The Unprincess Files

By Catherine M Mullins

Jane Davenport aspires to a greater role than that of receptionist at the Magic Land Amusement Park. In fact, that of MagicLland princess would suit her just fine...or so she thinks.

Things take an unexpected turn, however, when Jane helps a woman find her missing son and gets terminated from her position as a result.

Soon, an unforeseeable series of events leads Jane on an adventure through the park that changes her life forever.

If you've ever wondered about life behind the scenes of your favorite theme park, then grab a copy of The Unprincess Files. Who knew there could be such a mess behind the dress?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Catherine Mullins
• Release date: Dec 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223043898

Book preview

The Unprincess Files

Catherine M Mullins

Published by Catherine Mullins, 2023.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

THE UNPRINCESS FILES

First edition. December 1, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 Catherine M Mullins.

ISBN: 979-8223043898

Written by Catherine M Mullins.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

The Unprincess Files | By Catherine M Mullins

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This story is dedicated to my father, who took my sister and me to our favorite amusement park at least once a year. Miss you dad, and I'll think of you every time I see a shaped ice cream cone! 

The Unprincess Files

By Catherine M Mullins

F irst pair of missing ray bans turned in for the day. Who wants to bet a dollar they’ll be claimed at least twice? said a middle aged man in a uniform from a different century. He should have looked like a bell boy from the 1910's in his blue starched suit with gold epaulettes and a short flat cap. But somehow, the pea coat and slacks just made the not-so- boyish man look like he came from a different planet.

Five dollars says three times, responded Jane as she pushed the skirt skimming her ankles away from her lace-up boots and reached over the ancient mahogany desk to pick up a cordless phone. Jane was surprised when she first got to Main Street, Magic Land that corporate didn't insist she use old-fashioned wall-phones with a real bell on top like those in the old black-and-white western movies. Everything else from the decor of the tall wood posted room to the dust bins behind the desk looked like they came from the turn of the 20th century.

Yes, Magic Land closes at ten p.m. tonight, Jane heard herself say in a syrupy sweet voice as she held the phone to her ear. Her voice sounded so different from the low sarcastic tones she used with all her peers. And, mm hmm, she continued we open at nine in the morning. Have a nice day. Did visitors even listen to the audio prompts on the phone message before they got to live operator assistance? Did dialing 9 for hours of operation require a college degree?  If her thesis on the vulgar humor of The Frogs by Aristophanes had only gotten her to the Information Desk at Magic Land, she shuddered to think what less education would be like. Mary Ellen, the literature major, swept grime and Tootsie Roll wrappers into a faded dust pan on the street outside. James, the anthropology student, wiped windows. And Mathias, the pursuer of a doctorate of Women’s Studies, directed traffic in the parking lot.  At least, as a theater major, being in the cast of Magic Land was closer to her chosen profession than the others were to theirs. If the economy continued like this, high school grads looking for jobs would be living in cardboard boxes.

This stroller is too brightly colored! said a large woman as she burst into the main desk distracting Jane from her thoughts. In a tank top and jean shorts that probably would have made her legs look less like sausages if they were a bit tighter, the purple-faced woman thrust a shiny red painted Magic Land stroller in front of Jane. The stereotypical image of a women with curlers in her hair, a green facial mask, and a bathrobe sitting outside a trailer smoking came to Jane's mind as she looked into the sour woman's face. 

Do you know what it’s like taking three kids all the way through the Fairy Tale Village with a stroller that glints sun into your eyes? the woman asked hoisting the sticky-mouth child in her arms onto her hip for effect.

Always happy, always bright, Jane repeated to herself. 

And always sparkle, Jane could hear her acting coach, er supervisor tell her. Magic Land doesn’t hire, it casts, and if you can’t act the part of being at the funnest place on earth, you shouldn’t audition.

Awe, I’m so sorry you’ve been inconvenienced, Jane replied to the woman in a saccharine-sweet tone. We can go over to the stroller rental and choose one that fits you better if you like. If Jane's smile were any wider her lips would break.

I’ve been over there! They’re all red! shouted the woman. If  I’d have known there was such crappy service here, I’d have brought my own stroller. And you know what? I've had enough of this place altogether. We wait in line for hours for an attraction! You’re ice cream is far too sweet, your princesses don’t take long enough with the kids, and everything’s overpriced!  Finally having exhausted her list, the woman spun around and huffed out the door.