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THREE DOGS AND A BIRD
BY: Johnny Ro
COPYRIGHT JOHN G. ROTUNDO
Catalog Card# TXu 755-905
reader's script
John G. Rotundo
718 Killarney Ct. #2C
Schaumburg, IL 60193
(847) 923-8730
johngrotundo@aol.com
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 2.
FADE IN:
A PORTRAIT PICTURE
We open with a family picture of TINA, a brown chihuahuas, SPIKE, a
overweight brown chihuahuas, CHARLIE, a black chihuahuas, and SUSIE, a green
and yellow parakeet.
(VO)
Did you know your life is a story? We all have a
story. Even animals. This is a story of four
animals from four different homes who were brought
together to make a family. This is the story of
Three Dogs And A Bird.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. FAMILY ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
Tina is sitting in her bed. Spike is laying on the floor. Susie is sitting
in her cage. They are waiting for HUMAN, a silhouette of a man, their owner.
As they hear Human's car pull into the driveway, Tina and Spike(who has a
limp when he runs) run to the door to greet him. When Human walks into the
house, they see he is holding a dog in his arms. They bark and jump to see
the dog. Susie looks on from her cage.
Human
Look you guys, we have a new friend who is going
to live with us. His name is Charlie.
Human places Charlie on the floor. Spike runs up to greet him. Charlie
walks up to Tina. Tina growls at Charlie. Charlie begins to shake.
Human
(continuing)
Be nice to him Tina. You have to be a good girl.
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 3.
CONTINUED.
Tina runs to Human. He picks her up in his arms to talk to her.
Human
(continuing)
You'll always be my little girl. We have to keep
Charlie because he needs a place to live.
Tina, not happy with Charlie, jumps out of his arms, walks over to her bed
and sits in it. Human leaves the room. Spike walks up to Charlie.
Spike
Hi, my name is Spike.
Charlie
Hi Spike, I'm Charlie. What's her name?
Charlie looks at Tina.
Spike
That's Tina.
Charlie
Hi Tina, my name is Charlie.
Tina
(In a sharp tone.)
I know!
Charlie walks very slowly toward Tina. She growls at him again. He backs
off and walks back over to Spike.
Charlie
Is Tina going to growl at me all the time?
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 4.
CONTINUED.
Spike
No. She acted the same way with me. She's just a
little mad because you came to live with us.
After a while she'll be nice to you. Just don't
eat from her food bowl!
Susie chirps. Charlie looks up at Susie.
Charlie
Who's that?
Spike
That's Susie.
Charlie
It's nice to meet you Susie.
Susie smiles at Charlie. Spike can see that something is bothering Charlie.
Spike
Are you alright Charlie?
Charlie
(In a nerves voice)
Well to tell you the truth, I'm a little scared.
Spike
Don't worry, your going to like it here. Tell you
what Charlie - tomorrow, after human leaves, I'll
show you the entire house.
Charlie
That sounds good.
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 5.
CONTINUED.
Human brings a bed in for Charlie. He places it next to Spikes
bed. Spike and Charlie get into their beds and lay down. Human covers
Susie's cage.
Human
Goodnight you guys.
Human turns off the lights and they go to sleep.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT - FAMILY ROOM - MORNING
Human lets the dogs outside to do their duty. They come back inside. Human
is at the front door.
Human
Be good you guys and I'll bring you home a special
treat.
Human leaves the house.
Spike
Wait until you see what he brings home for us!
Charlie
What is it?
Spike
French fries for the babies.
Charlie
What are french fries for the babies?
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 6.
CONTINUED.
Spike
It's table food. You'll like them. People tell
Human all the time not to feed us from the table.
We have dog food to eat during the day, but when
Human comes home, we get the good stuff.
Charlie
Does Susie get french fries for the babies?
Spike
No. She gets a stick with seeds on it.
Spike motions with his head.
Spike
(continuing)
Come with me Charlie, I'll show you around the
house.
Spike takes Charlie into several rooms. As they walk down the hallway,
Charlie looks at Spike.
Charlie
I don't want to be mean or hurt your feelings
Spike, but how did you get so fat?
Spike laughs hardy.
Spike
It's because I eat so much. Come on Charlie, lets
go into the living room where we can talk.
Spike and Charlie walk into the living room and sit down.
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 7.
CONTINUED.
Spike
(continuing)
So Charlie, what's your story?
Charlie
My story? What story?
Spike
Where did you come from?
MONTAGE:
We go into Charlie's dream sequence.
