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. The camera pans up and we can 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 made 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 indeterminate origin with brown and gray fur approach. One of them has his left eye sewn shut, the other is missing large clumps of fur from his back and the tops of his front legs.)

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 moonlit 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.

Lila: I'll take your word for it. Dodger, your gang seem really nice.

Dodger: Well, ya get used to them.

Lila: That Francis, he's such--

Dodger: He's cool, honestly. Bit snobby though. Once he gets talking about Shakespeare or the arts, you can't get him to shut up!

(They both laugh.)

Lila: Dodger, I have something to ask you.

Dodger: Sure.

Lila: Do you...like me?

Dodger: (confused) Well, you're very nice...(stammers)

Lila: But do you like like me?

Dodger: As in romantically? I-I don't know. I've never--

Lila: Look, I understand if Rita--

Dodger: Look, Rit and I are friends. Just friends.

Lila: Well, there's something else I'd like you to do.

Dodger: What is it?

Lila: I miss my gang. Could you take me back to them?

Dodger: I will, but, would you at least stay with us? Just for the night?

Lila: Well--

Dodger: One night, and I will personally take you back myself. Please?

(He gives her the puppy dog eyes.)

Lila: OK. One night.

Dodger: Awesome.

(They head off through the streets. Cut to commercial break.)

Act II

(We cut to the next morning. Dodger and Lila disembark from the houseboat, and onto the jetty, as the gang see them off.)

Tito: (sing-song) Dodger and Lila sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I...(Rita glares at him)

Rita: Can it, Chihuahua!

Tito and Francis: (in unison) Ooh!

(Meanwhile, Dodger and Lila head through the streets of Manhattan, surfing on the tops of cars, before disembarking.)

Lila: Where'd ya learn to do that?

Dodger: I'm just a natural. (cocks his eyebrows) Anyway, Lila, ya never really told me where you live.

Lila: I live on Staten Island.

Dodger: No sweat. We can hop the ferry.

Lila: But first, shall we grab something to eat?

Dodger: I suppose we could swing round to the Denny's we just passed.

Lila: I like your thinking!

(Later that morning, Dodger and Lila arrive at the Manhattan harbor, and board the ferry to Staten Island, sneaking in among the mass of passengers. Cut to the Staten Island harbor, where Dodger and Lila disembark from the boat. They head through the streets of Staten Island, until they arrive at the junkyard.)

Lila: This is it.

Dodger: (incredulously) This is your home?

Lila: Yeah.

Dodger: No offense, but surely a bit of a spring clean heare and there wouldn't go a miss, huh?

(As they walk through the junkyard, they notice several dogs, some of whom have pups, all looking slightly on edge.)

Dodger: (sarcastically) They seem like a happy bunch.

(One of the junkyard dogs, a sickly-looking whippet, approaches them.)

Dodger: Are you OK?

Lila: What's wrong?

Whippet: You shouldn't be here!

Dodger: Why? Lila was missing her home and now you--?

Whippet: He's coming!

Dodger: Who?

(The junkyward dogs cower. We see an up-close shot of three sets of paws, before seeing the owners of the paws come into view. It's the German Shepherd we saw earlier in the episode; he is flanked by the two-mixed dogs. They approach Dodger and Lila.)

German Shepherd: (flashing an evil grin) Lila! I always knew you'd come crawling back. (Sees Dodger) And who's your little toy-boy?(chuckles)

(The two mixed-breed dogs laugh as well.)

Dodger: My name's Dodger, ya big bully. And you are?

German Shepherd: I'm Rocco. The leader of this sorry bunch of strays. These are Rusty and Kirby, my two, shall we say, enforcers.

Rusty: We keep these pathetic mutts in line!

Kirby: Any sign of trouble...

Both: You answer to us!

Rocco: And I know who you are, Dodger. You lead a gang of filthy street dogs in Manhattan. The Company if you will. A bunch of sad, pathetic mongrels who nobody wanted! (snickers)

Lila: Stop it, now!

Dodger: (siding to her) Lila, I don't think the words "political correctness" are in this guy's vocabulary!

Rocco: Standing up for you beau, Lila? (baby-talk) Isn't that cute?

Dodger: Alright, buddy. (gets into a fighting pose) Wanna dance?

(Rocco nods to Rusty and Kirby, who pounce on Dodger. Dodger fights them off, biting and clawing, but Kirby tosses him aside like a rag doll. Dodger lands head first into an old bathtub. Rusty and Kirby head back to Rocco, and the three of them smile smugly.)

