Phillip crept down the hall. It was lined with dusty old portraits of administrative persons wearing distinguished beards and severe glares. Phillip didn't care too much about the school's history, and frankly, the portraits gave him the spooks. He was surely being quiet, but some bumbling drunk idiot was making a rukus. His hall mates could not hold their liquor.
The hall opened at the right into a large room, and continued its hall-like ways about ten feet further down. An elegant and rustic old door loomed to the left, facing the room. Phillip paused before the wall on his right ended. " Right mates!", he called in what he hoped was a stage whisper, " Be bloody careful here. Outside is just down the hall and 'round the corner!" There was a clatter as something fell to the floor. Phillip tensed and looked intently along his route. He saw a dark shadow dart over the floor at the end of the opposite hall. Phillip jumped back to press himself against the wall, but missed the distance and fell on his rear. He froze. His heart was beating like a firecracker.
Outside, he had run to a far section of wall and tried to scale it. The vines and moss on the stone wall seemed sharply focused in the moonlight. He grunted as he reached the top of the wall. "WHoo hoo!" he called,"Lookit meeee!"
When the morning sun sobered him up, Phillip trudged to the dining hall. He saw some of his hall mates and sat down with them. He tried to take a swig of someone's orange juice, but couldn't seem to catch a grip. The cup just tilted and sloshed juice everywhere. He looked at it closely to try to grasp it correctly. "Phil," gordy george said anxiously, "Phil, you're dead, Phil."
Phillip groans at the memory. A few of the students twitch and look back at him from their seats in detention. Phillip makes a face at them and they turn away. He'd died in November, and still hadn't managed to find a way back into his body. There were two other ghosts at Blue Moon Prep. One of the past presidents, who liked to hang out behind his picture in the hall and eavesdrop on students, and Tommy Tinkler, a whimp of a boy who had died for his own safety. The past president wasn't too bothersome, and his authority and past service kept the current administration from doing anything. Staff had given up on Tommy a decade ago. The insufferable boy was at once a book worm and an idiot. Besides this, he had a nasally voice and was known for taking extra long in the men's room to, well, you get the picture.
Phillip was disgusted by Tommy and bitterly resented him. Tommy spent almost every minute with Phillip and was propagating the idea that they were bosom friends. Phillip had spent his entire winter holiday at the school, with no one but Tommy and teachers for company. He was concerned that his friends would forget him, or think of him in league with Tommy, for their shared disembodied issue. The week before the break, his friends had avoided him at every opportunity, and had complained to the dorm mother when he tried to sleep in his bed. As a ghost, of course, he couldn't really sleep. But Phillip had wanted the familiarity of his life.
His teachers were frustrated with him.They were pressuring him to remember his cause of death, reconnect with his body, and rejoin the living. As it was, he would have to sit through detention daily to answer questions about the lesson books he had read during the day. The headmistress was furious that he had not succeeded by the end of the winter holiday. She assigned extra reading and meetings with the campus priest in the hope of expediting the process. The teachers had lost hope for Tommy tinkler, and so long as he stayed out of their way, they didn't bother to go to the expense of an exorcism. Despite his recently acquired surly attitude, most of the staff wanted Phillip to re-substantiate. He was a promising tennis player and they hoped to have a strong team for competitions later that year. His manner as a ghost was also quite disturbing. No one could place it exactly, but being around Phillip put off their appetites, made them feel queasy, and had started a nervous twitch in one of the students.
Phillip hated getting lectured about reconnecting to his body. He wanted to do so more than they could guess. It wasn't his fault he couldn't remember much of the night very clearly.
The teacher at the front of the class continued briefing the hall leaders on procedure for orienting the new students. Phillip did his best to look interested. Unfortunately, Tommy Tinkler didn't care if he was interested or not. " Hey Philly, " he whispered, levitating upside-down from the ceiling. "We're going to have brilliant fun! Going to school as a ghost is fascinating" Phillip cut him short. " I will not be going to school as a ghost, Tinkler. Leave me alone." The teacher, Mrs. Morgan, glared at the two transparent boys in the back of her room. "Silence!" she commanded. Phillip decided he would stay sitting, no matter how boring the seating procedures of opening ceremonies was. If he left, Tommy would follow him. And Tommy was better at paranormal tricks than Phillip was.
