Boris stormed angrily toward his office. As he entered, he saw someone sitting in his chair, which calmed him slightly.
"What is going on?" the man asked angrily. "Why was I dragged here in the dead of night? My daughter could come home any moment. This better be important."
"We have your daughter here, Frex," Boris said calmly, pouring himself a drink.
Frex was at Boris's side in three seconds, grabbing him by the collar. "What did you say?" he demanded threateningly.
"Calm down. I've been trying to fix the situation, but it's not going as planned."
"I want more information," Frex said, pushing Boris away.
Boris sighed. He takes a sip and looks questioningly at Frex, who shakes his head angrily. "Madame Morrible made many mistakes," he began.
Frex grew angrier by the second. "How could this happen? This isn't good. We need to get Nessa out of here. We all need to leave. As long as we don't know where the Wizard is, we're all in danger. There are too many unknown factors."
"I agree. But unfortunately, we need Nessa to find that out."
Frex turned pale. "What do you mean?"
"Your other daughter isn't very talkative," Boris replied.
Frex thought for a moment. "Elphaba," he said slowly.
Boris nodded.
"This isn't good," Frex repeated.
Boris nodded sympathetically. He didn't fully understand Frex's drama over his daughters, but as a leader, he needed to win him over. "Elphaba can find the Wizard. Once we know where he is, we can imprison him. He can sit behind bars with the rest of his supporters"
"Has Morrible's information been confirmed—that the Wizard actually has no powers?" Frex asked with a sigh.
"It seems likely. Why else would he rely on so many machines?"
"Another unknown factor. We can't... "
There was a knock at the door. Madame Morrible was pushed inside. She glared at the guard, who nervously looked at Boris. "We can't find the nurse."
Boris's eyes blazed with fury. "Where is she?"
"No idea, sir."
"What's her name?"
"No idea, sir," the guard muttered meekly.
Before Boris could address the guard, Morrible began laughing. "What's so funny?" Boris growled.
"Oh, just this. Remember how you thought you had everything under control? Now someone slipped right under your nose and put Elphaba to sleep. Oz knows when she'll wake up. Doesn't really seem like you can keep a student under control."
Boris's nostrils flared dangerously, and he took long strides toward her. "Don't you dare speak to me like that again."
Madame Morrible shrank inside but tried to hold her ground. "Maybe you should've listened to me."
Boris raised his hand, but Frex intervened. "What's your plan?" he asked quickly, eager to get his daughter out of the palace.
Boris glared at Frex but lowered his hand. Morrible looked at him like a frightened rabbit, and for now, that was enough. "I want to wake Elphaba up. I'll present Nessa to her. I want her to scream—without touching her," he added quickly to reassure Frex. ''That way I hope to convince Elphaba that she has to tell everything.''
"Elphaba isn't crazy," Morrible muttered, earning a deadly look from Boris.
Frex and Boris exchanged glances, forming the same plan. "Why wouldn't it work?" Frex asked sweetly.
Morrible gave him a look. "She is too smart for her own good. Elphaba needs proof. That is the only way she will believe it. I know because I've talked to the students. I know them inside and out, not just Elphaba." She hoped this was her chance to regain her old position, maybe even rise higher.
"So if we show Elphaba someone she knows, then show them again, this time covered in injuries, only then will she believe the threats we make against Nessa?"
"Exactly," Morrible replied with relief. ''The best thing is if she finds someone she can trust.''
"And does she trust you?" Frex asks for confirmation.
"Of course. I've worked with her for weeks. That's why I'm the right person to work with her.''
The men looked at each other and nodded. "Well, then you know what to expect," Boris said.
Morrible's eyes widened, and her heart pounded in her chest. "No, no, no, that's not what I meant," she panicked. "Maybe you should try Galinda first. It would have a greater effect with her. Please, not me." She knew what Boris's torture looked like; she'd rather spend her life in the dungeon.
"You said it yourself. It works better with someone she trusts and she trusts you. According to you," Boris said indifferently. "I hope for your sake that Elphaba stays asleep a little longer. You might want to mentally prepare. It's going to look very real."
