Combination Conundrum 8

It was said to be the oldest building in Gravity Falls. It had once been used as City Hall and then became the police station, post office and finally was bought and became The Deer's Inn. Most of the original construction was still intact. A second level had been added making the total number of rooms ten. The main office remained untouched, though it took on a more appearance modern inside. The original stone work could still be seen on the outside, including the bronze plague that held the year: 1912 engraved on its surface.

Except for a few cars parked in the lot, the place looked totally deserted. The sign out front had the word,  'Vacancy' posted. There was a notice on the door to the office that informed people that it was open for business. A faint light shined through the blinded windows. Neither of the twins had been here before. Judging by the lack of vehicles, not many were staying there today. That made their job easier. All they had to do was go into the office, check the register and find out which room Gombersnatch was in. A simple task that anyone could perform, at least that's what they thought.

“Sorry hon, I can't let you see the register. Nothing personal, just regulations”, Jenny Filbourn said.

Jenny had owned the Deer's Inn for well over ten years now. She was getting on in age and had hoped to pass the property over to one of her children. It would never happen. All three had left town to pursue their own goals. Leaving there mother to hold onto the business until she sold it or past on.

“We're not going to do anything illegal. We just want to see if a friend is staying here.”, Dipper said.

He and his sister seemed like nice enough kids but rules were rules. Funny thing was, she wasn't the one that made them; the previous owner had. Why she never changed some of the more idiotic ones was beyond her. Unfortunately, she still wasn't going to let just anyone go through the register. Anybody could walk in and ask to see it. About the only ones she would allow were the police. If Sheriff Blubs was with them, that would be a different matter.

“Well, can you look for us?”, Mabel pleaded.

It sounded like a reasonable request. She even told her his name, Mitch von Gombersnatch. Weirdest name she'd ever heard and she’d heard just about every name one could think of. And as long as she was the only one looking at the register. Jenny had no problem helping them out and started leafing through the pages. There weren't many full ones, that was for sure. Not one soul had checked in, not since last Pioneer Day. After that the rooms had been pretty much empty all year. Just a few stragglers now and then.  Other then that, most of the rooms remained unoccupied. They were rightly going to stay that way until next Pioneer Day. Though why people from out of town would come for such an event was beyond her. The Mystery Fair was one thing, as was the Woodstick Festival.  As for Pioneer Day, it didn't make much since. She had always took part in the festivities and never understood why strangers had any interest in the history of such a small town like Gravity Falls. Especially once they found out the truth about the supposed founder, Nathaniel Northwest. Not that it mattered much in this particular situation.

Mrs. Filbourn began studying the almost empty ledger. There was, in fact, a Mr. Gombersnatch and he was in Room Five. She thought this odd because he was the only one in town that owned a navy blue, four door Sedan. Many of the folks in town drove trucks and trailers. About the only family that might own one were the Northwests. Though most of their vehicles were sold at auction last September. They mostly traveled in that Lincoln Limousine of theirs. Stranger still, when she went to see if he was there, his car was missing. She couldn't be certain but she sworn he was at the Fiddleford residence last evening.

She was correct in her asumption and Dipper knew it. He had also seen him at the party. He had to know how long he had been gone. Jenny didn't know for certain but she didn't see him come back and she had left early.

“If a car had drove into my hotel, I would've seen it. Not even a stay cat can pass by my window without me knowing”, she stated.

This meant that the man they were looking for hadn't returned to the Deer's Inn. Coupled with the knowledge that his car wasn't at the hotel. The twins could safely deduce he was still out and about, which also meant he might be involved in Pacifica's disappearance after all.

“Can we barrow your phone, Mrs. Filbourn?”, the young, teen boy asked.

She had no problem with anyone making local calls. Anything outside the town was another story. Thankfully, The Mystery Shack was still within the town's limits. Dipper quickly ran back into the office and dialed the number. With any luck his great uncles had made it back their in time to answer the call.

……………….

Stanford's hunch had turned out to be true, as he had feared. The broken plain of glass on the door of the gift shop was a dead giveaway. Someone had broken in and by the looks of the place, they didn't come to steal. This was a relief for Stanley. He hated thieves unless he was the one doing the thieving. Although nothing was taken, the cash register had been opened and some of its currency had been scattered about the floor.

