At the Kettle cottage, Mugman groans and shivers, laying on the couch looking very sick. His eyes are pink, his skin looks paler than normal, and he's sweating even with an ice pack on his forehead.
"Poor Mugman," Elder Kettle said patting the mug's head. "Sick as a dog. I'm afraid you're going to have to stay indoors today."
"Oh no!" Mugman groaned. "Maybe I could just..." He tries to sit up only to groan from pain and cough.
"Easy, buddy," Cuphead said as he gently lays Mugman back down.
"Do you think you'll be alright by yourself while we go out for errands?" Kettle asked.
"I-I think so," Mugman said before coughing.
"Okay then, you rest up," Kettle said.
Kettle and Cuphead head to the front door. The kettle puts on a scarf and hat.
"We'll be back before you know it," Kettle said.
Elder Kettle and Cuphead leave the house. When they closed the door, they noticed someone by the fence. It was the little devil in his kitten disguise.
"Bendy? Bendy!" Cuphead said. He ran to his friend. "Where've you been buddy?"
Mugman went to the window to see the family off. To his surprise, he saw Bendy. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he judged that Bendy was asking Cuphead something. Kettle nods and leaves for his truck... leaving Cuphead behind. Mugman saw the two boys smile at each other before walking out and holding hands.
"Cuphead is going with Bendy? Alone?" Mugman said. He got a funny feeling in his chest. Then shook his head. "Doesn't matter. It'll be alright." he looks away from the window and sheds his illness facade away. "I love errands and hanging out with them but sometimes one must go to extremes to do the things one wishes to do."
Mugman puts a tea bag into his teacup, straightens a pillow, and turns on a lamp.
"At last, peace and quiet," Mugman said with a sigh and holding a book. "Now I can finally enjoy my book."
The book was titled 'Romance on the high seas'. Mugman was about to open his book when glances and sees a picture of Cuphead. He immediately thinks about Cuphead and Bendy again.
"I wonder what they are up to?" Mugman asked. He shook his head again. "I'm not gonna let them distract me this time. I'm going to enjoy my book in peace."
CHAPTER EIGHT: The Rendezvous
The majestic pirate ship sailed across the open sea, led by the heart of a mighty hero. A hero so fearlessly bold, clever, and dangerous, but also quite handsome. The great Captain Mugbeard.
Mugman imagined that Mugbeard looked just like him. Except Mugbeard had a mustache and a beard.
He was a legendary pirate with a crew of daring yet loyal miscreants.
He imagines Cuphead, Bendy, Kettle, and Chalice as pirates. Cuphead and Kettle fight while Bendy and Chalice cheer them on.
"Rest up, ye mateys, for tomorrow, we slay the dreaded sea beast!" Mugbeard yelled. He raises his sword.
The crew raises their weapons. "Argh! Slay the beast! Argh!" They yelled.
"Argh!" Mugbeard yelled.
"Argh!" the crew yelled.
"Argh!"
"Argh!"
"Argh!"
"Argh!"
"Argh!" Mugman yelled. He shook his head. "All right, enough already, go to bed." He ordered.
The crew finally heads down the deck and Mugbeard touches his throat.
"Jeez, all that argh-ing is really hard on the throat," Mugbeard said.
As he gazes over the open ocean, Mugbeard takes in a breath of-
SQUEAKS
As he gazes over the open ocean, Mugbeard takes in a breath of-
SQUEAKS
He takes in-
SPLASH
Mugbeard looks over the deck and sees pirate Cuphead and Bendy in one of the lifeboats.
"Shouldn't we let Mugbeard come with us?" Cuphead whispered.
"N'ah. We don't need him. We got each other," Bendy whispered.
Cuphead shrugged and they started rowing away leaving a stunned Mugbeard behind.
"Fellas, wait! Wait!" Mugbeard shouted.
But Cuphead and Bendy didn't seem to hear him and kept going.
"Come back!" he yelled.
"Come back!" Mugman yelled.
Mugman was still in his chair.
"Darn it!" Mugman said. "What are those two up to?"
The mug grumbled, slammed his book closed, and walked out the front door. He pockets his book, and he runs down the dirt road his brother and friend took to the city.
Mugman soon spotted them going to the park. He secretly followed them. He Cuphead and Bendy sitting on a park bench.
"There they are," Mugman whispered. "But I can't let them know I followed them. I need a way to hear what they're saying without getting too close." Mugman thinks for a second before he sees two elder otters playing chess. One otter had an ear trumpet by his chair.
"Bingo," Mugman whispered. He sneaks over and steals the trumpet. As he walks through the bushes, he sees the cup and the kitten talking when suddenly Cuphead's face turns red and his lips puckered.
