The Princess and the Frog
Two children, both around 9, sat on the floor. One was a girl named Mabel, holding onto her pig like a stuffed animal and listening intently to a story being told. The other was a boy named Dipper, absorbing every word of the book being read. The man reading the story to them was Dipper's Uncle Stanford, and as he did so he repaired a little clock.
"The Princess, not quite sure on her decision, knelt down and gently picked up the frog. She brought him close to her lips."
"No, don't do it!" Dipper whispered.
"Do it!" Mabel whispered.
Ford turned the page, snickering a bit at the kids. "Then, she placed a big kiss on his lips." Dipper groaned and fell back while Mabel cheered and threw her hands up. "And he turned into a handsome prince."
"Yay, happy ending!" She said.
"I would never kiss a frog, not even to become a prince," Dipper said.
"Are you kidding? All you'd have to do is kiss one frog then do nothing ever again! I would kiss a-hundred frogs to be a princess." Mabel put tons of little kisses on her pig.
"Nope, still wouldn't. And ew." Dipper giggled a bit at his friends actions. They were basically brother and sister, they looked so similar people often mistook them for twins. Stanford always had to fix things for Mabel's uncle, Stanley. Even though they were nowhere in the same league financially, they were still great friends.
"Really, you wouldn't?" Mabel said, looking ready to pounce on Dipper. That's when she charged him while holding the pig. "Come on, kiss it!"
"No!" They giggled and screamed as Mabel chased Dipper around.
"Woah, what's going on in here?" Stanley asked while walking into the room. Dipper stopped once he came in, but Mabel didn't in time and she crashed into his back. They fell into a fit of giggles as she pushed her pig onto him.
"Hello Stanley, here's that clock you needed fixed," Stanford said as he got up. "Come along Dipper, time to go home."
"Aw," Dipper pouted. He got up, Mabel holding onto his leg. "Uh, Mabel. Can you let go?"
"Nope, not letting go!" She said. Stanley walked over to her and Stanford walked over to Dipper, each tugging away the respective child.
"Thank you for fixing that Stanford," Stanley said as he picked up Mabel.
"No problem, you are my best customer after all." Stanford did more than fix things, he also made up attractions for Stanley's Mystery Manor, his home and business. Stanley would try to give Ford more for the hard work he does, but he never accepts it. "Well, we'll see you later. Say bye Dipper."
"Bye Dipper," repeated the boy. They all laughed a bit then said goodbye.
Once Dipper and Ford got home, Ford tucked Dipper in. "So, you've got any wishes tonight? The stars have finally come out."
"I think you know what I'm going to wish for by now Uncle Ford." Ford gave the boy a smile, such big dreams in such a little thing. Dipper wanted to open his own restaurant, even if it didn't seem possible.
"I know. Good night, little prince." Ford brushed Dipper's bangs back and placed a little kiss on his forehead.
Once Ford left the room, Dipper got up and went to his window. He closed his eyes and began wishing on every star there was. "Please, please, please." He opened his eyes, and spotted a frog on his windowsill. It croaked, then he screamed and ran to his uncle’s room.
---
Dipper began working as soon as he could to make money for his restaurant. He took jobs all over the city of New Orleans at different restaurants to make his cooking even better. You could argue he was the best cook in the city, hands down. He worked seven days a week, trying to save as much money as he could to purchase the building he wanted. Mabel and Stan visited him often at his different jobs, giving him large tips to assist him.
He was working his regular shift at a little cafe when Mabel and Stan decided to come. "Dipper!" Mabel cheered as she saw her friend. "It's been so long!" She hugged him and picked him up off the floor.
Dipper laughed at Mabel's antics. "Mabel, it's been a week. And I've got to get back to work."
She placed her friend down and grabbed the paper Stan was reading. “Mabel, I was reading that,” Stan said in his gravelly voice.
Just then Dipper walked over to the order window and got a plate of sweets for the man. “Here you go Stan, these are my recipe.” Stan took a bit and his annoyed expression melted away into pure bliss.
Before Stan could thank him, Mabel interjected. “Just look at this! A princess is coming to the city!” Dipper took a look at the paper, trying to humor Mabel and seem interested.
He examined a picture of the princess when her and a servant came off a boat. “Well let's see: ‘Princess Pacifica Elise Northwest will be visiting New Orleans for the celebration of Mardi Gras and will be the guest of honor at…’” He stopped there just to annoy Mabel.
She looked at him expectantly, but he just wore a smug grin. “Oh, I'll finish it! ‘She will be the guest of honor at the Mystery Manor!’ Dipper, a princess is going to stay at my house. I could become a princess!!!”
