SETTING.

The night is black. The wind howls through the trees and sends them knocking like ghosts on the windows, the moon hides behind a mask of clouds; and for an unknown reason it is suddenly an 1800s setting in what could be called Crazy Mario Land.

CAST.

Peach: Countess of Mushroom Town.
Waluigi: Butler to Peach. Also known as Chives.
Blue Toad: Attendant to Peach.
Toadette: Maid to Peach.
Daisy: Peach's cousin of the Sarasa Territory.
Wario: Constable of Diamond Town.
Pauline: Mayor of Donk Town.
Mario: Duke of Brooklyn Village.
Yellow Toad: Servant to Mario.
Yoshi: Advisor and friend to Mario.
Birdo: Ladyfriend to Yoshi.
Luigi: Earl of Twilight Town.
Rosalina: Duchess of Stellaria.

Now I know THAT was a lot of information to process.

ACT 1.

Thursday. The 30th of October.
The night on which all foul creatures hold their breath and wait for the plunge.
The tall, lanky and freakishly beanpoleish goon, dressed in snappy purple and white attire, held his breath as he gazed up at the candy jar atop the bureau. They promised a sweetness and a bitterness; a chance for a better life. A river of drool began to trail on the kitchen floor.
They were death mints, the forbidden candy which he only saw the likes of once per year. And of course, they were like the best thing on planet Crazy. If only he could get his goony hands on one -
"Chives! Oh, silly Chives, where are you? Is the tea done yet?"
The sudden call of his mistress sent Waluigi jerking upwards like a rubber chicken in a slingshot. Quickly 'slicking' his crazy brown hair and arranging his always untidy suit, he scooped up the tray and rushed for the drawing room.
"The name's WAHluigi," he hissed under his breath. "Wah is that so hard?"
It was another late and stormy night in Mushroom Town. The chill that accompanied dark midnights had arisen again, rendering comfortable sleep impossible; and unfortunately for the clumsy butler, it would probably mean waiting on his mistress until the night was up.
Entering the grand drawing room with tea in tow, Waluigi found her where she had been all evening: sitting before the great fireplace where the 6-foot-tall fire roared. Knowing such wahck-talk was intolerable, he said nothing.
In her big armchair Countess Peach sat, with envelopes all around her; they were the answers to the invitations she had been awaiting.
"There you are," she said on Waluigi's entry. "Do close the locks and draw back the curtains, 'tis an awful chill tonight. And leave a close watch by the front gate, for I'm expecting company on the morn."
Waluigi rolled his eyes secretly. The countess was always having company, on the morning of big parties especially. Tomorrow would likely be bustling busier than biker dudes at a Harley Davidson festival... whatever that meant.
Just as Waluigi went to pull down the sash, a crack of lightning flashed before his eyes, illuminating the entire manor for a moment in spectral white. The countess shivered and pulled a blanket closer.
"And Chives, do hurry!"
"It's Waluigi," he muttered again under his breath, but did as she asked. Trying to pretend like he didn't care (which he really didn't), he asked, "Who are you expecting?"
"The Lady Daisy from the Sarasa Territory," she replied over her shoulder, gathering up the party invitations. "And the duke... of Brooklyn Village... and a few others."
"Ooh, Dukey-buttons is coming to visit," Waluigi snickered again to himself. "Like we really need more fancy pants colonial leaders around here trying to usurp the manor!"
Countess Peach did not hear, and it wouldn't have mattered much if she did. At that moment she had fallen asleep in her armchair, rendering Waluigi alone (well, technically he wasn't, but you get the point); and the possibilities that occurred to him then were enormous. If the mistress was having a party tomorrow, most certainly he would be there. And then...
Drawing the curtains closed, Waluigi turned tail and dashed for the kitchen.
Just as he left the drawing room, a door creaked and in entered a small pink toad girl in black maid's uniform, carrying a candle. Glancing around, she frowned.
"Oh, Waluigi! Blue Toad! Are you in here?" Upon getting nothing, she came closer to the fire where her mistress slept.
"Oh, m'lady, you really shouldn't stay here," she said, timidly, "you'll be safer... in your own quarters, think you not?"
A sudden clash of thunder shook the china along the shelves as the curtains lit up from without, sending a shiver of fright through the maid. With a gasp, she stumbled back, only to bump directly into a living... thing!
"Aahhh!!"
Two toads screamed alike as they turned to face each other, the single candle being the only light to show their frightened eyes. A third pair hung back a few feet away.
"Oh, Toadette! There you are; I had been worried!"
"Blue Toad... what is going on? What is this?" Toadette asked, still recovering from the scare.
"Why, a despicable traitor stands in our midst, a thief, a plotter, who dares to take the mistress' prized candies!" Blue Toad swore, seizing her candle and casting it upon the butler. "I found him I did in the kitchen not two minutes ago, about to take them for his own! Heard it out of his own mouth I did!"
"That's a filthy lie," Waluigi spat. "You're the one who keeps hunting knives under your bed!!"
Toadette let out a little shriek and took back the candle, glaring at him. "How dare you accuse him, you grape-bottomed swine! Blue Toad means nothing by it!"
"And you, my good sir, are to be held under highest watch so long as the mistress' candies are in the manor," Blue Toad scolded, grabbing his wrist and throwing him against the stairway.
"They're just candy, sheesh, what's such the big deal?" Waluigi snapped irritably. "It's not like I slink around at wee hours of the night while the lady's sleeping!"
"Excuse me, sir, but that is what you are doing," Toadette interrupted. "Now if you'll pardon me... I mean to stay by the countess until morning's light." Scuttling away, the maid tried to appear unafraid.
Blue Toad glared at Waluigi like a loser glares at a lottery winner. Then he let him go and faded back into the bathroom.
Waluigi stayed where he was for several long moments after, listening to lightning strike after strike. Finally, he got up and slunk around a corner.

