Act VIII
A New Case for Detective Basil
Meanwhile: A few nights ago…
Couples dressed in their finest suits and gowns entered the Royal English Opera house. A few yards to the side, only several inches off the ground rodent couples, mostly mice, entered through their own private doorway.
They filled the rows of seats, chatting quietly amongst themselves, discussing the program for the evening. Above in the closest left balcony a skinny tan mouse had already been sitting and waiting eagerly for the show to start for some time now. His clothes, brown slacks, white shirt, jade tie and brown overcoat, looked a little disheveled. Since the fire that engulfed his home and forensic laboratory a few nights ago he had been forced to wear the same outfit for several days now. Mrs. Judson insisted on taking him shopping, but the ever-inquisitive detective Basil was far too busy investigating the cause of the fires to be concerned about a limited wardrobe.
Luckily, his partner and roommate, Dr. Dawson had been called away to Wales for the weekend to perform a surgical demonstration at the time and was not home to suffer any injuries and lost very few personal possessions having come home to London with little to begin with. When notified of the series of arsons through a telegram, Dawson immediately suspected Ratigan was to blame.
Basil had already dismissed this theory. He did not believe the nasty sewer rat to be dead. Though no clear cut evidence of the base of Big Ben and the grounds surrounding it suggested Ratigan had or even could have possibly survived the fall. However no body was found and Basil knew his enemy to be a resourceful one. Despite this, careful inspection of the ashy, crumbled remains of his home and the several others neighboring indicated someone else was to be blame.
Whoever it was did not have the imaginative touch his familiar rival possesses. Also, whoever it was did not work alone; the ten fires along Baker Street had been started simultaneously. Basil clearly remembered being ripped out of a sound sleep by the blasting of fireworks that night, but there were no eye witness reports of seeing fireworks in the sky anywhere in London at the time. Basil was struggling to analyze the residue left by the explosives. His nose pinpointed heavy traces of sulfur immediately and-
Ah, but all that could wait. He noticed Dawson rushing through the door and around the corner. The chubby brown mouse panted heavily as he took his seat next to Basil.
"Why there you are! Hello, old fellow, good to have you back." Basil greeted his dearest friend with a raise of his curved wooded pipe. "The lecture went well, I trust?s"
"Oh, yes, swimmingly…" Dawson struggled to talk in between breaths. "Sorry I'm running so late. I caught the first train home I could… but why instruct me to meet you here?"
The orchestra below started to warm up their instruments.
"My fiancé, after a long two year farewell tour finally circled back to London."
Dawson's face lit up with a curious smile. "I'm finally going to meet the lovely Deliah Berkshire?"
"You certainly ARE, Dawson." Basil sighed, sinking in his seat. "I didn't think we could pull it off at first. This long distance relationship was killing me, but a little trust and patience goes a long way. Before Easter I will have a lovey woman to call my wife and the plumpest tits in all of Mousedom to hold over my lousy brother's head-" He chuckled to himself, putting his pipe to his lips. "I invited him tonight as well. He insists on taking us out in celebration to the Squirrel's Heart Lodge after the show for some gentlemanly bonding and-"
An effeminate, but harsh cough caught Basil off-guard, causing him to choke on a lung full of smoke. A 15-year old mouse girl glared at him through her large, round glasses. The size of her amber eyes looked enlarged through the frames, making her scowl appear all the more heated as she begrudgingly took a seat next to Basil. "Ah, you're back from the dressing room. How is Deliah? Is she nervous?"
"Why should mum be nervous? Because you're bothering to watch?" Julyia asked irritably. She HATED having to watch her mother's final singing performance while sitting next to the most pretentious of all mice! A greater insult still, after tonight she would give up her accomplished singing career entirely all so she could marry the smug, wiry rodent!
"And who might this be?" Dawson offered her a handshake.
"I'm Julyia Berkshire." The rather bookish looking caramel-colored mouse with the strange white mask marking on her face reached past Basil to accept his handshake. Her grip was rather firm for a girl so dainty.
"Deliah's daughter, soon to be my step daughter." Basil added with a smile.
Julyia frowned as she leaned back. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Leslie."
Basil cringed at the mentioning of his birth name. Dawson couldn't help but chuckle a little. "My dear, what did you call him?"
"Leslie, his first name of course." Julyia smiled as Basil's nose scrunched in an annoyed frown. "Until he makes a respectful woman out of my mother-" She unconsciously cringed a little. "-it wouldn't be proper to call him father. It simply wouldn't do to keep calling him by his last name either. Detective Basil and Mr. Basil sounds too impersonal I feel."
"All this time living together and I never knew Leslie is your first name. Is that why you insist Mrs. Jusdon brings in and sorts the mail before I'm home?"
