Post by Buck U on Jun 27, 2017 23:46:19 GMT -8
Dear Mrs. Buchanan,
When you and I last spoke, you requested that I share with you any information with you from your husband's sessions that I might consider of interest to you, a request that your husband has agreed to. This might seem like nothing to you, but I feel the two tidbits of information I'm about to share of great interest:
1.Since you've know your husband most of your life, you are most likely aware that he suffered from anxiety as a child. He told me his mother gave him a moon ring to wear around his neck on a necklace and whenever he would feel anxious he would rub it in an effort to calm himself. I observed him, while under hypnoses, subconsciously rub something on his chest, as if he were wearing the moon ring. You wouldn't happen to know what has happened to it, would you? Upon questioning him further about the ring, your husband told me that he lost it during the tragic car accident that killed both his mother and his twin brother, Real. It would be curious to see what affects the actual ring would have upon your husband now while he is feeling "broker", as it were.
2.While under hypnoses, your husband finally allowed me to speak with Castor, or perhaps rather, Castor allowed me to speak with him. Castor is an interesting individual, I have never met a "split personality", as it were, quite like him. I've read the previous files on your husband's past history with mental illness and I'll admit that Castor seems nothing like the personality that plagued your husband during his days as El Tigre de Jengibre, although Castor claims that it was truly him. I have yet to fully grasp what is going on with Castor, as at times it feels like he's looking out for your husband, almost brotherly in a way, while at other times it feels like he wants to take over your husband's body and have complete control. He also refers to your husband as Pollux, rather than by his real name; I've heard the name before but I cannot quite place it. Once I have further opportunity, I will research the name and hopefully it will give me a better understanding as to what is occurring here.
That is all for now. I must say that your husband has been most agreeable during our sessions and it is clear that he is focused to do whatever it takes to become well so he can return to you and your son. I will admit though, I am highly concerned about his involvement in Carny Pro Wrestling, as I feel an environment like this could do his mental state worse than good. Perhaps it would be a good idea to discuss this with him during your next conversation, this is one area that he refuses to budge in his beliefs and I'm hoping that you perhaps you can convince him to change his mind.
Until we speak again
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Hartley
***
Have you ever heard the joke about the man who enters a diner and he can order anything he wants and if they can't make it for him, the meal is free? He orders several dishes, each more bizarre the last and each time the dish is brought out to him. Finally he asks for an elephant foot sandwich on rye bread. A few minutes the waitress comes out and tells him the meal is free.
"Let me guess," the man says, "you don't have any elephant feet."
"No," says the waitress, "we've got plenty of those. Actually, we're out of rye bread."
The joke has been around for a long time and has even been used on television before (go check out "Garfield & Friends" episode "Orson's Diner" for just one version of the gag). What most people don't realize though is the original joke was based off a real encounter at Alice's Restaurant, although it's been debated whether or not Alice's was actually out of rye bread or she just wanted to get rid of the troublemaker.
You can really get whatever you want at Alice's Restaurant, if you know where to find it. The exact location is a well kept secret, although most agree it's somewhere the United States and Mexico border. Some will tell you it's in California, others in Texas, and some will tell you South Dakota just to throw you off the trail. It's been rumoured you can't find the diner unless it wants you to and right about now Alice was less than pleased that her Restaurant had apparently invited in two unwanted patrons.
"How'd you two get in here," she asked.
"Quiet simple really," the smaller, more articulate gentlemen said, "if you have an understanding of temporal portals like Brute does. Isn't that right, big guy?"
"I am Brute."
"You see," the smaller man said, tying his mask snug onto his head, "there are portals everywhere, for some reason they have a particular habit of forming in wrestling rings, all you need to know is where to find them."
"I am Brute."
"And Brute knows where there's one in your diner."
"Where is it?"
Tiger Mask Red smiled.
"Alice, or should I call you El Bruja, why would I tell you that. No, you'd just make sure close it and I'll miss my psychiatrist appointment in the morning."
Alice stared at the pair, perturbed.
