HIDDEN MICKEY ADVENTURES 5

by Nancy Temple Rodrigue

  Wolf led Peter out through a different way and they wound through the backways of the Pirate outbuilding. Already outside the berm, too soon Peter found himself back in the main stream of people. “You know your way now, Pete?”

  Peter gave a laugh. “Yeah, I think I can find my way ten feet into Downtown Disney. Isn’t that what they call the Monorail going by overhead?”

  Wolf ignored the sarcasm. “You know, Pete, I’m proud of you for working it all out for yourself. Walt worked hard on this quest for you. He even resorted to blackmail to get something from me in exchange.” He motioned for Peter to not ask his burning questions. “He’d be pleased in how far you’ve come.”

  “So, how far do I still have to go?”

  “That, too, is for you to find out.”

  Peter knew that was all he was going to get out of their friend. He would have to be content with Wolf’s praise. He’d wait and bring up that interesting blackmail bit later. “Are you going to join us for dinner?”

  “No, I’m going out with Omah.”

  “Ooh, big date night?”

  Again he was ignored. “I’ll give her your regards.”

  Peter had a big grin plastered on his face. “Okay, thanks again, Wolf. I’ll let you know when I figure out the next clue.”

  “Tell your dad I’ll see him tomorrow at work.”

  “Night.”

  Fullerton

  Upending the gray container, Peter was surprised when two items came sliding out into his waiting hand. Up to this point, Walt hadn’t included any special gifts to accompany the next clue as he had done in most of the previous Hidden Mickey searches. And, from the length of the written note, Peter began to wonder what kind of clue could possibly require so much of an explanation. As he started to read the familiar writing, though, a whole new outlook for the future opened up.

  “Hello, Peter,

  I’m proud that you have reached this final point in your special quest. I must say, it was refreshing to develop these clues with a specific person in mind. All the quests before—and the ones to follow—I knew would be designed for some faceless, unknown person. In any one of those cases, I wouldn’t know if he or she would follow through or not. It’s hard to believe that someone might find a tempting clue and not follow through to the end, but you never know.

  Having met you and your mother through Wolf’s wonderful ability, it was a pleasure to make this search just for you. You might have had some trouble nagging at you from a past experience, but I had no doubt that you would go all the way until the end. Were you able to do as I asked? Did you look around at each location? Could you see the special hand of my Imagineers in the different places you went? Did you appreciate what you were seeing? To me, the journey is as important as the final destination.

  Even though I might not like it, I’ve always known I wouldn’t live forever—well, not in body, anyway. My decision to set up these quests was to find people who would carry out my intentions, my desires, my legacy. In that way, what I strived so hard to create would survive long after I am gone. These dedicated people, starting with your grandfather, have become my Guardians.

  Since you have completed the course I set out for you, it is my belief that you qualify to join this elite group. You might be young in age, but you have shown courage and dedication. I believe your enthusiasm for my legacy will continue to grow as you do. I want men like you to help guide the future. I want you to join the Guardians and take your deserved place alongside the others.

  The other item in this small canister is a rough copy of an unfinished Alice comedy from many years ago. The actual script was a treasure included in a previous quest. You get to see the movie. It is an eight-millimeter film that I watched once on my Bell and Howell movie projector. No one else has seen this little gem. Unfortunately, the series ended before it could be finished and released. I hope you enjoy it. Those were wonderful days!

  You will find something else that no one else has. No, don’t tip the container on its ear again. It isn’t there. I arranged with your grandfather to leave it somewhere where he knew you would find it. He told me to say ‘Look in back of the smaller filing cabinet for a folder named Peter.’ He said you’d know where to go.

  I will leave you now with my thanks. Now, if you got to know many of my men here in the Studio, you would know that isn’t said very often. But, on special occasions I drag the word out. This, to me, is a special occasion.

  Perhaps some day, if Wolf will allow it, I’ll get to see you again.

  Just remember to keep wishing and all your dreams will come true!

  Best wishes,

  Walt Disney.”

