2nd Portion Of 'Rescuers 3'

PORTION #2 OF THE "RESCUERS 3" SCRIPT

(SCENE OPENS: The sunny blue skies of Manhattan, as CAWING birds fly across the screen, soaring past puffy white clouds.  Camera TILTS DOWN FROM the sky, then STOPS to get a HIGH-ANGLE LONG-SHOT looking down into a vacant lot on New York's Main Street.  Located in the middle of this grassy, brownstone-flanked lot, is a Porcelain Pagoda with a glossy, golden exterior & a fuschia-painted roof with five extravagant, red-rimmed tiers, the eaves of which are all adorned with tiny, golden bells that sway gently in the breeze, giving off a merry TINKLE.  The camera slowly CLOSES IN ON the lot, PANNING TOWARD the Porcelain Pagoda...)

(FADE INTO a HIGH-ANGLE LONG-SHOT facing & focusing solely on the Porcelain Pagoda, as well as the various things surrounding it.  As we can see, the area around the Porcelain Pagoda has a playground [consisting of a seesaw, slide, playhouse, jungle-gym, sandbox, swingset, monkey-bars, & plenty of toys & playthings], a blue Venetian glass fountain with turquoise & fuschia trimmings, a mailbox, a small flower garden, an additional Japanese garden, a potted bonsai tree with a giant treehouse in it, a swimming pool with an Oriental gazebo & lawn chair, & a wooden bridge leading to the doorway of the Porcelain Pagoda.  [For more information & details on where these individual items are located, what they look like, what they are made of, & other related topics, see my personal notes & production-design illustrations for the film.])

(FADE INTO a CLOSE-UP SHOT of the mailbox outside the Porcelain Pagoda; the red flag is up, & the lid is closed.  Posted on the side of the mailbox, in neat black lettering, is the following text: "The Roberts Family".  Camera then SWIVELS OVER TO THE RIGHT, going AWAY FROM the mailbox, before STOPPING to face the Porcelain Pagoda [with some of the surrounding objects seen partially in the frame].  Then, after a few seconds, the camera CLOSES IN ON the Porcelain Pagoda, & slowly ZOOMS THROUGH the open doorway, as we hear the sound of CHILDREN GIGGLING.)

(Now, we are in the living room of the Porcelain Pagoda, where 10-year-old FUSCHIA [who has her mom's white fur & big, beady eyes, along with a bit of her dad's pudginess, & wears a rainbow, long-sleeved sweater & a rainbow beanie cap with a blue propeller on it] is pursuing 7-year-old MISCHA [a slender tan mouseling in a periwinkle dress with matching bloomers, as well as a fuschia bow in her hair-fur], who is clutching a Rainbow Sherbet teddy bear in her arms.)

(Not too long after we've entered the living room, the two Roberts sisters dash into frame from camera-right, LAUGHING as they chase each other across the screen, going to the other side of the room, while the camera STARTS TRACKING ALONG to follow their movements.  Once they get to the left side of the living area, Fuschia chases Mischa up the stairs leading to the second story of the Porcelain Pagoda, & when they get to the top of the staircase, they reach the open doorway leading into the second-floor corridor.  The camera CONTINUES TO FOLLOW Fuschia & Mischa [this time from behind] as they race down the hallway, then STOPS when Mischa opens the door to Fuschia's bedroom, & ducks inside the chamber.)

(CUT TO the interior of Fuschia's room.  The room is decorated with rainbow-striped wallpaper [in pastel colors of light-fuschia, light-red, light-orange, pale-golden, light-green, mint-turquoise, periwinkle, & lavender], with a floor of cream-colored carpet.  The sheets, pillows, & blankets of the bed all display a festive pattern of brightly-colored rainbow polka-dots against a light-blue background, & several dolls & stuffed animals can be seen lying on the mattress.  A small TV sits on a white table in front of Fuschia's bed, in a corner of the room.  On the wall where the TV has been placed, we can see a small, round window, with a large white desk stationed underneath it; the desk has a matching wicker chair, along with several knick-knacks & random objects that are resting upon its surface.  A rainbow tie-dye beanbag chair can be seen on the floor, by a large white bookcase that has shelves full of several tomes; the bookcase & beanbag are on the same side of the room where the main door & Fuschia's closet are.  Some of Fuschia's drawings decorate the walls, as do a few white "stand-alone" shelves with various things on them.  In one corner of the room, to the right side of the door, there is a *large* blue toy chest with big fuschia, orange, golden, & lime-green "fun font" letters spelling out "TOYS"; on the same wall where the toy chest is located, between it & the back of the bed, there is a *very large* white bookcase with several shelves that house oodles & oodles of playthings, along with some CDs, art supplies, games, mementoes, & other things.  Toys & games of just about every variety can be seen all over the room.)

(In addition to all that, we can also see that Fuschia is busy packing stuff into a large assortment of suitcases, satchels, boxes, & bags--Rainbow Toys, plenty of other toys & playthings, games, crayons & markers, sketchbooks, storybooks, comics, stuffed animals, music CDs [with a Walkmouse], DVDs [with a portable player], snacks, & much more.)

(Once we've cut to the inside of Fuschia's room, we see Mischa running away from the open door to the center of the room, still clutching the Rainbow Sherbet teddy bear in her arms.  Fuschia quickly catches up to her younger sister, however, & playfully "snatches" the Rainbow Sherbet teddy bear from Mischa, before putting it with some of the other toys in one of her suitcases; then, she kneels down to the floor, & continues packing her things, as Mischa watches her from off to the side.)

MISCHA:
So, just how far have you gotten through all the stuff you're planning to pack, Fuschia?

FUSCHIA:
Hmm...about 1 quarter.

MISCHA:
Well, you better hurry & get all the rest in, or we won't leave early enough to catch our flight to Hawaii! (gets up to leave the room)

FUSCHIA (still packing):
"Hurry" is my middle name, Mischa.

(CUT TO: Mischa walks downstairs, just as her father, BERNARD, enters the living room.  Bernard wears his red sweater & brownish-orange cap; he clutches a suitcase in his "right" paw.)

