Hooterville Volunteer Fire Department Station
Oliver entered the station to find the fire fighters gathered around the checkers board watching Mr. Kimball and Mr. Haney play a game.
"Good evening, gentlemen," Oliver said upon entering. Ralph, the lady carpenter, cleared her throat loudly. "And Ralph." Oliver added. "Sorry I'm late, but I can see that I didn't miss anything important."
"Shhhhhh," Mr. Haney hissed. "I'm trying to concentrate!" Mr. Haney continued sitting back and staring intently at the board.
Oliver became annoyed. "Look gentleman, I really think we should begin the meeting. Mr. Drucker said it was important."
"But Mr. Douglas, this is a very important game." Mr. Kimball said. "Well not very important, but not unimportant, but it certainly is…" he trailed off. "What were we talking about again?"
Oliver could feel that headache he got when he talked to Mr. Kimball coming on. "The checkers game!"
"Oh right!" Mr. Kimball exclaimed. "The checkers game! Why were we talking about it again?"
"Oh brother!" Oliver said while rolling his eyes. "I haven't the faintest idea!" Oliver added.
"Oh yes! I was saying it was very important. Well, not very important, but not unimportant, but certainly…"
"Oh just forget it!" Oliver said putting his hands up in defeat.
"Mr. Douglas is right." Mr. Drucker said. "We really should get this meeting started." Oliver looked over at him with a look of gratitude on his face.
The gentlemen, and Ralph, began rearranging chairs to set up for the meeting. Once everyone was seated, Mr. Drucker began the meeting. "All gentlemen." Ralph cleared her throat again. "Ralph, would you quit doing that!" Mr. Drucker exclaimed, getting annoyed.
"Well, if any of you thought to include me in you greetings!" Ralph exclaimed. "They did include you. They said gentlemen, didn't they?" Alf said. "Alf, I'm gonna pop you one!" Ralph screamed. "You do and I'm telling mom!" he retorted.
"Will you two quit it," Mr. Drucker exclaimed. "Now as I was saying, gentlemen and Ralph! I called this meeting to discuss a very important issue. As you know, Hooterville hasn't had any social event in a long while, and the new Civic Center is gonna open up in two weeks from Friday, so I suggest that we throw a ball to celebrate its opening."
Oliver couldn't believe his ears! He came to this meeting expecting to discuss normal fire department issues like new fire equipment or better strategies for putting out fires. But then again, Hooterville hasn't exactly been normal, Oliver thought. And the only fire that we ever had turned out to be a false alarm, he thought, recalling the early days when he first became interested in joining the volunteer fire department. Besides, a ball was a nice idea. It could be a way for him and Lisa to go out and have a good time. Then it hit him. This could be the event I was looking for. This could be the thing to be the event that could make up for all the time I didn't spend with her. Suddenly, the thought of a ball became exciting to Oliver.
"All those in favor of appointing Oliver as head of the ball-organizing committee, say aye," Oliver heard when he tuned back in. "Aye," the others exclaimed"
"Wait, what? I didn't volunteer to be the head of any committee! I've got too many things to do around the farm!" Oliver exclaimed.
"But Mr. Douglas! You've already been chosen!" Mr. Kiley said. "Besides, you don't have to do all the work yourself! We'll help! And you can get your wife to help too!"
"You know, that's not a bad idea." Oliver mused. "All right, I'll do it. And as head of the committee, I call a meeting for this Friday to discuss who can do what."
"Then it's settled." Mr. Drucker said. "Meeting dismissed!"
As Oliver got up to go, he silently vowed that, no matter what happens on the farm, he was going to take his wife to this ball. No matter what.
Hi! Sorry, I know it's a little slow right now, but I'm just trying to get this story off the ground. It gets better, I promise! Please keep reading and review!