nsxt2000
11-04-2007, 03:37 AM
Background - Our pet tropical fish, Gill, died today. Gill was a Gourami we had for over five years and raised him from about 2" to larger than an adult hand. Gill would rise to the top of the tank at feedings so you could stroke his fin and was close to a real pet. I was going to send my wife an email with a fabricated obituary for Gill but wondered what one would be for say Mickey-the-Mouse rather than for Gill-the-Fish. With that in mind ---
Death Of An Icon -
Michael G. Mouse, better known to his fans around the world as "Mickey" was found dead of an aparent poisoning. Mickey's lifeless body was next to a container of strychnine, more commonly known as rat poisoning. Authorities have yet to determine if this is a case of homicide, suicide or just an eating accident.
Mickey experienced a lot in his 42 years, going form an unknown to a celebrity recognized the world over. His big break came one night in the Disney Studio commissary when Mickey caught Walt and Annette in a compromising situation and to keep his silence Mickey was offered a job.
With the debut of "Steamboat Willie" where Mickey played a happy-go-lucky boat captain driving the ship rather than leaving it as most rats do, he became famous overnight. That was followed by a string of successful sequels where other characters were added to the mix. In "Love Is Minnie Splendor Thing" Mickey met the love of his life, Minnerva, although her stage name was Minnie. Their on screen chemistry was magic and their off screen antics legendary. However Hollywood demands proved too great and eventually the two love-mice broke up, much like Demi and Bruce.
That was about the time Mickey's career started becoming unraveled. He was typecast as that loveable rodent (a term Mickey despised) and offers faded away. Eventually Walt dropped him from the studio. There were rumors that Walt was a bigot and never really liked Mickey. In fact Mickey was the only black Walt ever worked with - and he only did that because of the money Mickey was bringing in...plus that little indescretation with Annette hanging over him.
With fewer phone calls for work Mickey fell into despair and eventually alcohol, drugs and other debauchery. To pay for his illicit habits he was forced to accept rolls beneath a rodent of his statue. There was that unsavory XXX rated film, "Is That A Mouse Trap In YOur Pocket Or Are You Just Happy To See Me" followed by "Rats & Elephants Don't Mix" with Mickey cast as a rapist and Dumbo the Elephant his victim. Even a mouse with Mickey's talent couldn't pull that one off.
Finally Mickey reached bottom, resorting to steeling cheese from traps just to survive. An unscrupulous lawyer persuaded him to sue Mickey Mantel for using his name, but the case was dismissed. For a brief while Mickey became somewhat of a political activist when he appealed to the Primer of China to not proclaim 1995 as the "Year of the Rat", but his pleas fell on deft ears.
Speaking of ears - to date over 1.5 million pairs of "Mickey Mouse" ears have been sold, but due to a loophole our hero received not one dollar. It seems the contract Mickey signed had him receiving 50% of the profits from the sale of ears to any mouse. Since mice already have ears like those none were sold. I guess Mickey needed a good attorney before putting his little paw print on that contract.
Few fans know what the "G" in Mickey's middle name stands for. It is Gonzales. He was named after his Grandfather Speedy who crossed the border from Mexico. Mickey downplayed his Spanish heritage and would never allow himself to be photographed eating a taco, although he once was overheard exclaiming "Ay caramba!"
In keeping with his wishes Mickey will be buried in a plain shoe box and planted in the backyard. Although details are not as yet final, it is rumored that Ratatouille the latest Disney rodent star will attend. He says that Mickey opened doors for him and other rats so they no longer had to squeeze under them.
Mickey will be missed. Rest in peace our little big eared furry friend.
-Mike S.
Death Of An Icon -
Michael G. Mouse, better known to his fans around the world as "Mickey" was found dead of an aparent poisoning. Mickey's lifeless body was next to a container of strychnine, more commonly known as rat poisoning. Authorities have yet to determine if this is a case of homicide, suicide or just an eating accident.
Mickey experienced a lot in his 42 years, going form an unknown to a celebrity recognized the world over. His big break came one night in the Disney Studio commissary when Mickey caught Walt and Annette in a compromising situation and to keep his silence Mickey was offered a job.
With the debut of "Steamboat Willie" where Mickey played a happy-go-lucky boat captain driving the ship rather than leaving it as most rats do, he became famous overnight. That was followed by a string of successful sequels where other characters were added to the mix. In "Love Is Minnie Splendor Thing" Mickey met the love of his life, Minnerva, although her stage name was Minnie. Their on screen chemistry was magic and their off screen antics legendary. However Hollywood demands proved too great and eventually the two love-mice broke up, much like Demi and Bruce.
That was about the time Mickey's career started becoming unraveled. He was typecast as that loveable rodent (a term Mickey despised) and offers faded away. Eventually Walt dropped him from the studio. There were rumors that Walt was a bigot and never really liked Mickey. In fact Mickey was the only black Walt ever worked with - and he only did that because of the money Mickey was bringing in...plus that little indescretation with Annette hanging over him.
With fewer phone calls for work Mickey fell into despair and eventually alcohol, drugs and other debauchery. To pay for his illicit habits he was forced to accept rolls beneath a rodent of his statue. There was that unsavory XXX rated film, "Is That A Mouse Trap In YOur Pocket Or Are You Just Happy To See Me" followed by "Rats & Elephants Don't Mix" with Mickey cast as a rapist and Dumbo the Elephant his victim. Even a mouse with Mickey's talent couldn't pull that one off.
Finally Mickey reached bottom, resorting to steeling cheese from traps just to survive. An unscrupulous lawyer persuaded him to sue Mickey Mantel for using his name, but the case was dismissed. For a brief while Mickey became somewhat of a political activist when he appealed to the Primer of China to not proclaim 1995 as the "Year of the Rat", but his pleas fell on deft ears.
Speaking of ears - to date over 1.5 million pairs of "Mickey Mouse" ears have been sold, but due to a loophole our hero received not one dollar. It seems the contract Mickey signed had him receiving 50% of the profits from the sale of ears to any mouse. Since mice already have ears like those none were sold. I guess Mickey needed a good attorney before putting his little paw print on that contract.
Few fans know what the "G" in Mickey's middle name stands for. It is Gonzales. He was named after his Grandfather Speedy who crossed the border from Mexico. Mickey downplayed his Spanish heritage and would never allow himself to be photographed eating a taco, although he once was overheard exclaiming "Ay caramba!"
In keeping with his wishes Mickey will be buried in a plain shoe box and planted in the backyard. Although details are not as yet final, it is rumored that Ratatouille the latest Disney rodent star will attend. He says that Mickey opened doors for him and other rats so they no longer had to squeeze under them.
Mickey will be missed. Rest in peace our little big eared furry friend.
-Mike S.