As Gerald began his walk towards the birthday party, he was sure that many of the other groups were now replaced with new faces, but for the life of him, he couldn’t remember anyone leaving.  Feeling his senses once again come back to him, Gerald questioned what caused his momentary lapse.  Perhaps it was the fact he was actually relaxing for once?  Even for him that was an odd possibility.  He knew how to relax and he didn’t feel that way before.  He was relieved, however, to see the birthday party was still seated where he remembered them, but something wasn’t right.  Even from his vantage point, Gerald could see no one was talking.  Instead, the entire group of parents were silently drinking their beer, eating their pizza, and staring in to space.  None of the children were present as well.

Reaching the table, Gerald sat down noisily on purpose, but no one even raised an eyebrow at him.  As a matter of fact, no one even turned their eyes to him.  Dropping the bag of tokens on to the table and pouring himself a glass of soda, Gerald looked around.  It was at that point he came to the realization almost every other person in the family area was acting the exact same way.  Why hadn’t he noticed before?  A deep, cold chill of panic ripped through him as he took a long drink of his soda and found Justin no where in sight.

"Has anyone seen Justin?" he questioned to no one specifically.  Twice more he asked the question and received no reply.

"What about Jonathon?" he asked at the blank faces.  Slowly, Gerald once again began to feel the hypnotic state engulfing him.  Blinking slowly down at this glass and pizza, he wondered if he was being drugged.  Drugged?  No, that would be ridiculous.  Or would it?  If he was being drugged, then who was doing it?  Certainly no one at this table would be crazy enough to try such a stunt.

"How is everything?" a male voice came from behind Gerald.  He sat still, staring into space like everyone else at the table.  It was Brad who turned his head and smiled, almost like he was out of the trance just a moment ago was keeping his mind occupied.

"Everything is going wonderfully, thank you!  The birthday is going smoothly and the kids are having a lot of fun," Brad replied with such enthusiasm Gerald thought he was going to be sick.  Rather than speak up, Gerald kept his back to the staff member asking the questions, and poured himself some beer while taking another slice of pizza.  He could feel the eyes of the man piercing the back of his skull, and so he pretended to take a drink, but quickly back washed it into the cup.

"Excellent!  Oh, so you decided to try some beer after all," the man said and placed his hand on Gerald’s shoulder.  His gut reaction was to grip the man’s wrist tightly, twist, and yank the man to the table while pinning his face down with his other hand.  This time, however, Gerald turned his face in the direction of the man and smiled the way he saw Brad do.

"Yes, and it’s very refreshing, thank you!" Gerald exclaimed in a mimicking manner.  The staff member was a young man with black hair, brown eyes, and small stature.  Noting that the man couldn’t be more than seventeen and no more than five foot six inches tall, Gerald studied his face without making it too obvious.

"I’m so glad to hear that, sir.  Please, continue to enjoy yourselves.  Oh!  Would you like me to take these tokens to your other party member?" the young man asked, taking the bag of tokens.  Fighting back all instinct, Gerald nodded politely.

"Oh, would you?  It’s too noisy out there and I’m much more comfortable in here.  Do you know who to give it to?" Gerald asked, trying not to show any concern.

"Of course, sir.  Let me just see your hand…yes, thank you.  I will find the boy with the matching numbers," the young man informed him and was off.  Once he was sure the youth was out of earshot, Gerald let out a long breath while rubbing his eyes.  Again he noticed everyone at the table, including Brad, was busy eating and drinking with an absent look in their face.  Cautiously and as inauspiciously as he could, Gerald contemplated his next move.

Looking about him to make sure no one was following him, the youth ducked down a long hallway marked "Employees Only", and pushed open a pair of large double doors.  The youth must not have noticed how much force he used, because a silence fell on everyone inside the room.  Ignoring the looks of his co-workers, he hurried to the back of the room where Chuck E. Cheese was glaring at him.

"What the hell is your problem, kid?!" Chuck E. Cheese demanded, striking the youth across the face with an open palm.  The force of the blow knocked the employee to the floor, spilling the bag of tokens.

