Chapter 8: A New Plan
So it seemed that the Peanuts gang had finally gotten a head start on their attempt to pay the bank their debit by midnight on Christmas Eve,thanks to Linus taking a small job that required him to be a neighborhood manager for the day in the place of the kid who normally did it since he was sick,he had managed to make them a little bit of money to start off their steady climb with. Unfortunately however it wasn't that much money that Linus managed to earn all things considered,because when he finally opened the envelope that contained his pay the next morning all he earned was around twenty bucks,it wasn't even a quarter of what they needed. And to make things even worse,the job that Linus ended up taking just so happened to be the only job available at the moment,there were no other jobs available that he and the others could take,they were literally stuck.
Aside from Linus and Lucy,the rest of the gang was once again at the frozen pond and they were all doing their own thing in an attempt to have themselves some fun during their winter vacation,even in the face of possible homelessness in two weeks time they still tried to not dwell on it too much during the day and think mostly positive,something that anyone would find rather commendable when faced with such a hard ship.
Peppermint Patty was busy trying to lead a black hockey puck into the small goalie they brought out from one of their garages and enthusiastically wondered while she did so "You know I'm wondering how much money Linus managed to make yesterday with that job of his. I'm guessing he may have made at least a hundred dollars cash." before she smacked the hockey puck into the other team's goalie and continued "The mere thought of making that much money makes me wanna get a job right now,and that's saying something."
Shermy and the others on the other hand were a lot more cautious and down to earth about the whole situation as the former nonchalantly disagreed while he built a small snowman "I don't know Patty,I think we should keep our expectations low. It was only one job that Linus took remember?" before Violet added in agreement while she made snow angles with Patty Swanson "Besides who could even make a hundred bucks just from sitting around and essentially being a neighborhood guidance counselor for the day? Maybe someone in Wonderland can."
"Well then again theme park mascots only have to stand around and wave their hands in a costume all day,and those guys make money by the truckload." Pig-Pen suddenly joined in on the conversation and provided a counterpoint to Violet's before Scheroder added with a hint of concern and worry while he made a small piano made out of snow "Well I'm more concerned about what we'll do if the money Linus got isn't enough,didn't Marcie say that there was only one flyer at the library?"
"Yes indeed Scheroder,it was the only flyer available and it doesn't look like they'll be updating the job table anytime soon." Marcie nodded her head and regretfully confirmed that Scherodrer was right while she read one of her many books on a tree stump as Snoopy exclaimed in disappointment "Blahhhh!" before Charlie Brown tried to lighten up the mood "Well a lot can happen in two weeks,maybe they'll have some more flyers up and about any day now."
"Hey everyone." The voice of Linus suddenly joined in on the conversation in a somber tone of voice as everyone turned to the left to see the boy and Lucy slowly walking towards them to which Peppermint Patty anxiously asked "Hey there you two,how was your pay Linus?" before Lucy angrily answered her question "We got nothing! Only twenty bucks,what a rip!" while Peppermint Patty fiercely replied while she got off the ice "What?! Twenty bucks?! That's chump change for what we need."
"Oh boy,this is not good." Sally facepalmed and timidly whimpered with worry as Snoopy started crying into the snow while Ed got down on his knees and shouted into the heavens in anguish "Why has Pappa Duffy's tooth forsaken me?! Why?!" before Violet sat up from the snow and angrily tried to hammer her prediction in "See what'd I'd tell y'all? We weren't gonna make that much money anyway from just sitting around and talking to people." to which Franklin sighed and somberly agreed "I guess you were right Violet,the only way we'll make this kind of money is if we were Broadway stars."
Immediately after Franklin said that,Charlie Brown suddenly felt a huge light bulb go off in his head and his eyes widened like he had just had an epiphany,that could have only meant that he came up with some sort of idea as he slowly turned towards Franklin and requested "Franklin…...say that again?" to which Snoopy and Ed stopped their obnoxious crying and slowly turned towards Franklin and Charlie Brown along with the others.
Franklin was of course taken aback by this sudden request of Charlie Brown's as he raised an eyebrow and asked in confusion "Huh? What do you mean?" before the boy frantically clarified "What you just said before,about the only way we'll make big money here." to which Franklin awkwardly repeated himself "The only way we'll make this kind of money is if we were broadway stars?"
