Chapter 15 - Familiar Faces
"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty! It's a brand new day out there!"
Yakko let out a groan, he turned onto his side and pulled the covers over his head. After a day of bustling around from place to place, it was needless to say that he was completely worn out. The moment they arrived home from the ice cream parlor, Yakko threw on his pajamas and leapt into bed, snoring away the second his head landed onto his pillow.
It was morning again. Joey had come into his bedroom, and had rudely awoken Yakko from his slumber. Even after getting a full night of sleep, he didn't have it in him to leave the warm sanctuary that was his bed.
"Ugh. Just a few more minutes," he murmured, sinking deeper into his pillow.
Joey let out a suppressed chuckle. "We don't have time to sleep in. We're burning daylight here," he stated, lifting up the covers from Yakko's bed. "You don't want to be late to your first day of school, do you?"
Yakko's eyes popped open, he jolted up from bed. He had forgotten all about toon school, having just learned about his enrollment in the academy the day before.
"S-school!? Today!?" He exclaimed, his mind going into panic mode. "W-what time is it? I-I didn't mean to- I-I have to get ready now!" Now wide awake, Yakko sprung out of bed and raced out of his room.
"I knew that'd get him," Joey muttered to himself.
Today was the first day of school, as Yakko had learned. He was never told when his first day of school was supposed to be. If he had known, Yakko would've set an alarm the night before, and he would've told his siblings to do the same. But despite almost oversleeping on his first day, he was determined that everything would go as smoothly as possible with little to no issue.
As was the case yesterday, Wakko and Dot were already up, and were sitting at the table finishing up breakfast. Yakko snagged himself two slices of toast, scarfing down his breakfast as quickly as he could. Once he had eaten, all three siblings ran back to their bedrooms to get dressed. Yakko threw on a green t-shirt and some jeans, both of which Joey had bought for him at the mall yesterday. Wakko also put on a t-shirt, and a pair of loose gray shorts. Dot was sporting a yellow shirt and black cargo pants, with a matching yellow bow tied up over her hair.
Joey emerged from his bedroom, fixing his tie around his button-up shirt. He gathered up the Warners, and they were soon rushing out the door and to the car. Joey propelled the sedan down the street, reiterating how they shall not be late for their first day of school, that they must get there on time.
Yakko stared out the window, letting a soft yawn sneak through. While there was a small desire in him to return to the warmth of his cozy bed, he felt a growing ambition by the thought of attending an actual school. All his life, Yakko had been mostly self taught. He had received most of his education from his aunt, who was his only real teacher up to this point. The closest he ever came to feeling like he was in school were from a handful of lectures taught by Mrs. Rentman. But even then, the lessons taught were mundane things, such as gardening, or tidying up toys off the floor; it was still up to Yakko to teach his brother and sister how to do math, how to read, how to write.
After years of not being allowed to attend school for most of his childhood, it felt surreal to Yakko to finally be going all this time later. Then again, most things in his life have felt surreal to him as of recent, ever since he left the foster center just a couple days prior.
Soon enough, the group had arrived at the studio lot. The stout security guard, who was apparently named Ralph, pulled the lever to let them through his gate, and Joey maneuvered the car into a parking spot. All four of them got out of their car, and they proceeded to venture through the lot. Joey decided to give the Warners a quick tour of the lot, as they didn't have time to explore yesterday. First, he showed them some old set pieces that were designed to look like residential buildings, ones you would find in downtown of a massive, sprawling city.
"Back in the day, Warner Brothers used these set buildings for almost all of their old films and shows," Joey explained, "It was easier and cheaper to film in than sectioning off a part of town for your movie."
Next, they walked past a building that appeared to be a movie theater, with a decorative marquee arched over the front entrance. Joey explained that this was where Warner Bros previewed all of their films to a test audience before releasing the movie to the public. Down further from that was a scenic area, with luscious green trees planted next to the street. Tables and chairs lined the area, where fellow employees were sipping their coffee while reading the morning paper.
"To your left is the commissary." Joey gestured towards another building, where dozens of people had lined up outside the door. "This is the studio cafe, and is the only place on the lot where you can get food. But there are vending machines too for whoever wants to use them."
Wakko's eyes glittered, his mouth watered at the mention of food. "Ooo! Can we go? What do they serve for breakfast?"
"Later, Wakko. You have school, remember?" Joey replied to an ecstatic Wakko, who pouted at this answer.
"Aww! Fine!" Wakko groaned, hunching his back towards the ground.
Despite Wakko's pleas for food, they walked right past the commissary and continued down a narrow pathway. Surrounding them were a row of giant warehouses, which Joey said were stages where productions took place. Yakko's mouth gaped as he stared up at the enormous buildings in awe. It was crazy to think that an entire movie could be filmed all in one place.
I could be in there, mused Yakko, his ambition growing. I could be standing on that stage, acting in front of the camera. I could be the next big star in Hollywood. How cool would that be?
They walked through the long corridor until they reached a massive, elongated building, its walls stretched on for miles it seemed like. Joey explained that this was where the studio housed their costume department. It was also the location of the studio gift shop, and, more importantly, it was also the home of the Warners new school.
Yakko squinted up at the massive structure, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Never in a million years would he have guessed that this building was a school. Wearhouse, yes. School, no. But apparently, it was both? Yakko didn't understand the thought process of the "genius" that decided to put a school in such an isolated spot from the rest of the studio lot.
"Uuuhh..I don't know about you, Joey, but this looks more like a prison than a school," muttered Yakko, bluntly, thoroughly disappointed by what he was looking at.
Joey let out a wry chuckle. "Yeah, the studio didn't exactly have looks in mind when they built this, but I can guarantee you it looks a lot better on the inside than it does out here."
Joey led the Warners to the furthest point of the building, where there was only a single entrance. Hanging over the set of double doors was a small sign bolted to the wall. There was a tiny graphic of Bugs Bunny's face, and there was bolded text written next to the rabbit: Warner Bros. Looniversity for toons.
So this is it, huh? Warner Brothers school for toons, in the back alley of a wearhouse, Yakko thought, still skeptical after his disappointment. He squinted his eyes at the sign, examining it closely. The school's name sounded familiar for some reason, as if he had heard of this place before. But how was that possible? He didn't know this place even existed until recently.
A woman suddenly emerged from the building. She wore a violet sundress with a large collar, and a pair of matching flats. Her hair was tied up into a massive bun as large as a beach ball. Yakko had to resist the urge to grimace at the woman. Her dress was way too small on her, appearing tight around her curved body. Also, for some odd reason, she had two pairs of glasses: one on her head, and another roped around her neck. Clearly, she did not have the best sense of fashion. But the woman had a warm look on her face as she approached Joey.
