Maroon Cartoon Studios
RK Maroon slammed his office phone on the receiver. "That gag-loving son of a-! Doris! Get in here!". A plain looking, 30 something secretary walked through the office doors trying to stay positive from the already rude awakening to start the day. "Yes sir, Mr. Maroon?". "Why does the one person I need to love money seem to have no interest?" Doris knew better than to interrupt the rant. "A dozen calls this week and he won't budge. Just wants to play with his gags and be the lovable cartoon maker. Doesn't he understand how much money we stand to make?! This new Cloverleaf Industries is going to make us rich beyond our wildest dreams but they only want to buy both of our plots. Mine alone is no good to them. Stubborn idiot won't sell!". Maroon exhaled and leaned back into his chair. "Well, sir. What's wrong with that? You love too-". Maroon cut her off. "What's wrong with it is I could be sitting on the beach at Catalina for the rest of my days and not worry about being over-budget on a God forsaken Baby Herman cartoon. Don't you understand how much money we could make? Well, I could make. You'll probably answering phone calls and fetching coffee the rest of your life.". Maroon said flatly.
Doris let the insult roll off as she usually did. "If he's not interested then he's not interested. If you can't sell him, Mr. Maroon, then no one can.". She said with just a subtle enough hint of sarcasm that he didn't pick it up. "I'll think of something. Now did you get my morning paper or not?". "I did, sir, it's right there on your desk.". Doris tried to point out without sounding like she was insulting his intelligence. "Ah, of course it was.". Like he had known it was there the entire time. Maroon flicked out the newspaper and reached for his still steaming coffee. "Doris!". Interrupting her retreat from the office. "Look!". Maroon rushed over to her like a toddler showing his mother a new toy. "I'm the luckiest man alive!". Doris took the paper and read the bottom story. "Marvin Acme reported to be out on the town with Maroon Carton Studio's starlet and wife of Roger Rabbit, Jessica Rabbit.". Maroon was grinning as if he had discovered the story himself. "What's that have to do with anyt-". "Of course you would lack vision!." Maroon interrupted. "He's a man. She's a toon. He can't be seen with her. This is perfect!". Maroon shuffled back over to his desk.
"He wasn't exactly seen with her though. It's just a gossipy story, sir. The paper makes up half those Entertainment pieces just to get their subscribers up.". Doris tried to calm his excitement. "Then I'll just have to get proof! Then confront him with it and then he'll do anything I need to keep it quiet, including sell that land." Maroon seemed so pleased with himself. "Sir! That's blackmail!". Doris exclaimed. She thought it seemed low even for him. "Cry me a river. For millions upon millions of dollars, he's lucky that's all I'm willing to do! Galavanting around with some goofy toon. He'll have no choice.". Doris cocked an eyebrow and spun on her heels. "Sir? Are you...ummm...familiar with Mrs. Rabbit's work?". Maroon's expression dropped. "What do I look like? One of those half wits that rubs two nickels together to see our movies? How many toons do I own?". Maroon arrogantly boasted. "'Own' is a strong word but payroll is currently at 326.". Doris said without missing a beat. "Exactly. I can't keep up with all these and I wouldn't be caught dead at that human-toon establishment she "sings" at. Have you ever been to a place like that?". Doris rolled her eyes. "My husband goes about once a month.". "Wow. Him too. Makes sense, I guess, he did marry you.". Maroon said without an ounce of remorse
The remark didn't even register with Doris because she was quickly realizing what was going on and for the first time she was a step ahead of her boss. "I want you to take a note to send to that singing toon. She's involved with this whether she likes it or not and I will make sure I get these pictures. Just set her up to be there, get a photographer and Acme won't know what hit him!". Maroon sounded so pleased with himself. "A note? Sir, this is too delicate to explain in a note. You need to invite her here!". Doris said hoping not to give away her smile. "Here?". Maroon was confused. "Yes, here. Make her show up in your office, explain what you want and show her who's bos-." Doris covered her snicker with a cough. Maroon looked at her like a proud teacher. "You are absolutely right, Doris! Hey there's a first time for everything. That's how you have to handle these toons. Show them who's boss. Make sure they know it's your way or the highway! They have no backbone. Especially some little silly weak woman rabbit. Take a note and see that she gets it. Invite her to my office. Make it sound threatening enough that she's nervous before she even gets here." Doris stifled another laugh with a cough. "You know, sir. It might be best to keep this quiet. Why don't you have her here late at night...when you're all alone?". She was full on holding her hand over her mouth now. Maroon, blinded by his own brilliance, didn't even notice. "Look at you, Doris. There's hope for you in this town yet. You're right. Midnight. Tomorrow. After her little song and dance, I'll have that Jessica Rabbit here and she'll be like putty in my hands." Doris smiled brightly. "Oh, I'm sure she will.".
Doris dropped the note off on Jessica's desk in her empty dressing room. The sun was just setting and the club was still empty. Bongo the giant gorilla watching the place was a Maroon property and recognized her to let her into the door. Doris looked around the glamorous dressing room. A makeup desk with hollywood bulbs surrounding the mirror. A luxurious red couch, a walk in closet with what appeared to be hundreds of various costumes, shoes and dresses. Doris also noticed an elegant screen for Jessica to change behind. She walked behind it and thrust out her inadequate curves as if forming a teasing shadow for someone in the room. "I'll be right out, boys.". She said in her best breathy tone. Doris laughed to herself and thought "if only". As she walked past the screen, she couldn't help but notice the lingerie hanging on the corner. She picked up the lacy red bra and held it up by the strap. She gulped at the sheer size of it. It was the biggest bra she had ever seen in her life. She looked down at her own chest and thought all the material in hers couldn't make up one cup of this undergarment. Her jealously quickly turned to a slightly sinister grin. "Oh honey, you are going to knock him dead tomorrow night.". She hung the bra gingerly back up and took one last glance at it before she headed out. "Better get ready, boss, that's a lot of woman.".