BERNARD:
Mischa, have you seen Fuschia?

MISCHA:
(points to the door leading to the upstairs hallway) She's in her room, packing.

BERNARD:
And how much stuff has she packed already?

MISCHA (as she walks into the kitchen):
I think she said about 1 quarter of it...

(Bernard sighs gently as he walks over to the foot of the stairs & puts down his suitcase.  He crosses his arms over his chest, & taps his foot impatiently.)

(Meanwhile, Mischa is in the kitchen.  The walls of the room are decorated with mint-green paint, while the floor is the same cream color as the living room floor.  On the "north" wall [on camera-right], there is a white fridge [with a built-in freezer on top]; also on that side of the room, there is a sink [stationed underneath a small, round window that is flanked with loosely-draped blue curtains] & microwave on top of the kitchen counter [which is made of light-brown wood, & has plenty of cabinets underneath to store things].  There is a brown wooden table in the center of the room, with six matching chairs around it; the surface of the table is decorated with six silk placemats [one for each chair], as well as a big centerpiece [a silver bowl filled with colorful wax fruit].  On the "south" side of the room [on camera-left], where the door is, there is also a large metal stove with a built-in oven.  Seen in the background, on the "west" wall [behind the table & chairs], there are white double-doors leading to a pantry.  Japanese lanterns of various colors dangle from the ceiling to provide light.)

(Mischa goes to the fridge & opens it, before reaching in to grab a box of apple juice; after drinking it, she throws the empty box into a small waste bin [made out of a large, upside-down thimble that's lined with a mouse-sized plastic bag].  Mischa then goes over to the cabinets underneath the kitchen counter, which she starts rooting through as she proceeds to pack some snacks--candy, chips, pretzels, trail mix, caramel-coated popcorn, & cookies.  She puts all the snacks in a small container [i.e., a human-sized jewelry box with all the stuffing taken out], which she then places on top of a mouse-sized icebox.  With a GRUNT OF EFFORT, Mischa manages to pick up the icebox by its handles, & she carries said icebox [& the additional box of treats on it] into the living room.  After reaching Bernard, Mischa finally drops the icebox & box of snacks in front of him, before GASPING & PANTING for breath as she collapses against the side of the staircase, looking slightly worn-out.)

BERNARD (looking down at the icebox & snack-box, & then up at Mischa with an impressed smile):
Boy, you've really gotten a lot stronger than you were when we first adopted you, Mischa!

MISCHA (in between GASPS OF BREATH):
That's really...great...to know...Dad. (she sinks to the floor, exhausted) I think I need another juicy drink.

(CUT TO a long-shot of Fuschia in her room.  The mouseling is still kneeling on the floor, packing the last of her things.)

BERNARD (heard hollering from downstairs):
Are you done packing your things, Fuschia? We need to get going!

FUSCHIA (hollering back as she fills her last suitcase, & snaps the lid shut):
Yeah, Daddy!  I'm ready!

(Fuschia rises to her feet, then presses the small red button on the side of her beanie cap, activating the propeller that brings her up into the air.  Fuschia takes the suitcase that's already in her paws, & flies out of her room to bring it downstairs.)

(SWIPE-TRANSITION reveals Bernard & Mischa at the foot of the stairs with the icebox, snack-box, Bernard's suitcase, Mischa's carry-along backpack, a large trunk of clothing, & all of the suitcases, boxes, bags, & satchels of things that Fuschia has packed for the trip.)

FUSCHIA (as she flies downstairs to join her dad & sister):
Well, I think we've got enough things for our vacation, wouldn't you say, Daddy? (smiles at Bernard)

BERNARD:
(looks at Fuschia with a weird smile of amusement) Yes, Fuschia...I think we've got *plenty* of things now. (sotto voce) Perhaps, a little *too* plenty...

FUSCHIA:
Well, like you always say, Daddy, it never hurts to be prepared!

BERNARD (nodding in agreement):
That's true, dear...That's very true, indeed.

(Just then, Bernard reacts to the sound of his wife, BIANCA, CALLING FROM UPSTAIRS.)

BIANCA (offscreen):
Bernard, darling, could you come upstairs for a moment?

(Bernard picks Mischa up & sits her down on one of the chests that Fuschia has brought from her room.)

BERNARD (as he tousles Mischa's hair, & smiles at her):
Sit tight, my little future Ms. Mouse Universe. (brings his paw off of Mischa's head, & steps back away from her) Daddy'll be right back.

(Bernard begins walking up the stairs to the 2nd floor.  When he disappears offscreen, Fuschia turns to Mischa with a mischievous smirk, & her arms akimbo.)

FUSCHIA:
Future Ms. Mouse Universe, huh?

MISCHA (as she shrugs her shoulders):
Hey, it could happen!

(CUT TO the interior of Bianca & Bernard's upstairs bedroom.  The chamber has hot-pink walls & rose-pink carpeting.  There is a big canopy bed with fuschia curtains [with golden draw-tassels] on all sides, as well as a fuschia top; the mattress, pillows, & sheets are all coral-pink, while the blankets are dark-fuschia, & the headboard & corner-posts are dark-brown.  An ornate, kerosene-style lamp sits on Bianca's nightstand [made out of a bare spool-of-thread], while a vase of flowers rests on Bernard's nightstand [also made out of an empty spool].  A fuschia chaise-lounge rests in one corner of the room, & numerous paintings & portraits of Bianca, Bernard, & their children adorn the walls.  On one wall, a vast assortment of medals, decorations, & awards have been hung up above a glass display of gleaming gold trophies.  A large TV sits across from the bed, & a big wooden armoire [with its doors open] is stationed behind Bianca on the other side of the room.)

(Bianca, by the way, is laying out clothes on the mattress of her bed--a fuschia dinner gown with a matching hat, a one-piece purple swimsuit with a big lavender bow in the front, a golden blouse with a matching sun-hat & white pleated skirt, a lavender summer dress, & other articles of clothing in colors similar to those mentioned earlier.  At the present moment, Bianca wears a pink ribboned shawl with a matching pillbox hat.)