"Broadway stars,that's it! I got it!" Charlie Brown grew a large style and ecstatically exclaimed in excitement as Patty Swanson replied in total confusion "What on earth are you talking about Charlie Brown?" before Lucy added equally as confused "Yeah what are you getting at here? Spit it out!" to which Charlie Brown turned around to face the others and enthusiastically clarified what he was talking about "I finally figured out how we can make the money we need,we become stage stars for the next two weeks!"
Everyone gasped in shock and bewilderment that Charlie Brown would ever make such a suggestion as Peppermint Patty scoffed and lamented the boy "Stage stars?! Did you hit your head when you got up this morning Chuck?!" to which Violet mockingly added in agreement "Did your last attempt to fly a kite result in your getting some brain damage? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
"Please here me out everyone. I think this is the only way we'll be able to make sure we aren't out of the street!" Charlie Brown nervously pleaded with the others that they listen to his idea before he frantically continued "Are you forgetting that there's the old abandoned community theater stage downtown? If we just go in there and fix it up,we can easily put on some shows every couple of nights. I mean look at all of us,this is a great opportunity right here,Freida and Rebecca can nail a singing role,Snoopy can write the lyrics to the songs,and Scheroder can be a conductor! Come on this is an easy win for us!"
Everyone was left awestruck at the prospect of Charlie Brown's idea and it seemed that most of them were already on board with it as Lucy stepped forward and happily showed her support "Hey if it means that I can show off my singing talents to the entire world,then count me in Charlie Brown." before Freida cheerfully added in agreement "Same here,I've always wanted to sing in front of this kind of audience." to which Scheroder also showed his support "If this is how I start my musical career,I'm glad this is how it's gonna work out."
"I'll do anything to make sure we still have homes on Christmas,I'm coming with you Charlie Brown." Rebecca meekly decided to join Charlie Brown and the others as she patted the boy on the shoulder and made him blush a little before Linus happily showed his support for the idea as well "As long as I don't have to do more neighborhood managing,I say we go for it." to which Sally cheerfully added while she got up close to him "And wherever you go,I go sweetie,I'm with you too big brother." which resulted in Linus nearly getting sick.
"I've heard of far worse ideas,might as well work with what we got." Shermy sighed and reluctantly decided to go along with the idea as Pig-Pen nodded his head in agreement while Marcie calmly added "It seems that Charles's idea might be our last hope,what do you think sir?" to which Peppermint Patty placed her hand on her chin and pondered for a few moments before she happily came to a decision "You know Chuck,I never thought you'd be one to suggest the option of musical theater,but I guess it's all we got. Let's try to make the best of it-"
"Hold on!" The voice of Violet suddenly interrupted everyone's conversation as the rest of the gang looked over to see Violet with a cold and bitter look on her face before she continued "I hate to try and ruin everyone's parade here,but have you ever considered the subject of how we'll pay for all this?! Cleaning the theater and making theater props for the shows while also having to make enough money to pay the bank?!"
As a result of hearing this harsh descent back into reality,everyone started to feel their spirits be brought down a tad as Charlie Brown regretfully groaned "Oh that's right,rats." before Ed somberly sighed "You know Chuck ole boy,I'm 100% down with this plan of yours,but if we can't get the money needed to clean the theater and make props,we can't even get past the greenlighting phase." to which Snoopy whined in disappointment.
However it was then and there that Charlie Brown suddenly got another idea in mind,one that could possibly help them with their money problem,but the main issue with this one was that it involved someone they greatly despised and possibly didn't even want to see again,and it definitely showed when he grew a huge look of uncertainty and caution on his face. Linus and the others were quick to notice this odd behavior of his and decided to confront him about it as the former asked in concern "Are you alright there Charlie Brown?" before Peppermint Patty added when she also noticed the boy's condition "Chuck are you feeling sick? I told you not to eat that five day old Pizza the other night." to which Charlie Brown calmed himself down and sighed "Gang,I don't think you're gonna like this but…...I think we should go to the bank and ask James for help."
"What?!" The entire gang shouted in awe and disbelief that Charlie Brown would ever suggest that they go to James for help as Peppermint Patty sternly refused "Absolutely not!" before Lucy angrily added in agreement "Those snitches at the bank are responsible for all of this! And you expect us to go to THEM for help?! No way!" to which Linus added much more calm and collected "I really don't think we should go to them for assistance here,it's like a diabetic going to a Baskin Robbins for sugar control advice."
"Yeah but-"
"I wouldn't touch that place with a thirty nine and a half foot pole!" Ed fiercely interrupted Charlie Brown's attempt to explain himself and his motive before Sally furiously remarked "I'd rather go to school than to that bank,at least I can stomach the teachers." to which Violet nodded her head and agreed "You said it,this plan is just doomed for failure!"
