Chapter Three: Making a Friend

When I saw Jessica, I figured she would be a Toon, and I realized why all the men were fixing themselves up. She was stunning; no she was downright drop dead gorgeous. Her hair was long and red, with emerald green eyes that lit up as she sang, and a body that would drive men crazy. Even her outfit was stunning, a long red dress that showed off her back and was low cut, that her breasts could easily be seen, and if a guy wanted to be a pervert and pull the front of her dress down, then the whole world could see them. Her gloves were dark purple and when she walked there was a grace to it. It was like she was some red headed goddess that knew all eyes were on her and she would keep it that way. Jessica's voice lifted from the stage and entered my ears.

You had plenty money 1922
You let other women make a fool of you

She walked over to the wall, her angel voice carrying as she slowly slid, with her back to the wall.

Why don't you do right like some other men do?

Then walked over to one man, who was trying to peep up her dress, at least I am guessing for his eyes were glued to her long, legs. She kicked his head away with her foot, and I held back a laugh.

She knows how to take charge, I thought.

Get out of here and get me some money too

Jessica pushed a guy, who was practically out of his chair and sang more to the song.

You're sitting down, wondering what it's all about
If you ain't got no money, they will put you out
Why don't you do right like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too

If you had prepared twenty years ago
You wouldn't be wanderin' now from door to door
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too

That was when I saw her eyes light up when she saw Mr. Acme. By his expression he too was happy and extended a hand to her. She glided off the stage and smiled, as she took his napkin and rubbed his head with it. Then she played with his cheeks, pinching them or something, couldn't really see.

I fell for your jivin' and I took you in
Now all you got to offer me's a drink of gin

Then she walked away and I thought she was going towards Mr. Valiant. Instead she walked over to me. I grew nervous praying she would just sing and not touch me. I was afraid if she did she would know I wasn't a guy and rat me out. Or something along those lines; would happen.

Why don't you do right like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too

She walked over to me, smiling her angelic smile. My heart was racing as, my palms began to sweat. What was she going to do? Do something! My mind screamed as I sat frozen, like a deer in the headlights, staring into Jessica's eyes. I felt her hand on my shoulder, leaning real close to my face. All I did was smile, and she frowned, apparently she was expecting something else, I guess. To my joy she spotted Mr. Valiant and sat on his lap. Even took off his hat and pretended to kiss him, which he seemed eager to have that happen. I muffled a laugh as she stuck his hat in his face. Then crawled on the table and grabbed his tie, pulling his face, just inches from hers, singing the last bit of the song.

Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Like some other men do

Then with a devil smile, walked off, knowing all eyes were on her, as the room filled with whistles and claps. I saw Mr. Acme smiling, like a school boy and Mr. Valiant breathing heavy, apparently he wasn't expecting someone like Jessica either. I was trying to figure out how to talk to my friend when I saw Mr. Acme leaving and Eddie silently following him. My curiosity got the better of me and I followed too. In the shadows I saw Mr. Valiant see Mr. Acme holding a bouquet of flowers, smiling and knocking on a door. Once the door opened I saw Mr. Acme say, "Jessica dear, have no fear, your Marvin is here". I rolled my eyes but remembered not to jump to conclusions; after all he could just be a fan.

It got weirder for Mr. Valiant walked up to the door and knelt down. He placed his eye over the key hole. Is he actually peeping at them? My mind asked, yet before I could figure out was going on, I saw the gorilla show up growling at Eddie.

"What do you think you are doing chump?" the gorilla asked.

"Who are you calling chump, chimp?" Mr. Valiant asked. Apparently that was the wrong thing to say for in a split second, I saw the gorilla grab Eddie and tossed him out the door. My fear grew for I didn't want the gorilla man finding me so I slipped out through a vacant window.

"Okay Belle, now what?" I asked. I didn't know what to do, I couldn't contact my friend and Mr. Valiant, well I couldn't make heads or tails of him. One minute he seemed okay but then next minute not so okay. Should I ask for his help? Before I could think even farther, I heard my stomach growl. "I better get something to eat," I said and walked down the smoky street. All that was opened was a local joint and I slid into a booth.

"What can I get you, sweetie?" asked a pretty waitress.

"Burger, fries, coke, thanks doll," I said, still playing a boy.

"You got it," she said smiling. As I ate my mind was thinking over what I just saw. Why was Mr. Valiant at Maroon studios? He was paid to do a job for he had a check, but what was the job? I saw him at the Ink and Paint Club, following Mr. Acme, and peeping into Jessica's dressing room. Before that he was at that diner talking to Dolores about a camera.

