Flynn Rider - A Thief's Tale: Part 1 Of 2

Join me as I read from the perspective of Eugene Fitzherbert, better known as the dashing thief Flynn Rider, as we experience the beginning of his unexpected adventure. After stealing the lost princess's crown, Flynn finds himself in a hidden tower where he meets Rapunzel. Striking a deal with the spirited and sheltered Rapunzel, Flynn agrees to take her to see the floating lanterns in exchange for the stolen crown.

As they embark on their journey, Flynn and Rapunzel encounter a cast of colorful characters, including the determined palace horse Maximus and a group of thugs with hidden depths. Through hair-raising escapes and heartwarming moments, Flynn begins to question his selfish ways and finds himself drawn to Rapunzel's infectious enthusiasm for life.

Transcript

This sleep story is based on Disney's Tangled,

The story of Rapunzel,

But this will be told from the view of Flynn Rider.

This will be told in two tracks.

Please find a comfortable place to sit or lie down as we visit the magical land.

Let's begin.

I never thought I'd find myself scaling the towers of Corona's royal castle,

But then again I never thought I'd become Flynn Rider either.

The name's Eugene Fitzherbert,

But don't go spreading that around.

Flynn Rider is the dashing rogue everyone knows and loves,

Or loves to hate,

Depending on who you ask.

As I shimmed up the castle walls,

My partners in crime,

The Stabbington brothers,

Waited below.

The crown of the lost princess was within reach,

And with it,

My ticket to the life I'd always dreamed of,

Islands,

Palaces,

Riches beyond measure.

It was all so close I could taste it.

The guard rotation was like clockwork,

Just as we'd observed for weeks.

Three,

Two,

One,

And I was in.

The throne room was empty,

Bathed in sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows.

And there it was,

Sitting on a pedestal,

Like it was waiting for me,

The crown.

I couldn't help but pause for a moment.

It was beautiful,

Sure,

But it was more than that.

This crown represented everything I'd ever wanted,

Respect,

Admiration,

The kind of life where I'd never have to worry about where my next meal was coming from.

As I lifted the crown,

A guard sneezed.

Ugh,

Hay fever.

I quipped,

Unable to resist.

The chase was on,

Guards shouting,

Feet pounding on stone.

It was exhilarating.

We raced through the town,

Over rooftops and into the forest.

The Stabbington brothers were right behind me,

But I had the satchel with the crown.

And well,

Let's just say,

I've always been good at improvising.

As we delved deeper into the forest,

I couldn't shake the feeling that something big was about to change.

But hey,

That's the life of Flynn Rider for you.

Always on the edge,

Always one step ahead,

Or so I thought.

The forest was thick,

The air was heavy with the scent of adventure.

We'd lost the palace guards,

But I knew better than to let my guard down.

The Stabbington brothers were breathing down my neck,

And I could practically feel their growing suspicion.

We've lost them.

I panted,

Leaning against a tree.

That's when I saw it.

Another wanted poster with my face.

Oh no,

No,

No,

No.

This is bad.

This is very,

Very bad.

This is really bad.

I paused,

Staring at the image.

They just can't get my nose right.

The brothers weren't amused.

Who cares?

The one with the eyepatch growled.

Well,

It's easy for you to say,

I retorted.

You guys look amazing.

A sound in the distance caught our attention.

The thundering of hooves.

The palace guards had caught up.

We ran,

Ducking under branches and leaping over fallen logs.

The satchel with the crown bounced against my hip,

A constant reminder of what was at stake.

We hit a dead end.

A sheer cliff face.

I looked at the brothers,

Then at the cliff.

Alright,

Okay.

Give me a boost and I'll pull you up.

They exchanged a look.

Give us the satchel first.

I just,

I can't believe that after all we've been through,

You don't trust me?

Their stony expressions didn't change.

Ouch.

Reluctantly,

I handed over the satchel.

They hoisted me up and I scrambled to the top of the cliff.

Now help us up,

Pretty boy,

One of them demanded.

I grinned,

Holding up the satchel I'd swiped back.

Sorry,

My hands are full.

Their angry shouts faded as I took off running.

The thrill of outsmarting them mixed with the urgency of escape.

I could hear the captain of the guards and his horses getting closer.

I ducked behind a rock,

Holding my breath as they passed.

But the horse,

Maximus,

I'd learned later,

Was too smart.

