Hey Everyone! Well, its been a while since I've been here. I noticed there are a lot great stories on here that I need to catch up on here and AO3. Especially the famous "Family" which I see has finally been updated a while back. Awfully sorry for not swinging through here sooner! This was originally going to be based within the AU of my "Gang of Four" story. But I figured I would keep this loosely tied with the new reboot instead ( which I'm excited to watch the new season by the way!) I actually may consider doing a few one shot's based around that one story in the future. If you've read that story, feel free to let me know if that's something you want to see. But that's for another day. We'll enough talking. Here's a another short story from me. And just like my other stories, it'll be a little different than what you expect.

March 2019

Thaddeus Plotz trudged his tiny feet along the dirt path before he reached his destination. At the edge of the local park was a small bench that overlooked a large pond. It was always his preferred place to sit whenever he came here. The view was nice, the shade provided by the trees nearby was adequate, but what he really liked was that many of the locals didn't come out this far edge of the park. So he'd be able to sit in solitude. His content smile soured when he noticed the bench that was normally vacant was occupied for once.

"Outta the way, you bird brained flappers!" Slappy Squirrel yelled. The old gray squirrel swung her cane at a few geese that flapped in her direction. One of them tried to peck at her green hat before getting pelted by her purse. She then turned around to face him. "Well look who it is, Rip Van Winkle! What's with you?"

Plotz knew the nickname she uttered was no doubt directed towards his appearance as of lately. The white hair he usually kept trimmed that had now grown out on his sides. A tiny white stubble had formed under his chin. And the sharp custom fit blue suit he always wore, was traded out with normal casual clothes and a sun hat.

"I thought I'd be sitting alone today, looks like that's not happening" the old man grumbled.

Slappy rested her arms against the bench. "You know, this is a public park, in case you haven't noticed"

"What are you doing here?"

"Relaxing? Its what old folks do. So, your gonna sit?"

Plotz really didn't want to, he wasn't intending to have company today. A quiet moment alone is what he wanted. But the weather was nice enough, and he already went through the trouble of coming out here. Plus he supposed dealing with Slappy would be better than anyone else right now. It had been a while since he'd seen her.

So despite his better judgement, he sat down next her. They looked out on at the pond for several seconds, watching the lily pads glide across the water with the cool breeze. This spot always seemed to look a little different each time he came. The rose bushes he looked forward to see bloom had been replaced with some new bushes of orange poppies. Then Slappy broke the silence again.

"So, how does it feel to be retired?"

Plotz looked at her with a blank stare, he had a feeling she would ask that right from the start.

Starting today, it was exactly 6 months since his very last working day at Warner Bros. For some reason Plotz thought he'd be fully prepared to answer that question once he finally retired as the company's CEO. But once everything was said and done, things felt different. He couldn't really bring himself to describe how he felt right now. And he doubted Slappy would bother to care. So he went with the safe response.

"Its...fine. Quieter than I though it would be." he replied. The man's cranky demeanor was unusually reserved.

"So what have you been up to?"

"Nothing, just sitting at home. And coming here"

Slappy frowned for a brief moment at hearing that. "Really, that's it? Jeez, you're no fun."

Plotz crossed his arms. "Hmph. Some of us prefer to be no fun. How do you feel about being retired?"

Slappy said nothing at first. She shrugged before reclining back in the bench.

"It's alright, nothing like what the 'Golden Girls' made it out to be. Still love those broads. I just see what comes my way, and I'll enjoy it."

Plotz felt it was easy for her to say. She was already retired as a cartoon star long after the original shorts she made during the " golden age" of animation, before being brought back for the show Animaniacs. And after that she was retired once more.

"Last I checked you only enjoyed making cartoons. So what's stopping you from getting back into performing again?" Plotz asked.

She waived off his response. "Ahh, I had my shot as a leading woman and enjoyed for all its worth. Us fossils got to make room for the new sprouts to grow in."

Slappy was one of the few 'golden age' toons he knew personally aside from the major Looney Tunes cast. Aside from her mischievousness and thirst for bombs and explosions, he had a much better working relationship with her than with the others. But just like he wasn't planning on working forever, she wasn't planning on performing forever.

"Honestly, I don't blame you. The cartoon world is so much different now then it was our time." Plotz replied.

