Disney characters copyrighted be Walt Disney Corp. and used without permission. All other characters copyrighted by Matt Plotecher. Distribute freely, but do not modify. FADE IN EXT: PROFESSOR NIMNUL'S HILLTOP LAB -- NIGHT Slow TRUCK IN on an angle. PAN into an air vent and down the dark, steel tunnels, emerging into the testing area. INT: PROFESSOR NIMNUL'S TESTING AREA -- NIGHT Professor Nimnul is wearing a metal exoskeleton, which is gleaming silver. Several attachments and the like are placed around his arms, legs, and head. He walks over to a stuffed dummy (dressed like a police officer) and punches it. The head flies off and bounces off the far wall. He turns and fires an electrical bolt, destroying another dummy. He breaks into a very fast run, jumps up about ten feet, rebounds off a wall, and lands behind another dummy. A glowing blade springs from the wrist of the exoskeleton, and he slices the dummy in half. His other wrist comes up, and two small missiles fire out, blowing up more dummies in the distance. NIMNUL Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! This is, by far, the most devious invention of mine ever! And for an evil genius like me, that's saying something. All tests have been passed, and it's running like Swiss watch in combat. My strength and reflexes are boosted up, and all of the options and weapons work perfectly. Ha! Inspector Gadget wishes he had it so good! Now I can paralyze the police force, freeze the F.B.I., and sandblast the S.W.A.T. team! Ha ha ha ha ha! (He wipes his forehead.) Whew! Ranting and raving about world domination always makes me hungry. Well, I might as well raid the refrigerator before I start the conquest of the city. It's so hard to loom menacingly on an empty stomach. He undoes the locks and safeties, leaving the exoskeleton standing. He walks off through a doorway. PAN over to the other side of the lab. Normie comes running in, looking excited. NORMIE Wow! What a great episode that was! I loved the shootout they had at the the end with those aliens. Who would have figured that the F.B.I. knew all along that Spam was really a mind-controlling drug used by aliens to abduct that guy's partner! I bet I could be that good! (He begins to run about, shooting away with his hands.) Zap! Pow! Bang! Gotcha, you government-endorsed alien! (Does take towards O.S.) Oh! Now here's the gun I would use! He picks up the Gigantico-Gun off of a nearby workbench, and starts running about, pretending to shoot. NORMIE Zap! Zap! Brrrrrrzzziinnnnggg! As he runs around the lab, he trips and falls, dropping the Gigantico-Gun. It goes off, hitting the exoskeleton. It slowly shrinks away, until it stops, now very small. Normie looks very nervous as he comes over to it. NORMIE Gee...Uncle Norton will be really upset when he finds out about this. I think it would a good thing for me to be elsewhere when he does. He backs away slowly, turning and running out through the door he came in. TILT DOWN to an air grate and TRUCK IN. DISSOLVE TO: INT. -- HORIZONTAL AIR VENT Packrat is slowly walking along the vent. He is carrying a sack over one shoulder. PACKRAT Man, it's been a poor night here. Usually this Nimnul guy has more interesting things lying around then a half-eaten can of Spam. As he walks by the grate to the testing area, a gleam catches his eye. He stops, backs up, and peers into the room. Slow TRUCK IN on the armor, gleaming in the low lighting. PACKRAT Well, well, well. Mayhaps I spoke too soon. He smiles widely as he pushes the air vent open. CUT TO TITLE SHOT ROLL CREDITS OVER: EXT.: PARK -- DAY PAN slowly across park, moving in closer as the title credits roll. As the credits finish, DISSOLVE TO: EXT. -- RANGER'S HEADQUARTERS -- DAY CHIP (V.O.) Come on, Dale! It's been forever since you've moved! CUT TO: INT. -- RANGER'S LIVING ROOM -- DAY Chip and Dale are playing chess at the table, Monterey Jack is reading a book on the sofa, Zipper is busy dusting the top of the television, and Gadget is fiddling with one of her inventions next to Monty. Chip is glaring at Dale, who is staring blankly at the chessboard. DALE Just give me a minute, Chip. I'm thinking. CHIP It'll take more than a minute for your brain to evolve to the stage of conscious thought, Dale. Dale scowls at Chip. He snatches up one of his knights and bats away one of Chip's pawns, setting his knight in the square. He crosses his arms in smug satisfaction and gazes condescendingly at Chip. Chip smiles slyly as he takes his rook, and moves aside Dale's knight, placing the rook there. CHIP Checkmate. Dale's jaw drops. He looks looks dumbfounded as he studies the board. Finally, he sighs and leans his head in his hands. CHIP Look, Dale. Chess is a strategic game. You have to plan out your moves. As a rule, you should always plan three moves ahead. That way, you can adjust your plans as needed. DALE Awww...I don't think it's gonna work Chip. I can't seem to concentrate long enough to think that far ahead. Things distract me too easily. CHIP And that's why we're doing this Dale. Chess will help you focus your thoughts, clarify your plans, and solidify your attention. DALE Huh? What? I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. CHIP (To himself) Then again... MONTEREY Aw, don't fret over it, Chipper. Some people just aren't as interested as you in deep plans and the like. GADGET Monty's right, Chip. Besides, Dale is the wild card of the team. He's the random factor that keeps our opponents off-guard. She continues to tighten something inside her invention, and a spring suddenly shoots out. It ricochets off the roof, barely missing Zipper, and entangles itself around Monty's head--TWANG! MONTEREY Actually, Gadget-luv, I think you fill that position nicely. DALE (Dreamily) Wild card, eh? (He looks hopefully at Gadget) So you think that my role is important? Gadget is now trying to free Monty from the spring, but the harder she pulls, the tighter it wraps itself around his head, getting caught in in his hair and moustache. To his credit, Monty says nothing through this, only emits occasional grunts. GADGET Sure! We all contribute to the team, and it's that give-and-take relationship we all share that makes us greater than the sum of our parts. While she talks, Zipper comes to her aid, and they finally manage to pull off the spring, along with Monty's cap inside it. DALE Greater than our sum of parts? (Scratches head.) Is this that new math stuff? MONTEREY (Retrieving his cap.) Naw, Dale. Gadget's merely sayin' that if each of us worked independently of each other towards some common goal, our success wouldn't be as good as if we had all worked together. DALE I...think I understand...sorta...a little...maybe... CHIP Look, Dale, think back to all of the times when we've been split up during a case. Each time we struggled along until we regrouped. Then things started to flow more smoothly. Zipper flies over to the chessboard, placing the knight back to it's original position. Chip moves his rook back into place as he continues. CHIP Because we support each other, it helps cancel out individual weaknesses, and at the same time, reinforce our...strengths... Chip trails off as he watches Zipper push the Queen across the board, pushing aside a bishop. Chip does a stunned take at the board. Monty walks over and looks over Chip's shoulder. MONTEREY Checkmate...mate. Monty pats Chip on the back smiling, and gives Zipper a wink of approval. Zipper brushes off his hands and flies off. FOLLOW Zipper until he passes Chip, where he is still staring at the chessboard. KNIGHT WIPE TO: EXT: PARK -- DAY The Rangers are walking along a dirt path in a secluded section of the park. CHIP So what is this again, Monty? Some kind of carnival? MONTEREY Not precisely, mate. More like an overgrown picnic party. John D. Bricken is holding a congratulations bash for his wife, Diana. GADGET Golly! I remember hearing about her! She was just selected for the chairman's seat of Norwin Enterprises! Or, that would be chairwoman's..or chairperson's...maybe chairmouse's... MONTEREY (Interrupting) Th-that's all right, Gadget-luv, we know what you mean. Monty breathes a sigh of relief behind Gadget's back. DALE Norwin Enterprises, huh? They're the ones that run all of the shipping business down at the docks. MONTEREY Too right, Dale. They've been operating down there as long as the town's been around. They specialize in the imports and exports coming in overseas, and have gained a strong reputation for a fair and honest company. DALE How come you know so much about them, Monty? MONTEREY (Smiling) Well, they started out as cheese importers... CHIP (Smirking) Of course. DISSOLVE TO: EXT: OPEN FIELD -- DAY The field is bustling with activity. Tables and chairs are set up in no particular fashion, various foods adorn the tables, mostly cheeses. Mice, chipmunks, squirrels, and others are all present in all age groups. There is a light, fun atmosphere about the place. GADGET Golly! Looks like there's everything to do here! Volleyball, socializing... Monty spots the cheese on the tables. FAST ZOOM in on a very bright yellow piece of Swiss cheese. Monty does a cheese-attack take. MONTEREY Chee--ee--ee--ee--se!! GADGET ...And, of course, eating. Monty takes off in a cloud of dust, leaving the others behind. GADGET Well, guys, Monty's beaten us to the buffet. So why don't we mingle a little? Chip and Dale nod in agreement and follow Gadget into the mix of guests. A series of small scenes are seen, with Chip, Dale, Gadget, and Zipper meeting various people. Monty, after filling several plates with food, also begins chatting. Zipper glances over to the side, does double take, and begins tugging on Chip's jacket, making urgent motions towards what he's looking at. CHIP What is it, Zipper? These people too boring for you too? Zipper grabs Chip's head from the back and swivels it around. Chip's jaw drops and his eyes widen. Bubbles is standing in the midst of a group of people, very close to Diana. He is dressed in a simple, but stylish clothing, while Diana is decked out in a fine silk dress and ample jewelry. TRUCK BACK from Chip and Zipper's stunned faces to Dale, Gadget, and Monty listening to another mouse speaking. MOUSE (In a long winded voice) ...So clearly the economical troubles overseas is a direct result of the political climate and ramifications from the poor governing skills of the local-- CHIP (Blurting in) BUBBLES! GADGET (Turning to him) What? I don't think bubbles have many governing skills, Chip. CHIP (Shaking his head) No, I mean that creep Bubbles from the Cola Cult! DALE (Puzzled) Bubbles is governing overseas? No wonder they've got troubles. Chip turns to them and points to Bubbles. CHIP No, Dale, I mean Bubbles is here! Right over there! MONTEREY (Jaw agape) Strike me starkers! He is over there. Right next to Mrs. Bricken! ALL (EXCEPT MONTEREY AND THE MOUSE) What?! The mouse peers over to where the rangers are staring. He regards them strangely as he responds. MOUSE Well, my good fellows, where else would you expect him to be? (All of the Rangers do a take at him.) He is, after all, her bodyguard. The rangers continue to stare in disbelief. DALE What?! CHIP You've GOT to be kidding! MONTEREY He's one of the scummist creatures to crawl out from under a rock. (Glances back to Bubbles.) Or a boulder, in his case. MOUSE (Slowly) Wait... (He studies them carefully. Then his expression brightens.) Oh! You must be the ones who foiled his Cola Cult scheme! GADGET Well...yeah. I mean...you know about that? MOUSE (Chuckling) My dear young lady, everyone knows about it. Bubbles has talked at great length about his past, and in particular, your brilliant work in stopping him. DALE Boy, this just gets better and better. CHIP Okay, hold it. Wait. Time out. Stop everything. Would you pleeeaaassseee tell us what in the world is going on? When did Bubbles become a bodyguard? And why is he speaking so highly of us? BUBBLES (O.S.) I can answer that for you. All turn to face him in surprise. Dale and Gadget quickly dart behind Chip, while Monty moves in front of the rest of them, Zipper by his head. Monty looks threatening, but Bubbles doesn't seem to notice. MONTEREY (Angrily) Out of jail already, Bubbles? I thought that you'd have snuck back under a bottle cap by now. Bubbles appears to be completely oblivious to Monty's intent stare. He Grabs Montys' hand and pumps it vigorously. BUBBLES Hey! I see you've still got that great sense of humor, Monty, ol' buddy! I also see you've still got that great shock absorber, if you know what I mean. (He nudges Monty in the stomach pointedly.) But hey, I suppose just because I've changed so much, I assumed that the rest of you would have as well. CHIP (Sarcastically) Changed? BUBBLES You bet! I'm now 100% reformed. Totally cured of my former habits. I live and work honest, and I owe my complete turn-around to you all. The mouse nods in acknowledgement. MOUSE Bubbles has mentioned numerous times how his life of crime was stopped short by you...how do you put it Bubbles? ÒMarvelous Rescue RangersÓ or something? GADGET (Still behind Chip) How...nice. BUBBLES After my defeat, I spent a lot of time thinking where I went wrong. And I decided to make some positive steps towards a new goal. So I did some legwork around the city until I found out that Mr. Bricken was looking for a bodyguard for his wife. I applied, and they hired me on. Chip is growing less nervous with each sentence, and is now wearing an open frown of disbelief. MOUSE And did they make the right choice! Not two days after they wisely selected Bubbles, he saved her from a kidnapping attempt. Since then, he has successfully protected her on a number of occasions. A faint woman's call is heard off the side. Bubbles glances back, nods, and turns back to the rangers. BUBBLES Well, looks like the lady--er, boss-- is ready to go home. See you around chums! He waves and trots OFFSTAGE. The mouse sighs as he walks off after him. The rangers look at one another questioningly. Monty glances at Zipper, who shakes his head. MONTEREY I'm with you, Zipper. I can't buy this story either, whatever he says. CHIP Yeah, I trust Bubbles about as far as I can toss him. I remember him all too well. He'd sell his own grandmother if he thought he could profit from it. GADGET So what do you think we should do? Follow him? CHIP No. It seems that he's been doing this for awhile, so there's no doubt that he'll be going back to the Bricken's mansion. As Mrs. Bricken's bodyguard, we won't be able to find out anything useful there. Not with the Bricken's believing in him fully. DALE Gee, you don't think he might have actually reformed, do you? I mean, he's had plenty of time to kidnap Mrs. Bricken and steal loot from the mansion, or whatever, but he hasn't done anything. Gadget shakes her head in disagreement. GADGET I doubt it, Dale. He may be all nice and friendly towards us now, but that can't erase what he tried to do to all of us. CHIP Well, let's check around and see what we can find out. Maybe someone has heard something on the street. DALE Do you think that he's really up to something Chip? And if he is, how do we know that someone else knows about it? CHIP I don't know Dale. (TRUCK BACK from Chip, showing the rest of the rangers looking after Bubbles.) We can only hope that someone has heard, and that they'll talk. FADE OUT NIMNUL (V.O.) NNNOOOORRRMMMIIIEEEEEE!!!!!!!! FADE IN INT: PROFESSOR NIMNUL'S TESTING AREA -- DAY UPSIDE-DOWN (Normie's POV) Professor Nimnul is staring angrily at him. NIMNUL How many times do I have to tell you not to play with my experiments!? You are in serious trouble, young man, unless you tell me what happened to my exoskeleton! NORMIE (V.O.) Er...I accidentally...sorta...shrunk it (Nimnul glares at him.) Not that much! Honest! It's still around! NIMNUL (Crossing his arms) And how did you shrink my invention this time? NORMIE (V.O.) The gun that makes things really big, or small in this case. I think you called it the Geronimo-Gun... NIMNUL Oh! The Gigantico-Gun! Well, if that's how you shrunk it, why didn't you just reverse