Fiction Vortex - July 2013

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  “‘And so Prince ‘Charming’ Charles held a search for Eleanor of Rochester across the kingdom,’” Chaucer read from his scroll for the whole court to hear, “‘The slippers were enchanted to only fit Eleanor’s feet, making it impossible for any other woman — or man — to attempt wearing them. Driven on by the hunt, as so entices the human, by the time he finally found Eleanor, Charles was convinced of True Love’s destiny, and they wedded a week later. Eleanor’s coronation as Queen will take place in three days time.’”

  Judge Forest interjected, “And what about the mishap with the step-sisters mutilating their own feet to try and fit inside the glass slipper?”

  “I entreat you to read Paragraph 2,045, Line 68, of the CM canon, ‘The antagonists receive appropriate karma in the sphere of the good deed.’”

  “And the mice?” a Leprechaun asked from the ring of jurymen.

  “No mice were harmed in the making of this good deed,” Chaucer assured him.

  There was an appreciative murmur through the courtroom, and Judge Forest squared his broad shoulders and announced, “I hereby declare Ms. Selwyn’s Case of the Misfortunate approved, charges removed for all past cases, and a follow-up Happily Ever After inspection of Eleanor of Rochester in a month’s time. Court adjourned.” The gavel banged, and Samantha clapped with gloved hands and bobbed up and down, almost toppling her enormous white hat. She could have it all now.