"Not necessarily, cartoons ain't changed that much. They're, speaking to a different audience. They ain't speaking to me but they're speaking to someone. Except that sponge guy, I don't know what he's speaking to nowadays."

"Ugh, tell me about." Plotz complained. "And will someone tell Batman to get his sidekick away from that bratty gang he's hanging out with?" Plotz added.

Slappy chuckled. "And you never know, For every new thing that comes along, there is always an old classic to cash in on. I think what's happening right now is proof in the pudding."

Plotz instantly knew what Slappy was referring to. Never in a million years would he have known what a huge success Animaniacs would be. But he was always aware that the show had huge cult following that always seemed to get bigger with each year. So he knew a reboot was going to come sooner or later. He'd already seen the older stars like the Looney Tunes dip up and down in popularity over the decades with different shows as a telling example. A new reboot would no doubt restart that nostalgic kick.

But much as he worked with television, he was no TV star. Probably the most hectic years of his life were within those four years back when the original show was brand new. The Warners alone were responsible for half the white hairs on his head. He vowed to make sure that when that day finally came, he'd be long gone to avoid being a regular participant.

"What made you decide to pick that new lady for the job? Surprisingly progressive of you, Plotz." Slappy asked. The person in question was Nora Rita Nortia, the current CEO that took over Warner Bros, and the first woman to do so in the history of the studio.

Plotz looked at her with offense. "What? Us bigwigs can't be with the times? She's punctual, no nonsense, fierce, but most importantly…." He then shuddered. "She scares me, and anyone that scares me can no doubt scare those Warners"

"With that logic, you might as well have got Mr. Director take over after you" Slappy retorted.

Plotz groaned, the last he heard from that guy he had quit to work elsewhere, and Plotz wasn't exactly all that sad to see him go. Mr. Director was probably one of the most difficult people he had to deal with in the history of Warner Bros, whether the man was going over budget on a upcoming movie or triggering the CEO's little known fear of clowns. So he was always pleased whenever the Warners had an episode that kept him in check. In fact "Hello Nice Warners", happened to be his personal favorite episode in the entire show.

"Don't get me started," he responded, before saying the director's familiar catchphrase. "Oy, Fronlayvin!"

"Ohhh, nice Warners!" Slappy wailed nasally in a almost perfect Jerry Lewis like impression of the character. "Please no, with the hitting and the anvils and things!"

Plotz couldn't help but chuckle at what she said. The sight of the bi polar prima donna getting clobbering by the trio always tickled him. He wished it happened more often. After realizing he had been chuckling a lot longer than usual, he reclaimed his composure with a clear of his throat.

"Hah, that's first time in years I ever heard you laugh. And here I though you no longer had a funny bone in your body" Slappy said.

"Slappy, there is nothing funny about working in the entertainment business"

"Ehh, I might disagree with that, doc. You got to make it funny"

Plotz shrugged. "Fair"

"But, they're gonna let me come in for a cameo in the reboot. Maybe if they like me enough they'll actually bother to have me in the second season." Slappy continued dryly. "Whatever happens, I really don't care. I heard they really wanted you back for the show"

"Oh, yes!" Plotz answered, furrowing his bushy brows. "Of all the times to do it, they ask me when I'm leaving! They actually considered having me come back as a ghost that's haunting the studio. The executive who pitched that to me even had the nerve to say I'd be Warner Bros. new version of the 'Funky Phantom!"

Plotz remembered being so offended and livid at the idea, security had to escort the executive out before he could lay his hands on him.

Slappy flinched at the ridiculousness of the idea. "Yessh, dated yet tasteless.

Plotz nodded in agreement. "Thank you. If they want me dead so bad, they should just write me out completely."

"I still hear they got you in there one way or another"

Plotz rose two fingers. "It was only two things... My commissioned portrait still hangs in the CEO's office, Also they had me dub a tiny bit role in one of new Pinky and the Brain shorts.

Slappy sat up with surprise. "Ha! Really?"

"Oh, it wasn't anything important…but it was as much as I would do."

Plotz had almost all but forgotten about it. The short involved a dragon and had a medieval theme. In this particular case it was for one of side actors playing a king. Apparently the actor had really a thick accent that was hard to understand . So they reached out to the nearest person that would redub his lines at the last minute.