ACT 2.

Friday. The 31st of October.
The morning on which the foul things retreat and hide, peeking from behind walls in wait of full moon's light.
The fog rolled from the trees and the early sun drove away the memory of the previous night's storm over Mushroom Town, sparkling through the leaves around Mushroom Manor.
Toadette yawned and scrambled up with a start as she noticed the light in the windows. The fire had gone out a long time ago, and the countess still slept in her chair.
"Oh, my lady! You must up quickly, the ballroom might be still in disarray!"
Rising peacefully from her slumber, the countess stirred at last. "Oh thank you Toadette, but it will all be in order," Peach assured. "I must thank you, however; my guests shall start arriving within the hour!"
Toadette, surprised, bowed respectfully. "Guests?"
"Yes, the duke of Brooklyn Village and his attendants shall be arriving early on my request."
"R-really?" The maid said, more surprised still. "Why that's wonderful m'lady! I will make sure Waluigi opens the gate."
"Yes, thank you," the countess said, rising from her seat. "And you do know, Yellow Toad shall be with him... Well, I must prepare before the ball tonight." She was just about to leave the room when she spotted the floor and a thought came to her.
"Oh, Toadette! - do you know where my invitations have gone? They were here last night!"
"Invitations? No, m'lady, I don't. Were they on the floor?"
"Yes, and now they've vanished! Are you sure you didn't see them?"
"I'm sorry I haven't! I will ask the others," Toadette promised.
"Well... I suppose 'tis no great concern," the countess said, then continued on her way up the stairs.
The instant she was gone Waluigi stepped around the corner. "Well well well, look who's stealing things from the countess now!"
"Waluigi! I know it was you!" Toadette declared. "Why did you do it?"
"You've no proof," the butler replied, "except that YOU were the one who spent the night watch with her!"
"I fell asleep, I knew nothing of invitations!" Toadette defended. "What reason would I have to take them?"
"To see who is coming to the masked ball," Waluigi replied confidently. "We all know you!"
"Pardon me?"
"Oh please, don't play so innocent Toadette. Countess Peach believes you are still in love with that idiot Yellow Toad, but both Blue Toad and I know better. We both know you've been swooning over the duke for months now, since you saw him at the Donk Town Festival!"
"Halt! Waluigi, cease this immediately!" Blue Toad demanded, entering from the foyer. "Why do you accuse her when you have just as much reason to question who is coming?"
"I question nothing," Waluigi snorted, stomping away with an armful of doilies. "She is the most disloyal little cheat you've ever laid eyes on."
"Waluigi! Where are the invitations?" Blue Toad demanded.
"How should I know?!"
With that he slammed the door, leaving the two toadservants shocked and alone in the drawing room. Surprised, Blue Toad turned to the maid.
She only gathered the remnants of tea and hurried away.