He started sniffing around and before I knew it,

We were in a tug of war over the satchel.

It went flying,

Landing on a branch extending from the cliff.

In a moment of what I can only describe as Flynn Rider-esque bravado,

I shimmied out onto the branch.

The horse followed,

Because of course he did.

Just as I grabbed the satchel,

I heard a crack.

The branch gave way and we were falling.

I'd like to say I handled it with grace,

But the truth is,

I screamed all the way down.

Somehow I managed to land in one piece,

Hidden behind a curtain of vines.

As I caught my breath,

I realized I was staring at something impossible.

A tower,

Hidden in the secluded valley.

It was tall and ancient looking,

With no visible door,

Perfect for hiding out until the heat died down.

I circled the base,

Found some arrows conveniently stuck in the stonework,

And I started to climb.

As I hauled myself through the window at the top,

I allowed myself a moment of relief.

Alone at last,

I sighed,

Opening the satchel to admire the crown.

And then,

Everything went black.

When I came to,

I was tied to a chair with,

Was that hair?

Yards and yards of golden hair,

And standing in the shadows,

Clutching a frying pan like a weapon,

Was a girl with the brightest green eyes I'd ever seen.

Struggling is pointless,

She said,

Her voice a mix of fear and determination.

I've been in some tight spots before,

But this?

This was new.

Tied to a chair with hair,

Impossibly long golden hair,

And facing down a girl with a frying pan.

Not exactly how I planned to spend my day.

Who are you?

How did you find me?

The girl demanded,

Stepping into the light.

I blinked,

Momentarily stunned.

She was beautiful,

In an odd wide-eyed,

Clearly never-left-this-tower kind of way.

I cleared my throat,

Summoning every ounce of Flynn Rider charm.

I know not who you are,

Nor how I came to find you,

But may I just say,

Hi.

I flashed my best smolder.

How are you doing?

The name's Flynn Rider.

She raised the frying pan higher.

Who else knows my location,

Flynn Rider?

All right,

Blondie.

Rapunzel.

Gesundheit.

Here's the deal.

I was in a situation,

Gallivanting through the forest.

I came across your tower,

And.

.

.

My eyes widened as I realized the satchel was gone.

Oh no,

Where's my satchel?

Rapunzel smirked,

Crossing her arms.

I've hidden it,

Somewhere you'll never find.

I glanced around the room.

It's in that pot,

Isn't it?

Next thing I knew,

Everything went black again.

When I came to,

There was a chameleon on my shoulder,

Its tongue in my ear.

Would you stop that?

I grumbled.

Rapunzel was pacing now,

Her hair trailing behind her like a golden river.

Now it's hidden in a place you'll never find it.

She turned to me,

Determination in her eyes.

So,

What do you want with my hair?

To cut it?

Sell it?

What?

No.

Listen,

The only thing I want to do with your hair is to get out of it,

Literally.

She paused,

Confused.

You don't want my hair?

Why on earth would I want your hair?

Look,

I was being chased,

I saw a tower,

I climbed it.

End of story.

Rapunzel and the chameleon exchanged a look.

She lowered her frying pan slightly.

You're telling the truth?

Yes.

She circled me,

Those big green eyes studying me intently.

I'm prepared to offer you a deal,

Flynn Rider.

A deal?

This should be good.

She pulled aside a curtain,

Revealing a painting of floating lights and a night sky.

Tomorrow evening,

They will light the night sky with these lanterns.

You will act as my guide,

Take me to these lanterns and return me home safely.

Then and only then will I return your satchel to you.

I tried to reason with her.

Yeah,

No can do.

Unfortunately,

The kingdom and I aren't exactly simpatico at the moment,

So I won't be taking you anywhere.

Rapunzel's expression hardened.

She yanked on her hair,

Tipping my chair forward until we were face to face.

Something brought you here,

Flynn Rider.

Call it what you will,

Fate,

Destiny,

A horse.

I deadpanned.

So I have made the decision to trust you.

A horrible decision,

Really.

Her eyes narrowed.

But trust me when I tell you this.

She pulled me closer,

Her voice low and intense.

You can tear this tower apart brick by brick,

But without my help,

You will never find your precious satchel.

I weighed my options.

On one hand,

Venturing back into the kingdom was risky.

On the other,

No satchel meant no crown,

And no crown meant no island,

No palace,

No new life.

