Hi, guys! As you may have guessed, this was inspired by the Cars deleted scene of the same name. It's also inspired by the World of Cars story, Showstopper. I hope you enjoy it anyway.
Motorama Girls
1957
The night was no different than any other. All Flo could see were glittering lights and the shadows of a large crowd. All she could hear were the excited shouts of fans, most of which must have been coming from the Flo Fan Club that she knew existed. There was no doubt about it: the Motorama Girls and their shows were glamourous and Flo, in particular, was a knockout.
She tried to smile, but she thought about what came next after the show: autographs and then they would have to go straight to sleep. It was one of their chaperone, Ms. Victoria's, rules. And Ms. Victoria was a stickler for rules. If one girl dared to make one mistake even once, they would all be punished, starting with reciting the rules over and over again until Ms. Victoria was satisfied.
No idling.
No revving.
Unleaded fuel only. No fattening fuels.
Eight hours beauty rest per night minimum.
Absolutely, positively NO CRUISING ALLOWED!
But to tell the truth, Flo just wasn't finding it fun anymore. Sure, it had seemed glamourous and exciting when she first started out (just like she dreamed it would be when she was a little girl, winning just about every beauty pageant she entered), but now, it just seemed like she wasn't allowed to do anything. She was travelling across the country all the time, but she never got to see anything. She could never do anything that had even the tiniest possible chance of resulting in the tiniest possible scratch. She didn't even have a home to call her own. Mitch, the transporter truck she rode in, was her home. But Ms. Victoria's rules were the worst.
What Flo really wanted was to find love. She wanted to find someone who was genuinely interested in her and not just her body. Someone who would give her a sincere compliment, instead of cat calls and wolf whistles. Someone who would take her away from this life. It seemed impossible. No way would she be able to meet someone with Ms. Victoria watching her every move.
However, what Flo didn't know was that her whole life was about to change.
The day had started out like any other. The Motorama Girls (there were three others, besides Flo: Rhonda, Laverne and Sheila) were riding in the back of Mitch, heading off to their next show when Ms. Victoria fell ill. She looked pale, kept coughing and sneezing and backfiring in an unladylike manner, to be completely honest. It got so bad the she ordered Mitch to pull over.
"Yes, Ma'am", Mitch obliged. He was as afraid of Ms. Victoria as the girls were. So, he stopped outside of a little town none of them had ever heard of.
"Radiator Springs?" Ms. Victoria read. "Is this place even on the map?" She backfired again. "Oh, excuse me."
"Howdy there!" a friendly voice called out. "Welcome to Radiator Springs! Is there anything I can help you pretty ladies with?"
Everyone turned to look. There was a tall, strong-looking blonde human man wearing a sheriff's uniform. Stood by him was a black and white 1949 Mercury Police Cruiser.
"No", Ms. Victoria responded curtly. "Thank you."
"You don't look very well, Ma'am", the Mercury observed. "We better get you back to town. Doc McIntyre can take a look at you."
"We don't need your help", Ms. Victoria insisted, trying to drive away from them. However, she stopped and her engine sputtered.
"You really ought to get checked out, Ma'am", Mitch countered, fearing a scolding for saying it. "We'd all feel better if you did."
"Yeah", all of the Motorama girls agreed.
Reluctantly, Ms. Victoria let Mitch drive her to the clinic. (On the way the police cruiser introduced himself as Sheriff Carson while the human was his deputy, Howard Morrison.) When she got there, she was horrified to find a human. He was tall and slim with reddish-gold hair and green eyes. He was also wearing glasses and treating a five-year-old human boy- Johnny Donovan- who had the chicken pox. The girls in the show thought he looked handsome, like a movie star.
"You didn't say anything about humans!" Ms. Victoria exclaimed in disgust. "I refuse to be treated by a human! They don't know anything about-"
She was cut off by a laugh from the human doctor. "Oh, don't worry. I'm just the doctor for the humans around here." He held out his hand to shake. "Francis Donovan." Flo, Rhonda, Laverne and Sheila all shook his hand, but Ms. Victoria didn't. "Hey, George!" Francis called out. "Got a patient!"
Dr. George McIntyre was very much a car, a red 1953 Buick Skylark with blue eyes and spotless whitewall tyres, to be specific. Ms. Victoria still wasn't happy, though. The whole time he tried to examine her, she was demanding to know if he was even qualified. She didn't think so because he lived in a small country town.
He ignored her and gave everyone the verdict.
"Well, I'd say that Ms. Victoria is well overdue for a new fuel pump", he reported. Then he looked over at the Motorama girls. "Guess it looks like you'll be staying here overnight, girls."
They nodded, but to Dr. McIntyre's surprise, they didn't appear to be too broken up about it.
