Dread
[The scene opens with a shot of the early morning sky before it pans down to James waiting at Evergreen Station, watching Philip arrange his coaches. James is a bright red tender engine, with a brass dome, and a yellow number five painted smartly on his tender. He is someone who takes great pride in his appearance, which often leads to him having a rather pronounced superiority complex]
James: [sighs] The sun reflects nicely off my paint, wouldn't you say?
[Several passengers; Penelope Pussycat, Pongo, Eustace, Pamela, and Flora, merely quirk a brow or look away with disinterest. James' grin drops to an unimpressed scowl]
James: Hmph, tough crowd.
[Soon, Philip brings James' coaches to the platform, the passengers get on board, and the red engine regains his composure as he exits the station]
James: Oh, never mind, you just gotta take it in stride, I'm an impressive sight in any case.
[As James sets out through the city, passing by Henry pulling the Flying Kipper, the camera pans up to one of the apartment complexes. Inside, there are several antiques on a shelf, such as an old telephone, a vase, a golden "1955" mounted on a little pedestal, several little marble dogs arranged like a Russian nesting doll, and the last one is a picture of Lady and Tramp in the iconic near spaghetti kiss pose…the Cocker Spaniel in question is in the kitchen preparing herself a cup of tea on the kettle, decked out in a violet robe as she sets it on the stove. As she waits for the kettle to reach boiling point, Lady glances over toward the living room, especially focused on the frame on the shelf. Her expression appears neutral as she silently walks toward it before stopping before the shelf…the brown canine continues to stare at the picture before giving a sigh]
Lady: …Has it really been that long…?
[Lady's mind goes back in time, back when she first met The Tramp…how he was such a character; suave, smooth, if not roguish…there was something about him, in those eyes that had made her feel…safe…even when she found out that she wasn't his first in a string of flings, they'd made it work…a few scenes of the two after the film are shown, laying down on the grass while watching the clouds, walking over the bridge in the park under the evening sky, and at night watching the fireflies overhead, Lady leaning down on Tramp's shoulder with a look of pure comfort on her face…transitioning many years down the road to some time in the present, Lady is shown watching from behind a corner as Tramp is seen conversing with Buster…and the look in his eye…that was the same look she had all those years ago…her expression is solemn as she puts a paw on her chest…from behind her, Henry passes with the focus on his whistle transitioning from his own to that of a kettle whistle. It pulls Lady out of her fantasy as she looks back towards the kitchen, indicating that the tea is ready]
Lady: Oh…
[Lady heads back to the kitchen, takes the kettle off the stove, and gently pours the tea into her cup, softly blowing on it for it to cool down a little. She sits down at the table and slowly stirs the tea with a spoon…she looks back to the other side of the table…no one else is there…in fact, there's no one else but her in the room…the Cocker Spaniel gives another sigh as she looks down at her tea]
Lady: It didn't use to be this lonely…and now it's just me…
[Lady picks up the cup and takes a sip, holding for a second or two before she sets the cup down…the spaniel then slumps back in her chair]
Lady: Wonder what I'll do today…or maybe…what I won't do…what can I do…perhaps a walk might be nice…
[Lady looks over at the clock, it reads 8:15…the scene cuts to another clock reading 11:45, that being the sheds where James is resting after having finished his morning run, Emily and Douglas are the only other engines in the sheds, just a few berths away…at that moment, a man in a black suit, grey slacks, black shoes, and a distinct top hat steps out from his blue car, and walks toward the red engine; Sir Topham Hatt, also known rather affectionately as "The Fat Controller"]
STH: Ah, James, I've an important job for you, and before you ask, yes, it includes handling trucks.
James: [under his breath] Off to a good start, I see…
STH: I'll need an engine to cover the trains at the Cedar Refinery for a while, since you're light enough to go on the fastest route, I want you to collect some trucks and head over there as soon as possible.
James: [sarcastically] Oh, of course, sir, I would be delighted t-...um, did you say, "the fastest route?"
STH: Why, yes I did.
James: You mean, across that bridge that spans over the canal?
STH: Yeeeeeees? Why do you ask?
James: Uh, I was just checking to make sure I heard ya' right, hehe.
