Wonderoz Chapter Eighteen: Alice

Alice wrung out the damp rag she had just dipped in a mixture of water, exfoliating oils, and mashed rose petals. She then took the rag and started cleaning off Dum’s make-up.

“Ah!” Grinned Dum with a satisfied sigh. “That feels wonderful.”

Dee plucked off the massive and heavy eyelashes he wore and turned to watch as Alice finished cleaning up Dum’s face and smiled at him.

“I bet wearing that make-up all the time irritates your skin.” Alice said, turning and dipping the rag back into the twins special cleanser. “It’s a wonder to me your skin looks like porcelain otherwise.” She moved over and started cleaning off Dee’s face. Dee watched her with a stern look on his face.

“Something wrong?” Alice asked, wiping away the last bit of goopy lipstick.

Dee turned his head. “I don’t feel comfortable with you getting so close to Snap. I just know he’s up to something.” He ripped off his high styled wig. “I don’t trust him.”

Dum plucked the heart shaped pasties off his skin. “I know. The look in his eyes gets to me. Its like he’s mocking us.”

Alice looked at them both in disbelief. “You really don’t think that do you? Snap is nice to me. He listens to me. And I don’t even have to pay him for it like you guys so suggest!”

“That’s what bothers us.” Both muttered.

Alice tossed the rag into the cleanser and stood up. “I don’t believe that he’d cause me any harm.” She stormed off out of the room.

Dee slouched and let out a long sigh. “I don’t like where this is heading.”

Dum furrowed his brow and turned to his brother. “What do you mean?”

Dee put his hand atop Dum’s head and ran it down his neck and onto his back.

Alice stormed off out backstage and outside where the Cabaret kitchen’s garden was growing. It was surrounded by a small forest of giant violets braided with morning glories. Alice herself had taken what she had learned from Dorothy and fashioned a small fort from morning glory vines and low lying violet blossoms. During the day she would sequester herself there and write in her journals and concentrate on her pocket watch.

The watch, she learned if she concentrated hard enough on both it and Dorothy, she could see where Dorothy was and what she was doing. It was a hard task though, but she had practiced  enough to where she could finally peer into Dorothy’s life for at least five minuets a day.

“Its no use.” Alice hissed and put the watch back in her pocket. “I’m not focusing on Dorothy at all.” She sighed and brought her knees to her chest. “I don’t know why they all hate Snap so much. I mean…” Alice was a funny one, she talked like this constantly and had no idea I was here but knew there was someone there paying great attention to her. “I know his profession causes him to make a lot of enemies. He can’t help it that he has to be secretive.”

The poor thing does seem awfully lonely. Maybe I should talk to her, let her know I am here and I am listening.

“I wish Dorothy and I were never separated.” Alice said with tears in her eyes.

What? Since when did Alice stop being such a loner?

“I can grant you that wish, you know?”

I felt myself snarling. “Snap, you wouldn’t.” I whispered under my breath. His ear twitched as if he had heard me but his attention remained glued onto poor trapped Alice.

“For a small price I can grant you any wish you have, darling.” Snap said, slipping his arm across his stomach and bowing slowly.

Alice examined the small change purse in her pocket. She had been saving up her tips to treat Dee and Dum to tea like they had her. But she barely had enough for a simple journal now.

“I don’t have much.” Alice admitted weakly. She poured out what was in the purse into her palm. A few oysters at most. “In fact I barely have anything at all. I doubt I could afford your services, Snap.”

Snap stood erect and saw the pocket watch sitting in Alice’s lap. “Then…” He clicked his tongue teasingly. “What about that watch there? It must be worth something.”

Alice clutched the watch to her chest. “It isn’t mine to sell.” She shoved it back into her pocket so Snap couldn’t look at it anymore. “It belongs to my sister.”

The thought of Dorothy put Snap’s mind on the edge of another miasmic migraine. “I see.” He hummed softly as he brought his long fingers parallel to his temples.

“Besides, everyone says it is dangerous for Dorothy and me to be together right now.” Alice murmured quietly. The chain of the pocket watch jumped from the pocket suddenly and Snap felt himself tipping, tipping, tipping closer to the edge.

“So I feel selfish for wanting to be with Dorothy so bad I’d risk that but…” Alice hesitated. “I’m just not strong enough without her.”

Snap stepped back slightly. “You don’t honestly believe that do you?” Alice looked away and into the face of a violet. “Why, you have so much muchness it is astounding to me!”

Alice looked back up at him inquisitively. “Muchness?”

Snap held his hand out to Alice. “Alright, my very extra special price for you and you alone my dearly darling Alice.”

Alice look to his hand as she licked her lips then glanced back up at his eyes she had come to fall for. “What is this price?”

Snap’s outstretched hand flipped over and closed in so only one finger remained and it pressed against Alice’s lips. “One kiss.”

“Ka-kiss?” Alice pulled back from his gentle touch. She was rubbing the pocket watch in her pocket as she inspected Snap‘s eyes for any lie. “Any wish at all for that?”

Snap threw his arms out wide on either side and fanned out his fingers. “You could wish for all of the mimsy in Wonderoz and I would still only charge that single reward.”

