The Toys R Us Movie/Transcript

This is the transcript for the upcoming 2019 American animated musical comedy adventure family film, The Toys R Us Movie.

Part 1: Opening/Charles Lazarus's Origins
(Shows Disney logo)

(Shows Walt Disney Animation Studios logo)

(Shows Toys R Us logo)

(Fades to black)

Disney

Presents

A

Toys "R" Us

Production

A Film by

Chris Buck

Ron Clements

Jennifer Lee

and

John Musker

Geoffrey (voiceover): Have you ever wondered... what is like... to be a child? Did you ever spend your whole entire childhood playing toys?

(The scene fades to a plush toy of the Toys "R" Us founder Charles Lazarus on the black background.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Do you know... a toy store... that was the greatest in the world? Well, we may not know when it will end, but we do know when and where it began. This... is a story... of what was once the world's biggest and greatest toy store... named Toys "R" Us. Now, let's go back in time to Washington, D.C. on October 4, 1923. That's where the founder and original owner of Toys "R" Us, Charles Lazarus, was born.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of a young Charles working at his father's bicycle shop.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): During his childhood years, he grew up working at his father's bicycle shop on the first floor of the building where they lived. From a young age, Lazarus shadowed his father while he worked in the shop, and as he got older, began helping his father fix bicycles and assist customers. A budding young businessman, Lazarus often thought about ways to expand and grow his father’s business and dreamed that one day he, too, might operate a store of his own.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of a 19-year-old Charles on a battle during World War 2 in 1942.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): But then, World War 2 came. That's when the United States joined the war after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He saw his future during that war as he would listen to his own fellow soldiers, dream about returning home, getting married, and raising a family. His future... was all about children, lots and lots of them.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of a 25-year-old Charles starting and working at his own business, which is a small baby furniture store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 1948, after World War 2 ended, he took $5,000, rented out his father's old bicycle shop, and, inspired by his uncle who was in the baby furniture business, opened his own business, a baby furniture store called Children's Bargain Town, also sometimes called Children's Supermart, or sometimes called Children's Bargain Town USA. Yes, Charles turned his dream of creating a child-oriented business into a reality, and yes, he started that store to cater to the post-war baby boom era. Anyways, Lazarus filled his store with cribs and baby furniture and ran it single-handedly, overseeing everything from bookkeeping to delivering merchandise to customers’ homes.

(The scene fades to a map of the United States with multiple Children's Bargain Town locations.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): They did very well, so much so that they opened up multiple Children's Bargain Town locations with incredibly long and generic names. They were a baby furniture retailer at the best time in the history to be in the baby furniture business. Yep, babies everywhere are going to love being in cribs sold at Children's Bargain Town, but that's not important now.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Charles reviewing requests from people of selling toys.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): People didn't just want furniture, especially baby-sized furniture, they started asking for toys. Charles recognized that the customers didn't buy multiple cribs or dressers. Those items were reused by each successive child born into the family, but what they did come back for time and time again were toys.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Charles ordering toys for the store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Yes, after two years in business and several customer requests, Lazarus featured a select assortment of toys along with the baby furniture. Lazarus learned early on in the toy business that, unlike furniture, toys broke or fell out of fashion with children. This prompted parents to make return visits to the store, which positioned toys as a lucrative commodity. Lazarus always focused on two things: customer desire and how to deliver it.

(The scene fades to Charles selling toys at Children's Bargain Town.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): As customers' demands for toys grew, the store’s merchandise became more varied, and soon included a much broader assortment of playthings. Oh, and by playthings, I mean toys. That's right. Toys! New toys, different toys, toys that change with the seasons, with the culture, and with the advancements in technology. Charles went all-in on toys, positioning the business as the #1... the largest toy seller with prices that no one could compete with, in some cases making only pennies per sale.

(The camera zooms out to reveal the exterior view of a Children's Bargain Town store, which is now a Toys "R" Us store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): When you thought of toys, Charles wanted you to think of his stores to associate that purchase with his business. Don't just go anywhere for toys, go to the best toy store, the biggest toy store. We only sell toys, we are just toys, we are toys!

(The Toys "R" Us logo appears one by one.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Toys... are... us!

(The word "Movie" appears below the Toys "R" Us logo while the word "The" appears at the top of the Toys "R" Us logo, thus forming the film's title. The film's title then disappears.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Anyways, back to the origins of the toy store.

(The scene fades to Children's Bargain Town posters on the wall.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): The tagline for Children's Bargain Town, "Toys are us", was used all over their printed marketing materials and even their signage.

(The scene cuts to people entering a self-service supermarket and then to a Toys "R" Us store with the self-service concept.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 1957, as self-service supermarkets, where you pushed your own cart and selected your own goods directly off the shelf, became popular, a new store was open using the self-service concept, and Lazarus, motivated by the success of emerging self-service grocery supermarkets, restructured his business in the late 1950s. Following a supermarket store format enabled Lazarus to stock a broader assortment of products and allowed customers to serve themselves and utilize carts to shop. After this reorganization, Lazarus opened his first store solely dedicated to toys. This new design shop was the first to be called Toys "R" Us with the tagline superseding the original name of the business, which became the new tagline. Toys "R" Us, the children's bargain town.

Part 2: Toys "R" Us's Humble Beginnings/Meet Dr. G. Raffe and Geoffrey
(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Charles drawing a new logo to make it look like it was written by a child.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Later, a new Toys "R" Us logo was designed with a backward letter R to make it feel like it was written by a child. Now, let's go into my origins, which are combined with the store's origins.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of a giraffe named Dr. G. Raffe working at the Toys "R" Us store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): This... is an ordinary giraffe named Dr. G. Raffe. He was the original owner of Toys "R" Us along with Charles Lazarus. Not only that, but he was also the original mascot of Toys "R" Us, and in 1960, the artist who created Dr. G. Raffe gave him a complete marketing makeover to become the more familiar giraffe we know today.

(The camera pans to a young 7-year-old Geoffrey the Giraffe, who is looking around in the Toys "R" Us store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): And that giraffe... was me. My name is Geoffrey the Giraffe, the current owner, and mascot of Toys "R" Us. I used to go to the Toys "R" Us store to see my father working there. Yep, Dr. G. Raffe was my father, and like me and him, giraffes, of course, are nature's most playful animals known for their exotic non-threatening appearance, their friendly demeanor, and the breadth of their superficial pop-culture trivia knowledge. However, unlike my father, I am a much more life-like version of him and one of the Toys "R" Us associates gave me a name "Geoffrey", which my father agreed.

(The 7-year-old Geoffrey starts playing giraffe toys. His father, Dr. G. Raffe, sees his son playing toys.)

Dr. G. Raffe: Son?

Young Geoffrey: Hi, dad.

Dr. G. Raffe: I can see you like those toys the store is selling. Do you?

Young Geoffrey: Why, yes. Yes, I did.

Dr. G. Raffe: Good for you. Son, I was just thinking. You are getting so big, you're... you're practically 7 feet tall. So, how would you like to go to work with me today?

Young Geoffrey: Would I? That sounds awesome!

Dr. G. Raffe: I know. I said the same thing when my boss Charles Lazarus first took me to the factory inside the Toys "R" Us store.

Young Geoffrey: You did?

Dr. G. Raffe: Yeah, although I didn't use the word "awesome," but instead, I used a different word as a substitute for "awesome".

Young Geoffrey: Oh, really? What is it?

(Dr. G. Raffe thinks for a moment.)

Dr. G. Raffe: "Wonderful".

Young Geoffrey: Oh, wow! I didn't know you used that word as a substitute for "awesome".

Dr. G. Raffe: Well, I said to my boss "That sounds wonderful!", and so my boss took me to the factory inside the toy store. Now, it is time that I take you to the toy factory.

(Young Geoffrey and his father went inside the elevator. Dr. G. Raffe presses the button as the doors on the elevator close and the elevator went down to the toy factory underneath the Toys "R" Us store building. The doors on the elevator open and when Young Geoffrey and his father went out of the elevator, they ended up inside the toy factory.)

Dr. G. Raffe: Go ahead, son. Take a look.

(Geoffrey looks at the entire toy factory and was amazed.)

Young Geoffrey: Whoa! Look at all those toys.