“What gives here, Ford? Some joker decides to break into the Mystery Shack and doesn't even take the money? You'd think robbers would have more sense then that!”, Stan grumbled.

His brother was aware of the supposed theft. He knew that the place and been broken into He also knew that the opened register was meant to think they had come for the money. In truth, they were after something far more valuable. Whoever they were, it was clear they were seeking his hidden laboratory. He also noticed that some of the items on the shelf had been moved. If he had opened the entrance, he wouldn't need to mess with the items on the shelf. Ford knew exactly where the trigger switch was. That meant that the intruders knew about the hidden door but didn't know where the switch was located. Though it appeared they were successful in finding it.

At that moment, the phone in the gift shop rang. “Are you going to answer that, Stanley or are you going to help me open this door?”, Stanford barked as he started pushing back the false shelf.

Stanley just shrugged and picked up the receiver, it was his nephew Dipper on the other line. He could tell just by the squeak in his adolescent voice. “Yeah we're here kid and judging by the entrance, we've had a break in. No they didn't take anything, which is the good news. Bad news is, my brother thinks they might have discovered his Nerd Room.”

He could hear Stanford correcting him, “It's a laboratory, Stanley! And I don't think I know someone is down their! I know someone is down their!”

It didn't take an intellect like his to know that. The elevator located behind the shelf was always on the top floor. When he pressed the call button, nothing happened. This could only mean one thing. The thieves were down there and they had pressed the 'Privacy Switch'. He called it that for one reason. Onbe pressed it kept the door open, allowing no intrusion from above. Thus giving the inventor privacy in which to work. There was only two ways to get down there now. One was impossible, as it required those below to send the lift up. As for the second, Ford would have to operate the manual override. Since he wanted nobody and this included his sibling, interfering with his work. The override was cleverly placed where only he could find it. Trouble was, it happened to behind a hidden panel inside the wall itself. He only hoped he could get the elevator working before whomever they were got away with some of his inventions. Most of which hadn't been tested and could be dangerous in anyone's hands, let alone a criminal. The situation wasn't going to get any better.

According to Stanley, he had just got done talking to Dipper. “Looks like that Snatcher guy left the hotel. The dame working their said she hadn't seen him since last night. Kid seems to think he might be involved with Pacifica's abduction.”

Stanford rubbed his chin, as he always did when in deep thought. Dipper wasn't known to lie, exaggerate, Yes but not lie. It also made perfect sense. His laboratory was the safest, most secure place in all of Gravity Falls. Worse yet, it seemed that this girl might have information that would be usual to the man in question. Depending on how desperate he was. He might try and get her to reveal whatever it was he wanted. There was enough equipment down in those depths to make the most horrifying tools in which to torture an individual. The fact that someone was down their made his task all the more demanding. He had to find that switch and fast, before anything terrible happened to that girl!

……………….

Pacifica took a few, deep breaths followed by a short sigh. She felt grateful that he was giving her some time to rest. It wouldn't last long and she had doubts as to how much more she could endure. Pacifica was strong both in mind and body. She wouldn't give up those numbers easily, but even she was uncertain just how much tickling she could stand. There was no way of knowing how much time had elapsed since the torture began. Thankfully, her interrogator had some ounce of compassion.

During the first session, Pacifica kept lifting her feet off the table. They didn't stay elevated for long. When they came down, they came down hard! Smacking against the metal surface of the table. Mitch didn't want to cause the girl undue harm. This might have been the reason for choosing such a phase torture. After the second, painful sounding landing of her feet. He removed his jacket, making a makeshift cushion out of it. Gently he lifted her feet and placed it underneath them.

As kind as this action was, he was still desperate. It was only a matter of time before the owners of the Mystery Shack arrived. Eventually he and his two companions would be found. He was hoping to get this over with long before any interferences showed up. It's not that he enjoyed doing this to the young girl. It would've been simpler had she just given him what he'd asked for in the first place. Like most Northwests, she was extremely stubborn. As horrible as it was. He had no choice but to continue
the interrogation.

“Tell me the last digits of the combination, Pacifica. You must understand there is no other way out of this. Don't cause yourself any more discomfort. You must be tired after all that laughing. Make it easy on yourself and just tell me.”, he implored.

