"I am an optimist. It doesn't seem too much use being anything else"-Winston Churchill
Tour
The tour was boring. Plain and simple, she went to an event; she danced and made a speech to the people in front of her. Then she was packed up into a car, her makeup touched up and her clothes adjusted, she was told where she was going. She looked along the map and made an effort to go visit small towns like the one she lived near. But most of the time it was on the road, driving through jungles, over rocky hills and passed beaches. The best part of the trip was the day in Canton, the massive city at the base of a mountain. It shone bright and welcoming.
She made three speeches, and travelling down to the farms in the west. Then she was given an hour to explore – have lunch – the city opened up to her. Cafés and restaurants mingled in the air filled the world with the smells of the a thousand meals. She couldn't decide where to go so she ended up just buying a drink from a passing vendor. Music played at an open sky theatre.
She hurried over to the crowd. In performance was a story everyone knew; El Callejon Del Beso, the alley of kiss. Vukan followed her, checking the time, "We don't have time to watch a show, Lady Josephine." Josie turned back to him and smiled.
"There is anyways time to watch El Callejon Del Beso." Then she hurried through the crowd, finding a good stop. Vukan shook his head then sighed, and began to say, "Make way, make way, for the Daughter of Bonita!" The crowd was confused at first, and Josie clapped her hand on his shoulder. "A little quieter if possible, you don't want to disturb the dancers."
People moved out of the way however, and seeing Josie one of the dancers brought her over to a side stage. "I really like you, I think you'll be a great Queen," the woman whispered. "Do you want to dance with us?" Josie grinned, and nodded until her neck hurt. Then as the sun dance. They all came out, half a dozen dancers. Once Josie would have been nervous, but now after days of performing in front of people she felt like she belonged on the stage.
The actors began to sing, first Carlos, then Ana, Josie followed the dancers to their positions. The one next to her was hardly more than ten, she grinned at Josie and they danced together. The music surrounded her as the crowd burst into chorus and took a partner each. Vukan was even swept up by a local woman, and taught the steps. At the end Josie jumped down filled with happiness. This was her love, the people, the dance, the community. "Thank you!" She called to the dancers, they smiled and waved as Vukan pulled her away.
"That was…"
"Amazing! They were so much better than the dancers in my village." Vukan cleared his throat looking a little embarrassed. "Yes, they certainly were good. But we must press on, come on we are late, and that is not acceptable." He was checking the time again. "We'll have to find a car."
They hurried over the busy street and hailed a car. Climbing in Vukan announced that they needed to get the centre of the city in five minutes. Shaking their head the driver said, "Not possible, senor, in this crowd." He pointed at the celebrants. Vukan huffed and pulled out a roll of cash, "Go." He said passing over the money. The driver sniffed the paper and nodded.
"Five minutes, senor, we'll be there in three." He beeped his horn and shot up the street. People moved out of the way, the man when around another car, coming onto the side walk and narrowly avoiding two stalls and a shop front. Vukan suppressed a scream and instead sounded like a strangled animal. Then the man turned up and alley and drove over a pile of rubbish, through a clothes line and onto another street. Trying to ignore the fear for her life Josie reflected that this was the best way to see a city, fast and dangerous.
The horn beeped again and they drove over a dubious looking road. "Woohoo!" She called. The driver laughed, breaking his calm determination. The driver was true to his word, they made it to the centre of the city with two minutes to spare. They jumped out of the car, and were almost run over by a carriage of performers. Vukan threw up unceremoniously. "Come on! We're going to be late!" Vukan nodded, pulled along by Josie. They ran up the stairs into the government building. They stood breathing heavily, and exchanged a glance. Vukan chuckled and said, "Woohoo?" Josie laughed, and nodded, calling out, "Woohoo!"
Government officials swarmed them and hustled her up a set of stairs and into a meeting room. Josie shook the mayor's hand and smiled in a picture with his wife, Hannah Carver, a previous contestant in the selection. She gave Josie a few pointers, make friends, enjoy yourself, be yourself, and get to know the other royals not just the prince. Josie shook the woman's hand with both of hers, thanking her for her wisdom as she was rushed off yet again, this time on a train. Bound for Sjoase.