Morrible gasped for air, her brain working overtime to find a way out. She quickly realizes that the truth potion is gone and that it will take at least a week to make. With all the rapid changes, she forgot to make more. Morrible curses herself. "HER DREAMS!" she screamed.
Boris and Frex looked at her, puzzled.
"There's a spell that allows us to enter her dream world. I mean, we've already used smelling salts and Elphaba's still asleep. We want, I mean you want Elphaba to cooperate as soon as possible. Maybe I can get her to cooperate unconsciously. The way she's sleeping, nothing's going to happen.'' Madame Morrible says rapidly. She feels the men are interested. She feels her heart rate drop. ''Maybe we could send Nessa."
"No," Frex immediately objected.
"Let her finish," Boris said sternly.
Morrible felt she'd saved herself. "We could send someone else. In her dreams, her thoughts are more vulnerable. We could learn more about Galinda, Fiyero, and Boq."
"Boq?" Frex asked, surprised. "Is Boq involved?"
Morrible nodded quickly. "I saw him in the dungeon. He freed Galinda."
"I hired Boq to keep an eye on Nessa."
Boris looked at him expectantly.
"It's a dangerous world. I wanted to make sure she was safe—that she wouldn't be caught up in her sister's sins. I searched for the least active spy we know of in Munckinland. I ended up with his father. I quickly talked Boq into paying his tuition. It seemed like a good idea. Nessa had someone to hang out with and he would definitely keep her safe. No annoying boyfriends either.''
Madame Morrible looks at Frex in disbelief. As if that would help his daughter. But that's how men are, she thinks condescendingly.
''But I must have been wrong about that boy.'' Frex says thoughtfully.
''Maybe we should go back to the first problem.'' Boris says quickly. He doesn't feel like dealing with his partner's drama. ''How do we get her to talk?''
''What's the problem with Elphaba? Should I act as her father?'' Frex asks a little irritated, because he is taken out of his thought process, to protect Nessa. That girl is ruining everything, Frex thinks irritated. ''Elphaba will do as I say. I am her father and she will obey me. She always has. All your plans are beautiful but it must be easier. Can't she really be woken up faster?''
"Yeah, about that," Morrible began slowly.
Frex immediately focused all his attention on her.
''Not about the 'how can she wake up faster' part, Madame Morrible says, imitating Frex's voice. Frex rolls his eyes, still looking at Madame Morrible.
Morrible paused for dramatic effect, debating whether to reveal everything at once. "I want my old position back," she said quickly, without considering the consequences.
Frex shot Boris a quick glance. "Deal, but it's your last chance."
Morrible straightened up immediately.
"Now, Morrible," Boris shouted. "You should've said this earlier."
Morrible shrank and swallowed. "The Wizard is Elphaba's father. He confirmed it himself."
Frex's eyes widened. "No, you're lying... Melena would never... No."
"Why are you only telling us this now?" Boris demanded.
"Never reveal everything at once," Morrible snapped back. "That's what you taught me."
"That's for enemies, not your boss."
"We're equals now."
Boris glared at her. "Don't push it."
"You're not lying?" Frex asked, collapsing into a chair, defeated.
Morrible shook her head. "Sorry."
Frex shook his head in disbelief. "Unbelievable, after all these years. Poor Nessa. What will she have to endure? First the shame of her sister, now her mother. Poor Nessa."
Morrible rolled her eyes. She had seen the defeated, confused, and terrified look on Elphaba's face. She's the real victim.
"Maybe we can use Elphaba without her being awake," Boris said thoughtfully.
Frex and Morrible looked at Boris, intrigued.
"We'll spread a rumor. That'll draw the Wizard out of hiding. They'll do anything to save Elphaba. We'll set a trap."
Frex nodded in approval. He's already glad that they're not going to use Nessa. "In the meantime, you can try your spell," he said, looking at Morrible.
Morrible nodded. "I'll get started right away." She quickly left the room.
"This went differently than I expected," Boris said, taking a sip of his drink.
"Do you think it'll work?"
