Lola's Salon

A swirl of snow crystals lift off the stoop and follow Trevor's boots inside.

"Merry Christmas, sir" greeted Withers warmly. He closed the door as Trevor began removing his flippantly colorful scarf and thick dark overcoat. The two men had quite liked each other from the beginning and that fondness had not diminished with time. "And a Merry Christmas to you, Withers". Trevor, ruddy faced from the cold, smiled and shook his head in wonderment at the foyer, decked out for Christmas with exquisite artistic abandon. "Herminone did this!" Trevor exclaimed with complete certainty. "Incredible. When did she fly in?" Withers, too, had once again found himself in thorough amazement at his daughter's artistry, having not a smidgeon of such talent himself. "Yesterday, sir, she did all this while Ms. Lola was out. It was most delightful to see Ms. Lola's face when she came in. Though I must confess to a few anxious moments, what with Herminone scampering up ladders and hanging from the balustrade." Trevor laughed. "Yes, our daughters are quite evidently here to torment us, Withers. I suspect it is retributive, what with the torment rascals like you and I caused other men with their daughters. Speaking of which, Lola is still abed?" Withers, bright eyes twinkling beneath his silver hair verified Trevor's guess, adding, "Yes, I'm afraid Ms Lola and Herminone were up rather late. And causing a rukus, the two of them. I'm afraid I had to speak quite sternly to them at one point." Trevor laughed aloud. "And what did that earn you, I wonder?" "Custard pudding, sir," Withers replied, "square in the back of the head. You'd think the two were sisters sometimes." Trevor knew Withers was as proud and fond of his daughter as any father likely could be. As Withers turned to hang Trevor's coat in the closet, Trevor suggested, "By the way, John, you ought to check the right pocket before you put that away." Withers, old school English in his impeccable manner of dress, was something of a cufflink nut, and of all the Christmas shopping Trevor spent his time at, it was finding something appropriate for Withers which took the most of that time. Withers reached in the pocket and withdrew a small wrapped box. "Thank you, Trevor, very kindly indeed." The two men shook hands warmly. "When you come back down, though I realized it won't be for a while, I have a special brandy I've set aside for you." Trevor laughed again. "Yes, I suppose I really should go up now."

Deep under her soft white comforter, Lola was dreaming of Santa and thinking it odd she'd never before noticed those shiny long black boots.

danon to HofT, danon to HofT. said danon in the mike as he circled Lola's listening to the distress call from above. HofT, we have cleared Main St for a straight in ILS approach, just try to have your wheels down and locked and touch down before passing WB Hickok St crossing. You should have plenty of rollout distance then. Give it full reverse on touchdown as you don't want to go past D Holliday St or you'll wind up in the stables. Roger, Over, and Out, copy??. If that doesn't work - you could try the last remaining Range approach in the world. Ever done one of those?? Totally over and out ole buddy, copy?? Continuing to circle danon banked hard to look upwards in hopes of seeing the glare of landing lights.

Lola awakens to find Santa (Trevor) sitting beside her on the bed. Though sleepy she reaches up to hold him as he kisses her warmly.

There is talk of a party later today, HofT is making a rare visit and Cobalt, Diane, Jespah, P&L, Piffka, Danan, Hebba, LW, and all others are expected as well.

But for now, Lola is very happy to see Trevor alone. "Merry Christmas, my dearest Trevor," says Lola as she moves over to make room for him with her under the covers..............

HofT to Danon copy cleared for straight-in ILS approach>>>
>>> descending through 200 feet - spotting orange wind sock thoughtfully tied to chimney of Lola's townhouse - flaps down - touchdown - full reverse - speed still excessive at intersection>>>
nosing over in the deep snow, coming to complete stop against bales of straw stacked against stables!

Sounds of "whinny!" "whinny!" fill the air; HofT climbs out of cockpit - easier when plane is upside-down, but not recommended by manufacturer - and runs into stable to reassure darling horses. Hopes she has time to recover before the party - whenever Lola decides to give one - and will make sure to buy Danon a drink, or even several! <G>

TWUCK!

Shuddering lawn dart in stable door clearly of Canadian origin (superior quality). Note attached reads...
"Merry Christmas T."

Lola awakens to find Trevor knelling beside the open upstairs window, throwing a dart in the direction of the stables (only Lola has stables behind her brownstone across the street from Washington Square Park.)

Prudence knocks and enters the room with a very late breakfast for Lola and Trevor.

"It's HofT out by the stables," says Trevor. "I just sent her a little Christmas message."

"Prudy," calls Lola, "tell HofT to join us when she is finished greeting the horses and comes inside."

Stradee upon hearing an almost inaudable thump, leans forward urging beautiful Standard/quarter horse gentle lope toward sound of airplane aliting upside down near stables. Swish/thump

"Hi Hoft " Stradee smiles and waves as HOft releases airplane seat belt & gracefully rolls out of cockpit. "Merry Christmas" greets Hoft as they both check on stabled horses peering questioningly at the two women, walking beside a golden palamino, entering the barn.