"Oh, it's good to see you, Joseph!" She greeted him warmly, "I see you've brought your new clients."
"Yes, Patty" Joey nodded, gesturing towards Yakko and his siblings. "I'd like you to meet the Warners: Yakko, Wakko, and Dot."
Patty smiled as she approached Yakko, extending her hand out towards him. In spite of his opinions on her features, Yakko held his tongue as he politely shook the woman's hand. Though he retracted his hand moments later, he already had enough of the handshake – he was doing this a lot these days.
The woman tried to shake Wakko's hand, but the latter shook his head and refused. Dot also refused, and instead recoiled onto the ground when the handshake was offered to her. This didn't surprise Yakko one bit. If he were to take one thing away from yesterday's meeting, it's that his siblings were not good around new people. And while he appreciated the friendliness from most of the staff, they could be overwhelming at times. But Patty seemed nice enough, and Wakko and Dot will undoubtedly warm up to her once they get over their initial shyness.
"Hello, Warners. My name is Patty Flamiel," said the woman, proudly putting a hand to her chest. "I am one of the teachers here at Warner Academy. Joey has told me all about you and your abilities. I am thrilled to be your teacher."
Patty focused her gaze on Yakko, her ever-wide grin still fully intact. "Say, Yakko..wait- you're Yakko, right?"
"Uuhh..yes?" He answered, staring at her like if she was an alien from another planet.
"I've heard you have an interest in Toonology. You're self taught I have heard."
"Well..y-yeah. At least mostly," said Yakko, scratching behind his shoulder.
"Splendid!" exclaimed Patty, clasping her hands together, "You will be familiar with some of the content. Follow me. I'll show you to my classroom."
Patty turned around suddenly, and walked back towards the school building where she had initially emerged from. Yakko sighed, trying to hide the aggravation he had towards this woman.
Of course I'm interested in Toonology! That's the entire reason why I'm here! He ranted to himself.
It was now that Yakko was starting to have second thoughts about the idea of being schooled by someone else. He had managed to learn toon physics perfectly fine on his own, and he didn't think that there was much else that he needed to learn about his skills that he hasn't learned from the books he read.
Although, he remembered that these classes were a requirement by the studio in order for him and his siblings to be able to perform. No school, no acting. Yakko had no choice in the matter. Reluctantly, he grabbed his siblings hand and followed Patty and Joey into the school, hoping that this class would be worth it in the end.
The inside of the school was boiling and musty, and the paint on the wall had been dampened from years of the sun beating down on it. Yakko wiped his forehead, he was already sweating his butt off. His sour mood provoked him to complain about the insufferable heat of the building.
"The windows in my classroom are wide open. Roll up your pants if you're feeling hot," Patty told Yakko, completely dismissing the fact that Yakko was burning inside.
Yakko rolled his eyes, finding Patty's advice extremely unhelpful. He looked down at his brother, who didn't look to be cooking in the loose shorts he got from the mall yesterday. He was starting to regret his decision on wearing his new jeans to school, thinking they would make him look stylish on his first day.
Lucky duck! He thought, jealous of Wakko's ability to stay cool in the scorching heat.
After a short walk through the Sahara Desert, they arrived at Patty's classroom. Her room was large in size, with a dozen desks lined up in rows of four. In the middle of the room was Patty's desk, placed right next to the chalkboard at the front of the room. Yakko squinted his eyes, the morning sun blaring into the room through wide open windows. He and his siblings were told to sit down, as class was now in session. Yakko took his seat at the front of the room; Wakko and Dot sat down at the desks on either side of their eldest brother. The other desks remained vacant.
"Uuhh..where is everyone, Patty?" Yakko asked, taking notice of the lack of any other kids in the room with them.
"Your studies will take place privately, as your enrollment in this course has been a recent development," Patty explained, pushing her glasses up to her nose. "And please, call me Miss. Flamiel from now on. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Miss. Flamiel," muttered Yakko, resisting the urge to groan.
"Now then," started Miss. Flamiel, strolling up to the front of the room, "Since this is your first day, we will start with an easy lesson. Let's go over the class syllabus, shall we?"
Yakko propped his hand under his chin. He tried his best to stay awake, keeping his focus on Miss Flamiel. The teacher had pulled a piece of chalk out of her hammerspace, and she started to scribble words on the black board. She talked as she wrote.
"At Warner Academy, we strive to create the next generation of toon stars here at Warner Bros. We want to encourage you to fulfill your toony desires, and use your animated brains to shape the future of this industry. And it all starts here." Miss Flamiel waved her stick of chalk at the board, where she had written 'Toon 101'.
"Why did you draw those pong paddles?" Wakko asked, making a face as he squinted at the chalkboard.
"That is the number one hundred and one, Wakko, as in the name of this course," Miss Flamiel told the boy, confounded by his observation.
"Oh," he said sheepishly, eyes shifted towards his feet. Yakko's lip curled as he observed this. He hoped that his brother wasn't hurt by the teacher's snarky reply, or else he'd be giving Miss Flamiel a piece of his mind.
Miss Flamiel ignored this all and went on. "We will spend the next several months studying your abilities, learning how to use them, and practicing our powers for comedic purposes," she explained. "In addition to our time in class, you three will be attending daily tutoring sessions, where you will learn toon theory, and practice using your animated minds."
But I know all that already! Yakko so badly wanted to say, but he opted to stay silent and instead listen to the teacher's lecture. He knew that this wasn't an opportunity that was given to most toons, and he did want to get the most out of this, despite the content mostly being review for him. He hoped it would all be worth it in the end.
"Once we go over all of the content, you three will be required to take the final exam this coming spring. This exam will test your internal knowledge, as well as your physical knowledge, and is the determining factor of whether or not you will receive your acting permits."
Yakko felt a chill roll up his warm back, the thought made his fur prickle. He most certainly did not need to be reminded of the stakes of his uncertain situation. He firmly believed that he had a good understanding of his toon abilities, a good understanding of his hammerspace, a good understanding of how to perform in the way a toon should.
But Warner Bros weren't looking for 'good'. They were looking for perfection.
It took him an abundance of will power, as well as some much needed encouragement from his best friend, in order to get up on stage that night, and perform in front of hundreds of people. No one had expected his performance to be great, but Yakko had exceeded those expectations by an incredible margin. But his raw talent came at a cost. Now he was expected to work harder than before, to perform more smoothly than before, and he had to do all of this much more flawlessly and with greater ease than he was able to get away with before.
