Chapter 7 – Dance of the Tricksters
When Lorene walked into her dressing room, she found Julian applying adhesive rhinestones to his face, which he had already painted white, as a base, with some blue and green accents around his eyes. "Julian?"
Julian met her gaze. "Oh, Lorene, there you are. I was going to surprise you."
"Well, I'm surprised. What is this?"
"As your offer rested with me, my sentimentality for the stage resurfaced. I was going to ask you if you would do a routine with me."
"Me? On stage?"
"With me, yes. Wouldn't you like to?"
"Oh, well…I hadn't thought of that…"
"We could do more than clown around… I was thinking a dance."
Riana squinted one eye. "You've changed your mind rather quickly."
"You've given me stark perspective on my priorities. Gina is no performer. What business did I have being intimately involved with her? Now, thanks to you, I have had an epiphany and she is my puppet."
Lorene smiled like a young girl in love. "Julian…" she cooed, as if to finish with "you shouldn't have." She waltzed up to him and threw her arms around his neck. "I will make it worth your while, I promise." Then, she shoved her lips into his, nevermind that her pointy nose poked him in the cheek. So that's what it's like, he thought. He squeezed his eyes shut in disgust, knowing he had to go through with this. I'm so sorry, Gina. Julian pressed into the kiss with adroit acting skill. Is this woman really in love with me? She kisses like she is. It'll be a shame to break her heart, but…no matter what her needs are, her methods are twisted and manipulative. So, I'm returning the favor. She can't get away with harming the people in my charge like this, especially not the woman I love.
The ballroom lights darkened, all except for the spotlight on the stage. But instead of the usual puppets, everyone was surprised to see a fully grown woman walk out on stage. She was dressed in a leotard and short skirt that was solid white on one side of the diagonal color blocking and a pattern of crimson and black diamonds on the other, lined in silver glitter. Her half mask matched the diamonds and sported plumes of crimson and black feathers. On her legs were black fishnet stockings and on her feet were little black slippers.
"Good evening, my generous public. You seldom see me, for I am the Madame of the House and Master Puppeteer…" She paused as the crowd applauded. "Thank you, thank you. I am Madam Geppetta and I'm so glad you've been enjoying my little, talented family. We wouldn't be here without you. But, tonight, I have a different treat for you. I myself will be taking the stage. And I have a new wonderful partner that has joined our circus family. I hope you enjoy our debut performance."
Another round of applause.
When the music began to play, Julian joined her in mostly what he was already wearing, save for a blue, white, and silver half mask and matching blue boutonnieres on his jacket lapel and top hat, the latter of which also having long, blue feathers. The routine was a mixture of whatever of her ballet knowledge and his tap experience they could learn from each other in a short amount of time. Julian was sure to keep one eye on the audience in case there were signs for needing to stall for time. For that, Julian was prepared to break out some juggling. On the other hand, he was fairly sure he, with the help of the audience, could persuade Lorene into an encore.
Gina, had made her way upstairs to the ladies room and shed her make-up, but couldn't figure out where her captors had put her other clothes. But she didn't have time to worry about that. Fortunately, it was dark in the ballroom and the Madame of the House was the center of attention, so her outfit might go unnoticed. She crept up to Agatha at their table.
"Oh, Gina!" Agatha rasped and hugged her.
"Go for the police. Bring them around back. I'm taking Caracticus and Bert downstairs to get the kids. We'll meet you out back where the garbage is. But don't get up quickly. Leave casually."
Gina took a seat at the table next to Caracticus.
"Is that…Julian?" he asked, pointing at the dancers.
"Yes. He's our diversion. Agatha's about to go for the police. In fact…why don't go with her as a witness. You're better dressed than she and Bert. Might be more persuasive. I'll take Bert downstairs to get our children out. We'll meet you and the police around back where the garbage is."
Caracticus nodded seriously. "Alright."
"But, I told her don't rush to the door. Make it look casual."
Once Agatha and Caracticus were gone, Gina and Bert got up.
"Where is everyone going?" Heinric asked.
"Caracticus had to take his mother home. It's late, she's old and tired. Bert and I are just going to go to the bar for a bit."
