Against The Master Plan

I started this short story as a challenge to myself. I took random IDs from an app I'm active on and had to work them into a short story. I chose eleven different IDs to use for this experiment and have highlighted them in bold the first time you come across them in the story. Please enjoy the following spontaneous tale.

It was the opportunity of a life time and Abi couldn't believe she was actually here. She was one of the ten lucky contestants to win an all expenses paid trip to the Frank Zappa concert in Dubai. She was just awe struck to be half a world away from home. The city was big with gorgeous, high tech ornamental buildings, vastly different then the wheat fields surrounding her farm house back home in Saskatchewan. Abi had been told that there was even going to be an emperor in the audience tonight and she couldn't be more glad that she had brought her best dress with her. She had her fingers crossed that she would be lucky enough to meet him.

Decked out to the nines in a long, navy blue, silk dress with white roses imprinted on her hip in a cluster and her long, auburn hair swept up in a romantic bun with lose curls framing her face, Abi felt like royalty herself. Sitting in a private box just right of the stage with the other contestants and sipping on a glass of Chardonnay, she let out a small squeal when Frank started playing Zut Alore which was her faveourite song.

Abi got to her feet and started swaying along with the music, lost in it's melodies and her pure enjoyment. She had never been to concert before let alone one so far away from home. Her hotel itself would have been a big enough prize for her. Realizing she was getting lost in her thoughts she decided to scan the crowd to see if she could spot the emperor.

It was almost as if the fates had heard her what she was thinking. The red velvet curtains that were cutting the winners box off from the rest of the crowd swung open and a very posh dressed man waltzed through the contestants and sat down beside Abi with a hug grin on his face. "Hello there! I am Emperor Mello, welcome to my country. How are you enjoying the concert so far?" He asked Abi in a pleasant, friendly tone, he seemed genuinely interested in knowing what she had to say.

"Your Imperial Majesty, it is an honour for me to be here. I have to admit I'm huge Frank Zappa fan and the entertainment you have line up with him has been out of this world." Abi gushed, like any small town fan girl would. Her smile felt like it was taking up her entire face and Emperor Mello couldn't help but grin along with her. The pillow top, cream chairs couldn't of been any more comfortable for watching a concert of this caliber and Abi was trying her hardest not to embarrass herself. She quickly looked down at the lineup and tried to come up with something else to say to this royal man.

"When will be seeing Branch Da Klown my liege? I have never heard of this performer and I'm curious as to what he will be doing along side Frank's set." Abi asked, trying to ignore the other contestants blatantly staring at her and emperor. Emperor Mello smiled, lighting up his warm, amber eyes and before he responded a gesture was made to the security entourage that Abi pretended she didn't notice.

"I will have that rascal brought to this booth for you miss...I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch your name," Emperor Mello interjected smoothly as it was obvious that Abi's down to earth, natural beauty had captured his undivided attention. Abi tried to stay calm, although she felt like something was terribly wrong. She didn't want t offend the Emperor by informing him that she was terrified of clowns, deep down she was hoping that it was just a name and the performer wasn't actually a clown.

"My name is Abi, your Majesty and I thank you once again for your hospitality. This experience has been out of this world. I never thought I would get to see more of Canada, let alone be traveling to Dubai to see my favourite artist. Your country is very pretty and I have enjoyed learning all about your culture as well." Abi beamed up at Emperor Mello as her five foot frame tended to make her shorter then most of the people she came in contact with. It was at this time the security team presented Branch Da Klown.

As Abi had feared he was a traditional clown however, he seemed to have a German accent as he was asking the guards what Emperor Mello wished of him. He was dressed in a bright orange, cotton suit with a forest green, ruffled collar encompassing his entire neck. The oversized green and yellow polka-doted shoes that he had crammed his feet into squeaked loud enough that they could be heard over the song Frank was playing at the moment. In his breast pocket a fake black rose was neatly pinned and Abi could tell that when Branch asked you to smell it he was going to spray water in your face. Emperor Mello gestured for Branch to sit down among the contestants and head of the secuirty team explained that Branch Da Klown would be performing and few tricks for the Emperor's esteemed guests.

Abi was trying her hardest not to directly look at Branch while he did a few classic gags. He effortlessly pulled what seemed like never ending rainbow coloured clothes out of his mouth. The other contestants were dazzled by a card trick, where the card the young gentleman had selected reappeared in his drink. The flower gag came into effect for a sixty year old woman and everyone got a chuckle out of it. Emperor Mello could tell that none of these impressive tricks was winning Abi over though. As much as he was glad Branch Da Klown was able to keep the other contest winners amused, for some reason he really wanted Abi's admiration.

