Zoinks! As Shaggy loves to say, I was invited to a party and the whole mystery team will be there, which normally means that something will go wrong. I swear they can't go anywhere without something out of the norm happening. Getting dressed for the shindig with great anticipation and a slight case of nerves. Wow...I was going to be in the SAME room as Velma, Shaggy, Daphne and Fred...ahh Fred. Whew, who didn't have a crush on Fred too bad he was all starry eyed for that ding bat Daphne. *eye roll*
Upon arrival, I'm a bit early and I scan the crowd. No mystery team anywhere. Sighing internally I think it's probably Daphne, she's making them late. Surprised at my own jealously I realize I'm not fond of her, I've never met her, she has done me no harm but I just don't like her. Shrugging off this feeling I walk over to the table to see what delicious hor d'oeuvres are awaiting my taste buds.
The room is buzzing with excitement, the noise level has increased, something is happening. I turn and there they are! Shaggy and Scooby saunter in all regal and gangly at the same time, followed closely by Velma in her sweater dress looking very smart.
The crowd goes silent, I stretch my neck so I can see better, ahh yes, there he is, Fred. And draped across his arm like a minx is Daphne in a sequin ball gown. Freddy is looking dapper in his tux. Wow, they really are the perfect looking power couple.
I'm star struck. Standing there with my jaw gaping open like some school girl, I start to back up and BAM!
I spin around to apologize and see the most mesmerizing eyes looking deep into my soul.
Stammering I manage to peep out a very feeble "hi". He chuckles, and says "pardon moi madame." Tips his head and off he goes.
Oh man...I have no idea who he is but wow, just wow. He has my attention and that of every red blooded woman in the room. You can feel the estrogen level rise along with the heat! Woo weee!
Evening rolls into night, the air cools, the atmosphere is relaxed, chatter is seamless and everyone is enjoying themselves, that is until the lights go out.
A few shrieks, What the what's, and a calm voice is heard over the crowd, "Please everyone remain calm I'm sure it is a breaker" and poof, as quickly as the lights went out they have returned. But what is missing?
The hor d'oeuvre table, not just a platter or the food but the entire table?!?! Now how in the heck did that happen in 2.4 seconds? Shocked and dismayed the head waiter rushes over to Freddy. "Monsieur you must help, our hor d'oeuvre table, she is gone!"
Freddy replies "Who is gone? What does she look like, I'll get the gang right on it!"
The head waiter shakes his head, "no no, not she, zee table sir, she is gone."
Velma walks up and says "we understand sir, Freddy stop being such a dope, we will look around." Now Freddy, where is Shaggy? Did he and Scooby take the table?"
Looking around the crew sees Shaggy and Scooby on the balcony enjoying a HUGE plate of, well let's hope it's food. Hard to tell it's piled so high. Gulp and it's gone! HOW do they do that without choking?
Being the curious person I am, I start looking around. I find a few shrimp on the floor, almost like a trail. But it ends at the wall. Hmm I wonder if the wall moves, like in the old movies. OMGosh! Wouldn't it be exciting if they asked me to help!! Okay I tell myself not to jump the gun, look around and see what other clues I can find.
Lifting a curtain here and there, moving a plant, walking around the corner and opps! I bump into Velma.
Oh my word! You're Velma! She giggles and extends her hand to me. "Yes, I'm Velma and you are?"
I shake her hand almost too vigorously. "Hi yes I'm RaeDeen of RD Investigations."
"oh yes, I heard someone earlier tonight mention you were here, you have a wonderful reputation for solving crime that precedes you."
I am taken aback, someone here knows me, I'm not even sure how I was invited to this shindig much less someone KNOWS me or my reputation?! I'm flattered.
"Well, I'm sorry, I was just looking around, you know there were several shrimp on the floor where the table was and it almost looks like a trail but it ends at the wall. I was scoping out the situation when I bumped into you."
That's great, we could sure use your help. Let's go over and I'll introduce you to everyone and we can solve this mystery and get home at a decent hour." Velma walks and I follow.
Freddy, Velma, Daphne and I discuss what happened prior to the lights going out, what we've all observed over the nights event and who is suspect. Of course, we have to clear Shaggy and Scooby first. With them being the chow hounds that they are, everyone suspects it is them who have absconded with the table.
Velma and I team up, Freddy and Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby who of course start looking in the kitchen but are quickly chased out by the chef who is screaming "NO DOGS in the kitchen!"
We make our way back over the wall, feel around and sure enough my suspicions were correct, the wall swings open and there behind the wall is the table! Lots of ooh and ahhs come from the crowd and a few laughs.
seems we have been set up. The master of ceremony begins to clap and the crowd joins him. He quickly makes his way over and shakes our hands. "Ah yes I knew I could not fool you two, such intelligent women you found the table. I did this as a way to highlight your talents and end the evening on a high note! Yes it worked!" he seems very pleased with himself. We laugh and everyone claps.
A short time later as we are leaving the grand ballroom, Velma says, "we made a great team RaeDeen, if you're ever in our neck of the woods and find yourself bored, we'd love to have you join us." Oh man, I'm so flattered. "thank you, thank you so much, we did make a great team. and I will definitely look you up if I'm ever up your way."
Daphne and Freddy say they farewells and down the steps they go towards the Mystery van. I roll my eyes again. Velma releases and giggle. I am red faced. Oh gosh "I'm so sorry, how do you work with her?" Velma says, "you get used to it".
Scooby licks my face, seems he likes me too. hahaha
I watch them climb inside and speed off to their next case. Wow, what a night. Can you imagine if I was actually able to work with them on a daily basis???? Nah, I shake my head. Daphne would need a dose of reality and some humble pie if I had to stay around her, Shaggy and Scooby are a hoot and so much fun, Velma would challenge my intellect and Freddy, well he'd be a distraction.
Walking over I wait while the valet fetches my car. What a night. What a night indeed.
Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts. Sit back, grab a cup, and check them all out. See you there:
