Masks
[The scene opens on a shot of the evening sky as we pan down to the city, to the right side of the screen, a quartet jumps from one building to the next, appearing to be the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with a traditional Japanese pan flute motif playing over the scene]
[Transition to the streets as, in the background, Drago, Guntiver, Augustus, Flip, Erma, and Sealia can be seen walking to the right while Blitz and Exile are walking to the left. In the foreground, Cat and Dog are shown walking to the right while Courage, Muriel, and Eustace pass by them going left]
[Transition to the police station as the scene takes place during the events of "Remember the Roots", but from an alternative perspective]
Judy: [sighs] That was a day, for sure…
Nick: Yeah, can't wait to hit the sack.
Judy: So, same time tomorrow then?
Nick: Well, you know the drill better than I do.
Judy: Hehe, yeah…have a good night, Nick.
Nick: You too, Judy…
[On that note, Nick and Judy head off in opposite directions, but this time, the focus is on Judy as we cut to her walking down the street, passing by Arnold, Helga, Gerald, and Phoebe going in the opposite direction]
[Cut to Judy stopping by the crosswalk as she's in between Antoine, Rotor, Zim, Fantomcat, Pinkie, and Fluttershy. We then cut to a pair of grey business pants walking to the left before panning up to reveal a vixen with a classy air about her, although the look in her eye gives off the impression she's good at hiding things]
[To keep up appearances, her purse has a clipboard and pen. Her eyes scan across the area to see if there's anyone worth taking note of as she looks straight ahead and the target lands on Judy crossing the road. A grin curls across her muzzle]
Diane: Locked and loaded…
[As Judy is crossing the road, she ends up being caught in the middle of the other people coming in the other direction, at one point even being shuffled on her shoulders by Sly Cooper and Carmen Sandiego. Because of the height of Maleficent, Judy's view is obstructed and she ends up running into Diane on the other side]
Judy: Oh! Oooooh my god, sorry about that!
Diane: Hmmhmmhmm, it's nothing to worry about…say, aren't you Officer Hopps?
Judy: Uh, well, yes, I am, hehe, wait a minute…Governor Foxington?
[Diane does a removal of her glasses before putting them back on]
Diane: The one and only. You know, it's a lucky break that I managed to catch you out here.
Judy: It is?
Diane: But of course. See, I'm to give a speech soon at the town hall in Pine, and it's dedicated to the standout citizens of this island, those who have shown remarkable strength in the face of adversity. Now, correct me if I'm strong, but doesn't that sound…familiar?
Judy: Oh…well, I'm not, oh, come on…I'm just doing my job, is all.
Diane: Funny, because didn't you rise the ranks through sheer determination, and not only that, but managed to convince the department to let in someone in need of a second chance?
[Judy blushes modestly at this]
Judy: I mean…when you put it like that…
Diane: Tell you what; why don't you give me more of your story while I treat you to dinner?
Judy: Wh-really? I-I mean, don't get me wrong, it's truly an honor, but I don't think, you don't need to-
Diane: Oh, please, dawling, I insist, it's the least I could do for the heroine of the hour. Besides, I'm fairly curious about you. A bunny from a small farm town making a name for herself in the big city, I need the scoop on that.
Judy: Well…alright then, I mean, why not? I could do with a bit of fun every now and then.
Diane: That little partner of yours not keeping you entertained?
Judy: Pshaw, trust me, whenever Nick's around, it's like I'm in the middle of a theater show.
Diane: Hmmhmmhmm, sounds like someone I know…
[Transition to a red car driving down the road on the way to Pine, Diane on the viewer's right on the driver's side, and Judy to the viewer's left on the passenger side]
Diane: You know, part of me is still amused Chief Bogo said that to you.
Judy: The whole fairytale cartoon bit? If only he could have seen me in action.
Diane: From what you're telling me, you'd have given that Road Runner a run for his money.
Judy: If I tried to beat a Road Runner, I'm almost certain I'd pass out from exhaustion.
Diane: Maybe it works better when you're a coyote…or not.
[Both Judy and Diane chuckle at the thought]
Judy: At that point does it click to you, "hey, I need a new diet plan cuz this one's going nowhere?"
Diane: Never when it comes to Wile.
[The fox and the rabbit share a more boisterous laughter with each other]
Judy: Hooooooo, man…were you gifted to be a comedy genius?
Diane: I suppose you could say I was gifted with it, like a lot of other things.
Judy: I'll hold you to that…
[The scene cuts to the car turning over to the road of a private neighborhood. Judy raises a brow at this]
Judy: Um…where is this?
Diane: It's where I live.
Judy: Wait…you're taking me to-
Diane: What better way to treat you than to prepare a meal for the two of us? Less hassle than waiting around in a restaurant, and it allows me to get more of a private scoop.
Judy: Oh…well, that's awfully nice of you.
Diane: My pleasure, Miss Hopps, after all, you do deserve it.
[Once again, Judy feels a modest blush spreading on either side of her face, but tries to retain her composure as Diane pulls into the driveway of her home, looking quite similar to the one seen in the film]
[The two women exit the car and Judy marvels at how clean and pristine the house looks]
Judy: Woah…this might be the closest I've ever gotten to being cozy with the politicians.
