[A balloon transition shows Lactose Farms as part-amusement park and part-factory. A steel gate shuts in front of the camera.]
Quaint. Just a simple little grab-and-go.
Okay, okay, so they’ve done a few upgrades since I was last here. Stop being so dramatic. All we have to do is climb the fence.
[A yellow bird perches on the fence and it electrocutes the bird, sending him flying and landing on the ground. Still alive but hurt. Garfield walks over to a tree and bangs his head against it two times. The shocked bird stumbles around, muttering. Garfield bangs his head once more. Then, he spots a purple bull, Otto, sitting on a rock looking forlorn. He recognizes Otto and gasps.]
Wait. Is that Otto?
Uh, no clue what you’re talking about.
He’s one of the mascots of Lactose Farms. See? On the side of the barn? [He points to a painting of Otto and Ethel on the barn.] I’ll bet he knows how to get into that place.
Leave him alone. Seems to be in a period of meditation. Or depression.
Yes, he does. Mmm. This calls for cat sensitivity and diplomacy.
Oh, yeah? And where are we supposed to get that?
I have it in spades. Watch. Maybe you’ll learn something. [He approaches Otto.] Excuse me. You’re Otto, right? [Otto grunts in response. clear throat] I’m Garfield. A pleasure.
Just wanted to say I am a huge fan. I have eaten everything that has a picture of your face on it.
I’m not that guy anymore.
I even loved that recalled provolone from a few years back.
Yeah. Anyways, here’s the thing. Me and my crew back there, we’re in a bit of a bind. Got ourselves in a situation. A long story short, we could use your help.
[grunts]
You’re a fan, huh?
Well, I don’t really sing on command. I’m not a circus animal.
[clears his throat and sings]
♪ Lactose Farms. Lactose Farms. We’ve got milk, butters, creams, and cheeses. ♪
[sings with more spirit]
♪ As much as you want, as much as it pleases... ♪
[sings in livelier and dances]
♪ Come and take a look and see what we got! ‘Cause what we got is a whole lotta lot! Ha, ha! Bop chee bop. Bibbidi bop bop chee bop! ♪ [scats while Vic facepalms] ♪ The tasty goodness is our motto brought to you by Ethel and Otto! ♪ [Suddenly, Otto punches him to a tree. In pain] What was that for?
[in pain]
You could’ve just told me to stop. [He falls to the ground]
F Farmhand
[Garfield then notices Otto staring forlornly at a female cow, Ethel, being escorted out. The two look at each other lovingly.]
Let’s go. Kids are waiting.
[Ethel is escorted away and Otto sighs sadly before walking away. Feeling bad, Odie walks over to Otto.]
Odie, come back! Leave him alone! He might punch you!
[Odie comes to the bull and sits by his side. Otto warmly smiles, allowing the dog to stay by his side.] [refers to the cow in the farm]
Was that Ethel?
[He grunts, but Odie whines to the steer. He smiles at the dog before telling his story.]
A few years back, Old Man Lactose was forced out of business. The corporation that took over separated me from my Ethel. [Cut to a flashback of Otto being put in a wooden box while farmhands are lassoing Ethel; flashback] Ethel!
E Ethel
[flashback]
You are my day!
[flashback]
You are my night! [Soon, the bull was sent out to pasture, separated from the love of his life; voiceover] I was put out to pasture. [Ethel is seen being harassed by children in the amusement park; voiceover] She was put on display as part of the tour. [Cut back to present day] I tried to get in there to break Ethel free, but they stopped me every time. Now I only see her six seconds twice a day.
We...we feel you, Otto. Come on, let’s go, Junior. We’ll find another way to break in there.
Wha-wha-what could you possibly want from that place?
Oh, I don’t know. A couple quarts of milk?
A couple thousand quarts. [Vic nudges him]
We'll take any help when you have.
I’m telling you, it’s a life-or-death situation.
And I hope you’ve notified your next of kin.
What if we can get Ethel out?!
Or get you a commemorative pin?! [Otto quickly returns.] Where are we gonna find a commemorative pin?
[They all rush out to the loading dock.] [on com]
Okay, Otto, we’re in the loading dock. Where are the keys?
[on com]
They should be hanging on a pegboard on the far wall.
[Odie barks to Garfield.]
What do you mean we have a problem?
[Odie points to the pegboard, empty of keys.]
The pegboard is empty!
Now would you look at this? Three misguided stray pets trying to steal a truck of milk. Never a dull moment at this dairy, is there, Margie? You were looking for these, aren’t ya? Oh, here you go then. [She throws them the keys and Garfield tries to get them, but they reel back to her.] So, how’s this gonna play out, fellas? The easy way or the hard way? And just so you know, I’m up for either.
