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Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat
ALL GROWN UP
FADE IN:
INT. MAGISTRATE'S STUDY DAY
BABA and MAMA are writing. SHEEGWA comes in, carrying a scroll in her mouth, followed by SAGWA and DONGWA.
1. DONGWA
We're older, so it should go to us!
Sheegwa puts the scroll down and lies flat on top of it.
2. SHEEGWA
Well I'm the one who found it and
I'm not letting either one of you
have it!
3. BABA
What's the fuss about?
4. SHEEGWA
I found a treasure map in the
attic, Baba! A real one!
Baba unrolls the parchment. It's a crudely drawn treasure map with an "X" next to a large tree and a waterfall.
5. BABA
Oh my, this takes me back. I drew
this map a long time ago, when I
was Sheegwa's age.
The kittens are in awe.
6. SAGWA
Really? I had no idea it was so
old!
7. BABA
Old?!
8. SHEEGWA
Can we go find the treasure, Baba?
Please?
9. BABA
There's too many chores to do
Besides, whatever I put there is
probably long gone.
10. DONGWA
You're too little to go on a
treasure hunt, anyway. You might
fall in a mouse hole!
11. SHEEGWA
No I wouldn't!
Dongwa playfully bounces away with the map as Sheegwa chases him. Sagwa tilts her head this way and that as she stares at Baba.
12. SAGWA
I can't imagine you being young.
Sagwa runs after her siblings. Baba looks at his reflection in a mirror.
13. BABA
Do I seem that old? My coat might
not be as shiny, but at least I
don't have grey hair. Or do I?
Baba peers in closer to examine his hair.
14. MAMA
Of course not. You just have
more... character, that's all.
INT. CLUBHOUSE DAY
Dongwa and Sagwa are putting the finishing touches on a kite. Sheegwa comes in with the treasure map rolled up and tucked under her collar.
15. SHEEGWA
Who wants to go on a treasure hunt?
I still have Baba's map.
16. SAGWA
Not now, we made a new kite. Do you
want to watch us fly it?
17. SHEEGWA
I always have to watch. Why can't I
hold the string?
18. DONGWA
Dont be silly, you're too little.
You'd fly away.
Sagwa and Dongwa carry off the kite. Sheegwa scampers after them.
19. SHEEGWA
That's not true. I'm not a baby
anymore.
20. MAMA (O.S.)
Sheegwa, it's time for your warm
milk and afternoon nap.
Sheegwa sulks away.
INT. KITCHEN DAY
COOK places a saucer of milk before Sheegwa.
21. COOK
Here you go, warm milk for little
Sheegwa.
22. SHEEGWA
Why do people always call me
little? I'm almost grown up.
Sheegwa watches her reflection in the milk. She tries to puff herself up. She looks up to see the tail of a shrimp next to a bowl on the table.
23. SHEEGWA
I'm even big enough to get a shrimp
by myself!
She jumps to catch the shrimp but comes short. She tries a second time. On the third time she hooks a dishcloth and pulls it on top of her. She becomes tangled in the cloth. Mama comes in and helps her out.
24. MAMA
Sheegwa, you haven't even touched
your milk. Now come for your nap.
25. SHEEGWA
Naps are for little babies. Why
can't I do what grown ups do?
Mama and Sheegwa leave. Baba comes in and sees the saucer of milk.
26. BABA
Look at that, milk just lying there
like it's waiting for me. Don't
mind if I do.
Baba begins to SFX:LAP UP the milk. Cook takes away the saucer.
27. COOK
Here Baba Miao, have some of my
rice milk instead. It helps
digestion for old stomachs like
ours.
28. BABA
Old stomach?
Baba sniffs the milky liquid and grimaces. He looks into a shiny copper pot. For a second, his reflection is replaced by that of an old, grey version of himself. He shakes his head and runs out.
INT. CLUBHOUSE DAY
Baba is sitting before a broken mirror with pots of paint.
29. BABA
All I need is to cover up the grey
a little. After all, you're only as
old as you look. Or feel! Just a
touch here and there...
As he speaks, he dips the tip of his tail in the paint and touches up his dark spots.
INT. CAT'S HOUSE DAY
Mama Miao is working on a scroll. In the cat house, Sheegwa tosses and turns, very much awake.
30. SHEEGWA
Mama, will I still have to take
naps when I'm Sagwa's age?
Mama answers without looking up form her work.
31. MAMA
Of course not, dear. You'll grow up
soon enough. Everything in good
time.
32. SHEEGWA
But I want to be grown up NOW!
Sheegwa plops down, disappointed.
33. BABA (O.S.)
Ahem.
Mama looks up to see Baba strutting. His dark spots are completely painted black, forming an improbable contrast (like a bad dye job).
34. BABA
Notice anything different?
