[ The Gorch castle set is decorated with moldy old Christmas decorations. King Ploobis is wearing a white collar and black bowtie -- and no other clothes -- and he's holding a full wineglass. ]

Ploobis

Is that a mirage of beauty before me, or is it Sophia Loren? No, it's Peuta.

[ Queen Peuta enters, also dressed in her shabby finery. ]

Peuta

Oh, thank you, darling, but isn't everything beautiful!

Ploobis

Mmmm.

Peuta

Oh, this party will be written up in People Magazine!

Ploobis

Well, it should be. We invited the whole show.

Peuta

Yes, that's true. Do you think we'll have enough food?

Ploobis

Well, let's see.

[ Ploobis takes a silver cover off a tray, to reveal a brown furry piece of food with eyes and a mouth. ]

Food

Hi, hi... Oh, sure, there's lots of me. I'm food! Eat me, taste me, bite me, I love it!

Ploobis

Well, since the dinner has been unfortuitously delayed, I might as well here.

[ Ploobis tears off a bit of the food with his mouth. ]

Food

Good, eat me, eat me! I am what you eat! Juicy back here, spicy down here! I am a banquet!

Ploobis

Delicious, delicious!

Food

Yes, I hope the guests hurry. If I'm not fresh, I'm out of business!

[ The doorbell rings. ]

Ploobis

Mmm, I do believe I hear the first guests arriving. 

Peuta

Oh!

Ploobis

And whoever it is, I can't wait to get 'em under the mistletoe... Oh. Uhhg.

[ It's Scred, also in collar and bowtie, waiting under the mistletoe. ]

Ploobis

Evening, Scred.

Scred

Uh, yeah. Nice to see you, Ploobis.

Ploobis

Yes, you're looking wonderful tonight.

Scred

And I'm under the mistletoe...

Ploobis

Uhhh. You're not looking that wonderful, Scred. Tell me, Scred -- where is everybody tonight?

Scred

Oh, they're all over at the Bees' Christmas party!

Ploobis

The Bees' Christmas party! They're having a big Bee bash?

Scred

Yeah.

Ploobis

Oh. I wonder why they didn't invite us.

Scred

Well, that might be my fault. You see, last week I overheard one of the Bees comment that you look like a factory outlet for green washcloths.

Ploobis

The nerve!

Scred

Yeah. So I told 'em, I said, "Aaah, you eat your young!" Heh heh heh.

Ploobis

You've got a nimble tongue, Scred.

Scred

Yeah. But then he said, I'd rather shave my legs than go to your party! So I guess that's when he made up his mind to have his own party.

Ploobis

Well, it won't be nearly as much fun as ours.

Scred

Yeah. And it'll sure teach him to mind his own beeswax, anyway.

[ The doorbell rings. ]

Ploobis

Oh! Who's this...

[ Vazh and Wisss enter, chuckling. ]

Wisss

Good party, wasn't it?

Vazh

Hello, hello. The funniest thing just happened over at the Bees'... Somebody started playing Flight of the Bumblebee, and they all started flying around the room, with lampshades on their heads! Ha ha! Wasn't that a riot.

Wisss

Oh, wow. It was too much.

Ploobis

Hmmm.

Wisss

Well, uh... this party certainly is the pits...

Vazh

Hmmm.

Wisss

Hey, let's get back to the Bees'!

Vazh

Yeah, anyway, they're about to show The Sting.

Wisss

Right. Um, catch ya later... c'mon, honey!

Vazh

See ya! Bye.

[ Vazh and Wisss exit. ]

Ploobis

Yeah.

[ Scred sighs. ]

Ploobis

Well.

Peuta

Well. I just remembered a great party I could probably get into if I go stag... Besides, I've never seen The Sting.

[ Peuta exits. ]

Scred

Have fun.

Ploobis

Well, Scred, it looks like it's just you and me.

Scred

Well... Merry Christmas, boss. 

[ Then Candice Bergen arrives, wearing a Merry Christmas T-shirt. ]

Candice

Hi, everybody!

Ploobis

Oh, Candy!

Candice

How are you? Am I too late for the party?

Scred

Oh, not at all! Why, since you got here, the fun's just begun!

Candice

Oh. Well, where is everybody?

Ploobis

Oh, well, uh, they, uh...

Scred

Yeah, well, they're socializing with insects.

Candice

Oh, at the Bees'. Well, I was just there, it's a terrific party.

Scred

Hmmm.

Ploobis

Great.

Candice

Oh, well, I think this is wonderful. I mean, I love intimate parties... of three.

Scred

Awww...

Candice

C'mon, guys!

[ sings: ]

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be light

C, P & S

Next year all your troubles

Will be out of sight...

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

If the fates allow

Hang a shining star

Upon the highest bough

S & C

And have yourself...

A merry little Christmas... now...

[ Candice and Scred finish the song, looking deep into each other's eyes. Scred snuggles up to Candice. ]

Scred

Ohhh, Candice... What are you doing later?

Candice

Why?

Scred

Let's ditch this guy and go to the Bees' party.

[ Scred nuzzles Candice. Ploobis looks put out. ]