[on loud speaker]
Okay, everybody. 6:15. Time to dance.
[to Z]
Time to cut a rug, Z.
Oh, no. That's okay. I'm gonna leave the rug just the way it is, Weaver.
[to her handmaidens]
Step back, ladies. I'm gonna ask one of these workers to dance with me.
[watching the other ants dance in unison]
What a bunch of losers. Mindless zombies capitulating to an oppressive system-
[upon turning to see her]
Absolutely!
[as they step onto the dance floor]
So, how come I haven't seen you around here before?
Oh, I don't get out much. I, uh...I work over at the palace.
The palace, huh? I bet those royals really live it up. [secretively] Of course, they're all a little, you know, from inbreeding.
Yowch! Ya-Ya... Yowch! Yowch. Yowch.
What on earth are you doing?
Well, actually, to tell you the truth, I'm sort of making it up.
You know. Why does everybody have to dance the same way? You know, that's completely boring. It's... It's monotonous.
BG Bar Guy
Hey. Watch your step, worker.
You watch yours, buddy, or you'll be in big trouble.
That's okay. I'll... I'm gonna let him off this time. What? Are you crazy? This guy's built like a pebble.
Aren't you even gonna defend yourself?
BG Bar Guy
Hey, buddy. Get back in place.
What if he doesn't want to?
[clears throat]
Yeah. What if I don't like my place?
BG Bar Guy
What's he talking about?
BG Bar Guy
We got us a troublemaker.
BG Bar Guy
Buckle up, Spanky. This one goes out to all the lazy workers.
You ought to watch that aggressive behavior, buddy.
BG Bar Guy
He's just a worker.
H1 Handmaiden #1
Princess Bala! Princess Bala! The guards are coming.
Wait! Princess? You're a princess?
When can I see you again?
Let me think. Never. [kisses Z] Bye.
Think about it, Z, two ants. Who ever heard of two ants? Two million ants, maybe. But two? Look, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, and this whole desert thing? It just doesn't work for me.
I think it's about time to take me back.
Take yourself back. [he scoffs]
Excuse me. You kidnapped me, remember? That means you have certain responsibilities. You can't just abandon me here in the wilderness.
Yeah, well, it's better than being back at the colony.
You're not serious, are you?
Maybe you were living the high life, but personally, this beats digging. If you'd ever done a day's labor you'd know what I was talking about.
Labor? What do you know about labor? How would you feel if you were expected to give birth every ten seconds for the rest of your life?
Water! All you think about is yourself.
Yeah? Well, nobody else ever thought about me. So as far as I'm concerned, I don't need anybody else.
[A water droplet landed next to them. Bala looked and saw Z was trapped in a water drop.] [in a water drop]
Help! Help me, Bala! Help! B-B-B-B-Bala!
Hold on, I'll get you out. Hold on.
[Bala looked down to see that she can push the droplet down the leaf. She pushed but she end up getting absorbed into the droplet, It rolled down and splashed onto the ground.]
Thanks.
Don't mention it. Now, maybe we can put this fantasy behind us, and head back to the colon... Oh, Z! What are you doing?
[gets in the boat]
We've got to cross the lake.
Am I missing something here? Didn't we just get out of the water?
[grabs a stick]
Bala, look, what have you got to lose? I mean, think about it. Do you really want to be Mrs. Raving Lunatic? There's a better place.
Just gimme one chance. If we don't find Insectopia soon, I promise I'll take you back to the colony. [puts his hand out, then Bala gets in, then Z rows to go to Insectopia]
I hope you know what you're doing.
What are you doing, you creep? Are you out of your puny little mind?
GA Guard Ant
There they are down there! Let's go! Move! Move! Move! Move! Move!
Oh, good. Here they come to rescue me and kill you.
[to Bala]
Stop it! Stop it. What are you tryin' to do?
Get off me, you little twerp!
Wait a minute. What do you want to do? Throw away everything you got?
Oh, hey! [punches Z] What're you waiting for? Hello! Guys!
R Ridgeway
It's beautiful.
GA Guard Ant
Ridgeway, get out of there!
[?] [Z and Bala both sigh when they escape from the magnifying glass, and hide in the "wilderness"]
Oh, don't worry. I'm okay.
You?! You're okay?! Hey, who cares about you?! I almost died here!
Will you please calm down? You're not going to let a little near-death experience ruin your mood, are you?
Hey, this is not a mood. Okay? You're not listening to me. Where am I? [the praying mantis snores soundly, as the birds chirp in the background] Look, what's your name. Just climb up that tree, and find out where I am.