Scene 2.

Later that same afternoon.
The ballroom has been decorated to the highest degree for the countess' masked ball on the evening.
Leaning against the manor's front gates, Waluigi crossed his arms and muttered to himself.
"Sure, blame everything on me. The little ingrate. It's not like I've done anything bad in the past!"
His self-pitying muttering was cut off by the rumble of wheels on the path ahead, made by a fast approaching horse cart. Twin white stallions drawing a small wooden cart drew up outside the gates, and the three nicely dressed passengers began to climb down.
Waluigi rolled his eyes at the vigor in the human's step. "Oh hey numbskulls, you're here," he greeted, meandering over. "If you're looking for the good Countess Peach's masked party, it's NOT here."
Laughing merrily, the man removed his fedora and handed it to the toad attendant beside him.  "Surely you jest, old bean, for I know the countess' manor like a vacation home," he assured the annoyed butler. The only human of the group, he was instantly off-putting to Waluigi by the well-groomed mustache and 'pretty good looks', at least by guy standards. And whenever the countess had a guy with good hair over, no matter how short, he was sure to be hated by the butler.
Not that Waluigi hadn't seen the duke before; the countess had first met him the previous year at a Mushroom fair.
All three of the guests wore becoming black suits, the duke's embellished with a curious red flower. The green dinosaur shook Waluigi's hand enthusiastically.
"So good to arrive; is the countess ready to receive us?" he asked.
"Not at the present moment," Waluigi snorted, only to be cut off by the countess herself nearly skipping down the path like a giddy schoolgirl.
"Oh, Mario!... Yoshi, you have come! Welcome!"
Joining them by the path, Peach seemed to remember her manners at the last minute and stopped, took out her fan, and offered her hand for the duke to kiss. Waluigi turned and barfed behind the fence, but nobody cared about him.
"Did you find your trip pleasant?" The countess asked, conducting herself more regally now. She was dressed already for the ball, in a generous gothic gown of purple and black lace. A black hairpiece and theater gloves made her more than ready for first prize in a costume contest.
"Oh yes, just lovely. A marvel to see you again, madame," the duke Mario bowed. "I trust you are doing well. Pardon my brash saying so, but might I ask you save the last dance for me?"
"It is yours," the countess replied, hiding behind her fan for lack of composure. "Might you come in for refreshment? Chives! Come prepare something for the duke and his companions!"
Groaning like a lovesick moose (but secretly), Waluigi did as he was told while they slowly made their way inside. While the nights were cold, the day was lovely and warm, and Waluigi feared that if he didn't get the tea they'd stay out there forever making barfable comments.
On his way in he bumped into Toadette and Blue Toad running out. He had just enough time to give Toadette a harsh glare.
"Are these your new horses?" Countess Peach asked, indicating the white chargers, for she and the duke wrote often.
"Adonis and Lucifer, the finest Andalusians you could hope to see," Mario explained. "Adonis is mine; the other I've promised to the Earl of Twilight Town."
Pushing up to get a better look, the two toadservants gazed at the newcomers with some awe. Toadette appeared mesmerized by the man in front of her until a voice interrupted.
"Sup guys, how's it going?" Yellow Toad asked with a wave. Blue Toad grabbed Toadette's arm and pulled her closer to pay attention.
"Ohh, uh... hello, Yellow Toad," she greeted nervously. "I-I hope you're doing well."
"Oh yeah, totally rad. I've been looking forward to this quite a while... how bout you?"
Before she could reply, the duke stepped in with a sidelong comment; a comment aimed at her.
"Do pardon my servant's odd dialect; I know not where he got it from. He means to bid you hello."
Yellow Toad nodded. Toadette felt utterly strange until Blue Toad grabbed her hand.
"Well, I fear Toadette and I must be going," he said. "There are issues with the party that need supervision. Enjoy your stay!"
Pulling her away into the manor, Yellow Toad scratched his head and watched them go.
They had not been gone long that more of the early guests began to roll in, beginning with the countess' fair cousin Daisy. Dropped off by a small carriage, she sailed toward them in a flurry of orange and gold ruffles.
"Peach! So splendid to see you on this fine day!" She embraced her cousin like long lost friends and then remembered the other guests. Peach, realizing, began introductions.
"Oh, Daisy, I'd like to introduce the duke of Brooklyn and his advisor Yoshi," she said. The introductions were gracious and short, with the whole party soon opting to move indoors. Seated around the drawing room table, they chatted as more people began to trickle in.
First was Wario the constable. Peach had only met him once, and was never too fond of him, but she only felt it right to ask him as one of the nearby authorities. As he waddled in, she turned to the others.
"Daisy, Mario... this is Wario, constable of Diamond City."
The constable wasn't particularly eye-catching, being fat as a smoked ham, but he greeted the guests nicely enough. At last he came to his hostess and kissed her hand uninvited.
"Oh countess, a lovely abode you have," he said. "Do you keep it all yourself?"
At that moment Blue Toad and Toadette entered with more tea, and Peach smiled. "Oh no, these are two of my loyal servants," she explained graciously. "There is also another but he is... well..."
More like you, Blue Toad mentally finished her sentence, but said nothing.
"Ah, no matter," Constable Wario said. "I pray, countess, that you might give me the honor of first dance at the ball tonight, for a song I have requested already to be given in your honor?"
Conscious of the duke and his friend shifting uncomfortably in their chairs, Peach could do nothing but smile.
"Y-yes, of course."
"It already seems so exquisite, my lady, I am sure there is no better place in all the world to be but here," Wario went on."And may think you might endeavor to make journey to the city sometime, to see my trade? I may acquire for you some choice antiquities."
The toadservants looked on with some considerable disgust until the sounds of another cart arriving was heard beyond the gate.

