literature

Vignette - Warehouse Mixup 4

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Literature Text

Keeley sat on a stool in the toy store's surprisingly large office. She was slumped over slightly, arms dangling down and head cocked just to the side. She could not, of course, move. Since whatever spell had affected her, Keeley had only one brief and beautiful moment when she could move. And then her key had been taken back out and left her motionless at the mercy of a toy store owner.

He sat across from her, and she had just a partial glimpse of his body and face. He sat pensively, worried lines across his forehead. He held Keeley's golden key in his hand and she desperately wanted it back. Keeley was sure she could explain her situation to him, and he would help. But she needed to move first. Talk first.

And after an intolerable time of waiting, the man stood up and gently slid the golden key into Keeley. She felt her body come to life. She felt her heart beat and lungs breathe. Her muscles all over relaxed, though her fingers remained strangely stuck together. But what was more, her key actually turned now that it was fully attached.

Keeley sat up, slowly and cautiously, but with a wide smile that wasn't just forced onto her face. "Oh, thank you so much." She said to the man.

He frowned and scratched his head as he sat back down across from her. "Can you explain to me what the hell is going on with you?"

Keeley nodded and did her best, telling the man all she knew. And when she was done, she finished with: "So, now that you know, you can help me get back home. I'm sure once I'm there, I can figure things out and get fixed."

The man said nothing for a distressingly long time, holding his fingers up to his mouth as he listened and thought.

"Trouble is," he said finally, "That I paid a lot of money to get a display doll here."

Keeley's smile faltered. "But, you heard my story. I'm not a display doll. I'm human. I need your help to get home."

"I never said I wouldn't," the man said.

"I'm confused."

"I'll make you a deal: until I receive your replacement, you will act like an animatronic doll for my store."

Keeley crossed her stiff arms across her chest. She couldn't really believe she was even considering his offer, but she also felt like she had little choice. "But you have to order the replacement as soon as possible."

The man nodded. "And you will stay frozen at night. No wandering around to mess with my shop."

"But in return," Keeley said, "When the real display doll comes in, you will help me get back home." Then Keeley realized something and she raised her hand, "AND you can't sell me or get rid of me until you send me home."

"Of course. You help me, and I'll make sure you get home."

Keeley bit her lip. Was there something she was forgetting? She hated that she would have to be the store's doll. She hated that she would have to act like a toy. But she saw no other way around it. He wanted a display doll, and it would take at least three days to get a new one. And Keeley, as much as she hated it, couldn't get home without his help.

She finally put out her white gloved hand and he met it. "Deal." They said together.

Pink light and smoke seemed to rise up from their joined hands. Keeley's eyes went wide: it was the same damned smoke that had turned her into what she was. This time, however, it rose up and covered both of them in a thin layer of pink dust that faded into both of their skins.

Something changed inside Keeley. The deal she had bargained for seemed to seep deeply into her mind. It became part of her. She blinked at looked up at her Owner. Owner? Was that right? Keeley wanted to ask about it, but her jaw remained stubbornly shut. She wanted to move, but her body was once again locked in place. The key was in her back, spinning quietly and smoothly, but she couldn't move.

It was happening all over again, but this time was so much worse. This time it wasn't a brainless robot that treated her like a doll, it was a real person. She felt a constant tightness in her chest that was a spot of worry. Keeley had agreed to be owned and to be a display doll. That seemed all the worse than other people treating her like a toy because it meant that, on some level, Keeley agreed with them.

Calm down, Keeley thought, this is only temporary. My owner will help me.

"Did it work?" Owner asked, looking at Keeley quizzically.

She nodded with a short, almost-robotic, motion.

"Let's see how you work." Owner said, "Wave to me."

Keeley responded by bringing her right hand up and making an efficient, royal wave. She would have gulped if she could. Keeley didn't direct her hand to move like that. It just did automatically. The tightness in her chest seemed to grow in size.

"Salute for me."

All at once, Keeley stood up and snapped her boots together. She gave her Owner a precise and sharp salute with a broad doll smile. She felt humiliated inside. The box, somehow, was almost better than this. That was, until her Owner returned Keeley a shorter version of her same salute. He smiled and nodded. She looked at the man she kept thinking of as Owner. He seemed a kind sort of man, worried as much about his customers as his toys. And for that Keeley, herself more than half way to being a toy, was glad.

"Very good, doll."

Oh. God. Oh, no. Did I not even tell him my name? Keeley thought.

"Now," Owner said, "march to the display stand in the front of the store."

She nodded, turned, and made a stiff-legged march to her display stand where she would see and greet passersby and customers. Where she would stand, smile, wave, and salute until a new doll came to replace her. She marched with purpose and worry in her mind. Still, though Keeley desperately preferred to be hidden away in her box, she had made a deal and she had to obey her Owner.

Keeley the Toy Soldierette took up her post at the front of the toy store.
First impressions didn't go as planned, but surely Keeley can reason with the toy shop owner. Surely.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
© 2017 - 2024 Senor-Refresho
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CocoStrawbunny's avatar
This ever getting updated?