"Julyia has a silly sense of humor like her mother." Basil insisted. "My first name certainly isn't-"
"Leslie, old boy!" A playful laugh echoed over Basil's head before another, mouse, resembling Basil, but slightly grayer in fur tone, better dressed and heavier set pulled Basil out of his seat from behind in a bear hug. "Little brother, I'm so proud. When is this supposed fiancé of yours due on stage?"
"Enoughenoughenoughenough ENOUGH!" Basil insisted, kicking and squirming until the other mouse finally released him. Basil turned to the older mouse and forced a smile. "Sir Arthur-" He greeted his older brother, mocking the sir in the title of his name. Honestly, Arthur, a slug in mouse's clothing was knighted almost four years before he was. The injustice! "This is my partner, Dr. Dawson."
The two mice shook hands. "A pleasure." The doctor smiled.
"And young miss Julyia, Deliah's daughter."
"Why hello, dear." When Sir Arthur smiled, he looked quite charming. He took Julyia's hand and gave it a quick, gentile kiss. "Physical evidence, I see. Alright, Leslie, I promise to drop the "supposed" in front of fiancé from now on. She has offspring so she must not be completely imagined."
Dawson and Julyia shared a quick laugh. Basil did not find his brother so humorous. "Aw, loosen up a little bit." Arthur elbowed Basil. "Where did you meet her anyways?"
"On a case actually." Basil admitted. "The case of the pigmy cats; long story. I won't bore you with the details. Deliah was a witness I had to interrogate. I actually broke into her dressing room the first day we met. Gave her quite a fright." The memory of that case brought a reminiscent smile to his face. "Never managed to fish much useful information out of her, but after the case was solved the woman's voice just wouldn't get out of my head… Over the next few years I would attend her shows on occasion in every other city or so until well, you know how it worked out."
Julyia sighed heavily. Why her?
"How is everything working out for you in the secret services?"
"Well enough. I'm here to meet this supposed fiancé after all. Oops, broke my promise." Sir Arthur shrugged as he adjusted his coat and flopped back in his seat. "The private eye business doesn't seem to be doing you any favors, little brother. You have made too many enemies over the years. I'm worried about you-"
"You worry? The only thing you worry about regularly is how many options are on the dessert menu." Basil waved his brother a dismissive hand gesture.
Arthur's expression remained sober. "Your safety is at stake. There's the matter of your finances too. You lost everything. How do you even plan to pay for the wedding much less a new home for you and your new family-?"
"Yes, Leslie, how DO you plan to pay for your wedding?" Julyia asked, leaning in for his answer.
Basil shifted uncomfortably. "Under the circumstances Deliah is absorbing the bulk of the costs." He confessed only to receive a dirty look from Julyia. "Beyond that everything is under control. I've made a decent living over the years with my private practice thank you very much. Your mother and I have nothing to worry about."
Arthur eyed Basil a moment. "Who is funding you to investigate Baker Street?"
"The Baker Street fires may be personal, but all the more reason to-"
The lights dimmed, the music started to fill the room and the red curtains drew back. Julyia shushed everyone as a gorgeous mouse with rich mahogany fur and a delicate white face was lowered onto the stage slowly by a swing set. Her tight, thick curls were left to flow loosely down her back. Her intense blue eyes and the excitement gleaming from them could be seen from the very back row.
She drew in a breath and burst into song. The audience melted as her voice guided their emotions through the composition. From the balcony Julyia watched the flowing wine colored ruffles of her gown sway over the swing. The glare of the stage lights off the wedding ring Basil had proposed with kept irritating her. She remembered the look of pride and delight when her father used to watch her from back stage years ago before…
She glanced over at Basil and the others. They teetered on the edge of their seats, entranced by Deliah's voice as she poured her heart out to the audience, especially Basil. There was something sparkling in the detective's eyes, but it wasn't love; it couldn't be! Basil didn't appreciate Deliah the way she did—the way her father did when he was still around and performing…
Arthur crossed his arms over the back of Basil's chair and leaned forward. Julyia heard him whisper "I have to admit, Leslie, she has a nice body. You like the sturdier ones?"
"She's tinier in the waste than she looks. Her cleavage deceives her figure in that dress." Basil replied.
"I'm not always thrilled about your career choices, but as far as women go you certainly have done well for yourself."
Basil nodded. "Oh yes, Deliah is perfect; we complete each other. I'm the brains and she is the beauty."
Julyia stomped her foot as she stood. "I can't take another minute of this. I'm stepping outside for some air."
"Not before your mother finishes on stage you will not." Basil scolded her in a harsh whisper. "She's been worried sick about you since that awful mess you landed yourself in at the book store."
