Chapter. Four
The Smiley’s
I spend the weekend thinking about our dance. It’s like I have entered a fable, although our romance is more gothic than Sleeping Beauty. I play Mozart’s album as it reminds me of the dancing. But Calix’s Father still gets to me, he doesn’t like me at all.
I see Calix’s diary while waiting for him in the Rolls, on the cover is a word I don’t recognize.
He arrives ,full of his usual combination of cockiness and kindness.
“Did you get coffee?” I ask as he opens the door.
“Yeah latte for you, espresso for me baby.”
“Hey what does this word mean? It’s so long.” He pauses momentarily, deliberating whether to tell me or not.
“It’s actually the code word for getting into my fathers secret club. I had to write it down because it’s obscure and difficult to remember.”
“Wait, you need a code word even though you’re a prince?” I gape at him in disbelief.
“Yep,” he smirks, agreeing this is ridiculous.
“When is this oh-so-elitist top secret meeting then?”
“Tomorrow actually, will you come with me?”
“Sure, but I really don’t think your father will want me there,” I say still burned from his deadly gaze at the ball.
“Don’t worry about Dad. I’ll speak to him tonight. He can be a bit of an idiot sometimes,
especially when it come to my friends and girlfriends,” he says as if reminiscing on some past event.
“What do you mean?” I ask intrigued.
He sighs.
“Well, he’s very…selective. I suppose he doesn’t really ever think anyone is good enough for me.”
“Why do you say that?” I ask.
“Whenever I meet someone and get a little close to them whether it’s a good friend or girlfriend.
He starts to get, I don’t know, sort of paranoid, saying these people are no good for me. That they only like me because I’m a prince or whatever.”
“No offence, but the man is nuts if you ask me,” I say, not shocked by the extent of the Kings control freak behaviour.
He continues, looking slightly hurt by my opinion
“Well, anyway. He usually tells me to stop seeing people that I like and just continue with my studies, recruitments and socialising with acquaintances he approves of. I honestly think he’s just a little overprotective, especially since mum died.”
“What was he like before that then?” I ask trying to appear sympathetic for Calix’s sake. He ponders for a moment.
“More relaxed, less rigid, happier. He’s become like an army officer since her death, all military precision. The city was a very different world when I was younger.”
“Don’t you think that you should talk to him? Perhaps he’s so caught up in trying to be a King that he never actually got the chance to grieve. You can’t just let him treat you like a child.
You’re an adult now, it’s your decision who you speak to and befriend, not his.”
“Yeah, you’re right but truly once my father has his mind made up about something, there really is no changing it. He’s the most stubborn man in the world,” he says.
Growing frustrated by the topic of Calix’s father, I think of one thing that might work.
“Maybe I can talk to him. Perhaps it’s because he’s never actually got to know any of your friends that’s the problem.”
Calix looks at me dubiously as if I’m taking on more than I can handle.
“Hmm. Well you could try, although there’s no point in me asking him first. He will just say no.
Maybe you should just turn up on a day he’s not very busy.”
“Okay. What day does he have free?” I ask.
“I suppose Thursday is his quietest day. He golf’s on weekends so no one ever gets to see him then.”
“Okay. Thursday it is. Are you still going to ask him about the secret club or shall I speak to him first?”
“No, I’ll ask him about the club, but I’ll probably just say I want to bring a peer along with me, rather than mention that it’s you!” he smirks at me cheekily.
I gawp in horror
“Why, are you ashamed of me?” He looks offended that I’d ever think such a thing.
“No! But if I tell my dad it was the girl I took to the ball who I want to come, he’ll just say no on the basis that you aren’t a citizen,” he shrugs.
“Your Dad is the ultimate elitist.”
“I know,” he agrees.
“So, school, lunchtime, tomorrow?”
“You bet,” and he leans in and kisses me.
As I walk back from our meeting, it starts raining. Even though I’m in a summer dress and getting wet, I do not care. He kissed me. People are staring at me as I walk as if to ask ‘why are you looking so pleased with yourself?”. I do not care. He kissed me. I want to dance on the pavement and I’m practically skipping. People will think I’m crazy but I do not care. He kissed me!
