History

Later in the day, Mater stopped by as Hudson and Sheriff finished the windows.

Mater called out, "Hey there, Sheriff!"

"Howdy there, Mater!" Sheriff wiped his hands off as the tow truck operator scuffed his feet in the dirt.

Sheriff pointed to Hudson. "Guess what we're calling the new kid now?"

"Oh, he's got a name, does he?"

"I always have had a name…" Hudson tried to speak but was interrupted.

"We're calling him Doc now! Ya' know, he used to be a doctor, and look," Sheriff extended his neatly bandaged arm, "and he fixed my arm up! Isn't that nice?"

"Aw, shoot! I didn't know you was a doctor!" Mater exclaimed, "Well, 'Doc,'" he smiled. "I came here to ask somethin'...Yah up for a little drive?"

"Where to...?" Hudson asked quietly.

Mater clapped his hands together. "Der's a nice place up the mountain, an old motel of ours. Quick trip, up 'n back down!"

Hudson hesitated. "Alright."

Mater pointed to his tow truck. "What are we waiting for? Les' go!" He excitedly bounded off to the tow truck. Hudson followed, hands in his pockets. He climbed into the passenger seat as Mater turned the engine over. The truck started up the road, past the shops and the courthouse, towards the mountains ahead. "Hope you don' git carsick," Mater said, as he gestured to the windy road ahead.

Hudson breathed a sigh of relief as Mater parked atop the mountain. Driving with Mater could make anyone sick. He burped and tried to hide his nauseousness from Mater. Mater pointed at the hotel next to them. In front of the men sat a half-wheel shaped building, carved into the stone mountain. It had a small entrance in the middle of the "wheel," with two gas pumps under its awning. Judging by its small size, Hudson guessed its capacity was around thirty. "Very unique," Hudson stepped towards the motel. "What happened to this place?" He asked. The motel loomed above him, with colored stone now sunbaked from years of neglect. Hudson could image families staying for the night, cars parked outside, the laughter, chatter, and delightful sunsets from a motel overlooking the most beautiful sight: Ornament Valley. As Hudson extended his view down into the valley, Mater pointed. "See Radiator Springs down there? We've come a long way!"

"Yeah…" Hudson said softly, eyes fixed upon the valley. "Why does nobody work here?"

"Nobody wants tah' stay here. Outta' business," Mater said.

"Why?" Hudson asked.

"Well…" Mater pointed to a large strip of road which cut through the bumpy mountains in a straight line. "That's the interstate. It's new, and only a few years old. It's faster though, by 'bout fifteen minutes. It's straight, safer, and easier."

"So?"

"Well, Radiator Springs used tah' be important. These folks used tah' rely on the town for fuel, lodging, a warm meal, medical assistance..."

"Is there an exit on the interstate for the town?" Hudson asked.

"Yeah, don't mean they use it though. Easier tah' just go straight through."

"To the next town?" Hudson asked.

Mater nodded. "Radiator Springs was forgotten. Abandoned. Bypassed by n' interstate." He pointed to the road again. "People used to go on road trips tah' have a good time. Radiator Springs was part of the adventure. I dunno what happened to that. Everyone's inna' rush now."

Hudson watched the little cars move across the interstate. "Isn't that the truth…" He said softly. "So…it's a ghost town…why didn't you guys leave?"

Mater shook his head, almost appalled by Hudson's words. "Leave? How can yah? A town dat Stanley put all his time intah' makin', Lizzie at his side. And all dem' good-hearted folk 'ere. This is our town and our home. We can't just leave! We're a family."

Mater and Hudson's gaze met as they looked at each other simultaneously. "Yah know something, Doc?" Mater asked.

"Hmm?"

"I believe, someday, we'll get its heyday back. It ain't over yet. Radiator Springs has still got life. Just needs tah be brought out again. Yah watch," he grinned ear-to-ear, "They'll be makin' memories again, havin' a good ol' time, smilin and watchin' the sunsets from this here Wheel Well Motel."

