The Porsche with the Pinstripe Tattoo
Chapter 5:
It had been one week since Sally broke down in Radiator Springs. It had also been a week since Doc ordered parts. They were supposed to come in today. Doc sighed as he watched the clock, sipping on oil here and there. He then turned to his computer, typing. Soon, there was a knock at the clinic's door. Doc drove over and answered it. Behind the door was Sarge.
" Morning, Sarge," the Hornet greeted.
" Morning, Doc," Sarge grunted then pulled out several packages of various sizes. " Did you order all these packages, or is Mater pulling a prank, again?"
" I ordered them," Doc replied as he took the packages, putting them inside.
" What did that woman do to herself," the Jeep widened his eyes.
" I'm not allowed to disclose," the Hornet stated. " All I can say is, it's not good."
" Kids these days," the veteran rolled his eyes. " Well, I best be going. Later, Doc!"
" Later, Sarge," Doc closed the door and turned to the boxes. " Now, which one of these contains the engine block?"
The Hornet reached for the boxes, opening them. Once he knew which parts were which, he began working. Sally, who was asleep, slowly began waking up. Once she was awake, she widened her eyes. Right next to her was her engine. She whimpered and trembled as she opened her mouth. Doc spotted her, surprised.
" Now, Sally," he calmed as he reached a tire out to her. " Don't…"
Doc flinched as Sally let out a blood curdling scream.
" Scream," the Hornet mumbled.
Doc worked for hours on Sally's engine. He replaced the engine block, the transmission, the headgasket, the timing belt, and the sparkplugs. The doctor also gave the engine a major system flush, an oil change, and a transmission fluid exchange. Doc pulled back when he was done, exhausted.
" There we go," he chimed. " Good as new. However, you are not to go over 5 mph and are expected to rest and relax, until I say otherwise. Understood?"
" Understood," Sally replied, while reading a book.
It was late at night. Doc pulled the book out of her tires and set it on the counter.
" I mean it, Sally," he ordered. " You have got to take care of yourself, or you'll wind up in the junkyard sooner rather than later."
The Hornet let out a yawn.
" Speaking of which, I better turn myself in," Doc turned to the door, leaving. " Night, Sally."
" Night, Doc," Sally uttered then went to sleep.
The next day, the Porsche drove herself to Flo's. Doc drove next to her, making sure the repairs were holding up. She pulled up to the pumps.
" Is that who I think it is," Flo beamed as she approached Sally. " How are you feeling, Sugar?"
" Better, thanks to Doc," Sally chimed. " It feels great to finally move again."
" Well, that's good to hear," the green car commented. " So, what can I get you?"
Soon, the rest of the town showed up. Everyone talked while eating breakfast, except for Doc. He was napping by one of the pumps. Flo tapped Ramone's tire and whispered into his door handle. Ramone nodded his head, grinning. The Motorama turned to the Porsche.
" Hey, Sally," Flo tweeted. " Since you're finally up and running, how would you like to stay over at our place?"
" Your place," Sally raised a windshield. " Flo, that's very kind of you, but I don't want to put you guys out."
" Nonsense," the green car objected. " We've got plenty. Besides, do you really want to spend another night in the clinic?"
" No," the Porsche answered.
" Then grab your things and follow us," Flo ushered.
The group drove over to a detached garage. It was right next door to Ramone's Body Art Shop.
" The guest room is over there," Ramone gestured to a door. " Nuestra casa es su casa."
" Thank you," Sally uttered then entered the guest room.
She began unpacking. Sally did not have much, so it only took a few minutes. Afterwards, she looked around room, observing the walls. They had faded teddy bears and gum drop rainbows painted all over them. It used to be a nursery, but Sally did not see any pictures of kids when she entered the garage. In fact, the only pictures she saw were of Flo, Ramone, and the townsfolk. She shrugged it off. They must have been from a previous family.
It was now time for dinner. Everyone showed up, except for Doc. Sally volunteered to go get him. She found him in his garage with the doors open, sleeping.
" Doc," the Porsche whispered. " It's time for dinner."
He did not stir. Something shiny caught Sally's eye. She turned to it. It was a Piston Cup, filled to the brim with tools. The Porsche inspected it closer. It had Doc's name engraved on it. Her eyes then lingered to a newspaper, which was hanging on the wall. The front page contained a picture of a beaten and battered Doc. She tilted her cab, curious. Doc snorted, waking up. Sally noticed and took off, unsure if that was something she was supposed to see.