Remember the Roots
[The scene opens with a shot of a bridge on the Maple Branchline as we see Rosie crossing over it with a goods train, with Arry and Bert going in the opposite direction with oil tankers from the Manx Refinery]
[Transition to Kiara, Kovu, and Vitani sitting underneath a tree by the lake as the cicadas and crickets can be heard chirping in the background, while a canoe housing Vector, Espio, and Charmy can be seen rowing in the middle of the lake]
[Transition to the city as we pan down to the police station, Nuka, Noddy, Garfield, Odie, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Jasmine, and Gothel pass by in opposite directions of each other past the station or around it]
[Cut to inside of the station as we pass by the offices where the officers are working at their stations, including those of Officer Dibble, Carmelita Fox, PC Plod, Bonkers, PC Selby, and the miscellaneous officers from the Zootopia Police Department]
[The camera pans over to focus on Nick Wilde in particular as he writes down something on a file, with a stack of other papers to his right]
[The red fox closes up the document and sighs as he leans back on his chair]
Nick: Man…if there's anything this life could do less with, it's stacks of paperwork. Give me an in-person operation any time, any day, anywhere.
[Nick rises up from his seat and comes out of the office, only to run into Judy]
Judy: Ah, I see someone's been keeping busy with the manual labor.
Nick: Yeah, well, files aren't exactly my cup of tea.
Judy: Not surprising, it's much easier selling your own popsicles cuz you don't have to worry about keeping track of all those shipments.
Nick: I see you're a comedian, aren't ya', Carrots? Perhaps I could get you into the business.
Judy: Tck, yeah, no thanks, you know I don't hustle. And besides, I'm pretty sure some of that stuff is illegal.
Nick: Ahah, hey, it helps keep people cool in this blistering summer heat, that's helpful for the community, I'm sure.
Judy: Whatever you say, Nick, just know that I'm keeping my eye on you.
Nick: Awwww, you don't suspect I'd become corrupt, do you? Abusing my position to get away with crimes?
Judy: Not necessarily, I know for a fact you're not Pamela Bondani.
Nick: Ironic since I think she was a chief, and then pheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew, down to a warden.
Judy: Hehehe, don't let her hear you say that.
[Cut to Pamela walking down the street as she passes by Pinocchio and Bambi when she suddenly pauses]
Pamela: I don't know why, but I've suddenly got the urge to kick someone's ass.
[Cut back to the police station as Nick and Judy are passing by Clawhauser's desk]
Nick: See ya' bright and early, Benji, save me a donut, won'tcha?
Clawhauser: Ooooooooh, no promises, Nicky~
Judy: Maybe save two, he could use a bit more meat on those bones.
Clawhauser: Now that you mention it…
Nick: Heeeey, I'm not a twig.
Clawhauser: Never said you were, buuuuuuut, I think I might need to order a baker's dozen, just for the two of us, hehehe.
[Nick playfully rolls his eyes at the gesture as he and Judy leave the station, having clocked out for the night]
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 walk off in opposite directions to their respective abodes, as we cut to the fox climbing up the steps that lead to Oak Station]
[Cut to the station proper as Daffy, Porky, Petunia, Ms. Frizzle, Ginger, Eliza, and the Teen Titans are shown waiting on the platform for the train to arrive. Nick glances over to his right to see if the train is coming and looks towards the clock; 7:25]
Nick: [sighs] Just gotta wait for another five minutes or so…
[Nick looks over to a bench and sees that it's currently unoccupied. He goes over to take a seat and stretches his arms out]
Nick: Aaaaaaah, gotta get those joints…
[At that moment, another group arrives on the platform, the leader showing a confident swagger as we are shown a pair of brown Oxfords under a set of white slacks. Pan up to reveal a white suit and finally, the head of a brown wolf as he surveys the station, scanning the crowd to see if there's any opportunity to snatch]
[Mr. Wolf, or more specifically Moe, looks over to his snake counterpart, simply known as Mr. Snake, and nods at him. The reptile smirks impishly as he begins to 'slither' behind the crowd with his eyes narrowed. The other members of the group; a red tarantula, a green piranha, and a tall white shark, attempt to blend in with the crowd while seeing if there's any valuable items on hand to plifer]
[The lupine looks over to his left and notices Nick standing on his own. Familiar with the vulpine being on the police form, Moe smirks]
Mr. Wolf: Bingo…
[The lupine approaches the fox in a casual manner and sits down opposite to his right as BoCo passes by with a goods train from the Aspen Refinery]
Mr. Wolf: Busy day, officer?
