Solo Artists
[The scene opens with a shot of an orchard, its trees with no leaves on and instead covered with snow and ice. Nearby, in a shed sits Trevor, fast asleep, while on the opposite side of the fence on the railway, Bill and Ben pass by with a train of china clay]
[We transition to the city as Bugs and Daffy pass by a music shop, inside, a rendition of Deck the Halls can be heard on a saxophone, standing behind the counter is Thomas O'Malley as he carries the tune. At that moment, his phone rings. The orange cat sets the saxophone down and picks up the phone to answer it]
Thomas: Yello, this is O'Malley, the man of music.
[Scat Cat appears in a split-screen next to Thomas]
Scat Cat: Heeeeey, O'Malley, how's it swingin', baby?
Thomas: Oh, you know me, Christmas time, I've been booked for several one night stands to sing all them carols. What's kickin' with you, Scatman?
Scat Cat: Man, you didn't forget, we got ourselves a session tonight in Maple, the whole gang's here waitin' for you.
[In the background, the other members of the band are conversing with one another over which song to play]
Hit Cat: I'm tellin' ya', mate, you gotta go classic, somethin' like this, eh?
[The English feline strings his guitar to the tune of Jingle Bells]
Peppo: Personally, I prefer a' somethin' with a little more life, Tesoro.
[The Italian cat presses his accordion to the tune of Deck the Halls]
Shun Gon: HAH! That's nothing, just take a gander at this.
[The Siamese cat swings on his chair and plays a fast rendition of Oh, Christmas Tree]
Billy Boss: Comrades, is no competition, I say we play something that really brings in de crowd.
[The Russian feline pulls out a bow and strings it on his Bass to Carol of the Bells]
[Cut back to Scat Cat]
Scat Cat: Yeeeah…as you can hear, everyone's tryna' pitch in. You'll be here soon, right?
[Cut back to Thomas]
Thomas: Doh, of course, man, I wouldn't miss a session with you guys for the world. Heh, after all, I am the lead singer.
Scat Cat: Hey, hey, that's co-lead singa', babe.
Thomas: Whatever you saaaaay.
[Thomas presses down on the phone before Scat has a chance to respond]
Scat: …That O'Malley is one cheeky kit…and yet, that's why I can never get enough of him.
Hit Cat: [off-screen] OI!
[A clatter off-screen catches the black cat's attention as he looks over to see Hit Cat and Shun Gon having fallen over each other with note sheets of various Christmas tunes on the floor]
Shun Gon: …This isn't my fault.
[Billy sighs and puts a paw to his face]
[The scene cuts back to Thomas exiting the music shop and heading towards his car, just as Elsa and Anna pass by. As soon as he gets in, he turns on the ignition and pulls out from the sideway, heading towards the town of Maple]
Thomas: Right, this shouldn't take too long, just need to get down to the studio and we'll have ourselves a grand old…time?
[Thomas' hopes for a straight path to town are thwarted as he look to the corner, stopping before the turn and stumbling upon a large stack of cars trapped by an accident in the middle of the intersection]
Thomas: Aw, rats! And they're blocking the fastest route…[sighs]...suppose I'll just have to go through the backroads.
[Reluctantly, Thomas turns right instead of left and heads towards Holabird Street. This route requires going through a lot of twists and turns through the neighborhoods, and more often than not, Thomas has to stop at the signs appearing rather frequently]
Thomas: This might take longer than expected…aw, well, it's just a small delay, we'll still be there in good time.
[Cut back to the studio where Shun Gon has taken to playing and singing Hark the Herald Angels]
Shun Gon: Haaaaark the Herald Angels siiiiiiing
Glory tooooooo the newborn kiiiiiiing
Hit Cat: If ya' must sing, Shun, then can you at least sing in-tune?
Shun Gon: I can sing just fine, thank you very much.
Peppo: Is that a' why you're always playin' backup when we perform?
Shun Gon: That's ironic coming from someone who never leads, Peppo.
Peppo: Hey, what's supposed to mean?
Billy Boss: Would you all just lay off each other, you're giving me headache.
Hit Cat: Good lot you're doin' just standing there.
Billy: Your conversation is nonsense, hence why I no get involved.
Peppo: [to Hit Cat] It's always the quiet ones, you never see it coming.
[Billy scowls as he tunes one of his strings. Scat Cat loudly clears his throat]
Scat: Anyway, I think we should all get a bit of practice in before Thomas gets here. Maybe that'll smooth things out.
