The sun was setting down on the studio lot. Everyone was heading home getting ready for the big night. Today was a special occasion. It was the Warner brothers (and sister) 65th anniversary. A big party was being held in their honor. Inside the water tower, the siblings were getting ready.
"Ready sibs?" said yakko with a smile.
"Ready!" replied Wakko and Dot excitedly.
The three were standing on a railing on the second floor of the water tower. Down on the first floor was a chest filled with clothes. Their goal was to land in it.
"On three…...three!"
The oldest pushed his two sibs off the rail then followed suit as he pushed himself off.
You see, normal people would walk up to it. But that's boring to the Warners.
They did a nose dive into the chest like it was a pool. It began moving around as they dug around for things to wear. Once they were done, they popped out. Yakko was dressed as a vampire, wakko was a mummy and dot was the bride of Frankenstein.
"Uuuuuh, too Halloweenish." Yakko told his siblings. They dived back in the chest and returned wearing hobo outfits.
"Too Mark twainy." Wakko commented.
They did the same thing again and came out wearing the fanciest clothes they ever wore. Yakko was wearing an all black tux with a brown tie and a monocle, Wakko had a black fedora and a suit with a black vest and dot was wearing a dark red dress with white pearl necklace.
They all looked at each other and all nodded in agreement.
"Noped."
They jumped in one last time and this time the chest opened and began pouring out fog, three silhouettes slowly rising out of the clouds as the spotlight shone on them revealing they were wearing their original clothes.
"What? Don't fix what ain't broken." Yakko said, winking at the reader.
But nevertheless Yakko still wanted his sibs to look nice for the event. He made Wakko put on a bow tie and Dot put on a dark purple flower scrunchie.
"I'm so excited!" Dot said. "I wonder who's going? I hope Mel Gibson shows up!"
"Speak for yourself. I want to see Don knotts!" Wakko replied.
They two began arguing about who they should sit next to. Yakko was chuckling as he watched them.
But to be honest, he was surprised they were throwing a party for them.
Maybe they're finally getting the recognition they deserve. Even after being locked in the tower for sixty years they're still remembered the day.
"Remember, we're the stars tonight! Who knows we might sign a few autographs among things. Wink wink. But the most important thing is we enjoyed ourselves." He smiled.
"It's like a birthday. Especially if there's cake." Wakko said as he began to drool.
"I wonder if they're gonna show us our old shorts?" Dot wondered.
Yakko shuddered at the memory of the flytrap episode. She was thinking about where the time went.
Time. She realizes they had to get going.
"Come on. I want to say hi to Mr. Keaton before it starts." She said anxiously as she pulled yakko's arm towards the door. They quickly left the water tower and slid down the beam waiting for the night ahead.
Little did they know what was in store for them.
—-
Meanwhile, the party was being held at the Dorothy Chandelier Pavilion. Plotz was greeting the guests as they walked in. To be honest many celebrities showed up, Even the big stars were all showing up.
Dr. Scratchensniff soon arrives with Ralph. The two were both dressed for the night. They were impressed by the crowd. "Uh, the party looks great!" Ralph said.
"Thank goodness, you're here." Plotz said in relief.
"Ralph, I need you to watch the door, Here's the guest list. Scratchensniff, follow me inside."
The two went in as the guard did his job.
As the guests began to sit down at their tables, the production crew was still setting up the stage which made plotz furious.
"You! Make sure those lights are ready!"
"You! Tell the chefs those appetizers better be done in 5 minutes!"
"And where is my host?!" He yelled.
Dr. Scratchensniff winced at the yelling. "It's nice to see you throwing the event for the Warners. He said warmly.
"I'm not doing this for them. Planning this party is the last thing I would ever do!" said the CEO coldly. "I was ordered by the chairman of the board to do this."
It's true, the chairman of the board wanted to thank the Warners after securing that billion dollar check from the foreign investors. You can imagine plotz's face when he was told.
"This night has to go perfect so I need you to keep an eye on the Warners." Plotz said sternly.
"Do not worry, they will be on their best behavior."
"I mean it Otto! Those kids are always causing chaos!"
"Yes sir I know, but they definitely will be on their best behavior."
"You gave me that same excuse before, well I'm having none of that tonight!" He said flustered. "My job is on the line tonight. I want no destruction, no shenanigans and no zaniness! Am I clear!?"
Dr. Scratchensniff was sweating, he gulped nervously. "Y-yes sir!" He said with a forceful smile. Plotz walked away to yell at the rest of the staff, he left scratchy by himself. However his assistant Hello nurse was nearby and she witnessed the interaction. "That wasn't very nice of him." She said.