"Will you be okay without me?" Ms. Victoria quizzed the girls worriedly.
"Yes, Ma'am", they confirmed.
"Don't talk to strangers!" she instructed them seriously. "Look both ways at the intersection! And absolutely, positively no cruising allowed!"
"We promise!" they all assured her.
"Why don't you girls follow me to the V8 Café?" Howard offered. "See if we can get you something to drink."
"No-" Ms. Victoria was about to recite another one of her rules when Dr. McIntyre cut her off.
"Don't fret, Ma'am. The girls will be in safe tyres and hands, as the case may be", he added, eyeing Howard and Francis.
Ms. Victoria looked like she still wanted to protest, but before she could, Flo, Rhonda, Laverne and Sheila were led away. And Dr. McIntyre continued examining her fuel pump.
"I can't believe Ms. Victoria won't be with us tonight!" Laverne wailed as they all filed out of the clinic. "What are we gonna do?"
Flo grinned. "Have fun?"
The others laughed.
"Well, ladies", Francis began, "can we get you something to drink?"
So, they headed off to the V8 Café where everyone in town was curious to see the new girls in town.
"Welcome to Radiator Springs!" an older-looking car greeted them. With him was a black Ford Model T; a human man with greying hair and one leg and a short, plump woman with greying hair. "I'm Stanley." He gestured to the Model T. "This lovely lady here is my wife, Lizzie." He gestured to the one-legged man. "This here is my buddy, William and that's his wife, Alice", he added, waving towards the woman with him.
He and Howard went around, making sure the Motorama girls were introduced to everyone. Everyone seemed very friendly, but there was one in particular that stood out to Flo. He was a 1959 Chevrolet Impala lowrider and he was painted this very bright and eye-catching shade of red with some yellow streaks. Flo had never seen a car with that kind of paint before. She thought it was amazing. This car was introduced to them as Ramone. She managed to smile at him and he gave her a small smile back.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" the seventeen, eighteen-year-old waitress asked kindly. She was introduced as Francis's sister, Ethel and the resemblance was clear. She was gorgeous. To the girls' surprise. it was also clear that she was pregnant.
Before Rhonda, Laverne or Sheila could answer, Flo requested a round of the most fattening fuel the café had to offer.
"Please do have something to eat too", a young woman named Audrey insisted. "The food here is wonderful."
Once again, Flo ordered for all of them: sugary, fatty foods.
Ethel scribbled it down with a smile and a nod. "I'll be back in a sec."
"Flo!" all three of the others gasped, clearly horrified.
"Come on!" Flo shrugged with a grin. "What Ms. Victoria doesn't know won't hurt her."
The other girls still didn't look convinced, but didn't say anything.
"So, what brings you to Radiator Springs?" William wanted to know.
They explained what their show was all about and how Ms. Victoria had fallen ill.
"That sounds amazing!" two identical girls with dark, curly hair exclaimed in an excited unison. They were introduced as the twelve-going-on-thirteen-year-old Warszawski twins, Anna and Rachel. "Do you get to perform in front of thousands of people?"
Flo laughed. "Yes we do!"
"That's our dream!" the twins chorused. "We wanna perform on Broadway!" In a flash, the twins were gone, soon returning with their dance shoes.
Before long, the V8 Café was transformed into a Broadway show. Anna and Rachel were performing a musical number, both singing and dancing. The Motorama girls were quick to join with songs and dance routines they did as part of their show (it was fun now that they didn't have to do it) and gradually, everyone began to join in. Everyone was laughing and having a good time.
That was how it was for the rest of the afternoon. Flo and the others listened to the stories the Radiator Springs residents had to tell them. In turn, they were genuinely interested in the stories they had to tell, especially Anna and Rachel.
For the first time in a long time, Flo felt like she was part of a community. No, it was more than that. She felt like she was part of a family. Everyone was just so different, but instead of harassing each other or segregating each other over them, they accepted them and even celebrated them. The Donovans, the Warszawskis and the Morrisons were humans and everyone else was a vehicle. Guido and Luigi were Italian; Ramone was Chicano; the Donovans and a few other families and citizens were Christian while the Warszawskis were Jewish and from Europe. Yet, none of that mattered to any of them like it did in other parts of the country. They were all people.
Plus, the babies around were so adorable. Francis and his wife Kath had a one-year-old daughter named Irene and a three-month old son named Frankie. They looked adorable fast asleep in their mother's arms. The Maters, two tow trucks, also had a five-month-old son as well. His name was Tow and he was the happiest baby that Flo had ever seen. He had the biggest grin on his face as he watched what was going on around him.
"Can I hold him?" Flo requested eagerly.
