Pinocchio and Jiminy spent the weekend preparing Annabelle for her first day of school and teaching her more about life. She had been alive for four days now and was adapting quite well to the world around her. Jiminy was proud of her progress throughout the weekend feeling like he had learned a lot himself about Annabelle's personality. She even helped Pinocchio in the workshop when he was busy building new things to put on sale. Whenever people came to the shop to buy a toy for their child or have Pinocchio repair a clock or music box, Annabelle would greet them politely, and play with some of the children. Pinocchio was so proud of his wooden daughter and what a fast learner she was. Around eight o'clock, he decided to put her to bed early so she would be ready for her first day of school in the morning. He had fixed up his old bedroom and made it more suitable for her. The walls and ceiling were painted pink and white, and the bed had a new blue blanket with star patterns on it. Annabelle put on her nightgown and climbed into bed with little Figgy beside her.
"Now Annabelle I want you in bed by this time every school night now, because you'll be going to school early in the mornings, okay?" Pinocchio said as he tucked her in.
"Okay Daddy," Annabelle replied. "Will I have fun at school tomorrow?"
"You sure will sweetheart. Now you lay down and go to sleep, little lady." Pinocchio was about to walk out of the room when Annabelle sat up again.
"Hey, Daddy?" Annabelle said.
"Yes, Annabelle?" Pinocchio answered.
"I think you're the best daddy in the world! And I love you." Pinocchio felt a warm and tender feeling in his heart when she said this. It was unconditional love. A feeling he hadn't felt since his father passed away. He sat on the edge of the bed and hugged her close.
"I love you too my little wooden princess." He kissed her goodnight and shed laid back down. As soon as she fell asleep, Pinocchio went downstairs to the living room and sat down next to Jiminy. Figaro hopped onto the sofa and curled on his lap. Pinocchio gently rubbed his hand across the old cats back and Figaro started to purr.
"I wish my father could see me now, Jiminy," Pinocchio said to his little friend.
"I'm sure he'd be very proud of you Pinoke, cause I sure am. After all the crazy adventures we had together you've become a very responsible young man. I'm sure Annabelle will be a responsible young woman one day too."
"I hope so, Jiminy," Pinocchio said hopefully.
The next morning, Pinocchio got Annabelle up bright and early and made breakfast then started getting her ready for her first day of school. Annabelle heard laughter outside and looked out the window to see all the village children hurrying along to school.
"Where are all those children going, Daddy?" Annabelle asked pointing out the window.
"Those are your schoolmates, Annabelle. Now let's get you ready so you can join them." Pinocchio made Annabelle a little backpack and packed her a peanut butter sandwich and a banana for lunch. He then handed a purple ABC book and a shiny red apple to give to the teacher. When she was ready, he opened the door and walked her outside. "Now Annabelle you behave yourself and listen to what your teacher says, understand?"
"Yes, daddy I will," Annabelle nodded. She was about to run off when Pinocchio stopped her.
"Wait, Annabelle! One more thing! Whatever you do, don't talk to any strangers on the way!" He warned her remembering what happened when he first went to school and was misled by two swindlers.
"Okay, Daddy, I won't." Annabelle gave Pinocchio a hug and kiss and started skipping merrily away. Figgy came out and attempted to follow her, but Figaro came running after and stopped her by laying his paw on her tail.
"Where do you think you're going, Missy?" Figaro said to the anxious little kitten.
"I want to go to school with Annabelle!" Figgy replied struggling to get free and follow the puppet girl but Figaro shook his head.
"You can't go! School is not for animals like us! You're staying home!" Figaro then picked the kitten up by the neck and carried her back inside the house.
"Bye, Daddy!" Annabelle turned around and waved as she danced away.
"Goodbye, princess! Have a good day!" Pinocchio waved back and watched her disappear around the corner. Just then he felt like something was missing. "Wait a sec, where's Jiminy?" As fast as the words escaped his mouth, Jiminy came outside and hopped onto his shoulder.
"I overslept Pinoke! Did Annabelle leave yet?" he asked.
"You just missed her Jiminy!" Jiminy had an unsettling feeling that Annabelle wouldn't make it to school.
"I'd better follow her and make sure she doesn't stray off like you did," Jiminy stated.
"Yes, good idea. I wouldn't want her to get into a similar situation like mine from years ago. But if something happens and she doesn't listen to you then come back and get me. Don't go after her yourself."
"Will do Pinoke. See ya later!" Jiminy replied and hopped away to catch up with Annabelle.