Pacifica remained silent, opposing her captor to the bitter end.

He was impressed with not only her strength but her determination to hold on. He would make sure she wasn't harmed. All he needed to do was keep feathering the soles of her feet until she could no longer stand it. Though something inside him found this thoughtful hope would be in vain. There was no sign of doubt in his mind, more of a hunch. As if she was almost taking a liking to it. This was utterly preposterous! There was no way anyone would like to be tickled!

Pacifica stared up at the ceiling. She heard him walking back to the end of the table. Her feet twitched as she closed her eyes. With as much courage as she could muster. Pacifica waited for what she knew would eventually come. It would come quicker then expected.

The feather's tip poked against the wrinkled sole, moving slowly upwards towardthe arch. Once there, it started brushing gently up and down. Pacifica's lips clamped shut as the sensations started to creep. The itchy, tingly feelings wriggled like invisible snakes. She shook the foot that was being attacked. Hoping and praying it would frighten the soft, fluffy pest away. All it really did was cause the sensations to grow! These feelings of helpless merriment moved from the sole, traveling down to her ankle. Every moment, no matter how small, sent more impulses through her nervous system. It was becoming harder and harder to remain calm. Her bottom jaw was losing it's grip. With each whisking touch of the feather, more electrical signals where being sent. Like invisible waves of pure energy. These light, ticklish sensations bombarded her brain! With each new,  titillating motion of the feather applied to her soles, made those silent giggles inside her increase. The more the feather flicked its' tip about those defenseless, wriggling soles. The more these giggles pressed against her teeth. Her eyelids clamped down hard. She could feel the tickling mounting, unable to hold in the laughter. Her feet, so soft, so sensitive. The hapless foot twitched again and again.

'Go away feather! Go away!', it cried out in silence.

Sadly, it wouldn't go away, it was having too much fun. It would never stop brushing it's fuzzy frame of intense delight. It would never stop kissing its' lapping, fluffy tongue against the two, soft, naked soles. It would never cease its' ticklish motion!

These thoughts raced through her mind as the sensations slammed against her nervous system! Beating that deaf drum through her spinal column. Striking her mind with impluses until the laughter could no longer be contained! In one, fleeting moment, Pacifica opened her mouth wide and an array of laughter came flowing out of the wide hole formed by her lips.

The feather glided from the arch and up to the base of the toes. He had a feeling this was one of her weak spots. No sooner had he started feathering the area, her toes began to dance. Wiggling about as if trying to escape the mirthful touch, her cries of joy echoing in his ears.

“You know how to make this stop.”, he playfully teased.

“I..I'll….never…...”, Pacifica tried to form the words but all that came out was more laughing.

She shook her head back and forth. Her hair whipping about through the air like thin sheets of golden grass. Fighting to keep her emotions in check. It was to late! By now they where obedient only to the movements of the tickle tool. Her cute, little toes still fighting, wriggling and scrunching against the feather's might! Soon she would break! No one could withstand an hour of feather tickling. Though she had managed to fight it off so far. Things was about to change. For he had seen the effects of feathering a single foot. Now it was time to test her resolve. Now Pacifica would know the true, torturous power of The Feather!

The tickle tool seemed to stop, only to find a new trajectory in which to torment the innocent feet. Instead of brushing over one sole, it began gliding across them both. This caused her feet to wobble about. Her toes still wiggled happily as she tried to kick the feather away. Mitch realized what she was up to. In order to combat this line of defense. He took his free hand and held the rebellious feet to the table. There wasn't much pressure delivered to the ankles, just enough to hold them steady.

She cried out, telling him he wasn't playing fair. Then again, no one told him he couldn't cut corners. To top it off he started using Tickle Talk on her, which only made it worse. He didn't just use the 'Koochie Koo' bit either. Mitch made some plain, teases about how soft her soles where, how defenseless they were under the feather. He could easily tickle them tell dawn and nothing would halt him. While doing this he moved the feather closer to the dancing, little digits, Dragging the feather's tip gently over them. This made Pacifica howl with laughter. Her ankles bent downward as she tried to protect them, pressing her feet against the man's coat.

“That won't safe you, my dear. I'll just feather the tops of your feet.”, he chuckled.

