"Paging Doctor Bubbles, Room 303. Doctor Bubbles to Room 303, please!" a frazzled orange duck wearing an oversized white jacket jogged his way down the hallway of the Slapstick Villa General Hospital. Wiggling his way passed other personnel and patients, he finally reached his destination. Outside of the room stood a much taller pink pig wearing bright blue scrubs and a stethoscope that looked like a flower attached to a long stem. "Thanks for getting here do quickly Doctor, it seems the patient has taken a sudden turn for the worse!" leading inside of the door, the two watched as an unconscious yellow rabbit was being worked on by two other nurses administering a myriad of techniques. The heart monitor started to pick up rapidly, screaming it's wretched song, echoing through the room.
"What the hell happened?" the duck panicked, watching as the other two nurses hectically tried multiple gags and treatments to no avail.
Throwing her arms out and shrugging, the pig looked just as confused. "I don't know! I came in here for a routine check-up, and he started going into epileptic shock! We were able to subdue that, but then his heart rate skyrocketed and his breathing increased!" the duck ran over and began looking at the rabbit, where dried blood had started to stream from his mouth after biting his tongue and cheeks. "Doctor, we need to do something!"
Gently moving a blue rabbit aside, the doctor crouched down and grabbed something from beneath the bed. Quickly putting on a pair of disposable gloves, she sighed. "You never hope to need to use this as a doctor." pulling out a surgical tool and a small bag of pixie dust, she had one of the nurses close the door behind her. "Don't want anyone to see this." slowly slicing into the rabbit's chest, she watched as a slow pool of blood started to form, soaking into the rabbit's blanket. Nodding to the second nurse who began to sponge clean the wound she sighed and began to sprinkle pixie dust inside, watching as the wound slowly healed.
"Well that seems to be working okay, does that mean..?" a dark blue dog inquired.
The duck turned around and nodded her head. "Yes, his body still reacts to toonup. This means that the injuries themselves must be too ingrained to be healed. I'm afraid this toon is probably on his last legs." slumping forward, the duck exhaled. "I will alert the family." waiting for the two younger nurses to leave, the pig turned back around and walked over to the young nurse who was silently sobbing. "I know it is hard, Spoink, but it's part of being in the field." placing her hand on the pig's back, she inhaled slowly. "We can't save them all.." waiting for her younger partner to leave, Bubbles reached for a clipboard on the bed and scanned through the paper until she found the family's contact information. Pulling out her whisper device, she began to type.
A middle-aged yellow rabbit rocked back in forth in a recliner, flipping through TV channels and sipping on a glass of carrot juice. It was always nice to sit back and relax after a long day of coordinating attacks on the Toons. Finally stopping on an acceptable program, he leaned back, pushing the back of the chair into a tilted position and stretching his legs out. Shortly after he became comfortable, his whisper device began to whisper. Generally Anti-Toons didn't carry whisper devices, however as a key member of the Anti-Toons, he was granted special privileges. Groaning in annoyance, the rabbit reached over to a side table and pulled up his messages. It was from an unknown number. Generally he would just disregard this as spam, as anybody important would be saved in his contacts. However, when he saw the name in the message, he jumped up, spilling his juice over his shirt and recliner, before it crashed to the floor and rolled a few feet away. "Mr. Stupid Rabbit. My name is Doctor Bubbles from the Slapstick Villa General Hospital. I hate to say this, but it appears your brother has taken a turn for the worst and does not appear to have very long. I encourage you to get here as soon as possible so you could say your final goodbyes.. I'm so sorry." anger began to swell inside of the rabbit. squeezing his device, he could hear it began to crack before finally bursting into small plastic pieces, cutting into his hand. Running into an opposite room, he pulled out a teleportation hole and made his way to the Villa.
