[Back at Ratigan's lair, Flaversham is working on the robot. He tenses at Ratigan's voice.]
Ratigan: Ah, Mr. Flaversham. (Flaversham eyes him warily as Ratigan holds his cape dramatically) Allow me to present... (moves his cape to reveal Olivia in Fidget & Mr. Conductor's Double's grasp) your charming daughter.
Flaversham: Olivia!
Olivia: Father!
[Fidget & the double keeps a tight hold on Olivia as she rushes towards Flaversham. Olivia stomps on their feet and runs to her father as Fidget hops up and down in pain.]
Fidget: Owww! My foot, my only foot!
Olivia: (hugging him and crying) Oh Father! I thought I'd never find you.
Flaversham: Oh, there, there, there, there, my bairn. I'm all right. Oh, I was so worried about my little girl.
Ratigan: Oh, how sweet. (Pretends to wipe at his eyes with his handkerchief) Oh I just love tearful reunions. (Taking hold of Olivia) Now, come along, my dear.
Olivia: Oh please! Please! (Reaches out to Flaversham as Fidget takes her away) Father!
Flaversham: (Ratigan is holding him by his apron) Olivia! Oh please, professor!
Ratigan Now, now, Fidget & Mr. Double will take good care of her. (Threateningly) That is, as long as we have no further delays...
Flaversham: (returning to the robot) Yes, yes, I-I'll finish it. Oh, just don't hurt my daughter.
Ratigan: Remember, it must be ready... tonight. (Slams the door)
Fidget & the double is carrying Olivia towards a bottle lying on it's side.
Olivia: Stop! Let me go! You ugly old thing!
[Fidget pushes her inside and puts the cork in the bottle.]
Fidget: That ought to hold ya!
Olivia: Help! Let me out! Let me out!
Fidget: See how you like that.
Double: that bottle will give her a jottle!
[Fidget gives her a rasberry, then strides away towards Ratigan, who is looking through the bag.]
Ratigan: Ah, the uniforms. Oh Fidget, I knew I could rely on you & Mr. Double Now, you didn't forget anything?
Fidget: (cackles) No problem. I took care of everything. Everything on the list. (He opens his wing to display it, then finally realizes it's gone) Uh-oh
Ratigan: What's wrong?
Fidget: (patting himself down) The list.. I know...
Ratigan: Where is the list?
Fidget: (getting nervous) The list, yeah, yeah, yeah. Well you see, uh, it was like this. we was in the toy store getting uniforms when I heard, A-roo A-roo...
Ratigan: You're not coming through.
Fidget: (on his knees, panting like a dog) A dog came. we ran. I had baby bonnet, girl in bag and Basil & Mr. Conductor's good twin chased us.
Ratigan: What? Basil on the case! Why you gibbering little...
[Fidget cowers as Ratigan clutches his chest, apparently having a heart attack. His face is red with fury, but just as quickly as his temper rose, it fades again, and he scoops Fidget into his arms.]
Ratigan: (chuckles) Oh, my dear Fidget. You have been hanging upside down too long.
Fidget: You mean, you're not mad? I'm glad you're taking it so well.
[Ratigan carries Fidget to the back. There is silence until we hear the sound of a bell, and Fidget's terrified scream. Around the corner, Felicia is holding Fidget and trying to put him in her mouth. Fidget keeps making desperate attempts to escape.]
Fidget: Not me, you idiot. No, stop you stupid fur ball! Open up! Open up! Ai, ai, ai! Oh, ow! You're hurting my wings!
[Ratigan has his back turned and is leaning against a bottle, rubbing his temples.]
Ratigan: How dare that idiot Basil poke his nose into my wonderful scheme and foul up everything!]
Double: same thing with my good twin I've lost between 2 battles in episode 37 & episode 52 that twin is no bad jin
Ratigan: I don't think that even rhymes!
Double: hey I'm not a really good Dr. Seuss you know
[Fidget manages to climb out of Felicia's mouth, only to have her stuff him back inside and keep her mouth plugged with one of her paws.]
