16: A Fresh Start
XxX
After returning home from the encouraging visit with doctor Clawson and doctor Cotton, Nick and Judy prepare for the upcoming week, almost welcoming the return to the shop after the recent spirit draining recent events. Then Nick's phone pings as he gets a text.
Seeing a questioning look from Judy "It's from Midnight. He wants us to come to the shop tonight. The crew is gonna hold a jam session and they're pretty much adamant about us joining in. Whaddaya think Squeak? I know it's kinda soon with all that's been happening lately, but it might be just what we need to throw off some of this funk."
"…. I-I guess it wouldn't hurt to stop by, at least for a bit. I'm sure they pretty much know what's been going on and just want to help us out as best they can. I wouldn't want to distance them from us, I know they mean well. So, yea, I think it'd be a good idea. Let him know we'll be there, at least for a little while."
"You are one wise bunny, I guess that's why I love you like I do."
"Flatterer, you're just saying that to get into my pants…"
"Is it working?"
"… Maybe ... I don't know though, I am a married bunny after all."
"Well, I have it on good authority that your husband wouldn't mind, I do know him fairly well you know."
"Is that so?"
"Yup, we're just like that" says Nick crossing his fingers to indicate how close he is.
"Ya big goof. I don't know, we'll see how I feel after the session tonight ok? No promises though."
"Well, a maybe is way better than a no. What say we get a quick nap? I think we could use the rest after everything that's happened, especially with your visit with our future kits and all."
With a bit of a far away look in her eyes "The kits…. sure, a nap sounds like a good idea, but just a nap for now Nick, ok?"
"Yea, just a nap Fluff, I promise."
As they drift off to sleep, Judy can't help but think back on the 'conversation' she had with her future kits. A tear of sorrow and of joy appeared briefly but the hope that someday, somehow, that they would be real and not just a dream gave her comfort.
…
"Nick … NICK … NICK!"
"Huh … What. Where…."
"Nick, let me up. I have to pee. That, and it's time we got up to go to the shop."
"Squeak, you have NO idea how much I really wanted to finish the dream I was having…"
"Judging from how you're poking me in the butt, I believe I might have some idea…"
"Ok, my bad, maybe you do."
"C'mon, get dressed and we'll head to the shop. I've got a sneaking suspicion that those guys are up to something and I for one want to know what it is."
"Wow, a country bunny is suspicious of city workers, wait until the crew hears about this…"
"Hush you. You know what I mean."
"Do I know that?" quizzed an amused Nick "…. yes, yes I do, but it's fun to mess with you…"
"Laugh it up fuzzball. Keep that up and you'll mess up any chance of anything happening later tonight, got it?"
"…"
"That's what I thought, now get dressed."
While Judy relieves herself in the bathroom, Nick figures that perhaps a slightly more casual look than jeans and his usual green Pawaiian shirt and tie that Judy likes/hates might be the ticket for tonight.
When Judy exits the bathroom, she sees Nick in tan slacks and a black crew shirt. "Lookin' good Slick."
"Thanks, I thought maybe I'd try to impress my lady love for a change."
Giving him a tight hug "Thanks Nick…"
"You're very much welcome. Now, lets get going before I change my mind and…"
"Easy there Romeo, one step at a time."
…
Arriving just short of seven pm, Nick and Judy enter the shop and notice that preparations are in full swing for the upcoming event.
"Hey guys, how ya holdin' up?" asks Skye as she, Laverne and Shirley notice them enter.
"We're better" remarks Judy softly. "It'll take some time, but we think everything happens for a purpose. We'll just have to see what the future brings" as she glances quickly at Nick.
"What?" inquires Skye as she notices the quick glance.
"Later sis, if it's ok. I promise I'll fill you in, just … not right now, ok? Please?"
Just then Midnight and Lefty join the small group.
"Glad you two could make it, you know we were all worried about you. You do know that, right?"
"Yea, thanks guys, it means a lot you know?"
"We're just about set up, so if you don't mind we'll finish and get this goin'."
…
Stepping up to the center stage mic, Midnight begins "All right you bunch of yahoos, listen up! As you all know, Nick and Judy have come across some really hard times as of late.'
'Nick, Judy, will you please step up here for a second."
Giving each other questioning looks, they step up to where Midnight and Lefty are standing.
"Nick, while you've been gone, your mother tabulated the votes for the little contest that you put out there for the new shop name. We … all of us at the shop … decided that the new name will be 'Wilde Ride Customs'. We also decided that the '36 Harley EL that was to be the prize will be raffled off, and every single cent is to be used by a certain charity.'
