Fluffy: (a.k.a. "Slappy gets on Fox: Journey of Terror", a.k.a. "Slappy on back of Fox: Decisive battle 1999", a.k.a. "Slappy Rides The Fox - Part II") A story in The Andy Fox Chronicles. by Andy Fox (landru@minn.net) June 30, 2002 This story and any accompanying art is available online at http://www1.minn.net/~landru/book. This is a G-rated story. All commercially licensed cartoon characters are copyright and trademarks of their respective companies. Their use in this work is for entertainment value only, and is in no way an attempt to abuse those copyrights, nor to deface or devalue the characters or situations represented, and are used without permission. However, the characters themselves have consented to allow me to make this work available. No profit has been or will be made from this work and the use of these characters. As for Andy Fox, I hereby give myself permission to use myself in this work. Any resemblance of characters in this story to any fanboys, either living or otherwise, be they skunks or other species, is purely coincidental. I would like to thank all of the people who helped me bring this story to a releasable form. If you haven't read part I of "Slappy Rides The Fox", well, maybe you should. -- The "Andy Fox Chronicles" is a collection of stories about Andy Fox, a nearly omnipotent energy being who was given a cartoon red fox form and adopted by the Warner Brothers Looney Tunes in 1942. He currently works as a cartoon contract consultant and toon scientist. His complete autobiography, "N", can be accessed at: http://www1.minn.net/~landru/book. The Chronicles continue the stories of Andy Fox, post-dating the events in his autobiography, and tend to fictionalize to a greater extent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ It was the morning after the big move. Slappy and Skippy Squirrel were now living with Andy Fox, much to the relief of the fox's sore head. Slappy was still in the midst of unpacking her things. She had made a rather large production out of reorganizing Andy's powder magazines and explosives lockers to suit her needs and extensive inventory. Skippy and Andy just stood out of the way and exchanged puzzled looks. Now, Slappy and Andy sat in the sun room off of his kitchen enjoying their morning coffee and tea. Andy was thumbing through some paperwork he had brought home from work. Slappy gazed out of the large bay window into the back yard of Andy's mansion where a grassy lawn gave way to several acres of dense forest beyond. Skippy had wandered off earlier to explore his new house. Andy sipped his tea and sighed. "Uh oh..." "What?" Asked Slappy. Momentarily Skippy's voice echoed through the house: "Aunt Slappy!!!" Slappy turned and looked at Andy in alarm. "Don't worry," the fox said quickly. "He's okay." "Aunt Slappy! Come here and look at this!" Skippy's voice echoed again. The fox and squirrel got up from the table and went to find Skippy. "Where are ya, Skippy?" Slappy called. "In here!" Skippy's voice echoed from somewhere. "Oh," Slappy grumbled, "that helps." Andy took Slappy's hand: "He's this way." He led Slappy to his favorite den. It was a cozy room filled with books and framed pictures of several of his toon friends and family. The room was on a quiet corner of the house. It was a place where Andy went to relax and reflect. When Andy and Slappy arrived there, they saw Skippy looking with awe and excitement at something standing in the corner of the room. Slappy gave Andy a hesitant look, then went over to Skippy. "Is that what this is about?" In the corner of the den stood a handsome, full-sized white carousel rabbit mounted on a brass pole and wooden stand. The rabbit was decorated rather simply with a blue saddle and neck collar, and red saddle blanket with gold trim. A small a red ribbon on the saddle and accents of gold completed the simple ornamenting of the animal. The rabbit was posed in mid-leap, with ears erect and paws curled in front of him. "Isn't it cool?" Skippy asked his aunt, pointing to the rabbit excitedly. "He's furry too--not hard wood like a regular merry-go-round animal. He's soft--and the saddle is too--it's not wood either." "Ah," Andy commented assuredly, walking over to the excited squirrel. He knelt down to look Skippy in the eyes. "I see you've found Fluffy." "Fluffy?" the squirrels asked, surprised. Skippy began to laugh. "What a sissy name." Slappy laid a hand on the rabbit's body and sighed, feeling the animal's fine, plush fur. "He's real isn't he?" she asked. Andy nodded. Skippy looked confused: "Real?" "Sure, is, Skippy," Andy answered. "Toons come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some are created as squirrels, or foxes, or frying pans, and some are created as carousel animals. It's a great way to make a living. They get to spend their day making young toons happy, and they enjoy the attention they receive. They're more realistic than other toons, and tend to have more simple animal minds--but they aren't dumb. They are quite aware of the world around them. There aren't too many around--maybe a couple thousand, so they are rather highly sought after by carousel owners. That's probably why you haven't run into any yet. Most of them are horses. There are maybe only a hundred or so rabbits." The fox patted his rabbit and continued. "This guy's from the Green Meadows carousel upstate. I went up there a couple months ago for a business trip. Later I rode this rabbit on the carousel there on my lunch break. We had a good time and enjoyed chattering to each other. He told me that the carousel was soon to be taken down and the animals would probably be sent to other carousels somewhere." Andy let out a sigh. "Even though no money is exchanged for them, they do get treated somewhat like property by some people. It's because of their simple brains that some people just treat them like dumb beasts. Heh," Andy laughed and scratched Fluffy's head, "Not this guy. Now, it was strange, but while I was with Fluffy on the carousel, I kept getting an odd feeling of happiness from somewhere. And, he was just the right size for me and felt very comfortable to be with. I don't often feel so comfortable and at ease around a toon I had never met before. Even after I had arrived back here, he was still on my mind. I knew that he and the rest of the animals on that carousel would probably all be scooped up quickly by other carousel owners, so the next day I spoke with the owner of the Green Meadows carousel. We made a deal which allowed me to have my pick of one of the animals for myself. Later that week after the carousel had closed I