"Sugar, it's getting late and I don't have any clue why your calling me that name. My name is Alice, I've known you see you were knee high to a grasshopper. I remember the first time Mr. Smith there brought you in and I made for you the best damn cheeseburger you ever did eat."
Tiger Mask Red, for there could be only one masked ginger willing to risk her wrath, began rummaging through his bag while she spoke. He smiled, remembering the burger she spoke of, made of alligator and bison, it truly was the most delicious he had ever ate. He recalled her telling him he could have anything he wanted and came up with the combination believing there was no way she could do it, that was when he learned there was nothing Alice couldn't or wouldn't make for you. He found what he was looking for and looked up at her.
"You know what, Alice, I've never asked you what your last name was."
Alice stood there, mouth agape for a moment. What was this boy playing at.
"Why it's...," she stammered and came to a halt, "It's..."
Tiger turned to Brute. The big man sighed. He hated seeing his old friend standing like this, confused. It was time to reveal the truth.
Tiger threw something at the waitress. Instinctively she caught it and cried out in pain as it burnt her hand. Looking down, she was it was a metal cross. From the look on her face it was clear she was trying to ask a question but instead she cried out in pain and collapsed in pain. Tiger Mask Red tried to get up, but his giant companion pushed him back down.
"I am Brute.``
Wait.
A black mist surrounded Alice and her screams of pain dissipated. The lights in the diner began to flicker and as Tiger looked around it appeared that their surroundings began to wither and age. Alice`s restaurant went from being an inviting place to eat to something out of a horror movie or The Underneath.
A howl of anger rose out of the mist and as quickly as it came, the mist disappeared. The figure who rose looked nothing like sweet Alice.
She was a cruel looking thing. A hag. A witch. El Bruja.
***
Back at the hotel room Dave Flynn slept soundly while Zaros and Vos sat watching television, waiting for Tiger Mask Red and Brute to return. Vos changed the channel in disgust and finally threw the remote down.
"How can these humans watch that garbage," he growled, "Nothing but a bunch of mindless programs trying to convince you to buy their moronic products."
Zaros cackled with laughter.
"You're just upset because you can't watch porn," the goblin shrieked.
Vos took a swing at his partner, but Zaros ducked the sea creature's blow and scrambled away, laughing as he went. He thought of going in pursuit of the mouthy goblin, but thought better of it. A trashed hotel room would bring nothing but wrath down upon both of them from Master Brute. Reluctantly, he sat back down and crossed his arms.
"So what if I did," he said, "a monster has needs too. If the Master hadn't caught me, I would have taken that lovely woman back with me to my cave and made her my wife."
"Yeah, yeah," Zaros replied, rummaging through a suitcase, "and if he hadn't caught me, I would have ruined Christmas for the family he was staying with. What's your point? We're both stuck in his service until he releases us. We might as well make the best of it."
The goblin squealed with glee. His partner turned and saw Zaros pull a black permanent marker from the bag. He turned to Dave and started giggling with delight.
"What are you doing," Vos asked, as the goblin jumped on the bed and crouched next to the man who was technically their boss, "Master Brute will kill you if anything happens to him."
Zaros held up a finger.
"No, he told us to make sure no one hurts him. He said nothing about playing a innocent little joke on him though."
Vos sat there for a moment before saying.
"Are there anymore markers in that bag?"
***
"¡Cómo te atreves a convocarme!"
(How dare you summon me!)
El Bruja screamed in anger, looking at her damaged hand before looking at the perpetrator smiling smugly at her. For forty years she had hid herself from the world, here in her little sanctuary. No one had suspected a thing, not the mobs that had hunted her for years, not the priests that prayed God`s wrath upon her, not even the patrons who swore her food must have been magic and never questioned how she was able to do the things she did. Jolly Ms. Alice had been the perfect guise to take and forget her troubles, but this boy had undone her. Only one other time had someone found her out and she had left her mark on both him and his son.
She gave out a gasp. He might be wearing a mask, but she recognised the smell of him. It was him! El Bruja smiled in evil delight.
"Eres el chico roto cuyo padre me trajo hace muchos años. Dime niño, ¿cómo va tu padre?"
