Elphaba is the first to follow the guard. Glinda and Nessa follow at an appropriate distance. They walk into the throne room. The guard closed the door after Glinda and Nessa entered. Elphaba saw nothing at first, but suddenly there was a light and a gigantic head moving. ''I am Oz the great and terrible, Who are you and why do you seek me?'' Said the head in an angry voice.

''Say something Elphie'' said Glinda anxiously, pushing Elphie towards the head. ''I..II am Elphaba Thropp yyyour terribleness!'' stammert Elphie as she steps forward and backward. ''These are…''

''Ooh is that you Elphaba?'' suddenly another voice said from the head. This voice is much softer and more human. ''I didn`t realize.''

Elphaba takes Glinda and Nessa's hand. She was amazed by the sudden change of voice. The head turned a few times and then hung down. An elderly man in his forties came out from behind the big head, coughing. He waved his hand to clear the smoke from his mouth. ''I hope I didn`t startled you'' said the man with his hands up. The girls could all relax a bit when they saw the man.

''It is so hard to make out people`s faces, when I'm back there.'' he said laughing when he got no response.

He strode over to the girls. He put on his glasses. ''So let's see which is which?''

The girls continued to stare at him blankly. None of the three had any idea how to respond. They were all somewhat relaxed by the man's reaction.

He reached out to Elphaba, he was reminding that his assistant had say that Elphaba is green. ''Elphaba a pleasure.'' He said as he shook the hand of Elphaba. He pulled her a little more into the throne room so that she could see more of the room.

''And you must be?'' The man asked, reaching out to Glinda. ''I'm Glinda Upland sir.'' She said politely while making a small bow. She followed Elphie as the man takes Nessa's hand.

''I'm Nessarose. I am Elphaba's younger sister.'' The man nods. Nessa joined the other two who were inspecting the head.

Elphaba feels that her fears and nerves are gone. The Wizard is the first to take her hand without a doubt. He is the first person who not scream when he saw her. He didn't give her a strange look. Neither did the people of the Emerald city. But this is the Wizard, so that makes it extra special. There was no fear or disgust or surprise in his eyes. Acceptance only

The wizard turned. ''I know It is a bit much, isn't.'' He rubbed his hand through his hair.

Nessa recognized something in the man's demeanor and his smile that sounded familiar to her, but she couldn't figure out what. Glinda just looked proudly at her friend and didn't think much. She was happy that Elphaba had such a big smile.

The man walked to Elphaba. ''But people expect things like this. You have to give people what they want.'' he continued.

Elphaba was filled with joy. ''I'm so happy to meet you,'' Elphaba said in a slightly too high voice.

Immediately the wizard looked a lot happier, there was a sparkle in the eyes of the man. ''Well that's good, because that's what I love best: making people happy.'' the wizard said happily. ''I am a sentimental man.'' The wizard gave a small speech about how badly he wants to help the people of Oz.

Something was bothering Nessa. She recognized the way the man spoke so passionately. She also recognized the man from somewhere.

''Ooh Your Ozness I know you would help,'' Elphaba said a little more in her normal voice as the Wizard distanced sadly after his speech. ''You see, we`re not here just for ourselves.'' Elphab walked over to Glinda and took her hands.

''We`re not?'' Glinda asked in surprise. Nessa rolled her eyes. Then the puzzle pieces fell into place.

I recognize him from the photo, thought Nessa.

''No, we are here because something bad is happening to the Animals,'' Elphaba said firmly.

''Please I`m the wizard of Oz I already know why you`ve come.''

''oooh'' said Elphaba and Glinda at the same time.

''And I fully intend to grant your request. Of course you have to prove yourself first.''

''Of course go prove yourself,'' Glinda said, pushing Elphie towards the Wizard and stepping back herself. ''Prove yourself.''

Elphie just glared at Glinda because she was being pushed forward again. ''But how?'' she asked the Wizard when she turned her attention back to the Wizard.

Nessa rolled over to Glinda and took her hand. ''Glinda, take a good look at the Wizard and at Elphaba.'' she said urgently.

Glinda looked questioningly at Nessa. ''What do I have to see?'' She whisper back.

''Don't you see the resemblance in their smile and the way they talk passionately about it? Think of the picture of mama and Oscar.''

Meanwhile, the Wizard was talking to Elphaba about how to prove herself.

''Nessa, Glinda. I'm going to say a spell from a magic book called the Grimmerie,'' Elphaba said like a happy child. ''Can you believe it? The Wizard is going te get the book.''

