In the bar, Jordie began preparations for his specialty New Year’s Eve cocktail. He called it a Moon Landing, ‘for its slow-motioned high stepping after affects,’
He went to the cool room and grabbed a couple of crates of pineapples to create his work of art. First, he cut the tops off and scooped out the centres and sliced them into cubes. In each shell he added a dash of vodka, Coco Ribe, white rum, then topped it with a mix of lemon and mango juice. With the pineapple cubes returned, he replaced the lids and slightly raised them with toothpicks. He garnished them with a tiny umbrella, mint leaves and cherries.
He was admiring his creation when Kristy walked over from the Galley.
“How flashy are they? You boys are revealing some flair,”
Jordie acknowledged her compliment with a smile.
“I need some of your man power,” Kristy said, “to help set the dining room tables for the New Year’s party and May-lees grand finale’,”
“I’ll put these in the cool room to stay chilled,”
When Jordie returned the set up began. They extended the Captain’s Table by placing another two parallel either end. Chairs were put between them and the tinted windows for a view of the stage. They positioned the remaining tables and chairs to the left and right with a gap the size of a walkway up the middle. When Jordie asked why there was a break, Kristy gave him a cheeky smile and waved him onto the stage. She went to the DJ’s seat, “Watch this,” she flicked a switch. The centre of the floor, where they had left the space began to rise. It was a metre wide and ran from the dance floor to the Captains table. As it rose, a strip along the top edge either side rolled out revealing coloured footlights. When it stopped, it pressed against the Captains table, making it look like a T sign.
“Wholla... one catwalk,” Kristy laughed.
“How coool is that” Jordie exclaimed, impressed by her innovative skills.
“May-lee requested a catwalk... what can I say?” Kristy flicked another switch, the coloured footlights flashed on. “Pretty glitzy ay,”
“Unreal,” Jordie replied.
“I wonder what May-lee’s up too,” Kristy wondered, “She’s kept her routine secret.”
“With the song she chose, it should leave an impression. It’s pretty raunchy,”
“Do you think you can handle it?” Kristy laughed referring to him singing the song.
“Depends on how raunchy she is,” he chuckled, referring to May-lees performance.
Kristy giggled at him and then spoke one two three into the microphone for a final sound check. She flicked a switch, and the dining room lit up with rainbow coloured lights.
“Perfect,” Kristy smiled and hit the switches again. The lights flicked off and the catwalk sunk back into place.
She slid off the chair and waved Jordie to the back of the stage. She parted the curtain and they entered a small area the size of a walk-in pantry. On the floor was a three stepped red carpeted staircase.
Kristy pointed to it. “That’s to be attached so May-lee can step onto the catwalk. You bolt them on when I raise it,”
Jordie nodded.
“When the music starts May-lee will enter from behind the curtain,”
Jordie nodded again as a slight nervousness for the upcoming show swept him.
Before Kristy left, Jordie asked if she could sneak a present he had prepared for May-lee into her room.
They returned to the bar; when he handed her the present Kristy smiled, ‘Auntie has definitely made an impression on him,’ she mused.