The Florida Project Chapter 1 -Lights, camera, action
Written by Bluelighthouse
Edited by Cimar
Nick sat back lazily in his seat, his visor sitting on top of the fox's head as he flipped through the different scenarios on a small touchpad. The vulpine had his legs crossed and smirked as he read about the various stories he and his bunny could dive into next. Having already visited so many wonderful and unique world's, it was becoming a challenge to find something that stood out. Of course there were many places that stuck out to the fox that could be really fun. None of them, however, really caught his eye at the moment.
Judy meanwhile was busy chatting with Martin over the different worlds they had already visited. The panther chuckling at the bunny's enthusiasm and constant thanks for allowing them to play around with his new invention. He chuckled when she let out an 'oh', before placing her paws on her belly, smiling warmly.
Only less than a week away...Nick thought, wondering just how the delivery of their kits would go. This one should be a special, magical one for her...
Something suddenly caught Nick's attention on the screen. Not because it was something bright or vibrant. No, it was because it seemed like an odd thing to have in a machine where anything was possible. Yet it also intrigued him. That would be magical for her.
"Hey Flit," Nick said as he raised the small touchpad which currently had a new selection on the screen. "You know you could just buy a plane ticket to this place right?"
The panther and bunny both gave the fox a confused look as they strolled over to see what Nick was on about.
Judy looked at the screen and nodded her head. She had to admit her partner was right.
The image on the screen was of a beautiful castle with a large tree to one side and a giant golf ball looking building on the other side. A large water tower with what looked like mouse ears sat behind the castle. A title sat just beneath the image: Disney World.
"Oh that!" The panther exclaimed excitedly. "No let me explain!" the predator piped up as he noticed the confused looks coming from the officers.
"First off, have you ever been? It's always so crowded and hot. Plus don't get me started with all those screaming kits running around."
Judy giggled at the panthers antics and could only guess he was right. We'll understand the screaming kits soon enough...she thought with a stifled giggle. Having never visited the famous resort which sat to the South of Zootopia. She could only guess Nick had never been there as well from the off-look the fox had on his face.
"Plus they changed so much over the years..." Martin explained solemnly. "Some of the old attractions are gone now while others have fallen into some disrepair. This was my chance to relieve my old childhood experiences."
"Does Disney know about this little project? I mean why go to their parks if you can experience it in here?" Nick asked, making a rather good point.
"Well let's just say I never planned for this one to be seen by the masses," Martin explained as he placed a visor over Judy's eyes and began to usher her over to a seat. Judy chuckled as she allowed herself to be led back to the machine, having a feeling their new selection had just been made. "I planned to just use it for myself and maybe a few good friends."
Nick smiled at Judy as he began to lean back into his seat and lowered his visor. What had started out as a simple question had now turned into a sure fire adventure. What would it be like if Nick and Judy visited the happiest place on Earth?
"So enjoy your time at Disney. Should be fun since you will have all the parks to yourselves," Martin explained as he made sure both officers were secured and ready to go. "Oh and one last thing, I have taken some liberties when it came to certain rides and what not. Hope you don't mind!"
With that the P.I.X.A.R. machine whirled to life as the visors filled with a flash of light.
Nick and Judy sat together in a larger cushioned chair inside the dimly lit theater. A series of trailers for different movies played on the large screen before them. There were tons of classics. An old Western staring that rugged Bobcat Wayne. The dust covered cowboy fighting off bandits and wild Indians.
There was a trailer for a musical. Judy giggling and tapping her large foot to the beat as she curled up against Nick.
Of course there was always a romantic movie tossed into the mix. Two star crossed lovers holding one another close as they slowly leaned in to share that loving kiss that the whole movie would probably be leading up to.
Judy became extra affectionate during those scenes and began to nuzzle her head underneath Nick while letting out a series of purrs. Her attempt to get his attention worked and the couple shared a tender kiss as the screen faded to black.