Pacifica's eyes widened! The soles of her feet were quite sensitive butso where the tops!  Especially on the tops of her toes. Gombernstach was about to learn just how ticklish they were in a matter of seconds.

“no...please...”, she begged, for the first time.

There would be no mercy from the devilish feather or it's fiendish controller. Light strokes bathed the tops of Pacifica's feet. Soaking the pinkish skin in titillating kisses. Both feet hooped off the coat, flying through the air, only to come back down, where the feather greeted them with even more tickles.

“no...no more….”, she heard herself cry.

“Then tell me what the last three digits of the combination are”. He didn't sounded angry nor did he sound impatient. Could it be that he was having too much fun to even care? Some would say, 'No',  but a smile had crossed his face. Not a menacing one but a child-like grin. Was Mitch actually enjoying this? It would appear so. For once he heard her plea, he stated he was having too much fun to stop. Once he said this, he demonstrated his delight.

The man stood straight up and held the feather so Pacifica could see it. Her eyes followed the ticklish device as he brought it down next to the soles of her feet. Both  had calmed down somewhat and were laying their, soles out front for all to see. That's when the feather engaged them! It's plush-like tip licking at both of them. Light strokes of pure joy brushed against the naked soles. It was so playful, she couldn't bare it!

“I'll….I'll never talk!”, he voice thundered with defiance.

He knew this to be a lie. He could tell how tired her body had become. Sweat had washed down from her brow, matting her beautiful hair. Tears streamed from her eyes, running down her rosy cheeks; the cries of joy if he ever saw them. And now those same feet he'd been torturing with endless tickles, where starting to come alive once more. No more jumping or jerking about. The last ditch effort of protection was starting to kick in. They were actually trying to shield the other foot from the feather's touch. Back and forth they crossed one sole over the other. Her toes still wriggling wildly. This last attempt would fail as the they all had. The feather was now in complete control. There was no where they could hide from it.

'Wither about all you want my ticklish friends. The feather has you now! And as for your owner? She'll crack soon enough!', he thought as he continued to tickle the shifting soles. He never stopped, just kept on tickling them. The sound of her giggles floated through the air. Her laughter grew louder and louder, yet something was overcoming even their intensity. Mitch paid it no mind and kept brushing the tip of the feather against the happy, wobbling soles.

“You can't last much longer, my dear.”, he said, as he worked the feather against the edges of each sole.

The noise grew louder now. A grinding abomination of metal scratching metal. 'What is that dreadful noise!?', he thought too himself.

He stared at his helpers. Had they been playing with the equipment again? During the first break he caught them touching what looked like a calender with wires streaming out of it. He told them to stop messing with with it. Lord knows what other devices were down their with them. Things that were probably more dangerous than anything they'd ever witnessed. They both announced their innocence. It was neither of them making the racket.

“Well then who is...”, he stopped in mid speech. Then it dawned on him what it was. It was the sound of a lift descending. The owners had returned and where coming down!

In a panic, he ordered the two to find something to defend themselves with. He only needed several more minutes to tickle the information out of Pacifica. He wouldn't even have that, for the elevator doors could be heard opening. The entrance to the lift was two rooms ahead of them. Fear enveloped Gombersnatch and he started begging for Pacifica to tell him.

She, though exhausted from the tickling, wouldn't disclose anything too him. Even if she wanted to, she was far too tired to speak.

“Very well, we shall continue this conversation somewhere else.”, he said.

“Where are we going to go, boss? Elevator is the only way in or out.”, Brunt added.

The bald man was right and he did wish he'd stop calling him 'Boss'.

Barry wasn't ready to give up just yet. He'd found a peculiar type of gun in the other room. He had no idea how to work it but figured it operated like any other firearm. He was right, too a certain extent. One only had to squeeze the trigger, though having a safety wouldn't have been a bad idea. But before Gombersnatch could voice his opinion, the weapon fired out a light green ray. The energy bolt ripped through the air, hitting the ceiling with a massive explosion of light and sparks. The beam damaged part of the structure and weakened the base holding the light fixture up. The same one that was directly below Pacifica!

“You idiot!”, Mitch exclaimed as he rushed towards the helpless girl.

