Captain Pete and the Puppetmaster

Synopsis: Hi, boys and girls! It's time for the story of Captain Pete and the Puppetman !

‘If at first you don’t succeed, keep on suckin’ ‘til ya do succeed.’--Curly Fine

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”--Proverbs

Chapter 1--A Long Dusty Road

Ever since he was small, Pete Jameson had considered himself a ‘big kid’.   He was far more mature than a lot of kids his age, which made it challenging to make friends but there was a small circle of friends that became close to him over the years.   They might not have understood his rural upbringing but it made Peter into the strong, faithful person that he eventually became long into his adult years.

Pete excellelled in just about every topic but he found himself drawn to theatre and the dramatic arts.   He launched himself into theatre club, not caring if ‘thespian’ had a derogatory meaning attached to it.  

Before long, Pete was getting parts as the lead for many musicals and plays and oftentimes helped other participants if they forgot their lines.   Even classmates who mocked Pete behind his back had to admit they couldn’t secrety hate on him due to his immense kindness and lack of judgement. He wasn’t a doormat, but he was an all around golden-hearted guy who treated everyone like equals.   

Chapter 2--From the Groundlings on Up

Having gotten magna cum laude in college and advancing far beyond even what the professors knew he could, Peter joined the Groundlings and began learning how to broadcast for a children’s audience.   Gone were the days of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and the better written episodes of Sesame Street. Pete longed to have his own platform to help children learn morals and values and inject a little bit of theology in while he was at it.   Certainly it was controversial but he wanted kids to have exposure to faith while they were young. They could make up their own minds about it as they grew up, he mused.

Pete developed the character of Captain Pete and built his own companion, Puppetman.  He would not only appear in the show but he would help him around the house with small errands here and there.    Having no pets and no roommates, Puppetman was a fine companion. However, Peter’s world would soon be turned upside down when he saw a need to help his local Boys & Girls Club through the Christian Broadcasting Network.  

Chapter 3--At First Blush

He had heard about the crisis affecting his local Boys & Girls Club chapter.   He knew that his show was going to suffer if he didn’t record a live program that day, but the needs of children were at the forefront of his mind.    Following the directions he found online, he came to the lemonade drive that Christian Broadcasting Network was holding as a fundraiser. There were other goodies available, like cookies, cakes, pies, brownies and all sorts of sinful treats that can go straight to one’s hips.   

'Need help with those cookies ?', a blonde woman asked, walking up to him.  Pete felt his heart leap in his chest. Pete didn’t know where to put the cookies since the table was getting filled up with confections.  

‘Here.  They’ll fit in right here, and it doesn’t overlap with any of the others.’, she said.   He had to admit her presentation was exceptional. She really had an eye on aesthetics.

‘My name is Peter Jameson.’, Pete said, his voice elevating a few octaves.   Alexia had to laugh. She knew the young man was smitten for her, and she felt the same way about him.  

‘Alexia.  I already know a lot about you.  Why are you here ? Aren’t you putting the Captain Pete and Puppetman show in jeopardy ?  If you leave early, I’ll understand. You’ve done plenty.’, Alexia said, sweetly. Pete smiled and took his leave, returning just in the nick of time to a late show for a smattering of kids that happened to be in the area.  

Chapter 4--The PuppetBlaster Incident

Although Pete was beginning to see positive change in the community and was growing closer to Alexia, he nearly lost everything when Puppetman was turned into PuppetBlaster.    This was at the time when Machina, Mondo and the remainder of the machine empire was still bent on evil. Peter felt his whole world crumbling and he had to start all over. Once Puppetman had reverted to his kind self, the grievance had been forgotten.    It was only after Somnibot’s wedding that the Gadgetry family changed and never once again commited evil. Other monsters might have seen them as ‘soft’ or ‘weak’ for this but never their friends, especially Pete, who lived the story vicariously through Magic Screen’s retelling of the magnificent gala event.    

Chapter 5--Starry Screen’s Best Man

As soon as Captain Pete and Puppetman became a smash success, Pete added another character into his cast.  The robot’s name was Starry Screen and he immediately fell for Herman’s robot Magic Screen. The two began exclusively dating and in about a year’s time decided to get married.    It was revealed on set before a live filming that Starry wanted Pete to be his best man.