  Peter sat back in his chair and let the handwritten pages drop to his lap. ApersonalletterfromWaltDisney!Wow. His next thought was that he wanted to share this with Catie. He tapped the small canister of film with his index finger. Not sure if they had a projector capable of handling the small gauge film, he hesitated on opening the round metal tin. He had seen film like that before. At the slightest touch it could spring out of its tight coil and unwind before he could stop it. No, he’d save that gem for later.

  One particular part of the letter was reread—the part that said his grandfather had hidden something for him. He knew it had to be in that small green filing cabinet up in the War Room, but he still didn’t have unlimited access to the fascinating room. With a cocky smile, Peter wondered if whatever Walt had left for him might change that. “He said I was a Guardian now. Mom and Dad will have to let me in.”

  A glance at his clock told him it was only seven in the evening. His family was probably downstairs in the living room watching television. He was torn. He wanted to go read the letter to Catie, but he also wanted to see what he could find in the filing cabinet. That would require Mom or Dad, without letting either of his brothers know what they were doing.

  Peter grabbed up the film canister and headed for the stairs.

  “Give me fifteen minutes, Pete. My show’s almost over.”

  “But this is important, Dad!”

  “You’ve been upstairs all day. It can wait fifteen minutes.”

  “But…”

  “Honey, have a seat. Have some popcorn. You know this is your dad’s favorite show.”

  Peter threw himself on the sofa, the force causing some popcorn to fly out of the bowl. Dug, always nearby, jumped at the chance to grab a few stray kernels before they were cleaned up.

  “You know corn isn’t good for dogs. Mikey, help clear the floor, will you?”

  “Peter made the mess.”

  One nice, pretty little girl. That’s all I ever asked for. Give me strength not to kill them. Taking a calming breath, Kimberly chose not to pursue that battle. “All of you will… Well, never mind. Dug beat us to it.”

  A long, golden tail thumped happily on the clean floor. Not quite content, the Golden Retriever steadily eyed the youngest, Andrew, waiting for the next handful to miss his mouth.

  There was a chorus of “Hey!” when Lance clicked off the television. “Hey yourself. How can I watch with all this noise?” He glanced at the now-empty, buttery bowl. “And you all ate all the popcorn. How can I watch a show without popcorn? So, Pete, what was so important?”

  All eyes in the room instantly turned to Peter. The youngest two were silently blaming Peter for the shortened television program. The older two were wondering what he had found in the gray canister from Pirates. “Um, can I talk to you, Dad?”

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  “Not here. Upstairs.”

  Lance threw a questioning glance at Kimberly. Not having any idea what was going on, she gave a slight shrug. “I’ll be right back, honey.” When they had reached Peter’s room, he asked, “So, what’s up? What did you find?”

  Peter drew Walt’s letter out of his top desk drawer and handed it to Lance. “Walt wrote me this letter.”

  “Letter? No clue?”

  Peter shook his head and indicated the metal film can that was back o
n his desk. “He left me this Alice comedy he said no one else has ever seen.”

  Lance’s eyes lit up. “Oooh, that’s pretty interesting.”

  “Not as interesting as what might be upstairs. In the War Room.” Peter made sure he stressed the location.

  Lance’s head shot up from the canister. “In the War Room? Why do you think there’s something for you in there? We surely would have found it by now.”

  Peter pointed at that passage in Walt’s letter. “He said grandpa hid something for me.”

  “Well, let’s go see what we can find.”

  Peter was all smiles as his dad led the way up the stairs that took them to the third floor of their house. To most people, the stairs ended in an attic filled with cartons of cast-off clothes, furniture, and various Disney items yet to be placed in the main part of the house. However, next to the seldom-used elevator was a door. It was difficult to see because it was covered by the same Victorian wallpaper as the walls around it. Hidden in plain sight. Also concealed was the elaborate alarm system that Lance now disengaged.

  With a quick glance at the holographic map of Disneyland suspended in the middle of the room, Peter went straight to the small filing cabinet.

  “We’ve been in that cabinet many times over the years, Pete. There never was a folder with your name on it. We would’ve remembered it.”

