h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*Madame President arrives with a very long to do list and an assortment of helpers. She glances at her crew and sighs.*

There is plenty of time to get things ready - as long as you do your jobs and we don't have any of the regular foul-ups.

Feathersham!

Present!

Take Edgar with you and start bringing tables and chairs outside. They are stored in that large closet off of the main ballroom. There are several table trolleys there to use to move them.

On my way. Glad to be of assistance. Pity Pettigrew isn't back in time to help.

Come along Edgar.

*The King arrives complete with royal hoover any cleaning needing doing?

Coming.

When you need a helping hand
Your wish is my command
Be it night or be it day
You can count on me to stay

Excellent timing, Your Majesty. Could you perhaps work out a pleasing arrangement for the tables? Not too close together, but not too far apart.

With your permission, I'll see to polishing the tea service. =)

What do you want me to do, Hyp?

Lovely, Acetegan. Thank you.

Jacque, dear, you are in charge of table linens. You will find them in the smaller linen cupboard near the main dining room.

Houndstooth and I are off to the kitchen, then. We have a lot of tea cakes and sandwiches to make. No time to waste.

*begins arranging the tables and gives a quick hoover underneath

croquet is to be played on the table, because tea is being served on the croquet lawn just now

Wolfgang, my mouth is already drooling in anticipation. Please tell me you are going to fix some of those fabulous crab and ginger triangles you made for the inauguration ball. And maybe some raspberry eclairs.

*Locates the fluffy cleaning cloths and starts on the polishing, then*

=)

Your wish is my command, Madame.

When Leo arrives, we will put her in charge of place settings.

Speaking of croquet, I am sorry you all missed the croquet matches played last summer at the Presidential Meet in the Ozarks. You'll have to ask Bagpuss about the chicken hat.

Matt will be in charge of actually securing an Italic for the party.

*looks at her day planner......three meetings today, the last should finish at 2:30am GMT....that gives me enough time to get back to Alabaster House to oversee last minute details and get all gussied up.*

What does one wear to greet an Italic, anyway? Do I need my tiara?

Well... I was* planning on wearing my tiara

There is no reason for both of us to wear our tiaras. I'll wear a nice summer hat, instead,