35. MAMA
(dumbfounded)
Why I... er... you've done
something to your hair. It looks...
great!
36. BABA
Doesn't it? I feel four years
younger, at least! I can't wait to
show off at the village.
Mama becomes alarmed.
37. MAMA
The village? Looking like this?
But... there's the thing you have
to do, the... kite! That's it!
Sagwa's kite is caught in the tree!
38. BABA
Oh right. I should do that first.
39. SHEEGWA
I can get the kite!
Mama and Baba take no notice of Sheegwa.
40. BABA
Come to think of it, there's also
the writing to be done, and the
louver in the clubhouse to set
right.
41. SHEEGWA
I'm big enough to get the kite, I
promise!
Sheegwa runs off. Baba slouches, his spirits dampened. He shuffles off.
42. BABA
I guess I forgot all about the
chores. I sure feel tired all of a
sudden. Maybe I'll take a nap
instead of going to the village.
43. MAMA
You just need to freshen up a bit,
dear. Maybe take some of the paint
off. Just a tad.
EXT. BACK ALLEY DAY
A boisterous game of shuttlecock is going on between Dongwa, Sagwa and two alley cats. ALLEY CAT #1 throws it to Dongwa, who kicks it several times, skipping and somersaulting.
44. SAGWA
Kick it over, you show-off!
Dongwa kicks the shuttlecock, which flies over Sagwa's head and lands at Baba's feet, near the kitchen entrance. Dongwa looks in disbelief at Baba's hair colour.
45. DONGWA
Baba! What happened to your hair?
46. BABA
Do you like it? You know, I used to
be pretty good at this when I was
young.
Baba throws the shuttlecock in the air and bounces it over to the alley cats, who catch it and bounce it from one to the other.
47. ALLEY CAT #2
You played shuttlecock, sir?
48. BABA
Oh sure. But you don't have to call
me "sir". I'm not that old.
49. ALLEY CAT #1
How about a game, then?
Baba looks over his shoulder.
50. BABA
Well, I dont know. I really should
go back to my chores. I still know
a few moves, though.
51. SAGWA
I don't know, Baba. We play it
pretty hard.
Baba snatches the shuttlecock in mid-air and kicks it around.
52. BABA
You don't think I can keep up in a
game of shuttlecock, is that it?
Baba throws the shuttlecock over Sagwa's head, jumps over her, and catches it on the other side.
53. ALLEY CAT #2
Over here!
The two alley cats join in.
EXT. MAGISTRATE'S GARDEN DAY
Sagwa and Dongwa's kite is lodged high in a tree. Sheegwa bats at the string hanging down to the ground. FU-FU flies in.
54. FU-FU
Hi Sheegwa. What are you doing?
55. SHEEGWA
Mama and Baba are letting me get
Sagwa's kite out of the tree.
56. FU-FU
Let me fly up and knock it loose
for you.
Fu-fu crouches to take off.
57. SHEEGWA
No, I have to do it by myself. It's
a grown up job, you know. That's
why I'm in charge of doing it.
Sheegwa beams with pride. She jumps up and catches the string. She begins to spin in the wind.
58. SHEEGWA
I think it's coming loose. Whoa!
The wind SFX:BLOWS. The kite dislodges and flies away with Sheegwa still hanging on to the string.
59. FU-FU
Wait, I've gotcha! Whoops!
Fu-fu catches the trailing string and is also carried off.
EXT. BACK ALLEY DAY
Baba is lying on the ground, groggy. The shuttlecock is next to him.
60. ALLEY CAT #1
I've seen lotsa back flip kicks
before, but never followed by a
landing on your head!
Sagwa covers her face with one paw.
61. SAGWA
I'm so embarrassed.
Baba rises groggily.
62. BABA
I think I'll just watch you kids
play, maybe give you a few
pointers.
63. DONGWA
But what about your chores, Baba?
64. BABA
Who wants to spend the entire day
doing boring old chores when we can
spend it together! Ow.
Baba does a little two-step, winces, holds his head and sits down again. He appears discouraged.
65. BABA
(sigh) Your mother was right: I
have "character". Maybe I am
getting old after all.
66. FU-FU (O.S.)
Heads up!
Sheegwa and Fu-fu come tumbling down from above on top of Baba.
67. SHEEGWA
Look Baba, I got Sagwa's kite down
from the tree all by myself!
Sheegwa triumphantly holds up the kite. Baba sees the map still tucked under Sheegwa's collar. He takes it and unrolls it. His spirits lift.
68. BABA
My good old treasure map, how we
meet again. Maybe this is a sign.
69. SHEEGWA
It's a sign that we should go on a
treasure hunt!
70. BABA
Hmm. Maybe the treasure is still
there after all. I wonder what I
put there?
