Once Upon a Time Page #2

---

at Curly for free.

Thanks.

What are we givin', a benefit?

Hey, does Curly dance

to any other kind of music?

Nope. Only

"Yes, Sir, That's My Baby. "

- Have you tried any other tunes?

- Oh, yes.

- But he only likes this one.

- Oh, yeah.

Hey, we gotta go home.

It must be gettin' late.

- Good night.

- Good night.

Hey, fellas?

Hey.

Look. You wanna sell Curly?

- How much?

- Wait a minute, Fatso.

I own Curly,

and I don't wanna sell him.

Well- Well, why not?

Well, because I-

Well,just because.

- On account of he's stuck on him.

- Shut up, Fatso.

I just don't wanna sell him,

that's all, not even for a dollar.

Not even for two dollars.

He's my pet.

I tamed him from a pup.

Look, Pinky.

I know exactly how you feel.

Now, let's sit down here

and talk it over man to man.

Now, Pinky...

this caterpillar

may be quite valuable.

By the time I get through with it,

I think we can sell it for a fortune.

Oh, I could never sell Curly.

He'd die without me.

He'd die without you?

I'll never sell Curly.

Well, that isn't what I meant.

Now, look, what do you say

you and I become partners?

Partners? Does that mean

Curly stays with me?

Sure. Curly'll come with us,

and then Curly'll be our client.

What do you mean, " client"?

Well, you wouldn't understand. I'd

have to explain that to your parents.

He ain't got no parents.

He's an orphan.

- I got a sister.

- All right, we'll explain it to her.

Say, would you mind

playing the harmonica again?

I just wanna have another look.

Boy, what a story this'll make

for the newspapers.

You mean Curly's gonna

get his name in the papers?

Maybe.

He'd be the happiest caterpillar

in the world if he knew it.

I'll tell him.

He understands everything I say.

I'm always talkin' to him.

You mean, he understands you?

Sure he does.

You talk to him?

Only when we're alone.

Hey, play it once more, will you?

Go on, play it.

Well?

- What are you doing with my brother?

- Brother?

- That's me.

- Hello, Flynn.

- Flynn?

- That's me. Jerry Flynn.

Looks like

you're suspected of kidnapping.

- Did you sayJerry Flynn?

- Yes. You've heard of me?

Well, yes, I have.

You see...

I'm in show business too-

chorus.

Mr. Flynn, it's pretty upsetting

to come home...

tired out after you've done four shows

and find your brother's missing.

I hope you understand.

I understand. But in a way,

I'm glad it happened.

You see, I'm interested

in your brother's caterpillar.

You see, we're going places.

- What, the caterpillar?

- Yes.

Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Flynn.

- Good night.

- Hey, wait a minute. Wait a minute.

You can't take him away.

That caterpillar's too important.

Well, Mr. Flynn, I'll be

very happy to let you have it.

Hey,Jeannie, you can't

take Curly away from me!

There, you see,Jeannie?

I mean, Miss-

- Thompson.

- You see, Miss Thompson?

That's why I want him

to become my partner.

The partner of a nine-year-old boy?

I can build that caterpillar

up into something big...

if you'll leave the boy

in my hands.

After all, you know who I am.

Why, yes, I know who you are.

But I don't want my brother

mixed up in any fantastic idea...

about caterpillars.

Good night, Mr. Flynn.

He's gonna get it.

What am I talkin' about?

I'm gonna get it!

Hey, wait, Fatso.

Look.

Tell Pinky to come over to the Hotel

Esquire first thing in the morning.

- Tell him to bring Curly.

- Okay, Mr. Flynn.

Wait.

Don't let his sister know.

I won't.

Mr. Flynn, are you sure

you're all right?

Certainly.

That caterpillar really dances.

Good night, Mr. Flynn.

We gotta see a man about a singing dog.

Well, what can I do for you, sonny?

I'm Pinky Thompson.

Mr. Flynn wants to see me.

Oh, yes. Mr. Flynn said

for you to go right up.

- 1824. There's the elevator.

- Thank you.

- What do you want to see Mr. Flynn for?

- Somethin'

- What's in the box?

- Nothin'

Gabby little guy. Kind of young

to be a process server, ain't you?

But we've been carrying your bill

for six months, Mr. Flynn.

Ordinarily,

we wouldn't bring this up.

It wouldn't be necessary to pay

the whole thing. Just a token payment.

- Anything.

- Pinky!

I'm glad you're here, fella.

How are ya?

- Fine.

- That's all, gentlemen.

- Quicker, please, quicker.

- Oh, yes, yes.

Am I glad you're here.

You two know each other?

Pinky, the Moke.

Moke, this is Pinky.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- My partner.

- Your what?

Partner.

- Hey, how's Curly this morning?

- He's fine.

Good. 'Cause he's gonna be

a busy little feller.

Say...

he doesn't get sick, does he?

Oh, no.

He's as strong as a fullback.

Good.

That's all I wanted to hear.

We've got to keep him in tiptop shape.

Have you had your breakfast yet?

No. We had to sneak out of the house

before my sister got up.

- I'll order some right away.

- Hey, wait a minute.

- What goes on here?

- A miracle.

I'm holding on to my theater.

Room service, please.

You mean you got a hold of

the hundred grand? How'd you do it?

This is Flynn.

I want some orange juice...

buttered toast,

scrambled eggs and coffee.

- How about the same for you, Pinky?

- Could I have a hot dog...

with mustard and ice cream

and sauerkraut?

Do you always

have that for breakfast?

No. That's why I wanna have it now.

Okay. And one frankfurter. Give it

the works, with some ice cream.

Just a minute.

What about you, Moke?

- What do you want?

- I wanna see that money.

You'll see it,

but I haven't got it in cash.

Mr. Flynn, Curly would like

some cabbage leaves... raw.

- Expecting company?

- No.

One order of cabbage leaves,

no dressing.

- Who are the cabbage leaves for?

- Curly.

Oh, for Curly.

Look...

if you haven't got it in cash,

you sure the check is good?

- No check.

- No cash, no check.

- You're sure you've got it?

- I got it.

It's right here in this box.

Oh. Jewels, huh?

You got the kid

handlin' hot jewels?

- No jewels.

- No cash, no check no jewels.

I give up.

What shape's it in?

- A caterpillar.

- Caterpillar?

Oh, I know.

Out of a museum.

Solid diamond with a curse on it.

No, a live caterpillar.

A fuzzy, little brown caterpillar.

And he dances!

Soft shoe, or buck and wing?

Or maybe he does taps too, huh?

Pinky, show him.

- Look right in there.

- I'm gonna see a caterpillar dance?

That's right.

You're sure your partner

ain't got you on the bubble gum?

- Now, what do you see?

- A worm wigglin'

- Now what do you see?

- A worm stopped wigglin'

Now do you get it?

See what I mean?

- All I could see was a worm.

- Yes, a worm!

And a worm that dances.

Now, look, Moke...

that little worm-

a little worm-

was crawling around in the dirt...

and a little boy

came up to it and picked it up.

And then he played the harmonica,

and the caterpillar heard the music.

And inside its fuzzy little body,

something clicked.

It raised its head and danced!

You don't say?

Why, that's something

out of old books and fairy tales.

Something about

magic lamps and charms.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes