Chapter 5: A Whisker Wonderland
Time had passed since Uncle Chip's visit to cure his niece from her blues, the whole affair, as we know, turned out to be a massive success. And before you know it, it was safe to say that both Tom, Robyn and Jerry soon found themselves in the month of December… aka, the month of the most Holy day of the year: Christmas!
Everywhere the cat, mouse and 9 year-old girl went around the mall, they saw the following things: toys in every store, customers shopping for presents, children asking Santa what they'd like as a gift, long lines to various shops, etc.
Heck, even Christmas music such as "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby*1, "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole*1, "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney*1, or even Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker ballet*1 were being played all around the shopping center.
It was definitely, without a doubt, as the song lyrics say "the most wonderful time of the year"*2. It was so wonderful that Tom and Jerry soon remembered that this would be their first Christmas together since they came into Robyn's life, as well as the first that Michael would not be leaving his daughter in 'Aunt' Figg's care.
Just the mere thought of these heartwarming and sugarplum*3 styled thoughts entering their mind made the cat and mouse (as well as their human owner and friend) feel light as a feather… or in this case, magic feet corn*3.
The Starling family had already purchased the gifts that would be given to each other, now the waiting part to unwrap the gifts and spending quality time with one another would begin.
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So, where does that lead us with regards to the famous cat and mouse duo?
We find them chasing one another outside the Starling family mansion, with just a week and a day before Christmas. But there was a catch… you see, being the smart fella that he was, Jerry remembered to bundle up. Tom, on the other hand… need I say more? Their chase soon ultimately led to the two winding up on the snow-covered streets and at some point thereof, perhaps because he forgot to put on his snow clothes, the cat wound up crashing face first into one of the mailboxes, which caused it to tip over and have letters and packages of all sorts spill out.
Jerry did his best to remove his pal from this frozen friend from the situation at hand, but he had no luck. Luckily, Robyn and Michael (her dad) arrived in the nick of time to pry him off.
As Robyn handed her feline friend the snow clothes, she spoke to Tom in a slightly (if not one hundred percent) scolding tone while picking up the mail and packages.
"You really oughta be more careful, Tom," the 9 year-old said, whilst clearing up the mess. "You might catch a cold."
"That's the last thing I want," answered the cat.
It wasn't long before the mailman came by and thanked everyone for saving the content inside the mailbox. But upon getting back inside the family manor, Jerry noticed something on one of Tom's hindpaws.
"Look!" he exclaimed. "Here's one letter we forgot to give the mailman."
As Tom removed it from his paw, Robyn looked over the address on the envelope and recognized it immediately: it was to be shipped to 64 Joseph Boulevard*4, Union City, California 94587.
"I know that place," she said.
"Well, don't keep us in suspense, what is the address to?" asked Tom.
"It's the address to the Roland-Denby*5 orphanage," the blonde-haired girl replied as she took out a map and pointed to its whereabouts, "which is not far from here."
"How do you know that, Robyn?" wondered Jerry.
"I can answer that," said Michael, who explained everything. "Whenever Robyn ran away from home to avoid Pristine's wrath, she usually found herself at other places besides Robyn's Nest… the orphanage being one such example."
Unfolding the letter, Robyn then read it out loud. This is what it read:
Dear Santa:
For the past 5 years I have lived at the Roland-Denby orphanage and have
not yet been adopted, but I hope that one day some grown up comes by to even-
-tually adopt me.
But anyway, our orphanage is falling into disrepair and I was wondering if it
would be possible for you to come by, bring some toys as presents and good food
to eat. Me and my fellow orphans, as well as our proprietor, Mr. Mintz*6, would
greatly appreciate it.
If you can't, thanks anyway and Merry Christmas,
Yours sincerely,
Charlie Phillips
Charlie Phillips
After reading it, a look of sadness appeared on Tom, Robyn and Jerry's faces.
"Aww," sighed a shocked Jerry, "those poor orphans. Their situation is not too far from your own, Robyn."
"Indeed," nodded the girl. "It's shocking to hear that place is falling into disrepair."
"We've gotta do something about this," said Tom. "But what?"
There was a long pause, but eventually, it was Robyn who came up with the solution.
"I got it," she announced. "First thing tomorrow, we will set to work on getting the orphanage Christmas presents, plenty of good food to eat… the whole ballpark."
