The Merchant of Menace

Been a while since I’ve done one of these, huh? I’m always working on different stories, I just tend to never finish them. This one was one of the lucky few. I always find it fun considering what characters would make an interesting pairing.

Alice was looking forward to a night alone. Her father was working late, her mother was about to go shopping, and Toby and Billy were with their friends. Her mother, Ruth, stopped at the door and slid into a wool coat. 

“Alice, I’m trusting you to be by yourself. Make sure nothing happens to the house while I’m gone…” Ruth began. She had a tendency to prattle on, and Alice knew she was a paranoid type when it came to safety. She filtered out her mother’s words from her spot at the kitchen door, waiting for her to finish speaking and leave already. 

“…and honey, it’ll be below freezing tonight. I need you to run the hot water before you go to bed so the pipes don’t freeze,” Ruth finally finished.

“For sure. Don’t worry about anything, I’ll totally take care of it,” Alice ushered her mother out the door impatiently. 

When she was finally gone she breathed a sigh of relief. Immediately, she picked the kitchen phone off the receiver and flopped over onto the couch. Just as soon as she almost finished dialing Ruby’s phone number, there was a knock at the front door. Irritated, Alice got up and peaked through the picture window, craning her neck to see that it was Billy. Quickly, she pulled back, trying to avoid being seen. 

He doesn’t know I’m home. Alice thought. 

Billy knocked again, and spoke, his voice muffled through the door. “Alice, I know you’re home. Let me in, it’s cold.”

Alice groaned and reluctantly unlocked the front door. Billy stepped in, a burst of cold air accompanying him. He tracked snow on the floor as he took off his hat, shaggy unkempt hair falling into his face.

“Why are you here?” Alice asked sharply. 

“Me and Cecil got kicked out of the community house. I took the bus home,” Billy replied nonchalantly. 

I don’t blame them, Alice retorted in her mind. Then, she had an idea. 

“Mom wanted me to tell you when you got home, she needs you to turn on the faucets before you go to sleep so the pipes don’t freeze or something. Don’t forget that, okay?”

Billy merely shrugged. This was good enough for Alice. Billy sauntered down the hall to his room, and Alice chuckled, feeling quite proud of herself. She jumped back onto the couch and resumed making phone calls.

A few days had passed and Alice had forgotten all about the events of that night, continuing her daily routine of calling her friends and going out. One morning however, she was abruptly awakened by her the sound of her father yelling in the basement below her. 

“What a spaz…” she grumbled to herself as she stumbled out of bed. 

“What is your problem?” Alice asked impudently as she walked into the kitchen. Her father, Wilbur was just coming out of the basement, the legs of his pajama bottoms soaked to the knees. 

Ruth was beside herself, face angled down with her hand over her mouth. “The basement is flooded,” she answered shakily. 

Toby entered the room. “But the snow hasn’t melted yet.”

“The pipes burst,” Wilbur said grimly. 

Alice suddenly felt anxious. “Uh, how could that have happened?” she asked innocently. 

“You didn’t run the hot water like I asked,” Ruth glared, putting her hands on her hips. 

“Ah-I…” Alice pretended to look surprised.

“Honestly, one does not know what to think,” Ruth shook her head. 

“It’s Billy’s fault! I was busy and I told him to do it, but he didn't!” Alice reasoned. 

“You trusted Billy to be responsible?” Toby smirked.

“Tobias, go to your room,” Ruth cautioned. 

“That makes what you did worse. Do you have any idea how much it’s going to cost to fix this?” Wilbur questioned, tapping his foot. “This is a brand new house, the last thing we need is to get caught up with repair bills!”

Ruth attempted to calm her husband down. “…which is why we won’t be paying for it. Alice, starting today, you will be getting a job. You will work, until you have paid off the damage to the basement.”

Alice’s mouth was agape. “Excuse me?! That is so unfair! That’s, that’s-“

“Your punishment,” Wilbur folded his arms.

Wilbur and Ruth spent the remainder of that day scanning the papers for job listings, and by the next day, Alice was sitting in the box office at the Empire Theater, destined to waste her entire Christmas Break. 

