February 10, 2006 5:30 pm
That evening, Yakko stayed out of Bugs' way to avoid suspicion. He couldn't let Bugs know how excited he was to sneak out. The eldest Warner stayed in his room, hanging upside down off his bed, listing off the intel and gizmos he had acquired earlier in the day. Rehearsed mental notes on how to casually interrogate the party hosts? Check. A distraction to keep Clyde quiet? Check. Party attire? Check. Transportation to Mickey's house? Check. Mickey Mouse's home address? Check. He'd have to remember to return Bugs' address book to his desk later. Validated miscellaneous party information from the biggest name in Hollywood? Check, and thank you Steven.
"I'd show all of this in a flashback, but that would take too long. I wanna get to the main event before this chapter's over." Yakko explained to thin air. A knock sounded on his door. Yakko flipped right side up just before the door slid open.
"Girl entering the room." Dot warned as she peeked her head inside. "Bugs wants to see you downstairs." She informed Yakko.
"And I just want to see him leave." Yakko muttered, pushing himself off the bed.
"Then you'd better hurry downstairs. He's waiting to say goodbye to everybody." Dot chimed. The youngest Warner left Yakko's sight in a hurry. He ran after her with exaggerated speed. Within seconds Yakko caught up to her past the kids' bedrooms. Their white feet blurred in a swift cycling motion.
"So, who do you think took longer getting gussied up? Bugs or his date?" Yakko asked.
"Definitely Bugs." Dot answered. The siblings rode half the railings down the stairwells to the main floor. More than once, Yakko kicked a camouflaged lever at the top of the stairs that changed the stairs into a ramp. He and Dot made faster time, sliding on their bellies. On the main stairwell to the lobby however, Yakko and Dot ran down the steps. As if Bugs didn't know what they had done. Yakko and Dot regrouped with their brother, under the lobby's crystal carrot chandelier. Yakko felt somewhat confused, seeing no one else around.
"Did we miss him?" Yakko beseeched his brother. Wakko opened his mouth to answer.
"Don't sound so eager, Doc." Bugs voice sounded. Yakko flinched in surprise. The ajar front door swung open, revealing the guardian rabbit dressed in his black tuxedo with red bowtie and belt. Pants were never part of the outfit. The evening's fading light painted a soft glow around the rabbit. Yakko shot a glare at Wakko. The middle Warner shrugged.
"The limo's already here. Bugs and Clyde are outside." Wakko answered as if no interruption had occurred. Bugs leaned one hand on the doorway and grabbed a carrot from his hammerspace with the other. He patiently snacked as Clyde scurried passed him to join the ranks with the Warners. The little rabbit stood at attention beside Yakko.
"Well now dat you're all here, give me hugs so I can leave you four alone wit' some peace of mind." Bugs advised. Wakko stepped up first. The rabbit knelt down and wrapped the middle Warner in his arms.
"You don't have to worry about us, Bugs." Wakko reassured.
"Apparently I do have to worry about your chronic case of 'insomnia'." Bugs chided halfheartedly. The rabbit patted Wakko's cap covered head. Wakko hated the feeling that Bugs was already onto them. By tomorrow morning they would surely be grounded. Dot approached the rabbit for a hug next. Bugs held the youngest Warner tight. Dot gave a warm smile when he released her. When it came Yakko's turn, Bugs grasped Yakko's shoulder first.
"You're in charge, Doc." Bugs assigned. "Don't do anyt'ing I would do."
"Right." Yakko affirmed, taking the initiative to embrace Bugs. The rabbit decided he'd got his point across, and hugged back. In the split second Yakko was blind to Bugs' face, Bugs glanced Clyde's way, reminding his double agent who was really left in charge. Clyde winked back. Bugs moved on to his nephew. He petted Clyde's back, giving him the least constricting hug out of all four of them. It was clear at least to Clyde, that the Warners were Bugs' main concern at the moment.
