Cinematic Adventures: Corpse Bride

Reunion

Back in the Land of the Living, things weren't going smoothly in regard to the upcoming wedding. The Village Square was dark, except for a few lights coming from Everglot Mansion. All was silent, except for the hacking cough coming from Mayhew, who sat shivering on the Van Dorts' carriage parked in the drive.

After Victor ran away from rehearsal, needless to say the Everglots were certainly not happy. Currently they sat with the Van Dorts in their lounge drinking tea as they waited for Victor to return. The Everglots were very cross with the whole situation from earlier and honestly they'd rather call off the wedding. However, knowing their financial troubles, they were hesitant to do so.Thankfully, Mr. and Mrs. Van Dort were able to stall the Everglots for a while in hopes they could keep them occupied till their son returned.

Victoria, meanwhile, just stood at the window sewing together several patches of material to make the corner of the quilt. So far, it's only as big as for lap. Hildegarde attends her, clearly concerned for the girl. As she sewed, Victoria looked out toward the cold night sky, waiting for Victor.

"Perhaps the Pastor was right," Victoria sighed. "And Victor doesn't want to marry me."

But just as quickly, she cast her patchwork aside.

"I'm being silly. He's bound to have turned up by now. Right?"

"Victoria, come away from the window!" Her mother ordered.

Hesitantly, Victoria backed away from the window and made her way to the center of the Drawing room where her parents and the Van Dorts drank their tea by the fire.

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be back shortly," Mrs. Van Dort assured. "He's terrified of the dark. In fact, when he was a boy, he used to wet his combinations regularly. Didn't he, William?"

Before Mr. Van Dort could answer his wife, a loud knock at the door caused them to turn in its direction.

"Enter!" Mr. Everglot called.

The doors slowly opened as Lord Barkis entered the room with a smug look upon his face.

"Ah, Lord Barkis," Mrs. Everglot acknowledged. "I trust the room is to your liking."

"Thank you," Barkis nodded. "You've been a most gracious hostess. Which is why it pains me to be the bearer of such bad news."

This drew everyone's attention as they looked at the newcomer, wondering what he could be talking about. With a snap of his finger, Barkis beckoned the Town Crier into the room.

"Would you care to repeat tonight's headline for us?" Barkis asked.

"HEAR YE! HEAR YE!"

The Town Crier's loud voice actually made the teacups in the Everglots' and Van Dorts' hands quake.

"VICTOR VAN DORT SEEN THIS NIGHT ON THE BRIDGE IN THE ARMS OF THE MYSTERY WOMAN! THE DARK HAIRED TEMPTRESS AND MASTER VAN DORT DISAPPEAR INTO THE NIGHT!"

Then within a moment, the Town Crier stopped yelling, his bell ceased ringing, and instead begam speaking in a more calm, low voice.

"And now for the weather. Scattered showers—"

"Enough!" Barkis interrupted loudly. "That will be all."

With that, the Town Crier made his way from the room and out of the manor. This left the Everglots and Van Dorts rather shocked over this newfound revelation. Victor on the bridge with a mystery woman? That just did not make sense to any of them.

"Mystery woman?" Mrs. Van Dort asked. "He doesn't even know any women!"

"Or so you thought," Barkis retorted. "But alas, he has gone. Doc all for me if you need my assistance... in any way."