"With Morrible?" he asked, surprised. "Of course not. But I think she's told us everything she knows now."
Frex nodded.
"I want to increase the number of guards. We need to be more cautious."
Frex nodded. "Maybe we should send anyone we don't trust to the dungeons and only allow our own men to wear uniforms."
Boris considered this. "There are a few in the Gale Force I'd like to keep in the organization."
"We can't take any more risks. Think of that so-called nurse."
"You're right. We'll have to proceed carefully."
"I'm going to see Nessa," Frex said after a short silence.
"What are you going to tell her?"
"The truth—that Elphaba lied to her. That she's better off without her. That she's only a half-sister and should return to Munchkinland as soon as possible."
Boris nodded approvingly. "Elphaba needs to feel isolated."
"You're reading my mind."
Maybe we should have her blood tested too.'' Frex says. ''Do you remember that mission in the Vinkus? We found out what was in his blood through a blood test.''
Boris nods approvingly. ''Knowledge is power.''
''Exactly. I'll give a guard the order when I see one.
''Thank you my friend. I'm glad you're here.''
''I came right away.''
"Before you go, do you want to continue, or should we withdraw?" Boris asked seriously.
"We're in too deep to go back. We can always blame Morrible if things go wrong."
Boris smiled. "Exactly. If everything goes wrong, we have Morrible as a scapegoat."
Boris was left alone. He decided to rest after a long day. He couldn't afford to underestimate his opponents. He knew that Galinda Upland, Fiyero Tiggulaar, and Boq Underhill were his enemies. He looked over Morrible's files and then discarded them. "These aren't ordinary students. If Boq's a spy, then Galinda and Fiyero probably are too," he muttered to himself. That meant they were worthy adversaries, he thought. He was convinced they would try to rescue their friend.
Boris enjoyed a challenge. Maybe it was time to bring in his men from Shiz. Slowly, he would transform the palace into his own domain. Boris sighed and got back to work. He needs to think about his next steps.
XXX
Nessa thought things couldn't get any stranger. First, she had been taken to a better room, one that suited her status much more. The food was better, but what she came for, she still hadn't received. Then she was questioned again, this time by a different man. She still can't believe they're making her choose between her sister and her boyfriend. Now she's getting more and more worried about hopes she has now made the right choice by choosing Boq, although she feels incredibly guilty towards Elphaba. Nessa had hoped he would come and save her. She's also getting angrier at Elphaba. If Elphaba were in the palace, she could have saved her long ago. Nessa doesn't get it and that frustrates her.
The worst part is that she can't do anything. No one listens to her. She hopes that someone can convince her. Another factor that frustrates her is that she doesn't know who will come in when. Sometimes a nice guard comes in, but sometimes they are also gruff and intimidating. Nessa wants nothing more than to leave and go back to her father.
Nessa rolls hopefully to the door that opens. ''Did you find Boq?'' Tears well up in her eyes when she see the person who walks through the door. ''Daddy? You really came for me. I knew it. I was so scared.''
'Calm down my sweet angel.''
''How did you know I was here? Did Boq tell you. Did he come to get you and then come here? Where is he? Oh father, what Elphaba has done now, you won't believe it.'' Nessa rattles on and cry harder.
''Calm down, girl. You're making yourself sick.'' Frex hopes to deliver the news in the right way. He knows that if he is the first, Nessa will believe him more. He wants to protect his little girl at all costs, but he also knows that he has to take advantage of Elphaba now. Halfway through the school year, Nessa's letters started to change. She was almost nice to Elphaba and the Animals on Shiz. Given what he is doing himself, he has to make Nessa's mind change.
Nessa wipes away the tears and hugs her father again. ''I'm so happy to see you. Can we get Elphaba and go home?''
Frex swallows. ''Of course, darling. But first I have to tell you something.''
Nessa pulls away and looks expectantly at her father. ''What's wrong?'' she asks innocently.''
Frex sighs. ''Elphaba lied to you. She knows you're only half a sister to her. That's why she's distancing herself.''
Nessa looks confused. ''WHAT?''