"Have you seen these tricks before Miss Abi?" He asked genuinely trying to assess what it would take to impress the demure Canadian girl.

"Some of them your highness, but I have to be honest with you, I am actually afraid of clowns. That's why I have been paying more attention to the music then what Branch Da Klown is doing." Abi quickly looked down at the floor as her face flushed bright red. She just wished the floor would swallow her up, she had never been so embarrassed in her life. Why didn't she just lie to Emperor Mello and save herself from this horrible moment. Emperor Mello laughed out loud at this admission. It was a deep, warm melodic chuckle that filled the room and made Abi feel a little less silly.

"I am so sorry Abi, I do not mean to laugh at you, but you see I have a secret I've been keeping too. I am not fan of clowns either," the emperor was laughing so hard tears were running down his face. Branch Da Klown must have over heard their conversation as he glided over towards them with a frown on his brightly painted face. Abi cringed as the make up was just so over the top and ghastly, she really wished the clown would leave the box.

"I'm sorry your Imperial Majesty, I did not know clowns were not to your taste. Let me make it up to you with a tasty treat for you and your female companion here." Branch Da Klown brought out two blue coloured taffy candies wrapped in clear plastic with periwinkle ribbons tying off the ends. He managed an eerie smile as he handed them over to the Emperor and Abi. "You must be careful though, in my country it is rumored that clowns own the most addictive candy in all of the world. One taste and you might seek me out for more," Batch giggled over his lead up to the candy joke.

Abi figured the trick was the taffy was actually horribly flavoured, like soap or something, but if the emperor was going to play along then she would take the candy from Branch Da Klown too. Emperor Mello took his and started to unwrap it, Abi noticed his hands looked strong and his skin looked very soft. She then quickly chided herself for day dreaming. The sooner she ate this candy the quicker Emperor Mello could get Branch Da Klown to leave.

"Down the hatch!" Abi joked as she shoved the candy in her mouth. She was pleasantly surprised that the candy tasted like blue raspberries. Emperor Mello was asked a question by his head of security just before putting the candy in his mouth. He was talking away in Arabic and ignoring Branch Da Klown, who was eyeing both Abi and the Emperor very intently. Abi was just about to try draw the Emperor's attention to how creepy everything seemed when out of no where her vision vision blurred and the world started spinning. She tried to ask for help, but her tongue sat like a led weight in her mouth. She turned to face Branch Da Klown and as she started to pass out the last thing she saw was him bring his finger to his lips to tell her to hush. As the world slipped away into utter darkness all she could hear was Branch bursting into maniacal laughter and Emperor Mello calling out, "No God, no!"

Next thing she knew Abi was waking up in a gorgeous, lush, green field beside a crystal clear bubbling brook. Abi rubbed her eyes and looked around in absolute bewilderment. "Wh-what? Where am I? Did I fall asleep at the concert ? Am I dreaming?" Abi tried to replay what happened in her mind, but she couldn't put all the events together. Shes slowly rose to her feet and scanned the area for any clues as what might have happened. "I must be dreaming, it's the only way any of this can be explained."

"Wait a minute, you're not Emperor Mello. No, no, no. It was suppose to be Emperor Mello that Branch Da Klown's addictive candy completes his assassination and that I am supposed to meet here to present to my boss. Oh the Boss Man is going to be pissed that this has been messed up." A very tall, thin man dressed in a cheery pink suit was standing just a few feet behind her.

"Excuse me, but did you say Emperor Mello was supposed to be assassinated? I knew there was something I didn't like about that clown." Abi placed her hands on her hips and stared at this new being sternly. "Who are you and where have I been taken to? I demand to be taken back to the concert at once!"

"I am afraid I can't do that miss, for you see," with a flash of bright light all of a sudden the man had a huge set of sliver wings streaming out behind him and casting of rays of sunlight that bathed Abi in a feeling of absolute serenity. "I am an angel and you are here in the welcoming fields of heaven waiting to be processed. Although you have been taken before your time and I know my boss is going to be very upset I've messed this up. My name is Mauricio and I will present you to the big man, maybe he can make an exception about this mistake." The gentleman held out his long slender fingers as if willing Abi to take his hand and join him on a long journey.

