The Arrival ...

It's an early Saturday morning, and the doorbell rings.  

"Finally," the girls sigh in exasperation.  "We've been waiting in that light tent for what seems like a month now!"

Carol Roth goes to open the door.

"Well ... it is a very large package," Poppy observes.   "Even my package wasn't this big, and I came with a nightie, two outfits, and a coat!  .... Look, it's marked fra-gi-le.  It's Italian.  Hahaha ha ha!"

"Remind us next year, no Christmas Story movie for you!"

"Look at this.  The address isn't Integrity Toys!  It's from someone in Texas! Maybe it's not another Fashion Royalty doll!   We CAN hope, right?"

"Yes, but it was insured, has signature required, and is sent special delivery!  I wonder who she is?"

"There sure is a whole lot of writing on this.  And since we are being limited to a small number of girls this year, she must be someone very special."

"Well, there is only one way to find out.  ... Start tearing it open, girls!"

"Oh, no!  There is a layer of bubble wrap under the brown paper!"

"AND there is another layer of packing paper UNDER the bubble wrap!  I'm really worried.  This girl must be special to require so much wrapping paper!"

"Keep ripping girls.  Think about that movie Diary of a Mad Black Woman.   RIP IT!  RIP IT!  RIP IT!"

"I think we watch too many movies around here!  I'm tired!  We need to rest," Bodacious collapses.

"But look," Gene adds, "We've finally reached the box!"

"Let's see what's inside!"

"But first, there's a card.  What a sweet touch!  OH NO!"



"I can't believe it!"

"Well, ladies it's been a long trip."  AFL Vanessa steps out of the box.

"I think I'll change into something and sit and rest a while."

 "Before I change into my new body, that is!"

"RUN GIRLS!   NONE OF US ARE SAFE NOW!"

A special invitation ....

"Dear girls:   Please put on a comfortable spring ensemble and meet in the light tent.  I have a very special announcement."

The first to arrive is Gene.  She is always prompt.  She knows the importance of being on time. As an actress, if you miss an audition you may not work for months ... or even years.  She is wearing Silkstone's A Day at the Races.

The outfit looks so nice on her.   She waits patiently for the next guest to arrive before entering the diorama.  Afterall, one should never be late, but one should also never be first.

Oh, look.  It is the infamous Carol Roth.  "It's about time I had another photo shoot.  I've not been before the camera in weeks now."    Carol is wearing the Mattel Speigel Summer Sophisticate outfit.  

"We could be sisters!  We're both wearing pink!"  Exclaims Gene.  

"I wonder if I have time to change ...." Carol muses.

As Carol is trying to figure out a way to escape for a costume change, Monogram Blue Chip wearing Mattel's Kentucky Derby shows up.   "Why this is an odd assortment of girls, isn't it?  We have a Fashion Royalty, a Mini Gene, and me.  I wonder if the human is trying to make a photo of the different types of dolls she collects."

"Well, we'll only find out if we go inside for the diorama," reasons Carol.

As they enter, they are impressed.   The human has brought out "The Loft Collection" she had stored in the closet.  

"This is very nice," observes Gene. 

"I know.  I wonder why she has gone to such lengths?"  whispers Blue Chip.

As the girls get seated, they notice there is a fully stocked liquor cabinet.  ILHYLM Poppy enters.  She is wearing a Mattel Top Model dress.  She is lovely.  

"Well, I can see that we are all wearing our Easter best."  Blue Chip is so positive and sunny.

"This supports the idea that 'The Human' is trying to bring together different dolls.  Now, we have a Poppy here."  Gene whispers to Carol.

Another doll enters,   "What exactly is going on?  I have been here for three months now, and this is only my second photo invitation. I want some answers."  Bodacious Adele is steamed.  She is wearing a OOAK by Wandy.

"I wouldn't complain.  I just got here last Friday.  I've not even had time to unpack my box.  My red outfit and my nightie are still sewn into the packaging."  Poppy tries to calm Adele down.

"We're not sure what is going on."   Gene tries to explain, "We thought we were being invited to represent the different collecting tastes of the human.  But it appears she has gone all out for this.  It doesn't make sense.  You're the second Fashion Royalty to arrive."

"Yes, but I was originally on a Nuface Body," Carol rationalizes.   "So, maybe our guess is correct."

"Well, I don't think I like this.  I've noticed some boxes being shipped out recently.   And that last blog started a mystery about a "HOLY GRAIL" doll.  I thought I was a HOLY GRAIL," Bodacious fumes. 

As the questions begin to fly and the theories begin to grow, Anja arrives wearing Spring Forward Eugenia's outfit.  "I think we need to open this bottle and have a drink.  We should all calm down, and this will help our nerves."

"Calm down?!  That's easy for you to say.  You're the newest to arrive.  The shipping notices have been rather severe here recently.  I saw Discreet leave last week,"  Bodacious is worried.  "Maybe I will have a drink afterall.  Fill it up!"

"Now, I am nervous,"  whispers Poppy.   "Maybe a shaker of Shirley Temples isn't such a bad idea."

"I think you need to put something a little stronger in that shaker, Poppy,"   Blue Chip adds.

"Wait ...  wait ... wait ..."   Blue Blood Elise arrives.  She is wearing Jaks Pacific sundress.  "Everyone needs to chill out.   We are the seven dolls that have been added to 'The Human's' collection this year.   I think we have all been invited because we are about to find out the eighth addition to our home."

"Oh, no.  I know the human made a New Year's Resolution that stated:  For every doll that enters, one must go out.  Do yout think one of us is leaving?" asks Blue Chip.

"Of course not!  I know I was a Holy Grail.  So was Gene, Blue Chip, and Bodacious.  Anja, Carol, and Poppy are new dolls, but she loves you.  Stop the insanity!   Look ... she has even delivered champagne.  I think we are a welcoming committee for the mystery doll."

A sigh of relief is felt in the diorama.   The group waits patiently for doll #8 to join the fold.