Horsenado and Mayor Banana had made the short trek to Donald's Dock where the mysterious Captain Scurvy was said to live. Trying to find information was scarce, as rumors were just as plentiful as the facts. After much work they had discovered that the Captain lived in a small house at the very end of Barnacle Boulevard, near a small fishing pond. The two had spent the entire day looking, and were exhausted as they made their final destination. While Banana was the mayor, he was not very comfortably with the playgrounds beyond Acorn Acres or Toontown Central. He had been here a few times, but usually passing through to Toontown Central. The balmy July sun had made things even more debilitating, causing the pair to stop for ice cold lemonades on the way. The fringes of Donald's Dock were certainly different. The sandy beaches and plentiful Toons had given way to more rocky terrains, piles of seaweed, and decaying wooden planks. Houses here was few and far between. It seemed nearly inhabitable, as large waves crashed almost all the way to the docks. Horsenado could only ponder how high they rose in the colder months, and how cold it must get. He was thankful to be here in the summer, at least the light breeze felt good. "Land ho!" Wacky shouted out, chuckling to himself as he spotted the lone remaining house. The "house" if it could be so exaggeratedly called, was actually just a small shack connected to a lighthouse.
"Gosh, I can't believe someone actually lives there. That hardly looks like someone could sleep there. Poor old Captain, they must be miserable!" Category pondered, rubbing his party hat back and forth across his head as the light sharp edges scratched against his fur. "I wonder what they are like? They must be quite the odd-ball to live here though."
"You try telling them that." Wacky flicked his cohort jokingly as they approached the door. Before they could knock, the door slowly creaked open, just enough for the pure black to be visible. "Um, good afternoon. We're looking for Captain Scurvy?" Banana called out quietly, legs shivering at the odd sight. A few moments of silence passed, as no response came from inside. "Hello? Is there anybody in there?" stepping up to the door, Wacky pushed it open slightly, listening as a long, high-pitched squeaking sang out, screaming in the pair's ears. There was nobody there. Inside was quite dark. A small candle in the corner illuminated enough that the horse and monkey combo could make out some details. It appeared quite cramped. A medium sized bed and desk took up much of the available light. Some books and other charts and maps littered the floor and the walls. It didn't appear the old Captain had much in the way of technology. No television, no lamps, or anything.
Taking the lead, Horsenado walked in and called out one more time. "Hello! Captain Scurvy! My name is Horsenado. I'm from the Toon Council. This is Mayor Wacky. We were hoping to speak with you about an expedition?" feeling his own legs quaking, Horsenado felt a chill run up his spine as a cold wind suddenly breathed against his neck. Spinning around rapidly, he screamed in time to see nothing or no one.
"Horsenado, you're seeing things." Wacky gritted through chattering teeth. "It doesn't look like anybody is in here. How about we go check out the lighthouse."
"Arrrgh. That be unnecessary." an ambiguous voice called out from the darkness. A shadowy figure approached the candle, slowly becoming visible in the feint light. Horsenado had screamed and jumped up, almost landing on Wacky, and nearly knocking him over. "Ye two be trespassing in me home? What brings two wet behind the ear Toons here?" the now fully visible blue cat meowed out. This sea captain surely was old. A wrinkly face was partially covered by an eye-patch on the Toon's right eye. Wearing an all black sea captain's uniform, the cat approached the pair. "Cat got your tongue? Ye two be interrupting me reading. What brings ye here?"
Wacky, doing his best to interpret the cat's dialect spoke up. "Good morning, Captain! My name is Wacky Banana, I am the Mayor of Toontown. We were referred to you, as we believe you may be the answer to our problems!
A gleam from a shiny, metal hook burned Horsenado's eyes, as the cat lifted an arm. Screaming, Horsenado jumped back pointlessly as Scurvy began scratching their head. "Arrrgh. Horse is quite the cowardly young one, ain't he? I heard yer request. An expedition, eh? Be there nobody else that can help? I'm an old washed up bit of sea salt I am. I live me days reading and studying the maps that I draw from me reading. I won't be help to not a soul."
"Um, Captain. First, I want to saw I'm not cowardly. I've just seen a lot of horror movies. Secondly, from what I heard from Queen Val you are nowhere near a washed up, um what did you say? Sea salt?"
Placing their novelty hook down, Scurvy walked over to the red and cream horse and stuck out their tongue, studying the fearful Toon's expression. "Ah, did you say Queen Val? Rainbow's sister, eh? She sent you here?"
"You know her? Banana questioned, confused as two how this old sea captain would ever come into contact with the Queen of Valentoonia.