Alice stood and smoothed out the front of her dress. “Do I pay you first or do I get my wish first?”

“Hmm…well in this situation I will give you first choice.” Snap said with a smile.

Alice nodded. “Well I have never been one to owe anything to anyone and I do so trust you Snap.” A pretty rogue bled across her apple like cheeks. “I might as well pay you now since you’re here.”

Poor trusting Alice! Snap you horrible monster! If you lay so much as one harmful hand on her pretty little head I swear to you more troubles than a heard of Bandersnatch!

Snap smiled gently then dipped his head. Alice closed her eyes and waited. Waiting is always the hardest part is it not? Not knowing what is to come or what will happen because of it. I suppose I am making you wait as well. Aggravating isn’t it? Why don’t I just shut up, sit back, and smile?

Anyways, the kiss happened. And for Alice she realized her first kiss was much more special than she ever imagined it would be. Although, she had never imagined it before. Never a need for her to think about it.

“Alice!”

They broke apart and turned to see Dee and Dum standing in the doorway. Dee looked as mad as a beautiful boy could. Dum looked broken. He looked like he would slide off the side of his brother and turn back into sludge.

“You never pay him first!” Dee roared.

Snap’s long arm suddenly wrapped around Alice’s neck. “Gotta run.” He laughed and kicked his legs so that he bounded up high into the air. “Take this parting gift as an exchange.” He pulled something from his ear and tossed it down at the twins. In midair it exploded.

Alice let out a shriek and kicked her legs viciously. She tried to swing her fist to strike him but he held her back. Her fingers opened and the watch slapped Snap upside the head and plummeted back down to the ground.

“What did you do to them?” Alice cried, kicking and writhing. “Let me go! They were right!” She began crying. “They were all right!”

Snap put his hand over Alice’s mouth. “Please don’t say that. I care for you I really do. Don’t cry, please!”

Alice closed her eyes as tight as they would go but that still didn’t stop a few rogue tears from escaping. Snap sighed and began to start an apology when he saw Alice’s body began glowing with a bright shimmer. It spread from her chest and on out over her entire body like a casing. Snap knew what was happening to Alice. Her magic was coming out to protect her. And then, a green dot pop up in the center of Alice’s forehead.

“What the hell is that?” He murmured in wonder. He turned his head to follow a beam of green light that came out from Tulgey Wood and connected Alice to a girl with wild brown hair racing blindly on the Yellow Brick Road. Snap felt the miasma nip and chew viciously at him. The girl wasn’t alone though. Behind her was a Lion, a suit of armor, and something that looked like a scarecrow.

“Is this all for money?” Alice snapped at him. “Money?”

Snap was fighting off the migraine as best he could. “Money is the only thing that matters.” He hadn’t intended to say that. “Looks fade. Loves die. Land and money are the only things that last.” The migraine was making him say things he didn’t mean. He wanted to say something soothing. But this worked too.

Alice shook her head and Snap landed on the ground just outside poppy field. He smiled, satisfied with his amazing leap and sat Alice on the ground. He held her arms behind her back and pushed her forward.

“Where are you taking me?” Alice asked.

“Someone has paid me for an admission of your presence.”

“It’s that Queen in the East isn’t it?” Alice turned and leered up at him. “People have told me all about this supposed queen. She’s no queen, she’s a witch! And a bad one from what I hear tell!” She spat and turned forward. “She’s a dictator!”

Snap’s ears twitched. “A what?”

“A dictator.” Alice huffed. “A leader who rules a country with absolute power, usually by force!” She said with dictionary perfection.

Snap shrugged, “You and your funny little words. Human. Dictator.” His nose wrinkled and he giggled. “I do honestly like you Alice. You’re so very different.”

“Shut up.” Alice whimpered. “Just tell me why everyone is so intent on keeping me and my sister? Why are we here?”

Snap hummed. “Should I tell you?”

“I gave you a payment. I think you owe me.” Alice snarled.

Snap sighed and turned his nose up in the air. “Alright then. At least I can be fair once in my life.” He released one of Alice’s hands and turned her to face him. “You and your sister are the long lost progeny of Queen Ozma, the lost matriarch of Wonderoz.”

Alice’s eyes opened wide and her jaw slowly opened. So that hadn’t been a story? It was true!

“You’re Alice, second princess of Wonderoz.” Snap smiled dashingly. “Get it now, Princess?”

Alice licked her lips and nodded. “I can’t believe it.” She realized Snap’s grip on her wrist was loose. So she whipped her fist back and struck Snap upside the jaw with all the force she had.

Snap let out a cry and stumbled back. He tripped over a stone and cursed loudly. Alice fought off her instinct to see if the fall had injured him and dashed off in a bolt of fury. I landed, setting myself ahead of Alice’s path and when she saw me she gasped in joy. “Dinah!” She called out.

“Follow me.” I replied in a smooth voice and ran ahead of her.

“Alice!” Snap screamed not far from behind us.

All I had to do was find Alice somewhere safe to hide and I knew the exact place to take her. His name was Henry Boq and was a munchkin lord who helped refugees from the evil Queen’s malice find safe passage home or elsewhere. He was codenamed Carpenter.