Tommy didn't seem to get the message. He floated sideways until he was crouching next to Phillip's ear. "I can teach you to do that, huh? Levitating. And I know great spots to spy on people. You know you can almost taste food when you put your tongue through it, and--" Phillips had had enough. He doubted ghosts could touch each other, but he hoped the action would at least give him some satisfaction. Phillip turned and swung hard and fast at Tommy. His fist raked through the boy's ghost form like a solid hand moving through smoke. But it felt much thicker, as if Phillip's arm was pushing through mud, and his fingers were liable to fall loose and get stuck in it.
Tommy shivered and levitated himself out the window. Phillip grinned briefly. Now he was free to think. The next day, old and new students would be arriving. He could not stand to be known as Tommy Tinkler's friend, pathetic ghost boy. He'd figure out how to reconnect to his body by the next day, or he'd leave.
Slice of life, Museum reviews, and my experiences abroad.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Adventures at Blue Moon Prep part 1
The adventures at blue moon prep.
Marianne woke up to her cat's claws making a steady piston-like invasion of her stomach.The action was accompanied by a grated purring. Marianne scrubbed hair out of her eyes and whined,"Buttonhole, get off". The sleek leopard like creature drawled out an angry meow and slowly walked off Marianne, by passage of her face. Marianne wasn't too upset though, this would be the last time she saw her cat for a year at least. Marianne stretched and stepped out of bed. She brushed her teeth and put her toiletries into her dressing box, to be attached to her luggage. She sighed as she looked into the mirror as she set her hair for the day, thinking of the wonderful boarding school she was going to attend. She'd learn to be a real lady and wear lace and ride horses and take fencing lessons and dance the Tango and all such exciting and worldly skills. She would hear no more "Bad Marianne." or " Stop bothering me Marianne" or "Marianne, look what trouble you've caused". Marianne was sure she would be entirely well-behaved at school, for she would never be bored and idle. She imagined she would become a young lady with merits and reputation of which her parents would be proud. And that after schooling, she'd court all the fine gentlemen and perhaps engage a prince or dignitary.
Marianne rinsed her face seven times before the cat's pawing at the door became unbearable. She sighed heavily and stomped to the door, thrusting it open angrily. In a haughty voice she lectured, " At the preparatory I am absolutely sure there will no be anyone as impatient as you! No wonder how I have so far turned out, with such a creature as example. There. go on to breakfast, stupid cat." The maid servant Jeannie was cowering behind the door. " 'pologies Miss, but the Master and Missus aren't awake yet, and your train is to be leaving in a scant hour, Miss. I've prepared breakfast and such, though it is against propriety, what with the master and Missus still in bed and all. I don't know what to do to wake them, Miss, but I was just coming by to wake you--" The woman was left talking to thin air with only her severe brown uniform to listen.
Marianne was like a whirlwind. First she entered the marbled and heavily curtained room in which her mother slept, at the end of the hall. It had marvelous large windows overlooking the street. If rooms were not accustomed to remaining in the location where they were built, Marianne was sure her mother would change its situation as often as she updated the decorations to the wild new fashion. Marianne bit back her anger and fueled the energy into speed. She splashed basin water on her sleeping mother, who rose in a shrieking rage. "What!? I'm drowning! Oh heavens! What is this! Who is to be fired today! eh?!" Marianne had fled to the third room to the left, her father's chambers. She paused outside the door, but a nearby clock ticked menacingly and she squared her shoulders and walked inside. Her father had earplugs in. Marianne did not consider any action which would provoke him to anger, as she needed him on her side with no time for explanations. She shook his shoulder. He woke with a start. "Wh-what is it my dear? Is the house on fire? Where is your dressing gown? I didn't spend so much money on it just to have an impressive item on my account book", he muttered, becoming more lucid as he chuckled at his own joke. "Father" Marianne burst, "Father, the train, we will be late!" Her father brushed his mustache with his thumb and forefinger. "Now now. what is the fuss. The house is not on fire? What is this about a train?" Marianne inhaled sharply. She felt she was running more efficiently than a steam-engine with all her pent up emotion coursing through her. "Train for school. Blue Moon Preparatory School. Where I will be absent unless we catch this train! " Her father sniffed and began to ask " When does it ---?" and Marianne, scurrying out the room shouted behind her, " It leaves within the hour. Get dressed and have breakfast! Quickly!"
