Chapter 7:
"Whoa thanks for the slamming tie dudes," Soos smiled as he adjusted the tie. "These stripes are so slimming."
Soos then turned to continue raking up the leaves while Dipper and Mabel watched from the porch.
"Where did you say this mind control tie from again?" Mabel asked Dipper once Soos was out of earshot.
"I found it in one of the random boxes in the attic," Dipper replied smoothly. He hated lying to Mabel, but he doubted she would accept anything Bill gave him and the need the ties if they were going to stop Bud. "I think it was one of Ford's old inventions like that body switching carpet."
"And you're sure it's going to work?" Mabel asked skeptically, accepting Dipper's explanation.
"Well, flip the switch and test it out," Dipper suggested, handing her the matching tie. She slipped it over her head and turned the switch, causing a beeping sound and Soos went ridged.
"Oooh, I'm a dancing dude," Mabel sang as she moved her body, with Soos mimicking every action and word. "I've got some fancy moves and a bad attitude."
Once she finished, Mabel turned the tie off and Soos collapsed onto the ground, gasping in fear.
"Ha! That's amazing!" Mabel said as she ignored Soos' freak out and turned the tie back on. "I am Soos-Tron watch me eat this pine cone. Mind control is awesome!"
Mabel once again turned off the tie and Soos fell onto his hands and knees.
"Oh, my gosh," Soos panted, gripping his chest. "My life just flashed before my eyes."
Mabel and Dipper high fived and went inside, grinning at there plan to help Grunkle Stan win the election.
(Time Skip)
It was now Wednesday and the stump speeches were now taking place. Dipper watched Tommy Cutebiker give his speech while Mabel helped Grunkle Stan get the mind control tie on.
"Ugh, do I really have to wear this thing?" Stan complained, looking at the tie before letting it fall to his chest. "It looks like a flag threw up on me."
"Grunkle Stan, just trust your lucky tie," Mabel replied, patting him on the back.
"And now Stanford Pines," Sheriff Blubs announced, drawing their attention.
"You're on Grunkle Stan," Mabel exclaimed, sliding down the ladder and pushing Stan towards the stage. Stan nervously way made his way up and passed through the curtains.
"Okay we'll only jump in if he starts doing badly," Mabel concluded as she slipped the tie over her head. The twins turned to watch their Grunkle's speech.
"Hi, there! Stan Pines here," Stan said confidently, leaning on the podium. "Let's get real… don't you think the women of Gravity Falls wear too much makeup?"
"Jump in! Jump in!" Dipper told Mabel desperately. Dipper might not have the best track record when it came to winning girls over, but even he knew it wasn't a good idea to insult their makeup. Mabel agreed and turned on her tie.
"What I meant to say was you ladies all look great," Mabel said with Stan coping her. "And have you done something with your hair? Girl, you are working it!"
There was a brief moment when they feared it wouldn't work, but then they could hear positive responses from the crowd, much to their relief.
"I'm Stan Pines, You may know me as the guy who let all those bees lose in that elementary school a few years back," Mabel continued, to her brother's horror. Dipper quickly grabbed the tie and slipped it around his own neck.
"But I believe in things," Dipper said, trying to sound patriotic. "America! Freedom! Amera-freedom! Like my opponent pointed out, I may not have a pretty face. But if you want a candidate that'll listen to you, I'm proud to be all ears!"
Dipper grinned as he heard the crowd agreeing and laughing. There were even a few cheers. Mabel then pulled the tie from his neck and slipped back onto her.
"Now watch me break it down!" Mabel announced as she began to do a series of complicated dance moves. Once she finished and could hear the crowd cheering, turned off the tie and collapsed from exhaustion. Stan meanwhile, looked around confused before heading backstage.
"Grunkle Stan that was amazing!" Mabel congratulated, getting up and giving him a hug.
"Yeah," Soos agreed coming up to the family. "How did you do it, Mr. Pines?"
"I don't know?" Stan replied, rubbing his head. "I just opened my mouth and spoke from the heart… or gut… or something. And what is that sound? Why are people jamming their hands together?"
"It's applause," Mabel declared with a wide grin. "Gruncle Stan, they love you."
