singing a lovely song as if she were an opera singer all her life. Then she sung Gazelle's latest hits perfectly while dancing exactly like her favourite pop-star.

"Clawhauser could do that without being hypnotised," thought Judy and smiled to herself.

"Now, my dear, you will wake up and hear applause. One…two…three…!"

The coyote girl snapped out of it and looked confused. Then everybody applauded, Judy whistled and stood up on her chair. The coyote girl smiled and bowed for the audience. She was still confused, but she played along.

As the audience walked out of the tent, Judy felt a paw on her shoulder. She turned around to see Madame Mystique towering over her, smiling with a face caked with makeup.

"Why, hello there, my dear," said Madame Mystique. "I remember you from the Bunny Burrow fair."

"Why yes!" said Judy, making use of her acting skills. "I loved your show and just had to see it again."

"You're welcome anytime you want, dear," said Madame Mystique. "The wonders of the forces of mystery beckon to us from all corners."

"That they do," said Judy, walking to the entrance. "Well, back to work I go."

As she walked out of the tent and walked around it, she saw Nick rubbing his ears and frowning.

"Nick, I think I have something….um, are you okay?"

"My ears are ringing," said Nick. "It's happened twice before, whenever I'm around this tent. Come on, let's find a shady place to talk."

Judy and Nick sat down comparing notes under a shady tree in the parking lot. Their shift was almost over and the second shift officers were coming in little by little.

"How're your ears?" asked Judy.

"Fine now," said Nick.

"When did you start feeling this?"

"Right after Madame Mystique did her hocus-pocus on me for the first time, then every time I walk around her tent," said Nick.

"That could be a clue," said Judy. "We have to keep that in mind."

"So, did you notice anything strange?"

"She hypnotised that coyote girl," said Judy, "the same one who was at Old Todd's booth."

"Do you think there's a connection?" asked Nick.

"The baby chick dolls," said Judy. "Woollace was with Nana Bernardine at the Bunny Burrow fair, and Woollace won a baby chick doll, and Madame Mystique hypnotised her…and two days later she committed the crime."

"Do you think the baby chick dolls are a code of some kind?" asked Nick.

"They might be," said Judy. "We have to keep an eye out for that coyote girl."

"And the other winners at Old Todd's booth," said Nick.

Their shift was over. Nick and Judy climbed into their squad car and Judy drove back towards the city.

"So, little lady," said Nick, his tone now suave. "Tomorrow is the day."

"Yes…it is," said Judy, feeling a little flutter in her chest.

"I have a surprise for you," said Nick. "But I'll just let you in on this: the dress-code is formal."

"Formal? Mm…oh, Mr Wilde, what are you up to?"

"You'll find out…tomorrow night."

It was 2:00 PM when Judy's phone rang. She saw that it was Fru Fru.

"Hiii honey!" said the voice of her friend. "Mr Manchas is outside, we're all waiting for you."

"I'll be right down," said Judy excitedly.

She descended the stairs three steps at a time and walked outside. A pristine white limousine was parked in front of Grand Pangolin Arms, and a familiar face stood before the passenger door: Mr Manchas, the jaguar she and Nick had helped cure from the night howler serum ten months ago.

"Miss Hopps," said Mr Manchas with a kind smile, bowing and opening the door for her.

"Get in, honey!" said the jolly voice of Fru Fru as Judy got into the limo. "Your beauty trip starts now! Would you like a drink?"

"Sure," said Judy. "Club soda is fine."

Marcel, the polar bear, poured Judy a glass of club soda as Mr Manchas started the car.

"Thank you."

"Had a busy week, Judy?" asked Fru Fru as she sat on the armrest beside Judy.

"Yes, it was hectic," said Judy. "I had to go to my hometown and come back in the same day, and three days of carnival patrol. But I was really looking forward to today."

"We'll have so much fun, Judy. First we're going to get your dress, then we'll choose a fragrance, then to the salon and I'll introduce you to Stacey, she does wonders…"

Judy had never had so much fun shopping before. The stores in the city were chock-full of all sorts of things and Fru Fru knew them all, and everyone seemed to know Fru Fru and Judy, and they were all cheery and kind and very helpful.

