The Beast Within The Man

Preparing for the Fair

From inside the cellar, we heard Maurice coughing and Mei had came down to check on him after the explosion woke her up. The little love was coughing too.

"Blimey! So much smoke!" I exclaimed worried.

"Papa?" Belle coughed.

"Sweeney, I heard a loud bang from upstairs." Mei explained. "It woke me up."

"Oh, that must've been Maurice...he could be working on his contraption." I said.

The smoke cleared and we made sure that the old man was alright.

"Are you alright, Papa?" Belle asked her father.

"I'm about to get rid of this hunk of junk!" The inventor muttered frustrated.

"You always say that." Belle smiled.

"I mean it this time! I'll never get this boneheaded contraption to work!" Maurice said, defeated.

"Don't give up, mate." I reassured to him.

"Yes you will. And you'll win first prize at the fair tomorrow." Belle encouraged.

Maurice didn't seem convinced but Belle was sure.

"And become a world famous inventor." She convinced him.

"You really believe that?" Maurice asked gently.

"I always have." Belle smiled lovingly.

I smiled fondly too. Reminds me of Mei's bond with Stephen and the bond I shared with Mary. Mei nestled on my lap, knowing what I was thinking and wrapped her little arms around me. I tenderly leaned in to kiss Mei's cheek while hugging her. She giggled.

"Well, what are we waiting for? I'll have this thing fixed in no time!" Maurice said, renewed by Belle's encouraging words.

"Yay!" Mei giggled.

"That's the spirit!" I said, cheerily.

"Hand me that dog-legged clincher there." Maurice instructed. Belle handed him the clincher. I came to help with the machine and Mei handed me the wrench.

"Here you go, Sweeney." Mei chimed.

"Thank you, love." I smiled.

"So, did you have a good time in town today?" Maurice asked Belle.

"I got a new book." She said. "Papa, do you think I'm odd?"

"My daughter? Odd? Huh! Where would you get an idea like that?!" Maurice came out from under the machine bamboozled.

"The townsfolk were looking at her weird, sir. That's the reason why she asked." I explained.

"Why would they call her odd?" Mei asked.

"Maybe it's because unlike most of her neighbors, she might be different, dear." I replied softly.

"Different is okay." Mei smiled. "I don't find her odd, she's amazing."

"That she is." I smiled.

"Oh, I don't know. It's just I'm not sure I'd fit in here. There's no one I can really talk to." Belle said.

"You've got us, my dear." I reassured.

"What about that Gaston? He's a handsome fellow." Maurice said.

"He's handsome alright, and rude and conceited and...Papa, he's not for me." Belle said, sighing.

"Not to mention, he's hardly a gentleman, he's a brute." I said. "Men like that don't deserve you, dear."

"Maybe he needs a timeout." Mei giggled.

I chuckled as well.

"I agree, love." I nodded.

"Well, don't you worry. 'Cause this new invention's gonna be the start of a new life for us. I think that's done it. Now, let's give it a try." Maurice reassured his daughter. Then he pulled the lever and the machine was chopping wood, and it worked.

"Wow!!" Mei yelled with glee.

"It works!" Belle exclaimed.

"It does?! It does!" Maurice yelled in excitement.

"YES!!" I yelled excitedly.

"You did it! You really did it!" Belle rejoiced hugging her father.

"Hitch up Philippe, girl! I'm off to the fair!" Maurice said excited. A log hit his head, making him dizzy.

The next morning, we saw him off with Philippe.

"Good luck, mate!" I called out.

"Bye, Mr. Maurice!" Mei waved.

"Goodbye, Papa! Good luck!" Belle encouraged.

"Goodbye, Belle! Take care while I'm gone!" Maurice waved back.

And with that, Maurice and the horse left for the fair.