"Well, now at least I have someone to talk to. It was getting a little boring driving to New York alone," Mallory said.
"But you're not alone, Mr. Mallory," said Chad turning his stiff neck. It made an odd cracking sound.
"Hahaha," laughed the driver.
"What is so funny?" Chad asked in a confused tone.
"Oh, I suppose I can let you in on the joke. Since really the joke is on you. See Chad, I only partially reanimated you. Knock on wood," Mallory said reaching over and tapping with his fist on Chad's thigh. It produced a sound like something solid and hollow might, like a tree log or wooden drum. He added, "or whatever mannequin's are made of."
"Partial mannequin?" Chad asked.
"Yeah, I guess.?" Mallory rolled his eyes. He glanced in the rear view mirror. Three cars back was the cop car. He ground his teeth. What if the peace officer had asked them to get out of the car? No way Chad's lower half could be mistaken for a prosthetic. At best maybe animatronic. Against his better judgment, Mallory decided to reanimate Chad a bit more. He could have Chad position himself before deanimating him. Mannequins were heavy and awkward to carry. He fingered the amulet around his neck.
In Chad's mind and body, he heard a crackling and felt an electric tingling. Then his mind exploded like fireworks. He remembered everything. Well, maybe not everything? He felt big parts were missing, but he remembered meeting his secret admirer. He wanted to pound Mallory, but he stayed still. He was missing not just memories, but body parts. He could feel the bulge between his legs. It was just that a bulge. He might be flesh and bone, but he wasn't his old self. He was about as anatomically accurate as a Ken doll.