He managed to reach her just in time and pushed the table way. He wasn't so lucky. Some of the lighting construct landed on his left leg Mitch pulled the debris away with the help of both Brunt and Barry. Sadly, his laptop had been crushed. After retrieving it from the wreckage, Mitch found it inoperable. The screen was cracked and the keyboard had been rendered useless. Without the laptop and the combination, he was finished. Not only that but he and his posse where soon created by two, elderly men. Two male twins to be exact, and they didn't look happy to see him.

“So! Your the gentlemen that broke into my laboratory!”, Stanford hissed. “I do hope you haven't harmed this young lady or there will be dire consequences for all of you!”

And while Ford admonished the threesome. Stan had untied Pacifica. The girl was completely out of breath. Though she could barely speak, she whispered something into Stan's ear. He couldn't quite make out what it was. Something about someone saving her. He figured she meant him and his brother but she was really referring to Gombersnatch.

As for Mitch and his helpers, they were taken up through the elevator where the sheriff and his deputy were waiting for them.

“You caused quite a stir, Mr. Grammerstiff.”

Mitch was about to tell him how to pronounce his last name, but it didn't really matter now. He might as well have change it to 'Mud'. He certainly dragged it through it. Now he would be taken away and brought before a judge. Nothing he could say or do would ever upset the maximum penalty. Breaking and entering, destruction of private property, not to mention kidnapping a minor and the use of torture. He was looking at a long prison term, as were his accomplices. They, no doubt, would plea for less time and with the right attorney, they might get it. As for him, his life as he knew it had ended. Preston Northwest would not only crucify him in court but would make sure he'd never make anything of his life. After he had served his sentence, Mitch von Gombersnatch would be forgotten. There was no way out of it and he gladly excepted his fate.

……………….

Gombersnatch sat in a single cell awaiting his trip to the county courthouse. The trail itself was over and the verdict was undoubtedly 'Guilty'. His lawyer insisted he plead 'Not Guilty' in order to allow the proceedings to last for at least a month. During that time he would cut him a deal. He would have to pay the Northwests a hefty fine, but there would be no prison time. He went with the 'Not Guilty' plea but wouldn't take any plea bargain. What he had done was wrong and deserved everything that was coming too him.

“Your a good man, Mitch. Most clients would opt for a reduced sentence or go for no incarceration time at all. You, your a man of principles and I admire that. Though I still say you should have asked for some kind of agreement. Even Preston Northwest might go easy on you.”

He knew that wasn't true. He saw the look in his eyes. That burning hatred that enveloped them with hellish fire. He wouldn't rest until he was put away for life.

“A good man you say, Charles?”, Gombersnatch spoke. “A good man never goes to jail. Guess I'm not such a good person after all.”

That was the last time he'd spoken with his lawyer. The only thing left was to face the judge and find out what was in store for him. He heard the rattling of iron, the sound of cell keys jingling like distorted Christmas Bells. Though they sound much more like Funeral Bells too him.

He sat their, waiting; his head bowed low in shame. Then he heard it, that sick grinding of a cell door unlocking. The creaking of the barred door opening turned his stomach. He lifted his head and saw Sheriff Blubs looking down at him. His voice was jumbled by the beating of his heart. About all he heard was 'Time to go, Mr. Gombersnatch.'

He smiled too himself, 'At least he got my name right.', he thought as he got up off the single coat that was attached to the wall.

The Long Walk, that's what the inmates called it. A guard comes too your cell, tells you it's time. You go down that long hallway with the blank walls. That's what it felt like too Mitch. At the end of that hall is a single door, that one with the slit for a window and bolts hammered into it's surface. What awaited the person on the other side was either Heaven or Hell, depending on your conscious and whether you've made up for the crime or not. That's what it felt like for him.

It was nice of them to let him keep his own cloths. He figured they'd be switched for a bright orange jumpsuit before long. On his way out to meet the bus, he had to sign some paper. No doubt it was his lease from the rest of the world. He wondered where they'd take him? Alcatraz sounded rather nice. No other human around. A place he could rot for eternity, he deserved as much. He figured that was all but a dream, though. He'd be sent where all the other bad guys go to. Hell inside a cement enclosed, barred hotel, never to see the light of day again. He was okay with that, as if he had a choice in the matter. He'd be taken by bus over to the court house and from their, a prison.

