FIC TEASER

This week's teaser is for the Candygirls.  Another snippet from THE WIZARD OF ROZ,  illustrated by Lynn Morton.

THE WIZARD OF ROZ

by Bella Richards

“Look, Max—it’s Michael! And he’s rusted solid!”

Michael tried to say something, but it just sounded like a creaky whine.

“Maria, look,” Max pointed. “An oilcan. Maybe you can de-rust him.”

She picked up the container and eyed Michael thoughtfully. “You know, I kind of like him like this,” she mused. “I mean, he did just break up with me again for another stupid reason. What exactly does ‘Maybe I love you too much’ mean, Max?”

“I don’t know,” Max shrugged. “I’ve never used that one to break up with Liz. I usually try the old ‘I need to take a step back’ routine.”

“Yeah, well that one sucks, too.” Maria held the can up in front of Michael’s face, tauntingly. “See what happens when you treat me crappy and say goodbye?”

“That’s kinda mean, Maria,” Max said. “You know Michael can’t help it. He’s just a deeply disturbed space boy who’s never had any love. It makes him do weird things sometimes. I know he doesn’t really want to break up with you.”

“Good try, Max,” Maria smirked. “But he did break up with me and he broke my heart. Oh, and he walked away from me, too! Let’s let him see how he likes it.”

She tucked the oilcan into the basket with Sparky and reached for Max’s hand. “We don’t need him to see the Wizard of Roz. He’ll just slow us down.”

Maria turned to walk back to the yellow brick road, only to find her feet stuck again. Max was also unable to walk, and almost toppled over, saved only by Maria’s firm grip on his hand. Maria unsuccessfully tried to stomp her foot. “God damnit!!! It’s my dream—I should be able to say who we leave behind!”

“Maybe if you just oiled his body, but not his mouth?” Max suggested. “I mean, that way he could come along with us, but he couldn’t try to break up with you again.”

“Ooooh, I like that idea,” Maria grinned wickedly. “Boy, you and Sparky are sure coming in handy.”

As soon as Maria grabbed the container, she and Max could move again. Maria set about lubricating all of Michael’s rusted joints. Michael creaked around a bit until his arms and legs limbered up. He made a squeaking sound, looked mournfully at the oil, then pointed to his mouth.