[Even as Scat says, he can't hide the hint of uncertainty in his voice as the band members all give each other a look]
[Back on the road, Thomas is driving through the open countryside]
Thomas: Well, that took longer than I wanted…never mind, it's open road for miles now, nothing to wo-WOAH LORD!
[Thomas suddenly slams on the brakes as the car's wheels skid to a stop. The orange feline gaps as a tree has fallen over the road, blocking anyone from going anywhere]
Thomas: You have got to be kidding me…
[Pan-out to show the full scene, in front of Thomas are two other vehicles, and the drivers; Carface Carruthers and Bandit Heeler, while the Pontypandy Fire Service is tending to the tree, along with Butch the tow truck. The two canines can be heard talking, and by the sounds of their raised voices, they are not having an idle chat. Thomas steps out of the car and goes over to inspect]
Thomas: Is everything alright here?
[Bandit turns around and gives a large breath of relief]
Bandit: Hoooo, thank god, a friendly face at last! Between the excess shopping and then dealin' with this grinch here, I've just about lost my festive spirit.
[Carface blows a cloud of smoke from his cigar into the blue heeler's face, causing him to cough]
Carface: Not my fault you're a tightly wound little bitch, and now I've got a pussycat in my midst. Just what I need…
Thomas: Well, there's no need to be so hostile, man.
Carface: Listen here, Tommy boy, I don't need to take shit from a second rate musician or a ditch digger like the one here. And for god's sake, will you jackasses hurry up?!
Fireman Sam: Steady on there, we'll have this tree removed in a bit.
Carface: [muttering] Yeah, you say that, goddamn Welsh bastards…
[Sam clicks his tongue and shakes his head]
Fireman Sam: Hooooboi, some people are never patient…
[Thomas sighs and goes back to sit in the car]
Thomas: I wonder if I'm ever going to get to Maple…
[Cut back to the studio as Scat Cat leads the band in a rendition of Carol of the Bells. Things seem to be going well as everyone plays in rhythm with one another…that is until Hit Cat stands up and begins strumming his guitar much louder than before, almost tuning out Shun Gon's piano]
Shun Gon: Show-off…
[On that remark, the Siamese cat begins to press his fingers on the keys with more force. This in turn sets off Peppo who glances at the two]
Peppo: Non va bene…
[The plump Italian presses his accordion with more vigor, attempting to drown the others out. Billy Boss scowls at the display as the competition between the three others felines throws his performance off]
Billy: O, za to, chto plakala vslukh…
[The fluffy Russian presses harder on his strings as the four bandmates try to outdo the other. Scat notices this and puts down his trumpet]
Scat: Hey, hey, cats! You're outta rhythm…hey! HEY!
Hit Cat: Try and top this!
[Hit Cat strums his guitar right up at Shun Gon who slams down on the piano keys, Peppo goes crazy with the accordion, and Billy's bow goes in all directions as he attempts to tune out the others. At last, Scat loses patience and gives an almighty BLAST from his trumpet]
Scat: Everyone SHUT UP!
[That does the trick, everyone stops fighting as they all look towards Scat, looking quite perturbed]
Scat: What the hell is goin' on with all ya'll?! You're acting like a bunch of kits!
Shun Gon: It's not my fault, these two keep ganging up on me!
Hit Cat: I wouldn't gang up on you if ya' knew how to annunciate!
Billy: Lay off, hippie!
Hit Cat: What did you say, marshmallow?!
[Billy growls at Hit]
Peppo: Where is a' that O'Malley, you can't even expect the band leada' to show up!
[Scat Cat once again blows on the trumpet to silence the group]
Scat: That's enough!
Shun Gon: You know what? I'm not going to take this assault! I just…I quit! I quit!
[Shun Gon runs away from the group, covering his eyes as he sobs, shutting the door to the bathroom]
Hit Cat: Oh, forget this!
[Hit Cat tosses his guitar to the floor and storms off out of the recording room]
Peppo: I've a' had enough of dis!
[Peppo tosses down his accordion and then smacks down on the piano's keys for added effect, storming off in a huff]
Scat Cat: Hey, hey, calm down, cats, let's just-!