71. SAGWA
But we wanted to go play with our
friends, Baba.
Baba puts one his paws around Dongwa and Sagwa. He squeezes them close.
72. BABA
I can be your friend too. From now
on, no more old geezer. Think of
all the fun we'll have.
73. SHEEGWA
I'm the one who found the map, so I
get to be the expedition leader!
EXT. FIELD DAY
A field of grass. Nearby is a rock shaped like a frog. ANGLE ON the map bearing a frog along the dotted-line path to the treasure.
74. BABA
You see, there's Frog rock. That
means we're on the right path to
the waterfall and the treasure.
75. FU-FU
I'll fly ahead and survey the area!
Fu-fu takes off. Baba rolls up the map and takes it in his mouth.
76. SHEEGWA
I want to carry the map!
Baba slips the map under Sheegwa's collar. They continue on their path. The cats leap over a log. Sheegwa struggles to climb over it. Sagwa pushes her up with her nose.
77. SHEEGWA
Quit it! I'm not a baby, I can
manage!
Sheegwa stands on top of the log defiantly. She looks around from her vantage point, the wind blowing on the grass and her hair. She notices the other cats moving away.
78. SHEEGWA
Hey, wait for me! I'm the leader,
remember?
She gingerly climbs down and tumbles in the tall grass. She runs up to the head of the line.
79. SAGWA
I'm tired. Are we there yet?
80. DONGWA
How should I know? It wasn't my
idea to go on this wild goose
chase.
81. BABA
I dont know about geese, but I bet
that I can find you a duck!
82. DONGWA
There's no ducks here. Just grass
and rocks!
Baba takes a blade of grass in his mouth and SFX:QUACKS several times.
83. DONGWA
Very funny. I meant a REAL duck,
not just sounding like one...
A duck emerges from between the reeds behind Dongwa and SFX:QUACKS, causing him to jump several feet. It waddles across the path SFX:QUACKING.
84. SHEEGWA
I want to try!
Sheegwa takes a blade of grass in her mouth and SFX:SQUEEKS. Fu- fu lands next to them.
85. FU-FU
Were almost there!
86. DONGWA
Finally! I can still get home in
time to go to the wharf with my
friends.
87. BABA
The wharf? Oh, we decided to go to
the village instead.
Dongwa slouches.
88. DONGWA
"We"? But they're MY friends!
89. BABA
You can come along if you want. You
too, Sagwa. Fu-fu and I are going
to the cave tomorrow.
Baba and Sheegwa march onward. Sagwa glares at Fu-fu, who grins sheepishly.
90. SAGWA
You told him about the cave? That's
our secret place!
91. FU-FU
Sorry. I let it slip out. I didn't
have the heart to say no.
92. DONGWA
I think I liked Baba better when he
was feeling old.
EXT. OVERLOOKING HILL - DAY
Baba and the kittens stop at the top of a hill. Below is a valley with trees and a waterfall. Sheegwa unrolls the map.
93. SHEEGWA
Since I'm the expedition leader,
I'll organize the search.
94. DONGWA
Well I'm taking over.
Dongwa tries to take the map, but Sheegwa dodges him. The wind catches the map and whisks it away.
95. DONGWA
How can you lead the expedition if
you can't even hang on to the map?
We should have left you at home.
EXT. WATERFALL VALLEY - DAY
Large trees line the pond at the foot of a short waterfall. A small stream runs off and away. Sheegwa comes out from under a root, dirty, carrying a pebble in her mouth. She shows it to Baba.
96. SHEEGWA
Is this it, Baba?
97. BABA
Not quite. But it's a very nice
pebble, Sheegwa.
Dongwa, Sagwa and Fu-fu rush back, out of breath.
98. SAGWA
We couldn't find anything either.
Except for a squirrel, and it
wasn't very friendly.
She looks over her shoulder with apprehension. Baba is disappointed, and suddenly seems tired.
99. BABA
Well, it's been so many years, and
without the map...
100. DONGWA
Baba, look! There's a plum tree
over in that field!
Dongwa bounds lightly over a tree branch spanning the stream.
101. SAGWA
Can we go, Baba? I'm hungry!
102. BABA
I don't know, that branch looks
pretty shaky, and we should start
back towards home...
Baba looks from Sagwa and Dongwa, who look to him with expectation.
103. BABA
Hey, that's the old Baba talking.
We don't want him around, do we?
Sagwa bounces across the branch. Sheegwa follows.
104. SHEEGWA
Yay! Plums!
105. BABA
No Sheegwa, you better stay here
with Fu-fu. We'll be right back.
Here I go... oh my... whoops!
Baba gingerly crosses the branch, almost falling. Sagwa and Dongwa are already far off.
106. SHEEGWA
They're treating me like a baby
again, just because I lost the map.
