Three months later...


Lightning and Sally drove into Wheel Well, Lightning saying "so. What was it like when you went over there?"

"It wasn't real life." Sally said. "I've never seen ever seen Mater this miserable. He didn't talk at all. He was like some sort of stranger. He just sat there, staring at his wheels all the time."

"How's Holly taking it?"

"She's worse than Mater. She's so blunt, and harsh. But, weirdly enough, she was calm too."

"One-word answers?"

"Yeah. Most of the time. Not that mattered much. I mean, after about five minutes she just went down to Flo's for a drink."

"What about Mater?" Lightning said. "Did he care."

"No. He just sat there staring still." Sally said. "I'm telling you, Stickers. It was the fight. 100%, no questions asked."

"I know, Sally. I can't even begin to think how torn up he must be feeling about it."


Hours later...

Sally sat alone in her motel, checking through the lists and registers. She stared at the emptied concierge desk, sighing as she turned back to her sheets. Suddenly, she heard the doors open, as a voice said "hey Sally..."

"Holly." Sally said with shock. Holly blinked her eyes as she went to her desk, saying "just thought I'd finish some late time work."

After a few moments of silence, she sighed, before saying to Sally "do I look that bad? Be honest..."

"Well, you do stink of gas and oil. So you're clearly not sober." Sally said. Holly laughed, before saying "well, you know, Sally... tonight at Flo's, drinking away my sorrows, was probably the happiest I've been in nearly three months."

"Holly, I know Mater's upset about the fight, but..."

"It's not just that." Holly said. "He's not just upset, he's... he's a completely different car now. It's just... the loss. It's too hard for him. And it's too hard for me too."

"I can tell. He's not talked in three months."

"I just don't want this anymore, Sally. I don't. I don't want him to think about this. Not anymore."

"Well, he seemed pretty compliant when you let them hammer out his dents from the fight."

"Mater's dents are memories. I don't want him to remember this. Ever."

Sally then sighed, saying "okay. But just remember Holly. Just... if you want any help, you or Mater, just let me know."

"Thank you, Sally." Holly said. "By the way, I remember a few months back. Mater said he and Lightning were a tag team. Was that true?"

Sally laughed, saying "no, Holly. There's a certain line to Mater's logic."

They both started laughing as they left the office together.


Later, Dinoco Advertising Office...

"Tia."

"Yeah, Mia." Tia said.

"We've been getting calls from all over the country."

"What about?"

"About the Mater fight. Everyone's asking where he is. When he's doing another rematch."

"But I thought Mater said he was retired. And he seemed pretty torn up."

"Like, literally." Mia laughed. Tia hushed her, saying "Mia! Don't say that. Mater's our friend. The contract requires that we stand by him when he needs us."

Suddenly, a DING! DONG! came to the door. Tia said "I'll get it."

She went to the door, seeing a small wrapped box on the floor. She brought it back in, saying "this is weird."

"What is it?"

"It's for Mater." Tia said as she read the note on the box. "What do you think it is, Tia?"

Tia read the note aloud.

Dear TM,

Hope you enjoy the surprise,

Love from DD

"DD? Who's DD? Isn't that our headlight size?"

"Yeah. But... Hey, what's that ticking noise?" Mia said. Tia said "it's coming from the box."

She pressed her head against the ticking box. Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!

"Maybe it's a clock." Tia said. Mia thought to herself as the ticking got louder. "DD. DD. Who's D... oh God! Tia, get away from the..."

BOOOOOOMMMMMM! a mighty explosion shook the office, blackening the room in a heap of smoke and knocking Mia on the ground. She coughed through the smoke, gasping as she screamed "TIA!"

She crawled to her sister, who was sitting covered in smoke on the floor, next to the remains of the explosion. Mia picked Tia up, saying "Tia. Are you okay? Say something. Tia!"

"M... Mi... Mia..." Tia said.

"Yeah. What is it, Sis?"

"G... Ge... Get... Mater." Tia said before collapsing. Mia began sniffling, before screaming "HELP! SOMEONE HELP! TIA!"