R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of NIMH (film)/Transcript

Any ideas to make a script of R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of NIMH (film).

Chapter 1
(Opening (?))

Racso:

Isabella:

Racso:

Isabella:

Racso:

Isabella:

Racso: What about (?)?

Isabella:

(?)

Christopher:

(?)

Christopher:

(?)

Timothy:

(?)

Chapter 2
(The girl climbed up into a tree (?))

Girl: Almost there to the top.

(?)

Woman: Ouch! Margaret. Margaret?

Man: (?)

Margaret: Yes, Mom.

Mrs. Livingstone: (?)

(?): Margaret, we chopping some woods.

Margaret:

Mrs. Livingstone: I see that (?).

Margaret: Mom.

(?)

Man: (?)

Margaret: (?)

Mr. Livingstone: (?) We are going on a camping trip.

(?)

Mr. Livingstone:

Mrs. Livingstone:

Margaret: Dad, (?)

Mrs. Livingstone:

(Artie (?))

Mrs. Livingstone:

(?)

Chapter 3
(?)

(?):

(?)

(Mr. or Mrs.) Livingstone: Margaret, we're going to the (?). We want you to take care of Artie.

Margaret: Oh. But, Mom. Dad. I have (?). I can't be bothering with him and I don't want Artie bothering me.

(?)

Margaret: Well, come on.

(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: Don't go too far.

Margaret: Artie, where do we want to go?

(R.T. pointed a finger.)

Margaret: That way?

(R.T. (?)).

(?)

(Margaret and Artie walked and walked. It was a very far from the camp.)

(?)

Margaret: R.T., don't cry.

(?)

(The bear (?))

(?)

Margaret: We're tired of walking.

(?)

Margaret: We're lost.

(?)

Margaret: We better hide because the bears are coming. This cabin looks like a good place. We might should sleep here.

(Artie (?))

Margaret: We (?). When I wake up, R.T., I'll be (?).

(Margaret and Artie went to sleep.)

Chapter 4
(?)

Racso:

Christopher:

(?)

Racso:

Christopher: I'm taller than you.

(?)

Racso:

Christopher:

(?)

Both: He (?)

(?)

Justin:

(?)

Justin:

(?)

Christopher:

Racso:

(?)

Margaret:

R.T.:

(?)

Chapter 5
(When the morning came, Margaret and Artie are (?) and the (?) came (?))

Margaret: (?)

(?)

Margaret: Mom! Dad! Where are you?

R.T.: (?)

(?)

Racso:

Christopher:

(?)

Chapter 6
(?)

Christopher:

(?)

(R.T. asleep (?))

(R.T. saw the mouse (?))

(?): I'm Christopher and this is Racso.

Christopher:

(?)

Christopher: whoa

(?)

(?): I have blackberries for you.

(?)

(?): It could be poison or something.

(?)

(?): Just like "Robinson Crusoe"

(R.T. saw the way (?))

(?)

Margaret: Where did you get that?

(R.T. (?))

(?)

Margaret: I know you're hungry, but we've got to find them to eat.

(?)

Chapter 7
(?)

Margaret: Hello! Where are you? Come back!

(?)

Margaret: We're gonna find out who. R.T., if you see it's true, clap your hands. If you don't know, don't clap. Understand?

(R.T. nodded)

Margaret: The person is a man.

(R.T. (?))

Margaret: The person is a woman.

(?)

Margaret: The person is a child.

(?)

Margaret: Was is a woman? Clap. Was it a man? Clap. Was it a kid, like us? Clap. There has to be one of them.

(?)

Margaret: Did it go this way or that way?

(?)

Margaret: R.T., you tell. It's very important. If you don't tell me, I'm leaving you and I'll be alone.

(?)

Christopher:

(?)

(R.T. stretched (?))

(?)

Christopher: Don't be scared, R.T.. You're gonna be okay. I'll take care of you. Do you want to come with me or is there something wrong?

(?)

Christopher: I'm Christopher.

(?)

Margaret: I saw you, R.T.. The thing in your backpack. It look like a rat and it was talking to you.

(?)

Chapter 8
(?)

Christopher: I talked to R.T..

(?)

(The medicine (?))

Racso:

(?)

(R.T. (?))

Christopher: I've seen the missing children.

Racso: What are you talking about?

(?)

Christopher:

Racso:

Christopher:

Racso: The Thorn Valley is (?)

(?)

Christopher:

Racso:

(?)

Isabella:

(?)

(?): His name is R.T. He is sick.

(?)

Racso:

(?)

Racso: Christopher?

Christopher: Yes?

Racso:

(?)

Christopher:

Racso:

Isabella:

(?)

Christopher:

Racso:

Isabella:

(?)

Christopher: We're gonna see R.T. again.

Racso:

Isabella:

(?)

Christopher:

Racso:

Isabella:

(?)

Christopher:

Racso: I brought the food and the medicine.

Isabella:

(?)

(R.T. (?))

(?)

Christopher:

(?)

Isabella:

Christopher:

(?)

Isabella:

Christopher:

(?)

(R.T. is crying (?))

(?)

Margaret: Who are you?

Christopher: I'm Christopher. Who are you?

Margaret: Margaret. Why can't you talk? Animals don't talk. My parents taught me.

Christopher: I was giving him a food and a medicine for R.T.

(?)

Margaret: I was pretending to leave.

(?)

Margaret: I was finding my way to call my parents. We've been lost of three days. We haven't had anything to eat.

(R.T. (?))

Christopher: You give him some medicine.

Margaret: Medicine? You think you gave yourself my brother a medicine?

Christopher: This medicine would help him.

Margaret:

Christopher:

Margaret:

Christopher:

Margaret: Animals? Rats? Mice? In the valley? Do they have phones?

Christopher: No phones, but they have food and maps. A map (?).

Margaret:

(?)

Margaret: I want to get a message to your friends in the valley. I want them to leave me and R.T. out of here back to where we came from and I'm gonna hold o nto you until they do that.

Christopher:

Margaret: If you refuse to cooperate, I'll kill you.

(?)

R.T.: No! No! No!

Chapter 9
Margaret: Just like he said first words in two years of talking rat.

(?)

Margaret: I'm beginning to feel the heebie-jeebies out of it, but it didn't seem funny.

(Margaret gave R.T. a medicine (?))

Margaret: Hey, Christopher.

Christopher: What?

Margaret: Can you read and write?

Christopher: Of course I can.

Margaret: Well, you graduate from college. (She laughed) What do you write on? Oh, I know, that paper you had the food wrapped up in. how about some blackberry ink and I'd better take R.T. while I go get it since I can't trust him not to untie you while I'm gone.

(?)

Margaret: I want you to write a letter.

Christopher: I won't.

Margaret: What?

Christopher: I won't.

Margaret: Look, this is the best thing for you. The sooner you write the letter, the sooner your friends can help me and the sooner you'll be free.

Christopher: I don't care.

Margaret: Why not?

Christopher: Because you're mean. You're mean to R.T. and you're mean to me.

Margaret: Of course I'm exasperated. I can't kidnapped someone.

Christopher: (?)

Margaret: Look, you're not being realistic. I am not mean really. It's survival. I mean, how long do you think we could survive we are humans and we're not meant to live out here in the wilderness like you are. Don't you see?

(?)

Margaret: Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I guess I hurt your feelings.

Christopher: You did hurt my feelings. It hasn't been any field trip for me trying to help you two.

Margaret: You were really trying to help R.T. not being … Well, … now you can really help him. You can write this letter to your friends. If I do, will you let me go?

Christopher: Not yet.

Margaret: But I have to use you to get the others to cooperative, but I will free you.

(?)

Christopher: I'll tell you what to say. You'll have to untie my paw.

Margaret: I'll just loosen the string.

Christopher: (?) Go ahead.

(Margaret wrote a message to (?))

Margaret: Now sign your name.

Christopher: You're not treating me well.

Margaret: Just sign your name.

(Christopher (?))

Margaret: Where should I put it, so that the others will find it?

Christopher: Try putting it over by the stone. A little to the left of the thicket there.

Margaret: You think they'll come so close? I thought you said they live in the valley?

Christopher: I think someone will find it. If not, we can try another place tomorrow.

(?)

Margaret: Oh no. That was only an expression. To get away with murder. It meant that the boy simply did whatever he wanted to. No matter what others expected of him

Christopher: That sounds like you, not Artie.

(?)

Nicodemus: (?) Thorn Valley (?).

(?)

Margaret: What?! (?)

(R.T. sobbing (?))

Margaret: Try and pull yourself together. Crying doesn't help.

(?)

Margaret: Thank you for providing a good home.

(R.T. (?))

(?)

(?):

(?)

Chapter 10
(?)

(?): Odd in me.

(?)

Margaret: Who is it?

(?): It is I, …

(?)

Margaret: Who are you?

(?): My name is (?).

Margaret: (?).

(?)

Margaret: You're the one that signed the letter, aren't you?

(?): Yes, and you must be Margaret.

(?)

Margaret: Christopher's in the cave.

(?): I suppose he would be.

Margaret: He's been crying and crying.

(?): Has he?

Margaret: I think it was your letter that upset him. Well, you said you didn't want him back.

(?): I see.

Margaret: And so I wrote you again to see if you would take him.

(?): I got your letter. (?) You must take the rat back. I couldn't understand it. I thought you wanted him.

Margaret: I did when I took him hostage because I thought you wanted him and if I kept him, then you'd help me.

(?): A rat who would steal food.

Margaret: But he did that for us. Really. I don't think it's fair to blame him for that.

(?): He could have asked?

Margaret: Maybe there wasn't time.

(?): Oh, there was.

(?)

Margaret: (?) Leon. (?). He likes my older brother. Arthur. He actually did it for him.

(?): How is your brother?

Margaret: Oh, he's fine. To tell the truth, I've never seen him so good.

(?): That was a hard trip over the mountain. I'm glad he's well.

Margaret: Listen. What about Christopher?

(?): What about him?

Margaret: I can't keep him actually. I've got enough problems of my own.

(?): Well, put him out.

Margaret: He might starve. You wouldn't want him to starve.

(?): Of course not.

Margaret: Listen. My brother and I need food too, until we find our way out of here. I thought maybe you could help us. Christopher said there are a couple of you and that you have supplies. I really hate to ask, but I don't know what else to do.

(?): We've worked for the food. We couldn't just give it away.

Margaret: My parents could pay you later. They could send you a check.

(?): Hmmm, I'm afraid that wouldn't do. We don't use money.

Margaret: Maybe we could work for it then, too. We're both bigger than you. I've done stuff like raking leaves and cutting the grass lots of time for my dad.

