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Chapter 3

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"You need me to WHAT?" the deep, demanding voice of the old munchkin made Fredrick sigh. She was blue. Not just her clothes but her skin as well! She wore a plain teal work-gown that dropped till her ankles. She wore a light blue apron which has smudges of flour all over. Her deep blue hair was tied up in an untidy bun, a few silver streaks running up to her bun. She was a little woman, very short for an adult. And she seemed quite old as well. A little more than the average middle-aged woman. A sharp glare adorned her steely blue eyes. She crossed her arms. "I'm. A. Cook. I C-O-O-K," she repeated the syllables slowly and pumping bursts of anger for each one. "You asked me to cook. I cooked. You asked me to get groceries, I did. You asked me to clean the kitchen every day, I did without a question-"

"-but you had the Tinkies to help you, Helma-" Tinkies? Who are they?

"Don't call me that. And forget about the troublemakers! They double my work! Where was I? Ah yes, then you slowly made me your housekeeper without the official title or the salary but with tasks. I very, very reluctantly agreed. But this, run petty errands for you when you ask? Another word out of your mouth Fredrick Gramberly VIII, I'm quitting!"

Poor Fredrick had visibly flinched so much by now he was almost close to running out the room. "M-mrs. Tealscroft, I-I am asking this not for myself, but our dear g-guest who's far away from home. She misses it terribly and I want to help her, you see. I-is that not a good deed, Helma? After all, you have been working for six years in this house."

Although she didn't agree, the munchkin woman's eyes softened. The sneaky fox was right! She had a soft spot for people in a fix. Maybe that's how he got her to agree to be his housekeeper on such low wages for six whole years. What a foxy thing to do! My lips curved upward. Fortunately, I had a way to remedy that.

I put on a tired face. "Mrs. Tealscroft, you kind soul, would you make me something to eat?" I pleaded, pushing as much weakness into my voice as I could. "I'm exhausted and starving! Mr. Fredrick, I will stay and have my meal in the kitchen with Mrs. Tealscroft. You may leave with Biscuit." I sent a wink his way to assure him that I would convince her. He nodded and left, reluctantly calling Biscuit along with him. I then dropped my act.

I turned to her. "Mrs. Tealscroft-"

"-call me Helma-"

"-Helma," I amended. "I was lying. I'm not that tired. But all that he said about me is true. I am away from my home and want to get back, so could you please help me? You only need to get the extra items he requested. I promise we'll not bother you again. Please?" I pleaded, clasping her cool hands in mine.

"B-but my salary-" she broke off and sighed. "Oh alright. But he better be aware that I'm only doing this for you, my dear," she said, a kind smile on her face. "Sit," she said, pulling out a wooden stool for me. I sat while she stood on another stool of the same height. She was still shorter than me. Well, I was quite tall for a girl back on Earth as well. I was taller by two inches and a half than my 5'4 mother. Ah, I wish Mum was here. She'd love an adventure with me and her classic stuffed bread. Oh why did have to think of that? 

Now I can just picture those yummy, cream-filled- No, stop Elise. Stop. Come back to the present... and ignore your food fantasies.

I noticed the dark circles of exhaustion under her eyes and her worn-out, coarse hands. I was definitely going ahead with my plan. "But when he walks in, you must disagree with him."

"Eh?" the woman was confused. "But you-"

"I know, I just asked you to agree. What I mean is, put forth a condition and say that you will agree only then. That sly fox has been paying you very less for all the jobs you do around the house."

"I know, dearie. But I stayed out of kindness. His wife and son left him and he's been in a sad state ever since, the poor fellow. He's come to be like my son now."

"Oh, that is pretty sad. Why did they leave?"

"Oh, they got tired of his miserly ways and couldn't send their son to school with everyone shooting him the green eye. So his wife went to her father's place where they can live easily without kids bullying him about what his father is accused of. Poor kid has to live away from his father and can't meet his mother most of the time as she goes out to work. Freddy is still not over it yet, he confessed to me, that poor fellow." Her sympathetic words struck a sharp contrast with her deep, baritone voice. Unusual for a woman of her petite build. Petite is an understatement for Helma. She's basically a dwarf.

"Does he ever get to visit them?" I asked quietly.

