Don Bluth's Manxmouse (Transcript)

This idea is for the Don Bluth Version of Paul Gallico’s Manxmouse.

Chapter 1 - The Ceramicist’s 10,000th mouse
(In a forested marsh, we zoom in to a small town, with a sign saying “Buntingdowndale - Five Kilometers”. As a text says “England 1985” as the sun rose)

Narrator - In the world we live in, There are people called Artisans who take pride in creating with a certain touch, befitting of an artist. Artisans like Armorers, Blacksmiths, Furriers, Glassblowers, Pastry Chefs, Potters, Shoemakers, and Tailors, made their living creating things with their own personal touch. However, when the Industrial Revolution began, it meant that the artisans would be out of business. But, plenty of the artisans survived to continue their work. (We zoom in to a building with a sign saying “Ceramic Oddities”.) in this building, there lived an elderly ceramicist, named Shaw. He never had much luck making ceramics of other animals, but the ceramic animal He made time and time again, to support his shop were mice. (Inside the shop, were many ceramic mice inside glass cases.) Most of the mice he made, if not all of them, looked realistic, like they jumped out of a fairy tale. Some looked adventurous, Some looked royal, some looked cultural, some looked cartoony, some wore clothes, and some looked perfect. Now, our story begins with the completion of his 9,998th and 9,999th mouse. (An old man carefully places two ceramic mice, one dressed like a bride, the other dressed as a groom in a small box)

Shaw - Ah. The perfect topper for the Wedding Cake. (Starts to become sad as he looked at his shop) Too bad that once my 10,000 mouse is complete, I’ll have to close my shop. (Shaw locks up his shop and goes to the wedding. The scene changes to when the sun was about to go down, Shaw was singing while drunk. Then, A shady man approaches Shaw)

Man - Excuse me, I have heard that you’re about to make your 10,000th ceramic mouse.

Shaw - Oh… I don’t make ceramic houses. (Hiccups)

Man - I said Ceramic Mouse. And what I’m about to give you, is very special and what most ceramicists desire. (Gives Shaw a slab of glossy clay.) Once you complete your work, place it where it can be bathed in moonlight. (Shaw stammers, as the man vanishes to Shaw in wonder)

(the scene changes to the workshop where a drunk Shaw is working on his 10,000th mouse. As he worked, some of the mice from the ceiling watched over Shaw. As the night wore on, more and more mice appear and watch Shaw working.)

Shaw - Ah! Let it be known that I, Shaw of Buntingdowndale have completed the handiworks of my 10,000th ceramic mouse! All that’s left is to place it in the kiln. (Picks up the ceramic mouse and places it on a slab and inside a pottery kiln.) Look forward to tomorrow, when you’ll see the perfect ceramic mouse. (The mice applaud.) Thank you all. You provided me inspiration for over 40 years, and I provided you a great home. (The scene changes to daytime, when Shaw is asleep on his bed. He gets up.) Ohh… What time is it? (Looks at his clock.) 1 o’clock? (looks at smoke from his workshop.) Wha— Smoke?! (Runs to the workshop) Oh, No! (Turns off the kiln and opens the windows to let out the smoke) Ohh… for this to happen. But, who would— Wait, I Remember coming home and I— Oh! Someone did give me a slab of Clay, and I made a perfect mouse figurine! (The scene changes to the workshop, now clear of the smoke, as Shaw opens the kiln.) I hope I didn’t overcook him. (Uses tongs to pick up the slab.) Huh? That’s not a mouse. The fur color’s wrong, it has the ears of a rabbit, legs of a kangaroo, I can’t believe my 10,000th mouse has no tail. I remember giving him one, but…

Narrator - He thought about smashing the figurine, but decided not to and place it on his night table as a reminder, not to work while being drunk. Even though He’s to retire soon. (Scene changes to night time as Shaw is asleep.) After a few nights, something strange and something wonderful happened. (The town clock strikes 13, and the figurine bathed in the moonlight, glowed a blue color and started to move.)

Shaw - Oh, why did the clock strike 13 chimes? (Notices the Manxmouse twitching his nose.) Huh? It's moving... (Goes back to sleep, but his eyes open wide.) It's moving?!