February 10, 2006 6:00 am
In the heart of Toontown's Silly Symphony district, the smiling sun shined especially bright that morning. The sun's rays painted a heavenly glow over one particular blue castle, raised above the rest of the neighborhood by the shaken earth. However the sun quickly realized its mistake and swung its light over to the other blue castle on the hill; the one without hidden Mickeys on the spires.
While the sunlight leaked though closed curtains, two inkblot characters snoozed, wrapped in comforters and each other's loving arms. One of them, a rabbit, awoke and squinted from heavy sleep still weighing on his eyelids. He found his feline better half, resting her head so close to his. It was a joy to see her at every sunrise. Though this morning foggy thoughts of a day so different, so much brighter for both of them, floated on his mind. He wondered for a moment if it could have been real. Just one day, perhaps yesterday, he was the happiest toon in the world. Or could it all have been just a dream? Slowly the rabbit crawled out of the bed, doing his best not to disturb his sweetheart. He tip-toed to the window and slightly parted the curtains to peak through. What he beheld on the other side was a blinding flash of white light that pierced his eyes. In shock, he slapped a hand over his face and stumbled back. The rabbit summoned a pair of sunglasses from his hammerspace before retuning his gaze to the overbearing light. Grouchily, he yanked the curtains open, unlocked the glass shutters, and stuck his head out the window. A giant yellow orb, obstructing his view of anything else, met him with a jolly grin.
"Hey, Buddy! Back off a couple light-years, will ya?! You'll put someone's eye out!" Oswald raged. The sun gave an embarrassed expression and hovered far off into the animated sky. Oswald tiredly removed the shades from his eyes, and discarded them behind his back.
"Morning, Honey Bunny." Ortensia chimed. The rabbit's ears perked up at the sound of her voice. He looked back to the bed, finding the petite cat sitting upright and brushing her face with her paw.
"Sorry. Did I wake you?" Oswald apologized, shuffling to the bedside. Ortensia scooted over to the rabbit's side of the bed and nuzzled him nose to nose. Soon the cat nestled her way to the crook of his neck.
"Yes. But I'm not complaining." She purred. Oswald's eyes closed in bliss. He returned the affection with kisses along her cheek. The love-struck rabbit couldn't bring himself to do much more when she started purring like that. "What got you up so early?" Ortensia pondered.
"A dream." Oswald sighed. The cat unexpectedly parted from her husband, and caressed his face with both hands. She stared deeply into his eyes and smirked.
"Oh, Oswald. You're still walking on clouds from yesterday. I'm so glad to see you so happy again." Ortensia swooned. It took a moment for her words to register in Oswald's mind. Suddenly the rabbit bounded around the room, swinging his ears, and clicking his heels mid air.
"Whoo-hoo! It wasn't a dream!" He rejoiced. "I'm really back home!" Another joyous hop, and Oswald's feet didn't meet the floor. He glanced up, realizing that his spinning ears subconsciously made him take flight. The rabbit laughed at himself, and slowly lowered himself down. "That reminds me! We've gotta go help out Mickey!" Oswald recalled excitedly. In a flash, Oswald raced into his and Ortensia's walk-in closet for a fresh pair of shorts. However grateful as she was for their circumstances, Ortensia slipped out of bed with far less spring in her step than Oswald.
"Dear, they're probably not even awake yet." Ortensia cautioned, straightening her nightgown. At that moment the rabbit glided back into their bedroom, donning a pair of blue shorts.
"Then they'll sure be surprised to see us!" Oswald replied, striking a pose. "I'll get the kids ready." He declared, already skipping out the door. The ecstatic rabbit rushed down the dimly lit hall, navigating his way to two doors on his right. Upon one door, a black painted wooden 'F' ornament hung. Upon the opposite door, the same ornament hung, except upside down. Oswald opened the door which should have adorned an 'L', if not for his son's sense of humor. Once he flicked on the light, the bed's quilt moved with life to cover a small face. "Up and at 'em, Lloyd. We've got a big day ahead of us." Oswald urged. The only response he received was a tired moan, causing Oswald minor annoyance. Oswald thumped his foot in warning. Instantly a pair of rabbit ears poked out from underneath the quilt, followed by the kit's light brown face. His blue eyes squinted at the cruel ceiling lamp.