it? (Normie is silent for a long time.) Well? NORMIE (V.O.) (Quietly) I didn't think of that... NIMNUL Oh, no matter. I can easily do it myself. And more safely, from the looks of things... He wanders OFFSTAGE, and sounds of him rummaging through his devices can be heard. NORMIE (V.O.) (Hesitatingly) Uh...Uncle Norton... More rattling is heard. Then a couple of squeaks from a rubber duck. NIMNUL (V.O.) I was wondering what had happened to that... NORMIE (V.O.) ...Uncle Norton... More tinks and clatters are heard. NIMNUL (V.O.) Ah! Here it is! Now to find the exoskeleton... NORMIE (V.O.) UNCLE NORTON! NIMNUL What is it? NORMIE (V.O.) Can you let me down now? All the blood has drained to my head, I think. It feels denser than normal, anyway. NIMNUL (Sighing) I suppose. Besides, you can help search. It is your fault that I can't start terrorizing the city just yet. He pulls out a remote control and press a button. NORMIE (V.O.) Sorry Uncle Nor--Yeow! Normie is dropped by the mechanical hand holding him and bounces off his head on the floor. He rubs it and slowly gets up, while Nimnul mutters to himself and wanders around with a magnifying glass. TILT UP from him to a clock on a wall. DISSOLVE to the same clock, but two hours have passed. TILT DOWN to him, looming over a trembling Normie. NIMNUL It's not here Normie! Once again, my plans for devastating the globe are halted because of my interfering nephew! No other mad genius has had this type of problem before! Not Genghis Khan, not Napoleon, not even Lex Luthor! NORMIE (Cowering against a wall) I don't suppose saying I'm sorry would help satisfy your appetite for conquest? NIMNUL Not in the least! (He sighs and pulls out a small device from his lab coat.) Fortunately, being a genius has its perks, which includes foresight. With this tracking unit, I can find out where exactly the exoskeleton is. Since it was reduced to a much smaller scale, it was probably dragged off by some small creatures...rodents, knowing my luck. NORMIE (Skeptically) Do you really think that rodents are responsible for this? NIMNUL Trust me on this: I have had the worst of times with lower life forms. Especially those related to me. He glares at Normie, who shrinks into his shirt. WIPE TO: EXT: CITY STREET -- NIGHT Chip and Dale are wearily walking down the street. A rope ladder drops from above. TILT UP from Chip to the Ranger Plane. Gadget is leaning over to them, with Monty next to her. Zipper is perched at the nose of the plane. GADGET Climb up, guys. I think it's time to go home. Chip and Dale climb up and flop into the back seat, exhausted. MONTEREY Well, mates, I checked at the seafood bar down by Pier 12, and even nosed around Cat alley for a little bit, until I almost got a little bite, m'self. DALE (Looking over the edge of the plane) Things didn't go so well for us, either. CHIP (Leaning against the side of the plane) We checked out the Koo-Koo Cola Company, the old Cola Cult headquarters, and the surrounding areas, but no word about Bubbles. GADGET Zipper and I were on high-altitute recon all day, but nothing was all we found. Monty snorts at this statement. MONTEREY I think we all found the same nothing, and dancin' dingoes but there's a lot of nothing out there. (Pauses, scratching has chin) And yet, I can't help but think that Bubbles is laughing at us right now. DALE (Unenthusiastically) Well, I suppose with a name like ÔBubbles' he has to laugh at something. GADGET (Shrugs) I guess it's possible that we were all actually wrong about him. Maybe he really has reformed. From all the evidence I've seen so far, it looks like it's actually true. MONTEREY (Defeated) You're probably right, Gadget-luv. We looked under every rock and in every niche and cranny, and we haven't found a single thing. Chip looks at the others, but says nothing. He turns his gaze back out across the night sky over the city. CUT TO: EXT: SKY OVER CITY -- NIGHT -- RANGER PLANE The rangers are slowly making their way back across town. Chip, still stargazing, is lost in thought. PAN past Chip to the sky, eventually stopping at Chip's POV. The cityscape is beautiful and quiet, with the only moment being the wind across his hat. And the small mouse figuring darting across a rooftop. As Chip's thoughts begin to focus on the figure, he watches in amazement as the figure shoots some sort of a laser out of his hand, cutting through the cement roof, and then smoothly slips through the new hole. CHIP (Snapped back into reality) Wait a minute! Stop the plane! GADGET What is it? CHIP I'm not sure. I think there's a break in going on, but from what I saw, it might have only been my imagination. MONTEREY Well, let's swing back around, anyway. Nothing else Ôas happened tonight. Gadget turns the plane around, and they fly back to the rooftop. After landing, they quickly move over to the area that Chip saw the intruder at. EXT: ROOFTOP -- NIGHT DALE Hey! Look over there! He points to a small hole in the roof, with only darkness within. The rangers quickly scurry over to it. Gadget leans over and inspects the cut as Chip talks. CHIP I thought I saw somebody moving along the rooftop. When I looked closer the figure looked like... (He trails off, trying to explain) ...like he shot some sort of laser out of his hand, cutting through the roof! GADGET (Getting back up) You saw right, Chip. This concrete was cut cleanly and smoothly. A laser is the only way I can think of that could do this. DALE So it is a break-in! MONTEREY (Nodding) I doubt this bloke merely forgot his keys. Chip runs back to the plane and grabs some various gear. He comes back, plants a plunger next to him with rope tied to it, and tosses the rope down. CHIP Let's go, team. Maybe tonight won't be a total waste after all. INT: HALLWAY -- NIGHT They each slide down the rope in turn into the darkened hallway. Gadget takes a small penlight out and casts it about. The move in a tight cluster through the hallway. DALE I wonder how he got down without any rope, or something to climb down on? GADGET Well, I suppose that if he has a laser in his hand, it's probable that he has other abilities as well. Zipper buzzes at Monty, explaining another possibility. MONTEREY Right you are, Zipper. He might have wings. CHIP Well, whatever he has, it doesn't help us in finding him. We don't even know if we're looking in the right direction. We need some sort of clue. Suddenly, red lights start flashing and buzzers are sounding. Some shouting is heard down the the hallway in front of them. DALE Will this do? Chip shoots a glare at Dale as they race down to the connecting hallway. Guards are running down the hallway to their right, guns drawn. GUARD 1(O.S.) It's the gem cutting lab! We've got a breach! The guards rush to the room, the rangers trying to keep up. As they near, Dale points to the bottom of the door. DALE Look! There's another one! Another small hole of the same size from the roof is at the bottom of the doorway. The door is still closed, and the guards don't notice the hole. GUARD 1 Door's still locked. He steps back and kicks the door in forcefully, breaking part of the frame off. Guards storm into the room while the rangers enter via the hole. INT: GEM CUTTER'S LAB -- NIGHT Guards run over to one of the wall safes. It is open and ransacked, with various gems covering the floor, both cut and uncut. GUARD 2 (Surprised) The cut alexendrites are gone! GUARD 1 The uncut stones are still here, even the cut diamonds and rubies. GUARD 2 But where did the crook go? It was less than two minutes since we got the silent alarm, and less than that since we set off the main one. The door was still locked--from the inside! As the guards scratch their heads and look around, the rangers sneak over to hide behind a table near the open safe. They all study the scene from their vantage point. GADGET (Whispering) Hey guys! I think I see another hole in the back of the safe. CHIP (Quietly) We have to get closer to see, but I don't like the idea of being seen by these nervous guards. They might react with their trigger fingers, depending on how shaken they are by the missing crook. As he says this, INTERCUT with a TRUCK BACK from the open safe to the guards milling about, all acting a bit worried. Chip leans back against the table. GADGET (Still studying the hole in the safe) I'll bet that he's gone into the walls of the building. And from what I've seen of his apparent prowess and equipment, he could be anywhere in the building by now. MONTEREY (Glumly) Or even back outside. CHIP Which is where we need to be. The police will be looking for anything everywhere, and I doubt that the rope dangling from the hole back at the roof will be taken well, not to mention if they discover our plane, even if they only consider it a bleach-bottle zeppelin. He cautiously leads the rangers away from the room. CUT TO: EXT: SKY OVER PARK -- NIGHT -- RANGER PLANE The ranger plane eases itself down towards the rangers headquarters. MONTEREY (Yawning) Well, I don't know about you fellas, but this bushwhacker is beat. DALE Yeah. I'm in bed as soon as we land. A good night's sleep to clear out the cobwebs and I'll be ready to track the bionic mouse tomorrow. Zipper is nearly asleep on Monty's shoulder. He sleepily nods his agreement. Gadget eases the plane down gently on the landing limb of the ranger's headquarters. The rangers slowly file out of the plane and inside. INT: RANGER'S LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT Dale, Zipper, and Monty shamble off to their rooms. Chip sits down at the table while Gadget goes into the kitchen. Chip takes a pencil and paper and starts jotting down notes. His lids are heavy, but he determinedly pushes on. GADGET(O.S.) Chip? Chip does a surprise take and turns around. Gadget is looking at him, holding a glass of water. GADGET Sorry to startle you, but why don't you go to bed? CHIP (Stretching) A lot happened in a short time when we saw that burglary. I've been going over the details in mind since we left, trying to keep everything fresh. (He turns back to the paper) Now I just want to write it all down, so I don't forget in the morning. Gadget shrugs. She turns and walks towards her room. GADGET Well, don't be up too late. Good night, Chip. Pleasant dreams. Chip turns and watches her walk off. His expression slowly grows soft, a smile growing slowly across his face. He watches until she closes the door to her room. CHIP (Very softly) Good night, Gadget. He sighs and goes back to his work. TRUCK BACK from him to show the empty and dark room. DISSOLVE TO: INT: RANGER'S LIVING ROOM -- MORNING Chip is asleep at the table. TRUCK IN as he slowly stirs and the television voice-over grows louder. TELEVISION NEWSMAN (V.O.) ...the string of burglaries late last night has left police baffled over the apparent lack of clues. Police chief Frentron stated that the police force was hard at work among the crime scenes but could not reveal any details as yet. The string of stolen goods include gems, electronic compon-- The television is shut off as there is a sudden knock at the door. Chip jerks upright, startled. Dale trots past to the door. DALE Morning, Chipper! Have a good sleep? Chip only nods, still groggy. Dale opens up the door to admit Packrat. PACKRAT (Glancing over his shoulder) Umm...excuse me. I'm looking for the... (Pauses slightly. He speaks unsure of himself) ...Rescue Rangers? DALE That's us! Come on in. I'm Dale, and that's Chip. Chip, still not quite awake, only waves and smiles sleepily. Packrat steps inside and to the table, still acting a little nervous. DALE (Shouting) MONTY! GADGET! ZIPPER! Come on, we've got company! Packrat sits down at the table. PACKRAT I wasn't sure what else to do...I've heard that you guys might be able to help. Monty, Gadget and Zipper enter. MONTEREY What's the problem, mates? DALE This is...uh... (Turns to Packrat) ...What is your name, anyway? PACKRAT Packrat. DALE Oh! This is Packrat. (Dale motions to each ranger in turn.) And this is Monterey Jack, Zipper, and Gadget. Packrat's eyes widen and he smiles broadly as Gadget is introduced. PACKRAT Delighted! CHIP (Sharply) Didn't you have a problem? PACKRAT What? Oh, yeah! Well, it's pretty simple really. Some guys robbed me last week, and now they're trying to kidnap me! CHIP What did they take from you? PACKRAT I'm not sure what it was, exactly. I think some sort of medical body brace or something. I had just gotten it that night when they robbed me. They didn't even know what it was, only that it looked ÒcoolÓ, as one of them said. One of them was a cat, so he might have wanted to use me for a snack, but once they saw the...thing, they liked it so much that as they were looking it over, I ran. GADGET (Concerned) And now they're trying to kidnap you? PACKRAT (Nodding) They been trying for the past three days. I can't hardly go out anymore, because they're always looking for me. Last night, they found out where I lived, and I barely managed to escape. (He sighs, and looks sadly at the table) Since that I couldn't go home, so I wandered about for hours, until I remembered hearing about you guys. So I came here. The rest of the rangers look glum after his story. Chip straightens in his chair, pushing last night's notes out of the way. CHIP Then let's get started. The first thing to do is find out who is after you, and why. MONTEREY Who were these people that robbed you? PACKRAT (Thinking back) Let's see, there was the cat. He's easy to remember, because I thought I was about to be eaten. Then there was a lizard or salamander or something reptile like that. Ummm....oh! There was also a rat. I think. DALE Hmmmm....a reptile, cat and a rat. Sounds like a Dr. Suess gang to me. GADGET Is there anything else that you can remember about them? Were those all of the attackers? PACKRAT It's strange. I'm pretty sure that there was one more...but I can't remember now. But I do know that the lizard or gila monster or whatever had on a really bad suit. And some stupid hat. DALE Yeah, most hats are stupid. Chip and Monty both hit him with their hats. Zipper buzzes something to Gadget. GADGET I know, Zipper. It think I know who it is too, but I can't dig up anything. PACKRAT (Alert) Dig? Wait a minute! That reminds me! There was also a mole there as well. RANGERS (In unison) Mole?! MONTEREY (Counting off his fingers) Add together a badly dressed lizard, a cat, a rat, and mole... CHIP (Slapping his fist into his palm) ...and it equals Fat Cat! DALE Huh? It must this new math stuff...I thought it would be Fat Cat's gang. GADGET It is Dale, but they would only do something on Fat Cat's orders. He's the one behind everything. DALE But I thought that they didn't actually go out to steal the body brace thingy, but it happened on the spur of the moment. CHIP (Thinking) Hmmm...I'll bet you anything that it did happen that way, Dale. But then when they took it back to Fat Cat, he saw something about it, and sent them back out to get Packrat! PACKRAT Hey...that's right. Now that I think about it, it had all sorts of doodads on it. GADGET (A smile perking up) Really? PACKRAT Yeah. ÔCourse, I never got a chance to find out what they did. Zipper buzzes excitedly about Packrat. MONTEREY Good point, Zipper. Fat Cat probably mistakenly believes you to be the builder of the brace, mate. CHIP (Nodding) So to figure out what it was, and what the doodads do, Fat Cat sent his goons out to retrieve the inventor of it. PACKRAT (Sighing) Great. (Puts his hand to his head) So if I'm a captured, I won't be able to work whatever that thing is, but I somehow don't think this Fat Cat character will believe me. MONTEREY (Winking) But they have to catch you first, mate. GADGET And with us helping out, his goons won't get anywhere near you. DALE (Striking a heroic pose) You bet! His gang isn't that smart. Their combined I.Q.'s are lower than my intelligence. CHIP And that's saying something. DALE That's right! I--hey, hold on there... MONTEREY (Rubbing his hands together) Whaddaya say that we pay ol' Fat Cat a little visit? CHIP (Dramatically) To the ranger wing! DALE How come he always gets the good