Donny and Mark and Bears, Oh My
Courteous Reader. You may need to go back some chapters to reacquaint yourself with people and places. Or you can just tickle these pages with a light tap dance, if you can find enough enjoyment by taking it as it comes and not requiring a totally complete puzzle.
But this character, Mark Sethlang, who required a ride home after a trip to Hong Kong and had provided a guitar case for Umpa's mouse to hitch a ride on...yeah, the blues man. Well, he was back in Hong Kong playing a gig at Hong Kong Disneyland.
You know, a lot of people have written about their disappointment in the Land of Mickey HK. It is much smaller, but man, what a deal, you know? Here was a cat who drew a mouse and from there changed Florida so drastically that the ecosystem of the world is now a whole different macrocosm.
If he'd lived to see it, I think old Walt would have been just fine with the Mouskateers resting their big ole head masks on some back room wall within the forbidden chambers of the Hong Kong theme park (you know it is a very big deal that the public can't ever see the catacombs of the alleys and biways for park employees...deep mystery and intrigue).
So after Derby got all good and cleaned out from the Inner Smile exercise that the worm version of Fredalnte guided him through, he felt good enough about life that he was resolved to go see Disney, Hong Kong style.
"I really don't think it is such a good idea," the voice in his head told Derby, when Derby flagged the first taxi cab he found.
"Look Fred," said Derby. "We've been through quite a lot. I miss the girls, Pam and Barbie. I'm sick with my forced detachment from them. I want to cut loose and go ride a ride and maybe find a Tinkerbell or Daffy Duck to flirt with."
"Oh, so you're totally off Jeninqua now are you?," asked the sly Fredalnte, from the tree park in Derby's mind.
"You said Eat You and I did. Now you live in my head. So behave yourself up there or I'll have to sedate you with alcohol or something even stronger," scolded Derby to the worm brain in his own brain.
"I just don't like the idea of a theme park," said the wise voice, while the taxi pulled away, the driver easily understanding Derby's English instructions to head to the Enchanted Forest. "What if something bad happens over there?"
"What could go wrong?," asked Derby confidently. "It is Disneyland!"
After paying the zillions of dollars to get in the park, and noticing that it is a much smaller version than both California and Disneyworld, Epcot, et al, Derby was drawn to the music of a single guitar playing, harmonica neck braced performer. When he got closer he realized it was Mark Sethlang!
Mark had his guitar case open and was strumming away. Lots of young Asian girls were gathered around, throwing their Yin Yuan in the case like it was water. Derby couldn't help but notice this one pair of girls who seemed to be intent on escorting Mark to somewhere after he closed up shop. But of course, the most startling discovery Derby made was that it was Mark playing!
"Mark!," awarded Derby to the blues singing entertainer, right in the middle of Mark's rendition of Star Track.
Derby's announcement caught Mark's eye, who winked as his mouth glided on the harmonica which was braced by the wire around his neck. Skillfully Mark managed to be able to strum, wail on the harp, acknowledge Derby and still charm the honey pies who were gathered around him like groupies at a Jim Morrison concert.
But more importantly than Mark's acknowledgment was the reaction of the pair of attractive young Asian women, who seemed to originally be preoccupied by some desire to stay glued to the blues man. Except now, they were speaking fast Mandarin and both dialing and logging minutes on their cell phones like a team of high tech system installers for Samsung or Apple.
Derby noticed the girls had diverted some of their attention toward him and actually, he was flattered and intrigued. He could tell that danger was lurking, but he still threw caution to the wind, come rain or shine, being slipped a Mickey or whatever new adventure was about to be sprung.
Donny Sideburns was also in the park, doing a disk jockey gig in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. You may recall that Donny has a confectionary business, dispensing sweet nothings to a ready audience of chocolate lovers. Amazingly, the park loud speaker system was broadcasting Donny's music and disc jockey chatter.
"Announcing the 40th Reunion of the Class of 71," came Donny's broadcast. "We may not fit, but one night will be reserved for a jam session at Big Rick's Dive. See you there Derby my man!"
Derby was flabbergasted by the announcement and tickled pink at the same time. Girls attending to him with what appeared to be some impending adventure and Donny speaking to him directly over loud speakers at Mickey's House in Hong Kong! "Wow, the ultimate," he thought to himself.
Sure enough, as soon as their calls were completed, the young ladies left hurriedly stage left. Snagglepuss couldn't be far behind. Stay tuned.
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