Dorothy's POV
Becky had refused to speak of her meeting with Glinda the Good besides muttering something about a woman named Sarah Palin and a dumb bitch. Dorothy thought it was odd. Bitches are female dogs so it makes no sense that Becky would call Glinda a dog because she's clearly human. And now Becky sat at the wheel in silence, staring through the slightly curvy windshield in an almost hostile silence, her face unchanging, unsmiling, her jaw visibly clenched and her hands tense at the wheel, causing her steering to go jerky. She seemed unhappy. Perhaps Dorothy could cheer her up?
"Why don't we sing a song." said Dorothy, looking at Becky who made no response.
"I think that's a splendid idea!" said Nick Chopper but it he preferred Tinman for some reason. The name Tinman in Dorothy's opinion stole his individuality even though he was obviously one of a kind. The name just seemed too much of a generalization.
"Oh we're off to see the Wizard!" sang Dorothy, embarrassed at first to be singing on her own. Then Tinman joined.
"- the Wonderful Wizard of Oz."
"We hear he is a whiz of a wiz if ever a wiz there was!"
"If ever oh ever a wiz there was the Wizard of Oz is one because, because, because, because, because…."
"Because of the wonderful things he does!"
"We're off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Ooooooz!"
"What do you folks think?" asked Dorothy, as bright as she could manage but then cringed inwardly. She sounded like a six year old version of Glinda…or Glinda if she got really, really drunk like Uncle Henry on pay day.
"It's like a western version of Kim Sung Il's theme song." muttered Becky, staring through the windshield with a stoic seriousness that Dorothy couldn't place. Scarecrow on the other hand suddenly looked grave and shoved his gloved hands in his blazer pockets.
Dorothy was sometimes not sure what to think of Becky. She was the hugest rebel Dorothy had ever encountered in almost every aspect. She dressed outrageously, wearing tight pants without suspenders, a sleeveless – sleeveless top with a low, sloping neckline that went down to the collar bones, far too revealing, and cloth sneakers. She also at one point had some kind of hooded jacket sweater but that had to be discarded after being soaked in blood. The girl was also extremely crude, speaking with the freedom of a young man and seemed to be unaware of the discretion that was proper for women and girls.
But she was smart; she questioned everything, pointing out things Dorothy would never think to notice such as her instructions to carry the Ruby Slippers. Personally, Dorothy would have been delighted to carry such marvellous shoes and at the same time protect them from evil. It was an honourable task that Dorothy would have been proud of but Becky seemed resistant to the idea and kept going on about how she was chosen out of all the more qualified people in Oz, going over all the reasons why she was 'like totally unqualified.'
Dorothy never would have thought of that.
And then there Becky's automobile. It was the most amazing vehicle Dorothy had ever seen! The back space was like a cushioned bench or a lounge with electric lights in the ceiling that were like a light bulbs if they got were squashed and flattened by a book, drink holders that you could fold down and a miniature record player that blared music from speakers embedded in the interior.
'Poppin bottles in the ice'
'Like a blizzard'
'When we drink we do it right, getting slizzard'
'Sippin sissurp in my ride, in my ride like 3 – 6'
'Now I'm feelin so fly like a g6'
The beat of the song, instead of being hidden and acting as a base line for the performers, was now pronounced and loud, vibrating in Dorothy's throat. The possible types of instruments capable of producing such sounds completely eluded her. It sounded something like a xylophone and a heavy snare drum meshed together or perhaps more material sounds such as pots crashing on a tile floor, the sound of a wind chime or the buzz of wasps being elongated and the pitch changed into notes. Even the vocals were different, the way they could make their voices loop like a broken record. The melody of the song was also out of the ordinary with repetitive notes that gave it a…..provocative tone.
She thought of what Auntie Em and Uncle Henry would think of it. They'd probably say it was a sinful, all about girls, clubs, shots and greasers but Dorothy sort of liked it. It sounded rebellious…naughty. And she liked Becky too despite her crudeness. She was rad - no...what was the word?
Cool.
Becky was cool.
"They didn't clear the road all that well." said Becky.
Dorothy looked around. This particular area seemed to give off an aura of abandonment, the way leaves, twigs and dirt had been left, scattered along the road and the wild grass and ferns sprouting uncontrollably from the forest floor, trees that had snapped from the middle, filling the forest with messy, splintering arches. There were no animals either, no birds chirping, squirrels scurrying about or any sign of life. Perhaps this area had been damaged by the tornadoes?
I don't like this forest thought Dorothy.
"It is rather creepy looking isn't it?" replied Tinman and she started, not realizing she had spoken aloud.
