by David Smith
“I suspect you are both wondering why I asked for you to come here this morning,” Wolf said, leaning back, shifting his eyes back and forth from Blain to Malaysia. “You do realize you both have done Disneyland—and the entire Disney Company and family—a wonderful, no, an incredible service.”
Blain squirmed a bit, uncomfortable with the praise. “Mr. Wolford,” Blain began, but was interrupted.
“Please, Blain, call me Wolf.”
“Wolf. You know it was all a matter of luck. Fate, really,” Blain said, looking at Malaysia, remembering his thoughts about the number of auspicious things that brought Malaysia and him together in addition to them finding the wallet. Still looking at Malaysia, Blain continued. “I want to say that the past week has been the best week of my life.”
Malaysia smiled, feeling her heart swell.
“Understood. However, your discovery of the missing money,” Wolf started to say, and then paused as he turned a few pages from his notes. “One hundred twenty thousand, six hundred and… forty-seven dollars to be exact, gives us hope.” Wolf closed his notepad and then added, “If that money could be found after forty-four years, then certainly the pendant may still be out there waiting to be found.”
“Wolf,” Blain said, and then paused. He looked at Malaysia who was sitting in a chair next to Blain, holding his hand. “We were wondering, just what is this pendant? I mean,” Blain paused, considering his words. “Nathan spoke—or wrote, rather—of some mystical ‘power’ and visions in his notebook. Is it magical…in a real, magical sense?”
Wolf chose his words carefully. “For the record, Mr. Disney found the pendant in the jungles of South America in 1944. He never said exactly what it was or if it had some so-called power.” Wolf looked at the couple. With a knowing look of trust he continued. “Off the record, I have a feeling that the pendant might very well be like a crystal ball, as Nathan had indeed written in his notebook. It, quite possibly, allowed the person holding it to envision their future.”
Blain looked at Malaysia.
“That would be something,” Blain said with a tone of wonder, nodding his head. He gave Malaysia’s hand a squeeze.
“Yes, it would,” Wolf replied quietly. He seemed to be lost in thought.
As if reading Wolf’s mind, Blain said, “If that is indeed the case, then the pendant in the hands of someone like a Walt Disney could explain a lot of things,” Blain paused, before saying, “Like this Park for starters.”
“And in the wrong hands…” Wolf started but let the sentiment hang.
Blain and Malaysia nodded knowing the potential harm such power could do in the wrong hands. Everyone understood the importance of finding the pendant.
They all sat quietly for a moment until Wolf said, “You both have been instrumental in finding the stolen money. In addition to the monetary value, many of the bills were Silver Certificates dating from the early sixties and many earlier than that. The actual value of the entire discovery is worth well over the dollar-value I mentioned,” Wolf explained.
“I never thought of that,” Blain said.
“The Disney Corporation would like to offer the two of you a reward. A significant reward,” Wolf said.
Malaysia looked at Blain who raised his eyebrows.
“In addition to a ten percent reward on the real value of the stolen money, we would like you both to have life-time passes to all Disney Parks around the world as well as complimentary membership to Club 33 here at Disneyland and our other private clubs at all our Parks,” Wolf said, pulling a file from his bottom desk drawer. “These are what we call ‘Mickey Cards’ which, by the way, there are only a half dozen of these in existence. They have been programmed with your names digitally, to use at any time.”
From the file, Wolf pulled out two cards that looked like credit cards, only these were completely black in color. Wolf handed one card to Malaysia and then one to Blain. Both looked at the black cards in wonder, comprehending their value both in terms of what Wolf said the cards entitled them to as well as their unique exclusivity. As they tilted the front of the cards under the florescent light figures hanging overhead, a holographic, three-dimensional image of Mickey Mouse became visible, seemingly floating just above the black finish.
Next, Wolf pulled out two certificates that not only expressed “Deep appreciation” from the Disney Corporation, but were actually signed by Walt Disney.
