The day was coming, she could feel her heart beating faster and faster each day. Each minute brought more and more ecstasy. She was finally going to be released from prison after 12 long years in one of Britain's toughest jails. The last time she was doing time she was at least allowed some makeup and hair cuts and things of that nature.
This time it was different. She had only had one hair cut in 12 long years. Her black and white hair was just reaching her bellybutton, her face was starting to age from no skin care at all, but that could be fixed with an intense skin treatment.
Worst of all was, she hadn't had a cigarette in 12 years.
Some days went slowly by while others went fast. She knew how to make the days go a little faster. She would think about her mansion, her clothes and her 'House of De Vil' plaza.
She could simply not wait any longer to get out from this rotten excuse for a jail.
Monday 20th of February 2012.
She was waiting impatiently by the grey painted door. There were no windows in her cell. The walls were also painted grey.
''This is inhumane, let me out of here you idiots!'' she yelled.
She heard footsteps in the corridor. Her heart started beating faster and faster, she thought she was going to faint.
The cell door finally opened and she knew it was her time, it was finally her time to leave this grey box of scum!
She was escorted down to the room where they kept the inmates' clothes and possessions where she would get her things that they confiscated when she was arrested in Paris.
First they brought out her 'Haute Couture' red and black dyed mink coat. It looked absolutely dreadful. It looked like they had washed it with bleach and glue. The fur was lumped and clumped together everywhere, it looked like straight up roadkill.
''What have you done with my one-of-a-kind mink coat?'' she asked furiously.
''Ma'am, when you came in it was covered in cake dough. We tried to clean it the best we can.'' the police officer answered.
''I can't believe this! Do you know what you have done?''
''We am sorr..'' was all the police officer managed to get out before Cruella went into a fit of rage. Absolutely terrifyingly outrageous RAGE!
''WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, RUINING MY CLOTHES FOR NO REASON! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS, I WILL SUE YOU AND-AND THE WHOLE CITY IF I HAVE TO! YOU, YOU IMBECILES!'' she was in a blind rage when she decided to jump the officer on the other side of the counter. The security guards help her back before she reached the officer.
''You better watch yourself Miss De Vil, or you will go straight back to your cell for another 12 years.'' the officer said calmly but strictly.
Cruella managed to compose herself, but they could all see the rage in her eyes.
Next they brought out her 'House of De Vil' black crystal studded dress. It was in OK condition all though some of the crystals were missing and the lace & satin fabric where wrinkled beyond recognition.
Cruella made an almost animalistic sound to show her displeasure.
They then continued to bring out the rest of her possessions which were in a closed office-paper box. She opened the box to find her leather stiletto knee high boots, burnt feather headpiece, white gloves and her diamond & ruby jewelry.
Only thing she couldn't find was her 'Clutch' handbag. It was missing!
''Where is my handbag? I need my handbag, it contains all my necessities such as my car keys, cell phone and cigarettes.'' Cruella said with an almost pleading voice.
''Sorry ma'am, you didn't have a handbag with you when you were arrested.''
''WHAT? This is outrageous! You lying piece of..'' she suddenly realized that she had left her handbag behind in that god-awful Jean Pierre's fur factory when she had gone after the puppies to that old cake factory.
She wanted to cry, but she wouldn't. Not in front of people. Not even in front of herself. She was stronger that that, she would get through this!
One hour later, she had changed out of her orange prison jumpsuit, into that wrinkled mess of a dress. She looked awful, she thought. Her hair was long and frizzy, no makeup, a busted dress, white gloves and knee high stilettos. Without the coat, the whole outfit was thrown off and tacky, she taught.
She was standing outside the prison gates wondering what to do and where to go. Her mansion was probably condemned or turned into something useless like a museum or a pie shop.
She only had her old family estate, De Vil Manor 'Hell Hall'. It was heavily dilapidated and dirty, but she had to make it work, it was the only place she could stay until she was back on her feet and back in her business.
She was furious. All her hard earned money went to that useless '2nd Chance Dog Shelter'. She didn't even have enough money for a taxi. She desperately wanted her Panther De Ville back, her car, her beloved old car! She had no idea where her car were, she didn't really know anything at this point. She was torturing herself with questions such as; where were all her clothes, where were her car, in what condition was her 'House of De Vil' plaza..
She could go on forever. All she needed to worry about now was how to get to Hell Hall.
She took her possessions with her and started walking.
After she had walked for a few kilometers in her stilettos she wanted to lie down and cry. She was so over this whole 'being poor' deal. She wanted her money back, and she wanted it NOW!
She walked a little further until she came to a little raggedy old pawn shop. She was so embarrassed.
She asked the man behind the counter how much he would give her for her ruined Haute Couture mink coat.
''Oh, well, let me take a look, shall we!'' he said.
He offered 100 pounds for the coat.
''You can not be serious'' Cruella laughed in his face.
''Well, it is in a horrible condition, the fur…well, it isn't even fur anymore!'' he said with a light laugh in his voice.
''FINE!'' she said angrily.