The next trailer was for a sci-fi horror that both mammals recognized. A crew aboard a space mining vessel were forced to try and track an alien that had gotten on board. The whole trailer caused Judy to hide her head into Nick's chest as she shut her eyes. She had never been a fan of these kinds of movies. The doe opened her eyes just as the tagline showed on the screen. "In space no one can hear you howl!"
Trailer after trailer played on the large screen as the fox and bunny watched with mild interest. Both of them were interested in the 'coming soon' aspect of the show but couldn't wait for the actual movie. Of course as Judy sat there, she couldn't remember exactly what movie they had come to see.
The couple's private moment was interrupted when a small otter dressed in an ushers outfit strolled up and smiled at the pair.
"They are ready for you on the set," the otter explained. Both the fox and bunny exchanged confused looks before looking back at the otter who extended a paw to her side and motioned towards a pair of red cushioned doors that were suddenly illuminated.
Nick looked back at Judy who smirked and gave her fox a shrug. The pair then stood from their seats and followed the usher down the aisle, past the empty rows of chairs in the theater.
"So who is ready for us?" Judy asked as they reached the door and stood, waiting for some kind of instruction.
"The director of course," the otter said simply as she pushed open the doors and revealed a large sound stage.
Nick and Judy were taken aback by the sight and somewhat stunned as they looked inside the soundstage. Lights of all sizes aimed towards a large red looking vehicle that was a perfect box that had a series of doors open on the side.
"Good, you're here!" said a bunny who hopped over and began to usher Judy and Nick through the mammals all carrying equipment and preparing for some kind of show.
"Ok just remember to have fun and enjoy, after all you are the stars!" The brown bunny explained to the now confused couple.
Though they had no idea what was going on, both Nick and Judy were eager to get where they were being pushed to. They clambered aboard the red vehicle and took their seats. An excited looking painted dog boarded the vehicle and stood in the front part of the vehicle near a control panel. Wearing a gray jacket and red undershirt. She gave Nick and Judy an encouraging smile.
It was at this moment the couple noticed what lay ahead of them. It looked like the entrance to an old fashioned cinema. The building was covered with dull neon lights that were currently off. The Marquee was blank and it looked abandoned. Their eyes followed a pair of tracks that lead from the large theater entrance back to their car. The destination of this ride starting to become clear.
"You folks ready?" the lovely painted dog before them asked with a large grin. Both Nick and Judy nodded in response.
"Wonderful! Well, my name is Samantha and I am going to be your guide on this amazing tour through the movies, which is great," the mammal before them began to explain as she puffed out her chest, "Because I love the movies. Ready when you are CB!"
Before Nick and Judy could ask what in the world was going on a voice echoed through the soundstage.
"Quiet on the set!"
Both Nick and Judy became rather excited.
"Lights!"
A series of large stage lights began to pop on and illuminate the vehicle.
"Camera!" the same voice shouted from above.
Beside the vehicle several cameras began to hum with life as they captured the scene on film.
"And…" there was a silence that was filled with electricity... "ACTION!"
At the last command the soundstage suddenly filled with music and singing.
"Hooray for Hollywood!" Was filling the soundstage as the movie theater looking entrance before Judy and Nick suddenly lit up with such brilliant colors. The Marquee filled with a title to what the attraction "The Great Movie ride!"
The vehicle that Judy and Nick currently sat in shuddered to life and slowly moved towards the large theater entrance and right under the main marquee.
As they say back and enjoyed the show, Samantha would give information about the different movies they passed through. The ride took them through various sets. Each one right out of a movie that the couple had been watching just minutes before.
There was a scene from a famous musical. Nick and Judy sat mesmerized at several lovely looking ladies as they all dove into a large pool and performed a series of synchronized swimming moves. This particular show being famous when movies first got their start.
Judy and Nick began singing along to the famous, Singing in the Rain, scene. A raccoon holding onto a lamppost as rain poured down on the singing mammal.