"Maybe I'm getting paranoid over this," said Pinocchio to himself as Jiminy disappeared. "She might be ok. I hope."
But little did Pinocchio know that farther away in the town, two shady looking characters were making their way through the streets. One was a tall and slender fox with a cream face and muzzle. He was wearing an old beige top hat with a light gray band, a beige vest, teal stirrup pants, cream gloves, a blue and red cape with a gold brooch and was carrying a black walking cane. The other was a short brown cat with a tan face and neck and a cream muzzle. He was wearing a dirty light purple shirt, yellow cape with a gold clasp, white opera gloves, purple pants, and an old gray top hat. It was Honest John and his dim-witted partner Gideon. The cons walked through the town carrying stacks of papers and were hanging them on the walls. They were posters advertising the return of the old gypsy puppet master Stromboli whom they sold Pinocchio to when he was a puppet.
"I still can't believe we have to work for that old geezer!" Honest grumbled putting up one of the posters. "All because Pinocchio escaped him all those years ago now we have to pay him back! Whose idea was it to sell him to that old gypsy?" He looked at his partner who was carrying the stacks of posters and the cat pointed his finger at him. "Of course it was mine! Do you think I'm stupid?" He yelled at furiously him and the cat shook his head in reply. "We've got to find some way to pay our debt or Stromboli might make us work for him forever!" As Honest pondered how to get himself and his friend out of their predicament, Annabelle came dancing down the road and passed by them.
"A little wooden girl! How lovely," he said casually continuing along trying to think. He then suddenly realized what had just passed by and did a sharp turn. "A WOODEN GIRL!?" He grabbed Gideon's arm making him drop the posters and ran after Annabelle. They ducked behind a corner and poked their heads out.
"Look Giddy! It's a living marionette just like Pinocchio!" They watched her skipping merrily away and soon Honest got an idea. "That's it! That's just what we need to get ourselves out of this mess!" Gideon scratched his head in confusion. "You brainless fool! If we bring that puppet girl to Stromboli, then our debt will be cleared, and we'll be free again!" Gideon smiled with delight thinking of what he could be doing with his life after they could be let loose. "Now come on! Let's get ahead of her!" Gideon followed Honest after Annabelle. The greedy fox and cat managed to get ahead without her seeing them. They hid behind a corner, peeked out and saw her approaching.
"Okay Giddy, here's the pl-" But before he could explain, he noticed that his partner was holding up his wooden hammer to strike Annabelle as she came around. "No no no you idiot!" He growled and quickly snatched the hammer from him. "We'll do this the same way we fooled Pinocchio! If she's anything like him, then she should be pretty gullible. Go it?" Gideon nodded his head and went along with his partner's plan. "Shh...Here she comes!" Honest put his plan into action. He pretended to be speaking to Gideon casually and right as Annabelle came around he stuck out his walking cane causing her to trip over it and fall to the ground.
"Whoa!" Annabelle shouted as she fell with the sound of wood clattering. She dropped her book, and her apple rolled away.
"Oh, my goodness how clumsy of me! I'm so sorry little girl! Are you hurt at all?" Honest picked her up and placed back on her feet. Gideon meanwhile grabbed her book and apple.
"I'm okay Mister," she replied brushing the dirt off from her skirt. Gideon handed her book and apple to Honest.
"I'm terribly sorry my dear! I was just talking to my friend here, and I didn't see you coming! I hope you can forgive me." He apologized and handed over her book and apple.
"That's okay Mister. I have to go now. Bye!" Annabelle started walking away, but Honest grabbed her shoulder.
"Hold on there little wooden lady! May we have a word with you first?" Annabelle turned around and looked at him.
"I'm sorry mister, but my daddy said not to talk to strangers!" She informed him.
"Is that so? And who is your daddy?" Honest inquired.
"Mister Pinocchio the toymaker," she answered.
"Ah-ha! I thought your face looked familiar!" Honest lean closer and realized how much her face resembled her dad's. This meant Pinocchio had escaped the Pleasure island and The Coachmen. "So you're Pinocchio's child, eh? The boy must have somehow grown up! Then I assure you we're no strangers, my dear! We're old friends of your father, right Giddy?" The cat smiled and tipped his hat. "The name's J. Worthington Fowl Fellow, but you may call me Honest John. And this silent buffoon here is my good friend Gideon."
