A pack of ocelots crossed Mane Street in downtown Zootopia, making their way towards the 24-hour Snarlbucks in front of them. The city was a year removed from the Night Howler case, and with local relations between predator and prey steadily improving, the ZPD was more than happy to have Officers Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as the faces of their department. The duo had starred in countless TV, newspaper and Internet ads throughout Zootopia that bore the slogan Judy had espoused in her speech to Nick's graduating class: Change starts with you. It starts with me. It starts with all of us. The influx of recruits to the police academy had increased by 30 percent due to the ads, and there were several new faces that had joined the force, including the first pig and otter officers. Truly, change was afoot.

Tonight, as the pack entered the coffee shop, none of them paid any mind to the cargo van parked on the curb off to their collective right. In that van sat Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, currently in a sting operation. The fox yawned as he glanced over the file that Chief Bogo had given them at roll call. Their target was Michael Stripe, a zebra (not to be confused with the lead singer of R.A.M.) who had been involved in organized crime for two years. In the past few weeks, counterfeit money had been showing up all throughout the city, and Bogo had requested that Hopps and Wilde investigate it. Stripe had been spotted buying up large quantities of paper and ink by various undercover informants, and he had been spotted near this particular Snarlbucks three days ago receiving product from some middlemen in the alley. Odds were that he'd be back sooner than later, and the duo were ready to pounce.

But with a sting operation came waiting. Lots and lots of waiting. They had been sitting in the parking lot since 6 in the morning-it was now 2:35 a.m. by Nick's watch-and there was still no sign of their target. Nick yawned again and asked, "He is gonna show up, right?"

"Any minute now," Judy answered as she peered through her binoculars.

"You said that three hours ago! Can we at least do something to pass the time?"

"I don't see why not." Judy put the binoculars down and asked, "What did you have in mind?"

"Some free association." Nick started the train of thought with, "Name some of the things you like about me."

"Only if you do the same for me," Judy replied.

"Deal."

"Well, let's see...I like your smile."

"I like your smile too."

"Your ingenuity."

"And I like your ingenuity too."

"Your personality."

"Wow, shock of shocks! I like your personality too!"

Judy rolled her eyes and laughed, giving Nick a playful punch in the arm. "You don't have to suck up to me, Nick!"

"Why would I suck up to you? I'm being honest, Carrots-I really see those same traits in you."

"You're just saying that."

"Absolutely not. Your smile is brighter than the sun..."

Judy smirked and mumbled, "Oh jeez..."

"Your ingenuity knows no bounds..."

"Come on!"

"And your personality...cheerful, driven, kind, and dedicated! See?"

"Nick, are you sure you're not just talking about yourself?"

The fox blushed and replied, "Well...maybe a little."

"HA!" Judy wore a smug grin as she took a sip of water. "I knew it." Fifteen awkward seconds of silence passed before Nick asked, "Well, don't you wanna hear my answers? The real answers?"

"Okay, Mr. Wilde," Judy said as she put her water down. "Humor me."

"Well, for starters, I like that little thing you do with your foot when I scratch you behind the ears." Judy's ears drooped and her face flushed red with embarrassment as she exclaimed, "Niiiiiiick!"

"Hey, you said you wanted to hear my answers, and I'm being truthful here. I also like the way your tail twitches when you get excited," he said as he pointed his finger at it. Judy's ears began to perk up as Nick continued: "I like the way you laugh. I like how you're always enthusiastic and ready to go every morning at roll call. I like your dedication. I like working with you. But most of all..." Nick put his paw over hers and smiled. "...I like you."

Judy sniffled and said, "Nick, you're gonna make me cry..."

"Hey, as long as they're tears of joy, go nuts." Nick put his paws behind his head and grinned with satisfaction as Judy wiped her eyes before returning to her binoculars. At that moment, a brand new station wagon pulled into the alleyway, catching the partners' attention.

"You think that's him?" Nick asked as he sat up and peered through the windshield.

"There's only one way to find out," Judy answered as she climbed onto the dashboard for a better look. Within moments, her head was underneath Nick's as they watched what was going on. The driver of the station wagon killed the engine and stepped out, revealing themselves to be none other than Michael Stripe, potential counterfeiter, suitcase in hoof. He scratched the back of his neck and began to walk towards the back of the alley, where another figure waited. Judy and Nick retreated to their equipment in the rear of the van and put headphones on to listen in. Judy grinned in anticipation and asked, "Ready to make the world a better place?"

Nick turned the camera and the microphone on and answered, "Always."

"Then let's get him." Nick aimed the device at Stripe and his associate, with their headphones relaying the conversation.

"Good to see you again, Michael. How's the band?"

"Very funny. You got the plates?"

"Right here. But first things first-the payment, please."

"Oh, absolutely." The seller took the suitcase and opened it, but closed it a few seconds later and spat, "Is this some kind of joke?!"

"Yeah. Hilarious, isn't it?" Then, to the partners' horror, Stripe pulled out a silenced pistol and shot the seller three times in the chest, sending him tumbling to the ground. Judy shut her eyes and cringed as Nick mumbled, "Oh my God..." Through her binoculars, Judy saw Stripe approach the seller, kneel down, and pull four printing plates out of his coat. Coughing and gagging, the seller tried to crawl away, but his momentum was stopped by Stripe planting his hoof in the small of his back.

"You double-crossing son of a bitch! We had a deal!"

"Yeah. HAD." Stripe fired one more shot into the seller's head, killing him.

"It's been a pleasure doing business with ya."