Part Two

Pooh had no time to react for another knock came from the door.

"I wonder if it's the president of the United States," Shawsey chuckled as he went to answer it. But it was Piglet, dressed in a pale pink down parka, trimmed with white mink fur, furry white boots, and a white mink headband. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold air outside. She was clutching an invitation just like Pooh's.

"I see you already got yours," she cried. "I knew you'd be getting one this year. Isn't it exciting?"

"Oh Bother," Pooh muttered as he sunk down onto the settee. "I don't see what all the fuss is about. What is a silly old ball anyway?"

Piglet's jaw dropped to the floor.

"Pooh, a ball is a grand event. This one is at the von Maurer Mansion. You are invited inside as a guest!"

"Felix von Maurer throws a grand Christmas ball for Detroit's most influential every year at his mansion," Shawsey explained. "Myself and Piglet are invited every year."

"They hire a real orchestra to play waltzes by Strauss," Piglet went on. "Everyone ballroom dances. Men wear fine tuxedos, while the ladies come dressed in the most lavish, fanciful, gowns that money can buy, all made from fine silks and taffetas."

"Well if we have to dance," said Pooh. "Will they at least feed us?"

"Mercy yes!" Shawsey exclaimed. "The food taste and presentation is a show itself. More food than they have on a cruise ship!"

Pooh had gone on a cruise once with Shawsey and had enjoyed it more than anything he had ever encountered in the world, even more than going to T.G.I. Fridays. Pooh had gained seventeen pounds on the six-day cruise, but they were happy pounds. From that time on, Pooh said that heaven was one giant cruise ship.

"They have tables and tables of all kinds of different entrees," said Piglet. "They also have a huge oyster and cheese bar with cheeses from France, Rome, and Switzerland. The sweets tables go on and on for miles and look like something from The Nutcracker. Last year they even had a chocolate fountain with all kinds of fruit and cakes to dip in it."

"Whoa," Pooh sighed. "I guess it would be worth going."

"Of course it would be you idiot," Shawsey snapped. "Tis a pride and honor to be invited to this ball. Felix and I are on better terms then we were when I first breached my contract and left the Hundred Acre Wood Wolves. He is letting me invite a friend, so I chose you. He also said you could invite a friend as well. I told him to invite Eeyore, since Piglet, Rabbit, and Owl all get invitations anyway, Christopher-Robin is too young, and Tigger is a menace to society that doesn't belong in the VFW hall let alone the von Maurer Mansion. I'm sure you and Eeyore will enjoy the ball, but you must act like gentlemen. I suggest getting some dance lessons, and working with an etiquette coach."

"Oh bother," Pooh spat. "What's an etiquette coach?"

"An etiquette coach will show you how to walk, talk, and eat properly with grace," Piglet answered. Pooh began to laugh.

"I already know how to eat. Come let's make up a batch of blackberry pancakes, and honey cinnamon russets!"

It didn't take long for Christmas Ball fever to hit Winnie the Pooh. At home it was all that him and Shawsey discussed. Pooh set a date to go to the swanky Somerset Mall in the swishy suburb of Troy with Eeyore, to buy fashionable designer suits. Pooh would lay awake at night in bed clutching his inflatable Denise Richards doll, just imagining all the mounds of food, and sweets that would await him. Perhaps there would be a fountain spitting out only the finest champagne. Or a table piled with giant pink marshmallows dipped in chocolate. Pooh would begin to salivate just thinking about it. What a lovely Christmas this would be! However, Pooh's dreams begin to get slightly diminished.