Chapter 2: An Attempt

'It's time for Animaniacs! And we're zany to the max! So just sit back and relax-'

'YAKKO! You're 2 seconds behind Wakko and Dot! Keep up!'

'Sorry!' Yakko apologised, having to shout to be heard over the booming theme music. This was now the 5th attempt so far, and it wasn't getting any better.

The failed attempts went as follows:

Take 1 - After the introduction, Yakko smacked is head on the entrance of the water tower in an attempt to pop out, causing a small comic red bump to appear on his forehead. He had to sit out for half an hour with an ice bag on it and with Dr. Scratchansniff constantly testing his reflexes, checking for a brain injury. It seemed a tad extreme to Yakko, but needs must when you're a television star.

Take 2 - He, whilst landing from the jump off the water tower, lost his footing and tumbled into his little sister, landing on top of her. To which he accidentally said, 'Sorry Dottie.' and ended up back off stage with an ice bag on his shin with Dr Scratchansniff.

Take 3 - He simply forgot the words.

Take 4 - The lever, which reclined Dr Scratchansniff's seat, was jammed. When he attempted to lower it he forced too hard and it eventually snapped off. Thankfully, it didn't cost a lot.

And now, Yakko was so exhausted, he couldn't even keep up with his younger siblings. This was bordering on embarrassment.

'CUT! CUT! CUT!' The director proclaimed. The theme music abruptly came to a halt and all eyes shot to Yakko.

'Ohhhh you're in trouble…..' Dot mumbled in Yakko's direction, holding her hand up to her mouth, as if to shield her comment from the crew of camera men and boom operators. With flushed cheeks and a vacant expression, he made his way over to the intimidating, bearded man perched on the directors seat. Yakko could see himself reflected in the director's sunglasses.

'S-sorry…' Yakko mumbled when he reached the chair. 'I promise I'll get it right this time. Just let me try-'

'Yakko, look. Your performance today has been…questionable to say the least. You're obviously not quite 'here'. Your mind seems preoccupied, which makes me think we should just call it a day and just take it up again tomorrow.'

Yakko did not protest, but merely lowered his head and rubbed his arm in embarrassment.

'If there is something occupying your mind Yakko then I suggest you sort it as soon as…or this whole show could be in jeopardy. I can't have you ruining this for everybody else, including your siblings.'

On that final note, the director rose and harshly placed his script in his seat. With an audible and distressed sigh, he stormed away leaving Yakko under the glares of the crew. The white of his face went rose red, his cheeks hot and his heart racing. The embarrassment was unbearable.

One by one, the crew members began to mumble among themselves and disperse, packing away their equipment. A couple of them sneered at Yakko as they passed behind him, purposely nudging him with their camera bags. He then felt a hand on his shoulder and heard a familiar voice.

'Vat is wrong Yakko?' He spoke with a peculiar accent. 'Is der something you vould like to talk to me about? You know you can tell me anything.'

'It's nothing Scratchy. Really. Just feeling a bit off today. I'm as zany as ever…really.' Yakko replied, brushing Dr Scratchansniff's hand away from his shoulder and forcing a cheesy smile to cross his face, over his red hot cheeks, shielding his lie. Despite his efforts, however, Dr Scratchansniff's years of Psychology training could see through Yakko's act. As Yakko stumbled away, a concerned frown spread across Dr Scratchansniff's face.

'He's been off since this morning.' Wakko appeared, speaking softly; a concerned tone to his voice.

'He didn't even eat waffles with us this morning! And we worked hard on those!' Dot moaned humorously, as she joined her brother and Dr Scratchy, watching Yakko stumble away towards the water tower. 'All because of some stupid nightmare.'

'Nightmare?' Dr Scratchy questioned. 'Vat nightmare?'

'He had a nightmare last night. I have no idea what it was about but he kept mumbling something…and then he woke in a cold sweat.' Dr Scratchansniff listened intently to Wakko.

'Remember the three of you have your weekly appointment wiv me. Ve vill see if Yakko wants to speak to me about it then. For now, go and be vith him. He's had a hard day.'

The ceiling of the water tower was far from interesting. Dull grey. Metal. A bolt, here and there, holding it in place. It creaked and moaned with the increasing wind that was building up outside. Yakko contemplated the day. Throughout the episode shoot, all he could think about was that dream. No. That nightmare. It was still so vivid in his mind - the blazing flames, the crimson colours…the heat…the searing heat. It all felt too real. As if he really was in that room, under that duvet calling for his mother. The last time he had that dream was on his 9th birthday. That was 3 years ago now. Why was he dreaming about it again!?