The two of them sat for a few more minutes. A couple of birds flew by and they fed them seeds. Even two of the Goodfeathers, Bobby and Squit, came by for a brief moment before they flew off.

"You know, since your not CEO. Your not an easy target for the Warners anymore."

Plotz didn't make eye contact as he tossed a few seeds to a sparrow, "That's correct"

"So, do you miss them?

He looked at her if that were a stupid question. "Of course I don't miss them! In order for that to happen they would have to go away!"

Her smile didn't change. "Yeah, sure"

"Those three were a serious liability to me! Now that they're not, they can do whatever they want at the studio, and I won't have to clean up the mess for once!"

Slappy rolled her eyes. "Sure you didn't miss them. That's exactly why you invited them to your retirement gathering."

Plotz's eyes widened. He was not expecting her to bring that up. "T-That was just to be courteous!"

She laughed. "That party was a hoot. You took that custard pie to face like a champ!"

Plotz cheeks flushed bright red. "Thanks, for reminding me about that."

"Admit, you've grown to like those three. I can see it in your eyes!

"I haven't!" Plotz said with clenched his teeth, hating the fact that he knew Slappy was right.

So what if he was a tiny bit fond of them? Its not like they saw him as a dad or anything like that, that duty belonged to Dr. Scatchensniff. Plotz did still get the occasional email from the trio, no doubt littered ramblings and jokes. They never called often. He made sure of that when he finally learned caller I.D. Even then, he didn't really talk to anyone outside of work. And from what he heard, the trio often made jokes at his expense at the various conventions they have attended. He figured they didn't miss him that much either. Still he continued to protest.

"Besides, I'm getting a private beach house to stay far away from here! They'll never guess where it is. Not them, or even you!"

"Let me guess, Nassau?"

"Dooh! What the-?! How did you-?!" Plotz stammered to figure out what to say to her accurate predication. She was right again. He couldn't never be as quick witted as her, and she knew it.

She gave a smug smile. "Relax Plotz, I'm just having some fun. You almost sounded like Ralph just now!"

"No I didn't! I hear that guy's been expanding his vocabulary lately." Plotz replied in defense of the dopey guard. That guy had somehow managed to hit a small soft spot with him.

"Yeah, he finally knows what a drone is. Stop the presses." she replied flatly. "Ahh, I kid. That guy's okay with me. Ever find out where Hello Nurse went off to?"

"Scratchensniff told me she moved to France to work with Doctors Without Borders. Apparently she likes to keep a low profile nowadays. Plus I hear she might have gone steady with some new guy."

Slappy chuckled. "Good for her, the Warner boys are gonna be crushed to hear about that last part."

Plotz held up his hands to play an imaginary fiddle. "Oh dear, how tragic. I'll write a song for them." His voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Honestly, considering the buzz around Lola Bunny in that upcoming Space Jam remake, I'd say she dodged bullet by not coming back. Being pretty has its drawbacks, that's why I never got plastic surgery."

Thank heavens, Slappy! No need to let a surgeon bare your wrath." Plotz remarked before he muttered. "Sides there are some special cases even those guys can't fix"

He yelped when Slappy cracked the edge of her cane against his temple.

"Watch it, Plotz! I may be old but I ain't senile enough to ignore that crack!"

"Ouch! Sorry. You still never told me what you been up to"

"Currently I'm occupying my time at this new acting school for toons. Every now and then I get asked to come in to teach a few classes. Normally, I'm not the lecturing type, but I tell you its hard to say no when the owner happens to be your nephew.

Plotz nearly jumped at the news. "Wait, What?! Skippy's got his own acting school?"

"You should really use social media more often, he posts about it all the time."

"Let me guess, its on one those new fangled sites like Myspace, or what's that site the president uses, Tweeter? Twatter?"

The squirrel stifled a chuckle. "Yakko would have a field day with what you just said!"

"What did I-? Nevermind."

"I'd love to stay and chat longer, but I got to get my tree home ready for my poker game this evening. Your welcome to come if your want."

Plotz was grateful to hear that she decided to make her visit brief. Now he'd be alone for sure.

"I'll pass"

"Suit yourself."

"Well, Good bye".

