Disclaimer: If I owned the House of Mouse, it would still be on Disney channel. 'Nuff said.

Chapter 8

Summer passed-as all things do- and made way for fall to take it's place. The sweltering heat and violent storms, growing tired of their semi-constant wrath, calmed into chilled mornings and cool breezes. The leaves of the many trees in the park were beginning to brighten. They painted the path to West Point Bridge with hints of warm browns, reds, oranges, and yellows. Squirrels foraged, birds prepared to migrate, and life went on as usual. Needless to say, those of us under a certain age found ourselves at the mercy of the public school system, yet again.

Leo, having turned six just a month before, went to take on the first grade; armed with a 'Hot wheels' backpack and, true to form, a lion-themed lunch box. Nervous as he was, by the middle of the first quarter he proved to be handling himself nicely. I only wished I could have said the same about me. 11th grade proved to be quite the challenge, and while I could manage to keep most of my classes under control, World History was not one of them. And that is where the trouble really began.

"A 'D'!" Mom's shriek reverberated through the kitchen, scaring me more than a little. I cringed and rubbed my forehead. "How could you get a D? In History? How? Explain to me." A second passed and my shoes became fascinating. "WELL?" I looked up only to avert my gaze once again. Mom was not a pretty picture when she was steamed. Her eyes would start to boil and spit like hot cooking grease. The very tip of her nose would turn a bright crimson, while her cheeks were washed in a deep blush. Deciding on a safer option, I shrugged. Mom seethed for a second before mimicking my actions. She shrugged, then said, "Is that all you have to say?" She shrugged again. When I didn't answer, she unleashed one of her heavy sighs. "Riley, what am I going to do with you? This is your future! Your grades aren't a joke! You have to take school seriously."

"I do take it seriously," I said, my eyes yet again focused on my sneakers.

"Oh, yes," Mom said, "and this grade clearly shows it! Did you even study?" I didn't say anything, but my silence was more incriminating than anything I could have said. Truth is, I had wanted to study! In all honesty, I did. But the night before was a crazy night at the House! By the time I made it home, I was dead, and that test was the farthest thing from my mind.

There was another span of silence before mom spoke again, "You know what? Maybe I was right. You're too young to be working. Obviously that's what's distracting you." My head snapped up at the mention of my job.

"What? Mom, no! I'll try and do better, I promise!" I said.

"Nope," my mom shook her head, "I let it go the last few times, but this is the fourth test you've flunked already. You had your chance to prove to me that you were responsible enough to handle things, and you did just the opposite. You're calling your boss today and telling him you quit."

"Mom, no! Please! I was just getting the hang of things!" I begged, " Plus, it's only a test."

"Riley, you're calling your boss," she said, "and I promise that if you don't, I'll do it for you."

"No!"

"Then get on that phone! Avanca!"she yelled, pointing towards the phone in question.

"Mom-"

"Now."

"But-"

"NOW!"

"But it's only a test!" I said, "I still have time to raise my grade! Plus, I have another test on Monday. Just...give me till then. I promise, I'll try and do better."

This made my mom pause, even for just a few seconds. It seemed that she was taking my word into consideration. That, or this may have been another one of her zig-zag moments. In the end, she closed her eyes, let out another gust of a sigh, and flashed her tired eyes in my direction.

"Alright," she said, "This is what I'll do. You have a test coming up on Monday, correct?" I nodded, as did she. "Ok. You have the weekend to study, young lady. That means no friends, no phone, and you will not leave this house unless you are going to work. I want no less than a B on that test on Monday, understand? If not, then you are not working anymore. I don't care how much you beg, I will not change my mind next time. Is. That. Clear?"

"Perfectly," I said, "I'll try to do better."

"No!" she snapped, a look that would have made Hades run screaming darkened her face, "You will do better! I'm tired of hearing "I'll try". You. WILL. Do. Better. If not, then you already know the consequences." I gulped. "Ok, now get out of here or you'll be late."

