Turning Pages: Part One

      "Good day, fellow Neopians. My name is Sir Pendleton Alberts the Third Esquire, but all of you fine citizens may call me Sir Alberts.”

      The figure, cloaked in a fine black suit, wriggled his nose slightly while pushing the golden-rimmed monocle higher against his brow. Red ribbon lined the brim of his top hat and a cane rest snugly against his short, stubby, pink paws.

      He bowed before continuing. “I am but a humble tour guide who is more than delighted to show you around this brilliant establishment. Now before I continue, are any of you on the wrong tour? We are to be exploring the printing press, circa Y1, and home of the much celebrated Neopian Times.”

      His large, orb like eyes scanned through a long line of well-dressed Neopians of various size and description. All of them appeared to be content, slowly shaking their heads as to avoid losing adornments from their heads.

      “Yeah, I sure am. Can I leave now?”

      A few heads turned, and although rude to stare, it seemed almost rude not to gawk.

      Tall and lanky, a blue Cybunny stood with a leftward lean, both paws crossed over each other. No older than around twelve or thirteen, her furrowed brows seemed most unbecoming for a young Neopian.

      The tour guide wrinkled his nose. Blue jeans, he thought, trying desperately to keep his thoughts inside, with noticeable tears in them, no less. How very improper!

      On the print of her t-shirt were the words “Twisted Roses” topped by an image of three makeup-caked teenagers wearing the ugliest of frowns. Upon noticing the guide’s judgmental stares, the Cybunny rolled her eyes.

      “Stephanie Ann Smith!” shrieked a high-pitched voice belonging to an Eventide Krawk. She had passably good tastes: a knee-length black skirt and button-up white blouse. Noticing the quieter room, the Krawk lowered her voice to a whisper. “You’re being rude. Stop this nonsense!”

      “Easy for you to say. You didn’t miss a concert for this.”

      “It’s just a concert, sweetie.”

      “Yeah, Twisted’s final tour before Gloomhollow goes on a solo career!”

      “Well, you’re just going to have to see Gloomhennel another time. You and I both know how hard it was to obtain these tickets. Your Father entered into that raffle for weeks in hopes of getting a pair of them. For Fyora’s sake, please try to have a good time here, or at least pretend to. He would have loved to come.”

      The girl grunted, noting her mom’s mispronunciation of the band’s drummer. “Tell that to his boss.”

      “I did.” She sighed. Meanwhile, Sir Pendleton tapped his miniature shoes against the tiled floor. “Tell you what. Behave on this tour and you might just find a birthday surprise in a couple of weeks.”

      “Lucky thirteen” was a birthday Stephanie had been looking forward to for ages. For the last twelve years, the fourteenth day of Running was the most magical day of the year, making most any wish into reality.

      “You really mean it, Mom?”—a few around them winced at the use of an informal term—“that would be… really cool. But before I go along with this, does anyone find it weird that a Meepit is running this tour? Aren’t they evil and stuff?”

      Thunderous gasps and chirps filled the hallway. An Aisha nearly fainted. Two Grarrls made an effort to step towards the Cybunny, but decided to scowl disapprovingly instead, even so far as to shake their heads for good measure.

      Hearing enough, Sir Alberts paced towards the Cybunny, keeping his face blank and trusty cane swinging gently above the ground.

      “Now, Miss Stephanie.” Her lips turned to the side. “I have had quite enough of this tomfoolery. It is not very ladylike to speak to another in such a way.”

      “Like I should car—OW! Why did you do that?!”

      “A cane does far more than help a gentle-Meepit get around. It also functions for discipline, something I see clearly lacking in this family.” The Cybunny’s Mother opened her mouth to retort, but he shushed her. “Now, let us begin our tour of the most expansive printing press in all of Neopia… with no further interruptions, if you please.”

      Stephanie narrowed her eyes at Sir Alberts, rubbing her arm.

      She resisted sticking out her tongue, but just barely. "Get on with it then."

      “Patience, my dear.” Sir Alberts then lifted his cane and henceforth announced, "Follow me, my fellow associates! To adventure!"

      Stephanie dragged herself follow after the rest of the tour group walked ahead of her.

