Hi y'all, so I've always been so intrigued and excited by what happened in the stage play of Annie between "NYC" and the next scene where it's a week later and Miss Farrell (or Mr. Warbucks in the case of Annie Live!) goes to see Miss Hannigan to tell her he wants to adopt Annie.
I wanted to explore that a bit because there are so many possibilities and it seemed like such neat idea which I've never done before, especially being told from Annie's P.O.V. Following the progression of that week, Annie getting to know everyone, feeling more and more at home, Grace and Oliver getting closer...!
This story can be based on any stage production of Annie, but it is written with Annie Live! in mind because Celina Smith's portrayal of Annie is of a kid who is very sensitive and mature, street-smart and wise, while also being a little sassy - very fun to write!
I hope you enjoy reading it.
Peace and love,
Renee.
...
I'd just been brought back to the orphanage by Officer "Thanks-For-Nothin'" Ward and Miss Hannigan was about to lay down the law on me in her own unique and terrible way. She'd never actually hurt any of us kids but I could tell there was about to be a long list of dirty, horrible chores in my future.
That is, until an angel walked in the door and saved my life. An angel named Grace Farrell.
She was absolutely the most beautiful person I'd ever seen. Not only to look at, but her heart was beautiful too. I could tell how kind she was right away.
That's why when she started talking about wanting to take an orphan home with her to spend Christmas with her boss Mr. Warbucks, I absolutely jumped at the chance to prove to her that I was the orphan she wanted. I had no idea who Oliver Warbucks was but I didn't care. As long as Miss Farrell would be there, I could tell it was going to be good, and besides, anywhere other than there with Miss Hannigan had to be better.
Of course Miss Hannigan wasn't going to let me off the hook so easily, but when Miss Farrell threatened to tell the board of orphans about my escape the night before, Miss Hannigan realized she had no other choice but to let me go.
I was glad Miss Hannigan had called the other girls in to try and get Miss Farrell to pick one of them instead, because it meant I got to say so-long to them all. I did feel a little bit bad about getting to go somewhere nice while they all had to stay behind, but I was just too excited, and anyway, I would do everything I could to bring them back lots of treats and gifts - plus, I promised them all I would write.
They all waved goodbye cheerfully as I stepped back out into the cold again. Miss Farrell could obviously see me shivering because she said instantly, "Come on dear, let's get you in the car and off to buy you that coat quickly before you freeze."
I didn't want Miss Farrell to think I was trouble and decide to take me back and exchange me for a better behaved kid, so I wasn't gonna tell her I'd just spent the night out on the streets after running away from the orphanage.
A man dressed in a black suit opened the door of the limousine for me and I looked up at him, then to Miss Farrell and then at the limo, then back to Miss Farrell again. I couldn't believe it. My first time ever in an automobile, and it was a limousine!
At first it was a little overwhelming moving though the streets so quickly, but after a while, as I watched the city rush past my window, I started to take it all in with amazement. I was seeing parts of New York I'd never seen before, buildings and roads I'd never laid eyes on. And all the people crammed into one little island - I couldn't believe how many there were.
The trip took some time but I would have been happy if it had lasted for hours more. Every sight and sound was so new and exciting!
The limo stopped outside a grand looking building and Miss Farrell spoke cheerfully. "Here we are."
The driver came around and opened my door. I smiled at him shyly. "Thanks", I said as I hopped out onto the sidewalk. Miss Farrell walked around the back of the car and as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I immediately slipped my hand into hers.
She looked down at me, her eyes widening in surprise for the briefest of moments before she smiled broadly at me and gave my fingers a gentle squeeze before we walked into the huge store, hand in hand.
"This young lady needs a fine. warm winter coat", I heard her say to one of the store workers. I gazed around the building in wonder. It was gigantic and everything looked so fancy.
Two women came and brought different coats for me to try on. The coats were so beautiful and the materials felt like heaven on my skin. I'd never worn anything so luxurious in all my life.