They met several of Fru Fru's friends who were thrilled to meet the one and only Judy Hopps in person, the heroic bunny police officer who had cracked the night howler case ten months ago and had saved Zootopia from disaster.

She tried on dresses by the dozen, each more lovely than the previous. They settled for a beautiful purple satin dress that sparkled in the light and looked absolutely fabulous.

"It brings out the colour of your eyes, honey," said Fru Fru delightedly as she admired her friend in the mirror.

Perfumes, purses, lingerie, jewellery, all sorts of lovely feminine delights paraded like a blur before Judy's eyes. And for everything, Fru Fru paid. She wouldn't hear a word of it when Judy bashfully offered to pay for an expensive perfume.

"It's my treat, honey," said Fru Fru with her face full of adoration towards Judy. "You've done so much for me and for our city, you deserve all the love in this world."

Judy didn't know what to say. She wished she could become Fru Fru's size just so she could give her a warm, heartfelt hug.

Fru Fru saw it in her face and walked to the edge of Marcel's paws, opening her arms. Judy nuzzled her friend's cheek ever so gently as Fru Fru hugged her cheek as best she could.

"Thank you…" were the only words Judy could manage to say with her voice shaken by emotion.

Judy felt nervous as she rode in the limousine all dolled up and perfumed with her beautiful satin evening dress and holding a lovely purple purse. The city looked different tonight. The lights were soft, the air was still…she felt her heart thumping as Mr Manchas drove up a lavishly decorated driveway lined with baby palm trees and brought the limo to a stop in front of a beautiful entrance.

"How…how do I look?" quavered Judy.

"Like a princess going to her first ball, honey," said Fru Fru.

"I…I've never done anything like this before…" said Judy. "Truth be said…nothing really prepares you for the moment…"

"Oh honey, you'll have so much fun," said Fru Fru. "Just think about that. You and your prince charming are going to enjoy every bit of the evening together, it will be the most magical evening of all."

"O-Okay…" said Judy, taking a deep breath. "Yes…we're going to enjoy our evening."

"Oh, and Judy, just one more thing," said Fru Fru. "Marcel?"

The polar bear nodded and took from his suit pocket a small box, opened it and Judy looked in awe at what was inside.

It was a beautiful necklace with a shiny purple gemstone, glimmering radiantly in the light.

"A little gift from daddy," said Fru Fru as Marcel took the necklace in his claws and very gently placed it around Judy's neck, fastening it securely. "Now you're all set to shine. Manchas will drive us home and then come back to drive you two lovebirds anywhere you wish. He's all yours for the evening."

"Oh, Fru Fru, I can't…it's so…you've done so much for me today…"

"It was my pleasure, dear," said Fru Fru. "Now go on and charm that handsome fox of yours and have the best evening of your life."

Judy felt overcome with gratitude. She kissed Fru Fru's cheek and thanked her as Mr Manchas opened the door for her and offered his paw.

"Have fun, Judy!" said Fru Fru as Judy stepped out of the limo.

Judy's eyes immediately caught sight of a familiar face. But what a difference!

Nicholas Wilde, smiling gallantly as he approached, dressed in impeccable tuxedo, bowtie and all. He took her paw and kissed it gently, his eyes fixed on her astonished gaze.

"Good evening, my fair lady," said Nick. "You look absolutely breath-taking tonight."

Judy's voice could not find its way out. She was so overwhelmed that all she could do was smile and gaze. Nick offered his arm and she took it, walking with him towards the entrance of the elegant building. Golden letters above the doorway read 'Maison du Bison.'

As Judy walked into the entrance lobby of the Maison du Bison, holding onto Nick's arm snugly, she could not believe her eyes. The chandeliers seemed to rain hundreds of droplets of crystallised light, the carpets were immaculate, and the wallpaper was pristine.

"Oh, Nick," she whispered enthralled. "This is beautiful."

"Good evening, mademoiselle. Monsieur," the butler greeted them. "This way, please."

The butler led them to the elevator, where the porter opened the door for them and greeted them warmly. The elevator was

Previous Page

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Next page