AN- Once again I must thank my reviewers, every single one of ya! I came to a decision on who should be involved in this one, and have something to say on the subject to all you Skinner fans, I'm sorry I keep getting him into trouble- but its cute!The next chapter might be a little weird, I warn you. Only a chosen few know what it will involve, ahehehe…
Following previous events, Captain Nemo had taken to locking his newly built, but extremely experimental, time machine in its room. However, unbeknownst to him, one certain gentleman thief had skilfully picked the lock of the door, and failed to re-lock it.
The league sat around the long dining table, having finished breakfast. The captain announced that the ship would be stationery for the time being whilst the solar panels re-charged fully.
''Then I may as well get some fresh air while I can, eh?'' Skinner mused, pushing back his chair.
''At least you aren't planning to drink all day. Life is becoming rather dull.'' Dorian remarked. Mina gave him a glance and said ''Have some patience Dorian, we'll be in New York soon.''
''Well, things had better liven up…'' said the immortal, nodding slightly. Quatermain rose from is seat. ''I trust that no-one else has considered messing with the machine now?'' Sawyer felt that this question was directed at him, and so replied ''I haven't done anything!''
Mina hid a smile as she coughed slightly. Tom gave her a quick glare and Alan smiled, patting Sawyer's shoulder.
''Just a short reminder boy,'' Tom rolled his eyes, but still managed to grin, ''I'm sure the captain wont take t any more mischief.''
Jekyll had been walking around the ship for the last fifteen minutes, trying to find solitude from the nagging voice in his ear.
''Do you plan to be quiet at some point?''
'NO. '
The doctor sighed and continued to haunt the corridors. Soon he came to a certain door, through which he should not have entered, but, being distracted by the repetitive argument with Hyde, it didn't click with him that he was in the test room, and was now leaning against the panel of the time machine!
'Ha! You can still hear me.'
''Yes, but now I don't have to see you-''
The machine began to fog up and hummed similarly to a vacumn cleaner- not that Jekyll knew what one of those was. It finally emitted a loud ping almost like a microwave- not that he knew what one of those was either. Jekyll had of course realised what he had done by now.
''oh-''
'Damn'
''I wonder what came through this time…''
The doctor opened the door and saw a small spray can sitting there. It was black with neon green writing on both sides, with a green lid to match. Picking it up, he read the name out loud:
''Silly string?''
''Silly string? What the hell is silly string?''
Jekyll ignored the question but continued to read. ''Shake well before use.'' He had already removed the lid, and began to shake the can- unfortunately he pressed down the button as he did so, resulting in a pile of luminous green string landing on his shoe and sticking.
'He he he… it looks like someone sneezed on you.'
''Eurgh, '' He shook off the substance, ''what am I supposed to do with this silly string?''
Hyde muttered that 'I don't know' noise and shrugged, although Jekyll couldn't see him at that moment in time anyway.
''Maybe I should get out of here now before I get into trouble…'' Jekyll left the room and was about to turn the corner when he heard footsteps approaching.
''I don't trust certain members of this league to contain their curiosity any longer.''
'Now you're in trouble Henry.' Although he couldn't see his alter ego, Henry knew he was grinning. The footsteps continued to get closer, and Jekyll thought he was about to caught- until someone yanked him behind the large array of piping that was nearby.
''Wha-''
''Shh!''
He and his rescuer watched as Quatermain and the captain entered the room, muttering about the open door. Jekyll turned to thank his helper, but found an empty space.
''Skinner- what are you doing down here?''
''Nothin- what are you doing down here?''
''Also nothing.''
''Come on!''
They ran down the corridor until they reached the ladder that led to the top deck. Standing in the fresh air, Rodney Skinner began to re-apply his greasepaint 'face'.
''You see, I went down there a little earlier in the week- and I'm sure you know I forgot to lock the door on my way out.''
Jekyll nodded in reply as Skinner picked up his coat from a nearby deck-chair.
''So,'' the thief grinned, ''had to have a go did you?''
''No- no, it happened by accident-''
''Of course. Your secrets safe with me, you know. I didn't see anything if you didn't see anything.''
''Agreed.''
''Well, show me what you have then.''
Skinner took the can before Jekyll could tell him what would happen, and pressed the button. Jekyll tried his very best not to laugh skinner, who now had a small amount of green hair sitting on his head. Henry burst out laughing as he wiped it from his head.
''Ha, ha.'' Rodney replied, flicking it to the floor.
''Oh, I 've just remembered''
''What now?''
''I left some of this stuff on the floor…''
''They're gonna think it was me!''
''I'm sorry. I'll vouch for you-''
''Now, now, there's no need for that- I know! We'll frame someone!''
''Erm…''
''You.'' He took jekylls arm, ''you're gonna help me.''
''But-''
''Come on, it'll get us both outta trouble!''
''Well- it will get someone else into trouble.''
''Ah, yeah, who to frame,'' Skinner began to pace a little, ''who, who…? Ahh, I know who.''
Jekyll gulped slightly as skinner picked up the string with a grin.
Later that evening…
''Right, you know what you have to do?''
''Yes, but why do we have to do this?''
''I told you, we can both stay outta trouble, don't you trust me?''
''Um-''
''Don't answer that. Off you go then!''
Dr Jekyll sighed frustratedly as Skinner left him. He slipped into the room and put the string from Skinner's head into the coat that was lying on the chair. He sprayed the silly string on the floor, and had left some outside in the corridor and the other corridors of the ship.
Suddenly the door handle began to turn. Jekyll quickly pressed himself against the wall behind the door as it opened, so he was hidden from the occupant who entered, stepping on the string.
''What?'' They rushed over to the chair. ''In my JACKET?''
Jekyll took this opportunity to slip out of the room, leaving the can behind on the cupboard.
Skinner gave him a short round of applause.
''He came in.''
''Did he catch you?''
''Well no-''
''Then great!''
''This is absolutely ridiculous!''
Meanwhile….
The hunter and the captain were discussing the escaped culprit.
''Maybe we're getting too old for this, Nemo.''
''Not necessarily.''
There came a knock at the door. ''Enter.''
Dorian walked in, holding a look of extreme annoyance. In one hand was his jacket with a pocketful of sticky green string, and in the other was the can it had originated from.
''Did you catch them?'' asked the immortal quietly.
Quatermain and Nemo exchanged glances, each raising an eyebrow.
''Catch who?''
Dorian rose an eyebrow of his own. ''Sawyer and Skinner of course.''
''They messed up the walls of my ship?''
''I assume so. I also believe they put this disgusting substance in my coat and on my floor!'' Dorian held out the can to Alan, who took it with interest.
''I advise you to hold it away from your face if you push that button Mr Quatermain.''
Nemo looked from the can to Dorian. ''If you are in possession of this, how are we to know that you aren't the culprit?''
''Captain, I don't blame you of accusing me, but I trust, that you find those two more likely of such a childish act.''
''Hey, er- what's going on?''
''Skinner!''
''Uh oh''
Skinner had entered the room undressed, and as soon as his cockney voice reached Dorians ears, the immortal spun around, snatching the can. He sprayed it around the room, covering Nemo and Quatermain with silly string. They sighed simultaneously.
Dorian continued to pursue Skinner, spraying the string on the walls and floor.
''Aaah!'' The invisible man skidded along the corridor, but regained his balance as he turned the corner. Dorian also slipped, but hit the wall before he cold find his balance. They had reached a part of the ship where string covered the walls already. The immortal got up, and almost growling chased after a pair of luminous green feet.
''Bugar!''
''Get BACK HERE!''
Somehow Skinner had disappeared when Dorian next turned the corner. He waited for a sign of movement. A door to the left of him opened, and he sprayed the can on reflex.
''AHAaaahh…Mina…''
Immortal or not, if looks could kill, Dorian would have died on the spot from Minas glare. The door to the right of them opened and he sprayed the can again, this time hitting the intended target.
''You are going to clean the mess you made in my ROOM!''
''BOTH of you are going to clean the mess you made on my SHIP!''
Dorian and Skinner both turned to find Nemo standing with his arms crossed.
Skinner was too busy laughing at the sight of Mina and Nemo with a face full of silly string to join in Dorians protest.
''Clean?''
Soon, the can had been disposed of, not that there was much string left in the can anyway. Nemo watched over Dorian and Skinner, who stood by a bucket scrubbing the walls clean. Skinner persisted in trying to get Jekyll into trouble.
''But for once I'm telling the truth! He's the one who got the can!''
''I highly doubt he would be involved in something like this. I'll bet Sawyer is involved…''
''Hey, shut up!'' Tom defended himself as he watched them. Mina and Jekyll were also watching the spectacle. Skinner began muttering to himself as Dorian became angrily silent.
Nemo continued to frown, but Mina, Tom and Jekyll were all grinning.
Skinner glared at him as he washed the wall.