Arthur Goes to Golden Corral

I do not own Arthur. Arthur belongs to Marc T. Brown

Also, you better have eaten something before you read this, or have some food on hand, because this may make you hungry!

The Story:

Chapter 1: Waiting in Line, Paying and Getting Drinks

It is sunset on a Friday in Elwood City. Arthur, D.W., Baby Kate, Jane, and David go to an All You Can Eat Buffet restaurant, this one happening to be Golden Corral. Buster and his mother are also going and they're joining the Reads. Also there are the Compsons: Ladonna, her sister Madison, her brothers Gussie and the ballistic, but friendly, Bud, and her parents Cisely and Rufus. These are all the characters that will be used in this story except for the Golden Corral employees. They are all waiting in line.

"I like Golden Corral," says Arthur, "it's not often we eat here."

"Yeah," says David," it's been a while since we've eaten here."

"Yes it has," says Jane, holding Kate in her arms.

"I look forward to having their cookies, their ice cream, and their…" D.W. says but is interrupted.

"After dinner, sweety," says Jane, "after dinner."

"And then you can have your dessert," says David, "but let's eat some real food first."

"But dessert is real food," says D.W. "It's more real than Mary Moo Cow."

"D.W. does have a point," says David to Jane.

"Well, D.W." says Arthur, "they are real in sense, but they are food that's best for after the real food that's good for you, like meat and vegetables."

"Arthur's right, D.W." says Jane. "Now I want you to try to be a good girl."

"And no being a picky eater," says Arthur, "I don't want us kicked out of this restaurant."

D.W. is silent for just a few seconds and then say, "Mmm, okay."

"I can't wait to get to the food!" says Buster.

"We know you can't," says Arthur.

"We sure do," says Bitzy.

"I can't wait to see how you're going to do this," Arthur remarks.

"I've eaten here before several times," says Buster, "this food is no match for me."

"Trust me," says Bitzy, "there's nothing here Buster can't handle."

"You think your son is a bottomless pit," says Cisely, "wait until you see Ladonna, she's a real eater!"

"I sure am," says Ladonna, "cross my heart! I also can't wait to get my hands on that food too."

"I hope I know what you mean by that," says Madison.

"I hope this will be a peaceful dinner," says Bitzy, "not an eating contest."

Everyone except D.W. Bud, and of course Kate, laugh.

"I don't get it," says Bud to D.W., "what's so funny?"

"I don't know, Bud," D.W. replies, "older people say the weirdest things."

"And laugh at the weirdest things," says Bud.

Soon, Rufus and David get trays to put the drinks on and they're finally at the cash register. Tonight, Rufus is paying for everyone's dinner.

The cashier asks, "How many this evening?"

After a quick head count, Rufus answers, "Seven Adults and five children."

Even though Madison and Gussie are teenagers, they're still considered adults at this Golden Corral and other places if they're 12 and up.

The Cashier does her work and says as she pushes the buttons, "okay so that's ten dollars per adult, and no charge for the children, so that will be…"

She looks up and tells Rufus, "$73.85."

That includes tax.

(A/N) I had to make a wild guess instead of just simply doing 70 dollars even, so that may not be entirely accurate, but this is fiction.

Rufus gets out his check card and pays so everyone can eat.

"And what can I get you all to drink?" asks the cashier.

(A/N) If you're not interested, skip to the next chapter.

David and Rufus get Ice Tea, Bitzy gets water, Jane and Cisely get Diet Pepsi, Arthur and Ladonna get orange soda, D.W. and Bud get lemonade, Madison gets Sierra Mist, Gussie gets Pepsi, and Buster, he requests Orange Soda, Lemonade, and Fruit Punch all in one! Except Bitzy, the others, especially Arthur, D.W., and Bud, are amazed and baffled by what Buster chooses.

"I can't decide which one I want," Buster smiles and says, "they all taste so good, so I mix them all together!"

"Buster's crazy," says D.W.

"You have to be to have all those drinks in one cup," says Bud.

"I don't know," says Arthur, "maybe I'll try that next time."

"I might too," says Ladonna."

"It's not his first," says Bitzy, "he really likes it. Sometimes I'll have it myself."

"Yeah," says Buster, "you guys should try it, you'll like it."

"I don't know," says D.W."

"I'm not sure I'm ready for that either," says Bud.

"They just need some time," says Buster, "it'll be a while."