Urban Wonderland

When Alice was 13 She lived in her own world, Fame obsessed, The typical American girl. But her mother was absent, And severely depressed. So is it a surprise That when the pale man approached Alice, There was no distress? He came with a card, A model scout he said he was. Said she was a beauty, That she would create quite the buzz. The man took her hand And lead her away, Before she could join She had to be put on display. In such a hurry he was, Bothered about the time. They hopped in his van And went for a ride. They pulled up to a building, Once a brilliant display. Confused was Alice, But she went anyway. Inside the building The scout walked up to a man, He had a pungent cigarette hanging from his mouth. "What is this?" Was his demand. "I've got us a new girl, a star to be sure!" The man waved them on, And into the building they went deeper. As they tread on, Alice grew quite frightened. She saw sights of men That made her fists tighten. Two large men Were about to brawl, And a mousy looking girl Was throwing knives at the wall. Then, out of nowhere, Came a voice right beside her, "What a classic piece you are" Said the grinning man in a pur. Alice then looked away, For his gaze was uncomfortable, But just when he appeared to be gone, He popped up beside the scout Like a hologram, untouchable . On they continued, Passing room after room. Some were vacant And some echoed strange sounds, Maybe she had trusted the scout too soon. It didn't matter now, It was far too late, And as they approached a large room, There were horrors that Alice tried not to anticipate. The "office" they entered Was an image of colorful decay. At the desk sat a man The shade of a hat hiding his face. "Mr. Hatter, sir, I've got a recruit for you! She'll need some training, but I think she'll do!" "Yes bring her close! Let me get a nice gander! Why give us a twirl! My! You've risen my standards!" "Boys take a good look For this is the one! We'll be a household name Even bigger than the Hub!" All the men eyed her, Each wore a smirk. Once Mr. Hatter had finished admiring her, His head gave a jerk. Out the men filed, In a show of cocky strutting, As if to say, To him they may listen, But to no one else will they obey. Now it was just Alice and Hatter, Alone at last, Surrounded by pinstriped walls, And a question she dared to ask. "What is this place? It reeks of sweat and smoke. This cannot be the modeling agency Of which the scout and I spoke." "Ah you're a bold one That might do you well here But only if you listen. You'll be good won't you dear?" "To answer your question No, this may not be what you expected. You will be a model, But not a traditional one, not respected." She was absolutely appalled, So much so her fear seemed minute. She would not join this circus, Her fate was her own to choose! But to everyone else, it was final, The ringleader had approved. She was one of them now, Unless she could make a move. As Mr. Hatter called in one of his disciples, Alice had to think quick, There was no time to trifle. Maybe she could sprint, Outrun them all, But it would be quite a feat, For the distance was rather long. While Alice's mind was speeding, An old man approached her. He had botched teeth, wandering eyes, And strange was his breathing. He latched onto her shoulder, And forced her toward the door. They were only a few steps out, When the voices in her head started to roar. Just then, Quite suddenly, A woman in red walked in. She was truly magnificent, Though her head was a bit big. Her dress was tattered and worn, Covered in filth, A stain here, a stain there. Someone whispered, "MILF." Though, insulted she was not, For she waltzed right in, Demanding the room. "Mr. Hatter, my love! Darling how do you do!" His countenance displayed annoyance, On which he was about to speak, When she turned around And uttered a squeak. "Who is this ravishing girl?! Why, I believe she belongs among my diamonds and pearls!" To which she laughed heartily, For she owned none, But her interest was snatched, It was, of course, all in great fun. As she returned to Mr. Hatter She was fixed on one thing, "Please Sir, Please! Can she stay with me?" Hatter chewed on this request, Rolled it around and spat it out, Then a light bulb zapped on. This idea he was all about. "What a great idea Iracabeth, my Queen! You can show her our way. Teach her how to fulfill a man's dream." "How wise you are! Perhaps later I'll fulfill YOUR dream?" She looked at him with mischief, And he glared back with longing. "Now come along my dear, For you have much to learn, It's nearly two in the morning! And we have yet your clothes to burn." Then she took Alice's hand in hers, And lead her down the hall. A hop, a skip, letting their hands rise and fall. Alice was again confused, Her mind in a puddle. Then the lady in red swooped down to her ear, And offered a gift in a mumble. "Don't stop, just keep moving. I'll soon have you out of this place. I may be left here to rot, But I haven't lost hope in the human race." Pulling back she giggled, As if she had muttered some frivolous thing, And on they skipped, Not letting on to their scheme. Again they passed the girl with knives, Who paused to say hello, Then along came the burly men Who were now sharing a cup of jell-o. Soon came a voice, But not from Alice's head, No, it was the man, come to pop in once again. "Oh what fun! Mind if I join in?" He looped his arm around Iracabeth's. Had Alice misjudged HIM? At long last, they reached the lobby, Where the pipe smoker dwelt. In his monotone voice Alice's hope he began to pelt. "Where do you think you're all going?" To which their arms fell. "To the car of course!" Was Iracabeth's answer. "Mr. Cotton forgot her clothes. Now spit that thing out, you silly man! You're going to give yourself cancer!" Once again, arms were locked, And they trotted through the front door, Down the sidewalk, around the corner, And then a few feet more. As they slowed to a stop, The lady in red bent down. "Now off you go my little pup! Yet Alice didn't move. "Oh why now do you frown?" "Don't worry about me, One day I'll be free. But remember, There's no such thing as safe and sound." With tears in her eyes, She said her goodbyes To the lady, and then the man, Who gave her a smile About the distance of a mile, And away she ran.