Her boss was an absent-minded old man that managed his employees without much regard, and the only company she occasionally had was the snack vendor, Archie. Archie was a year younger than her, full of naivety and innocence. Alice hated him the most.

The first day dragged on. Alice’s tiny office was freezing cold, and the only thing she had to do was watch the clock and wait for closing time. Business was steady, and whenever customers came to purchase tickets, Alice tried to hide her face, embarrassed of being recognized. It wasn’t long until just such an instance occurred, however.

When Lorraine, Darcy, and Ruby walked up to the ticket window, Alice was both relieved and frustrated. 

“Hey,” Ruby greeted her friend. “So that’s where you’ve been. I called your place to see if you wanted to go get a chocolate soda at the drugstore but your folks said you were working.”

“I’m not working, I’m being punished! I wish I had your parents, they’d never subject you to something like this,” Alice moaned.

“They subject me to bigger embarrassments than this on a regular basis, believe me,” Ruby said dryly.

“My parents never make me work. ‘A hard job is a job for somebody else’, they always tell me,” Lorraine grinned loftily.

“What’s so bad about this?” Darcy smirked. “You’re getting paid to sit.”

“Yeah, seventy-five cents an hour. It’s going to take forever to pay my parents off!” 

“Maybe my parents can buy this dump and give you a raise,” Lorraine chortled.

Alice grinded her teeth, but before she could make a remark, the door to her office opened and Archie poked his head in. 

“Hey Alice, I think people are waiting,” Archie pointed to the small line that was growing behind Ruby. 

“Get lost, you little twerp,” Alice hissed. 

Alice’s second day wasn’t much better than the first. She had to wear a bright red vest, bow tie, and pillbox hat, though her impatient attitude didn’t quite match her inviting uniform. 

Alice had just finished shooing off an elderly man when Billy walked up, followed by his friend, Cecil. 

Alice crossed her arms and scowled. “What are you doing here?”

“Two tickets for The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues, please,” Billy replied, unphased by his sister’s aggression. 

“What makes you think I’m going to do anything for you after what you did?” Alice retorted. 

“Because…it’s your job,” Billy replied thoughtfully. 

“Yeah? Well you had a job too. When Mom and Dad aren’t around, I’m in charge, and that means you have to do what I say. And it’s because of you I’m sitting here now.”

“Well, as long as you are,” Billy shrugged and slid forward a dollar bill. 

Alice put her palm to her forehead and groaned. 

Cecil stepped forward. “It looks like something else is bothering you, babe. Wanna talk about it?” Cecil attempted to use his smooth-talking charm.

Alice recoiled in disgust and stared before simply replying, “Ew,” and giving the pair their tickets. 

After work Alice decided to visit her boyfriend. She would much rather spend a little time with Bruce before having to sit through another scathing dinner with her family. 

The two went to the bowling alley and sat at the snack bar. Neither of them ordered anything, instead opting to sit and talk. 

“So how’s your new gig going?” Bruce inquired.

“Miserable,” Alice rolled her eyes. “I have to sit in the same spot for hours and I’m expected to make conversation with creeps that think I’m into the same geeky movies as them.”

“That bites,” Bruce replied blankly. “Today I dropped a 50 pound sandbag on my foot at work.”

“Huh,” Alice looked around the room awkwardly. “You seemed fine when you got out of the car.”

“Yeah, well it’s-“ Bruce’s answer was cut off by the sudden arrival of Lorraine and Darcy. 

“Off so early, Alice? They’re really working you to the bone, aren’t they?” Lorraine greeted her fair weather friend.

“Yeah, you look exhausted,” Darcy chimed in. “Why don’t you get something from the snack bar, that’s what employed people do to wind down.”

“Oh, I don’t think she could afford to be so frivolous with her earnings. Not until she pays off that debt of hers at least,” Lorraine smirked. 

Alice forced a smile and chuckled. “Actually, I’m doing just fine. I’m not hungry anyway, but I could spend the money if I wanted to.” This was a lie, as far as Alice could tell, though the empty pit in her stomach that was growing may just as well have been caused by the presence of her peers. 

“So Bruce, still fixing cars?” Darcy asked slyly.

“Actually, I just pump gas,” Bruce replied.

