Hi! So, it's the usual summer deal: I'm at camp, so updates might not be as frequent, but I'm working on it, I assure you.

Enjoy!

Chapter 17

Elphie

That Monday, Elphie woke up with a sense of dread. Her actions today might help a whole race, or they might rob her of her career. She didn't eat breakfast, for fear of losing it. Instead, she did something very uncharacteristic: she devoted a block of time to her hair and face, as if it mattered. She did her hair up in a fancier bun than usual, and put on dark makeup that didn't clash with her skin. She grabbed the assessment she had typed up the night before, put it in her bag, and then made her way to the lightrail station.

The lightrail was much quieter than it had been on Saturday. Most passengers were just like Elphie: inhabitants of the Emerald City heading off to work. Elphie jumped as a voice next to her said, "Spare some change, my pretty?"

She turned to see an ancient Sheep sitting beside her, quite obviously homeless. "Sure," she replied. "How much do you need, ma'am?"

The Sheep waved a hoof dismissively. "Anything will do. I just need something to buy breakfast with. Don't worry your head over how much."

"Well, here then." Elphie pulled fifty coins out of her satchel. "Where would you like me to put these?"

"This little bag right here, duckie," the Sheep said, indicating a fanny pack tied to her waist. "But that really is too much! I couldn't possibly …"

"Yes, you could," Elphie interrupted, depositing the money. "I have too much of it anyway, and from a dishonorable source."

The Sheep looked at her confusedly. "What do you mean?"

Elphie blushed. "I'm sorry; I thought you recognized me. I'm Elphaba Thropp. I'm the Vizier of Oz."

"Madam Vizier!" The Sheep sat up straighter in respect. "I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you! It's just my eyes are not what they used to be."

"I-It's fine." Elphie hated it when people bowed and scraped to her. "Listen, I'm going to make things right for you and … every Animal! The Wizard may not be on your side – but I am. I swear."

The old Sheep looked straight into Elphie's eyes. "I know, duckie. I know."

To her surprise, Elphie found Glinda and Milla waiting for her outside the Palace. "What's all this?" she asked incredulously. "What are you two doing here?"

"Well, Glindy told me that you're about to have an interesting day at work," Milla said with a grin. "So we thought we'd come and cheer you on!"

Elphie chuckled, amused. "Well, thanks, girls."

"You're welcome, Elphie!" Glinda said happily. "You see, dearest Millie, once upon a Shiz University, Elphie was summoned by the Wizard of Oz to be his Magic Grand Vizier. She was so thrillified at first, but then she learned that the Wizard was doing bad things to Animals like her old boyfriend Lukas …"

"Interjection: Lukas was NEVER my boyfriend!"

"And so …" Glinda went on forcefully, giving Elphie a look. "She tried to defy him openly, but he threatened to tell people that she was an evil witch who could grind people's bones to make her bread!"

Elphie cut in again. "Well, that wasn't exactly what Madam Morrible said."

"Right. Anyway, for two years now, Elphie has been forced to stay silent, but now she's ready to run this country with class and grace!"

"You'll do fine, Elphie," Milla said. "If anybody can make the Wizard change his mind, it's you!"

"And don't play nice with him. That's what you've been doing, and it's clearly not working! You gotta be strong!"' Elphie laughed as Glinda flexed her muscles like a wrestler.

"I know I'm strong!" she exclaimed, trying to convince herself. "I just … hope I don't mess this up. That seems to be all I'm good at."

Glinda scoffed. "Baloney! You're the smartest person I know! I mean, seriously, think about my final grades at Shiz and think about yours. Who wins hands down? That would be you, Elphie! You're an amazing sorceress, a powerful orator, and just a good person who's on the right side of history! You've totally got this!"

"Yeah! I'm going to go in there right now and tell him!"

"Alright!" Milla exclaimed. "Ozspeed!"

"Good luck, Elphie!" Glinda added as Elphie entered the Palace with a newfound determination.

No playing for the perfect card,

'Cause life is short and life is hard,

So I don't care how.

