CHAPTER 3
Showtime

"Will you walk into my parlour? said the Spider to the Fly. 'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy. The way into my parlour is up a winding stair. And I have many curious things to show when you are there."

Sarah said the words in time to the music. The maid was gone, replaced with a full-blown vixen. Her look was hungry. An expression Alexander had never seen on a female before. Well, perhaps the Pleasure Pixies in Quinton's Kingdom, but they really didn't count. Quinton was his second eldest brother, and his entire land was based on the pleasures of the flesh. Which, if anyone had spent time with Quince, would understand why he was King of a land called Hedonism. The man loved women. As a rule, however, females in the Underground were pretty, ethereal, elusive; not blatantly sexual. Not like Sarah.

This girl was every males erotic fantasy made flesh.

And the worst part was, she knew it. Even now she was staring at him almost as if she saw into his soul and was aware of each and every one of his most intimate and darkest desires, and she reveled in the knowing; not the least bit afraid. He swallowed, unable to catch his breath. Sarah grinned as she fed him the next lines to her poem with a compulsion to repeat each word aloud. He frowned, recognizing the trick for he often did the same himself. Sarah had real magic?

Now how did that happen?

Jareth never mentioned the girl's powers before. In the Underground females weren't born magical, at least not to his knowledge. They had to be given powers by their husbands. And even then, they were weaker watered down versions of the real thing.

Maybe some mortals were magical?

He stood, as what she willed him to do, and walked over to her, caressing her shoulders and bare skin. Without realizing it, he had taken the role of the fly. His deep voice loud yet melodic.

"Oh, no, no, said the little Fly, to ask me is in vain. For who goes up your winding stair can never come down again."

A canopy bed was being lowered from the ceiling. Sarah's smile beckoned him to follow. Which he did of course; both her magic and her voice playing havoc with his self-control.

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high. Will you rest upon my little bed said the Spider to the Fly. There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin. And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in." Sarah wiggled her brows humorously, challenging Alexander to follow through with her next suggestion. The girl was unbelievable in the things she dared him to do to her. This was completely taboo in his world.

But, when in Rome…

Picking Sarah up at the waist, she laughed throwing her hair back, her small fingers gripping his shoulders. Alexander was riveted, watching her face as he took her to the bed. His heartbeat exploded in his ears as his body covered her own laying on top her softness while saying his next line.

"Oh, no, no, said the little Fly. For I've often heard it said. They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed." Before he even got the last words out, Sarah had reversed their positions. She was now straddling his waist posturing an innocent 'who me?' expression.

She was breathtaking, as the blue lights highlighted her dress and the paleness of her eyes. Strange creatures, mortals. Their irises were only one color, and yet, the effect was lovely. He wanted to touch her, to reach out and make sure she was real and would have...

Had his arms not been tied above his head. Ummm...

He pulled again, yup, he was bound alright. Narrowing his eyes, he looked at the girl with renewed interest. What was this about? He'd obviously not been paying attention and missed something. Uh, waiter? Check please! He yanked on the ropes harder but Sarah shook her head placing a finger on his lips. He stopped and stared, his eyes searching her own waiting for her to explain.

She tore open his shirt instead.

This shocking little tid-bit, was thankfully followed with waves of reassurance. He could almost hear her voice telling him not to be alarmed. It was all part of the illusion. The bed would rise upwards, she would hold a fake blade above him, then dramatically plunge it downward between his arm and chest. At which point he would fall between the trap door hidden on in the canopy. Where he would stay until an assistant came and let him out and told him what to do next.

Alexander smiled as she ran her hands along his upper body, completely in love. How did she do it? Two brothers, older than her language even existed. Within hours - no, minutes - this woman had truly won him.

Guilt started to settle in Alexander's conscious as he made secret plans to bring her back to the Underground, not for his brother but for himself. She belonged with him. But how would Jareth take it? Best he not know until after his marriage. And maybe a century after that as well.

The bed began to rise, just like she said it would. At which point Sarah allowed her body to rub against his arousal. Her moan came more from actual pleasure than staged foreplay. Alexander smirked, knowing it was only a matter of time before Sarah forgot about the King. Even now her body betrayed her heart and responded to his own. But it wasn't enough, he wanted her love as well. He would need to cut all ties between her and his brother. Somehow show her that what she wanted the King would never give her.

Sarah cleared her throat continuing on with her poem as she touched his face in a soft caress. "Said the cunning Spider, dear friend, what can I do? To prove the warm affection that I've felt for you?"

To everyone's shock, Sarah was holding a knife high within the air as the bed stopped climbing and started to circle. The music was growing faster and faster, as Sarah's voice hissed.

"Up jump'd the cunning Spider, and she fiercely held him fast. She dragg'd him up her winding stair, into her dismal den. Within her little parlour. But he never came out again."

From what everyone could see, Sarah lunged the knife multiple times into the volunteer, after which, the bed started to lower once again. But the sheets were covered in blood, the volunteer gone, and Sarah's knife dripping crimson.

