CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

Reaching a decision to host the premier of a tragic play on Thanksgiving night was not an easy one faced by the St. Canard Arts Committee. Months before, the casting of the world famous Germaine Sisters of Duckburg helped steady more than a few nerves around the city's Arts community. Nonetheless, the management of the Schubird Theater finally breathed a sigh of relief as they witnessed cars of all makes, models, and price tags pulling into the parking lot that evening. They had been frightened that nobody would bother attending a holiday premier, but the lure of celebrity sightings proved too strong to keep the general populace away on a night typically spent at home with family and friends.

One particular mallard, however, knew he would be in bigger trouble if he so much as passed a glance at another woman -- celebrity or not. He eased his aging blue station wagon into a marked spot, the engine shuddering a little when he shifted into park. Amid a dissipating exhaust cloud, the short mallard dusted off his purple tuxedo and opened the door for his date. "Ready, Morgy?"

Morgana nodded. "Of course I am, Dark. After all, you promised me!"

Darkwing Duck, in the guise of mild-mannered Drake Mallard, grumbled quietly under his breath. "Morg, please don't call me that in public. Not when I'm dressed like this."

"Oh, right," she said sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Drake."

"Ah." He brushed it off. After all, she only recently learned about his mundane identity and still made slips here and there. Besides, no one was close enough to have heard. "Come on, our seats had better be good -- I passed up nabbing Negaduck for this."

"I did not know you were going anywhere last night. And I'm sorry I made a mess of your plans, but may I remind you that you destroyed mine when you abandoned me at the Goldeneye?" Morgana snapped as Drake paid for their tickets.

"You complained about that on the entire drive here. Can't you just let it go?" Drake replied, then lost his confidence under the icy stare of his date. "But, I mean, er, I - I was really inconsiderate of, um, your feelings?" He sighed, leading Morgana into the lavish foyer of the theater. As she admired the architecture, he muttered, "Still, if you hadn't stopped in, I wouldn't have been late. I would have had Negaduck right where I wanted him."

"What was that, Drake dear?"

"I said 'I'm hoping for mega-luck for the charlatan," Drake bluffed poorly. "You know, for the actor playing that Chopin character?"

"You mean Clopin, the king of the gypsies!" A pompous voice interrupted.

Startled, Drake looked around for the figure attached to the voice. When he spied the metal-suited guard motoring toward him, he fumed. "Oh, good. If it isn't the Tin Can Security Service. What are you doing here?"

"Good evening, fair citizens. I'm providing extra security for the Germaine Sisters. It's not often our city has such esteemed actresses. Although it does have its fair share of lovely ladies." Gizmoduck smiled particularly broadly at Morgana.



go back | return to table of contents | continue