A SFX:FLUTTERING sound makes her look up. Above, in a small bush overhanging the waterfall, is the map.
107. SHEEGWA
The map! If I get it back, I'll
prove to them that I'm grown up!
Sheegwa begins to climb the waterfall. Fu-fu flies after her.
108. FU-FU
Maybe we should wait for them?
EXT. WATERFALL SUMMIT DAY
Sheegwa scrambles up to the top, followed by Fu-fu who lands next to her. She bats at the map, which falls in the pool of water and floats towards the middle. Sheegwa steps onto a stone near the edge.
109. FU-FU
Be careful!
110. SHEEGWA
I can almost reach it.
While Sheegwa bats at the map, the stone (in fact a turtle) begins to move. Its head emerges from the water, and it SFX:SNAPS at her.
111. SHEEGWA
Whoa!
Sheegwa SFX:SPLASHES into the water. The current carries her towards the waterfall, but she climbs onto a rock jutting over the edge, dripping wet and SFX:SNEEZING. She's managed to grab the map.
112. FU-FU
Don't move, I'll get help!
Fu-fu flies off.
EXT. PLUM TREE DAY
Sagwa and Dongwa are at the foot of the plum tree while Baba is perched precariously at the very top on a drooping branch, reaching for a juicy plum.
113. SAGWA
You see Dongwa, I told you Baba
could climb all the way to the top!
114. BABA
(shakily)
Success belongs to the daring.
115. FU-FU
Baba! Baba!
Fu-fu SFX:CRASHES in the tree, causing Baba and himself to fall to the ground (SFX:THUD).
116. FU-FU
It's Sheegwa! She's in trouble!
Fu-fu flies off and the cats follow.
EXT. WATERFALL SUMMIT DAY
Fu-fu lands as Baba, Sagwa and Dongwa climb over the edge. They see Sheegwa on her perch. Dongwa crouches to leap.
117. DONGWA
I can reach her, Baba! I can be
daring too, just like you!
Dongwa crouches to jump. Baba stops him.
118. BABA
No Dongwa! We are not playing games
anymore. It would be foolish to
leap blindly. Help me.
With Dongwa and Sagwa's help, Baba pushes a dead tree branch into the water. It is carried by the current and blocks against the rock and the shore, forming a bridge. Baba carefully crosses it over to Sheegwa. As he steps off the branch, it goes over the waterfall's edge and SFX:SPLASHES into the shallow pool below.
119. SHEEGWA
We lost our bridge!
120. BABA
That's okay, we'll still manage to
get down.
Baba looks down over the waterfall's edge at the trees rooted below. One of them extends its branches to within a few feet of them.
121. BABA
Hang on tight to me, Sheegwa.
Sheegwa climbs on Baba's back. He leaps towards the nearest branch (SFX:RUSTLE).
122. BABA
See, I told you it would be easy...
The branch SFX:CRACKS and they both SFX:SPLASH into the pool a few feet below.
EXT. WATERFALL POOL DAY
Baba and Sheegwa come out of the water and rest at the foot of the tree. Sheegwa drops the treasure map. the paint has washed out of Baba's hair. Sheegwa looks dejected.
123. SHEEGWA
I'm sorry I got us in trouble,
Baba. I wanted to act grown up by
getting the map back.
Baba begins to groom Sheegwa to comfort her.
124. BABA
And I thought that carrying on like
a kitten would make me younger.
125. SHEEGWA
What's this?
At the foot of a tree is a hole. Sheegwa pokes her head in and comes out with a collar in her mouth.
126. BABA
You found my old secret hiding
place! I thought this collar made
me look like a baby, so I hid it
here.
127. SHEEGWA
I know what that feels like.
128. BABA
Tell you what: this can become YOUR
secret place! When you're big, you
can come back and remember how you
once thought you'd never grow up.
Baba takes the ribbon from Sheegwa's head and places it inside. He dips his tail in some of the paint that washed away and traces a fresh "X" on the treasure map. Fu-fu, Sagwa and Dongwa join them.
129. SAGWA
That was amazing! How did you know
to make a bridge with the branch?
130. BABA
I guess that's the benefit of
having grey hair. Not a bad thing
after all, uh?
Baba shakes off the last remnants of paint.
131. SHEEGWA
Baba, I don't want to be expedition
leader anymore. Can I ride on your
back?
132. DONGWA
Then I'm the new expedition leader!
133. SAGWA
No, me! It's my turn!
Sagwa and Dongwa run off ahead. Sheegwa climbs on Baba's back.
134. BABA
I had fun today, but I'm glad to
act my own age again.
135. SHEEGWA
Me too...
Sheegwa closes her eyes and SFX:PURRS. They start home.
FADE OUT: