Shrunk In Translation, Part Three
Copyright 2004 Littletoy
“Come on chibi-chan it’s just a little noodle.”
“Charlotte please, I told you I've had enough already. And stop with this chibi-chan business. You’ve been calling me that for three days now and I’m sick of it.”
“Aww come on I think it sounds cute. You’re my little chibi-chan now eat up you’ve only eaten four inches of noodle.”
“But that’s almost the entire length of my body.”
“It seems like it’s hardly anything. Don’t you want some of the shrimp or shiitake mushrooms with the noodle? You’re supposed to combine the flavors of all three in your mouth.”
“But I said I’m full ok?”
“Oh come on just take a look at how good it looks. I’m sure you can find a room for just a little.”
I felt Charlotte’s fingers clamp around my middle as I was lifted off the dresser again. I had gotten used to her suddenness and abruptness of action when she handled me. As much as I protested she didn’t pay it much attention. I flew over to the other side of the dresser top. I was set down and immediately I felt the heat all around me, and my footing became uncertain. Looking at the sides of my prison I saw the sides rise up around me over my head. I was in a large bowl. At my feet was a tangle of noodles that made my movement in any direction difficult. I lifted my foot up and kicked a rubbery shrimp. It moved a few inches.
“See doesn’t this look good Chibi?”
“I can’t eat this crap. Get me out of here. I want a cheeseburger and French fries and a milkshake and some-.”
“Sorry it’s noodle bowl or bust Chibi.”
“My compliments to the chef.”
I lifted up a shrimp; the thing must have weighed twenty pounds. I took a huge bite but it took a good five minutes to chew and swallow even one mouthful. The mushroom was similarly tough for me to chew and my consumption slowed to a standstill.
“What’s the problem Chibi don’t you like it? You better get your fill now because I have to put you in the drawer soon. I have to go out for a bit.”
Before I could react the weight of the shrimp was lifted from my arms. Two wooden poles closed on either side of the shrimp at their ends, pinning it. I watched in fascination as the shrimp rose into the air and disappeared into Charlotte’s mouth. I was awestruck as she chewed up the twenty pounds of shrimp and swallowed it in a matter of seconds. It would have taken me days to eat that much.
“Mmmmm these are good. Are you sure you don’t want any more?” Something wrapped around my legs, causing me to wobble in place. She giggled as she pinched a bit of noodles between her chopsticks and sucked them into her lips. The tangle of noodles around my legs caused me to fall over backward onto a mushroom. The chopsticks kept returning again and again, each time lifting enormous amounts of food into her every hungry mouth. I didn’t even bother getting back up. I just watched on my back at the bottom of the bowl as the level of noodles got lower and lower until finally the only thing left in the bowl was me. She looked at me mischievously as the long wooden pincers gripped me on my side. I screamed and kicked in panic as I was lifted up to her mouth, but instead of swallowing me she just kissed me on my face. Her soft lips spread out over me.
“Mmmm you taste good. I should eat you up.’
“YAaaaaaa don’t eat me please!”
I felt myself going down swiftly until the wooden chopsticks let go and I landed on something soft. It was a sweater of hers. I was back in her drawer. I looked up just as she started pushing the drawer closed.
“Silly did you really think I’d eat you? I would never let any harm come to my little Chibi-Chan so don’t fret and I will be back in a couple of hours. My husband John has to stay over a couple of extra days on his photo shoot and I want to buy something nice to wear for him when he gets back, something that will make him forget about that tramp Kelly. Talk to you later Chibi ‘k?”
“Charlotte for the last time my name is not Chibi-Ch-“
She slammed the drawer shut and once again I was in dark but familiar surroundings. Even though she had said she was going to help me at first, all I had really done was stay in this drawer all the time. I think she liked me here with her because she was lonely and needy. Her husband as far as I could tell from our conversations, paid her little or no attention. So here was I, a convenient pet to pass the time with, to take care of which gave her something to do other than hang out at the bar. I know she had just had a good friend she had been hanging out with a lot leave Japan recently. I guess for her I was there to fill the void of his leaving, since John didn’t seem capable or willing to fill it.
***
In the home of Dr. Suzuki, his daughter Tomiko was putting on her best outfit. As she primps in the mirror her father stuck his head through the doorway.
“Time to go blossom. I have the hotel where the American girl is staying. I assume we will find Mr. Thomas-san there.”
“O’ father do you really think we can get my Chibi-Chan back? You promised he was mine! He was so neat having him in my room like that. He was the best pet ever, even better than the cat you gave me that got run over.”
