[Down below, Basil sees Fidget & the double up ahead, climbing into a drain pipe. Basil motions for Dawson, Big Bird & Mr. Conductor to follow him and they quietly creep behind, as Fidget sings the showtune to himself.]
Fidget: Let me be good to you...Ba-boo ba-boom... So dream on, and drink your beer...
Your baby's here!
[Basil, Dawson, Mr. Conductor & Big Bird look into the pipe, seeing Fidget dissappear into the darkness.]
Dawson: Basil-
Basil: (shushes him and climbs inside) Follow me.
[The camera slowly pans upward. From inside the pipe, we can hear Basil, Dawson, Mr. Conductor & Big Bird as they take their way up the pipe.]
Dawson: Great Scott. I can't see a thing.
Mr. Conductor: if I had a lantern I could see in this pipe!
Basil: Shh. Grab my coat and follow along. No, no, no, not that way. Dawson, look out for your-
[A sealed cap rattles as Dawson walks straight into it.]
Dawson Oww! Confound it!
Big Bird: are you ok?
Dawson: I think so
[The camera continues moving up along with Basil, Dawson, Mr. Conductor & Big Bird.]
Dawson Do you have any idea where we're going?
Basil: But of course. Left turn. Right turn here, boys.
[Finally, we reach the drain grate by Ratigan's hideout. Basil lifts up the grate.]
Basil Ah-ha boys! We found it! Ratigan's secret lair! (As he climbs out and holds the grate open for Dawson, Big Bird & Mr. Conductor) And it's filthier than I imagined.
[They slowly creep over to the entrance, and notice Olivia curled up in the bottle, apparently asleep, with her back to them.]
Basil: Oh, boys . The bottle!
[They carefully sneak over to the bottle. Basil jumps on the neck of the bottle and begins to pull at the cork.]
Basil: It's stuck.
Dawson: (whispering as he knocks on the glass) Olivia?
Big Bird: are you ok?
[Fidget, as it turns out, was in the bottle, dressed in Olivia's clothing. He turns to them, with a sinister smile as he make a kissy face.]
Mr. Conductor: [surprised] THAT'S NOT OLIVIA!
Thugs: Surprise!
[Basil drops to the ground, startled, as a large banner that reads "Welcome Basil" unfurls from the ceiling. Balloons are released and confetti flies as Ratigan's thugs clap and cheer mockingly for our heroes. Ratigan stands at the doorway, applauding.]
Ratigan: Bravo! Bravo! A marvelous performance.
Double: [echoing] I must say it took you a while to find us! [Then he appeared using his green sparkle dust] but except my twin you don't have any magic dust
[Ratigan chuckles as he moves to Basil, who is glaring at his archenemy with hatred. Ratigan pulls out his pocket watch.]
Ratigan: Though frankly, I expected you fifteen minutes earlier. Heh heh. Trouble with the chemistry set, old boy?
[Basil stiffens at the insult. He recovers, and takes on an almost friendly tone.]
Basil Ratigan, no one can have a higher opinion of you than I have. (No longer friendly) And I think you're a slimy contemptible sewer rat!
[Ratigan calmly shuts his pocket watch and puts it away. He chuckles.]
Ratigan: By the way Basil, I just love your disguise. (he rips off Basil's mustache and his thugs laugh as Ratigan inspects his hat) Really, one would hardly recognize you. The greatest (nudges Basil and starts to laugh) detective (leaning over him) in all mousedom!
[Ratigan laughs even harder as he walks away. Basil is seething.]
Basil: Ratigan, so help me... I'll see you behind bars yet!
Ratigan: (gets in his face) You fool! Isn't it clear to you? (lifts Basil by his collar and shakes him with one hand) The superior mind has triumphed! (drops Basil) I've won! And don't worry about your other friends I have them hostage! [He then shows that he has Stacy. Billy, Dan, Becky & Kara behind bars] I couldn't find that schemer fellow but I trust he'll be at Buckingham Palace but still I've won!
[Ratigan laughs evilly as Fidget and the rest of his thugs join in. Basil steels himself against the jeering and pointing, but after a few moments, slumps, defeated and broken. Dawson stares at his friend in concern, but doesn't know how to help him. Basil hangs his head as the cruel laughter continues. Ratigan is clutching at his sides.]
Ratigan: Oh I love it! I love it! (laughing) Oh I love it, I love it, I love it!
[Cut to a few moments later, where several of Ratigan's thugs have tied Basil, Dawson & Mr. Conductor to a mousetrap, and are now setting the trap.
Ratigan: You don't know what a delightful dilemma it was trying to decide on the most appropriate method for your demise.
