"RETURN OF THE Thief"
Episode #17
THE BOOK
Narrator
In a land before time, far far away, there was a legendary kingdom called Sugarland.  Its citizens were gentle and kind. Let's see what our story for today is. 
Beggar
Please give to the blind eveybody, anybody... somebody...
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Hey, Thief. I will finally catch you... Mr. Narrator, didn't you see a Thief around?
NARRATOR
No not really. I just opened the book. 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Okay, I will find him myself.
Thief
Hahaha. Check the idiot they've picked to be the sheriff. And he wants to catch me?
NaRRATOR
Hey, Sheriff! Over here, here he is. 
Thief
Quiet. If he catches me, then there is no story for you to tell today.  What business of yours is it anyway?
NARRATOR
Business of mine? When are you going to stop being so silly? Remember what happened to you last time when you dropped into NANNA's home? Why aren't you working at some decent job?
Thief
Huh. Don't make me laugh. What kind of work?
NARRATOR
Well, Any honest job. Like a security guard. Then, People will respect you. Maybe even have a family.  
PICTURE
Thief
Oh man! What are you doing kid?! Oh, the smell....
Roseanne
Ahhhh.. What kind of behavior is that in front of a child? Haven't I told you never to shout at the baby huhhhhhh?! HUH!! 
 Thief
Oh man don't remind me. A Thief's life is good for me. What you don't believe me, check this out. 
ROOF
Thief (CONT'D)
I think this is the place... No! This is Nanna's house. Let's go to the next house down. This is fine. I'll jump in, let's see if this is my lucky day... Looks like no one is home. 
Nanna
How hot is it today? Finally, we're home! ah, we're home... Hmmm? Who is this fella?
Thief
Cone on, open up already! 
Nanna
Oh....! This is Moe, my nephew. Do you remember Moe, ?
Bundle
Ah..Uncle Moe.
NANNA
Be quiet Bundle. We're going to have a little fun. YAAAAAAA!!! 

Thief
Don't, don't get closer. 
NANNA
Dear Moe. Did we scare you? Hahaha.. Here.
Thief 
(Whispering)
Seems NANNA has mistaken me with her nephew!... 
Thief (CONT'D)
Ah NANNA, wasn't your home the next one?
NANNA
Yes, dear. But they raised the rent, so then we moved to this one. I am going to make you a cup of tea. It'll refresh you. 
NaRRATOR
Ha, ha, ha. Poor Thief! He's trapped again. 
Thief
Oh Yeah?! Don't worry about me. I'll slip out so fast your head will spin. 
Thief (CONT'D)
Oh man... what about the kid? Koochi koochi koo. Here baby, let's play hide-and-seek. You wait here, I'll go and hide. Then you come looking for me. That's it! Well done, good job... 
Thief (CONT'D)
No, my boy, I haven't gone yet. Now count from the top... I have to hide. 
Thief (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Man, I almost put my foot in it again. 
Thief(CONT'D)
Wow!! Excuse me, I'm going the wrong way... 
Thief (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Wait, but it was right! 

Thief(CONT'D)
Hello there.
Raana
Hello... huh?

But why is he doing this? 
Thief
Yes ma'am?
Raana
Yes, excuse me, who are you?
Thief
I am... Moe, Nanna's nephew. And I have the pleasure of meeting whom?
Raana
I am Raana, the neighbor's daughter. I bought some veggies. I was going to clean them with Nanna. Excuse me, I didn't know she was entertaining. I won't disturb you anymore. Good bye. 
Thief
Not at all, I love being disturbed... I mean disturbing is my business. Please, do come in... Where did she go! 
LATER
Thief (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Of course when I say I like disturbance, I mean I like being disturbed. Of course it is equally important who is doing the disturbing... 
Raana
Bundle, my darling... 
Bundle
Hide and seek, Moe.
Thief
Pipe down! No hide and seek... 
Nanna
Hello Raana. Ah.. You've brought vegetables. Let's have a seat dear, we can clean them together.  
Thief
What! You're going to make this lady sit on the ground? I'll bring her a seat right away. 
Nanna
This is Moe. My nephew. He's a nice boy. 
Raana
Yes. Yes, we already met. 
NaRRATOR
So, the moment our Thief met Raana, it was love at first sight. 
Thief
"a yellow shrub is what I use to be, they cut me down to make a pipe of me. I would always get burned in your flame the moment I heard her name" Yup that's good... yup... oh my...
Nanna
And, I am telling you, if they had a good goalkeeper they wouldn't lose. No matter, next time. No matter. 
Nanna (CONT'D)
Moe. Why are you sitting there doing nothing? Get up. Bundle has soiled all his underwear. Please wash them... wash them... 
Thief
What? You want me to wash dirty underwear? Never!
Raana
OH, How cute! Mr. Moe washes the baby's underwear? I like men who share in the house work. 
ROOF
Thief
I can't believe I'm doing this. Oh well. At least my dear Raana  is happy! YAAAAAAA.... 