(?): There is a job we need done, but it's hard. It involves climbing a rather steep cliff. I'm not sure you could do that.

Margaret: I climbed this far and I carried Arthur part of the way too.

(?): So you did? You look strong.

(?)

(?): There's a hawk's nest at the top of the cliff. We need to move it about a mile to an oak tree in a meadow north of where we live. Once it's moved, the hawk will have a new hunting territory instead of the area around our nest.

Margaret: You mean hawks eats?

(?): You won't be in any danger from the hawk. That's why you could be such a help. She only attacks small mammals, birds, and fish, but the climb itself is dangerous and if you succeed in reaching the nest, there may be other problems too.

Margaret: I don't know if I can do it or not, but I'll try.

(?): You sure?

Margaret: Yes.

(?): Then I'll send you a guide to take you to the cliff not today, but early tomorrow morning, you'll bring Arthur to our nest first, so he can be looked after. Christopher can come with him and we'll give you some food too.

Margaret: Thank you.

(?): Good luck.

(?)

Chapter 11
(?)

Margaret: Wait up!

(?)

Margaret: You wait until I get my hands on you.

(?)

Isabella: Hey, I didn't realize human children were so slow.

Margaret: You just wait!

(?)

Margaret: Better save your strength. You're going to need it.

(?)

Isabella: That's it!

Margaret: That's what?

Isabella: The nest!

(?)

Margaret: You're kidding.

(?)

Isabella: You see? But how could anyone climb this. It goes straight up. It doesn't go straight up. Look. (?) You could use those to hold on to and you have the vine rope we made for you. I don't think I can do it.

Margaret: That's your decision?

(?)

Margaret: I hate you. In case you're wondering in.

Isabella: In case you were wondering, I hate you too.

Margaret: Why?

Isabella: Because you ruined my new image.

Margaret: I don't know what you're talking about.

Isabella: Just when everyone had begun to accept that I'm really extremely responsible. Not flighty or silly like they used to think you came along. I decided to help Christopher, so I climbed all the way up the mountain with the food. I had taken out of the storeroom against my better judgment and what's the first thing that happens when we get there. You grab Christopher and tie him up, so we have to tell the whole thing to Nicodemus and Justin imagine how I felt. And it was all your fault.

Margaret: That's ridiculous. I didn't ask you to take the food out of the storeroom or make you climb the mountain. I didn't know anything about you.

Isabella: But if you hadn't been there, it wouldn't have happened.

Margaret: You think I wanted to get lost in the middle of the wilderness? You think I want to be here now. Believe me. I have ten times rather be home watching TV and drinking soda. I don't like nature and I don't like rats either.

(?)

Isabella: It's your fault you kidnapped Christopher and just when he was trying to help you too.

Margaret: Well … maybe I'm not perfect. Like you.

(?)

Margaret: And you'll never get that nest down.

Isabella: And you'll never get that nest down either. You're too fat to make it up see cliff.

(?)

(?)

Mr. Livingstone: Easy does it, Margaret. You can do it.

(?)

(?)

Margaret: I made it!

Isabella: You did?

Margaret: yep. I'm up here with the nest.

Isabella: Oh. That's good.

(?)

Isabella: I've got it!

(?)

Margaret: Helicopter! (?) But that's crazy! I want to be found. I do want to be found. Of course I do.

Chapter 12
(?)

Christopher: How was I supposed to know it was part of the plan? I thought you meant it.

(?): Do you think we'd put you into exile

Christopher: I didn't know, but I did know I should have told you about them.

(?): Yes. You should have.

Christopher: I wanted the secret for myself and I knew you'd say not to go near them anymore.

(?): That's probably true.

Christopher: RT needed me. He was sick and half-starved.

(?): Yes.

(?)

(?): Having the children here Present difficulties. There's a lot they don't know, but what they've seen and heard is dangerous for us. It would have been better to be avoided.

Christopher: You're angry.

(?): No. it's just that I haven't been feeling well and the trip up and down the mountain was tiring.

Christopher: I'm never tired. Only hungry.

(?): Yes. I've noticed.

(?)

Racso: I was just wondering how things are going in the candy industry. Candy is my favorite food and we don't get much of it here.

(?)

Racso: One of my favorites is the peppermint patty. When I had the chance, I always got that first especially if it was a hot day. I think peppermint tastes so good on a hot day and when I came to Thorn Valley, that's here you know that's what it's called here. I discovered they didn't have any candy. I really felt sorry for them, so I worked and worked and I made them a whole bunch for a surprise. To be honest with you, Isabella helped too. Christopher was real sick then, but we snuck in and gave him some anyway and he loved it. It helped him get well and everyone else loved it too. It's mostly gone now. I've been wanting to make some more, but I've just been so busy.

(?)

Racso: What's your favorite kind of candy?

(?)

Racso: Don't be shy. You don't have to be shy with me. I know what humans are like. I come from the city myself. Some of these other rats don't know about the kind of stuff that you and I know about because they've always lived here in the valley. They live the natural way. No TV. No comics. I like it here now, but it does take some getting used to. Sometimes I sit and remember the store I used to sneak into at night. It was just one room and across the front. There was a great big counter and along the counter. There was every kind of candy bar in the whole world and they were lined up according to Keller. First, there were the Hershey bars, which are brown. Then, next to them were the plain M&M's and next to them were they tootsie rolls. Then the red's, mounds bars, KitKat, I didn't like KitKat because it had the word cat in it, so I wouldn't eat that. Anyway, there were Nestle's crunch, Norman joy because they're blue, you know, and …

(?)

Racso: What's wrong? What's the matter?

(?)

Christopher: What have you done to him?

Racso: He's crying.

Christopher: I know he's crying. You were supposed to be taking care of him.

Racso: I was taking care of him. I was just talking to him about some things we have in common and when I looked up, …

Christopher: When you looked up? You shouldn't have looked away in the first place.

Racso: Pardon me, but look at him right now.

(?)

Christopher: Hmm. I guess he's okay after all.

Racso: Guess so.

Christopher: I'm gonna take him for a walk. Wanna come?

Racso: No thanks.

(?)

Christopher: This is my bowl. See how it's got my name carved on it. And this is the journal I keep for school. I write down my ideas in here and all the exciting things that happen. I wrote about you too and this is jar of pokeberry ink. We use it to write. Never drink this. It's poisonous. Last year, I wanted to see how poisonous it was, so I mix them with water and drink just a little bit. Was I sick? (?) And this is a game you play with sticks and balls. See, you hold this stick with your tail if you have one that is and you whack the ball into the basket.

(?)

Christopher: Now go for a walk. (?) We got a sign of work in the garden together, while some of the other rats were away. Neither of us would admit. We couldn't read the list of instructions, so we ended up picking all the mint, instead of weeding it, but that wasn't the first time I'd gotten in trouble. Not at all. When I was really little, I used to eat in the nursery. They always brought in soup first. Then bread. One day, I decided to have my bread first. By the time I got to the soup, it was cold, so I found there was a good reason to eat soup first, but I had to figure it out for myself. That's how I am about everything. I'm always trying new things, like walking backward instead of head first and sleeping in the daytime, but staying up all night just do what I tell you my dad says and my mom says. "Christopher, why can't you trust our experience?" But it isn't that I don't trust them, RT. I just like to see for myself. Now there are lots of ways to do things, I learned that from Racso. He came here from the city, like you, and he had been brought up differently. He taught me about rock and roll music and tall buildings and cars and junk food and TV. In school, I learned that the earth is covered with many cities and countries and they all have different ways of doing things. That's why I get impatient doing the chores the same way each time (?) says I have to do them anyway. They said I have to figure out a way to keep from getting bold, so quick, but I could never be bored around you. RT. Everything about you is interesting. Someday you'll tell me all about yourself. About your mom and dad and what your house is like and what you like to play with. One day when you feel like it.

(?)

Christopher: You haven't gone sick since that day by the cave. (?) That was true.

(?)

Racso: When you drank it, part of the valley went inside you.

(?)

Christopher: You could pat, Racso.

(?)

Christopher: There's just one more thing I want to show you. (?) This is a secret place. I found it when I was little, I've never told anyone else about it. Not till now it's going to be for us. (?) I might leave a present here for you or a message or something special to eat and you might leave something here for me, but we won't tell anyone that's what secret means, you know. And we'll pledge to keep it a secret because we're such good friends. They do that in stories. Let's see the pledge will go like this. (?) And we do so swear. Put your hand here, RT, and I'll raise my paw. That's right. (?) And we do firstly swear. Our pledge shall live forever and our friendship, abide, and into eternity.

(?)

Chapter 13
(?)

Isabella: Congratulations. I didn't think you could do it. (?) You're bleeding! Oh my gosh, you're bleeding! That's blood!

Margaret: Of course it's blood. I scraped myself on the rocks.

Isabella: But you need bandages medicine first aid. Help!

(?)

Isabella: Help! Racso!

(?)

Isabella: What would they do now?

(?)

Isabella: Wait right here! I know what to do. Just lie down and wait for me.

(?)

(?): She moved the nest!

(?)

Christopher: We heard you move the hawks nest.

(?)

Margaret: It was scary, but I liked it.

Christopher: Why?

Margaret: Nobody ever asked me to do anything that important or that hard. I'm sorry about what happened in the cave. I was afraid I didn't know what to do.

Christopher: Anyway, it worked out all right.

Margaret: You know, I think I like it here. I think Artie does too.

(?)

Christopher: She told me she did.

(?)

Christopher: And furthermore, she can keep on helping us like she did with the hawks nest Think how fast she could move that pile of stones down by the dam.

(?): But then she would know about the dam.

Christopher: What does it matter if she knows a lot already?

(?): What do you mean?

Christopher: She knows we can talk and read and write.

(?)

Christopher: Will it really make any difference if she learns now more of us than she thought?

(?): I see what you mean. It wouldn't make her story any more believable. As long as they don't know about NIMH that is.

Christopher: What story?

(?): The one she tells when she gets back. Where she came from?

Christopher: Oh, she can't go back that would be crazy.

Mr. Ages: Did you think she and Arthur would stay here forever?

(?)

(?): I don't think they'd be happy here. They'd miss their parents and friends.

Christopher: They're happy now. Artie hasn't been sick at all and he needs me. I'm his best friend.

(?): Having a special friend makes you feel special too. I bet.

(?)

Christopher: Arthur needs me. He can't talk, but I can understand and, by the way, he looks at me.

(?): I'm glad it was you who found him.

Christopher: He can stay, can't he?

(?): I don't know what's going to happen. But for now, I think you should look after him. Make sure he's comfortable and that he has whatever he needs to eat or play with.

Christopher: I will. Oh, I will.

(?)

