What's this, a new fanfic from me? I've actually had this one in the works for a really long time, and have just been sitting on it, working on it here and there as I felt inspired. But with my family and me about to leave on a road trip that will take us to the setting of this story, I figured it was time I finally started to publish it!
I've been struggling to find my creativity and confidence the past couple years. I still love these characters so much, and still think up scenarios for them all the time, the trouble is getting those images from my mind and into a cohesive story. I haven't abandoned the last chapter of Jessie's Journey, either, I just have been stuck on some historical details for a while. But I really miss writing, and want to get back into it.
I've established a new Pinterest board for this fic, because as I get more into the story, there will be no way for my descriptions to adequately describe the setting on their own. Look for "Meet Me at the Fair" under username yodelincowgirl.
Toy Story doesn't belong to me. If it did, there'd be a new series set in Bonnie's room on Disney+. Enjoy, and don't forget to fave/follow - I'll try not to be too bad about getting this updated!
December 1903
It was early December on Roundup Ranch. Night blanketed the expanse of groves and dairy buildings in a peaceful slumber, and the only light - save for the moon and stars - shone from inside the upstairs windows of the Pride and Lightyear houses. Inside the latter, Buzz lay in bed, reading his latest issue of Scientific American.
With a tired sigh, Jessie closed the door that connected the main bedroom to their son's room, having just answered Memo's call for the third time that evening.
"He just doesn't wanna settle down tonight," she said as she untied her robe and slipped it off, draping it over the arm of a nearby chair. "He's already excited about Christmas, and it's only the first of the month."
"Mmmhmm," Buzz replied, distracted.
Jessie shook her head with a little smirk at her husband's response, then sat down on the edge of the bed. Ranger crept up from where he had been laying near Buzz's feet, the little dachshund's rear end raised and tail wagging as his front end pounced at her, trying to start a game. She patted the mattress, and the dog playfully nipped and gnawed at her fingers. When he let out a bark, Jessie pulled back her hand and put her finger to her lips. "Shhh! Don't ya dare get Memo riled up again!" She lifted the edge of the covers, and ushered her pet underneath. "That's a good boy. Go night-night."
Once she had slipped between the cozy sheets herself, she nuzzled up against Buzz's shoulder, peeking over at the magazine he was reading. "So, what're ya so engrossed in there?"
He spoke without glancing away from his magazine. "It's an article about the World's Fair in St. Louis next year, how they're building all these sculptures from a material called staff. It's kind of like plaster of Paris."
Jessie studied the black and white photos on the page that showed ornate façades and elaborate statues, both under construction and already built. Her brow furrowed in concentration. "They can build all that outta plaster? And it lasts?"
"It's a special kind; there's more added to it to make it durable, like glue and binding fibers. It ends up looking like stone."
"Huh," she pondered, rolling over onto her back. "I can't believe all'a that is gonna be in St. Louis. All the times Woody'n I were there at Aunt Molly's, we never coulda guessed there'd be somethin' so grand there someday. I reckon it'll be a sight to see."
Buzz closed his magazine, laid it on his nightstand, and extinguished the lamp. "I think we should go."
"Go where?" Jessie asked, staring absentmindedly at the ceiling.
"The fair."
Jessie's head snapped around to face her husband, and she propped herself up on one elbow. "Are ya serious?!"
He chuckled. "I'm serious. This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The more I read about it, the more I realize it's something we shouldn't miss. They're going to be holding the Olympic Games there, too. Don't you want to go?"
"Course I do!" she exclaimed, then laid back down, with her head on his shoulder, nestled into the crook of his arm. "Can we afford it though? The trip, and to be away for a while?"
"Well, if we went while they're holding the Games, that wouldn't be until early September. Our Valencia harvest will be done, so that would be a good time to get away."
"Ya really have been thinkin' about this, haven't ya?"
"I have. It would be a wonderful experience for Memo - for all of us - to see everything at the fair. And, we could take a day to go back to your old hometown, if you wanted to. You could show Memo and me where you grew up."
"Momma ain't there anymore, so that could be fun, too." The excitement in Jessie's voice faded slightly as a less pleasant thought crossed her mind. "She is in St. Louis now… but I s'pose they'd never dare go someplace as fun as the fair."
"Nah, I'm sure they'd find it scandalous," Buzz laughed, as he ran his hand across her braided hair, "Especially if we're there."
She giggled, her anxieties assuaged. "The thought'a seein' her won't keep me away. We ain't likely to run into her in all those thousands'a people, anyway. Should we see if Woody'n Bo wanna go too?"
"I figured we'd invite them. Although it'll be a challenge to get Woody to pay for five train tickets, hotel accommodations, and admission," he added with a chuckle.
"Bo'n the kids'll be easier to convince; they'll get'im to go along with it. Maybe Pa, too. A real vacation," Jessie sighed dreamily, "what all d'ya think will be there? I remember readin' about the fair back in '93, in Chicago, with all the exhibits, an' the midway, an' the Ferris Wheel, an' electric lights on the fancy buildings. D'ya think it'll be anythin' like it?"