Diane: I try, mind the steps and the carpet, don't wanna drag dirt on my floors.
Judy: Ah, right, of course.
[The two enter the home and put their shoes off to the side before walking through the main foyer, past the living room, and into the kitchen]
Judy: It's very…AHEM, color corrected in here. White walls and all that.
Diane: Yeah, I had it specially designed that way, makes the whole thing feel…mysterious if you will, cuz everything blends in, and you might not know what you could find.
Judy: Ah-huh…so, what's on the menu for tonight?
Diane: Oh, it's nothing too out of the ordinary…what do you think of lasagne?
Judy: Not really a dish I've tried many times in the past, but I've found it to be alright.
Diane: Good to know, and, don't worry, I do have carrots so feel free to take them as you wish.
Judy: Aha, I see you're still at it with the jokes. But thanks regardless for…well, all of this, Miss Foxington, AHEM, Governor, I mean.
Diane: Not a problem at all, Miss Hopps. And you don't have to worry too much about titles in here, it's just the two of us.
Judy: Right…
[The scene transitions to Judy and Diane sitting at opposite ends of the table with a steaming tray of lasagna set between them, in addition to a glass of wine on the side of their plates. Three candles have been lit in the center of the table to give off a sweet fragrance. Diane is shown taking a bite from her plate with a satisfied grin before it cuts to Judy taking a bite of her meal and giving a soft 'hmmmmmmmm']
Judy: Maybe it's been so long since I've had it, but this is delicious, Diane.
Diane: No kidding, it's one of my signature meals, I'm a sucker for Italian cuisine.
Judy: See, when it came to my old town, we had a lot of homemade recipes, from our crops and whatnot.
Diane: And then you got me over here who's always been more of an exotic person. I can't get enough of those international recipes, hehe, I've managed to swipe a few on my travels.
Judy: Hmmm, next thing you'll tell me is that you've got Gordon Ramsey's secret cookbook.
Diane: Oh, how I would love to get my hands on that, already got the other editions. "It's bloody raw!"
[Judy and Diane chuckle as they partake in their respective glasses of wine]
Judy: Aaaaaaaaah…I can't remember the last time I felt like this.
Diane: Being treated like royalty?
Judy: In a way, but it's just like…someone actually treats me of all people with this much…kindness.
Diane: Yeah…kindness…
[Diane looks off to the side and pauses for a few seconds]
Judy: Uh…did I say something wrong or…?
Diane: [blinks] What? Oh, no no, it's not your fault or anything, just…thinking off the cuff is all, uh, would you care for some more wine?
Judy: I dunno, I don't wanna go too crazy with the drinks.
Diane: Ooooooh, it's no trouble at all, Judy. What's life without having a little fun?
Judy: …Yeah, I suppose you're right, so long as we're careful.
[Transition to later in the evening as the vixen and the rabbit have wrapped up their dinners and are shown slumped over the couch in the living room, with three bottles of wine on the coffee table]
Judy: So like…I'm telling Chief Bogo…if you wanna get this case solved sooner than later, put me on it…you know I'm one of your best.
Diane: Police chiefs don't understand the way we think…you know, seeing the way you talk around people…if you weren't into law, you'd make for a great thief…
Judy: Whaaaaaat, noooooo…sure, I might be fast as the wind and know my words, but I could never…
Diane: Just saying…in another world, we'd be partners in crime…
Judy: In a political sense or…a criminal sense…?
Diane: You've heard of the Crimson Paw, haven't you…?
Judy: Aaaaagh…that damn Paw keeps evading police capture…can never get a read on that one…whoever they are, they're one slippery snake…
Diane: Or…they're just more clever than people realize…of course, some of that might be due to…personal matters…
Judy: How do you mean…?
Diane: You know the phrase "cunning like a fox"...or "sly like a fox"...trust me, I would know all about that…
Judy: Ah…I know Nick told me…quite a bit about those things…it's a shame you guys get lumped together sometimes…
Diane: That was a lesson I had to learn the hard way growing up…I mean, it didn't help that I was mostly surrounded by humans…so you can imagine the struggle already there…
Judy: How bad was it…?
