Story 2: The Job

What would you sacrifice to get the job you've always wanted…


"I think I want a job," Mimmi announced as she stepped through the door way to Rita's hidden grotto, one hand hidden behind her back.

On the lower level, Sirena who had a collection of shells, glass beads and string strewn across a low round coffee table paused to look at her fellow mermaid, and then glance over to Ondina, who was lounging on mass of pillows, fashion magazine in hand. "What brought this on?" Sirena asked turning her attention back to Mimmi.

"Yeah, because that's the most ridiculous thing you've ever said," Ondina snorted as she sat up; casually she tossed the magazine she had been paging through onto the table, just missing Sirena's collection of trinkets.

"Well," Mimmi answered brightly, and with just a slight hint of a smug smile stepped over to the railing of the upper level of the grotto and look down at the Ondina. "Money for one thing, and I-I also like to meet people and-"

"Oh please," Ondina interrupted. "You're a mermaid, we don't 'meet' people, and if we need money Rita gives it to us-"

"Excuse me," Sirena looked at Ondina out of the corner of her eyes. "I don't ask Rita for money anymore, I make my own."

"You make bracelets," Ondina pointed out.

"Which Evie sells and then I get paid for," Sirena shot back. "Which is more than you do."

"See," Mimmi announced bursting with excitement as she grinned at Sirena. "Sirena's right." Excitedly she revealed what she was hiding behind her back, several pieces of paper stapled together and featuring a dolphin jumping over blue waves with the words Sea World emblazoned below it. "I'm getting a job, all I have to do is give this to someone and they give me a job."

"What is that?" Ondina demanded standing and taking a step closer to look up at the papers Mimmi presented with quivering hands.

"An appli- application," Mimmi answered stumbling over the words. "For Sea World…I…I decided after we visited that I wanted to work there." Seeing the storms gathering in Ondina's eyes Mimmi said quickly, "They have dolphins, I can talk to the dolphins, and it'll be fun-"

"They're in cages, trapped," Ondina's eyes narrowed as they zeroed in papers Mimmi held. "Same as you if you get caught; so don't even think about it."

"Is something going on?" Rita's voice sounded as she stepped into the room and looked at the three younger mermaids. Her eyes alighted on the collection of beads and shells spread out before Sirena. "You know I had several teachers comment that they like the tortoise shell bracelets. I could probable get several more sold for you, if you'd like."

"Thanks," Sirena aimed a triumphant smile at Ondina. "I'll make them a priority."

"Mimmi wants a job," Ondina blurted ignoring Sirena. "Tell her she's being ridiculous, she has papers for it, and it's just a stupid idea."

"Really?" Rita turned her attention to Mimmi who stood looking embarrassed, the younger mermaid quickly hid the application behind her back, avoiding Rita's inquiring look. "May I?" Rita asked. "Mimmi you have nothing to hide or be ashamed of."

Sheepishly Mimmi handed the form to Rita.

Rita flipped through the papers, smiling at the large blocky and childlike print on the forms. "Place of birth," Rita read aloud glancing at Mimmi. "Queen Charlotte Sound …Birthdate: It was late winter, when the Grey Whales travel south…Current Address: Rita's house…Reference: I think it's a country in Europe next to Germany…" Rita pursed her lips, "Oh dear, I'm afraid this will never do."

"What?" Mimmis face fell. "What's the matter? Did I spell it wrong?" She looked down at Ondina and Sirena for support, "I've never really written anything before…I mean we were taught how to read Canadian because land people put words and letters on their boats-"

"It's called English," Rita corrected with a small laugh. "Most of Canada, as well as Australia and the United States all read and write in English." Flipping through the papers again, she said, "You're spelling is fine, your penmanship though could use some-well never mind about that. Your answers however," Rita grimaced before she continued. "They will require a bit more work."

"See I told you," Ondina shook her head. "You're a mermaid, you don't need a job or even know how to write."

Mimmi's shoulders slumped, her lips quivering, "Okay, so it was stupid idea."

