Monkey Trouble

Monkey Trouble is a 1994 comedy film. Dialogue [Drake and Charlie nod in agreement. The monkey has passed the test] [Charlie comes over to the Shorty] Charlie: I need a word with ya, pal. Shorty: Who is you? I'm busy. Charlie: Too busy to make $50,000? [The pirate immediately stops playing his organ. He snaps his fingers to bring the monkey to his side] Shorty: Show's over, folks! Drake: I want my gold watch! Put it here. Shorty: Which one? Drake: "Which one"? Charlie: Drake! This ape is a genius! Pirate: It's a monkey! I'm the genius, not him. [Drake points at the monkey] Drake: Is it true you do burglaries with that little ape? Shorty: True? That's what we do best. Is that how I'm gonna make fifty grand? Drake: We'll talk about that later. First, we need a little demonstration, free of charge. [The limo coasts down a silent street in a nice, well-kept neighborhood. It stops near an alley that runs behind an apartment building. The curbside door opens. Swift as a flash, the monkey jumps out, clutching an empty drawstring purse. Shorty watches him go with a proud, if rotten-toothed, grin] [The monkey scampers up a tree whose branches reach the building's upper floors. He stops, waiting. Someone opens a window. Without pausing, the monkey climbs to a branch that reaches the window and jumps onto the ledge. A man inside the bathroom flushes the toilet and leaves. The monkey jumps in, but makes a face. What a stink. He lowers the toilet seat cover, but hurries to the door to listen. Who else is inside the apartment?] [He hears the sound of a woman singing to a baby, and a man–––the husband and father––playing with them. The monkey has to be careful. He pokes his head out of the bathroom door and looks around. No one in the hall. He takes a few steps out and waits. Yet all clear] [He scampers faster down the hall and enters a big bedroom. He glances around the room. What a lot of nice shiny objects, just the kind Shorty likes best. He darts to the dresser and picks up a small silver picture frame and a glittering antique diamond pin. He stuffs them into his cloth purse. He sees something else shiny and silvery. He bursts it into the purse and then freezes like a statue. Outside the room, the man lets out a huge sneeze] [Then the baby, a little boy about a year and a half old, toddles into the bedroom. The monkey dives under the bed, but he isn't fast enough. With a squeak, the little boy grabs his tail. No luck to escape. The monkey tries to wriggle out of the baby's grip, but the little boy holds on tight. Together, the two roll under the bed, yet wrestling with each other] [Down underneath, a Jeep Cherokee pulls up in front of the apartment building. Nine-year-old Eva Boylan, all tousled gold-brown hair and flashing blue eyes, jumps out of the passenger side. She and her father, Peter Boylan, has been discussing her favorite topic. Why she can't have a pet. Discussing, she thinks with a snort. More like arguing. They always seem to go at it on the weekends her dad has visitation rights. Her father, with sandy brown hair and the same flashing blue eyes, will patiently listen to Eva plead for a pet. Listen, and then calmly shoot down each of her arguments with his own] [Eva adores her dad, but she really wants a pet] Eva: But Dad, Katie has a dog. Jesse has a dog. Catherine has a dog. Billy has a dog. Even Maya has a dog. [Her dad gives her his I'm-doing-this-for-your-own-luck grin] Tom: Then you can be special and not have a dog. Eva: Very funny, Dad. [She is beaten momentarily, but she won't–––can't––give up hope. She taps the intercom button as her father does cramming bits and pieces of her clothing into her weekend bag] [Just as the door buzzes open, a man walks out. A bulldog on a leash waddles behind him] [Eva's eyes light up] [Speak about perfect timing. Perhaps if her dad can see this wonderful dog, he'll realize how well it will be for her to own one] [She stoops down to pet the bulldog, who slobbers on her hand] Eva: Dad, look! [She beams] Isn't he adorable? [About a pint of drool drips from the dog's lips as he tries to jump Eva] [Her father sees the drool and not the dog. He rolls his eyes] [Eva stands up and jams her hands into her pockets. Speaking her parents into letting her have a pet is going to be harder than she's imagined. But she won't give up hope. This is going to be the week she'll change her parents' minds and eventually own a dog] [Wait and see] [Eva enters the noisy apartment with her dad and stops in the hallway] [What a difference from her father's condo in Venice. Her father lives alone in comfortable and neat surroundings. The rugs are deep-pile white, the rooms light and airy, and you can hear yourself think. The apartment of her mother and stepfather, on the other hand, is noisy, cramped and cluttered. Toys belonging to her eighteen-month-old brother, Jack, litter the floor. Framed finger artworks and baby pictures fill the walls. The TV set is tuned to some children's program, and her mum, Amy, model slim and pretty, and her stepfather, Tom Gregory, are singing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" song to Jack] [Just another Sunday afternoon in the Gregory house, Eva thinks, before Tom stops her and her father in the doorway] Tom: Hi, Peter. C'mon in! [Tom shakes her dad's hand with genuine warmth. Tom is as tall as her dad, with dark brown hair and a friendly smirk. He is so easy to get along with that you forget sometimes he is a police lieutenant and can be rough––except since he backs up her mum about the messes Eva made or the sloppy state of Eva's bedroom] [Once she has a dog of her own, though, she'll show them all how organized and neat she can be. Eva has a plan about getting that dog, where she hurries right into her bedroom. She doesn't stop to listen to her dad yak it up with Tom about how grand their beach weekend has been. It has been grand, but then staying at her father's condo in Venice is always fun. The two of them ride bikes together, go swimming in the ocean, or stroll up and down the boardwalk at Venice Beach] [Right now, Venice is the last stuff on her mind as she begins coloring a picture at her desk. She has copied a rottweiler from one of the magazine photos of children and dogs taped on the wall in front of her. A rottweiler is one of her favorites, because it is tall and powerfully built black and tan breed. If you have one, you really have a dog] [As she colors in the grass at the rottweiler's feet, Eva senses a movement behind her. It has to be her bothersome baby brother, always sticking his nose where he isn't wanted. Too hard he can't read the sign on her door that states "No Jack Allowed". But that never stops the little monster] Eva: Scram, Jack! [The little monkey, not Jack, jumps at her voice and hurries into a hallway closet. What a mess. He hasn't bargained on so many people being in the apartment, and the little boy won't let him out of his sight] [Searching for his furry friend, Jack pokes his head into Eva's room] Eva: Are you deaf? I said, stay out! [Her brother blinks, but turns and leaves as Eva calls out] Eva: Dad? I'm ready for you! [Saying a little prayer, Eva kisses her crossed fingers. As her father comes in, she proudly shows him the colorful drawing of a man, a grinning little girl and a very large dog] [Eva points to the little girl, then to the man] Eva: That's me. That's you... Tom: And who's this? [Eva flashes him her biggest grin] Eva: That's our rottweiler, Dad. Best dog in the world. [Her father opens his mouth, but snaps it shut as he lowers himself onto a little chair next to his daughter. He thinks for a few seconds before speaking] Tom: Eva, airline pilots don't have dogs. We travel too much. Eva: No problemo. If you're flying, he could stay here with me. [Her father lowers his voice] Tom: Darling, how many times do you have to hear it? You can't keep a dog here. [Eva makes a face. Her stepdad, Tom, has an allergy to animals. As much as she likes Tom, he is the main stuff standing in her road] Eva: It's not my fault if he's allergic to animal hair. [As if on cue, Tom sneezes–––louder enough to be heard from the living room] Tom: It's not his fault, either. Eva: The only fashion he's not allergic to is Mum. And Jack. Peter: C'mon, be reasonable. If you want a pet, you have to do it in stages. You start off with a clam, then a goldfish, then a turtle.... Eva: Then a rottweiler. [Outside in the hallway, Jack has caught up to the monkey. Now he is standing in the bathroom doorway, blocking the monkey's only road out. The monkey fakes a few steps toward the bedrooms. As Jack follows, the monkey dashes around him into the bathroom and disappears out the window. With disappointment, Jack waves a farewell] [The monkey scampers back down the tree and jumps into the waiting limo. He drops the heavy purse into Shorty's outstretched hand. Shorty takes the purse and grins. The monkey hoots proudly and jumps up and down] [Emptying the drawstring purse, Shorty dumps the loot onto the floor of the limo as it pulls off from the Gregorys' apartment building. Charlie and Drake eye the antique diamond pin, a diamond ring, the silver picture frame and a number of dollar bills] Shorty: You see? I warned yous! I trained him to pick gold, jewelry, cash, silver! [Drake grins in agreement, but fishes out a shiny nail clipper. He cocks an eyebrow at Shorty] Shorty: It's a monkey, not an appraiser. Well, whaddya say? [Drake leans over to whisper in Charlie's ear] Drake: This is perfect for the Marlow gig. Anything goes wrong, only a monkey'll be there to take the heat. He has to love it. Shorty: Who's "he"? Just warn me what you need me to do. I won't let you down, I promise. Whaddya need me to do? Charlie: Take it easy. First, we have to run it among the boss. Drake: Charlie, let's give him a down payment. I have a hunch we're gonna do business with this guy. [Shorty beams. Is his monkey talented or what?] [Charlie sticks a hand in his right pocket and comes up empty. He sticks a hand in the left pocket and yet finds nothing. Swallowing with hesitation, he begins patting the inside of his jacket. Where is the money? Sweat bursts out on his forehead. Drake scowls at him] Charlie: I had it, Drake, I–– [Shorty checks his monkey's hands. Nothing. The monkey uncurls his tail. A wad of bills is hidden inside] Drake: Smart little guy! There's your advance, keep it! [Shorty grabs the money with a greedy laugh. That is a big wad of bills. Soon Drake, Charlie and Shorty are cackling and laughing together. It isn't a pretty sound. The monkey wrinkles his nose and claps his hands over his ears. But Shorty orders him to grind the organ. This is one big celebration, but the monkey can't get into the spirit of nonsense] [The Gregory family is gathered around the dining-room table later that Sunday night. Eva sits in her pajamas, nibbling at her dinner and thinking. Plan A of her Get a Pet project has failed. Her father hasn't liked her drawing of the rottweiler at all. Now it is time for plan B] [She turns to her mother] Eva: My school nurse said people can get over allergies. Sometimes having a dog around makes your body get used to it. [Amy is only half listening. She is sitting on the floor, changing Jack's diaper] Amy: Tom's allergy is not the only reason. [Eva catches her stepfather's eye, but looks away. Here it comes, she just knows it. Another lecture about the responsibilities and duties of taking care of a pet. Her mother is big on the reluctance of responsibility] Amy: You're not responsible enough to care for a dog. You don't do anything I ask, your room is a disaster area, you never get anything finished on time... [Her mum does diapering the baby, but offers the dirty folded diaper to Eva] Amy: Throw this in the kitchen, please. [Eva sniffs the air in disgust] Eva: No, stank you. [Her stepfather takes the diaper into the kitchen and throws it in the trash, but begins permitting a bottle for Jack] [Amy eyes Eva sternly] Amy: If you can't even deal with a dirty diaper, how are you going to clean up after a dog? Eva: Because I'd be doing it for my own puppy. [Tom comes back in and hands Amy the bottle. She offers it to Eva] Amy: Here, do this for your own brother. Eva: Do I have to? I'm eating. He can hold it himself. Amy: But a dog can't feed himself. You'd "have to" do it twice a day. [Eva nods in agreement] Eva: I know. Amy: Would you give up watching your favorite TV shows since the dog had to be walked? [Eva hesitates. That is a rough one. She stares down at her plate, not knowing what to say] Amy: Eva, listen... [There is something in her mum's tone that gives Eva hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, plan B is working. Eva gives Amy her most responsible look, the one that says "I can do it, you just wait!"] Amy: If you're so sure you can handle it, then convince us. Help out around here a little more, pick up after yourself...... [Bingo. Her mother is beginning to see her side of it. Perhaps there'll be a pet in the Gregory apartment after all] Eva: And then if I–––– Tom: Amy, look! [He points to Jack, who is silently doing the hand motions of "Itsy Bitsy Spider"] [The moment is shattered. Her mother rushes over to join Tom. Together, they kneel among the baby, singing] [As they get to the part about the water spout, Eva pushes aside from the table, a frustrated lump in her throat] Eva: Down came the rain, and washed the brother out! [Speak about dropping a bombshell, Eva thinks, as Tom, Amy and Jack stop singing and stare at her in shock. No one understands. Eva runs to her room. She hooks the "No Jack Allowed" sign on the outside knob and closes inside] [Trembling with frustration, Eva stands there for a few seconds, but collapses in a heap on the floor. Even though the door is closed, she can hear her mum and Tom singing the spider song to Jack. If she hears that dumb song one more time, she'll shriek. She claps her hands over her ears, she hums louder, but yet she can hear them] [Then she hears the front door open and close. The singing has stopped. Eva takes her hands aside from his ears and listens. Her teenage cousin Tessa has come into the apartment and is greeting everyone. Personally, Eva often wonders what planet Tessa is from. All she ever spoke about is rock stars and shopping malls, and one hand is permanently glued to "Rolling Stone" magazine. But Tessa has one bright spot to her Queen Flake personality. As she baby-sits for Eva and Jack, she never drools over the little monster. Enough thinking about her baby brother. Eva throws herself onto her messy bed and begins dreaming about rottweilers] [Later that night, her mum comes in to speak to her. Eva huddles under the covers, surrounded by her stuffed-animal collection. A cute stuffed monkey nestles close to her face] [Amy takes Eva's hand] Amy: Your brother loves you so much, Eva. Eva: Well, fine. I just don't want you to love him so much. You think everything he does is so...precious. I hate him, he's a nerd. Amy: Don't you remember how emotional you've had if I warned you I was pregnant? Eva: It sounded cool since Tom said I was getting a half-brother, but then an entire one showed up instead. Amy: Warn you what. Why don't I pack his bag right now? I'll leave him on the street tonight, and let's hope someone really nice finds him and takes brief care of him. [As if they'll ever dump Jack out on the street. Eva looks at her mum with a knowing smirk. Amy grins back at her] [Eva stifles a chortle] Eva: C'mon, Mum...just shoot him. [In a rundown trailer home in Venice Beach, Shorty Kohn is in the middle of his own conversation. He is speaking to himself, though, and reading aloud from a letter. It is not a nice letter and not a nice conversation] [The monkey scampers up the wall of the trailer to get as far off from Shorty as he can. Now he is dangling upside down from a beam, just inches separate from the furious face