STH: Oh, I see…
James: Right then, I'll be on my way then, must dash!
[With that, James suddenly rushes out from the sheds, more hasty than usual, leaving the controller, Douglas, and Emily, at a loss for words. The scene cuts to the yards where Arry and Bert are shunting trucks about as James enters]
James: Eh, right, gotta find some trucks and…oh no, not those…
[Three black tankers and a brake van are sitting adjacent to James' line, the one at the front spots the red engine and smirks]
Tanker #1: Hey look, it's Rusty Red!
[The tankers snicker as James blows off steam in annoyance]
James: Oi, watch it, you little-
Tanker #2: Hey, James, what's that ugly spot on you? Oh, never mind, it's your face!
[The tankers laugh as James angrily passes by to reverse onto the other line]
Tanker #3: Yeah, and you look like a…a…a-
[James bangs into the tankers before the last one can come up with an insult]
James: Stuff it, I'm not in the mood today!
Tanker #3: Ooooooow, that wasn't very nice.
James: Don't care, now come on!
[James sets off with a whistle and a huff before the scene cuts to Lady having decided to take a walk in the park. However, it doesn't appear that her mood has lightened all that much…as the brown dog continues her walk, she looks over at other people in the park, many of them with someone besides the other; Gumball and Darwin are dozing on the grass, Streaky is shown through a frisbee that Krypto catches with striking accuracy, Ariel is laughing at something said by Megara, even someone like Maleficent is casually giving her crow, Diablo, a scritch under his chin. It then cuts back to Lady walking on her lonesome as she looks down]
Lady: [sighs] This place used to be so nice to come to…and it still is…I just can't see it…
[Lady approaches the fountain where Panther and FantomCat are sitting on the opposite side. The Cocker Spaniel looks down to see her reflection staring back…for a moment, it looks like Tramp's reflection manifests next to hers, causing Lady to gape]
Lady: Oh!
[Then, the reflection begins to morph into something coming out from the water. Lady freezes as a tall, slender woman emerges; pale blue skin, magenta eyes, dark blue hair, and a black gown with a red pendant on her chest. The Queen of the Black Puddle smirks at the rather shaken spaniel]
Lady: Oh, uh, oh dear…
[The canine skirts away from the scene as the queen slinks back into the water before cutting back to Lady having gotten a distance away]
Lady: Oh…am I losing my mind…[sighs]...or am I just desperate…?
[The Cocker Spaniel softly rubs her arms before finding a tree just a few yards away from her, deciding to take it as a spot to sit down for a little bit. The scene then cuts to James going down on the elevated portion of the track, passing in between several buildings. Along the way, the red engine appears to be more on edge than usual, his eyes looking from left to right almost in an anxious state…he tries to look normal with a grunt]
James: C'mon, just get this stupid job done with and you won't have to worry, who says I'm worried…wait, am I talking to myself?
Tanker #1: Yeah, you are, weirdo.
Tanker #2: Heeeh, poor James has no one to talk to, so he's talking to himself.
Tanker #3: Yeah, and he's red!
Tanker #2: That's not an insult, you idiot!
Tanker #3: Well, he is red, right, hehe, heeeeeee…
[James tries to ignore the tankers, but then the bridge comes into view…James begins to slow down, almost to a crawl as he comes right to the start of the bridge]
Tanker #1: Hey, why are we stoppin', Rusty Red?!
Tanker #2: Don't tell me, he's too chicken to go to the refinery, baaaawk, bawk-bawk-BAWK!
[James either ignores the tankers or doesn't hear them…he just stares out to the bridge…]
James: Uhhhhhh…
[James peers down…the canal is several feet below him…it then flashes back to the incident of when he fell into the canal, submerging below the water…before it cuts back to James standing still…]
Tanker #3: Uh…are we gonna get moving or something?
James: [hastily] Yeah, yeah, we're going, just…give it a moment…
[Very slowly, James begins to cross the bridge…from an outward perspective, he's just barely going above a snail's pace]
Tanker #2: Oooooooooh my god, this is so boring! Pick up the pace already!
James: Shut up!
Tanker #1: What's the matter, James, scared of a bridge?
