Pete: Oh, hi Daisy! You look pretty happy today...any particular reason?
Daisy (dreamily): Why, as a matter of fact, there is, Pete! I went out to dinner last night.
Pete: Good for you! I'm glad you're getting out and about again; we were all kind of worried about you when your plans for this summer...
Daisy (interrupting hurriedly): Yes, well, never mind about that! I haven't really had any time to myself, what with my son, my new job on the side, and...well, other things. I finally realized that I needed a break, and did something fun for a change.
Pete: Dinner, eh? With the ladies from your club? I remember you telling me you were planning on trying out that new restaurant that Chef Pierre opened up; you must have enjoyed it quite a bit!
Daisy (sparkling at him): I did, Pete...but not with the ladies; I had a separate date.
Pete: Oh? (He shows a small frown.) Well, I'm glad you and your friend had a good time there. And the food? I bet she was bowled over by Chef Pierre's "Souffle à la Strasbourg"; I hear it really takes the cake!
Daisy (chuckling): Why Pete, your jokes are getting better; I have hopes for you yet! But, no...we didn't try the souffle, so I can't exactly say he was bowled over; we tried a "cakewalk" instead.
Pete (grinning back): You're going to make a cake of yourself if you keep... (Pete suddenly realizes what Daisy just said.) Did you say "he?"
Daisy (with satisfaction): Yes, Pete, I did. I, Daisy Morris, inveterate man-hater and self-styled Woman of the Twenty-First Century, had a date last night, Peter...a REAL date!
Pete: I see.... (He deepens the frown.) You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend.
Daisy: Well, I DON'T have a boyfriend, Pete! After the last disaster, I swore never to allow myself to get into a romantic entanglement again, and I've stood by that! But...a girl does get a bit lonely every now and then, and...well, my date IS quite easy on the eyes, a brilliant conversationalist, a talented musician, an excellent dancer...
Pete (scowling): You danced with him?
Daisy (becoming somewhat annoyed): Yes, Pete, I danced with him! What's wrong with that? Never mind; what I should be asking is, what's wrong with YOU?? You look like somebody just stole something from you...if I've a mind to go out once in a while and enjoy myself, I've a perfect right to, you know!
Pete (tightly): Oh, I know! I know! It's just that...well, I don't want to see you get hurt again. Who IS this paragon of manhood, anyway?
Daisy (airily): Oh, just an old friend; I've known him a long time.
Pete: How long?
Daisy (irritated): Long enough! Listen, Pete, if you don't mind...I don't think it's any of your business what I do and who I do it with outside of the studio! I'm not a little girl, even though you all keep insisting on treating me like one! I don't have to stay at home with the dog every evening, I have a life! (A pause. Then, sighing...) I'm sorry, Pete, I didn't mean to say it that way. I've just been frustrated lately, because every thing I do seems to land me in some sort of muddle, and each time, somebody else has to help bail me out of it! A grown woman should be able to handle these things with poise and sophistication, but...somehow, with me it just doesn't work that way; I guess some kids never really grow up, do they? Speaking of children, where's our guest? Has she arrived yet?
Pete: No, but...they should be here within the hour. Her chaperone called a little while ago from Saint John.
Daisy: Oh good! It won't be much longer then; I'll start getting things ready. You've probably been worrying about her too; no wonder you're kind of edgy this morning! She'll be fine, Pete; you don't need to concern yourself about our little guest...I won't keep her too long; she can go home again with her family today. Now, please, Pete...don't worry about her anymore, okay? I'll see you after the interview. (She exits the room.)
Pete (morosely): She's not the one I'm worried about...
(Later, in the studio...)
Daisy: Good morning everyone! I hope you're all enjoying the fine weather we've been having lately; spring is officially here! And so is our guest today, all the way from the King family farm in Avonlea! Miss Cecily King; Cecily, we're very glad you could be here today!
Cecily King (shyly): Um, thank you, Ms. Daisy. (Then, leaning forward, sotto voce...) Mother said I wasn't to exert myself too much; I'm still recovering from that relapse.
Daisy (whispering back): Yes, yes, I know...we're all very pleased to see you looking so well; we won't keep you here any longer than we have to... (Louder...) Now, Miss Cecily, we're going to talk to you today about Gus, and the family...as you may recall, Felix was awfully excited when his birthday came around one year; went to see Gus at the White Sands to brag about it, in fact.
CK: Yes, ma'am...
Daisy: Er, Cecily...you needn't call me ma'am...Ms. Daisy will do quite nicely, thank you! And...we aren't in the schoolroom, so please, don't hesitate to speak your mind freely. I promise you, I don't bite!