"Whoah whoah whoah , back this crazy train up. Heaven is for real? And Emperor Mello is supposed to be here and not me? How in the world do things like that get messed up? How far away is this boss of yours I have several complaints and I'm going to make to them!" Abi snapped at Mauricio, angel or not she was not just going to accept that she was dead because of a creepy clown. She just couldn't believe she had become part of a horror movie cliche.

"We don't have time for a long conversation Abi. If my timing is right your body will be taken away for mortal processing soon. We have to get your soul back in it. I can't do that without The Boss Man's approval, so we best get a move on." Mauricio commanded her. He then signaled for Abi to follow him and the two of them set off out of the field together.

Mauricio glided through the air slightly above the ground as Abi jogged to keep up with him. They passed through a rickety old wooden fence and the next thing Abi knew they were in front of a bustling city guarded by pearly white gates. "It's a bit stereotypical isn't it? Pearly white gates?" Abi joked while rolling her eyes at Mauricio.

"Hey I'm just an angel here. Heaven is many different things to many different people and the Boss Man just tries to keep everyone happy. Just be glad you messed up his master plan, as he might be able to fix this." Mauricio snapped as he opened up the gate. Abi kept quiet after that and just followed in behind.

They moved through many twists and turn over numerous streets finally stopping in front of gigantic skyscraper doubling as an office building. Abi tried to stifle a laugh, "God does business from an office building."

"Please do just keep quiet miss. You do not want to make a bigger mess of this. I will speak to the big man on your behalf and if all goes well we should have you back at that Frank Zappa concert in no time, thinking this is all just a dream." Mauricio advised Abi all the while ushering her into a luxurious elevator. The elevator music was Frank Zappa, Abi glance at Mauricio in wonder. As if he heard her question he responded to the glance, "yes everyone hears the music they want to hear in the elevators of heaven. Another little treat for everyone who comes here." The rest of the way the two rode on in silence listening to the tunes. They went all the way to the top, floor fifty six.

As Mauricio glided down the hallway with ease, Abi was running to keep up with him. He knocked on a door labeled 'Boss Man' and a muffled come in was all he needed to proceed. Abi quietly walked in behind him. Sitting behind a massive desk was not what she expected to see. He was a short man wearing an plain black and white tuxedo. Upon his bald head was a top hat with a blue feather in it and his purple eyes shimmered as he smiled at them. The man folded his hands together which were encompassed in white silk gloves and he let out a gigantic sigh.

"Yes, I can see the problem before you say anything Mauricio. Eating the poisoned candy made for the Emperor, what do you have to say for yourself young lady?"

"I beg your pardon sir, but I did warn the Emperor clowns are creepy. I should have stuck with my gut instinct and left the box right then and there." Abi replied matter of factly. She stared down the strange being and tried to pretend that she wasn't in utter shock at meeting such a powerful entity. "I don't think I should have to die though sir, I still have so much I wanted to do." Abi protested, but as the words left her mouth she saw Mauricio wince.

"You had so much left to do?!," the Boss Man stood, raising his voice. Abi tried not to laugh that he was a good two feet shorter than her. "I have a master plan of all my creations miss Abi. Tell me why I shouldn't send you to my brother down below to deal with you, as I don't have a spot for you here?" Mauricio quickly moved inbetween the two of them to try to play mediator.

"Boss, remember she's in shock and really just wants to go home. I know the paramedics are giving up on her and her body is running out of time, but couldn't we get her soul back in it as near death miracle before the undertaker gets a hold of her?" He flew back in forth like he was pacing the floor with a million thoughts running through his angel mind.

"Fine, but you only get one of these chances Abi. Don't waste this gift." The Boss Man said while sitting back down and crunching some buttons on his computer.

"I won't sir, I swear." Abi promised solemnly

The Boss Man nodded at Mauricio who flew over to Abi with celerity and smiled.

"Close your eyes, this will all feel like a bad dream soon." Abi followed his instructions and felt his cool soft hand upon her forehead. "Goodbye Abi, see you in about 60 years." Then all she felt was cold and blackness.

With a huge gasp she sat up, causing people around her to scream as she was in a bodybag about to be zipped up. The undertaker almost fainted and the paramedics rushed over to check her responses and vitals. Everyone was calling it a miracle. Branch Da Klown had obviously been arrested and taken away all ready, Emperor Mello fainted as Abi "rose from the dead" and all the other contestants were either crying or in some form of hysterics. Abi couldn't help but laugh, you never know what will happen at a Frank Zappa concert.

Copy right 2020 by The Incidental Scribe