James: I said, SHUT…up…?
[James trails off as from his perspective, the ending of the bridge stretches further away from him…he begins to feel rather uneasy as he looks back towards the canal, the distance looking much longer than before…the red engine begins to shudder slightly…before the sound of creaking underneath him catches his nonexistent ears]
James: Ooooooooooooooooh…
Tanker #3: What's he doing?
[James shuts his eyes as the metallic creaking comes again, he stops right in the middle of the bridge and shakes in terror]
James: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH, take me back, take me back, take me back!
[James suddenly reverses quickly, bumping the tankers and causing them to cry out 'oh, oh, oh!']
Tanker #1: What are you playing at?!
[James abruptly comes to a stop at his end of the bridge…he opens his eyes meekly…and a look of dread spreads across his face…]
James: I…I can't do it…
Tanker #2: Baaah, pathetic, stupid red engine, can't cross a bridge.
[James tries to give a comeback…but nothing comes to mind as the insult feels true…beaten, James slowly goes back the way he came, away from the bridge…the scene cuts back to Lady under the tree, her paws on her knees…she looks over the park…and then looks back down at her knees]
Lady: I remember this spot…this used to be my favorite place in the whole park…used to spend hours here just…sitting…talking…cuddling…hmmmmmmmm…that was my favorite part…he used to hold me like I was special, like I meant something…we'd dance under the stars…and he looked at me with those eyes…those beautiful eyes…
[Another flashback changes to some time in the past, recalling Lady's description…her and Tramp, waltzing under the tree…the latter briefly twirls her as she stands on one leg…they then hold each other's shoulders as they go around…and around…and around…until they end up on the grass, lying next to each other…until the scene transitions to the present where Lady is seen lying on her own…she looks over to her left…and a small tear slowly falls down her cheek…]
Lady: Oh…Tramp…
[With no one else within her proximity, Lady turns around to the ground and begins to cry, her sobs and whimpers muffled by the grass as she lays there, sad and alone…]
Lady: Oooooooooooh…I know we're not like we used to be…but it still hurts…so much…
[Lady resumes her sobbing as she wipes her eyes, though it doesn't do much to stop her tears…she doesn't notice that someone else is close by, only identified by a pair of legs]
?: Oh…are you okay?
[Lady tries to stop sobbing as she looks up to see her recent company…Krystal is standing above her with a concerned expression on her face]
Lady: Oh…oh my god…
[Lady hastily stands up and walks away in a hurry as Krystal tries to reach out]
Krystal: Wait, I didn't mean to…oh…
[Lady continues to run down the path, trying her best to wipe off any tears still on her face before stopping to catch her breath, slumping onto a bench]
Lady: Haaa…haaa…hooooooooooooo…that was so pathetic…look at me…I'm a mess…ooooooooh…
[The Cocker Spaniel buries her face in her paws as she tries not to be seen, too sad to move or do anything…the scene cuts to later in the day as the tires of a blue car come to a stop, and out steps a stout gentleman looking rather stern. He walks over to the sheds where Gordon, Percy, Henry, and Emily, now having switched to another berth, are looking at a particular berth]
STH: Where is James, I want to have a word with him.
Percy: Oh, um, he's in there, sir, but I don't think that…
[Percy trails off as the Fat Controller walks crossly to the berth, ready to scold James for presumably shirking his duties]
STH: James, what is the meaning of this, I got word that you never arrived at…
[Sir Topham trails off as he sees James sitting at the back of the shed…the red engine looks both sad and anxious, almost like a lost kitten…]
STH: James? What happened?
James: I…I…I'm sorry, sir…but I couldn't…I couldn't…I couldn't get over the…bridge…
[The controller sees that James' words aren't coming from a place of sarcasm or spite…if anything, he sounds remorseful…and frightened…]
Emily: Sir…you remember when we had all those accidents back to back?
STH: Yes…?