I was out that door in record time, with my book tucked into my bag for good measure. If things went well, I might be able to study during breaks. In the mood my mom was in, I was determined to deliver on my promise. I did not need to face her wrath again.


"Show starts in ten minutes," Goofy said, walking into the dining room with Donald in tow, "ya fold those napkins yet?" I didn't hear him. The contents of chapters five and six were holding my attention hostage.

"The AchaemenidEmpire's decline began in 332 B.C. ... Or was it 233?" I mumbled, trying to remember one of the many, horrid dates.

"Uh, Riley?" said Donald. When I still didn't answer, he tried calling a little louder, "Riley!" There was still no response. Frustrated, the Duck waddled up and snatched the book from my hands. "RILEY!" At seeing my reading material disappear, I snapped to anxious attention.

"What was that for?" I said to Donald. The duck only frowned, "We asked you a question. Goofy wants to know if you folded the napkins." At first I was a bit confused, "What napkins?" I asked, then the next second I said, "Oh, right! Yeah, they're right over...here." I trailed off as I realized that I had little more than half of them done. I closed my eyes before turning back to the two cartoons. Goofy's eyes were wide while Donald, now scowling, crossed his arms and tapped his webbed foot in annoyance.

"What's goin' on here, fellas?" Mickey asked, approaching us on his way backstage. He looked from Donald, to Goofy, to my book, to the napkins, then to me.

"Riley didn't fold the napkins," grumbled Donald.

"But it's ten minutes to show!" Mickey shrieked, then turned to me, "What happened? Ya always get everything done."

"She was reading," Donald held up my textbook and handed it to the mouse. I cringed a little and my face flushed, "I thought I could study and fold at the same time...I guess I got a little too distracted."

Mickey furrowed his brow, "Ya never study on the job."

I decided the best thing to do was just explain from the beginning, "About that..." I sighed, "I...haven't been doing so great in history lately. When my mom saw my most recent test, she told me I had to get at least a B on the next one, which is on Monday, or...or I had to quit."

"Quit?" cried Goofy.

"This is not good," said Mickey. He looked down at the ground for a moment, then whipped his head up, "Well... how bad was the grade?"

" A 'D'..." I mumbled. Mickey, who wasn't looking at anything in particular, nodded in response. For a moment, his brow furrowed in concentration. The next second, however, he gave a little jump, smiled and said, "I got it!" In a rush, he ran backstage with my history book. All the while saying, " Dontcha worry about a thing! Just finish those napkins!" With that, he turned back around and bolted backstage. Goofy, Donald, and I were left staring after him wondering what exactly just happened.

When Mickey Mouse had an idea, he really had an idea. It was as if an invisible brick fell from the sky and landed in his head, jolting him away from whatever had been going on a second earlier. This was one of those moments. The mouse raced backstage in order to get to work. If he wanted to get this done he had to do it now. He dashed passed Minnie and Pluto in a whirl and left the other mouse calling after him. He didn't hear her. Right now, he was too wrapped up in his moment of epiphany for anything else to matter. Once in his dressing room, he skidded to a halt and sat at the dresser. Mickey flipped to a section of review questions in the textbook and gave it a glance. He grinned. This idea should work nicely.

"Mickey!" said Minnie, storming into the M.C.'s dressing room. When he didn't answer, she tapped her foot against the tile. He still gave no response. She tapped faster. Nothing.

"Oh!" she huffed and marched the rest of the way towards the other mouse. "MICKEY MOUSE!" Mickey jumped a foot in the air at her outburst. "HAVE YOU LISTENED TO A WORD I'VE SAID?" The startled mouse whipped back and gave a sheepish grin at his angry soul mate.

"Heh-heh. Sorry, Min. Guess I didn't hear ya," he said.

Minnie's hard look softened at his apology. It was difficult for her to stay mad at Mickey for too long. "It's alright," she said, then gave the history book a quizzical look, "What are you up to, anyways?"

