"Order up!" Charlie handed Jess the food. Jess walked, holding the tray until Poker stopped her, "Another coffee here lass?"
"Coming right up Poker," Jess poured the coffee in Poker's mug. She's still working hard to get more money in order to buy the place and open up the restaurant for her mom.
"Hey Jessy!" A girl name Jane called.
"Morning Jane, hey everyone," Jess greeted to Jane, Ino, Akane, Lexanis and Pixy.
"We're all going out dancing tonight. Care to join us?" Jane asked.
"No, I got two left feet. Besides I…you need a napkin?" Jess asked, handing the napkin to Tsuki, "I'll be working double shift and…here you are sir," she handed the pancakes to Louie, "You know, so I…"
"You can save the whole restaurant, I know, I know," Jane sighed, "Jessy, all you ever do is work."
"Order up!" Charlie called.
"Maybe next time," Jess grinned and walked off.
"I told you she wouldn't come!" Akane said as Jess heard her and looks upset.
"Are you talking about that restaurant again?" Charlie asked.
"Charlie, your eggs are burning," Jess said.
Charlie laughed, "You ain't never going to get enough for the payment," Charlie said, tossing the eggs.
"I'm getting close," said Jess.
"Yeah, how close?" Charlie asked.
"Where are my flapjacks?" Jess asked.
Charlie laughed, "You're about getting another chance of getting that restaurant as I do of winning that Kentucky derby!" Jess glared at him as she walked away, holding more trays of food and notice that Shukaku entered inside, "Morning Sensei."
"Good morning Jessy-chan," Shukaku greeted, taking a seat.
"Congratulations on being voted king of the Mardi Gras parade," Jess said, handing the pancakes to Noose.
"Caught me completely by surprise for the fifth year in a row," Shukaku laughed, "Now, how about I celebrate with…"
Jess handed him the food, "Onigiri? Got the first batch just waiting for you."
"Well, keep it coming till I pass out," Shukaku said, patting his chest.
Yumi opened the door quickly, "Oh Jessy, did you hear the news? Tell her, oh tell her daddy!"
"Oh yeah, Prince Taro…" Shukaku began to explain.
Yumi interrupted, still excited, "Prince Taro of Chikumo Forest is coming to Tokyo!" she screamed in excitement, "Tell her what you did daddy," she shook the tanuki rapidly, "Tell her!"
"Well, I…" Shukaku said.
"Daddy invited the prince to the masquerade ball tonight," Yumi said, "Tell her what else daddy," Shukaku looked at her, "Go on."
"And he's staying…" Shukaku said.
"And he's staying-!" Shukaku shoved the food in her mouth to stop interrupting and continued, "And he's staying at our house as my personal guest."
"Oh Yumi, that's swell. A little word of advice: my mom always said the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach," Jess said, placing more food. She went up to Shukaku, put some onigiri in his mouth, and patted Shukaku's stomach playfully. Then she continued working.
"That's it!" Yumi yelled.
Shukaku was about to eat some more Onigiri, but Yumi grabbed it, "What just happen?"
Yumi hugged her best friend, "Oh Jessy, you're a mortified genius. I'm an need about five hundred of your man catching onigiri for my ball tonight," Yumi got more money out of Shukaku's wallet and handed it to Jess, "Will this about to cover it?"
"This should cover it just fine Yumi," Jess smiled, "This is it! I'm getting my restaurant!" Jess hugged the money that she has enough to open up her restaurant, just for her mom. Meanwhile, Charlie's jaw dropped as the egg slipped out of his spatula.
"Tonight, my prince is finally coming," Yumi grabbed Shukaku and pushed him outside, "And I'm sure as heck ain't letting him go!" Yumi closed the door. Meanwhile, Concerto sat by the table, holding the menu; he heard the whole thing and grinned evilly at his shadow, which grinned back, planning on phase one.
Later, the twin cats named Worm and Loe removed the sign after Jess paid them to by an abandoned building. "Everything looks perfect Worm and Loe," Jess said.
"We'll have all the paper work ready to sign first thing after Mardi gras," said Loe.
"I'll be one better. Why don't I sign tonight when I see you at Shukaku's masquerade ball tonight?" Jess asked.
"You drive a hard bargin Jess!" Worm called, driving away. Jess smiled, "Table for one?" Jess turned around and saw her Uncle, Arachnea, holding a pot that Jess used when she was little. He still look the same, except with shorter hair and a sex change.
"Ara-kun," Jess smiled.
"Here's a little something that will help you get stared," Ara held up the pot.
"Mom's gumbo pot…" Jess hugged Arachnea, crying a little that Karura passed away.
"I know, I miss her too," Arachnea comforted her as Jess sniffed, "Well now, hurry up and open the door."
Jess grinned and open the door, "Look at it, Ara, doesn't it make you want to cry?"
Ara looked inside and saw that everything is a mess. There are a few holes on the roof, dust everywhere, and cobwebs all over.
"Yes…" Ara replied dryly.
"The made dealers will be right there where you're standing. And over here, a kormaed kitchen and hanging up on the ceiling and big crystal chandelier!" Jess said, excited.
Ara chuckled, "You your mom's daughter alright. She used to go on and on about this old place too. Jessy, I'm sure this place is going to be just wonderful, but it's a shame you're working do hard."
"But how can I let up now when I'm this close?" Jess asked, "I got to make sure all mom's hard work means something."
"Jess," Arachnea placed the pot on the stool, "Your mom may not have got the place she always wanted, but she had something better. She had love and that's all I want from you sweetheart, to meet your prince charming and dance off into you're happily ever after."
Jess: Ara! I don't have time for dancing;
Thats just gunna have to wait a while.
"How long are we talking about here?" Ara asked.
Aint got time for messing around,
And its not my style.
"I want some grand-kids!" said Ara.
Know exactly where I'm going
I'm getting closer and closer everyday!
This old town can slow ya down;
People taking the easy way,
But I
Jess imagined that this place is perfect and everyone enjoyed the restaurant.
I'm crazy,
But I don't care!
Trials and tribulations,
I've had my share
But there ain't nothing gonna stop me now,
Cuz I'm almost there!sure are going my way.
Just doing what I do,
Look out boys I'm coming through!
And I'm almost there...!
I'm almost there
People down here think
I remember mommy told me
Fairy tales can come true,
But you gotta make them happen,
It all depends on you!
So I worked real hard each and everyday,
Now things for
And I'm almost there...!
I'm almost there.
People gonna come here from everywhere
And I'm almost there...!
I'm almost there.
Jess slid down the stair rail and swipe the cherry. She quickly wipe the jelly off of Tsuki's face as everything is chaning back to normal.
Almost there.
I'm al-most- there...!
There's been trials and tribulations,
I know I've had my share.
But I've climbed a mountain I've crossed a river,
And I'm almost there...!
Jess and Ara left the place as Jess closed the door, when the stair rail broke.