"No, this can be fixed," Rita nodded. "And I should have seen this coming, but it's just-" She sighed, eyes becoming distant and misting over for a moment, then clearing her throat Rita her attention back to Mimmi, "You see as a mermaid you don't exist, none of us do."

"That's dumb, we're standing right here," Ondina scoffed and crossed her arms with a snort. "We're as real as you are."

"That's not exactly what I meant Ondina," Rita explained. "True you are alive, but on land…it's complicated; life on land, living among humans…getting a job," She aimed a smile at Mimmi. "Require identification, birth records, school records, license, the list is practically endless, and none of you have any of that, I'm afraid."

"What a dumb way to live," Ondina derided. "No wonder land people are so stupid."

"Well, for life on land, having a valid identity is a necessity," Rita replied pointedly. "Besides that Ondina, the "stupid land people", as you call them, have put men on the moon and robots on Mars; that's more than anything our people have accomplished in thousands of years." Puffing a breath as Ondina scowled at her, Rita explained, "In the eyes of the Australian government…and well any other government anywhere for that matter, mermaids aren't real, and don't exist." She smiled sadly at Mimmi and handed the application back, "Which means I'm afraid you can't get a job."

"But you have a job," Mimmi said quietly looking down at the papers in her hand, before facing Rita. "You're a mermaid. Erik's a merman and he has a job. So there has to be a way…you did it."

Rita froze, actively avoiding eye contact with the three younger mermaids. "There is," She said finally in a near whisper, shoulders slumping as she closed her eyes and let out a slow breath. "It's dangerous, the price is very high, and I'd hope to avoid doing it."

"I don't care," Mimmi insisted. "I-I want to go out and meet people, I don't care what the price is. It can't be that bad."

"Do what you want," Ondina snorted. "But I think it's a dumb idea." Sweeping up her discarded magazine she huffed her way back to the pillow covered bench and sat down.

"Mimmi," Rita asked, ignoring Ondina. "Do you know the story, the real story, of 'The Little Mermaid'?" When Mimmi shook her head, Rita continued, "In the original version the mermaid had her tongue cut out to gain legs, and her feet bled whenever she walked or danced." She cringed, knowing the words came out harsher than she'd have liked.

Face pale Mimmi looked down at Ondina who was peering over the edge of the magazine, mouth hanging open. Nearby Sirena sat silently, fingers flicking absently through the collection of beads and shells on the coffee table. "What are you saying? I-I don't have to have my tongue cut out do I, you didn't." Mimmi asked finally, voice shaking. "And-and I already have legs and my feet don't bleed."

"No, they don't," Rita answered after a deep breath, and looked down at her own legs. "But what you want requires a sacrifice, it always has…and it always will for our kind." Straightening she smiled weakly at Mimmi, "But if you are set on this course-" She paused eyes fixed on Mimmi; the younger mermaid stared back for several moments, and then nodded silently. "Very well, if that is what you want, I'll make the arrangements, but be prepared for the cost, whatever that might be." Without another word Rita turned and made her way up the stairway.


"I wish Ondina were here," Mimmi spoke her words sounding loud in the darkness of the roof top terrace of Rita's condominium. "Why can't we have more light? Why does it have be so dark?"

"This is the way it's done," Rita spoke, her form a shadow in the dim light of several candles placed on a table in the middle of the patio. "And Ondina can't be here for this, so it's just the two of us, and we're nearly out of time." Stepping forward, her features serious in the flicker of the candles Rita implored, "Mimmi, I've never told you girls how to live your lives, or tried to impose my will on you like Veridia has; but please, reconsider what you're doing, you can say no to this…we have time."

Mimmi glanced at the clear moonless sky overhead, only the brightest of stars was visible, the rest drowned out by the blazing lights of Gold Coast. Licking her lips nervously she looked over at the only other form of light illuminating the terrace, a small digital clock, its glowing red numbers reading 11:59. "I don't know, now I'm not sure now-" The clock clicked to 12:00, the candle flames danced in almost imperceptible breeze, and Mimmi's words choked off as her attention was riveted on the stairs leading up to the terrace.