returned there to see the animals standing around, watching as their carousel was being dismantled. They all looked lost and unsure of their futures. Well, I saw Fluffy and went over to him. To my delight he remembered me: his whole body perked up with delight at seeing me. I asked him if he wouldn't mind coming home and living with me as a companion. He almost toppled me to the ground with his exuberance. Apparently the animals knew that they had already been scheduled to leave for a rather dull amusement park in Colorado, all of them except for one. They had been told that the new owner of that one would be coming for him. Anyhoo, that's about it. I brought him home and here he is." Slappy folded her arms and looked somewhat bored and annoyed. Skippy, on the other hand, hung on every word Andy spoke. "I didn't name him 'Fluffy', Skippy. That is the name he chose. He's a living, breathing toon carousel animal," the fox explained. Skippy eyed the motionless rabbit: "He doesn't seem very alive." Andy nodded: "When he's resting he's like you see him now. It's kinda like being in stasis. He doesn't sense time passing when he's like this. This is how he sleeps." Andy sensed Skippy's thoughts and smiled. Andy turned to the rabbit and laid his hand against the side of its face. A tinkling of energy sounded, and the rabbit blinked its eyes and its ears twitched. Skippy's jaw dropped to the floor. The brass pole that the rabbit had been mounted to disappeared and Fluffy came to life and leapt through the air to stand proudly on his own four feet, growing about a foot taller as he did so. He looked about the room at the two new faces, then back to Andy. "Who are these?" Fluffy asked in Rabbit. "Wow," gasped Skippy. Andy stood next to Fluffy and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. He chattered back to Fluffy in Rabbit: "They are my family. The gray one is my mate. We take care of the brown one. They live here now." Fluffy nodded his head and sat down on his hind feet, looking like a dog next to his master--a very big dog: Fluffy's head nearly level with Andy's. "He speaks Rabbit like any toon rabbit," Andy explained. "He was just wondering who you two are." Andy sensed Skippy's thoughts. "Sure you can touch him, Skippy." Skippy slowly walked over and reached out a hand to touch Fluffy's front leg. Fluffy eyed him curiously with large, dark eyes as the young squirrel cautiously stroked the rabbit's limb. "Wow," he said again. "At least three or four times a week I take him down off of his stand and let him go in the back yard. He loves to run and jump and eat out of my vegetable garden. Now and then I even take him down to the Oak Creek park so the kids there can play with him. Sometimes I wish I could spend more time with him, though. My job... jobs keep me so busy, and I can't always be here to watch him when he's awake." He looked down at the young squirrel and smiled. "Maybe now that you're here he'll have someone else to watch him and spend time with him." "Does he always wear his saddle and decorations?" Skippy asked. "Well, sometimes I take them off for cleaning and grooming and such, but they are really a part of him, as they are for any carousel animal, wood or otherwise, and he just isn't himself without them. It's kind of difficult to explain. The saddle and neck collar are made of very soft and flexible leather. It's very porous and allows air and moisture to flow through. It's a unique material that can be left on without discomfort--the blanket as well--a blend of silk and a fabric similar to rayon." "So..." Skippy asked, "Now that he's not on a carousel anymore, do you actually still ride him?" "Oh, absolutely," Andy answered. "I ride him all over the yard." Skippy looked at his uncle a bit skeptically: "He seems kinda small for *you* to ride, Unc." "Well," Andy replied, examining his own stature and patting his large, vulpine haunches, "I might look it, but actually I'm not. He can carry about one hundred fifty pounds before it becomes uncomfortable for him. I only weigh about a hundred. Even though I'm relatively big, he's able to carry me around just fine. Carousel animals can always carry more than a regular animal their size. Again, it's part of being a carousel animal. And, most live carousel animals are eager to be ridden. It's an inherent part of their being--after all, like you said, they are *carousel* animals. They love to be around playgrounds and parks, or wherever youths can be found. Of course," he sighed, stroking Fluffy's slender head, "some can also be particular as to who they let ride them, and a trust bond needs to be forged between the rider and the animal first. Otherwise the rider is going to have a real tough time staying on the animal. Carousel animals can be a bit finicky, and those animals don't always work well on carousels." "And you have a bond with Fluffy?" Skippy asked, rubbing Fluffy's side affectionately. Andy nodded. "Absolutely--he's like a big pet. When I first rode on him that one day, he instantly bonded with me at that point. And, now that he's mine to take care of, he sees me now as his owner, protector, and friend, and I respect him as a free animal with his own will and spirit." "Do you let anyone else ride Fluffy?" Skippy asked, looking expectantly at the saddle. "Well, it's not really my choice. It's Fluffy's. I allow him free will to do as and carry whomever *he* pleases." "Well, then, does *he* let anyone else ride him?" "Well, usually. He is one of the more particular carousel animals. Some toons he won't let ride him at all, others he has no problem with. A few times Buster Bunny came over and tried to ride him." Skippy scowled: "A rabbit riding a rabbit? That seems... odd." "Eh," Andy shrugged. "Anyhow, I had just brought Fluffy back from the park when Buster came over to see me. I had put a bridle on Fluffy so the kids down at the park could ride him easier, and when Buster saw the rabbit with a bridle on, he spin-changed into a cowboy costume and sauntered over to Fluffy confidently. You see, all the other times he tried to ride him, Fluffy would buck him off in a matter of seconds because Buster didn't have anything to really hold on to except Fluffy's collar. So, he figured with a bridle on, he wouldn't have any problem riding Fluffy." "You normally don't use a bridle on Fluffy?" "No. Usually I just hold on to his neck collar and let him go where he pleases. If I want to steer him I just nudge him with my body, or sometimes I hold on to his ears." "His ears?" Skippy grimaced. "Doesn't that hurt him?" "Oh, no," the fox assured him. "I don't grab them and