But no more wasted time …

Starting now!

Oscar jumped as Elphie threw open the door to his office and sat down forcefully in a chair. "Why, good morning, Elphie!" he exclaimed cheerfully, sensing what he thought was a bad mood. "Do you have a report for me?"

"Yeah, I have a report for you," she snapped, throwing the envelope in his face. "Four pages, typed, concise. Read it."

He put the envelope on his desk and looked at her strangely. "Okay, Elphie, I'll read it." He waited for her to leave the office. She didn't budge.

"Now." She crossed her arms and stared daggers at him.

Oscar knew not to feed Elphie's anger. "As you wish." He opened the envelope and began to read. She watched him like a hawk as he read, frustrated by his consistent poker face. Finally, he put her report down.

"Well?" Elphie asked impatiently. "What do you think of that?"

"Well, it's very … well written," Oscar started, unsure of how to proceed. "I … liked the part about accessibility issues; I know that's an important cause for you because of your sister. So I completely agree with the ramps you drew in." He gave a weak smile.

She was completely motionless except for one raised eyebrow. "And the concluding section?"

"Well, you see, Elphie …" He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Back where I come from-…"

"This isn't 'back where you come from,'" Elphie interrupted sharply. "This isn't Oomohaw, or Amerika or wherever that wretched balloon of yours blew you from. This is Oz. Welcome. Nice to have you. And here in Oz, there are certain people who happen to have an animalistic appearance. A person like this is not any less of a person than you or I, Oscar."

"Yes, well, this is all very nice and Fredric Douglas-ish, but how are these … Animals going to function in society? Even your dear Doctor Dillamond had to get student helpers to write on the board for him."

Elphie stood up angrily. "You're willing to accommodate things for my tyrant sister, but not for a brilliant man who just happens to have hoofs and horns?!" She shook her head, disgusted. "Pathetic."

"I … don't believe you're in the position to call me pathetic, Miss Thropp," Oscar said calmly. "But, I'll give you one thing: people like you. You're well known enough; most people see past your … unique appearance. And that goes a long way. When you first met me, it would have been easy to make people believe that you were a … what was the term Madam used? Ah, yes! Wicked witch! People wouldn't believe that now."

She glared at him. "You must be so disappointed."

"Actually, no." Oscar smiled at her. "I like you, Elphie. But, I am the Wizard of Oz; if I do something for you, you must do something for me."

"Go on."

"You see, I need someone to oversee the ruby excavations in Quadling Country," Oscar began thoughtfully. "And I think you, as my Grand Vizier, would be perfect for the job. You would leave in about a month, and the excavations normally take about three months. And by then, with the way the Vinkun War's going, I do believe a certain young lad will be back in the city." He smiled knowingly.

The mention of Fiyero made Elphie blush for a second, but then she remembered herself. "So if I go on this … trip, you will restore the rights of Animals, and dismiss and arrest Madam Morrible?"

He looked shocked. "Ar-arrest Madam Morrible? B-but why? She's my most trusted advisor! I don't know what I would do without her!"

Elphie could not help laughing at that. "Ha! Your most trusted advisor? Are you blind?! She's gunning for more power; everyone in the government knows it." She coughed. "Except you, apparently."

Oscar was flustered. "W-well, Elphie, I hardly think that …"

"If you don't agree to my conditions, I WILL leave my position and become the wicked enchantress that your 'most trusted advisor' made me out to be." She crossed her arms and glared at him, knowing she almost had him.

"We'll … see how you do in Quadling Country," Oscar said carefully. "And hey, Oz's very first same sex wedding is just before your departure! You must be so happy for our Lady Glinda!"

"Yes indeed," Elphie said stiffly, not in the mood to chat with Oscar. "Well, thank you for your time." She stood up and walked swiftly out of Oscar's office, not noticing that something had fallen out of her skirt pocket: a green glass bottle.

In wonderment, Oscar picked it up. "Curious …"

I … guess that could be considered a cliffie. Is it?

Thanks for reading!

Cheers,

Elle Dottore