Floyd and Veneer's Imagination Adventure

Barney's Backyard

Veneer began walking them towards the door, "Hmmm. I wonder what else Barney needed." Floyd shrugged, "I guess we'll know when we go in." A big surprise was waiting as they stepped through the doors, a giant playground like nothing they'd seen before. Barney was waiting for them, "Oh, great, you made it!" He opened his arms and they ran into them. "That was a great show, Barney," Floyd began, "But why are we here?" Veneer finished, "Actually...where is here?"

Barney loosened his hold, "Well Veneer, this is my backyard. You both used your imaginations very well for the show, but I need you to bring some of it here. If you and Floyd can bring enough imagination here by eight o'clock tonight, Pitch Black won't be able to do anything." Veneer cocked his head to one side, "What time is it now?"

"7:30" Barney pointed to something that looked like a thermometer. It was three quarters full and measured imagination. Veneer set Floyd down and knelt next to him, "So, we've still got 30 minutes to Pitch-Proof Barney's place." Floyd left his hand in Veneer's, "Whatta ya say, buddy? Think we can do it?" Veneer nodded, "Yea, I...I think we can."

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Those next 30 minutes were spent exploring Barney's Backyard and seeing what else their imaginations could do.

Veneer ran his hands through the giant wind chimes with a far-off look. It had such a dreamy sound; it seemed to take him back to- "Veneer, you gotta check out the view from up here!" Floyd was calling up from the treehouse. Veneer ran up and joined him at the top, "Wow, it's like being at the top of a mountain." Floyd closed his eyes and put a hand to his forehead, "Hold it, imaginations at work. I'm thinking...up in a balloon!"

"A plane?"

"Nice one!"

They sat in silence for a moment. "Floyd?" Veneer asked.

"Yea?"

"Do you ever get the feeling that this place makes you feel...kinda-"

"Younger? Yea, do you like that feeling?"

"Yea, it's kinda nice."

Floyd gasped, "By the way, I figured out how to do something. Come on." He led the way to a set of stones. Floyd stepped on one and it played a note, "Okay, see if you can guess the song." He methodically jumped on each one; Veneer listened and thought hard. Recognition came to his face,

"Fall is here, hear the yell

Back to school, ring the bell

Brand new shoes, walking blues

Climb the fence, books and pens

I can tell that we are gonna be friends

I can tell that we are gonna be friends

Walk with me, Suzy Lee

Through the park and by the tree

We will rest upon the ground

And look at all the bugs we've found

Safely walk to school without a sound

Safely walk to school without a sound

Here we are no one else

We walked to school all by ourselves

There's dirt on our uniforms

From chasing all the ants and worms

We clean up and now it's time to learn

We clean up and now it's time to learn

Numbers, letters, learn to spell

Nouns and books and show and tell

Play time, we will throw the ball

Back to class through the hall

Teacher marks our height against the wall

Teacher marks our height against the wall

We don't notice any time pass

We don't notice anything

We sit side by side in every class

Teacher thinks that I sound funny

But she likes the way you sing

Tonight I'll dream while I'm in bed

When silly thoughts go through my head

About the bugs and alphabet

And when I wake tomorrow I'll bet

That you and I will walk together again

'Cause I can tell that we are going to be friends

Yes, I can tell that we are going to be friends."

Floyd gave him a proud smile, "Yea, see you got this." he climbed onto Veneer's shoulder and gave his cheek a soft punch. Veneer giggled, "Hey, look!" He pointed towards the meter, "It's full! What time is it?" Floyd looked around for a clock, "It's 8 o'clock, we did it!" They high-fived just as Barney came back in, "We did it, Barney!" Floyd called to him. Barney spun around in excitement, "That's super-dee-duper! I knew I could count on you two. Thanks for your help."

"Anytime Barney." Veneer replied with a squeeze. He snuck a glance at Floyd who began to yawn; his eyelids were getting heavy. "But...it looks like it's way past somebody's bedtime. We'd better get back before they realize we're missing." Floyd nodded, "Yea, we'd better go." They gave Barney one last hug, "We'll see ya later, Barney." Barney waved as they went off, "See you next time! Bye!"