"I'll explain later," said Mickey, "But I'm gonna need some help! Are ya willin'?"

Minnie shrugged and smiled, "Why not?"

"Great!" said Mickey, "Now here's what I need ya ta do."


Ten minutes later, the napkins were folded, the tables were ready, and the staff took their places. I stared into the dinning room through the kitchen door, much like the first night. Soon the familiar sight of the guests taking their seats came and I felt nervous all over again. But unlike the first night, my worries were much different. If This test didn't go well, it was possible that this was the last time I saw the club fill. Of course, I'd do all I could to keep that from becoming reality, but Mickey made off with my book. And I wasn't so sure if I would get it back... In other words, there was no way I could get on studying yet. Not that it really mattered- since I could just start the next day- but I was determined to pass, and that was going to require a lot of work. Soon enough, however, Mickey hit the stage and the show had begun. I had to get out there and leave my worrying behind.

Out in the dining room, the House was packed, like most Fridays. The stage was lit, the tables filled, and the guests were hungry. As Mickey went on with the usual intro, I got busy taking orders. It was just like any other night.

Well, almost.

About my fifth order in, the intro, which I never really paid much mind to, caught my attention.

"Tonight," said Mickey, "Is a special night at the House of Mouse!" The host waited a second before continuing. " Tonight, we're gonna play a game!" Now curiosity got the better of everyone in the club. The majority of the patrons were whispering amongst themselves, those that weren't cocked their heads in the direction of the stage. " Here's how it works. Before every other cartoon, we're gonna put up 5 historical questions-" my jaw dropped. Where was Mickey going with this? "- If ya know the answer, wave your napkin around three times, like this," Mickey waved around a handkerchief to illustrate his point, "then Riley-" a bright spotlight found me amidst the tables and made me squint- " has ta come over and ask ya for the answer. Once the cartoon is over, we'll announce your answers and your names. Whoever gives a correct answer gets a free dessert! Are ya ready ta start?" Based on the reaction, it was safe to assume that they were. I, however, was still trying to digest what was happening. Mickey, even after I'd screwed up earlier, was going to help me study on the job. Either that was how much he cared, or the House needs a waiter more desperately that I'd thought. Somehow, I felt it was the latter... or maybe an odd combination? I glanced up at the Mouse on the stage and got his eye. He gave me a little smile and an even smaller nod. I chuckled a bit then mouthed a thank-you. "Great!" Mickey exclaimed, "Here's the first five!" He turned and gestured to the screen. A second later the questions appeared.

List four different civilizations that existed in the fertile crescent.

Name the river system that surrounded Mesopotamia.

What was King Hammurabi famous for establishing?

In what year did the fall of the Achaemenid Empire occur?

Who was responsible for its end?

"Alright folks!" said Mickey, "If ya got the answer you know what to do. And while you're thinkin' up those answers, here's the first cartoon!" The screen behind Mickey sprang to life in an instant of color and music. I blinked once then got back to work, fully expecting some time to go by before I saw any waving napkins. However, when I turned to move on to the next table, I caught sight of three waving napkins! Unsure of which to pick, I headed over to first table that caught my eye.

"Do you have the answer? Er, what would you like to order? " I kicked myself. Should I have taken the toon's order first?

Milo Thatch looked up with an excited gleam in his eye. The young linguist was the typical nerd. When it came to most other situations, he was nervous and somewhat awkward, but when given the chance to flaunt his knowledge, he did so and then some. "Well, I don't mean to brag or anything, but the answer to the second question is actually quite simple. It's the Tigris-Euphrates River system, of course! Not only was it an important water source, but it actually defined the area. The actual name Mesopotamia was derived from the Greek words 'Meso' meaning 'middle' and 'Potamia' meaning river, so the name itse-"

"We will have the Pridelands prime rib dish. And some of that dark, fizzy drink that is so popular," Kida said, cutting her overly-enthusiastic husband short. Milo deflated a bit, but stopped talking. The Atlantean queen smiled and handed me their menus and I grinned back in thanks.