  Not answering, Peter held his breath as he pulled out the squeaky drawer and started to riffle through the files inside. “It has to be here. Walt said it would.”

  Lance’s reply was cut off when Peter let out a triumphant yell. “What’d you find?”

  Peter held up a thin manila folder. “See? It says Peter on it! Just like Walt said.”

  “I don’t understand.” Lance didn’t reach out to take the folder from Peter. The confused look on his face said it all. “That can’t be there.”

  “But it is.” Peter looked away for a moment as he tried to figure out some logical explanation. “Maybe it’s the time travel thingy. You know, it might not have been there before because it wasn’t put there before when all this other stuff was. Maybe Grandpa just added it recently in their time…” He rubbed a hand over his eyes. “Man, this is hard to keep straight.”

  “You know, you might be right. We can ask Wolf about it later. So, no matter how or when it got there, what’s inside?”

  “Oh, yeah. I forgot to look.” Peter eagerly parted the sides of the folder. “There’s only one piece of paper in here.”

  “You sound disappointed. What were you expecting? What does it say?”

  Peter didn’t know what he had been expecting. Having already received a Gold Pass, his own apartment over Main Street, and the Key to Disneyland, he assumed it would be something more significant than a single piece of paper. “Oh!”

  Lance could see that Peter’s face had transformed into sheer joy. “What is it? Can you show me?”

  “Sure, Partner.”

  Lance frowned at his choice of words. “Partner? Let me see.”

  Peter turned the thick piece of paper around. It was an elaborate certificate, its borders filled with filigree and Disney characters. In the center was a detailed depiction of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Lance could tell it had been hand-drawn and printed by Walt himself. The flowery lettering proclaimed that Peter Percy Brentwood was now a full-fledged, acknowledged Guardian of Walt.

  “Well, congratulations, Pete. This is quite a day for you. You’ve been working toward it for a long time.”

  “So, do I get my own key to this War Room?”

  “Don’t push it, son.”

  Peter knew when to drop it. “Can we go tell Catie? I know she’d love to hear about it.”

  Lance was glad to see the excited look on his son’s face. After a long, angst-filled year, it was a relief to see him happy again and looking forward to his duties as a Guardian—even though he knew Peter was still vague on what exactly this entailed. But, enough time for that in the future. “I think that’s a great idea. I’ll go tell your mom and see if they all want to go.”

  For some reason, Peter became subdued. “All right. I need to get something from my room. I’ll be right down.”

  When his dad closed up the War Room and set the alarm, Peter followed him down the first set of stairs. He turned to go into his room, checking back over his shoulder to make sure he wasn’t followed. Slipping into his closet, he pulled the door shut and went to the back wall. Working quickly, he uncovered his hidden treasure box and opened its lid. Lips suddenly dry, he pulled out one small item from the very bottom. Staring at it, heart pounding in his chest, his head slowly nodded. “This is the time.”

  Andrew claimed he had “a ‘fectious cough” and Michael didn’t want to leave the television, so Lance and Peter made the short drive to the Fullerton Hospital. Lance noticed Peter was unusually quiet. After two major finds he figured Peter would be jumping out of his seat and retelling every detail of his last trek into Pirates. But, the boy was still. “You all right, son?”

  Peter acted like a firecracker had gone off under his feet. “What!? Oh, uhm, yeah. Sorry, Dad, what’d you ask?”

  Lance’s glance into his side mirror hid his amusement. “I just asked if you were all right.”

  “Yeah. Fine. Great! Why wouldn’t I?” Gosh, shut up, Peter!

  “You just seem jumpy. That’s all.”

  “Oh. No, I, uhm, just thinking about what I’m going to tell Catie.”

  Lance let it slide as he pulled into a parking spot. “I know she’ll be proud of you, too. Just like your Mom and I are.”

  Peter hadn’t really heard him, but realized he needed to make some kind of a reply. “Thanks?” When Lance didn’t say anything else, Peter figured that must have been appropriate.

  As they got closer to Catie’s room, Peter seemed to get more and more nervous. He pulled up short when he saw Adam and Beth were already inside. Lance, on the other hand, was glad to see them.

