CHAPTER 40: THE NIGHTMARE ON BARBIE'S BIRTHDAY.

continued from Chapter 39, Episode Nine. Scroll down to read all of Episode Nine, or click on the "May" link to right.

Where is Barbie? What mysterious things are going on at the Ratchet house? Summoned by little Alice Ratchet via her best friend Mikey, the Smalls come to the door to investigate.

They find quite a crowd in the foyer and living room, male and female, young and old.

Jeff Small extends his hand to Henry. "So, I hear you've got a famous guest."

"Oh, hi, Major Small. It's nice of you to come. Are you a fan of Barbie's?"

"By marriage only. So she is here."

"In the plastic. Right now she's visiting with Aunt Betty in the kitchen. We're going to surprise her. It's her birthday, you know."

"So I heard. I guess she should be ready to collect social security by now."

At that moment there is another knock at the door. Mabel, who is nearest, opens the door.

"We got a call that there's a problem here."

"A problem? Here?"

"Something about bad guys after Barney. Would that be Barney, the purple dinosaur? Or Barney, the guy who lives next door to the Flintstones?"

"Officer, that was us, we called. And it's not Barney they're after, it's Barbie."

"Barbie who?"

"Surely you've heard of Barbie, the famous fashionista...the iconic image of improbable feminity?"

"The symbol of the excesses of the 20th Century? The triumph of capitalism? The original material girl?"

"I know Barbie! She was my idol when I was growing up. She was such an inspiration to me and all my friends! I used to make myself throw up after every meal so I could have a wasp-waist just like her."

"Oh, her! Down at the shop, we call her the Hate Crime Magnet. It used to be just your run of the mill mutilations and careless accidents --you know, arms pulled off and like--the work of immature criminal minds. Pervs-in-training, we called them.

"But lately there's been a rash of sophisticated attacks. Yesterday we found a number of Barbie look-a-likes with their heads ripped off. The diabolical work of some insane monster who apparently likes to switch them to other bodies. Just a hobby, she confessed. Can you believe it?

"And last week? Horrible. Called to the scene where someone had thrown polish remover in a Barbie clone's face to obliterate all her features. You'll never guess the motive! Turns out, the perp didn't like her looks, wanted to give her a re-painting. " [shudder] "The implasticanity of it! Try to imagine the excruciating pain of having your eyebrows burned off hair by hair, your eyes dripping off your head like melting wax, your mouth slowly fading as you soundlessly scream."

"Daddy!"

"It's all right, honey, the nice policeman has been watching too many late movies. (Thanks for the nightmares, Officer)."

"It makes you wonder if there really is Someone Up There watching over us. How could any Higher Being allow these kinds of atrocities to happen?"

Hey! It's all a matter of perspective. One person's atrocity is another's hobby.

to be continued....

EPISODE NINE: "BARBIE'S BIRTHDAY ESCAPADE"

Chapters 30-38

CHAPTER 30: BARBIE'S 50TH BIRTHDAY BASH

Barbie's birthday is a national holiday in Plasticopia.

That afternoon at the Small house...

"Yum. What's the occasion?"

"Oh, hi, sweetie. Back from class already? I thought I'd make a cake to celebrate Barbie's birthday. It's her fiftieth, you know. A big one."

"Actually, I had forgotten. As they say, ignorance is bliss."

"Oh, come on. She's a national celebrity. Millions of girls have grown up with her as a role model."

"Exactly. That's why they have such distorted body images and spend six times more on makeup in their lifetime than they do on books."

"Say, what's this? You've been shopping?"

"Just something I picked up for Mikey for Barbie's Day. Wanted to surprise her."

"You bought her a Barbie doll?"

"Every little girl needs a Barbie. "

"For what? Target practice?"

"I really don't know what you have against her. "

"She's a horrible role model for young girls, that's what. What does she teach them? That they should be anorexic bimbos whose only thought is what skimpy clothing they should change into next?"

"Barbie is not a bimbo! Why, she's done more in her lifetime than most women."

"Like what?"

"Well, she's been an astronaut and a baby doctor and a teacher and a secretary and she's even run for president. How many women can say that?"

"All a publicity stunt. The woman has nothing between her ears."

"Here's Mitzi. Let's see what she thinks."

"We're talking about Barbie. I say she's a waste of space which could be better used for other things. Like a recycle bin. What do you say?"

"Oh, speaking of Barbie, guess what! They're throwing a surprise birthday party for her at the coffee shop."

"No! How exciting!"

