ARRIVING IN NEW YORK

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Little AJ sighed softly in his sleep.  Ashlyn checked on him and arranged the blankets around him.  She brushed the hair off his forehead and gave him an alcohol bath in hopes of breaking the fever. 

INSIDE LITTLE AJ'S HEAD

The train pulled into New York's Pennsylvania station.  The group got up to get their things when a man stepped into the car. 

"Good afternoon and welcome to New York. My name is Charles, if you would follow me, the cars are waiting." Charles announced.

"What about our bags?" Ashlyn asked.

"The bellman from the hotel will gather them for you.  Please follow me." Charles smiled.

The group looked at each other, shrugged and followed Charles.  Up the stairs and out onto 7th Avenue and 32nd Street. 

"Where are we going?" Mac asked Charles.

"You'll see," Charles replied.

The group filed into the waiting limos and off they went. Weeee, Little AJ screamed, he was riding on top of the limo. This is so much fun. The limos stopped in front of the Plaza Hotel, on Fifth Avenue and Central Park South. 

THE PLAZA HOTEL

Located on Manhattan's fabled Fifth Avenue, The Plaza reigns over New York with a majestic grace and glamour. Built in 1907, it was originally a residence for New York's wealthiest people. Today, The Plaza is the place to stay for visiting kings, presidents, ambassadors, stars of stage, screen and sports, as well as business executives and travelers from all parts of the world. The group got out and walked up the stairs to the elegant and posh lobby

"I feel like the kid from Home Alone," Tiner laughed.

"Oh wow!" Coates said a bit too loud.

"Welcome," A manager said rushing up to them. "We are so honored by your visit.  If there is anything you need, just ask."

"Thank you," AJ replied for the confused group.  "Exactly who do you thank for all this?"

"What does it matter?" The manager smiled "All that matters is…"

Be our guest! Be our guest!
Put our service to the test
Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie
And we'll provide the rest
Soup du jour
Hot hors d'oeuvres
Why, we only live to serve
Try the grey stuff

It's delicious
Don't believe me? Ask the dishes
They can sing, they can talk
After all, this is New York

A room here is never second best
Go on, and check it out

Take a glance and then you'll
Be our guest
Be our guest
Be our guest!
  Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!
Get your worries off your chest
Let us say for your delight
We've an array; of things tonight
How could anyone be gloomy and depressed?
We'll make you shout "encore!"
And send us out for more
So, be our guest!
 Be our guest!
 Be our guest! Be our guest!
Our command is your request
It's been a pleasure to have you here
And we're obsessed
 Be our guest!
Be our guest!
Be our guest!
Please, be our guest!

"I think I'm going to like it here." Harm stated.

"We knew you would," The bellman said…

When you wake Ring for Drake
Drake will bring your tray
When you're through Mrs. Pugh
Comes and takes it away.
We have but one request
Please put us to the test
We know you're gonna like it here
 We hope you understand Your wish is our command
We know you're gonna like It here

The group did not need to register.  Everything had been taken care of.  They were taken to their floor and were in shock when they each entered the rooms.

"Oh my god we all have suites." Ashlyn squealed.

"Ashlyn," Sam called from the next room, "This has got to be the best view."

Everyone came running into Sam's suite to see the incredible of Central Park. 

"God, I love this city." Sam smiled at Ashlyn.

"I know what you mean." Ashlyn replied and they began…

NYC What is it about you
You're big, You're loud, You're tough

NYC, I go years without you
Then I Can't get Enough
Enough of the cab drivers answering back
In the language far from pure
Enough of frankfurters answering back
Brother, you know you're in NYC
Too busy, Too crazy, Too hot
Too cold,  Too late  I'm sold
Again On NYC
The shadows at sundown
The roofs, That scrape The sky
NYC
The rich and the rundown
The parade Goes by
What other town has the Empire State
And stays open way past two
No other town in The whole wide world 
Can half compare To you
Oh NYC
You make 'em all postcards
You crowd You cramp
You're still The champ
Amen For NYC
The shimmer of Times Square
The pulse  The drive!
The city's bright

As a penny arcade
It blinks, it tilts, it rings
Oh, NYC
The whole world keeps coming
By bus By train
You can't Explain
Their yen For  NYC
NYC You're standing room only
You crowd  You cramp
You're still The champ
Amen For NYC

"So what do we do first?" Harm asked.