Scene 3.

Outside the manor.
The butler Waluigi has just spotted the arrival of the Earl of Twilight Town.
"The day grows later, don't be a hater, 'cause tonight it'll be a full moon. Oh too late, 'cause there's one that I hate, and I'm thinkin' he looks like a goon," Waluigi said as the earl approached. Hearing him, the visitor, dressed as usual in a dapper green suit, merely waved him off.
"Waluigi - or do you prefer Chives? - let me by, the countess is expecting me."
"Yeah, and so are several others, I'd wager," Waluigi said, "but you forget the guy in front of you."
"I'd just as soon have the constable take you away and replace you myself!"
"Well I think that would be most interesting for -
"Oh! The Earl of Twilight Town! Come in, my lady expects you," Blue Toad interrupted, appearing by the front doors to the manor. Sliding a condescending look to the butler, the earl headed inside.
Waluigi, staying behind, grabbed a stick and snapped it in half, seething like soup just off the stove.
"Madame, the Earl of Twilight Town has arrived," Blue Toad bowed, letting the guest enter the drawing room. On looking up the duke came forward jovially.
"Ah... Earl Luigi," he said at length, taking him by the shoulder, "glad to see you arrive in time. Things are well, I hope?"
"Well as they can, in a town of eternal twilight," the earl replied, shivering slightly. The duke waved it off with a chuckle.
"Well I've got your stallion here tonight, ready for you to take home," he assured, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. "No hard feelings still linger, correct?"
"Of course not," the earl replied, shrugging it off. The other guests stared in confusion.
"Oh, of course. Earl Luigi of Twilight Town," the duke introduced him.
As Daisy shook his hand, she seemed distracted. "Welcome, sir, I don't believe we've met. Do you... stay nearby?"
The moment was interrupted by Waluigi barging in and demanding that they all go down to see the ballroom, now.
Annoyed but relenting, the slightly awkward guests followed.