Mr. Ages: Congratulations and thank you.

Margaret: Oh... Maybe I should thank you. I never would have done it if you hadn't made me.

Mr. Ages: I made you try, but you succeeded all on your own and it was a very hard task.

Margaret: You thought I could do it all along, didn't you?

Mr. Ages: Yes, I did. I thought you could do it because you've already done such wonderful things.

Margaret: What do you mean?

Mr. Ages: You saved your brother's life. You found him food and shelter and you captured Christopher and figured out a plan to get you and Arthur back home.

Margaret: You mean holding him hostage.

Mr. Ages: I'm not suggesting that I approve of the plan, but under the circumstances, it was resourceful.

Margaret: I wouldn't have hurt him. Really.

(?)

Mr. Ages: I've got to go. I called Beatrice. I'd dance with her. I'll see you later.

Margaret: Okay.

(?)

Margaret: What is it? (?) I'm happy.

(?)

Margaret: Like this.

(?)

(?): No.

(?)

Chapter 14
(?)

Justin: Turn off the faucet!

(?)

Justin: What do you mean?

Christopher: It didn't do that much damage.

(?)

Christopher: It could have collapsed the lower section of the nest. If I hadn't stayed home from the party, we could have lost everything.

Isabella: Not only that, but all the flower in the storeroom was turned to paste. We were saving it for winter. I don't know what we'll do now.

Beatrice: There's time to harvest more and we can always make the acorn flower.

Christopher: He didn't know what he was doing. it's not fair to blame him.

Justin: I'm not blaming him. I'm blaming you. I thought you'd agreed to keep an eye on him. You let him wander away and look what happened.

Racso: Maybe we could put the collar on him. Humans do that for dogs and cats, you know.

Justin: No, Racso. He's not a pet.

Racso: I was just trying to help.

Justin: You were not you're trying --

Mr. Ages: The truth is, this isn't a good place for a human child. The boy will have to be watched carefully, so he doesn't do more damage.

(?)

Margaret: You can't make me work! I can do whatever I want to. I don't have to help you.

(?): I didn't say you did.

(?)

Margaret: Just leave me alone!

(?)

Margaret: We're all right!

(?)

Racso: What do you do when school's out? Do you play all day?

Margaret: I have to set the table and take out the trash, but after that, I can do whatever I want. Usually, Leon and I do stuff together. Most days in the summer, we take the bus downtown to his grandmother's house. She's this little black lady about a million years old and she lets us do things our parents would kill us for.

Racso: Like what?

Margaret: Like eat a gallon of ice cream all at once or dress up in the old clothes in her attic and wear them in the high rise next door. Her attic is full of neat stuff. Old science magazines and an old microscope and a wind-up photograph. She's got six cats too and a chihuahua.

Racso: What's a chihuahua?

Margaret: It's a little dog. Not much bigger than you. He's named Pedro. (?) Once we crawled up on the roof and made a whole bunch of paper airplanes, we wrote crazy notes in them and threw them down at people who were walking by.

Michelina: Did you get into trouble?

Margaret: Somebody did go and complain, but you know what Leon's gram said. She said, "I'm too old to worry about stuffed up people like you. You want to learn how to laugh. Then you wouldn't have to come banging on an old woman's door." You children come and have some cake.

Racso: What kind of cake?

Margaret: Coconut. That's Leon's favorite.

Michelina: Do coconuts grow here in the valley?

Margaret: They grow in Hawaii. They're big and white and waxy. Not like walnuts or hazelnuts.

Racso: And they used them in candy. Like mounds bars. They're delicious.

Michelina: I want to go to the city. Thorn Valley's no fun.

Margaret: I love the valley.

Michelina: You do?

(?)

Chapter 15
(Artie drunk (?))

Artie: Mine!

Margaret: I always knew you could talk, Artie. I knew you were just faking.

(Artie (?))

Margaret: You'll be sorry. One of these days you'll need my help and when it happens, I'll remember the day you stuck your tongue out at me and think no way.

(?)

(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: I can't let you go too far. What if you needed your medicine?

(?)

Christopher: What are you thinking?

(?)

Artie: Hungry!

Christopher: I thought so.

(?)

Christopher: That ought to hold you for a while.

(?)

Christopher: Did I tell you I always wanted a little brother. I told my mom but she said I was enough for her to handle and if there were two of us, she didn't know what she'd do my dad agreed with her, so I played a lot with my friends little brothers. I teach them all kinds of stuff like how to say the alphabet and where the best berries grow and how to make a ball out of hickory nut.

(?)

Christopher: There's so much I still have to learn about you, Artie. Like who your human friends are and what you like to play with. Stuff like that and there's a lot here you haven't seen yet. In the fall of the valley is beautiful. The leaves are red and orange and yellow and we spend all day in the woods. Picking up hazelnuts and chinquapin and walnuts to store over the winter. For lunch, we make a fire and roast some of the nuts we've found. In the winter, winter's the best time of all, it snows and we go sledding on the mountainside and skating on emerald pond. Isabella makes big pots of soup and for dessert. She makes ice cream out of snow. Sometimes when it's really cold. We stay inside all day reading and doing experiments.

(?)

Christopher: You're kind of big to come inside. But I'll figure something out.

(?)

(?)

Christopher: Everything will work out just fine. I'm a great problem solver believe you and me. If you think there is a problem, that is.

(?)

Christopher: It's almost time for another meeting of the brave explorers club. Christopher - president. Artie - vice president we'll meet at the flat rock just by the bend in the stream. The meetings at three o'clock sharp. Hurry, we have to get down time.

Chapter 16
Margaret: Over here. Over here, Leon.

(?)

Margaret: Here.

(?)

Margaret: Star light, star bright. First star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might. Have the wish I wish tonight. What is my wish? Where do I want to be and who do I want to be with Leon going to school and having fun? Do I want to be with Mom and Dad in my own house? Do I want to be here living in the hut with Artie? And what if I want all those things?

Owl: Hoo! Hoo!

Margaret: I don't know who Mr. Owl.

(?)

Margaret: What will you do for food and how will you keep warm?

Isabella: We have wood to burn, of course. In fact, we'll probably start cutting more next week. We keep some from the past year to start the green logs.

Margaret: Green?

Isabella: A fresh cut. It burns hotter and longer, but it's hard to get going. Once you run out of trees, we plant more each spring pines and heartwoods, oak, locust and hickory. That way, we'll always have a supply.

Margaret: And as for food?

Isabella: That's why we're making this jelly. We'll end up with the cellar to last all winter.

Margaret: But you can't just eat jelly.

Isabella: We'll have potatoes, cabbages, apples, turnips, carrots, and onions and the cold cellar. We'll grind more flour in October and we'll harvest the honey then too. We'll dry apples and persimmons and beans inside their pods.

Margaret: You've got it all figured out. I mean you know exactly what you need and when you'll harvest it.

Isabella: Of course. Except that you two will probably eat us out of house and home this winter. Arthur seems to eat more every day. That was true.

Christopher: That just shows that this is the right place for Artie. I know how to take care of him better than anybody else.

Margaret: You don't take better care of him than my Mom. My mom did everything for Artie. She spent all day taking him to the doctors and the hospital for tests.

Christopher: I spend all day playing with him. That's what he likes.

Margaret: Well how are you going to take care of him when it gets cold? Where is he going to live then?

(?)

Christopher: I have a plan. Believe me everything will work out fine.

Margaret: Everything will work out fine.

(?)

Racso: Ah! Run! Get Elvira quick!

(?)

Christopher: What happened?

(?)

Isabella: we'll tapping, Christopher.

(?)

Christopher: It was an accident.

Racso: But how did it happen?

Christopher: He got his paw caught in the grinder.

Racso: But someone must have been turning the crank. The wet stones couldn't hurt you. Unless they were turning and they don't turn. Unless someone is turning the …

Arthur: Me did it.

(?)

Arthur: Me sorry.

Christopher: I'm sure he'll be okay, Artie. We all know it was an accident.

Elvira: Carelessness can cause terrible injuries. This one will take a couple weeks to heal, but it could have been worse.

Arthur: (Crying) Oh! Oh!

(?)

(Racso or Christopher): It was an accident. I was watching him, but I didn't realize he was going to stop. He wasn't going to stop. I thought he knew. I'd better go after him.

(?)

Christopher: You didn't mean to do it.

(?)

(?)

Mouse: Five o'clock.

(?)

Sally: I think we could finish this in a half hour.

Branden: We've put in a long day already.

Sally: But to bring all the equipment out here. Tomorrow for a half hour's work doesn't seem worth it.

Mouse: She's right, if we finished tomorrow. If we finish tonight, we can start something else tomorrow.

All: Okay!

(?)

Margaret: I cut a field of wheat.

(?)

Rat: Racso will have complete use of the paw when it's healed and it should be as good as new in a month.

(?)

Margaret: Alive.

(?)

Margaret: I'll have to talk to Mr. Ages. The wheat field is all done, so I can go to him in the morning.

(?)

Mr. Ages: I hear you all finished the wheat yesterday and that you were the one who talked the rest of them into it. You've become someone whom the others listened to.

Margaret: I have changed. I guess I never had to take care of things before in a way. I was like my parents guest. Just expecting them to take care of everything and Artie was too.

Mr. Ages: Like a guest?

Margaret: Like a sick guest.

Mr. Ages: You went to school that must have been different.

Margaret: Not really. I did enough work to pass, but mostly, I goofed off with my friend, Leon. He come up with all sorts of crazy ideas.

Mr. Ages: Crazy ideas account for the advance of civilization. Galileo, Copernicus, Lister, Madame Curie. All crazy.

Margaret: How do you know about them?

Mr. Ages: Sometimes I forget. I haven't told you our history. I'll have to do that one day.

(?)

Mr. Ages: Yes. It is a letter. It's from a friend of mine. Timothy Brisby. It's about you and Arthur.

Margaret: What does it say?

Mr. Ages: It says the missing children have been declared dead. A funeral service was held for them last week. Their parents...

Margaret: No! We're going home! I don't care how long it takes or how far we have to walk! We're going home!

Chapter 17
(?): Have you ever heard of a laboratory called NIMH?

Margaret: I don't think so.

(?): It's a place where they do experiments to learn more about how animals and people think. It's in a city not far from yours.

Margaret: How do you know about it?

(?): I was there once. I and eight others.

Margaret: You were in charge of the experiment.

(?): No.

Margaret: Oh, you were … in a cage.

(?): The experiment was run by a scientist Dr. Schultz. We were given special shots to make us more intelligent. We learned a great deal and from what we learned. We managed to escape. We fled in a group ending up first at a farm and later at Thorn Valley. We left the farm for our own reasons, but we found out just before we did that Dr. Schultz was still looking for us that was three years after we'd escaped.

