by Jeff Dixon
“Interesting day, I hear,” Jonathan said to Hawk.
“Yes,” Hawk completely agreed. “Thanks for coming. You guys have already figured out why we’re here, I’m sure. The gift Walt gave to Lillian that is captured forever on film is a reference to Lady and the Tramp. This is the only place I know of that really features that film, those characters, so the rest of the clue to ‘open the gift…’ has got to be here. Or at least that makes sense to me. So let’s get inside and see what we need to do to open the gift.”
“Let’s get started.” Juliette took the lead as they moved though the lobby area and inside the dining section.
Without further instruction, they spread out and began to explore the Main Street dining location. Tony’s featured three distinct dining areas. Juliette and Hawk began to look closely at the larger, main dining area. The checkerboard floor, red-and-white checked tablecloths, and the comfortable family-style seating were like a family-owned New York City Italian eatery. In this case, Tony was the owner. Jonathan moved into the sunroom dining area. The feeling of eating outdoors was the amazing part of this area. Completely surrounded by windows, no matter what the weather really was, the guests would eat in air-conditioned comfort on the hottest Florida days. Shep moved to the outdoor patio dining. This area was shaded, usually air was moved by fans, and it was a favorite of guests to sit and watch parades as they dined. All the decor was patterned after Italian restaurants that most people could identify with.
Hawk stopped at the statue of Lady and the Tramp in the main dining area and flipped open the electronic tablet. Juliette moved over to watch as the device blinked to life.
“You figure something out?” she asked as she stepped in next to him.
“No, not really.” Hawk waved his hand in a sweeping gesture across the dining room. “I’ve gotten here but can’t figure out what the gift is.”
They watched as the golden key icon they used to get clues had no update waiting. There was something else to find.
“That’s disappointing.” Juliette frowned.
“But not surprising.” Hawk again allowed his eyes to search the dining room. “I know this is where we have to be for the first part of the clue. But there’s something we’re missing.
“Let’s check on the boys.” Juliette motioned toward the other dining areas, calling Shep and Jonathan “the boys”; she often reminded people that working with all of her friends was like raising additional children.
Stepping out into the sunroom they, were greeted by an update from Jonathan.
“Not sure what we’re looking for, boss.” He leaned over a table. “How do you open the gift here? I’m not seeing it.”
Hawk didn’t answer. He was looking. As Juliette and Jonathan became aware that he did not intend to respond, they stared at him and then silently tried to follow the direction of his gaze. Without uttering a sound, Hawk continued to look toward the window—but at the same time, at something beyond it. Juliette saw it as well as she moved to stand next to him. They stared at one of the stained-glass-like windows of the sunroom. It was Lady and Tramp, side by side. Hawk motioned with his fingers for Jonathan to join them, and he pointed toward the window as the three of them followed the imaginary line he created with his outstretched arm.
As you looked at the picture of Lady, you could see her smiling face; she was atop a hatbox that was visible from the other side of the street. The optical illusion created by the Imagineers and designers allowed for a subtle tribute to the moment when Lady came out of the hatbox—and Walt had given Lillian her puppy, a little Chow dog, that had inspired this moment.
“No way,” Juliette whispered.
“Unbelievable,” Jonathan added.
“That has to be it,” Hawk agreed.
The Chapeau, the Disney gift shop across the street from Tony’s, featured a hanging hatbox for a sign. It was perfectly aligned so that if you were standing inside Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, Lady appeared to be coming out of the pink hatbox, just like in the film. It was a trompe l’oeil for those who were willing to pay attention to the hidden details around them. And this detail, Hawk knew, was the next thing he was supposed to discover.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Four Days Ago
Early Morning
Everything OK?” Douglas Hall asked, as the four friends reemerged from Tony’s Town Square Restaurant.
Doug had been standing vigil on the porch at the front entrance to the establishment. Their search hadn’t taken long, but Hawk knew that he would like to continue the search without anyone else watching them. As long as Doug remained stationed where he was now, there was no way to hide what they were going to do next. As he stepped on the porch, he took a quick survey of the Town Square. There was no activity at all with the exception of his group on the porch and the lone security guard standing at the base of the stairs leading to his apartment. This struck Hawk as unusual because the night crew normally would be buzzing about this area, preparing it for a new dawn and a new day of greeting guests.
Doug offered an explanation. “We have been trying to create a perimeter around you when possible,” he stated. “It’s not always easy, but at night, the only people near you or your apartment are security teams. The maintenance cast is not allowed in until 4:00 a.m., and they are accompanied by a security detail as well.”
“I see.” Hawk nodded.
“It is not as efficient as you would like for park maintenance. But for the time being, we are trying to be functional and keep you safe.”
“How big is the perimeter you are keeping around Hawk?” Jonathan asked.
“It’s set up by zones.” Doug motioned around him. “If possible, any area Hawk is in, we try to keep as clear as possible. During the day, that’s impossible, of course. But at night, we’re able to keep things relatively empty.”
“And you said that includes maintenance cast members?” Jonathan continued.
“Yes.” Doug tilted his head slightly to the side. “Why?”
