Detectives
[The scene opens on a dark and rainy night as the camera pans down to the empty streets of Amber. Most of the shops and restaurants are still lit, but no one is seen walking about the streets, barring the occasional cars coming up and down the road]
[We cut to a building labeled "Noir Detectives Industry and Co." where the upstairs rooms have light shining through, compared to the more dimly lit main floor below. Transition to the hallway where the various offices are marked by names; one in particular is marked in orange letters with "Super Snooper and Blabber Mouse"]
[The main focus stops by the door marked "Basil Baker" as we transition through the glass to an office with papers stacked around the area, a red sofa in the corner of the room, several picture frames hung above on the wall, a certificate listing the detective's credentials, and on the desk is a green lamp shining down on a few papers, while the chair is facing away from the viewer]
[Murmuring can be heard from behind until the person in it suddenly flips around, revealed to be the brown mouse himself, with his chocolate brown suit and inspector's cap, meticulously looking over the files in his hands]
Basil: What kind of mystery is this?
[Basil sets the papers down on the desk with a thump]
Basil: Disembodied voices from tunnels? Wishes being granted? Pieces of railway tracks appearing out of nowhere? This can't be anything good.
[Basil looks up from the papers and towards the end of the room]
Basil: Unless, of course, this is all but a ruse. Someone behind the facade looking to cause chaos…I have an idea of who might be it…
[Basil goes over to his shelf and picks something out of the case; a violin and its bow. He begins to string a rather sinister melody]
Basil: Oh yes…I know particular minds who strategize in this game…they always think they're one step ahead, but I never stray too far…
[Basil begins to pace around the room as he gives his monologue]
Basil: If it's not pure criminal activity, it's making a big fuss over nothing, just to get a rise out of people, enjoying the turmoil it causes them…doesn't that sound appropriate…Professor Ratigan?!
[Basil points the bow over at a frame of the aforementioned rat posed smugly in the photo, a flash of lightning rather appropriately sets the mood]
Basil: I've got my eyes on you, sir. You can't play that card with me, I know all your tricks, inside and out.
[At that moment, there's a knock at the door. Basil suddenly turns to face it and immediately returns to a state of normalcy]
Basil: Come in.
[Snooper and Blabber enter the room]
Snooper: Like, uh, talkin' to yourself again, Basil?
Basil: Oh…you hear that…?
Snooper: The walls are as thin as paper.
Blabber: Don't you mean the walls are paper thin, Snoop?
Snooper: I meant what I said, Blab.
Blabber: Heard you talkin' about Professor Ratigan, Baz.
Snooper: Who else is he gonna talk about, the man's got a picture frame in his room.
Basil: That's…for observation reasons.
Snooper: Hmm-hmm, more like "obsession" reasons.
[Blabber looks down at Basil's desk and notices the particular case file]
Blabber: Uh, what's this?
[The white mouse leans over and squints his eyes]
Blabber: Is that the…Birch Grove file?
Basil: Oh that? Of course, apparently, there's been all these strange occurrences going on over there. Personally speaking, I think it's mostly a ploy to scare the locals, wouldn't be the first time I've seen something like this.
Snooper: Even so, perhaps we should investigate the matta' regardless. Who knows, maybe it'll pay well, and I could do with a fresh bonus.
[At that moment, Snooper's ear flicks as he hears a muffled voice coming from the hallway]
[Cut to the hallway where Ace Hart is walking up the stairs, giving a monologue to no one in particular]
Ace: "Ever since the beginnin' of winter, there had been quite a few strange occurrences goin' on. Naturally, I was called on to investigate the matter. However, I wasn't going in alone, I would have a team beside me, even if they weren't up to par for my standards."
Snooper: Um…who are you talkin' to?
Ace: What?
[Ace blinks and the camera pans out to show him in Basil's office with the rest]
Ace: Sorry. AHEM, that was just…me reciting one of Eliot's old paragraphs.
[Snooper and Blabber give each other an odd look]
Blabber: …Who's Eliot?
Basil: AHEM! Not to interrupt your chat, but I'd like to get back to the case, please.
Ace: Ah, yeah, Basil, whatcha got for us?
[Basil hands the file over to the German Shepherd]
Ace: I see…ya' know, this kinda shifty stuff sounds a lot like Baron Von Rottweiler's work.
Blabber: Don't you mean Bugsy-
Ace: No.
Blabber: …Okay.
[A crash of thunder followed by a flash of lighting outside catches the group's attention as they look out the window]
Ace: Boy, this weather ain't lettin' up.
