-Petey: The bouncer-
"I swear if you come home with a ZPD recruitment flyer," Came a firm and annoyed voice over the speakerphone currently held in Petey's hoof.
"I mean Franky has been making some excellent points," Petey chuckled as the two large rhinos strolled side by side down the sidewalk.
Franky's eyes went wide in horror as he raised his hooves and started waving them around.
"Ariel I said nothing! I swear!"
The younger rhino then glared at his cousin.
"Why are you doing this to me, Petey?"
Petey chuckled at his cousin's reaction before looking back at his cellphone.
"Don't make me come out there and get you," Ariel responded from the small device. "I work too hard for my baby to go out playing cops and robbers."
"You are one big baby that's for sure," Franky chuckled as he eyed his larger cousin.
Petey had an embarrassed look on his face as he looked from his phone and then to his cousin.
"That's right and he is my big baby so no trying to Shanghai him into joining the ZPD or ZFD or whatever."
"Ariel I am insulted that you think so little of me," Franky said, putting a large hoof to his chest and feigning insult. "I would never let my cousin become a hose dragger.'
Petey raised a brow in confusion as Ariel's voice came over the phone's speaker.
"A what?"
"It's what we call firemammals," Franky explained with a chuckle.
"Been out of the academy for 2 months and already trying to pick fights," Petey snorted.
As the two cousins continued to stroll down the sidewalk the sun set over the horizon. Casting the city in a cool light as the many lights through the cities skyline turned on.
Zootopia always seemed to put on quite the light show every night. Something many of the citizens took for granted.
"Alright well I have to get to sleep, busy day at the office tomorrow," Ariel finally said over the phone, stifling a yawn.
"Gotta make that money so my cousin can be a good stay-at-home boyfriend eh?" Franky teased.
"Yes, and he is perfect at it," came a giggle from the phone.
Petey looked at his cousin and grinned, "You're just jealous I know how to keep my lady happy."
"All night long baby," Ariel teased which caused the two males to burst out into laughter.
"Alright night Franky, love you," Ariel said with a yawn.
"Love you too cuz," Franky said as he grinned at the phone.
Though not technically married everyone treated Ariel like she was part of the family. Which was an ongoing joke since Petey always seemed to get nervous when the topic of marriage came up.
"Petey try not to stay out too late, it's Wednesday tomorrow and you know what that means," Ariel said, sounding excited.
"Waffle Wednesday for my baby," Petey chuckled.
"Mmmm...love those waffles."
"And the rhino who makes them too right?"
"Mmmm waffles."
After saying their goodnights Petey hung up with his girlfriend and glanced over at his cousin who had one of the smuggest looks on his face.
"Shut up," Petey said simply as they continued to stroll through the evening air.
"You got a good deal ya know that?" Franky pointed out with a laugh. "I don't know a single other mammal that had it like you ya know. Staying home all day."
"I don't stay home all day though," Petey pointed out.
Petey was actually telling the truth.
While he was very lucky his girlfriend made enough money so Petey didn't have to worry about employment it didn't mean the rhino simply sat at home all day.
Petey had found his rhythm rather quickly when it came to housekeeping and grocery shopping.
He managed to get most of it done rather quickly especially since both he and Ariel were a bit on the neat-freak side. Meaning they rarely made messes to begin with.
This allowed Petey a ton of free time but he had managed to fill his schedule rather easily.
His career as a mammal in the guard had instilled a sense of duty in Petey which carried on in his civilian life.
He found himself at his happiest when he was helping others so he had started to volunteer around the city.
At first, it was with trash pick up at the local parks.
Then it was helping at local shelters serving food to those in need.
After that, it was building inexpensive homes for those who had little and could not afford housing.
Eventually, Petey had managed to have a full schedule in which everyday gave him the opportunity to give back and help his community.
Ariel had been more than supportive during all this. Saying that if it kept Petey happy and in the city then she would gladly be the breadwinner in the household.
Once Franky had made it through the Zootopia Police academy though Petey always made sure to keep at least one evening free so he and his cousin could just hang out.
Tonight was one of those nights and while Petey had suggested they go to a pizza place near Franky's apartment his cousin had a different idea.
"So where exactly is this 107?" Petey asked as they were waved across the street by a taxi idling near an intersection.
"It's actually pronounced ten-seven," Franky corrected.
"What's the difference?"
"It just makes sense to those in the know."
"Oh so now you are in the know eh Officer Francis?"
"Hey! Only Gram Gram can call me that," Franky snorted as he shoved his larger cousin.
Eventually, the two found themselves standing in front of a rather inconspicuous building with a set of glowing blue numbers hanging over the doorway.
The electric hum from the sign hung over their heads as they stared.
"Well? What do ya think?" Franky asked excitedly as he looked at his cousin.
"I think you plan on selling my horn or something…" Petey grumbled as he looked at the rather sketchy facade before them.
Franky snorted before speaking, "I tried but then I showed them a picture of you and they took pity on your ugly mug."
"Still not as ugly as yours," Petey shot back with a laugh as he patted his cousin on the back.