of his owner] [Shorty growls and reaches for something on the kitchen counter. Splat! The monkey dodges a yogurt container as it sails across the room. He jumps to the floor as Shorty kicks out blindly. A chair smashes against the wall] [Shorty's wife has just left him, taking their ten-year-old son, Mark, with her] Shorty: She even took my freaking food! [The tacky trailer has been stripped clean––kitchen shelves, cabinets and all] [The monkey scrambles atop the small kitchen table and peers at the envelope. Scratching his head, he stares at the scribbled lines that read "To Shorty". Then he listens to Shorty read aloud from the letter] [Puzzled, the monkey scampers into the bedroom area. The boy's bunk is empty, as is his closet and bathroom. All that is left is a dirty baseball cap and a photo of Mark scowling. Hurrying back to Shorty, the monkey holds out the photo. Shorty glances at the picture of his son, but frustratingly tears it up] Shorty: The little jerk's gone. She left and took him with her––because of you. She hated you and your stinking mess, and she hated me for keeping you around! [Frustrated, Shorty kicks out at the monkey, who dodges the blow. Realizing he is in danger, the monkey hides inside the closet behind the boy's bunk. He has never seen Shorty so frustrated before] [At dawn, the monkey creeps out. All clear. Shorty is asleep on the bed, snoring louder. Now is the time to escape. What has Shorty's wife done if she's left? The monkey wrinkles his face, but hurries over to the messy kitchen counter. He finds a piece of paper and a pencil and begins scribbling wavy lines on it. He pauses for a few seconds, peering at his work. Yes! It looks just like Shorty's letter from the night before. The monkey nods and adds a few more squiggles. Then he stuffs the paper inside the torn envelope and takes off] Amy: Eva, c'mon, get dressed! [Amy pokes her head in the door and frowns] [Yet in her pajamas, Eva kicks at the tangled mess of tights, socks, shirts and sweatshirts on the bedroom floor] Eva: Everything looks disgusting on me. [Amy bends over and extracts a skirt, tights, sweater and blouse from the jumble] Amy: Do we have to do this every single morning? You're already late, and you know Paul isn't going to wait. Look at this mess! [She throws the outfit she's assembled into Eva's arms] Amy: Now get moving. And I'm leaving the rest of this stuff right here for you to put away if you get home. [Her mum yells at her almost every morning to get her act together, but today Eva realizes her mother is only saying the words. Her heart isn't in it. Something has just happened. Amy's eyes are red] Eva: Mum, have you been crying? [Her mother pauses in the doorway, her face turned away from Eva] Eva: No, I'm just tired. I––I couldn't sleep last night. [Amy leaves the bedroom without warning Eva about the burglarly of their apartment the day before. Not knowing about her mother's problem, Eva focuses on her own. Finding a decent outfit to wear at school] [Eva holds up the sweater, blouse and skirt her mum has picked out, but makes a face. Too cutesy. Too gross, is more like it. Eva tosses the sweater and blouse on the floor, but discovers a crumpled T-shirt underneath the bed. It's perfect! Now, what to wear with it? She paws slowly through the mess at her feet] [Buzz! Eva hears the intercom go off in the hallway. Paul, the twelve-year-old friend who walks her to school, speaks to her mother] Paul: Mrs. Gregory? If she's not down in two moments, I'm going without her. [Eva hears every word––now she really has to hustle] Amy: Why do you do this to me? [She pushes Eva out the front door of the apartment building] You knew Paul wouldn't wait for you, and now I have to walk you to school. [They rush among the park, but approach the pet store. The pet store is one of Eva's favorite places. And Annie, the young woman who works there, is one of Eva's favorite people. Eva can never exchange stopping to gaze in the window at the adorable puppies. She has practically been running to keep up with her mother, but now she slows down] [Amy shakes her head, no] Amy: Eva, that's enough! I said no! [Just then, Annie comes out of the shop to set up a sign] Annie: Good morning, Eva! [Eva waves back, but her mum drags her off. They've really have to rush now to get to school on time] [Later that day, Eva wishes she has never shown up. It is her third grade's hour for show-and-warn, and little Miss Know It All Jesse has brought her Yorkshire terrier. She has even dressed it in a plaid sweater. Eva stares enviously at the very small dog] Jesse: Well, this is my dog, Toto. Eva: Do you feed him? Do you walk him? Do you clean up his poop? [At the mention of the word "poop", half the class breaks into laughter. Katie, Eva's best friend, guffaws the hardest. Even Christine, Eva's teacher, attempts to keep a straight face] [Everyone is laughing, but Eva has asked the questions seriously. You can't really say you own a pet unless you take care of it yourself, right? Isn't that what her mum is always drumming into her?] [At the front of the class, Jesse wriggles in amusement] Jesse: Well, actually, my mum does most of that stuff. Eva: Then he's not really yours. Jesse: Wanna bet? He is so mine. Eva: Only until your parents decide he's a big agony and get rid of him. [Jesse tightens her grip on Toto] Jesse: They're not getting rid of him! Christine: Eva, please, wait! It's Jesse's time to speak. Do you want us to pay attention to you tomorrow if it's your turn? Eva: Tomorrow? I can't do it tomorrow! I forgot–––I'm not ready. Christine: That's what you've been saying all month, Eva. You have to learn to be more organized, to follow a schedule. Go ahead, Jesse. [Jesse snickers at Eva and continues speaking] [Katie nudges Eva's arm] Katie: Don't worry. You could always bring your baby brother. Eva: My brother? Yuck. Forget it. [That will be the day, since the little monster visits her third-grade class. Speak about major embarrassment] [Across town in a Venice Beach mobile home, Shorty's phone begins to ring. The rumble of Shorty's snores drown out the phone. The responding machine picks up] Drake: Shorty, this is Drake. [At that Shorty jerks awake, opening bloodshot eyes. This can be the message he is waiting for] Drake: Looks like your monkey has a job. Call me as soon as you get in. The boss wants to meet you. [Shorty sits up and cheers. All that time spends training his monkey is eventually going to pay away. He'll pull aside the one big robbery, and Shorty Kohn will be rolling in dough. No more playing a hand organ on the Venice Beach boardwalk] [Shorty whistles under his breath and gets up. Life is certainly going to be different once he has money. For starters, he'll dump this depressing trailer and find a new home. Perhaps hire a maid to pick up after him. He heads to the kitchen, stepping over chairs, yogurt containers and empty cereal boxes. There may not be too much to eat for breakfast this morning, but coffee will get him going] [Shorty starts searching for the kettle as he spots an envelope propped on the table. It is addressed to him, in his wife's handwriting, but the message inside comes from his monkey. Did these wiggly little nonsense lines mean what he thinks they do? Has his monkey left him a farewell note?] [Mumbling under his breath, Shorty takes two steps backward. He hits his head on an open cabinet door and curses. If that furry little ape has left him...Shorty runs to check in Mark's room, where he stumbles over a chair. Jumping up and down and howling, he calls out to his monkey] [No response] [He is alone in the trailer] [Where in the world has the monkey gone?] [The monkey is moving fast] [He races across rooftops, but darts down a fire escape and dives into a trash barrel. He buries himself under the garbage until he is fully covered. Safe at last, he thinks. Or is he?] [He peeks out. A woman in torn clothes bends over the barrel and sticks a hand in. Is she trying to grab him? No, she is reaching for a half-eaten banana. That will make a nice breakfast. The monkey snatches the banana right out of the woman's hand and pulls it down out of sight. He peeks out again. The woman's mouth is wide open. She backs off in shock as if a Martian monster are chasing her. The coast is clear] [The monkey climbs out of the trash barrel and looks around. A pickup truck has stopped among the curb. Now is his chance to escape. Sticking close to the wall, the monkey edges to the street. The driver of the truck guns the engine. Just as he takes off, the monkey jumps onto the back of the truck. He jumps up and down in emotion. What a grand day to go for a ride––and pick all the bits of garbage out of his fur] [Eva is having a grand day as well, playing basketball in the park with her class. It is a rough and topple game, with a lot of shouting and shoving. Eva moves into position on the court, keeping an eye peeled on the basketball. She is really concentrating and playing extra hard. The ball is passed straight to her until Sally, from the other team, shoves her. Eva loses her balance and the ball. Of all the colossal nerve. She knows Sally has charged her on purpose] [Eva charges right back. No fashion will her team lose because Sally has cheated. Eva smashes into Sally, sending her toppling to the ground. The coach catches this action and blows his whistle furiously] Coach: Boylan, whaddya you think you're doing here? [Eva swings around to face the coach] Eva: She shoved me first! Sally: I did not! I never touched her! Eva: You did so, you liar! Sally: I did not, you troublemaker! [Sally grabs the ball. No fashion is Eva going to let her get away with that. She jumps back on one leg and kicks the basketball out of the other girl's grip, getting to know one another. It soars ten feet in the air] [The coach's temper soars, as well] Coach: Alright, Boylan, that's it! Take a time-out! [Muttering under her breath, Eva storms off the court. Speak about unfair, she thinks as she grabs her knapsack and leaves. Lately nothing has been going right, nothing at all. She has begged and pleaded for a pet, and no one seems to listen. They are all so caught up in other foolish nonsense––her mum and stepdad with the baby, her father with his job––that they don't realize how reluctant owning a dog can be. Eva wants something of her own to love and take care of. What is so weird about that?] [Eva kicks at the grass as she walks, head down and shoulders slumping. The sounds of the basketball game are fading behind her, and she doesn't notice the rustling in the trees lining the path] [Suddenly, a dark brown-and-black ball drops right in front of her face. She stops dead instantly. Her knapsack slides out of her hands. Her eyes bug out] [The brown-and-black ball is all furry––but it isn't a cat. It isn't a bird––it doesn't have wings. It isn't a squirrel––squirrels don't hang via their tails. It isn't like any animal Eva has ever seen up close before. She wants to shriek and run, but her feet are frozen. She stares more closely at this mysterious creature as it dangles upside down from a branch––and realizes she is eyeball to eyeball with a monkey] [Its shiny black button eyes peer at her curiously. Then the monkey reaches out and touches her Dodgers cap. He coos, baring sharp front teeth that frightens Eva even more. But before she can breathe, think or move, the monkey drops to the ground and hugs her knees. Feeling trapped, Eva raises her hands] [Luckily, just then, a nicely dressed elderly couple strolls into view] Eva: Help, please... [She manages to squeak] Help... [With curiosity, the couple comes over to Eva and the monkey] Kaye: Oh, Harold, look at that little monkey! Isn't it precious? [The man beams down at Eva] Harold: That's quite a pet you've had there, young lady. [He turns to the woman] Isn't that some pet, Kaye? Does it bite? Eva: I hope not! [The woman strokes the monkey] Kaye: He's so soft! [Perhaps the little guy isn't dangerous after all, Eva thinks. She watches him lean against the woman as she strokes him, his little head twisting in pleasure. He is even making cooing noises, like a baby. Eva can't help grinning, and the monkey seems to grin back] [As if to show how friendly he is, the monkey jumps right onto Eva's shoulder. She is beginning to like the furry little animal. Especially after he suddenly grabs her Dodgers cap and sticks it on his head. You can't get a rottweiler to do that] Harold: Wherever did you get an adorable monkey like this? [Eva thinks fast] Eva: He...ah...in the Caribbean––from some pirates! Eva: Well, you know, retired pirates. They have a restaurant now. Harold: What's his name? Eva: His name? [She bites her lip] Uh...Dodger! Because he likes the hat! [The newly christened Dodger also likes the woman's earrings. They gleam like gold, and he keeps poking at them. Eva and the couple chat and laugh at the monkey's antics as he hugs the man and then climbs onto the woman's shoulders] [He scampers away for a few seconds to play in the bushes. The elderly couple says a farewell to Eva and go on their road. Eva turns and finds Dodger dragging her knapsack aside. She has to laugh. The knapsack is almost twice his size] Eva: Do you know you look like a monkey like Santa Claus with a sack complete with goodies? [She smirks. What is the little guy up to?] [Just then, two joggers run past. Dodger hesitantly hoots and scampers behind a tree] Eva: Hey, you frightened him! Dodger, are you alright? [Walking slowly around the tree, Eva finds the frightened monkey] Eva: Hey, little dude. You're so cute! Did you run away from the zoo or the circus or something? Why did you come to me like that? My name is Eva. Do you need a friend? [Like a dream come true, Dodger jumps straight into Eva's arms and wraps an arm around her neck. Eva hugs him back, her eyes shut in sheer happiness. This is better than owning a rottweiler any old day] Eva: Alright, now you're mine. [She slips him into the knapsack] [But Eva hasn't counted on so many problems in trying to sneak Dodger into her building. First spaced-out Tessa and Jack brush right past her out front. Jack points straight at the monkey, who has poked his head out of the knapsack. Eva's gum-chewing, magazine-reading cousin doesn't see Dodger this time, but what about the next? And luckily for Eva, eighteen-month-old Jack hasn't yet said his first word. As he does, she prays it won't be "monkey"] [Then the man who owned the bulldog rushes to get in the elevator with them. At any other time, Eva would have loved to play with the drooling dog, but not today. Not with Dodger jumping up and down in her knapsack. As the man and dog hurry to catch the elevator, Eva's knapsack begins to do a tap dance all on its own as Dodger attempts to escape. Just as the elevator doors begin to close, the bulldog sticks his wet muzzle inside. Eva bits her lip and pushes it out. She glimpses the owner's puzzled face as the doors lock shut] [Speak about a close call. But her heart almost stops until she steps off the elevator on her floor. Police officers are walking out of her apartment just as she and her hidden monkey head for the front door. Has her mum or stepfather found out about Dodger?] [No, no one knows, she realizes a few seconds later. The police and her mum don't search her knapsack or ask questions about what just happened in the park. Hurrying into her bedroom, Eva assumes the police are there because of some connection with her stepdad. As long as they don't ask her about that afternoon, she and Dodger are safe] [Eva unzips the knapsack. Dodger instantly peeks out] Eva: This is my room. You can stay here with me, but we can't let anyone see you, or they won't let me keep you. You're my secret, alright? [It won't be too hard hiding a monkey in her room. Piles of clothes and shoes clutter the floor. Toys, books and stuffed animals cover the unmade bed] Amy: Eva? [Dodger