"Know her? Rainbow be one of my oldest mateys! Tell her I said ahoy!" sitting down on the bed, Scurvy began looking over a crudely drawn map of what appeared to be Polar Place.
Rubbing his neck, Horsenado looked down on the focused cat, twisting the large paper around in circles, studying the features. "Captain, you haven't even heard our request. We could really use your help."
"Son, I be sure that you could use me help. But those days are behind me. Since me old ship, the Melville was destroyed by some Corporate Raiders out on the high sea, I haven't set peg or foot out of this shack. I could no longer face Neptune without a vessel." Scurvy finally placed the map down and stared at the two. "What ye be needing from me anyway?" Wacky and Horsenado recounted the dire situation that Toontown was facing, studying the cat's face with each additional word, hoping for some sign of emotion, or anything really. The captain was quite stoic, as firm as a rock as they listened to the desperate pleas of their guests. Once Banana finished up the story, Scurvy closed their one good eye and leaned back. "Ah, the Old World. Many a Toons spoke big about finding it, but none ever could. Never dared to look me self, the dangers were always too much for me." leaping up, the pair watched as the dark blue cat wondered over to the shelf that was holding a few books and other miscellaneous objects. "Maybe I be crazy in my old age, but I still believe it be there. Loaded with treasures a-plenty." slapping a map down on the desk, the two stared wide-eyed at.
"Map to the Old World?" Horsenado sputtered, shocked. "So it does exist!"
Wacky stared skeptically at the map, soaking in the details. "I'm not too sure about this Five-o. After all, if there is a map, why hasn't anyone been able to get there?"
"This be my own map. I have made it me self. Many years of stories at the saloon, or from salty sea-dogs at the shore. Map making be one of me hobbies, after all." growing a large, toothy smile the captain nodded to the pair as they managed to convince their worries of their own desires to set sail. "Get me a vessel and a crew, and I reckon we can give it a shot. Sure beats sitting in this wretched ol' shack I guess. Be good to get my sea legs goin' again. Ain't seen the open waters in far too long." sticking their hand out, the three shook hands exuberantly. They had found their captain, now they would just need a crew
"Okay class. That's the bell. Don't forget to read your chapters tonight. There's going to be a quiz tomorrow!" Calypso called out to the young Toons who were eagerly jogging out of the classroom. Once the last toon had made their escape, the dark blue duck took a seat at his desk and sighed. Young Toons just didn't have the same love of the world that they used to. Geography and History were for old Toons. Flipping through some pages of the textbook he had been instructing from he let on a small smile. He always loved discussing ancient Toon History. The fact that there was so much that Toons still didn't know. Much of these things were still mysteries. Were there actually other species? What about other worlds? After all, there was a vast ocean beyond the edges of Toontown and Valentoonia. A world to be explored. A dream that he would never get to experience. Losing himself in the pages, the middle-aged teacher daydreamed. As a young Toon he had imagined being an explorer. Searching out ancient ruins. Hidden treasures. Making a name for himself. Instead he was now teaching at a middle school in Prank City. Thirteen year old Calypso would be so disappointed in him. But exploring wasn't practical. Exploring wouldn't put food on the table. Picking up his whisper device, he sighed as a new message had arrived several minutes ago. "What do you want, Marbles?"
Reading through the message from his ex-wife, his exasperated expression turned to one of frustration. Selecting the call feature, he held his device to his hear and ran through his response, preparing a calm, relaxed tone. Unfortunately once the voice on the other side answered, all was gone. "Calypso, what did I tell you about calling me?"
"Marbles, what the heck is going on? I just got your message. What do you mean Neville won't be here this weekend? It's my weekend with him!" Calypso clenched his shorts, feeling as they bunched up into his hand.
"Sorry for the short notice.. Chad surprised us with tickets to Silly World this weekend, and Neville was so excited... Come on, you wouldn't want to disappoint him, would you? You know how much he loves Silly World.." the light voice stated in a sweet, but mocking tone.
Furious, Calypso bit down on his fist to stop himself from unleashing hell on his device. "Marbles, I have a right to see my son. You guys can go to Silly World any other weekend."
"Yes, you do have a right to see him... on the third weekend of each month. Which happens to be the only weekend that Chad and I are able to take him to Silly World. Now, if you want to tell him that he's missing out on a fun weekend because his dad is a petulant child, be my guest, but don't be surprised if he's not too happy."
"Oh yeah, weaponizing my own son against me. Great mom you are Marbles. Give me a break here, I hardly get to see him, can't you just postpone it for a week? Marbles, I'm begging you. I feel like this last year I never get to see him. I hardly know him anymore. Please, give me this weekend and I'll work out something for next month?" Calypso closed his eyes, and prayed under his breath, Holding out a small bit of hope.
