My Winning Entry in the Dawn Heaven Contest
Topper Heaven
The year was 1981, Angie sighed heavily as she sat on the lime green bean bag chair. She looked over at her friends and smiled softly. HTTDawn was brushing her hair, Longlocks was seriously looking in a mirror at her missing hair plugs. Kevin was working on his dance moves, Two Majorettes were scrubbing the rust off their batons, and Dawn. Dawn had what looked like a brillo pad and was working it over her green knees.
This was Topper Heaven, home of all the unwanted, unplayed with, hidden away broken Model Agency Dolls. Sure, in real life they were packed away in cartons and boxes. Stuffed in closets and attics, some had even been buried in backyards or drowned in basement floods. It was here that they clung together, and awaited their resurrection. Like the land of unfit or forgotten toys, here remained all of the glorious Topper line. They had a large movie theater type screen so they could look down on the world as we know it.
Angie had been watching this scene among her friends for so long and it ate her up inside. Watching as they all tried to keep themselves in the best shape they could. Suddenly, Jessica who was monitoring the screen yelled over "Hey guys and gals! You all might want to see this. My sister who's working on the West coast is sending use some information." Being in the airline business these Jessica girls got around and found out all the top information first for us. Everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered around Jessica and the movie screen. Angie helped a broken ankle sister over to the area. Jessica turned a few knobs and the picture focused on the screen.
"The "New" Dawn dolls, with twist and turn waist. You can style their hair, dress up your favorite Model. Each with their own portfolio's! Dawn is back! Get one now!" The screen blared and they all watched with dropped jaws. A tiny voiced Maureen perked up "Someone has reopened the Topper Company ?" Jessica turned to face her friends and shook her head. "No. A company by the name of JPI has decided to clone us. They have redone the Topper line, claiming to improved it." Many just shook their heads, for they knew this was to sad. They had been lost as a group forever. Dawn blinked and stared at the screen. "Well, they are ugly!" "They don't even have real lashes!" "I'm glad my name isn't on one of them" the crowd started saying at once. Dawn was sobbing, and they all looked to her. While wiping her tears, she said "Yea, but they are using my name. That isn't fair. My fans will forget about me". Gary moved over to Dawn and rubbed her back. Sadly the group disbursed to go back to do their own little things. Angie watched the sad little faces of her friends. Dawn was taken away to be consoled.
Angie went back to her lime green bean bag and sulked. She lowered her head and prayed to the dawn god. She whispered "Please god, help us to survive. We were taken away to soon. They can clone us all they want but, none of the other dolls will ever be like us. Please I beg you."
The news had filtered in over the next ten years. The "new" Dawn's had lasted a short time and they had been bought by many. This had started a buzz with the real life people. A few had started searching out the original Dawn Model Agency dolls. A couple of gals had managed to brave it out and appear at a few doll shows, antique stores and yard sales.
The year was now 1995 and Angie did all she could do just to keep the dust off of herself. "LADIES!!!!! You are going to want to see this! You to Gary!" Jessica yelled from her now more sophisticated computerized screen. The group gathered around and Jessica just pointed at the screen, she was to excited to even speak the words. They all listened to the voice on the movie screen "That's right all you Topper Dawn doll lovers! You can now own your very own Topper dawn doll book. This is the first of it's kind. No other doll book covers all of your Dawn needs!" Then the screen flashed scenes of large dawn lots at tables at doll shows all over the country. More scenes showed yard sales. Then they gazed their eyes at Ebay auctions.
Dawn was the first to gasp "Look at the prices!! No one will take us home for that price!" Jessica turned to her "But they are Dawn! Look! People are bidding and they WANT us! At any price!" The crowd cheered as if they had just won a football game. Between all the excitement Angie caught a glimpse at the next scene on the screen. A petite lady person was looking over a bunch of dolls in a doll store. Angie moved past her friends and got very close to the screen. Her hand touched the screen to brush over the lady. Her eyes blinked but the tears wouldn't hold back. They just streamed down her cheeks like a small river.