lines? RANGER WING WIPE TO: EXT: SKY OVER CITY -- AFTERNOON The ranger plane flying along swiftly. CHIP (V.O.) Of all the times to be at a new hideout! We've checked the casino, the candy factory, and even cat alley! And still no sign of them. DALE (V.O.) Maybe they went to Packrat's house. CUT TO: EXT: SKY OVER CITY -- AFTERNOON -- RANGER WING Chip and Gadget are in the front seats with Zipper, while Monty, Dale, and Packrat are crowded in the back. PACKRAT I wouldn't mind going back there now. It's a mess, but at least I can inhale without bumping into somebody. He squirms a little, shifting Monty and Dale out to the sides. All three groan. GADGET Sorry, Packrat. I designed most of the vehicles with only five rangers in mind. One who usually flies along. PACKRAT (Grumbling) I guess that makes job security pretty comfy. Too bad I can't say the same for my spleen. MONTEREY Relax, mate. Soon we'll get your body brace back. (Louder than he intended) I just hope it has a brace for your mouth. Packrat shoots a glare at Monty. PACKRAT (Accusingly) Did anyone ever tell you that your breath smells like goat cheese? CHIP (Blatantly ignoring those in the back) Gadget, can you think of anywhere else Fat Cat might be? Have we missed something? GADGET I think Dale had our best bet. Let's swing by Packrat's place. Dale grins at Gadget, and leans forward towards Chip. DALE Hear that, Chipper? She said I had the best idea! Looks like you don't earn those leader strips today. He giggles. Chip has a deep-set frown embedded in his features, but then it brightens as an idea hits him. CHIP (Suddenly leaning forward) Hey! Look at that overturned cheese truck down there! MONTEREY (Straining forward) What?! Cheese? Where?! Monty shifts forward quickly, shoving Packrat to one side, who in turn buries Dale in the back seat behind him. Dale's protests are muffled by the cushions and Packrat's groaning. CHIP (Wide grin) Sorry, Monty. My mistake. I don't know what I was thinking. Zipper shakes his head at the rest of them and rolls his eyes. EXT: BACK ALLEY -- PACKRAT'S APARTMENT BUILDING -- DAY The ranger wing lands behind a garbage can, and everyone climbs out. The alley is full of clutter and trash. Even in the daylight, it seems dark. PACKRAT Ah! It's good to see that the alley still has its reassuring... MONTEREY Trash? GADGET Filth? CHIP Garbage? DALE Junk? PACKRAT (Oblivious to them) ...stuff! I was afraid that the place would change...get cleaned up...maybe even increase in property value...but it's so good to know...that the Ôol homestead hasn't changed. Packrat gets choked up, and wipes his eyes. The others look from each other to him, not quite sure what to make of it. DALE (Wonderingly) ...You've only been gone since last night. PACKRAT (Holding back the tears) I know. I'm sorry. I don't normally get this emotional. It's just so beautiful... His eyes mist over again as a smile spreads across his face. The rangers can only stare at him. After a long moment Chip breaks his gaze and turns to the apartment building. CHIP (Briskly) Well, no sense in wasting time. With any luck, Fat cat is inside waiting for us. Come on, step lively. They all file inside behind Chip. INT: PACKRAT'S APARTMENT BUILDING -- FIRST FLOOR -- DAY GADGET So where is your place, Packrat? PACKRAT Over there, underneath the stairwell. Come on, I'll show you. He leads the way through a small hole. INT: UNDER STAIRCASE -- DAY Packrat leads the way down through small holes, over wooden beams, and around large rocks and chunks of concrete. He brings them through into his apartment. INT: PACKRAT'S APARTMENT -- DAY The apartment is actually in the wall next to the broiler room. Some sunlight trickles in from above. Various pieces of T.V.'s, radios, cars, watches, etc. are strew about. Some small furnishings are here and there. The ground is dirt, uneven and with pieces of rock and wood embedded within. Packrat sighs deeply as he steps over to the center of his room. He surveys the area as they rangers speak. CHIP Well Dale, it looks like you're lucky. DALE Huh? What do you mean? CHIP I can no longer say that your room is the worst pig-sty I've ever seen. PAN past the glaring Dale to Gadget, who is carefully walking around. GADGET Gee, there sure is a lot of neat stuff in here. Most of it is from things I haven't even seen in ages. At least the parts I can recognize. MONTEREY It's like we've stumbled into the secret appliance burial grounds. I keep half-expecting the locals to come runnin' out, dressed in extension cords and circuit breakers. Zipper shifts about through the rubble. He occasionally stops to toss some small item aside; nuts, bolts, screws, a small Mickey Mouse key chain, etc. CHIP Well, it doesn't look like Fat Cat's goons left any clues behind. Of course, a battleship could pass through here and you'd be hard pressed to find any tracks. DALE So now what? Should we go back to casino? They might be back by now. Packrat is still looking around suspiciously. He moves off inspecting various piles of debris. GADGET Or maybe we can do an aerial search of the city. We might spot them moving out in the streets. As she says this, INTERCUT looking down on them from above along the walls. A silhouetted figure shifts to one side. PACKRAT There's something wrong here. I'm smelling something I don't recognize. CHIP When trash decays, you don't recognize any particular item. It just stinks all as one. PACKRAT (Shaking his head) What I'm saying is that this is my home. I know what smells are here, but now I smell something else... As the rangers move closer, a large upside-down pot falls from above, entrapping them. Packrat jumps back, looking up OFFSTAGE fearfully. CUT TO: INT: UPSIDE-DOWN POT The rangers were caught off-guard, and now start to act. Chip quickly darts to the edge of the pot and puts his ear against it. Faint muffled voices can be heard. WART (V.O.) (Muffled) I got him! PACKRAT (V.O.) (Muffled) Hey! Leggo! I don't know anything about the brace-thing! I just-- MEPPS (V.O.) (Muffled) Oh, pipe down! Mole! Help me get him in the sack. CHIP They're out there! And they've got Packrat! (Turning to the others) We've got to get out of here! MONTEREY (Rolling up his sleeves) One side, mates! He strides forward and tries to grab the lip of the pot, but the lip is buried in the hard-packed dirt floor. MONTEREY (Grunting) Crikey! I can't get a grip on the thing! Zipper starts furiously burrowing out around the lip. Chip, Dale, and Gadget move to help Monty lift. MOLE (V.O.) (Muffled) Hey, we finally got him!...what are we supposed to do now? WART (V.O.) (Muffled) Bring him back to da boss, you dolt! What else would we do? Let him go? MOLE (V.O.) (Muffled) Huh? Well, okay Wart, if you say so... SNOUT (V.O.) (Muffled) No! Stop it! A loud THUNK! is heard. Zipper has uncovered most of the lip, and the rangers manage to grab hold and lift. MOLE (V.O.) (Muffled) Ouch! What was that for? SNOUT (V.O.) (Muffled) Never mind! Let's just beat it before the rangers get free. The voices trail off as the rangers slowly manage to lift the pot up. Zipper is the first to dart out, followed by Chip, Dale, and Gadget, who then hold the pot up for Monty to get free. INT: PACKRAT'S APARTMENT -- DAY As they scramble around, it's clear that Packrat and Fat Cat's gang are gone. DALE They got away! CHIP Come on! They couldn't have gotten far! We can still catch them in the ranger wing. He leads the way out. As Zipper passes by, he notices something on the ground. He flies down, scoops up a scrap of paper, and takes off after the others. EXT: BACK ALLEY -- PACKRAT'S APARTMENT BUILDING -- DAY They rangers come out and race for the Ranger Wing. As they take off, Zipper hands the paper over to Monty. MONTEREY What'cha got there, Zipper? As he takes it, the ranger wing takes off. They scan the area quickly, but no sign is seen of Fat Cat's gang. DALE Nuts! They must've ducked down a side street or something! CHIP (Dejectedly) Well this has turned out to be a fine couple of days! Each time we find a new case, it winds up spiraling out of control. Bubbles is probably up to something, but no word is out about it. The burglary at the gem cutter's lab happened right under our noses, but we couldn't even follow the crook. And now our client who needed protection has been captured, all because we delivered him to where they were waiting for him. Chip leans forward and sighs, putting his head in his hands. Gadget looks over at him sympathetic, and Dale shifts awkwardly in his seat. Monty leans forward and hands the paper to Chip. MONTEREY Hang on there, mate. Remember, when the chips are down... (Chip turns to regard Monty sarcastically.) ...something's gonna come up. Look at what Zipper found. Chip takes the paper and studies it. The paper is fairly clean, but crumpled. The handwriting is flowing and elegant. On it is an address. CHIP (Reading outloud) N. 73495 Marconi Blvd. MONTEREY Zipper says Ôe found it back at Packrat's place, but thought it was too clean to be Packrat's. DALE What does that have to do with anything? MONTEREY It means that those thugs of Fat Cat must've dropped it during the struggle. ÔCourse, I don't know what to make of it. It's only an address. CHIP It sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it. GADGET Well, there's an easy way to find out, Chip. Hang on! RANGER WING WIPE TO: EXT: WHIPE & HUNCHBACK LAW OFFICES -- DAY -- ROOFTOP The ranger wing lands and they all hop out. GADGET Well, this is the place the phonebook said. Whipe & Hunchback Law Offices. DALE (Pointing) We can get inside over there. CUT TO: INT: HALLWAY -- DAY The hallway is full of ladders, plastic coverings, paint cans, etc. A sign hangs on the elevator reading: THIS FLOOR IS CURRENTLY UNDER RENOVATION. MONTEREY Blimey! You'd think that lawyers would have better taste in interior decorating than this! CHIP Monty, this floor is being remodeled. That's why all of this plastic and hardware is lying around. DALE Looks like the set of some B-rate sci-fi flick to me. All that's missing is a diabolical laugh. (They freeze as a deep laugh echoes from out around them) Nice touch. GADGET (Pointing) It came from over there! She points down the hallway, to a door partially ajar. They creep down, careful of the odds and ends lying around. They ease the door open, and sneak inside. CUT TO: INT: STORAGE ROOM -- DAY Fat Cat is holding a bound and gagged Packrat up, grinning evilly. Mepps, Wart, Snout, and Mole are behind him. FAT CAT Ah! At last! Mr. Packrat, I presume? It's so good to see you, although it's much later than expected. (He turns and gives a hard look towards his gang, who gulp.) MEPPS We would've been back sooner, boss, but Mole lost the address. MOLE Not me, man! It was Wart! WART What?! Are you nuts? It was your fault! MOLE It was yours! WART You had the list! MOLE But I dropped it when Snout hit me! SNOUT Because you were about to let the mouse go! MOLE But that's what you told me to do! WART I never-- FAT CAT (interrupting) QUIET! We can determine the blame later. Right now, I have much more pressing business with our guest. He pops a claw. Packrat looks nervous as it glints in the light. Fat Cat then deftly cuts the gag away. PACKRAT Look, there's been a slight misunderstanding here... FAT CAT Now, now. I don't like excuses. Already I have discovered much about that wonderful invention of yours. But I suspect that there is more to know about it. Co-operate, and we'll all be better off. Refuse... (He gives a wicked grin) Well, I'm sure you'll co-operate with us now, won't you? PACKRAT (Swallowing hard) Call me Mr. Goodwrench. FAT CAT Excellent. Now, we are all going on a small sojourn. MOLE Really? All right! I hope the play Aretha Franklin! FAT CAT Not ÒSoul TrainÓ you moron! Sojourn! It means a journey! MEPPS (To Mole) Yeah, Mole. Everyone knows that Journey is a rock group! Fat Cat only shakes his head. FAT CAT (To Packrat) Good help is so hard to find... PACKRAT So why do you keep them? FAT CAT Because free help is even harder to get a hold of. Now, as I was saying, we're off to watch your invention in action, where you will answer my questions as they arise. (He holds Packrat up and pops the claws of his other hand under him) And after that, I have a special job for you, my loyal companion. Packrat gulps again as he sways over the sharp claws. Fat Cat carries him as he walks out, followed by the others. CHIP (Once they're past) You hear that? Fat Cat is up to something. We have to find out what! DALE And free Packrat. Fat Cat is not my first choice for a gracious host. GADGET Zipper, keep track of them until we catch up in the Ranger Wing! Zipper salutes and takes off after Fat Cat while the rangers head back to the wing. they climb aboard and take off. EXT: SKY OVER CITY -- DAY As the rangers fly on, they spot Zipper signaling from the road below. Gadget steers the wing down, and they pick up Zipper. Zipper quickly relays his tracking to the rangers. CHIP Good work, Zipper! We should catch up to them in a few minutes. MONTEREY I wonder what ol' Fat Cat is up to. Did you hear him say that he had something special planned that he needed Packrat for? GADGET Well Monty, Fat Cat thinks that Packrat is some sort of inventor. He probably is planning to force Packrat to build something for him. DALE (Laughing) Ha Ha! Hey! Then we don't need to really worry. When Packrat can't build what Fat Cat wants, than Fat Cat will know that Packrat isn't an inventor! He'll realize that he's wasted all of his time on the wrong mouse! CHIP (Grimly) And once Packrat's usefulness is gone, so is Packrat. For good. (Dale stops laughing and looks at Chip) Dale, if Packrat is found out to have no idea about inventing, Fat Cat will be extremely upset about this wasted time. And he's going to take it out on Packrat. MONTEREY So this makes it all the more important to get him back from Fat Cat's claws. And quick. DISSOLVE TO: EXT: CITY HALL -- DAY Packrat is being held by Mole and the rest of the group as Fat cat leads. He ducks into a back door. TILT UP to the hovering ranger wing. CUT TO: EXT: SKY OVER CITY HALL -- DAY -- RANGER WING Chip leans over and points. CHIP There they go! GADGET (Thoughtfully) Golly, I don't know guys, Fat Cat going into city hall doesn't look good. MONTEREY Too right, Gadget-luv. I just wish we knew what his game was. CHIP Okay gang, think! Fat Cat's here for a reason, but why? There's so many possibilities. DALE (Shrugging) Maybe he's here for a party. MONTEREY The city board isn't meeting today, so I don't think it's anything like that. DALE (To himself) Hey...wait a minute He begins to smile as thoughts start to collect. GADGET What about the hall records? A lot of paperwork is there, and messing up the right ones could really mess with the city. CHIP Could be, Gadget. But why would he need Packrat now? You don't need a special machine to alter the papers, do you? GADGET Depends on how he wants to alter them, Chip. If he wanted to-- DALE (Interrupting) It is a party! EVERYONE (Except Dale) (In unison) Huh? DALE Today's the day that Mrs. Bricken is accepting the position at Norwin Enterprises! The company is having a big reception and celebration to welcome her aboard. It's being held here at the City Hall! Fat Cat must be planning to kidnap her or something! CHIP (In wonder) How do you know about all this? DALE (Smugly) Hey, if there's one thing I know, it's parties. Chip smirks this. Gadget brings the wing down low, landing near the door where Fat Cat snuck into. They all quickly disembark, unloading various pieces of equipment before scurrying over to the door. Zipper flies up to turn the knob while Chip and Dale open the door itself. CUT TO: INT: CITY HALL -- DAY They are in a back hallway, with several doors along both sides. No one is present, but figures can be seen further down the hallway, at the joining corridor. MONTEREY Where to now, mates? CHIP Dale, do you know where they're holding the celebration at? DALE (Nodding) Sort of. They wanted a open space for all sorts of banners and stuff, so I think they should be downstairs somewhere. CHIP Good thinking, Dale. Come