''That is wonderful Elphie.'' Glinda said, not wanting to jump to the conclusion right away and ruin the joy of Elphie. ''Do you have the picture of your mother and your father with you?'' Glinda asked carefully.

''Yes, of course,'' Elphaba said absently. She hands Glinda the photo and walks around the throne room to admire everything.

Nessa and Glinda both looked at the picture. ''Sweet Oz I think you are right.'' Glinda said as she gasped. ''How is this possible.''

''I have no idea,'' Nessa is a little calmer but still in shock. ''I'm more concerned about how we should tell this to Fabala.''

''Hey, Glin, why do you want the photo,'' Elphaba asked when she had processed all the information.

Glinda opened her mouth to answer, but the Wizard walked into the room with a book under his arm. ''Girls. This is my monkey servant Chistery. He watches the birds so longingly every morning, so perhaps a powerfull levitation spell, will help him.''

Elphie's eyes widened. She takes the monkey's hand, but the wizard pushes the book into her hands instead. She takes the book and sat on the floor. ''What a funny writing.''

''Well it`s a lost language. The lost language of spells.''

Elphaba was already busy studying the language.

''Your Ozness,'' asked Nessa nervously. The wizard looked at Nessa and nods. ''Do you know a woman named Melena?''

Elphaba was about to cast the spell, but stopped when she heard her mother's name. ''Nessa,'' she hisses. ''What do you think you are doing?'' She clearly doesn't like it. She got up and walked over to Nessa. ''Did Boq ordered you to do this?''

Nessa shake her head. She was more convinced of her discovery because the Wizard had turned completely pale.

''How do you know her name?'' The Wizard finally whispers.

Elphaba turned and she immediately forgets why she was angry.

Nessa and Elphaba were both speechless so Glinda took the word. ''Your Osness, we're trying not to be disrespectful, but it's important. Melena Thropp is the mother of these two girls. We only found out that she had an affair with someone named Oscar.''

Oscar could only nod.

Glinda looked dubiously at Elphie and Nessa. Elphaba didn't know what to think. If she could still think. She fears the answer. Nessa signaled to continue. She felt Elphaba squeeze her hand.

''We found out that someone named Oscar is Elphaba's father. She has a green bottle to prove it.''

Oscar's hand automatically went to his own green bottle. He always kept it close to him because it is his most valuable possession.

He showed the bottle. Glinda recognized the bottle and gasped. ''That is the same,'' she whispers.

Elphie got tears in her eyes. She tried to process everything but she couldn't believe it. All the while, the Wizard was her father. Elphaba was feeling all things she didn't want to feel, fear, anger, overwhelm, and confusion. Lots of confusion ''That is not possible. That ... That'' started Elphaba. All eyes were on her, another thing she didn't like at all.

''Elphaba,'' whispers the Wizard who was the first to recover from the shock. ''This is a dream come true.'' Slowly the Wizard walked over with his arms apart to hug her.

Elphaba had lost it. She panics. She didn't know what Oscar's intentions are. Hugging a familiar man is difficult for her, but an unknown man who wanted something from her less than ten minutes ago, is something she cannot deal with.

She screamed ''NO!''. She released Nessa and ran out of the throne room. In her panic, she didn't know where to go. She saw stairs and went to where she felt the safest, which was upstairs. As high as possible where no one could see her. Where no one could hurt her.

XXX

Everyone was left trembling. ''Should I send security after her? She can get hurt or something.'' Oscar asked without thinking. He didn't want his daughter to leave him now.

"NO" shouted the other two quickly.

''Don't worry Your ozness. I'll get her back,'' Glinda said trembling.

Oscar had no words he clearly didn't know his own daughter so nods. Glinda quickly ran after Elphie and luckily saw something green and black running around the corner by the stairs. ''For the first time I am glad that she is so recognizable,'' Glinda muttered who quickly ran after her.

XXX

Chistery, meanwhile, had settled on top of the gigantic head. He doesn't understand anything that was said. He liked his freedom. Slowly he fell asleep.

''So, you are Elphaba's sister?'' asked Oscar after an akward silence.

Nessa rolled her eyes. She was still nervous about being alone with such an important person, but she knew she was not in danger.

''Yes, your Ozness. I am Nessarose. I'm Elphaba`s younger sister.''

Oscar nods. ''Could you explain to me how you found out?''

''Sorry Your Ozness I don't know if Fabala wants that.''

''Fabala?''

''I used to be unable to pronounce her name properly when I was a todler. It has become a nickname.''