"Poppa, it's too early." Lloyd whined.
"I let you sleep in every morning. Today you owe me." Oswald remarked. "C'mon." He prompted. The kit sat up and kicked his feet over the side of the bed. Oswald stepped back into the hall. "Floyd?" Oswald called. The door with the upright 'F' opened, revealing Lloyd's equally baggy-eyed twin.
"I heard." Floyd moaned. Oswald patted his head.
"Wash up and hurry downstairs. You can eat breakfast at your uncle's house, but don't gorge yourselves. I need you two in top shape today. There's a lot of work to do before tonight." He lectured. Lloyd stumbled up to them, slouching against the door frame. "And don't pout, you two. You know how important this party is to me." Oswald reminded. The kits nodded in unison. With that settled, Oswald marched back the way he came, and turned left through an archway, into a large bonus room. It was dubbed the memory room by the family. Inside the three beige walls there was little more than a desk, a grand piano, and a fireman's pole. Hanging on the walls were black and white photographs of Oswald and his human family. All of which were enlarged, enhanced, and framed versions of the original snapshots Lillian Disney held onto for decades. On the desk were new framed pictures of Oswald's toon family. Despite Mickey's persistence to leave good and bad memories of Walt at hallowed places, such as his office or his gravesite, Oswald arranged the memory room in his home so he would face his past everyday. In time it made him stronger. Now the memories gave him hope, rather than sorrow. Beside Walt's image, the rabbit latched onto the fireman's pole, and zoomed down three floors.
His feet touched down in the dining room, adjacent to the kitchen. He dashed three rights and a left through the passageway, to the front lobby. The rabbit detected the clatter of four tiny feet running down wooden stairs. Oswald peeked up at the top of the stairwell that curved overhead. As he predicted, the boys were on their way down. Soon the twins, clothed in matching red overalls, approached side by side with a lengthy black dachshund cradled in their arms.
"Can we bring Doxie?" Lloyd pleaded. The dachshund's short tail whipped at Lloyd's elbow excitedly. Oswald held Doxie's pointed muzzle.
"What do you think, Doxie? Are you gonna dig up Minnie's garden again?" Oswald questioned teasingly.
"At least they gained a golf course." Floyd joked. Doxie wagged his tail faster in agreement. The black rabbit smiled weakly, and scratched Doxie's ears. He shouldn't have given in, but he loved to spoil that dog. The twins knowingly giggled. By then Ortensia strode into the lobby, dressed in her fuchsia skirt and hat.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, dear." Ortensia signaled. Oswald looked up at her in surprise.
"Oh, um. You didn't. Boys, go on ahead. Let Doxie burn off some energy." The rabbit fumbled. He stood aside for the kits and the dachshund to charge through the heavy wooden doors. Ortensia and Oswald linked arms and followed. Stepping outside, the joyous sun shined its rays directly on Oswald and Ortensia. Despite the early hour, the castle, lawn, winding paved pathway, fountain, and everything else in sight was painted in mid-day colors. Contently, the couple strolled on their way into their strange and vibrant world.
"It will be nice to see the whole family again." Ortensia commented, leaning into Oswald's side.
"Yeah. Until I have to explain to the human press how I'm related to all the mice." Oswald laughed. He could see the headlines now: 'MICKEY MOUSE HAS RABBIT BROTHER / WHO KNEW?'
"And the cats." Ortensia added. The rabbit pondered the odd statement. If anyone was going to have questions about his unusual family, they would speak of the rabbit's mouse brother, mouse sister, and mice nephews and niece. Interspecies marriages were nothing new in Toontown. So why would anyone raise an eyebrow to Ortensia? She was the only cat in his intermediate fam- 'Oh, no!' Oswald realized. 'Not him!'
"You invited Homer?" Oswald groaned.
"It's his party too, Oswald. Don't forget this night's not just about you." She chastised. It was true. The Walt Disney Company not only gained back the rabbit and his twenty-six shorts, but the rights to every side character in said shorts. Thus the party would techically be held in honor of Oswald, Ortensia, Fanny Cottontail, Pete Bear, Toby Bear, J.P. Whiskers, and even Ortensia's rotten little brother, Homer Cat. Still Oswald couldn't stand the thought of Homer stealing the spotlight just to spite him, which the cat was known to do. "Just promise me you won't cause a scene with him." Ortensia said.