''Your mother cheated on you with another man. Together they created your sinful sister. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I imagined something so different for you.''
"You mean Elphaba isn't my sister?" asks Nessa, trying to understand what her father said
"I'm so sorry," Frex said full of sympathy. "I wish you had a better family, but I didn't know either. I just heard from Madame Morrible. I came to you right away. My sweet little Rose."
"What does this mean?" Nessa asked, still flabbergasted. A voice in her head asks why Madame Morrible is here and why she couldn't help her. But she can't say that voice yet.
"It means you're partly free from the burdens of your sister. But you are now saddled with the burdens of your mother."
"Do you know who the father is?"
"The Wizard."
"The Wizard? Our wonderful Wizard? But how?"
"Why do you think you're here? The Wizard is a fearful man."
"I don't understand."
"You don't have to. You're going back to Munchkinland. I'll stay here to handle everything with Elphaba. You'll never have to see her again."
Nessa looked confused. She actually wanted to see her sister. She can't believe that Elphaba would do this to her. Of course she has fantasized about it, but anyone with a little sense and empathy knows that Elphaba is not that heartless, despite her green skin. In some way, she loved Elphaba. She needed her. "I want to say goodbye," she said softly.
Frex looks surprised. He didn't expect that answer. He thinks Nessa has changed a lot since she started school. She has become much more independent and in a strange way she stands up for her sister. Frex already thought it was strange during Shiz's parent day a few days ago. "That won't be possible, my dearest daughter. Elphaba isn't available to talk right now."
"Why not?"
"We don't know yet." He hoped they would find out soon. The sooner they could get Elphaba to talk, the sooner he could leave too. If he was in danger, then Nessa was too. He wanted to protect his precious daughter, and he could only do that if he had the right tools. The organization gave him those tools. He had regretted it the moment he heard of Boq's betrayal. He thought he was being smart by hiring someone from outside to watch over his daughter. But he had learned this lesson quickly.
"I'll stay here until I've spoken to Elphaba," Nessa said stubbornly, crossing her arms.
"But sweetheart, that's not necessary. You're only hurting yourself. Elphaba only tells lies." Says Frex, who is so surprised that he almost forgets to let his irritation out of his voice.
Luckily, Frex is still doing everything right in Nessa's eyes, so she doesn't notice. "Who says she knew?"
"I do and Madame Morrible says the same. Elphaba has been lying to you for months, and to me." Frex makes a mental note to inform Madame Morrible of this.
"But... but," Nessa stammered, feeling betrayed. If Madame Morrible says so, thinks Nessa.
"Why do you think she was so eager to go to the Emerald City? She wanted to go to her father, to get away from you. She only took that Galinda girl with her."
"Galinda knew too?" Nessa felt even more miserable.
Frex nodded gravely.
"Sweet Oz."
"Listen to your father. I'll keep you safe."
Nessa looked at her father, lost. "I don't know."
Frex stood behind Nessa and began to push her. "Once you're home, you can relax in a nice bath. I've already rehired Nanny." Nanny had been Elphaba and Nessa's caretaker. When Elphaba was old enough, Frex appointed Elphaba as the caregiver, and Nanny could enjoy her retirement. Fortunately, she had kept in touch with the girls. Nessa, in particular, appreciated this, and Frex allowed it to continue for her sake.
"And Boq?" Nessa asked in a small voice.
"Boq," Frex said darkly.
Nessa felt a shiver run down her spine.
"If Boq dares to show his face here, I'll have a serious talk with him," Frex said as calmly as possible. He had already sent his own men back to Munchkinland to interrogate Boq's family.
"Why would he be gone? I tried every hospital, asking about Boq, but no one could find him. What if something terrible happened? I have begged every guard for information, but no one said anything. Father, I am so afraid." Nessa began to cry.
Frex knelt in front of Nessa. "Come now, my sweet strong girl. It will be alright. The Gale Force has listened to you and has already been searching for him."
"Really?"
Frex nodded. "But they couldn't find him," Frex added with disappointment.