She hugged Jeannie when the woman told her the carriage was all prepared. Jeannie moved the luggage as Sarah helped Marianne with some tricky hooks and skirts. Twenty minutes later, her mother fluttered into the main hall and called impatiently, "Well look at you two, making us late! Hurry, we need to make a good impression on the neighbors. They cannot see us rushing about!" Marianne dropped her toast and her father set down his tea, briskly folding his morning paper under his arm and placing his traveling hat on his head. They rushed to the door and walked nonchalantly to the carriage, Marianne complaining and darting back and forth impatiently. Once inside, Marianne's mother demanded to know why she hadn't been informed previously. " It was lucky that I had this dress to wear. Imagine if I had been out of my wits and had thrown on any old thing. I'd be a laughing stock. Entirely out of place. As it is, my hair is dreadful and I'm probably unmatched to the event. Where are we going, my dear?"She continued. Marianne began to answer but her mother silenced her. " Be quiet dear, I know you are the horrid culprit of this morning drenching. You shall face your punishment later." Marianne sighed and looked out the window anxiously.
Her father opened his paper and continued to read, ignoring his wife. '" Why do you do that Charles? I just asked you a question! Why its insulting. I'm being treated as a mere bit of furniture by my own husband!" she commented. The man remained stoic until swatted with a fan. " You must tell me what we are doing here, and in such a hurry," she ordered. Charles adjusted his paper and grunted, "A man must know the goings on in the world. If he is not discussing the goings on, he should be reading about it." Marianne offered a meek "a-hem" to the conversation. She felt resentful that her departure to school was so easily forgotten. " Father, Mother, I am going off to school today. We have almost missed the train because-" Her mother interrupted, chiding, "Stop talking out of turn, dear. Its unseemly." She coughed and tugged her sleeves. "Besides," she continued, " You don't leave for school until mid- January. It can't be mid January, for we haven't attended the Pillington's ball, which was to be early January, don't you remember?"
She rapped the roof of the carriage and leaned out the window. "Driver, what is today?"she shouted. The man answered politely, "The thirteenth of January, Madame." "Goodness! Are we headed to the train station?" She responded. The driver made a sharp turn and coughed at the dust. "Yes, We should be arriving shortly Madame." She ducked back into the carriage and smiled. "Well see, there is nothing to worry over Marianne. I must have forgotten, oh yes! We canceled the Pillington's in favor of the Mandrake's. We so rarely get the chance to enter their estate." She continued in this manner, recounting her recent appearances in society, until they reached the station.
As the driver unloaded the luggage, Marianne was met with a new experience. Her mother seemed confused and flustered about what to say. She pulled a handkerchief out and stretched the fabric between her anxious fingers in her lap. "Dear," she began, "Dear, do well in your studies. Think of your reputation. You are fortunate to be going to such a prestigious institution" She paused and surveyed her daughter's ensemble." Oh I wish you had let me help you choose your clothes, dear, you look very stubby and sour in that frock. But I suppose there isn't time now, is there?" Marianne looked eagerly to her father for his parting words. He took a deep breath and twitched his mustache. "Do your father proud, dear. Make good connections, and- Oh!" he said, looking into the throng of people by the train, " Why if it isn't Gerald Custerfield. I must be off to say hello!" he announced, and left.
Marianne looked after her father for a few seconds and cursed him silently. She turned to her mother and wished her goodbye then showed her ticket to the luggage assistant. He dashed some number onto the back of her ticket which corresponded with her luggage and handed it back to her. As she followed the trunk-bearer and his dolly, Marianne spotted her friend Jezebel. Jezebel was standing anxiously by a pillar next to a train door, searching the crowd. Marianne waved and called, rushing towards her. They embraced eagerly and rushed onto the train.