Fidget: Let me out! Let me out! Help!
Ratigan: Oh I can just see that insufferable grin on his smug face. (He bangs his head against the bottle and winces in pain, but suddenly has a wicked idea) Yes... Yes, I can just see it. (chuckles) Felicia, release him.
Fidget: I'm to young to die!
[Felicia pouts for a moment, then spits the poor mangled bat out.]
Ratigan: (holding him up by his cheeks) Fidget, you delightful little maniac. You've presented me with a singular opportunity. (drops Fidget, feigning a look of concern) Poor Basil! (deviously) Oh, he is in for a little surprise.
Double: and so is my cheerful twin & he & I and I shall win!
[Back at Basil's flat, the detective has lit a lamp and is studying the list with his magnifying glass, Dawson & Mr. Conductor at his side.]
Basil: Offhand, I can deduce very little. Only that the words are written with a broad pointed quill pen which has spattered, twice. That the paper is of (tosses it in his hand, testing the weight) native Mongolian manufacture, no water mark. And has (he puts it to his lips and smacks it several times) been gummed, if I'm not very much in error (he sniffs at the paper, then holds it at arms length in disgust) by a bat who has been drinking Rodent's Delight! A cheap brandy sold only in the seediest pubs.
Dawson: Hmm. Amazing.
Mr. Conductor: yes it is
Basil: (rummaging at his desk.) Oh not really, Doctor. We still don't know where it came from. (Pulls out his microscope) Perhaps a close inspection will tell us something. (Focusing on the letter) Hmm-hmm. Hmm. Coal dust. Clearly of the type used in sewer lamps.
[Dawson tries to look through the microscope, but Basil has taken it and is holding it over a small flame, letting it catch fire.]
Dawson: Uh but Basil, I-I-
Mr. Conductor: you just destroyed our only…
Basil: Shhh! Don't speak!
[Basil lets the ashen remains of the paper fall into a bowl, and he pats it down with a small wooden masher. He pours the contents onto a glass jar of a yellow chemical, which turns blue. Dawson stares at the liquid with his bifocals, but Basil has returned with a vial of a red chemical.]
Basil: Excuse me Dawson... (Holding the red chemical over the jar) Steady hand.
[Basil lets a single drop fall. A small puff of smoke comes out as the chemical turns violet. Basil sets the jar below a glass spout and reaches to the other side of the chemistry set to turn on a small flame. The green chemical inside bubbles up and slowly makes it's way through the tubes, Basil encouraging it softly.]
Basil: Yes, yes. Good, good. Come along, come along, come along, come along. Come along, come along, come along come along... Haha... Yes, yes, good, good. No, bad. Good, good, oh, no. Come along, come on. Yes, come on.
[Basil and Dawson watch intently as a single green droplet is hanging above the violet chemical.]
Basil: Yes... Yes... (the drop falls, making the chemical turn red) Ah-ha! (Puts his arm around Dawson) We've done it, old fellows! This reaction could only have been triggered by the paper's extreme saturation with distillation of sodium chloride.
[Basil moves away from the table as Dawson continues to study the now-clear chemical.]
Dawson Salt water? Great Scott.
Mr. Conductor: and I could recognize this kind of salt water if it was from Sodor
Basil: (rumaging through his maps) It proves beyond a doubt, this list came from the riverfront area. (Uses his darts to pin the map to the wall)
Dawson: Ah, now steady on there, Basil.
Basil: No, no. Elementary my dear Dawson. We merely look for a seedy pub at the only spot (Basil marks said spot with another dart) where the sewer connects to the waterfront.
[Cut to the waterfront. Toby & the Shining Time Crew [except Schemer who was lagging behind] are sitting on the pier, looking down below him as Basil whispers to them softly.]
Basil Stay Toby, stay & you guys stay as backup
[The camera pans downward, and we see Basil is disguised as a sailor and is using a fake moustache, and is approaching the front door to a pub called The Rat Trap.]
Dawson: Uh, Basil?
