?" Miss Crawley asked, bumping into him in the hallway.
"No fear Miss Crawley, its just the snow. Do you have any flashlights I could use?" He asked her, rubbing his nose in a attempt to rid himself of his headache.
"Yes! Now that you mention it, there should be some downstairs in the big cupboard backstage." She replied with a smile, slowly making her way back to her office.
"Thank you so much Miss Crawley! He shouted back, as he could not tell if she could still hear him.
Eddie suddenly tripped over Buster, suddenly sending them both flying down the stairs at a quick speed. They collapsed at the bottom in a tangle of arms and limbs.
"Eddie, can you just warn me next time?" Buster sighed, trying to untangle himself. He noted the fact that his headache was just getting worse by the minute. 'Some water should do the trick' he thought to himself, getting up off the dusty floor.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry Buster! I did not see you there. I can go get the flashlights, I heard you and Miss Crawley talking." Eddie said, getting up and dashing down the darkened hall in a blind panic.
"Thanks Eddie!" Buster called after him.
Buster walked into the backstage practise rooms, it was noticeable how many animals were on their phones.
"Help us Moon! I do not want to spend anymore wasted time in this hellish theatre!" Mike stated with a glare.
"Eddie is getting flashlights as we speak Mike. Just wanted to see if everyone was doing okay." Buster replied nonchalantly, trying to stay calm.
"Guys, does anyone else have service or a signal?" Ash exclaimed, tapping furiously on her phone.
"Nope, must have gone with the power." Rosita explained. "Atleast Norman knows I am staying the night.
"NANCY!" Mike shouted, dialing her number urgently. "I forgot to tell her!" He said, his ears drooping sadly as he realised his phone did not have service. Ash tried not to giggle as he proceeded to throw his phone on the floor violently.
Eddie suddenly rushed in with the flashlights and started handing them out amongst the group. The gang turned them on one by one and started to go back to their practise rooms.
"Goodnight Everybody!" Rosita said, waving at them before going into a large practise room, followed by Gunter.
"Goodnight Rosita, Goodnight guys!" Ash said, going to her own practise room. Meena waved goodnight and went to bed also.
"Goodnight everyone, sleep well!" Buster said to them all, turning on his own flashlight.
Eddie turned towards him nervously. "Lets go up."
The two walked steadily upstairs, careful not to trip on one another.
"Buster?" Eddie asked.
"Yeah Eddie?" Buster said.
"I'm scared."
Buster just rolled his eyes, taking Eddie's hand into his own and leading him to the office.
"Don't be. This isn't another one of those silly horror games you play." Buster replied. They both let out a lighthearted chuckle as they came to a stop.
"I know, I know," Eddie said.
He stopped to face the door, listening carefully.
"...but it sure feels like it."