Author's Note: Just a reminder, all Alvin and the Chipmunks characters are copyright to their respective creators, but the story and characters I've created are my own.
Neptune's Palace - Part 2
Alvin hadn't been able to find one thing wrong in the place from the time they entered to the time they left Neptune's Palace. Which meant one thing - Simon was actually right for once, and Simon made no diversions from making that clear. Theodore shoved a spoonful of Fruity-Os in his mouth as he watched both of them debate at the kitchen table that morning.
"I said it once, and I'll say it again. There was nothing wrong with that water park, at least to the few attractions we went to. We're lucky that security guard didn't catch us before we left."
"But didn't you have fun, Simon?"
Simon raised an eyebrow. "Well...I would be lying if I said I didn't but..."
"Well, then, that's my point. Just admit it, you liked taking a walk on the wild side for once. We might not have seen everything there yet, but the little we did, it was totally awesome!"
"Alvin! Look, I have no intention on picking up your bad habits. And the fact remains that you owe me."
"So do you, so I guess that makes us even."
"You're trying to get out of this, aren't you?" Simon groaned.
Theodore drank a bit from his orange juice before speaking. "Actually...I don't know...I think I did hear something strange while we were out at the park last night." He said hesitantly.
"Wait just a minute, you heard something? Where?" Alvin asked, and Simon turned to Theodore with a frown.
"Don't encourage him, Theodore." Simon scolded.
"No, no. I-I think I did hear something while we were in the Hall of Rivers. It sounded like some kind of creepy voice. I-I think it wanted something. It kept whispering 'Please...please...'" Theodore imitated the voice to almost the exact sound, which made Alvin cringe enough to where he dropped his spoon, causing it to clatter to the ground.
"Uh...wow...that was a good impression."
"You don't mean to tell me that Theodore actually managed to scare you?" Simon asked, folding his arms across his chest as he glared back at Alvin, who recovered enough to bare a nervous grin.
"Me? Heheh. Uh...no, that wasn't scary. I was just startled by how...interesting Theodore's impression of that was. Like I said."
"Then why did you drop your spoon?"
"I didn't..." Alvin looked to his hand when he tried to bring his cereal to his mouth, but realized that Simon was right when he looked at his empty hand and his brows narrowed. "Okay...never mind."
As Alvin went under the table to retrieve it, Dave walked into the room. "Morning boys - I hope I got what everyone wanted for breakfast."
"Yes Dave. Thank you." Simon and Theodore answered cheerfully. Alvin's answer was bumping his head on the underbelly of the table with a clatter of dishes and "OW!" in response. That sound made Simon and Theodore instinctively shut their eyes then look between each other when they opened them.
Dave looked cross at first, but looked under the table to find Alvin rubbing his head, then grinning at Dave when he saw him. "Heh...hi Dave."
"Alvin, what are you doing under there?"
"I dropped my spoon." Dave shook his head with a half smile and helped Alvin to his feet.
It was that afternoon when Alvin, Simon and Theodore met up with The Chipettes to spend some time together while Miss Miller came over to the Chipmunks' house to watch them while Dave went out to run errands.
Theodore felt a little relieved when Simon assured him the voice was probably radio interference. He gave some kind of explanation about how radio signals work that went a little over Theodore's head in spurts, but it was an explanation that he was willing to go with because the event didn't sound scary anymore. Brittany, Simon, and Alvin were playing catch with beach ball in the lawn, while Theodore lay on the grass looking through the Sunday newspaper at the comic strips. Eleanor wasn't far by, reading a book of her own while sitting in a tire swing.
Theodore liked reading comics any chance he could, and he usually ended up being the first one to read the paper (because he'd complained when Alvin decided to cut up the newspaper to use in some previous schemes that didn't quite go as planned). He found his way to the end of the comics page when he noticed a review article for Neptune's Palace.
"Hey guys, look at this, there's a review about the new water park in here."
Brittany looked at Theodore as she held the ball in her hands. "Yeah, we were supposed to go yesterday, but they closed the park for some reason. And they're still closed today! How rude is that on an opening weekend?"
"Come on Brittany, you're only sore about it because you can't get a tan there." Eleanor commented.
