A Reliable Source of Income
[the scene opens with a shot of the early morning sun peeking over the horizon, followed by the sounds of Toon City coming to life. Shops owners flip their signs from "Closed" to "Open", Huck pours a pot of fresh coffee into Snag's mug in their kitchen, an alarm clock is seen going off, only to be punched by Charlie's paw as the German Shepard turns around in bed, Donald and Douglas are seen waking up from inside their shed, and Granny Webster opens up the window still to water her flowers. The scene then cuts to Baloo and Bagheera sleeping inside their apartment before the piercing sound of an alarm clock causes Baloo to open his eyes abruptly. The bruin groans as he looks to the time; 7:00 A.M.]
Baloo: Arrrrrrgh, five more minutes…[pulls the cover over his face]
Bagheera: [yawns and smacks his lips] Well, better get up, we've got a busy day ahead of us…
Baloo: [muffled] Oooooooh, can I just stay in bed?
Bagheera: You know that's not happening, besides, stay there, and it's missing breakfast for you.
Baloo: [pulls the covers down with a scowl] You're real cruel sometimes, ya' know that, Bagheera?
Bagheera: I try. Now, I'm going in first, and I suppose I'll be the one cooking this morning, anytime you'd like in particular?
Baloo: Hmmmm, I suppose anything really, so long as it makes this gut satisfied. [pats his stomach]
Bagheera: Hoooo, you and your gluttony, Baloo. [walks out of the room to the bathroom]
Baloo: [calling out] You know it's one of the reasons you like me!
[the scene cuts to a bubbling pan as Bagheera stirs the eggs with a fork]
Bagheera: Right, three eggs, two slices of toast, butter, orange juice, should be enough to last the morning.
Baloo: [off-screen] Hey, Baggy, somethin' smells good in there! [on-screen] Oooooooh, scrambled with extra salt, just the way I like it.
Bagheera: Well, eat up, we've got a busy day unloading crates at the harbor, hear they've got a mass shipment of expensive China.
Baloo: Well, you can trust this certified shifter of cargo that all work'll be carried out with the utmost care, especially with these arms.
Bagheera: Hmm, indeed…[looks toward the clock, reading 7:30]...we should get a move on, we need to be there by eight.
Baloo: [muffled through his toast] But I've still got breakfast to finish.
Bagheera: [sighs] Please don't talk with your mouth full, it's undignified.
Baloo: Yeah, yeah, sure thing, mom.
[the scene cuts to Rosie arriving at the harbor with a train of coaches. She stops at Cedar Station to let off passengers, two of which being Bagheera and Baloo]
Bagheera: Right, see that load of crates standing by the key? That's where we'll be stationed.
Baloo: How do you know all this stuff?
Bagheera: I received a call last evening while you were in the shower, seems a colleague of mine heard about the current situation and offered us a position to work at the docks. It'll be steady income, but we'll manage regardless.
Baloo: Ah, I see. Well, better get cracking, I guess, we're in for a long haul.
[the scene cuts to the duo doubleteaming a large rectangular crate onto one of the flatbeds]
Bagheera: Steady as she goes, remember, it's marked fragile.
Baloo: I can read, ya' know, just don't get all antsy.
?: Well, well, well, if it ain't the Grease Monkeys.
Bagheera and Baloo: Huh?
[sitting on top of one of the crates with a rather bemused expression is a familiar Jack Russell Terrier, flicking a toothpick]
Dodger: So, the rumors are true, the place you guys work is going bust, we might become neighbors.
Bagheera: It's not as much going bust as it is financially stagnant, especially since we're working alongside rail and sea.
Dodger: Yeeeeeah, I figured as much, I just like pulling your chain, though be warned, things can get pretty dusty around here.
Baloo: What do you mean dusty?
Dodger: My man, this place is full of steam engines, so those cranes often unload a load of coal. Comes with the territory. [to Bagheera] You might be fine, it'll blend in with your fur…[to Baloo]...but you? Might wanna have a rag on hand.
Baloo: Hmmmmm, you wouldn't happen to spare one?
Dodger: Of course not, I only got this bandana and I ain't spoiling it, this is prime stuff here. Anyways, I'm gonna let you boys get back to work, I got me some business to tend to. [clicks his tongue and swaggers off]
Bagheera: You know, I don't think anyone can match that level of carefree attitude and carelessness, not even you, Baloo.
