Amanda Walters had always had an annoying habit of not picking up the phone. Maggie used to always joke that she was glued to the couch in front of her television set. Today, however, was lucky. She picked up after only 10 rings.
"This better be important! I'm watching tv!"
"Hello to you too Amanda." Maggie replied.
"Oh, Maggie!" There was a thump and Maggie thought she heard the word "darn"
"Sorry! Dropped the phone!"
"Amanda, we have a problem. Mr. Jenkins…"
"The guy you went to see almost every day. The one with the mouth-watering delights? That Mr. Jenkins?"
Okay, maybe she deserved that little jab. But she couldn't help it! Those chocolate éclairs were the most delicious thing she had ever put in her mouth. Just the thought of them made her stomach rumble, even though she had a very large breakfast.
"He closed." Maggie said simply.
"Should I alert the police?"
"Amanda, this is serious! He has been replaced by this Banana Boy!"
"Banana Boy? That reminds me! It's on tv tonight!"
"I'm not even going to ask…"
Really? Banana Boy? There was a show called Banana Boy? Maggie felt sorry for the actor who played him. Imagine being labelled as a fruit for your whole career.
"His name is Willy Wonka. He is opening a candy store right where Mr. Jenkins is. Amanda, you have to help me get rid of him!"
"Banana Boy is one of my favourite shows. I'm not getting rid of my lovely yellow man!"
"Amanda, he is not actually Banana Boy." Maggie said rolling her eyes. And being on the phone, Amanda didn't notice the eye roll.
"So what if I do help you Maggie? This would really cut into my precious television time. Anything in it for me?"
Maggie thought about it for a moment. It didn't take long for her to find a good answer.
"Free cable for a year. Paid for by yours truly!"
There was a couple seconds in which only Amanda's breathing could be heard though the phone.
"Deal. Are we done here?"
"Yes! You can go back to your lover."
"What did you say? You know Maggie, maybe a year of cable isn't long enough!" Amanda said a bit louder than normal."
"It was a joke."
"Goodbye Banana hater!"
"Farewell…television hater."
Amanda sighed. "Was that really the best you could do?"
"Uhh…"
There was a click and Amanda was off the line. Maggie put the phone back on it's receiver and flopped onto the couch.
So it begins.
As always, this is a short chapter. But I was pressed for time.