As we inch closer, I violently tap Farkle on the shoulder and excitedly say, “Wake up Farkle! We’re here!”
The train pulls into the station, and here we are… The Emerald City! As our feet hit the platform, we’re filled with wonder as we take in all the immediate sights and smells of such a charming and sensational city. Above us soars the daintiest yet exquisite bird that I’ve ever seen. It must be no bigger than the palm of my hand with velvet lilac feathers, an ivory beak, and a tail that looks like ribbons. Everything is exceptionally Ozful.
Farkle points to a window where notice a server with platter of the most vibrantly colored sweet treats. We rush in to get a taste for ourselves. The server hands us our choice treats; we hear singing in the streets and see flashing lights. We scarf down our treats and rush outside to see the show for ourselves. Once the show has ended, I catch a glimpse of someone walking by in an emerald jacket that is embellished in gold—gold buttons, gold trim work, and gold imagery of the city on the back.
We never stay in one place too long since our time in The Emerald City is limited and we must be on time to meet his Ozness. As we continue our journey to The Emerald Castle, we pass a building with an expansive stain-glassed window that depicts the arrival of The Wizard. The window is so well crafted that it seems as if we’re actually in that moment in time and not staring at a stained-glass window.
Finally, we arrive at the castle, and we begin our ascent to the main door. The door is so tremendous; it has to be over twelve feet tall with “Oz” carved in gold in the center of the door. A voice calls, “What is your purpose here?” We look up to our right where just above us a man dressed in emerald clothes stands on a balcony. The base of the balcony is emerald just like the castle, but it’s framed in the decorative brass work that I’ve ever seen—it’s as if it’s telling a story. We state that we were invited to meet The Wizard, and the doors slowly begin to open. The time has come to meet The Wizard!
— Week Two: TN&RP May/June 2025 Edition