Snooper: Suppose we cover dis case once the storm is ova, no way I'm searchin' by a tunnel out in the pouring rain.
[At that moment, the telephone rings on Basil's desk. He picks it up]
Basil: Hello? Noir Detectives Agency, this is Basil speaking.
?: Why, helluuuuuuuu, Detective.
[Basil's expression sours upon hearing the voice at the other end]
Basil: Hmm…good evening, Professor. What's the occasion for you calling me this evening?
[The scene cuts to Ratigan sitting in his quarters, similar in design to the lair in the original film, only upscaled to fit with the rest of the characters' sizes. He is standing by a portrait of Basil himself as he holds the phone]
Ratigan: Well, I presume you've heard the news. Something a few…strange instances happening in the forest.
Basil: I don't suppose you know anything about that…?
Ratigan: Hmmhmmhmm, why do you wish to know?
Basil: Because I know if anyone's going to be spreading fear and chaos in these parts, there's no doubt that you're somehow tied to it.
Ratigan: Oh, I wish I was, for only a mind of such intelligence could come up with a scheme so dastardly…
Basil: Tell me what you know!
Ratigan: Now now, no need to get testy. I am oblivious to events that have occurred, so there's nothing to suggest that I'm involved…but rather adorable of you to think that I was.
Basil: You really are slippery, you know what?
Ratigan: Tis the reason why you obsess over me, isn't it?
Basil: I know you're standing next to my picture as we speak.
[Ratigan looks up and notices the portrait]
Ratigan: …Touche, detective. Either way, good luck on your little endeavor, I'll be sure to…pop in when I can, if you will, hmmhmmhmm.
Basil: You-!
[The line clicks off on the other end before Basil can respond further]
Basil: …That bastard hung up on me.
[Basil huffily puts the phone down, but then the line rings once more so he picks it up]
Basil: Hello?
?: Is Ace Hart in the vicinity?
Basil: Um, yes? He's right here.
[Basil lowers the phone]
Basil: Ace, it's for you.
Ace: Huh, who could be callin' me?
[Ace takes the phone from Basil and puts it to his ear]
Ace: Yello, who's this?
?: Hallo, Ace Hart, I just want to say that I hope you got drenched out in the storm this evening.
Ace: What the-oooooooh, damn it, it's freaking Baron.
[The scene cuts to Baron slouching over his arm chair with a cup of tea in one hand and the phone in the other]
Baron: By the way, I would suggest changing out of that musky old suit once in a while.
Ace: What are you, a fashion expert?
Baron: It's secondary to my career of wrecking people's lives.
Ace: Okay, ya' know what, this conversation's over.
[Ace abruptly puts the phone down before Baron has a chance to respond. The scene cuts back to the German Rottweiler with an indignant expression]
Baron: Pah!
[Cut back to Ace in the office as he sighs]
Ace: Haaaaaaaugh…at the very least, he's not you-know-who…
Blabber: Ya' mean Bug-
Ace: SHUSH! Shut up! Stop talking!
Snooper: He's got one hell of a chip on his shoulder.
Basil: AHEM! Gentleman, may we please get back on the topic at hand?
Blabber: So, what are we gonna do about this thing then?
Basil: Simple, we investigate the manner as soon as possible.
Snooper: Out in that weather? It's a freaking storm!
Ace: Do you want to get paid?
Snooper: Rhetorical question, much?
Basil: So we're all agreed then?
Snooper: I mean, I guess we are.
[Basil steps onto the desk with enthusiasm]
Basil: GREAT! We'll get to the bottom of this caper before the night is out!
Ace: Why do I always find myself workin' with wack-a-doos?
Snooper: Coming from the guy claimin' to have a ghostwriter, that's sayin' something.
Ace: It's true!
[The scene cuts to the quartet in Snooper and Blabber's squad car with the cat in the driver's seat while Blabber is in the passenger seat, with Ace and Basil seated in the back. The wipers flip from left to right as the rain continues to pour down]
Snooper: Man, of all nights to investigate, this weather's horrible.
Basil: Oh, believe me, I've seen in similar circumstances.
Blabber: Where did they say this place was, again?
Snooper: Apparently, past Maple and near the Evergreen Forest.
[At that moment, the road begins to run by the railway as a desolate crossing comes into view. The car's lights shine through the darkness as the outline of a building appears in the distance]
Ace: Ain't this one a' the strangest places ta' put a station, it's practically in the middle of nowhere.
