One Beatrix Hill: Part One (rough draft)

Once upon a time there was a little girl, and the time was not good. War had been everywhere, and even though it was over, it was still there. The little girl, named Josie, was alone in the world. She lived in the larder of the shop she worked. Josie couldn’t remember a time before the war, this was all she knew. She knew to sweep, to clean, to run errands, deliver orders, and the best streets to traverse when delivering. It was along one of these streets, nestled away on its own, was a shop with a high glass window and painted all dark blue. The shop had a simple wooden sign which read, ‘Robin’s’. The window was often beautifully decorated, featuring all sorts of lovely things.

Josie never had to deliver things to the shop, but she always made it a point to travel in such a way she had to pass by the window. She loved to look at the beautiful things and imagine the people who bought them. How wonderful it must be, she thought, to own such beautiful things. She had never owned anything of her own aside from the clothes on her back, and the doll she cobbled together from leftover scraps she found.

One day, in the early morning, Josie was running a delivery when she passed by Robin’s. Inside the window, she saw something that captured her eye. She stood still on the street, steam puffing from her mouth. In the window was a figure that was quite tall and slim. It looked like a fancy man, wearing a pink coat with tails and purple trim, a fluffy lacy shirt, and blue slacks. But he had the head of a rabbit. He looked so charming, so sweet with his pink smile and golden eyes. Josie had never seen such a thing and became instantly enamored with the figure. More than ever, she made it a point to visit Robin’s window each day, just to look at the figure, even when it was terribly cold.

In Josie’s mind, the rabbit man was a prince who was handsome and daring. He outwitted his foes with his wit and exceptional speed. For some reason, this lone figure had captured Josie’s heart and imagination. For the first time in her young life, Josie truly felt like a little girl.

Having grown up working most of her life, Josie was both brave yet shy. She could easily wander any street she wanted, no matter what was happening. But she often found she was unable to stand up for herself. Hence why she always took the delivery jobs for the shop. The only hindrance to her deliveries was not the people she expertly avoided, but a cat.

This massive black cat had stalked about the town for who knows how long. Even during the war it somehow lingered and persisted even when the roughest of times hit. This black cat didn’t take kindly to Josie running around his territory and the two crossed each other often. He would jump out upon her, chase her, rumble menacingly from the shadows. Josie had gotten used to her formidable enemy, but he still surprised her often.

It was a chilly Sunday afternoon; most were on their way to church, so the streets were empty. Josie was, once again, outside Robin’s, staring at her rabbit prince. The black cat was sitting at the corner, watching her, eyes narrowed, tongue licking his chops. He started to come towards her while Josie wasn’t paying attention. The door opened, awakening the bells on the knob and hitting the black cat in the head. The cat yowled, alerting Josie’s attention more than the bells. A tall man stepped out, his hair as dark as midnight. He was dressed in a dark blue similar to the paint on the building.

“Was it that damn cat again?” He huffed. “He’s been trying to get in here for weeks now.” He then turned and looked down at Josie.

Josie stepped away from the window, nearly slipping on a patch of ice.

“Careful now, young lady, it’s awful chilly out this morning and ice can be anywhere,” the man stepped aside from the door. “Would you like to come in?”

Josie had never been inside before, in fact, she was far too scared to.

“I just set out some tea and pastries for the morning crowd,” he said.

Josie shook her head. “I don’t have any money, sir.”

There were already a few people in the shop meandering around, holding pastries wrapped in paper. “They’re free,” he says to Josie. “And you are my most loyal window shopper.” He stepped aside, keeping the door open for Josie.

She stared in, having never dared to dream to set foot in such a lovely shop. Her shoes were filthy, covered in frozen mud. Her hair was unkempt and dirty, as were her hands and nails. She knew she didn’t deserve to be in such a shop, but if she could, she knew she would never want to leave.

“I shouldn’t,” she whispered to him.

“I insist.” He eased her into the shop, closing the door behind her before he whisked off behind the counter. “I’m Robin, if you need any help.”

Josie was in awe, this was the Robin from the sign. She nodded shyly, glancing to the assortment of pastries on the counter. She was afraid to take them, even though Robin offered them himself. She glanced back through the window, never having stood on this side before. The world looked so different from here. Her world was so distant now.

“Here you go.” Robin came around the counter, handing her a glistening pastry with a napkin. “Enjoy yourself this cold morning.”