"I never do. He's the one who likes to get things started." Oswald objected. 'Not that you ever notice.' He grumbled mentally.
"Promise me." She persisted. The rabbit scowled.
"Yeah, I promise." He muttered. In no time they crossed the T shaped road which divided their castle from the neighbors' identical castle. Upon the oval front steps, the twins pushed open the giant entryway.
"Boys, at least knock first!" Ortensia cried in embarrassment, just before the kits invited themselves inside. As if the twins' second-rate manners weren't bad enough, Doxie ran circles around their heels and barked a long series of high pitched yaps. Oswald shrugged the behavior off.
"We were going to wake them up early anyway." He assured Ortensia. "Besides, Mickey always told me to never be a stranger." The rabbit took heavy strides into the castle like he owned the place. Ortensia accompanied him, but meekly kept her head down. However the instant they stepped into the lobby Oswald tipped her chin up, and pointed to the ceiling.
"Oh my." Ortensia breathed. From corner to corner, the high ceiling was packed with dark blue, black, and gold balloons. Gold and white stings spiraled down four feet, but were still suspended high and out of reach. A white banner sprinkled in silver stars stretched over the main corridor, reading Welcome Home OSWALD. Around the lobby three signs made from scene markers directed guests where to go. There were undoubtedly dozens more set up in the castle. Up the stairwell, a wide filmstrip themed ribbon weaved through the posts. Oswald's eyes followed the ribbon up to the top of the stairs, where he spotted Minnie tiptoeing down. She wore the same clothes she wore yesterday and leaned heavily on the railing.
"Morning, Minnie. Is Mickey up yet?" Oswald asked.
"Actually he's not here..." She yawned. A loud crash of pots and pans echoed from the kitchen. The doe mouse didn't even blink at the commotion. "But I see everyone else is." Minnie noted flatly.
"I'll go check on them." Oswald whispered in Ortensia's ear. The rabbit scooted off to the kitchen where he knew he'd find the twins. Before Minnie made it much farther down the steps, Ortensia ran to her side.
"Minnie, you look exhausted." Ortensia exclaimed.
"We've been up all night decorating." Minnie explained. The cat gasped in amazement.
"Minnie, you're a life saver. How will we ever repay you for all of this?" Ortensia queried.
"Just promise me next time we throw you a party, we'll plan more than two days in advanced." Minnie yawned. Ortensia's ears fell back slightly.
"I'm sorry we put so much weight on your shoulders." The cat apologized. "I tried to tell Oswald we should wait until next weekend." She justified.
"Oh, it's nothing to worry about. It's been a pleasure helping you two." Minnie insisted. She yawned once more, before continuing on. "Besides, the trade yesterday made Mickey so happy. I don't think he or Oswald could bare to wait a week to celebrate." Without warning a charging long-eared dog plowed the doors open. The golden hound, wearing a black harness linked to a platform cart, towed in a mountain of cardboard boxes. His musher rode in, clinging to the cart's handle. One foot balanced on the cart, and the other kicked off the ground. Breaking through the doors hardly slowed them down. But the musher realized too late that they had run out of track. The dog yelped and took a sharp right. The platform cart however kept its steady course, being unfit to turn on a dime, and rammed straight into the wall. Minnie covered her eyes. The mountain of boxes buried the musher and dog, only for the two to poke their heads out a second later, completely unscathed.
"Whoa! Hm-ha! Sorry, Pluto." Mickey laughed off. In turn, Pluto wrinkled his snout at the mouse. Ortensia and Minnie hurried down the steps to assess the damage.
"Are you two alright?" Ortensia inquired.
"Oh, hiya Ortensia. We're okay." Mickey answered as he crawled out of the wreckage.
"Find everything okay, Mickey?" Minnie asked, giving him a hand. Mickey nodded.
"It wasn't easy. But it's all here." He confirmed. Pluto sat and gnawed at the cord attached to his harness just above his tail. Minnie unhooked him, setting the dog free. The dog tried stomping away, holding his nose and tail high. But he quickly caught the scent of Oswald, and forgot his grudge. Then the rabbit returned to the lobby with his own hound at his heels, to investigate the commotion.
