Boilerplate Disclaimer: The various characters from the movie Zootopia are all owned by Disney the great and powerful. Any and all registered trade names property of their respective owners. Cheap shots at celebrities constitute fair usage.

In 1932 Irving Berlin wrote "Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee" for the show Face the Music.

Spoiler Alert: "Speak for yourself, John," is from a 1858 narrative poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. When I was a lad the expression meant speak up for yourself, get to the point. The poem is, "The Courtship of Miles Standish." Miles isn't too bright, and sends his good buddy John Alden to propose for him to hot chick Priscilla Mullins. "Speak for yourself, John," Pris suggests and John quickly decides to ask for her hand (the rest of her comes attached).

Travis is canon – a friend of young Gideon Gray.

Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee, Let's Have Another Piece of Pie

Jade had been warned she would stay with her grandparents home while Nick and Judy roomed at the Lanol house. She seemed reluctant at first, but Nick told her staying there was a sign she was getting bigger, and Judy promised they would see her every day. They also walked with her between the homes to give her a sense of where they were.

"But don't even think about coming over without an adult with you, Furball," warned Nick. "You're getting bigger. We think you're old enough to sleep at Grandma's, but there are bad animals in the world and–"

"There are no bad animals in Bunnyburrow," Judy said firmly. She turned to her husband, "Don't frighten her."

"There are bad animals everywhere."

On Saturday Judy called Lylah to find out if any progress was being made in the investigation.

"Chasing leads and rumors, haven't gotten anything solid on anything yet. Got a couple of the animals Ramsey clued us into under surveillance."

"You'll let us know if you–"

"Of course. Oh, Sam asked about Jade."

Judy laughed. "Tell him she loves to garden."

"How's your fox holding up? All that fresh air getting him down?"

"He survives by eating a lot of pie. Great shop here. He may be five kilos heavier when he gets back. Oh, remember the weasel – Duke Weaselton?"

"Yes, what about him? Did you warn him he was a possible target?"

"He'd already figured that out. And he decided Bunnyburrow sounded safe... He's here, telling us he's worried about our safety and that he came along to protect us."

"You don't think he believes that, do you?"

"Doubt it. Trying to put up a good front. He's eating a lot of pie too. If they sold stock in the pie shop here I'd tell you to invest."

Nick tended to feel like a stranger in a strange land in Bunnyburrow. Judy loved to be in the garden, and Jay enjoyed the dirt – while Nick felt out of his element. Nick's friends, and the places he enjoyed going, were far away in the city. He and Judy saw animals he knew from earlier visits, but they'd start to reminisce with Judy about old times and animals that were outside the fox's memory. He did take up long walks to keep from gaining the five kilos Judy had joked about with Lylah. He wondered if Judy felt as out of place when they visited Fox Ridge. The rabbit, however, seemed to have an ability to make friends that Nick, who'd spent his years as a hustler – never letting other animals get close to him – lacked.

Jade had the happy knack of small children. She regarded work in the garden as play, and with no old friends in her life made new friends easily. The second daughter of Judy's school friend Bruce, a groundhog with the formal title of Head of IT at Bunnyburrow's largest business – Burke and Hare, was about Jade's age and the two played together whenever there wasn't gardening to do. Nick felt what he hoped was an irrational fear – his daughter might forget him if they stayed in Bunnyburrow too long.

Judy limited her calls for information to Lylah Bagheera. The fact Lylah had asked to be relieved of her current duties to lead the case – and received permission to do so – was testimony to the importance Zootopia placed and the capture of Dawn Bellwether. Judy trusted Lylah was the animal in the best position to know the details of the case.

Nick and the panther had never gotten along terribly well. She'd worked very hard to make detective and had felt Nick and Judy were promoted too fast. There was no hatred between them. They held each other in grudging respect, but there were no feelings of friendship. He also didn't share Judy's conviction that the detective in charge was, by definition, the individual with the most knowledge. It might be true, but detectives sometimes stuck with the facts and evidence. Truth could be found in sources beyond facts and evidence. Nick called friends and fellow detectives in the city looking for rumors, theories, and unsubstantiated guesses.

Hightower had heard something about unusual vandalism in the third. Neither Readover nor Ben Clawhauser knew anything more on the vandalism.

