Walter was running around like a chicken with his head cut off. It was Marta's evening off, a supper crowd had come in early, he had a few people at the desk waiting to check in and out, and it wasn't time for Ted to close the bank yet. Walter made a wild dash back to the kitchen almost tipping over chairs as he ran.

He grabbed the turkey out of the oven and almost dropped it on the floor. He had forgotten to grab some towels and the pan was too hot for his hands, but his aim was good as he tossed it on the counter. He was just in time, too. Any longer and it would have been Cajun turkey, like Jacy called it, for the special of the evening.

Walter went back into the dining room, and as he glanced at the front desk he saw Ted entering. He told his customers that he would be right with them, and quickly he went to Ted. "Ted you're early, but I'm glad. I need you."

"Yeah, I saw all those people coming in here, so I shut down the bank early, and I got right over here. I'll go and get to work in the kitchen." Ted said as he headed for the kitchen.

Upon leaving her room, Marta heard the commotion downstairs. She quickened her pace and as she was coming down the stairs, she heard Mr. Simmons telling the gentleman that he would check him in as soon as he could. She saw that Mr. Simmons was going to head back into the dining room were lots of customers were waiting. "Mr. Simmons, I'll take care of the customers. You can get the gentleman checked in." Marta hurried on in to the dining room and took everybody's order, and then she joined Ted in the kitchen to give him a hand.

After the rush hour, Mr. Simmons thanked Ted for all his efforts, and he especially thanked Marta for giving up her evening off to help out. He also told her that she could take the rest of the evening off and also have the next evening off. Marta thanked Mr. Simmons and went up to her room. She had been planning to take an evening ride on Surprise, but now it was dark, and she didn't feel like it. Ted went back to the kitchen to do some work, and Walter went over to the front desk.

Tally came in and walked up to the desk. "Good evening, Mr. Simmons."

"Good evening, Tally. What can I do for you?" Walter asked as Tally leaned against the desk.

"I'm trying to get some of the angels to be escorts. I already have Jacy going to lead the graduates into the barn. I also have Teaspoon and Melissa being escorts, and I'm going to be one of the escorts. I thought you might volunteer to be one."

"I would like to, but I can't. I'm going to have to stay here and run the hotel, so I won't be able to come to the graduation dance." Walter was disappointed about missing it, especially since he had been looking forward to dancing with Desiree, but until he hired some more help he wouldn't be going any where at night. He had even had to pick a room in the hotel for his own. Of course he had picked the big suite for himself for comfort and pleasure. He would stay up all night, except for a few times he had fallen asleep at the desk, checking in customers. Then when Marta came down, he would retire to his bed until eleven, and then come down to help with the lunch crowd.

"I'm sure Desiree won't like that much." Tally stood up thinking about who he could ask next to be an escort.

"I know, but I can't help it." Walter stated.

"Well, I try and find somebody else. Have a good evening." Tally said as he headed for the door.