I've Won!
"Bad night to be Basil!" Henry remarked as he tied the detective to the mousetrap.
"I'd rather be Basil than the professor," answered Lewis, tightening the ropes around the detective's obese companion.
"What makes you say that?" Robert inquired.
"After tonight, Ratigan will no longer have any power over Basil's life, or his own. The boss has money and control, but it cost him his closest friend, the only woman he ever loved, and his best henchman. I only wonder if it was worth it."
"Don't question the boss," warned Fidget. "He's not in the mood. He's been having that dream again."
"What dream?" asked Bill. "The one where he gets eaten by Felicia after Basil rings the bell?"
"That's the one!" Fidget answered.
I thought I saw Henry mouth the words, "I'd love to see that!" but I wasn't sure.
I focused on the positive events of the evening. I had seen Basil fail and humiliated him. Gloating over his defeat was one of the best moments of my life.
When I arrived at Buckingham Palace, I rang the bell to begin the queen's demise. My men helped me into my mantle and pinned the medals on me.
"Relax, Professor," they whispered whenever I voiced concern over my brilliant scheme. "It's over now. All your opposition has been crushed. Nothing can possibly go wrong."
I remind myself of that as I address the crowd, my new loyal subjects. I keep thinking I hear footsteps in the hall. I thought I heard the sound of a dog barking, followed by the screeching of a cat, but it must have been my imagination.
I continue reading from the list. "Item 96: A heavy tax shall be levied against all parasites and spongers, such as the elderly, the infirm, and especially little children!"
As they cower, I know I have seized control of all their lives. I have finally achieved ultimate power. I have conquered all!
"I am king!" I silently remind myself. "Nothing could possibly go wrong now!"
Wait a minute! What's wrong with the robot?