[Nick looks over at Moe and gives a coy expression]
Nick: As busy as it was at the museum for you, I'm sure.
Mr. Wolf: Whaaaat? Me? I would never, haha, after all, how else are they gonna get business?
Nick: Maybe if you left some of their antiques intact, it wouldn't be a problem.
Mr. Wolf: Easy replication, I would know, I've experimented in the past. Ya' wouldn't know the difference.
Nick: You know, if I wasn't on duty, I could book you for admission to forgery, buuuuut, I'm feeling generous.
Mr. Wolf: As expected, cuz word on the street has it that you've been involved in some…tck, underground activity in the past.
Nick: Now, now, it's impolite to spread rumors about…although, you're not entirely off. Worked out since childhood.
Mr. Wolf: Hmmhmmhmm, I wonder how much of that's the truth.
Nick: Well, suppose that's something you'll have to figure out in due time…
[At that moment, James arrives at the station with a train of three old coaches, stopping at the platform and letting off steam as the passengers begin to board or disembark for their stop, the quintet of Homura, Madoka, Sayaka, Kyoko, and Mami being some of the few to get off, along with the Mongooses; Ash and Mina, the Dingos, Harry and General Helmut Von Stryker, Puss, Sassy Saddles, and Coco Pommel]
Nick: Aaaaand that's my cue…riveting conversation, we'll have to do it again sometime.
Mr. Wolf: I look forward to it, Foxy. [winks]
[Nick gives a sly swish of his tail as he boards one of the carriages]
[Moe watches the fox leave with a keen eye…before Snake suddenly comes up alongside him]
Snake: I know that look in your eye.
Moe: Huh?
Snake: C'mon, I saw the way you were lookin' at that fox, thought you'd seen a chance to steal the Mona Lisa.
Moe: Well, you know that guy's familiar with our line of work. Perhaps…
Snake: Ain't he one of the fuzz now?
Moe: Hehehe, Snake, you know people don't just change overnight. That uniform's only a cover. I guarantee you, that man's not forgotten his roots.
[The guard's whistle is heard blowing along with the flapping of the green flag. James gives two blasts on his whistle before slowly departing from the station]
[Focus on Moe as he watches the train leave, particularly centered on Nick leaning against the window. His ears flick at the sound of snickering from behind him and he turns around]
Moe: Comedy routine that I missed?
Shark: Naaaaaaaaah, just that we think something's going on with that officer.
Moe: Eh?
Piranha: C'mon, chico, we all know when you get that spicy look in your eye, locked and loaded.
Tarantula: Huh, what do you know, from one fox to another, am I right? [winks]
Moe: Aaaaaaah, c'mon now, what can I say, I've got an acquired taste.
Snake: Still, how do ya' know that guy's not gonna go all two-faced on us?
Moe: Snakey, my guy, this is Nicholas Wilde we're talking about here. Someone with street smarts like that isn't gonna forget about them. Trust me when I say I got it all figured out, hehehe…
[Transition to James coming to a stop at Prunus Station, the terminal on the upper level serving the suburban stops. There is a turntable primarily used to turn the engines going back in the opposite direction, as can be seen to the far left. Several passengers disembark from the train as the camera focuses particularly on Nick. The fox is shown climbing down the steps to the street below and overhears the clattering coming from an alley]
Nick: Well, I see someone's busy…
[Nick arrives at the alley and sure enough, a large black van can be seen parked in the middle of it, right under a set of balconies above. The noise appears to be coming from behind the vehicle and we can see something poking out from looking over the roof]
[Nick is curious about this and goes over to inspect, revealing a large machine akin to one found in an ice cream shop, hooked up to a generator with a cooler standing nearby. It is decked out in green and sliding out a fresh batch of popsicles, or pawsicles, although in different colors besides red this time around]
Nick: And how's the business been treating you, my little handyman?
