Presents
Caribbean Cruise
Part 5
THE VOYAGE HOME

The next morning, the Wheaten Princess was at sea on a course for the good old USA.

The two Irish Terrors were in for a nasty shock when, at 5am, they were awakened by banging on
their door.

"Who in the name of Harry could that be!" said Murphy F indignantly jumping from his bed. "AND at
such an unearthly hour!"

"I hope it isn't the cops!" replied Guiness with a little shudder.

Murphy F opened the door to find a cook standing there, hand on hips, GLARING at them both.

"WHY aren't you two new guys on duty in the kitchen?" he demanded.

Murphy looked from the angry cook to Guiness, and then back again. Obviously this cabin was
supposed to be occupied by two new crew members - but where WERE they? They must have
missed the ship at sailing time!

Actually, (he was thinking quickly) this could work to their advantage. They would be out of the sight
of prying eyes, and they would still have time off to do what they liked, AND, they'd get paid for it!
He cleared his throat and looked as apologetic as possible.

"Oh, Sir, we're SO SORRY, but we slept in when our alarm didn't work. We'll be RIGHT THERE!!"

He shot a look at Guiness to shut him up before he put his big paw in it, and they quickly followed the
cook to the galley.

Shortly after they were both peeling hundreds of potatoes. (groans!)
The next morning there was a sign on the ship's notice board announcing up and coming events.

ATTENTION ALL PASSENGERS

Announcing a POKER COMPETITION to be held tomorrow in the Bushwhacker's Lounge at
10am.

Please leave your name with JIMMY at the Pursor's Office no later than 8pm this evening.

ALSO announcing a FANCY DRESS BALL  to be held in the Grande Ballroom on Saturday
night.

Think up something original or funny to wear. (Costumes available for hire at the Novelty
Shoppe on the Promenade Deck)

Come one, come all, and join in the fun!

Your entertainment Director, JIMMY

Guiness and Murphy F were keen poker addicts, but neither was game to put in an appearance, as
they'd be certain to be recognized and arrested. Too bad. They felt sure they could have won the
money!

Everyone turned out the next day to watch the players. The final 'show down' came to just five
contestants; - Keeleigh, Keeva, Murphy M, Stella and Tara. Faces were set like flint and it was
obvious that these five had played a lot of poker.

Jimmy stood by, supervising, to make sure there was no cheating.

Finally, all cards were on the table and Murphy M was the winner! The already rich politician went
off with more cash than he could possibly have needed - but isn't that always the way with
politicians! Besides, Murphy was a generous man and donated much of this profits to Wheaten
Rescues. (This fact was certain to gain him many votes in the up-coming Wheatenville elections for
Mayor!)
Meanwhile, Bella Beach Bunny was re-united with her bodyguard and pet, Ali. She went to meet him
the day he was released from the ship's hospital, and it was a joyous reunion!

"Oh, my sweet, beautiful Ali," she crooned, "I've missed you so! How absolutely WONDERFUL to
have you back!"

The huge reptile greeted her with a gentle nudge of his fearsome head.
Murphy V and Kodi were frustrated because the Irish Terrors had escaped their clutches.

"I hope the police pick them up in St. Thomas," said Murphy V sadly.

Kodi shook his head and scratched his ear. "They could easily escape the island on another ship and
get back to the US without anyone knowing!" he added.

"Ah well, one day they'll slip up again, and we'll get them!" Murphy smiled hopefully.

With that in mind, they went off to the bar to order a few drinks.

Also at the bar, enjoying a few drinks were some of the girls, accompanied by Boomer, who
seemed to be having quite a lot of luck lately with the ladies!

"What'll you all have to drink?" Boomer asked?

"I'll have a Brandy Alexander please?" was Calee's choice while Cassie asked for a Martini and
Bristol couldn't make up her mind.

Kodi and Murphy V couldn't believe it! This Boomer certainly didn't waste time, AND, with THREE
ladies at once!
The girls who had been hunting for rich husbands, (and who had finally met the right gentleman that
Madame Killian had predicted that they would meet at the Masked Ball) were now consulting her
again to see if there were "Wedding Bells" for any of them in the near future.