Basil: (takes out his cigarette) Come, come Dawson.
Dawson: (from behind the pier column) I feel utterly ridiculous.
Basil: Don't be absurd. You look perfect.
[Dawson steps out, wearing a bandana, an earring, an eye patch, and a stripped shirt that is much too short for him. He keeps trying to tuck it into his pants, with no luck.]
Dawson: (incredulous) Perfect? Perfectly foolish.
Mr. Conductor: well what about us? [comes out with Big Bird 18 inches high yet again & both dressed as sailors] I look like a badly dressed version of Blackbeard
Big Bird: I'd say it's kinda fun dressing up as a pirate
Basil shushes them as he opens the door. It certainly is a seedy pub, where clearly every lowlife in London has gathered. The mice are all smoking, playing poker, or drinking at the bar. Some are even passed out from the amount of alcohol they've drunk. A mouse is playing the piano as an octopus onstage is juggling three balls as he tap dances. The barmaid is tickling a patron under his chin, but when he puckers his lips for a kiss, she punches him so hard he flies from his chair. Basil strikes his match against the wall.
Basil Dawson..., boys, (lits his cigarette) stay close and do as I do.
[The bartender is cleaning a mug and looks to Basil and Dawson as they approach. Basil signals him for service as he walks to a table. Dawson copies his movements, though his seem to be a little more exaggerated. The bar partrons are eyeing them suspiciously. A knife suddenly lands at the floor in Dawson's path, and he stumbles back, knocking a woman's chair forward.]
Dawson: Ah! Oh I do beg your pardon, Madam. ¬(she blows her cigarette smoke in his face, making him choke) Quite unintentional, I assure you.
[Everyone laughs at his coughing as the woman returns to her poker game.]
Dawson: How impertinent!
Big Bird: you tell me these mice are drunks!
Basil: (whispering) Remember boys we're low-life ruffians.
Dawson: Well, I was until that...
[Basil shushes him as they take their seats. Dawson gives a haughty nod at the woman. On stage, the octopus has nearly finished his dance. The pianist is getting nervous seeing the unhappy faces of all the patrons. The octupus finishes, and catches his balls in his hat and bows, apparently very suprised to hear the applause coming from Dawson. The boos quickly drown him out however.]
Lowlife: Get off, you eight-legged bum!
[The octopus quite literally runs for his life offstage as food, knifes, bottles, and darts are thrown towards him. The barmaid comes up to Basil and Dawson's table.]
Barmaid: What's your pleasure, mates?
Dawson: Uh.. I'll have a dry sherry with... oh perhaps a twist of-
[Basil has clamped his hand over Dawson's mouth, and has adopted a ruffian accent.]
Basil: 4 pints for me and my shipmates. Oh, by the way. We just got into port. We're looking for an old friend of mine. Maybe you know him. Goes by the name of Ratigan!
[At the mention of Ratigan's name, the barmaid gasps, as well as several poker players and the pianist. They stare at Basil in shock as the barmaid recovers from her shock.]
Barmaid I... never heard of him. [Turns to Big Bird] hey canary how old are you?
Big Bird: I'm uh… [Thinking up a lie to the barmaid] 41?
Barmaid: that's good
Mr. Conductor: say uh do random people do performances up there?
Barmaid: why yes tonight is stage night
Mr. Conductor: oh good do you think I should go up there?
Barmaid: as you wish but you have to wait for the next act though
Mr. Conductor: thank you
[Barmaid leaves]
Basil: have you got a plan Mr. C?
Mr. Conductor: why yes I'm going to tell these guys a story after the next act & while I do that Big Bird will try to look around for clues on Ratigan I'll be right back [goes off to the stage without using his magic dust]
[Dawson is nervous at all the stares, but Basil seems to be pretty pleased with the reaction he got. The pianist has started another song, and the curtians open to reveal a salamander on a unicycle, exhausted from the effort of holding a huge frog on his shoulders. The patrons immediately resume booing and throwing food and weapons onstage. Then Mr. Conductor ran up to the stage]
Mr. Conductor: hey everyone! To get rid of those thoughts of those bad stage people would you like to hear a story about a dragon?
