Chapter Nine

The Curse of the Black Plague

It was most peculiar. The Place has been plagued by the Black Plague for a half-century now, that we all know. But in recent times, Placemats were dying at younger and younger ages - life expectancy was nearly halved!

No one knows exactly how the curse came about; only that it was brought on because the Castle incurred the wrath of a mighty wizard. The Plague rather worried Placemats, but life went on, didn't it?

All of a sudden, a wave of epidemic shook the Castle!

In less than five days, several notable Placemats (and a handful of other inconsequentials) were placed to rest in their final resting place. Whether they are resting peace, of course, is a totally different story.

Now, citizens of the Castle are mighty accustomed to the early demise of fellow workers. It was, after all, the curse of the Black Plague. And curses being curses, they were not easily lifted.

And so it seemed the brilliant counteraction of Jellyfish was simply to keep replacing Placemats who had dropped dead. This silly course of action led to a constant in- and out-flow of Castle workers, causing anxiety in the old-timers.

This may not have been clinically proven, but Placemats tended towards the notion that anxiety, coupled with the stress of being overworked, weakened one's immune system and lowered one's biological defence; this opened one to the brutual attack of the curse of the Black Plague; and consequently, led to a higher mortality rate by the Black Plague.

But of course, this was not proven. And even if it were, Jellyfish would not be inclined to believe or act on it.

After all, his favourites were still alive. For now.

Continue reading Chapter Ten

Chapter Eight

The Great (Illegal) Assembly

One fine day, an official decree was passed and announced to Placemats all across the land:

Come hither! A Great Assembly has been called for one and all to speak their minds!

The Castle was abuzz with excitement! The overworked and underpaid Placemats could finally rally together, voice their concerns and most amazingly, be heard. The big day finally arrived and what a crowd gathered in the great hall!

Jellyfish took to the stage and spoke dispassionately of an open and inclusive Place where all were equal and all were cherished. The Placemats looked on with disdain and disbelief, whispering furiously amongst themselves.

Above the cloud of murmur suddenly rose a deep tenor voice that questioned and challenged that which the Jellyfish had preached. How the crowd cheered!

"Answer that!" they exclaimed, "Answer!"

Jellyfish turned a sickly shade of green. Stammering and stuttering, and tripping over his own words, Jellyfish backed into a corner.

The motley crowd hollered, "ANSWER US!"

Something inside Jellyfish's IQ-of-4 brain must have snapped. He angrily took two steps forward, and yelled, "S-I-L-E-N-C-E!"

The hall fell uneasily silent.

And before anyone could react, Jellyfish flung a mighty tentacle toward the source of the unrest.

*SMACK*

The Mastermind fell to the ground with a slimy thud, and gasps of horror filled the room. Jellyfish stood over the fallen giant with an ugly sneer and a pressing air of arrogance.

"You are rallying my people against me; revolting against me! The Place and The Castle will not tolerate a Union," Jellyfish spat. "This is an Illegal Assembly! I will have all of you arrested, detained and punished!"

Slowly but surely, Mastermind picked himself up from the ground - swiping off the residue slime from Jellyfish's tentacle. Regaining his composure, Mastermind turned to his comrades.

Without a word uttered amongst them, the great assembly of dissatisfied, disillusioned Placemats pushed forward, taking large angry steps towards Jellyfish.

"This.. this.. is ILLEGAL!" Jellyfish hollered, while inching towards the exit. Upon reaching it, Jellyfish swung around and made a mad dash to safety.

The Placemats may not have gotten the answers they were looking for but after this great assembly, they were charged with a force within them. For they knew, deep down inside, that they had the power to change what they detested; the will to create their ideal habitat; and the capability to do all that without Jellyfish.

He may not have been in the know, but Jellyfish was in for the shock of his life.

Life in the Castle will never be the same again...


Continue reading Chapter Nine