Nineteen:
At the Hoboken estate of the Sporkland diaspora, Prince Danny greeted the Plastic Knifeland team in the main hall.
"Princess Vivian," said Prince Danny. "Why don't you remove your helmets and make yourselves comfortable?"
"No, thank you, Danny," said Princess Vivian. "We wish to remain acquainted with our helmets' burden."
"...phew," said Prince Danny. "What is that smell?"
"How considerate of you to notice our new perfume," said Princess Vivian. "Eau de Chimpanzee. Do you like it?"
"Vivian?" Princess Eva entered the hall.
"Eva?" said Princess Vivian.
"—eeeee." As the teams became reacquainted, a cart of eyelash-curlers and a cart of bananas were wheeled into the hall.
"...oh, boy, bananas," said Brian.
"...you fool," said Mimbleshaw. "We aren't legal players in this match... we must avoid attention and do exactly what the other players do..."
"Can I help you?" said Prince Danny's lion.
"Would either of you like a banana?" said Prince Danny.
"—eeeee." Brian and Mimbleshaw rejoined the other players. The other 20 warrior-princesses gushed over Spot with their teenaged-girl emotions. They each claimed Spot was her boyfriend.
"Excuse me, Princess Vivian," said Prince Danny. "I brought your family crown with me today. You'll wear it at our wedding. I thought you might like to try it on now."
"Danny, if I wanted to wear that ugly thing," said Princess Vivian, "I wouldn't have come here to make your sister eat the playing-field tomorrow."
"Bold talk the day before you lose all your freedom," said Princess Eva. "V, can I try on your fancy hat?"
"Knock yourself out, E," said Princess Vivian.
"Take that off, Eva," said Prince Danny. "You're humiliating my fiance — I hate you."
"Danny," said Princess Eva. "When you grab me like that, it makes me want to put your elbow in a lock — like this."
"—ow," said Prince Danny.
The eyelash-curlers baffled Brian. They were the worst clippers he ever cut his nails with.