"Still, with this kind of weather, it's obvious, as members of the adoring public, that we need water to beat the heat. And the one place in town that could give us that is CLOSED!" She paused for a moment before throwing the ball over to Alvin. "Of course there's the beach - but the water park has so much more!"
"It'll probably open back up with the start of the week, Brittany. I wouldn't worry about it that much." Simon commented.
Theodore turned his attention to the conversation only briefly before turning back to the article, wondering what it had to say about the park. But as he read into it further, he realized that it wasn't just a review - it was a really negative one.
"Uh, guys, come check this out...."
"What is it, Theodore?" Eleanor asked.
"I-I don't think you're going to like it. This review about it isn't really good."
The Chipmunks and Chipettes gathered around Theodore as they glanced the article.
"One out of five stars? That's not very encouraging. And the review's by Lexifer Turrow - he's one of the most respected reviewers about tourist attractions." Simon commented, as he adjusted his glasses over his nose.
"He said the place looks like 'one big overarching dollhouse that no one would pay money to see.' Was he seeing the same thing we were seeing?!" Alvin said angrily.
"Obviously not. The guy who wrote this review probably wouldn't know a good water park when he saw one." Brittany scoffed. "Even if we didn't go in, it still looked amazing."
"I guess the water park owners didn't want the bad publicity, so maybe they closed it down to change some things?" Jeanette said.
"Well, maybe they needed to change some of the names of their attractions, but it really wasn't bad at all."
"How do you know that, Alvin?" Eleanor asked.
"Well, we...mmph!" Alvin didn't get a chance to say anything as Simon covered his mouth quickly with both hands and laughed nervously.
"We read about it. We actually haven't been there because it was closed when we went there. Right, Alvin?"
Alvin realized from Simon's tone that he didn't want anything mentioned about their brief exploration of the park. He took Simon's hands and shoved them off of his mouth. "Right. I was about to mention that."
Theodore continued to read through the article, but his eyes caught the edge of one part that stood out in his mind. "...and I have to say that the Hall of Rivers felt like a rehashed aquarium trick. And what was with the odd noises coming from that place? You'd think it was some kind of underwater haunted house with peaceful music in the background. It totally clashed and ruined the moment for me."
That made a lump form in his throat that he struggled to swallow against, but ended up coughing from the effort.
"You okay, Theodore?" Jeanette asked.
"Yeah, I'm...fine. I'm just...gonna get some water."
As Theodore walked up the steps and through the front door. Alvin sighed. "Poor little guy. He should be upset - we all should be! With a review like this, there's no way they're opening that park up again anytime soon. I guess there's no use keeping this around." Alvin started to rip up the article and paper to shreds, but Simon snatched it away from him.
"Alvin! I haven't had the chance to read the paper yet! Now look what you've done. I can't read that article now, and half the paper's torn."
Alvin laughed nervously. "Well, there's a little thing called the Internet..." But Simon growled in frustration, while Alvin backed away nervously and held up his hands in defense.
Eleanor shook her head and sighed. "Boys."
Brittany nodded with a scowl. "You said it, Eleanor."
Theodore had about 4 glasses of water. The big kind of glass that he had to be careful not to spill as he lifted it to his mouth with both hands. All of that and it really didn't help the lump in his throat, but at least it didn't feel as dry. He sat at the kitchen table while Miss Miller hummed in the kitchen baking whatever she could for lunch. Dave hadn't been back yet, so she decided to take the liberty of arranging things across the kitchen while she cooked.
"Um...Miss Miller, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, Theodore, what's on your mind?"
"I-If you have a funny feeling about something, but you think it's a little scary, do you go after it?"
Miss Miller closed the oven and looked up at Theodore with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, honey, there should be nothing in this world that's so scary that you can't go after anything - if you really want to. And funny feelings are usually things that people should follow more often - at least that what I always say." Miss Miller always had a dramatic way of answering questions (much like anything she did), and Theodore didn't notice any difference in her reaction with the way she batted her eyelashes and placed a hand over her heart when she referred to herself.
"But what if...if no one else thinks the same way? I-I mean, has the same funny feeling you do?"
She walked over to the table and cupped Theodore's cheeks in her hands. That startled him a little. "You've got to have more confidence in yourself and what you think! I'm sure David had this conversation with you. And if he hasn't, then he should! He should with all you boys. I might just have to lecture him when he comes home..."