"I’m sorry, Master Cheese!" the youth begged, both arms held across his face as he writhed in a pathetic ball on the floor, "I was excited to bring you good news!"  Chuck E. Cheese gave a deep snort.

"Then out with it, you pathetic shit!" Chuck E. Cheese bellowed with a flick of his fingers.

"That man you were worried about, he won’t be a problem anymore!  He’s drinking the beer and eating the pizza!" the boy stated, trying to hide his pain and fear, but peeking over his arms to stare at Chuck E. Cheese.

"Is that so?" Chuck E. Cheese inquired, rubbing his chin, "Good.  Very good!  But, my dear boy, who ever said that I was worried about him?"  Reaching down for the boy, who made what attempt he could to avoid the grab, Chuck E. Cheese lifted him by both arms in the air.  Kicking and screaming, the boy pleaded for mercy to the mouse who was laughing maniacally.

"Mercy?!  Sure, I’ll give you mercy!" Chuck E. Cheese snarled, "Mister Munch!"  A door to Chuck E. Cheese’s right opened up and the large purple creature entered.

"I have an irate employee on my hands!  Do you think that you could take care of him for me?" Chuck E. Cheese asked, tossing the young man to the ground at Munch’s feet.

"I’d be happy to, Chuck!  We need a," and Munch’s voice grew more sinister with each passing word, "tip, top shift being run!"  Grabbing the employee by his black hair, Munch dragged the screaming boy through the door he entered from.

"You just can’t find good help, can you, Chuck?" Jowles asked as he entered from the main hallway.  With a scowl, Chuck E. Cheese stared at him as he approached.

"Don’t worry, you old fool.  I can confirm he’s eating and drinking.  I made sure myself," Jowles stated in an attempt to ease Chuck E. Cheese’s temper.

"I don’t trust him!  Something about that one just isn’t right," Chuck E. Cheese spat.

"What could possibly be wrong with him?  He’s drinking beer, he’s eating pizza, and we have safe guards in place.  The police don’t pay attention to this place, thanks to you, and we ask everyone what they do when they enter.  There’s nothing that can go wrong.  You worry too much," Jowles stated in response with more acid in his voice than he intended.

"Oh, he’s right, Chuck!" Helen suddenly appeared behind him, holding his raising fist and putting it around her shoulders, "You’re worrying about nothing.  There’s one sure way we can make sure, after all.  Besides, didn’t you already take his brother?  What’s his name…Justin?  He isn’t even looking for him."  With a slight sigh, Chuck E. Cheese nodded slowly and looked around, noticing Pasqually now entering the room with Munch.

"Okay.  Then we test him.  I want this done smoothly!" Chuck E. Cheese began to dismiss them with a nod, but turned to Munch, "I take it you took care of that moron?"

"Of course I did, Chuck!  He won’t be a problem again," Munch stated, snapping a sinister smile to the group, both rows of razor sharp teeth glinting off the light.

"Then it’s decided.  I’ll get everything set up, Chuck," Pasqually stated and was dismissed with a nod from Chuck E. Cheese.

Gerald couldn’t take waiting anymore.  He was sure no one was watching him anymore and he had to find Justin.  Sliding out of his seat slowly, he kept a vigilant look out. Taking the first few steps away from the birthday table, he quickened his pace.  From the corner of his right eye, Gerald saw one of the employees walking in the main area.  Instinctively, he placed himself against the low-rise wall and kneeled as close to the floor as he possibly could.  Slowing his breath, Gerald hoped he wouldn’t be noticed.  Without slowing down, the employee kept walking past where Gerald was hiding.  Keeping his sigh of relief to a minimum, Gerald peeked around the corner and found the way to be clear.

"God damn it…how long was I sitting there..?" Gerald thought to himself as he carefully made his way through the main area.  He couldn’t tell if it had been ten minutes or an hour.  It was as if he and everyone else had been stripped of their will to do anything except sit there.  A hundred thoughts were running through his head followed by a thousand scenarios for each thought.  Where was Justin?  Why did no one seem to notice or care?  Where was Jonathon?

