WEEKEND AT BUBBLES'


A 'black comedy' by Gary Curtis (Icekings2000)



Powerpuff Girls created by Craig McCracken and all related characters owned by Cartoon Network





CHAPTER NINE


In exchange for their sworn secrecy, Channel Five News anchor Stanley Whitfield and a film crew were promised the scoop of their careers. That was all it took. Promise a reporter a scoop and they'll do anything you say. Sara Bellum told Whitfield to show up at the Utonium residence at 2 P.M. She also told them to leave their equipment home.

When they arrived, they were met at the door by Professor Utonium, who ushered the reporter and his crew of four to the Danger Room. They were all immediately excited. This was indeed a scoop; the news media had never been allowed to see the Powerpuff Girls' training facility. But they didn't understand why they couldn't use their own equipment. Professor had set up a regular old video recorder on a tripod. The thing looked like the lens had been modified somehow. One of the technicians smelled something fishy.

"Hey, what's with THIS thing? Our stuff is a hundred times better! You pulling a fast one here?"

Buttercup wasn't all that fond of the press. They got in her way sometimes when the Girls were trying to clean things up after a fight so they could go home.

"You want the story or don'tcha?"

Blossom and Professor both shushed her. Whitfield was not just a talking head on TV, he was a good reporter and noticed that Bubbles was missing. He also knew that the trainer displayed simulations, and he mentioned this.

Professor assured them that what they were about to see was indeed real, except for the simulated battle that they would be allowed to film. They wouldn't be allowed to show any of the control room or describe how it worked. Then he handed the five media people each a pair of the goggles.

They put them on and it was a good thing they didn't bring their own equipment or a good deal of it would have been ruined when they dropped it.

"Hi, everybody!" Bubbles said as she smiled at them.

Whitfield pulled his specs off. "What?!"

He thought the same thing Sara had, the 'new technology' thing. He and his crew stood in stunned silence as Professor related the story, stopping several times to tell the three giggling Powerpuffs to be quiet. They were shown the packaged 'Puff and told how that came about. Then he showed them how the camera would allow Bubbles to be seen. Whitfield and the lighting girl readied themselves and one of the techs went out to the truck. Another tech hastily put together a filming sequence and gave the Girls directions on where to stand or float when not actually in their staged battle on the holodeck. The third got himself used to the camera, and Professor went to the control room and did a final check of the programming.

At 2:57 P.M. that Sunday afternoon, viewers tuned into Channel Five had their program interrupted by a live 'Breaking News' bulletin. News anchor Stanley Whitfield appeared standing in front of the Powerpuff's residence, and a crowd could be seen assembling outside the house.

"This is Stanley Whitfield reporting live from the home of Professor Utonium and the Powerpuff Girls..."

From the TV room at Townsville Correctional Facility, a large collective groan was heard. The inmates' lives were constantly being ruined by the Powerpuffs.

Whitfield continued, "...where we have confirmed that Powerpuff Girl Bubbles is dead..."

A huge cheer went up from nearly all the inmates as anything they could get their hands on was thrown to the ceiling in celebration. The guards blinked, not believing what they just heard, watching Whitfield on the screen walking toward the front door of the house, looking back toward the camera. They were so stunned they forgot to slide the barrels of their pump-action shotguns.

"…she died when she was electrocuted yesterday morning, here in her home…"

The cheering got even louder. Two inmates didn't join in. Mojo Jojo's eyes blinked as he sat in a chair, still wrapped tightly in a strait jacket. In a corner, a chill ran down Lenny Baxter's spine.

"But fear not, Townsville…for we are about to go inside and watch, live for the first time, as Bubbles trains with her sisters for her new career as a crime fighting ghost."

All eyes turned to the screen to watch the amazing story unfold. Mojo stared intently, trying to learn whatever he could. When he saw what they had done to Bubbles' body, his lips turned upward in a grin. Suddenly, there was a loud thud and everyone turned to see Lenny passed out on the floor. They looked back to the screen to see Bubbles the ghost mugging for the camera.

"BOO!" the inmates shouted, throwing things at the TV. The guards were still in shock. Some of them turned to look at Mojo, remembering what he'd sworn had happened the night before.

"You see? I told you I am not crazy! Now let me out of this thing!"


* * * * * * *

All over Townsville, the word spread. People called friends and family and told them to 'turn on Channel Five, NOW!' Everyone excitedly looked forward to the party to be held at 6 P.M. on the steps of Townsville Hall, where they would get to 'see' Bubbles in 'person', thanks to some huge video screens that were going to be set up. Maybe a lucky few would even get to put on a pair of those weird glasses.


* * * * * * *

At Morbucks Manor, Princess was on the floor in front of the television, throwing a tantrum.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!!! Those stinkin' Powerpuff Girls get to do EVERYTHING!!! I wanna fly through walls and be invisible! I WANNA BE A GHOST TOOOOO!!!"

Daddy Morbucks clenched and unclenched his fists and gritted his teeth as he looked down at the screaming little brat. Suddenly his face broke into a grin as he thought to himself, "Now THERE'S an idea! And it won't cost me a red cent!"

His hands reached out toward her scrawny little neck, then stopped.

"Nah, she's got to learn she can't have everything."


* * * * * * *

In the mayor's office, Sara Bellum turned off the TV.

"Mayor, do you understand what we just saw?"

Mayor sat behind his desk twiddling his thumbs. "Just one little thing, Ms. Bellum. Is Bubbles REALLY a ghost or is this just some trick?"

"No, Mayor, it's not a trick. Do you know what this means?"

"Why, of course I do, you silly woman! It means now I know why she always beats me at 'Chutes and Ladders'!" He pounded on his desk. "That little cheater!"

Sara put her head in her hands, slumped her shoulders and sighed.

"Oh, why do I even bother?!"


End of Chapter Nine