"Horses seem ok, Stradee and Hoft quiet the animals just as a dart flies from
the window of the brownstone, sails toward the barn door and lands attaching a note to Canadian Cedar. HofT wonders about the identity of
dart thrower, smiling upon receiving an airborn greeting.

HotT and Stradee groom, stable and feed palamino, then begin walking toward brownstone where Lola stands at the door, smiling, wearing a santa hat topping off svelt Christmas gown, offering two cups of hot cider to her guests emerging from an airplane that seems to have landed on it's side/ HofT and Stradee discussing experimental racing jet's ability during short field landings/
greet their hostess with hugs and ask ~ "Where's the party"?

The brownstone Christmas decorations smiling brightly as Lola's guests greet and exchange beautifully wrapped gifts. From the foyer, a hearty Merry Christmas is heard from a georgous bearded gentleman and a smiling P&L arriving at Lola's Salon for holiday festivities.

Withers and Jeffers serve the champagne.

Diane enters the salon loaded with presents for everyone.Withers helps her with packages and her coat, then leads her into the livingroom and offers her a glass ofchampagne.

Merry Christmas, everyone! HofT and Stradee, it is good to see you both!

Danon, that was one of the best Chridstmas presents I've ever had. Flying across country in a helicopter was great fun and it was wonderful to be close enough to the ground to appreciate the change in scenery as we moved from state to state.

As soon as Piffka arrives, I want to take her shopping at Lord and Taylor's, a store she has never seen. So much shopping, so little time!

When will hebba arrive? I'm anxious to take him around to several galleries here. I know his art would have a good following in NYC.

Sipping champagne, sharing the company of friends, she thinks of Cobalt with love, hoping that she is safe and happy in Mesa.

Hey, HofT! I always heard a good landing is one you can walk away from. Good landing! Don't worry about the plane, I'm an airplane repairman too and will have the bird back in shape by tomorrow morning. said danon as he walked in from autorotating to a spot next to the stables. Ah, champers he cried, mimosas are good for breakfast. Withers! pour me one too please. Thanks.

Lola is happy to see Diane and invites her over to talk about what she saw from the helicopter..................

"Ah, champagne, how lovely!" says jes, trying not to spill any of her fourth glass onto the Oriental carpet. "And hors d'ouevres! Little quiches and tiny sushi! Ah, fantastic! Makes one forget about gangsters and instead just enjoy the moment."

Cobalt sighs, again, as she contemplates going to bed veeerra verrrra early tonight so she and her sons can make it to the airport at 6:15am or so. "Rats! No partying for me tonight, another time perhaps!"

Just as she is beginning to nod off into the Land of Winkin, Blinkin and Nod, she has visions of helicopters, mysterious men, oriental rugs and such and wonders "What am I missing tonight at Lola's? Ah, it will be good to be able to stop in, beginning Thursday night!" Cobalt realizes that 'tomorrah is another day and suchlike', and Mesa is very bright, technicolor, warm and lively. Flowers in abundance, with every homeowner's citrus trees heavily laden with copius lemons, tangerines, grapefruit and oranges. Fruit, such a 'symbol' somehow. "Cobalt, y'all AIN'T in Texas anymore!"

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"Lola, What pretty eyes you have," says Santa. Santa is feeling a little romantic tonight, and he's had a long day. Lola hasn't said anything, but with that come hether look, it was difficult to just stand there in the middle of the room. He smiled. What's next, he thought to himself. ........

Hi Santa,

What do you have in mind, big boy?

Well, I...... ah, I was thinking, maybe.... ah......you know.......oh dang, said Santa.

What's the matter, Santa?" asks Lola. "You're turning all red in the face and sputtering a bit. Sit down here, next to me, darling, and I'll ask Jeffers to bring you a brandy."

i found lola's, at last. christmas night, been trodding around lower manhattan all day looking. by the time i got there, i had the glow on, so did lola, craven, beth, misti. one pint and that's all it took.
the nostalgia set in. i let it rip, full force.

"down by the valley gardens, my love and i did meet, she passed my valley gardens, with little snow white feet, she bid me take love easy, as the leaves grow on my tree, but i being young and foolish.... with love could not agree, she bid me take life easy, as the grass grows on my years, but i was young and foolish and now i'm full of tears."

PaL, who is glad to be back in New York City, sits down at Lola's grand piano and plays "New York, New York". Ahhhhh, the pure sound of an exquisitely fine-tuned grand piano.

Jack (super Border Collie) had been in the kitchen of Lola's brownstone, helping cook the holiday treats. Now he is comfortably curled up next to the piano.

PaL says "Merry Christmas" to all her friends.