Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 03:28:59 GMT In: alt.startrek.creative From: ASC Awards Title: 2003 ASC Awards Dinner Author: Rocky and Seema E-mail: roq@iname.com, seemag1@yahoo.com Part: NEW 1/8 Rating: PG-13 Codes: Everyone, everything, and including a custom-built teak kitchen sink Archive: ASC and BLTS yes, everyone else please ask. Summary: It's the end of the Awards and now it's time to party like it's Website: http://www.angelfire.com/yt/rockyroad/ , http://seema.org Prologue: 1/8 The large sphere drifts in space, to all appearances utterly devoid of life. Inside however, four blue beams shimmer and coalesce into distinct figures. "What a dump!" Seema says, looking around at the dusty, cavernous room. "This place looks like it hasn't been used in years." Beside her, Sara Goose sneezes and then nods in agreement. "It hasn't," Stephen says. "Remember, this is way out in the middle of the Delphic Expanse." "Nobody's even heard of the Expanse in modern times," Sara says. "Exactly," says Rocky. "This sphere is big, it's available, it's dirt cheap..." "Yeah, lots of dirt," says Seema, running her fingers along one wall. "It's perfect," Rocky continues. "And by the night of the Awards Dinner, it'll be so completely transformed you won't recognize it." "I don't know why we can't just go to Risa," Seema says with a pout. Rocky sighs. "There are some, uh, difficulties with that. You see, a number of our presenters have a 'history' with some of the larger Risian resorts." "You mean they were banned from ever setting foot on the planet again," Stephen says. "Got it." He walks around a bit, pokes into corners, peers into the lids of some old cargo bins marked 'Property of the Xindi-Arboreals: Keep Your Paws to Yourselves!' "This place does have potential, not to mention lots of parking. Who've you got in mind for the food? Celestial Caterers again?" Rocky nods. "They'll handle the bar commissions as well." "I thought the Ferengi were doing that," Seema says. "Are you kidding?" Rocky says. "Don't you remember how badly we got ripped off at Deep Space Nine? We've got a budget, you know." "I know," says Stephen with a grimace. "We never did get our security deposit back last year." "That wasn't my fault," Seema says immediately. Sara looks defensive. "Hey, I did my best, but you have to admit, there wasn't much I could do. The list of damages was pretty extensive--" "That's another advantage to using a Sphere for the dinner and post-awards party," Rocky points out. "No security deposit!" Stephen claps his hands together. "Sold!" He turns to Seema and Sara. "I guess you can go ahead and have the invitations printed. And Rocky, you'd better make sure this place is ready on time." "Just leave everything to me," Rocky says. *** The big night has finally arrived. A large stage has been erected on the floor; tiered seats rise up on three sides. The dust and dirt are gone; every surface gleams as brightly as if dipped in Argelian pixie dust. Backstage, chaos reigns, but it's controlled chaos. A troop of scantily-clad dancers, clad primarily in sequins and feathers, scurry by. The musicians in the orchestra pit are warming up. Strains of "Beyond Antares" compete with the sound of hurrying footsteps, babbling voices, and sharply barked commands. "The opening number starts in five minutes," Rocky says, consulting her data PADD. "Where's our Master of Ceremonies?" She nods as a tuxedo-clad man waves from the corner. "I thought we were getting Billy Crystal," Seema says, tugging on her tight satin gown. "Billy begged off, says he's still recovering from the Oscars," Rocky says briefly. "But I think it's really because he didn't want to do another medley. OK, first presenters? Raise your hands so I can see you." She checks them off, then turns to a gofer. "Where's Scotty, by the way? Don't tell me he's still in the Hospitality Holosuite!" "No, I rousted him out of there a good twenty minutes ago," Sara puts in, giving her hair one final pat. "Then where is he?" "I saw him off with Geordi La Forge and Trip Tucker, inspecting the antigrav installations," Stephen says as he approaches. "He was mumbling something about, 'All these years, I've been saying I cannae change the laws of physics!' I think he's very impressed with this place. Maybe a little *too* impressed." Rocky groans. "The last thing we need is for him to start fooling around with the controls. Somebody get him out of there, fast!" She bends over her PADD again, mumbling to herself. "Security, check. Medical staff...everything's under control." "Uh, Rocky," says Seema hesitantly. "Where did you get that phaser rifle?" Rocky pats Big Betsey, which is slung on her back. "Oh, this thing? Captain Janeway lent it to me." "Why?" "To ensure there are no problems." "Okaaay. Just asking." "Right." Rocky glances at the large overhead chronometer and yells, "Places, everybody! It's show time!" *** -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Awards Tech Support http://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/commenting/ No Tribbles were harmed in the running of these Awards ASCL is a stories-only list, no discussion. Comments and feedback should be directed to alt.startrek .creative or directly to the author. Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCL/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: ASCL-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ From ???@??? Sun Apr 25 00:37:00 2004 X-Persona: Status: U Return-Path: Received: from n16.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.71]) by bunting (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1bhBjw42s3NZFmR0 for ; Sat, 24 Apr 2004 21:32:21 -0700 (PDT) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-13490-1082867541-stephenbratliffasc=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yah