yChapter 2 – The Pembroke Gala

It is Friday evening, and Sam and her parents are getting ready for the Pembroke Gala. This will be a formal, black tie affair.

Vance dons his black tux. He wears his white ruffled shirt, with black bow tie, and decides to wear his black and red cummerbund as well. He uses black cufflinks for his shirt cuffs, and also wears his gold pocket watch and chain. He is downstairs a good hour before it is time to leave, making sure the car is in perfect condition. He also likes to give his gals time by themselves to get ready.

Gabrielle is the first to come downstairs. Vance waits at the foot of the stairs. Gabby is wearing a traditional black formal satin dress, with flowing skirt. She employs black elbow length satin gloves and has on a black pearl necklace with matching black pearl dangling earrings. She tops off the outfit with her black high heels. Gabby is wearing her hair down.

Vance smiles happily as his wife reaches the foot of the stairs.

"Gabby! You look radiantly beautiful, as always!" and he gives her a kiss.

Gabby smiles. "Thank you, Vance! You're your usual charming, handsome, debonair self also!" and she gives him a kiss. Vance smiles lovingly at her.

Gabby calls to Sam, "Coming, dear?"

"Yes, Mom!"

Vance and Gabby happily watch Sam descend the stairs. She is wearing her white velvet off the shoulder dress with slit skirt. She has on white velvet elbow length gloves, a white pearl necklace and white pearl stud earrings. She tops off her outfit with her white open toed high heels with ankle straps. Sam is wearing her hair up, held in place by a white pearl hairpin.

Vance says, "Buttercup! You look great!" and he gives her a kiss on the cheek. Sam blushes momentarily.

"Thanks, Dad! You look good too!"

"Yes, dear, you look lovely!" says her Mom, as she gives her a quick hug.

"Thanks, Mom! So do you!"

"Well, shall we?" says Vance as he offers an arm to Gabby and to Sam. He happily escorts both ladies to the car.

While enroute, Clover and Alex see them, as they are on their way to the Happy Burger, and quickly come over. They want to wish Sam luck.

"Good evening Mr. And Mrs. Simpson. Hi Sam! You all look out of sight!" says Alex.

"I'll say!" says Clover. "We wanted to stop by and wish Sam good luck tonight! We hope she wins!"

"Thanks, guys!" says Sam appreciatively.

Vance says, "I hope she does too, but I have already won!"

All of the women look at Vance with puzzled expressions on their face.

He continues, with a devilish grin on his face, "What other guy gets to escort TWO beautiful women to a Gala? I must be hot stuff!"

Gabby smiles and gives him a playful poke in the arm, "Oh Vance!" she says, as she blushes.

"Daddy!" says Sam with a little exasperation, as she blushes.

Clover and Alex smile. Actually Vance is right, they think to themselves. Gabby and Sam do look very beautiful!

Clover and Alex wave goodbye. "Good luck!" they say as they continue on their way to the Happy Burger.

Vance, being the perfect gentleman, opens the car doors for his ladies fair and ensures they are comfortably seated before closing the door. Soon they are off to the Pembroke Gala!

The Pembroke Society has set the top three projects aside in a special room. One of these is the Pembroke Award winner this year; the other two will receive honorable mention plaques. But someone has forced open the patio door in the room next to the special room, walked over to the three projects and stole them!

It is 30 minutes before the Pembroke Gala, when a routine security check notices the thefts. The police are called in at once.

Sam and her parent arrive at the Gala, and walk up to the front door. Something is amiss. Why are there so many policemen here?

The head of the Pembroke Society, Austin Pembroke, approaches them.

"I am indeed very sorry!" Austin starts, "But we have to postpone the Gala! Someone has stolen the three finalist projects! We will notify you when the Gala will be held. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience!"

Vance and Gabby put consoling arms around Sam. She is deflated. She was so looking forward to this Gala.

"Now, Buttercup! The police will catch the thief, and we'll return for the Gala!"

"I know, Dad! It's just such a bummer!"

"I know, dear!" says Gabby as the threesome slowly return to the car for the trip home.

Soon the Simpsons are home. Alex and Clover notice that they are home very early, as they are returning from the Happy Burger. They come over to see what's wrong.

"Is something wrong?" asks Clover concernedly.

Sam replies, "The Gala was postponed! Someone stole the three finalist projects!"

"Bummer!" says Alex.

Then in a hushed tone, Sam says, "Let me change into my jumpsuit, and maybe we can do some spying!" Clover and Alex agree.