"Guys listen!" Charlie Brown suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs in frustration as everyone finally stopped their arguing and allowed the boy to try to explain himself "Look guys,I know you don't like James,I don't like him either,in fact I nearly got sick at the thought of going to him for help,but like it or not he is our only way of getting the money we need. If we can just persuade him to loan us enough money for our shows then we're set,all we'll need to do then is get enough people to see our shows and that should be more than enough to get us out of the hole. So why don't we go to the bank and try to save our homes?"
The rest of the gang merely stood there in complete silence and their looks of anger and reluctance to go to James for help had since faded away into one's of slight guilt,like they were starting to realize that Charlie Brown was right about their situation. After a few more moments of this unnerving silence,Peppermint Patty sighed and reluctantly obliged to go to the bank "All right Chuck,I guess we do have no choice here." before Lucy added in agreement "I never thought I'd be asking James for help,but I'll do what's right for the neighborhood and the people that live in it. After all that's what a strong queen would do right?"
Charlie Brown chuckled in response to Lucy's joke and was quickly followed by the others slowly but surely showing their support as they nodded their heads in determination back to back while Snoopy and the animals saluted like soilders to which Charlie Brown heroically stated "Come on gang,let's go get our homes back and become stars." before they all headed over to the nearest bus stop,for their next destination was the bank of Sparkyville.
Our time has come we're gonna,walk in the sun oh.
I've packed my hopes,we're ready to roll,we're on our way.
With a little faith we can step from the shadows and tell everyone,"Turn the spotlight on,now our time has come."
Our time has come we're heading,straight for the sun oh.
With heart and soul,and watch us go,we're on our way.
With a little love we know,nothing can stop us so tell everyone,"Turn the spotlight on,now our time has come."
Are you ready to wish upon a star?
(Well I'll be ready to follow my own heart.)
Are you ready to be set free?
(Well I'll be ready to reach out for that dream.) Just over the horizon.
Our time has come we're gonna,walk in the sun oh.
I've packed my hopes,we're ready to roll,we're on our way.
With a little faith we can step from the shadows and tell everyone "Turn the spotlight on,now our time has come."
Are you ready to make your move?
(Well I'll be ready for a miracle to come true.)
Are you ready for the world to believe in you?
(Well I'll be ready to reach out for that dream.) Just over the horizon.
Our time has come we're gonna,walk in the sun oh.
I've packed my hopes,we're ready to roll,we're on our way.
With a little love we know,nothing can stop us so tell everyone "Turn the spotlight on,now our time has come."
(Ahhhhh!) Ooooooooo!
Can you feel the power now? The day is ours.
For you and I,there comes a time to hold our heads high.
Make a little history,each time we dare to dream tell everyone,"Turn the spotlight on. Now our time has come."
Our time has come we're gonna,walk in the sun oh.
I've packed my hopes,we're ready to roll,we're on our way.
Make a little history,each time we dare to dream tell everyone,"Turn the spotlight on,(spotlight!),now our time has come."
Our time has come. Our time.
Our time has come. Our time.
Our time has come. Our time.
Our time has come. Our time.
Meanwhile at the aforementioned bank of Sparkyville,there was a very busy day going on inside and it consisted of many people going in and out for the purposes of either depositing money,taking out money,bringing in checks,or just having meetings with the higher ups for whatever reason. James however wasn't able to partake in any of the chaos going on outside and was instead restricted to the confines of his personal office,it was around the size of an average bedroom for a kid and had a dark grey wallpaper plastered across the walls,giving the office an empty and lifeless vibe to it.
James had a nice window view of the outside,a small TV plugged into the wall,his very own wooden work desk that had a single coffee coaster and a small computer on it,and last but not least a very tall and towering painting of his old father,the runner of the bank behind him and staring across the room. James himself was busy sitting at his desk and doing some work on the computer with a small cup of coffee next to him,something strangely odd for a kid at his age,but he never seemed to show any distaste or hatred for his work either.
However James's attention would suddenly be diverted away from his computer and over to his shut office door when he heard a very faint yet still audible knocking come from the other side. This was a little strange to James considering the fact that he hadn't recalled scheduling any meetings or anything of the sort really,but in the end he decided to be a polite gentleman and let the mysterious strangers in anyway as he called out while he continued to work on the computer "The door is open! Wipe your shoes!" to which the door slowly creaked open and he heard what sounded like multiple people entering the office.