on, guys, there should be a quick way down around here. GADGET (Pointing) Like that ventilation shaft? Chip smiles as he nods. CUT TO: INT: VENTILATION SHAFT -- DAY The rangers move down through the shaft, following it down to another grate in the basement of the building. It is underneath a small stage where the celebration is being held. Sounds of the ongoing party can be heard faintly above. DALE Hey, you hear that? I bet that it's the shing-dig up there. TILT UP from him to the underneath of the stage, about five feet up. There are several crossbeams and wooden supports all around. They push open the grating and step out, looking for a way up. CUT TO: INT: UNDER STAGE -- DAY GADGET We need to find a way up there, and quick. MONTEREY Yeah, who knows what Fat Cat is up to by now? We've got to warn Mrs. Bricken about this. CHIP Uh-oh. I just remembered something. Mrs. Bricken has someone to watch over her... GADGET Golly! That's right! Bubbles is going to be there as well. (She pauses and looks wonderingly at the others.) Should we tell him? MONTEREY Crikey! I never thought about that. If Bubbles really has reformed, than we should tell him. His muscle could come in really handy. DALE I don't know, Monty. I still don't think it's all square with that guy. Zipper nods and makes gestures indicating he agrees with Dale. CHIP Well, let's get up there first. We can warn her ourselves, and if Bubbles wants to help, fine. But only tell Mrs. Bricken first. Bubbles doesn't need to be told. BUBBLES (V.O.) Why should I be, when I all ready know? The rangers gasp and turn around to see Bubbles step out from the shadows. TILT slowly up him. He is wearing Pro. Nimnul's exoskeleton, still gleaming softly in the dim light. He approaches easily, full of confidence and relaxed. MONTEREY (Stepping forward) I should have known. Once a creep, always a creep. BUBBLES (Shaking his head) Not at all. I really have done my best to protect Mrs. Bricken from those who would do her harm. After all... (He grins menacingly) ...it wouldn't do to mess up my plans for her. MONTEREY (Still advancing, rolling his sleeves up) Oh yeah? Well I got news for you, pally. A plumped-up hairball is gonna try out the same thing. And as soon as we put you out, we'll go take care of him. BUBBLES (Sighing) Boastful as ever, huh? Well, it's good to know that you haven't changed... Ôcause I have! Suddenly, Bubbles whips his arm around, firing a small glob of glue. It hits Monty on his left wrist forcefully, knocking him back against the wall. As he shakes his head to clear the cobwebs, another glob is fired, hitting his other wrist, pinning that hand to the wall as well. Both hands are spread out from the body, and Monty's straining is to no avail. BUBBLES Fast-acting glue. Bonds to the surface it touches almost instantly. Stick around, you're not going anywhere, bub. Ha Ha! GADGET (Readying her plunger harpoon) Your humor hasn't improved at all, Bubbles. Just like your brains: stale as ever. You haven't changed a bit! She fires her harpoon, but Bubbles easily snags the plunger out of the way. He then yanks on the rope attached to it, pulling Gadget to the ground in front of him. BUBBLES Ah, but I have changed, I was telling the truth when I talked to you at the picnic. (He spins the harpoon around, entwirling her in the rope) I did a lot of thinking and changed for the better. Hang around and you'll see what I mean. He tosses the plunger up, which pulls Gadget up with it. The plunger sticks to an overhead crossbeam about four feet up, leaving Gadget dangling, still wrapped up, from the rope. Zipper flies in quickly, hoping to surprise him while he's distracted with Gadget. Bubbles merely darts aside and fires off a small net from his other wrist. Zipper can't react fast enough and is entangled in the mesh of ropes. Unable to use his wings, he crashes heavily (for a fly) to the ground. Chip and Dale slowly back up, wary of Bubbles. DALE Gosh, he went through the rest of them in under one minute! This isn't a good thing is it, Chip? CHIP No Dale, I would say that his improved battle suit is definitely classifiable as a bad thing for us. BUBBLES Ah...the two chipmunks. For you two, I think we'll have a little fun. DALE (Sarcastically) Oh, goody. BUBBLES You tree hoppers are supposed to be pretty agile, so let's play a little bit of dodge-bolt. CHIP Dodge-bolt? I think you mean dodge ball. Bubbles smiles as the two small open ports on his wrists give a small burst of electricity, lighting up his face in a very ominous way. BUBBLES Oh trust me, furballs. I know what I mean. He straightens out both arms quickly, sending a small electrical bolt at each chipmunk. Chip and Dale dive to opposite sides as the bolts fly by, hitting the wall behind them in an impressive explosion of fire. Chip slowly pokes his head out from behind a post, ducking back just as a bolt hits it. Dale runs for the other side of the room, zigging and zagging to avoid the series of bolts that fly by him. Chip leaps over one of the freshly fallen posts, just missed by another bolt. It hits the one in front of him, causing it to collapse in flames. Chip does a frightened take, and rolls to one side as the burning wood crashes inches away from him. Bubbles looks around carefully, but the smoke is starting to impair his vision. He pulls down the visor. We see through his P.O.V., which is a green screen. Fire is seen as glowing white areas, and smoke is ignored. A glowing, bright green chipmunk shape (Dale) darts across. He fires another couple of blasts, lighting up some more posts. Noises of panic can be heard from up above. Gadget, who is hanging close to the ceiling, can overhear more clearly. She coughs frequently through the overheard conversation. MOUSE (V.O.) (Muffled) There's smoke coming through the floorboards! A fire must be under the stage! MRS. BRICKEN (V.O.) (Muffled) Where's Bubbles? I hope he isn't down there. He could be in danger! FAT CAT (V.O.) (Muffled) I would cease worry over your bodyguard, and save it for yourself, my dear lady. Get her, boys! MRS. BRICKEN (V.O.) (Muffled) What?! Who are--Hey! Let go of me! Who are you people? MR. BRICKEN (V.O.) (Muffled) Let go off my wife, you-- He's cut off as a loud --WHUMP is heard, followed by a body hitting the floor. MRS. BRICKEN (V.O.) (Muffled) Henry! FAT CAT (V.O.) (Muffled) Oh, calm yourself my dear. Your husband will be fine, assuming he doesn't perish in the fire. Speaking of which, it looks like it's time to leave, boys. MEPPS (V.O.) (Muffled) Right, Boss! Their shouts get fainter as they move off. Smoke is now covering Gadget, who is starting to pass out. Flames are dancing about her. Looking up she can see through blurred vision that the rope holding her has caught fire. GADGET (Drowsily) Oh no... Chip and Dale continue to evade Bubbles' attacks. PAN away from their fight in the background to Monty, who is still struggling against the glue. MONTEREY (Grunting) Blimey! I can't break free from this wood, and Gadget is in serious trouble! (He leans back to rest for a moment, and hears the creaking of the wooden wall he's stuck to.) Wait a minute. (He plants his feet firmly, and starts straining back.) Maybe...I can't...break the glue...but...with enough...luck...I...can... break...the wall! (He breaks through, tumbling backwards. He emerges from the hole a moment later. Chunks of splintered wood are still stuck to his wrists where the glue was attached, but that's all.) Good to know that the ol' city contractors were as cheap as ever when they built this stage! The fire on Gadget's rope has almost burned through. Monty runs as fast as possible to get under her. The rope finally snaps, sending Gadget plummeting to the floor below. Monty dives at the last second, catching her awkwardly as he crashes down, taking the brunt of the impact. She winds up sitting on top of his ample stomach. GADGET (Coughing) Whew! Thanks Monty...just give me a minute to clear my head. The smoke still has me drowsy. MONTEREY (Dazed from the crash) No...no problem, Gadget-luv. I...I just need...to gather...my breath. He promptly passes out. Bubbles is still firing at Chip and Dale elsewhere under the stage. The fire is now all around, and up in the rafters. BUBBLES You guys are doing pretty good. I expected to have two char-broiled chipmunks by now. He sends another bolt out, singing the top of Dale's hair, who ducks behind some cover. Behind it, he carefully reaches up and touches the smoking spot, which is still crispy. Chip holds his hat up a little over a fallen post, and Bubbles sears it to ashes instantly. Chip snaps his hand back down staring at the remains of his hat. He gulps. Another series of bolts exploding all around him snaps him out of this and sends him scampering for safety. Monty and Gadget are up by now. Monty unties Gadget, and then they go over to Zipper. GADGET Zipper! Are you okay? (Zipper nods) Thank goodness! Come on, Monty. We need to free Zipper so we can help out Chip and Dale! Fat Cat has kidnapped Mrs. Bricken! Zipper suddenly starts making urgent warnings, but before either can react, Bubbles is behind them, lifting Monty up easily. MONTEREY Hey! What the-- BUBBLES Give it up, fatso. With this suit, my already incredible strength is increased even more. Which makes handling a blimp like you a cinch. He tosses Monty aside easily, sending him bouncing off several posts and to the floor. Monty finally comes to stop about ten feet away, knocked out. GADGET Monterey! BUBBLES (Grabbing Gadget's arm) Don't worry about him. I remember you well from the last time we met, and have heard about you even more from my boss. (He lifts Gadget up easily in one arm) Too bad you don't have any of your toys, anymore, huh? GADGET (Fearfully) Wha--what are you going to do? BUBBLES Relax. I'm not going to harm you. Instead, I think I'll take you to the boss. With all your mechanical aptitude, you should be a big help in our plans. Chip and Dale have regrouped and crept quietly up behind Bubbles, hidden behind some debris. CHIP (Quietly) He's distracted right now. I'm going to try and surprise him. If I can lure him away from Gadget, you get her and Zipper over to Monty. This whole place is going to come down any minute! DALE (Quietly) Watch it, Chip. We still don't know what that suit does for him. CHIP (Quietly) I know, Dale. But it's our only chance. CUT TO: Bubbles POV. Chip's voice is heard through digital amplification now as Bubbles looks in the opposite direction of their position. CHIP (V.O.) (Static-like) If we don't all get out now, we're doomed. It's either all or nothing. Bubbles swings around suddenly, firing an electrical bolt. Chip is taken totally off-guard, half over the the debris pile. He can only gape as the bolt slams into his chest, knocking him backwards into the darkness. Only a vapor trial is left behind. GADGET (Shocked, in a very small voice) No... Tears well up in her eyes. DALE CHIP! He springs up to see where Chip is, but Bubbles fires another blast at him. Dale drops to the ground, barely missed. The bolt, however, hits an already burning post, snapping it. The post and several crossbeams collapse around Dale. The smoke and dust kicked up obscures any vision of where he is. BUBBLES (Sighing with satisfaction) Hmmm. Today has gone quite well. (He turns to Gadget) Wouldn't you agree? Gadget is still staring after her fallen friends. Dale might be alive, but Chip needs serious medical attention soon, and she knows it. Bubbles forcefully hauls her off, away from the inferno. Zipper is still struggling with the net. He spots a small fire nearby and gets an idea. Through shifting and bouncing, he manages to place himself very close to the fire. He bites back the pain from the heat, and waits until the net catches. Again he fights off the pain of being burned, as the ropes are burning as well. Finally, he can't stand any more and gives a surge of strength. Only the weakest parts snap, but it's enough for Zipper to wriggle himself free, and hover in the air. Bits of the stage are collapsing above, fiery pieces of wood falling all around. He looks around, spots Monty, and flies over to him. Monty is still out, so Zipper reaches down and shakes Monty's head. Zipper pulls at the moustaches tightly, then lets go, letting them snap back into Monty's face. Monty comes to with a start, scrambling to get up. MONTEREY Wha-what!? Huh? (Looks around) Crikey! This whole place is gonna go in minutes! Where's the lads? (Zipper quickly explains what's happened. Monty looks horrified to hear of what happened to Chip and Dale.) Blimey... (His features suddenly become stern.) Well, me buckos Ôave survived worse. Come on! Let's get Ôem out of here! Together they stumble through the smoke-enshrouded area, weaving around fires and debris. They come to where Dale was, next to a fallen crossbeam. Collapsed timbers are all around, some on fire. Zipper darts into a small hole, searching for Dale. After a few seconds of wandering, he sees Dale cramped up next to the large, fallen crossbeam. A number of broken posts surround him. Dale sees Zipper and waves. DALE Zipper! Over here! (Zipper flies over) If you can get that burning wood above me moved, I can get out. TILT UP above him to the piece of wood above him, burning on the top. Zipper salutes and flies back to Monty. Zipper buzzes the info to him. MONTEREY Dale's all right? Great! (Zipper buzzes some more.) No problem, Zipper. That nap that Bubbles gave me gave me back my energy. Give me a hand with this splinter. (Monty picks up a long, splintered piece of wood, and Zipper grabs the front.) Quick, now, find a good place for leverage. We'll pry the wood out of the way. Zipper directs the splinter to a secure spot, free of flames. He flies back over to Monty, and together they put all their might into the lever. The other piece of wood is lifted up. Monty and Zipper now push, and the wood topples over the side. Dale pokes his head up, then emerges. DALE Thanks guys! I was nearly fry-cleaned. MONTEREY Dale, where's Chip? DALE (Remembering) Oh my gosh! He's over here! Come on, this way! He leaps down and sprints along the floor, with Monty and Zipper right behind him. As they come into another fire-filled area, the stop momentarily. PAN from the looking group to Chip, still smoking and motionless on the floor. DALE (Choking up) Oh Chip... MONTEREY (Moving to Chip) He's still breathing, Dale. But not for long if we don't get him, and us, out of this inferno. Grab his feet. Dale complies, and Monty lifts Chip by his shoulders. Carefully, they stagger out of the burning area, Zipper directing their path. Every now and then, some more of the stage above collapses, sending the fiery debris down. They have a few close calls, but manage to slip back in the air vent. Sirens gradually rise in volume as they escape. DISSOLVE TO: INT: RANGER'S LIVING ROOM -- EVENING -- COUCH Chip is lying on the couch, asleep. He has an ice pack on his head, and is under a blanket. The sirens continue through the dissolve, fading away as the television newscaster's voice grows louder. NEWSCASTER (V.O.) ...The fire was put out quickly once the fire department arrived. The cause is still unknown, but faulty wiring is suspected. Fortunately, the damage was minimal, and no injuries were reported. The television is shut off as Chip moans and stirs on the couch. DALE (O.S.) Hey, Monty! Chip's up! Dale comes over to Chip, who is groggy but awake. Monty steps over a moment later, carrying a steaming bowl of soup. MONTEREY (Grinning) See, Dale? I told you he'd be just as Ôchipper' as he ever was in no time. (He hands the soup to Chip) How are you feeling? CHIP (Weakly) Considering the last thing I remembered before blacking out was the bolt of electricity setting my fur on fire... (He takes a sip of the soup) ...I'm doing great. What happened? DALE Monty said not to tell you Ôtil you felt better. (Monty elbows Dale) Oof! CHIP (Sighing) That bad, huh? MONTEREY Bubbles got away scot-free. Mrs. Bricken is missing. (He nervously looks at Dale) And Bubbles kidnapped Gadget. CHIP (Sputtering out his soup) What?! Gadget