1. A new attraction is coming:

Bright and early Saturday morning, Catherine brings in the morning paper. She casually discards it on the table, not bothering to check out the morning’s headlines. She then proceeds to make breakfast for herself and Lindsey.

When Lindsey gets up, she goes right for the comics section of the paper, however, before she reaches the comics, the headline on the Entertainment section catches her eye. It’s about a new attraction coming to the Las Vegas strip. Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be a big deal, but a large picture of a castle, and a King and a Princess standing in front accompanies the headline. This is enough to capture Lindsey’s attention, and she proceeds to read the article:

“Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament to be next attraction on the Strip!”

The journey back to the 11th century begins as King Alfonso and his daughter, Princess Esperanza, greet visitors. Guests receive a colored crown corresponding to their seating area and the Knight they will cheer throughout the show. The Master of Ceremonies soon orders the Trumpeters of the Realm to announce the opening of the Grand Ceremonial Arena. Guests proceed to their color-coded pavilion as the sumptuous feast begins.

The Feast
With clockwork precision, legions of serving wenches and serfs deliver four courses to hungry guests in minutes. The meal begins with savory garlic bread and a steaming hot vegetable soup ladled into pewter bowls: then come roasted chicken, spare rib, a seasoned potato and pastry of the Castle. Two rounds of beverages are included with the feast. Cash bar service is also available throughout the show. To the special delight of the guests, the feast is served "medieval style" - without silverware, but with plenty of extra napkins.

Tournament of Skill
While the sumptuous feast is being served, the legend of a kingdom threatened by treachery but intimately strengthened by courage unfolds in the Grand Ceremonial Arena.

The show has all the lance-splintering action and glorious pageantry guests look forward to with a whole new element - a Princess's love for a handsome, gallant Knight - and a riveting confrontation between a turncoat warrior and a surprise defender of the crown.

Competition is heated as the six brave Knights of the Realm vie in a colorful tournament for the lead in the flag toss, ring pierce and javelin thrown - games of skill designed to hone a Knight's abilities in battle.

Lances Splinter, Broadswords Clash

When the last game of skill has been won, Squires prepare the Grand Ceremonial Arena for the Joust. As trumpets sound, Knights in full armor astride magnificent Andalusians charge at each other brandishing 10-foot lances, intent on unseating their opponents. Once unhorsed, the Knights continue their battles on foot employing all the authentic weaponry of the medieval era - the sword, axe, mace and bola - in their quest for victory.

In a shower of sparks, the cacophony of metal against metal and the deadly glint of whirling bola, all contenders eventually fall until only one brave Knight is left sanding to claim the title of New Champion. But deadly treachery in the King's trusted inner circle must first be quelled.

Honor is Restored!

As the plot unfolds with shocking twists and turns, truth, honor and love eventually triumph over evil and peace is restored to the kingdom. An unexpected event in the final minutes of the show brings guests to their feet in a deafening wave of thunderous cheers. All the Knights return to the Arena for a final rousing salute to the crowd of more than 1,000 noble guests.

The Knight Club

After a legendary show, the adventure continues for guests who visit The Knight Club. With full bar service, lively music and a dance floor, it's the place where Knights and Royalty greet guests, sign autographs and pose for pictures. Authentic suits of armor, exquisitely detailed etched swords and shields and medieval murals and banners line the walls.”

2. Lindsey is relentless

“Ooh! Mom! Have you read this? Can we go? Huh, can we??” Lindsey excitedly exclaims, waving the paper wildly in her hands.

“Let me see it, Linds. And get down off that chair!” Catherine scolds her daughter for jumping on the chair, and takes the paper from her hands and reads the article for herself.

“Linds, this thing doesn’t open for 6 months! Ask me when its closer to the opening.”

“But you’ll forget by then, and you’ll tell me no.” Lindsey whines, like the 13 year old that she is…

“I promise I won’t forget. But I’ll make you a deal. Put the paper on the fridge, and you can remind me once a week, until the tickets go on sale. And you can check the paper every Saturday, to see if there are any updates. Since you want to go so bad, I’m going to make it your responsibility to take charge, and keep me posted.” Catherine lays out the guidelines, trying to appease her daughter, all the while, not having to listen to constant chatter for the next 6 months.

“Now, go get cleaned up and ready to go. Uncle Gil will be here any time, and we can’t keep him waiting…” Catherine ushers her daughter towards her room, and heads off herself, to finish getting ready.

3. Catherine invites Gil to join them at the MT Premiere:

It’s a long night at work, and Catherine sits in her office doing paperwork. As she reaches the bottom of the pile, she notices a little note on her calendar. It’s a reminder to make reservations for the opening of Medieval Times. How could she have possibly forgotten? Lindsey had been true to their deal, and every week for the past 4 months, she had reminded her mother about the upcoming premiere of the new attraction. There was no way she could have forgotten, even if she wanted to.

Looking at the note, she decides she’ll invite Gil along for the show. Their relationship is slowly progressing, and she decides that this would be fun for all three of them.

She leaves her office in search of Gil. The first place she tries, is his office. And she’s in luck! Like her, he is sitting at his desk, engrossed in the pile of paperwork that covers his desk. She walks in and closes the door behind her.

When she plops down in the chair across from his desk, he glances up and smiles. He takes off his glasses, and rubs the bridge of his nose, then leans back in his chair and waits for her to start the converstation.

“Hey Gil, what are you doing September 24th? Got any plans yet?” Cath asks him with a sparkle in her eye.

“Why, what’s September 24th?” He asks, eyeing her curiously.

“Well, there’s that new place, Medieval Times opening that night, and Lindsey has done nothing but hassle me about going since she saw the article on it 4 months ago. Tickets go on sale soon, and I thought you might like to join us?” She questions, tilting her head to one side and looking at him.

4. Gil has an idea:

“Hmmm, let me see…” Gil shuffles the papers around on his desk, and glances down at his calendar, that he rarely sees. September 23rd was marked with a big heart around it, indicating his and Catherine’s one-year anniversary since they had started dating. There is nothing noted on the 24th. When he notices this, and realizes he has yet to make plans for their anniversary, he gets an idea.

“I’m sorry, Cath, but it looks like that’s the weekend of my Entomology conference in New Mexico. I’d love to go, though. You guys go and have a good time, and if it’s worth it, we’ll go again sometime when I get back.” He can see the disappointment in her eyes; however, he knows that the plan he’s working on will make it disappear.

She gets up from her chair, heading back to her office, to finish her paperwork, and make the reservations. She tosses an ‘I love you’ over her shoulder on her way out.

As soon as she’s out of his office, Gil picks up the phone and makes a few once he’s finished, he sits back with a big grin on his face. He has a lot to do in the next 2 months…

tbc...