Paula grabbed Wally's hand as they exited the theater. Staring up at the pitch black sky, she grinned. There was something beautiful about a cloudless night, looking at the stars. Turning to the purple monkey, she started to excitedly speak. "I can't believe they would end a movie like THAT. I did NOT see that coming!" the middle-aged maroon dog chucked as she recounted the picture they had just watched, The two slowly strolled down the still-surprisingly, lively Baritone Boulevard.
"Yeah. I can't believe Bloople and Pickle didn't want to come. Those two are always so absorbed in their TV, they can't appreciate the true story-telling like the movie gives" the monkey adjusted his hat and scratched his head. "I'm starting to wonder if we need to start encouraging them to do something else. I mean, I don't think Bloople has any friends. He needs to get out and socialize sometimes!"
Paula pinched her husband's biceps and stuck her tongue out. "Oh come on Wall, don't be such a stick in the mud. I remember when we were his age. It took you two hours to ask me out to the Melodyland Ball! You're lucky you were so cute or I might have gone with that really weird, fancy rabbit? What was his name? Walter or something?"
"Oh yeah, Walter Edwards. I've never seen a teenager wear a monocle now, always spouting how he was going to become some rich millionaire. Wonder what he's up to these days. Probably bragging about being a snoozefest." the two laughed. The further they made their way down the street, the more sparse the Toons became until it was eventually just them. "Hey, do you remember when we would take the kids down here in the winter and they would go skating on the fishing pond?"
"Aww, little Pickle. She tried to hard to stay up!" Paula clasped her hands together and grinned in adoration. "Why haven't we gone in so long?"
Wally stroked his chin. "You know, that's a good question. Well, I'm pretty sure the skates still fit me. I can get a good deal on some new ones for the kids at work. How about we make a whole thing of it. We can bring snacks and maybe take a day off work to avoid the crowds." he smiled at his wife who was bouncing excitedly. Although the pair had been together for almost thirty years, she still had the energetic and exuberant attitude she had all those years ago.
As they walked, they were shortly approached by a short, dark green cat. Wearing a dark blue button up shirt, and white shorts, the Toon stuck out from the more casually dressed Toons out on the town. "Excuse me good Toons. My name is Chester. Do you two have a few minutes to help a struggling Toon?" smiling innocently, he watched as Wally put on a large grin.
"Yes, of course pal. What kind of Toon ignores another in need?" Wally placed his hand on his hip and placed his other hand out. "Name is Wally. This is my wife Paula. What can we do for you?"
The green cat turned and snickered, trying to keep on the act. "Well you see good fellows, I seem to have locked myself out of estate, and I'm having some trouble getting in. I can't seem to find a locksmith, and my window is a BIT too tall. I was wondering if you two could escort me back home and maybe help me? Of course I would be sure to reward you handsomely!" rubbing his hands together he watched as the dog pulled her husband aside.
"Wally. I don't know about this. This cat seems a little suspicious. I mean, no locksmith available on a Saturday night? Plus I've heard a lot about those Toons in Minnie's Melodyland who have been causing trouble. Maybe we should just go on home. Besides, the kids are probably waiting for us." Paula whispered.
The maroon monkey would hear none of this. He was an honorable Toon, and he would not refuse to help another. It was something he took pride in, and something he hoped to pass on to his own children. "Paula. I think you're being a bit irrational? Come on, this guy needs help. Do you think somebody would come out in the open and try to do something?" patting her hand, he leaned over and kissed her cheek. "How about you start heading on home. It shouldn't take very long. I'll stop by and grab a pizza and sodas and we can surprise the kids. Maybe we can play a board game or something!" smiling he watched his wife's still anxious face.
"I don't know honey.." Paula sighed. "I mean, I guess it would be okay. But please whisper me once you get there and once you leave, okay? I'm still worried. I mean, we can just call him a locksmith and wait here with him?" Paula did her best to convince her husband, but he just nodded his head and grinned.
"Don't worry sweet tart. I'm gonna be there and home in a jiffy. I might even be there before you!" he jokingly began running in place.