Margaret: He must have wanted to find you really bad. He's still looking for you?

(?): Yes, and he'll continue for the rest of his life.

Margaret: Why?

(?): Because we're the missing piece in a puzzle. He spent years trying to solve. Without us, his life's work will remain unfinished.

Margaret: But he won't find you. He'd never look in the valley. Unless someone told him. Oh! I'll never tell. Never!

(?): Keeping a secret can be hard.

Margaret: But I will and I'll talk to Artie too. He hardly ever says anything anyway.

(?): It's going to be hard. Hard and Lonely. I know you'll do the best you can, but don't feel bad. If...

Margaret: I won't tell. Never!

(?)

(?): That is if the weather's good. If it rains, it will take longer. Rain is tough going for someone my age.

(?)

Margaret: Would you have sent us away even if we wanted to stay?

(?): You couldn't have survived here over the winter. There might have been enough food just enough, but we couldn't have built a shelter that would keep you warm. Justin and I talked about it, of course. Then, too, there was the...

Margaret: The secret.

(?): That's right.

Margaret: So it wasn't anything I did or already did?

(?): Certainly not. we've accomplished so much with your help. Arthur, of course, is a different story. It's been a pleasure to get to know you both.

Margaret: You know, Artie's really changed, since he's been here at home. He never talked. My mom was going crazy worrying about him. With that and the asthma too, but here, he sort of woke up.

(?): Yes, I've noticed and Christopher's mentioned it too.

(?)

Margaret: Do you think they'll ever see each other again?

(?): I think so. No, I'm not sure when. There's a lot of planning to do we have a long trip ahead of us.

Margaret: We?

(?): I'm going to be your guide.

Margaret: But you have trouble walking, even if I carry you over the mountain. You might not be able to get back on your own.

(?): I'm not going to come back.

Margaret: What?

(?): I'll explain later.

(?)

(Arthur (?) and Christopher is sitting on Arthur's shoulder. (?))

(Margaret (?))

Margaret: Do you remember the toys in your bedroom at home? Your Mickey Mouse doll? Your plastic golf set?

(Arthur nodded)

Margaret: Would you like to play with them again? Would you like to have hamburgers and candy bars and ice cream? Would you like to see Bambi and Dumbo on the VCR?

Arthur: Mommy?

Margaret: You're going to see mommy and daddy soon, Artie? In a few days, we're going home.

(Arthur (?))

Margaret: Maybe you can take it with you. To remind you of Christopher and the valley, but we won't be able to talk about them to anybody else. Not ever. It would be dangerous for them.

(Arthur nodded and cried)

(?)

Christopher: What's wrong, Artie?

Arthur: Mommy.

Christopher: Do you miss your Mommy? Try to think about the fun things we're going to do today. You and I are going to build a little dam. Would you like that?

Arthur: Artie go home.

Christopher: It's too far and you might get lost. Remember when you and Margaret were lost and you had to...

Arthur: You come too.

Christopher: I can't and you can't either because it's too far.

(?)

Margaret: He is going home, Christopher. We're leaving Friday.

Christopher: What are you talking about?

Margaret: We don't fit here. Not forever. We would freeze in the winter without a house and in the meantime, we'd use up all the food. We're just too big.

Christopher: You're not Artie's...

Margaret: We are too. Even Mr. Ages thinks so.

Christopher: Mr. Ages. How could he say that?

Margaret: It didn't. Really. Not until I told him. I wanted to go back anyway. It was my idea.

Christopher: But that's crazy. you'll get lost again and you need a guide and food.

Margaret: We have a guide. it's all set like I said. We're leaving Friday and Mr. Ages is leaving with us.

Chapter 18
(Mr. Ages called the meeting (?))

Mr. Ages: The scientists at NIMH thought they had made us immortal. But they were wrong about that. Each of us will die. Ever since I was little, I've dreamed of seeing the ocean. Lately that dream has become more powerful. Sometimes at night, I think I can hear the water splashing against the sand and the seagulls calling. I smell the salt air, but when I wake up, I'm here and the dream is gone. I had given up on it, then I realized that Margaret and Arthur needed a guide to cross the mountain, if I were that guide Margaret could carry me. By the time I reached the Fitzgibbons farm, the hardest part of my journey would be over.

Small rat: I don't want you to go.

Mr. Ages: I want to go, but I will miss you all.

Small rat: Would you come back?

(?)

(?)

Christopher: This is all wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! I found often. I'm the one who should decide what happens to him. He's mine! I'm going too! I'll go with him! I'm not staying here by myself. I don't want to leave here. I've always lived here. My friends are here. This is my home.

Racso: You don't have to leave. We don't want you to.

(?)

Christopher: Agenda item number one: Trip.

Arthur: I'm not talking about your trip, Christopher.

Christopher: I'm not talking about your trip. I'm talking about another trip because I've made a decision, Artie, a very grown-up decision. I've decided that no matter how I feel about it. I'm going to have to say goodbye to you tomorrow. Racso and I talked and I realized I wouldn't want to be away from my Mom and Dad forever either. Not only that, but the winners here are cold. Racso said children wear thick jackets in cold winter and we don't have one for you, but I couldn't stand the idea that I would never see you again. Like I told you, I'd always dreamed about having a little brother. Then I found you. I can't just say goodbye forever and that's what the trip is about.

Arthur: What?

Christopher: I'm coming to visit you in the city. Racso's coming with me, so I won't get lost. I'll come when the leaves change together.

(Arthur clapped his hands)

Christopher: I'm going to tell Mr. Ages tonight. Well, I'm going to ask him really, but I'm pretty sure he'll say it's okay.

(Arthur jumped and (?))

Christopher: The meeting's not adjourned yet. We still have to vote on this. Now raise your hand if you want me to visit you. Let's see that's one vote and I make two. Anyone opposed? No? The ayes have it. Hooray!

(?)

Mr. Ages: I've talked to Margaret about NIHM. She's volunteered to keep our identity a secret.

Racso: I think she will. Kids love secrets. Remember last year when I taught everyone the backward code.

Christopher: I'll say.

Racso: Hot damn.

Mr. Ages: Secrets can be fun when they're shared, but they can also be lonely.

Racso: Margaret will have Artie to talk to and we can help her make up a great story about what happened to her. Like how she saved Artie from bobcats and rattlesnakes how she fed him beetles and tadpoles and worms to keep him alive. She'll be like Tarzan.

Mr. Ages: That might work for a little while, but I think people will question her story.

Racso: Then she can make up something else. She can say she met a lonely wolf and he took them into his cave and fed them, but they missed their parents, so they decided to come back.

Mr. Ages: I think her story needs to be simple. I'll try to work it out with her on the trip, but telling a story and sticking to it can be hard.

(?)

Mr. Ages: Just a minute. I have a proposal to make and I don't think it will be easy. I think the two of you should visit the children. The visit will have to be brief just today. You can't risk take the risk of being caught all seen with them, but you'll be able to let them know we still care about them and if they haven't been able to keep the secret, we'll know.

Christopher: Uh... I... That was my idea.

Mr. Ages: Good. So you want to go?

Christopher: Yes.

Mr. Ages: What about you, Racso?

Racso: Certainly. I know how to get around in the city and they'll take good care of Christopher.

Christopher: Nobody has to take care of me.

Mr. Ages: You ought to bring your report back to Justin and Beatrice.

Racso and Christopher: We will.

Mr. Ages: You'll be careful. Won't you? I won't be around to help, if you get into trouble.

Racso and Christopher: We'll be careful.

Racso: I'll always remember you, Mr. Ages, and I'll miss you a lot.

Christopher: Me, too.

(?)

(?)

Margaret: Thanks for taking care of us.

Isabella: Things didn't start off so well between us, but they ended up better.

Margaret: We'll miss you.

(?)

Isabella: Thanks for moving the nest and for helping with see them and cutting the wheat and everything else.

(?)

Christopher: Get up, Artie. You have to get up. We're leaving.

Margaret: He can't come. I told you that already. Remember? We're going home.

(Arthur (?) and Margaret (?))

(?)

(?)

Chapter 19
Margaret: Tell me what to say.

(They walked and walked (?))

Mr. Ages: Begin with the things that really happened. You must stay as close to the truth as you can without mentioning us. Remember that a lot of what you ate and your shelter grew naturally in the valley.

Margaret: We decided to go for a walk together, while Mom was taking a nap. We crossed over a hill and we're following an old logging road when we suddenly saw bear. We started running and that's when we got lost.

(?)

Margaret: I'm not sure I can do this. What if they don't believe me?

Mr. Ages: Just repeat what you said before and be careful not to change your story. That would arouse suspicion. I don't feel good about this, but I'm afraid the well-being of the others depends on it.

Margaret: I'll do it. And I'll talk to Artie about it tomorrow.

(?)

(?)

Margaret: Remember, we're not going to tell anyone about the rats.

Arthur: (Thought) I'm not going to tell anyone about anything.

Margaret: We don't want anyone to know about the rats. Get it, Artie?

(?)

Mr. Ages: You're nervous.

Margaret: Not nervous. Hungry.

(?)

(?)

Mr. Ages: It's going to be a change. isn't it?

Margaret: I'll get used to it. I have no choice.

Mr. Ages: Maybe you do. When I first met you, you wanted to go back.

Margaret: That was before I got used to being on my own. I like building my house and working for my food. I even liked climbing the cliff after I did it that is. It made me feel... real.

Mr. Ages: You were real before that.

Margaret: I know, but it didn't feel like it.

Mr. Ages: This will be the first time I've gone off on my own since before NIMH. I don't know what it will be like.

Margaret: Are you scared?

Mr. Ages: Yes.

Margaret: Me, too.

(?)

Margaret: Mr. Ages?

Mr. Ages: Yes?

Margaret: The moon is getting smaller in a week or so. It won't be there at all.

Mr. Ages: It will be there. You just won't be able to see it.

Margaret: Is it true what you said about yourself that you're going... ?

Mr. Ages: To die? Yes.

Margaret: I don't want you to. I don't.

(?)

(?)

Margaret: Could I use the telephone?

Little boy: Mom!

Margaret: I'd like to use the telephone. We've been lost and I want to call my parents.

Woman: You can't be the two. (?) Heavens!

Woman: Billy, run fetch your Dad. (?) Come in. Come in.

(?)

Margaret: I'm in a house again. Where people live.

Beth: Come sit here. Sit down. I'll get you something to eat.

(?)

Blake: Your name?

Margaret: Margaret Livingstone.

Blake: And you?

Margaret: His name is Arthur.

Blake: Where did you come from?

