Streets of Zootopia downtown were always busy. Different size cars swishing around each other, public transportation adding its own spice in the mix. Mammals walking in the side- and crosswalks, coming and going from work or to start their evening in the many distractions that the city center offered. There were movie theaters, shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. No one paid any attention to a fox in a convertible, driving around like everyone else. Thats what he liked in city central. There was always so much going on that no one really noticed anything, if you didn't want them to. This time he wasn't hiding per se, but still wanted to stay without any unwanted attention.
The fox knew where he would most likely find he's trusted informant and an old friend. Their friendship went back long time before he even had a dream about his club or anything. Just two friends trying to survive on the streets, doing small hustles and tricking mammals out from their money. Those were the times. He broke from his thoughts as the central stadium of Zootopia came to view and turned from the main road in to the stadiums parking lot, deciding it was best to walk from there. Red convertible driving in back alleys might be something mammals would wonder about, a fox walking in there thought, not so much. There were lot of these forgotten back alleys around the stadium that no one used, but he was looking for a specific one, one with broken streetlamps. That didn't sound too specific, but for him it was. No matter how many times the city would fix those lights, when the evening came they would be broken again as the resident living in that alley didn't appreciate the light shining in his eyes when he was trying to sleep. The shadows were starting to grow longer already so the alley should be easy to find. Evening came early in the city center, where all the high buildings effectively blocked the light of the setting sun.
After a small walk from the parking lot he found the alley he was looking for. There was a old brownish colored van parked next to a dumpster. Streetlights from the alley were all broken, like he had presumed, but he still could see a fantacy themed painting on the side of the van. A white wolf in a shiny armor holding a damsel in his arms, lightnings at the background. Sneering at that, he walked to the van and pounded his fist on the back door. Some angry muttering could be heard from the inside.
" Who izzit!"
Shouted a small fennec fox in shorts and a button up shirt while the back door of the van flew open. The fennec had a unnaturally low voice and it might have seem comical if he wasn't holding a baseball bat almost his size and ready to strike.
"Its me Finnick, calm down."
The red fox said calmly, just standing there with his paws on his pockets.
"Oh, Nick. I've told you hundred times just knock. Don't smack my van like you wanna make a dent on it!"
Finnick said angrily, turning back in and putting the bat away.
"Well maybe i wanted to make a dent. You would finally be forced to paint it again..."
The red fox, Nick, answered with a smug smile.
"Don't you dare to start that again! Get in here and tell me what you want so i can get rid of you."
Finnick waved to the side. The van was fully furnished from the inside. There was small bed attached high on the wall so a small desk could go under it. There was two beanbag chairs, a shelf, a small freezer and curtains blocking of the front of the van. There were even LED lights attached to the roof. It was like a small apartment. The smaller fox sat in one of the baggy chairs while Nick climbed in the van, closing the door behind him and sat in a chair right next to Finnicks.
"I see you have made some improvements since i last visited. You know, you still have a place at the club, right?"
Nick asked raising an eyebrow. He had just barely enough time to react and catch the flying beer Finnick had tossed right at his face.
" Ay i know. I just like to move around."
Finnick said and took a sip from a beer he had taken for himself.
"And yet i always find you at the same alley next to a dumpster..."
Nick stated blankly and opened his beer. He wasn't much of a drinker but the stuff Finnick called beer, wasn't much of a beer. Some imported stuff that tasted much better than any local beverage.
"Shut up."
Finnick had always know how to put his words very efficiently.
"Change of subject. Have you heard anything about a new drug on the market?"
Nick asked. He took a sip from his beer too. It was just as good as he remembered. Deep and rich in flavor with almost no taste of alcohol, althought it had lot more punch to it than normal beer they sold around Zootopia.
"Just some rumors. Its new and they hiding it pretty good. I've heard its coming somewhere from the outskirts. Some new gang or something."
Finnick said. He always kept his ears open on the streets and while working on hustles you do catch a thing or two. He just tried to stay at arms length away from the scum of the underworld, drug dealers and other hardened criminals.
" I heard it heightens your senses somehow. Makes your instincts more compulsive. Some preds seem to respond badly to it."
"Yeah i have heard that too. That's what makes me worried."
The red fox answered. He didn't need some lion to go nuts in his club and killing half of the customers. ZPD would be all over him after that.
"I hear ya. Sorry im not much help for this but ill give you a call if i hear anything new."
Finnick said with a lopsided smile.
"Thanks. Guess i have to pay a visit for mister Big and ask him about this too."
Nick answered. he was a bit disappointed. Usually Finnick knew all the newest rumors and things worth knowing around the underworld.
"Oh well.. How have you been? I heard something about new associate?"
Nick carried on, wanting to hear how life had been handling his friend lately.
"Yea. Kayla. She's a arctic fox. We doing the popsicle hustle. Shes not much help for carrying things but damn she's good for the sales. Males stand in line just to take a look at her, even if we already sold out. And not just canines!"
Finnick laughed out.
"I got dibs by the way."
The small fennec said suddenly with more serious face.
"Heh. Don't worry i won't be stealing your score."
Nick snickered at his friend and raised his beer to a salute. It was good to hear everything was going smoothly with Finnick. Nick drank rest of his beer and got up from the beanbag chair.
"I guess i should get going, i still have to meet mister Big."
He said, opened the vans backdoor and stepped outside.
"Come visit the club sometime."
Nick suggested and turned back to look at his friend.
"Ay, i might. Maybe i should take Kayla with and show her around."
Finnick replied leaning back on his chair, hand behind his neck and grinning widely.
"You do that. You always have limitless tab at my place. Take care now, big guy!"
Nick said his goodbyes to the smaller fox and turned around.
"Ay, chao!"
He heard Finnick shout behind him. Nick just waved his hand without turning around and walked back to the main street and the parking lot where he had left his car.
'I guess i have one more stop left."
The fox thought when he was back in his car. It was time to go see mister Big.