They all stopped to watch Angie, Dawn spoke up. "Angie what is it? What is wrong? How come you're not happy like us?" Angie looked right at Dawn only. She bit her bottom lip to stop the quivering, "That, that, is Michelle... She is the little girl I use to live with." They all stared at the screen in amazement. Never had any of them seen their original owners. They even had taken to not talking about the little girls that would play with them for hours. The older siblings that would abuse them. The furry beasts that had chewed at them. No, they all kept their private memories to themselves. Locked away in their hearts. This was a Topper girls dream. To be found by their cherished owners.
It was Dawn that moved through the crowd to Angie and touched her arm. She whispered, "It's your time Angie, you must go to her... Now." Angie stared at Dawn, then looked to the gathered group with their nodding heads. She hugged Dawn tightly, knowing she was right. Her voice was soft and frightened, "What if .... What if she don't love me? She owns a hundred dolls now." Dawn smiled and wrinkled her nose. "Trust me Angie, she will know who you are and love you more so." Angie looked at everyone and started her walk. She knew she had to just go to the transport and she would be there. Glancing back at all her friends she gave a small smile of hope. Then vanished from their safe heaven.
They all turned their attention back to the large screen. Watching Michelle move through the row of dolls. Picking them up, looking them over. Fingering the clothing, checking the clasps. Then they saw Angie, laying there silently awaiting. They all held their breathe, watching with wide eyes. Then it happened! Michelle picked up Angie, looked her over, checked her knees. Then she turned her over to check the markings on the dolls butt. When she pulled down Angie's little undies Michelle started crying. There staring up at her was a bright pink M painted in nail polish on the dolls rear end. Michelle's mom had done this so her and her sister Lisa wouldn't argue over who's dolls were who's. Michelle cuddled Angie as she fixed her clothing and rushed over to the cashier. She leaned down and kissed Angie on the forehead. As they watched this, all of the Topper crowd cheered in Topper Heaven! Even a dawn dolls dreams can come true!
"A Dolls Convention too."
Dawn was grinning and feeling her grooviest. "hey gals and pals!
wooohoooo.... we have a convention to go to!"
All the dolls in Glori_Lori's living room sat up and rubbed their eyes. "huh?
Dawn
what are you talking about?" asked a loppy eyed Jessica.
Dawn giggled and sat down on the groovy living room chair. "well it
seems the group of dawnettes we have been mingling around with
the last year or so..... have decided it's time to have a huge gathering.
With us ..... the Topper dolls as the guest of honor!!! Isn't that
so Fab!" Angie shifted on her loose hip and smirked, Kip and Connie
twirled their batons, Longlocks braided her long hair. Angie yawned
"sure Dawn ... real nifty". Dinah ignored Angie and smiled to Dawn warmly
"You really think it's in our honor Dawn?" Dawn looked at the faces of
her friends. "Well yea... sure! I was told to let you all know and whoever
feels up to the trip can start packing." Angie bated her lashes, "Dawn, after
30 years why on this earth would they care one hoot about us and giving
any type of gathering in our honor? That chick Barbie has cornered the
market on conventions, collectors and buyers of dolls. Would you get off
your sweet tootin' butt and open your eyes for once."
Dawn seemed stunned, then went to her long time friend, sitting beside her.
"Angie, this is for real. This is "them". The girls that have loved us from
childhood. The ones that started our rediscovery. Comeon now, I saw how
you even made a fuss when you first saw Topper Towers. This group from
all over are coming to play with us, for us. again.... like so long ago."
Dawn looked right into Angie's eyes and nodded. Angie tilted her head,
she had enjoyed roaming around Topper Towers, and that ebay thing was
more exciting then an Osmond brothers concert. Her eye twinkled for a
moment. "Okay, I'll go... but I have first pick on the party dresses.... and
I'm not wearing that dumb blue and white pleated mini. I will die if someone
else's doll has it on." The girls giggled and jumped up... rushing off to tell
the other gals and pals..... to tell them it was time to start packing. Angie
ran
back from the group. "I'll catch up with you guys in a minute" She walked over
to the glass of Glori_Lori's display cabinet, there newest home. She breathed
against the glass and with a small finger scribbled CONVENTION OR BUST!