"Dat's bettah." Bugs remarked, straightening out his half tux. "Alright. Eat up what's left ovah of da leftovahs in th' fridge, be in bed before midnight, and feel free to do da usual shenanigans until den. I just ask dat der' be no overnight guests or waking of da neighbors." He instructed. "Oh, and in case of an emoigency don't hesitate to give a buzz. Got it?" The rabbit added. The kids mumbled acknowledgements. Yakko demonstrated his understanding by summoning a sleek silver electric hair clipper from his hammerspace. The device gave off a buzzing noise. Yakko lifted his brother's hat, shaved a stripe down Wakko's head, and returned the hat which completely covered up the bald stripe. Wakko paid no mind to the gag.
"Very good, Doc." Bugs dryly praised. "I'll see you in da mornin'." He said as he turned for the door.
"Don't have too much fun, Bugs." Yakko teased.
"No guarantees." Bugs countered over his shoulder. The rabbit marched out the castle, swinging the door shut behind him. The Warners remained still another minute, listening to the limousine drive off. Once the humming engine sound drifted into silence, the Warners simultaneously turned their heads towards their honorary cousin. A single mischievous thought ran through their minds.'Now to silence Clyde.'
"So what's on the agenda for tonight?" Clyde asked nervously. He didn't like the way they stared him down.
"We're gonna watch another movie. I think you'll like it." Yakko baited. He pulled a VHS tape from his hammerspace and handed it to Wakko. The middle Warner analyzed the secret weapon. Suddenly Wakko dashed off through the grand hall with the VHS in hand.
"Oh, what is it?" The kit wondered. His eyes tracked Wakko curiously. Yakko gestured to go with Wakko.
"Let's just say it's the cure for our problems." He riddled.
February 10, 2006 5:55 pm
The white text 'A C. Booring Film' slowly came into focus on a black screen, followed by the title 'The Anvil Story'.
A low voice crooned as the opening credits faded in.
"Anvilainiaaaaaaa..."
"Anvilainiaaaaaaa..."
"Anvilai-ai-ai-niaaaaa."
Clyde planted his face into his beanbag chair, fast asleep. His straight ears slowly relaxed against his cheeks. Wakko tiptoed out of the TV room. Meanwhile Dot delicately draped a blanket over Clyde's shoulders. She left the T.V. on, hoping the dull, white noise would keep Clyde in a boredom induced nap. Dot made her way out and Wakko gently shut the door with a victorious smirk on his face. The Warner sister opted another plot to keep Clyde subdued, by taking a wooden chair from her hammerspace and jamming the backrest under the doorknob.
"That won't hold him." Wakko observed.
"But it'll keep him away from the phone for another five minutes." Dot reasoned. Wakko nodded in agreement. Just then Yakko trotted up to his siblings. Bugs' little black phone/address book shifted between Yakko's fingers.
"He's out cold?" Yakko perceived.
"Uh-huh." His brother confirmed.
"Great. I just got off the phone with our ride. He'll be here any minute." Yakko notified.
"I'll go get my pearls and princess gown." Dot chimed, trotting passed Yakko. But the eldest Warner dashed ahead of Dot, stopping her in her tracks.
"No time for that, sister sib. Just make do with what you've got on ya when we get there." Yakko ordered. He folded his arms, showing no trace of leniency. It was no secret that Dot carried a trunk full of dresses on her at all times. She could try on something from her room or spin into one of her on-hand favorites, and look just as nice. The only difference was in her room she had the luxury of a mirror. A hypnotizing luxury at that. Yakko deemed they would make much better time if she spin changed into something upon arrival, just like her brothers. Dot scowled at him.
"Boys." She groaned in defeat. Without further argument Dot lead the way outside to the front yard. Yakko flicked a light switch before shutting the door. Two lampposts glowed at the end of the drive. Their light illuminated the hedges bordering the lawns. The Warner trio sat down on the warm cement drive. Acme Acres' dusk sky covered the land in dark blues and purples.