After he wipes the small end of the trumpet, he puts it to his ear and listens. Mugman hears Bendy laugh when suddenly, a loud jingle rang out in his ear. All the children in the park suddenly freeze when they hear the "pop goes the weasel" song. That could only mean one thing.
"ICE CREAM!" the children shouted before rushing to the gate.
Mugman stayed ducked under the bush as the children ran out the gate and crowded the ice cream truck.
The seller in the ice cream truck was a large scoop of chocolate ice cream in a cup. He laughed and sold his ice cream to the kids, including Bendy and Cuphead. After the two left with their ice cream, Mugman looked at the seller angrily.
Once the two friends were out of sight, Mugman marched over to the ice cream truck.
"Excuse me!" Mugman shouted.
"Oh, hey there, would you like to hear the flavor of the day?" the seller asked.
"No thank you I-" Mugman said.
"But you haven't heard what it is. It's a different flavor every day."
"Well, I don't care what the flavor is! Look I know you only bring joy and delicious treats but– are you aware that your hat is on crooked?"
"Yep! Just the way I like it." The Ice Cream said.
Mugman glared at the seller.
"Now, would you like to hear the flavor of the day?" The Ice Cream Man asked.
"No! Your music. Would you turn it off please?" Mugman asked.
"It is off," The Ice Cream Man pointed out with a smile.
Mugman listens for a second and realizes that it's true.
"Oh, so it is," Mugman said.
"Now, would you like to order something, otherwise I have other customers waiting behind you," The Ice Cream Man said.
"Yeah! Get an ice cream or move it mug!" said a tomato child.
"Um, one fudge pop please," Mugman said handing The Ice Cream Man a dollar.
Mugman took his ice cream and ran away from the truck. He felt embarrassed. He ate his ice cream by the gate before resuming his current mission. Following Cuphead and Bendy.
He ran in the direction he saw them go earlier. He spotted them leaving the park and heading to the beach.
Since it was fall, there wasn't a lot of activity at the beach but there were definitely people there. Adults lay on towels and chairs, children build sandcastles or play in the water, and people fish on the docks.
Bendy and Cuphead were walking down the pier while Mugman stealthily followed them. The two boys seemed to be talking when Cuphead started to lean in close to Bendy's face.
'What is he doing?' Mugman wondered. It's almost like... like-
The ice cream truck jingle cuts through the air. Bendy and Cuphead freeze along with the other children.
"ICE CREAM!" the children shout before running to the truck.
Mugman hides in time before Cuphead and Bendy could spot him. The mug sees the truck and its seller was the same ice cream man from the park not long ago.
Mugman grumbled.
After Cuphead and Bendy buy their ice cream and leave, Mugman goes straight to the counter.
"Hey!" Mugman shouted.
"Would you like to hear the flavor of the day?" The Ice Cream Man asked.
"No! I saw you in the park less than ten minutes ago."
"Oh! I thought you looked familiar." The Ice Cream Man said. "Would you like to hear the flavor of the day now?"
"No thank you!" Mugman said before storming off.
The mug follows Cuphead and Bendy again. This time they walked to the community dance hall. It was closed for the day. Cuphead pulls Bendy next to the steps. The cup starts dancing, but not that gracefully. Bendy could help but snicker before joining Cuphead in the dance.
Mugman hides behind a trashcan across the street and sees the two dance together.
Bendy and Cuphead smile at each other as they keep dancing alone together. Cuphead can't help but blush when Bendy winks at him. The cup turns around, hoping the kitten didn't notice.
Bendy grabs Cuphead's shoulder and they start talking again.
Mugman put the trumpet to his ear and this time caught their voices.
"No shame in it Cuphead," Bendy said.
"You mean it?" Cuphead asked. His blush faded away.
"I do," Bendy said.
"No shame in what?" Mugman whispered. "What are they talking about?"
Just then... the ice cream truck jingled. Again! Mugman growls with furry.
Bendy grabs Cuphead's hand and the two run away.
Mugman waits and then stomps to the truck window.
"Excuse me!" Mugman yelled.
"Sorry, we're closed! It's my lunch hour!" Ice Cream Man said from inside the truck.
He closes the window on Mugman's fingers, causing the mug to wince from the pain. When he manages to free his fingers, he runs to the front of the left side of the truck.
"Hey!" Mugman yelled. He runs to all the windows but each one had a sign that read "Sorry, We're Closed" with a smiley face. Mugman gets so mad he growls in rage, his head turns red, his milk bubbles over, and he stomps the ground furiously.
