"The Devil has summoned you. Get dressed in the clothes provided and meet him in the throne room.
Do not keep him waiting."
- Chapter Three: A "Warm" Welcome -
Cuphead's first instinct was to rebel against the note. Mugman was much more cautious.
The boys were quite caught off-guard by the note's unexpected entrance. It had appeared out of thin air with a bang and a dramatic puff of smoke, nearly scaring them to death.
Right before its arrival, the brothers had finally been reunited. They'd awoken together in a strange room, that appeared to be their new bedroom. It didn't take long for them to start swapping stories from yesterday's traumatic events.
But now, both brothers stood in silence, staring down at the note. Their predicament hadn't felt real till this little piece of paper. It was something physical, concrete, setting their fate in stone. Cuphead's face was contorted in a scowl. He glanced over to see Mugman's tearful expression. It broke his heart to see Mugman so upset. In an instant, he ripped the piece of paper in half, crumpling it under his foot.
"There. It's gone. Serves it right." He muttered, trying to look tougher than he felt inside.
Wrapping his arm around Mugman's shoulder, Cuphead flashed a weak smile. "C'mon. Let's see what those finks gave us to wear. Maybe it'll be somethin' snazzy."
A parcel had appeared with the note, which Cuphead let Mugman open. That in itself was a rare occasion. Cuphead usually would make a mad dash for any package in sight and rip it open. This time, he didn't. He knew letting Mugman open a package wouldn't solve their problems, but maybe it would help.
The brothers had each been given a new set of clothes, matching the style and aesthetic of the casino. Cuphead didn't like it one bit. It made him look like a casino employee, not at all like himself. But surprisingly it fit very well and was quite comfortable. The measurements were perfect. Like they had been tailor-made just for the brothers.
In fact, it felt like the whole room had been put together with them in mind. This new room, what they assumed to be their bedroom, was at least twice the size of their old room back in the cottage. It had an enormous window overlooking the Devil's Casino. Its own bathroom. And most notable -for the very first time- the boys had separate beds. No more rickety old bunk bed for them. On top of that, everything was coordinated to match their colors: red and blue. It felt very strange, to say the least.
"I've got a bad feelin' about this, Cups." Mugman said, adjusting his new blue bowtie. "Why would the Devil kidnap us, rough us up, take our souls, and then all the sudden, treat us all nice with this? It doesn't feel right."
Once they were dressed, the pair begrudgingly they left their room and began their descent. Their bedroom was on a higher floor inside the Devil's Palace -the tall ornate tower that sat next to the Devil's Casino. Unluckily for the boys, the throne room was on the ground floor. So down the long spiral staircase, they went.
The tower's interior matched the casino's theme: White, gold, and red. Cuphead couldn't help but be a little impressed as he walked down the stairs. It was painfully beautiful. If Cuphead had seen this a year ago, he would've been enchanted. Now he just felt sick.
The closer they came to the throne room, the more Cuphead's mind raced. All he wanted was to beat the Devil into the ground again, but things were different now. His soul wasn't his anymore, and neither was Mugman's. Still, Cuphead refused to give up. One way or another they would escape this prison. He didn't have the slightest idea how, but they would. And Cuphead would make the Devil pay. That he was sure of.
The boys arrived at the throne room and the doors swung open of their own accord. Inside they saw the Devil lounging on his throne, King Dice at his side. He grinned, brandishing his pointed teeth. Mugman quickly bowed, but Cuphead didn't follow suit. Instead, he kept his eyes locked with the Devil's, glaring.
"Excellent. I see you obeyed my request. You look lovely in your new attire." The Devil purred. "But, you forgot to bow, Cuphead. I will overlook the insult this time, darling."
Cuphead hated the Devil calling him that. It made his stomach churn.
"Why don't you two come and sit down? You both look utterly exhausted." The Devil crooned, gesturing to a large red cushion sitting beside his throne. It reminded Cuphead of a dog bed.
That hit a nerve. Cuphead despised being demeaned and this was too far for him to take quietly. The Devil's sickly sweet tone and mocking attitude had gotten on his nerves for the last time.
Cuphead laughed. "So, we're your pets now, huh? You kidnap us, take our souls, and now expect us to be your puppy dogs?" He spat on the ground. "No thanks. I'd rather be in a cell."
Mugman's eyes widened in shock but didn't move to silence Cuphead.
"Excuse me?" King Dice bristled, but the Devil raised his hand to silence him.
"Now, now, Dice, it's alright." The Devil chuckled, meeting Cuphead's fiery gaze. "The boy's reaction is cute. Please, Cuphead, continue."
"Cute?" Cuphead exploded. If only he'd known that this was exactly the reaction the Devil had been hoping for.
"Nothin' about this is cute, you weak little crybaby! If you didn't have my soul I'd fight you again and beat you right here, right now. You're nothin' without those soul contracts of yours! Nothin'! You're just a big coward!"
