All My Toys: 303

 The quest for Pizzarias, solving crime, and Club Ritz shenanigans continues on a brand new All My Toys!

Police Station, present...

Dick Tracy: How did I get the honor to do paperwork on these lost and found weapons? Unbelievable. 

Dick Tracy: (looks for paperwork to fill out) Damn it! This is not ok.

Batman: Not ok?

Dick Tracy: Long time no see.

Batman: You weren't startled by my arrival. Interesting.

Dick Tracy: Happened once, never again. So, what has you here? Lose a sword? Or dagger perhaps?

Batman: No, afraid not. I've been a little busy, but I saw in the paper that Deathstroke's killer was brought to justice. You solved the case?

Dick Tracy: Not exactly.

Batman: Oh?

Dick Tracy: Yeah. All is not what it would seem...

Flashback to earlier in the week...

Dick Tracy: I don't understand why it is taking so long to get a warrant for Big Boy.

Arcee: Probably paperwork. You know how things get caught up.

Dick Tracy: This should be pretty simple though, we had a sworn statement from the Baroness. 

Arcee: Statistically, paperwork in these instances takes time. The illusion that it should be fast is taken from crime procedurals on tv. This is real life. Unfortunately. 

Dick Tracy: I'm worried this is going to blow up. I tipped Big Boy off. I wanted to be courteous to him, that we could do this the easy way or the hard way. I never should have done that.

Arcee: (faux coughs) The mayor is approaching.

Mayor Grody: Tracy! And your little Bot. Heh. I've got good news.

Arcee: The name is... oh never mind.

Dick Tracy: What's the good news?

Mayor Grody: You can close yer little case. Got a confession this morning in the murder of that Deathstroke fella.

Dick Tracy: With all due respect Mayor, I'm waiting on a warrant for a suspect...

Mayor Grody: I canceled that warrant. I told you, we have the guy. Two bit junkie came in and confessed in the DA's office. Offered evidence and everything. May not even have to go to trial. 

Arcee: Oh...

Dick Tracy: How convenient. I don't understand. Why would someone turn themselves in now?

Mayor Grody: I don't know, guilty conscience? Ran out of Plastic? Knew the police would find out? Though, let's be honest, you weren't exactly doing yer job. I'd be careful Tracy. We want detectives that can solve cases, no use for those who waste resources. Understand?

Dick Tracy: I understand.

Mayor Grody: Good. Because next time, trying to pin a crime on an upstanding citizen and business owner, might see you pushing paper clips in the mail room.

Dick Tracy: I understand. I understand that this town is corrupt, and some poor sap probably got roughed up into admitting to a crime they didn't commit, all to protect precious Big Boy Caprice.

Back to the present...

Batman: Did you tell that to the Mayor?

Dick Tracy: No, he had already left. It's the truth though. I don't know how they did it, they must have paid some poor schmuck off the street, but the real killer is out there and unfortunately the case is now closed. Now they've got me working the lost and found temporarily.

Batman: Hmm. And, why did you think it was Big Boy? You said there was a sworn statement from a Baroness?

Dick Tracy: Yeah, the Baroness. It's a bit complicated and I don't feel like this place is safe to talk about the case further.

Batman: I see. The corruption is that bad. I'll look into things further. See what I can dig up.

Dick Tracy: Or, you could just plan to meet me somewhere outside of here, perhaps your base of operations... and he's gone. He really does just appear and disappear at ease doesn't he?

Across town, at the mall...

Oscar: Well Slimey, looks like we're eatin' good tonight!

Slimey: Yay!

Oscar: Well if it isn't my old neighbor Miss M! 

Miss M: Hi Oscar!

Oscar: Who's your friend? I like that jump suit.

Miss M: This is Winston. We've been looking for you. You're not in the old neighborhood. 

Oscar: Say hi to Slimey! Nah, they tore your old building down. I somehow made it to the mall. Place is a little too cheery for me, but, I'm near the food court so I get all the good stuff. You look good! Must be all that hoity toity livin' your doing in that big mansion. What's it like? I heard caviar gets thrown away on the regular.

Miss M: Well let me first say hi to Slimey. You look particularly extra cute and slimey today. 

Slimey: Yay!

Miss M: And Oscar, well, I no longer live in the mansion. Bruce and I didn't work out. 

Oscar: Oh toots, I'm sorry to hear that. I was really ready for you to make it to the big time. So what's Winston's story eh? I really like that jump suit. You plan on keeping that forever?

Winston: I'm a little fond of it, yes.

Miss M: Yeah, Winston is a Ghostbuster, so he needs his suits. I must be honest Oscar, this isn't just a social call. I was hoping you could help us.

Oscar: I can, but it'll cost ya.

Miss M: Please tell me you have clothes on under your suit because we might have to give it to him.

Winston: I don't, and this can't really come off.