"N-no, no, that's okay Miss Miller." The last thing Theodore wanted to do was get Dave in trouble. "I think I understand. Thank you."
Miss Miller smiled, seemingly content with her brief talk with Theodore, and releasing his face and turning back to her cooking. As Theodore rubbed the sides of his face half-consciously, he found that his talk with her gave him more questions than answers. At the very least, when she brought him a plate of her signature chicken casserole, he was much more content than the point when he came in the house. If there was anything that made Theodore feel better, it was a full homecooked meal.
Dave came home just before the evening and Miss Miller and the Chipettes left back home. As Dave read his copy of the Sunday newspaper (he always kept a backup copy), Theodore put away a few books on the bookshelf in the living room. He thought about what Miss Miller said, and he thought about the article in the newspaper about the water park, and it didn't really leave his mind that much. He wanted a second opinion, but he knew he couldn't just ignore the fact that someone, or something, called for help from the Hall of Rivers. Even the reviewer complained about hearing the voices there. That means he wasn't just imagining it, and it definitely wasn't, as Simon had put it, "radio waves."
"Um...Dave, can I stop by Miss Miller's house for a little while? I wanna talk to Eleanor about something."
Dave smiled. "Sure, I don't mind. Just be careful on your way there, okay? And if you have any problems, you let Miss Miller know."
Theodore smiled back. "Sure!"
Theodore didn't think to ask Eleanor about the whole thing. He couldn't exactly tell Dave about the water park incident, because that would get all three of the Chipmunks in trouble, but Eleanor was good at keeping secrets, and she usually could lend a ear to a problem.
As he expected, Eleanor listened carefully, while Jeanette surfed the web through a few articles catching her interest. She overheard everything too, but only in between her own searches.
"I didn't know you guys actually snuck into Neptune's Palace though. That could've been really bad if you were caught there." Jeanette commented.
"Yeah. I was thinking about going back there again, just to check it out...what if someone was actually in trouble there?"
"I don't know if that's a good idea, especially if you plan on going the way you guys went before." Eleanor said with a frown.
"Well, it wouldn't be a problem if someone let him in, right?" Jeanette turned in her swivel chair to face Eleanor and Theodore. "And it might be a good thing for Theodore because it could help him conquer his fear. If the park owner or guard there tells him it's just a part of the attraction, then there wouldn't be anything to worry about."
"That's true. You want us to come with you?"
"No, that's okay, Eleanor. I think I know what to do. Thanks! I guess I'd better do it before it gets dark and then get back home before Dave worries."
"That's a good idea. Good luck, Theodore." Jeanette answered, and Eleanor echoed the same.
"What are you babbling about?" Brittany showed up in Miss Miller's living room at that moment, holding a wireless microphone in my hands. "It's no fun singing karaoke by myself - I thought you guys were coming..." Brittany noticed Theodore at that moment and nodded to him. "Oh, hi Theodore. I thought this was only a session for three, but I guess if it's you, you can come. At least you're not a mic hog like Alvin is."
Theodore wanted to tell her that she tended to hog the mic too in karaoke sessions, but he didn't think it was the polite thing to say, so he didn't say it. "No thanks, I was just on my way out."
"Oh, okay. Come on, girls. Hurry up!" She disappeared, while the two Chipettes sighed and shrugged their shoulders.
Theodore swallowed as he approached the big iron gates to Neptune's Palace. He saw a security guard surveying the site from inside the bars, and while the park seemed closed, there were actually a few maintenance workers setting up things around the attractions. Most of them were packing up and leaving. He went up to the gate, and motioned to a guard nearby, who seemed a little goofy with his pudgy belly and waddling walk, but he looked friendly.
"How may I help you, son?" He said cheerfully.
"Um, hi. My name's Theodore - I just wanted to know if...um...I could ask one of the managers to go inside the Hall of Rivers again? I heard some strange noises coming from there when I was here the other day...and...well..."
The guard surprised Theodore with a swift nod and smile. "You look like a good kid, come on in. We'll have to hurry, because it's almost closing time and both of my bosses are about to leave. My shift's about up too." He opened the gate, while Theodore had a big grin upon his face.
"Thank you!"