[Finnick turns around and scoffs]
Finnick: Well, look who finally decided to pay a visit, I was startin' to think you'd forgotten this joint even existed.
Nick: How could I, after all, your temper makes it kinda hard to forget.
Finnick: By the way, ya' might wanna watch those "little" comments, Wilde. We both know you wouldn't like to see me go feral.
Nick: True, I don't have any darts on me.
[Finnick rolls his eyes]
Finnick: Comedian, aren't you?
Nick: I would say so, hehe, but seriously, man, you don't think I missed you?
Finnick: I'm sure most people would think so, Officer.
Nick: Awwww, you know that's my commitment, and whatever happened to you not caring about it?
Finnick: What made you think I did?
Nick: The aggressive letters I sometimes get mailed to me? I'd recognize that handwriting anywhere.
Finnick: …Okay, you got me there. Still, it's kinda odd doin' this as a solo act while you're off mooching the fuzz.
Nick: You know I'd never report you, we got the tax ID and credentials to clear our names for this one.
Finnick: Yeah, true, suppose that's something you're good for, thinkin' ahead.
Nick: And besides, you know I'd never completely abandon this gig. Summertime means more profits, means more money in the bank for me.
Finnick: You tryna' flex on me, Wilde?
Nick: Noooooo, whatever gave you that impression?
Finnick: [sighs] I'll admit, it's been a while since I've heard that snark.
Nick: Awwwww, I knew you missed me, Finny.
Finnick: Hehehe, don't call me that if you wanna keep your muzzle.
Nick: C'mon, we both know you wouldn't wanna hurt me. I mean, who would wanna ruin this perfect face here?
[Nick flicks his paw upward as he turns his head]
Finnick: Modesty ain't your strong suit, that's for sure.
Nick: Could say the same about yourself.
Finnick: [shrugs] Eh, I'll give ya' that, modesty's overrated anyway.
Nick: So, been working on a new build?
Finnick: More like bribed a factory to lend me one of their vessels for our operations. Took a bit of smooth-talking and 'persuasion', but I got this baby for cheap.
Nick: Aaaaah, good man, gotta hand it to you, seems you've been doing well on your own.
Finnick: Of course, then again, don't suppose you could stop by more often, ya' know, like the old days.
Nick: I'll try to see if I can squeeze in a little more time, sure, the force pays well, and the missions can be fun and all, but nothing compares to scheming with my right-hand man.
Finnick: Not even Officer Honey Buns?
Nick: See, she doesn't know me like you do.
Finnick: Oh yeah…I'm the only one who could do a rollover on your ass.
Nick: Well, when you cheat with my tie, of course.
Finnick: Wanna bet, Wilde?
[Cut to the sound of footsteps walking towards the alley. While the two foxes are conversing, Finnick's ear suddenly flicks at the faint sound coming towards them and his expression stiffens]
Finnick: Hold on, you hear that?
Nick: Eh?
[Finnick reaches over to the generator to turn it off, thus muting any sound that was around them, the sound of a car parking outside of the alley can be heard, followed by doors opening and closing. This is then followed by the faint echos slowly becoming more prominent as the camera pans in towards the corner of the alley]
[Nick and Finnick watch with bated breath to see who might be on the other side as the scene cuts to several pairs of legs walking through the shadows]
[The reveal shows the Bad Guys on the scene once more]
Moe: Well, an interesting little operation you got goin' on here, Officer.
Nick: Huh, if I didn't know any better, I would assume you were spying on me.
Finnick: Typical of the "Bad Guys" or whatever the hell they're called.
Snake: Ya' know, the two of you might make decent additions, if one of you ditched the whole authority nonsense.
Nick: Admittedly, the offer is tempting, buuuuuuuut…
Finnick: Besides, we work well enough on our own.
Tarantula: Got a techie to creak security?
Piranha: Someone to squeeze into those tight spaces?
Shark: A master of disguise?
Snake: Master of surprise and sadism?
Moe: A charismatic head of the group?