Look, th-the trick is not to panic. You know, h-h-he w-who panics is lost. Aw...What am I saying? I mean, we are lost. [climbs up a stem of a thistle plant, but it droops over downwards towards Bala] Whoa! Whoa! [Bala gasps; he grins and chuckles sarcastically at Bala, but the thistle part of the plant breaks off of the thistle plant, and falls to the ground, with Z holding on to it] Ow!
[to herself]
I've been kidnapped by the village idiot.
Who's the bigger idiot? [gets up, as he plucks the thistle thorns off of his body] The idiot, or the idiot who gets kidnapped by the idiot?
What'd you do? Talk those termites to death? I can't believe you tried to pass yourself off as a soldier. Why are you stalking me? Don't you realize that I'm...out of your league?
You're the one who was cruising the worker bar looking for a little action! And you just happened to find it - the swarthy, earthy, sensual worker.
Please. I was slumming it. Don't you get it? I chose you because you were the most pathetic little bug in the joint.
You know, I was gonna let you become part of my most erotic fantasies. But now, you can just forget that! Write it off, you know? I-I guess what you prefer is Old Blood and Guts! This guy's idea of a romantic night out is two seats at a public execution! Boy. You really chose the right husband. [climbs up a spiked stem of a rose]
For your information, the General and I are deeply, deeply in...engaged! You come right back down here this instant! We are marching straight back to the colony, so that I can go straight back to the palace, and tell my mother...
[moves some of the rose's leaves out of his way with his hand, and sees the "monolith" (a drinking fountain) in the distance, the first of the series of landmarks on the way to Insectopia that Grebs told him about]
The monolith!
...and you can go back to your stupid little buggy bar!
Absolutely. Wonderful. [climbs back down the rose's spiked stem towards Bala, who is standing on the ground] That's an appealing offer. But, considering the options, you go back. Okay? 'Cause I'm going to Insectopia.
Oh, come on! Insectopia? You're crazier than I thought.
Yeah? Well, I happen to have it on a very reliable source. [clears his throat] Or...Or should I say, a drunk, raving source? But the point is, I'm convinced the place definitely exists! [heads on towards the monolith]
Stop! I order you to stop, worker!
Hey! I got a name, okay?! It's Z! And out here, you can't order me around! [continues walking on]
All right! Fine! No problem! Grr! [goes the opposite direction of Z, but suddenly, the ground underneath her starts to shake and rise, and she finds herself on the back of a praying mantis, who turns and gnashes its jaws at her. She gasps, and then runs after Z in terror] Worker! Worker, where are you?! Z?! Z, wait for me!
General, we've been at peace with that colony for years. Why would they attack us?
They want our land. They're desperate for more foraging territory. Perhaps they think we've grown soft or weak.
Why don't we dispatch an ambassador, negotiate a new treaty? Certainly, we don't need to send soldiers.
Believe me. Every ant in this colony is so precious to me. That's why we must strike now, when we have the element of surprise. If the termite shock troops enter our colony, well...
Yes, General, I know what they can do to us. Very well.
You've made a wise decision. In fact, you've insured the future of this colony.
Princess Bala. What a nice surprise. You look lovelier each time I see you.
Thanks. I hope you're not just here on business.
Oh, of course... [chuckling] ...of course not.
Because, um, it might be nice if we had a conversation once before we get married.
You're absolutely right. Cutter, schedule some private time for me and Princess Bala.
Uh, in fact, sir, there is time right now for a personal moment. We're a few seconds ahead of schedule.
Well, a few seconds isn't much, but I guess if it's quality time. So, how was your day? Anything interesting happen?
Declared war? Boy, talk about a rough day.
Sir, I hate to interrupt, but time stands still for no ant.
Mom, could you remind me, why am I marrying this guy?
Bala, do we have to argue about this again?
We don't seem to have anything in common. The guy's a stiff.
Yes, darling. I know the general may be a little gruff and somewhat overbearing at times, but I know that he cares about you. He's just not particulary good at showing it. But you should have seen how persistently he asked for your hand in marriage.
Because you're the one who has to continue my work. It's your place, dear.
What if they don't like my place?
Everyone has their place, Bala, you, the soldiers, the workers. Now, it's not all that bad being princess, is it? Would you prefer to be carting dirt all day?
Mother, don't be so dramatic. At least, they seem to have some fun every now and then.
Yeah. [he breaks the wall] Okay, mama. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Big guy comin' through. Love it.