Dr. G. Raffe: Geoffrey, welcome to the Toys "R" Us Factory. This is where we make all the toys the store sells and delivers to the children of the world. It's pretty impressive, isn't it?

Young Geoffrey: It's amazing, Dad!

Dr. G. Raffe: I'm glad you like it, Geoffrey. I really am, because someday, this will all be yours, and I mean all of it.

Young Geoffrey: Really?

Dr. G. Raffe: Yes, son. Really. Now, come on. There's so much to do, so much to see. So what's wrong with taking the back streets?

Young Geoffrey: Uh, Dad, that's for later... in the future.

Dr. G. Raffe: Oh! You're right, son. Sorry. Anyways, let's look around.

(Young Geoffrey and his father look around in the toy factory. The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey being greeted by Toys "R" Us customers.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): A few years later, my popularity had grown so much that I frequently made appearances at events and an entire line of Geoffrey-themed products was introduced in Toys "R" Us stores.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Charles working at the Interstate Department Store-owned Toys "R" Us store with Dr. G. Raffe.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 1966, Charles sold Toys "R" Us to Interstate Department Stores for $7.5 million to finance expansion across the rest of the country. Interstate Department Stores owned several other comparably sized department store chains, things you've never heard of, things that are long gone. Even after the sale to Interstate, Charles Lazarus continued to manage Toys "R" Us as a company under the Interstate umbrella, and just eight years later in 1974, Interstate Department Stores filed for bankruptcy.

(The scene cuts to the Interstate Department Stores headquarters building shivering as the company files for bankruptcy.)

IDS HQ Building: Oh my! The company is filing for bankruptcy?! This is not good.

Geoffrey (voiceover): I know, anyways, back to the store's history.

(The scene cuts back to Charles working at the Interstate Department Store-owned Toys "R" Us store with Dr. G. Raffe.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Lazarus himself took over management of all the Interstate Stores, and by 1978, Charles was able to steer Interstate out of bankruptcy with a lot of careful business decisions and investments in people, products, and technology.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Charles Lazarus and Dr. G. Raffe at the new Toys "R" Us Headquarters building.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Newly solvent Lazarus converted the entirety of Interstate into a singular Toys "R" Us corporation and went public trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol T.O.Y., and that spells "toy". Now, let's go back to 1973.

(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us commercial of Geoffrey with hundreds of kids dancing through the streets.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 1973, I reached celebrity status, starring in my very first Toys "R" Us television commercial, in which I appeared with hundreds of excited kids dancing through the streets. Oh, look! That's me!

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey and his family.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): As Toys "R" Us continued to grow, so did my family when the company introduced my wife, Gigi, and our son and daughter, Junior and Baby Gee. Each family member had his or her own role to play.

(The scene fades to cartoon strips of Gigi and Junior on newspapers and a Toys "R" Us commercial featuring Baby Gee.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Following in my footsteps, Gigi and Junior could be found on weekly cartoon strips that accompanied toy sale announcements, while Baby Gee turned up in advertisements for baby products.

(The scene fades to Lazarus, Dr. G. Raffe, Geoffrey, Gigi, Junior, and Baby Gee working at the Toys "R" Us store. Geoffrey sees customers shopping for toys.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Lazarus believed that success meant focusing on the everyday shopper, such as a parent searching for the perfect birthday gift or a child hoping to spend his or her weekly allowance. In the pre-mall, pre-discount store days, specialty retailing and off-price positioning were revolutionary concepts that Lazarus leveraged to his advantage. Through his ingenuity, Lazarus expanded his fledgling business into a toy conglomerate that became a public company with established community roots and a loyal customer base from coast to coast. Now, let's fast forward to the early 1980s.

Part 3: Kids "R" Us/Toys "R" Us Continues to Succeed
(The scene fades to a Kids "R" Us store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): By that time, Toys "R" Us looked to diversify its portfolio by finding new incentives to attract parents with an extension of the "R" Us brand. The company branched out into children’s clothing when it opened its first Kids "R" Us stores in Paramus, New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York. Yep, Toys "R" Us opened a new chain of stores called Kids "R" Us, which focuses more on children's clothing and home goods, but the chain folded in 2003 after the retailer suffered deteriorating same-store sales and to focus more on the Toys "R" Us brand. The Kids "R" Us stores were never seen or heard from again. However, the company remained committed to the apparel business and continued to sell a wide variety of name-brand designer and private label boys and girls clothing.

(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us store in Canada.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 1984, in addition to expanding "R" Us stores and brands in the United States, Toys "R" Us launched a worldwide presence when the company opened its first international wholly-owned store in Canada and licensed operation in Singapore.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Lazarus, Geoffrey and his family, and other toy manufacturers at a dinner party in New York City.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): With the simple goal of improving the health and well-being of children, Lazarus gathered colleagues and manufacturers in the toy and juvenile products industries for a large-scale benefit dinner in New York City to raise money for charity. Oh, by the way, I was here, too, along with my father, my wife, and my two children.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey driving the Geoffreymobile. While driving, he waves hello to everyone that sees, meets, and greets him.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): As customers responded favorably to my new family members, they began joining me during my visits to stores, parades and other fun events. In addition, my family could now be seen in advertisements together, as we were depicted living in a New England lighthouse and driving the Geoffreymobile, a double-decker bus fueled by potato chips.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Lazarus being inducted into the Toy Industry Association's Hall of Fame.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Lazarus was inducted into the Toy Industry Association’s Hall of Fame in 1990, for his success in revolutionizing the toy and baby products industries and building Toys "R" Us into one of the most iconic brands in the world.

(The scene fades to the map of the world with multiple Toys "R" Us stores inside and outside the United States of America.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Over the next decade, driven by the toy boom of the 80s, they would grow to nearly a thousand locations inside the United States and nearly a thousand more outside the United States.

(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us Children's Fund charity box.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In February 1992, inspired by the large-scale benefit dinner, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund was created. Over the years, the Toys "R" Us Children's Fund, a public charity, has donated millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations that keep children safe and help them in times of need.

(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us store in Japan.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In July 1992, former President George H.W. Bush traveled to Japan to open the country’s first Toys "R" Us store.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Charles Lazarus retiring and leaving Toys "R" Us where he stepped down as Chairman and CEO of the company.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 1994, after 46 years with Charles Lazarus piloting the ship, he officially retired and stepped down as Chairman and CEO, but remained an important member of the board as Chairman Emeritus. Today, Toys "R" Us, Inc. continues to embody the same ideals set forth by Lazarus upon establishing the company.

(The scene fades to the hand-drawn animated sequence of Charles receiving the Gold Medal Award.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Charles Lazarus received the National Retail Federation’s Gold Medal Award, the industry’s highest honor, presented to outstanding industry leaders who have excelled and broken new ground in the field of retailing.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of a new businessman in the toy industry, Michael Goldstein, entering Toys "R" Us where he becomes the new CEO.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): But then, a new businessman in the toy industry, Michael Goldstein, took over as CEO, and that's when the magic started to fade. With Goldstein in charge after Lazarus retired, Toys "R" Us was slowly fading away into the background and was close to being defunct.

(The scene fades to a Babies "R" Us store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): But in 1996, due to positive apparel sales, the company added apparel to most of its Toys "R" Us stores across the country and gave birth to a new addition in the "R" Us family, with the launch of its first Babies "R" Us location in Westbury, New York, harkening back to the original reason Charles Lazarus got into the retail business.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey going to the Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us websites on the computer.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Recognizing the incredible potential of the Internet, Toys "R" Us launched its own website, Toysrus.com, and it quickly became one of the fastest-growing sites in the toy and baby products shopping categories. Today, Toysrus.com is one of the most visited sites in the specialty toy and baby products retail category, with a vast assortment of toys for kids of all ages. The site also offers exciting exclusives and helpful and distinct services, as well as fantastic deals every day. In addition, Babiesrus.com offers a wide selection of baby products and supplies and a convenient, premier baby registry.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Michael Goldstein being kicked out of the Toys "R" Us building with Robert Nakasone taking over as the CEO.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Finally, after four years of losing market share and lagging stock price, Michael Goldstein resigned and was replaced by Robert Nakasone, who later took over as the CEO of Toys "R" Us.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of the Toys "R" Us building meeting the Imaginarium toy store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Understanding the nature of evolving merchandise offerings in the retail industry early on, Toys "R" Us, Inc. purchased its first competitor, educational and learning toy business, Imaginarium.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey waving goodbye to his father, his wife, and his two children as they moved out of Toys "R" Us for a new life in the wild.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 1999, I said goodbye to my father, my wife, and my two children as they moved out of the Toys "R" Us company for a fresher and better life in the wild. I went through a significant transformation during these years. Going back to basics, my own family bowed out of the spotlight so that I could personify the nature of true Toys "R" Us customers: kids. My new image as a light-hearted kid also defined my role in marketing the brand.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey meeting and greeting the children.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): I was no longer a promoter, I became a mascot who represented fun.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Robert Nakasone being kicked out of the Toys "R" Us building.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): After CEO Nakasone had spent considerable time energy and resources on an overhaul of the entire company's store design, customer service strategy, vision, and online sales capacity, he was unceremoniously fired due to disagreements with the Board of Directors which was made up of founder Charles Lazarus and a lot of his old partners.

