The first time that Nick's absence really dawned on Judy as a permanent-or-otherwise-long-term-thing probably didn't happen until about a week in. She had been doing a fairly impressive job of keeping herself occupied (and distracted from most negative thoughts) since the press conference, as she frequently picked up extra shifts and stayed past her hours.
And that all came to a crashing end when Chief Bogo assigned Judy to respond to a call from some desperate mammal in the center of downtown, someone who wanted to file a complaint about a "predator disturbing the peace." Before she arrived at the specified address, though, she found herself right next to Jumbeaux's Café. That was a bit of a blow. The timing wasn't right, and she knew he wouldn't be there this early (it was 8AM, and he'd already disclosed his preference for night over mornings). But she thought she'd step in anyway.
Judy was pleased to see the workers had gloved their trunks. She was not pleased to see the obnoxious "NO PREDATORS" sign hanging above the register.
Immediately, she wracked her brain, looking for any possible violation. Her nose twitched as she called to mind the many laws and codes she memorized during her training. Despite his little "right to refuse" sign, she knew there were certain laws against species-based discrimination. She knew, too, that sometimes prey were excused.
But Jumbeaux noticed her before she could think of anything else. "Well, look at that. The famous bunny cop." His tone seemed sarcastic, of course, and his words spoken to no one in particular. Only a few customers were in this early, and most had already taken a seat.
"Sir," Judy gave one nod before stepping closer. "I know this isn't the first time you've seen me, and you probably don't want to hear this, but you're going to have to take down that sign."
The elephant looked up at the sign Judy gestured to and then let out a sharp, forced laugh. More like a huff. "I know you saw this sign," he moved it into her view, "last time, and I reserve that right still. No - predators - in - my - shop." He spoke slowly and exaggerated each word as if he were explaining something to a child. Except with a dose of bad mood. What was it with this guy, anyway?
"It's a violation of the Species Protection Act." Judy took a deep breath before continuing. He may be another member if the prey family, but Jumbeaux certainly made himself intimidating. "Places of public service are not allowed to refuse service based on species. And, as I'm sure you're aware—"
"I'm aware that predators are a class, not a species," Jumbeaux protested. "And that means I'm protected. It's for the safety of my customers."
"With all due respect, again, sir, what you're doing is discriminating against any species within the predator family," Judy said. Her nose twitched as she began to feel a bit nervous. Because of the wording of the clause, he was technically correct. And prey always seemed to get away with it when they claimed that safety or comfort motivated their refusal of service. But if Judy had to stretch things, she'd do it. "Predators don't come in here looking to hurt anyone, they come in here looking for dessert." Her paws moved as she spoke. "It didn't hurt you to serve a predator last time I was here."
"Hey, do you know how many complaints I received that day?" Jumbeaux's trunk curled and uncurled, maybe as his means of fidgeting. Or frustration. His ears came forward as he leaned onto the counter in front of him. "Those predators hurt my business. I don't need them around here."
"The predators would be giving you business, if you'd let them!" Judy's foot began to tap rapidly on the ground when she paused. She began to turn, looking for help. "Right, Ni—"
No. No Nick.
Judy let out a huff and crossed her arms over her chest as she turned back to the counter, glancing between the sign and Jumbeaux. "You're unfair. Most predators are less than half your size!" Okay, the size card could be risky, but she had to go for it. "What are you so afraid of?"
"Look, bunny, just because you would serve any bloodthirsty predator does not mean I will," Jumbeaux said. "And you can't make me. Now, I have customers, so if you're not one, I'm busy."
In her concentration on the situation at hand, she'd failed to notice the line forming behind her. That threw her off, for sure. Why hadn't she heard them come in? Or smell the outside air when the door opened? Or even feel the ground move a bit (as some of these animals took powerful steps)?
"I—.. will be back tomorrow," Judy declared. She knew she probably wouldn't, but the officer wasn't about to let Jumbeaux think he had the upper hand. "Serve your customers." Right before turning around and exiting, she gave a sharp, "good day."
Great, now she was even sounding like Nick.
Was it really going to throw her off this much that he left? The fact that she didn't know a line of animals had formed scared her. Did she really get that caught up in trying to defend predators? What if it happened again? Judy wondered if... well, she'd been doing fine until that moment. So perhaps it wasn't her reflexes, but maybe that particular setting. But at the thought of this happening a second time, the hair on her neck stood on end, and chills rushed through her body.
No. She's Judy Hopps. First bunny on the Zootopia Police Force. The one who found 14 missing mammals and saved the evidence (with Nick, granted, but... she would have found another way somehow, right?). The one who, despite what criticisms other mammals threw her way, stuck with her dream and became a police officer.
She would be fine.