The lights outside the opera flashed and blinked while patrons and guests entered. They gave their tickets to the usher.
Outside the opera house, Tyler was helping the crew get the truck set up. "Alright, everyone. This week is going to be awesome. I have to go to opening night. I promised Raquelle and Lancey that I'd watch the show."
"It's okay, Tyler," Alphonso said outside the truck. "They'll do great. Linda is a terrific manager." He gestured to the horse. She had decided to hold off on going back to her reporting career and instead took a job on the truck.
"Thanks, Alphonso," she tipped her green visor. "You know I never pictured myself in food service… but it feels good." She liked the tangible, honest nature of the work. Giving someone an ice cream cone didn't usually end in someone getting their feelings hurt. "Now go on. It'll be starting soon. Tell Suki, I say good luck." She and Tyler had agreed that he'd go to opening night and she'd see the show the next night.
Alphonso nodded. "Have fun tonight. Don't forget, at intermission, if they have a ticket stub for the show, they get a free hot fudge sundae in a souvenir sundae cup." He held up the sundae cup with the marquee of the show around it.
Linda nodded. "Don't worry, Alphonso. I got it. Go have fun, Uncle Albert." She teased, shooing him off. "I can help whoever's next!" Two generations of tigers approached the truck. "Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter. Welcome to Big A's. What can I get you?" She asked softly.
Katherine smiled. "Hey, Linda." Louder, she asked. "Honey, what would you like?"
"I'll get a scoop of cookies and dream on a cake cone," Jackson said. "Mom? Dad?"
An older tigress looked at the menu. "Mmmm, I'll get two scoops of pretzels and caramel in one of those waffle bowls."
After the four of them had their ice cream treats, they went inside. "Now, Jackson, not that we mind you and Katie treating us to a night out, we are curious as to what you're up to."
"We're not up to anything, Dad," Jackson replied. "Our box is this way."
"Box?" The older Tiger replied. "You got us a box?"
"Dad," Katherine stopped him. "Just trust us. I promise you'll have fun tonight." She led the way up the elevator to the highest middle box. "Oh, Marcus, we didn't expect to see you here tonight." She winked to indicate he should play along.
The gorilla grinned. "Neither did I. How are you doing? This is my grandson, Neo and his friend, Sarah."
Katie struggled to keep from expressing her true excitement. Jackson examined the boy subtly. "This is my mother, Lorraine and my father, Fergus." He chose the seat beside the cub.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Marcus smiled at them.
"Likewise," Lorraine sat down in her seat. "How do you know each other?"
"Shhh," Sarah said gently. "It's starting…" she said as the lights went down and a Suffolk sheep dressed in a tuxedo came out on stage.
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The lights dimmed as Eddie stepped out in front of the red curtain. "Good evening, all creatures great and small. I am Eddie Moon and I want to welcome you to the Grand Opera House. And a deep thank you to the East Galveston High School symphony-orchestra for your help this week. The New Moon Troupe proudly presents Mary Poppins." The curtain rose to threads of "Feed the Birds".
The digital background took the audience through foggy London until a park fence facade and simulated foliage was rolled onto the stage.
Fergus looked at Jackson. "Isn't Ryan with the New Moon Troupe."
Lorraine smile brightly. "He is!" She whispered excitedly. "Look."
Ryan wore the one-man-band setup and danced around the stage for a group of extras. He stopped after a few moments and began singing. "Room here for everyone gather around. The constable's "responstable." Now, how does that sound?"
The extras laughed and he bounced to each, delivering a punchy rhyme about them until he reached the last. "Dear Persimmon…" His expression became strange and he looked up. "Wind's in the east, mist comin', like that something is brewing, about to begin. Can't put me finger on what lies in store. But I think what's to happen has all happened before…"
In the box, Katie giggled at her in-laws. "They wanted to keep it a surprise." She explained as "Bert" began addressing the audience and the scenery changed as he walked down the street, explaining the street's name was "Cherry Tree Lane."
Fergus laughed. "Well, it is a surprise."
Marcus grinned. "Ryan has been excited about this visit for months. He and Johnny both. I'm Ryan's father-in-law," he chuckled and offered his hand properly.
The tigress shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. And if this lad is your grandson…"
The gorilla held up his hand. "Don't take away all their fun tonight. Let them have a few of the reveals. But yes, the troupe purposely arranged to be here so he could visit and you can see what he does for a living. He's a bit of a prodigy."
