Prince Jacques and his perfect hair stood in the middle of a flurry of activity in the Grand Hall. Extravagant decorations were being hoisted up along the walls, clusters of tables and chairs were being assembled around the outskirts of the room, and servants ran back and forth, all as he barked out vague yet threatening orders.

“Everything must be flawless, or I’ll have your heads!”

He walked beside a humorously long buffet table, inspecting the ham sandwiches paired with dried wheat, deviled eggs, smoked turkey, watercress salad, lemon pudding, and cookies with what appeared to be leftover jam.

“More candles!” the Prince shouted at no one in particular. “We need more candles! This party must go out with a bang!”

A small guard wearing a large uniform scurried up. “Your Majesty, reports are saying a young woman was spotted near the Western Front,” he said with a bow.

“Really? It’s usually so quiet down there, are you sure?”

“No.”

“You’re not sure she was seen ?”

“I’m unsure whether or not it’s usually quiet.”

The Princes face twitched in frustration. “Well, are you sure a young woman was spotted?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Then send the troops there after her,” Jacques ordered with growing agitation.

“Yes, Sir.” The guard bowed briefly, yet remained.

“Now!”

“Oh- yes, Sir. Right away, Sir.” The guard bowed again before scurrying off.

Prince Jacques smoothed his wig-like hair, then swatted away what looked like a bee before straightening his clothes and moving on to inspect more decorations.

 

Beatrice DuPont slumped down on a log. She was tired and hungry and still fuming. She was lost in a strange land and afraid that her ex-chaperone was right. What did she have to go back to? Home? It was a tiny studio apartment. Not even a cat or a plant to keep her company. She worked at a dead end job and was apparently incapable of sustaining any meaningful relationship with anyone. She wasn’t doing anything or going anywhere. Truth be admitted, the last day and a half had been more eventful than the rest of her life put together. That was sad. What was she doing? What was the point to her existence if she didn’t even do anything with it?

“Lost?” a smooth voice asked and she looked up in surprise. “You look a little worse for wear since I last saw you all dolled up at the club, Dinah.”

Beatrice warily regarded the person before her, sharply dressed in a  pinstriped three-piece suit.

“I get the feeling you’re not from around here,” they continued.

“You’re one of Hat’s tarts?”

“I don’t belong to Hatty. And you don’t belong here. So, what can we do to fix that?”

“You want to help me get home?” Beatrice asked skeptically.

“More than anything.”

“Why?”

“Because The Prince thinks he can take anything he wants and I don’t agree with that.”

“Am I something he wants?”

“It seems that way,” they nodded before holding out a hand. “Annette.”

Beatrice stood and they shook.

“Where is ol’ Hatty by the way?”

Beatrice shrugged sullenly.

Annette raised a shapely eyebrow. “Oh? A lover’s quarrel, perhaps?”

“Oh, no. We’re not like that, don’t worry.” Beatrice waved her hands dismissively.

“And why would I be worried?”

“Well you’re one of his- I mean, you’re tart at his club, right? I though he kinda had a thing with you or something.”

Annette chuckled. “Hatty’s not like that. Sure, he plays it up a bit in front of Jackie-boy, but really he simply gives us a relatively safe place to work.”

“Are the other clubs a lot sketchier then?”

“There are no other clubs.”

“I don’t understand... Is Mad Hat the only decent employer around or something? Otherwise, why choose this line of work?”

“You think I wanted to be one of Hatty’s Tartz? Here, there’s only so many things someone like me is allowed to do, and I don’t think I would’ve made a very palace worker.”

“So, you were forced to become a tart?” Beatrice asked in shock.

“It was my choice from a very limited set of options. However, I’m a little over it and hoping to make a few changes.”

“By working against the Prince? Are you working with Mad Hat then?”

Annette gave a head shake. “I had no idea Hatty was up to no good until you came along. I thought I was on my own.”

“Well, he went off that way.” Beatrice gestured halfheartedly.

“What happened between you two anyway?”

Beatrice scoffed. “He made me feel stupid for wanting to go home just because I don’t have anything special to go back to, yet he’s the one who seems to have it all yet wants more.”

“Just because you’re successful doesn’t mean you have to be happy about it.”

“Treason seems a bit of a stretch though.”

“Hmm… maybe he’s got some ulterior motives.”

“Are you saying I can’t trust him?”

“No, if there’s one certainty, it’s that Hatty will always do the right thing. But he may take a questionable way to get there.”

“And what’s ‘the right thing’ in this situation?”

“Keeping you away from the man in the high castle, I would think.”

“But he seems to be the one that has my way home.”

“That’s unfortunate. What series of events has led you here?” Annette asked.

“To be fair, I’m still not convinced completely that I don’t have a severe concussion.”

“How is that fair?”

“Right? How is it fair that I was snatched of the street for be overly cautious?”

“I think Hatty knows more than he’s let on. Should we find him?”

“No. You go, but I’m in no mood to see him anytime soon.”

Annette shrugged. “Alright, suit yourself.” She walked off in the direction that Beatrice has indicated earlier.