"Sure!" Mrs. Mater gave her baby boy to the show car.
"Hey there, honey!" Flo greeted him softly.
Tow burst out laughing as if Flo had just told the funniest joke. There was no doubt about it. Tow was one cute baby! It made Flo want to have a baby of her own some day. Unfortunately, it didn't seem very likely. If she couldn't even find the time to meet the man of her dreams, what made her think she could have a baby? Flo put the thought aside. Right now, she had a family and three cute babies around her, even if it was just for a day.
After about two hours, everyone went their separate ways for the afternoon. The store owners tended to those while Red took care of the flowers, Sheriff and Howard returned to their post, and Stanley, William and Alice went around, assisting anybody who needed them.
The Motorama girls also went around. They were curious to see what kind of stores and businesses everyone had, even the ones that weren't for them like P+S's Clothing Emporium. They offered to help everyone out as well, but the townsfolk politely refused.
Finally, the last store they ended up at was Ramone's House of Body Art. Flo wasn't surprised in the least to learn that Ramone was an artist. That explained his unique paint job.
"Hell-o, ladies!" Ramone greeted them enthusiastically.
A couple of them giggled as they all replied with, "Heyyy, Ramone!"
Immediately, they were all fascinated by the many designs on display in the shop.
"Wow!" Flo exclaimed. "Did you design all these yourself, Ramone?"
He grinned. "I sure did."
"Oh, you are so talented, Ramone!" she remarked.
Ramone's grin expanded.
For a few moments, Flo, Rhonda, Laverne and Sheila went around, admiring all of the displays. Then, when Rhonda was just suggesting that they should leave, something quite unexpected happened.
"I've always wanted to get a pinstripe", Sheila spoke up.
Laverne and Rhonda gasped. Flo smiled encouragingly.
Ramone laughed. "You've come to the right place... What colour?"
"Sheila!" Rhonda hissed. "What are you thinking?! There's no way Ms. Victoria won't notice new paint!"
Sheila just shrugged. "I don't have to get a big one."
At the same time, Laverne was looking at one of the hoods on display. It hosted a very vibrantly coloured flame job. "Hey, Ramone, do you think you could do this for me?"
Then, of course, Rhonda wanted to get a new paint job as well. So, Ramone gave the three ladies what they wanted. Before long, the three of them were sporting new looks. They crowded around the mirrors, squealing with pure joy. Ramone was happy that they were happy. His work was done.
"Well?"
Ramone shifted his attention away from the other three to find Flo glaring at him with a raised eye frame.
"Well what?" he asked.
"Aren't you gonna paint me?"
Ramone didn't answer at first. He just stared at her. Finally, he just shook his hood. Then he threw down his airbrush.
"What's the matter?" Flo demanded, sounding angry and a little hurt. "You too good to paint me?"
Ramone relaxed and his expression melted into a smile. "No, baby", he responded smoothly. "You're too good for me to paint. I can't touch a classic."
Flo couldn't help smiling too. "Really?"
"Of course", the Chevy insisted. "You're the most beautiful lady I've ever seen in my life."
That was a hell of a lot better than the wolf whistles and cat calls she was used to getting. "I'm Flo."
Rhonda, Laverne and Sheila grew bored waiting around at Ramone's, so they moved on to talk to the others. However, Flo did not want to leave. She and Ramone spent hours, talking and laughing about nothing in particular. They'd only known each other for a few hours, but already, they felt like they'd known each other their entire lives. Each of them knew then that they had found the one.
Everyone was surprised to see that Flo and Ramone arrived at the V8 Café together that evening. All of the guys were shouting, "Go, Ramone!"
At one point, while everyone was having dinner, Flo got a moment alone with Lizzie and Alice.
"So, Flo... is it?" Lizzie began. The show car nodded. "How're you likin' the town so far?"
"I already want to move in!" Flo blurted out.
Lizzie and Alice laughed. "Everyone feels that way when they first come here", the latter commented.
"This is the first time in my life I feel like I don't have somebody tellin' me what to do", Flo went on. "And I love how everyone's like a family here."
"It's pretty wonderful, isn't it?" Lizzie agreed.
"Everyone here came from somewhere where they just didn't fit in", Alice explained. "Where people just don't realise that we're all equals under the eyes of God. Then they come here and we all start not fitting in together."
Flo nodded, only half-listening. She and Ramone were engaged in two different conversations. Yet, they were still smiling across the café at each other.
Lizzie followed her gaze and smiled. "I think Ramone likes you."
Flo nodded again. "I like him too."
"Well, I suppose you have a reason to stay then, don't you?" Lizzie pointed out before driving away.
"So, what do you have planned for tonight?" Sheila questioned once everyone was caught up on the latest news around town.