      "Annoying fancy-pants," she muttered, "Slapping my paw with his little Meepit cane. I wish I wasn’t here at all. Dad should have been the one to go. He’s into this sort of nerd stuff.”

      “Now Stephanie," the Eventide Krawk said, crossing her arms in the typical annoyed-Mom stance, "I thought you wanted to be surprised?”

      Stephanie bit a fingernail. “Alright, fine. I’m sorry. But it’s hard to be good with that mean, top-hat-wearing Meepit around. Who does he think he is, anyway?”

      The tiny tour guide waddled towards an ornately decorated double door and knocked four times, all but ignoring Stephanie’s commentary.

      “Here we are, my fellow Neopians. This is the entrance to the most wonderful place in all of Neopia! I get chills every time I enter, if I might be so truthful." Sir Alberts paused as excited murmurs passed through the crowd. Stephanie could see that the Meepit was truly enjoying himself. He looked like a toddler in a sweets shop, bouncing about with a skip in his step.

      Along with the sound of a triumphant fanfare, four White Weewoos swung open the double doors, assisted by a gown-wearing Draik; Alberts tipped his top hat in thanks.

      "Welcome to the Neopian Times Printing Press!" the Meepit announced.

      Inside there were doors leading off in many different directions. A very large printing press sat in the center of the room with a variety of other, smaller presses lining the periphery. Weewoos were fluttering all about whilst a variety of different Neopians were running around. Many clutched piles of newpapers and wore ink smudges on their delivery uniforms. While some Neopians worked the printing presses, others wrote furiously at their desks, quills bobbing and out of small ink containers.

      Stephanie could not help but stare at the hustle and bustle. They never said anything about this in Neoschool, she thought. It’s actually kind of cool.

      "Hey, Alberts!" She cleared her throat loudly, which caused a few of the other tour members to gasp. “I have a question!” Waving her hand back and forth, she raised her voice above all the commotion. "Just how big is this place, anyway? Are there rooms even bigger than this?”

      Sir Alberts stopped what he was doing, tsked at her loudly and waddled to her side. Before speaking, he tapped her paw with the cane. She yelped, and started to complain once more. A few of the Times workers glanced up, grimaced, and continued about their business.

      "Please, Miss Stephanie, hold your questions until the allotted question and answer time! I would like this tour to continue on schedule.”

      He paused, tapping his cane against the floor three times.

      “And if you pay attention, most of your questions will be answered, I assure you." The cane rose above his head and pointed towards another doorway. "Please, everyone gather around! This is where the fun starts.”

      Stephanie glowered at the Meepit, sticking out her tongue. He acted as if the gesture never occurred, although his cane-carrying paw stiffened a bit.

      "Way to demean me in front of others, Alberts."

      "Come on, Stephanie. Just listen to him.” Her mom placed a paw on her shoulder.

      “I’m sorry," Stephanie said, clenching her t-shirt and kneading it between her paws. “It’s his fault, you know. And seriously, no one finds it the least bit weird the a talking Meepit is running the tour? Really?”

      “Maybe he’s just a magical Meepit.” Her Mother shrugged. “Stranger things have been seen in Neopia.”

      Sir Alberts continued on, leading the tour toward the large printing press in the center. "This contraption printed our very first issue of the Neopian Times. It works by placing the letters on this board here,” he lifted up a sample setting board, “dabbing the ink by hand with padded plunger-like apparatuses like these, and pressing the words onto paper. Amusingly enough, repurposed rags made up our pages in the olden days instead of tree pulp. They put ads in the news asking Neopians to donate rags, of all the confounding happenings. It cost almost as much to produce the Times as was made in sales! Of course, technological advancements allowed us to create many smaller printing presses, and we…”

          All Stephanie heard coming from the Meepit's mouth was, "Blah, blah, blahblah." She crossed her arms and looked aimlessly about the room.

      I take it back. This is really, really boring…

      She looked over to her Mom, who was listening intently to Alberts' speech. She was well known as a techno nerd in the community, and it showed. Her eyes glittered in amazement the more the stubby pink tour guide spoke. Now he was saying something about it providing information in a time prior to Virtupets tech.

          There has to be something better to do here than just listen to this guy talk, she thought.

