(A/N) Okay, so this is set after Gorgon's Wood and before Grinning Man – i.e. after Carla but before Joey. I've introduced a new sidekick, just for fun ;) Please review the story, I need all the help I can get :) (A/N)
The lock clicked shut with a sudden sharpness and ferocity, as Paula was plunged into darkness.
"Okay, Adam, you got the knives?" rang the voice from outside. "Right, we need them in there in five…four…three…two…now!"
All 5 polished metal blades each plunged through the wooden slots in the box, each passing through the space and emerging on the other side, one at a time – one, two, three, four, with each blade emerging pristine and perfect. However, the fifth blade past through, only this time, it caused a quick squelching sound, and a thin, red trail followed it out of the box, oozing down the side of the box.
"Paula? You clear?" came the voice again, shouting at the box. A deadly silence followed for a few seconds, before a knocking came from the box. "Okay, Adam, open it up,"
The box was swung open, to reveal its contents…or rather, lack of them. The blades were suspended in the air, with the fifth blade crimson and glistening. However, Paula was nowhere to be seen.
Sat in a tattered seat, around fifty metres from the stage, Jonathan Creek leaned back, tossing his notebook onto the chair next to him.
"Okay, reset the stage, we'll go over it again," he called, resting his head in his temples. "Bring Paula back up again,"
Two stagehands picked up the box, and carried it over the stage, revealing the false bottom attached underneath, and Paula rose up in its place, crouching on the trapdoor. Adam Klaus extended his hand to her, and pulled her up as she grabbed it.
"That was even better!" he said, smiling a thousand smiles to accompany the praise. "Not too cramped in the space, I hope?"
"Mr Klaus, I was conjuring elephants back when you were pulling coins from behind your mother's ear," she shot back, flexing her muscles "I think I can manage one hiding spot,"
"Yes, well…" Adam started, before turning around and walking towards a stagehand, who suddenly had very interesting news. Paula looked over at Jonathan, who was now examining the box for breaks or flaws, before strolling confidently over towards him.
"Mr Creek, I'll be leaving now," Jonathan heard, as he replaced the cartridge of fake blood in the box. Quickly, he sneaked a peek at his watch – it was only five past six. Most people, especially the main cast, stayed until at least half seven when it was two days until the big premiere of the new show – Adam Klaus, live in The Silver Carbuncle. After the previous assistant, Astra Connors, broke her foot walking home one night, Adam had no choice but to pull a favour from Paula, an old friend from a Magic Circle meeting five years ago, to fill the void. Needless to say, things had been running less than smoothly.
"Yes, okay, Paula, but just remember, try to make the swap in Lonely Hearts as smoothly as possible, alright? Last thing we need is the whole set coming down if one of the girls get caught on the hook," he said, avoiding eye contact. His comment was met with a mighty harrumph, before she turned around, heading for the exit.
When Paula was a safe distance out of earshot, Adam vaulted over to Jonathan.
"You know, Jonathan, I think the space beneath the stage is too small for Paula. I could see it in her…muscles, when she came out of the whole. I tried to help, but she just shoots me down!"
"Maybe she suffers from Klaus-trophobia," Jonathan muttered in reply.