"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made." Groucho Marx
"What is truth?" said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer. Francis Bacon
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Jareth delighted in watching Hoggwig and Sarah squirm as they desperately tried to talk him out of his illusionary wedding tomorrow. He knew he was drawing this out but he couldn't help toying with them like a cat that plays with a mouse before the kill. When he was done with these amateurs they would wish they never started this charade. He already had the girl choking on her drink....this was really too much fun. He was just warming up; the best was yet to come.
If Jareth had known Sarah better he would not have been so swift to send off body language that he felt he had her at a disadvantage. The fact that he did have the upper hand was not the issue, letting her see that he felt that way was like throwing a bucket of ice water on her.
Acutely perceptive Sarah knew Jareth had her off balance and was just waiting to make a complete fool of her. Instantly sobered she rapidly replayed the last few moments of conversation in her mind and realized her mistakes. Number one, she again lost sight of her target. Number two, she relaxed around Jareth. Number three, by doing one and two she was about to let her friend down.
Well, she wasn't about give the Goblin King the satisfaction. Mentally rolling up her sleeves Sarah sat straight up and spun on a dime. "Forgive me your majesty but I don't think that my wedding plans would be of any real interest to you. My point is that most women who have a hasty wedding are sorry for it in years to come. I would think you would want your Queen to look back in joy, not regret."
Hoggle lifted his head in hope; Sarah was back on her feet. Dropping his steepled hands Jareth leaned forward....she turned the tables and the ball was back in his court....she was better than he thought. This time he would not underestimate her. Jareth slowly shook his head from side to side and deeply sighed, "Such a pity you and Haggle can't be at the wedding - but your health, of course, comes first."
Dumbfounded by this turn in the conversation Sarah and Hoggle exchanged puzzled looks. "But I'm almost completely well as you can see for yourself." Sarah countered. The Goblin King lifted his hand to the side of his face in mock surprise and shockingly exclaimed, "Don't tell me Glasis didn't inform you about tomorrow. Dear, oh dear, I've let the cat out of the bag, he probably meant to wait until morning to tell you about your surgery."
"Surgery? What surgery?" Sarah quickly demanded at she jumped to her feet. "Yes, what surgery?" Hoggle echoed also rising from his chair. Jareth had them where he wanted them.
With a grave look on his handsome face Jareth slowly rose from his seat. "Please, I would prefer if we remain seated, what I'm about to tell you may be a little unnerving but as King I owe you that much." Everyone sat back down and Jareth impassively continued, "You see, today I consulted the Oracle...." Hoggle gasped and interrupted, "Helena?...but she's just a story." Jareth seriously looked into Hoggle's eyes, "I can most certainly assure you she is not." Hoggle knew the Goblin King spoke true. Sarah interrupted, "Who's Helena?" The Goblin King turned his eyes back to her and said, "That is not important, what is important is that she told me you needed treatment or you would not survive out the week."
Sarah's voice became shrill, "You're telling me you consulted the psychic hotline and now I'm having an operation? What kind of operation?" Jareth lounged back in his seat and gave the air a limp wave of his wrist, "They're such a trifling things really, you won't even miss them. Just your vocal cords have to be taken out."
Sarah jumped to her feet again clutching her throat, "My vocal cords? I'll be mute!" Jareth replied impassively, "A small price to pay when your life is at stake, wouldn't you agree?" Then he added with concern, "Please sit down, I'm afraid you've had a little bit of a shock."
Sarah not only remained standing, she moved from the table and started pacing, "I want a second opinion, I'm going Aboveground to my own doctors." Hoggle nodded at her. Jareth smoothly replied, "I'm afraid I can't let you do that Sarah, you see, as your King I have final say in what happens to you. As you yourself said you might infect other humans and I can't take that chance. It would be irresponsible of me."
Sarah wasn't going to listen to this one moment longer. "I want to go back where I belong." Sarah said smugly. Nothing happened. Sarah looked wide-eyed at the dwarf, "Hoggle?" Hoggle shook his head and pointed at Jareth, "He can block you, it's the rules." Sarah turned to Jareth, "I demand to go home now!" Jareth smirked, "I don't think you are in a position to demand anything, besides I'm doing this for your own good. Someday you'll thank me...in writing of course." Sarah turned to Hoggle with pleading eyes.
"Er...your majesty, you see, it was just a little joke...er, see Sarah ain't really sick, we was kidding yous." Hoggle said sheepishly. Jareth smiled, "So now you expect me to believe it was all a ruse, eh? You'd say anything to get your friend off the hook." Hoggle shook his head violently, "No, we lied!" Sarah pleaded in panic, "It's the truth, we lied about my illness, I was never sick, we made it up – there is no Mazeitis, you've got to believe us!"
Jareth started laughing, a deep satisfying laugh. "Oh, but I do believe you, Sarah. You should see yourself, you're as white as a ghost." The Goblin King continued to laugh. "And Huttel, you're shaking like a leaf."
Sarah was first in shock, then as she realized the Goblin King had been playing a game she was furious. "How dare you, you, you..." Jareth stood up and with every step towards her darkly added another word, "liar, fraud, deceiver, trickster, faker, falsifier....are those the words you wanted to say?" Jareth was almost on top of her. He looked down into her eyes, voice whispery, "Come Sarah, I would say we're even in that regard, wouldn't you?" Sarah grew warm as his eyes searched hers and reluctantly had to admit he was right, "Yes I suppose so." Jareth slowly pivoted and gracefully returned to his chair, "Good, since we agree let's all sit down and have a little chat...hmmm?"