“Yes, that is Mr. Disney’s signature. Please don’t ask how it got there. It is authentic.” Wolf set one certificate in front of each of them.
Blain picked up the thick, embossed and richly and artistically printed certificates. He and Malaysia looked at it with wonder and awe. Malaysia reached over and ran a finger lightly over the easily recognized hand-signed signature.
“This is…incredible,” Blain said. “I—we—,” Blain started then looked at Malaysia. “We were really just in the right place at the right time. Like I said, we were very lucky,” Blain said carefully setting the certificate back on the end of Wolf’s desk in front of himself.
“Perhaps,” Wolf agreed. “However, you also pursued the clues you found, discovered Nathan’s lost notebook, the key to the treasure chest, and you even risked your own life.”
Blain sat back for a moment. “I don’t know about that,” he said. “Two women in their sixties didn’t seem to be a formidable team of villains,” Blain said with a little laugh.
Wolf shook his head. “A gun, Blain? A gun doesn’t care how old the person pulling the trigger is.”
Blain shrugged. “I guess you’re right. I just didn’t think of myself as being in any real danger.” He looked at Malaysia. “I was more worried about what they might try to do to Malaysia, given the chance. I think they were desperate enough to do just about anything to get what they believed was theirs.”
“I would have been fine. Genevieve would have handled them, given the opportunity,” Malaysia said, looking at Blain. “But, I do appreciate your concern.”
“Genevieve?” Wolf inquired.
“My tour manager and one-woman security force,” Malaysia said with a laugh.
“That reminds me,” Wolf said. “Malaysia, I know you have a show tonight and we are probably making you late for your rehearsals. I am grateful that you were willing to come over this morning.”
“No, it’s fine. We don’t meet until after lunch for our final run through,” Malaysia said.
“Good, I’m glad,” Wolf said. He then leaned forward and clasped his hands under his chin. “I know you’re scheduled to leave for San Francisco day after tomorrow. I was wondering if you and your band would consider playing here at Disneyland tomorrow night. We would pay you and your band whatever your current fees are and then some,” Wolf said, a hopeful look in his eyes.
“Play here?” Malaysia said; her eyes got very wide. “I would LOVE to play at Disneyland!” Malaysia turned to Blain. “Can you believe that?”
“I think Disneyland would be proud to have you and your band perform here!” Blain said; himself proud of Malaysia on so many levels.
“Blain is absolutely correct. In addition to what you have already done for us, it would be an honor to have you sing here,” Wolf said. “It would be a fitting end for all of us here at the Magic Kingdom to have you do your show on our stage.”
“Oh, my,” Malaysia said. “It would be incredible! Of course, I’ll have to check with Genevieve to see if the band can pull it off with such short notice. But I’m sure it will be just fine!”
“That’s terrific! Let me know later today and we will then run a press release for tomorrow’s newspapers and get it in on the network news programs too,” Wolf said.
Malaysia was quiet for a moment. She looked at Blain, clearly thinking about something before finally asking, “Wolf, could we donate the proceeds from part of the Park’s receipts from our show to a charity?”
Wolf was moved by her question. “That’s a wonderful idea, Malaysia. Is there anyone you had in mi
nd?”
Malaysia looked at Blain. “I have an idea,” She said, knowing that Blain, who was nodding at her, understood her thoughts.
After a short discussion, Wolf, Blain and Malaysia stood up. Shaking hands with the young couple, Wolf looked both in the eye. “A handshake seems almost too inadequate,” Wolf said.
“You and the Park have been more than generous,” Blain said after his handshake with Wolf. He then looked at Malaysia. “We have had an experience that won’t soon be forgotten,” Blain added.
Wolf looked at Malaysia. “Not exactly the experience you expected coming to the United States for the first time, Malaysia?”
“I couldn’t have dreamed of having a better experience,” she answered, looking at Blain. “Whatever allowed this incredible twist of fate, this…chance encounter and all the events that I was involved in, I wouldn’t trade them for all the fame or fortune.”