“Thank you,” Josie quipped nervously. She took the offering in her tiny hands. It still felt warm through the paper and it smelled so good. She watched as Robin returned behind the desk, taking his cup and sipping.

Josie stood there, afraid to move and that this all could be a dream. She took a cautious bite of the pastry, finding there was warm jam inside. It was her first time having anything like this and she wasn’t sure how to respond. After a few more bites, she looked back to the window, seeing her rabbit prince standing there.

“Would you like to see him?” Robin asked. “I can take him out of the window for you.” He walked outside the counter again, reaching into the window to take the rabbit prince off of his perch. “Beautiful, isn't he?” He marveled for a moment. “Unfortunately, he’s incomplete.”

“What’s missing?” Josie kept her voice small and quiet.

“He’s supposed to come with a lady rabbit and they stand together.” Robin offered the rabbit prince to her. “I wasn’t able to find her, unfortunately. Although I have tried.”

She seized up at the chance to touch him, to hold him. She held her breath in the anticipation of it. She didn’t feel worthy, but she had so longed for this moment. Josie took him into her hands, feeling the shiny gloss of his form.

“I’ll be right back.” Robin turned then and looked back. “I think I hear someone.”

As Robin walked towards the back, Josie stood there clutching her rabbit prince dearly. Tears formed in her eyes, and while she felt silly for that, she knew she would never experience this moment again. She hugged him close, hoping to impart upon him how much love she held for him and how much joy he had brought her. Even if he was inanimate, he deserved to know.

A laugh rang from outside, frightening Josie. The rabbit prince slipped from her well meaning embrace and clattered to the floor. The laughter outside echoed Josie’s terror as she watched him strike the ground. His right ear broke off, as did the curls of his coattails.

“Oh no!” Josie knelt down upon the ground, picking up the prince and the broken pieces. “Oh no,” she whispered, holding his ear between her fingers. Now, she really was crying, weeping over the fact she hurt the one thing she loved so much in this world. Her young face twisted as tears fell and she wept as quietly as she could. “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry,” she blubbered with the glossy figure. “This is all my fault.”

In vain she tried to put him together, but no miracles occurred that fused him whole again. She heard Robin’s voice as he was returning, and fearing what would happen, she gathered up the prince and his pieces and cautiously opened the door so the bells wouldn’t ring. As she stepped out onto the street, the black cat was staring her down.

“Leave me alone! It was an accident!” She fussed at the cat.

It jumped down from its perch and began to run at Josie, to which she sprinted with the cat giving chase. It was a moment of doubt and weakness that made her flee Robin’s. She had no money to pay for him and she feared the punishment she would receive because of it. If she could fix him, then maybe she could secretly return him and then she could perhaps beg for forgiveness.

The black cat followed Josie all the way to the shop, stopping outside before she swung open the door. She escaped to her room, the larder, and Josie laid out the pieces carefully upon her bed, hoping the comfort of her blanket might help in healing him. She took glue from behind the counter of the shop and she tried her best to open the cap. But as often is the case, glue bottles often seal themselves shut and become impossible to open. She wept again, fearing never being able to see Robin’s shop again. If she couldn’t fix her rabbit prince, she would have to go back and confess to Robin with a broken trinket in hand. The prince was incomplete as it was, he was going to be even harder to sell now that he was broken.

She knelt beside her bed, head upon the thin mattress as she looked at the prince. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered to him, stroking him in hopes of soothing him. “I never meant you any harm, I promise.” She turned so her face was flat against the mattress and she cried again.

“There now, little one, the world is not ending. You need not cry over such small carrots.” A hand stroked the top of Josie’s head so gently.

She sat up like a shot, looking at the man sitting on the edge of her bed. He wore a pink coat with purple trim, blue slacks, and had the head of a white rabbit. Josie rubbed her eyes to make sure she was seeing the truth. She pinched her cheek to see if she was awake, but he was real!

“Hello there,” he waved.

“You’re-” She stood up and away from him. “You’re the-” Her breath left her as she gazed upon her prince made real. Everything was as it was, but his coat tails were gone and his right ear was missing. He smiled at her, standing up tall.

He bent at the waist, sweeping his arm along his belly as he bowed low before her. “My name is Marquis Almanzo Day,” he spoke with a chipper vibrato. “But you can call me Perley. All my favorite people do.” He pulled something from his jacket which popped out to be a purple top hat. He placed it upon his head, hiding the fact his ear was missing. “It is an honor to meet you, young lady.”