Madame Killian smiled as she remembered them.

"And did you meet those fine gentlemen I told you about? she asked with a knowing little smile.

The girls' eyes flashed with delight as they replied in chorus, "WE CERTAINLY DID!"

Jessie grabbed a chair and looked longingly at the crystal ball. "Please," she asked shyly, "Can you
tell us if we will marry them?"

The other girls nodded quickly in agreement and gazed expectantly at Madame Killian, who smiled
that secretive, mysterious smile that they had come to know, and said in a strange whisper, "Ah, you
want to hear the Wedding Bells ringing out for you, yes?"

"Oh yes!" exclaimed Abby, who really believed that Kodi would propose to her before the cruise
was over. "Please tell us what you can see for us in the future?"

Savannah and Punkie were thinking along the same lines with regard to Max and Murphy M.

Once more Madame Killian went into a trance, then dropped her head and gazed into the crystal
ball. The girls were spellbound!

After a few minutes she raised her eyes to meet theirs, and she was smiling.

"I can tell you," she said softly and dreamily, "that all of you will marry your young men, - and it will
be much sooner than you think!"

The girls just about jumped out of their skins! Punkie leaned forward and asked excitedly,
"WHEN?" Each of the others asked the same question.

Madame Killian was one cool lady, and she shook her had again with that mysterious little smile. No, I
cannot tell you when it will be, but it WILL BE very soon!"

The girls were lost for words (for once) and sat stunned. Madame Killian was right in her
predictions before, so she would probably be so again. WHAT NEWS!
THE END
(or, is it perhaps really the BEGINNING?)
They left the Gypsy Fortune Teller in a dream. All four could hear the ring of Wedding Bells in
their ears!

Meanwhile, the Irish Terrors were doing so well in the galley that they had been promoted from
potato peelers to assistant chefs! This included an extra ten dollars a day in their pay packets, so
they were delighted.

"I reckon we could go to the Fancy Dress Ball Guinny," Murphy F said cheerfully, "because in
costume, no one would be likely to recognize us and we could have a really great time!"

"Oh YES," exclaimed Guiness, "and we could dance with all those lovely girls. I'd really like that!"

Murphy F was thinking ahead. "You know, Guinny, we could sell the Jewel shop and stay on in this
job. It pays well, and we can get promotions, and travel the world, and see all those romantic
places and have heaps of fun doing it"

"Funny," replied Guiness with a grin, " but I was thinking the same thing!"

They went about their duties with renewed enthusiasm, picturing their brilliant future.

Lacey O'Quinn and Kansas were beginning to find their way around the ship without getting lost
quite so often, and they were relaxing in the Calypso Lounge when they were joined by Bailey,
Jake and Oliver.

"Can we sit with you two lovely ladies?" Jake asked politely. Lacey O'Quinn looked up in surprise,
and immediately recognized the three gentlemen.

"Oh, please do!" she said with a big smile.

Kansas giggled. "Aren't you the boys in the Band?" she asked.

"That's us!" replied Bailey. "We are taking a break before playing in the Lounge later this evening."

"Oh, we think you play just WONDERFULLY!" said Lacey with genuine admiration.

"Well, thank you!" was Jake's rather shy reply.

"Can we buy you a drink?" asked Oliver, "What would you like?"

"A martini for me please," piped Kansas, and Lacey said she'd have a Gin and Tonic.

A friendly conversation followed, and they all got to know each other.
Fancy these two dizzy blondes scoring themselves THREE admirers, and without even trying!

The night of the Fancy Dress Ball was drawing closer and everyone was selecting costumes. The
boy and girl scouts had got in first and had chosen some fun outfits to wear. They couldn't wait
for the night of the Ball to come so that they could impress everyone with their fantastic
costumes.

