Chapter 2
The Mansion
The next day Courage, Muriel, and Eustace piled into the truck and went off to the Mansion. The moment they arrived, a thunderclap sounded and rain started to pour on top of their heads. They ran to the front door and Eustace knocked.
While they waited for someone to let them in, Courage studied the building with a great dislike. It was big and spooky; there was a black, twisted metal fence encompassing it and the windows were like mouths frozen on a scream. Courage managed to suppress a shiver.
Suddenly the door opened to reveal an old, stooped over man with gnarled limbs, who kept rubbing his hands nervously. Courage whined and hid behind Muriel.
"Good evening, you must be here for the contest," the man said and Eustace nodded impatiently. "I'm Harry, the keeper of the Mansion. Please follow me into the parlor where we will be meeting."
The four walked into the Mansion. The door shut by itself and Courage yelped, running to catch up with Muriel.
"My isn't this exciten' Courage." Muriel said.
The inside of the house was scarier than the outside. It was all doom and gloom and that. When they reached the parlor, they found none other than the diabolical Katz!
"Hello," he said. "I am the diabolical Katz, your host for this never ending night. Please, make yourselves comfortable." He indicated some empty chairs. " The other contestants have already arrived."
They sat. Courage found himself sitting next to Fred, Muriel and Eustace's nephew who had visited once before. Just once. Fred smiled a very toothy smile when he saw Courage. This keeps getting better and better, he thought.
"Oh hello there Fred." Muriel was saying. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Yeah," Eustace joined in. "finally let ya out of the loony bin did they?"
Muriel got out a rolling pin, quiet conveniently from out of nowhere and hit Eustace on the head with it.
"OW! What'd I do?"
Courage looked away from Fred very slowly, not trusting him. And with good reason too! He saw that another contestant was the famous Velvet Vic. And better, thought Courage again. Then his eyes reached the last contestant. Courage sighed. It was Shirley the medium, a welcome face. A little odd no doubt, but friendly.
"Now that we're all here, I suppose we can start. Anyone have any questions?" Katz asked.
"When do I get me money?" yelled Eustace.
"All of you will receive the reward tomorrow. That is to say if you're still alive." Katz answered. "Mmm mmm. Mmaa. MWAAA HAAAA HAAAA Haaa ha ha… Yes, well anyways."
"Yo Daddyo, isn't this place supposed to be an abandoned asylum for the criminally insane?" Velvet Vic asked suspiciously.
"Heck no. It's an abandoned school for clowns! Where did you get a crazy idea like that?" Katz snorted in reply then clapped his hands together. "Okay everyone, you get the idea so let the game begin!"