[Fidget nervously sets the switch and scampers away. Dawson flinches as the bonebreaking metal vibrates slightly. Basil is looking kinda catatonic, and is simply staring off into space and Mr. Conductor was just unhappy about this]
Ratigan: Oh, I had so many ingenious ideas I didn't know which to choose. So, I decided to use them all with the help of Mr. Double's evil magic
[Ratigan gives a grand gesture to reveal a gun, a crossbow, an axe, and an anvil, all of which are aimed directly at Basil, Dawson & Mr. Conductor.]
Ratigan: Marvelous, isn't it? Oh ho... But here, let me show you how it works. Picture this. (Fidget, via Vanna White, gestures to the record player as Ratigan explains his dastardly death trap) First, a tune I've recorded especially for you. As the song plays the cord tightens and when the song ends, (we see that the cord is moving upward, tied to a cork which is supporting a wine glass with a metal ball inside) the metal ball is released. (a slide constructed of wood and pipes is aimed directly at the mousetrap trigger release) rolling along its merry way until... (Here as Ratigan speaks, he gestures to each individual weapon, starting with the mousetrap...) Snap! (The gun) Boom! (The crossbow) Twang! (The axe) Thunk! (And the anvil) Splat!
[Dawson winces as Ratigan removes his hat in a form of salute.]
Ratigan: And so ends the short, undistinguished career of Basil of Baker Street.
Double: and the magic & storytelling career of Mr. Conductor
Dawson: You're despicable!
Mr. Conductor: and so are you double!
Ratigan: Yes. (he chuckles as Fidget, now dressed in a British guard uniform, runs over to him) Everything's ready, Fidget?
Fidget: All set, boss.
Ratigan: (Ratigan peeks inside a large white box with a pink ribbon and chuckles wickedly) Oh, this is wicked! So delightfully wicked.
[Several thugs, dressed in British Guard uniforms as well, move the package as Ratigan walks over to Flaversham, who is bound by ropes, standing by Olivia's bottle, where we see that she's safe and sound, for now & next to the bottle was a birdcage where Big Bird sat sadly watching the progress]
Ratigan: Mr. Flaversham, let me congratulate you on a superb piece of craftsmanship. (he knocks at the glass) See what you can do with the proper motivation?
[Ratigan cackles and pinches Flavershams cheek as more of his thugs, all dressed in the uniforms, climb on to Felicia's back.]
Ratigan: You all know the plan.
Thugs: (saluting) Right, Professor. (they exit)
Big Bird: you'll never get away with this Ratigan!
Ratigan: oh really? I think maybe when I come back I think I'll have TURKEY DINNER!
[Big Bird gasped of what he just heard]
Ratigan: It was my fond hope to stay and witness your finale scene but you were fifteen minutes late and I do have an important engagement at Buckingham Palace. (Dawson eyes him) Now, you will remember to smile for the camera, won't you? (a camera is indeed set up, ready to shoot) Hmm? Say 'cheese'.
Dawson: You fiend!
Dan: you monster!
Ratigan: (starting the record) Sorry chubby & kid. You should have chosen your friends more carefully.
Record: (Ratigan singing) Goodbye so soon
And isn't this a crime
We know by now that time
knows how to fly
[Fidget is operating a dirigible, with the double riding on it and flies by Ratigan. The mysterious package is attached by a rope, and a ladder is lowered, and Ratigan climbs on, waving ]
Ratigan: Adieu, auf wiedersehen, arrivederci, farewell!
Record: So here's goodbye, so soon.
Ratigan: (chuckles) Bye, bye Basil.
Double: goodbye my good twin! [Cackles]
[Now in the dirigible, Ratigan steers it in and up through the furnace and into the night.]
Record: We go our separate way
With time so short
I'll say so long
And go so soon
Goodbye
[Back inside, the record is slowly tightening the cable]
Record: You followed me
I followed you
We were like each other's
Shadows for a while
Now as you see
This game is through
So although it hurts
I'll try to smile
As I say...
[The music continues to play as Olivia stares out of her glass prison at Basil, Dawson & Mr. Conductor so were the Shining Time crew & Big Bird]
Dawson: Wh-wh-what did he mean, an engagement in Buckingham Palace?
Basil: (sighs, then answers him, seemingly unconcerned) Haven't you figured it out yet, Doctor? The Queen's in danger and the Empire's doomed.
Dawson The Queen?
Becky: oh no!
[Outside Buckingham Palace, trumpets play as the camera moves down show the mouse entrance. Even now, well dressed mice are entering to see the Jubilee even Schemer. Inside her bedroom, the Queen is preparing herself. Little does she know, that just outside her doors, her guards have been ambushed and replaced by Ratigan's thugs]
Thug: Psst- over here. Come over here.
[The Queen is distracted by the sound of knocking at her door and adjusts her crown before answering.]
Queen: Hmm? Come in.
Thug: Ah, begging your Majesty's pardon. A present has just arrived in honor of your Jubilee.]
