Me, You And The Raccoon

4

The king is pouty. He wants attention, but the raccoon has none to spare.

The girls have reached the first phase of their test. It cannot afford to miss a single second.

They don't know it yet. The two do not feel the truth serum seeping into their veins, crawling down their throats, worming into their ears. They walk on, arm in arm, determined expressions on their faces. The raccoon rubs its paws together, waiting.

"I'm scared," Jade says. She then slaps her hand over her mouth, detaching herself from her lover. Her eyes widen, telling the raccoon that the serum is kicking in. "I didn't mean to say that," the princess whispers. Then another slip: "I'm terrified."

Scarlett, who, for the moment, remains unaffected, slides her arm around Jade's shoulders. "Don't worry. I won't let anything bad happen to you."

But the other girl shakes her head, eyes fearfully roaming the walls of the cave. "I don't know, Scarlett . . ." she goes stiff again, another truth spilling out. "I love you."

The peasant pauses, the smile on her lips juxtaposing the look of horror on the princess's face. "I love you too."

"No, no, Scarlett, there's something -- my father is having an affair." Again, Jade covers her mouth, shaking herself away from Scarlett. She backs herself into a wall, screaming out when she hits it. Tears shine in her eyes.

Scarlett raises her eyebrows. "What?" But she's been infected, too. "I don't think I'm good enough for you. I'll never be."

Jade's face softens, a tear escaping as her lover backs into the opposite wall. "Scarlett, honey. Of course --" The raccoon flinches, but she can't help herself: "I want to marry a prince and live happily ever after, just because it would be easier." The princess is mortified. "Oh, Scarlett, I'm so sorry."

The look of hurt on the pauper's face cannot be matched with any amount of apology. "You do?" The princess doesn't answer. "I'm scared to start a family."

"I've never held a baby."

"I could never live away from my family, even if it meant I could have you."

"I'm scared of the dark."

"I'm scared of men."

The two stare at each other, half horrified, half amused. Scarlett pushes away from the wall, approaching the princess. She seems to know what is about to come out of her mouth. She pins Jade against the wall, brushing a piece of hair out of her face.

"You're beautiful," she says.

The raccoon claps its paws together. They've passed.