I took Alice up onto his porch and disappeared, giving her one last reassuring smile. Alice then went to the door and beat on it. Boq answered, standing no more than a hair taller than Alice.

“I need help.” Alice heaved, trying to catch her breath. “Snap…the Queen.”

“Waste not your breath, hurry in.” Boq ushered Alice inside and locked the door behind him. He led Alice into a room with a roaring fireplace and sat her down. “Rest. You are safe here.” Alice nodded, remaining silent until her heart started to beat regularly again.

“Let me fetch you something to drink while you catch up to yourself.” Boq said and slipped out of sight.

“Escaped Snap now did ya?”

Alice looked up to see a Dodo bird sitting across from her. “Uh…” She wheezed. She had never seen such a sight. A Dodo bird in a puffy shirt and flashy pink dress coat.

The Dodo shut his book and chuckled. “You must have some good legs there to be able to outrun him.” He extended his wing. “My name is Carroll Baum. But everyone just calls me Sir.” He chuckled.

“Hi.” Alice took his wing and shook it like she would any hand. “Its very nice to meet you Sir. I’m Alice.”

Sir’s eyes got wide. “Alice? Why! I don’t believe my eyes! Are you the Alice everyone has been talking about?”

Alice shrugged. “I’m the only Alice I know about so I guess I’d have to say yes.”

Boq returned and handed Alice and glass of cold water. “I’m Henry Boq, by the way.”

“Oh,” Alice bobbed her head. “Thank you.” She said as she took the water. “But aren’t you going to get into trouble if I’m found here?”

Sir and Boq laughed. “I’m already in trouble,” Boq answered. “I have taken in more dangerous people than you, young lady. The Queen would have my head if she knew who had taken refuge with me. Sir included.”

Sir laughed pleasantly. “I am at current one of her favorite entourage.” He informed Alice. “But if she were to ever learn that I was a double agent I would have a very lonely pair of shoulders.”

“How’d you know to come here?” Boq asked, his silvery hair glinting in the light of the fireplace.

“A cat.” Alice squeaked. “I followed a cat here. And it smiled at me.”

“A smiling cat?” Sir asked, befuddled. “Never heard of such a thing.”

Alice looked up between them “Really? I’ve seen it once before at the Cabaret.”

“This Way That Way?” Boq asked.

Alice nodded. “When I first came here to Wonderoz the Tweedles found me and took me there.” The memory of the explosion Snap caused came back to her. “Oh no! The Cabaret!” She whispered and nearly spilled the water into her lap but a thin white hand came from nowhere and rescued the cup from her hand.

“Careful there darling.” The woman replied.

Alice looked up into the face of a sweet looking women with wild, wooly curls the color of dark honey and eyes the color of treacle. She felt comfort in this strange woman and began crying into her outstretched arm.

“Oh shush, shush sweet pet. There now. Sweet mother Dormie is here for you.” She cooed in a sweet, chirpy voice. She looked up to Boq and Sir. “Get in touch with the This Way That Way Cabaret and see what trouble Snap has caused.”

“No problem,” Sir said and stood up. “Leave it to me.”

Dormie turned back to Alice and cupped her cheek in her hand. “You must be tired from your adventures. Do you want to sleep?”

Alice sniffled. “I don’t know if I could if I tried.”

Dormie smiled a smile that enhanced her freckle spattered face and it reminded Alice of Dorothy. “Then lets fix you a cup of sleepy tea. Its my own special blend.” She eased Alice to her feet and whisked her off into the kitchen.

“Who are you?” Alice asked. “I get a strange but warm feeling from you.”

Dormie tapped the tip of her long upturned nose. “You’re good.” She then lay her hand flat on her equally flat chest. “I am the Good Witch of the South and I have been given the responsibility of being your Fairy Godmother.”

Alice had to giggle at the idea. “A Fairy Godmother? A real one?”

“Of course I’m for real!” Dormie giggled, playfully punching Alice’s arm. “Just like Glenda the Good Witch of the North is your sister’s. Glenda was lucky and got to Dorothy at the beginning. It took me some trials to find you, pet. Someone has been hiding you.”

Alice furrowed her brow. “Hiding me? How could someone hide me?”

Dormie sighed as she put the kettle on to boil. “There are a great many a suspects but I am not very sure.” She reached over and kissed Alice on the forehead. “For luck and protection.” She wiped at the sparkly lipstick that stuck to Alice’s skin. “Now I’ll be able to find you anywhere you need me.” She then toppled over and fell onto the floor.

“Ms. Dormie!” Alice gasped panicked. Dormie started snoring in the same breath.

“She’s a narcoleptic, no need to worry that much.” Boq chortled as he walked into the kitchen to remove his waist coat from the back of a chair. He folded it up and tucked it under Dormie’s head.

“Oh…really?” Poorly panicked Alice muttered. “She scared the heck outta me!”

Boq chuckled. “She’s done that to me several times. But I have gotten used to her now.”

“Aren’t you going to move her?” Dorothy asked, turning off the stove.

“She’ll be back up in a few minuets. No need.”