“Well you should have been more careful. He is more than just a pet he was proof my machine does work, If we get your pet back we are going to discuss some stricter ground rules for his care and feeding, do you understand?”
“Yes father.”
“Good, we must take the train into the city. Don’t forget your lunch box. We will need something to take Mr. Thomas-san home in. And I have this in case our American gives us any trouble.” He held up a long tube wrapped in brown paper. It looked like something that might contain blueprints or a rolled up painting. It did not.
Dr. Suzuki and his daughter then left the house. Walking at a brisk pace to the station that would take them into the heart of downtown Tokyo.
Tomiko was excited. The tiny pet she had only just started to enjoy before losing, was about to be returned to her, its rightful owner. She was hopeful the American girl in the photographs was going to be reasonable and just hand her Chibi-Chan over to her.
Dr. Suzuki had cooked up a story about a biological warfare experiment going bad, and Mr. Thomas-san was the result; in a matter of days his body would convert to deadly anthrax spores, killing thousands of people in Tokyo once they became airborne. Surely the American girl would die soon, or so she was told, unless the tiny man was handed over to him, Dr. Suzuki, at once. Once safely in custody the tiny man would be provided all medical treatment possible in a controlled hermetically sealed environment. Hopefully she would buy that, and he would leave Tomiko out of sight so as to not arouse suspicions. If the girl didn’t go for the story he would have to resort to more drastic measures.
Tomiko didn’t care about any of that. She was only interested in getting the tiny man back into her possession. Since she had lost him she had thought of noting else. She had begged her father to be allowed to shrink someone else, anyone but he was adamant. No more test subjects for the time being. Not at least while the disappearance of Mr. Thomas was still on the authorities minds’. It was a miracle he had not been identified in the tabloid photos but fortunately the newspaper did not publish the close ups that John had taken. In fact it had been assumed it was just another lurid hoax designed to sell newspapers.
I sat in the drawer and slept while sealed up in darkness. If there is one thing I had learned to do since becoming Charlotte’s ‘guest’ it was sleep pretty much on demand. Also I seemed to need a lot more of it ever since being reduced in size. So it never failed that once the drawer was securely pushed back into the dresser and the door had shut and the lock clicked, I was usually asleep shortly after. Conversely I woke up as soon as I heard the jiggle of the door handle when somebody was coming into the room. A couple of times I has started yelling only to hear sounds that indicated it was a member of the housekeeping staff in to change the sheets. As soon as I heard them I piped down immediately, lest I be found by some middle aged Japanese maid. At least both Tomiko and Charlotte were young and attractive. I hated the idea of seeing fat, wrinkled, mottled skin at so close a perspective. I had to consider the alternatives, the negative ones every time I lamented my lack of freedom.
Still I worried about Charlotte’s intentions. Each day shrunk in the hands of he American girl meant a day closer to her, and my return to America, and I didn’t want that. At least not now, not while I was still in this sorry state. I needed to stay in Japan and find somebody to help locate Dr. Suzuki and get him to restore my size. I couldn’t see any other way since the device that shrunk me was highly experimental and it was highly unlikely that another one like it existed anywhere else on earth. It was depressing being resigned to ones fate, knowing that as long as I am sealed up in this drawer like an article of clothing that I could never regain my former life. I tried not to think about it anymore. I had some time until Charlotte returned, so I went back to sleep…
Charlotte walked to the hotel at a brisk pace, carrying the packages under her arm. She didn’t like to leave her new pet too long but she really wanted to look her best for when John came back into town. She foolishly spent a lot of money on lingerie, thinking that he might pay her more attention. She knew she was silly to get mad at him for spending time with Kelly; after all it was his job, that’s all. Still all alone in the hotel room her mind wandered to unpleasant thoughts, thoughts that had lessened a bit since she had met Bob, and now the tiny man she had safely locked away. She knew it was wrong not to turn him into the authorities, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do so. She was so lonely and he was so tiny and helpless, it seemed too nice to have him around. It was nice to have a person who truly did need her. Without her he as helpless, and would have perished in the streets had she not rescued him.
Hurrying up the walkway to the hotel she walked through the lobby at a brisk pace. Out of the corner of her eye one of the desk clerks was waving her over. The hotel had a message for her. Charlotte took the paper with the message and read it:
‘CHARLOTTE WILL BE ON ASSIGNMENT AT LEAST ANOTHER WEEK. WILL BE BACK AT EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY. TRY TO HAVE FUN LOVE YA. JOHN.’
