Kingdom Keepers VI(27)

“We’re talking OT sandwich,” Maybeck said. “And we’re the PB-and-J.”

The two stagehands closed fast. Joe walked with an angry limp.

“Not good,” Finn said.

“Grab hands,” Willa said, “and get ready to smile.”

“What?” Maybeck said, incredulously. But before he could protest, Willa took his hand and led the Keepers out onto the stage—the one place the stagehands could not follow.

A wild cheer arose from the audience. The speaker wasn’t sure how to handle their early entrance.

Behind them, the stagehands divided; the weightlifter crossed backstage, reappearing on the opposite side, trapping them.

They were a Kingdom Keeper short—no Philby—but the audience didn’t seem to care. Many were on their feet, giving the group a standing ovation.

Maybeck spoke to Finn through a fake smile. “Like a piñata.”

Finn had no idea what he meant. “You must have hit your head pretty hard. You’re talking nonsense.”

“I’m telling you: a piñata.”

The audience stomped and cheered. The stage floor vibrated. Christian crossed toward them, waving to the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, your very own Kingdom Keepers!”

Another loud cheer from the audience.

Finn glanced back to see the janaab image. Island cave. Gold flower. Island gold, cave flower? While he waved to the audience, his mind worked through the various combinations and tried to throw a piñata into the mix. He couldn’t make sense of any of it.

Christian did a nice job of covering for their early entrance. The lecturer looked dazed. Didn’t know where he was.

At that moment, the three stagehands suddenly rushed the stage from both sides, carrying wireless microphones. They’d found their excuse. And each held a second item, obscured by the mikes. It took Finn a moment to process what those items might be.

“Look out! Tasers!” he cried, tripping Willa into Charlene and intentionally sending them toppling. He pulled Maybeck down by the arm.

The stagehands fired their Tasers nearly simultaneously, but missed.

Missed the kids.

The lecturer collapsed; Christian caught him. The audience laughed and applauded as the stagehands retreated, passing Philby, who was arriving late. He drew more applause. A new group of stagehands rushed onstage and dragged the fallen lecturer into the wings. These guys, Finn realized, were the real stagehands, not Maleficent’s zombies.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please give a big Disney Dream welcome to the Disney Hosts Interactive!” Christian had little else to say, so he tried again, making out that this was all part of the act. His eyes flashed to Finn, demanding an explanation for the attack. Finn just shrugged. What could he say?

The Keepers, led by Willa, followed the script they’d been given for the orientation. Willa picked up perfectly on Christian’s second introduction, reciting her memorized lines. The other Keepers followed her lead. The spoke about all the fun they were going to have on Aruba, the interesting places to sightsee, and how to take full advantage of the excursions being offered.

A slideshow of the island’s features ran behind them while high seas adventure music provided background. Despite the awkward beginning, the orientation ended well.

Surprising Christian by going off script, Finn led his friends into the audience. There, surrounded by admirers, the OTs had no shot at them.

Minutes later, the theater doors swished closed behind them. The Keepers divided into two groups; Maybeck with Charlene; Finn with Philby and Willa. They would meet in 816, by prior arrangement.

Climbing the stairs two at a time, Finn was deep in thought. Piñata. Gold island, cave flower? What did it all mean?





FINN HELD OPEN the backstage door for Philby and Maybeck, who slipped through quietly. He followed them inside. It was two in the morning, the ship plying the waters for the final push to Aruba.

Maybeck had argued against a return backstage on the same night as the orientation, but Philby was determined to follow through on Maybeck’s mention of a piñata.

“The idea that the OTs have hidden Chernabog inside a Buzz Lightyear parade balloon backstage is just insane enough to make complete sense! If he’s in torpor, as Willa believes, he will require almost no oxygen. Maybeck, it’s possible you’re right. Well played.”

“I hope not,” Maybeck said.

The three boys crept across the backstage area, holding close to the backdrops. Together, they shared an anxious inhale as Maybeck led the way to where he and Finn had encountered the two stagehands.

The only sound was a slight hum of electricity and the whoosh of forced air.