"Yes. It seems it was an old hang-out, a real coffee house, back in the 'beat' days -- you know, with poetry readings and skinny guys with goatees in black turtlenecks and berets. So every year her friends throw her a surprise party at the coffee shop."

"Does she ever catch on?"

"Oh, no, like I told you. Every year it's a surprise. They always come up with some excuse to get her there and she never suspects."

"I rest my case."

"Well, I gotta run."

"Bye, Maggie."

"Randi is in the living room playing with Doolittle, okay? I probably won't be back until late. Can she sleep over?"

"Of course. We'll have our own little party. So have fun! You are so lucky to be the in the same room with the Fashion Icon herself. Do you think you could get her autograph? Remember all the details so you can tell us tomorrow."

"I'll try. Ta-ta."

And a little later....

Barbara's friends have all gathered at the coffee shop for her surprise party.

There's plenty of snacks to fuel the gay spirits while they wait for Barb to arrive.

Mitzi and Sharon are manning the business end of the party, pouring drinks and refilling food trays.

Mitzi is fascinated by the glamorous and sophisticated guests, so well-preserved, even though they are all at least middle-aged, if not dead. When no one else is in earshot, she plies Sharon with questions.

"Who's the handsome older gent in the straw bowler?"

Sharon is familiar with them all, after many years of surprise birthday parties for Barbie. "Oh, that's Ken. He was Barbie's first boyfriend. For a long time he was her steady. They've dated on and off through the years, but now I hear they're just friends, although--to tell the truth--I think he's still got the hots for her. Doesn't he seem a little forlorn to you?"

"Why didn't they marry?"

"Who knows? Maybe because Barbie wasn't always faithful. See that fellow next to Ken?"

"Yeah."

"That's Joe. Barbie dated him occasionally, when Ken wasn't available. Quite frankly, I would have gone with Joe straight-away. He's a lot more buff. "

"She likes her men blond, I guess."

"Usually, but she also had a soft spot for dark and handsome. Take the guy in hot pink, the one talking to Dorothy..."

"Barbie had a lttle thing going with him back in the 70s. I see he still likes those psychedelic colors. I guess if something works for you, you stick with it."

"What is Dorothy doing here? She must be at least ninety."

"More like a hundred. But Dorothy was quite popular when Barbie was young. All through the sixties and seventies she starred in an annual production about her trip to Oz. It was quite the adventure; there are some who think she never actually went to Oz...except in her own head. Who knows what she was smoking."

"How about the guy in black? What's his story? His makeup is almost as heavy as the lady next to him."

"Sometimes I forget what a baby you are. That's Elvis. He was a contemporary of Barbie. He died a number of years back--or so the rumor goes--but they bring him back every year for the celebration. So of course every year the makeup gets heavier."

"No wonder he seems so stiff."

"And the redhead?"

"That's Lucy. Also a contemporary."

"I like the outfit."

"For sure. They knew how to dress back then."

to be continued....

CHAPTER 31: THE WAY WE WERE.

When last we left our dear readers, it was Barbie's 50th birthday, and all her friends and well-wishers were waiting for her to grace the festivities at the Daily Grind Coffee Shop, where they had been throwing surprise birthday parties for their beloved Barbie for the past fifteen years.

Of course, that was back before Swine Flu reared its piggy head to frighten the world. Back before torture was officially called torture.

Back when Plasticopians were still innocent, and the world was a kinder, softer place.

Barbie's birthday is history, now. Just another story in the Book of Barbie.

Whoosh!

It's a dark and stormy night.

The wind is raging and wailing at the Ratchet home, deep in the Northern Hemisphere.

But inside, all is calm. Supper is over, the dishes neatly tucked away.

Betty is planning the next week's meals while America plays nearby.

Baby Adam is snuggled in his bed.

The older children are doing homework -- good obedient Anna in the livingroom.

The other two in the quiet of their rooms...

Oh, my. That doesn't look like homework. Poor dear sweet little Alice, so easily distracted from the straight and narrow path that her sister trods with such a sure tread. What is to become of her?

And Henry? I'm afraid he finds school entirely irrelevant; that term paper seems very dull indeed when his latest love interest is only a phone call away.

Yes, it is life as usual in the Ratchet household as the clock strikes eight.

None suspecting that their very ordinary lives are about to change, for at that very moment a stranger stands upon their doorstep, seeking shelter from the storm.

To be continued....

