A World of Disney Christmas

The Third Tale

December 23, 1977 (The Third Tale)

With only a couple of days before Christmas, things began to look up at the Muppet Theater. For Diana, it really felt like the holidays again. Preparations for the pageant were completely done, Fozzie's mother decided to stay over for the week, all decorations and shopping were finished, and – most importantly – Joanie was able to spend more time with her, just like they used to before she gained her abilities. All that needed to be done before everyone could relax into the twenty-fifth of December was the "business dinner" with J.P. Grosse. The dinner focused on Grosse giving his approval for the pageant; it was important for everyone that he did, since he was the owner of the theater. Of course, Diana was confident that it would go smoothly, with everything well-organized for the big pageant.

While double-checking just hours before J.P. Grosse arrived, Diana passed by Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, who both carried a large box with an unusual product printed over it and a label that read "Wii U." Curious, she stopped and asked, "Uh, hey, boys? What is that thing? A new Muppet Labs invention?"

"On the contrary, Ms. Navarro." Bunsen said. "It's a brilliant product that Miss Joanie conjured up with magic. Beaker and I guess that it's from the future." Beaker meeped in approval of the hypothesis.

Diana wasn't too pleased with this. She thought Joanie learned her lesson about using her magic for trivial needs, especially giving bizarre presents like the one she had for Bunsen and Beaker. Immediately, she headed to the backstage area where she knew her daughter currently was. As she entered the area, she passed by a gigantic figure.

"Hi there," he greeted.

"Hello," grunted Diana, too upset to sound polite. She found Joanie sitting at the bottom of the staircase leading to the upstairs dressing rooms. The sorcerer hat was sitting atop her daughter's head and, at the moment she found her, she had a worried look. "Joanie..."

Joanie held up one hand in protest. "I know what you're gonna say. But, before we continue this conversation, let me introduce you to Ralph. Ralph, my mother."

She gestured to the figure she passed behind her, and Diana turned to face him, getting a good look at him for the first time. He was gigantic and muscular with auburn hair and eyebrows, a pink nose, and abnormally large hands and feet. He wore brown overalls with one strap ripped, a green shirt beneath a red/orange plaid polo shirt, and no shoes (exposing his abnormally large feet). Up close, he looked as tall as Sweetums – if not taller – and resembled a Muppet, which was how Diana easily mistook him as a resident of the theater. The stranger, whose name apparently was Ralph, waved one of his large hands at her and said, "Hello...again."

Taken aback from the large character, Diana turned back to her daughter and frantically whispered, "What is he?"

Joanie shrugged. "Still trying to figure that one out myself. When he showed up here, the first thing he asked me was when we were first 'plugged in.'"

Diana grew more confused. "Plugged in? You mean like...an appliance?"

"Or an arcade game." Joanie deduced, scratching her head. "He must think he's in one."

"Terrific. A Disney character who promotes wasting time."

"Hey, I heard that," said an offended Ralph. "Video games aren't a waste of time."

Doing her best to ignore Ralph, Diana kept her focus on Joanie. "Why did you bring him here? I thought you were going to be more responsible over your magic."