Chapter 3

"I hope no one I know recognizes me dressed like this." Oswald grumbled as the two brothers walked into the Klondike Bar. He glanced down at his skirt to make sure it was still covering his shorts underneath as he took off his jacket.

"At least you can say that." Mickey mumbled back, hunching his shoulders up to hid within the scarf around his neck. The flower from his hat floated down to in front of his face, forcing him to blow it back up before saying, "I knew Fulton."

"Anythin' I can do fur you two ladies?" a deep voice asked, getting the two to turn only to see a big burly bear standing lopsided due to the peg leg that was made too long for his other leg to compensate. The bear leaned down and took hold of Oswald's hand, raising his eyebrows before kissing the hand.

"Oh, no thank you." Oswald said, raising his voice to keep up the charade as he ripped his hand away from Pete's. He turned away from the bear, hoping to show Pete he had no intentions of anything. The two made it to the bar, taking a seat as far away from the bear as possible before Oswald whispered to Mickey as he did his best to wipe his hand on a napkin, "Well, at least he didn't recognize us."

"He sure took a liking to you though." A new voice said, drawing their attention to the bar tender as he filled up two beers. "The Colonel told me you two would be coming, though he never said you two would be… um, in drag."

"Hey, I've got a girlfriend." Mickey defended, keeping his voice under the sound of the jukebox and drunken trio.

"I know, I know." Fulton laughed, sitting the drinks down in front of the two. "I'm glad you two came in like this though, since Pete showed up out of the blue."

"What do you mean?" Oswald asked before taking a swig.

"I noticed him this morning, when I told Colonel Russell." Fulton explained, taking up a rag to clean off the table top next to the two. "Eventually he said something about the old geezer, his words not mine, and the runt were getting to him and he needed a break. This was after almost eight pints so I figured his memory and his drinks were messing with him, you know, giving him the benefit of the doubt. That is until he mentioned a Homer and Jean-Pierre. I tried to make chit chat with him, since I knew you two were coming, and all I got out of him was they were somewhere in White Woods."

"Hey bar keep!" Pete's voice called as the bear slammed his empty glass on the bar, scarring Mickey almost out of his costume in the process. "Git me une 'ore."

"Sure thing." Fulton smiled, taking the glass to fill it up.

"You sher are a pretty little flower." Pete tried, leaning forwards over the bar to look around Mickey to Oswald.

Oswald quickly turned his head away and covered his mouth as he almost coked out his beer.

"What are two girls like you doin' out 'ere drinkin' alone?" Pete asked, looking down at Mickey with a cock eyed smile.

"We're just traveling the country." Mickey tried, keeping his voice high.

"Here's your beer." Fulton announced, bringing back a full glass. He eyed at the trio only to be called away by another patron down the bar.

"Why would you wanna travel around this bleak town?" Pete asked with a laugh before throwing up his drink, downing half of it. "I could make it more worthwhile if you want."

"Sir, is that your boot over there?" Fulton said, eyeing Pete as he walked back over to their side of the counter. He pointed towards the group that had been singing only for Pete to see them burning holes in his boot with a cigarette.

"Why you little!" Pete cried, rushing over to the three some.

"You know, as weird as it may sound, the best way for you two to find out where Pete's hiding those two might be to take him up on that offer." Fulton pointed out as soon as Pete was out of ear shot.

"I quit." Oswald said before downing the rest of his beer.

"Why? It's your father-in-law and brother-in-law that he's got." Mickey reminded. "Who knows what he's done to them already."

"They you try to catch his fancy." Oswald said, squinting his face in disgust as he shook his head. "I've already had to deal with him kissing me once and that was one more than I ever wanted or needed."

"Huh?" Mickey looked over at Fulton only for the bar tender to shrug.

"Yanky Clipper." Was all Oswald said, looking away from the two as if to say that was all he was going to tell.

"Look out, Pete at seven o'clock." Fulton mumbled, turning away to look like he was busy.

Pete took the seat next to Oswald, a blush on his face. "Sorry 'bout that, ladies. Name's Pete, what 'bout you?"

Thinking quickly for a name that wouldn't come back to himself, Mickey threw out, "Lilly."

"And you, lovely?" Pete asked, looking at Oswald.

"Sadie." Oswald said, avoiding eye contact as he looking into his empty beer glass. "'cuse me, can I get a refill?"

Fulton turned back towards them, taking the glass only to stop when Pete called out, "Put it on my tab, will ya."

"Sure thing." Fulton nodded before going to fill the mug up.

"So what's a big, er, handsome fella like you doing here?" Mickey asked, trying to help out his brother.

"Gotta little job to do 'ere." Pete admitted, looking at Oswald more than the mouse he was talking to. "Gets a little bit lonely, if you know what I mean."

Fulton replaced Oswald drink and turned away, hoping the two could handle themselves against Putrid Pete.

Mickey looked down at the glass in his hands, seeing it still mostly full as he tried to come up with something to say when Oswald threw out, "Ya I know."

Mickey turned to look at the rabbit in surprise when he saw that Oswald was actually looking at Pete, his head leaning on his hand propped up by the bar.

"I hate to ask this, but me and my friend here are new in town and haven't had the chance to find a place to stay for the night." Oswald continued. "Anyway you might be able to help us out?"

"I've only got room for one, sorry." Pete admitted, looking at Mickey apologetically as he rested a hand on his chest. "Though Miss Sadie's welcomed to it if you don't mind-"

"Oh don't worry about her." Oswald tossed a hand in the air. "She can handle herself."

"I'm starting to wonder if you can though." Mickey whispered as Oswald finished his second beer.

"Well then, we better head out now 'fore that blizzard hits." Pete said, dropping off his bar stool. He held out a hand for Oswald to use to get down as he continued, "I've got a little cabin in the woods that you'll just love."

"Whoa!" Oswald exclaimed, his balance off in the heals he was forced to wear.

"Don't worry, I've got you." Pete smiled, putting a hand to Oswald's back to help steady the rabbit.

"See you, Lilly." Oswald called out as the two walked towards the door.

"You sure this is a good idea?" Fulton asked, watching the two walk out the door and out of sight. "I know I suggested it but it doesn't look like he can hold his liquor."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Mickey admitted. "You got a snowmobile I can borrow so I can follow them?"

"Ya, it's in the back." Fulton said, throwing his thumb over his shoulder. He reached down under the bar and pulled out a small ring of keys. "Here, just bring it back in one piece, huh?"

"Sure, thanks." Mickey smiled as he took the keys before dropping off the chair and rushing out the back door.