It was another usual day at work for Gwen at the Honeycomb Herald. Gwen finishes up her sketches for the upcoming papers to be published. Her magic carpet eagerly waits for Gwen to finish up so he can once again fly home.

"Patience buddy. I'm almost done." Gwen said.

Gwen turns in her sketches and clocks out for the day. Before Gwen and Cerulean Bolt were about to leave, a bee security guard approaches her.

"Miss Emmons, the boss wants to see you." The guard said.

"Oh, okay." Gwen said.

They both head to Rumor Honeybottoms office door. Gwen turned to Cerulean Bolt and said,

"Buddy, you wait here. I won't be long."

Cerulean Bolt nodded and waited outside the door while Gwen goes inside. She takes a seat in front of Rumor's desk.

"You wanted to see me ma'am?" Gwen asked.

Rumor gave Gwen a sad look, concerning Gwen.

"Is everything alright ma'am?" Gwen asked.

"I feel terrible right now. I'm afraid things are not alright honey. Business hasn't been going well, our funds are very low, and costs have gone up. We having to downsize right now. I'm afraid I have very bad news for you." Rumor sadly said.

Gwen's eyes widened, realizing what was happening.

"Ma'am, you're not…?" Gwen was about to ask until Rumor continued,

"This really is the hardest thing I've ever had to do but… I have to let you go."

Rumor hands Gwen an employment termination letter.

Gwen paused until a few tears started pouring out.

"But ma'am, I need this job! No!" Gwen protested.

"Trust me sugar, I feel horrible. But this wasn't my decision, my hands are tied. I know it's a lot to take in, but I'll give you some time alone." Rumor sadly explained.

She gets up from her desk and leaves Gwen alone. Gwen struggles to hold back tears and looked at the termination letter. Cerulean Bolt comes in and hugs Gwen.

"Thanks buddy." Gwen said through her tears.

Later, Gwen magically clears out her former office into her satchel, gets on Cerulean Bolt and leaves the Honeycomb Herald. Gwen is devastated as Cerulean Bolt flies her back to the cottage.

Gwen gets off Cerulean Bolt, walks in the cottage and heads upstairs. Elder Kettle reading his newspaper notices and says,

"Hey, Gwen. You're home early. How was work?"

Gwen glanced at Elder Kettle, had a few tears and headed upstairs to her room. Elder Kettle gets concerned and goes upstairs. He knocks at her bedroom door and asks,

"Gwen?"

He opens the door and notices Gwen on her bed in tears with Cerulean Bolt laying on her bed like a pet.

"What happened dear? I guess it didn't go so well?" Elder Kettle asked.

"No." Gwen sadly answered.

"Care to tell me what happened?" Elder Kettle asked as he sat on her bed.

"I was… laid off." Gwen hesitantly answered.

Elder Kettle's eyes widened.

"Oh my, but you do such a wonderful job. Why would that queen bee let you go?" Elder Kettle asked.

"I didn't do anything wrong. She said it wasn't her decision, business is bad right now and I had to be cut to save money." Gwen said, fighting back tears.

Elder Kettle patted her head in sympathy.

"Aw, sweetheart, it'll be okay. Here's an old saying I once heard. 'When one door closes, another opens.'" Elder Kettle quoted.

Gwen sighed and said,

"I wish I could believe that."

"Oh, you will dear. Tell you what, how about you keep the cottage for me like before until you find another job? Sound good dear?" Elder Kettle offered.

"Sure. I guess." Gwen answered.

"Wonderful. It'll be like ol' times dear. Come on, you can help me start dinner. It'll take your mind off it." Elder Kettle said.

Gwen gets up out of bed and goes with Elder Kettle downstairs to the kitchen and helps him prepare dinner. They both cook roast chicken with sides of potatoes and broccoli. The family eats together and have ice cream for dessert afterwards. Gwen goes back upstairs to bed after helping with the cleanup.

Just then, her bedroom door was opened.

"Knock knock?" Cuphead called.

"There's such a thing as knocking with your fist Cuphead." Gwen said as she was watering her little flower and birds-of-paradise flower and giving her little butterfly a little glass of sugar water.

"Elder Kettle told us you lost your job." Mugman said as he and Cuphead enter her room.

"I was laid off, but yes I did lose my job." Gwen said as she sat down on her bed and used a carpet brush to clean Cerulean Bolt.

