The next day, Seymour Krelborn went outside the shop with a cast on. He fed Twoey so much blood that he becamse too clumsy and ended up breaking his left arm. He sang out to the customers who had flocked to see the Audrey II.
We're closed for renovation
For spiffing-up and grooming
'Cause customers are flocking
And business has been booming
We need refrigeration
In our new, improved display
So we're closed for renovation
Today!
He goes inside the shop where Mr. Mushnik and the nine children were cleaning up everything. A large object was at the center of the room. It was covered by a white blanket.
"Seymour, hurry it up!" Mushnik ordered as he painted the walls.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Mushnik, but having a cast and a lot of band-aids makes it pretty hard!" The red-head complained.
"You and the children are getting slow and pale these days..." Mushnik muttered.
"Sorry sir," Yuki said while looking at the large object, "Whenver we pick up sharp things, we slip!" Seymour and the nine kids held up their band-aids. Mushnik started to sing.
We're closed for decoration
'Cause fortune has been smiling
So now we're due for painting
New plumbing and re-tiling
We'll make a ship-shape showplace
Of a little shop and then
Tomorrow we'll be open
Again
"Where's Audrey?" The nerd asked, "She said she'd be here."
"Who cares!?! We have our own problems on our hands!" Mr. Mushnik pushed Seymour and gave him a mop. Everyone sung as they worked.
We're closed for renovation
For swabbing-down and brooming
'Cause business has been thriving
Since Audrey Two's been blooming
The phones have not stopped ringing
With the customers who say
"Another bunch of peonies!" May threw peonies into the air.
"Another dozen daisies, please!" Chu held up a bunch of daisies for Yumi.
"Geraniums, anemones, Forget-me-nots & fleur-de-lis!" Yuki pointed to all those flowers. Mr. Mushnik then put up a sign that says "This is The Audrey II" next to the covered object.
"With gratis home deliveries!" He sang. Everyone gathered in the circle as Yumi and Yuki took hold of the white blanket.
On paid-in-full and C.O.D.'s
We're closed for renovation
Today!
The twins took off the blanket to reveal the newly grown Audrey II. It was 5 feet tall and it's leaves were big, leafy and smooth. The stem had a spiked-collar around it. The dark purple pod now had a light purple spiderweb design on it. What seemed most interesting was that it's 5 unique vines each have two leaves, as if each was a person or something. Everyone clapped. The blond man wiped his face from the heat, then looked at the children.
"Seymour," He said quietly, "Why are these kids here all the time?" Krelborn look down, ashamed.
"Sir, I have to baby-sit them for some of the customers. Besides it's a punishment after I forgot Mr. Shiva's order." Mr. Mushnik stared at Seymour with disbelief in his eyes.
"You forgot? YOU FORGOT!?!" Mushnik tried to hit Seymour with a chair but the nerd hid behind Audrey II, "You heard that, God? He forgot!" Mushnik opened the door and screamed, "You heard THAT, customers?! HE FORGOT!!!"
"Our parents have the biggest funeral account..." Yuki tried to explain, "One enormous family-" Mushnik interrupted in dispair.
"-and they're dropping out like flies!" He sighed and buried his face in his hands. Chai poked the man gently.
"Excuse me sir," He asked, "Can we please stay here overnight for a sleepover?" Mr. Mushnik shook his head, "No way in he-" He was about to say when Yumi held up a $100 bill.
"You get some of Daddy's money..." She bribed. Everyone knew that Mr. Shukaku Shiva was very rich. Mushnik instantly grabbed the money, smelled it, and nodded.
"Okay, you can have a sleepover as long as Seymour is with you. You all helped with the store after all. I couldn't thank you enough."
"No worries, mate!" Hipoe smiled, "We fed her water, minerals, blo-" All of the remaining boys dog-piled on Hipoe, closing his mouth in time.
"Idiot!" Chu scolded in a whisper, "We're not supposed to tell anyone! Do you want Twoey to be in jail or maybe destroyed?" Hipoe shook his short head in response. Mr. Mushnik left to go make flower deliveries. Seymour, who didn't want to be ignored, spoke up.
"Wait, did you guys say her?" He pointed to Audrey II.
"No it's a him!" Nicole stated.
"HER!" The boys yelled.
"HIM!" The girls shouted.
"Her!!!!"
"Him!!!!"
"Hold it!" Seymour put his arms against the boys and girls, seperating them, "How come Twoey has a gender?"
"Because Audrey II speaks!" Yin-san cheered excitedly.
"Sure it does..." The nerd roll his eyes. He thought that they were only pretending that the flytrap could talk.
"Yeah," May retorted, "She said that you should give her more blood and stop us kids cutting ourselves. She doesn't want us hurt."
"HE also said that he's proud of your popularity." Chu corrected. Both him and May glared at each other. Seymour slapped his forehead.
"How about we have a bet?" Yuki smirked, "If Twoey talks to you, you have to give me 10 bucks. Deal?" The boy held up his hand. Seymour took his right hand, grabbed Yuki's and shook it.
"Deal... While you kids go home and get ready to sleep here, I'll go to the doctor's..." Seymour started to leave when he tripped on one of Audrey 2's roots. Twoey snickered to itself as Seymour rubbed his leg and headed outside.