Charlie (VO)
Well, I did not know at the time that I had a
human who did not want me anymore. One day he
took me for a walk. We went up to this house and
he tied me to the railing on the porch. Then he
knocked on the door and took off running. I
started to bark at him because I didn't want him
to leave me. Then the door opened and this lady
looked down at me, smiled and said "Well what have
we here? Are you the one who knocked on the
door?" I was so scared, I didn't know what to do.
Then she brought me into the house. She tried to
find the human who left me there. When she
couldn't, she decided to keep me. She was good to
me but her husband did not like me. I don't know
why because I didn't do anything to him. I didn't
even ask to come to live in his house. Anyway, I
was with them for a couple of months until the
other day when Human brought me here.
END MONTAGE.
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 8.
CONTINUED.
Charlie
(continuing)
Say Spike, will Human put me in another home?
Spike
(In a confident voice.)
No way. Human will never let you go. He is a
human who takes very good care of us.
We hear Humans car pull into the driveway. Susie starts to chirp. All three
dogs run to the door to greet him. Human walks in. Charlie stops and sits.
Tina and Spike jump around him trying to get what he has in his hands.
Human
Guess what you guys? I've got french fries for
the babies.
The dogs follow Human as he puts the fries in their food bowls. They start
to eat. Human walks over to Susie and places a seed stick inside her cage.
He leaves the room.
Spike
What do you think of the french fries for the
babies Charlie?
Charlie
They sure are good.
We see Susie eating her seed stick. She stops eating as does Spike and
Charlie to watch Tina walk away from her food bowl leaving french fries in
it.
Spike
Tina, you didn't finish your french fries for the
babies!
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 9.
CONTINUED.
Tina stops and turns to Spike and Charlie.
Tina
I know. I just can't finish them. If you two
want them you are more then welcome.
Tina walks to her bed and lays down. Spike and Charlie look at each other
with a puzzled look.
Charlie
Has she ever let you take food from her bowl?
Spike
Never!
Charlie and Spike split the fries and quickly eat them. They walk into the
living room and sit down.
Charlie
So Spike, tell me your story!
MONTAGE:
We go into Spike's dream sequence.
Spike (VO)
Well, I started out at a breeder. That's where
they make dogs that look alike. I was never
allowed to play with the other dogs. I was at
first but you see, I was born deformed. Somehow
my spine was twisted. Thats why I walk with a
limp. People would come to look at all of us dogs
to choose one to take home. When they saw I had a
limp, they would smile at me and walk away. After
awhile they put me with the cats. Human says I
act like a cat. I sit, eat and drink like a cat!
(MORE) (CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 10.
CONTINUED.
SPIKE (VO) (CONT'D)
Anyway, one day I was given to this guy who was
nice but he really didn't take good care of me.
He was never home and when he was, he wouldn't pay
any attention to me. So he gave me to his
parents. They were good to me but they really
didn't want me either. I was so upset because
like you, I did not ask to live with anyone! Then
one day Human picked me up and brought me here and
I've been here ever since.
END MONTAGE.
Spike
(continuing)
You know what Charlie? Human was suppose to have
us. For some reason we were put into his path.
This is where we belong.
Charlie
I think your right!
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MORNING
As Human walks into the family room, the three dogs wake and run to the back
door. Human lets the dogs out to do their duty. They run back in. Human
gives them each a treat then leaves the house. Spike stops eating and looks
at Susie's cage.
Spike
Hey, how come Susie isn't chirping?
All three dogs look at the cage. They don't see Susie. They walk to the
cage and stand under it.
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 11.
CONTINUED.
Tina
Charlie! Jump up on the chair and see if she's
alright!
Charlie jumps on the chair and looks into the cage. Susie is laying on the
floor of the cage.
Charlie
(In a upset voice.)
She's not moving!
Charlie jumps down and stands by Tina and Spike. The dogs hear Human
entering the front door. They run to the door. When he walks in, they start
to bark. Charlie runs back and forth from Human to Susie's cage.
Human
What's the matter you guys?
Human walks over to Susie's cage.
Human
(in a upset voice)
(continuing)
Oh no Susie!!
The dogs can see that Human is very upset. They watch as he takes Susie's
cage into the next room. Tina lays in her bed. Charlie is facing Spike.
Charlie
What's Susie's story?
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 12.
CONTINUED.
MONTAGE:
We go into Spike's dream sequence.
Spike (VO)
Well, Susie came from a home where she was stuck
in a corner and no one paid any attention to her.
The humans who had her wanted to get rid of her,
so Human said he would take her.
END MONTAGE.
The three dogs watch as Human takes Susie into the back yard. He digs a hole
and places Susie in it. He fills the hole and walks back into the house,
pass the dogs and into the next room.