YARD
Thief (CONT'D)
Hmmm... I am so tired of this. There has to be another way. How about just having a talk with her, ya... 
Thief (CONT'D)
Okay, here she comes... Excuse me, sweet thing. Can I take a few minutes of your time?
Raana
Shouldn't you be ashamed of yourself! Don't you have a mother and sisters?!
Thief
Oh, my head... oh, mmm 
Thief (CONT'D)
No. This will never work. I have to find a more gentle approach. 
Thief (CONT'D)
Well hello there young lady.
Raana
Hello.
Thief
Excuse me young lady, but do you have the time?
Raana
No.. Sorry, I don't have a watch. 
Thief
You don't!... Eh... What's the name of this street we are on?
Raana
Sorry I don't know.
Thief
Ha, I don't either. You know, we have lots in common. Would you marry me?
Raana
What?! Are you slow?! Get lost!
Thief
Oh, my head, again. oh...
Thief (CONT'D)
Oh, my head oh...
But I am not going to quit that easily...  

...Okay, I'll leave them here. 
Cheerful Old Man
Oh! What are these? Goody, it's a letter! "Oh, my darling, the hope of my life..."
Thief
Hey! Give it here! It's not for you! Beat it!... 
Thief (CONT'D)
Huh? Okay, she's coming. I'll leave it here. 
Raana
Huh? What is that (reads) Hmmm, ....how poetic! Who could've written this?
Thief
That's it. I did it... 
Thief (CONT'D)
(Writes) oh, you are the hope of my life. I love you (to kid) go somewhere else, don't look... Oh, you piece of paper that is going to my love. Kiss my darling for me... Okay! Now that's a good letter. Now, that's a good letter. I just need some flowers. 
RETURNS
Thief (CONT'D)
Huh?! What have you done with my letter, ? Spit it out! Come on, Come on,! ...
Oh, I am finished. Now how am I going to ask Raana for her hand?  
Thief (CONT'D)
What? Really? Why didn't I think of this?! My boy! Yes. I'll let Nanna know. That's the way to do it my boy. 
Nanna
What's the matter dear? What can I do for you?
Thief
Eh... I want you ... can you...
Nanna
What? What do you want me to do?
Thief
The fact is... I have decided to...
Nanna
Why don't you just say it? Moe!
Thief
(To Bundle)Eh, why don't you tell her!
Bundle TELLS HER
Nanna
Hmm, Really? Maradona by four? But the game is tomorrow, how can that be?
Thief
Excuse me Bundle the Bookie, you finished talking gibberish? Get to the point. 
Nanna
Really! Congratulations. I am going right now to set up the time to go and ask for her hand. I'm so happy! Moe, how I wished to see this day. 
NIGHT
Thief
So what's going to happen? Will she marry me? It'll be great. , what do you think? Do you think we'll have a good marriage? I am talking to you! Huh. Looks like I am wasting my time on you.
Roseanne
You're welcome. Please have some fruit. Why didn't you bring the groom?
Nanna
Well, honestly, the groom is my very own nephew, Moe. 
Roseanne
But... Moe is already a father. 
Nanna
No no no, this isn't Moe's child. 
Bundle
Daddy, Daddy... 
Thief
Huh?! Shut it already! Shut it.
Roseanne
Look, child is calling him 'Daddy".
Nanna
Well, to be honest... Boys will be boys. Some things never change. Amazing imagination don't you think?. Ah, by the way, where is the lovely bride's father? 
Roseanne
Oh, honey... He is on his way. 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Hello there. 
Thief
Oh,no. I'm ruined. I'm finished. 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
So, this is my daughter's lucky groom?
Nanna
Yes. Moe, give me the flowers, let them see your face. 
Thief
No, no...
Nanna
Ah. It's very evident, he is a very shy young man... Give me Bundle, give me bundle too.
Thief
No, no. I'm comfortable this way... you traitor!... 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Wait! ...You!
Thief
I'm ruined. Good bye, Raana. 
Roseanne
Oh honey, did you say you know the groom?
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Yes, he looks really familiar. Tell me, where did we meet?
Thief
Huh? Oh, maybe in the line for bread. Or maybe we were in the army together. Were did you service sir? I was stationed at Madland border. 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Aha! I saw you on top of the wall. 
Thief
Hahaha... Sure, because... Sometimes I work as a builder. 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
You were a highway man. In the desert!
Thief
What! Me?
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Yes, you!
Thief
Aha, I remember. I was in the movie "Lawrence of Madland". I acted in it too...
Roseanne
Okay, shall we get to the point. 
Nanna
What can I tell you. what's to say...Moe is a good hard working boy. He is here asking you accept him as your son. Yes. 
Roseanne
Well, we of course can give our opinion, but it's best if the boy and girl first go and talk among themselves. To make sure they understand each other. 
Nanna (O.S.)
Fine. 
BY POND
Thief
Finally. A chance for the two of us to talk alone. 
Raana
Well, Yes.
Thief
Okay, ladies are to go first. 
Raana
No that's OK, you can go first. 
Thief
Ah.. Not at all. Ladies must go first. 
Raana
Hey. Come on. You start! Yes..
Thief
No, you start please! 
BUNDLE
Enough already!
THIEF
Okay, I'll go first. What's your shoe size? 
Raana
Well, 32. 
Thief
How interesting. My street number is 32. We match already.  What color do you like?
Raana
Color? Well, that would be Red. 
Thief
Nice. I like pin stripe blue. 
Raana
What did you say?  You're a blue team supporter?
Thief
No, no. I just support the national team. Okay, what should I ask next. 
Bundle
Ah, Moe?
Thief
What? 
Thief (CONT'D)
Huh.. No, you impolite little kid. Just keep quiet. How do you see your next husband.
Raana
I like a man who works and tries real hard. 
Thief
Very nice. I myself work all night. 
Raana
What? All night?
Thief
And all day, I mean. Of course after marriage I will work even harder. As you know...
NaRRATOR
So Raana,  and Mr. Moe each said their piece and decided to....
Raana (O.S.)
With the permission of my elders, yes!
NARRATOR
What's going on here? Whose wedding is this?
Nanna
It's Moe's wedding. Aren't you attending? I am so happy.  Moe is finally settling down. Moe's mother, my sister will be very pleased. By the way, how come my sister did not attend? Wait a minute, I don't have a sister. Who is this Moe? Maybe he was a Thief? Maybe I should have asked him. Anyway, leave well enough alone. Now that he's settled down, who really cares. 
NARRATOR
Oh dear. I think NANNA's becoming forgetful!  But anyway, back to our story...
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Hold on, hold on. I just remembered who  Moe is! 
NarRATOR
Sorry Sheriff, but our story has to come to an end. 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
But wait. This wedding must be canceled. Come on.. Please. 
NARRATOR
Hahaha... Till another day and another story. 

