Chapter 28: Arrival ~ What a long, and tiresome journey it had been. Mario was quite tired of all this mystery business, and wasn’t even sure that he would want to know that truth about Professor Bom-Bers or not. Just the thought of it made him sick to the stomach. This evening, though, would bring relief and joy to most of the passengers, for this evening they would finally reach their arrival point. Poshely Heights, where most everyone would be seeing the opening play for the Grande Theatre. What a thrilling performance it would be! In fact, now, after all this terribly disturbing and somewhat unwelcome mystery was solved, seeing the play almost seemed like a long-earned reward for being able to withstand the mystery, as if they even had a choice to begin with. It was obvious that Peach and Toadsworth were happy about it, but they also were looking deep enough into the mystery. Goombella, however, seemed to. She too was wondering whether or not Pennington was correct about his accusing of Professor Bom-Bers. But, she didn’t seem to look too much into it, considering she seemed now to be finished with Professor Frankly’s scrolls, either because she had completed and translated all of them, or she grew bored of them, and found them confusing, and now she grew very curious with Professor Frankly’s missing discovery. Pennington decided he would keep the discovery, and figure it out for himself. After all, Professor Frankly was going to consult Pennington about it in the first place, so who else would fit for the reward better than he?
Goombella was stubborn, though. She simply insisted on Pennington showing her the missing discovery. But Pennington seemed to be greedy about it, never showing her the book, yet hardly ever reading it himself. So, through with scrolls, and not being able to study anything new, Goombella had more time to think, which caused her to constantly think about her dear mentor’s death more than ever, which caused her to normally be in a depressed like state most of the time. Mario hated to see her like this. He had always been used to the sassy, smart Goombella, who was full of energy. But Mario couldn’t blame her. It had been a terrible loss, and those mysterious scrolls really did put her emotions on hold for a while.
Mario walked through the same sliding door he had walked through many times on this train ride, and entered the very familiar Dining Hall. He looked over to see Goombella and Bow sitting at a table by the window, the same table Mario often sat at. Mario approached the table, able to hear a little of their conversation so far.
“Believe me, my dear, death is only a mere step in life! For me, a very graceful and beautiful step. Mweh heh heeh!†Bow laughed, fanning her make-up covered face with her fluffy pink fan rapidly. Apparently, she was trying to cheer up Goombella. It didn’t seem to be working very well. The weather certainly couldn’t have been helping, for it was still pouring outside, and the wind was still pounding on the express, tilting the chandeliers. Bow saw Mario coming and scooted over for him to sit.
“Mario dear! Please, come sit,†she said in her fancy, pompous voice. Mario did as she told him. Goombella was looking at the table, a sad look on her face.
“Oh, hello Mario,†Goombella said more quietly than usual.
“Hello Goombella,†Mario said. He would have loved to say ‘What a pleasant say we’re having, isn’t it?’ but obviously, looking outside, that was a far too optimistic statement. Poor, poor Goombella, Mario thought. Perhaps she is feeling the same way I am. That perhaps we did not catch the right suspect, and that we failed to establish justice on Frankly’s behalf… It was such a terrible thought, and Mario felt depressed and nauseas thinking of it. Frankly’s poor soul, trapped upon this train for good, like the toad ghost that haunts the express.
“Honestly Goombella, these things happen. You really just have to let them go, and move on… Find interests, or hobbies!†Bow said.
“Like what?†asked Goombella.
“Well…†said Bow, biting on her fan as she thought, “How about traveling? Yes, of course! There’s simply nothing like traveling. Why, when I was bored in my old, dusty mansion, I decided to travel the world! I went to Glitzville, Toad Town, even the terribly hot Dry Dry Outpost, but I don’t regret any of it! It was fun, and Bootler made sure I had the time of my life. In fact, this is my second trip to Poshley Heights! I simply love that place…so sophisticated… seems to suit me well… yes, indeed…†Bow appeared to be focusing on herself a little much once again. She tended to do that during conversations. Goombella didn’t appear to be listening any more though, anyways. Quite frankly, neither was Mario. She was rambling on and on about something or other, like how she used to own a poodle, or something like that, and Mario simply watched the water droplets slide across the window while Goombella stared at the wooden table, as though she was waiting for it to move.
“-but you know, I thought Princess was such a common name, and I wanted something unique like…Victoria. But no, my foolish little sister just wouldn’t let me name her! I mean sure she was her dog but…wait…†Bow looked up at the clock. “Oh I’m terribly sorry you two, I promised Bootler a game of bingo today over tea. Quite a lonely ghost he is.†Bow floated up from the table. “Oh, and Goombella, chin up, darling, things will get better…or at least…they usually tend to.†Goombella looked at Bow and smiled as the ghost girl floated away.