Billy: Is no point in trying to convince them…is hopeless…
[Billy sets down his bass and solemnly walks out of the room, leaving Scat on his own. He looks forlorn as he sets his trumpet down]
Scat: This is a disaster…
[We transition back to Thomas as the tree has finally been cleared from the road]
Thomas: Finally! I thought we'd never get moving…
[As soon as the last pieces of debris have been cleared from the street, the tires on Carface's vehicle screech as his exhaust coughs up a cloud of smoke onto Bandit and Thomas' vehicles]
Bandit: Oi! Clean ya' bloody car, mate! It smells like a-aaaaaaand he's gone…[huffs]
Thomas: Never mind, at least ya' don't have to deal with him anymore.
Bandit: …Yeah, I suppose you're right.
[Bandit and Thomas get back into their respective cars and begin to drive away. By this point, Thomas is running rather late]
Thomas: Okaaaaaay, more setbacks along the way. I've gotta get to practice, pronto!
[In an effort to make up for lost time, Thomas presses down on the gas and the car begins to accelerate. In his haste, the feline forgets to check his speed on the icy road. As he passes the sign welcoming people into the town of Maple, the car goes over a patch of black ice]
Thomas: Wha-WOAH!
[Thomas tries to regain control of the vehicle, but the tires won't grip. The car skids along the road till it veers to the left, and plows into a bank of snow. Luckily for Thomas, the vehicle hasn't sustained any damage, but as he tries to reverse, the car's wheels skid on the snow and ice. He sighs as he finally gives up]
Thomas: Hooooooooo, this just isn't my day…I'm late, the car's stuck, and it's cold out here…nothing's gone right today…
[Thomas leans back in his seat, looking forlorn as the camera pans out from the lone car]
[Cut back to the studio as Billy knocks on the bathroom door]
Billy: You still in there?
[A loud sniffle gives the answer away]
Shun Gon: …Yes.
Billy: May I come in?
Shun Gon: …Yes…no…I don't know.
[To the Russian cat's relief, the door is unlocked so he slips in with no trouble. His face turns to one of concern as he sees Shun Gon, hunched in the corner with his head in his knees. Billy kneels down to the Siamese cat's level]
Billy: …Are you okay?
Shun Gon: They're right…
Billy: What?
Shun Gon: I am a mess…I just can't fit in like the rest of you…
Billy: ...What do you mean by that?
Shun Gon: Don't you see?!
[Shun Gon lifts his head up, revealing his tear soaked eyes]
Shun Gon: I'm the odd one out…you all have your own styles, while I look more like a showman…it's probably why I'm always at the far end of the band, I'm just an embarrassment…
Billy: No, no, that's not true, you are just as valuable member of team as anyone.
Shun Gon: HOW?! I've always been the one to generate a stir, my appearance ruins the band they say, I've even tried removing my own teeth to appease them!
[The Siamese puts his paws over his eyes as he tries to muffle his sobs. Billy looks down at the broken feline as his own heart sinks]
Billy: …You have…identity crisis?
Shun Gon: It's my role in this band…to hold you all back cuz of my own issues…
Billy: …You are no burden, comrade, I say you bring in much needed light.
[Shun Gon looks up at Billy meekly]
Shun Gon: …I do?
Billy: Da…
[Billy sits down next to Shun Gon]
Billy: I never knew you had such passion behind silly mask…
Shun Gon: Well…[wipes his eyes]...I can't look like a wreck on stage, even some don't want me on there…say I stick out like a sore thumb…
Billy: In that case, let me assure you that no matter what anyone says, I have your back…you're more vital than you realize…
[Shun Gon looks over at Billy…he leans on the Russian feline's shoulder]
Shun Gon: Thank you…I just…needed to hear that…sorry for being dramatic…
Billy: Is no worry…sometimes, you just need to let out emotions…
[The scene cuts to another part of the studio as Peppo walks in to find Hit Cat slumped over a chair, his sunglasses tilted down his nose]
Peppo: You a' still kickin'?
Hit Cat: I shouldn't a' done that…
Peppo: Pardon?
Hit Cat: Lost me head back there…why do I have to go off like a timebomb, it's so…ERRH!
[Hit Cat smacks his thighs]
Hit Cat: What right do I have to act like a tosser…?
Peppo: Well…I'mma sure you just needed to let off a bit of steam.
Hit Cat: That's no excuse…I hate that it has to come to this…we're meant to be a unit…and yet, here we are, at each other's throats…huh, no wonder we had infrequent gigs…
Peppo: Now, come on, it wasn't that bad, it-
Hit Cat: You bloody kidding, mate? Look at us, LOOK AT ME! Me hair's 50 years out a' date and these freaking sunglasses!
Peppo: Heyheyhey! Calm down…why's got you in this mood anyway?