"I know!" Ramone exclaimed. "We should take you ladies cruisin'. Low and slow, that's the way to go."
The Motorama girls gasped. They'd already broken so many rules. What would Ms. Victoria say if she found out? They knew she wasn't going to be happy with the new paint jobs, but cruising was her biggest no-no of all!
Once again, Flo just laughed. "Come on, girls! You only live once!" If this was their one night away from Ms. Victoria and her rules, Flo was determined to make them count.
Just like that, all of the neon lights flickered on. One of the biggest, most popular songs of 1957 was blaring across town. Cars paired up to cruise. Humans paired up to dance. Some just went solo. The Warszawski twins had their dance shoes on again and were performing as many numbers as they possibly could.
Ramone grinned at Flo. "May I have this cruise?"
She returned the grin. "You bet, baby! Low and slow!"
It truly was an unforgettable night, cruising under the neon lights of Radiator Springs all night long. Low and slow, of course.
As the new day was just beginning, the Motorama girls had not slept a wink the night before. Not that they minded. It had been the best night of their lives.
Luckily, Ramone had one more idea for their last few hours of fun and freedom.
"There's nothin' like sunrise over Ornament Valley", he informed them.
When they got up to the Wheel Well, the show cars could see that he was right. The sky was a light pink and the golden sun was just emerging, bathing everything in a wonderful glow.
"Thanks for everything, Ramone", Flo sighed with mixed feelings. She was happy and truly grateful for the time she'd had in Radiator Springs, but was also disappointed, knowing that it was about to come to an end.
"Low and slow, baby", he replied softly. "Don't you forget it."
All five of them were silent for a long time before Ramone spoke again.
"So, where are you ladies gonna be off to now?"
"California", Rhonda, Laverne and Sheila chorused. Flo didn't say anything.
Another long silence.
"We should probably start heading back", Sheila decided finally.
"Yeah, time to face the music", Rhonda remarked.
The two of them, plus Laverne, started to head back to Radiator Springs. Then they stopped.
"You coming, Flo?" Sheila questioned.
"In a sec", she answered. "I just need to talk to Ramone first."
Shrugging, the other three left.
"I'm glad it's just us now", Ramone informed her.
"Me too", Flo agreed.
The Lowrider took a deep breath. "You know, I'm really gonna miss you."
"You don't have to."
Ramone opened his mouth to reply, but then he stopped. "Are you sayin' what I think you're sayin'?"
"I wanna stay in Radiator Springs, Ramone", Flo announced. "With you."
Ramone was still shocked. "Really? You sure you wanna give up the Motorama life? For... for me?"
Flo nodded with a grin. "Honey, I've been wantin' to for a long time. Now, I finally have a reason."
With those words, Flo and Ramone had the best kiss either of them had ever had.
"Flo! There you are!" Rhonda exclaimed.
"Ms. Victoria's good as new", Sheila reported. "It's time to go. Are you ready?"
"Sorry, girls. My touring days are over. I'm staying here in Radiator Springs."
For the millionth time in two days, Rhonda, Laverne and Sheila gasped. Flo would not stop surprising them.
"But... why?" Laverne wondered.
"Let's just say I've received a more... interesting proposal", Flo explained with a wink at Ramone.
"I would not want to be you", Sheila declared. "Ms. Victoria is not going to be happy."
Indeed, she wasn't. In fact, to say she wasn't happy was the understatement of the decade.
First, she could tell that the girls had gotten friendly with the locals. So, she had a rant about that. The new paint jobs truly horrified her, so that was another rant (to the girls' relief, she was none the wiser to the fattening fuels and the cruising).
Then, when Flo dropped the bomb that she wasn't coming with them, boy was she fuming. She went on the longest, loudest rant of all. She was going on and on about "honouring commitments" and "too young to know what you really want". The children- and even some of the adults- were quite frightened.
Finally, when Ms. Victoria could see that Flo wasn't about to change her mind, she hollered, "Fine! If that's what you really want, stay then! But there is no second chance here! So, don't come crying to me when he breaks your heart! Do you understand?!"
Flo nodded. Without another word, Ms. Victoria got inside of Mitch, trying to silence the other girls' well wishes to Flo.
Mitch started up his engine and rolled down the road out of town, taking Ms. Victoria, Rhonda, Laverne and Sheila with him. Flo wasn't in the least bit sorry to see them go. She just wished her fellow Motorama girls the very best of luck. They were the closest things to friends she'd had.
But now, Flo had a new home, a new family and the man of her dreams. It was time to start a new life.
That's all for this chapter! Please review!
This may be the last chapter for a while. I have one more written, but I want to get another one or two done after that before I continue.