She smiled and ran off to catch up with the rest of the dolls.
Dawn was grinning and feeling her grooviest. "hey gals and pals!
wooohoooo.... we have a convention to go to!"
All the dolls in Glori_Lori's living room sat up and rubbed their eyes. "huh?
Dawn
what are you talking about?" asked a loppy eyed Jessica.
Dawn giggled and sat down on the groovy living room chair. "well it
seems the group of dawnettes we have been mingling around with
the last year or so..... have decided it's time to have a huge gathering.
With us ..... the Topper dolls as the guest of honor!!! Isn't that
so Fab!" Angie shifted on her loose hip and smirked, Kip and Connie
twirled their batons, Longlocks braided her long hair. Angie yawned
"sure Dawn ... real nifty". Dinah ignored Angie and smiled to Dawn warmly
"You really think it's in our honor Dawn?" Dawn looked at the faces of
her friends. "Well yea... sure! I was told to let you all know and whoever
feels up to the trip can start packing." Angie bated her lashes, "Dawn, after
30 years why on this earth would they care one hoot about us and giving
any type of gathering in our honor? That chick Barbie has cornered the
market on conventions, collectors and buyers of dolls. Would you get off
your sweet tootin' butt and open your eyes for once."
Dawn seemed stunned, then went to her long time friend, sitting beside her.
"Angie, this is for real. This is "them". The girls that have loved us from
childhood. The ones that started our rediscovery. Comeon now, I saw how
you even made a fuss when you first saw Topper Towers. This group from
all over are coming to play with us, for us. again.... like so long ago."
Dawn looked right into Angie's eyes and nodded. Angie tilted her head,
she had enjoyed roaming around Topper Towers, and that ebay thing was
more exciting then an Osmond brothers concert. Her eye twinkled for a
moment. "Okay, I'll go... but I have first pick on the party dresses.... and
I'm not wearing that dumb blue and white pleated mini. I will die if someone
else's doll has it on." The girls giggled and jumped up... rushing off to tell
the other gals and pals..... to tell them it was time to start packing. Angie
ran
back from the group. "I'll catch up with you guys in a minute" She walked over
to the glass of Glori_Lori's display cabinet, there newest home. She breathed
against the glass and with a small finger scribbled CONVENTION OR BUST!
She smiled and ran off to catch up with the rest of the dolls.
~Dawn Deboxed~
inspired by Michelle
~~~ Well..you asked for it.... here it is i hope it's good. pay attention all
you non deboxers :) ~~~
Dawn blinked and opened her eyes, looking up and around her.
She knew her surroundings were different but she knew what
this was. Once again she had found her way to a doll show.
Looking through the plastic cellophane that entrapped her, she
wrinkled her nose. She knew that Barbie girl and her friends.
Things had not changed that much if she was still around.
Trying to peek around the corner of her box, Dawn wondered
where her other Topper sisters were. She stood poised in her
first issue box. Hair still shiney, plastic headband in place.
One of her shoes had fallen off her foot but she could see it
laying in the corner. Glancing up she noticed her sticker price
tag was still in it's place. "Where is everyone?" Her chin tilted
and she admired her white crisp pleats. "Ohh Well thank goodness
the knees haven't gone green" After 30 years of sitting in that ladies
damp musky basement, it was good to have a new room with a better
view. Dawn super minty in her box sat on a table display among a huge
collection of other dolls. She waited with a heavy sigh, noting all the
modern clothing and strange colors. Her small mind wondering if she
would even be picked up let alone purchased. Watching as man came
close and slide a large box besides her. Excitement ran through her
vinyl body. Thinking to herself, "hey, there's Jessica, Angie, and all
my friends! Oohh What's wrong with them? They look so tired and
dirty."
Connie with her broken arm shifted and turned her head "hey Dawn
You still look groovy! Good luck girl I'm sure someone will take you"
Dawn smiled to her friend, " I'll be happy just to be out of this cello
wrapper. I could use some fresh air" Connie wrinkled her knows, "well
Dawn, be prepared. Some buyers leave minty dolls in the cello."