"What do you think Annie?" Miss Farrell asked me, casting her eyes over all the gorgeous garments.
"Oh gosh, they're all so pretty", I breathed in absolute awe.
"Do you have any preferred color, Miss?" One of the store workers asked me.
I turned to Miss Farrell for guidance. She looked like a very fashionable woman to me, I had no sense of style at all.
"Well, I like what you're wearing, Miss Farrell", I said, trying not to sound ignorant.
"Blue's my favorite color too", she winked at me.
I'd never even thought about having a favorite color. Everything at the orphanage was so plain and bland - the walls, the linen, the clothes we wore. Any and every color was my favorite.
However, I grinned at Miss Farrell's words of approval.
"Might I suggest a slightly lighter blue for the child for that more youthful look" one of the shop assistants recommended.
"Annie?" Miss Farrell raised an eyebrow at me in question. I couldn't quite get over the fact that a grown adult was asking me for my opinion. I simply nodded and murmured, "mhm".
"Well, how about this one then?" The other assistant said with a flourish as she presented me with an absolutely divine light blue coat. She draped over my arms and around my shoulders and pointed to a mirror nearby where I could see what it looked like. I walked over to the mirror and looked at myself in surprise. I'd only ever seen my own reflection a handful of times in my life and I'd never been prouder of what I saw than I was just then. At that moment, I decided something.
Blue was definitely my new favorite color.
Miss Farrell paid for the coat and I swear I must have had some ringing in my ears because I'm sure I must have misheard the price. Miss Hannigan often complained about the price of the lease on the orphanage, bleating that the board barely paid her enough to cover it, let alone look after all us "pesky little orphans". I'm quite certain the figure the teller rang up for my new coat was close to the amount of Miss Hannigan's lease for a whole month!
But it seemed like nothing at all for Miss Farrell to pay. I chuckled to myself as I imagined Miss Hannigan's head spinning.
I guess they could see how much I loved my new coat because they let me keep it on and I walked out the shop very happily and proudly wearing the first new thing I'd ever owned.
Miss Farrell and I got back in the limo and we weren't traveling long before we reached our next stop.
"Now Annie, I don't want you to feel nervous", Miss Farrell told me as the driver came and opened our doors again.
"O-OK", I muttered, her statement actually making me feel more nervous than I had been feeling before.
"There are going to be a lot of differences here than where you've come from, a lot of things to get used to and a lot of new people to meet, but I promise you that everyone is very good and kind and we all want you to feel welcome here."
I gave her an anxious half smile. "OK, thank you Miss Farrell."
"And don't worry about Mr. Warbucks. It may take him a little longer to get used to having you here than it will the rest of us, but he'll come around."
I looked at her in confusion. Hadn't she told Miss Hannigan that having me here was Mr. Warbucks' idea?
Miss Farrell hopped out of the car and jogged up the wide steps of the house. It was so grand, I'd never seen anything like it, let alone been welcomed inside.
"Are you ready?" Grace asked me as we approached the door.
I didn't know what lay ahead of me for the next two weeks. I didn't even really know why I was there or what was going to be expected of me, but so far I'd been treated with nothing but kindness and generosity and so I could only assume that whatever was in store for me, it would all be OK.
"I'm ready", I said with as much confidence as I could muster. I turned to look at Miss Farrell and we nodded at each other, both of us with determination on our faces.
As I entered the mansion, my jaw fell open. It was even more impressive inside than out. Shiny marble floors, grand staircases, crystal chandeliers. I couldn't believe this was actually somebody's house!
Miss Farrell introduced me to everybody. They all bowed and curtseyed and called me "Miss." It was a little peculiar but kind of nice. I waved and greeted them nervously as they were all staring at me. Then the butler man clapped his hands and they all went back to their work.
Miss Farrell asked me what I would like to do first. I looked around at all the people around me hard at work and saw they were all cleaning or fixing things but no one was cleaning the floors first. They were so sparkling clean I could see my face in them, but I didn't really know what else I could do, so I opted for that job.
But Miss Farrell told me I wasn't there to clean anything, or to do any work. She said I was their guest and that I was there to have fun and enjoy myself and that everybody else was there to take care of me.
I can't explain how it made me feel to know that I was going to be taken care of. Miss Hannigan was our guardian and she kept us fed (just), and made sure we had clean beds (which we made ourselves), but you couldn't exactly say she took care of us. She didn't really seem to care that much at all, honestly.
Every single one of the people at this grand and glorious house seemed like they were not only going to care for me, but that they were going to care about me too. Not only that, but they all seemed so glad to be doing it.
It felt strange to go from being ignored at the orphanage to being the center of attention here.
Suddenly a tall man with a pinstripe suit underneath a beige coat and no hair walked in through the door and all the attention that was on me suddenly shifted to him instead. Everybody seemed to straighten up a little more and act a bit more professional.
Everyone greeted him in the same way they'd greeted me, but with "Sir" instead of "Miss". Then, Miss Farrell stepped forward ahead of everyone else and greeted him on her own. "Welcome home Mr. Warbucks."
There was something different in the way she spoke to him and the way he looked at her as opposed to everyone else. "It's good to be home", he replied, his eyes holding hers for a moment. They seemed to be sharing some kind of secret message. I looked around the room and there were some people there who looked oblivious, but there were others who were watching Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell's interaction with little secretive smiles of their own, as if they knew something the others didn't.
I was intrigued but I banked the thought for later because then Mr. Warbucks was asking a whole lot of questions, then a couple of people brought in a painting of some woman which Mr. Warbucks didn't seem to like very much. Then he was asking Miss Farrell (whom he called by her first name), to give him his messages.
There was so much going on and I didn't really understand half of it. When Miss Farrell waved me over to go stand by her, I did so willingly. Most of the people left the room at Mr. Warbucks' instruction, leaving just me and Miss Farrell there with him. He turned to look at her again and it was at that moment he finally noticed me.
He was quite clear about the fact I wasn't what he'd been expecting. I tried not to let that get me down and instead became determined to win him over and make him like me. There was no way I wanted to go back to the orphanage now!
He and Miss Farrell came up with some ideas for what to do with me that evening. As Mr. Warbucks listed some things, almost offhandedly, my jaw dropped at the suggestions. They sounded incredible and wondrous, things I'd only ever dreamed of doing before.
I was so excited to be going out on the town with someone who was obviously so rich and powerful. It was pretty thrilling! Of course, I hoped Miss Farrell would be joining us too. She was such a nice lady and I was also quite interested in observing her and Mr. Warbucks together. I hadn't yet figured out what their relationship actually was and I was too shy to ask, but I thought there had to be more between them than just a boss and a member of his staff. Truth be told, for an eleven year old, I did have quite a creative and romantic imagination, so I told myself not to get too carried away and start assuming things I didn't know.
I was thoroughly disappointed when Mr. Warbucks said that he was going to be too busy to take me out himself. I came up with a scheme to convince him that all three of us should go. At first I lamented him not taking me, and then I acted all endearing to try and persuade him to come.
I couldn't believe it when Miss Farrell picked up the phone to take a call from the President of The United States. I started to figure out that this Mr. Warbucks must have been someone pretty influential.
I knew that if I was only going to get to spend two weeks with this guy, I wanted to get some pointers on how he'd made his life such a success. I turned on the charm and to my surprise, he actually informed the President that he was going to be too busy to conduct business with him that night because he had a date with me!
Wow - I'd never felt so important in all my life. I mean, for a moment, I was more important than the President!
I jumped up from his desk excitedly with a big grin on my face. I caught Miss Farrell's eye and she gave me a look of congratulations for my cleverness. I'm pretty sure she wanted him to spend the evening with us just as much as I did.
