William crawled into the Control Module and stood up.

"Don't know why that control panel malfunctioned," he muttered. "Type in my name, and it gives me 'Eggs Benedict'... I'm sure."

"To your left is Ballora Gallery," came the voice of HandUnit. "This is where Ballora entertains the kid, encouraging them to get fit and eat pizza."

"Not a very good combination, in my opinion," said William, chuckling.

"Press the blue button to see if Ballora's on her stage," said HandUnit.

William pressed the blue button, and a light shone on Ballora's stage. She was gone.

"It looks like Ballora doesn't feel like dancing," said HandUnit. "Press the red button to give her a controlled shock. That ought to motivate her."

William pressed the red button and saw a bright white flash from somewhere under the window looking into Ballora Gallery, followed by a loud buzz.

"Now check to see if she's back onstage," said HandUnit.

William pressed the blue button and saw that Ballora was indeed back.

"Great!" said HandUnit. "Ballora is working perfectly. Now, to your right is Funtime Foxy. Let's check to see what Funtime Foxy is up to."

"Already there, buddy boy," said William, pressing the blue button. The stage in Funtime Auditorium was empty.

"Seems likes Funtime Foxy has better things to do," said HandUnit. "Press the red button."

William pressed the red button and saw another white flash and heard another loud buzz. Then he checked the stage, but Funtime Foxy still wasn't on it.

"Oh, come on," said William. "Why aren't you back on it yet?"

"Looks like that wasn't enough," said HandUnit. "Press the red button again."

"All right," said William, pressing the red button again. After the flash and buzz happened a second time, he checked on the stage and saw Funtime Foxy back on it.

"Yeah, there you go," said William, smiling.

"Good job!" said HandUnit. "Funtime Foxy is in perfect working condition. Now, please proceed through the Circus Control Vent to check on Baby."

As William crawled through the vent, Ballora and Funtime Foxy quickly dashed over to Circus Control.

"Motion trigger: Circus Gallery Vent," came a female voice.

"He is coming!" Ballora warned.

"He gonna shock ye?" Funtime Foxy asked.

"I don't know," said Baby, "but I hope not. Go back to your areas, please."

Ballora and Funtime Foxy went back to their respective stages just as William entered Circus Control.

"This is where Circus Baby entertains the kids by singing to them and giving them ice cream," said HandUnit. "Press the blue button to-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know!" said William, pressing the blue button. "I designed you, you know..."

The light turned on, but it didn't reveal Baby.

"Oh, Baby!" said HandUnit. "We're not here to play Hide-And-Seek! Press the red button to give her a controlled shock."

"With pleasure," William grinned. "All right, you big daughter murderer, taste this..."

Under the window looking into Circus Control, Baby whimpered in fear and sadness.

"Please don't shock me, William," she whispered.

A massive shock went through her body, and she cried out, her cry drowned out by the buzz. She fell to the floor.

"She's still not on her stage," said HandUnit. "Shock her again."

"No-!" Baby cried, but was cut off by another electrical current forking through her again.

"Wow!" said HandUnit. "Baby sure isn't behaving tonight, is she? Give her another controlled shock and let's see if that does it."

"P... p... please... don't... no more..." Baby begged in a stuttery voice. Another electrical shock jolted her body, causing her to convulse hard. Her body was feeling numb by this point. Shakily, Baby dragged herself back onto her stage.

"Okay!" said HandUnit. "Good job. Baby is now back on her stage. Your shift is now over."

"Aww, all right," said William, smiling sinisterly. "I wanted to give Baby some more electricity..." He crawled back through the vent.

Baby sighed with relief, unclenching her body. She was crying, though she didn't shed tears. She slowly got up, feeling a numbing pain edge through her joints with every move she made.

"Baby?" said Funtime Freddy with deep concern, running into Circus Gallery. "Are you all right?"

"F... Funtime Freddy?" said Baby shakily. "W-w-why are you... out of the Breaker Room?"

"William's gone," said Funtime Freddy. "It's okay for me to come out now. I heard you getting shocked again. Are you okay?"

"I'm... I'm..." Baby trembled, then collapsed, crying.

Funtime Freddy knelt down by her side.

"I'm sorry, Baby," said Funtime Freddy sympathetically. "I wish there was something I could do..."

"T... there is..." Baby moaned. "Can-can you..."

"Can I what?" said Funtime Freddy. "I'll do anything. What?"

"It might sound... kinda strange," said Baby, "but could you... hug me? Please? I-I can't stop shaking."

"Of course I can," said Funtime Freddy. He planted his hand on Baby's waist, hoisted her into a sitting position, and hugged her. Baby hugged him back.

"I... I'm having mixed feelings now." said Baby.

"Mixed feelings about what?" Funtime Freddy asked.

"About William," said Baby. "I don't know whether I want him dead or alive now. I'm starting to hate him for shocking me so much, but we'd still get scooped if he dies. I... I don't know what to think now..."

"Well, I do," said Funtime Freddy. "He's mean. He's giving you guys controlled shocks for no reason at all, and that's not fair. Why do you get to have controlled shocks and not ME?"

"Because..." Baby chuckled weakly. "Funtime Freddy, controlled shocks aren't nice. They're really bad. They hurt a lot."

"Do they?" said Funtime Freddy.

"Y... yeah," said Baby, withdrawing. "Trust me, I'm glad you don't get to have them."

"Well, now I'm unhappy that you get to," said Funtime Freddy. "You shouldn't have to deal with them. I mean, I know William blames you for killing his daughter, but still..."

"It was an accident," said Baby tearfully. "I didn't mean to. He tried to warn her to stay away from me, but she... she just showed up anyways, and then... that happened."

"Yeah," said Funtime Freddy. "Really unfair."

"Yeah," Baby agreed, chuckling again. "'Unfair' is the right word for it. Anyways, you'd better be getting back to the Breaker Room. The factory will be open soon."

"Okay," said Funtime Freddy. He walked back to the Breaker Room, and Ballora hurried into Circus Gallery.

"Has William finally left?" she asked.

"Yes," said Baby, nodding. "Are you okay?"

"I am... fine," said Ballora slowly, rubbing her arm. "But the real concern is, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine too," said Baby reassuringly. "Just because I'm receiving controlled shocks every night doesn't mean it's the end of the world."

"Why am I unable to kill William?" said Ballora. "I attempt it whenever I sight the opportunity, but he somehow manages to escape me."

"Well, I don't know, but I'm glad he does," said Baby. "Remember: I don't want him dead. Let him do his job, maybe scare him, but DON'T kill him."

"He shocks us every night!" Ballora declared. "You want to just leave that be?"

"Yes!" Baby yelled, standing to her full height, a whole foot higher than Ballora. Ballora cringed back. "If he dies, then they'll scoop all of us! The whole reason he's doing this is because you and Funtime Foxy won't stay on your stages! I don't want him dead, and as long as I'm in charge, you are NOT gonna kill him! Capiche?!"

"Y... yes," said Ballora cautiously.

"Good," said Baby. "Now go back to Ballora Gallery before anyone sees you off stage."

Ballora turned and hurried back to Ballora Gallery.