(You are the boy whose father brought to me all those years ago, Tell me child, how does your father fare?)
Tiger stared at her, his face grim.
"Todavía vive, aunque nos cree todos los personajes en las historias de alguien."
(We still lives, although he believes us all characters in someone's stories.)
She cackled with cruel pleasure. Her services always came with a price. People were willing to pay it but rarely understood the consequences.
"¿Has venido a devolverles el favor y quieres ayudarlo?"
(Have you come to return the favor them and want to help him?)
Tiger laughed out loud. The sound caught her off guard and El Bruja found herself taking a step back from him despite herself. He wiped a tear from his masked face and looked at her.
"Puede que me haya criado pero no es un padre para mí. Que sufra en su locura, no me importa."
(He may have raised me but he is no father to me. Let him suffer in his madness, I do not care.)
She looked puzzledly at both of them, trying to gleam some information from their faces but could find nothing. Their masks hid much from her. El Bruja cursed God under her breath, it had been the luchadores, blessed by His power that had caused her to flee and it was the power of their masks that had prevented her from defeating them.
"¿Qué quieres de mí entonces?"
(What do you want from me then?)
Without removing his eyes from her, Tiger replied.
"Deshacer lo que me hiciste."
(Undo what you did to me.)
She stared at him for a moment then started to howl with laughter. He must be a bigger fool than he looked to ask her to do so. An even bigger fool if he thought she would.
She was about to put an end to this charade and finish the both of them off with one attack when she hit full on with a blast of fire that knocked her to the floor. Scrambling to her feet, she prepared an attack but halted as she saw Tiger Mask Red standing before her with fire glowing in his hands. When he spoke again, the words were hard and full of power.
"No preguntaré de nuevo."
(I will not ask again.)
El Bruja hissed in fear, Japanese magic, she recognised it anywhere. There was more to this boy than she had originally perceived. She found herself taking a second look at the giant and the fear in her gut grew. If the behemoth was who she believed he was, the boy walked in powerful company. She licked her lips nervously before speaking.
"Habrá un precio."
(There will be a price.)
A bag was thrown at her feet. She bent down and opened it. Five heart and clown noses. She looked up at the boy with new found respect. Yes there was much more to him indeed.
With a wave of her hand El Bruja made the bag of clown hearts disappear. Reaching into her pocket with her good hand she pulled out a black bean.
"Esto deshacer lo que se ha hecho. Te advierto de las consecuencias, pero ya no eres un niño débil."
(This will undo what has been done. I would warn you of the consequences, but you are no weak little boy anymore. )
She placed it upon the counter and stepped away from it.
"Todo lo que pido es que no lo entiendas. Déjame en paz ahora y déjame volver a dormir."
(All I ask is that you do not take it hear. Leave me in peace now and let me go back to sleep.)
Tiger Mask Red stepped forward, never taking his eyes from her, a fireball ready in case she tried anything, and scooped the bean off the counter. He placed it in his pocket, for further inspection later and backed away. When he reached the table he held out his hand and Brute gave him one of the chocolate bars, which he promptly threw to the witch.
"Gracias, vieja. Por favor, acepte esto como una muestra de mi agradecimiento."
(Thank you, old woman. Please accept this as a token of my thanks.)
El Bruja scooped up the candy bar and ripped it open, before greedily eating it all up. The lights in the diner began to flicker and everything around Tiger and Brute slowly returned to normal. Tiger shook his head, amazed he had made it through this in one piece... so far. When he turned to look at the witch, she was gone, and in her place was Alice rubbing her sore hand.
"Now listen here, you two," she said, "I don't know what your game is. I'm not this El Bruja person you're looking for and I'm feeling awfully tired. So if you two wouldn't mind., I would be eternally grateful if you would leave so I can go get some rest."
Tiger smile. He walked over to her and gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"We're so sorry to bother you, Alice. You're absolutely right, we had the wrong person. We'll just do play a song on the juke box and we'll be on our way."
***
Vos and Zaros will laughing at their handiwork when they heard the toilette flush in the washroom. Quickly they threw the markers back in the suitcase and sat back down in their chairs, pretending as if nothing had happened.
