[Inside, Ratigan is approaching his throne, being cheered by his men. He sits down and holds out his cigarette. Several hands offer lit matches, and he lights it and inhales, blowing out several smoke rings.]
Ratigan: My friends, we are about to embark on the most odious, the most evil, the most diabolical scheme of my illustrious career. A crime to top all crimes. A crime that will live in infamy!
[Most of his men are cheering at this bit of news, save one mouse, Bartholomew, whose attention is focused on his empty mug. He holds it upside down and watches sadly as the last drop of beer falls to the floor.]
Ratigan: (holding up newspaper featuring the Queen's picture on the front page) Tomorrow evening, our beloved monarch celebrates her Diamond Jubilee (playing with his words) and... with the enthusiastic help of our good friend, Mr. Flaversham (his men chuckle) it promises to be a night she will never forget! (he burns her picture with his cigarette) and I've also got some new magic help with the assistance of Conductor Double!
[Mr. Conductor's Double appears]
Double: I've got all the help you need boss for I am after my good Swiss twin to help is what I'll do you'll be happy to hire me as your assistant you
Ratigain: yes & while we take down your good twin we'll also take down the Queen Her last night... and my first as supreme ruler of all mousedom!
Double: you go boss!
[Ratigan jumps, messing up his hair and collar. As his men cheer for him, he calmly pins his collar back and smooths his hair, then saunters down the red carpet as a spotlight shines on him and an evil tune plays. One of his men hands him his top hat, which he rolls down his arms before putting it on. He gives an evil laugh.]
Ratigan: [singing] From the brain that brought you the Big Ben Caper
The head that made headlines in every newspaper
And wondrous things like the Tower Bridge Job
That cunning display that made Londoners sob
[Ratigan twirls his cane around a rope and yanks on it, causing wine to pour out onto a fountian. Bartholomew's tail is wagging, and he tosses his empty glass over his shoulder, and rushes over to the fountian, drinking from one of the spouts.]
Ratigan: Now comes the real tour de force
Tricky and wicked, of course
My earlier crimes were fine for their times
But now that I'm at it again (he kicks Bartholomew into the fountain)
An even grimmer plot has been simmering
In my great criminal brain
Thugs: Even meaner? You mean it?
Worse than the widows and orphans you drowned?
[Bartholomew drunkenly climbs out as the rest of the thugs lift Ratigan up into their arms, spinning him around.]
Thugs: You're the best of the worst around
Oh, Ratigan
Oh, Ratigan
The rest fall behind
To Ratigan
To Ratigan
The world's greatest criminal mind.
[His men pull back as Ratigan is seated at a harp. The lighting becomes blue as he plays.]
Ratigan: Thank you, Thank you. But it hasn't all been champagne and caviar. I've had my share of adversity, thanks to that miserable second-rate detective, Basil of Baker Street.
[He directs his gaze to a small mouse toy dressed in a detective suit, needles poking at it.]
Thugs: Boo!
Ratigan: For years, that insufferable pipsqueak has interfered with my plans. I haven't had a moment's peace of mind.
Thugs: Aww!
[Bartholomew sniffles and begins to sob.]
Double: and with the help of this double we'll make sure Basil & my twin will have trouble
Ratigan: (the lighting turns red) But, all that's in the past! This time, nothing, not even Basil, can stand in my way! All will bow before me!
[His thugs bow as the lighting becomes normal again.]
Thugs: Oh, Ratigan
Oh, Ratigan
You're tops and that's that
To Ratigan
To Ratigan.
Bartholomew: To Ratigan, the world's greatest rat. (Hic)
[Ratigan spits out his wine in shock. His thugs gasp in terror as Ratigan spins, towering over Bartholomew]
Ratigan: What was that? What did you call me?
Thug 1: Oh, oh, he didn't mean it, Professor.
Thug 2: I-it was just a slip of the tongue.
Ratigan: (lifting up Bartholomew by his sweater) I am NOT A RAT!
Thug 3: 'Course you're not. You're a mouse!
Thug 1: Yeah, that's right. Right! A mouse.
Thug 2: Yeah, a big mouse!
Ratigan: SILENCE!
[Ratigan throws Bartholomew outside. He rolls and shakes his head as he sits up.]
Ratigan: Oh, my dear Bartholomew... (Dramatically) I'm afraid that you've gone and upset me. You know what happens when someone upsets me.
[Ratigan pulls out the bell from his vest pocket. He rings it, and his men gasp in terror as they look to the alleyway, where a shadow is approaching. An enormously fat cat is approaching the oblivious Bartholomew.]
Bartholomew: Oh, Ratigan
Oh, Ratigan
You're the tops and that's that.
(hic) Oh dear.
To Ratigan
To Ratigan
[The cat has picked up Bartholomew and all we see is the shadow of the mouse hovering over the cat's open jaws. Ratigan's men are cowering in the doorway as Ratigan himself is enjoying a cigarette.]
Bartholomew: To Ratigan, the world's greatest-
[A gulping noise is heard along with the cat's content meow. Two of the thugs remove thier hats and the third wipes a tear from his eye. Ratigan is cooing over his cat, wipping her mouth with his handkerchief.]
