Page 80 of Positively, Penelope

I never knew that the professor in Narnia was the same one inMy Fair Lady.

Weird.

He must have stopped breaking out in song by the time the Pevensie kids showed up.

PS: Send Gramps my contact information. Maybe I can at least give a virtual consult or two.

Text from Penelope to Luke:You are such a dork.

Luke:How old were you when you stopped praying for your Hallmark hero to show up? Oh wait, I think you still do. Hmm...

Penelope:That was a very old diary entry.

Luke:Yes... very old. Last year?

Penelope:Any proof has been burned.

Penelope:I also deleted the photo you just sent. I thought I threw that Christmas ornament away three years ago. Do you just keep things like that around for use as blackmail?

Luke:I didn’t have any brothers growing up, Penny-girl. I learned to be resourceful.

Skymarian Theater Troupe

From: GK

To: JA

I cannot believe what you did with the float at the Failte Feis! It was a perfect way to reintroduce The Darling House to the community. From what I heard in the crowd, it was the talk of the parade. I think what our community needed most was a reminder of places like The Darling House and loves like the music and magic of the theater.

Ah, that’s right. You’re not a native European, so some of our words, I imagine, are novel to you. But it seems that you’ve fit right into the heart of Skymar, so that’s what matters most.

I’m glad you’ve found friendship among the Grays. I’d heard the elder brother is standoffish, but with the right type of person, I’m glad he’s proving “worth knowing.” Single dads can be rather unusual, I understand. Careful of heartbreak and such, but if a man has loved faithfully once, it gives a hint he is willing and able to do so again. I’ve always thought that winning a heart like that would be worth it. A rather romantic notion, isn’t it?

From: JA

To: GK

You came to the parade!! Oh, how wonderful! Did you come to talk to any of the theater group? I wish you’d approached me. Since you know who I am but I don’t know who you are!

I’m so very proud of the parade and all the people involved. We made the news! Which, of course, is great publicity, whether for good or bad, but I prefer it for good, don’t you? There is something to be said for “Popular” as Glinda sings inWicked, especially for business. I don’t mind being a behind-the-scenes person, but you can’t let your business be behind the scenes. That’s why I’ve been trying to create more ways to be visible. Out there!

The blog I started has been a hit. I’ve been trying to share funny recipes people have created from different musicals, like Hunchback Galette and Romanov Fudge. Plus I’ve been featuring an interview with each of the community theater peeps once a week, to build some visibility for them too. We have an amazingly versatile and experienced group, and Dani said they’ve added ten new people to the in-person group in the last three weeks. I think it’s excellent that two of the community theater members are a part of the board of directors for the theater, because they really bring practical voices into the meetings.

Did you know that The Darling House ball is going to happen this year too?! The board (in concert with the Grays) have already begun preparations for a masquerade ball to celebrate the centennial of the theater. Isn’t it perfect?!? A ball celebrating a theater where we all come in costume!!! (I’m not ashamed to say I came up with the masquerade idea. I love dressing in costume.)

I’m taking the day off tomorrow so I can go adventuring through Fiacla. It’s my birthday and I don’t want to spend it alonein my house or working at the theater. Exploring will be not only a great diversion but a real treat.

BTW, have you ever heard of Earnest Stevenson? He’s an artist who is up-and-coming for theatrical art. His work has an illustrated vibe. Kind of like Al Hirschfeld for the modern day. (And Earnest always slips the name of his puppy, Sam, into every creation so that the viewers have to find where it’s hidden.) Anyway, I introduced him to his now-wife back at the North Carolina School of the Arts, so I’m going to call up a favor and have him create some promo material for Darling. Ohhhhh, I’m so excited.

***

Penelope took her time getting out of bed, enjoying the leisure of a day off. From the sunlight blinking through her window, the day promised to be a pretty one too. She’d chosen one of her favorite blouses to wear—a flowing green confection with puffed sleeves—and wrangled her hair into a ponytail, complete with a matching green bow. With some quick work, she slid into some jeans and tennis shoes, ready to bike to Elowyn’s Tower first.

Her phone blinked awake from charging overnight and the first two messages blared to life:

Happy Birthday, Penny-girl. You’re my favorite baby sister.

She grinned at Luke’s message.He thinks he’s so funny.

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