A Mile in My Shoes/Transcript

Oliver and Company: The Series

A Mile in My Shoes

Act I

(The scene opens in Central Park at night. The park itself is empty, and an owl flies past the camera. Shooting stars streak across the night sky. The gang are watching from a grove of trees, with fascination.)

Dodger: Woah. This is amazing!

Francis: Yes, Dodger. I was watching a documentary on television. It's said that ancient civilizations--

Dodger: I'm not in the mood for one of your fascinating anecdotes, Frankie.

Rita: Hey, Dodger. Look.

(A shooting star hurtles across the pitch-black sky. Dodger and Rita close their eyes. The others look on, a bit perplexed. Tito cocks his head.)

Tito: OK, Dodger, if ya needed to go the little chicos room, you coulda just told me!

(Francis shoots him a disapproving look.)

Francis: That's what you do when you wish upon a star.

(A little while later, the gang are making their way through the park and into the city streets on their way back to the houseboat. When they arrive, Fagin is slouched in the armchair in front of the TV.)

Rita: So Dodge, what did you wish for?

Dodger: Well...You're gonna think it's silly.

Rita: I won't laugh.

Dodger: OK. What would it be like if we were both human?

Rita: I don't understand.

Dodger: I'm just saying. If we were human, imagine what we could do. Jobs, a house. Maybe, even, you know...(wiggles his eyebrows suggestively)

Rita: (chuckles) OK. I get it. Look, it just seems like a weird thing to wish for you. Ya know?

Dodger: Yeah.

(The two settle down to sleep. Cut to a wide shot of the gang, who are sleeping. Tito is sleeping on Francis's stomach. Einstein is sleeping on a cushion. The camera zooms in on Dodger, who is sleeping, and we see a close-up of his closed eyes. From his perspective, his eyes open. We can see the interior of a bedroom, with faded cream and pink wallpaper.)

Dodger: (to himself) Woah. OK, note to self, I gotta cut back on the sugar before bed. Where in the world am I?

Woman's voice: (o.c.) Honey! Breakfast's ready.

(Dodger races out of the bedroom and into the adjoining bathroom, and gets a look at his reflection. He is now a red-headed Caucasian man with slight stubble and wearing white and red pajamas with polka dots. He stares at himself somewhat confused.)

Dodger: Wait, my wish to be human? It came true? (looks down at his pot-belly) I really need to go easy on the Burger King.

(Dodger hurries down the stairs, still wearing his pajamas. He is greeted by Rita; her human form is that of a beautiful African-American woman with black hair in a white tank top, and pink pajama bottoms. Sitting at the table are two mixed-race children, a boy and a girl.)

Dodger: Morning, Rita.

Rita: Hi honey. I made your breakfast. (She hands him a plate of breakfast, with bacon, sausages, tomatoes, and two fried eggs and a coffee mug with the words "World's Greatest Dad" on the side)

Dodger: Thanks.

Rita: Eat up, now. It's your first day at your new job. (turns to the children) Evan, Olivia. You two get dressed. I'll drop you at school on the way to work.

Evan (boy): Yes, mom.

(They get down. Cut to a shot of Dodger riding in a taxi, and dressed in a smart suit. He is clean-shaved, and his hair is slicked back.)

Dodger: Can't wait to see where I work! Maybe I'm a cop? No. I hope it's something cool though!

(The taxi pulls up and Dodger gets out. As the vehicle drives away, Dodger sees where he's been dropped off.)

Dodger: (thinking to himself) The Foxworth house? Well, I suppose when you got lemons, you gotta make lemonade.

(He enters. He is greeted by Winston, who shakes his hand, vigorously.)

Winston: (eagerly) Welcome! I've heard a lot about you! Your name is?

Dodger: (trying to get the words out) Dodger--I mean, Danny. My name is Danny.

Winston: Well, Danny. I have quite the long list of tasks that I need you to do.

Dodger: (thinking to himself) Oh joy.

(A little while later, Dodger is on the phone talking to someone on the other end. Winston greets him.)

Dodger: I've just rescheduled Mr. and Mrs. Foxworth's business trip to Tokyo to meet with Mr. Fujiyama.

Winston: Wonderful.

Dodger: Also, I've scheduled the meal with his work colleagues for this weekend, OK.

Winston: You are good, aren't you?

(He pats Dodger on the head; as soon as Winston's gone, Dodger sticks his tongue out. Cut to commercial break.)

Act II

(Cut to Dodger and Rita's house, later that evening. Dodger looks utterly bedraggled, as he sits down for dinner with Rita, Evan and Olivia.)

Olivia: (through a mouthful of pasta) So, mom. Would it be possible if I could invite Emily for a sleepover this weekend?

Rita: First, close your mouth when you eat. Second, I'll have to talk to Emily's parents about that. Wasn't she grounded for misbehaving at school?

Emily: Hey, that prank she pulled on Mr. Stephens was funny. And she only got in trouble cause that big tattletale Charlie Williams ratted on her.

Rita: And she reacted by punching his teeth in. (turns to Dodger) What's your take on the matter?

Dodger: (distantly) Uhhh, I don't know. Look, I'm a bit worn-out from my workload today. (picks up his plate) I'm gonna eat in the living room. (walks out)

Evan: OK, back up. Dad gets to eat in the living room but I don't?