Marianne considered Jezebel so much of a friend as to be considered a sister. They had stayed long visits to discuss their hopes and fears regarding the preparatory school. Jezebel was wearing a filmy white frock with lace on the sleeves. When they were seated in a car, Marianne complimented her. " Oh you look beautiful Jezebel! But its awfully nasty of you!" she added. " We had arranged to match in crimson and brown, and now I look misplaced!" Jezebel noticed the tears leaking down Marianne's face and gasped. " Oh Marianne!", she exclaimed, "I am so terribly sorry. Mother forced it on me. She convinced herself that this dress is more flattering, and she wanted me to make a favorable impression, you know." Marianne nodded with her head down and reached into her pocket for a handkerchief. Jezebel was worried. " My Marianne, I am so unhappy to have distressed you so. Mothers can be such monsters sometimes. You know I often imagine mine has grown fur and horns." Jezebel hesitated. Marianne had shuttered after the word "Mother". Jezebel smiled mischievously. "You did remember to pack your hunting knife, Marianne, didn't you?" Marianne paused and looked up in confusion. Her face was a terrible sight- red and blotchy. Jezebel held firm her smile and continued on. " Well you know, we will be preparatory girls very soon, and shall have to fend off the boys daily," she said matter-of-factly. "For they are said to go crazy at full moon, and we shall be full moon daily! Think! We will not be safe taking swimming lessons. We will have to behave like amazons, and cut men out of trees. The school must be surrounded by dense jungle, to deter the masculine youths!" Marianne giggled at this. Jezebel gained confidence and continued, " Oh yes, and fences and boobie traps! Why I suppose there must be three hundred bear traps and hidden nets around the perimeter of the school. But you realize, of course, that they will have to install additional precautions when we arrive. Perhaps a league of buglers to sound alarm. But they would have to be blind, or very near it, to avoid the temptation themselves." Marianne sniffed determinedly. "How," she asked, " could they sound alarm if they cannot see intruders?" Jezebel laughed. "Well of course they would stand elbow to elbow in a circle, with their backs to the school, for the ones who could see partially, you know, and anyone who tried to enter would have to pass through them." Marianne imagined the numbers of men it would take to protect the ladies at the preparatory school. She smiled and said "I am so glad to know you Jezebel. You are my dearest friend and such a treasure. We really must have a room together, for I cannot think what I would do without you." Jezebel smiled , happy to have cheered her friend. The two chat animatedly until the train arrived at their stop.
They stepped out of the train. Marianne signals for the attention of a luggage attendant. He took their tickets and searched for their luggage out of a compartment on the train. Marianne and Jezebel surveyed the small and nearly empty station. Marianne had an uncomfortable feeling growing in her stomach, but kept it to herself. A few minutes later, The man wheeled their possessions over to them on a dolly. "Here ye are misses." Marianne glanced with wrinkled brow towards the luggage. " Thank you sir. What do you expect us to do with it?" She asked , affronted. The man tugged his cap and made to move away, but Marianne continued. " We are matriculating students of the Full Moon Preparatory School for Proper Ladies" she said, "and were instructed to meet representatives here, who would escort us to the school."
The man jittered and tried to mumble an excuse as he backed away. Marianne commanded,"Stop right there! Where are you going? Do you expect to leave two young ladies alone in an empty train station? Unthinkable. I'm sure you can assist us find our party." Marianne was very shocked at the man's behavior. He seemed to reconsider and stepped towards them, but hesitated and refused to draw near. Marianne felt it a failing on her part and became even more haughty and superior. "The nerve of some people today. So little breeding it is no wonder they work as animals for a living."
The man clenched his fists and stomped. "I'm sorry miss, but everyone around here knows its no good to associate with Blue Moon students. The lot of them behave in a manner that is as far from civility as one can get. I bid you good-day miss." He said, and stormed off, deaf to their cries of astonishment.
Jezebel took Marianne's hand and whispered worriedly, "What shall we do?" Marianne tilted her head up and said with resolve, " We remain calm." They looked about the train station, but it was eerily empty. A large arched portal marked the center of the structure. A covering of navy canvas high above them shaded the platform between the train and the station. To their right, a sign post marked three paths which splintered from the platform. The middle path was paved with white stone. The far left of the platform ended in barrels of greenery, beyond which curved a narrow, dusty road.