"Rita Santos," A female's voice, British and smooth, spoke from the darkness as a woman stepped onto the dim candlelit terrace. She was tall, garbed head to toe in an unadorned black Victorian mourning dress; a shawl draped over her shoulders, hair, thick and grey was covered by a black veil, an ivory cameo hair comb, yellow with age held the woman's hair in place. The comb was the only color, save for the bright crimson lips and the gleam of red lacquer fingernails that was visible on the stranger. "Rita Santos," The woman repeated taking a step forward, eyes like pools of darkness focused on the older mermaid. "It's been quite a while since we last did business…Eel Marsh House wasn't it?"

"Yes, yes it was," Rita replied, her voice shaking slightly, her face pale in the light of the candles. "It's been my wish never to meet you again. But now that you're here, let's just get it done and over with."

With a tilt of her head the woman turned and gazed at Mimmi, looking her up and down for a few moments. "Do I know you?" She asked finally, red lips turning up in a smile.

"No," Mimmi squeaked and took a step back, looking at Rita nervously.

"Interesting," The woman spoke smoothly. "Something about you seems-" She paused for a heartbeat, looking down at Mimmi's smooth, tan legs. "Familiar…you're sure we've not met, perhaps one of your family- a younger brother maybe?"

"No, we-we've never met before," Mimmi swallowed, taking a step back, her face pale in the candle light. "I don't know anyone that's ever met you."

"Do you have what we asked for," Rita interjected her voice hoarse.

"Why of course Rita Santos, I've never let a client down, you should know that," The woman's crimson lips turned upward with a hint of condescension as a large manila envelope appeared in one hand. "It's all here." As quickly as it appeared the envelope vanished, replaced by a rolled up vellum document.

"What is that," Mimmi took a step forward as the envelope disappeared, her eyes on the parchment the woman held.

"Everything you want, everything you desire," The strange woman answered as she stepped over and placed the parchment on the table, its surface blank the document flattened on its own accord. "A new world full of possibilities at your fingertips," The woman looked at Mimmi expectantly. "Your hand," She indicated, smiling. "To seal the deal."

"Mimmi," Rita spoke softly, she stood a dozen steps away, eyes staring at the yellow vellum parchment as if it were about to devour them. "Remember what I said, you can say NO if you want to, and all of this ends, right here, right now."

"So true Mimmi," The woman in black said as she extended a palm, dark eyes narrowing in the gloom. "You can choose to become someone, anyone- or simply return to the sea and be forgotten and never spoken of again. The choice is completely up to you." Softly in a voice so low only the young mermaid could hear the stranger added, "But the young man at the park won't wait on you forever."

"What?" Mimmi questioned drawing back slightly. "Who are you talking about? Who won't wait for me?"

"Rita's correct," The woman spoke as if Mimmi had said nothing and waved a hand at the parchment on the table, her red lacquered nails gleaming in the candle flames. "You have a choice; you wish to be a land girl and have the entire world open up for you, I can offer you that. It's all very simple, and I don't have all night."

Biting her lip Mimmi stared at the blank paper, and finally asked, "Okay I'll do it." She closed her eyes for a few moments to hide the sight of Rita turning her back to face the dark waters of the ocean. "What do I have to do," Mimmi opened her eyes to take several steps to where the woman stood.

"You're hand," The woman smiled and waited until Mimmi offered one trembling hand.

It was over quickly, Mimmi barely had time to cry out as the stranger grabbed her thumb; a needle flashed in the candlelight and the young mermaid's bloody digit was pressed onto the parchment.

"It's done," The woman said simply and stepped away, document safely rolled up and held in one hand, with the other she produced the envelope again and presented it to Mimmi. "This is yours."

"What is this?" Mimmi questioned instinctively pressing her bleeding thumb to her mouth for several moments and then carefully taking the offered envelope.

"It's who you are now," The woman's cherry red lips curled up in a smile. "Congratulations Mimmi Santos, you officially exist."

"I don't recognize any of this," Mimmi said, carefully holding several papers closer to the candles to read them. "None of this is me, who was this?"

"A young girl from Canada, she drowned tragically, horrifying actually- her parents mourned for weeks… and now my dear, her death has made you real."