"What ever we do, I suggest we meet back here at four." Webb suggested.

"I would like to go to ground zero." AJ stated.

"I'll go with you." Meredith replied and they left.

"I'd like to go for a ride through Central Park." Harriet said.

"Honey we can do that later, when the sun goes down." Bud replied.

"I think I am going to go for a walk through Central Park." Sam announced and left.

"Gunny, are you up for some window shopping?" Ashlyn asked.

"Sure, let's go." Gunny replied and they left.

"I've always wanted to see Lincoln Center," Coates informed the group.

"You know, so have I." Tiner smiled and off they went.

"Harm, have you ever been to the top of the Empire State Building?" Mac asked.

"No, why don't we go check it out?" Harm said and they left.

"Bobbie, how about we go for check out the Metropolitan Museum of Art?" Sturgis suggested.

"That sounds great." Bobbie replied and they left.

"Harriet, let's not wait until later, let's go take that carriage ride now." Bud smiled and hand in hand they left.

Poor Mr. Webb, everybody left him.  I guess he could go back to his room and watch cartoons. Little AJ thought, as he watched Webb walk out of Sam's suite and down the hall to his own.  Webb looked around the opulent suite and sighed. "What in the hell am I doing here?" He said out loud.  Ohhh, Mr. Webb said a bad word, Little AJ giggled.  The maid walked into the suite.

"Oh excuse me Sir, I came to unpack." The maid stated. "I thought you had all left."

"No, I'm still here." Webb replied.

"Well, it's an amazing city, why not go for a walk?" The maid suggested.

"I have some thinking to do." Webb replied. "I don't feel much like taking a walk."

"What do you have to think about?" The maid asked.

"It's hard to explain," Webb began, "It's about being alive…"

Someone to hold you too close,
Someone to hurt you too deep,
Someone to sit in your chair,
To ruin your sleep . . .
Someone to need you too much,
Someone to know you too well,
Someone to pull you through hell . . .
Someone you have to let in.
Someone whose feelings you spare,
Someone who, like it or not, will want you to share
A little a lot . . .
Someone to crowd you with love,
Someone to force you to care,
Someone to make you come through,
Who'll always be there, as frightened as you,
Of being alive,
Being alive, being alive
Being alive.
Somebody hold me too close,
Somebody hurt me too deep,
Somebody sit in my chair
And ruin my sleep and make me aware
Of being alive, being alive.
Somebody need me too much,
Somebody know me too well,
Somebody pull me up short
And put me through hell and give me support
For being alive.
Make me alive,
Make me alive.
Make me confused, mock me with praise,
Let me be used, vary my days.
But alone is alone, not alive.
Somebody crowd me with love,
Somebody force me to care,
Somebody let me come through.
I'll always be there, as frightened as you,
To help us survive
Being alive, being alive, being alive.

"If you don't mind my asking, is that someone in New York?" The maid questioned.

"Right now she's walking through Central Park." Webb replied.

"Maybe you should find her." The maid advised.  Webb looked at the maid smiled and went in search of Sam.
BACK TO REALITY

Ashlyn was downstairs fixing a cup of tea when the phone rang.

"Dr. Spaulding," She answered.

"Hi Ashlyn, how's my baby?" Harriet asked.

"His fever is down one degree.  He woke up a little while ago and I gave him some soup." Ashlyn replied.

"I can't thank you enough for this." Harriet said.

"Harriet, you never have to." Ashlyn replied. "I'll talk to you later.

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Song List – Some of the lyrics have been adjusted to accommodate the story.

Be Our Guest (Beauty and the Beast) - Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice

I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here (Annie) - Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse

N.Y.C (Annie) - Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse

Being Alive – (Company) Stephen Sondheim