Truckie provided details, anti-pred slogans spray painted on three pred businesses and a window broken on one of them. Eric provided the rumor it was work of Bellwether sympathizers. "I dunno. That's what some animals are saying. Seems kinda small time for her, I mean, last time she had the whole city messed up."

"True, but she could be starting small. Or, like you said, sympathizers who wouldn't know a damn thing if we caught them but were influenced by her message."

The detectives Nick called at the Third told him to relax. No proof of anything yet. Nick gave it a 50% chance there was no proof of anything, and a 50% they had some evidence and didn't want to worry him and Judy.

Doc Wheeler had no information on the vandalism, but shared the news that, "Chelsea told all employees, all sizes, to keep their eyes, and ears, and noses open for anything of interest."

"Forgive me for being a bit skeptical, but your wife doesn't have a strong record of helping the police."

"She's trying to fill Big's chair. The welfare of the city was important to him... selfishly maybe, but important. Didn't you say Big helped you with the Night Howler case?"

"Uh, forgive me for doubting her."

"No problem."

"Any suspicions about Ramsey?"

"You asking if I have any? I don't. But I represent a minority opinion around the lab."

"If he's innocent it must be rough on him."

"It is."

"Hope you're right... Although part of me would like to get a solid lead on any animal connected... Sorry. Kind of frustrating being out here at the edge of nowhere while the action is all in Zootopia."

"No action at the moment. And you're safer there if it starts."

"Intellectually I know–"

"But you hate being stuck out where you feel like you can't do a thing."

"Yep. You'll let me know if Chels finds anything?"

"Depending on what she finds, or how she finds it, I might even call you first."

"Thanks, Doc."

Duke, like Nick, made a daily pilgrimage to the temple of pie. As Nick enjoyed a slice of strawberry-rhubarb late in the week the weasel stopped at his table and dropped a small pile of paper. "Da starts of me stories of me gran'. Wills youse gives it a look?"

"Sure."

That evening Judy observed. "What are you reading? You're grimacing."

"Duke wanted my opinion on what he's writing. This... I'm not even sure I should call it writing. It brings a new meaning to the word awful."

"I warned you."

"I still claim his speech pattern is an affectation, but his writing is even worse that his speaking."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. I'm going to tell him to take up fishing as a hobby."

"Not so fast. Maybe there's a way to make this work."

"You want to read this?"

"No."

"There is no way he can write a biography of his grandmother... He occasionally writes a complete sentence; but I'm almost certain it's an accident. What's that saying about an infinite number of chickens pecking on an infinite number of typewriters?"

"It was your idea! It's a good idea! He liked it! He's trying! He obviously just needs to little help with the writing process."

"He doesn't need help, he needs life support."

"He showed interest in telling his grandmother's story! Let me try to find someone to help him."

"Going to advertise for a miracle worker?"

"If I have to. I'll start with writing teachers. I think that... I think I'd better check the facts before I trust an old memory."

"You're being terribly mysterious."

"No, I'm just being practical."

"Hmmm, have I told you I love it when you're mysterious?"

"Nick?"

"Yes?"

"I just decided I was being mysterious."

Nick pulled her close and kissed her.

Judy and Jade joined Nick at Gideon's the next day. Nick was grateful the weasel was not there. Judy asked Gideon to sit with them for a minute and answer a couple questions. "Your old friend, Travis, he's not around Bunnyburrow is he?"

"No. He moved out a couple years after high school. Why?"

"I'm really more curious about his sister. She was a couple years older than us. Did I hear she got a teaching degree and taught writing at the high school?"

"Yeah..."

"Do you know if she's still there?"

Gideon shrugged and called, "Bill?"

One of Judy's brothers popped his head out of the kitchen, "Yes?"

"Does Miss Ferressi still teach writing at the high school?"

"Yep."

"I, uh, sorry." Judy apologized to Gideon. "Shouldn't have bothered you."

"No problem, didn't bother me. Can I ask why you want to know?"

"That weasel who comes in, Duke? He's trying to write the story of his grandmother and I thought he could use some help."

Gideon shrugged and returned to the kitchen.

"She'd better have a bit of miracle worker in her," Nick commented.

"And I'm counting on you to convince her to help Duke."

"Me? She's your idea!"

"But you're the silver-tongued fox who can sell balloons to porcupines."

"I don't even know her!"