Hit Cat: I'm just…I've just been recalling memories…I wonder…are we actually any good?
Peppo: What, of course we are, we've been performing for years.
Hit Cat: And yet, I don't feel special…sometimes, I feel like a fad, trying to keep his relevance…it's why I've been bottlin' up these damn emotions, I just…snap…and I target you lot…god, I'm pathetic, poor Shun Gon.
[Hit Cat places his paws over his face with an exasperated sigh]
Peppo: Yeah…it was pretty bad back there…but…I don't think you're a bad person…truth be told, I'm not much of a saint myself…
Hit Cat: Least you can admit it…
Peppo: …I think we're letting the past get the better of us.
Hit Cat: Yeah…figures, init…
[Cut to Scat Cat sitting in a chair as he tries to play the trumpet, but only manages to produce a few solemn notes before fading out]
Scat Cat: Man, this ain't groovy…in fact, it's downright depressin'...where are you, Tommy boy…could really use your help here…heh, lookit me, I'm leader of this gang and I can't even keep 'em together…
[Scat lets the trumpet fall to the ground with a clank]
Scat Cat: What am I doin' just sittin' here…c'mon, man, you're betta' than this…maybe a lil' music will lighten things up…
[Scat picks up the trumpet once more, and tries to play Jingle Bells, but only just manages a quarter before deflating]
[Cut back to Thomas as he tries to dig his tires out of the snow, but with only an ice brush, the task isn't making much progress]
Thomas: Hooooooo, it's no use, I'll never get this thing shifted on my own…who knows how long I'll be out here…ah well, might as well entertain myself…
[Thomas reaches into the car and takes out his saxophone]
Thomas: Perhaps a little practice will get me in brighter spirits…
[Thomas begins a rendition of Silent Night, and the music echoes around the quiet landscape. Mixed in the song are notes that are a call for help]
[Cut to Scat Cat looking out of the window with his face on either side of his face…he looks back to see the gang coming up behind him]
Scat Cat: Hey, gang…
Hit Cat: Hey…look, I just wanna apologize for earlier, we shouldn't have been competing like that.
Peppo: It was a disgraceful sight…
Shun Gon: I…I'm sorry for making a scene…
Billy: We understand if you are…upset with us…
Scat Cat: [sighs] Ya'll are a handful sometimes…but I love ya' just the same…we're tight through thick and thin, aren't we?
[The other cats murmur in agreement]
Hit Cat: Uh, Shun Gon…I'm sorry about what I said before…
Shun Gon: Dawwwwwwww, come here!
[In an instant, Shun Gon locks Hit Cat into a bear hug, catching him by surprise. The English feline recovers from his shock as he returns the gesture]
Hit Cat: Heh…I love ya', mate…
Peppo: Awwww, isn' that a' sweet?
Billy: He does have a heart after all.
Scat Cat: Hehe, glad ta' see ya'll are…huh?
Billy: What is up, comrade?
Scat Cat: Ya'll hear that?
[The other felines perk their ears to better hear…they all go outside to get a clearer sound]
Peppo: Sounds like music…
Scat Cat: That's not just music…that's a distress call…THOMAS!
Billy: You reckon O'Malley is in trouble?
Scat Cat: I know that signal, that's a call for help! Our man's in a fix and we gotta help 'im!
[At that moment, a bus is seen coming down the road. Scat whistles and waves for it to stop]
[Cut back to Thomas as he finishes his current tune]
Thomas: [sighs] Fat lot that did…of course these streets had to be empty…
[Thomas looks up, snow is starting to fall down from the sky]
Thomas: I should probably get back inside where it's warm…
[Thomas steps inside the vehicle and rubs his hands together]
Thomas: Brrrrrrrrr…the others are prolly wondering what's happened to me…[sighs]...some day this has turned out to be…
[However, coming down the road from the opposite end is the bus and it stops a few yards away from Thomas' vehicle]
Thomas: Huh…?
[Suddenly, the rest of the band bursts outside of the bus]
Thomas: Gang!
Scat Cat: Thomas!
[Thomas hops out of the car and rushes towards the other cats who tackle him into a group hug]
Shun Gon: Oh thank god, you're alright!
Hit Cat: Just where have you got to, O'Malley?
Thomas: Let's just say…luck hasn't been on my side today.
Peppo: Funny you mention that, given…uhhh, never mind…
Scat Cat: Huh, looks like ya' got yourself in a bit of snow…c'mon, men, let's help a brother out!
