Author's Note: I swear, officer, it's not mine! I do, however, own a jug of pomegranate lemonade. Surprisingly delicious.
This chapter's shorter than most, but that's how I've decided I'm going to break down Epcot. It's a huge park, with lots to do. It doesn't mean you're getting less story, folks; it'll just be spread out more.
Code word: thanks to ktface3 (she'll know why), and the often imitated, never duplicated Mr. 138 (he'll know why). I hope the rest of you enjoy, too.
Judy: (near the breakfast buffet) Well, today we're going to Epcot. It should be fun – it's personally my favorite park, and yes, I'm aware that makes me a total dork. I'm okay with that. (Her grin widens.) After our talk yesterday things did seem to go more smoothly with Michael. We had a fun night at the pool bar and really seem to be on better terms. I'm actually optimistic about today. (Her eyes narrow some.) This is where someone probably says "famous last words," right?
Stanley: (listens to someone off camera, then nods all too knowingly) Mm-hmm.
Michael: (at the bus stop, the rest of the group visible behind him) I think Judy and I are fine. We sealed our truce with booze last night, which makes it a binding contract in the business world. Plus we agreed on a code word, so when I get "inappropriate" (he uses sarcastic air quotes), or – more likely - she gets too clingy I can subtly let her know she needs to cool it without blurting out nonsense like Jan made me do in front of Christian. (He looks left and right, then lowers his voice.) The code word is Pooh. (Michael chuckles.)
Judy: (her smile faltering) Yeah, not my first choice, especially since I have a feeling I'll be using it somewhat regularly.
"So like I said at breakfast, this park is split into two distinct sections – one is called Future World, which focuses on science and technology, and the other is World Showcase, which is like a permanent world's fair with several different nations represented," Judy explained as she led the group to Epcot's entrance.
Michael stepped up next to Judy as she led them toward Spaceship Earth. "We're going in the giant golf ball?" Michael asked, looking upward.
"There's actually a ride in here," Judy said.
"A golf ride?"
"No. It's a…it's just a ride."
"Tiger-Tiger-Tiger Woods, y'all!" Michael quoted, badly.
Judy sighed, but kept a small smile. "This isn't a golf ball."
Michael gave a skeptical look to the camera, but decided not to pursue the guide's ignorance. "So we'll be soaking in the culture today, you said?" he asked instead.
"Absolutely."
Michael breathed deeply, satisfied. "Interesting. You know I have employees from a variety of different backgrounds. Really gives the office some spice."
"That's great. Many of the cast members in the World Showcase are from the countries-"
"And I've hosted many cultural events to open the eyes of my less-different employees – you know, all the…plain white ones," Michael continued. Judy glanced at the camera, then nodded.
"Well, learning is important," she said, seemingly at a loss for anything else.
"I agree. Has anyone told you about the group I started – Diversity Tomorrow?"
"Um, actually no."
As Michael regaled Judy with tales of his (widely considered disastrous) "diversity day" activities, the camera panned back to catch a delighted smile forming on Dwight's face. "Wunderbar!" he exclaimed.
"What?" Jim asked.
Dwight pointed as his map. "There's a pavilion devoted to Germany here," he stated.
"Yeah…I remember that from last time I was here. It's actually pretty cool," Jim said.
Dwight gave him a look. "Obviously." Dwight then looked thoughtful. "I wonder if there will be strudel-making demonstrations. Or perhaps an early twentieth century history lesson, debunking rumors and myths."
Jim jimmed. "One can only hope."
"We're actually having dinner at the restaurant there," Pam told Dwight. He raised his eyebrows.
"Do they serve schnitzel?"
"It's a buffet. I think they serve everything."
"Excellent." He sped up to join Michael and no doubt share the news. Pam noticed Jim's strange look.
"Why are we eating there?" he asked.
Pam shrugged. "I thought it would cheer him up, after everything that happened at Toby's party," she explained, only meeting his eyes briefly.
There was a short pause.
"That was nice of you," Jim said, a little awkwardly as he looked around.
"Thanks."
Another pause.
"And seeing Dwight in the Disneyfied land of his forefathers…it's got potential," Jim said, sending a hesitant grin her way.
Pam returned the gesture somewhat, now looking at him. "I thought so too."
After Spaceship Earth the group headed left, stopping first at a huge, mirrored building with rainbow panels along the side and the title The Universe of Energy orbiting a sphere that rose out of the fountain out front. Judy explained the general premise of the attraction inside, pointing out that during the highlight of the ride they would get an up close and personal look at the original source of fossil fuel.
"Fossils?" Kevin guessed. Judy nodded.
"Yes, but fossils before they became fossils." She raised her eyebrows.
"…Dinosaurs?" Kevin guessed again. Judy nodded again and Kevin started to grin, but quickly stifled it.
A few steps behind him, Angela scowled.
Kevin: (in front of the fountain at the entrance; somberly) I don't want to give her the wrong impression. I'm not down with O.P.P.