(Bianca carefully folds her clothes, & stacks them neatly on top of one another in her open suitcase, before closing the lid shut.  After placing the suitcase down by her other luggage, Bianca turns to close the doors of her armoire, before turning back around to face Bernard, who has just walked in.)

BIANCA (upon seeing Bernard approach her):
Ah, there you are, darling! (wraps her arms around her husband, & brings him in for a hug, as she kisses his nose) Have the children finished packing?

BERNARD:
Yes, they have...And what about you, Bianca?

BIANCA:
Oh, I just need to fetch my makeup bag, & then, I'll be done. (takes her makeup bag off of the nightstand, & places it with the rest of her stuff) Ah, there we go!  All finished!

BERNARD (surveying Bianca's baggage):
Are you sure you're going to need all those clothes, honey?

BIANCA:
I just want to look beautiful for you, Bernard.

BERNARD:
(takes Bianca's paws in his) You already do. (kisses her tenderly on the lips) So, do you think you can bring your stuff downstairs in one trip?

BIANCA:
Well, I may need a little *extra* help in that matter...(smiles & poses coyly)

BERNARD:
I'd be happy to oblige, my fair lady.

(He bends down to pick up some of Bianca's parcels.)

(SWIPE-TRANSITION to reveal Bianca & Bernard carrying the last of their luggage as they walk down the stairs together.  When they join Fuschia & Mischa at the bottom, they place the final baggage with the rest of their things.)

BIANCA:
Are we ready to go, children?

(Fuschia & Mischa burst into wide smiles, & start jumping up & down in great excitement as they SHOUT...)

FUSCHIA & MISCHA (in unison):
YEAH!!!

(Almost instantly, we can hear the sound of a CAR HORN HONKING outside.  The Roberts family reacts to the noise, & we CUT TO a LONG-SHOT of the Main Street sidewalk.  A mouse-sized taxi drives into frame from camera-left, pulling up to the vacant lot where the Porcelain Pagoda is housed.)

(CUT BACK INTO the living room.  Bianca, Bernard, Fuschia, & Mischa immediately grab their stuff, & start bringing it outside.)

(CUT TO a LONG-SHOT of the Roberts family & the CABBIE-MOUSE, who are all standing outside the taxi.  As the cabbie-mouse watches from his position by the taxi's trunk, Bianca, Bernard, Fuschia, & Mischa bring all their bags, boxes, suitcases, briefcases, chests, satchels, & other luggage over to the cab, & place it down in front of the stunned cabbie, who proceeds to help his passengers put their things in the trunk & back seat.  Then, the five mice get into the taxi, take their seats, buckle up, & drive on down the road, exiting the frame on camera-right.)

(CUT TO the luggage-littered back seat of the taxi, where Fuschia & Mischa are both strapped in.  Bernard is also in the back seat, but he isn't shown in the frame; the current LONG-SHOT mainly focuses on the two children.)

FUSCHIA (bouncing up & down in her seat, unable to contain her excitement):
Oh, boy!  I can't wait!  This'll be so much fun!

MISCHA (doing the same):
Yeah, I know!

FUSCHIA (turning to face Fuschia with a wide-eyed look of eagerness):
Can you believe we're *actually* going to Hawaii?

MISCHA (shaking her head):
No, I can't! (beat) Wait--maybe, I can, after all!

FUSCHIA (becoming increasingly animated as she speaks):
Just imagine, Misch--tomorrow, we're all gonna be in the Pineapple State!  The state where Lilo & Stitch live!

MISCHA (smiling broadly, as she raises her arms joyfully in the air):
The only state that has a king & queen!

BERNARD (offscreen):
Um, Mischa...they don't have a king & queen in Hawaii anymore.

MISCHA (quickly becoming disappointed):
Dang! (pounds a fist on one of the suitcases next to her, then folds her arms over her chest, & pouts grumpily)

BERNARD (offscreen, as he reaches in from camera-left to hand Mischa a brochure, which has been opened to reveal certain pages):
But they still have a palace, though. (Mischa immediately perks up, & gently takes the brochure from Bernard's paws) And we're all going to see it together when we're in Honolulu.

MISCHA (looking at the open pages of the brochure with great interest):
Oooh...

FUSCHIA (doing the same, as she leans over):
Groovadelic!

(CUT TO a MEDIUM-SHOT focusing on Bianca & the cabbie-mouse, who are both sitting in the front-seat area of the taxi.  The camera shows the two mice from behind their seats; the cabbie-mouse stares ahead of him as he maneuvers the vehicle, but Bianca's head is turned around to the left, so that we can see the side of her face.)

BIANCA:
Yes...(turns her head around some more to directly face the camera, as if to look at her offscreen husband & children) It's fascinating to know that one of our very own states has had such a colorful history!

CABBIE (butting in, not really paying attention to the conversation):
Colorful...Sure...All the leis & volcanoes &...yeah...Nice.

(CUT TO a POSTERIOR LONG-SHOT of the taxi as it drives a bit further down Main Street, going away from the camera.  We watch it pull away for a few seconds, & then, we DISSOLVE TO the cityscape of downtown Sydney, Australia.)

(CUT TO a CLOSE-UP SHOT focusing on a rodent's paw moving a red checker piece across a checkerboard, before placing it at the other end [& jumping over one of the black pieces as he does so].  The camera PULLS BACK to show JAKE THE KANGAROO-MOUSE seated at a patio table [on camera-right] as he captures the jumped-over black piece belonging to his playing partner & beloved pet fly, SPARKY [who is hovering in the air on camera-left, on the opposite side of the table].)

JAKE (as he takes Sparky's piece, & puts it with the other pieces he's captured):
A-ha! (he leans back in his lawn chair, with his feet propped up on the surface of the table, his arms crossed behind his head, & a smug smirk on his face) King me.

(Sparky flies over to take a red piece, & puts it on top of the one Jake moved earlier.)

JAKE:
Thanks, Sparky.  Your move now.