yank on them or anything. I can hold them gently and Fluffy has no problem with it. They aren't as sensitive as a regular rabbit's are." Andy demonstrated by taking hold of the tip of Fluffy's right ear, and gently turning Fluffy's head by pulling on it. Fluffy continued to sit calmly. "Anyhoo," Andy continued, releasing Fluffy's ear, "back to the story. So, Buster figured with the bridle he would be able to stay on Fluffy. He jumped onto the rabbit's back and grabbed the reins. Fluffy stood rigidly and gave a small snort of irritation. Buster nudged Fluffy with his heels and called 'Giddyap,' and Fluffy went wild as he always did with Buster. He bucked and jumped all over the yard while Buster held on tight to the reins. Fluffy tore up my lawn a little with all of his kicking." Slappy continued to look rather cross at Andy while he told his story. Andy noticed Slappy's look and paused, wondering what was upsetting her. "So Buster was able to ride him, then?" Skippy inquired, breaking the silence. "Well, yes," Andy said, turning back to Skippy, "for about 30 seconds--a new record. Then Fluffy squatted down on his hind feet and launched himself 20 feet into the air, tearing the reins from Buster's hand and toppling him from his back." "Why was Buster so mean to Fluffy?" Skippy asked in shock. "He wasn't mean, Skippy. He was just having a bit of fun. Fluffy wasn't ever mad at him, he just wanted him off his back. It's gotten to be sort of a game with the two." "Why doesn't Fluffy want Buster on his back?" Andy shrugged: "Well, it's just the way Fluffy is: he doesn't like any rabbits on his back. They can pet and hug him all day, but if they try to ride him he will fight to get them off. Like I said, he's finicky. It's funny I would pick such a strong-minded animal for a companion. We just get along so well with each other." Slappy gave a yawn and walked over to Fluffy and scratched his ear like she had done it a hundred times before. Andy looked a bit alarmed at Slappy's action, expecting Fluffy to balk or at least flinch at her sudden action, because even though she may be his mate, she was a complete stranger to Fluffy. But, Fluffy only smiled. Andy eyed Slappy in surprise. She looked back at Andy smugly: "Nice animal, Fox." Skippy looked up at Andy expectantly: "Can I ride him?" he asked longingly. "Well, like I said, it's Fluffy's choice. I'll ask him. I'll think to you two so you know what we're saying." Andy then turned to Fluffy and they spoke in Rabbit to each other, Andy relaying the English equivalent to Slappy and Skippy telepathically: ["Fluffy, these two are my family. They are special to me. Will you allow them on your back? It would make me happy if you did."] Fluffy stood up and looked at the two squirrels: ["The brown one first."] Andy lifted Skippy up and placed him astride Fluffy. The small squirrel sat very still on the large animal's back with a gleaming smile on his face. Fluffy looked back at Skippy and walked in a small circle while Skippy held on to Fluffy's collar. ["The youth likes riding me,"] Fluffy commented. ["He seems kind and gentle. I will carry him."] Fluffy returned to Andy's side. ["Now, the gray one."] "Hey, wait a minute," started Slappy. "I never asked..." "Aw, c'mon, aunt Slappy," Skippy pleaded, jumping down from Fluffy's back. Slappy looked hesitant as Andy reached a hand out to her. "Well, alright," Slappy mumbled. Andy hoisted the gray squirrel onto Fluffy's back. The rabbit twitched his ears and whiskers as Slappy laid her hand on Fluffy's neck and hugged her knees to his sides. ["This one is familiar with animals,"] Fluffy commented. ["She feels much like you do."] Andy chuckled self-consciously and tugged at the fur around his neck as Fluffy made another small circle, then squatted down and scratched one of his ears with a hind foot, causing Slappy to hold on tight while Fluffy's body shook from the scratching. Fluffy returned to Andy. ["She holds on well, but gently. I will carry them when they wish it."] Slappy hopped off of Fluffy's back and tried to look uninterested in the creature. ["Thank you,"] Andy responded. ["They are small. They may have trouble holding on. They may need to use a bridle. Is this okay?"] ["Yes. I will allow it,"] Fluffy answered. Andy smiled and hugged Fluffy: ["Thank you very much, my friend."] "Well," Andy spoke aloud, "looks like you two are okay with Fluffy. Now, he doesn't understand English, except for his own name. But that doesn't mean he's dumb. He has a good heart and his brain works just fine. He understands body language. Just point downwards to get him to kneel down so you can get on his back. To steer without a bridle, you can lean to the left or right in the saddle, or press your hand to his left or right shoulder. To bring him to a stop, pull on his collar. Ah, Slappy?" he said, turning to her. He smiled a bit but his tone was very serious: "No spurs--ever." "Don't worry," Slappy commented. Andy continued: "Being a carousel animal he can walk and trot evenly like a horse, even though he's a rabbit and rabbits don't normally do that. But he can jump and hop just as any rabbit as well. Just treat him like a friend and he'll take care of you." Andy crossed over to Slappy, leaving Skippy with Fluffy. He took Slappy's hand and spoke quietly: "So, have you been holding out on me on something? The way Fluffy responded to you, you'd think you've been around carousel animals before." "Nope," Slappy shook her head. "Just got that touch." Skippy looked eagerly up at Fluffy and called his name. Fluffy turned to the squirrel and cocked his big head. Skippy pointed down, eager to try commands with Fluffy. The large white rabbit stepped up next to Skippy and squatted down on his haunches. Skippy clambered aboard Fluffy's back and the rabbit rose back up. Andy smiled at the two. "Skippy," he warned, "just be careful. He's a pretty strong fellow." "You hear that, Skippy?" Slappy added in a warning tone. Skippy nodded. "Just don't get too wild," Slappy told him. "You ain't got much to hold on to without reins." "I told you that story about Buster for a reason, Skippy," Andy added. "Appreciate what you have. Stay in the main yard if you go outside for now." Then Andy chattered to Fluffy: ["Take care of him. Stay in the yard. Have fun."] "Thanks, Uncle Andy," Skippy said, He thumped his short legs gently against Fluffy and put his hand on Fluffy's right shoulder. The white lapine turned right and hopped out of the den. Andy could hear them bounding down the stairs to the back patio door. Slappy eyed Andy: "So you've been hiding this little guy from me, eh?" Andy