"Oh, don't be worried about it. You still got us, job or no job." Cuphead assured her.

"Yeah, things will get better." Mugman added as they joined Gwen on her bed.

Gwen smiled, put down the carpet brush and hugged the cups.

"Thanks guys." Gwen said, feeling better.

"Tell you what, we're going to have a day of fun tomorrow. Why don't you come with us? It'll be fun." Cuphead offered.

"Okay sure." Gwen reluctantly agrees.

"Great! Well goodnight!" Both cups said and leave her room.

Gwen turns out her lights, puts on her invisible sweater and goes to sleep.

In the morning, Gwen gets ready for the day and goes downstairs for breakfast. After eating, Gwen and the cups leave the cottage to Inkwell City.

"Hey Gwen, can we take that carpet of yours? It'll be faster to get to town." Cuphead asked.

"Sure, hang on." Gwen answered.

Gwen whistled and Cerulean Bolt flies out of her bedroom window and flew down to the trio.

"Alright guys, hop on." Gwen said as she crawled on the magic carpet.

The cups hop on behind Gwen.

"You guys might wanna hold on." Gwen warned them.

Both cups hold on to Gwen as Cerulean Bolt took off into the sky. The cups are in awe of the sky.

"Where do you guys wanna go first?" Gwen asked.

"Arcade!" Both cups answered.

"Okay, to the Penny Arcade!" Gwen ordered Cerulean Bolt.

Cerulean Bolt flew down to Inkwell City and land in front of the Penny Arcade. They head inside and Cuphead started playing games and wins every one of the machines earning a ton of tickets.

"Still don't overthink it, huh?" Gwen asked.

"Yep. That's how I do it." Cuphead bragged.

Cuphead takes his tickets and exchanges them for a space blaster gun.

"Pew! Pew! Pew!" Cuphead made noises with his new toy.

Gwen and Mugman watch some penny movies of Shrimpy the Mouse while Cerulean Bolt played some games and won some tickets. He exchanges them for a small wooden rake.

"A rake? What are ya gonna do with that?" Cuphead asked.

Cerulean Bolt demonstrated by using it as a backscratcher.

"Oh, I see." Cuphead said.

Later, they head over to the bowling alley where they compete in a match against each other. Gwen wins against the cups and Cerulean Bolt.

Next, they head over to the Inkwell Pier and ride on some rides with the cups once again riding the Obliterator Ride, losing their pants again. Gwen and Cerulean Bolt laugh as she restored their clothes on the cups.

Finally, they grab an ice cream from Ice Cream Man and fly back home.

"That was a fun day. Thanks guys." Gwen said as she was licking her ice cream cone.

"What else are best friends for?" Cuphead asked.

"Yeah, maybe tomorrow you could find a new job." Mugman suggested.

"You know Mugsy? You're right. I do need to find another job. I'll go into town and see who's hiring." Gwen said.

"Yeah, how hard could be to find another job?" Cuphead asked.

"You'd be surprised Cuphead. It wasn't easy finding Clarence a job until Ribby and Croaks hired him to be their star entertainer." Gwen answered.

"Well, we know you'll find something." Mugman said.

"Thanks guys." Gwen said.

Cerulean Bolt takes them home, have dinner together and head to bed.

The next day, Gwen flies on Cerulean Bolt and heads into town to find a new job.

She tries her luck at some restaurants, movie theater, grocery store, eye glass repair shop and the pharmacy but to no avail.

Finally, she tries her luck at the art museum. But to her disappointment, they also told her there were no job openings. To try to relieve stress, they let her look around the exhibits since she's one of their favorite customers.

After a while, Gwen decides to leave the museum until she heard a familiar voice say,

"Why so blue my beautiful flower?"

Gwen immediately knew who it was, but she ignored him and walked away with Cerulean Bolt.

"Don't look at him, he's at it again trying to kidnap me. Maybe he'll go away if we ignore him." Gwen whispered to her magic carpet.

But as they stepped out of the front doors, the Devil appeared in front of them.

"I thought not. Okay, what do you want now? I'm not in the mood for this balderdash." Gwen asked impatiently.

"Oh, I couldn't help but notice you've been upset lately. What's wrong?" The Devil asked.

"How is that any of your business? Stuff happened, just dealing with it. Now go away, I'm busy." Gwen said as she got on her magic carpet, preparing to fly home.

