The four minions sat on the floor in Nastasia's study, laying out their plans for the Count's surprise party. They couldn't go into the meeting hall, for the Count would hear them and suspect something was going on. They talked as quietly as possible to avoid waking their master.

Nastasia tapped her pencil against her legal pad and asked the other three, "So what do we need to buy?"

"As I said earlier, we have balloons and music," Dimentio said. "Really, all we need is food."

"And cake!" Mimi added. "Don't forget cake!"

Nastasia scribbled the information down on her notepad. "Mm-hmm. Are we gonna buy a cake or make one?"

"I think we should make one," Mimi suggested. "That would show the Count that we actually put effort into it."

"Right."

"What's in a cake, anyway?" Mimi wondered.

O'Chunks grinned wide. "Ah remember me mother's cakes. She always made 'em with Sweet Batter and a dash o' Fluffle Frostin'." He stopped and licked his lips.

"Fluffle…Frosting…" Nastasia muttered as she jotted it down. "Okay, but where are we gonna find that?"

"If I recall correctly, I do believe they sell those things somewhere in Flipside," Dimentio remarked.

Mimi gasped and jumped up. "Howzit's! Of course!"

"Then let's get going," Nastasia said. "Dimentio, take us there."

"Are yeh sure, Nastasia? It's gettin' late…" O'Chunks warned.

Nastasia lowered her voice to a whisper. "We'd better go now, before the Count wakes up."

"Okay everyone, gather 'round," Dimentio announced. He snapped his fingers, and a box appeared around the little group. The magician snapped again, and they all disappeared in thin air, leaving a rippling shockwave.

When they arrived at Flipside, the streets were quiet. Townsfolk had just begun to lock their doors.

"Let's hurry," Nastasia said, "before the store closes."

Luckily, Howzit welcomed them in once they appeared at the door. "Gooooooood evening!" he boomed. "Looking for something last-minute?"

"Do you happen to have any Sweet Batter?" Nastasia asked timidly.

"Why yes, we—" Howzit stopped suddenly and looked at the minions. His jovial manner quickly disintegrated. "I know you!" he cried. "You're working for that evil guy that wants to destroy the world! No, you're no gooooooood!"

Nastasia sighed. "We're not going to hurt you, I promise. We just want some baking supplies."

"Get out of my shop!" Howzit wailed, shoving everyone out. "Gooooooooood-bye!" he added sharply before slamming the door.

"Now what?" Mimi grumbled.

"I'll take care of 'im," O'Chunks grunted, raising his fist.

Nastasia stopped him. "No, let's not hurt him. There's got to be a better way to do this."

Dimentio chimed in. "Why don't we send Mimi in as a villager? That way, he'll suspect nothing of it."

Mimi, using her shapeshifting skills, transformed into a perfect replica of a Flipside girl. "Ugh, these people have such a boring fashion sense."

"Never mind," Nastasia urged. "Just go in."

Mimi politely knocked on the door.

"Go away! You're no goooooood!"

"No, Mr. Howzit, I'm not a bad guy!" Mimi called in.

The door opened, and Howzit scanned the faux-child. He grinned. "Good, good! Come on in."

"Thank you, Mr. Howzit!" Mimi said in a sickly-sweet voice. She winked at her friends.

"How can I help you today?"

"I need some Sweet Batter and, uh, Fluffy Frosting. And I also need some snacks for, like, a party, you know."

"Goooooooooood!" Howzit sang as he handed Mimi the items. "Here's some Crackle Chips and a bottle of Bubblefizz. Is that goooood?"

"Uh-huh!" Mimi said cheerfully.

"Gooooood! That'll be 30 coins."

Mimi's hand went to her pocket. Suddenly she froze. "Er—I think I might've left my purse out front. Let me go get it."

"Okay, okay, that's gooood," Howzit said, though a skeptical look spread across his face.

"Guys," Mimi hissed as she stepped outside. "Did we remember to bring money?"

Nastasia's hands went to her face. "Oh, no," she whispered.

"I'd contribute, but I haven't got pockets," Dimentio muttered sadly.

O'Chunks looked around. "Maybe we kin find some change on th' ground."

"No," Nastasia grunted. "I'll handle this."

She marched inside the shop and tipped her glasses. Howzit only had time for one "Huh—" before he was hit by the red beams.

"This isn't gooooooood!" he cried. When the beams subsided, Howzit grinned. "Okay, fellows, here's your groceries! No need to pay, it's all goooood. HAIL BLECK!"

"Thank you," Nastasia said. She took the groceries into her hands and headed out.

Once the minions had returned to Castle Bleck, Dimentio asked, "So is Howzit a permanent minion now?"

Nastasia shook her head. "No, I programmed it so that the hypnosis wears off by tomorrow. He won't remember a thing that happened. For now, we have everything we need. Now let's get some sleep."