Bella Beach Bunny had of course selected something elegant and luxurious, and there was
certainly going to be a huge variety. Every girl was hoping that no one had chosen the same
costume that she had selected. There was nothing more embarrassing than turning up at the
Fancy Dress Ball and being confronted with someone who looked exactly like you!

THE NIGHT OF THE FANCY DRESS BALL

Finally, after much preparation, the big night arrived. The Band was playing and the Midnight
Howlers were entertaining on the stage. People were arriving and the Entertainment Director,
Jimmy, was taking the role of ships photographer, and snapping pictures of everyone so that they
would have something to keep in remembrance of the occassion.

At the bar, Captain Dasher Dan was making a play for Madame Killian, who was dressed in a
beautiful pale blue gown. (Many of the crewmembers did not wear Fancy Dress costumes, as it
was meant to be for the passengers. However, Rufus and Ryle had decided to join in the fun and
had chosen formal wear of a different kind.

Kramer at the bar was trying to sell a bottle of irish whiskey to the boys, and Jimmy, as the MC
for the evening, was dressed in his best Evening Suit and looked exceptionally handsome.
There was a great deal of laughter and giggles from the girls, as they looked at all the funny
costumes. There was a wonderful variety and watching some of them trying to dance in their
costumes was quite hilarious!

The boy scouts, Brody, Rooney and Finnegan arrived as part of the 'Wizard of Oz' group, with girl
scouts Kelsie and Stella making up the fairtytale party. Brody was the 'Cowardly Lion' - Rooney
was the 'Tin Man' - Finnegan was the 'Scarecrow' and Kelsie was Dorothy, with Stella as a VERY
convincing 'Wicked Witch of the West'! Jimmy, who took the photo, hoped the spell she cast on him
didn't work! Finnegan would never live it down with Stella after his comment that he 'couldn't
scare THAT old crow away'! Everyone except the stoic Stella thought it was funny!
S'Wheat Rescues
PO Box 34463
North Kansas City, MO  64116
The elegant Bella Beach Bunny arrived with Beasley, presenting a very patriotic theme - The Statue
of Liberty and Uncle Sam. They were joined by Truman and Cody, who were wearing historical
costumes. Truman, who was dressed as Napoleon, playfull pointed his musket at Cody, who was
dressed as a Musketeer, and found the point of a sword at his chin! (It was clear that they were
taking their roles seriously!)
Meanwhile, the MIDNIGHT HOWLERS were performing in the Ballroom and were singing hits of
the Andrews Sisters. They were appropriately dressed in Army Uniforms, and there was some
pretty spectacular trumpet paying by Oliver when they sang the "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of
Company B."





























Jimmy went back to his camera and took more pictures of the great variety of costumes. He
grouped together some passengers and crew who were dressed as animals. (Amazingly, Doctor
Tipper was dressed as a COW, and Nurse Tara as a MONKEY!) Clancy, (who was dressed
appropriately as a donkey) make some remark about 'silly old cows' and Tipper gave him a 'butt'
with her horns!

Rose was a Fox; Maddie, a Kangaroo, and Maise Louise was 'Puss in Boots'. She asked Maddie if
she knew any Kangaroo jokes, and of course, she did. (She didn't expect Tara to know the
answer though!)
Jimmy was kept busy taking pictures of all the wonderful costumes, and it seemed that they got
better and better as the night went on and more passengers were rolling up to have their
photographs taken.

Bailey Beachboy and Jessie turned up as Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Kodi and Abby were Robin
Hood and Maid Marian, while Max and Savannah were dressed as Romeo and Juliet.
The next to arrive was another group of couples, Murphy V was in character as Sherlock Holmes,
and Bristol was apparently the subject of his investigation!

Murphy M and Punkie were straight out of the musical, My Fair Lady, and were quoting song lyrics
from the show.