"Alright! Your order will be out in a minute, and I'll let Mickey know your answer." I said.

"Thanks," said Milo, then added with a sheepish look.

"No problem," I laughed, then made my way to the next waving napkin.

At the next table sat Aladdin, Jasmine, and the rest of the group from Agrabah. The Genie was the one waving the napkin in the air. Abu sat along with Iago*; the two were fighting over a fork as Carpet drummed its tassels on the table top. When I arrived, the bird whirled and all but shouted, "Took ya long enough! We've been waitin' forever here!"

"Iago!" Aladdin said. The parrot only shrugged. "What?" he sqwaked. He didn't understand what he'd done wrong. Being one of the good guys meant being honest, right? He was just stating how he felt. Iago huffed. This hero stuff was harder than it looked.

Jasmine shook her head and said, "Don't mind him. I'm sure he didn't mean it."

"Well of course I- ah!" The indignant bird never finished his sentence. He was cut off my a whack from the Genie. The parrot stumbled over the side of the table but caught himself in mid-air. Flapping his wings, he shot the Genie daggers. All the while, Genie avoided his stare with an overly- innocent expression. Abu chattered and laughed, happy to see Iago get knocked around.

I stood and watched the scene, thoroughly amused. To Jasmine, I smirked and said, "Don't worry. I'm used to it by now. I know he's just a marshmallow with wings." Iago did not appreciate that comment.

"Marshmallow! Who you callin' a marshmallow?" his feathers ruffled

. "Aww, don't be so sour about it!" I laughed, "It's a compliment."

The parrot rolled his eyes, "Compliment. Oh, yeah right. Sure."

I laughed then turned to Genie, "I guess you have answer, then?"

"Thaaaaat's right! To the third questionThe answer is..." Genie transformed into a drum. Two drum- sticks beat quickly on him. After a short drum roll, he changed back in a burst of confetti that made Abu run up Aladdin's arm. "Hammurabi's Code!" he said.

"Great," I said, picking a piece of confetti out of my hair. I wrote down the answer and the Genie's name. One by one the residents of Agrabah gave me their orders, I gave them a nod, said, "Thanks for your answer!" then I was on my way to the next flailing napkin. And that is how the first batch of questions came and went. By the middle of the second cartoon, all five questions had been answered. All that was left to do was find Mickey and give him the names and answers. And after I dropped off the orders, that's just what I did.

I found Mickey and Minnie talking backstage, with Minnie tapping on her PDA as usual. As I got closer, the mice turned and gave me an expectant look.

"I've got the answers!" I said and handed them a list of names and responses.

"Great!" said Mickey, "But ya better hold on ta that." He handed me back the list. I just looked at his hand, confused.

"Why?" I asked, "Isn't almost time to announce them?"

Minnie said, "It is."

"Then why don't you need the list?"

"Because," she giggled, "You're going to do it!" She pointed a gloved finger at me. My face paled.

"M-me?" I asked.

"Yup!" said Mickey, nodding.

"But-but I-"

"Gotta get movin', Riley," he said. Mickey grabbed at my sleeve and tugged me forward, "Show starts back up in minute!" I looked back at Minnie, hoping this was all some kind of joke. She, however, just waved and wished me luck. Not a second later, Mickey dragged me past the wings and onto the brightly lit stage. The audience clapped at seeing their host appear. In the house, the lights went up and revealed an army of cartoon characters. Mickey waited for the clapping to die down before speaking.

"Alright, everybody!" he said, "Here's what you've all been waitin' for! It's time to reveal the answers ta the first five questions." Behind him, the giant screen blinked and displayed the questions from the first round. The mouse turned and asked, "Will ya do the honors?"

Honors?I thought, full of sarcasm. Out loud I said, "Ok." and looked down at the list.

