Chapter 4: A Tour of the Toy Factory
"Oh, I needed a good stretch. I've been spending too much time at my desk lately." Santa commented.
"Then maybe you should take a little break." Charlie Brown suggested.
"Why you know, I'd like to but you know tonight is the big night, and I still have a lot of work to do." Santa said.
"Oh please..." The kids all said with their best sweet voices. Santa then thought about it.
"Well...okay!" Santa smiled. "But maybe just for a little while!" The kids all happily smiled at that.
"Maybe you could show us more of the wonderful things in your home." Linus smiled.
"Yes, but where to begin? I've got dolls from Japan, teddy bears from Canada, piñatas from Mexico, marbles from Madagascar, and a rocking horse from Ranku." Santa explained, showcasing the different international items from those countries. BJ then noticed a metal disc.
"Hey Santa, what's this metal thing?" BJ asked curiously. "Will it fly if I throw it?" Santa chuckled at that.
"Not very far. And it would be a shame if you did. You might spoil some of it's beautiful music." Santa explained.
"There's music in this thing?" BJ asked.
"Well, not exactly. You see, this metal disc fits on a very special music box." Santa explained.
"This music box?" Barney asked, standing right next to it.
"The very same." Santa smiled. "You know; this music box is over 100 years old."
"Wow. That's very ancient." Sally commented.
"It's the way your great grandparents listen to music." Santa smiled. "I have lots of these discs. And each one plays a special song." Santa then began to show everyone how to set it up. "You see, you place the disc in here, lower this, and then turn it on like this." As soon as Santa turned it on, the sounds 'Joy to the World' began to play.
"It's so pretty." Keesha said.
"I could dance to this." Lucy said, looking at Schroeder.
"Musicians don't dance." Schroeder said, pretending to conduct an orchestra.
"SHH!" Snoopy shushed.
"It sounds like snowflakes." Baby Bop said.
"It does." Sally agreed.
"Pretty snowflakes." Rerun added.
"You know, sometimes, when I listen to this music, I like to look through this kaleidoscope. Here, you try it." Santa said, handing the kaleidoscope to Linus.
Linus lifted up his glasses and put the kaleidoscope to his right eye. "Thank you. Wow!"
"This music box is playing 'Joy to the World', Sir." Marcie explained.
"Cool!" Peppermint Patty and Franklin exclaimed.
"I know a special way to sing it." Hannah explained, signing the words. As she did so, Heather and Sally danced and sang the words. Everyone clapped, when the music finished.
"Could we play some more songs, please?" Schroeder asked Santa.
Santa chuckled. "Of course you may, Schroeder. Now, you enjoy yourself." Santa chuckled, showing him some more records.
Schroeder smiled. "Thank you. You know, I think I like this music more than Beethoven."
Everyone's jaws dropped. "I was kidding." Schroeder said, making everyone laugh.
Peppermint Patty giggled as she and Marcie looked around. "This toy looks very old."
"Oh it is. It is." Santa said. "But you know, Christmas is also about the new. So, who would like to see where the new toys are coming from?"
Everyone, except Schroeder, Lucy, Sally, Baby Bop and BJ raised their hands. "Mrs. Clause is over there, right now, and I know she'd be delighted to show you around." Santa said.
Rerun blinked. "Aren't you coming with us, Santa?" he and Stephen asked.
"I'd like to, but I really have to get back to work on my big book. Got to be ready in time for Christmas, you know." Santa said. Rerun smiled.
"Where do we go to see Mrs. Clause?" Charlie Brown asked. "It's been a few years since our last time seeing her."
"If I remember, the way to the toy factory is…out this door, past the snowman …" Barney began. "Gee, that's all I remember."
"Then we go across the icicle bridge and between the giant candy canes. Right, Santa?" asked Snoopy.
"Right. Or-" Santa said.
"Then let's go!" Marcie declared, racing for the door, coat in hand.
"Wait up!" Peppermint Patty exclaimed, already in her coat and chasing Marcie out the door.
"What were you gonna say, Santa?" asked Rerun, shaking his head.
"I was gonna say that you could take my secret shortcut." Santa said, pulling a lever on the mantle. A passageway appeared.
Everyone stood in awe. "Should we get Peppermint Patty and Marcie?" Robert asked.
Franklin giggled. "Let them take the scenic route."
"Then we're on our way!" Snoopy danced about.
"Thank you, Santa." Barney smiled as Woodstock flew about.
Baby Bop, Sally, Lucy, Schroeder and BJ went back to the records, with Linus looking on in wonder. "Coming?" Rerun poked his head out.
Linus and Sally looked at the five-year-old. "Okay." Linus said, grabbing his blanket and leading Sally in the passageway.
As they did so, Santa called up Mrs. Clause on the phone. "Toy factory. Mrs. Clause speaking."
"Dear, I have the most wonderful surprise. Barney and Snoopy are on their way over with some delightful children." Santa said.
"Oh how exciting. I'll be watching for them." Mrs. Clause said.
Outside, Peppermint Patty was leading Marcie to the toy factory. However, they were surprised to see that the others weren't following them. "You think they're taking their time?" Marcie asked, clutching her backpack straps.
"Yeah. Now come on, Marcie." Peppermint Patty said, speeding up. Marcie took off after Patty, only to trip on a patch of ice and falling on her left leg. "Everywhere we go, Marcie, you embarrass me."
"Sorry, Sir." Marcie winced, trying to stand up, but failing. "YIPE!"
"Can you walk?" Peppermint Patty asked, racing to Marcie's side.
The seven-year-old tried to stand up, but winced and sat down, rubbing her ankle. "It hurts to stand."
Patty sighed and scooped Marcie up, placing her atop her shoulders. "We'll have Big Purple check that leg up, once we reach the factory."
"Okay, Sir." Marcie whimpered.
"I see it! Hang on tightly!" Peppermint Patty declared, leading Marcie in between the giant candy canes.
Inside the toy factory, the clock read 5:40 pm and Mrs. Clause was waiting eagerly for Barney, Snoopy and friends. The secret door opened and in entered Barney and Snoopy's group.
"Barney! Snoopy! Woodstock! Children!" Mrs. Clause exclaimed. "It's so wonderful to see you all again."
"Hi Mrs. Clause." Everyone said.
"Feel free to look around." Mrs. Clause explained. "Come here, you three."
"Ooh! We get a hug!" Barney said as he, Snoopy and Woodstock hugged Mrs. Clause.
"Santa told me you were coming over." Mrs. Clause said. "I can't wait to show you all around."
"Great." Barney said as the front door swung open.
Charlie Brown smiled. "That's just Peppermint Patty and Marcie. They took the scenic route, Mrs. C."
Sure enough, it was Peppermint Patty carrying Marcie on her shoulders. "Hey gang. How'd you get here so fast?"
They just showed them the secret passageway.
"Look at these little aprons." Keesha said as Peppermint Patty walked towards her. "Are they for dolls?"
Mrs. Clause smiled. "Those belong to the elves who work here in the factory. They put them there when they finish working.
"Are there any elves in the factory NOW?" Pigpen asked.
"I'm afraid not. They've already gone home to celebrate Christmas Eve with their families." Mrs. Clause mentioned.
"Neat." Peppermint Patty said before walking towards Barney. "Hey, Big Purple, we had a little…tumble on the way here."
"Oh?" Barney asked as Peppermint Patty told Barney what happened. After taking a minute to see the damage, Barney told them it was just a sprain and to stay off the leg for a while.
"It's fine, Big Purple. I'll carry her." Peppermint Patty said before seeing two candy cane print crutches. "Or she can use these bad boys."
The kids smiled as Patty helped Marcie adjust to the crutches. "Whoa! Whoa!" Marcie tried to keep her balance. Patty smiled. "So this is the toy factory, guys, What do ya think?"
"Is there anything to see in here?" Robert asked.
"Is there anything to see in Santa's toy factory?! On Christmas Eve?!" Marcie repeated, gasping. "Tell him, Charles."
"Robert, we're about to see things that most children can only dream about." Charlie Brown said.
"In fact, there's so much to see-" Sally said.
"We have to take a train." Barney said, noticing Snoopy siting in a large wooden train.
"Is this the Polar Express?" Rerun asked. "Like in the movie with Tom Hanks."
"This is not the Polar Express, but it's the next best thing." Sally told Rerun.
"ALL ABOARD!" Snoopy exclaimed. Everyone got in, with Patty helping Marcie in the train and Linus getting Rerun in a booster seat.
"Oh boy! Oh boy!" Barney squealed.
Mrs. Clause:
We're going on a trip this winter's night
Beneath the moon so bright,
To a place of magic dreams
That's filled with Christmas joy
For every girl and boy.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Barney asked as everyone squealed.
Barney, Barney's friends, Peanuts Gang and Mrs. Claus:
There's music in the air
And presents everywhere.
I can't believe my eyes
Oh, what a big surprise.
I'm so happy we are here
'Cause Christmas is our
favorite time of year
"Isn't it amazing?" Charlie Brown asked, holding a happy Heather's hand.
"Hi! Hi!" Baby Bop, BJ, Schroeder and Lucy waved from the window.
"HI!" Sally and Rerun waved back.
Stephen, Pigpen, Linus and Rerun:
Trucks and trains and candy canes,
Boats and planes and learning games,
Hannah, Sally and Peppermint Patty:
Marching drums and sugar plums,
There's magic in the air.
Robert, Franklin and Charlie Brown:
Dresses, hats, and baseball bats,
Ribbons, dolls, and bouncing balls,
Keesha, Heather and Marcie:
Building blocks and funny clocks,
"Every kind you can imagine!" Sally added.
Barney, Barney's friends, Peanuts Gang and Mrs. Clause:
There's toys from here to there.
There's music in the air
And presents everywhere.
I can't believe my eyes
Oh, what a big surprise.
I'm so happy we are here
'Cause Christmas is our
favorite time of year
Stephen, Pigpen, Linus and Rerun:
A racing car, a cool guitar,
A dancing bear, some skates to wear,
Hannah, Sally and Peppermint Patty:
A rocking horse, who talks, of course
It's like a dream come true.
Robert, Franklin and Charlie Brown:
Bikes and trikes and pretty kites,
A blue kazoo, a tuba, too,
Keesha, Heather and Marcie:
Some fancy socks, a music box,
I'm glad I'm here with you.
"So am I!" Barney said.
"Me too!" Snoopy barked.
Barney, Barney's friends, Peanuts Gang and Mrs. Clause:
There's music in the air
And presents everywhere.
I can't believe my eyes
Oh, what a big surprise.
I'm so happy we are here
'Cause Christmas is our favorite time,
Christmas is our favorite time of year.