Chapter 4 - A New Hope - Clue 1
"Chase, you're our winner … Congratulations!"
All eyes were on House as he stood there in silence.
The devastating news was beginning to sink in.
He had lost his chance with Cameron … his heart was broken.
House looked at Cameron and then Wilson. He had to get out of there … fast!
He turned to Chase and held out his hand.
"Chase … congratulations." A surprised Chase shook his hand.
"Thank you House."
"Cameron, thank you … we all had a good time." House kissed Cameron on the cheek. "Now if you'll excuse me … Happy Easter everyone!"
And with that he was gone.
o0o0o
House tore down the hall as fast as he could and banged furiously on the down button of the elevator. "C'mon, c'mon …"
When he arrived on the second floor, House rushed down to the Audiology Department and flew through the door.
"Dr. House … this is a surprise … you don't visit us very often …"
Dr. Audrey Taylor was the Head of Audiology.
"I know Audrey … I'm in a hurry … are any of your testing booths empty?"
"Yes House … number 3 …"
"Good." House saw a technician sitting at the Booth 3 monitoring station.
"Shut off your earphones … now … you don't want to listen … believe me!" ordered House. He opened the booth, shut the door tight behind him and settled in the chair.
House sat there, breathing heavily as he thought about what had just happened.
If only I had taken Wilson's last three eggs … I would have won …
House let out a scream that was loud enough to scare even himself and began to curse everyone and everything he could think of that contributed to his loss.
&$#! &$#! &$#!ITY &$#!
Audrey walked over to the booth and could see House ranting and raving through the observation window. The more she watched the redder her face became.
Finally she turned and walked back to her desk and sat down.
Poor House … something terrible must have happened … but why does he keep mentioning Easter Eggs over and over again? … she thought as she got back to work.
Dr. Audrey Taylor could read lips …
o0o0o
An awkward silence hung in the air as Cameron, Chase, Foreman and Wilson waited in the diagnostics office. Finally Cameron spoke.
"Well, I don't think that we should wait for House … why don't I give you your prizes and then we can straighten up and get started on our long weekend?"
"I'd like that …" Chase said brightly, thinking of the prize that awaited him.
Cameron walked into House's office and returned with two very large shopping bags. She pulled out three boxes; each wrapped in cheery Easter paper and tied with a golden bow.
"I'm so excited … I ordered these especially for you from Canada."
"Canada?" Wilson asked.
"Yes, they're made in a little town in northern Ontario called Bent Riverdale. My family used to go camping there on our summer vacations."
"Wilson … this is for you." Cameron handed Wilson the smallest of the three boxes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I know there is a story behind those three Easter eggs …" laughed Cameron.
"Thank you for inviting me Cameron, I had a good time."
"Foreman … well done, you came very close."
"Thanks Cameron." Foreman said as she gave him the medium sized box.
Foreman gave Cameron a hug and started to rip open his parcel.
"Wow … my very own Easter bunny … solid chocolate too … I haven't had one of these for years ... thanks!" Foreman said happily.
Cameron picked up the largest box and then put it down.
"This is for our runner up … I'll leave it on House's desk." she said, a bit sadly.
"Now for our winner … ", Chase smiled eagerly, "we have a big Honey Bunny!"
Chase wasn't sure what to do.
Do I get to take Cameron home with him? Will she wear her bunny costume?
He decided to wait and take his cue from Cameron.
Cameron reached into the second bag and pulled out a huge box. It was about three feet high and one foot square and wrapped in the same Easter paper as the other prizes and topped with huge gold bow with curly ribbon tendrils trailing down the sides of the box.
"Here you go Chase … congratulations!" Cameron handed Chase the box and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"But … but … what's this?" asked a bewildered Chase.
"It's your prize, silly … open it!" laughed Cameron.
Chase set the parcel down on the conference table and ripped off the paper as Wilson and Foreman crowded around to watch.
"Is this my Honey Bunny?"
"It's very special … read the box." urged Cameron.
Milk Chocolate Honey Bunny
Handmade especially for you at the
Honey Bunny Workshop in Bent Riverdale, Ontario, Canada,
Your Honey Bunny was made with love by Shelley
Bunny No. 2376
"Wow Cameron, I don't know what to say … ". Chase could see how excited Cameron was about the Honey Bunny, but he was getting more confused by the minute.
"Is something wrong Chase? You look disappointed."
"No, it's very nice, I just thought that you …"
"What Chase?"