[Cut to the band members in front of the car's hood while Thomas has returned to the driver's seat]
Billy Boss: Right, we ready when you are, O'Malley!
Thomas: Righto, slick! Gonna back out, slow…
[Easing his foot on the gas as he sets the car in reverse, the wheels slip as the band pushes against the car. At first, nothing happens, but as the cats struggle and strain to move the vehicle, it slowly starts to move backwards, wheels skidding on the snow]
Thomas: That's it…you've got it!
[With a final heave, the car manages to grip the road, all four wheels firmly back on the pavement, the felines cheer]
Scat Cat: HAHA, we've done it!
Hit Cat: Marvelous!
Peppo: Eccellente!
[Thomas pops his head out of the window]
Thomas: Well, what say I give you all a ride back into town?
Shun Gon: It's only fair, we did get your car out of the bank.
[The band members all hop into Thomas' vehicle, Scat Cat sits on the passenger seat while Hit Cat, Peppo, Shun Gon, and Billy Boss take room in the back. They set off back to Maple]
Thomas: Again, sorry for getting you all waiting.
Scat Cat: Ah, it's alright, man, ya' couldn't help it. Besides, we're in this together, remember?
Thomas: Hehe, this might sound corny, but you guys could brighten up the cloudiest of days.
Shun Gon: Naaaaah, I think it sounds sweet.
Thomas: Still, you guys are the greatest, couldn't ask for a better band. Just wish I'd come sooner to practice with ya'.
Scat Cat: Ya' know, I do have a song in mind, think it'll capture our group in fine style.
Thomas: Whatcha' got in mind?
Scat Cat: Well…
[Transition to somewhere else on the road, showing Bandit coming down from Amber. The day has improved for him as he heads home. He looks over to his right, and blinks. The blue heeler has to do a double take to make sure he isn't seeing things]
[Cut to Carface's vehicle stopped on the road and being strung with Christmas lights after a truck's decorations in front of him spilled out its contents onto the road, an angel ornament is seen hanging over the hood ornament, and pieces of garland have landed on the hood and windows. Bandit can't resist laughing as Carface rather crossly attempts to remove the items from his car]
Bandit: Hahaha, good on ya', mate! Glad to see ya' embracin' the holiday season!
[Of course, Carface is quite miffed and flips Bandit the finger. As for the blue heeler, he laughs all the way back home]
[Transition to several people standing outside of the bandstand; consisting of Jessie, James, Minerva, Colleen, Clifford, Finnick, Marceline, Princess Bubblegum, Bill, Pina, Tao, and Kibi. Thomas taps the microphone for sound check and then signals for the others to begin. The prelude to "All I Want For Christmas" starts up]
Thomas: I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
Scat Cat: I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
Yeah
Hit Cat: I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need (and I)
Don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
Peppo: I don't need to hang my stocking there upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy with a toy on Christmas Day
Hit Cat and Peppo: I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You, baby
Shun Gon: Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow (and I)
I'm just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe
Billy Boss: I won't make a list and send it to the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to hear those magic reindeer click
Shun Gon and Billy Boss: 'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby
Thomas and Scat Cat: Oh-oh, all the lights are shining so brightly everywhere (so brightly, baby)
Hit Cat and Peppo: And the sound of children's laughter fills the air (oh, oh, yeah)
And everyone is singing (oh, yeah)
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Shun Gon and Billy Boss: Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need? (Yeah, oh)
Won't you please bring my baby to me?
All: Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just wanna see my baby standing right outside my door
Oh, I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas iiiiiiiiis…
Yoooooooouuuuuu….
You, baby
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
All I want for Christmas (all I really want) is you, baby
All I want (I want) for Christmas (all I really want) is you, baby
[The song wraps up and the crowd cheers for the performance. The bandmates all smile at each other before joining one another side by side for a group bow]
[Cut to black]
Character Guide:
Thomas O'Malley, Scat Cat, Hit Cat, Peppo, Shun Gon, Billy Boss - The Aristocats (1970)
Bandit Heeler - Bluey
Carface Carruthers - All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)
Anna, Elsa - Frozen (2013)
Bill, Pina, Tao, Kibi - Beastars
Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck - Looney Tunes
Clifford - Clifford the Big Red Dog
Colleen - Road Rovers
Finnick - Zootopia (2016)
Jessie, James - Pokemon
Marceline, Princess Bubblegum - Adventure Time
Bill, Ben, Trevor, Butch - Thomas and Friends