(For those of you who know The Wiggles you will recognise the lyrics in
this chapter. For those who don't, they are an Australian kids group with 4
men who all wear skivvies. Scary hey!)
CHAPTER 2
She found the library easy enough. Conner, the hotel manager, had asked her specifically what she was interested in so that he could direct her to the best place. When she mentioned that she was researching gypsy folklore, focusing on curses, he had looked at her a bit strangely. She had started to think that there was something on her nose when the look passed and he showed her the way to a library about 7 blocks away. Having picked up a muffin and a mocha on the way, she was fully in research mode when she entered the huge white building. In a city full of grey modern skyscrapers, the turn of last century building looked out of place in today's landscape. After asking the Librarian where she could find the books on gypsies, she headed towards the back corner and set up her workspace.
Leaning back on the chair, Beth rubbed her eyes wearily. Looking at her watch she noticed that she had only been reading for 3 hours. 'I have no idea what I am looking for! If I have to read another " Clem's easy guide to gypsy cures" or "The book of Safelyuvic, the romanian version" I am going to go to sleep. Who knew that gypsies were so hell bent on vengeance and ... hello who's this'. Beth turned her head just in time to see a golden curled head hide behind the bookcase on her right. 'I think I've found a friend'. Beth could hear childish giggling and couldn't help smiling to herself.
A little girl shyly looked around the bookcase towards Beth. She was the cutest little girl she had ever seen.
"Hi there, whatcha doing?" Beth asked as she left her seat and crouched down on the thickly carpeted floor. "I'm not allowed to talk to strangers", the child said looking up at her with big blue eyes. "That's right, I'm not allowed to talk to strangers either. Maybe if we introduced ourselves we won't be strangers. My name is Beth, what's yours?"
"Melody", the little one said looking into her eyes as if she was sizing her up. "I'm lost, can you help me find my Lorry?", Melody asked taking her hand. "Sure thing sweetie, what does Lorry look like? Does she have a pretty dress on like you?" Melody giggled behind her hand "No silly, he's green" and with that she dragged Beth towards, what looked to be the children's section of the library.
Beth and Melody walked into a room just off from the children's section of the library. Inside there were about 15 children of all types sitting cross- legged on the floor. All of them were grazing adoringly at a man with a canary yellow pinstripe suit on. Beth was taken aback when she realised that he was green! Almost a deep fluoro green with red horns protruding from his head.
"And that my sweetie cakes is how you talk your way out of spilt milk. Ah look, Melody has finally decided to join us and it looks like she has brought a friend along. Sit down sugar, as we get this party started" the green man, who Beth assumed to be the famous Lorry, said as he waved Beth towards a giant purple bean bag. As soon as Beth sat down she was pulled back up by Melody. All the kids had stood up and were starting to dance around and sing a song.
Hot potato hot potato
hot potato hot potato
hot potato hot potato
potato
potato
potato
potato
All the kids were dancing around banging their fists on top of each other like they were actually had a potato. The most comical sight was that Lorry was leading the singing and thoroughly enjoying himself. "Come on Bethie, sing with me" Melody asked with pleading eyes. Oh what the hell, it's only kids. It's not like they are really going to hear me anyway with all this singing. Beth tried to join in with the next chorus.
Cold spaghetti cold spaghetti
Cold spaghetti cold spaghetti
Cold spaghetti cold spaghetti
Spaghetti
Spaghetti
Spaghetti
Spaghetti
All the kids were now shaking their fingers in the air. "The next one's squashed banana Bethie. And I can't hear you!" Melody said with a pout on her lips. "O.k. Melody" Beth sighed. She sang as loud as she dared.
Squashed banana squashed banana
Squashed banana squashed banana
Squashed banana squashed banana
banana
banana
banana
banana
Lorry looked up and stared at her. Beth blushed profusely. 'O.K. O.k. so I'm not a good singer. No need to draw attention to it. And what is with the stares today? Geez, anyone would think I had grown a new head'. As the song finished all the kids, Melody included, ran up and gave Lorry a group hug. "O.k. kittens that's it for the day" a chorus of moans was heard through out the group "I know, I know, but hey, look at the bright side. The sun will come out tomorrow bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'd be sun" Lorry finished with a tune in his lyrics. "So think about the sun and tomorrow we'll find out what the cat really had in his hat!" Lorry bowed as the kids and their parents, who had appeared in the room, clapped. Beth looked around for Melody but she was lost in the crowd of happy, singing 5-year-olds heading towards their parents. "Hang around sugar, I have something for you" she heard the green man call out to her as she went to head back to her table. 'What could he have for me?' Beth stopped by the door and watched as the strange looking man picked up a backpack and walked towards her. "Darlin' I heard your singing and it got me thinking." He handed a business card to her. "Come to my club, Caritas. It's on the corner of 33rd and 8th. Yes it's a Karaoke Bar and no don't shake your head. I know you think you can't sing but it didn't sound that way to me angel cakes. Let's just say it's a Karaoke Bar with a twist, like my sea breezes. Swing by around 9ish. And honey, I maybe able to help you with your questions and your little "gypsy" problem", and with that the green man turned around and walked out of the room whistling some long forgotten Elton John song. Beth stood rooted to the spot, with a look of shock on her face.
