Caleb charged up to the Swirly Go Round in all black, including dark sunglasses and a black beret decorated with real mini film strips. He lifted a megaphone to his mouth. "Clear the set, people," he barked, scaring away the birds and startling pedestrians.

Behind the window, Danny observed Caleb's attire with deep contemplation. He shook his head. "Nope. Not going to ask."

Caleb leaned against the counter. "Danny. Just the guy I was looking for. You're on in..." He checked his watch. "Now. Let's go."

Danny just stared at him quizzically. "Is this part of the training? Because I don't see how dressing up like a French burglar ties into the whole ice cream deal."

Being the professional Danny was, you'd think the guy would know director garb when he saw it. "You said you're not an ice cream maker, but an actor. So maybe the best way for you to be good at this job is by pretending to be an ice cream maker."

Danny didn't look convinced. "I don't even have a character. What's my motivation? What are my lines?"

Caleb whipped out a three paged script and handed it to him. "Your name's Bernard. A high school kid who works at an ice cream truck to support his family of eight."

Impressed, Danny flipped through the script. "Wow. You've really got the format down—"

"Actors to the set!" Caleb's voice crackled from the megaphone. He entered the truck and made a beeline for the machine. "This monstrous machine is standing in the way of providing delicious dessert for your poor, starving siblings. You must defeat it—Without actually breaking anything. Otherwise, it's coming out of your paycheck, which isn't much to begin with. And action."

Danny closed his eyes. When he reopened them, they were burning with determination. He was now Bernard. He slapped down the script and faced the ice cream machine. "It's me and you. Man versus Machine. I will have your sugary sweetness if it's the last thing I ever eat!" He snatched a cone from the dispenser then tousled with the lever. After an action packed ten seconds, he pushed down the lever and ice cream swirled onto the cone, ending in a perfect peak. Danny raised the ice cream cone in the air. "Victory is served!"

***

Danny's glaring eyes leveled with the sundae and chocolate syrup sitting on the counter in front of him.

"This is no ordinary sundae," Caleb briefed. This is no ordinary sundae. It's an explosive device that's been set here as a trap by Lasso Licorice who kidnapped your family. But thanks to your mentor Dr. Sprinkles, you have been trained to deactivate it. Your family's hunger depends on it." He whispered into his megaphone, "Action."

Danny cautiously approached the sundae. "I will save you, my sweet-toothed family." Caleb mouthed the words as Danny recited them like a pro. "We shall never be deprived of creamy deliciousness again." He scooped up the syrup then gently drizzled it in a nice zigzag across the ice cream and banana. Then he plucked a cherry from a bowl and slowly sat it on top.

Caleb flipped through his script. He was sure he didn't write that part, but it was brilliant! "Cut. That's a wrap. You did great, and the cherry was a nice touch."

Danny proudly adjusted his collar. "Yeah, it just felt right."

"It looks like your ice cream maker material after all." Of course, Danny wasn't quite up to Caleb's caliber, but that was to be expected. Caleb was the natural born confectioner after all.

Breaking up the scene, Lance walked in holding an order slip. "Hey, Danny, it looks like you're on delivery duty today. A customer specifically asked for you personally. Someone named..." He squinted at the slip. "Your Number One Fan." He handed it to Danny then noticed the sundae on the counter. "Nice job. Keep this up and you and Caleb could be neck and neck for the Swirler of the Month award."

Danny looked pleasantly surprised as Lance disappeared to the front of the truck. For the first time since he became the Swirly's new, emphasis on new, employee, he was smiling. "I can't believe it. This is actually working." He planted a hand on Caleb's suddenly tense shoulder. "I owe it all to you, man." On his way out, he picked up his sundae and dug in. "Wow, that's a good sundae. Do those carts come with bowl holders?"

Caleb was happy that Danny had gotten over his slump, but he couldn't help feeling he may have cost himself his first ever Swirly award. "Maybe this is working a little too well."

***

Could Danny scoop in and snag Swirler of the Month? Stay tuned to find out!

-Love, Charly