Ratigan: Tsk, tsk, tsk. Oh, Felicia, my precious, my baby. (he hugs her) Did Daddy's little honey bun enjoy her tasty treat? (Felicia burps in his face. Ratigan looks a little dismayed, but he recovers and struts back towards his terrified men) I trust there will be no further interruptions?
Double: that's what happens when you mess with the professor Jabbastyle
Ratigan: (he clears his throat and wraps his arms around his men.) And now, as you were singing?
[Singing is clearly the last thing they have on their minds as they huddle close together. But as Ratigan flashes the bell, they get their insperation back.]
Thugs: Even louder
We'll shout it!
No one can doubt what we know you can do.
[Several of his thugs are now rushing towards him, handing him a robe, a crown, and a diamond topped scepter.]
Thugs: You're more evil than even you
Oh, Ratigan
Oh, Ratigan
You're one of a kind
To Ratigan
To Ratigan
[The thugs begin using Ratigans many jewels to form a pyramid. The bottom mouse can't keep his balance on the pearl, and they all tumble. Above, others have been swinging from chandeliers, and one mouse begins to fall. Ratigan holds out his robe to catch him, but at the last moment, pulls back, letting the mouse hit the floor.]
Thugs: The world's greatest criminal mind!
[As the song ends, they offer one last toast, while Ratigan finishes the rest of his wine. He smirks, and the image cuts back to Basil's flat, on Ratigan's picture. Olivia has told Basil her story, who has taken the case, and is enjoying a pipe.]
Basil: This case is most intriguing with it's multiplicity of elements... it's many twists and turns. (He turns to Olivia) Now, you're certain you've told me everything? The slightest detail may be important.
Olivia: It's just as I said. And then my father was gone.
Dawson: What do make of it?
Mr. Conductor: yeah this seems like trouble
[Basil begins to pace as Olivia follows him.]
Basil: Hmm. Ratigan's up to something. A crime of the most sinister nature no doubt. The question is, what would he want with a toy maker?
[Olivia has stopped by the window. Fidget pops down from above as lightening strikes, scaring Olivia. She screams, and Basil turns just in time to see Fidget drop. He rushes to the door.]
Basil: Quickly Dawson, we've not a moment to lose!
[Mr. Conductor disappears]
Dawson: Uh, uh I'm right behind you, Basil.
[They rush outside, but Fidget is already gone. Basil looks around and kneels down to look at the sidewalk, where Fidget has left behind his muddy footprints.]
Dawson: No sign of the blackguard anywhere.
Big Bird: yeah it looked like he was too fast for us
Basil: Not quite, Dawson. He left some rather unusual footprints. They obviously belong to the same fiend who abducted the girl's father. Ratigan's peg-legged lackey.
Dawson: (Upon finding Fidget's hat) Uh... Basil?
Basil: (he takes the hat) Ah-ha! Excellent work, old man. Ha, ha, ha!
Billy: do you think that's a clue Mr. Basil?
Basil: it could be it's his cap right?
[Standing in the doorway is Olivia and Mrs. Judson, who is comforting her.]
Mrs. Judson: Now... there's nothing to be afraid of, my dear.
[As an excited Basil rushes by, Mrs. Jusdon pulls Olivia back, glaring at Basil for his insensitivity. Dawson enters behind him.]
Dawson: (To Olivia) The scoundrel's quite gone.
Basil: (taking off his robe.) Ha-ha! But not for long, Miss Flamhammer.
Olivia: Flaversham!
Basil: (puts on a brown jacket) Whatever. Now, we simply pursue our peg-legged friend until he leads us to the girl's father.
Olivia: Then you'll get my daddy back? (She rushes over and hugs him tightly)
Basil: Yes! (he pushes Olivia down and pulls his legs free from her grasp) And quite soon if I'm not mistaken. Now, hurry along, Dawson. We must be off to Toby's. (he retrieves an Inverness cape from a suit of armor and puts it on)
Dawson: Toby's?
Basil Oh, you must meet him. He's just the chap for this. And Mr. Conductor he's not Toby the Tram Engine (puts on a deerstalker cap)
Mr. Conductor: [appears] I uh didn't ask [disappears again]
Basil: well you should have
Dawson: You-you want me to come?
Basil: Ha! I should think a stouthearted army mouse like you would leap at the chance for adventure.
Dawson: Well, heh, heh. I am rather curious.
Mr. Conductor: me too
Big Bird: [from outside] me three
Schemer: [comes in] what's going on now?
Stacy: shh!
Olivia: Wait for me! I'm coming too!
[As she rushes to join them, she seizes her hat and scarf, knocking over Basil's violin in the process. He dives down to catch it.]
Basil: What? Certainly not! This is no business for children. (Sets the violin back on the chair)
Olivia: Are we going to take a cab?
[Basil sighs and puts his hand on his forehead as Olivia puts several crumpets into her pocket.]
Basil: Oh... (He takes her hand and makes her face him) my dear, I don't think you understand. It will be quite dangerous. (He sits on his violin, breaking it in half. He grunts and pulls the ruined instrument out.)
Mr. Conductor: [worried] oh dear
Basil: Why you- Look at- (Basil takes a deep breath, trying to control his rage) young lady, you are most definitely not accompanying us. And that is final!
To Be Continued…