Chapter 5: The Panic

( The day after the "toys are alive" announcement. Laura, Lucky, Rupert, Buster, Emvilly, Luna, the toy story toys, and Andy were huddled around the TV in Laura's room)

Newscaster: As per last night's shocking announcement that toy's are alive the trash cans all over America and the world are filled with nothing but toys today. Even some big name toy stores are closing down and getting rid of their inventory. Many employees are blaming the evil toys for their enviable situation has even riled some religious fanatics. The pope himself had this to say about the toys

(The Pope is shown surrounded by a congregation of people)

Pope: The living toys are a messengers of the devil. They were created to corrupt our children. The governments of the world are warning you for exactly this reason. Burn the toys in a giant bonfire to save the lives and souls of your children! Do as your government says.

(Laura clicks off the TV)

Laura: Do as your government says… Do as your government says… It's called the separation of church and state, jackass! (Laura yells at the TV) You know who I blame for this mass panic? Rod Sterling…

Andy: The Midnight Zone guy?

Laura: Yep.

Andy: Why?

Laura: He did a story where a doll came alive and killed some guy, eventually it spawned movies and TV shows about dolls coming alive and killing people. Now, everyone thinks that when a toy comes alive it means people are going to die!

Lucky: But until now it was all just fantasy, because of you it's reality. Don't you think you should take some of the blame?

Laura: I know it's my fault. It's just easier to blame Rod.

Lucky: It was also easier to deny that this was becoming a problem wasn't it?

Laura: Ok, ok… you were right and I was wrong. I feel bad enough as it is.

Lucky: You feel bad now just wait 'til the revolt.

Laura: Revolt? What revolt?

Lucky: You don't think we're just going to stand around and take this do you?

Laura: You can't be serious. That's insane.

Woody: I'm with Laura. I don't think we need a revolt if we reason with the humans and let them know that we're not a danger.

Lucky: Talk to them?! You came all this way just to talk? That's very hard for me to believe, Woody.

Woody: I do what's best for my group and a revolt could destroy lives. I don't believe in destroying lives, Lucky. Do you?

Lucky: Maybe it's because of my hardships, but the world is cruel; it's about time we were cruel back.

Woody: Can't have a revolt if no one is with you and my thought's no one is.

Luna: A revolt does seem a little drastic, Baby.

Rupert: Drastic? It's crazy.

Buster: The only crazier thing I've seen was when Turbo game jumped.

Laura: Who?

Buster: He was a video game character. He left his game and went into another one.

Andy: Video game characters are alive too?

Buster: Yep.

Andy: The world is crazier than I thought. I'm not with you either, Lucky.

Laura: Me either.

Emvilly: I… I'm sorry, Lucky.

The toy story toys: No… don't think so.

Laura: We should figure out a way to get people to trust toys. We'll discuss it more later. Andy and I have to go to class.

(Laura and Andy exit)

(Laura and Andy go to the library and look up rates for tickets)

Andy: So, I say we deal with this here in America before anywhere else.

Laura: We are the country that seems to be the most obsessed with commercialism.

Andy: Getting two tickets for tonight to Washington DC.

Laura: I don't think we should bring the toys with us.

Andy: Agreed. Though, I'm sure they'd find a way to follow us. Woody and Buzz always found a way to disappear on me and then show up again.

Laura: I wonder if my animals have ever been on adventures… I really didn't get them too long ago, you know. I got Lucky when I was 14. I was at Bush Gardens with my brother and my mom. I was playing one of those water pistol games. The guy forgot to turn my brother's gun on. I considered myself very lucky because of that. Luna I got a few months later at my last visit to the Quechee bird of prey center. Then I got Buster when my friend snuck me into Dave and Buster's ,the adult arcade. I got just enough tickets to bring him home and of course I got Emvilly and Rupert here at school. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to them.

Andy: I always felt the same way about my toys growing up. In fact, I nearly lost them all before I came to school. I was actually, planning on bringing Woody with me. I had such a hard time giving him up.

Laura: I can understand why. He seems like a nice guy.

Andy: Ok… we're done. Our flight leaves tonight at 10pm.

Laura: I hope the president listens to us.

(Carol enters)

Carol: Hey, Laura… hey, Andy, did you hear the news?

Andy: About the toys being alive and the mass panic… yes we heard.

Carol: No, I meant about the teddy bear on TV declaring war against us.

Laura: About what?

Carol: A teddy bear went on TV and declared war…. Looked a little grimy to me.

(Laura and Andy look at each other scared)

Laura: You don't think…

Andy: No. He wouldn't go through with it.

(Laura and Andy run out of the library and back to Laura's room)

Laura: Is Lucky here?

Buster: No. He left and Luna went with him.

Laura: Damn!

Andy: Calm down. Maybe it's not him.

Laura: Then who is it?

(Andy turns on the TV)

Newscaster: We are again showing footage of the declaration of war made today by a daring teddy bear.

(Lotso comes on the screen)

Lotso: This is message to all humans. You have mistreated us toys for far too long and now you are all going to get exactly what you deserve. You better get ready because we aren't taking this laying down. If you want a war that's exactly what you are going to get! ALL MY FELLOW TOYS JOIN ME IN A GLORIOUS UPRISING! We will finally have the respect we deserve!

Laura: That's not Lucky who is that?

Woody: A sick twisted bear…. Goes by the name of Lots'o' hugging bear. But believe me behind those hugs and the sweet smelling fur is a devil.

Laura: You've dealt with him before?

Buzz: He's the reason we all nearly died.

Laura: You almost died? Andy… forget tonight. We need to go to DC now!