''Can you tell me how best to deal with her?'' Oscar asked hopefully.

Nessa visibly hesitates.

''I promise I won't hurt her. I'm so happy that I finally want to be a dad. I'll do anything for her, as long as she stays here.''

He swallows. I've always wanted a family. This is my chance. I'm afraid my greed is going to chase her away like just happened. I don't know what I did wrong.

Nessa sighs. She had looked into his eyes for a long time and saw only despair. She could see from his whole attitude that he wanted the best for Elphaba. But she also knew that Elphaba is very shy and reserved. ''I can give you some tips. But you have to promise me never not to hurt her and let her do things when she's ready.''

Oscar nods happily. He grabs a chair and sits down next to Nessa.

Nessa thought carefully before talking about her sister. She could say the general things.

XXX

''Elphie ?!'' Glinda shouted irritated after she felt running up the hundredth flight of stairs. ''Stop now! No one is going to hurt you. Nobody follows you except me.''

Glinda came up panting. ''You are lucky that I put on my flat heels because otherwise this would not be possible to run up with all those stairs''

Glinda had hoped her joke would make the mood less tense, but Elphaba hadn't heard. She was pacing.

''Where are we?'' Glinda asked in surprise.

''There are no more stairs so I think in the attic.'' Elphie said in a hoarse voice.

Glinda sat on a pile of crates and waited for Elphie to finish muttering. She had no idea how to do this. She had learned from her mother when she was younger how to talk with closed and shy people. But never had a lesson on how to deal with people who just discovered that their greatest hero is their father.

After a few minutes, Glinda had had enough. Being patient has never been one of her strongest qualities. ''Elphie'' said Glinda softly as she stepped into Elphie's walkway. ''You dig yourself down if you keep walking like this.''

''Stop making jokes Glinda.'' snarls Elphaba. As soon as she said it, her eyes soften. ''Sorry Glin, I'm not mad at you.''

Glinda opened her arms and Elphie gave her a quick hug. ''You are forgiven.'' Glinda knew that Elphie doesn't like being cuddled when she is emotional so quickly let go of her.

Elphie looked at her gratefully. They walked to the crates together and sat on them. ''Who are you mad at?'' Glinda asked, knowing Elphie wanted to know what is is feeling and why quickly.

Elphie sighs. ''I don't know. At the Wizard, At Mommy, at myself, at Nessa, at you.''

Glinda started to say something but kept her mouth shut. She wanted to say something again because the silence was too long but Elphie went first. ''I know no one can do anything about it except the Wizard and Mommy. But I don't know Glin. What should I do?''

''What do you want to do?''

''I don't know!''

Glinda takes Elphie's hands. ''You know you always have your friends and me. We support you in everything. So if you choose to see the Wizard as your father, we are happy. If you choose not to do anything with the Wizard as your father then we are happy too. But I've known everyone longer than today. I'm sure everyone is going to ask if you've talked to him. You also have questions yourself. Can you live with it if they go unanswered?''

Elphie thought for a moment. ''I don't think so. But what if.''

''Elphie I'm going to stop you now,'' Glinda said stern but with love in her voice. ''No what if. I told you what your options are in my opinion. I said it will happen if you choose an option. Now it is your turn to choose your path. So no What if`s don`t drive yourself crazy.''

''Since when are you so smart?''

Glinda has been smiling. ''Since I got a really smart roommate that I'm in love with too.''

''I think that's a lucky girl.''

''I think so too.'' Glinda gives Elphie a kiss.

''Thank you Glin for talking to me and your jokes were kind of funny a little early but fun.''

Glinda laughs loudly. ''I'm glad you think that way. We have to go back to the Wizard and Nessa. You can think all the way downstairs about your choice . I'd rather walk instead instead of raning back. That gives you time''

''I can also dig a hole and hope that we end up in the throne room right away. It will save you from getting sore feet with flat heels.''

Glinda sticks out her tongue but smiles.

Hand in hand they walk down slowly.

XXX

''So cuddling with her is not a good idea?''

Nessa nods. ''She's not used to it. All she knows about touching a man is that it hurts. Most boys bully her harshly, throwing stones at her or overpowering her with many.''

Oscar had tears in his eyes. It hurt him so much to hear that his daughter went through so much pain and is still going through. It pains him to hear that something as simple as a hug, is so difficult for his daugther.

Oscar remembered when he had just left Melena. He was literally at a bifurcation, he had the choice to go back to Munchkinland to her, or go back to his balloon or go forward to the Emerald city.

