Wacky stared out the window at the ground below and managed to work a smile. One of his first acts as mayor was to try and rejuvenate the lands between Cog Nation and the edges of Toontown. It was technically part of Cog Nation, but it was more of a barren wasteland that was filled to the brim with dirt and blaring sun. Now there were some signs of life. The Toons had planted some trees and there was a railroad from Slapstick Villa being constructed to run directly to the Cog Nation capital of Gear Golfway. Unfortunately a lot of the work that the yellow monkey had done to create a stable relationship between the Toons and Cogs was slowly being undone by some rogue band Anti-Toons. The most recent attack, an arson that had destroyed forty-eight cogs, including a high ranking official - the same one who had written the letter that the Toons had received a week before - was the last straw. The imperiled mayor knew that this would likely cause some rift with the cogs, and needed to get ahead on things. As soon as he had learned about the attack, he scheduled the first flight to Cog Nation available. He would be meeting his ambassador Matt Dipplo, his most trusted asset. Matt had been crucial in treaty with the cogs.
As the small aircraft began to descend into the now vibrant Cog Nation, Wacky looked at the tall skyscrapers. He had only been here once, but both times he had been in complete awe. The cogs while capable of mass destruction, were also quite skilled architects. While he didn't care for their bland color scheme, their craftsmanship had really shined through. He had considered hiring the cogs to come construct some buildings in Toontown. Maybe some of these "villas" that the cogs used to help their swollen population all live within a compact steel city. Making the landing, Wacky waited for the plane to stop moving before standing up and grabbing his backpack. He certainly didn't intend to stay here very long, but he knew there was a good chance that this was going to be a much bigger task he hoped. As he stepped off the plane, he was greeted by a forest green cat. "Mayor Banana, so good to see you!"
"Matt! It's been too long!" Wacky walked over and hugged his subordinate. "You know, after only getting whispers from someone long enough, you kind of forget what they look like. I swear you used to be pink!" Wacky chuckled.
"Actually I was! I got a re-write!" Matt spun around, strutting his new look.
Nodding impressed, Wacky smiled. "Well I am digging it." letting his excitement fade, the yellow monkey tensed up. "I'm sure you're probably already caught up with everything that happened? Anything new to report?"
"Nothing good, sir. I was able to reach out to the President, and he was unhappy, as you might expect. It took a lot of convincing to even get this meeting set up. A lot of his staff is unwilling to cooperate. They view this as an unwarranted and hostile attack on Cog Nation." Matt rubbed his neck and finished off as he watched his boss in deep contemplation.
"I guess that is to be expected. Although it isn't like the cogs have not had their share of unwanted presence in Toontown in the past. I have already went out warnings to leadership across Toontown, as well as a small campaign. Punishments will not be light. I don't want to be remembered for my time as mayor to be defined as one of war and poverty. We're dealing with enough already. An unneeded conflict could be devastating. Anyways, I guess we should get going. The meeting is in forty-five minutes." Wacky slacked and re-lifted his backpack over his shoulder and held out his hand for Matt to lead the way.
Wacky was impressed by Matt's knowledge of Cog Nation. As the isolated Toons walked down concrete pathways, zigzagged through alleyways, and other "short-cuts" that Matt had found, they soon found their way at the capitol building. The yellow monkey stared in awe at the behemoth of a building. While it was shorter than some of the skyscrapers that towered over the residents of Cog Nation, who likely looked like ants from above, it was made up for in sheer width. One would likely need a vehicle to make it from one side to the other. "A lot of bureaucracy here, sir. A lot of departments doing a lot of different things. Imagine what it must be like to work here every day? Well I guess I don't have to imagine, since I live it. Fortunately we shouldn't have to worry about any of that, I'm known around here." Matt's deep, almost eerie voice was more off-putting than the scenery to Wacky as he recounted his experiences as an ambassador. As they walked up the marble steps to the building, Matt was stopped by a Mover and Shaker who was wearing an unusually colored tie.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Dipplo. When you have time later, Joshua needed to speak with you about the reparations." Nodding, the mustachioed cog flew down the stairs, eager to get away from the pair of Toons, surely wary of anybody who looked different.
"Reparations? What was he talking about?" Wacky looked on his friend, confused.
Matt shrugged. "Oh yeah, I did forget to mention that. Well some cogs are requesting that Toontown pays reparations for the damages caused by the most recent damages and for unfair and restrictive treatment on manufacturing due to the Cog War Treaty. It hasn't really gone anywhere, and it's mostly lip service. It's not something I would worry about. I'll worry about that, for now let's just get to that meeting." the pair walked inside which was somehow even more incredible than the outside. Unlike most cog architecture, the inside of the Capitol resembled something that Toons would come up with. large paintings of prevalent Cog Leaders filled the walls. Plants and furniture lines the lobby and many cross-paths of hallways. Even the employees were dressed a bit more "casually" than their outside counterparts. Many wearing different colored suits and ties. Wacky smiled at a passing Telemarketer who made no notice of him.
"I guess everyone is in a bit of a hurry here." taking a deep breath, Wacky waited for his friend to speak to the receptionist who pointed the pair up a flight of stairs.
"Alright, sir. Looks like he is ready for us and has cleared out his schedule. Are you ready?" Wacky closed his eyes, flashbacks of the "Flippy Incident" filled his mind. Shaking himself from the negativity, he grinned and nodded. "Okay, well here we go." Matt spoke confidently and coolly, his deep voice echoing through the large walkways.
