“I what?” said Ron.
“You flew! Well, you flapped your arms and it was enought to break your fall anyway.”
“Stop pulling my leg!” said Ron.
“I saw you do it! You would have been an ex-stork. As for your black eye, I suppose your elbow hit the ground and you punched yourself. You don’t remember anything about it, do you?”
“No. I can’t believe it!” said Ron.
Just then he was dragged back to dance by some birdladies.
Benny looked around the Imperial ballroom and wondered if he was dreaming. The room’s icy walls were decorated with gold and jewels, with some massive paintings of the Peng Win dynasty. Some waiters carried trays covered in canapes such as sardine heads and anchovy crispies. The bird ladies looked elegant in their brightly-coloured ballgowns. Benny noticed that the Emperor and Empress were missing, but he wasn’t concerned for their safety now that the butler had been locked up. And over there was Ron. He had only met him a few days ago, but he had grown to like him a lot. Just a few days ago he would never have thought he would be in such a grand place enjoying such a fabulous party. All because of Ron! Benny looked for Ron again in the blur of bodies dancing crazily around the ballroom.... but he wasn’t there... he had disappeared!
The orchestra fiddled and blowed a high-speed penguin polka and the dancers were thrown around by the music like clothes in a washing-machine. The waiters seemed to be walking as though they were on a ship, being tossed around by gigantic waves. Benny felt a little bit dizzy. The music got faster and faster and came to a crescendo.... and then suddenly ended.
All the dancers and some of the waiters and various generals, admirals and dignitaries fell over. Then it was all quiet. Suddenly, there was a scream from outside.
Benny went to the window and out on to the balcony. He looked down at the courtyard just below. There he saw the Emperor and Empress crouched over the form of Ron spread-eagled on the icy stone floor.
“Flipping fish scales!” said Benny. “What happened?!”
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