Chapter 21

In the four years which passed since the time Walt arrived in California, he was churning out more and more work. He was finally able to get his cartoons into some of the local theaters. The "Alice" pictures were doing well. Audiences were amazed at the stories of a little girl who could play in a cartoon world. During this time, Lillian could also see a change in Walt's moods. He wasn't as introverted into his own thoughts and used that energy to come up with more ideas. She was entertained by some of his childlike antics as he tried to work out scenes for a cartoon. But all good ideas do run their turn, and was realizing that the "Alice" comedies could not continue to hold an audience's interest. By this time, he and Ub went onward to work on the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit's character. Oswald was definitely something which was on Walt's mind for a long time, long before Mickey came into his life. Now he was finally going to move forward and bring him to the silver screen.

During the day, Mickey did what little he could do to help out. Lillian kept Mickey busy by giving him piano lessons. Walt asked her what would possess her to try to teach Mickey how to play. She answered that Mickey seemed interested in the piano for quite a long time, but would only bang on the keys and make a lot of noise. She added if he was going to do that, he might as well learn something on it before he broke it.

Walt looked thoughtful. "Well, at least he's doing something useful. That skill might come in handy one day," he replied reflectively.

Mickey heard Walt in the other room, and ran in. He reached up, tugging his pants leg. "Look!" he exclaimed as he held up some sheet music. It was titled "My Little Goldfish." It was music for a beginner. Mickey was beaming with happiness. He didn't get to see Walt like he used to because was always busy working or talking with other people.

"I can play this!" said Mickey. He quickly ran to the piano, climbed up on the seat and spread out the music as he was taught. Walt looked at Mickey impressively, and sat down on the couch next to Lillian to get ready for the mini concert.

"I have a lit-tle gold-fish…swimming around in waa-ter"sang Mickey as he accompanied his tune. Lillian looked at Walt giving him a wink and a smile. Walt kissed her cheek. He found her so amazing at times like this.

Just then the bliss was broken by a knock at the door. Walt looked at his watch. "Oh, it must be Ub and the new guy he wanted me to meet to help with the animation," he explained to Lillian.

Lillian walked to the door and greeted the men.

"Walt!" said Ub.

"Is this the new animation man?" asked Walt.

"Yep, sure is! I told him about our Oswald project, and he would like to see what we're doing," answered Ub.

Their noisy greetings all but drowned out Mickey's grand piano solo. He tried to continue, but the rollicking laughter and conversation blended in with his playing and he could no longer keep his concentration.

"I really think this rabbit is going to be popular!" said Ub. "He is really a funny character!"

"He's been on my drawing board ever since we were back in Kansas!" added Walt. "Say, let's go down to the studio now, maybe we can work out some final ideas before we do a wrap," he said excitedly.

Walt grabbed his sweater, kissed Lillian goodbye and walked out the door. Lillian closed the door and turned to look at Mickey, who was still sitting on the bench, looking sad.

"Mickey, go ahead and finish your music," she said, still trying to sound cheerful.

Mickey didn't finish. He slid off the bench and went to another room. This time Lillian knew why.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit became a serious piece of work for Walt and his team. This character had to go through a few changes before Walt finally found the perfect fit for the rabbit. When Walt finished his first all-cartoon picture, he couldn't wait to present it to the studios. Oswald's first picture, Poor Papa, was turned down by the Universal studio because even though Walt and Ub was proud of it, it was not good enough to be shown to the public. Universal thought it looked… "sloppy."

Walt and Ub with the rest of the staff went back to the drawing board (literally) and came up with a new picture entitled Trolley Troubles. It was on September 5, 1927 when it was released, and finally became Walt's feather in his cap. He created a character which gave Felix the Cat a run for the money. Walt really believed that his dreams were becoming realized. He couldn't have been happier.

When 1928 rolled in, Disney wanted to do a little more with his newfound fame. He felt he needed to talk to the studio executive, Charles Mintz regarding his profits with Oswald.

One evening over dinner, Walt, Lillian, and Ub was discussing the proposition. Mickey had just finished eating and was in the bedroom listening to the radio. He was feeling so left out these days. He knew Walt was doing everything for them to have a better life, but all he wanted was just to have Walt back again, even if for just one day. Most of the time the talk was about Oswald.

Oswald, Oswald, Oswald. That rabbit. That rabbit could do just about anything. He could take off his ears, or his foot and make everybody laugh, including Lillian and Walt.

"What about me?" Mickey quietly asked himself.

Just then, Walt walked into the bedroom. He reached under the bed, and pulled out a suitcase.

"Hi pal," said Walt smiling. "What are you doing Mickey? I thought I heard you talking."

Mickey had to come up with something so Walt wouldn't be suspicious.

"Oh, just thinking about the piano music in my head," he replied.