Charlie
I miss Susie chirping!
Spike
Me too!
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MORNING
Human walks into the family room and lets the dogs out to do their duty.
They run back in and Human gives them a treat.
Human
Guess what you guys?
The three dogs stop eating and look at Human.
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 13.
CONTINUED.
Human
(continuing)
We're going bye-bye in the car.
The dogs dart over to Human. We see them leave the house.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. VETERINARIANS OFFICE - MID MORNING
We watch as Human takes each dog, one at a time into the examination room.
First, Charlie. A few minutes pass, Human walks out with Charlie.
Human
Well Charlie, the doctor says your just fine.
Human puts Charlie down, picks up Spike and takes him into the examination
room. A few minutes pass, Human walks out with Spike.
Human
(continuing)
Well Spike, you heard the doctor! You have to
loose some weight! We are going to have to cut
back on your food.
Human puts Spike down, picks up Tina and takes her into the examination room.
Time passes as Human is in the examination room with Tina much longer. He
finally walks out holding Tina. Spike and Charlie can see that Human is very
sad.
Human
(continuing)
(In a somber voice)
Come on you guys, lets go.
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 14.
CONTINUED.
Human and the three dogs walk down the hall.
DISSOLVE TO:
MONTAGE:
We go into a dream sequence. As the days pass, we see Tina begin to slow
down. She walks very slow and does not eat her food or treats.
END MONTAGE.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. FAMILY ROOM - AFTERNOON
Tina is sleeping in her bed. Spike and Charlie are sitting next to her
watching her sleep.
Charlie
(In a quiet voice)
Spike? What's her story?
Spike
(In a soft but firm voice)
Her story is the worst!!
MONTAGE:
We go into Spike's dream sequence.
Spike (VO)
She came from a home that abused her. The humans
who had her liked her at first. They liked having
a puppy dog around. But as time passed, they lost
interest in her.
(MORE) (CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 15.
CONTINUED.
Spike (VO) (CONT'D)
They would go away for days at a time and leave
her in the house alone! She was not able to go
outside to do her duty. She would end up doing it
in the house. When they came home and saw what
she had done, they would yell at her and kick her!
After awhile, they would yell and kick her for no
reason! When Human found out what was happening
to her, he asked them if they would consider
giving Tina to him. They were glad to get rid of
her. It took Human over a year to get Tina to
trust him and to like herself again. If Human had
not come along to save her, well, I don't know
what would have happened to her!
END MONTAGE.
Charlie
Thats terrible! I don't understand why some
people have us for pets and then forget about us!
DISSOLVE TO:
MONTAGE:
We watch as several more days pass. Tina lays in her bed all day. Human now
has to carry her outside to do her duty.
END MONTAGE.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MORNING.
Human walks into the room and goes to the back door.
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 16.
CONTINUED.
Human
Ok you guys, it's time to go outside and do your
duty.
Spike and Charlie run outside. They are sniffing the ground. Charlie stops.
Charlie
Hey, how come Human didn't bring Tina out?
Spike and Charlie look at each other, then dash back into the house. They
see Human holding Tina and crying. They try to jump to get a look at Tina.
Human
(In a upset voice)
I lost my little girl!
Spike and Charlie watch as Human wraps Tina in her blanket. He walks towards
the door. Spike and Charlie follow him.
HUMAN
(continuing)
You guys stay here.
As Human leaves the house Spike and Charlie look at each other.
Charlie
How come he didn't take us too?
DISSOLVE TO:
INT - FAMILY ROOM - AFTERNOON
Spike and Charlie are sitting in the family room. They hear Human's car.
(CONTINUED)
THREE DOGS AND A BIRD 17.
CONTINUED.
As he walks in the front door, Spike and Charlie run to him. They follow him
over to a chair. Human sits down and picks up Spike. Charlie jumps on his
lap.
Human
(in a soft voice.)
Well you guys, we lost Tina. Her little body just
could not go on anymore.
Spike and Charlie are very sad.
Human
(continuing)
You two have to help me get through this.
Human starts to cry. Spike and Charlie lick his face.
Human
Thanks you guys. I know I can count on you.
DISSOLVE TO:
A sperate picture of Tina, Spike, Charlie, and Susie. The last picture is
the portrait of the four of them.
(VO)
Like humans, animals do not ask to be born. They are
chosen just like us. Sometimes, people have pets for the
wrong reasons. We must remember that they have feelings too. It doesn't
matter if your a human or an animal. What matters is that we take care of
each other. A animal can be your best friend, so don't turn your back on
your friend.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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