Diane: It was just…so…I kept getting all these weird looks…and whispers…I can't blame kids for being impressionable, but grownups, I felt like someone was hiding a rifle behind them on some occasions…I did wanna make changes to the government, to show that anyone could be an upstanding citizen…
[We transition to a small flashback of a younger Diane writing a speech about freedom and acceptance before showing her trying to give it to the class…under the eyes of the students who give her strange or questionable looks, which causes the young vixen to look more and more doubtful in her words before it transitions to Diane somewhere in her teens studying law and justice in the library and as a couple students pass her, they pick up the pace. The vixen rolls her eyes as she looks back down at the book before looking at another one on the desk, detailing the lives of famous criminals. She picks it up and begins to skim through it…a small grin slowly appears on her face]
"Sometimes, you just gotta take whatever life throws at you and flip the script around…"
[Transition to Diane in gym class as she manages to crest every pole jump, rock wall, balancing beam, etc before a silhouette of her is shown knitting a costume of scarlet thread under a single lamp in the room before we're shown a sequence of her putting on the sleeves, then the pants, then the mask to where only her eyes can be seen]
"And other times, you hide behind a mask so that people don't know the full truth about yourself…"
[Cut to a shot of the Crimson Paw having broken into a museum and taking off with a precious gem before cutting to Diane in her regular attire standing on a podium about to give a speech to the crowd]
"A lot of people end up the way they do based on their history, it's only a matter of how they take it in stride…I guess you could say I found my outing in politics…although, sometimes, I can't help but feel I'm living a lie…"
[Transition back to reality as Diane's depressed expression is focused on for a few seconds before she slowly stands up and makes her way to a mirror. Judy watches her, unsure of what to make of the situation. Diane steps in front of the mirror and sighs]
Diane: I do wanna help people, but…I wonder if I'm actually helping them…or even myself…
[Judy walks up to the mirror next to Diane]
Judy: Is that what you really think…I never took you as someone so…emotionally repressed.
Diane: [sighs] When you're a political figure, you can't look weak in front of the public…it's all a matter of sucking up your pride and just letting things play out as they should…
Judy: …Even when you screw it up on occasion.
Diane: Hmm?
Judy: [sighs] I know we made up, but seriously, what was I thinking with that speech? I almost messed up big time…
Diane: Hey…you still pulled through, didn't you…?
Judy: Yeah…I guess I did…
Diane: Now then…what do you say…to some more drinks…?
Judy: …You know what, let's get to it.
[Cut to the next morning as Judy and Diane are shown sprawled on the floor with more bottles to the side, having fallen asleep from their nighttime activities…Judy is the first to stir awake and groans as she puts a paw to her forehead]
Judy: Aaaaaaah, god…
[Diane is the next to stir as she slowly rises up]
Diane: Did someone drive a bus into this house cuz, pfffffffffftttttt…
Judy: Nah…it must have been the wine…hooooooooooooboy, I'm a mess…
Diane: So am I…heh, if you want, my bathroom's free.
Judy: Ah…much appreciated…
[Judy and Diane stand up from the floor and make their way to the bathroom to freshen up. The rabbit makes sure to spot any ruffles or buttons out of place on her outfit while the vixen brushes her fur in the mirror]
[Cut to the car driving back to the city as we're then shown the interior before the two start talking]
Judy: …Hey…thanks for having me over, it was…really nice.
Diane: Ah, not a problem at all, carrots.
Judy: Now I wonder where you got that from…
Diane: C'moooon, you don't think I've seen the two of you together? Plus, it's cute and it suits you.
Judy: …I really need to stop getting flattered by foxes.
Diane: Well, how could I resist…you're good company all the same and…between the two of us, wouldn't mind us doing this again.
Judy: …Yeah, I could get into it.
[Transition to the city as Diane parks around the corner leading to the police station]
Diane: Here we are, hope last night didn't rattle you too much from your duties.
Judy: Ah no, I know how to bounce back to the occasion.
Diane: Hmmhmmhmm, now look who's the comedian.
Judy: Yeah, see you on the flip side, Governor…Miss Foxington, Diane, all the rest.
Diane: Right back at you, Judy.
[As Diane watches Judy depart, a half-lidded grin comes across her face]
Diane: Yeah…she's definitely a keeper.
[Diane drives away as the scene cuts to Judy having entered the station and hastily brushes herself in an attempt to look professional as Nick comes up alongside her]
Nick: Fun night?
Judy: What? Oh, AHEM, uh, yes, it was…uneventful. You?
Nick: Oh, you know, the usual.
Judy: Uh-huh…
[At that moment, Chief Bogo walks past the two with files in hand]
Bogo: Meeting room, you lot! And make it snappy, we got a fresh one, on the double!
[Nick and Judy glance at each other as the other officers follow along before shrugging and following their fellow officers]
[The scene cuts to Diane driving through town before coming to a stop at the light. She looks up as we see the tail end of a familiar black car passing by]
Diane: Aaaaaaaah…thought you'd beaten me to it. Hehehe…aaaaah…
[The light turns green and the governor drives away]
[Cut to black]
Character Guide:
Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, Chief Bogo, Benjamin Clawhauser - Zootopia (2016)
Diane Foxington - The Bad Guys (2022)
Antoine D'Coolette, Rotor Walrus, Drago Wolf, Guntiver the Arctic Wolf, Augustus the Polar Bear, Flip Penguin, Erma Ermine, Sealia Seal - Sonic the Hedgehog
Arnold Shortman, Gerald Johanssen, Helga Pataki, Phoebe Heyerdahl - Hey Arnold!
Blitz, Exile - Road Rovers
Carmen Sandiego - Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?
Cat, Dog - CatDog
Courage, Muriel Bagge, Eustace Bagge - Courage the Cowardly Dog
Fantomcat - Fantomcat
Leonardo, Raphael, Michaelangelo, Donatello - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Maleficent - Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Sly Cooper - Sly Cooper
Zim - Invader Zim
Wile E. Coyote, Roadrunner - Looney Tunes