Emily: Well, James fell into the canal, off the bridge that spans over it…
[The Fat Controller remembers the incident, James had sunken below the surface and had needed to be craned out from the water…he was badly shaken when he was rescued…it now made sense to him…the stout gentleman turns back to James, shaking slightly from being reminded of his near drowning…his stern tone is dropped completely and adapts something more gentle…]
STH: James, I would like to apologize for being cross, I didn't know you were still recovering from the accident…I suppose that's why you've been trying to avoid going down that route recently…
James: I…I'm sorry I let you down, sir…m-maybe I can take the long way around, so I can still-
STH: I'm afraid that won't work…this delivery is important and needs to be shipped as quickly as possible…I will assign another engine to take over the trains…Emily, since you're light enough like James, I want you to take over the oil deliveries.
Emily: Yes, of course, sir.
STH: And James, I want you to work in the yards for the time being…perhaps some light work will help settle your nerves…
James: …Y-Yes, sir…I understand, sir…
STH: Good engine…for now, you can rest for the remainder of the day, I will assign your duties to other engines…good day.
[With that, Sir Topham walks back to his car and drives away, leaving the other engines silent for a while…before Percy breaks the silence]
Percy: James…are you doing to be alright…?
[James doesn't respond, he just looks down at his buffers…Percy takes it upon himself to turn 'round on the turntable before stopping at James' berth and slowly rolling inside to keep the red engine company. James doesn't say anything against this]
Percy: You know…I remember when I fell into the water…I wasn't completely submerged, but it wasn't a comfortable experience.
Emily: AHEM! Percy, maybe don't remind him of that.
James: It was just…water…water everywhere…that's all I could see…I thought I was done for…I almost drowned…that could have been it…sunk all the way to the bottom…forever…
[Percy looks guilty now…he remembered when he boasted about not being afraid of water and got pushed into the sea…he at least stood above the surface…James sank under it…]
Percy: I'm…sorry…
Emily: Perhaps it's best you should give him his space, dear…
Percy: R-Right, of course…
[Percy silently backs off, leaving James to look down in silence…it cuts to later in the day, around evening as Lady is shown walking back along the street to her apart, still looking miserable]
Lady: That was awful…truly…awful…
[The spaniel finally arrives at the steps to the apartment and walks up them before opening the door. It then cuts to her entering her home, setting her jacket on the hanger before walking to the couch…she slowly sits down on it and looks down at the coffee table…she looks over at the remote and silently picks it up]
Lady: Maybe some television will help…
[Lady pushes the button and the TV flicks on, showing the current channel displaying what appears to be a romance from the 50s, namely "Funny Face"]
Jo: "I never want to go home, I love Paris, and I love these clothes and the little church, and I love you…"
[Jo begins to skirt off as Dick follows her before whirling around in front]
Dick: "What did you say?"
Jo: "I love Paris…"
Dick: "That's not what I heard…" [slaps the top of his head] "My, my, my…well, what do ya' know…"
He loves and she loves,
And they love
So why can't you love
And I love like too?
Birds love and bees love
And whispering trees love,
And that's what we both should do.
I always knew someday you'd come along,
We'll make a twosome that just can't go wrong,
Darling…he loves and she loves
And they love so won't you
Love me as I love you?
[As the song continues, the previous sequences of Lady's fantasies are shown once more, and upon returning to the present, the tears return, silent this time…it cuts to nighttime as the camera pans down on the engine shed…from left to right; Henry, Emily, Mavis, James, Percy, Gordon, and Murdoch are asleep, the berth of focus being James' as it slowly pans toward him…]
James: Hmm…mmmmmmm…
[The shot focuses on James' closed eyes…only for him to suddenly open them…and find himself no longer in a shed…he's surrounded completely in darkness, with the only thing in front of him being a single piece of track]
James: Wha…where am I…?
[No one replies…only emptiness…James slowly begins to move down the single stretch of line, seemingly going on for ages…he looks down and gasps, seeing nothing underneath him but an endless pit of darkness, over a long and endless bridge]
James: H-H-H…
[The sound of creaking beneath him only puts James further on edge…when suddenly a shrill whistle echoes around him]
James: GAH! W-Who's there?!
[James looks around, trying to find the receiver…he then looks ahead to see a locomotive, all black with no face heading towards him…the engine stops a few yards away from the red engine…James' boiler runs cold, he feels frozen in place]
James: …Wh-Wh…Who are you…?
