KEEPING UP WITH THE CHARMINGS
By Rie Sheridan Rose
“Okay, okay, guys. Settle down and take a seat. We’ve got a lot to discuss today.”
Snow looked out over the boardroom with a sigh. The boys were hopeless. With seven pairs of hands, you would think chores around the castle would be a snap. They were all such hard workers before the mine closed down. Now that they were on unemployment, all they wanted to do was drink beer and play video-games…
“Guys! Seriously. Sit down!”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist,” Grumpy grumbled, pulling out his chair. “We got things to do too, y’know.”
Sleepy yawned, slouching into a seat. “Yeah, I hear the bed calling my name.”
Snow sighed. “It will go faster if everyone sits quietly and listens. Dopey -- are you playing Pokémon again?”
He started guiltily, hiding his phone behind his back. “Uh…no. And it’s D-Dog now, you promised!”
“C’mon, fellas -- Snow’s got a lot on her plate. Let’s all just see what she has to say, a’right?”
“Thanks, Happy. First of all, I’d like to give a big ‘Way to Go’ to Bashful for joining Toastmasters! That is a huge step forward for you.”
Bashful turned as red as a tomato and buried his face in a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking.
“It’s a process, hon. You keep doing what you’re doing.” She looked down at her clipboard. “Sneezy, how are those new shots working for you?”
He gave her a thumbs up.
“Excellent. I’m glad you found something that worked, Doc.”
“We’re gonna try cutting back to every other day next week.”
“Glad to hear it. Now…” She sighed. This was the tricky part of the meeting. “As you know, Cinderella and my brother-in-law Prince Really Charming have moved into the castle the next forest over. Our prince -- my husband, Truly Charming -- doesn’t want his elder brother to show him up, so he wants us to totally re-design the grounds and kerb appeal of this place. Cindy is always conning the forest creatures into doing that sort of thing for her, but all I can do is sing, so I am going to be relying on you guys to help me make Truly’s dreams come true. Can I count on you?”
“What’s it pay?” Grumpy growled, scowling blackly.
“C’mon, dude. After all Snow’s done for you?”
“Can it, Happy! I don’t mind doing a fair day’s work. For a fair day’s pay.”
“Well, G…I’m not going to lie to you,” Snow answered slowly. “The budget’s been a bit strained since the closing of the mine. After all, it was a major source of our income too. However, I know you guys have been eyeing the old barracks for a brew pub and LAN café. Truly has agreed to give you the title free and clear in exchange for your help.”
She held her breath. If Grumpy agreed, the others would follow.
Finally, he spat in his hand and held it out to her. “All right, little lady. You got yourself a crew. Starting Monday. We’ve got plans with the Lost Boys for the weekend.”
“Sounds fine to me,” she replied, shaking the proffered hand. That would give her time to draw up the blueprints. She wondered if Aurora and the fairies would help…
THE END