Toontown Showdown 2

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

The term "fish out of water" would most certainly describe the now awaking showtoon to join in this rubberhose roundup. Raising up from his slumber was... a fish. A purple fish with black hair and a news anchor get-up as he yawned and rubbed his sleepy eyes. It takes him a minute for his sleepy daze prevented him from realizing that he is not in his comfy bed in his sleep abode.

Once it does, Perch Perkins leapt up off the floor and began clambering backwards. This wasn't his house. This isn't BBN's studio. This is... Some weird place that Perkins doesn't know. Is this another prank pulled on him by that piece of !@#$ Mack Mackrel?

Perch immediately begins dusting himself off, straightening out his look, and began patting himself furiously on his pockets and crevasses until he finally found it. His trusty microphone. Never leave home without it. Clearing his throat, mentally counting down in his mind, he began speaking...

"Good morning, to all those watching back home. This is Perch Perkins reporting in... WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE?!" ... He isn't even facing any of the fellow toons that woke up here or the hosts. He's just staring at a wall...

Oh good, someone from the news is here! You'll get to see how our studio operates front-and-center! And hey, don't be shy to take part of the action yourself, fish-fry!

[Magolor]

Then I'll call my friend who's a cop! Even if he's on payroll, I'm sure he would hate working for you. Wait, I'm a cop too. Hey, could you pay me—no, Badgerclops, concentrate! I accept your offer.... and toss it back in your FACE! Come at me, bro! His arm's on sniper mode today.

If you're gonna bring people down somewhere to fight each other, maybe you shouldn't get in the way! Why shouldn't I just bust this joint here? Now he's acting like he'll shoot the ceiling with... the sniper rifle.

And, OOC, this sniper rifle only shoots restraining gelatin. Certainly not the right choice for intimidation.

[PointMaid]

That spark! Keep that feeling in your acting! I can see your star on the Walk of Framerate now! The literal stars in Lotta's eyes grow, and she grins.

Then I'll call my friend who's a cop! Even if he's on payroll, I'm sure he would hate working for you. Wait, I'm a cop too. Hey, could you pay me—no, Badgerclops, concentrate! I accept your offer.... and toss it back in your FACE! Come at me, bro! His arm's on sniper mode today.

If you're gonna bring people down somewhere to fight each other, maybe you shouldn't get in the way! Why shouldn't I just bust this joint here? Now he's acting like he'll shoot the ceiling with... the sniper rifle.

And, OOC, this sniper rifle only shoots restraining gelatin. Certainly not the right choice for intimidation.

[wahoothis]

The term "fish out of water" would most certainly describe the now awaking showtoon to join in this rubberhose roundup. Raising up from his slumber was... a fish. A purple fish with black hair and a news anchor get-up as he yawned and rubbed his sleepy eyes. It takes him a minute for his sleepy daze prevented him from realizing that he is not in his comfy bed in his sleep abode.

Once it does, Perch Perkins leapt up off the floor and began clambering backwards. This wasn't his house. This isn't BBN's studio. This is... Some weird place that Perkins doesn't know. Is this another prank pulled on him by that piece of !@#$ Mack Mackrel?

Perch immediately begins dusting himself off, straightening out his look, and began patting himself furiously on his pockets and crevasses until he finally found it. His trusty microphone. Never leave home without it. Clearing his throat, mentally counting down in his mind, he began speaking...

"Good morning, to all those watching back home. This is Perch Perkins reporting in... WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE?!" ... He isn't even facing any of the fellow toons that woke up here or the hosts. He's just staring at a wall...

Oh good, someone from the news is here! You'll get to see how our studio operates front-and-center! And hey, don't be shy to take part of the action yourself, fish-fry!

Those headphones sitting on top of Perch's head momentarily popped up hearing another being suddenly address him. He flipped around to stare at... That thing. Surrounded by more odd things. Oh Neptune, there's been a nuclear war and he slept through it and now he's surrounded by weird fleshy monsters and... whatever that giant black-and-white thing with the eyepatch and cybernetic is supposed to be. That's clearly the answer here.

It's honestly impressive he hasn't curled up in a ball hyperventilating into a brown bag. Perhaps it's the mice's words that stop him from full on having a panic attack. "You'll get to see how our studio operates front-and-center!" That... Sounds like an open gate for an interview.

