Mansion on Haunted Cliff
Chapter 1-A Shady Invitation
It was a bleak and bleary day in the middle of Nowhere. Courage was lounging on Muriel's lap as she rocked back and forth just like always. Eustace was watching television, laughing his head off and slapping his knee as would be expected. Courage sighed contently. All was well and normal.
Suddenly a horrible ringing noise cut through the peacefulness! Of course, it was just the telephone.
"Well I wonder who that could be," said Muriel as Eustace reached for the phone mumbling something about crazy people ruining his television shows. Muriel looked at the empty space on her lap. "Now where did Courage go off to? Courage?"
Courage was currently connected to the ceiling, purple fur standing straight on end. He liquefied and dripped little by little until he was a mere puddle with eyes on the floor. Then he immediately returned to his old self.
"I hate when the phone does that!" he complained.
"Good afternoon good people," came an eerie voice from the phone. "I would like to propose an offer. It involves…money!"
"Blah, blah…Wha?!" Eustace said, turning his entire attention to the mysterious stranger.
"Yes," the voice continued "Yes, but before we discuss the green, we must talk about the conditions."
"I don't care about no stinkin' conditions, just get to the part about the money!" Eustace said like a little schoolboy.
"Okay then, your loss." The stranger made an evil little snicker then continued. "Tomorrow, come to the Mansion on Haunted Cliff. There you will be spending the night, and if you survive to see morning light, you shall receive one thousand dollars." Then there was the click of a phone being laid on a cradle, and a dial tone.
"Did you hear that Muriel? We're gonna be rich! Filthy, stinkin' rich!" Eustace started to dance around and sing about money.
"My won't that be lovely." Muriel stated.
Then Eustace pulled Muriel up by the arms and they both danced as Courage watched helplessly on the chair.
"I've got a bad feeling about this!" he said.