WAR: Cousins: LAMPSHADES R US
by Arletta Asbury
Date/time: Wednesday, November 10, 2004, late morning
After  Cousins: Parties Happen (2/2) and Cousins: Party Favors
Disclaimers: All participants used with permission.



Arletta sat back in her executive chair and surveyed her new
office with some satisfaction.  If she was going to be 1/3 of
Cerberus, it was at least good to have a quiet place to recover
from the headaches.  Not that it was luxurious by most standards,
but it was still one of the perks that came with the position.
And it was nice of Tser and Tok to supply it with that industrial
sized bottle of aspirin.

She logged onto her computer, and searched for any reports of the
Cousinly mayhem from last night's ant attack; not that she was
*really* expecting anything so soon. It was just that she was a
bit nervous about this one. It was the first time that she's had
a hand in an attack as one of the Cousinly leaders.

Which reminded her. She looked down at the bright purple
sweatshirt she was still wearing, and sighed.  Why, oh why, did
Shelley have to form a Union *now* and with such an incredibly
unfortunate name as I.N.S.A.N.E.?

Rhonda stuck her head thru the door, asking, "got a minute?  I
... uh ... have a small problem."

"Sure. Come on in. What's up?"

"I seem to ah ... have ... acquired this ... well I guess it's a
lampshade.  Do you have any idea where it came from?"

Arletta sighed, "Yeah. It's from the party last night. You ... ah
... wore it home."

Rhonda blushed.

"Want me to take care of it?"

"Please," and handed it over to the leader.


*********

A few minutes later the leader was dangling the lampshade from
one hand as she searched thru the supply closet for a suitable
box.

6x6x6? No, that was too small. And 10x12x1 was the wrong shape.
Arletta wondered what the abundant supply of 48x48x48 boxes was
used for? Anyway, they were much too big.

"Do you want me to order a box the right size for that?" Bonnie
asked, popping her head into the closet.

"No, that's OK. I think I know where I can find one."

Bonnie looked dubious but decided it was better not to ask too
many questions in a time of war.

"Would you mind taking this while I just dash out to my car?"

"Suuure?  But...."

I'm positive I have 2 or 3 in the trunk that'll work just fine.
Or if not, then one of the boxes on the back seat...."

*********

A short while later, a postal clerk nervously eyed the
I.N.S.A.N.E. sweatshirt clad woman as she handed over a parcel
without a return-address. It was marked Special Delivery for
'The Hive'.