Oscar: Haha. I'm just messin. I'd never charge Miss M a thing. She has always been a doll to me. Remember that time you yelled at that kid who was kicking my can? I admit, I was making fun of the kid, but I was only trying to build character. Miss M has always had my back, and I will always have hers. So, what do you need help with?

Miss M: Ok, so, long story short, I am trying to interview Dino Drac for the blog. But, his representative has told me that one of the best ways to even entertain an audience with him is to provide an item that he seeks more than others. So I'm looking for an old bag of Pizzarias. Can be sealed or emptied, I just need this item. It's sort of like proof that I'm not a crazy person that will ruin his life. And I thought maybe with all the years you've been living in your home, that there might be some old Pizzaria bags hanging about.

Oscar: Oh I've got stuff in here that goes back to the seventies. Let me go look, be back in a Jiffy spread!

Miss M: Thank you! Oh Winston, I have a good feeling about this. 

Winston: Yeah, I do too. It's gonna happen.

Three hours later...

Winston: Maybe he's taking a nap?

Miss M: Oh Winston. I don't know what to do. Do you think when we stepped away for some pizza that he came back?

Winston: No, I had my eyes on the can the whole time.

Miss M: Thank you for being here with me.

Winston: Are you kidding me? Thank you. I haven't been doing well since Sarah left. And it being Father's Day, I miss my dad ya know? So, being here with you on these random adventures, it's really great. And while I still don't understand why you need a bag of chips from the '90s to assist in getting an interview with the spooktacular Dino Drac, I fully support you.

Miss M: I'm sorry you're missing your dad Winston. And Sarah too. She'll be back before you know it. I have no doubt. I'm really glad you're here with me though. I'd be going a little crazy if I was by myself. And I think this nostalgia offering shows Mr. Drac that I'm not some random person trying to take advantage. Like, hey, here's this gift, I come in peace and want to talk to you. To share your story.

Winston: Ok but as your friend, I have to point out, it's more than just sharing a story. You want to have this interview so it can bolster your chances at getting nominated for a Bloglin. You're not worried how that might look?

Miss M: I mean maybe a little, but Winston, what do I do? Ever since Vash told me that I could have a chance at being nominated for a Bloglin, like why can't both things be true? Why can't I get to interview this really cool person that in some ways I feel a lovely connection to though we've never met and also provide this amazing interview that has never been done before and that would finally give me the respect from the Bloglin voting academy? I mean Winston, this in some ways, feels like my last chance to really prove myself.

Winston: M, I understand, but I just don't want you losing sight of what makes you, you. I know how you get.

Miss M: Winston. I've lost a lot. I was set to marry the love of my life. And now he doesn't even remember me. My daughter that I used to see every day, I only see a couple times a month. My dad is getting older. We had brunch this morning for Father's Day, and he just seemed so lost in his thoughts. I'm dating a guy that everything seemed to be going well, but he seems distant now. One of my best friends, moved away to New York and can barely speak to me. I feel really lost. So if finding a bag of Pizzarias to help my chances at being able to interview a fellow collector who is next level, and where I can possibly walk away with a nomination and an award from fellow bloggers, I have to take that chance. I don't want this to be another year where I am sidelined. I want this to be the year where I can say, hey world, I got nominated for a Bloglin for my journalism skills! I want to be somebody.

Winston: M, you already are somebody. You're an amazing friend to me. And Sarah. Glo. Billy. He-Man. Michelangelo. The list goes on and on. Just don't lose sight of who you are in all of this.

Miss M: I love you Winston.

Winston: Love you too Miss.

Miss M: Oh, I hear something. I think he's coming back!

Oscar: Ta da! The grouch has returned!

Miss M: Great! Any good news?

Oscar: Man, I really really dig that jump suit. You have a spare one? It's just so rad.

Winston: I don't, but I know where to get some.

Oscar: Great! You know where I live.

Miss M: Ahem. Oscar...

Oscar: Oh right. Pizzarias. Sorry toots. I got bags of Tato Skins. O'Boisies. Doritos from the '80s and '90s. Crunch Tators even. But no Pizzarias. I'm so sorry.

Miss M: (sighs) It's ok Oscar. I really appreciate you for trying. 

Oscar: Hey now. Usually a sad face makes me laugh, but I don't like seeing you sad. Not one bit. I do have an idea that might help.

Miss M: Oh?

Oscar: Yeah, you need to go to the Nostalgia Graveyard.

Miss M: What is that?

Oscar: Oh M, you've never been? It's a paradise. Mounds and mounds of items thrown away lost over the decades, but settled into a home of sorts, until they're found again.

Winston: This sounds like a garbage dump.

Oscar: Eh?

Oscar: (eyes Winston up and down) I really really really want that jump suit. 

Miss M: Ok, so back on track, the Nostalgia Graveyard. I assume I can find the location online?

Oscar: Nah, you can't find the Nostalgia Graveyard, it will find you.

Miss M: (whispers) Ok, we're gonna look for it online.

Winston: Yeah, totally.

