Chapter Text
It's a sad reality, but many orphans don't always know who their parents were or why they were left behind in the first place. Such matters were no different for the New Jersey children at St. Marinara's. Especially for Charles Entertainment Cheese. Otherwise known as “Chuck E. Cheese”.
Chuck E. had been a resident at St. Marinara's ever since he was a baby back in 1943. Consequently, Chuck E.’s origins were quite a mystery. So much so that no one knew his birthday. Already occupied with the other children, the caretakers saw this as a way to throw another party. After all, why throw a party for someone who doesn't know their own birthday?
Though little Chuck E. was downtrodden by this situation, he would be a good sport when it came to his peers. When someone's birthday was celebrated, Chuck E. tried his hardest to make everything great. Even coming up with new games and birthday songs for the guest of honor. A treat the orphans enjoyed as Chuck E., got along with everyone. Even though he was a rat among humans. Yet, St. Marinara's was at the heart of Rodentville, New Jersey. Sentient rodents were not unusual there.
Anyway, as years went by, Chuck E., gained many more interests from pizza to movies. Films with The East Side Kids were his favorites as Mugs McGinnis was his idol.
His love of films would serve as a treat and a comfort. On the 18th anniversary of his arrival at St. Marinara's, Chuck E. had to leave and make his way. Eventually, Chuck E. moved into a small apartment and worked at the drive-in theater.
As much as he enjoyed the films, the popcorn and even some of the guests, Chuck E. wanted more in life. Yet, he was unsure what it was. So, after a year of saving up, the young rat quit his job to move to New York City to audition for Broadway.
“Why not?”, Chuck E. thought to himself, “I can act, dance and…maybe sing…that should be enough to get a part as a supporting character.”
Unfortunately, it may not have been enough. The directors seemed impressed by the rodent. But answered with a quick “Don't call us. We'll call you. Next!”
They never called.
And so, Chuck E. grew to regret not having a plan in mind. He had enough money to afford another small apartment but needed to pay rent. Where can he work now? Especially with shop owners not taking kindly to rats in their domain. To make things worse, the rat was often a target of muggers. Chuck E. fought back but such hard times really got the better of him. He even took up smoking to cope with it all. Not his proudest time.
During a rainstorm, Chuck E. was being harassed by thugs once again. As there were two many to fight off, the poor rat ran for his life. Luckily, Chuck E. noticed an open window at the bottom of Pieplate's Pizzeria.
Desperate, Chuck E. crawled through the window and into the restaurant's basement. He was safe. For the night.
In the morning, Pasqually Pieplate had arrived to open the Pizzeria as he usually does. Usually, he'd look over the food supplies first. This was no different until he got to the basement. There, Pasqually saw the rat sleeping against the wall.
Pasqually yelped at such a sight, waking Chuck E. up.
“Hey! Hey! Hey!”, shouted a still fatigued Chuck E., “Do ya mind?! Some of us are trying to sleep here!”
“Should’ve thought of that before infiltrating my domain!”, Pasqually retorted.
“Didn't have much of a choice.”, Chuck E. got up from the floor and adjusted his red jacket. Getting calm, he continued,
“A bunch of riff-raffs were hounding me down for cash. They ain't outside, are they?”
“Don't think so.”, said Pasqually with his suspicions towards the rat waning, “But, I'll get the cops to be on the look out. As for you, Mr…”
“Chuck E.”, answered the young rat.
“Right. I'll cook you up a slice of pizza with no charge. And you'll be on your way.”
“Uh…thanks.”, Chuck E. rubbed the back of his head, “But I ain't no charity case.”
“Nonsense!”, laughed the jolly chef, “No one should turn down a free pizza! Come on!”
A good pizza pie later and Chuck E. still wanted to repay Pasqually for his kindness. He even wanted to work a shift for free. But Pasqually had a better idea; hire Chuck E. as a full-time employee with the task being to try attracting customers. So, Chuck E. happily complied.
Standing outside, Chuck E. waved his cane around.
“Hurry! Hurry!”, he'd shout, “Step right up and get some of Pasqually's amazing pizza!”
At first, the people were hesitant about a rat sponsoring food. But, as they saw how charismatic he was, Pasqually gained much success.
As the year went by, the 20-year-old Chuck E. still loved his job. But, business was still struggling thanks to competition. As a result, Chuck E. got an idea; reopen the pizza place where customers will be treated to dinner, live shows and games. They could even have the best birthday parties ever! But first, Chuck E. needed a plan.
With Pasqually as his business partner, Chuck E. decided to go to California to set up the new place. All while finding talents in the meantime.
“The best of the best!”, Chuck E. proclaimed, “How hard can it be?”
Poor kid was in over his head…