Authors Note: This is going to be a series of different one-shots all focused around the Transylvanians adjustment to life on Earth incorportating '70s culture as well. Hope you like it!


The truck appeared down the road from the castle's gates one foggy morning. It had more rust than it did paint, and one of the rear tires was flat, which they assumed was the reasoning for it's abandonment in the first place. As unfamiliar with Earth and it's transportation vehicles as Magenta was, she even knew this thing might as well have been scrap.

Frank, on the other hand, had circled it over and over, finger pressed to his painted lips, and declared he was going to decide the value of the truck for himself. Riff Raff, who was far more skilled in the mechanics department, took to checking underneath the car and observing it's different parts. Frank only looked at the exterior of the truck, as he did with most things in his life, and didn't really stop to think about whether or not the thing could actually run. He left the dirty work up to Riff Raff, as per usual. Magenta had just come to observe the two, an easy excuse for avoiding her chores around the castle.

"I think.. it's perfect!" He announced, clasping his hands together under his chin and grinning widely at the rusted machine.

Riff Raff groaned and crawled out from under the truck, brushing the dirt from his clothes. "That is, if we can get it running." He added, resulting in a frown from Frank.

'What do you mean, if?" He stomped the ground with a stiletto heel, his hands curling into fists at his side. He resembled a child throwing a tantrum. "Why are you always so pessimistic?"

"It's not pessimism, it's realism." Riff rolled his eyes, gesturing to the truck. "The machine runs by inserting a key into a slot that starts the engine." He enunciated his words slowly so Frank would understand, making a motion with his hand that mimicked a key turning. "Whoever abanonded this vehicle left us no means of a key, therefore, we would need to figure out a way to get the engine running without one."

Frank looked unamused by his lecture and crossed his arms in front of his chest, blantantly displeased with Riff's sarcasm. "I think you mean YOU need to figure out a way." He hissed, turning and stomping back off towards the castle, leaving the two siblings with the truck. Magenta looked to her brother who just simply rolled his eyes. This was nothing out of the ordinary.


The next afternoon offered warmer weather, a perfect oppurtunity Riff saw to complete his work on the Earth vehicle. The Transylvanian trio had been on the planet for a little over a month now, and up until now, had no means of transportation. Things at the castle were being the feel tense and Riff found himself going stir crazy, as did the others. The closest town, Denton, was a few miles out from where they were located, and it was impossible to make the trip without a car. However, being forgeiners on this planet, they lacked the means of acquiring such a thing, and they'd merely gotten lucky with finding this piece of junk only a few feet from their property. The flat tire was an easy fix to him, but being unfamiliar with the other parts of this strange Earthly vehicle, he was unsure of how to get the damned thing running without it's designated key. He decided to take his tools and go over it's parts again, hoping a solution would come to him the more he tinkered with it.

Magenta was chopping vegetables in the kitchen when he poked his head in, toolbox in hand. She looked completely focused, brows furrowed, and he knew she must hate being stuck in the castle with all the housework day in and day out. He remained in the doorway unnoticed and watched her continue slicing carrots with careful percision, his lips curling at the edges, appreciating her beauty. How did she make cutting vegetables so attractive?

"Are you going to say hello or just stare at me?" She drawled, knowing it was him without even raising her eyes from the cutting board.

"Am I not allowed to admire you?" He asked, pretending to be offended as he leaned against the doorway.

"Not at all." She smirked, looking up at him with a raised eyebrow. Her eyes went to the toolbox in his hand. "What are you up to, brother?"

"Just working on that stupid truck rusting away outside." Riff sighed, "I fixed the tire already, but I figure the sooner I get it to actually run, the sooner Frank is out of my hair." He paused, scratching his head, and thought for a second. "Would you like to join me?"

Magenta laughed sarcastically, "Riff, you know I'm useless with mechainics."

"Nonsense." He rattled the toolbox at her. "You can hand me things. I need something nice to look at, anyways."


Magenta sat in the bed of the truck, handing tools down to Riff, who was currently lying on his back underneth the car, as he requested them. He transitioned back and forth between that and the hood, all the while explaining to Magenta what he was doing step-by-step. She didn't understand most of what he was talking about, but she enjoyed the sound of his voice, and he enjoyed having someone listening.

After a few hours of tightening that and loosening this, Riff believed he had figured out the solution on how to get it running. "I think it's all with the wires." He explained, crawling into the drivers side of the truck. He fiddled with the wires underneth the steering wheel until suddenly there was a low groan and the engine roared to life. "Eureka!" Riff exclaimed, jumping out of the truck and embracing his sister in a hug, lifting her into the air. This was the most excited she had seen him in the month they'd lived here, and while she wasn't sure if it was because of his mechanical discovery or the idea of finally getting Frank out of the house, she was grateful for it.

"So what do we do with it now?" She asked as he set her back on the ground, both siblings catching their breath, smiles remaining.

Riff looked at her mischeviously. "We test drive it."


If there was one thing they knew less of than the mechanisms of Earth vehichles, it was how to drive one. The truck had various levers and peddles, and it took a good hour of experimenting with them before Riff got a slight grasp of the main gears and how they worked. This did not exclude them backing into a tree accidently during the process. Once they got the idea of how to go forward and backwards, it was just like manuvering a spaceship... almost. It was definitely a lot more difficult. But eventually the siblings found themselves making their way down the long, winding road that would lead them into the town of Denton.

Magenta had figured out how to roll the windows down and let the breeze circulate through the truck, tossing her vibrant red curls around. She dangled one arm out the window, catching the wind in her hand, counting the trees that passed them by. Riff seemed content himself, leaning back more in his seat as he became more comfortable driving. Occasionally she'd look over and smile lovingly. In a way, it was almost peaceful. The ability to just drive away and never return to the castle or Frank if they so wanted. Neither of them said it, but they knew the idea was in the back of both their minds.

Eventually, they reached a large billboard featuring a heart and the words DENTON, THE HOME OF HAPPINESS that welcomed them into the small city, it's skyline looming in the distance. They had chosen to set up base on the outskirts of a smaller city such as this to avoid drawing too much attention to themselves. This way, they could go into the town if needed, and remain undetected. If they'd placed their ship in the middle of a suburban neighborhood, for example, they would have stuck out like a sore thumb. The castle sat at the end of a dead end street that hardly any earthlings traveled on. The chances of anyone stumbling upon their home was slim, and even if they did, they wouldn't think it too much of it.

As they cruised into Denton, they passed a variety of shops with colorful storefronts and window displays, a movie theater with bright neon lights, and tall buildings with windows so big you could peer right inside. Earthlings walked on the sidewalks with their children in tow, weaving in and out of the various shops. Magenta was both captivated and confused by it all.

"Earth people have some strange customs." Riff noted, taking in the city as well. "We'll have to pick up on some of them so we don't stand out."

Magenta looked at their clothing, which was very different from anything she had ever seen on their home planet. Then it dawned on her - clothes. New Earth clothing was the perfect thing to help disguise them amongst these humans. Their Transylvanian attire would make people suspicous immediately.

"We'll have to go shopping." She suggested, gazing at the shop windows in front of her. Mannequins wearing colorful outfits stared back at her. She was fascinated by them. Perhaps she would like Earth a little after all.