'That charity will be known as 'The Rose and Aaron Wilde-Hopps Foundation'. We already have posters made and tickets printed up for sale and we're taking donations as well. Even though it's been less than a week, we have over half a million dollars in donations alone, with the largest contribution coming from Mayor Lionheart and his fiancé, assistant mayor Dawn Bellwether."
"What?" remark a stunned Nick and Judy in unison.
Looking directly at the three vixens standing directly in front of him "This has to be the handiwork of one or all three of you" he says accusingly.
Laughing, Laverne shoots back "and you'd be totally wrong. You missed it by a country mile Nick"
"You can blame it all on Lefty" smirks Skye.
Turning on his heel with a very determined look on his muzzle, Nick strides up to, and stands directly in front of, a slightly nervous coyote.
"So" he begins in mock seriousness "This is all your doing then?"
"Ummm … yea …?"
Gathering Lefty into a tight hug with Judy joining him "Thanks mammal, this is one of the nicest things that anyone has done for me … for us."
"Boss, you saved my life when I was lying on that bench. You've saved a lot of lives with this shop so it's the least any of us could do for you and Squeak."
"Just … damn. Thank you all. Words have no meaning right now, but thanks" squeaked out a tearful Judy. "I can't begin to tell you how much this means to us."
"We already have a place for the charity money to go." says Nick. "There's a mammal, a doctor Robin Cotton at Zootopia University. Doctor Cotton heads the DNA research department there. She and her husband have asked us to assist her in developing natural methods to aid in cross species reproduction, especially pred/prey reproduction. Unless something else comes up, we'll most likely put every cent towards her research."
…
Taking over the mic again, Midnight motions to the assemble members of the group "Enough of this mushy crap, let's get this party started…'
'To start things off, we have a special song request. The request was made by none other than myself, and I want to dedicate it to miss Lorie Prancer. Hit it y'all…."
When the band starts playing 'I Want Candy' by the Strangeloves, an attractive female springbok employed by Nick as a parts runner who was affectionately nicknamed 'Candy' blushed wildly. "Damn it Midnight, I'm gonna get you for this!" she yelled.
"That's what I'm hoping for" he yells back, causing her to deepen her blush if that was possible,
"Shit!" was all she could say….
After the song finishes, Nick steps up and grabs the mic as he heads to the keyboard. "Now that everyone's had some fun at Candy's expense" causing the still embarrassed Candy to practically burst into flames "I have a dedication that I want to play for my darling wife".
When the opening strains of 'You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker fill the air, Judy begins to tear up yet again, and slowly makes her way to sit beside Nick.
Wiping away tears and taking control of the mic as the song ends, Judy addresses her husband "Nick, you wonderful pain in the ass" causing the entire gathering, including those in the band to break out laughing, much needed after the heart wrenching song that Nick had just performed "you know that I can't let this go right?
"Lefty, if you'd be so kind as to kick Nick off of the keyboard" which earned even more laughs from the crowd "and Midnight, hand me that guitar, I have a dedication of my own that I'd like to sing". She then told Lefty off mic what she was going to play.
"Nick, we've only been together for a relatively short time. During that short time, we've been through a lot together. Some good … some bad. But what I'm trying to say here is simply this … I will always love you" and begins to play and sing 'I Will Always Love You' as recorded by Dolly Parton.
Stunned, Nick could only gape at the wonderful rendition that Judy was performing.
"OK" says a choked-up Nick as the song ends "It's on now."
Grabbing another spare guitar, Nick turns and tells the group the oldie that he wants to play. He then breaks out with 'When You're In Love With A Beautiful Bunny' (Woman) by Dr. Hook.
Not to be outdone, Judy's next song is an oldie as well, as she begins to play and sing the classic 'Dedicated To The One I Love' by The Mamas & the Papas.
Conferring with Judy after she finishes her song, Nick announces "Judy and I'd like to dedicate this next song to everyone who's been so patient, understanding and supportive of us these past few weeks. And it goes a like something like this". There wasn't a dry eye in the building as the two begin singing 'With A Little Help From My Friends' by the Beatles.
When the applause finally subsides, Midnight grabs the mic back "All right you two, go sit down and chill. The rest of us want to get some play time in."
Headed for a table that has been set aside just for them by Skye and Laverne, Nick and Judy walk quietly arm in arm gazing into each other's eyes and hug tightly before sitting down.
