-March 28, 1980-

Gus Anderson was a broken man. Not four months before, he had lost his wife and daughter to a car accident only a few miles from their home. There had been nothing left for him in Kokomo, and he had decided to return to his childhood home in Burbank, California. So he found himself, now, standing before the very place he had so gleefully left for Indiana; Warner Brothers Animation Studio.

"Mr. Plotz will see you now," The young receptionist told him. The large double doors to Plotz's office, he noted dryly, were just as imposing as ever. He entered cautiously, eyes darting around the room curiously…not much had changed. The small man had been sitting in his chair, staring out of the large window and down onto the lot. Upon hearing Gus enter, he swiveled around and a grin of recognition broke out on his face.

"Gus! My, my, I haven't seen you in ages! I thought you were still out in Indiana. What brings you back here?" Gus's slight smile vanished and his breath caught.

"It's a, um…long story," He said, a fake smile spanning his face. Plotz didn't seem to take notice.

"Nonsense! It's been, what," The toon stopped a moment and wracked his brain, "twenty years or so, right? I've got plenty of time for an old friend." Gus simply blinked at him, deliberating as to whether or not he would really tell him. He didn't really want to tell him, but he had as much of a right to know as anyone. Besides, he figured it was time to accept what had happened and move on.

"Lisa and my daughter passed away recently," He answered hesitantly. Plotz's grin faded almost instantly. "I moved for Lisa after we were married, to be closer to her family. After they, um…you know," He glanced sideways and swallowed hard; grief was a bitter taste. "There was nothing left for me out there. So I came home." Gus immediately diverted his eyes to his hands folded in his lap, briefly seeing the expression of his old friend as he did so. He felt a bit better getting that weight off his chest, but the memories he triggered, though faded a bit, still stung.

The old toon wasn't quite sure what to say to him. It seemed as though it had only been moments before that a young man had sat before him, informing him of his resignation. "Lisa needs to be with her family. There's nothing for us out here, and besides, I could use a fresh start," He had said, eyes shining at the thought of the young woman he was to marry. The young man, whom he had almost come to see as a son over twenty years ago, was not the same man who sat before him today. Instead, he had been replaced by a worn and tired looking thing. Plotz heart broke as he realized that the old Gus had died right along with his wife and child.

"I'm sorry," Plotz finally managed to say, though slowly and with much thought. "How have you been holding up?" He glanced away awkwardly as Gus simply shook his head. "Well then…surely you didn't just come by for a chat. What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you were interested in hiring me back as a talent scout," Gus answered slowly, nerves causing his heart to creep up his throat. "I'm out of a job, Thaddeus, and I'm desperate." The old toon peered at him quizzically, almost seeming to size him up.

"I'd love to, Gus, but I don't know if I can." Plotz said quietly, instantly regretting his words at the sight of Gus's reaction. "It's not you, Gus, believe me. Toon Town has become a very different place since you left, and it hasn't changed for the better." Gus raised an eyebrow.

"What's been going on?" He asked, voice edged in suspicion.

"Too much, honestly," Plotz sighed. "Drugs, murders, scandals, gangs, you name it, they've probably done it."

"That's nothing new," Gus scoffed, spying a scuff on his shoe in the meantime.

"It's much worse," Plotz insisted with a frown. "They've beefed up border control to an almost ludicrous level. It would be difficult to commute, and at any rate, it's dangerous for humans nowadays. If I did hire you, you'd have to sign a release."

"Please," Gus answered, leaning closer. His voice had taken on a tone of seriousness that Plotz hadn't been expecting, and his eyes widened a bit with surprise. "Thaddeus, you have no idea how much I've missed this," Plotz smiled at his answer, but it was barely noticeable. He didn't want to get the human's hopes up. For a moment, Plotz struggled to think of a reason he could give to decline, but finally sighed in resignation.

"You're pretty persistent, Anderson." He said, extending a hand. "But if you want the job, it's yours." For a moment, Thaddeus could have sworn that he saw a glint of Gus as he had been; face alight with a fantastic grin. After a moment, he added with a chuckle, "Besides, the animation studio hasn't been the same since you left. We could definitely use you back on staff."

"I hadn't wanted to say anything," Gus laughed heartily, firmly shaking Plotz's hand. It was good to be back.