The people of Meade are fun loving and light-hearted, and Meade is a city where new entertainments are always appreciated. Tonight is the first that Snapdragon's Lounge and Casino will be open for business in the Outer Cove and few know what to expect. Snapdragon�s is very different from Briar's familiar Prince Casino. For starters, Ginger Snapdragon has a reputation for putting on elaborate shows, loud, boisterous, ever-wilder parties reaching levels of decadence that few in Meade would approve. Tonight would be the test.
Willow arrived in a carriage with Kate and David. She wore her hair down and a simple, pale peachy gossamer gown paired with ballet flats. Willow enjoyed dressing, and she knew how to choose flattering clothes, but she insisted on having comfort and freedom of movement. She preferred simple, clean lines without the intricate embellishments more generally favored.
At the shoreline, crowds were forming. There were a number of small boats, lit with lanterns, ready to carry guests out to the large riverboat. A few notable guests were interviewing with the Meade Tower News reporters while sketch artists worked feverishly on their portraits.
Kate's eyes lit up. "Willow, you'll want to get on board right away. I hope you won't mind if I stay ashore a minute longer. I need to step over and speak to Ginger."
"I have you all to myself." David offered his arm and they walked through the crowds to one of the boats.
Three hundred and thirty two passengers made the trip from Highpoint to Meade in the modest staterooms of her three upper decks, and they all appeared to have found their way to the main level for an elegant evening of gambling and entertainment. Meanwhile, Kate went to find Ginger. She found her in her dressing room, but Ginger wasn't alone. She had a gentleman caller. Kate listened at the window.
"You're always so tense and nervous." He said.
�I know.�
�Why? You�ve put on this show dozens of times before. So what, it�s just another crowd? There�s always a crowd.�
�Well, I�m a little shy.�
�I know, but you�d think by now you�d at least be comfortable around me. We�ve known each other forever now.�
�Well�� Ginger paused to consider her words. �Do you really want to know why?�
�Sure. Tell me.�
�You know that I�ve traveled around and seen a lot of places, and I�ve met a lot of people.�
�Go on.�
�Some of them were really cool, but you, you�re my favorite person and I am just terrified at the thought that you might not like me.�
�Thanks, but I wouldn�t be here right now if I didn�t like you.�
�I just wonder if we would still be friends if Homer wasn�t here.�
�I don�t know how to respond to that.�
�And that�s why I�m always nervous around you.�
�I�m sorry.�
�I believe you are.�
�Can I do anything for you before I go?�
�You could hear me. We have almost everything in common. We like the same things, have the same values, live by the same code, even sharing this business, but none of that seems to matter to you more than this one loyalty to Homer. I love Homer too, but I can�t keep letting him ruin my life the way he does. He�s so clumsy and he breaks everything.�
�Whatever Homer is, he�s my best friend. He was my best friend when we met and he�ll stay my best friend.�
�He�s my friend too. I never said I wanted Homer gone, but does he have to be here every time you and I see each other. Can�t you ever come chill with me without him? It makes me feel like you�re only here because he wants you to be here. So, how am I supposed to relax?�
Kate heard the heavy footsteps of someone coming.
�I just read a really good article.�
�Is that right.�
�Guys, if you two don�t mind, I really need to get ready for my show.�
�Sure. See you later.� The first man said.
Kate heard him walk away a bit, probably toward the door.
�You aren�t nervous about the show. You�ll do great. You�re awesome at this.�
�Thanks, Homer. I just can�t help being sad, and that makes me nervous, and well, you know.�
�You have to get over this. You�re behaving like a child.�
�What? What�s wrong with you? You can get out!�
�Stop expecting me to be sympathetic. Everybody has to learn to suck it up. That�s life.�
�You don�t understand anything. Just get out!�
�No. I won�t. Make me.�
Kate heard a struggle.
�Why don�t you go? I have to get ready for my show!� Ginger yelled in frustration.
�I don�t care. I�m tired of your theatrics. It�s time to settle down and grow up.�
�I am grown up. You just want me to become like everybody else. You want me to cook and clean and raise babies. Well, that�s not what I want. At least, that�s not what I want with you!�
Kate heard a door slam.
Ginger muttered to herself. �He thinks just because we�re gnomes, we should be together. I�m so tired of waiting and doing this.�
Kate listened trying to make sense of what she heard but Ginger spoke no more. She decided to go and knock.
�Ginger! Are you there? It�s Kate.� She heard some hurried movements and then the door opened.
�Kate! How are you?�
�Very well. I�ve just come to say hello and wish you a good show. I�m sure with all the work you and everyone else has put into this, Meade�s upper crust won�t know what hit them.�
�Thank you so much. I really appreciate having your help to coordinate the evening. It�s important to have dependable people in this business.�
�I look forward to many more evenings on the Snapdragon.�
Kate left Ginger so she could finish preparing herself. Kate had work to do as well. She just couldn�t help wondering what kind of relationship Ginger really had with those men.
Back on the Snapdragon, guests were busy enjoying themselves in the paparazzi free environment of gambling and decadence. Snapdragon�s was nothing like the familiar Prince Casino. The main deck welcomed guests into an undersea world of decadence. Live mannequins in mermaid costumes lined the walls of the main lobby. Waiters in sharkskin tuxedos and waitresses in heavily sequined shifts greeted guests with complimentary cocktails. The d�cor itself was tasteful and bright, but had been transformed by colored lighting in blues and greens and heavy decoration.