"No but he's right though." Said Otto.
"How so? You always do your best."
"Even my best isn't enough to control those things." He said, referring to the Warners.
"They run amok around the studio, all the time, and every time that happens it is I who gets in trouble."
"Do you want any help?" She said nicely, clearly seeing how stressed he was about tonight. "Nonono, you're off duty tonight I'll handle it. You enjoy yourself."
"Heeeeelllllloooooo scratchy!" said three voices.
"It's too late for me."
With a second to spare, was tackled by Yakko, Wakko and Dot. They give him a big smooch on his cheeks.
"Mwah, Goodnight everybody!" said yakko, even though he knew what the author clearly meant. The Warners gasped in delight as they looked at everything around them.
"This place looks amazing!" said Yakko excitedly.
"It's faboo!" Wakko grinned."Look at the buffet."
"All of this is for us?" question Dot happily. She may have been excited earlier but it was still hard to believe. But there were black and white balloons. Everyone showed up all dressed and there was a banner that read: HAPPY 65TH ANNIVERSARY!
"Ja," answered Otto. "Let's go take our seats, children."
They went to their table and sat down which actually surprised Otto. Usually they would take it too literal and actually take their seats. Yakko, Wakko and Dot kept looking at everything in Awe.
"I can't believe how big this place is. Look at all the stars here." Dot said. "Look Mel Gibson here."
Dot she stood up and waves to the actor but he just looks at her and quickly walks away.
"Oh." Was all she could say before sitting back down slumping in her seat.
Yakko scoots his seat next to her.
"Aw don't worry about maybe he didn't see you. It's dark in here." He said to comfort her.
"Well it must be a blackout, cause he's not the only one." Dot retorted. She's right, the second they arrive no give them a second look. Even though they were the guests of honor. Sure they were used to it on the movie lot, but a hello would've been nice.
Otto couldn't believe it. Yakko, Wakko and Dot were talking and sitting still. There was no jumping around. No "hello nurses" from Yakko and wakko, no smooches coming from Dot. They were actually…..behaving.
"Hey Scratchy." Said Wakko. "Thanks for this surprise party."
"What makes you think I planned it?" He asked curiously.
"Well you are the only one who talks to us besides Ralph." Dot added.
"I know we get on your nerves but we do it cause we love ya." Yakko smiles.
"We're just glad you feel the same way scratchy."
The bald man didn't know what but he could only give a warm smile back.
Then the lights shut off.
This was the moment. The praise they have been waiting for so long. Dot was bouncing in her seat excitedly. Wakko felt like his heart was doing a little dance of joy in his chest. Yakko was glad that his siblings were so ecstatic. He didn't really care about the show as long as Wakko and Dot liked it, he went with it. (Well that and the award.)
Then the speakers turn on and a voice began to start the show:
"Live from Dorothy Chandelier Pavilion, it's the Warners brothers' and their sister, Dot's Sixty-fifth anniversary special.
Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Viza Mizzeli!"
"Uh oh, I was afraid of this." Said Yakko. After a dreadful dance (and 3 barf bags) it was over. The audience was clapping except for them.
"These people will clap at anything." Yakko said in disbelief.
At that moment Wakko had an idea. He jumped up onto the table.
"Hey everybody!" He yelled. "Wanna hear me play Yankee Doodle with my armpits?"
All he was greeted with silence and a few disgusted looks.
"Ahh, almost anything." Yakko said. Wakko quietly slid back down in his seat feeling down about people's reaction.
Apparently Ms. Mizzeli's dance number continues. Then finally it's over as the spotlight shines on the host as he walks over to the podium.
"This better be good." Yakko thoughted. Hopefully the host will light up his brother's spirit. Everyone claps and cheers for him. He taps the microphone.
"Hey, how about that dance number, Huh?" He said to the audience. "Wasn't that somethin'? That was wild."
The audience laughed while Yakko, Wakko and Dot Shook their heads.
"Hey, we're here to pay tribute to the Warners on their 65th anniversary. I wanna tell ya, don't they look great?" He said, reading off the cue cards. " Sixty-five years. Yeah, these kids make Dick Clark look like Abe Lincoln."
"Was that a joke? Am I missing something?" Yakko looked at Wakko and Dot for answers. They shrugged their shoulders. This was supposed to be a fun party for them. Not a roast so the audience could laugh at them.
