AUTHOR'S NOTE: While I was playing with "The Wizard of Paws," I thought I'd do an "Alice in Wonderland" story using HB characters, but I changed course when I couldn't figure out the casting. This story uses elements mostly from the 1985 Irwin Allen TV movie version of "Alice in Wonderland," but, as always, with my own spin on things. You'll see what I mean as the story progresses. As always, The Impossibles and Big D belong to Hanna-Barbera. Characters from "Alice in Wonderland" belong to Lewis Carroll, and any other characters you run into belong to me.
Our story opens today in London, where the Impossibles were inspecting a robbery at a local jewelry store. The place had been broken into, and the jewels were scattered all over the place, but strangely enough, nothing had been taken.
"There's no clues showing us who might have done it," Multi Man said, inspecting the broken window. His pet puppy, Skittles (in her superhero form, Impossi-Pup), was sniffing around the floor, looking for clues.
"There's got to be at least a million dollars worth of jewels here," Coil Man said, going through the jewelry on the floor.
"What gets me is why would someone break in, tear the place apart, and not bother to take anything?" Fluid Man asked.
"Beats me, governor," the owner said. "The same thing has been happening all over London! The thief breaks in, messes the place up, but by morning, nothing is missing."
"Maybe the thief is looking for something in particular," Multi said. "That's the only reason I can come up with for not stealing any of these jewels."
The other two Impossibles agreed, and they left the store. There wasn't anything else they could do there. When they returned to the Impossi-Mobile, they called into their chief.
"Hi, Big D," Coiley said. "Just checking in. We still haven't found any leads to these strange jewelry store break ins."
"Yeah, none of us can understand it," Fluey said. "Whoever's behind it just breaks in, messes the place up, and leaves without taking anything! It doesn't make sense!"
"I have a theory that they're going after something in particular," Multi said. "But I don't have the slightest idea what."
"London isn't the only place that's been having a string of break ins, boys," Big D said. "These have been happening all over England. And not just jewelry stores, either. Private homes have been broken into as well, though nothing has been stolen. I've just received word that someone tried to break into the Tower of London."
"The Tower of London?!" Coiley shouted.
"We'd better step on it!" Multi shouted.
"Rally ho!" the boys shouted in unison, and took off toward the Tower of London.
The Tower of London had been closed to the public that morning, because of the break in. Thankfully, all of the Crown Jewels were there (albeit all over the floor), though the boys couldn't believe it!
"I don't understand any of this," Multi said. "You would think that whoever is breaking into these places would be taking some of the jewels!"
"Especially here," Coiley said. Then he turned to the guard. "You're positive nothing was taken, sir?"
"Positively," the guard said. "I make sure that every single piece on display is there both before, and after exhibition."
"This mystery is getting more mysterious by the minute," Coiley said.
"And it's making me almost positive the crook is after something in particular," Multi said. "But what could it be?"
The Impossibles then left the tower, and went back to the Impossi-Mobile. No sooner then they had started it up, Big D called in.
"Boys, I have another call in about these strange break ins," he said. "The latest incident is from a jewelry store in a small town called Weschester-on-Worschester."
"Gesundheit," Fluey commented. "We're on it, chief, Impossibles out."
"Rally ho!" the trio shouted, and converted their car to jet mode, to get to Weschester-on-Worschester.
Once they arrived, the boys found the local jewelry store, which pretty much looked like every jewelry store they found in London.
"Wow!" Fluey shouted, looking around this one. "Looks like the proverbial bull in the china shop here!"
"Strangest thing I've ever seen, blokes," the owner said. "Looked like this when I came in, it did! Window smashed, and jewels all over me floor . . . . . and they didn't take anything! Not one thing!"
"I guess there's only one thing to do," Coiley said. "Figure out where this crook is going to strike next and catch him in the act. Are there any other jewelry stores here?"