      Her eyes pinpointed on a small, closed door. There was a Weewoo perched on top of the door, staring intently at everyone that passed. A guard bird, probably. Painted on a large red sign were the words "Employees Only: do not enter.” Stephanie raised an eyebrow.

      I wonder what’s behind that door? It couldn’t hurt to take a small peek.

      "Wasn't that interesting?" said her Mom with a beaming smile, all while elbowing Stephanie. "Oh, how I wish your father could have seen this! He would've loved it here. Who could believe that they use microchips to scan things like that? So fascinating! And thanks for quieting down, honey. I really do appreciate it."

      Stephanie was about to respond, but Sir Alberts voice came again, loud and ringing. "Come now, my fellow Neopians, Miss Stephanie included. We will now visit the most wonderful Fountain Room as well as the Hall of Editors…”

      They were about to leave the room, but Stephanie had other plans.

      If he can have a tour, then why can’t I? Mom can have fun, Alberts can be a jerk, and I can have an adventure. We all win. There has to be something interesting around this place, and I won’t find it hanging out with these snobs…

      "Hey, Mom." She tugged on the Krawk’s blouse. "I'm going to the bathroom, okay?" Stephanie pointed at the restroom doors across the room, even throwing in a little dance for good measure. The light above was flashing red, indicating that someone was inside. Two other Neopians were standing outside.

      "Really, Stephanie?” The Krawk stopped in her tracks. “Why didn't you go before we left?"

      “Didn’t have to go then.”

      “Well, I guess I’ll just wait with—“

      “Nah, I’ll be okay. I’m almost thirteen, Mom.” When the Krawk looked unsure, Stephanie put a paw on her shoulder. “It won’t be like last time. You can go on ahead.”

      The Krawk still looked unconvinced. "Alright, but come right back quickly. I'll tell Sir Alberts where you've gone so he won't miss you when he counts everybody." She turned to follow the group, scampering towards the dapper Meepit.

      “Okay. Thanks, Mom!”

      As they spoke, a flock of Weewoos circled above the group. An orange Aisha raised her paw, drawing the attention of a Weewoo. The bubbly song of the bird-like Petpet wavered through the air a few seconds before it finally perched on her pearl bracelet, much to the tourist’s pleasure.

      That was easy enough, Stephanie thought as she skipped towards the bathrooms. The rest of the group seemed distracted enough by the Petpets, thankfully.

      As soon as the tour group went out of sight, she crept about the room, nearing the mysterious entrance. Luckily, the green Weewoo previously perched all but vanished, probably on a lunch break. That is, if Weewoos even had those. The other employees were busily scribbling, too engaged to look in her direction.

      Well, it’s now or never!

      The door creaked as it opened, causing her heart to skip a beat. She then sprinted inside, yanking the door closed with a single tug. Catching her breath, the Cybunny spun around and gasped. Bookshelves towered in all directions, nearly cresting the ceilings. It was odd to say the least, seeing as the building did not look half this size from the outside. From a distance was a small, wooden table. After walking a while, she made it to the table and looked back. The entry door was barely visible from afar.

      “It’s just a bunch of books and newspapers and stuff!” she said, disappointed. Her voice echoed throughout the room. Realizing how loud she had been, she sprinted behind a shelf and ducked between two sections labeled “Articles on Villains: Lord Kass” and “The Meridell Wars.” Slumping against the shelf, she stayed quiet. When no one came bursting through the door, she left the hideaway.

      “Why would they keep a place like this a secret from everyone?” Her eyes scanned through some of the shelves, many of which categorized with the words, “Neopian Times archives.” A far larger section of the shelves had the words “All Neopian Times Submissions” written on them. Each unit contained so many submissions that they had been wedged together in order to fit. Only one unit, its shelves made of solid gold with purple trim, had room to spare. A “most prolific writer award” plaque sat in the center.

      Nothing looked particularly out of the ordinary. Nothing, that is, except the flashing neon sign hanging above a shelf partitioned with caution tape. Hanging from the tape was a sign.

      “Danger!” it read in hand-written fancy script. “Do not under any circumstance remove this media from the shelf!” Signed below was the name “P. Alberts III, esq.”

      “I knew it!” she gasped before rubbing her paws together. “That Meepit is hiding something! I’m going to find out what it is.”

To be continued...