scoots under the bed a split second before Eva's mum pokes her head in. Eva stands in the center of the room, innocently clutching a bundle of clothes] Amy: Sure, you're cleaning up. Want a snack or something? [Too hesitant to respond, Eva shakes her head, no. The moment her mum leaves, the little monkey reappears] Eva: Whew! That was close. I mean, if she had seen you–– [Suddenly, Dodger darts to a corner and starts running in tight circles. Eva stares at him in confusion] Eva: What's wrong? What are you doing here? Are you trying to warn me something? [She pauses, trying to think] You...ah...you...need to go pee. [Dodger stops running. As Eva looks again, there is a little puddle at his feet] Eva: Gross! Dodger, you can't do that! [And she thinks that baby Jack's bathroom habits are disgusting. Dodger needs an instant dose of toilet training. After wiping up the mess with toilet paper, Eva shakes a finger at the monkey. She has to admit, with his head hanging down, he really does look disgraceful] Eva: Naughty, Dodger! Naughty. No pee-pee on floor! Naughty! [It is time for potty training, and the sooner the better. Carrying Dodger into her private bathroom, Eva sets her pet on the toilet seat and kneels right in front of him] Eva: Pee-pee here. Yes! Poo-poo here. Sure. And then look... [She shows how to flush the toilet. The loud whooshing sound causes Dodger to jump into her arms. While she is trying to calm him, she hears her stepdad shout] Tom: Eva? Katie on the phone for you! [Oh, dear. Tom is in her room. She can't let him spot the monkey] [Eva drops Dodger, kicks the bathroom door shut, and leans against it] Eva: I'm in the bathroom. I'll call her later! [Dodger makes the same running motions as before. Is he about to let loose again? Eva wants to go to him, but she can't move aside from the door] Tom: I've had the phone here, take it! Eva: I can't, I'm on the toilet! [She tries to motion Dodger to jump onto the toilet seat] On the toilet! [Eva can overhear Tom warning Katie she'll have to call her back as he lets out a huge sneeze. Oh dear, the monkey may be setting off her stepdad's allergies, she thinks] [And then, she gets an even more unpleasant shock until Dodger steps off from the toilet. He stares down at something in the bowl that makes Eva hold her nose. Eva frowns at Dodger, who scampers to flush the toilet. Oh, boy, is this what toilet training is all about?] [In a rundown neighborhood across town, Shorty Kohn is making his own stink] [Only his is something he can't easily flush off] [Shorty has lost his monkey, and now he has to find him. That means tracking down his runaway wife and ten-year-old son. The monkey has always liked Mark. Perhaps he has followed Mark to this shabby rental house] [Checking the address on a slip of paper, Shorty climbs the rickety steps to the house and knocks on the door] [His son opens the door] Mark: What have you done? Shorty: Don't you dare speak to me like that. [Mark glances hesitantly over his shoulder and lowers his voice] Mark: How did you find us? She knows you're here, she'll murder you. Shorty: I'm not after her. [From somewhere in the house, a woman yells] Woman: Who is this? Mark: It's nobody! [Shorty jabs a finger in his son's face] Shorty : Then now I'm a nobody? Mark: You were always a nobody. [Frustrated, Shorty lunges at Mark, who swiftly dodges him] Shorty: Where's my monkey? Mark: You don't know? [The woman yells again] Woman: Who are you speaking to there? Mark: I'm speaking to myself! [Shorty takes an impatient step forward] Shorty: Is the monkey here or ain't he? Mark: Of course not. She'd never let me keep him around. [He gives his father a look] What just happened, you lost him? I can't believe it! You lost him! Shorty: I didn't lose him, I just can't find him! [With disgust, Mark starts to shut the door, but Shorty sticks his foot inside. Shorty knows he won't win any Best Father awards, but he does blame for his son. He digs into his pocket and pulls out an impressive wad of bills] Shorty: Warn that ungrateful two-timing mother of yours that the nobody is becoming somebody. [He peels off a bill] Here, get yourself new sneakers. [He shoves the money into Mark's hands and stomps down the steps. Finding that troublesome monkey is going to be harder than he thinks] [Stopping Dodger from making messes is going to be harder than Eva thinks. Just before dinner on Monday night, Eva works on fitting Dodger into one of Jack's diapers. She measures, but cuts out a hole for his tail] [Eva puts the wriggling Dodger on his back and slides the clean diaper underneath his bottom. Thank heavens she has watched her mother diaper her brother thousands of times. Eva knows what to do, but Dodger is no baby boy. He twists, staring up at her with puzzled eyes. He tries to scoot off, but Eva holds on to him and wraps the edges of the diaper securely around his furry waist] Eva: I can't have a litter box because they'd see it, where we have no choice. Until you learn to use the potty. [And please let that be soon, Eva prays. One more slip like this afternoon's, and the cat–––no, the monkey–––will really be out of the bag. Eva stares at Dodger, deep in thought, but sticks a little red doll's cap on his head. Adorable, she decides, only Dodger doesn't agree] [The monkey shakes his head from side to side and tries to pull the cap aside] Eva: You don't like it? [He scoots out of sight under the bed in protest just as Tessa barges into the room. Eva jumps a mile] Tessa: Dinner's ready. [She wears a vampire shade of lipstick that matches her recently dyed hair and a bored expression on her face] Eva: It says "Do Not Disturb" on the door! Can't you at least knock? I'll be there in a sec. Tessa: You'll be there now, Eva. [Casting a concerned glance over her shoulder, Eva marches out of the bedroom, making sure to close the door. This will be one meal she'll eat in a rush. Anything to get back to Dodger as soon as possible] [She is practically inhaling her food until her mum drops the first bomb] Amy: Eva, Mr. Flynn called to say you closed the elevator on his dog's nose and didn't let them in on purpose. [Eva remembers the incident clearly. Poor Dodger would have had a fit in the knapsack if that bulldog has gotten within two feet of them. But of course, she can't warn her mother that. Her stepdad's sneezing across the table gives her a road out] Eva: I had to, Mum! If that dumb dog has hair all over me, just think how hard it would have been for Tom's allergy. Tom: As that is, I've been sneezing all afternoon. Eva: You see? [She gulps down the last bit of food and immediately asks her mother for seconds. Dodger needs to be fed] Amy: Nice girl! [The phone rings, and Tom responds it] Tom: Eva. It's for you, Katie. [Eventually. Someone she can warn about Dodger. Eva can't wait to share her secret with her best friend. She takes the phone into the den for privacy] Eva: Can you keep a secret? I mean, really swear to keep it? No, I don't have a crush on anybody. This is a real secret, Katie! [But before she can blurt out the news, the second and even bigger bomb drops] [From across the room, something catches her eye. It is Dodger, waving hello to her from behind the living-room couch. He has escaped from the bedroom] Eva: Oh, my heavens! I have to go. I'll warn you tomorrow at school! [She hangs up, but begins waving at Dodger. Shoo! Go back! Get out of range! For such an intelligent little guy, he simply isn't getting it. But before Eva can rush over, Tom bursts up between the den and the couch] Tom: What are you doing here? [Eva puts her arms down and grins. She hopes he can't warn how hesitant she is] Eva: Why, what's wrong? [With curiosity, Tom turns around. There is nothing to see. Dodger has vanished] Tom: I need the phone, and your mum wants you back at the table. [Sitting once more at the dining-room table, Eva glances with hesitation all around her. Where has Dodger gone? For sure, he'll burst up right in front of her family, and then it is a farewell, Dodger] [Across from her, Jack leans back in his high chair and points to the ceiling] Jack: Whaa-haa-haa. [Eva looks up and sees Dodger moving across a wooden ceiling beam] Eva: Shut up, Jack! Shut up and eat! [Just as she has hoped, her mum turns her attention separately from the baby to yell at her. By then, Jack has started crying and forgotten all about the monkey. To calm him down, Amy grabs a little doll] Amy: [sings] One little monkey, jumping on the bed. He fell over and bumped his head. Mama called––– [Eva collapses in her chair from the strain. Is her mother trying to torture her?] Eva: Please, wait! I hate all these rhymes! Amy: Eva, what's the matter with you? Jack loves them. [From the corner of her eye, Eva spies Dodger sneaking back to the bedroom. She grabs her plate and fork] Eva: I'm sorry, sing all you want. I'll go eat in my room for some peace and silence. Excuse me from the table, please. [She rushes out, plate in hand. After tonight's weirdo performance, her family probably thinks she has a few screws loose, but she doesn't care. Right now, she has more reluctant senses on her mind] [Eva gets up early Tuesday morning] [Now that she is taking care of Dodger, she has to be responsible for him as well as for herself. Somehow owning a pet makes it easy to get up and clean her room. She puts all her clothes aside, makes the bed and has herself dressed in a neat and matching outfit by the time her mum comes in] Eva: Good morning, Mum. [Amy's jaw drops] Amy: You cleaned up! You dressed, you–– [Eva smirks at her] Eva: I'm supposed to learn responsibility, remember? Let's have some breakfast––I'm starved! [Eva eats a solid meal, sneaking seconds into her knapsack for Dodger. She makes her own lunch where she can take extra portions and leaves the apartment with plenty of time to go to school. This morning is special because she has Dodger with her. Eva makes sure her friend Paul has gone on ahead where she can walk alone. With Dodger zipped up in her knapsack, Eva heads down the sidewalk with a confident step] [Back in the apartment, her mum can't get over the changes in her daughter] Amy: Something's up with Eva. Last night she gave up her favorite show to do her homework. As I went to wake her up this morning, she was already washed and dressed. At breakfast, she asked how Jack was thinking about on his toilet training. She was real curious about how I'm teaching him. Then she made her own lunch, with two bananas and an extra sandwich... [Tom sits up and shakes his head, no] Tom: Sounds like she met a guy. That would explain the two bananas and the extra sandwich. Amy: Right. And she's teaching this "guy" to use the potty? [Not realizing that her family is wondering about her, Eva is shooting down the spiral slide at the park. A frightened Dodger hangs onto her shoulders, his hands grabbing her face. Together, the two of them hoot and shriek all the road down. They jump on the swings and then play on the jungle gym. Her pet deserves some fun before she leaves him away for the day. Eva has worked it all out. There is no daycare for monkeys in her neighborhood, but there is the pet shop. She'll ask Annie to keep Dodger for her while she is in school] [Eva puts Dodger back into her knapsack and heads for the pet shop. She waits at a red light next to an elegant woman and several other people. The zipper of the knapsack silently opens. Eva doesn't notice her monkey's hand creep out to steal a coin purse from the handbag of the well-dressed woman] [Eva slips into the pet shop. She greets Annie, but unzips the knapsack. Dodger has fallen asleep] Annie: A capuchin! Where did you get it? [Eva stares at her] Eva: What the? Capu-what? Annie: Isn't it a capuchin? [Now Eva knows. Her pet is called a capuchin. Speak about special] Eva: I wish it is. My, um, my father brought him from the Caribbean. He's had it from a pirate. There's one fashion he isn't sure of. Is he going to grow up to be as big as a gorilla? [Annie laughs heartily] Annie: Oh, dear! I'd say he's probably completely grown now. Eva: Whew! I, ah...it's supposed to be like a surprise present for my mum, but my dad wants me to train him first. And since I know this place is safe because my mum will never, ever come in here––could you keep him while I'm at school? Annie: Of course! I'd love to. [Eva lets out a big cheer. Now her major problem is solved] Annie: What a grand surprise for your mum. Can you imagine her face if she sees it? [Eva stops cheering. That is the last nonsense she wants to think about] Eva: No, and I don't really want to. [Eva leaves the pet shop and heads toward school] [She rounds the corner and sees Katie waiting for her. But Katie isn't alone––she has fifteen other girls with her] Katie: Eva! We've all been waiting to hear the news! What's going on? [Eva frowns at Katie and keeps walking. All the girls follow, pressing in close to hear what Eva is saying] Eva: News? It's not news, it's a secret! Girls: We won't warn anybody! Promise! [Katie shoos the girls aside] Katie: Go ahead, go inside! You can't listen to our secret! [Grumbling, the group files into the school building. Katie turns eagerly to Eva] Katie: Now you can warn me. What is this? I won't warn, I swear! [Eva stops and looks Kate straight in the eye] Eva: Katie, I can't. If I warn you, and you warn even one other person, it could ruin everything. Katie: Ruin what? Perhaps I can help you. I'm your best friend. Eva: Help me? I warned you I had a secret and you warned the entire class! [Katie shoots her a dark look] Katie: You're not my friend anymore. [And without a backward glance, Katie runs inside] [Eva follows slowly, her lower lip trembling] Eva: Grand best friend, Katie. [Shorty Kohn is hot on the monkey's trail. Shorty has only one goal. To get his monkey back. Charlie and Drake are counting on him to pull away a big robbery, but he needs the monkey to do it] [Shorty has permitted a plan of attack. He has made a list of all the parks his monkey would have escaped to, and he has called the zoos. Pretending to be a doctor, Shorty has gotten on the phone and forces himself to sound polite and sincere] Shorty: That's right, it's a very....ah...expensive brown capuchin trained to aid the quadriplegic. We assume the zoo would be the logical place to report a lost monkey, where I wanted to make sure yiz, ah, yous, ah...you, you knew where to reach me. Yes, I'm Dr. Benjamin Stevenson, 555-1232. This is my beeper number, then please don't hesitate to call, day or night. [So far no one has called him back, but it has been only a day. On Tuesday, Shorty makes the round of parks. He brings fliers he has made with a photo of the monkey above the words: "Monkey Missing. Big Reward. Call Dr. Benjamin Stevenson, 555-1232"] Shorty: Would you mind if I tackled these up around the park? Park Attendant: Be my guest. [Shorty posts the fliers on bulletin boards in several parks. If the picture of the monkey and the magic words "Big Reward" don't prevent attention, nothing will. Feeling desperate, Shorty knows that without the monkey he can kiss his fifty grand farewell. He has to find the monkey] [School is over, and Eva is feeling desperate, as well. She shuffles out slowly to meet Tessa and Jack, her head hanging down. It has been a horrible day, one of the worst so far. Not only has she lost her best friend, but now Katie and Jesse are whispering about her, guffawing as they walk past] [Eva feels a sympathetic hand on her shoulder] Christine: Rough day? [Eva can only nod. Christine gives her a warm, understanding grin] Christine: I'll see you tomorrow, Eva. [That makes Eva feel better. She grins back and skips ahead to join Tessa and the baby in a stroller. Her teenage cousin always has her nose in a magazine, where Eva figures she can dart in and out of the pet shop on the road home without Tessa noticing this] Eva: Wait here a moment, alright? [Sure enough, Tessa