There were even scenes from Mary Potimous. One of Judy's favorite movies from when she was a kit. She couldn't help but sit at the edge of her seat as the famous Hippo held onto her floating umbrella as mammals dressed as chimney sweeps danced around the main star singing several famous tunes.
Of course the ride itself didn't just take Nick and Judy through scenes of one movie in particular. The next stage was right out of any movie. The darkened alleys of some rain covered city.
"Hold onto your wallets folks, this looks like a rough neighborhood," Samantha said as she scanned the streets. The ride vehicle however never stopped and continued around a corner.
Judy and Nick spotted a fox in a tux standing near a door with a small slot open so the mammal behind the door could speak to the fox.
"Listen here you dirty rat," The fox began to growl, "you go back there and tell Lenny who is here. You know who I am?"
The vehicle continued past the scene and the couple heard glass breaking above them. Their training took control and they looked up to see the silhouettes of two mammals fighting in a building. Judy had to remind herself that this was all a ride and she didn't need to intervene. It took a great deal of control though.
The vehicle came to a sudden stop as a bell rang out. All eyes went to a street light just over a warehouse that the vehicle had been gliding towards. A red light shown above them and forced the ride to stop.
Samantha gave her guests a weak smile, "Sorry folks, but I don't run red lights."
"Psssst," came a hissing noise from nearby. Samantha looked over to a slender looking arctic fox who gave the painted dog a wicked grin. "Come here, I gotta talk to ya."
"Sorry ma'am but we aren't supposed to leave the ride vehi-" Samantha began to explain.
The arctic fox stepped into the light. She was wearing a black gangster outfit, her hat covering part of her face. Besides illuminating her outfit the light also caused a small revolver to shine for everyone to see.
"I said come here," the vixen growled.
Samantha raised both paws into the air and stepped from the vehicle. "Easy now, no need for violence, I think this movie isn't rated for bloodshed anyways."
"What are you talking about?" the vixen asked in a confused manner as she watched the painted dog approaching her with a sly look.
There was tiring screeching on the other side of the ride vehicle and both Nick and Judy looked over to see a black 1920s era car pull up.
"Hey boss it's her! It's Mugsy!" A weasel shouted from the car.
A gunfight soon ensued. Well at least it looked like it. Both Nick and Judy tensed up until they heard the sound of compressed air emanate from the firearms.
It was, of course, all a show but seemed pretty realistic. Everything was so chaotic that Judy lost track of Samantha and watched in surprise as the arctic fox boarded the vehicle and took control.
As the gunfight raged on the vixen turned to Nick and Judy and raised her gun. "I like to think of myself as an upstanding citizen. I would never run a red light." The gangster then took aim and shot out the street light. "See, no more red light!"
With that the vehicle began to move forward and into the warehouse. The gunfight continued behind them as they exited the scene. It was at this point the vixen turned to Nick and Judy.
"Alright let's make this simple, wallets, jewelry, and anything valuable gets pawed over and you all get to go home…"
"That's her! That's the bank robber!" came a loud voice mixed with a western drawl.
Mugsy turned her eyes wide as she saw a sheriff's posse of wolves ahead of her in the dust covered street.
Gone were the dingy streets of the city. Instead they found themselves in the middle of a dust covered frontier town.
"I never robbed no bank!" The vixen shouted before turning to look at Nick. "Not this week at least." She said with a sly wink.
Judy instinctively reached over and grabbed Nick's paw, as if warning the criminal before them that the fox was taken. Nick however just burst out laughing, he had apparently remembered that this was all part of the show.
And what a show it was. The vixen weaved through the dirt streets of the old Western town. Exchanging gun fire with the sheriff till they came up to a barn.
"Anyone feel like a little roll in the hay?" Mugsy asked. This time giving Judy a playful smile. The doe blushed at the comment as the vehicle slowly glided into the barn.
Judy had been in a lot of barns in her time, her family having owned several back on the farm. The interior of this barn was unlike any she had ever seen though.
