"AN AMERICAN TAIL: THE WATERS OF GREEN RIVER"
LOGLINE: The mice of Green River find their one year anniversary celebration being increasingly taken over by a charismatic architect named Pilzer, who bears a strong resemblance to someone Fievel still occasionally has nightmares about.
© 2024 Kooshmeister
Written by:
Bill Hiers
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ACT ONE
EXT. GREEN RIVER - DAY
A low shot of the town as seen from the train station platform. PEOPLE, including several MICE and other ANIMALS, mill around. A MAN's cowboy boots step down into frame (he just got off the train), duster billowing around his ankles. He turns and walks offscreen. We pan with him to see another pair of feet get off the lower passenger carriage for the mice: JASON PILZER, a tall, handsome but still shifty-looking rodent in a bowler with black suit. He has narrow, beady eyes and a crooked mouth that looks odd when he smiles. There's something familiar about him, but it isn't immediately clear who he reminds us of.
In one hand, he holds a cane. In the other, an expensive-looking briefcase. He's armed. A pearl-handled six shooter hangs from his belt, not at his side, but at his front. In lieu of cowboy boots he's wearing ordinary shoes with fancy white spats.
He isn't alone. With him is DR. ENOCH HARKER. Harker is older and taller than him and at present the only thing marking him as a medical man is the black leather doctor's bag. He has a dapper top hat and a large greatcoat with a fur collar in spite of the heat. At all times he remains behind and to the left of Pilzer. Although his top hat and coat are dark, under it he is wearing a bright white suit. Like Harker he also carries a cane. He has a neatly-trimmed goatee.
As Pilzer surveys the town, we can tell he isn't impressed and is having second thoughts. He hesitates, then two other rodents come up: DIRTBAG and "BLASTER" BLASTER. Like him, they're well dressed in dark suits and are armed with holstered guns. And like him, it's not immediately clear whether they're rats or just big mice. Dirtbag wears a bowler and Blaster has a boater. Both have mustaches. The three greet one another, shaking hands. Dr. Harker seems aloof and doesn't seem like he cares for either of Pilzer's friends.
Some GENERIC THUGS are with them. One has a wide-brimmed spaghetti western style hat and gray duster with fingerless gloves (we'll call him "PRETTY BOY"). The other has a more traditional cowboy hat, hanging down on his back from the string around his neck (we'll call him "DUSTY"). They both look mean and serious.
PILZER
So, this is Green River, huh?
He digs something out of his pocket. It's one of the original flyers for the town from "Fievel Goes West." He holds it up in one hand (the one also holding his cane), and frowns at the comparison.
PILZER
What a dump.
BLASTER
(dismissive)
It's an advertisement. Of course it ain't gonna look much like the real thing.
The three begin walking along, Dr. Harker and the thugs following at a distance. Pilzer sticks his cane under his arm.
PILZER
(distractedly)
Uh-huh...
His movements are twitchy and nervous despite the fact he appears to be the leader.
DIRTBAG
What matters is it's the right place.
PILZER
That a fact...?
He takes out a pair of old-fashioned sunglasses with sidelights, squinting in the sun.
In contrast, Harker, behind him, has a slow, confident saunter and a bored, superior look in his eyes, which he emphatically doesn't shield from the sun, giving him the air of a man who is master of all he surveys. Dirtbag and Blaster keep looking back at him nervously.
As he is about to put them on, a group of MOUSE CHILDREN, including FIEVEL, come running along and sweep through and around the adults' legs. Fievel slams into Pilzer's legs. Still holding his sunglasses and the flyer in one hand, Pilzer glowers down at the boy.
PILZER
Watch it, kid!
FIEVEL
(shy)
Gosh, sorry, mister!
Pilzer calms down and smiles, though the smile is crooked and lacks of warmth... and something about it makes Fievel utter one gasp and back up briefly, though he isn't sure why. Still smiling that crooked smile, Pilzer slips his sunglasses on, breaking their eye contact. He elbows Dirtbag beside him.
PILZER
It's okay, kiddo. Here.
Dirtbag takes out a gold coin and flips it to Fievel.
PILZER
Go buy yourself some candy or something.
FIEVEL
Oh, wow. Thanks, Mister...?
