Chapter 1 – Fictional Stories
It's morning recess, the gang sitting outside at the table. Dil looking fatigued catches Kimi's attention as she asks how her friend is doing. "Dil you look very tired are you alright?".
"I had the most freakiest dream man..." said Dil clutching his face, bags underneath his eyes showing how tired he looks.
Beth biting into her apple as she passes another one to Phil, enquires about his dream, "What did you dream of?".
"We were all cartoon characters in this cartoon and there was some super fans with unhealthy obsession's writing terribly written Fan-fiction stories about us!" Dil replied.
"Dude… that is weird… but at the same time… cool!" said Phil
"D… I told you too stop eating cheese before bed, you know it gives you nightmares..." said Tommy unimpressed.
"If we were in a cartoon, I could run without sleep. I could skate board all day and night without ever taking a break!" said Allie
"Or I could fly like to school like Superman… boy that would be sweet!" said Phil
"Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if we were in a cartoon..." said Alex
"Well this is the real world…" said Kimi
"Is it?..." Dil asked.
Everybody except Allie gives Dil an brief awkward state at a quick glance but long enough to make him feel uneasy.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Dil asked.
"Don't listen to Dil, it's just the sleep deprivation talking..." said Tommy
"Here have some of my chocolate milk, the added sugar and E numbers should give you a boost" said Allie passing the milk carton over to him.
Dil drinks from the straw like a hoover, finishing off the last drop of milk until the carton gets crinkled up.
"My energy levels have been revived! Thanks Allie!" said Dil suddenly springing back to life.
"No problem, Dilly. can't let you walk around with your eyes half shut" said Allie
"Speaking of Fan Fiction. I don't think it's weird, I write Reptar Fan Fiction all the time. It gives fans of popular TV shows to write their own plots or ships" said Chuckie
"I've been reading Dummi Bears Fan fiction at the Java Lava" said Allie
"What stories did you read Allie?" Tommy asked.
"Dummi Bears take revenge on the taxidermist, the writings fantastic. Been waiting a little while for the next chapter…" said Allie
"Sounds like a worth while read, what's the username?" Lil asked inquisitively.
"Username is KFDummiBear4EVA02" said Allie
"I bet it's some pre-teen writing that, what a nerd..." said Kimi nervously.
"Whoever is the author is extremely talented at writing, why stop at two chapters?" said Allie
"I guess it's not so nerdy after all, nothing wrong with enjoying your favourite shows from your childhood right?" said Kimi
Dummi Bears is the favourite childhood show of Kimi as she enjoys the guilty pleasure of watching it when nobody's around, a happy reminiscence of the show she enjoyed as a baby but yet would rather remain anonymous about her work as Fan Fiction author.
"You are so right Kimi, as long as you enjoy it, who cares how old you are" said Tommy
"I've had a quick glance at it and to be honest with you, it gives me the willies just reading it..." said Chuckie
"Chuckie, have you ever been too a psychiatrist?" Alex asked.
"I would rather not discuss that..." said Chuckie
"Fair reason, sorry I asked..." said Alex
"Anyway, what's shipping?" Beth asked.
"Like a pirate ship?" asked Phil
"That's not what it means..." said Allie
"Character shipping is pairing two characters romantically" said Chuckie
"I get you, like Reptar and Thorg?" Phil asked.
"Reptar and Thorg are natural born enemies, it just wouldn't work. Thankfully the writers are smart enough or the beloved Reptar franchise would be finished!" said Alex
"I agree with you Alex, it just wouldn't make any sense" said Kimi
A full script can be seen in Tommy's half open backpack underneath the table, Lil enquires what's in it.
"What's that you got in your bag Tommy?" asked Lil
"Oh this?..." Tommy asked.
"Yes.. aren't you going to tell us?" Lil asked.
"If you insist" said Tommy as he takes it out of the backpack.
"I see you have written another script" said Alex
"That's right however this time I have decided to branch out into animation, I'm going to pitch this idea for a cartoon to the children's TV network" said Tommy
"Mikelodian?" Chuckie asked.
"That's right Chucky boy, Mikelodian" said Tommy
"Home to popular shows such as Johnny Atom, Utterly Agents, Blue's Mysteries" said Dil
"Don't forget Sponge Bill rectangular slacks!" said Phil
"Uh… the shows mentioned have ran their course… but please tell us about your idea" said Beth
The gang grip their hands onto the edge of the table in anticipation.
"It's about a group of babies that can talk too each other" said Tommy
"I don't think anyone's ever came up with that idea!" said Alex
"That is an original concept! I want to hear more about this!" said Kimi
"Don't just sit there, tell us more!" said Chuckie enthusiastically.
"That's not all, only the babies can understand each other so they can't talk too the adults as they only hear babbling… baby talk as you would put it" said Tommy
"This is just getting better" said Alex
"The babies, get themselves into all sorts of dangerous situations but they always return home safe and sound at the end of each episode" said Tommy
"Wow bro… so what's the name of the show?" Dil asked.
"I call it… Carpet Mice!" said Tommy
"Tommy Pickles.. that is a genius idea!" said Chuckie
"I agree with Chuck but have you claimed copyright for it?" Beth asked.
"No I haven't yet now you mentioned it, I really should apply for a copyright claim" said Tommy
"Not too worry, our Mom can process that for you" said Alex
"I am also working on a spin off show as a sequel that takes place when they are pre teens" said Tommy
"What are you going to call it?" asked Allie
"Big Kids Now! With an exclamation mark at end" said Tommy pointing his index finger in the air.
