When Dodger Met Rocky/Transcript

Oliver and Company: The Series

When Dodger Met Rocky

(Setting: The streets of Queens, late afternoon. Dodger and the gang come running out of an Indian takeout, laughing, and carrying food.)

Dodger: Come on, guys! Is that all you got?

Tito: Don't get snippy with me! We got what we could!

Man's voice: (off-camera) Get back here, you thief!

(The takeout owner, a heavy-set Indian man, comes running out, screaming and waving his arms.)

Takeout owner: Get back here, you filthy mutts! (throws a ladle at them)

Dodger: O.K., guys, let's make a run for it.

(They take off, as the takeout owner shakes his fist, and screams abuse in Hindi.)

Dodger: We are gonna have a heck of a story to tell Oliver, tonight guys!

(Cut to the houseboat, that evening. The gang are eating their meal, and telling Oliver about their exploits.)

Dodger: So, Patel comes after us like, (in hammy Indian accent) "Get here, you filthy mutts!" (normal accent) And we're outta here!

Oliver: Well, Dodger, sounds like you had an interesting day, today.

Rita:Anyway, enough about us. How are things in your neck of the woods?

Oliver: Not much. Jenny and her parents went to Greece to see her cousins. They brought back some souvenirs, and I got a new collar.

(Oliver shows his new collar; it's white with blue Greek spirals decorating it.)

Dodger: That looks so cool.

Francis: Greece. Home of democracy, the Olympics, and of gods and heroes.

Dodger: Is that so? (puts on a deep voice) I am the mighty Hercules. Fight me, monster!

(They wrestle each other to the floor. Oliver laughs, as Rita pulls them apart.)

Rita: Knock it off! Sometimes it feels like I'm their babysitter.

Oliver: Anyway, I'm gonna take off. I'll see you round guys, OK?

(He leaves the houseboat. Dodger smiles.)

Rita: Dodge, is something wrong?

Dodger: No, it's just...(inhales) I kinda miss the kid, OK?

Rita: I do, too, but...he's got his life, we have ours.

Dodger: Yeah, I know, but...sometimes I wish it was like old times.

Rita: Me too.

Fagin: Alright, guys. Who wants to hear a story?

Rita: (to Dodger) Shall we?

(Later, that night, the gang are sleeping. Dodger gets up, and exits the houseboat, onto the deck.)

Dodger: (thinking to himself) I need a day to myself. A day when it's not my turn to bring back food.

(Setting: The houseboat, early morning. Dodger sneaks out, tiptoeing over the sleeping gang, and onto the deck. He looks back at the gang, and takes off into the city.)

Dodger: Man! Good morning New York City!

(Dodger runs through the streets of Manhattan, people are going about their business. He turns and sees a group of skateboarders, performing stunts. One of them tries, but ends up falling off his board, His friends laugh, Dodger shakes his head.)

Male voice: Get back here, you thief!

Dodger: Wow, only been out a couple of hours. Must be a new record.

(A young male dog, a husky-collie cross with blue eyes, and a bandana similar to Dodger's, but blue with a white trim, weaves through the mass of New Yorkers, looking back as if he's being chased, and carrying a paper bag. He collides with Dodger. The two right themselves.)

Dodger: You OK, champ?

Dog: Look, it's none of your business, now...

(An angry-looking American bulldog comes charging up to the two.)

Bulldog: Alright, Rocky, you little pipsqueak. Hand it over.

Rocky: (acting innocent) I have no idea what you're talking about, Thor.

Thor: Do you think I'm stupid? My breakfast!

Dodger: (whispering) What's going on?

Rocky: (whispering) Play along.

Thor: You really are testing my patience!

Rocky: I don't have it. (turns to and winks at him. Dodger, confused, winks back) But he does!

Dodger: What?

Thor: OK, then. (approaches Dodger) Alright, slick, how bout you give me my food, and I'll let you go no problems.

Dodger: I could...(grabs the back and tosses it to Rocky)...but I won't! Ciao!

(He and Rocky take off; Dodger jumps onto the fallen skater's skateboard, and rides off, with Thor in hot pursuit.)

Skateboarder: Hey! What gives!

