An Englishman in New York/Transcript

Oliver and Company: The Series

An Englishman in New York

(Starting scene:) The Woolworth Building at night. The place is packed with people dressed in evening wear. Mr. and Mrs. Foxworth are talking to a smartly-dressed man with sandy-blond hair.

Mr. Foxworth: So, Mr. Danforth--

Man: Please, call me William.

Mr. Foxworth: OK, William. I've heard quite a bit about you. You're a bit of a celebrity.

William: It is true. I've got quite a few connections, if you know what I mean. (he pulls out his wallet, showing pictures of himself with celebrities) This is me having dinner with Elton John. Nice man, once you get to know him. And this is me going to the Oscars with Julia and Richard. (Mr. and Mrs. Foxworth look slightly perplexed) Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. (They nod, having got it)

Mrs. Foxworth: I've also heard you give a lot of your money to charity. Hence why we're here tonight.

William: Of course. One that is especially close to my heart is the World Wildlife Fund. And I've actually visited a few of their conservation projects around the world.

Mr. Foxworth: I'm intrigued.

William: Well, a few years ago, I was travelling in India, where I helped with a project to save the Bengal tiger. (The Foxworths nod) And then the year after that, I was in Sumatra, aiding with conservation efforts for the orangutans.

Mrs. Foxworth:: Well, that's wonderful.

Mr. Foxworth: And while we're on the subject of animals, do you have any pets? Or did you have any?

William: Well, years ago, I had a bulldog. But, sadly, when I bought my first home in New York, I couldn't take care of him. He ran away from home, and I haven't seen him since.

Mrs. Foxworth: Well, if you see your dog again, I'm sure he'd be happy to know you were looking for him.

Mr. Foxworth: I'm going to get some more drinks. William, what's your fancy?

William: Just a sherry, please. (Mr. Foxworth nods)

(Mr. Foxworth heads off, while Mrs. Foxworth continues talking with William.)

(Next scene:) exterior of the houseboat, the next day. Zoom in.

Fagin: (excitedly) Guys, you won't believe what was in the news yesterday.

(He plops a newspaper in front of the gang, who stare at it with interest)

Fagin: Exciting, huh? (heads off)

Dodger: Who's this William Danforth?

Francis: It really astounds me how your mind works.

Dodger: I was just asking.

Francis: William Danforth is a wealthy business magnate. One of the richest men on the face of the earth.

Rita: Well, good for him. (to Dodger) No doubt he heard Princess Stuck-Up talking about this.

Dodger: More than likely.

(Next scene:) A cafe. Mr. Foxworth and William are sitting down, drinking. Mr. Foxworth is in sweatpants and a tank top.

Mr. Foxworth: You know, William, I like to come to this coffee shop sometimes after I've been to the gym. (takes a drink)

William: Yes, very nice.

Mr. Foxworth: So, last night at the charity gala, you said you owned a bulldog, didn't you?

William: I did.

Mr. Foxworth: What was his name?

William: (caught off-guard) His name? Goodness, I have a picture of him here.

(He pulls out a faded photograph, and shows it to Mr. Foxworth. In the picture are William with Francis as a puppy)

Mr. Foxworth: Wait a minute. That looks just like Francis!

William: Francis! Of course. Wait, how do you know his name?

Mr. Foxworth: There's a man my family know called Fagin. He actually is Francis's new owner.

William: Well, I suppose he must have been cared for by him.

Mr. Foxworth: Trust me, once you get to know Fagin, he's not so bad.

(later, at the Foxworth house. William is talking to Fagin, while Mr. and Mrs. Foxworth drink from coffee mugs.)

William: So, Mr.--

Fagin: Fagin.

William: Fagin. Right. I never knew you were Francis's owner.

Fagin: (chuckles) It's a long story, but--

(From the living room, the gang are listening in.)

Oliver: Francis, why did you not tell anybody that William was your owner?

Francis: (slightly flustered) Well...

(Georgette enters the room.)

Georgette: Francis, you're a bit of a puzzle for me. (she slumps on a cushion) You're clearly an intelligent dog with refined tastes-like moi-yet you hang out with this bunch of-(Dodger gives her a disapproving look)-no offense. I myself have class and taste, ever since I blessed the world with my--

Dodger: Stop! Just stop! Her point is, Frankie, why is it now you tell us that this Danforth guy was your owner?

Francis: It's a bit of a long story. You see, I was actually born in London, and William was starting off in the world of commerce for a stockbroker in Chelsea.

(Flashback. What Francis describes is shown in monochrome.)

Francis: (narrating) We had a comfortable life, sharing a flat, we did everything together. He even liked reading the classics, which is probably where my love of them comes from. But then, things changed.

Rita: (v.o.) What?

Francis: (narrating) William ended up becoming a Wall Street stockbroker, and he'd moved into-an admittedly lovely-new penthouse in Manhattan, but the only downside was dogs weren't allowed.

(A shot of young Francis is seen, being pelted by rain in a dark alley.)

Young Francis: (coughing) Where am I? Hello? (sobs)

Francis: (narrating) I was tossed aside like rubbish.

(Flashback ends.)

Francis: Until Fagin took me in and I met you.

Dodger: I never knew...

Francis: It was something I wasn't really proud of talking about.

Rita: Well, at least, we know now.

(Meanwhile, back in the kitchen...)

Fagin: So, what do you plan on doing now, William?

William: Well, to be honest, I'm thinking of going back to London. And taking Francis with me.

(Unbeknown to them, Francis has been listening in on the conversation.)

(Next scene:) Back at the houseboat. Francis is pacing back and forth, while the gang look on.

Dodger: Frankie, you're acting as though it's the end of the world.

Francis: It might as well be, Dodger!

Tito: What do you mean, amigo?

Francis: William is considering taking me back to England with him.

Dodger: How's that a bad thing? You'll get to hang out with those high society types. (in an affected British accent) Hello, Sir Tito, how do you do?

Tito: (also in British accent) Why, Sir Dodger, lovely day, isn't it?

(The two end up in hysterics.)

Rita: Alright, that's enough. Look, as much as I want to have a laugh about it, this is serious. We might never see Francis again.

Francis: That's what worries me. I had a comfortable life with William but, you're the only family I've ever known.

Dodger: Well, sleep on it, and then we'll see what happens.

(It is now night. The gang are all sleeping, except for Francis, who lies on his back, gazing at the ceiling with a troubled expression on his face. He wanders out of the houseboat onto the deck, and stares off into space.)