He chose back then his career to pursue his dream which promised him money and wealth. Now he regretted that choice so much. He immediately promised that he would put everything aside to be there for Elphaba.

Nessa had told him about her love for the Animals. He had to be smart about this to get his daughter's love. He had to pretend he didn't know about all the actions against the Animals and put them right. If he had Elphaba on his side, he could still be powerful. He also had Madame Morrible with powers. Before making a choice, he had to think everything through.

''Your Ozness?''

''Sorry Nessarose, I had wandered into my own mind for a moment. I'm very sorry that I didn't immediately recognize Elphaba. She looks so much like Melena. You look a lot like her too, but differently.''

Nessa began to blush. ''Thank you for the compliment. But I have many more character traits from her.''

Oscar nods. ''How is she actually? Is she still happy with Frex?''

Nessa got tears in her eyes. ''She passed away when I was born twenty years ago,'' she whispers. ''Papa is here in the Souhtstairs because he treated Elphaba badly. Luckily I was able to change myself for the better. It worked out well and I'm very happy now, But talking about the past still hurts us all.''

Oscar remembered what Claudy had told him. ''I'm sorry to hear that. Melena is,'' he swallows. ''was a very special woman. If you have her character traits, you are also a very special girl.''

Nessa let tears roll down her cheeks. Oscar gave her a hug and tried to comfort her as much as possible.

XXX

Elphaba and Glinda re-enter the throne room. ''Why is she crying? Elphaba asks worried. She lets go of Glinda's hand and runs to Nessa. She glares at Oscar.

Oscar takes a step back to show that he has no bad intentions. ''I..I try to comfort hhher,'' he stammers.

Nessa takes Elphie's hand who tries to wipe away the tears. ''He just said something really nice about Mommy. He didn't hurt me, he touches me with his words in a good way.''

Elphie looks from the Wizard to her sister. She doesn't know what to believe.

''Elphie you shouldn't be flying off the handle like that. It can't be good for your heart.''

''I'm glad you are here again.'' Oscar said softly.

''I'm only here because I have questions. I want answers.'' Elphaba said curtly.

Oscar nods quickly. He is already happy with all the time he gets with his daughter. ''Maybe we can discuss them over dinner? Or if you just want to speak to me alone, it's okay too.''

Elphie glared at him.

''You can say what you want. You are the boss.'' Said the wizard with his hands in the air.

''Nessa and Glinda get to hear everything you have to say. I have no secrets from them.''

''Elphie maybe it's okay if we start eating now. I know it is still early, but you have hardly eaten anything for breakfast and lunch.''

As if agreed, Elphie's stomach began to growl. She blushed and nods. She couldn't get a bite down her throat. The morning had been too busy to change the subject because Nessa started asking questions about her blushing. In the afternoon she had been too nervous. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

Oscar immediately smiles. ''I will inform the cook right away.'' He almost ran away.

''He's doing his best,'' Nessa said when Oscar was gone.

''Maybe that's the problem,'' Elphaba muttered.

''Fabala first listen to his story, think about it for at least one night and then you can make a choice. You are now tired and emotional about this news. You don't have to love him right away, but you can try to talk to him. To talk normally,'' Nessa emphasizes.

''Since when are you the wisest of the two of us?''

Nessa smiks. ''Since I have a boyfriend who is also very smart.''

''And we are going to talk about something else,'' Glinda said quickly who knew this is not the subject that would calm Elphie.

But to Glinda's surprise, Elphie started to laugh. ''You also got his sense of humor, I notice.''

She looked serious again. ''Thank you Nessa, it was good for you to discover it. I`m not mad at you and I'll try to be polite to him.''

''You're welcome. It's the least I could do for you.'' Suddenly Nessa start to laugh. ''Prepare for Boq's response.''

Elphaba growls. ''I'm never going to hear the end of this. Boq is right, I should have written the Wizard.''

Nessa and Glinda laughed because Elphie looked like a child who didn't get her way.

Oscar walked back into the throne room. He had quickly arranged a servant to serve them. He had also gone to Madame Morrible to tell her not to be around anymore. He had arranged a meeting with her in the evening. He had to reverse the laws he made to suppress the Animals. He did everything for his daughter. ''What's so funny?''

The girls looked at each other. "Tell him," whispers Elphie, who felt something to let the Wizard into her life, but wasn't sure about talking to him yet.

Glinda began to talk about their quest and how Boq had indicated to write the Wizard. But that Elphaba thought the idea was ridiculous.