"The first question was answered by Yensid," out in the crowd, people turned and applauded in the wizard's direction. Yensid gave the very ghost of a smile and nodded. No matter what, the wizard never lost his serious demeanor. It was almost scary. "and the answer is the Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian empires."

"Correct!" Mickey said and the answer appeared in place of the first question on the screen. I cleared my throat.

"The second question was answered by Milo Thatch," Milo ducked a little and waved once. I could barely keep down a laugh. "and the answer is the Tigris-Euphrates River System."

"That's right!" the mouse called and that answer also replaced it's question.

"The next question was answered by the Sultan," the Genie pretended to blush and said, "Ah shucks! Stop it." That earned the laughter of the surrounding patrons. "he said Hammurabi's Code."

"Right!" Just as before the answer appeared.

"Ok, the fourth question was answered by Princess Eilonwy*" the blond girl smiled at the stage and the clapping cartoons. She sat along with Taran, Gurgi, and Fflewddur Fflam. "the answer is 332 B.C."

"Correct!" That question was also replaced.

"And the last question was answered by Hercules," the Greek demi-god was sitting at his usual table with Meg, Phil, and Pegasus. "the answer is Alexander the Great."

"Correct!" Now all five questions had been replaced. "That's the end of round one! But don't worry, there's plenty more chances ta play! Now, here're the next five questions!"


The night progressed in a similar matter. Mickey would ask the questions and white napkins would would wave to and fro in response. Some of the answers came from the most unexpected people. How Pongo would know that Gilgamesh was a hero of Babylonian mythology is beyond me. Or how Snow White knew that Bronze age in the middle east began in 3300 B.C. What was most shocking was how Br'ar Bear happened to know that a shell called Maoris was used by the Sumerians to make a prized purple dye. Regardless of where the answers came from, however, the point is that they came. The game was a hit with the audience, and the fact that I could 'study' on the job didn't hurt either. The club's atmosphere was one of laughter and friendly competition, but that's not to say the night was perfect.

Around the fifth and final round of the game, I spotted a waving napkin that sucked the smile off my face. I sighed, suppressed an eye-roll, and trudged over to none other than table thirteen. Couldn't these guys leave me alone for just one night? I mean, c'mon! Even evil needs a vacation.

"You have the answer?" I asked wearily.

Maleficent, the napkin waver, grinned a chilling grin, "As a matter of fact, I do."

"Alright," I said, pen poised on my notepad, "let's have it."

Apparently, whatever I'd just said struck the villains as comical. They snickered at a joke that had a punchline I didn't get. I gave a deep frown, "What's so funny?"

"Aw, kid!" Hades chuckled, "It's like you don't know us at all!"

"Oh, on the contrary," I said, "I know you more than I'd like to."

Dr. Facilier was the first to recover. His smile was so slippery it made an eel look like sandpaper, "What Hades means is, that's not exactly how we... operate." At this the rest of the table calmed and shared a conspiratorial look. My eyes narrowed. "Then how do you 'operate' ?"

The table as a whole darkened.

"Simple," Ursula began, "We have something you want. You just need to give us something in return."

I rolled my eyes, "That's what the free dessert's for. It's a prize."

"That doesn't count. Point is, we want more than just some crumby dessert," Hades said.

"Then what do you want?" I dreaded the answer more than I'd dreaded anything beforehand. Even another tongue lashing from my mother seemed less threatening.

Maleficent was the one to say, "Only a favor."

I blinked. "A favor?"

The green-skinned fairy nodded, "Yes. One favor. To be called in at any given time in the future. No favor, no answer."

That was it? A favor? What kind of a trade off was that? I'll admit, I breathed a silent sigh of relief at hearing such a tiny "price". Had I actually thought things through, I would have realized the trouble being in a villain's debt could bring, but I needed the answer and there were tables yet to be visited.

"Ok," I said, "You've got yourselves a favor. Now can you please give me your answer?"


