7th July 2013 Sunday
Day 188
Yeah sorry about last chapter, it was getting late and I was noticing my mistakes. Don't worry, they're all fixed now (I hope!)
Disclaimer: Can I please own something?
The same snow storm is approaching the town, but inside the local tavern, it is warm with lanterns and a roaring fire. Buzz is seated on a huge chair, staring miserably in to the flames.
"Who does she think she is? That girl has tangled with the wrong man. No one says 'no' to Buzz!"
"Darn right!" agrees Tyrone as he crosses towards his boss, two frothy beers in his hand.
"Dismissed, rejected, publicly humiliated," Buzz complains, grasping both beers from his friend before angrily throwing them in to the fire. "Why, it's more than I can bear," he turns his chair away from the fire and Tyrone, missing his friend's question for more beer.
"What for?" he complains, turning his chair away yet again. "Nothing helps. I'm disgraced."
Who, you? Never. Buzz, you've got to pull yourself together.
Gosh it disturbs me to see you, Buzz
Looking so down in the dumps
Every guy here'd love to be you, Buzz
Even when taking your lumps
There's no man in town as admired as you
You're everyone's favourite guy
Everyone's awed and inspired by you
And it's not very hard to see why!
No one's slick as Buzz, no one's quick as Buzz
No one's neck's as incredibly thick as Buzz
For there's no man in town half as manly
Perfect, no pure man outdoes!
You can ask any Tom, Dick, or Stanley
And they'll tell you who's team they'd prefer to be on, Buzz!
'No one's been like Buzz, a king-pin like Buzz,' the local drinkers sing as they swing Tyrone towards the sad man.
'No one's got a swell cleft in his chin like Buzz,' the sidekick swings forward, tickling his boss's chin.
Buzz seems cheered up. 'As a specimen, yes, I'm intimidating!'
My, what a guy that Buzz!
Give five hurrahs, give twelve hip-hips
Tyrone offers Buzz another drink, but accidentally ends up throwing it in his face. Rolling up his sleeves, Buzz warms up his arm and packs a strong punch, sending his friend skyward.
Buzz is the best and the rest is all drips!
The hunter jumps on to the table where a group of four men were sitting, engaging in an enjoyable brawl.
No one fights like Buzz, douses lights like Buzz
In a wrestling match, nobody bites like Buzz
He walks over to a table where his three female fans are seated, effortlessly lifting them and the table up with one hand.
For there's no one as burly and brawny
'As you see I've got biceps to spare,' he flexes a ginormous arm, unknowingly dropping the table on to Tyrone.
'Not a bit of him scraggly or scrawny,' Tyrone sings, almost out of breath.
'That's right! And every last bit of me's covered with hair!' Buzz sings, ripping open his shirt and flashing a hairy chest.
No one hits like Buzz, matches wits like Buzz
In a spitting match, nobody spits like Buzz!
'I'm especially good at expectorating!' sings the hunter, spitting a piece of tobacco that flies around the tavern, until finally landing in the golden spittoon in Tyrone's grasp.
Ten points for Buzz!
Buzz juggles a number of eggs while singing, before lifting his head back and gobbling them all up.
When I was a lad I ate four dozen eggs
Every morning to help me get large!
And now that I'm grown, I eat five dozen eggs
So I'm roughly the size of a barge!
No one shoots like Buzz, makes those beauts like Buzz
Then goes tromping around wearing boots like Buzz
'I use antlers in all of my decorating!' Buzz declares, leaning back on his fur covered chair to reveal the fireplace surrounded by the heads of the animals he has killed.
My, what a guy! Buzz!
The older men pick up the chair and carry Buzz around in it. Tyrone tries to flee, but they toss the chair into its normal place, and the sidekick is pinned underneath. The door bursts open wildly, turning all heads.
"Help! Someone help me!" George enters, running around frantically to anyone who looks like they would listen.
"George?" an old man questions, catching Buzz's attention.
"Please! Please, I need your help! He's got her," he mumbles shakily, grabbing someone by the collar and shaking them. "He's got her locked in the dungeon."
"Who?" Tyrone questions the older man.
"Jenny!" George shouts, further intriguing Buzz. "We must go. N-not a minute to lose!"
"Whoa! Slow down, George," Buzz calms, grabbing on to the frantic man and holding him still. "Who's got Jenny locked in a dungeon?"
"A beast!" he shouts in reply, throwing his hands dramatically skyward. "A horrible, monstrous beast!"
A moment of silence falls over the tavern, before the older men begin to laugh and mock the deluded man.
"Is it a big beast?" someone speaks in a sarcastic tone, looming over George.
"Huge!" the man replies, continuing to move his hands taller than his hat.
Another man walks up to them, holding his beer glass close to his nose. "With a huge, ugly face?"
"Hideously ugly!" exclaims George to the next guy.
"And sharp, cruel fangs?" someone taunts, shoving George into a forming circle.
"Yes, yes. Will you help me?"
"All right, old man. We'll help you out," Buzz emphasises on the last word as a group of the strangers take George under his arms.