"What am I going to do with you two?" asks Laverne, confronting the couple.
"Whatever do you mean mother?" asks Nick in his snarkiest voice,
"You know damned well what I mean, acting like a couple of kits up there, trying to one-up each other." She scolded, but in a clearly amused tone.
"Well, he started it, calling me beautiful and all" defended Judy with her paws on her hips, clearly playing along, knowing all the while that Laverne is just trying to keep the mood light.
"Yea, well you are and …." was all that Nick got out before Judy kissed him soundly. When Laverne turns to walk away laughing at their antics, Judy calls her back.
"Mom," she begins "Nick and I have talked about it and there's something we want to share with you. Snow, can give us a minute or two please?"
…
Stepping into the relative quiet of the office Judy begins "After the kits funeral back at the burrow, I promised to explain the look that Nick an I exchanged. You may not believe a word you hear, but that's not something I can control, so here goes …"
Maintaining a very noncommittal face during Judy's recounting of her ordeal while near death, the vixen listens intently. When Judy finishes, Laverne looks between Nick and Judy several times and finally addresses Judy. "Do you actually believe that you spoke to your yet to be born kits?" she asks.
Exchanging glances with Judy, Nick answers. "I, for one, believe every word of it. I accept everything that Judy said without question. If she believes it, and I know she does, then so do I. If nothing else, it's hope. We have to hope that we can have our own kits. We have to hope that we, especially she, will never have to go through something like we just did ever again.'
'Doctor Cotton is our link to that hope, and we mean to grab it and hold on to it with everything we hold dear."
"Look Laverne," continues Judy, again using her proper name "I know it's a stretch to have hope based on a-a dream or a vision or whatever, but hope is something I … we desperately need right now. Even if nothing ever comes of the DNA research that we fully intend to go along with, we have to try. Although I'm not opposed to adopting, but we have to try to have our own kits naturally … do you understand?"
"I do understand Judy, I truly do. I just don't want you to be so disappointed that you have another breakdown and be so depressed that even Nick can't save you."
"I get that, I really do. We have an appointment with a doctor Cotton when I start my next heat cycle to discuss everything that's expected of us so we can try and have our own kits naturally without all of the drama like last time. I promise to keep you in the loop so you aren't quite so worried, ok?"
As the three gather each other into a tight family hug, tears are shed. Tears of sorrow. Tears of joy. Tears of hope.
"I don't know about the rest of you" says Judy as they break the group hug "But I'm thirsty, and I hear a red beer calling my name. and yes dear, I'll eat something, I'm NOT going to have a hangover in the morning."
To which Nick could only give Judy a patented smirk "I guess we'll see, won't we?"
…
Late on Sunday morning, Judy has been up for hours and is cooking a late breakfast for a VERY hungover Nick.
"What in the world is all that damned noise?" asks Nick.
"And you were worried about me being hungover dear?" smirks Judy.
"Do you really have to shout?"
Laughing, Judy commented from the kitchen "I'm barely speaking over a whisper, and you know it."
"And do you have to laugh about it?"
"Yea, sorry. You know you pissed away any chance of getting any last night by getting so drunk, right?"
"Thanks for reminding me. I'll never live that down will I?"
"Will you?" posing like she's deep in thought for a few seconds "No, no you won't!"
"Great."
"And the shape you're in now, probably not for the foreseeable future either."
"Oh, come-on I wasn't that dr-"
"Yea, actually you were."
"But …"
"You don't remember?"
"Ummm, remember what … precisely?"
"Nick, you were so drunk you were trying to molest me on the dance floor."
"Wait … really?"
"Yes Nick, really." Pulling a picture on her cell phone that Laverne had texted her last night "if you don't believe me, have a look at this" as she tossed the phone to Nick.
"Crap…... and just how many of the crew saw all of this?"
"Just about all of them. I guess you know you're pretty much fucked tomorrow morning when we get to the shop don't ya? If your mom hadn't done something, I would've probably been arrested for domestic battery.
'Oh, don't looked so shocked, you know you would've deserved it. I'm still a bit pissed by the way."
"Well at least I woke up in bed and not on the couch."
"Or at the shop."
"… I guess apologizing won't help …?"
"Yea, it'll help, but only just barely. I haven't figured out your punishment yet, but give me time, I'll think of something. Now, eat you breakfast before it gets cold."
Looking at the steaming bowl of … "What the hell is this stuff anyway?"
"It's called grits."
" …. What the hell are grits?"
