Flesh and Bolts AU

Chapter 3: Decisions Made

It didn't take Herb and Lydia Copperbottom long to find their son. She knew where to look.

Rodney set his suitcase, with his Wonderbot in there, as he stood in front of the ticket booth. With enough money he saved from his old job, he was able to buy a ticket to Robot City.

"Round-trip or one-way?" The ticket cashier asked him.

"One-way," Rodney answered.

Lydia walked past the ticket booth before she came back to find Rodney about to buy a ticket to Robot City. She sighed with relief. "There you are. I told you I'd find him," she boasted to her husband, who came up beside her. "It's a mother's instinct."

"Instinct? He left us a note. 'I'm leaving. I'll be at the train station'," Herb reasoned with her.

"Never mind," she dismissed him as she walked up to Rodney. "Pick up that suitcase. You're coming home right now," she sternly lectured him.

"No, Mom. I have to do this," Rodney replied firmly. "I'm going to Robot City tonight. I'm gonna get a job, and I'm gonna help Dad pay back Mr. Gunk."

"Talk to him," Lydia told her husband exasperatedly.

"Uh, R–" Herb started, but Lydia cut him off.

"Robot City?! You're just a kid!" She sternly told Rodney.

But he was not a little kid anymore. He's a grown man now, and he has made a decision. "I'm never gonna be someone here. I wanna be an inventor. I wanna meet Bigweld. I wanna be somebody!" Rodney explained as he tried to get her to understand.

"You are somebody. Somebody who is not getting on that train," Lydia insisted as she picked up his suitcase.

"Yes, I am," Rodney firmly stated.

"Talk to him," Lydia turned to her husband.

Just when it looked like he was about to talk to Rodney, Herb walked up to the man behind the ticket counter. "One ticket to Robot City."

"Where are you going?" Lydia asked him confused.

"Not me. Him," Herb replied calmly.

Rodney's eyes widened a bit. "But..." Lydia started.

"Rodney, did you know when I was your age, I wanted to be a musician?" Herb talked to his son as they walked a bit toward the train. "I played pretty well, too. But–but my dad was worried that I wouldn't be able to make a living, so...I got refitted to be a dishwasher. Now I'm not complaining, but..." Herb sighed after a second. "...I've always said to myself, 'If I could do it over again, I would follow my dream'."

Rodney's heart rose a bit from his father's words. "You got greatness in you, Rodney. Never doubt it," Herb continued and handed him the ticket. "You go to Robot City. You go meet Bigweld, and you show him your big ideas. And Rodney...never, never give up."

By then, people began to board the train that would take them to Robot City. Lydia hesitantly handed the suitcase back to Rodney, who took it from her hands. He then took a gentle hold of her palms, which got her to look up at him returning a tender beam at her. She grabbed her son and hugged him like she never wanted to let him go.

"All aboard!" The train conductor tearfully cried, watching the tender family moment.

Rodney tried to pull away, but Lydia wouldn't let go of him for a moment. He cleared his throat as he gradually pried himself free from her hold. "Mum," he reminded her. Herb was able to get her to let go before Rodney picked up his suitcase and boarded the train.

The train began to leave as Rodney stood at the doorway of the vehicle. "I won't let you down, Dad. I'll make you proud!" He vowed to his dad before he closed the door.