Once everyone had supposedly made it inside and they shut the doors behind him,James cleared his throat and respectfully greeted them as he took his eyes off the computer screen "Good afternoon everyone,I am-" but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw that all of the people in his office were the same kids and animals from the other day,with the beagle in particular wearing a black suit,tie and pair of sunglasses glasses in disguise.
"Hello James,it's nice to see you again." Peppermint Patty coldly and bitterly greeted the boy in a sarcastic tone of voice as James grew a slight look of bitterness himself and coldly greeted them back "Well if it isn't the lovely children from the other day,and here I thought my day would be clean and free of unwanted pests." to which Lucy angrily tried to open her mouth and chew out the overly sophisticated rat only for Charlie Brown to cut her off "We've come to the bank with a special proposition in mind,and we think that this will not only help us with the debt we owe,but it will also get you out of the financial hole you're in. Think of it as a way to avoid needlessly making us homeless."
"So we really think you should listen to it,if you know what's good for you." Ed nodded his head and sternly added with a rough and brash voice before James ultimately caved in and obliged to hear them out "Alright,I'll bite,what do you got for me?" to which Charlie Brown cleared his throat and explained their plan to him "We have decided to put on a show at the community theater for two nights each in the next two weeks,best case scenario this would definitely make us enough money to pay off the debt. If you can just loan us enough money for us to clean up the theater and make stage props,that'd be great."
"What makes you think I'd do this for you? To practically steal money from the very place I work for just so you can perform your little broadway shows?" James scoffed and sternly refused to give them any money before Linus sneered in bewilderment and retorted "Because then you'd be helping out a lot of people and preventing them from from being homeless. I'd say that's a pretty good enough reason to help us out." only for James to once again decline to help much more fearful "Oh please my father would kill me if he found out I stole money from the bank,and he'd make it even worse if he found it was for some...performers."
"Oh come on your financial state is so out of whack that he'd barely notice." Lucy rolled her eyes and provided a counterpoint to James's before Rebecca suddenly asked out of curiosity "Wait,James what do you mean by your father will make things worse if he found out you took money for performers?" to which James grew a somber look on his face and slowly turned around in his chair to face the painting of his father and explained himself "When I was little,I always wanted to be a stage performer,I had a huge passion for music and dancing and…..I always wanted to be able to go to places around the world and entertain people from miles around. But to my father,such a dream was foolish and nothing but poppycock,and whenever I expressed my love for the art of musical theater,all my dad saw was a failure and a disappointment. And one night I decided that maybe…..maybe I should just give up my dream and instead go after my father's,which was for me to be the best banker in the world no matter the age I was."
James then got a much more serious look on his face and turned around to face the others again as he concluded "And that is exactly what I plan to do for the rest of my life,as long as it means I can make my father proud of his son." before Charlie Brown nervously gulped and suggested "Well,come with us then. You can still live out your dream of being a performer,and I can guarantee that loads and loads of people are gonna love you out there. So please…..try to help us out here." to which the others nodded their heads in support. Granted they all despised James to the core because of how much of a snob he was,but they were willing to do anything if it meant that they'd be able to save their homes,even allowing him to join their crusade.
However it seemed that James was still quite reluctant to join them as he merely shook his head and declined yet again "Nope,sorry,you're gonna have to do a lot better than that to convince me." before Ed suddenly straightened out his fedora and determinedly confirmed that he would "All right then,we will!"
Ed: Right here,right now,we put the offer out,we don't want to chase you down,we know you see it.
Charlie Brown: You run,with us,and we can cut you free,out of the treachery and walls you keep in.
Linus: So trade that typical,for something colorful,and if it's crazy live a little crazy.
Scheroder: You can play it sensible,a king of conventional,or you can risk it all and see.
Peanuts Gang: Don't you wanna get away from the same old part you gotta play? 'Cause we got what you need so come with us and take the ride,it'll take you to the other side.
'Cause you can do like you do,or you can do like us,stay in the cage or you'll finally take the key. Oh,dang suddenly you're free to fly,it'll take you to the other side.
James: Okay,my friends,you want to cut me in. Well I hate to tell you but it just won't happen. So thanks,but no,I think I'm good to go,'cause I quite enjoy the life you say I'm trapped in.
Now I admire you,and that whole show you'll do,you're onto something really it's something. But I live among the swells and we don't pick up peanut shells,I'll have to leave that to you.