And then there was Wakko and Dot. While Yakko was certain that he could overcome the challenges thrown at him with enough perseverance and a pinch of luck, his siblings were still primitive when it came to using their abilities. For one, they were much younger than Yakko was, but also, they didn't have the exact same level of patience nor confidence when it comes to using their powers. Yakko knew how to remain calm in order to teach his sibling's in the best way that he could, but he doubted that this so-called teacher had enough patience inside her in order to handle his unpredictable siblings.
I don't want their feelings to be hurt, Yakko thought to himself, worry showered over him. If they aren't able to keep up with the material, then they'll be–
Yakko swallowed, resisting the urge to tear up at such a dreadful thought. He so badly wanted to develop his toon abilities, but he didn't want his newfound success to cost him the last two pieces of family that he had left. He vowed to Wakko and Dot that they would never be separated by any means. If his desire to grow bigger caused that dreaded day to come, then this dream of his would feel astonishingly small.
Everything would come crashing down.
Nothing would matter anymore.
Everything would feel like nothing without them.
"You look flustered," came a voice, "What's wrong, sport?"
Yakko jerked up in his seat. His eyes darted to the other side of the classroom, where Joey stood in front of the door. The man was looking at him with visible concern; apparently, his anxiousness showed through a lot more than he wanted it to.
"Oh. Uuhh..I'm fine, Joey," assured Yakko, "I-it's just..r-really hot in here, that's all."
"If you say so," Joey said, though he seemed skeptical of this answer.
Miss. Flamiel continued with the lesson. "Okay. Now that we understand the expectations for this class, let's begin the first lesson. Who can tell me what a hammerspace is?"
Yakko raised his hand, and was called on by the teacher. "It's the invisible space that's behind a toon's back," he answered.
"Very good, Yakko," Miss. Flamiel smiled. "A toon's hammerspace is at the core of our animated bodies. It is a primary function of a toon, and is the function that is most commonly associated with toon physics."
From then on, Yakko tried to keep his focus on the teacher's lecture, deciding not to dwell on any insecurities that may make him look nervous or vulnerable. The last thing he wanted was to reopen the wounds of his past, in the midst of being granted the biggest opportunity of his lifetime.
Wakko and Dot, to his honest shock, seemed to be catching on fairly quickly for the most part. When Miss Flamiel asked Dot how a toon can store an item in their hammerspace, the six year old was able to answer correctly with relative ease. Yakko couldn't help but wear the brightest grin on his face at that moment, and he complimented his sister without hesitation. He thought that perhaps the lectures he gave his sibling's back in September didn't go entirely over their heads after all.
This is good, he thought. As long as they are able to catch on and learn the material, they'll know as much as I do. Man, Wakko and Dot are getting so smart! They surprise me every day!
Towards the end of the lesson, Miss Flamiel rolled a cart out from the supply closet, stacked high with textbooks and other junk. She brought the cart over to where Yakko and his siblings were sat, and she placed three books on each of the Warners' desks. Yakko glanced down at the cover of the textbook: it was bright neon orange with a picture of Bugs Bunny, and some other toon that he didn't recognize.
Think With Your Ink - A look into the mind of a toon. By Yakkavier Crosby.
That person has the same first name as me, thought Yakko, glancing at the book with a peculiar expression. And- and that title seems familiar. Have I..read this before? I mean, I've read a ton of books like this, but- but it also seems..different. Maybe it's just a coincidence.
"In order to perform at the highest standard, a toon must understand the workings of their animated minds," Miss Flamiel claimed. "For your homework tonight, you will read the first chapter of your textbook. We will go over our finds tomorrow in class. Each chapter is short, roughly six to eight pages per section. I don't want to hear any complaints from either one of you. This is an easy assignment that will take you no more than an hour."
Wow. Your expectations must be really low for us. Yakko had to bite his tongue not to make a remark that would be deemed as rude or disrespectful. But with words like that, it became all the more tempting for him to call his teacher out for doubting his work ethic. You think I'm a slacker? I'll show you what Yakko Alvin Warner is capable of!
"Are we all good? Do you understand what the assignment is?"
"Yes, Miss Flamiel," Yakko answered, drawing out his voice in a way that may sound the slightest bit of convincing.
"Very well," the teacher sighed, clasping her hands together, "That is all for today. You may be dismissed."
The moment Miss Flamiel had finished speaking, Yakko sprung out of his chair, followed shortly by his siblings, and they all dashed towards the door as quickly as possible. He had only spent one hour in that classroom, but it had felt like the longest hour of his life. It was needless to say that Yakko was definitely not thrilled to come back here first thing tomorrow morning.
But he had to keep reminding himself that it would be worth it in the end. Surely, this had to have some value behind it.
"So? How'd you like your first day?" Joey asked. He was already standing outside of the classroom waiting for the Warners.
"It went okay, I guess," said Yakko with a sigh, not wanting to engage in conversation.
"It was boring!" Wakko was much more honest with his reply. "It's hot in here, and I'm hungry!"
"Yakko taught us some of this stuff," Dot informed Joey. "Why'd we have to learn it again?"
Yakko cocked an eyebrow at his little sister in surprise. Guess I'm not the only one who feels this way, he thought.
"Dot, you're one smart cookie," Joey told her with a smile, "I know your brother has taught you a toon trick or two, but there's so much more about yourself that you have yet to discover. Even the geniuses of this industry are always learning something new about themselves that they didn't know before. My advice is to give it your all, and see what you can do when you put your mind to it."
Dot's eyes glimmered in the warm sun shining through the window. She nodded, not totally understanding the words that Joey had spoken to her, but to show that his words have indeed been appreciated.
"Thanks, Joey," Dot thanked her caretaker with a bright smile. "I can't wait to be a star!"
"Neither can I, kiddo." Joey grabbed Dot's hand and twirled her around. The girl laughed cheerfully, her sparkly white grin on full display.
Yakko smiled too as he watched from a short distance. From the short time he had known him, Joey has shown to be very good with Wakko and Dot. He was patient with them, and he often engaged in their antics and even encouraged them, which he appreciated to no end. He hadn't seen his siblings this happy in a very long time.
His trail of thought was interrupted by the angry growls of Wakko's stomach. "I'm hungry!" The boy exclaimed, rubbing his belly anxiously. "Can I please get something to eat!?"
"Yes, Wakko," chuckled Joey, "We can go to the commissary now."
"Alright!" Wakko cheered, pumping his fist in the air, his tail swishing around joyously behind him.
"Two hours since breakfast, and you already need a snack, huh?" Dot pointed out, smirking at her immediate older brother in disbelief.
"They have some delicious muffins there if you guys are interested," Joey mentioned, rubbing his belly. "I could really go for one of those right about now."