nods and flips the page of the fashion magazine she is reading. As soon as Eva enters the store, Annie opens Dodger's cage. He flies into Eva's arms and puts a hand over her hat] Eva: He missed me! [Suddenly, the gloomy day becomes brighter. Eva would have lost Katie, but she has a real-blue friend in Dodger] Annie: He was a very big hit around here. [She grins appreciatively] All the customers fell in love with him. [She pauses as Eva packs Dodger into the knapsack] The funniest stuff is how he loves the cash register. I couldn't keep him aside from it. He thinks it's the biggest toy in the world. Eva: Do you have any books about monkeys like this? Annie: No, we don't. Try the library. You know, the one down the street? Eva: Grand idea! See you tomorrow! [Hiding a smirk, she runs out the door. She can't wait to lose Tessa and the baby and find out all she can about Dodger] [She certainly owns a very special kind of pet, Eva realizes later that afternoon. A hopeful librarian has photocopied information on the capuchin monkey for her. Now Eva sits in her bedroom, studying the pages. Once in a while, she glances at Dodger. He seems to be happy, playing with an old toy jewelry box on her bedroom shelf] Eva: Capuchins live in tropical forests. They eat fruit, dry seeds, eggs, insects, spiders––ew––small animals such as lizards––yuck! [Eva turns to Dodger. Now he is fooling with her knapsack] Eva: From now on, I'm putting you a low-yuck diet. No more lizards and no more spiders. [Eva returns to reading] Eva: At birth, capuchins depend on their mothers for food, protection and transportation. [She glances proudly across the room at Dodger. So far, she has been doing a nice job as Dodger's mama] The females in the social group may mate with different males. Members may leave and new members join in. [At that, Eva looks up at two family photos on the wall. One shows Amy, Peter and Eva since she is younger. The other shows Amy, Tom, Eva and Jack] Eva: We're not different at all! [She watches her pet scamper onto the bed, then jump from bedpost to bedpost. It looks like it is a game to him, but it is making her dizzy] Eva: Like all New York monkeys, capuchins are at home in areas rich with trees. They spend most of their time up in the branches. [Eva stares over at her flying pet and grins. No wonder he likes swinging around her bedposts. Tomorrow, she'll make sure to take Dodger into the park where he can play in some real trees. She goes back to the book] Eva: Monkeys can use their tail to grasp branches, swing and climb. Their feet are larger and more powerful than their hands. [Dodger is now hanging by his tail from the top of the bedpost, gripping Eva's stuffed monkey in his foot. Eva bursts into laughter, but Dodger suddenly drops the toy and scoots under the bed. A moment later, the door opens and Jack toddles in. Instead of yelling at him to leave, Eva allows her brother to stay. She shuts the door behind him, but peers under the bed] Eva: He's alright. He won't rat on us. He can't speak. [She turns to Jack] Eva: Want to meet somebody? Wait. [Eva commands Dodger to come out. He slides out with hesitation. An emotional Jack points out and charges at the monkey, who jumps into Eva's arms for protection] Eva: Don't worry. This is my brother, Jack. Jack, this is Dodger. [Eva sets Dodger down in front of Jack, who lets out a big chortle. Eva laughs along with him. Dodger squats in front of them and covers his ears] Eva: Isn't he cute? You see, he's wearing diapers like you. You guys play while I do reading. [Eva returns to her desk and sneaks glances over her shoulder at Jack and Dodger. She is bursting to share her secret. Jack is perfect––––he can't warn anyone. Eva smirks as Dodger curls his strong tail around Jack's ankle and yanks. Jack falls down on his diapered butt and gets up grinning. He reaches for Dodger] [Both "babies" are getting into it] [Eva wouldn't have been more pleased] [Over the next few weeks, Eva is glad she has introduced her monkey to Jack. The three of them keep the secret from Amy and Tom, although Tom yet sneezes and wonders if he are suffering from a cold. Together, Eva, Jack and Dodger sneak out in the afternoons, to play in the park, have a ball in the pet store, and try to give Dodger a much-needed bath. If someone has warned Eva a month before that she'll be having so much fun with her brother, she would have laughed in his face. But Jack isn't such a naughty little boy. In fact, he isn't the little monster she has always thought. She changes the sign on her bedroom door from "No Jack Allowed" to "Only Jack Allowed"] [Eva's mum passes side-by-side and does a double take] Amy: Tom! Come here, come see this! [Tom joins Amy and reads Eva's corrected sign. Amy is so touched, she almost weeps. And Tom is impressed as he tries to stifle a sneeze] Tom: Boy! What have we done right? Amy: This is major. Whoopee! [Nonsense is going so well something hard has to happen. And sure enough, the very next morning, it does. The Gregory family is doing breakfast at the dining-room table. Eva has her oatmeal, Amy is reading the paper and a sneezing Tom keeps dialing a number from the yellow pages since he isn't feeding Jack. Eva figures the line is busy because Tom punched in the number over and over] Tom: Oh, I meant to ask you. This guy that you're going out with–– [Eva and Amy look at each other in confusion] Tom: I mean your boyfriend. Excuse me, this little pal at school, who you always make the extra lunch for... [Eva stares down at her bowl of oatmeal, her heart beating faster] Tom: Does he have a dog? [Eva gulps hard] Eva: I don't know who you're speaking about. [She swiftly gathers her bowl and is getting ready to leave the table until Tom's call eventually goes through] Tom: Hello, is this Pest Terminator? [This is it. This is the moment she has been dreading. Without thinking, Eva jumps up and presses the disconnect lever on the phone, cutting Tom apart] [She stares at Tom in horror] Eva: Why are you calling a pet terminator? Tom: Pest Terminator, Eva, pest. I haven't stopped sneezing in weeks. We must have rats. [Eva laughs with relief] Eva: Rats, exactly! I meant to warn you––I wish I saw one, or heard one, in the walls or the ceilings. I certainly think we have rats. [Eva thinks about rats throughout the day. She thinks about the men who will come to murder the rats. What if they come to the apartment and figure out that the Gregory family has a monkey, not a rat, problem? It is too eerie to think about] [As soon as school is over, Eva hurries out to meet Tessa] Eva: Did you see the rat guys? [Tessa barely looks up from her magazine] Tessa: What the? Rat Guys? Must be a new band, because I never heard of them. Eva: Can they warn if it's not rats? [Tessa mumbles something, but begins chattering about a rock star's car] Eva: Listen to me! Do these guys work on weekends? They can't, right? [That gets Tessa's attention] Tessa: You're right, I can't work this weekend. I'm going to four concerts, and you're going to your dad's! [Eva stops dead in her tracks] Eva: Oh, my heavens! My dad! One on one for two entire days! [She has fully forgotten about this date. She adores her father and loves visiting Venice Beach, but what about Dodger? Who will take care of her pet?] [Annie...Eva's face brightens. Annie will look after Dodger for her. Then she remembers that she has lied to Annie in the beginning. She has warned Annie that Dodger is a surprise present for her mum and has to be kept hidden from her during the day. Now the lie will backfire] [As Eva races into the pet shop, Dodger immediately jumps up in his cage among the wall and makes welcoming noises. But Eva has to speak to Annie first] Eva: Annie, I...I have to go to my dad's this weekend, and... Annie: How grand! You won't have to concern about hiding Dodger, right? Eva: Right. [Wrong, Eva thinks in despair. Annie opens the cage, and Dodger merrily jumps into Eva's knapsack. Eva zips up the sack and rejoins Tessa and Jack outside the shop] Tessa: Want to go to the park? [The park? How can Eva enjoy the park until the worst problem in the world is dangling over her head?] [Two hours later, Eva yet hasn't come up with a solution to the world's biggest problem] [What is she going to do about Dodger that weekend?] [She lays on the floor of her bedroom, face-down, and bangs her head over and over against the rug. It doesn't really hurt, and she usually gets her best ideas this fashion] [Right across from her, Dodger is stretched out, imitating her weird head-banging act] Eva: Where am I going to hide him? How can I leave him here? What should I warn Dad? How can I change this? Who can I give him to? [After each question, she bangs her head and Dodger does the same] [Tessa interrupts her] Tessa: Eva! Your father's on the phone! [At the sound of her voice, Dodger scampers into the bathroom. Perhaps hiding isn't such a worst idea, Eva thinks. She ducks behind the bed] [But Tessa isn't going away] Tessa: Eva! Did you hear me? [There is no fashion out. Eva is trapped, and she knows it. Slowly, she gets to her feet. Tears glisten in her eyes] Eva: I'm coming! [She stands in the middle of the room, wiping her eyes] Eva: I have to stay calm. [Just then, Dodger runs out of the bathroom with a piece of toilet paper in his hand. He jumps into her arms and dabs at the tears with the toilet tissue. Touched, Eva looks at him] Eva: Thanks, pal. I'll be alright. [She doesn't really believe it, though. She'll never be alright if they take Dodger away from her. Wait a sec, that gives her an idea] Eva: Hey, perhaps I shouldn't be alright. I'm sick! Toxic! Temperature of 104! [Making a weird face and clutching dramatically at her stomach, she staggers out of the room and picks up the extension in her mum's bedroom] Eva: Hello, Dad? Peter: Darling, what's wrong? You sound awful. Eva: I feel awful. Peter: Well then, perhaps I don't have such hard news after all. [Eva frowns] Eva: Hard news? What hard news? Peter: I was calling to say I can't see you this weekend. [The false temperature and phony illness disappear immediately. So does Eva's problem. Her droopy face perks up, and she dances a little jig in celebration] Peter: They switched my flight schedule just a few hours ago. I'm already at the airport. I have to be in Vancouver until Monday. Anyhow, if you're so sick–––– Eva: I'm feeling better, thanks. [Much, much better, she thinks with a huge smirk] Peter: Darling, I'll make it up to you, I mean it. Eva: Don't be upset, Dad. I love you! Peter: I love you, as well. Now hang up and let me leave a message for your mum. [Eva hangs up and stays behind the phone, thinking. The phone rings again. The machine picks up. As Peter leaves a message, a light bulb the size of Dodger bursts on over Eva's head. An idea as brilliant as a thousand watts suddenly comes to her. How clever, how smart, how awesome she is. And if she can pull it away, she and Dodger will have the best weekend ever] [She comes back to earth until the machine beeps] Electronic Voice: Thursday. Five fifteen P.M. [Eva glances down and presses a button on the machine] Electronic Voice: I will erase your messages. [Eva smirks–––part one of the plan is working––but picks up the receiver and dials again. Time to work on part two] Katie: Hello? Eva: Katie, it's me. Katie: I'm not speaking to you. Eva: Who cares? I need to speak to your mother. [Katie is confused, but goes to call her mother. Let her be confused, Eva thinks with a little smirk. Katie will know sure enough what the plan is, and then they'll both share a brief laugh. As Katie's mum comes on, Eva goes into her carefully thought-out speech] [Later that night, Eva gives another speech, this time to her own mum. She doesn't like lying to her mother, but sometimes she just has to. Especially since Dodger is worried] [Amy, Tessa and Eva are sitting at the dining-room table, eating dinner] [Amy glances across at Eva] Amy: What's the stuff for the weekend? Eva: I'm going to Dad's. Amy: Tessa warned me he called, but I didn't find a message. [Careful now, Eva thinks. This is the tricky part. She keeps her voice normal] Eva: I handled everything. [Boy, has she ever] He said he'll be waiting for me. And, Mum? Katie said they're going to the beach, where they could drop me off if you want. [Amy and Tessa exchange glances. Eva can warn they are impressed. She really has her act together these days] Amy: I'll call Missie after dinner. [Eva bursts up to help her mum] [Tessa ruffles Eva's hair] Tessa: You're a cool little babe, you know that? [A lot cooler than you realize, Eva thinks with a private grin. This weekend is going to be something else] [It is time to warn Katie the secret] [Eva and Katie are sitting in the back of the station wagon on Saturday, being driven by Katie's mum to Venice Beach. The knapsack containing Dodger rests among Eva's duffel bag. For most of the ride Katie sits, turns away from Eva, pretending Eva is invisible. Eva keeps glancing over at her, wondering where to show her the surprise. She can usually warn Katie anything, but today, Katie is giving her the silent treatment. Even Katie's mum has noticed this] Tessa: What's the matter with you guys? You're so silent. Katie: Perhaps we don't have anything to say to each other. [Eva decides this is the moment to let Katie in on the secret. She grabs a scrap of paper and a crayon off the messy car floor and scribbles] Eva: Do you swear? [Katie reads the note with an emotional grin. She crosses her fingers over her sealed lips and sticks the wadded-up note in her mouth] [That is well enough for Eva. She nods toward the back. The girls slip off their seat belts and slide over the backseat] Eva: Are you ready? Don't shriek. [Katie nods solemnly. Eva unzips the knapsack. A bright-eyed Dodger peers up at them. Katie spits the wad of paper clear to the front seat, but covers her mouth to stifle a shriek. The two girls burst into squeaking chortles] [Katie's mum doesn't take her eyes off the road] Tessa: That's more like it. Now go back to your seats and put on your seat belts. [Eva stares out the window at the familiar sights and street signs as they get closer. She knows it won't take long to reach her father's condo. Will everything really go as planned? Her heart thumps a little faster as the station wagon pulls up in front of the modern two-story house surrounded by trees and plants] [Eva cranes her neck and is relieved to see her dad's Jeep parked in the open garage. Now Katie's mother will think her father is home] [Eva swiftly jumps out with her knapsack and duffel bag and points to the Jeep] Eva: He's here, you see? Must be waiting for me in the backyard. Tessa: Just do me a favor, Eva. Make sure he's there and then come out and give us a wave. Eva: Okey-dokey! [She disappears behind the house. She reappears seconds later, giving them a thumbs-up sign and a cheery wave] Katie: Thanks for the ride! [Now please go, she begs privately. She gets her wish until the station wagon pulls off, Katie waving to her from the backseat] Eva: Perfect. [She hurries to the front door and is surprised, only to find it is locked. Her grin fades] Eva: Except I don't have a key. Dodger, we're in danger. [She unzips the knapsack, and Dodger jumps out] Eva: Two entire days alone, free to play and do anything we want––and I blew it! [Dodger jumps into action] [He grabs a crumpled bag from Eva's knapsack and begins climbing a tree. He reaches the top faster and jumps onto the second-story ledge of the house. Eva watches in amazement as he wrestles with a locked window] Eva: He's totally trying to get us in! [Dodger moves to a small, round attic window. Eva can't quite see what he does, but she cheers as Dodger nimbly jumps inside. She hurries onto the porch and presses an ear to the front door. Will the little guy know he has to come and open the door for her?] Eva: Dodger! Open up! [The sound of footsteps