CHAPTER 32: A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE

It is a quiet evening at the Ratchet home, in spite of the storm raging outside. It is also Barbie's 50th birthday. Not that the Ratchets would notice. They are non-believers and so don't celebrate the occasion.

At precisely eight p.m., Laskan time, there is a rap at the front door. The sound is nearly lost in the chiming of the cuckoo clock and the wail of the wind heard through the walls.

Certainly Henry hears nothing. He is oblivious to everything but the video playing on his laptop and the strange ache in the pit of his stomach that he thinks is love.

Alice is listening for only one sound -- the sound of her sister's approaching footsteps -- as she explores Anna's toiletries.

But Betty Ratchet, who can pick out the whimper of a baby at a rock concert, hears the knock.

Just then she is distracted, so she calls, as mothers everywhere are wont to do: "Will someone please answer that door?!"

Anna, who is nearest, looks up from her homework. "I'll get it!"

She opens the door. A cloaked figure greets her, the face lost in the shadows of the hood.

"Hello," says the stranger through teeth that chatter from the cold. "I'm lost...and chilled through and through...and very hungry. I wonder if I could come in and warm myself for just a moment."

After her initial surprise, Anna remembers her manners. "Of course. Come in."

"Thank you."

As the stranger steps into the entry, the cloak falls open, revealing what is beneath...or rather, what isn't.

Anna's eyes are as big as saucers and her mouth hangs open.

The stranger jerks the cloak back into place. "What's the matter? Haven't you ever seen anyone in their birthday suit before?"

"Not in this weather. No wonder you're so cold."

"Well I was on my way to a bathing party..." Having thus explained, the stranger glances around. "Nice maison. Are you the only one home?"

Just at that moment, Betty calls. "Who is it, dear?"

"It's a stranger in their birthday suit!"

"Oh?"

Betty comes around the corner. "Excuse me. Can we help you?"

"Just with a moment's shelter from the storm. And perhaps I could use your phone? I believe that my life may be in grave danger."

"Your life will be in grave danger if you are flashing my children."

"Flashing?"

Betty hands over America before turning to confront the stranger.

"My daughter says you're wearing nothing but your birthday suit. Isn't that what you said, Anna?"

"Under the cloak, Mom."

"Oh! You mean this??"

"A bathing suit?!"

"My birthday suit. I was born wearing it. I'm not ashamed to be seen this way. It's how the Great Manufacturer made me."

"But why are you wearing it on a day like this...oh, I get it! You're one of those Barbie groupies. You're going to a Barbie-look-alike contest."

"Me? No, I am Barbie. Barbara, really, but no one calls me that."

"Ha! Then what are you doing here?"

"Seeking help! I think someone is trying to do me harm. Oh, please, can you help me?"

To be continued...

CHAPTER 33 : STRANGER THAN FICTION

Cont. from Chapter 32

Betty Ratchet's heart is touched by the terror-stricken eyes of her unexpected guest. Or is that smeared mascara? In any case, she extends a helping hand.

"Let's go in the kitchen and talk. You can tell me all about it."

She reaches to take the cloak from her guest, only to find it totally soaked. "Anna, will you run upstairs and get the robe hanging in my closet? We can't have Barbara here catching her death of cold."

Anna is only too happy to oblige. "I can hardly wait to tell all my friends that Barbie's at our house. In her birthday suit, even."

"Henry! Alice! Guess what?"

"You'll be safe in this house. No one will even know you're here."

"...yeah, just like all the pictures. Really big ones. Huh? They look all natural to me. Pure plastic. Tell everybody to come...the team, the whole gang. Yep. Over at my house. Right away."

plink..plink ...plink...

"I want the phone after you're done. I have to call Lindsey, Teresa, Alissa, Marissa, and Kerilynn."

Betty guides her guest into the dining alcove where she closes the curtains against the storm. "There. No prying eyes can see you in here."

She puts the teapot on the stove.

"I have to say this, Barbara. You hardly look your age. A little stiff in the joints and that cupid's bow mouth went out of style in the 1930s. But other than that, you look like you were born yesterday."

"Thank you, Betty. I have good genes. Well, I don't know if I have any genes, actually. But I do have a chemical make-up that is anti-aging. You know we Plastic People will be around long after all other forms of life have faded from the earth."

"I've heard that said before. Some say Plastic People are the new link in the evolutionary chain, particularly resistant to the effects of global warming and environmental pollution."

"Nature always comes up with a solution to any problem."

"You're very wise."