was taken too? Well, at least Mrs. Bricken will have some company. Bubbles had better not harm either of them... MONTEREY Bubbles didn't kidnap Mrs. Bricken, Chipper. Fat Cat did. CHIP Oh. Well that makes it a perfect end to a perfect day. After everything else that went on, now we have two separate rescues to attempt. And both need to be done soon. DALE But who do we go after first, Chip? Both Fat Cat and Bubbles could do anything they wanted. Mrs. Bricken is more important to the community... MONTEREY (Finishing Dale's thought) ...But at the same time, Gadget is our friend. (He shakes his head grimly) Doesn't look good, mates. Best I can think of is to split up into two groups. We can cover more ground that way, but it'll make us weaker if we have to confront Fat Cat, or especially Bubbles. CHIP (Thinking deep) Exactly, Monty. What we need is a plan that allows us to search for both at once, without dividing our forces. I would also like to try to do some guesswork about that suit or whatever it was that Bubbles had. (He winces in pain as he sits up) After experiencing it first-hand, I'd like to try and figure out some more about it before we have to face Bubbles again. DALE Gadget would've had some ideas about it. We need another inventor. CHIP (Brightening) Yeah...we do. And I know where we can find one who'll help us! (He throws off the covers eagerly and hops out, only to fall flat on his face, his body still too shaken to walk well.) I guess maybe I still need a little rest. MONTEREY (Nodding) We can leave in the morning. That'll give us plenty of time to rest up. It has been a vigorous day, after all, and we'll need all of our strength for the rematch with Bubbles. DALE (Worried) I just hope Gadget is okay. CHIP (Reassuringly) She will be, Dale. Remember, she's a Rescue Ranger. She knows how to take care of herself. And our fretting over her won't help her at all. So come on, let's hit the sack so we can start bright and early tomorrow. They wander off down the hallways. Dale and Monty stay behind Chip and glance at each other. DALE What do you think, Monterey? He still looks a little shaky to me. MONTEREY Right you are, Dale. He should stay in bed for a few days more, but I don't think either of us coulda stopped him. I just hope he takes it easy. DISSOLVE TO: INT: WAREHOUSE -- NIGHT Gadget is tied up, sitting in the middle of the barren cement floor. Everything is dark and quiet, aside from her struggling to wriggle free of the rope. GADGET (Mumbling) Unerf! Bubbles may be no boy scout, but he sure knows how to tie knots! I can barely move my finger, let alone my arm. But with a bit more twisting and turning, the ropes should loosen enough for me to get free. BUBBLES (O.S.) Don't bother, by the time you could get loose, the boss'll be here. (Gadget does a startled take and looks over to the shadowed area of the warehouse. Bubbles steps out, wearing the visor.) I wouldn't concern yourself with plans of escape. The helmet on this suit amplifies my senses ten times. I can hear you from across the room. GADGET (Stammering) G-G-G-Golly, I-I bet that you can! BUBBLES (Chuckling) Heh, I said you weren't gonna be harmed. I have a hunch that the boss will be very happy to see that I've recruited another mechanic for this suit. GADGET Huh? What do you mean? I don't know anything about that suit. BUBBLES Maybe. Maybe not. But I'm sure that you can still be of a big help. (He casually fires a small burst of sparks out from his wrist, grinning evilly.) Don't you agree? Gadget vigorously nods, her eyes showing her fear clearly. Bubbles steps back into the shadows, but his form can still be seen as he walks in an arc around her. GADGET (Nervously) Umm...I don't suppose you'd care to tell me what's going to happen to me? BUBBLES Do you really want to know? GADGET (Hesitant) Yes. BUBBLES As long as you remain useful, you'll be fine. The boss has a lot planned for this suit. And so do I. GADGET Who is this Ôboss' you keep referring to? BUBBLES (Snapping) Don't worry about it! You'll see soon enough. All you need to know is that he's the one who decides whether you're worth hanging on to. GADGET I suppose I'd best be on my best behavior, then. BUBBLES Very good. You're catching on. (He stops for a moment, listening.) Well, here's your chance to prove it. He's here. Gadget twists around to see the door at the far end of the warehouse open slowly. TILT from the open door down to the wooden crates. The crates block Gadget's view of who's coming, but she hears several footsteps, varying in style of walking. At last, she sees everyone step into view, into the lighted circle with her. Fat Cat is leading his thugs, who are carrying various supplies, a tied-up, blindfolded, and gagged Mrs. Bricken, and a large sack with something struggling inside. FAT CAT (Eying her amusingly) Well, my dear, it seems that we still meet in the most peculiar places. (He pops his claws and leans over her menacingly) I really must do something about that. Gadget gasps and tries to scoot back, but bumps into Bubbles. BUBBLES Hold it boss, I picked her up at city hall. I figured that she might be-- FAT CAT (Interrupting, angry) What?! The Rescue Rangers were there?! BUBBLES ÒWereÓ being the important word, boss. FAT CAT Oh really? BUBBLES Yeah. They were going to break up the kidnapping, but I convinced them otherwise. (Fat Cat raises an eyebrow.) Dropped half of the stage on one of the chipmunks, and the other one caught an electrical blast square in the chest. Crispy critter time. When I dragged her out, the whole place was coming down in flames, so I doubt that the others got out in time. (He turns to Gadget.) Isn't that right, little miss? Gadget was caught off-guard by this question. her mind is still dwelling on what happened earlier. She just can't get that image of Chip out of her head... For one of the few times in her life, Gadget is utterly speechless. She can only look up at her captors. FAT CAT (Stroking his mustache) Hmmm...impressive work, Bubbles. Truly, with your improved combat ability and your keen insight, I'm very tempted to believe you whole- heartily in this, Unfortunately, I myself have Òtaken care ofÓ the rangers before, only to see them return in due time. With this sort of attitude, I am inclined to believe that the rescue ÒcockroachesÓ may still be about. However, this doesn't mean that I wouldn't like to be proven wrong. Now, down to the business at hand. BUBBLES Well, like I said before, I figured that she'd be helpful to the actual inventor of the suit. You were always mentioning their equipment before. FAT CAT Yes...good work, Bubbles. I think that her assistance will prove to be valuable. Well...it's Gadget, I believe...allow me to introduce you to the other resident's of our traveling show. You know Mrs. Bricken, of course, and I also understand you know of our other ÒguestÓ. Boys! The henchman of Fat Cat quickly bring the struggling bag around. Opening it upside-down, Packrat bounces out clumsily. PACKRAT (Noticing Gadget) Hey gal! Welcome to the kidnapping express. FAT CAT (Leering over Packrat) Silence, rodent! You've been yapping forever on ever since you arrived! PACKRAT Hey, get grabbed, tagged, and stuffed in a bag and see how bucky you are! FAT CAT If it wasn't for the fact that we need you to keep the suit operational, I'd have made a tasty little toothpick out of you long ago. (Packrat gulps and clams up.) Now then, the two of you are going to do a complete check-up on the suit before tomorrow. I have need for it again by then. I want it completely ready, along with descriptions of parts needed. And just to discourage that streak of interference that pervades in you strong-willed types... (He boldly strides forward menacingly, claws out.) ...if I so much as suspect that you have sabotaged the suit in any way, shape, or form, I will personally choose one of you at random to feed the poor--hungry--vicious kitties in Cat Alley. The other shall watch. I ask you which is worse: being eaten, or watching your friend being eaten? Try to interfere, sabotage, and escape...and you'll both find out. Gadget and Packrat stare from Fat Cat to each other. Packrat frightenedly rubs his neck, and Gadget swallows hard. CUT TO: EXT: RANGER'S HEADQUARTERS -- NIGHT -- OUTSIDE CHIP'S WINDOW TRUCK IN slowly on the window. Sounds of rhythmic sleeping are heard from within. DISSOLVE TO: INT: CHIP AND DALE'S ROOM -- NIGHT Chip and Dale are both in bed asleep. PAN around the moonlit room, settling on Chip in the lower bunk. TRUCK IN as he turns around, dreaming. DISSOLVE TO: CHIP'S DREAM Chip is standing alone in a spotlight, in the middle of an empty, darkened room. He looks around confused. CHIP Dale? Monty? Anyone here? A door opens up on the other side of the room. White light fills the doorway, silhouetting the figure standing there. The figure walks calmly towards Chip. CHIP (Carefully) Who--who are you? The figure doesn't respond, but walks on. Finally, after a few moments, the figure stands before Chip. Some of the back light seeps around his form in the front. It is a male mouse, dressed in well-made three-piece suit. He is smiling disarmingly. WALTER Now, that really isn't all that fair, now is it, Chip? I've known you for a long time, though you won't remember me. But I'll humor you here. My name is still Walter. He bows slightly. CHIP (Puzzled) I know you? WALTER In a way. Trust me on this, won't you, Chip? You've always been the one for logic. But come. We don't have all night, and I, for one, want to get you back soon. You need some solid sleep for tomorrow. Walter steps to one side, motioning for Chip to walk to the glowing doorway Walter originally came through. Almost by rote, Chip heads for it. CHIP Where are we going? WALTER Nowhere you haven't been before. CHIP This is going to be a long night... He steps through the doorway. There is a bright flash, and Chip is standing in what appears to be a museum. The walls are white and barren, aside from some paintings, murals, etc. They vary in size and subject widely, but each one has one of the rangers incorporated in. WALTER (Slapping Chip on the back) Changed quite a bit since you're last visit. Of course, I keep forgetting that you forget, so just forget I mentioned it. CHIP Huh? WALTER That's a lad! Catches on quick. Well, no sense in hanging about, come on, let's take a look over here. (They walk over to a small statue in glass. It is of the rescue ranger symbol.) Exquisite, isn't it? CHIP It's beautiful. WALTER (Nodding) Always one of your favorites. CHIP It's just that the way the light is caught and reflected...well...it's kind of hard to explain. (He stands up and looks around) What is all of this, anyway? WALTER These are all pieces from your life, Chip. It's your museum, after all. (Chip looks confused, and Walter nods in understanding) Every piece here is a representation of what has been important to you in your life. Some are easier to recognize than others. (He points over to one of the wall hangings. It's a large police badge.) That's from when Plato gave you his police badge, officially starting the rescue rangers. (He motions to a sculpture of his hat.) That was when you found your first hat. It symbolizes your commitment to being a detective. Everything in this room is from those first few months. CHIP This room? WALTER (Smiling) Follow me. (They walk into an adjoining room, where there are several art works showing Chip and Dale. Some are from their pre-rescue ranger days, but most are from previous adventures. Walter gestures to a painting of Chip and Dale running from Pro. Nimnul, who was transformed into a wolf.) Remember when the two of you had to get out with the metamorphizers? (Chip nods. Walter motions to a mobile of Dale and railroad tracks.) And the time that he got you, Gadget, and Monty captured by Fat Cat? Only to help free you and stop him from stealing the bank's gold bricks using that toy train? CHIP (Reminiscing) All within a half an hour, too. WALTER You have similar rooms for the rest of the rangers. Ones for the toughest crimes. Even one for all the times you've faced Fat Cat and his gang. You have seen it all before, of course. CHIP So why am I here, then? WALTER For this reason. (He leads Chip over to a darkened doorway. It appears as if nothing is inside, not even a room.) Do you know what you're looking at? (Chip peers inside, then shakes his head.) It's your future. Unwritten, I'll add. This will be the next room to add on to your museum...maybe. CHIP (Nervously) What do you mean, ÒMaybeÓ? WALTER A choice is coming up for you Chip. And it'll be one of the most difficult you'll ever have to make. Choose poorly, and this room will never be completed. I'd hate to see that, so I did a little maneuvering to arrange this meeting. You won't remember fully, of course, but hopefully you will retain the importance of this. (He turns to look firmly at Chip) Do not forget what this group was formed on. It's your only chance. CHIP My only chance for wha-- He's cut off as Walter suddenly extends his hand, and blinding flash of light bursts forth. CUT TO: INT: CHIP'S ROOM -- MORNING Chip is just waking up, slowly. He sits up and scratches his head, trying to remember his dream. As he stares into the mirror, a faint echo of it surfaces. WALTER (V.O.) (Faint echo) ...It's your only chance. Not understanding, he sighs and pulls himself out of bed. CUT TO: INT: KITCHEN -- MORNING Chip enters pulling on his jacket. Monty is already up, cooking. CHIP (Sitting down at the table) Good morning, Monty. What's for breakfast? (Monty, lost in a daze, doesn't answer) Uh...Monty? Monty? Monty! MONTEREY (Snapping back to reality) Huh? Oh! Sorry, chipper. Just thinking a bit, that's all. I decided that since we all have got a big day, we all deserve a big breakfast! I made-- CHIP (Interrupting, and unenthusiastic) Hot cream of cheese, right? MONTEREY (Oblivious to Chip's tone) Too right, mate! It'll get us perked up quicker than a joey learning how to hop. Dale stumbles in through the doorway. He is still sleepy, but up. CHIP Wow, Dale, I'm surprised you're up this early. Usually you're the last one up. DALE (Yawning) Yeah, well, that's intentional. But today, I dunno. Just woke up a few minutes ago. (Shrugs) Must've been something I ate. MONTEREY Speaking of eating, why don't you grab a plate, buckos. Breakfast is ready to be served! DALE (Sniffing) Hot cream of cheese again? MONTEREY I knew you boys would be pleased. CHIP and DALE (In Unison) (Flatly) Ecstatic. DISSOLVE TO: INT: LIVING ROOM -- MORNING Chip, Dale, Monty, and Zipper are gathering up several bags of gear and bringing it outside. DALE So what exactly are we doing again? CHIP We're going to rescue Gadget, Mrs. Bricken, and Packrat. Then we're going to stop Fat Cat and Bubbles, putting them behind bars. DALE Uh...could you be a little more specific? CHIP Relax, Dale. I'll explain later, but we still have a lot to do but not much time. DALE Can you at least tell me where we're going? CHIP M.I.T. There's a rat and guinea pig there that should be willing to help us. Dale looks dumbfounded as they continue work. DISSOLVE TO: EXT: CITY STREET -- AFTERNOON Pro. Nimnul is using his tracking unit, moving it about until a steady stream of blips goes off. Normie looks on from inside their van. NIMNUL Aha! I've caught the trail again! Boy this thing has been on the move! Every time I get close, it starts moving again. NORMIE Gee, I wonder if someone is using it. NIMNUL Rodents using my invention? Absurd! Of course, rodents stopping my plans for global conquest is also absurd, but strange things happen when a certain group of them is nearby... (He shakes his head and goes back to studying the tracker.) Well, if something is using it, it better be properly maintained, that's all I have to say! Hmmm....it looks like the exoskeleton is headed for the docks. It's moving fast, so we'd better hurry. He climbs into the van and takes off. PAN down the street after then, crossing several other streets and alleys, until the area where the exoskeleton was located is in view. A shipping van