Chapter 7: House of Wax:
Wilfred's POV:
I've been hired to bring people into the House of Wax. "Come one, come all," I said, "come and see the House of Wax!"
"Well, it's nice to see you actually working," says my fiancée, Hollie.
"With the amount of money Prof. Jarrod's paying me, I'm working my butt off," I said, "go in and see for yourself."
"I think I will," says Hollie.
Hollie's POV:
I took a look in the museum. I observed one sculpture. "It looks like a real man," I said.
"You'd be surprised," he says.
Turns out, he is a real man. "Sorry," I said. I then moved on.
"The historic figures I'm about to show you will be more interesting when I tell you that their faces were molded from the original death masks now in the possession of certain European governments. First, we have Anne Bolin, second wife of Henry the 8th and the Mother of Queen Elizabeth. With the executioner Henry borrowed from the French King so that Anne's head would be cleaved from her body without too much pain. He was a thoughtful husband, Henry. It was he who invented the shortcut to divorce."
"Maybe I could try that the next time Wilfred does something to annoy me," I said.
"Perhaps you could," says Prof. Jarrod, "here is another scene of historic violence, Charlotte Corday in Marat, one of the leaders of the French Revolution. The lady found him taking a bath and plunged the knife into his heart. The poor man was dreadfully embarrassed. The exhibits of this room will be added on from time to time with various crimes that are committed. You will read about them in newspapers and see them here in wax." We then saw cavemen. "By the way, ladies this is how your ancestor carried his bride across the threshold. During the French Revolution, a certain doctor invented the labor-saving device, to take the place of the headsman's axe. So successful of this machine at cutting the heads off the French aristocrat, that they named it after its creator and here it is, the Guillotine." It then cuts off a sculpture's head.
"I don't think I can stand this any longer," I said.
"Twelve years ago, the electric chair was first used in New York State," says Prof. Jarrod, "and here we have an authentic recreation of the execution of William Kemmler on August 3rd in 1890. Kemmler killed without mercy and had 2,000 volts setting to a higher court. The torture of the rack, in this case, Lady Anne Askew, an English noble woman accused of treason is being put to the question. Needless to say, she admitted she was a traitor. Who wouldn't under that sort of pressure? Now, my friends, we have that jolly old gentleman, known as the modern Bluebeard."
"Wasn't he a pirate," I asked.
"No, my Dear, that was Blackbeard. Like his namesake, he killed not wisely, but too well and did away with eight wives!" I then fainted...
. . .
Prof. Jarrod revived me with smelling salts. "Next, we have a mystery of more recent date, Matthew Burke, the stockbroker. He was found hanged in the elevator shaft of the building where he had his offices. Was it murder or suicide? Only time will tell. Fowl deeds will rise to overwhelm the world."
Mirabel's POV:
Scott and I have arrived. I then spotted Hollie. "Hollie," I said, "what is this place like?"
"I'm going to convince Wilfred to quit," says Hollie, "I'd rather he keeps sleeping all day then do this crazy job!"
Hollie then leaves.
"Scott!"
"Mr. Wallace," says Scott, "Mirabel, I want you to meet my good friend, Sydney Wallace. Sydney, this is Mirabel Solarblind."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," says Mr. Wallace.
"I heard you were back in town," says Scott.
"Then you should've looked me up," says Mr. Wallace, "I expect great things of Scott. I consider him one of our most promising young sculptors. Has he been working hard?"
"Oh, he never knows when to stop," I said.
"Mirabel's been posing for me," says Scott.
"Indeed," says Mr. Wallace, "lovely subject."
"Thank you," I said.
"Not a professional model," says Scott, "she's a guest in our home. Have you been inside, Mr. Wallace?"
"Yes," says Mr. Wallace.
"Is it exciting," I asked.
"If anything, too much so," says Mr. Wallace, "but I'm sure it will catch on. The owner of the place is a good friend of mine. You'll be interested in him, Scott. Let's go in, shall we?"
