Tape is locked in Sharp VCR (by 2 users)

I have a Sharp VC-685U - made in 1986. A tape is stuck inside. If you plug in the machine it makes noise. If you try to press any of the buttons, it does nothing - no sound or movement of any kind. It doesn't try to eject when you press the botton. I have taken off the top cover and looked to remove the tape deck, but there is a black plastic piece in the way on the right hand side. Not sure what to do at this point. I tried moving the gears on either side of the deck, but they won't move. The machine is not that important to me, it is the tape I want. I hope you can help me. Thank you for your time.