But before Cerulean Bolt could fly off, the Devil used telekinesis on him, stopping him from flying away.

"Am I to assume it's why you're… not at work today?" The Devil asked, figuring it out.

Gwen cringed, realizing he figured it out.

"Aha! You lost your job, didn't you?" The Devil asked, figuring he guessed correctly.

"What do you care? I'm just out looking for a new one. Now, release my magic carpet please." Gwen asked, losing patience.

"Hmm, I don't think so. Since you're now unemployed, I think I can help you out." The Devil said.

"Oh, balderdash. You're just gonna pretend to help me out right up until the moment you either double-cross and kidnap me or trick me into signing some random contract. Am I right?" Gwen assumed folding her arms.

"You're very intelligent; I'll give you that. But no." The Devil answered calmly.

Gwen looked at him unamused.

"Fine, this should be interesting. What did you have in mind?" Gwen asked, pretending to go along with it.

"Well, I may know a place who could use your magical talents." The Devil said.

"Oh really? Where?" Gwen asked, unimpressed.

"I'll show you." The Devil said as he tapped his pitchfork and the trio disappeared.

They appear at a large art studio building that said, 'Netherworld Art Studio'. Gwen and Cerulean Bolt look up in fascination.

"Wow, an art studio? I don't remember hearing about this." Gwen said.

"I know dear. Come, I'll give you the grand tour." The Devil offered.

Cerulean Bolt attempts to fly with the Devil and Gwen until he stops him.

"Uh, uh, uh! Your carpet will have to wait here." The Devil said.

When the Devil wasn't looking, Gwen makes a hand signal to Cerulean Bolt.

"Just wait out here buddy, okay? I won't be long." Gwen said with a wink.

Cerulean Bolt nodded as Gwen and the Devil head inside. After they leave, Cerulean Bolt flies away back to Inkwell City.

The Devil shows Gwen around the art studio with his imps all working as artists. Gwen is unsure about what she's seeing since she knew the Devil was a trickster. The Devil continued showing her art galleries, offices and studios where imps worked.

"So dear, what do you think?" The Devil asked.

"Well, it's impressive." Gwen admitted.

"Thank you dear." The Devil thanked, knowing it would impress her.

"But…" Gwen said.

"'But…?'" The Devil asked impatiently.

"I was wondering, who's in charge here?" Gwen asked.

"Why, you're looking at him! I founded this company!" The Devil announced.

"Guess I should've figured with all the imps around." Gwen said sarcastically.

"Hmph!" The Devil scoffed.

"Also, what does this have to do with me?" Gwen asked.

"Great question! Come with me into my office. I have a business proposition for you." The Devil said as he led her into his grand office.

Gwen is amazed with his office with a golden desk and a large red leathered office chair with sacks of money on the desk.

"Have a seat my dear." The Devil said as he levitated a chair for Gwen in front of his desk.

Gwen hesitantly sits down in the chair as the Devil took a seat in his chair.

"Henchman!" The Devil called.

Henchman comes in rolling a cart with a teapot and two cups.

"Duh, yes boss?" Henchman asked.

"Pour my beautiful flower some tea." The Devil ordered.

"Uh, yes boss." Henchman complied.

He pours Gwen a glass of tea and hands it to her. Gwen is suspicious of the cup of tea and sets it down.

"Relax, there's no magic or poison in it." The Devil assured her.

"Thanks, but I'll drink it later." Gwen said as she placed it down.

"So, what's this really about?" Gwen asked.

"I'm glad you asked. I run this fantastic operation here. The only thing that's missing is… a manager." The Devil revealed.

"Manager? I thought King Dice is your manager?" Gwen asked, confused.

"No, he's the manager of my casino, not here." The Devil answered.

"Oh. Right." Gwen said.

"Anyway, I would love to offer you the manager job. You'll run this business while I'm running either the Underworld or the casino. If you accept, your payment will be triple the salary you were earning at that dumb beehive. What do you say?" The Devil asked with a big grin.

"I… uh… I just don't know." Gwen hesitantly answered.

The Devil made a contract appear and passes it to her.

"Just sign your name on this contract and you'll be hired!" The Devil announced as he hands her a pen.