"But you'll miss Madam Geppetta's performance."
"We'll be back before it's over."
"By the by, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that's Julian on stage."
"It is."
Heinric jolted with surprise. "What? I had no idea he was talented in such a way."
"He was the court jester before he was the Child Catcher. Remember? Were you guys there for that?"
Heinric thought for a moment and then nodded his head slowly. "Ahhh, yes…" But when Heinric looked up to continue to Gina, she and Bert where gone.
The moment Bert got to the basement, he startled to see the lifeless, entranced children in clownish costumes on the walls.
"Yeah, ignore that," Gina said. "Let the police deal with that. Our kids are this way." Gina took him to the cage.
"Bert!" Jane and Michael exclaimed, rushing to the bars as Jeremy and Jemima had when Julian was there.
"H-hey, there, kids. Are you alright?"
"We're fine," said Jane. "But this place is quite frightening."
"No doubts about that. We're gonna figure out a way to get you out. Caracticus went to get the police and we're gonna meet 'em outside. Now let's see about this here cage…"
Moments later, Caracticus and Agatha arrived at the back door of The Fox and Kitty, followed by a police entourage. The rusty doorknob fought Caracticus, but was no match for a policeman's billy club. Once it popped off, the door swung wide open.
The policemen rushed down the few concrete stairs and into the workshop.
"Oh, my God," said one of them, beholding the children.
"These are them, alright," another said. "Who else would they be?"
The former picked up one of the children's masks off their face. "Well, they're breathing. They must be alive. But this lady's done something to them."
Bert appeared around the corner, acknowledged by his brother. "There are children back here, too. We could use a little help with this cage."
Caracticus, Agatha, and a few of the policemen followed them to the back room.
"Blimey," one of the policemen gasped upon arrival. "This place is a real nightmare." He crossed himself.
"Daddy!" the Potts kids shouted with excitement.
"Thank God you're alright, kids," he smiled. "We'll have you out of there in a jiffy."
"Alright, now, stand back, you lot," one of the policemen said, examining the lock hanging in its loop. "We're just gonna lob this thing right off."
On stage, Lorene and Julian bowed to the standing ovation of the audience.
When the lights came back on, Lorene announced, "Thank you all for your generous support. It's been a while since I've been on stage myself. I'm usually behind the curtain, as you know—"
"You're going to be behind bars!" shouted a policeman, who had been standing at the back with several others.
Amidst the gasps of the room, Lorene asked, "What's this?"
"Madam Geppetta, you are under arrest for the kidnapping and abuse of children."
Julian stepped away from her with a grand open-armed gesture. "Show's over."
"Wh-what? Julian? But you… I thought you were… How did they…?"
"I stopped being the Child Catcher that imprisons children a long time ago. But I took advantage of your preconceptions so I could learn enough about your operation to rescue a few children you brought here whose trust I carry. Even if my heart didn't belong to Gina, the way you treat children is vile, even for me, and your perspective on 'family' is twisted. I cannot condone that nor be tied to that. I wish you well and hope you find God in prison."
As the police dragged her off stage, she barked, "You can't arrest me! Where's your proof? You can't take my family from me!" Then at Julian, "You haven't heard the last of me, Julian Fletcher! I will find you! You might find yourself the puppet next time!"
Julian drew up his wrists to mock her threat, crossing his eyes and flopping his tongue out to one side.
In the audience, a wild-eyed Heinric said to a wild-eyed Felix, "I think we should leave." Quickly, they got up, but when they reached the front door, they were stopped by the policeman standing there.
"Where do you think you two are going?" he said.
"Home… I hope," Heinric whimpered.
"Not until we've questioned everybody here."
"Well, we don't know about Madam Geppetta's abuse of children."
"Sit down."
Heinric and Felix shared a contorted expression as if they were going to cry.
Outside, policemen were carrying the languid children into the back of a police carriage. Chitty was waiting to take her passengers to the Banks home.
When Julian and Gina finally emerged, without make-up and in their regular clothes, Jemima and Jeremy ran to them with excitement. On his turn, Julian grabbed them into a relieved embrace, accented by a sigh. Both of them returned the hug gladly.
