Chapter Text
Opening Credits: If Today was Your Last Day - Nickelback
"The beginning is always today."
- MARY SHELLEY
May 17th, 1995, 10:14 A.M.
“So, Miss Philips, this would be your first job?” a middle-aged, well-mannered Caucasian man with blonde, buzz-cut hair, and blue eyes man sitting at an office desk asked rather skeptically.
Across the desk sat a young teenage half-Native American, half-Caucasian, who had a petite yet muscular body frame. Her long, wavy black hair framed her heart-shaped face and was sitting over her shoulders in two braids. An eagle feather hung at her left temple and waved lightly with each movement she made. Her high cheekbones, straight nose, thin lips, and strong jaw looked as if they were carved from fine marble. Her almond-shaped eyes were emerald green, which everyone saw as a reflection of her father. Her thin, arched eyebrows framed her eyes perfectly and complemented the green of her eyes. She wore casual clothes for the interview.
Her father, a middle-aged Caucasian man with long wavy black hair, which was graying at the temples, with a well-trimmed medium length full facial beard and mustache that had speckles of grey. His green eyes matched his daughter’s, only they held more wisdom, discipline, and a hidden hint of remorse he had yet to release. His demeanor showed that he was well disciplined and well-mannered. He wore his General uniform, more for formality than for showing rank. One could tell he had an athletic build, though others would say he was built like a bull with low body fat from years of physical training. His jawline, nose and cheekbones matched that of his young daughter, showing she inherited most of her features from him. The girl’s mother, a Lakota Native American woman with thick black hair with silver streaks falling past her shoulders, dark brown eyes, and soft, gentle features, sat at her daughter’s left side. At first glance, you wouldn’t tell she was the girl’s mother thanks to her much softer features, but she had the same face and eye shape. She was also dressed casually for the meeting. Both parents were there to support their daughter during her interview.
“Yes, sir,” she responded politely and honestly.
“What made you want to work here? The most famous, most promising, toy factory in the world?” the man, whose nameplate read ‘Mr. Davis,’ asked in a rather challenging tone.
This didn’t faze the teenager in the slightest. “Well, I know I don’t have work experience, but I am a fast learner and am willing to challenge myself.” She responded. “And what better way is there to start my future than by helping young children smile and bring joy to their lives?”
Mr. Davis was actually taken aback by that last sentence, but he then chuckled with a lopsided smile.
“I must say, that answer reminds me of Mr. Ludwig, the founder of Playtime Co. May he rest in peace. He had the same drive you do,” he answered honestly.
The girl’s father smiled proudly and placed his hand on her shoulder in pride. Her mother also smiled, her eyes glittered with emotion.
“I must say, I am impressed by your skills and all. But, you do live an hour away, and you are only 16. Won’t this interfere with school?” Mr. Davis asked with concern in his voice.
“Oh, no, I’m homeschooled, sir,” the young girl responded, shaking her head. “I’m ahead in my studies, as well. I’ll actually graduate in less than a year.”
“Oh, really?” Mr. Davis teased. “27th president of the United States?”
“William Howard Taft,” she answered without needing to think.
“Oh!” Mr. Davis exclaimed. “I actually wasn’t expecting any answer. Especially not that fast. You really are educated well, Miss Philips.”
“That’s my girl,” the girl’s father praised as he wrapped a proud arm around her shoulders, happy to see his daughter has taken her studies so seriously.
“Well, if it won’t interfere with your impressive education, and you’re doing it to help support your family, I say you have a promising future with us, Miss Philips,” Mr. Davis said with a smile. “We would be absolutely honored to have you among our family.”
The Philips family beamed with excitement. When Mr. Davis extended his hand for a shake, the young girl grabbed it gently but excitedly and shook it.
“Welcome to Playtime,” Mr. Davis said with a beaming smile.
“Thank you so much, sir! You won’t regret it!” The girl couldn’t contain her excitement.
“I know I won’t. We’ll just need a few days to get everything together and set up for you to join the team. You may be just applying as a cashier in the gift shop, but we have to be sure we have everything right for the right position. It’s a large factory with a lot of job opportunities here,” Mr. Davis explained.
“No problem, sir,” the teenager said in understanding.
“Once we have everything set up, we’ll give you a call, but if you don’t hear from us by Saturday, you can call us,” Mr. Davis said.
“Okay, thank you,” the girl said standing up with her parents.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Davis,” Preston said, shaking hands with him.