I sighed.

Let me get this straight.

I take you to see the lanterns,

Bring you back home,

And you'll give me back my satchel?

I promise,

She looked at me earnestly.

And when I promise something,

I never,

Ever break that promise.

I raised an eyebrow.

All right,

Listen.

I didn't want to have to do this,

But you leave me no choice.

Here comes the smolder.

I gave her my best,

Most dashing look,

The one that had charmed countless ladies and a few gentlemen across the kingdom.

Rapunzel just stared at me,

Unimpressed.

I deflated.

This is kind of an off day for me.

This doesn't normally happen.

I sighed deeply.

Fine,

I'll take you to see the lanterns.

Rapunzel squilled with delight,

Accidentally releasing my chair.

I face-planted onto the floor,

Still tied up.

Oops,

She winced.

As I lay there,

My face pressed against the cool stone.

I couldn't but help wonder what I'd just gotten myself into.

Getting down from the tower was an adventure itself.

Rapunzel's hair,

It turned out,

Was not just for tying up unsuspecting thieves.

It was also her way in and out of the tower.

As I slid down that golden rope,

I couldn't help but wonder about the girl who'd spent her entire life in that stone prison.

The moment Rapunzel's bare feet touched the grass,

Everything changed.

I watched as she experienced the world for the first time.

The fill of grass between her toes,

The breeze on her face,

The vast open sky above.

It was,

Well,

It was something else.

I can't believe this,

She exclaimed,

Alternating between elation and panic.

I can't believe I did this.

I can't believe I did this.

I leaned against a boulder,

Arms crossed.

That's great,

You did it.

Now let's get this over with and get you home.

But Rapunzel was lost in her own world of discovery and guilt.

Mother would be so furious,

She muttered.

Then brightened,

But that's okay,

What she doesn't know won't kill her,

Right?

I raised an eyebrow,

Okay,

And so began our journey.

Rapunzel swung wildly between excitement and despair,

Determination and doubt.

One minute she'd be racing ahead,

Marveling at every flower and stream,

And the next she'd be curled up in a cave,

Rocking back and forth.

You know,

I said as we trudged through a particularly muddy part of the forest,

I can't help but notice you seem a little at war with yourself here.

Rapunzel sighed,

Pulling her hair out of a thorny bush.

What do you mean?

I mean,

It's obvious you've got a thing with your mom,

Overprotective I'm guessing?

Never let you out?

Never let you do anything?

She looked at me,

Those big green eyes,

Wide with surprise.

How did you know?

I shrugged.

I've seen her before,

But hey,

A little rebellion,

A little adventure,

That's good,

Healthy even.

You think?

She smiled,

Hope blooming on her face.

Sure,

And does your mother deserve it?

No.

Would it break her heart and crush her soul?

Of course,

But you've got to do it.

Rapunzel's face fell.

Break her heart?

In half.

Crush her soul?

I squeezed grape juice dramatically.

Like a grape.

She would be heartbroken,

You're right.

Rapunzel slumped against a tree.

I felt a twinge of something.

Guilt?

Couldn't be,

Flynn Rider doesn't do guilt,

But seeing her so dejected didn't sit right with me.

I can't believe I'm saying this,

But maybe she doesn't have to know.

What she doesn't know won't kill her,

Right?

Rapunzel perked up.

Oh,

You're right.

I'll just see the lanterns and be back before she knows I'm gone.

It'll be our little secret.

As we continued our trek,

I found myself paying more attention to Rapunzel's reactions to the world around her.

Her joy was infectious,

Her wonder at the simplest things both amusing and oddly touching.

We were making good time until we heard the thundering of hooves.

Uh-oh,

I muttered,

Recognizing the sound,

Palace guards.

Is everything okay?

Rapunzel asked,

Clutching her frying pan.

Yeah,

Yeah,

Of course.

We just need to take a little detour.

I grabbed her hand without thinking and pulled her off the path.

We ducked behind a rock formation just as the guards galloped past.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

That's when I noticed I was still holding Rapunzel's hand.

I dropped it quickly,

Clearing my throat.

Sorry,

You hungry?

I know a great place for lunch.

Rapunzel beamed.

Oh,

Yes,

I've never eaten in a real restaurant before.

I grinned,

An idea forming.

Oh,

You're going to love this place,

Trust me.