Marianne approached the seemingly only other person in the area. " Pardon me," she said. The man was checking a pocket watch, and looked very surprised to see Marianne. " Oh yes, a-hem, what is it you lady?" He replied. Marianne put on her most innocent and vulnerable face. "Sir, please, my friend and I are victims of some miscommunication. We need to find someone from the Full Moon preparator-" "Oh it is down that white path. I suppose if they haven't sent someone to get the luggage, you'll have to push it on the dolly. Good Day" He said quickly, and walked away.
Jezebel approached Marianne, who was standing in shock and confusion. "My, Marianne, what did you say to him to make him scamper off so quickly?" Marianne turned in astonishment, but Jezebel smiled gently and pointed toward two women. They were walking primly up the path which the man had indicated and seemed full of purpose. The women were very old , with purplish hair from faded boot black. They were both dressed in coal grey, but one was shorter than the other and had an umbrella, which she was using as a walking stick. The other woman had no remarkable features but for a silver brooch. They reached the girls and shook their hands silently. Both had proud, self assured smiles on their faces. "Welcome dears!" greeted the brooch-wearing one. Her voice quavered, but was filled with warmth. "Are you from?", asked Marianne " Blue Moon Academy, that's right dear" answered the shorter woman. "Now," she continued, "We'll handle your luggage. A coach will meet us after dinner in town. But you two must head back to the school now." Marianne sighed in relief. She glanced around for a carriage or buggy. The old woman chuckled. "Along that road there," she said, pointing back the way the two old women had come, "Its a long walk so you'd best get going!"
Marianne took a few steps in the direction before she stopped and gasped. " You don't mean for us to walk all the way!? How far is it?"She asked. The taller of the two women smiled comfortingly. "It is only four miles, dear. Oh. And I almost forgot! You must tell the gate guard 'Lavenberry' to gain entrance. Just procedure darlings." Jezebel tried to conceal a look of horror. "You, you actually expect us to trudge all the way there? On foot?"she asked timidly. "Why yes," said the shorter woman jovially, "unless you would like to fly there instead." She waved her umbrella about in the air and laughed. " Now shoo, you two. We'll see each other soon." said the taller woman. Both called goodbye and then walked primly out of the station.
Marianne and Jezebel stood in confusion for a few minutes before they sighed and began down the paved path. " Did I hear them correctly, " Jezebel asked, "did they say 'Blue Moon Academy'?" She looked at the signpost worriedly as they passed. " I thought the name was 'Full Moon Preparatory for young Ladies'."
Marianne woke up to her cat's claws making a steady piston-like invasion of her stomach.The action was accompanied by a grated purring. Marianne scrubbed hair out of her eyes and whined,"Buttonhole, get off". The sleek leopard like creature drawled out an angry meow and slowly walked off Marianne, by passage of her face. Marianne wasn't too upset though, this would be the last time she saw her cat for a year at least. Marianne stretched and stepped out of bed. She brushed her teeth and put her toiletries into her dressing box, to be attached to her luggage. She sighed as she looked into the mirror as she set her hair for the day, thinking of the wonderful boarding school she was going to attend. She'd learn to be a real lady and wear lace and ride horses and take fencing lessons and dance the Tango and all such exciting and worldly skills. She would hear no more "Bad Marianne." or " Stop bothering me Marianne" or "Marianne, look what trouble you've caused". Marianne was sure she would be entirely well-behaved at school, for she would never be bored and idle. She imagined she would become a young lady with merits and reputation of which her parents would be proud. And that after schooling, she'd court all the fine gentlemen and perhaps engage a prince or dignitary.
Marianne rinsed her face seven times before the cat's pawing at the door became unbearable. She sighed heavily and stomped to the door, thrusting it open angrily. In a haughty voice she lectured, " At the preparatory I am absolutely sure there will no be anyone as impatient as you! No wonder how I have so far turned out, with such a creature as example. There. go on to breakfast, stupid cat." The maid servant Jeannie was cowering behind the door. " 'pologies Miss, but the Master and Missus aren't awake yet, and your train is to be leaving in a scant hour, Miss. I've prepared breakfast and such, though it is against propriety, what with the master and Missus still in bed and all. I don't know what to do to wake them, Miss, but I was just coming by to wake you--" The woman was left talking to thin air with only her severe brown uniform to listen.
