Beauty and the Dream Demon

Chapter Six: Join me for Dinner

"Please, please," George came stumbling into the pub, finally making it back to the village, "Someone, someone. You, help..."

"Whoa, whoa," the Tavern Keeper came up to him, trying to calm the hysterical George down.

"You must help me. It's Jack! She's got, she's got Jack. He's locked in a dungeon."

"Who's got him?"

"A Dream Demon! A huge, horrid, monstrous Dream Demon!"

Everyone around him just laughed at his story. But George couldn't have been more serious.

"My son's life is in danger. Why do you laugh?" George asked them, "It's not a joke. Her castle is hidden in the woods. It's already winter there."

"Winter in June?" Jean asked as the villagers laughed.

"Crazy old George!" An old woman said.

"Listen to me!" George had enough of their taunts, "The Dream Demon is real. Do you understand? Will no one help me?"

"I'll help, George," Jane spoke up.

"What?" George turned to Jane as she stood from her chair, "You will?"

"Everybody... stop making fun of this man at once."

"My Lady, thank you."

"Don't thank me, George. Lead us to the Dream Demon."

The villagers seemed confused as to why Jane was falling for this seemingly crazy story. Who would ever believe that there was a Dream Demon living in a castle? But Templeton caught onto Jane's plan. Jane only wanted to save Jack to win his favor regardless if George's claims were true. George began to lead the two into the forest to find this Dream Demon. Meanwhile, back at the castle, the chipped teacup was excited at the news of there being a man in the castle.

The cup's mother, Topsy Turvy, was doing everything to calm her son, Georgie, down. He was so excited. But she got the boy to calm down before he broke something of his. Meanwhile, the Dream Demon walked into the dining room, ready for her dinner. But, when she sat down, she saw that two sets of plates and dishes had been set up. And she knew exactly who they were for. Swiping the plates and cutlery off the table, the Dream Demon called out to Bert, knowing that the French flirt was behind this. The Dream Demon burst into the kitchen to confront her staff.

"You're making him dinner!" The Dream Demon said, clearly upset.

"Well, we thought you might appreciate the company," Bert defended himself.

"Mistress Maddie, I just want to assure you that I had no part in this hopeless plan," Binnacle said, trying to make sure his mistress knew that he had no part in this, "Preparing a dinner, designing a suit for him, giving him a suite in the East Wing!"

"You gave him a bedroom?!" Maddie asked Binnacle.

"No, no, no. He gave him a bedroom," Binnacle pointed to Bert.

"This is true," Bert admitted, "But if this man is the one who can break the spell then maybe you could start by using dinner to charm him. Good thinking, Binnacle!"

"What?"

"That's the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard!" Maddie scoffed "Charm the prisoner!"

"But you must try, Mistress," Bert said in a calm voice, "With every passing day we become less human."

"He's the son of a common thief. What kind of person do you think that makes him?"

"Oh, you can't judge people by who their father is, now can you?" Topsy asked Maddie.