I apologize for the long delay...
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{Have you ever heard the saying that tough times test a relationship? Well, this one seems to have gone through plenty already, right? Uh-uh. Not even close. Yes, it seems that Piggy has gotten over her possessive streak, and Kermit has allowed himself to love, but what happens when you put that love to the final test, when you take away the life work of one frog? Let’s find out.}
(Four weeks later)
Kermit was flying high, both emotionally and physically. His relationship with Piggy was on a steady keel for once in his life. He was also throwing himself into the show with renewed energy. The ratings soared, and they found themselves with way too many guest stars trying to get on the show. It became a launching pad for new talent too.
Kermit was proud, and happy. He had it all, as one would say. Which was why he was surprised to hear some arguing this day.
He had been in the middle of filming a segment of the show, and trying out a new song, when he heard voices coming from the hallway that led into the small area where he usually interviewed the guests for the show.
Scooter had been the first to hear the shouting, and had turned the camera away from Kermit.
Noticing the lack of himself on the video screen, Kermit stopped in mid song, which got the notice of Rowlf who had been playing the piano to accompany him. “Scooter!”
Snapped back to attention, he refocused the camera. “Oh, sorry Boss.”
Now that the music had stopped, the tone of the argument was carried through the empty theater. Piggy was shouting something, and it was replied to by Gonzo, though the actual words could not be heard.
Kermit shook his head. Whatever it was, it didn’t sound very good. “Excuse me for a moment, guys.”
Rowlf got up from the piano. “Mind if I join you, just in case?” he asked, knowing Piggy’s anger could sometimes result in Kermit being tossed across the room. Not that she had done that lately, but… you never knew.
“Come on.” Kermit said as he left the stage and walked down the hallway. The argument was still going on strong, and as he got closer, he could hear the other voices in the room with Piggy and Gonzo.
Fozzie, was shouting something, which was rebuked by Rizzo, and accompanied by Bunsen and Beaker meeping wildly. The argument became clearer as he stepped up to the door.
Fozzie was now slapping the hardwood table in the room hard. “Well, I’m certainly not going to be the one to tell him. It would simply break his heart.”
“You have to, Fozzie,” Gonzo barked. “It’s the type of news that should come from his best friend.”
Piggy chimed up, “I would tell him, but I don’t need him mad at Moi for this.”
Standing outside the door, Kermit glanced at Rowlf who just shrugged. “I have no idea.” Rowlf said quietly.
Kermit pushed the door open and when it creaked, all the muppets in the room jumped about a foot into the air. All conversation in the room stopped, and the air was filled with absolute silence when just moments before there had been fighting.
Kermit was sure he could hear his heart beating, it was so quiet. Mouths that had been opened to argue, now snapped shut with small clicks. He looked around the table and the people sitting or standing around it. Fozzie held a few sheets of paper in one hand and an open envelope was face down on the table in front of him. “Would someone like to explain what is going on here? Why is it that I heard you all the way across the theater?”
Fozzie tried to discretely hide the papers. “Um, uh…” he fumbled around for something to say while everyone looked to him.
Kermit tapped his foot. “Well?”
Piggy stood and tried to get Kermit to take her newly vacated seat. “Maybe you should sit down, sweetheart.”
He glared up at her. “I don’t want to sit down, I want someone to tell me what is going on.” He pulled his arm from her grasp and looked away as a flash of hurt passed over her face. He would deal with her later.
He nodded to the papers that Fozzie was now trying to stuff back into the envelope. In doing so, he caught a glimpse of the Henson Company logo on one corner. “What are those?” Anything from the company that was providing their main support always concerned Kermit. Henson had gotten them their first break in the movie and television industry. Henson still supported them now. Without their backing, Kermit wasn’t sure where the muppets would be today.
“These?” Fozzie looked at the rumpled mess he was making. “Uh, these are… nothing important.”
“Just tell him.” Dr. Bunsen Honeydew spoke up while holding one hand up to stall Beaker’s protests. “He’s going to find out anyway.”
Rizzo sighed. “Want me to tell him? Cause I will. I’m not afraid to tell him that we have been put on the auction lot.”
“Rizzo!” Gonzo gasped.
“Auction lot?” Kermit frowned. “Give me those papers, Fozzie.”
Fozzie took them back out of the envelope and tried to smooth them out before handing them to Kermit.
Everyone in the room waited while Kermit skimmed over the brief announcement that had been sent to the theater. When he was done he glanced over the table. “It says that Henson is entering talks with Disney for the sale of the property rights to the Muppets.” He swallowed heavily. “The negotiations close next February, and the final sale takes place within 60 days.”
“I was telling them that we could fight this, Kermie.” Piggy said carefully. “We don’t have to let them push us around.”
“Do you really think we could win against them?” Gonzo interjected. “Face it, Piggy, we are done for.”
The uproar then started as everyone tried to speak at once to say their opinion on the matter. It took a few minutes before Kermit was able to yell over the roar. “HEY! HEY EVERYONE! QUIET DOWN!”
The room slowly quieted down. “Thank you. Now let’s not worry about this right now. I’ll go speak with Brian tomorrow, and I’ll find out what is really going on.” Kermit stated plainly. “Once I get the hard facts on what is going on, then we can all have a civilized discussion on the matter.”
“I’m with you, Kermit.” Rowlf said as he motioned for everyone to leave the room. “We will all be on your side.”
This statement was echoed as the muppets filed out of the room until only Piggy, Fozzie, Rowlf, and Kermit were left.
Kermit sighed. “I hope this isn’t true.”
“But what if it is?” Fozzie asked. “What will it mean for us?”
“It means we are in big trouble.” Piggy said while crossing her arms across her chest. “Disney is known for backing that ridiculous mouse and that strange duck. We can’t possibly continue to flourish under that management.”
“We don’t know that, Piggy.” Rowlf said as he paced the floor. “They have helped us before, and it wasn’t so bad.”
Kermit stared at the papers he still held. Could Henson really do this to them? What impact would it have on their show? “I hate to say it guys, but I’m really worried.”
They all knew that if Kermit got worried, it was never over nothing. No one had anything more to say, for it was all resting in the hands of their unofficial leader. Kermit now felt the heavy weight of responsibility land on his shoulders.
What was he going to do now?
~To be continued in Part 19
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