protested: "Not hiding. He's only been here a couple weeks. I ah... wasn't sure if you'd move in if you knew I had a pet." "Right," Slappy said slowly. "Well," Andy admitted, "Actually I've been kinda keeping him a secret because I wanted Skippy to find him. I knew it would take him a little time to adjust to the move. I figured Fluffy might help him settle in." Andy wrapped his arm around Slappy's shoulders. "And," he added, "I'm glad Skippy likes him so much. Now that he'll be around, Fluffy will get a lot more attention." Slappy sighed. Something was still bothering her, but she decided to keep whatever it was to herself. Twenty minutes later Andy was standing on the back patio deck of his mansion watching Skippy ride Fluffy around the yard. The large rabbit was hopping and jumping happily while Skippy rode gleefully on his back, bouncing around from the rabbit's large hops. Andy put two fingers to his mouth and whistled to the two. Fluffy's ears perked up, and the rabbit trotted over to him. "Time for school, Skippy," Andy said, lifting Skippy up and putting him on the ground. "Aw, bummer," he complained. "Oh, it isn't so bad," Andy commented. "You remember the way from here?" "Yep," the squirrel said brightly. He called "Thanks," to Fluffy and zipped inside to collect his school things and head out. Andy turned to his rabbit. "He thanked you. Everything okay?" he asked. "He is nice," Fluffy commented. "He treated me very gently. He enjoys feeling my fur and petting me." "I am thankful," Andy said, and scratched Fluffy's head. "I have to go soon. Are you ready to return?" "At your wish," the rabbit responded. Andy smiled at Fluffy: "May I ride you in?" Fluffy gave an audible response similar to a scoff: "Always. You know that." "Thanks," Andy chattered, and sat down on Fluffy's back. He felt Fluffy's muscles move easily under him as the rabbit shifted his weight from one foot to another. With his own feet dangling well below Fluffy's belly, and Fluffy's head only coming up to his shoulders, Andy might indeed have looked too big for the animal to carry, but Fluffy proved he wasn't by easily bounding around the patio with him before trotting back into the house and bounding down the the hallways and up to the den. As they went, part of the conversation Andy had with Fluffy's old carousel owner echoed in his head: "You want the rabbit, don't you?" the owner had asked him. "You've taken quite a liking to him." "Did it show?" The owner laughed: "I never saw that animal take to any rider like you. He was never a very good carousel animal. Oh, sure, he loves kids... as long as they aren't rabbits, but he always seemed a bit hesitant with new people, and Heaven forbid if an adult wanted to sit on him." "Really?" Andy asked, unaware of these quirks with the rabbit. "Oh, sure," the owner insisted. "Oh, he'd carry them, because it was his job, but he wouldn't be very happy about it. That's why when I saw him smiling with you on his back I knew you must have really made a connection with him, and you being a fox on top of that! Isn't often you see a rabbit make friends with a fox, so if you want to take him, that'll be fine with me. Heck, the new owner would probably get rid of him after a week anyhow. He wants carousel animals who aren't picky about who they let ride them." "I'll be by Thursday then," Andy finished. When they arrived back in the den Andy jumped off of Fluffy's back and gave him another warm hug. Fluffy nuzzled Andy's fur, then leapt onto the wooden base in the corner. Another tinkling of energy was heard as Fluffy shrank in size, and the brass pole re-appeared through the rabbit's body as Fluffy returned to his resting state. "Fox!" came Slappy's voice from downstairs. "Let's get goin'! I gotta script meeting at 8:30 sharp." Andy sighed and headed downstairs. + + + + + + "You certainly have been making a spectacle of yourself, lately," Wile E. commented to Andy while stopping by his office around lunch time. "You two are certainly having fun." "Hmm?" Andy asked innocently, peering at the coyote over his computer monitor. The coyote cleared his throat and lifted his paws up as if holding on to a pair of reins. Andy half-smiled back. "I need the exercise." Wile E. broke out in laughter: "That's the best excuse yet! Exercise he says!" Andy only continued to eye Wile E. slyly. "Eh heh," Wile E. sighed, still snickering a bit. "So does she actually use those spurs on you?" Andy took a sip from a glass of water on his desk: "Sometimes." Wile E. finally sat down in front of Andy's desk and looked squarely at him. Andy turned away from his computer to face the coyote. "Are we that bad?" the fox asked. "No," Wile E. answered, "not at all. I see you carrying Slappy around, and I see you smiling when you're doing it. That's all I care about." "Well," Andy admitted. "Maybe I do just a little." Wile E. gave a small laugh: "I'm happy for you, Fox. I'm glad you've found someone who you can share so much joy with. Too bad you had to go outside your own species to find it." "Don't," Andy protested. The coyote couldn't help but smile. "Honestly, Fox," he laughed. "I see you two together and I can't help but smile. Have you really seen her face when she comes in on you? She's literally beaming with contentment. And I know she's not really *making* you do anything." He crossed over to Andy and laid a paw on his shoulder. "Everyone knows, Fox. And, everyone knows that you do it out of love and kindness, and to have fun, and that's what toons care about," he said, very honestly. "Toons enjoy having fun and being looney. And, you've got a good woman to share that fun with." Andy looked up at Wile E.: "I know," he smiled. "Thanks." "So," the coyote started, folding his arms and looking down at Andy: "let's see it." "Excuse me?" "Your gear," the coyote said earnestly. "Aaaahhh," Andy hesitated. "C'mon, Fox," the coyote urged, "Slappy spent a lot of money getting that stuff made for you. And, have you forgotten everyone has already seen you in it?" Andy muttered grumpily and dug around in his fur pocket, pulling out his saddle and tossing it at Wile E. The coyote examined it skeptically. Suddenly Andy began to scowl at him. "How did you know Slappy had it custom-made?" he asked suddenly, eying the coyote sternly. "Because," Wile E. smiled, "she had me place the order so you wouldn't see the charge on her credit card bill. She wanted it to be a surprise." Andy's eyes widened as Wile E. grinned back at him. "It's a conspiracy," Andy muttered. "No, Fox," Wile E. corrected. "It's good loony fun. Plus," he chuckled, "you don't need a license