Blissfully unaware of the siege that Fredrick "Freddie the Shark" Parker and his men have begun at the jail in hopes of freeing his son Daniel, everyone was gathering for the Labor Day Picnic.
Mayor Pro Tem Samantha Twist took a quick peek out from behind the curtain of the outdoor stage and whispered to her wife, "Despite the were alert, it looks like we've got a good crowd."
"Well, most people know the Code W isn't your fault honey," replied Frances, while hugging her mate.
"Mom, I'm sorry I acted like a jackass earlier," admitted their son Ben, standing next to his boyfriend Alex Ramsey. "I know you're doing the best you can in a bad situation."
"Thanks honey," said Samantha, before giving Ben a quick hug.
"So, when do the fireworks start?" asked Frances, knowing what was on the agenda for this morning.
"I make my announcements, welcoming everyone here, etc, etc. Then I'm sure Jack Crawford will try to upstage me with his wife's announcement about running for mayor," answered Samantha.
"And we're ready for her," announced Lance Knight, as he walked up to the Twists while holding his wife's hand. Since most weres had excellent hearing, everyone was keeping their voices low, just in case. "Ella's already near the front of the stage, and there's a man I trust at the rear projection unit behind the background curtain ready to show our physical evidence. It's just a matter of formally asking our would be candidate some very pointed questions so we can include any responses she has before we run the expose tomorrow."
"Lance told me what you guys have planned on the way over here," said Lila Carpenter-Knight. "I just can't believe the nerve of some people. But even if Kenya Adaeze-Crawford pulls out after this embarrassment, are you still unopposed?"
"At the moment, yes. Kenya hasn't done so yet, because that would have spoiled their surprise announcement here; but the filing deadline's close of business at the Town Hall tomorrow, so it remains to be seen," admitted Samantha, spotting some familiar faces in the crowd.
"Well, I wish you well," said Lila, giving Samantha a quick hug.
"By the way, where's your brother?" Frances asked Lance, referring to her patient Benton Knight.
"He said he'd be nearby, but thought it best not to be anywhere near the stage so as not to tip the Crawfords that something might be up," answered Lance.
"Where do you want to set our stuff up?" asked William Anderson, carrying most of their outdoor equipment while standing next to his wife.
"We can find a spot later. Besides, I still don't know if we're going to see any of the Knights or Lawsons here besides Frieda and Spencer," replied Martha. "But we promised Samantha we'd watch the opening announcements, so standing here is just as good a spot as any."
"Okay. But between our... workout overnight, and not having much time for breakfast this morning, don't be surprised if I get tempted and raid this delicious pic-a-nic basket you packed," said William, doing his best attempt at a Yogi Bear imitation.
"You do and you won't get any honey for at least a week," Martha whispered in his ear, as Samantha started walking across the stage to the microphone set up in the center of the platform, facing the crowd.
"Hello, and welcome to Moon Lake's annual Labor Day Picnic," began the Mayor Pro Tem, after the cheers (and a few jeers) ended. "First of all, I understand that many of you are disappointed that, due to the water situation, I was forced to issue a Code W alert that has been in effect since Friday. I just wanted to thank everyone for their cooperation in this matter and as a special announcement, once I can officially rescind that Code W, we will be having a MAKE UP picnic on the first viable Saturday, complete with fireworks and everything else the good citizens of Moon Lake expected today!"
That announcement brought smiles and cheers from everyone in the crowd, for many weres were hoping to enjoy a day in the sun in their fursonas, but the Code W canceled those plans.
"Dang, I wasn't expecting that," complained Jack Crawford, backstage, but on the opposite side of the platform from the Twists and Knights.
"Does it matter?" asked his wife Kenya, while snuggling up next to him. "We're going to win anyway. Besides, the sooner I make my announcement and get this over with, the sooner we can find some place private so you can fuck the hell out of me!" she added, reaching out to squeeze the cock in his pants.
Damn! Her heat cycle's really picking up. Even if we can't get furry, I may have to find a secluded tree or something and take the edge off of Kenya before we get back to her place, Crawford complained to himself.
"Now then, before I turn the stage over to our first group of the day," said Samantha, as the musicians that play The Were Club on Friday and Saturday nights started to come out from the Twists/Knights' side of the stage, "I've been informed that someone else wanted to make an announcement," she added, acting like she was unaware of what they had planned as the Crawfords walked out onto the stage.
"Showtime," Benton Knight whispered to his wife Amanda, as they watched from behind a vendor's booth near the stage.