She just stared, unable to think of anything to say or do. For long she had imagined him in her head, her rabbit prince who was a quick witted and fast moving hero. This had to be a dream, she thought to herself. She must have fallen asleep crying! That’s what it was, so there was no reason to be alarmed. She calmed down slowly telling herself this, and she agreed it was all just a dream.

“I owe you my gratitude.” He knelt down on one knee before, coming to her eye level. He took her hand, holding it dearly. “You woke me up, and for that, I owe you my life.”

Josie’s lips parted and she took a small breath. “No,” she shook her head sadly. “I dropped you, I-” Her lip began to quiver. Even if it was a dream, she still felt guilty.

Perley touched her cheek to calm her. “Do not fret about that now, little one. Thanks to that knock on the head, I was revived! And now, I can go and find my wife.”

She gasped. “The missing mate!”

Perley stood and tapped his hat. “That’s right. She’s waiting for me, and I am afraid I have kept her waiting for far too long.” He reached for the door knob then stopped. He looked back at Josie and he smiled. “I could use some help.”

She gawked. “From me?”

He extended his hand back out to her. “I am missing an ear. I could use an extra set to help me.”

It wasn’t his intent to guilt her, but Josie felt it anyways. She did break him, perhaps it was the least she could do to help him. She took his hand and he held it tenderly.

“Wonderful!” He pulled her beside him then tapped the top of his hat. “We shall be a team. What is your name?”

“Josie,” she said quietly.

His smile grew. “A very heroic name!” He then opened the door, which should have opened into the shop. Instead there was nothing but miles and miles of bright green rolling hills and a crystal clear sky. “Onward, to Beatrix Hill!”

Josie couldn’t believe what she was seeing, it was all like a dream. Stepping out into the lush grass, the world around her shifted. It was much different than staring out through the window on the other side. Here, the air felt lighter, the sky was brighter, even the ground felt softer. The rolling hills were dotted by round, colorfully ornate doors. There were other rabbit people walking around as well, wearing bright and colorful clothes.

“What is this place?” She whispered. She had dreamed of so many grand landscapes before, but nothing like this. Everything was so colorful and bright, all her dreams before had been rather gray in scope.

“Beatrix Hill,” Perley said triumphantly. “I found myself here a while ago, after my plane had gotten lost in the clouds. My Bess rescued me.”

“Is that your wife?”

He sat himself down upon the grass, looking forlorn into the distance. “Yes, my darling wife,” he replied somberly. “The most beautiful girl I had ever laid my eyes on. She took care of me after my plane wound up here. I was sick and exhausted, but more than that, I was a stranger here. She was fierce, though, and took me in when no one else would.” He gazed off into the distance. “She was as brazen and strong as any man, but she was tender and loving more than any woman. She took care of me, put up with me, really. I didn’t belong in this world, had never seen it before, and yet I felt more at home here with her than I ever had. I decided to leave it all behind. The money, the fame, the men and women, all for her.”

Josie sat down beside him in the grass. “What happened?”

“What happens to all beautiful princesses,” he sighed. “She was kidnapped by a jealous wizard.”

She gaped at him, leaning in even closer. “And he cursed you?”

Perley smiled upon Josie. “You’re very quick. Yes, I was cursed, sent back out into my world never to see Beatrix Hill again.” He looked up to the sky, his one ear drooping more than normal. “He had been trying to court her for a while, and then when I showed up, she went from paying him little attention to no attention at all. He hated me, challenged me all the time,” he laughed sadly. “But then, he had enough of it and took care of me the best way he knew how.”

Josie then gasped again. “So you are a prince!”

Perley threw his head back and laughed. “By marriage only, little one.” He patted the top of her head. “I am a Marquis, though,” he winked. He then looked sorrowfully back out into the distance. “It matters not what I am, though. Without her, I am nothing.”

Josie looked around them, seeing there were a few rabbits who had started to notice them. “Where is she then?”

“Probably in the wizard’s castle,” he sighed. “Although, I don’t know how much time has passed here. For all I know, they could be gone.”

Josie stood up off the grass. Compared to how everyone else here was dressed, her plain and dirty clothes stood out like a sore thumb. Still, she owed Perley a debt for breaking him, and she knew someone here would have to know about the princess or the wizard. Even if this was a dream, she decided to screw up her courage and help.

“I can go ask somebody,” she told Perley. “Stay here.” She walked towards a woman with a parasol. She had big floppy ears and a mottled brown and white coat.