"It's basically porridge made from corn that's ground into a coarse meal and boiled. If you ask nicely, I'll let you put some jam or syrup and butter in it. Otherwise you can eat it plain, just like you see it."
"Ummm, please …?"
"Please what?"
"Please may I have something sweet to put on my, umm …"
"Grits?"
"Yea, that's it grits."
"Yes, you may. There's strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb, blueberry and…"
"Blueberry is fine, thank you."
"That's a good fox, now fix your grits before they get cold, then go get a good shower. After that you can join me in bed if you want to. No, we're NOT going to be fooling around, but I will let you cuddle."
After Nick finishes his unusual breakfast (?) which he admitted to himself wasn't half bad, he got a good shower and joined an already sleeping Judy in bed.
'Not a bad way to spend the day' he thought 'it could've been much worse, considering.'
…
Bright and early Monday morning, as the shop personnel gather in the main bay for their assignments, everyone is pleasantly surprised to see Nick and Judy come out of the office.
"All right everybody, gather 'round" begins Nick. "With all the distractions that've been occurring lately, and my … our absence, I'm promoting Midnight and Lefty as co-formammals of the shop. They'll get guidance from me as to what I want done and I'll have the final say in every major decision in the shop, but they have complete control otherwise. If anyone has issues with this, NOW would be the time to present any valid arguments.'
'… Nothing? Good. Midnight, you and Lefty hand out assignments and then meet me in the office and bring me up to speed on what's been going on while we've been gone."
Returning to her work station after a long absence, Judy lets out a deep sigh as she looks at the disassemble mess that used to be a wannabe Cobra. After spending several hours trying to prioritize what parts to order from what supplier, she suddenly hears Nick over the shop's intercom system "Squeak, please come to the office … Squeak to the office" 'what can he want already?' she wonders.
Entering the office, Judy notices that Nick has a mischievous grin that threatens to go from ear to ear.
"What?" she asks, slightly worried "How am I supposed to get any work done if I'm in the office all da …"
"Do you think you're up for a challenge?"
"Challenge?" she asks "what type of challenge?"
"First, let me ask you a different question. Do you know why the Cobra was built in the first place?"
"If you're asking about why the original Cobra was built, not for sure, no."
"It was built by Carroll Shelby for the specific purpose of beating the Corvettes at LeMans."
"And?"
"Well, long story short, I have a confirmed buyer for the 'Vette when it's restored."
"And?"
"Said customer wants the Cobra as well when it's finished as well."
"Nick, will you please come to the point" she says, becoming a bit impatient.
"Fine. If we, by that I mean you specifically, can build the Cobra good enough to race and beat the 'Vette in a three-lap race at Road Zootopia, he'll pay double the asking price for both cars."
"WHAT?" she shouts in disbelief.
"Yup".
"Nick, I've never raced a car a day in my life … what's at stake here if I lose?"
"Ummm, I sell him the 'Vette at the original asking price and give him the Cobra."
"… have you lost your damned mind?"
"Relax, I've got a plan."
"A plan? Tell me oh wise one, what the hell is your plan?"
"First. If, and by that I actually mean when you win, we keep the Cobra and he still pays for it.'
'And second, I have a former shop employee of Shelby Enterprises here to help you with the Cobra build."
"Really? And who would that be?"
Stepping to one side, Nick continues "Squeak, meet Felix 'The Cat' Caterson. Felix, Squeak."
As Judy evaluates the oversized grey tabby cat with black stripes, a question escapes her lips "If you were working for a top-notch outfit like Shelby Enterprises, what are you doing here? No offense Nick."
"None taken Squeak. Go ahead Felix, tell her."
"Officially I was let go for 'conduct unbecoming'."
"And the real reason?" prodded Judy.
"Well" Felix hesitated and blushed slightly "I, ummm sorta, took the bosses daughter for a joyride in a prototype Mustang GT."
"That's all, really?"
Noticing the hard stare from Judy he continued "Not exactly… she kinda ended up a little bit pregnant… we're married by the way. Happily. With two kits.'
'She also happens to be one of Nick's cousins. Her maiden name was Winston Schwartz."
"Wait, I've heard that name…"
"Well I hope so" replied Nick "she's been one of Gazelle's backup singers for years."
"Wait, what? Gazelle's back-up singer Winston, is one of your cousins? And you didn't mention this because…?"
"Never came up."
"Gazelle performed at our wedding. Your cousin was there and you never thought it was important?" Judy asks slightly miffed.
