Taming of the Stray/Transcript

Oliver and Company: The Series

Taming of the Stray

First scene

A shot of New York at night. A female cat runs through the streets of Manhattan, clearly tired, and looking back as if she is being chased. She runs towards the Foxworth house, and enters round the back of the house, landing in a tree,jumping down and entering through the kitchen window. She sneaks upstairs, past Jenny's room, where she, Oliver and Dodger are sleeping, and sneaks into Georgette's bedroom.

Cat: Finally, a place I can rest.

She enters Georgette's wardrobe, and curls up in a pile of clothes falling asleep.

Transition to the next day. Oliver and Dodger are watching TV in the living room with Shadow and Sancho, while Jenny is reading a book.

Dodger: Hey kid. What's that book Jenny's reading?

Oliver: I think it's called Pride and Prejudice.

Dodger: Ooh, fancy.

Winston enters the living room.

Winston: Jennifer, it's time for piano practice.

Jennifer: Alright, Winston.

She skips off out of the living room.

Dodger: Hey, Ollie. Wanna mess with Georgette?

Oliver: Yes.

Sancho: Go on, you two! Knock that posh poodle down a notch!

Suddenly, the sound of a bloodcurdling scream can be heard.

Dodger: This should be good.

Dodger and Oliver run up the stairs.

Oliver: What is it?

They enter Georgette's bedroom. She has seen the cat who snuck in the previous night.

Georgette: A filthy cat snuck into my boudoir last night...in my wardrobe...

The cat enters the shot. She looks bewildered.

Cat: I was looking for a place to rest...

Oliver: Look on the bright side, Georgette.

Dodger: Now you've got a new friend.

The two give each other a high-five.

Georgette: I don't know how you got in here, and I frankly don't much care, but you will NOT be staying here! Get out of my bedroom now!

Next scene

Oliver, Dodger and the cat have exited the house through the kitchen window, going through the garden and into the streets.

Oliver: Sorry about Georgette. She's actually quite friendly.

Cat: Must have caught her on a bad day, then.

Dodger: You could say that. Anyway, this is Oliver and I'm Dodger. Your name is?

Cat: Queen.

Oliver: That's a lovely name.

The trio have headed into the center of Manhattan. It is busy and full of traffic.

Queen: You know, I've lived in New York my whole life but I never knew it could be so busy.

Oliver: If you wanna get around, fast...

Dodger: Car-surfing! Let's go!

Dodger and Oliver hop on top of a passing car. Queen tries, but struggles, and Dodger helps her up. The car speeds through the streets, the wind whipping through Dodger's fur, and Queen clings to his back. Finally, they disembark. Tess pants heavily.

Oliver: Whoo! That was exciting!

Queen: Yes, but surely there's a less dangerous way to get around! Especially in my state?

Dodger: Come again.

'Queen: (breathes in) I'm actually pregnant.

Oliver: What?

Queen: Pregnant? As in...

Oliver: You're having babies. I know.

Queen: (sarcastically) You really are perceptive, aren't you?

Next scene

Oliver, Dodger and Queen have arrived on a quieter backstreet in Manhattan. Dodger has retrieved some fast food for her.

Queen: Wow! You're really good!

Dodger: Well, I did manage to "liberate" it from a diner if ya know what I mean.

Queen rolls her eyes.

Oliver: You need to eat, Queen. Keep up your strength.

Queen, needing no further encouragement, devours the half-eaten hamburger and fries, leaving little for Oliver and Dodger.

Queen: Thanks. Sorry if there's not much left for you guys.

Oliver: Don't be. You need it more than us.

Dodger: SO, Queen, how long have you been living on the streets?

Queen: What? Oh, right. Well...

Suddenly, Queen is interrupted by a growl. A vicious-looking dog has approached them, ready to attack. Dodger gets into a fighting pose. The two dogs square off, and pounce on each other. Oliver leads Queen away, as Dodger continues fighting, and the dog runs off, with Dodger barking at him. He approaches Oliver and Queen, looking slightly worse for wear.

Dodger: Yeah. He better run.

Oliver: Are you OK, Dodge?

Dodger: Just a few scratches here and there, but I've had worse.

Queen: That was really brave of you, Dodger. (smiles)

Dodger: Well, when you leave on the streets, you gotta be tough.

Oliver: Alright, come on.

They continue on their journey, weaving through the mass of traffic, and pedestrians.

Dodger: So, Queen, I was asking, how long have you been living on the streets?

Queen: Well, only about a year.

Oliver: A year?

Queen nods.

Queen: I actually used to be a house cat.

Oliver: Really?

Queen: Yeah.

Dodger: What were your owners like.

Queen: (breathes in) Well...

Flashback. What Queen describes is shown in monochrome.

Queen: My owner was a little boy called Alex. He and his family got me when I was young, and things were great. He loved me and I loved him. But then, things changed...Alex and his family moved to Chicago last year, and I was abandoned. Been on the streets ever since.

Flashback ends.

Dodger: That's terrible. If it makes you feel better, I've been a stray most of my life until my owner Fagin took me in. I lived with my mom before--

(Dodger breaks off. He is close to tears.)

Queen: What's wrong?

Dodger: I don't wanna talk about it. Too painful.

Queen nods.

Queen: You can tell me in your own time.