"Ooo! I love muffins!" Wakko licked his chops at the idea. He was prancing in circles, already making his way down the hallway. "I want muffins too! I do! I do!"
Joey laughed. "Alright, Wakko. Muffins it is. Let's go!"
Joey began to walk down the hall at a casual pace. All the while, Wakko and Dot were hopping around him, chanting about how much they wanted muffins.
Yakko followed behind, walking slower than the rest of the group. The sun continued to beat down on him with its smoldering heat. His shirt felt damp and sticky, and he found himself repeatedly tugging on his shirt collar.
"Come along, Yakko," Joey called out to him, Yakko now trailing behind by quite a distance. "Your brother is going to go bananas if we don't get to the commissary soon."
Yakko grimaced, and said nothing. He forced himself to walk faster, despite the increasing temperature.
Luckily, the WB commissary was much cooler inside than the musty school building. The four of them had found a booth to sit at, two trays of a dozen muffins were placed upon the table top – one tray of blueberry, and another tray of banana.
Wakko had already blazed through the entire tray of blueberry muffins, and was now munching down all of what was left in the tray of banana muffins. Joey had eaten a good amount of muffins, both banana and blueberry. Dot prefered the banana muffins, claiming that it was her favorite kind of muffin.
And then there was Yakko. The eldest Warner was nibbling on his single blueberry muffin, swallowing the pastry slowly. A glass of water was placed in front of him, left untouched. He was staring down at himself, shuffling his feet underneath the table. He remained completely silent, not uttering a single word for a long period of time. He didn't feel like talking right now, not when he had so much on his mind.
"Are you okay, Yakko?" Joey asked him suddenly. "You haven't eaten a lot."
Yakko was taken out of his thoughts against his will. He briefly glanced up at Joey, taking note of the worried expression on his face, but returned his focus to his feet.
"I'm fine," he muttered, eyebrows furrowed. "It's hot outside, okay?"
"Well, it's much cooler here, isn't it?" Joey got no answer. He continued in spite of this. "They really need to install proper ventilation inside that building, especially for days like this one. The heat isn't usually this bad, I swear."
Yakko remained silent still, instead letting out a heavy sigh. He set his blueberry muffin down on the table, barely eaten – only a few chomp marks where Yakko had taken puny bites.
"Hey? Are you going to eat that?" Wakko asked, noticing his big brother's half eaten muffin.
"Be my guest," he grumbled, not at all attempting to hide the bitterness in his tone.
Wakko did not question this, however, as he quickly scooped up his brother's muffin and tossed it into his mouth in a single bite.
Joey's suspicion grew further. "Hey..Yakko?" He started, "Are you sure that you're feeling fi-"
"Hey! Joey-roni! Where've you been?"
Joey paused mid sentence, and he looked over his shoulder. A man had approached their booth, a man which Yakko had never seen before. He was a lean man sporting a white t-shirt and jeans, a beam of light reflecting off of his sunglasses. He had a comb in his right hand, using it to slick up his hair, creating a swoop over his forehead. The stranger was glancing at Joey with a silver grin, leaning his elbow against the wooden booth.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't LightningRod." Joey smirked at the man, putting one hand to his hip. "Fancy seeing you here on this fine morning."
"I haven't seen you all day, man! I was getting worried – Ooo! Hey, are those banana muffins?"
"Help yourself," said Joey, pushing the tray towards the edge of the table.
The stranger snagged a muffin out of the tray without hesitation, and he ate the whole thing in three bites.
"Mmm-mmm! That hit the spot!" The man's attention turned towards Yakko, Wakko, and Dot, all of whom were staring at him with perturbed expressions. "Treating the kiddos, I see."
"Yes," nodded Joey, "These are the kids I was talking to you about a few days ago. Warners, I'd like you to meet my best friend Dean Lightning – I call him LightningRod. He's a cameraman here at Warner Bros."
"Only the best cameraman this studio has to offer," Dean boasted.
"Hi, Dean," greeted Wakko, grinning with his tongue lolled out of his mouth. Dot followed suit, waving hello to Dean. Yakko said nothing at all.
"You look like an awesome bunch," grinned Dean, "Can't wait to get to know you kiddos." LightningRod turned his attention back to Joey. "Have they been to the Rec Room, Joey?"
"Not yet," Joey shook his head, "I think they're scheduled to have their first session there this Sunday."
"That's awesome, man! I'm looking forward to it."
Yakko decided to tune out the rest of their conversation. He rubbed his fingers against his temples, where a growing migraine was taking shape. It didn't help that LightningRod was talking so loudly, his voice carrying across the entire cafe. Yakko knew it was rude to ignore him, especially since this was the first time that he had ever met him. But he was beginning to get irritated having to hear LightningRod's obnoxious voice, and his excessive enthusiasm.
He didn't want to be here anymore. He wanted to do anything else but sit in this cramped booth, watching the muffin monster gobble up all of the muffins, and being forced to endure LightningRod's obnoxious voice trumpet into his ears.
He just wanted to go home, return to the his warm bed, and zone out everything…
" -nd Yakko taught himself how to do all that? Now that's awesome!"
Yakko perked up suddenly at the mention of his name. "Huh? What?"
"I'm talking to Dean about your toon abilities," Joey clarified, "I'm very proud of you, you know that?"
"Oh." Yakko blinked. Those words came out of the blue, and he wasn't quite sure what to say of it. "Um..that's nice, Joey."
Joey's eyebrows furrowed at Yakko. "I don't know what's gotten into you, sport. You've been sorta down all morning, huh?"
Yakko grimaced. He clenched his fist, his tail stood straight up. It bugged him how observant Joey was. He could see right through Yakko's dowerness, reading his facial expressions like the heading of a newspaper. But Yakko didn't want these bitter thoughts to be apparent. Joey doesn't need to know what he is thinking at all times.
"Don't worry," muttered Yakko, dismissively. "I'm not sad. I promise."
"You sure?"
" Yes!" Without thinking prior, he slammed his fist against the marble table, causing the tray of muffins to jolt slightly to the left.
Joey gasped, his eyes widened in surprise. Wakko and Dot stopped exchanging jokes with each other and looked over at their elder brother. Even Dean had stopped talking, watching on with a worried glance.
It only occured to Yakko after the fact that he had lashed out at Joey, that one word coming out much harsher than he had intended. He just felt so aggravated in the moment, and Joey wouldn't stop pestering him with questions. He didn't know how to make it stop. He didn't know what else to do – shouting at Joey seemed like the right thing to do at that moment.
..but it didn't seem so anymore.