CK: Yes, ma'am...I mean, Ms. Daisy.
Daisy (sighing): Hmmm...alright; Gus and Felix, at the White Sands. Do you remember Felix going over there?
CK: Yes ma'...Ms. Daisy. He was excited because he wanted a new rifle for his birthday. I remember it was really cold.
Daisy: Er...yes, it WAS cold, actually. If I recall, you had an exceptionally early snowfall that autumn, but...in any case, getting back to the White Sands; Gus had some plans of his own, and wasn't terribly interested in what Felix had to say.
CK: He wanted to see Felicity, and Felix made him late.
(A pause.)
Daisy (prompting): Yes, and HOW did he make Gus late, Cecily?
CK (frowning): He...ah...oh! He knocked over some plates with his stick! Felix always wanted to go on a real safari; he thought Teddy Roosevelt was the greatest man alive. He and Morgan and Izzy were always going to India, or Africa, or Australia...sometimes to the bush out west. He also thought he could find gold in the Yukon!
Daisy: Knowing Felix, that doesn't surprise me! But meanwhile, back at the White Sands, Felix had broken the good china, so Gus had to stay and lay out the regular set, consequently making him unable to make his appointment with Felicity.
CK (nodding): Felix told Felicity, but she didn't seem to mind too much.
Daisy: Ah ha! And why was that, do you suppose?
CK: Because of Arthur. Arthur Pettibone. He was visiting from Toronto.
Daisy: Indeed he was! Now, I'd like to jump forward a bit, to the point where Gus came into town and saw the children waiting near Lawson's General Store.
CK (uncertain): I wasn't there, ma'...Ms. Daisy.
Daisy (patiently): I know you weren't there, Cecily dear, but surely you do remember? (She begins coaxing Cecily gently...) Felicity and Arthur came out of the store, and he helped her into the wagon.
CK: Yes, I remember! Gus asked who he was...it's funny; he turned and walked away as soon as he found out! He didn't seem too happy.
Daisy: No, and I don't blame him. One doesn't like to see poachers on one's own territory.
CK: Oh, no, Ms. Daisy! My brother may have wanted to be a big game hunter, but he'd never shoot somebody else's animals, honest!
Daisy (smiling): Ah, no, dear, that isn't what I meant, I'm afraid...well, let's move on, shall we? The next day, Gus AND Arthur were both at the King farm. Gus was there early on; Alec went to check on the cow, and Gus had laid the hide over her...claimed it was an old folk practice.
CK: Gus always knows so much about things, Ms. Daisy! He's one of the smartest people I've ever known! (Then, with increasing enthusiasm...) I think I like him more than just about anyone else in town, except my best friend from school...she gave me a part of her doll's tea set for my birthday, and we had the loveliest party Ms. Daisy! We took our dolls to the meadow, and set out some...
Daisy: I'm so sorry, Cecily dear, but...I'm afraid we really must move this along! Your mother will let me have it if we don't finish promptly on the hour!
CK (crestfallen): Yes, you're right, Ms. Daisy. It's just that...well, I never get to tell anyone about what I do in Avonlea! It's always Felix, or Felicity and Gus, or Sara, or my parents, or Aunt Hetty! Nobody ever wants to listen to me. (She sighs.) They always tell me to stay where I am and wait with Digger.
Daisy: Oh dear! Yes, I know your predicament, and I sympathize with it, truly I do! Now then, speaking of Digger, Felix took your father's rifle, and went over to Vernon River with Izzy and Morgan. Unbeknownst to them, Digger had followed; goaded by Izzy to shoot at a lovely deer, Felix pulled the trigger, and...
CK (sadly): He shot Digger. Good thing Gus was there, or he might have died right by the river.
Daisy: Yes, Cecily; we were all aghast when we saw poor Digger there! Fortunately, Gus had been gathering firewood nearby, and came to the scene immediately. He kept the children calm as possible, and helped get Digger back to the King Farm. A very resourceful and warm-hearted man, Cecily...I always found him to be much like your father.
CK: Yes, ma'...I mean, Ms. Daisy. Father always did like Gus; he's good to have around in an emergency!