on the sidewalk make her spin around. A neighbor is staring at her] Eva: Dad? [She smirks in embarrassment at the neighbor] My dad locked me out by mistake. [The man gives an understanding nod and turns away] [Seconds go side-by-side, then moments. What is Dodger doing in there? Eva presses her face against the window and peers inside. No sign of her pet] Eva: Open the door! [Incredibly, the lock clicks. The door opens. There stands Dodger in his diapers, looking amazingly proud of himself. Eva raises her hand. So does Dodger. Just as she has taught him, they slap a high five] Eva: You're unreal! [Eva switches the lock on the door handle where that it opens from the outside. Can't afford any more goof-ups, she thinks. But just as she walks into the living room, an ear-splitting, heart-stopping shriek shatters the silence. Eva shrieks back and drops her bags] Eva: I forgot the alarm! [With terror, Dodger jumps onto her shoulders and begins whooping along with the alarm. He wraps his trembling arms around her face] [Eva can't see, can't hear, can't think. She feels like a spin drier gone out of control. She races back out, to a panel on the wall. The little red lights are blinking furiously. Dodger is twisting on her shoulders, fully covering her eyes] Eva: Let go, I can't see! [She stares at the panel in horror] Eva: He punches numbers, but which ones? Why don't I ever pay attention to the reluctant nonsense in life? [She starts hitting buttons, any buttons. Nothing happens at first. Feeling desperate, Eva mutters and slaps the whole control panel. Silence. The shrieking stops] Eva: Here goes. Whew. [She sighs and collapses against the wall. Speak about nerve-shattering experiences] [But the ordeal isn't over. As soon as the alarm has stopped, the phone starts ringing. Eva grabs Dodger and freezes like a statue. They both turn to stare at the phone and responding machine in the living room] [The machine clicks on] Machine: This is Ned at West Tec Security. If you're there, Mr. Boylan, please pick up. [Eva dives for the phone] Eva: Hello? Yes, we're here. Uh-huh, everything's fine. [She makes a face at Dodger] You see, my dad had to go to the bathroom until we came in, and he forgot to shut off the alarm. [She pauses, listening, but laughs heartily] If you must go, you must go. Yes, I'll warn him. Thanks for checking, it's alright! [She hangs up the phone and slides to the floor in a heap of exhaustion] Eva: This is not as easy as I thought. [It gets worse] [Dodger suddenly begins acting like her baby brother in his I-want-to-touch-everything mood. The monkey darts around the living room, picking up silver picture frames. Eva runs over and pulls them out of his hands] Eva: Don't touch this stuff! If we break something, my dad will know somebody was here. C'mon, I'm starved! [They head for the kitchen. More worst news. The refrigerator is fully empty, except for some eggs, a jug of water and a jar of mustard. Eva closes the refrigerator door with a moan] Eva: Dad didn't go shopping because he wasn't going to be here. And I didn't bring any money because I'm foolish. Foolish nonsense! [She looks down at Dodger with frightened eyes. Dodger immediately hugs her knees and copies her frightened expression. This won't do, Eva thinks. She has to take care of her pet. And that means making some money if the weekend is going to work] [Eva knows that the best place to panhandle for money is at nearby Venice Beach. Eva snaps her fingers and carries Dodger into the garage. She pulls her bike out and mounts an old baby seat on the back] Eva: Everybody on the boardwalk does it. If you don't have money, and you can't find it, you have to make it. [Dodger is shifting from one foot to each other and shooting looks of hesitation at the bike. One hand keeps picking at his little red hat] [Eva picks him up with a soothing grin. He really is her baby. She carefully straps Dodger into the rear seat and then jumps on the bike] Eva: Have you ever been on a bike before? It's fun. Ready, Freddie? Let's go make money! [Shorty has lain low for the last few weeks, sticking close to his trailer. The search for his monkey has fizzled out, and without the monkey, he can't work the boardwalk. Plus Charlie and Drake will be hot on his trail. If they find him, it will mean danger. But Shorty can stay holed up in his ratty trailer for only so long. He has to get out, and as he does, he heads for the boardwalk] [He walks along now in the warm sunshine, taking in the action and checking out the tourists. Who knows? Perhaps, just perhaps, his monkey will turn up] [Eva pedals slowly along the bike path that runs alongside the boardwalk. She can hear Dodger chattering with hesitation in the baby seat. He is making funny little hooting noises] Eva: Boy, are you emotional? I knew you'd love it! [Dodger hates it] [This is where he and Shorty always work the crowd, and Shorty can be here, right now, waiting to catch him. Dodger glances over his shoulder and immediately shuts up. There is Shorty in regular clothes and a straw hat, coming up the boardwalk behind them. Dodger frantically slides inside Eva's open knapsack] [But Eva skids to a halt and moves the bike out of the bike path] Eva: No, Dodger, no! Down here, you don't have to hide. Hey, you're going to be the special presentation today. [She zips the knapsack shut. Dodger peeks around and hoots. Shorty is getting closer. Dodger dives for refuge under Eva's baggy shirt. Eva laughs and chases the monkey back out into the light––just as Shorty strolls past them] [Eva plops a trembling Dodger back into the baby seat. He peeks over Eva's shoulder. Have they lost Shorty in the crowd? No, he is right up ahead. In a total panic, Dodger jumps down and tries to turn the front wheel of the bike in the separate direction. But Eva doesn't understand] Eva: I'm sorry, we can't go home yet. We have to find the right spot and try to earn some money. [Dodger is desperate. Shorty is coming closer. Any moment Shorty will turn and see him. Dodger tugs the pad off the back of his seat and props it up in front of his face. But then, Eva veers off the bike path and begins riding on the boardwalk. Now Shorty is in plain view. The pad is on the wrong side, and Dodger is fully exposed] [There is only one fashion to do. Dodger jumps off the bike and scampers over to a pile of cardboard boxes and trashcans in front of a seedy-looking restaurant. Now he is on his own] [Shorty has stopped at a nearby phone stand to make a call. Dodger jumps headfirst into one of the large cardboard boxes. Using the box for cover, Dodger stumbles across the boardwalk. He blindly bumps into hairy knees, skateboards and baby strollers. He is going to get away, until a barking dog tips the box over. Exposed with terror, Dodger takes shelter behind a tree. Turning, he spots Shorty moving closer. Dodger runs behind a crowd of people. Unfortunately, these people are watching a snake charmer. Dodger scoots through all the legs in the crowd––and comes face-to-face with a ten-foot boa. He screeches louder] [Not more than fifteen feet aside, Shorty hears the screech. His monkey is here. Shorty plows through the crowd around the snake charmer and spots the monkey] [The chase is on] [Dodger scurries under a fruit stand in the market. A customer shrieks and stumbles backward, pulling boxes over. Oranges and apples topple to the ground. Tourists and in-line skaters hit the fruit and go flying] [Shorty hears the yelling. All the commotion can mean only one fashion. His monkey is in the middle of that mess. He calls for his monkey and runs, smashing into tables. Tie-dyed T-shirts, hand-carved animals and colorful toys all shoot up in the air like giant confetti. The merchants shriek at him] [Dodger seizes his opportunity. He darts under the refreshment stands to a nearby popcorn wagon, but takes off across the playground. Reaching the bike path, he jumps a ride on the roof of a baby carrier attached to a mum's bicycle] [Shorty snarls and pushes a man off his skateboard. No fashion will he let his monkey escape. Wheeling aside, Shorty tries to catch up to the monkey, but it's no luck. He falls off the stolen skateboard, but scrambles to his feet and takes a shortcut across the grass] [In another few seconds, he'll reach the monkey] [Dodger jumps off the baby carrier and heads for the beach. A girl with a huge kite is letting the string out, waiting for the breeze to kick up. What a grand place to hide] [Dodger scrambles underneath the kite for protection. The girl spots Dodger and shrieks. Dodger jumps onto the crossbar just as she drops the strings. It's no use] [A strong breeze suddenly lifts the kite off the ground. Dodger grips the crossbar with all his strength as he goes flying high into the air. The kite dips and twirls and streaks through the heavens] [Underneath, Shorty stares up at the view. Hurriedly, he wrestles the strings aside from the boy who now controls the kite. If he can somehow bring the monkey down...] [A tap on his shoulder ends that plan. A hulking lifeguard stands behind him with the kite's rightful owner. Shorty knows he is no match for these muscles] [Besides, the kite is gliding down toward the bike path. The monkey will be landing––or smashing–––any moment] [Shorty can't believe what he sees next. His monkey jumps from the crossbars of the kite right into the baby seat on a girl's bike. Speak about luck. Cursing under his breath, Shorty takes off] [Her idea has been brilliant, Eva thinks as she slowly pedals along. The boardwalk is crowded with tourists, and that means better chances to make some money. Now, where to pull away to do their act? Eva checks the boardwalk carefully, trying to find the perfect spot for her and Dodger] [She is skirting a group of older bikers as she suddenly feels a thump in the baby carrier. Eva smirks. Dodger has been awfully silent back there, but now he may be getting restless] Eva: Careful, or you'll fall down! [Dodger just stares at her with a funny expression on his face] [Keeping the girl and the monkey in sight, Shorty chases after them. Another few moments and the monkey will be his. But suddenly, out of nowhere, Charlie and Drake burst up, blocking his path. They don't look happy] Drake: Where have you been? You were supposed to check in, warn us how the training's going. [Of all the rotten timing. Shorty cranes his neck, getting a brief look at Eva as she pedals toward the boardwalk] Shorty: Does it have to be now? Training's grand–––I'm trying to get in shape myself, jogging, you see? [Shorty takes a running step past the men, but Charlie clamps a hand around his throat. The two goons mean business, alright. Shorty swallows hard] Drake: I've had the boss breathing down my neck about this monkey stuff now. My job is on the line. I need to know I can depend on you. Shorty: I'm sorry. I didn't want ya to concern. The monkey gets a cold, nothing serious. We was training at the vet's. It's all under control. [Shorty gives the men his most convincing, sincere grin. Will they buy his story?] [Drake and Charlie buy it. Charlie releases his hand from Shorty's throat] Charlie: C'mon. Let's take a walk. [Drake takes the other, and they escort him to their limo] Drake: Yes. And then, we'll take a little ride. [Mumbling under his breath, Shorty makes a vow. Before the weekend is over, he'll track down that girl on the bike and get his monkey back] [Eva can't do it] [Not in a hundred, not in a thousand, not in a million years] [She simply cannot bring herself to beg for money. She has parked the bicycle, but carries Dodger toward the most crowded part of the boardwalk. It all looks so easy until other people do it, but as she sticks her hand out to ask for money, her fingers curl up in embarrassment] Eva: Dodger, I–I can't do it. [Dodger goes to work. He climbs down from her arms and springs into action. He tips his hat, he bows from the waist, he jump into people's arms. He collects quite a bit of money for his lovable antics] [This monkey has talent, Eva thinks, amazed by the size of crowds he presents. And if her pet can work so hard, then she can do her bit, as well] Eva: Step right up, and pet this rare and beautiful monkey! He's sweet, he's neat, give yourself a treat! Don't be shy, give it a try! Come one, come all, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! [A young Japanese couple with a camcorder and a regular camera draw close to Eva and Dodger. Dodger tips his hat and bows, but climbs into the man's arms. The delighted woman offers her camera to Eva] [Eva waves it aside] Eva: No, thanks, I don't take cameras––cash only. Understand? Money. Japanese Woman: You take a picture, please? Eva: Oh, sure! [What a dumb mistake] [Eva takes a shot of the couple with Dodger perched between them. As she hands back the camera, the woman hands her a dollar. An entire dollar. Eva's jaw drops] [And the money piles in. An hour later, Eva and Dodger are yet at it, and Eva's cap jingles with change and some bills. If this keeps up, they won't have to concern about a fashion for the rest of the weekend. This is becoming a lot of fun. Eva raises her voice and really gets into it] Eva: Step right up and see the wonderful Caribbean pirate monkey! Pet him for a quarter, pictures for a buck, rub his head and get a farewell! [Suddenly, a man in the crowd yells] Man: My wallet's gone! Somebody stole my wallet! [Eva's face falls as Dodger jumps straight into her arms. Of all the times for something like this to happen, right until she and Dodger are getting the hang of it] [Everyone turns to look at the man who shouts] Man: There's a pickpocket in the crowd! [People begin searching their pockets and checking their purses] Abigail: My earrings! Amelia: My bracelet! [Within seconds, the crowd has melted off. The festival is over. Yet carrying Dodger, Eva walks back to her bike, but sinks onto a nearby bench. She jingles her cap, which is loaded with money] Eva: It's alright, we've had enough. You're brilliant, you know that? We made a fortune! [Eva begins counting the money with raised eyebrows. It is even more than she has hoped to make––almost ten dollars in quarters and several single dollar bills. Then Dodger opens his furry paw to drop another bill in her cap. Eva's jaw drops] Eva: Woah! Who gave you twenty bucks? They would have made a mistake! [She chortles and snaps the twenty] But that's not our fault, is it? Dodger, this is our lucky day! Let's go to the store and stock up on food. I'm starved! [She straps Dodger back on the bike and rides to the nearby supermarket, praising her pet the whole road. After parking the bike outside, she carefully zips Dodger into the knapsack and enters the store. She walks up and down the aisles, putting orange juice, milk, syrup and a box of cereal in her shopping cart. The knapsack, now only half zipped, is twitching. Dodger is getting restless] Eva: Stop it! They know my dad here. [She brings the cart up front, where a bored young cashier begins to ring up the items] Cashier: Cash, check or credit card? Eva: What? Just regular money. [As she hands him the twenty-dollar bill, Eva notices an older woman cashier at the next register staring at her. Thinking Dodger may be acting up, Eva shifts the knapsack around. She gets her grocery bag to change and hurries to the exit] [But the woman cashier suddenly steps into her path] Woman: Little girl, can I look into your backpack? [That's all she needs] Eva: No, why not? [Now the other customers are staring. Eva begins to squirm] [The woman cashier whispers to the guy who has rung up her items] Woman: I know her dad. He has a charge account here. [Then she faces Eva directly] I just want to see what you've had in there. Eva: It's personal. Woman: Where's your dad? Eva: He's at the stores across the street. Can I please go now? [Eva takes a step toward the door, but then she sees more danger coming––the store manager] Man: What's going on? Woman: I think this little girl has been shoplifting. [Eva's jaw drops] Eva: I didn't steal anything! Woman: Then why don't you want me to look in your sack? [She has a point, Eva thinks. The bulging knapsack probably does look suspicious. But to think she'll shoplift. This is a hard situation, sure to get worse, and it makes her hesitant and frightened] [As if sensing this, the store manager takes her aside and kneels to be on eye level with her. He puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder] Store Manager: Look, darling, we all make mistakes. All I want you to do is walk up an aisle, and if there's anything in your backpack you forgot to pay for, just leave it there. If you do, I'll forget the entire nonsense. [Not knowing what else to do, Eva follows his orders. Shoulders stern, totally embarrassed, she walks down an aisle until she is out of everyone's sight and then stops in her tracks. Hurriedly, she sets the knapsack down] Eva: Dodger, I have to leave you somewhere, then I'll–– [She breaks away in shock at what she sees. There is Dodger, dipping a stolen chicken drumstick into a stolen jar of peanut butter and taking a carefree bite] [Her pet is a thief. Dodger has shoplifted these items behind her back, and now the store manager and the suspicious woman are staring at her from the end of the aisle. Her mouth open in shock, and feeling as if a ten-pound basketball has just smacked her in the stomach, Eva snatches the chicken and peanut butter out of Dodger's hands and zips up the knapsack. She places the stolen items back on the shelf. Wishing that the floor will open up and swallow her, she returns to the front of the store. Everyone is staring at her frustratingly––customers, cashiers, the kind-faced store manager. In tight-lipped silence, she grabs the groceries she's paid for and storms out of the store] Eva: How could you do this to me? You made me a thief! [Eva is in for another shock until she gets back to the condo. She is scolding Dodger, trying to make him understand how wrong stealing is] Eva: Why did you have to do that? If they caught you, I'd have to get rid of you! Is that what you want? [Dodger sits on the coffee table, hanging his head. Then he looks up and blows her a kiss] [Eva stops pacing] Eva: Don't you kiss up to me now! You have no idea what you did, do you? [Dodger jumps off the table. He drags the knapsack over to Eva and begins fishing inside] Eva: Yes, you should hide in here and think about what a naughty little monkey you've been! [But instead of hiding, Dodger pulls out a gold watch and dangles it in front of her] [Eva's eyes widen] Eva: What is that? Where did you get this? [As she snatches it out of Dodger's hands, he digs into the sack and pulls out a man's wallet] Eva: You tore apart this stuff, as well? [With a sick feeling in her stomach, Eva overturns the knapsack. A dazzling collection of rings, earrings, bracelets and money pour out onto the coffee table] [Dodger sits back with a huge smirk on his face. Eva drops onto the sofa and buries her face in her hands] Eva: Oh, dear! This stuff is from these people on the beach! This is horrible, really horrible! [Shorty is feeling pretty horrible as well] [He shuffles along the Venice boardwalk at twilight, mumbling to himself. This has been a rotten day, from start to finish. He has found his monkey, but loses him, and the little girl can be anywhere by now] [Then the two goons have taken him for a little ride to a big mansion] Drake: The monkey will drop in here to do some shopping. [Shorty has swallowed hard. He knows that shopping means stealing. But can he find his monkey in time? Drake and Charlie have their own doubts. They've slapped an electronic surveillance bracelet––a tracking device––on his ankle] Charlie: This is just to make sure we know where you are. [Shorty drops onto a bench with a moan. Without the monkey, he is dead. And come Monday, the two goons will track him down. And as they do....] [He whacks at the surveillance anklet in fury, but howls in pain. There has to be some fashion out. He glances around the almost deserted boardwalk. Madame Tisa, a tarot card reader, is sitting at a table close side-by-side. With desperation, Shorty plops down in front of her] Shorty: Tisa, look into my cards. [The woman solemnly stares down at the cards] Tisa: I see danger. Woman danger. She left and took her with a boy. [Shorty cuts Tisa apart] Shorty: Yes, yes. Who cares about that? What else? Tisa: I see men. Dangerous men. Men who want to hurt you. [Shorty blinks at her] Shorty: They want to hurt me? Tisa: They are capable of grand violence. Shorty: That's why I need to find my monkey! [Tisa looks up] Tisa: A monkey? A brown-and-black one? Shorty: That's it! You see him? Tisa: I really saw him. [She nods in agreement] This afternoon, heading toward Lincoln on the back of a little girl's bike. [A lead. Shorty jumps up in emotion. Perhaps he is closer to the monkey than he thinks] [Eva sits on the sofa in a daze. She stares into space, remembering all the tricks and stunts Dodger has pulled] Eva: He's a break-in artist, as well. He knew exactly how to get into this house! [Oh, boy, what else has he done? Eva has to find out. She'll test him. She walks into the kitchen and finds Dodger eating among the refrigerator] Eva: In here, hide! [Dodger immediately scampers behind the refrigerator] Eva: Police! [Dodger darts out of the kitchen] Eva: That's the kind of English you understand. You're not from the circus, you're from a gang! [She stands there, thinking. What is she going to do? She can't lose Dodger, she simply can't] [In bed that night, she comes up with the response to her problem] Eva: I bet you don't even know what "stealing" means. [Dodger lays behind her, stroking her hair in a typical monkey fashion] The books never said anything about you being a thief. [She begins patting the monkey's head] You do it because somebody trained you. Whoever it was, I hate them! I'm going to un-train you. Starting tomorrow, I will dis-teach you to un-learn every single nonsense these jerks taught you! [Early the next morning, Eva takes Dodger out to the backyard for his first "un-training" session. She has set up a table with money, jewelry and pickpocket-type objects, as well as bananas and strawberries and some small toys] [Dodger goes straight for a dollar bill] [Eva sticks her face in the monkey's and shakes her head, no] Eva: No, Dodger! No luck! No! Absolutely not! [She places Dodger's hand on a piece of fruit, but grins and pets him. Dodger seems to enjoy this, but then he hooks his tail around a bracelet. Eva slaps the tail and removes the bracelet. Dodger grabs it back and slaps Eva's hand] Eva: This isn't going to be easy. [She points once more at the lucky-laden table. Dodger eyes a bright red ball and palms an earring instead. As Eva wants him to choose between a strawberry and a bracelet, he reaches for both. Eva shakes her head, no. This is more work than she's bargained for] [Shorty is working, as well. Up and down the neighborhood, he speaks to people, shows them pictures of the monkey and describes the little girl. His leads are narrowing. He is getting close. Some children on skateboards direct him to a local supermarket. Now he is glad he has hooked the trailer to his truck. If he finds the monkey, he can take off fast and not concern about anyone following him home] [Shorty hums under his breath as he parks among the supermarket. He has a brief feeling about this. He has an even better feeling after speaking to a woman cashier who remembers the little girl all too well] Shorty: A cute little girl like that. Can you imagine? She stole from me, totally tore me off. Woman: I'm not surprised. I caught her in here yesterday trying to shoplift. [She leans forward, lowering her voice] My boss let her go. Didn't even warn her dad. [Shorty frowns furiously] Shorty: If I knew where she lived, I'd go speak to her old man right now. Woman: I know him, he's single–––I mean, divorced. He's had a charge account here. I'll give you the address. [Eva is speaking on the phone in the condo's living room. She has the yellow pages open on the coffee table, along with the money and valuables Dodger has stolen at last] Eva: The address is 227 Hillcrest. Hang on. [Turning her head away, she bellows Dad's name] Are you yet in the shower? [She speaks into the receiver again] I'm sorry, he can't pick up. He said just send the cab over. Thanks! [She hangs up, but gathers all the bills into a wad. Dodger stares at her, obviously puzzled] [Eva scowls at him] Eva: What are you staring at? I'm innocent, you're the one who did it. I'm just using it to get us safely home. [She jams the wad of bills into her knapsack. She wishes she can jam the last two days inside as well. Dodger has been such a perfect pet before she discovers his little "hobby". Now that hobby is threatening to break them up. Eva admits defeat. She has worked all day at teaching Dodger that stealing is wrong, but he hasn't bought it. Whatever creep has taught him to do this has done too well a job] [It is time to go home. Perhaps, there she'll find some responses] [Eva opens the door and sets her bags on the porch. Closing the door, she goes back inside and calls to Dodger] Eva: Let's do one last check upstairs and then we'll wait outside. C'mon! [They go through all the rooms, making sure everything is picked up and put aside] [The doorbell rings just as they come out of the bedroom] [Both Eva and Dodger jump a mile] [Eva takes Dodger's hand and stares down into the living room] Eva: It can't be the cab guy already. [The bell rings again] [Eva drops to the top step, with Dodger huddled behind her] Eva: Perhaps if we ignore them, we'll go away. [No luck. Someone gently knocks on the door] Hook: Hello? Anybody there? [Dodger jumps into Eva's lap. He wraps his arms tightly around her neck and begins shivering] Eva: You're shaking all over! Don't be so frightened. [Dodger just hugs Eva even more tighter] [She gets up slowly and cautiously edges down the stairs] Eva: Keep silent. We'll see who it is. [Clinging to each other, they reach the living room. Eva is just as frightened as Dodger, although she won't admit it. They creep to the curtained window near the front door. Careful not to make a sound, Eva draws back a corner of the curtain] [Staring directly at her is a monster with rotten teeth, an earring and a bandanna] [Eva and Dodger both let out loud, anguished shrieks] [Eva drops the curtain and squeezes Dodger] Eva: It's the pirate! Hook: Open up! I need to speak to you! [Frozen with fear, Eva can't move. The Caribbean pirate who owned Dodger is standing inches aside on the front porch. She has made him up wherever people ask where she's gotten the monkey, but he is real. And he is eerie and he wants to take Dodger aside] [She can't let that happen] [Thinking faster, she yells Dad's name] Eva: Come down here! Hurry up! There's a man trying to get in! Hook: I'm not trying to get in. I only want to speak. Eva: Go away! Hook: Get your father, girl. Eva: He's busy. [The eerie dark eyes of the pirate narrow] Hook: Or perhaps, he ain't there at all! [In a panic, Eva and Dodger dash up the stairs] Eva: We have to hide! [Down underneath, she hears the front door rumble, then open] Hook: Mr. Boylan? [He is inside the house] [Eva shoots into her dad's bedroom as Dodger scurries under the bed] Hook: Oh, little girl! [It doesn't fool Eva. He means to hurt them. She has to get Dodger to a safer hiding place] [Shorty creeps into the living room, one eye out for the brat's father. A silver picture frame catches his attention. Without hesitating, he picks it up and slides it into the pocket of his large coat] Shorty: Oh, little girl, don't be afraid. I only want to speak with ya. [The upstairs hall is deserted. He can't hear a peep. He goes into the bedroom. The dresser holds a brief haul. Shorty helps himself to a gold ID bracelet, a watch and a jeweled tie clip. Now it is time to collect the monkey. He walks out into the hall] Shorty: Where are you, darling? [Eva and Dodger have climbed up into the attic, but pull the trapdoor shut behind them. Now Eva is standing on a packing box, attempting to pull herself through the same porthole window Dodger has used to enter the house. Behind her, Dodger pushes at her butt, helping her squeeze through the tight space] [Eva looks down and swiftly shuts her eyes. It is a long drop from the roof to the ground. But the evil pirate can't reach them. She won't let him take Dodger aside. Opening her eyes, she grabs the tree branch closest to the window. She clings to it tightly, feeling it sway underneath her weight. She'll never make it down in one piece] [Dodger chatters softly behind her, but pushes her feet aside from the porthole. Biting back a shriek, Eva hangs onto the swaying branch with all her might. Dodger bursts up behind her and pats her arm. He shows her a foothold. Closely following her monkey, Eva climbs down safely] [Running out of patience, Shorty searches the guest ballroom before discovering the attic trapdoor. That bratty girl isn't going to get away with his monkey this time. Cursing under his breath, he grabs a bathroom step-stool to reach the pull-down staircase] [Down underneath, Eva and Dodger have reached the ground safely. They race to the porch to pick up her duffel bag and knapsack. Then Dodger runs across the street to the pirate's truck and trailer. While Eva keeps an eye on the house, Dodger stands on the hitch between the motor home and the truck. First, he pulls out the pin that holds the safety chain. Then, chattering emotionally, he begins pounding on the ball hitch. Eva helps him once she figures out what he is thinking about] [Suddenly, a loud honking interrupts them, and the cab pulls up in front of the house. Frowning furiously, Eva pushes Dodger into the knapsack and races over to the cab] [The honking has lured Shorty's attention. He pokes his head out of the attic porthole window] Boylan: Driver, please, wait! [Eva turns to wave up at the pirate] Eva: Farewell, Dad! See you in a couple of weeks! [She scrambles into the cab with her bags and orders the driver to go] Driver: I don't take minors. You've had money? [Eva fumbles in the knapsack and pulls out a fat wad of bills] Eva: You see? Now go! [The cab squeaks aside just as the front door opens and a red-faced, shivering Shorty thunders out. Cursing, he dives into his truck and starts the engine. That brat will not keep his monkey] [The cab goes down Wellesley and approaches the top of the steep hill at Seventeenth. Eva sits in the back of the cab, glancing out the rear window with hesitation. The pirate is right behind them and getting closer] Eva: Can't you go a little faster? Cabby: How much faster? [She throws the entire wad of bills into his lap] Hook: This much! [Eva is thrown back in her seat as the driver hits the gas. The cab hits down the steep hill and goes over a big bump. The truck does the same. But then, a miracle happens] [Eva watches in amazed delight as the pirate's trailer breaks free and rolls right past him on the hill. The cab turns left, but the runaway trailer and truck go straight, knocking over roadwork signs and smashing into a huge mound of dirt on a dead-end street. That puts the pirate right in his place, Eva thinks, cheering and whooping. Perhaps luck is on their side, after all, and everything will turn out fine] [But her high spirits sink once she gets home] [Tom Gregory opens the door of the apartment with a welcoming grin and takes her duffel bag] Tom: Hi. Where's Peter? Eva: He, ah...you know, he was late for a date or something. Where's Mum? Tom: With Jack at Megan's festival. Did you have a nice weekend? [About as nice as a pile of Dodger's used diapers] Eva: Sure. [Tom spots something on the carpet. He picks it up and holds it out to Eva] Tom: What's this? [Eva stares in