"Quentin Tarintoono? You didn't tell me that he was the director! He's the small-time indie director? Didn't he direct Inglorious Bass Toons and The Grateful Eight? He's a legend!" Boxer poke excitedly as they walked into a large studio which had a hectic mess of activity going on. "I can't even imagine what kind of movie he's directing. Maybe a drama? It's gotta be a drama right? Wow, being in a film directed by Quentin Tarintoono. I'm pretty sure I could die happily."
Tyler shrugged and looked at his counterpart. "Eh, I guess maybe I downplayed 'im a little. I still don't think his movies ain't as good as some make them out to be. I remember when we were in school together and he was making cheap, fifteen minute movies about sentient feet. Guy was always a bit off his rocker, but I will say you star in one of his movies and you're set for life." the duo continued past several large props, both curious about the ongoing work that was being completed. "Anyways kid, it looks like we're in a bit of luck. I don't see anyone else here auditioning, so I guess we're going to be ahead of the ball."
Boxer pumped his fist. Just a few days ago he was feeling about as low as one Toon could, now he was potentially minutes away from realizing one of his dreams. As the two walked, they were stung with an ear-piercing scream. "Cut, cut, cut! No, no! That's all wrong. Everyone, just take five!" in view was a radiant black cat. Wearing a beret and thick black rimmed glasses, the figure pinched their forehead and sighed. "Three days and these idiots still can't figure out their lines." standing up, the cat walked over to a table full of refreshments, and stopped almost immediately upon seeing the two out of place Toons. "Security, we have some over eager fans in here. Could someone please escort them to the trash cans outside, please?"
"Wait der, Quentin!" Tyler stepped forward and held out an empty palm. "It's me, Tyler! Remember me? We went to film school together!"
Peering his eyes, the black cat started at the monkey and contemplated. "Oh yeah... I think I remember you. Aren't you the one who submitted a film about a horse standing on his head for two hours?" the cat laughed at himself disinterested. "Anyways, security will be here shortly. I'm a bit busy right now." turning to grab a doughnut, Boxer interrupted.
"Wait, sir! My name is Boxer Garfunkel. I am an actor. I was here to audition for a role!"
"Audition for a role? Kid, we stopped auditioning for this film like three days ago. Besides, do you even know what film we're shooting here? Or even what role you are looking at? Sorry, but I think I heard that they are re-booting the Tooninator and probably need some unfortunate soul to sacrifice for that. Maybe try that?" Quentin waved his hand, shooing away the purple dog.
Boxer was persistent, jogging over to the cat he fell to his knees. "Please, please, Mr. Tarintoono. I am your biggest fan. Just give me a chance. There has to be something I can do! Even the tiniest of roles would be a dream come true. Just give me one chance to show my skills. I promise you won't be disappointed."
"Ah he's right Quen, this kid has got some serious skills. He's gonna knock you on your butt. Besides, ain't you just finish yelling at someone for not knowing their lines? I guarantee Boxer here could have the script memorized by this time tomorrow!" Tyler, surprisingly, seemed almost more eager than Boxer was to get Boxer this role.
"Ugh. Okay, listen. Our lead's backup just quit out of the blue. Said that he couldn't handle the stress. I guess kid here has the looks about him. Although you'd primarily just be there in the case of a supreme emergency. I'll have to see you first." walking over to his chair, the famous director picked up a fat stack of papers and tossed it over to the purple dog. "You better hope Tyler was right. I'm not going to give you any passes just because you're a "good kid" or a "hard worker" I demand perfection from my actors, and I will not hesitate to cut you loose if you do not live up to my standards. I am making art here, and a good artist does not use faulty tools. Understand?"
Boxer gleaned over the script. "The Werewolf's Kiss? Isn't this that book about Bloodsuckers and Werewolves or something? I thought you tended to do something a bit more.., mature?" scratching his head, Boxer looked as the director made a sarcastic face.
"Listen, I am not here to listen to your criticism of your choices in my film. I am going to turn that teenage schlock into a mind-bending, action-packed experience the Toons of this world could only hallucinate in a high-pitched fever dream. I'm thin on patience. I am giving you an opportunity due to my own kindness. I assure you I could have fifty actors ready to take over in a moment's notice if needed."
"Don't worry, Quen. Dis kid is gonna blow your freakin' mind tomorrow." Shaking with excitement, Tyler patted Boxer's back.
"He better. Be here at noon tomorrow. That's when the cast takes their lunch. Be ready with the entire script because I am going to choose some lines at random." biting into his doughnut, the black cat walked off and began yelling directions out to several workers who were building a set.
Boxer turned to his agent and shrieked like a fourteen year old girl who just found out that "The Werewolf's Kiss" was being turned into a movie, and as nervous as that Toon's parents when they saw who it was directed by. "Tyler, that was amazing! I can't believe it!"
"I can't believe it either. I never actually went to film school and we've never met in person. I just put on the best acting job this studio will see all day!" Tyler wrapped his arm around his client. "Looks like we don't have very long. You better start reading those lines. He sounded pretty serious. Second in line for a main role? That's a great start."
"I'm gonna go straight back to the hotel and read this inside and out. I won't let you down, Tyler. Thank you so much!" Boxer kissed the monkey on the forehead jokingly and darted off. He finally had his breakthrough!