Chapter 3: Mindy, Mandy and Runt

*The screen cuts to a live-action recording in a Hollywood studio with two actors in a living room.*

John: Dora, we can't do this anymore. We can't be together.

Dora: (nervous) W-W-What do you mean, John?

John: (exasperated) My heart… belongs to someone else. The fire for you is dead. There's someone else…

Dora: (annoyed) Oh, no… Not her…

*A grown-up teenage Mindy appears from the door, appearing in a purple well-designed dress while maintaining her original hairstyle. She is also seen wearing a bunny hat on her head.*

Mindy: Hi there, Mr. Man.

*John happily runs to Mindy.*

Mindy: You see, Dora, Mr. Man and I are meant for each other. We're the perfect soul-

Director: CUT! CUT CUUUUUUUUT!

*The alarm rings and the camera stops rolling. The director appears in a bad mood.*

Director: Actors and their egos! I told her over and over and over and over and over again! How many times do I have to tell you? Do NOT say "Mr. Man" while the show's running! You're supposed to say the name of the character, not some silly name. And another thing, lose the bunny hat. It's getting on our nerves!

Mindy: Why?

Director: Because it will ruin production?

Mindy: Why?

Director: Production is important for business in Hollywood.

Mindy: Why?

Director: We're wasting money here.

Mindy: Why?

Director: (frustrated) BECAUSE WE JUST FEEL LIKE IT!

Mindy: Sorry, Mr. Director, but I have to wear the bunny hat. It's my childhood plaything and it gives me the strength to be the best I can be! And for the record, I love saying "Mr. Man", "Lady", "Silly Puppy" and "I Love You, Bye-Bye" all the time.

Director: (annoyed) Where do we find this weird girlie?

Assistant: She's chasing lollipops stuck on ice cream trucks.

*The assistant is seen reading a magazine issue with a good-looking Mindy on the cover. The director holds Mindy on her shoulders.*

Director: Miss Mindy, I like you. I really do. But we are not producing Tiny Toon freakin' Adventures! Lose. The. Doggone. Bunny. Hat.

*Mindy is jealous at first, but now she is smiling.*

Mindy: Thank you, Mr. Director, I love you, bye-bye... for a gorgeous time.

Later...

*Mindy leaves the production shooting. A while later, the screen cuts to Mindy's house. Mindy arrives from a taxi driving and opens the door, entering the house infested by a few other children, which appear to be her brothers and sisters.*

Mindy: Hi, brothers and sisters! I'm home! I'm back from another scolding from those lazy producers who wanted me to take off my lucky bunny hat.

Mindy's Siblings: Hi, lady!

Mindy: I get that I lot, and I say that all the time in the old days. But call me Mindy. Like, absurdly bad-mood until I'm happy to see you all Mindy.

Mindy's Siblings: Okay, lady!

Mindy: (delighted) Oh, they grow up so fast. I'm gonna get something to eat.

Mindy's Siblings: Okay, lady, I love you, bye-bye!

*Mandy makes her way into the kitchen.*

Mindy: Well, today is leftover night. I'm hungry for some pasta…

*Mindy is cut short when Pinky and the Brain are seen standing at the table.*

Mindy: Wait a second… Pinky? Brain? The mousies?!

Brain: Sorry if we… uh… barged in.

Mindy: (laughs and smiles) There's no trouble at all, old friends. Please, make yourselves at home.

*A while later, Mindy, Pinky and Brain are sitting and talking at the table alone.*

Mindy: The day after the show was cancelled, the only epiphany is that… life just goes on. My mom gave birth to many new kids, became a business manager at Warner Bros. Studios, and threw Buttons out of my house. (sighs) I don't know, fellas… I'm not the same Animaniac as I once was. I'm all grown up.

Pinky: Actually, Mindy, Buttons is doing fine in Dot's mansion on the other side of the street.

Mindy: (smiles) Glad to hear it.

Brain: Mindy, you always wanted to find your way out of your harness when your mom is out, running around and chasing stuff you're delighted with. It's your Animaniac heritage. Many people forgot who you really are because they don't understand that heritage.

Mindy: It's not like it's the end of the world or anything… There are many jobs I can do now that I'm a teen celebrity in Hollywood. Voice acting, for instance. I mean, it's not like all of us have a bit of zany in us anymore...

*Mindy drinks a can of soda.*

Pinky: We're reviving the Animaniacs show, and Dot is training us. And we figured we've got three months before production can be complete.

Mindy: Really? How can we do that?

Brain: Easy! Dot is a multi-millionaire. She'll use the magic of money to build our very own studio at the center of Burbank, independent from Warner Bros. Studios. In a matter of months, we'll be back in business as the greatest cartoons of all time. Then, we will rule the world!

Mindy: Dot is bringing back Animaniacs?

Brain: If we bring you with us, of course.

Mindy: Sure thing! I'll join you on your little crusade. But since I'm old, I need someone who can fill my role of the little girl.

Brain: And who can that be?

Mindy: My younger sister Mandy, of course! She's a four-year old just like I was in my younger age, and she's 100% Mindy material.

*Mandy appears and stands beside Mindy.*

Mandy: (smiles) Ooooh! Mousey! (to Mindy) Hi, lady!

Mindy: Mindy, sis. Call me Mindy. (to Pinky and Brain) See what I mean, guys? She's perfect! But since I'm one of the originals, I'll take my own role in the show. (gets an idea) Oh, I got it! I wanna be Minerva Mink!