But just as Slappy stood up and began to leave, she stopped to looked at him, her coy smile had disappeared.

"You know, your not as cranky as you usually are."

Plotz folded his arms. "You say that like that's bad thing."

Her smile still hadn't returned. "Normally it is. But your a special case. So, what is it?"

Plotz sighed. He stared out at the pond before them. Their wrinkled faces rippling in the water. Slappy clearly knew something was still bothering him and it looked like she had no interest in leaving until he told her. So he had no choice but to come out and say it.

"For years, I've worked at Warner Bros. Dealing with the chaos and pandemonium that comes with it, it's good job, but its a tough one too. It gets too much after a while. But, its all I know how to do. And now, it's all over. Now they finally have someone new, and I'm some old has been who's knows his time is getting closer to the end. Well, what's left for me to do now?"

Slappy expression still didn't change, she sat back down and looked him right in his face.

"What kind of question is that?"

"What?"

"Ain't it obvious? Whatever you like! You can change your mind and come back, find another company who will put up with you, head out that 'secret' beach house of yours. Whatever you decide to do, I don't care, but do something you enjoy for once!"

Plotz turned his head away from her. "Well, what if I enjoy working?"

"You say that job is all you know how to do? I don't buy it! What about that dubbing joint you did? You could go into voiceover acting like Paulsen, or even that actor you like, Frank Welker."

"Slappy, I'm no actor! And there's no way I could reach Welker's level. Besides, I'm not a performer like you."

"Then join my nephews acting school, bud. Maybe he'll give you some tips you missed out on."

"I don't know, Slappy"

"There's a lot of things open for you to do now! As long as you want to do it, and it makes you happy, go for it."

Plotz didn't know what to say. He wasn't expecting to have somewhat serious conversation, and with Slappy of all people. But it he felt it was exactly the kind of reality check he needed. He hung his head, suddenly feeling really silly for even having these thoughts he had now.

She laid a hand on his shoulder. "Look, I get it. Your going through what I call a "senior funk" All us retirees go through the same thing, so I know you'll be able to tough it out too. Its just gonna take a while for you cause you've worked longer than most."

Plotz didn't want to admit that she had a point. But everything she said so far did make sense. He had enough sense to know it would take a while for a former workaholic like him to adjust. Maybe he could find a new venture to explore. He just wasn't expecting anyone he personally knew to understand that.

"I'll consider doing it. Thanks, Slappy."

Slappy took off one of her gloves to file her nails. "Ah forget it, I think those sappy Hallmark channel movies are rubbing off me." A sudden gust of wind blew her glove out of her hand. "Agh, Damn it!"

"Its okay, I got it. These old knees still work" Plotz told her. He knelt down in the grass to pick up her glove.

"There always a place for us toons. Even 'has beens' like you, Plotz. Think of it like an investment. Instead of investing in a business, invest in yourself for once. And, don't forget, you got an old cast full folks you can 'invest' in too."

Plotz stood back up, scoffing at the possibility that any of old cast members would want anything to do with him. "Please, they're probably glad I'm gone."

"Glad enough, to actually come to your gathering?"

Plotz hadn't thought of it that way. He suddenly remembered during the gathering, most of the cast did indeed come out, much to his surprise. He honestly though it was just for the free food provided by catering or because they came to see the Warners, not him.

Plotz didn't have a real answer to that. "Well...'

"Look, you never fired any of us. And we've sorta got used to your Napoleon-esque demeanor and short temper. Call it affection, or call it Stockholm syndrome. You're a cranky blowhard we love to hate"

Plotz reacted with an irritable grimace "Thank you, I feel all fuzzy inside."

He was well aware he didn't exactly have a radiant personality, she didn't have to throw it back in his face like that..

"And give us a call once in awhile, who knows? At least one of us will be willing listen."

Plotz brushed off the loose dirt that was on her glove. "Huh, you really believe that?"

"Sure, you believe me?"

Plotz was about to hand back her glove when he heard that. It was one of the very first things she ever told him over 70 years ago in the audition room, when he asked him if she had what it takes to work for Warner Bros. Several years later, she was still one of the most talented people he was fortunate to know. She proved she be trustworthy back then, he supposed that hadn't really changed today.

"Sure, I do" he said.