"By the way, Wak. I forgot to ask earlier." Yakko piped up. "Last night, what was Bugs like during Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"
"Normal." Wakko reported, a bit baffled by the fact. "He didn't act provoked at all." Yakko looked at his brother strangely, then accepted the answer.
"Well that lead was a dead end." Yakko assessed disappointedly. He flipped through the pages of Bugs' phone/address book out of boredom. Soon the Warners lifted their heads at the sound of a sputtering engine. A small car zipped around the hedge and straight up the drive. Oval headlights blinked at the Warners. Suddenly the sputtering car reared up on its oversized rear tires like a horse, in order to stop on a dime. The anthropomorphic car panted loudly. Under his drooping blue eyes/headlights, the car's tongue dangled out of his mouth.
"Howdy, lil' buddies. My name's Tinker and this here's Speed Buggy." The driver introduced. The Warners stood up.
"We're the Warner brothers!" Yakko and Wakko chorused.
"And the Warner sister." Dot finished. It wasn't hard to see that Wakko and Dot's friendly smiles were forced. Neither of the two were thrilled about Yakko's choice of transportation.
"Don't mind Speed Buggy. He's just used to driving in the slow lane now-a days." Tinker smiled.
"Puh-puh-puh I still got it. Puh-puh-puh Vroom!" Speed Buggy argued. The little car was an orange fiberglass dune buggy. Wakko recognized Speed Buggy from somewhere, but couldn't put his finger on it. However the red haired driver in the green jumpsuit was a complete stranger to him. Wakko chewed his tongue thoughtfully. Were these characters really friends of Bugs?
"Iverdray ulliblegay." Yakko clued his siblings. "C'mon! Bugs is waiting on us at Mickey's!" He urged, nudging his siblings forward. Wakko and Dot shared a grin, and hopped into the dune buggy's backseats. They got it now. Tinker thought Bugs was early to the party, and Mickey would think Bugs was running late. And no one would suspect the Warners were really on their own. It was the perfect ploy. Yakko sat down in the passenger seat, and presented a page of Bugs' little black book to Tinker. "You don't need this, do you?" He questioned. Yakko already told Tinker Mickey Mouse's address over the phone, but offered it just to be sure.
"Nope. I got it all up here." Tinker assured, tapping his head.
"Oh, so that's what's making the sound of rusted gears turning." Yakko blurted before he could show any self control.
"Huh?" Tinker uttered. Yakko waved it off.
"Nothing. Just drive." Yakko sighed. Tinker complied.
"Alright, Speedy. To Mouseton, and fast." Tinker commanded. He reconsidered the order. "Just don't over do it." Tinker added.
"Rodger dodger, Tink. Vroom-a-zoom-zoom!" Speed Buggy exclaimed. The dune buggy bounced into the air, did a one hundred eighty degree spin, landed on his tires, and rocketed off. The force of the dune buggy's toon speed knocked Yakko to the back of his seat. After the shock of the take off, Yakko found he could still move and retain his usual shape, even at extreme toon speed. The Warners' home on the grassy hillside near the beach vanished in a cloud of exhaust. Green lawns and forest dwindled out as Speed Buggy raced to downtown Acme Acres. The eldest Warner decided to rest his eyes for a while. However he quickly learned sleeping in this car was impossible. Speed Buggy's stunt driving that jostled Yakko around was an annoyance. But what really kept Yakko awake was Speed Buggy's sputtering engine that would never shut up. Despite this, Yakko tried to relax the rest of the way.
Their drive through Toontown was as relaxing as could be expected. Wakko kept pleading for Tinker to let him drive. Tinker began his every line of disapproval with the word 'Golly'. Dot casually tallied how many falling pianos almost hit them. And the road rage from all the drivers (and cars) around them was a constant. That is until the dune buggy passed a welcome sign wearing black mouse ears. Yakko opened his eyes when he noticed a lack of commotion. He looked around at the neatly drawn, sleepy suburbia they had entered, and cringed when he felt a Goof Troop vibe coming on.
