[Que Rescue Rangers Theme Song]
The scene fades into Chip and Dale walking out of the terminal at the airport in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Chip's mother who is holding a sign sees the two and runs over waving.
"Chip! Dale! Over here." She exclaimed.
She rushed over and gave them each a hug.
"I'm so glad you called, Chip." She said, hugging Chip.
She turned to Dale.
"Hi, Miss. Maplewood."
Rachal chuckled. "Oh, sweetie we are well past that. Come here." She said, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Aw, come on mom this is embarrassing." Dale groaned as people stared.
"Keep calling me Miss. Maplewood and there will be a lot more embarrassing kisses coming your way." She said, smiling.
"We best get going." Chip said.
"Oh alright. Always in a big hurry with you." Rachal teased.
The scene transitions to Chip and Dale in a late 90s Jeep Grand Cherokee.
"What happened to the old Jeep?" Chip asked.
Rachal laughed. "Goodness, haven't had that in years. You know it's not the 1980s anymore." She said.
Chip chuckled. "I know, mom." He said, rolling his eyes.
Rachal placed her paw on Chips. "Oh, I almost forgot. We're having a little get-together tonight at our place. A little welcome home party for you two." She said.
"Mom, you didn't have to do that." Chip replied.
"Please, it's the least I can do. Besides, Dale has told me about all the great adventures you've been having and the great work you're doing at Hollywood." Rachal explained.
Chip glared up at the review mirror. Dale squirmed in his seat and became uncomfortable.
"Oh really. And how long ago was this?" Chip asked.
"Can we get something to eat? I'm starved." Dale stated abruptly in order to change the subject.
"Oh sure, sweetie. We're almost home. I'm sure your uncles have prepared something by now. Also, what happened to the CGI surgery that you told me you got? You look like nothing in the photos you sent me." Rachal said.
"Oh, that…I had to get the surgery reversed to recoup some of the money I lost." Dale said.
"I thought you both were working?" She asked.
"Mom, I didn't call you because I couldn't afford to come home. I called you because we are broke and haven't worked for Hollywood since 1991." Chip said.
"What? Is this true, Dale? What about all those stories you've told me on the phone?" Rachal questioned.
"I made it all up, I'm sorry mom. I just figured that if I told you the truth you'd just think of me as a failure." Dale said, hanging his head in shame.
Rachal reached her arm back to comfort Dale. "I would never think of either of you as failures. I just wish you would have told me the truth sooner So what have you two been up to?" She asked.
"I was an insurance salesman, until I was let go because of a long story and then we moved to New York." Chip explained.
"And what about you, Dale?" Rachal asked.
"I worked a convention circuit and lived off my savings from the show," Dale said.
Rachal scoffed. "You know, when you boys told me you were moving to Hollywood to show the world your talent, I figured it was too difficult but then I saw you two on TV every day in the afternoon. I couldn't believe my two boys, TV celebrities. I was so proud. However, I knew from the start Hollywood is a ruthless place, and the fact you two made it is worth something." She explained.
Rachal drove the car into the driveway at the old house where Chip and even Dale grew up for a good portion of their lives. Rachal got out of the car and opened the trunk. She retrieved a paper bag and closed it. She then passed a set of car keys to Chip.
"Could you be a dear and go pick up your cousin Maria at the local high school you both went to?" She asked.
Chip accepted the keys. "Sure, mom I can do that." He said.
"Are you coming with me, Dale, or do you want to go with Chip?" She asked.
Dale seemed torn, he couldn't decide.
"Come on, Dale. We haven't seen that old high school in a while. Besides, I'll introduce you two Maria." Chip said, entering the vehicle.
"Okay. Dale said, shrugging.
Rachal stopped Dale briefly and kissed him on the forehead and ruffled his hair. She pointed.
"No more lies from you young man, I only want the truth from now on." She stated.
Dale nodded. "Yes, mom." He replied.
"Good, now you better get going," Rachal said.
Dale nodded and got in the passenger seat of the car. Chip backed out of the driveway and drove towards the high school. Once there, they both got out to greet Maria. She pushed Dale out of the way to take the front passenger seat.
"I call shotgun," Maria said.
"Hey, I was sitting there," Dale stated.
"Too slow, slowpoke. Already called it." Maria teased.
Dale frowned and got in the back. Chip got in and they drove back to the house.
"So, I can't believe you two are back home. I didn't believe your mom when she told me." Maria said.
"Yeah, we couldn't believe it either. Also, I don't think you remember Dale" Chip said.
"I remember him from that TV show you guys did. He's the dumb one, right?" Maria asked.
Dale crossed his arms. "I'm not dumb, that was a character." He said.
"Well, you played it pretty convincing if I do say so myself," Maria replied.
