The next evening, Basil was preparing for the second night of the play; he had put on his best dress shirt, a green vest, an olive green jacket with matching pants, a black bowtie, and his best spats. He even went so far as trying out a new cologne which had a rather uninviting scent. Dawson learned that the hard way.

"Oh, Basil! What are you doing? And good heavens! What is that smell?" Dawson said, coughing and trying to fan away the smell.

"For your information, Dawson, this is Musky Oak. One of the finest colognes ever manufactured." Basil replied, checking his reflection in the mirror.

"Well to me, it smells like something crawled in a tree and died."

"Interesting observation, but to each his own."

The doctor paused and smiled a mischievous smile. "You're still going to see Miss Bristol at the play tonight?"

Basil froze. "…What if I am? She is expecting to see me and I do not wish to disappoint her."

"That's a first."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"You know perfectly well what it means. You like her, don't you?"

The detective tensed up as he felt his cheeks turn hot; he scoffed. "Preposterous, Dawson! Miss Bristol and I have just met! How can I possibly—"

"Come now, Basil. Don't be like that." Mrs. Judson said, poking her head into the room. "From what I heard from Dawson here, you were practically entranced with her. It's obvious to us that you fancy her."

"And don't even bother denying it." The doctor added.

Basil sighed in frustration. The conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door, much to his relief. Mrs. Judson promptly went to answer it.

"Hello, Mrs. Judson." Inspector Winfield greeted.

"Ah hello, Inspector." The friendly landlady replied.

"Winfield?" Dawson asked as he joined Mrs. Judson at the door. He shook hands with the Inspector. "How are you, sir? What brings you here today?"

"I came to speak with Basil, if you don't mind. Is he in?" Winfield answered.

"Right here, Inspector." Basil said as he was checking his reflection in a mirror. "Whatever it is you have to say, make it quick if you please. I have an important engagement to attend to tonight and I wish to not be tardy."

"I understand, Basil. But I just wanted to give you an update on the case." Winfield said as he stepped inside. "Rumors about the killer are spreading. Some say this mysterious murderer is attempting to take Ratigan's place. A few others say it's Ratigan's ghost coming back to haunt the people of Mousedom."

"Ratigan's ghost?" Basil suddenly burst out laughing. "You can't be serious, Inspector." He strode over to the annoyed officer. "You know as well as I do that ghosts are nothing but superstition. What we need is solid and valid evidence, not gossip."

"Yes, yes. I know, Basil. But a few people have started giving this killer a name. Vermin."

"Vermin, eh? Hmmmm…" Basil pondered for a moment before he noticed the clock on the wall. He gasped when he saw the time. "Oh no! I'm going to be late!" He grabbed his coat and hat and in an instant, he was already out the door.

Winfield turned to Dawson. "What's going on with him?"

Dawson chuckled. "Oh don't worry. He's off to see a play… and he's become quite infatuated with the leading lady." He smirked.

"You don't say…"

0-0-0-0-0-0

At the park, the Cherry Bloom Players troupe was hard at work to prepare for their second performance. Sarah had just finished putting on her dress and makeup before there was a knock at her dressing room door. Her ears perked up at the sound.

"Come in." She called, turning towards her vanity mirror.

The door opened and Miss Cunningham entered. "Fifteen minutes till curtain, dear."

Sarah paused and glanced at her superior with a raised eyebrow. "You didn't come just to tell me that, did you?"

Miss Cunningham rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. It's about… that Basil character. You aren't really expecting to see him again tonight, are you? …You like him, don't you?"

Sarah's cheeks turned a bright pink. She fumbled over her words as she turned towards her. "I-I… well, he and I just met and… Wait, since when are you so interested in my personal life?"

The troupe leader shook her head and put her hands on Sarah's shoulders. "I just don't want you to get hurt. Love can be a dangerous game, and I've seen his type before."

"His type?"

"Yes. Arrogant, pompous, thinks he's too good for everyone. Why do you think I never married?"

"You don't know what Basil is like."

"Neither do you."

"At least I'm willing to get to know him. When you first saw him, you threatened to have him thrown out."

Miss Cunningham sighed and let go of her. "I'm sorry. But the last thing I want is for you to waste your breath and lose everything you worked for over a stranger who doesn't even care about you. Just promise me one thing, Sarah."

"Yes?"

"Promise me… that you'll be careful, at least. Please."

Sarah stopped to think. She loved her career as an actress, but she also wished for something more; the chance of finding love. She knew Miss Cunningham was only looking out for her, but she also knew that she was rather bitter about men. Now she was behaving more like an overprotective mother than a concerned friend. It certainly grated on Sarah's nerves, but at least her heart was in the right place. She finally relented after a few moments of silence.

"Alright. I promise." She said.

Miss Cunningham smiled. "Good. I'll see you after the show. Break a leg."

And with that, she walked out the door and closed it behind her, leaving Sarah alone once again. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and brushed her fingers through her blonde locks. Her eyes suddenly fell on a little box sitting next to her mirror. She picked it up and held it in her hand; it was emerald green with golden trim and a small key in the back. She turned the key a few times and the lid opened to reveal a lovely twirling ballet dancer inside as a tune started to play. Sarah smiled as she started to sing.

"Think of me, think of me fondly

When we've said goodbye

Remember me, once in a while

Please promise me you'll try"

As she sang, she couldn't help but think of Basil.

"When you find that once again you long

To take your heart back and be free

If you ever find a moment

Spare a thought for me"

A sudden knock at the door was heard, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Nine minutes to curtain, Miss Bristol." A voice said from behind the door.

Sarah looked at the watch hanging on the wall and realized it was almost show time. She closed her music box, got herself ready as fast as she possibly could, and rushed out the door in the direction of the stage. Before she got into position, a vision of Basil suddenly popped into her head; she hoped to see him in the crowd again.