Fergus smiled. "Yes, he loved music as a kid. Music and dance. He forgot about that love for a time, as he tried to follow his father's dreams but he never did like sports much."
Jackson looked at the stage, hearing the chastisement in his father's voice. "Maybe I was wrong to force my son to play. I just thought that if he was so good at it, he must love it like I do."
"We all make mistakes," Marcus said. "But let me introduce you to the others. This is Norman," he indicated the pig sitting with his many little piglets. "And this is Sitara. And Tyler is the orangutan to your left, Lorraine."
Tyler chuckled. "It's nice to meet you."
Katherine smiled. "This is the Family Box. Everyone related to the troupe watches from here." They continued introducing the others.
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Ryan exited the stage as the scenery changed to emulate the entryway of the London brownstone and Meena and Ash took the roles of the housekeeper and the cook, pleading with Katie Nanna, portrayed by Kia to stay after her charges had fled from her for the last time.
The tiger accepted a towel from his husband, wiping the sweat from his brow. "How'd I do?"
Johnny kissed his nose. "You did great, Bert. Our lessons paid off. I can't wait to dance with you in Step in Time." He chuckled.
"Neither can I. I saw them. They're up in the box," Ryan smiled. "I've missed them."
"I look forward to meeting them," he said as Suki went onstage, singing her song, marching into the house dressed for the Edwardian days.
"From Kensington to Billingsgate. One hears the restless cries! From ev'ry corner of the land: "Womankind, arise!" She danced around the foyer with her employees. "Political equality and equal rights with men! Take heart! For Missus Pankhurst has been clapped in irons again!"
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Marcus smiled with pride. "That's my wife," he explained to Lorraine. "The one playing Mrs. Banks. Suki."
She nodded. "She's quite lovely. You're very lucky." She giggled.
"Oi, I know. I was afraid I'd be alone the rest of my life," he looked down at her, meeting her fiery eyes as she begged Katie Nanna to stay despite her charges running away, again. "I've been so lucky this year. We also have four other children, two daughters that I adopted and our twins. They were born in January."
"Awww," Lorraine cooed. "And where are they?"
"Porsha and Nooshy are in the play. Luke and Rosamund are here on this side of me. In their pram," he gestured. They had grown a lot in the short three months.
Katie and Lorraine both got up to look closer at the twins. Jackson scratched his head. "Is the theater an appropriate place for babies?"
Marcus nodded. "They love the theater. Just like their brothers and sisters." He chuckled, looking down at his sleeping infants. "They get their best sleep on show nights."
Sitara smiled. "I remember when Meena was a baby. Oh! There's my husband…" she looked out at the stage as Mr. George Banks entered his residence.
The black-suit clad lion hung up his hat and his coat. "I feel a surge of deep satisfaction. Much as a king astride his noble steed." He took Mrs. Banks by the shoulders and pretended to kiss her cheek in greeting. "When I return from daily strife to hearth and wife, how pleasant is the life I lead."
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Offstage, Ash stood with the twins, dressed like two children from the Edwardian era, holding a kite. "Are you two ready? Are you nervous?"
Lance nodded. "There's so many people. What if I forget my lines?"
Ash knelt down. "You won't. You've practiced and rehearsed every day for two months. You are ready for this." She looked at Raquelle. She was standing up straight, trying to maintain her breathing. "You both got this."
Raquelle nodded. "Thank you, Mommy…" she said with a wobbly voice. "Do you think Daddy can see us?"
"I have no doubt. I bet he's up in the family box. Maybe even with your Uncle Buster," she hugged them both as Yusef came up, dressed as a constable while Calloway pretended to phone the police about his missing children. Ash went back around to the kitchen entrance to the stage while Yusef pushed a button for a doorbell sound effect. She went to the door. "Sir, it's the police."
Raquelle held the torn kite and followed Yusef on stage.
Mr. Banks hung up the phone while Mrs. Banks rushed forward. "Oh, my sweet dears, I was so worried."
"Winifred!" Mr. Banks chastised her gentle tone of voice. "Children, why did you run away from Katie Nanna?"
It was time for Raquelle's first line and she looked out at the hundreds of people watching her. The hot lights beat down on her and she could feel her tummy turning around. "Um…"
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Tyler watched as the little girl froze. Calloway repeated his line and Yusef and Suki both improvised to try to help them.
She turned suddenly and ran off stage. Ash bit her lip and turned to the audience. "Sir, I think you are being too harsh and you have scared her. I will go check on her."
"Me too!" Lancey said and he and Ash hurried off, leaving Calloway and Suki to salvage the scene.
