All Quotes

"[Frozen with fear, Eva can't move. The Caribbean pirate who owned Dodger is standing inches aside on the front porch. She has made him up wherever people ask where she's gotten the monkey, but he is real. And he is eerie and he wants to take Dodger aside]"

"[She can't let that happen]"

"[Thinking faster, she yells Dad's name]"

"Eva: Come down here! Hurry up! There's a man trying to get in!"

"Hook: I'm not trying to get in. I only want to speak."

"Eva: Go away!"

"Hook: Get your father, girl."

"Eva: He's busy."

"[The eerie dark eyes of the pirate narrow]"

"Hook: Or perhaps, he ain't there at all!"

"[In a panic, Eva and Dodger dash up the stairs]"

"Eva: We have to hide!"

"[Down underneath, she hears the front door rumble, then open]"

"Hook: Mr. Boylan?"

"[He is inside the house]"

"[Eva shoots into her dad's bedroom as Dodger scurries under the bed]"

"Hook: Oh, little girl! [It doesn't fool Eva. He means to hurt them. She has to get Dodger to a safer hiding place]"

"[Shorty creeps into the living room, one eye out for the brat's father. A silver picture frame catches his attention. Without hesitating, he picks it up and slides it into the pocket of his large coat]"

"Shorty: Oh, little girl, don't be afraid. I only want to speak with ya."

"[The upstairs hall is deserted. He can't hear a peep. He goes into the bedroom. The dresser holds a brief haul. Shorty helps himself to a gold ID bracelet, a watch and a jeweled tie clip. Now it is time to collect the monkey. He walks out into the hall]"

"Shorty: Where are you, darling?"

"[Eva and Dodger have climbed up into the attic, but pull the trapdoor shut behind them. Now Eva is standing on a packing box, attempting to pull herself through the same porthole window Dodger has used to enter the house. Behind her, Dodger pushes at her butt, helping her squeeze through the tight space]"

"[Eva looks down and swiftly shuts her eyes. It is a long drop from the roof to the ground. But the evil pirate can't reach them. She won't let him take Dodger aside. Opening her eyes, she grabs the tree branch closest to the window. She clings to it tightly, feeling it sway underneath her weight. She'll never make it down in one piece]"

"[Dodger chatters softly behind her, but pushes her feet aside from the porthole. Biting back a shriek, Eva hangs onto the swaying branch with all her might. Dodger bursts up behind her and pats her arm. He shows her a foothold. Closely following her monkey, Eva climbs down safely]"

"[Running out of patience, Shorty searches the guest ballroom before discovering the attic trapdoor. That bratty girl isn't going to get away with his monkey this time. Cursing under his breath, he grabs a bathroom step-stool to reach the pull-down staircase]"

"[Down underneath, Eva and Dodger have reached the ground safely. They race to the porch to pick up her duffel bag and knapsack. Then Dodger runs across the street to the pirate's truck and trailer. While Eva keeps an eye on the house, Dodger stands on the hitch between the motor home and the truck. First, he pulls out the pin that holds the safety chain. Then, chattering emotionally, he begins pounding on the ball hitch. Eva helps him once she figures out what he is thinking about]"

"[Suddenly, a loud honking interrupts them, and the cab pulls up in front of the house. Frowning furiously, Eva pushes Dodger into the knapsack and races over to the cab]"

"[The honking has lured Shorty's attention. He pokes his head out of the attic porthole window]"

"Boylan: Driver, please, wait!"

"[Eva turns to wave up at the pirate]"

"Eva: Farewell, Dad! See you in a couple of weeks!"

"[She scrambles into the cab with her bags and orders the driver to go]"

"Driver: I don't take minors. You've had money?"

"[It gets worse]"

"[Dodger suddenly begins acting like her baby brother in his I-want-to-touch-everything mood. The monkey darts around the living room, picking up silver picture frames. Eva runs over and pulls them out of his hands]"

"Eva: Don't touch this stuff! If we break something, my dad will know somebody was here. C'mon, I'm starved!"

"[They head for the kitchen. More worst news. The refrigerator is fully empty, except for some eggs, a jug of water and a jar of mustard. Eva closes the refrigerator door with a moan]"

"Eva: Dad didn't go shopping because he wasn't going to be here. And I didn't bring any money because I'm foolish. Foolish nonsense!"

"[She looks down at Dodger with frightened eyes. Dodger immediately hugs her knees and copies her frightened expression. This won't do, Eva thinks. She has to take care of her pet. And that means making some money if the weekend is going to work]"

"[Eva knows that the best place to panhandle for money is at nearby Venice Beach. Eva snaps her fingers and carries Dodger into the garage. She pulls her bike out and mounts an old baby seat on the back]"

"Eva: Everybody on the boardwalk does it. If you don't have money, and you can't find it, you have to make it."

"[Dodger is shifting from one foot to each other and shooting looks of hesitation at the bike. One hand keeps picking at his little red hat]"

"[Eva picks him up with a soothing grin. He really is her baby. She carefully straps Dodger into the rear seat and then jumps on the bike]"

"Eva: Have you ever been on a bike before? It's fun. Ready, Freddie? Let's go make money!"

"[Shorty has lain low for the last few weeks, sticking close to his trailer. The search for his monkey has fizzled out, and without the monkey, he can't work the boardwalk. Plus Charlie and Drake will be hot on his trail. If they find him, it will mean danger. But Shorty can stay holed up in his ratty trailer for only so long. He has to get out, and as he does, he heads for the boardwalk]"

"[He walks along now in the warm sunshine, taking in the action and checking out the tourists. Who knows? Perhaps, just perhaps, his monkey will turn up]"

"[Eva pedals slowly along the bike path that runs alongside the boardwalk. She can hear Dodger chattering with hesitation in the baby seat. He is making funny little hooting noises]"

"Eva: Boy, are you emotional? I knew you'd love it!"

"[Dodger hates it]"

"[This is where he and Shorty always work the crowd, and Shorty can be here, right now, waiting to catch him. Dodger glances over his shoulder and immediately shuts up. There is Shorty in regular clothes and a straw hat, coming up the boardwalk behind them. Dodger frantically slides inside Eva's open knapsack]"