"Someone set the bloody building on fire! I didn't land myself in anything!" She defended herself. "The Greatest Detective in all of Mousedom and you can't recall a single accurate detail!"
"Sit and shush! Show her some respect if you please."
"No YOU show her some respect! I don't understand WHAT mum sees in you!" With that, she stomped off.
The others eyed Basil curiously. "Goodness, what did you say to her?" Dawson asked.
Basil shook his head, puzzled. He sighed. "I…haven't the slightest. We do not mesh well, that girl and I."
"Should we follow?" Dawson asked.
"No, the closer I follow the farther she'll scurry off… I'll… I'll speak with her later…"
Act IX
Julyia Falls in Love inside a Burning Book Store
The other afternoon on 221 ½ Baker Street… Shortly before the fires started on Baker Street…
"Julyia! Where are you going?"
She sighed, fixing the wide rimmed glasses on her nose "I'm going to the book shop to see if they have any other books that I can grab. They are supposed to bring in a new shipment from the America's this week." She smiled, holding her purse close to her.
Her mother, Delilah, sat up from her seat at the breakfast table "I just don't understand why you would have your nose stuck in a book when there are many other things you could occupy your time with."
Her bright brown eyes rolled in sync with another sigh "By other things you mean boys? Then... I'd rather sit under a tree and read."
"But my darling how do you expect to have a rich and lively future! Full of romance and adventure?" she looked at the books in her daughters hands "With those books that collect dust? I'm sure there are many men waiting to vie for your attention!" she looked at her daughter, dressed in her regular plaid skirt white button up and red sweater on her shoulders. Her smiled disappeared "Perhaps we can take you shopping! That must be it!"
Julyia looked at her mother, her beauty had no bounds. At her age she had reached her prime, with her long billowing mahogany hair and white striking mask mark. At some points, her own daughter would grow jealous of how much attention her mother got, although Julyia who was a fair beauty herself, decided to take time on her own to read and learn and neglect the chores a lady performs to look "pretty". She shook her head "I don't think that's the thing mother-"
"Well maybe, I can get Basil to find a young man for you!" she didn't see her daughters jaw drop "I mean that Basil could find a strapping young man in Scotland Yard! There are many young men that would leap at the chance to court my daughter! Just imagine! A double wedding for the both of us! You and your man and your new father and I!"
Julyia quickly snapped "He is not my father. He will never be my father!"
Delilah turned to her "Young lady, whether you like it or not, he will be your father. The minute I say 'I do' is when this family will be complete again."
"You can say that over and over again it still won't be true to me. My father still cares about me."
"Julyia, don't you bring him into this!" she pointed at her "Don't you dare make me out to be the villainess."
Julyia's eyebrows furrowed "How can I not! If you don't want me I'll go find father... he still wants me!"
Delilah stood up "If he loved you why did he leave us?" Julyia was taken back as Delilah crossed her arms "Do you think he supported the career I picked? He didn't care Julyia.. He left us for his own reasons.." she turned from her daughter "And left you out of it." She sat down at her seat, still turned away from her "You were too young to remember, he cared about you, yes, but apparently he didn't love you enough to stay for your sake." She let out a deep breath "I haven't smiled or even laughed until I met Basil. I have a heart again with him, and I know you are smart enough to see it. I've decided to think about my future and being happy. Perhaps Julyia.. you should do the same."
Julyia huffed and ran out the flat, slamming the door behind her. She met face to face with Basil, who smiled "Why Julyia, so nice to see you. You're looking well-" Julyia looked up at him and shoved him out of the way as he watched her turn away and walk around the corner to the marketplace. He walked inside and saw Delilah at the window, watching the sight. Basil gently touched her shoulder "I am guessing she is not in the best of moods."
"She is just so.. stubborn and…" she plopped in the chair next to her "I've tried to raise her on my own-"
"And you've done an amazing job, Delilah.." he pulled her chin up, to meet his green eyes "Just be patient my dear, she does not approve right now of course, but in time she will have to adjust to the fact that I am going to be part of this family."
"Adjust is a word not in her vast vocabulary." Basil smiled next to her as she stifled a giggle "What?" He wrapped his arm around her shoulders "You'll see, when she falls in love, she'll understand how we feel about each other. Love is an investment." He kissed her on the cheek.
Julyia walked past the many humans and carriages to reach the marketplace, being sure to not let her boil over. She quickly walked behind the bookstore and took off her glasses, wiping the small tears in her eyes. She then wiped off her skirt and walked into the store, bumping into a shadowed figure of shorter male. "I-I'm so sorry?" the figure didn't even acknowledge her and walked into the same alleyway. She shrugged her shoulders and walked into the shop, the little belle tingling as she walked through.