After a night of my heart bursting with ecstasy , I awake eagerly anticipating seeing my beloved today. Just English to get through first.
English was an easy affair today. We listened to an audio version of the play Hamlet.
Shakespeare‘s language is so romantic and it helps me replay our kiss over and over in my mind. Calix loves books too. Most guys who I have seen have never been what I’m looking for.
Too good looking, too geeky ,too tough, too sporty or just not ‘right.’ Even if Calix had never asked me out, he would still be my ideal man. He’s incredibly handsome with flawless hair and skin, for most girls that would be enough. I can tell by the looks on their faces that it is enough.
But I’ve seen other ‘perfect’ movie-star-look-alikes before. None of them wanting me but me not wanting them either. There is another magnetic pull that Calix has. I can’t explain it. I feel I’ve known him all my life. No one in the history books ever held such fascination for me. And unbelievably he’s mine.
Mrs. Shelley wraps up the lesson. Whoo! Lunchtime.
I never see Calix at break because he’s busy. He takes on so many roles. I feel like, compared to him, I don’t really do much. I like to relax. I feel more free like that. Not him, he does everything. Once he’s finished one thing, he moves on to the next. As I’m about to walk to the library to meet him, I see him in the corridor staring at the bulletin board.
“Hey, what are you looking at?”
“This cookery class on Wednesday evening. It sounds interesting I think I’ll join.”
“When do you get time to just relax? You’re always into something.”
“I like to be doing something all of the time. I work out to relax. It’s just the way I’ve always been.”
“You’re the polar opposite to me,” I shake my head.
“I know, I know,” he smiles.
“So, did you speak to your Father about this secret club thing that’s on tonight?”
“Yes.”
“And…?” I can tell by his reaction that his father has been acting up again.
“Well he wasn’t exactly thrilled. It is meant to be a secret meeting divulging important information after all.”
“And?” I repeat
“He just said ‘if you must’ Calix.”
“So that’s a yes?” I ask trying to clarify
“It’s the closest to a yes you’ll ever get from his lips,” he says humorously.
I giggle.
“Come on, let’s go and get some lunch.”
As we walk hand in hand to the cafeteria, I realize we’ve never held hands in school before. Every girl is looking. Some of them look annoyed it’s not them holding his hand. Others look shocked he’d be with such a plain girl as me. I look at him with that wonder-struck look that everyone else has. Those girls are much prettier and sexier than me . I’m just Miss-Average. I want to ask him, why? Why Calix would you want me? He could have any girl at all. Perhaps it’s this average-ness he likes. After all he has an extraordinary life. Maybe average is foreign to him.
We get chips in the canteen with lots of ketchup. Calix looks like a chip has never passed his rosebud lips. But apparently he does eat junk too. I think that this has shocked me about him more than anything ,he’s full of paradoxes.
“So tonight,” his tone is serious.
“Tonight,” I say trying to concentrate on what he’s saying but this is difficult when I just want to stare into those eyes that promise paradise.
“Wear black, it’s an absolute must. ”
“It’s not another ball is it?” I ask wondering what other black ensembles I have hiding in the deep cavern that is my wardrobe.
“Not a ball.” he smiles knowingly.
“Where should I meet you?” I ask expecting the usual Rolls Royce ride to the city.
“Ah… that’s the other thing. I can’t take you as I’ll be busy straight after school helping my father prepare.”
“Okay I can walk.”
“Okay that settles it. I hope you know what a big deal this is. These keys are so rare, only special citizens can have one and I’m giving one to you. You hold the key to my heart so I figured you should have the key to the gates of the city in return.”
He hands me a long key with a big black ‘B’ at the end which acts as the handle. It’s beautiful and looks like an antique. It’s identical to the one he has.
“Wow, thanks Calix. It means a lot that you would trust me with this. What exactly is it you’re busy with then? What time will I be able to talk with you?”