The green cat was now facing the pair, pleading with his eyes, and nearly on his knees."Yes, ma'am. I promise it will just be a few minutes. I am right down the street. Plus I am a very wealthy Toon. I assure you that your husband's good deeds will not go unpaid."
"See honey. He looks like a good Toon. I'll be home soon, okay?" kissing his wife one last time, he waved a goodbye as he followed the green cat. The two made small talk as they turned down an alley. "Hmm. Is this a shortcut?" Wally inquired, becoming slightly suspicious the longer the two walked.
"Yes, sir. Sorry about this. I figured it was a little faster. Don't want to keep you away from that lovely wife of yours." turning down one last alley, they hit a head end.
Wally's heart began to race. There wasn't an estate to be found. "Um. Chester, I think we went the wrong way."
"Oh come on, why are Toons so stupid?" the green cat dropped the act and stepped behind Wally. Reaching into his pocket he whipped out a sharpened pocket-knife and stuck it into Wally's back, just enough to be felt, but not enough to hurt him. "Listen. I'm sure you want to see that family of yours again. That right?"
Gulping, Wally nodded slowly, trying to hold back his fear. "yes, yes sir." he managed to whisper out.
"Good. I want you to slowly turn around and get on your knees. Once you do, I want you to slowly reach in and pull out your jellybeans, and any gags, and place them on the ground in front of me. No funny business, nobody gets hurt." watching as the Toon did as instructed, he salivated as the Toon pulled out one of the biggest jellybean holders he had ever seen. "Good." turning to a hole in the wall he called out. "Alright, Pop come on out! We got em!" shortly after a tall, chubby, pink horse crawled out and snickered.
"What's with these Melodyland Marks, man? You think these idiots would learn by now." the horse cracked, laughing as his fat stomach jiggled.
Slowly turning his eyes towards the horse without moving his head, the slow grinding of a metal bat against the hard ground caused his anxiety to ball up even higher. How could Toons be so deceitful and cruel? Gulping again, Wally slowly squeaked out a few words. "Sirs, please. I have a family. You can have anything you want. I just want to go home and be with them. I promise nobody will ever know." saying a small prayer to himself he listened as the pair rustled through his things.
"Hmm. Look at this Pop, seven-hundred jellybeans? This guy is loaded." the green cat grinned evilly. "What do you think, he sound like a Toon that would keep his word?"
"Yeah, this guy looks like he understands, Chase. I think we let him go." the horse neighed.
Wally's heart pounded. He didn't care about the money or the gags, he had plenty more at home. He just wanted to get out of here. "Th-thank you sirs. I promise, I won't tell anyone Chase!"
The green cat sneered at the mention of his name. "What did you call me Toon?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I just heard him call you that. I apologize if I was out of line." trembling in far, the monkey placed his arms over his head and ducked down.
"Yeah, you better be, monkey. Stand up you pathetic excuse of a Toon." Chase muttered, holding his hand out and checking his nail.
Standing up, Wally kept his head ducked as he faced the pair of evil Toons. "Where were you tonight, punk?" Pop growled out.
This was the final straw for Wally, who found an undeserved confidence. "I'm the punk! Look at you! Holding up innocent Toons! You're the real punk here!" this would be the last words Wally would ever mutter. Furious, the pink horse stepped forward and with all of the strength he could muster, he swung the bat, connecting with the back of the Monkey's head, sending him sprawling across the pavement and into a crumpled pile on the ground.
"Damn it, Pop!" Chase slapped his forehead in anger and screamed at the horse. Running over, he knelt down and felt the Monkey's neck. "No pulse. Great job, you killed him!"
Swinging the bat a few times lightly, Pop shrugged. "Guy called me a punk. I'm not gonna listen to no punk toon call me a punk. Besides, there's nobody around. We scoop the beans and gags and we're out of here. Let someone else deal with him." Chase stared down at the body. Although he had been in the Melodyland Crime Sector and eventually the Anti-Toons for a few years now, he had actually never seen a Toon killed. He had sworn he would never go as far as to kill. Even he had limits. Standing up he grabbed the bat from the horse and tossed it aside.
