Gary, of course, thought I'd lost my mind going shopping when it was already past 10pm. He was having no part of going to town this time of night. It was OK because I was totally happy to go alone. It was a beautiful evening and I sometimes enjoy the calm of being alone.
It's almost midnight and all I had done so far was talk to friends I met in the store. I did a little looking while talking, but didn't buy a thing. I did enjoy seeing and visiting with old friends though better than anything I could buy in the store.
As much time as I spend downtown this time of year, I still never get to enjoy the mannequins, so on the way to K-mart, I decided to go and see spend some time with the Dickens "people". The sky was illuminated with sparkling bright stars and a huge glowing full moon. I decided to park in the 6th Street Park 'n Shop lot and walk the two blocks to the courthouse so I could see all the people on the way. Even though the courthouse lights had long since been turned off, the courtyard was still beautiful and it was nice to just sit there on a bench and enjoy.
As I rounded the building at the corner of the parking lot and downtown came into full view, it looked suspiciously eerie but beautiful at the same time. I thought to myself as I looked at the empty streets, the reflection on the buildings coming from the quaint looking new street lamps, Gary was right, I had lost my mind. What sane woman would be downtown, even in Cambridge, this time of night alone? I swallowed the lump in my throat and walked on. As I neared the Dickens Welcome Center, I could tell that the door was ajar, whoever closed up that night, must not have gotten the door secure. It is hard to open or lock. I had my key with me, so I crossed the street to go and lock it. As I got up to the door, I noticed that Charles Dickens was not seated at his desk in the window, but I decided the volunteers must have started cleaning for the end of the season. I stepped inside the door to see what had been done, and noticed the Donna and the Bobby were also missing. "Hmmm, this is very strange", I thought. Wonder where they were, surely not back at their summer home at Edge Tech. Oh, well, I needed to do this and get back home.
I stepped out on to the street and I could not believe what I saw! I rubbed my eyes and shook my head, but nothing changed. There was the Bobby and the Donna mannequins, or someone dressed like them, walking up the street. As they passed one of the Dickens scenes, they reached out and touched them and when they did the mannequins magically stepped off their platforms. Wow! I swear this is what happened, and I had not been into any Christmas cheer! Surely my brain had taken leave of it's senses. I wanted to get closer where I wouldn't miss what was happening, so I hurried up the alley behind PNC Bank and through their drive through and crouched down in the darkness of the building and watched. I stooped down and stayed close to the building so the mannequins could not see me. Oh Lord, did I just say that?
As the Dickens "people" stepped off their platforms, they walked to the courthouse lawn where the violinist was playing and the carolers were singing, while all the others were dancing a beautiful waltz, just like at the Fezziwig Ball. Surely I must be dreaming, but truly, I was not! OMG what should I do? I was too curious to leave, but what if one of them should see me, and where was Charles Dickens.
What an amazing fantasy unfolded before my eyes. As the merriment continued on the courthouse lawn, the Bobby and the Donna continued up the street awakening the statues. They all filed in line down to the Courthouse Lawn, when they arrived, they all began singing or dancing or just sitting on a bench enjoying the beautiful evening as I was. Even dog from the mail box was howling the old Christmas songs in tune.
There wee a couple newsmen, one local and one from the capital city, a photographer, and other local celebrities, all of them having such a wonderful time. Goodness, I just got enough light to see my watch and it's going on 2am. I left my cell phone in the car; I wonder if Gary has been calling worried about me?
As the end of the mannequins arrived on the Courthouse Lawn, there suddenly was a great bright light that shined upon the upstairs window of the US Bank Building....Lo and Behold, there was Charles Dickens dancing a beautiful waltz with the Queen. What a show!
I have no idea how long this festive event will continue on, and I can not come out and be seen. I am getting very tired and don't know if I can stay awake much longer.
"Yes, yes, what," I said sleepily, what is it? By this time I was freezing cold. I looked up, and this had to be a dream, it was Charles Dickens telling me it was time to go home, the show was over! My mouth dropped to the ground about, and I was speechless! He said to me, "You should go home now, my friend. I hope you enjoyed your evening with us"! Really! The Charles Dickens mannequin talking to me! Now I know I've lost my mind... This night is too good to keep to myself, but if I tell it will it end or will my family commit me to a Psych ward somewhere and lock me up for good!
No, I was not dreaming and I want others to know what I experienced. But they also have to know, that I was so very privileged to be there and for the Dickens People to continue with their plans while I was there, because even though I thought I was hidden, I was not. They knew I was there.
I am so so tired, I know Gary will not believe this and I have only a few friends who will. Do you???
You KNOW I do! Great story Betty!
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