Yakko felt the color start to drain from his body. It started to sink in what he had done. He let his anger get the better of him.. again. Why hadn't he just answered Joey's question? Why did he let himself get so wound up, allowing himself to reach a breaking point before he finally snapped at his caregiver? There was no justification for his actions. He lashed out at Joey. He let his anger get the better of him. He ruined what was otherwise a perfectly good morning, all because of his damn anxiety.
He pressed both of his hands against his forehead. He was beginning to feel incredibly dizzy, his throat felt insufferably dry. His pupils shrunk, his vision slightly blurred through misty eyes. All he could do now was gaze at his feet. He couldn't bear to look at Joey, not after what he had just done.
After what felt like an eternity of silence, Joey finally spoke up.
"Okay, Yakko. The gig is up," Joey started, his voice stern. "Something has gotten into you, and I'm tired of you lying to me about it."
Yakko found himself breathing harder, his face was beginning to grow flush. He still couldn't bring himself to make eye contact with Joey, and he remained completely silent for a good moment.
"Yakko," Joey raised his voice slightly, "What's wrong?"
"I…u-I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, I swear!" Yakko stammered, speaking quickly. "I was just…so frustrated, so angry. I– I-I'm just…I CAN'T, OKAY!?"
Now Yakko was on the verge of tears. He couldn't possibly cry, not in front of Joey. He was already making himself out to be pathetic; crying would make it so much worse than it already is.
I can't take it anymore! I have to get out of here! I must. Get away!
In the spur of the moment, Yakko shoved past his brother and leapt out of the booth. He got onto his feet and scurried away from the table as fast as he could. He didn't care that all the diners were staring on in shock; he had to get away.
"Yakko!" He could hear Joey shout. "Get back here! NOW!"
Yakko didn't listen. Joey's voice sounded like a distant echo from his perspective, an echo that quickly faded into oblivion. He didn't need to listen to Joey, not after he embarrassed him in front of everyone. He was the last person that Yakko wanted to trust right now.
I have to get away, his mind kept telling him. I have. To get. Away.
Yakko punched open the door, and he lodged outside as it flew open. He quickly scuffled back onto his feet, and he started running even faster than before. He wasn't sure where he was gonna go, but that was the least of his worries right now. All that mattered was that he got away, far away from Joey, far away from Wakko and Dot, far away from that loudmouth Dean.
I have to get away. I have to! I must!
Never again would Yakko be an embarrassment to himself, an embarrassment to others, an embarrassment to the world. He had already been enough of an embarrassment in his life. Being an embarrassment to his own family was what got him here in the first place. If he just hadn't snapped at his father that fateful evening…
'You useless, pathetic little brat! It's ones like you that make me SICK!!
Yakko scowled, and shook the memory out of his head. The thought of his father only made Yakko want to run even faster, to run even further away from everything. So he did. There was nothing else he wanted to do more than run. Run like the wind. Run away from the people who have ruined him. Run away from those who don't know…
"Oof! OW! GODDAMMIT! MY KNEE!"
A sudden shot of pain rocketed up Yakko's knee. He was so caught up in himself that he failed to notice a small wooden crate laying in the middle of his path. He had tripped over that crate, and had landed face first on the pavement, putting a stop to his sprint. Yakko panted, and he gazed down at his wounded knee. He had torn a hole in his jeans, a thick stream of ink gushing down his pant leg. He was out of breath, his body too tired to get up, his voice too dry to call for help, his brain too wired to even process it all.
I must look like a fool right now, Yakko thought. He was beginning to regret running so fast. He attempted to give himself relief, but all he had done was hurt himself even more. He didn't know how things could possibly get worse for himself than they already have…
"Yo! Dude, are you okay?"
Yakko flinched when he heard a voice. He sighed. Of course there had to be a witness, he thought. Approaching him was a young rabbit, no more than thirteen years of age, wearing a red t-shirt and blue shorts. With him was a green duck, who looked to be the same age as the rabbit, who wore a white tank top and camo shorts.
Who are those boys? Yakko asked himself. As soon as he pondered the question, it instantly hit him who they were.
"Buster? Plucky?"
It was no other than the two stars of Tiny Toons Adventures. He remembered back at the foster center how Wakko and Dot used to gather around a television set in one of the playrooms of the foster center, their eyes glued to the television screen for almost the entire morning. Tiny Toons was one of their favorite shows to watch on Saturdays. Yakko didn't like watching TV very much, but he would occasionally sit down with his sibs and watch with them. He's watched enough Tiny Toons to know that Buster and Plucky are quite the celebrities.
Yakko felt his face turn pink. "Uhhh…sorry to bother you two. I, uh, know you guys are pretty busy being stars and-"
"Nah, we're off from filming today," interrupted Buster, "But that's beside the point. You good? You look frazzled."
"Yeah. I should definitely be happy that I cut open my knee!" Yakko grumbled sarcastically, pointing to his wounded leg.
"Ouch," Plucky cringed at Yakko's bloody leg, "That looks like it stings. I've scraped my knee dozens of times. It hurts more than it looks, I'll say."
"Okay, can you guys, like, get me a band aid or something for my knee?" He asked, trying to be as polite as possible despite being in pain.
Buster and Plucky exchanged glances with each other. Then they glanced back at Yakko, and then back at each other.
"You have the first aid kit," noted Plucky, "You do it, Buster."
"What? Why me? I bought you a coffee this morning. Now it's time for you to pay your share."
"My share? I bought you and your girlfriend sundaes last night! You guys didn't even finish it all!"
"Probably because I was already full from the stew Uncle Bugs made us last night, using the carrots from your dad's garden!"
"That's our dad's garden to you, Buster!"
"No, it's your dad's garden! It's in your backyard!"
"Alright! Alright! Knock it off, you two!" Yakko snapped. He pressed his hand against his face, appalled by the two's lack of urgency. "Just– please. Can one of you just give me one band aid?"
Buster and Plucky's argument ceased, and they were now blankly staring at a wired Yakko. After a moment, Plucky turned back towards his friend, the rabbit's eyes still locked onto Yakko.
"Dibs not!" The duck yelled, and immediately put his finger to his bill. Buster gasped, and raced to put his finger to his nose. Unfortunately, he was a second too late. "Haha! I win! And you lose, pal!" Plucky cried in victory, taunting his friend in the process.
"Not fair, birdbrain! I wasn't ready! Ugh. Fine. I'll get my first aid kit."
Buster reached into his hammerspace and found his first aid kit, which he said he got when he and Plucky were in boy scouts. He knelt down towards Yakko, and he pulled out a band aid and a couple napkins from his first aid kit. He cleaned the blood off of Yakko's knee with the napkin, before finally placing a band aid on top of Yakko's wound.
"Thanks, Buster," Yakko told the rabbit, as he was helping him back up. "I really appreciate the help."