He lunged forward to try and shoot the Devil, but his hand didn't move. His whole body stopped. Frozen in place. He tried to speak. His mouth refused to move. The Devil chuckled, giving Cuphead a patronizing smile. Mugman grabbed Cuphead, trying to shake him out of it, but his brother was like a statue. Completely immovable.
"Fascinating what one can and can't do without their soul, wouldn't you boys agree?" The Devil said, twirling his pitchfork. "See, the one reason you can freely speak your mind, dear Cuphead, is because I allow you to. With the simple snap of my fingers, I could make you mute for twenty years if I-"
"Please, Mister Devil, sir! Please don't hurt him!" Mugman interjected, leaping in front of Cuphead protectively. "I-I'm so sorry for the way he's actin'. I promise that if you give him one last chance, I-I'll keep him in line! I swear it! I swear it o-on my life, boss!"
The Devil paused, raising his eyebrow. "Will you now? How precious. Cuphead really doesn't deserve such a good brother like yourself. Such a pity that all that kindness is wasted on someone so insolent. Unfortunately for dear Cuphead, I'm not swayed that easily."
Mugman opened his mouth to protest, but the Devil waved his hand. Mugman's mouth locked in place like someone had poured solid cement into his mouth.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head, Mugman. I won't make your brother into a mute -even though I would very much like to. All I'm going to do is teach your brother a very important skill: Manners. I'm sure you can understand the importance of that." The Devil continued, getting up from his throne.
"I think I'll let you off easy this time." He mused. "Your brother's distress for your safety is rather heartwarming. But, there still is a price to pay for your hot temper."
He grinned down at Cuphead, his eyes like daggers. "Return to your room. You will stay for the rest of the day. Unable to move. Unable to speak. Unable to do anything, except breathe and blink. Try and think about your attitude while you wait." The Devil laughed. "And if you don't learn your lesson, I won't be so forgiving next time."
Mugman's heart almost stopped. Cuphead was terrified of not being able to move or speak. Whenever anyone told him to be quiet or to sit still, he simply couldn't do it. If this was only a minor punishment in the Devil's eyes, what else would he do to them?
"Go on, now." The Devil said, shooing Cuphead off.
Cuphead's body snapped back into motion and he automatically turned to walk upstairs. He tried to look back, but his body wouldn't let him. He could hear Mugman following behind him.
"Not you, Mugman. You stay here."
"But, Mister Devil, sir... I just wanna be with him, I won't talk to him or nothin'-"
"Are you the one getting punished?"
"N-no, sir."
"Then why would you have to undergo punishment as well? I'm sure Cuphead will be just fine."
Mugman remained quiet as a mouse in the hours that followed. He sat crisscross on the red cushion beside the throne, trying not to disturb the Devil or King Dice. They were going back and forth on every little detail for the casino's reopening. It sounded like there were two days till the Devil's Casino reopened its doors. There wasn't much time left till Inkwell Hell was jam-packed with patrons once more.
He fidgeted nervously. How was Cuphead doing? He kept thinking of all the possible scenarios Cuphead was enduring while he was stuck here. Although he didn't say it, Mugman hated sitting here like some kind of obedient dog just as much as Cuphead did. The only difference was he knew better than to challenge the Devil on it.
The Devil seemed much calmer now, and very bored. Mugman kept a close eye on the demon as he talked, trying to learn his body language and cues. Then he'd be able to tell when the Devil was upset. He could use that to his advantage to keep Cuphead out of trouble.
While the Devil wasn't too difficult to read, King Dice had quite the poker face. It was near impossible for Mugman to tell what the casino manager was feeling. The only thing he knew for sure was that King Dice hated him and his brother. That was obvious.
A dramatic sigh snapped Mugman back into reality.
"I'm tired of all these logistics. Finish them up for us, won't you Dice?" The Devil yawned, standing up from his throne and stretching.
"Whatever you say, boss." King Dice muttered. He didn't look very pleased with the Devil's sudden withdrawal.
"I need a stroll to stretch my legs." The Devil said, striding out of the throne room. "Come with me, Mugman, won't you? You still have yet to see your new home."
"O-oh. Yessir." Mugman responded. He forced himself to get up and follow the Devil. As they left, he peered back at King Dice who was glaring right at him.
"Oh, don't mind Dice." The Devil asserted, putting an arm around Mugman. "He's still getting used to you two, that's all. I mean, you did nearly beat the life out of him not so long ago. Heh. I'm sure he'll come around."
"If you say so, boss." Mugman mumbled, keeping his head low.
The Devil showed him the impressive expanse of a casino floor, embellished with plenty of mini-bars and game tables. There was an elaborate restaurant on a second-floor balcony with a kitchen attached. The Devil's imps were hard at work getting the place in tip-top shape, and as the Devil passed, they would bow.
"By the time I'm done with your brother, he'll have manners like that." The Devil laughed, gesturing to a whole kitchen of imps who stopped cleaning to bow.
Mugman didn't find the comment funny in the slightest but forced himself to laugh anyway.
He was shown the stadium where horse races would take place. A fighting ring for brawls. And the expansive gardens that surrounded the casino. There were hedges shaped like casino chips and white marble statues of chess pieces. In the center of the garden was a fountain, carved in the Devil's likeness.