''How much would you give me for these?'' she asked while holding her jointed diamond & ruby necklace and earrings.
He seemed intrigued, he had never seen real diamonds or rubies before.
''I don't think I have enough money in the shop for that. I am sorry.'' he said, clearly disappointed.
''How much money do you have here?'' she asked him eagerly.
''I only have about 8 000 pounds.''
''I'll take it. And that pair of sunglasses and that black fedora hat.'' she said.
Half an hour later, and she was in the city. The first thing she noticed what how big the city was. It was bigger that she could remember it to be. The second thing she noticed was a little magazine shop. She went in to buy cigarettes. When she got in she noticed the headline on one of the papers.
'Cruella De Vil released from prison today. Can she make it back to the top?'
Cruella quickly pulled her hat down so no one would notice her. she looked awful, she would rather serve 30 more years in prison than to be seen wearing these old rags in public.
She got her smoke and went outside to light it up when suddenly a lady came up to her.
''Haven't I seen you somewhere before? You look so familiar!'' the lady said while looking Cruella up and down.
''No. Move on, I don't have all day.'' She said, knowing exactly who she was.
Cruella lit her cigarette and subtly blew the smoke in the lady's face to make her go away. And so she did.
Four cigarettes and one cab ride later. She was home. She was finally home. She couldn't believe it. The last time she was here was when she had been arrested back in 1996.
She stopped for a second just to read the letter above the gates. 'De Vil Manor' it said, it was a wonderful validation.
She opened the big gate and went in to the property, soaking in the scenery. The sun was shining and the icicles were hanging from everywhere all around the house, dripping away.
Then she noticed it. There were multiple footsteps in the snow. Her light mind all of the sudden turned in to a dark pit of rage. She stormed up to the house and kicked the door so hard that it flew across the room. She was astounded over how rotten this place actually had gotten for a solid door to fall off like that. She looked around but couldn't see anyone.
''Who is in there?'' she demanded.
She heard footsteps coming from inside the living room. She walked the long corridor until she got to the tall doors of the living room. She carefully opened one of them and looked inside.
She was shocked to see Alonzo standing there, trembling more than ever.
''Welcome back madam. I read in the papers yesterday of your return. So I wanted to do one last nice thing for you. I have taken the liberty of bringing all of your clothes, jewelry and accessories here since I figured you would come and stay here. I hope you don't mind.'' he said while backing off slowly in case of her lashing off at him.
Cruella's mind was rushing so fast, she was feeling love, betrayal and mistrust all at the same time and it was confusing her.
She took a few steps towards Alonzo.
She hadn't figured out what to do yet. She was walking slowly, still thinking. She was so confused. Alonzo didn't work for her anymore, she hadn't seen him in 12 years, why would he do this for her?
Last time she saw him was when he helped the puppies escape from her captivity. She was angry with him for that.
But she also felt that she had no right to be angry with him. After all, he came here and helped her with her belongings. He had even done some dusting!
''Thank you.'' She managed to get out.
Alonzo smiled at that.
''Is everything here? All of it?'' She asked him.
''Yes, everything is here. I parked your car in the garage!'' He said, more confident in his voice this time.
''My car is here? Wonderful!'' She said.
Cruella felt like things were falling back to the way they were, and she loved it.
''If you would like it, I could stay and help you clean up the house.'' Alonzo said, a little bit unsure.
Cruella looked at him and then looked around.
''I would quite like that, thank you.'' She said, trying her best to be nice.
They started taking her clothes up to her old bedroom. they threw them on the bed and started cleaning the humongous closet that was bolted to the walls.
When she opened the closet doors she let out a little shriek.
''I didn't even know that I had these clothes. They have been hanging in here since I left the place in 1983.'' She said while looking at the clothes hanging in the closet with pure amazement in her eyes. ''OH, look Alonzo, do you remember this coat?'' she said while swinging a huge yellow mink coat around in the room.
''Yes I do, madam. You never left anywhere without it!'' he said.
''I want to wear it today, when I visit the 'House of De Vil' plaza.'' she said with excitement in her voice. ''Have you been there since I was arrested? How does it look?'' She asked Alonzo.
''No, it's on the other side of town, I am never there. but I don't think they have touched it.'' He said and smiled vaguely.
''Wonderful.'' Cruella said and clicked her nails together.
Cruella proceeded on to ask Alonzo if he would start working for her again.
Alonzo kindly declined her offer without even thinking of the consequences. He was scared to death of her when he was working for her. It was like she thought he was some kind of puppet, some kind of un-paid slave. She didn't have an ounce of respect for him. that was clear to him and everyone around them.
''You see, I wo-would much rather be your f-f-friend or something like th-that. I could help y-you for free when you needed it, like n-now.'' he said, terrified of what she would do to him after he just refused her offer.
Cruella just made a 'hmff' noise and said 'fine' and went down to get the rest of her coats and things of that nature up to the second floor. Alonzo followed.
On the way upstairs Cruella offered Alonzo 4000 pounds if he would stay at her house while helping her making it suitable for living in. He accepted.