“Truly, thank you for giving our daughter a chance,” Shenandoah said, grateful that her daughter had gotten her first job.
“It’s no trouble, General and Mrs. Philips,” Mr. Davis insisted. “Have a good day.”
“You too,” the girl said.
The family walked out of the office, then ventured out of the factory with their guide.
Once they were outside, General Philips suddenly had his daughter in a bear hug.
“I’m so, so proud of you, Baby Girl.”
“You’re father and I, both.” Shenandoah praised, joining the hug.
“Mom! Daddy! I can’t breathe!” The girl wheezed out.
The parents hugged their daughter tighter briefly and released her, continuing their quest to their truck. Once they were settled, they started the hour-long trip home to their cabin in the nearby woods.
“What say we celebrate tonight, Preston?” the girl’s mother suggested.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Shenandoah,” Preston said. “What do you think, Baby Girl?”
“Well, I mean it’s not just my new job we should celebrate,” she said.
“You’re right! Noah! He’s getting his MD!” Shenandoah said.
“Well then, we definitely have to celebrate tonight,” Preston said, his voice full of pride. “First, my baby girl gets her first job, and my youngest son is a doctor. What more could a father want?”
“Grandchildren?” Shenandoah teased.
Preston actually chuckled, “ah yeah. Dakota and his wife’s beautiful little girl. It’s so weird. We have five sons then a daughter, now our son’s firstborn is a little girl.”
“Life’s full of surprises, love.” Shenandoah said.
“You can say that again,” Preston said, love flooding his voice.
The girl’s attention turned to the scenery passing by as they drove. She couldn’t believe how things were going. She could finally support her family financially. Especially since things weren’t going so well for them this year.
Living in the woods, they hunted the wild game and grew their own gardens. They traded their crops and game with friends and local butcher shops. Living in the woods was great for the family. Not only to stay in touch with Shenandoah’s routes as a Native American and to pass it all on to her children, but for Preston to provide training for his children in the arts of combat.
“You alright back there?” Preston asked, gaining his daughter’s attention.
“Yeah, I’m fine, Daddy. I’m just happy that things are looking up,” she admitted.
Preston smiled. “I’m proud of you, Koa. I’m so proud of you.”
….
Later that night, Preston, Shenandoah, Koa, and Noah were all sitting together at dinner, enjoying a nice meal. Noah was older than Koa by six years, a slim build, short dark black hair, dark brown almond-shaped eyes, and soft features that matched those of his mother, but his face had profound angles like his father. Not only for Koa, but for her brother as well. Though it was obvious Noah was trying to contain excitement and failing miserably.
“Noah,” Shenandoah called out teasingly to her youngest son, “I see you smirking and fidgeting in your seat over there? You got something to share?”
Noah looked up, his smirk a full smile in his soft features. “Oh nothing,” he said, his excitement breaking the surface more and more each second.
“Noah?” Preston pressed.
Noah shifted in his seat, unable to contain his excitement any longer. “The hospital I was working with, they offered me a full-time job as a surgeon!”
The room then filled with gasps and cheers of happiness and pride. Koa practically jumped from her seat and hugged her brother tightly.
“CONGRATULATIONS!” She yelled happily.
Preston and Shenan stood up from their seats and joined in the hug.
“We’re so proud of you!” They shouted loudly simultaneously.
After a bit, they released Noah from their hug.
“Thanks, guys,” he said with pride in his own voice, a rarity for a modest man like Noah.
“Look at you, son,” Preston said, pride flooding his voice while ruffling his dark hair. “First, Dakota joins the army. Then Joshua becomes a state trooper. Now, my youngest son is a doctor with a fulltime job, and my baby girl gets her first job helping children,” he praised rubbing his children’s heads affectionately.
“Dad!” They both complained.
Their father stopped with a chuckle, but then his face grew gloomy. His wife noticed immediately and rubbed his shoulder in comfort.
“Preston?”
He sighed sadly, turning to his wife, “sorry, it’s just, I do wish Nathan and Tate were still here.”
Everyone in the room understood. Dakota, the second-born son, usually was the one to bring comfort better than the rest of them, but he was away overseas on deployment. And Joshua, Noah’s older twin, was away on his shift in another county.
Nathan, their first-born son, suddenly left the house and took a job across the country twelve years prior. Preston had learned that he had changed his last name and threatened legal action to make them stay away. Nathan never had a close relationship with any of them. Especially not Preston, as he had been too hard on the boys before Koa was born, and Nathan never recovered from it, and resented Koa for Preston’s sudden change in behavior, not believing it was legitimate.