“Well actually Father and I will both be doing a presentation together, so you’ll be in the audience with the other guests. I’ll feel a lot more confident having you there, do you mind?”
“Well I don’t know. Won’t I be like the odd one out, who else will be among the guests?”
He looks doubtfully at me.
“Well, you’re there by Royal invitation and so are they. That makes you all equal doesn’t it? Oh go on, please?” He looks so needy, like a little boy lost that I have no choice.
“Oh, okay, yeah I’ll come.”
“Thanks and remember wear black, that’s very important,” he says stressing his words.
“Yeah, yeah, sure.”
I think I should go on a black shopping spree so that I can fit in easily in the city and among Calix’s clan.
“Oh, Seren, of course, your invitation. You won’t know the password or venue without this.”
Oh there’s an invitation.
“Is this at the palace?”
“No it’s about a mile away from the palace, The Royal Club of the Broken. It’s elusive but still infamous so ask any fashionable looking local and they’ll probably know which direction to point you in.”
“Well if I’m not there at nine, assume I can’t find it,” I say as I squint at the invitation.
“Will do, or assume you’re dead,” he smirks
“You can be rather morbid sometimes, did anyone tell you that before?”
“Hey what can I say? Prince of the Broken baby,” his cocky swagger returning in an instant, like a lion on a rock. I laugh and so does he, back to a carefree student.
I’ll have to find something that won’t offend his Royal Stuffiness the King too much. I choose a black dress which is classy, yet casual. I decide on wearing my black padded jacket with a hood. It’s not glamorous but will keep me warm on the walk to the Kingdom and locating this club.
Here I am, alone at night, next to a cemetery. I’ve become to associate the sight of the headstones with romance. I like the idea of my beloved and I together for eternity in death, sealed as one. I walk to the gate that leads to this shadow kingdom, opening it with my key from Calix. I’ve always thought these gates hid nothing more than a mass of weeds. As soon as you step through the gates, you see the trees which hide the city from the eyes of curious explorers who haven’t been invited in. Thorns and bushes grow either side, adding to the impression of an unloved garden. Walk a little further and the truth is revealed. The black kingdom comes into view. The hustle and bustle of busy citizens coming from work. It could be Victorian London, if it had a Goth only day with a parade of depression. It’s like a work of art that’s come to life.
A combination of horror and magnificence. I feel a great sense of awe and appreciation combined with melancholy when I see it. Like a tragedy, which can also be a masterpiece. Its prince is flawed perfection, prince charming, prince alarming, black marble come to life.
As the garden fades behind me and the City emerges I see dark figures in this shadow world rushing about to and fro. I walk into the chaotically ordered city, a black sea with a rebellious purple or grey streak of life here or there. Eyes blank and longing, downward and heart wrenched. Businessmen with an ambition of power with the blackest eyes of all. A child playing with a skipping rope ,another playing hopscotch aimlessly hitting each number as if it didn’t matter either way. Tears were a common music, like the fire engine of New York. A loveless teen graffiti’s broken hearts onto the concrete wall, her eyes thick with kohl and jet mascara. The buildings border the streets like tombs. The corpses within pretend to be alive, but know perfectly well that they are fooling no one, not even themselves.
I ask the friendliest looking face I can find the direction to the Secret Club. She sits on a park bench smoking heavily on her cigarette, I sit next to her.
“Excuse me, do you know the direction of The Royal Club of the Broken?” I ask and for a moment I think I see a glimmer of terror in her eyes.
“What you be wanting that place for then Missy?” Her voice does not match her face. She looks graceful and eloquent, her speech is coarse and throaty, perhaps from over-smoking of cigarettes.
“I’m meeting someone there,” I say not wishing to divulge that I’m accompanying the Prince there.
“Take a right down that road, opposite The Raven nightclub. You will see it, showy with a gold sign,” she says cautiously.
“Thank you,” I say gratefully
She takes a deep breathe before adding “But I’d warn you about that place Missy. It’s all elusive an’ all. They don’t like the likes of you and me using it as a meeting place. Some say they make the law of the land unofficially behind them doors.”
“Really?” I ask intrigued.
“Aye, I can tell you aint local. Too young to remember this city in its golden day. Twas proper town then, normal, cheerful with colour. Had its ups and downs like any old place but we had a good community, looked out for others. T’aint like that now-all changed since his missus died,” she says with disdain.
“The King?” I ask knowing the answer already.
“Aye, him. Never liked him when she was alive but she kept him sane, you know, level headed.
Man’s lost the plot. Won’t even listen to his own son, not that he’s much better mind. He got the same old beliefs as his father, that lad.”
“Look, thanks for the directions but I really must be going or I’ll be late .You’ve been really helpful,” I say, not wanting to hear her talk of Calix this way.
“Yeah, yeah Missy, you’ve ad enough. I get the picture. Don’t think I be joking when I tell ya to keep away from that part of town though. It aint just the club. Ravens just as bad, dodgy characters in there.”
“Thanks,” I say running as I know Ill be late now.
So the RCB is the meeting place of the rich and powerful of this city. That figures since Calix and the King will be there. Perhaps he wants to see a friendly face amongst the professional pessimists and that’s why he has invited me.
As I walk further on, I see that there is a parade in the town. On the lead float there is a girl wearing a lace dress. Her hair is long and platinum, although it could be silver so light.
She’s singing:
“To be alive, or to die. To feel dead, while you’re still living. Blackest night, brightest light. To feel dead while you’re still living.”
I wonder if she’s famous. There’s a huge crowd gathered around the float. Jumping and dancing as in slow motion, neither happy nor sad. In a daze or a trance. Always and forever citizens of The City of the Broken.
Suddenly I hear trumpets and there is a riot. I see a huge flash and a mass of yellow crowding the black hole of people. It’s The Smiley’s, here to protest in the public view. There are a lot of cameras and a news reporter-deadpan, professional, dressed in his sharp black suit. I look at the TV’s in the shop window seeing that The Smiley’s have been labelled. ‘Irrelevant troublemakers disrupt Royal concert,” reads the headline.
I hear their chant ‘Bring happiness, colour and laughter back to the Kingdom. Red, yellow, pink, blue .Replace the clouds with a rainbow. ”
Looking at the TV screen, I see the news reporter shaking his head and the words ‘Rebels sing crazy anthem, upset the singer Annabelle’ and I see the blonde star who was just on the float looking shocked ,surrounded by security. The so-called rebels, who as far as I can see have only protested peacefully are being dragged off by the police when I walk past the black column that signals I’m entering the upmarket part of the city .I’m looking forward to seeing Calix after all this. As kind and intelligent as Calix is, I’m often surprised at his loyalty to the way his father rules the kingdom. He genuinely seems to believe in the concept of ‘broken’. He only met me because he wanted to recruit me as a citizen. The idea makes me smile. I always feel like a weirdo when I smile or even feel happy in this city. It seems to be an unwritten code that you have to look depressed. Maybe it’s a law? I’ll certainly have to look into this.
I see it, a hidden cove, a treasure trove. In this part of town, atmosphere is different.
There it is, The Royal Club of the Broken HQ. And directly opposite, The Raven, a nightclub that looks like a pirates drinking den. I wonder if Calix ever comes here with his approved-of-by-daddy acquaintances. As I approach TRCB I see there is no one standing by the door to accept invitations. I knock the polished mahogany wood several times. Seconds later, it opens. I’m greeted by a well dressed yet sinister looking man who for whatever reason makes me feel like he’s armed or trained in some martial art or both.
“What can I do for you?” he snaps at me.
“Um Hi, I’m here for the meeting. I have an invitation,” and I hold it out for him to read. He looks at it as if disgusted that I could possibly be invited to such an elite club. After what seems like an age of him staring unconvinced at my perfectly genuine invite, he looks back at me
“And who exactly gave you this invitation young eh lady,” he says and I’m shocked by his offensive tone.
