CHAPTER TWO: BACK IN TIME
Ten minutes later, we're all perfect examples of high fashion in the seventeenth century. Lucky for us, my flat mates, Charlie and Danny, are massively into the theater and costumes. I've got on clunky wooden heels, an unbelievably lacey and pleated lavender gown, and a high, white wig. My face is powdered, and I've got a beauty mark drawn on my upper lip. I check out my reflection in the floor length mirror.
"This is brilliant," I say, doing a quick turn and nearly losing my wig.
"Not bad, eh?" Danny says. "These are left over from that production of Marie Antoinette that our theater company did in the month… Are you ready yet, Naboo?"
Naboo is in an embroidered blue coat, gold knickers, and white stockings. He's also got a white wig on.
"What do you think?" he asks, striking a pose.
"Smashing," I reply with a grin. "Bollo, are you dressed?" I call through the door of the bathroom. The door opens slowly and Bollo comes out. My mouth falls open.
Bollo is, well, Bollo is in a pink dress just as pleated and ruffled as mine.
"Don't you got anything more, uh, masculine?" Bollo grunts, tugging at the dress.
"Sorry, mate," Charlie laughs. "This is the only thing we've got that will fit you."
Naboo and I exchange a smirk behind Bollo's back. "Well, we've got to get going," Naboo says. "We don't have any time to lose. There's no telling what Vince and Howard are up to."
"Right," I agree, adjusting Bollo's feathered hat. "Break out with the magic, Naboo."
Bollo, Naboo, and I hold hands and stand in a circle. When Naboo says the magic words, there is a bright flash of light and I feel like I'm being sucked up by a Hoover. When I can see again, it's daytime and we're in a magnificent garden with hundreds of statues littered about the place.
"Where are we?" I wonder aloud, blinking.
"The Royal Gardens of King Louis XIV, the Sun King." A pompous voice behind me answers. We all spin around to see a short man in royal-looking attire.
"Who are you?" Naboo asks.
"I am Philippe, butler to the king, and manager of the estate." He replies looking extremely proud. "And you must be the Lord Jean-Claude St. Claire and Lady Colette St. Claire. We have been expecting you," Naboo and I raise our eyebrows at each other but don't say anything, deciding to just play along. Philippe catches sight of Bollo. "Who is this with you?" he asks with a look of great interest.
"Er, this is my sister, Lady Antoinette de Monkeyface," I blurt out, having nothing else come to mind.
"Enchante, Mademoiselle," Philippe gushes, taking Bollo's hand and kissing it. Bollo glares at me, while Naboo fakes a cough into his handkerchief to disguise a laugh.
Philippe relinquishes Bollo's hand with a longing look, then straightens his vest officiously and says, "The King has been expecting you. Please follow me to the palace."
Bollo, Naboo, and I look at each other and shrug our shoulders. It doesn't look like we have much of a choice, and Howard and Vince might be at the palace too. We all follow Philippe out through the garden towards a magnificent palace on the hill.