Tate, the third-born in the family, unfortunately got sick and lost the battle to cancer only two years earlier. It was the biggest reason Noah wanted to become a doctor: to help others who were sick.
“Dad, Tate fought strong,” Noah said in a comforting tone.
“And Nate will come around, I’m sure,” Koa said, matching her brother’s tone, trying not to show doubt. She didn’t really have any memories of her eldest brother as she hadn’t seen him since she was only four years old.
Preston sighed again. He smiled sadly and hugged his youngest children close. Shenandoah joined the hug as well. Their family had gone through hard times, but they always pulled through.
….
May 22nd, 1995, 12:45 P.M.
Koa watched as her new co-worker, Camila, a young girl only a few years older than Koa with pixie cut red hair and brown eyes and light skin, was showing her how to run the register.
“Don’t worry, Koa. Once you get the hang of it, it gets easier,” she gently reassured.
“Thanks Camila, it’s really appreciated,” Koa thanked. “I just hope that I can get along with everyone.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Koa. I’ve only known you for 40 minutes, and I already like you,” Camila said honestly as she walked around Koa to walk around the gift shop, Koa following behind her.
“Really?” Koa asked.
“Sure! I gotta say, I find it very interesting that you live out in woods,” Camila said as she turned to a shelf full of random plushies.
“How so?”
“Well, there’s bears out there. Snakes. Spiders. Ticks,” Camila stated with a grimace.
“Oh, it’s not that bad,” Koa said honestly. “It’s actually fun living out there. I find it peaceful.”
“Sorry, I don’t mean to make it sound rude or anything,” Camila said apologetically as she checked over the tags of the plushies. “But sometimes I get scared out here. Being in the woods. Sometimes the thought of a bear coming out of the trees kinda spooks me,” she explained.
“Oh, you don’t have to worry. I can teach you what to do if you do encounter a bear,” Koa suggested.
“Koa, if I see a bear, I’d probably pass out from fear,” Camila stated honestly.
“Well, making yourself look like less of a threat does help,” Koa said.
“Please, Koa, the very thought of a bear freaks me out,” Camila shivered.
“OK, sorry,” Koa apologized. “How about I teach you how to make homemade tea with wild berries and flowers?”
“Seriously?!” Camila asked surprised, as Koa caught her attention.
“Yeah. It’s pretty easy,” Koa said simply.
“Koa, I love tea! I would love to know that secret,” Camila said honestly.
“Oh, it’s easier than it sounds,” Koa said with a smile. “It’s no secret.”
“Okay, Koa, you and I, definitely going to be friends,” Camila said happily, earning a smile from Koa.
The girls walked around the shop checking the shelves and making sure everything was tidy. When it got quiet again after a while, Camila broke the silence.
“So, Koa what made you join Playtime?”
“My family and I grow our own crops and hunt wild game,” Koa responded. “We also trade our game and some of our crops for spices, other crops, and money. We had a pretty bad start with our crops this year, so I took the job to help support my family since I’m finally old enough.”
“That’s so nice!” Camila said as she saw the shelf was lacking some toys. “Ok, we need to restock these shelves. Follow me, I’ll show you where we keep extra toys for the shelves.”
Koa nodded and followed Camila.
“I’m sorry that your gardens weren’t going so well,” Camila suddenly stayed.
“It happens sometimes. You’re bound to get a bad harvest once in a while,” Koa stated simply. “I’m just glad I’m finally old enough to help out and get a job.”
“Still, it sucks getting bad harvests, especially when you rely on those crops,” Camila said as they reached the back of the shop. They entered the storage area to get a few plushies to stock the shelves.
“Yeah,” Koa admitted in agreement. “It sucks. But it’s nature, you know.”
“True,” Camila agreed. “Can you grab some extra Bunzo toys for me please? I saw the shelves were running low as we passed by. They’re two shelves over to the left.”
“Sure!”
Koa followed Camila’s instructions and retrieved some boxed Bunzo toys and returned to Camila’s side. Once they had what they needed, they returned to the shelves and stocked the toys to their proper spots.
As the day progressed, the girls continued to bond as the shift progressed. After her first shift of making sure the shelves were organized properly, helping customers, and keeping things clean, Koa got around to head home.
“I must say, Koa, you really are a fast learner,” Camila praised. “I’m proud.”
“Well, I had a great teacher,” Koa commented.
