Part 12 (1/2)
From: Carrie
To: Mama
Sent: Jan. 7, 2001
I don't apologize for it, either! Cynicism bores the h.e.l.l out of me! Thanks, Mama.
Now, guess what? Today I got a chance to do something that I'll bet not too many people in this whole wide world have ever done. I rode in an elevator with five ducks. Yep, that's right.
The Peabody is known for its ”Famous Ducks,” which swim in the fountain in the middle of the lobby daily from eleven a.m. 'til five p.m., when they return to their penthouse apartment on the roof of the building. When the bellman was telling me about them, I got so excited that he asked if I wanted to accompany them. Turns out he's also the duck master, complete with a duck stick. Well naturally I began thinking what on earth does one WEAR to walk around with ducks?
I threw my fuchsia boa on over my outfit and came down to the lobby a few minutes before five. Caitlin, the bellman, had his ”duck stick” at the ready and told me it would be about six more minutes. The lobby was PACKED with people and their cameras waiting to see the daily march of the ducks. The center elevator was open, a red carpet laid out, and steps led down from the fountain. One beautiful mallard and four brown ducks were swimming around in this very nice fountain crowned by a humongous bouquet of exotic flowers.
Really.
At five exactly, the clock in the lobby chimed, and I kid you not, the ducks (all on their own) exited the fountain, stood on the ledge, and shook themselves off. Then some very grand marching music began and a voice announced, ”Ladies and gentlemen, the march of the ducks!” And without any help from the duck stick, the little b.u.g.g.e.rs waddled down the steps from the fountain and paraded down the red carpet. People were taking pictures from all angles, and no lie, the friggin' ducks would look left then right and pose for the cameras! Julia Roberts couldn't have done it better.
Honest, Mama, I'm not kidding! AND I got to walk behind them (like some kind of publicist) and stand in the elevator while everyone got their last snapshots in. The mallard posed one last time, the doors closed, and whammo. It was just us ... chickens. The hotel roof is vast and looks out over the Mississippi and the bridge. The ducks live in a duck-sized replica of the hotel, which includes a smaller version of the fountain, all laid out on AstroTurf. It was all too much. I was laughing the whole time.
I can't believe it's already nine-thirty. I should get some food in me and try to relax. I'm so excited, but I really don't want to go out tonight. I've already written several more pages, and I'd like to add a few more before I send them off to you.
GRACELAND tomorrow! Wow. I'll bid you adieu for now and I hope you're doing fine. I love you. You know that, don't you?
C
From: Mama
To: Carrie
Sent: Jan. 7, 2001
I'm having a swell time picturing you in your boa strutting alongside Donald and Daffy!
From: Carrie