Lorraine and Darcy giggled at his response, while he and Alice exchanged annoyed glances. 

“Well, we’ll be seeing you two.” And with that, Lorraine and Darcy were gone. 

As soon as they were out of earshot, Alice exhaled sharply and scoffed, “Lorraine…I wish I could knock her down a few pegs.”

“I don’t believe in revenge,” Bruce began, “why don’t you just stand up to them?”

Alice flashed a look of disbelief. “Bruce, that’s a terrible idea. What I need to do is give her a taste of what I have to put up with.”

“I don’t know how you’re going to do that, the Patricks are a very wealthy family,” Bruce responded.

“No, not like that…” Alice trailed off, a scheme beginning to form.

The following day, Alice waited at her spot in the box office. Eventually, Billy and Cecil appeared just as she suspected they would.

“Hi Billy!” Alice greeted her younger brother with forced enthusiasm. 

“Yep,” Billy answered nonchalantly.

“I’m so glad to see you. How’ve you been? Any plans?” Alice didn’t give Billy any time to reply. “Perfect. I have a little task for you. Do you think you can handle that?”

“I dunno,” Billy shrugged.

“Why should he?” Cecil butted in.

“I’m not asking you, alright?” Alice dropped her upbeat facade. 

“…yeah, what do I get out of it?” Billy questioned.

Alice gritted her teeth. “You get my gratitude, that’s what. I just need you two to go somewhere else everyday that isn’t here. I also need you to bother Lorraine Patrick instead of me. Think you can do that?”

“I don’t think that’s good enough,” Cecil replied. “How about we do it in exchange for a kiss?” With that, the squirrel leaned forward with his lips puckered. Alice defensively slammed the ticket window in revulsion. 

“This sounds promising and everything, but I need something other than your appreciation to do that. I can’t put respect in my bank account,” Billy reasoned.

“You don’t even have a bank account!” Alice cried.

“Nonetheless.”

Alice slumped over and sighed, a rare moment of defeat. “What do you want?”

Billy pinched his chin as he thought for a moment. “I want free tickets to any movie I want, every time I come here.”

“Dream on, pal,” Alice regained her composure, “that’ll get me fired.”

“Then I guess we don’t have a deal. I’ll be on my way then,” Billy grinned smugly. It wasn’t often that he had one over on his sister. 

“W-wait!” Alice yelped. “…Billy, you can have free tickets…but Cecil still has to pay.”

“Deal!” Billy and Alice shook hands. Cecil wasn’t as enthused. 

“…Your job starts now by the way, so get lost.”

Billy and Cecil departed and met their friend, Todd, at the Community House. 

“So let me get this straight, your sister is giving you free movie tickets in exchange for pestering another girl?” Todd asked. 

“Well, she’s giving Billy free movie tickets, which is kind of dumb if you ask me. He’s going to need my indomitable charm to get anywhere near that Lorraine,” Cecil explained. 

“Yeah, how exactly do we go about doing that?” Billy asked.

 “You’ve got a lot to learn about the ladies my friend,” Cecil replied coolly. 

“This has trouble written all over it,” Todd said skeptically as he threw a dart at the dartboard. 

“You want in on a piece of our pie, Hot Toddy?” Cecil asked.

“No thank you. And don’t call me that.”

Alice was looking forward to a day at work where she was guaranteed to not be bothered by Billy, nor Lorraine. She sat in her office and sold tickets before getting up and taking a break when the time came. For once, she actually didn’t mind spending her afternoon at the theater. 

Alice skipped to the snack counter where Archie stood on his stool.

“Necco Wafers?” Archie asked innocently, his head and shoulders barely above the counter. 

“Duh. Don’t forget my discount this time either. I’m trying to save my dimes.”

Alice was feeling quite pleased with herself, as if all her problems were solved. But then Billy walked in, and her elation fizzled out sadly like a wet sparkler. 

Alice glowered and crossed her arms. “I thought I told you to take care of Lorraine,” she huffed. 

“Cecil’s taking care of that. Actually...they’re coming down here later today to watch a movie,” Billy explained. 

Alice was fuming. She seized Billy’s arm and dragged him into the box office, leaving behind a very confused Archie. 

Alice lorded over her brother, full of rage. “Are you brain-damaged? Tell him to take her somewhere else!”

Billy folded his arms and didn’t back down. “I’m only doing what you told me to!”

Alice was in disbelief. “You are not! I told you to get rid of her while I’m stuck in this prison!”

“What do you want me to do now? Cecil already made his move,” Billy turned up his nose. 

“I want you to fix this! Fix it now!” Alice demanded while pointing her finger in Billy’s face. 

Suddenly, a mischievous grin spread across Billy’s face. 

Alice clapped her palm to her forehead. After a long sigh, she resigned.
“...dare I ask?” 

“Give me…five tickets. I think I know a few people that would want to see Bad Day at Black Rock.” Billy knew Alice was at his mercy. 

“Only if you do what I tell you,” Alice furiously rummaged through a box of new tickets. 

“But of course,” Billy snatched the tickets smugly. 

“And don’t get caught! Or you won’t just have Mom and Dad to worry about,” Alice shook her fist at Billy as he left the office.

Later that afternoon Billy and Cecil were sitting at the diner, talking loudly about the movie they had seen a few days before. 

“What about the part where the FBI agent shot the monster with a harpoon and it got away? That would never happen in real life,” Cecil sucked at his milkshake. 

“ I dunno. Radioactive lizard-men aren’t real so there’s no way of actually knowing that,” Billy shrugged. “How’d your date with Lorraine go?”

“She wasn’t impressed with the roller rink. She did laugh when I tripped on the stairs though. I think I can keep it up.”

Suddenly, someone spoke up from the booth behind them. It was Eddie, and Nicholas was right next to him. 

“Were you talking about The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues?” Nicholas inquired. 

“Yup. We just saw it the other day. And then we saw it again the day after that,” Cecil answered. 

“Was it that good?” Eddie questioned. 

“Nah. We just had extra tickets to use. We’ve got a pretty sweet deal, actually.”

“My friend Archie works at the theater. Sometimes he gives me discounts,” Eddie replied.

“This is better than any discount, believe me,” Billy took over. “How would you like to see any movie you’d like, any time, for only twenty-five cents?”

“How do you manage that?” Nicholas asked doubtfully. 

“That’s a secret. But I’ve got a few tickets to a movie about a one-armed stranger who comes to a small desert town and uncovers an evil secret that’s corrupted the entire community. Interested?”

Eddie sipped on his soda. “Think we could get tickets to a horror movie instead?”

“Whatever you want, bud. It’ll only cost you a quarter,” Cecil answered with confidence. 

The next day, Alice was off work. She was relieved that she could escape from the stress of her job and her brother for a little while. It was colder outside, with much of the snow that hadn’t melted being refrozen and becoming hard and ice-like. The prolonged cold temperatures meant that bodies of water were freezing over, including the lake behind the cement plant. 

Alice and Ruby sat on a bench near the path that looped around the lake, putting on their ice skates. 

“You’re so lucky you don’t have any brothers, Ruby,” Alice complained. 

“It’s not as easy as you think. Your parents divide all the attention between the three of you. I get all of it. It’s overwhelming,” Ruby replied.

“I could care less about my parents if I didn’t have Toby or Billy to worry about,” Alice continued. “His whole life, he’s never stood up for himself, but now all the sudden he tries to take advantage of me? Where does he get off?”

“Let’s not worry about that and just enjoy ourselves,” Ruby said as she got up and stumbled awkwardly onto the ice. 

The two skated for a while, and Alice tried to keep her mind off her troubles. 

The lake’s unusual horseshoe shape and large size meant there was plenty of room for many skaters. On the opposite side of the lake, Cecil was with Lorraine. 

Cecil had limited experience with ice skating, but he wasn’t about to let that get in his way, especially since he felt ever closer to wooing Lorraine.

As the two stepped on to the ice, Lorraine extended her hand, expecting Cecil to lead her. 

“Well? You do know how to ice skate, don’t you?” Lorraine asked accusingly.

“Me? Pshaw, of course. I played hockey in middle school.” 

Cecil tried to do a graceful spin, but the blades of his skates got caught on each other and he fell, face-first on the ice. 

Lorraine was simultaneously amused at Cecil’s injury and embarrassed that someone might recognize her with a loser that couldn’t even ice skate. 

Alice was skating along the shore of the lake when she spotted Lorraine helping Cecil up. Her heart immediately skipped a beat, and she tilted her heels laterally, killing her momentum. Quickly, and while muttering curses under her breath, Alice slipped and sped in the other direction. 

Ruby caught up with her. “What’s the big deal?”

“Lorraine is here with Cecil,” Alice glared. 

“Yeah, I think they’re dating. I never thought Lorraine’s standards were quite that low. I guess if someone spends money on her she’ll stick around until they’re not useful to her anymore. Why don’t you want them to see you?” Ruby inquired.

“Because I…kind of set them up. I wanted to get rid of both of them at the same time while I was at work,” Alice answered meekly.

Ruby’s face was in study. “What?” is all she could laugh in disbelief.

“It’s not funny!” Alice scolded her friend.

“No, it’s bad. I never figured you were the bartering type. What did you give Cecil in return, a kiss?” Ruby laughed. She caught a glance at Alice’s unamused scowl and swiftly apologized with a “sorry.”

“It was part of a stupid deal I made with Billy. If he and Cecil stopped soliciting at the theater I’d give him…free movie tickets.”

“Oh, I like this,” Ruby said sarcastically. “What were you thinking?”

“I can handle it, thank you! They’re still completely at my mercy,” Alice retorted. She wasn’t entirely confident in this however, despite her bravado. 

Billy was experiencing newfound confidence like he’d never had before. He kept returning to the theater, demanding more tickets, and giving them out like candy. 

Alice was increasingly frustrated with Billy’s behavior, but every time she started to make her opinion known, Billy would remind her that he’s doing her a favor, and she was powerless to argue.

Billy went all across town, selling tickets wherever he could. He went to the hair salon, laundromat, car wash, café, and eventually found himself at the hotel selling tickets to strangers from out of town.

“Why don’t you stop by the Empire and see flick while you’re in town? Just tell the ticket girl Billy sent you,” he had just finished another sales pitch when Toby, Mike, and Gabe walked into the lobby.

“Geez Billy, there you are,” Toby said. “Dad wanted me to find you. What are you doing here?”

“Making my millions, of course,” Billy flaunted a shiny silver dollar. 

“How’s that?” Mike asked curiously. 

Billy glanced back and forth, then leaned in and whispered, “movie tickets. Want one?”

“Okay!” Gabe answered enthusiastically.

“Whoa whoa whoa, hold on,” Toby put his arm in front of Gabe. “Where’d you get all those?”

“That is highly confidential,” Billy smirked. “But I can get you three tickets to see The Seven Year Itch. Interested?”

Gabe gave a hopeful look at Toby, and Mike looked ready to pull a dollar out of his pocket, but Toby wouldn’t budge. 

“I don’t like this. Come on guys,” Toby led his friends out of the building.

“You’re missing out!” Billy shouted as they left. Immediately after he turned to a patron of the hotel and offered him a discounted movie ticket. 

Alice and Bruce were walking through the park, holding hands. The sky was a dusky purple and the air was slightly warmer. 

“Is something up Alice?” Usually, she would be prattling on about her friends and what she wanted to do that night, but Bruce thought she seemed tense and stressed. 

“Bruce, you would never trust your sister with anything incredibly important would you?” Alice asked. 

Bruce was taken aback. “That’s an odd question. But I think Annie is pretty responsible. Why? Did you want to give something to her?”

“No,” Alice replied curtly, unamused. “What I meant was, I put my trust in someone I shouldn’t have and now I think I’m in deep.”

“Well, if I were you, I would just confront whoever or whatever it is and put your foot down. Don’t let the fear of consequences get the better of your good judgement. And if you end up getting punished, it’s better it happens sooner, before the problem gets worse.”

Alice sighed, knowing Bruce was right. She gave him a long hug, and thought about what she was going to say to Billy. 

Billy felt on top of the world. He’d never wielded so much power, or gotten this much attention. He was at the bowling alley, handing out tickets to anyone he passed by, and his pockets were swollen with jingling change. He was walking by the soda fountain when Cecil strolled up with Lorraine. 