"We must be getting close." Yakko murmured.
Speed Buggy easily zoomed to the next town over: Mouseton. With the dune buggy's remarkable speed, they made it to Mouseton in twenty-one minutes flat. The town showed signs of a new generation growing around the old. Structures of the 1930's were redrawn and camouflaged in a 1990's animation style. The streets were deserted. Most store windows were dark. On the outskirts of town, Speed Buggy took a sharp right and climbed up a giant slope. The Warners leaned in, seeing that the sidewalk had disappeared into a sheer drop. Way up on the winding road the passengers beheld a breathtaking view of Mouseton. Ahead, the road curved around a steep cliff, up to the top of the hillside. The peak glowed from the masses of lights emitting from the magnificent blue castle and its courtyard. Every window blazed golden yellow, and spotlights danced across the walls. The only sign of darkness was the evening sky above.
'Everybody in town must be up there.' Wakko thought.
"So, how long have you guys known Bugs?" Dot inquired after a long silence.
"Golly! As long as I can remember. Bugs was always walking in on recording sessions, interrupting Mel just to say hi to him. Of course security always tried to boot him out. But they were no match for Bugs. Anyway, Bugs started hanging around more and started stoppin' by to see us too. The Speed Bugs, that is." Tinker reminisced.
"You knew Mel Blanc?" Dot realized.
"Knew him? Why he only gave Speed Buggy one of his voices." Tinker beamed.
"Puh-puh-puh, heh-heh. One in one-thousand! Puh-puh, heh-heh-heh." Speed Buggy giggled. The buggy revved up one last boost to the hill's summit. Then Speed Buggy hit the brakes, and coasted to the gate. His wheels sagged tiredly. The buggy, human, and Warners slowly gazed up, further marveling the estate. The giant iron gate, topped with a shield and hidden Mickey, protected the hidden Mickey spired castle and everything inside. From the left side a rectangle driveway laid out a space for a plethora of guests' horse drawn carriages. A paved walkway and steps weaved right to the castle's massive front doors. Out on the front lawn, aligned with the doors, three circular fountains splashed and sparkled. From the right side, the lawn dipped down into a creek that flowed around the castle.
The castle grounds were also filled with movement. Everywhere, party guests of all shapes, sizes, and colors wandered and showed their unique behaviors. In the creek, a yellow and blue striped fish breached the water, just as a green fish tail rose up and splashed him. Across the creek, eight tan coated lionesses purred in King Simba's company. By the fountains, two elderly matriarch elephants, one from Africa and one from India, shared stories about their sons. Up in the spires Peter Pan, the lost boys, and the two Darling boys played tag. But they scattered in fright, when the tallest spire unfurled itself into a winged monster. Chernobog glowered down on the castle grounds. The dark god outstretched his arms and wings. Just when it seemed he would strike his fists down on the guests in the courtyard, Chernabog folded his arms. He restrained himself from stealing any souls, and watched them carry on about their lives. On the roof in Chernabog's shaddow, a lanky mouse hunched over the castle wall like a gargoyle. Finished with his ominous entrance, Mortimer Mouse stood up straight, and dusted off his tan suit.
"Yeah, I'm here too." Mortimer sneered at the fourth wall. "What can I say? Mickey invited me. The chump's very forgiving." The tall mouse then turned his back on the dark god, to find a way downstairs to the party. Meanwhile, back at the castle gate, Yakko remembered he and his sibs were on a mission.
"Well thanks for the ride, guys. We'll be seein' ya." Yakko spoke up. He jumped out of the buggy with Wakko and Dot in tow.
"Golly! Now that's a creepy ghoul! Are you kids sure you wanna go in there?" Tinker cowered, not taking his eyes off of Chernabog. Wakko's right eye twitched. If he had to hear the word 'golly' one more time...
"We're positive." Wakko groaned.
"Alright. Have a fun time." Tinker gulped. "Head for home, Speedy." The driver ordered. But the buggy's engine stalled.
