Hello everyone! Now I know I have another story to finish, but I just couldn't wait. I saw this movie in theaters and finally got it on DVD. I absolutely love "Ratatouille" and got this idea for a fanfic. This story takes place a year after the events of the movie. I thought it would be a cool idea if Remy wishes and becomes human. Hopefully, I keep true to the character's personalities and yes, new rat characters and human characters will appear. Although, I will WARN you, this story is a little more mature than my other stories. It's rated "T", but there will be a scene where Remy experiences physical love in his human state. But do not fear! There will be a hint of him getting into it, but I will NEVER describe the scene. I'm 17, and I'm still immature about the whole sex thing.
Now that you have been warned, I hope you enjoy the story. And yes, Skinner is in this story too. How can you NOT include that guy? Oh...and the other chefs return too.
Also, most of the story is told through Remy's point of view, kind of like how it was done in the movie. His POV will be in italics, just so you know.
Enjoy the story!
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Almost Human
By Kimberley Diaz
(aka Midnightmoon14)
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Chapter 1
Bittersweet Success
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Something is wrong.
It's strange for me to say that, considering all the good fortune I have received. I hate to be picky, but I can't help but feel as if something…you know…just isn't right.
It was only about a year ago that I found this restaurant along with my two other friends, Alfredo Linguini and Colette Tatou. It's funny how we all came together actually.
It was all because of my drive of becoming a chef, I found Linguini, who only wanted to stay out of trouble and keep his job as a garbage boy. Still don't understand why...Well, we made a pact, and I controlled his movements in the kitchen while hiding under his toge. It was strangely involuntary, but hey…Linguini was easily manipulative at the time.
And then came Colette. Such a force to be reckoned with! She was definitely not a pushover, and she showed us "the ropes". And then, by complete accident, I made Linguini and Colette kiss and voila! They are still dating to this day. I will admit, at first I found her to be a bit of an annoyance, but now she is one of my closets friends and my sue chef.
The entire kitchen from Gusteau's is working for us again. Yes, they all objected to working with a rat before, but I decided to let them have their jobs, even if Colette yelled at me about it. Hey, we need the best of the best! And Lalo, Horst, Pompidou and Larousse had that! We even hired Mustafa just because Linguini could wait tables alone.
Heck, we even have Ego, the once popular food critic, investing in our restaurant. If it weren't for my Ratatouille dish, he probably wouldn't be coming to our restaurant everyday to eat!
I should be happy.La Ratatouille is receiving worldwide acclaim, and people enjoy the food. Even with this success, there are still people who object to me being in a kitchen. Just because I'm a rat doesn't mean I don't have feelings…
And ears…
I always here someone muttering about me in some negative fashion and I hate it! All this discrimination really burns me up! But because I'm in the restaurant business, I have to put up a smile and continue with my work.
And even I'm still having some problems with being a rat.
Well, for one thing, being a rat means your short. I have problems reaching for the things I want and I hate having to bug Colette, or should I say "squeak" at her to get her to get what I want. I hate being a pest, because it's what I want to avoid. I don't want to be known as a pest anymore!
And I hate leaving the at night when we close down the restaurant. I'll go out for a little bit and everyone screams "AHHHH!!! RAT!!! HELP ME!", which is really starting to get on my nerves. They judge me before they even let me squeak! Geez…ever hear of the phrase "never judge a book by its cover?"
I know…I'm a rat…and that's just what I'm going to have to live with for the rest of my life but…I feel like…maybe if I had a choice…I would like to be…
Well…
Human.
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"Hey…little chef?"
Remy was suddenly broken away from his thoughts. He looked up to see his friend, Linguini, looking at him with worry.
"Hey there little chef. You don't look so good. Are you okay?"
Remy nodded reluctantly. He didn't want to worry his friend too much with his silly fantasies.