~BING BONG BING BING!~ “Attention passengers, we will be arriving at Poshley Heights shortly, we will be arriving at Poshley Heights shortly. Thank you once again for choosing the Excess Express. *Click*†The announcements were seeming to be less friendly and less friendly each day. Mario was relieved that he was finally going to be able to touch solid ground once more. Everyone was getting their things together as the conductor came around each room, collecting the people’s items to store them away in their bags in the baggage boxcar. Mario, Peach, Goombella, and Toadsworth all handed the conductor their unpacked items of clothing as he continued around to each room. Mario made his bed, as did the others, and Mario thought of his first night here on the Express. What a worrisome night that had been. It felt so good to get this murder mystery thing out of the way. Like having a large weight simply lifted off of his shoulders.
“I can’t wait to see the show!†Peach exclaimed, “I hear it’s going to be fantastic!â€
“Of course it will!†said Toadsworth, “It has to be with the money we’ll be paying!†There was still a little time left before they arrived. Peach and Toadsworth decided to go to the Dining Hall to get something to eat.
“I believe I need to talk with you, Princess, about this whole Bowser situation you keep having…it’s really beginning to be quite a problem…†Toadsworth said, as he and Peach left the room. Mario looked over at Goombella who seemed to have cheered up a little bit.
“I’ll see you later Mario,†she said, “I’m going to…go…too.â€
“Alright,†Mario said, “I’ll see you then.†Goombella left the room rather quickly, her pony tail dashing behind the door along with her, and the door quickly sliding closed. What is she being so mysterious about? Mario asked himself. He looked over at the rain-drenched window and yawned. He had time to figure that question out later, for now he decided that he would take a little nap before the big show. He climbed up to the top bunk. It was now neatly made, the comforter tucked into the sides of the bed. Mario crawled up to the top and snuggled under the covers. He had always simply used the sheets of the bed, always letting Goombella use his comforter. It was so much more comfortable now. Mario felt the sway of the train, and listened to the train, and the clickety clack of the tracks. How relaxing it was…
--Shhhhh-Shhh-*click*-- Mario opened his eyes. Someone had just opened and closed the sliding door into room number five. Apparently, whoever it was thought Mario was still asleep. Mario’s heart began to race. Could it be the true murderer? He stared blankly at the ceiling, not able to see who the culprit was without looking over the side of the bed and revealing himself. He heard someone walking across the room, and then sitting down in the couch. He heard the flipping pages of a book. Mario stayed still for a while still, hoping that the person would not recognize that he was laying there, or that he was awake. He listened hard for the tiniest sound of conversation. Could there be two people inside? It was completely hushed, except for the still sound of the rain outside. How long had Mario been asleep, anyways? Was this person entering and reentering the whole time he was asleep?
“Hmmm…†he heard someone say. Mario recognized the voice. He looked over and saw that it was only Goombella, sitting on the couch reading a book. Mario sighed.
“Oh…Goombella it’s just you,†Mario said. Goombella seemed to be quickly trying to hide the book. The book looked awfully familiar.
“Oh, uh…Hi Mario,†Goombella said, trying to act casual.
“What book is that?†Mario asked. Goombella continued to try and hide the book as Mario sat up.
“Um…just…a book…†she replied.
“It looks really familiar…†Mario said, “Goombella, just tell me.†Goombella seemed very reluctant as she replied,
“I took this book from Pennington as he was sleeping.†Mario’s heart skipped a beat.
“Stole a book?! Goombella, the penguin’s a detective! What book is it?â€
Goombella flinched, “Its…Frankly’s discovery.â€
“What?!†Mario cried. “Goombella! You have to return that! That’s evidence! You heard what Pennington said!†Goombella sighed.
“Fine…I was just curious, that’s all…besides I only got to read one page after you woke up…Yes…but that was my mentor’s handwriting all right…good old Professor Frankly…â€
“You better return the book soon,†Mario said, “Pennington could wake up any second! This is a crime, you know!â€
“All right, all right!†Goombella said as she hurriedly got up from the couch and darted out the door. It was obvious that Mario had made her nervous about being caught as well.
A little while later Goombella returned to the room, to see Mario had remade the bed.
“Did he see you?†asked Mario as he took a seat on the lower half of the bunk bed.
“No,†replied Goombella, “he didn’t.â€
“Good…there could have been severe consequences if he did.â€
“I don’t even see what the big deal is. I was Frankly’s right hand Goomba! Pennington hardly reads the thing anyways…â€
“He’s obviously tired from the long trip. Now, come on, lets go-“
~BING BONG BING BING!~
“Attention passengers, we are now arriving at Poshley Heights, we are now arriving at Poshley Heights. Please form an orderly line by the door, and prepare your belongings. Your luggage will be hand delivered to you’re hotel. Thank you for choosing the Excess Express for your traveling needs. Have a nice day! *click*†Mario exchanged glances with Goombella.
“Well,†Mario said, “lets go.â€