Mickey's Virtual Dilemma

As in most jobs we're all dispensable, as are Cartoon characters. They may get ungraciously changed on the drawing board, thus It’s easy to lose sight of the cartoon character Mickey Mouse, in the shadow of the mascot for the Disney empire. But, there might not be a 'Disney Empire' if not for the charms of an enthusiastic, adventurous mouse. Now nearly a century after Disney’s iconic Steamboat Willie" short, this mouse will likely enter a public domain soon. But, after kickstarting an enigmatic rich $130 billion empire, that seems more than fair, I suppose; do you figure?