to drive a fox, at least not in California." "Great," Andy growled. "Remind me to toss you off a cliff sometime." + + + + + + Later that day Andy took Slappy for a relaxing ride on Fluffy through the woods on his land. Slappy sat in front of Andy, their tails draped over opposite sides of the rabbit's body while Fluffy half-trotted, half-hopped through the trees carrying the two toons on his back. Andy sat with a contented look while Slappy, who at first seemed to enjoy the ride, began to look a bit sad. Her cheeks began to droop down, and Andy sensed something was bothering her. He wrapped his hands around her waist: "What's wrong, hon? What did you want to say this morning?" Slappy spoke somberly: "I guess I just felt a little jealous this morning when I saw your rabbit here. I didn't know I had to share you with anyone." "Oh, C'mon, Slappy." Andy sighed heavily. He reached out and pulled slightly on Fluffy's collar and patted him on his side. Fluffy slowed to a walk. Andy looked down at Slappy: "Fluffy's my pet, Slappy. He's a companion. He's a friend. But, he's not you. You oughtta know better than that. I love being with you more than anything." Andy hugged his haunches around Slappy's and wrapped his arms around her middle warmly. Slappy perked up and looked back at Andy. "Eh, I know. Just needed to hear you say it. Heh ha. He is a nice animal, Fox. Thanks for taking me for this ride." Andy smiled, and was about to say something back when Slappy cut him off: "No, I'm not trading in my mode of transport for any other critter, no matter how nice an animal it is. I got a good fox to ride, heh ha." "Shoot," Andy muttered quietly, but loud enough for Slappy to hear. "Almost had her off my back." "Oh, be quiet, Fox," Slappy commented, snuggling against Andy's chest fur. "You ain't doin' anything you don't want to." Andy gave a small grunt of annoyance. Slappy just smiled and patted his thigh. Andy's ears twitched and he heard Fluffy panting slightly from having to carry the weight of both toons on his back. Andy rubbed Fluffy's side with his foot to show he got the message, and Fluffy turned back and started heading through the woods to the back yard. "It's nice to both be able to ride a third animal once in a while, isn't it?" Andy asked. "I guess every woman's got a dream about being carried away by some handsome prince on his great white steed," Slappy shrugged. "I just didn't expect mine to turn out to be a fox and his rabbit, heh ha." "You're not disappointed, are you?" Andy asked. "Well," Slappy mused, snuggling against Andy's fur, "you're no Brad Pitt, but I guess you'll do." She laughed and patted Fluffy's side affectionately. Andy noticed Slappy's hand taking hold of the rabbit's collar tightly. "Slappy?" Andy asked, apprehensively. Slappy turned back to Andy and smiled devilishly, then turned forward again. "Pshay-lin!" she called out, and thumped her heels against Fluffy's sides, causing him to give a gigantic leap into the air. "Aaaah!" Andy yelled, toppling off of Fluffy's back. He landed with a "thud" on the forest floor and watched Slappy ride away at top speed back through the woods to the mansion. She waved back at him and smiled: "Nice animal, Fox! heh ha!" Ten minutes later Andy returned to the back yard lawn to see Slappy happily sitting astride the large white rabbit, waiting for him to return. Andy scowled at Slappy, then looked in awe at Fluffy. "Sorry, Master," the rabbit said. "She gave the order to jump and run. I hurt you. I am sorry." Andy patted Fluffy warmly: "Do not worry. You did what you were told. I am okay." Fluffy nuzzled Andy's chest: "She said it would be a joke." "It was," Andy assured him. "You did fine. Are you tired?" "I am fine now," Fluffy answered. "Together you were a little heavy, but I was not in discomfort." "He was gettin' tired, Fox," Slappy started. "One of us had to get off, and since you're heavier... heh ha." Andy turned to Slappy: "You rotten squirrel," he grumbled. "Since when could you speak Rabbit?" "Since I had to be around them so much at Warner Brothers," She snapped. Andy stuffed his paws into his pockets. "Well, you certainly seem to know how to handle animals," he commented. Slappy patted Fluffy's rump and jumped down from his back. Fluffy turned and eyed her: "Please don't make me drop him again. I owe him everything." "Ahhhh," Slappy grumbled in Rabbit, petting Fluffy's side. "Don't worry. I won't." Andy sighed: "First she takes my heart, and now my pet rabbit." Slappy looked back at Fluffy. The rabbit walked over to Andy and stood next to him. "Heh. Not hardly, Fox," Slappy assured. "I might understand him, but he's loyal to you alone. If he were blind-folded, you'd be the only one he'd let on his back to guide him. He trusts you completely. I can feel that in him. He feels protected when you're with him, Fox--just like I do when I'm on... with you, heh ha." Andy wrapped one arm around Fluffy and the other around Slappy and smiled contentedly. "My trusty steed and my trusty rider," he mused. "What a world." "Kooky, ain't it?" Slappy laughed. "C'mon," he motioned to Slappy. "Let's go inside. I've got a surprise for supper tonight." "What? You're gonna cook something edible for a change?" "Ha, ha," Andy groaned. The two toons walked inside the mansion, arm in arm. They left Fluffy sitting contentedly on the patio, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the breeze on his fur. + + + + + + Skippy sat in bed reading a Looney Tunes comic, waiting for his aunt and uncle to come and tuck him in for the night. He had chosen one of the smaller bedrooms for himself over the larger, more spacious ones in his uncle's mansion. The smaller room was more like his old one, and made him feel comfortable and safe. Slappy entered the room and smiled, followed by Andy. "So how do you like it here, kiddo?" she asked her nephew. "It's not the same," he sighed. "But I'm getting use to it." He put his comic book away and gave his aunt a warm hug. She kissed his head. Skippy released his aunt and looked expectantly at Andy. "Oh, alright," Andy smiled, and bent down. Skippy wrapped his arms around Andy's neck and Andy hugged Skippy warmly. "I love ya, sport," he said, patting his back. Skippy snuggled down into his bed. Slappy brought up the sheets and blanket to his neck and scooched the bedding up around the little squirrel, making him look like a little cocoon of brown fur. "Goodnight, Skippy," Slappy said, looking at him and smiling. "Goodnight, Aunt Slappy--Uncle Andy." Skippy yawned, and closed his eyes. Andy smiled and waved a hand over Skippy's body. "May you sleep