"That's perfect, Robyn," said her dad. "In addition, I'll get some hired hands to make repairs to the orphanage inside and out of the place, that way they won't have to worry about any funds costing them a cent."
"Thanks, daddy."
A few minutes later, everyone was given their tasks on what all needed to be accomplished: Tom would get the toys, Jerry would gather unused decorations from all over the neighborhood, Michael would get a good amount of chefs and a tree for the orphanage (once he was done with his normal task), and Robyn would get help by placing orders for baked goods from a local bakery.
They would all begin their tasks first thing tomorrow in the morning.
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The very next day after breakfast, everyone set to work on their tasks…
Jerry set to work on gathering unused decorations from all over the neighborhood, but because he was only one mouse, he wound up making friends with all sorts of other mice… mice who lived in the suburbs, mice who lived in the city, whatever. It took several trips, sure, but eventually he managed to get permission to use the unused decorations as there were a great deal of people who cared all about the well-being of the orphanage.
Robyn not only got the grocery shopping done with her dad (who also found some local chefs who were willing to help make the meal), they also got some of the best bakers, who were also more than willing to help out… When all of that was done, the last thing they settled on was the Christmas tree, to put it smoothly, father and daughter were able to find a nice, tall one.
As for Michael, he and some fellow colleagues were able to get some much needed renovating done to the Roland-Denby orphanage, which they were happy to do free of charge. Mr. Mintz, whose first name was revealed to Pepperidge*6, was ever so grateful, he didn't know how to repay the Starling family patriarch.
Michael told him that there was one way, "My daughter Robyn," he explained, "her pets and myself are putting together a festive surprise for the orphanage to celebrate the holiday season, if you could keep this hush hush and surprise from the orphans, so we can naturally show them how much we care… especially Charlie, that'd be great Pepperidge."
"It's a tall order, Michael," said the orphanage's proprietor, "but I'll do it. And please, call me Pepper."
A deal was struck.
Meanwhile, as everything else was following into place like clockwork, the only one who seemed to be having trouble with his task, was Tom.
"Why is that?" you all will ask me undoubtedly, as well as, "What kind of trouble?"
And to that I say, "Let's just say that our favorite feline had to deal with a rather obnoxious and nosy security guard."*7
Tom tried to assure the guy his intentions were pure, what with it being the holidays and everything, still, the guy didn't budge a centimeter. It was only when he brought up Robyn's name did the guy lower his defenses and let the cat in. Why? Because he had a son about Robyn's age who knew her in school. That, and the cat also mentioned the Roland-Denby orphanage.
About twenty minutes later, our favorite cat emerged triumphant with all sorts of toys: jumprope, jacks, action figures, dolls, marbles, lincoln logs, crayons and coloring books, children's books to read, planes that loop the loop, hula hoops, juggling balls, stuffed animals, the whole nine yards.
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Later at home, our friends got down to business by wrapping up all the presents, deciding which food recipes ought to be made for the big night of Christmas Eve, picking out which ornaments both indoors and outdoors would look very festive for the orphanage (as well as its tree) — safe to say, the whole shebang was a complete success.
On Christmas Eve morning, both Tom, Robyn, her dad and Jerry arrived at the Roland-Denby orphanage to provide the stuff that was needed to make the place not only a lot more festive, but also more livelier. The four arrived at 7 AM, with just an hour to spare before the orphans woke up.
When at last they finally rose out of bed, the orphans awoke to see not only stockings hanging by their beds, but also a Christmas tree in the center of their room, complete (of course) with presents. The boys and girls were so shocked that they could hardly speak, safe to say, they wondered where all the gifts and everything came from. It was only when Charlie stepped forward and told his fellow orphans all about the letter that he wrote to Santa, that thing began to make a little sense.
"Actually," said a voice unfamiliar to the youngsters, "my dad, as well as my pets and friends, Tom and Jerry, lent a hand on making this festive situation become a reality."
Charlie did a double-take in shock.
"How?" he asked in confusion, looking at the voice, which belonged to a blonde-haired and blue-eyed 9 year-old girl. "And who are you?"
"I'm Robyn Starling, and you must be Charlie Phillips."
"How do you know my name?"
