UNIVERSAL STUDIOS DRACULA take VII

Dr. Jarvis and Professor Lumpkin climbed down the steps into the parlor. As they walk and converse, they pass by Mina Jane's betrothed.

“You will recollect that Dracula casts no reflection in the mirror,” the oldest man reminded the other.

Edwin nodded his head with his hand to his chin, “Yes?”

“And that 3 boxes of earth were delivered to him at Carfax Abbey,” the shorter man continued as he stroked his thick, white moustache.

“Right,” the dark-haired, balding man nodded again, following his colleague’s reasoning.

“And knowing that a vampire must rest by day in his native soil,” concluded the mustached man, as the 2 scientists made their way to the loveseat, “I am convinced that this Dracula is no legend but an undead creature whose life has been unnaturally prolonged.”

Edwin nodded as he sat down upon the mini sofa as he mulled over the information in his head. He trusted Willie Lumpkin; his friend was VERY good man with everything that has happened since Count Dracula's arrival was too much. And so, there was nothing else to do but trust Professor Lumpkin knowledge.

“Well, Doctor Jarvis, what about it?” Jason asked impatiently, and he put his hands to his hips, “Is MJ going with me or NOT?”

Right now, Mr. Harker knew he had the attention of both of the older men. There was only so much of this supernatural hogwash he could take.

“If you take her from under our protection, you will kill her,” warned the eldest of them.

“Now, Jason, please,” said the balding man tried to reason with his daughter's beloved, “Please, be patient.”

“Mr. Harker, please, come here,” Willie requested of the youngest of them.

“Well?” replied the arrogant youth as he complied to the Professor’s request.

“Jason, I know you love her,” Doctor Jarvis began, “but don’t forget she’s my daughter, and I must do what I think is best.”

The shortest of them, then motioned with his left hand for the youngest to sit down. Jason again complied and sat across from the elderly man.

The elder took a breath, “Mr. Harker, I have devoted my lifetime to the study of many strange things…little known facts which the world is better off for not knowing.”

“I know,” responded the younger man, “But Professor, all I want is to get Mina Jane away from all this.”

“That will do no good,” Willie explained, “Our only chance of saving Mina Jane’s life is to find the hiding place of Dracula’s living corpse and to drive a stake through his heart.”

Just then Betty Renfield snuck into the room. The brunette had just made a new escape and had decided to implant herself into conference.

“Isn’t this a strange conversation for men who aren’t crazy?” asked the brunette as she stands in the foyer, looking into the parlor.

“Ms. Renfield, you’re compelling me to put you in a strait jacket,” the balding Doctor warned the young woman.

Betty did not listen and sauntered slowly into the room, while her doctor walked over to and opened a cabinet to retrieve a telephone.

“You forget Doctor, that the mad, have great strength,” she taunted with a smile.

Professor Lumpkin furrows his brow and rose to his feet. Slowly the Willie approaches the young brunette.

“Dracula has great strength, hey, Ms. Renfield?” the old man questioned.

“Words, words, WORDS!” declared the madwoman.

Doctor Jarvis put in the call to the sanitarium. After hearing the other side pick up its receiver, he admonished the other end.

“Oh, Randy, didn’t I warn you to keep a strict watch?” asked an annoyed Edwin.

******************

Tonight, Randy Robertson did not know what to make of current events, those that believed in things that were undead sounded like they belonged in a strait jacket. Everything was fine until the phone ring, the orderly immediately lifted the phone while a nurse was working at the desk. He was not prepared for what he heard.

“What, what, again?” responded Randy, the nurse glanced up quickly then went back to work, “Yes Sir.”

He could not believe this. The dark-skinned man just shook his head.

“At once, Sir,” he replied, that woman must be an escape artist, “Yes Sir.”

Once he knew she was out, the next move was obvious. He was going to have to retrieve her.

“Right away Sir.” Randy responded then hung up telephone and turned to the nurse, “Here, the Doctor’s pet Loony is loose again.”

The brown-skinned young man sighed; it was just like before. Again, he left for his boss’ house.

******************

Doctor Jarvis, after having made the call, went to sit down on a nearby chair. Now all he had to do was wait. How could his employees be so inept that they could not prevent even 1 patient from escaping her cell.

Betty knew they were listening when she slowly approached the elderly Professor with her hands outstretched and began her tale, “He came stood below my window in the moonlight.”

The brunette could not help but let out a chuckle. Just telling what happened might get her killed

“He promised me things,” she said, and giggled, “Not in words, but by doing them.”

“Doing them?” Inquire Willie.

“By making them happen,” the madwoman explained with a smile, then turned away from the mustached man and with her right hand she motioned to the floor, “A red mist spread over the lawn, coming on like a flame of fire.”

She paused for a moment. And looked up, hoping they were paying attention.

“And then he parted it, and I could see that there were thousands of rats with their eyes blazing red like his only smaller,” Ms. Renfield then whipped back to Professor Lumpkin and touched the elderly man’s chest with her hands, “And then he held up his hand and they all stopped.”

The young woman paused again as a smile played on her lips. Her madness was intoxicating

“And I thought he seemed to be saying, rats…rATS…RATS!”

Randy, having found the mental patient, prepared to sneak up on to the brunette. He watched her motion with both hands to the floor.

“Thousands!” Betty exclaimed with excitement, “Millions of them.”

Randy could not help but roll his eyes at this madwoman’s proclamation. It felt like she was getting worse every day.

“All red blood!” she concluded, “All these will I give you, if you will obey me.”