(Dodger jumps off the skateboard, and continues running alongside Rocky. Thor continues his chase. They run into Central Park, and hide in some bushes.)

Thor: I know you're hiding somewhere. When I find you, I'll make you wish you'd never crossed me.

(He takes off. As soon as he's left, Dodger and Rocky emerge from the bushes.)

Dodger: He's gone, now. Who was that idiot?

Rocky: That, my friend, is Thor. I've been stealing his breakfast every day for a month, and he finally caught on. Alright! Let's eat.

(He pours out the bag's contents, which consists of left-over fast food.)

Dodger: Definitely! (starts eating) By the way, I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Dodger.

Rocky: I'm Rocky.

Dodger: So, you from around here?

Rocky: Well, I was actually born in Queens. You?

Dodger: I'm from...around here. You know, I've been to Queens quite a few times.

Rocky: No way!

Dodger: (nods) They got some really nice food there. Last time I ate like this was at a birthday party last year.

Rocky: (laughs) Wow, a year ago!

Dodger: I know. My gosh, that feels like forever!

(The two laugh. Rocky looks up; there are grey clouds forming in the sky.)

Rocky: Uh oh. Look's like it's gonna rain. (gets up to leave)

Dodger: Wait, don't go! I have a place where we can get out of the rain.

(Later that afternoon, Dodger and Rocky arrive at the houseboat. It's empty.)

Rocky: This is where you live? No offence, but a good spring clean here and there wouldn't kill ya.

Dodger: Yeah. It's not much, but it's home.

(Rocky slumps himself onto the armchair, accidentally pressing the TV remote. The screen lights up, and a basketball match is shown.)

Rocky: Awesome! The Knicks vs the Bulls! (turns to Dodger) Do you watch basketball?

Dodger: Baseball's more my thing. Named after the L.A. Dodgers.

Rocky: Makes sense.

(Dodger looks out of the window. He can see the gang returning.)

Dodger: Crud! My gang's coming back.

Rocky: You're in a gang. Never would have guessed.

Dodger: (whispering) Hide!

Rocky: Where?

Dodger: I don't know. Anywhere! (sees a tarpaulin strewn on the floor) Under there.

(Rocky hides under the tarp. Dodger greets the gang, laughing nervously.)

Dodger: Guys! How are you?

Francis: Alas, we have little to show for expenditure!

Rita:: Well, it was alright. Could have gone better, but it is what it is. You?

Dodger: (unconvincingly) Alright. You know, just went into the city, that sort of thing.

Rita: Are you sure there's something you're not hiding?

Dodger: (like a child having been caught stealing cookies) No. Uh, well, you see...

(As all this is going on, Rocky is watching from under the tarp. Francis jumps onto the armchair, and turns the channel over, watching a performance of Shakespeare. Rocky sneaks out, Mission Impossible-style, and sidles onto the armchair next to Francis, who screams in horror.)

Francis: Get off, you guttersnipe!

(The two wrestle each other onto the floor. At this point, Fagin enters the houseboat, and is surprised by what he sees.)

Fagin: Break it up! That's no way to greet a guest.

(The gang turn towards Rocky, who blushes. Dodger is trying to sneak off, whistling innocently.)

Rita: Dodger, would you mind introducing us to our little guest?

(Dodger exhales.)

(Sometime later...)

Dodger:...And that's how Rocky followed me back here.

Francis: I see.

Rita: So, he followed you back here?

(Dodger nods)

Dodger: Look, I'm just asking, if he could stay with us, just for the night?

Rita: I don't know, Dodge...

Einstein: I think that would be nice.

Dodger: That's all I'm asking. One night. Please?

(He puts on big, pathetic puppy dog eyes.)

Rita: Alright. He can stay with us. For the night.

Dodger: Awesome. Thanks!

Rita: On one condition: you're taking him home.

(Rocky approaches Dodger, with a look on his face that says, "Did she say yes?" Dodger nods.)

(Later that night, the gang are sleeping. Rocky and Dodger are sharing Dodger's bed. Rocky is lying on his back with his legs in the air, and Dodger is squashed up next to him, listening to him snore.)

(Setting: The next day. The gang and Rocky are heading into the city.)

Rocky: Thanks for letting me crash with you guys last night.