Margaret: From the woods out that way. We got lost a long time ago and we couldn't find our way back to the campsite.

Blake: I know. I know all about that, but we thought... (?) We given up hope.

Margaret: We were gone a long time.

Beth: I have cookies for you and milk. Here on the table.

(?)

Blake: Sheriff Jones. Right away.

(?)

Blake: Yes. It's Blake Fitzgibbon. Those children who were lost. Yes. Yes. In the Northwoods. They're here. They're at my place. I'm sure. I'm sure. (?) He wants to see you with his own eyes before he calls your folks.

Beth: Poor things. What a nightmare they've been through.

(?)

Chapter 20
(?)

(?)

Margaret: (?)

Mrs. Livingstone: Of course I remember you. You helped us during the search. Call us in a few days.

Margaret: Who is that?

Mrs. Livingstone: Lindsay Scott. She's a reporter, but I'll tell you about that later. Now it's time to go home.

(?)

(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: Come in, Leon. Margaret's upstairs. I'll tell her you're here. (?) Isn't this wonderful?

Leon: Yes, Mrs. Livingstone.

Margaret: Hi. Come on up. I've been waiting for you.

Leon: Right.

(?)

Leon: Hey, uh, Margaret. I saw you on TV after you called. You and Artie were on every channel. They even interrupted a ball game with the special bulletin.

Margaret: Yes.

(?)

Margaret: What happened while I was gone?

Leon: Grandma died.

Margaret: Oh.

Leon: She had a stroke.

Margaret: A stroke? I - I never thought.

Leon: That's okay. She was really old, you know.

Margaret: How's school?

Leon: Okay. Your kids held a memorial service for you and lots of the girls were crying. Eleanor and Patty and Roseanne.

Margaret: What did you do for your birthday?

Leon: Oh. Hal and Tammy and I went to Glen Falls. I rode the cyclops 12 times.

Margaret: You went to Glen Falls amusement park with Tammy? (?) Did you mind that I was gone?

Leon: Of course I did.

Margaret: Well, I missed you. Sometimes in my mind, I talk to you.

Leon: What did you say?

Margaret: Oh, just things about what was happening. I was lonely and scared too and I couldn't say that to Artie.

Leon: You look different. Your face is tan. Your hair's long and you're not as fat as you were.

Margaret: I wasn't fat.

(?)

Leon: On TV, you knew how to eat in the wilderness from watching the show I started laughing I remember how we used to poke fun at that old guy.

Margaret: I guess some of it soaked in anyway. That happened you know. I learned a lot of things just by being there. I build a hut for Artie and me to sleep in. I even climbed a cliff.

Leon: Why would you want to do that?

Margaret: I wanted to look in a hawk's nest to see if there were any eggs we could eat.

Leon: How could you get the eggs down without breaking them?

Margaret: I lowered them down in my sweatshirt with a rope made of vine.

Leon: How did you make the rope?

Margaret: I figured it out.

Leon: The whole thing sounds like Wonder Woman or something. Which doesn't sound like you.

Margaret: It changed I guess. I had to.

Leon: The valley is so beautiful. There are mountains on both sides and a creek runs through a field covered with flowers. it's like something you'd see on TV, except it's real broke off.

Leon: Sounds pretty. I want you to tell me more about it. Like what you did all day stuff like that.

Margaret: Okay.

Leon: What's the matter?

Margaret: Nothing. Just... I'm a little tired right now and it's hard for me to think about being lost and all. I'll tell you another time.

Leon: When?

Margaret: Tomorrow maybe.

Leon: Sure. I read this the Swiss Family Robinson this summer. That's about a whole family that gets shipwrecked on an island. They have to build their own house and plant crops and catch fish and everything sort of, like you and Artie.

Margaret: Yeah.

Leon: You will tell me about it, right? I really want to know.

Margaret: Sure.

Leon: Tomorrow, right?

Margaret: Yes.

Chapter 21
(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: It's that reporter, Lindsay Scott. Remember we met her as we were leaving the press conference. We'd like to interview you, Margaret.

Margaret: I don't know. Maybe.

Mrs. Livingstone: She's awfully nice. She says it wouldn't be a long interview. Maybe 20 minutes. This Friday evening. What do you think?

Margaret: Okay.

(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: It must be hard going back to school after all that's happened, but after this interview Friday, we'll put the pass behind us. We'll settle down like we used to be.

Margaret: I don't know if I'll ever be like I used to be.

Mrs. Livingstone: You'll always be my dear sweet Margaret. Always.

(?)

Eleanor: You look good. You've got a great tan. You've lost weight too. Haven't you?

Margaret: I guess so.

Eleanor: You can sit at our table if you want to. Come on. He could tell us about your summer.

(?)

Leon: How come you sat with Eleanor at lunch?

Margaret: I don't know. I guess I just wanted to see what she was like. How come you sat with Tammy?

Leon: Eleanor likes you because you're famous. Last year, she said you were disgusting.

Margaret: You're just saying that because I didn't sit with you.

Leon: No I'm not. Scouts honor. She did say it, but I didn't tell you because I didn't want to hurt your feelings. I said it after you broke her Barbie doll. Anyway, Tammy's my friend now. She's okay when you get to know her. At least she's not a phony like Eleanor. I'll bet you didn't even miss me.

Margaret: Don't be stupid.

Leon: I'm not being stupid. I did miss you. Now I wonder why you act like you're not my friend.

Margaret: What do you mean?

Leon: Like eating lunch with Eleanor. You don't want to tell me what happened to you.

Margaret: Oh. I just don't want to talk about it.

Leon: Why not?

Margaret: Talk to Eleanor about it.

Leon: I heard you at lunchtime.

Margaret: Sure. I talked to her a bit, but that doesn't mean what I said was true.

Leon: What do you mean?

Margaret: What I mean is if I could tell you everything I would.

Leon: Why can't you?

Margaret: Because somebody else might get hurt.

Leon: If he told me? Who?

Margaret: I can't say.

Leon: Is this another one of your story?

Margaret: It's for real. I swear.

Leon: But I wouldn't tell anybody.

Margaret: I know, but I promised.

Leon: I'm supposed to be your best friend. You should be loyal and you shouldn't keep secrets.

Margaret: I can't tell you. I just can't.

(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: Tomorrow, you're going to nursery school. There will be lots of children and toys to play with. Before I was afraid to let you go, but you're so much better. I wish you could tell me what it was like in the valley.

RT: And what was nursery school?

Mrs. Livingstone: I bought you a new outfit for your first day at school.

Artie: Not today. Tomorrow.

Mrs. Livingstone: You're going to love it.

(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: We're almost there. We just turned this way. Here it is.

Teacher: I'm Theresa. I'll help you find something to play with. And then, you can meet a few of the children.

Arthur: (Thought) I want to go home.

Mrs. Livingstone: I'll sit over in the corner while you get used to things.

(?)

(?)

Margaret: I'm having an interview with a newspaper reporter tonight. He's dying to meet me.

Eleanor: You should have told me yesterday. I could have helped you with your hair. What are you going to wear?

Margaret: I hadn't really thought about that.

Eleanor: Let's see now. You have the turquoise pants. Out of the purple ones. Your jeans are too casual. You never come to school in a dress, but I suppose you must have at least two or three at home. What are they like?

Margaret: I don't think I want to wear a dress.

Eleanor: Is there time for your Mom to take you shopping? If I were you, I'd look for the new dropped waist dresses with stripes. I think they'd be the most for your figure.

Margaret: I don't think I want to wear a dress.

(?)

Lindsey: I was in Thorn Valley on a canoe trip two years ago. Ranger and I went there when a dam was being built at the North End. We took pictures because we wanted to show the public what would be lost if land were flooded. Luckily, the plan to build the dam was abandoned. It's the most beautiful place I've ever been. This is where we ate lunch that day. Does it look familiar?

Margaret: I don't think so.

(?)

Margaret: I don't recognize those places. Really.

(?)

Lindsey: "I had a good time at the party, Homer" or "Thanks for the socks, Grandma." They were just what I wanted.

Margaret: We got our drinking water from a creek and we caught crayfish and frogs there too. I made a fire on the beach and cooked them over hot stones. How did you know to do that?

Lindsey: I'd seen people do it at a cape cod a couple of years ago. Did you ever see signs of civilization in the valley?

(?)

Lindsey: Like Indian arrowheads are also to bottles or anything that might suggest people had been there?

Margaret: I thought I heard a helicopter once, but then, the sound went away. I didn't know it was real until my Dad told me they had four helicopters on the other side of the mountain range.

Lindsey: I had a strange experience when I was in the valley. After we paddled up the creek, we ate lunch at the beach. I showed you in the picture. I bent over afterwards to rinse my hand and I found something in the sand. It was a little basket four inches long with straps attached to it. It was beautifully made and it hadn't rotted a bit, so it couldn't have been there long. We thought it must have been a child's toy.

Margaret: Where is it now?

Lindsey: I lost it while we were there. I must have dropped it in the water accidentally. I looked, but it had simply disappeared.

Margaret: I never saw anything like that.

(?)

Arthur: Christopher! Come back!

(?)

Arthur: I told.

Mrs. Livingstone: Artie. You spoke.

Chapter 22
Justin: Have you two forgotten that you're part of this community? You were supposed to gather the rest of the carrots and onions. Instead you lay around chattering like a couple of squirrels.

Racso: We weren't chattering. We were making plans.

Justin: You can plan and work at the same time. Can't you?

Racso: Last fall, Mr. Ages said we could leave the carrots on the ground and put mulch over them. That was easier.

Justin: Well, this year, we're pulling the carrots up and the onions too.

Racso: I knew it. I wish Mr. Ages was back in charge. I miss him.

Justin: So do I. We have to go on with our plan and that means work. It seems hard now. Later, you'll understand.

Racso: These things are really big.

Timothy: Must be the new fertilizer.

Christopher: Ah.

Racso: I've got an idea. Now you pull me.

Christopher: Okay.

(?)

Racso: We let go and grab the tail instead.

Christopher: Heave! Ho!

Racso: Ouch!

Christopher: It's moving.

Racso: It isn't moving.

Christopher: I'm moving because if I don't move you're going to pull off my tail.

(?)

Racso: That hurt.

Christopher: Sorry. I was just trying to get the job done. Margaret could have pulled these up in a minute and Artie could have carried them down to the nest in a big bundle.

Racso: What do you think Artie is doing now?

Christopher: He's probably eating potato chips. That's what I'd be doing if I were him. He's probably thinking about me just like I'm thinking about him. He's wondering when I'll get there.

Racso: Good eating M&M's. Those are good too.