[The engine doesn't reply…even with no eyes, James feels himself being stared down with no mercy]
"Selfish…Selfish…"
James: Wh…What?
"Selfish…Selfish…"
James: A-Are you doing that…?
[The engine doesn't reply]
James: Oooooooh, please answer me!
[Suddenly, the engine begins to move towards James…slowly at first…and then faster…and faster…]
James: O-Oh! Whoever you are, stop…STOP!
[No reply comes, save for the pounding of rails and wailing whistle. James tries to move, but finds himself frozen in place]
James: I can't move, can I?! I'm stuck! OH, HORRORS!
[The engine bashes into James and he's flung right off the bridge]
James: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-GASP!
[James looks from side to side…he's back in his berth…everyone else is still asleep…]
James: Haaaa…haaaa…j-just a dream…[sighs]...what am I going to do…?
[Silently, James closes his eyes and tries to go back to sleep…unbeknownst to him, Emily opens her eyes and looks at him with concern…the scene cuts to the morning after as Emily is shown leaving the sheds, James is the only one left in the roundhouse]
James: [inhales and then exhales] Well…better get started…
[With that, James slowly crawls out from his berth, onto the turntable, and towards the shunting yards…at the same time, Lady is shown having fallen asleep on the couch, a set of tissues now on the table with a few scattered around…the spaniel weakly props her head up from the pillow and surveys the mess]
Lady: [sighs] Now I really am a mess…
[With a heavy heart, Lady sets about picking up the tissues and dispensing them in the trash. It then cuts to her walking down the street, passing by Usagi, Diaspro, Fievel, Tiger, and Sylvester walking opposite to her. Lady tries not to look perturbed as best as she can manage…but her face drops as she spots Krystal not too far away. Feeling rather embarrassed from yesterday, she pulls up her jacket and tries to hide her face from view]
Krystal: It's okay.
[Lady freezes in place]
Lady: …What?
Krystal: I said it's okay…
[Lady pauses and then looks back at the blue vixen]
Krystal: You seemed upset yesterday.
Lady: [blushes] Oh…I'm sorry you had to see that.
Krystal: No need to apologize, because I know what it's like.
Lady: Like…what?
Krystal: The repercussions of a previous relationship, it's never a pleasant experience.
Lady: Yeah…wait, how did you know I was thinking about that?
Krystal: Weeeeeeeeell, I have the ability to read minds.
Lady: Oh…
Krystal: Don't worry, I don't use it like that. I just thought you might need some help.
Lady: Oh, t-that's not necessary, I'll be fine.
Krystal: You say that, but I know you don't believe it.
Lady: Well, it's my business, so I don't see how it concerns you.
Krystal: I'm just saying, I'm willing to lend an ear if you need anything.
Lady: …[sighs]...I'm sorry I snapped, it's just…this thing has been eating at me for a while now…I just…I don't know if I want to be alone or have someone to talk to…it's so confusing.
Krystal: Well…perhaps we can make a compromise…it's usually better when you've got someone to talk to, regardless of the issue…but then again, it's your choice…
Lady: …Perhaps…I mean, if you know where I'm coming from, then I guess…
[As the two begin to walk down the street, Lady tries not to look at the ground]
Krystal: How long has it been?
Lady: Oh…a little while at this point…
Krystal: I see…
Lady: I mean, it was fine for a while, we both split up on mutual terms, it's just…when you think about what it entails…
Krystal: Which is?