“That sounds great Mabel, I bet something awesome is going to happen.” Mabel basically was a princess, she was the richest and most beautiful girl in town. Every man vied for her attention and Dipper was sure she'd be able to woo a princess with no problem. “It says in the paper you’re having a party for her arrival.”
Dipper walked around collecting dishes from tables and wiping them down. “Yeah, that's tomorrow and the whole town is invited! I already have my dress and- Dipper you need to come!” She ran to him, hugging him from behind.
“Oh Mabel, I want to but I'll be working here tomorrow night.” He brought the dishes over to the sink and dropped them in there. “I'm so close to my restaurant. I'll only have to work a little while longer until I have enough to buy it.” Mabel sat on a chair, thinking face on. Dipper turned and grew a worried expression. “Mabel, what are you thinking?”
The girl looked towards her uncle, then to what he was eating. She began looking very excited and grabbed a treat from Stan's hand. “Mabel, I was eating that!”
“I've got it!” she said, running up to Dipper. “These are your own recipe, right? How about you make about 1,000 of these for the party?” Dipper was speechless as Mabel ran back to her uncle, taking out his wallet and pulling out more money than Dipper had ever seen. “This will cover baking supplies and pay I think. And maybe a little extra. If you need anymore just tell us.” She forced the money into Dipper’s hand and Dipper grew an expression of pure joy.
This time he was the one to hug his friend and he almost started crying. “Thank you so much Mabel! When's the party?”
“Tomorrow night!” she said cheerfully. “Come on Stan we've got to go make sure everything is on track for the party.” She tugged him out of his seat while he put down a ten dollar bill and took the plate with him.
“Thanks you guys!” Dipper called. “This is it, I'm finally getting my restaurant,” he whispered to himself. His dream could finally come true.
---
The little bell above the cafe door jingled as a woman walked in. Dipper had just finished putting away his money and telling his boss he couldn't work tomorrow night. He walked out to greet the customer who was wearing a short purple dress and held a parasol. She had blond hair and she seemed to look oddly familiar to the princess from the paper. “How may I help you ma’am?”
“Well I was wondering if I could get a drink-” but she was interrupted by the door opening again and a short man stomping in after her. He had large white hair and was possibly wearing make-up.
“Pacifica, why did you walk away again? I've been trying to keep you on track but you keep running off with a bunch of boys or start dancing to a little street band! We have to get to the Mystery Manor by tonight!” The man had grown red in the face and seemed ready to scream.
Dipper had connected the dots and realized this must be the princess. “Oh Gideon, I was just coming in here to get directions-”
“We're leaving, now!” He grabbed her arm and then nodded to Dipper. “Sorry about that, hun.” Dipper looked on, confused by what just took place. He got called to another table and the thought escaped his mind.
Gideon had picked up the luggage and started on his way again while Pacifica opened her parasol. “No more distractions, we've got to get to-” but he stopped short when he no longer heard Pacifica walking behind him. He turned seeing her being lead into an ally by a strange man. His face paled as he started after her, almost knocking a few people over to get to the princess.
He made his way next to her as she intently watched a man opening a door. “Oh Gideon, glad you could join us. This is-”
“I don't care who it is, we have to go. So come along.” He tried grabbing her arm again but she was moved out of his grasp.
“Oh, come on sir. How about you lighten up a bit,” said the stranger. Gideon finally got a good look at the man. His right eye was covered with a black eye patch and the other was an electric blue. The man had on a yellow top hat with a large, white eye on it. His pinstripe pants made his legs look far too long. His jacket was yellow and had a distinctive brick pattern on it. Finally, he held a cane that seemed blacker than the night.
Gideon was so shocked by his appearance he dropped the luggage. “W-who are you?”
The man put on a Cheshire grin. “Glad you asked. I am William Cipher, call me Bill, magic expert and I'm here to read your fortunes.”
“Come on Gideon, he knows a lot. I think it'll be fun,” she said, giving him a little nudge.
Gideon once again looked towards the man, unsure of what to do. He leaned over to the girl and whispered, "Pacifica, he's obviously lying, some kind of fake magic man."
“Now I wouldn't say that, I've never had a dissatisfied customer," he said, showing he heard the little whisper. "I promise, you won't be disappointed.” Bill held out his hand, Gideon looking at it warily.
Pacifica gave him a little smirk. "What, are you afraid?" After that, he took Bill's hand immediately and a smile grew across the man's face.
“Please, come in.” Pacifica went first, followed by Gideon, and finally Bill who with a snap of his fingers shut the door.
---
The party was in full swing and one of the biggest the Mystery Manor had ever thrown. Everyone from town was there, enjoying the festivities taking place. Dipper had a large table set up with an elegant table cloth on top. He made hundreds of sweets, and from the looks of it they would be gone before the night's end.