‘Had it not been for you I never would’ve met her.   She really puts stars in my eyes.’, Starry admitted.   

Pete had to feel slightly proud and euphoric he had been instrumental in this union and now he was going to witness its consummation.   

Pete hadn’t been to a wedding in a long time but his sights never left the vision of his girlfriend in a peach ruffled cocktail dress.   With her blonde hair tied up in floral accents, she truly was an angel to behold.

As the priest delievered the vows, Alexia’s gaze never left Pete’s and she threw in a few winks and flirtatious winks for good measure.    As soon as the couple kissed (as only screens can do) there was a magnificent fanfare. Magic Screen had finally gotten her happily ever after.     

Chapter 6--Fighting For Good

“It seems like only yesterday.”, Herman said, flipping through a gift book of Magic Screen and Starry Screen’s wedding.    He was reminiscing about all the good times he had experienced with his own crew and that of the Rangers. He was happy for Pete, who had most recently been honored with a life-time achievement award, a daytime Emmy and the prestigious Newberry for his most recently published children’s book: ‘We All Work Better Together’.    He had been going to quite a few talk shows and sharing his belief that everyone was like a child in one way or another, he just chose to be a big kid, enraptured by the world and how it works.

‘I wonder what he’s up to.   He’ll never guess what Magic Screen told me !’, he thought to himself.   He had been keeping the news quiet for a while, since he wanted to keep it a surprise.   After all, the Rangers and he had been so busy fighting evil and protecting the known multiverse and interverses that this immense celebratory news had nearly slipped his mind.  

‘Hey !  Guess who !’, Herman said in his signature keet tone.  

‘Herman !   When was it that we last saw each other ?’, Pete answered, equally as excited as his old friend and contemporary.

‘You know Starry as well as I do.  Well guess what ?!’, Herman said, barely able to hold in his excitement.

‘My Magic Screen is gonna be a mom and Starry’s the dad !’, Herman answered, before Pete could get in a word edgewise.   He ran around whooping and hollering, loud enough for the entire cast to hear him before he came out on stage to film for the day.   He’d have to get Starry and Magic a gift for the bundle of joy but presently, filming a high quality episode was the only thing on his mind.   

Chapter 7--Welcome Home, Tubey  

Little Tubey came into the world with a whole lot of sound but as soon as he was handed to his mom and dad, he calmed right down.   

‘Herman, come here.  You two, Pete and Alexia.’, Magic said.   Starry was at a loss for words, which was so against his character, but it was understandible, seeing his young boy for the first time.  

‘I’d like for you, Pete and Alexia to be Tubey’s godparents.   I can think of no one better to look after him while we are busy on set.  Of course I’m aware Pete and Alexia will have to babysit him on their off days…’, Magic said.   All Starry could do is nod in respect and wonderment.

'We'd love to ! He' so adorable !', Alexia said, admiring Tubey’s multicolored freckle stars from a distance.    He resembled his papa more than his mama but it was obvious they both loved him equally.

Epilogue

Over time, Tubey got to know his godparents and his extended family at HQ.  He really took a liking to the other robot kids and parents, particularly Alpha.  Alpha had to laugh because his kids were growing up at an excellerated rate. Herman caught Tubey’s first walk on video as the proud parents reacted in real time.   

‘He’s growing up so rapidly.   It’s going by too fast !’, Magic commented.

‘That it is.  It was only yesterday that he was crawling around and babbling.’, Starry concurred.   Tubey hobbled up to his parents, cooing and giggling, triumphant. Every so often, he would topple and fall on his tush, but he would get right back up and keep on going.   It was an illustration to them all. Tubey didn’t seem to mind, and even if he did suffer small amounts of pain, he overcame it and kept putting one foot in front of the other.    They would continue fighting evil, and maybe Tubey would join them some day. For the moment, he lived the sweet life, unincumbered by care and surrounded by unconditional love.

The End

~*~ Happy Tequilla Day ! ~*~

Thanks to Paul Rubens for making this iconic dance so memorable, and I’m sure the band that wrote Tequilla thanks you too, it really gave their song a boost.