The Return: Disney Lands Read Online Free PDF Page A

the lead horse on the carousel is named Jingles. He was Walt’s favorite. For the fiftieth anniversary they paintedhim solid gold,
but now the gold is just on the bells. They run down from the saddle. Shouldn’t be hard to find.”
    “Got it.” The carousel had been running when he’d reached it, Finn added, playing the music from Walt’s music box. He complimented Philby, describing how the carousel had
in fact slowly wound down to a stop, and that returning to the apartment he found the music box had stoppedas well.
    The line was unusually silent from Philby’s end. Typically, he’d have been bragging about his own genius. “Well, if we’ve learned anything from being DHIs, it’s
that nothing’s impossible. The old Walt dream thing. But, as much as I’d like to take credit for the possibility of a connection between the music box and the carousel, what
you’re saying seems more than a little far-fetched.”

    “I know. But it’s Wayne, don’t forget.”
    “Agreed.”
    “There’s only one way to test it,” Finn proposed.
    “You’re appealing to my love of deductive scientific reasoning, Finn. I resent that.”
    “Good.”
    “And of course, I approve.”
    “Never doubted you would.”
    “So, you’ll wind up the music box and try again.”
    “I will.”
    Finn considered mentioning the possible wraithsand red eyes (or lights) near Mr. Toad’s. He considered mentioning how all of that might tie to the food poisoning incident. But he resented
being doubted, humiliated, and mocked by the others. He knew to keep his mouth shut. If he didn’t, if he pushed too far, Philby might not play along.
    Minutes later, Finn faced the spinning carousel, marveling at its return to full speed. Jumping ontothe ride, he hurried through the rows of horses and stopped at the lead
prancer. His eyes took in the rows of golden bells, the saddle bearing a golden
50
, and an image of Mary Poppins.
    Jingles.
    Hairs tingled on the back of his neck. He spun and desperately searched the shadows by Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
    The same pair of red eyes stared out at him from the dark. They blinked.
    Not an exit sign.
    Finn climbed onto Jingles and hugged the horse’s neck.
    The air went oily. Colors swirled and mixed. Finn felt as if he were being sucked down a drain and was holding on to a rocket at the same time. Clutching to the horse, his cheek pressed to its
mane, Finn caught a fleeting glimpse of his wristwatch.
    The hands were moving backward.

T HE WOMAN LOOKED like something froma lame science fair diorama of the Incredibles. She stood erect, like
a grown-up Barbie doll wearing a tight-fitting tunic and ski pants. She reminded Finn of a mannequin from a shop window. Her right arm moved mechanically as she moved a glass spoon in a glass pot
on a glass stove top.
    Finn quickly identified her as an Audio-Animatronic. It suggested he was onstage in a park attraction.Not a first for Finn, but unlike the other times, he had no idea what he was doing here. He
couldn’t remember crossing over. Had no idea what attraction it was.
    A voice came over a public address system, describing the “family of the future.” He recognized the expression! That line was used on the Carousel of Progress.
    He looked out beyond the stage light. The boys in the audience woredress shirts with button-down collars; the girls, cardigan sweaters and pleated skirts. Most of the women wore white gloves,
while the men had slicked-back hair, clean-shaven faces, ties, and jackets. Not a single tattoo or piercing.
    Maybe he’d crossed over onto the set of a movie shoot.
    But it was sight of his own hand that caused the panic. It was black-and-white! Incredibly smallcompared to the Audio-Animatronics. He’d shrunk! Outlined in a thin gray line, he was some
kind of corrupted DHI projection. Abort! he thought, having no idea how to return.
    The announcer’s booming voice continued its spiel—about the marvel of invention and the promise of