"I'm not taking that risk! How you think Violet's gonna feel when she finds out there is a murder and we're connected that she didn't authorize! This is gonna have those Rangers snooping around and what happens if they find something? His damn wife saw me! You don't think she's gonna talk, idiot!" rubbing his forehead, he began to panic. "Here, help me hide the body." the two walked over and grabbed the limp toon. Walking over to a large dumpster, they swung him back a few times, before tossing him in. Chase watched with a sort of weird enjoyment as the body flew in and clanged against the empty bottom. "Come on, get the stuff.. and ditch the bat. Someone's gonna get suspicious seeing someone carrying that around." the two made their way out of the alley, peering around, they took off. Overhead, the once clear sky had been obscured by dark clouds, slowly releasing rain into the warm summer night.
Romeo continued to call out orders. Now with Berry gone, he was the only one he trusted to lead the kitchen and had eagerly switched into the role. His face still hurt from where the purple bear slugged him the prior day. While it was still raw when he spoke, he did his best to ignore it. he was feeling the high of baking once again, and it helped to mask the pain of the last few weeks. He didn't want to show any sign of weakness to his employees, not when they needed him the most. Walking over to an over, he peered in and smiled. "Nice job on those cakes, Sleepy!" he called out to a smiling blue horse, who began to mix his dough bowl even faster. Walking over to a computer, he sighed. They were still well behind on their orders. Now with Toon Council issuing a state of emergency, gag shops, bakeries, and other gag adjacent businesses were in maximum over-drive. He couldn't afford to lose any business. His business was barely scraping by as it was, and having to pay Allen's legal fees and living expenses, he was barely keeping himself alive. Romeo had come in early this morning to start on the prep-work. He had considered sleeping in his office to save the commute time, but he was unable to get comfortable in his chair and decided to give himself a break. Rubbing his stained sleeve on his forehead, the exhausted duck tried his best to keep spirits high. "Great job everyone! We're making great progress!" the longer the day went, the more it began to wear on him. Larger and larger orders were received, ones that would overwhelm even a full kitchen. By the end of the day, they were about fourteen orders behind, but Romeo had decided to send the employees home anyways. He would just stay and finish up himself, he couldn't afford to pay any over-time.
After the last worker had gone, Romeo slid down to the ground and took off his hat, tossing it aside he stared forward blankly for what seemed like hours, lost in his thoughts. Through this whole ordeal he had managed to keep himself together, but he could feel it unraveling. Clenching his fist, be began to pound a steel oven behind him and screamed. Once, twice more, he hit it and screamed, before bursting into tears. It had all become too much. He couldn't handle it anymore. But what option did he have? If he failed, Allen would have no hope. But he was so tired. In between sobs, he heard the front door slowly open. Pulling himself up, he wiped his face and inhaled a few deep breaths. One of the employees probably forgot something, walking forward a few feet, he stopped stunned at the figure in front of him. "Hey, Romeo."
"Rudy... What are you doing here?" Romeo slowly inquired, trying to make himself presentable to his estranged girlfriend. he was shortly interrupted when the brown cat ran over and threw her arms around him and began to sob, burying her face into his shoulder. Unable to say anything, he placed his arm around Rudy, and started to rub her back.
"Romeo.. I'm so sorry." she whispered. The two stood in silence, embracing each other. Romeo let his emotions out, bursting into tears. For a short period, the two did not want to think about their problems, their stress, or anything else. They just wanted to be, and they wanted to do it together. Pulling away, Rudy wiped a tear-stained face and placed her hand on Romeo's cheek. "Romeo. I need to tell you something."