well," he muttered quietly. Slappy turned off the light and the two toons quietly walked out, closing the door silently behind them. "What is that thing you do to him every night with your hand?" Slappy asked Andy as they walked down the hallway. "A blessing of good sleep," he answered, sounding somewhat distant. "And a protection from harm." "He really is special to you," Slappy commented. It had put Slappy very at ease to see Andy show so much care for her nephew. It was actually more than she had expected from him. "I love him like a son, Slappy," he assured her. "He's the young toon I never was. I'd never let anything harm him. And I'm glad to have him in my life with you." The two toons made there way downstairs to watch the evening news. + + + + + + The next day was Sunday, and while they cleaned up the morning breakfast dishes, Slappy told Andy that a nice morning in Oak Creek park would do both of them some good. "What about Skippy?" Andy asked. "Let's all of us go." "Let's not," Slappy countered. "Leave him to play with Fluffy. We'll only be gone an hour at most." Andy suspected something was up with the gray squirrel. "Well, let's bring Fluffy then," he offered. Slappy was about to refuse again, but stopped and considered the idea. "That might not be such a bad idea," she admitted. Andy still sensed Slappy was hiding something, but chose to ignore it. Andy padded contentedly down the sidewalk carrying Slappy as usual. (usual?) Next to him, a small brown squirrel rode a large white rabbit. The two squirrels sat contentedly, waving and calling out greetings to toons they passed by. The fox and rabbit eyed each other. "Not exactly what I had in mind," Andy muttered to Fluffy. "You look cute," Fluffy responded. "Andy?" Slappy spoke up suddenly, and a bit apprehensively. "Is it just me, or are we bein' followed?" Andy glanced about, and noticed a neatly dressed blue skunk in waistcoat and vest walking along the opposite side of the road about 20 paces back. Every now and then the skunk would sip from a cup of tea he was carrying. Andy sighed quietly. "Yeah. I see him." "Is he stalking us or something?" asked Slappy. "He's been following us for a couple of blocks." "Just some insane fanboy probably," Andy mused. "Those kind of people should be locked up." "Fanboy?" Skippy asked, confused. "Your aunt is rather famous and popular with the cartoon fans, Skippy," Andy commented. "She's just lucky she has a big strong fox to protect her." "Oh, please," Slappy groaned. "Ain't nothin' you can do that a load of dynamite couldn't take care of. Heh ha." The toons turned right at the next intersection and continued on their way to the park. "Wanna drag?" Skippy asked his uncle suddenly. Andy snickered. "I don't think so, Skippy." "Ah," Slappy suddenly spoke up, "C'mon, Andy. You chicken?" "No," Andy told her. "I'm fox, and you're encouraging him." "Eeeh," Slappy complained. "My Dodge Viper never gives me this trouble." "You wanna walk?" Andy snapped. Slappy fell silent. "Maybe some other time, Kiddo," Andy told Skippy. Slappy looked up at her nephew on his comparatively large steed, and nodded to him. "Slappy?" Andy asked slowly, seeing Skippy suddenly look very excited, and gripping the reins of Fluffy's bridle tightly. "Ya!" Slappy answered, snapping Andy's reins and kicking him with her heels. "Aaarg!" Andy growled, and shot off like a bullet, leaving the sidewalk for the more comfortable grassy lawns alongside. Following closely behind him was Fluffy, his large paws pounding audibly on the ground as he ran. "You're impossible," Andy growled back to Slappy. "No, I'm incorrigible," she laughed back. "And I don't like to lose a drag race." Skippy laughed with glee and held on to Fluffy's reins tightly as he gave another thump of his heels against the rabbit's sides. Fluffy gave a leap into the air and bounded past the squirrel and fox. "I'm a natural," Fluffy chattered to Andy as he passed him up. "You have no chance." "Cute," Andy grumbled aloud, and felt Slappy kicking him urgently for more speed. He smiled and barreled ahead past Fluffy at over 40 MPH, leaving a trail of smoke behind him. "You were saying?" he called back to Fluffy over his shoulder. "Fox!" Slappy exclaimed in shock, hugging him tightly with her legs to keep from falling off. "You're faster than I thought. I could get to work in two minutes, flat! And I'm not even usin' my spurs!" "Oh, you're *so* funny," the fox said sarcastically as he ran along the neighborhood yards. Suddenly Andy no longer heard Fluffy's foot-beats behind him. He glanced back, but saw no trace of Fluffy or his nephew. "Slappy?" he asked. "Where'd they go?" Slappy twisted around and looked behind her. "I... donno, Fox." She slowed him down to a trot and began to call for Skippy. Suddenly a looming shadow appeared over the two as Fluffy leaped over a fence along the sidewalk and over Slappy and Andy, landing several feet in front of them. Andy screeched to a stop in surprise. The rabbit and his rider turned to regard the startled pair. "Short-cut!" The squirrel laughed before bounding away again, heading down the last block to the park. "Crimany!" Andy gasped, scared out of his wits by Skippy's reckless behavior. "Yeah," Slappy agreed. "He sure can ride. Must get it from his uncle, heh ha." Andy half-turned to regard Slappy with horror: "Aren't you the least bit upset with him making us worry like that?" "Na," Slappy said, letting out a small laugh. "I stopped worrying about him when he shook off his first Anvil. The squirrels in my family can take care of themselves at a very young age." Andy began to race after Fluffy. Suddenly he felt Slappy jerk back on the reins: "Andy--stop. My hat!" Andy turned his head and looked up at Slappy. The squirrel was looking around in a frenzy for her absent green and yellow derby she always wore. "It must have fallen off when we were racing," she said with alarm. "We gotta go find it." "You got a whole closet of those hats," Andy commented. "Don't start with me, Andy. I need every one of those hats," Slappy argued, turning the fox around and bumping him with her heels. "Why don't you make yourself useful and use your abilities to find my hat." Andy scowled back at Slappy for a second before catching sight of something blue coming towards them. "I think we found your hat," he said. The blue skunk that they had seen earlier was running up the street towards them. He was waving something green and calling Slappy's name. He ran up and stood next to Slappy and Andy to catch his breath. He glanced at Andy and smiled briefly. Then he raised his eyes to Slappy, and