Billy and Max could hear muffled arguments coming from the other side of the front door that John was keeping firmly ajar using his spade-like left hand, with his meaty size 15 left foot and shin acting as a door-stopper between the door and its frame. They could make out John’s new low bass which resonated through the wooden door but Tony’s new less penetrating voice was harder to decider.
The door suddenly swung open, somewhat startling both Billy and Max, as John yanked it wide open, not having yet become accustomed to his new body’s strength. Billy and Max stared at the fair, short, skinny delivery guy from the night before dressed in a loose T-shirt and shorts. Standing next to him was the large, huskily-built guy, with Mediterranean features and a hairy chest dressed only in shorts that were way too small on him. The guy certainly looked like your typical meathead football player.
John and Tony in turn gazed at their uninvited guests. The new Max was quite inconspicuous; rake-thin, about 5’11” and blond wearing a tank top and shorts. But it was the new Billy’s form that had captured their curiosity. Billy appeared to have an unnaturally large stature, standing 6’6” tall and being proportionately large all over rather than having gangly limbs. He was wearing a large T-shirt and shorts that looked loose but were also too short for him; leaving him with his flat waist exposed. His face was obscured by an old quilt that was bundled around his face in a cross between a turban and a scarf.
“So what are you waiting for? An invite?” stated Tony in his new body, breaking the awkward silence. Both Max and Billy were thinking inwardly that the delivery guy’s swagger was certainly disproportionate to his small stature. They didn’t recall him being so feisty yesterday night during the delivery, but then again they both didn’t recall much from the night before.
“Yeah, thanks…” Max managed as he made his way in as Tony and John moved out of the doorway. Billy tailed in after him, remembering to duck at the door and then shutting it behind him. The apartment’s floorboards creaked under his new heft.
“So I guess this means you did find the medallion among our change after last night’s delivery?” boomed Billy in an unnaturally low rumble addressing Tony in his new body, his voice muffled through the blanket hiding his face. He had by now exhausted all his stock of patience and wanted to be turned back to normal as soon as possible. He was beginning to fear he’d be stuck in his current form forever.
“I think you have to ask him that question…” Tony retorted smugly while pointing at John.
“Well yeah it certainly seems like I did!” John finally said in his new bass.
Billy looked blearily through his magnifying glass acting as monocle, eyeing John and Tony back and forth, suddenly understanding why the wimpy pizza guy was acting so cockily.
“So it happened to you too?” Max exclaimed.
“Well I definitely didn’t turn short and wimpy on my own! No offence John…” Tony retorted drily.
“None taken. Yeah from this perspective I did look puny. But you’re the skinny one now heh”
“What about him? Why’s he wearing the headgear? What’s his story?” Tony added addressing Max but nodding his head with reference to Billy.
“I can speak you know” boomed Billy again. “Let’s just get this over with…” he added while slowly unwrapping the blanket around his head. Both Tony and John couldn't believe what happened next. As the blanket came off, a face with coarse features, a prominent brow and a single large blue eye in the centre, revealed itself. The new Tony startled tumbled backwards, falling over with shock whilst the new John, adopted an aggressive stance, fists at the ready, bracing himself to attack the monster in their apartment.
Billy growled “I know I’m a Cyclops but are the fists really necessary?”
“Just chill” Max said as he quickly intervened, standing between Billy and John, trying to prevent a fight between an irritated Billy and a frightened John. John just now realised he had reflexively adopted an attack position at Billy’s sight. He had previously always preferred the flight response to the fight response when faced with danger, but the heft his new body carried must have made him change his mind. This was certainly new to him.
“It was the medallion. It changed Billy into a Cyclops after he touched it with a magnifying glass. Before he used to look just like I do now. Actually now I look like he used to.” Max stated de-escalating the situation.
“Dufus!” Tony quipped at Billy having just returned to his feet.
Billy growled at him and Tony fell on his butt again, startled.
“Wow! I think I need a drink!” said John as he headed towards the kitchen, the floorboards creaking under his weight.
The introductions being over, the foursome sat down on the sofa and Billy and Max filled in John and Tony about what they knew about the medallion and what had happened to them so far.
“You see that’s why we need to find the medallion.” Billy concluded with a hint of desperation evident in his voice.
“Yeah I’d give it to you to change back if only I knew where it is hidden within this mess” John replied whilst giving Tony a glare.
“Then let’s find it!” Max added. Billy’s youthful slim body was growing on him, but he still felt bad about Billy’s predicament and wanted to find the medallion for Billy’s sake, even if that meant him changing back.