Charlie, Come Home/Transcript

Oliver and Company: The Series

Charlie, Come Home

(Setting: Harlem, at sunset. A group of pre-teens, a white girl with dirty blonde hair in a red and white T-shirt and blue shorts, two black boys and a Latina girl are playing a game of basketball.)

Girl: Tag me!

(The Latina girl dribbles the ball and tosses it to the blonde girl who scores a slam dunk. The friends cheer and slap five. Dodger and Oliver are watching from nearby.)

Oliver: How do they do that?

Dodger: I don't know, kid. I mean, I watch the Knicks on TV, but seeing it up close is something totally different.

(Out of nowhere, an Australian shepherd enters the basketball court. He balances the ball on his nose like a trained seal, before manouvering it like a Harlem Globetrotter. The pre-teens look on amazed, as the dog performs the manouvres, and applaud the performance. He approaches Dodger and Oliver.)

Dodger: Wow! You've got some moves on you.

Shepherd: Thanks.

Dodger: Anyway, let me introduce myself. I'm Dodger, this is my friend Oliver.

Oliver: It's lovely to meet you. What's your name?

Shepherd: I'm Charlie.

Dodger: Wait a minute, that name sounds familiar. That was the name of my friend when I was a pup.

Charlie: Well, that's me.

Dodger: Wait, you're Charlie? My gosh, it's been years! (The two tussle on the floor, laughing)

Charlie: So what have ya been up to since I last saw ya?

(Setting: the houseboat, later that evening. Dodger is introducing Charlie to the gang, who are listening in awe.)

Rita: You sound like a laugh riot, Charl. I wish you were a member of our gang.

Francis: (sarcastically) Oh joy.

Dodger: We had some real good times, didn't we, Charlie?

Charlie: We sure did!

(Flashback. A young Dodger and a young Charlie go racing through the streets of the Bronx; both of them are soaking wet and laughing. They shake themselves.)

Dodger: That was so much fun, wasn't it?

Charlie: Oh yeah. Even though I nearly ended up as that sea lion's chew toy!

Dodger: At least I was there to save your butt!

(The two wrestle each other to the ground, laughing. The flashback ends.)

Charlie: Yeah, those were the days. Anyway, Dodger, tomorrow there's somebody I'd like you to meet.

Dodger: Who?

Charlie: Wait and see.

(He rushes out of the houseboat, as Dodger looks on.)

Tito: Dodger, your old amigo seems cool! Why can't he stay with us full-time?

Dodger: I don't know. I'm gonna see who it is he wants me to meet tomorrow, though.

Rita: Well, till then, let's eat. Fagin picked up some takeout from Gupta's.

Dodger: I could use a decent meal about now!

(He runs off after the gang.)

(Setting: The next afternoon. Dodger is in Harlem, where he is greeted by Charlie.)

Charlie: Glad ya could make it, Dodge!

Dodger: I wouldn't miss this for the world. So, who is it I'm meeting?

Charlie: Come with me.

(The two head down the streets, which are abuzz with activity. They arrive at abandoned warehouse. A female Border collie approaches the two, followed by two mixed-breed pups, who rush excitedly towards Charlie.)

Charlie: Tucker! Buster! How are my two amazing boys?

Tucker: Great! We had so much fun!

Buster: So, today, we actually went into Central Park, and we met this big nasty--

Charlie: Anyway, this is your dad's old friend, Dodger.

Dodger: It's a pleasure to meet you. (looks toward the female dog) And you too. Your name is?

Collie: My name's Fleur. I'm Charlie's mate.

Dodger: (gets into a play-fighting position) Alright, wanna wrestle?

(Tucker and Buster pounce on Dodger, and tussle him to the floor; the three of them laugh uproariously.)

Fleur: (chuckles) The kids really like him.

Charlie: Yeah.

Dodger: Hey, Charl. I'm gonna take Tucker and Buster to the Central Park Zoo for a little excursion. That fine with you?

Tucker and Buster: (in unison) Please? (put on huge, forced grins)

Charlie: I...I don't think that's a good idea.

Dodger: Oh, don't be such a spoilsport! What happened to my friend, Charl?

Charlie: Dodger, can I talk to you for a second?

(Dodger follows Charlie to an isolated area.)

Charlie: Look, I enjoyed all the times we had as kids, but those are in the past! I'm a dad now, and being a dad has changed me.