Baloo: [sarcastically] Hahaha, very funny, Baggy. Now, let's get this unloaded before King James V gets posh with us.
[the scene cuts to James standing next to a large mirror away from his flatbeds admiring himself]
James: Mmmm, you're a fine looking engine, aren't you? Did you get repainted? Oh, I did, thank you for noticing.
[The grey bear and black panther glance at each other before rolling their eyes. After several hours, the two have been called on a lunch break, sitting down at a table with two hot dogs for Baloo and a plate of fish and chips for Bagheera]
Baloo: Haaaaaaa, this is always my favorite part of the job, gettin' to kick back for a little while and grab some chow.
Bagheera: Hmmm, it may not be fancy, but that stand sells some of the best fish and chips I've ever had.
Baloo: That's the beauty of Falmouth, they do things simple, yet do 'em satisfactory, wouldn't mind me a sundae afterward, to share of course.
Bagheera: I suppose it couldn't hurt, you've been a good boy after all.
Baloo: [blushes] Awww, you know how ta' get me there.
[the scene cuts to a montage over the next few days of Baloo and Bagheera working as manual cargo carriers. First, they unload a few crates from Rebecca's flatbeds, then Bagheera is seen operating a crane to lift some steel piles from Warrior's barge, Baloo is shown holding up three crates taken from Big Mac's barge before an encounter with Mac and Bloo running past causes him to nearly drop his load. The duo are then shown loading crates of fish into the Flying Kipper, with Henry soon pulling away with the train as soon as the last van's door is shut. It then cuts to the bruin and feline putting bags into the luggage compartment on Gordon's train before the passengers are seen boarding the train; Knuckles, Shadow, Ami, Makoto, Mao Mao, Charlotte, Cinderella, Huck, Snag, Jenny, Angelina, Robin, Haida, Tecna, Roxy, Mordecai, and Rigby being among them. As soon as everything is ready, Gordon sets off, leaving a weary Baloo and Bagheera leaning on each other for support]
Baloo: My God, this place just doesn't stop, does it? Never had to stretch myself like this back in the cockpit.
Bagheera: That comes in terms of payback as well, think it's…eleven hundred this week?
Baloo: Yeah, that'll buy us a couple of drinks and a cupcake, I'm knackered.
?: You know, there's another way to get paid.
Bagheera: What? Who said that?
?: Look forty-five degrees to your right.
[the duo look to see a figure hiding within the shadows, identified by a sole eye on their right. They step out from the darkness to reveal themselves as Wolf]
Bagheera: Um, can we help you?
Wolf: It's more of how I can help you. Heard you're in a bit of…financial stimuli. Wasn't hard to hear the news going around.
Baloo: Okay then…what did you have in mind in terms of help?
Wolf: I know of a client that needs some important shipment delivered to them by the crack of dawn tomorrow, they'll prefer if it arrives under the cover of darkness due to some…classified information.
Bagheera: This all sounds rather suspicious, if it involved any illegal activity, I see no reason to partake in it.
Wolf: Those crates are sealed tight and even I'm not curious enough to try and find out, all I know is that they'll pay well in credits, which should help you two out in particular.
Baloo: Well, I've dealt with sneaky characters before and always come out strong, so what's the damage?
Bagheera: Wait, are you seriously not taking in the consequences of this?
Baloo: Baggy, when have I ever failed to make a delivery, or failed to get out of a tight situation? I'm willin' to take my chances with this deal so long as it gets us some extra cash, besides, it'll be an adventure.
Bagheera: You're getting in over your head again.
Baloo: I promise we'll be safe…hey, you promise both of us will be safe?
Wolf: If anything goes awry, I know of something in my holster that'll prove useful, along with some backup.
Bagheera: [sighs] Well, seeing as I'm clearly outnumbered, might as well pray for the best.
Baloo: [pats the panther's back] Ayeeeee, that's the spirit, Baggy.
Wolf: Right, we leave in about half an hour, and make sure to keep on your toes. [pats the side of his waist] Things could get hectic when you least expect.
Bagheera: [as Wolf walks off] Hoooooo, what have I gotten myself into?