Don't you know that I'm okay with this uptown part I get to play? 'Cause I got what I need and I don't want to take the ride. I don't need to see the other side.
So go and do like you do,I'm good to do like me,ain't in a cage so I don't need to take the key. Oh,dang can't you see I'm doing fine? I don't need to see the other side.
Marcie: Is this really how you like to spend your days,coffee and misery and parties and plays?
James: If I were mixed up with you I'd be the talk of the town,disgraced and disowned another one of the clowns.
Rebecca: But you would finally live a little,finally laugh a little,just let us give you the freedom to dream and it'll wake you up,and cure your aching.
Shermy: Take your walls and start 'em breaking.
Peanuts Gang: Now that's a deal that seems worth takin,but we guess we'll leave that up to you.
The Peanuts gang then proceeded to slowly make their way towards the office door in an attempt to give James just amount to think the whole thing over,and it was then that the harsh words of his father began to echo in his head like he was actually hearing them in real life "Why must you turn this family into a house of failure?" before he suddenly had a new thought enter his mind,one that he hadn't thought of before. "Could…...could helping them save their homes and the bank make father proud of me?" James thought to himself out of curiosity before he finally came to a decision just as Charlie Brown touched the copper doorknob to the office.
James: Well it's intriguing but to go would cost me greatly,so what percentage of the show would we be taking?
Linus: Well fair enough you'd want a piece of all the action.
Lucy: I'd give you seven,we could shake and make it happen.
James: I wasn't born this morning,eighteen would be just fine.
Violet: Why not just go ahead and ask for nickels on the dime?
James: Fifteen.
Franklin: We do eight.
James: Twelve.
Snoopy's Thoughts: Maybe nine.
James: Ten!
It now seemed that was finally the perfect compromise that they could agree to as Charlie Brown smiled and happily stated while he shook hands with James "Now that's more like James,we're glad to have you aboard. Right everyone?" to which the rest of the gang cheered in excitement.
Everyone: Don't you wanna get away to a whole new part you're gonna play? 'Cause I got what you need so come with us and take the ride,to the other side.
Peanuts Gang: So if you do like we do.
James: So if you do like me.
Everyone: Forget the cage 'cause we know how to make the key. Oh,dang suddenly we're free to fly,we're going to the other side.
James: So if you do like I do.
Peanuts Gang: To the other side!
James: So if you do like me.
Peanuts Gang: Going to the other side.
James: Cause we're going-
Everyone: to the other side! We're going to the other side!
Later that very same evening,the bank was just getting ready to shut it's doors for the day,and Charlie Brown and the others had long since headed home with the intent to start cleaning up the community theater the next day thanks to James loaning them some money.
Speaking of which,James himself was still in his office and he was tidying everything up inside so it would be nice and clean the next day,however his attention would be suddenly diverted to behind him when he heard his father calling from the main lobby "James! It's time to go home!" to which the boy opened his door and replied from all the way across the lobby "I'll be there soon father!"
Afterwards James slowly glanced upward at the painting of his father staring right at him as he sighed and reassuringly stated "Don't worry dad,I'll fix this,I promise. I will make you proud of me." before he slowly made his way outside and through the ginormous,empty and golden lobby due to the setting sun shining through the windows.
James: Maybe I make things a mess. And maybe you're right to have doubts in me. Maybe but never the less,if you for once could just trust me. Just this once,let me come through for you. The way that you want me to.
Let me make you proud. Let me show you the best in me. Let me give you a reason to believe that I can stand tall.
And when I return,and I'm more than you dreamt I'd be,maybe then you will realize that you never actually knew me at all.
James however suddenly stopped dead in his tracks when he suddenly came across the honorary statue of his father in the middle of the bank lobby as he looked up at it and heard the same words echo in his head yet again "Why must you turn this family into a house of failure?"
Sure I've made lots of mistakes. I know I've disappointed you. Still though whatever it takes,I'm gonna fix it just watch me. Just you wait,I'll make it up to you,if it's the last thing I ever do.
I will make you proud. I will make you have faith in me. I will prove that the way I used to be is all in the past.
I will save the day,and come back here triumphantly,'cause I long for that look of surprise when you see your son rising at last. The pride in your eyes when you see your son rising at last!
"Our Time Has Come." Copyright Of Warner Bros
"The Other Side." Copyright Of Atlantic Records
"Let Me Make You Proud." Copyright Of Walt Disney Records