"Well, I am 50. And I was born fully grown, so you can add on another seventeen or eighteen years. Let's see...that would make me...67 or 68. Old enough to have seen many fashions come and go. "

"You've come a long way, Barbara."

"Yes, I have. Especially considering I was born with nothing upstairs. Brains were considered a total waste in a girl, you know, back in 1959. So my head was left totally empty. Then along came the 1970s, and women were expected to have careers. As you may be aware, there are few career choices for those without brains: store window mannequin, Miss Calliefornya, politician. That kind of thing. I wanted to be a doctor, or an astronaut, or a teacher, all of which require at least some grey matter. So I had a brain implant. In fact, I've had several brain augmentations over the years."

"So tell me, Barbara, why do you think you're in danger?"

"I have many enemies, you know. It seems like anytime somebody's unhappy with something in life, they blame it on me. Supposedly I've ruined three generations of young girls, all of whom wanted nothing more than to grow up to look like me, thus setting them up for a lifetime of frustration and depression. "

"That's so unfair. Maybe those people should spend less time blaming you and more time being positive role models themselves."

"Exactly my thinking. But people love to have someone to hate. I've been beheaded, burned at the stake, dismembered, and had my hair pulled out by the roots. All in effigy of course. But I often feel that I'm living on borrowed time."

"I think I read something about that. It's all so sad. So what happened tonight?"

"Well, I was invited to join some friends for a swimming party. That's why I'm wearing my birthday suit. I was riding in a cab to the location I was given when I started thinking. You see, I recognized that address ... it's not a swimming pool, it's a coffee shop! I know it well, for I've had several birthday parties there. But why would anyone in their right mind have a swimming party in a coffee shop?"

"That is a puzzler."

"So I put 2 and 2 together and realized that I was being lured to the coffee shop--not for a swimming party--but for some other nefarious purpose. I had the cabbie stop and jumped out and ran off through the neighborhood. I was terribly afraid that he was in on the plot and would follow me, or tell my assasins what happened and they would come after me. I saw the light in your window and thought you might provide me some sanctuary. And the rest of the story you know."

"Have a cookie. It will make you feel better."

"Thank you, you're so kind. I think I'm going to cry."

To be continued....

CHAPTER 34: THE PLOT THICKENS.

Continued from Chapter 33.

While Barbie is being comforted at the Ratchet home, supper has just concluded in the Small household. Margaret has dishes detail while Mabel is getting little Randi into her pajamas.

"Daddy?"

"What is it, Pumpkin?"

"Can I go over to Alice's house?"

"At this time of night? Besides, it's storming out."

"She called me and she wants me to come over really bad."

"But Sweetheart, we were going to have some cake. Here's your mother now. What occasion did you say it was, dear?"

"Barbie's 50th birthday."

"Oh, right. How could I forget? You don't want to miss that, Mikey."

"But...but Barbie is over at Alice's house."

"Barbie is where?"

"Alice says Barbie is at her house. She got lost or something and came to their house dressed only in a cape and her birthday suit."

"Really?"

"Her birthday suit? Is this show x-rated?"

"It's a cultural thing, dear. Those famous models have their own peculiar ways. We mustn't judge."

"So can I go? I never met Barbie before. She's like a top super model, Mom. She's been on all the magazine covers."

"That's true, Mabel. Even the swimsuit issue of Ports Illustrated."

"Well! If she's really at the Ratchet house, maybe we should all go. I've never met Barbie in person either, but I've admired her all my life. I'll call Betty to see if it's all right."

Margaret gets Mikey to help her carry the dishes to the sink. "Are you girls pulling her leg?"

"Honest. That's what Alice said, and she doesn't lie."

"I sure hope you're telling the truth, for your sake. It all sounds fishy to me. Anyway, Barbie is supposed to be at her surprise birthday party at the coffee shop. With Mitzi."

"Well, she got lost."

"That doesn't surprise me. The only thing between her ears is hairspray. I'm sure she couldn't find her way out of a Blomingdale's bag."

Mabel, meanwhile, has been trying to call Betty. "I can't get through. The phone is busy...or maybe off the hook. "

"Oh, probably they just cut the phone lines."

"Who cut the phone lines?"

"The bad guys. The ones who are after Barbie."

"Bad guys are after Barbie? You didn't tell us that."

"Whoops. I guess I forgot to mention it. Alice says Barbie's in mortal danger."

"Is her dad there?"

"Nope. Alice said he went off to the pub with his buddies to look for work again."

"I'm going over there right away. Jeff, you'll have to come. We'll call the police on the way."