His thoughts were interrupted by a commotion through the door. The stereo was on full blast, playing the most irritating (yet catchy) pop song - Yakko concluded that that was Dot, practicing her singing. There was then a clatter in the kitchen, followed by a large belch - that must have been Wakko, raiding the fridge as usual. This made Yakko smile, if only for a brief moment. The innocence of his siblings was exactly what he wanted to preserve. Which is why he never told them. He, instead, lived with the burden of being the only Warner sibling who remembered. However, now that those memories were flooding back he found it harder to keep it to himself. The need to share his memories was overwhelming…unbearable even. He had to talk to someone about it. But he couldn't. He couldn't ruin their childhoods, they were still young. They still had lives to live.

The bedroom door swung open to reveal a mountain of plates piled with food, and a small pair of legs growing from the bottom of it.

'I don't like the idea of you sitting in here on your own. Regardless of how crappy a day you've had.' His brother toddled in and placed the pile of food covered plates at Yakko's side. 'The only known cure for an embarrassed ego is to stuff your face! Everyone knows that!' Wakko beamed, proud of his culinary creations.

'Wow. You've really outdone yourself sib. This looks fab.' Yakko tried to sound as enthusiastic as possible. His tummy rumbled, missing breakfast had its consequences. Yakko took the first plate, carefully, from the top of Wakko's mountain. It was a serving of spaghetti and meatballs. Wakko had a huge bowl of ice cream, chocolate sprinkles and chocolate sauce.

'Listen.' Wakko begun, his mouth full of frozen vanilla and chocolate goodness. 'You know you can talk to me right? I can tell that there's something off. And that it's to do with that nightmare. So…?' He ushered for Yakko to respond.

'It's nothing! Really! I honestly don't know what else I can say. It just shook me up a bit…that's it! Nothing else!'

'Hm…ok…I trust you. I won't ask about it again. Dig in! I'm starving!'

Tomorrow was their weekly appointment with Dr Scratchansniff. No doubt he would have something to say about what happened on set. Out of everyone at the studio, Dr Scratchansniff was the only one whom Yakko fully trusted with the truth, which was why he was the only one that knew exactly what brought the Warners to the studio all those years ago.

'Good morning kids.' Dr Scratchansniff greeted the trio as they made their way into his office. Wakko pounced in onto the therapy bed and started jumping on it as he did on the couch in the water tower. Dot entered and curtsied to the doctor before joining Wakko excitedly on the couch. Yakko simply walked in. He was too anxious for all of the frivolity.

'And how are ve feeling today?' The doctor continued, paying particular attention to Yakko.

'With my hands…' Wakko pretended to be confused whilst Dot snickered.

'Haha. Very funny Vakko.' Dr Scratchansniff was used to the random jokes the Warners would retort with so it didn't phase him. 'And what about you Dot?'

The youngest Warner began to remove her white gloves. 'How can I if I don't have any hands!? She laughed hysterically, along with Wakko who had fell backward and was kicking his legs in the air.

Dr Scratchansniff then focussed on Yakko, who was sitting the furthest away staring blankly at the book case on the other side of the office. He didn't bother asking, he knew exactly what was eating at him.

'Vakko, Dot, could I speak to your brother alone for a few minutes? If you could vait out in ze hall please I vill call for you shortly.' Wakko and Dot ceased the hysterics and looked at each other in confusion. Watching their brother's face, they jumped down from the bed and made their way to the door. Now Yakko was looking to his feet as he swung them to and fro, back and forward. When the door closed, Yakko realised that he and the doctor were alone and his anxiety reached a climax.

'Yakko…' Dr Scracthansniff began.

'Don't bother.' Yakko snapped. 'I know what you're going to say and the answer is no.'

'But Yakko-'

'No! You don't understand. They'll hate me! They will never forgive me.'

'After everyzing you did…'

'They will never forgive me…' Yakko was now fighting back the tears. Dr Scratchansniff moved to beside Yakko and, gently, placed his hand on his shoulder.

'Zey deserve to know the truth. Zey are living a lie Yakko. Zey believe zey vere drawn here by one of the animators.'

'That's what I want them to believe is real. The true reality is too heartbreaking. I can't Scratchy…they'd NEVER speak to me again. And I couldn't live with that.'

'But…ze'd stop living a life of lies. Maybe zat nightmare vas a sign…from your mother…'

Yakko could handle no more. The mere mention of his poor mother drove him to tears. Lowering his head, the fell to the floor creating a small puddle under his feet.

'Zey don't even know their mother Yakko…'

'I know…and I was the one who kept her from them…'Yakko mumbled under his silent sobs.

'She vould vant zem to know vat happened…vat you did for zem.'

Lifting his head, Yakko wiped away the salty residue off of his cheeks with his glove. He knew Dr Scratchansniff was right.

'Ok…'