Basil: I hear it's some kind of attraction…mostly through the tunnel…I swear, this all sounds like a ploy…
Snooper: Whatever it is, think we'd betta' stop here and check it out…ya' remembered the umbrellas, right?
Ace: Stuffed 'em in the trunk, least that'll shield us from the rain.
[Snooper stops the car by the side of the room and sets it into parking mode before turning the ignition off]
[Cut to Ace popping the trunk open as each of the detectives grab an umbrella. Snooper pulls out a torch and shines it over to where the tracks are]
Snooper: Uh, dis way…
[Snooper shines the torch over the tracks as the group slowly approaches the mouth of the tunnel. They stop just before it and stare through the darkness. Basil squints his eyes]
Basil: Hello?
[The brown mouse's echo comes back to him]
Basil: Hmmmm…strange…very strange…suppose we go inside to check further?
Blabber: Um, are you sure? It looks a bit…creepy.
Ace: Can't chicken out now when we've made it this far.
Snooper: Besides, what's the worst that can come outta lookin' through a tunnel?
Blabber: Uh…I suppose you've got a point there.
Snooper: Well, let's not stick around, stay close by me, Blab.
Blabber: Oh, I will, Snoop…
Ace: [muttering] Hope this is all worth the trouble…
[The detective quartet begins to make their way into the tunnel, the sound of their footsteps echoing throughout the walls]
[For a while, nothing much seems to be out of place. The group stops after having covered a good distance]
Basil: Hmmm…I can't really see anything suspicious…odd…
Ace: [sighs] I'm startin' ta' think this was a waste of time. It's just a bunch of rumors someone made up.
Snooper: In dat case, we might as well head back.
Blabber: [shivers] Is it just me or did it get real cold all of a sudden?
Snooper: Uh…actually, now dat ya' mention it…
?: Haaaaaaaaa…
Ace: Uh…was that one of you?
Basil: No, I don't think so…
?: Why hello…
Blabber: GEH! Who said that?!
?: Now now…there's no need to be alarmed…
Snooper: Who's sayin' that?! Show yourself!
?: Ah, but I'm already among you…
[The detectives all glance at each other]
Ace: Okay…well, who are you?
?: The identity isn't important. What is important is the purpose.
Basil: What is this…purpose you speak of?
?: Why…this is the place where wishes come true…I listen to them, and I deliver…however, the settlement has to go both ways…
Ace: Aaaaaand…that means?
?: A wish can be fulfilling…but in return, one must expect the consequences it will have…
Basil: Right…beg pardon, but…where are you?
?: As I said, I'm around you, all it takes is looking hard enough.
[The four men look around over one another to get a glimpse of the voice. Snooper turns around and jumps at the sight of two eyes peering through the darkness, dropping the torch as a result]
Snooper: Uhhhhh…I think it's time we got out of here…
?: Oh? Do none of you have any desires? Anything that you seek?
Ace: Uhhh, nah, we're good, right, fellas?
[Murmurs of agreement can be heard amongst the men]
?: Nothing you wanted to wish for?
Blabber: Can I wish to get out?
?: Hmmhmmhmm, very well…it…is…done…
[Silence falls on the four detectives before Basil clears his throat]
Basil: Well, uh, it's been a wonderful evening, but we really must be getting on our way…uh, this way, gentlemen.
[The four detectives begin to go back the way they came, but quickly run into a problem]
Snooper: Uh…was the tunnel always this long?
Ace: Nah…thought it was shorter when we came in.
Basil: The exit should have been here…where's the end? We just came this way!
Blabber: Uhhhh, fellas? Is the tunnel mouth…stretching?
Basil: What?!
[We cut to the mouth of the tunnel stretching away from the group, accompanied by a rattling sound. The four men try to go faster to reach it sooner, but no matter how quickly they move, the tunnel seems to go on forever]
[The background music carries a tune similar to "Terror in the Tub" as we are given a close-up shot of the men's eyes, the echoes of their panting vibrating off the walls as we are then given a split-screen shot of all four men as their eyes dart around the room, with the echoes becoming louder with each other]
[The boom of thunder and crash of lightning breaks the momentum as the detective quartet are shown gasping for air with their umbrellas all lying on the ground, Snooper's torch on the tracks pointing off into the distance]
Basil: That…was something for sure…
Ace: Is it weird that's not the strangest thing I've ever seen…?
Snooper: No…not at all…
Blabber: So…what do we do now…?
Snooper: …We'll report back as soon as we get there.