"Ah, it's nothing, dude," said Buster, "But just so you know, the lot isn't really the place for running. You're lucky you bumped into us and not Ralph."
"Oh, that Ralph," Plucky scowled, clenching his fists, "I hate that bastard."
"Plucky!"
"What? He isn't around, is he?"
"Rob and Plotz don't want any of us running around here," he continued, "If you get caught by any one of them, you could get suspended for a week."
Yakko's eyes went wide. "Su-..s-suspended?" he stammered.
"Yeah, but they'll let you back in with a harsh warning and a stick up your butt," assured Buster. "I wouldn't worry about it. Young toons like us get suspended all the time. Plucky just got out of his suspension."
"Wow. Thanks for calling it out," muttered Plucky.
"Be careful out there, man. Don't do anything that you might regret later. You never know who's watching."
Yakko nodded in understanding. He was informed previously by Joey to be wary of old man Plotz, but he had no idea that his rules were so uptight and strict. He definitely had no idea about these rules when he was asked to sign his contract with the studio.
"Man, there are so many rules around here," stated Yakko.
"You must be new, then," Buster inquired. "What's your name?"
"My name? Oh, I'm-"
"Buster! Plucky! Where'd ya guys go? And- who're you with?"
Yakko's ears stood up. Did he hear that? Was that who he thought it was? Or was his mind just playing a trick on his hearing?
He looked straight ahead, the blinding sun shining overhead. There was indeed a figure approaching, a figure with long ears and whiskers. He had on a blue polo and khakis. It wasn't the outfit that Yakko had expected him to be wearing, but he didn't care. His eyes had nearly bulged out of their sockets, and his jaw dropped to the ground.
The figure batted his eyes at him, giving a smile that made Yakko feel warm and fuzzy inside. The man was now standing just a couple of inches away from Yakko, the sun illuminating his body from behind. At last, the man held his gloved hand out towards him, locking eyes with Yakko's.
"Hello dere. Who are ya?"
Yakko couldn't believe his eyes. Bugs Bunny, the Bugs Bunny, was standing right in front of him in all his glory. The cartoon legend which he had watched for all of his life, a man with so much talent and fame in the cartoon industry, had approached him so casually, as if he was a new neighbor stopping by to say hello.
"Oh my gosh. It- i-it's you. It's you. I-I can't believe it's actually you." Shyly, he reached for Bug's hand, grasping the rabbit's fingers tightly. "I'm Yakko. Yakko Warner. I-I'm a big fan of yours. I've been watching you since I was little. Everything I have done in my life has been because of you and-"
Bugs laughed. "Woah-ho! Slow down dere, Yakko," he said, "You sound like Porky stuttering over ya words."
Yakko stepped back, taking a deep breath. He could barely contain his excitement, being in the presence of such an icon as Bugs.
"Sorry," he apologized, wiping sweat off his forehead. "I-it's just that– I'm really just such a big fan of yours and-"
"No need to apologize," Bugs interrupted, "I get dese reactions all da time. I'm used to 'em." The rabbit's whiskers furrowed, as he examined Yakko closely. "You ain't looking so good, Doc. Your face is redder than Yosemite's."
"Oh." Only then did Yakko realize that his face was fully flushed, both from exhaustion and nervousness. "Yeah..uuhhh…i-it's very hot out here."
"Doc, ya look to be in need of a cold drink," Bugs observed. He reached into his hammerspace and pulled out a tall glass of frosty carrot juice. "Now, dis always hits the spot on hot days like dis one," the rabbit said, as he handed the glass to Yakko.
Yakko took the glass from the rabbit and began to drink. He closed his eyes, as he felt the ice cold liquid stream down his throat. He drank the whole glass until the very last drop.
"Ah," Yakko sighed, wiping his orange covered mouth. He felt refreshed after drinking that carrot juice. He didn't even realize he was so thirsty until he had finished.
"Feel better?" Bugs asked.
"Yes," replied Yakko, handing the now empty glass over to Bugs, who promptly stuffed it back into his hammerspace. "I guess I didn't drink enough today. But I feel much better now."
"Good, isn't it? And good for ya, too," the rabbit figured. "How else do you think I'm able to look so good for my age?"
Yakko chuckled. "Thanks. I needed that," he said, more than grateful for the hare's help, "I was running right before this, and I was feeling mighty tired before you came along."
Bugs suddenly frowned. "Yeah, I wouldn't do dat, Doc. Plotzy hates nothin' more than kiddos like you run around da Warner lot. A place like dis ain't for runnin'. I don't want ya hurtin' ya'self."
"I'm afraid it's a little too late for that." Yakko lifted up his wounded leg towards Bugs. Most of the blood had dried at this point, but a large, black stain had now been imprinted into his jeans.
The rabbit winced. "Jeez. Dat is a nasty cut. How did ya manage to do that?"
"You can thank that crate for my fall," Yakko deadpanned, pointing to said crate a few feet away from him. "I wasn't paying attention, and I ran right into it, and that's how this happened."
"I helped clean up his wound," Plucky piped up.
"That was me, you numbskull!" Buster yelled at his friend, "You didn't do anything!"
"I'll have you know, it was me who spotted him, Buster!" The duck snapped, getting in Buster's face.
"Alright, dat's enough, you two!" The old rabbit spread his arms out to separate the two frenemies. "I don't care which one of yous spotted him. All I care about is dat Yakko here is doin' okay. Hey, speakin' of-" Bugs shot a curious brow at Yakko. "Why we're ya runnin' in the foirst place, Doc?
Yakko swallowed. Just as he felt that his repelling anxiety was beginning to simmer, he was now being questioned by his childhood idol about the cause of his outburst just minutes prior. It made him regret it all the more. How could he possibly squeeze himself out of this one?
He couldn't, not after he made it blatantly clear that he was wired on the brain. There was nothing else he could do; he had to come clean.
Yakko let out a long sigh. "I was, uhhh…kinda– I-I was running away from someone."
"From who? The boogeyman?" Bugs quipped, but still appeared empathetic towards Yakko.
"No. Um, f-from Joey." The words came out quickly, and that was intentional.
"From who?" Asked the rabbit, pushing his ear out towards Yakko.
"From Joey," repeated Yakko, more harshly. His eyes darted away from the old hare, and he started scuffing his foot on the ground.
"Joey? Ya mean Memlo? Oh, he's great," Bugs smiled, his whiskers perched upward. "I've known him since he was little. His father used ta be a director here at Warner Bros." The rabbit took notice of Yakko's guilt-filled glare. "Why'd ya run away from him?"