Marianne was like a whirlwind. First she entered the marbled and heavily curtained room in which her mother slept, at the end of the hall. It had marvelous large windows overlooking the street. If rooms were not accustomed to remaining in the location where they were built, Marianne was sure her mother would change its situation as often as she updated the decorations to the wild new fashion. Marianne bit back her anger and fueled the energy into speed. She splashed basin water on her sleeping mother, who rose in a shrieking rage. "What!? I'm drowning! Oh heavens! What is this! Who is to be fired today! eh?!" Marianne had fled to the third room to the left, her father's chambers. She paused outside the door, but a nearby clock ticked menacingly and she squared her shoulders and walked inside. Her father had earplugs in. Marianne did not consider any action which would provoke him to anger, as she needed him on her side with no time for explanations. She shook his shoulder. He woke with a start. "Wh-what is it my dear? Is the house on fire? Where is your dressing gown? I didn't spend so much money on it just to have an impressive item on my account book", he muttered, becoming more lucid as he chuckled at his own joke. "Father" Marianne burst, "Father, the train, we will be late!" Her father brushed his mustache with his thumb and forefinger. "Now now. what is the fuss. The house is not on fire? What is this about a train?" Marianne inhaled sharply. She felt she was running more efficiently than a steam-engine with all her pent up emotion coursing through her. "Train for school. Blue Moon Preparatory School. Where I will be absent unless we catch this train! " Her father sniffed and began to ask " When does it ---?" and Marianne, scurrying out the room shouted behind her, " It leaves within the hour. Get dressed and have breakfast! Quickly!"
She hugged Jeannie when the woman told her the carriage was all prepared. Jeannie moved the luggage as Sarah helped Marianne with some tricky hooks and skirts. Twenty minutes later, her mother fluttered into the main hall and called impatiently, "Well look at you two, making us late! Hurry, we need to make a good impression on the neighbors. They cannot see us rushing about!" Marianne dropped her toast and her father set down his tea, briskly folding his morning paper under his arm and placing his traveling hat on his head. They rushed to the door and walked nonchalantly to the carriage, Marianne complaining and darting back and forth impatiently. Once inside, Marianne's mother demanded to know why she hadn't been informed previously. " It was lucky that I had this dress to wear. Imagine if I had been out of my wits and had thrown on any old thing. I'd be a laughing stock. Entirely out of place. As it is, my hair is dreadful and I'm probably unmatched to the event. Where are we going, my dear?"She continued. Marianne began to answer but her mother silenced her. " Be quiet dear, I know you are the horrid culprit of this morning drenching. You shall face your punishment later." Marianne sighed and looked out the window anxiously.
Her father opened his paper and continued to read, ignoring his wife. '" Why do you do that Charles? I just asked you a question! Why its insulting. I'm being treated as a mere bit of furniture by my own husband!" she commented. The man remained stoic until swatted with a fan. " You must tell me what we are doing here, and in such a hurry," she ordered. Charles adjusted his paper and grunted, "A man must know the goings on in the world. If he is not discussing the goings on, he should be reading about it." Marianne offered a meek "a-hem" to the conversation. She felt resentful that her departure to school was so easily forgotten. " Father, Mother, I am going off to school today. We have almost missed the train because-" Her mother interrupted, chiding, "Stop talking out of turn, dear. Its unseemly." She coughed and tugged her sleeves. "Besides," she continued, " You don't leave for school until mid- January. It can't be mid January, for we haven't attended the Pillington's ball, which was to be early January, don't you remember?"
She rapped the roof of the carriage and leaned out the window. "Driver, what is today?"she shouted. The man answered politely, "The thirteenth of January, Madame." "Goodness! Are we headed to the train station?" She responded. The driver made a sharp turn and coughed at the dust. "Yes, We should be arriving shortly Madame." She ducked back into the carriage and smiled. "Well see, there is nothing to worry over Marianne. I must have forgotten, oh yes! We canceled the Pillington's in favor of the Mandrake's. We so rarely get the chance to enter their estate." She continued in this manner, recounting her recent appearances in society, until they reached the station.