"Fuck…Jonathon!" Gerald thought, almost out loud.  If the adults were being drugged in this way, then what was happening to the children?  As he looked around, he didn’t recognize any of the kids running around. Just like his birthday party and the other groups, these new children also had the numbers stamped on their hands.  It was when he looked down the way and saw the arcade area Gerald made up his mind to find Jonathon first.  After all, Justin was an adult, strong enough, to take care of himself should he get in trouble…but could he?  If Justin was under the same drug as the rest of the people…

"No…No, I can’t think of that right now…" Gerald stated to himself as he hurried in to the area.  Frantically he looked around for any sign of Jonathon.  His eyes darted around from child to child, desperately seeking him out.  Gerald even read what numbers he could on the different kids and to his horror, found none of them matching any of the sequence on his own hand.  Not a single one of the children from the party were present.

"Maybe they’re in the play area…maybe…" Gerald breathed deeply, breaking in to a near run. Just as he was able to see the play area, he heard a loud thud and stopped dead in his tracks.  He could recognize the sound, but didn’t instantly place it.  Again he heard the thud and his vision got darker.  Another loud thud rang out.  No, it wasn’t his vision…the lights were being shut off!  The loud thudding noises had less and less intervals between them until he was standing in the dark.  Only the lights of the video games were giving him any illumination.

"What is this?!" Gerald called out, his hand instinctively going to his side, feeling his pistol, but not drawing it.  In the darkness, he could make out shadows rushing about and he heard the sound of running.  During the calm between scurries, he noticed not even the children were moving…no, it wasn’t that the children weren’t moving, it was the fact that the children were no longer present!

"FUCK!" Gerald hissed out loud.  Suddenly Gerald heard the sound of a group behind him running towards him.  Without looking back, he began a dead run as fast as he could.  Several times he caught just enough to dodge away from someone diving at him.  He heard the shouts of someone commanding the group to catch him, but his heart was beating too loudly in his ears for him to make out who it was.  With a huge push, Gerald was knocked sideways in to the play area where he rolled painfully on the ground, hitting his shoulder forcefully against an unprotected post.  Crying out in pain as he rose up, Gerald looked around rapidly to try and identify his attackers’ positions, but it was too dark in this new area for him to see. 

"What do you want with me?!" Gerald screamed, beginning to draw his pistol.  Gerald never got the chance to hear an answer or draw his weapon.  A sharp pain racked his face and he fell backward in to the ball pit, but to his surprise, he didn’t stop falling when he expected to.  Instead, Gerald began to fall down a long shaft and landed with a smack against a cold concrete floor.  Trying to gasp for breath, Gerald passed out.  However, before he did, he could swear he heard a voice whispering to him.

The entire walk back to the family dining area, Gerald couldn’t help but feel he was being eyed by the staff who were fussing about.  Several times he would catch them staring at him, but quickly turn away and return to their duties the moment he looked directly at them.  A deep chill began to creep up his spine as the feelings the nightmares brought flooded him.  A single bead of cold sweat rolled down his temple, causing him to swallow hard and wipe it away.  Upon reentering the dining area, Gerald couldn’t help but think there were several other groups present who weren’t there before, but he couldn’t be sure.  On the table was a large salad bowl, the soda for the kids, and several large pitchers of beer.

"Hey, glad you could finally make it!" Meredith, the mother of one of the children, Scott, jokingly stated, "We were getting worried you guys got lost!"

"Nah, I just had to show the kid how you really play video games," Gerald stated, rubbing Jonathan’s head playfully.

"Oh, man…the pizza isn’t here yet?" Jonathan asked in a disappointed tone.

"Not yet, but there’s salad if you want some," Brad stated.

"No way!" Jonathan remarked making a face.

"Well, get some soda at least.  I’m gonna have some of the salad myself," Gerald stated, sitting down.

"Beer?" Mary asked lifting the pitcher.