(The scene fades to hand-drawn animated sequences of John Eyler joining Toys "R" Us as its new president and CEO, Toys "R" Us signing a partnership deal with Amazon.com, and another Toys "R" Us store in Japan where the company held an IPO there.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 2000, John Eyler, formerly of FAO Schwarz, was installed by the Board of Directors and joined Toys "R" Us as its new president and CEO, Toys "R" Us signed a partnership deal with Amazon.com, and it even opened a store and held an IPO in Japan.

Part 4: Toys "R" Us's Later Years
(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us store at Times Square in New York City.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 2001, they opened the landmark Time Square location, and in conjunction with its launch, I received my fifth makeover, when I was altered to reflect the spirit of youth in kids of all ages.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey the Giraffe looking at his animatronic version.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): I was transformed from a cartoon character to a real-life talking giraffe during that time. An animatronic version of myself, which was created by Stan Winston Studios, was voiced by Jim Hanks, brother of actor Tom Hanks. This idea resulted in a more realistic image of me, who later starred in an award-winning commercial in 2002, recognized as “Top Spot of the Year” by Advertising Age magazine. Wow!

(The scene fades back to the Toys "R" Us store at Times Square in New York City.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Now, about the Toys "R" Us international flagship store in New York City’s Times Square, it quickly established itself as The Center of the Toy Universe.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of customers riding on the Toys "R" Us Ferris wheel.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Complete with a 60-foot Ferris wheel, a 20-foot animatronic T-Rex dinosaur, a life-size Barbie dollhouse and a New York City skyline constructed entirely of LEGO bricks, Toys "R" Us Times Square became one of the top tourist attractions in the Big Apple for families from around the world.

(The scene fades back to the Toys "R" Us store in New York City's Time Square once again. This time, it was permanently closed.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): The prestigious Zagat’s U.S. Family Travel Guide had rated Toys "R" Us Times Square and called it the top family destination in New York City. That is until the company decided to close it down in December 2015.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey the Giraffe reviewing strategies from all Toys "R" Us stores.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In September 2004, Toys "R" Us announced a strategic review of all business units within the company.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of an investment group buying Toys "R" Us.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 2005, positioning the global franchise for the future, Toys "R" Us became a private company in July when an investment group consisting of affiliates of Bain Capital Partners LLC, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., and Vornado Realty Trust completed the acquisition, a leveraged buyout of the entire company for $6.6 billion. Toys "R" Us was once again a private company.

(The scene fades to hand-drawn animated sequences of Gerald Storch becoming the new CEO, Toys "R" Us International celebrating its 15th year in Japan, Babies "R" Us celebrating 10 years as the baby authority, Toys "R" Us opening its side-by-side stores in Dallas, Texas; Baytown, Texas; Chester, Minnesota; and Johnson City, Tennessee.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 2006, Gerald Storch became the new CEO, Toys "R" Us International celebrated its 15th year in Japan, Babies "R" Us celebrated 10 years as the baby authority, Toys "R" Us opened its side-by-side stores in Dallas, Texas; Baytown, Texas; Chester, Minnesota; and Johnson City, Tennessee.

(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us Express store in a mall.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Further assisting time-strapped parents during the holiday shopping season, Toys "R" Us opened Toys "R" Us Express pop-up stores nationwide in malls and other shopping centers, as well as Toys "R" Us Express shops within the company’s Babies "R" Us stores. Through this concept, the company continued to increase its presence in malls and shopping centers during the holiday season, making Toys "R" Us more accessible than ever for busy shoppers.

(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us store with an FAO Schwartz boutique.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Toys "R" Us, Inc. obtained the exclusive right to operate FAO Schwarz, one of the most iconic children’s retailers in the world and a brand synonymous with quality and innovation. Together, Toys "R" Us and FAO Schwarz have delighted kids for a combined history of nearly 20 years. Today, an exclusive line of FAO Schwarz toys and collectibles can be found at Toys "R" Us stores across the country and online at Toysrus.com.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey going to the eToys.com and Toys.com websites on the computer.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Looking to broaden its web-based portfolio, Toys "R" Us acquired the highly regarded e-commerce site, eToys.com, and around the same time, the company acquired Toys.com, providing a new way to redirect online customers to its family of e-commerce sites.

(The scene fades to a Babies "R" Us store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 2009, the company introduced an exclusive line of baby essentials marketed under its trusted Babies "R" Us brand name and easily identified by its distinctive purple and white Babies "R" Us logo, offering parents and gift-givers a wide range of infant and toddler care products for everyday needs at a great value. Since then, it has expanded the Babies "R" Us-branded assortment to include more than 1,600 affordable, high-quality products, such as infant formula, diapers, wipes, laundry detergent, and purified water, as well as gear, apparel, bedding, room decor, food and snacks among other must-have items. Let's go back to 2007 again.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey the Giraffe with star-shaped spots. Geoffrey waves hello to the audience.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Ah, yes. That's when I was once again redesigned, along with the company’s logo, to communicate the company’s message that “We’re New Again!” At this time, I regained my cartoon-like features and my giraffe spots were replaced with stars to represent the magic of the Toys "R" Us brand. Pretty cool and creative, huh. Now, let's fast forward to 2010, and that's when things started to change.

(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us Outlet store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): With customers responding extremely well to these smaller format stores, the company opened permanent Toys "R" Us Outlet locations across the country, many of which were successful Express stores during previous holiday seasons.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of a customer buying toys online and picking them up at the actual Toys "R" Us store.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In 2010, Toys "R" Us launched "Buy Online, Pick Up In Store," at "R" Us stores across the U.S., embarking on an omnichannel strategy to create a seamless in-store and online shopping experience for customers.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey the Giraffe meeting and greeting the customers.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Also in that year, AOL’s WalletPop named me one of the “Top 25 Mascots of All Time”.

(The scene fades to the FAO Schwartz store in New York City.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Oh, by the way, about FAO Schwartz, the store that Toys "R" Us acquired, well, in 2011, FAO Schwartz celebrated its 150th anniversary as the country’s oldest toy store. But then in 2015, the store was closed for good. However, in October 2016, ThreeSixty Group, Inc. acquired FAO Schwarz from Toys ‘R’ Us, Inc. for an undisclosed amount, and surprisingly, the brand formally re-launched on Fifth Avenue on October 24, 2017, at a launch party co-hosted by Bergdorf Goodman and actress Katie Holmes. Let's go back to 2011.

(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us store in China.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Now, in that year, Toys "R" Us, Inc. formed a joint venture with Li & Fung Retailing for the Toys "R" Us business in Southeast Asia and Greater China, acquiring a majority stake in its previously licensed business. With this agreement, Toys "R" Us, Inc. assumed ownership and oversight of 90 existing Toys "R" Us stores in Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Toys "R" Us continued expansion in China with the opening of its first stores in Beijing, while also introducing international shipping for online orders on Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com to more than 60 countries. The company also strengthened global e-commerce capabilities with the launch of a dedicated web store, Toysrus.com.cn, in China.