Plotz handed the glove to her. Slappy inched forward and gingerly pulled the glove away… only to reveal a pint sized stick of dynamite in his hand.

Plotz screeched . Despite his old age, he sprang out his seat, frantically stumbling away from the sparkling stick that gently rolled closer towards him. He was so focused on the stick that he forgot his bearings until he realized too late, and slipped into the pond.

Splash!

He ungracefully breached from the water just in time to see the small stick roll toward the edge of the pond , the fuse still burning before it fizzled out. Nothing happened. It was a dud. What did explode was Slappy, as she sprawled out on the bench howling with laughter. He couldn't believe it, Slappy had set him up with a practical joke, and an old one too!

Red faced and drenched, Plotz stumbled his way out of the pond and nearly tripped up on himself.

"Gah! What the hell?! Damn it Slappy!" he yelled at her.

Slappy laughed at him "There's the Plotz I know and love! God! Seventy plus years later and you still fall for that old gag!"

"That was childish and you know it!"

"Nope, that was comedy!"

"Ooh, You need to act your age!"

"Must of forgot, the childish side in me still thinks toons don't age!" She said, then chuckled at the irony of her own statement. Slappy then picked the dud off the ground. "Even Walter Wolf doesn't fall for that!"

Plotz took off his hat to wring out the excess water. "You and that wolf! I'm surprised you two haven't settled down already".

Suddenly the gray squirrel scowled at his statement. "Oh for Pete's sakes, you date a wolf one time and everyone thinks your hooked!"

Plotz smirked at her annoyance, realizing in a rare instance he had struck a nerve. He knew the two of them always had an antagonistic relationship, on and off the show.

"You two never hesitated to do one cartoon short together. I'd say that's more than hooked." he told her.

The squirrel brows arched deeper. "Its complicated!"

"Not so. Why would a wolf be so willing to work with you despite the fact that you blow him up all the time?!"

"So he's a glutton for punishment! You kink shaming him for that, Plotz?!"

Plotz marched out of the pond. " Admit it! You two are fond of each other!"

Flames practically burned in her eyes. "Your treading on thin ice, Plotz!"

"It's even hinted in the comics when you guys were superheroes!"

"No they haven't! Since when have those ever been cannon?!"

Plotz didn't let up as he was now right in her face. " Annnnd, need we bring up that incident in 68' behind Termite Terrace?"

Slappy clenched her fists. "Why I oughta! Thaddeus Plotz, you...!"

She get to didn't finish her statement when Plotz suddenly let out a hearty fit of laughter.

"Oh relax, Slappy! I believe you! I'm just having some fun." Plotz told her with a smug smile of his own.

The smile disappeared when he heard another fizzle followed by the scent of gun powder wafting up his nose. He looked down surprise to see a long stick of dynamite had been lodged halfway down his pants. And Slappy's fingers had doused the fuse.

"Good answer, Plotz." Slappy replied sternly. "That one wasn't a dud"

He gulped. "Um, thanks"

Slappy helped dry Plotz off, a couple minutes afterwards they decided to leave. The two of them continued to talk amongst each other as they walked away together.

When Plotz came to the park he wasn't expecting company, but now he has was glad he did, even it wasn't what he was expecting. The two of them always had a strange acquaintanceship. While Slappy could be zany and unpredictable, she was able to be brash and willing to show restraint, even despite her chaotic nature sometimes. That was something he always respected. Slappy may always a pest, but she was one he was willing to put with.

"So, when's your poker game? I'm in the mood to beat your tail off" Plotz told her. He barely noticed he was smiling when she finally replied back.

She looked at him with a warm smile. "You can try at 6"

I hope you all enjoyed that! I figured this would an interesting scenario to write. It was actually a lot harder to write this story than the last short story I did since these two are very cantankerous characters who also have very different personalities. Hopefully I did them justice. Plus, getting that balance between humor and drama is always my main concern of getting right. I realized it has been almost a year since I've posted on here, drawing and other life situations have gotten into my time write as usual. So you guys feedback always means a lot me. If you liked this story, feel free to check out my other ones such as; "Irreplaceable, and 'Gang of Four" So if I don't post anything new here in the next months, have a Happy Holidays everyone! Thanks again for reading!