"They love me?" Stan said, stunned as looked back out at the crowd and heard them chanting his name.
"There he is," Toby Determine said as he came around the corner with the other reporters. "Mr. Pines, can we get a picture?"
"Yes, we Stan!" The group declared in unison, coming closer for the picture. As the cameras began flashing, Dipper couldn't help but grin proudly. Thanks to the deal he made with Bill, Stan had a real chance at winning.
The next few days passed in a blur of speeches and public appearances. Between the two of them, Dipper and Mabel were able to make sure Stan won over the crowds and he was soon taking the lead with the voters. Right now Dipper and Mabel were waiting at Greasy's Diner where Grunkle Stan was getting a celebratory lunch before the final debate. Dipper was a little concerned because he and Mabel had found Stan's tie abandoned that morning. Mabel was sure he had just forgotten it, but Dipper feared Stan was getting overconfident. His fears were only confirmed when Stan strutted into the diner.
"Hey-oh!" Stan greeted loudly as came in through the door, immediately getting everyone's attention.
"Stan!" Everyone replied cheerfully, several raising there mugs to him.
"Now just the ladies," Stan commanded, basking in all the attention.
"Stan," said about half the diner.
"Now just the women my age," Stan finished, only getting one response. "Whoof, never mind."
Stan then made his way to the booth where Dipper and Mabel were sitting, relaxing and ignoring the small glares the twins were giving him.
"On the house Mr. Big-shot," Lazy Susan said as she placed a plate of pancakes in front of Stan.
"Now this I could get used to," Stan declared as he began to dig into the pancakes.
"Grunkle Stan, what's with the outfit?" Mabel began cautiously. "You're missing your lucky tie."
"Power tie got to wear it," Dipper agreed firmly. They needed to have Stan wear the tie if they hoped to win.
"Oh come on," Stan rolled his eyes. "Have you seen the polls? I could debate naked and I'd still win. Huh… Come to think of it…"
"Haha," Mabel laughed nervously, trying to get that picture out of her head. "Seriously though, we need you to wear that suit and tie Grunkle Stan."
"Suit and tie gotta wear it," Dipper repeated forcefully. They did not have time for this with the debate right around the corner.
"Why do you kids have to constantly tell me what to do!" Stan scoffed, annoyed by them. "Everyone in this town is finally showing me respect! And maybe you kids should too."
"Grunkle Stan, we'd respect you if you took things more seriously," Dipper said slowly, trying to reel in his growing anger and frustration.
"I am taking this seriously!" Stan shouted, banging his fist on the table. "If you haven't noticed, everything that has come out of this golden mouth has put us on top. With or without your dumb advice!"
"Dumb advice?" Dipper scowled, clenching his fists. Mabel eyed him in worry.
"Yeah dumb advice," Stan repeated immediately.
"Dang it Stan!" Dipper shouted, slamming his own fists on the table. He was not going to take this from Stan again, especially when he was the real reason for Stan's success. "Everyone of those speeches we were controlling you!"
"Dipper!" Mabel gasped, shocked that he had revealed their secret.
"What?" Stan questioned in anger and disbelief.
"This tie is a mind control device invented by Ford," Dipper explained, revealing the circuitry within the tie. "If it wasn't for this tie, you'd be losing!"
Stan could only stare at it in shock for a moment before he began trembling with anger.
"Well, you can tell that know-it-all Ford that he can keep his fancy inventions and magic ties!" Stan shouted, standing up and glaring down at Dipper. "I'm going to win this debate on my own without any of you!"
"Stan! Wait! You can't!" Dipper protested, jumping out of the booth as Stan stomped away. Stan ignored Dipper and left the diner, slamming the door behind him.
"Ugh, this is bad," Dipper grumbled, frustrated that all their hard work was falling apart. "If we want to beat Bud, we need another candidate and fast!"
"What we need is a blank slate," Mabel agreed, standing by her brother. "Someone totally suggestable. An empty piece of clay that we can mold to our whims."
"Hey a little help dudes," Soos came to them, a sweater over his head. "I accidentally got my head stuck in my shirt sleeve. Guess this is my life now."
Dipper and Mabel looked at each other and smiled.