[Another boom of thunder catches the group's attention as they hastily make it to the car, stashing their belongings as soon as the doors open. Snooper turns on the ignition, puts the car into driving mode, turns around, and heads back to Maple]
Blabber: Uh…sorry about what happened back there…
Snooper: It's…it's alright, Blab…no worries…
[Basil and Ace glance at each other before looking out each other's respective windows]
Basil: I really need some tea after this ordeal…and to make a call…
Ace: I just need a warm bath…
[The scene shows the car driving down the road through the storm before it transitions back to the detective agency. Basil is shown writing down the last bit of notes on the file before putting his pen down to the side]
Basil: [sighs] And that's that…
[A cup of tea is placed next to the mouse, turning to his left]
Basil: Huh?
[The scene cuts to David Dawson having been the one to give Basil his tea]
Dawson: Oh, my apologies, I just felt like you needed a cup. You looked a bit…tense.
Basil: …Well, thank you, regardless, Dawson.
[Basil takes the cup off the coaster and sips a bit of the tea, smacking his lips twice before giving a sigh]
Dawson: Feel any better?
Basil: A little bit, yes…Dawson?
Dawson: Yes?
Basil: If you wouldn't mind, I need to dial someone…
Dawson: Um, of course, sir.
Basil: In private.
Dawson: Oh…AHEM, I understand, sir, I'll just…be in the hall.
Basil: You don't have to be so formal, Dawson, it's just Basil between us.
Dawson: Right, of course, I'll leave you to it, Basil.
[Dawson takes his leave of the room. Basil looks over at the telephone…on that note, he reaches over and dials a number, putting the phone up to his ear as the ping sounds through it]
Basil: …C'mon, pick up, you son of a-
Ratigan: [V.O.] And who might I ask has the pleasure of calling me?
Basil: [sighs] The Queen of England?
[Cut to Ratigan in his quarters]
Ratigan: Bite me, Basil.
Basil: Look, I'm going to make this as broad as possible, so get it through your head, I…might have made an error in assuming you were behind the latest incident.
Ratigan: I'm sorry, I didn't catch that, could you repeat that phrase?
Basil: No. I said it once, I'm not saying it again.
Ratigan: Alright, be that way…tis a bit odd you'd call me for the sole purpose of an apology, not that I don't deserve it.
Basil: Look, I went to Birch Grove and inspected the area myself, there was no trace evidence of you at the scene, so I'm ruling you out as a suspect. End of story.
Ratigan: Well, aren't I the lucky one, hmmhmmhmm…I don't suppose you'd be willing to give the same treatment for all the other times?
Basil: Nope, those are staying on file.
Ratigan: Not even if I could…persuade you by chance?
Basil: …Actually, you won't need to.
Ratigan: Pardon?
Basil: Because I have a better offer.
Ratigan: …Go on.
[The scene cuts to a car pulling up next to a large and lonely house, shrouded in the darkness with only a few dim lights peering through the windows. It then cuts to a hand on the door handle, knocking it three times before the resident opens the door, revealing Ratigan with his pipe in hand]
Ratigan: Ah…so you made it after all…excellent.
Basil: Let's just say, I needed something to take my mind off from earlier…now then…
[Basil flips something out of his pocket that the viewer doesn't see, but Ratigan does]
Basil: What do you say to an interrogation?
Ratigan: I say…bring it on…
[The door shuts as Basil is now in the house. The scene pans out to show the house from a wider angle as the rain continues to pour down, a boom of thunder in the background]
[We cut to the next morning as the storm has passed, several bits of debris are scattered across the road. Icy, Stormy, and Darcy are shown walking along the sidewalk as the middle witch kicks a can out of the way, while Bambi and Dumbo are seen on the other side]
[Cut to Snooper, Blabber, and Ace making their way to the office to start the day's work. As they clock in, they notice Basil standing by the stairway, a rather interesting look on his face]
Ace: Well, someone's an early bird.
Basil: Oooooh, just looking over a few details from last night's case, among other things.
[The other three detectives glance at each other, but decide not to press further as they head up to their respective offices. Cut back to Basil as he pulls out his notepad and glances over a particular page…he sighs as he flips onto the next…he turns to the left to conceal a grin]
[Cut to black]
Character Guide:
Basil of Baker's Street, Professor Padraic Ratigan, Major Dr. David Q. Dawson - The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Super Snooper, Blabber Mouse - Snooper and Blabber
Ace Hart, Baron Von Rottweiler, Bugsy Vile - Dog City
Bambi - Bambi (1942)
Dumbo - Dumbo (1941)
Icy, Stormy, Darcy - Winx Club