We then entered. "You know, these figures are excellent," says Scott.
"I thought you'd agree with me," says Mr. Wallace.
"They're not only well done, but they're good theater," says Scott.
"What do you think, Miss Solarblind," asks Mr. Wallace.
"I know they're only made of wax, but they seem so real," I said, "just looking at her makes my neck hurt!"
"Wait to you see the Chamber of Horrors," says Mr. Wallace, "I told Jarrod he should have a nurse on duty there. You know that he lost the use of his hands."
"Oh," asks Scott, "who did these figures then?"
"His pupils, "says Mr. Wallace, "but he supervised the work. His is the mastermind."
I then looked at one in particular. I then decided to take a closer look.
"Mirabel, what is it," asks Scott.
"A dear friend of mine was murdered, and I found her," I said.
"She means Liselotte Kornheim, the girl whose body was stolen from the morgue," says Scott, "what made you think of her now?"
"That sculpture," I said, "it has her face! I know it anywhere!"
"I think I can explain!"
"This is Professor Henry Jarrod," says Mr. Wallace.
"The figure of Joan of Arc is a traditional exhibit in wax museums," says Prof. Jarrod, "it was completed just in time for our opening tonight. You're right, My Dear, it is more than a chance resemblance. When I create an important figure, I can't just take any face. I saw pictures of your Liselotte Kornheim in the newspaper. Her face fascinated me and well, here she is. Immortalized as the victim in an earlier event. Do you really think she'd mind?"
"No, I don't think she'd mind," I said, "Liselotte loved to dress up as she called it. She used to take fancy dresses and imitate the actors she saw in a theater. I don't think she'd mind."
"Then I'm forgiven," asks Prof. Jarrod.
"There's nothing to forgive," I said, "I just don't understand how it can seem so real."
"That's the finest compliment I have ever received," says Prof. Jarrod, "thank you, My Dear. Did I hear your name, correctly, Scott Tennyson?"
"Yes, Mr. Jarrod," says Scott.
"The young sculptor I've been telling you about," says Mr. Wallace.
"Oh, Sydney showed me some photographs of your work," says Mr. Wallace, "he was right, you have great promise. What are you doing now?"
"I'm doing a head of Miss Solarblind," says Scott.
"Let me see your hands," says Prof. Jarrod. Scott then shows him his hands. "Yes, yes, mine were once like that. How I envy you. Mr. Tennyson, would you be interested in doing some modeling for me? Some originals I have in mind?"
"Yes, I'd be honored," says Scott.
"Good," says Prof. Jarrod, "come here, tomorrow morning. We'll make the arrangements. I think you'll like it. Sydney, I want you to look at this girl. Who does she remind you of?"
"You know I've been wondering about that myself," says Mr. Wallace.
"She resembles my Marie Antoinette," says Prof. Jarrod.
"Of course," says Mr. Wallace, "I should've seen it at once! A figure in wax that was Mr. Jarrod's greatest work!"
"More than wax," says Prof. Jarrod, "she lived."
"You mean I look like she did," I asked.
"You look exactly as she did," says Mr. Wallace.
"Once in every lifetime, an artist views the Hand of God and creates something that comes to life," says Prof. Jarrod, "so it was with my Marie Antoinette, and I loved her. She's gone now. Horribly destroyed. Perhaps you will help me to bring her back. You will come to see me soon?"
"I'd be glad to," I said.
"You'd be welcomed at any time, no matter what I'm doing," says Prof. Jarrod, "and you, Mr. Tennyson, in the morning?"
"I'll be here, very eager to begin," says Scott.
"Thank you," says Prof. Jarrod, "it's been a very exciting day for me and I'm a little tired, so if you forgive me, I'll have to say goodnight. Oh, and Sydney, one moment please."
"'scuse me," says Mr. Wallace, "I'll be right back."
I know what he said... but something about that didn't seem right.
To Be Continued
In the next chapter, the Stranger stalks Mirabel.