Alice

Chapter seven

Alice then awakes but hears voices she listens. "My professional opinion? Madness is often a treatable disease, though perhaps not in this case." She then hears a voice she recognizes "Authority must be obeyed, or it must be overthrown!" Alice then thinks the Queen impossible! Alice hears another voice she's never heard before. "'Cruel to be kind', that's my technique as they say, but she's as mad as a hatter, poor dearie!" Dr. Bumby says "If she finds out I killed her family she will be even more mentally insane." Dr. Bumby notices she's awake and says "Worst is over, and over, and over. Forget it, Alice - forget it!" They all leave Alice and an Insane Child says to her "The unstable are more than merely mad: they have 'other parts'. The Queen will deprive them of what remains of their deranged souls. They need care!" Alice says "I know their pain. I would assist, but is sanity required for the job?" The Insane Child remarks "A limited quantity. You're not mad enough to be rejected. You're like them, of them in a way, but not them. I should say 'not us', for I'm them, but you are on your way. The way is clearly marked." Alice replies "I believe I know that way and I'd rather not travel further along it." The Insane Child leaves. Alice then falls asleep and goes back to Wonderland. This time Alice meets a new character. Alice sees a strange man and asks "Who are you?" The man says "I am the Dollmaker." Alice says "Am I not the most wretched and selfish of fortune's fools? Oblivious, I live in a training ground for prostitutes! My mentor is an abuser and purveyor! I've been complicit with my sister's murderer and the killer of my family as he corrupted my mind! I sought relief from my pain and you turned me away from the truth!" The Dollmaker says "You were almost there. Almost free from what you fear. You could have been cured, you could have forgotten!" Alice sadly says "Abandon the memory of my family?" The Dollmaker says "They are dead, and you should be too." Alice yells "You misbegotten abomination! Murderer! You bloodsucking parasite! The damage you've done to children, the abuse!" The Dollmaker says "I provide a service. In the great and awful metropolis, appetites of all sorts must be satisfied." Alice says "My family - my mind - the Infernal Train!" The Dollmaker says "The Train is your... invention, your defence. I merely set its schedule and itinerary. The train is coming with its shiny cars, comfy seats and wheels of stars. So hush, my little ones, have no fear. The Man in the Moon is the engineer." Alice says strongly "I'll stop that train, if it's the last thing I do!" The Dollmaker says "As you wish... It will be."