ACT 3.

That evening.
The masked party has just commenced with the arrival of all the guests.
A group of toad musicians played beneath crystal chandeliers as the first couples swept around the ballroom. Making a huge scene, like an elephant at a tea party, Wario was trying to make the countess manage two successful waltz steps in succession. So far he'd been unsuccessful, rendering it amusing if not irritating to watch.
Blue Toad, carrying a tray of champagne, came by with glasses for the non-dancing guests. For the first song, this included the duke as well.
Casting annoyed glances every so often at the dance floor, Blue Toad offered him one.
"Thank you," the duke said, then instantly returned to watching. He didn't know why, but he just didn't approve of the way that guy was -
"Well, howdy, Dukey-buttons," Waluigi appeared from nowhere, sidling up to his side. "Drinking, huh? Got nobody to dance with?"
Ever so gracious, he turned to the butler. "You may call me Duke Mario, so please you, Chives," he replied. "I only wished a slight refreshment at the first."
Yeah, right. That guy is totally seething over that Wario.
Before he could say anything else Mayor Pauline appeared, a beautiful brunette in a fetching red dress. Perhaps merely just to escape the annoying butler, the duke instantly gave up his glass and offered her his hand.
"May I have this dance, lady?"
"Oh, Mario... certainly," she replied, and they took off in a hurry. Waluigi shrugged and grinned behind his back.
The night began to pass in a flurry of excitement and colorful outfits as the songs wore on. It soon became apparent that the Earl had quite taken a liking to the cousin of the countess, as the Lady Daisy had hardly danced a single song away from him; and Blue Toad even managed a song with Toadette, although she was quite distracted by the sight of the duke dancing ravenously with her countess. It was enchanting and horrible to watch all at the same time; no doubt he fancied her, the way he swung her effortlessly around him and paused just a moment too long now and then, holding her just above the floor. At last Blue Toad pulled her aside.
"Toadette, what troubles you? Not the duke again?"
Still holding his hand, she shook her head. "No, no... it's nothing," the maid replied.
"Oh, hey Toadette," Yellow Toad interrupted, coming over. He paused and stared at them, then said, "I, uh... was wondering if you were gonna come dance with me tonight."
"Oh, Yellow Toad, I'm... I'm sorry, I think I need to take a break." Then without another word she rushed out of the ballroom.
Yellow Toad stared at Blue Toad like he'd just cut off his arm. Blue Toad just shrugged and walked away.

Scene 2.

Later that night.
The ball has taken a momentary lull as the clock approaches midnight.
Flushed and laughing, Earl Luigi pulled Daisy off the dance floor. "A smashing hit, your cousin planned, wouldn't you say?" he asked.
Laughing for an unknown reason, the girl couldn't answer him.
Waluigi growled and slunk through the crowd, looking around for the countess. She'd been busy nearly all evening, mostly giving her attention to the duke in the center of the floor; who had been decent enough to dance with nearly all of the ladies, such as the Mayor of Donk and the Duchess Rosalina. Still, Waluigi found the whole prospect annoying.
Now, he spotted her at the center of a small gathering, with Constable Wario clinging to her side (well, not literally). He appeared to be encouraging her to do something.
"Oh countess, why don't we go see your garden? I'd be honored if you'd show me. I've rare breeds in my own yard, if you might inquire for some foreign cuttings." He linked his arm around hers to the visible displeasure of several people. At that Duke Mario stepped forward.
"Pardon, but I believe it is time for masks to be replaced," he interjected, partially wedging himself between the two. For a while everyone had gotten tired of wearing them (because I mean, who really likes to wear something on your face for the entire duration of a party?). But since it was a masked ball, after all, they did as he asked.
Only the servants didn't wear any, and only the servants shared grim looks at the expense of their masters.

Scene 3.

