Furbies: the classic robotic pet that took the hearts of millions across the world, both literally and figuratively. Today they lay in the realm of obscurity due to the fear that has built around them, haunting the minds of those who were unfortunate enough to stumble upon them.
Well, that was until a couple of months ago because they have found a new home in our school. More specifically, in the jungle, as band kids call the band room. Ever since May of 2019, they have been culminating one by one in the spiderweb littered corners of the band room. And the band kids aren’t exactly sure how to feel about them.
While some love the cursed creatures, others despise them, claiming that they’re ‘haunted’.
“Yeah, they’re soul-sucking and horrifying. Like they’re cute, just their eyes, they scare me,” states 8th-grade concert violin player, Katy Moynahan.“In the band room, we believe that they are cursed, deadly creatures. I don’t trust any creatures in there.” Not only does she describe the furbies that occupy the bandroom, but also other ambiguous objects that hide. From the iconic McDonald’s Grimace hiding a top of a shelf to a purple troll in his birthday suit, there’s countless toys that find the band room their home.
But why are so many people scared of Furbies?
In 1998, Furbies were released by Tiger Electronics and immediately became a “must-have” item for children all over the world. Furbies were robotic pets. They spoke their own language called “Furbish”, they had emotions, personalities, and they could even dance, and more. Children adore these little robotic pets, but some people were terrified of them. Their uncanny, realistic, glass eyes and behaviors just seemed so familiar, yet so wrong. Stories of “demonic” furbies began to surface. Furbies were turning on at random, some showed attitude to their owners, their speech was becoming distorted, and more. A group of people even hacked a group of Furbies, making them speak in tongues and prompting parents to call Tiger Electronics. All this drama concerning “cursed”, “unholy” objects being sold in Toys R Us, Walmart, and Targets heightened the anxieties of consumers.
Although some members of the band room despise the occupants, to the point where they would commit hate crimes against them, there’s a group of people that cherish them. “Yeah no, I love them. It’s hilarious, and it scares everyone. It makes me happy,” says Bella Ramirez, a sophomore who’s in concert. “They make the band room less like a classroom, but more like your favorite uncle’s living room that your parents have beef with.”
The band room, though full of cursed, creepy toys, is one of the school’s most personalized classrooms. These toys aren’t just toys, but a reflection of the population that inhabits the band room. From weird objects to completely normal areas of the room, the band room isn’t just a room full of instruments, but a room that represents the people that reside in it. Band kids may not know how to feel about these mysterious furbies, but they play an important part in expanding the lore of the room. And hopefully, it’ll continue growing as new ensembles stumble upon the ERHS band room.