BUCKINGHAM PALACE, LONDON
“I want you to find this Lewis Carroll and bring him to me,” the Queen roared at Margaret. “Now!”
“How am I supposed to do that, My Queen? You know what kind of a monster he is.”
“Just figure it out!” The Queen padded the chamber left and right, hands behind her back. “It’s too soon for an apocalypse. I want a mad world. Not a dead world. Besides, why is he here? What does he want with the end of the world?”
“I have no idea, but what you’re asking me isn’t something I can do,” Margaret says. “Normally I’d use the Cheshire’s help with something like that, but he made it clear he isn’t on our side. He just wants to bring chaos into the human world for his own giggles and grins. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in this with Lewis Carroll.”
“Then the Pillar is our only chance,” the Queen says. “Where is he?”
“Haven’t seen him since the last time when I visited this Alice girl to convince her she should be one of us,” Margaret said. “I met him briefly afterward, trying to get the key from him, but he said he’d like to keep it until we find the next one. Sort of a guarantee, so nothing bad happens to him until we both fulfill our sides of the deal.”
“I know how to get the key from the Pillar later, that’s hardly my problem,” the Queen said. “Don’t mention it to him now. Just find him and ask for his help. He has his own out-of-this-world methods. He should be able to stop this Wonderland Monster.”
“I will look for him right away, My Queen.” Margaret was checking her phone. “Wait, I just received information: he took Alice and flew all the way to Columbia?”
The Queen stopped. “Columbia?” She tilted her head. “You’re thinking what I am thinking?”
“The Executioner?” Margaret spelled out slowly.
“It makes sense. Whoever designed this plague in the hookahs must be related to the Executioner. It’s where all the hallucinogens are cooked.” The Queen rubbed her chin.
“So, the Pillar is looking for a cure in Columbia?”
“I hope that’s all he is looking for,” the Queen said. “I hope he isn’t digging into the past, or this will have dire consequences. What kind of complicated day is today?” She romped her feet on the ground.
“Today is Sunday, My Queen.”
“Here’s my second request to the Parliament,” she said, chin up. “No more Sundays!”
“That’s impossible. It’s an important day to the people.”
“No, it’s not. I haven’t been cool with the days of the week being seven anyways. God made the world in six days. And Lewis Carroll, when he was still sane, thought about six impossible things for breakfast. And we’re looking for six keys. Now six weekdays feels about right.”
“Whatever you say, My Queen.” Margaret chewed on the words.
“So, back to our problem. Send someone to follow the Pillar in Columbia.”
“You’re aware that very few Wonderlanders have the guts to go there, right? Not even me or the Cheshire.”
“Then find those who have the guts. Wasn’t Wonderland full of gory loons? Find one and send them after the Pillar to expedite his search for a cure.”
“I need to make some phone calls,” Margaret said and left the chamber.
The Queen turned and stared into the mirror. “What are you doing, Pillar?” she mumbled. “Are you planning on opening those old wounds from the past again?”