Lady: Just…when you're seen with someone for a long time, people start to…associate you with them like a package deal…
Krystal: I suppose you're not the only one who's felt like that, I remember my time with Fox…at first, it was so…exhilarating, like I'd never felt something like that before…but…things didn't turn out as I'd imagined…and after the separation, there was a point where I felt like…being Fox's "partner" was my whole identity…oh, sorry, I didn't mean to-
Lady: No, no, it's fine…quite frankly, sometimes, I felt the same way with Tramp…it was just, I was so…happy with him that it didn't matter in the long run…he was like my other half, the part that completed me…when the spark began to fade, I don't think I was ready for it…but when it finally gave out...I knew I had to accept it, I couldn't force us to be like we once were…even so, when you think about longevity…and considering in hindsight…it hurts…I thought I'd moved on completely…but it seems I'm still clinging to old memories…perhaps in the hopes someone might come and feel the hole…
Krystal: I understand…
[The two women continue to walk, past the crosswalk, in between Shadow, Mordecai, Rouge, and Pete, the black hedgehog making a side glance at the two as the scene cuts to a wagon being shunted into place, James backs off the train to inspect his work. Normally, he'd make any excuse possible to get out of shunting, but in his current state, he's not in the mood to refuse]
James: [sighs] At least it's quiet work…you know, I've never realized how many sidings are in this place…the things ya' learn…
[As James backs onto a set of milk tankers, his eyes catch a large black object hidden behind a train of vans…the red engine squints his eyes to get a better look…and his boiler runs cold as the vans are moved and the shape looks awfully familiar]
James: [visibly shaking] N-N-No…j-just in my head…
[The engine from the night before is turned away…James is so shaken that he forgets to look where he's going as he attempts to back away]
?: OOF!
James: WHA?!
Emily: Well, this is a fine way to meet.
[The shot pans out to reveal James having backed into Emily, both still on the rails]
James: Uh, sorry about that, just…thought I saw something.
Emily: I see…how's shunting treating you?
James: Fine, I suppose…it's not actually that bad once you get into it…in a way, it's kinda…relaxing…
Emily: Aye, never thought I'd hear that come out a' your mouth.
James: Well, perhaps it needed to be said…in all honesty, saying how splendid I am can get rather tiring.
Emily: I wonder where this side of you's been all this time.
James: Hidden beneath a wall of bragging?
Emily: Hmmm yeah, that sounds about right.
James: Yeah…I had a dream last night…
Emily: What about?
James: …I was in the middle of nowhere…nothing but darkness…and then there was a bridge…with no bottom…and this…strange engine…he had no face…yet I could feel him staring at me…and he…he pushed me off the bridge…I thought I saw him…perhaps it was an illusion…or maybe I'm losing it…
Emily: Oh…are you gonna be alright?
James: [sighs] I dunno…
Emily: do you want some help?
James: …I wouldn't mind it.
[James and Emily begin to move off just as the scene cuts back to Lady and Krystal, both having stopped to sit down on a bench]
Lady: You know, I've been keeping to myself a lot recently, so this is…nice, actually…
Krystal: Well, good to know we're making some progress…I'll admit, when I split up with Fox, you know the first thing I did?
Lady: What?
Krystal: I tried to remove all his photos in my room and hide them under a chair, it was…rough to say the least, mostly because it kept reminding me of…us…
Lady: Oh…I still have a picture of Tramp and myself in my place…every so often, I find myself staring at it, like a distant memory…perhaps a little too much.
Krystal: Don't worry, I felt the same way, it's the faces, really, when you stick around them long enough, you have a hard time forgetting them…speaking of which, I hope this doesn't come off as intrusive, but…what's the situation with your children?
Lady: Oh…well, we're in a custody agreement over them, sometimes they stay with me, sometimes they stay with Tramp, and sometimes, Jock and Trusty look after them…I suppose it's a good thing they weren't around to see me like this…
Krystal: I see…how did they take it?
Lady: Well…it was a shock, to say the least…eventually, it turned out my daughters; Annette, Collette, and Danielle preferred staying with me, while my son, Scamp, preferred staying with Tramp…suppose you could say it's ironic given resemblance…we've tried to keep a straight face during it all, if not just for them…and lookit me, losing myself like I did yesterday.
Krystal: It's no fault of your own, you were just going through the motions…that said, I do wonder…
Lady: About what?
Krystal: About…where you stand on…pursuing relationships…
Lady: Well…admittedly, I spent so much time tending to myself that…I honestly don't know…if I ever did, I want to be the one…solidified, if you will…
Krystal: Well…perhaps in the meantime, you'd settle for some friendly company…you look like you could use it…
Lady: I mean…I wouldn't mind it…so long as it's not a burden for you…
Krystal: Of course not, I know how it feels, reaching out does wonders when you're at your lowest…
Lady: Hmm…
[The scene cuts to later in the day as two racks of coaches are arranged at the platform]
Emily: [sighs] That'll do for now.