"Puh-puh. But I don't see Bugs anywhere! Puh-puh-puh-puh." Speed Buggy interjected.
"He's waiting for us inside. We can find him from here." Yakko misinformed confidently.
"Puh-puh-puh. Well maybe we should stick around, puh-puh-puh to say hi to him. Puh-puh." Speed Buggy suggested.
"Now c'mon, Speedy. We can't just waltz in uninvited." Tinker disagreed.
"Mmph... Well I don't know. Puh-puh-puh-puh." Speed Buggy hesitated. Dot felt surprised Speed Buggy was genuinely concerned for the safety of three kids he just met. Tinker stepped out of the vehicle and started walking back down the winding road.
"Okay Speedy. If you wanna wait for Bugs out here that's fine." Tinker hollered over his shoulder. "But don't be surprised when a band of spooky villains comes by."
"Puh-puh-puh-puh. Villains?" Speed Buggy queried. Tinker slowed his pace, knowing he had Speed Buggy hook, line, and sinker.
"Oh, sure. Evil pirates, lonesome ghosts, dragons, gods of death..." He listed off. The Buggy suddenly swerved around.
"Puh-puh. Wait for me, Tink! Vroom! Puh-puh-puh. Vroom-a-zoom-zoom!" Speed Buggy called. Not a second later, Speed Buggy rammed into his friend. Tinker's knees buckled. He slid backwards over the buggy's short hood, and fell into the driver's seat. The Warners watched their escorts flee down the hillside.
"I almost feel guilty about tricking him." Dot admitted.
"Tinker?" Wakko queried.
"No. Speed Buggy. He was a cute little character." Dot answered.
"Well it's time, sibs. The moment of truth." Yakko proclaimed, facing the castle again. He spin changed into a black tux and blue bow tie. Wakko spun into a tux and bowtie mirroring Yakko's. The middle Warner kept his red cap as part of the ensemble of course. Dot twirled into a magenta, straight neckline, dress, and switched out her yellow flower barrette for a pink one.
"You think the answers to all our questions are in there?" Dot questioned Yakko.
"I hope so." The eldest Warner replied. "Remember to stay on your guard around Oswald, till we know what kind of trouble our special friend will be." Yakko reminded. He took a breath. "Let's go." The Warners strode five or so steps up to the iron gate. Yakko reached to push it open. Suddenly a large hand shot out on the other side, and grasped the gate with such force it made the gate rattle. Yakko withdrew his hand, and sized up the toon who held the gate shut; a burly Arab man in a turban.
"Name?" The large man grumbled. His opened mouth revealed he was missing a tooth.
"I'm Yakko."
"I'm Wakko."
"And I'm cute." The Warners routinely announced.
"That'll be under 'Bunny'." Yakko notified.
"You're not on the list." The man growled, without breaking eye contact with Yakko.
"Could you at least check?" Yakko challenged.
"I don't need check to know you're not welcome here, ink stain. Now get lost!" The guard barked. The Warners shared sly glances to one another.
"Hey, what's that on your shoulder?" Wakko asked. The guard looked over his right shoulder, and was shocked to find Yakko and Dot had jumpcut behind him. "No, no! The other one." Wakko voiced. The guard turned his head again, and found Wakko perched on his broad, left shoulder. Wakko kissed the man on the nose, and pulled his turban down over his eyes. The man violently thrashed, trying to yank the turban off his face. Once he succeeded he glared daggers at the ground where Yakko and Dot once stood. Registering they weren't there, the guard growled in frustration.
"Did you lose something?" Dot cooed. The guard whipped around. Yakko, Wakko, and Dot made Gookie faces at him from outside the gate.
"Why you little jackals!" The guard bellowed.
"Goodnight everybody." Yakko beamed, blowing a kiss. Dot reached through the gate to pinch the guard's face.