“His Royal Highness Prince Calix gave it to me personally, saying that he would greatly appreciate my support.”
“Hmm…,”he looks down at the invitation again, as if testing what I’ve said with the invite in his hands.
“Very well Miss, you may follow me.” He holds the door open, never taking his eyes off me and I step in.
“Thank you very much,” I say trying to be polite.
Looking around, I see that the room is mahogany and dark green. Like a London cigar and brandy Gentleman’s club. There is a bar with a smartly dressed bar tender but there isn’t anyone else around. They’re all in the meeting which late for, I presume.
“Which way to the Royal meeting?” I enquire of the bar tender who doesn’t seem to think so loftily of himself as the doorman.
“Just through these double doors, down the hall, on the left,” he replies, helpfully.
“Thank you,” I smile at him as I walk swiftly down the corridor.
This place is elegant and understated. As I turn left I see only one door where the meeting is must be taking place. Upon opening the door ,I step into the room which is spacious and light, a sort assembly room, with a serious atmosphere. Everyone looks at me and I mouth an apology as I spy an empty chair and edge towards it. The King is on stage making a speech, I’m sure he won’t think highly of my being late. It will only give him another reason to dislike me. The second thing that occurs to me is that all of the audience is male except me. Perhaps this is a gentleman’s club? Why didn’t Calix tell me? Perhaps that’s why the doorman looked at me like I was not meant to be at the club. I can’t see Calix among the audience or on stage. Perhaps he’s backstage, he did say he was participating in this presentation.
Suddenly I hear the King announce ‘and my son and successor Prince Calix of the City of the Broken,’ and Calix steps out on stage, to an applause and standing ovation which I gladly participate in.
“Thank you all. My father and I are both very grateful you could be here tonight.”
He is different before an audience. He’s more dignified and aloof. A prince, a professional.
Behind Calix and the King, I observe two bodyguards who are armed. I wonder why they feel them to be necessary.
“We have many plans to make The City of the Broken an even more spectacular place for its citizens, there’s a new school of the Broken which will replace the old school. Our designer, the finest in all the city, Mr Jack Lipson,” he points and nods to elaborately dressed man who is sitting in the front row, “has created a splendid new uniform for all of the children to wear.”
Mr. Lipson rises from his seat and walks onstage carrying one of the uniforms.
“Good evening citizens of the Broken, I have worked tirelessly, never stopping until perfection was achieved.”
Mr Lipson talks like a president addressing his people with great passion .
“This is not just any school uniform. When His Royal Highness requested I design a new look for the children of this city, I could scarcely say no. On looking at the old uniform I instantly knew that my design must reflect the modern child. The old look was the old city, but we are very different now-The uniform needed to be versatile, practical. Allowing every child to mould to the school and yet retain his or her individuality.”
I can see the audience growing bored with Jack Lipson’s speech and the King doesn’t kook impressed by his babbling on about his design. Calix though, listens intently, with great curiosity. He’s always so polite.
“Thus it was born. The design will live on for a century or longer, as it has been created to fit the child of today and of tomorrow. Our children’s children will all wear this wonderful style.
An everlasting glove, a symbol of this great city.”
He holds up the outfit which is plain black, with a purple embroidered B. Unremarkable to say the least. A sweatshirt with black trousers or a black skirt. A moderate applause arises from the audience, and Mr. Lipson smiles as if he is accepting a noble peace prize.
The King walks over looking annoyed.
“Thank you Mr. Lipson,” he says ushering the overly enthusiastic designer back to his seat.
“The school and the uniform are just one of my plans for the city. At present the fact there is an upper and lower school does not instil the singular broken mindset but acts as a separation between the older and younger generation. The rioting of the gangs must be stopped. These individuals make a fool of our city and go against everything we stand for.”
The Kings voice rises to a level of anger as he speaks of the riots, which I presume to mean The Smiley’s and a very loud applause arises from the audience.
“You may have heard today of the disturbance at the parade. This gang dressed in their rebellious yellow bring shame to the city.”
