Of all the things that bring me back to Disney World again and again, the characters are not one of them. I mean, very nice -- now excuse me while I go ride Space Mountain.
Perhaps because of this, I can list two encounters I've had with characters I would definiately describe as awkward.
The first was with either Chip or Dale -- let's say Chip. As I was exiting the Haunted Mansion, Chip scampered up to me and began capering about the way the characters do, getting little or no response from me. Maybe he considered me a challenge. Because after a moment or two, he wore me down -- and I can allow that he was very cute indeed. So cuddly. So furry. So close ...
... and the next thing I knew I had my arm around him, pulled him tight, reached out ...
... and I began rubbing his belly. Briskly.
Whereupon Chip doubled over and backed away very quickly. Forcing me to realize that the diminutive person inside the Chip costume was likely female and had up-front parts she did not wish me to rub.
I was mortified, and offered apologies as Chip ran off into the distance.
The second awkward encounter occurred over in World Showcase. While on a long-awaited trip to Disney with my old chum Susan, we were strolling through the gardens in France when Belle suddenly appeared.
Susan said "Hello, Belle," and Belle said hello -- then nodding her head in my direction, Belle asked Susan "Is this your Beast?"
Which was awkward. How does one explain to Belle that Susan and I are just friends ...
... and that I had a Beast of my own waiting at home ... ?