As the driver unloaded the luggage, Marianne was met with a new experience. Her mother seemed confused and flustered about what to say. She pulled a handkerchief out and stretched the fabric between her anxious fingers in her lap. "Dear," she began, "Dear, do well in your studies. Think of your reputation. You are fortunate to be going to such a prestigious institution" She paused and surveyed her daughter's ensemble." Oh I wish you had let me help you choose your clothes, dear, you look very stubby and sour in that frock. But I suppose there isn't time now, is there?" Marianne looked eagerly to her father for his parting words. He took a deep breath and twitched his mustache. "Do your father proud, dear. Make good connections, and- Oh!" he said, looking into the throng of people by the train, " Why if it isn't Gerald Custerfield. I must be off to say hello!" he announced, and left.
Marianne looked after her father for a few seconds and cursed him silently. She turned to her mother and wished her goodbye then showed her ticket to the luggage assistant. He dashed some number onto the back of her ticket which corresponded with her luggage and handed it back to her. As she followed the trunk-bearer and his dolly, Marianne spotted her friend Jezebel. Jezebel was standing anxiously by a pillar next to a train door, searching the crowd. Marianne waved and called, rushing towards her. They embraced eagerly and rushed onto the train.
Marianne considered Jezebel so much of a friend as to be considered a sister. They had stayed long visits to discuss their hopes and fears regarding the preparatory school. Jezebel was wearing a filmy white frock with lace on the sleeves. When they were seated in a car, Marianne complimented her. " Oh you look beautiful Jezebel! But its awfully nasty of you!" she added. " We had arranged to match in crimson and brown, and now I look misplaced!" Jezebel noticed the tears leaking down Marianne's face and gasped. " Oh Marianne!", she exclaimed, "I am so terribly sorry. Mother forced it on me. She convinced herself that this dress is more flattering, and she wanted me to make a favorable impression, you know." Marianne nodded with her head down and reached into her pocket for a handkerchief. Jezebel was worried. " My Marianne, I am so unhappy to have distressed you so. Mothers can be such monsters sometimes. You know I often imagine mine has grown fur and horns." Jezebel hesitated. Marianne had shuttered after the word "Mother". Jezebel smiled mischievously. "You did remember to pack your hunting knife, Marianne, didn't you?" Marianne paused and looked up in confusion. Her face was a terrible sight- red and blotchy. Jezebel held firm her smile and continued on. " Well you know, we will be preparatory girls very soon, and shall have to fend off the boys daily," she said matter-of-factly. "For they are said to go crazy at full moon, and we shall be full moon daily! Think! We will not be safe taking swimming lessons. We will have to behave like amazons, and cut men out of trees. The school must be surrounded by dense jungle, to deter the masculine youths!" Marianne giggled at this. Jezebel gained confidence and continued, " Oh yes, and fences and boobie traps! Why I suppose there must be three hundred bear traps and hidden nets around the perimeter of the school. But you realize, of course, that they will have to install additional precautions when we arrive. Perhaps a league of buglers to sound alarm. But they would have to be blind, or very near it, to avoid the temptation themselves." Marianne sniffed determinedly. "How," she asked, " could they sound alarm if they cannot see intruders?" Jezebel laughed. "Well of course they would stand elbow to elbow in a circle, with their backs to the school, for the ones who could see partially, you know, and anyone who tried to enter would have to pass through them." Marianne imagined the numbers of men it would take to protect the ladies at the preparatory school. She smiled and said "I am so glad to know you Jezebel. You are my dearest friend and such a treasure. We really must have a room together, for I cannot think what I would do without you." Jezebel smiled , happy to have cheered her friend. The two chat animatedly until the train arrived at their stop.