Perch's eyes lit up for a moment, before his shaky and antsy appearance became prim and proper again as he approached Mincer with his microphone held out to him. Would be better if they had some blasted lighting in this place, but hey, good enough.

"Of course, I'd be honored to interview the proud owner of..." ... Wherever this is. "Your studio lot. Do you believe you could share some words to me- I mean the viewers at home about what's going on here and what your studio is for and why I have been brought here. An impromptu interview?" He totally has a clue what's going on here. What kind of self-respecting news anchor would he be if he didn't. Totally.

[Guma]

Yeah, that's exactly what I don't like the sound of. If I just leave and called the cops on you guys, I'll get witness protection and, well, I wouldn't be in the "biz" anymore. This contest stinks!

Lotta laughs. Even if you could leave... do you think I don't have the cops on my payroll? No tickets for rogue shoots on my watch!

This is why I've never trusted law enforcement. They're always working with the bad guys. I was built to do their job better. In fact...

She glances over at the murderous hosts with a tinge of uncertainty in her eyes.

You say you've taken beatings? Died, even? Then give me one reason why I shouldn't burn you to a crisp right now.

[PointMaid]

Yeah, that's exactly what I don't like the sound of. If I just leave and called the cops on you guys, I'll get witness protection and, well, I wouldn't be in the "biz" anymore. This contest stinks!

Lotta laughs. Even if you could leave... do you think I don't have the cops on my payroll? No tickets for rogue shoots on my watch!

This is why I've never trusted law enforcement. They're always working with the bad guys. I was built to do their job better. In fact...

She glances over at the murderous hosts with a tinge of uncertainty in her eyes.

You say you've taken beatings? Died, even? Then give me one reason why I shouldn't burn you to a crisp right now.

Lotta looks him earnestly in the eyes, tiptoes up to him, and motions for him to bend down. Then she makes a show of whispering into his ear, hand up in front of her mouth. Because I'd enjoy it and it wouldn't get rid of me anyway.

Then she giggles. A lot.

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Oh, the proud owner of this studio is this girl here, Mincer says, pointing to Lotta. It's a family-owned business for the past two generations. I'm sure she'll be glad to give you the nitty-gritty of things! Go on, Lotta! Knock it outta the park! Tell him about what you have to offer!, Mincer beams as well before turning his attention to Jenny.

And as for you, Astro Girl, we can take a lot of punishment, but you lay one hand on us, it won't end too well for you. You'll be broken to several pieces, sent to the junkyard, crushed into a little cube. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll be recycled into car parts or something else. But I wouldn't count on it. Lay one hand on me or Lotta and you'll be reduced to a pile of nuts and bolts! Because we're more dangerous than we look. Get our drift?

[PointMaid]

Oh, the proud owner of this studio is this girl here, Mincer says, pointing to Lotta. It's a family-owned business for the past two generations. I'm sure she'll be glad to give you the nitty-gritty of things! Go on, Lotta! Knock it outta the park! Tell him about what you have to offer!, Mincer beams as well before turning his attention to Jenny.

And as for you, Astro Girl, we can take a lot of punishment, but you lay one hand on us, it won't end too well for you. You'll be broken to several pieces, sent to the junkyard, crushed into a little cube. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll be recycled into car parts or something else. But I wouldn't count on it. Lay one hand on me or Lotta and you'll be reduced to a pile of nuts and bolts! Because we're more dangerous than we look. Get our drift?

Oh, yeah!

I run the studio with my sister Bitta. She's out of town at the moment. Like Mincer said, been in the family for a few generations! Do take a studio map. I started out as a performer myself. Thing is, we're always looking for new talent in front of the animation cel, folks that can paint the town all colors, especially blood red! Our audiences love the classic slapstick stuff, and so do we.

[wahoothis]

... Whoops.

At Mincer's correction, Perch just slides on over to Lotta and practically shove his microphone in her face.

"Miss Bug Lady. I'll relay my question to you: What is the story behind this studio and my being here?"

[Guma]

Lotta looks her earnestly in the eyes, tiptoes up to her, and motions for her to bend down. Then she makes a show of whispering into her ear, hand up in front of her mouth. Because I'd enjoy it and it wouldn't get rid of me anyway.

Then she giggles. A lot.

Jenny stands up, visibly shaking, and slowly backs away. She has nothing to say anymore. She would tell them that they belong in an asylum, or that this place is an asylum, or that killing her would only make her a martyr and they could be exposed for their crimes in front of the world, but she can't. She can't reason with these... things. They're not like any aliens, monsters, or even that creepy exoskin. Despite their almost overly cartoony exterior, they're empty. Hollow. Living eldritch horrors.

