Chapter 6

In her office Studio Head was watching her television screen intently. “They’re going into Studio Eight, into the woods,” she said. “That could be a worry. Superhero, call in your new friend.”

“My new friend?” said Superhero. “Do you mean that mechanical monster Motor Mogul?”

“Of course I do,” snapped Studio Head.

“But he’s a monster,” protested Superhero. “And he’s no friend of mine. He’s from another cartoon series.” He paused, then said: “Studio Head, what is it that’s so different about me these days?”

Studio Head sighed impatiently. “Tell me, what do you see in the mirror when you look at yourself?”

“I look different, sort of - deeper,” said Superhero.

“That’s because you are three-dimensional. I have added depth to your character,” Studio Head told him.

“I see,” said Superhero, looking pleased and flexing his muscles. “Isn’t that marvellous, I’m in 3D.”

“More than that,” said Studio. “You’re real, just like the people in soap operas. You are a super Superhero, who will save the world many times over.”

“With Motor Mogul as my friend?” asked Superhero doubtfully.

“Yes,” said Studio Head, and then she pursed her lips and gave a loud whistle.

There was a series of toots and whistles and whirrs in a cupboard near the wall. The door opened and out came Motor Mogul. He was a large robot with pincers for hands and a huge metal and plastic head that had ears, but no mouth, just a slit where the sounds were coming from. He rolled squeakily over to the desk.

“You rang?” he asked in a metallic voice.

“No,” said the Studio Head, “I whistled.” She turned her attention to the television screen on her desk and studied it intently. Superhero looked over her shoulder, while Motor Mogul stood silently. “Which story are they from?” he asked.

“No story,” said Studio Head. “They’re viewers.”

“Viewers,” said Superhero with interest. “So that’s what they look like. They look so ... normal, just like someone from a series or a movie.”

“Of course they look normal,” said Studio Head. “They are normal. Not like those dreadful fairytale people.”

“That reminds me,” said Superhero. He dug his hand deep into his pocket and pulled out a big, shiny, twinkling star. “I got this for you.”

“I helped,” said Motor Mogul. “He stood on my shoulders.” He whirred and tooted. “I am programmed to steal vital items of property from fairytale people.”

Studio Head looked at the twinkling star. “Well, Superhero, what is it?”

“It’s the Wishing Star. No more Pinocchio.”

“Excellent,” said Studio Head, polishing the star on her sleeve. “Anything more?”

“The plan is to capture the Dwarfs and steal the Queen’s magic mirror,” said Motor Mogul.

“Bye bye, Snow White,” added Superhero.

“Wonderful,” said Studio Head. “And I’ll have more plans of my own later on.” She returned her gaze to the television screen. “Ah,” she said suddenly, “the fairytale people are in the woods. I don’t want them to get lost; they might create a whole new story. Go and capture them all at once.”

“Okay,” said Superhero. He started to run and was about to take off in flight when Studio Head shouted and he fell to the floor as he tried to stop. “How many times have I told you? No flying in the studio,” she said angrily. “Off you go now and take Motor Mogul with you. He can try out his new flight jets once you get outside.”

“Oh, so he can fly too, can he?” said Superhero, just a bit miffed.

“Of course he can,” said Studio Head. “He wouldn’t be much good as your friend if he couldn’t fly, would he?”

“Is he as strong as me too?” asked Superhero.

“No one in the universe is as strong as you, Superhero,” Studio Head assured him with a false smile.

With that Superhero and Motor Mogul, who was tooting and whistling with excitement at the thought of trying out his new flight jets, left the office. Studio Head watched them go and smiled her nasty smile. “You’re safe as long as I need you,” she said. “Then you can fade away just like those fairytale people.” She laughed loudly.