[the scene shows a close up of the full moon before it pans down to the docks where everything is seemingly calm and still…before the Sea Duck pulls into view. It then cuts to Baloo and Bagheera inside of the cockpit]
Baloo: Okay, all systems are go, we're fueled up, have our delivery, all we gotta do is make it and get our payment.
Bagheera: I'm still worried about the legalities of this whole thing, especially given who we're working with.
Baloo: I admit, we could be working with someone less…sketchy, but at least he hasn't tried to kill us, that's good, right?
Bagheera: If that's the bar we're setting things at, consider myself lucky.
[Wolf's voice comes through the com]
Wolf: We're ready to go when you are.
Baloo: Copy that, niner-niner, we're ready and in position to take off, over.
[Wolf's aircraft hovers past the Sea Duck, which follows on after the Wolfen. Rebecca is seen on her way back to the sheds after a long day's work]
Rebecca: [yawns and then looks up] Huh?
[the planes flight over the Bulleid Pacific and into the distance]
Rebecca: I wonder what's up…oh, well, the planes, of course, silly, hehe.
[under the cover of darkness, the vessels make their way over the mostly quiet landscape. It then cuts to Bagheera looking at the crates in the cargo hold]
Bagheera: Whoever this client is, I just hope they're diplomatic.
Baloo: Why are you so on-edge, Baggy?
Bagheera: Hmm, let's see, we're accepting a deal from a pilot with a known track record, none of us know the contents of what's in those crates, and we have no idea who the people we're meeting are like. For all we know, it's a clear shot into a death trap.
Baloo: Okay, I'll tell you this; I've got my own reservations about this mission, but I'll see it through if I have to. Besides, the sooner we get it done, the better.
Bagheera: [sighs] I need a cup of tea when this is over.
[a little later, the planes touch down outside of a pier on the South side of the island. Unlike the bustling metropolis of Toon City, this area is rather still by comparison, almost desolate by the looks of the rusty infrastructure and dirty docks. Wolf steps out from his aircraft along with the crates, Baloo and Bagheera exit with their own set. The black panther eyes the location with unease]
Bagheera: This is where your client is? This place looks like it's been rundown for years.
Baloo: Yeeeeeeah, I gotta agree with Bags here, this don't look like the most friendly of neighborhoods.
Wolf: When you're dealing with the person I am, you'll know why, there's a reason why you don't see them much in the city.
Bagheera: With how it looks like a vandals' haven…[shudders]...I'm not surprised…
[without another word, the three set off for their destination. As they go along the decrepit and splotchy warehouses, chains can be heard rattling, metal screeching, the occasional undistinguishable creaking, and the feeling of being watched. Bagheera in particular appears rather anxious and even Baloo has a look of being on edge. Wolf, on the other hand, merely takes in the surroundings as if they're normal. Eventually, Wolf looks up to see the warehouse marked #17]
Wolf: This is the place, so try to act natural.
Bagheera: Oh, don't worry, I will…
[the three go up to the door and Wolf knocks on it several times. A loud siren is heard as the doors open. The trio step inside of the warehouse where towards the end of the room, their client is sitting on top of what appears to be a makeshift throne; a green hedgehog donning a black jacket with flame signs on his sleeves, green and black shoes, and red sunglasses. The most striking part of his appearance is the deeply wound scars on his chest, which causes Baloo and Bagheera to glance at each other. The smaller male notices his current company and flicks the bottle cap of the liter he is drinking in their direction]
?: Well, well, well, if it isn't Wolf O'Donnell. Didn't know you replaced another set of crewmates already.
Bagheera: [murmurs] Hmph, and I thought Shadow was edgy.
Wolf: They ain't replacements, Scourge, they're just colleagues of mine who assisted in getting these crates delivered for you, especially given the credits implied.
Scourge: Hmm…well, I can see why, surprised tubby didn't try and savage what was in those boxes, I can see why he needed the money.
[some of the people around Scourge chuckle with him, including a kitsune with black head fur, and donning of a red shirt with metallic attachments, along with a pair of red boots]
Baloo: Uh, since when did Tails have a twin?
Wolf: So what's in these crates that ya' couldn't tell me?