Nick: Well, you got one of those things…and Finnick's got a few, though it's mostly me coming up with the disguises.
Shark: Saaaaaaaaaaay, you wouldn't mind givin' me a few pointers, or perhaps I could give a bit of artist's advice to you.
Tarantula: And by that, he means, "I never went to designer's school."
Shark: Hey, I've fooled many a' people with ma' cunning and style. I could play a woman and no one would know the difference.
Piranha: Ehhhhhh, I'll give him that one.
Finnick: Might make for a decent change from that damn Dumbo costume.
Nick: Awwwww, but you look so cute in it.
Finnick: Want me to show you cute?
[Finnick unsheathes his claws from his paws, Nick flinches slightly, but his bemused expression returns shortly after]
Nick: So, about that proposal, I reckon I need a little more…persuasion.
Moe: Ah, playing hard to get, are you?
Nick: Aha, honey, you know that's how I roll.
Moe: Well then, perhaps we could interest you with this…
[The brown wolf snaps his fingers and in an instant, Piranha has wheeled out a silver mini-fridge from the vehicle before Snake unlatches it with the tip of his tail, revealing several fancy orange drinks sitting in champagne flute glasses with multicolor umbrellas sticking out of them]
[Nick and Finnick blink at this gesture]
Finnick: Is that-?
Snake: The finest rum punch, prepared by yours truly. Whatta ya' say to a little impromptu get-together?
Finnick: …I say serve me up of that stuff, I'm dyin' for a drink. Need some rum in my system anyways.
[The platter is given to the vulpines while Nick examines the drink carefully]
Nick: I assume this thing hasn't been laced with anything?
Moe: We play rough, not dirty.
Nick: Uh-huh…
[Nick and Finnick take one of the glasses as the scene pans upward, showing the moon high up in the sky]
[Transition to a little later at night as the Bad Guys and the fox duo are shown sprawled around the alley, looking rather intoxicated as Shark and Piranha are chinging their glasses against a wall, laughing with each other]
[Tarantula holds her glass over her head so far that she almost falls backwards, smacking her lips before giving an audible sigh]
[Finnick is laying on the ground with Snake, the two having decided to take up a few smokes as a thick cloud hangs over them]
Finnick: Pheeeeeeeeew…man, this is some premium stuff…
Snake: Yeah…CUH, that's what happens when you got friends in high places…
Finnick: …You know, I'll let that stupid pun slide cuz I'm enjoying myself too much…CUH-CAH! God…that's some good smokes…
[We cut to Moe and Nick as the two are sitting on top of a crate, downing their respective glasses of rum]
Nick: Aaaaaaaaah…man…don't remember the last time I did this, but…hooooooooo, it's a trip…
Moe: See, this is what happens when ya' let loose and break a few norms.
[The lupine takes another swing of rum]
Nick: Yeah…can I tell you something?
Moe: Go ahead.
Nick: What you were saying earlier…I'll be honest, I have thought about the possibility…
Moe: About…?
Nick: You know…going back to the hustling business full-time…I mean, it's where I got my success from…
Moe: Aaaaah, now you're talking sense…even if it's cuz of the alcohol…
Nick: Yeah…I mean, don't get me wrong, my current position pays well, but at the same time, I could never forget where it all started…[sighs]...even if it wasn't the best of places…
Moe: Eh?
Nick: You know the old saying, "as sly as a fox"? Or how a fox is typically seen as a cunning trickster…that was me in my childhood…led me to some real dark places…
Moe: Ah…can relate…I mean, how many times have you heard of "the big bad wolf", been there, done that. Eventually, I got tired of trying to please the crowds and went my own way…
Nick: Heh, ironically, I did something similar…if the world was gonna treat me as such, I'd make the most of it.
Moe: I mean, hey, anything to survive, am I right? Besides, we're not all bad, just the right amount of bad, hehe, heeeeeeeh…
Nick: Yeah…you know, it's a little ironic, but…I see a little bit of myself in you…even if some would disagree.
Moe: I'm flattered all the same…plus, who cares what some irrelevant dirtbags think?