"Oh," Nessa said as tears ran down her cheeks. "I'm so glad you're here, Father. Without you, I wouldn't know any of this."
"I'm always here for you."
"What do you think happened to Boq?"
"Only Boq can answer that." But let's hope he doesn't come here. If I get my hands on him. No one treats my little girl like this. She's so sad and upset, all because of him. he thinks darkly.
Nessa looked sadly at the ground. "I don't want to leave. I want to help. I can't leave without letting him know. It doesn't feel right. Daddy."
"Nessa darling, there's nothing you can do."
"Maybe Boq will come back." Maybe he has a very good reason. Nessa thinks almost cheerfully. Now that Daddy is back, everything will be fine. We can help Boq with whatever trouble he is in. I can talk to Elphaba. It should be fine, because Daddy and Elphaba always make sure of that. Nessa thinks.
"I wouldn't count on it," Frex muttered under his breath.
"What did you say?"
"I said it's possible, but I'm here. I'll take care of him."
Nessa knows she always gets her way with her father, although she is surprised that she has to work hard for it at the moment. She uses her best and sweetest voice. "It doesn't feel right to just leave, Papa."
Frex felt guilty. "What do you want to do then?"
"I want to talk to Elphaba. I need to see her. Everything here is so strange." Nessa puts on her best, loving face that she knows her father can't ignore.
"You have such a good heart," Frex said, kissing his daughter. Frex's heart breaks under his daughter's puppy eyes. When will she ask him something? How can he deny this now. If it helps his daughter, maybe he can use a detour to make sure Nessa doesn't hear about what's happening here. Now he can back up his story better if Madame Morrible plays along. Frex still has doubts, but his heart already aches at the thought of having to deny his daughter something.
"Oh, Papa," Nessa said shyly. Who already knows that she has finally won with her father. She will not leave before she has heard the story of Elphaba. It is not like her sister to ignore her like that. Elphaba's life revolves around her and she knows that all too well. So why not now. If her father is right, then Elphaba will feel Nessa's revenge, she thinks with satisfaction. Since her father has been there, she feels strong again, she can now play the 'I am the Governor's daughter' card again. The guards will listen to her now, so she will find Elphaba quickly and make her clear what she thinks. "Do you want to spend some time with me?" Nessa asks sweetly. She knows she has to make time for her father now. She can manipulate her father and sister however she wants.
"You'll be lonely often. Maybe we can walk together in the garden now." Frex says thoughtfully. He doesn't want to leave his daughter alone for too long in this strange palace on enemy soil.
Nessa squealed with delight. "Oh, Papa, you're so sweet. Thank you."
"Anything for my princess." Frex bites his lip. He hopes he did the right thing. For now, his daughter is happy and safe with him. That's all that matters now.
XXX
Madame Morrible sighs deeply. She quickly delved into the spell to enter someone's dream world. She's glad it's an easy spell. She's been working on it for half the night. She has constantly repeated the words in her head. She has read what she has to say to get out of someone else her mind again. She would have preferred to give someone else this task. But she has to make a bit more effort to get on Boris and Frex's good side. She has read how to guide someone in controlling their thoughts. If she can influence Elphaba to relive her memories, she might be able to extract information herself. Knowledge is a powerful weapon to use against Boris and Frex. That will teach them to treat her that way.
She knows she's entering Elphaba's thoughts. But she doesn't know what world she's entering. It depends on what Elphaba is thinking about. Madame Morrible checks if she has everything and sits next to Elphaba.
"Are you ready?"
Madame Morrible jumps. "Boris, must you startle me like that?"
Boris grins and nods.
''I've got all the stuff I need ready. I actually wanted to get some sleep before I start.''
Boris starts laughing. ''Can you see us resting for a moment? No, we're going to continue. You've had enough time.''
''You just got some sleep when I was working.'' Morrible mumbles.
''What did you say?''
''Nothing.''
''That's what I thought.''
Madame Morrible sighs. "I think I'll start then."
Boris nods approvingly "What are you hoping to find out?"
"I want to know where Galinda, Fiyero, Boq, and the Wizard are. Maybe something about the nurse, if she knows something. But first I want to wake her up."
Boris nods approvingly. "How long will it take?"
Madame Morrible shrugs. "I don't know which world I'll end up in."
"Just don't take too long."
"Of course, your majesty."
"Don't be sarcastic," Boris says angrily.
Madame Morrible obediently nods. "Can I start, or do I need to know anything else?"
"Go ahead. I'll place guards around you. Oh, and by the way, Elphaba knows me as Flex." He finally provides Madame Morrible with the necessary information, as this mission will ultimately benefit him as well.
Madame Morrible swallows. She's not sure if the guards are there for her or for Elphaba. She turns toward Elphaba and begins to chant her spell. As quickly as her world fades to black, she finds herself in the forest. Madame Morrible looks around, confused. She sees Elphaba staring out a window. Standing beside her, she sees a small green girl sitting on a woman's lap. Madame Morrible assumes it's Melena.
"What are we looking at?"
Elphaba turns around, surprised. "Madame, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to warn you. There's great danger in the outside world."
"Outside world? Where am I?" Elphaba asks, confused.
"You're in your own dream world."
Elphaba's eyes widen.
"This is a memory you want to keep reliving," says Madame Morrible, pointing to the window. Morrible unconsciously feels Boris's pressure within her. She knows she has to act quickly. She can't test her luck with that man for long. This is her chance to build more of a bond with Elphaba, which she might use later to her advantage. She must proceed carefully and cleverly. ''Someone gave you something that has you stuck in your own head. You can't get out. I'm here to help you.''
Elphaba looks inside the house. It's one of her fondest memories of her mother, reading together. She was too young to really read, but her mother had read the book so many times that she knew the words by heart. She herself had already thought that something was wrong. When she thought about something else, strange things happened. She wants to feel safe, like before.
Madame Morrible grows impatient. If she is also to teach Elphaba how to change her mind and unknowingly give her the information she needs, she must have Elphaba's trust and cooperation. "We must proceed with caution, but I do need your cooperation.I'm here because I need you to think about something else."
Elphaba looks confused. "What are you talking about?"
"I want you to think of Shiz."
"Shiz?"
Madame Morrible nods. "Especially Galinda."
Before Madame Morrible finishes saying the name, the scene shifts to Elphaba and Glinda's room. "What in Oz? No, no no, not again." says Elphaba, sitting down on her bed.
"I'm impressed. It takes many people a long time to learn how to control their own dream world."
"Control? If I could control it, this wouldn't happend. I could think of something without changing the scene. Without having to relive everything.''
Madame Morrible looks at Elphaba, impressed. She hears someone walking towards her.
''No, no, no,'' Elphaba says in panic.
''The important thing is that you figured this all out for yourself. You have more power than you realize.''
Immediately, the scene changes again. They see Boris standing in front of Elphaba.
Elphaba averts her gaze. She doesn't want to remember this. She thinks of the interrogation she endured. She wants to go back to her mother. The scene changes again. They're back at the house.
"What in Oz is going on?" asks Madame Morrible, confused.
Elphaba rubs her foot on the ground. "I, uh, I think I subconsciously thought of Flex when you mentioned powers. I wanted to leave right away, and I thought of this place."
"Impressive. Truly impressive."
"Madame, is this a lesson we're in? I mean, everything that's happened feels so unreal."
Madame Morrible gives the uncertain girl a small smile. She feels sorry for Elphaba. "Everything you remember is real. That's why I'm here. You have to help me."
"Help? Why would I help you?"
"I'm not the one lying to you. That's Galinda, remember? I only tell the truth."
"Then why did you give me to Flex?"
"I didn't. Flex overwhelmed me with his men. You have to help me. Together, we can defeat him."
Elphaba looks around anxiously. "But the way Flex talked about you, it seemed like he knew you."
Madame Morrible sadly shakes her head. "Bor—I mean Flex lied."
The scene changes so quickly that Madame Morrible doesn't realize what happened. "What in Oz?"
Elphaba steps back. "Sorry, you said the same thing as the nurse did. But I don't want to go back to the bed. I want to stay here." Elphaba looks longingly at her younger self.
"The nurse?" Madame Morrible suddenly feels confident. "That's exactly what I need to know. What did the nurse say? Do you know who she is? Do you know where the Wizard is?"
Elphaba covers her ears and shakes her head. "I don't want to think about it." Elphaba lets go of all her fears, her emotions swirling. She sees her father angrily blaming her, a furious Flex, the scene where Galinda tells the truth, and hears all the students laughing at her.
The scenes whirl by in confusion. Madame Morrible feels a certain tension, one that doesn't sit well with her. Perhaps she was too eager. She even feels nauseous from all the thoughts going through Elphaba's mind.
"Elphaba, stop," she says sternly. "Think about your mother again."
The scenes stop, and the tension slowly dissipates. Madame Morrible takes a moment and lets Elphaba calm down. "I don't know where they are," Elphaba says in such a defeated tone that Madame Morrible immediately believes her. Elphaba lowers her hands.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I just want to help. We need to be wary of Flex. That's why I want to know who's on our side."
"Our side?" Elphaba asks hopefully.
"Did you really think I'd leave you behind? Elphaba, you're important," says Madame Morrible as she steps closer.
Elphaba swallows and nods. "Thank you, but I don't know what to do. I want to leave the palace."
"I understand," says Madame Morrible, feeling irritated. She doesn't want to deal with these childish emotions; she wants answers. "Is the nurse trustworthy?"
Elphaba shrugs.
"You have to think of her. I need to see her to be sure."
"No, I don't want to. Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts," says Elphaba in panic. She repeats the words to avoid thinking back to the interrogation.
"Elphaba, listen to me, it's going to be okay. Do what I ask."
"No, no, no, the nurse said the same thing. It's not good for me. Look where I ended up," says Elphaba as tears stream down her face. The unsettling feeling grows worse. Her thoughts swirl, but the scene begins to change again.
"Elphaba, calm down, it's okay. I'm with you," Madame Morrible says, grabbing Elphaba's hand. Elphaba looks at her, startled. "Look around," says Madame Morrible, encouraging her. "Think of the nurse. It's okay."
Elphaba swallows and looks around. She thinks of the nurse. They see how the nurse forces her to eat but still tries to comfort her. "She seems familiar," Elphaba mutters.
"What do you mean?" asks Madame Morrible, surprised. She has no idea what Elphaba is talking about.
Elphaba shrugs. "She reminds me of Galinda, now that I think about it. She's very loving toward me." Elphaba feels her emotions calm down. Her thoughts about Galinda bring them back to their room in Shiz. Elphaba sighs. She doesn't want to think about Galinda and all that she has caused. It still hurts too much. She shakes her head and thinks of her mother again.
Madame Morrible feels proud. She's solved a mystery. Actually, it was Elphaba who did, but she won't tell Boris that. "Elphaba, thank you for the information. Now I have something on Flex."
Elphaba looks surprised. "What?"
Madame Morrible grins. "You'll find out soon enough. Just make sure you wake up quickly." Madame Morrible quickly chants a spell and disappears from Elphaba's world.
"What the?" Elphaba wonders aloud.
"Fabala, do not say that word. That's not how you were raised."
"Mom?" Elphaba looks toward the window in shock. Her mother holds little Elphaba in her arms.
"Little Elphaba sensed a lot of panic, so I came to check on you."
"Mom," Elphaba whispers, trying to hug her mother.
"Sorry, dear. That won't work," Melena says sadly, as she realizes Elphaba's arms pass through her.
"But—"
"Sweetheart, I don't have much time. But you mustn't tel anything anymore to those people. Madame Morrible and Boris are not to be trusted."
"Boris?"
"Yes, you know him better as Flex.
''But how?"
"You're talking to your own subconscious, Elphaba. You know much more than you think. You must trust your instincts more."
"Yeah, like with Galinda, right?"
"You were right. You sensed something was off with Galinda, and you were right. Now you have the same feeling about Madame Morrible, but you're trying to suppress it because of your insecurities."
