"We'll have to go back", Orwig said, looking over the drop off and into the blackness below.
"At they ill way ache tay ootay uch may ime tay", Eve-Stay warned, "anday ee they argeant say is ill stay in ubble tray."
"So what do we do?!?", the corporal demanded, "jump over the side and hope to land on something soft?"
"Ayshents pay", the Melk replied, motioning to where Proteau stood.
The security officer swayed back and forth gently, muttering his mantra over and over... "Mama say, mama saw, moo maku saw...mama say, mama saw, moo maku saw..." His body coalesced, the features
becoming obscured, as he began his transformation. Corporal Orwig and Eve-Stay stared on in fascination.
"I've seen it a dozen times", Orwig breathed, "but every time, it gives me the heeby-jeebies."
"Ee thay 'eeby hay eebies jay'?", Eve-Stay asked with some confusion.
"It's just a figure of speech."
When they looked back over at Proteau, he had completed the change.
"Gee", Orwig commented, a hint of disappointment in his tone, "that's really, uh...different, Mr. Proteau."
"Thank you", Proteau returned, a proud smile springing to his face, "I wasn't sure how it would look."
"Airy vay eative cray", Eve-Stay agreed. "Ut way oo day oo yay all kayit ay?"
The security chief looked at the Melk questioningly. "What do you mean?", he explained, "it's a propeller. I call it a propeller."
He stood there hands on his hips and a propeller growing out of the top of his head, waiting for a response.
"Uh, yeah", Orwig managed, "that's what I thought. Nice one, boss."
"Never mind", Proteau retorted with frustration, "just get me started so we can get down there."
"How do I do that?"
"Just yank on my thing there", Proteau explained.
"Excuse me, sir?", Orwig responded, taking a hasty step back.
"The chord", Proteau shouted, "on the back of my neck!"
"Oh", Orwig muttered, "the chord. No problem, sir."
The corporal stepped forward placed a steadying hand on the back of Proteau's head and pulled the handle toward him. The propeller began to spin atop the security officer's head, sputtering at first, but
then evening out. Proteau moved to the ledge and stepped out into the air where he hovered peacefully.
