When Dodger Met Fagin/Transcript

Oliver and Company: The Series

When Dodger Met Fagin

(The houseboat, at sunset. DODGER is slumped on his armchair, watching the TV. RITA sidles up to him, followed by the rest of the GANG. He jumps down, and greets them, and they do likewise.)

DODGER: Hi guys. How's ya day been?

FRANCIS: Quite extraordinary, my good chap! We--

RITA: What he means to say is, we were good. So, how was your day with Oliver?

DODGER: Cool, ya know. Caught up with the kid, also had a good time annoying Georgette, as per usual.

RITA: I'm happy you enjoyed yourself.

(FAGIN enters, carrying bags of takeout.)

FAGIN: Alright, guys. Dinner's on me.

(The gang settle down to share their meal with Fagin.)

FRANCIS: (speaking with his mouthful) So, Dodger, have you ever told us the story about you met Fagin?

DODGER: Bear with me, here. It'll be long! See, I was just a pup...

(Flashback. A young DODGER runs through the backstreets of New York. He seems out of breath.)

DODGER: I'd run away from home, I had no idea where my parents were. Just one thing: how to make it in New York City.

(A male Australian Shepherd puppy approaches Dodger, smiling.)

PUPPY: You alright, pal? Looks like you're in a bit of a jam.

YOUNG DODGER: No, I'm fine. Just had a bit of a run-in with some guy after I tried to steal his breakfast.

PUPPY: You've got guts. (chuckles) My name's Charlie. And you are?

YOUNG DODGER: Dodger.

CHARLIE: Let me guess, like the baseball team?

(DODGER nods.)

CHARLIE: That's pretty cool. So, what are you doin' out here an your own?

YOUNG DODGER: Well, see, I-I got separated from my mom and dad.

CHARLIE: I see. Same here.

(He turns away from DODGER, who follows him.)

YOUNG DODGER: Wait! I mean, can I come with you?

CHARLIE: Sure! I could teach ya what I know.

(The two run off together.)

DODGER: (narrating) Charlie and I became the best of friends. We got up to so much mischief together!

(CHARLIE and DODGER exit a fast food restaurant, running hell for leather, each carrying half of a hamburger. The two stop to eat their meal.)

CHARLIE: You aren't half bad, Dodge!

YOUNG DODGER: Thanks!

CHARLIE: I think you'd make an excellent street dog.

YOUNG DODGER: I don't think so. I know so.

CHARLIE: Aren't we confident?

DODGER: (narrating) Charlie and I thought we'd make a great gang. Take on New York. But, life has a funny way of changing.

(Later that day, DODGER and CHARLIE are laughing and talking as they head through the streets of the Bronx. They stop and see FAGIN, who is haggling passersby, trying to sell his wares. He holds up a TEDDY BEAR to a man's face; the bear has obviously seen better days.)

FAGIN: It's a bargain, I tell ya! Your kids'll love it.

MAN: (not buying it) You can forget it, Fagin! I'm not letting my kids sleep with that mangy thing. (storms off)

(Meanwhile, CHARLIE gives DODGER a look.)

CHARLIE: Go and see if he's got something juicy worth taking.

YOUNG DODGER: You don't even have to ask.

(As FAGIN haggles two pedestrians, DODGER sneaks behind him, snatching his wallet out of his jeans pocket. FAGIN cries out, and takes off after the two dogs, who run at breakneck speed.)

CHARLIE: You really are something, aren't ya, Dodger?

(They take off through the streets, weaving through pedestrians, as Fagin gives chase. Eventually, they end up in an alleyway.)

YOUNG DODGER: (drops the wallet) I think we lost 'im.

(Suddenly, Fagin comes barreling into the alley, practically out of breath. CHARLIE hides behind a dumpster. DODGER freezes in place, as Fagin approaches.)

FAGIN: You...you're good!

(He strokes Dodger's head, and he smiles.)

FAGIN: I'm Fagin. (looks around) Where's your mom and dad? Don't have 'em? Neither do I. Come with me, I have somewhere warm where you can stay.

(The two of them exit the alley. CHARLIE watches from a distance.)

(Later on that evening, Fagin is eating half a hamburger, and has fed the other half to Dodger.)

FAGIN: We're gonna have ta give you a name. Something that makes you stand out.

(They pass a store window showing TV sets, showing a baseball game. Fagin walks back to the window.)

FAGIN: L.A. Dodgers...(inspired) Dodger! Got a ring to it, hasn't it?

(DODGER nods.)

FAGIN: Let me see if they have any dog collars.

(Outside a pet store, DODGER waits for FAGIN. Seconds later, he emerges, being chased out by the owner.)

FAGIN: But I need a collar for my...!

PET STORE OWNER: You really think I'll let you shop at my store after one of your disgusting mutts nearly traumatized my rabbits and ate two weeks worth of bird feed? I think not, Fagin!

FAGIN: (turns to DODGER) I have an idea. Close your eyes.

(He does so. Fagin bends down and ties something around DODGER's neck.)

FAGIN: Now open!

(DODGER opens his eyes. He has a piece of red fabric tied around his neck. He is surprised and yaps his appreciation, licking FAGIN's face.)

DODGER: (narrating) Fagin and I arrived back at the houseboat later that night. And that's when...

RITA: (butting in) I know this part!

(FAGIN and DODGER enter the houseboat; by this point, it is pitch black. Younger versions of FRANCIS, RITA and TITO happily greet him.)

FAGIN: I've brought back a new friend. His name's Dodger. Make him feel at home.

YOUNG TITO: (laughs), Hey, amigo, my name is Juan Ignacio---

YOUNG RITA: We just call him Tito for short. So, where ya from?

YOUNG DODGER: Oh ya know. Around.

YOUNG RITA: Like you already!

(DODGER saunters over to the armchair where FRANCIS is relaxing, watching a play on TV. DODGER shoves him over.)

YOUNG DODGER: What is this?

YOUNG FRANCIS: (rather annoyed) This, you little ingrate, is Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. A tragic--

YOUNG DODGER: Not interested! Wonder if there's any baseball on?

(He presses the remote with his left paw.)

YOUNG DODGER: That's better.

YOUNG FRANCIS: You uncultured swine!

(The two wrestle each other, playfully onto the floor. RITA, TITO and EINSTEIN watch on.)

YOUNG RITA:I think I'm gonna like having him round here.

YOUNG TITO: Me too, amiga!

(Flashback ends. The gang are spellbound by DODGER'S story.)

DODGER: And that is how I met Fagin, and became leader of this little gang.

EINSTEIN: Wow.

FRANCIS: It's just surprising that...when we first met, I never really took to you.I just thought you were a bit of...an...annoyance.

RITA: And to think, if Fagin hadn't brought you back, who knows what would have happened?

EINSTEIN: Maybe you'd still be with...

DODGER: With my mom and dad? Einy, I'd give my right paw to see them again.

(He paces over to the armchair, slumping in front of the TV.)

RITA: Dodge, he didn't--

DODGER: I know, he's being kind. And I would, more than anything else in the world, love to see my mom again. But, even if that never happens, well, I'll always have you guys.

RITA: That's nice.

(She walks off. TITO approaches him.)

TITO: Hey, Dodge? Wanna fight? (gets into playfighting pose.)

DODGER: Oh, you bet!

(The two engage in a playful wrestling match, while the rest of the gang cheer and laugh. Cut to a montage of the GANG watching TV, listening to FAGIN reading, and later falling asleep.)

DODGER: (narrating) This gang's like a family. We have ups and downs, good days and bad days. We fight, but we make up. We laugh, and we cry. But ya know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Because through it all, we stick together.

(The end.)