Dale was now visibly angry and waiting for Chip to jump in to defend him.
"Anyways, how has uncle Rick been?" Chip asked.
"He's good. He used to brag about you at the station all the time." Maria said.
"I see." Chip replied.
Chip got a look in the rearview at Dale who appeared he was going to either cry or explode with rage. However, Chip managed to make it home before anything else could be said. Maria got out and went inside. Dale got out and slammed the door and confronted Chip.
"So is that the best you could do?" Dale asked.
"Excuse me?" Chip replied.
"She called me stupid, twice and you allowed her!" Dale said, raising his voice.
"What did you want me to do, Dale?" Chip asked, raising his voice.
In the kitchen, Maria had pointed out to Chip and Dale's mother that Chip and Dale were breaking into one of their arguments. She rushed outside to stop them.
"You two knock it off right now. Chipper, you leave Dale alone." She instructed.
"But mom. He-" Chip attempted to say.
"No buts, now forgive each other and move on." She instructed.
Chip and Dale sighed. They shook hands and forgave each other.
"Good, now come on inside and help me put some stuff out on the patio," Rachal said.
"Yes, mom." Chip and Dale said with a sigh.
Chip and Dale entered the house and helped Rachal bring out trays to the backyard patio where the party was being set up. There was a small in-ground pool where Maria and a few of her friends were gossiping about Dale. Dale didn't pay much attention to them, Chip was going to say something until his uncle Michael interrupted him.
"So I hear you need a job?" Michael questioned.
Chip turned. "Oh, hey, uncle Mike. Yeah, been in a bit of a bind for a while. It's hard finding work these days." He explained.
"I wish it were the same here. I can't find anyone to help me over at the old hardware store. Toons these days would rather live in things made by human beings than anything us little guys make." Michael said.
"Gee, I've never worked at a hardware store uncle Mike." Chip said.
"Eh, you don't need much experience. I need someone in front of the house who can point stuff out to customers and lock it up for me at the end of the day." Michael explained.
"Oh, that doesn't sound too hard." Chip said.
"If you're interested, I'll pay you $8.50 to start. It's a little more than minimum wage and it's nowhere near Hollywood money but hopefully, it's good enough to start you at." Michael said.
"It's more than enough for now. Thank you, Uncle Mike." Chip said.
Chip shook Michaels's paw.
"Now come on, why don't we head down to the store and I'll show you the ropes. That way, you can start first thing tomorrow for me." Michael said.
"What's this about leaving?" Rachal asked.
"Oh, I'm just going to show Chip the hardware store since he'll be working there starting tomorrow," Michael said.
"Oh, that's wonderful news. Well, go and hurry back. People are starting to arrive." Rachael said.
Chip and Dale left in Michaels's old Ford F150 towards the show down the road in town. Rachael saw Dale looking at the pool and walked over to him.
"Everything alright, dear?" She asked.
Dale looked up. "Yeah, everything is fine mom." He replied with a half-smile.
"Well, if you want to go in the pool, I think Chip's father has an old pair of swim trunks in the closet in the main hall you can borrow," Rachal said.
"Okay, sure," Dale said, his mood began to lighten.
Dale entered the house and found the old box in the closet. He took a pair of black swim trunks and went to the washroom and changed. He came out still wearing his iconic shirt but now with swim trunks. Before Dale entered the pool Maria confronted him.
"Hey, got a second?" Maria asked.
Dale frowned. "Depends, are you going to call me stupid again?" He asked.
"No, silly. I wanted to apologize about earlier." Maria said.
"Oh, okay," Dale said, he smiled and chuckled.
"Yeah, so…Say, are you busy right now?" Maria asked.
"Not really, just was going to get into the pool," Dale said.
"Well, some friends and I are going to go to our usual meet-up. Wanna join us?" She asked.
Dale looked at Rachal who was distracted and turned back to Maria.
"Um, okay," Dale said with a shrug.
Dale followed Maria and a couple of friends, they snuck out the side gate into an SUV with a few other of her friends. They appeared to be troublesome teens. They drove off towards their usual hangout, an abandoned building near the hardware store.
One individual chipmunk male lit a joint next to Dale.
"Hey, Skip, pass that here," Johnny asked.
"Hold on." Skip said, puffing on the rolled joint.
Dale began to feel uncomfortable with his surroundings. Maria noticed and grabbed the joint from Johnny. She took a small puff and passed it to Dale.
"Come on, Dale. It's your turn." Maria said, trying to pass the joint.
"Uh, I'm not sure. Chip's always told me to stay away from smoking." Dale said.
"But it's not smoking," Maria said.
"Yeah, man. It's all-natural." Johnny said in a mellowed tone.
