Copyright 2000 -- Robert Baer Jr. Collie Squadron -- "Sharlene's Answer" DISCLAIMER Road Rovers characters, names, situations and the Road Rovers universe are the property of Warner Bros. I, nor this script/story are connected with Warner Bros. in any way, shape or form. This document may not be publicized or reproduced in any way, shape or form. It must remain fully intact and may not be altered in anyway. It is strictly used for not-for-profit entertainment purposes only, and is not intended to infringe on any Copyrights. This story is written by Robert Baer Jr and the characters Otto, Samantha Maddog, Ben Maddog, Abby Maddog, Vicki Maddog, Princess, Molly Maddog, Kyra, Computer Gila Monster, Princess, Linda Maddog, Uncle Buford and Roger Maddog are all Robert Baer Jr's creations, copyright 1997-1998. DJ is a creation of Jake Williams. Marauder is a creation of Jerimy Bass. Huntress is a creation of Greywolf Lupous. Collie Squadron -- "Sharlene's Answer" It is a very quiet scene at Collie Squadron Headquarters. Ben Maddog had just used his collar to teleport Sharlene, Hunter's mother, there and watched as she entered the transdogmafier. They were preparing to go out to dinner together as they have many times in the past. From a distance, three pairs of eyes watch as Ben and Sharlene teleport away. VICKI (upset): There they go again! ABBY (angry): Our dad's too old to be out and about like this all the time! LINDA (wondering): Well, I'm not so sure about that, after all mom has been gone a long time and .... VICKI (punchs Linda in the shoulder): Don't tell me you agree with what's going on here? ABBY (upset): Yeah Linda, us three Maddog sisters are the only ones that make sense any more. VICKI (nods): Yeah, Sam and Molly have always been a little weird. Our brother Roger is no better, he constantly drools over Kyra. LINDA (pleading): But, if Sharlene and dad are happy together then..... ABBY (angry): Have you forgotten who who are, Linda? We're the Maddogs! A proud, purebred pack of Collies! VICKI (nods): That's right! Dad needs to find someone who's a little more..... like a Collie! LINDA (confused): What about Otto and Sam, Roger and Kyra and ..... ABBY (defensive): Otto is a celebraty, and Kyra has proven her worth. Sharlene is just a farm dog. VICKI (nods): That's right! I could NEVER accept HER as a step-mother. LINDA (shocked): Step-mother? Do you think that dad's going to pop the question to her? ABBY (grumbles): Love makes you do strange things.... VICKI (smiles): Nay, dad would never marry Sharlene...... would he? As the three Collie sisters were talking, Otto, Samantha, Molly, DJ and Marauder walk by. They stop as Molly picks up a blue and white looking piece of paper off of the floor. DJ (looks at Molly): What's that? Looks kinda like a store receipt MOLLY (reads it): It is! It's from Dacar Jewelry Store, receipt for one engagement ring. SAMANTHA (excited): Engagement ring! WOW!!! OTTO (sternly): Interesting. Who's name is on the receipt? MOLLY (shocked): It's DAD!! MARAUDER (confused): Your father Ben? Who would he be ...... (nods) AH! It's for Sharlene! Roger and Kyra here the discussion and come running. ROGER (excited): Did I hear you say Dad bought an engagement ring? OTTO (sternly): Based on the facts presented, it is logical to conclude that .... SAMANTHA (nods): YES! YES! He's going to ask Sharlene to marry him! KYRA (smiling): That's great! I wonder if she's say yes? OTTO (sternly): It would be logical to assume based on the time the two have spent together factoring in ... DJ (puts hand on Otto's shoulder): No offense, Otto, but love is not a simple matter of mathematical equations, theories and logic. It goes much deeper than that. ROGER (nods): You should know that, Otto, after all, you loved my sister enough to marry her, right? OTTO (nods): Yes, you are both correct. Love is a matter of emotion, not logic or conjecture. SAMANTHA (sly smile): I know that to be a fact! MOLLY (smiles): I think she'll say yes! She and dad make such a great couple! MARAUDER (wondering): Hmmmmm. I'm not so sure, Molly. After all, Sharlene is really not used to life as a Cano-Sapien. She may not want to .... SAMANTHA (interupting): But Mr Marauder, sir, she is a dog, just like all of us are! KYRA (looks at Marauder and Samantha): There's really no need to discuss this now. Let's wait and see what her answer will be. All we are doing now is guessing, right? ROGER (smiles, looks dreamy eyed at Kyra): I LOVE it when you make sense, Kyra! SAMANTHA (nods): You're right, Miss Kyra, ma'am! OTTO (smiles): I concur, it's