"No thanks.  I’m just going to have some of the soda.  I don’t really drink," Gerald informed her, filling his glass, "Anybody else want some of the salad?"  No one responded and instead sat somewhat idle with blank stares.

"Hey, will you pour me a glass?" Jonathan asked, waiting patiently.  After taking a bite of his salad, Gerald politely poured Jonathan a glass.

"Thanks," Jonathan said, taking a long drink, "Think they’ll mind if I take this into the arcade?"

"No, lots of kids have been running around with drinks and food," Brad informed him.

"Hey, kids!  It’s time for the Chuck E. Cheese Fun Show!  Come on over here and gather around!" a woman’s voice rang out over the speakers.  The lights in the restaurant dimmed a bit.  Looking over Gerald could see different colored light strobes in the room across the way where the stage and curtains were.  Several children were rushing into the room, most with either food or drink in hand, and gathered in the different chairs or stood right up against the stage.  With his curiosity peeked, Gerald began to walk to the room with Jonathan in tow.

"They really do go all out," Gerald thought to himself, taking another drink of his soda, leaning against the doorframe into what was obviously a performance room.  It wasn’t like him to lean against things, it went against his training, but for some reason he just didn’t care.

"That’s it.  Gather around, everyone!  It’s time for the coolest person you know to perform for you with his band!  Do you know who that is?" the woman asked excitedly.  Gerald recognized her as the girl he accidentally bumped into earlier.  The children all started shouting out different names, but most were calling out the name Chuck E. Cheese.  There was a quick crackle over the speakers and a new voice called out.

"That’s right kids!  It’s Chuck EEEEEEEEEE Cheese!" the voice stated in an accent that seemed slightly familiar to Gerald, though he could not place it.

"Don’t forget about us, Chuck," a female voice said with a chuckle that turned into a clucking.

"Yeah, don’t forget about me!" another voice said, in almost a forced Italian accent.

"Or me!" a deeper, gruff voice stated.

"And you can’t forget about Ol’ Jasper!" a deep southern accent stated.  Suddenly the curtain rose in a flash of light and Gerald could see who everyone was.  On the microphone was a large mouse in a purple shirt and hat, both of which had a large yellow letter C on them, and green shorts who was obviously Chuck E. Cheese.  To the right of Chuck E. Cheese was a chicken made up to look like a teenage girl with blond hair wearing a pink long-sleeved shirt that had a flower in the middle and bell bottom jean pants.  To the right of Chuck E. Cheese, playing a guitar, was a hound dog wearing an old style straw hat, a red neckerchief, and white long-sleeved shirt with blue spots.  In the back on drums was an over sized Italian looking man, if you could call him that, wearing a traditional cooking apron.  Looking over to the back corner of the stage, a sudden fear ran through Gerald he had not felt in a while.  On the keyboard was a large, fat, purple creature with orange hair wearing an orange shirt and green shorts.  The beastly creature smiled, but appeared to be keeping his teeth hidden on purpose.  Gerald knew this was all just make believe and costuming, but he couldn’t understand how they were able to make everyone look so real.

"We’re all so happy you could join us, everyone!  How are you?!" Chuck E. Cheese shouted out to the crowd as the music began to play.  The children all cheered and shouted out how much fun they were having.  Gerald couldn’t help but watch them in a semi-trance like state, almost like he was being drawn into it against his will.

"Are you ready to start this show, Helen Hunny?" Chuck E. Cheese asked the chicken.

"Of course I am, Chuck!" Helen responded.

"How about you, Jasper T. Jowls?" Chuck E. Cheese asked the hound dog.

"This old dog is ready to howl!" Jasper replied.

"Do you feel the beat, Pasqually?" Chuck E. Cheese asked the human like drummer.

"I have the rhythm!" Pasqually half sang.

"Ready to perform your songs, Mister Munch?" Chuck E. Cheese asked the purple beast.

"I am always ready, my best pal!" Mister Munch exclaimed happily.

"Then let’s do this!" Chuck E. Cheese shouted with excitement as he jumped into the air.

