Carl got a call from Donald, “I’ve got a plan. You tell your rider that there are some old farts on the ship who like to unload the launch to show off their muscles for the ladies. Tell him he has paid time off while they unload and he can watch a movie or swim. Do you think that will work?”
Carl said, “I think you’ve got a winner there. Let’s do it.” Donald heard a loud horn blowing and Carl’s rider said, “Hey watch it! I thought you said you knew how to drive this rig! Stay in your lane!”
Carl sheepishly apologized to his rider and told Donald he had to go and concentrate on his driving.
Trish and Carol, our college students, got their heads together before class and decided to have a garden party and invite a bunch of their friends from school. Trish said, “I want to call our party ‘Farewell to the Homeless.’ What do you think?”
“Oh and we can have a cake made that has tents and needles and stuff on it for the decorations!” Carol said.
“Let’s have a margarita fountain and a nachos bar and then a chocolate fountain, too,” Trish suggested. “Oh, have you ever seen those tricycles for adults? The party rental company has them. Wouldn’t it be fun to watch our friends ride those around?”
“Isn’t that going to be pretty expensive?” Carol asked.
“Don’t worry about it. My daddy will cover the cost. He is as happy as us to get rid of the homeless. In fact, he and my mom will probably come over to celebrate with us!” Trish laughed.
Carl and his rider, Mikey, made it to the dock and Carl communicated with Donald. Donald would follow, just out of sight, to the cruise ship. They would wait for Carl to give the signal for them to pull up by the ramp, preparing for the old folks to arrive. The trip out to the cruise ship was uneventful and Mikey rushed off before Carl could change his mind to enjoy his paid time off. Carl signaled Donald to pull up the yacht and Leonard started his crew unloading the launch. The purser had come down first thing to get the movie ‘Cocoon’. That was the only thing on his mind. The kitchen had popped two huge pots of popcorn and brought bowls and water bottles too, so the distraction was complete.
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Jim had communicated with Karen to let her know to have the old folks who were leaving with them gather in the tea room beside the elevator. He was watching the purser, waiting for his chance to send some more people out to Donald who was receiving them onto the yacht. Lainy drove her wheelchair out of the elevator. She had her suitcase on her lap and was looking to make sure the coast was clear when the purser caught sight of her. Her heart sank when he asked, “Where are you going with that suitcase?”
Lainy thought, “Oh no, am I going to be the reason this whole thing falls through? What do I say? Help!!!”
She actually kept a cool head, thought fast and told the purser, “I’m just on my way to do my laundry.”
The purser who was really into showing the older people the movie, ‘Cocoon’ said, “Oh, I can call the steward to do it for you so you don’t miss the movie!”
Lainy said, “Oh, thank-you, but I had rather take care of it myself, because I am really picky about the way my clothes are folded and I want to make sure none are lost. I have been waiting until movie time so the laundry room wouldn’t be as crowded”
The purser said, “Well, ok, if you don’t want the help.” He watched Lainy wheel away toward the laundry room and then he went into the movie room and scooped a handful of popcorn and started munching it.
Jim saw his chance and started people out the door and heading down the loading ramp. They were moving pretty fast for older folks, the more mobile ones assisting the slower ones. Karen was pushing Johnny, the man with one leg who had diabetes, and Sue nodded to Leonard who was carrying a box of lettuce up the ramp. He found a dolly in the kitchen area and brought it back to the launch to haul the next load.
Jim figured he had moved 25 people onto the yacht so far. Nancy was right beside him, worrying they wouldn’t make it. “Did you see the look on the purser’s face, Jim. I think he is onto us. What are we going to do?’
Jim said, “You are going out the door and going to load up on the yacht right now and get that paranoia out of here! Don’t you know paranoia attracts fear and problems? Quit worrying and that is an order!”
Nancy meekly followed his orders and made it safely onto the yacht. Before they knew it, the launch was unloaded and all of the people were safely loaded up. Leonard came running down the ramp with Jim in tow and they jumped aboard, with Donald shifting into gear and they were off!