A moment later Tiger, now holding his mask in his hand, and Brute stepped out of the washroom. The giant looked around and nodded. All appeared well. He waved at his proteges and they rushed past him into the washroom. Brute addressed his young friend before he left.
"I am Brute?"
The young man nodded.
"Yeah, I'm sure," he replied, "This is the only way I'm going to learn the truth."
He saw the concern in the way the giant stood looking at him.
"I'll be fine, this is nothing I didn't go through as a child. You and I have done the research, we both know I'm strong enough now to deal with this now."
He pulled the bean from his pocket and threw it in his mouth. He swallowed it quickly before he could second guess himself and walked over to his bed.
"Get out of here," he told Brute, "If I'm wrong, then you're only a phone call away and you can expect to hear from a frantic Dave in a few hours.
He climbed into bed and pulled the covers over himself.
"Go," he said, pointing his friend to the washroom, "make sure Charlie and Haruto are safe. If anything has happened to them, you'll have me to deal with."
The giant chuckled and turned to go. Moments later the toilette flushed and he and his protégés were gone. Tiger didn't even hear it, the power of the bean was already working and he was fast asleep. More importantly he was doing something he had not done since he was eight, dream.
***
An alarm went off the next morning and Dave sat up, feeling oddly refreshed. What had he been drinking last night? Whatever it was, he needed to get his hands on more of it. Getting up, he walked over to his cousin's bed and shook him.
"Come on, Eli. You're appointment with Dr. Hartley is in a few hours."
His cousin mumbles something about French toast and rolled over.
Dave shook his head. His cousin could be really lazy at times. Leaving him for a few minutes, Dave walked into the washroom to do his morning and big his morning routine. Flushing the toilette, he walked over to the sink to wash his hands and looked at himself in the mirror.
It was Dave's scream that finally woke his cousin up. He jumped out of bed and rushed into the washroom.
"What's wrong," he asked.
Dave turned to his cousin, who tried not to laugh. His face was covered in black pen and he now had glasses, a mustache and a mutton chop sideburns.
"Um, Eli, exactly what happened last night?"
When you and I last spoke, you requested that I share with you any information with you from your husband's sessions that I might consider of interest to you, a request that your husband has agreed to. This might seem like nothing to you, but I feel the two tidbits of information I'm about to share of great interest:
1.Since you've know your husband most of your life, you are most likely aware that he suffered from anxiety as a child. He told me his mother gave him a moon ring to wear around his neck on a necklace and whenever he would feel anxious he would rub it in an effort to calm himself. I observed him, while under hypnoses, subconsciously rub something on his chest, as if he were wearing the moon ring. You wouldn't happen to know what has happened to it, would you? Upon questioning him further about the ring, your husband told me that he lost it during the tragic car accident that killed both his mother and his twin brother, Real. It would be curious to see what affects the actual ring would have upon your husband now while he is feeling "broker", as it were.
2.While under hypnoses, your husband finally allowed me to speak with Castor, or perhaps rather, Castor allowed me to speak with him. Castor is an interesting individual, I have never met a "split personality", as it were, quite like him. I've read the previous files on your husband's past history with mental illness and I'll admit that Castor seems nothing like the personality that plagued your husband during his days as El Tigre de Jengibre, although Castor claims that it was truly him. I have yet to fully grasp what is going on with Castor, as at times it feels like he's looking out for your husband, almost brotherly in a way, while at other times it feels like he wants to take over your husband's body and have complete control. He also refers to your husband as Pollux, rather than by his real name; I've heard the name before but I cannot quite place it. Once I have further opportunity, I will research the name and hopefully it will give me a better understanding as to what is occurring here.
That is all for now. I must say that your husband has been most agreeable during our sessions and it is clear that he is focused to do whatever it takes to become well so he can return to you and your son. I will admit though, I am highly concerned about his involvement in Carny Pro Wrestling, as I feel an environment like this could do his mental state worse than good. Perhaps it would be a good idea to discuss this with him during your next conversation, this is one area that he refuses to budge in his beliefs and I'm hoping that you perhaps you can convince him to change his mind.