Gerald lost track of the time they played.  The band performed various songs from their own repertoire and famous artists.  During the entire set, he was almost hypnotized, constantly drinking his soda and listening intently.  Finally the band was ending their performance and all the children began clapping along with the female emcee.

"That’s right kids, keep having fun!" Chuck E. Cheese exclaimed alone and then was joined in by the rest of the band, "Because at Chuck E. Cheese, you can act like a kid, you can have more fun than you ever did.  You can wiggle, you can giggle, you can flip your lid! Chuck E. Cheese’s, where a kid can be a kid!"  Instantly everyone began clapping and cheering even harder as the band finished.  Much to Gerald’s surprise, the group then jumped down from the stage and began to greet all the kids who were gathering around.

"Those costumes are incredible…" Gerald thought to himself.  At least he believed that he thought it to himself.  Chuck E. Cheese’s head shot up and locked eyes with him for what seemed like an eternity.  Still feeling as though he were in a daze, Gerald could almost swear that the giant mouse was searching for answers in his eyes…or was it looking for fear?  No, that would be impossible.  Even in his altered state of mind Gerald knew that was crazy.

"You!  Come here.  NOW!" Chuck E. Cheese stated in an authoritative voice to the young girl who had introduced the band. 

"Yes, Mr. Cheese?" the girl quietly asked as she avoided direct eye contact.

"Is that the man you told me about earlier?" Chuck E. Cheese questioned, pointing directly at Gerald.  Attempting to be stealthy, the girl looked over carefully and checked out Gerald from the corners of her eyes.

"Yes, that is the one.  Why is he over here..?" the girl inquired.  It was not until after she spoke she realized her mistake.  Normally, she would be punished, but Chuck E. Cheese stayed his anger because of Gerald’s presence.  Instead, Chuck E. Cheese leaned in very closely to the girl’s ear and whispered loudly.

"I am the one asking for the answers, not you!  Now, make all cute and walk me over to this…this…person," Chuck E. Cheese stated as controlled as his anger would allow.  Nodding slowly, the girl collected herself and walked them both over to Gerald, who hardly noticed their approach.

"Welcome to my ‘House of Mouse’!" Chuck E. Cheese laughed.

"…what?" Gerald asked, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes.

"Well, how rude to ignore the host of the party!  Tell you what…just to prove what a great place this is and how much we appreciate your business, I’ll give you a free pitcher of beer.  How does that sound?" Chuck E. Cheese inquired of Gerald.

"I don’t really drink.  I’m sure everyone else at the birthday party would appreciate it, though," Gerald replied, taking the last few sips of his drink.

"You don’t…really?" Chuck E. Cheese asked puzzled, "Well, okay, then is there something you’d like more?"

"Oh, you don’t have to do anything for me.  I’m just here to relax, eat, and play some games with my little brother, that’s all," Gerald said, looking at Chuck E. Cheese intensely, "That costume looks so real…"  Gerald slowly brought his hand up and began to reach out toward Chuck E. Cheese’s cheek, but the mouse stepped back quickly enough to not be touched.

"Video games, huh?" Chuck E. Cheese nodded at the girl, "Here…on the house!  Go ahead and take twenty dollars of tokens.  Now you can play even longer."   From a pouch on her side, the girl took out a large baggie full of quarters and handed them to Gerald who took them gratefully.  Chuck E. Cheese and the girl began to walk away quickly when Gerald spoke.

"…Jersey…" Gerald said quietly, rubbing his eyes on more time.

"Excuse me?" Chuck E. Cheese asked looking over his shoulder.

"Your accent.  I thought I recognized it.  You’re from New Jersey," Gerald stated, feeling as though he was finally coming out of his daze.  With an odd look, Chuck E. Cheese turned away from Gerald and rejoined the other members of his band.

"Is something the matter, Chuck?" Jasper questioned Chuck E. Cheese as they were all hurried out of the area.

"We’ll have to keep an eye out for that one.  If things don’t improve soon, we’ll have to step up our plans," Chuck E. Cheese informed the group as they walked into the back room.