No Mask Required

One Thing to Lose

A dim light is shining through a window at the fun house.
A worried cups awakens from nightmares of the past, finding herself alone peers out; as a certain clown, her king walks in the door.
She quickly glances toward his blood-soaked sleeve and mask.
He sighs*
"I have to tell you something."
"I did.. I dont..." He stumbles over his words

"What did you do!?" She yells loudly

*sighs* choking on his words
"They were coming after my heart. They were coming for the one thing I have to lose."

"What's that?" She asks

"YOOOU!"I CAN'T LOSE YOU!"
"I CAN'T!!" He screams.
Tears begin to form in her eyes...
He's opened up before, but it's different this time. There's no humor in the response.
Her playful king is now a darkened gloom.

"Why are you going to lose me, we promised each other we wouldn't run. You don't have to worry!"
"I can handle myself!"
You know that."
Wait, do you not trust me chatty?!"
She projects almost too fast to comprehend

"Oh.... no no no no cups I trust you completely, and you're right. I don't have to worry..."

"What makes you so sure the threat has suddenly disappeared??
She asked as she stood behind him, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"I killed them ALL!!" he shouts

CHATTY!!!
"YOU'LL GO TO PRISON!!

"That doesn't yucking matter!"
"Yuck Them!!"

"I will take whatever comes;
Because their life and my freedom aren't worth me losing you, I've finally found what I've been missing 💔"

"If you run.. I can find you; I have hope...
Tears now fill his eyes, running down his mask
But cups if you're dea....."

"Stop it!" Her voice is more shrill than he's heard.
She pulls his suspender away from his shoulder, turning him toward her.

As he turns around to face his queen...
He, frustrated, says:
" Stop. What?!? it's been too close to that before.."
She responds softly
"At times, yes, but you've found me, saved me, saw me for who i am, and I see you for who you are! We are team now!"
Fearful eyes and paniced voice softens.

"You gonna stay here tonight, cups?"

"I'm not sure.... I want you to be able to rest..."

"I'd rest better if I know your safe cups; please!?"
"You were already asleep anyway!"

"I'll stay, but ummm...can you do something for me?"

"Anything!?"

"Take your mask off, please, since it's just us?!"

A large sigh comes from chatterbox as he reaches his blood splattered glove up to remove his mask

Cups touches his face for the first time, leaving her hand on his scars.
Looking deeply into each other's eyes
Tears stream down both their faces.
She smiles slightly and reassuringly tells him. "I'll be here chatty,"
Both emotionally exhausted, they fall together on the couch and talk through the night.

Chatterbox is lost in the tranquility of them being alone; notices that his queen has finally fallen into a slumber her head on his shoulder.

He admires her as he lifts her gently and carries her to the bedroom, in which she's slept before.
Covering her beauty with the weighted blanket, he pushes her bangs away from her eyes, kisses her forehead, and whispers.
"Sweet dreams cups"
"Until morning, my queen.
"I love you!"

Placing his mask on the end table beside the couch, he closes his eyes for a moment.

Dreams of a day, he and his queen can live in peace. No masks required.

Right as he drifts into a slumber, his eyes pop open. The now wide awake chatty wonders... "If she'll be there," will I ever hear from her lips? "I love you too chatty."

The thought leaves his mind as quickly as it entered, as he says aloud. "Take your time, my queen. I'll be here, cups!"