"Whatever that was, it wasn't Doxie." Oswald announced to the girls. Suddenly Pluto was on the rabbit in a flash. His front paws flew to Oswald's shoulders, so he could lap at the rabbit's face. Standing on his hind legs, Pluto was taller than Oswald. So it didn't take much for the dog to knock him down. Doxie curved his long body out of the way before his master fell on him. As Pluto relentlessly licked and pawed at the rabbit, Oswald surprisingly didn't express any hostility or disgust. Instead he laughed and roughly scratched Pluto's ears and forehead. Keeping his hands on Pluto's face, Oswald almost effectively shielded his face, though Pluto still swiped a few slobbery kisses.
"Hey, Pluto! Did ya miss me?" Oswald beamed. Pluto howled in short spurts. "I know, it's been a whole day!" The rabbit sympathized, pretending to understand him. But just as soon as Pluto latched on, Doxie drove him off. His shrill barking repelled Pluto. Mickey made his way over to Pluto, lightly patting him away from Doxie. Pluto got the message and backed off. The dachshund held his ground until Oswald sprang to his feet again.
"Hiya, Oswald." Mickey greeted.
"Fancy meeting you here, Brother." Oswald said, wearing a wide smile. "The place looks great by the way." He added.
"Aw, thanks." Mickey received. The mouse curiously analyzed Oswald's movements from just a moment ago. His ears curved over his forehead and bounced with his every body gesture; contrary to how he usually held them so stiff and straight. His animation was so fluid today. "Are you okay?" Mickey wondered.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Oswald questioned, still grinning. As an afterthought, his ears waved toward his welcome banner. "Really, why wouldn't I be?"
"Gee, I don't know. It just seems like something's changed about you. You're... glowing." Mickey described. The rabbit gave his welcome banner a long, quiet look. His expression fell blank.
"Ortensia noticed that too." Oswald sighed thoughtfully. "Y'know I spent seventy-eight years and three days away from home? It's crazy to think I'm here now." He reflected.
"You were always at home with us." Mickey comforted. "And we're all glad you're here."
"I know." The rabbit stated. His smile slowly returned as he looked to Mickey. "You need any help with those boxes?" Oswald distracted. Mickey felt a sense of whiplash when he remembered the scattered boxes and overturned platform car.
"Oh, right! C'mon! I've got lots ta show ya!" Mickey exclaimed.
February 10, 2006 6:48 am
Back at Bugs Bunny's residence, starting the day took a completely different procedure. Clyde wandered into the orange kitchen, still wearing his blue nightshirt. The blue-eyed bunny scooted a bar stool up to the kitchen counter so he could reach the waffle maker. Clyde was always first to rise in the morning. Though Bugs always came in close second. Like clockwork, the guardian rabbit walked in the kitchen the second Clyde topped his plate with a third waffle. Behind him, Clyde heard the tell tale signs that Bugs was awake; namely the humming of the opened fridge, the squeak of the pantry door, and the shaking of the cereal box.
"Morning, Clyde." Bugs spoke, setting the milk carton and Trix cereal box next to Clyde's plate. Clyde finally raised his head to smile at Bugs. "Da Warners ain't up yet?" Bugs assumed, whilst he filled a bowl.
"They're never up this early." Clyde reminded.
"Yeah. For insomniacs, dey sure can sleep like logs." Bugs remarked bitterly.
"Insomniacs?" Clyde echoed. Bugs picked up his cereal bowl, and nodded toward the island and bar stools. His nephew eagerly followed, and took a seat beside him. Even though the youthful rabbit retained a childish and naïve state of mind for over fifty years, Clyde had the smarts to know when he and his uncle were about to discuss something serious.
"Remember how deathly quiet those t'ree were at dinnah last night?" Bugs began. "Well I asked da boys what was wrong, and dey nearly jumped outta der' pelts in fright. Den Yakko tried ta blame der' skittish noives on stress n' insomnia." The rabbit went on.
"Maybe they really are stressed over something?" Clyde implied.
"Dat's what worries me." Bugs admitted. "I know Yakko lied t'rough his teeth ta me. And if th' Warners won't be straight wit' me, den somethin' must be wrong. If I know those kids, and I do, they're either in trouble or lookin' for it." He hypothesized.
"What are you gonna do?" Clyde questioned.