"To be perfectly honest, I was a bit too enamored with what was going on with my new bride to even think about it. Gazelle performing was as much of a surprise to me as it was to everyone else remember.'
'And we're going to be upset and argue about this because …?"
"I'm sorry Nick, I guess I'm still a little wound up from the last few weeks. Can we just pick up from the introduction please?"
"Of course. As I was saying, Fritz was a shop employee at Shelby. He was instrumental in engine development and helped with suspension design. Like most employees, he had to sign a confidentiality agreement, which just so happens to have expired with Mr. Shelby's death."
"Ok, good enough. So, what are the parameters for the Cobra build?"
"Do whatever it takes to beat the 'Vette."
"And what about the race?"
"Well the customer is not a seasoned racer so you don't have to worry about going up against a pro. As an added bonus, I've managed to convince Dale Elkhart senior to help train you how to race."
"The name sounds a bit familiar …"
"Remember when we went and got your phone and laptop just after I hired you?"
"I met his son that day, right?"
"That's right. Now, you think you're up to the challenge?"
Taking a moment to consider, Judy asks "… what's the budget for the build?"
With his smirk firmly in place, Nick answers "There is none. Whatever you want, you get."
Doing her best to match his smirk, Judy looks at Felix and gives the only answer she can "What are we waiting for, let's get movin' Felix. We've got a race car to build."
…
Standing side by side, Judy and Felix take turns staring back and forth from the white board and then to what's left of the fully disassembled Cobra.
"Well" begins Judy, addressing Felix "you're the expert here, where do you suggest we start?"
"Well, the frame and body mounts need to be cleaned up and sent to powder coat. I think most of the body parts can be salvaged so they can be sent to the body shop once the frame is done.'
'As far as the engine, I might have an idea where I get my paws on an original 485 horsepower side oiler 427 minus the carb and intake. Believe it or not, as far as the suspension is concerned, there are a few upgrades that we can get through Jegg's that will be useful, especially since we're not concerned with it being one hundred percent original.'
'There are much better brakes that we can get from a connection that I have at Rousch Racing that are way better than what originally came on the car as well.'
'Couple all of that with a Indy style quick change rear end and some driving lessons and Johnny doesn't stand a chance in hell against you…."
"Why not use the original carb that came with the motor?"
"Mainly because compared to what's out there now, the original Motorcraft [1] carb is just not what you need. A Holly HP950 will give you a lot more power and is way easier to tune. If that doesn't give us the performance we need, we'll go with fuel injection"
"Ok, I'll bow to your knowledge, oh great Cobra guru. Now, who is this Johnny I'll be racing against? Nick never did tell me who bought the car."
"Well, a Rich Howlcomb bought the car but he's just a purchasing agent. It's actually going to a, ummm, Johnny Whinters I believe."
"WHAT?" asks a suddenly very pissed Judy.
"Ummm, I said something wrong?" asks a suddenly ill-at-ease Felix.
"How in the hell could Nick not tell me something like that?"
Looking even less at ease by the moment, Felix quickly adds "To be honest, I doubt if Nick really knows who the final buyer actually is. I only found out because I happen to know Rich, who mentioned it to me. Can I ask what the issue is?"
"Follow me" is all a very determined Judy would say, as she headed for the office.
…
"NICK!" Entering the office, Judy caused everyone to jump about three feet in the air.
"Damn woman, don't do that! What is it? What's got you worked up now?"
"Do you have any idea who you just sold the 'Vette and Cobra to?"
"Yea. On the sales order it states a Rich Howlcomb. Why?"
"Felix just told me that the final buyer is none-other than Johnny fricking Whinters…"
"SHIT"
"Exactly what I said. Nick, is there any way we can stop the sale?"
"Afraid not.
"Nick, what are we gonna do? I'm afraid if I see HIM again …"
"I know Squeak, I know. But the sales contract is iron clad since I have the initial payment in full for the 'Vette. If we don't honor the contract he can sue us for everything we have."
"I know I'm a bit late to the party, but can someone fill me in on the issue here?" asks Felix as Skye enters the office.
"Let's just say I have a bit of history with … a certain purchaser. A very bad history" replies a very upset Judy.
"Bad history with who?" asks Skye.
"Oh, you're going to love this" answers Judy. "Johnny Whinters just bought a car from the shop through a purchasing agent."
"WHAT!"
"Exactly."
"Wait 'till I get my paws on that little shit, I'll …"
"You know I can't let you do that, so why even go there" interrupts Nick.
