Millie patted her arm. “I could think of worse obsessions, but I must admit this one is a little concerning.”
“It won’t happen again,” Liz promised.
Millie’s activity app chimed. “I need to get going.”
“Let me change.” Gloria hurried off, returning in record time wearing a different blouse, this one lightweight and with short sleeves. “I’m ready to hit the deck.”
“Dot, Margaret and Ruth are playing trivia,” Liz moped. “Seeing how you two put a kibosh on my private event, I might as well join them. What are we doing tomorrow?”
“We have a beach day in Grand Turk,” Millie said. “It’s one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean.”
“Nothing but sun, sand and relaxation,” Gloria said. “But first, we have an Unsinkable Melodies show to get ready for.”
*****
“I’m not so sure about this.” Lucy nervously pulled back the theater curtain and peered out into the crowd. “The place is packed.”
“The more the merrier,” Gloria quipped.
“Easy for you to say,” Margaret said. “You’re not the one going on stage.”
Millie counted heads. “Where is Ruth and Liz?”
“I sent Ruth to our cabin to get Liz. She was primping and preening, changing her outfit half a dozen times,” Gloria said.
“She had better hurry.” Millie spied a familiar figure climbing the steps. Donovan, the improv host, had arrived.
She introduced him to the participants, including two other teams she’d selected earlier during a round of elimination. “We’re waiting on my cousin Liz and friend Ruth.”
“I have to admit, I’m looking forward to this twist on improv,” Donovan said.
“How exactly will it work?” Lucy asked.
“I see Liz and Ruth coming now.” Millie waved them down. “Donovan can explain it to everyone at once.”
“Sorry we’re late.” Ruth jabbed a finger at Liz. “We had one more dress change before Liz was satisfied.”
“Do you think this is too tight?” She tugged at the form-fitting sequined party dress.
“It’s perfect,” Millie said. “Donovan is ready to explain how the improv will work.”
He gave the contestants a quick rundown. “Each of the teams will take turns, making up a little ditty using the prompts I give you, all centered around cruising.”
A contestant, one of the women, hesitantly lifted her hand. “How long will we have to come up with our part?”
“It’s done on the fly in only a few minutes. You’ll have to think on your feet…literally,” Donovan said.
“The sillier the better,” Millie added.
Gloria rubbed the sides of her arms. “This is gonna be a hoot.”
“If this improv show turns out to be half as entertaining as I think it will, we have a hit on our hands.”
Chapter 23
“Welcome to our very first Unsinkable Melodies,” Millie cheerfully greeted the audience. “Karaoke improv among cruising friends at its finest. Without further ado, I turn the show over to Donovan Sweeney, Siren of the Seas’ purser and improv extraordinaire.”
A polite round of applause ensued. Millie and Donovan passed each other exiting and entering the stage. He welcomed the crowd and gave a brief explanation before introducing the musicians.