Boomer and Calee had got together again as Latin American Dancers, and were quoting Cole Porter!
Jimmy was delighted and was snapping away happily. He wondered what he would see next!
He didn't have to wait long to find out! A very assorted bunch of happy partygoers came up to be
photographed, and Jimmy was most impressed with the fine midieval ladies. Jovie looked elegant in
a lovely golden gown and Kansas was a princess, in violet silk. Cassie was the Queen of Hearts, and
there were even representatives from the next world - Gracie as an Angel and Lacey O'Quinn as a
Ghost! (Lacey was trying to scare everyone, but it didn't work!)

The surprise of the party was Keeleigh, who had always wanted to be an Astronaut and rocket off
to the distant galaxies.
The members of the Band had taken a short break and had joined the fun. They came up to Jimmy,
very keen to have their pictures taken in their costumes.

Jake was a pirate, Bailey a Viking, and Oliver was dressed as a Fireman. Then, they were joined by
Sugarbear and Ryle, who had come as Cinderella and Prince Charming. And what a romantic couple
they were!

Cinderella was watching the time and our Fireman was looking for the fire. (Our Viking offered to
do what Vikings were good at - starting one!)
Meanwhile, our Irish
Terrors had found
costumes that disguised
their appearance
sufficiently for them to
risk going up to have their
photos taken. They went
confidently up to Jimmy,
who nearly had a laughing
fit when he saw them, even
though he had no idea who
they were. Guiness looked
hilarious as a 'Man Eating
Shark' (complete with
man) and Murphy F..? Well,
the picture speaks for
itself!
The Fancy Dress Ball was a great success, and something very wonderful and very important
happened to certain young ladies to make it an even greater success. Our 'Rich Husband Hunting'
girls were all proposed to by their rich bachelors! Wedding Bells were definitely pealing! The big
question was 'when'? Kodi had to report back for duty; Murphy M had a campaign to run; Max had
to check out a new Ranch in Arizona and Bailey Beachboy had to return to his oil wells in Texas!

The four boys got their heads together, and came up with a plan. They would have to discuss it
with the Captain first, but they did not anticipate any problems from that direction. They shared
their idea with the girls, who were only too happy to agree, and they decided to keep the plan just
between themselves until it was confirmed.

The Irish Terrors had a WOW of a time at the Ball and no one recognized them, though quite a lot
of people seemed to be avoiding them - for some unknown reason...! They retired early, as they
had to be up with the birds to cook breakfast the next morning. THIS was definitely the life for
them!

___________________________

The next day, the rich bachelors talked with Captain Dasher Dan, who gave the 'thumbs up' to
their plan, so they hurried back to the girls to tell them the good news.

The girls showed up at the Novelty Shoppe not long after, looking for costumes of a very
different kind. Then they went to visit Madame Killian to ask her a very important question - but
more about that later....


_________________________________

There was much activity in the main pool the next day and everyone was having a great time. I
suppose they were all making the best of the short time they had left on their cruise, as the ship
would be docking in home waters in a couple of days.
The 'cruise of a lifetime' was swiftly drawing to a close. Nobody wanted it to end, but there was
to be one more exciting event before it was over, though only a few knew about it.

The first clue that something important and special was to happen was when a notice went up,
informing all passengers that they were invited to attend a Wedding - in fact, FOUR weddings!
Four couples were about to 'tie the knot' the night before they reached port, and Captain Dasher
Dan was to be the celebrant - which of course was a duty the Captain of a ship was legally able to
perform at sea.

The whole ship was buzzing as people tried to find out, or guess who the lucky couples might be.
However, this was a well-kept secret.

On that final day, the crew were busy putting up decoration in the Grande Ballroom, and Murphy
F and Guiness were kept busy in the Galley, preparing special dishes for the Reception
afterwards. The Band and the Midnight Howlers were rehearsing special music suitable for the
occassion, and four pretty girls were overcome with joy and anticipation. (Four young men were
getting more nervous by the minute!)

Yes, you guessed right! Abby, Savannah, Punkie and Jessie were the brides to be, and they had
been to the Hairdresser so that they would look their very best. Flowers had been delivered and
everything was prepared.

Finally, the big night arrived.

___________________________________

THE WEDDING OF A LIFETIME!

Everyone was gathered in the Grande Ballroom, ready for the ceremony.

