Date: Jan 12th 13th

Place: CPP (California Paintball Park) Charity: Guide Dogs of America - (They are a good cause and we don't have to play political gaves to work with them)

Story line: Think of each part like an act in a play.  All parts have been posted...    Enjoy.

Part I

Alice was sitting in the study, sipping her tea, when the telephone rang.  She knew her butler would answer it and, if it was important, bring her a phone.

Less than a minute later he appeared in the doorway and, with a quiet cough, drew her attention from the book in her lap.

“I’m sorry to disturb you mistress Alice but he insists this is very important and that he can only talk with you.”

“All right James, I’ll take the call”, she replied, smiling at James and remembering her earliest memory of her elderly butler.  After James had handed her the phone and closed the door behind himself she politely said “this is Alice, with whom and I speaking?”  Alice’s stomach knotted as she recognized the voice on the other end.  “Alice, this is Alex Wraithclaw, I have some bad news about your sister.”

“What has happened to May” Alice asked.

“Let me start at the beginning” Alex replied.  “Just after your last visit May started calling herself ‘Malice’.  The doctors thought she was finally starting to work thru her issues so they let her, sort of, run with it.  She started to dress and act like a ‘Goth’, you know, with the black nails and all, but she was steadily getting better…   or so we thought.  Well…   earlier today she was taking a walk with one of the nurses when she paused slightly and then hit the nurse in the back of the head with that big, heavy, book that you had given her.”

“Now ever since you gave her that book on your last visit she wouldn’t let it out of her sight.  But after she cold-cocked the nurse she went into the library, which they had just passed on their walk.  Two strange things seemed to have happened.  First we found the book on a table that had been dragged up to an antique mirror I recently bought at auction.  Secondly, Malice, as she calls herself now, vanished.”

“We have searched the grounds and buildings.  We have reviewed the security tapes.  We have looked everywhere.  The last images of your sister are when she entered the library.  One of our security team noticed something strange though.  He found a chair pulled up next to the table and a footprint in the dust on the table, next to the book, looking as if Malice stepped up on the chair, then to the table, and then into the mirror.  I know that couldn’t have happened, of course, but it seems to look that way.”

Alice drew in a huge lungful of air as she realized that she had been holding her breath the entire time Mr. Wraithclaw was describing what had happened to May.

“Mr. Wraithclaw”, Alice asked, struggling to master her fear for her sister.  “Can you please tell me if this antique mirror you bought has an intricately carved wooden frame?”

“Yes” was his startled reply.

“And”, Alice continued, “Does it have a Cat’s face carved in the top center of the frame?”

“Why, yes” came the reply, now almost breathlessly, “how could you possibly know that?”

“Because it originally belonged to my family”, Alice informed him, “when May and I were little girls.  My parents disposed of it shortly after May was placed in your facility.”

“Please don’t touch either the book, or the mirror.  I will be over as quickly as I can.  I will try to explain when I arrive.”

After she had ended the call Alice found herself shaking her head and talking to herself.  “May, May, May.  What are you doing?”  Then, as another thought struck her, “What have you already done?”

Alice rang her bell and James quickly appeared.

“Yes mistress?”

“Please have Roger bring the car around”, she said, “it’s May, James, I have to go immediately.”

Why now, Alice thought, after all these years May…   no, Alice forced herself to admit it, Malice was her true name now, and if she wanted her sister back she was going to have to act fast.

Part II

To James the ride seemed to last forever, but Alice didn’t notice.  She was thinking about everything that had happened twelve years before when she was about to celebrate her birthday with her twin sister May, who was now calling herself Malice.

There older sister, Margaret, had left them in the library of their parents Vermont house.  They were reading or, more precisely, looking at the hand drawings in an ancient book.  Margaret was watching them while their parents were on a trip…   well, Margaret and the entire house staff.  At twenty-eight rooms the “house” was actually a mansion, and had an eight person staff to maintain it.