[He spots a chair and nearby gets an idea.]
Follow my lead.
[Garfield rushes to the chair and charges it toward Marge. Unfortunately, the guard binds Garfield's ankle with some restraints. Vic groans in dismay while Odie shakes his head.] [cracks her neck]
Who’s next then? [She chases after Vic and Odie.]
[on com]
Otto, that security guard has the truck keys!
[on com]
Crazy eyes? Tragic sense of fashion?
[on com]
Yeah. How did you know?
[on com]
Marge Malone. [Cut to a flashback showing Marge towing him away from Ethel. Flashback] Ethel!
E Ethel
[flashback]
Otto!
[Cut back to present day] [on com]
She’s not just my nemesis. She’s also my… enemy.
[on com]
Love to hear about it, but right now, what do we do?
[on com]
Get those keys. I’ll create a distraction so you can get out of there. [As he runs off]
[She tries to get Vic and Odie.]
Come here, you!
[Garfield hops over to a janitor's bucket and uses the mop to row across the floor. Marge is about to capture the two when the mop hits her head, obscuring her vision. Garfield grabs the keys from her.]
You see that? That’s indoor cat style!
[As the three rush to the truck, Marge gets the mop off her head and blocks their path before electrocuting Garfield with an electric rod.]
AAHH!
[As Garfield lands in Vic and Odie's arms, the keys fly back to Marge via electric rod.]
No, no, no, no, you’re not getting away. I’ve already called the pound. Your days of thievery end today.
PA PA Announcer
[Suddenly, the alarm blares.] [via intercom]
Attempted Perimeter breach!
[She looks at the security footage to find Otto trying to open the gates.]
Otto...?!
[He looks at the button and the milk truck before getting a plan with a regretful look.]
Junior, sorry about this.
Sorry? For what? [Vic pushes him and Odie onto Marge, making her lose the keys. As Vic grabs the keys, Garfield is shocked.] Vic?! [Vic presses the button to close the gate in front of the two and Marge. He then gets to the milk truck and turns back to look at his son with regret.] What are you doing?! [Vic gets inside the milk truck.] Vic! Don’t you go! Vic! Please!… [Vic drives off, leaving him and Odie with Marge. Garfield is sad and depressed.]
[on com]
Send security to the loading dock.
E Ethel
[Vic bursts through the gates of Lactose Farms. Otto sees Ethel standing a few feet across!]
Otto!
[Otto tries to run over to Ethel, but Marge drives in to stop him.]
You do not want to try me today, mister!
[Workers arrive to surround Otto with electric rods while Ethel is corralled. Otto angrily roars and charges, hitting Marge's car. Marge then zaps him with the rod.]
AAH!
Get him!
[Otto is forced to retreat while Garfield and Odie are put in the back of the pound truck.]
[Cut to nighttime on a bridge, away from the city. Marge drives up to meet with a mystery figure holding a kennel.] [voiceover]
It was a dark and foggy night. The air was damp and heavier than a broken pipe. On nights like this, you can’t swing a cat without hitting shady characters making shady deals all over town. [Marge flashes headlights at the figure, who flashes his flashlight back. Voiceover] Oh, but this night was going to be different. Justice was about to be served with a helping of retribution on the side.
[She steps out of the truck.]
Is that the package?
Well, we have a deal. [She whistles and Ethel steps out of the truck.]
[disguised voice]
No one will come looking for her?
Nope. I did what you said. I burned her paperwork, and then shredded it, and burned it some more. It’s like she never existed. Except for the image of her face on millions of dairy products.
[Ethel comes over to the figure, who gives Marge the kennel and some keys. The mystery figure is actually the three animals with Garfield using the same Critter Talk app to mask his voice.] [disguised voice]
This...never happened.
Agreed. [She leaves with the cage, revealing Jinx inside it. She growls at Marge.] Oh, save it, Cat Fancy! I know you planned the milk truck heist and then tried to throw those innocent cats off a train to cover it up. The boys told me everything.
E Ethel
[Jinx sees her former henchdogs now working for Marge. She hisses at them. Meanwhile, Ethel looks around until she finds Otto. She is reunited with him at last!]
Otto! [hugs Otto] You are my day.
You are my night.
[Otto and Ethel stare lovingly at each other. Otto sprays cologne in his mouth and prepares to kiss her, but Ethel leaps onto him and they both have a romantic kiss.]
