The Manic Pixie Dream Boy Improvement Project

by Lenore Appelhans

  “I’m taking the train, too,” Zelda says. “Because even if it ultimately turns out to be short-lived, it will be an adventure I choose.”

  “Whatever.” Nebraska slicks her jagged hair back into a sleek bun. “As a reward for practically singlehandedly saving the Trope, the Council granted me a transfer to Mean Girl Mastermind, so I don’t really care what all you Manic Pixies do now.”

  “So you confessed to the arson!” Zelda exclaims. To be transferred to a villain role, Nebraska would’ve had to confess to committing a crime.

  “I did indeed,” Nebraska confirms. “Georgina’s name is officially cleared. That’s something else you can thank me for.”

  Of course we know that justice for George wasn’t her motivation, but I’m still immensely relieved for George’s sake. And Mean Girl Mastermind is a perfect fit for a devious egomaniac like Nebraska.

  As she turns to leave, she says, “You can do me one favor, though. When you see Finn, tell him I’m sorry.”

  Chapter 62

  Before we go, I have to tie up some loose ends—namely, a dozen newly formed Manic Pixie Dream Boys sitting in the front two rows of Town Hall auditorium. They squint at me as though I know the secrets of the universe.

  And heck, maybe I do. But I learned them the hard way, and they’ll have to, too. Wisdom does not come for free, my friends.

  Angela stands next to me. She’s been reassigned again—at her request—to be responsible for their twelve-week orientation, and she seems genuinely excited for the challenge.

  “I was so upset on my first day with Angela,” I admit to the room. “I thought being assigned to group therapy was a punishment—that it meant I was a failure. But it turned out to be a huge gift. It gave me a loyal circle of friends, confidence in myself, and a bright future.”

  Angela pats me on the back. “I’m so proud of who you’ve become,” she says, choking me up even more.

  I wipe a tear from my eye and continue. “You all are going to sweep into a bunch of different characters’ lives and mess up all their plans in order to give them the gift of possibility,” I tell them. I wink at Zelda and Ava, who both wait in the wings for me.

  “That’s right,” Angela says, summoning George over and putting her arm around her. “And one day, if you’re lucky like I am, you’ll find the girl who sticks around and joins you on this great adventure called life.”

  The new boys whoop in appreciation for our joint inspirational speech. I salute the new recruits and give Angela and George goodbye bear hugs. Zelda, Ava, and I have a train to catch.

  Mandy, Chloe, and Sky come to see us off at the station. We say tearful goodbyes to our dear friends and board the train.

  Chapter 63

  As the train pulls around the curve into the station, I take in the gleaming terra-cotta bricks on the domed ceiling of the tunnel. Soft yellow light streams down from the stained-glass skylights and brass chandeliers, illuminating the passage like a vintage filter might. We come to a halt right in front of an arched stairwell leading up. The plaque proclaims this gorgeous place as City Hall.

  The doors of our train creak open, and Ava, Zelda, and I exchange befuddled glances. What does it mean that the station is completely deserted? Have we been sent to a whimsical afterlife—forever fated to wander picturesque tunnels in the belly of the Earth?

  The conductor blows a whistle. “This is the termination of your journey. Please watch your step as you exit the train.”

  Termination Train.

  The gap between the platform and us looms unnervingly wide and steep. But we all three join hands and take the daring leap.

  When we hit the smooth surface of the landing, a muffled meow rumbles my backpack. I unzip my bag, and Sprite comes tumbling out.

  “Silly kitty,” I scold. “Cathy will miss you.”

  Sprite rubs against my legs, furring up my jeans in the process—and who knows how long I’ll have to wear these. She stands on her hind legs and paws at my knees for me to pick her up. “Fine. I’m glad you’re here, okay?”

  She purrs when I cradle her against my chest. Zelda scratches her behind the ears with a silly grin on her face.

  The train pulls away, and we stand and listen until the last echoes of its departure have faded.

  “So what do we do now?” Ava asks.

  “We climb out into the unknown and see where life takes us,” I say, sounding more confident than I actually feel.

  Zelda bounces on her heels. “I’m ready!”

  A figure stands at the top of the stairs, in shadow, but when he descends toward us, I recognize Finn’s wavy hair and pinstripes. His eyebrows rise when he sees it’s me without Nebraska, but he bounds over with a huge smile.