Until we speak again
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Hartley
***
Have you ever heard the joke about the man who enters a diner and he can order anything he wants and if they can't make it for him, the meal is free? He orders several dishes, each more bizarre the last and each time the dish is brought out to him. Finally he asks for an elephant foot sandwich on rye bread. A few minutes the waitress comes out and tells him the meal is free.
"Let me guess," the man says, "you don't have any elephant feet."
"No," says the waitress, "we've got plenty of those. Actually, we're out of rye bread."
The joke has been around for a long time and has even been used on television before (go check out "Garfield & Friends" episode "Orson's Diner" for just one version of the gag). What most people don't realize though is the original joke was based off a real encounter at Alice's Restaurant, although it's been debated whether or not Alice's was actually out of rye bread or she just wanted to get rid of the troublemaker.
You can really get whatever you want at Alice's Restaurant, if you know where to find it. The exact location is a well kept secret, although most agree it's somewhere the United States and Mexico border. Some will tell you it's in California, others in Texas, and some will tell you South Dakota just to throw you off the trail. It's been rumoured you can't find the diner unless it wants you to and right about now Alice was less than pleased that her Restaurant had apparently invited in two unwanted patrons.
"How'd you two get in here," she asked.
"Quiet simple really," the smaller, more articulate gentlemen said, "if you have an understanding of temporal portals like Brute does. Isn't that right, big guy?"
"I am Brute."
"You see," the smaller man said, tying his mask snug onto his head, "there are portals everywhere, for some reason they have a particular habit of forming in wrestling rings, all you need to know is where to find them."
"I am Brute."
"And Brute knows where there's one in your diner."
"Where is it?"
Tiger Mask Red smiled.
"Alice, or should I call you El Bruja, why would I tell you that. No, you'd just make sure close it and I'll miss my psychiatrist appointment in the morning."
Alice stared at the pair, perturbed.
"Sugar, it's getting late and I don't have any clue why your calling me that name. My name is Alice, I've known you see you were knee high to a grasshopper. I remember the first time Mr. Smith there brought you in and I made for you the best damn cheeseburger you ever did eat."
Tiger Mask Red, for there could be only one masked ginger willing to risk her wrath, began rummaging through his bag while she spoke. He smiled, remembering the burger she spoke of, made of alligator and bison, it truly was the most delicious he had ever ate. He recalled her telling him he could have anything he wanted and came up with the combination believing there was no way she could do it, that was when he learned there was nothing Alice couldn't or wouldn't make for you. He found what he was looking for and looked up at her.
"You know what, Alice, I've never asked you what your last name was."
Alice stood there, mouth agape for a moment. What was this boy playing at.
"Why it's...," she stammered and came to a halt, "It's..."
Tiger turned to Brute. The big man sighed. He hated seeing his old friend standing like this, confused. It was time to reveal the truth.
Tiger threw something at the waitress. Instinctively she caught it and cried out in pain as it burnt her hand. Looking down, she was it was a metal cross. From the look on her face it was clear she was trying to ask a question but instead she cried out in pain and collapsed in pain. Tiger Mask Red tried to get up, but his giant companion pushed him back down.
"I am Brute.``
Wait.
A black mist surrounded Alice and her screams of pain dissipated. The lights in the diner began to flicker and as Tiger looked around it appeared that their surroundings began to wither and age. Alice`s restaurant went from being an inviting place to eat to something out of a horror movie or The Underneath.
A howl of anger rose out of the mist and as quickly as it came, the mist disappeared. The figure who rose looked nothing like sweet Alice.
She was a cruel looking thing. A hag. A witch. El Bruja.
***
Back at the hotel room Dave Flynn slept soundly while Zaros and Vos sat watching television, waiting for Tiger Mask Red and Brute to return. Vos changed the channel in disgust and finally threw the remote down.
"How can these humans watch that garbage," he growled, "Nothing but a bunch of mindless programs trying to convince you to buy their moronic products."
Zaros cackled with laughter.
"You're just upset because you can't watch porn," the goblin shrieked.
