Somewhere in Downtown Pixley
The day following the meeting, the townspeople quickly began making preparations for the ball. Since Lisa didn't have the heart to make Eb drive her around while he's sick, she accompanied Ralph and her brother on their search for a caterer in Pixley. As Alf parked the car, Lisa turned to Ralph and said, "Thank you for letting me get a ride vith you to Pixley. I promise it won't take me long to find decorations."
"Oh, that's all right, Mrs. Douglas. What are friends for?" Ralph replied. "And don't worry about time. We can wait if we get done before you."
"Speak for yourself." Alf replied. "We still have to finish that construction job over at Ben Miller's. And as president of the Monroe Brothers Company, if we are late again, I'm never going to hear the end of it!"
"President!" Ralph exclaimed. "Since when have you been president! Since when has there been any president!"
"Well I am the oldest!" Alf screamed back. "What does that have to do with anything!" Ralph replied.
Lisa could see that this was about to get out of hand, so she decided to step in. "Alf, Ralph, please don't fight. Neither of you have to vorry because I vill not be long anyvay. I promise." At that, Lisa stepped out of the car and headed off to find decorations.
Lisa walked by many small boutiques, the bijou theater, her husband's law office, and the bank, but she couldn't find any place that looked like it would have what she needed. She decided to walk a little further. Finally, she came to a small shop hidden deep in downtown Pixley entitled, "Weddings and Such Decorations". Vell, I don't know about the vedding part, but maybe the "such" is vat I need, Lisa thought. She decided it couldn't hurt to give it a try.
As Lisa walked into the little shop, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. The shop didn't look like a place where you would want to pick up decorations for a wedding, much less a ball. Just as she was about to turn and leave, a man dressed in a very expensive looking suit and wearing a name tag that read Mr. Gordon came walking in from a door that Lisa assumed led to the employee's area. "Hello, Madame," he greeted her, "is there anything I can help you with."
Lisa didn't want to be rude, so she decided to ask about their decorations. "Yes, our town is throwing a ball, and I vas vondering vhether you could help me vith the decorations I need."
"Oh, of course, Madame!" Mr. Gordon said excitedly. "As a matter of fact, our specialty is black tie affairs, even though our title would say otherwise. We just might have everything you need."
"Really?" Lisa asked in amazement. "That's vonderful! But how do I order things? I mean, does it come in a package or vat?"
"Well, our services do come in package deals, and each package depends on how many people would be attending your ball. How many are attending your ball?" Mr. Gordon asked.
"Oh, about a hundred people or so." Lisa estimated.
"In that case, I would recommend our deluxe deal. It serves up to a hundred and twenty-five people and in it comes with fifteen round tables complete with chairs, candles, tablecloths and table decorations, faux trees and flowers for the ballroom, a long serving table complete with a serving set, butlers to serve the food, and hourderves, and balloons to top it all, off. Here." Mr. Gordon said as he handed her catalog. "This has wonderful pictures depicting what the deal would come with if you're not convinced. It also comes in different color schemes to match the room where the ball will be held." Mr. Gordon paused to let Lisa have time to browse through the catalog. "So what do you think?"
"Oh, Mr. Gordon, this looks fabulous. I'll take it! Vat do I do now?" Lisa asked excitedly.
"Well," he began, handing her a form, "just fill out your name, the address where you want everything to be delivered, and the color scheme you would like, and we should have everything to you in a day or two."
Lisa filled out the form, thanked him, and headed out the door to meet Alf and Ralph. While she was walking back to the car, Lisa couldn't help but feel proud of herself for accomplishing so much of her task in one day. She realized that she even managed to take care of Alf and Ralph's job of getting food for the ball. She was so excited about relieving Alf and Ralph of their duties that she didn't notice the crestfallen expressions on their faces when she arrived back to the car. They obviously didn't find anybody to cater the ball.
"Hello dere!" Lisa greeted happily. Alf and Ralph looked up at her and managed small smiles.
"Hi, Mrs. Douglas." Alf said. "We failed." Ralph added. "We couldn't find any one that was willing to cater an out-of-town affair."
"I did!" Lisa said proudly as she got into the car. "I got decorations, food, and people to serve the food!"
"You did?" Ralph asked in amazement. "But how?"
"I found a vonderful little shop down the street that decorates weddings and balls like ours. They have everything!" Lisa replied.
"That's great!" Alf said. "Gee, Mrs. Douglas, your husband sure should be glad he has you helping him. You managed to get two jobs done in one day!"
"Thank you, Alf!" Lisa said appreciatively. "Now let's go. I don't vant to make you two late to your job."
At that, Alf started up the car and they began making their way back to Hooterville. As they drove closer towards her home, Lisa got more and more anxious. She couldn't wait to get home and tell Oliver about all that she accomplished. She knew he would be pleased with her, and she just loved to make him happy. Lisa leaned her head against the window and imagined what Oliver would say when she told him the news.