is driving towards the dock. TRUCK IN on the side of the van. CUT TO: INT: VAN -- DAY Fat Cat and Bubbles are sitting up on some boxes near the front. Wart, Mepps, Mole, and Snout and standing guard around a cage. TRUCK IN on the cage, where Packrat and Gadget are. GADGET I sure hope Mrs. Bricken is okay. PACKRAT Well, she's still in that small box that Fat Cat always has. She must be real important to him to watch so carefully. GADGET I just wish that we could do something instead of just being forced into labor for those goons. PACKRAT How about a plan to get out of this mess? GADGET I don't think so, Packrat. First, Bubbles still has that power suit. There's nothing that we have to counter that thing. Second, we can't just abandon Mrs. Bricken as we escape. It's either all or no-one in this case. PACKRAT Say, Gadget, I've been thinking about that suit. I think that there's both real good news and real bad news coming up. GADGET What do you mean? PACKRAT Well, that suit looks like it was built on a much larger scale, right? So I'm thinking that it's been shrunk somehow. GADGET (Nodding) I've seen a few machines that can do that. And it makes sense, since all of those components and wiring is so small. I don't see any other way for it to have been built. PACKRAT Right. Also, since it was originally larger, this means that there isn't any type of reloads or supplies to properly repair it. And besides that, that suit uses some type of power. Now that it's smaller, I bet it can't recharge when it needs to. GADGET (Brightening) That means that soon Bubbles will be out of ammo, tricks, and power! The suit will be useless! PACKRAT That's the real good news. The real bad news is that once the suit isn't any good anymore, they'll expect us to fix it. GADGET (Crestfallen) ...and we can't, because it needs to be enlarged first. PACKRAT (Nodding) Yep. And I don't think we'll be around long once it's discovered that we can't recharge it. GADGET (With sudden determination) Well then, that leaves us with two options: Find a way to recharge the suit or go for the full escape. PACKRAT Hmmm...it's risky, but I say the full escape is more probable than fixing that suit. GADGET If only we knew what the details are of it. You found it like that, right? PACKRAT Yeah. I was just about the leave this guy's place, when I spotted it. He usually has some neat odd bits of junk lying around. GADGET Do you know who this guy is? PACKRAT No. I've only seen him once or twice. He's usually too busy ranting and raving about global domination to notice me. Seems harmless enough, though. I mean, he's small, squat, and balding. Not your jet-set material. GADGET Small, squat, and balding? Global domination? Does he have thick glasses? And a moustache? PACKRAT Well, yeah. He always wears this white lab coat, and has a small nose. GADGET And he lives in a huge lab on top of a hill at the edge of town, right!? PACKRAT (Nodding) That's where I got this. GADGET Golly! It is Professor Nimnul! This explains everything about the suit! Nimnul has shrunk things in the past with a device called the Gigantico-Gun. And the suit's awesome powers could only be developed by that megalomaniacal madman. Hmmm...I wonder why he shrunk it? PACKRAT I don't know. But I do know that as useful as this information is, it doesn't help us at all. We still can't do anything with the suit until it's re-enlarged, and I'm not sure if that's what Fat Cat wants. GADGET Well, we can still work on that plan, but I'm beginning to see some other variables. Nimnul won't let one of his inventions float off. He's probably looking for it right now. Who knows how he'll fit into this? PACKRAT Well, personally, I'm more concerned with getting out of this mess. But as we figured, Bubbles' suit is too strong for us. If only we had some way to counter-balance that! GADGET (Looking around) Hmmm...maybe there is a way to balance that out. But we're going to have to be very careful. PACKRAT So what else is new? GADGET First thing is to get something to write with, and on. PACKRAT (Pulling the stub of a pencil from his vest) Here. What are going to do? Put a message in a bottle? That only works at sea. GADGET (Setting about sketching) No, I need some way to design the blueprints. You can't expect to have a death-defying, harrowing escape from the clutches of evil using complex devices without the proper planning, do you? PACKRAT (Lost in mental fog) Uhhhh...sorry. I guess I missed Breakout 101. CUT TO: INT: M.I.T. LABS -- DAY Buzz is running top speed through a maze. He darts around numerous corners, finally tires of it all and barrels through walls. He crashes through the last wall, reaching the goal. The Chip and Dale are standing with Sparky on a nearby table, watching. SPARKY ÔAtta way, Buzz! Like I've said; never get in the way of a motivated guinea pig. CHIP So as I was saying, we need your help, Sparky. We need some help with tracking this suit. SPARKY I'm pretty busy with my lab work, and Buzz has to practice for the final run this Thursday. Besides, why do you need me? I thought you two still didn't like me. DALE We don't. Chip baps Dale on the head. CHIP Look Sparky, you know that we're not jealous of how Gadget likes you anymore. Or at least I'm not. (He glares at Dale, who merely shrugs.) But this is why we need you and Buzz. Gadget's been kidnapped! SPARKY What?! DALE That creep Bubbles took her after he pounded us into ranger pancakes. SPARKY Guys, I had no idea...of course I'll help! And I'm sure Buzz will pitch in, too. We do still sorta owe you for helping us escape from that Nimnul guy. DALE Yeah, that's right, isn't it? We did save you from Nimnul. SPARKY (Puzzled) Who's Nimnul? DALE Uh, the man we rescued you from. SPARKY Oh! That explains why Buzz and I owe you, then. CHIP (Whispering to Dale) Looks like Sparky's memory is as erratic as it ever was. DALE It was like this before? CHIP Ahhh...forget it, Dale. DALE (Honestly) Forget what? Chip claps his hand to his forehead. Monty and Zipper are coming towards them with Buzz. Each one has a piece of cheese. MONTEREY Well, mates, this place may be lackin' in home decor, but at least the fridge is well-stocked. He throws his cheese into the air, swallowing it whole. BUZZ We found out where they stored the food shortly after coming here. That way we can snack when we want to. SPARKY Yeah. A real nice lab mouse showed us before he left with a bunch of other rats. I think his name was Jonathan...Flimsy? Freebie? MONTEREY Don't worry about it, mate. Did the lads explain our problems? SPARKY Yep. We just need to know what you want us to do. CHIP Well, what we really need from you guys is to see if you can try to figure out some way to shut down that suit. (He rubs his chest absentmindedly) It would be a lot better knowing some way to avoid a repeat performance of our last encounter. SPARKY No problem, boys. Glad to help. (He extends his hand. Dale clasps it, giving himself a shock. He flies back, landing on his back.) Oops, sorry about that. I forget every now and then. CHIP It's okay. No harm done, right Dale? Dale slowly sits up, a electrical spark going off from his hair. DALE (Dazed) As you were, Mr. Worf. MONTEREY (Nodding) He's fine. CHIP Okay, then. Sparky, stop by our headquarters when you two have figured something out. We're going to go make one more stop, at the best informant in town. MONTEREY (Cringing) Oh no...don't tell me... CUT TO: INT: SEWER -- DAY The ranger's are walking along the side, carrying a few books on a roller sled. The roller sled has two sets of rollerblade wheels underneath a simple plank of wood. MONTEREY Sewer Al's! Gaa--I hate this place! Crocs can be lurking underneath these waters anywhere! DALE (Nervously) Uh--Chip? Chipper? There aren't really crocs around here, are there? CHIP Of course not, Dale. Crocodiles aren't found in this part of the world. (Dale relaxes.) You're probably thinking of alligators that are flushed down the toilet. They're the ones who are all over this place. Dale goes back to a state of near panic. MONTEREY Crikey, how much further is it? We've been down here for ages. CHIP Relax, Monty. Ah! There it is! (He points to the front of a closed-off sewer drain. It's dark, and water trickles down the side. The water drops echo on down the pipes. Chip walks up to the front.) Uh, Sewer Al? Are you in here? We need some information. There's a long pause. SEWER AL (V.O.) (Slowly) Do you now... Chip glances back nervously at Monty and Dale. Dale ducks behind Monty, who merely shudders a little. Zipper motions Chip onward. CHIP Well, yeah. We would, of course, pay for it in the usual manner. Another long silence. Then sounds of scraping can be heard from within the darkness of the closed off drain. The rangers back up a few steps. Sewer Al steps into the light, a large alligator. He towers over the rangers as he stands up fully. A small set of spectacles sit on his long snout. SEWER AL You have succeeded in gaining my attention. MONTEREY (Very shaky) How-how's the weather up there--I mean down here. SEWER AL Cold. Clammy. Humid. All at once. CHIP (Swallowing) Right. Well, we'll make this quick. We need to know what Fat Cat is up to, and a few other things. SEWER AL (Chuckling) Fat Cat is up to his usual tricks, I can tell you that common knowledge at no charge. As for the details, well, let's see what you brought first... (He leans over the sled. He picks up each book carefully and examines them. The rangers huddle together and watch apprehensively.) Hmmm...Ó1984Ó. Good choice. I have a number of copies already, of course, but this will be a nice addition. Ah! ÒWhite NoiseÓ. Marvelous! This one is worth a bit to me, as I don't have a copy yet. ÒThe Maltese FalconÓ and ÒThe Great GabsyÓ. Excellent. What this? (He picks up a comic book of the bottom.) Captain Squid? CHIP What?! He turns and glares at Dale. DALE (Shrugging) Hey, I thought it was stuff to read in case we got bored or something. How was I supposed to know? SEWER AL Yes, well, you can keep it. (He drops on top of Dale.) But the rest are suitable payment. I will first tell you that Fat Cat is on his way to the docks even as speak. DALE (Crawling out from under the comic book) Really? How do you know? SEWER AL Oh trust me, I have my sources. CHIP Do you know what his plan is? SEWER AL (Grinning) My good man, or chipmunk as the case may be, you claim yourself to be a detective. Can't you sort through the clues? CHIP (Defensively) I'm not sure what all of the clues are. SEWER AL Then listen. The exoskeleton, or suit as you refer to it, is in the possession of Fat Cat, but Bubbles was the one wearing it. What does that tell you? DALE I thought Bubbles stole it. CHIP (Slapping his hand against his forehead) Bubbles is working with Fat Cat! SEWER AL Very good. Now, Packrat was taken because Fat Cat believes he can maintain the exoskeleton. But why do you think Mrs. Bricken was taken? Was it her connection with Bubbles? Or her connections elsewhere? MONTEREY So...you're saying that Mrs. Bricken was taken because of her connections? But the only place where that would be big is with the shipping communities... CHIP ...And Fat Cat is headed for the docks! I think I'm starting to understand... (He starts pacing, thinking hard.) Hmmm...Fat Cat must've hired Bubbles so he could get Mrs. Bricken easier. (He turns to Sewer Al) Was Bubbles working for the Brickens before or after Fat Cat hired him? SEWER AL After. Starting to get the idea? CHIP (Nodding) Bubbles never came close to reforming. He hitched up with Fat Cat as soon as he could. Getting the job of her bodyguard allowed Fat Cat the ability to know exactly where she would be and when, making it that much easier to kidnap her. (He resumes his pacing.) So, once they picked up the exoskeleton, Bubbles wore it, since he's the only one it would fit. This also made it easy to stop anyone trying to interfere. MONTEREY (Glumly) Like us. Chip rubs his chest again, then goes back to his thinking. CHIP Mrs. Bricken, now chairman of the board of Norwin Enterprises, has some sort of knowledge that Fat Cat wants. Bubbles, outfitted with that exoskeleton, provides the muscle to back up the plan. But we still don't know what it is that he's got planned. SEWER AL Final clue: Norwin Enterprises controls all of the imports and exports for our little animal world. They know all about the shipping routes, vessels, and cargo. Fat Cat is trying to expand his empire to include a new racket. MONTEREY Smuggling! CHIP Right! If Fat Cat get his hands on the right information, he can use Norwin Enterprises as a front for a huge smuggling operation. No one will know, because it's all hidden in the paperwork of the business! DALE Gosh! But what would he be smuggling? CHIP Anything and everything, Dale. If gets control over the docks, he can use it ship whatever he pleases without anyone knowing about it. He could get money from Britain, or sell jewels to someone in Monaco. MONTEREY And if he's gonna be gettin' that kind of money and power, it'll make our job a whole lot harder. CHIP Then to the docks! Fat Cat and Bubbles will be there, and where they are we'll also find Gadget, Packrat, and Mrs. Bricken. MONTEREY (Nodding) The gang's all there. But what about that exoskeleton, Chipper? Do you think that we should wait until Sparky and Buzz come up with something? DALE Yeah, Chip. Getting there quick won't help if we're still gonna get our tails whumped. MONTEREY Whumped? CHIP Good point, Dale. But I don't want Fat Cat to have any more time than I have to. (Zipper buzzes excitedly to Chip, motioning that he can tell Sparky.) Great idea, Zipper! You clue Sparky and Buzz in as to what's going on. Have them meet us by the docks. Zipper makes a trumpeting sound (Charge!) and takes off. SEWER AL If you like, I can provide you with directions through these sewers. It would save you a lot of time. DALE Gee, thanks! (He holds up his comic) Here, take it as payment for that. Sewer Al only looks disgusted at the comic book. SEWER AL It's quite all right. Consider it an act of good will. CHIP Well let's get moving! Rescue rangers... ALL (except Sewer Al) in unison AWAY! SEWER AL (Rolling his eyes) How inspiring... CUT TO: EXT: DOCKS -- DAY -- NIMNUL'S VAN Professor Nimnul hops out of the van with the tracking device. He is also carrying a belt with various electrical devices strapped on. Normie bounds out after him. NORMIE Gee, Uncle Norton, don't you think you look a little, well, conspicuous? NIMNUL Normie, one of the first things you're going to have to realize is that an evil genius does not conform to societies standards. We are not slaves to the routine of everyday life, because we are the keepers of unique thoughts. Besides, I don't want to take the time to carefully conceal my equipment. Donahue is on in an hour, and I don't want to miss any more than I have to. NORMIE Why don't you just tape it? NIMNUL Who knows how to figure out these new VCR's? Every time I try to tape something, some other function goes on; the clock, built-in radio, fireworks... Aha! I've located the exoskeleton! It's only about two miles away from us. Over there, in that warehouse. He points to a warehouse with a sign reading ÒNorwin EnterprisesÓ. Slow ZOOM IN on the warehouse, than DISSOLVE to the inside. INT: NORWIN ENTERPRISES WAREHOUSE -- DAY Gadget and Packrat are off in one corner, working with the exoskeleton. Gadget is going over a check list while Packrat oils it up. Mepps, Wart, Mole, and Snout are nearby. GADGET Okay, then. (She marks off a box on her list) That's everything, then. Are you done, Packrat? PACKRAT (Wiping his hands on a rag) Yeah. I guess everything's ready to go, then. BUBBLES (V.O.) Good. Bubbles steps up to them. He walks up to the exoskeleton and latches himself up. He hits the on switch, and does some quick motions. GADGET (Hesitantly) Are you using it tonight? BUBBLES Don't worry about. It's not your concern. (He stops and looks at her coldly) Just keeping the suit working well is the only thing that you're pretty little head needs to be occupied with. He then walks off. Gadget and Packrat