Strings

Chapter 4:The Puppet's Broken Promise

"Everyday was the same for her. While all the other girls played, Elizabeth would watch them sadly from afar. One day however, she heard of a magical object that may just be the solution to her problem."

"An ancient and powerful witch named Agatha lived in the land beyond the mountains, far, far away. She had in her possession a magical scepter she used to control people. Eager and desperate to be accepted by the people in her village, Elizabeth set out to find Agatha and get the scepter for herself."

The Jackeray music lost its eerie touch; instead the tune became a bit merrier, as though to compliment the determination of Elizabeth. I picked out the strum of a violin, the notes of a piano and God knows what else. The Jackeray's, trained to mimic human singing as well, rose and dropped the pitch of their hums just as the scenery on stage changed, a beautiful and vivid oil painting of a forest dropping in to place as the backdrop. There was a hut wedged into the overgrowth of painted threes, smoke curling into the sky. I was not sure if it was a trick of the light, but I almost thought the smoke was real. I was mesmerized at how realistic it was, as though I was looking through a window. This was turning out to be better than any CGI dump of a movie.

"After much journeying, at last, she found the witch's home." Elizabeth appeared once more, looking as though she was dragging her feet in exhaustion. Her head jerked up in the direction of the cottage in the backdrop and I followed her gaze.

The scene changed and Elizabeth was now standing inside the cottage, the backdrop now showing shelves lined with potions, a smoking cauldron in the fire place and a window.
On the other side of the stage appeared another puppet. She was dressed in a elegant black robe, her long, equally black hair streaming down her back. The puppet turned toward Elizabeth and for the first time during the whole performance, she spoke.

"I am Agatha the Great." The puppet said. I was stunned at how Mr. Strings perfect imitated a woman's haughty voice. I managed to look away from the performance and switch my gaze onto the young man's shadow features. From what I could make out, his lips barely moved.

He must be a ventriloquist. I thought, turning my attention back to the story and feeling thoroughly impressed .

"What is it that you seek?" The witch asked.

"I have come for your scepter." Elizabeth spoke. Unlike the witch's voice, hers was soft and timid, a voice not often used.
"Please, will you let me have it?"

Agatha laughed. The sound was like the caress of the winter wind, cold, void of emotion. It made the hair at the back of my neck stand up. Mr. String was indeed a very skillful actor.

"And what have you to offer in exchange?" Agatha demanded.
"Offer?" Elizabeth sounded genuinely alarmed. "I-I'm not sure..."

I held my breath, almost wondering if poor Elizabeth would be turned into a frog by the witch. But then, hesitantly Elizabeth's wooden hands reached around her neck and pulled away a small silver locket.

"This is all I have to offer." She said sadly. "The only valuable possession I have ever owned. Please, will you give me the scepter?"

The witch too the locket in her own wooden hands, leaving me to marvel at how the puppets could actually handle props. My amazement at Mr. Strings' skill grew with every passing minute as the puppets carried on with their roles in the most convincing manner.

"I shall accept this offer." Agatha said at last. "However, this locket's value is only enough to let you borrow my scepter for three years. You shall take it and do as you please with it during that time. When the three years are gone, you must return it to me. Remember, I will accept no longer than three years."