Scourge: Wouldn't you like to know…Miles! Open that crate.
[Miles pulls a crowbar from behind himself and approaches one of the crates, jamming it against the opening before it opens. Inside is an assortment of food, drinks, and tools]
Baloo: Wait, that's what was in 'em? Why did that need to be classified?
Miles: Perhaps you should take a look around, keeping our cargo is a necessity to get around the authority. It's also why we stick to the Southside.
Baloo: Uhhhhh, yes, of course, that makes sense.
Wolf: So, about our payment?
Scourge: [snaps his fingers] Alicia, pay these gentlemen their worth.
[a chipmunk resembling a more rugged version of Sally Acorn steps forward with a tablet in hand]
Alicia: 4500 credits should be enough to split, at least we got some competent mail service.
Bagheera: Um, yes, quite…well, it's been a lovely evening, but we should be getting on our way.
Scourge: Oh? Going so soon, why not stick around a while, we can keep each other company…
Baloo: Uhhh, actually, I'm with him, we, we have an early shift tomorrow, soooo, gotta get home to bed and all.
Miles: Hmph, what a pity.
Scourge: Now, Miles, let's not be rash, our comrades should be getting on their way, we won't hold you up any longer…[sticks a dagger into his chair]
Wolf: Okay then, we'll be off…
[the three men turn to walk out of the building, all while everyone's eyes are on them. Scourge can only grin as Baloo and Bagheera trip and hold onto each other before leaving]
Scourge: Do come again…
[the doors to the warehouse close with a loud metallic thud]
Bagheera: [lets out a huge sigh of relief] Okay, that was stressful.
Baloo: Good lord, it was so tense in there, I thought someone should shoot me in the back.
Wolf: I've dealt with these people before, they're a mysterious sort, ya' never know what they're planning or hiding in the shadows…
Bagheera: Never mind about that, let's just get out of here.
[at that moment, several shots ring out across the pier]
Bagheera: WHAT THE?!
Wolf: Ah, for God's sake, Destructix turf war.
Bagheera: Destructix?!
Baloo: Turf war?!
Wolf: Yeah, it's to ward off 'intruders'. [a shot strikes a barrel several yards from him] GET DOWN!
[Baloo and Bagheera take cover behind some tall crates while Wolf takes cover another and pulls out his blaster]
Bagheera: We're dead, we're dead, we're dead, we're dead, we're dead.
Baloo: If I ever get out of this, I'm never bragging about my flying again.
Wolf: [ducks as a shot goes over his head] Goddamn sons of bitches, there's easier ways to get people ta' leave!
[suddenly two shots ring from Wolf's side, revealing them to be Leon and Panther with blasters at the ready]
Leon: Having a shoot-off and not inviting me sooner? Tsk-tsk, you know what that means.
Panther: Your fantasies can wait, right now, let's get these gentlemen out of here. Right this way, hermanos.
Wolf: Right, you two get behind us, we'll cover for you.
[the bruin and feline waste no time in getting behind the Star Wolf trio, climbing aboard the Sea Duck as quickly as they can while the trio makes for their wolfens. The four planes set off from the pier and back into the sky]
[the scene cuts to later at night as the church bells ring for three o'clock. It then shows Bagheera and Baloo waddling off the Sea Duck, purely exhausted from their escapades]
Bagheera: Okay, let me just say that we are never doing something like that again. Ever.
Baloo: You know what, I agree with ya' there, I've had enough excitement to last me a whole week…[groans]...I need to get to bed…
Bagheera: [sighs] It's so late at night…better make the most of what we've got in terms of sleep…
[as Bagheera and Baloo sluggishly make their way home, Wolf, Leon, and Panther are at the end of the pier seeing them off]
Leon: I take it your little delivery was a success?
Wolf: Yeah, we got the goods in…though I have a feeling of what was in those crates wasn't all innocent…
Panther: Suspected illegal substances in there?
Wolf: With that lot…for sure…
[the scene cuts to a few days later outside of Khan Corporations before showing the inside of the meeting room]
Baloo: Whatever we got called here for better be good news.
Kaa: Oh, don't be such a grump, I suspect that Shere Khan will be cooperative throughout the whole session.
Hathi: You sound oddly sure of yourself there…what are you hiding from us?