"That's some imagination you've got there. But we're not jackals." Dot teased. She slipped a white box between the bars, and opened the lid. "This is a jackal." A wild canine sprang from the box with gaping jaws. The animated jackal extended its body so its front half chomped at the guard's face, while its bottom half stayed planted in the box. Above the screaming and ink-thirsty barking, a shrill voice broke up the commotion.
"Razoul! What's going on out here?" Minnie Mouse snapped. The fem mouse held her lavender princess gown with both hands, to swiftly march over to the guard. Just as soon as Dot's shapeshifting pet retreated back into its box, the Warners animated three golden halos over their heads. Razoul analyzed the black claw and teeth marks on his arms, before glaring daggers at the Warners. Minnie stepped between the Warners and Razoul, and crossed her arms. "Well?"
"These scoundrels tried to sneak in." Razoul roared. While Razoul didn't have an iron grip on the gate, Yakko pushed it open with ease.
"Ehhhhhh, 'tried' implies that we made an effort to sneak in. Which we didn't." Yakko commented.
"Yeah. 'Cause you're a push over." Wakko agreed. Razoul's fists tightened. Minnie stood her ground.
"Let them stay." She said firmly.
"What?!" Razoul burst. "But these outsiders were not invited!"
"We're not arguing animation origins tonight, Razoul. Check the honored guests." Minnie countered. The Warners didn't know it, but the party hosts used the term 'honored guest' to describe any toon who assisted in finding or guarding a clue to Walt's lost treasure, many years ago. And Bugs was one of them. Razoul summoned a scroll from his hammerspace, and read through the names. After a long glare at the Warners, he stepped aside.
"Thank you." Minnie stated. She walked back to the castle with her head held high. The Warners stayed close by her. "And Razoul..." Minnie called without looking back. "Next time don't assume a toon's studio defines them. If we all did that, Oswald wouldn't be here." She advised. The Warners made a mental note of Minnie's moral.
"So... what does your bouncer have against Warner Brothers?" Yakko wondered.
"Nothing really. I'm sorry that happened." Minnie apologized. "Some toons just prefer to keep close ties with other toons from their studio, and no one else." She explained. "But don't let that ruin your night. You're welcome here." Minnie assured. She lead them across the lawn, to the winding sidewalk.
"Good to be here." Dot responded politely.
"Mickey will be so glad you came." Minnie imagined. In mid step up three stone stairs, Minnie paused. She looked over the Warners curiously. "I should ask. Where's Bugs?" Minnie questioned.
"He's running late." Yakko lied.
"Yeah. He said he'd catch up with us later." Wakko aided. Minnie bought the lies immediately.
"Oh, well that's fine." She accepted. Minnie grabbed her PDA from her hammerspace, and skimmed the screen. Then she returned the PDA behind her. "Come in, and enjoy the party. I've got to go make my rounds, before the next minor disaster strikes. If there's anything you need, just holler." She offered.
"Actually we'd like to meet..." Dot began. In a flash her brothers ran across the lawn and dove heads first into the creek. Minnie covered her mouth in shock. Dot stretched her neck to see what grabbed her brothers' attention. Upstream, two aquamarine colored mermaid tails splashed. Air bubbles leaked the boys' catcall to the surface.
"Helloooo nurse!" The boys howled. Suddenly the boys were off, in pursuit of the mermaids.
"Oswald?" Dot finished. Minnie looked surprised; more at Dot than her brothers. Then she smiled.
"Okay. Let's see if we can find him." She replied. Dot joined the party hostess inside the castle.
Meanwhile, Yakko and Wakko swam like penguins at swift speeds after the mermaids. Surprisingly the creek was fairly deep by three foot tall toon standards. When the Warner Brothers were close enough to the mermaids, they stopped propelling their legs. Gently the boys glided within arms reach of the mermaids. The finned beauties gave Yakko and Wakko passing glances, then whipped their tails against the boys' faces in the process. Yakko and Wakko accidentally inhaled water in shock, and bolted to the surface. Seconds prior, a timid little elephant stuck his trunk in the creek to get a drink away from the elephants overcrowding the Mickey shaped fountain. Suddenly the Warners erupted from the creek in a coughing fit. The baby elephant stumbled back in fright, and cocooned his face in his giant ears. After Yakko and Wakko expelled all the water in their lungs, they noticed the shivering elephant at the water's edge.