(Sparky moves one of his other black pieces.  As the game continues, while the camera PULLS BACK SOME MORE, we see that Jake & Sparky are on the patio / balcony of a high-rise condo.  We hear the sound of someone MERRILY HUMMING the bars of Franz Liszt's 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody, as a pretty, tan-furred mouse-woman waltzes her way onto the screen [coming in from camera-right] & applies the contents of a watering can to bushes of beautiful, blooming flowers.  The woman, whose name is SUNFLORA, is dressed in a periwinkle dress & matching slip, with a large coral-pink pinafore on top.)

JAKE (looking up from his game to gaze at Sunflora):
Well, you appear to be enjoying yourself today...

SUNFLORA (looking at her flowers with a pleased smile):
And so do my flowers! (she takes a moment to smell some of them)

JAKE (as he goes back to his game):
Say, Sunflora, have you checked today's mail?

SUNFLORA (offscreen):
Well, I think we got a letter from Cousin Bianca & the gang.  I haven't opened it yet, but...

(Without warning, Jake bolts out of his chair & exits the frame on camera-right, as Sparky gleefully takes the opportunity to jump the last of his checker pieces.)

(CUT TO a LONG TRACKING SHOT focusing on Jake [shown to us in profile-view] as he swiftly hops into the living room of the condo [going towards camera-right as he does so], before STOPPING when he gets to the coffee table in the middle of the room, & bends down to pick up an envelope from the table's neatly-polished surface.)

(Then, the camera CUTS TO Jake [now shown to us in a MEDIUM-SHOT from the waist up] as he takes the envelope into his hands, tears the seal open, & takes out the enclosed letter, before SLOWLY CLOSING IN ON him as he starts reading the letter silently.  When Jake gets to the end of the epistle, he bursts into a wide smile...& the camera CUTS TO a LONG-SHOT of Jake [seen in the center of the frame] as he literally jumps for joy!)

JAKE (clicking his heels together as he springs into the air):
*WAHOO!*

(Sunflora scuttles into frame from camera-left to join Jake at his side, as Sparky trails behind her.)

SUNFLORA (as she enters):
Well, did you read the letter, Jake?

(CUT TO a MEDIUM-SHOT of Jake & Sunflora, who are both shown from the waists up [on camera-right & camera-left, respectively].  Sparky is seen completely in the frame, floating beside Sunflora at shoulder-level.)

JAKE (unable to hide his inner glee, as he presents the letter to Sunflora):
I'm surprised you haven't read it already, Sunny!

(Sunflora takes the letter into her paws, & scans the text written upon it.)

SUNFLORA (quite pleased by what the letter says):
Jake, I think you're going to need to pack some things...because we're taking the next plane bound for Honolulu!  We are cordially invited to join the Roberts family on their vacation in Hawaii!

(Sparky BUZZES HAPPILY as he pumps a tiny foreleg into the air.)

(SWIPE-TRANSITION to reveal a LONG PROFILE TRACKING SHOT focusing on Bianca [who is now wearing a fuschia coat over her pink shawl, with a fuschia purse slung over her shoulder], Bernard [now wearing a brownish-orange, long-sleeved jacket over his red sweater], Fuschia, & Mischa as they make their way towards camera-left, going across the rooftop of a familiar airport building, with MOUSE ATTENDANTS carrying all their luggage on a series of trolleys.  Before too long, the Roberts family [& the luggage mice] wind up at the entrance to Albatross Airlines, & once they all get there, the camera PULLS BACK to reveal a SUPER-LONG SHOT of them standing at the foot of the ramp leading up to the main building.)

BERNARD (looking up at the original sign for Albatross Airlines, which is still posted at the top of the main building):
Whatever happened to that "fair fare from here to there"? (turns to glance at Bianca)

BIANCA:
I guess Orville's back in business again.

(Beat.  CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE LONG SHOT [positioned to the left] facing & focusing on the Roberts family, who are all looking up at the offscreen Albatross Airlines building.  The porter-mice & luggage trolleys can be seen in the background.)

FUSCHIA (as she gazes up at the building with the rest of her family):
So, this...is Albatross Airlines?

BIANCA (turning her head to look down at Fuschia, who looks up at her mother):
Yes, it is, dear. (nods)

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE, POSTERIOR LONG-SHOT [positioned to the right] showing the Roberts family from behind, as they all start walking up the ramp to approach the Albatross Airlines building.)

BERNARD (as the mice ascend the ramp, going away from the camera):
You've never been here before, but you're going to *love* it!

(The camera remains frozen in place as we watch Bianca, Bernard, the kids, & the attendants carrying the luggage all go up the ramp.  Then, after several seconds of this shot, we CUT TO a MEDIUM-SHOT focusing on Bianca, Bernard, Fuschia, & Mischa [all shown from the knees & waists up, depending on how tall they are] as they reach the entrance to the Albatross Airlines building.  Bernard leans over a bit, & extends his right paw to KNOCK on the door.)

(CUT TO a HIGH-ANGLE LONG-SHOT of the interior of the Albatross Airlines building, where ORVILLE & WILBUR [seen in the center of the frame] lounge on lawn recliners, sipping from coconut-guava-nectar drinks [complete with little umbrellas & straws] & flipping through comic books, as 50's ROCK MUSIC streams through the airwaves of Wilbur's boom-box.  Their father, MILTON [wearing a set of old-fashioned aviator goggles & a pink fringed scarf], goes about the room, GRUMBLING to himself as he sweeps a feather-duster over various props & pieces of furniture.)

(The Albatross Airlines building, by the way, has a floor & walls made of wooden planks that are completely bare of anything, except for some maps & travel ads [which are tacked to the walls in various places], along with a few other things [these will be listed for you].  On the "north" wall, where the front door is, there is a large square window; another window of a similar size & shape can be seen on the "east" wall, as well as a clock, chalkboard, & icebox.  On the "south" wall, there is a large wooden desk that has a green book-platform on it; flanking the book-platform to the left & right are an old-fashioned microphone [plugged into a home-built radio made out of a cigar box, cathode-ray tubes, & several dials & switches] & a phonograph horn, respectively.  On the "west" wall, there is a postage scale that serves as a scale for weighing luggage, along with a long wooden shelf [with three sardines-can plane-seats lined across its surface].)

