Agnes-Ata: How did you decide to create a Smiling Cactus sculpture?
Sophititi: We met the Smiling Cactus when we were visiting with Trevor-Hotep awhile ago. Would like to meet our model?
Agnes: Sure.
Soph: Sourire, this is Royal Procurer Agnes-Ata. Agnes, Sourire.
Agnes: Pleased to meet you.
Sourire: The pleasure is mine.
Agnes: How did you come to be here?
Sourire: With the help of the Ancient and Accepted Procurers’ Guild. More than that I cannot tell.
Agnes: Got ya. I’m sure the Artisans will make a lovely sculpture.
At the Royal Kitchen
Thomios: I think I’d like to host a cheese buffet and drawing with pastels event.
Sue Chef: You mean like a Chalk and Cheese buffet.
Thomios: Exactly. We need to figure out the best cheeses to serve.
Sue Chef: And a few other charcuterie items as well.
Violet-Ifa: Don’t be surprised if you hear the sound of giggling soon.
Thomios: There’s no telling when that happens. We will be most appreciative.
Vi: You know, I think what to serve at a Chalk and Cheese event may be just the topic for our next Cheese Taking seminar. I’ve got to find Alice and tell her.
Alice-Ata: Alright, ladies, here’s our plan for today. Agnes, you go to the Cosmo Nursery to interview Trevor-Hotep. Vi, you go to the Royal Pantry to see what Thomios and his crew need. Tash, you go to the harbor to see if the fisher cats have any extra fish. I’ll start gathering material for our next Cheese Taking seminar.
Agnes-Ata: Sounds like a plan. I know Burt-Ra is going to the Cosmo Nursery today. I’ll just hitch a ride.
Violet-Ifa: I heard Thomios is planning a fish banquet this week.
Ta-Natash: That works out fine. Iggy said he’s going out on a fishing run with Fresh and Salty Water Cats today.
Alice: All right! Let’s get cracking. But remember.
All: Well never tell!
Sometime Later, at the Cosmo Nursery
Agnes: So, Trevor. I understand you have some flora from a far away desert.
Trevor-Hotep: That’s right, Agnes. I have some Smiling Cactus from the New World.
Agnes: And where is the New World?
Trevor: That is a fact lost in futurity. But it has captured the interest of the Artisans.
Enter Sophititi
Soph: Hello, Agnes! We’ve been taking notes to recreate a Smiling Cactus sculpture.
Beatrixia: Are you going to the Happy Healthy Hospital Pyramid auction, Elvis?
Elvis-Anum: Yes, just as soon as I put everything on the shelves.
Bea: What happened?
Elvis: Lupinium and Ora Z.
Bea: Got it
At the Royal Paddock
Elvis: Are Avenger and Emma here?
Beau, a horse friend: They went to the auction. Need a lift?
Elvis: Thanks.
At the Auction
Serfig-Aro: Thank you all for your bids on the shadow boxes. Now we have this old harp. It looks like it has seen many voyages. Who’ll start the bidding at one copper piece? One, who’ll give me two? That’s a good price. Now there’s a bid from Bea.
Enter Elvis-Anum
Elvis: Oh, a sea harp! I used to play one of those may I try it,?
Figs: Certainly.
Elvis plays a melody pure and sweet.
Elvis: Thanks.
Figs: Let’s continue the bidding. One, give me one gold piece…
Meanwhile, Back on the Nile
On Board the Water Cat Fishing Boat
Ta-Natash: I spy a school of Tasty Tilapia to port!
Fresh Water Cat: Break out the nets!
Salt Water Cat: Prepare to cast nets!
Iggy: Ready to haul in the catch!
Tash: There’s going to be a great fish banquet tonight!
…….
Sometime Later at the Royal Kitchen
Thomios: I’m planning on Tasty Tilapia Three Ways with Crispy Potatoes and a Vegetable Medley.
Elvis-Anum: Great idea. I’ll prepare a medley of songs to go with it.
Sue Chef: And what should we have for dessert?
Thomios: Of course Chocolate Everything is always popular, but I’d like to have something a bit more fruity. Do we have any cake?
Sue Chef: Yes. How about Strawberry Short Cake with Whipped Cream?
Thomios: Always a favorite. And I know who would like to make the whipped cream.
Ora Zed: It’s me, Little O, You know!