  “Hey, you two. Nice to see you. How’s our girl doing today? Any more action?”

  “She has more color today. Her eyes were open again and she followed us while we were talking to her. That was encouraging.” Beth turned to greet Peter who was still hovering by the door. “Hello, Peter. Did you open the canister yet? We’re excited to hear what you found.”

  Eyes wide, seemingly startled to be singled out, his hand fell to his jeans pocket. “What? Oh, yeah, I did. It was, um, a letter. From Walt. Disney.”

  When he said nothing else, Adam and Beth looked to Lance for more of an explanation. Lance could only shrug. “I’m sure he’ll fill you in later. I think he wanted to tell Catie first.”

  “Oh, well, how about if we go down to the cafeteria? I could use a coffee right about now. Adam? You two want to come with me?”

  Not sure why Peter was acting so oddly, the men followed Beth out of the room. “We’ll be back in about twenty minutes. That good for you, Pete?”

  His eyes on a fresh flower arrangement across the room, Peter nodded. “Yeah, thanks, Dad. I’ll…” He didn’t finish his sentence as the adults filed out of the room.

  Now that he was alone, he first walked over to the window to peer out into the night sky. He seemed to be drawing either strength or courage from the blinking stars overhead. Wolf’s teasing voice crept into his head. “Fine,” he ground out, “I’m wishing on a star, Wolf. You happy?”

  Mind made up, he went up to the hospital bed. “Hi, Catie. It’s me, Peter.” His abrupt chuckle broke the serious demeanor. “I guess you probably knew that. Listen, Catie. I wanted to tell you something. I did find that last clue inside the Pirates ride. It was really cool and kinda weird to walk around in there. I got a letter from Walt, too. He made me a Guardian, Catie! I even found an official certificate in the filing cabinet.” Peter broke off and looked away. Catie didn’t know about the War Room. She had been in their attic, but had never noticed or commented on that hidden door. “Uhm, that’s cool news, isn’t it? But, I have something else
I want to tell you.” A quick look at the door showed him he was still alone, but the clock on the wall said he didn’t have that much more time alone with her. “You know how much I’ve missed you, right? It seemed really strange for you to not be there with me when I was running these clues. It made me realize something, Catie.” He took a deep breath and shoved a hand in his pocket. His fingers closed around the small object as he drew it out. “I know we’re still young, but I…I don’t want to do these things without you again. I thought that if I gave you this, it would be like a promise between us. I wish you could talk to me and tell me if it was okay with you.”

  Peter reached for Catie’s hand that was resting on top of the blanket. Into it he pressed the gold Claddagh ring he had found inside the wooden mermaid. Two hands reached around the gold band and met in the middle to hold a diamond-inlaid heart. The crown above the small heart also was encrusted with small diamonds. Walt and his wife Lillian had each worn a ring like that. Even the Partners Statue in Disneyland depicts the ring on Walt’s hand. “I know you can’t hold onto this right now. You don’t have any pockets, do you? No, I guess not. I just want you to feel it in your hand. I know you remember the ring. That was a fun time when we found it, wasn’t it?” He smiled at the memory, the pleasure dimmed momentarily by the remembrance of Omah and her part in it. But, that all worked out to everyone’s benefit, especially Wolf’s. She was one of the family now.

  He left the ring in her weak grasp while he ran a shaky hand through his hair and let out a huge whoosh of air. It had been difficult to open his heart like that. He just wished she had been conscious to hear it. With a slight groan he realized he’d probably have to repeat the process all over again at a later date. “Wonder if it will be any easier the second time?”

  When his allotted twenty minutes was almost up, Peter retrieved the small ring from Catie’s hand. It was warm from her touch and he held it tightly in his palm before returning it to his pocket. “I’ll see you again soon, Catie. Maybe I’ll get a thin chain so you can wear it around your neck. I wish you could talk to me and tell me you heard what I said. And…how you’d react to it. But, don’t worry,” he whispered. “You’ll be all right. I’ll keep it safe. Bye now.”