"You will?" George exclaims, hardly realising that he is being taken to the door. "Oh thank you, thank you-" he is tossed out in to the cold, the door slammed shut in his face.
"Crazy old George," mumbles someone in to their beer glass. "He's always good for a laugh!"
"Crazy old George, hmm?
Crazy old George.
Hmmm?
Tyrone, I'm afraid I've been thinking.
Buzz begins to sing to his friend still trapped under the seat.
A dangerous pastime-
'I know,' Buzz finishes, pulling his friend out from underneath him and holding him up to his threatening face.
But that wacky old coot is Jenny's father
And his sanity's only so-so
Now the wheels in my head have been turning
Since I looked at that loony old man
See I promised myself I'd be married to Jenny,
And right now I'm evolving a plan!
Buzz begins to whisper rapidly in to Tyrone's ear, the entire tavern trying to listen closely in. Before long, he has transferred his whole plan, and the two stand up and cheer in success.
"Let's go!"
No one plots like Buzz, takes cheap shots like Buzz
Plans to persecute harmless crackpots like Buzz
So his marriage we soon'll be celebrating!
My what a guy, Buzz!
Outside, the storm has grown fiercer, leaving a stranded George wondering what to do.
"Will no one help me?"
Inside the dark castle, Jenny is still cradling her head on the comforter. There is a 'clink clink clink' sound heard at the door. She gets up and walks over to it, questioning who is there.
"It's Audrey, dear. I thought you might like a cup of tea," the beautiful teapot exclaims, entering with her teacup son.
"But you..." Jenny stammers, amazed at who, or what, she is talking to. "Ah...but...I-" walking backwards, Jenny accidentally stumbles, knocking in to the wardrobe.
"Oh, careful!" the wardrobe responds in a sweet voice. Jenny collapses on the bed, hardly believing any of it.
"This is impossible-" she exclaims incredulously. The armoire rest on the bed as well, popping the other end and Jenny into the air.
"I know it is, but here we are!" she announces, giggling a little.
Sugar and cream begin pouring in to Henry "Told ya she was pretty, mom, didn't I?"
"All right, now, Henry. That'll do," his mother hushes him, gesturing for her child to give the drink over. Jenny, who is now sitting on the floor, takes the cup in her delicate grasp and holds it up to her lips.
"Thank you," Jenny thanks kindly. She is about to take a sip, when the little teacup moves and shifts in her grip.
"Wanna see me do a trick?" he questions with childhood innocence. Henry takes a big breath, then puffs out his cheeks and blows bubbles out the top of the cup.
"Henry!" Audrey says admonishingly, shaking her head at her son's attitude. Her boy looks down in a guilty fashion.
"Oops. Sooorry," he says, lengthening his words to sound cute.
"That was a very brave thing you did, my dear," Audrey comforts to Jenny in a change of subject. The wardrobe stands back up again.
"We all think so," she agrees in the same comforting voice.
"But I've lost my father," Jenny says tearfully, looking down with sad eyes to the teacup in her hand. "My dreams, everything."
"Cheer up, child," says the teapot in her most motherly voice. "It'll turn out all right in the end. You'll see," she looks up, an almost startled expression on her face. "Oops! Look at me, jabbering on, when there's a supper to get on the table. Henry!"
"Bye!" Henry chirps, hopping towards his mother. The door closes behind them.
"So, what shall we dress you in for dinner? Let's see what I've got in my drawers," the wardrobe questions in a young, feminine voice. Her doors fly open and moths flutter out. She slams them shut. "Oh my God, so embarrassing. H-here we are," she pulls out a pink dress by the means of her other door acting as an arm. "Ah! There, you'll look stunning in this one!"
"That's very kind of you," Jenny stammers, looking up towards the armoire. "But I'm not going to dinner."
"Oh, but you have to!" she practically screeches. Before she can continue, Tung strolls in and clears his throat.
"Ahem, ahem, ahem. Dinner...is served."
"What's taking so long?" Zap questions as he paces in front of a roaring fireplace. Dex and Audrey watch him from atop the fireplace. His voice has become impatient. "I told her to come down. Why isn't she here yet?!"
"Oh, try to be patient, dear. The girl has lost her father and her freedom all in one day," the teapot comforts, but is ignored as the huge beetle continues to pace.
"Uh, Zap," Dex questions wearily, placing his candle hands together and extinguishing their flame. "Have you thought that, perhaps, this girl could be the one to break the spell?"
Zap angrily roars a reply. "Of course I have. I'm not an idiot."
"Good. You fall in love with her, she falls in love with you, and - Poof! - " his unlit candles burst in to fire once again. "Spell is broken! We'll be human again by midnight!"
"Oh, it's not that easy, Dex. These things take time," Audrey says in dejection.
"But the rose has already begun to wilt," Dex exclaims in a panic, more to Audrey than to Zap.
"It's no use," Zap ceases pacing and stares forward blankly. "She's so beautiful, and I'm so...well, look at me!" he bares his great green teeth at them, flashing his large purple wings as he does so to look more threatening. Dex shrugs his shoulders and looks at Audrey.
