Bing-Klosby's world

Last year he lived off sandwiches, now he had a fridge stocked with food.

There was a lot of things that had changed. For one, he was no longer alone.

He felt his heart swell with love and content as he leaned back to admire his work.

"Ah, dad... wish you could see your boy now. I hit rock bottom, but I had some help in getting back up."

A soft knock came to his ears and Buster spun in his chair. It was Saturday, so there was no practice or rehearsal but that never stopped one of the cast members from dropping by for a simple visit.

Only this visitor didn't have a spot in the cast.

"Mike?"

The crooner of a mouse looked up and stuffed his paws in his pockets as he entered the office. "Heya, Moon. Joint's lookin' good. Probably toss in a few Frank Sinatra records and you got a decent place."

Buster hopped from his seat. He had forgiven the mouse after Mike had come asking about the money situation after the theater collasped. They weren't exactly on great terms, but Buster wasn't one to hold a grudge on others.

"What can I do for you, Mike?"

"Came to give ya somethin', Moon."

Buster peaked at his watch he had received just a few months ago from the mouse. "I think that's taken care of."

"Nah, somethin' else. Felt it was kinda my fault your place got flooded. So I talked to my girl and we figured we'd give ya somethin', as a donation, ya know?" Mike reached in his coat, on the usual place he'd hide a secret ace and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

Buster took it and his eyes widened as he glanced at the cheque that was now clutched in his paws. "10,000 dollars? Where'd you get the money?!"

"Playin' poker of course. I may got pipes better then Beyoncé, but I don't always use 'em to pay the bills."

"This is really, very generous, Mike, but-"

"AH! No buts, Moon. I ain't takin' it back. All sales final."

Buster tapped the cheque against his paw. "I appreciate the gesture, Mike. I'm sure it won't go to waste. It'll certainly help us get things off the ground. Rebuilding the theater is one thing, putting on shows is another. This will help a lot. Thanks, Mike."

"Don't mention.'

"No, really, I'd-"

"Ever, all right? Don't mention. I don't want these riff raffs getting ahold of a rumor that'd I'd gone soft. Besides, me and Nancy are keepin' a low profile. After that last escape, we decided to keep our heads low so don't go spreadin' the news on who gave ya that piece of paper. Say it's from an admirer or somethin'."

Buster nodded. "I understand, Mike. Thanks. I guess since you're keeping a low profile you won't he coming back to the cast."

"I ain't gonna sugar coat it, Moon. I didn't come here for the simple pleasure to be a part of this, or to make friends. I came to win 100,000 dollars, but since that went up in dust, there weren't no reason for me to stick around. Still ain't. I only came back during your little show because someone had to show ya how it was done. I don't plan on stickin' around."

"I see."

Mike sighed. "You got yourself a nice little cast here, Moon. You can really go places with them. Nice little family shows to be shown here. But me? That ain't my style."

"You don't have to explain it, Mike. I didn't expect things to go as they did, but I'm definitely not complaining about the outcome. If you choose to come back, you're welcome too. I don't hold grudges. If you don't, that's your choice."

"Then how about we shake paws here and leave it at that?" Mike stuck out his paw which Buster took and gave it a small shake.

"Best of luck, Mike. Hope things cool down for ya."

"Appreciate it, Moon, and, uh, hope your shows do good. Heck, me and Nancy might even show up for a few if you give us a discount."

Buster laughed. "I'll see what I can do."

"Take care, Moon."

"So long, Mike."

~

Buster tossed and turned in his large bed. The moon light poured in to his window, illuminating the small room.

His eyes shot open. He felt his paws grow damp, he could feel his paws which were scarred by Clay's electric fence begin to twinge in pain as he perspired.

He glanced around, alone in his room. The only sound from the vehicles below passing his theater and the beating of his own heart.

He and Mike didn't part on bad terms. And there were times they'd run into each other. They stayed mutual acquaintances. Gunter had his heart set on Mike performing with them. Buster glanced at his phone sitting atop the night stand, charging. His text to Mike still remaining unanswered. He rubbed his face and hopped of his bed as he began to pace.