Christopher: You and I swore an oath of friendship. We're going to be companions for the rest of our lives. We may not always be together. After all, friends have to pop sometimes like you and Timothy, but we'll always be thinking of each other.

Racso: The first thing I'm going to do when we get to his house is looking the refrigerator.

Christopher: I heard that. You're not even listening to me. You're thinking about food.

Racso: Oh.

Isabella: I thought you two were supposed to be pulling up carrots. Instead you're just standing here arguing?

Christopher: Where did you come from?

Isabella: I was behind that push counting turnips when I heard someone talking. Then the voices got so loud. I couldn't concentrate, so I decided to investigate.

Christopher: You mean you were spying on us? And now, you're gonna tell to Justin.

Isabella: I have no need to tattle. Justin knows that I'm responsible. He's asked me to supervise the harvest of all the root crops and that includes carrot.

Christopher: What?

Isabella: I've been named root crop coordinator.

Christopher: Since when?

Isabella: Since half an hour ago.

Christopher: Well, Justin talked just since then and he didn't mention you. Did he, Racso?

(?)

Racso: We did try to push the carrots up. But they won't come out. What's the hurry anyway?

Isabella: Oh, I know is that all of the root crops have to be harvested in the next two weeks. Beatrice and Justin both said so and I intend to make sure that happens.

Christopher: If you do, you might get promoted. Cabbage queen.

Isabella: You bet they're pulling up those carrots.

Christopher: Leave me alone. Two weeks I'll be on the way to see Artie. You won't be bossing me around then.

Isabella: Artie. Artie. Artie. You are getting worried, Christopher.

Racso: Come on, Isabella. You'll know you miss the children too.

Isabella: Yes.

Racso: You said so last night.

Isabella: Margaret.?

Racso: Yes. She turned out to be a very nice girl after I helped her moves the nest Arthur fled his storeroom. He broke our bridge too.

Isabella: Actually, you do miss him. He let me ride on his shoulder a couple of times too. And Margaret used to sing a nice song to Artie. When we were walking together at night, it was called, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." I wish I were going to see them.

Racso: I wanted to go too.

Christopher: I'd love to have you come, but wouldn't someone else have to supervise the root crops. I mean you'd have to give up your title, which would be too bad.

(?)

Racso: Of course. I would do a good job supervising the root crop harvest. She's dependable and she...

Isabella: I won't know even if you begged me. I'm needed here. I can't just run off and leave my work. Now, you two, back to work.

Chapter 23
(?)

Margaret: There was only one thing we told you not to do. One thing that could ruin everything. There are a million rats in this city. They live in the sewer systems in the old buildings in the trash. They don't have anything to do with rats, like Christopher and Mr. Ages.

Arthur: (Thought) You could have told me.

Margaret: We only asked you to keep one secret. We thought you could do that much.

Arthur: (Thought) I can keep a secret.

(?)

(?)

Margaret: I'll never tell!

Mr. Ages: Do the best you can.

Margaret: Remember the time when you and Christopher and I had a picnic in the garden?

(?)

Margaret: Remember the party after I moved the nest when we all danced together? Remember the acorn bread Isabella made? Remember what it was like sleeping in the hut at night?

(?)

Mr. Ages: Do the best you can.

(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: I've noticed you've developed an interest in classical music.

(?)

Mr. Livingstone: Want some popcorn Margaret?

Mrs. Livingstone: Is this the show you want to watch?

Mr. Livingstone: How about a coke?

(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: I've thought a lot about that evening when we met with the reporter. Arthur was more affected by the interview than he led on. He called that rat as if it were a pet. You never talked about having a pet in the valley,

Margaret: We didn't. It was hard to find enough food for ourselves. I thought maybe there had been a stray dog or cat and something like that.

(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: He was so distressed after he called to it. It was as if he'd done something terrible.

Margaret: Who knows? Artie's strange.

Mrs. Livingstone: Don't worry about it, honey. Artie is sort of strange. Just think of all the animals to like.

Margaret: Maybe rats aren't that bad. I think...

Mrs. Livingstone: Oh, they are. They live off garbage and they carry disease. In the middle ages, they spread bubonic plague all through Europe.

Margaret: Oh.

(?)

Mr. Ages: Do the best you can.

(?)

Mr. Livingstone: Oh, that really counts that you're okay.

(?)

(?)

Margaret: What are you doing?

Leon: Mom told me to sort this stuff out. It's my science fiction collection and these science magazines came from my grandmother. Yhey were in her attic.

Margaret: I remember. We used to lie up there and look at the pictures.

Leon: Right.

Margaret: We had a lot of fun at her house.

Leon: Yeah.

Margaret: She let us do anything.

Leon: She understood us. I used to think she'd live forever like Gandalf. I thought she'd always be around when I needed her. And if it seemed like she wasn't, she'd show up anyway. Just at the last moment, she'd tell me how to get out of danger or maybe she'd lead me into danger, but just enough, so that I could get out of it myself.

Margaret: You know what? I knew somebody else like that.

Leon: You did?

Margaret: He may be dead now, but he was wonderful.

Leon: What was his name?

Margaret: Mr. Ages.

Leon: I'll bet he's one of the ones you met this summer. I'll bet he was a wizard and only kids could see him.

Margaret: I don't know about that. There weren't any grown-ups there. Not human ones anyway.

Leon: He wasn't a human?

Margaret: No.

Leon: What was he then?

Margaret: I'm not supposed to tell.

Leon: Why not?

Margaret: Like I said before. I have to protect them.

Leon: They're aliens, aren't they? Like E.T.?

Margaret: No. Leon, I'm not suppose to tell, but I'm just a kid. They like kids. They took care of you and Artie.

Leon: I want to meet Mr. Ages if he's still alive that is.

Margaret: You can't.

Leon: Why not?

Margaret: He's gone away. There was something he had to do before he died.

Leon: What?

Margaret: I can't tell you anything else. Don't ask me please.

Leon: I want to know.

Margaret: I can't tell you. I can't tell you anything else.

Chapter 24
(?)

Margaret: What is it, Artie? Why do you keep hanging around?

Leon: What's so important about today?

Margaret: I don't know. (?) Did you do that, Artie? You know you're not supposed to touch my stuff. (?) There's nothing at all important about today. It's just Artie. Playing around with my magic markers. Next time, I'm telling Mom. (?) Now get out of here.

(?)

Artie: You here!

Racso: Does Margaret know?

Artie nodded.

Racso: Go get her, but be quite.

(?)

Racso: We arrived this morning. We're snuck quietly, but it turned out, no one was home. We had some potato chips and a few malted milk balls and I showed Christopher how to work the TV, then we came upstairs and looked around and circled the date on my calendar.

Margaret: I've thought of some place wonderful to take you. We can go now if you want.

Racso: Maybe we should talk first. (?)That's what Justin told us to do.

Christopher: Stop reminding me what Justin told us.

Racso: I know what Justin told us.

Christopher: You don't act like you know.

Margaret: Shhh! You wake up my parents. Anyway, I have to tell you something.

Racso: What did the reporter say afterward?

Margaret: She asked me who Christopher was. I told her that Artie has imaginary friends and that he used to talk to them in the valley. Then she asked why he'd say. I told and I said I didn't know.

Racso: What was the reporter's name?

Margaret: Lindsey something. Lindsey Scott. I think?

Racso: Lindsay Scott. She's the one who came down our stream in a canoe. She found out that the man who was building the dam was a crook and they stopped the project she helped us.

Christopher: I remember her. She was wearing a green coat and she had things in front of her eyes Elvira said they were called glasses and they were to help her see better.

Racso: I'll tell Justin and Beatrice. Is there anything else?

Margaret: Leon knows I didn't tell the whole truth. He knows Artie and I didn't survive on our own that there was someone who helped us, but he doesn't know who and he's only a kid like me. I almost told him.

Racso: But you didn't. That was good.

Margaret: I kept remembering what Mr. Ages said. Do the best you can.

Racso: I wonder where he is now. I wonder whether he got to the ocean. I miss him.

Margaret: So do I.

(?)

Christopher: What's wrong?

Margaret: (Cries) Nobody knows you're real. Nobody but me and Artie.

(?)

(?)

Margaret: This stop.

(?)

Margaret: I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd think it was real. See? It's made of wood.

(?)

Margaret; It's a merry-go-round.

Racso: A merry-go-round? Is this?

Margaret: An amusement park. It's closed at night, so there's no guard and Leon discovered the hole in the fence.

Racso: It's like a dream come true.

Margaret: I knew you'd love it. So here we are.

(?)

Christopher: Look at me, Artie. I'm riding on a tiger. I'm taming a wild zebra. I'm floating on a swan.

(?)

Racso: What next? (?) This way.

Margaret: This way. We can play the fishing game because it was Arthur's favorite.

(?)

Margaret: Regular prize. That means you get one of these, Artie. (?) You try it, Christopher.

(?)

Margaret: Grand prize.

(?)

Christopher: I've never seen a cat before. I want to take it home and put it on the playground. The other rats.

Racso: We can't take it. These games cost money.

Christopher: And we haven't paid anything. But we don't have any money.

Margaret: I do, but not a whole lot.

Racso: We better put it back. (?) Maybe Margaret can pay for one of the regular prizes.

(?)

Artie: Hungry.

Margaret: Me too. I haven't had anything since those peanut butter crackers, but this is locked.

Racso: I think I can crawl in event.

(?)

Racso: Let's see what's on the menu. Hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, pizza, milkshakes, French fries, soda, candy bars... I'll have one. One of each.

Christopher: Me too. How about you, Artie?

Artie: Pizza.

Christopher: Margaret?

Margaret: I'll have an extra large grape soda, French fries, and a cheeseburger.

(?)

Margaret: Dinner at eight.

Racso: Dinner at nine.

Christopher: Dinner at ten.

(Arthur laughed.)

(?)

Margaret: When will you be back?

Christopher: Uh, I don't know. We didn't talk to Justin and Beatrice about that.

Margaret: I want you to. You're my best friends now. You and Mr. Ages and he's gone.

(?)

Racso: Wait those rats at home hear about this meal. They'll be so jealous.

Margaret: They're probably eating acorn bread and carrot sticks right now.

(?)

Margaret: Rat food isn't my idea of great eating. That's for sure.

Racso: If only we had a way to remember tonight.

Margaret: There is a way. Quick, let's clean this place up and I'll show you.

(?)

Margaret: We put the money in the slot and jump inside. There's a camera hidden behind that wall and we'll take our pictures.

(?)

Artie: Me and Christopher.

(?)

Racso: Wait 'til the others see this.

(?)

Margaret: We better head for home. Artie will fall asleep on his feet if we don't leave soon.

(?)

Margaret: Someone must have left them there by accident.

