Disclaimer: I do not own Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys and am making no money off this fic.
For everyone wondering where Frank and Joe are, don't worry they'll show up soon. And as always comments including constructive criticism continue to be welcomed.
"No way, let me see," Bess said, holding her hand out.
George didn't answer. She just kept staring at the wrapper.
"George," Bess tried again, "can I see it?"
George shook her head a little, as if coming out of some kind of trance, "What did you say, Bess?"
"Can I see the wrapper?" Bess said slowly and clearly.
"I'll read it out loud," George said firmly. She unfolded the wrapper and read, "The grand prize consists of one million dollars, a case of twelve Crown Jewels bars once a month for the next twenty four months and one trip for four people to Kings Commons Amusement Park in Royal, Illinois."
"You get all that as well as a million dollars," Bess' eyes widened, "George, have I ever told you that you're my favorite cousin and best friend in the whole wide world."
"Very funny," George said, giving Bess a playful swat on the arm.
"How are you supposed to claim your prize?" Ned asked.
"It says I have to make a copy of the wrapper and then send the original to their headquarters," George replied.
"Which is right over there," Bess said, pointing towards the park's gates.
"Nancy, Bess, will you guys come with me while I claim it?" George asked.
"Sure," Nancy replied.
"Andrea and I'll take a ride on Moat Float while you guys do that," Ned said, "we'll meet you back at the hotel. Maybe we'll hit Jungle Kingdom later."
As the three girls waited to get their hands stamped so they could re-enter the park later, the sky darkened and a few drops of rain fell.
"Let's hope it doesn't rain the whole time we're here," George said, her dark eyes full of worry.
"Relax, George," Bess said, "even if this trip's a washout, we can always come back next year. You've just won a free VIP vacation here, remember?"
Once the three of them had had their hands stamped, they crossed the parking lot and headed for an elegant red-brick building. Above the entrance was a sign that read, Royal Chocolates: We Treat You Royally.
"Royally, huh?" Bess said, wiping a drop of rain from her eye, "I like the sound of that."
Nancy pulled open the door and the trio went through. They found themselves in a vast lobby with a polished wood desk. Behind it was a bored looking woman with gray hair.
George stepped forward, " My name's George Fayne and I'm here to claim my prize."
"Mail in the wrapper," the woman said in a tone that sounded as bored as she looked, "we don't keep the lesser prizes here. You have to mail in the wrapper."
"I've won the grand prize," George said.
"The grand prize?" the woman repeated in a shocked tone.
"Yes," George said.
"You need to go to the Marketing Department on the fifth floor. You take the elevator up. Once you're on the fifth floor turn left. I'll phone up to let them know you're coming."
"This is it," Bess said, once they were in the elevator, "that grand prize is waiting for us at the end of this elevator ride."
"I wonder why that woman looked so shocked when George mentioned she'd won the grand prize," Nancy said.
"She probably wasn't expecting to have the grand prize winner show up at HQ to claim their prize," Bess said.
Once on the fifth floor, the three girls followed the receptionist's directions and found themselves in a spacious reception area decorated in brown and cream. Behind another polished wood desk, that was dominated by the largest candy dish Nancy had ever seen, was a young woman. George explained why they were there,
"Someone will be with you in a minute," the young woman said, "in the meantime, feel free to help yourselves."
The three girls each took a mini Crown Jewels bar from the dish and before long a young man emerged from a door behind the desk. He had an athletic build and hazel eyes. "Which one of you girls is George Fayne?" he asked.
"That's me," George said. "
"Great, I'm Drew Castle and I'm part of the team working on the contest. Why don't you come on back with me." A lock of sandy blond hair fell across his forehead and he brushed it back.
The three girls followed him into a handsome boardroom. A plate of chocolate chip cookies along with a carafe of hot chocolate stood on a dark wood table with carved, ornate legs and photos from the company's past lined the walls.
"Please take a seat," Drew said,
"Your last name's Castle," Nancy said, "isn't that the name of the family that owns Royal Chocolates?"
Drew gave her an impish smile, "Guilty as charged, I'm afraid. My real name's Robert Castle the fourth but my middle name's Andrew so I go by Drew. I just graduated from college and working on the contest is my first full time job at the company. My father wants me to get a feel for everything to do with running things here."
"Have you worked at the theme park?" Bess asked, clear interest showing in her eyes.
"Believe it or not I worked in the park my first summer home from college," Drew replied.
"Really, that's so interesting," Bess said, "you must have a million stories.
Nancy had to smile. It looked like Bess had found another cute guy to flirt with.
Just then two voices filtered through into the room. One sounded like an older man and the other seemed to be a younger woman.
"Tell me, Joyce," the first voice said, "why do we hold contests?
"I'm not sure what you mean, Mr. Tumey," the second voice stammered.
"What end do we hope to achieve by holding contests?" the first voice said as if talking to a child.
"We hope to increase sales," Joyce answered, "we hope that consumers will be excited enough by the thought of winning something to buy our products."
"And do you know what this contest isn't doing, Joyce?" Mr Tumey demanded.
" Um, it's not boosting our sales?"
"Not only is it not boosting sales," Mr. Tumey continued, his voice growing louder, " but they have dropped by ten percent. This contest is making us lose money."
George silently poured herself a cup of hot chocolate. Bess crunched nervously on a cookie. Drew fidgeted in his chair. Nancy couldn't imagine how uncomfortable what they were hearing was making him feel.
"The directors are starting to ask questions about this promotion and I need answers, Joyce. I need them fast. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good."
For a moment, there was silence and then the sound of someone heavyset walking away. A moment later, a woman entered the room. She had mousy brown hair tied back in a ponytail and wore a pantsuit in a muted shade of blue.
"I'm Joyce Palmer," she said in the same voice that they'd just heard, "which one of you is George Fayne?"
George stood up, "I'm George."
"Why don't we step into my office and sort this out," Joyce said.
"Is it okay if Nancy comes with me?" George asked.
"I don't see why not," Joyce replied, "Drew, would you see that this other young lady is comfortable?"
"Yes, Ms. Palmer."
Nancy and George followed Joyce Palmer back through the reception area and down a corridor into a small office.
"Could I offer either of you a cup of coffee? Or perhaps some hot chocolate?" Joyce said as she settled into a chair behind the desk.
Both girls declined her offer.
"Now, what did you want to see me about?" Joyce asked, pouring herself a cup of coffee, "they said you won a prize in the contest we're running but I can't imagine why they would send you up here to see me."
"Thing is," George explained, "I've won the grand prize."
A look of shock came over the older woman's face, "That's not possible."
"Why not?" Nancy asked.
B-because there's only one grand prize to be won. And the winner is taking their free trip at the park right now."
George's dark eyes widened, "You mean?"
"Yes," Joyce replied, "the grand prize has already been awarded to someone else."