Once work ended and I arrived back home, I had no trouble keeping my promise to my mother. That week end was the most intensive study session ever to be performed in the town of West Point. I didn't leave the house, much less my room, in those 48 hours. My history book didn't close for that amount of time either. Dates, names, and locations filled my head in a constant rhythm, like some ancient heart beat. The contents of chapters five and six now had my undivided attention. It was grueling, it was tiresome, it was mind-boggling, but in the end it was what had to be done. Then, when I felt I could remember my own birth date without finding some historical connection to it, it was time.

That Monday moved miles a second. Before I knew it, half the day was gone and the Test was placed on the desk in front of me. Shut my eyes, prayed, then slowly peeled them open to face the first question:

Name the river system that surrounded Mesopotamia.

I grinned as the image of Milo's face filled up the space in my head. I knew these answers. With a final intake of air, I picked up my pen and set the ballpoint to the paper.

Four days later, the staff of the House of Mouse found themselves in the midst of their pre-show rush yet again. Only, this time, they all caught themselves giving quick, nervous glances at the door. It was 5:35 and there was still no sign of Riley. Mickey shook his head. It was only five minutes, that wasn't enough time to infer anything by. Well, for most people. Donald had all but hung a "Help Wanted" sign outside. But still, it worried him that she hadn't shown up yet. With a sigh, he decided to head backstage to his dressing room.

Starin' at a door won't make her get here faster, he reasoned and turned the knob. The mouse, however, never made it inside for a second later, Goofy came ambling in.

"Mickey!" he said, "She just got here! She says the test was graded!"

"H-how did she do?" Mickey asked.

"Hasn't said yet," Goofy said, "C'mon!"

The two characters made their way to the dining room where they found the girls and Donald huddled near the kitchen. As they came closer, the look on Riley's face worried them. She stood there, the test held behind her back, with a somber expression.

"So tell us!" said Daisy, "How'd you do? Can you stay?"

Riley took a deep breath and looked down at her sneakers, "Well guys, it was really close. The teacher said I was just two points away from the next grade up but... it just didn't happen." After a beat, the cartoons deflated.

"Aww, I'm sorry," said Mickey and patted the girl on the shoulder, "but the important thing is ya did your best."

"Yeah, I know," she said, the added, "But on the bright side... I got a B+!" She whipped the test out and showed it to the others. Mickey's eyes widened in surprise and Donald, Minnie, and Daisy burst into laughter.

"Ya tricked us!" the mouse smiled and gave the girl a playful push.

"Actually, we tricked you!" said Minnie.

"I showed them all before you got here." Riley explained.

"Well how do ya like that?" laughed Mickey, "Ya help someone study and this is the thanks ya get."

"I hate to break this up," said Donald, "But we gotta finish getting ready!"

The group sobered up and went to their respective places to finish up. Riley beamed, happy to know that this was one of many such occasions that had yet to come.

DONE! Phew! I thought I'd never finish this chapter. The ending is a little cheesy, I know, but I couldn't think of another way to wrap it all up. Anyways, there were a couple of these guys "*" floating around. So let me clear those up.

*Ok, the first astrik was about including Iago with the good guys from Aladdin. I don't think I've mentioned him before this chapter so I figured I might as well. And before you start swearing up and down that he is in fact a henchman, let me explain. I decided to go with his status in the sequel/television series where he does, in fact, change sides.

The second astrik is by Princess Eilonwy's name. That's because not everyone is familiar with the movie "The Black Cauldron". It is one of Disney's most unrecognized films. It was released in the 1980s and it received negative response because it was a little dark for younger audiences. I mentioned Eilonwy along with Taran, Gurgi (who is adorable by the way!), and Fflewdder Fflam because I feel they deserve some sort of recognition.

Well, that's all the astriks! The next chapter should be up soon but I want to ask you something first. Do you think I should experiment with third person perspective? Let me know in your review or through pm! Anyways, that's all for right now guys. Thanks for reading! Till next time!

-Daydreamer