(The scene fades to hand-drawn animated sequences of Antonio Urcelay entering the Toys "R" Us Headquarters building where he becomes its new chairman and CEO, Toys "R" Us embarking on a "TRU Transformation" strategy, and David Brandon entering the Toys "R" Us Headquarters building where he becomes its new chairman and CEO.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Antonio Urcelay became the new chairman and CEO of Toys "R" Us in 2013. In 2014, Toys "R" Us embarked on a “TRU Transformation” strategy to position the company for sustainable long-term growth. In doing so, the company expanded global e-commerce and mobile presence with the launch of the web store, Toysrus.pl, and the mobile-optimized website in Poland. In 2015, David Brandon became the new chairman and CEO of Toys "R" Us.

Part 5: Financial Trouble for Toys "R" Us/The Actual Movie Begins
(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of the Toys "R" Us store building worrying about being bankrupt.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Everything is fine at Toys "R" Us, until September 2017, when the entire company was filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States and in Canada, in an attempt to renegotiate the deal with nearly $5 billion in long-term loan debt, burden that had been placed upon them during and since the buyout, money that could have been spent on inventory or infrastructure on technology and on investments in people. The bankruptcy of the chain in the United States has not affected various international operations, however, including Asia and Africa. Toys "R" Us was caught in a cycle of decreasing profits due to a continually changing marketplace without the ability to adapt to or invest in new technologies or new products, because every nickel they earned was being used to pay off the debts they incurred when they were forced by an outside entity to purchase themselves.

Toys "R" Us HQ Building: Oh dear! This does not look good. In fact, this does not sound good either. This is terrible!

(All of the other HQ buildings (Hanna-Barbera, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney Animation, Roblox, PBS, Sesame Workshop, Disney Channel, and Leapfrog) show up and got sad too. The Hanna-Barbera HQ Building is crying over the loss of Toys "R" Us while the Nickelodeon, Disney, and Cartoon Network HQ Buildings faint.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): I know! Anyways, after Toys "R" Us was filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, they have stated their stores will continue to operate, but nevertheless announced the liquidation and closure of 382 locations; at least half of these are Babies "R" Us locations. Liquidation sale events are likely expected to occur in additional Toys "R" Us stores. In January 2018, the company announced it would liquidate and close up to 182 of its stores in the U.S. as part of its restructuring, as well as convert up to 12 stores into co-branded Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores. It was later reported on February 28, 2018, that Toys "R" Us" was exploring the possibility of selling some of its corporately-owned locations in the U.S. to franchises, and closing the remainder. This would have left a smaller chain, consisting of its stronger Canadian operations, and 200 U.S. franchises.

(The Toys "R" Us store building then gets worried about being shut down by the company's employees and lawyers.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): On March 15, 2018, Toys "R" Us received approval from the bankruptcy court to liquidate its stores. On the same day, it was announced that Toys "R" Us is officially going out of business and selling all 800 of its US stores. In addition, all 1,758 Toys "R" Us stores worldwide would be sold off or close down. The company would later start selling all of its US stores on June 30, 2018. However, on March 19, 2018, buyers stated that they were interested in acquiring the rights to the Toys "R" Us brand name, mascot, and jingle, while other buyers stated that they were interested in purchasing a small number of US stores to operate as showrooms.

(The scene fades back to a plush toy of the Toys "R" Us founder Charles Lazarus on the black background.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Liquidation sales started on March 23, 2018, and to make matters worse, Charles Lazarus died at the age of 94 on March 22, 2018, the day before the liquidation sales started. It's a very sad and unfortunate time for Toys "R" Us. Very sad and unfortunate indeed.

(The camera pans up to the blue sky where Heaven, the paradise on the cloud, is. The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Charles Lazarus, now as an angel, in Heaven.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): However, the CEO of MGA Entertainment, Isaac Larian, and two other investors are not giving up yet, as they are pledging $200 million to try to save about 400 of the remaining 735 US stores that are slated to close.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Geoffrey the Giraffe going to the Toys "R" Us GoFundMe page on the computer.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): A GoFundMe page was started to pledge more money to Toys "R" Us for its customers; some of which are people that love the stores. If the page reaches its one billion dollar goal, Toys "R" Us will be saved, and the entire Toys "R" Us community will be very happy to see Toys "R" Us return, but if not, Toys "R" Us will soon be defunct, and it will never be seen or heard from again... ever.

Michael (voiceover): Are you done yet? We really need to start the movie.

Geoffrey (voiceover): Not yet, Michael. We'll start the movie soon. Just be patient, please.

Michael (voiceover): Oh, okay. Fine. Carry on.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Toys "R" Us store in the United Kingdom being closed down by a British investor.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Thank you. Now, where was I? Oh, yes. The GoFundMe page didn't work, so it was then closed on April 13. On March 29, 2018, they shut down purchasing on the website, making users redirect to an alternate sales site. On April 21, 2018, it was announced that British and Irish rival Smyths would purchase Toys "R" Us stores in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, expanding Smyths to the continental European market. A statement said that they have entered an agreement to buy Toys "R" Us units in those respective countries, including Toys "R" Us Europe's head office in Cologne. Smyths said that all of the outlets acquired will be rebranded. On April 13, a bid was made by Issac Larian to buy 356 Toys "R" Us stores for $890 million, but was rejected on April 17 and was fully scrapped on April 23. All of the Toys "R" Us stores in the UK are closed on April 24, 2018.

(The scene fades back to a Toys "R" Us store in Canada.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): Also on the same day, it was announced that the Canadian division of Toys "R" Us would be sold to Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. for approximately $234 million. This will keep the 82 remaining stores in Canada to continue running under the Toys "R" Us brand. Fairfax stated that it was potentially interested in purchasing U.S. locations as an extension of these Canadian operations.

(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us store in Australia.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): The Australian wing of Toys "R" Us entered voluntary administration on May 22. One month later, on June 20, it was announced that all of the Toys "R" Us stores in Australia will be closing as well. So, on August 5, 2018, the Toys "R" Us stores in Australia were closed down.

(The scene fades back to a Toys "R" Us store in the United States. This time, it is closed for good. The building then gets taken down by a group of construction workers.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): But then, the unthinkable happened. On June 29, 2018, after 70 years of service, all Toys "R" Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico were immediately closed for good, with Party City taking over the lots and buildings that were formerly occupied by Toys "R" Us.

(The scene fades to a Toys "R" Us store in North Carolina.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In early July 2018, it was reported that unknown benefactors had bought out all of the remaining stock of two locations in North Carolina so they could be donated.

(The scene fades to a pop-up Toy City store in the United States.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): In November 2018, Fortune noted that the absence of the retailer during the 2018 holiday season represented a $4 billion chunk of toy sales from which other retailers could benefit. Party supply retailer Party City capitalized on the closures by establishing temporary pop-up stores under the branding Toy City. Some of these locations are filling vacancies left by Toys "R" Us locations.

(The scene fades to the Toys "R" Us store in Guam. Like other Toys "R" Us stores in the US and Puerto Rico, the store in Guam is closed.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): As of March 2018, the company has not stated whether its only store in Guam will close. However, it closed on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, two days before the closure of the stores in the United States and Puerto Rico.

(The scene fades to a hand-drawn animated sequence of Toys "R" Us selling its Asain division to Fung Retailing.)

Geoffrey: (voiceover) While representatives of the Asian arm of Toys "R" Us have consistently cited that they operate as a separate legal entity from the parent company and are unaffected by events at the parent company, Toys "R" Us had engaged in talks since February 2018 to offload Toys "R" Us Asia's majority stake to a bidder for a proposed $1 billion while outlets in Asia continue to operate unaffected. The planned bid was revised downwards to $760 million in August and scheduled for September while Toys "R" Us sought a United States court order to strip Fung Retailing, a Hong Kong-based partner managing the majority of Toys "R" Us Asian operations, of its right-of-first-refusal purchase option and force Fung Retailing to release its share of the unit. This follows allegations by Toys "R" Us' of Fung Retailing delaying the sale via court proceedings filed through the Hong Kong judiciary system to discourage rival bidders and acquire Toys "R" Us' share at a lower price; the Eastern District of Virginia bankruptcy court would subsequently issue an order for Fung Retailing to drop its court order for the delay in a report that is written on September 28, 2018. On November 16, 2018, Toys "R" Us Asia announced that the parent company has formally sold the Asian unit to Fung Retailing and multiple Toys "R" Us lenders at a valuation of $900 million, later revised to $760 million, with Fung Retailing receiving an increase in shares of the unit to become the lead shareholder of Toys "R" Us Asia and the unit securing the licensing rights to retain the Toys "R" Us name brand.

(The scene fades to the Toys "R" Us store in the city of Imaginationtopia.)

Geoffrey (voiceover): And just like that, the days of shopping at Toys "R" Us were over. All of the Toys "R" Us stores in the United States were closed, except for one, the biggest and most special store in the city of Imaginationtopia, my hometown. This store is still there, but we don't know whether it's going to be around for a longer period of time or not. However, the company still exists as the owner of the international operations, with the exception of the Canadian and Asian stores and some of the European stores, of course. Plus, on February 11, 2019, the company emerged from bankruptcy as Tru Kids after its lenders canceled the bankruptcy auction and took over Toys "R" Us's intellectual property in October 2018. Besides that, the other Toys "R" Us stores were no longer seen or heard from again... ever.

(The segment of Toys "R" Us's history ends and the camera pans to Geoffrey and Giraffe and Michael the Lego Minifigure at the theater.)

Geoffrey: So, today, I will show you the movie that will change Toys "R" Us forever.

Michael: Um, Geoffrey, I hate to ruin your geology lesson, but do you think we can get on with the story?

Geoffrey: Why?

Michael: I'm telling you to start the actual movie about Toys "R" Us, made by Toys "R" Us, and for Toys "R" Us, because so far, I think the audience is starting to fall asleep.

Geoffrey: Well, it looks like you got a great point. Nobody wants to sit during a geology lesson about the history of our greatest store.

Michael: Maybe we should tell them about you and what you do in the whole store.

Geoffrey: Sure, good idea!

(The scene fades to black.)

Text: Present day

(The scene fades to the moon on the starry night sky. The camera pans down to the city of Imaginationtopia. A Toys "R" Us truck appears as it drives through the city. The truck enters the Toys "R" Us store and parks at the back of the building. The camera pans away from the truck and then pans to the front exterior view of the Toys "R" Us store. The sun rises above the horizon as the sky becomes daytime. The scene cuts to Geoffrey in his bedroom. He is sleeping in his bed as his alarm clock plays the song "I Don't Wanna Grow Up (I'm a Toys "R" Us Kid)". As his alarm goes off, he shuts it off and gets out of his bed. He yawns and stretches his arms.)

Geoffrey: Ah, what a great day!

(Geoffrey walks to the bathroom to look at himself in the mirror. He puts toothpaste on the toothbrush and uses it to brush his teeth. He then spits out the toothpaste into the sink. He grabs an empty cup and fills it up with water. He puts the water in his mouth, mixes it around in his mouth, gargles, and spits out the water into the sink. He then smiles at his reflection in the mirror.)

Geoffrey: Ah!

(Afterwards, he gets out of the bathroom and gets dressed in his Toys "R" Us uniform. He then exits his bedroom, walks down the stairs, and goes to the kitchen. Geoffrey takes out a bowl and a spoon and places them on the table. He grabs the cereal box and pours out cereal into the bowl. He then goes to the fridge to open it. Geoffrey gets the milk out of the fridge and pours some into the bowl. He then puts the milk back in the fridge and closes it. Geoffrey eats his cereal, puts the empty bowl and the spoon into the dishwasher, and exits his house through the front door. Geoffrey's house is actually a life-size dollhouse right inside the Toys "R" Us store. Geoffrey the Giraffe turns on the lights in the store, unlocks the store's sliding doors, turns on the computers and cashiers, and walks up to the store window as he flips the sign in the window from "Sorry, we're CLOSED." to "Come on in! We're OPEN." Geoffrey snaps his fingers and the toys are awake as they come to life. The toys come out from the shelves and walk towards Geoffrey.)

Geoffrey: Good morning, everyone.

Toys: Good morning!

Geoffrey: Today's the day, just like any other day, that the children come to the store to play with toys and then have their parents purchase them. Get into your positions, everyone.

(The toys do what Geoffrey said as they get into the shelves and become inanimate. Michael jumps onto Geoffrey's shoulder.)

Michael: Morning, sir.

Geoffrey: Ah! Michael, my great Lego minifigure assistant. Give me the details of our current toyline.

Michael: Okay, so, the Marvel aisle and the DC Comics aisle are going crazy.

Geoffrey: Are they really fighting again??

Michael: Yep. By the way, why do they keep fighting?

Geoffrey: I don't know, Michael. I think it's kind of personal.

(The scene cuts to Batman and Iron Man fighting each other.)

Batman: I'm a better superhero! You suck!

Iron Man: No, I am!

Batman: No, I am!

Iron Man: No, I am!

(The scene cuts back to Geoffrey and Michael.)

Michael: Yep. It's pretty crazy.

Geoffrey: Right. Well, there's only one way to fix this problem. (snaps his fingers) Thanos!

(Thanos appears in a cloud of purple smoke.)

Thanos: Yes, sir?

Geoffrey: Fix those two.

Thanos: Don't worry. I shall deal with them in a snap.

(Thanos snaps his fingers and he disappears in a cloud of purple smoke.)

Geoffrey: Huh. That's weird. Now, where was I? Oh, yes! Get into your positions, everyone. It's toy-selling time.

(Geoffrey enters his office at the employees-only area.)

Part 6: Bad News for Imaginationtopia's Toys "R" Us
(Inside the office, Geoffrey is watching a Disney-related video on YouTube on his computer. Suddenly, he hears a knock on the door. He turns around to look at the door.)

Geoffrey: Come in.

(The door opens and the mailman, the person who opens the door, enters Geoffrey's office.)

Mailman: Special delivery for, uh... Geoffrey the Giraffe.

Geoffrey: That's me!

(The mailman gives Geoffrey his mail.)

Geoffrey: Thank you!

Mailman: You're welcome! Have a good day, sir.

(The mailman walks out of Geoffrey's office and closes the door. Geoffrey looks at the mail and goes deep into it until he gets to a closure notice for Toys "R" Us in general.)

Geoffrey: Now, let's see. There's the electric bill from the Imaginationtopia Electric Company, a letter from Nutrisystem that tells me to lose weight, and... a free coupon at Wendy's? No, I don't think so. There's also the water bill from the Imaginationtopia Water Company, the final will from the late founder Charles Lazarus, and then, we have a closure notice for Toys "R" Us in general. Wait a second. A closure notice for Toys "R" Us in general?!

(Geoffrey starts reading the closure notice.)

Geoffrey: (reading) "Dear Geoffrey the Giraffe, current owner of Toys "R" Us, due to bankruptcy in September 2017, all Toys "R" Us stores in the United States, including the store that you live in and work at, are going to shut down permanently, but the ones in the lifetime, everything is fine at Canada. We're sorry, but it's for the best to shut down what was once the world's greatest toy retail chain. From, the people at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Bain Capital, and Vornado Realty Trust." (gasps) Oh no! This is terrible! I have to tell everyone about this!

(Geoffrey exits his office at the employees-only area to tell everyone in the store the terrible and awful truth about Toys "R" Us.)

Dora: Hey, look! It's a giraffe! La jirafa!

Boots: Uh, Dora, I think he's going to tell us some bad news.

(Geoffrey turns on the camera and the television screens.)

Geoffrey: Um, friends. Okay, let me see. Dora, Boots, Benny, Isa, Tico, Map, Backpack, Swiper, SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Sandy Cheeks, Mrs. Puff, Pearl, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Clarabelle Cow, Horace Horsecollar, Pluto the Dog, Toodles, José Carioca, Panchito Pistoles, Max Goof, Huey, Dewey, Louie, April, May, June, Scrooge McDuck, Pete, Humphrey the Bear, Aracuan Bird, Barney the Dinosaur, Baby Bop, BJ, Riff, Yakko, Wakko, Dot, Babs, Buster, Plucky, Cozmo, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Bowser, Waluigi, Wario, Yoshi, Captain Underpants, George, Harold, The Cat in the Hat, every toy, lend me your ears... of corn. I am Geoffrey, and I am a giraffe. A little, special, and playful giraffe... with some pretty big and terrible news. Wait, am I missing anybody? (counts all the toys) Uh, Michael?

Michael: On your shoulder, Geoffrey.