“I’m really happy you joined us, Koa. You already fit right in.”
Koa smiled widely at that.
Over the next few days, Koa managed to learn the ins and outs of the job with ease. Over the next few weeks, Koa managed to make friends with almost everyone among the gift shop and front office of Playtime.
Koa started to feel at home in the factory.
….
June 5th, 1995, 3:28 P.M.
The gift shop was quiet after a long, busy morning of parents shopping most of the day. School had been let out for the summer, and they wanted to reward their kids with a new toy. Koa was taking the opportunity to clean and stock the shelves now that it had slowed down.
“Pardon me,” a feminine voice called out from her left side rather suddenly, spooking Koa.
Koa looked over and saw a middle-aged woman with short dark hair and blue eyes. She was dressed formally, and looked well-mannered, but Koa could tell she had an eccentric and bubbly personality.
“Are you Miss Katie Phillips?” she asked politely but excitedly.
“Um, it’s Koa Philips,” she politely corrected.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” the woman apologized quickly. “I should’ve remembered you had a name like that.”
Taken aback, Koa calmly asked with a raised eyebrow, “pardon?”
“I’m sorry! I just meant that you have such a unique name! For such a unique girl! Not because you’re a -” she stopped herself from continuing as Koa gave her a look that showed she was not only getting uncomfortable, but she was begging the older woman to stop talking. “Ah, I’m sorry! Ha! Sometimes I get overexcited and -”
“Can I… help you, ma’am?” Koa asked uncomfortably.
“Forgive me, I'm Stella! Stella Greyber!” She introduced herself enthusiastically. “I’m the head of Playcare, Playtime’s on-site orphanage.” She extended her hand in greeting.
Koa, still slightly uncomfortable, shook the older woman’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Greyber,” Koa said politely. “Wait, ‘on-site orphanage’?” Koa asked, genuinely curious.
“Yes! Playcare is Mr. Ludwig’s dream come true! It was his dream to see children smile, and give them a safe place to live, learn, and have fun! I’m glad he could see that dream come to life before he passed,” Stella explained before lamenting about Mr. Ludwig.
“Oh, yeah! I’ve heard about Playcare! I remember hearing about it! That’s here? In the factory?”
“Well, under the factory,” Stella said out of nowhere.
Koa drew back, caught off guard by that statement.
“’Under the factory?”
Stella had a look on her face that showed she knew she said a bit too much and backpedaled rather quickly, “um, yeah. It’s safer for the children and the orphanage for them to be under the factory, away from the dangerous equipment and all.”
Koa thought for a moment before she spoke up, “wouldn’t it make more sense to have another location for the orphanage away from the factory? Or expand from the factory itself?”
“Well, the orphanage, being where it is now, is pretty safe. We don’t want the children in any danger. Especially in a famous toy factory,” Stella tried to explain.
“Um…” Koa staired at Greyber in uncertainty, unsure of what to make of this information.
Before Koa could say anything, Stella suddenly asked, “so you’re a teenager, right?”
“Um, yes, ma’am, I’m 16,” Koa answered, once again caught off guard by Greyber’s line of questioning. “Why?”
“Well, the oldest children in Playcare are only 11 years old. We have no teenagers, and I thought it would be nice if you would visit Playcare from time to time and hang out with the children,” Stella explained.
Once again, Koa was caught off guard. She looked at Stella in shock.
“You… want me to visit the children?” Koa asked, not sure if she heard that right.
“Yes,” Stella said enthusiastically. “It would be nice to give the children the opportunity to have some interactions with someone older, but closer to their age.”
Koa tilted her head, interested but unsure, “but, what about up here in the shop?”
“Oh, I’m not asking you to leave the gift shop,” Stella explained. “I already spoke with the head manager before I met you and he’s okay with you splitting your time between here and Playcare.”
That brought some relief to Koa, and she had to admit, spending a few hours interacting with children did sound nice and fun.
Stella noticed and pressed on calmly, “you don’t have to decide right away. You can think about it for a bit.”
“I would like some time to think about it,” Koa said as she nodded.
“That’s perfectly fine,” Stella said. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a business card. “Here’s my number. When you make your decision, just give me a call.”
Koa took the card and looked at it. Indeed, there was a number with an extension number for Stella’s office.
“Thank you, Miss Greyber,” Koa said politely.
“No need for formalities, Miss Philips, you can call me Stella,” the older woman stated. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
As Stella left the gift shop, Koa looked at the card again, a look of uncertainty on her face.