Gwen took one look at the contract but noticed something was wrong. The words of the exact details were too tiny for her to read. Gwen tries her best to read the contract but to no avail. The Devil snickered at her attempt and looks suspiciously at him.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Gwen asked angrily.

"I'm very well aware you never sign anything without reading it first. I just thought I'd make things… interesting." The Devil admitted.

Gwen realized this is what the Devil was planning. To trick her into signing a marriage contract thus her freedom will be forfeited. She had an idea and placed the contract down.

"Well in that case…" Gwen said as the Devil eagerly waited for an answer.

"I'm afraid I'm gonna have to refuse your offer. I'm gonna find employment somewhere more… trustworthy. Well good day, I'll see myself out." Gwen said as she got up from her seat.

But just when she tried to walk out of the office, she realized the door was locked and can't get out. The Devil snickered, making Gwen realize he had another trick up his sleeve.

"You're clever my dear. But I'm afraid you're not clever enough!" The Devil said evilly.

He snapped his fingers, revealing the art studio was actually the casino in disguise.

"Just as I thought. You never owned an art studio after all." Gwen said looking around unfazed.

"You know it my dear. But you still fell right into my trap!" The Devil said as he raised his pitchfork.

Gwen grabbed her ink pen and attempted to fire her attacks at the Devil, but he magically restrains her with ropes.

"Uh, uh, uh! No point trying to fight me again. You may not have signed the contract, but I can still kidnap you and marry you!" The Devil said as he prepared to take Gwen back to Hell.

But before he could teleport, Cerulean Bolt breaks in through the window with Clarence, Cuphead and Mugman riding in. Clarence jumps at the Devil and takes him down.

"Gwen!" Clarence called out.

"Clarence! Cuphead! Mugman!" Gwen called back.

"We got your message Gwen!" Cuphead called.

"Let's get outta here!" Mugman called.

Clarence unties Gwen and she gives him a hug.

"Thanks for coming! I knew this was another trick!" Gwen said.

"No problem! I figured he was at it again!" Clarence said.

Gwen and Clarence quickly get on Cerulean Bolt and attempt to leave the casino. But suddenly, without warning, they were magically teleported into the casino into various areas.

In the darkness, lights of the casino turned on and a group of various anthropomorphic casino workers ambush them.

"Welcome to the Devil's Casino! Please enjoy what we have to offer, except you're not leaving!" The Devil's voice echoed and laughed evilly.

First, a trio of alcoholic glasses shot blasts of alcohol at the group. With quick thinking, Gwen uses her ink pen to deflect the alcohol and blasts them with her cyan-blue beam attack, cracking them.

"Now that's what I call hittin' the booze!" Gwen joked.

Clarence and the cups gave her a blank stare until Gwen cleared her throat.

"Clarence! You fly, I'll shoot and protect!" Gwen instructed.

"You got it honey! Hold on guys!" Clarence agreed.

The cups hold on to Clarence and Gwen as Cerulean Bolt flew away, trying to find an exit. Just then, an anthropomorphic stack of poker chips shot chips at the group, but Gwen manages to shield themselves from being hit. Cuphead blew a raspberry at the poker chips, to his annoyance.

"You lose your head; you lose all your chips!" Gwen taunted.

Suddenly, smoke surrounded the group, making them cough.

"Ugh! What's that awful smell?!" Mugman asked coughing.

Clarence looked and noticed an anthropomorphic cigar blowing smoke at them and prepared to shoot fireballs at them.

"It's that cigar! Look out!" Clarence yelled.

Gwen manages to use a water blast attack to put out the fire balls and splash the cigar out of the way.

"Phew!" The group sighed of relief.

"Smoking is bad for you!" Gwen yelled.

Another attack occurs when they hear a bird chirping, only to realize it was a domino-like bird charging at them. Clarence manages to dodge the domino bird in time only to notice jewels are being shot at them by an anthropomorphic two-sided domino on a swing. The male was the top and the female was the bottom. Gwen fires her giant glove attack and punches the domino off the swing.

"You set them up, I knock 'em down!" Gwen taunted.

"Could this day get any more bizarre?" Cuphead asked.

Just then, a white rabbit from a large top hat appeared and shot card symbols and skulls.

"You and your big mouth Cuphead!" Mugman scolded.

Gwen magically makes his bowtie strangle him and sent him back into the hat.

"Presto!" Gwen said with a smug on her face.