All he had to do was find Bud Gleeful and tell him he could purchase that warehouse, and everything would be set for him to start the project. Dipper looked on, spotting Mabel pacing back in forth in her large pink dress. She looked even more like a princess than usual, makeup done to perfection and tiara on her little head.
She began walking over to Dipper as she waved to some guests from across the room. Her elegant smile was replaced by a look of pure nervousness when she looked back towards Dipper. "Dipppeeeerrrr!!! Where is she? She was upstairs and do you think she's going to not come to the party?"
"No Mabel, of course not! She's definitely going to come. Just give it time." Dipper tried relaxing his friend down by passing her a cookie and she ate half of it in one bite.
"Oh my, these are delicious!" She cheered. "I'd say this is the best batch you made yet!" She finished the cookie then took a handful more.
Dipper tried restricting her and taking a few away. "Thank you, and you're not just saying that cause your completely nervous, right?" He hoped the answer was yes.
Mabel took a deep breath in. "Sorry Dip, I'm just nervous. And those are really good," she said, reassuring her friend. "Why are you wearing a waiter costume by the way? This is a masquerade?"
"I am wearing a costume! I don't have waiter clothes nearly as nice as this!" They both laughed, Mabel becoming a bit more at ease.
"Okay, well I guess-," but she was but off by a big voice announcing the next guest.
"Now introducing Princess Pacifica Elise Northwest." The girl stood at the top of the stairs in an elegant purple dress with diamonds encrusted on it. She slowly walked down to meet Mabel at the bottom, and Mabel put on her best flirtatious smile. They began dancing, Mabel smiling every time she looked Dipper's way.
Dipper looked on, enjoying seeing his friend so happy and swaying to the music. "Lovely party, isn't it, Dipper?" Dipper recognized that voice anywhere.
"Mr.Gleeful! Oh, yes it is. How are you?" The large man was wearing a donkey costume, his signature pin of a star with an eye on his right side.
"I am very well today, we got a bid on that warehouse you've been looking to buy." Dipper's heart stopped, he couldn't believe this.
"Did you not get my message that I have the money? I got all of it Mr.Gleeful." His eyes were pleading, he needed this.
"Well, I'm sorry Dipper but the man who offered said he would pay the full and in cash."
"But you know how hard I worked! I've spent so much of my time working at so many places, and I've finally got enough."
"Yes, and that shows how great a server you are. Think about what I'd be depriving the restaurants of this city of if I took away one of their greatest helps. Don't worry Dipper, I just feel like this isn't the thing for a man of your, background." Bud took a handful of treats, turning in his heel. "These are delicious, and you look perfect in that waiter's outfit. Good night!" He walked into the crowd, leaving Dipper stunned.
"Wait, Mr.Gleeful!" But he was pushed aside on his route to the man, causing him to fall back. He knocked right into the table, spilling all the food just as the song ended. Mabel started walking over after the song, Princess Pacifica and her walking arm and arm.
"Dipper, I’d like to introduce you to... Oh, what happened?" Mabel left the girl, going to her friends side.
"Nothing, it's fine. I'll just clean this up and leave. I'm sorry, Mabs..." He continued picking everything up, but Mabel got down and stopped him.
"Come on, let's go clean you up. I'll see if Stan has anything for you to wear." Dipper allowed himself to be pulled up, slowly being lead by his friend up the staircase.
"Feel better, hun!" He heard the princess call. He looked back, seeing her give a little wink at him. He brushed everything that just happened aside, too distraught to think.
---
Dipper told Mabel everything as he cleaned up and she fixed one of Stan's old costumes to fight Dipper. She was so good at sewing she got it down in ten minutes flat. "Mr.Gleeful! Why that, that... Ass!" Dipper smirked a little, the same word on his mind. "Here, throw these on," she said, throwing a shirt and some pants over. She walked over to a closet, opening it and looking through. "I'm really sorry Dipper, I know how much you wanted your restaurant."
"...It's fine, Mabs. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be." Dipper said sadly, all the pain still there and cutting through him like knives.
"There must be other places to open up, I'll even help you find them. But for tonight, please try to enjoy the rest of the party." She closed the closet, walking over with a small object in hand. Dipper came out from behind the dresser, cleaned up and looking like royalty. "Dipper, you look so handsome," Mabel said, her voice completely sincere.
She put the crown on his head and then grabbed a jacket she was fixing. She put it on him and smiled. "Remember when we were little, playing Prince and Princess."
Dipper smiled back at the memory, him and his friend without a care in the world. "Yeah, and it's finally coming true for you. I'm so happy for you Mabel."