"No, yank," the owner of the story said. "What with a small town like this . . . . wait, you boys might try looking in on Alice Hart. I hear she's got quite a collection."
The shop owner gave the boys Alice Heart's address, and they took off for her place, completely baffled over this whole case. The trio (quartet, if you include Impossi-Pup) arrived at Alice Hart's residence, which was on a small estate, just outside of Weschester-on-Worschester.
"I hope we get some clues soon," Fluey said. "How else are we going to solve this case?"
"That's for sure," Multi said, knocking on the door. A few moments later, a woman, who looked like she was in her mid-fifties opened the door.
"May I help you, gentlemen?" she asked.
"Are you Alice Hart?" Multi asked.
"Yes," the woman said, a little uncertainly. "Who are you?"
"We're the Impossibles," Coiley explained. "We're investigating a series of break ins across England. The owner of the jewelry store in town told us to come see you. He said you have a jewelry collection."
"Yeah, you might be the next target," Fluey said. "Do you mind if we have a look around?"
"No, not at all," Ms. Hart said, and stood back so the boys could come in and investigate. "Though I can't imagine what in the world made the jewelry store owner think I have a jewelry collection. I mean, it's nothing more than costume jewelry. It's all upstairs in my bedroom."
"Would you mind if we had a look, anyway?" Fluey asked.
"Go right ahead," Ms. Hart said. "Just go up the stairs and all the way down the hall."
The boys and Impossi-Pup then headed upstairs. They found Ms. Hart's bedroom, and opened the door. What they found inside surprised them.
"Hollerin' hi-fi's!" Multi shouted, and he immediately closed the door. "Did you guys see what I saw?!"
"I saw it, but I don't believe it!" Fluey shouted.
"Open the door again, Multi," Coiley said. "Maybe we're just seeing things."
Multi nodded, and opened the door again, slowly. The boys realized they weren't seeing things. On the dresser was a white rabbit, wearing a waistcoat, and he was stuffing items of Ms. Hart's jewelry box into the pockets of his waistcoat. After a few moments, the rabbit then reached into his pocket, and pulled out a large pocket watch.
"Oh my fur and whiskers!" he shouted. "I shall be late if I don't hurry!"
The rabbit then stashed his pocket watch, and continued grabbing the jewels out of Ms. Hart's box. Once he was finished, he hopped onto the bed, and out the window. The Impossibles raced in, and ran to the window.
"Man, I've heard of cat burglars, but bunny burglars?!" Fluey shouted.
"We'd better catch him before he gets away!" Coiley shouted.
"Rally ho!" the trio shouted, and raced out of the house after the rabbit robber.
As the rabbit was making his get away, he had the distinct feeling he was being followed. He looked over his shoulder, and found three of the strangest looking creatures he had ever seen, running after him.
"Yipe!" he shouted, and he began running faster.
"Stop, thief!" Coiley shouted. "In the name of the law!"
"I can't stop now, gentlemen!" the rabbit shouted. "I'm late for an important date, you see!"
"You're late for a date with a judge, rabbit!" Fluey shouted.
"I'm afraid you don't understand!" the rabbit shouted. "No time to stop and chat, you see! I'm already dreadfully late! Goodbye!"
And with that, the rabbit hopped into a small hole in the ground. The boys skidded to a halt once they reached the hole. Impossi-Pup barked at it, and began pawing at the hole. It was too small for her to squeeze into.
"Now what?" Coiley asked. "That hole's too small for any of us to fit into."
"Maybe all of us can't," Fluey said. "But one of us can. I can fit down there easily. Let me take care of this one, fellas."
"Okay, Fluey," Multi said. "I think you're the only one who can go after him now. Even with Skittles's super speed, it'll take too long for her to dig herself into the hole and chase after the rabbit."
"Okay, see you guys later, then," Fluey said. "Rally ho ho!"
And with that, Fluey went into a full liquid conversion, and zoomed down the rabbit hole as fast as he could