(While the shot remains frozen in place [& Orville & Wilbur continue to lounge in the middle of the building], Milton [standing behind the brothers] goes across the screen from left to right, as he sweeps his feather-duster against the surfaces of the clock, chalkboard, icebox, & window on the "east" wall [respectively].  Then, after dusting the east window's ledge, Milton [who is now on camera-right] walks down the length of the "south" wall, until he reaches the big desk, & begins dusting the items upon it.)

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE LONG-SHOT [positioned to the right] focusing on Orville & Wilbur as they lie on their recliners, enjoying their drinks & comic books while they listen to their music.  Milton can be seen dusting his desk items in the background, on camera-right.)

(CUT TO a FULL-FRONTAL LONG-SHOT facing & focusing on Orville & Wilbur, who continue indulging in their lazy activities without interruption.  The camera PANS OVER TO THE RIGHT, going away from Orville & Wilbur, before STOPPING to focus on a grumpy Milton [seen in profile-view] as he cleans all the stuff on his desk, making clouds of dust fly up in his wake.  The camera CLOSES IN ON Milton, eventually STOPPING to focus on him in a MEDIUM-SHOT from the waist up, as he keeps working...but not without making Orville & Wilbur SNEEZE from all the dust that forms.)

ORVILLE (offscreen, annoyed, once he's finally stopped sneezing):
Dad, be careful with the feather-duster, will ya?

WILBUR (offscreen, in a stuffed-up voice):
Yeah! (SNEEZES again) It's setting off my allergies!

(Milton's expression becomes even more grumpy, but he carries on with his task, "being careful" not to move the feather-duster around too forcefully.)

(CUT TO a LONG-SHOT focusing on Milton [seen from behind] as he continues to sweep his feather-duster across all the stuff on the desk.)

MILTON (as he dusts everything):
Ever since I picked Wilbur up from Australia, all those kids have done is laze around & not help their old man...They just wanna read comic books & eat junk food, while I'm doing all the work in this ding-dong place!

(Milton suddenly stops dusting everything when he hears Bernard KNOCKING on the front door.)

MILTON:
Huh? (turns his head around to face the camera with a puzzled look)

(CUT TO a MEDIUM-SHOT of Orville & Wilbur [both shown from the waist up], as they look up from their drinks & comic books.  They both turn their heads towards camera-left in response to the sound of KNOCKING, then turn their gazes to the right to address the offscreen Milton.)

WILBUR (gesturing towards camera-left with a jerk of his 'right thumb'):
Dad, there's somebody at the door.  Could you get that...please?

(Orville & Wilbur both smile as they watch Milton walk into frame from camera-right, going across the screen until he exits on camera-left.  Then, the two brothers go back to what they were doing earlier.)

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE LONG-SHOT [positioned to the right] focusing on Milton from behind, as he takes a step to the front door, reaches out his 'left' wing to grab the knob, & opens the door with a CREAK.)

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE LONG-SHOT [positioned to the right] facing & focusing on the Roberts family as they all look up towards the right side of the camera, & smile...before sporting puzzled looks when they see who has answered the door.)

BIANCA (a little surprised, but nonetheless trying to be friendly):
Oh...hello!  I don't believe we've ever had the pleasure of meeting you before...By any chance, are you acquainted with an Orville or a Wilbur Albatross?

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE MEDIUM-SHOT [positioned to the left] facing & focusing on Milton [shown from the chest up], as he looks down towards camera-left with a quizzical expression, before tilting his gaze upward to face the camera with a blank stare...&, after a few moments of hesitation, finally giving an answer to Bianca.)

MILTON (hesitantly):
Uhh, yes...(nods his head a few times) Yes, I--(CLEARS HIS THROAT)--guess you could say that I'm acquainted with them...(smiles broadly)

BERNARD (offscreen):
Are they your friends?

MILTON (playfully):
Well, in a sense, they are...but, really, they're a lot more to me than just friends, if you will...

(Milton reacts when he hears Wilbur SHOUTING FROM OFFSCREEN.)

WILBUR (offscreen):
Hey, Dad, who is it you're talking to?

MILTON (calling back to Wilbur):
Two mice with a couple of kids, Wilbur, that's all...

WILBUR (offscreen):
OK.

(Beat.)

MILTON (calling out to Wilbur again):
Say, son, have these mice been here before? I can't help but think that they somehow look awfully familiar...

WILBUR (offscreen):
Well, Orville & I have flown a couple of mice to several places in the last 10 years...

ORVILLE (offscreen):
Yeah, I think these might be the same mice we've told you about, Dad!  You know, Bianca & Bernard...Roberts?

(Milton ponders to himself for a few moments...&, then, his face suddenly brightens in recognition at the uttered names.)

MILTON (pleasantly):
Oh...(turns back around towards the camera to face the offscreen Roberts family)...it's *you* little guys!

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE LONG-SHOT [positioned to the right] facing & focusing on the Roberts family as they all look up towards the right side of the camera, sporting smiles on their faces.)

MILTON (offscreen, cont.):
Welcome, welcome to Albatross Airlines!  Please come inside, everyone, & we'll begin making preparations for your flight in a matter of minutes!

(The Roberts family walks toward the camera to enter the building, with the luggage-carriers [& their trolleys] following close behind.)

(CUT TO a LONG-SHOT of Bianca, Bernard, Fuschia, & Mischa as they walk into frame from camera-right to approach the postage scale that is used to weigh luggage.  A few seconds later, the mouse porters lug their trolleys onscreen [moving in the same direction as the Roberts], & when the attendants finally stop, they begin the process of taking all the baggage off the trolleys, before going over to place them on the luggage-scale.)