A few minutes later.
The music has again resumed and many dancers have returned to the floor.
The duke of Brooklyn leaned against the grandfather clock and looked out into the floor, a passive pleasure in his eyes. Wario was currently busy trying to dance with Birdo with Yoshi looking on, which none of them were clearly enjoying. In spite of himself, he laughed.
Toadette stood nervously nearby, looking around; and with her still looking on Countess Peach swept by. Ducking behind a plant, Toadette watched as she went and stood next to the duke.
"My, what a fever I can get from all this activity," the countess said, pulling out her fan. "So many dancers. It is lovely to watch, do you know? I never noticed Daisy having such fun."
Adjusting his cufflinks, Duke Mario glanced at her sideways. "But it is hot," he replied at last. "Mayhap you'd like to step out for a moment?" Opening one of the doors, he stood aside and let her slip out. Glancing around, he followed.
In the hall outside, she turned to him.
"My duke, -
"Mario."
"Mario, something's amiss," she said urgently. "'Tis odd, I can't explain it; there is an atmosphere that shan't be cut even with a knife."
"You mean that more literally than you speak," the duke answered levelly.
Slowly, she nodded and turned frightened eyes on him. "There is more than one vengeful gaze that cannot be entirely concealed by a mask."
"Do not fail to keep yours on, mistress," he replied. She nodded again, when suddenly a harsh crack of thunder seemed to shake the very walls where they stood. With a cry of fear, she drew back against the wall; and in an instant he had swept her in his arms into a darkened alcove. There they waited, still as death for a moment.
"'Tis only rain," she said at last.
"Nay, I must disagree; for I feel more raw thunder in this alcove than in all the skies outside," he said, looking again to her startled eyes.
"I know not what you mean," she said, pulling but a moment against his arm.
"But you know the knife and the storm cannot compare to the thunder that rages within. But oh, relax! - you are like to faint," he said in surprise.
The countess shook her head faintly. "Nay, I am alright."
"Alright as I? I'd think not," he observed.
"I do not know what is going on presently -"
"Neither of us do."
"What do you mean by that?" she asked.
"You're trembling."
"There is more than one reason for a lady to tremble," she breathed, conscious that she was entirely dependent on his arm holding her.
"Indeed." In one moment he had swept off his mask and retreated with her into the darkest corner of the alcove.
"I do not..."
She didn't finish her sentence at the closeness of his breath to hers. Only another moment would have sufficed.
"WAH!"
The goony voice caused Mario to snap his head up, only to find himself face to face with Waluigi.
"How's it goin?" He grinned casually.
Duke Mario dropped the countess faster than a teenager caught with a broomstick.
Peach, completely disarmed, yelped in surprise as he dropped her, meeting a wooden floor instead of his elusive touch.
"Chives, the ballroom?" Duke Mario snapped. "Should not you be attending?"
"Pardon me, Count," he bowed, "but I thought there might be something of interest to disclose to you."
Kneeling to help the still shocked Peach off the floor, Mario frowned impatiently. "What is it then? Speak, don't tarry!"
Because of the overall 'you're busted' look on Waluigi's face, it was hard to take him seriously. Rising, Peach quickly produced her fan and avoided any eye contact.
"Well, speak!" the duke demanded.
"If you're done with the goo-goos and the barfities - pardon me if you hadn't got started - there's something you should see in the bathroom."
"The bathroom?" Peach repeated. "Chives what is it?"
Before he could answer the doors at the end of the hall burst open. "Countess! Come quickly! It's the constable!" Blue Toad cried.

And now it is time for a brief intermission.

Annnd... there you go. I guess it's just impossible for me to make Halloween specials one part, huh.
So yes, I leave you on another cliffhanger. I know the whole presentation is different and slightly alarming (that's what happens when you read too much Shakespeare) but I hope you can find it enjoyable! The conclusion will be done before Halloween, I PROMISE.
And yeah, I threw Pauline in there. It seemed fitting to include her with a small role this time somehow, I don't know.
And I'm not sure about you, but this feels like too big a story to squeeze into two parts. I'm tempted to use this setting for a whole novel someday IF ONLY I COULD FIND MORE TIME!!
I just don't think I'm very good at writing mysteries. Oh well, hope you can get something fun out of it.

~ Daisy