"Well for starters, you can do me a favor n' keep a sharp eye on 'em while I'm gone t'day." Bugs requested. "Then I'll take it from der'. Alright?" Clyde seemed unsure, but complied with a promising nod. Bugs patted Clyde's head gratefully. "I know I can always count on you." Bugs praised. Suddenly Bugs' hammerspace pocket on his right hip buzzed. He pulled his cell phone from the invisible pocket in his fur coat, and held it to his ear.
"What's up, Doc?" Bugs inquired out of habit.
"Hello, Bugs. It's me. Can we talk for a minute?" A sultry voice cooed over the phone. Bugs' last memory of that voice shot him straight through the heart.
July 17, 1995 10:34 am
Bugs felt claustrophobic in his own dressing room, for once. It broke his heart to witness his ex girlfriend, whom he held no malice toward, silently criticize herself to tears. The fem bunny sat at Bugs' vanity mirror, glaring at her own reflection. Tears trickled down her face, and dropped on her crimson leotard. She unclipped her red bow from between her ears, and dropped it to the floor in defeat.
"Maybe dis is a blessing in disguise?" Bugs suggested hopefully. He stooped to retrieve her bow.
"Bugs, I thought I was doing so well." Daisy Lou wept. Bugs placed the red barrette on the table under the mirror. Then he returned to his post behind Daisy Lou, massaging her shoulders reassuringly. "I answer their beck and call. I do everything they ask of me for two months..." Daisy Lou carried on. Her glare intensified towards the glass. "Only so they can say I am too ugly to play the part." Bugs jolted back with a start.
"You know dat's not true!" Bugs objected. "No one's calling ya ugly, doll. They just decided dey want a different look." Daisy Lou shot a glare at him. Bugs clenched his teeth to stop himself from saying anything worse. Wiping her elbow length gloves along her eyes, Daisy Lou regretted giving Bugs such a look. He couldn't be blamed. What happened today was out of his hands.
"I should've stood up for myself. I should've given them a piece of my mind." Daisy Lou sniveled.
"Believe me. I'd love ta hear dat." Bugs smiled. "But you'd be wastin' yer breath." He conceded. "Not'ing gets t'rough to these maroons. I've tried, Daffy's tried, Chuck's tried. We'd have bettah luck screamin' at a brick wall." As Bugs knelt at Daisy Lou's side, he gently tipped her chin away from the mirror. He needed her to look at him, not just his reflection, and believe the truth.
"Listen, Daisy." Bugs addressed. "Dose casting directors obviously don't know a rabbit fashion model when dey see one. And if dey're too soft-brained ta tell two grey rabbits apart, den dat's no fault o' yours. Don't let it get ya down. I know you're beautiful." He soothed. Graciously, Daisy Lou bowed her head to kiss her ex boyfriend. Bugs heatedly kissed back. The doe's hands latched on Bugs' waist, pulling him onto the chair with her. Without breaking their kiss, the rabbits shifted their bodies so the doe straddled the buck's lap.
"Say that again." Daisy Lou requested. The tip of her ear combed over Bugs' forehead.
"I know you're beautiful." Bugs obeyed. "Eh, come ovah ta my place, and I'll prove it to ya." He flirted with two clicks of his tongue.
"Oh, Bugs." Daisy Lou swooned. Contently the rabbit held each other in blissful silence. Little did Bugs anticipate how far their trains of thought traveled in different directions.
"We had some good times." Bugs reminisced of his past love.
"Yes." Daisy Lou agreed softly. "It's been a pleasure, spending time with you again." The resignation was hidden well in her voice. Bugs looked deep into Daisy Lou's blue eyes.
"I t'ink it's time we..." He began.
"Picked up where we left off?" She offered. Bugs smirked.
"If memory soives, we left off with-" Bugs trailed off, leaning in for another kiss. But the kiss was halted by a dainty gloved hand.
"Goodbye." Daisy Lou interrupted. Bugs' ears laid back worriedly. One stare, and Bugs knew she wasn't kidding.
"You're leavin'? Daisy, you don't mean dat! Why?" The buck uttered in puzzlement. Daisy Lou retreated from his embrace, standing up.
"Because you'll have to kiss her." She explained. Her voice raised the more she imagined the inevitable. "You'll have to treat her well, be with her all the time, and tell the press how in love you both are."