“How’s it going Loafer?” Cecil asked, seeming quite pleased with himself. 

“Business is booming,” Billy pulled a fistful of coinage out of his pocket. 

“You’re only charging a quarter for them?” Lorraine butted in. “In that case I’ll take two.” 

“You got it ba-” Billy froze. He suddenly remembered Alice’s words. He wasn’t supposed to take Cecil or Lorraine to the theater. 

“I…just ran out, actually. Sorry, uh…” as Billy motioned, a few tickets fell from his shirt sleeve and drifted to the ground like autumn leaves. 

Lorraine raised an eyebrow. “If you think your little racket is too good for me, you’re wrong. I want to go to the movies.”

“H-hey, Laney, why don’t we go somewhere else for the afternoon?” Cecil tried his best to divert the conversation. 

“Not gonna happen,” Lorraine asserted. 

“Look, I’m sorry Lorraine, but I.. can’t. I just-” Billy tugged at his collar nervously as he started to back away.
“You can’t what? I want to know.” Lorraine prodded angrily. 

Billy’s eyes darted back and forth, checking for a possible escape. Just then he backed into Alice, who was suddenly standing behind him. 

“Yeah, Billy, why don’t you give Lorraine a ticket? I thought you had plenty to spare.” She grinned. 

“I, uh, I…” sweat rolled down Billy’s forehead. More people were drawn to Billy as the scene unfolded. Some asked for his specially discounted tickets, while others asked for extras. Overwhelmed, Billy pushed through the crowd and made for the exit. 

Alice beat him to it, restraining her brother with a swift grab of the arm. 

“Billy, you’re going to get every single one of those tickets back and return them to me. Maybe then I can keep my job, and you can keep your arm!” Alice commanded. 

“I can’t do that! I already gave them away! They’ll want a refund. That would be a nightmare to organize!” Billy continued to struggle to escape. 

“Okay, then I want all the money you made off the stolen tickets, and I want it now. Someone is going to have to make up the difference for this stupid little plot.” Alice yanked at Billy’s arm some more, attempting to pin it behind his back. 

“Never!” Billy squirmed. He managed to break free, and burst out the exit doors. He hopped on his bicycle and started pedaling as fast as he could. 

Alice squinted and folded her arms. Walking outside of the bowling alley, she got into the car with Bruce, who had been patiently waiting outside the entire time. Alice calmly took out a brush and swiped it up and down her ponytail a few times as they drove off. 

Alice arrived back at the Scherzinger home long before Billy did.  She found Ruth reclined in the living room, watching a hospital drama on television. 

Alice took a deep breath and decided to come clean.

“Billy came to me at work and threatened to blackmail me and embarrass me in front of my friends if I didn’t give him free movie tickets!” Alice spun her narrative. “Then he started selling the tickets without my consent and refused to give me them back!” 

Ruth was aghast, and by the time Billy came through the front door a few minutes later, it was too late for him. 

Wilbur, who had been in the basement repairing the plumbing, had come upstairs by then, and was ready to dish out punishments. 

“I cannot believe what I hear,” Wilbur began sternly. “Billy, you’re going to return every cent you swindled, and then some. Alice is going to have to give all the profit to the theater to make up for the missing money before somebody notices. After that, I am grounding you for the rest of Christmas break, and taking away your surf records. You are not to leave your room until school resumes.”

Alice flashed a smug smile in Billy’s direction, arms folded. She quickly changed her expression as her father faced her.

“And you. This entire thing is your fault. You shouldn’t let your brother push you around like that. You could’ve lost your job over this, and you still might. Originally I was only going to make you work during Christmas break, but I can see you still need to learn responsibility. You are going to keep working at the movie theater for the foreseeable future. I don’t want to deal with something like this ever again. Understand?”

“Yes sir,” Alice and Billy said in unison. While Billy hung his head, dismayed that he’d have to be donating a sizable portion of his personal savings for this, Alice was secretly thrilled. She actually didn’t mind working at the theater, and she was confident Billy was going to steer clear of it, and her, for a good while.