Nick: Yeah, true…
[Nick leans on Moe's shoulder]
Nick: It's weird…I'm high off my tail, yet I feel oddly…relaxed at the same time…
Moe: Maybe it's cuz I'm right next to you…
Nick: Perhaps…I wouldn't mind staying like this…
Moe: Then…let's…
[Moe slumps over on the crate and Nick follows on, laying down on the lupine as the two drift off to a drunken sleep, pan-out to reveal everyone else has passed out from their respective activities]
[Cut to early the next morning as everyone is sprawled around the alley, focusing particularly on Nick as he groans, rolling over on his side]
Nick: Crap…oh god, my head…
[Nick rubs his forehead before looking over at Moe moaning as he slowly wakes up]
Moe: Aaaaaaagh…what a night…sleep well enough?
Nick: Well, I passed out, and I've got a bit of a headache…
Moe: Hold on…think we've got some painkillers in the car…
Nick: You have them on hand?
Moe: When you're me and you've had several nights of this, it's best to come prepared.
[The others are shown slowly waking up as well, giving audible groans]
Piranha: No more drinkey…
Tarantula: Oh god, yup, yup, there's the hangover…
Shark: Gimme an hour to…prop ma'self up…
[Finnick and Snake stand up at the same time as they cover their foreheads]
Finnick: Uggggggghhhh…now I'm reminded why I was taken off smoking…
Snake: It's only a matter of time…still, that was one hell of a night.
Finnick: Yeah…might wanna do it again…
[Nick and Moe are shown popping a few pills of painkillers into their mouths and dousing it with water]
Nick: Aaaaaaaaaaaah…you know, that might have been a strange, strange night…but hey, all things considered, it wasn't too bad.
Moe: Yeah, perhaps you wouldn't mind coming around to my crib sometime.
Nick: Well, if I knew where it was, I might pop in…it was a good time regardless.
[Moe reaches into his suit pocket and pulls out a small white card]
Moe: My details if you wanna get in contact.
[Nick looks at the card and then pulls one from his own pocket before handing it to the lupine]
Nick: Only fair I do the same in return.
Moe: Hehe, you're one of the good ones, ya' know that?
Nick: As I've been told. You gonna be alright there, Finn?
Finnick: Me? Pfffffft, you know I can handle a little post-high. Just don't leave me hangin' for too long.
Nick: I won't, not to worry…though I'd better get ready for work, gotta be there in…a few hours.
Moe: I'll take ya'...as soon as I sober up a little more…
[The scene transitions to later in the morning as Nick has cleaned himself up a bit and walks up the steps to the station. He sees Judy hastily brushing herself as she tries to look professional]
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]
[Cut to outside the police station as the camera pans out to reveal the Bad Guys hovering around in their car. Moe slyly drives the vehicle away before the camera cuts to black]
Character Guide:
Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps, Finnick, Benjamin Clawhauser, Chief Bogo - Zootopia (2016)
Mr. Wolf (Moe), Snake, Shark, Piranha, Tarantula - The Bad Guys (2022)
Pamela Bondani - Patrol 03
Bonkers - Bonkers
Carmelita Fox - Sly Cooper
Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Petunia Pig - Looney Tunes
Dumbo - Dumbo (1941)
Eliza Thornberry - The Wild Thornberrys
Garfield, Odie - Garfield
Ginger Foutley - As Told By Ginger
Jasmine - Aladdin (1992)
Kiara, Kovu, Vitani, Nuka - The Lion King (1994) / Simba's Pride (1998)
Madoka Kaname, Homura Akemi, Sayaka Miki, Kyoko Sakura, Mami Tomoe - Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Mother Gothel - Tangled (2010)
Ms. Frizzle - The Magic School Bus
Noddy, Mr. Plod - Noddy
Officer Dibble - Top Cat
PC Selby - Postman Pat
Pinocchio - Pinocchio (1940)
Puss in Boots - Puss in Boots / Shrek
Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Coco Pommel, Sassy Saddles - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Robin, Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, Cyborg - Teen Titans
Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon, Charmy the Bee, Mina Mongoose, Ash Mongoose, Harry the Dingo, General Helmut Von Stryker - Sonic the Hedgehog
James, Rosie, Arry and Bert, BoCo - Thomas and Friends