[The patrons seemed interested even some of them were fans of monsters like dragons]
Mr. Conductor: ok this is Thomas, Percy & the Dragon
Basil: ok he's ready to tell the story go find something Big Bird!
Big Bird: ok Basil [goes off]
[Then as Mr. Conductor blew his story whistle the screen was filled with steam]
"Thomas, Percy & the Dragon"
Mr. Conductor: Thomas & Percy are good friends but sometimes Percy teases Thomas about being frightened & he doesn't like that at all
[Thomas leaves]
Mr. Conductor: one evening he was dozing happily but Percy wanted to talk
Percy: wake up Thomas! Are you dreaming about the time you thought I was a ghost?
Thomas: certainly not! Anyway I was only pretending to be scared I knew it was you really
Mr. Conductor: Percy went on teasing him
Percy: I hope the guard leaves the light on for you tonight!
Thomas: why?
Mr. Conductor: asked Thomas
Thomas: I quite like the dark
Percy: oh really?
Mr. Conductor: exclaimed Percy
Percy: I am surprised I always thought you were afraid of the dark I wonder why?
Mr. Conductor: Thomas decided to say nothing & sent to sleep instead next day Sir Topham Hatt came to see him
STH: I would like you to go to the harbor tonight you have to collect something… rather unusual
Thomas: what sort of something?
Mr. Conductor: asked Thomas
STH: wait & see
Mr. Conductor: replied Sir Topham Hatt meanwhile Percy was moving freight cars into a siding Henry arrived with his goods train the signalman changed the switches & Percy waited on the siding 'till Henry had steamed by then there was trouble
Signalman: the switches are jammed!
Mr. Conductor: called the signalman
Signalman: I can't switch them back for Percy the workmen will have to mend them in the morning it's too late now!
Percy's driver: hmm
Mr. Conductor: said Percy's driver
Percy's driver: I'm sorry Percy but you'll have to stay here for the night
Percy: where are you going?
Mr. Conductor: asked Percy
Percy's fireman: home for tea
Mr. Conductor: replied the fireman Percy was speechless! He watched as the other engines went home to the sheds nighttime came & Percy began to feel very lonely
Percy: oh dear!
Mr. Conductor: he murmured
Percy: it's very dark!
[Then loud screeching was heard]
Percy: OH OH! WHAT'S THAT?
Mr. Conductor: it was only an owl but Percy didn't realize this
Percy: oh I wish Thomas were here too!
Mr. Conductor: he sighed
[Meanwhile at the harbor]
Mr. Conductor: Thomas was waiting for his mysterious load at the harbor suddenly there it was!
[Then Asian music played as a paper Chinese dragon was lowered down in front of Thomas]
Thomas: cinders & ashes!
Mr. Conductor: cried Thomas
Thomas: it's a dragon!
Thomas' driver: don't worry
Mr. Conductor: laughed his driver
Thomas' driver: this dragon is made of paper it's for the carnival tomorrow!
[That made Thomas very relived]
Mr. Conductor: workmen lifted the dragon onto Thomas' low loader & put lights all around it for protection then Thomas set off into the misty night
[As Thomas & his dragon went down the rails the dragon could be seen anywhere with the bright lights on]
Mr. Conductor: Percy was asleep on his siding & had no idea Thomas was approaching him
[Then Thomas & his dragon came out of the darkness of the night & got closer & closer to Percy then steam flashed up as Percy woke to see the dragon!]
Mr. Conductor: Percy woke up with a start!
[Then Thomas & his dragon passed by the station & disappeared into the night Percy then shut his eyes very tightly]
Percy: HELP!
Mr. Conductor: cried Percy
Percy: I'M NOT GOING TO OPEN MY EYES UNTIL MY DRIVER COMES!
Mr. Conductor: next morning the switches were mended & Percy puffed back to the junction Gordon was just about to leave with the express
Percy: you'll never guess what I saw last night!