James: Yeah…uh, Emily?
Emily: Yes?
James: …Thank you…for today.
Emily: No problem.
James: I mean…I feel a little less stressed than I did before.
Emily: Well, that's good to hear.
James: Yeah…
Emily: Do you think you'll…be able to do it?
James: Hmm?
Emily: Go over that bridge again?
James: …I don't know…maybe in time…just not now…
Emily: I see…
James: Still…thanks for caring at least…I know I can be a bit of a jerk sometimes, but…I really do appreciate you doing this for me.
Emily: But of course, James…you're my friend, after all…even if you are difficult to work with sometimes, you're still one of us…
James: Yeah…guess I'm lucky in that regard…
[James is later seen coming down the line with a few flatbeds in tow, being allowed for a small trip to the harbor to drop them off. He stops under a signal to let Henry pass by with the Kipper, coming from Cedar. As he waits, he notices Lady and Krystal walking side by side before the crosswalk, the Cocker Spaniel notices the red engine standing nearby, and he offers her a smile, seemingly perking her up as the two walk from one side, while Huck, Chrysalis, Velma, and Kaolinite walk in the opposite direction. It cuts to Lady entering her apartment with Krystal in tow]
Krystal: Nice place you've got.
Lady: Thank you, it's not much honestly.
Krystal: Well, I think it's fine enough…
[Krystal spots the picture frame, and seeing as Lady's still got her back turned, the blue vixen quietly puts the frame face-down]
Lady: You interested in…having dinner?
Krystal: I mean…I'm not opposed to it, personal or takeout?
Lady: Well…I was thinking…[blushes]...I'd make us something…
Krystal: Oh…well, color me intrigued.
[Krystal does a slight tilt of her head, to which Lady turns around to hide her blush, as well as a smile. It transitions to a fresh tray of lasagne being put on the table before the two women have a piece each on a plate]
Krystal: Hmmmmmm, very good.
Lady: Hmmhmm, thank you.
Krystal: You know, I was thinking, perhaps we could meet up like this more often…well, on less dramatic circumstances.
Lady: I suppose that wouldn't be too bad, would certainly do me a favor in all honesty…I just want to…thank you again for doing this…I'm sorry if it wasn't the best first impression, but I appreciate it nonetheless.
Krystal: But of course, like I said before, I know how it feels, and I don't want you to feel the same way…
[Lady feels something touching her paw, she looks down to see Krystal's hand on her own, the vixen giving a smile with the same head tilt from before…the Cocker Spaniel is silent for a few seconds…before she returns the smile]
Lady: Perhaps…now I won't…
[The scene transitions to the same day as the last episode, most notably the ending scene as Krystal picks up her phone, waiting for it to pick up before it shows a split-screen with Lady on the other run]
Lady: Hello?
Krystal: Hello…
Lady: Krystal, is that you?
Krystal: Yes…would you…like to meet up?
Lady: …Yes, I would.
Character Guide:
Lady, Tramp, Buster, Scamp, Annette, Collette, Danielle, Jock, Trusty - Lady and the Tramp - Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Krystal, Panther Caroso, Fox McCloud - Star Fox
James, Emily, Percy, Sir Topham Hatt, Henry, Gordon, Douglas, Mavis, Arry, Bert, Philip, Murdoch - Thomas and Friends
Ariel - The Little Mermaid (1989)
Gumball, Darwin - The Amazing World of Gumball
Eustace Bagge, Queen of the Black Puddle - Courage the Cowardly Dog
FantomCat - FantomCat
Fievel Mousekewitz, Tiger - An American Tail (1986)
Flora, Diaspro - Winx Club
Huckleberry Hound - The Huckleberry Hound Show
Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon), Kaolinite - Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
Krypto, Streaky - Krypto the Superdog
Maleficent, Diablo - Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Megara - Hercules (1997)
Mordecai - Regular Show
Pamela Bondani - Patrol 03
Sylvester, Penelope Pussycat, Pete Puma - Looney Tunes
Pongo - 101 Dalmatians (1961)
Queen Chrysalis - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat - Sonic the Hedgehog
Velma Dinkley - Scooby-Doo