This is Part 2 of a freebie poem from the July 5, 2011 Poetry Fishbowl, thanks to new prompter
quennessa. (If you haven't read it yet, start with
Part 1.) This is a remodeled version of the awful plot from Sucker Punch.
WARNING: This entire poem is violent, and contains many misogynist characters bedeviling the heras. It may be triggery for some people. Part 2 contains references to nonconsensual bondage, women using their sexuality for manipulation, murder of men who are not nice people, and semi-accidental arson. If such imagery tends to upset you, then you might want to skip this poem. But if you're okay with valiant heras struggling against terrible obstacles, here it is.
Playing with Babydoll
First they must find the knife:
they're bound by ropes all night,
and they need a way to cut free.
It is Honey's job to lift it from the cook,
and she does, blowing him a kiss to dizzy his wits --
but a fight breaks out, and then there are knives everywhere.
When the cleaver swings down toward Fireball's chest,
it is Babydoll who shoves her aside
and accepts the shallow slice along her own skin.
She already has scars. One more won't matter.
They have the knife, now, hidden in Amber's bodice,
and the cook chokes his life out, gutted like a fish.
Second they must find the flame:
the lanterns are put out at night,
and they need a light to see by.
It is Fireball's job to snitch it from the lanternkeeper,
and she presses her hot flesh to his as she takes
the clever little gadget with its flint and striker and pan.
When the ensuing struggle sets fire to the carpet, then the curtains,
it is Babydoll who snatches a blanket from the bed
and flings it over Fireball and herself so they can flee.
Men rush in to put out the roaring flames,
but they are too late to save the lanternkeeper.
Who would look at two mad girls, at a time like this?
Third they must find the map:
the madhouse is laid out like a rabbit-warren,
and they need to know which way to go.
It is Flower's job to fetch it from Blue's office,
and she inks it onto her skin with berry juice.
When Blue catches Flower in his office
and bounces her head off the wall while she screams,
it is Babydoll who hits him in the temple with his own paperweight
and now the clock is rolling all the faster, because there is no way
that anyone will overlook a man with a crushed skull.
Fourth they must find the key:
the doors of the madhouse are locked
and they need it to open the passage.
It is Amber's job to figure out where to search for it,
and she rushes through the halls following her feelings
until she bounces off the Healer who runs the madhouse
and hugs her tight. Then the key is in Amber's tight little hand.
When the Healer fusses at Amber, and Amber turns on the waterworks,
it is Babydoll who pulls the crying girl away from the annoyed woman
and promises to put her to bed so she won't be a bother --
and that works, because the Healer is busy
with guards arguing about dead men.
[To be continued ...]
Read Part 3.
Read Part 4.