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Chapter 3 : Jekyl and Hyde

I woke up when Magenta opened my door and threw fresh towels into the room without looking, so that they landed haphazardly all over the floor. The door slammed behind her and I heard her heavy footsteps walking down the hall.

I stretched and yawned, becoming re-accustomed to my surroundings. I remembered about last night and smiled. But where was Frank? I got up to look for some clue as to where he was. Sunlight was streaming in through the window and fell on everything in the room, giving it a warm glow. I wondered what time it was, but didn't care much. I picked my dress and underclothes up off the floor. When I looked up, I saw a fluffy pink bathrobe hanging on a hook beside a door. Turning the knob and looking inside, I saw a quaint little bathroom, not at all what I thought would reside in a spooky castle.

Picking up the bathrobe, I slipped inside the bathroom, drawing some water for my bath. Pity, no shower. I didn't need to undress out of anything, so I just looked around the bathroom while I waited for the tub to fill. There were bath salts, bubble baths, bath beads, you name it aligned on the shelves above the sink. No mirror, which I thought was peculiar but really didn't pay much mind. I picked up some lavender scented bath salts and poured them under the faucet, filling the small room with pleasant aromas. Moments later, I slipped into the steaming water, feeling extremely grateful to myself for making this trip, and to Frank, for letting me stay. This was luxury compared to what I had been bathing in for the past few years... my mind trailed off for awhile, until the water lost most of its heat and I scrubbed myself clean. I drained the bathtub and put on the fluffy robe. It was very comfortable.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I found that there had been clothes laid out on the bed for me. An interesting ensemble, sort of similar to what Columbia was wearing last night. Not so sparkly, but kind of suggestive. I put it on because I really had no other alternative. My dress had been taken by whoever left this apparel for me.

I was terribly hungry, so I left my room in search of a kitchen. Meanwhile, it wouldn't hurt to explore, I thought. So whenever I passed a door I checked behind it to see what it hid. Mostly just bedrooms and closets, some used as storage containing things so densely covered in cobwebs it was hard to tell what they were.

Down on the first floor, I managed to find the foyer again, which was almost a miracle considering how big the place was. I saw the white doors again, but didn't have time to get any closer to them because of the little giggle I heard behind me.

I whirled around, wondering why anyone would be laughing at me, but then I remembered what I was wearing. Columbia felt no need to hide, and stepped out into the room from behind a door at the base of the stairs.

"You lost?" she asked.

"Not really, just kind of exploring while I try to find the kitchen, I'm starving!" I replied.

"Oh, ok follow me then. I know every part of this castle like the back of my hand!"

I was very grateful for this because I had been without food for a few days. I was too confused to think about eating some of the veggies the night before.

It was a little hard to keep up with Columbia's quick pace, but I managed. We swept through hallways and through doors, and just as I was thinking I'd NEVER be able to find my way back, she led me through a door into the largest kitchen I had ever seen. (Think about the kitchen in Jurassic park and you'll have an idea) it was all silver, with utensils hanging from hooks all over the room. She led me to the refrigerator that wasn't exactly brimming, but had food in it nonetheless. I picked out a few things, as well as she, and we sat down at a small table to munch.

"So how long have you all been here?" I dared to ask.

"I don't know how long they have, but I've been here about a year. Frank picked me up on my way home and brought me here, feeding me some bullshit about his mother or something. I wasn't really listening. I mean, how can you? When a man like Frank picks you up, you don't really concentrate on what he's saying."

"I know what you mean... what's with them anyway? I mean, they don't really seem all that...normal...if you catch what I mean."

"Oh...I used to think that too, but I just got used to it. Magenta's my best friend now, and Riff Raff isn't so bad either when you get to know him. I used to be doing just what you did last night. Frank chose me, just like he chose you."

Her eyes fell back onto her food and she sighed a little. It sort of seemed like she regretted being here.

"Well how long do you think I'll be here then?" I stuttered.

"Who knows? I didn't really wanna leave though. Something about Frank is just...I don't know...magnetic. You'll find that too. You know, for a long time, I loved him. I think I may still love him, but I'm not really a good judge of that."

I was a little saddened by this remark of hers. I wanted Frank to myself, though it was selfish. But he did seem like the type that really didn't stick with one person for long.

We finished our makeshift meal and left the kitchen. She said she could show me around if I wanted, so I agreed. I really wanted to know where Frank was, or anyone else for that matter. She seemed to read my mind because at the moment she said that everyone else was working in the laboratory.

