Chapter 2

Eleven year old Andrea Toulon ran into her bedroom smiling. The four puppets sat very still on her table, resting quietly. Since she had first found the animated wooden figures, she had kept them in her room. Her father checked on their condition now and then, but they were very well kept, especially by such a young woman.

When she reached the table, she woke up the puppets. "Get up, sleepy heads. I have surprises for you!"

They arose slowly, but as Andrea sat a bag on the table, Jester's face spun into a smile. Andrea laughed and pulled out several small packages.

"I got each of you a new hat," she said. "Except you Pin Head. I got you a new pair of gloves."

She gave each of them their gifts and the puppets made happy noises. Six-Shooter went to fire his guns, but Andrea stopped him.

"Settle down," she giggled. "Now, this isn't all I brought for you. If you will please move to the floor, I will bring in the rest."

They hopped down off the table as Andrea walked into the hall. She came back pulling a big box in her old wagon. Stopping before them, she sank to her knees and opened the box.

"Pin Head, this is for you." She pulled out a metal frame with a big stiff bag hanging on a chain. "It's a punching bag to exercise those big arms."

Pin Head threw a few quick jabs at the duffel and nodded approvingly.

"For you, Six-Shooter, I have brought a box full of bullets." She sat the smaller box in front of the cowboy puppet and added, "But no shooting in the house. When the weather gets better, I'll take you in the back yard."

He danced a little as Andrea continued.

"Jester, I got you this." She produced a small balance beam with other little acrobat toys. "But maybe you could share with the others?"

Jester nodded and began playing with his new presents.

Blade stood alone watching the others who were preoccupied with their gifts. When he looked up at Andrea, she had a broad smile on her face.

"Don't worry. I didn't forget about you," she said gently, motioning for him to come closer to her box. "I got you the best present of all. At least, I think so…"

Andrea opened a small gift box in front of him. When he saw what was inside, his pointy eyes pushed out and his little wooden jaw fell open.

"They're hands," she explained brightly. "I had my dad make them for you. Would you like to try them on?"

Blade nodded enthusiastically and Andrea laughed. Carefully pulling off the knife and hook, she replaced them with the little hands. He opened and closed his fists, looking in wonder at his new fingers.

"Do you like them," Andrea asked.

Blade nodded again.

"Good," she beamed, then leaned in to whisper. "But I don't want the others to become jealous of such an extravagant gift. Can we keep them our little secret and only use them on special occasions?"

With yet another nod, Blade held out his arms to trade back the hands. Andrea put them back in the box and placed it on her bedside table.

"Whenever you want them, just tap on the box while I'm here," she told him. Then, she picked Blade up. "Now, let's go watch Jester perform."

The puppets were tucked away in their case when a fourteen-year-old Andrea turned on the light in her dark room. She sank slowly to her knees and with a trembling hand, unlatched and opened the trunk. The dolls awoke at the motion to find Andrea's sullen sad face looking at them.

"Frederic Toulon…" She paused for a quaking breath. "Is dead. And I am the last of your creator's line."

Pin Head came forward and took her hand gently into his, patting it comfortingly. Jester pulled off his hat and has face spun around. But it stuck in a grotesque unfinished position. Andrea kissed his wooden forehead and it spun again into a sad face. Six-Shooter's hat was off as well covering his chest in respect. Blade used his hook to fumble with his hat, but he was unable to remove it. She grabbed his arms carefully to thank him for his effort. He hugged her hand, rubbing his cheek against the back.

"His funeral is in a few days," Andrea informed. "I'll have lots of work to do, so I can't play with you too much."

All the little wooden heads bowed down even further.

"But I have a very big surprise for you tonight." Despite her exciting words, she seemed on the verge of tears. "Get back in your case and I'll take you on a little trip."