watch after him, then move to a small pile of debris in the corner. PACKRAT (Quietly) You watch for the guards. I'll get everything ready. Gadget nods and turns to watch Mepps and the rest. Packrat moves the debris aside, revealing an assortment of items; cloth, wire, steel mesh, and other odds and ends. He gathers everything up in a bag and moves off into the cage where they're kept. Gadget checks once more, then follows him. GADGET Coast is clear. Once the suit is gone, they don't worry about us too much. (Packrat nods. She looks at the collection of stuff.) Wow, I'm still kinda surprised at how much you've collected since we've been in this place. Who knew a warehouse would have so much stuff? PACKRAT (Shyly) Aw, I've been doing this all my life. It's nothing, really. (He than becomes serious again.) Okay. We have the equipment, and we have the blueprints. Now we need to construct them. And quick. GADGET What's the rush? Besides our apparent escape to freedom, I mean. PACKRAT Well, I don't know about you, but I think Bubbles has been acting very private lately. I think he's got something planned for himself tonight. Something Fat Cat doesn't know about. GADGET You know, Bubbles has been doing that, hasn't he? What do you think he'll try? Just taking over the plan? PACKRAT I don't know. But I do know that I don't want to be caught in the crossfire, which is exactly where we'll be when this happens. So we're going to have to kit-bash these things. You know, put them together for one use, because that's all we'll get before they fall apart. GADGET Right. So hand me those doohickeys there, and we can get started. PACKRAT (looking around) These doohickeys? Or next to those thingimabobs? GADGET No, under the whatchamacallits. PACKRAT Oh! Sorry. WIRE WIPE TO: EXT: WAREHOUSE -- DAY -- MANHOLE COVER The manhole cover lifts slightly, and slowly shifts to one side a small ways. As it does, Chip, Dale, and Monterey are seen underneath, straining as they move the cover. Once a big enough opening is present, they all quickly hop out and look over at the warehouse. CHIP Wow! Sewer Al's directions really did help us out! We got here in no time! (He looks back at the manhole cover) Luckily for us the city has been using those new lightweight alloy manhole covers. Much easier for us to move. MONTEREY (Not quite believing it) Right.... DALE Yeah, but what now? Do we wait for Zipper to bring Sparky and Buzz, hoping that they have something for us? Or do we charge straight forward into the valley of death? CHIP Dale, that's a silly question. MONTEREY Yeah, mate! We do what we rangers always do! Charge! He starts to run off in to the warehouse, but Chip steps in front of him and holds him back. CHIP (As he strains to hold Monty) We...(grunt)...scout it...(gasp)...out first! Monty finally stops running, and Chips breathes a sigh of relief, leaning against him for support. MONTEREY (Disappointed) Oh, yeah...right. (As Chip walks off) Spoilsport. The three of them move off and climb up the side of the building, coming to rest on on window ledge. They peer inside, seeing Fat Cat talking to a bound Mrs. Bricken. Bubbles is off to one side, watching. Fat Cat's voice gets louder during a slow TRUCK inside, which DISSOLVES to: INT: WAREHOUSE -- DAY FAT CAT (Voice gradually increases to normal volume) ...without any hope of rescue. So you see, my dear lady, your co-operation with me is not only for my benefit, but yours as well. MRS. BRICKEN Never! Those computer codes were entrusted to me! I know what you're up to. You want those codes so you can alter what's been shipped and to whom. FAT CAT (Sarcastically) Amazing...you figured this all out on your own? I can see why Norwin would hire such a master of perception and insight. MRS. BRICKEN What's more, even if I did give you those codes, I would inform the company right away, and they would be changed! FAT CAT (Sighing) Why does everyone always insist on doing things the hard way? Very well, I believe a demonstration is in order to show you the logic. Bubbles? Bubbles nods grimly, and walks over to a stack of wooden crates. He pulls his fist back for a punch, waits for a moment as energy charges up his glove, then hits the stack with a loud *CRASH* destroying them in a single blow. FAT CAT (Leaning in close to Mrs. Bricken) The janitor around here is going to hate us when Bubbles is finished. Bubbles then turns and fires and electrical bolt across the room, exploding a few empty barrels. INTERCUT of Chip at the window. He nervously rubs his chest as he watches. Bubbles moves on to another stack of crates, this time using a grappling hook attachment to snag the top one, then brings in down and around in a smooth swing to smash against the rest. He steps out from the wreckage, dusting himself off nonchalantly. FAT CAT Well, my dear Mrs. Bricken? What is the good word now? I'm sure that as you keep in mind that Bubbles can do this to not only you, but also your husband, the word will indeed be good. MRS. BRICKEN (Stammering) I...I... (She lowers her head and continues in a defeated tone.) I'll do what you want. FAT CAT Ah, there, you see? That wasn't so very difficult now, was it? Now when you hand over those codes, just remember that any change of them will result in your husband's unfortunate...accident. Boys! Take Mrs. Bricken off to her private cell, where she can start writing out the codes. BUBBLES (As Mrs. Bricken is carried off) How long do you plan to hold on to her? FAT CAT Until the ransom is paid. Then she can go back. But I'll always have that tool of the threat to her husband to hold over her should I need something else. Bubbles nods and strokes his chin thoughtfully. Suddenly, a loud beeping is heard. BUBBLES (Alarmed) Something's coming towards the warehouse! And quick! (He points to the set of doors at the other end.) Through there! Look out! They both dive aside as Nimnul's van comes crashing through. It screeches to a halt, and Normie and Nimnul stagger out. NORMIE (Dazed) Whoa...neat trick, Uncle Norton. Let's do it again! NIMNUL Let's not and say we didn't. Oh well, at least I know the difference between park and reverse, now. NORMIE Yeah, reverse is a lot more fun! Chip, Dale, and Monty sneak in through the window and scamper along the rafters to get a better view. DALE Nimnul! MONTEREY Crikey! Shoulda figured he'd be involved somehow! Now what? CHIP I don't know. It looks like Bubbles and Fat Cat are hiding from them. Maybe we can--hey! Look over there! (He points to a corner of the warehouse where Mepps, Mole, Snout, and Wart and standing.) Looks like they're guarding something. MONTEREY Or someone! CHIP Right! Let's go! I have a hunch Fat Cat and Bubbles are going to be a bit busy now, anyway. They move quickly along the rafters to the other side of the warehouse, where they maneuver down a number of stacks of crates to the floor behind Mepps, Wart, Mole, and Snout. MOLE Gee, I wonder what that noise is over there? WART Who cares? De boss told us to watch after de prisoners. SNOUT But what if the noise comes over here? Shouldn't we know what it is so we know what to do? WART Well, yeah, I guess dat would make a difference. MEPPS Hold it! We don't need to know what it is do know what to do. If the noise comes over here, we just plug our ears, so we don't here it. (He plugs his ears) Like this. The rest of them also plug their ears. MOLE Like this? ALL(Except MOLE) (Shouting) WHAT?! MOLE (Shouting) I SAID, LIKE THIS?! They continue on in this fashion as Chip, Dale, and Monterey sneak around them to the cage where Gadget and Packrat are. CHIP Gadget! Are you in here? GADGET Chip? (She runs to the front of the cage) Oh thank goodness you guys are here! DALE Don't worry, Gadget. We'll get you out! CHIP Where's Packrat? And Mrs. Bricken? GADGET Packrat's in the back. He's putting the finishing touches on a project we've been working on. I don't know where exactly Mrs. Bricken is. Fat Cat has been keeping her in a separate cage. MONTEREY Well, come on, let's get you out of here first. (Grabs hold of the bars and tries to bend them) Grunt! Okay, mebbe this isn't going to be that easy. Zipper flies in from OFFSTAGE and deftly reaches inside the lock, picking it open quickly. The door swings free as Buzz enters from the same direction Zipper came from. GADGET Zipper! Buzz! Where did you guys come from? BUZZ Oh, well, we really couldn't track you guys that well, but we recognized Nimnul's van, and hitched a ride while it was at a stop light. We guessed that he'd be after his invention. (Cringes at CRASH OFFSTAGE. Looks over his shoulder.) Looks like we were right. CHIP Nimnul invented it? Well that explains a lot. (Looking around) Where's Sparky? BUZZ He's back there, trying to get a better glimpse of the exoskeleton. We think we may have figured a way of taking it out. Actually, Nimnul figured it out, but it'll work for us just the same. DALE What's that? BUZZ Nimnul built a remote switch-off for the suit, in case of emergency. All we have to do is to get a hold of it. Unfortunately, it's in Nimnul's pocket, making it a bit more difficult. Zipper begins to buzz and motion to the group, explaining that Nimnul brought his Gigantico-Gun along. MONTEREY Blimey! If Nimnul's brought that gun along, he must be planning to just enlarge the suit, so he can hop in it right away. Like we need another complication. CHIP Well, hang on, first things first. Gadget, go and get Packrat. We have to move while the guards are still busy. (He motions to them as they continue to shout at each other.) Dale, you and Zipper spread out and look for Mrs. Bricken. She has to be somewhere nearby. Monty, you and Buzz go get Sparky. We'll all meet at the north wall. Okay, go! They spilt up. Gadget retrieves Packrat, who is carrying some bundles with him. Dale and Zipper move about, and find Mrs. Bricken off to the side, in a separate cage. DALE There she is, Zipper! Think you can get this lock, to-- (Zipper has the lock done before Dale can finish.) You're gonna have to show me how you do that. (He opens the door and steps in.) Hey, Mrs. Bricken! Come on, it's a jail break! (Turns to Zipper) I've always wanted to say that. MRS. BRICKEN Oh! Oh...but it doesn't matter now. If I go, Fat Cat will unleash that horrible Bubbles on my husband. Zipper takes a heroic pose on Dale's shoulder and shakes his head. DALE Yeah, Zipper's right, Mrs. Bricken. Fat Cat won't be able to do anything like that. ÔCause the Rescue Rangers won't let him! (He also takes a heroic pose. Mrs. Bricken looks at him blankly.) MRS. BRICKEN Who? DALE (Surprised) Uh, you know, the Rescue Rangers? To the Rescue, and all that jazz? Oh, well, never mind. We've beaten Ôol Fat Cat time and time again. MRS. BRICKEN Really? Then why isn't he in jail by now? DALE Uh...well, I guess because most state penitentiaries don't accept cats. But you can check our resumes later, right now we have to get you out of here. MRS. BRICKEN But you don't understand, it's my husbands life we're talking about. I can't risk his so easily. He'd do anything for me, and I would for him, as well. I won't betray that trust. Dale and Zipper exchange glances. Dale gets a determined look, and steps forward. DALE I'm sure that Mr. Bricken would be real proud of you for that. But I bet he'd be even more happy if he knew that you were safe. I mean, you say that you two would do anything for each other, but if you don't try to get out of here, all it's going to do is prove to Fat Cat that he can control you. I'm not saying this will be any easier, but at least you would have tried, and not gave up. And that is what I think would be the most important to your husband. MRS. BRICKEN (Slowly) Yes...yes, I suppose you do have sound logic there. Very well, let's get a move on. As she walks by, Zipper gives Dale a high-five. DALE Thank you, Dear Abby! They meet with the rest of the group at the north wall. Packrat is unpacking the bundles, talking to Gadget, Sparky, and Buzz. PACKRAT The suits' interwoven mesh will absorb most of the physical blows, and we saturated the outer layers in a fire-resistant substance. These suits also have the electrical wiring hooked through the gloves for easy operation. Chip and Monty are looking on with questioning stares. CHIP (Dryly) Isn't it amazing what they can do with pine sap and phone lines these days? MONTEREY Isn't it? CHIP (Seeing Dale) Oh, Dale, Zipper. You found Mrs. Bricken. Good job, guys! DALE Thanks, Chipper. Now what? CHIP Now we have to stop Bubbles, destroy the suit, and try to hold Nimnul and Fat Cat until the police get here. Sound good? DALE Well, yeah. But how do we do it? MONTEREY That's what they're trying to figure out, Dale. Seems Packrat and Gadget have been working on a couple of suits to escape with. ÔCourse, now that they've escaped, they aren't as important. CHIP But remember, Monty, we aren't out of this place yet. These suits can still work for us. But first we have to figure out how to work them. GADGET (Looking up from the other discussion) Oh, it's really quite simple Chip. All operations are directed through the sensors in the gloves. In fact, everything is all set in terms of readiness. MONTEREY So what's the problem? PACKRAT Well, we've got all of these great systems and offensive capabilities backed by strong defenses...but we don't have any means to power them. DALE So...what you're saying is that we have two real bulky costume party outfits? PACKRAT Uh, I'd prefer a more poetic way to put it, but essentially, yeah. SPARKY Power? Is that all? Oh no problem! He bends done and begins to work with the suits. The loud sounds of explosions draw the attention of everyone else. CHIP Sounds like Fat Cat and Bubbles are putting up a tough fight. MONTEREY Forget Fat Cat, Chipper. My money's on Bubbles who's giving Nimnul the fits. SPARKY TA-DAA! He holds up the suits, but no differences can be seen. GADGET All right Sparky! Um...what'd you do? SPARKY Oh, I just rerouted the wires so it could be charged directly without any power source. They're all set. DALE Why does this worry me? CHIP No time for that Dale. We have to get Mrs. Bricken out of here, and try to keep Bubbles and Nimnul from bringing this place down around our ears. GADGET The suits can fit just about anybody here. Who's going to wear them? MONTEREY Well, both me an' Zipper here won't quite fit, one way or another. SPARKY And Buzz and myself need to be out of them to get the power going. DALE Well, I guess I'm the most qualified. CHIP How so? DALE Well, after reading over 231 comic books, and being the former Rubber Bando, I think I have the most extensive super hero background training here. CHIP If you're going to play super hero again, I'm keeping an eye on you. I guess I'll take the other one, then. PACKRAT Whew! I was afraid I would have to use it! (Quickly, as Chip and Dale look at him) Uh, I mean, I'd hate to take away the honor of being the first to use it! CHIP (Sarcastically) Oh, good. I feel so much safer now. DALE (Bluntly) I don't. Chip sighs and begins to put on the suit. Dale follows suit (Joke Ha-Ha). They finish, and then Sparky and Buzz come up from behind, each touching a metal panel on the back of the suit. BUZZ Wonder Twin powers, activate! They touch hands, and a huge surge of electricity goes off, charging up the suits. Sparky and Buzz are a bit smoky. SPARKY (Rolling his eyes) Wonder Twins, Buzz? BUZZ (Grinning) I always wanted to say that. CHIP Uh, as much as I hate break up some cartoon nostalgia, how about telling us how these things work? GADGET Well, you both can temporary achieve low-attitute earth orbit and gravity assisted aerial maneuvers... PACKRAT You can fly and swoop. GADGET ...Dale, you have direct operating air-flow current regulator, variable in force to the power setting.... PACKRAT It makes strong winds. GADGET ...and Chip, you have a set of electromagnetic manipulator pads, which can reset the amount of ionized particles for attraction. PACKRAT It pulls things to you or pushes them away. CHIP Uh, thanks. I...think we're better off now. DALE Wow! So how do I get moving? This big red button