"Neither do I. She was the older sister of someone I didn't even like. The brother, the one in my class, was a... Well, I wasn't always a nice animal when I was little either. I told you I was a little bigot then. Maybe Travis improved with age too. Doesn't matter. I just remembered hearing that his sister taught at the high school. Tell you what, I call her and try to set up a meeting. If I can get a meeting we both go over and you pour on your powers of persuasion. How does that sound?"

Nick sighed, "It's a curse, this superpower I possess. The ability to bend the will of other animals to my own."

Judy kissed him on the nose, "But you use it carefully. You know that with great power comes–"

"–great responsibility," Nick finished. "Should we tell Duke first?"

"No. Not unless we can get Miss Ferressi to agree first."

"Sort of one of those chicken or the egg things, right? If Duke won't agree–"

"If he wants the book to be written he needs help, right? Wasn't that what you said?"

Nick threw up his paws in defeat, "That's it, use my own words against me."

The next evening Nick and Judy went to the house where the writing teacher boarded. The ferret who answered the door looked like Nick's vision of a stereotypical language teacher, or the button-downed overly-strict teacher of any subject. Nick didn't know the Bunnyburrow views on corporal punishment, but this female looked like she might relish cracking a ruler over someone's paw. "Her work with Duke? Torture for both of them."

She looked over the pair standing on the porch, "You certainly look like Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde."

"We are. Teresa Ferressi?"

"I am. And I'm curious about receiving a call from Bunnyburrow's most famous living daughter. You said something about a writing proposition in the phone call."

"Yes, where would be a good place to talk with–"

"Not here," she told them and stepped outside. "Too many ears." She gestured towards where Judy knew there was a small town park and Nick guessed might be an entirely random direction. "Now, something you wish my help with?"

"Uh, actually, it isn't Judy who needs help," explained Nick as they walked.

"Writing your memoirs, Mister Wilde?"

"Call me Nick. Now, Ms Ferressi–"

"And you may call me Teresa."

Nick explained the notoriety of Duke's late grandmother, the fascinating reading it would be in the polished hands of a real writer.

"And what would be my remuneration for this project? How will I be paid for spinning dross into gold?"

"Well, I think you need to talk with–"

"Then why isn't John here, speaking for himself?"

"His name isn't John it's–"

"That was a literary allusion. Why am I not speaking with this 'Duke'.

"We first wanted to know if you might be interested. I think this could be a golden opportunity," Judy explained.

"Forgive me, but I have not encountered anything in my life, to this point, I would consider a golden opportunity."

"This is it. This has tremendous potential for publication. I can't imagine a publishing house that wouldn't want to give this a look – and bid on it," Nick assured her.

"You really think–"

"She was the last of the old mob bosses! The public is fascinated with true crime stories."

Teresa Ferressi was silent for moment. "You can't guarantee publication, you're not a publisher. This is a tremendous time and labor commitment on my part, but no certainty a word will ever appear in print–"

"But–"

"Let me finish. I will speak with this Weaselton animal. I make no promises of any kind. I would like two days to consider this... Did you say you had a sample of his writing?"

Nick's heart sank. After looking at Duke's attempt to write there was no way anyone would agree to work with Duke. "Uh, yeah," he admitted.

"I will need to see them before I decide. Should I agree to collaborate I will ask for a formal introduction. Oh, and you and Judy will write a preface."

"What?"

"I believe your fame would increase the chances of a publisher giving it consideration... Pity you never met this female–"

"–But we did!"

"Excellent. It will give the preface credibility. When can you show me a writing sample. I'll look it over and consider asking for a formal introduction to this Weaselton animal."

"Sorry," Judy apologized as they walked back to the Lanol house.

"For what?"

"I don't think she's what Duke needs to–"

"Au contraire, my dear Fluff-butt. She's perfect."

"You don't need to be sarcastic."

"But I'm not. Teresa Ferressi is every teacher I ever hated in high school all rolled into one. I can picture her in black latex and carrying a whip in front of class–"

"Hey!"

"Not in a kinky way."

"It sounds like a kinky way."

"What I'm trying to say is she sounds like a disciplinarian. And if Duke really wants to turn his grandmother's story into a book he's going to need one tough disciplinarian. You found the perfect animal to get the job done. You're a genius."

"You weren't suggesting I get some black latex outfit and–"

"Certainly not... I don't even think the Bunnyburrow city council would allow them to be sold here. I love you just the way you are."

"You're good, Mister Wilde, very good indeed. I need to find some way to repay your chivalry."

He winked, "Maybe in bed, half an hour?"

"Another brilliant idea from the fox."

Lylah mentioned the vandalism in a call to Judy. There had been more. The panther wasn't sure whether to take it seriously or not. "Bellwether nearly brought down the city last time. Vandalism seems too petty in comparison."

"Nick was wondering if–"

"How did the fox hear about this?"

"He has friends he calls in the city. They were wondering if this is just someone inspired by Bellwether's rhetoric and not really anything she is directly behind."

"George and I are considering that as a possible angle. And there is a serious lack of physical evidence at the vandalism scenes. Your average vandal isn't that careful – maybe because the ZPD doesn't usually put a lot of effort into identifying the vandal, or more likely the average vandal isn't very smart. Well, we're working hard on these. And whoever did it has done on hell of a job in not leaving evidence."

"Which says there is a smart animal or animals behind it."

"Bingo. That, to me, suggests it may be Bellwether. It seems so small... Maybe she's starting small and going to work up to something big? Big what? Maybe this is just a distraction? Distraction from what? My gut tells me Bellwether is behind it in some way. But I don't know if the vandalism is really important or not, and wonder if she wants us to waste a lot of resources on this instead of finding her real plan."

Nick worked up his own theory as he spoke with friends and co-workers in the city. He couldn't prove a thing, but he called the panther. "Lylah?"

"Nick? Is Judy okay?"

"I can't call to say how much I miss you?"

"Only if you want me to call you a damn liar. What's up?"

"I've heard about the vandalism."

"Judy mentioned that."

"Have an angle you might consider, want to hear it?"

"Much as I'd like to say no, I'm taking anything I can get. What have you got?"

"Nothing for certain. But I'm think Bellwether might have a grudge against the ZPD."

"Probably, that's why you two are out in the carrot patch."

"No, I don't mean just me and Judy, I'm thinking maybe against the ZPD in general."

The panther thought a moment. "Okay... That might make sense. What does that have to do with the vandalism? I'm thinking this crap is more of a distraction to keep us running in circles than anything."

"Could be," Nick admitted. "I'm wondering if it could be bragging of some kind, trying to say she's smarter than the police. Worst case scenario, trying to make the police look ineffective so people will be less likely to trust us."

"What would she gain?"

"Try to think, what was she going to gain by her efforts to drive pred species out of Zootopia? What would that accomplish, really?"

"Umm, good question. She really hated the mayor... But why keep things going after his arrest?"

"Exactly, we're dealing with a brilliant animal, who is persuasive as hell, and who goes after animals she hates. She may be crazy, or she may have some plan in mind that is so complex we've got no frickin' clue what her ultimate goal is."

"You're right on that one. She's one scary animal."

"Let me come back to Zootopia and work on this."

"Nick, you and Judy are out there for your own safety."

"Judy can stay here with Jade, I–"

"Look, if things get as bad as we know Bellwether is capable of, I may send Sam out to Bunnyburrow for you to watch."

"I want to work this!"

"And having you here in town would be a distraction. You think the vandalism may be a distraction? I'll guarantee you coming here would be a bigger one."

Teresa Ferressi had looked over the early attempts Duke at writing had produced. The writing teacher was of the opinion that any serious attempt at writing would require dynamiting these pages and starting over from scratch.

She also got on-line and read what she could find about Duke's grandmother. She looked at sales figures for true crime books and the biographies of famous criminals. She read sample chapters of some of the best-sellers on the Amaze-Zone™ site. "I can write better than this." The writing teacher called Judy. "I am willing to work on a biography of Francesca Weasolini. She appears to have lived a fascinating life... I think it can also be marketed as a tale of a successful female in a realm dominated by males."

"I... I hadn't considered that, but you're right."

"Of course I am. Now, I would like you to arrange a formal introduction for me with this... I believe you said his real name is Dominick."

"He usually goes by Duke."

"That will not do for a formal introduction, nor a title page."

"I'll have Nick set up a time."

Judy was not entirely certain what 'formal introduction' meant. Had Bunnyburrow changed while she was in the big city? Informal introductions were the normal way of meeting animals in Bunnyburrow – in her opinion. "Nick, I don't know a lot of mustels. Does the term 'formal introduction' mean something special to them?"