PILZER
(not caring)
Pilzer.
He walks past Fievel, the other two following. Fievel watches them go, then looks at the coin. It's shiny and new and has that year's date on it. Suddenly, one of his friends calls over to him.
SCHOOLBOY MOUSE
Come on, Fievel!
At that, Pilzer stops so suddenly Dirtbag and Blaster almost slam into him. He turns. In the reflection of his sunglasses, we see Fievel and the other kids running around and playing. If anything, Pilzer's smile gets even creepier as it turns into a smirk. Beside him, Dirtbag and Blaster exchange knowing smirks of their own.
PILZER
Fievel, huh...?
The children in the reflection of the dark lenses scamper off, unaware that they're being watched.
PILZER
Well, now. This is definitely the right place.
He looks down at the Green River flyer in his hand.
PILZER
After all...
Dr. Harker just leans on his cane, glancing around at the various people and buildings. He seems bored and anxious to move on.
Cut to a closeup of Pilzer's hand holding the Green River flyer. His hand suddenly curls into a tight fist, crumpling the old flyer brutally into a wadded up ball. He squeezes it tightly as though trying to crush the life out of it.
PILZER
...how common of a name is "Fievel" out here?
BLASTER
(smirking)
Told you.
Throwing the crumpled up flyer aside, he and his companions walk into town. Pretty Boy and Roach walk in from the left and right side of the frame to follow them, but Dr. Harker is apparently lingering. We pan right to see him in profile as he, too, looks at Fievel and the other children over his shoulder, and his aloof expression changes from disinterest briefly, as a sinister smugness passes briefly over his features before he turns and walks without hurry after the other five.
EXT. ARCHITECT'S OFFICE - DAY
A simple office. Pilzer, Dirtbag, Blaster, Pretty Boy and Dusty walk up. Dr. Harker does and doesn't go with them. He makes a point of hanging back and leaning boredly on his cane, watching from a distance. The frosted glass window on the office door simply reads "J. Pilzer: Architect."
PILZER
Looks like you boys have been busy gettin' things set up.
Dirtbag and Blaster gesture with a flourish.
DIRTBAG
Jason Pilzer, Architect. Just like you wanted. What do you think?
PILZER
It'll do.
INT. ARCHITECT'S OFFICE - MAIN WORK AREA
A basic office area. Desk, drawing tables, filing cabinets and whatnot. A big B&W photo of Green River at its original founding. Setting cane and briefcase on the desk, Pilzer opens the latter and removes a few things from it including some paperwork and a B&W photo in an ornate silver frame, which he sets propped up on the desk, the only personal touch in the entire office. He spends a moment looking at it. Long enough that Dirtbag and Blaster, swallowing nervously, look at one another.
Standing in the doorway, Pretty Boy looks out at Dr. Harker, who frowns in concern. The thug gestures and the doctor walks over.
EXT. GREEN RIVER - MAIN STREET
PAPA and MAMA walk along and glance over. They smile at seeing the new arrivals (they're already aware of at least some of them).
PAPA
Ah, Mama, look. That must be the new city planner.
They pause and watch as Harker says something inaudible to Pretty Boy, then walks inside. Pretty Boy remains in the doorway with Dusty standing outside nearby.
MAMA
Which one?
PAPA
Well, there's only one way to find out. By being neighborly.
Smiling, Fievel's parents walk over. Pretty Boy and Dusty frown watching them approach but relax at seeing it's just two old folks.
PAPA
Ah, good afternoon! My name is Mousekewitz!
INT. ARCHITECT'S OFFICE - MAIN WORK AREA
We see Pilzer, having removed his sunglasses and hat, is sitting down with his coat off and Dr. Harker is hovering over him, doing something, but we can't tell what. He tenses, glancing around the doctor's side. Harker himself also stands up a little straighter, glancing over his shoulder. His doctor bag is on Pilzer's desk and open.
PAPA
(V.O.)
May we come in?
PRETTY BOY
(V.O.)
The boss is busy...
PILZER
(speaking up)
No... let them come in.
In the doorway, Pretty Boy, Dirtbag and "Blaster" Blaster turn. Outside, Papa and Mama smile obliviously, Dusty standing behind them, not exactly menacingly but not friendly, either. After a moment, the three stand aside for the old couple. Hurriedly, Dr. Harker finishes what he's doing. He puts something back into his doctor bag (we catch a glimpse of a syringe). He then spends a moment whispering something into Pilzer's ear while holding something up to it. Shutting his bag, he then stands aside, sticking a gold pocketwatch into his coat pocket, and we see that Pilzer's right sleeve is rolled up past the elbow and he's rubbing his arm. He seems a bit dazed, then turns and smiles at the Mousekewitzes.
PILZER
Pleasure to meet you. Jason Pilzer is my name. I'm the new city planner.
Seeming a bit tired, he stands, rolling his sleeve down and extending his hand to the pair. Papa shakes it.
PILZER
I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Mousekewitz. From my friends here.
(points at Dirtbag and Blaster)
MAMA
Most of it good, I hope.
PILZER
(chuckles)
All of it good, in fact. At least from anyone whose opinion matters.
He walks around his desk, moving past Harker.
PILZER
(dismissively)
Thanks, Doc. I won't need you any more today, I don't think.
Harker shrugs and leaves, tipping his hat politely to Papa and Mama as he goes. Everyone else but Dirtbag and Blaster goes with him.
Pilzer sits in the chair at the desk. Before him, facing away from his visitors is the photo. It's of two young mouse (or rat) boys, one older than the other, both unsmiling and in stuffy suits. The older boy is clearly Pilzer as a kid. The other has the same unsettling familiarity as him, with the same narrow, squinty eyes and oddly-shaped mouth. Maybe if he smiled, he'd be easier to recognize.
Pilzer rocks back and forth restlessly in the chair, drumming his fingers on the armrests.
PILZER
You look exactly how I imagined you. Tell me. If I had big ideas and wanted to get things done around here... who would I talk to about the, um...
He leans forward, steepling his fingers.
PILZER
...hands on, actual down in the dirt nitty gritty type stuff?
PAPA
Um, well--
PILZER
You, right?
He closes one eye, looking at Papa through his open one, pointing at him with a "straight shooter" finger, index finger out, thumb up. He even mimes a little "Pow!" and a gunshot motion.
PILZER
According to what my associates tell me, you're probably the most respected mouse in Green River, Mr. Mousekewitz. Everywhere you turn it's Mousekwitz this, Mousekewitz that.
(lowers his finger)
Is that not so?
PAPA
(embarrassed)
I suppose so. I've never really considered--
PILZER
(smacks the desktop)
Then you're exactly the man I want!
Papa jumps, surprised, and looks at Mama.
PAPA
Oh, uh, thank you!
(blinks)
Uh, for what...?
PILZER
To be my foreman, of course.
PAPA
You're... offering me a job?
PILZER
Yes indeedy. You do have experience in that department, do you not?
(a pause)
The cheese factory in New York?
PAPA
Uh, well, yes, but--
PILZER
Yes or no will do, Mr. Mousekwitz.
Papa frowns and seems uncertain. Things are moving fast.
PAPA
Um, well... I would have to think about it, sir.
Pilzer rises and approaches, arms spread wide in an "Aw c'mon!" gesture.
PILZER
Mousekewitz! This is the chance of a lifetime! I've got big plans for Green River. And I'd very much like... in fact, I insist... you...
(his eyes briefly shift over to Mama, then back to Papa)
...and your family... be part of things.
He gestures to Dirtbag. Dirtbag walks over and grabs Papa's wrist, lifting his arm unresisting. Into his open palm he drops a small bag that jingles noisily. Papa gasps. Dirtbag smirks and grabs the older mouse's fist, closing his fingers around the bag. Papa looks at him, then at Pilzer. Dirtbag backs away.
PILZER
Think about it. There's about $200 in gold coins in there, Mr. Mousekwitz. It's yours whether you say yes or no. But I need someone dependable, honest and levelheaded to supervise my workers.
(smiles)
Think about it. Take all the time you need.
PAPA
Uh, thank you.
MAMA
Good day to you.
PAPA
Y-Yes, good day.
A bit surprised but not necessarily concerned, the two leave. Blaster shuts the door after them. Pilzer wordlessly mouths "Goodbye."