"Yea, but still…"
"I know, I know. But since there's no way we can break the contract, we've got to be able to figure something out before he comes to pick up the car and race Judy so …"
"Wait, wait, wait … what's this about Judy having to race the little shit?"
"Somehow, he's evidently figured out that Judy works here, so one of the conditions he's managed to slip into the contract is that he gets to race her..."
"Her specifically?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Her specifically."
"And you didn't think that was a bit odd? What the hell is wrong with you? I know you're smarter than that."
"Ok, maybe I got a bit greedy and saw the dollar signs instead of paying attention to that detail. But what's done is done and now we've got to figure out how to make the best of this mess."
"I may have an answer to at least part of this, and not the build part, since we've pretty much got that locked up" interrupted Felix.
"Really?" asked Nick "how do you figure that?"
"Well, we all know that the Cobra was built specifically to beat the crap out of the Corvettes, which it did quite handily I might add, even in its original configuration. With the performance upgrades we'll be adding to the engine, suspension and brakes almost anyone can beat the 'Vette, especially since that'll be restored to its original factory condition. But with a certain road racing legend I know that happens to owe me a large favor, Johnny doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell."
"And just who is this 'legend' that you know?" asks Judy.
"None other than Jackie Fuelit."
"Wait" interrupts Nick "You know Jackie Fuelit? The real Jackie Fuelit?"
"I just said so didn't I?"
"And you can talk him into coming here and give Judy driving lessons?" asks Nick skeptically.
"Yup. I bailed his brother out of jail a few times when he was too drunk to walk let alone drive and made sure they didn't make it into the official records. So, yea I know him and yea, he'll come. In fact, I think he's in Zootopia now, or will be soon. He's been invited to narrate some of the track and field events for the upcoming Animalympics."
"If you don't mind telling me" asks Judy "just why are you so willing to help with the racing part? I understand the bit with the car, but there has to be a reason why you'd go so far out of your way to help me win the race."
"To be honest, I'm really not sure myself. But if this Johnny character has gone so far out of his way to try to screw over a sweet girl like you, it just seems fitting that I do whatever I can to make sure that it doesn't happen."
"I'm going to head back to my bay. Nick, give Felix the lowdown on my issue with Johnny so he has an understanding of why I hate him so much. There's no way I can sit through the narrative again, but I want him to understand my motivation."
…
Sitting dejectedly in front of her workbench with her head in her paws and her ears laid down flat against her back, Judy hears Felix coming up behind her. As she turns to face him, she notices that he's almost as angry as Nick was when she told him about her encounter with Johnny.
"Judy" he begins "I don't know how you managed to make it this far in life bearing the burdens that you have, but you're probably one of the strongest mammals that I know. I am personally going to help you build the most awesome car that can be built.'
'Just so you know, I told Nick that I was going to forego my usual fee to help build this car. But when he insisted that I take it, I noticed the posters that were made up for your charity so I'm going to donate every dime of my fee to that charity.'
'Not only that, I'm going to talk to other mammals I know to do the same. You deserve so much more than I can give it only seems right. I happen to know that you guys routinely have a jam session on certain weekends, so I'm going to bring Winston and the kits along as well. I might need to warn you though, if Winston knows about this charity and the session and the reason behind it, that'll probably mean Gazelle will know as well. And if Gazelle knows, she'll probably show up and you're liable to have one hell of a session."
When Judy suddenly gathers Fritz into a tearful hug he tells her "You know I'm going to have a hell of a time telling Winston where the bunny scent came from, right?"
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble at home, it's just that I ... we've been on such an emotional trip lately that …"
"No worries. Once I tell her about the project and your issues …" seeing her horrified expression he hurriedly added "not to mention any particulars, she'll probably come down here herself and then it'll be hug central."
"Thanks … for … everything."
"Again, no worries. Now, let's get this car built so we can help you whip a certain bunnies ass …"
XxX
A/N: [1] There seems to be no actual information out there telling me exactly what carb originally came on the 427 only that it was a 4 barrel, so I just improvised.
I usually don't try to hide quotes in my chapters, but I couldn't help it in this one. Extra points for whoever finds it. And who knows who Fritz and Winston are?
For reference, Dale Elkhart is really Dale Earnhardt and Jackie Fuelit is Jackie Stewart.
The Animalympics and characters actually have a short history with Disney.
Please drop a review so I know whether I'm doing a great or not so great job.
POSTED 5/16/18