Closing his eyes, the light blue duck felt his stomach burning. He already knew the truth, but for some reason he couldn't speak. Seeing Rudy again.. the anger melted away. This was the same Toon that he had fallen in love with. He didn't want things to be over. She had betrayed him, but she had also helped Allen and had come back and clearly felt bad. "Why Berry, Rudy?"
Rudy stepped back, shocked that Romeo was already aware. She had a feeling, but hearing it confirmed cut her deep. "Romeo. It was a mistake. I was so overwhelmed, and confused.. and.."
"Rudy. You went behind my back and with Berry of all people. I love you so much, but right now I don't know. I guess I couldn't expect you to understand.." turning away, he stared at his face in the reflection of the stainless steel, in the mirror of himself, he watched as Rudy approached from behind.
"I understand. I don't expect you to forgive me. I'd be surprised if you ever wanted to talk to me again. I just wanted to make sure that you heard it from me.." turning around she began to walk away when Romeo called out her name.
Circling back, she stared at the duck who was placing his hat on his head. "Hey, we're still fourteen orders behind. I was wondering if maybe you were free? For old times sake?'
Rudy smiled and walked over to a rack which held spare chef jackets and hats, finding a closely fitting one, she slipped into it and saluted. "Yes, sir!" she giggled softly.
Clover pushed open the front door of her new home slowly, and called out quietly. "Bloople? Hula? Miko? Is anybody home?" kicking off her shoes, she slowly slid her feet across the hardwood living room floor and into the kitchen.
"Hey Miss Clover!" Hula called out. The three were sitting at the kitchen table, playing a board game, with the two young Toons clearly avoiding the rules as they dragged their tokens across pathways and grabbed large piles of money.
"Haha, what did I tell you guys. Just call me Clover, okay?" sitting down in between Miko and Bloople she smiled as the girls continued their hectic play. Placing her hand on Bloople's thigh, she rubbed it slowly and watched his despondent face attempt to respond to the cheery attitude from the cat.
Reaching over to grab a piece, Hula accidentally knocked the board over, spilling fake money, cards, and pieces everywhere. Bloople slapped his face angrily. "Dang it, Hula! What did I say about reaching over the table like that!" he shouted. the yellow deer sunk into her chair, trying not to cry at her father's angry outburst. Neither of the girls wanted to speak.
"Bloople. Come on, it was just an accident. Give her a break, okay?" Clover looked at him confused. This was the second time today that he had acted this way. She had known him for ten years and had never seen him get angry.
"Well then Toons need to listen when they are told not to do something. When someone tells you not to do something, you don't do it! Girls can you please clean up that mess, now!" he angrily huffed out, his face turning red and visibly trembling. The young deer and mouse hastily fell to the floor and began to clean under their father's glare.
Clover bent down and started to clean. "Girls, why don't you go upstairs and I'll take care of this okay? I'll call you guys when dinner is ready, okay?" she whispered softly, watching as the two took no time darting away. Standing back up, she watched Bloople who stared straight ahead, not wanting to speak. "Bloople what's your problem today? It's one thing to get mad at me, but you don't need to take it out on the girls!" Bloople continued to not speak, instead placing his face down on the hard table and breathing heavily. Clover wrapped her arms around Bloople's torso and kissed his forehead. "Bloople.. Talk to me. Please?"
Bloople didn't lift his head, instead allowing the table to muffle his voice. "I'm such a stupid idiot!" he muttered.
"Bloople.. you're not an idiot. We all lose our tempers sometimes. Just, you know, apologize to them later. They will understand. You've been under a lot of stress."
"Clover.. Have I ever told you about my parents?" Bloople stood up, tears streaming from swollen red eyes.
Staring at him, Clover nodded. "Yeah. Yeah I think you did. They died in an accident, right?" rubbing his back, she felt a chill go down her spine. He was asking for a reason, and she wasn't sure it was a good one. Sitting down, she grabbed Bloople's hand and listened fiercely as he spoke.
"It wasn't an accident, Clover. It happened about ten years ago.."
