Tea Time with a Comet - Part I

Posted on Fri Jul 31, 2026 @ 4:18am by Civilian Gertrude Helsing & Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon & Civilian Livia Sagan & Civilian Florence Cooke & Civilian Beatrice Weatherford & Civilian Henrietta Barton

1,371 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Jubilee
Location: Tea Time Studio
Timeline: The arrival of the comet

The Tea Time ladies had been watching the growing crowds and the anticipation build as the comet approached. Each had looked for something they could bring to a special broadcast when the comet finally arrived. And now, it was time.

Gertie found several shops selling special snacks and desserts to celebrate the event. She brought a variety of the best ones for the ladies to enjoy and comment on.

She also invited two guests. Lieutenant Ace Canon from operations who was competing in the Elvis impersonation contest, and Livia Sagan, who was selling comet-watching glasses. The poor girl wasn't doing well and Gertie had taken pity on her. Maybe talking about her wares were drum up some business. Or at least they could talk about what was being done on the station to sell to the tourists.

Livia arrived wearing her comet glasses and wearing a big, winning smile. The petite woman saw the Tea Time show as an opportunity to promote sales and her comet tours. It certainly couldn't hurt her efforts, could it?

Ace, on the other hand, had no idea why he was being invited onto the show. He was not even certain that he wanted to be there. But, heck, if it improved his chances at a win or with the ladies, he could not say no. So, he arrived in his full young Elvis regalia, prepared to sing and dance. He spied Livia and gave her a wink.

Acting shy, Livia gave him a small wave and tiny wave. There's a pigeon if I ever saw him. I'll get him on a tour with me. A little flirting and he'll pay whatever I want.

Ace, for his part considered Livia and thought, Now there's a good time. By noon, she's mine. He put on his best Elvis voice and asked, "Are you lonesome tonight?"

Livia cryptically answered, "We'll see what the day brings before I worry about tonight."

Ace laughed, knowing that Livia was into him and called out, "When are we getting this show on the road? Elvis has to leave the building at some point."

"As soon as the other ladies are ready," Gertie said. "Tea Time is a weekly talk show for station residents. And, since many of them don't know everything that's going on, we bring guests. Livia, I'd like you to talk about the merchants and how they're doing. You can also include what you're selling. Perhaps it will get you a few more customers."

Then Gertie turned to Ace. "And everyone needs to hear about the Elvis impersonators and why they're here. You're welcome to sing, if you want."

Livia told Gertie in a sugary sweet voice, "Aren't you the sweetest thing? I'm ever so grateful that you would allow me to do that. Thank you for having me and supporting my small business." This is just utterly perfect. I got everyone on this station exactly where I want them. Sales will be booming in no time and I can move on to my next entrepreneurial matter. I wonder what my nose will sniff out this time. I'm almost tingling with excitement at the possibilities.

"I honestly don't know why the impersonators are here," Ace told Gertie. "But, it appears to be a convention and a contest, so naturally I had to participate, right?" He gave Gertie a small wink. "Now, if you want me to sing an Elvis song, I certainly can, but not one that I'm going to use at the competition. Can't let the others see my best stuff, can I?"

"Of course not," Gertie assured him. "We'll be happy with anything you want to sing. And our viewers would love to hear what you have to say about the people who have come here for the comet."

"Why would they care what I think about the people here who have come to view the comet? I'm just some ops officer who will sing for the people from time to time."

She was beginning to regret asking him on the show. "I'm not asking you to care. I'm asking you to talk about the Elvis impersonator competition and why you wanted to join it. And to sing a song if you'd like."

"That I can do," Ace replied with a stirring gyration of his Elvis hips.

Livia told Ace, "Save some of that. Can't have you worn out on this show."

A door opened from in the distance then a breathless Henrietta appeared, carrying a plate of pastries, lemon, blueberry and apple tarts. There was a streak of flour upon her cheek.

"Hello, sorry I'm late, got caught up in making the pastries, and lost time." She set down the plate, and looked at the guests who were there.

"Oh hello, my name is Henrietta, well, Ace I have met but. We have a new person." Her eyes looked towards the woman and Ace.

Ace looked at Henrietta, his mind racing. Where did he know her from? Oh, that's right! The marine ball! I was in a right pissy mood that night, too. Well, she seems no worse for the wear. "Marine ball, right?" Ace confirmed. He then said, "This is Livia. She sells stuff, I think."

"I'm here to enchant everyone here with my comet glasses and whatever else that I can offer," Livia answered with a wink. "How can I help you, Henrietta? I think I already know how I can help Ace." She gave Ace a pointed wink, to which Ace gave a small smirk.

"How can you help me? That is an interesting offer. Well, you can help me by having one of the delicious tarts, for starters," Henrietta then asked. "Would anyone like some tea?"

"And yes Ace, at the Marine birthday ball. Hopefully you had an enjoyable evening." Henrietta giving a smile.

Ace's smile left as he thought about the marine ball. He told Henrietta, "It was fine." Continuing after a moment, he said, "Maybe some tea when the show is on the air. Don't want to have to run off if runs through me quickly," he told Henrietta with a self-depreciating laugh.

Livia noticed Ace's smile fade and wondered at it. She told Henrietta, "I'm not sure how that is helping you, but I cannot refuse free." She reached for a tart and inspected it carefully before taking a small nibble.

"Call it a thank you for talking with us and our viewers, " Gertie said cheerfully as she finished setting up.

Florie rushed in still dressed in her "stratospheric diving" suit, helmet under arm. "Sorry Ladies, my "Stratospheric dive" took longer than I thought it would." Look at what Gertie had brought, she said. "Oh, pastries, yum." and grabbed a couple in her gloved hands

"It seems to be too long since we've seen you last." Henrietta responded with a smile. "You're quite active ever since the Marine Ball."

Rising from the chair, Henrietta poured herself some tea, then looked at the others. "Anyone else ready for some tea before we begin?"

Both Ace and Livia simultaneously replied, "I'm good." They looked at each other and laughed.

Gertie already had her cup, and a pastry. "I think we can begin, if you're ready?" She looked around at the others.

Ace turned to Livia and grinned smartly, "I was born ready."

Livia laughed and winked back at him. "Oh, I'm certain that's true."

Beatrice refused to fall victim to the comet hype sweeping the station. While she couldn't blame the merchants taking advantage of the situation, she just wasn't buying into it. After all, even though a relatively rare event in the system, it was just a hunk of rock and ice on a long orbit. Wearing her usual top and scarf, though her starry night scarf could be comet-ish that was as close to comet theming she was going to get.

A post by

Gertrude Helsing
Tea Time Lady
Deep Space 5

Livia Sagan
Merchant of All Varieties
 
Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
Deep Space 5

Henrietta Barton
Tea Time Lady
Deep Space 5

Florence Cooke
Tea Time Lady
Deep Space 5

Beatrice Weatherford
Tea Time Lady
Deep Space 5

 

RSS Feed