The Borrowers

---

[winding]

[squeaking]

[snap]

ouch!

[sighs]

Pete.

Pete?

Pete?

What exactly are you

trying to catch?

I'm not sure.

Can we leave my fingers

out of it?

I'm sorry, mom, but

there must be a reason

Why we can never find

anything in this house.

There is. It's

called your father.

Mom, I'm serious.

What about the pen

by the phone?

And the Christmas

tree lights, remember?

And the needle and thread

you left on the bed?

Matches, batteries, candles,

safety pins, dental floss?

Ok, ok.

Something is taking

our stuff,

And I'm going to

find out what it is.

All right,

who stole my watch?

Victoria:
It's by the radio.

Where are you guys

going anyway?

Joe:
We have a meeting with

the great Ocious P. Potter.

He's reading

aunt Mary's will.

What's so great

about him?

Victoria:
He's a lawyer.

We have to see him

about the house.

Something wrong?

Probably wants us

to sign some papers.

Nothing

to worry about.

Let's go, Pete. You're going

to be late for school.

Honey...

Can't find

my stupid keys.

Oh, my gosh, Pete,

I'm so sorry. You're right.

Some...Thing

must have taken them.

See? I told you!

[imitating scary music]

oo-oo-oo-oo!

Joe:

Wait a second.

Where's

my briefcase gone?

What

a beautiful day!

Victoria:
Come on, Pete,

get a move on.

[car doors slam]

[sighs]

Ha ha!

[straining]

[blows]

Still got

plenty of time.

Here we go.

[grunts]

No will?

No will?

Horrible, isn't it?

I've been through

your late aunt's files

With a fine legal comb,

And believe me,

it just doesn't exist.

That's impossible.

We were right in this office

When she said she was

leaving the house to us.

Come on! You were sitting

right there!

Sometimes people say

one thing and then...

Turn around and do something

completely different.

Or in your aunt's case, they

turn around and drop dead.

[click]

Joe:
I don't

believe this.

We've got to be able to work

something out here.

I already have.

The world is a train speeding

towards the 21st century,

And I'll be damned

if our little town

Is going to be left

standing at the station.

Ta-dah!

[click]

24 highly expensive

luxury apartments

In the place of one house.

You're demolishing

our house for that?

You like it? You have until

Saturday to move out.

Wh--Saturday?

There must be

something we can do.

Where there's no will...

There's no way.

[mixer whirring]

Stop right there,

Arrietty clock.

What is the first rule

of borrowing?

The first rule of borrowing--

that's a tricky one.

Is it...Have as much fun

as you can?

Arrietty?

The first rule

of borrowing:

A borrower must

never, ever be seen.

You've only told me

a zillion times, dad.

Well, what is the first

thing you do, then?

Check that the coast

is clear.

I did, and it's clear,

so can we go now?

Hold on.

Come on, Peagreen. We have

a very big day ahead of us.

Oh, I hate big days.

Come on, Peagreen.

You hate everything.

That's not true.

I like sweets.

Candy...

Sweets, candy,

ga-ga.

Chocolate,

ice cream, chips.

Oh, shut up.

Doughnuts

with jam.

Arrietty,

come back!

We've got a lot

of borrowing to do,

And I've got to change

this battery.

Today,

Potter's apartments...

Tomorrow...

Pottersville.

[chuckling]

[humming]

Where do you think

you're going?

Dad told us

not to budge.

Stop it,

you little squirt.

Are you going

to help me or not?

Not.

Fine. I'll eat all

the ice cream myself then.

Wait for me, Arrietty!

Don't climb so fast!

Peagreen:
Don't

leave me behind!

[groaning]

I'm getting

too old for this.

If dad catches you,

Arrietty,

I have nothing

to do with this.

This is a big mistake.

Right, ok, here we go.

Arrietty!

What?

I'm going to need a lot

of ice cream, Arrietty.

Stupid little squirt.

Look...

A whole room

full of winter.

Arrietty,

what are you doing?

[chewing] nothing.

What about

the ice cream?

I'm sure it must be

around here somewhere.

Unh! Arrietty! Aah!

I can't hold it!

I can't hold it, Arrietty!

Help!

Dad!

Peagreen:
Dad!

My arm's stuck!

Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

What is it?

What's going on?

What's happened?

She made me do it!

It's not my fault!

Where is she?

In there.

She's in the freezer?

Is that bad?

I don't think it

could get much worse.

[door opens]

It just got worse.

Hold tight.

Here we go.

Dad! Dad!

Don't do it!

We've got to do it!

We did it!

We did it!

Take the battery and

get back to your mother.

Tell her not to worry,

all right?

[shivering]

Oof!

You want some ice

in here?

No, thanks.

Aah!

Aah!

All right?

I'm in big trouble,

right?

Quiet.

[click]

[rumbling]

[creaking]

Whoa!

Come on, Arrietty.

Stop dawdling.

Your mother's going to be

cross enough as it is.

I told him

you weren't ready.

Now look

what's happened!

He did it.

He did it.

He jumped right

off the fridge.

Peagreen, put that marshmallow

down and drink your milk.

But I hate milk.

See! [muttering]

Ah, there you are at last!

I was all in a spin!

Carpet, off.

I was sick with worry!

And where are the borrowings?

Oh, dear, how could you

do this to me?

How could I?

Arrietty's the one who got

herself stuck in the freezer.

What was I

supposed to do,

Leave her there

until she iced over?

I had to run 'round

the whole kitchen.

I burned my toes

on the stove.

I told you they were

too young to go borrowing.

Yes, Arrietty.

Me and dad have had it up

to here with your behavior.

Shut up, squirt.

Ugly.

Smelly.

Double smelly.

Stop it, you two!

[clunk]

Homily:
Ah, that's better.

You know who she

takes after, of course.

Me.

Mm-hmm.

If I took after him,

I'd never do anything fun.

Don't be too sure.

He was quite a rogue in

his time, your father.

Dad?

My dad?

I don't

believe it.

I believe it!

I think your mother's right,

Arrietty.

We're going to have to keep

you at home for a while.

What? But

that's not fair!

At least until

that nasty young bean

Stops setting traps

everywhere.

You put us in

great danger, Arrietty.

A borrower is quiet...

Cautious...

Inconspicuous...

Alert...

Never seen and never heard.

It's the borrower way.

"the borrower way this,

the borrower way that."

I've lived in this house

all my life,

And I've never even

seen another borrower.

Me, neither.

Well, you wouldn't,

would you?

A borrower is quiet...

Cautious...

Inconspicuous...

Non-existent.

[rumbling]

Homily:

What in the world?

It's not Thursday,

is it?

Oh, my goodness, they must

have changed the schedule.

They can't change

the schedule! Can they?

Emergency stations,

everyone!

Pod:
Hurry, Peagreen!

Aah!

All:
Peagreen!

Aah!

Aah!

Honestly, Pod!

What? I suppose this

is all my fault, too.

[knock on door]

You gave us

a big scare today.

Sorry, mum.

I know you want

to borrow, Arrietty,

But it's very dangerous

up there amongst the beans.

We'll let your borrow again,

Etts, one day.

Tomorrow?

You're just

like your father.

He and his friends would

never stay put for a minute.

Oh, they were

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