Gunter had spoken to him earlier about Mike's murder. Buster had brushed him away. In all honesty he wasn't ready to discuss the fact Mike was dead. The thought sounded so foreign to his mind. Grief suddenly clouded his mind and Buster made his way to his office to make some tea, hoping he remembered to buy honey his last grocery pick up.

~

"Trust Amelia to bring her own tea to the States!" Marcus laughed as he poured 3 cups for Johnny, Amelia and himself.

The fox took her mug and smiled, slyly. "Of course. America has such a poor selection, I had to."

"I certainly ain't complaining. Best cuppa I've had in nearly 15 years! Some stuff I have imported from England, but it's so bloody expensive."

"Why not travel and get it yourself? See the sights again, London's changed since your last time." Amelia replied.

Marcus and Johnny shared an awkward glance with one another. "I'm afraid my probation doesn't allow me to outside the US."

"Prob- alright, Marcus. What mischief have you and the boy been getting into since our last meet?"

Marcus rubbed his hands together, awkwardly. "Well... bit awkward discussing this with an officer." He said, smiling.

Amelia smiled back. "I was a friend first."

"Right. I tried to do good, especially for my boy." With this, Marcus wrapped an arm around his son and gave him a fatherly squeeze. "Me and the boys gathered our heads and money together and bought this show. Business was okay for the first few months. We homeschooled Johnny. Until his was 8, then got him into proper school. We did alright, didn't we, lad?" Marcus gave a weak smile as he nudged his son who managed a nod. "But then... things got hard. I ran into a problem with a vehicle. Costumer blamed me. Blokes stopped trusting us. So..." The older gorilla sighed. "Now I'm ashamed to admit it. But we turned to a life of crime. Started burglaring. Not family homes, I had strict rules to avoid families and young ones. Banks, cargo ships, warehouses."

Johnny glanced at Amelia who's eyes seemed to glisten in a disappointed way. Her tail, which had been lying at her side flicked and tapped the floor boards. He held back a wince. He looked up to Amelia at one point. Now that his father was explaining their tainted past, he felt as though he let her down.

"Wasn't till we got arrested thanks to Johnny here."

Johnny turned back to his father and blushed. Marcus smiled at him. "Turned out it was for the best. We turned ourselves around."

"Dad broke out of jail to tell me he was proud of me."

Amelia shook her head. "Wha- you broke out jail?!"

"I went back! I just needed to tell my son I loved him. We weren't on good terms for a bit. I didn't realize how long our relationship had been strained till Johnny let me know. I... I wasn't a good father, I know. But thanks to Johnny I'm learning to better myself."

Amelia leaned back in her seat, no doubt processing the information she had been given.

Silence hung in the air longer than Marcus would've liked, so he quickly filled it with his own words. "I've turned myself around, Mia. Believe me. Me and the lads, we're not criminals anymore. We got a good steady job. We deliver food across the city and we're security guards for the New Moon Theater."

Johnny frowned as his saw his father try desperately to convince Amelia who had not said a word, that he was on a good steady path.

"I'm making her proud, now. We both are."

"Her" Johnny guessed was his mother.

Amelia leaned forward and put a paw to Marcus's shaking one and smiled. "Relax, Marc. I'm not mad. I'm sure your Sofia is proud of you. I know it's hard to turn yourself around. But you look like you've managed it. It's not my place to judge, my friend. Your past doesn't define you. But it gives you lessons to learn from. And you seem like you're doing just that. I'm proud of ya, mate."

Marcus visibly relaxed as he clutched her paw tightly as if to reassure himself. He smiled as he pulled her into a hug. "I've missed ya, you sly fox! You never were one to judge others."

"It was never my place." Amelia admitted.

"We're gonna do all we can to help ya solve this mystery. I never met Mike for myself, but Johnny told me he was right wanker."

"Dad!" Johnny groaned.

"What? You told me he couldn't give two cents about you or your crew. Heck, weren't for that rodent, those bears wouldn't have attacked Moon Theater and destroyed it like they did."

"Regardless," Amelia interrupted. "I need to solve this case. Mike might have been a gambler, a cheat, but he's also a victim."

