1. Loose Rat You Say
by
Anne H. Harrell
Anne Harrell
Ahharrell61@gmail.com

2. EXT. PET STORE - DAY
A new gray Toyota 4Runner parks. RICHARD MILLER, 9,
white male, clumsy, with unkept short hair, dressed in
green shirt with the tags inside out, and blue sweat
pants off his hips, hops out and runs towards the store.
INT. PET STORE - RAT DISPLAY - DAY
Richard dashes towards the small display of large rats.
A black and white rat catches Richard’s eyes. He presses
his nose against the glass and TAPS. He flips his hands
in front of his face, peering through his fingers.
SCOOTER, the black and white rat, stands, waves and
laughs.
Richard points to Scooter.
RICHARD
You will make an excellent pet.
Scooter motions for Richard to come closer.
SCOOTER
Hi! My name is Scooter.
Richard jumps back stumbles. His mouth drops open.
SCOOTER (CONT’D)
Close your mouth before a fly
flies into it.
RICHARD
Hi! My name is Richard! You, you
talk!
Richard turns and sees KATIE, 6, his younger sister, with
a bright green dress and two pig-tails, at the hamster
display.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Katie! Katie! Come here. Look!
Katie skips towards Richard.
KATIE
Oooh! It’s a rat!
Richard faces Scooter. He TAPS his finger on the cage.

3. RICHARD
This rat talks! Tell Katie “hi.”
Scooter stands against the glass and SQUEAKS.
KATIE
That rat doesn’t talk. It squeaks.
Katie storms back to the hamster display.
Richard reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a
piece of candy. He stretches out his hand with the lemon
drop in it.
RICHARD
Get Daddy to come buy me this rat,
and I’ll give you my candy.
Katie sighs and runs to Richard. She grabs the candy and
crams it in her mouth.
KATIE
Okay Richard, I’ll ask Daddy.
RICHARD
You do tricks, Scooter?
Scooter flips in the air, rolls and plays dead.
Scooter motions for Richard to come closer.
SCOOTER
I’ll tell you a secret. I am the
only rat in here that talks.
Richard’s mouth opens. He flashes his hands in front of
his face, as he peers through his fingers.
SCOOTER (CONT’D)
These guys in here aren’t much for
conversation or games.
Scooter yawns. He stuffs his mouth with treats.
SCOOTER (CONT’D)
I know I’m just a rodent and
you’re a person... But maybe we
could... Would you be my friend?
RICHARD
It might be fun!
Richard reaches for the treats and tosses them in the
cage.
2.

4. RICHARD (CONT’D)
I hope dad will let me have you.
Richard grabs a cage and bag of food and runs towards
Dad.
INT. CAT FOOD AISLE - DAY
Katie finds DAD, 38, white obese male, with a gray beard
and wire frame glasses at the cat food aisle. She taps
his back.
KATIE
Daddy, Daddy! Richard wants a rat!
Dad turns and looks at Katie.
DAD
There is no way a rat will come
into my house!
Richard runs into Dad and Katie as Dad turns the corner.
KATIE
Daddy, Richard says he talks and
does tricks. Will you think about
it?
DAD
(raises voice)
I said no!
Richard places the cage and food into the cart.
RICHARD
Daddy, I want a rat. Please!
Dad shakes his head no.
DAD
Richard, a rat, is messy and a lot
of work.
RICHARD
Please, Dad!
INT. SMALL ANIMAL DISPLAY- DAY
Richard stands at the cage of Scooter. Dad comes behind
him.
3.

5. DAD
Which rat are you asking for?
Richard turns and eyes Dad. He points to Scooter. Scooter
stands against the glass. He wipes his brow.
DAD (CONT’D)
Trickster, huh?
Richard gazes at Dad. He clasps his hands together.
RICHARD
Oh, Please Daddy! Can I have him?
I will take good care of him.
DAD
No rat in the house!
Richard kneels and folds his hands.
RICHARD
Oh please Daddy! I want a rat.
Dad hums hard. He walks away.
Scooter TAPS on the glass and draws Richard’s attention.
SCOOTER
Richard! Look at me! Follow your
Dad and prove you can take care of
me.
Richard smiles as he runs after Dad.
Scooter wipes his forehead with his tail.
SCOOTER (CONT’D)
Phew!
EXT. PET STORE PARKING LOT - CAR - DAY
Richard gets into the car and sinks into the seat. He
pouts.
KATIE
Richard you are going to get in
trouble when you get home.
Dad turns and gives Katie the evil eye.
4.

6. DAD
Now, Katie, you don’t have to put
your two cents worth into this
conversation either.
SUPER: TWO DAYS LATER
INT. HARRELL HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Richard sits and holds TIGER, an orange and white male
cat.
RICHARD
Grandbobbie is coming today,
Tiger. I’ll get her to buy
Scooter.
Richard gets the cat food and carries it to his bedroom.
INT. RICHARD’S BEDROOM - DAY
Tiger jumps up on the bed and MEOWS at Richard.
RICHARD
Be quiet Tiger!
He grunts and smirks. He pushes the cat food under his
bed.
DOORBELL RINGS. Richard runs and opens the door for
GRANDBOBBIE, 72, short, obese, white female, with snow-
white short curly hair, and glasses.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Grandbobbie! Come in Grandbobbie!
GRANDBOBBIE
Richard! Are you ready for some
fun?
Dad grabs his bags and turns to Richard and Katie.
DAD
You two help Grandbobbie No
fighting or getting into trouble.
KATIE AND RICHARD
WE will be good and help
Grandbobbie. Bye.
5.

7. INT. STAIRS - NIGHT
Grandbobbie calls for Richard and Katie.
GRANDBOBBIE
Richard and Katie come on down.
Let’s feed the cat and get going.
Richard and Katie come downstairs.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Richard looks in the closet for the cat food.
RICHARD
There’s no cat food, Grandbobbie.
Katie hears Richard tell Grandbobbie there’s no cat food.
She comes into the hall.
KATIE
Grandbobbie that is a lie! Daddy
just brought a big bag of cat food
two days ago.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Katie goes in the kitchen and looks in the cabinets. She
looks high and low in the closets.
KATIE (CONT’D)
The food must be in the car
because I-I can’t find it.
GRANDBOBBIE
Come on Richard and Katie. Let’s
go shopping.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Richard gets happy as he nears the pet store. He mutters.
RICHARD
Good.
EXT. PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF PET STORE - NIGHT
The red Ford Taurus car stops and parks. Richard gets out
and runs into the store. Grandbobbie yells to Richard.
6.

8. GRANDBOBBIE
Stop and come here right now!
INT. PET STORE - SMALL PET DISPLAY - NIGHT
Richard peers into the cage at Scooter and finds Scooter
asleep among the other rats. He BANGS and wakes Scooter.
Scooter yawns. He wipes his eyes.
SCOOTER
It’s you!
Richard hops around. He CLAPS his hands and runs in a
circle.
Scooter leans against the cage and looks out at Richard.
SCOOTER (CONT’D)
Do you like running?
Richard sings.
RICHARD
Grandbobbie is going to buy you
for me. Watch and see.
Katie finds Richard and motions for Grandbobbie to follow
her.
KATIE
You are going to get in trouble.
I’m telling Daddy tonight!
Grandbobbie peers into the cages and at the rats. She
shouts.
GRANDBOBBIE
Do you want that nasty thing?
RICHARD
He talks and does tricks.
GRANDBOBBIE
I don’t think so!
RICHARD
I want that rat! I really, really
want that rat. He talks. Please!
Scooter puts his paw to his mouth.
7.

