The Precious Princess of Wonderland

“As a matter of fact sir, there is a brand new show starting here tonight and I heard it was pretty impressive too. It is called: ‘The Masked Defender.’ Some Aikido expert I think.” “Thank you Mark.” “Oh welcome sir and bon appétit, miss, sir.” “I don’t think I want to watch this Gaston, I don’t like violence.” “Sometimes it takes violence to stop violence Dana, but I don’t think there is any violence in it. I don’t think it would be tolerated and accepted in a place like this one either.” “Ok, I’ll trust your judgment, I know now you’re clever.” “Are you flattering me Dana?” “It is not my style at all. By the look of what I got here tonight with you, why would I need to flatter anyone?” “I’m touched again bright thing, you too amaze me more than I ever been by a woman before.” On this note we were ready for dessert. “I’m so full, I can’t swallow another bite.” “One or two more pounds wouldn’t hurt you a bit good looking, not like me.” “Your little belly is suiting you very well Gaston, don’t you be ashamed of it for a minute.” “It wouldn’t help me at all if I had to run to save somebody’s life or mine though.” “Maybe, but how many times did you have to run?” “None lately, but things are changing, you know? I’m a man of eventualities; I like to be ready for them at any time.” “I suppose this is being wise.” “So, no dessert then. Would you like some more wine then or something else?” “Not for now, thank you. This was very good” A busboy came to clean the table for us. The M.C. got on the stage’s corner and when he began his announcement I quickly excused myself to Dana, because my stomach was telling me I was invited to the washroom. ‘This must be my nerves, I can’t help it.’ So I got on my way almost precipitately. I was gone for almost ten minutes and during this time Mark came to chat with Precious. ‘The pretty lady is all by herself?’ Mark asked Dana, but not in a flirtatious way. “Gaston shouldn’t be too long. Have you known him for a long time?” “Not very long no, but I owe him my job and I don’t know anyone else like him. He is one of a kind this man. I’m sure glad he found a nice lady.” “Oh we’re just friends, didn’t he tell you this?” “He never say anything much about his private life, he’s a man of a different class.” “And what class is he in? Can you tell me?” “Well, one time we were left without a cook on a busy suppertime and Gaston took his jacket off, rolled up his sleeves and he cooked for two hours until our chef got back in. The chef’s wife had a baby who decided to face the world at that time and at first we thought we would have to close the place down and to cancel all the reservations. Gaston saved this place a lot of troubles. Another time it was so busy that we were running out of dishes. Again he rolled up his sleeves and he helped us out with this too. Would you know any other company head presidents who would do something like this, tell me?” “No, I have to admit, I don’t.” Then the show was starting and Dana felt sorry for me to miss any of it. When I came back to our table I found Dana anxious and I worried for a few seconds. “Oh Gaston, I wished you’ve seen this.” “You mean the violence? Do you mean it is all over already, this soon?” “Yes, it only lasted three or four minutes.” “A four minutes show, I couldn’t have missed a heck of a lot.” “How come you were so long? You weren’t cooking, were you?” “No, no, I wasn’t, but you have been talking to Mark I can tell or to the owner?” “Mark was very nice to fill up the time so it didn’t seem like an eternity waiting for you to come back.” “Am I this easy to replace?” “No, but if it is as he said, you are irreplaceable and you can replace just about anybody. He’s got a very high opinion of you, do you know this?” “What about you Dana?” “Climbing Gaston, climbing.” “This is nice to hear. What were you saying about the show?” The M.C. was saying the attackers were unknown to the Defender and vice-versa. They were paid $10.00 each for the scene and a bonus of $100.00 would have been paid to the one who could take the purse away from the lady. As it is while he was opening the purse in front of everybody, showing the hundred dollar bill, he asked the public if the Defender deserve this money. Everybody stood up clapping their hands and screaming: ‘yes, yes, yes.’ “You should have seen this little guy Gaston. I think he is even smaller than you are. I’m sure he is and he’s wearing a complete outfit including a mask à la Zorro, if you know what I mean?” “I got it and?” “Well, there is a lady with her two daughters walking down the street when a gang of seven or eight robbers attacked them. It happened so fast I couldn’t count them all.” “Take the time to breathe Dana, there is no rush and it is so wonderful to be here with you that I’m not in a hurry to leave the place. So there were three women and a gang and?” “They tried to steal the mother’s purse and this little guy put them all out in no time, he put them all out. The tricks he used are something I have never seen before. At work I’ve seen the boys taking out a lot of undesirables as they are called and there are also a lot of fights, but I’m telling you, I think this guy here can put all the boys out and all at once.” “Well, I’d like to believe you Dana, but I think you are exaggerating a bit, no offence.” “Well, I’m telling you the way I saw it. I guess you’ll have to come back and see it for yourself.” “Oh, I believe you, but it really seems to be a bit much. I’ve seen these guys where you work too and I don’t think that only one guy could put all four or five of them out at once like you said.” “After what I’ve just seen from this guy here tonight, I would bet you he could. A woman should feel quite safe with a guy like this.” In hearing this I looked down on the table. Dana looked at me with sad eyes and she said: “I’m so sorry Gaston, I didn’t mean to offend you and I’m sure you can protect your woman too in your own way.” “Oh, I’m not offended at all Dana, I was just thinking of how I wish for you to find your protector too, someone who wouldn’t hesitate at all to give his own life to save yours. This I think is something you deserve.” “Thanks Gaston. You’re too kind.” “Nobody can be too kind for you Dana, nobody, believe me I know.” On this note, notes start to fill up the air. Eight fiddlers began to play along with three guitarists and a pianist and the voice of the M.C. called for mister James Prince to come forward to sing a new song called: For Better or Worse dedicated to his Precious Princess. I then got up and I took Dana hands in mine and I said: ‘Happy birthday Precious.’ And I gave her a tender kiss. Those beautiful blue eyes looked at me in a way I wasn’t too sure if they were sad or happy. Then she said: “No Gaston, please? Don’t leave me alone now.” “Do you want to come up there with me?” “Oh God, no!” Then I looked around and I saw a woman alone sitting next table who seemed to be nice enough, so I asked her if she would be kind enough to come and sit with Dana for the time of the song. She agreed right away and to the stage I went. There must have been one hundred and fifty to two hundred people in the place or more. I felt like my legs won’t support me any longer, but as soon as I picked up the microphone, I made a short prayer, I thought about Dana and then I felt as strong as a lion. ‘For you Precious Princess.’