Royal New Year's Eve Page #6

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anyway.

Well, keep looking.

We have to find something

that's ready to go

before everything

comes crashing down.

Why would it crash down?

Because we're going to give it

a little push.

Mom, why is this

so important to you?

Leighton, why isn't this

more important to you?

Because I want to succeed

or fail on my own merits,

not because my mother

is playing puppet master.

My darling, this is

a cut-throat business.

I am just trying to provide

a few advantages.

And I appreciate that.

But just don't do anything

too crazy.

I will be the very picture

of restraint.

Just a little...

push.

Oh, let me see.

This could work.

Ok, I've got a couple hours

until I need to get back

to the mansion.

What can I do?

Go take a nap.

You must be exhausted.

It's two days until the ball.

I can sleep next year.

Ok.

Grab some beads.

Ok.

Oh, wow.

This is beautiful.

It's a beautiful design.

You know, you and Lady Isabelle

are almost exactly

the same measurements.

You should ask for it back after

the ball and you can wear it.

Where would I wear

a dress like this?

Yoga?

This would be a great

yoga dress.

No, this dress is definitely

made for a princess.

[phone rings]

Hello, Abigail.

Yes, but I'm supposed to-

Right, but... now?

Ok.

I'll be right there.

Now there's an emergency at

the office with the next issue.

I have to go in.

What?

You know she's trying

to overwhelm you, right?

Yeah.

[knocking]

Now what?

Jeffery.

Wh- what're you doing here?

I'm on the way to review

the auction brochures.

Abigail suggested

you should join me.

Unless you are

sick of me by now.

No.

I couldn't get sick of you.

But I can't.

Abigail is making me

go into work.

She said she wanted you

to sign off

on the brochures personally.

Ok.

Would you be able to bring them

by the office for me to review?

I would.

Ok, great.

Doris, do you need anything?

If I do I can handle it.

Would it help if Barnaby stayed

here in case a need arises?

That would be amazing,

if Barnaby doesn't mind.

If that's what you want,

Your Highness.

The driver can take you

wherever you need to go.

Or, if all else fails, I'm an

old pro at the subway now.

Well, thank you again,

Barnaby.

And Doris, if you need anything

please call.

Ok.

Well, that was interesting.

Quite.

Ok, so do you see

any other problems?

No.

Excellent work.

I never would have seen

half those errors.

I work at a magazine.

It's my job.

Well, thank you.

You have gone above

and beyond on everything.

Oh, no. Thank you.

You've been so kind

and supportive.

You and Isabelle,

of course.

You know, I never...

I never really did hear how

the two of you met.

We were introduced

at a ceremony.

I can't remember what for.

Monarchies love

their ceremonies.

Oh, yes.

Well, they have to use

all those scepters.

[laughs]

Yes.

Anyway, she'd heard that one

of our board members

was planning on stepping down

and was interested

in taking over his place.

Well, that sounds really nice.

Isabelle is a lovely young woman

and I care for her deeply.

I feel like there's

a "but" coming.

My father has decided it's time

for him to step down

and for me to take over

the throne.

However, he insists

that I marry first.

What do you want?

Shall I escort you home now?

Oh, no.

You don't have to do that.

It's no bother.

I need to retrieve Barnaby,

anyway.

Right.

Um, well, in that case,

thank you.

You know, you can sit down

if you want, Barnaby.

Thank you, miss.

I'm fine.

How do you do that?

Do what, miss?

Just stand there.

Quietly, not moving.

I've had a lot of practice,

miss.

How long have you worked

for the prince?

I joined the employ of the royal

family when Prince Jeffery

was ten years old.

Wow, that's a long time.

You must know him pretty well.

I'd say so, yes.

He seems like a good guy.

Yes, he is.

And Miss Caitlyn seems

quite lovely, as well.

She is.

She's the best.

[knocking]

Shall I?

Uh, sure.

Go for it.

Barnaby.

Hello, Ms. Miller.

Abigail.

Hello, Doris.

I came to talk to Caitlyn

about the party planning.

Well, I thought she was

at the office with you.

[gasps]

Is this Isabelle's dress?

Yeah, it's not done yet

but that's...

She's going to love it.

[gasps]

Is that the prince I see?

Where?

Right there.

To the right.

(Barnaby):
I don't see him.

I'm sure it's him.

Over to the right.

I don't think so.

Well, maybe I was mistaken.

Would you just tell Caitlyn that

I will speak to her tomorrow?

It's only a couple days

until the new year.

Do you have any resolutions?

I want to make sure that the

foundation is in good shape.

Of course there will be

a wedding to plan.

Right.

What about you?

What are your resolutions?

Oh, I have a few.

A million.

How about top three?

Ok.

I want to take more chances.

Because quitting your

art teacher job to pursue

a dream career

was playing it safe?

That's the thing.

You know, I did that and then

I started another job

that wasn't actually

what I wanted.

I didn't really start taking

chances until...

Until when?

Until you and Isabelle

came along.

You know, now my design

is gonna be worn by nobility

and featured on the cover

of a magazine.

What are your other resolutions?

The usual.

Friendship, love, silly stuff.

Love is not silly.

Not if you're doing it

correctly, at least.

It should be exciting

and unexpected.

It should come out of nowhere.

I hope that'll happen to me

some day.

I hope so, too.

Mom, I got your message.

What's going on?

Come look.

What... is that Caitlyn's dress?

The one and only.

Until now.

What're you talking about?

What is the biggest sin

in the world of exclusive,

one-of-a-kind fashions?

That they're not one-of-a-kind.

Exactly.

So, what?

You're gonna have someone

make a duplicate?

How are you gonna do that

in two days?

We don't have to.

We just have to make people

think there's another dress.

I have someone in the art

department working on it

and when they're done nobody's

gonna know it isn't real.

Ok, I still don't understand.

Then we'll have

someone publish the photo

and it won't be one-of-a-kind

anymore.

And Isabelle won't want it,

and we'll have a Leighton Miller

original

ready to take its place.

Mom, do you remember when I said

don't do anything too crazy?

Leighton, I am just trying

to help you launch your career.

Mom, this is not the way I wanna

become successful.

I could never live with myself.

Ok.

You promise?

No more cartoon villain plots?

I promise.

Um, well...

have a good evening.

Thank you.

You too.

Barnaby. Shall we?

Ok.

Let's get to work.

What was that?

What was what?

The whole "have a good evening"

and "you too"

and let's both stare at

the floor uncomfortably thing

that just happened.

That didn't happen.

Uh, yeah.

It really did.

Ok, well maybe spending

so much time with him

has made it easy to forget

that he might be proposing

to another woman in 48 hours.

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