Mr. Conductor: Gordon was in no mood for puzzles
Gordon: I'm a busy engine! I don't have time for your games!
Percy: I've seen a huge dragon! It was covered in lights!
Mr. Conductor: Gordon snorted
Gordon: you've been in the sun too long! Your dome has cracked!
[Later at the yards]
Mr. Conductor: when the other engines heard the news they laughed too
James: [passing by Percy] look out Percy!
Mr. Conductor: chuckled James
James: or the dragon may gobble you up!
[Later Percy was taking his train]
Percy: no one believes me!
Mr. Conductor: huffed Percy
Percy: maybe I did imagine the dragon after all
[Percy didn't see Thomas with the dragon go under the bridge and later at the station]
Mr. Conductor: but Percy soon found out that he hadn't
[Percy sees the dragon emerging from the side of the station]
Percy: HELP! SAVE ME!
Mr. Conductor: cried Percy
Thomas: it's all right
Mr. Conductor: whistled Thomas and he explained about the carnival
Thomas: by the way how was your night out?
Mr. Conductor: Percy decided to tell Thomas the truth
Thomas: well Percy
Mr. Conductor: said Thomas
Thomas: maybe we do get scared sometimes but if we're not afraid to tell each other then that means we're quite brave too
[Then as the steam filled up the room again we go back to the main story]
Mr. Conductor: well?
[Everyone in the pub was furious they threw more weapons & vegetables at the stage & Mr. Conductor got out of the rabble in time & got back to his table]
Mr. Conductor: [out of breath] did Big Bird find anything?
Basil: sadly no
Dawson: but I think that was a wonderful performance Mr. C!
Mr. Conductor: thanks you should really see me doing comedy!
[Then onstage the Jukebox Band appeared as some music played the song was Chattanooga Choo Choo sung by Didi]
Didi: Pardon me, boys
Is that the Chattanooga choo choo?
Track twenty-nine
Can you can gimme a shine
Can you afford
To board a Chattanooga choo choo
I've got my fare
And just a trifle to spare
Rex: ALL ABOARD!
Didi: You leave the Pennsylvania Station 'bout a quarter to four
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
Dinner in the diner
Nothing could be finer
Than to have your ham an' eggs in Carolina
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
Shovel all the coal in
Gotta keep it rollin'
Woo, woo, Chattanooga there you are
Woo, woo, Chattanooga there… you… are! [Scats]
[Song ends]
[Then the crowd threw even more weapons & vegetables at the stage & the jukebox band ran off As a knife strikes the piano, the pianist nervously begins the fifth act. The patrons are already armed with chairs, darts, and one with an ax, ready to throw them at whoever is next. But when the curtains open, a pretty lady mouse stands onstage, wearing a blue tank top, purple skirt, and pink shawl. The patrons slowly lower their weapons as she begins to sing to them.]
Miss Kitty: Dearest friends, dear gentlemen
Listen to my song
Life down here's been hard for you
Life has made you strong
Let me lift the mood
With my attitude
[As the beat picks up, she begins to strut onstage as every eye is focused on her, bouncing along with her song. Dawson looks as though he's fallen in love.]
Miss Kitty: Hey fellas
The time is right
Get ready
Tonight's the night
Boys, what you're hopin' for will come true
Let me be good to you
[Basil seems to be the only one uninterested in the singer. He turns over to the bar and sees the barmaid whisper something into the bartenders ear, who discreatly pours the contents of a vial into four mugs of beer.]
Miss Kitty: You tough guys
You're feelin' all alone
You rough guys
The best o' you sailors and bums
All o' my chums
So dream on
And drink your beer
Get cozy
Your baby's here
You won't be misunderstood
Let me be good to you
[She moves behind the curtian as the band joins in, picking up the beat even more. The curtians pull back, and Miss Kitty is joined by two other twin lady mice, in pink hats, dresses and black elbow length gloves. Miss Kitty herself has put on black gloves, gotten rid of her shawl, and rips off her skirt, revealing her garter and feather boa around her waist. The patrons whistle, and one is trying to climb onstage. His buddies try and pull him back, but Miss Kitty kicks him down. Big Bird was utterly surprised & baffled by the preformance]
Miss Kitty: Hey fellas
I'll take off all my blues
Hey fellas
There's nothin' I won't do
Just for you!