  “Riley! You finally made it!”

  “Is this Reader World?” I ask, all my hopes knotted in my throat.

  Finn’s grin widens. “Welcome to New York City.”

  Epilogue

  So there you go. I wrote my story. And I am still writing it. Every single day.

  Are you ready to write yours?

  Acknowledgments

  “Can you think of any examples of Manic Pixie Dream Boys?” This was the question—posed by my transformative second-semester advisor, Susan Fletcher—that birthed Riley and TropeTown during my MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. I am deeply grateful to my classmates and advisors at VCFA for showing such enthusiasm for the project: to my advisors Louise Hawes and Shelley Tanaka for your mentorship, to Kekla Magoon and Mark Karlin’s workshop for your invaluable early feedback, to my fourth-semester advisor, William Alexander, for spurring me on to great quirky heights and meaningful depths as TropeTown developed into my creative thesis, and to everyone (especially my fellow ThemePunks) who came out for my grad reading, Riley’s first public outing.

  Riley matured even further to become the delightfully complex MANic Pixie he is today thanks to the salesmanship and support of Legacy super-agent Stephen Barbara and the awesome, AU-worthy insight of editor Amy Fitzgerald. Jazz hands and glitter go out to book designer Emily Harris and my beta readers: Ann Bonwill, Christina Franke, Robin Galbraith, David Hoffman, and Yamile Saied Mendez. And finally, a heartfelt aria of gratitude to my biggest Off-Page fans: my husband Michael and my family.

  Riley’s journey from playing a prescribed role to embracing his authentic self and stepping up to become the hero of his own story somewhat mirrors the process I went through myself during the conception and writing of this novel. I hope it inspires you, too, to reject the labels others may bestow upon you and instead define yourself on your own terms. Always remember: you have the power to write your own life.

  Topics for Discussion

  Why is Riley so fascinated by Zelda? What sets her apart from the Manic Pixies he meets?

  In TropeTown, Manic Pixies can be terminated if they don’t fulfill the roles that authors write for them. What are the pros and cons of playing the role that they are programmed to play?

  Riley admits to himself that he doesn’t really know what love is. To what extent do you think his feelings for Zelda are about who she is, and to what extent are they caused by his programming?

  Riley struggles to give Clark relationship advice. Why does he have trouble deciding what to say? How is this encounter different from the kinds of interactions he’s used to?

  Do you think Ava and other Developeds are better off than the Tropes? How much of her life and personality are controlled by the Author? In what ways does she grow beyond the Author’s original intent? Riley is concerned that playing the same character like the Manic Pixie Dream Boy over and over again will result in him becoming a watered-down or embittered version of himself. In what ways can this happen to teens in real life?

  George is frustrated that her roles only seem to exist to shake up the lives of main characters who are almost always white guys. Angela frames this as a privilege and a way to make a difference. In what ways can the Tropes make a positive impact on Developeds and, by ex
tension, on Readers? In what ways could their roles have a negative effect?

  Why do you think Nebraska became so cynical and manipulative?

  What are the differences between TropeTown and the real world? As Riley sees it, what are the advantages of Reader World? What does TropeTown offer its residents that Reader World doesn’t?

  Why does Riley decide not to plant in his novel? What does this choice say about his values and his goals?

  At the Trope Museum, Riley becomes concerned that his existence supports problematic stereotypes. In what ways have stereotypical characters like the ones in the museum harmed Readers and society at large? What do you think is an appropriate way for Riley to respond to his Trope’s problematic legacy?

  What arguments do the Manic Pixies make in their defense at the Council hearing? How is the message of their Pixie-Off performance different from the message of Nebraska’s speech?

  When Riley decides to board the train, he is risking his life for the chance to have free will. What responsibilities will come with that freedom? How do you think he will cope with the challenges of life in Reader World?

  About the Author

  Lenore Appelhans is the author of several books for children and teens. Her work has appeared on the Bank Street Best Books list, won a SCBWI Crystal Kite award, and been featured on boxes of Cheerios. Lenore is an ambivert, a proud Slytherpuff, and a world traveler. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in the D.C. area with her family and her manic pixie dream cat.