I stuffed a French fry in my mouth as I puzzled over it. Then an idea came to me. Mr. Valiant was hired to follow Mr. Acme to see if Jessica and he were having an affair. For I remembered that Roger, Jessica's husband was having difficulties with doing a take. That had to be it Jessica, must have been distancing herself to get close to Marvin, but why make it so obvious? If Mr. Valiant took pictures of Jessica having an affair with Mr. Acme, he would surely show them to Roger. Roger may not seem like it but name me any man who wouldn't be furious to know that his wife was cheating on him. Still it seemed so odd that a producer would go so far, just to help his client. My head was hurting and I was tired, so I tipped the waitress and left.

That was when I heard a noise, it sounded like crying. I followed the noise behind the diner and saw Roger, shedding tears and gazing sadly at his wallet. "Oh Jessica, don't let it be true, it is not true, pllleaseee," he moaned. His face looked hurt and his eyes were full of sorrow and pain. It broke my heart, and I decided to show myself.

"Hello," I said. Roger's ears perked up as he gazed at me.

"Who are you?" he asked. I was debating if I should tell him, but the voice came back to me. Find the Rabbit, the Rabbit can help you. I took off my hat and my long, blonde hair fell free.

"My name is Isabelle Brown, but I prefer Belle. Is everything okay?" I asked.

"No," he said looking away. I walked up to him and sat on the boxes, I saw pictures of him and Jessica. They looked so happy, one picture was them sitting in a booth and Jessica had her arms wrapped around Roger, smiling that angel smile. "I saw pictures of my wife playing patty cake with another man," he said, his lip quivering.

"Maybe, she was forced to do it," I suggested. Once again I saw Roger's ears perk up and he looked at me, a spark of hope forming in his eyes.

"Do ya really think so?" he asked me. I bit my lip for I saw that look in his eyes. He wanted me to tell him, that is was all a mistake, a bad dream, that any minute now he would wake up and he would be living his happy life again. To take away all the pain from him and find a way to make it right, I knew that look better than anyone.

"Yes, I really do," I told him. Then to my shock he hugged me and I stiffened but hugged him back.

"Thank you, I thought so too, but I didn't think anyone else did," he whispered. "By the way my name is Roger, Roger Rabbit," he said smiling at last.

"Hello Roger, my name is Belle," I told him again.

"Pretty name," he said. Then hopped off the boxes and gave me a determined look. "I am not giving up; I am going to Jessica's work and professing my love for her. I apparently made her feel neglected so; she had to turn to others for comfort. I will make it up to her, thanks Belle," he said.

"Wait, that may not be a good idea," I said quickly.

"Why?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Well, you are upset and need time to express what you will say to her. I have seen it many times; I am trying to be a detective, so I know how to spot peoples ways of thinking. Trust me, rushing over there now, is not going to end well," I said. It was true I seen many situations in my home town of similar things happening and things got ugly quick.

"Your right, I need to work out, how to express my feelings for her," Roger said. "But I can't go home, it would be too painful," he said his face turning sad again.

"Well, I am staying at a hotel, you can stay with me, if you want," I said.

"Really, you wouldn't mind?" Roger asked.

"As long as you don't try anything bunny," I said in a joking tone.

"Ma'am yes ma'am," Roger said saluting me, with his left ear. I laughed a bit for it was funny.

"You are really funny," I said.

"Jeepers, thanks and you are swell Belle," Roger said chuckling a bit. Then I took his gloved hand and headed to the hotel. The guy barely looked in our direction as I took Roger, to my room.

"It isn't much but it has a bed," I said. "I can make a pallet on the floor and you can have the bed," I said.

"No, I wouldn't ask you to give up your bed," Roger said.

"Okay we can share it I guess, if you are okay with that," I said. He blushed and looked nervous but soon agreed to it. I sat on my side and he sat on his side.

"Thanks again Belle," Roger said. Soon he drifted off to sleep and I took off my coat and crawled into bed. Once I placed my head on the pillow, I felt two furry arms wrap around my waist. I turned around to face a sleeping Roger that seemed at ease. Rolling my eyes I wrapped my arms around him, after all this guy had been through, he deserved to be comforted, plus he seemed harmless. So, with a smile I fell into a peaceful sleep.

The next morning I awoke and saw Roger curled up, his ears twitching in a cute way. I decided to get some breakfast or at least some coffee. I got off the bed and grabbed my coat as I head downstairs. The burly man was reading this morning's paper. "Morning son, did you read the biggest story ever yet?" he asked.

"Afraid not," I said.

"Grab a paper, some Toon rabbit whacked someone," he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Here," he said and I read the headlines. My eyes went wide and my blood turned ice cold as in bold letters read:

Toon Kills Acme

Late yesterday evening, Roger Rabbit, local cartoon star in a blind fit of anger, killed Marvin Acme. Due to some pictures Roger saw, that linked to his wife Jessica Rabbit having an affair with Mr. Acme.

I couldn't read the rest, my mind was in a whirl. Roger couldn't have killed Mr. Acme. He was with me all night, wasn't he? Did I just offer my help to a murderer? I didn't know but I was going to find out, and I gave the paper back and headed upstairs to talk to Roger.

Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.