Toon It Up: Fine Print on Vacationing (Preview) (Patreon)

Passing over a large pond, Mogg glanced around. “So, how much farther is it? Feel like we should've seen something by now.”

“Well, it should be coming up if we stick to the path. We can unpack soon.”

“Okay…” There was a small pause as they reached the end of the bridge. “Feels weird though. Shouldn't a bed & breakfast be near the park and not in the park?”

“Maybe? Don't worry; everything's good. I did all the research on the place, checked the pictures, reviews, and more. It's all on the up and up here.” Royal was telling the truth. It did all look good. Admittedly, he was a bit worried by the lack of buildings around, but he felt ninety-five percent confident!

Up ahead of them now was a rather wooded area of the park, the area dimming as they stepped onto the darker path. The sounds of the city were dimming, giving the area a relaxing, peaceful quality to it that put them at ease.

They walked in silence, looking around at the sights and enjoying the peaceful air. “Hmm?” Mogg was the first to break the silence. “Hey, isn't that a mailbox?”

Around the bend, a mailbox came into view. It was standing on the side of the path, a smaller, less obvious trail leading up to a tree. “Oh,” Royal said with a chuckle, “Maybe a squirrel toon lives there or-”

His eyes widened, and he found himself rushing over. The address on the side of the box, he recognized it. He nearly dropped his suitcase as he pulled out his phone again. He checked it against his info and lit up. “We're close! The place is just further down the path!”

The couple hurried along the path, checking each mailbox as they did. Their hearts were racing, eyes widening. They were almost there!

“HERE!” Royal called, abruptly stopping in his tracks. Mogg almost skidded into him like a comedy sketch, just barely stopping. They found the right mailbox. They were there.

Possibly. Looking down the trail from the mailbox, they found a large oak tree. It looked like most of the other trees they passed outside of a hollow in it. There was no building nearby, and they couldn't see a treehouse either.

“Maybe there's a door?” Royal mumbled, glasses tilting down his nose, “I mean, toons could probably have a door in a tree that opens up into a large house, right?”

Mogg walked up to the tree, looking up and down it. He slowly circled around it, his expression looking dimmer by the second. “I… I don't see anything. I don't see anything that looks like a doorway or even a doorknob.”

He walked back, dropping his luggage. “Are you sure this is the right place? Maybe the address or GPS is wrong. I mean, this is ToonTown. Does GPS even work here properly?”

“I-It should be here!” It had to be there. They must've been missing something. He needed to take charge and keep things calm. He was anxious and nervous enough as it was.

Checking the web page on the B&B again, he found the phone number for the owner. “I'll just call them. I'm sure they'll be able to help us out.”

Royal called. BZZZZT. BZZZZZZZZT. BZZZZZAAAAPT! Probably not going to get used to those sounds when I call a to-

“Yello!” An exaggerated, New Yorkish accent greeted his ears. “Dis is da offices of Mister Stinker's Fine, Cozy Stays. Howse may I's help ya taday?”

“Hello, I called a while back so you probably don't know me. I’m staying at one of your B&B locations over in the park. Umm, I have some questions about this… tree. Can I speak to whoever is managing the place or anybody?”

“OH!” The secretary chimed, “Dat's run by da ownah, Wesal Trickums! I'lls direct yah ta him, right now! Hold please.”

Beeep, beeeep, beeeeep. Royal pulled the phone away from his head and looked at it. It sounded like the secretary was making those noises more than any machine.

“Dis is Wesal Trickums!” A new, far deeper and sleazier voice answered now. “Whaddya want?”

“Oh!” Royal nearly dropped his phone in surprise by the sudden gruffness. He recognized this voice. “Ahh, this is Royal. I contacted you a few weeks ago about staying at one of your places, the Bed & Breakfast in the park. I have some concerns here about the stay.”

“Royal…” Wesal pondered, the sound of thick smacks could be heard as if he was tapping his chin. “Royal… AH! Yes! Youse da boi dat wanted ours finest B&B in ToonTown!” There was a gruff snort. “Concerns, eh? Youse sayin’ my establishment ain't classy ‘nough for yours human sensibilities, flatfoot?”

“N-no!” Royal stammered. He didn't want this to turn bad fast. “We-We're at t-the address, b-but we don't see anything he-here! We're just confused!”

Toon It Up: Fine Print on VacationingThere was a pause. “Oh really? Humph. I'ms stoppin’ by!”