Geoffrey: Oh! Right! I didn't notice you for a second.

Toys: Just tell us the news already!

Geoffrey: Oh! Right! (clears his throat) As I was saying, I have some pretty big and terrible news. Everything that the owners of the toy retail company say about keeping it alive for many years to come is a lie! Due to bankruptcy two years ago in September, we will now close Toys "R" Us for good! In fact, we must close down this store... here at Imaginationland! Do you know why? Well, I'll tell you why. The entire Toys "R" Us store nowadays is all but a memory in our childhood, that's why!

Toys (gasp): ?!

Thomas the Tank Engine: WHAT!?!

Goofy: Gawrsh!

Scrooge McDuck: That's crazy talk!

Gordon: You fool!

The Cat in the Hat: This is not fair! I'm now a bear! ROOOOAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!

Geoffrey: I know you don't wanna believe it, but I have some proof! I'll show it to you!

(Geoffrey shows the toys the closure notice.)

Geoffrey: It even says in fine print that Toys "R" Us will permanently be closed due to financial issues.

Toys: PERMANENTLY?!?

Mickey Mouse: We can't close Toys "R" Us permanently! Look at all these toys!

The Cat in the Hat: I just can’t remember! I really just can’t! I just want it to open again!

Geoffrey: I know all of you are scared... but we have to move on... someday we'll be soldiering on like men and women... thinking of a legacy worth fighting for.

(The scene cuts to the toys crying after finding out Toys "R" Us is shutting down for good.)

SpongeBob: This makes no sense!

Barney the Dinosaur: But what about the competition between FAO Schwarz, Walmart, Amazon, Target, and eBay? Our store will eventually lose after it shuts down! We can't let that happen! We just can't!

(Barney ululates along with other dinosaurs.)

Toodles: NOOOOOOOO! I DON’T WANT TOYS R US TO C-C-CLOSE!

Cozmo: (crying) WHY!?!

Barney: Well, guys, we are the only ones here. Let’s change Toys “R” Us into our clubhouse.

Mickey: Hot Dog! Our new clubhouse!

The Cat in the Hat: Well then, let’s go! We don’t want to get slow!

Geoffrey: Okay, whoa, whoa, easy. Guys! Easy! Look, I have a plan.

Emily: Please tell us your plan! We are waiting to be sold to kids. I do not want to stay in my sheds.

Geoffrey's Wife: I am sure Geoffrey will do something. Calm down.

Geoffrey: We can sell Toys "R" Us to some large multinational retail corporations such as Walmart, or Costco, or Amazon.

Cozmo: We can't do that! They'll ruin us and the store we all know and love!

Geoffrey: Okay, then we'll find a new financial partner that can help our store regain the strength that it lost as of today.

Patrick: But it would take forever...

SpongeBob: ...and ever...

Squidward: ...and ever...

SpongeBob and Patrick: ...and ever to do that!

Geoffrey: Hmm, okay. Then we'll find another company from the toy industry that could take care of the store for us because we can't do it alone due to bankruptcy two years ago.

Scottish Nutcracker Doll: I ain't letting the store stand there alongside a bunch of toymakers such as Hasbro or Mattel.

G.I. Joe: Whatever, you nutjob.

Donald Duck: So... we cannot sell Toys "R" Us to a large retail corporation, we cannot find a new financial partner that can help our store regain the strength that it lost, and we cannot find another company from the toy industry that could take care of the store. Do you know why exactly? Well, it's because they're just a bunch of huge and popular businesses, and they are immortal like vampires! So basically, there's no hope and we're royally DOOMED!

Geoffrey's child: So, does that mean... no more play time?

(Geoffrey's child begins to cry and runs off.)

Geoffrey: S-son, wait!! (sighs) Poor kid.

Princess Luna: Something must happen. Maybe Smyths could buy us. Right?

All (except Luna): NO!

(The song "No More Kids to Come and Play" starts playing.)

Luna (singing): No more kids to come and play.

Toys (singing): Where will we go?

Luna (singing): We must do something before it's too late! Maybe we could make it nighttime so the store will never close!

Mickey Mouse (singing): Or steal some money from another company? That's why we got no... money!

Belle (singing): We could beg the kids to buy us every second! We always go to heaven!

Geoffrey's Wife (singing): Or even give them free cookies! Those yummy, tasty, chocolate chip cookies!

Cookie Monster (singing): Me just wanna get some cookies! Me yummy, tasty, sweet round cookies!

(The song stops for a brief moment.)

Geoffrey: But we need money. Remember?

Cookie Monster: Oh, right.

(The song continues.)

Gran Jam (singing): We've had a great jammy party!

Toys (singing): No more kids to come and play with their games! No more kids to come and play in their bedrooms! They are all lost in imaginations gone!

Luna (singing): I know life is hard. Let's run away to Equestria!

Toys: We must stay here so... (continues singing) What will we do? (Make it fast) A plan too soon is gone! (It's gone)

Geoffrey (singing): What shall we do?

Toys (singing): None of us has a clue!

Luna (singing): We do this now! We will never rest! We can stop time until we are not bankrupt! We can stand as one! We have a plan!

(After the song ended, Geoffrey walks towards Luna.)

Geoffrey: What exactly is your plan?

Luna: We can have Disney acquire one half of Toys "R" Us, and then, we can have Hasbro acquire the other half of the store.

Twilight Sparkle: But Disney and Hasbro are entertainment rivals! There's no way we can make them do that!

Donald Duck: So... we cannot sell Toys "R" Us to a large retail corporation, we cannot find a new financial partner that can help our store regain the strength that it lost, we cannot find another company from the toy industry that could take care of the store, and... we cannot even have Disney and Hasbro acquire two respective parts of the store. Do you know why exactly? Well, it's because they're just a bunch of huge and popular businesses, and they are immortal like vampires! So basically, there's no hope, and... like I said before, we're royally DOOMED!

Rainbow Dash: Hey, guys! Do you want to believe that?

(Rainbow Dash shows Geoffrey and the other toys a picture of an old and abandoned Toys "R" Us store in Orlando, Florida.)

Rainbow Dash: Or this?

(Rainbow Dash shows Geoffrey and the other toys a picture of two kids holding up a happy anthropomorphic Toys "R" Us logo plush toy.)

Mickey Mouse: I don't like bad things.

Minnie Mouse: Me neither.

Donald Duck: We choose the more pleasant plan, which is to sell toys, that are on a merchandise cart, to the children down the street.

Daisy Duck: Yeah. I mean, what this giraffe is saying, it's just a theory.

Geoffrey: No, no, no, it's not a theory, you morons! It's a fact! I'm showing you physical evidence! Open your stupid eyes, don't be so weak!

Geoffrey's Wife: Oh, Geoffrey, what are you doing?

(The toys then get angry and they boo and hiss at Geoffrey.)

Panchito: You, senor, have no bedside manner!

José Carioca: Yeah, and you don't have the guts to come up with a plan to find a new financial partner that could help the store regain the strength that it lost during bankruptcy.

Geoffrey: What are you guys talking about?! Of course, I have a bedside manner, and I do have the guts to come up with that type of plan!

Goofy: You don't respect anyone else's beliefs, or opinions, or even thoughts!

Barney the Dinosaur: You intolerant and disrespectful idiot!

Rosie: The Fat Controller will think I am really useful when I tell Thomas to save the day!

Toys: NO!

Rosie: Why not?

Junior the Giraffe: This is teamwork.

Geoffrey: He is right! Who do parents go to for Christmas? Us! Who do kids want to play with on our birthdays? Us! Who needs to buy us in a toy store? Us! We are toys! We are plushies! We are fluffy! We...are toys! Toys...are...US!

Toys: ...?

Emily: And what if we do work alongside another company? We already worked with Amazon. And they took more than their required amount of money.

Rainbow Dash: True.

Princess Luna: Then we must create a separate company!

Geoffrey: Good idea. We can sneakily partner up with another company and take more money than them. Then our new company can take ours!

Santa Claus: Hey! I need presents this year for children!

(All the toys talk to each other.)

Geoffrey: QUIET!!!

(The toys stop talking and turn to Geoffrey. Geoffrey's son runs off while crying.)

Geoffrey: We're all going to keep the memories alive! And you know why? Well, I've prepared a solution to this! I've been afraid that this day would come. But the only backup plan that I've got is right here!