"I'm coming. Alice invited me. I want to see Barbie."

"I'm coming. No way I'm missing this."

"We can't take the kids into harm's way."

"But, Da-a-ad. They probably bugged our phones and they'll come here looking for us, too. Dead men tell no tales."

"Who would bug our phones?"

"Homeland Security, Uncle Jeff. I'm sure Barbie is high on their list of undesireable people. She's got all kinds of international connections, relatives in just about every country, and its well known that she made charitable contributions to Middle East terrier organizations. Now that we're mixed up in it (thanks to Alice and Co. ), we could all suffer mysterious accidents. Or be locked up incommunicado for years."

"Yes, Dear. It's safer if we stick together. We'll all go."

"All right, but let's not do anything silly."

"Silly? Us? Ha ha."

Continued in Chapter 35.

CHAPTER 35 :Where's Barbie?

Continuation of Episode Nine

At the Daily Grind Coffee Shop, where Barbie's surprise birthday party is underway, the guests have eaten and drunk and loosened up a bit.

It is getting late, and still Barbie has failed to show.

While waiting for the guest of honor to arrive, they have managed to pass the time, each in his or her own way. Whoops. It looks like that Mexican hat dance was a little too complicated for Marilyn's tipsy feet.

"That's a lovely dress. Although I'm sure someone has already told you that it makes you look fat."

"You know, I was thinking much the same thing. Too bad red is not your color."

"So what's with the Santa hat...?"

"I used to have some really good parties. There was this one we had Prince Charley and what's her name-- the frumpy one? And the governors of four states, and also Brad Pott and Angelina Belle... am I boring you?"

Duh. Name dropper.

Mitzi is exhausted.

Ken is pensive.

He finds himself confiding in the staff.

"She's three hours late. I'm worried about her."

"Maybe she didn't get the message."

"Oh, yes, I'm sure she did. Of course we told her it was a swimming party, so she wouldn't get suspicious."

"Hmmm. Where did you tell her this swimming party was at?"

"Here, of course."

"Me thinks therein lies the problem. Maybe she thought somebody was pulling her leg and decided not to give them the satisfaction of seeing her fall for it."

"Who? Barbie? Impossible. She was made without a brain."

How sweet, he really does still care about her.

Continued in Chapter 36, most recent post at top of page.

CHAPTER 36: HELP IS ON THE WAY

cont. from Chapters 30-35

"Oh, I hope we're not too late."

"Don't worry, Mabel. Everything is going to be all right. The police will probably be there before we are. "

"At least the storm has died down."

"Is that car following us?"

"If not, it seems to be going the exact same route."

"Geez. There must be six cars tagging along behind us. At this time of night! On a quiet residential street. What's going on?"

"Let's head that way and see if they follow us. We'll circle back."

"Whew. They've all kept going. I guess we were getting paranoid. But there sure are a lot of cars going that same way."

"Strange. Must be some big event."

They drive on.

"There's the house...who are all these people?"

"My goodness, maybe we're crashing a party."

to be continued....

CHAPTER 37:

WHAT'S THAT RACKET AT THE RATCHETS?

The Smalls pull up to the Ratchet house only to find that a crowd has gathered.

Perplexed, they stare at the shadowy figures congregating on the front porch.

Suddenly Mikey pipes up. "Dad!" She points at someone in the crowd.

"I know that girl. It's Courtney! She's in my class. Maybe Alice called her, too. "

"I'm going to call Mitzi. I don't know what's going on here, but Barbie is supposed to be at the Coffee Shop. Perhaps Mitzi knows something."

Meanwhile, inside the Ratchet house, Betty and Barbara are having a little girl talk in the kitchen.

"Are those lashes real?"

"As real as I am."

Barbie reaches for another cookie, then suddenly freezes. "Your doorbell. Someone has followed me!"

"Oh, it's probably just one of Henry's friends, come to copy some homework. Henry!!"

"I'll get it!!"

"Hey! Hi guys. You made it."

"Is she here?"

"In the kitchen. Everybody come in, but be real quiet. The baby's sleeping."

"Where is she? Is she as beautiful as they say?"

"Everyone. Shhhh. You can go on into the living room."

And they keep coming.

"Welcome. Come in. Come in."

"Do I hear people talking and laughing?"

"Goodness, you certainly are edgy. Someone must have turned on the television."

And not so very far away. "Hard to believe that we're all going to meet Barbie very soon.