They stepped out of the train. Marianne signals for the attention of a luggage attendant. He took their tickets and searched for their luggage out of a compartment on the train. Marianne and Jezebel surveyed the small and nearly empty station. Marianne had an uncomfortable feeling growing in her stomach, but kept it to herself. A few minutes later, The man wheeled their possessions over to them on a dolly. "Here ye are misses." Marianne glanced with wrinkled brow towards the luggage. " Thank you sir. What do you expect us to do with it?" She asked , affronted. The man tugged his cap and made to move away, but Marianne continued. " We are matriculating students of the Full Moon Preparatory School for Proper Ladies" she said, "and were instructed to meet representatives here, who would escort us to the school."
The man jittered and tried to mumble an excuse as he backed away. Marianne commanded,"Stop right there! Where are you going? Do you expect to leave two young ladies alone in an empty train station? Unthinkable. I'm sure you can assist us find our party." Marianne was very shocked at the man's behavior. He seemed to reconsider and stepped towards them, but hesitated and refused to draw near. Marianne felt it a failing on her part and became even more haughty and superior. "The nerve of some people today. So little breeding it is no wonder they work as animals for a living."
The man clenched his fists and stomped. "I'm sorry miss, but everyone around here knows its no good to associate with Blue Moon students. The lot of them behave in a manner that is as far from civility as one can get. I bid you good-day miss." He said, and stormed off, deaf to their cries of astonishment.
Jezebel took Marianne's hand and whispered worriedly, "What shall we do?" Marianne tilted her head up and said with resolve, " We remain calm." They looked about the train station, but it was eerily empty. A large arched portal marked the center of the structure. A covering of navy canvas high above them shaded the platform between the train and the station. To their right, a sign post marked three paths which splintered from the platform. The middle path was paved with white stone. The far left of the platform ended in barrels of greenery, beyond which curved a narrow, dusty road.
Marianne approached the seemingly only other person in the area. " Pardon me," she said. The man was checking a pocket watch, and looked very surprised to see Marianne. " Oh yes, a-hem, what is it you lady?" He replied. Marianne put on her most innocent and vulnerable face. "Sir, please, my friend and I are victims of some miscommunication. We need to find someone from the Full Moon preparator-" "Oh it is down that white path. I suppose if they haven't sent someone to get the luggage, you'll have to push it on the dolly. Good Day" He said quickly, and walked away.
Jezebel approached Marianne, who was standing in shock and confusion. "My, Marianne, what did you say to him to make him scamper off so quickly?" Marianne turned in astonishment, but Jezebel smiled gently and pointed toward two women. They were walking primly up the path which the man had indicated and seemed full of purpose. The women were very old , with purplish hair from faded boot black. They were both dressed in coal grey, but one was shorter than the other and had an umbrella, which she was using as a walking stick. The other woman had no remarkable features but for a silver brooch. They reached the girls and shook their hands silently. Both had proud, self assured smiles on their faces. "Welcome dears!" greeted the brooch-wearing one. Her voice quavered, but was filled with warmth. "Are you from?", asked Marianne " Blue Moon Academy, that's right dear" answered the shorter woman. "Now," she continued, "We'll handle your luggage. A coach will meet us after dinner in town. But you two must head back to the school now." Marianne sighed in relief. She glanced around for a carriage or buggy. The old woman chuckled. "Along that road there," she said, pointing back the way the two old women had come, "Its a long walk so you'd best get going!"
Marianne took a few steps in the direction before she stopped and gasped. " You don't mean for us to walk all the way!? How far is it?"She asked. The taller of the two women smiled comfortingly. "It is only four miles, dear. Oh. And I almost forgot! You must tell the gate guard 'Lavenberry' to gain entrance. Just procedure darlings." Jezebel tried to conceal a look of horror. "You, you actually expect us to trudge all the way there? On foot?"she asked timidly. "Why yes," said the shorter woman jovially, "unless you would like to fly there instead." She waved her umbrella about in the air and laughed. " Now shoo, you two. We'll see each other soon." said the taller woman. Both called goodbye and then walked primly out of the station.
Marianne and Jezebel stood in confusion for a few minutes before they sighed and began down the paved path. " Did I hear them correctly, " Jezebel asked, "did they say 'Blue Moon Academy'?" She looked at the signpost worriedly as they passed. " I thought the name was 'Full Moon Preparatory for young Ladies'."
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