The next morning, the town excitedly prepared banners around the buildings. Cars drove into the town past the sign leading in.
Radiator Springs: Home of Lightning McQueen and Sir Tow Mater
Holly drove through the heavily decorated village. Having been there for less than a year, she had never seen this festival before. Filmore and Sarge sat watching the decorations, Sarge saying "ah, such a great time. Stanley's Memorial Day is always a proud day of the year."
"Yeah, no kidding, man..."
"Filmore, are you even listening to me?"
Lightning and Sally stood at the front as Lizzie read her speech. When Holly drove over to them, Sally said "oh hey Holly. Have you seen Mater? It's almost time for his speech."
"Oh yeah. He's coming. I just wanted a quick word with you."
"Oh sure. What about?"
"Lightning, is it true that Mater was a professional wrestler?"
"Oh boy." Lightning said. "Is this about his MTW days?"
"I think so."
"Look, Holly. Mater tells a lot of tall tales. Did you hear the one about when he towed the astronaut back to Earth?"
"Wait, that was him?!" Holly said.
"What?!" Lightning and Sally said in-sync, before a voice said "hey everybody. Sorry I'm late!"
"Oh hey, Mater." Sally said. "Come on. It's almost time."
When Lizzie left the stage, Mater drove on, clearing his throat as he said "welcome, ladies and gentle-cars. Stanley was a good friend. I remember the time when I went back in time to... wait that sounds weird. Well anyway, McQueen and I went back in time to help him found Radiator Springs."
"I forgot to thank you boys for that!" Lizzie yelled from the crowd.
"YOU OUGHT TO GO BACK IN TIME SO YOU WERE NEVER BORN, LADDIE!" a voice suddenly called. Everyone turned to where the voice came, as two large blue and white trucks drove out.
Mater looked at the male car, saying "hey, I know that guy..."
"Aye, you should. Tormentor." the Scottish-accented truck said. Holly looked to Mater, as Sally said "Mater, would you care to introduce, uh..."
"Oh sure, everybody, this is Daddy Disaster."
"Ah grand. You may be dafty, but you're not far-get-fool." Disaster said. Mater said "thanks. So, what can I do for you?"
"Many years ago, you defeated me in single combat, Tormentor. But now, I am improved. I am better. And I've come here, with my beautiful wife, Mummy Misery, to challenge you to a rematch!"
"A rematch? Are you still sore about losin' to me?"
"Aye, he is." Misery said. "My husband has lost sweat and tears training all those years to face you again! While you've been sitting in this sweet little rainbow town, drinking Strawberry Oil-shakes and towing people a-roo-and. Like some sort of taxi man!"
"Hold it right there, madam." Holly said. "My darling Mater has a knighthood for saving the world. The queen herself knighted him."
"Knighted?" Misery scoffed. "Come on, now. Let's stop talking fantasy and let's start talking reality. Now, Tow Mater, if that's what they call you here, are you or are you not prepared to accept my husband's challenge?"
"Sure. That sounds like a lot of fun." Mater laughed. Lightning said "Mater, are you kidding? They're professional fighters. They'll kill you."
"Aw come on, McQueen, this should be cool. Rematch it is, then!"
"Good to know." Daddy smirked as he and Misery left. Holly turned to Sally, who quietly said "I've got a really bad feeling about this..."