"And what's your next step in this case? My truck is at your service." 

"Zootopia. There's a possible witness and/or suspect who resides there. If I can find him, he may prove to be a valuable resource."

"Zootopia, eh? That's a few hours drive from 'ere. We'll have to leave early tomorrow morning."

"We?"

"You think I'm gonna let you go hoppin' around that territory without me? 4 years about they had an outbreak of Night Howlers. Some sheep wanted to take over, had a drug that turned animals savage. They caught the original suppliers, but you still hear about animals goin' mad." Marcus crossed his arms. "That and it's my truck. I'm the only one allowed to drive 'er."

Johnny nodded. "I tried once. Dad nearly threw me out the window."

Amelia sighed but smiled. "Fine. I hope you're still a morning person because we have a long day tomorrow."

~

Rosita forced her eyes eyes opened as her phone screen lit up, revealing Buster's name and photo. It wasn't unusual for Buster to be calling at strange hours. The koala rarely ever slept and since Eddie left to attend school and a new modeling career for blazers, she had taken his place as Buster's go-to person.

Often Buster would call her to relay messages to the group or to simply vent his frustration or even babble about a new idea that popped into his head. Sometimes he called for her to pick him and Gunter up from a bar. Remembering the events from earlier that day, she doubt the latter was a possibility.

"Yes?" She said, fighting back a yawn.

"Rosita!"

The dancer winced at the pitch of his voice. "Yes, Buster, what is it?"

"Rosita, I know it's late, but I can't sleep. This whole business with Mike."

Rosita was suddenly more awake. Quietly, so she did not disturb her husband sleeping beside her, she sat up and pressed her phone close to her ear. "I know." She said.

"Mike may not have been as close to our team as we are to each other, but he was still apart of our original crew. We can't just pretent he wasn't and leave him to be buried alone. We know he didn't have any family, besides Nancy. No one to mourn him. It's... Rosita, we-" Buster's voice wavered a moment before continuing. "I want to help woth this case."

"Bust-" Rosita clapped a hand over her mouth as she nearly shouted. Lowering her voice, she continued. "Buster Brandon Moon, if you're thinking about getting involved in a POLICE INVESTIGATION, you're insane. You have no business in this. Yes, we knew Mike, but as you said we weren't close. At most we were acquaintances, people who waved hi to each other every once in a while when we happened to bump into each other."

Silence hung on the other line.

"Buster?"

"I can't just let his death be in vain." Came the reply.

Rosita frowned. With or without her consent, Buster was going to do what he wanted. At least if she and the others tagged along, they could prevent him from getting hurt or even killed.

A lump formed in her throat.

They've already had too many scares this year. Too many incidents that nearly ended in them losing their friend. Could she bear another?

They might stand a better chance if they stand together. That's how they've always done.

"I'm coming with you." Rosita said.

"It might be dangerous."

"Losing you scares me more."

~

Johnny awoke the next morning, early and with a text from Ash.

"Meeting at the theater at 8." It read.

Johnny rubbed the remaining sleep out of his eyes and glanced at the the clock. He had an hour before the meeting.

Laughter entered his ears as he swung his legs over the bed. He yawned as he exited his room and stumbled to the kitchen where he saw Marcus flipping flap jacks and Amelia cooking sausages and eggs. They were dancing and laughing to some music from the UK. Marcus flipped a flap jack and it landed perfectly on a plate. Amelia rolled the sausages onto a plate and twirled it onto the table. Marcus then took Amelia's paw and twirled her around.

Johnny silently walked over and took a seat and watched his father and adopted aunt dance away.

Finally the two noticed him and Amelia quickly slid him a plate full of food.

"Mornin', son, Mia and I are leaving for Zootopia in about an hour. Want us to drop you off at the theater."

"That would be smashing." Johnny said in between bites. "But why can't I come with you?"

"Don't you have that new show? From the way Mr. Moon tells it, it's gonna be amazing."

"Yeah, but-"

"Besides, it's too dangerous what we're doing."

"Dangerous? Dad, after Red Shore and the Ivory Theater, I think I'm ready for anything."

