Hey there, everyone! Before I continue with the story that won this month's poll, I have an announcement about THIS month's poll! That's right, a brand new poll is up on my profile, with ten brand new stories as the new choices, the stories that I'm interested in completing for next month is up now! If you're interested in one of those stories in the poll, then go ahead and cast your vote! Voting ends next week, so just a heads-up! With that out of the way, here's the next chapter of 'A Romantic Favor'! Anyway, enjoy!
Downstairs in the boarding house, Phil whistled a little bit as he crossed his arms and tapped his foot, waiting for his grandson to come down the stairs... as he started to get annoyed with what was going on in the other room. The other boarders and Gertrude were yelling out and dancing around to the radio in the other room as they seemed to be having a good time.
"Hey!" Phil frowned as the music kept going. "HEY!"
But there seemed to be no sign of stopping as Phil gave a sigh, about to go over to the radio as he yelled, "Turn it down, will you?"
Just as Phil entered the room, an announcer on the radio suddenly came in. "We interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin! FLASH! A lion had just e-"
Phil turned off the radio in annoyance as he turned towards the boarders and Gertrude who had stopped dancing as Oscar Kokoshka frowned. "Aw, Grandpa, I was listening to that!"
"Don't call me Grandpa!" Phil yelled at Oscar as he turned to the others. "And next time, turn down the music when you're having one of your little dance party episodes, will you? I'm trying to concentrate!"
"Oh, loosen up, you old bat!" Gertrude laughed. "The little one's going to be out for the day and I think we earned the right to a private dance party! Who's with me?"
The other boarders gave a shout of agreement as Gertrude turned the radio back on, as the announcer said, "...stay indoors and call the number right away! And now, back to our regularly scheduled program!"
The dance music blared on as Arnold's grandmother gave out a wild, crazy laugh as the boarders joined in on the dancing.
Phil could only sigh as he shook his head. "Well, that is just peachy..."
"Grandpa, I'm ready to get going!" Arnold's voice called out.
Phil could only give a sigh of relief as he muttered, "Finally, some freedom away from these kooky kooks."
Phil then went out of the room as he saw Arnold all dressed up nicely as he gave a grin. "Well, you look really good in that get-up, Shortman!"
"Thanks! I just hope this is good enough for the Lloyd's party." Arnold said as he followed his grandfather outside as he took a deep breath.
Phil looked back at his grandson and gave a laugh. "Don't worry, Shortman, you're already good as far as I'm concerned..."
Meanwhile, in another part of town, Mr. Bones and his group were busy getting his instruments ready as he gave as the leading man gave a nod towards his bandmates.
"Okay, men, we're about to go and give these people a swinging time!" Mr. Bones gave a smile towards the band-mates. "Anybody have any questions?"
"Any particular numbers you want to play for the party, Brooke?" One of the band-mates asked in curiosity as from somewhere, something rolled inside the apartment room the four were in.
"Oh, well, I was thinking a nice little round of jazz music, followed by something from Blues Brothers. I don't know, what do you guys think?" Brooke asked, but before anyone can answer, they managed to catch the whiff of something in the air... as he blinked. "Hey... what's that I... smell?"
"It sort of sme..lls... like..." One of the band-mates groaned as he fainted to the ground... followed by the second band-mate... and the third...
Brooke's eyes widened as he groaned, holding his head. "...sleeping... gas..."
Brooke then fell straight to the floor as quiet snores were heard. From outside the window, the figure that threw the sleeping gas grenade cackled as he slid down.
"Okay, the band's all incapacitated... when they wake up, it'll be morning before they even know it!" Curly snickered as he pulled out a bit of beef jerky and ate it. "Now to complete my final phase of the plan..."
With a nod, he quickly snuck away... as around the same time, something else was seen roaming around the town, sneaking heavily and growling.
Over at the party, Rhonda gave a small grin as her parents were nodding towards the families and their children that they had personally invited, the most recent family coming in was a familiar eccentric rich man and his son, who had his camera ready.
"Mr. Redmond, welcome. Glad to see you could make it!" Brooke gave a smile and nodded towards the man.
"Heh, you're kidding? It's nice to just be out of the place once in a while. Alan here is always wanting to take pictures of new sights, right, Al?" Sammy Redmond laughed as Alan looked around and focused his camera towards Rhonda. Rhonda gave a smile as she posed a little before Alan took the picture.
"It's pretty nice to be here, I suppose." Alan said as he put the camera down for a moment.
"So, is that all the guests here or what?" Sammy asked.
"Well... almost. We're still waiting on the old band members and we're still waiting on Rhonda's date. You just go straight in. Alan, go ahead and hang around with the other kids." Buckley said as Alan gave a nod.
Alan then carried his camera as he started to look around in curiosity, with Sammy going not too far behind.
"Well, sweetheart, it seems we're just waiting on Arnold now." Brooke gave a smile.
"He's coming, I'm sure of it..." Rhonda said, crossing her fingers when all of a sudden, she noticed a familiar Packard approaching. "Oh, that's him now!"
Her parents turned as they noticed the front seat of the car opening up, with Arnold stepping out. Brooke gave a smile, "My word, he certainly looks dapper, doesn't he?"
"Indeed, he does." Buckley said as the three watched Arnold saying good-bye to his grandfather before turning around and grinning as he started to go towards the house, the Packard driving off as Arnold came inside. Arnold's eyes widened as he examined Rhonda's beautiful dress as he came closer. "Hello there, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd. And Rhonda, my, you look pretty tonight."
Rhonda could only giggle as Arnold offered his arm. Rhonda took it with pleasure as Buckley smiled, "Welcome, Arnold. You're just in time for the party!"
"Go right on in and you can start on the festivities. Go mingle around with the other kids while we prepare everything else!" Brooke smiled. "And take good care of our daughter, will you?"
"Of course, Mrs. Lloyd." Arnold bowed his head as he and Rhonda started going off.
"Well, come along, Arnold, I suppose we might as well talk with the other kids that showed up." Rhonda smiled as they walked into the other room.
Buckley and Brooke could only watch with small smiles as Brooke sighed, "Almost reminds me of us when we went out together, don't you think?"
"I can certainly agree with that, darling." Buckley gave a smile... before pausing as he looked out the door. "What happened to the band? I figured Brooke and his friends would be here by now."
"Maybe they're fashionably late?" Brooke raised an eyebrow.
"It could be, but it's not like Brooke Bones to make a late entrance." Buckley said.
"Well, it is close to nighttime. Maybe late night traffic slowed them down." Brooke thought about the possibility.
Buckley paused as he put a hand on his chin and thought about it. "Could very well be. I say we give it at least an hour. After all, we can always start the party without the music..."
"Quite true, quite true..." Brooke gave a small smile.
And with that, that's the end of this chapter! How did you guys like it? Next time, Arnold and Rhonda mingle with the rich kids whilst they talk about their feelings with each other! But will Curly show up to crash the party, or will things just get worse from here? And what did that radio announcer announce at the beginning of the chapter? We'll have to wait and see! By the way, the character of Brooke Bones is owned by MaxGentlman1... and I also like to apologize to Max for putting his character through sleeping gas mode at the moment... don't worry, he will make an appearance later on, just not at this time! Also, I will guarantee that this next chapter will be longer than this... just be patient! And don't forget to go to my profile to vote for next month's story! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!