"But—"
"No, my dear, smart Fabala. You have to trust yourself. You know much more than you realize. You know you should trust Galinda. You know your friends are coming to help. You know Galinda's mother was trying to comfort you. You know that you shouldn't trust Madame Morrible, no matter what she does. I keep feeling the confrontational feelings. It caused little Elphaba anxiety," Melena says as little Elphaba buries her face in her mother's shoulder. "Your subconscious knew something was wrong with Galinda, but you trusted her. Now you know something is wrong with Madame Morrible and you don't trust her.''
''But she was so helpful.'' Elphaba says uncertainly. ''I mean Galinda lied from the beginning. Who says she even wants to be my friend? What if everything was a lie? How can I forget that and how can I trust someone like that?'' Elphaba asks as she feels restless again.
Little Elphaba hugs her mother tighter.
Melana tries to calm her down and looks sternly at her adult daughter. ''Elphaba look deep inside your heart. Think of all the memories you've had with Galinda. You can't fake something like that. Think of all the changes you've gone through since you became friends. The students are less hostile to you. Galinda couldn't have done that just out of duty. She did it out of friendship. You know that too.''
''But who says Madame Morrible doesn't do that too?'' Elphaba asks desperately. She knows her mother is right. She remembers the good times with Galinda. She can literally see it in front of her. That smile on Galinda's mouth is so real. She almost feels happy again when she thinks back. She thinks of different moments.
Melena smiles. She feels little Elphaba looking back and forth curiously.
Elphaba shakes her head and they are back at the house. ''Tell me, why can't Madame Morrible be the same as Galinda?''
Her mother gives her a look. ''Darling, you're talking to your subconscious. I know for sure that you don't trust Madame Morrible either. It's the little things that make you trust Galinda and not Madame Morrible. Think about the most sincere interaction you've had with Galinda. But also think about the moment when Galinda told you. You saw genuine sadness.'' Melena sees that Elphaba is struggling with herself again, she feels it. ''You also know that you saw nothing but arrogance in Madame Morrible. You also know that Madame Morrible consciously chose to tell you at such a moment. She forced and unjustly locked Galinda up. Those are facts, which make you know that Madame Morrible cannot be trusted.''
Melana stops talking for a moment. She knows that Elphaba needs some time to process everything. She also knows that Elphaba has many needs to hear the facts. That gives her perspective in the situation. She feels that Little Elphaba is tense again. ''So much has happened in the last few days, maybe hours, that you've had too much to process. Now you've had time to think about everything that happened. You know better than anyone who can be trusted.'' she adds softly
Elphaba swallows and thinks. She knows that her mother, or her subconscious, is right. It's just hard to act on it. Here in her head she's safe. Safe from all those nasty people who are waiting for her, who all want something from her and probably want to get it from her in a cruel way. "I'm scared," she whispers. "Mommy, I'm so scared. I don't know anymore. Life is so hard." Elphaba feels the tears running down her cheeks.
Melena looks at her daughter with great sadness. "You're allowed to be scared. But you have to know what's good and what's bad. You can't let your fears get the better of you. You're capable of so many good things. You have to believe in that. I'll always be with you. Darling, you also know that I will always love you. You know you have people behind you now, supporting you. Galinda, Fiyero, Boq and Doctor Dillamond.''
Elphaba doesn't want to cry, but the words hit her so hard. She didn't know she needed to hear these words from her mother, but now that she does, she's so grateful.
"I love you too, Mom." Elphaba says. She tries to hug her mother again, but is disappointed again that her mother is not solid.
Melena looks at her daughter with watery eyes. "This is unfortunately not real. We are in your subconscious."
"If this is my own world, you're not real. So, I'm talking to myself? That means I'm giving myself courage and self-confidence?" Elphaba tries to find logic in this strange dream. "I love myself?" Elphaba asks, very surprised. "Isn't that weird?
"What do you think?" says Little Elphaba.
With a start, Elphaba wakes up and looks around the room. "What in Oz happened?" she asks aloud to no one. The entire room is empty.
XXX