CREDITS
Director: Babak Nazari
Story: Mehdi Esmaeeli, Babak Nazari, Saied Zameni, Asghar Saffar, Masood Aslani
Script: Mehdi Esmaeelie Ghahforokhi
Character Design: Rashin Kheirieh, Asghar Saffar, Mehrdad Shahverdi, Elahe Taherian, Mohammad Yousefi
Background Painting: Hossein Safi
Object Design: Ashkan Shir-Mohammadi, Mohammad Yousefi, Morteza Sharifian, Vahid Mohammadi
Story Board and Story Reel: Saied Zameni, Asghar Saffar, Mehrdad Shahverdi
Animators' Supervisor: Hazhir Ziaee
Animators: Kazem Mirahmadi, Iraj Khosronia, Morvarid Rohanizadegan, Mahtab Vakil, Nora Shafizadeh, Javad Ghorbanpoor
Texture and material:  Mohammad Yousefi, Morteza Sharifian
F/X, visual effects and technical aspects: Iraj Khosro-nia. 
Layout: Ashkan Shir-Mohammadi, Ali Hossein-Khan, Meyzam Borza
Light and Camera: Babak Nazari
Composit and Titles: Asghar Saffar
Production Manager, Rig and Dynamics: Iraj Khosro-Nia
Edit: Asghar Saffar, Babak Nazari
Score: Jalal Zolfonon
Dubbin Supervisor: Shokat Hojjat
Sound: Peyman Tavasoli
Sound Assistant: Aidin Radkia
Dubbing: Faranak Rafiee, Narges Foladvand, Morteza Ahmadi, Akbar Manani, Asghar Afzali, Javad Pezeshkian, Mohammad Ebadi, Shahrooz Malek-Araee, Said Sheikh-Zadeh, Tooraj Nasr, Ebrahim Shafiee, Mehdi Arian-Nejad, Alireza Shaygan, Ardshir Monazam, Ali Ashkboos, Ali Hemmat Mosa-Vand, Alireza Javid-Nia, Valiollah Momeni
Production Manager: Hazheer Ziaee
Thank yous: Hoda Masoodi, Afsaneh Bakhshi, Vida Nematian, Mohammad Reza Doost Mohammadi, Maryam Naghibi, Ali Hamidi, Ali Aghajani
In charge of production: Film Frame Studio
Executive Producer: Seyed Masood Safavi
A joint production of: Hoze Honari Animation Center and Channel 2