The Saga of John Wilde part 3
The rides were crude by design. Judy's wrist was beginning to ache by the amount of pages she was writing down. There was a merry-go round, that was converted into a running station for predators, who would run on four legs, picking up speed as the wheel turn until one of them falls off. Judy had to write a full page as to why that wasn't safe. The sanitation was also laughable, there was trash on the floor that consisted of popcorn bags and used candy wrappers. When she saw the restrooms, which were porta-potties, that were left with grime and filth-she almost threw up because of the smell.
There was even a roller coaster! When she and Nick went down the slide they entered into a large warehouse. They realized that the warehouse was perfectly hidden behind clinic and since the windows were covered with black spray paint, the colorful lights from the rides wouldn't be seen at night. Judy noticed by the amount of grime and rust she was seeing from the indoor roller coaster, she concluded it was in production for over fifteen years. When Nick was eighteen.
Her ears went down and glanced back at Nick, who was silent the whole time they have been walking around and inspecting. His brow was lowered, as if he is thinking, and held a tight frown. Judy turned away, not sure as what to say, she never had her father walk out of her family. She had never even seen them fight! How can she feel what he's feeling?
Her paw reached out to his and gently brushed up against his fingers. He jumped in surprise and turned to her, breaking out of his trance. She gave him a small frown, her eyes low. He felt his fingers wrap around her paw, giving them a squeeze when he smiled at her.
"I'm fine, Carrots." He said as he rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. She could tell he was lying by the smile he was giving her, it wasn't the same as his normal attitude. The smile he was giving her, was a fake one.
She pulled away and lifted up her notepad. "It's time to talk to Mr.Wilde."
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As promised, they were brought to Mr. Wilde's office by request. The cheetah from before was waiting for them by the slide and brought them to an office that was suspended above the carnival. They climbed up the metal staircase and the employee opened the door, making them step inside. The office was dark and the only source of light was a desk lamp. The office was also filled with newspapers, documents, and files. Judy could only assume what was in them.
John Wilde was sitting behind the large desk, holding a smirk as they walked up to him. Judy couldn't help but think she was looking straight at Nick. He sat in an old green reclining chair, that had years of wear and tear on them. She was surprised to find him not wearing his costume by a black and grey suit instead.
"Where's your coat, Doc?" Judy asked with a serious tone. John chuckled and leaned foreword.
"It's getting clean." He replied smoothly. Nick's fingers twitched from hearing his voice. He crossed his arms, holding himself together. John turned to Nick and back at Judy, he put out his index to her. "Who's this cutie?"
Judy placed her paws on her hips. "Excuse me?"
The old fox ignored her when he turned back to Nick. "You know when I was your age, I had a thing for rabbits too." Judy nose wrinkled and Nick moved his ears back, a slow anger rising.
His father, turned away and waved a dismissive paw towards Judy.
"But I got over it and married your mom...how is she by the way?" He asked with a smug smirk, gliding down into his chair and propping his feet up. "She missed me?"
Nick growled lowly. "No. She doesn't."
John Wilde never wavered from his smile. "Yeah right."
Judy eyed Nick who saw his chest rise. His nostrils flaring from his father's nonchalant attitude after not seeing him in over 20 years.
John put his paws behind his head, rubbing the back of his neck.
"What can I do for you two?" He asked prompting Judy to pull out the yellow eviction papers.
"Some of your rides are dangerous. It's going to get some animals hurt!" She slammed the paper down on his desk. John didn't even bother looking at it, keeping his eyes locked on Judy's. " The roller coaster is in need of repairs, some of the bolts and beginning to rust and break apart, that's just one of the rides. Either shut down Wild Times to repair them, or if you choose to continue I will be force to arrest you for endangerment."
John moved his feet down and instead placed his paws on the desk, holding a sleepy gaze. Judy was surprised by how much of a similarly she saw from him, as if she was staring at Nick.
"Officer Hopkins..."
"Hopps." Judy corrected swiftly. He drummed his fingers against the wood.
"Officer Hopps. I have done nothing wrong." Nick snorted at his comment. "The rides are perfectly manageable, so what if there is a few rust and loose screws. Animals enjoy themselves here." He reached over to the first drawer and pulled out a stack of forms. "They even signed waivers." He dropped them in front of her making Judy's ear lowered as she read it over. Animals knowingly riding the carnival rides and accepting any risk that befalls them. John chuckled softly.
"As you can see uh..." He snapped his fingers trying to remember her name. "Madam-" Judy's eyes widened from hearing Nick's voice escape from John's lips. "You can't touch me, hmm? Everything is legal. And the last time I checked, you are an officer, not a mechanic...how do you know there is something wrong with the rides?"
Judy slowly set the document down. As much as she would like to argue, she really wasn't a certified mechanic. John Wilde, propped his feet up again, already knowing he has won. "Now, normally I have the right to kick you out of my establishment but since I met my son again, how about instead I give you two, some free tickets! No hard feelings eh? Carrots."
Nick suddenly slammed his paws on the desk, making it rattle. John's eyes widened at Nick, who was leaning dangerously close to him. His muzzle was contracted as he bared his canines at him and growled.
"Don't call her that." He snarled. John stared at him and his eyes lowered, giving him a grin.
"So you are into bunnies...like father like son, I suppose." Nick pushed away from his desk and back at Judy was held the back of his shirt, just in case he tried to do something like that again. He was so fast, she was surprised she didn't manage to stop him. John leaned towards them again. "Now I guess you don't want the free tickets."
Judy stared at him in disgust when he chuckled and shrugged. "Oh well, say Hello for your mom for me."
"Never." Nick hissed. He and Judy turned their backs against him and walked out of the office. Nick slammed the door, in hopes his pile of papers might fall over.
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"This is all you have, Miss Hopps?" Bogo said softly after he looked over the notes she had written. Judy nodded as she stood on the chair in front of him. Bogo took off his reading glasses and sighed. "And your partner? Nick. How is he doing?"
Judy's ears went down. Nick made an excuse to not meet with Bogo but Judy knew he wanted to be alone.
"I don't know." She replied honestly. "He won't talk to me."
Bogo frowned and nodded gently. "Give it time, Hopps. I'm sure he will open up to you, when given the time. He must be hurting, even if he doesn't want to admit it."
Judy left his office silently and found Nick waiting outside. He was sitting on a bench, holding a cup of black coffee.
"I thought you went home." Judy said as she sat next to him.
"You're my ride."
"Oh." Her ears went down in embarrassment. She looked down at her paws as a strong silence warped around them. After a while, Nick tossed his full cup into the garbage.
"Judy."
Her head whirled at him. "Yes?"
He was staring at the garbage can when he asked her. "Can you stay at my place tonight?"
She blushed lightly from the question. "Okay."
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