The two girls were enjoying themselves when they turned a page and both of them drew a quick breath.  There, in this ancient book, was a drawing of an ornately carved mirror.  What startled them wasn’t the carefully drawn picture, but the identical object hanging on the wall less that ten feet from them.  Their eyes shifting between the drawing and the mirror the twins compared every detail.  Except for the age of the book, and the fact tat the image was obviously hand drawn, they would have sworn that it was a photograph.  But that couldn’t be possible, which only meant one thing; the mirror had to be older than the book.  The cat’s head carved into the top of the mirrors frame seemed to be grinning at them.  Their attention was quickly drawn from thinking about how old the mirror might be when the heard a voice.  “Not again, not again” and then a white rabbit ran into the mirror from the left, stopped briefly and pulled out a pocket watch while panting for breath.  “If I’m late again She’ll kill me” the rabbit squeaked while putting the watch away and then, before either Alice or May could speak, he ran out of the right side of the mirror.

Alice felt confused and wasn’t sure what to do while May, always the more confident and aggressive of the twins, quickly dragged her chair over to the table in front of the mirror, climbed up and stuck her hand in.  “Are you coming?” she asked Alice and stepped all the way in.  “Please come, and bring the book.  I can’t see you from this side” the image of May asked.  Alice remembered being scared but somehow she got up, holding the book open to that page, and climbed into the mirror.  Now when the twins looked back it was like a window with the library on the other side.  “Close the book Alice”, Alice shivered at May’s request, “but,” she started when May said, “do it.”  We have to know what will happen.”  So Alice closed the book and the window disappeared.  Alice Quickly opened the book again and flipped through till she saw the drawing on page 101.  Both sisters sighed loudly as the window reappeared.  “OK” May said finally, “we can get back anytime we want to…   so let’s have a look around.”

Oh what an adventure Alice remembered.  From following the white rabbit, to talking with the hookah smoking caterpillar, to having tea with that crazy hatter and his friends.  The sisters had a great time, at least until the ran into the Queen of Hearts.  That’s when things went bad.  Very, VERY BAD.

It’s hard for an eight year old to endure such things, let alone remember them clearly.  What Alice did remember was that when the Queen realized they were not from Wonderland she demanded the book, explaining how it worked and threatening them with dire punishments if they did not give it to her.

That was when May yelled, “run” and off they went.  Three times they were almost caught, and only by May’s quick thinking escaped their pursuers.

Then came the trap…   May hurled herself at the guards telling Alice to run and hide the book.  Alice barely got away and hid the book quickly.  The Queen’s guards had May in hand and the Queen was NOT pleased.  The Queen knew she could not “off with her head”, but maybe it would have been kinder than what she actually did to May.

Alice remembered running, and running, and running.  When Alice finally stopped she was face to face with the Cheshire Cat.

“What are you running for, dear Alice,” the Cat asked her.

And Alice, tired and afraid for her sister told the Cat the entire tale.

After that Alice remembered planning how they were going to rescue May, and though it took two, or three, days they finally believed it would work.

After another night filled with tears they struck…   Alice supplying the diversion, the Queen’s guards chasing her relentlessly, while the Cat released May.  This time Alice knew all the shortcuts and hideouts and the Queen’s guards didn’t have a chance to catch her.

Reunited with her sister, Alice retrieved the book and opened the mirror…   thanking the Cat for his help.  The two of them stepped through into the library and you would have thought it should all have ended there…   it didn’t.

May had collapsed on the floor and Alice ran off to find Margaret leaving May alone.  May opened her eyes to find herself in the library and a glitter of insanity glowed in their depths.  Moving quickly she made her way to the kitchen and grabbed the first knife that came to hand, a 14” French Carving knife that one of the cooks had been using to cut up a chicken for the next meal.

May then returned to the library to find Alice & Margaret entering from the other door.  That was when Alice saw May and noticed the “glow” in her eyes.  Terror filled Alice and she started to run towards May, but tripped in her exhaustion and fell flat on her face.  Margaret quickly came and knelt over her, checking to make sure she had not hurt herself, and Alice saw the knife descend over Margaret’s shoulder.  Margaret collapsed on top of Alice pinning her to the ground while May ran away, laughing hysterically.