(The Roberts family watches as the attendants bring in the icebox, the snack-box, Bernard & Bianca's suitcases & parcels, Bianca's makeup bag, Bernard's briefcase & umbrella, Mischa's carry-along backpack, the large trunk with the girls' clothing in it, & all of Fuschia's suitcases, boxes, bags, & satchels.  When Bianca takes off her purse, & places it with the rest of the luggage, the overall weight is a total of nearly a pound.)

BERNARD (surprised by the results of the luggage-scale):
I...guess we're gonna have to leave some of this stuff...

MILTON (offscreen, cheerfully):
...in this complementary carrying-case that I shall gladly attach to my leg for you!

(The members of the Roberts family [& the luggage porters] utter a collective OOF as they are buried underneath a human-sized sack.)

MILTON (offscreen):
Oops! (chuckles sheepishly) Sorry about that!

(Milton reaches his finger-like primary feathers down into frame to pick up the sack, allowing the Roberts & the porters to breathe freely again.  Then, as Milton holds the sack open for them, the porter-mice help the Roberts put all their luggage inside [with the exception of Bernard's umbrella, Bianca's purse & makeup bag, & one of Fuschia's smaller parcels].  Once the Roberts' baggage has been put into the carrying case, Milton carries it up out of frame.)

MILTON (offscreen):
There you go, guys!  As soon as we begin preparing for Flight 13, your captain will make absolutely certain that all luggage is safe & secure before take-off.

(CUT TO a MEDIUM-SHOT of Bianca & Bernard [both shown from the waists up], as they smile up at the offscreen Milton.)

BERNARD (pleased to hear this):
Good.  Thanks, Milton!

MILTON (offscreen):
Don't mention it, little buddy!  After all, one of the very things our company is famous for is top-notch, quality service!

(Bianca & Bernard both beam happily...then react when they hear Orville TALKING TO THEM from offscreen.)

ORVILLE (offscreen):
So, how's work at the Rescue Aid Society going for you?

(Bianca & Bernard turn to look at each other with slightly-embarrassed looks on their faces.)

BIANCA (hesitantly):
Well, to be honest, Orville...

BERNARD (with some reluctance):
...we haven't been working...quite as much as we used to.  We've kinda been letting the other delegates handle most of the Society's cases...

BIANCA:
You see, raising two mouselings can be hard work, & taking care of the children requires a lot of effort...so it wouldn't be a good idea for us to take too many cases; otherwise, we'd have to leave the children alone for what could be several days.

ORVILLE (offscreen):
Well, who says you can't take the kids with you?

BIANCA:
They have school on most weekdays.

BERNARD:
And we're thinking about waiting at least another year, before we think Fuschia & Mischa are ready to join us on our missions.

(CUT TO a LONG-SHOT facing & focusing on Fuschia & Mischa, who look a little hurt.)

FUSCHIA:
Who says we're not ready, Daddy?

MISCHA:
Yeah!  We could help you out on your missions, if you just let us go with you!

FUSCHIA:
After all, Daddy, don't you want us to be mature & responsible young ladies? Don't you want us to try & help other people?

MISCHA:
And do good deeds?

FUSCHIA:
And save lives?

MISCHA:
And deliver innocent people out of dangerous, life-threatening situations?

FUSCHIA:
And put villains to justice?

MISCHA:
And improve society by performing acts of kindness?

(The two Roberts mouselings put on big, toothy smiles, gazing imploringly at their parents.  CUT BACK TO a MEDIUM-SHOT of Bianca & Bernard, similar to the one earlier.  Bianca & Bernard both look at each other nervously, then glance back at the offscreen children, trying to smile at them.)

BERNARD:
Well...

BIANCA (gradually relenting):
If you really do think that you're ready, we *might* consider bringing you on our missions with us...

(Fuschia & Mischa are heard CHEERING offscreen.  Bianca turns to Bernard to speak to him.)

BIANCA:
It wouldn't do any harm, would it, Bernard?

BERNARD:
Probably not, Bianca...Just as long as we're all careful.

BIANCA (stroking Bernard's cheek tenderly):
I don't think we'll need to worry about that, darling...(leans forward to kiss him on the nose)

BERNARD (feeling more comfortable about the idea, as Bianca pulls away from him):
In that case, I'll call the Chairmouse when we get back from Honolulu, & tell him that he's got two new honorary delegates!

(Fuschia & Mischa can be heard CHATTERING EXCITEDLY offscreen.  Bianca & Bernard can't help but smile at their daughters.)

BERNARD (voiceover, thinking to himself from behind his smile):
I just hope the principal at school won't find it suspicious that Fuschia & Mischa will be taking a lot of "sick days" every year...

(FADE INTO a LONG-SHOT of the Albatross Airlines runway.  In the middle of the frame, Orville & Wilbur are helping Milton with pre-flight preparations.  The Roberts family is standing off to the side, on camera-right, but we can't see them too well.)

(CUT TO a LONG-SHOT focusing on Orville, Wilbur, & Milton, as they get ready for the upcoming take-off.  The two albatross brothers are helping their father with the belts that secure the sardines-can plane-seat to his back.)

MILTON (pleasantly, as his sons struggle to fasten the belts properly):
You know, for all the time you two have spent sitting around, doing nothing, you sure have been a big help today!

WILBUR:
It's no problem, Dad.  Really!

ORVILLE:
After 10 years of much-needed rest & recreation, I think Wilbur & I are finally ready to come out of temporary retirement! (Orville & Wilbur manage to finish fastening the belts on Milton) When you take the Roberts family back to New York, we'd be more than happy to give *you* some time off from work, if you'd like any.

MILTON (flattered):
Aw, thanks, boys!  I do appreciate that!

(The albatrosses all give each other a quick group hug, before parting from the embrace.)

ORVILLE:
So, we've got the plane-seat secure, & the baggage ready for transportation.  All you need to do is taxi out on the runway, & we'll get the boarding-ramp out for your little passengers.