She composes herself, looks up at the force field, closes her eyes, and fires literally every weapon in her arsenal at it.

[wahoothis]

Oh, the proud owner of this studio is this girl here, Mincer says, pointing to Lotta. It's a family-owned business for the past two generations. I'm sure she'll be glad to give you the nitty-gritty of things! Go on, Lotta! Knock it outta the park! Tell him about what you have to offer!, Mincer beams as well before turning his attention to Jenny.

And as for you, Astro Girl, we can take a lot of punishment, but you lay one hand on us, it won't end too well for you. You'll be broken to several pieces, sent to the junkyard, crushed into a little cube. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll be recycled into car parts or something else. But I wouldn't count on it. Lay one hand on me or Lotta and you'll be reduced to a pile of nuts and bolts! Because we're more dangerous than we look. Get our drift?

Oh, yeah!

I run the studio with my sister Bitta. She's out of town at the moment. Like Mincer said, been in the family for a few generations! Do take a studio map. I started out as a performer myself. Thing is, we're always looking for new talent in front of the animation cel, folks that can paint the town all colors, especially blood red! Our audiences love the classic slapstick stuff, and so do we.

That comment about "painting the town blood red" sure doesn't sound concerning at all. No sirree. Perch just nodded his head along, humming to himself, clearly interested in whatever Lotta here is willing to spill from her guts. Thankfully not literally, considering the current predicament.

"I see, a showwoman. Do tell, when will my stay in this studio reach it's conclusion? I need to get back to BBN pronto, before..." He suddenly stopped to clench the air in his flippers angrily, practically growling out his next words as if he's reading off the most toxic of poisons. "Mack Mackrel gets too comfortable with my temporary leave of absence."

[wahoothis]

Oh, the proud owner of this studio is this girl here, Mincer says, pointing to Lotta. It's a family-owned business for the past two generations. I'm sure she'll be glad to give you the nitty-gritty of things! Go on, Lotta! Knock it outta the park! Tell him about what you have to offer!, Mincer beams as well before turning his attention to Jenny.

And as for you, Astro Girl, we can take a lot of punishment, but you lay one hand on us, it won't end too well for you. You'll be broken to several pieces, sent to the junkyard, crushed into a little cube. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll be recycled into car parts or something else. But I wouldn't count on it. Lay one hand on me or Lotta and you'll be reduced to a pile of nuts and bolts! Because we're more dangerous than we look. Get our drift?

Oh, yeah!

I run the studio with my sister Bitta. She's out of town at the moment. Like Mincer said, been in the family for a few generations! Do take a studio map. I started out as a performer myself. Thing is, we're always looking for new talent in front of the animation cel, folks that can paint the town all colors, especially blood red! Our audiences love the classic slapstick stuff, and so do we.

That comment about "painting the town blood red" sure doesn't sound concerning at all. No sirree. Perch just nodded his head along, humming to himself, clearly interested in whatever Lotta here is willing to spill from her guts. Thankfully not literally, considering the current predicament.

"I see, a showwoman. Do tell, when will my stay in this studio reach it's conclusion? I need to get back to BBN pronto, before..." He suddenly stopped to clench the air in his flippers angrily, practically growling out his next words as if he's reading off the most toxic of poisons. "Mack Mackrel gets too comfortable with my temporary leave of absence."

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Since Point is pretty much in bed now, I'll have to carry things here for the time being. Apologies

Mincer grabs the microphone and begins speaking.

Depends. If you can kill someone yourself and avoid detection for two days, you can leave a star. Or if you're one of the last three alive, we'll let you all go then. Do you think you can hold out until then? Do you think you'll be one of the lucky three?

He hands the mike back.

Any more questions? I'll be glad to take 'em!

[wahoothis]

Oh. Oh heck no. Perch's trying to pull his microphone back. Which... to everyone else, if you ever wanted to see a fish man trying to wrestle a mice when he's definitely the weaker of the two, now you get a chance to see a hilarious scene before you.

"Hey, hey! Get your grubby mitts off the mike!" When Mincer handed off the mike Perkins would fall back on his tail fin, dusting the handle of the mike off. People really don't know how to respect personal space or belongings, do-

Hold on a fish-frying second here. Does his nonexistent ears deceive him? Did he just say- "M-Murder?" This is fine.