Alice remembered the police officers, lawyers, judges and politicians that visited the house in the next few days.  She remembered the agreement her parents made, to quietly put May in the institution for the criminally insane, to avoid the gossip and disgrace a court trial would cause.

So May was taken away…   with haunted eyes showing the terror of a tortured soul.

Part III

Malice knew she wouldn’t have much time.  Just after the door to the library she got her chance.  She was alone with the nurse in the hallway when she pointed at a window and said, “what’s that”, while taking a half step backwards.  Just like she expected the nurse stepped in front of her and looked where she had pointed.

Malice took the mightiest swing she could with the heavy book and hit the nurse in the neck.  Down she went, just like a karate master had hit her.

Malice quickly retraced her steps and entered the library, shutting the door behind her.  She quickly moved a sturdy table under the old mirror she had first seen months before and then brought over a chair to step on.

When she had first seen the mirror her heart stopped, her hatred flared, and she could think of nothing but revenge.

But Malice was cunning.  She knew she had to lull the doctors into thinking she was getting better and therefore “safe”.  They allowed her to take more & more walks.  Finally with only a single female nurse to accompany her

Now…   it was pay back time.

She set the book down and opened it to page 101.  She then touched the silvery surface and her finger went in as if it were liquid mercury.

Malice stepped up on the chair, then the table and finally into the mirror.  A few seconds later the books pages shifted to a spot with less resistance and the mirror was, once again, just a mirror.

Malice had long since made her plans so she hopped right to it.

First Malice visited the Mad Hatter, and had tea with him.  When she offered to make sandwiches he was happy to let her use his kitchen, where Malice searched till she found a 14” French Carving knife that she hid in her skirt.

After the tea party Malice went looking for the Tweedles.  With what Malice had learned at the asylum she was able to hypnotize them easily.  When she was done she sent them off to kill the Kings & Queens.  First the Diamonds, then the Clubs and finally the Spades.

Malice wanted to take care of the Queen of Hearts herself.  Malice also knew the King was a wuus.  When he saw what she was going to do the his Queen he’d cave in and back Malice as the new Empress of all the cards.

Things were working perfectly.

The Tweedles had killed the Diamonds and Clubs.  Malice had brutally killed the Queen of Hearts in front of the King, thus getting part of her revenge.

Malice had secured the loyalty of the Diamonds, who were normally the closest allies of the Hearts.  Now all she needed to happen was, in order, for the Tweedles to kill the Spades, the King of Hearts, as the last monarch, to abdicate in favor of Malice as the Empress of all the cards, and lastly…    yes lastly….    for Alice to come through after her so Malice could extract her last piece of revenge.

Malice was lost in thought, playing with her bloody knife when a murmur caused her to turn her head.

Not two, but three messengers were literally chasing each other up the isle.  There should be only two messengers Malice thought, and they should have been a few days apart.

The first messenger came forward, bowed deeply and said, “The king and Queen of Spades are dead.”

The second messenger came forward, bowed deeply and said, “The Jack of spades has called on the Jack of Clubs to rally their troops while he looks for someone to lead them”

The third messenger came forward, bowed deeply and said, “Alice, and an Alex Wraithclaw, have entered Wonderland.  The Jack of Spades has met with her and she has agreed to lead the Clubs & Spades against you, Lady Malice.”

There was hatred in her eyes as Malice said to herself:

“Alice, Alice come and stay,

            Little Malice wants to play…”

Part IV

Alice was startled out of her reverie when James touched her lightly on the shoulder and said, “We’re here, Miss Alice”.

Now Alice had to take charge.  She knew, deep down inside, that this day had to come just as she knew she had failed May these many years.  No, she’s Malice now Alice reminded herself.

Still…   she should have arranged for Malice to be moved to a different place, one where she could have had the doctors declare her sane, getting her released.  Alice knew that Malice had not been insane since sometime in the first year when the terror had finally faded.  It was only her determination to tell the truth that had made the doctors believe she was still living in a fantasy world, and therefore not safe in society.