“I thought I just saw someone on the other side of the train station.”
“Where?” Doug turned toward the Main Street Station.
“I could be mistaken.” Jonathan pointed. “They were moving underneath, on the other side of the entrance tunnel toward the main gates.”
“Will you step back inside the restaurant?” Doug said to Hawk. “We will check this out.” He motioned to the security guard across the street, and they moved toward the train station.
Hawk moved back to the doors of Tony’s and watched as the two security force members moved toward the tunnels that carried guests in and out of the Magic Kingdom main gates each day.
“Did you really see someone?” Hawk looked toward Jonathan.
“Nope.” He grinned.
“You lied,” Shep summarized.
“I’d like to think of it as causing a diversion,” Jonathan corrected. “Let’s not waste it.”
Instantly, the four moved off the porch and into the street. Quickly crossing to the hatbox of the Chapeau suspended in the air, they paused. It was just high enough to be out of the easy reach of guests—and the CCA.
“I can get to it,” Juliette said. “Give me a boost.”
She kicked off her shoes on the sidewalk and waited. Hawk and Shep stepped below the sign and cupped their hands, giving her a place to step. Placing one foot in Hawk’s hands and stepping up, she then placed the other in Shep’s. They hoisted her up high enough to reach the pink hatbox. Jonathan backed away from them and into the street, watching for the return of Doug and the other guard.
“Be quick,” he offered.
“Hold still,” Juliette whispered down to Hawk and Shep as she tried to steady herself while her hands examined the top of the hatbox. “I can’t find a latch to open it.”
She traced the top rim of the pink box and found no catch or release mechanism. She quickly attempted to release it from the clips that held it on the sign, but they would not give either.
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br /> “You’re running out of time.” Jonathan paced nervously, glancing toward the tunnels and then back to the progress his friends were making.
“Try turning the lid,” Hawk suggested as they tried to remain motionless so Juliette would stay steady.
Placing a hand on either side of the pink striped lid, she forced it counterclockwise. As she did, it gave just a little. She pushed harder until it began to spin and then lifted off of the remainder of the box. Leaving it ajar, she had room to put her hand inside. She adjusted her balance and stretched to reach into the box, tapping and feeling her way across the box with her hand. Her fingers clasped something. Closing her hand, she grabbed it, freed it, and then quickly rotated the lid back into place.
“Got it,” she whispered, as Shep and Hawk gently lowered her back to the ground.
“Let’s go.” Hawk grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her back toward the porch.
Shep followed, scooping up her shoes. Jonathan began to frantically wave for them to hustle, as he could see from his angle the security team returning. The four of them stepped back on the porch and reassembled by the front doors. Douglas eyed them suspiciously as he returned to the porch.
“I thought I asked you to stay inside,” he said coolly.
“ We were curious,” Hawk stated. “Is everything all clear?”
“Yes, just someone who didn’t understand where they were allowed to be,” Doug responded.
“Really?” Jonathan audibly gulped as the question came out.
“The guy was supposed to be staying on the other side of the entrance gates. He wasn’t paying attention and kept working on the wrong side. Too close to where we are.”
“Thanks for checking.” Hawk shot a sideways glance at Jonathan. “We’re going back to the apartment.”
“Sounds good.” Douglas hesitated, looking at the four of them before continuing. “Since we moved away from it to check out the main gate area, I want to make sure the apartment is clear before you go back in.” He opened the door to the restaurant. “This time, wait inside so we can make sure everything is clear, please.”
“Will do.” Hawk motioned and they all followed him in.
Through the window they watched as Doug moved to the middle of Town Square and waved for the guard at the apartment steps to meet him there. After a quick conversation that included several glances back toward the restaurant to make sure they were still inside, the other guard moved off and up the stairs to check the apartment.
“I thought you said you were lying.” Shep turned toward Jonathan.
“I said I was creating a diversion.” He shrugged. “I didn’t know anyone was really there.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Hawk turned toward Juliette. “Well?”
Smiling, she opened her hand and revealed what had been inside the hatbox. Nestled in her palm was a dark gray MagicBand. Trimmed in black, it resembled a sturdy plastic watch. Instead of a watch face, it was emblazoned with the outline of the Mickey Mouse icon. The head and ears sat in the center of the band.
“A MagicBand.” Jonathan lowered his head to look closer.
MagicBands had been introduced by the company to create an easier and more seamless guest experience. Using advanced technology, the device allowed you to use the wristband to gain entrance into a theme park or water park. The same band would open a guest resort room. You could also use it buy food or merchandise, and it had replaced the old Fastpass system and allowed guests to map out their day in a theme park and get express priority on the attractions of their choosing. The original testing and implementation had been sluggish, and many glitches had to be corrected. Using radio frequency technology, these bands had been wildly enjoyed and at the same time criticized by some because they feared they could be used to track guests throughout the resort. But Disney fans had ended up embracing the new technology; they liked the way they could personalize the durable bands, and in the end, they had been wildly accepted.
Juliette turned the band over in her hand. She stopped and with a finger pointed to the underside of the band. “This must be yours.”