Racso: It's just asking for us to ride it. Please?

Margaret: I guess one ride wouldn't hurt anything.

(?)

Margaret: We'll have to take a taxi. I've got a couple more dollars in my pocket.

(?)

Driver: I'll wait for you, ain't ya?

Margaret: Yes. Family emergency. You see...

Driver: Emergency?

Margaret: My mom had a baby.

Driver: Oh! A boy or a girl?

Margaret: Girl. Her name is Edna.

Driver: Congratulation.

Margaret: Thanks.

Driver: What does the little fella think of her?

Margaret: Oh, Artie? He thinks she's adorable.

Driver: Great! Makes for a nice family when nobody's jealous.

Margaret: This is our house.

(?)

Margaret: This was one of the best nights in my whole life. Good night.

(?)

Christopher: It's ratting, isn't it? (Arthur nodded.)

(?)

Arthur: I did it all by myself.

(?)

Christopher: That's about our visit, isn't it? (Arthur nodded.) And the blank spaces for all the other things that will happen to us. Remember the brave explorers club? Well, the meeting will have tonight won't be the last one. I don't plan to stay in Thorn Valley all my life. When I'm growing up, I'm going to travel all around the world. You can come with me, Artie. We'll go by bus and train and car and when we come to the ocean, we'll get on a boat and sail to new places. We'll see everything there is to see animals and people and plants and mountains and deserts. You'll be able to talk then and we'll talk and we'll write down our adventures. Just the way you have here. (Arthur nodded.) The brave explorers will hold their next meeting right now. Let it come to order please.

(?)

Chapter 25
(Lindsey (?))

Dave the boss: The kids cooked up a plan to get a little more attention, Lindsay. Forget about it.

(?)

Boy: I told.

Dave: But what?

(?)

(?): Rumor Ties Rats to Dam Problems by Lindsay Scott. Interviews with workmen at the site of the now defunct Thorn Valley dam suggest a curious culprit for the continuing problems they're rodents. Two night watchmen assigned to the dam's computer headquarters described finding two rats there and in separate interviews agree that one of them described as short and wearing a small black hat had written the word stop on a piece of paper in the office. Another construction worker described finding the body of a charred rodent adjacent to a severed electric line. The resulting blackout kept the dam from opening as scheduled. Still another worker said he saw rodent-like tracks on the floor near the emergency generators which also failed the day the dam was scheduled to open.

(?)

Lindsey: Where do I go from here?

Dave: You're crazy. Rats are thieves. If there are rats near the valley, the farmers are probably being robbed blind. Call them up and ask them.

(Lindsey (?))

(?)

Beth: Rats? Oh, yes. We've had a lot of rats. Rats and mice, but anywhere you have corn and silage. You're going to have rats.

Lindsey: Anything peculiar?

Beth: Not really. Not that she could rightly recall. Of course, the whole thing with children coming back the way they did that had been strange, but she counted it a miracle. She was a believer. There have been other times when they themselves had been blessed. When the dam got closed down for instance, why, they would have had to sell their land, even though it had been in the family for three generations about the rats.

Lindsey: About the rats. Has there been anything peculiar about the rats?

Beth: Oh, the rats. Like I told you we have them, but there is nothing special about them. We know that because one day, a couple of years ago, some scientists came out here and tried to trap some of the big ones that lived under my rosebush. There was something particular. They were looking for, but they never told us what. But the nest was full of garbage and all the rats got away, but won't they were awfully disappointed?

Lindsey: Though one they did get, was there anything unusual about it?

Beth: They never told us. But when they saw the nest, all full of rotten food, they shook their heads. They won't be living that way. Not now. One of them said not if it was them. I wonder what they meant by that. They didn't say, in fact, they were right secretive about what they were looking for.

Lindsey: Do you remember their names?

Beth: No, I sure don't. But they were from some big laboratory government owned I believe. It had letters for its name.

Lindsey: What was it now?

Beth: N-I- something.

Lindsey: N-I-H? (?) That would be the National Institute of Health?

Beth: It wasn't that. There were four letters, as I recall, N-I-M-H, I believe it was. NIMH. It's been a few years, I'm surprised I can recollect it, but I'll never forget how disappointed they were. When they saw that garbage, I don't know what they expected, but it wasn't that.

Lindsey: The guy at NIMH was real excited that I called?

(?)

Lindsey: He wanted to come down and talk to the kids right away.

Dave: You're kidding?

Lindsey: It said you don't understand what it would mean to find those animals. The discovery would shock the scientific world.

Dave: So when's he coming?

Lindsey: Oh. He isn't. I told him not to.

Dave: Why not?

Lindsey: Because we don't have any facts.

Dave: But suppose it is true. Suppose it's true and it goes to another paper with the information and they print it first.

Lindsey: I'm not going to write an article. Unless I know what it says it's true.

Dave: You ought to lean on those kids. Question them again.

Lindsey: I'm thinking about calling up the girl. Margaret. But I have to figure out exactly what to ask first. I don't want to pressure her.

Dave: Let the scientists question her. What's his name?

Lindsey: Dr. Schultz.

(?)

Lindsey: We could end up looking pretty foolish. If we're not careful about this, I don't plan to move too fast.

Dave: Just don't let another paper get it first. That's all I'm saying. If there's something to it, we ought to publish it first.

Chapter 26
(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: Why, Artie, you're all dressed and you got own breakfast. I didn't know you were big enough to do that.

Artie: Yes.

(?)

(Teresa (?))

Artie: I want that truck!

Stevie: No! Anyway, you can't talk.

Artie: I can't too.

Stevie: Well, it's my turn now.

Teresa: I think it is Arthur's turn and he did ask for it.

Stevie: Oh, all right.

Arthur: But I want it next.

(?)

Christopher: Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!

(Margaret (?))

(?): Gone to take Artie to school. Then to work. Hope you feel better. Love, Mom.

(?)

Margaret: Leon, how come you're not at school?

Leon: When I found out, you weren't there I left.

Margaret: How come?

Leon: I know.

Margaret: You know what?

Leon: I know about them.

Margaret: No, I don't - I mean. (?) Dagnabbit.

(?)

Margaret: What are you talking about?

Leon: The rats I saw them last night with my binoculars. I was spying on you because I wanted to know the truth.

Margaret: Oh.

Leon: I saw that they could talk. One of them was talking to Artie and one of them was wearing a little hat.

Margaret: Racso.

Leon: That's why your calendar was circled. They were coming to visit and they took you someplace last night. You're under their power, but I'm gonna help you break free.

Margaret: Wait a minute.

Leon: I've got it all figured out, so you don't need to deny it, Margaret. They are aliens and they landed in the valley because it's so remote. They took the form of rats thinking that people would leave them alone, but rats are everywhere on farms and in cities. That meant they could learn about different ways people live.

Margaret: No! You've got it all wrong, Leon. If you'll be quiet for a minute, I'll tell you the truth.

Leon: How will I know it's really the truth? Last time, you...

Margaret: Just shut up and listen.

Leon: For once, you sound like your old self. Okay, shoot.

Margaret: First of all, they're not from outer space. They escape from a laboratory where they'd been given shots as part of an experiment the shots were supposed to make them really smart and they worked they worked so well that Justin and Mr. Ages and Johnathan figured out how to get out of the cages and they all escaped from NIMH.

Leon: NIMH? That's the national institute of...

Margaret: Right! You know, I wouldn't have heard of it if they hadn't told me. Anyway, they ended up living on a farm. Later, they decided to move to the valley and become more self-sufficient. They wouldn't have to worry about being caught there either.

Leon: I've read about experiments like that. In an old science digest from grandma, there was an article about a guy who... Where are they? I want to talk to them.

Margaret: You can't.

Leon: I've got to. You should have introduced me when they first came. You know, I'm planning to be a scientist when I grow up.

Margaret: They're already gone. I took them to the amusement park last night and they left early this morning. All I have left is their picture.

Leon: Let me see it.

Margaret: Here. (?) That's Racso with the hat and this is Christopher. He's crazy about Artie.

Leon: Which way did they go? I want to catch up with them. Whoever discovers them will be famous.

Margaret: You don't understand, Leon. They saved my life. They're my friends.

Leon: Yeah, and I used to be your friend, until you met them, and then I wasn't important anymore. Not like them or Eleanor.

Margaret: Leon, please. I wanted to tell you more than anything. I wanted to sit with you, but I was afraid you'd figure it out. I don't even like Eleanor.

Leon: I'm going to find them, even if I have to ride my bike all the way to the valley.

Margaret: You can't do that. Please!

(?)

Chapter 27
(Lindsey (?))

Lindsey: Hello. Who is this?

Margaret: This is Margaret. Margaret Livingstone.

Lindsey: Yes, I remember you.

Margaret: You gave me your phone number the night you interviewed me. You said if I wanted to talk to you more.

Lindsey: I remember.

Margaret: I need your help. I know this sounds crazy, but you've been to the valley yourself. I need you to take me there. But the last road is miles away from...

Lindsey: Why?

Margaret: I have a friend who's on his way there now and I have to catch up with him. it's urgent. If I don't stop him, something terrible could happen.

Lindsey: Do your parents know about this?

Margaret: There's no time to tell them. Not right now. I'm not sure they even want to know the truth. The truth...

Lindsey: Does the truth have anything to do with rats?

(?):

Doctor: Hello. Margaret?

Margaret: Yes. It does.

(?)

Doctor: Who is it we're looking for?

Margaret: My friend, Leon. He's a skinny black kid with glasses and he's riding a red ten speed.

Doctor: Which way did he go?

Margaret: That way. He left a half hour ago.

Doctor: It's a long way to the valley hours and hours.

Margaret: Please! Hurry. We have to find him.

Doctor: Okay. We'll head out route 15, but while I'm driving, I want you to tell me what's going on.

(?)

Margaret: Where could he be?

Doctor: I don't know. I don't think he could have gone farther than this in a half hour.

Margaret: Could he have gone another way?

Lindsey: I don't think so.

Doctor: This is the only road that heads towards the valley, but he may not have known that or maybe.

Lindsey: Maybe he was just trying to scare you.

Doctor: Maybe he didn't really plan to go there at all.

Margaret: I saw him get on his bike and he was wearing a knapsack.

Doctor: Let's turn around and look again. We must have missed him.

(?)

Margaret: I've got to find him. I hurt his feelings by lying to him and now he's really mad.

Doctor: You lied about the valley.

Margaret: I promised them I would. They're afraid if Dr. Schultz finds out about them. He'll put them back in the laboratory. For them, that's death.

Lindsey: What if someone else went in his place?

Doctor: Just to talk with them.

Margaret: I guess that would be okay.

(?)

Lindsey: We'll find him.