Linguini shrugged. "Okay if you're sure…wait no…it's not okay…something is up with you little chef…I've been noticing it for a while and I'm pretty sure Colette has noticed it to. Remember buddy, you've got friends here and if you have a problem, just tell us. Well, okay…obviously you can't tell us but uh…"
Remy understood what he was trying to say. Linguini meant well, it's just that he has difficulty saying exactly how he feels in a coherent matter. Remy scuttled towards Linguini's hand, which he was using to lean against the table. Remy patted his hand comforting, as if to say he was alright.
Linguini smiled. Remy never spoke, but he was able to understand what he wants. Having a rat who controlled you for a while will do that to you.
"Alright…Colette and me are going to go out for a coffee. You should come! You'd love the entertainment they have!"
Remy just shook his head and laid down on the table he was on, indicating that he was going to stay in the restaurant.
"Alright, if you're sure…If you change your mind, here's the address…"
Linguini scribbled down on a piece of paper the address of the coffee shop they would attend. Remy looked at it and refrained from laughing. Linguini's handwriting was very childish.
"See you tomorrow," said Linguini as he headed out the door, looking back at his friend with worry before leaving.
Remy sighed heavily; looking up at the ceiling, silently wondering what it must be like to be human. Being human would mean being able to create new things and experience it all without someone chasing after you with a shotgun. Being human meant people respected or feared you, allowing you the freedom to do what you want. Oh, how Remy wished for such freedom. His tiny little heart melted, as he knew this would never come true.
"Remy…I'm surprised at you!"
Remy squeaked a little bit in fear. He turned to see the fat chef, Auguste Gusteau, floating before him. He had his arms crossed, obviously not pleased with the rat.
Remy rolled his eyes at the illusion he was creating in his mind. "What are you doing here?"
"Question is…why are you thinking about such silly thoughts?" asked Gusteau, floating right into Remy's face, "Remy, you are a wonderful chef, and masters of the culinary arts should not have to worry about…outer appearances."
Remy clenched his teeth. "I know it's dumb, but I can't help it! I know I'm good at what I do, but …I can't help but think that maybe…maybe being human…"
"But you are a rat!" interrupted Gusteau. Remy scoffed at his comment.
"Oh please. I am as far from being a rat. Even my dad agrees…and maybe that's a good thing. I always hated scurrying and stealing food…food that was incredibly disgusting and thrown out because no one desired it anymore, and yet we took it. Why? For our survival. If you're human, you don't have worry about survival. Food is laid out there for you…and you're given the opportunity to try all these delicacies without having to worry about any sort of danger. Gusteau…I want that freedom…"
Gusteau sighed and placed a hand on the rat's shoulder. "I know you mean well Remy, but you shouldn't worry! You have the freedom to cook by being just the way you are…being human is not the answer…and just because you are human, doesn't mean everyone respects you…"
Remy scoffed. "You're one to talk…"
Gusteau laughed. "Oh please Remy! You know as well as I that Anton Ego did not find me very favorable as most…
"That's because he was a critic…he was supposed to think negatively of you…"
Gusteau gave Remy a 'look'. "Remy…that's very discriminatory of you…"
"BUT EVERYONE DOES THAT TO ME!" he yelled. Gusteau was taken aback by this sudden outburst. Remy's little body shook as he curled up into a little ball.
"I'm telling you Remy," began Gusteau as he began to fade away. "You don't need to be human…outer appearances do not matter…"
"But in the culinary world," interrupted Remy, "they do."
Gusteau had a saddened expression on his face as he finally completely faded away. The kitchen lights began to dim a bit as Remy closed his eyes with these thoughts still plaguing his mind.
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Aww…Poor Remy… don't you just feel sorry for him? Reviews would be much appreciated…I would like to know if I did well to keep Remy in character… In the next chapter, we will meet a new rat character that will attach herself to Remy in an annoying way. Somewhat similar to that of Buddy Pine and Mr. Incredible, only this rat character will not turn evil.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the story so far!
Thanks for reading!
-Kim (aka Midnightmoon14)