"Oohhh" replied Dawn, noting this for herself. Joints were stiff from
posing so long. Dawn wanted to be played with, she craved it.
After a few hours, a lady walked up to the table display. "ooooohhh a Dawn
doll still in her Box!!! How much? How much? I have to have her!" Dawn was
startled by the fifteen dollar price tag. Surely the lady wouldn't remove her
from the box now. After an hours time of banging around in the lady's
shopping bag. They were on their way home, the lady sitting in the backseat
of a vehicle. The packages were all pushed aside as dawn's box was brought out.
The lady oohed and aaaahed...and without hesitation popped her finger right
through the cellophane wrapping.
Dawn.... felt the rush of air hit her. After thirty years she was being
set free. Able to stretch and twist her stiff limbs after so long.
The shoe that had fallen astray was now slipped back on her foot. The
warmth of the hands that held her was incredible. What an awakening it
was to Dawn. To be free and not trapped, being held lovingly compared to
that stiff pose. Feeling the movement of her body and the caress of her mini
against her vinyl. The light breeze as she was moved. Life was a good thing,
after thirty years behind cellophane.
inspired by Michelle
~~~ Well..you asked for it.... here it is i hope it's good. pay attention all
you non deboxers :) ~~~
Dawn blinked and opened her eyes, looking up and around her.
She knew her surroundings were different but she knew what
this was. Once again she had found her way to a doll show.
Looking through the plastic cellophane that entrapped her, she
wrinkled her nose. She knew that Barbie girl and her friends.
Things had not changed that much if she was still around.
Trying to peek around the corner of her box, Dawn wondered
where her other Topper sisters were. She stood poised in her
first issue box. Hair still shiney, plastic headband in place.
One of her shoes had fallen off her foot but she could see it
laying in the corner. Glancing up she noticed her sticker price
tag was still in it's place. "Where is everyone?" Her chin tilted
and she admired her white crisp pleats. "Ohh Well thank goodness
the knees haven't gone green" After 30 years of sitting in that ladies
damp musky basement, it was good to have a new room with a better
view. Dawn super minty in her box sat on a table display among a huge
collection of other dolls. She waited with a heavy sigh, noting all the
modern clothing and strange colors. Her small mind wondering if she
would even be picked up let alone purchased. Watching as man came
close and slide a large box besides her. Excitement ran through her
vinyl body. Thinking to herself, "hey, there's Jessica, Angie, and all
my friends! Oohh What's wrong with them? They look so tired and
dirty."
Connie with her broken arm shifted and turned her head "hey Dawn
You still look groovy! Good luck girl I'm sure someone will take you"
Dawn smiled to her friend, " I'll be happy just to be out of this cello
wrapper. I could use some fresh air" Connie wrinkled her knows, "well
Dawn, be prepared. Some buyers leave minty dolls in the cello."
"Oohhh" replied Dawn, noting this for herself. Joints were stiff from
posing so long. Dawn wanted to be played with, she craved it.
After a few hours, a lady walked up to the table display. "ooooohhh a Dawn
doll still in her Box!!! How much? How much? I have to have her!" Dawn was
startled by the fifteen dollar price tag. Surely the lady wouldn't remove her
from the box now. After an hours time of banging around in the lady's
shopping bag. They were on their way home, the lady sitting in the backseat
of a vehicle. The packages were all pushed aside as dawn's box was brought out.
The lady oohed and aaaahed...and without hesitation popped her finger right
through the cellophane wrapping.
Dawn.... felt the rush of air hit her. After thirty years she was being
set free. Able to stretch and twist her stiff limbs after so long.
The shoe that had fallen astray was now slipped back on her foot. The
warmth of the hands that held her was incredible. What an awakening it
was to Dawn. To be free and not trapped, being held lovingly compared to
that stiff pose. Feeling the movement of her body and the caress of her mini
against her vinyl. The light breeze as she was moved. Life was a good thing,
after thirty years behind cellophane.