The three of us stepped out into the cold night air. It was six-thirty but already completely dark. It seemed that the entire city was lit up though. Apart from the night before in Hooverville, I'd never really seen New York City in the dark. It was a little bit scary honestly, but beautiful at the same time! Besides which, with Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell walking either side of me, pointing out different sights and landmarks, teaching me all about the city I called home but had never known; I felt more safe and secure, more…something I couldn't quite describe, than I could ever remember feeling before.
Once we got to Times Square, Mr. Warbucks bought a hotdog for himself and me. I was excited to try my first bite. but then I saw some homeless people who were in greater need of the food than I was, so I went up and offered it to a hunched up old lady. Miss Farrell said to me it was a very kind gesture. I shrugged and simply told her "I know what it's like to be cold and hungry."
Mr. Warbucks walked up to another homeless woman next to us and gave his hotdog to her as well. He turned to us both and said, "So do I."
As I turned around, I noticed a man a few feet away from us who had laid down his hat and was dancing to make money. I raced over to watch him in awe. I'd never seen anyone move like that before. He was so quick and so graceful. I couldn't take my eyes off him. He bowed when he finished his routine and I applauded him enthusiastically. So far, New York was amazing!
But the man's talent was only the tip of the iceberg, as I was soon about to discover. I grinned widely as Mr. Warbucks, Miss Farrell and I linked arms to walk into the Roxy theater together. The finely dressed ushers showed us to our seats and we all sat down excitedly - well, I think I was by far the most excited!
The show began and I watched, completely captivated as the performers danced and sang. I had never seen something so spectacular in all my life. They were phenomenal. When the show finished, I leapt out of my seat cheering loudly. Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell had probably been to a hundred Broadway shows before, but they stood up to applaud too.
We walked out onto sixth avenue and Mr. Warbucks turned to me with the happiest expression I'd seen on his face so far. "Well, your first Broadway show. What did you think of it, Annie?"
"Oh, Mr. Warbucks, it was the most incredible thing I've ever seen in my life! I know I haven't seen much of anything before, but does anything really top that?!"
Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell shared a grin before he turned back to me. "Well, I don't know if there's much that's more impressive than live theater, but I can tell you there are many, many more incredible sights to see in this world of ours."
"Boy, I hope I'll get to see them someday", I said dreamily, but without much real hope.
Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell looked at each other again, but there were no grins on their faces this time, but looks of doubt and sadness.
"Well, one of them we're going to see right now, and I think you're going to like it very much", Mr. Warbucks smiled encouragingly. He reached down and took my hand in his. I felt my heart swell bigger than I'd ever known it to be. I turned to look at Miss Farrell and she too had a look on her face that appeared as if she'd also swallowed a balloon. She looked like she had some tears in her eyes as she stared at Mr. Warbucks and me, but it was probably just the cold weather stinging her face. I smiled softly at her and reached for her hand too. Her face lit up as she smiled at me, then looked over at Mr. Warbucks to share her smile with him too. He returned it quickly before clearing his throat and tugging me by the hand. "Come on then, before we catch our deaths."
We walked briskly down sixth avenue until we arrived at the Hotel St Moritz. Mr. Warbucks led us inside. I gazed around the magnificent foyer with a curious expression. "I thought you said we were going for ice cream", I said more out of confusion than disappointment.
"We are", Mr. Warbucks told me.
"But…isn't this a hotel?"
Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell both chuckled softly. "Yes, it is, dear. We're going to Rumplemeyers, which is a restaurant within the hotel", Miss Farrell informed me.
"There are restaurants in hotels?" I asked ignorantly.
"Yes, child", Mr. Warbucks laughed.
"Oh…I thought hotels were just places you slept."
Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell sniggered softly again. I wasn't sure what I'd said that was so funny but I didn't think anything more of it because just in front of me, I saw the restaurant Miss Farrell had mentioned and my eyes lit up in delight.
Ice creams - in cones, in boat-shaped bowls, several different flavors to choose from. With whipped cream and cherries on top. Banana splits. Ice cream in tall glasses with soda. Sprinkles!