horror at a flashy brooch, one of the items Dodger has stolen in Venice. It would have fallen out of the knapsack] Eva: I don't know–––how would I know? It's not mine. [Tom gives her a strange look] Tom: Alright. [Eva sighs heavily] Eva: I'm tired. [The tension of the weekend is starting to get to her. She has to escape to her room and be alone] Tom: Want to watch the ball game with me? Your Dodgers are playing the Pirates. [Dodgers. Pirates. That does it. Eva bursts into tears] Tom: What did I say? What's wrong? [Eva grabs her bags and hits the bedroom, leaving Tom with the stolen brooch and a concerned expression. His police station has been working on a recent string of petty thefts in the area, and many of them involve stolen jewelry] [Tom stares down at the brooch, then in the direction of Eva's bedroom. He doesn't like what he is thinking] [Shorty has bounced back and gotten a lead] [Now he is grinning at a well-dressed elderly couple, Harold and Kaye Weller. The Wellers have noticed one of Shorty's posters at the park and have paged him on his beeper. They have information about a missing monkey, they warn him, and agree to meet him in the park. As soon as the tow-truck guys have reattached his motor home to his pickup, Shorty has practically flown to the meeting. He hasn't had time to clean up or change] [The Wellers take one look at his dirty, unshaven face and hesitantly huddles together] Kaye: You don't look like a doctor. [Shorty smooths down his hair and tries to act the part] Shorty: What can I warn you, I've been in surgery all night. I can't rest until I find my monkey. Harold: Now, we can't be sure it was your monkey we saw. First time was right here in the park, with a little girl. Same day Mother lost her earring and I lost my wallet. [Shorty almost dances a jig] Shorty: Sounds like it could be my monkey. Do you know where the girl lives? Kaye: I'm afraid we don't. [Shorty's face falls] Shorty: You said you saw the monkey the "first time". Where was the second time? [Harold Weller says the magic words] Harold: Oh, over at the pet shop. [He gives Shorty the address] [Shorty flashes a rotten-toothed grin that makes the Wellers wince. Tomorrow he'll steal the monkey, and no pint-size, smart-mouthed brat is going to stop him] [Eva drops off Dodger at the pet shop on Monday morning] Eva: Don't let Dodger near the cash register! I'll explain later! [Boy, will she have a lot of explaining to do, Eva thinks as she heads toward school, explaining to a lot of people, and she dreads it] [Eva can't concentrate in school all morning. Thoughts of Dodger keep running through her head. She has to do something about her pickpocket pet, but she doesn't know what. Perhaps Christine, her teacher, can help] Eva: I did something I thought was alright. Only it turned out not to be alright, and now it's out of control. I want to undo it, but I don't know how. [Christine listens] Christine: No matter what you've done, Eva, you have to warn your parents. Go to your mum, speak to her. Don't be afraid. [Eva looks up, sure that Christine can see how frightened she is] Eva: I've been lying too much. Christine: Then warning the truth is the only fashion to make stuff better. And you know what? It'll make you feel better after you've warned them. [Eva nods slowly. Right after school, she'll go pick up Dodger and then face her parents] [But later, as Eva gets to the pet shop, a "Closed" sign is hanging on the door. She tries the door, and it opens, but no Annie greets her. A man she had never seen before sits at the register, snapping rubber bands with hesitation. As he sees Eva, he jumps a foot in the air and points at the door] Man: Store's closed. You can't come in. Eva: Who are you? Man: I'm from the laundromat next door. [This isn't making any sense] Eva: Where's Annie? Man: She's––she's not here, she had to go to the police station. A bit of an emergency, actually. Eva: What's going on? Is she alright? [Oh, dear, if Annie is gone.....Eva wheels around to check on Dodger's cage. It is empty] Eva: Where's my monkey? [There is a tight feeling in her stomach] Man: Oh, dear, I don't know anything about a monkey. Eva: Annie was keeping my monkey for me! Man: All I know is that some horrible man came in and stole some stuff, got her horribly upset, and she had to run off and report it to the police. [Tears roll down Eva's face. The absolutely worst nonsense in the world has happened] Eva: The pirate! He found us! Now he's stolen my poor little Dodger, and I'll never see him again! [Shorty is floating on air] [He has gotten his monkey back, and now he and Drake and Charlie are sitting in the fancy reception area of some office, waiting to see the boss. The two goons and Shorty sit on a black leather sofa. Shorty's son, Mark, is perched on the edge of a coffee table and holds onto Dodger. Shorty smirks at his son and his monkey, but neither one smirks back. Mark has a scowl on his face, and the monkey wriggles in his arms. It looks to Shorty as though the two want to escape] [Shorty takes the monkey out of his son's arms] Mark: Where's my money? Shorty: Later, boy. [He brushes him aside] Go back to the car. I don't need you right now. [Mark jumps up and leaves faster] [Shorty turns to Drake. For a change, the goon is beaming at him] Drake: This is it, Shorty, one step away from the big score. [He looks at Charlie] Amigo, let's show him the demo loot. [Charlie nods and pulls out a handful of glittering junk jewelry. Seeing it, Dodger jumps out of Shorty's arms and slaps Charlie's hand with one of the magazines on the table] [Charlie makes a face and looks at Drake] Charlie: Hey, wait! Why did he do that? [Shorty motions Dodger over. He pulls out an empty drawstring purse and hands it to the monkey. Dodger refuses to take it and shakes his head, no. Shorty stares in disbelief. What is going on? His monkey always jumps on the drawstring purses] Shorty: C'mon, this ain't the time for joking around! [He tries to give Dodger the purse again, but the monkey firmly pushes his hand aside. For one of the few times in his life, Shorty is speechless] Charlie: I don't get it, Drake. [Drake doesn't get it, either] [Desperate now, Shorty tries another idea] Shorty: You guys have a wallet? Give me a wallet. [Charlie pulls out his wallet and hands it to Shorty. As Shorty takes it, Dodger jumps between the two men. He grabs the billfold and returns it to Charlie. Drake makes a hissing sound and grabs Shorty, but releases him until a grim-faced assistant comes out of the boss's office] Assistant: He's ready for you guys. Drake: In a second. Assistant: Now, Drake! C'mon, Charlie. [Charlie follows the assistant into the office. A rather-looking Drake frowns back at Shorty. He points a don't-mess-with-me finger at him] Drake: Don't move. [Drake enters the boss's office like a naughty boy having to visit the principal] [Shorty doesn't need to be whacked over the head to know he is in danger. They all are, but him most of all. He grabs a wiggling Dodger and takes off. Now he has to beat feet to escape from the two goons. As he runs, he wonders what the girl has done to his monkey. He grinds his teeth, thinking of fashions to get even with the little brat if he ever finds her again] [Eva silently slips in the front door of the Gregory apartment and then hesitates in the hall. Losing Dodger has hurt like crazy, and now she has to warn her mother and Tom everything. This is turning out to be the worst day of her life] [Walking in slow motion, feeling her knees wobble, Eva heads for her parents' bedroom. She can hear them inside, speaking. From the sound of their conversation, they aren't turning cartwheels, either] [Eva screws up her courage and opens the door. Her mum is sitting on the bed, her eyes red and swollen. A grim-faced Tom stands behind her] Eva: Mum, I want to speak to you. I'm in such big danger... Tom: You bet you are! [He holds out Eva's jewelry box, crammed to the top with jewelry, wallets, tie clips and money] [Amy turns shocked eyes on Eva] Amy: Tom found this in your room! Eva, how could you have done this? Why? [Eva brings her hands to her face and sighs heavily. Dodger up to his old tricks again. If only she has known......] Eva: I've never seen this stuff before, Mum. I didn't steal anything. It's my monkey. My monkey did it. [Tom stares at her] Tom: Your monkey? What monkey? Eva: He jumped down on me in the park one day! I've had him for over a month. Amy: What are you speaking about? We've never seen any monkey. Eva: Because I've been hiding him! And just the other day, I found out that he steals like a maniac! And today, I went to pick him up at the pet shop, and the pirate who trained him had taken him back! My poor Dodger....I was trying to make him stop stealing, but now... [Eva breaks apart, afraid she'll start to weep. Tom and Amy don't say a word. Their shocked, disbelieving faces say it all] [Tom is a police lieutenant. Perhaps he can get some officers to search the neighborhood for Dodger. Eva turns to him] Eva: Tom, you have to help me find him! [But her stepdad is frowning and shaking his head, no] Tom: For heaven's sake, Eva, if you're going to make up a lie–– Eva: But it's the truth! Amy: No! Absolutely not! [Neither of them believes her, Eva realizes. Not Tom, who always listens to her side of the story, and not even her mum] [Tom moves to the phone] Tom: Alright, let's call the pet shop. Eva: No, wait! The stuff is, the man who's there now doesn't know about my monkey, because Annie had to leave after the pirate, and–– Amy: That's enough, just stop it! [She begins to weep] How could you steal from me? [Eva can't get a word out. How can her mum think such a horrible fashion?] Eva: I didn't, Mummy. [Tom steps forward] Tom: Her antique pin, her ring. They're not in here. Where are they? [Tom is looking at her as if she are a suspect at the station or something. Eva shakes her head, fighting back tears. The only nonsense she cared about is Dodger, and he is gone forever] [Dodger is locked inside the trailer's bathroom. Shorty has been furious with him as he refused to steal the wallet from the man in the office. He has grabbed Dodger and run to the waiting truck and trailer, shrieking hard nonsense the whole time. Then he's dumped him inside the cramped, smelly bathroom and locked the door. The truck is moving now, heading somewhere. Probably back to Venice Beach. Dodger doesn't want to go there. He wants to be with the girl] [Dodger throws himself against the bathroom door. The lock holds. He looks up at the skylight. Scampering up the wall, he begins trying to unlatch the skylight] [In the cab of the truck, a frustrated Shorty is driving. Mark sits squeezed as far off from him as possible. Shorty thinks about the monkey at the boss's office and how he's refused to give up hope. Shorty Kohn has been made to look like a monkey. It is all that girl's fault] Shorty: What has she done to him? Years of training, wrecked! [If he ever sees that tiny brat again...] [His fingers tighten on the steering wheel] [They are yet questioning Eva until Tessa brings Jack home] [Tom asks Eva the same foolish questions, and she gives him the same honest responses. Only no one believes her. Eva paces around the room, biting her nails] [Only Jack seems happy. Her brother sits in front of the TV, watching a children's program. Eva wishes she can join him and tune out this mess] [Now Tom starts in on Tessa. He asks if she knows about Eva's pet] Tessa: Of course I never saw a monkey. Eva: Because I kept him hidden in my knapsack! [She can shout it fifty more times, and no one will believe her. She has hidden Dodger too well, Eva thinks] [The doorbell rings] [Amy hurries out to open the door. Peter Boylan rushes in, but stops as he sees how upset Amy is] Amy: Peter! I'm glad you're here. Do you know anything about this? [Peter is confused] Peter: About what? I was in the neighborhood doing errands, and since I missed Eva on the weekend–– [Amy whips around] Amy: Whaddya mean "missed" her? Peter: Amy, I was flying all over Canada last weekend. What's going on? [Amy and Peter enter the living room together] [Eva knows she is in even more danger the moment she sees her father. She jams her hands into her pockets to stop them from shaking] Eva: Uh-oh. Dad. [Amy loses control. She turns on Eva] Amy: Where were you this weekend while your father was out of town? Eva: At his house. Peter: What? Were you down at my house since I got robbed? [Tom steps forward] Tom: She stole from you, as well? [Peter's eyes bug out] Peter: Eva did? Amy: How could you have gone to your father's by yourself! What were you thinking? Eva: I just needed time alone with my monkey. Peter: What monkey? [Amy turns to him] Amy: She's been stealing all over town, and now she's trying to blame it on some imaginary, invisible monkey! Eva: I'm warning you, he's real! [Amy has had it] Amy: Go to your room. Eva: But, Mum–– Amy: Go and stay there until you're ready to warn us the truth! [Eva looks up at all the unbelieving faces. Doesn't anyone think she is being honest? Their faces say no] [With a slump in her shoulders, Eva turns and heads for her bedroom] [Shorty is driving past the park where he has met the Wellers. This has to be the little girl's neighborhood. He grits his teeth, thinking about here. It will take weeks, months to retrain his monkey, but he'll do it. Starting tonight, the monkey is in for his first lesson. Shorty mutters to himself as he stops at a light next to an eighteen-wheeler truck] [Inside the trailer bathroom, Dodger eventually kicks open the skylight hatch. He scrambles to the roof of the trailer and looks around. There is Eva's park. They are close to her building. Dodger doesn't wait. He jumps from the trailer roof into the open passenger window of a big truck. He jumps across the two alarmed men and dart out the driver's side window. Dodger takes off across the street] [The driver of the eighteen wheeler pulls up next to Shorty's truck] Driver: Hey, your monkey jumped off! [Shorty whips his head around. His monkey is sprinting toward the park. With a squeak of tires, Shorty turns the truck and trailer around. No fashion will he lose the monkey again] [Eva is searching her room for any sign or proof that Dodger has been there. How can the place be so spotless? So empty of her monkey? That is as if Dodger has never existed] [Jack comes in and toddles up to her] Jack: Da? [Eva knows he is looking for his friend. He misses Dodger, as well] [Tears threaten to spill. She gets down on her knees] [Eva's best friend, Katie, is running down the field during soccer practice. Her team has the ball, and she motions for one of her friends to pass it to her] Eva: Here, Gus! I'm open! [A movement overhead catches Katie's attention. Her mouth drops open. No, it can't be. Only this past weekend Eva has shown her the "surprise", and now here is the surprise on the soccer field. Eva's pet monkey would have escaped] [Katie stares so hard at the racing monkey that she misses the soccer ball. It rolls past her, straight into the path of the separate team. While Gus and her teammates yell at her, Katie dashes off the field. She has to call Eva to warn her the monkey is in the park] [Eighteen-month-old Jack knows all about the monkey, but no one will listen. He shows his Baby Ben book to Tessa and points to a picture of a monkey. Tessa shrugs and grins and makes nice noises. She doesn't understand. Jack keeps pointing to the picture] [Behind them, Amy, Tom and Peter sit on the sofa in the living room, huddled in a conference. They are yet discussing Eva's weekend] Amy: Two days out there? [She is saying with a concerned frown] We're lucky she wasn't taken or murdered. Peter: This doesn't make sense. [It doesn't make sense because no one believes her story about Dodger, Eva thinks. She has crept out of her bedroom and is listening in on the grown-ups' conversation. She