ALTERED EPISODES

by Carole W

Once Upon a Rhyme in the City of New York

Nine-year-old Catherine sits on the Whisper Bench in Central Park bent over her homework – a list of words for which she must list rhymes. “Orange,” she murmurs out loud, coming up with nothing When her father says they must go, she gathers up her scribbled-on papers, but before they reach Belvedere Castle, she realizes she’s lost her master list. She runs back for it and spots it on the ground next to a drain grate … FOLDED! And weighted with a glittering stone. She can’t believe her eyes when she finds the perfect answer penciled in! Who left her this message? Will she come back to the Whisper Bench in hopes of meeting her benefactor? Stay tuned!

Terrible Behavior 

Luke, little Catherine, and at least a dozen other very young children of the tunnels have hit the terrible twos (and threes and even fours!). Mary is at her wit’s end, having both arms full while running after suddenly argumentative kids. She’s exhausted; she’s counting new gray hairs every day. What happens when she declares a strike? Who steps in to corral the little ones? The potential caregivers become fewer when the most likely candidates decide to … ummm … go on a long vacation. We’ll discover several beautiful (and far from the central community) underground destinations, but, oh, the chaos left behind!

No Hair Down

Peter gifts Father with boxes of medical journals over which he delightedly pores. One article disturbs him though, and the next thing we know, he’s issuing new safety rules for those working on the different tunnel projects. Everyone now must pull long hair back tightly ~ braids or buns acceptable. The tunnel children decide THEY will do Vincent’s locks. At the end of the episode viewers will decide which hairdo best suits our Mane Man!

Nor Iron Bars a Coop

William needs more eggs for Winterfest baking so Mouse rustles him up some laying hens. (Do we really want to know how he comes by them?) Unfortunately, Mouse’s makeshift cage doesn’t do its intended job. The chickens roam; William’s (and Father’s) feathers are ruffled. Is every day now an Easter Egg hunt below?

Dark Spinet

Vincent is exploring a deep, heretofore uncharted tunnel way when he hears eerie piano music in the distance. The melody is haunting, oddly discordant, but compelling. And not a recording. He decides (of course) to follow the notes. Who is playing the mysterious instrument? What will happen when Vincent comes face-to-face with the pianist? Should he have brought along snacks and refreshments? His dancing shoes? Catherine? Or will he need to call on his Dark Self? Take the journey with him!

A Fair and Perfect Sight

December 21st. The episode we’ve all waited for! Catherine finds a gorgeous … and revealing … satin and lace nightgown in a vintage store. She’s trying it on, dreaming as she does of “one day”, when there’s an earlier-than-expected tap on her balcony doors. (It had been decidedly overcast all day and it is, after all, the shortest day of the year.) Imagine the look on Vincent’s face when he sees her. Then imagine what happens next! ;-)

The Test is Silence

Can Vincent keep a straight face and say nothing while Catherine reads? Can Catherine, when it’s Vincent’s turn with the book? It’s a dare they’ve each put to the other. Oh … what book you ask? Erotic Poems by e e cummings, complete with drawings by the poet. Who will win and what might be the prize??!!

Bothers

Vincent and Catherine are going through old trunks in a storage chamber. Much to Vincent’s surprise, he finds a journal he didn’t know Devin kept. Curious, he pages through to find Devin’s “Master List of Aggravations”. Several concern Father – no surprise there! But a few are about Vincent himself. When Catherine leans in to read over his shoulder, she can’t help but laugh out loud. “Whoo-boy, I can relate!” she crows before choking on a chuckle. Quite the conversation ensues!