Sliding off Sarah took sexy strides back to the spotlight and finished her tale..

"And now, dear little children, who may this story read. To idle, silly, flattering words. I pray you ever heed. Unto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye. And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly."

Sarah stared satisfied into the camera, a crystal changing into a fuzzy tarantula walking delicately upon her hand. His name was Tweedy, but she left that part out.

The beat slowly transitioned, as the familiar opening chords of Masquerade riveted the auditorium. A few yelled their approval, recognizing the building score.

The lights went out. The theater was cast in complete blackness, as everyone held their breath. Some lit lighters, some screamed as if they were being eaten alive. Of course, they weren't mind you. They'd be screaming a lot louder than that if they were. But, you always had a few Rocky Horror rejects who loved to ham it up.

In actuality, only a few seconds had passed when the lights finally returned. Now, however, the spotlight was shining center stage highlighting a tall brunette in a sparkling dress. The theater was drowned in applause; some fans were even standing. Unexplainably, Sarah had traveled well over eighty rows in the span of a few short seconds. Incredible!

The Mistress of Masquerade winked as if there hadn't been a doubt in the world. Holding a temporary microphone she pointed towards the back. "Let's hear it for Paula Towns and Entertainment World. Didn't they do a great job tonight?"

An ocean of faces turned towards the back. Sure enough, standing where Sarah had been seconds before, was a slightly confused Paula. Only now she was wearing a black T-Shirt that said 'Masquerade' on the front. Paula had enough wits about her to smile and wave.

The Masquerade melody brought all eyes back on Sarah. Soon its fast beat was the only noise that could be heard, as the audience quieted and settled down. Sarah fixed her headset and the show began as she yelled out the first three opening phrases herself. Then, cupping her hand over her ear, tonight she allowed the last phrase to be supplied by her audience. "Tantalize me." "Mystify me." "Captivate me."

"Masquerade me!"

"As you wish." Sarah lifted her hands and the doors of the theater were thrown wide open. Down the aisles spilled black and white harlequins, fat punchinellos, and pastel-costumed ballroom dancers elaborately gowned. Scattered throughout the promenade were juggling marionettes, and music box ballerinas inside moving snow globes. All the masqueraders danced their own variation of the same basic movements together. As the procession moved forward, floats and carnival decorations disappeared behind special doors near the stage. The ballroom dancers were the exception, as they took their places behind Sarah. All this happened, while clowns threw glitter and one-year anniversary T-shirts into the crowd. New Orleans and Rio had nothing on Sarah. She knew how to party.

The audience was again standing and applauding for the second time in a few short minutes as the last of the masqueraders made their way down. Sarah looked towards her show's control tower, right about where Murry should have been, and held up her hand, rubbing her fingers together. Whoever had foolishly betted against her had lost, and she was going to make them all pay… gladly.

Sarah turned, and took her position queuing her sound tech that she was ready. She waited for the right beat and started to sing with a crisp, yet sexy purr.

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"Stories can come true.
I believe in you.
Hunger for the bliss.
Dance you can't resist?
Careful what you say.
There's a price to pay.
Serenade the night.
Yum... just take a bite."

She was about to kiss a nameless dancer, but she pushed him away. "Don't Masquerade me," she laughed and walked off stage as the ballroom dancers sang the first chorus.

"Waltzing crescendo. Masked innuendo. Glitz and fandango.. Masquerade!"

"Song and sonata. Gala regatta. Rhythmic cantata... Masquerade!"

Sarah was unexplainably on the second level of the stage. How she got there? No one could say really. Below her dancers began waltzing in circles as Sarah watched from above singing the second verse.

"Pride before the fall.
Not much fun at all.
Though we only met.
Still we minuet.
Mask and rhapsody.
Love he sung to me.
Gifts I long to take
Came just too damn late."

Sarah disappeared, her laughter echoing from nowhere and everywhere as the audience cheered while the dancers took up the next verse.

"Webs are deceiving. Spiders your seeing. Clocks loudly ringing… Masquerade!"

"Hours forsaking. Mirrors are breaking. Love he was faking… Masquerade!"

A black owl flew from the back of the stage towards the crowd transforming into Sarah, who didn't break stride as she walked to the end of the stage sliding to a halt. "Tantalize me." "Mystify me." "Captivate me." "Masquerade me."

"Do you want to dance?" The ballroom dancers stopped and moved forward in a unified front performing the same steps with Sarah as she sang the final verse.

"Story has its way.
Fear, love, and obey.
Kings don't hold any.
Power over me.
As the world falls down.
Shocked by what I found.
To our journey's end?
Here we go again."

"You have thirteen hours in which to solve the labyrinth." A male accented voice droned out. Sarah, turned as the man continued. "Thirteen hours. And time is short."

Transforming into an owl before everyone's eyes, Sarah flew again to the second level stage. This was the dancing portion of her song. Her own voice pre-edited mixed with another man playing the Goblin King. As the dancers held the audience's attention, Sarah inspected her next illusion.