It looked like the inside of a spaceship. However, not just any spaceship. Judy felt her ears fall back as she looked around. Her heart rate going up as she scooted closer to Nick.
The fox, detecting something was up, looked down at the frightened doe. He was actually somewhat surprised seeing the famous Judy Hopps acting like this. Being the good husband he was, the fox wrapped a strong arm around Judy and held the bunny close.
"You have now entering the Nostromos. One by one the crew has disappeared and deep within the ship a terrifying creature awakes to claim its next victim," came a deep voice from all around them.
Nick suddenly understood what was happening and kept his bunny close.
"Warning remain in your vehicle," the voice boomed, "the area you are entering is extremely dangerous. Proceed with caution!"
"Look out!" Mugsy screamed from the front of the vehicle as the lights began to flicker. Nick turned to see a familiar creature lunge at the vehicle but stopped just short, it was however very close for comfort. The monster from the famous movie 'Alien' snapped at the riders once more.
Nick was intrigued once he knew they weren't actually in danger.
Judy, however, wasn't exactly a fan and kept her eyes shut as the ride continued.
It didn't take long for them to escape the dark caverns of the starship and they soon found themselves inside a large temple. A famous tune began to play. One made for adventure.
Judy opened her eyes and Nick laughed at how quickly the bunny changed from frighten kit to excited doe. She leaned towards the edge of the vehicle and looked around.
"There he is!" Judy squealed as the music began to play louder. Nick looked over and spotted a brown rabbit in a brown leather jacket and tan pants. A whip on the buck's belt. Nick rolled his eyes as he watched Judy begin to gush over the hero of this particular movie.
"It's Indiana Jones!" Judy squealed. She had revealed a long time ago to Nick how she had held a kit crush on the famous adventurer and would watch the movies whenever she had a chance.
The vehicle proceeded through the temple. Judy still staring over her shoulder from time to time in some hope of getting another glance of the handsome buck. Nick gave Judy a gentle squeeze and the doe looked up at Nick.
"Don't worry, he has nothing on you slick," Judy whispered as she leaned up and gave Nick a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah yeah, I'm sure," Nick grumbled. Faking jealousy.
The ride suddenly stopped and the couple looked ahead at Mugsy whose gaze was staring upwards at a large statue. A glint of mischievous hunger glinting in her eyes. The reason became clear as Nick and Judy noticed a large Ruby sitting in the chest of the statue.
The vixen quickly hopped from the vehicle and turned to look at the other passengers. "Just gonna go take a little gander. Don't try and stop me. I'm sure no one would notice two extra skeletons laying around." The threat caused both Nick and Judy to roll their eyes. Knowing it was all part of the show.
The gangster quickly darted up a series of stone steps to the base of the statue. A hooded figure appearing almost out of thin air.
"Halt!" The figure bellowed as it raised a paw. "Attempt to steal the ruby and you will pay with your life!"
Mugsy cackled at the warning and shook her head as she slowly reached up and placed a paw on the ruby. Suddenly the temple began to shake and the vixen was surrounded by jets of white smoke. Seconds later she let out a scream which slowly faded.
As the smoke cleared, Judy gasped at the sight of a skeleton in a scorched gangster outfit where Mugsy had just been standing.
The hooded figure reached for its hood and suddenly tore the robes away to reveal Samantha. The absent painted dog having found her way back to the tour.
The canine bounded down the steps and returned to the vehicle where Nick and Judy sat, applauding the whole spectacle.
"Talk about a hot set," Samantha teased which earned a groan from Nick. "Sorry I lost you all back there. But now that I am back I guess it's on with the show!"
The rest of the ride was a lot calmer than it had been thanks to Mugsy being gone. Nick and Judy were driven through scenes from the wizard of Oz, Lion King, and Judy's personal favorite Casablanca.
The famous end scene had a wolf couple standing near a plane which slowly started its engine. Nick was very familiar with the famous black and white movie and Judy was given quite the surprise.