time we all returned to our duty stations. I must go to the central computer room and run a complete diagnostic program on the system. MARAUDER (nods): Kyra, we have some more Road Rover health reports to fill out DJ (turns to Molly): And it's time we got back to that jet engine overhaul on the Cloud Rover. We may need that for a future mission. As the seven Road Rovers scatter in all directions, Linda, Abby and Vicki come 'out of hiding' and talk to each other. ABBY (angry): We just can't let Dad marry that mixed breed farm dog! VICKI (nods): It's a matter of principle! LINDA (sadly): Are you guys sure about this? ABBY (nods): I'm sure of it! Let's track him down with our collars and teleport to the restraunt! VICKI (smiles): I'm with you, sis! What about you, Linda? LINDA (confused): Well...... ABBY (smiles): It's settled! Here we go! With a loud BOOM!!!! the three Collie sisters disappear from Collie Squadron Headquarters and into the kitchen of the Blue Angus Restraunt. The startled chef and staff run in terror as Linda, Vicki and Abby look around. LINDA (points): What's the matter with them? ABBY (shakes head): Humans! They act like they've never seen a dog before! VICKI (looking out of a small round window): I see them! They're sitting in that corner table in the back! ABBY (grabs a chef's hat and apron): We better get out of here, we'll disguise ourselves and sneak over to their table. LINDA (shakes head): I don't know about this.... VICKI (hands Linda a hat and apron): Hurry up, get these on! Soon, the three disguised 'chefs' walk casually out into the dining area and work their way to the back of the restraunt. A customer tugs on Abby's apron as she walks by. CUSTOMER (angry): Chef! There's a fly in my soup! ABBY (reachs into the bowl and takes it out): There you go! No more fly! CUSTOMER (furious): Well I never! ABBY (giggles): I can believe it, lady! When the angry customer looks up as she's Abby's face, she immediately passes out into her husband's arms. When Abby runs to catch up with the others, all three collide with three other 'familiar looking' chefs. It's Hunter, Colleen and Huntress, who are dressed up the same way they are. ABBY (angry): What are you three doing here? COLLEEN (angry): Better question, what are you three doin' here? VICKI (furious): To stop our dad from marrying your mom! HUNTRESS (nods): Then at least we agree on something! HUNTER (nods): Right sis! No way our mom's going to marry your dad! LINDA (defensive): And what's that supposed to mean? ABBY (waves arms): Wait a minute! Let's not quarrel. We all want the same thing, right? COLLEEN (nods): Right! HUNTER (nods): Yep! HUNTRESS (nods): That's right! ABBY (whispering): Well then, let's all stay hidden behind this wall and listen in together, alright? All five of the other nod and perk their ears up to hear the conversation between their 'parents.' SHARLENE (smiles): That was a wonderful dinner, Ben! I must admit, I don't have steak when I'm out on the farm! BEN (nervous): I'm.....I'm glad you liked it, dear....... SHARLENE (looking at Ben): Ben, is something wrong? You're shaking like a leaf! BEN (swallows hard): Well... I have something to ask you, Sharlene.... Ben reaches into his coat pocket and hands Sharlene the ring box. She opens it and has a very startled look on her face. Ben gets down on one knee. BEN (looks up at Sharlene): Sharlene, will you marry me? Sharlene is deeply moved. She stares at the ring and looks down at Ben. SHARLENE (looks into Ben's eyes): Ben Maddog, you are by far the nicest, sweetest dog I've ever met. You've been a good friend and we've had many wonderful nights together. (sadly): But I can't marry you, Ben, not now or in the future.... I'm so sorry..... BEN (holding back tears): But why Sharlene? Is there someone else? SHARLENE (shakes head): No no, it's nothing like that. All my life I've been a farm dog, even when I had my puppies, I had them on the farm. It's the only life I've ever known. I dearly love my masters, I'd die for them if I had to. Isn't that how loyal dogs are supposed to feel about their owners? BEN (sadly): But I need you, Sharlene! You're the first female I've ever felt so much in love with since my Emily died. I could give you anything you wanted! Life in my mansion, we could travel, spend the rest of our lives together... SHARLENE (nods): I know we could, Ben. Believe me, it's very tempting to become your wife, but I just can't do it. I enjoy the strong friendship that we share, the nights at the movies, restruants, the opera and so forth. We are very good