"This isn't show business, Johnny boy." Amelia said. "These are ruthless murderers."

"Mr. Crystal was almost a ruthless murderer." Johnny said, darkly.

"Son, I'd feel better if you just stayed here. Safe and sound. Alright?"

"But I want to help. Please, Dad. I'm not a little kid anymore. You don't have to protect me."

"I always need to protect you. It's my job as your father. Just as it's your job as my son to stay safe."

"Isn't my job as your son to also protect you? Didn't Mom make us both promise each other to take care and keep each other safe?"

Marcus' eyes widened. His mouth was suddenly dry, but his eyes were wet with tears. "You... you remember-"

"Mom? Yeah. Not much, but I remember that."

Marcus swallowed as he stared down at his plate of food, his appetite suddenly lost. Finally, he looked up, his cheeks moist with newly tears. "All right, John." He said.

Meena stood, shocked. The mouse never really had anything nice to say. But she remembered one night after a show he approached her and congratulated her after a successful show.

Rosita had her hands over her mouth. She never really approved of Mike, especially after the bears evaded the theater, demanding the prize money and threatening Buster.

Johnny stuffed his hands in his pockets and held his breath. He wasn't close with Mike, but he held some respect. He admired his voice for one.

Ash crossed her arms. Dead? It hadn't been very long since they last saw him and his wife, Nancy at the Zootopian Ivory Theater. Buster had invited him back to the theater, but Mike declined. Saying he and Nancy had decided to start a family.

Gunter stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket and his ears pressed against his head. Mike never had a kind word to say, but that didn't phase Gunter. A sudden thought hit him. What about Nancy?

It was Clay who interrupted his thoughts. Being the only one who didn't know Mike, he recovered quicker then the others. "How did it happen?" He asked. He felt it was his job at this moment to be the voice of his little group.

Amelia straightened. "Mike was found murdered in a back alley in London, England."

Buster snapped out of his shock. "England?!"

"Indeed. That's why I'm here. We believe he was involved with a dangerous gang. A Russian mafia."

"But what was he doing in England?!" Ash asked.

"I'm getting to that. About two weeks ago, he and his wife, Nancy took a vacation to London England for her birthday. Three days after they arrived, Mike was kidnapped. Nancy put in a missing persons a day later when she couldn't find him. A mouse hunt was called. Four days later, we got a call from a passerby. Found Mike dead in a alley. I don't dare describe the damage. He was small, granted, but study shows he fought for his life."

"Oh my goodness." Rosita said, softly.

"What is it you need from us, Detective?" Buster asked.

"Information. I did some research on your theater. Found out the first theater was flooded and collasped, damaged caused by 3 bears after Mike. Did they have Russian accents by chance?"

Buster rubbed his ear. He remembered how one of the bears had grabbed his ear and flung him away from the chest of money. "Yes." He said.

"And when was this?"

"Oh, ah..." Buster slammed his fists together. It'd been nearly two years since the old Moon Theater collasped, and he told the Detective just that.

She scribbled something in her notepad and nodded. "The last time you saw him, did he seem agitated or nervous?"

"Nope." Ash answered.

"Actually, he seemed happy." Gunter said.

"Arrogant, but happy." Johnny chuckled.

"I see." Detective Holmes said. "We're looking into Mike's past. Did he suffer any money problems?"

Buster sighed. "He had a gambling problem. Cheated the wrong guys I heard. He was going to use the prize money to pay them off." He explained.

Amelia's ears flicked. "Interesting. Do you know if he still had this problem?"

The group shook their heads, all but one.

"Jà, he did." Gunter said.

"How do you know?" Johnny asked.

"I used to see Mike playing cards when I visited that club next city over."

"What was the club called?"

"Rogue NightClub. I used to go there for drinks their karaoke nights. Mike would be there in the corner playing cards with different animals each night I was there. I said hi to him once or twice, but he pretended he didn't know me. Which was fine with me. He always seemed a bit cranky when he dealt a bad hand."

"I see and how often did he have a bad hand?" Amelia asked.

"A few, not many. But he always found a way back to the top. Always had a few tricks up his sleeve if you get what I mean." Gunter smiled.