Nick swept Judy up into his arms and began to mouth along with the famous lines from the movie. Judy blushed at first but soon found herself completely lost in the moment. She nearly fainted from the sudden emotions rolling through her as Nick said one of the most famous lines in movie history.
"Here's looking at you, Kit," The fox whispered. He then gently pressed his lips to Judy's. The doe shivering with excitement as she wrapped her arms around the fox's neck.
The two parted for a moment and realized they were being watched. Samantha sat at the front of the vehicle and was gazing at the couple with watery eyes.
"Best…ending…ever," the painted host whispered as she wiped a tear from her cheek.
The rest of the ride was amazing. Nick and Judy were transported from different movies from all the major eras. The grand finale was heart warming as well, but sadly all good things had to come to an end. They watched as the vehicle which had brought them through so many different scenes pulled into the first soundstage they had found themselves in. The music was still playing and the theater entrance lights flashed in an array of vibrant colors.
"All right you two, now for the final scene," Samantha explained giddily. "In a few moments the vehicle will come to a stop, please gather all your belongings and exit when the doors have opened."
Both Nick and Judy moved in their seats and prepared for the ride to stop.
"Oh and one more thing," the painted dog in the front added, "When I yell action, don't forget to give a round of applause for yours truly."
Nick rolled his eyes at the cheesy last request but Judy began to bounce in her seat with excitement.
"And...action!"
After exiting the ride Judy and Nick found themselves standing in front of the famous Graumen's Chinese Theater. Looking around the main promenade to Disney's Hollywood Studios. The park seemed deserted and the pair felt a little on edge at first. That was until a white rabbit came bounding up to them.
"Well hey you two!" The rabbit greeted them eagerly. The new mammal was clad in a pair of red suspenders and had a friendly yet goofy smile on his face. "What are you two just standing around here for? You got to go check in at the Hollywood Tower Hotel!"
"Wait what?" Judy asked as she gave the rabbit who had turned to head down the main street a confused look.
"Roger!" came a sweet voice. Nick and Judy turned to see a vixen clad in a beautiful red dress come strolling up.
Nick showed more control than he ever thought possible as he kept his emotions in check. This vixen had to be one of the most drop dead gorgeous creatures he had ever seen. Of course she was no Judy, but for a vixen she was elegant.
"Let our guests take their time," the vixen explained as she took the white rabbit by the paw. She then gave Nick and Judy a friendly smile. "You'll have to forgive my Roger. He can be just so eager."
"Sorry Jessica," Roger said sweetly before turning to Nick and Judy. "My apologies, sometimes I can be a little bit of a loon."
Judy and Nick gave each other concerned looks and then stared at the odd couple as they strolled away. The busty vixen cooing over the rather animated rabbit.
"Well those two were odd," Judy said as she took Nick's paw and began to continue down the main Street of the park.
"They aren't that bad," Nick interjected. "Just drawn that way."
It was Judy's turn to roll her eyes at the cheesy comment as they walked paw in paw down a side street. Judy noting the name, Sunset Blvd.
At the end of the street stood a tall hotel. At a distance it looked rather regal. As the couple came closer and closer to the building however they noticed some rather troublesome things. The main sign to The Hollywood Tower Hotel had a large blast mark on it. As if it had been struck by some kind of electrical strike. Then there was the actual paint of the building. It looked faded and cracked. The plants around the property were unkempt and overgrown. The place looked like it should have been condemned.
Nick and Judy, however, continued up the main driveway to the hotel. Almost like they were being drawn towards the art deco building. Judy's ears managed to pick up the faint sound of some haunting music. It seemed to be coming from all around them. It was obviously some kind of 1920s record that was echoing in an eerie manner all over the grounds.
They came around the corner and noticed a large stone sign with the Hotels name engraved in large letters. Standing next to the sign stood a rather bored and gloomy looking ocelot in a crimson bellhop uniform.