Dale hesitated but took it anyway. He puffed on it slowly and then began to cough. Everyone in the car laughed as they knew how easy it was to manipulate Dale. After a few times, Dale began to feel uneasy. His senses began to feel impaired, he even felt a bit hungry as well. However, before any more could be said they arrived. The building was lit by lanterns and it was full of unruly teenagers who appeared to be troublemakers.
"Come on, Dale. I've got a special spot where you and I can hang out." Maria said.
Dale followed Maria to a sectioned-off corner of the building. She laid out a blanket and they sat down. Loud punk music echoed from the other rooms and could be heard in the one they were in.
"Enjoying yourself so far?" Maria asked.
Dale still somewhat impaired from the marijuana smiled. "Yeah, this is great. I love what you've done with the place." He said, looking around.
They both sat staring at each other and things around the room until Maria slowly moved in and kissed Dale. Dale didn't hesitate but allowed her to continue. Once they broke from their kiss, she unbuttoned the first three buttons on his shirt.
Dale chuckled. "What are you doing?" He asked, too innocent to be aware of what was actually unfolding.
Maria pulled the drawstrings on Dale's swim shorts to loosen them. "Isn't it obvious?" She said in a seductive tone.
Maria grabbed Dale's waistband and began to pull but Dale placed his paw over hers to stop her. "I-I can't Maria." He said.
"What do you mean you can't?" She said in a flustered tone.
"It wouldn't be right. Chip's mom adopted me when I was in grade five. I may not be related by blood but I consider her to be my mom and being a part of the family. Chip would never forgive me if I did something like this, let alone my own self-guilt." Dale explained.
Maria jumped up. "Ugh, you're such an idiot!" She shouted in disgust.
Maria stormed out of the room shouting for someone. Dale jumped up and struggled with his shaky paws to retie his shorts to keep them from falling. He rushed out of the building at a back entrance and tried to look for the hardware store. He eventually found it and rushed over to the front door. He pushed the door open and a bell above it rang.
Chip sweeping the floor stated, "We're closed." He said.
Dale rushed over to Chip appearing to be out of breath. "Thank goodness I found you." He said.
"Dale, what's wrong?" Chip asked in concern.
"I had to get away from Maria and her friends, they were nothing but trouble," Dale said.
"It's okay, Dale. You're safe." Chip said, trying to comfort Dale.
Chip then got a look at Dale. His eyes were bloodshot, he smelt weird and was walking weirdly.
"Dale? Is that marijuana I smell on you?" He questioned.
Dale began to cry. "I don't know, Chip. They made me do things I wasn't comfortable with. Especially Maria." He sobbed.
Chip gave Dale a comforting hug and he calmed down. Chip then noticed Dale's half-buttoned shirt and half-tied swim trunks.
Chip raised his eyebrows with a concerned expression. "What exactly did she make you do? You're not hurt are you?" He asked.
"No I'm fine, I stopped her before she did anything," Dale reassured.
"Good. I think I'm going to have a stern talking to her after we leave here. She can't be taking advantage of you like that and she should know by now that you're a member of this family." Chip said, he appeared agitated and angry about Maria's behavior towards Dale.
"I think I'm going to head back home. Mom doesn't know I was gone. Should I tell her what happened?" Dale asked.
"Only if she asks, and be honest about what happened. Are you sure you don't want to wait for me?" Chip asked.
Dale nodded. "I'm sure. I need some fresh air to calm down." He said.
"Alright, be careful. Call me if you need me." Chip said.
"I will," Dale said, attempting to make a smile at Chip.
Dale hugged Chip briefly before leaving.
"Thank you for being so understanding." He said in a muffled voice.
Chip patted Dale's back. "You know I'll always be there for you, Dale." He said.
They broke from their embrace and Dale left the store. He walked back towards the house and saw the black SUV Maria was in. Dale ducked into a large ally way to lose them but it was no use. They stopped and all got out and started running after Dale. Dale tried to run but his poorly tied swim trunks made it difficult to getaway. Skip then grabbed Dale.
"Hey, let me go!" He shouted, trying to shake free.
"What's the matter, Dale?" Maria asked.
"I want to go home. Why can't you leave me alone?" Dale pleaded.
"Not so fast, you know about our hideout and we can't have you telling anyone about it," Maria said.
"I won't tell anyone." Dale pleaded.
"But you told, Chip. We saw you go in the store." Maria said.
"I-I promise I didn't say anything," Dale said.
"That's not what my voicemail says. Rough him up Skip." Maria said.
"N-No wait!" Dale stammered as he pled for mercy.
Skip punched Dale and shoved him to the ground.
"I'm going to enjoy this." Skip said, laughing.
"Shame you ran off, Dale. We would have had fun." Maria said in a seductive tone.