"I do. And those tricks of his no doubt cost him his life." The Detective said.

"Detective, do you know where we can find Nancy?" Buster asked.

"Afraid that's classified. We feared whoever got Mike would be coming after her next. She's safely in our custody for her own protection."

"Is she okay, at least?" Meena asked.

"Yes, aside from this whole ordeal." The Detective answered before glancing back at Gunter. "When was the last time you saw Mike?"

"Last month, the 8th, I think. I don't remember much though... bartender had a drink special..." Gunter smiled sheepishly. "It's pretty hazy. But I remember Mike playing cards with another guy. Can't remember what the guy looked like, but I remember his voice. He was drunk, but he sounded really arrogant. Anyway, he and Mike got into a argument. I didn't think much of it. Didn't look like he needed help. The arrogant guy got pissy and stormed off. That's right about the time I called Johnny here for a ride."

Johnny nodded. "I remember that. Blimey, you were wasted!"

Rosita raised an eyebrow and Gunter blushed. "At least I called for a ride." He said.

The Detective wrote down the information given and nodded. "Thank you. This brings us a step closes to the murderer. I appreciate your time." She then turned to leave before another familiar voice joined the group.

"Hey, Moon! Where do you want this?"

The group turned to see Johnny's father Marcus and his uncles Barry and Stan enter the theater, each hauling boxes.

"Blimey, Moon, you must have one heck of a show here. We-" Marcus paused when he saw Amelia standing next to his son. "Mia Holmes! Crikey, it's been years! Last time I saw ya, you were being promoted to lieutenant!"

Much like his son, Marcus grabbed the fox into a tight embrace and swung her around.

"Good to see you, Marc!" Amelia smiled.

"Blimey, how long has it been? 10 years? I'm sorry I never wrote. Me and the boys been through some deep waters these past years."

"Oh, really?" The Detective asked, raising an eyebrow.

Marcus laughed nervously before tugging at Johnny. "You already saw m'boy. He's grown into a fine young lad, hasn't he?"

"It's looks so much like his mother did." Amelia smiled and Johnny blushed. "Which is good, imagine if he got YOUR looks."

"Hey! But you're right. Sofia had that soft dark chocolate look. Johnny's definitely got that, but he got my eyes!"

The gorilla and fox shared a laugh before Marcus changed the subject. "What're you doing 'ere?"

Amelia frowned as she explained the reason for her visit. Marcus frowned. "Shame. Never knew the mouse myself. But Johnny told me he had a nice set of pipes. Any leads?"

"Mr. Gunter gave me a good one. I'll be checking into it tonight."

"Got a place to sleep tonight, or are you planning on not sleeping for this case?"

"I have reservations at a hotel." The fox replied, bitterly, but her eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Cancel it, me and the gang got plenty of room at our place." Marcus said. "Give us a chance to catch up."

Buster watched the two go back and forth before turning to his crew. "Um... alright, guys, I know everyone's in shock right now... so let's pick this back up tomorrow? At 9am."

"We're okay, Mr. Moon." Rosita said. "Aren't we?" She asked the crew.

Ash shrugged. "Yeah, we weren't really close with the ol' dinklesplat anyway."

"Ash." Buster said in a warning tone.

"What?! No one liked the guy anyway, he was jerk. Insulting Meena, making fun of Rosita, Gunter, teasing Johnny's piano skills, poking fun about my... past with Lance."

"Granted he wasn't the most pleasant animal to around, but he had his... good points." Rosita said.

"All right, all right. So are you all okay to rehearse today?"

"Jà, take our minds off things." Gunter said.

Buster nodded. "Right, okay. Let's get started everyone. Detective?"

The Detective nodded. "If I need anything else, may I contact you?"

"Uh, sure! I'll give you my number." Buster said.

"Don't worry about it, Moon, I'll give it to her." Marcus said.

"Perfect. I'll be in contact. Good afternoon." And with that, she turned and left.

"We all good here, Moon?" Marcus asked.

"Yes, thank you, Marcus." Buster said and Marcus nodded and began following Amelia out.

