<meta name="LineWrap" content="true"><TITLE>SR_Bk1 0172</TITLE><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0173.txt">Next (Page 173)</A><BR> maybe you're just waiting for us all to die, then you can... then you can have all the magic for yourself..."<P><P>"Get out of here," the Monarch said. "Your words... you have no more loyalty... go and kill yourself if you want. Go and follow that damn fool Onion Ring Friend. I always knew you two would be traitors. From the time of the beginning--you two were always too free in your thoughts. Burger Friend, Shake Friend, Cookie Friend--they would never speak to me thus."<P><P>"Only because they fear you. But privately, they hate you. Them, and all the rest. I once feared you... but now, I'm too tired... my being is too weak to support such a stressful feeling as fear..."<P><P>"Get out of my sight, Fry Friend. And when I next pass by that Exit Escalator, I truly hope to see those eight wretched fries at its mouth... and I'll know I am finally rid of both you and Onion Ring Friend, who have been banes in my side for too long."<P><P>Tears came to Fry Friend's eyes. They ran down the cardboard of his box, as he stood up with great difficulty.<P><P>"I never knew you hated me. I... I always thought you loved me, like you love all the others."<P><P>The Monarch didn't reply, but glowered at Fry Friend with an evil look.<P><P>Fry Friend breathed heavily as he waited in vain for the Monarch to speak.<P><P>"I have only one thing to say to you..." Fry Friend finally said. "If I discover that there is life beyond the Kingdom... that my french fries have been holding me back all these years... that you knew all about it, but let me go on suffering... I... I will find a way... I'll find a way... to exact my revenge upon you."<P><P>The Monarch raised one eyebrow.<P><P>"If that day ever comes, I will take great pleasure in tearing you apart," the Monarch said. Then, through gritted teeth, "Now get out or I'll demolish you right here, right now."<P><P>Fry Friend frowned but did not reply, truly fearing for his life. He turned and left the throne room, half expecting the Monarch to strike him from behind.<P><P>But he got out safely.<P><P>The only thing on Fry Friend's mind was getting to the Exit Escalator. He had been planning on saying goodbye to all the other Friends, but now he felt an urgency, and decided to take the Escalator before he lost the will to do it.<P><P>He left the castle by its Forest Entrance and took the winding trail that led to the Exit Escalator.<P><P>When he was almost there, he spotted Hot Dog Bit Friend lying by the side of the path, either sleeping or dead. His body was a batter-dipped, fried segment of hot dog, the surface of which was dry and cracked and dirty, with eyes and mouth on the surface, and arms and legs sticking out, in much the same fashion as Fry Friend's appendages.<P><P>"Hot Dog Bit Friend?" Fry Friend said hesitantly. "Are you... are you alright?"<P><P>Hot Dog Bit Friend stirred and stared up at Fry Friend.<P><P>"Am I not dead yet?" he said in a hoarse voice.<P><P>"Not yet."<P><P>Hot Dog Bit Friend tried to laugh, but wound up coughing instead.<P><P>"I've been to see the Monarch," Fry Friend said.<P><P>"Yeah?" Hot Dog Bit Friend said, his eyes red and watery.<P><P>"I told him what I thought of him. I really gave it to him, all the things I've been wanting to say to him over the years, but never had the courage to. Now he wants me dead. I have no choice, but to follow--"<P><P>"--Onion Ring Friend?"<P><P>"Yes."<P><P>Hot Dog Bit friend looked very sad as he stared up at Fry Friend.<P><P>"I will miss you, Friend."<P><P>"And I you."<P><P>"Is there anything..."<P><P>"Dog," Fry Friend said after a pause, "I know it's not fair to ask this of you... but I am worried about... the logistics... of what I am about to do. I must take out all my fries before I can get onto the Escalator... and... and from what the Monarch says, if I have no fries left, I will die. I was...<BR><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0173.txt">Next (Page 173)</A>