Judy looked at the bellhop but something caught her eye on the sign. Letters began to appear in bright shimmering green over the stone. Judy watched anxiously as they began to write out a sentence: Twilight Zone Tower of-
"Checking in?" The bellhop asked as he stepped in front of the sign and obscured Judy's view.
"I guess, though looks like your gardener has checked out," Nick said jokingly.
The bellhop gave Nick a cold look and the fox fell silent.
"This way please…" the ocelot muttered as he turned and led Nick and Judy down a path towards the hotel lobby.
Had Nick and Judy just remained a few seconds more and taken a glance at the hotels sign they would have finished reading the paranormal warning: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
As it turned out the hotel had been closed for decades. Only recently re-opening apparently.
The hotel had gone out of business after a terrible accident with the elevators. Elevators which still remained closed due to total disrepair.
As Nick and Judy made their way through the dust covered lobby they noticed the elevator doors were left open slightly ajar and revealed rubble behind the gap.
They were led into a small library off to the side of the lobby where they were left by the bellhop and told to wait for further instructions.
No sooner had the bellhop closed the door did the library plunge into darkness as a storm suddenly raged outside. Judy didn't know what came over her but she leapt up and let out a surprised squeal as she huddled into Nick. The fox shook with laughter as he held the frightened doe close. Comforting her as a TV on one of the shelves turned on.
"Image if you will," a voice came from the TV. Nick recognized the intro to the famous Twilight Zone show and turned Judy's attention to the TV.
The couple watched as they were told what awaited them. The hotel elevators we're apparently portals to another realm of reality and how many mammals had disappeared in the past while ascending through the hotel.
Of course it was obvious what was going to happen next.
Nick and Judy found themselves boarding a large freight elevator with seats a few minutes later. The bellhop giving them a rather creepy grin as the doors closed behind them.
Suddenly, things didn't seem as creepy to Judy as she realized what was about to happen. She loved rollercoasters, and so did Nick. As the elevator slowly rose up the main shaft the prey and predator couple heard a loud snap as apparently the main cable gave way. Judy threw her paws into the air and yelled with excitement as they were tossed up and down inside one of the parks more famous attractions.
The rest of the day was a blur to Judy as the couple made their way through the park reserved just for them. They found themselves in all sorts of fun movie based scenarios. At one point they were blasting through the stars on some kind of Star Tour based ride as spaceships fought around them. Another attraction had them blasting through the streets of L.A with a famous rock band.
Judy especially enjoyed the Toy Story Mania ride, mainly because she whooped Nick's butt at all the different games. The fox's score coming to be only half of Judy's.
They also had a chance to see many different stage shows. Judy's personal favorite was the Indiana Jones stunt show. She sat at the edge of her seat as she watched the famous buck jump, roll, and fight his way through ancient temples. The grand finale had the hero running away from an exploding plane. A handsome smile sent Judy's way which caused Nick to hold his bunny a little closer than before and send a quick glare at the buck.
However all good things must come to an end and soon the couple found themselves sitting on a bench on the main Street of the park. Watching the sunset behind the famous movie theater.
"What a great day," Judy muttered as she nuzzled into her fox.
"Yeah," Nick whispered as he rubbed Judy's arm. "Wonder what is in store for tomorrow?"
"Mmm, whatever it is," Judy began as she leaned up and gave Nick a kiss on the cheek, "I hope Indiana can join us!"
The couple shared one last laugh as the sun finally sank behind the Chinese Theater. Little did they know they were about to have a rather wild adventure at the next park.
A/N:
Hey all you Disney fans.
I hope you enjoyed watching our favorite crime fighting couple from the ZPD spend a rather interesting first day at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I know there were a lot of attractions that didn't get mention in the story and the ones that did were short. However I enjoyed the time they got to spend on the famous Great Movie ride before it closes its doors.
Looking forward to the wild times they will be having at Disney's Animal Kingdom in the next chapter. I wonder if the Avatar ride will be open for them? Or did it get delayed again? :P