I watch the interaction continue, each broken toy receiving the same cheerful greeting and an offer of a cup of tea. A faded green bowtie hangs hopelessly on the man’s ratty cotton suit, it’s dismal presence a stark opposition for the two front teeth that beam out of a wrinkled mouth.
“He looks so... happy.”
Marlin snorts beside me, rolling up his shirt sleeves before bending down to grab one of the many guests clustered around the tea party.
“Don’t let the silly behaviour fool you. The Mad Hatter is in the high security chamber for a reason.”
A mouse squeaks in his hands, its robust belly activating a sound device. Fluff and polyester presses up through the gap at the top, the hole where his head ought to be.
“Jack Heart must have donated a few of his victims.”
“Who?”
“A local actor.” A smirk pinches the corner of his mouth, “Very minimal talent.”
“I’ll say it’s rude. Very, veryrude indeed.”
Maddox’s voice jumps up in volume, an unsettling pitch that wobbles with each word.
“New guestsmusthave a cup of tea! A cup of tea, I’ll say.”
The old man skips and twirls around the table, refilling each empty glass with the air from his own. Not a drop of liquid hits the colourful mugs, but it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference to the headless audience.
A top hat wilts from its position on his head, a flower that looks ready to leave its stem. Birthday pins are proudly glued to every spare inch of the thing while bright pink ribbon wraps around the crumbling exterior.
Desperately trying to keep everything in place.
“Time to see if your charm works on the same sex, Deville.”
Marlin lifts a brow, the challenge clear in his eyes.
Bastard.
“Charming? Did someone say charming?”
Maddox’s head snaps in our direction, his eyes glazed and unfocused. Frizzy strands of grey hair creep out beneath the base of his top hat, the wide brim struggling to keep the grey mane under control.
“Not charming, mate. Just friendly.”
“You’re not charming.”
Liver spots dance across saggy skin, loose bags drooping beneath blue eyes that look sharper than they did a minute ago.
“I didn’t say I was.”
“He did.” A weathered finger points accusingly at Marlin, “The lost sailor. He claimed you were the treasure that’s never been found.”
“Right, well, he says a lot of things-
“YOU’RE NOT CHARMING!”
The plastic teacup comes hurtling towards my head.
I duck just in time, only for a different hunk of plastic to bounce off Marlin’s suit. The colourful teacups clatter to thefloor, the energy in the room shifting from dismally cheerful to violently defensive real fucking quick.
“No. No.No!” Screaming at the top of his lungs, Maddox climbs onto the table and starts kicking shit in every direction. Headless mice and bunnies go flying while tuffs of grey hair tremble and shake beneath the mad state of their hatter.
Marlin sighs, reaching into his suit jacket pocket and pulling out a velvet pouch.