held out her hat to her with a trembling paw. "Excuse me, Miss Squirrel," the skunk said cautiously. "I believe you dropped this?" Slappy eyed him skeptically, and snatched her hat from his hand. "Yeah. Thanks kid," she said, replacing her hat and adjusting it slightly. Slappy and Andy waved to the skunk and continued to the park at a walk, But the skunk remained and started walking alongside Andy, smiling at Slappy dreamily. "You, ah, wouldn't happen to have a spare one you don't wear anymore, would you?" the skunk asked, eagerly. "Eh?" Slappy squeaked back. "Your hat," the skunk insisted. "You must have dozens." "Eh... You feelin' alright, there?" Slappy asked the skunk, backing away from him slightly. "Just one?" the skunk pleaded. "Just to touch it... to feel it. I *need* to have one." The skunk began reaching out at Slappy. "Yeeek!" Slappy cringed and heeled Andy in a bit of a panic. Andy, who had been silently grinning through the whole exchange, went into a trot. "You're creepin' me out, there, bud." Slappy told the skunk. "I think you need to lay off of that funny tea. I'll see 'ya around." But the skunk easily kept pace with Andy and continued to gaze at Slappy. "How about some strands of your fur?" he asked, trying a new approach. "Go 'way." Slappy said, waving her hand at the skunk, and prodding her mount for more speed. "You see, I have this shrine," the skunk continued, jogging alongside the fox and squirrel. "Oh, no," Slappy said, sounding very worried, and gave Andy another kick. Andy laughed quietly and broke into a fast trot. The skunk began to fall behind, but continued after them nevertheless. "Faster, Fox!" Slappy urged. "He's still comin'!" "Maybe you should just give him the hat," Andy offered. "Yeah," the skunk called. "Maybe you should. It might fall off again!" "A thousand times, no!" Slappy responded, taking Andy to a gallop, and leaving the blue skunk far behind. "How about your umbrella, then?" the skunk called after them. "I... must have your umbrella!" "AAAH!" Slappy screamed. "That skunk is the creeping unknown! It's not of this Earth! Keep movin', Andy!" Suddenly a pink hand popped into the scene holding a remote control. The hand pressed the remote's "pause" button and the entire scene froze, including Slappy and Andy. The two toons blinked and looked around in confusion. The pink hand retracted, and the bead of Babs Bunny popped into view. She was scowling at Slappy. "Hey!" Babs scolded the squirrel. "That's my line... sort-of. You can't say it. I'll sue! Where my..." Babs suddenly noticed Andy, frozen in mid-stride several inches off the ground. "My a....gent?" Babs fell silent. Andy raised a paw, waved his digits at her and smiled. Babs turned back to the camera with a contemptuous look on her face. Slappy grabbed the remote from Babs' hand. "Go 'way. Shoo!" she ordered, pressing the "play" button and tossing the remote aside. In an instant the scene unfroze and Slappy and Andy bounded off. Babs shrugged and retracted her head from the scene. "Now where were we?" Slappy grumbled, scratching her head. "Skunk," Andy said flatly, galloping passed an Acme News stand. "Oh yeah," Slappy agreed, turning back to the pursuing skunk. "I've got somethin' better for ya!" she called back, taking a stick of TNT out of her purse, lighting it, and throwing it at the skunk. Two seconds later a loud explosion shook the air around them as Slappy rode Andy across the street and into the park. Back on the sidewalk, a charred and frazzled figure picked himself up and meticulously collected the fragments of the exploded stick of dynamite and walked away with a contented look on his blackened face. "Oooo," Slappy remarked, looking back. "That's sad." Oak Creek Park was a small oasis of grassy hills and large oak trees in the sea of chaotic hustle and bustle of the northern suburbs of Borbank where Andy lived. It had been there since the late 40's, when Andy had moved into the area. The park wasn't particularly large, and only covered two square blocks. But, in those two square blocks a toon could relax and enjoy the quiet of a breeze blowing through the trees, or the sound of the local children playing Frisbee. Paved walking trails wound their way through the park, along which the high society conversations of the past echoed. Many famous toons had lived in this area, frequenting the park over the years. Many still did. Others had moved away, to be replaced by new toon celebrities. But Oak Creek park remained the same, and continued to be a quiet neighborhood sanctuary to come and enjoy oneself, to relax, and to remember times long past. Skippy was waiting at the park entrance with Fluffy when Slappy and Andy arrived. "I guess we lost," Andy commented. Skippy just sat and beamed with pleasure of his victory. "Eh, I'll let you go this time, Andy," she warned. "Just don't let it happen again. Nice work, Skippy. Remind me to ground you for a week for beating me." "WHAT?" Skippy gasped, a horrified look on his face. "Ah," Slappy waved her hand, "Just kiddin'. You go ahead with Fluffy. Your uncle and I have some things to discuss." Skippy took Fluffy into the park while Slappy took Andy over to a cluster of trees along the edge of the park. "I got a surprise for you," Slappy told him, dismounting and taking off his saddle and blanket. "Hey, what's up?" the confused fox asked, standing up and removing his bridle. "Today *you* get to have a little fun," Slappy told him, handing the fox his saddle. "You really don't deserve it now," she added, "losing to a rabbit." "Hey," the fox quipped. "It was your hat that made us lose." "Don't bring up details, Fox," Slappy argued. She took a few steps away from Andy and turned to face him. Then she leaped into the air and went into a spin change. After a couple of seconds she landed back on the ground and stood proudly in front of Andy, smiling, and now adorned in stunningly beautiful and distinguished riding tack. She sported a burgundy and golden bridle that curved around and fit her delicate face and small nose perfectly. It was accented by a small fuzzy red and white tassel near her left ear, indicating that she belonged to a certain red fox. Reins adorned with soft red tassels extended down from her bridle and draped themselves over her shoulders. Around her plump middle was a matching burgundy saddle with stirrups, both generously proportioned to accommodate her intended rider's large size. Beneath the saddle was a shimmering gold blanket sporting soft gold and white tassels at the corners. Slappy's signature green hat remained atop her head. Andy's jaw fell to the ground and smashed into pieces. Slappy smiled and winked, seeing the desired effect on her fox had been achieved. She picked up the pieces of his jaw and shoved them back into place before turning her back to him and posing a bit to show off her outfit. Andy's tongue lolled out and drooled a small river onto the ground. Slappy smiled and gently lowered herself to all fours and stood proudly. The gold on her bridle glistened in the sun, and the blanket on her back rippled and shimmered as she moved, its frayed edges and tassels catching the gentle breeze. "Slappy," Andy gasped, pulling his tongue back in. "You're beautiful." "Yeah," Slappy shrugged. "I know. So you gonna get on or what?" "Get on?" Andy asked, dumbfounded. "You've been giving me rides all week. 