(Geoffrey shows the toys a picture of Canada.)

Toys: CANADA?!

Geoffrey: Yep. Toys "R" Us is still alive in Canada, thanks to their new owner, Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., who bought 82 of the Canadian Toys "R" Us stores for $300 million Canadian dollars, or $232,009,500 American dollars. The stores that are still up and running are in Canada, and we are to travel there. So, who's with me?

(The toys turn away as they talk to each other about going to Canada with Geoffrey the Giraffe. The toys made their decisions and they turn back to Geoffrey. The toys nodded to Geoffrey as they agreed to go to Canada with him. Geoffrey turns to his wife, his son, and his daughter, who all winked at him. He then turns back to the toys.)

Geoffrey: Okay, then. We'll leave tomorrow first thing in the morning. Any questions?

(Cookie Monster raises his hand.)

Geoffrey: Yes?

Cookie Monster: Does Canada have free cookies? Because me love cookies.

Geoffrey: Why, yes. It does.

Cookie Monster: Oh, good. Because me can really eat some there.

Geoffrey: As soon as we get to Canada, you can have some. Speaking of Canada, we'll go there tomorrow first thing in the morning. That's all I have to say. Have a good day, everyone.

(Geoffrey gets back inside his office at the employees-only area. The toys talk to each other about the conversation.)

Big Bird: Uh, what just happened?

Elmo: Elmo has no idea.

Big Bird: Hey! How come you always speak in the third person and talk about yourself in the third person?

Elmo: Elmo doesn't know. Nature wanted him like this. It's Elmo's destiny.

Big Bird: Hmm. Well, that explains it.

(The scene fades to the dark and empty aisle where Geoffrey's son starts crying because Toys "R" Us is closing and there will be no more playtime for him.)

Voice: What's got you down, kid?

Geoffrey's Son: W-who's there?

Voice: Don't be afraid.

(Geoffrey's son looks around and sees only darkness with the lights off. He then sees a scary shadow. He grabs a flashlight and shines it at him revealing to be Teddy Ruxpin.)

Geoffrey's Son: Oh, it's just a stuffed bear.

Teddy Ruxpin: Yeah. What did you think it was? A Bionicle figure? Geez, can't stand those guys.

(Teddy goes to sit with Geoffrey's son, who continues crying.)

Teddy Ruxpin: Aw, come on, bud. Stop the waterworks. Come on, be happy. What's the matter?

Geoffrey's Son: Toys "R" Us is ending in the US and there will be no more playtime.

Teddy Ruxpin: No more playtime??

(Geoffrey's son nods his head to Teddy.)

Teddy Ruxpin: (sighs) I know how that feels. There's nobody wanting you. It's the fact that you've been at this store for, like, what? 17 years, or something? And not wanting to be played with... (sighs to himself) The worst part is... nobody would ever play with me, because... they prefer something like a Barbie or a Transformer. (sighs) That's just one of the things of being me...

Geoffrey's Son: Don't worry, you'll be played.

Teddy: And the worst part is... that... that I don't even have a friend, because... I was just stuck here... right at that shelf, the one that you're sitting on. You know why? Because it's empty, that's why. Nobody wants to be friends with a forgotten toy like Teddy Ruxpin.

Geoffrey's Son: I'll be your friend.

Teddy: (smiles) You will?

Geoffrey's Son: Yup.

Teddy: That just makes me so happy! What's your name, kid?

Junior: My name's Juinor.

Teddy: Splendid name! My name is Theodore Tedberius Ruxpin the Third, but you can call me Teddy.

Junior: Nice to meet you, Teddy.

Teddy: You know, Juinor, you're alright. I like you already. Now, I'm overhearing that Toys "R" Us will be shutting down. You know what? Let's try and bring this store back.

Junior: Yeah!

(Juinor and Teddy are walking together.)

Teddy: I tell ya, kid. This place will do big things for you.

Junior: Really?

Teddy: Yeah! Because you and I are gonna do big things and achieve them as well. We can be a duo, but not just any duo, no. We... can be... the Two-O Duo!

(The song "The Two-O Duo" starts playing.)

LYRICS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Part 7: Going Outside the Store/Lost in the Park/Geoffrey and the Gang at New York
(The scene fades to the moon on the starry night sky. The camera pans down to the front exterior view of the Toys "R" Us store. The sun rises above the horizon as the sky becomes daytime. The scene cuts to Geoffrey and the toys in the store getting ready to leave.)

Geoffrey: Is anyone ready to go?

Toys: We're ready!

SpongeBob: I'm ready! I'm ready! I'm ready!

Geoffrey: Good. Now, let's go.

(Geoffrey and the toys went outside the Toys "R" Us store as they go on a journey from Imaginationtopia to Canada. As Geoffrey and the toys get in the van, Teddy Ruxpin gets out of the store, only to watch them leave.)

Teddy Ruxpin: Hey, wait! No no no no no! Don't leave me! Junior, buddy!!

(It was too late for Teddy Ruxpin as the van already drove away from the store.)

Teddy: Juinor... I thought you were my friend... you couldn't leave your pal behind.

(Teddy sheds some tears as he goes to sit near the Toys "R" Us store building, looking sad. Meanwhile, a man is hiding in the bush and watching the toys leave to go to Canada.)

Man in the Bush: Yes. That's right. You can say goodbye to your lovely toy store... because I'm going to change it into an office supply store.

(The man in the bush sees a "FOR SALE" sign on the store window.)

Man in the Bush: Huh? What's this? "For sale"? Hmmm. Aha! I can buy the toy store so I can shut it down for good and replace it with a new office supply store. Eureka! (laughs evilly) MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

(The scene fades to the sun at the blue sky. The camera pans down to the van going to Canada. Suddenly, the van ran out of gas and eventually broke down. Geoffrey and the toys get out of the van.)

Geoffrey: Aw, man! The van broke down. It looks like we'll have to travel by foot.

(The scene cuts to Geoffrey and the toys walking on the road.)

Pinkie Pie: I'm tired.

Patrick: I'm hungry.

Twilight Sparkle: I'm thirsty.

Junior the Giraffe: I have to go to the bathroom!

Geoffrey: Well, maybe you should have thought about that before we left Toys "R" Us, our home in Imaginationtopia!

Junior the Giraffe: Well, I didn't have to go then!

Geoffrey: Too bad! I don't care!

Pinkie Pie: Life is not fair!

Geoffrey: Just keep walking!

Rainbow Dash: I'm tired!

Geoffrey: Keep crying and I'll get angry!

SpongeBob: I'm hungry!

Geoffrey: Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about!

SpongeBob: I'm good.

(Geoffrey and the toys stop at a park.)

SpongeBob: Well, that was interesting. Where are we, anyway?

Geoffrey: (sighs) Let's face it. We're lost.

Toys: Awww!

Geoffrey: I wonder if we can find some people here that know where Canada is.

(Geoffrey sees a man walking to the water fountain near the public restroom. He then walks towards the guy who is drinking water from the fountain.)

Geoffrey: Excuse me, sir?

(The man sees Geoffrey.)

Man at the Water Fountain: Huh?

Geoffrey: Do you know where Canada is? Because me and my... friends... are going to see what that cold North American country has in store.

Man at the Water Fountain: Well, you have to take a bus to Niagara Falls, which is in the state of New York. Then, you have to take another bus, and this time, to Toronto, which is in Canada. You'll be able to make it there. Also, there's a Toys "R" Us store in Toronto.

Geoffrey: Oh, I see. Hey! How did you know that?

Man at the Water Fountain: I've been to Canada before, and yes, Toys "R" Us is still alive there. Well, have a good trip. Good luck!

Geoffrey: Thanks!

(Geoffrey runs back to where the toys are at.)

Geoffrey: Okay, I've got a new plan. We have to take a bus to New York. We'll stop at the Niagara Falls and take a good look at it. After that, we'll take a bus to Toronto, which will take us to Canada and out of the United States. There are some Toys "R" Us stores in Canada, especially the one in Toronto. We can go there and live there.

(The toys look at each other and look at Geoffrey. They then nod their heads as they agree with Geoffrey.)

Toys: Okay!

Michael: Sounds good to me!

Geoffrey: Good! Let's go!