"When I was in high school, I used to keep pictures of her in that hot zebra-striped bathing suit inside the covers of my notebook."

"Hey. You too?"

to be continued....

CHAPTER 38: What a party!

Back at the Daily Grind Coffee Shop, the party has continued. Everyone seems to be getting into the spirit, whether on the table...

or under it.

"Burp. Whudya say this stuff is cawed...burp...called? I's good."

"That's Metameatavegamin, honey. Very addicting, so be careful...

...oops, too late. Oh, well, enjoy the ride. Watch out for those flying monkey thingies, and if everything turns emerald green, it's a sign you're about to puke your insides out."

"Now where were we? Oh, yes, if we add false lashes it will bring out your eyes, and a little blush on the cheeks...ohhh, we're gonna have so much fun. Are you sure you haven't done this before?"

"Whoopsie. The floor keeps moving. Are we still at sea?"

"Thanks for catching me. It's Ken, isn't it? Are you still broken up with the frigid one?"

"Rigid. It's not her fault she has no elbows or knees."

"It must make it hard to feed herself."

"It makes for entertaining, in a kindergarten food fight kind of way."

"Anybody want to see my moon walk?"

Mitzi has given up on the chance to meet Barbie. Clearly, she is not making an appearance. Already some are planning the after-party parties.

You want to come to my place and see my etch-a-sketch?"

"We're gonna have lots of fun together. I've got a hot tub. Now which one of you is Sugar and which one is Spice?"

Sharon is beginning to think wistfully of a warm bath and a pleasant half-hour reading in bed.

Her musings are interrupted by the ring of a phone.

CHAPTER 39: A TIME TO PARTY AND A TIME TO REST

Barbie's 50th Birthday Bash is winding down.

"I'll get her home. Happens every year. At least we get lots of time to rest where we come from."

"Thanks for grabbing my phone. Probably Mabel wondering if I remembered to get Barbie's autograph."

"Hi, Mabel. What's up? Of course it's noisy, it's a party. Barbie? No, never showed. Why? At the Ratchets house? What would she be doing there?"

"Mabel says Barbie is at a friend's home. Something about bad guys chasing her."

"Barbie? My Barb....I mean our Barbie?"

"Bad guys?"

"Is this some kind of practical joke?"

While Mitzi and Sharon and Ken are pondering the news about Barbie, the party is breaking up. Some guests are getting into their wraps.

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Your friend over there is totally jealous."

"What were you two whispering about?"

"We were just discussing how you ought to be on the Big Screen. As lovely as you are, it's amazing you haven't been discovered."

"Sigh. Alone again. I'd give anything to make the tabloids. Maybe if I didn't wear any underwear."

"What's so fascinating in there?"

"I just can't believe she drank every drop. You may not know it, Pretty Boy, but this stuff is like 450-proof. It's the secret ingredient in rocket fuel. They don't call it tornado-juice for nothing!"

"Wow! Dorothy must have been flying! Betcha that was one heckuva trip. "

"Ladies, I think I should go over there and make sure Barb's okay. Do you have the address?"

"I can take you there. Do you mind if I leave you here alone, Sharon? I could come in early and clean up."

"I do mind. If there are bad guys, both of you are total lightweights, and the last thing I want is to be called out later tonight to identify your bodies. I'm going with you."

"What about her?"

"Turbulence! Hang on!"

"Whoops. Fasten your seat belts."

"Golly! That was a rough landing."

"I didn't want to say it in front of Ken, but Mabel says Barbie showed up at the Ratchet house in her birthday suit. Do you think she's come unhinged?"

"Fame carries a heavy price. The prying media! And the fickle fans! It makes celebrities crazy. Especially the vulnerable ones."

"Poor Barbie! She never really had a childhood."

"Never knew what it was like to walk down the street without people turning to stare."

Only a few guests remain in the Coffee Shop. "Wake up. Wake up. The party's over."

"Huh? You're back? Is this a nightmare?"

"I don't think so, but I'll leave that to history to judge."

"Get away from me, or you'll see the wrong end of this shoe."

"Yeah, right, I've heard that before. Go ahead, throw it. You wanna see how fast I can duck?"

Sharon dims the lights and the last of the guests take their leave.

"I've come back for Marilyn."

"But I don't want to go home yet."

"Come on, Sweetie. You know what happens if we don't get you back to your resting place before the stroke of midnight. When the spell ends, it isn't going to be pretty."

"I'll be back next year. Don't forget me."

Continue to Chapter 40.....