Chapter 25
Belle and Jewel stood in front of a long table. On that table there was Lumiere, a light shining down on him.
"Ma cheries, mademoiselles." he said, picking up a match and wax collecting disk. "It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that I welcome you tonight. And now, we invite you to relax. Let us pull up a chair as the dining room proudly presents... your dinner."
Be our guests, be our guests
Put our service to the test,
tie your napkin 'round your neck, cheries
and we provide the rest!
A couple of chairs walked up behind the two girls allowing them a place to sit. Then the chairs wrapped napkins around their necks,. Belle took hers off and put it in her lap. Jewel took her example and did the same.
Soup du jour, hot hors d'oeuvres
Why we only live to serve
Try the gray stuff, it's delicious
Belle dipped her finger into on of the hors d'oeuvres, the gray stuff to be exact, letting out a small 'mm' when she tasted it.
Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!
They can sing, they can dance
After all, dears, this is France!
And a dinner here is never second best!
Go on unfold your menus,
take a glance and then you'll
Be our guests, be our guests, be our guests!
A cabinet at the end of the table opened to reveal a large china collection, which rolled out and began to perform, while Lumiere handed the girls two menus. Then food in different pans began to dance by.
Beef ragout, cheese souffle,
Pie and pudding en flambe!
Cogsworth poked his head out of the pudding, before it exploded for a second because of one of Lumiere's candles. Then the blackened clock just fell back unconcious.
We'll prepare and serve with flair
A culinary cabaret!
Then a lot of spoons stood around a large bowl of what looked like wine with napkins tied around before the spoon part. The all threw them off before jumping into the redish-pink liquid.
You're alone and you're scared,
But the banquet's all prepared!
No one's gloomy or complaining,
While the flatware's entertaining!
Then there was a fountain in the middle of the bowl, which carried a plate with Lumiere on it up and above the two girls.
We tell jokes, I do tricks
With my fellow candlesticks
He began to juggle his candles before a bunch of mugs caught Jewel's attention and sang.
And it's all in perfect taste
That you can bet!
Jewel's mouth was almost watering as she watched the mugs begin a gymnastics routine, hopping over one another and passing a beverage from one to the next. She jumped out of her chair and was following the line of drink passing, hopping the drink was rum.
Come on and lift your glass,
You've won your own free pass
To be our guests,
If you're stressed, it's fine dining we suggest!
Be our guests, be our guests, be our guests!
Jewel caught the mug with liquid, and was fighting with Cogsworth for it, her actually on the table. Then they both noticed that the table was empty. Jewel didn't even the notice the mug getting out of her hands and hopping away. The two looked scared as a spotlight shined on them. They began to inch away until Lumiere came in enters and held them there.
Life is so unnerving,
For a servant who's not serving!
Lumiere grabbed Jewel's arms and made them hold Cogsworth.
He's not whole without a soul to wait upon
"Get off!" Cogsworth said, trying to wiggle out of both Jewel's and Lumiere's grasp.
Ah, those good old days when we were useful
Then it was snowing. Jewel looked up to see that it was a salt and pepper shaker shaking salt and pepper onto them.
Suddenly, those good old days are gone.
Cogsworth sighed as he noticed the shakers, and Lumiere continued singing.
Ten years we've been rusting
Needing so much more than dusting
Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills!
Lumiere dusted the salt off of Cogsworths head. He tried to escape, but instead tripped and fell into a gelatin. Belle only watched, and was surprised to see Jewel sitting in her chair nibbling on the food on her plate.
"How?..." she whispered. Jewel looked up from her plate and shrugged her shoulders.
Most days we just lay around the castle,
Flabby fat and lazy
You two walked in, and oops-a-daisie!
Lumiere jumps on a spoon in the gelatin, which catapults Cogsworth out of the mold. In the kitchen, Mrs. Potts was getting ready over in the kitchen, singing along with them.
It's some guests, it's some guests!
Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed!
Wine's been poured and thank the Lord
I've had the napkins freshly pressed!
With dessert, they'll want tea,
And my dear, that's fine with me!
While the cups do their soft shoeing,
I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing!
I'll get warm, piping hot
Heaven's sake, is that a spot?
Clean it up, we want the company impressed!
We've got a lot to do-
Mrs. Potts rolled out on a small cart, with a bowl of sugar by her side, offering the two girls tea.
Is it one lump or two?
For you our guests!
Then everyone sang.
They're our guests!
Then Mrs. Potts, before all were singing.
They're our guests!
They're our guests!
Cogsworth stood in front of the dusting feather dusters to try to get them to stop, only to be swept away as the song continued.
Be our guests! Be our guests!
Our command is your request!
It's ten years since we had anybody here
And we're obsessed!
With your meal, with your ease,
Yes indeed, we aim to please
While the candlelight's still glowing
Let us help you, we'll keep going
The candles all leaned over and one by one lifted up to reveal Lumiere.
Course, by course
One by one
'Til you shout "Enough, I'm done!"
Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest
Tonight you'll prop your feet up,
But for now let's eat up
Cogsworth somehow was in the middle of the musical's finale and with a sigh, danced.
Be our guests!
Be our guests!
Be our guests!
Please be our guests!
The song ended with wine bottles shotting wine in the air like fountains. Cogsworth also finally got into the groove and was dancing with a smile... Before Lumiere slid on the table, knocking Cogsworth off. When the song ended, Belle and Jewel applauded.
"Bravo! That was wonderful!" Belle said
"Food's not bad either." Jewel said, before burping. Cogsworth stood in front of the retreating silverware and was bowing.
"Thank you, thank you, mademoiselles." he said, "Yes, good show, wasn't it everyone." He yawned and then looked down at the clock hands on his face. "Oh, my goodness, will you look at the time? Now, it's off to bed, off to bed!" Lumiere came up next to Cogsworth.
"Oh, I couldn't possibly go to bed now. It's my first time in an enchanted castle." Belle said
"Enchanted? Who said anything about the castle being enchanted? It was you, wasn't it?" Cogsworth said, putting his hands in Lumiere's face. A fight started to ensue.
"It's not that hard to notice the moving items, boys." Jewel said, watching a fork run by.
"I figured it out for myself." Belle said, watching that same fork. Cogsworth and Lumiere both look at the girls, then stop. Cogsworth soon dusted himself off while Lumiere fixed his wax nose.
"I'd like to look around, if that's all right." Belle asked
"Oh!" Lumiere said. "Would you like a tour?"
"Wait a second, wait a second." Cogsworth said. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea." he whispered to Lumiere. "We can't let her go poking around in certain places, if you know what I mean."
"Perhaps you could take me." Belle said, poking Cogsworth in the belly, causing him to giggle. "I'm sure you know everything there is to know about the castle."
"Well, actually, ah yes, I do!" Cogsworth said. Jewel just sat there and looked at Belle, a smirk on her face.
She's good. I'd like to see her on the Pearl! she thought.