The man's laughter filled the theater as the main lights went out, leaving a lone spotlight silhouetting a mysterious figure next to Sarah. When the blue lights came back up, everyone recognized him immediately. Blond, fair, handsome. It was her volunteer from spider and the fly! He bowed as the audience applauded.

Alexander was all smiles and waves, but when his eyes caught her own the humor was gone. "Are you ready to go Sarah?" He asked. Quirking her eyebrow at him curiously, she shook her head in confusion. What in the world was this guy talking about? Had she missed something?

Sticking to the script she nodded as if she understood - which of course she didn't - and persuaded him to follow her by wiggling her finger and licking her top lip. Placing a diamond leash around his neck, she flashed him a devilish grin as she led him down the stairs. When they hit their mark, Sarah stood behind him gliding her hands suggestively down his chest.

"If you wish it. I can grant you passage to the Labyrinth Sarah," he whispered, turning his head to the side.

Stepping in front of him she ignored his comment and proceeded with her ritual dance rubbing her back along the length of his body while closing her eyes and parting her lips.

"Think it, wish it, and I will grant your request." He pressed on.

Oh, for crying out loud!

"Ok, I give up. What's your problem?" Sarah hissed, gripping her headset so no one else could hear. "Do you not want to do the final illusion? I won't make you, but tell me now so I can compensate."

The man waved away her anger, producing his own crystal and holding it out to her. "Sarah, come with me to the Underground. This is your chance. You've obviously been waiting for it. Do it, wish yourself there and I will grant your request." The Prince said, his eyes eager.

Sarah swallowed, glancing at the audience and then back at Alex. Was he serious? Was he from the Underground? "Who… who are you?" She stuttered.

He held out his crystal. "A man who can give you your dreams Sarah." Sarah frowned, waiting for the inevitable, "just kidding" to follow.

It never came.

Only a few seconds passed, but it seemed more like hours as she stared into the stranger's eyes, and was struck again by how familiar they appeared. "I wish…"

Sarah was cued for the next illusion off stage. She only had a second to think as a puff of smoke burst up. The trap door opened. She grabbed the man so he would not fall into it, his arm wrapping around her holding on. "I wish to go to the Underground!"

"Then you shall."

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The volunteer disappeared. That was part of the script. Sarah was gone too?

Now… that was actually NOT part of the script.

In their place sat Ludo and Sylvie, rather bored with life, as the big cats yawned and looked around. How had Sylvie gotten out? Ludo still had his I'M WITH STUPID T-shirt on. Sylvie, a black panther, didn't seem to mind, however. The audience loved the joke immensely as the last of the notes faded and the dancers looked around in confusion for Sarah.

"Where is she!"

"I don't know Bert, we're looking."

"Dammit! Get Mike, we need to get those cats off the stage now. You and you, come with me. We'll check the back."

"Murry is on the phone. What should I tell him?"

Bert shook his head. "Tell him... tell him we're looking for her now, and to have the police on standby just in case."

The stage manager's eyes widen, but to his credit he kept it together, and did as instructed. The acrobat number was next. They had six minutes to find her. Maybe.

Remarkably, while all of this was going on backstage, no one in the audience was the wiser. The Jugglers were rushing on and off, doing various flips, rolls and other incredible feats of skill. The stagehands prepared for the next scene as did wardrobe and makeup.

People later interviewed would say the clowns and masqueraders performed brilliantly that night. The music and dancing were exceptional.

They would say Sarah had acted with the grace of a true artist, and with the style of a rising star at her peak.

Stories would be written about this night for years and years to come. Songs dedicated to the Mistress of Masquerade. Movie's explaining her disappearance - one which suggested she had finally found a way back to her utopia, her labyrinth.

This night would become legend, and touch the hearts and minds of millions, all wanting to know what happened to the beautiful young girl who inspired so many then vanished without a trace.

As Bert searched he knew, in his heart of hearts, she was gone. He held onto the note that said as much, which he'd received fifteen minutes before Sarah's vanishing. He didn't understand it at the time. But now, it all started to make some eerie sense.

Be well Bert
Tell Murry He's On In Ten Minutes. Take pictures.
Love, Sarah

In the back of the auditorium, the camera pulled away and refocused on Paula Towns happy face.

"And that, as they say, is the magic of Masquerade. I'm Paula Towns. Thank you for spending this last hour with us. From Entertainment World and Masquerade to you. Good night every one!"

END OF PART 1

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"Sometimes the way forwards is also the way back!" Yeah, I know. I suck. Don't peach me guys. End of Part 1. Part 2 is loaded with love and romance. *wink* Four more chapters left. Thank you, thank you to **Polgara!!** She is BETAing Part 2 and she edited this Chapter! I don't own Spider and the Fly poem. It's a great poem by the way, but I don't own it. See you in a couple days. Merry Christmas!

-Chrissy