Cars 2(7)

“This could solve everything,” Finn muttered.

“The American is here tonight to pass the photo to you,” Holley added. “He’ll signal you when he’s ready.”

Ding! The elevator doors swung open.

Finn was pleased with Holley’s news. “Whoever’s in that photo is up to something big,” he commented quietly. “He has hundreds of hooligans working for him, including Professor Z.”

Holley, too, knew of Professor Z: “One of the most dangerous weapons designers in the world,” she whispered. Then she added, “There’s one other thing before I go: The oil field itself? It turns out it’s the largest oil reserve in the world.”

Finn pondered that for a moment. “This is bigger than I—” He stopped abruptly as he saw two Gremlins and a Pacer moving through the crowd—Professor Z’s cars! Finn immediately recognized them from the oil derrick. He ducked behind a large Japanese ceremonial helmet. He knew that now he’d never be able to make contact with the American agent without being recognized.

“What is it?” Holley asked him.

“New plan,” Finn told her swiftly. “You’re meeting the American.”



Mater continued to roll happily through the party. He really was beginning to feel at home in his glamorous new surroundings.

Wandering up to a sushi bar, he stared eagerly at the feast before him.

“Lightning’s probably starving,” he said to himself thoughtfully. Then he asked the chef, “Hey, you got anything that’s free?”

Mater noticed the fiery-hot green wasabi. “What about that pistachio ice cream?”

“No, no, wasabi,” the chef said, correcting him.

But Mater didn’t understand. He still thought it was ice cream!

He pointed to the spicy green wasabi again. “That looks delicious. I should probably sample some myself just to be sure.”

The chef nodded and put a small dab of wasabi aside for Mater. “Uh, a little more, please,” Mater asked. The sushi chef ’s eyes widened as Mater asked for more and more.

“My condolences,” the sushi chef said in Japanese when Mater finally drove off into the crowd with a huge glob of the hot green sauce.

As the party guests enjoyed their refreshments, Sir Miles Axlerod introduced Number 95, Lightning McQueen. The room erupted in cheers.

“You and your team bring excellence and professionalism to the competition,” Sir Miles was saying, when he was silenced by a piercing scream. It was Mater, driving in circles, eyes bloodshot red.

Mater peeled off toward the waterfall behind Lightning and Axlerod—and dove into the fountain.

“Sweet relief!” the tow truck howled as the water cooled his burning grille.

Sir Miles Axlerod was shocked. Lightning cringed. He could see that Mater was making a spectacle of himself. Other cars were laughing.

“Whatever you do, do not eat the free pistachio ice cream! It has turned!” Mater shouted. He was still splashing in the water and gasping for air. That hot green wasabi felt worse than an overheated radiator! Lightning turned to Axlerod and tried to apologize. “I can explain, Sir Miles,” he said as he introduced Mater. “He’s, uh, just a little excited.”

“I can see that,” Axlerod said, looking down at the floor between them.

Lightning looked down, too, and saw a puddle of oil. Mater had leaked!

“Mater!” Lightning whispered as he pulled him aside. “You have got to get ahold of yourself. You’re making a scene!”

Mater was confused and embarrassed. “But I never leak oil,” he told Lightning honestly.

Lightning just shook his head. “Go take care of yourself right now!”

Mater rushed through the crowd. “Comin’ through,” he said. “Where’s the bathroom?”





Poor Mater found his way to the bathrooms, but the signs above the doors were in Japanese. Mater knew he had a fifty-fifty chance of getting it right. He made his choice and rolled in. Two seconds later he zipped out with the sound of high-pitched shrieking behind him.

“Sorry, ladies!” Mater called back.

Mater entered the ultramodern men’s room. He rolled into an open stall and was very impressed. It was equipped with a fancy lift and a flat-screen monitor.

Mater pushed a few buttons. Lights began flashing. The little stall seemed to come alive with moving gadgets, and the monitor lit up.

“Welcome to the bathroom!” a little cartoon character giggled. Mater wasn’t sure if he should hide. The character was a girl!

Now, this was something Mater had never experienced! The lift began to rise under him as the little character said, “Please sit quietly and let us do the work for you.”