Chapter Seven
Wario Party
(A/N: Dear readers: I have found writing things from Wario's point of view to become increasingly difficult; the story needs to be told by an impartial narrator who can interpret what the other characters are thinking. It's critical for the future storytelling. So, I hope you don't mind the shift. Thanks. F.M.J.H.)
The guests began to arrive at 2187 Diamond Street, which was Wario's house. The house was large—at least, large compared to the other houses in Diamond City; the sides of the house were dark blue, and the windows had deep red shutters. The house was three stories high, followed by a small attic floor, the window of which could be seen from outside. And, as with all his previous dwellings, a large 'W' hung above the door.
Jimmy Tazman was the first to show up. He was dressed in a fancy disco suit, and was wearing a silver wig, which he only brought out on special occasions. He walked up the steps of the house and rang the doorbell.
When the door opened, Jimmy was surprised—but not too surprised—to see that Wario wasn't wearing anything out of the ordinary; just his usual purple and yellow garb. Jimmy half-expected this from the man who wore his biker outfit to Mona's sister's wedding.
"Hey, my main man!" Wario greeted Jimmy. "Nice duds! Silver wig, I see."
"Yep," Jimmy replied. "Can't wait for this thing to get kickin', man. It's sure to be a hot night for dancing!"
Wario opened the door wider. "Well, hurry up and come in! The air conditioning doesn't pay for itself, ya know."
Jimmy chuckled and walked inside, observing the room the party was to be held in. Clusters of balloons were hanging in each corner; Dr. Crygor's lighting device hung from the place where the ceiling fan used to be (Jimmy noticed the dismantled fan lying under the table in the next room); streamers lined the walls and hung across the windows; and there were two tables set up where punch, soda, and snacks awaited the guests.
"Looks like you got everything set up," Jimmy said, smiling at his friend.
"Ha, ha, ha! This is only for phase one of the party. Trust me, we're gonna have a blast!" Wario assured him. At that moment, the doorbell rang again, and Wario opened the door to reveal the cheerleading squad of Diamond City High School.
"Is this where the party is?" the girl in the front asked, amidst giggling and laughing.
Wario turned to Jimmy and grinned. "See? It's getting better already."
Within thirty minutes, most of the guests had assembled in Wario's party room. Dribble and Spitz had come in formalwear and were chatting with another pair of bipedal animals from across town. 9-Volt had set up his DJ booth and was playing a mix of dance music. Dr. Crygor was up on a ladder making final adjustments to his lighting device, and Kat and Ana were playing with some other children from the neighborhood. But oddly enough, Mona was nowhere to be seen.
"This quignut has come loose," Crygor mumbled, rubbing his chin with dissatisfaction, and he pulled out a big pair of pliers. "We must operate!"
"Hey Doc, have you seen Mona?" Wario asked, standing at the bottom of the ladder.
"No, I have not," Crygor responded, not looking away from his work. "Now, do not disturb me. If you want fancy lights, you must buy them with your silence."
"Wacko," Wario muttered, walking away. He was about to go socialize with his friend from the high school when the doorbell rang again.
What greeted Wario when he opened the door both confused and surprised him. Mona stood in the doorway, dressed in an elegant green gown, her red hair outlined by the silvery light of the full moon, and she formed a bright silhouette against the dark, starry sky. Wario's eyes widened, and he found himself at a loss for words. For a few blissful moments, the lights and noise around him began to fade, leaving only him and Mona bathed in the glow of the moonlight. Wario's heart beat fast; he saw Mona almost every day, but never did she look more radiant than she did in this moment. She looked at him with shining eyes, and he stared back, scratching his nose.
She seemed to narrow her eyes affectionately, and almost seductively whispered, "Wario?"
"Yes, Mona?" he responded, half-afraid of what she would say next.
"Can you let me get inside? It's really cold out here."
Like a scratch of one of 9-Volt's records, this tore through his reverie like nails on a chalkboard. Wario blinked several times and shook his head, and looked back at the doorway. Mona was still standing there, but she was holding herself, shivering.
"Oh!" he said, faking a smile. "I'm so sorry!" He stepped aside and allowed Mona to enter. "I'm… sorry about that."
Mona laughed musically. "Think nothing of it, Big W." she said, putting her hand on his shoulder for a moment as she walked in. Wario stood at the doorway and watched as she hung her coat up and looked around. "Hey, Crygor!" she called, waving at the good doctor on the ladder.
"Hello, pretty lady!" Crygor called back. "Have we met?"
"It's Mona!" she replied with mock indignation.
"Oh yes," he murmured, nodding. "Mona, was it? Watch this." He pushed a button on the lighting device, and the normal light bulbs in the room went out and the room was bathed in huge multicolored circles of light that were constantly changing hue. "It's a success!"
"All right!" Wario cried, finally getting back into a partying mood. "Turn it up, young one!" he called to 9-Volt.
"Yes, sir!" 9-Volt called back, saluting. He picked up a record and dropped it on the turntable. "Ladies and gentlemen!" he shouted into the microphone. "Welcome to the big show!"
Wario's party had officially begun.