EXT. GREEN RIVER - ARCHITECT'S OFFICE
Papa and Mama walk off. Pretty Boy and Dusty watch them go, guarding the door. There's no sign of Dr. Harker.
PAPA
Only in America.
MAMA
"Only in America" what?
PAPA
Only in American can I apparently walk into a man's office to say hello and walk out with money and a job offer...!
We pan over once more to see Dr. Harker, leaning against the wall outside the sweet shop. His bag sits at his feet. He watches the Mousekewitzes departing. Then, lighting a hand-rolled cigarette, he glances meaningfully up at...
...the town water tower.
He narrows his eyes at it. Then his gaze lowers to the ground. Adjusting his top hat on his head and shielding his eyes with one hand, he looks out at something off in the distance that we don't see, he then smirks, puffs on the cigarette with immense satisfaction, then turns, grabbing his bag, and wanders off unhurriedly. He mostly ignores any attempts by anyone to stop and chat with him.
By contrast, Pilzer is positively gregarious, introducing himself cheerfully to everyone he happens to run into. Dirtbag, Blaster and Pretty Boy (Dusty isn't with them) have difficulty keeping up with him, he's so energetic. The group's destination is City Hall down the street. Along the way, though, they pass under the shadow of the water tower.
Pilzer's attention is arrested by it. He stops and stands looking up at it. We see an extreme down shot of him and his companions looking up at it with the shadow falling across them. Pretty Boy doesn't seem like he cares, but Dirtbag and Blaster are grinning like kids in a candy store seeing their boss' attention so captivated. Pilzer takes his sunglasses out and taps them absently against one hand. Tap, tap, tap. His expression is one of amazement... and amazement at his amazement, as though he isn't quite sure he even knows why he's so excited.
We then cut another extreme shot, this time looking up, with the water tower looming over the four like a skyscraper. Pilzer's head shifts, indicating that he's looking at something else now, and there's a drastic, whiplash-inducing whip-pan from the water tower to the river for which the town is named, about a mile or so distant.
Cut back to Pilzer's group. Pilzer puts his sunglasses on, looks at the river (seen reflected in the lenses), then up at the water tower (ditto), then grins and snaps his fingers in immense satisfaction. Behind him, Dirtbag takes out a little notepad and begins doodling in it as the four move on. Dirtbag and Blaster are grinning like idiots. Pretty Boy just looks bored.
PILZER
(muttering to himself)
Five feet... twelve...
As he mutters, he looks down at his feet as he walks, moving in a manner indicative of a man measuring distance with his footsteps, occasionally glancing up at the river seen off in the distance between the buildings, then back at the water tower. Paying close attention to him, his mutterings and his movements, Dirtbag continues making notes.
PILZER
So, about a mile away...
He stops. Dirtbag stops, as does Blaster. Pretty Boy slams into him. Blaster is too excited to notice or care.
Someone else has noticed the newcomer's odd behavior. TONY TOPONI walks along leisurely, munching on a chunk of an apple. Seeing the unfamiliar rodent in the black suit with sunglasses walking and gesturing in such an odd manner, he stops and watches him. Pilzer tosses his cane to Blaster and spreads he arms with his fingers outstretched. He looks from river to water tower and back again.
PILZER
(muttering)
Three days. At least.
(grinning)
Easy peasy.
He's suddenly off again, the other three following, Blaster still carrying his cane. His behavior is so odd that Tony can't help but be curious and leisurely follow after them.
DIRTBAG
So that's how much dynamite...?
PILZER
Blaster's the expert.
BLASTER
Nobody's called me that in years.
(thinks)
Hmmm, I'd say about fifty... no sixty... seventy or so crates.
Pretty Boy whistles, impressed.
PRETTY BOY
That's a lot!
DIRTBAG
(concerned)
That is.
He scribbles some more in his notebook.
PILZER
Why worry? You told me the Sheriff is an idiot.
DIRTBAG
(nervous)
Yeah, but not THAT much of an idiot...
BLASTER
Relax, once we've got the Mayor on our side, it'll be smooth sailing.
PRETTY BOY
(chuckles)
Yeah, relax, Mr. Pilzer. Take it from me, this Tiger guy is pretty dense, even for a cat.
Pilzer stops dead.
PILZER
A cat...?