Pinky: Narf! (laughs) I don't think you can be Minerva Mink, because she's in the forest. And we can find her in no time.

Brain: FYI, Pinky, Minerva Mink refused to help us revive Animaniacs when the TV viewers made fun of her "image" years ago. So I was thinking Mindy can be the next Minerva Mink.

Mindy: Hooray! Let's go!

Pinky: But wait, Mindy! How will your mom know about this?

Mindy: Don't worry; Mom's an executive in the studio. She'll let it slide for me and Mandy.

Mandy: Okay, I love you, bye-bye!

Mindy: So, what do we do now?

*Brain takes out the list of Animaniacs to gather.*

Brain: Obvious question. We'll bring… her.

*Brain shows the list to Mindy. After much thought, Mindy gave an answer.*

Mindy: I can tell you where she is.

The next morning...

*Inside a retirement home, Mindy, Mandy, Pinky and Brain are standing beside the booth.*

Booth Attendant: I appreciate your concern, Miss Mindy, but Slappy Squirrel is inaccessible. She left the retirement home five years ago and has disappeared ever since.

Brain: How did this happen?

Mindy: Well, I was watching a live concert of One Direction, and days later…

Brain: You met Slappy here?

Mindy: Slappy came to this retirement home when her nephew Skippy was killed five years ago. She was struck with grief that she suffered a massive breakdown, which led her to this place. But I never imagined that Slappy could disappear like that…

Retirement Attendant: There's something wrong with all the food supplies in the 3rd floor. Can somebody help us get new ones?

*A grown-up Runt appears in a much different form. He is walking tall like a regular human, maintained a muscular body, and his hair cut into a braid. His voice doesn't sound like his old mannerisms in the past, but he now speaks in a Brooklyn-accent.*

Runt: (angry) I'm working on it!

*Pinky and Brain are surprised, and rushed to see Runt.*

Pinky: Runt!

Runt: Definitely.

Pinky: You're Rita's companion, right?

Runt: Definitely.

Brain: You always mistook Rita for a dog, and you love Rita's songs, right?

Runt: Definitely. But Rita's a real dog.

Brain: Well, then. Can we talk to you?

Runt: (walks around) 16 years ago after Animaniacs was cancelled, Rita and I spent many years finding a home. Until now. When human society changed, so did everything else. Ten years later to today, we adapted to our new lives in human way of life. I was a stupid dog forced to fight for food. But now I'm in a union! I earned $6,000 a month, working for the wrestling company. I'm the best in the business! (turns to Pinky and Brain) Now you realize the power I possess. I have no interest in your show revival.

Brain: (confused) But what about for us? We're your old friends! We're Animaniacs!

Pinky: (sings) And we're zany to the max…

Brain: (annoyed) Stop singing, Pinky.

Pinky: Okay! (zips mouth) Zip!

Runt: Oh, that's funny, because I have a distinct memory of Pinky being eaten up by Rita.

Pinky: (laugh) Ah, come on, Runt!

*When Pinky comes closer to Runt, Runt viciously grabbed the rat and smacked the living crap out of him. Pinky was left on the floor, beaten in a heap.*

Mindy: (annoyed) Freaking wrestling oompah-loompah.

*Runt threateningly comes to Pinky and a scared Brain.*

Runt: You're chewing on the wrong Rover's nut!

*Runt walks away.*

Back at Dot's place...

*The screen now cuts to Pinky, Brain, Mindy, Mandy and Dot in her mansion.*

Brain: Mindy is taking the role of Minerva Mink, and her sister Mandy will be Mindy in the show's revival.

Dot: I just called the Hip Hippos and Newt. They agreed to help us on the promise that I'll give Marita a brand new diamond ring since she lost her old one. The rest will join soon. So, Brain… How's Slappy?

Brain: Slappy is missing, Skippy is dead, and Runt refuses to join us.

Mindy: Maybe the reason why Runt doesn't want to join is because he misses someone. We need another member of the cast, a beautiful singing influence.

Brain: Yes, I agree. One character in the cast with the voice of an angel, a stray character in search of a home-

Dot: (interrupts) No! Rita is… She's inaccessible. She's… she's dead as well.

Pinky: Actually, Rita works at a dry cleaner store on Burbank Metropolitan! What's wrong with you?

Dot: Uh… She's a little upset with me.

Pinky: Why is that?

Dot: (nervous) I… kind of destroyed Palm Springs two years after Animaniacs was cancelled. Rita was furious that her dreams of finding a home are ruined, so she beat me up senseless and left me in this wheelchair. I had nightmares.

*Pinky, Brain and Mindy are annoyed at this conversation.*

Dot: No, it's okay! It's okay. We'll get the kitty cat back. Besides, there can't be Animaniacs without singing and dancing. (calls Buttons) Buttons! Prepare my limo. We're going to see Rita. Um… Buttons? Buttons? (wonders) Where is that potato head, anyway?

*The screen cuts to a large office in Japanese fashion, and Buttons is seen conversing with Yakko in his desk.*

Buttons: Trust me, Mr. Yakko… Your zany monopoly may be in danger. (determined) You know where my loyalties are because I'm man's best friend! Tell me how you can help!

*Yakko stares at Buttons with a stern face.*

Yakko: Kill them all.