"That's great buddy. Well, I've got to tell you something!"

Mickey was getting excited. Walt had something good to share with him, so Mickey jumped off the other side of the bed and ran up to Walt.

Walt clicked open the suitcase then went to the dresser to look for a few shirts.

Well, Mickey, I'm going to be gone for a few days," began Walt.

As soon as he said that, Mickey's face fell. Walt noticed it right away.

"Hey…something wrong buddy?" asked Walt.

Mickey shook his head no.

"Tomorrow, I am going to New York. I know you don't know where it is, but it is very far from California. I have to do some important business there about my new cartoon character, Oswald," he explained as he was still packing.

"Oh," Mickey replied. He had no idea where this "place" New York was, but all he knew was that Walt was going away again, and he wouldn't see him for a long time. All because of...

Walt added a few more items before speaking again. "When I get back, we'll have a lot of fun, ok pal? Just you and me, like old times," Walt promised, bending down to rub him between his ears. Mickey giggled, but still tried to show Walt his best face.

A number of days passed after Walt left for the city. Lillian could tell Mickey really wasn't quite himself when Walt was away and tried to distract his thoughts with short outings, treats or games. One day, he noticed that Lillian was putting on her hat and gloves. He also noticed she was wearing the dress she wears for special occasions.

"You look pretty," Mickey said shyly.

"Why thank you, sir," said Lillian sweetly. "Do you know why I am in my special dress?"

Mickey shook his head no.

"Walt is coming back today from New York!" she exclaimed. She bent down, grabbed Mickey by his hands and swung him around.

"Oh boy! Hot dog!" shouted Mickey.

Lillian arrived at the station a little early so she wouldn't miss a moment of his arrival. Mickey stayed close to Lillian as he promised but it was hard trying to conceal his excitement.

The train finally arrived at 2:00 p.m. Lillian walked out the station to see the loads of people leaving the train and meeting loved ones. Lillian didn't see Walt anywhere no matter how hard she strained her eyes to search the crowds. She felt a tug on the hem of her dress, and saw Mickey pointing to his left. She looked up and there was her husband.

"WALT!" called Lillian, waving her glove in the air. Mickey tried to wave at him too, but he was short, but he made an effort nonetheless. Walt shuffled through the crowd until he finally reached Lillian and Mickey. He kissed her on the cheek, and picked Mickey up off the ground. Mickey was in seventh heaven. Walt was home!

"Walt, how was your trip? Did it go well?" asked Lillian excitedly.

Walt gave her a look which told her right away, things didn't go as he thought they would.

"Let's go home, I'll tell you then," said Walt solemnly.

Once they arrived home, Lillian had prepared him a wonderful meal of beef stew, rice and homemade bread with tea to drink. She gave Mickey some hot dogs to eat. He could eat them just about every day. For some reason, there wasn't a lot of human food he liked to eat. After Mickey was fed, she finally sat down to dinner and to find out what was on Walt's mind.

"So….are you ready to tell me what happened in New York?" began Lillian.

Walt took a huge sigh, and suddenly he wasn't quite hungry anymore. He pushed his plate to the side, much to Lillian's dismay.

"That Mintz!" Walt said with a lot of bitterness in his voice. "He thought I should settle for less than a 50% of profit from Oswald. He's stating that the economy is not doing that well right now. He says that things might get better…MIGHT. The other animators decided to stay with Mintz. I decided to quit."

Lillian, by now also stopped eating in order to understand where this conversation was heading.

"I had to leave Oswald behind too…"

"Walt…oh, no. Why did you have to leave Oswald with Mintz?"

"Oswald was mine, Lillian. That Charles Mintz did some kind of underhanded business and took it all out from under my nose- Oswald, my animators, and then EXPECTED me to take only 20%. He saw that Oswald could make him a lot of money, that's what. He didn't need me. Let him have it all, Lillian!"

Walt left the kitchen table and grabbed his jacket.

"I'll be at the studio, Lillian," he said gruffly.

"But Walt, you just got home, you hardly touched your food. Why don't you try to forget about it all for a while. Things might look differently in the morning," pleaded Lillian.

"No, while I was on the train, I was trying to come up with another idea, another character…something," said Walt. "I can't stop just yet. Try to understand."

Just then, Mickey peeked into the living room to see what the fuss was about. Walt never really raised his voice with Lillian, but he could see that something was wrong, and it had to do with that rabbit named Oswald.

Before Walt closed the door behind him, he turned and looked at Mickey. He slowly came back in and crouched down and beckoned Mickey to come to him. Mickey did as he was told. Walt softly embraced the little mouse, then held him at shoulder length to look at him. Mickey was a little confused as to why Walt was staring at him so.

"I think I've got an idea….come with me Mickey! Lillian, call Ub and tell him to meet me at the studio!" said Walt.