(Milton walks offscreen on camera-left, while Orville & Wilbur start to make their exit in the opposite direction.  SWIPE-TRANSITION to reveal a LONG PROFILE SHOT of Milton, who is facing camera-left as he stands on the runway, with webbed feet together & wings outstretched; we can now see that the big sack containing the Roberts family's luggage has been tied down securely to Milton's left leg.  An Albatross Airlines ramp [with stick-framing, & a bottom made out of a human-sized rollerskate] has been placed to the side of Milton, just in front of his left wing.  The Roberts family is standing at the foot of the ramp, ready to board their 'aircraft'.)

(CUT TO a LONG-SHOT of the Roberts family as they stand at the bottom of the ramp.  Bernard, the first to climb aboard, takes up his umbrella, & begins scaling the ramp, step by step.  His wife & daughters watch on with impressed gazes, pleasantly-surprised that he doesn't appear to be having any trouble climbing the stairs of the ramp.)

(CUT TO a LONG-SHOT focusing on Bianca, Fuschia, & Mischa, who all look up in amazement as Bernard continues to ascend up the ramp.)

BERNARD (offscreen, counting softly under his breath.):
...6...7...8...9...10...11...12...(disappointed) Aw, nuts!

(Bianca, Fuschia, & Mischa's impressed smiles soon disappear when they realize that Bernard has suddenly stopped...just before reaching the dreaded 13th step of the ramp.)

BIANCA (calling up to Bernard):
Darling, did you get to the 13th step?

BERNARD (offscreen):
Yes...

FUSCHIA (calling to her dad with a paw cupped to her mouth):
Try jumping over it!  Mom said you did that the first time!

BERNARD (offscreen):
In retrospect, Fuschia...I don't think that really worked.

FUSCHIA:
How about jumping over the step, dancing in a circle, spitting in your hat, & doing the sign of the cross on your chest?

BERNARD (offscreen):
Are you sure that'll ward off bad luck?

FUSCHIA:
It's worth a try!

MISCHA:
C'mon, Dad, what have you got to lose?

BERNARD (offscreen):
(sighs) I suppose you're right.

(CUT TO a LONG-SHOT focusing on Bernard as he grabs onto the sides of the ramp, jumps over the 13th step, & lands on Milton's back, before quickly dancing around in a circular path.  Then, when Bernard comes to a stop, he takes off his hat, holds it out in front of him, & HAWKS UP A BIG LOOGIE...)

(CUT TO a LONG-SHOT focusing on Bianca, Fuschia, & Mischa, similar to the one earlier.  Bianca looks a little icked-out, but Fuschia & Mischa can't help but smile to themselves as they shut their eyes & squinch their faces in response to the sound of their dad SPITTING into his hat.  After a few seconds, Fuschia & Mischa open their eyes, then look back up with Bianca at the offscreen Bernard, who soon finishes his anti-jinxing routine.)

BERNARD (offscreen):
OK, I've done the sign of the cross.  I think it's safe for you guys to climb on board now.

(With that, Bianca takes up her purse & makeup bag, & begins walking offscreen, towards the left side of the camera.  Fuschia & Mischa both watch as their mother exits the frame.)

(CUT TO a LONG, PROFILE-VIEW TRACKING SHOT focusing on Bianca as she climbs up the stairs of the ramp [towards camera-left], before STOPPING & PULLING BACK when she makes it to the top, & joins Bernard on Milton's back.  Then, Bianca turns to face camera-right, gazing in the direction of the offscreen Fuschia & Mischa.)

BIANCA (gesturing with her paw for the children to come forward):
Come along, girls!  Hawaii awaits us!

(The camera PANS DOWN TO THE RIGHT, going in that direction until it gets to the bottom of the ramp.  Fuschia & Mischa both make a mad scramble for the stairway, & as they eagerly scurry up the steps of the ramp, the camera PANS UP TO THE LEFT, TRACKING ALONG WITH the Roberts sisters to follow their movements, before finally STOPPING when they get onto Milton's back, & join their parents at their sides.)

BERNARD (commenting more to himself, than to the kids):
Wow, that was quick!

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE MEDIUM-SHOT [positioned to the left] facing & focusing on Milton, who is shown from the shoulders up.  Milton CLEARS HIS THROAT a bit, then turns his head around towards camera-right to face the offscreen Roberts family.)

MILTON (calling out to his "little passengers"):
Attention, all passengers...(the camera PANS UP TO THE RIGHT, before STOPPING to reveal Bianca, Bernard, Fuschia, & Mischa as they lower themselves down into the sardines-can plane-seat on Milton's back) Good afternoon, & welcome aboard Albatross Airlines, Flight #1-13.

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE LONG-SHOT [positioned to the left] facing & focusing on the Roberts family as they get comfortable in their seats, before each grabbing onto the large key [encased in rolled-up foil] that will help keep them safely-tucked-in.  Mischa [the one sitting closest to the right side] uses all of her strength to wind up the handle on the key [which is next to her], while Bianca, Bernard, & Fuschia all pitch in to help crank the key by unrolling the tin foil around it, turning the key back towards them.  Once the key has been fully cranked, the members of the Roberts family all look up towards camera-left to listen to the offscreen Milton, who has been speaking to them throughout the whole scene.)

MILTON (offscreen, speaking to the Roberts family as they crank the wind-up key on the sardines-can plane-seat):
We are pleased to have you with us today!  Now, if you will look to the front of you, you'll notice a large key that's attached to your cabin.  Just give it a good crank, & roll it around as far back as it can go...Once the key has been turned around for its maximum distance, please take a few seconds to fasten your seatbelts, & make sure that they fit snugly & securely upon your, uh, fursons.

(Bianca, Bernard, Fuschia, & Mischa all look down, & find the seatbelts.  After the mice buckle themselves down into their restraints, they lean back comfortably against the head-rest of the plane-seat.)

MILTON (offscreen, cont., once his passengers have strapped themselves in):
We will be making occasional stops for rest & refreshments as we make our way across the mainland, so if you ever feel any need to stop for something, just say the word, & we'll land at the nearest possible location.  Until then, please remember that there is to be no smoking for the duration of your flight...although I don't think we'll need to worry about that.  So, anyway, just sit back, relax, & enjoy the view, folks.  We'll depart for Honolulu as soon as we tend to the necessary pre-flight maintenance routine...