Franky took a step forward and opened the door, letting his cousin head in first.
Petey strolled in and was actually happily surprised at what he saw.
While the outside looked a little run down the interior of the bar was actually rather well maintained.
The walls were covered with pictures and newspaper articles about the various responder departments throughout the city.
Petey let out a whistle as he looked up at the raised ceiling which had several flags hanging over their heads.
"So now what do ya think?" Franky asked as he put an arm around his cousin's shoulder.
"Very nice," Petey said with a nod.
"Good because I actually did promise them I would sell your horn to them," Franky teased.
The two large mammals strolled up to the bar and took a set of seats that looked to be able to support their weight.
After waiting a moment or two an otter sauntered along the bar, her bright green eyes matching a dark green shirt currently hugging her curvy figure.
The otter smiled sweetly at the two new arrivals as she approached.
"Well hello boys," The otter said as she held out a set of laminated bar menus. "Welcome to the 10-7 bar. Which department are you with?"
Petey raised a brow at the odd question before Franky spoke up.
"ZPD," The rhino said proudly.
"Oh, some handsome boys in blue eh?" The otter said with a curl of the lips.
"He is ZPD, I am just a civilian," Petey corrected which caused Franky to wince.
"Oh? Really now?" The otter said as she put a paw on her hip and tapped her foot slightly.
Even though she was a fraction of their size the otter seemed to stand her ground and wasn't showing any signs of being intimidated.
"Listen this guy right here," Franky began as he put a large arm around Petey's shoulders. "If it wasn't for this rhino I wouldn't have made it through the academy. He did everything to help me and I would-"
The otter held up a paw and smirked which brought Franky's explanation to a sudden stop.
"I think I can bend the rules for tall dark and handsome," the otter said flirtatiously. "Besides if he is family to ZPD then he is family to us too."
Petey grinned and gave the otter a grateful nod.
"Thank you...umm.."
"Call me Em," the otter said with a friendly smile. "Or beautiful. I respond to either."
"Alright beautiful it is," Petey said which made the otter smirk happily as a light blush filled her cheeks. "What would you recommend?"
As the night went the rhinos made themselves right at home at the bar. Petey learned about the history of the bar and was rather surprised at the idea but seemed to thoroughly enjoy it as the decorations along the wall started to make sense.
Em was a rather sweet and attentive barkeep which meant their drink mugs were never empty
Mac was also a hoot to speak with. The older ram taking time to sit and chit-chat with Franky and Petey. Telling them a few stories from his younger years and also tossing a joke at Franky about the ZPD.
At first, Petey was a little concerned but was happy to see his cousin let out a loud laugh and pat the counter with his hoof.
Apparently, at the bar, no department was off-limits when it came to making jokes, even by the bartenders.
Patrons of various shapes and sizes filtered in and out of the bar during Petey and Franky's visit.
Petey liked watching the different mammals and began to play a game with Franky where they tried to guess where each mammal worked.
Em would occasionally swing by and join in on the two rhino's game. Normally guessing right but Franky kept pointing out how the otter had an unfair advantage.
One group that entered though had both Petey and Franky completely stumped.
Several canines in business suits entered, all of them talking loudly and causing a bit of a scene when they arrived.
"Oh damn it…" Franky grumbled into his beer as he eyed the new arrivals.
"Yeah…" Petey muttered.
You didn't have to be a behavioral specialist to know trouble when it entered the bar.
The group made their way through the collection of tables and took up residence right behind Petey and Franky.
The younger rhino looked a little hesitant as he nursed his beer.
"Hey man, you're off duty, don't worry about it right?" Petey chuckled as he gave his cousin a pat on the back.
"Service!" Someone shouted while snapping their fingers together.
Em, who had just dropped off a freshly filled glass for Petey, groaned and rolled her eyes.
She glanced up at the rhino and gave him a meek smile.
"Sometimes folks who don't exactly belong manage to find their way in," the otter grumbled.
"You sure they aren't like agents or something? Maybe detectives?" Franky suggested.
Em let out a sigh and shook her head, "Trust me, I know these types when I see them. They aren't with a department or agency."
What happened next stunned both Em and Franky.
Petey placed his strong hooves on the counter and pushed his chair back so he could stand up.
He brushed off his shoulders and then turned to the new arrivals.
"Wh.." Em began but the rhino had already taken a few steps and was at the table filled with business mammals.
Franky shifted uneasily in his seat, positioning himself to hop in if his cousin looked like he needed help.
Em watched from the bar, a stunned smile on her lovely lips.
She had been rather grateful that someone else had stepped in. While she could normally hold her own she didn't necessarily enjoy dealing with trouble makers.
Petey's stepping up had stunned the barkeep, what happened next nearly floored her though.
One of the canines, a large gray wolf, let out a laugh and stood up.
Franky tensed, readying himself for a fight only it never came.
Petey chuckled as he stood at the head of the table. The wolf that had stood up reached out a paw which was taken up by Petey as the two shook and laughed at something Petey was saying.
The wolf then looked at his business pack and spoke softly. As one the others stood up and gathered their things, pushed in their chairs, and then headed towards the door.