"Sorry about that." Wakko apologized. Dumbo tentatively unveiled his face. "I wouldn't drink this stuff anyway, Dumbo. This water's got chlorine in it." Wakko discouraged. Dumbo hung his head in disappointment. He started to wander away. Feeling a sense of pity, Wakko whistled for Dumbo's attention. The baby elephant's ears perked up and fanned out. The middle Warner took a sealed water bottle from his hammerspace, and chucked it Dumbo's way. Instantly the baby elephant bounded into flight, catching the water bottle mid air. Dumbo raised the water bottle up with his trunk in salute to Wakko, as he soared over the castle wall. Yakko flicked drops of water at his brother's face. "Hey, do you think we should've stayed with Dot?" Wakko inquired out of the blue.
"Nah. We'll cover more ground this way. Besides, there's more fish in the pond." The eldest Warner insisted. Together the Warner brothers plunged back underwater. Their finned fixations were gone, but the brothers had a hunch where they had disappeared to. On the castle side of the creek, the water flowed into a side tunnel. It looked like an escape route Bugs would have if there was a stream around half his property. Leaning in closer, the Warner Brothers could see streaks of light, and hear the distinct sound of steel drums. Yakko led the way. He followed the music for ten long seconds. Then Yakko kicked his way out of the underwater hole in the wall, followed by Wakko. Suddenly the clearest sound flooded the brothers' ears. They sensed the music all around them, though the rhythmic sounds originated from the marine life band at the shallow end of the pool. Tropical fish, some hand-drawn and some computer generated, formed a conga line. The fish were accompanied on the underwater dancefloor by merfolk, sea turtles, octopuses, dolphins, and even a crocodile with a strange tick. A Jamaican crustacean conducted the band.
"Sing with me now!" Sebastian cheered.
Yakko and Wakko would have stayed underwater longer, entranced by the colorful surreality, but their lungs craved air. The Warner Brothers swam up toward the light. As soon as their heads broke the surface, Yakko and Wakko exhaled and wiped their faces. Still blinking the chlorine out of their eyes, the brothers paddled over to the nearest edge. Wakko kept his blurry vision locked on the water just ahead of him, until he spotted something red in the water. At the same moment, Yakko lightly shoved Wakko on the shoulder. Wakko wiped his eyes a second time, and realized it was a mermaid tail, swishing in the pool. His gaze slowly lifted from her tailfin to her face. The mermaid wore her bleach blonde hair in a loose ponytail. Her light bangs hung over one blue eye. And her red seashell top matched her fins.
"Um, you're staring at my tail." The mermaid remarked unsurely. Wakko wasted no time boosting to the pool's edge, to rest his elbow on floor level and his chin in his hand.
"You can stare at mine if you want to." Wakko purred. The blonde mermaid lifted her tail out of the pool and tucked it behind her.
"Why are you swimming in your tux?" The mermaid asked. Admittedly, Wakko felt a little embarrassed for looking like the guy at the pool party who didn't want to get wet, but fell in the pool anyway. But he kept playing his game with the mermaid, without missing a beat. The middle Warner did a spin change, creating a whirlpool around him. He hopped up in the mermaid's lap, sporting cerulean blue swim trunks.
"This better?" Wakko boasted, flexing his nonexistent muscles. The mermaid inched back, not knowing what to do.
"Um, girls?" She called for help.
"We know, Arista." One of her sisters flatly answered. Wakko looked behind the red tailed mermaid, discovering an in-floor Mickey shaped hot tub, full of mermaids. His tongue hung out of his mouth more than usual, as he marveled the enticing scene. The aquatic beauties were perfect except for one thing. Yakko saw them first.