BIANCA (to Bernard, as she gently nudges him with her elbow):
Bernard, do you have the checklist?

BERNARD (taking out the pre-flight checklist):
Right here, Bianca. (CLEARS THROAT, & starts to read aloud from the list) Goggles down, Milton?

MILTON (offscreen):
Check.

BERNARD:
How 'bout wing-flaps?

MILTON (offscreen):
Double-check.

BERNARD:
And tail feathers?

(The members of the Roberts family all CRY OUT, as the plane-seat is jarred back & forth by the force of Milton shaking his tail about.)

MILTON (as he shakes his tail--& the passengers in the plane-seat):
That, my friend, would be a triple-check!

(Milton soon stops shaking his tail, & the plane-seat settles down into place, but the Roberts family is feeling a little disoriented & dizzy.)

MILTON (offscreen):
My apologies, folks. (CHUCKLES bashfully, as the Roberts family takes a second to regain their bearings) All right, everybody, let's prepare for lift-off!

(The Roberts family all burst into wide smiles of anticipation...although Bernard's grin looks just a *little* bit forced.)

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE LONG-SHOT [positioned to the left] of the Albatross Airlines runway, with Milton & his passengers preparing for take-off on camera-left.  Orville & Wilbur are both standing on camera-right, to the side of the runway, as they face Milton & wave their wings to & fro in a "farewell" gesture to their father.  The Albatross Airlines building can be seen in the background on camera-right, behind Orville & Wilbur.)

(CUT TO a MEDIUM-SHOT of Orville & Wilbur, who are both shown from the waists up [on camera-left & camera-right, respectively], as they smile & wave "goodbye" to the offscreen Milton.)

ORVILLE (waving & calling out to his father):
Goodbye, Dad!  See you when you get back from Honolulu!

WILBUR (calling out to Milton, as well):
Bring something back for us, would you?

(Orville turns to glare at Wilbur.)

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE, POSTERIOR LONG-SHOT [positioned to the right] focusing on Milton & his passengers from behind.)

MILTON (turning his head around towards the camera to look at his offscreen sons, as he addresses them with a smile):
Don't worry, Wilbur!  I'll be sure to have a souvenir or two for you & Orville! (he looks away from the camera, & stares ahead of himself, gazing out towards the runway) All-righty, then...Hang on tight, passengers!  Here we go!

(With that, Milton begins running away from the camera, towards the end of the runway.)

(CUT TO a LONG, PROFILE-VIEW TRACKING SHOT focusing on Milton as he continues down the runway, towards camera-left, HUFFING & PUFFING for breath all the while.)

(CUT TO a LONG, PROFILE-VIEW TRACKING SHOT focusing on Bianca, Bernard, Fuschia, & Mischa in the sardines-can plane-seat, as they ride on Milton's back, towards camera-left.  Bianca & the girls look very excited, but Bernard's beginning to look a little anxious.)

BERNARD (timidly, to himself):
I suppose this is a bad time to start asking about the possibility of taking...a cruise?

(CUT TO another LONG, PROFILE-VIEW TRACKING SHOT focusing on Milton as he continues speeding down the runway, towards camera-left.  Eventually, Milton makes his way up the end-ramp, then dives off the rooftop, & as the camera CONTINUES TRACKING AFTER MILTON, he plummets down toward the street.)

BIANCA, FUSCHIA, & MISCHA (heard from offscreen, shouting joyfully):
Whee!!!

(Milton tilts his body up to avoid colliding with the road, & once he's leveled out, he begins to fly down the city streets, gracefully soaring above the traffic.)

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE LONG-SHOT [positioned to the left] facing & focusing on Bianca, Bernard, Fuschia, & Mischa as they ride in the sardines-can plane-seat.  Almost as if they were on a rollercoaster at an amusement park, Fuschia & Mischa are throwing their arms up in the air, SQUEALING & CHEERING with delight, while Bianca grins broadly from ear to ear.  Bernard, however, is gripping tightly at his wife's coat & his daughter's sweater, looking like he desperately wants to get off this thing!)

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE MEDIUM-SHOT [positioned to the left] facing & focusing on Fuschia & Mischa [both shown from the waists up], as they turn to look at each other & smile.)

MISCHA (clearly enjoying the ride):
This is fun!

FUSCHIA (also enjoying the ride, herself):
Tell me about it!

(The camera PANS OVER TO THE LEFT, going away from Fuschia & Mischa, before STOPPING to focus on a MEDIUM-SHOT of Bernard, who is wincing & squinching his eyes shut.  He wishes he was on that cruise, already!)

BERNARD (muttering frantically to himself):
Tell me when it's over...*Please* tell me when it's over!

(The camera PANS OVER TO THE LEFT, going away from Bernard, before STOPPING to focus on a MEDIUM-SHOT of Bianca, who can't help but GIGGLE with absolute glee!  She, too, is having the time of her life.)

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE LONG-SHOT [positioned to the left] facing & focusing on Bianca, Bernard, Fuschia, & Mischa as they ride in the sardines-can plane-seat.  Bianca & the children are LAUGHING & CHEERING, unable to contain their excitement, but Bernard doesn't plan to open his eyes until Milton slows down a little...)

(CUT TO a 3/4-ANGLE LONG-SHOT [positioned to the left] facing & focusing on Milton as he flies toward the camera, with the Roberts family riding on his back.  Milton casts a glance up at his passengers, & smiles when he sees that they're having a good time.)

MILTON (to the Roberts family, as he smiles up at them):
So, you're enjoying your flight, aren't you?

FUSCHIA (happily):
Yeah, Milton, it's great!

MISCHA (merrily):
And totally awesome!  We're loving this!

BIANCA (fondly):
Why, I think this may be the best flight I've ever been on!

BERNARD (trying not to hurt Milton's feelings):
Yeah...sure!

MILTON (pleased to hear his reaction):
Glad to see that you're having a good time!