This week's offering from The Lost Tales of Oz is "Diplomatic Immunity" by David Tai, a story that I've actually read before, when Tai and I were corresponding for a bit. Discovering a new and foreign source of magic in the Gillikin Country, Ozma sends out Betsy Bobbin and Trot as diplomats to inform them of the law, and ask them to stop. Much to Trot's surprise, it's Sky Island! It's ability to float has stopped, and it's landed in Oz. As Queen of Sky Island, Trot must look out for the best interests of her people, so she sides with Rosalie and Ghip-Ghisizzle who are trying to get the island working right again, putting her at odds against Betsy. Unable to leave the island, Betsy manages to escape into the fog bank that divides the island and at least tries to do part of her job and get the giant frogs who live there to allow the Blues and the Pinks to come in and do what needs to be done. The Frog King, however, is still not happy about anyone coming in, but agrees if Betsy will marry his son! This is too much for Betsy, so she escapes, and eventually helps fix Sky Island with the help of the Frog Prince (who wasn't wild about marrying her, either, and is much more tactful than his father), and before long Sky Island is on its way again.
I really like how Tai writes both Trot and Betsy, and in just a few phrases he can make them distinct from not only each other, but also Dorothy, which is no mean feat. It all falls into place very logically, both in Oz and based on the events of Sky Island. This one is a delight, and I'm glad it has now been officially published and made available to anyone who wants it.
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