In response to the audience's confusion, Bunnie continued. "I understand how strange it is for her to even permit this, so huge thanks to Freedom Fighters ambassador Vanilla the Rabbit for that. Anyway, ladies…" She held her arms out like a game show model. "May I present to you the formidable Offic-or should I say, Chief Inspector VECTOR THE CROCODILE!"
In the most dramatic stage entrance yet, Vector approached the stage from an inconspicuous side ramp - on his motorcycle. Just as he was set to hit the ramp, he cranked his motorcycle into high gear, getting some serious air. He landed after pulling off an ostentatious Superman seat grab, turning right, and shutting his motorcycle down. He pushed down the kickstand and stood to face the most wild applause yet. The police badge stood out against his leather jacket, T-shirt, and jeans. He looked like more than just a detective.
Vector - Age: 39 - Height: 192cm - Looking For: A new headquarters. - Skills: Motorcycle Stunts, Certified DJ, Analytic Reasoning, Firearms.
With his player card up, he took center stage, where his sidekick Antoine was more than eager to start him off. "I feel like the best man here." Antoine laughed. "Vector the CI, ladies! Hundred pounds for round one; you know the rules. Ready? Go!"
A bidder in the back right corner started the round. Antoine just laughed harder. "Vanilla the Rabbit begins us with a hundred pounds! Man, Vector bet me ten pounds earlier that you'd show up. Still, I'm glad you did!"
Vector seized the microphone. "Yeah! That's my queen right there!" He yelled. His face beamed in delight. Vanilla's presence and Vector's pride and joy were both cheered.
"I'd say Miss Vanilla's got this one in the bag. Going once," Antoine began, but was soon stopped. "We've got some competition! Perci the Bandicoot places the 150 pound bid!"
Vanilla cringed. She would recognize the name anywhere. Perci and her sister, both motorcycle fanatics themselves, were all sorts of trouble. Many times, she'd hear how Vector would have to threaten a restraining order or two to make them leave him alone. Even worse news came just seconds later.
"Next up, two hundred pounds by Staci the Bandicoot! Vanilla can't be liking this. Let's see how this plays out. Yep, just as I imagined! Vanilla comes bounding back with the 250 pound bid!"
"You can't beat that, girls!" Vector bragged.
"Need I remind you, Vector, that if Vanilla places the top bid, she'll be the one in charge of you this evening?" Antoine teased.
"Ain't no problem with that." The crocodile responded. His head soon turned aside as new trouble rose.
"Three hundred pounds bid by Giovanna the Hedgehog! Seems the whole nation's trying to get on the good side of the law." Antoine joked. His auctioneer skills were quickly tested as the next flurry of bids were placed.
"Next up, 350 pounds by Staci the Bandicoot! Not to be outmatched, Vanilla rapidly snatches the four hundred pound bid! Only outdone by Staci's twin Perci! 450 pounds on the table. This is exciting. Half a grand bid once again by Giovanna the Hedgehog!" His burst of energy quit there.
The anticlimax grew as the entire assembly fell silent. Bunnie took the microphone from her hyperactive husband. "We've got Giovanna going once," She started, only to be interrupted.
"Six hundred, chief." A new bidder wagered, confidently gesturing to Vector with her own police badge up. Her uniform was already a dead giveaway.
Bunnie looked surprised. "Six hundred pounds placed by the husky off to the side. She doesn't have a chair. Hang on, how did she even get there?"
"Yo, that's the security guard!" Antoine announced. "Looks like Sergeant Reagan can't resist the action. Still legal within protocol, so I'll let it slide."
Bunnie took over the auctioneering from there. "Ah, back to normal. Vanilla once again on top with the 650 pound bid."
The next bid was obvious. "Iris the Husky with seven hundred pounds! Vanilla struggles with the eager competition. How's she gonna handle this?"
The fact that Vanilla and Iris were just meters apart wasn't helping. Vanilla stood up, looked from Iris to Antoine, and laid down her terms. "One thousand!" She yelled.
Most of the audience cheered when she said that. "She's been through a challenging round of bidding, but there's the thousand! Vanilla going once, going twice, and at long last, GOING OUT with Chief Inspector Vector!"
Vector raised a solidarity fist as Vanilla practically sprinted on stage to hug him, which she did very tightly. The applause only grew from there as they also kissed, a rather cumbersome maneuver, especially for Vector. Vanilla held onto him as he sped the motorcycle off the stage and down the parking lot on the side. He carried her from their back to her seat, where Antoine was more than happy to get him one.
"Off duty, officer?" Vanilla teased.
"Tonight, you bet I am." He rebounded.
{SRK: I know this chapter resembles Silver's, but I liked it.}