Tyler got up. "I'll be right back." He promised the rest of the box.
The orangutan took off through the corridors. Barry guarded the doors that led backstage. "Hey Barry. Can I go in?"
Barry nodded sternly. "Sure." He opened the door for him.
Backstage, Ash stood helplessly, trying to comfort Raquelle. "Raquelle, sweetie, what's wrong?"
"It's too scary. There's too many people!" She trembled. She looked over towards the door. "Uncle Tyler!" She ran to him and he caught her in his long arms.
Tyler petted her quills. "Hey, what's wrong now? Don't tell me you're nervous."
She nodded. "I know I'll forget what I'm supposed to say. And then Daddy won't be proud of me."
The orangutan laughed. "What are you talking about? Of course your daddy will be proud of you. Even if you miss a few lines or sing the wrong notes or even fall down on stage. It happens."
Ash watched him comforting Raquelle. "He's right, Raquelle. Even if you do miss a line, it's okay. Your daddy will be proud of you no matter what. So will I." She touched her daughter's shoulder.
"Me too. I've been looking forward to seeing you be Jane Banks," Tyler said. "Now, do you think you're ready to try again?"
Eddie came over. "Is she alright?" He asked, wondering if he'd been right to give the part to such a young child.
Ash looked at Raquelle who nodded. "Just a case of nerves, but we're okay now. Right?"
She nodded and let Tyler put her down. "I'm ready to try again. I'm sorry."
The sheep chuckled. "I'd be more worried if you weren't nervous. You should ask Aunt Meena about stage fright. Later. After the show. It's time for you and your brother to sing your song." He handed off the prop letter for the Times.
She took it and Lance followed her back onstage right as Calloway finished "A British Nanny." "Father?" She said in a small, nervous voice.
The lion and Suki looked over at the little girl. "What is it, dear?"
Jane held the letter. "Michael and I were talking and we're very sorry for what we did today. It was wrong to run away from Katie Nanna and we do so want to get on with the new nanny."
"I'm pleased to hear you say it," George said. "I should like your help in the matter."
Tyler smiled at Ash who could only look down at the stage. "What's wrong?"
She sighed. "I'm never going to get the hang of it. I don't know how to comfort my daughter and it's the first thing a mother learns."
He shook his head. "You're doing great, Ash. And even if you do happen to make a mistake here and there, you're still trying. You're still making an effort. They don't need you to be perfect. They just need you to love them." He hugged her.
She nodded, pulling back to look him in the eye. "Thank you. And thanks for coming down to help."
He smiled. "It's no problem at all. I better get back to the box. You got this, Ellen the housekeeper." He left the backstage, listening to Raquelle's young voice echoing with the lyrics of A Perfect Nanny.
"Sorry," he apologized, rejoining the others.
"Is poor Raquelle alright?" Marcus asked with concern.
He nodded. "Nerves just got the best of her. She's fine now. Listen to her."
Lorraine looked at the great ape. "Is she yours? That little porcupine?"
Tyler wagged his hand in a so-so gesture. "Their father was a good friend and I'm close with their mother."
"Was a good friend?" she asked. "What happened? Did you have a falling out?"
The orangutan shook his head. "He passed a few months ago. Ash adopted them and I've been helping her with them. So, I guess, they are, in a way, mine but not in any official capacity." He turned to watch them.
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Rosita stood on the catwalk, hooked to the pulley system for her entrance via umbrella. Porsha stood on the catwalk with her, ready to help control her descent,
"Alright, you're all hooked up. We're just waiting for your cue," Porsha said. "Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yeah, we've practiced this. I'll be alright," the pig reassured her. "While we wait, how are things going with Glenn? Have you talked to him today?"
She nodded. "He's so great. I wish he could've come with us. But his dad really needed his help at the hardware store this week."
The sow giggled. "It can be good to have time apart at the beginning. While you want to bond, you also want to take it slowly. I remember when Norman first asked me out. It was our senior homecoming dance. He took ballroom dancing lessons just for me." She blushed, reminiscing on her school days. "Just remember, there's no need to rush things. You're still very young. Oh, it's time…."
She held up her umbrella and began sliding slowly down the line, a fan blowing paper leaves around her as she stepped down onto her mark. She walked up to the facade of the brownstone and rang the doorbell.
Notes:
Ending this here. It feels long enough and I'm assuming everyone here has seen Mary Poppins. Next chapter: The Meet and Greet and 100th chapter special. Please review. I'm debating what to do with Jerry going forward. What do you think?