(See disclaimers and archive permission in part 1)

 Lucien LaCroix's Zipadeedoodah Day...Er...Night (2/?)
 by Christy Stillman


     They stood at the foot of Main Street looking toward the castle, crowds
 hustling and bustling around them.  The writer, ever-present Mickey ears
 clamped tight on her head, with an ear-to-ear grin.  The vampire, barely
 suppressing his killing instinct, with a patented sneer twisting his lip.

     "All right!  We're here!" cried the be-eared one.  She looked LaCroix up
 and down critically.  "You know, you seem a little out of place."  She
 circled him, carefully considering what should be done, then perked up
 visibly.  "I KNOW!  We'll get you some Mickey ears!"

     "NO!" LaCroix growled, golden flecks showing in his eyes.  "If you
 attempt to force me to wear anything so ridiculous, I will drain that entire
 troop of Girl Scouts headed for Space Mountain!" He pointed in the direction
 of a giggling bunch of 10 year old girls.

     "But, they're black.  They'll go with the outfit."

     Glowering, he turned toward the girls.  A hand fell on his arm.

     "Okay, okay.  I get the picture.  No ears.  Sheesh."  The auburn hair
 bounced as she shook her head.  "Some people are such spoilsports." She
 slipped her arm through the crook of his and smiled her most winning smile. 
 "Well, since we're here, we might as well go on a few rides."

     An eyebrow raised speculatively.  "Rides?  I think not."

     "Oh, come on.  It'll be fun.  Pleeeaasse?"  She lifted pleading eyes to
 meet his.

     "You're really very lucky that I haven't already killed you, you know."

     "Yes, I know," she agreed.  "Now can we go ride Haunted Mansion? It's my
 favorite."

     LaCroix heaved a sigh.  "Very well.  If it will speed this story to its
 conclusion, let us go immediately."  He allowed her to lead him to the left
 of the castle.

     "Howling dogs in the soundtrack?  How droll..." LaCroix commented.

     "Yeah," replied the author with a big grin.  "Just like one of those
 goofy old horror flicks.  C'mon, don't you want to read the headstones?"

     "I'm reeling with anticipation..."

 15 MINUTES LATER:

     "You know, Lucien, you didn't HAVE to scare that little boy like that."

     "He's lucky I didn't have him as an appetizer.  Look at my Armani!" He
 gestured toward the sticky spot where a bit of lollipop still clung
 tenaciously. "Besides," he grinned ferally, "what good is a haunted house if
 no one is properly frightened?"

     Green eyes rolled skyward as the little redhead dragged her favorite
 bloodsucker toward Splash Mountain.

     "Well," she said, vainly attempting to hide a wicked grin, "I know the
 perfect place to wash that out." 

 45 MINUTES LATER (as you can see this is NOT during peak park dates
<G>):

     "You did that on purpose!" exclaimed LaCroix as a drop of water slid off
 the end of his lovely patrician nose.

     "Hey, I don't like being wet any more than you, okay!  I TOLD you we
 didn't want to sit in the front seat, but NO, the GENERAL requires the best
 seat.'"

     "You should have at least warned me about the music."

     "What?  You don't like cute little animals singing about finding their
 laughing place?  Come on!  The fireworks are going to be starting soon! We
 have to get a spot."  She stopped for a moment, then took his arm gently and
 laid her head against it.  "Do you remember the last time we watched the
 fireworks over the castle?"

     "Indeed.  With a great deal of fondness.  We were dry."

     "You're just so bloody romantic, you know that?"

     "Let's just go and get this over with shall we?  Then we can go to the
 hotel room, and you can write another lovely fantasy wherein I make all your
 dreams come true," he smiled down at her.  "Of course, that's considering
 that I don't make a meal of you here and now.  I AM feeling a bit peckish,
 you know."

     "Oh look!  Here's the perfect souvenir of your trip," she quipped,
 holding up a t-shirt.

     "Very funny.  Buy me that Grumpy shirt, and you're the main course."

     "Some people have no sense of humor."

     "Some people aren't people.  Perhaps you need a reminder."  He allowed
 his fangs to drop as he pulled her into his embrace and nuzzled her neck.

     "Touche'" she squeaked.  "Point...er...points taken.  I have an idea! 
 Why don't we do something special for Nick!"

     "Whatever would Nicholas want with some cheap bit of frippery from this
 place?"

     "Just come with me.  There's a great petting zoo at Fort Wilderness."

     "Petting zoo?"

     "Trust me on this one."

 LATER:

     LaCroix looked at the snapshot of himself and Minnie Moo.  In the photo,
 he stood smiling smugly next to the famous cow with black spots in the shape
 of a Mickey icon.  Against the cow's neck he held a sign which said, "Bite
 me."

     "You know," he grinned wickedly down at his short auburn haired
 companion.  "I could come to like this place."

 End Part Two