The Rise of The Animal Defense Force

A Sentimental Man

Glinda and Elphaba were led into an enormous, lavish throne room. Where you would normally expect the throne to sit, there was a large metallic head mounted to a green and gold platform. It was assumedly the head of the Wizard of Oz. There was smoke billowing out from behind some large curtains, and the eyes of the figure glowed red as the head and jaw moved mechanically.

'I am Oz!' the face declared, the voice thundered throughout the room, and she could feel the floor rumble at the sound. Glinda clutched my arm in fright.

'I am Oz, the great and terrible! Who are you, and why do you seek me?' demanded the head.

'Say something!' Glinda whispered fiercely to Elphaba.

'I am Elphaba Thropp, Your Terribleness! And this is my best friend—'

'Oh, is that you Elphaba?' a drawling voice called from behind the giant Oz head. 'I didn't realise!'

A well-dressed, middle-aged man in a silver suit and top hat appeared from his hiding place behind the platform.

'I hope I didn't startle you!' he said. 'It's so hard to make out people's faces when I'm back there.' He looked at us both in turn.

'So let's see, which is which?' He gestured towards me. 'Elphaba? A pleasure Elphaba,' he said shaking her hand tightly, turning to Glinda he said, 'And you must be?'

'Glinda, the "Ga" is silent.' she introduced herself with a curtsy. Elphaba was distracted by the mechanical head, which hung slackly on its gears and pulleys, and she could see the glowing eyes were now dim.

'I know it's a bit much, isn't it? But people expect this sort of thing, and you have to give the people what they want.' he explained.

'I'm so happy to meet you.' Elphaba said.

'Well, that's good. 'Cause that's what I love best, making people happy. I am a sentimental man, who always longed to be a father.' He spread out his arms in a welcoming gesture towards her as he continued speaking. 'That's why I do the best I can to treat each citizen of Oz as son or daughter.'

'So Elphaba, I'd like to raise you high. 'Cause I think everyone deserves the chance to fly! And helping you with your ascent allows me to feel so parental, for I am a sentimental man.'

'Oh, Your Ozness, I knew you'd help!' she said, but she reminded herself of the true reason why I'd wanted to meet him. She knew the 'someone' who needed to tell the Wizard about the situation regarding the Animals being silenced was herself.

'You see, we're here not just for ourselves.' She told him.

'We're not?' Glinda said confused, and she remembered that Elphaba hadn't told her about this part of the plan.

'No! We are here because something bad is happening to the Animals—'

'Please! I'm the Wizard of Oz!' the Wizard said knowingly. 'I already know why you've come!'

Both girls looked at each other and couldn't help the exclamation of awe that slipped out of their mouths.

'Oooooooh!' they said in wonder.

'I fully intend to grant your request.' he promised me. 'Of course, you must prove yourself first.'

'Of course!' Glinda elbowed Elphaba in the side as she whispered, 'Prove yourself, prove yourself!'

Elphaba was at a loss as to what she could do.

'But how?' She asked him.

'Madame, the book!' he called out loudly.

'Right away, Your Ozness!' a woman's voice called back, and a moment later Madame Morrible bustled in officiously.

'Madame Morrible?' Glinda couldn't mask the surprise in her voice.