Hudson bit his lip, then gave Mater a nod. He admired Mater's optimism, no matter how impossible it might have been. The two stood at the edge of the hotel and overlooked the valley below. Hudson imagined the cars winding down route 66 for miles and miles. He imagined the feeling of relief that overcame weary travelers upon the sight of a town to rest at. He imagined Flo's diner, serving hungry guests, sharing stories over hamburgers and corn on the cob. "Where are you from?" "Where are you going?" The travelers would likely never meet again. But the memories made at Radiator Springs would never be forgotten.

Mater elbowed Hudson's side, which drew him out of the daydream. "I got one mo' place tah show yah." He gestured to the truck. The young doctor followed behind but found it difficult to turn his back on such a beautiful view, and the peaceful hotel. He took one last glance. "Let's go!" Mater called to his new friend. Hudson climbed into his seat and turned his eyes forward, to the road ahead.

"Onward we go," Mater added. Hudson raised an eyebrow but didn't object. When the tow truck reached the bottom of the mountain, Mater made a sharp left turn onto a dirt road. The truck shimmied and bumped around. Hudson grabbed the door handle to hang on.

"Did I startle yah'?" Mater asked as he struggled to keep his truck's wheels straight. Hudson was too busy hanging on to reply. Mater laughed out loud and continued down the rough dirt road. Eventually, a wooden picket fence appeared in the distance. Mater parked next to the fence and turned off the truck. He went around to the back of the truck, reached in, and pulled out a medium-sized ball.

"Where are we?" Asked Hudson.

"Oh, you'll see..." Mater led his new friend to the fence and lifted the latch on the gate. "After you," he gestured in a suspicious tone. Hesitantly, Hudson made his way inside. Mater followed as a smirk stretched across his face. Hudson looked ahead, only to see a herd of brown spotted cows.

"Cows?" He asked.

"Oh yeah!" Mater exclaimed. "We gon' do something fun, okay?" He kept the ball tucked behind him with one arm.

"I'm not sure I like your definition of fun..." Hudson stood behind Mater. He knew it wasn't a good idea to taunt creatures twice as strong as him.

"Well yah' see, we gon' pet these fellas. My gal, Clover is out 'ere somewhere."

"That's such a common cow name."

Mater led Hudson over to the herd of cows. "We take care of these gals out 'ere. There's one bull, his name is Frank," Mater snickered, "you don't wanna meet Frank."

"...is Frank nearby?"

Mater shrugged. "Ah, he's around."

Hudson stopped in his tracks, eyes wide. "If Frank is dangerous, and we're in Frank's space...why are we here!?" He remembered going to Lou's home, where he watched her jump the fence and provoke the cows just to be chased. She wanted the others to have fun too, so she made her friends do the same. Two cows chased Hudson and River, who climbed over the fence to safety just in time. They landed in a puddle of mud. Louise laughed for hours. She talked about it for years.

Mater gave Hudson a push. "You gotta live a little!" He said as he ran towards his bovine friends.

Hudson followed in a more hesitant manner. When they reached the cows, Mater stretched out his arm, still hiding the toy ball. More cows noticed the commotion and came to investigate. A few calves followed behind their mothers, hesitant about the new visitors.

"See? Ain't that bad…" Mater watched as Hudson reached out to pet one of the gentler cows.

"No, not bad…" Hudson lowered his voice as to not frighten the gentle giants away. He enjoyed stroking the back of the friendly creature. A few more came over, sniffing Hudson's jacket, and investigating the new smells. "Hello," he whispered as they approached.

"Now, watch this," Mater said. He sprinted off into the field, yelling "yeeeeeehooo!" as he went. He lifted the ball into the air and threw it with all of his might. Many of the cows turned around and began to follow him.

Hudson continued to pet the loyal cow that had stayed with him. Apparently, back scratches were more important than toys. Hudson was alright with that. He felt a sort of comfort, or maybe it was safety, with his new fuzzy friend. Mater continued to kick the ball for the cattle to chase until he tripped in a gopher hole and landed face first. A dozen cows stopped in their tracks, then circled around the fallen man. Hudson couldn't help but smile. Mater was self-entertaining; it didn't take much to make his day. When Mater stood up, he was covered in mud and grass, but he kept running. Hudson started to chuckle.