There was plenty of business today, children, men and women searching through the endless array of books. The book shop owner, an older silver furred mouse smiled "Ah! Julyia."
"Good afternoon." She said with a smile "I've come to return the book I borrowed." She handed it to him as he smiled "Finished already?"
She then walked to a new stack of books "I couldn't put it down… Have you got anything new?"
He giggled again "Not since yesterday!" he stroked the book in his hand "But we are expecting a new shipment tomorrow morning if you are interested."
"Always."
He laughed again "Feel free to borrow whatever you like; you are my top customer." He walked to the front of the store as Julyia walked around. She saw a large stack of books and decided to sit beside them and read. She cracked open a copy of Beauty and the Beast reading the name of the previous owner written in ink J. Berkshire. She stifled a laugh and read the first page, getting lost in the story. A few moments passed when she looked up and smelled the air, the faint trace of smoke. The air began to fill with thick air as the people began to realize the present danger. Flames began to tickle the sides of the building catching fire to the books and documents aligned in organized shelves. Julyia stood dazed until someone quickly pushed into her, sending her to the ground.
Her wide rimmed glasses fell off across the floor. Her blurry vision and the thick smoke did nothing but stop her from exiting. She heard a quick crack of glass and finally took a hold of her glasses, noticing one of the lenses hindered her vision. Still holding the book in her hand, she made her way to the exit, but was blocked by falling debris. She worriedly looked around and coughed, feeling a burning sensation in her lungs. She fell down on the floor, the book still in her hands. She was in and out of consciousness, until she heard a crashing sound.
A voice filled the air "We got one in here!" the figure picked her up and crashed through another window. The figure set her down on the cold ground "Miss, stay with me!" he lightly touched her face "Miss? Are you alright?" Julyia coughed and tried to look into his face, from what she saw all she can see was bright yellow eyes looking down at her. Julyia's brown eyes widened; she had never seen such eyes before. She was dazed as she slowly closed her eyes, exhausted as the fumes had taken a toll on her. She whispered "Thank you." Before drifting off. The man looked at her as another carried her off into a carriage, on the way to the hospital. The book slipped out of her hands, but was ignored as they rode off quickly.
One of the other firefighters nudged him "Oy, Vern? You alright?" one of them said. Vernandos picked up the book and wiped off the soot, taking notice of the title. He opened the book and turned to the first page "J. Berkshire." He muttered. He hid the book in his coat and wiped his forehead, "Who was that girl?"
His friend laughed "What does it matter?" the other one snorted "Uh oh! Vernie's in love!" they cackled as he hit him in the back of the head "You idiots.. I just want to return her book."
One muttered "That and maybe something more." The others cackled with the one fooling around. Vernandos marched ahead of them "Really mature.."
Julyia's brown eyes slowly opened as she looked around. She was in a hospital room, with a cream colored green on the walls. Her reddish hair scattered on the pillows as she rubbed her head. The nurse walked in with a small clipboard "Good to see you are awake Miss Berkshire. You certainly had us for a fright."
She looked up at the nurse "Where am I?"
"Why, you're in the hospital miss! That fire almost had you in tomorrow's obituaries!" she worriedly said. Julyia moved in her hospital bed, adjusting her blue hospital gown as she heard a voice "- I must see my daughter!" Delilah burst through her room door and started to cry "My little girl. I'm so sorry."
"Mum-"
"Shh! It is alright! I just don't know what I'd do without you!" she kissed her head as Julyia looked up at her "Mother, about what I said, I'm sorry-" Delilah looked into her eyes "Julyia, life is far too short to argue like this and I'm sorry for what I had said as well.. I'll have to give you time and more patience.. you are much more like your father than I expected." She stifled a laugh "You need your rest.." without giving her a chance to talk, she kissed her on the head "I love you my darling." She left the room and softly shut the door. The nurse, still in the room began to leave as well. Julyia stopped her "Ma'am? There was a boy…"
"Isn't there always?" she laughed
Julyia smiled with her "Well, this boy saved my life from the building. Do you happen to know his name?" the nurse shrugged her shoulders "No idea." She saw Julyia slump in her bed "But, I do believe that he was part of the fire brigade, you can bet anything that a smart and brave man would work there!" Her ears perked up at the thought, and heard the nurse ask her "Whatever for?"
Julyia smiled "I must thank him for saving my life."
I actually did write act VIII, but IX was written by MissRoseLee
The Great Mouse Detective Belongs to Disney; There are some OC's introduced here based on a few of the the canon characters Titus's books; which I will admit I have never read myself.