"What took you so long, slowpoke?" Yakko teased. The eldest Warner continued to cuddle a pink tailed mermaid with blonde pixie hair. He nuzzled his backside against her breasts, gently lifted her wrists, and draped her arms across his chest. She giggled. "Hold me and don't ever let me go." Yakko pleaded, turning his head to brush his whiskers over her neck.
"I'll hold him!" A yellow tailed, dark brunette mermaid volunteered. Wakko took that as an invitation to jump into her arms before Yakko could. His plunge into the hot tub splashed heated water in the eager mermaid's face. She cradled him happily nonetheless.
"Adella! Don't encourage this." An orange tailed mermaid scolded. Her five pointed tiara held up her short brunette curls.
"But he's so soft. Like a kitten." Adella claimed.
"She's right." The mermaid cuddling Yakko, confirmed. Soon all six mermaids had their hands on the Warner Brothers. The girls massaged the Warners, playfully but with care as if they were handling pets. However, they unknowingly lulled Warner brothers into a trance of pure bliss. After a while, Yakko shakily looked up at the ceiling. Feeling light headed, Yakko suspected the hot tub was overheating him; along with another factor. He drowsily pried six or so hands off his belly and shoulders. Then he took a random mermaid's hand and kissed it. He didn't care which one.
"Wait for me." Yakko requested. The eldest Warner crawled out of the hot tub, and seated himself on the tiled floor. He tried to focus on something, anything before he started feeling sick. One character that caught his eye on the far side of the pool was Wendy Darling. Instead of wearing a modest one piece swimsuit from the 30's like every other woman in the room, Wendy still wore her party dress. Additionally, the girl occupied her time by stitching up a green fabric in her hands, rather than playing in the water. At least that was what Yakko could see, with an obese hippo obstructing his view. Most of Wendy's lower half was blocked by Hyacinth doing water ballet. Not that Yakko cared too much. It wasn't really his business what the young teen was doing. But Yakko watched her anyway. He decided he would watch her, until his head cooled down. "I suppose you don't watch people in malls or airports." Yakko justified.
But when Hyacinth sank underwater, Yakko was hit with a surprise so shocking it made his stomach jump. Standing perfectly in line with Wendy was a black inkblot rabbit. It was only noticeable now that Wendy had been smiling and nodding to the rabbit the whole time. The rabbit was draped shoulder to toe in a white towel. But the silhouette of the rabbit's head was a perfect match to what Yakko had researched on the web.
'Oswald!' Yakko recognized.
"Wakko! There he is!" Yakko exclaimed, forgetting his brother was entranced by the mermaids.
"Can we have a chapter break here? I wanna enjoy this for a while." Wakko swooned. Now the mermaids were letting Wakko kiss them on the cheek. Yakko knew he was powerless to separate Wakko from that. Frantically, Yakko looked back and forth between the black rabbit and the hot tub full of mermaids. He had to get over there before Oswald got away.
"Forget it!" Yakko gave up. He bolted across the tiled room, abandoning Wakko at the hot tub. None of the hot tub occupants batted an eye at Yakko's absence.
"You're great company, Wakko. You should call us some time." Adella suggested. Abruptly Wakko felt wide awake again.
"Oh, wait! I almost forgot. I need to call someone." Wakko remembered. Arista lifted a pink conch shell from her hammerspace.
"Shell phone?" Arista offered. Wakko took hold of the obvious pun he knew he should have anticipated. He dialed a number on the keypad, where the shell caved in. Wakko listened to five gurgling tones before the call went to voicemail.
"Hello. You've reached the home of Buster and Babs Bunny. Please leave a message." A static filled voice answered.
"Hey, Buster. It's Wakko." Wakko began. "You should've come with us. Yakko, Dot, and I are having a blast! If you still wanna show up, just tell the big palooka at the gate, you're with Bugs, and he'll let you in. I'll see ya later." Wakko reported. The shell phone left Wakko's ear so he could press pink the button labeled 'END'.