Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, Princess Ruby, exiled heir to the throne of the lost magical kingdom of Neshaminy, was walking down Market Street.

"What the hell?" she though to herself. "I see the street, but there's no market here."

As if sumoned by her thoughts, Jimmy Too Late turned the corner onto Market, pushing his cart of goodies.

"For once, sir, you are right on time," Princess Ruby announced.

"Sugarpine, sugarpine, Yes indeed I'm feelin, fine..." sang the pedler. "What is her highness in the mood for?"

Princess Ruby raised the royal fist of fury, and carefully pointed it away from the peddler.

"When I lost my scepter, I realized that there is no glimmer in the royal fist of fury."

She shook it once to show Jimmy.

"Hmmm. You're right, Princess, there ain't no shine in your shakin'. I have just the thing."

The Peddler's quick hands pulled a silver spoon from the pile of trinkets in his cart. He waved it back and forth in front of the princess twice, then reached up to her furious fist. In a flash, the spoon became a bracelet around the princess' wrist.

The Princess yelled "Spoon!!!" then shook her furious fist. Her new bracelet lit up the sky like fireworks.

The peddler picked up his cart and started his way down Market Street again.

"Sugarpine, sugarpine, the marmots dance while the chipmunks whine..." his song continued. "Mind now, your highness, that if the royal fist is ready to shake, the royal boots may need to be ready to kick. I reckon Bobby Boot-Black might help you out."

The peddler nodded across the street to the shoe-shine booth, then continued on his way.