Rocco: Let this be a lesson to you all. Anyone who dares to stand up to me or disobeys my rules will suffer the consequences! (marches off with Rusty and Kirby.)

(Dodger climbs out of the bathtub and approaches three junkyard dogs, a American white shepherd, a beagle and a Weimeraner.)

Dodger: So, how come ya put up with this bully telling ya what to do?

White shepherd: It wasn't always like this. Our old leader would be ashamed to see us reduced to this.

Dodger: What?

Lila: Before Rocco took over, we had another leader. But he was kind and loving, and he treated us with dignity.

Beagle: About a year ago, Rocco took over and killed our leader. He took over and well, the rest is history.

Dodger: Gosh.

Weimeraner: It isn't right! Some of us have young pups to feed, and Rocco constantly has us bring most of our food to him!

Dodger: Well, haven't you tried standing up to him?

White shepherd: Of course we have! But it never ends well.

(Dodger and Lila head off to a secluded area of the junkyard.)

Dodger: We have to do something, Lila.

Lila: I know, but, what?

Dodger: You'll see. I'm an expert in these sorts of things.

(He winks at the camera. Cut to commercial break.)

Act III

(Cut to an overhead shot of the junkyard, later that day. Dodger hops onto an upturned crate, and addresses the junkyard dogs.)

Dodger: Listen up!

(The junkyard dogs look up and listen.)

Lila: (Approaching) What are you doing?

Dodger: (slightly flustered) Improvising?

(He takes a deep breath, then continues.)

Dodger: I've only known you all for a day, but I know that this isn't how a gang should be. A gang is like a family, where we have each other's backs through thick and thin. Rocco isn't a leader, he's a bully and a freeloader, abusing his power to do whatever he wants. Today that ends. You can stand up to him! You can knock him down a peg!

(The junkyard dogs stare up at him, slightly confused. Dodger hops off the crate, disappointed. Rocco approaches, chuckling and shaking his head. Rocco and Kirby are behind him.)

Rocco: (sarcastically) Wow. Give this guy an Oscar.

Rusty: Quite a motivational speaker, ain't ya?

(Rocco shoots him a dirty look.)

Rocco: You really think you can get them to stand up to me? (snorts) Look at them. I broke their spirits a long time ago. They're weak and dispirited.

(Suddenly, the junkyard dogs start approaching Dodger and Lila, one by one.)

Rocco: Is this a joke?

Whippet: Dodger's right!

White shepherd: We're sick and tired of you bossing us around.

Dodger: They don't want you or need you anymore! Now go!

(Dodger and Lila get into fighting poses, with the junkyard dogs ready to attack. Rocco backs away with Rusty and Kirby.)

Rocco: Fine! I'll leave. But, you'll regret this, Dodger.

(He runs off with Rusty and Kirby in pursuit. Lila turns to address the crowd.)

Lila: From now on, I'll be your leader!

(The dogs cheer.)

Dodger: Lila, I'm sure you'll make an excellent leader.

Lila: I will, so, I guess this is goodbye.

Dodger: Yeah.

(Dodger takes off. He stops and he and Lila look back at each other, giving teary smiles, before he continues on his way.)

(Cut to the houseboat, later that evening. Dodger is slumped on the armchair, watching the TV. Rita approaches.)

Rita: So, ya got Lila back home?

Dodger: I did. And I'm sure she'll be an excellent leader.

Rita: Hey, Dodge, do you miss her?

Dodger: I kinda do. It was almost as if I...

Rita: You felt like you were in love.

Dodger: Yeah.

Rita: Still, I know what can fix an aching heart.

Dodger: What?

Rita: You in the mood for a great big pepperoni pizza fresh from Tony's?

Dodger: Uh, is that even a question?

Rita: I knew that would pep you up, Romeo!

(Dodger jumps off the couch and follows Rita. The gang approach him.)

Francis: Where's Lila?

Dodger: I'd rather not say.

Francis: For never there was a story of more woe...

Dodger: (cutting him off) Cut it out, Frankie!

Tito: Ooh! Someone misses his girlfriend!

Dodger: Hahaha. That was so funny I almost forgot to laugh!

Rita: And anyway, don't you miss your precious Georgette?

(Tito blushes. The gang laugh, and Dodger winks at the camera. Fade to black. End credits)