The ice cream man starts singing while eating his sandwich. He then notices his truck roof getting sawed, then, Mugman falls on top of him.
"Turn off the music and fix that hat!" Mugman yelled and slammed the Ice Cream Man to the floor.
"But why?" Ice Cream Man asked. "I only bring joy and delicious treats!" Mugman holds up an ice cream cone and Ice Cream Man gasps. "Whoa, whoa! Put down the cone, buddy."
"This. Ends. Now!" Mugman said angrily.
Ice Cream Man whimpers and tried to reach for the sprinkles, when he grabs some, he throws it in Mugman's eyes, causing Mugman to scream.
"Sprinkles!" Mugman screamed. He fell and tried to get the sprinkles out of his eyes.
"I'm sorry, buddy, I had to do it. You were acting all crazy." Ice Cream Man explained. Then he smiled. "Now, about the flavor of the day."
Mugman snaps his now red eyes open, and the sprinkles fly out.
"Stop!" Mugman yelled before he approaches the Ice Cream Man. "I have had it with you flavor of the day! And your music! And your face! And your stupid. Crooked. Hat!" he pokes the Ice Cream Man's nose.
The Ice Cream Man gasps.
"Turn off the music, fix that hat, and get out of here!" Mugman yelled.
The Ice Cream Man whimpers.
Mugman steps out of the truck and then the Ice Cream Man drives away with "Pop Goes the Weasel plays in minor key.
"Hmm!" Mugman huffed. "Now to find those two–"
"Those two what? Mugman."
Mugman flinched and gasped when he saw Cuphead and Bendy suddenly standing behind him. They had their arms crossed and looked at him with disapproval.
"O-Oh, hi'ya fellas," Mugman stuttered. "H-how long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to hear you yelling at the ice cream man," Bendy said.
"By the way Mugsy, you're suddenly looking a lot better than you did this morning," Cuphead pointed out. "You better already?"
Mugman's eyes shift and he opened his mouth to speak but words refused to come out.
"And why do you have that ear trumpet for?" Bendy said questioningly. "You suddenly hard of hearing?"
Mugman shook. "Okay! I admit it!" he shouted and fell to his knees. "I faked being sick and... and-"
"And?" Bendy said.
"And I using this to listen to you two talking all day!"
"All day?" Cuphead asked.
Bendy gasped. "You were following us all day. What for?"
"I- I saw you two leave and I felt... left out," Mugman admitted. "I tried to ignore but then I decided to follow you twos. I used this to eavesdrop on you guys."
"Mugsy..." Cuphead said in shock.
"If it makes you two feel any better, I didn't get a chance to hear anything because of the ice cream truck jingle."
"Is that why you yelled at him?" Bendy asked.
"How did you–?"
"We could hear you from around the block. The neighborhood is kinda quiet right now." Bendy clarified.
Mugman looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I know I probably don't have a right to ask this, but what were you doing all day? And why wasn't I included?" he asked.
"You weren't included because we thought you were sick," Cuphead said.
"Oh, right," Mugman said blushing.
"And we were just hanging out. That's all," Bendy said.
"But what about the blushing at the park? And Cuphead leaning towards you at the pier? And the blushing while dancing? I heard you say there's no shame in it. Well, no shame in what?"
"Wow, you really were following us all day," Cuphead said in astonishment.
"Okay, here's the truth," Bendy said. "Cuphead blushed at the park because of this," the kitten hands Mugman a red ball that smelled spicy.
"What is it?" Mugman asked.
"It's a candy my dad and I eat. It's super spicy and sour. Cuphead's face was red from eating it."
"It thinks it burned off some of my tongue," Cuphead said. "And at the pier. I was telling him my 'In Jimmy's face story' and getting into his face."
Mugman nodded. "Okay. But what about the dancing? Why did you blush?" he asked.
"Ummm..." Cuphead said with a blush.
"He broke wind while we were dancing," Bendy said smiling mischievously.
"Hey!" Cuphead shouted.
Bendy and Mugman snickered.
"So you two were just having fun without me?" Mugman said sadly.
"Sure, but we still would've had fun with you," Bendy said.
"Yeah, we didn't mean to make you feel left out," Cuphead said.
Mugman smiled and then sighed.
"I can't believe I wasted the whole day stalking you twos when I could've read my book instead." He pockets the trumpet and holds out the book he wanted to read. "And the ice cream man. I took all my frustration out on him. He didn't deserve that. I need to apologize." Mugman got back on his knees and held the book under his arm.
"You want us to come with you?" Bendy asked.