The Devil sat on a bench beside the said fountain and motioned for Mugman to do the same. For a little while, he didn't say anything. Mugman took the opportunity to listen to the sound of the running water. It was soothing, even when he was sitting beside the King of the Underworld.
"Tell me, Mugman, what do you actually think of me? And this place?"
Mugman glanced up at him, a little confused. He tried to say some generic response like 'it's nice, sir', but his mouth wouldn't let him. The Devil smirked.
"I asked you to truthfully tell me what you thought, Mugman. If I ask for the truth, I will damn well get it."
Mugman shifted uncomfortably. He couldn't disobey the Devil's wishes, even a little. Did he actually have to tell the Devil what he thought? That was a death sentence for sure.
"I, um..." Mugman kept hesitating. He couldn't seem to get the words out. "I... I don't like it here, sir. I hate it." He squeezed his eyes shut, expecting to be slapped. But nothing happened.
"Keep going." The Devil said.
Mugman grimaced but did as he was told. "I hate it here. I wanna go home. I wanna go back to the Inkwell Isles. I-I miss Elder Kettle. I miss Cuphead. Everythin' was great there. But here, everyone hates me and Cups."
"Well I don't hate you, do I?"
That comment made Mugman's eye twitch. He tried to push his anger down, but something inside him told him to let it out.
"Yeah, right. Sure you don't hate us." He scoffed. "What a joke! You hit Cups over and over, givin' him a black eye! And you also took our souls! Someone who likes us wouldn't do that."
The fury in his voice began to rise. He met the Devil's eyes and began to scream. "You make me suffer! You make Cups suffer! You even make your friends and staff suffer! Not even King Dice is mean to his friends, but you like bein' mean to him. You're awful! You're the worst of them all and I hate you!"
Angry tears were now streaming down Mugman's face. His hands were balled into fists. He'd never felt this angry before, but now rage coursed through him.
Strangely, the Devil didn't look the slightest bit offended by what Mugman said. He just leaned forward, studying Mugman. "Interesting. You're much more perceptive than I thought. And quite emotional." He grabbed Mugman's face and roughly wiped his tears away. "Stop crying."
And just like clockwork, Mugman's body forced him to stop crying.
The Devil let go of Mugman's face and stood up. "Come, I still have things to check before the reopening. And, do not ever speak to me that way again -unless I ask it of you."
Mugman nodded weakly. He was walking too slow so the Devil grabbed him by the arm and kept going.
"And under no circumstances do you tell anyone what happened here. This remains our little secret. Do you understand?"
"Yessir."
Cuphead had never wanted to scream as much as he did right now. He'd been thirsty for the past few hours, but couldn't do anything about it. His mouth was immovable, like stone. All he could do was breathe through his nose and blink. His legs ached. Of course, the Devil had planned to make him stand this whole time. Cuphead wondered if his knees would give out the second the time was up.
He'd tried to sleep, but he couldn't. He was far too uncomfortable to drift off. His whole body screamed in pain. He'd never stood this long, let alone standing still this long.
His only wish was to have a clock in view. Then he'd be able to count the hours. Unfortunately for him, there was no clock in sight. And since the casino was inside a mountain, he couldn't tell if it was day or night -even with the window in their room.
Cuphead felt like he'd been here for days, but what if he'd only been here for an hour? What did the Devil mean when he said Cuphead would have to be here for the rest of the day? How long would he be stuck here?
The same thoughts ran in endless circles inside his head. He nodded off a few times, but never longer than a few seconds. Cuphead would always wake back up, still trapped. At first, he was enraged at the Devil for doing this to him. But that anger had faded into pure fear. This was his worst nightmare come to life and with every passing minute, it got more and more unbearable.
How much longer would he be stuck here?
He missed home. He missed Elder Kettle. Their guardian had always known what to do, no matter how big the problem was. Cuphead wished he could talk to him. Maybe he would know how to pass the time. And where was Elder Kettle? Was he kidnapped along with Cuphead and Mugman? Still back home? Somewhere else? Cuphead didn't know. He despised not knowing.
He tried to think back to something happy. Elder Kettle always told them to think of happy thoughts when they were sad...
All three of them used to go to the picture show on Sundays. Then, Cuphead asked Elder Kettle not to go with them, he'd said being with his old man was too embarrassing. Cuphead regretted that now.
He couldn't recall most of the films they'd seen, but he remembered the fun times he'd shared with his family. If only he could go back to then...
Then, the feeling returned to his legs. Cuphead fell face-first onto the floor. He screamed out in agony. Everything hurt so much worse now that he'd moved. As he writhed in pain, the door swung open. The Devil was there.
"Have you had enough?"
Cuphead's throat was dry, so he croaked. "Yes, boss."
The Devil chuckled. "Much better. I do hope you will behave yourself now. You know, I wasn't lying when I said I went easy on you. Do it again and I'll make you wish you were dead. Am I clear?"
"Crystal clear, boss."