"I thought that you were the Honey Bunny … you know with your little costume and all. Isn't that what you guys thought?" Chase asked turning to Wilson and Foreman. Both men nodded in agreement.
"Awww … that's so sweet Chase … you thought that I was your Honey Bunny." smiled Cameron, "I hope to be someone's Honey Bunny one day, that's for sure!"
"You see Chase, according to the legend everyone must find their own Honey Bunny. This chocolate bunny is a symbol; a guide to start you on your journey. You each have one you know …" continued Cameron.
Wilson ripped the paper off his prize as Foreman read his bunny box.
"Hey cool … I've got a Honey Bunny too …"
"My bunny costume was the only way I could think of to get you to play my game and after all Chase … you must know that it wouldn't be proper for a young woman like me to offer myself to the winner of my Easter egg hunt. I'm not that sort of girl!" said a coy Cameron.
"Yea … I should have known it was too good to be true." said a dejected Chase.
"Okay, but Cameron … what's with the legend?" asked Wilson.
"Here, this will explain everything." Cameron handed each of the men a golden scroll tied with a gold satin ribbon. Wilson, Chase and Foreman untied the ribbon and began to read out loud.
The Legend of the Honey Bunny
For every person on this sweet planet, there is a mate.
Some have been found, some still wait … hoping that they too might one day know the happiness of true love.
Legend has it that when you take a bite of your Honey Bunny,
If your heart is pure and willing,
your true love will reveal themselves to you.
So open your heart and look with new eyes,
Your love, your mate, awaits …
o0o0o
"I don't get it …" Chase said, scratching his head.
"C'mon Chase … it's not that hard …it means that when you eat one of these special bunnies, it will help you find true love … right Cameron?" asked Foreman.
"You've got it!" smiled Cameron.
"Well, after three failed marriages I need all the help I can get … c'mon guys let's help Cameron straighten up …" laughed Wilson.
o0o0o
House returned to a deserted office; everything had been tidied up and the only evidence of the Easter egg hunt was his little blue basket sitting on the conference table.
He felt sick at the thought of Chase going home with Cameron, but there was nothing more that he could do.
He had lost her … again.
Well I guess it's just me and Steve tonight … House noticed a bright pink post-it note on the door to his office. He pulled it off and read the message.
You may be sad you lost the race,
There's still a prize for second place,
Look on you desk, now go right away,
There's a new game for you to play.
House opened the door and spotted a large box wrapped in Easter paper and decorated with a shiny golden bow and a golden scroll on top. He sat down at his desk and looked at the box; there was another pink post-it note waiting for him.
Read the scroll and unwrap the box,
House you must be, as bright as a fox.
A sweet treasure hunt is waiting for you,
If you find your prize, your dreams will come true.
Don't leave without Bunny, what ever you do,
To begin your journey, just follow the clues.
You're brilliant, dear House, and ever so smart,
The time has now come, get ready to start.
A smile spread across House's face as he read the poem.
I haven't lost after all … there's still a chance … and no one is better at solving puzzles than me … this could be fun.
House opened the scroll and read its message.
The Legend of the Honey Bunny
For every person on this sweet planet, there is a mate.
Some have been found, some still wait … hoping that they too might one day know the happiness of true love.
Legend has it that when you take a bite of your Honey Bunny,
If your heart is pure and willing,
your true love will reveal themselves to you.
So open your heart and look with new eyes,
Your love, your mate, awaits …
o0o0o
My Honey Bunny may be waiting for me at the end of this treasure hunt … I knew Cameron wouldn't go home with the Wombat! Okay, what's next … oh yea … I have to unwrap the box.
House ripped off the wrapping paper and found his chocolate Honey Bunny and stuck to the front of the box was another pink post-it note. He read the note very carefully.
Clue # 1
THERE IS A RUMOR GUEST HOLDS THE NEXT CLUE
o0o0o
House leaned back in his chair staring at the pink paper in his hand while he tossed his red ball up into the air.
"Very clever … very clever …" smirked House.
He carefully packed his Honey Bunny into his bag, shut off the lights, locked the door and walked down the hall carrying his basket of Easter eggs.
tbc …
o0o0o
A/N: If you are solving the puzzles along with House, please stop here. The solution is revealed at the beginning of the next chapter, so when you have the answer, please read on to Chapter 5 - Part 1, Clue 2. Have fun and be warned … the clues get harder!