It Was All Started by a Mouse-Ch. 17

Chapter 17

Weeks turned into months, and Walt didn't seem any closer to finding success in his endeavors.  He continued to draw, which in a sense kept his sanity, but in order for things to change, something had to happen. Walt found himself staring blankly at the drawing paper in front of him and didn't notice Lillian walking into the room.

"Walt?"

No answer.

Lillian didn't try to get his attention a second time.  Even though she knew he loved her, it seems that lately his temper has been short and she noticed the smallest things aggravated him.  She turned and started to walk out the room.

"Lillian?"

"Yes Walt?"

"What is it?"

"Well...you've been in this house all day.  Why don't we go to see a movie? Maybe it will help take your mind off things.  Please?" pleaded Lillian.

Maybe she was right.  It seems that since the tornado took everything away, he stopped living in a sense. Mickey brought a ray of sunshine into their lives, but not enough to keep him from the reality of the situation.  Mickey seemed to be happy and loyal, but Walt also felt that sometimes something wasn't quite right with him. But after all, he is an animal, and they do things which cannot be explained anyway.  

Walt shrugged his shoulders and turned to Lillian with a smile. "You're right. I have been sort of stuffy.  Let's go out.  I think I'd like to see that new Tom Mix movie they've been talking about so much! Maybe a rousing cowboy movie will take me out of this slump for a while!"

"Wonderful!  I'll get my hat and purse!" said Lillian excitedly.  

Walt loved to see her smile.  

Lillian came back into the room slipping on her gloves. "We'll be right in time for the short features too!" she said. 

As she and Walt headed out the door, Walt stopped.  "Where's Mickey?"  

"He's asleep on the back porch. I just checked on him," replied Lillian.  "We'll bring him back some popcorn. Mice love popcorn!" she giggled.

At the movie theater, not many people were there that night.  A tired looking usher led Walt and Lillian down the aisle to seats in the middle of the theater.  On the screen, was flashing some simple black and white advertisements for the latest hat styles for men and women, or a new movie which will be coming out soon.

"Just in time!" whispered Lillian. Walt nodded.

Since this was the era of silent pictures, movies were accompanied by an organist.  When the advertisements ended, the organist started up with a new tune.  On the screen, flashed a Pat Sullivan's "Felix the Cat" cartoon.  Felix is a cat who has many adventures, and he could use his tail for many things.  One thing about the cat was that he would pace back and forth when he wanted to solve a problem and came up with pretty good ideas which made him mostly a winner in the end.  Felix was a very simple cat to look at too.  He was black all over with great big eyes.  His looks weren't exactly what one might call cute, but he was definitely spunky, and wasn't afraid to try new things. He could communicate with people as well as animals like himself.  Sometimes Felix acted more like a feline when he tried to catch a fish for dinner, and other times like a human when he would try to find a job, for example on a movie set in Hollywood.   He had personality

...just like Mickey...

...Felix is a cat...

Mickey is a mouse...

Wonder how did Sullivan find him? Behind a fish store? As a kitten? Did Felix just follow him home like other cats?

As Felix's adventures continued flickering on the screen, Walt was becoming more and more mesmerized by that cat.  

Wonder how much money does Sullivan make from Felix?

Does Felix really belong to him?  Did Sullivan name Felix, or did Felix already have his name, like Mickey?

Is Felix truly a happy cat like on the screen?

After the second Felix cartoon had ended, the Tom Mix feature came on.  The movie was entitled "The Last Trail."  The story had its regular formula of the hero cowboy who saves the girl and the town from villains and whatnot. It had its high and low points but overall it was not a bad movie.  Lillian enjoyed it as well.

On the way home, Walt seemed in a better mood, and Lillian was pleased about that.  

"Maybe we need to go to the movies at least twice a week!" Lillian chuckled.

"Maybe so. Movies help take the blues away. At least you can escape into another place and become one with the stars on the screen," Walt said dreamily.

As they approached the house, they could hear the radio playing a familiar tune from Paul Whiteman.  They entered quietly, but saw that Roy and Edna were still up.  

"Well, where have you two kids been?" asked Edna, who was working on her needlepoint.

"To the movies, I thought Walt needed to get out for a while," said Lillian taking off her hat and gloves.

"It was worth it.  A Tom Mix movie was the main feature. But you know what really caught my attention tonight?  Felix the Cat!" said Walt.

"Felix the CAT?" answered Roy and Edna in unison.

"Yes, that little cat is interesting.  He kind of reminds me of Mickey, except in cat form.  He belongs to a guy named Pat Sullivan.  I bet he's rolling in dough," said Walt thoughtfully.

"I really don't see how.  But I must admit, Felix's been around for a long time though.  Maybe because kids like him. I figure that's why the guy keeps that cat around," said Roy uninterested.  

"Hmmm…I guess I never really paid much attention before," said Walt. "Having Mickey made me more aware of animals like that.  I wish I could see Felix--what is he really like…"

"You might be disappointed," warned Lillian.  "You just might meet a little bug-eyed black cat with fish-breath, and that's all."

Everyone laughed except Walt, who gave a weak smile.

"Well, back to the drawing board!" announced Walt. "Literally."

He still couldn't get Felix out of his mind.  The storylines were really simple.  But those simple stories kept his attention.  Amazing.  

Just then he remembered Mickey.  He tiptoed to the back porch and saw that Mickey was still asleep. Darn! They forgot the popcorn. No bother. Mickey didn't know they left for the movies anyway.  

Walt bent down and carefully picked Mickey up from his straw bed.  Mickey's sleepy form snuggled against Walt as he felt himself being carried inside.  Mickey stirred as Walt slid upon the chair in front of the large drawing board.  Walt let Mickey continue to snooze in the crook of his left arm as he started to draw with his right.  It was definitely awkward, but he didn't want to wake Mickey up just yet.  The lighting in the room wasn't bright, but it gave the room a comforting glow to it.  He could still hear the radio playing in the next room and the music helped him as he drew upon the paper.

He started drawing the rabbit again. Round circular head, long ears of course and round body.  The rabbit also wore shorts, but unlike Mickey's the rabbit's shorts were held up by one strap which was slung over one shoulder.  It gave the rabbit a "bad little boy" look. Walt was pleased.  He completed the rabbit by coloring him in black all over.  

He was still thinking about Felix the cat as he worked on his sketched.  The main point about Felix's which interested him was how the cat's tail could express many emotions, and turn into objects such as a hook or a paddle if he needed it.  Walt would also give this rabbit the same ability. That's interesting.  Before he knew it, the drawing board was full of this character jumping, laughing, crying or being angry.

"Rabbit."

"Huh?"

"Rabbit," said Mickey as he stretched his arms and yawning.

"Yeah, pal, a rabbit.  Have you seen any in real life?"

"Yep.  When I lived with my mamma on your farm."

"Oh really?  What were they like?"

"Quiet, but they sure can eat a lot!" Mickey chuckled.

Walt laughed too. "Mickey, this rabbit on my drawing paper here is named Oswald."  

"OS-WALD?" asked Mickey as he squinched up his nose.

"Yes, Oswald. What kind of rabbit do you think he is?" asked Walt.

Mickey thought for a while.  "Hmmmm….he might be kinda fun. Maybe not," he replied.

Well, I've been drawing Oswald for quite some time now.  You didn't know it, but when you first came here, you destroyed my first drawings of him. Of course, you didn't understand then, but I have plans for this little long-eared fellow.  

"Really?"  asked Mickey, confused.

"Yep.  He just might be our ticket out of here," said Walt.