Murphy M, Kodi, Max and Bailey Beachboy waited nervously with Beasley, who was their Best Man.

The Ballroom looked a picture. The Band was playing softly in the background and Captain Dasher
Dan was chatting to them to make them feel more comfortable. Jimmy was waiting at the door,
watching for the brides to arrive.
Finally, the soft music of the Band was abruptly halted and the regal chords of the Bridal March
sounded across the Grande Ballroom. All faces turned to the door and there were gasps of
admiration from those who were gathered to witness the special event.

The four Grooms turned to see their beautiful brides approaching, attended by their Matron of
Honour, Madame Killian.
They walked majestically up the aisle and joined their future husbands, and Madame Killian took
her place beside Beasley, the Best Man. Captain Dasher Dan smiled down at them with warm
emotion, and the ceremony began.

One by one they made their vows to love and cherish, for better or for worse, in sickness and in
health, until they parted in death. Rings were exchanged and Captain Dasher Dan pronounced
them 'Man and Wife'.

Then they went to sign the register while the Band accompanied the Midnight Howlers in a
selection of special Wedding songs, including "We've Only Just Begun" - "I Love You Truly" and
"Because". Oh, it was SO romantic!
After some minutes, Captain Dasher Dan appeared and announced the four happy couples and the
Band struck up with the Wedding March. Everyone applauded as the four couples came smiling
into view and stopped to have photographs taken. The brides were radiant, and the grooms were
looking so very proud.
A lavish reception followed to which everyone was invited, and after the speeches, the floor was
cleared for dancing. The newly married couples led with the Bridal Waltz, and then everyone
joined them on the floor.

After a short while, the Bridal Party left to spend the remainder of their last evening on the ship
in privacy in the special cabins the Captain had made available for them. And so ended the last day
of the Cruise.

_______________________________

The morning came all too quickly and it was with some sadness that everyone gathered for the last
time on deck, ready to disembark.

What a magical Cruise it had been! New friends were made and romance had warmed many hearts.
Four eager young ladies had found their dreams come true and bright futures were before them.

The boy and girl scouts were already planning their next cruise, (when they hoped they'd be old
enough to order cocktails!) and the scuba diving class now had their tickets to continue diving.

The ship's Band had been signed on for another cruise, and the Midnight Howlers had been
booked to appear in some of the best venues in the United States.

The two 'dizzy blondes' - Kansas and Lacey O'Quinn, had dates with Jake and Oliver, while Bailey
had arranged to take Sugarbear out while the ship was in port.

Bella Beach Bunny, with her bodyguard, Ali the Alligator, were being helped ashore by the gallant
Beasley, and Maddie, Keeleigh, Bristol, Jovie, Calee and Gracie were being assisted by a charming
and attentive Boomer, who was cured of his 'Peeping Tom' habit!

The members of the crew who were going on shore leave included Jimmy, Madame Killian, Ryle
and Rufus. Kramer was courting Katie. Dr. Tipper and Nurse Tara were accompanied by Henry
and Truman.

Police Inspector Murphy V was on his way back to Headquarters to see if anything had been heard
about the Irish Terrors. He would have been shocked if he could have seen the two chefs who
were watching with huge grins on their faces.

"Will you just feast your eyes on that, Guinny," laughed Murphy F as he pointed to the passengers
making their way to Customs. "All those people having to go back to the drudgery of boring jobs,
while we have the freedom of the sea, five star meals, free medical services, insurance and a job
we love!"

Guiness similed contentedly. "Yes Murph! You know what, buddy, I reckon we're the luckiest ones
of all!"

He thought for a minute, then said wistfully, "Do you think we'll ever see them all again?"

Murphy F nodded his head. "I'm sure we will Guinny. Just you wait and see!"
The next group included Kramer, who had been relieved at the bar so he could attend the Ball.
Jimmy put them all together because he said they all had one-track minds! Henry and Katie were
urging everybody to 'party' and it looked like they'd brought their own liquid refreshments!