Kaa: Me? Hiding something? Hathi, you're too superstitious sometimes.
Hathi: [stares intently at the snake] Hmm…
[at that moment, Shere Khan walks through the door and takes his seat at the head of the desk]
Shere Khan: Right then, let's get down to business, shall we?
Louie: Well, ya' certainly wouldn't call us here for a friendly chat, that's for sure.
Shere Khan: Louie…shut up. As I was saying, I brought you all here to discuss the current situation, and I would like to announce that the strike is over.
[the other members of the board give murmurs of approval at this]
Shere Khan: The wages for pilots will receive an increase of 30%, and there will be some renovations to the working conditions in addition to management and worker relationships.
Akela: Why, this is wonderful news, but may I ask, what brought this on?
Shere Khan: Well, let's just say that I had a change of heart after reconsidering my options, and because this company can't be run under my rationale alone.
[Kaa looks from left to right with a satisfied grin]
Louie: Awww, I knew it, he does care for us.
Shere Khan: Hmmhmmhmm, don't make me regret my decision.
Bagheera: Well, good to know that all worked out in the end.
Hathi: In that case, we'd better go check on the unit to make sure they're still in tip-top condition, yes-what?
Akela: Agreed, and a thanks to our management for refurbishment.
Shere Khan: Indeed, anyway, meeting adjourned.
[as everyone prepares to leave, Kaa hisses his tongue at Shere Khan to which the tiger straightens his tie with a sideways glance]
Kaa: Hmmhmmhmm, a change of heart indeed, I wonder how that came about…
Shere Khan: Not a word…
Kaa: Oh, yes, keep it dark…
[the scene cuts to Baloo and Bagheera exiting the building]
Baloo: [sighs] Thank God we've got all that sorted.
Bagheera: So, looks like you get your luxury back.
Baloo: Gotta hand it to you for thumping into my head about the importance of saving.
Bagheera: Well, where would you be without me? I believe I'm in the mood for a drink.
Baloo: It's on me.
Bagheera: Hmm, I imagine.
[the scene transitions not to the end, but instead to later that evening back to the South Port. It cuts to inside of Warehouse #17 where Scourge is looking at the contents in one of the unopened crates]
Scourge: The perfect disguise…[pulls out a large machine gun]...they smuggled in some fine weapons if I do say so myself…[pulls an M41A pulse rifle]...ooooh, this one's got my name on it…
[at that moment, the com pings from the megaphone]
?: I take it you've acquired our resources?
Scourge: Yeah, I got 'em all here, those dorks didn't suspect a thing, and even if they did, they leave before anything could be discovered.
?: Good to know…
Scourge: Ya' know, it wouldn't hurt for you to come in person more often than not, I don't get the gist behind this 'mysterious' vibe, it's just me.
?: You know fully well that my cover can't be blown, the shadows are my domain until the time is right.
Scourge: Suuuuuuure, just saying, you're missing out on some crazy good shit here, 20 packs of Volka, hehehe.
?: How you're amused by such trivial matters is beyond me.
Scourge: I mean, at least I got some normal interests, I don't know what you've got besides being Mysterious Mr. M.
?: Perhaps if you wanted to know what I like, you'd come to me personally…
[Scourge hears the com click off with a nonchalant expression]
Scourge: Hmph, that guy needs to get out more.
[as Scourge pops one of the bottles open, Fiona walks into the warehouse looking scruffy]
Scourge: What the hell happened to you?
Fiona: Don't get me started, I just need to cool off, pass me one of those, would ya'?
Scourge: Hmph, I don't typically to share, but alright. [passes one of the bottles to the vixen]
Fiona: Hmm, got some fine taste from our latest delivery.
Scourge: Yeah, to wreaking havoc and chaos.
Fiona: Kudos to that.
[the hedgehog and the vixen clink their bottles together as the scene cuts to the edge of a cliff where a silhouetted figure is seen watching over the full moon with various shots of the forest as he talks]
?: This island…it's not grasped the concept of reality…everyone living in blissful ignorance…false peace…good things…they just don't come to those who wait…to wait is to delay…to delay is to never achieve…that will change…one way…or another…
[a close up of the figure's eyes reveals them to be black with yellow pupils]
The End…?
