The Principles of a Grand Hunt // Part 1 - A Cars Story

Chapter 4 - Through the Morning

He went up to the radio and turned it on, sitting in front of it to tune in to the correct station.

"420RPM Oil, because your engine is worth it!" Rush's voice-over said.

"Eugh, this again?" Dash cringed, dialing to the next station.

"Use RustEze and you too can look like me! Bling!" another of his friends, Jim Fenson's voice-over said.

"Is that Jim? ...and where have I heard that before?" Dash asked, sniggering to himself and dialing again.

"...so then I said, 'stop calling me Strip Weather's son, for crying out loud!'" Cal Weathers quipped on what was obviously a podcast.

"Wait, Cal has a radio show?" Dash asked, chuckling.

He dialed through once more, finally reaching his intended station.

"...and thus concludes a fantastic race today at the Dinoco 400 today with Rush LaStringer taking home the gold." an anchorman said.

"Oh, damn! The Dinoco 400 was on today?" he asked himself, ready to change the station.

"We now go live to the scene of the 400 ceremony with reporter Phyllis Cognut. Phyllis?" the anchorman said.

"Thank you, Ryan. It's certainly been a spectacularly dynamic season-" reporter Phyllis said.

"Hmm... I guess this might be the right channel then. Time to put my investigator tires on and listen in." Dash said, going up to his cupboard set.

Opening it revealed a map in the middle of the cupboard's inside, with notes stuck onto it. In his serving time for the hospital incident, he still managed to cobble together some clues as to what Nettes could be up to... just in case.

"How are you feeling with the results of the race?" reporter Phyllis asked.

"Me? Oh, feeling great with the win today, ma'am. It feels good to be on a season-winning trajectory!" Rush quipped.

"Ah, classic old Rush at his finest." Dash said, ready to jot down any clues he may hear.

"Where can you see yourself at the end of the season?" Phyllis asked.

"At the end of the season? Well, I see myself taking home a brand-new, beautiful golden baby in the form of the Piston Cup trophy, then- " Rush quipped.

"Ahh... hold on one second, Mr. LaStringer..." Phyllis interrupted, distracted as her in-ear feed perked up.

"Oh? Of course." Rush said, patiently waiting.

Dash's sat for a moment, confused as to why the report stopped.

"Huh? Did the radio just stop working?" Dash thought, going up to hit it.

"...uh-huh... mhm..." Phyllis said.

"Okay, it's still working..." Dash thought.

"...yup... what's that? ...hmm?! What?!" Phyllis exclaimed.

"What is it, Phyllis?" anchorman Ryan asked.

"I, um... don't know how to say this other than saying it." Phyllis said.

"Well?" Ryan asked.

"We've just received word that as of earlier this morning, Lightning and Sally McQueen have been reported missing by some personal friends." Phyllis announced, causing Rush in the background of the interview to gasp.