"You've got to be invited to go up there. I learned that lesson the hard way. Frank got so mad at me. That was the first time I saw the whip. It didn't hurt that bad though: he went easy on me. If there's one thing you should know about Frank, it's that he has a nasty temper and can be set off * very * easily. Don't upset him if you know what's good for you."

I could only nod in reply, suddenly scared of what I had gotten myself into.

Later I set off to explore a little more of the castle, steering clear of the entire floor Columbia said the lab was on. It was hard for me to imagine Frank angry, but since I didn't know that much about him I kept my lip buttoned and told her I'd do my best to stay out of his way.

I didn't really find anything else worthwhile, so I went back to my room to explore a little there. My findings didn't amount to much. All the drawers were empty, there were no ornaments to decorate the room, and I had already seen the amazing display of aromatherapy in the bathroom. So there really wasn't much for me to do.

I jumped onto the bed and spread myself out. It was a very comfortable bed; I knew now why I had fallen asleep so easily last night.

I heard the door creak open slightly, and to my surprise, Columbia was standing on the threshold. She looked quite bored too, but I could tell she was uncomfortable about coming to talk to me. After all, she barely knew me.

I sat up and told her to come in. She sat in a chair across the room and smiled at me.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go downtown with me to get some food for dinner this evening. I thought you might be bored."

I said "sure" and followed her downstairs. I stopped short when I realized what I was wearing and God forbid I should go outside looking like a circus act. She laughed, knowing why I stopped, and told me not to worry, no one around here knows me. I reluctantly agreed to go along, and moments later we pulled out of the gates and down the road.

I soon discovered that this trip downtown was a mistake. She got so annoying after about ten minutes that I thought I would * scream *. All she did was talk about this guy who came to the castle to deliver a pizza and blah blah blah blah blah. I concentrated instead on the song on the radio. One I didn't really recognize, but it was easier to follow than Columbia that's for sure.

Suddenly, she let out a little gasp and announced that maybe she "shouldn't have said that". I just smiled weakly, not wanting to let on that I wasn't listening to a word. All I had caught was "motorcycle" and "saxophone".

While we were in the store, and she was picking out what we were to eat, also asking my opinions about certain foods, our conversation turned to Frank again. She started talking about the different experiments he had been doing and how brilliant he was. She really admired him, I could tell. I was beginning to, too. He seemed like the perfect man...extremely smart and yet VERY good in bed. The only flaw was his temper. But I really had no trouble overlooking that.

"Do * you * like him? You know, * like * him?" she asked.

"Well...I...never really thought about it. I mean, I just met him last night, how close could we be?"

"It only took me five minutes to decide honey. It's not one of those things you can really keep control over." She replied.

I didn't answer back, but thought about this proposition. Maybe I * did * like him. It wasn't to the point where I loved him; just maybe I had a crush on him at this point. I never did tell her the way I felt. I didn't think she was the person I would like knowing my feelings about Frank.



At dinner that evening, everything was relatively quiet. There were only three of us dining together; Magenta and Riff Raff chose to eat in the kitchen. I think Frank enjoyed not being in their company anyway. He seemed sour around them, and vice versa.

Frank, at the head of the table, proposed a toast at the beginning of the meal, but I didn't know what it was for, he never really said. He just mumbled something under his breath as if he were making a wish before blowing out his birthday candles. As we dug into our chicken, no one said a word, and the only sound was the shuffle of feet and the clinking of silverware. I silently wished that what I was eating off of was clean. But if Frank * the scientist * would eat off of it, it must be sanitary.

When we had finished, he offered Columbia and I some brandy, which we accepted. As we sipped from our glasses, we struck up a rigid conversation. Frank told me that he was working on something very important and extremely secret for a party he was having in a few weeks. I simply smiled, feeling a little belittled, since he had spoken to me like I was a toddler who didn't understand very simple things.

It was now a little past nine, and Frank yawned a little a stood up.

"I'm tired. Shall we retire?" he inquired.

Columbia rose when he said this; we must have no choice. He held out his arm for me and I took it, eyeing him a little as we climbed the stairs, wondering if he was just escorting me to my room, or if he had other plans.

When we reached my door, my heart sank when he kissed my hand and bid me goodnight. But just as I was about to turn into my room, we gave me a knowing look and winked. It would be another eventful night...