Stuff of Dreams: Part 1 Kim and his wife Pam visit a flea market, where they discover a rare collectible black cat toy. The vendor, Keller, proposes discussing its price at a nearby bar but instead recounts how he acquired the toy. As the narrative shifts to Keller’s perspective, he introduces Frankie, a fellow sailor and the toy’s original owner. The story then transitions to Frankie’s viewpoint, detailing his experience of being shipwrecked on an idyllic island. There, he encounters Waldo, a figure revered by the island’s inhabitants, who create toys in his likeness. Over time, the islanders revolt against Waldo’s rule, culminating in a volcanic eruption that devastates the island. The narrative continues shifting perspectives, ultimately revealing that Keller received the Waldo toy as a gift. The story returns to the present, where Keller, Pam, and Kim sit together in the bar. Upon returning home, Pam and Kim debate the credibility of Keller’s tale. The story concludes with them breaking the fourth wall, directly addressing the audience and asking if they have ever encountered Waldo or a Waldo doll—and, if so, whether they would deliver it to Pam.
Stuff of Dreams: Part 2 Pam purchases a costume from an early
serial film titled
Alias the Cat, which was produced in New Jersey shortly before the U.S.'s entry into
World War I. As the narrative unfolds, a tragic story emerges about Malek Janocheck, a
Czech heir to a prominent
Bohemian munitions dynasty. Rejecting his family’s legacy of warfare, Manek flees his homeland in search of a different path — one dedicated to artistic expression through the craft of
fireworks. Janochek's journey, which is marked by romance, adventure, and discovery, is echoed in the film serial as well as the panels of a comic strip Deitch presents (ostensibly drawn by "Moll Barkeley-Bakendorf"). The story ultimately leads to a small New Jersey town colloquially known as "Midgetville."
Stuff of Dreams: Part 3 No Midgets in Midgetville In this final installment, the narrative delves into the lore of the legendary New Jersey town known as "Midgetville." Kim's investigation into the origins of the
Alias the Cat strip takes him on an unpredictable journey through the eccentric landscapes of New Jersey, culminating in the corridors of New York's
Bellevue Hospital. Interwoven with this exploration is a striking subplot featuring Waldo the Cat, whose story of love unfolds alongside a broader commentary on contemporary terrorism. ==Characters==