The thug moves aside as Fidget, the double and several others bring the large package inside. The Queen is delighted, and walks over.]
Queen: A present? Oh how wonderful! Ah, I just adore Jubilees.
Fidget: (handing her the attatched note) Here you are sweetheart.
Queen: (eyeing him suspiciously) Have you... been with us... long? (Reading) 'To our beloved Queen this gift we send as her 60 year reign... comes to an end?
[Fidget, the double and the other thugs pull the ribbons and sides down to reveal an exact robot replica of the Queen. She studies it.]
Queen: How extraordinary!
[Suddenly, the robot comes to life and grabs at the Queen. She runs as the Robot Queen chases her around the bedroom.]
Queen: Goodness gracious!
[The robot suddenly halts, as Ratigan appears at her doorway, with Flaversaham operating the controls.]
Ratigan: Amazing likeness, isn't it, Your Majesty?
Queen: Professor Ratigan! Guards! Seize this despicable creature! (Fidget snickers)
Ratigan: (into a speaker...) Guards, seize this
Robot Queen: (Ratigan's voice sounds like the Queen's) Despicable creature!
[Ratigan laughs into the speaker, giving the Robot Queen his same cruel laugh. His thugs now have hold of the true Queen.]
Queen: Oh how dare you!
Ratigan: Take her away! (rings his bell)
Queen: Let go of me, you ruffians!
Fidget: Move along, honey!
Queen: You fiends!
Double: I wouldn't say fiends I'd say means my queen
[As they drag the Queen away, Ratigan wipes his handkerchief on the now silent Robot Queen's cheek.]
Queen: Traitors!
[Back at Ratigan's lair, the record is still playing, but Basil has still made no attempt to free everyone. Olivia is pushing at the cork, to no avail.]
Big Bird: I'm going to be "Cooked Big Bird!" I gotta try & get out of this birdcage!
Record: It's through so although it hurts
I'll try to smile
As I say goodbye
So soon and isn't this...
Dawson: Basil? (Basil groans) Basil!
Basil :Oh how could I have been so blind?
Dawson: We all make mistakes! But we can't let that stop us! We have to-
Basil: Ratigan's proved he's more clever than I. (scoffs) He would never have walked into such an obvious trap.
Dawson: Oh pull yourself together! You can stop that villain! Why-
[Dawson suddenly looks over to the record, which is skipping. Over Ratigan's continued 'So long' Dawson continues to try and knock some sense into Basil.]
Dawson: Basil! The record!
Mr. Conductor: it's skipping!
Basil: Oh, it's finally happened! I've been outwitted!
Dawson: Oh, Basil, please!
Basil: Beaten! Duped! Made a fool of! (Dawson's getting angry) Oh, ridiculed! Belittled!
Dawson: That's enough!
[The record fixes itself, and the song continues. Time is running out...]
Dawson: Dash it all Basil! The Queen's in danger, Olivia and the others are counting on us. We're about to be horribly 'splatted' and all you can do is lie there feeling sorry for yourself. Well, I know you can save us. But if you've given up then why don't we set it off now and be done with it?
Record: We know by now that time knows how to fly
Mr. Conductor: hey since we're going to be flattened soon how about one last Thomas story?
Basil: oh I don't care Mr. Conductor tell away
Mr. Conductor: ok but this is something I hope will interest you it's about an escape from scrap [blows story whistle & the screen gets full of steam]
"Escape!"
Mr. Conductor: one day Edward was talking to Trevor when Douglas steamed by he was pulling a train of heavy coal cars
Douglas: come on Edward! Stop gossipin' in the sun when there's work to be done!
[Edward seemed almost offended by that]
Mr. Conductor: later Edward spoke to Douglas
Edward: Trevor & I are old friends & you & he have a lot of common too
Douglas: we do?
Mr. Conductor: quizzed Douglas
Douglas: and what would that be?
Edward: …scrap!
Mr. Conductor: said Edward quietly Douglas gasped
Douglas: don't mention that word! It makes me wheels wobble!
Edward: it does the same to Trevor
Mr. Conductor: replied Edward
Edward: he was being sent to the scrap yard but the vicar & I saved him & now he's really useful again even so Sir Topham Hatt certainly does need another steam engine here
Douglas: aye he does & quickly!
Mr. Conductor: that night Douglas was still working he had taken the midnight goods train to a station at a faraway part of the island where only the diesels work he was just shunting ready for his return journey… when
[Hissing sounds]
Douglas: that sounds like a steam engine
Mr. Conductor: he thought, the hiss came again
Douglas: who's there?
Mr. Conductor: asked Douglas a whisper came
Oliver: are you Sir Topham Hatt's engine?
Douglas: aye & proud of it!