As Josie approached her, her ears slightly twitched. “Well, hello, little one,” she said with concern. “Are you lost?”

“I’m sorry to bother you, ma’am,” Josie curtsied. “But could I ask you if you know anything about a princess or a wizard?”

The lady looked surprised. “Why, don’t you know? It’s their wedding day! That’s where all of us are headed.”

“Wedding?” Josie nearly blurted. “But that’s impossible.”

“Oh, weddings are very possible, little one,” she laughed. “And today it shall be the biggest and grandest wedding of them all. All of the Hills are attending. It’s going to be so romantic.”

“But-” The woman patted Josie on the head before she swept along. “No, no, that can’t be right. She’s married to Perley.” She saw a shop ahead, the window decorated with colorful flowers and a paper sign reading, ‘congratulations’. Josie wandered up to it, looking inside to see a display celebrating the wedding. There were pictures of the princess, who had those big floppy ears and grey brown spots. The wizard was a big white bunny with bright red eyes. A news article was framed with a headline reading: ‘Wedding of the century. Heartbroken princess to wed wizard savior.’

“That can’t be right.” She then saw a reflection of a small rabbit who had big ears and soft brown fur. She gasped, frightened at the sight before realizing it was her. She was a rabbit too. “Oh, wow!” She should have been alarmed, but Josie reminded herself it was a dream and, in her dream, she could be anything. Smiling, she made her way back to Perley.

“What did you find out?” He asked.

Josie shook her head. “I’m so sorry, but I’m afraid it isn’t good, Mr. Perley.”

His expression became shocked and desperate. Perley feared the worst from that. “Is she okay? Is she alive?”

Josie nodded, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. “She’s okay, I think. But I’m afraid she’s getting married to the wizard...today. That’s where everyone is going now, Mr. Day. They’ve all been invited to attend the big wedding.”

Perley’s expression sunk and his mouth hung open loosely. “That can’t be.” He stood from the grass and began to pace. “We’re married!”

“I know, but-”

Perley stomped his foot hard down upon the ground. “This wizard stole her from me. He cursed me. Now he has the gall to force my Bess into such a situation! I won’t stand for this.” He then looked sympathetically into the distance. “She must think I am dead or never to return. My poor love, she must have tried to wait for me, but-” He frowned. “It’s my fault.” Those words shook Josie to her core. “I wasted too much time! That wizard was able to sink his claws into her.” He looked down at Josie. “Will you still help me, Josie? I promise, I will keep you safe for the rest of my life.”

Josie nodded, feeling stronger and braver as a rabbit. “I want to try, Mr. Day.”

Perley knelt down before Josie, holding her shoulders. “We may have to storm a castle. Infiltrate it, fight some dastardly knights, perhaps even get captured ourselves. I would understand if you didn’t want to get into such harrowing situations.”

Josie nodded again. “I still want to help, Mr. Day! Even if we have to do all those things.”

He smiled brightly. “Then I will do all I can to see you safe, even after we escape this. I promise you, Bess and I will give you our eternal gratitude.”

“Then-” Josie felt a lump of bravery come up inside her throat. “Could I stay here with you in Beatrix Hills?”

Perley grinned. “I will give you a home as grand as a castle.” He then looked her over, touching one of the mismatched buttons on her dress. “But before we do that, we’ll need to find something to help you blend in at the palace.” He stood, taking off his top hat and reaching inside. His arm nearly vanished into the depths, making Josie marvel at the wonderful performance.

“Ah!” He exclaimed. “Here we are.” From inside he pulled out something fluffy and pink. He tossed it at Josie, which knocked off her old dress and made the new one appear in an instant. She even had on matching purple shoes.

“There now, you look like a princess yourself.” he placed his hat to hide his missing ear. “Do you like it?”

Josie posed, staring down at the flouncy pink dress she was wearing. She had never had new clothes before, only rags and hand me downs. And for certain she had never owned something so beautiful! “I love it!” She cheered.

“Wonderful, now, take my hand. We’ll journey with the others to the wedding.” He took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “We’re in this together. Remember that.”

Josie liked the feeling of holding his hand, she felt safe and confident in his grasp. She squeezed his hand back. “We’ll get back Bess for sure.”

“That’s the attitude!” He led her down through the hills, following behind the crowd that was traveling towards the palace. Together they boarded a river boat decorated with massive bouquets of flowers and streamers.