"No. This is something I have to do on my own." Mugman said. "You guys have your fun,"
"Okay, good luck," Cuphead said.
Bendy and Cuphead walk away and Mugman goes in the direction the ice cream man drove.
"Ice Cream Man!" Mugman cried out.
"You think he'll be alright?" Bendy asked.
"He'll be fine. 'Sides, it's the ice cream man. How bad could it get?" Cuphead said.
Mugman arrives at a town by the river. Fog was rolling all around the buildings.
"Ice Cream Man?" Mugman called out. He runs around the houses. "Ice Cream Man?"
He screeches to a stop and looks around. But no one seems to be around. He sniffles.
"Oh, Ice Cream Man," Mugman said with a sob.
Then he hears "Pop Goes the Weasel" and gasps. He runs to where he hears the music and stops when he reaches a truck light. They shine in his eyes, and he hears the truck's engine humming.
"Ice Cream Man?" Mugman wondered. "I'm sorry I was so very cruel!"
The vehicle slowly moves up and it is revealed that it was a turkey lady in a truck. She turns off her gramophone.
"Sorry, what'd you say?" The Turkey lady asked before she laughs. "I just love ice cream truck music playing at full blast. It's all I listen to."
Mugman looks down. "I– I thought you were my Ice Cream Man." He said.
"Nope, sorry." The Turkey said with a shrug. She plays "Pop Goes the Weasel" on her gramophone and drives off to away. As soon as she leaves the ice cream truck appears.
"Ice Cream Man!" Mugman cried out happily and waved his hand.
In the Ice Cream Man's truck, the Ice Cream Man seemed surprised at first. He smiles, then he chuckles, which turns into laughter, then turns into maniacal laughter.
The Ice Cream Man gasps. "I found you!" he said.
The tires screech as he starts the truck and then charges at Mugman.
Mugman screams and then runs away.
The Ice Cream Man laughs maniacally as he chases after Mugman.
Mugman runs down a dock but is still chased by the Ice Cream Man. He jumps into the river, but the truck drives off the dock and into the water. Mugman screams but manages to dive out of the way. The truck sinks while the mug swims out from under the water and swims to the shore. He stumbles on the land before sitting against a log and gasping for air.
"It's over," Mugman said.
Bubbles start forming in the water before the ice cream truck suddenly jumps out of the lake. The window wipers wipe away the water and the Ice Cream Man is still laughing maniacally.
Mugman screams and rushes to get away. He's running on the dirt road through the woods, the lights from the ice cream truck shining behind him. The mug is panting, he looks back and sees the truck still on his tail. He runs and runs until they reach the Kettle Cottage. Mugman is forced to stop at the fence. The truck lights shone on him again.
The truck stops, the door opens, and the Ice Cream Man steps out.
Mugman is shaking in fear.
"Please don't hurt me, Ice Cream Man." Mugman pleaded.
"Hurt you?" The Ice Cream Man said with a chuckle. He slowly approaches Mugman. "I'm here to thank you!" he holds his hand out to Mugman.
The mug stops shaking and looks confused.
"Thank me?" Mugman asked.
"For the inspiration. See?" The Ice Cream Man said pointing at his hat. "I got a new hat. It's the same as the old one, still at a jaunty angle, but slightly smaller." He winks.
Mugman looked stunned.
"That is why you were chasing me?" Mugman asked sounding annoyed. "To tell me about your slightly smaller hat?!"
The Ice Cream Mans scratches his nose for a second before notices Mugman's book.
"Oh, hey! I've read that book." The Ice Cream Man said pointing at the book. "Did you read the part where Mugbeard's crew double-crosses him and leaves him to die on a deserted island? Didn't see that ending coming."
Mugman facepalms before chuckling insanely.
"That's a good one!" Mugman said with a manic smile. He slams his book down on the ground. "He...he dies!"
Mugman screams and pounces on the Ice Cream Man.
Just as the mug starts to attack, Elder Kettle drives up to the cottage, and Cuphead and Bendy walk up from the dirt road. Everyone stops and sees the fight.
"Fix the hat! Fix the hat! Fix the hat!" Mugman yelled as he punches the Ice Cream Man.
However, the mug's punches don't even hurt. It just makes the Ice Cream Man's body squeak.
"Gee. Was it something I said?" The Ice Cream Man said.
Mugman laughs hysterically while Kettle and the boys look at each other and shrug.
"You boys mind helping me with the bags?" Kettle asked.
"Sure," Cuphead and Bendy said.
The cup and kitten walk up to the cottage with some of the bags.
"Join us inside when you're done Mugman," Kettle said with a chuckle.