Rita: That's because he's an adult. End of discussion.

(Cut to Dodger washing his face in the bathroom; he looks in the mirror at his tired face. Later, he and Rita are in bed together in their nightwear. Rita is reading a book.)

Rita: You OK, honey?

Dodger: Look, I'm just tired about work that's all. I mean, I'm basically a glorified secretary for the Foxworths, arranging their meetings and business trips.

Rita: Wait, the Foxworths? As in Laura and David?

(Dodger nods.)

Rita: Strange you should mention that! Laura and I were friends in high school.

Dodger: Don't get me wrong, they're nice enough. But, I am being worked to the bone!

Rita: Hey, listen. My mom always used to say "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Just try to be a bit more positive about it.

(She kisses Dodger on his cheek, and he smiles. He turns off the light.)

(Cut to the next morning. Dodger emerges from a taxi outside the Foxworth house, with a much more determined expression on his face. He enters the house, and Winston greets him.)

Winston: Good morning, Danny! I hope you slept well.

Dodger: I did. And I'm waiting to hear what you've got lined up for me today.

Winston: Well, Mr. and Mrs. Foxworth are in meetings today.

Dodger: Hey, anything you need me to do. I'm on it.

Winston: Wonderful! So, are you good with animals?

(Dodger cocks his eyebrows. A little bit later, we see him feeding Oliver and Georgette. He sprinkles a few extra dog treats into Georgette's bowl, before walking off.)

Dodger: (thinking to himself) A diamond-encrusted dog bowl? Seriously? You think Britney Spears is this high maintenance?

(Cut to later that afternoon. Dodger is about to help Jenny with her homework. Before he does, his mobile phone goes off. He answers.)

Dodger: Look, Rit. I'm doin' fine! Could ya tell Evan I'm running late, so I might not make it to his soccer game? OK, love you. (makes kissing noises)

(Dodger enters the bedroom. Jenny is sitting at her desk, while Dodger tests her on her work.)

Dodger: You have a French exam coming up next Wednesday. Let me see what ya know. So, what is the word for "cow"?

Jenny: Easy! Vache.

Dodger: Bird?

Jenny: Ouiseau.

Dodger: Dog?

Jenny: Chien.

Dodger: Excellent!

(Dodger crosses his arms, a look of confidence on his face. Later that night, Dodger is telling Rita of the events of the day. Both are sitting up in bed.)

Dodger: I tell ya, Rit. I walked it today! All I needed to do was take care of their prissy poodle and help with Jenny's homework. Piece of cake!

Rita: That's wonderful, sweetheart. Anyway, I have big news. Laura and David have actually invited us out. Friday night! As a reward for all your hard work.

Dodger: (Somewhat distantly) Great.

(He turns off the light. Cut to commercial break.)

Act III

(Cut to the next evening. Dodger and Rita are in a taxi in their evening wear. Dodger has a nervous expression on his face.)

Dodger: Are ya sure this is necessary? I could have made us something--

Rita: Relax! I'm not having the babysitter cancel on us. Just enjoy yourself.

(Dodger gives a somewhat forced nod and smile.)

(Cut to the interior of a fancy restaurant. Dodger and Rita are sitting at a table with Mr. and Mrs. Foxworth, who are also in evening wear.)

Mr. Foxworth: So, Rita, your husband has been excellent around the house.

Dodger: (blushing) Thanks, it's nothing.

Mrs. Foxworth: No, honestly! You've been such a help. Especially with Jenny.

Dodger: (rubbing the back of his head) Uhhh, yeah. I'm good with kids.

(A waiter comes with their meals. Dodger is given a plate of lobster, which he starts digging into. Mrs. Foxworth cocks her eyebrow, as she is eating bouillabaisse.)

Mrs. Foxworth: I didn't know you liked seafood.

Dodger: (talking with his mouth full) I do! I used to go fishing with my old man every summer.

(Rita grins nervously.)

Rita: Uhh, yeah. We also have a holiday home in Bar Harbor.

(Suddenly, Dodger groans in pain. He clutches at his head.)

Rita: Honey, are you okay?

Dodger: Yeah, I'm fine. My stomach mustn't be agreeing with the lobster.

(He gets out of his seat, but then collapses on the floor in front of horrified patrons.)

Mr. Foxworth: Someone call a doctor!

Rita: Dodger! Are you OK? Dodger?! Dodger!

(We zoom in on a closeup of Dodger's unconscious face. From his POV, his eyes open and we are back at the houseboat.)

Dodger: Oh, thank goodness! I'm home!

(Rita approaches Dodger; she is now a dog again.)

Rita: Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!

(Dodger gets up off his back; he too is a dog again; he looks tired.)

Dodger: I had the weirdest dream last night.

Rita: Well, we're going into Manhattan this afternoon. So you can tell me then?

Dodger: I'd like that.

(Francis appears in the doorway.)

Francis: Sorry to break you lovebirds up, but we can't wait all day!

(Dodger and Rita follow after him, and arrive on the jetty.)

Rita: So, what was this dream about?

Dodger: Well, you might think I'm crazy, but here goes. So I wake up--

(Fade to black. End credits)