Of Prisons and Palaces-Chpt 9

"Oh, Grim," I said, exasperated, "You're stupid, but you're also supernatural and extremely powerful." I saw him first frown and then beam with pride. These insults veiled in compliments worked every time.

"I know you are under the command of Mindy, but it doesn't mean you can't use your powers for other purposes, too. I've seen you do it millions of times when you were my "best friend." If I told you to scrub the toilet, one wave of the scythe and it was sparkling. So you can't say I treated you so badly."

"I..." he began in protest, but I cut him off.

"Anyway, it doesn't matter now. Now we need to conquer Mindy...THAT is all that matters. By the way, Grim...since we all know how completely boyish her body is, why hasn't she ever asked you to make her more feminine?"

"I t'ink it's pride. If she said dat, she'd be admittin' she doesn't like da way she looks. And Mindy has ALWAYS t'ought she was perfect."

"Hm, you're probably right, so then she's passive aggressive in her ways to control anyone who is prettier and more developed than her...which is just about every woman."

"But especially you," Billy broke in, and when I saw that his eyes had migrated toward my chest, I bopped him one across the head.

"Sorry Mandy..I can't help it...you're a one of a kind woman." Billy weakly said, causing me to glare at him ferociously.  He backed away.

"Now," I said, looking back toward Grim, who was also smirking. I chose to ignore this juvenile behavior because I wanted to get down to business. "what I'm leading up to here is that you can get us into that castle using your powers."

"Again, do I have to repeat she has da place surrounded with guards and security cameras?"

"I know that. That's why we'll be in disguise. Mindy has got to have servants that get close to her everyday."

"Of course she does. She has Tracy and Lacy..dey really wait on her hand and foot and seem to enjoy it. Disgusting."

"Allright then," I smirked, my eyes deep in thought. "That will work splendidly. "You make us look like Tracy and Lacy..."

"Now wait, I'm not going to be a girl!" Billy protested, even though he used to love dressing in women's clothing as a boy.

"Billy, it's just for a short time...and worth it to be rid of Mindy's dictatorship, don't you think?" I said calmly and reasonably. As I mentioned before, sometimes being kind and understanding worked to help me get what I wanted better than force. At least it did with Billy.

"Well..y...yeah...I guess."

"Good boy. So you can do it?" I turned to Grim again.

"Well yes but...what about the real Tracy and Lacy?"

"Just make them disappear into another dimension for a few hours...whatever it takes. I'm sure they'll be happy with what we're doing, too, no matter how much they act otherwise."

"I don't know...Mindy's pretty observant...even if we get in da first time..."

"Look, Morale Monday is coming up in a few days, everyone is talking about it although it's just a lame excuse to make her subjects think she's got a soft side. We get into the castle, make the switch, and then switch back during the festival when there aren't so many prying eyes. And then...we will have found out enough to make our move and free you and everyone else from Mindy's iron fist. Morale Monday will be a true day of celebration...the day that tyrant goes down." I was full of determination. I wanted to get Grim and Billy excited and with me 100% on this. They didn't need to know my plans for taking over Mindy's position or how I planned to run Endsville when it was all over and done with...even though it would definitely be better than what Mindy had done. I wasn't the selfish, cruel child I had once been. I'd be a fair and conscientious ruler!

"I..I suppose it would work. And I'd love to be away from dat witch!" Grim said with conviction.

"Then onward, troops!" I tried to say with as much enthusiasm as I could muster.