Mimmi looked over to Rita who was still staring out to sea and then back to the woman in black, "Wait, are you telling me a land girl died so I could get a job? That's not…that's not what I wanted, I don't think I want this, this is wrong. I want you to take it back."

With a shake of her head the woman glided backward toward the steps. "Well it's too late for that, as the saying goes my dear once you make a deal with the Devil there is no turning back."

"And the payment," Rita spoke for the first time in minutes as she turned to look at the woman standing at the steps. "You haven't named it, or asked for money. What's the price?"

"The price will be paid at a later date, as you well know," Was the answer as the stranger stepped backward and down a step. "Not until then. A life for a life Rita, as you know so well."

"What's that supposed to mean? What do you mean 'a life for a life'?" Mimmi's hands shook as she held the contents of the envelope as she took a step toward the shadow on the steps. "What's the payment, what's the price? I don't want this…I don't understand."

"No you don't," The shadow spoke. "But one day you will, and a deal is a deal my dear." The candles guttered in a faint breeze, the digital clock clicked over to 12:01 and the woman was gone.

"Wait," Mimmi cried out and bounding to the empty steps. "What price! Tell me!" She spun around facing Rita, "What did she mean?"

"I don't know, you'll have to wait and find out," Rita spoke heavily, her entire body slumping with an air of complete defeat as she walked to the stairs. "But it's too late now, and all you can do is continue on with your life, and forget this night ever happened."

"How," Mimmi asked looking down at the papers she clutched in her hand. "I don't think I can ever forget this."

"You'll find a way," Rita replied quietly as she descended the steps. "Just like I do every morning when I wake up."


Zac collapsed motionless to the floor of the chamber, the eerie blue glow of the curved pillars highlighting his lifeless face and the shocked looks up everyone as they stared with looks of horror.

Evie moved first, breaking the trance, and was at Zacs side instantly, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. "Zac….Zac!" Whipping her head around she shouted at Sirena and Ondina as she stood staring, slack jawed. "Help him! Use your Moonrings!"

"We can't," Sirena cried out, her eyes never leaving Zacs still body. "The Stone took all our Powers."

"You have to do something," Evie pleaded, and turned her to shake Zac again. "Zac!"

Mimmi stood motionless her gaze riveted to space between the pillars of glowing coral; a figure stood there, indistinct save for the gleam of red manicured nails and the upturned smile of crimson lips. Turning her head slightly she stared for a moment at Erik who was standing, jaw hanging open slightly and staring at the same apparition she had just witnessed. Jerking her head around to where Evie was frantically trying to revive Zac, Mimmi whispered, "A price…a life for a life." She looked in horror as the crimson lips of the shadowy figure turned upward in a smile of triumph her dark eyes flicked to the lifeless body of Zac, the smile growing wider. "What have I done?" Mimmi sobbed, collapsing to the floor.

"Help! Someone help!" Evie's scream shook the chamber, her eyes filling with tears as she shook the lifeless form of Zac, and then began CPR.

"No, this isn't what I wanted," Mimmi whispered as the woman in black slowly faded in the blue glow of the coral pillars. "I don't want this," Mimmi whispered again and was instantly was at Zacs side. "No. Don't give up Zac." Glancing around frantically Mimmi swept up the darkened Trident Stone, and in a moment of pure desperation pressed it to Zacs chest. "Please Zac," Mimmi sobbed pressing the stone against the still form of her brother. "Don't leave me! Come back! This isn't what I wanted!"

"Zac," Evie cried, tears running down her face as she shook the motionless form on the floor. "Fight this!"

Mimmi pressed the Moonstone against her lifeless brother, silently praying for something, anything, and then the Trident Stone began to glow filling the chamber with its Power…and Zac's body jerked and coughed.

"Zac," Evie gasped through tears, drawing back slightly and casting a quick glance at Mimmi.

Fluttering his eyes open, Zac looked blank for several moments, and then smiled as he focused on Mimmi, "Hey sis, what's happening."

Sobbing Mimmi embraced Zac, and held her brother tighter than she had ever held anyone in her life.