"Thank you for saving us," Jemima said.
"You're welcome. Just think how much your father and Truly would miss you if you'd stayed in the clutches of that witch."
"Oh, I think there's someone else on that list, as of late," Gina grinned slyly down at him, a gaze he met with his own.
"Eh-heh, well…who wouldn't miss Jeremy and Jemima Potts?" Julian smiled humbly, blushing slightly. He stood, saying to each of them, "Off you go."
As they ran into the house with the others, Julian added to Gina, "So, they've grown on me. A bit. Slightly."
Gina grinned proudly up at him and put her arm around him. "Get in the car."
"We've been looking for these missing children for months," said the Chief of Police to the group at the car. "And you managed to uncover this charade in a matter of hours. This city owes you all a great debt of gratitude."
"We're blessed to be a blessing," Caracticus said.
"Don't be strangers, now. Safe travels. Good night, folks."
All of them were glad to be leaving that place behind. After treating Agatha to a night flight in Chitty, they dropped her off at her home with hugs and thanks.
Gina leaned on Julian and said, with wry humor, "When we started dating, I didn't think I'd have to worry about women vying for you, Julian. Perhaps I should."
Julian smiled and rolled his eyes. "Gina, don't spend one moment worrying about that. Being wanted for the wrong reasons is no compliment at all."
"She did seem to find you handsome, though."
"Perhaps I wear it well, as you and now another witness has testified, but, believe it or not, as hypocritical as it may seem, long noses are not my thing on a woman. Quite frankly, I prefer women with cute, little button noses…" He grinned flirtatiously and touched the tip of her nose. "Just like yours. Opposites do attract, don't they?"
Gina giggled in thanks.
"And thanks to having to put up with her affection, I now have a greater appreciation of what you've had to go through kissing me with this in the way." He tried bending his nose to the side. "She right jabbed me with her warrior spear."
Giggling harder, Gina leaned up underneath Julian's ponderous nose, smoothly, and kissed his lips. "I wouldn't have you any other way."
Smiling, Julian replied, "Well, this nose of mine has never failed me."
Chitty arrived with her passengers at the Banks residence. Everyone inside was already at the door at the sight of Chitty pulling up, ready to welcome home the heroes and the children. The teary-eyed Mr. and Mrs. Banks did not hesitate to embrace their son and daughter, and then each of the heroes. Truly hugged Jemima and Jeremy, and then Caracticus.
"Oh, how can we ever thank you enough for saving our children?" Mrs. Banks said.
"Well, I've got everything I need," Caracticus said. "But the real hero of the night is this guy." He thumbed at Julian.
So, with a humble smile and touching the rim of his top hat with a nod, Julian said, "No need, madam. It was the right thing for anyone to do."
"But so brave," Mrs. Banks insisted.
"Yes," said Mr. Banks. "Surely, we can offer you all some sort of stipend."
Bert began to raise his hand, but Caracticus forced it back down.
"I'm sure something will come along at the right time," Mary Poppins said.
"Why don't you all come to the wedding?" Truly asked the Bankses. "We'd be honored to have you."
"Oh, George," Mrs. Banks grinned, giving her husband a glance.
"Well, that's very generous of you," he replied. "The honor is ours."
"Marvelous," Caracticus said. "I, uh…suppose we should be heading home now. Lots of Potts and plans to make, if you know what I mean."
"Oh, won't you stay the night?" Mrs. Banks said. "You must be terribly exhausted after your caper."
"And let Cook fix you a plate of something before bed," Mr. Banks added.
As they all convened in the living room, Mary Poppins approached Julian privately. "I had little faith in you, Mr. Fletcher. But it seems I owe you an apology."
Julian smiled. "Apology accepted, Miss Poppins. I'll be sure to treasure it always."
"You are still insufferably self-assured."
Still smiling, Julian replied, "As are you, madam."
Noshing and storytelling about the evening's adventure commenced around the fireplace until the hour was late and the children had fallen asleep at the feet of their loved ones.