'Bout time you get one, heh ha." "I... Eeesh. I don't deserve to." Andy fingered the tassels on Slappy's saddle blanket. "'Sides, you're way too small. It would look silly." "Shut up and get on," Slappy snapped. "Ah..." The fox continued to gape at his magnificent, miniature steed. Slappy eyed him and smiled, pawing at the ground slightly. "Eh heeee," Andy blubbered. His tail swished around nervously as he stuffed his own riding garb into his fur pockets. "Okay," he warned. Recovering from his shock, he gently placed himself on Slappy and rested his feet in the large stirrups. Slappy continued to stand firmly, showing no signs of discomfort. "Some surprise," Andy commented, still somewhat in awe. "Your welcome," Slappy said sweetly. "This is some outfit," Andy said, picking up the reins and fingering the soft tassels on them. "Boy. When you dress up you really go all out, don't you?" "Well, a woman's gotta look her best, heh ha." Slappy trotted out from the trees into the park. Andy gently steered her through the grass along the paved walking trails in the park,. "Besides," she continued, "I want my fox to be presented well, and that means on a equally stunning steed. I'm a high-class woman with a high-class fox, here. I can't be seen wearing anything less, heh ha." "I look drab compared to you," the fox commented. "Heh! Not to me, you don't, bud." "Maybe I should be wearing a crown or a royal robe or something," the fox thought aloud. "What," Slappy asked, "And draw people's attention away of me? Heh ha. Nothin' doin'." Skippy was sitting on a park bench feeding carrots to Fluffy while some young toons gathered around to pet and admire the rabbit. Several of them were familiar with Fluffy, and were eager to pet and scratch him while he munched on his carrots. "Well, well," came a familiar voice. "Look who's here." Fluffy's ears turned to the voice and Skippy looked behind him to see Buster Bunny standing behind the bench. "Hey, Skippy," Buster said, greeting the squirrel. Then he walked over to Fluffy. "Greetings, Fluffy," Buster said in Rabbit. Fluffy extended a paw to Buster, who took it warmly. "Hello 'One who tries to ride me'," Fluffy greeted back. Skippy eyed Buster. "Andy told me how you pick on Fluffy. You better leave him alone." "Relax, Skip," Buster smiled, shaking Fluffy's paw and hugging him warmly. "Us rabbits get along just fine." "That isn't what Andy said," Skippy insisted, growing protective of his new family pet. "He said Fluffy doesn't like you riding him." "Well, that's true," Buster admitted, playfully tugging on Fluffy's collar. "But other than that we get along just fine, don't we, Fluffy?" Buster scratched Fluffy's chin and chattered to him in Rabbit. Fluffy said something back and nuzzled Buster's cheek. Skippy began to calm down, but still watched Buster closely. "So I hear you're living with Andy now," Buster said, turning to Skippy. "Lucky stiff." "It's okay," Skippy sighed. Buster sat down on the bench next to Skippy. "Okay?" he asked. "Shoot. I'd give me lucky rabbit's foot to live in a place like that." Skippy shrugged: "It's just so big. But I'm getting use to it." "I get what you mean," Buster agreed. "Big place. Not like a hole in the ground or the inside of a tree. I felt the same way the first few times I was in Bugs' mansion. But you'll get use to it. Then you'll really start to like it." Buster ruffled Skippy's head fur. "Plus, I think you got a super guy livin' there with ya. He really cares for you. You're a lucky kid to have that." Skippy nodded. The two toons heard a small commotion some distance away and looked across to see Slappy cavorting around the park with Andy on her back. Skippy shook his head and smiled. "Wow," he said. "I've never seen her do *that* for anyone." "Your uncle?" Buster asked. "Your agent," Skippy responded. "Yours too," Buster added, and chuckled. "Like I said, Skip. You're a lucky kid to have a couple of fun and loony toons like them to live with." Then Buster hopped off the bench and strolled back over to Fluffy. "So, can I ride you today?" Buster asked Fluffy, slyly. Fluffy shook his head. "Maybe one day, but not today." Buster simply laughed and patted Fluffy. "Can't blame a rabbit for tryin'." He gave Fluffy another warm hug before bidding the two farewell and walking off. "Thanks for visiting," Fluffy called after Buster, who waved goodbye to him. Skippy sat quietly for a moment and watched Buster head off, and thought about what Buster had said to him. Then he wondered what the two rabbits had said to each other, and wished his uncle had been there to translate for him. Fluffy returned to munching on his snack. "So what was that comment about lookin' silly?" Slappy asked playfully to Andy. "I... don't remember," he answered, and nudged her with his heels. Slappy gave a small kick to stretch her muscles, and bounded through the park at a gallop, smiling contentedly. "So much for the old, elderly squirrel routine," the fox sighed. "No one's gonna give you any sympathy now after seeing this." "What can I say, Fox," Slappy shrugged. "Since I met you I feel 30 years younger. I haven't felt this full of energy in a long time." Andy leaned forward and scratched Slappy's chin. "You don't know how glad that makes me, Slappy. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy and alive again." "So, does this mean no more free rides on your back?" she asked. "Oh," the fox said grudgingly, wrapping his tail around Slappy's, "I I wouldn't say that. That-is, if you still want to be seen riding such an ordinary looking animal." Slappy turned back to look at Andy and smiled warmly: "I wouldn't have it any other way." As the two romped around the park, several toons looked on in curiosity. A few pointed and snickered, but most just smiled and commented on how cute the couple looked together. And, truth be told, they did.