There was a pause from the other side as there was some fumbling, before the voice of a young Toon called out. "Hey dad! It's Neville! Mom said you were on the phone!"
"Hey bud! How's it going? So, I have some really fun plans for this weekend! I'm going to be off in about twenty minutes, and I'll be over there soon to pick you up, okay?" smiling at his son's innocence, he was soon deflated by another long pause.
"Um dad... Mr. Chad said that he got tickets to Silly World this weekend and said I could go..." Calypso bit his lip as he listed to the disappointment in his son's voice. While he did have the law on his side, was it worth alienating his only son against him?
Feigning excitement, Calypso exhaled. "Wow buddy, that's awesome! Sounds like a real fun weekend, it's super cool of him to do that! Well how about I go ahead and save our super fun weekend for next time. That sound okay, pal?"
"Yay!" the voice screamed out from the other line. "Thank you dad! Thank you, thank you!"
"Of course Neville. Hey bud, I love you. Have a fun weekend okay?"
"Love you too, dad! Bye!" there was a small rustling as the whisper device was handed back to Marbles, however Calypso was unable to stay connected. Hanging up in frustration, the blue duck slammed his fist into his wooden desk a few times, ignoring the pulsating pain as he cried out into the empty classroom. Slamming his face down onto the desk, he breathed in. Another long, lonely weekend at home for him. Feeling his whisper device start to rumble, he did his best to ignore it. Once it stopped buzzing he stood up and closed his textbook. There was no use staying here any longer.
As he made his way out of the classroom, his whisper device began to buzz again. Frustrated, Calypso ripped it from his pocket and began to scream into the phone. "What do you want now Marbles!"
"...Good afternoon. I'm sorry if I called the right number. I was looking for Calypso Cousteau?" the mysterious, yet familiar voice inquired softly.
Rubbing the back of his head, Calypso felt like an idiot. "Sorry about that. Yes, this is him. May I ask who is calling?"
"Great! My name is Wacky Banana, I am the Mayor of Toontown. I was wondering if you had a few minutes to talk?"
Boxer rubbed his thighs nervously. This was his fourth casting call since he had arrived in Minnie's Melodyland from Valentoonia a few months ago. A film called "The Cupcake Master." He hadn't had any luck since his arrival, however he was feeling good about today. Minnie's Melodyland was known as the entertainment capital of Toontown, as most movies and music were created here. As a singer/actor combo, Boxer had come looking for new opportunities. He had barely missed out on the affordable estate program and had been squeaking by on the savings from his last job, and the odd jobs that was able to pick up here and there. He wasn't able to take an actual job just in case he finally got his big break. "Boxer Garfunkel." a voice called out over a megaphone. Taking a deep breath, the purple dog stood up and nodded to the other hopefuls who waved at him and crossed their fingers. "Good luck guys!" he called out. Feeling an endless black hole ripping open his stomach, the tall dog walked onto the stage. Bowing to a small trio of fancy looking Toons, he nervously spoke. "Um, good morning. Thank you for having me here."
"Yes, yes. Thank you. We have a lot of Toons auditioning today. I will go ahead and read you in." a short white deer with a beret called out in a shrill voice. "Oh, Romeo. My sweet Romeo. Please, this cannot be all for you. Please, just hold on. Help will be here soon!"
Boxer's mind began to blank as he listened to the line reading. "Um. Oh. Yes. Rudy.. Rudy.." Boxer sprung out in an anxious, yet booming voice. "This looks like it will be the end for me Rudy. My sweet cupcake, I will never know the sweet bliss of one last kiss. Please, do not cry. Because with you, I was able to find true happiness.."
"Thank you Mr. Boxer. We will be in touch! Mr. Riggy Marole II, please make your way to the stage!" the deer shouted out.
"So, did I do okay? Did I get the part?" Boxer inquired innocently.
A brown bear seated next to the director chuckled. "Son, could you please exit stage left? We will be in touch if you got the part. We have a lot of auditions left to see." waving his hand, he motioned for Boxer to step away. Dejectedly, Boxer walked off the stage into the back room where he had been waiting so long. One sad look was all it took for the other actors to know his fate. All of them in the same exact situation as him, struggling to find a hole to dig their hands into as they climbed the relentless mountain to fame, doing their best to avoid tripping over the numerous other Toons on their way to the peak. Boxer had done enough auditions to know that he likely wasn't going to hear back. He wasn't going to give up though, because Boxer was a fighter, and fighters never give up. Stepping out of the dimly lit theater into the bright, August sun he smiled. He wasn't going to let this get him down. Whistling a tune, he skipped down the piano tiles, keeping in tune. He was going to get to the top if it killed him!