"I think Marcus found a friend." Ash said.

"Jà, who is she?" Gunter asked.

"Amelia Holmes is an old friend of my family. She and my mum grew up together. Helped her meet my dad. The three became inseparable, Mia was even my mum's bridesmaid at their wedding. When I was born, she'd babysit me while my dad was at the shop and my mum was giving piano lessons. She was a Sergeant with Scotland Yard during that time. On her days off we'd go to the park and get me an ice cream or we'd go to a museum. She spent Christmas with us every year. And if she was working, we'd either postponed the holiday or do it a day early. She always got me awesome gifts." He suddenly laughed. "One Christmas she got me a remote control police cruiser with lights and a horn. Had to fight dad for it, it was so much fun. Mum didn't like it because it was noisy."

"Where'd she get the chip in her ear?" Meena asked.

"I remember a little. I was five. I was home with my mum when my dad got a call from the yard. My parents were Mia's emergency contact, she had no family. Next thing I know, we were sitting in a hospital and aunt Mia's ear is all bandaged up. I was too young to understand, so Mum just told me she was hurt taking down bad guys. Few years later Dad told me she was shot during a take down." Johnny leaned against the stage. "That was after my mum passed and me and dad had moved out of England. Dad and I kept in contact with Mia, then she got promoted, started getting new cases, and soon we just lost contact."

"Sorry to hear that, sounds like she was a cool aunt."

"The best."

"Alright, gang, let's get started. Miss Crawley! The design I want for the new show poster is in my office, if you could get on that. As for the rest of you, let's solve a mystery!"

The group nodded as they climbed up on stage, ready to rehearse.

Buster hopped into the front row, script in hand and motioned for Gunter who walked out. Dress rehearsal wasn't until the week after, but Gunter managed to bring flair anyway. He was now sporting a pipe and white scarf draped over her shoulders. "It tis but a dreary day." He began. "Alas the weather may prove to be to despicable to trudge through. My high society may have to be postponed."

Buster nodded, smiling. It was odd to hear such a calm, respected voice come from Gunter's usually excited tongue. He wondered if he should get Gunter to give Porsha lessons in acting. He watched in amazement as Gunter flung a hand to air, ordering Johnny, the butler to leave his presence. Johnny read his lines under his breath as his character stormed away after attempting to ask his master if he wanted more tobacco for his pipe.

As practice went on, Buster felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and saw Rosita behind him. "Can I sit?" She asked.

"Of course!"

The dancer took a seat beside the koala. She was silent a moment and Buster was a little concerned. "Everything okay?"

Rosita rubbed her arm, uncomfortably. "It's about Mike." She said.

"Oh."

Rosita sighed. "Can I tell you something?"

"All ears." Buster said.

"Do you remember when my mini van broke down?"

"Yes, I offered to help you make a payment for a new one." Buster replied.

"Well, remember when we got that new one?"

"Yep, I never saw Norman so excited. Fit all 25 kids nicely too. You had to practically wrestle Norman for a chance to drive it." Buster chuckled.

Rosita joined his laughter before Buster noticed a tear roll down her cheek as she took her purse and dug through it a moment before taking about a folded, crinkled note which she handed, wordlessly to Buster.

The showman unfolded it and his brow crinkled as he recognized the signature. "Mike?"

Rosita nodded. "Read it."

"Dear piggy mama, sorry for teasing you for tripping on stage. Car was damaged due to the bears, so traded it in for a minivan for you and those rug rats. Don't go looking for me, this is the last you'll hear from me. And don't go spreading that this crooner suddenly got a heart. Best wishes, Mike.' He gave you the van?"

Rosita nodded, tears flowing freely now. "I never even got a chance to thank him."

Buster re-folded the note and handed it back to her. He then pulled back the sleeve of his blazer and revealed his golden wrist watch.

"The one I had was destroyed in the flood." He said. "I was staying at Eddie's when this was delivered to his pool house with a note of apology from Mike. Had Eddie's dad look it over too, it's a Rolex, expensive." He sighed, softly. "I managed to contact him a week after the opening to the New Moon Theater, we talked things out. He told me that he and Nancy were lying low for a bit, because of the bears. I asked if he'd be joining us again, but he said no." Buster frowned as he rubbed his paw. Rosita wrapped an arm over his shoulders as they watched Johnny and Gunter perform their scenes.