Realizing the can of worms he had just opened, Buzz couldn't help but grin at his wife's enthusiasm. "I'm sure it'll be even better. Goodnight, florecita."
Jessie raised her head to give her husband a quick kiss, then snuggled back down against him, her mind still full of the fancies of anticipation. When her eyes finally closed in slumber, her dreams took her to a place of gleaming palaces, containing all the wonders they were yet to reveal.
It was at dinner the following evening, with the family all gathered together, that the Lightyears had an opportunity to broach the subject of the World's Fair to the Prides. As they passed around platters and bowls of food, Jessie flashed Buzz a knowing look. Taking her cue, he spoke up.
"Jessie and I have been discussing some travel plans for next year, and wanted to see if you would like to join us."
"Oh, really?" Bo's interest was piqued. "I think we're all overdue for a vacation. Where are you thinking of going?"
"The World's Fair in St. Louis!" Jessie blurted out gleefully.
"The fair?!" Her sister-in-law's face lit up. "How exciting! That's a fantastic idea, don't you agree, honey? I know I'd love to see it."
Woody dropped the fork he was using to spear a slice of roast beef, and it clattered against his plate. "St. Louis? You really want to go back there, Jess?"
"Sure I do, this is different! Haven't ya read anythin' about it? It's gonna be amazin'!"
"Yeah, I have. It sounds nice… but expensive. There would be the train fare to consider, and the hotel, not to mention food and admission, for five of us."
Bo ignored her husband's reticence, and Jessie and Buzz's shared smirk. "How long would we be gone for?"
"I figure close to a month, late August into September," answered Buzz. "We'd have to allow about two to three weeks to see everything."
Memo turned to his cousins, full of excitement. "Daddy said we'll sleep on a train!" Not quite able to comprehend what this fair was that his parents had been talking about, the prospect of an extended train ride was the pinnacle of the four-year-old's anticipation.
"Miss Stacy told us about the fair in school," Penny boasted, proud that she could contribute to the adults' conversation. "She said you'll be able to tour the entire world in one place!"
"There's school!" Woody waved his hand in an affirmative gesture. "The girls would miss the start of school."
"In this instance, I don't mind," Bo shrugged. "They'd be learning so much more there, I'm sure their teachers would be fine with it, especially if Miss Stacy has already mentioned the fair in a positive light. She'll likely be Bea's teacher next fall."
"An' Buzz suggested we go to Walnut Grove for a day," Jessie interjected. "Don'tcha wanna show Bo'n the kids where we grew up? When'll we get another chance like this?"
Woody hesitated. "I just don't know… besides the cost, that's a long time, and a lot to ask of Slink, to take care of the cows and the dairy."
"You know he won't mind; he's taken time off to visit family more than once," Buzz pointed out. "And you've got nearly nine months to save up for the trip."
"Can we go, Daddy? I wanna go!" Penny stared at her father with pleading eyes.
"Me too!" Bea chimed in.
"Memo would miss us," added Andy, apprehensive at the thought of his favorite playmate being away for so long. "An' I wanna sleep on a train!"
Woody smiled kindly at his children, never wanting to disappoint them. "I'll think about it."
Needing a break from trying to persuade her brother, Jessie switched her focus to her father instead. "How 'bout you, Pa?"
"I appreciate the invitation, but I think I'll pass. I've had my fill of Missouri, and I'm afraid if your mother found out I was in town, she'd send out a posse after me," he laughed.
"Ya sure?" Jessie asked, with a twinge of disappointment.
"Positive," her father smiled. "I'll help Slink keep things running smoothly here, so you youngsters can go and enjoy yourselves."
"See, honey, nothing to worry about," cajoled Bo. "I vote we go." The Pride children nodded.
"C'mon, cowboy," Buzz grinned across the table at his brother-in-law, "you haven't spent a night away from the ranch in eight years. And none of us have had any sort of a vacation since the honeymoon - the kids never have. I think we all deserve it. Whaddya say?"
Woody glanced down at his plate pensively, then up at all the faces staring back at him with so much hope. A smile started to tug at the corners of his mouth. "Okay, okay. I'm in. Let's go to the fair!"
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition was held in St. Louis, MO from April 30 to December 1, 1904. If I could time travel, one of the places I would definitely want to go would be this historic and monumental fair, so thought it would be fun to take the gang there to experience it. The world's fairs of the late 1800s and well into the 1900s were one of the main inspirations for Epcot - not the "community of tomorrow" aspect, but the pavilions showcasing modern technology and different cultures from around the world - so what better place for a family vacation adventure? In 1904, the exposition featured massive exhibit halls, individual buildings built by states and countries, amusement park rides, entertainment and shows, and of course lots of food, all in an elaborate and awe-inspiring setting. I will try my best to do it all justice!
