[dogs barking]
[hoots]
[man] There's no escape. If you don't talk, it's curtains for you.
[Benjamin] Please, put down the gun. I'll do whatever you say.
Benjamin.
[Benjamin] I'll tell you whatever you want. Don't hurt me.
[man] I won't hurt you. I'll just rough you up a little.
[Benjamin] Get your hands off me!
[shouting and grunting]
[Benjamin] Oh, no!
Take that. And that. How do you like that?
[Benjamin] Please, stop, no more. I'll talk. I'll talk.
-I didn't take the Whiskerfur fortune. -[man] What are you, a wise guy?
I wasn't born yesterday. I'm not buying it.
Take a trip on Knuckle Airlines, and I'll send you fist class.
[chuckles] Get it? Fist class.
Take a little of this.
Let him go.
Huh? Oh. Oh, hey, coz.
♪ Who's the mouse who's fun and witty Scoops the news for New Mouse City ♪
♪ Geronimo! ♪
♪ He's amazing, he's terrific Watch out world he's cheddarific ♪
♪ He's outta site and in the know ♪
♪ Go! ♪
♪ He's the one we call Geronimo ♪
Oh, man. Now we've gotta start all over again.
Uh, what's going on?
We're rehearsing.
-I'm helping Trap learn his lines. -And I'm, um, just helping. In general.
[cries]
It's hard to be an actor.
The hours of rehearsal, the memorization,
the-- The-- The--
-Over-acting? -Was that too much? I can tone it down.
So, you're in a play?
Yup, The Mystery of Whiskerfur Castle at the New Mouse Playhouse.
And I am the star.
-And tell him why. -I'm replacing the lead. He quit.
The theater's under pressure. If this play isn't a hit, they'll shut down.
-That's why we offered to help. -I am the New Mouse Playhouse's last hope.
We're doomed.
-You wanna help, Uncle G? -You could be the body we find.
I could do an article about the New Mouse Playhouse.
-They are an old institution, after all. -So... you don't wanna be the body?
The body would be more fun.
Mr. Zola, I see you're back again.
Please, call me Gordon.
You can tell your boss at the Cheesy Development Group
that my theater is not for sale.
Considering you haven't had a hit in a long time,
our offer's quite generous.
-Generous or not, the answer's still no. -Everybody has a price.
Good day, Mr. Zola.
You'll sell, I guarantee it.
[door opens then closes]
[Sally] Well?
Um, sorry, Sally, she rejected our offer again.
You fool. I need that building.
How can you be so sure it's in the theater?
[grumbles] It's not in the building, it's under.
This is an x-ray satellite picture. There's the secret chamber underneath.
So, what's next?
Plan B, we're going to do whatever we can to ruin their play
so they have no choice but to sell. So...
[laughs]
get ready for a part that you were born to play.
[both laughing]
Oh, shut up.
[grumbling]
Hey, Trap.
Isn't that your co-star, Missy Mousette?
Oh, yeah. Heh. How do I look?
You look like Trap with a mustache.
Missy Mousette, I'm pleased to meet me-- I mean, you.
[laughing nervously]
I mean, not me, but you. Uh, I'm me, but you're really you.
Smooth.
I think she likes me.
Mr. Stilton, I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you're doing.
I'm happy to help out. Please, call me Geronimo.
If this play isn't successful,
I'll have to shut down and sell to the Cheesy Development Group.
-Cheesy Development Group? -They want to put in a poodle park.
Don't worry, we'll make sure that doesn't happen.
Thank you. If you'll excuse me, I need to make sure everything's set for tonight.
Benjamin, ask Thea if she can find information
-on the Cheesy Development Group. -I'm on it.
What's wrong with poodles?
All right, everyone, let's begin with act one.
I am ready for my big scene.
Ah. Ms. Mousternack, darling.
[coughs]
There's a draft. I cannot work if there's a draft.
Places, everybody. And action.
Try the doorbell.
Ding-dong.
So, you're the butler, see. Can I call you But for short?
Very good, sir. Your coat?