"Yakko, Wakko and Dottie's story began way back in 1929." The Warners brothers eyes widened as they looked at their little sister as her eyes turned into flames.
Everybody knows Dot's trigger:
"Call me Dottie and you die." She gritted through her teeth. Dot stabs a fork on the table in anger.
"Not tonight sis." Yakko told her. "He's gonna be our special friend tomorrow."
That made Dot feel slightly better. But still felt upset, This night was not going the way they wanted it to.
It's as if they don't know Yakko,Wakko and Dot Very well. Or that they even wanted.
The video started as it showed clips of the studio way back in 1929. The camera pans in on the termite terrace animation building. The three began reminiscing when they first popped out the sketchbook:
—-
65 years earlier….
Yakko…. That was the first he knew, his name was Yakko Warner. Yakko was lying on the ground and he sat up and noticed 2 others that looked similar to him. They both had red noses, long ears. Black and white fur.
However they were shorter than Yakko. one had a pink skirt and a yellow flower scrunchie on it's ears.
"She must be a girl." thought Yakko. The other wore a red hat and a loose blue turtleneck sweater. They noticed Yakko.
"Who are you?" They said in unison. "I'm Yakko Warner, you two must be my siblings!"
"I'm Wakko Warner. What are siblings?" He asked.
"It means he's our brother." She said as she helped him up. "Hi, I'm Princess Angelina Louisa Cantessa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca the third."
"Can I call something shorter?"
"Like what?" She tilted her head in curiosity.
"What about Spot?" Wakko suggested. The girl frowns at the name.
"Blot?" Yakko added. Which made her more annoyed by it.
Then it hits them.
"What about Dot?" They suggested.
She thought about it and Dot liked it. "I'm Dot."
"we're the Warner brothers!" Yakko and Wakko said in unison.
"And I'm the Warner sister."
From then on that's how they meet and greet people. Yakko wrapped his arms around his newfound sibings.
"Come on sibs," Yakko announced. "We have places to go, friends to make, making memories along the way. live life to the zaniest! We laugh, we'll cry! We'll occasionally take a break, but then continue the adventure of a lifetime!" He spoke proudly.
"Wooow!" Dot said in amazement.
"Will there be lunch?" Asked Wakko.
"Of course." He replied. "Once we open that door the world is ours to explore."
With Yakko's words, Wakko and Dot were excited. Then they rushed out the door.
To start their adventure.
—-
The three smiled at the memories. There were laughs and they made new friends, Heloise Nerz, Ralph and of course Dr. Scratchensniff. They first got scratchy when they finally got out of the watertower. He has always been their favorite.
However, those thoughts stopped when this sentence knocked them out of the daydreaming.
"I look back on my days with Yakko, Wakko and Dot as the most miserable time of my life." Said the man on screen. It was Weed Memlo, the first (and most irritable) director The Warners ever met.
"That's our weed," Said Dot. "No matter how hard I tried to forget." She mutters as the video continues. It showed old clips of their old pal Buddy, along with old clips of their cartoon shorts. They of course were expecting this.
What they didn't expect was the commentary.
"Their first cartoon was the most bizarre thing I'd ever seen." Said Daffy Duck.
"It was the stupidest thing I've ever seen." Said Spartacus. "They were some kind of freaks!"
"It's not that we didn't get along." Weed commented. "How can I put this? I hate them."
"Back then if you were a chorus girl, Watch out for Yakko and Wakko!" Said one of the Page sisters.
"Dot was just as bad!" added Spartacus.
"For so- I say, for some reason they had a particular affinity for Jimmy Cagney. Called him their special friend." Said foghorn leghorn. "They drove the poor guy crazy."
This went on and on. And with every person, every comment, every single word.
Yakko, Wakko and Dot's ears drooped down and had a look on their face that would remind you of a sad puppy. Their comments hit them hard like trucks filled with bricks. But the trucks kept coming. How this one came from Thaddeus plotz.
"The Warners had single handedly brought this studio to a screeching halt! Something had to be done." He said angrily. So we captured them, and locked them in the water tower….
"What?" Said Yakko quietly with his eyes widened. Wakko and Dot gasped in shock.
…Never to be heard of again…. The Host clarified.
…Never to be heard of again….
Again…
Again…
Again…
Those words echoed in their heads. They were shocked as they watched the film showing them being locked in the water. They were having fun unaware of the door shutting.
"But I thought it was an accident." Wakko looked towards his brother. Yakko was at a loss; he couldn't believe what he heard. Dot's eyes started to water and her lip began quivering. She jumped off her chair and ran out the doors. Yakko and Wakko got up and chased after her. The audience didn't take no notice.