In white letters against the dark gray backdrop was a name: HAWK. She handed the personalized MagicBand to him and then helped to secure it to his wrist. “‘Open the gift, put it in place, then take it to Osh.’”
Hawk double-checked to make sure it was secure around his right wrist. “So now all I have to do is take it to Osh. Whatever that means.”
“You don’t know?” Jonathan continued to look at the band on Hawk’s wrist.
“No, I have no idea.”
“Then that’s what we figure out next.” Juliette motioned toward the doors, as Doug was now getting ready to come inside and join them.
The door opened, and he stuck his head inside. “All clear. If you’re going back to the apartment, you’re all set.”
“Good, thanks.” Hawk moved through the doors behind him.
As they made their way across Town Square, the group stayed in a tight clump.
“Any more…uh…field trips scheduled for tonight?” Doug said over his shoulder to Hawk as they walked.
“Maybe, not sure. I went stir-crazy being cooped up in the apartment all afternoon. So I’m not so sure I’m going to stay inside all night.” Hawk patted him on the back.
“Fair enough.” Doug glanced toward the CCA. “But I will be going with you, if that is acceptable.”
“Sure,” Hawk responded.
He felt a gentle tug on his shirt as they moved by the Emporium. He turned to see Shep pointing toward the giant gift shop. Hawk looked in the direction he was pointing but didn’t see what Shep was trying to show him. Juliette and Jonathan noticed what Shep was doing as well and tried to decipher what he was pointing toward, but they too didn’t understand. Finally they stopped moving and stood on the street, just off of the main entrance to the store. Doug realized he was now separated from them, and he stopped and turned back to rejoin them where they had come to a halt.
“What are you pointing at?” Hawk looked at Shep.
“Check that out.” Shep again pointed toward the Emporium.
The main entrance of the Emporium allows guests to enter on the corner connecting Town Square and the beginning of Main Street USA. Inside the alcove where the double doors open, there are two display windows. Easily missed as guests hustle past to begin shopping, the windows usually contain some type of display merchandise. But now, with Shep pointing directly toward them, Hawk noticed something he had never seen before. Stepping away from them and moving toward the shop, he now saw what Shep was showing him. He turned back and motioned toward what he had found for the rest of the group to notice.
The gold letters at the bottom of the window read “Osh” Popham—Proprietor.
“Then take it to Osh,” Hawk said softly. “Doug, I think we’re going to take a slight detour and go shopping.”
Now?” Doug asked.
“Right here, right now.” Hawk moved toward the entrance of the Emporium.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Four Days Ago
Early Morning
Douglas Hall waited outside the doors as the four friends entered what some referred to as the “jewel of Main Street, U.S.A.” The Emporium was massive. The chase through a crowded Emporium earlier stood in stark contrast to the cavernous gift shop they entered in the early morning hours. Standing inside the doors, they took in the look and feel of the Victorian-styled gift shop, complete with ornate doorknobs, brass fixtures, velour wallpaper, and the gold-framed photos of various townsfolk of the era. Hawk couldn’t believe he had never noticed the name of a proprietor on the Emporium. It always amazed him; no matter how much he knew or thought he knew, there was always so much more to be learned. He had discovered that to be true of Disney, and of life—and most of all, of following God.
“I never knew about Osh Popham,” Hawk admitted to the others. “Great pickup on the name, Shep.”
“Thanks. I had never noticed the n
ame there before but just happened to glance over as we were walking.”
“I had never made the connection either, although I know the name Osh Popham,” Jonathan said.
“You’ve heard of Osh Popham?” Juliette asked.
“Yes.” Jonathan shrugged. “I just didn’t connect the dots, I guess.”
“So, who is Osh Popham?” Juliette followed up with another query.
“Osh Popham is a character played by Burl Ives in the Disney film Summer Magic,” Jonathan informed them. “I think it came out in 1963. In it, Osh Popham was the local postman who also ran the general store. It’s funny, but now that I think about it…when we were at the Chapeau a few minutes ago, I vaguely recall the back-story for that shop had it owned by Nancy and Julia Carey. They were also characters in Summer Magic.” Jonathan grinned as he remembered the details.
“The clue said, ‘Recapture the magic or the results could be tragic,’” Hawk reminded them. “‘Recapturing the magic’ could be referring to the title of the film.” Then he paused and said to Jonathan, “How do you know those details?
“What? You think you’re the only one who knows Disney trivia?” Jonathan feigned disbelief. Then he gave a sheepish look. “The truth is, Summer Magic is one of Sally’s favorite movies. So we’ve watched it together, well…more times than I can count.” He began to hum the famous song from the film, “The Ugly Bug Ball,” and conducted himself with a finger as he did so. The minister of music stopped after the first line of the song and looked toward Hawk. “I can’t believe you didn’t know that.”
“Heard of the film, never heard of any of the characters.” Hawk shook his head from side to side as he began to make his way deeper into the huge store. “If I am supposed to bring this MagicBand to the proprietor of the store, I’m going to assume I’m supposed to buy something with it.”