Charlotte threw the note away quickly, tears forming in her eyes. This was the last straw, she thought. She hated everything in her life right now; Japan, her marriage, everything except little Mr. Thomas. Only he had made her days here shorter since Bob had left. If John was too busy to see his wife, perhaps it was time she went back to the states without him. She needed time alone to asses their relationship’s future. She was distraught, about to board the elevator to her room when a heavily accented voice called out to her.
“Miss. Charlotte? Excuse me…”
***
The train ride into Tokyo was the usually smooth gliding of the train combined with the utter chaos of the arrival station. Tomiko clunk to her father as they pushed through the throng of folks headed to and from various destinations. The device, wrapped up in brown paper kept slapping against her as she clung to his side. She wondered what he would do if they found the American and she wasn’t that agreeable to let her Chibi-Chan go back with her.
As they made their way up out of the underground station and on to the street Dr Suzuki started to regret involving his daughter in this business. He should have gone alone once she had shown him the newspaper photo of Mr. Thomas-san. Still once he had given the American over to her care there was no dissuading her. He figured she might do something stupid on her own to get the little guy back. This way he could make sure the little guy was properly disposed of when found. He didn’t have the heart to tell Tomiko but it was far too risky to have a little man out there running around giving away the secret of his invention until it was time to reveal it. The lunch box he had told her to bring would make a suitable coffin. And as for the American girl, well if she tried to interfere…well that was why he had brought the device with him.
Inside the hotel lobby Dr. Suzuki instructed Tomiko to wait alone in the gift shop for him. He didn’t want her to be around while he tried to look professional. About 20 minutes of waiting he spotted an American with auburn hair and full lips, standing at the front desk reading a note, tears in her eyes…
***
“Excuse me, Miss…Charlotte it is?”
“Yes it is, how did you know?”
“Allow me to present myself. I am Dr Suzuki of the STRAND Corporation. I am here on official company business. I am investigating the disappearance of one of our American officials who disappeared last month and I believe you know where he is.”
“Me? Why would I know anything about that? I’m just here with my husband. He’s a photographer for a fashion magazine.”
“Yes your husband took this did he not?” He held up the tabloid with the pictures of her holding the tiny man.
“Oh, ha ha yes he did, but it was a hoax. You know these tabloids will print anything to sell newspapers. It was all a hoax. John just pasted some guy he shot at random into the photo of me as a joke. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to get to my room. My husband is waiting for me and he gets very upset if I’m not at a certain place on time.”
“Sorry to bother you miss, if you do happen to remember anything about this man please give me a call. Here’s my card.”
Charlotte hurriedly flipped the card into her purse, and then pushed the button on the elevator, her heart racing.
***
Come on honey she’s lying. I know she has Mr. Thomas-san. Let’s get him you can help me by distracting her when the time comes ok?
Tomiko agreed all too readily as the made their way to the next available elevator. Dr. Suzuki didn’t relish what he apparently had to do but he was ready to do it. He pushed the button and hugged the device close. He switched the power button to standby.
***
I was sleeping peacefully when the door burst open excitedly. I could hear Charlotte practically race over to the drawer and pull it open. I was immediately plucked up and set down on the dresser top as Charlotte leaned into me, a look of anger and concern in her face.
“Chibi! Chibi! Get up quick we have to get out of here. That guy you told me about who did this to you is here looking for you! I think he wants to kidnap you! I’ve got to get you away from here right away.”
“I told you for the last time stop calling me HEY PUT ME DOWN!”
Charlotte snatched me up and walked over to the door.
“Sorry Chibi-Chan there’s just no time to argue. My friend Kazuo has an extra room we can stay for a- “Charlotte was speechless. She pulled the door open, revealing Dr. Suzuki and a young girl standing in the doorway to the room. The man looked serious, and she noticed for the first time he was carrying a strange tube.
Charlotte let out a yelp and instinctively took a step backward in fear. Dr. Suzuki stepped through the door with Tomiko and closed it behind them. I heard the sound of the door locking from Charlotte’s hands. Before I knew what happened I felt a terrific force at my back, then I was upended and flying through the air. I screamed in terror as Tomiko had managed to wangle me from Charlotte’s hands and was now dangling me from my left ankle over her delighted face. She then lowered me down against her small breasts and I sank into their softness as she pressed me close and cuddled me like a favorite kitten.
“Chibi-Chan!” I heard her coo.
“What is with this Chibi shit? I’m not some freakin’ doll tell her to put me down Charlotte! Help!”