"My name is Annabelle. It's very nice to meet you both. But I don't have time to talk now. I have to get to school, or I'll be late." Annabelle attempted to leave, but Honest stopped her again.
"School eh? Well then I suppose you haven't heard about the easy road to success?" he said telling her the same thing he told her father.
"Huh? No, what's that?" Annabelle asked curiously.
"I'm talking about the theater, my dear! Bright lights, music and lots of people cheering for you! Your father used to be a star performer singing and dancing and having the time of his life back in the old days. And with your looks and talent, you could be a famous actor just like him."
"Wow! Do you really think so?" Annabelle's curiosity grew as the Fox told her about the theater.
"Of course! You could be more famous then Pinocchio was! So what do you say, Miss Annabelle?" Annabelle was intrigued by this but then remembered where she was supposed to be.
"Hmm, It does sound fun but no thanks. I want to go to school and make daddy proud of me." Honest realized his efforts to persuade Pinocchio's daughter wasn't working. So he decided to try a different approach.
"Well then perhaps you could help out your father's old friend Mister Stromboli. Now that he's getting older he's been feeling sad and less motivated to do his puppet shows anymore because it's not as popular since your father stopped performing for him."
"Aw, that sounds awful!" Annabelle said believing his story.
"But if you performed for his show and helped him out, then I'm sure he would feel happy again, and your father would appreciate you helping his old friend."
"Hmmm...Okay!" Annabelle finally gave in. "I'll go then! I'll do anything to help my daddy's friend!"
"Splendid! Stromboli will be very pleased to have you perform and rekindle his spirit. Now if you'll follow us, we'll take you to meet him." Having persuaded Annabelle, the two swindlers began leading her away from school and towards Stromboli's theater. Meanwhile, Jiminy was hurrying along trying to catch up with Annabelle to make sure she made it to school safely, but he still couldn't find her.
"I hope that kid made it to school without getting distracted," he said to himself. Just then he stopped when he saw two figures approaching. As they got closer, he realized it was Honest John and Gideon and hid behind a corner as they passed by. "It's those two crooks again! What are they..." But when he saw they were walking with Annabelle, he started to panic. "Oh no! I knew this would happen! I've got to get Annabelle away from those guys!" He hopped after them and managed to get ahead. He didn't want to be seen because he knew if he revealed himself then Gideon might try and smash him with his hammer again. "I've got to distract them somehow so I can get Annabelle away from them! But how?" He looked around and noticed that someone had laid a basket of dirty clothing on a window and got an idea. He hopped onto the ledge which was held up by a pin and as Annabelle and the cons approached he pulled the pin and the platform collapsed. The dirty laundry basket fell on Honest and covered him with dirty clothes.
"What's the meaning of this!?" he shouted struggling to free himself from being buried under an avalanche of clothes. "Gideon! Get me out of this!" While Gideon attempted to free his comrade, Jiminy hopped down and landed on Annabelle's hat.
"Psst! Annabelle!" He whispered.
"Huh? Who said that?" she looked around but didn't see anyone.
"It's me!" Jiminy said hopping onto her nose.
"Oh! Hi, Jiminy! What are you doing here?"
"Let's talk somewhere private." He led her away as Gideon helped Honest John out of the dirty laundry pile. They hid behind a brick wall and made sure they were not followed.
"What do you want to talk about Jiminy?" Annabelle asked him.
"I want to know what you're doing with those two crooks. And why aren't you in school?" He asked with an angry frown and folded his arms over his chest.
"Mr. Honest John asked me to go to the theater to help daddy's friend Mr. Stromboli because he's sad and doesn't want to do his shows anymore." She explained.
"Annabelle! Don't you believe a word those goons tell you! They're just trying to mislead you like they did your father when he was a puppet. Stromboli is a greedy and evil man. And besides, you're supposed to be at school!"
"But Jiminy I..."
"No buts, young lady! You tell go them you're not going to the theater and that you're going to school! But be nice about it." Annabelle did as she was told and went back to where Honest and his partner were looking for her after being freed from the dirty laundry. Jiminy watched her talking to them and hoped she would do the right thing and return to him.
"Good-Bye, Jiminy!" She waved and started walking away with them again.
"What!?" Jiminy shouted in surprise. "Annabelle! You come back here this minute!" But it was too late. Annabelle had walked away with them. "Here we go again! That kid is just like her father. I'd better go tell Pinoke." Fearing Annabelle was walking straight into trouble, he ran back to the house to get Pinocchio.
End of Chapter 5.