And this is Whiskerfur Castle. Nice place. I hear it's haunted.
I'm here to investigate the strange goings-on.
Yes, sir. Madame Whiskerfur is waiting for you in the drawing room.
Right this way, sir. Follow me.
-Watch out! -[screams]
Oh. Oh!
[Mousternack] Are you okay?
I'm fine, thanks for asking. But I'm a little hungry.
[groaning]
It was terrible. The horror.
The light, it fell. It was a blur. I didn't--
Ooh. Perhaps we should postpone rehearsal.
Uh, nonsense. The show must go on.
-Wow, that was close. -Odd the light would fall at that moment.
Do you think it was intentional?
Hmm. I'm not sure. Look for anything suspicious.
[Mousternack] All right, places, everyone.
Madame Whiskerfur, Detective Roquefort to see you.
Ooh, detective, I'm so pleased you could come.
Care for some tea?
Yeah, see. Might I say that you look ravishing.
[chuckles]
Thank you.
I do my best.
You have a wonderful place here.
Ah. Whiskerfur Estate is so peaceful, it never rains
and one can hear the breezes from across the bay.
[Edam gasping and screaming nearby]
[thud]
He's out cold, but he's all right.
The critics are so harsh.
One mishap is an accident, two is no coincidence.
Someone is sabotaging this play. Anyone you think that did this?
-Anyone who'd want to see you fail? -No, I can't--
Now that you mention it, there's Gordon Zola
from the Cheesy Development Group. He's been trying to buy me out.
But I doubt he'd be responsible for this.
Hmm. I wouldn't rule it out, but you should continue with the play.
[mumbling]
How can I without my lead?
Unless you know of a replacement?
I don't think Roquefort suspects a thing.
Of course not. He's a fool.
No one will find where we hid the body.
I love it when you plot. It will be all over soon.
And we'll be together forever in Bora-Bora.
Hold me close, Mumfree.
-What are we looking for? -Look for anything suspicious.
-This is creepy. It's all suspicious. -This building's been here for years.
The New Mouse City Founding Fathers met here
-to draw up the city's constitution. -Benjamin, check this out. Footprints.
Not just any footprints, high-heel footprints.
Is Ms. Mousternack behind this?
I doubt it. It's probably someone else. Hey, look at that rope.
It's been cut.
[Benjamin] This is where the sandbag that hit Edam fell.
[Pandora] Where did that come from?
From whoever is trying to stop the play.
I had no choice. He was about to snitch on us.
[muffled shouting]
I never trusted that detective.
We must dispose of him.
The same way we disposed of your husband.
[phone rings, Geronimo gasps]
-Was that the door? -Oh. [chuckles] Sorry, that's my phone.
-Would you excuse me for one moment? -Take five, everyone.
[mumbling]
-Thea? -No information
on the Cheesy Development Group or Gordon Zola.
I think neither exist. Somebody's out to ruin this play, but why?
What if it's not the play they want?
You're onto something. Check on the history of this building.
-That may be the clue. -Gotcha. Will do.
You were right. This wasn't an accident. Check this out.
We found this footprint right near where the light fell.
Look closer.
-It's from a high heel. -Good work.
And this, too, right where the sandbag fell.
It looks like whoever is behind this is a woman.
[Sally] I don't want any more of your excuses.
I'll make sure you do this right. I'm on my way. Step on it.
[murmuring]
-I'm sure everything will be great. -Oh, I hope so.
This play has got to be a success, or else I'm out of business.
Don't worry, I taught my coz everything I know.
Or is it everything he knows?
Or does he know something I don't? What are you not saying?
[sighs]
-Don't worry, it's going to be fine. -It? What is it?
Fine. Have your secrets, see if I care.
[Trap scoffs]
What are we looking for?
-Footprints, like the one we found. -We've looked all over, twice.
Hmm. Not everywhere.
Missy Mousette won't let us in. We'd need a reason to search.
[knock on door]
[in normal voice] Yeah? Who is it?
[in Missy's voice] I mean, who is it?