The Snuggly Duckling,

A place where the roughest,

Toughest thugs in the kingdom gather to drink,

Fight,

And generally be menacing.

Perfect for scaring a naive tower girl back home.

Or so I thought.

Garcon,

Your finest table,

Please.

I announced as we entered,

Gesturing grandly at the room full of bruisers,

Cutthroats,

And near-do wells.

Rapunzel gasped,

Clutching her frying pan tightly.

Glen,

This is.

.

.

Yep,

Pretty scary,

Right?

Maybe we should go.

I mean,

This is no place for a delicate flower like yourself.

Back to your tower,

Where it's safe?

This is amazing!

Wait,

What?

Before I could process what was happening,

Rapunzel was mingling with the thugs,

Asking about their lives,

Their dreams,

And they were.

.

.

Responding.

I watched in disbelief as hardened criminals started opening up about their secret passions for interior design,

Mime,

And cupcake baking.

Flynn,

Did you know that Hook Hand here plays the piano?

Rapunzel beamed,

Gesturing to a particularly menacing-looking thug.

I was about to respond when I noticed a wanted poster on the wall.

My face with that ridiculous nose,

And suddenly recognition dawned in the eyes of the patrons.

Is this you?

One of them growled,

Holding up the poster.

Things escalated quickly.

One moment I was trying to talk my way out of trouble,

The next I was being manhandled toward the door.

Go get the guards,

Someone shouted.

That's when Rapunzel stepped in.

Using her hair like a lasso,

She wrapped it around a wooden beam and swung it around,

Knocking the tinkered out of the thug's hand.

Put him down,

She demanded.

The room fell silent.

All eyes were on the slip of a girl with impossibly long hair and a determined glint in her eye.

Okay,

I don't know where I am,

And I need him to take me to see the lanterns because I've been dreaming about them my entire life.

Find your humanity,

Haven't any of you ever had a dream?

I held my breath,

Certain we were about to become pub decor.

But then something incredible happened.

The thugs softened.

They started sharing their dreams,

Singing about their hopes and aspirations.

It was surreal,

Watching these hardened criminals belt a musical number about following their hearts.

Just as I was starting to think we might make it out of this alive,

The doors burst open.

The Stabbington Brothers.

And they didn't look happy.

Go,

Hookman whispered urgently,

Revealing a secret passage behind the bar.

Live your dream.

I will,

I said,

Puffing out my chest.

Your dream stinks.

I was talking to her.

Ouch.

Rapunzel and I ducked into the passage just as the Royal Guards arrived.

As we hurried through the dark tunnel,

I couldn't help but marvel at what just happened.

This girl with nothing but a frying pan and an unmistakable belief in the goodness of people had turned a bar full of thugs into allies.

You know,

I said as we emerged into daylight,

I've got to say,

I didn't expect you to handle that so well back there.

Rapunzel grinned,

Twirling her frying pan.

I know.

I was scared at first,

But then,

I don't know,

I just felt like I had to try.

And it worked.

I was about to respond when I heard shouts behind us.

The tunnel exit collapsed,

Water gushing out along with Maximus,

That darned horse.

Run,

I grabbed Rapunzel's hand and we took off.

We found ourselves on a ledge above a deep gorge.

A rickety dam stood between us and freedom,

But it was starting to crack under the pressure of the burst tunnel.

I'll go first,

I said,

Eyeing the unstable wooden structure.

To,

You know,

Test it out.

But before I could move,

Rapunzel had already swung across using her hair,

Landing gracefully on the other side.

She grinned at me,

Hair still wrapped around a beam.

Well,

Come on,

Flynn.

As I swung across,

Narrowly avoiding Maximus's snapping jaws,

I realized something.

This girl,

This strange,

Wonderful,

Fearless girl,

Was changing everything.

My plans,

My perspective,

Maybe even me.

The dam bursts,

Water rushed towards us.

In a split second decision,

I yelled,

Rapunzel,

Your hair!

She understood immediately,

Wrapping her golden locks around my hand just as the flood hit.

We swung,

Tumbling into the cave as rocks and water sealed the entrance behind us.

Darkness engulfed us.

Water was rising fast.

As we searched desperately for a way out,

I couldn't help but think that if this was the end,

At least I was with someone who had shown me there was more to life than just looking out for number one.

But,

Our story wasn't over yet,

Not by a long shot.