9. SCOOTER
Come on Richard, be a good boy.
Grandbobbie will get me for you.
Grandbobbie walks away and leaves Richard with Scooter.
INT. PET STORE - BIRD DISPLAY - NIGHT
Grandbobbie watches the birds in the display.
Katie comes beside Grandbobbie and looks at the birds.
KATIE
Grandbobbie, Richard says that the
rat talks and it’ll be good for
him.
Grandbobbie frowns and puckers her lips.
GRANDBOBBIE
We will see.
KATIE (CONT’D)
Thanks, Grandbobbie. I’ll tell
Richard.
INT. PET STORE - SMALL ANIMAL DISPLAY - NIGHT
Richard plops to the floor in front of Scooter’s cage. He
folds his hands.
RICHARD
Dear God: Richard here. Please
Dear God, have my grandmother buy
Scooter for me. Thank you. Amen.
Richard jumps off the floor when he sees Grandbobbie.
He runs to Grandbobbie and hugs her around the waist.
Grandbobbie sighs. She hugs Richard.
GRANDBOBBIE
Richard why is this rat so
important to you?
RICHARD
I want to be pals with Scooter.
Richard sits on the floor in front of Scooter’s cage and
rocks back and forth.
8.

10. Scooter smiles back at Richard and wipes his brow.
GRANDBOBBIE
Richard why should I buy you that
rat? Will you take care of him?
KATIE
Grandbobbie, that rat should help
Richard with his skills. Richard
doesn’t have many friends and this
rat could be good for him.
GRANDBOBBIE
Ok. Ok. How much is it. Now who is
going to take care of him?
Katie hugs Grandbobbie.
KATIE
Thanks Grandbobbie. I will tell
Richard for you.
Katie sits on the floor beside Richard.
KATIE
Richard if you will be good,
Grandbobbie is going to buy
Scooter for you.
Richard jumps up off the floor and runs and hugs
Grandbobbie. He runs back to Scooter.
RICHARD
Scooter, we will be pals! My
Grandbobbie is buying you.
SCOOTER
Yes, Richard, we will be pals.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Richard sets the box down on the table and fixes the
cage.
RICHARD
Now Scooter, you have a nice new
home. I hope you like it.
Scooter lets out a loud WHISTLE and lays in the shavings.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Scooter are you happy?
9.

11. SCOOTER
Richard! It has been one busy day.
I’m tired. Yes, I’m happy.
Scooter stretches and snuggles in the shavings.
Grandbobbie points to the stairs as she turns off the
lights.
GRANDBOBBIE
It is time for you Richard and
Katie, to go to bed.
Grandbobbie hurries Katie and Richard to bed.
RICHARD
Night Scooter! See you in the
morning.
SUPER: Three hours later.
INT. RICHARD’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Richard wakes up. He wipes his eyes and scans the room.
Richard tip-toes down the stairs.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Richard looks into the cage at Scooter. He TAPS on the
cage.
RICHARD
Scooter! Scooter, wake up!
Scooter opens one eye. He sees Richard.
SCOOTER
What do you need Richard? Why are
you awake?
Richard opens the cage.
RICHARD
Scooter, you want to sleep on my
pillow in my bed?
Richard takes Scooter out of the cage and scuttles up the
stairs.
10.

12. INT. RICHARD’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Richard puts Scooter on his pillow and covers him.
Scooter buries himself deep into the pillow.
RICHARD
Night Scooter.
SUPER - one hour later.
Tiger slinks into Richard’s room and jumps on the bed. He
sees Scooter.
The hair on Tiger’s back stands on ends.
Scooter wakes and leaps at the cat.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Tiger chases Scooter down the stairs and under the sofa.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Grandbobbie sees an empty cage. She looks and sees the
cage door open.
GRANDBOBBIE
Where’s that rat?
An aroma comes from of the kitchen. Spoons RATTLE.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Katie peers in the kitchen and points towards the stove.
KATIE
Look who’s cooking?
Scooter sits on the stove with a pot and a spoon.
Grandbobbie stands on the table with a broom.
GRANDBOBBIE
Get that rat! Get that rat!
Grandbobbie passes out on the table. Scooter fans
Grandbobbie with a wet towel.
KATIE
You are going to get in trouble
now.
11.

13. RICHARD
Shut up Katie!
Grandbobbie wakes, while Scooter wipes her face.
GRANDBOBBIE
You said this rat does tricks
Richard, you must be tricking me
too!
12.