Dale covered his face as Skip went to throw a punch just as the blip of a siren could be heard. It was Maria's father, Rick. Maria took off running to avoid being seen by her father.
Rick gripped his sidearm. "Unhand that boy, Dan." He ordered.
Skip let go of Dale's collar. "Yes, sir." He said.
"No go on, you know what I said about what we do to bullies around here," Rick said.
Skip and the others got into their SUV and drove off. Rick helped Dale to his feet.
"Your mother has been worried sick about you, Dale. Good thing I found you." Rick said.
Dale nodded, still visibly shaken up. "Thanks." He stammered.
"Come on, let me get you home," Rick said, leading Dale to the passenger seat of the car.
Rick got into the diecast Crown Victoria police car and drove Dale home. Once Dale got out of the car, Chip was standing out front and Rachal ran over and hugged him.
"Oh sweetie, look at your poor face. Are you hurt?" She said in a soothing motherly tone.
"I'm okay, mom. It only stings a little." Dale replied.
Rachal kissed his forehead and lead him inside. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up inside. Thanks again for finding him, Rick." She said.
Rick nodded. "Anytime, Rachal." He said, getting back in his car.
Inside the house, Rachal sat Dale on the edge of the bathtub and dabbed his wound with a cloth.
"I'm so sorry this had to happen to you on your first day back home, sweetie." She said.
"It's okay, mom. Rick stopped them before they could hurt me." Dale said.
"Did you know these boys?" Rachal asked.
Chip noticed Dale standing in the doorway, leaning up against the frame of the door. He looked back at Rachal.
"No, I never saw them before," Dale said.
Rachal unconvincingly agreed with Dale's reasoning and then caught a slight whiff of the marijuana smell from his clothing.
"Pew smells like someone needs a bath." She said, pinching her nose.
Dale blushed in embarrassment.
"I'll leave you be now, towels are in the closet. Please come join us outside once you've cleaned up." She said, leaving the room.
"You should've been honest." Chip said.
Dale leaned forward. "I couldn't. They threatened me." He whispered.
Chip sighed. "Alright, but I'm telling you, Dale. You need to tell mom what happened. I'll back you up if Maria says or does anything." He said.
"But what if you get hurt?" Dale asked.
"That's the cost of being brotherly sometimes, Dale." Chip said.
Dale gave a half-smile. "You know, after all those years of being apart, I never thought we'd become this close again." He said.
"Differences aside, Dale. You always have your family's back. No matter what." Chip said.
Dale nodded. "I understand, thanks, Chip." He replied.
Chip closed the bathroom door and Dale then decided to shower to clean himself up. Afterward, he changed into some casual clothing from his suitcase and went outside. Rachal was passing by with a tray of drinks in her hand. She gave him a brief kiss on the head as she walked by.
"Feeling better, Dale?" She asked, setting the tray down.
"Much better. Thanks, mom." Dale said.
Dale looked around at everyone who was over at the party. She saw Maria in the corner gossiping with two girls around her age while gazing at Dale. Dale felt uncomfortable and went back inside to the living room. Chip was lying across the couch watching the news on TV.
"Whatcha watching?" Dale asked.
Chip sat up and moved his feet so Dale could sit next to him.
"Just CNN. There's nothing ever good on TV anymore." Chip said, flicking through channels.
"You're telling me," Dale muttered.
Chip while flipping through the guide found Crispy Cow reruns that they used to watch in the late 70s through to the early 80s.
"Look what's on Dale." Chip said, pointing at the TV.
"Hey, I remember that show," Dale said.
Chip and Dale turned to each other. "Hey, that's my milk." They said pointing at each other and laughing.
"Oh, that was comedy gold in its time." Chip said.
Chip clicked on the show and they began watching it. Rachal stood back at the edge of the kitchen. She smiled as she reminisce about memories the two used to share when they were young and growing up.
Dale turned to Chip. "I don't want to dampen this moment, but what's our plan from here? I thought we were going to try to get back to LA?" He asked.
"Will get there as soon as we can, Dale. For now, I think we should try and make the most of it here, save some money, and then when we're able to will try and make it back to LA." Chip explained.
Dale nodded. "Alright. Do you think your uncle Mike has other positions at the store?" He asked.
"I think maybe it's best if you kept mom company while we're here. I'll go to work and save up." Chip said.
"Are you sure, Chip?" Dale asked.
"I'm sure, Dale. Besides, it's not hard work at the shop and it pays half decent. We should be back on our feet in no time at all." Chip said.
"Good, I'll be glad to be able to get back to LA," Dale said.
"So will I, Dale. So will I." Chip said.
Chip and Dale continued watching the old reruns on TV as the night went on then finally turned in for the night in their old shared bedroom.