BLASTER
Don't worry, he's a... nice cat.
DIRTBAG
Yeah, Green River's famous for 'em.
(dour)
All two of 'em.
Pilzer looks uncertain, then moves on, followed by his three men. And Tony.
EXT. GREEN RIVER - CITY HALL
Like most things in the town, City Hall is located under the human one. Pilzer's party, walking single file, approaches the front door. Sticking his notebook into his pocket, Dirtbag gets the door, holding it for the other three, entering last. Tony pauses, frowning as he watches him go in. Seeing him in the reflection of the window, Dirtbag pauses, glancing at him, then walks in after Pretty Boy and the others. Tony chews his bite of apple thoughtfully.
TONY
Huh.
Suddenly Fievel leaps in from offscreen and grabs his arm.
FIEVEL
Boo!
TONY
Yaaaghhh!
He spits out his mouthful of chewed apple and jumps, turning and assuming a defensive posture, then relaxes, seeing it's Fievel.
FIEVEL
Gotcha that time!
TONY
Philly, don't sneak up on a guy like that...! Ya just about gave me a heart attack.
Fievel, we see, is holding two suckers. He offers one to Tony, who accepts it.
TONY
Thanks. Where'd you get these?
FIEVEL
The candy store.
(points at City Hall)
The guy who just went in there. Him and his friends gave me money to get 'em.
TONY
Oh, Philly, you never take things from strangers.
FIEVEL
(dismissive)
Aw, I've seen 'em around town before.
(frowns)
Not the two who came in on the train just now, though. The one dressed all in black looked kinda familiar, though.
TONY
Yeah? I didn't get a good look at 'im. Who'd he remind you of?
FIEVEL
(ponders)
I dunno. Someone scary.
(brightens)
But he sure seems nice. You shouldn't judge people on first impressions, Tony.
Tony shrugs and licks his sucker.
TONY
I guess. But sometimes first impressions are pretty right...
INT. ARCHITECT'S OFFICE - MAIN WORK AREA
Dirtbag and Blaster watch them go through the blinds as Pilzer slips his jacket on.
PILZER
(buoyant)
Well, gentlemen, let's go and get me introduced to some people who can make things happen around here. Like the Mayor.
The other two walk out. We pan over to the photo again. Those two very serious little boys continue to glower out from beyond time. Pilzer takes the picture and puts it in the desk drawer, then leaves, following his companions.
Jason Pilzer - An architect from New York City who came to Green River to get from the gloomy climate of the Eastern Seaboard following the death of his brother. Charismatic and persuasive despite a short temper and an unpleasant attitude, he talks his way into being involved in the town council's big plans to renovate the town for its upcoming one year anniversary, in particular digging a tunnel from the nearby river to the town so the mice don't have to rely on the humans' water tower anymore. What no one knows he is in fact Dalton B. Scuttlebutt, Scuttlebutt's brother, and has anything but Green River's best interests in mind. Physically, he resembles a taller, slightly more handsome version of his brother, but with similarly odd proportions (particularly a very large rear end). Rarely seen without his fancy cane and sunglasses with sidelights. Although he desperately wants revenge for his brother, he wrestles with the morality of his scheme, and it is beginning to take a toll on him psychologically.
Dr. Enoch Harker - A tall, older and very professional
Dirtbag - An associate of Pilzer's, along with Blaster. He is the shorter of the pair, but still bigger than most of the other mice in Green River. A bit on the overweight side, he has a mustache and wears a bowler. Before Green River, he often worked as a foreman on many of Dalton B. Scuttlebutt's construction projects. In particular, he is an expert tunnel man. Having been a friend of Dalton's for many years, he is fully committed to helping him get revenge for his brother, even though he wonders if wiping out an entire town is going too far.
Blaster - Pilzer's other friend. He is bigger than Dirtbag but more laid back. He has muttonchop sideburns and wears a boater. Like Dirtbag, he often worked as a foreman for Dalton B. Scuttlebutt, and was nicknamed "Blaster" Blaster due to his proficiency with explosives. He less reservations than Dirtbag, but neverthless is sometimes uncomfortable with what they're doing, but is pragmatic about the matter and figures that they need to destroy the entire town to hide the fact Mousekewitz family was his boss' target all along.
