Clever Magazine, Issue #7 , "The Chasm, Ch. 3" (www.clevermag.com)

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The Chasm, Chapter 3

To summarize the story so far: Somewhere in the Balkans, the two English school teachers, Patricia and Adele, are beginning to worry. They've been cut off from civilization, there is no train service and no way to contact anyone to help them. They are back in the mansion's library looking for a map, having been told that the only way out is over the mountains or down through the chasm.

-I simply can't believe this!

Adele looked down at Patricia from the top step of the bookcase ladder. Books, maps and an old atlas were all opened and scattered across the library table. Patricia was leaning over the mass of documents with a magnifying glass.

-No luck yet?

-None of these blasted maps is worth a damn. Our part of the world gets lost in the seam between the pages, or off the edge, or just plain left out in every single map I've looked at.

-Must be an American atlas, right? Adele was usually correct.

Patricia checked the inside cover and then nodded.

-Anything else up there?

Adele shook her head.

A quick loud knock on the door startled both women. Adele quickly descended the ladder and opened it.

-Yes? What is it?

The downstairs maid entered the room and closed the door behind her. She spoke quickly in an urgent whisper.

-They've been here -- the men in the jeep. They asked to see the owner. We told them he was gone. Then they asked about the teachers. We told them you were sleeping. They said they'd be back. What should we do?

-Did they say when they'd be back? The maid shook her head. She was trembling.

-Soon I think. We'd like permission to leave. Everybody -- all the staff -- is scared. They sent me to ask you. We've heard rumours. They kill everybody. Just shoot them, like that. She motioned with her hand, like a gun. Bang, bang, bang. Like that.

-Where will you go?

-Into the woods. Just vanish. Who knows?

-I have a better idea. Patricia intervened. The maid and Adele stared at her.

-We'll invite them in. Prepare a meal. Make them our guests.

-Oh, they'll like that. They'll eat everything in sight. And then they'll kill us.

-Maybe not. Adele, do you have any sleeping pills left?

-Yes, I think so.

-Good. Here's what we'll do.

She turned to the maid and issued instructions. They were to set the dining room table for a dinner party. Get out the good china, linens, glassware, everything. And fry up some garlic and bake bread, make a feast, and hurry. Be sure the house smells wonderful, simmer a stew, anything to make their mouths water.

-And I want to see Henry, at once. Come on, Adele. We have work to do. Oh and Adele, get your medicines -- all of it. Anything you have, I don't care what it is.

-Yes, ma'am. I'll get him.

-No. Tell him I'll see him in the wine cellar. Send him directly to me there. The maid turned and left without her usual curtsy.

Neither of the teachers drank spirits of any kind, other than a sip or two of Sherry, so the wine cellar was a place they rarely visited. Patricia hoped the staff hadn't drank everything. Surely there would be a few good bottles of wine left for the party.

The cellar was dusty and the air smelled dry and stale. One electric overhead light collared in a metal shade provided the only illumination. Shadows danced around the room as it swayed back and forth. Henry, the major domestic, descended the stairs and the teachers followed him. He led them to a workbench that was fitted with various tools and appliances, including an old-fashioned corking machine.

-Henry: Is there anything left down here worth drinking? Patricia asked rather apprehensively as she studied the wooden shelves that lined the walls of the small dark room.

-Oh, yes, madam. This cellar remains locked at all times. I have the only key. There are some very nice French Bordeaux and also some Italian table wines. He rubbed his hands together as he talked.

-Let me show you. He started toward the shelves.

-That won't be necessary. Just pick out some good, hearty wines. The kind of thing that men like. And some port if you have any. Open the bottles, grind up these pills and put them in the wine, and then re-cork them. We're going to serve a little tranquilizer with dinner tonight.

-But madam, these men are very dangerous. They will suspect something.

-Of course they will. So, here's the way we'll do it. Mark the tainted bottles carefully but discretely. Don't serve them first. Pour some wine into our glasses too. We'll all drink from the first bottles. Then when you refill the glasses, use the doctored wine. Adele and I will not drink after you refill the glasses. Perhaps they won't notice.

-It will be your job to make sure they get plenty to eat and drink. They should fall asleep during dinner. We will provide the conversation and make it long-winded enough that they will just slip away out of boredom.

-Oh, Patricia, you mean we're really going to bore our guests to death? How frightfully cunning of you.

-Yes, that's what I have in mind. I think I saw it on the telly once. Do you think you can pull it off?

-Well, I'll be frightened, of course. But then, who wouldn't be? Whatever will we talk about?

-Oh, I'll think of something. Just follow my lead. Give me detailed answers to any subject I start on and I'll answer you back in detail. You know, the usual stuff.

Adele nodded.

Patricia turned to Henry. What do you think? Can we do it?

He smiled at her and then covered it with his hand. He was a gentleman as well as a servant, gray-haired, somewhat stooped with age, but he still commanded respect throughout the household. He cleared his throat before speaking.

-We can try madam. But I have two questions. First, what do we do with them once they fall asleep?

-Yes, that's a problem. We'll tie them up, maybe just cosh them over the head. But then we'll have to dispose of them somehow.

Adele spoke: -Could they have an accident?

Patricia thought for a moment and then she smiled.

-Yes, that's it. We'll tie them up, bundle them back into their cars and just shove them off the chasm. Maybe it will look like they just forgot the bridge was out and drove right over. Ha!

Henry nodded: -That might work, but it will be awfully dangerous. And then there's the other problem. Won't they leave a guard with their vehicle when they come inside?

-Hmm. I hadn't thought of that. We'll invite everybody inside. If they don't all come in, then the staff will have to handle that end of it, perhaps bring the guard something to eat. Save a little of our special seasoning to sprinkle into the stew, in case the guard won't take a glass of wine.

Patricia started up the stairs. Then she turned to Adele and Henry still rooted in the musty cellar.

-Come along. We have plenty to do. It's party time!

(Go to Chapter 4)