Robyn, who was dressed from head to toe in elf uniform, then explained how she and her pets/friends came across Charlie's letter and decided to make his wish come true. Doubtless to say, Charlie and the orphans were taken by surprise by this revelation, but as it was an act of goodness and generosity, they were grateful just the same.
From there on the festivities began… The orphans unwrapped their presents, ate some of the good food (like turkey, mashed potatoes, gingerbread cookies, etc.), sang Christmas carols, attended Church services, the whole nine yards.
And because they had been successful in making the Roland-Denby orphanage turn out to be filled to the brim with the holiday spirit, Tom and Jerry were able to put aside their normal rivalry for a few days.
That evening, before the joyous occasion died down, Santa also came to the event and brought with him not only extra presents, but also to give thanks to the cat and mouse duo (plus their humans) for doing such an honorable and magnificent act of peace and goodwill toward each other and mankind.
"Where does this chapter end?" you all ask.
And to that I say, "It ends with the characters and the orphans singing more carols around a Christmas tree, highlighting the spirit of giving and friendship. As well as Mr. Mintz being told that the orphanage would be looked after and given extensive care by a trust fund created by the Elizabeth Starling Trust Fund for Orphans… which was named after Michael's belated wife."
That evening, raising coffee mugs filled with hot chocolate, our favorite feline and rodent pair (plus Robyn and her dad) made a toast to the whole thing being a massive success.
"Well," said Tom, as he and the others clinked their mugs together, "here's to another successful year of adventure, joy and all that jazz."
"Here's hoping," Robyn and her dad agreed.
"Hear, hear," nodded Jerry.
The thing you will learn walking away from this episode is three things.
A) The Joy of Giving: The chapter's main focus was on the joy of making others happy, especially those who are less fortunate than many others who are down on their luck.
2) Friendship and Teamwork: Tom, Jerry and Robyn managed to successfully work together as a team, despite their usual differences.
And D) Holiday Magic: The wonder and magical season of Christmas goes to show you, whether we're religious or not, the young, the old, different skin toned (or anything else, like Tom and Jerry have fur), how Christmas can and will always find a way bring people together, no matter who they are… period.
PS: I'm sorry this chapter wasn't too dialogue heavy, I myself am always trying to find ways to improve my writing… but hey, as a writer, you do what gotta do. For better or for worse.
Author's notes:
• So that was the fourth chapter of The New Tom, Robyn, and Jerry Adventures, and as always, please fill free to leave me your feedback.
• Once again, I owe much thanks to niccunningham, for thinking up this chapter and plot.
• And finally: I own nothing in this fanfiction, as such: Tom, Jerry, plus everyone else have their rights and everything else are owned and © by Warner Brothers.
* And the plot (plus other ideas) were all thought up by niccunningham.
Easter Eggs:
1. Those are just some of many Christmas songs, which are beloved classics, as well as some of my personal favorites.
* Plus, who doesn't love Tchaikovsky's famous Nutcracker ballet?
2. This sentence was a nod to some of the lyrics from the classic Christmas song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year".
3. The sugarplum ordeal was possibly a nod to the classic poem The Night Before Christmas (or A Visit from St. Nicholas), which was written by Clement Clark Moore in 1823.
* Also, magic feet corn is very substance is what gives reindeer the ability of flight, at least according to the 1970 Santa Claus is Comin' to Town Rankin/Bass Christmas special.
4. There is no actual address like this in California, I just made it up for this is story.
* It is named after the half of the two creators of Tom and Jerry besides William Hanna, Joseph Barbera.
5. The Roland-Denby orphanage was named after William Hanna and Joseph Barbera's middle names.
* William's middle name was Denby and Joseph's middle name was Roland.
6. To answer any questions I'll receive, yes, it was indeed my intention to have the proprietor of the Roland-Denby orphanage's name be a pun on what candy canes are made of, peppermints.
7. And finally: Tom's encounter with a "rather obnoxious and nosy security guard" bit, was a nod to the scene where Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) encounters a rather obnoxious and snooty usher (Bruce Campbell) as he tries to see Mary Jane Watson's (Kirsten Dunst) play as seen in Spider-Man 2 (2004) but is too late to see the show.
That said, until the next chapter (and Merry Christmas!), my fellow readers and Toons:
I'm M. R. Parkerson signing off…