"I hope if Carpet Mice get's a sequel, the television executives won't axe it without having a series finale or it will just leave several questions unanswered..." said Allie
"Otherwise fans will just write their own Fan Fiction stories to compensate for the series being cancelled..." said Dil
"Or worst… a few decades later they do a reboot that is no where near the standard of the original series…" said Lil
"Reboots are just merely a marketing ploy by studios to boost ratings because they can't come up with something new or original..." said Kimi
The gang nod their heads, mutually agreeing with Kimi.
"You hit the nail on the head Kimi!" said Beth
"On a different subject, has anyone noticed there is a row of lockers that have been removed?" Tommy asked.
"My locker got removed, I had to carry a full bag of books all day! Thankfully my locker was empty beforehand" said Chuckie
"Yesterday, Pangborn told me I had to move my stuff to a temporary locker at the other side of the school as the row of lockers where mine used to be was getting replaced" said Alex
"I seen Dave, yesterday. Never seen anyone lift a full locker over their shoulders like an empty cardboard box" said Dil
"That's our Dad for you, strong as an ox" said Allie
"I second that Allie" said Lil
"Anyway, I open up my temporary locker with the contents from the previous occupant still inside" said Alex
"What kind of stuff did you find?" Tommy asked
"There was WONK written on the inside, very messy handwriting even if it is just merely inside locker graffiti" said Alex
"What a heck is a wonk? I don't that's even in the dictionary" asked Beth
"I don't know but it sounds like something you wouldn't say when your parents are in the same room" said Phil
"Cannot be his locker surly?" a surprised Kimi asked.
Book in his hand, showing everybody the front cover "I came across this book about people with extra limbs" said Alex
"Sweet! I'll take it off your hands" said Allie as her face lights up.
"You can have it Allie, I don't want this book" said Alex passing it to her feeling disgusted.
"That will be Z's old locker, I guess he didn't have time to empty it out before he left town" said Kimi
"Who is Z?" Beth asked
"He was guy with green hair, a very interesting character for sure" said Tommy
"Yeah… he was something else, I even went through a phase when I dyed my hair pink and had it cut short" chuckled Kimi.
"Dad nearly had a full blown panic attack when he had seen your new hairdo!" said Chuckie
"You gave him a hard time Chuck, you judged him before getting to know first..." said Kimi
"What? I was looking out for you but I soon came to the realisation that Z turned out to be a good guy after all" said Chuckie
"When did he leave school?" Alex asked
"A few seasons ago..." said Tommy
Everybody staring awkwardly yet again but time looking at Tommy...
"What do you mean? A few seasons ago Tommy?" Phil asked
"Just that, what I mean it feels like a long time ago even though it was only last year he left" said Tommy
"Ah… an analogy I get you Tom!" said Alex patting Tommy's back.
"Last I heard, Z's Dad got a new job in another city, didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to him..." said Kimi sighing.
"I see you have broken the fourth wall..." said Allie looking at Tommy.
Yet again another bout of awkward stares lingers at the table this time turning too Allie until they turn their heads, diverting their attention away…
"Hi, kids. You're principle hired me to knock down these four walls, the school wants this old sports equipment shed replaced with a new one" said Dave
"Hi Dave, I have to say your doing a great job!" said Phil giving him a thumbs up.
"Thanks, young fella. It's positive reinforcement that makes this job worthwhile" said Dave wiping the sweat off his forehead.
"I think that just about does it, I am packing my tools and leaving" said Dave
Pangborn walks by to check too see the progress of the job, "Dave, you haven't even finished the job yet!".
"We agreed you would pay me today and I don't see any cash in your hands..." said Dave belligerently.
"You can't leave this pile of bricks here, that is a health and safety hazard!" said Pangborn
"Well pay me then..." said Dave
"I've already checked the school accounts and I unfortunately miscalculated, I mean come on I got my two masters in child phycology not mathematics..." said Pangborn
"There is a magical thing called a calculator" said Dave sarcastically.
"Give me a chance to raise some cash and I'll pay you" said Pangborn desperately.
"You still haven't paid me for yesterdays job, humping all those lockers away out of the building and that just one section! my wife is a very good lawyer and I am also the head rep of my trade union!" said Dave
"What is it with you contractors and your trade unions! Just give me a week too raise the funds, I'll have your money sorted..." said Pangborn
"You have one week! Goodbye everyone, kids I'll see you at home!" said Dave leaving with his tool box.
The gang silently mock Pangborn, trying to maintain straight faces with no prevail. "Seeing as you lot are having a good laugh at my expense, how would you like to move this pile... brick by brick to the dumpster after school as part of your detention!…"
Quick to counter his threat, "You do know child labour is illegal in the United States..." said Chuckie
"You and your clued up knowledge on child labour laws… this would have been so much easier to punish you kids back in the 1800's..." said Pangborn
"Well this is 2002, times have changed since you were a boy" said Tommy bravely.
"Fine detention revoked… you win this round, you might have won the battle but the war is far from over!" said Pangborn
"I will see you on the other side of the battlefield next time!" said Tommy
"Now if you excuse me I need to come up with some ideas to raise some cash so I can pay your dad" said Pangborn to Alex, Beth and Allie.
After placing his tools in his van, Dave calls his little brother Nikolai. "Nikolai, I'm parched. do you want to meet at the Java Lava for some Java?" On the other end of the line, Nikolai replies back. "Hey Dave, sure it's my day off, let's get some coffee and I love your play on words there!", "Okay I'll see you there, it will be good to see Chas and Betty, not seen them both in over a week. been up so busy with my work" said Dave.
End of Chapter 1