"Thanks Dip, and I know your dream will come true too. Just you wait." She went up on her tiptoes and gave Dipper a little kiss on the forehead. "Well, back into the field. Wish me luck," she said as she hoisted up her dress.
That got a giggle out of Dipper, "Good luck." Once Mabel left, he took off the crown and placed it on the table. He walked out to the balcony, humming and then singing a little song. “I was almost there, almost there…”
"You have a lovely voice," he heard from the back of the room. He turned seeing a man in the doorway of Mabel's room. "But why aren't you at the party, Prince? I'm sure you'd be the most dashing one there." The man entered the room, picking up the crown and walking towards Dipper.
"Thank you, but why are you up here?" Dipper felt strange around this man, yet somewhat entranced by him.
"I was just looking for a friend who ran off, she should be somewhere. But let's not talk about that now." The man placed the crown on the railing Dipper was testing on. "Let's fix you up." He slowly buttoned up Dipper's jacket, the boy not finding any strength to resist. "And you'll need this," he said, picking up the crown and placing it on the boy's head. "Better?"
Dipper slowly nodded and responded with a, "Thank you." The man's eye was mesmerizing, and he felt very hot at the moment. "I'll keep an eye out for your friend."
"Thanks, and I'll keep an eye out for you. Enjoy the party, Prince." The man walked out of the room, counting his search through the house.
"Who was that?" the boy wondered aloud.
"The sickest, most despicable man alive," he heard a female voice say. Dipped looked around, trying to find the owner of the voice. "Over here.” He looked toward the balcony, a little frog on the side.
Dipper began laughing and he brought his hand to his face. “That's it, I'm losing it! I'm heading things now. Do you think I'm crazy?” he looked to the frog and asked.
“You seem pretty sane to me.” That's when the boy lost it.
“Ahhhh!” He stumbled back into the room, hitting the bookshelf. Once he hit it a book fell off the top and hit him on the head. “Ow.” He picked up the book, ready to throw it at the frog who had made it into the room.
“Wait! Wait, listen. I'm the princess!” The frog stood up on her legs and held her hands up in a defensive stance. “That guy that just came in here turned me into this!”
Dipper brought the book down, looking at the frog questioningly. “What do you mean?” He did find it weird that this animal could talk, and sounded like the princess he saw at the cafe.
“That magic man turned me into this! He took some of my blood and gave it to my servant who is dancing with your friend downstairs. Now he looks like me and I'm stuck like this!!!” She whined.
Dipper was shocked, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't know what to do, he was never faced with a problem like this. He looked to his hands, seeing the book he was holding. ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ he thought to himself. “I've got it! Look.” He showed the book to the frog. “I can get my friend Mabel to kiss you and I bet you'd turn back!”
Just then they heard footsteps coming down the hall. “There's no time to go get her. You can do it!”
“What, I don't think it would work-”
“I can give you the money for your restaurant! Once I marry Mabel, I'll give you all you need.” Dipper didn't know what to do, he looked down to the book and then the frog. The footsteps were getting louder, he could hear the voice of the man calling for the girl.
Dipper went down, picking up the frog. Mentally preparing himself, he got ready. “Wait, don't kiss her!” The man had made it to the room, and he stood in the doorway with an aggravated look on his face.
“Oh, for the love of!” Pacifica jumped at him, lips pushing onto his. Dipper felt weird, like he was shrinking. It felt like his body was changing, his legs getting longer and and arms shorter. It felt like it was taking forever, but it really only took seconds. When it stopped he was on the floor, he was cold and sticky. He looked down, seeing his skin was green and his body in a new form.
“Aaahhhhhh!!! What just happened?!” He was too distraught to notice Bill getting closer. “What did you do to me?!” he yelled to the girl.
“I thought it would work! I didn't think- Hey!" Bill picked her, making a jar appear out of thin air and putting her inside.
Dipper watched as the man turned to him and he tried to run but his new body was very different from his other. He made it a few steps before he slipped on the slimy substance coming off of his body. "Don't worry little Prince, you'll be back to normal soon." Bill picked him up and dropped him inside.
"Ahh!" Dipper fell right on top of Pacifica, and then Bill closed the jar. Pacifica threw Dipper off of her and then looked toward the magic man. "Listen, you peasant! I don't have to be treated like this. I demand you turn me back at once!”
“No can do princess. With that little friend of yours, Gideon was it, masquerading as you we’ll have the Mystery Manor’s fortune in no time!”
“You can't do this! We'll be able to stop you," Dipper actually sounded authoritive and seemed to have a bit of a tone.
"Oh, really little froggy? Cause I don't think you'll be able to do anything," Bill snapped his fingers and both Dipper and Pacifica fell asleep next to one another.