Yakko and Wakko ran outside and quickly looked around to see where she went.
"Look!" Wakko pointed to a trail of tears. Yakko kneeled down and licked part of the trail.
"Sweet with a hint of cuteness. That's our sister." Yakko and Wakko followed the trail.
"Poor Dot." Said Wakko."I can't believe they wanted to get rid of us this whole time. I thought they liked us."
"I know."
"This was supposed to be fun."
"I know."
"But they were so mean. I thought they were our friends. Why would they do that Yakko?"
Wakko notices Yakko wasn't saying anything. This had made him mad.
"Yakko!" Wakko said angrily. "They hate us! Why?!"
"I DON'T KNOW!" He yelled. "I just don't know."
He couldn't think about it now. He wanted to find his sister.
The trail of tears eventually leads to the watertower, Yakko and Wakko hear tiny whimpers echoing from inside. They slowly made their way up and inside where it was dark.
"Dot? Are you here?" asked Yakko.
"Go away." She was in her bed under the blanket. He walked over and sat down next to her. Dot peeks her head out the covers. Yakko didn't know what to say to her. He didn't know how to feel about it. All he could do was open his arms for her to hug. She rushed in and cried on his shoulder. Wakko's eyes began to water seeing his little sister cry and joined in the hug.
"I'm sorry this happened, Sibs." Yakko felt guilty. He felt betrayed by his friends. could he even call them that anymore?
"We were just having fun." Wakko said. "How do they not see that?"
"How did we not see it?" She said her ears dropped down.
"What do you mean sis?" Said Yakko.
"I don't know, just think about it." She said, They all really thought about it. Yakko didn't want to believe it but looking back it was always there. Why Ralph chases them, Plotz hatred towards them, their teacher Ms. Flamiel who tried to tear down their spirits.
"What about scratchy?" Said Wakko. "He wasn't in on it, was he?"
"He couldn't have been." Said dot with doubt in her voice. "Right Yakko?"
Yakko didn't know what to say. But began to look back all he did was yell at them. He always got mad when they didn't do things his way. Always kept asking questions on their feelings and what they were thinking.
"What was his job again?" asked Wakko.
"I think he was supposed to watch us." answer yakko.
"I know but didn't he have another job?"
"He is a P-sychiatrist, wakko." Dot reminded him.
Yakko gasped.
"What's wrong?!" She said worried.
"I just remembered what Psychiatrist meant in the dictionary. It's someone who helps people with mental illnesses."
"Illnesses? They think we're crazy." Dot said.
"So that's their problem, just because we have fun we're psychos." said wakko.
"No wonder no one wants us around."
Yakko looked at his siblings, this night had gone terrible. Their entire world had turned upside down. This was not the life he promised them. As his eyes wandered around the water tower. Their so-called home was supposed to be their prison.
Then an idea hit Yakko about what dot said.
"So?"
Wakko and Dot look confused at their brother.
"If no one wants us around. Then we won't stay around." Yakko gets up and grabs a backpack and begins packing a suitcase.
"What are you doing?" Asked Wakko.
"Pack your stuff sibs. We're leaving." He continued packing as put in his pillow and blanket.
"What are you talking about? we can't just leave!" She said,
"We can and we will! You heard the video, Dot!" He raised his voice. "They don't want us! They don't like us! We're freaks here! Because of that, I'm not gonna sleep somewhere I was to rot in.
"But where will we go?" Wakko wondered.
"Anywhere but here. The sooner we're gone, the better. So are you two packing or not?" He began tapping his foot impatiently.
"Remember what I said years ago? Well I'm cashing it in." He said with determination. "We are going to explore the world like I said. This time nothing will stop us or get in our way."
With those words, Wakko and Dot felt better and liked Yakko's idea. They began to pack and soon they were ready. They took one last look at the tower before heading out the door.
"Goodbye tower!" Said Wakko.
"You were a nice place to live, even though you weren't supposed to be." Dot added.
"You two ready?" Yakko asked with concern.
There was a pause and then they nodded. They opened the door and looked down on the lot. It was still empty since everyone was at the party. They slide down one of the support beams one by one. They walked up and out the gates of Warners brothers studio, not looking back, but instead looking towards the night sky which was filled with thousands of stars.
Yakko, Wakko and Dot could smile even though they were hurt and betrayed by their so-called friends, they will be fine as long as they have each other.
Unaware of the events that would change their lives forever.
But before I can tell you that story,
I have to tell you this story…..