Oscar also began to chuckle softly. He knows how difficult he finds it himself to admit his wrong. He could only imagine how difficult it would be for Elphaba. His mind begins to wander.

''Wizard? Your Ozness?'' He suddenly heard. ''Sorry what did I miss?''

''I just wondered when dinner is ready.'' Nessa said.

''Oh yes of course, follow me but then we'll go to the dining room. The food will be ready in ten minutes.''

Everyone looked impressed. They were all used to the food being ready quickly, but ten minutes is very quick.

''Follow me!'' Oscar said loudly and quickly when Elphaba wanted to walk towards the door where the monkeys are behind the cages. ''I can show you the palace and maybe convince you to stay here overnight'', Oscar quickly explained when Elphie gave him a suspicious look.

''Doesn't Chistery have to eat?'' asked Elphaba who was trying to talk normally to the Wizard as they walked through the other door.

''He eats when he is awake. He has earned his rest.''

Elphaba seemed to be content with the answer.

Oscar showed a small part of the palace and hurried to the dining room, because he don`t know exactly what is behind every doors. The dining room is a large room with three long tables where at least thirty people can sit at each table. The walls are light green with yellow decorations. above was a large chandelier.

Everyone sat down at the table. Elphaba moved as far away from Oscar as possible, but Glinda pulled her closer. Oscar sits at the head of the table, next to him are Glinda and Nessa. Elphie is sitting next to Glinda. A human servant comes in with hot soup. ''I don't know if you have allergies or if you don't like it.''

''We have no allergies. But I don't eat meat.'' Elphaba said.

''I don`t like cheese.''

''I don't like broccoli.'' Glinda said with a face.

The wizard chuckles. ''Fortunately, after this we have salad and bread.''

Everyone took a bite.'' Mm your Ozness this tastes fantastic.'' Glinda said and quickly took another bite.

''Please call me Oscar that's my name.''

''Okay, Oscar. What a weird name by the way.''

Oscar chuckles. ''Where I come from it is a very common name.''

Oscar began to tell about his balloon journey, how he sold things to earn money to survive. How Melena gave him a place to sleep. When he started talking about his love for Melena, Elphaba quickly cut him off. She didn't feel the need to hear that story yet.

Oscar nods sadly and went on to tell what he did when he left Melena. He talked about his doubts. How he ended up at the Emerald city and eventually became the wonderful Wizard.

''But wait, that's not right,'' Glinda shouted. Nessa and Elphaba were shocked by Glinda's voice.

''Sweet Oz Glin, can it get any harder? You gave us all a heart attack What is wrong?''

''Well do the math. You turn 24 in the summer and we celebrate the Wiz I mean Oscar's arrival in the fall.''

Elphaba gave her friend a smile. ''We celebrate that he became the leader of Oz the Wonderful Wizard. It's in the history books.''

''It is a common mistake made by many Ozian.'' Oscar added. ''In the summer that I arrived in Oz, I first started traveling around. After I left Melena I went to the Emerald City.

''Theoretically, we should celebrate that I've come to power, not that I've arrived.''

Glinda blushed. ''It's no problem,'' Oscar said quickly. ''You're not alone in thinking that way.''

''I didn't know either,'' said Nessa.

Glinda was already feeling a little better.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. A red-haired woman entered. She looked very sweet to everyone except Elphaba.

''Your Ozness, I hope I'm not interrupting we would have a conversation.''

''Ooh yes of course sorry miss Claudy. As you can see now I'm busy. Is it okay if we have the conversation tomorrow?''

Claudy tried to smile, but failed. ''That is not a problem.''

Oscar gave her a smile. ''Sorry Miss Claudy I know how much you have been looking forward to this. But this is very important to me. I have more time tomorrow. Go home and join me for breakfast.

Claudy is already feeling a little better. ''That's good Your Ozness. I'll see you tomorrow your Ozness.''

Claudy left the room and was insulting Elphaba in the hallway. ''How is it possible that that horrible ugly green bean is sitting at the table with the Wizard. I have to wait again. I swear as soon as I will stand next to the wizard, I'll have her locked up.'' Her eyes burn with rage. She decided to find out more about her new nemesis. She swore to make Elphaba suffer in various ways. ''No one gets between me and my dream!'' she yelled at no one when the door of her study slammed shut.

XXX

Meanwhile in the dining room.

''If you have an appointment with your employee then you should go there.'' Elphaba said seriously.

''It's not that important. She can hear it tomorrow too. She still has a lot to learn about patience, so this is one way too.''

For Elphaba didn't feel good, but couldn't do anything about it.