"I've got no idea."

"Darn, and they're never a weasel around when you need one."

"I know. They're as bad as cops."

"Oh, we could call Ernie and ask him."

"Or just call his mom here in Bunnyburrow. I've met her a couple times since we've been here."

Nick located the phone number and placed the call.

"Hello?"

"Missus Hunter? Nick Wilde here–"

"Is Ernest all right?"

"As far as I know. You've probably heard from him since I have."

"I'm sorry, Detective Wilde. I worry about him in the big city. Being a police officer is dangerous."

"Ernie is doing great. Everyone loves him. No, I had a question and was wondering if you could answer it."

"I can try."

"We've had a mustel request a formal introduction to another mustel. Neither Judy nor I are etiquette whizzes – I've been known to eat peas with a knife – and we're wondering if that has some special meaning that escapes us?"

"Formal introduction... Don't hear that term used much here in Bunnyburrow. There aren't that many of... Sorry, I'm off the topic. It means an introduction for purposes of business. Money will be discussed, contracts signed, things such as that. It suggests a financial relationship between the parties. It may go back to the days when parents arranged the marriages for their children, but that's just a guess."

"Thank you. It's a huge relief off my mind. I was afraid I was going to need to rent a tuxedo or something."

"No, Detective Wilde, that will not be necessary."

They chatted for a few more minutes about Ernie before ending the call.

"She is so Ernie's mother," the fox chuckled.

"I believe we already knew that. What do you mean?"

"I asked her to call me Nick, she calls me Detective Wilde."

"At least we know Ernie comes by it honestly. What did she say about formal introductions?"

"Ferressi wants to talk business. Serious business. I need to be clear on that with Duke when I see him."

When Duke set up a time for the meeting he gave Nick the impression he had thought Judy had found someone who would donate time freely. While the weasel had been told he needed help with his writing, he imagined his efforts just needed a little proofreading and minor corrections.

"A foimal intro, huh?"

"That's what she wants."

"Iz wills plays hardball wit her."

"Remember, you do need some help getting it in shape."

"Its is nots dat bad, is its?"

"Duke... Your grandmother's life could make a great book. You know her story better than anyone. But..."

"But?"

"You need someone to do the heavy lifting in the writing department."

Nick spent a lot of time thinking about what was happening in Zootopia. Bellwether did not think small. Was the vandalism simply a distraction while she lay the groundwork for a big plan? Could the vandalism tie in with whatever the ewe had in her mind? Was there an element of wanting to discredit the police in what was happening?

Judy and Nick arranged to introduce the couple at Gideon's shop. But bunny and fox soon realized they needed to say very little. Duke had begun by offering an hourly rate Teresa found insulting. She offered a rate Duke maintained was robbery, or extortion, or possible murder.

"It is not murder," Judy told him.

"She sucks out me blood an' dat is not moider?"

The pair haggled over rates, and then gradually the conversation shifted to percentages and authorial recognition.

And soon afterward Judy and Nick realized there was no need for them to stay at all. Nick pulled on Judy's arm, a suggestion they leave. Judy did not want to leave. The 'discussion' had reached a decibel level that made Judy wonder if one or the other animal might actually resort to murder.

Nick gave her arm another 'let's go' nudge.

Judy ignored him.

Gideon came over and asked Duke and Teresa to leave, saying they were disturbing other customers.

Judy started to follow the pair as they left the pie shop. Nick took hold of her arm and steered her in the opposite direction.

"Nick!" the bunny protested in a whisper, "I'm scared they're going to have a fight."

"They're adults... Well, she is anyway."

"This is a disaster, I wanted Duke to do something that–"

"And I told you. You're a genius."

"But they're fighting!"

"They're talking about money. And that means they are both very, very serious and will work out the details. We need to keep our noses out and let them decide."

"You keep saying I'm right, but I don't feel right."

"You know your problem, Carrot-breath?"

"I'm married to a fox?"

"Low blow. No, your problem is you need to trust your own judgement. Hey, you married me right? That proves you're a genius." He grinned and offered her his arm. She smiled back and took it and they strolled back to the house where they were staying.

Nick wanted to go back to Zootopia. He knew he needed to tell Judy that. He knew she would tell him he was wrong, and provide a list of reasons it was wrong. It didn't change how he felt. "Better not tell her tonight. I need to come up with some reasons for why I should."