(Geoffrey and the toys exit the park. They then go to a bus stop to wait for a bus to come. The bus eventually arrived and Geoffrey and the toys get inside it. The doors on the bus close automatically and the bus drives away to New York. The scene fades to the blue sunny and partly cloudy sky. "Welcome to New York" by Taylor Swift starts playing. The camera pans down to the New York city skyline. The skyline glimmers in the sun as the camera moves across the Hudson River towards the city itself. As the camera moves past the Statue of Liberty, a flock of seagulls flutters into the sky. The camera moves into the city, over the Brooklyn Bridge, and past the Empire State Building. The camera then zooms in through the Central Park and pans to the Time Square. The camera later pans to Geoffrey and the gang walking around at Time Square.)

Geoffrey: Well, I guess it's time for us to take a break.

Toys: Finally!

Michael: Finally, it's about time. We haven't had one in days. And hey, at least we can walk through New York City for a little while, since we arrived here, after all.

Geoffrey: Yeah, I suppose so. What do you think?

Toys: Okay! Sure!

Geoffrey: Okay, then. Let's get exploring!

(The scene later goes to a montage of Geoffrey and the gang exploring the city. The first part of the montage shows Geoffrey and the gang going into a hotel. They then enter their hotel room. The second part shows Geoffrey and the gang sleeping at their beds in the hotel room at night. The third part shows Geoffrey and the gang exiting the hotel and walking around at Time Square. The fourth part shows Geoffrey and the gang going through Grand Central Station, where they ride the subway train. The fifth part shows Geoffrey and the gang going inside the Empire State building. They then get inside the elevator as it moves upward to the building's 102nd floor. The sixth part shows Geoffrey and the gang watching cars move around at the Columbus Circle. The seventh part shows Geoffrey and the gang going to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and looking at all the art inside. The eighth part shows Geoffrey and the gang going inside the Apollo Theater where they see a music performance. The ninth part shows Geoffrey and the gang walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and then back across. The tenth part shows Geoffrey and the gang walking around at Central Park. The eleventh part shows Geoffrey and the gang on a boat ride where they see the Statue of Liberty. The twelfth part shows Geoffrey and the gang at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum where they see the two empty sites where the original Twin Towers once were. They then bow their heads and mourn. The thirteenth and final part of the montage shows Geoffrey and the gang going back into the hotel. The montage ends as the scene fades to Geoffrey and the gang at their hotel room.)

Geoffrey: Well, guys, we've had fun exploring New York City, but now, we have to get some sleep, because tomorrow, we're going straight to Canada.

Michael: So, does this mean we're leaving the United States?

Geoffrey: Well, since Toys "R" Us is no longer there in the US, but is still alive in Canada, then yes. We are leaving the United States and entering Canada until further notice.

Michael: Oh! Okay. Well, let's get some sleep now.

Geoffrey: We should. Well, good night, everyone.

Toys: Good night!

(Geoffrey turns off the light and everyone went to sleep. The scene fades to black.)

Part 8: A Visit to Niagara Falls/Going to Canada
(The scene fades to Geoffrey and the gang sleeping in their beds the next morning. Suddenly, Geoffrey's alarm clock turns itself on and plays the song "I Don't Wanna Grow Up (I'm a Toys "R" Us Kid)". As his alarm goes off, Geoffrey shuts it off and gets out of his own bed. He yawns and stretches his arms.)

Geoffrey: Ah! Today is a new day. Wake up, everyone!

(The rest of the gang wake up.)

Geoffrey: Now, as you may know, we took a 3-day break here in New York. Now, it's time for us to leave the city and go to Niagara Falls, and then, we'll go to Toronto in Canada. Pack up, everyone. We're heading out.

(The scene fades to Geoffrey and the gang outside the hotel. Geoffrey looks at the broken van.)

Geoffrey: Well, it's a good thing we still have our van with us.

(Geoffrey sees two toy repairmen.)

Geoffrey: Excuse me, gentlemen.

(The two toy repairmen see Geoffrey.)

Toy Repairman #1: Yes?

Geoffrey: Will you two do me a favor and fix our van?

Toy Repairman #2: Sure thing, boss. We'll fix it in a jiffy.

(The scene fades to the new, improved, upgraded, clean, and repaired van, that is parked in the street near the hotel. The camera pans to Geoffrey and the two toy repairmen.)

Geoffrey: Well, that took long enough. Thanks, boys.

Toy Repairman #1: You're welcome.

Geoffrey: Now, let's get inside the van.

(Geoffrey and the gang get inside the van and it drives away. The scene fades to the van moving on the road. The camera zooms in through the van's windshield and shows everyone in the van. Geoffrey is still driving. Junior is looking through his seats, trying to find something.)

Junior the Giraffe: Where is he? I can't seem to find him anywhere.

Geoffrey's Wife: Junior, what is it that you're looking for?

Junior: I'm looking for my friend. I swear! He got on the bus.

Geoffrey: What's the matter, Junior? You're looking for something?

Junior: Uh, yeah. I'm looking for Teddy Ruxpin.

Geoffrey: Who? (turns to his wife) Who's Teddy Ruxpin, Gigi?

Gigi: I don't know, Geoffrey.

Junior: If you don't know who Teddy Ruxpin is, he is a teddy bear who is the most forgotten toy in the store. He is also my friend. Don't you remember?

Geoffrey: Um, no. Not really.

Gigi: Nope, not at all.

Junior: (gasps) You forgot him? That means... (gasps) we forgot to take Teddy Ruxpin with us! He's still somewhere in the store! And I don't know where he is now. Poor little guy. I just hope he's alright.

Geoffrey: Oh, I'd be surprised if that Teddy Ruxpin toy is left behind, forgotten, and still sitting inside the Toys "R" Us store back in Imaginationtopia. I'm sure he's as right as rain.

(The scene fades to the dark and empty aisle in the store where Teddy Ruxpin sits at the same shelf he usually sits and starts sobbing.)

Teddy Ruxpin: I... am... forgotten! I... am... doomed! Nobody wants to be friends with a forgotten toy like me. Not even... Junior... the Giraffe. I... am... doomed! (sighs) No one will remember me now.

(The scene fades to a parking lot near Niagara Falls. The van arrives there and parks at the parking spot near the observation tower. Geoffrey and the gang get out the van and enter the observation tower where they see the Niagara Falls from the top of the tower.)

Toys: Wow!

Geoffrey: Yeah. Wow! Take a good look at the huge waterfall, because this is going to be our last day here in the United States before we go to Canada. Speaking of Canada, there are a few Toys "R" Us stores there that are still up and running. So, let's go!

(Geoffrey and the gang exit the observation tower and get inside the van. The van drives out of the parking lot, goes across the Rainbow Bridge, crosses the Canada-United States border, leaves the United States, and enters Canada. The van then goes to Toronto and parks at a parking lot near a Canadian Toys "R" Us store in Toronto. Geoffrey and the gang get out the van and look at the store.)

Geoffrey: Okay, guys. We're here.

Toys: Whoa!

Geoffrey: Well, we are finally here. Toys, I welcome you to Toys "R" Us Canada.

(Geoffrey unlocks the door and all the toys go inside.)

Geoffrey: Well, now we can live happily ever after here in Toys "R" Us Canada. (looks at the camera) Well, folks, that's our story of the greatest store ever. I hope you enjoyed the film. Thanks for watching and I hope to see you all soon here in Canada. Bye!

(The credits start to roll but are soon interrupted as the scene immediately goes back to Geoffrey inside the Canadian Toys "R" Us store in Toronto.)

Michael: Hold on a minute, Geoffrey. Hold on! It appears we are missing a toy.

Geoffrey: (facepalms) Darn it! I forgot about that!

Junior: Aha! I knew we forgot about Teddy Ruxpin! Oh, and by we, I mean you!

Geoffrey: (sighs) Why me? I'm such an idiot. (turns to the toys) Okay, new plan. We have to bring Teddy Ruxpin back and invite him over to stay with us at Toys "R" Us Canada.

(The toys look at each other and shrug.)

Geoffrey: Okay, okay. Junior and I will go back to the US and get Teddy back. Michael, you're coming with us. As for the rest of you toys, go on and have fun in the new Toys "R" Us.

More coming soon!