Yakko's frown deepened, and he shook his head. "I dunno. I was just…so upset at the time that I just– I-I just..wasn't thinking, okay?"
He sighed again, tears started to well up in his eyes. It was all starting to come back to him. He remembered being sat in that booth, banging his fist on the marble table, leaping over Wakko in a rush to escape a situation that he felt was out of his control. Just recounting the events made his stomach feel queasy. Yakko felt like he was going to throw up.
He didn't realize at first that his brain had begun spiraling again. That is, until Yakko felt someone place a firm hand upon his shoulder. He gasped, snapping out of his thoughts. Bugs had knelt down towards him, a worried frown braced his gray fur, his long ears drooped slightly over his forehead.
"You're havin' a bad day, aren't ya? Things ain't goin' ya way, huh?" When Yakko nodded, the rabbit continued. "I can tell you're anxious. Don't mind me askin', but what exactly are ya worrin' ya'self about?"
Yakko sighed, for a third time now. He knew prior that the wascally wabbit had an incredible sense of insight of those around him. It is how he is able to guess exactly what his foes are gonna do to him, so that he can prepare way ahead of time for when they decide to strike. With that in mind, he didn't know why he was so surprised that Bugs would use that same insight to figure out exactly what someone else is feeling, particularly someone who is feeling down.
That fact alone made Yakko feel more relaxed in the presence of his favorite celebrity. Meeting Bugs Bunny was one thing; having the old hare try and bring him up when he was feeling sad was something that Yakko didn't ever consider being on the table. He felt that he could trust the rabbit with his thoughts, so he allowed his mouth to do what he knew best:
"Today was my first day at the Toon Academy," Yakko explained, "Me and my siblings have never been to school before. It's so much different than trying to teach yourself. I was homeschooled for most of my life, and I had to teach my baby sibs, too. Back at foster prison, I had a bunch of textbooks about toon physics and toon acting. I learned everything I know from those books. I just don't see the point of schooling– well, at least for me."
Bugs eyebrows furrowed, and he nodded in understanding. "You and ya sibs must have gotten here recently. Is dat so?"
"Correct," nodded Yakko, "And don't get me wrong, it's so much better here than it was back at the center. But it's also so much different. There's so many rules, and everyone's just so focused on progress. Miss Flamiel is so strict, and I don't like her at all. But she said I have to pass the class in order for me to act on stage, and– just.."
He trailed off for a moment, trying to hold back the tears in his eyes.
"You're not used ta things around here yet, aren't you?"
"Exactly!" He exclaimed, "I thought I'd be up on stage, just like at the talent show. But no. Old man Plotz wants me to get my permit or whatever. And my sibs– my sibs still have so much to learn. It– i-it's just not what I thought it was gonna be!"
Yakko scowled, his muscles tightened up. Those dreadful thoughts were starting to pester in his mind again. But this time, instead of holding them in, he was letting those thoughts become known to the old hare. Strangely, he didn't feel that same feeling of dread he felt back at the commissary, now that he was talking to Bugs about the same type of dread. It made him feel light, that he didn't have to deal with this all alone anymore.
"Well, runnin' away from ya problems ain't gonna fix 'em, Yakko," Bugs told him sternly, "Poor Joe must be worried sick tryin' ta look for ya."
"I know," Yakko sighed, "But I was just so frustrated in that moment. I didn't think Joey would understand what I was feeling. I didn't know what else to do."
The old hare tightened his grasp on Yakko's shoulder. "You should be very lucky that ya have someone like Joey," Bugs said. "He has a history of directin' cartoons here at Warner Bros. If anyone knows the ins and outs of toon actin', it's him."
"Oh." It was becoming more apparent to Yakko that Joey was trying to help him, not hurt him. Joey wanted to cheer him up, and what did he do? He ran away like the coward he is. If he wasn't feeling like a steaming hot pile of garbage before, then he sure was now.
"And I wouldn't stress about Academy too much, either. Dat's da least of ya worries," the rabbit went on, that warm smile of his returned. "What really matters, Doc, is dat you not lose da sense of ya animated mind. Toons dese days only act how dere told to act. Goin' beyond what is expected is how ya succeed in life."
Yakko's eyes sparkled. He could only stare at the hare with deep admiration. Bugs spoke in a way that made his body tingle from the inside out, and everything he said was perfectly clear. It was difficult to take the rabbit for granted, because it was obvious that he was speaking from the heart.
"Do you really think I can make it?" He asked Bugs after a moment.
The old hare nodded. "As long as ya hold onto dat dream of yours, I know ya can. Don't be afraid to put ya'self out of ya comfort zone. Show dat teacher what ya made of."
"I remember 101 like it was yesterday," said Plucky, seemingly out of the blue, "I hated the teacher's guts, but it meant that I got a kick out of pranking her. I passed her class like a breeze."
"Only because you copied off my homework," muttered Buster, shooting a smirk at the duck. "If it weren't for me, you'd still be in the Looniversity."
"We don't need to remember that," Plucky snarled, gritting his teeth.
"As I said, Doc," he finished, "Keep on truckin' towards ya dreams. Don't let dose dreadin' thoughts get ta ya head."
Yakko couldn't disagree with that. He was so distracted by the what-ifs that he had somehow forgotten that being here was his decision. He made a promise to his siblings, and he was too far along now to break that promise over the slim chance of failure.
'You got to cheer up, Yakko, and never give up hope'. That's what Jake used to tell him whenever he was feeling down on his abilities. It would make Yakko feel as if there was a chance for him, that he would find someone who loved him for who he was.
If only he was able to see that hope more often.
"Now. If dere's anythin' else ya need, just give me a holla'. You could use a good friend in ya life, Yakko."
This remark only made him miss the fox even more. He realized that it has been almost an entire month since he last saw his best friend. Jake was the sole reason why living in the center wasn't complete hell. True, things weren't perfect – and he would never want to go back to those days, but Jake allowed Yakko to act more carefree, to let himself take chances that he otherwise wouldn't have taken. It was also the fox that reintroduced him to toon physics, and sparked that dream of his that he could become the next Bugs Bunny.
To think I'm standing next to the hare of Warner Bros. right now, Yakko thought. Only now did it really sink in that he had met Bugs Bunny. He knows Bugs Bunny. The rabbit had approached him.
A sudden idea popped into his head. He couldn't resist asking:
"Well, uh, there– t-there is one thing." Yakko scratched the back of his neck, he could feel his heartbeat quicken. "A-a-and I hope you don't mind, but…could you–?"
Bugs reacted faster than Yakko could speak. He swiftly reached into his hammerspace and yanked out the biggest carrot he could find. He opened his mouth and started to crunch on the orange vegetable, making sure his chewing sounded crisp to Yakko's ears.