CHAPTER 2
She found the library easy enough. Conner, the hotel manager, had asked her specifically what she was interested in so that he could direct her to the best place. When she mentioned that she was researching gypsy folklore, focusing on curses, he had looked at her a bit strangely. She had started to think that there was something on her nose when the look passed and he showed her the way to a library about 7 blocks away. Having picked up a muffin and a mocha on the way, she was fully in research mode when she entered the huge white building. In a city full of grey modern skyscrapers, the turn of last century building looked out of place in today's landscape. After asking the Librarian where she could find the books on gypsies, she headed towards the back corner and set up her workspace.
Leaning back on the chair, Beth rubbed her eyes wearily. Looking at her watch she noticed that she had only been reading for 3 hours. 'I have no idea what I am looking for! If I have to read another " Clem's easy guide to gypsy cures" or "The book of Safelyuvic, the romanian version" I am going to go to sleep. Who knew that gypsies were so hell bent on vengeance and ... hello who's this'. Beth turned her head just in time to see a golden curled head hide behind the bookcase on her right. 'I think I've found a friend'. Beth could hear childish giggling and couldn't help smiling to herself.
A little girl shyly looked around the bookcase towards Beth. She was the cutest little girl she had ever seen.
"Hi there, whatcha doing?" Beth asked as she left her seat and crouched down on the thickly carpeted floor. "I'm not allowed to talk to strangers", the child said looking up at her with big blue eyes. "That's right, I'm not allowed to talk to strangers either. Maybe if we introduced ourselves we won't be strangers. My name is Beth, what's yours?"
"Melody", the little one said looking into her eyes as if she was sizing her up. "I'm lost, can you help me find my Lorry?", Melody asked taking her hand. "Sure thing sweetie, what does Lorry look like? Does she have a pretty dress on like you?" Melody giggled behind her hand "No silly, he's green" and with that she dragged Beth towards, what looked to be the children's section of the library.
Beth and Melody walked into a room just off from the children's section of the library. Inside there were about 15 children of all types sitting cross- legged on the floor. All of them were grazing adoringly at a man with a canary yellow pinstripe suit on. Beth was taken aback when she realised that he was green! Almost a deep fluoro green with red horns protruding from his head.
"And that my sweetie cakes is how you talk your way out of spilt milk. Ah look, Melody has finally decided to join us and it looks like she has brought a friend along. Sit down sugar, as we get this party started" the green man, who Beth assumed to be the famous Lorry, said as he waved Beth towards a giant purple bean bag. As soon as Beth sat down she was pulled back up by Melody. All the kids had stood up and were starting to dance around and sing a song.
Hot potato hot potato
hot potato hot potato
hot potato hot potato
potato
potato
potato
potato
All the kids were dancing around banging their fists on top of each other like they were actually had a potato. The most comical sight was that Lorry was leading the singing and thoroughly enjoying himself. "Come on Bethie, sing with me" Melody asked with pleading eyes. Oh what the hell, it's only kids. It's not like they are really going to hear me anyway with all this singing. Beth tried to join in with the next chorus.
Cold spaghetti cold spaghetti
Cold spaghetti cold spaghetti
Cold spaghetti cold spaghetti
Spaghetti
Spaghetti
Spaghetti
Spaghetti
All the kids were now shaking their fingers in the air. "The next one's squashed banana Bethie. And I can't hear you!" Melody said with a pout on her lips. "O.k. Melody" Beth sighed. She sang as loud as she dared.
Squashed banana squashed banana
Squashed banana squashed banana
Squashed banana squashed banana
banana
banana
banana
banana
Lorry looked up and stared at her. Beth blushed profusely. 'O.K. O.k. so I'm not a good singer. No need to draw attention to it. And what is with the stares today? Geez, anyone would think I had grown a new head'. As the song finished all the kids, Melody included, ran up and gave Lorry a group hug. "O.k. kittens that's it for the day" a chorus of moans was heard through out the group "I know, I know, but hey, look at the bright side. The sun will come out tomorrow bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'd be sun" Lorry finished with a tune in his lyrics. "So think about the sun and tomorrow we'll find out what the cat really had in his hat!" Lorry bowed as the kids and their parents, who had appeared in the room, clapped. Beth looked around for Melody but she was lost in the crowd of happy, singing 5-year-olds heading towards their parents. "Hang around sugar, I have something for you" she heard the green man call out to her as she went to head back to her table. 'What could he have for me?' Beth stopped by the door and watched as the strange looking man picked up a backpack and walked towards her. "Darlin' I heard your singing and it got me thinking." He handed a business card to her. "Come to my club, Caritas. It's on the corner of 33rd and 8th. Yes it's a Karaoke Bar and no don't shake your head. I know you think you can't sing but it didn't sound that way to me angel cakes. Let's just say it's a Karaoke Bar with a twist, like my sea breezes. Swing by around 9ish. And honey, I maybe able to help you with your questions and your little "gypsy" problem", and with that the green man turned around and walked out of the room whistling some long forgotten Elton John song. Beth stood rooted to the spot, with a look of shock on her face.