Petey got a pat on the shoulder here and there and even a laugh from a female painted dog who gave the rhino a wink.
The head wolf noticed Em staring and raised a paw, giving her a polite wave before strolling out of the bar.
Petey brushed his hooves together strolled back to his seat, plopped down, and then reached out and took a swig of freshly poured beer.
"Are you a Jedi?" Franky asked with a laugh, breaking the stunned silence.
"Maybe," Petey said, giving his cousin a sideways glance. "Should have made you call me Master Petey when we were training."
Franky closed his eyes, put his hooves together, and gave his cousin a playful bow before letting out another laugh.
Em cleared her throat which got the rhino's attention.
"That was amazing," Em said, putting a paw on her hip. "You got a job?"
Petey chuckled before he felt his cousin give him a firm pat on the shoulder.
"You kitting? He has a rich girlfriend that lets him stay at home!" Franky said as he looked up at Petey who snorted.
"Well, how would you like to work here and help us out? I mean that was amazing. Normally I just get my boss who starts throwing axes at mammals."
"Wait what?" Franky asked, looking at the lovely otter as his eyes went wide.
Petey roared with laughter at the otter's comment before finally calming down. He took a few sips of beer and noticed the serious look on the otter's face.
"You serious?"
"Yeah," Em said simply. "I mean otherwise I'm stuck sending Mac and who knows how much longer he will be alive."
"Yu du realize I'm right behind ya dontcha?" Mac asked in an annoyed manner as he made his way behind the bar.
Petey glanced around the bar and then at Franky who put his hooves up defensively.
"I am not the one telling Ariel. And you better tell her it wasn't my idea."
Petey grinned before looking back at Em.
"So about this ax-wielding boss."
-A few days later-
Delta was whistling a series of random notes as he strolled down the sidewalk. Parking had been a bit of a premium tonight on the street the 10-7 called home which meant the painted dog had to park a block down.
He didn't mind though, the fresh air let him clear his thoughts from the long day of random calls and annoying mammals.
It also allowed him to think over a conversation he had just been having with Chief Bogo who had approached the painted dog with a bit of an odd proposition.
Apparently, Delta was being looked at for the ZPD K-9 team.
Delta was a little nervous, stating that while he had a good sense of smell he didn't think it would be on par with what they needed.
Bogo had simply said that sniffing wasn't the only thing K-9s did. This confused the young officer but he promised the water buffalo he would think it over.
Delta had been so lost in thought he hadn't heard a large mammal clearing their throat as he approached. Nor had he heard them speak up.
What finally caught Delta's attention was a large strong-arm jutting out in the canines path.
Delta stopped mid-step and looked at the arm and then slowly up the body it was attached to until he was looking a large and strong looking rhino right in the eyes.
"You lost pup?" The rhino asked firmly.
"Pup?" Delta asked with a scoff as he tilted his head. "Excuse me?"
"Private bar," the rhino said firmly.
"Yeah I know, I drink here all the time," Delta growled.
"Prove it," The rhino, raising a brow at the line canine. "Badge."
"Badge?" Delta asked, sounding a little taken aback.
The canine started to grumble as he reached into his pants pocket, rummaging around till he found his wallet.
He pulled it out and shoved it in the rhino's face.
"Badge!" Delta barked, sounding annoyed he had to do all this just to visit his sister's business.
"ZPD eh?" The rhino chuckled.
"Yeah."
"Bunch of over-hyped...overzealous ..umm," The rhino faltered a bit which made Delta tilt his head.
The larger mammal held up a single hoove, asking for a moment. He then turned and pushed the bar to the door open and looked inside.
"Yo, what was it you wanted me to call your brother?" The rhino asked.
"An overzealous tire booting nimwad!" Came a familiar voice from inside the bar.
"Bravo!" Delta shouted.
The rhino began to nod as he mumbled the words again, trying to remember his line.
He then let the door close and took a deep breath as he looked down at Delta who had a dumbfounded look on his muzzle.
They stood in silence for a moment or two before Petey burst out with laughter and held out a hoof.
Delta soon followed suit and shook his head as he extended his own paw and gave the rhino a fist bump.
"Sorry brother but when he asked to mess with you I couldn't resist."
"You realize that just makes you an accomplice," Delta said smugly. "Gonna boot your car along with my annoying brothers after this."
Petey chuckled and nodded as he stood aside and opened the door.
"Welcome to the 10-7 officer."
"Thanks uhhh…" Delta began as he stared at the rhino.
"Petey, I'm the bouncer."
Alright! So now the bar has its bouncer.
I had fun going through Petey's past. Though it may be a little short he isn't the type to want lots of attention. He simply likes helping others and keeping an eye on his new bar.
So now that we have Echo, Em, and Petey all written out it's time for the final arc which is about everyone's favorite blue-eyed trouble maker.
I am actually really excited to show you all Trisha's start at the 10-7, it will feel familiar as part of it was originally written in my Extras story. This however will be the full and proper canon start to Trisha's rise to power at the 10-7.
Till next time!
-Blue