"Who?!" Bugs demanded, absolutely confused.
"My replacement, whoever she'll be." Daisy Lou answered. An awkward pause settled between them. Once he finally comprehended what Daisy Lou implied, Bugs nearly laughed at her.
"Sure, but it won't mean a thing. I am a professional ac-tor, afta' all. I'll just do it for da camera, and dat'll be dat. You and I can still have something." Bugs reasoned. Daisy Lou turned her back to him.
"You won't be so sure of yourself once you meet your new girlfriend." She doubted.
"Now wait just a cotton pickin' minute!" Bugs objected. The accusation hit him hard. Still not looking at him, Daisy Lou heard a crash behind her. She spun around, to find the chair turned over, but no sign of Bugs. Getting an eerie feeling, Daisy Lou looked behind her once more, to discover Bugs did a jump cut up to her face. "I am not havin' dis conversation wit' the back of yer head." Bugs justified before unleashing his rant. "Now just because I've a long track record, it don't mean I can't be faithful! I don't date just any dame th' studio t'rows at me! And I don't dump dames at da drop of a hat! Especially when th' studio drops said hat! Even if I did, I couldn't date a yearling toon at my age! It'd be morally wrong!" Bugs yelled. Taking her hands, he calmed himself. "I only want you, Daisy Lou." Bugs proclaimed.
"You know I'm not the kind of girl who waits on a man. So when you kiss your leading lady on the court, don't look for me in the bleachers, waiting for my turn." Daisy huffed. Bugs' nose twitched nervously. This never happened before. Daisy was never jealous of other damsels Bugs simply eyed in the past. That's why he liked her so much. She never kept him chained down. Why was this time so different? Why didn't she trust him to be true?"
"Daisy, don't do dis." Bugs pleaded, tightening his hold on her hands. "You've always been my best goil! Honest and truly!" Daisy Lou shook her hands out of Bugs' grip. She dashed to the exit, hardly getting her words out before the door slammed behind her.
"Sorry, Bugs. Maybe some other time when you're free."
February 10, 2006 6:51 am
"Daisy Lou." Bugs gaped. It took all of his strength not to let the phone slip from his hand. Clyde's pupils stretched in surprise. "Yeah, I've got time." The elder rabbit recovered.
"Listen, I didn't like the way we left things years ago." Daisy Lou confessed.
"You're tellin' me." Bugs scoffed.
"I know. I was in the wrong, and I'm so sorry." Daisy Lou apologized. Bugs listened intently. After their estrangement, he always had a hunch she would come back someday. Though he never expected her to come back with an apology. "I'm sorry for how I acted, Bugs. I shouldn't have questioned your integrity."
"You don't have ta say anyt'ing more, Daisy. There's just one t'ing I wanna know. What made ya call?" Bugs suspected. He heard her breathe a hint of a sob.
"I called because I need you." Daisy Lou replied steadily. For a few seconds, Bugs contemplated that choked cry she made. No matter how subtle, it wouldn't leave his thoughts. His mind painted vivid possibilities of her situation. None of which looked good.
"What happened?" Bugs coaxed.
"It doesn't matter now." Daisy Lou blocked. "I just need to see you."
"If you t'ink you can just walk back inta my life afta all dis time..." Bugs groaned. "you'd be exactly right. I've missed ya, doll." He teased. Daisy Lou giggled at him, which he was all too glad to hear.
"Be my valentine?" She proposed.
"Why wait? I'll take ya out tonight." Bugs decided. "Besides, I wanna be da Fuddster's valentine dis year."
"How thoughtful of you. As long as you still have room in your heart for your best girl." Daisy played along.
"I always do, sweetheart." Bugs vowed. The rabbits planned a time and place to rendezvous. Or more Daisy Lou planned, and Bugs listened. Gradually the reality of the moment dawned on Bugs. His face heated. His heart pounded in his ears for the girl and the memories of her, he put on a shelf. What was he thinking, letting her go almost eleven years ago? Soon the rabbits said their short farewells. Bugs hung up the phone.
"You've got a date, Uncle Bugs." Clyde perceived. Without meeting his nephew's eyes, Bugs consumed his cereal in one big gulp.
"T'ink I'll go for a jog before da limo gets here." Bugs hastily excused himself before the air over his head could sprout red hearts.