Wolf smiled. “It was once said that Walt Disney himself was a ‘happy accident.’ Perhaps you both experienced something like that.”
“I would agree with that,” Blain said.
“Wolf, Disneyland is considered by many to be a ‘Magic Kingdom.’” Malaysia said. “I concur with that assessment,” she said with a big smile.
Wolf nodded with his own smile. How right you are, Wolf thought to himself.
CHAPTER 44
Letters
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
2:35pm
Janet Manfred sat at her desk in the small office at the Amodt School for the Blind. She started going through the mail that her secretary had left on her desk, leafing through the bills and typical applications she received each summer from prospective new students. She sighed as she could not accept more students since her resources were so limited.
She put several of the envelopes in her “In Box” container on her desk and then saw an envelope that had only a return address of 1313 N. Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim CA on it. It had been a “Certified Mail” delivered letter with the green and white confirmation tag attached to the left of the hand-written address.
“I hope this isn’t a foreclosure letter,” Janet said out loud as she ran her letter-opener along the top edge of the envelope.
Inside was a short note on a non-descript letterhead along with a second, smaller piece of paper folded up. She set the smaller piece of paper on her desk and opened the larger page. Reading the hand written note, Janet seemed confused at first by its message:
“Dear Mrs. Manfred. We sincerely hope this note finds you well. We wanted to thank you for your time and help.”
The note was signed, Blain Walters, Malaysia Hosner and a third signature and title: “Mani Wolford: The Disney Corporation.” The names didn’t register with her at first. She set the note down and picked up the other piece of paper that had been in the envelope. Upon unfolding the small sheet, Janet put her hand over her mouth when she saw that it was a check made out to the school for $65,000 dollars.
CHAPTER 45
Showtime
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
12:30pm
On short notice, Blain invited Joe, Grant, J.T. and Bill to see a concert at the Honda Center that night. Using his “connection” Blain had plenty of tickets, courtesy of Malaysia and Genevieve.
“The Malaysia Hosner concert?” Grant had asked when Blain called him. “Really? How’d you score tickets, Blain? I heard they sold out in like two days.”
“Got lucky,” Blain answered, thinking at the same time how lucky he really was. “Bring Tish, I have nine tickets.”
“Really, nine? Where are the seats? Nosebleed section?”
“Floor, row ten, center right,” Blain said.
“Row ten, FLOOR?! You must be joking!”
“I am not. Are you in?”
“Of course I’m in. And so is Tish!”
By noon, Blain got yeses from Grant and Tish, Bill and a new date that Blain had not met, Joe by himself, and J.T. and her husband, Ron. Meeting at the entrance to the Honda Center, the group of friends gathered until all in their party had arrived.
After Bill introduced his date, a very pretty red-head girl named Misty, Blain reached into his shirt pocket for a thin envelope. “Here you guys go!” Blain said, reaching in the envelope and handing out the tickets that Malaysia and Genevieve had given him for the concert. “I’m really glad you all could join me…I know it was sort of last minute and all.”
“Thank you, Blain,” Tish said as he handed her a ticket. She looked at the printing on the front of the ticket and exclaimed, “Blain! These are not just concert tickets…they’re back stage passes!”
“Yes, so you better not lose them—or sell them,” Blain said with a laugh.
All seven of his friends stood in awe of what they had just been handed. “How in the heck did you pull this off?” Joe asked, holding up his ticket.
Blain grinned, shrugging his shoulders. “Let’s just say it was a twist of fate,” Blain said, turning to lead the group to the entrance doors of the Honda Center.
Sitting so close to the stage, the group could see the band and the beautiful lead singer ‘up close and personal,’ as Joe mentioned more than once during the show. Blain thought to himself, you don’t know how personal!
