"Imagine this if you can..." Joseph began, walking swiftly into the Royal office of Her Majesty, Queen Clarisse Ranaldi.
Clarisse looked up from what she was writing once she noticed this rather unexpected, but not unwanted interruption from her Head of Security and friend.
Joseph went on, not missing a beat, "The gentlemen of my security team—rather forcefully—convinced me to take, what they referred to as, a long overdue break. So, seeing how I had already had my lunch for the day, I decided that the time I usually reserved for my lunch break might today be of better use as merely a time for a nice walk around the grounds to stretch my legs. So, as I am walking around the grounds, enjoying the serenity, I happen to run into Maxwell...the chief gardener,"
"Yes, I know who Maxwell is," Clarisse said, slightly defensive that Joseph would think that she did not even know her own gardener by name. Clarisse then, realizing that this might be a long story, set down her pen and proceeded to remove her glasses.
"Of course, forgive me...anyway, Maxwell and I soon begin talking about this and that—the warm weather we've been having, and some trouble he's been having with the gardening soil over by the east wing—nothing really important, until he asked me, 'So what's so important that it's stopped Her Majesty from coming out for her daily walks recently?' I didn't know what he meant. So I asked him, 'Why? Have you not seen her today?' he said, 'I haven't seen her since Sunday afternoon!'"
Clarisse rolled her eyes, now understanding where this story was headed.
Her reaction didn't faze him, and Joseph just continued with his story, "Imagine my surprise! So I glanced at my watch, and my suspicions were correct...it was five o'clock on Friday afternoon! So, given the information I recently received from a certain Mr. Maxwell, I understand that you have been wasting almost the entire week away cooped up inside, staring at words on a page or talking into a telephone receiver."
Clarisse held up her index finger to the man who was now seated in one of the two conference chairs that faced her desk. "I resent the word 'wasting'. Each and every thing that has been done in here during the past week could be easily classified as highly productive!" Clarisse defended herself.
"I am not addressing your productivity, Your Majesty. I am addressing the unhealthy state of mind in which you are placing yourself with your bad habits," Joseph replied.
"'Unhealthy state of mind'?" Clarisse repeated.
But now it was Joseph's turn to hold up a finger, he waved it slightly from side to side and closed his eyes. "Therefore, having concluded my story," Joseph rose from his chair and walked over to Clarisse's side of the desk. "I simply must insist that you accompany me on the remainder of my walk outside." As he finished, Joseph held out his hand and offered it to the woman who was still sitting at the desk.
Clarisse gave a defeated sigh and glanced at the window. It was long since noon and the sun was slipping further and further away from the center of the sky, towards its place beyond the horizon. But if they hurried, she and Joseph would still have a good amount of daylight for a stroll around the grounds.
"Fine!" she said finally, "Just give me a moment to finish up."
So Joseph waited exactly where he was...he didn't even put down his hand. She was taking too long by his standards. He waited for her to sign three other papers before saying, "I hope you don't intend to keep me standing like this for too much longer. Remember, I am an old man, and I could fall over dead at any moment."
Upon hearing that, Clarisse let out a laugh and set down her pen. She turned her chair around and placed her hand in his. He grinned at her and pulled her from the chair. Then he brought her hand to his lips for a quick kiss and he began to lead her out the door.
"Oh tush," she said, "You're not that old...you are old...but you're not that old."
Joseph's laugh could be heard throughout the hallway as the door to the Royal Office closed behind them with a click.
THE END (of chapter one)
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Author's Note: I know it is really short, but I sat down at the computer last night and thought "I want to write a oneshot." So this is the random scene that came to me while I was writing. At first I thought that it could easily fit into a slightly larger story...but then I decided that I liked it how it was (no matter how short). So I hope that you enjoyed it, and you find it worth a review (hehe).
I might end up continuing it a little later on, so that we can see what would happen during their walk, but that's only if there are enough readers who think that it's a good idea. So if you want it to continue then leave me a review and tell me so. Also, if you have anything specific that you would like to see happen, be sure to mention that as well.
Thanks for reading!
--Monker
