The storefront was old-fashioned and contained several businesses, only one of which, the bar, seemed open. He noticed a sign advertising a store below the ground level, but there was no apparent way to reach it. The door to his left lead to a closed saloon; perhaps this was the way downstairs?
The front door was unlocked, so he entered the darkened saloon. It was a typical western-themed establishment, complete with cowboy knick-knacks and jars of unlabeled alcohol. Jack rounded the corner into the main dining area and stopped abruptly. Though the saloon was dark, he could see that every table was occupied by perfectly still people. As Jack's eyes adjusted to the darkness, he began to notice odd details. Their heads were large and their bodies small, and despite the lack of light their skin gave off a dull metallic sheen.
Without thinking, Jack shouted, "Hey!!"
As if on cue, the entire crowd quickly and mechanically stood up from their seats in unison. Jack froze. He was becoming a little frightened, but he was still determined to get downstairs. The ground crunched uncomfortably under his feet as he made his way further into room. He walked toward the closest person, a tall disproportionate female. As he drew near, he realized she was a giant tin doll. Jack peered into the darkness and saw they were all tin dolls with oversized spherical heads. There was a note in the hand of the female doll. Jack ripped it out and read:
"Don't disturb them or they will tear you apart."
Horrified, Jack began to back out the room. As he reached the door, he noticed a much smaller, toy-sized tin doll with a musical crank on it's back. He picked it up and twisted the knob.
The toy made a small dinging noise, and instantaneously the giant tin dolls turned to face Jack. He was truly frightened now, for they all had malicious, inhuman faces. Despite his far, Jack turned the knob once more, and once more it rang into the silence. The dolls raised their arms toward Jack. He could not stop himself from twisting the knob again and again, and with each ding the tin army advanced a step. He knew he was sealing his own doom, but he couldn't tear himself away.
Just before his escape rout was fully blocked, terror overcame compulsion and Jack bolted toward the door. He was almost certain that the tin army didn't need noise anymore to herald its advance; it would be pursuing him regardless, and he planned to get as far away as possible.
As the saloon door closed behind him, Jack's hasty departure was halted by three cheering people waving festive banners. They were rooting for him!
"My money was on Frasier," one remarked to another.
"My name's Jack..." thought Jack as he sprinted off into the night.
