It was with a quick, darting motion that a girls hand snaked out and snatched up the stone that Michelle Dunham had dropped. She was positioned in the cell next to Joseph Apple - a cell she shared with two other people. The three of them were Willian, Hillary and Chelsea Pepsi ; a family unit that had lost their freedom first due to theur constant political rabble-rousing, then again when they continued to circulate treasonous literature at Pepsi Plant Omega-5, ultimately earning them a trip ro the reprogrammers...and when that didn't take, a lifetime stay at the Woodstock. Chelsea inspected the small, red stone that had fallen from the pocket of the obese Secretary of States pocket. Was it a keepsake? A good luck piece? She tucked it away quickly, and when Michelle looked up again, she said "I've lost a stone that belonged in a neckless I was going to have repaired. It was about this big, bright red and very important. Have some guards come in here and search for it. Also, search these prisoners."
She then waddled out of the room, and one of the guards called down for a search detail.
"What did you find, punkin?" asked William Pepsi, as he came over to her.
"Something that fat bitch dropped, Bill." said Joseph Apple. "She seemed to rather concerned. I can't say I care much, as I'm set for a televised execution in a few hours."
"Maybe it's something her daughters gave her...or her husband?" said Chelsea, rolling the bright red stone in her fingers. She was entirely unaware that the stone hadn't been red when it had been given to Jon in the first place. She couldn't know that the stones sensitive had been corrupted...changed...warped...and now, the stone was the Republican Stone. And now, all its wishes would be warped through it's new RED filter.
"You're always willing to assume the best, Chelsea...but she's not worth it. Whatever it is, it must be valuable."
She looked at the bright red stone, and said "I wish I knew...what this was."
"Girl...give that to me."
Bill, Hillary and Joseph all looked up, and found that Michelle Dunham was standing before them, an armed guard on either side of her immense body. Her face was set in a cold, stoney glare.
But Chelsea...was stareing at the stone...a look of wonder and amazement on her face. Michelle saw that look, and said "Yes, child. It does what you think it does...but it won't do what you WANT it to do. Use it, and you'll regret it. Obey me...and I'll see to it that Joe Apple isn't executed and I'll have your family put on a lite work detail. Refuse me..."
"Don't threaten my daughter!" snapped William, while Hillary went to Chelsea and urged "Just give it to her, honey."
But she couldn't. She held the stone...and said "It...grants wishes."
"Give it over, kid." snarled one of the guards, opening the door and drawing his billy club.
Chelsea looked up, and smiled. "It grants wishes! I wish...I wish those guards would obey my commands."
And suddenly...she wasn't there. William, Hillary and Joseph all cried out...untill she said "Get your asses out of that cell, you stupid bastards!"
Chelsea was much the same, but her young body was filled out with muscle...her shoulders broad and her neck thick. Her once long hair was buzzed down with military precision, and she wore a severe, dark uniform just like the guards, though with all the patches and shoulder stripes that denoted rank and prestige. She grabbed one guard, and spun him around, and snarled in his face "MOVE, needle dick! When I issue an oder, you OBEY!"
They all gaped in horror at the transformed girl, her features largely the same, though her face set into a grim scowl instead of her former look of soft, open friendliness.
William said softly "Chelsea?" and the huge woman said with a grin "Keep th' lip flappin', Billy-boy. As if you an' mom didn' have enough t' worry about. An' th' names Sargent Chelsea t' you scum. Now hand over th' Secretary of States stone an' be quick about it."
Hillary looked down...and saw the bright red stone...glowing like a cherry...