"Especially in the dark." And the way it gave everything a surreal look with biting, contrasting shadows that lit the shape and edges of objects, the spikes of splintered wood, the curves branches and such. Dorothy peered out the window at the mellow, yellowish light and the patches of blackness, suddenly wary of the creatures that might be lingering just a few feet away from them. It was known for animals to claim abandoned territories, she suddenly remembered. What if they met something big like a bear? They couldn't run it over….like what happened with the Witch.
Dorothy grimaced at the memory of the Witch's screams and the blood spewing from her mouth, spraying all over the place. That was just horrific; there was no way they'll run over any animal. But what would happen if they really did encounter something?
"Do y'all think we'll meet any wild animals?" she asked.
"Anything interested in straw?" asked Scarecrow lightly.
"Well some." said Tinman. "But mostly Lions and Tigers and Bears – "
"Did you say Lions?" asked Scarecrow.
"And tigers!" said Dorothy.
"And Bears." finished Tinman.
Lions and tigers and bears?
"Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" said Dorothy.
"Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my indeed." said Tinman darkly. Dorothy was sure he was serious.
"Guys, this is like a temperate zone." said Becky, attempting to hide her mouth twitching while Scarecrow snorted with laughter at the remark.
Dorothy didn't believe this was a matter to be laughing at and scowled. "But what if we do meet a lion?"
"A lion in this climate?" Becky laughed "This is like Canadian weather! Way too cold for lions."
"Lions have been spotted in this area." piped up Tinman. "About two weeks ago, there was Lion that attacked a member of the Ivory Tigers, a rather important member apparently. A young female."
"Oh goodness!" exclaimed Dorothy. "Did the lion eat her?" nobody answered.
They had just rounded a corner into the sun that now cast a pretty, orange, yellow light into the car and Dorothy found, now provided with shadows, she could see the sharp lines of Becky's face and the sombre expression she wore, unchanging and staring out onto the Road.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement ahead of them and turned to look just as Becky snapped out of her sullen trance and exclaimed. "What the fuck?"
A large but smaller than average Lion hopped out of the underbrush and turned to face them, it's lip lifting into an inaudible growl, exposing it's huge, triangular teeth, it's body tensing into a low stance and it's ears laid back cunningly. It was quite a sight in a fearful, amazing sort of way. Dorothy, who had never seen anything larger than a fat barn cat was mesmerized, staring at the large, heavy paws and black claws as large as her own fingers, the muscular haunches, flexed with anticipation, the elegantly arched back and it's heavy, tail, swishing back and forth. It was a beautiful specimen.
The rest of the crew besides Tinman were shell shocked and sat uselessly in their seats. The Lion began to slowly, almost mockingly move towards them, each step slow and tense.
"What do we do?" squeaked Dorothy as the beast got closer but nobody answered. Then in a flash, it stood on its hind legs and slammed a paw into the windshield, making everyone flinch before hopping back….on it's feet.
Put em up! Put em up!" he said, taking a guard position the best a Lion could, putting one foot in front of the other and raising his giant paws to either sides of his jaw. They had no idea of what to make of this spectacle and sat there with their mouths hanging open like idiots while Tinman just stared at the Lion with an expression that read: 'Are you serious?'
"C'mon, get out of there!" the Lion continued. He had a young sounding voice, Dorothy decided. They watched as the Lion paced to the side of the car where Becky was sitting with the window rolled down. Becky was frozen and didn't move to roll the window back up so the Lion seized the opportunity and grabbed her by the shoulders the best he could with his claws retracted.
"Hey what're you doing?" she exclaimed and began flailing about as the others moved to assist her but were too late as she was pulled out through the window and toppled onto the ground which would have been hilarious if it were from an episode of slapstick. But in real life, incidents of comedy usually result in someone breaking themselves, Dorothy realized.
Dorothy and Toto got out of the car, shamefully reluctant and positioned herself behind Tinman and Scarecrow, peering around their arms like a timid child…which she was.
"You bloody scoundrel of an Animal!" shouted Tinman with conviction which surprised Dorothy. Tinman was always such a gentle, docile creature – person. He was sometimes even seemed slightly childish, always talking with innocent simplicity like a kindergarten professor addressing their four year old charges. To see Tinman or one's kindergarten professor speak with such sudden character was quite a flip.
The Lion raised it's huge, handsome head at Tinman, and glared, his eyes narrowed but somehow looked as if he was trying to feign anger. Then he pounced and they all scattered to avoid being crushed and the Lion was left standing in the middle of them all. Dorothy glanced at Tinman from behind the car and noticed he was glaring heavily at the Lion and shaking slightly. And Scarecrow sat by a stump with his arms crossed which looked sort of comical in this case and Becky was crouched at the end of the car.
