Fredrica's ch5 pt4

You mull over what was said in the dressing room as you go down the hall and get to the security office. Who were ‘they’? You had a feeling you already knew. And you think you might know who the ‘her’ was too. You felt pretty smart, piecing together the clues like a real sleuth. Maybe with Daddy’s identity, you can start getting all the mysteries unraveled.

When you enter the room, Carla’s sitting on the desk, idly scanning the cameras in your absence. She perks up when she hears you come in, the little flame on her candle lighting up. “Hi Mike! That was quite a performance from Bonnie, huh?”

You set your bag of clothes on the floor, thinking about the version of that dance you had gotten first. “Yeah, really something.” You say, trailing off.

“Miiike, you know better than anyone that the costuming department has a camera~” Clearly, she wasn’t talking about the act that had gone on on the stage. She winks and you flush. She had probably seen everything. But she doesn’t mention it any further, instead deciding to alert you to anything strange she had spotted in your absence.

“We had a breach this morning after you left, but it was just the Mayor. He had forgotten his watch. Chica was heartbroken when he took it back. She said she was gonna pawn it. Around noon, something fell from the fly gallery onto the stage, but it turned out to just be some old set pieces. However they ended up there, it looked like they’d been ripped up by some strong force. Foxy and Chica denied any involvement, but their story seemed preeeeetty suspicious. They said they were on the roof, but everyone knows how much Foxy hates sunlight. Other than that, everythings been super secure!” She gives a little salute. You awkwardly salute her back. She grins, having gotten you to play along so easily.


You take a seat and start to go though the cameras yourself. Opening was soon, and, as the animatronics backstage had mentioned, customers were already lined up, according to the camera mounted in the lobby that pointed out the front doors. Through the glass doors you could see there were more than usual for sure. Maybe it was because it was a Friday night? Or maybe someone had put out the word about Bonnie’s premier? You had seen her name was added to the marquee as you had come in.

You look over the people outside, and sure enough, you spot the man’s greasy, peppered hair. It was the man in the suit from Tuesday night, as well as a herd of other suits around him. According to Gary, he owned another pizzeria and was nothing to worry about, but something still made you weary to trust the doorman’s word on that. Maybe Carla knew something.

“Carla, do you know who those guys are? There, in the suits.” You ask her, trying to sound casual. You noticed in the shifts you had spent with her, the more interested you sounded, the more cagy her answers tended to be.

She stares at the monitor for a moment, then talks without looking back at you. “Renaldo Barone, owner of Barone’s Pizza on the other side of town.” Her eyes thin. “Keep an eye on him, Mike. He’s got a history here… He… uh… keeps trying to steal the recipe of our sauce.” Her lie is adorably obvious. “The head chef and him hate each other, but Mama has a good relationship with him, don’t worry!” She gives a pleading look, as if hoping you had bought everything she said.

You say, “Okay,” And let it sit. The information bubbles away in your head. Renaldo… Wasn’t that the guy that last had your job? No… No that was Randolfo… And… He always wore suits to work… You think you might have something, but you’ll see where it goes when you know a little more.

Pretty soon, the doors are opened and the crowd stumbles in, most of them already fortified before even tripping over themselves and to the bar. Barone and his gang seem to be the soberest of the lot. They make their way to a far booth and take a seat. You lean out of your chair and press your head to the mirror. They’re just out of your range to watch them. You skim the cameras. Sure enough, they’re seated in the perfect blind spot. There’s no way that was an accident.

Your snooping is delayed by the curtain rising, and the music coming to life. Mama walks onto the stage, her rhinestone covered mic clenched in her powerful grip. She introduces herself and the two staple dancers, who pose perfectly on cue, dressed in some new lavender colored cocktail dresses. The audience claps, and Mama brings the mic close to her painted lips.

“And tonight, for the first time on stage, give a warm welcome to our newest addition, Bonnie Bonbon!” The crowd goes wild as the bunny walks onto the stage, her dress matching those on her sisters. She looks very nervous, but the cheers seem to be building up her confidence. She poses with the other two while Mama looks on with the utmost amount of pride. You can’t help but feel proud too, though you really have no idea how much you helped her get onto those boards.

They all sing their signature naughty pizza song. Bonnie fumbles a line, but the other three play it off wonderfully, as if it was planned. Truly, masters of their craft. By the end, Bonnie is all smiles, and really is whipping the customers into a frenzy of hollars and whistles. They really did like her, just like you knew they would. You lean back in your seat as they bow, and leave the stage. You close your eyes, images of that robot bunny’s happy face dancing in your mind.

Carla clears her throat, a twinge of worry in her voice. “Mike… I think you should take a look at the cameras...”