The procession was going to be perfect. Emperor Pudding was very excited. He hadn’t been this excited since he turned 14 and his voice broke. It was then his parents had insisted on him taking part in their procession through the streets of Urbia to the delight of all their subjects. This particular ceremony came about every 40 years to celebrate the global warming which had caused the climate in Urbia to change to tropical temperatures.
Pudding was standing in front of the mirror surrounded by high fashion models from The Big Apple and haute couture designers from Paris. They were the crème de la crème of fashion. On chairs and tables lay strewn glossy magazines . Pudding was dressed in a pair of slinky woolen trousers that swayed very snug around his legs and half of his torso and a supremely crimson coloured silk shirt, Timberland boots and a 10 gallon Jackaroo hat. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and exclaimed “ But I can’t see anything!” A court Jester replicated “ put on your spectacles, bingy Pud ol’ matey !” So said , so done.
“Ahhh! I’m not sure,” said Pud and dropped down on a nearby chair. He picked up a copy of Rolling Stone and flicked absent-mindedly through it. He pushed his spectacles closer to his face and his mouth dropped.
“This is what I want to look like!” he shouted gleefully. He was staring at a picture of the cover of Born in the USA. “I want to look just like The Boss”
Everyone in the room stopped dead in their tracks and listened attentively.
A pair of Levi’s and a tight fitting T-shirt were conjured up from nowhere.
“At least there is a back pocket for my wallet in case we come by a MacDonald’s. It’ll be my shout!”
Pudding was overjoyed. He looked in the mirror once more and expressed his satisfaction. All the busy folks around him drew a deep breath of relief. They had finally found something the Emperor wanted to wear.
When the big day arrived all the citizens of Urbia were gathered outside the royal castle- lining the streets to see the emperor on this special day.
Emperor Pudding stepped out through the castle gates with all the Court attendants and body guards in a tight ring around him but leaving enough space so that everyone could get a geek at his rags.
He took a quick look at his watch- a Rolex copy from his Thai mistress, MacDonald’s wouldn’t be closing for another 2 hours. He could make it easily.
A sigh went through the crowd as Pud stepped out into the street. The citizens of Urbia were as per usual completely nude, stark naked as the custom had come to be over the past 100 years after the climate change. But they sure did stare at Puddy: he had clothes on! He wasn’t wearing his birthday suit as custom allowed.
A little girl looked up at her Mother and as the crowd had gone quite quiet in dismay, you could hear every word she said as she asked her mother: “ Are you sure the Emperor is a he? You can’t see his testicles!”

Comments
skinner_jennifer | September 28, 2011 - 19:16
Hi Pia,
you've excelled yourself with this story, I found
it so amusing and the ending just cracked me up.
Great stuff and very clever.
Jenny.
Highhat | September 29, 2011 - 04:45
Thank you for reading Jenny. This weeks Ip was a bit of a challenge and I really racked my brain so I could join in.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks a lot for telling me.
atb
;)Pia
SundaysChild | September 29, 2011 - 16:00
Amusing Pia!
Highhat | September 29, 2011 - 17:35
glad you got a laugh Sundays
;)Pia
FTSE100 | October 1, 2011 - 08:04
A lovely story Pia. Funny!
Silver Spun Sand | October 1, 2011 - 11:37
I missed this one, until just now, Pia, but I'm more than glad I stumbled on it. It really made me smile;-) Clever writing which I really enjoyed.
Speaking of 'clever'...you are so right, this week's IP is a real challenge, and has got me stumped, and I take my hat off to you. And now, I'd better put my thinking cap on, but I don't hold out much hope at all.
Tina;-)
Highhat | October 1, 2011 - 14:11
Thanks Ftse - happy to make you laugh !!
;)Pia
Highhat | October 1, 2011 - 14:14
Thank you very much Tina for your kind words. I bet you'll come up with something out of the ordinary as usual!
;)Pia
PS we may very well break our record today with over 24.1 degrees- it's already very hot- Beautiful Indian Summer- suits me really well- the heat!
Have a good weekend !