The first two hours all the toys danced and celebrated unrestrained. Luckily mom didn't hear the relatively loud rumpus from Andy's radio; she was so asleep. Woody and Jessie went wild when Radio Head broadcast fifteen minutes some country music. Barbies were fond of Spritney Bears and Slinky liked very much Snoop Doggy Dogg. Katie was a little disappointed when she found out that no-one wanted to listen movie soundtracks; but Matt got her in better mood when drawing her along to some Mickey Martin. Zurg was happy that no radio-station had taken anything from Star Wars in their program. He couldn't have enjoyed the evening if he would've become an object of general fun. But now he rolled satisfied about the floor raving some trance music. Miss Dashwood raved with him; but couldn't help wondering how Zurg could wear his mask in the heat. She didn't know that the reason for it was Zurg's attempt to hide his feelings that would've showed from his face. Marianne left him in order to get some fresh air from the window –just to find Miss Bennet behind the bedspread.
"Why, Lizzy, what are you doing here?"
"Hush! Is he already gone?"
"Who?"
"That blue-tanned monster, Warp!"
"He is. But listen, dear… He is not a monster when you get to know him. And… you better get to know him fast because…em…you are his target."
"Well that I have noticed already! He reached me in the wardrobe and almost struggled me!"
"Now don't you exaggerate a little? I bet that lady-killer charms you in first opportunity you give him!"
"You don't know what it feels like to have a huge fist around your neck!"
"Upon my honour, Warp is everything that is amiable and worthy! And he is Zurg's most trusty friend! Zurg does not trust many toy."
"Alright, he may have some good features, but it doesn't fade the fact that he has only one normal arm. What do you think of his right arm, dear Marianne? Do you know what metal feels on your body?"
"As a matter of fact I do…"
Miss Dashwood fell in her own reality. Her expression was so syrupy that even Miss Bennet couldn't look at her.
"Stop that, Marianne. What is in your mind?"
"Am…what? Oh…nothing…"
"I saw it you liar! Don't try to hide anything from me!"
Just then Warp lifted the counterpane aside and grinned in a flush of victory:
"Found ya, swallow! Lemme take ya da dance!"
"Eek!"
Miss Bennet continued her escape under the bed and Warp followed her. Miss Dashwood saw her stumble over her hems and fall down. She also saw the scared expression on Warp's face before it turned back to a sly smile. She deducted that her friend was in no danger and went away. She still heard Miss Bennet's nosy words behind her; Warp had lifted her up to his arms and was now carrying her somewhere.
"You hyena! Put me down! Eek, you saw my ankles!"
Miss Dashwood giggled and joined Zurg and Buzz on the dance floor.
An hour later Miss Dashwood seated herself on a book. It was time for slow dances. Outside the night was dark and only the table lamp lightened the room. Miss Dashwood looked at Katie who once again went scarlet when Matt embraced her. And Jessie, her feet went jelly as usual when being strongly in Buzz's arms. Miss Dashwood also noticed Bo who gave kisses to Woody in every five seconds. She smiled by herself but couldn't help feeling a bit lonely. Her legs were hurting for dancing wildly with Zurg. She imagined what it would feel like if someone supported her in the way that Buzz supported Jessie. He never let her fall. Miss Dashwood closed her eyes, leaned backwards and took a light breath. She couldn't understand why she still was alone. After decades of living in this world, she indeed was still alone. She was deep in her thoughts when Zurg came to her.
"Miss Dashwood, may I ask the privilege to dance with you once again?"
She opened her eyes and saw Zurg. He had finally taken his mask off! Miss Dashwood felt thousands of butterflies flying in her stomach and her breath freeze. Zurg looked now handsomer than ever to her, he was really… intoxicating. Obviously she was staring at him a long time without an answer, for the next thing she heard him say was:
"What is it? Do I look hideous that you can't even say no to me?" Zurg was a bit worried. He had had problems in adapting his true looks by himself and he definitely didn't want to hear Miss Dashwood's sharp words about that subject. He knew she was a girl stubborn and hard to please, but she was also strong-minded and he liked her company quite a lot. He continued:
"It is so darn hot that I cannot wear my helmet. I really hope you don't mind."
Miss Dashwood could only whisper her answer:
"Take me to dance."
Zurg lifted her up like a feather and led her in the middle of the dance floor. The couples around looked at them with curiosity but Miss Dashwood didn't see it and Zurg didn't care. Miss Dashwood was stunned. She still couldn't believe that the man with whom she always loved to argue and fight was actually good-looking human-toy. She had always considered him tuff and mean space-alien. But she was more scared than ever before now that she knew the truth.
A new song began. It was beautiful and both Miss Dashwood and Zurg listened carefully the words: "Maybe it's intuition… some things you just don't question… I think I fell my best friend… I knew I loved you before I met you… I have been waiting all my life… I am complete now that I found you…"
Zurg looked Miss Dashwood in the eye. They were bright like gems despite the dusky light. They both were silent. And very close to each other. Miss Dashwood had never noticed how strong and powerful Zurg really was. How weak and small she felt herself beside him now! She closed her eyes and tried to clear up her mind. She did not succeed in that. As the song came to closure, Zurg finally opened his mouth:
"Thank you miss Dashwood. You dance pretty well slow dances, too."
Miss Dashwood looked deep in his eyes:
"It was a pleasure to dance with you…Zora."
"I'm glad that you think so."
He led her back to sit. Then he bowed and kissed her hand – and rolled away. He didn't want her to see how happy he was for her remembering his real name.
On the book, Miss Dashwood felt herself like a drunken sailor. What was it in her? That man called Zora indeed had some influence on her! His thick black eyebrows and deep dark eyes made her shiver for fear and excitement, and his experienced face only made him so… so…attractive! She flushed her thoughts and walked slowly to rest on the counterpane.