(?)

Margaret: I know this sounds crazy, but I thought of another place we could look.

Lindsey: Where?

Margaret: It's downtown next to an office building. 1362 Reed Street.

Lindsey: What makes you think Leon might be there?

Margaret: It's a long story. You see, his grandma used to live there and we used to visit her, but this summer while I was away. She died. She loved Leon a lot and he loved her too. He left, so upset I thought that maybe if he did change his mind about going to the valley he might.

Lindsey: It's worth a try.

(?)

Margaret: Leon?

(?)

Margaret: Leon! Is anybody home?

(?)

Margaret: Did you change your mind about going to the valley?

Leon: It's too far away. Anyway, I didn't want you to end up hating me.

Margaret: I'm sorry about everything.

Leon: I had a terrible summer. First, Grandma died and then you died too. When it turned out, you weren't dead. I was still happy, but when you came back, you were different. But that's over and now you know the truth.

Margaret: You can cry if you want to. I did when Mr. Ages left and lots of other times too.

Leon: No.

Margaret: I'm going to take you there sometime, Leon. I promise you'll like them a lot. They've got their own world there with crops and schools and doctors and everything. They'll like you too. I know because I already told them about you. I even told them about this house

Leon: You did?

Margaret: Yes, I told them about the stuff we used to do here in the summer, like flying paper planes from the roof and what your grandma said to the people who complained.

Leon: What did they say?

Margaret: They said we were lucky.

(?)

Margaret: I really did want to tell you right from the moment. I got back having to keep it to myself was awful. I was going to tell my mom, but I found out she hates rats, so I couldn't. Then you figured it out. I was so worried about you're going to the valley that I called Lindsay. It turned out she'd almost figured it out too.

Leon: Who's Lindsey?

Margaret: She's a reporter and she's been to the valley before to write about it. She was helping me look for you. She's outside in her car.

Leon: She's outside? (?) Does she know the part about Nimh?

Margaret: Yes. she'd even talk to the guy who did the experiment. His name is Dr. Schultz.

Leon: Is she going to tell him?

Margaret: I don't think so. She's nice, but I have to talk to her more about that.

Leon: You better. Reporters usually write articles about whatever they find out.

(?)

Leon: Friends?

Margaret: Friends.

(?)

Lindsey: Everting okay?

Margaret: Yes.

Lindsey: You must be Leon.

Leon: I am.

(?)

Lindsey: You have a picture of you and the rats?

Margaret: Yes, it's - it's at home in the pocket of my pajamas. I showed it to you, didn't I, Leon?

Lindsey: I'd like to see that picture. Remember when we were looking for Leon on the road? You told me that the rats were afraid of Dr. Schultz because they thought he would put them back in the laboratory. What if someone went in his place just to talk to them?

Margaret: Well, I think it would be okay if the person were nice and promised not to hurt them or tell where they lived.

Lindsey: What if you went with me if it were okay with your parents that is?

Leon: Me, too. Don't forget about me.

Margaret: Him, too.

(?)

Chapter 28
(?)

Margaret: You see, Artie, Leon figured it out and he was going there by himself, so I called Lindsay for help. I didn't mean to tell her. I just wanted to find Leon, but it turned out, she asked about them and when we were together, the truth came pouring out. Lindsey's nice. She wants to go to the valley and she wants you and me and Leon to go with her. She won't hurt the rats or tell where they live. I wish i hadn't told her, but I didn't know what else to do.

Artie: It's okay.

(?)

Mr. Livingstone: Your Mother and I have agreed that what happened while you were gone isn't the most important thing to us. The important thing is that you're here.

Margaret: Wait till you see the valley, Dad. You'll love it and the rats.

Mrs. Livingstone: Oh, Margaret.

(?)

(?)

Leon: There's the stadium and the zoo.

Margaret: What if the rats aren't glad to see us?

Leon: Look, Artie. There's a school. See the track? That's a farm. Remember what cows say?

Artie: Moo.

Leon: Look. That's the state forest. See all the trees? You can see the mountains just beyond.

(?)

Leon: There's snow on some of the mountains. Look there and there.

(?)

Margaret: Look, there's the meadow. It's us. Margaret and Artie.

(?)

Pilot: We're coming down. Make sure your seatbelts are fastened tight.

(?)

Lindsey: Why don't you go first? That way, if they're watching, they'll know who we are.

Margaret: They'll be watching. They have a century tower beyond the garden.

(?)

(?): Don't speak to me.

(?)

Margaret: We go this way to get to the nest. Once we cross it over by that walnut tree there our stepping stones will be able to see emerald pond. The gardens are just beyond it.

(?)

Margaret: There. (?) But the diving platform is gone.

(?)

Leon: What is it?

(?)

Margaret: It was here.

Leon: What?

Margaret: Their garden. The broccoli was over there. I remember because Artie stepped on it by accident and the potatoes were here and the cabbage is right there and the water pipe came up just about there. That was for the hot months. In case there wasn't enough rain and the bamboo they made the pipes out of growth there.

Leon: Are you sure we're in the right spot?

Margaret: The nest is on the other side of that grove of pines. It was at least.

Leon: Here come the others.

(?)

Margaret: Come on.

(?)

Margaret: Where are they?

Leon: I think they ran away.

Margaret: But why?

Leon: They were afraid of being caught.

Margaret: I would never hurt them. Never.

Leon: You wouldn't. They know that and I wouldn't. We're just kids, but the others.

Margaret: Lindsey's nice.

Leon: But her boss or the pilot. They couldn't be sure who would come.

Mr. Livingstone: Margaret.

Margaret: They're not here.

Lindsey: But what about the gardens and the nest and the other place says you told me about.

Margaret: It's all changed the gardens were right over there.

Dave: It's full of rocks.

Mr. Livingstone: Honey, are you sure we're in the right place?

Margaret: I don't know. I just don't know.

Lindsey: But you have the picture. Remember the one you took at the amusement park?

Margaret: The picture.

(?)

Margaret: The picture. It wasn't real.

Lindsey: Leon saw it too? it was in the pocket of your pajamas?

Margaret: No.

Leon: I never saw it.

Mr. Livingstone: It's ok, honey.

(?)

Margaret: Later.

(?)

Lindsey: You have my phone number?

(?)

Mrs. Livingstone: What happened?

Margaret: They were gone.

Mrs. Livingstone: Oh. Tell me about it later. Dinner is in the oven. If we leave right now, it will be ready when we get home.

Or Chapter 28
(?)

(?): Here is an award for you.

(?)

Margaret: That's us.

(?)

Ending Chapter
(Arthur (?))

(?)

(?)

Arthur: (Thought) Why? That's the boat. Christopher and I are going to sail on. Christopher said we'll sail around the world one day and here's the boat to prove it.

(?)

(?)

(Arthur (?))

Arthur: (Thought) So that's the way they went.

(?)

(Arthur drew a picture of him, Margaret, and the rats.)

(?)

Or Ending Chapter
(?)

Margaret: A beautiful day for a swim. Maybe we should see our friend Christopher and Timmy today.

(?)

(?): You want to visit with me?

(?)

Margaret: Why? Because I'm (?).

(?)

Somewhere in the Chapters

 * ((?) saw the mice)
 * (The air brought news of winter and still, they had no (?))
 * (?): Dr. Schultz was the leader of a scientist (?).
 * (?): Your brother is shy.
 * (Inside the NIMH, the room was dark (?)).
 * (Nearly frozen, they began to think. There's no hope for a hero like everybody.)
 * (?): You'll be good for (?).
 * (?): Where could they be?
 * (?): The kids lost. Now both found.
 * (?): They're gone.
 * (?): You're confusing.
 * (?): Over here!
 * (?): We got good news and bad news.
 * (Margaret, R.T., and their friends are dancing the music and having fun)
 * (All the mice gave Margret and R.T. a bath)
 * (?): The men captured us right into the cage and bags. You see, we've been ambushed by (?) and that place of terrible, awful … Oh, I hate to say this one. We've been lived by… (NIMH or Dr. Schultz.) The doctors and scientists are cruel and jealous (?). We knew how to read, hide, escape, and fast. We knew where we belonged and we want out as quick as we could. There was mouse named Johnathan Brisby.
 * (?): I can't see a thing. It's dark in here.
 * (Nimh is closing for business.)
 * (?): Quick! Before it gets any worse. Hurry up! Before they see us.

R.T.


 * R.T.: Maybe (?)
 * R.T.: We (?)
 * R.T.: I love Margaret and my friends.
 * R.T.: I love Mom and Dad.
 * R.T.: Maybe this spring will never come.
 * R.T.: Wow!
 * R.T.: We should gave up and freeze. We all alone in the world.

Margaret


 * (Margaret and R.T. are visiting the Thorn Valley)
 * Margaret: I hate my life.
 * Margaret: Someone will put you and a mousetrap.
 * Margaret: I knew (?).
 * Margaret: But we haven't found it yet.
 * Margaret: (?) told me I was.
 * Margaret: Are you blind?
 * Margaret: The truth was insane.
 * Margaret: Christopher likes Artie.
 * Margaret: Will we ever see you again?

Mr. Livingstone



Mrs. Livingstone


 * We'll never find them. Can't you do something?
 * We'll never find them. Can't you do something?

Mr. Ages


 * Mr. Ages: (?)

Christopher


 * Christopher: (?)

Rasco


 * Racso: (?)

Brutus


 * Brutus: We can't let you leave out there.

Justin


 * Justin: The Thorn Valley is (?)

Johnson


 * Sheriff Johnson: Mr. and Mrs. Livingstone, I know how this is hard for you, but can you identify this toy? Mr. and Mrs. Livingstone: (Gasps).
 * Sheriff Johnson: Mr. and Mrs. Livingstone, I'm Sheriff Johnson.
 * Sheriff Johnson: Dr. Schultz, you're all under arrest.

Dialogue

(All the police are searching for clues and (?))

Mrs. Livingstone: I can't believe we left them at the camp. (?).

Mr. Swanson:

Mr. Livingstone:

Mr. Swanson: I (?).

Sheriff Johnson: Mr. and Mrs. Livingstone, does your son and daughter have (?)?

Sheriff Johnson: Any (?), underworld, or (?) connections?

(Mr. or Mrs. Livingstone): They're kids!

Margaret: Artie can't talk.

(?): Margaret, (?)

Margaret:

Mr. Ages: Margaret, your brother has autism, so he couldn't talk.

Margaret: Autism?

(They set up a school, they taught Artie how to read, write, talk, and count.)

(?): What does it say?

Artie: (?)

(?): We gave an award to you. (The statue of RT and Margaret.)

(?): Looks like Nimh is officially closed for business.)