Dodger nods.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Next scene

It is getting close to evening. The trio have taken refuge in a run-down warehouse. Queen is resting in an upturned crate, lined with newspaper. Dodger has brought some food.

Dodger: Here. I hope you like Mexican.

Queen: Believe it or not, Dodger, Alex's dad was from Mexico, so, yeah, I have eaten it before.

They eat.

'Dodger: I like it too. It does not like me though. I ate some week-old tamales out the garbage once, the results were NOT pretty and kind of embarrassing...

Flashback. Dodger is slumped on the armchair, looking rather embarrassed. He is wearing old newspaper between his legs and around his waist, much like a baby's diaper. Rita and the rest of the gang are beside themselves with laughter.

Francis: (trying to contain laughter) Old chap...we're not laughing at you...(snickers)

Rita: Just the sight of you...I'm sorry...(giggles)

Dodger: Oh ha ha ha. Don't you dare tell anybody about this!

Tito: (struggling to control laughter) Whatever you say...baby Dodger! (guffaws)

Flashback ends. Dodger shivers.

Queen: Well, I'm guessing they went and told the world and his wife.

Dodger: Oh yeah. Even Georgette had a field day! She was like (in a poor imitation of Georgette) "Oh, my! The proud and mighty Dodger forced to walk around in a diaper!" (normal voice) She wouldn't let up for a week.

Oliver: It wasn't that bad!

Dodger: If Georgette was bad, Sancho was worse! The gossipy bird.

Queen: That's gotta hurt. So, you were going to tell me about your mom?

Dodger: Well, OK. My mom was amazing. She was caring and sweet, and she had such a silky voice, that made your feel like all your problems could magically go away.

Flashback. In washed-out colors, Dodger is shown as a puppy, playing with his mother and father. He pretends to tackle his father, shouting "I got you!", and they fall to the ground, laughing. End of flashback.

Queen: She sounds lovely.

Dodger smiles and nods.

Oliver: Come on, we need to rest. It's getting dark.

The trio curl up and fall asleep for the night.

Next scene

It is early morning. Dodger stirs slightly, and stretches. He looks over towards Oliver and Queen, who are both sleeping. He nudges Oliver awake.

Oliver: (groggy) What?

Dodger: (whispering) I'm gonna get some breakfast, K, Ollie? Wanna come?

Oliver: I'm fine. I'll stay here with Queen.

Dodger nods and runs off out of the warehouse. Oliver sits with Queen, who wakes up.

Queen: What's going on? Where's Dodger?

Oliver: He's gone to get food.

Queen smiles. Then, she gasps.

Oliver: What's wrong, Queen?

Queen: I don't know...I think they're coming...

Oliver: (concerned) Your babies?

Queen: I'm getting pains. I'm going into my box, OK, Ollie?

Oliver nods.

Oliver: I'll be there for you, Queen.

Meanwhile, Dodger has stolen some pancakes and bacon from a diner; he runs out, smiling.

Dodger: Bye, bye, losers! (giggles)

Suddenly, Oliver comes running.

Oliver: (out of breath) Dodger...it's Queen...she's...

Dodger: (amazed) They're here?!?

Oliver nods. Dodger takes off after him. They arrive back at the warehouse. Queen looks up at them from her box.

Queen: Come here. They won't bite. Not yet.

Oliver and Dodger approach. They are awestruck by the tiny, newborn kittens nursing at Queen's side.

Oliver: They're beautiful, Queen. Looks like you've got two boys and one girl.

Queen: I know. What do I call them?

They think hard.

Dodger: (getting an idea) I've got it! For the girl, I think Belle.

Queen: That's lovely.

Oliver: What about the boys?

Dodger: How about Eric and Prince?

Queen: Those are wonderful names. Where did you get them?

Oliver: Well, one of them was from some movie about a mermaid and a prince. My owner's seen it about five times.

Queen smiles.

Next scene

It is late afternoon. Dodger arrives at the houseboat, and bids Oliver farewell. He takes off and enters, where he is greeted by the gang.

Rita: Hey, Dodge. How was your day?

Dodger stares at her, dumbfounded.

Rita: Hello! Is anyone home.

Dodger: (tersely) Let's just say...I had to help a friend.

Rita nods, and smiles. Dodger slumps onto the armchair to watch TV.

Rita: I bet that must be really good, helping out a friend in need.

Dodger: Yeah.

Dodger stares away from the TV towards the setting sun. Suddenly, Fagin enters.

Fagin: Alright, guys. Time for dinner. I've got pizza!

Rita: (turns to Dodger) Ready to eat?

Dodger: After the day I had, definitely!

Dodger hops off the armchair and joins the gang for their evening meal. Cut to an outside shot of the houseboat, as the sun sets in the sky, a resplendent shade of red and gold.

Next scene

The Foxworth house. It is getting dark. Jenny is in her pajamas, ready to go to bed. She greets Oliver.

Jenny: Oliver! How are you?

Oliver nuzzles her hand, and walks off upstairs with her. Just before he enters her room, he is greeted by Georgette.

Georgette: So, did you rid me of the pest?

Oliver: I don't think you'll have to worry about her anymore.

Georgette looks confused, but shrugs. Oliver runs after Jenny and follows her into her bedroom.

Cut to a shot of the warehouse. Inside, Queen is sleeping with her kittens.

End credits.