"Yes, they separated two years ago. But Freddy visits only thrice a week or so-"

"Thrice every week!" I almost yelled. "Here I was thinking he would never see them or anything as such. Also, it's been years. You can't let his sad act fool you. You may stay with him if you like, but I'm not hearing of unfair work. You must say that you will not put up with his demands until he agrees to yours. And your conditions are that he will double your salary, provide you a better room to live in, and reduce your working hours."

"But do you think he'll agree?"

"He'll have to," I assured her. I couldn't bear seeing an elderly lady pushed to work under unfair wages. Especially when her kindness was being taken advantage of. She was a lot kinder than she looked, for sure. She tried to be strict and angry but with Frederick's pitiable act, her stony persona cracked quite easily. Very easily. Fredrick didn't seem to be a heartless man but he was just a terrible miser.

I was hesitant but my hunger overruled and the words just fell out, "Now, Helma, may I please have some of those cupcakes there? I haven't had anything since hours and the smell of bread is just tempting me."

"Of course, dear, you needn't hesitate." And that was all I needed to snatch one and let the sweet berry explode in my mouth.

"Ms. Chadwick. Just get. This. Dog. Off of me!" Our heads turned towards the door. Biscuit was clinging on to Fredrick's trousers. With his teeth, soaking the ends of the fabric wet with his drooly saliva. I had to hold in a burst of laughter when I saw Fredrick's face. His reaction was priceless. An annoyed look pulled at his furry features and his eyebrows were raised in part horror and part disgust.

I quickly swallowed the last piece of the cupcake I was chewing. "Biscuit, come here boy, let go of poor Mr. Fredrick's pants." I gathered the cute ball of fur in my arms. Biscuit stared up at me with wide, sparkly eyes. Who could be mad at such a lovely little pup? "You shouldn't go around chewing on people's clothes, got that, Biscuit?" He only barked. Whether it was a yes or a no, I wouldn't know. I loved calling him Biscuit. It made him sound even cuter. And he loved the name too.

Fredrick cleared his throat, looking quite relieved, though he still cast an apprehensive look at my pet. "Now, I think you've freshened up, haven't you Ms. Chadwick?"

"Elise," I corrected. "Yes, I've had my fill to Mrs. Tealscroft's scrumptious desserts. She is quite a marvel, isn't she, Mr. Fredrick?"

"Er, yes, of course, she is. And Helma, when can you get the wig and costumes for Elise here?"
The little woman smiled. "Right after you fulfill my conditions, Freddy."

"C-conditions?" he faltered.

"Yes," she affirmed. "I am a poor old lady who's been working six years here, don't you think I deserve a raise? Triple it." She snuck a glance at me and I gave her an encouraging thumbs-up.

"I- well-"

"Also, the room that I live in gets dusty every day. And you know I'm allergic to dust. Perhaps the loft would work. It's cozy and clean. What say, Freddy dear?"

"Er- I don't know-"

"Oh, and also, I cannot work continuously for a long period of time. I will require a fifteen-minute break every two hours."

"Make it every one hour," I chimed in.

"Yes, every one hour," she agreed.

"B-but you- I-" it was quite a fun business to see Fredrick sputter and fumble, his words coming out in a jumble. Hey, that rhymed! "Look here, Helma, you are a dear old lady and a mother figure to me, but I can hire another keeper to replace you anytime I like. I can get you to live in the loft, but I am not tripling your salary nor am I giving you fifteen-minute breaks every hour."

"Oh, dear!" Helma cried out dramatically, clutching her heart. "You say you will cast me out on the streets? I have so lovingly cared for you, looked over housekeeping matters, and done so much for you! Is this how you repay an old lady?" she chided.

"I- b-but you can't-" I could see him counting out the money he was going to lose, in his head, shaking his head and muttering things. A behavior befitting a fox. He finally stopped and sighed in resignation. "Alright, I suppose. I will be giving you a raise, but your salary won't be tripled."

"Double and a half times?"

"Half," he stated.

"Double."

He rolled his eyes. "Alright, double."

"Don't you roll your eyes at me young man!" she scolded although a smile was blooming on her face. "If that's that, then I'll head out right away."

"Thank you, Mrs. Teal- I mean, Helma," I said gratefully.

"Good. Meanwhile, Elise and I will plan out everything. And the discussion excludes your... pet," he added distastefully.

I shook my head. "Biscuit will be present. After all, he has to play an important role. Being Toto!"

He turned and left the kitchen without a reply, muttering something about two villainous witches ordering him about.

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Chapter Word Count: 1783

Total Word Count: 5520

Milestone (8000 words): Not Reached.