Daisy: So, as it turns out, is poor Arthur! I must admit, in this particular episode, the much maligned Arthur has my sympathy, although he became prone to some excessive "whingeing" later on. Now then, Arthur was only in his second year of veterinary studies at University, but despite his lack of experience, he performed the surgery that removed the bullet, and saved Digger's life. It brought an estranged father and son back together, restored Arthur's self-confidence and enthusiasm for his vocation, brought Felix back out of the valley of the shadow, and and resulted in a happy ending for everyone! Well, almost everyone...Gus looked mighty uncomfortable sitting next to Felicity and Arthur at the party! I had meant to ask you if he... (A sudden commotion is heard outside the door.) I'm sorry, Cecily; there seems to be some sort of disturbance...
(Cries of "Let us through!", "Free Cecily!", etc., are heard outside.)
Daisy (striving for calm): Cecily, it's been a great pleasure to speak with you today. It's a bit early, but we're going to end our interview for today. Ladies and gentlemen, our guest has been Cecily King, and Cecily, I'd like to tell you...
(The door bursts open, and the studio is overrun by demonstrators with signs and placards.)
Spokesperson: Everyone remain calm! We're here to help your poor, oppressed studio guest escape the bonds of repression that still yoke her to home and hearth! Cecily King, your day has come!
CK (confused): I'm sorry...I don't understand. I like my home and hearth.
Daisy (politely but firmly): Please, folks...my guest is only a child, and has no understanding of your methods and your motives. Kindly remove yourselves from the studio, and I'll see to it that your grievances find a legitimate audience.
Spokesperson: We demand a public hearing! A forum where we can be heard! This tyranny has lasted far too long!
Daisy: And you SHALL have your public forum, if you'll but listen to me for a moment! You are aware, are you not, that there is to be an Avonlea Convention this summer?
(A beat, then...)
Spokesperson (truculently): Well, yes, but...I fail to see--
Daisy (pressing forward): And you are aware that certain people, including ***** *********1 are going to be there in person?
Spokesperson (faltering): I...ah, I wasn't aware of that.
Daisy (tartly): Perhaps you should do your research, good people, before you storm into our studio unannounced, and uninvited! It may interest you to know that Harmony Cramp herself will be there, and that the organizers of the convention are neither unaware of, nor unsympathetic to, your position.
(A pause.)
Spokesperson (with awe): Harmony...Cramp? In person?? Our raison d'être?? Oh my, I had no idea! That is... (Then, zealously...) On behalf of our entire organization, you have my profound apologies, Ms. Daisy! Citizens, forward march! Our time has come! On to victory!
(Cheering lustily, the demonstrators exit the studio...cries of "Free Cecily!" and "To AvCon!" fade into the distance...)
CK: Ms. Daisy? Now that they're gone, can I say something?
Daisy: Of course, you can, dear! What is it you want to say?
CK: Well, it's just that....I know I never get to do much, or say much of anything, but....I'm happy. Sometimes it bothers me, but....I like my home and hearth. I like my family. I don't really want to go anywhere, or do anything else. Maybe once in a while, if they'd let me have a tea-party, or go to my friend Emily's house to play spillikins, that's all I'd ever ask for. You...you DO understand, don't you, Ms. Daisy?
Daisy: Yes, Cecily...not everyone may agree, but I think we can all agree that you've a right to choose your own happiness...as do we all, my dear.
Pete (rushing in breathlessly): Daisy, I'm so sorry! There were too many of them! We weren't able to stop them...are you both alright??
Daisy (cheerily): Oh yes, Pete. I told you you needn't have worried...everything's fine. And, ladies and gentlemen, this concludes our interview! Thank you for joining us; 'til next time, everyone!
END OF INTERVIEW
(Off the air...)
Pete (anxiously): What did you tell them when they were in the studio? They were yowling about all kinds of things when they got here, and when they left, they were all singing their official anthem and chanting: "Don't Cramp Our Style!" Those tea biscuits they handed out were pretty good too...
Daisy: Pete, I promise you I'll tell you some more about it later. In the meantime, I've got to get this young lady back to her chaperone. Come along, Miss Cecily! We have some refreshments for you too, if you're hungry and thirsty!
CK: Yes ma'...Ms. Daisy. But first, could you tell me where the... (She leans forward, blushing, and whispers something in Daisy's ear.)
Daisy: Oh my! All this time, and you never said anything! Certainly, I'll show you where it is; right this way!
* * * * *
1 Molly Atkinson's (older Cecily) name is asterisked here. She would play Cecily during the series' last two seasons, and in the Christmas movie Happy Christmas, Miss King (aka An Avonlea Christmas). When this "interview" was originally written in 2004, Molly was a confirmed guest for AvCon 2004; but, at the last minute, she had to bow out for work-related reasons. Harmony Cramp, on the other hand, did make an appearance, along with her parents and daughter.
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