[Miss Kitty points to Dawson, who seems very bashful now. She leaves the stage, leaving the other lady mice onstage to dance for the pub. The barmaid has returned to Basil and Dawson, Mr. Conductor & Big Bird's table, and hands them their drinks.]
Barmaid: There you are, boys. It's uh... on the house.
Dawson: I say, how very generous.
Basil: boys... (Basil swirls his finger in the beer and takes a small taste) these drinks have been...
[Unfortunatly, Dawson has already drained his beer.]
Basil: Drugged!
Big Bird: oh no!
Dawson (drunkenly) Has a rather nice bite to it. (Turns his attention back to the stage, and cheers and applauds loudly) Jolly good, ladies, jolly good!
Basil: Dawson, get a hold of yourself!
Mr. Conductor: you're gonna give us away Dawson!
Dawson: (not listening to them) Oh, bravo, bravo.
[Basil is irritated until he hears the sound of a peg-legged figure approaching. Fidget& the double's attentions are focused on the showgirls as well, and doesn't notice that Basil has seen them. Fidget's peg gets caught in a hole in the floorboard, and he falls, and angrily yanks his foot out, sending himself stumbling back into the bar. During this, Miss Kitty has come back on stage and is finishing her song.
Miss Kitty: So dream on
And drink your beer
Get cozy
Your baby's here
Hey boys, I'm talkin' to you
Basil: If it isn't our peg-legged friend. boys, and your evil twin Mr. Conductor ooh hoo, what luck! (He turns and sees Dawson is gone) Dawson? (looks to the stage in shock) Dawson!
Mr. Conductor: oh no! he's stumbled on the stage!
[Dawson has joined the showgirl's dance. Miss Kitty takes his arm and swings him around, and he rejoins the twins. Basil slaps his forehead and drags his hand down his face.]
Miss Kitty: Your baby's gonna come through
Let me be good to you
[The twins each give Dawson a kiss on the cheek. He giggles, then drunkenly twirls right of stage and onto the piano.]
Miss Kitty: (striking one final pose) Yeah!
Big Bird: ouch! That's gotta hurt!
[A dazed Dawson is having visions of showgirls dancing around his head. The pianist is ready to hit him with a plank, but just as he swings, Dawson slumps down again. The pianist instead hits the head of a big mean looking mouse. He tries to hid the plank, but the larger mouse grabs him by the neck and is about to punch him. He manages to get loose, resulting in the punch hitting the piano so hard it crashes into the band members, sending them and Dawson flying in separate directions. Dawson lands on his back as an all out brawl breaks out. Mice are strangling each other, hitting them with whatever they can, be it a shoe, a chair, or kicking them as they swing from a ceiling lamp. The barmaid and bartender rush over to break up the fight as Fidget & the double enjoy their mugs of Rodent's Delight. Several gunshots go off, some of which shatter the lightbulbs. Basil, Mr. Conductor & Big Bird has found Dawson and is helping him sit up, lightly slapping his cheek to wake him up.
Basil: Dawson? Dawson!
Dawson: (the drug has worn off) What? What? (seeing the fight) What in heaven's name is going on?
Big Bird: you've been drugged that's what
Basil: I've spotted our peg-legged- (Basil looks to the bar, but Fidget and the double are gone. Basil, Mr. Conductor & Big Bird helps Dawson to his feet) Come on, old fella. There's not a moment to lose.
[The bar fight has become even more violent. Basil sees a trapdoor behind the bar and he, Dawson, Mr. Conductor & Big Bird move towards it, unnoticed. The fight continues as Dawson, Mr. Conductor & Big Bird climbs down the passageway, with Basil right behind them. Basil slowly shuts the door, just as a chair flies over and hits it.]
To Be Continued…