Raindrop sat at a small outdoor table, plugging himself between two chairs that were filled by Mandy and Pippy. His confidence had evaporated the second that the beautiful mouse had arrived. He listened as the two talked about the coffee that they had ordered, and other small talk. Mandy had attempted to get him involved a few times, with him stumbling over his words and unable to find anything interesting to say. "So, Rain. How was it like. You know, fighting the cogs?" Mandy inquired, eyes wide and doing her best to make the situation sound heroic.
"Well. It was nothing like I thought it would be." Raindrop tried his best to hide his true feelings. How was somebody else supposed to understand what he had gone through unless they had been there? At the same time, their ignorance wasn't their fault and they shouldn't be made to feel bad for not going through what he had. After all he would not wish it upon anybody. "I mean, they're super tall. They make these really bad puns, and they explode when you hit them! I mean it was super overwhelming, but you know, it wasn't too bad." he lied.
"Wow that sounds crazy." Mandy responded, speaking over her friend who meant to interject. "So, what happened? I mean, you know, with the chair.." Pippy covered her face in embarrassment at the question.
Doing his best to not re-live the painful memories, Rain did his best to dance around the question. "Well, you know. Sometimes things happen and well, you know.." sighing a breath of relief in his mind, he watched as Pippy nudged the purple duck and motioned to the front counter. "Hey look, nobody is in line. Do you think you could go pay? Here I'm paying." handing over a bag of jellybeans, she quickly swatted her friend away, blushing.
"So, um, I'm sorry about that Raindrop. Mandy isn't a bad Toon, she just has a big mouth sometimes." pausing the two looked at the ground. "So you know, it's been way more boring in Mr. Banana's class since you left. I'm really glad your back home.." twirling a strand of fur, she smiled at Raindrop who turned redder than a foghorn.
"Oh, well, you know. He is pretty boring!" Raindrop squeaked out, feeling his self-hatred rise as he continued to bungle over himself. Why was he such a loser? Why was she even talking to him? Probably out of pity. Why else would anyone want to talk to a useless, disabled Toon like him when there were perfectly good, not worthless Toons in the world?
Pippy giggled awkwardly, checking over at Mandy who was still trying paying. "So, Raindrop. Um, I don't know if you heard, but there's going to be a graduation dance next month at school.." she grinned at him, trying to make it as obvious as she could for the oblivious dog.
"Oh, that sounds like fun!" the blue dog did his best to sound excited. "Are you going?"
"Well. I'm not sure yet. I really want to, but nobody has asked me to go. I don't wanna go alone, you know?" she smiled even larger, unable to lay it on any thicker than that. Raindrop bit his lip and grimaced. He had a feeling what was going on, but part of him now felt guilty thinking about it. Why should someone like her have to be stuck with someone like him? Especially at a dance! he couldn't get out of his chair, they would just be stuck all night sitting and watching others have fun.
"Wow. That's surprising!" Raindrop feigned arrogance. "I'm sure somebody will soon, Pippy. I mean you're funny, sweet, beautiful. Some lucky Toon is going to have the night of their life.." the two sat silently before Mandy exuberantly returned.
Pushing the bag of jellybeans back over to Pippy, the duck chuckled. "Get this guys. The place said that somebody else already bought our drinks for us!" staring around, the three locked eyes on another Toon from their school, Charles. Charles was one of the most popular Toons in school. He was tall, handsome, charismatic, and got along with everybody. Smiling, he waved at the three, setting his eyes on Pippy, he winked before standing up and walking out of the cafe. "Oh my goodness. Was that Charles!" Mandy squealed to herself. "Oh my cog, he is the cutest! Look at those muscles! Look at that butt!" she had to contain herself from swooning too hard.
"Um, yeah.." Pippy joined in. "Cute, for sure." looking sadly over at Raindrop who glanced away from her, the three sat and enjoyed the rest of their drinks in awkward silence before finally saying goodbye and heading home.