Angela: (in front of the same fountain; looking exasperated) Why is this place so infatuated with dinosaurs, especially when they can't even get the timeframe correct? (She listened to a question from off-camera and rolled her eyes. She explains as if talking to a toddler) They co-existed with man, and are supposed to be called 'Jesus horses.'
The ride – Ellen's Energy Adventure - began with a movie. Ellen DeGeneres told of a dream she had of being on Jeopardy!, but all the categories dealt with energy, a subject about which she knew little. The fact that she was also playing against Albert Einstein made winning even less likely. (When Alex Trebek entered, Michael's "Oh great, this guy" was unmistakable, as was a soft "Pooh" from Judy.) Thankfully upon awakening, Ellen's neighbor – the one and only Bill Nye the Science Guy – promised to teach her all there was to know about the subject.
The camera didn't miss Dwight's look of surprise and delight when he saw this "pillar of the science community" again. However, as the slow-moving ride vehicles moved the audience into a scene from prehistoric times, complete with huge audio-animatronic dinosaurs, his face melted into a look of what appeared to be worry and possibly fear. Each roar and squawk elicted a jump from him, and once he looked ready to leap from the car altogether.
When the camera managed to cut to Jim for a moment, his face was a mask of pure delight.
Upon exiting Dwight pushed several of his coworkers out of the way to get to Judy. She was talking with Phyllis, but Dwight wedged his way between them. "I do not appreciate you endangering our lives in that way, especially if I'm not allowed to bring in anything with which to defend my fellow office workers," he told her, his tone angry.
"I'm…I'm sorry?" Judy stammered.
"Fact: there were several species of carnivorous dinosaurs in there that could have turned on any or all of us at a moment's notice."
Judy blinked. "They…those dinosaurs were fake," she told Dwight, the concern for his loose grip on reality evident in her voice. Dwight rolled his eyes.
"I realize that they weren't living dinosaurs-"
"This time," Jim added, smirking from behind the pair.
"-but they were even more dangerous," Dwight continued, then paused for effect. "They were robots. They could turn on us at any time."
Judy stared at him a long moment. "We refer to them as audio-animatronics, and they're perfectly safe. They're operated from a control room, and they're bolted to the floor," she assured Dwight. He returned her stare viciously, then shook his head.
"Idiot," he muttered as he wandered away.
Dwight: (standing in front of a fountain mid-park; miffed) What kind of explanation is that? Hasn't she ever seen Westworld?
Jim: (at a refreshments kiosk, grinning) I haven't seen Westworld, but I have seen it parodied on an episode of The Simpsons. (He holds up his camera, his smile growing.) I feel completely safe.
Judy took the group to an attraction called Test Track next, mysteriously saving something called Mission: SPACE until "later." Everyone boarded a car, save Angela, and Andy, despite appearing desperate to check it out. They sat together on a bench and looked at a map of the park, and the cameraman stood a good distance away as he filmed them.
"I wonder what Michael will have us do today," he said as he perused.
"You aren't supposed to question what…Michael will do," Angela scolded, rushing the second half of her response. Andy's face twisted.
"I wasn't questioning Michael, I was just…never mind."
"What?" Angela demanded.
"I said never mind," he stated.
"If you're upset about that silly ride then go get in line. I just don't enjoy…" she waved her hand vaguely, "unnecessary exhilaration."
"I'm not upset about the ride," he said, then tacked on a quiet, "and no kidding."
"What?" she repeated, a little more forcefully.
Andy frowned at her momentarily, but soon his face simply registered confusion. "I just wish I got you sometimes." He then forced a smile. "Thank goodness I have the rest of our lives to figure you out, huh?"
Angela scratched at her knee. "Mm-hmm," she replied, a little absently.
Andy put an arm around her. "Best challenge I'll ever conquer," he told her winningly, and she smiled some. He squeezed her shoulders. "In every way," he added, in a way that was more than slightly suggestive. He turned back to his map in time to miss Angela's smile make a hasty departure. "Whatever we do, I just hope it isn't something spinny," he continued, half to himself. "A few too many drunken dizzy bat races at Cornell ruined that for the ol' Nard Dog's stomach."
Angela said nothing verbally, but her raised eyebrow contributed its two cents' worth.
A/N Pt II: No bonus bits for this guy, just my ever-present reminder to check out allears . net (link on the profile), if you'd like to read/see more about the wonderful world o' Disney!
What I do want - nay, need - to say is thank you so, so much for all your reviews - they've been astounding! I never thought this idea would be so popular, but I was sorely mistaken. All of you that have reviewed each chapter...wow, you are incredible. I've tried to send a note back to each of you that leaves a "signed" note, so I hope you've received them. As for my "anonymous" pals - officejam and gracie, amongst many others - your kind words are just as appreciated. I'll try and get us through the episodeless summer with style (although not class because hey, Michael's involved).
And for a short chapter, a short song...
Please show some love
Mm-mm-mm-mm
Please show some love -
For that is what makes this divine...