Miss M: Ok Oscar, it was so good to see you. We're gonna go. I'll be sure to visit more often now that I know you're here!

Oscar: Good to see ya toots! I'll see ya again real soon! Go and find those Pizzarias!

Miss M: I will! (fights back tears) It's going to work out!

Club Ritz. That evening...

Sydney: I mean it, this is the last time we get together.

Garrett: How many times are you going to say this Syd? We can't keep our hands off each other.

Sydney: That's the problem. We're too old for this Garrett. I'm engaged. We're going to seedy clubs to avoid being seen. This has to stop.

Garrett: So leave him. Why are we torturing ourselves? Leave him, and let's run off together. Make it finally work.

Sydney: It can never work. We want different things, and I'm running out of time.

Garrett: What do you mean? You keep saying these cryptic things Sydney. Enough of the drama already.

Sydney: I want a child. I want to be a mother Garrett. And with everything we have done together in this life, that is the one thing you always said you'd want no part of, but I'm getting older Garrett. I'm already too old, but Alex and I, we can make it work. Your sister is making her pregnancy work with JT. I want that chance too. And if you can't do that, than I can't keep running around. This has to end. 

Garrett: Sydney, wait, don't run off. Syd!

Lana: Ugh. This game will go on forever.

Lana: Influence! I've grown bored of cards. Tell me you have what I need.

Influence: Glo avoids me. It would appear that my past precedes me. It makes me all the more interested in her though. I can't get enough of her performances. Did you see her tonight?

Lana: (rolls eyes) Yes darlin. The whole club did. I need you to find out more details about her. Can't you use any hypnotizing techniques on her?

Influence: I'm trying to Lana, but it's not easy. I need a conversation to last more than five seconds.

Lana: Fine. Keep at it. I am working my own angles. 

Influence: What angle might that be?

Lana: Don't worry about me, focus instead on what I need you to do. Got it darlin?

Influence: Oh I focus greatly. She's exquisite. 

Lana: (rolls eyes) Pathetic.

Glo: I think our dance number was a hit tonight.

Breathless: Oh honey, absolutely. The crowd went wild. Krystle had a good time too. Which is nice. 

Glo: Yeah. You ok though? You seem a little different.

Breathless: I've got news. And I've been holding back from telling everyone but it's time.

Glo: Ok, well don't keep me in suspense, what is this news?

Breathless: I'm leaving the club. 

Glo: What?

Breathless: Yeah. My fiance, Jafar, he's planning on taking me far from here. He's tired of traveling back and forth from here to the Sunlands. He's planning on getting me set up in Marsalim. Oh Glo it's going to be fabulous. He's going to get me my own club. I'll be in charge. None of this mess that goes on here. I'm getting out. And I have you to thank.

Glo: Me? Why would you have me to thank?

Breathless: Because. I was content being engaged and having this long distance relationship and just working here, but I'm never going to be the star I want to be while here. You've pointed out so much about this place, and your friendship, aside from my fiance, it's the most genuine relationship in my life. 

Glo: Breathless. I'm really happy for you. I'm glad you're getting out of here.

Breathless: And with my leaving, what will that mean for you? Sindel has already left, they're saying she actually did travel to some other dimension. Krystle will mess up at some point. You could end up being the main act here, but I know you have stayed to look out for me.

Glo: What makes you say that?

Breathless: Because you are much better than this place too.

Glo: I admit, I was brought in by the glittery lights and an opportunity that seemed perfect. But underneath the flash, this is not the place for me. Since you'll be leaving, I probably won't be staying long after. 

Breathless: (smiles) Isn't this exciting? We're going to be fine and move onto bigger things. When I open my own club, you'll have to perform! Promise me you will perform.

Glo: Of course. I'm so happy for you Breathless.

Breathless: Now I just have to tell Lana and Big Boy...

Jason: Hey, you two need to be mingling with the guests. Enough of this chit chat all the time.

Breathless: Jesus Jason, it's a slow night. We just got off the stage.

Jason: I don't care. You don't do your job, I have to end up dealing with the fallout.

Glo: Is that why you're always so angry? I thought you were just a bouncer?

Breathless: Yeah, Jason has some other responsibilities here. Gotta make sure everyone is in their place. He takes it all too seriously. Have a drink or something. It's a slow night.

Jason: Whatever. Just do your job.

Breathless: That's what we've been going! Come on, forget him, let's go to the bar and get some champagne. We need to celebrate. Our lives are about to change for good. 

Up Next: The Nostalgia Graveyard awaits...

Like the previous posts on this blog, it is with great sadness that the blogging community lost William Bruce West. My heart goes out to his family, including his wife Lindsay and two daughters. Will contributed so much to the toy/comics/pop culture blogging and podcast community. His opinions on pop culture are the stuff of legend. Please check out the West Family GoFundMe and consider donating, they need our support more than ever. If you can't donate, please spread the word. West Family GoFundMe