Ch. 12: Dinner and an Upcoming Show

Magenta switched off the monitor.

"Dinner should be ready soon, by the way. The Master won't have Rocky's birthday go uncelebrated."

Before either Columbia or Kayla could speak up, a man in a wheelchair suddenly came speeding into the room, circled the bed, and vanished. A few minutes later, the sound of a loud crash was heard.

"Um, who was that?" Kayla asked. Magenta stood up and stretched.

"Dr. Everett Scott. A rival scientist of the Master's. Ah, well, I should go set an extra place at the table. Five minutes, you two." Magenta left the room and Columbia and Kayla stood up.

"Should we change?"

"Nah, we're fine. Besides," Columbia looked Kayla up and down. "I think if Frankie gave you that gown tonight, he REALLY wants to see you in it."

"Alright. Shall we go, then?"

Both girls left the room and headed for the dining room. Once they entered, however, Kayla could feel the tension in the elegant room crawl over here.

Frank, now wearing a glittery satin top over his corset, was seated at the head of the table and looked furious. However, he waved Kayla over and gestured at the seat to his immediate left. Kayla sat down next to her host while Columbia sat down on Rocky's right. Brad sat across from Kayla and was himself looking angry, Janet looked ashamed, and Dr. Scott just looked uncomfortable. Kayla glanced over at Frank and though he didn't look at her, she felt his hand gently grasp hers under the table.

Magenta and Riff entered pushing a silver cart. Kayla felt Frank let go of her hand as he stood up and she quickly slid her napkin onto her lap. Magenta handed Frank an electric carving knife as Riff removed the cart's top, revealing a steaming chunk of browned meat.

Is that a turnkey of some sort? Kayla wondered as Frank began carving the meat. Riff slipped up behind her and poured her some wine.

"Thanks," she whispered. He nodded and moved on. Considering it was a celebration, Kayla had no objection to drinking wine. Apparently, neither did Rocky, as he started to drink from his cup, only to have Frank angrily gesture with the knife at him. Kayla wasn't surprised; dinners like this usually warranted a toast of some sort.

Sure enough, when Frank was done carving, he picked up his own glass and said,

"A toast! To absent friends."

"To absent friends," everyone repeated. Kayla sipped the dark liquid and found it sweet. Definitely better than the minute tastes of champagne she'd had at her parents' parties.

"And, Rocky." Frank continued, setting down his glass. Riff and magenta began serving the meat as Frank put on a paper party hat. Smiling at Rocky, he began the traditional,

"Happy birthday to you." Everyone joined in, but Frank cut off Janet on the last verse with,

"Shall we?"

He knows and he is mad. Kayla shot a glance at Janet, who looked even more downcast. Serve you right.

Kayla cut a small bite of meat and ate it; it didn't taste like turkey at all. It didn't taste like any meat she had ever eaten, but it was quite tender. Whatever it was, it was good.

Rocky, meanwhile, had picked up his meat with his hands only to be shoved by Columbia. The muscle man grasped his fork like a dagger, speared the meat and resumed eating.

Well, he is only a few hours old. Kayla knew that Frank would teach Rocky etiquette soon enough.

"We came here to discuss Eddie," Dr. Scott said, his voice thick with a German accent.

"Eddie?" Columbia cried. Franks aimed the knife at her, indicating that she should remain silent.

"That's a rather tender subject. Another slice, anyone?" Kayla, along with everyone sans Rocky, suddenly noticed what they were eating.

Columbia stood up. "Excuse me," she said politely. She exited the room and her loud cries were clearly heard. Kayla stood up.

"I'll go make sure she's okay." Frank gave her a nod and a slight smile and Kayla exited the room.

"Columbia?" she called. Her friend continued to sob and Kayla followed her to a small room a few feet away from the dining room. "Columbia!" Columbia was curled up on a couch. The room was decorated with pictures of Eddie and various motorcycle ads.

"This was his room. He showed up a few days before you did."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Columbia." The red-haired girl sat up and wiped her eyes.

"It's not that I fully loved him. It's just… why did he have to volunteer for that experiment? He knew he wasn't going to live through it!"

"Maybe that's why he volunteered. Maybe he didn't mind going out with a bang." Columbia sniffed.

"I just wish he'd…" A loud scream came from the dining room followed by a very angry Frank shouting,
"HOW COULD YOU?"

"What's going on?" Kayla wondered. Columbia took a deep breath, seemingly composing herself.

"Let's follow them." The girls quickly scampered after the noise, leading them through a giant hole in the wall of Frank's lab. Riff, Magenta, and Rocky were there as well. The two servants were standing by their master, who was watching Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott with triumph. The three seemed to be stuck to the floor, but Frank, it seemed, wasn't done with them yet. Brad raised his fists in a pathetically weak fighting gesture and Frank nodded at magenta. The maid yanked on a switched "Medusa" and with a flash, Brad was turned to stone. Within seconds, Dr. Scott and Janet were statues as well.

"My God, I can't take any more of this!" Kayla started as Columbia stormed down to Frank and reprimanded him for not loving her. Frank listened to her, but when Columbia demanded that he chose between her and Rocky, Frank only nodded to Magenta. Another flash and Columbia was frozen.

"It's not easy having a good time," Frank murmured before glancing up at Rocky. He nodded and Rocky was turned into a statue. "Even smiling makes my face ache." He bit one of his fingers, clearly upset. Kayla stood stock still, as Frank asked his servants whether or not he should have split Eddie's brain with Rocky.

Magenta, on the other hand, had other issues on her mind.

"I grow weary of this world! When shall we return to Transylvania, huh?"

They're leaving? Kayla watched the scene unfold, feeling very cold all of a sudden. She barely heard the discussion below her as her thoughts raced.

If they leave, that means I'll have to go home. I know it's what I have to do- I can't stay here forever- but I don't want to leave. I love it here.

"Come!" Frank barked. "We are ready for the floor show." He waved Kayla over and the seventeen-year-old raced to join him in the elevator. Frank slammed the door and they began to descend.

Kayla could feel Frank's anger, but she was too curious not to speak.

"A floor show, Frank?"

"Yes, sweet Kayla," he replied in a much calmer tone. "I think a little fun is in order." He glanced down at her and smiled. "But first, come to my room. I want to talk with you."

Author's note: Yes, everyone, the next chapter will be a love scene. But it was bound to happen, wasn't it? I'll try to get it up later today.