Tom Nookie

I'd rather be me with you

"What are we doing here?" Digby looks around. They stand in the middle of town, the people all stop and stare grossly. 

"We are here to make a statement! Like you said before; Tell the people!" Betty nods and pulls a microphone out of nowhere. 

Lottie and Digby both blink in confusion. 

"Ahem- People of Whirlway please listen!" Betty announces and taps the mic. 

"Whirlway? Is that what this town is called?.." Lottie scratched her head. 

The townspeople start to gather around the town plaza, surrounding the three of them. "I see we've all met with our newcomers. Besides being newcomers, they are also animals-" Betty nods. The crowd starts to boo at them. "And as assistant to our mayor, I say we accept them and should be treated equally!" Betty shakes her head. The crowd goes silent, and soon enough the townspeople start throwing objects at them. "BOO! Animals don't have feelings why should we care?" someone from the crowd shouts. 

"Of course we do!" Digby yells back. 

"No, you don't! You can't even feel love, you are just a dog!" someone else in the crowd argues. 

Lottie frowns, "I do!" she steps forward. 

The crowd laughs. "You are an Otter! Who could you possibly love!?" 

Lottie furrows her eyebrows and glances over at Digby. He tilts his head a little. 

"Well?" the crowd awaits her response. Lottie blushes, "I know the feeling of being overjoyed when you see that someone... I know how it feels to write songs about that someone...I know how it feels to be in love..." she grips her skirt tightly. 

"Show us then!" the person demands, as the whole town watches her impatiently. Lottie looks around and then walks to Betty. "Could I- borrow the microphone for a second?" Lottie whispers shyly. Betty nods and hands it to her. 

Nervously, Lottie takes a step forward and begins to sing. The crowd stares in awe. 

"I'd rather be tall
I'd rather be smart
I'd rather be sure you know I care
Wherever you go
Whatever you start
I'd rather be sure you know I'm there
I'd rather I always be a part of whatever you do

I'd rather be me
With you" 

Lottie looks over at Digby. He seems to smile. Somehow already knowing the lyrics to her song he begins to sing along;

"Wherever we go
I already trust
I'd know what to do if it were us
I'd know what to say
I'd know how to be
I'd know your entire syllabus

I can't think of any other thing in the world I would rather do
If I could be
I'd rather be me
With you" 

Lottie and Digby stare at each other in shock. The crowd begins to applaud. They both chuckle and bow down playfully. Suddenly from in between the crowd, Lyle squeezes through the people until finally reaching them. Lottie covers her mouth. "U-Uncle Lyle!? What are you doing here? I thought you were at home waiting for us." Lottie says as she runs towards Lyle. 

"We were! But you two never arrived! Why didn't you answer your phone? And most importantly- what are you even doing here in this town!?" Lyle exclaims. 

"Well, the train - and then we got lost - and then Pierce-" Lottie tries to explain. 

"Wait, Sir. Pierce is here!?" Lyle stops. 

"Yes! and what are you doing here!?" Lottie crosses her arms. 

"Well, you two never arrived - and then we had to search for Timmy - and then Redd-" Lyle ruffles his head. 

"Wait, Redd is here!?" Lottie pauses. 

"Yes!" Lyle shakes his head.

There is a long silence between the two. "Wait- So if Redd and Sir. Pierce are here that means..." Digby's eyes widen.

"REDD IS WORKING FOR SIR. PIERCE!" The three of them gasp. 

Betty taps her face, "Redd? Huh, I know that name... I remember having heard Sir. Pierce's phone call conversation today. Something about a little raccoon boy?" 

"They have Timmy!" Lottie cries. 

"They must be in the Town Hall, we have to hurry!" Digby and the others rush toward the town hall.