"Git out 'ere!" Mater yelled. "Come run, they wanna play catch!"

"Okay, okay." Hudson clapped his hands together as he started to jog. His new friend followed him into the field. Mater kicked the ball to Hudson, and he kicked it to the group of cows. They chased after it. Some kicked their rear legs in the air as a playful gesture. Hudson couldn't help but enjoy himself. He smiled, laughed, and played along with Mater. Both men slipped multiple times, leaving them covered in grass and dandelions. It didn't matter to Hudson or Mater. In fact, Hudson had hardly even noticed.

Sheriff pulled up next to the fence and spotted Mater's car. Apparently, Mater was already with the cows. Sheriff wanted to bring them treats: carrots. He lifted the bucket out of the car and stood at the gate. "Is that…" He whispered to himself. "Mater? Doc?" He shook his head, perplexed, as he watched the two run about in the field, covered in dirt. It was them, all right. Sheriff could hear Mater's voice from across the field, and Hudson was laughing: a genuine laugh. That shocked Sheriff most of all.

Sheriff made his way into the field and set the bucket of carrots down. The sound instantly drew the attention of all the cows. They came over to see what snacks were available. Hudson and Mater followed their gaze, which led to Sheriff. Standing with arms crossed, he chuckled deeply.

"Boy, you two had yourselves some fun, huh?" He asked.

Mater nodded. "Oh yah! Look at us! It was great! Right, Doc?"

"It was," Hudson quieted down, but flashed his smirk again.

"Sun's gonna be goin' down soon," Sheriff mentioned. "Might wanna get headin' back if I were you."

"You got it, Sheriff!" Mater stood tall, hands on his hips. However, his expression quickly changed from confidence to worry. Sheriff noticed. "Mater?… Are you alright?" Hudson and Sheriff followed Mater's gaze, which led right to a large bull, who made direct eye contact with the group.

"…Hey Doc…" Mater whispered.

"…Yeah…?"

"Thas' Frank." He said, then slowly backed away. Frank took a few steps closer.

"When I say go, we go," Mater said. "Ready…set…go…!" Mater turned and ran for the gate. Sheriff ran and Hudson followed up behind. Ever since the accident, Hudson could never run as fast, but that seemed to change the moment he ran for his life. Mater and Sheriff hopped the fence, then pulled Hudson over as he approached. Frank hadn't charged but made an effort to follow them to the gate.

"He's unpredictable," Sheriff added, short of breath.

"What a rush!" Mater exclaimed. Hudson touched his hip, which felt a bit sore. It had never healed properly. It acted up from time to time. "That was something…" He added.

"Hudson, want to come with me?" Sheriff asked. "We'll meet Mater back at Flo's? We're not far."

"Alright," Hudson nodded and took his place in the front seat of Sheriff's cruiser. Mater hopped in his truck and sped off down the road, kicking up dirt and dust as he went.

"You two will need a shower…" Sheriff shot Hudson a look. "So... yah' had fun?"

"Yeah, quite fun," Hudson said. "Went to, ehm, Wheel Well, was it?"

"Wheel Well Motel," Sheriff corrected. "Great little place."

Hudson nodded in agreement. "Unfortunate to hear what happened to the town, though. I wondered why it was so empty upon my arrival."

Sheriff let out a sigh. "Yeah, it'll probably never be the same again."

There was a moment of silence before Sheriff spoke up. "Well, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself in Radiator Springs."

Sheriff's comment reminded Hudson of his deadline: California by Friday. He wasn't going to make it. Hudson huffed. "Yeah," he replied bluntly. "I guess so."

Sheriff knew Hudson was frustrated. He understood that the young man had places to go. But for once, he had seen Hudson laugh, grin, and enjoy a moment of his life. Sheriff knew he needed to be patient with Hudson; he kept telling himself, don't worry. He'll lighten up. Sheriff sure hoped that he was right.