Lucy came home from work, showered off, and went straight into her bedroom. It had been a long day and she was tired, but there was still so much on her mind. Looking around her room, she gazed at a film poster above her head. It was of The Muppet Movie, her favorite live-action film (with the animated Cinderella being her favorite overall). She hadn't watched the film in a long time, but felt nostalgic for it all of a sudden. Kermit, Fozzie, and the others were all so wonderful and warm. Wouldn't it be great if she could visit with them again?
Right then, her desk lamp began to glow and out popped a strange but somehow familiar woman. She was neither old nor young, neither fat nor thin, and surrounded by a glow of blue light. Her outfit contained all colors of the visible spectrum, and a smile beamed from her face.
"Who are you?" Lucy asked, a bit frightened and confused.
The woman just laughed. "I am your Fairy Godmother of course. In a past life, I helped you through your darkest hour. But here, in the present day, I need your help this time."
Lucy was still in a state of confusion. Past lives? What did she mean? Was there something else missing? "Tell me what's going on or I'm calling the police!" Lucy snapped.
The Fairy Godmother just laughed. "Oh, no. You see, this is a problem from the land of stories. Something is happening in the story world that needs to be set right. And that is where you come in."
"Me? Why me?" Lucy pointed to herself.
"Because this is a story you know well. And it will take your help to get right." She waved her wand and uttered these magic words. "Muppetus Enactus," and in a blink, they were gone.
-
Lucy opened her eyes and found herself standing on a street corner. She saw herself wearing a blue jewel necklace, a white tee shirt, and blue jeans. Her hair was tied back with a white ribbon. Looking down, she saw she wore a blue necklace glowing red. "Where am I?"
"You have been transported back in time, to somewhere in the early to mid 1970's," the fairy godmother's voice came from Lucy's necklace. "I gave you this outfit to blend in."
"Wow! That's around the time my grandparents came here from El Salvador."
"Yes, but you will not be meeting them today," the fairy godmother responded. "There is a frog in the swamp who needs your help."
"Oh, so I am living The Muppet Movie?" Lucy started to feel happy. She would go back and revisit one of her favorites after all. It was a dream come true."
"Yes. You must ensure Kermit goes to Hollywood and live his dream," the fairy godmother continued explaining. "And I hope you meet friends on your journey. Maybe you can bring a party along to save the day."
"Alright," Lucy nodded.
"I cannot be of help to you anymore," the fairy godmother sighed. "Good luck!" And the jewel in the necklace dimmed, leaving Lucy alone.
Suddenly, Lucy was afraid. She was alone in the distant past with no money. She had no cell phone to call anyone, and even if she did, there was no wi-fi because cell phones were not invented yet! Lucy felt herself panicking, but she swallowed a bit and walked down the street a little farther, determined to find some help.
After a bit of walking, she came upon a small cabin set up like a rest stop. She smiled, hoping to find someone in there who could help. But looking in the window, Lucy did not see where she was going and bumped into a passerby. Seeing she knocked her down, Lucy helped the other traveler stand up. "Sorry," she brushed off the other girl.
"It's alright," the traveller returned. She had flowing red hair and brown eyes, wearing a green tanktop over pink bell bottom pants with flowers on them. Looking at her, Lucy saw this girl had the most wonderful, enthusiastic smile. The Fairy Godmother told her to make friends; this was a good first step. Offering her hand, Lucy giggled a bit. "I'm Lucy, by the way."
"Jeanette," the new girl replied. They shook and both laughed. "So what brings you here?"
"I'm...looking for someone," Lucy did not want to give too much information or Jeanette may lock her in a crazy house. "I was waiting here for...a bus."
"Oh, no problem," Jeanette sat on a nearby bench. "I was looking for an acting job nearby. I might head to an audition."
"Cool," Lucy sat down beside her. "But do you think you can cover my bus fare. I don't exactly have money right now."
"No problem," Jeanette dropped fifty cents in Lucy's lap. "This should cover it."
"Thanks," Lucy took the money and sat in silence.
-
During the wait for the bus, Lucy explained her mission without getting too fantastical. "So you're telling me we have to help this frog in the swamp," Jeanette was curious. "How can we talk to a frog?"
"Apparently, this frog is special. He's just like you, looking for an acting job."
"I see," Jeanette responded while still scratching her head. "Maybe we can audition for the same project and get to know each other better."
"Alright," Lucy cheered. Then, she began thinking about how the movie started. Kermit sings alone in his swamp, but who finds him? She knew about Dom DeLuise's performance, but what was Dom doing? What was his job in the film?
They caught the bus together and decided to travel a bit further. Together, they squeezed into a seat with Jeanette taking the window and Lucy taking the middle. The aisle seat remained taken. The bus continued onward as Lucy talked about the frog a bit more. Jeanette smiled and nodded, but only caught every other word. At a later stop, another girl climbed onto the bus. She was short and much younger than either Jeanette or Lucy. She had black pigtails and a white top with matching necklace over a red skirt. Her black leggings and red boots thumped along as she bounced. Giddy with excitement, she sat next to Lucy. "It's so great. I'm going off to Hollywood to work on a major motion picture?"
"Hollywood," Jeanette smiled. "That's where I'm headed." She patted Lucy on the shoulder. "And from the sounds of things, Lucy here is also."
"Oh, you're Lucy." The new girl was delighted to meet them. "I'm Kylie."
"Jeanette," Jeanette reintroduced herself. "It seems like all of us are headed out there. I'm looking for a part. Lucy wants to meet...someone. So if we're all going the same place, let's travel together."
"Well try meeting with my Uncle Bernie. He's a talent agent," answered Kylie.
"That's it," Lucy muttered to herself. That was Dom DeLuise's role. But in this setting, at this time, it was the real Bernie the agent. Dom DeLuise was either a separate person or Lucy was in a world where he didn't exist at all. But at least, she knew where she was going. "Sure," Lucy smiled. "We can go with you."
For the final bus stop, the bus parked in a dockyard. Lucy, Jeanette, and Kylie disembarked to see a man in a red shirt with a fishing jacket wave at them. "Hello, Kylie. Who are your friends?"
"This is Lucy, and this is Jeanette," Kylie pointed at them.
"Pleased to meet you," Lucy waved back. "We are also headed to Hollywood."
"I'm looking to be an actress," Jeanette chimed in. "Perhaps you can help me."
"Yeah, hop aboard," Bernie patted the side of his boat. "Kylie and I were just about to go down to Hollywood right now. But to catch the flight, we need to row out there." Bernie pointed to the other end of the swamp. "You girls ready?"
Kylie picked up a pair of oars with Bernie. "Yes, I am."
Jeanette and Lucy sat in the boat also, Lucy tried her best not to get wet, but Jeanette rocked it a bit harder.
"Next stop, Hollywood," Kylie whooped with delight. And they rowed with Uncle Bernie into the swamp.