Very Important Poodle/Transcript

Oliver and Company: The Series

Very Important Poodle

(Setting: The houseboat, evening. The gang are watching a football match on TV; Dodger is sitting on Fagin's lap, while the rest of the gang rest on the floor. Dodger jumps down, and stretches, and is greeted by Georgette.)

Dodger: Please tell me I'm dreaming!

Georgette: Dodger, I have a favor to ask you.

Dodger: And what pray tell is this "favor"?

Georgette: Well...there's this...thing....

(The rest of the gang approach.)

Rita: And what, dare I ask, is this "thing"?

Georgette: Well, it's not really a big...

Dodger: (annoyed) Just spit it out!

Georgette: It's the International Dog Show!

Dodger: The who and what now?

Georgette: The International Dog Show! Show dogs from all over the world, pageantry. I go every year. This year's championships are in London.

All: (surprised) London?!

Georgette: And I was wondering if...would you come with me, Dodger?

(Dodger's cheeks flush red.)

Dodger: Ooh, uhh...well...

Francis: What happened to your German shepherd Prince Charming?

Georgette: Rex is taking part in a pageant in Milan. Look, Dodger, I'm just asking one little favor. For me. Please? Just sleep on it. (rushes off)

(Dodger stares at the door, bewildered.)

Dodger: International Dog Show? (scoffs) When pigs fly! And guess what, the pigs just flew south for winter!

Rita: Look on the bright side, you get a vacation out of this!

Dodger: I would rather walk halfway to (in Australian accent) Australia (normal accent) and back than mingle with snooty show dogs! (slumps on his mattress)

(Setting: The Foxworth lounge, the next day. Dodger is talking to Oliver.)

Dodger: And last night, Georgette asked me to go to her hoity-toity dog show!

Oliver: Really? Wow, you're in a bit of a jam.

Dodger: Ya think? I don't know what to do!

Oliver: Just go! I mean, what could go wrong?

Dodger: (sighs) Alright.

(Georgette enters the room.)

Georgette: So, I take it you're coming?

Dodger: Yes.

Georgette: Thank you! (squeals)

(She runs off. Dodger stares into the camera, mortified.)

Dodger: I really have painted myself into a corner, now!

(Setting: Heathrow Airport. Mr. and Mrs. Foxworth emerge from the airport doors, dressed in pageant wear. Georgette is sporting a leopard-print scarf, sunglasses and a sunhat topped with a feather. Dodger is dressed in a tuxedo, and has a look of displeasure on his face.)

Dodger: (siding to Georgette) I look and feel stupid!

Georgette: Relax!

(A shot of a taxi driving across Tower Bridge. The vehicle then pulls up to a large building, with a sign reading "Westminster Civic Center" in large letters outside. Mr. and Mrs. Foxworth emerge form the vehicle with Dodger and Georgette. The driver, an Indian man in a turban and with a black and grey beard, waves them off.)

Mr. Foxworth: Thanks for the ride, Ranjit.

Taxi driver: (in thick Indian accent) The pleasure is mine, Mr. Foxworth! Enjoy your show. (drives off)

(Later that day, Mr. and Mrs. Foxworth walk with Dodger and Georgette down the hallway, and enter the main hall of the centre. Show dogs are training and dressed in pageantry. A blond, spiky-haired photographer with a slight goatee approaches the group and shakes Mr. Foxworth's hand vigorously.)

Photographer: (in Cockney accent) Name's Adrian Fletcher. Dog show photographer extraordinaire.

Mr. Foxworth: David Foxworth. (to Mrs. Foxworth) My wife, Laura. (to Georgette and Dodger) And our dogs Georgette and Dodger.

Adrian: (takes a picture) Got one for the books! You know, Mr. Foxworth, have you ever considered being a model, because...?

(While the two talk, three showdogs approach; the first is a Labrador in a flat-cap, the second is a Maltese sporting a large pink bow around her neck, the third is a bulldog in a top hat and tails.)

Labrador: (in California accent) Well, look at what the dog dragged in, dudes! What brings you here?

Georgette': Why, we're here to take part in the International Dog Show, of course?

Maltese: (approaches) You seem like a handsome and strong specimen, don't you?(giggles)

Dodger: (nervously) OK...(sides to Georgette) What's in the water in this town?

Bulldog: (in a Cockney accent) You know, my American china, this little competition is only for the best of the best!

(Dodger and Georgette turn away.)

Dodger: (siding to her) Hey, Georgette, I was thinking, maybe you and I could hit the town? Ya know do some sightseeing?

Georgette: Well, I mean, I'd love to!

(Setting: Later that night. Dodger and Georgette are walking through the streets of London. Dodger is amazed.)

Dodger: So, Georgette, where are we?

Georgette: This is Peckham. The coolest neighborhood in London. Think of it like the Queens of England.

Dodger: I fancy something to eat. You?

(A short time later, the two are seen running out of a Chinese takeout, smiling and carrying a takeout bag. The owner, a tall Chinese man with graying hair, shakes his fist at them.)

Takeout owner: And stay out, you flea-riddled mutts! You no come back in my takeaway!

(Cut to an alleyway. Dodger and Georgette eat their meal while watching an African street musician perform for a crowd, which is met with great applause.)

Musician: (in thick Nigerian accent) Thank you. You are all a wonderful audience.

Dodger: (through a mouthful of siu mai) So, Georgie, why's this dog show so important to ya?

Georgette: If I'm honest with you, it's because my mom was a show dog. The best of the best.

(Flashback. A young Georgette is seen with her mother, who lounges on a couch. A cabinet full of trophies with the names "Claudette" engraved on them is in the background.)

Georgette: You've won all these, mom?

Claudette: (in exaggerated French accent) Why of course. I am ze best show dog in the verld, ma belle Georgette.

(Young Georgette smiles. Flashback ends.)

Georgette: Dodger, I've dreamt about this for years, but never thought I'd get here.

Dodger: Well, you're here now. And I'm with ya every step. Look, let's head back to our hotel. We have a big day tomorrow!

(The two dogs race out of the alley, weaving through the crowd, and through the streets of London.)

(Setting: The next day, the civic center. Competitors are lined up with their dogs. Mr. Foxworth has Georgette and Dodger on leashes.)

Dodger: (siding to Georgette) Hey Georgie!

Georgette: What?

Dodger: You'll knock it out of the park! (winks)

Georgette: Thank you!

(The dogs are let off their leashes and into the main hall as spectators look on, cheering.)

(Setting: The Foxworth house, the next evening. Dodger and Georgette are in the lounge with Oliver and the gang listening.)

Rita: So, did ya win this little competition of yours?

Georgette: Actually, we came third. But, I'm a graceful loser, and to be honest, the experience was...amazing!

Dodger: Not to mention, the sights. I mean, who names a clock tower after a guy?

Francis: You mean Big Ben?

Dodger: Yeah, that! And there's this queen they have over there. Never met her, but...

(The gang continue to listen. The camera pans out of the Foxworth house.)

(End credits.)