Chapter Text
It had been a long while since anyone passed through Radiator Springs. Even the most deserted of desert towns sees the odd lost road tripper once in a while, but it had been years since Radiator Springs had seen a new face. That is, until Charlie Swan came to town…
It was a late summer evening with sunset on the horizon when Charlie’s headlights revealed a sign that read “Radiator Springs: 10 miles.” He had been driving for the better part of the day and was looking forward to breaking into the 24 pack of Rainier beers he’d packed as his companion. The air conditioning had been broken on his station wagon for most of the summer, but he hadn’t regretted his inaction in getting it fixed more than today. Beads of sweat fell from his raven mustache until the winding roads hid him behind red rock cliffs, a welcome respite from the heat. Charlie depleted the last drops of water from his thermos as he crossed the threshold into the cliffside town of Radiator Springs. Distracted by his thirst, he did not see the ripple of energy pass through him upon that arrival, transforming his modest vehicle into a sentient version of itself. The unaware Charlie saw a sign for “Luigi's Casa Della Tires” with a neon flair that read “Open 24 hrs” and pulled in. Figuring they may also be able to do something about his A/C, Charlie got out and peered around looking for an employee to speak to. All he found was a yellow Fiat, so he turned around prepared to leave when he heard “Ciao, how can I help you today?”
Charlie whipped his attention back and looked around, seeing no human in sight. He curiously inched forward, “Hello, sorry where are you?”
“I’m right in front of you, look down amico,” the Fiat chuckled.
“AHhhhhh!! What, what?” Charlie fell back, shouting in disbelief at what he saw. The yellow car’s windshield looked down on him, with his now clearly large brown eyes. Above its bumper was a smile, which would have read as incredibly friendly were it not on a car.
“Welcome to Radiator Springs, human! I am Luigi and I own this shop with my husband Guido.” On command, a little blue forklift spun around the corner, with just as warm of an expression.
“Hello there, how can we be of assistance today?” Guido asked.
“Well according to all of his muttering today, I think he wants my A/C checked out.” Charlie turned to see his station wagon, now exhibiting the same large eyes and grin as its Italian counterparts.
With that, Charlie scrambled up and ran screaming out of the garage, only to be met with half a dozen more curious vehicles. Among them, a blue Hudson Hornet with tired eyes slowly approached, and said “For your own safety I think you better sit down, young man. Welcome to Radiator Springs, I’m Doc Hudson.”
As a police officer, Charlie had seen a great deal of astonishing things in his career. Never had anything shocked him like this. He attempted to slow down his racing thoughts, but only grew dizzier. Intending to follow Doc’s instruction, he went to sit down but it was too late. He passed out in the middle of the dusty road, surrounded by a motley crew of talking, sentient cars.