A member of the audience shouts “They must be stopped! Get them imprisoned!”
“Yes, I quite agree,” say the King.
“Laws are being passed as we speak, banning the colour yellow and anything but black and dark purple. It may sound unnecessary as I know a good many people who are fond of grey as well but I think you’ll find that without such laws, chaos will arise.”
This is the first time I’ve viewed the king as a dictator. This man is insane.
“So you see, this gang, who I believe call themselves Smiley’s, will be arrested for their antics if they dare go public with their diabolical schemes again.”
The king gets a roaring applause and standing ovation from the audience who are all dressed in black.
“I have also taken it upon myself to ban any form of cheerful music, with only melancholic, or music that reflects the tone of our city being legal.”
Even Calix looks shocked at this, as if he had no idea his father had planned this. I don’t blame him, banning cheerful music? Even some of the audience appear horrified, although they stand and clap nonetheless.
“What about Annabelle? My daughter loves her music,” asks a man shyly from the back of the gathering.
“Annabelle is still legal as she plays the exact type of music that personifies the city.”
Thinking back to the parade earlier today, I remember Annabelle’s music as depressing and tormented. I would never want to listen to someone like that. This man tries to take choice away.
“It’s the only way we can pass our values successfully on to the younger children,” he says with an arrogant defiance.
“My son Calix had a few words he would like to say. And with that we will wrap up our conference. I thank you very much again for coming.”
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I happen to have some plans of my own for the youth of the city that begin with the library. I would like to encourage reading groups and additional reading hour in the primary schools and for under fourteen year olds.”
He can even surprise me sometimes, beneath that beauty is brains, depth and compassion. It only makes me more in love and awe of him. He is a marvel of a human being, prince or not. The royalty part with him is just like an added extra, he’d still be wondrous even if he was just ordinary.
He glances at me as he makes his speech and smiles. I see his father glaring at him and then look at me with disgust. Hey! Calix smiles at the crowd to announce that he has finished his speech and they applaud him graciously, although not to the same magnitude that his father received.
The king goes backstage, the audience get up to leave and Calix jumps off the stage, walking over to me as I greet him with a smile. I hug him tightly.
“You were brilliant Calix .I never knew you to be so philanthropic.”
“Well I’m really passionate about education, if my father neglects an area, I try to concentrate on it and he really doesn’t pay education enough attention.”
“And what exactly do you think about his ideas on music and colour?” I ask hoping that he sees some sense on this issue.
“He does take things too far sometimes. The colour law won’t really make a different, most people wear black anyway, but I don’t agree with his ideas on music. I love all kinds of music.”
I look accusingly at him.
“Calix you have to speak up to him about this. You cannot let him decide what music people want to listen to. You’re the prince, he has to listen to you. You’ll be King one day.”
He looks fearfully at me.
“Honest, Seren, when my father has decided on an idea, nobody can change his mind. I’ve tried countless times to reverse some of his ideas but to no avail .”I’m inclined to believe him.
“How is he allowed to get away with all this stuff? Doesn’t he have people who oppose him?”
“Well there’s The Smiley’s for one. Some people do challenge his ideas, but his supporters are in much more powerful positions than any enemy so they only ever get overruled.” I shake my head in shock.
“Calix you absolutely have to stand up to him. He’s a tyrant. You are in a powerful position.
you can influence him, son-to father if nothing else!”
Calix is different when we talk about his Dad. It’s like he is afraid of him, like he’s an impossible barrier you just cannot get over. I’m not afraid of him but he’s a challenge. He’s perplexing though because Calix usually is so determined, he’s always made me feel like anything is possible but when it comes to his father, it’s like nothing is possible. He’s probably learned this from past experiences. In psychology I believe this is called conditioning. Well I’ll change that!
“So what is this place Calix, like a gentleman’s club and why am I the only girl ?”
“Yeah its like that, as well as a conference hall, secret society. It’s everything really and yet it looks so very unremarkable, that’s the genius of it! Women don’t usually come here, you are a very rare occurrence.”
“While