"Oh, you must help her to see past all that," says the teapot calmly, hopping down from the mantle to the large dining table.
"I don't know how," he whines; his teenage voice breaking through.
"Well, you can start by making yourself more presentable. Straighten up; try to act like a gentleman," she orders, causing the bug to push his shoulders down and stand tall on all fours, straightening his face very formally.
"Ah yes, when she comes in, give her a dashing, charming smile," the candelabra says in a suave voice. "Come, come. Show me the smile," Zap picks up the corner of his mouth, protruding his fangs in a scary, and terrifying grin.
Both helpers shiver a little at the sight. "But don't frighten the poor girl," Audrey pipes up.
"Impress her with your sharp wit," Dex suggests, causing Zap to turn his head to the candle.
"But be gentle," Audrey warns; the beast turning to look at her.
"Shower her with compliments."
"But be sincere."
"And above all..." Dex finishes, hanging on his word to ensure that Zap is listening. "You must control your temper!" he shouts in sync with the teapot. The door creaks open, and Zap's face flicks towards it with an expectant look.
"Here she is," Dex announces, but both the candlestick and Zap look confused as Tung the clock enters.
"Uh, what's up?" he greets cautiously, watching on as the huge insect's expression turns from expectant to mad.
"Well, where is she?" he asks with an enraged growl.
"Who? Oh! The girl. Yes, the, ah, girl," he stutters, trying to buy some time in the hopes that Jenny would join them soon. "Well, actually, she's in the process of, ah, um, situations being what they are, ah...she's not coming."
"What?" he yells louder than anyone has heard before. With a quick scuttle, the bug moves out of the dining room and down the corridors towards Jenny's room; the objects giving chase.
"Your highness! Your royal…dude! Let's not be crazy!" Tung tries to debate, but is ignored once everyone reaches the prisoner's room. Zap smacks his claw loudly against the exterior.
"I thought I told you to come down to dinner!" he yells angrily once he ceases banging on the door. A small voice emits from the other side.
"I'm not hungry," she retorts in a stubborn tone.
"You'll come out or I'll...I'll break down the door!" he shouts in retort. Dex is quick to interrupt the loud conversation.
"Zap, I could be wrong, but that may not be the best way to win the girl's affections," he says, causing the beast to reconsider.
"Please! Attempt to be a gentleman," Tung pleads, grasping his little hand handles together. Zap turned to face them, whispered in an angry growl.
"But she is being so...difficult!"
"Gently, gently," Audrey assures. Zap turns back to the door, feeling completely humiliated and dejected.
"Will you come down to dinner?" he says through clenched teeth.
Jenny replies a sharp response. "No!"
Zap looks back to everyone else, gesturing with an expression that says 'see'.
"Suave, civil," Tung reminds him, ushering for him to go on.
"It would give me great pleasure if you would join me for dinner," he speaks in the most formal of voices, bowing slightly at the door.
"Oh, oh, try saying 'please,'" the clock suggests, causing Zap to sigh in defeat once again.
"...please."
"No, thank you," Jenny spits out her response, obviously pushing her captor over the edge.
"You can't stay in there forever!" he roars with a furious voice, completely ignoring everyone else's protests.
"Yes I can!" she says in a provoking manner, standing her ground from behind the closed door.
"Fine! Then go ahead and STARVE!" he roars loudly, breathing heavily after his speech. He turns to face his servants, each one cowering at his stare. "If she doesn't eat with me, then she doesn't eat at all!"
Zap scurries back down the hall, slamming a door which causes a piece of the ceiling to fall on Dex.
"That didn't go very well at all, did it," Audrey states the obvious, the sadness evident in her voice.
"Dex, can you stand watch at the door and tell me at once if there is any change?" Tung questions the candelabra.
The candlestick hops over to the door, taking a guard position. "You can count on me, mate."
Tung nods his head, before turning to the teapot with a sad expression. "Well, I guess we better go downstairs and start cleaning up."
Zap's lair is as dark and musty as the rest of the castle. He enters, pushing everything out of the way as he moves around the room.
"I ask nicely, but she refuses. What a...what does she want me to do-beg?" he picks up a small, crystal hand mirror; the object glowing green at his touch. "Show me the girl."
An image of Jenny appears in the glass, seated on her bed with the wardrobe next to her. Jenny looks absolutely distraught while the armoire tries to comfort her.
"Why Zap's not so bad once you get to know him," she pleads in her kind voice. "Why don't you give him a chance?"
"I don't want to get to know him," the prisoner remarks, crossing her arms angrily and turning her head. "I don't want to have anything to do with him!"
Zap places the mirror down carefully, his voice full of regret and sadness. "I'm just fooling myself. She'll never see me as anything...but a monster," he watches slowly as another petal falls off the enchanted rose, joining the other three already at the base. "It's hopeless."
Another long one and this was hard because I don't like to put imagery in during the songs. R&R! And thank you for putting up with me this long.