As Alice got out of the car she saw Alex Wraithclaw coming towards her.  He looked like he was scared half out of his wits.  Now what could cause Alex to be scared, I wonder, thought Alice.  She knew he had been schooled in England, and in the finest schools at that, and normally he had that “unflappable” disposition that many Englishmen do.

“I’m so sorry…   so very sorry…   I’ve done as you asked and kept everyone out of the library.  I assure you nothing has been touched since you asked," he stammered.

It was almost as if he could not stop talking.  Once again Alice thought to herself, what was going on here?

Before she had much chance to think on it Alex hurriedly turned and led the way to the library.  Opening the door he stepped back and gestured for Alice to enter first.  Alice’s first impression was that whoever had mounted the old mirror was incompetent.  It looked like it could fall and shatter if it was bumped slightly…   then Alice saw the book and knew in her heart why Malice had left it.  So she wants me to follow her.  I guess I don’t have much choice if I want to get her back.

Turning to Alex she asked him to close and lock the door.

“Mr. Wraithclaw,” Alice began, “until recently the doctors here thought Malice was still in a fantasy world she had made up as some sort of escape from the reality of having killed our older sister, Margaret.  Let me show you now…   once and for all…   that Malice’s ‘fantasy’ world is, in fact, real.”

Alex’s face was a study in contradictions.  Disbelief, fear, and maybe a dawning comprehension were struggling to win.  Alice couldn’t give him the time he needed to adjust to what was about to happen though.  She walked over and picked up the book, noting that it had been open to page 89.  As Alice started to flip through the pages, reliving memories she would just as soon forget, she motioned for Alex to join her.

Reaching page 101 she took a deep breath and asked, “Alex, would you please touch the mirror.”

As Alex reached forward he seemed to hesitate…   then, as if coming to a firmer resolve, he reached out his had and put his finger into the mirror.  Eyes bulging he found his voice and asked, “What is happening?  How can this be?”

Alice held her hand to her lips and tried not to laugh…   she failed.  “Alex,” she began, “this mirror is a portal to another world.  A world where what we know as reality is irrelevant.  This is how Malice left the room without being seen by all of your high tech surveillance apparatus.”

Alex’s eyes looked like they were going to pop out of his head and he was trying to swallow with no success.

As his eyes once again turned to Alice she continued, “This is where Malice has gone.  Now I have to follow her.  I need to bring her back and get her declared sane.  I’m going to need your help if you’re willing to come.  I can guarantee you will see things beyond your imagination.”

Alice stepped up on the chair and then on the table, holding her hand out for Alex.  “Are you coming,” she asked, turning and stepping through the mirror into wonderland.

Alex took a deep breath and followed Alice’s route.  When he was finally standing in wonderland he took a quick look around and then caught Alice’s eye.

“What do we have to do,” he asked, “I know getting Malice back is not going to be easy, but I have no idea where to start…   do you?”

As Alice looked around she saw her answer approaching in the distance.  Smiling she said, “I think we need to talk with the person coming down the road over there.”

As Alex & Alice watched, the Jack of Spades recognized Alice and changed his direction to meet her.

As Alice waited for the Jack of Spades to reach her she closed the book and put it in her bag.  She knew it was the only way back for her and Malice…

Part V

Malice yelled for her generals…   “Attack them now, before they get any chance to organize their armies”, she cried, “Kill every Spade and every Club…   let the sand run Black with their Blood.”  She could hear the troops shouting her name in the courtyard outside the throne room…   “Malice, Malice, Malice…”.

This nightmare must end, Malice thought, but for it to end she must ride the Night Mare.

In the corner of the room the Cheshire Cat grinned to himself.  I can make something out of this, he thought, as he faded out of sight…

In the distance troops were forming up, just as they had always done in the past…   but this time the rules had changed.  This time they were being handed something called ‘guns’…

Done....