here? He presses it, and takes off in a dramatic blast-off. He whips by the group every so often as Chip speaks. CHIP So much for the subtle approach. Okay; Gadget, you and Packrat get Mrs. Bricken out of here and to safety; Sparky and Buzz can go see if they can find the remote switch. Hmm...I wonder why Nimnul hasn't used it? Anyway, Monty and Zipper, you both can help us out by making sure the rest of Fat Cat's gang is taken care of. They all nod and take off (especially Chip) in their respective directions. Chip and Dale fly off in the direction of the scuffle. As they approach, they can see that Nimnul has his Gigantico-Gun out. He is hiding behind a stack of crates with Normie. Bubbles is firing electrical bolts at them, but they are too small to be a serious threat. Fat Cat is behind him. He points up to the Rangers. FAT CAT Company! It's those blasted Rangers again! BUBBLES Not to worry, boss. Blasted they will be. He steps behind the crate with Fat Cat. Chip and Dale swoop over to the other side. DALE Where'd they go? CHIP (Surprised) Behind us! They turn around to see Bubbles leaping up on another crate. He fires both arms at them. Electrical bolts fly by them, narrowly missing. DALE (Dramatically) Hah! Now we, too, have super suits! Observe and fear the power of my air current control! He begins playing with the dials and switches. The unit coughs and sputters, and a tiny puff of smoke is spit out. BUBBLES Oh, I tremble in fear. CHIP Dale! Turn it on first! He reaches over and clicks a switch on the side of the unit. With a roar, the unit blinks on. A strong wind shoots out, slamming into Bubbles and knocking him backwards. DALE Wowie-zowie! It worked. I wonder what else it does? (He starts pressing buttons randomly, hitting one marked "stabilizer". It now off, Dale is thrown back from the wind current.) CHIP Turn it off, Dale! Dale crashes into the rafters above. The unit is smashed flat. DALE (Dizzyingly) It's off...now will someone please stop the merry-go-round? I don't feel so merry anymore. BUBBLES (Climbing back up) One furball down, one to go. (Chip turns back to face Bubbles.) Give it up, bub. What makes you think that you can stop us? That you can stop anyone? (The gun bolts charge up, casting his face in an evil glow.) Slow TRUCK IN on Chip, remembering. WALTER (V.O.) Do not forget what this group was formed on. It's your only chance... CHIP (Slowly understanding) Confidence. BUBBLES (Caught off guard by the answer) What? CHIP (More quickly) We were formed on the confidence that we could make a difference. That we could stop people like you, that we had the bravery to face times like this and push our fear aside so we could do our job. (Smiling) That's what makes me know we can stop a two-bit hood like you. He turns on his gloves, and aims them at a hook and pulley off to one side. Magnetic waves pull it free from it's place, and it swings down towards Bubbles. He sees it coming and manges to barely jump aside as it crashes into the crate. FAT CAT Bubbles! Quit philosophizing and roast them! BUBBLES (Pulling himself up) Can't argue with that logic. He fires off a series of bolts at Chip, who weaves and dives through the air, dodging them all while trying the magnetic gloves on a toolbox behind Bubbles. It shoots forward at the same time an electrical bolt just skims by Chip's hands, shorting out the gloves. He drops them quickly. The toolbox rams into Bubbles and they crash into another pile of crates. A moment later, Bubbles pops back out. BUBBLES Okay, now I'm upset. He unleashes several bolts at once, and Chip barely manages to avoid them all. He takes cover behind another group of boxes off to the side. Dale lands next to him. DALE Now what, Chip? My air current thingy doesn't work. He drops the flattened box with a THUD. CHIP Yeah, mine is gone, too. We're no match for Bubbles now. (Looks over to Nimnul.) Let's try and grab that remote switch from Nimnul. Maybe then we don't have to confront Bubbles again. He fiddles with the controls of his suit, and takes off over towards Nimnul. Dale works with his, but suddenly he bolts off skyward. DALE I don't think they got the bugs worked out of this yet! CHIP (Looking back at Dale) Dale! He crashes into Nimnul, and falls to the ground, startled. Nimnul reaches down and picks him up. NIMNUL Another rodent in a power suit? What is this? Mighty Rodent Power Rangers? Say...you look familiar... NORMIE Hey! Isn't he Rubber Bando? NIMNUL No you fool! It's one of those vermin that always interferes with my plans for world conquest. You'd think they didn't want it to happen or something. No matter. Lucky for you, tiny trooper, I don't have time for you now. He drops Chip, who catches on to his pocket on the way down. He slips inside and grabs the remote switch, then takes off again. NORMIE Hey! He took your remote switch, Uncle Norton! NIMNUL (Setting his Gigantico-Gun to Enlarge) And he's welcome to it. It's worthless now, since somebody took out the batteries in it! He casts a glare over at Normie. NORMIE (Sheepishly) I needed them for my ant farm. The molecular cohesion reducer in the silo was an important part of my recreation of the-- NIMNUL Hush! It doesn't matter now, anyway. I'll just enlarge the suit right off of that mouse, and then hop in it. We can be gone before the cops get here. He steps around the crate, aims, and fires. The beam hits Bubbles, and he begins to grow, along with the suit. BUBBLES Hey--wha-what's going on? NIMNUL Huh? Oh yeah, I forgot. The ray effects other things in the immediate area. Oh well, how dangerous can a six-foot tall mouse be? Bubbles looks at himself. He looks down at Fat cat and grins. BUBBLES Sorry, ÒbossÓ. But I think I'll call the shots from now on. FAT CAT What?! (Bubbles fires a bolt of electricity, destroying a pillar) Er...um...makes perfect sense. NIMNUL (Watching in awe) Then again, maybe I should be more concerned about the exoskeleton then the mouse. NORMIE (Slowly backing away) Um...gee, Uncle Norton, I'd love to stay and watch and all, but, ah, I think I'm due at the dentist for a root canal. Can't be late for that! Bye! Normie runs hurriedly away. NIMNUL Normie! Come back here! Why I'd ground you if I could fault your cowardice! Oh well, things can't get worse... (Police sirens sound in the background) Ahem. I stand corrected. Dale comes back flying around, and eventually manages to land upon a stack of crates next to Chip, who is trying to operate the remote switch. DALE Hey! you got it! CHIP Yeah, for all the good it does us. It's not working! Dale takes a look at it. He removes the back cover, revealing the empty battery case. DALE Aha! As I suspected. Happens to me all the time with my video games. CHIP Oh...yeah. Right. I was just about to think of that. Now...all we need are some batteries. DALE But where do we get them? I doubt Bubbles and the rest will wait long enough for us to run down to the market to grab some. CHIP Well, we have to do something for power. They both look at each other, then grin. BOTH (Looking offstage) Oh Sparkyyyyyyyyy! Sparky climbs up from the side of the crates. SPARKY What? I'm trying to find the--oh. Never mind. CHIP Well, look Sparky, right now we need your help here. Can you power this? SPARKY Yeah, I guess so. Let me see... He grabs the metal prongs on the inside and begins to spark. CHIP Quick! While he's powering it we have to shut down the exoskeleton! But what button do we press? DALE (Smugly) As any good cartoon watcher knows, Chip... (Presses a large red button) ...it's always the red button. The suit begins to slowly shut down. BUBBLES Hey! What the--? Where's all the power for this thing going? He grunts and tries to move it about, but it gets tougher and tougher. NIMNUL That's odd, I wonder...oh well, as long as it's an easier target... He switches the setting on the Gigantico- Gun to Reduce, aims, and fires. The beam hit Bubbles, and he slowly starts to shrink in size. BUBBLES Huh?! Man, this just isn't my day! FAT CAT (Looming in) You can say that again. BUBBLES (Gulps) Boss! Uh...that ray zapped me...must have messed with my mind...I didn't mean that I was going to double-cross you... He looks up at Fat Cat in fright. The suit is completely out of power, and Bubbles can't move. Fat Cat quickly advances from the shadows. FAT CAT (Ominously) I'm sure. (He reaches out a claw and slices open a pod in the suit's arm. Glue comes pouring out, covering Bubbles and adhering him to the suit.) As I recall, this glue is the concrete bond kind. Good luck getting free. (He slips back into the shadows.) Those that cross me do not deserve a swift and painless end. Professor Nimnul walks over to the suit and to Bubbles. He puts on a glove, then picks Bubbles up. NIMNUL (Angrily) Ruined! My beautiful exoskeleton ruined! This glue will have completely fried and garbled up the delicate senors and circuitry. Argh! My life's work! Well, my work for the past six month's, anyway. (He pauses, listening to the sirens getting closer.) Well, I can still get out of here before the cops come. Maybe I can salvage something out of the suit... (He looks at Bubbles) At least I got a new test rat for my experiments. Come to think of it, I've been wondering how long a rodent can survive on spam alone. Bubbles turns pale as Nimnul carries him off to the van, gets in, and drives off. Fat Cat watches from a corner. FAT CAT (Sinister and quiet) Those that cross me do not deserve a swift and painless end. He nods, and sneaks out. Monty and Zipper are over by Fat Cat's gang. Watching them continue their arguing with their hands in their ears. MONTEREY This is has got to be one of the biggest groups of idiots I've ever seen. Zipper nods. Chip and Dale walk over. CHIP Any trouble with the gang? MONTEREY Naw, they've been arguing like this for the entire time. The only threat they present is to my sanity. DALE Well that can't be too dangerous then. Monty glares at Dale, who looks surprised. Chip shakes his head. CHIP Forget it, guys. Let's get out of here and back home. DALE But wait a minute, why was Bubbles stealing all of those gems and electronic components before? CHIP At first, I bet it was to try and keep the exoskeleton running. They figured that they would need special components, and even gems to focus the lasers and stuff. It didn't work, of course. MONTEREY (Nodding) And when that happened, they probably just sold 'em to the highest bidder. They move over a sewer grate. DALE Do we have to take the sewer back? CHIP It's the quickest way. Unless you want to trust the suits we have to fly back. DALE (Hopping into the sewer) Last one in is a rotten egg!....(sniff sniff) Never mind, I found one already! DISSOLVE TO: INT: RESCUE RANGER HQ -- LIVING ROOM -- MORNING CHIP (Leaning back in the couch.) Ah...another crime cracked, another case solved. This is my favorite part of crime fighting. The satisfaction of a job well done. DALE Really? I just like the fact that we did a good job. MONTEREY (Chuckling) Can't argue with either of you on that point. (He sits down at the table with a plate of cheese.) How are you feeling now, Chip? You really haven't had that much rest for someone who has had their chest cavity scorched. CHIP Thanks for the concern, Monty. But in all honesty, I think that it was good for me. DALE On no, he's in denial. CHIP No, Dale, I'm not. DALE See? CHIP (Sighing) Dale, remember a while ago when I was trying to teach you chess? (Dale nods) Well, one of the things about it is that it's important to practice to stay good at it. And that's the same thing with what happened to me. It's important to have close calls like that every so often. Reminds me of what's important. DALE Like Iron Goose music? CHIP Well, maybe not for me, but you get the general principal. GADGET (Sitting next to Chip with some medical supplies) Regardless of what you mean exactly, you still need to relax for the next few days. I saw when you got hit, and an injury like that needs time more than anything else. (She pulls out a hot pad and presses it against his chest.) Now lean back, and hold this in place. Chip does so, a smile of contentment on his face. CHIP (Mumbling) Thanks Walter. GADGET Huh? What did you say, Chip? (She puts a pillow under his head and her hand on his forehand.) You're not getting feverish, are you? CHIP Huh? Oh no, I'm... (Pauses as Gadget lightly rubs her hand across his forehand) ...fine. Just fine (He gulps.) GADGET I don't know...maybe some water would do you good. Dale? (Dale looks up from the other side of the couch.) Could you get a glass of water for Chip? DALE (Grumbling to himself as he leaves.) Get water for Chip while she sits next to him...I should get hit by lightning more often if those are the benefits. As he leaves, Monty stands up and motions to Zipper. MONTEREY Come on, Zipper. I think we should go and start up some chow. Can't heal on an empty stomach, can you Chip? What're in the mood for? Cheese a la King? Cheese chowder? Cheese under glass? CHIP (Rolling his eyes) I'll trust in your expert judgment, Monty. MONTEREY Too right! Come on Zip 'ol pal, let's hit the market for some supplies. He and Zipper leave. Slow TRUCK IN on Chip and Gadget as they speak. GADGET Here... (She takes the hot pad off and begins dabbing the wound with a moistened rag. Chip flinches slightly at the medication.) Sorry...it's going to sting a little. (She's quiet for a few moments as she dabs at his chest. Her eyes steal to his for glance, then back to her work.) That was a big risk you took, you know. Stepping out as a target so Dale could have gotten around and helped the rest of us. CHIP Would've been even better if it worked. GADGET (Smiling) Yeah, probably. But still, I just wanted to...to thank you, for taking that chance. And then again by facing Bubbles at the warehouse. (She looks at him concerned) It must have been terrifying, seeing him again so soon after he almost ki-- (She breaks off, and becomes absorbed in treating his injury.) CHIP (Nodding) Yeah, you're right. Gadget. It was terrifying. But that's what I was trying to explain to Dale earlier. I was scared, but when the time came to face him again, I remembered what this team was formed on. And it steeled my resolve. (He puts his hand over hers.) Reminded me of what was important. She stops, and looks at him, and blush rising in her cheeks. They slowly draw closer... DALE (O.S.) Hey, where'd all the cups go? I can't find any out here! They stop, and Chip rolls his eyes and leans back, sighing. CHIP You'd better go help him out, or he'll be lost forever in there. DALE (O.S.) I heard that! GADGET (Grinning) You're the leader, Chip. She gets up and walks OFFSTAGE. Chip starts to settle in for a few moments, then Gadget reappears for a moment to give him a light kiss on his forehead before going off to help Dale. Chip sighs deeply and gets a dreamy look on his face. PAN past him up to the window. DISSOLVE TO: EXT: RESCUE RANGERS HQ -- WINDOW TRUCK BACK from Monty and Zipper pressed against the window, peering in. Monty and Zipper lean back. Monty winks at Zipper. MONTEREY (Grinning) Told ya, mate! A little bit of quality time is all that Chipper needed. He'll be on airs for the rest of his recuperation. He turns and walks off down the branch. Zipper flies up alongside of him, asking a question. MONTEREY No, I doubt we've seen the last of Bubbles, Zipper. He's a lot tougher than his name implies. But just let him come back! We'll be waiting for him, ready to go! (Thinks for a moment) Provided it isn't during lunch. The two friends head off into the city. TILT UP into the rising sun. DISSOLVE TO: The Rescue Ranger symbol sitting on a pedestal in a glass case. It's polished to a high shine. TRUCK BACK to show various paintings, tapestries, and sculptures depicting the events of this case. PAN over to the doorway, where Walter stands, nodding approvingly. WALTER Makes a fine addition. (Chuckles) And I can't wait for the next one to be finished. He looks over to another doorway, darkened on the inside, but things can be seen moving about within. TRUCK IN on the darkness. CUT TO: Credits FADE OUT |