Vos took a swing at his partner, but Zaros ducked the sea creature's blow and scrambled away, laughing as he went. He thought of going in pursuit of the mouthy goblin, but thought better of it. A trashed hotel room would bring nothing but wrath down upon both of them from Master Brute. Reluctantly, he sat back down and crossed his arms.
"So what if I did," he said, "a monster has needs too. If the Master hadn't caught me, I would have taken that lovely woman back with me to my cave and made her my wife."
"Yeah, yeah," Zaros replied, rummaging through a suitcase, "and if he hadn't caught me, I would have ruined Christmas for the family he was staying with. What's your point? We're both stuck in his service until he releases us. We might as well make the best of it."
The goblin squealed with glee. His partner turned and saw Zaros pull a black permanent marker from the bag. He turned to Dave and started giggling with delight.
"What are you doing," Vos asked, as the goblin jumped on the bed and crouched next to the man who was technically their boss, "Master Brute will kill you if anything happens to him."
Zaros held up a finger.
"No, he told us to make sure no one hurts him. He said nothing about playing a innocent little joke on him though."
Vos sat there for a moment before saying.
"Are there anymore markers in that bag?"
***
"¡Cómo te atreves a convocarme!"
(How dare you summon me!)
El Bruja screamed in anger, looking at her damaged hand before looking at the perpetrator smiling smugly at her. For forty years she had hid herself from the world, here in her little sanctuary. No one had suspected a thing, not the mobs that had hunted her for years, not the priests that prayed God`s wrath upon her, not even the patrons who swore her food must have been magic and never questioned how she was able to do the things she did. Jolly Ms. Alice had been the perfect guise to take and forget her troubles, but this boy had undone her. Only one other time had someone found her out and she had left her mark on both him and his son.
She gave out a gasp. He might be wearing a mask, but she recognised the smell of him. It was him! El Bruja smiled in evil delight.
"Eres el chico roto cuyo padre me trajo hace muchos años. Dime niño, ¿cómo va tu padre?"
(You are the boy whose father brought to me all those years ago, Tell me child, how does your father fare?)
Tiger stared at her, his face grim.
"Todavía vive, aunque nos cree todos los personajes en las historias de alguien."
(We still lives, although he believes us all characters in someone's stories.)
She cackled with cruel pleasure. Her services always came with a price. People were willing to pay it but rarely understood the consequences.
"¿Has venido a devolverles el favor y quieres ayudarlo?"
(Have you come to return the favor them and want to help him?)
Tiger laughed out loud. The sound caught her off guard and El Bruja found herself taking a step back from him despite herself. He wiped a tear from his masked face and looked at her.
"Puede que me haya criado pero no es un padre para mí. Que sufra en su locura, no me importa."
(He may have raised me but he is no father to me. Let him suffer in his madness, I do not care.)
She looked puzzledly at both of them, trying to gleam some information from their faces but could find nothing. Their masks hid much from her. El Bruja cursed God under her breath, it had been the luchadores, blessed by His power that had caused her to flee and it was the power of their masks that had prevented her from defeating them.
"¿Qué quieres de mí entonces?"
(What do you want from me then?)
Without removing his eyes from her, Tiger replied.
"Deshacer lo que me hiciste."
(Undo what you did to me.)
She stared at him for a moment then started to howl with laughter. He must be a bigger fool than he looked to ask her to do so. An even bigger fool if he thought she would.
She was about to put an end to this charade and finish the both of them off with one attack when she hit full on with a blast of fire that knocked her to the floor. Scrambling to her feet, she prepared an attack but halted as she saw Tiger Mask Red standing before her with fire glowing in his hands. When he spoke again, the words were hard and full of power.
"No preguntaré de nuevo."
(I will not ask again.)
El Bruja hissed in fear, Japanese magic, she recognised it anywhere. There was more to this boy than she had originally perceived. She found herself taking a second look at the giant and the fear in her gut grew. If the behemoth was who she believed he was, the boy walked in powerful company. She licked her lips nervously before speaking.
"Habrá un precio."
(There will be a price.)