Hey. Hey. Hey. Take it easy, muscles. You're makin' the rest of us look bad. What happened to Z?
He's takin' a personal day, so I'm fillin' in.
[admiring]
You fill in any more, and you'll explode.
No, uh, uh... Nobody told me digging was so much fun. You know, you pick the dirt up. You move it. You pick it up again. You move it again. Lots of reps. You exercise the arms and the thorax.
Yes, I... I see what you mean.
Um. Yeah. That is fascinating.
Sorry, sir. I was just havin' a chat with my friend, sir.
You know, I just had a chat with General Mandible. Anybody who doesn't meet his quota is going to be downsized.
Come on. Cut him a break. He's new.
Hey. What do you say we help your attitude a little bit by taking away your rations for the day. Thanks for your time.
I don't know what came over me. Talking back like that. [he starts cutting] I must be losin' it.
Sorry I got you in trouble. But, listen, you can share my rations. Whoa. If you want.
[guards the ax]
Are you askin' me out to dinner?
[chuckles]
Oh, no. I... Well, if you don't have anything else planned.
[laughing]
I'll check my calendar. You know, I'm kinda glad Z's takin' a breather.
ZM Z Marion-4195 and Chip
[moaning]
Pull up! Pull up! There it is!
Oh! Well, then, go get the woman you love, Z.
So long, Chip. And thanks.
You there. Where do you think you're goin'?
Me? Oh, no, I was just... You know, I...
You're not supposed to be out here. All workers are to report to the tunnel-opening ceremonies.
Yes, yes, of course. The-The tunnel-opening ceremonies. I... Well, I should get going, then. I.. [he clears throat] You know, the-the...
I'm going to the... [clears throat] ...the tunnel opening ceremonies.
I'd better get goin'. I'm going to the... the tunnel-opening ceremonies. I... Excuse me, please. Tunnel-opening ceremonies.
Opening the tunnel. They need me. I'm the key man.
Where do you think you're going?
Tunnel-opening ceremonies.
Hey, come on! Let me outta here! Hey!
Gosh, this-this day just keeps getting better and better.
I mean big trouble! Are you listening to me out there? I'm the princess, damn it!
Wow, your manners haven't improved much.
Z! It's you. You came back for me.
Well, yeah, I came back for you. You know, I have strong feelings for you. Let's face it, you're, you're... [he clears throat] ...you're beautiful. I... A little combative at times, but I think we can work :on that.
Gee, I think I'm about to become the strong, silent type. Come on. The city's deserted. We'd better get outta here.
Z... [sighing] ...we can't go. Mandible's insane. He... He keeps talking about washing away the filth and-and changing history and, and I think he's going to try to kill my mother.
Not just your mother, everyone.
Look. Here we are, safe in the city. But they're gonna seal everybody off in the MegaTunnel. And, here's the lake. You're right. We can't leave now. Come on. We gotta get down there.
[singing]
What a day it has been, what a rare mood I'm in. Why, it's almost like being in love. There's a smile.
[continues singing]
On my face for the whole insect race. Why, it's almost like being in love. Yowch.
B Bartender
[to Z]
Can I get you another one, pal?
[sighing]
No, thanks. I think I'm gonna go.
B Bartender
Yeah. I don't blame you. It's always slow in here the night before one of those royal reviews. I guess soldiers need their shut-eye before they meet the queen. I don't blame ya.
B Bartender
You know, I was once... See ya.
Jeez, what was I thinking? I almost got you killed.
Z, you know, you really shouldn't be so hard on...
That's it. I'm taking you back to the colony. Ow! Insectopia. You know, I must've been crazy.
But you know what? I can admit it when I'm wrong.
And this time, I gotta tell ya, I was absolutely 100% correct. Have... Have you ever seen anything more beautiful in your life?
Shh! Don't jinx it. Come on!
NF Neil Finn
[Neil Finn music playing a song I Can See Clearly Now] [singing]
♫I can see clearly now The rain has gone / I can see all obstacles in my way / Gone are the dark clouds That had me blind / It's gonna be a bright, bright, bright, bright, sunshiny day / It's gonna be a bright, bright, bright, bright, sunshiny day / Look all around Nothing but blue skies / Look straight ahead Nothing but blue skies / Whoa / I can see clearly now The rain has gone / I can see all obstacles in my way.♫
All right, everybody. I want all teams in place, fully prepared, ready to seal the doors here and here. Make certain the digging crew stays on schedule for breakthrough midway in the dedication ceremony. Now all we need is the princess.