“Hey you leave Chibi alone!”
I then heard Dr. Suzuki speak harshly to Tomiko, and I was sent swiftly downward. I was dumped on the floor unceremoniously. I stared up at the giants towering over me as they argued.
“I will deal with you as I should have in the beginning Mr. Thomas-san, but first you will be joined I’m afraid in your final hour by your American girlfriend…”
“Charlotte run!”
I then heard Tomoko speaking in Japanese to her father.
“Father may I have the female too?”
“I am sorry daughter but it is too dangerous for you to keep either of them. They must be disposed of for their own good. I am sorry but I will make it up to you.”
“Father you promised.”
I cringed as Dr. Suzuki raised the bazooka looking thing and pointed it at Charlotte. I screamed at her to run but she froze in terror. I saw Dr. Suzuki’s finger pull the trigger that would make her the same size as me. I had to act fast. I looked around on the floor for anything I could use but it was so damn clean. Then I saw nearby just the thing. A staple. I dashed over and grabbed it, then sank the pointed end into the exposed part of Dr. Suzuki’s ankle just as he pulled the trigger. He yelped in pain, throwing his aim off and causing the energy charge from the device to miss Charlotte completely. Instead it flowed directly across the room into a full-length mirror. I could see the beam bounce right back at Dr. Suzuki, striking him full force. There was a pop, then silence.
When the smoke cleared Charlotte was bending over me. She scooped me up again, tears of joy on her face. I was cuddled into her chest. I looked around for Dr. Suzuki but there was nothing.
Then I heard it. It was a high pitched, angry squeak. If one listened closely one could probably hear curses in Japanese. Charlotte and Tomiko followed their eyes to the source of the commotion until their eyes met the tiny being on the floor shouting up and waving his fists at them.
“Serves him right. Bastard.”
We saw Tomiko take a step toward her father, an incredible look of amazement on her face. Then there was a sharp crunching sound, followed by more hysteria from below. We looked down to see Tomiko pick up her black Mary Jane show. Underneath were the flattened remains of the shrinking device. RIP.
Dr. Suzuki didn’t take this very well he began screaming in Japanese and in English a million things at Tomiko. I could make out in English the words Imbecile, and Stupid and Moron and a lot of others. Tomiko at first looked like she wanted to cry, then as the tirade progressed she looked more and more annoyed. Finally she bent down and plucked her tiny father up between her thumb and forefinger. She looked him right in the eyes.
“Chibi-Chan!”
“Thomas-san help me, American girl, anybody help me please!”
I have to admit I didn’t feel one bit guilty as Tomiko lowered her father into her lunch box and closed him inside. She looked around at me and Charlotte nervously, then suddenly bolted for the door. I felt Charlotte’s body lurch as she started after her but I stopped it.
‘Let her go.” I said. She did, and soon we were both laughing in relief.
Tomiko flew down the hall and into the elevator. When she got to the lobby, she ran as fast as she could outside and down the street to the train station and from there as fast as she could straight home. Inside the lunchbox Dr. Suzuki was bruised and battered and scared. He cringed at the thought of being trapped at this size forever but that’s the situation he found himself in.
His daughter had already proclaimed him her new Chibi-Chan.
EPILOGUE
‘LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THANK YOU FOR BOARDING JAPAN AIR FLIGHT 1125. OUR TIME TO DESTINATION LAX IS FIFTEEN HOURS WITH A REFEUELING STOP IN HONOLULU, HAWAII. AS WE ARE ABOUT TO TAKE OFF PLEASE NOTE THE NO SMOKING LAMP IS ON. PLEASE FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS AND REMAIN IN YOUR SEATS UNTIL THE SEATBELT LIGHT IS OFF WHEN WE REACH CRUISING ALTITUDE.’
I struggled against the thick seatbelt which held me against Charlotte’s stomach. I tried to get some more movement but I was too tight. It was going to be a long flight.
“Comfy little Chibi?”
“No I want a first class seat.”
“I beg your pardon you are in a first class seat.”
“But what about your husband?”
“Well if he wants to be in Japan so bad so be it. I am going home and I’m not going home alone. No matter what happens in my marriage I have you at least, my little Chibi-Chan.”
“Will you please stop calling me that?” It was no use. The roar of the engines revving for take off all but drowned me out. In seconds we would be in the air and I would begin my new life as Charlotte’s…Chibi-Chan, what else? Nobody ever even told me what the name Chibi-Chan meant. I guess it must have been lost in translation.
The End???