friends, Ben, but I feel seeking a deeper relationship would ruin that friendship. I wouldn't want to hurt your feelings for the world, but I had to be honest with you. BEN (teary eyed, stands up): I understand, Sharlene Ben takes the ringbox, slowly closes it andputs it back in his coat pocket. From behind the 'wall' the six Road Rovers heard every word. ABBY (whispering, but excited): yes! VICKI (whispering, happy): She said NO! HUNTER (whispering): Way to go, mom! HUNTRESS (whispering, nodding): Good for you, mom! COLLEEN (peaks out and sees Ben): Blimey, Ben sure seems very sad.. LINDA (peaks out and sees Ben): Dad is so heartbroken! I can't stand watching this anymore! Without thinking, Linda activates her 'collar citcuitry' and disappers with a loud BOOM!!! This shakes the floor of the entire restraunt. The Gila Monster and Princess, who happen to be having dinner at the same restraunt, stand up and point at the five remaining 'chefs.' GILA MONSTER (laughs loudly): Lookie at them gooberoos! Vicki and Abby, as chefs! PRINCESS (points, giggles): Hey Hunter, Colleen, Huntress, what gives? Is this a charity function or something? Abby and Vicki motion to them to hush, but it's too late. Sharlene and Ben rush over and see them. SHARLENE (upset): So! Hunter, Huntress, Colleen! You're spying on us again! BEN (in tears): I'm too sad now to be angry with any of you! So now all of you have seen me in my biggest moment of humiliation! (looks at the waiter and hands him a hundred dollar bill) Here's for the meal, good man, I'm leaving! Ben runs out into the hallway and as soon as he's alone, he teleports away. Sharlene is now so sad she doesn't know what to do next. Hunter, Huntress and Colleen decide to take her to Mission Control and then back home to the farm. Vicki and Abby feel so sad that they return to Collie Squadron Headquarters. Soon, there is a message coming in from Hunter, Abby and Vicki put in on a view screen. HUNTER (on view screen): Abby, Vicki, where's your dad? We took mom home, but she's very very upset about what happened. ABBY (shakes head): We don't know where he is, Hunter. VICKI (shakes head): He left his collar here, so we can't even track him ABBY (sadly): He must be in his room, we'll find him! As Abby and Vicki rush up the secret staircase, Ben Maddog is standing on a hill on the other side of his vast estate, watching the sunset. He hears a noise behind him, he turns around, and sees Linda walking over to him. BEN (relieved): Oh, Linda, it's you... LINDA (sadly): Dad, I'm so sorry....... She sits beside her father and gently hugs him. BEN (teary eyed): Thank you, Linda, but I thought you didn't like me dating Sharlene, and that ... LINDA (bows head): I didn't like the idea at first, I'll admit. But over the past few months, I've seen how close you two had become. I don't care what breed she is, if she'd agreed to marry you, I'd be proud to be her step-daughter! BEN (surprised): Really? You really mean it, don't you? LINDA (nods): Dad, Sharlene made you happy, and that'd been good enough for me! BEN (hugs Linda): Thank you, Linda, that means so much to me! You've really changed these past few months. I'm so proud of you! LINDA (crying): I love you, Dad! The two embrace for a minute, and then Ben stands up. BEN (wipes away tears): Linda, I'm going to get ready for bed now. LINDA (looks at the sunset): I want to stay out here a little longer, OK dad? BEN (nods): I'll see you in the morning, goodnight! LINDA (sadly): Will you be alright? BEN (sniffs): I won't lie to you daughter, this hurts me very deeply, but I'll survive. You can count on it! LINDA (nods): Alright then, goodnight, dad, sleep well..... As Ben walks back towards the mansion, Linda sadly looks up at the sunset. She thinks about the pain her father must be feeling, lowers her head and begins to weep. As she cries, she feels someone putting a hand on her shoulder, she slowly looks up and sees... LINDA (shocked): Marauder? What are you doing here? MARAUDER (warm smile): Often when I'm visiting Collie Squadron Headquarters, I come over to this hill and watch the sunset. LINDA (surprised): You....you saw us, didn't you? MARAUDER (nods): Linda, your father is not the only one who is very proud of you LINDA (wipes tears): You mean that you..... MARAUDER (smiles): Linda, I have also watch you change. You're not the same, arrogant collie I first met a few months ago. The way you stood by your dad in his hour of need, it was beautiful! LINDA (still crying): Really? MARAUDER (nods): Yes, how about you and me go out for a long drive, OK? LINDA (nods): Thank you, Marauder, I could really use a friend right now? MARAUDER (surprised): Friend? Don't you mean, BOY friend? LINDA (shakes head): No, I really just need a friend now... MARAUDER (huge smile): You really HAVE changed! (nods) I agree, let's go for drive, friend. LINDA (nods): Thank you, Marauder! As Marauder and Linda walk back to the mansion, Abby and Vicki tell DJ, Molly, Otto and Samantha everything that happened at the restraunt. All six of them begin a frantic search of the entire mansion, from the basement to the top floor. Having checked their father's room first, Abby and Linda convince the others not to look there again. They are unaware that while they were searching the lower levels of the mansion, Ben had already returned through the front door and was already changed, in bed and fast asleep in his room. All six of the Rovers searching for Ben meet in the huge living room area. ABBY (worried): Have any of you seen any sign of my father? DJ (shakes head): Molly and I checked the basement, the wine cellar, even made a quick run through of Collie Squadron Headquarters, he's not there. VICKI (panics): What about you two? OTTO (sternly): Samantha and I examined the attic, the various bedrooms, staterooms, library, even the servant's quarters. No trace of your father, not even his scent, was found. SAMANTHA (brightens): Wait! We didn't check his room! ABBY (shakes head): Vicki and I went there first, he wasn't found. DJ (turns to Otto): Otto, I know you can't trace his collar signal since he took it off. How about scanning the area for signs of other dogs? OTTO (nods): Excellent suggestion, DJ! (sternly) Scanning........... in this house, excluding ourselves, I am reading another Cano-Sapien life form upstairs...... in Mr Maddog's room! VICKI (shakes head): That must be Linda..... OTTO (sternly): This Cano-Sapien is male... ABBY (shakes head): Must be Roger... SAMANTHA (shakes head): Roger and Kyra left together to go to the movies a few minutes ago. DJ (looking out a window): And isn't that Marauder and Linda leaving in a Street Rover? OTTO (nods): Confirmed.... They are indeed Linda Maddog and Marauder.... ABBY (confused): So who could that be upstairs in dad's room? All six rush up the spiral staircase and burst into Ben Maddog's room. This sound wakes him up, he sits up in bed and turns on the lights. BEN (angry): WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS? ABBY (happy): DAD!!! Samantha, Abby, Vicki and Molly surround Ben and hug him. BEN (smiles): Girls, I'll be alright. Don't worry about me. SAMANTHA (sadly): But father, I know how much you love Sharlene..... BEN (nods): Yes, I still love her. I love her enough to respect her wishes also. She doesn't want to marry me, it's not the end of the world. MOLLY (in tears): But I can tell you're hurt, dad.... BEN (nods): I am, Molly, but I'll get over it. Now, will all of you please let a tired old dog get some sleep, OK? The six Rovers walk out into the hallway and shut the door. Abby receives another message on her wrist communicator from Hunter. HUNTER (on speaker): Abby, did you find your dad? ABBY (into mic): Yes Hunter, he's fine. HUNTER (on speaker, sighs): That's a relief, mom was really worried.. ABBY (into mic): Understood, Abby out.... OTTO (sternly): It is now late in the evening, Samantha and I must return to our master's home. I would suggest that the rest of you get some sleep. MOLLY (yawns): Sounds like a good idea, Otto! VICKI (nods): I agree, see all of you in the morning! DJ (smiles): Well guys, I have to return to Mission Control. MOLLY (smiles): Shall I teleport you back? DJ (nods): Alright Molly, see you again sometime... MOLLY (nods): Goodnight, DJ! A loud BOOM!!! shakes the hallway as DJ instantly disappears. Otto and Samantha soon disappear in the same manner. As the others walk towards their rooms, the scene now shifts to the Street Rover that Marauder and Linda are in. The vehicle stops near the front gate of the mansion. MARAUDER (turns to Linda): Linda, I have to get back to Road Rover Mission Control now. LINDA (surprised): You're driving the Street Rover all the way back there? MARAUDER (nods): Sure, it can go a super fast speeds, remember? LINDA (nods): Oh yeah, that's right. Linda opens her car door and steps out. MARAUDER (shouts): Goodnight, Linda! LINDA (waves): Goodnight Marauder, and thank you! Linda gives the Street Rover one last look as Marauder drives away. She turns towards the mansion and enters the front door. ----------------------------------------------------------------------