[Benjamin chuckles]
[Benjamin] Flowers for Missy Mousette.
[gasps] Just a moment.
-Yes? -[Pandora] Flowers from an admirer.
Uh, you better get these in water.
I don't see anything.
Keep looking.
There. Oh, would you children be a dear and hand me my shoes?
-[Ben Pad beeps] -It's her.
You're causing the bad stuff to happen.
No. I'm the one.
Sally Rasmaussen?
[sneezes]
[Benjamin & Pandora] Simon Squealer?
-You got a problem with that? -Grab them.
-[Benjamin] Stop. Let go. -[Pandora] Let me go.
[orchestra playing dramatic music]
Places, everyone. The play's about to begin.
Get out there and ruin that play. Remember, I'll be watching.
[audience applauding]
Oh, dear. Very good. Your coat? Madam Whiskerfur is waiting.
Very good, your coat? Madam Whiskerfur--
-[phone rings] -Hello?
I found interesting things about that theater. Check this out.
This x-ray satellite picture shows there's a secret room.
-Cheddarific work. -And there's a document hidden there.
That's what the culprits are after.
[banging on door]
-[Benjamin] Anybody out there? -[Pandora] Let us out.
[groans] The play started. There's no one to hear us.
We have to warn Geronimo about Sally and Simon.
Oh, yes, Mumfree, do come in.
[shouts]
-[gasps] Oh, no. -[audience laughing]
Perfect, this play won't last the night.
[clears throat] Just checking the floor. It appears to be clean.
[laughing]
I don't think Roquefort suspects a thing.
[chuckles]
Of course not. He's a fool.
No one will find where we've hidden the body.
[audience laughing]
[chuckles] I love it when you plot.
[audience laughing]
What? They're actually enjoying this?
[grumbles]
Nice lock-picking.
A good coat hanger can come in handy. Come on.
[audience laughing]
Darling, you're so pushy sometimes.
I had no choice. He was about to snitch on us, my darling.
[screams]
[crashing]
Oh, that's it. I'll ruin this play myself.
I never trusted that detective.
We must dispose of him.
The same way we disposed of--
[shouts]
Simon Squealer.
[audience laughing]
Who said a little water never hurt anything?
[chuckles]
There she is.
[Benjamin] Those ropes lead up...
over...
and...
[Sally laughing]
Huh?
[screams]
I thought it never rained at Whiskerfur Castle.
[audience laughing, Sally screaming]
[Simon grunting]
[crashing]
Get me down.
Help me!
[audience laughing and cheering]
The play, The Mystery of Whiskerfur Castle,
is the smash comedy hit of the season.
They mention me? I nailed that scene.
-Not everyone can play tied-up like I can. -I don't know how I can thank you.
The theater's been saved.
Oh, well, um, thank you.
What about the secret chamber?
What secret chamber?
This one.
The satellite image showed us where it is. This is what Sally was after.
-[Benjamin] Oh, cool. -Here is where the Founding Fathers
drew up the constitution for New Mouse City.
Wow, the Founding Fathers must have been giants.
What's this?
Great Gouda.
This is the long-lost constitution to New Mouse City. This is the original.
Then that makes the theater...
An invaluable historic landmark.
[reporters shouting indistinctly]
[Geronimo] With a plaque honoring this great theater
the New Mouse Playhouse has ensured its place in history.
Reporting for The Rodent's Gazette, I'm Geronimo Stilton.
[Trap] Hey, coz.
[shrieks]
Oh. It's you. You scared the cheese out of me.
The costume's for a play I wrote, The Apes of Wrath.
There's a part for you. You get to be the giant banana.
-What? No. -Come on, put it on.
I will not.
Do it. It's yellow, you like yellow.
-No, Trap. Never. Never. -[Trap] Come on.
-I'm appealing to you. Please. -[Geronimo] Trap.
-[Trap] Please. Just slip into it. -For goodness' sake. I will not--
-What? -[Trap] Quit monkeying around.
-[Geronimo] For goodness' sake. -Please.
[snarls]