Okay guys, a little back story on this one. The play mentioned is real; it is called Journey to the Center of Christmas and it is amazing. In fact, I played the part of the professor way back when I was in grade five. Yep… that was a good eleven or so years ago. That's how memorable it is.

Anyways, on with the show.

Story: Memorizing Lines
By: Shawn "The Unfunny Joke" Wheeler
Disclaimer: All characters are property of their rightful owners.
Summary: Telling a child what you think about their work is difficult if you don't understand it.

Raven had absolutely no idea what was going on.

Well, that was only a partial truth. She knew that she was sitting in a very uncomfortable plastic chair next to her husband. She also knew that she was watching their daughter up on a rather large stage, singing a song about finding the Christmas spirit, or something along those lines. Schools and their plays, if they had to do one for the holiday couldn't it have been A Christmas Carol?

But still, she was very proud of her daughter. Rebecca had gotten a very large part, which included many songs and many lines to memorize. And while she understood that this was very important for her daughter, Raven simply didn't 'get' the play.

What she didn't comprehend was the plot, really. Was there even a plot at all? Should she even be expecting a classical masterpiece from elementary school children?

Probably not, but one could always dream.

Looking back at it now, Rebecca had wisely chosen to seek her father's help in the whole matter. Feel good musical plays about Christmas were definitely not her forte.

"Isn't this great Raven?" Her husband asked, with his eyes firmly glued to their video camera's screen, recording as yet another song about the holiday began. "She's doing such a great job!"

"Yes," Raven agreed truthfully. "And she's very adorable in… whatever that thing is she's wearing."

"What, the Star Trek outfit?"

Is that what that was? She knew she had recognized it somewhere. Probably from one of her slight glances towards the television when Garfield was watching the sci-fi channel.

"And what exactly does that have to do with Christmas?"

He seemed to pause at that question, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Seriously, Raven? Haven't you been paying attention at all? Didn't you read the script?"

"I didn't want to ruin the surprise." This was true, a play was more enjoyable the first time you saw it if you didn't already know the plot. "And I have been paying attention, but this is really more your kind of entertainment than it is mine. I don't understand it."

"What's to get?" Was he really being serious? The whole play was ridiculous. "Look, Rebecca and those other two kids are aliens. They don't know what's going on-"

"You don't say…"

"Quiet you." He shushed her while she simply rolled her eyes. "The faster I explain, the sooner we go back to watching Becca."

"Whatever, I didn't ask for an explanation." She really hadn't, though she was thankful. Rebecca was going to be full of questions at the end it all… and she was going to expect answers.

"Anyways, the aliens want to know what all the hubbub is about, 'cause from what they can tell Christmas is just a day where people go crazy and spend lots of money on stupid things."

Raven could only imagine the look on her face. As little sense as this play made, it did speak to her on some levels.

"So, who's that child with the cane they're talking to?" She asked, trying to soak in as much as possible.

"That's Professor J. Ingle Belle." Garfield grinned widely, obviously a fan of the pun. "He's the guy that's known for knowing all there is to know about the holiday. So, obviously the aliens ask him about it."

"Obviously." She shook her head. "And then they all learn a valuable lesson about good will towards men and all that, right?"

Her husband nodded his head, a smile on his face.

"Yep."

"And the play itself is completely logical to you?"

"Why no Spock, I don't think it's logical in the least." Raven had to smile just a little at that one; even she knew she had walked right into it. "It's a children's musical about aliens beaming down to Earth to chat up some professor about a holiday… I'm pretty sure logic went on vacation somewhere after the first song. This is just about fun. That's it, nothing more, just fun."

"I suppose I can accept that, and I really have enjoyed watching her up there. For what it is, she has done a wonderful job."

Her husband nodded his agreement while turning full attention back to the video camera.

"Yep, and if she wants specifics, I can always bail you out." He laughed as he talked, making Raven only assume what possible things he would say were her favourite parts.

"Thanks for the offer Garfield," She adjusted herself in her seat in order to see the stage a little better. "But I don't think I'll need your assistance. If Rebecca asks what my favourite part was, I'll tell her the truth."

"And that was what, the song about commercialism?"

"No, she was my favourite part, and I'm sure she'll be ecstatic with that answer."