Because this story is based on my slight Disney obsession there will be another song in this chapter. Because of my slight Rolling Stones obsession, the song is "As Tears Go By", one of the first songs written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and originally sung by Marianne Faithful and later recorded by the Stones as well.


There was so much to do and so many invitations to deliver that Bob Fossil found himself panting hard an hour later as he trudged the streets of the town, posting invites and recruiting townsfolk to help with the food and entertainment. He almost bypassed the decrepit chateau on the corner until he heard someone singing softly somewhere above him. He looked up, he eyes going wide at the strangeness and beauty of what he saw.

Up a tree, sitting astride a branch and leaning out to scrub at a filthy window, was the most beautiful creature Fossil had ever seen. His face was pale and sad but in a tragically beautiful kind of way and from his vantage point Fossil could admire his high cheekbones, glossy hair, slender waist, prominent hips and the way his thighs hugged the branch. He licked his lips and shifted around the tree until he was hidden from the road but still had a good view of the beautiful tree-dwelling window cleaner.

"It is the evening of the day,

I sit and watch the children play.

Smiling faces I can see

But not for me.

I sit and watch

As tears go by.

My riches can't buy everything

I want to hear the children sing.

All I hear is the sound

Of rain falling on the ground.

I sit and watch

As tears go by.

It is the evening of the day,

I sit and watch the children play.

Doin' things I used to do

They think are new.

I sit and watch

As tears go by..."

As the song faded away Bob Fossil slowly brought his fingers to his lips, licked them and then rubbed them against his covered nipples in an act of appreciation. He tried to sneak away unseen but tripped over a metal pail which lodged onto his foot and sent him tumbling to the ground. The clatter startled Vince (who was of course the window cleaner) and he fell from the branch with a shout and landed directly upon Fossil.

"What were you doing, you berk!" he yelled, struggling to stand and elbowing the larger man in the ribs for good measure.

"Hey!" Fossil squealed as he floundered like an overturned turtle. "Cool it, kitten-pants! I'm not looking to get into your grubby drainpipes. I was just listening to your croonie, sing-song noise."

Vince looked down at his jeans. They were indeed covered in dust, water marks and soap smears, and now dirt from his fall. He scowled. He didn't have many pairs and didn't think he'd have time to wash these today, what with all of his extra chores. Vince hated looking grubby and he hated the man who'd scared him and made him fall on his already throbbing back, and insulted him to boot.

"Well who do you think you are? Creeping around and scaring people. What do you want?"

Fossil finally recovered himself and scrambled to his feet. He pulled the invitation from his pocket and handed it over to Vince with a wink.

"The king's holding a ball to try and find a bride for his douche of a son. He wants every eligible young thing to be there. So pass this on to your boss person, yeah?"

Vince took the invitation reverently. He'd always dreamed of going to a ball - dancing and drinking and chatting and dressing up and just enjoying himself without having to worry about messing up and being humiliated or beaten. He really just wanted a night off and he took in the expensive-looking gold script with a great deal of longing.

"Every eligible person is to attend?" he asked and Fossil leered.

"Well sure, love pickle. If you've got the right outfit, that is. There's to be no rags, ripped jeans or hats made from fruit rind. Them's the rules, now I gotta go. You go tell the clean people not to be late, you hear?"

He waddled away, the bucket still wedged on his foot, and Vince bit his lip. He desperately wanted to go to the ball. Maybe if he asked really nicely and offered to do extra chores (or whatever the Hitcher wanted really) he'd be allowed to go. He'd need some sort of nice outfit obviously, but he was sure he'd think of something.

With those hopes in mind Vince entered the house and, for once, sought out his stepfather and sisters willingly. Maybe this was his chance, to experience for just one night the life he had always dreamed of.