Once Upon a Time Page #4

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began to dance.

Yes, friends,

this lowly caterpillar...

looked down upon

not only by men...

but by birds and beasts

and the whole animal kingdom...

suddenly stood up

and asserted himself.

Until this time,

no caterpillar known to man...

had possessed the skill

or the will to dance.

And yet when Pinky played

"Yes, Sir, That's My Baby"...

low and behold Curly-

that's the caterpillar's name-

danced, and with

a human sense of rhythm.

Pinky took Curly home and gave him

the shelter of a cardboard box.

So far as they were concerned,

it was simply a meeting of two friends.

Little did they know

that when they met...

a phenomenon had been born,

one of the greatest of all times.

And yet, strangely enough, when Pinky

tried to interest other people...

in watching his friend perform...

some were disinterested,

all the others didn't bother to look...

because they didn't believe

it was possible.

But something-

call it chance, fate, coincidence-

brought Pinky to the doors

of the Flynn Theater.

Jerry Flynn, the famous theatrical

producer who happened to be there...

and who happens to be

a man of great imagination...

did bother to look.

And from that moment on,

Jerry Flynn was no longer interested...

in his theater

or theatrical productions...

for he knew that he had seen

a fairy tale come to life.

Well, ladies and gentlemen,

I have seen Curly dance.

Now, perhaps some of you may

think of it as a charming fantasy...

others as a phenomenon.

Perhaps some of you may see

a profound meaning...

in the story of Pinky and Curly.

But I like to think as Curly

looks up to Pinky and dances...

he may be telling us that

we all have someone to look up to...

that we should stop going around

with our eyes on the ground...

that despite all of

this grief and turmoil...

there are still

beautiful things in the world.

Perhaps Curly

might be telling us...

that if we feel we're crawling around

lost in the dark as he was...

we should look up,

look up, look up.

- That's all I can tell you, sir.

- The caterpillar is not on exhibition.

- The caterpillar's name is Curly.

- Write for a copy of the broadcast.

- Why don't you contact Mr. Flynn.

- He did not say it came from Mars.

Well, I said

to my sisterJeannie...

"Jeannie, can I have

a nickel for some candy?"

She says, " Yes. "

So on my way to the store...

I see a caterpillar

crossing the street.

So I stopped to watch it, see?

Well, how did you get him to dance?

Well, I started playing my harmonica.

I played " The Beer Barrel Polka"

and " My Country'T is ofThee"...

and "Jingle Bells" and lots more,

but Curly didn't like any of'em.

Then I played

"Yes, Sir, That's My Baby. "

Caterpillar!

He dances!

Jerry.

I just heard the broadcast.

I could hardly believe my ears.

Just think, our Curly.

He not only dances,

but he has got a message.

You see? You're not too good

at picking winners anymore.

You mean to say that Curly has likes

and dislikes just like we have?

Oh, yes. He has music appreciation

like a real human being.

Well, it's the eighth wonder

of the world.

- What is that? Who ordered it?

- Compliments of the manager.

And cabbage leaf for Curly.

Gentlemen, help yourselves.

Mr. Flynn,

I recognize you from your picture.

Quite a broadcast

Gabriel Heatter made tonight.

Yes, well,

Curly's quite a caterpillar.

Moke?

See that this gentleman...

gets a chance

to watch Curly perform.

- Sure.

- I represent Walt Disney.

My name is Dunhill.

- Mickey Mouse Disney?

- Yes.

Mr. Disney heard the broadcast too.

If this caterpillar is all

Gabriel Heatter claims he is...

Mr. Disney might be interested

in buying him.

- For money?

- Naturally.

You mean Mr. Disney wants to buy

the rights to use Curly's name?

Oh, not just the rights.

The caterpillar itself.

He's thinking of making a picture

using a live caterpillar...

with an animated background.

Well, in that case...

you'd need complete possession

of the caterpillar, hmm?

Well, of course, he's prepared

to pay a reasonable sum.

A reasonable-

Come with me, please.

- Thank you,John.

- Gentlemen, this is Mr. Dunhill.

- How do you do?

- Mr. Dunhill represents Walt Disney.

It seems that Hollywood

wants to buy Curly.

Say, I'd like to get

a picture of him signing his contract.

Hollywood's certainly quick

at grabbing up new personalities.

- What are you selling him for, Flynn?

- Mr. Flynn?

Mr. Flynn,

you're not selling Curly, are you?

- Not my half.

- And not my half.

Well, I'm afraid my partner

turned you down, Mr. Dunhill.

Your partner?

Oh, caterpillar man?

Oh, hello, Brandt.

Come on in. Have a drink.

- That caterpillar's sensational.

- You missed a great story. Come in.

No, thanks. I'd like

to see you for a minute, Flynn.

Sure. Mix me a scotch and soda,

will you, Harry?

You bet.

Don't tell me you came back

to peek into a shoe box?

No, I'm not very good

at looking in shoe boxes.

Would you mind if I brought a couple

of fellas tomorrow to have a look?

They're always peeking into things,

and they're very good at it.

Well, bring 'em along.

Glad to have 'em.

Thanks.

Brandt, you don't believe

in this thing, do you?

I can't believe anything

you're connected with.

- Sure you won't stay?

- See you tomorrow.

I don't like that guy.

He means trouble.

Go on.

What can he do?

- Mr. Jerry Flynn, please.

- Whom shall I say is calling?

Don't bother.

We'll announce ourselves.

We were wrong this afternoon,Jerry,

but we'll make it up to you.

Thanks,Joe.

I know you will.

I'm afraid to tell my wife

I saw a dancing caterpillar.

- Take Fred along with you as a witness.

- So long, Flynn.

- Amazing!

- A genius, Mr. Dunhill.

- A 20th century Aladdin.

- It's all Gabriel Heatter says it is.

- Quite a show, isn't it?

- I realize you and your partner...

want to bring beauty

into the world, but-

- Cabbage leaves for Curly.

- Oh, gee. We haven't fed Curly yet.

But they're all dirty now.

They should be washed first.

- I'll take care of it, sir.

- You take the tables out.

- Hey, Moke, take care of Pinky.

- Oh, sure.

You wash 'em off, make 'em

nice and appetizing for Curly.

- I'm sorry.

- Hurry it up, will you?

I told Mr. Disney

you were nobody's fool.

But let's be practical.

The caterpillar has a price, hasn't it?

- Yes.

- Good.

- It has a price.

- Shall we say four figures? A thousand?

Let us say 100 times four figures.

A hundred thousand dollars?

That's preposterous!

Well, that's the price Mr. Disney

would have to meet, and within a week.

A deal like that can't be arranged in

a week even if Disney were interested.

One hundred thousand dollars,

no more, no less...

and within a week because

after that I'm not interested.

- But that's exorbitant!

- Yes.

What's the market value

of a fairy tale?

Supposing somebody brought

Mr. Disney a live Mickey Mouse?

Boy, he sure was hungry.

He's eatin' like mad.

Look, Moke.

Mr. Flynn,Jeannie is here,

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