Alicia—Bob Hoskins is RETIRING? NOO! He can't! They're making a Roger Rabbit sequel, and it won't be the same without him!
Jenna—Warning: the chapters following this one will have dangerously high levels of weasels. Reader discretion is advised. ;)
AL19—Her name is Lena Hyena, and…let's just say that she's going to play a slightly larger role in the story. I love the scene in the bar when Roger's singing! You'll see what I'll do with that later!
Okay, two important announcements for you all. One: I have said this before, and I'll say it again. If you have not checked out the deleted scene from Roger Rabbit, I strongly encourage that you do so now. This is your last chance. Two: SERIOUSLY? I've gotten over EIGHTY visitors for this story! REVIEW, DARN IT! Please? :)
Chapter Nine
Smuggling a Toon rabbit into the Terminal Station Bar wasn't easy. Roger kept squirming beneath the trench coat that Eddie wore, trying desperately to get away. "Do you want for us to help you?" Jenna growled as the bunny kicked.
"Where are we going? Who turned out the lights?" The celebrity regurgitated classic cartoon lines, but they sighed in relief when Eddie spotted Dolores waiting tables. He called her over, and shoved Roger down when he poked his head out of Eddie's collar.
"Is that a rabbit in your pants or are you just happy to see me?" Dolores asked, staring at the bulge in Eddie's pants.
"Cut the comedy, Dolores," Eddie hissed, dragging her off. "I've had a very bad day." He led the rest of them to a secret room…a hidden one behind the wall! It was darker and messier than the rest of the bar, but still, pretty cool. Posters of miscellaneous people (most of whom were women) covered the walls, cobwebs clung to the wooden furniture, and the boards squeaked and creaked…
"This is so cool," Lulu gushed, looking around. "I've never been in a speakeasy!"
"What's a speakeasy?" Jenna asked, impressed by everything that she could see. Roger had hit his head on the single source of light: a lamp hanging from the ceiling. It swung back and forth, casting eerie shadows over everyone.
"This is where people used to come and drink during probation," Lulu explained. "I've never seen one in person!"
"And there's a reason for that: people aren't supposed to know about them," Dolores reminded her.
"Your secret is safe with us," Jenna promised, crossing her heart.
"Can you help Eddie?" Alicia asked Dolores, changing the subject. Eddie showed her the handcuffs that held him and Roger together.
"I have some things he can use," Dolores replied, opening an old tool box that stood off to the side. She handed him a handsaw, and Eddie got to work.
"Watch your wrist," Alicia advised.
"It's harder than it looks!" He complained. He was resting his confined hand on top of a wobbly box, and it kept shaking as he moved the saw.
"Does this help?" Roger asked, sliding his hand out of the cuffs and balancing the box.
"Yeah, thanks," Eddie told him gratefully…then gave Roger the evil eye when he put two and two together. The rabbit hastily slid his wrist back into the cuff, but it was too late.
"You mean you could have removed yourself at ANY TIME?" Eddie almost shouted.
"Not at any time! I can only when it's funny!" Eddie lunged at him, but Roger escaped, bounding across the room and landing in one of those fun rotating chairs that you see in fast-food restaurants. "Come on, Eddie, lighten up!"
"Is he always this funny, or only on days when he's wanted for murder?" Dolores wondered sarcastically.
"Listen, my philosophy is this: if you don't have a good sense of humor, then you're better off dead!" Roger said earnestly.
"If you're not careful, you will be!" Lulu scolded as he began giggling in his high-pitched voice.
"Can he stay here?" Jenna asked worriedly.
"If it's not too much trouble," Lulu added. "We can't have him back at Eddie's in case the Toon Patrol comes back."
"Does he have to?" Dolores asked when she saw Roger running a nail file through his ears, grinning blissfully and sighing contentedly. She gave in when she saw the pleading glances the girls were sending her. "Fine," she groaned, walking over to help Eddie free himself. "Is there anything else I can do to help?"
"Could you drop by probate court? See who who's poking around Acme's estate," Eddie suggested, and Dolores nodded.
"Yeah, check the probate! My Uncle Bugs had problems with his probate, and he had to take these really big pills and drink LOTS of water!" Roger interrupted.
"Not prostate, you idiot, PROBATE," Eddie corrected impatiently.
"So what are we gonna do now?" Lulu asked, looking at Eddie intently.
"How would you girls like to swing by the Ink and Paint Club again for old times' sake?"
"We went there for the first time yesterday," Alicia reminded him.
"All the more reason to go," he concluded triumphantly.
"Yeah, but Bongo's going to throw us out if he sees us there," Jenna pointed out. "What are we going to do about that?"
"Simple," Eddie said confidently…and the girls mentally raised a red flag. When the odds are in your favor…watch out, especially if you're with a not-so-popular private eye.
Review, please! :)