Just then, they appear in a racetrack like area where skeleton horses are racing. Then, a present floats at them until it exploded a blast of horseshoe beams. The group looks up and spot a skeleton horse derby commentator flying in a hover craft. Gwen fires her tornado attack at the skeleton horse, knocking him out of the hover car.

"Looks like I win this bet." Gwen taunted.

Clarence laughed as they kept flying until roulette balls were shot at them. They notice an anthropomorphic roulette dancing and shooting roulette balls. Gwen uses telekinesis on the balls and shoots them at the roulette, making her spin around crazily until she was dizzy and fell down.

"To quote Albert Einstein: 'You can't beat a roulette table unless you steal money from it!'" Gwen quoted.

"Whatever." Both cups said, to her unamusement.

Then, a plasma ball was shot at the group and notice a floating anthropomorphic eight-ball with a toothy smile and floating eyeballs over a pool table. Gwen fires her laser attack at the eight-ball, making him vomit black ink.

"Fault, scratch and choke!" Gwen taunted.

Mugman catches sight of the front doors.

"Guys! There's the exit!" Mugman exclaimed.

"Let's get outta here!" Cuphead agreed.

Clarence drives Cerulean Bolt to the doors, only for them to get startled by cymbals crashing. They look and saw an anthropomorphic monkey toy with giant cymbals hung by a crane claw attacking them.

"Guys, I've had enough of this balderdash!" Gwen said frustratingly.

Gwen magically makes the cymbals smash his head until he falls unconscious.

"Monkey see, monkey die." Gwen taunted.

"Gwen, enough with the wisecracks. It's starting to get annoying." Clarence said.

"Fine. Let's just go." Gwen hesitantly agrees.

Gwen looked at all the souls being collected in the soul pipes and decided to get even with the Devil once again. She shoots a fire blast at the pipe and all the trapped souls are once again released.

"NO!" The Devil cried in agony and threw another fiery tantrum in his office.

The group manage to fly out of the casino doors and back into the forest. The group sigh of relief as they flew back to the cottage.

"Gwen, I hope you learned something from all of this!" Mugman scolded.

"Yes, Mugsy. Never take up any job offers from the Devil." Gwen said.

"That was fun! Let's do it again!" Cuphead said excitedly.

"NO!" The other four scolded.

"Oh, fine. But now that it's over, what are ya gonna do now Gwen since you still don't have a job?" Cuphead asked.

"You know, being all through that casino fiasco gave me an idea." Gwen said.

"Really? What is it?" Clarence asked.

Later that day in the forest, Gwen magically conjures up a small building. Inside, Gwen creates a familiar setting from her memory. Clarence and the cups come inside and check out a newly created art studio.

"Wow, Gwen. This looks nice. What is it?" Clarence asked.

"This was my Grandpa Earnest's old art studio where he had his own art business." Gwen answered.

"Wow." Both cups said.

"So, you're gonna start your own art business like he did?" Clarence asked.

"That's right. I'm gonna publish my own cartoons and art like Grandpa did." Gwen said.

"Wonderful dear." Clarence complimented.

She and Clarence both kiss each other, to Cuphead's disgust and Mugman's delight.

After some time had passed, Gwen's art business started booming and has published her own cartoon comic strips of humiliating the Devil in her past sketches and making a good amount of money for herself.

One evening, Gwen was finishing up her work in the studio when she heard a knock at the door.

"We're closed!" Gwen called.

The door opens and to her surprise, her father Edgar comes in.

"Oh, hey papa. How's it going?" Gwen asked.

"Pretty good. I see you're following in grandpa's footsteps huh?" Edgar asked, looking around the studio.

"Yeah, I'm doing great with business. I have clients with upcoming projects and stuff." Gwen said, showing him her artwork.

"These are great Gwen. You're doing pretty well for yourself. How did you do this after getting laid off from your other job?" Edgar asked.

"Someone reminded me that when one door closes, another one opens." Gwen answered, recalling Elder Kettle's advice.

"Well, I'm so proud of you dear." Edgar said as he and Gwen hug.

"Anyway, we're about to have dinner back home with the family. We should grab Clarence and get going." Edgar said, remembering the time.

"Okay papa." Gwen said.

They both walk to the door portal, meet up with Clarence and head over to their house and enjoy their usual Sunday dinner together with Margarine and the Smith family.