Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You were looking for a job when you found out that MFN is hiring. The job openings included janitorial, secretary, and handler. The offers were decent and the place was a bus stop away, so it was a good choice you thought. You went in for a scheduled interview hoping to land a stage set up or janitorial, afterall how much would you have to do or clean up after, seemed simple! Looking at all the puppets around, you walked to look for Ricky and Gordon. Some puppets waved and greeted you, two gave you directions to Ricky’s office. As you knock on the door, you hear a ‘Come in.’

A sock puppet greeted you as you entered, telling you to take a seat.
“Gordon is unfortunately busy with some work, I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
The two of you speak for a while, you telling Ricky about yourself, him in turn telling you about himself, Gordon, the puppets. A knock at the door, you turn to look.

“Its me.”

A gruff voice says, to which Ricky tells to come in. You meet Gordon O’Brian, the man who restarted the show back up. Turns out there's only one position left. Handler

"It's kinda difficult, with all these puppets around. But they mean well. It's been 10 years since they had contact with the outside world or anyone. So just telling you in case they act odd or off, that's why.” Gordon tells you. He goes on to explain what you'll do as handler.
“They're different, each of them. But the basics, is just making sure they're safe and don't get into trouble. Have them rehearse and get ready for the stage.” Ricky cuts in “ basically just hang with them. You don't have to be with them 24/7, just letting you know. “ You nod as you take in the information.

The pay was good and you got thirty minute breaks.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The handlers were introduced to their puppets at different places at the stage to give them space as they spoke to each other. You shook hands with yours as you sat with them against the stage, noting they were taller than you. They told you how glad they were that the show was getting picked up again, how they hoped people will like the reboot. They told you stories about themselves, their role, the condiment they used for brushing their teeth. It was before you went home you're told by Ricky you're hired. As the days go by and the more you work with them, the more attached the puppet you're handling is getting.

Even when it's your break, they'll find themselves at your side, listening to your conversations with the other workers or puppets. As this goes on, you're shoulder to shoulder with them. And as that goes on, the more people look uncomfortable as the puppet you're handling walks in behind you and stares at them with dead eyes.

There had been one incident where you waited for the coffee pot, when one of the workers came up to you. “Hey you're needed on stage-” When a hiss, yes a literal hiss loudly sounded from the puppet. Your coworker yelped and turned away, walking out immediately. You turn and stare wide eyed at the puppet, who stared back slightly hopping in place before asking how your day was going. “My part is coming up and I want to make sure I get everything down.” They take your hand as they lead you to the stage where others practice their lines. —--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you finally complain to Ricky, he pops out of a pipe beside you and greets you. “Hello, (Y/N)! How are you on this fine day?” “It's ... .uh. Ricky, It's about the puppet I’m handling…” You explain to him how the recent behavior, from their attachment to their attitude towards others. With a shake of his head the sock puppet says “Oh golly, that’s…not good. I'll talk to them. Is there anything else you have to tell me?” You tell him that is all and thank him. When the day of working is over you say your byes and goodnights when Ricky appears out a pipe. The moment the puppet is called into Rick’s office is one that makes the air around you cold. They’re about to pull you up from your seat when Ricky says only they need to show up. With that your puppet begrudgingly stands up and with one last look at you they leave. They are cold to you the next day, even their morning hug is cold. They ask how your morning was, how you slept, if you slept well.. You don't tell them you couldn't sleep. But their behavior improves. They're no longer too clingy, letting you have your personal space again and being able to talk to your coworkers without anyone looming around was nice. They're getting their lines right, now mesmerizing them with little mistakes, allowing you to have a nice long sleep in your own home, in your own bed. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's all good until it isn't. They're back to their old behavior, in fact it may have gotten worse. At this point you're lucky if you can have some time by yourself or just not have them around in general. But the most you get is five minutes of finding a quiet place without them before you're found again. There was that one time out of desperation you locked yourself in a broom closet. As you sat on the floor, your back against the wall and your legs stretched and resting. You sipped your morning coffee and basked in the quiet environment. You almost coughed when you heard your name called. Then the footsteps. Shit, they were searching for you. “Come on this isn't funny, (Y/N) please come out! (Y/N)” They stomped before whispering softly “(Y/N).” They walked past the closet as you breath silently hoping they'll pass. They stopped outside the door. The doorknob jiggled as your name was called yet again. They didn't leave until ten minutes later. You waited five minutes, to catch your breath and regain your composure. When you go out again, you're enveloped in a hug, their chin on your shoulder as they "Where were you?’ “just having a break.” They release you “Well why didn't you say so before, I could have joined you!” —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They beg you to stay more nights, coming up with excuses to get you to stay longer. Trouble with the script, rehearsing, they need an audience, they want to talk. In the end, you're sitting their dressing room with a cup of coffee as they repeat a paragraph for the fifth time

"Why not live here! You practically already do! You're spending more nights here than at your home. Think about it, you can live here at work with all these friends and me! It'll help with working on episodes, we'll have more time together to work!”

Eventually worked down, you ruffle their hair (or pat their hat), with a small smile "we'll see." They do have some points, but you did want to separate work from home. —---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the day ends and everyone begins to wind down, you start to head to sleep in your room in the motel. You say goodnight to your coworkers as they retreat home or to their own room. Eventually you had been invited to stay at the motel, where you now had your own room, Ricky told you since you spent so much time here, you should just have a room to rest. Looking at your bed and your dresser as you got into your PJs, you think that damn, you basically did live here. You shut off the light and lay in bed. A knock at the door awoke you just when you were about to sleep. “Come in.” Your door opens and you regret answering. The puppet looks at you, their own PJs on, and a pillow under their arm. “I can't sleep…” Could they sleep? You weren't going to question it now, you just wanted sleep. You pat the space beside you and watched as they walk into the room, closing the door behind them as they made their way to you bed. Crawling in they draped the blanket over the both of you. "Goodnight, (Y/n)." "Goodnight." You would allow this for one night. With your puppet following close to you as you head off to bed three days later, it became clear that it wouldn't be for one night.

Chapter Text

It's been years since you stepped foot in the neighborhood, years since you acted, years since you've seen the neighbors. You started acting at thirteen for commercials, background characters, just the small things. At fourteen your big break was when you were casted in My Friendly Neighborhood. Your role was the younger sibling to one character, and the big sibling to a younger one. Your character was part of a family who moved in the neighborhood, in a later season. The show wanted to have characters that appealed to all ages, that they could perhaps relate to.

You obviously weren't the same character people saw on the screen, you were an actor with a different life. But even then the cast treated you like their own, even if you weren't felt and stuffing. At first all that happened was studying your lines, filming and doing whatever school work was left. You were shy, feeling awkward about potentially messing up anything. So you resigned to being tucked away in a room you were given as a dressing room. Eventually as the days went by, you started to talk more and interact more with the cast. Which meant you were racing through papers, assignments, essays, the works. Just for more time with them. If you had trouble with anything, they try to help. You made sure you got good grades though. People in public (mainly children) would point you out, smiling to their parents when they saw that someone on T.V was right there. You felt whatever about the spotlight, saying the true stars were the puppets. Then when your character made appearances more, you were needed at the studio more. This meant you got to hang out at the studio more.

Eventually the cast and crew were like your second family, and my god you loved them. They had to be gentle with humans, as they weren't as strong as puppets. You think back to their hugs, their handshakes, fist bumps .You fondly remember the time were you spent a while week yelling taxi, snorting when a George picked you up piggy back style as saying 'vroom vroom!' as he walked around the room, carrying you as you squealed. Making crafts with Liliana, showing her how your sewing was coming up. Hopscotching with Junebug, talking to each other about school. Counting how many Normans Norman could burst into. Dancing with Lenard.

Even when you wouldn't be needed for the day, you were allowed to visit and watch as the cast preformed in front of the cameras, and when break time would come, they'd walk over and ask how they were and of course you'd tell them great! It broke your heart when the show ended, everyone leaving the puppets behind. You hugged each of them, crying as you said bye and promising to try and contact them when you got the chance. It never happened. You moved away, leaving your second family behind. You wrote letters, at first. But they were returned to you, as the studio was shut down so there was no need for them to accept anything. You stopped writing after the 5th. You would still write, just not send. Hoping someday, they would receive them. Then the letter was sent to you. It was from a Gordon O'Brien, telling you that he was helping get the show running again. He was wondering if you'd like to come work on it. He gave you the address and phone number to the studio. Your mouth was agape when you read it. You looked to the framed image on the dresser (a younger you surrounded by cast) and smiled. Finally standing in front of the building stop and stare. The area seems vacant, save for a few vehicles. A man steps out the doors and greets you, as he walks towards you, you see a sock puppet on his shoulder. You recognize this as Ricky. You had asked if the puppets remembered you, to which Ricky said that he was debating on reminding them of you, since if you didn't come back he would've gotten their hopes up for nothing. He didn't tell them you were coming, as a surprise. You guys walked into the building, with Gordon telling you the crew was in a room waiting for the two guys to return. Finally in the hallway outside the door you braced yourself, and walked in. Walking into the room the puppets turned to you. You stood as they started trying to pinpoint where they've seen you. You smiled. "Hey guys."

You hoped they remembered you after all these years

They look to each other and with a gasped screamed as they rushed to you.

"(Y/N), is it really you?" Lenard asked

"You got big!" Liliana exclaimed,

Yes you were taller than before, but the puppets were still tall.

"Oh I hope you still need a taxi from time to time!" George says.

"Oh I probably will!"

They surround you as you laughed, tears streaming down your face as you're reunited with family.

Now you guys were catching up on things that have happened, as well as you passing your letters around. Which the puppets laughed and cried at. When all that was over, the conversation about the show's revival starts.

How was this gonna go? You're older now, maybe you should be a different character, and say all the humans from previous seasons moved? A Norman says you should reprise your original role. You think maybe, but now the character's older, so if that happens they'll have to make a story about that.

But as you discussed ideas with Gordon, Ricky and the puppets, you hoped you weren't separated again.

Chapter Text

Late at night as you're working on potential episode ideas at your desk, a knock at your door takes your attention.

"Come in."

Taking a sip from your mug, you turn to face the door opening, as they step inside. Instead of another employee, you're greeted with a George.

"Say (Y/N), I got questions I need answers for."

"Alright, shoot."

You turn to face him, thinking he'll ask about the next episode, if he'll get to be a pirate again, or just be a taxi driver-

"How does the mail get sorted correctly?"

Oh, ok. You're about to explain to him how mailing works, when he immediately asks another question. This time it is not mail related, nor is it something you're expecting.

"Are there more rats than sponges in the world?"

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵?

"Should we be using rats as sponges?"

𝘞𝘏𝘈𝘛?!

"What the maximum amount of water a rat could hold?"

Wait he was actually serious?

"Are sponge rats a viable business model?"

"How many rats will I keep next to my sink?"

Oh, it seems he's actually serious. The image of George waking up in the morning, going to the sink, taking a squirming rat, getting it wet and soapy to clean a dirty plate crosses your mind. You can clearly see the rat squeaking as it's covered in last night's dinner, rat hair sticking to the plate. You wouldn't be surprised if he asked if there were more rats than towels in the world. He finally finished asking the bizarre questions, and you take a drink to gather your thoughts on what to tell him. You take a breath and speak.

"Hhmm, I don't think cleaning dishes with rats are good for the dishes. Or the rats."

He deflates, looking to the ground disappointed, shoulders slumped.

"Oh....."

Then you thought of something.

"What about sponges for rats?"

He perks up, slowing turning his face up at you with a smile coming forming.

"And rat shaped sponges for dishes!"

"Hell yeah! The sponges come in different colors and designs. Like some are polka dotted, others are striped."

"And they'll glow in the dark!"

" oh, good idea. And there can even be holiday themed ones. Like pumpkin rats, skull rats, witch rats..."

"And some are taxi themed!"

You chuckle.

"Yes George there'll be taxi themed ones."

He was practically jumping up and down in excitement. He turns on his heel.

"Aw man, aw man! I gotta write all this down, so I don't forget!"

He walks out, you hear his footsteps get farther until they stop. Then he comes right back in.

"Ah, say keep this between us, this is our idea! Don't need my business partner taking off with our ideas!"

He takes his leave, but soon after he pops his head back in.

"We're uh, partners right?"

"Yes, we're partners"

He smiles.

"Goodnight business partner!"

"Goodnight, George!"

And you smile, hearing his laughter as he walks off.

He...actually had some good ideas.