"Five days, no break, no sleep, but he gets to lunch with the Premier." Michelle had followed Chancellor Hanson in to the small lounge that had been set aside as changing room for the proceedings. It was impossible to tell right now if the Chancellor meant his words that had landed with a bit of a bite or if it was the lack of sleep talking.
"You're going to Table. Five course meal. Napkin in lap. Bread on your left. White wine, red wine, water goblet." Thomasina lectured David on the key points that he would need, sounding as if she were reading off a bulleted list. "The King always grabs the wrong glass, so if you're sitting on his right, expect not to have one. Silverware…"
"Start on the outside move in." So the country boy Captain knew something of etiquette, Michelle thought with a smile as she leaned against the door watching David being fussed over.
"Understand, we are far from finished. Do nothing to screw this up." One of the palace staff straightened David's shoulder straps as the Chancellor spoke.
"These are volatile people; we can give them no excuse to take offense." As Thomasina surveyed the last few details of the front of David's uniform Michelle approached, knowing that he would soon be instructed to turn around.
As soon as his turn was executed David had a smile on his face, it looked as if he'd forgotten having various members of the palace staff checking his uniform for stray lint. "You just keep getting in to trouble," Michelle said with a smile.
"I'm trying to memorize goblet order and all I can think about is my mom. She's in Shiloh today. My brother." While Michelle had teased him David was serious.
Noting his mood Michelle said, "I know some people in Veterans Affairs, maybe I can get someone to help her, walk her through it. Don't worry." Even trying to be serious and to take the weight of David's concerns off of his shoulders Michelle couldn't help but smile at him. "You think you are ready for this?" she asked, straightening his tie.
"He's ready enough." Everyone in the room immediately turned their gazes to the King. David took a deep breathe and squared his shoulders before heading out of the room to follow the King. Michelle marveled at how quickly David changed in to a soldier and she watched him go with a smile. She had pegged him correctly in stating that her father had won David's loyalty.
So I am losing my ability to have either of them peg the other for two reasons. A. I am, for some reason, gravitating more towards a third person limited point of view centering on Michelle. B. The scenes are being cut and someone walks away, and I try to just fill in what could have happened after, not rewrite the scenes. I hope you'll still follow my story if I can't have much pegging any more.
And since no one guessed I'll tell you about the names of the chapters. All of them are from musicals 1 Getting To Know You (The King and I) 2. Dancing Through Life (Wicked) 3. Oh What A Beautiful Mornin' (Oklahoma) 4. Press Conference (Chess) 5. Kiss Me (Sweeny Todd) 6. Enchantment Passing Through (Aida).