The guard escorted Theodore past the main fountain, Neptune's stony form still looking gallant even in the dimming light of the sun. The park looked even better with the water streaming around it, on and sparkling. Theodore wished he'd brought Alvin and Simon to see it with him.
"Name's Tony." The guard said. "My bosses are Mr. Rivera and Frederick Montega. They own and run the place themselves. Fred's not here, but Mr. Rivera should want to talk to you. He says he always likes hearing from kids about his parks - it gives him ideas about what to add to the place."
"I think it's really awesome from what I've seen of it so far." Theodore said. "Well, except the sounds from the Hall. They're kinda creepy."
"Yeah, you wouldn't be the first to say that." Tony sighed as they walked towards the main office, which looked like a underwater column just like the other attractions. "We had one shrewd customer a few days ago complain about something similar. I haven't heard anything like it though, but I think Mr. Rivera should like to hear about it from you."
As the two went into the office, they both overheard the sound of two men arguing.
"I still say what Neptune's Palace really needs is a 'magic show' - the kids would love it!"
"This isn't a circus, Reed. It's a water park. The fact that it's called 'Neptune's Palace' means it's water themed, and I want to keep it that way. You've heard my brother say the same thing already."
"But your brother doesn't listen to reason! Look, it's not like other water parks don't have 'water themed' things all the time."
"Don't you think we should really be concerned with-"
"That's not our liability. It's not like we really knew - ooh, we shouldn't talk about park business in front of a guest. Who do we have here, Tony?"
The man called Reed, a tall, dark haired gentleman dressed in a tuxedo and top hat, looked remarkably overdressed for the heat. Matter of fact, to Theodore, he looked like a magician. He also had a small goatee and long curvy mustache.
"Uh, this is Theodore. He says he heard some of the same sounds coming out of the Hall of Rivers the other day."
At the mention of the Hall of Rivers, Reed's clear smile turned upside down. The other man, however, who Theodore believed to be Mr. Rivera Montega, didn't seem to mind Reed as he turned to Theodore. "Theodore Seville? One of the Chipmunks, fancy that. It's very nice to meet you."
"The Chipmunks?" Tony and Reed said at the same time, shocked. Theodore flushed a little at the recognition as Mr. Rivera Montega shook his hand. He looked right around Dave's age, with dark hair slicked back from his forehead, dressed in a polo shirt and khaki pants.
"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Montega."
"Please, call me Rivera. Makes it easier for people to tell me apart from my twin brother." He said with a grin, but it faded as a thought seemed to cross his mind, and leaned forward in his chair to face Theodore with a serious expression. "I understand you had some concerns with the Hall of Rivers?"
Theodore nodded and told the three men what he'd heard when visiting. He didn't tell them that he'd snuck into the park, but then again, they didn't ask. This prompted a frustrated sigh from Rivera, and he combed his fingers through his dark curls.
"I can't tell you what it might be, Theodore. None of us here have heard such sounds, and we've had about four customer complaints about the same thing. Unfortunately, we also had the same complaint on our last opening day from a tourist reviewer - and the article was just published in the paper today. We're trying to revamp a few things before we open back up tomorrow afternoon. We're hoping the article doesn't detract too many people from coming here - we did have some water line and construction concerns, and that was the reason why we did close the park, but everything should go according to schedule."
"You're opening back up tomorrow afternoon?!" Theodore said excitedly. Rivera smiled in response.
"Yes. Matter of fact, if you want, I'll send your family tickets for you stopping by to tell us your concerns this evening. It's the least I can do."
"That'd be great!"
"They'll be out in the mail first thing tomorrow then." He said with a wink.
It was a little bit before sunset as Tony, Rivera, and Reed walked out with Theodore. Tony offered to escort Theodore home, but Theodore turned it down, because he said he didn't live far away. In the end, Theodore received free tickets to the park, and Rivera assured him that he would look into the strange sounds in the Hall. He felt much better than he'd had been for the entire day. Miss Miller, Eleanor and Jeanette had been right - facing his fears had paid off.
But Theodore hadn't rounded the corner when he saw Reed stopping on the street to dial a number on his cell phone, his back turned to Theodore.
"Hi Lex. Reed here. Can you meet me at the park in a few minutes? We've got a problem. A major problem."