Beauty and the Scarecrow

Chapter Five: Jester

Not long after the Scarecrow and Henry's departure, the door to Maddie's cell suddenly opened. But Maddie had seen no one come by so she was unsure.

"Forgive my intrusion, mademoiselle but I have come to escort you to your room," a strong French accent said.

Maddie grabbed a stool, ready to defend herself, "My room? But I thought..."

"Oh, what? That 'once this door closes it will not open again'?" the voice imitated a growl, "I know. He gets so dramatic."

Maddie finally saw who was talking. It was the Tinman, hanging onto the lever that opened the cell door.

"Hello!" The Tinman said, struggling to keep hold of the lever.

Gasping at the talking ornament, the Tinman dropped down before it was attacked by the stool Maddie was holding. But the Tinman sat up, slighting its candles in its hands again.

"Oh, you are very strong. This is a great quality," the Tinman complimented.

"What are you?" Maddie asked it.

"I am Boq!"

"And you can talk?

"Well, of course, he can talk," an old voice said coming from the stairs. It was the Lion.

"It's all he ever does," the Lion sneezed, "Now, Boq, as head of the household, I demand that you put her back in her cell at once."

Maddie went back into her cell to grab a metal jug.

"What do you want to be for the rest of your life, Zeke? A man, or a Lion?" Boq whispered to Zeke before looking back at Maddie who was holding the jug, "Ready, miss?"

Boq stood up, starting to lead Maddie and Zeke to her new room in the East Wing. Unsure of what to do, Maddie just followed him. On a bridge from the dungeon to the East Wing, Boq continued to talk while Maddie held a candle.

"You must forgive first impressions. I hope you are not too startled," Boq said.

"Why would I be startled? I'm talking to a Ironman,"  Maddie said, showing how ridiculous the concept was.

"Tinman, please. Enormous difference," Boq informed her, "But consider me at your service. The castle is your home now so feel free to go anywhere you like."

"Except the West Wing," Boq silently told Zeke to correct himself, "Which we do not have."

But this got Maddie curious, "Why? What's in the West Wing?"

"Oh, nothing," Boq said.

"Nothing," Zeke added.

"Storage space."

"Storage space."

"That's it."

"That's it."

"Yes, that's it."

"This way, please. To the East Wing."

"Or as I like to call it, the only wing," Boq laughed.

They continued to walk into the East Wing. Boq opened a door to her new room. Inside was a small but decent-sized room with a ceiling painted like a sky with golden vines coming down from it. It was a truly beautiful room, albeit a little dusty. They all weren't expecting guests for a long time. But a wicked witch flew in, promising to clean up her room. Not before flying down to her lover, Boq, to be all lovey-dovey together for a quick moment. In the moment, it was revealed that her name was Nessarose.

But Zeke stopped them, reminding them that they did have a guest present. Once that was stopped, Maddie looked around to see if anything else in her room was alive. Only to be embarrassed when Zeke revealed that the hairbrush she was talking to was just a normal hairbrush. But the wardrobe next to her work up, singing an operatic note. Boq assured Maddie that there was nothing to be worried about. The wardrobe in front of them was Madame China Princess. A great singer. Well, only when she's able to stay awake. Hearing Zeke say that, she reminded him that a diva needed some beauty rest.