~

Clay was walking by when he heard the familiar crash of a speaker being kicked to the ground and harsh words being shouted. He recognized it as some kind of song, possibly an original Ash was working on. Curious, he peaked inside and saw Ash playing her guitar, almost violently. Her voice carrying and bouncing off the walls.

Suddenly a string snapped, striking her paw. Ash yelped and in frustration, tossed the instrument to the floor.

Clay chose this moment to intervene.

"Used to happen to me a lot." He said. "Be in the middle of a song without properly caring for my guitar first and cord would snap in the middle of a concert. Ruby would laugh and say serves me right for not taking care of it." With this, he scooped up her guitar and handed it to her.

Ash stared at it a moment before looking away.

Clay moved to where he could sit on the bench. He was silent a moment before finally finding words. "So... Mike. Tell me about him."

Ash shrugged. "Nothing to say. He was selfish, cruel, son of a-"

"Watch it."

"Jerk." She finished.

Clay nodded. "I feel there's something more to this. Come sit down, kid. After 15 years, my ears are ready for some chatter."

Ash reluctantly walked over and took a seat beside him. She eyed the guitar that now rested in his lap. Unlike her old one, this one had an electric blue on the ends, and when the light hit it just right, the blue sparkled like sapphires. Silently, she took the handle and placed it in her own lap and began to re-string it.

Silence hung in the air for a moment longer before she spoke. "That rat got me this guitar, sorta like an apology gift, I guess. I was at my apartment when it arrived with a note. Said I was a badass for how I handled my situation with Lance. That rat also said he was sorry I hadn't found a guy as amazing as him." Ash rolled her eyes as she said said, but Clay could see a smile on her lips.

"As if. I feel sorry Nancy. Sorry she got stuck with such a jerk. Such a... such..." Ash frowned as she looked down at her image reflecting off the polished instrument. "He was a dinklesplat. But he didn't have a bad voice."

The lion and porcupine sat quietly together, no words exchanged as Ash finished her task.

~

Johnny grabbed his towl and wiped his forehead as he studied his script. The scene he played out with Gunter had gone quite well for a first go. Gunter was always full of surprises. He was practically a different person when he acted as his character Sir William Winchester. Johnny had to remind himself it was still his excited, happy-go-lucky friend. As he was going through his parts, his eyes drifted to his grand piano that sat against the wall, awaiting it's next performance. The piano was a gift from Nana Noodleman, but the sheet of music upon it was from another.

He smiled, fondly as he remembered the day he received the gift. He was alone in his garage, just home from having lunch with the theater group. He was planning to go to the park and practice on his skateboard when he received an envelope in the mail. In it was a sheet of music and a note from Mike saying Johnny had some skillful fingers and that he hoped he enjoyed the music sheet. It was the notes for the song Fly Me to the Moon, by Frank Sinatra. It had taken him a few days, but Johnny managed to learn to play the song with no problem. It was a song he and Meena often sang together. He walked towards his piano and lifted the piece with a shakey hand. On the bottom of the sheet in black ink read: "You're gonna rattle the stars, kid." A final note from Mike.

~

Meena and Gunter were exiting the stage together after their own performance. Neither said a word before Gunter spoke. "I hope I didn't scare you." He said.

Meena looked up, surprised. "No! You were amazing, Gunter. I had no idea you acted so well."

Gunter smiled. "Jà, I took quite a few acting classes after I moved here. I wanted to be on Broadway at one time."

"Why didn't you?"

The dancer shrugged. "I didn't have what it takes, I guess."

Meena frowned. "Well... sucks to be them. Their loss, because you're amazing."

Gunter blushed as they walked together back to the break room. As they passed one, Meena stopped by to grab her bag. As she pulled it up, her headphones fell out, but Gunter was quick and caught them before they hit the ground.

