Runaway/Transcript

Oliver and Company: The Series

Runaway

Act I

(The streets of Queens, noon. It is busy and full of pedestrians and traffic. A female dog, a Samoyed-mix with white and brown fur, weaves through the mass of traffic, panting. We can see that a vicious-looking Rottweiler is chasing after her. The female dog runs into an alleyway, hoping to evade her pursuer.)

(Meanwhile, Dodger and Rita are chased out of an Indian grocery store, by the owner, a tall woman dressed in a sari.)

Shopkeeper: Get out of my shop, you pair of filthy flea-bitten mutts! (throws her shoe at them.)

(She enters the shop, dusting her hands off. Dodger and Rita catch their breath.)

Dodger: Well, there goes our chance at a free lunch.

Rita: We haven't exactly had the best track record, have we?

Dodger: Man, are the guys gonna be disappointed.

(Suddenly, they hear the sound of yelping and growling coming from o.c.)

Dodger: What was that?

Rita: I don't know. Let's check it out!

(They take off. The Rottweiler has cornered the Samoyed-mix and is ready to attack. Dodger and Rita arrive and block his attack.)

Rita: (growling) Why don't ya pick on someone your own size, ya big bully?

Dodger: Now scram! Or you'll have to deal with us? Got a problem with that?

(The Rottweiler backs away and takes off.)

Female dog: Thank you.

Dodger: No sweat, princess. It was the least we could do.

Female dog: My name's Lila. And you are?

Dodger: I'm Dodger. (gestures to Rita) This is Rita.

Rita: You know it can be kinda dangerous on the streets. Why don't ya stay with us for a bit?

Lila: I would like that. Very much!

(The three of them exit the alleyway.)

Dodger: You're gonna love the guys when they meet you?

Lila: There's more?

Rita: Yeah, but you'll get used to them.

(Cut to the houseboat, late afternoon. Francis is relaxing on the armchair, watching a performance of Shakespeare, while Tito sits next to him, and Einstein is slumped on the floor, sleeping. Fagin greets Dodger, Rita and Lila, with the rest of the gang following behind him.)

Fagin: You're back! And you've brought back a new friend. (pets them) I'm going out to pick up some dinner for us all. See ya. (heads off)

Francis: I can see we have another addition.

Dodger: This is Lila. We found her on the streets in Jackson Heights.

Rita: She's staying with us for a bit.

Lila: It's lovely to meet you all.

Dodger: So, Lila, ya never told us where you were from.

Lila: It's a long story. I'd rather not say--

Rita: Did you run away from home?

Lila: You could say that. I had another gang but I left.

Einstein: I bet they miss you.

(Lila and Dodger head off together, as the gang notice.)

Tito: I think Dodger's in L-O-V-E!

Rita: Are you crazy?

Tito: Don't tell me you're--?

Rita: Jealous? Of Lila? That's stupid!

Francis: Love is blind and lovers cannot see the pretty follies they themselves commit.

Rita: Is that Shakespeare?

Francis: Yes. From the Merchant of---

Rita: Maybe think of something a bit more original, Frankie!

Tito: Good one!

(They slap five.)

(Cut to a junkyard in Staten Island, later that night. There is junk piled high as far as the eye can see. The Rottweiler from earlier approaches a worn-out mattress, with a large dog sitting on it. We pan up to see that the dog addressing the Rottweiler is a fierce-looking German Shepherd with a nicked ear and spiked collar. His expression is that of utter distaste.)

German Shepherd: I sent you out with one simple mission. To find Lila and bring her back to me. Clearly you failed at that.

(The Rottweiler cowers.)

German Shepherd: I thought I mde it clear that under my leadership, you follow my rules. Any sign of insubordination will be punished. (cocks his eyebrows) Don't worry, I'll let you live.

(The Rottweiler's fearful expression changes to that of relief.)

German Shepherd: You will, however, be forced to leave this gang. Now go!

(The Rottweiler takes off, as the German Shepherd grins. Two mixed-breed dogs of inderteminate origin with brown and gray fur approach. One of them has his left eyes sewn shut.)

German Shepherd: This will be harder than I anticipated. But that's what makes it fun, eh, boys?

(Cut to the streets of Manhattan. Dodger and Lila are on a moonlight stroll through the city.)

Dodger: Enjoy your meal, m'lady?

Lila: It was really nice!

Dodger: Courtesy of Chang's, best Chinese takeout in New York.