Dodger: No problem. Look, sorry about Rita. She's really nice actually.

Rocky: That's cool.

(Dodger and Rocky arrive at the Foxworth house.)

Rocky: Ooh! Nice place.

Dodger: We're gonna make a pitstop. I...have some friends I need to visit.

(They enter through the open kitchen window. Oliver greets them.)

Oliver: Hi, Dodger. I didn't think you were coming today.

Dodger: Never too busy to see a friend. Where's Jenny?

Oliver: She's spending the day with her friends. (notices Rocky) Who's that?

Dodger: This is Rocky.

Oliver: Nice to meet you, Rocky.

Dodger: Rocky, I need to talk to Oliver. Can you go out for a minute?

Rocky: Sure. (exits the kitchen)

Dodger: Do you have water? This will be a long story.

(As Dodger is talking to Oliver, Rocky sneaks upstairs into Georgette's bedroom. He is amazed by what he sees.)

Rocky: Hello! My goodness, it's like I died and went to Madonna's house.

(He notices an open chocolate box.)

Rocky: Ooh, yummy!

(Downstairs...)

Oliver: So, you're taking him home?

Dodger: That is the long and short of the situation.

(Upstairs, the sound of screaming and a struggle.)

Oliver: Oh no.

(Rocky comes charging out of Georgette's room, with Georgette in pursuit. His cheeks are swelled up like a hamster's.)

Georgette: You beast! You declasse savage!

(Rocky swallows.)

Dodger: What happened?

Georgette: Your little friend broke into my boudoir, and ate my dog-friendly chocolates imported from Italy!

(Dodger and Oliver are trying to stifle a laugh.)

Dodger: Well, props to him for stomaching those nasty things! I ate them once and I was sick for a week!

Georgette: Get out!

Dodger: (turns to Oliver) So, I'll see you round kid?

Oliver: Uhh...yeah. I'll maybe see you tomorrow.

(Dodger and Rocky take their leave.)

(On the streets, the two dogs make their way through the crowds of people.)

Dodger: Rocky, what you did was...

Rocky: I know what you're gonna say. (in mock stern tone) "Unacceptable, embarrassing! You should be ashamed of yourself!" What are you, my dad?

Dodger: No. I was gonna say, awesome. I mean, someone's gotta knock Queen Poodle a peg or two once in a while!

Rocky: I gotta admit, it was pretty fun. The look on her face was priceless.

Dodger: To be a fly on the wall to see that!

(The two laugh., and stop near an emptier section of the streets.)

Dodger: So, I guess this is goodbye.

Rocky: (turns to leave) Yeah...hey, before I go...(holds out his paw) Friends?

Dodger: Friends. (they tap paws, like a fist-bump)

(Dodger watches as Rocky takes off.)

(Setting: The houseboat, late afternoon. Dodger enters, his eyes are swollen and red; he looks like he's been crying. Rita greets him.)

Rita: Dodge, are you alright?

Einstein: Have you been crying?

Dodger: No! (sniffs) It's the pollen.

Rita: (unconvinced) Yeah. I'll give you some space.

(Later that evening, Dodger is sitting on the deck of the houseboat, gazing off towards the horizon. Rita comes to greet him.)

Rita: I know it was hard.

Dodger: (sighs) I know, but, part of me wanted Rocky to stay with us, so...

Rita: Why?

Dodger: I wanted it to be like old times, you know, where Oliver was with us.

Rita: I can see what you mean.

Dodger: Yeah.

(Tito comes barging out.)

Tito: Hey guys! What's going on? Dinner's starting to get cold.

(Rita turns to Dodger.)

Rita: Shall we eat?

Dodger: What's on the house?

Rita: We did make a pit stop at the Gold Emperor Chinese takeout.

(They enter the houseboat, and start dining.)

Einstein: By the way, how's Rocky?

Dodger: I'm sure he's doing just fine.

(Meanwhile, Rocky takes off with a pizza box in his mouth. He settles down and starts eating. Thor, who is sleeping in an upturned trash can, discovers his meal has been stolen.)

Thor: (angrily) ROCKYYYY!!!

(Rocky laughs.)

Rocky: Finders keepers.

(He winks at the home audience. Fade to black.)

(End credits.)