This is very fine. This is so fine, in fact, Perch is going to immediately back up away from the random strangers in the room with a totally not "please don't snatch me up and grill me" panicked look on his mug. "I-I'm afraid that just can't do. You're not allowed to air this on the public a-air! Especially not to the one covering it all!" Because !@#$ those other people, his life here is more valuable than the bottom feeders and the weird mutants here! Someone get him out of here already!

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Mincer senses the fear in Perch. And to toy with him further, he pulls out his knife.

Oh, come on. On-screen talent like you probably has a lot to offer. Remember, some of the biggest celebrities started off as news before moving onto bigger and better things. Why if you really work at it, you can see your face and name on the biggest posters there is!

At this point, he's approaching the scared fish closer and closer, getting uncomfortably close to his personal space while pointing the knife at him, looking like the mouse is on the verge of stabbing some of the fish's internal organs. And he's relishing in the feeling.

If you don't wanna be gutted into sushi, pick up the knife and gut one of these fine people. Make it for two days and you can come out of there alive. Come out of there a star! That is, if you don't get turned into a fishstick first!, Mincer says the last part right into Perch's face. After which he backs up, laughing.

I got you good, didn't I? But seriously, the ball is in your court. You wanna survive, you know what you have to do., he adds, saying in a more sinister manner.

[wahoothis]

... Is it a bad sign that he was actually starting to reach for the knife? He doesn't get to when the mouse pulled back and laughed at him. Just like everyone else.

Perch straightens himself out and just decided that this little interview was over, stomping away to a nearby corner, quietly murmuring under his breath. "That's a wrap..." That, and to get the !@#$ away from these people. He'd prefer not to be made into caviar today.

[Owen23]

Dr. Doof notices something isn't right..
"Something's off, I couldn't remember it but maybe the "blood red" part said by the girl who runs the studio.. pretty weird if for sure."

[EeveeGirlChey]

[A jolly old man arrives on a bicycle.]

"🎵 Start your day with a sooooong and sing the whole day through! Even while you're busy working, do just like the birdies do! Though the day may be looooong, you never will go wroooong! Off-key, on-key, any old key, just start your day with a sooooong! 🎵 Hahaha!"

[The man then gets off the bicycle and presses a button on the handlebar. The bicycle then neatly folds up into a walking stick.]

"Hello, everybody! Sorry I'm late, l had to get around traffic. I'm Grampy, nice to meet you all!"

[Mr. Lee Hammer]

Mincer seems to nod along to Grampy's singing

Welcome to the studios! Nice singing too! We'll need all the talents we can get because things are about to get interesting real soon!

[Oggy123]

A small gray kitten arrives at the scene, looking around in confusion. Suddenly, a smaller, gray mouse arrives. The cat glares at him angrily.

"Oy, nice place you got here! Hehe!"

[Florien]

In come Leroy and Loretta Lockhorn, late, heavy lidded, and clearly miserable.

You have a bad sense of direction, I should have known from looking at your life.

If we stopped and asked for directions every time you were lost, we'd never get out of the driveway.

So we're encouraged to kill things and get away with it? Do my hopes and dreams count? Because if so, Leroy already should have the job, he's gotten away with it for decades.

[PointMaid]

Hahaha! I love your sense of humor! You'll go far!, Lotta says to Loretta. Welcome! Glad you made it! I assume you're here for the contest. Take a studio map!

Then she turns to the kitten and the mouse. Why, thank you! I'm glad you like the studio! She's beaming with an earnest smile. Here for the contest? Here's a map.

[wingedcatgirl]

Adrien looks deeply perturbed, but... "It kinda sounds like... you're not expecting death to be permanent..." Which, well, with Ladybug's power, it might not be, but she wasn't here today. Though it also seemed like they didn't expect any miraculous ladybugs to be involved in the process.

[Kennifer]

"You mean people might come back as zombies?" Tina sounds intrigued. Of course her own world is one of the "yeah people usually stay dead" ones, at least judging by the business at the crematorium next door...

[Florien]

I die inside every time I see Loretta near me. No fate could possibly be worse than the prison of marriage.

"Don't be so dramatic, Leroy." Loretta responds, holding a skull, the traditional iconography of dramatic theater in her hand. This is exactly how you ruined our wedding photos.