"Which one of ya first?" said the Lion in a pronounced, southern accent. Nobody moved. "I'll fight ya all together if ya want…..I'll fight ya standin on one foot." To Dorothy's amazement the Lion actually demonstrated his point and stood on one foot.
A southern Lion, pumping his paws and standing on one foot. It was the most ridiculous thing Dorothy had ever seen; in fact it would have made an excellent circus act.
"I'll fight ya with my eyes closed!" he closed his eyes.
"Does it look like we're in a position to fight?" snapped Becky courageously. The Lion spun around to face her.
"Oh pullin necks on me eh?" the Lion drawled and to Dorothy's amazement, Becky didn't shrink back but instead stood her ground with that…..that cool, rebelliousness.
When Becky didn't respond the Lion turned to Tinman. "Sneakin up on me eh?"
"I ought to call the Gale Force on you." sneered Tinman and for a moment, Dorothy thought she saw the Lion recoil but then he growled or scoffed if a short growl constituted a scoff.
"Oh scared huh? Afraid huh?" he said and Tinman gripped his axe. "How long can you stay fresh in that can? Hah! C'mon and fight ya shivering junkyard." He turned to Scarecrow. "Put yo hands up ya lopsided bag of hay!"
"No need to get personal." replied Scarecrow, his brow raised.
"Why don't you teach him a lesson then?" asked Tinman.
"Well you're the one with the axe."
Dorothy who was peeking over the top of the automobile suddenly spotted Toto running up to the Lion but she didn't call his name. Not with the Lion 5 feet away from her at the other side of the car. She prayed Toto would shut up for once but she could see his ears folded back and his tail erect.
It was just one, short yap that caught the Lion's attention. The beast whirled around, muttered something and Toto, sensing he was in danger scurried away with the Lion now in tow. Dorothy could only watch, horrified as that idiot dog ran straight for Becky who seemed to freeze up like a deer at the sound of a shotgun during hunting season, eyes wide like saucers. She then screamed and in slow motion rose to her feet, turning and bolting down the road like a frightened rabbit. The Lion went after her, running on his hind legs like a human which would have been a hoot if he wasn't also shouting:
"C'mon back'n fight ya coward!"
Then something happened. The two of them had run about 10 feet when Becky suddenly turned and in a flurry of movements had the Lion on the ground, her fists failing blindly as the giant Cat lay on the ground with his paws covering his face. Dorothy glanced at Tinman and Scarecrow who were staring at the spectacle with identical expressions of shock and disbelief. They jogged up to them and hauled Becky off the now cowering Lion.
The Lion scrambled to its feet. It was then Dorothy noticed he had tears matting the fur on his face.
"W – Why did you do that for?" he blubbered, losing the accent.
"What – you're kidding me." muttered Becky in disbelief.
"I – I wasn't going to hurt you."
Dorothy was automatically sympathetic towards the creature. He wasn't dangerous, just afraid, putting on a bimbo façade as an act of defence. She glanced at Becky and saw her in that state of angry rebelliousness, her eyes flashing and her fists clenched as she intended to pummel the Lion again. The girl was clearly not nearly as forgiving and Dorothy knew she was going to spout in one of her episodes of shrewd defiance.
"Then why the fuck did you come after me? I thought you were gonna kill me – I mean your paws are like the size of my head!"
"And it's bad enough picking on straw men." added Dorothy. She could also be defiant and speak out. Like Becky. "But you were about to go after a poor, little dog."
"But you didn't have to hit me did ya?" he began sobbing openly. "Is my nose bleedin?"
"No of course not." said Dorothy, full of pity for the Lion who was forced to keep up a charade. "Why what a fuss you're making, it's what happens for picking on those weaker than you are! Why you're nothing but a great big – "
"PUSSY!"
Dorothy turned to Becky and said "Well of course he's a pussy – he's a cat."
Becky just stared at her, completely stumped.
"You're right, you're all right." said the Lion, wringing his tail. "I am a coward – look at the circles under my eyes, I haven't slept in weeks!"
"Well fuck you, you nappy mother fucker."
Dorothy had never heard of any of this slang. It sounded quite rad, exotic even and Dorothy could use a bit more slang in her speech – everyone was doing it nowadays, all the young farmhands and senior students at Sunday school. Now Dorothy had something to contribute! Judging by the context, this particular slang seemed to be an insult like 'wet blanket' or ragamuffin. So she could call Ms Gulch a mean old Witch and a nappy motherfucker!
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of an invisible object whizzing past her ear, someone crying out then a thump as they fell from a tree and onto the brick road.