After a moment, he moved the carrot away from his mouth, holding it like a cigar. He paused for a second, before saying: "Nneeeaagh…what's up, Doc?"
Yakko felt his world stop. His eyes bugged out, his jaw dropped to the floor. The rabbit's insight was so strong that he was able to accurately predict what the request would be before Yakko even had the chance to finish.
Those words, those four words, a catchphrase which he had heard be thrown around for his entire life. Memories of rushing over to the television set every morning, bowl of cereal in hand, in a race to not miss seeing his favorite cartoon rabbit mess around with his foes. It reminded him how simple the world used to be, back when he had real parents, parents that once loved him. It was unbelievable how much things have changed since then, how fate had led him on twists and turns, making him feel a dreadful amount of pain.
Now, he was standing next to that very rabbit, the rabbit that brought the innocence out of him, the rabbit that reminded him that he was still a kid, just eleven years of age.
After a moment, Yakko sprinted towards Bugs, and he threw his arms around him in a tight embrace. The old hare was slightly shocked by this reaction, but he soon put his arms around Yakko as well, hugging him warmly.
"Thank you," he said, "Thank you for everything."
That was a massive understatement. There was so much more that he wanted to say of how much the rabbit had affected his life, what he had done for the cartoon industry, and the gentle but inspiring words he spoke to him just moments ago. But a simple "thank you" was all he could muster in that moment through tear filled eyes. He found himself crying tears of joy, rather than tears of sadness.
"Anytime, Yakko," replied Bugs, stroking Yakko's head, "Anytime."
"Hey, Uncle Bugs! I see you've found the Roadrunner."
Yakko's stomach dropped, his eyes shot open. He detached from Bug's embrace to find Joey marching towards them. His heart started to beat faster, his fingers trembled, his ear twitched. He didn't know if he was ready to confront his caretaker, not after he made such a scene in his presence.
"Doc! It's good ta see ya, Joey," Bugs greeted the man with a warm smile. "I found Yakko here with Buster and Plucky. His brain was fryin' like an egg, so I gave him some of my carrot juice. The Doc said he's fine now."
"Is that so?" Joey shot Yakko a bitter frown, his eyebrows furrowed. "Now, Yakko," he started, his voice stern, "I have a feeling that you want to tell me something. Do you want to tell me what that is?"
Yakko swallowed. He thought he was going to cry in that moment, but he tried his best not to. The last thing he wanted was to have another outburst.
Finally, he sighed. "I'm sorry, Joey," he told him, lowering his head, "I didn't mean to run away from you the way I did. I was– uuuhh…I was worrying about school. I was worried whether or not I would pass the test."
"Aha. I knew I saw you thinking about something in class." Joey came closer to Yakko, and knelt down towards him. "Look, Sport, I'm no fortune teller. I can't predict your future. But I can tell you that as long as you work hard and keep up with your studies, you will pass Looniversity. And that's when the fun really begins."
"Does that mean I can actually get up on stage?" Yakko asked, suddenly, "Because I wasn't having a lot of fun sitting in a scorching hot classroom."
"Oh, you'll get the chance. All of you will," affirmed Joey. "This upcoming weekend will be your first day of performance lessons. There, you will get the chance to really let your skills shine. And guess who'll be the teacher?"
Yakko paused to think for a second. He looked at Bugs; the old hare shook his head no. He raised his eyebrows a bit, as he looked back at Joey.
"Is it you?"
"Ding ding ding! You got it!" He exclaimed, patting Yakko on the shoulder in praise.
"What do I win? A new Mustang?"
"No, but that's a good thought," Joey laughed. "There's a big rec room on the lot perfectly designed for toon's like yourself – it's in one of the stage buildings behind me. I can guarantee you right now that it will be much cooler inside than the Looniversity."
"Promise?" He asked, which Joey nodded. At last, Yakko was starting to feel better about the situation, knowing that Joey was on his side. It also made him feel better that Joey didn't seem to resent him for what happened earlier, though he still didn't know for sure.
"We loved the Rec Room," Buster remarked, speaking from both his and Plucky's perspective. "Much more fun than the Looniversity. You'll love it, Yakko."
Yakko's eyes widened a bit. He glanced at the blue bunny and green duck standing behind him. His brain flashed an image of the bolded letters that hung over the school building, with the picture of Bugs Bunny's face next to it. Only after Buster made that comment did it click for Yakko:
"Hey? Wait a minute! Isn't the Looniversity the school from Tiny Toons?"
"Ding ding ding! Right you are, Yakko!" replied Joey, in an over enthusiastic way.
"I'm surprised it took him this long to figure that out," Plucky whispered to Buster, only to receive a slug of the arm from his friend.
"It was sorta da inspiration for da school seen in da show," Bugs explained, "But what they don't tell ya in da papers is dat it's actually based on Acme's School Of Toonology, a real school over in Glendale."
He raised an eyebrow at this. Acme's School Of Toonology? Why hasn't he heard about this school before?
"It was founded by Crosby," the rabbit went on, "In the late thirties, durin' a time where toons didn't have da same rights as dey do today."
"I went there," Joey chimed in on the conversation, "I graduated the class of 1978. Got my degree in toon mentorship, and then I went back there in the late eighties to get my license in directing cartoons."
"Huh." Now Yakko was intrigued. "Do you think I'll ever be able to go there?"
"Who knows?" Joey shrugged, "You've shown a lot of promise in your abilities, especially for someone as young as you are. If you keep on pushing yourself as hard as you are now, you may find yourself at Acme someday."
The thought irked a crooked smile from Yakko. The way Bugs and Joey were talking about this School Of Toonology made it seem like a grand, upscale school, built for only the greatest and most passionate toons. Yakko wasn't sure if he was that type of toon, especially compared to the likes of Bugs, as well as the rest of the cast of the Looney Tunes. But, considering that he was living in foster care just a few days ago, it gave Yakko hope for the future, that he would reach the same level as the greats he looks up to so fondly.
I'll make you proud, buddy, Yakko said to himself, hoping that the fox would hear him somewhere out there.
"Well, Yakko," Joey started, "I reckon we head back to the commissary. Your siblings are waiting for you."
He nodded in understanding. Like Joey said, he was no fortune teller. But he knew deep in his heart that his siblings were going to be by his side every step of the way. Wakko and Dot motivated him to keep going during those hard times, and that still remained consistent even now.
With that, Joey put an arm around Yakko, and the two started to walk together through the studio lot. He looked back at Bugs, and he waved goodbye. The old hare smiled at him, smiling from whisker to whisker. It was a smile that affirmed to him that they would meet again, one sunny day, just like this one.