Work Text:
The date is December 6th 1998. Bobette is on her floor when the elevator door opens with Toodles in it.
Bobette: Hey Toodles how’s it going?
Toodles comes in with a sad look.
Bobette: Toodles what’s wrong?
Toodles: I wish Gourdy could come out for Christmas.
Bobette: Oooh I get how you feel. It really sucks that he doesn’t want to leave his floor when it’s not his time of year.
Toodles: I wanna try to get him to come out for Christmas. Just for this one time.
Bobette: You want me to try to help you get him out?
Toodles: I’d love that.
Bobette: I’ll try my best. But I can’t promise he’ll leave. You okay with that?
Toodles: I understand.
Bobette: Good. Let’s go down to the Halloween floor.
Since the elevator doesn't stop on the Halloween floor this time of year. Bobette and Toodles go through a staff only area and down some stairs. They then go down a hallway to a door that leads into the Halloween room. Its locked.
Bobette: Hello? Knocks Hellooooooo? Knocks again Seasons greetings!
Soulvester is on the other side of the door. He doesn’t open the door, but he talks with Bobette through it. This is because not only are event toons uncomfortable leaving their floor during their off-season, but are also uncomfortable directly interacting with anyone who isn’t of their respective holiday as well.
Soulvester: Who may it be?
Bobette: It’s Bobette Carolyn. The Christmas main.
Soulvester: I hope the Christmas season is doing well for you my liege.
Bobette: Yes it’s going great. Okay listen, Toodles really wants Gourdy to come out and see her this Christmas holiday. Can you ask him how he feels about that?
Soulvester: Sure thing.
He heads to the Gourdy’s door, but doesn’t enter his room.
Soulvester: Gourdy my liege? Knocks Toodles would like you to accompany her for this Christmas season.
Gourdy: I’m sorry. But I can’t leave.
Soulvester: Not just for one day? Toodles would really like to see you. Just for one day my liege.
Gourdy: It… It hurts whenever I try to leave this floor. It just hurts. I want to see her but I can’t.
Soulvester: You can’t just talk with her through the door?
Gourdy: It even hurts when I try to talk to her… *Sniffles* I’m so sorry…
Soulvester walks back to the staff only exit door.
Soulvester: Sorry to say. But Gourdy is unfortunately not of service.
Bobette looks at Toodles with a sorrowful expression. Toodles hangs her head low in sadness. Just then Delilah runs over to them. She saw everything on the security camera.
Delilah: Leave. Now!
Bobette: What?
Delilah: You heard what I said. It’s not Gourdy’s holiday. He is especially not allowed to come out during Christmas. Go!
Bobette: Are you kidding me?! I came here to get him to come out to greet his best friend, and you’re telling me he isn’t allowed to come out because it isn’t his holiday?!
Delilah: Yes. It’s your holiday not his!
Bobette: Oh like I’m supposed to not care about him?! This isn’t right! He deserves to be out here with his best friend during the most wonderful time of the year! Not locked up in there!
Delilah: He isn’t alone in there. He’s got three other toons in there to keep him company.
Bobette: And she Points to Toodles is the only other toon in this whole place who’s his age!
Gourdy has left his room and has his ear up against the staff only exit door.
He can hear Bobette and Delilah arguing, with Toodles now joining in.
Delilah: You heard me! It’s not Halloween anymore, it’s Christmas!
Toodles: I just want to see my friend Gourdy!
Delilah: You’ll get to see him next Halloween.
Toodles: Why can’t see him all year long like everyone else?!
Delilah: QUIT WHINING!
Toodles now begins crying loudly. Gourdy begins to sob as well as Soulvester comforts him. Not only is he unable to see his non Halloween friends during the off-season. His friends aren’t allowed to see him either.
We cut back to the hallway. Bobette is kneeling down comforting a crying Toodles while looking at Delilah with a look of pure anger in her eyes.
Delilah: I will not say this again. GO!
Later back up stairs, Toodles quietly sobs while Bobette holds her. Comforting her with the warmth of her green sweater. Meanwhile, Gourdy is downstairs in his room, on his bed crying.
Gourdy: I’m so sorry Toodles… I’m so sorry I can’t be with you all year long like the others…
Gourdy then looks at the drawings of his missing parents on his wall.
Gourdy: If only you two were here. You’d know what do to.
