Seven Party Summit

As you know, there is currently a dilemma.  Since Locke, Mountbatten, Albert, the Sandhill Crane, and the Flamboyant Flamingo now refuse to join me on my journey to the States, I decided to get Mom involved.  Sure, some of you think I'm pansying out here, but I'm not.  I'm merely calling in a super-power to resolve this crisis, once and for all.  Just think of us as Europe and Mom as the United States.  Or, just think of us as the Balkans and well......... Mom as the United States.  Or, I guess we could be Europe again and.................. Mom as the United States.  Now, all of you historically minded folks might wonder where the USS of R factors into all of this and metaphorically who that might be.  Well, don't get technical.  Besides, the USS of R is now defunct.

So, our Seven-Party Summit to resolve this crisis included my five buddies, Mom, and me.  We convened our meeting at 0800 at the train in my room.  And, it didn't take long for the super-power to make a unilateral decision.   It took two seconds.  Mom just said, "Locke, you're going."

All of my furry friends hadn't even finished sipping their water in those nice, conference-style water glasses.  They hadn't even finished off their complementary donuts or engaged in the typical pre-meeting small-talk.  Their pens and legal pads were still in their briefcases and pockets. 

In fact, Locke nearly choked on his donut.  Poor guy.

So, was the decision arbitrary?  No, not at all. 

None of us had ever realized this, but my dear Locke has never been to the States.  He never made this a point in our discussions.  Pete, the Sandhill Crane, the Flamboyant Flamingo, Mountbatten, and Albert were with me in Vegas.  Albert went with me to Texas over Christmas. 

Wow, surprise, surprise, a logical solution to my problem!  Shoot.

And, though Locke didn't ever admit that he was afraid of the whole lost luggage issue, I could tell he was a little concerned.  To assuage this fear, Mom promised that he'd ride "carry-on." 

So, that's that.  Locke's going with me.  Mountbatten has to go.  Like I said before, he rides "shotgun."  It's a given.  He never knew that.  

Mom promised to stock the freezer with plenty of Albert's, the Flamingo's, Pete's and the Sandhill Crane's treats.  She's leaving them some spending money.  They're not allowed to have any parties at the house.  And, they have to take the garbage out everyday. 

I told them that they're not allowed to trash my room, and the Flamingo is not allowed to have any of his guests come over.  He has some weird, hippy friends.