The show started with a large screen that covered the front of the stage. When the lights dimmed, images on the screen emerged. Spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps were shown, and then of a very young blonde Malaysia Hosner playing a guitar while sitting on a swing. The images progressed showing Malaysia Hosner’s age-progression and rapid rise in the music world, finally with an image of the band posed on a similar stage, minus Malaysia. Suddenly the lights went out and in a matter of seconds, the lights returned, but instead of a screen, the band was now positioned in exactly the same way that the giant screen depicted a moment before.
The crowd let out a roar as Rick Penner, the drummer for Malaysia Hosner, immediately clicked the start of their opening song. An even bigger cheer went up when Malaysia came out from the side of the stage, wearing a very attractive flowing yellow dress that had short, puffed sleeves, a scooped neck line and a mid-thigh hem. Malaysia waved to the crowd and started singing her new song, Dreams.
Throughout the concert, everyone in Blain’s group noticed how much the singer engaged them. She was often looking in their direction, smiling, even waving.
None of them noticed the discreet wave that Blain gave the singer.
“I can’t believe you didn’t have a date for this show,” Bill said as the group waited for the crowd to thin out after Malaysia’s last encore. They had been instructed by a young, slender, red-vested usher to wait in their seats and then he would come back and escort the group backstage.
“Hey, I got Joe here as my date!” Blain said a laugh as he slapped his drummer on the back.
“Yeah, when was the last time you couldn’t get a ‘female’ date?” Tish said, hip-bumping him as they stood up and started walking toward the stage when the usher returned a moment later.
“Who says I don’t have a date?” Blain answered her.
“Um, Blain, look around. You are, um, empty-handed. Joe doesn’t count.” Tish said.
“I have my friends with me. I wouldn’t call that ‘empty-handed.’”
“Okay, okay. I get it. I won’t bring it up again,” Tish said.
“Let’s just go meet the band,” Blain said, following the usher who had retuned and led the way. This should be interesting, Blain thought with a grin as they started their way backstage.
The group of eight was escorted into a large, plush, living-like-room; couches, a large refrigerator, counters, tables, and a big screen television were among the amenities. Food was abundant and there were a few other people in the room, eating off small plates and talking quietly. Blain saw Genevieve in the corner talking to two men who wore expensive looking suits. Blain immediately thought ‘record producers’. Gen caught a glimpse of Blain as his group came in. She smiled as Blain nodded.<
br />
“Blain, have you ever come this close to meeting a rock star like Malaysia Hosner before?” Joe asked almost rhetorically, as the group was instructed to wait at the side of the room. Blain’s friends were all a little jittery anticipating their meeting Malaysia Hosner.
Blain had to keep from laughing, thinking just how close he and Malaysia had indeed become.
“Sure,” Blain said with nonchalance. “As a matter of fact, so have you, Joe.”
“Yeah. Right. The closest I’ve come is sitting in the nose-bleed section at the Long Beach Arena when we all went and saw that Styx concert last summer. That doesn’t count,” Joe said with a frown.
“I’ll bet you a hundred bucks you’ve done better than that,” Blain said. “You probably just don’t know it.”
“Oh, I think I would know it! I would hate to take your hundred dollars, Blain,” Joe said. “Trust me; I would be the first to know if I was in the presence of a big rock star like a Malaysia Hosner!”
The usher stood in front of them. “Wait here,” he said, obviously a little putout that he had to usher a bunch of what he assumed to be lucky contest winners backstage for a quick hello by the star. He figured this would be one of the quicker ‘meet and greets’ as he was sure Malaysia Hosner had more important places to be on a Saturday night. However, the usher did feel a little lucky to have been the selected usher to escort the group. He couldn’t wait to see the singer up-close himself. The usher momentarily left Blain and his friends in a hallway just outside the reception room. He returned a moment later and explained the “ground rules.”
“I’m sure Miss Hosner will be happy to sign some autographs and then she will need to go to her hotel,” the usher said without much enthusiasm.
“I’m sure she will want to spend a little time with us,” Blain said to the usher with a level of certainty.