"These are nice!" He said as he looked them over. They were hot pink with gold spirals. "Are they new, I've never seen you wear them!"

"Oh, I wear them sometimes. But their expensive. I don't want to ruin them." Meena said.

"They're too cool NOT to use!" Gunter said.

Meena smiled. "Yeah. I guess they are." She said as Gunter handed them back. A frowned formed on her face and Gunter raised an eyebrow in concern. "What is it?"

"Mike gave them to me."

That caught Gunter off guard. "Really?"

"Yeah. I was with my mom at a restaurant when he suddenly came up with this box. He said I was really brave to face my fear and stuff. He also said I had one of the most beautiful voices he had ever heard..." Meena wiped a tear that threatened to escape her eye with her trunk. "It was the nicest thing he had ever said to me."

Gunter patted her arm and slipped into another practice room where he left his own bag and dragged it out to show her. It was a dazzling gold, sparking and shimmering in the light. "I got this a few weeks after the flood. Mike sent it to me along with a note. Said I was a great dancer, but needed a bag that suited my style. So he sent me a dazzling gym bag for my costumes. He also apologized for saying I moved like Jell-O, but I didn't remember him commenting that."

Meena smiled. "That was sweet."

"Jà, guess the old dinklesplat did have a heart..." Gunter said. Then he frowned. This wasn't right. Accepting his death as if he was nothing. Sure, he wronged them, put them in danger, but in some twisted sense, Mike had still been a member of the Moon Theater Crew. And he deserved justice.

Determination set in as he looked at Meena. "Come on, kid. We need to talk to Mr. Moon."

~

The Night club was in full swing when Detective Amelia Holmes entered. It was nearing eight in the evening and already the place seemed packed. She got a seat at the bar and the bartender took her order, scotch. Normally, she wouldn't drink whilst on a case, but she didn't want to seem out of place.

The dance floor was crowded with different animals, some fixed in a distinct dance, others too drunk to know whether they're dancing or simply trying to stay upwards. Mia scanned up towards the second pier. Balloons were drifting in the air. Rows of tables sat at the edge. Some had couples enjoying the night life, others had loners looking to drown their sorrows. Mia saw three occupied by a larger crowd, each playing cards. Her glass was brought and she stopped the bartender, an otter. "Who's the manager around 'ere?" She asked.

"Why do you wanna know?"

Mia took a few American dollars and placed them on the bar.

The otter took it and slipped it into his pocket before pressing a buttom underneath the bar. Not five minutes later, a polar bear arrived. "Who's giving you trouble, Marv?"

"No one, boss. Lady wants to talk to ya." The otter, Marv, replied.

The polar bear approached. "What is it? Drink not strong enough?"

"My name is Detective Amelia Holmes." The fox began.

"Ah, a proper English woman. What's wrong? Drink not how they make back over yonder?"

"I'm seeking out information on one of your guests."

"Beat it, lady. I don't keep tabs on who comes in and who don't. Unless they cause trouble and need to be watched."

"What about a group of bears and a mouse?"

The polar bear scratched his chin. "Sounds familiar. Yeah... 'bout a year or so ago. Mouse stiffed a few bears in a card game, pissed 'em off. Got chased through the club."

"I don't suppose you saw that mouse again?" Mia asked.

"Yeah, quite a few times." The bear laughed. "Guy sure wasn't scared about cheatin' the wrong people. You'd think after those bears he woulda learned his lesson. Nope. Came in here every night a week to play some other poor smuck."

"Do you remember the last animal he played cards with?"

The polar bear thought a moment. "Yeah... 'bout, two, three weeks ago I guess. Mouse playing a card game with a weasel. Weasel found out he was cheatin', tried to strangle the mouse. Mouse got away, surprisingly. Must've learned his lesson finally, ain't seen him since."

"You wouldn't by chance know the name of this weasel?"

"I ought to. Guy's got a tab here."

Amelia pulled out her notepad. "Would you be willing to give me it?"

"Fine. Name was Weaselton. Duke Weaselton. You'll probably find him in Zootopia. Next city."

Amelia slapped a few more dollars on the bar and smiled. "Thank you, sir, you've been most helpful."