I honestly thought I had died and gone to heaven.
I couldn't contain my excitement, I bounced all the way up to the counter.
"You can have anything you like, Annie", Mr. Warbucks said, placing his hand on my shoulder.
"Really?" I panted, almost hyperventilating from the anticipation.
"Really", he winked at me with a grin on his face. He looked up at Miss Farrell and said, "And you as well, Grace."
Her eyes seemed to twinkle as she beamed back at him. "Oh, thank you, Sir."
I finally decided on a chocolate sundae with all the toppings anyone could ever want. Miss Farrell chose an ice cream soda topped with whipped cream and Mr. Warbucks picked a banana split.
We found a table and sat down and I immediately began to devour my dessert. Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell took a moment to watch me eating mine, both of them with happy smiles on their faces, before they dug into theirs as well.
I looked up from my bowl and chuckled with a mouth full of ice cream at Miss Farrell. She had taken a sip from her ice cream soda but the glass was so tall and the straw went so far down that some of the whipped cream at the top had gotten stuck to her upper lip.
She narrowed her eyes playfully at me. "Now, what is so funny, young lady?"
I laughed even harder as Mr. Warbcuks noticed the cream on her lip too and began to chuckle. He pointed at her face. "Uh…you have a little um…" he picked up a napkin and held it up. "May I?"
Miss Farrell blinked and nodded her head at him.
He wiped the cream off the corner of her mouth and smiled at her. "There, perfect as ever."
Miss Farrell looked like she turned all red as she told him "thank you."
I'm not sure if she was thanking him for cleaning her face or for telling her her face was perfect, but either way, the two of them stared at each other for an awfully long time before they seemed to remember I was there.
Mr. Warbucks cleared his throat and turned to me. "How's your sundae, Annie?"
I grinned at them both playfully and said, "Oh, it's perfect."
That made them both turn red.
A half hour later, the three of us walked to the entrance of central park and climbed into the most magnificent carriage pulled by two beautiful horses. There was a blanket which Mr. Warbucks pulled up over our laps once we were all in, which I was glad for as I was quite cold. Mr. Warbucks must have noticed because he put his arm around my shoulders to warm me up. I smiled up at him gratefully as the carriage started to move.
After a few minutes, I heard Miss Farrell say, "Well this has been quite the nicest evening I've had in some time, thank you, Sir."
"It's been the nicest evening I've ever had!" I replied and Miss Farrell and Mr. Warbucks both turned to look at me with sort of sad smiles on their faces.
"Well I'm very glad, on both counts. I've enjoyed it too", Mr. Warbucks turned his head to me and then to Miss Farrell.
Miss Farrell must have looked cold too because Mr. Warbucks put his other arm around her shoulders then.
I don't remember much else until we arrived home.
Home. It wasn't mine of course, but it was the closest thing I had ever experienced to having one.
It wasn't until I felt my bed beneath me that I realized Mr. Warbucks had carried me all the way up to my room after I'd obviously fallen asleep. I was grateful and quite touched that he would do that. I felt so warm and not just because of the coziness of the bed. No one had ever been as nice to me as Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell had been that day.
I woke up long enough to see Miss Farrell taking my lovely new coat off me. I looked up at her sleepily. "Are we home?" I asked, already knowing we were back at Mr. Warbucks' mansion, but wanting to voice the question anyway, just to hear the answer.
Miss Farrell's voice seemed to catch as she smiled gently down at me. "Yes sweetheart. You can go back to sleep."
"OK. Goodnight", I yawned. I pulled my blankets up over myself and snuggled down into them, feeling so incredibly comfortable.
I closed my eyes but could faintly hear Mr. Warbucks and Miss Farrell talking. Then, Miss Farrell started to sing a lullaby to me. Soon after, Mr. Warbucks joined in and I drifted off to the sound of their beautiful voices.
It had been the best day of my whole life.
I didn't know it then, but it would be the first of many.