A bag was thrown at her feet. She bent down and opened it. Five heart and clown noses. She looked up at the boy with new found respect. Yes there was much more to him indeed.
With a wave of her hand El Bruja made the bag of clown hearts disappear. Reaching into her pocket with her good hand she pulled out a black bean.
"Esto deshacer lo que se ha hecho. Te advierto de las consecuencias, pero ya no eres un niño débil."
(This will undo what has been done. I would warn you of the consequences, but you are no weak little boy anymore. )
She placed it upon the counter and stepped away from it.
"Todo lo que pido es que no lo entiendas. Déjame en paz ahora y déjame volver a dormir."
(All I ask is that you do not take it hear. Leave me in peace now and let me go back to sleep.)
Tiger Mask Red stepped forward, never taking his eyes from her, a fireball ready in case she tried anything, and scooped the bean off the counter. He placed it in his pocket, for further inspection later and backed away. When he reached the table he held out his hand and Brute gave him one of the chocolate bars, which he promptly threw to the witch.
"Gracias, vieja. Por favor, acepte esto como una muestra de mi agradecimiento."
(Thank you, old woman. Please accept this as a token of my thanks.)
El Bruja scooped up the candy bar and ripped it open, before greedily eating it all up. The lights in the diner began to flicker and everything around Tiger and Brute slowly returned to normal. Tiger shook his head, amazed he had made it through this in one piece... so far. When he turned to look at the witch, she was gone, and in her place was Alice rubbing her sore hand.
"Now listen here, you two," she said, "I don't know what your game is. I'm not this El Bruja person you're looking for and I'm feeling awfully tired. So if you two wouldn't mind., I would be eternally grateful if you would leave so I can go get some rest."
Tiger smile. He walked over to her and gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"We're so sorry to bother you, Alice. You're absolutely right, we had the wrong person. We'll just do play a song on the juke box and we'll be on our way."
***
Vos and Zaros will laughing at their handiwork when they heard the toilette flush in the washroom. Quickly they threw the markers back in the suitcase and sat back down in their chairs, pretending as if nothing had happened.
A moment later Tiger, now holding his mask in his hand, and Brute stepped out of the washroom. The giant looked around and nodded. All appeared well. He waved at his proteges and they rushed past him into the washroom. Brute addressed his young friend before he left.
"I am Brute?"
The young man nodded.
"Yeah, I'm sure," he replied, "This is the only way I'm going to learn the truth."
He saw the concern in the way the giant stood looking at him.
"I'll be fine, this is nothing I didn't go through as a child. You and I have done the research, we both know I'm strong enough now to deal with this now."
He pulled the bean from his pocket and threw it in his mouth. He swallowed it quickly before he could second guess himself and walked over to his bed.
"Get out of here," he told Brute, "If I'm wrong, then you're only a phone call away and you can expect to hear from a frantic Dave in a few hours.
He climbed into bed and pulled the covers over himself.
"Go," he said, pointing his friend to the washroom, "make sure Charlie and Haruto are safe. If anything has happened to them, you'll have me to deal with."
The giant chuckled and turned to go. Moments later the toilette flushed and he and his protégés were gone. Tiger didn't even hear it, the power of the bean was already working and he was fast asleep. More importantly he was doing something he had not done since he was eight, dream.
***
An alarm went off the next morning and Dave sat up, feeling oddly refreshed. What had he been drinking last night? Whatever it was, he needed to get his hands on more of it. Getting up, he walked over to his cousin's bed and shook him.
"Come on, Eli. You're appointment with Dr. Hartley is in a few hours."
His cousin mumbles something about French toast and rolled over.
Dave shook his head. His cousin could be really lazy at times. Leaving him for a few minutes, Dave walked into the washroom to do his morning and big his morning routine. Flushing the toilette, he walked over to the sink to wash his hands and looked at himself in the mirror.
It was Dave's scream that finally woke his cousin up. He jumped out of bed and rushed into the washroom.
"What's wrong," he asked.
Dave turned to his cousin, who tried not to laugh. His face was covered in black pen and he now had glasses, a mustache and a mutton chop sideburns.
"Um, Eli, exactly what happened last night?"