The sunlight hurt his eyes as he shielded them from the piercing rays. Blubs said something about being on his way. Must have been some kind of cop humor, like asking someone on Death Row what they wanted for their final meal. He didn't wish for any surprises though. All he wanted was to be handed his ticket to prison and be done with it. However, as his vision cleared he was surprised to see a taxi waiting in front of the station.

“Is this some kind of joke, sheriff?”, he asked.

It was no joke. Seems the judge had a witness that came in late. This witness gave testimony that went against everything the Northwests had said about him. Although the charges of torture were liable as evidence. The judge was also informed about the shady deal that Preston Northwest had been apart of. How he stole the business right from under Gombersnatch's nose. How the accused tried to reclaim his money through legal means. Everything beyond that point was declared as 'Temporary Insanity' The kidnapping, of which his part in it was not entirely true. As for the torture, well the witness did explain that though the victim was, he/she made a point that the method was only phase and had done no physical or mental harm too the victim. There was also the matter of him saving the captives life from being crushed. Therefore, all charges had been dropped and Mitch was a free man, though he would have to pay a small fine.

“I...I don't understand. I heard from all the witnesses. Their testimony was truthful and there was no one else left to bare witness to the crimes I was clearly accountable for.”

“Actually, there was.”, a feminine voice spoke out.

Mitch turned to face a young girl, one he knew all too well. Pacifica Northwest, the victim herself.

“I was the witness, Mr. Gombersnatch. I was the only one to testify for you.”

He didn't know what to say or how to say it. She had every right to want justice. He'd done her wrong. Had kidnapped her and tortured her for close to an hour. Why would she want the charges dropped? It didn't make any sense!

He was right in her wanting justice, but not revenge. True, he'd broken some laws but none that weren't made without hesitation. She had a talk with both Brunt and Barry. They explained everything too her. All that took place was mostly their fault. They were given orders to simply pose as car buyers and had willing broke into the car dealership without his authorization. As for the kidnapping, that again was their decision. Mitch didn't want any part of it. He merely wanted to speak with the girl that night at the party. The taking of her from the mansion grounds was their idea, not his. As for the torture, it really wasn't anything that bad. In fact, once the judge was told of not only the method , but how caring and playful he actually was too her. He simply waved off the charge completely. All this was good to know but didn't explain why.

Pacifica informed him that she could have stayed back, as her parents had suggested. Had she done that and not spoken out, the real criminal would have gotten away. Her father would have found another person to con, eventually. As far as they knew, he was going off to prison for a while. No doubt he'd be freed within the week. Then he'd be back to his thieving ways once more.

As for this witness hearing, that was arrange by herself and the judge. No jury, except those that wished to attend. She got five out of the total and four voted 'Not Guilty' under the new evidence brought to their attention. Therefore, Mitch von Gombersnatch was a freeman.

“I still don't understand why you would do this for me?”

“Maybe because your a good man that's just been treated badly. Maybe I took pity on you. The real reason and most important one is, I forgive you. And as apart of our agreement, I believe this belongs too you.”

With that she handed him a small manilla envelope. Inside was the amount her father owed him plus thirty percent interest, all from her private account. The sum was more then she originally purposed.

“It should be more then enough to start your own business and a new life for yourself.”

He didn't know what to say, not even a Thank You seemed to cover what she had done. The people in Gravity falls were right. Pacifica was the only link in the Family Chain that hadn't been tainted
by greed.

Mitch took the money and departed, but before he left, he gave the girl a hug. What she had done was more then anyone else had ever done for the man. He was truly grateful for having met her. Of course, she did invite him to come back sometime. There was plenty of room at the McGucket Ranch House. She'd already spoke with the old man and he didn't seem to mind the company. Plus, she hinted on a  secret place that not even he knew about. Something called a, Laughing Place. After all, he was quite good with the feather. Perhaps she could teach him some other techniques, if he was interested.

He said he'd think about it. With that they said their goodbyes.

As the taxi drove off, she couldn't help but smile. Her father would eventually find out what happened. And to tell you the truth, she didn't even care. Because, as she read in a book once, 'Whatever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Any punishment she might receive from him. She'd take it in stride. Because what she had done for Gombersnatch made any kind of punishment worth taking. No matter who was as fault.

The End