[Then the camera panned down to an orange scrap engine]
Oliver: well I'm Oliver & I'm with my brakevan Toad we've run out of coal & have no more steam
Douglas: but what are ya going?
Oliver: escaping
Douglas: from what?
Oliver: scrap!
Mr. Conductor: Douglas shivered then he remembered Edward's story about saving Trevor
Douglas: I'll be glad to help ya! It'll have to look though as if you're ready for scrap & I'm takin' ya away
Mr. Conductor: their drivers & firemen agreed to help too everyone worked fast!
Douglas: no time to turn 'round I'll run tenderfirst come on!
[Then heroic music played as Douglas & Oliver went off to escape from scrap then when they reached the end of the scrap yard a dog was barking & a shrill whistle was heard]
Mr. Conductor: but before they could clear the station they were stopped
Foreman: aha!
Mr. Conductor: called a foreman
Foreman: a Great Western engine & a brakevan too you can't take these!
Douglas' driver: aye but they're all for us
Mr. Conductor: said Douglas' driver
Douglas' driver: see for yerself
Mr. Conductor: the foreman looked all over Oliver
[Oliver was very worried]
Foreman: seems in order right away guard!
[Then the foreman blew the whistle again as Douglas, Oliver & Toad went off into the darkness of night]
Douglas: that was a near thing
Oliver: we've had worse
Mr. Conductor: replied Oliver and they forged ahead
[Then the morning sun rose over the 2 engines & brakevan as they headed home]
Mr. Conductor: it was daylight when their journey ended
Douglas: WE'RE HOME!
Mr. Conductor: cried Douglas
Douglas' driver: shh!
Mr. Conductor: said his driver
Douglas' driver: there are the works we'll find a place for Oliver
Mr. Conductor: Oliver said goodbye & thank you & Douglas puffed away the next day Douglas told the other engines all about Oliver
James: Sir Topham Hatt will have to know
Mr. Conductor: said James
Gordon: Douglas should tell him at once!
Mr. Conductor: added Gordon
STH: well here he is
Mr. Conductor: said a voice
STH: now what's this all about?
Duck: beg pardon sir but we do need another engine
Gordon: yes sir
Mr. Conductor: ventured Gordon
Gordon: a steam engine sir
STH: well unless one is saved from scrap there's little hope
Douglas: but sir one has!
STH: yes indeed & thanks to you Douglas he's now at our works Oliver is just what we need for Duck's branchline!
Mr. Conductor: everyone cheered now Oliver & Toad are mended & painted in full Great Western colors Duck & Oliver are happy on their branchline the others laughed at first & called it "The Little Western" Duck & Oliver were delighted & so The Little Western it will always be
[then the screen got full of steam again as we return to the main story]
Basil: (gives a weak chuckle.) Oliver escaping from scrap that's just childish & Dawsome said "Set it off now." Before you told the story (is struck with an idea) Set it... off... now? Ye...Yeah! (Laughs) Yes! We'll... We'll set the trap off now!
[Basil grins maniacally, but Dawson is horrified.]
Dawson Basil! Wait! I didn't mean that we ought-
[The song has ended, and the ball is on it's way. Back in his true form, Basil quickly forms a plan.]
Basil: The angle of the trajectory multiplied by the square root of an isosceles triangle... (mumbles) dividing Guttermeg's principle of opposing forces in motion (mumbles) and adjusting for the difference in equilibrium! Dawson, at the exact moment I tell you, we must release the triggering mechanism just like Douglas did when he took Oliver from the scrapyards!
[The ball's getting closer, Dawson is ready, but terrified and so was Mr. Conductor]
Basil: Get ready, boys... Steady... Now!
Basil, Dawson & Mr. Conductor hit the trigger, saved from the metal switch by the ball that was stopped just between their heads. The vibration loosens one of the pegs, which ricochets towards the gun, causing it to misfire and hit the crossbow, which instead of being aimed at Basil, Dawson, & Mr. Conductor, flies towards the axe, cutting off the head. The blade falls lengthwise, slicing through the ropes and trap, effectivly freeing them. The anvil falls seconds later, missing them. The force of the anvil hitting the ground rattles Olivia's bottle, loosening the cork and sending her sailing through the air. As Dawson leans heavily against the anvil, Basil sheds his sailor costume and puts his deerstalker cap back on. He puts one arm around Dawson and holds the other out in the air.
Basil: Thank you, Dawson. (Olivia lands right in Basil's open arm, and he brings the two of them close) Smile everyone!
[The camera goes off, capturing Basil's brilliant smile, and Olivia and Dawson's stunned expressions.]
Big Bird: that's a good trick
[Then the Shining Time crew cheered]
Becky: now will you get us all out of these cages?
Big Bird: yeah I don't want to bird dinner!
Basil: sure thing my friends!
To Be Continued…