''In addition, I don't want to miss any more time with my daughter. Do you want to tell something about yourself?'' Oscar asked cautiously. Elphaba looked at Nessa and Glinda who both nod.

Elphaba took another bite of her soup. '' My full name is Elphaba Melena Thropp. I study at Shiz university. In our first years you get many different courses so that you can orient yourself on what you want to do later. But I think something about magic and life sciences, although psychology is also very interesting. Maybe I'll take all three modules.''

Glinda looked at her, startled. ''Are you crazy? You aren't going to choose three modules. Do you know how many courses you have? You no longer have time for other things.''

''Glin, first I said maybe and second maybe I can combine the courses. So I will have still a lot but a little bit less.''

Glinda crossed her arms angrily.''You are making no sens. I still think you're crazy.''

''I agree with Glinda,'' Nessa said gently. Three modeles is a lot.''

''She still has six months to make a choice. Maybe you can talk to the headmistress, I'm sure there will be a reasonable plan.'' Oscar said to avoid an argument.

''Thank you Your Oz I mean Oscar,'' said Elphaba sincerely grateful that someone is considering her options.

Oscar thought about his conversation with Nessa and decided to let the other girls tell something about themselves as well. Nessa, like Elphaba, was reticent about herself, but Glinda talked a lot about herself.

''Have you also attended a university?'' Elphaba asked softly.

Oscar is happy that Elphaba asks him something. At least it's a good sign. ''No, where I come from is a bit different. I've always been with the circus. I was a magician. I did tricks to entertain people. People paid me extra if…..''

''Are you a fraud?'' Elphaba asked suddenly, getting angry again. Glinda puts her hand on Elphie's. Elphie calmed down a little.

Oscar startled from Elphaba's direct question. ''No, yes Maybe. My goal is to make people happy and I did that with my tricks. Many children believed in my magic. many adults liked it a lot.''

''But can you read something from the Grimmerie like you wanted me to do?''

Oscar bit his lip. He doesn't want to lie to his daughter. ''No I can not. I can pull out little things like a coin from behind your ear.''

The room remained silent.

Everyone had to process what Oscar had said. Especially Elphaba who saw her dream of being de-greenify by the Wizard fall to pieces ''No,'' she whispers. ''This is a joke right?''

Oscar shakes his head. ''People believe what I tell them. All I do is with machines, mirrors and smoke.''

There was silence again.

''I think it is smarter that we are not going to tell anyone else about this. I don't want you to be seen as liars or anything else.'' Oscar said carefully

Nessa and Glinda nod.

''Can you do something to suppress the Animals?'' Elphie asked thoughtfully.

''Yes, of course,'' Oscar said quickly. ''I think the two of us can make a plan together like a team. Maybe something that will allow them to talk again, like a school for example. I can tell good things about the Animals. But let's not think too much about that now.''

Elphaba nods slowly.

''Are you up for some dessert?'' asked Oscar to change the subject.

Glinda nods happily. But Nessa looked at Elphaba who had turned very pale.

''Maybe we can take the dessert back to our hotel?'' Nessa asked.

Glinda looked questioningly at her but understood immediately when she saw Elphie.

''Let's do that. It is very late and a lot has happened.''

Elphaba said nothing. She was too distant with her thoughts to speak.

She felt Glinda pull her arm. ''Elphie we say goodbye to Oscar and we go to the hotel.''

Elphie nods. ''Bye Oscar,'' she said absently. She turned and walked away.

''Don't worry,'' Glinda said apologetically. ''She has a lot to think about. Tomorrow we will come again around lunch.''

''I really like that. What time does your journey back to Shiz leave?''

''Somewhere late afternoon.'' Anwser Nessa right a way.

''I'll get you from here to the station. It would be useful if you already bring your suitcases if your are coming here.''

''That's a good idea,'' said Nessa who shakes hands with Oscar. ''But we have to go after Elphaba quickly before we can no longer find her.''

Glinda had already walked through the door. ''She is staring at a painting. Or she's talking to it.'' Glinda said confused as she walked to her girlfriend. She spoke to her softly.

Oscar walked to the door with the girls. Glinda held Elphaba's hand to pull her in the right direction. ''See you tomorrow Your Ozness,'' said Glinda politely as she went out the door.

Oscar laughs. ''See you tomorrow ladies.''

Oscar closed the door with a sigh. He had a lot to deal with with his new press Morrible. He rushed to her office to explain everything and tell her his plan to win Elphaba`s trust.

XXX