hugs the wall and keeps extremely silent] Tom: Eva has always been so honest. I don't think she's ever lied to us before, do you? [Amy agrees] Amy: It's not just like her. I don't believe she's a thief, and she certainly wouldn't steal from me. Tom: I've had the evidence. But it doesn't add up for me, either. [They are sticking up for her. Eva's spirits lift. She tiptoes back into her room and sits at the desk, thinking] [Tom, Amy and Peter continue speaking in the living room, trying to make sense of the situation] Amy: I just find this "monkey" very hard to believe. [The phone rings. Tessa responds it] Tessa: Hello...Katie? [Amy turns around and raises an eyebrow] [Tessa gets the message] Tessa: Katie, listen to me. Is it real that Eva has a monkey? [From a pay phone near the soccer field, Katie thinks hard and fast. She doesn't want to lie, but a sworn promise to a friend is sacred. She raises her free hand and crosses her fingers] Katie: Monkey? No luck, she would have warned me. No, I swear. Can I speak to her? Please, Tessa? [Tessa stares at Amy and shakes her head, no. No one has seen this invisible monkey, not even Eva's closest friend] [Tessa leaves the living room and heads for Eva's bedroom with the phone] Tessa: Katie for you. [Eva turns around, her face alight] Eva: Ask her, she knows! She's seen my monkey! Tessa: I already did. She has no idea what you're speaking about. [Tessa hands Eva the phone and leaves] [Eva says hello, but jumps up at what Katie warned her. After her friend hangs up, Eva grabs a piece of paper and begins to write] [Dodger is jumping as well, and rocking and hooting. He is trying to cross the street. Cars beep and screech to a stop until Dodger darts through. Only a few more blocks and he'll be safe, out of Shorty's hands forever] [Luckily, Dodger doesn't turn around] [Shorty and Mark have pulled up next to the park and gotten out of the truck. Shorty points one fashion, then the other. Mark nods in agreement, and they head away in separate directions] [Amy, Tom and Peter are yet in conference in the Gregory living room] Tom: We need to decide how we're going to handle this. You have to try to get to the root of the problem. I see it happen all the time. A girl starts lying, does something wrong, next stuff you know, the parents call us to report a runaway. [Unseen by everyone, Eva has tiptoed through the hall and leaves the apartment. Bursting out of the lobby, she hits the sidewalk and takes off across the street to the park] [At the exact same moment that Eva races to the park, Dodger reaches the apartment building. He scampers up the tree and nimbly jumps into the Gregorys' bathroom window. Home again] [Dodger races across the hall and into Eva's room. She isn't there. But before he can look for her, he hears noises. Dodger scoots under the bed. He peeks out from underneath the fringed coverlet] [The door opens and Jack wobbles in, followed by Tessa. Tessa calls Eva's name, but rushes into the bathroom. While she is gone, Dodger watches Jack walk around the bedroom. Dodger wants to play with his little friend, but he knows that Tessa shall not see him. He'll have to wait] [Tessa comes out, but grabs a piece of paper from Eva's desk. She reads it, looking mournful and concerned. Then she leaves, leaving Jack behind] [Two seconds later, Dodger scoots out from underneath the bed] [Jack beams a thousand-watt grin at his furry friend] Jack: Daah! [Dodger sits down near Jack, cooing back at him, waiting for Eva to return] [In the living room, Tessa hands Eva's note to Amy] [There is a tense silence as Amy reads the note aloud to Peter and Tom] Amy: To Mum, Dad and Tom. I love you very much. Katie just warned me she saw my monkey in the park. I have to go rescue him. P.S.––this is not a lie. I swear. I'll never lie again, and I'll never keep a secret from you guys again. [Amy looks first at Tom, then at Peter. Their daughter has run away to the park to rescue her invisible monkey. The situation is getting out of range. Amy stares down at the note in a daze] [Jack walks in and tugs at her sleeve] Amy: Not now. [But Jack continues pointing his finger at Eva's room and making nonsense blubbering sounds. He pulls at Amy's hand] [Amy is yet staring at the letter. She barely glances down at Jack] Amy: Not now, Jack! Please, wait! [Jack refuses to give up hope. He swings her hand and jabbers. Worn down by her son's nonstop grumble and emotion, Amy follows Jack into Eva's bedroom. It is empty] Amy: Wait, what? [Jack looks around, but makes his "all gone" wave] Amy: I know she's gone. I have to go look for her. [She starts to walk out until she hears Jack say] Jack: M-m-m...mo-kky! [That stops Amy cold. She stares in disbelief] Amy: What did you say? [Jack takes a deep breath] Jack: Mon-key! [It comes out even clearer this time, and he points to the bed] Amy: Peter! Tom! Hurry up! [She kneels among Jack, who is yet pointing to the bed. The two men and Tessa rush in] Amy: Shush! He's saying his first word. [Peter raises an eyebrow] Peter: Big deal, he's almost two. Jack: Monkey! Monkey! [He almost jumps up and down with emotion] [Tom, Peter and Tessa exchange looks] Amy: Don't you think he's trying to warn us something? That a monkey is here, and he saw it? [Peter goes to the bed and pulls a stuffed monkey off the cover] Peter: This is what he's trying to warn us. [He holds the toy out to Jack] Here's your monkey. Right, Jack? [Jack shakes his head, no. He drops to all fours and starts to crawl under the bed] [Suddenly, his body is sucked in by some unseen force] [Amy shrieks as Tom rushes over. He grabs hold of Jack's legs and tugs him back out. Jack reappears, holding Dodger by the ankles] [Four shocked, bug-faced eyes stare at this sight] Amy: Amazing! There is a monkey! She was warning the truth! [Jack nods his head and beams. He sticks his hand on Dodger's head] [The grownups can't stop speaking about the monkey until Peter comes to his senses] Peter: C'mon. Let's go find Eva. [Eva is searching for Dodger] [Katie has waited for her friend among the soccer field and points out where she has last seen Dodger. Then Katie's impatient nanny has whisked Katie aside] [Eva has to search the park alone, but she isn't frightened. She is too emotional and merry. She thinks the evil pirate has stolen Dodger aside forever, but Dodger has managed to escape. He is probably looking for her right this very moment] Eva: DODGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [echoes] [She approaches the large tree where Dodger has first dropped in her path. Perhaps, just perhaps, he'll be waiting for her here. Eva races around the tree––and runs smack into the pirate] [She tries to run, but he grabs her shoulders] Hook: What have you done to my monkey, darling? [His grin is phony, his eyes dangerous] [Eva twists in his grasp] Eva: He's not your monkey anymore! He ran away from you because he hates you! He came to me! [The pirate snorts] Hook: He came to you just because he likes children! He belongs to my son, Mark, who's around here somewhere, looking like crazy for his monkey. You stole it from him. Now, you don't want to break this poor girl's heart, do you? Eva: I don't believe you! Liar! [The pirate's face turns bright red with rage] Hook: What have you done to my monkey? You brainwashed him! He doesn't steal anymore! [Eva stands silent in shock] Eva: Are you serious? Hook: That's right. And don't pretend you ain't did it! Don't you lie to me, girl! Eva: I've quit lying! And I'm glad he doesn't steal anymore! Well done, Dodger! [Eva aims a kick at the pirate's legs, but he won't let go] Hook: My monkey's name is Fingers, not Dodger! I hate the Dodgers! [Eva's parents can't find her] [Amy and Peter, with Tom carrying Dodger, are combing the park with little success. Tom has even gotten a police car to follow them. Now Tom stops the car and speaks to one of the two uniformed officers. He puts Dodger down] [As he straightens up, he hears Peter yell] Peter: The monkey's getting away! Tom: Don't lose sight of him! [Tom, Amy and Peter chase Dodger, but lose him in a thick grove of trees] [KABOOM!! A gunshot rings out] [Tom immediately reaches for his holster] Tom: My gun! He has my gun! [The three take off in the direction of the shot, praying that nothing worse has happened] [Shorty prays the same fashion] [Somehow, his monkey has gotten hold of a gun and squeezes off a shot. It has missed him among miles. Next time, he may not be so lucky. Shorty is frozen with fear and yet won't release Eva] Eva: He came to rescue me! Shorty: Where'd you get that gun? Drop it! [He glowers at the monkey. The monkey has always obeyed him before, but not any longer. The furry little monster points the gun straight at him. Shorty ducks behind a tree in fright. Eva wiggles out of his hold and runs behind Dodger] Eva: C'mon, baby, drop it and run! [Dodger places furry fingers on the trigger] Shorty: Easy now, Fingers! Easy there... [Shorty jumps back as Dodger squeezes off another shot. This one hits the ground next to Shorty] [Peter, Tom and Amy race out from between the trees, followed by the police car] Amy: Eva! We're here! [As he hears her voice, Dodger drops the gun. This is Shorty's chance, and he runs. Tom takes off after him] Eva: Momma! [Amy and Peter run to her and pull her into a three-fashioned hug. Dodger wants it four-fashion. He scampers among them all and works his road in] Eva: I'm sorry! I'm very sorry about everything. [Amy squeezes her tightly] Amy: Thank heavens you're safe, darling. Peter: And thank heavens this monkey exists! [I can murder that monkey. Shorty is thinking about as he races through the park. Just another few yards and he'll reach his trailer. He's had tight brushes with the law before, but he's always gotten away. The trailer is so close......] [A long black limo pulls up next to the trailer] [Charlie and Drake get out] [Seeing them, Shorty skids to a halt. This is worse than the law. He freezes to the spot] Drake: Get in the car. Charlie: Get in the car! [Tom bursts up behind Shorty, trailed by the police car] Tom: Alright, pal! You're under arrest! [Shorty turns to Tom with a grateful sigh] Shorty: Thank you! [Saved––by the police. Shorty offers a mocking wave to the two goons before he jogs toward Tom] Shorty: These men are murderers, they want to murder me! [Drake and Charlie disappear into the limo. With tires squeaking, they drive away] [Tom handcuffs Shorty. One of the police officers frisks him and finds a drawstring purse. Tom recites Shorty's Miranda rights as the officer checks the contents of the purse] Officer: Lieutenant, check this out. [He holds out a handful of money, wallets and jewelry. Tom immediately recognizes Amy's antique diamond pin and ring among the stolen items. Astounded and happy, he gives Shorty a big hug. Wait until Amy sees this] [A short distance afar, Eva is hugging Dodger and pleading with Amy and Peter] Eva: He doesn't steal anymore! The pirate even said so. Ask him. [Tom comes trotting up with a huge smirk and a surprise for Amy. Amy examines the jewelry with a unbelieving grin] Amy: My––how come? This is grand! [Dodger jumps into Tom's arms and strokes his face as if to say "I agree!"] [Everyone laughs heartily] [But Eva stares at Tom with rounded eyes. Doesn't anyone realize? Tom is inches aside from animal fur and––] Eva: Hey, Tom's not sneezing! Tom: He's been with us so long, I've probably had used to him. [Dodger jumps back into Eva's arms. Now that Tom is no longer bothered by his allergy, Eva thinks that perhaps Dodger can be her pet] Eva: Can I keep him? Please? Now you know how responsible I can be––I took care of him so well, you didn't even know I had him! Peter: She has a point. Amy: Yes, I do, I really do. Tom: It's fine with me. [He winks at Eva] I have to take that guy in. See you later, bucko. [As soon as Tom has left, Eva turns to her mum] Eva: Then whaddya say? Can I keep him? Can I? [But before Amy can respond, Eva spots something that makes her heart sink. It is a boy about ten or eleven wearing a baseball cap, standing fifty yards aside among a tree. He is watching what is going on with a funny expression on his face] [The pirate really does have a son. He hasn't been lying] [And that boy probably loved Dodger as much as he does] [Clutching the monkey, Eva walks super slowly toward the boy. As she is about ten yards afar, she stops. He hasn't said a word or moved a muscle the whole time] [Tears fill Eva's eyes as she stares down at Dodger] Eva: He's your daddy, isn't he? [Dodger looks at the boy] [Eva can barely speak] Eva: I love him a lot, you know? Boy: Who cares? He belongs to me. [Eva hesitates, dreading the horrible, heartbreaking moment of letting Dodger go. As she does, the boy reaches into his pocket and pulls something out] [The boy kneels down and extends a cupped hand to Dodger. Eva can't see what he is holding] [Whatever it is, it presents Dodger's attention. He sniffs the air, but runs across to the boy] [Dodger has chosen. There is nothing Eva can do] [Fighting back tears, Eva slowly gets up and walks back to Amy and Peter. She takes their hands] Amy: What's going on? Eva: That's Dodger's real dad. I let Dodger choose, and he decided to go live with him. Can we go home now? [Amy nods sympathetically and gives her a hug. They begin walking out of the park] Peter: Perhaps you can work something out. A joint-custody agreement... [Eva walks slowly between them, head down, feeling her heart break. She tries to put on a brave front where she won't weep] Eva: Now I know why he liked my hat. I mean, I understand. It's only fair, Dodger was his first. If I lost him, I assure you want somebody to give him back to me. [The brave front collapses. Eva sobs openly, feeling the pain] Eva: I just want Dodger to be happy. I'm going to think of him and love him for the rest of my life. [But Dodger isn't happy at all] [He has eaten the dead tree lizard out of Mark's hand, but now he wants to return to Eva. Only something is stopping him––the leash Mark has snapped on him. Straining with the collar, Dodger finds and then unhooks the clasp. He turns and waves a farewell to Mark before he scampers off] [Can he catch up to Eva in time?] [He races across the grass, screeching louder] [Eva and her parents are up ahead. As soon as she hears Dodger's lament, she whips around and catches him in midair. He lands on her neck and hugs her tight. Shrieking for joy, Eva hugs him back even harder. Dodger has chosen her, and they'll never be parted again] [Eva is emotional and proud] [Hesitant as well, but mostly proud] [Today is a red-letter day for her, and she wants it to go perfectly] [She is in her classroom at school, standing among the open door. All eyes in the room are focused on her. Soon they'll see something that will really make them sit up and take notice] [Eva tries to wave in her special guest from outside the hall] Eva: C'mon, don't be afraid. This is our big day! [She holds her breath and then grins as Jack walks in] [With hesitation, he gazes around at all the strange faces] [Eva takes his hand and walks him to the front of the room. Dodger is already at his seat among Christine's desk, sitting silently and wearing a red cap] [Jack breaks into a huge smirk and points at Dodger] Jack: Ev-a...mon-key. [Everyone in the class bursts into warm laughter] [Eva kneels down among her brother, her face glowing with pride] [She points at Jack] Eva: E-va...Jack! [Eva hugs and squeezes him as Jack hugs her back. She kisses him on the forehead and gets up. Then she waves at Dodger, who immediately jumps down to join them] [Standing in the middle, Eva takes Jack's hand on one side and Dodger's hand on the other. She takes a deep breath and grins proudly and confidently at her teacher] Eva: I'm ready for my show-and-tell. [All the children applaud] [Eva bows] [Jack grins appreciatively] [And Dodger tips his hat] Category:1994 films