Season 1, Episode 2a: "Napoleon the Conquered"
Written by Dave Wasson and Carlos Ramos
Directed by Dave Wasson
Air Date: June 15, 2001
INT. TIME SQUAD SATELLITE CONTROL ROOM
LARRY types away at the control panel's keyboard. OTTO enters with a bowl of cereal. He quietly approaches LARRY and comes up right next to him.
OTTO
Hiya, Larry!
LARRY gasps in surprise.
OTTO
What’cha doing?
LARRY
(annoyed) Oh, I’m analyzing the ship’s time-space regulator for defects.
OTTO takes a gulp of cereal.
OTTO
How do you do that?
LARRY sighs in annoyance.
LARRY
By reading the mathematical computations, identifying imperfections and rewriting software. Duh.
OTTO
Wow, that’s cool!
OTTO drinks the rest of the milk from his bowl.
OTTO
Can I watch?
LARRY
No.
OTTO
Oh! What’s this button do?
He points to a large red button on the control panel. LARRY smacks his hand away.
OTTO
Ow!
LARRY
Well, shouldn’t Tuddrussel be showing you the proper method for head-butting or something?
OTTO
Aw, come on. At least tell me how history gets all screwed up. I don’t understand.
LARRY sighs.
LARRY
Okay. If I do, will you leave me alone?
A door opens in the background.
OTTO
Oh yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
TUDDRUSSEL
Hey, buddy. It’s head-butting time!
He motions as if he's headbutting the air and grunts.
OTTO
Not right now! Larry’s about to teach me something!
TUDDRUSSEL
(chuckling) Oh, this oughta be rich.
LARRY turns on a machine. It beeps, and a dome rises from it that projects a beam of holograms below it. He clears his throat.
LARRY
Okay, think of time as a section of rope.
TUDDRUSSEL
Boring!
LARRY angrily clears his throat.
LARRY
As Earth moves forward through time, more rope is formed. Recently it was discovered that as time grew older, it began to decay, or unravel, as it were, and this disintegration of the past begins to create disastrous results in our future. Let’s say that because of this instability in the past, the dodo bird never becomes extinct, and because of this, a young Henry Ford is attacked by one of these filthy creatures. He is so traumatized by the experience that he never invents the auto assembly line, or the Model T. Without this primitive automobile as a jumping-off point, we in the future are suddenly without our fancy solar-powered hover cars. That’s why we have to constantly repair the past and keep our future strong. Thank you, and good night.
The hologram dome closes as LARRY takes a bow. OTTO claps, and TUDDRUSSEL scratches his head in confusion.
TUDDRUSSEL
Uh... wait, wait. Go back to that rope part again.
LARRY sighs. Suddenly, the History Instability Alarm goes off.
TUDDRUSSEL
Whee-hoo! Class dismissed!
The alarm shuts off as the Time Squad approaches the control panel. The screen above it shows that the mission is to find NAPOLEON in 1797 France.
TUDDRUSSEL
Say, uh, who is this “Napo-leon” guy?
OTTO
That's Napoleon. He ruled over France in 1796, and soon after conquered all of Europe.
INT. TELEPORTATION ROOM
TUDDRUSSEL
Well, I guess we better go see what his problem is.
He turns to LARRY.
Hey, come on, Professor! Let’s go fix that (eerily) time rope. Oooh!
TUDDRUSSEL laughs as LARRY enters coordinates into the keypad on the wall. The team teleports away.
EXT. BATTLEFIELD
We see the painting Napoleon Crossing the Alps on a large canvas. A painter adds some final details.
PAINTER
Magnifique!
NAPOLEON poses on his horse in front of the painter. He stops posing and rides slightly forward. Two FRENCH SOLDIERS on brown horses follow.
NAPOLEON
(speaks French-like gibberish to soldiers)
SOLDIER 1
Yes, Napoléon. The Austrians are sure to be crushed by the might of your fierce army.
NAPOLEON
(speaks gibberish)
SOLDIER 2
I do believe this will be your greatest hour.
NAPOLEON rears up on his horse and brandishes a sword.
NAPOLEON
(speaks gibberish) Yah!
He charges forward. Both the two SOLDIERS on horseback and a platoon of SOLDIERS on foot follow behind, shouting. The PAINTER follows suit, grabbing his easel and running ahead. An AUSTRIAN GENERAL on horseback sees this through his binoculars and gaps.
AUSTRIAN GENERAL
(yells Austrian German-like gibberish) Charge!
He brandishes a sword and rushes into battle. His troops follow. Both of the armies yell, approaching each other. Just before they reach each other, the TIME SQUAD teleports in front of them. The electrical cracking and flashing lights startle the AUSTRIAN ARMY.
AUSTRIAN GENERAL
Retreat! Flee!
The AUSTRIAN ARMY and the FRENCH ARMY run away. NAPOLEON'S HORSE rears up, spooked.
NAPOLEON
(yells angrily to his troops)
NAPOLEON begins to slide off of his mount.
NAPOLEON
Uh-oh.
He falls face-first into a puddle of mud. A SOLDIER runs past him, splashing him with even more mud. Angrily, NAPOLEON motions to the source of the disturbance with his sword and rushes back towards the TIME SQUAD.
OTTO
Wow! What just happened here?
NAPOLEON
(yells while running to Time Squad)
TUDDRUSSEL
Hey, uh, maybe that little kid over there can tell us.
NAPOLEON charges even closer.
TUDDRUSSEL
Uh, excuse me there, little feller.
NAPOLEON swings his sword at TUDDRUSSEL, who dodges it.
TUDDRUSSEL
Whoa! Hey!
He picks up NAPOLEON by the sword.
TUDDRUSSEL
Uh, you should not be playing with sharp things, little guy. Hee-hee, no you shouldn’t.
TUDDRUSSEL, amused, tickles NAPOLEON as if he is a small child. NAPOLEON turns red with anger.
OTTO
Tuddrussel, stop! That’s Napoleon!
TUDDRUSSEL
Aw, do I have to? He’s so cute, I-
OTTO
Put him down! Larry, quick! Tell him we’re sorry!
TUDDRUSSEL lets go of NAPOLEON, who attempts another swipe at him. LARRY clears his throat.
LARRY
Mon vénérable empereur, je vous prie de bien vouloir-
NAPOLEON
No!
He whistles.
LARRY
Croyez-moi, votre excellence.
The FRENCH ARMY surrounds the TIME SQUAD, pointing their bayonets at them.
LARRY
Oh, forget it.
TUDDRUSSEL
So, it’s a fight they want, huh?
TUDDRUSSEL takes out a phaser, ready to shoot.
TUDDRUSSEL
Well, I-
The phaser shorts out.
TUDDRUSSEL
Aw, man, I forgot to charge the batteries on this thing.
He tosses it aside, hitting a SOLDIER offscreen.
NAPOLEON
(speaks gibberish menacingly)
NAPOLEON makes a "cut their heads off" motion. TUDDRUSSEL chuckles adoringly at this and turns to LARRY.
TUDDRUSSEL
What’d he say?
LARRY
We’re going to be beheaded.
TUDDRUSSEL
Aww.
OTTO gasps and clutches his neck.
OTTO
Beheaded?
TUDDRUSSEL pinches NAPOLEON'S cheek and cooes at him as if he were a baby.
LARRY
Oh, we’re done for.
EXT. CITY PLAZA - SUNSET
A large guillotine is set up on a platform. NAPOLEON holds the rope keeping the blade from falling. Two SOLDIERS stand guard as the TIME SQUAD waits, arms tied behind their backs with rope. CITIZENS below the platform shout.
NAPOLEON
(speaks gibberish)
LARRY
He asked, “Which one of us will go first?”
TUDDRUSSEL
Well, I guess it’s up to me to do the right thing.
He kicks LARRY to the guillotine. LARRY glares back to TUDDRUSSEL, then sighs.
LARRY
Whatever.
OTTO
Oh! I can’t look!
TUDDRUSSEL
I’m going to miss you, buckethead.
NAPOLEON holds the rope and chuckles evilly. Suddenly, JOSEPHINE BONAPARTE parts the crowd.
JOSEPHINE
Napoléon Francis Bonaparte! What do you think you are doing?
Startled, NAPOLEON drops the rope. The guillotine falls.
JOSEPHINE
You are supposed to be home with the kids!
TUDDRUSSEL
Hey, who’s the hairdo?
OTTO
That’s Josephine Bonaparte, Napoleon’s wife!
JOSEPHINE
The kitchen has a stack of dishes this tall!
She holds her hand up to eye level.
JOSEPHINE
And the grass on the lawn is just as high! You better march your butt home, little mister!
NAPOLEON protests and gestures to the TIME SQUAD.
JOSEPHINE
That is fine, bring your little friends! You’re going to need all the help you can get with all the work you have to do! Now move it, buster!
JOSEPHINE angrily points away from the platform. Defeated, NAPOLEON trudges away as the CITIZENS laugh. OTTO and TUDDRUSSEL quickly follow as both JOSEPHINE and the CITIZENS leave. LARRY follows, holding his decapitated head.
LARRY
Huh, does anyone have a crescent wrench?
INT. BONAPARTE HOUSE - DAY
The TIME SQUAD leans on a door, listening to JOSEPHINE and NAPOLEON's argument in the next room.
JOSEPHINE
...and you promised back when we were dating that once you were ruler of France, your conquering days were over! But you haven’t slowed down one bit! It’s always “conquer this,” and “conquer that!” Well now it’s my turn to discover who I am! I’ve already signed up for classes at the local community college, so I’m going to need you at home from now on.
NAPOLEON
(protesting with gibberish)
JOSEPHINE
Forget it! That is final.
NAPOLEON sighs. Outside the room, TUDDRUSSEL chuckles.
TUDDRUSSEL
Man, that guy is whipped!
JOSEPHINE suddenly opens the door, glaring at the TIME SQUAD. TUDDRUSSEL shrieks like a girl and the TIME SQUAD runs away, hiding behind a wall.
LARRY
Well, that’s a problem. How is Napoleon going to conquer all of Europe if he’s supposed to stay home from now on?
OTTO
We have to figure out some way to get him out of the house and back on the battlefield where he belongs!
TUDDRUSSEL and LARRY look at each other, stumped.
EXT. BONAPARTE HOUSE - DAY
JOSEPHINE is seated sidesaddle on a white horse, about to leave. Both NAPOLEON and the TIME SQUAD face her.
JOSEPHINE
Now, you boys have a lot of work to do, so I suggest you get started. I have my first ceramics class today! Don’t forget to make dinner! I like chicken! Bye!
She rides away. NAPOLEON and the TIME SQUAD have their arms full of numerous BABIES.
TUDDRUSSEL
Well, we better get to work.
He hands all of his BABIES to LARRY and walks away.
LARRY
Hey!
NAPOLEON
(mumbles in gibberish)
NAPOLEON hands his babies to LARRY and follows TUDDRUSSEL away.
LARRY
Eh, wait! Why do I have to take care of the babies?
OTTO
Wait for me, guys!
He places his BABY in LARRY'S arms and runs away.
OTTO
Sorry, Larry!
LARRY struggles to hold all of the BABIES at once and staggers around.
LARRY
Whoa! Help!
LARRY falls over.
EXT. NAPOLEON COURTYARD - DAY
NAPOLEON mows the lawn while OTTO wears a sun hat and waters plants. TUDDRUSSEL hums while clipping a hedge.
EXT. NAPOLEON HOUSE - DAY
NAPOLEON, BUCK, and OTTO paint a corner of the (large) house white. NAPOLEON uses a ladder.
INT. BATHROOM
TUDDRUSSEL mops the floor while NAPOLEON scrubs the toilet. TUDDRUSSEL accidentally knocks NAPOLEON into the toilet, who struggles to get out.
INT. KITCHEN
OTTO scrubs dishes and hands them to NAPOLEON to dry. TUDDRUSSEL tosses them aside and breaks them.
INT. NURSERY
LARRY, unamused, deals with multiple BABIES, most of whom are crying. He feeds three with his right arm and pats another with his left. A BABY sits on one of his legs and another latches on to his other leg, chewing on it. LARRY uses this leg to rock a crib with two sleeping BABIES inside.
EXT. NAPOLEON HOUSE - SUNSET
OTTO, TUDDRUSSEL, and NAPOLEON sit exhaustedly on the steps to the house. TUDDRUSSEL rubs his foot.
TUDDRUSSEL
Oh, what a day.
LARRY, tired as well, comes to join them.
LARRY
Ugh, the babies are finally asleep. Oh, and little Napoleon the Fourth said his first word today: poopoo.
OTTO clears his throat loudly, looking at TUDDRUSSEL.
OTTO
Ahem! Ah-hem!
TUDDRUSSEL
Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah. Uh, say, Napoleon, how’s about you and me and the boys grab up your army and, uh, I don’t know, go conquer all of Egypt, or something?
NAPOLEON sighs.
NAPOLEON
(dejectedly speaks gibberish)
TUDDRUSSEL
Oh, she don’t even have to know about it. Heh, we gots a plan all worked out. What’d ya say?
NAPOLEON
(thoughtful affirmation in gibberish)
The TIME SQUAD gives him a thumbs-up. JOSEPHINE suddenly rides up, and the TIME SQUAD hides their thumbs. NAPOELON approaches JOSEPHINE.
NAPOELON
Hey! (asks question in gibberish)
JOSEPHINE
Oh, not so good. I sort of caused a minor kiln explosion. There were some injuries. I don’t think pottery is my thing. But I got a cooking class tomorrow.
NAPOELON
Eh, c’est la vie.
NAPOELON and JOSEPHINE leave, but not before NAPOLEON gives the TIME SQUAD a thumbs-up behind her back. The TIME SQUAD smiles and returns the gesture.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
JOSEPHINE and NAPOLEON appear to be sleeping in bed. NAPOLEON opens one eye to look at JOSPEHINE, only pretending to be asleep. He slowly gets out of bed, puts on his hat, and sneaks away while making a snoring sound.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
NAPOLEON exits his bedroom quietly and shuts the door. LARRY leaves from the nursey and gently shuts the door. He clasps his hands together and smiles.
LARRY
The little angels.
NAPOLEON and the TIME SQUAD tiptoe down the hallway.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
From the bedroom window, an army is seen marching off into the distance. A bugle plays and explosions blast while JOSEPHINE snores. Explosions go off.
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
From the same window we see the army return triumphantly.
EXT. BONAPARTE HOUSE - MORNING
The TIME SQUAD and NAPOLEON sneak back to the house's entrance. OTTO holds a scepter, TUDDRUSSEL carries a statue of Anubis, and LARRY is dressed as a pharaoh.
OTTO
Wow! I never knew war could be so much fun!
TUDDRUSSEL
Yeah, and you got real talent! Where’d you learn to handle a musket like that?
OTTO
I guess I just found my calling.
NAPOLEON prepares to unlock the door to the house. He motions to LARRY.
NAPOLEON
(speaks gibberish)
NAPOLEON nods and LARRY laughs modestly.
LARRY
Oh! Oh you’re too kind! I suppose pillaging just comes naturally to those of us who love to shop.
NAPOLEON
Shh!
NAPOLEON creaks the door open and the TIME SQUAD follows him inside.
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
NAPOLEON sneaks into the bed and falls asleep. JOSEPHINE wakes up with a yawn almost right after. She sniffs the air.
JOSEPHINE
Do I smell gunpowder?
NAPOLEON wakes up with a gasp and sniffs.
NAPOELON
(speaks gibberish in an explanatory manner)
JOSEPHINE
You haven’t been out conquering again, have you?
NAPOLEON chuckles nervously.
NAPOLEON
Eh, no, no, no.
JOSEPHINE
Hm. Okay, but I am keeping an eye on you.
The sun suddenly emerges and a ROOSTER crows.
JOSEPHINE
Well, alrighty then! Rise and shine!
NAPOLEON sighs exhaustedly.
EXT. BONAPARTE COURTYARD - DAY
The TIME SQUAD and NAPOELON are gathered around, sleepily. LARRY cares for the BABIES. OTTO holds a featherduster, TUDDRUSSEL has a broom on his shoulder, and NAPOLEON holds a rake. TUDDRUSSEL yawns.
JOSEPHINE
Okay, boys!
The TIME SQUAD and NAPOLEON snap to attention. JOSEPHINE is mounted sidesaddle on her horse as she addresses them.
JOSEPHINE
I am learning how to make a casserole in cooking class today, so tonight, I’ll be making dinner. Okay? Au revoir!
She rides away. NAPOLEON and the TIME SQUAD sigh, and the BABIES begin to cry. OTTO, TUDDRUSSEL, and NAPOLEON walk away as LARRY leaves in the other direction.
INT. KITCHEN
Inside a very messy kitchen, black smoke billows. JOSEPHINE, wearing a chef's hat and holding a dish of burned food, coughs and clears her throat. She walks into a dining area.
JOSEPHINE
I think we’d better order a pizza. Sorry, guys.
She looks around, but nobody is there.
JOSEPHINE
Guys?
Sitting at the table are crudely-made decoys of the TIME SQUAD and NAPOLEON. The sack that forms NAPOLEON's head falls over. JOSEPHINE growls and her face turns red.
JOSEPHINE
Ohh... Napoleon!
EXT. BONAPARTE HOUSE - MORNING
LARRY holds a tattered Italian flag and wears a feathered hat. OTTO carries an accordion and TUDDRUSSEL holds the Mona Lisa under his arm. NAPOLEON looks in his pocket for his keys.
TUDDRUSSEL
Welp, so much for Italy.
OFFSCREEN VOICE
To Napoleon, our great leader!
A CROWD cheers. NAPOLEON chuckles.
NAPOLEON
Shh!
He turns the key and opens the door. The group begins to sneak in, but stop in their tracks and gasp.
TUDDRUSSEL
Holy-
JOSEPHINE stands in the doorway, furious. NAPOLEON and the TIME SQUAD cower in fear.
JOSEPHINE
You four are in so much trouble! You are all grounded! You’ve already made me late for my music class!
She leaves the house and moves towards her horse.
JOSEHINE
I better see you all tonight at my piano recital.
JOSEPHINE grunts as she mounts her horse.
JOSEPHINE
Don’t be late.
She rides off angrily.
TUDDRUSSEL
That could have gone better.
OTTO and NAPOLEON nod in agreement.
EXT. CONCERT HALL - NIGHT
A large sign depicting JOSEPHINE sitting at a piano sits outside of the concert hall, reading "Tonight: Josephine". JOSEPHINE begins to play Chopsticks poorly.
INT. CONCERT HALL - NIGHT
JOSEPHINE continues to play the piano. She nervously struggles and finishes. A MAN claps hesitantly as she takes a bow, feigning a smile. A WOMAN in the audience looks up at JOSEPHINE, bewildered. Another MAN is asleep in the back. The decoys of the TIME SQUAD are seated at the front. The decoy of NAPOLEON'S sack head falls over again. JOSEPHINE turns red with anger.
JOSEPHINE
Ohhh! That is the last straw!
EXT. BATTLEFIELD
OTTO rides on a brown horse. Next to him, NAPOLEON is seated on his own horse. TUDDRUSSEL and LARRY share a horse. The FRENCH ARMY waits behind them, one SOLDIER holding a French flag.
OTTO
Okay, the British should be over this next hill. As soon as you give the command, we’ll attack!
NAPOLEON
(speaks gibberish affirmatively)
NAPOLEON brandishes his sword and points it forward.
NAPOLEON
Charge!
TUDDRUSSEL
Yee-haw!
The TIME SQUAD and NAPOLEON ride forward, the FRENCH ARMY running after them.
JOSEPHINE, hands on her hips, waits in front of them. Everyone halts when they get to her. NAPOLEON gasps in surprise and his horse rears up. He yells as he falls off and onto the ground. The TIME SQUAD cringes.
NAPOLEON
(speaks gibberish nervously)
JOSEPHINE
Don’t you “baby” me! All I asked for was a little support! You couldn’t help me one teeny, tiny, little bit! I have had it with you, you little shrimp!
JOSEPHINE punches NAPOLEON, giving him a black eye. He flies backwards, and lands incapacitated at the hooves of OTTO'S horse. TUDDRUSSEL gasps.
TUDDRUSSEL
Little buddy! That’s it! You’re goin’ down, lady!
TUDDRUSSEL motions for the army to move forward.
TUDDRUSSEL
Hee-yaw!
The TIME SQUAD and the ARMY charge forward and offscreen. Sounds of fighting are heard as glasses and bayonets go flying. We see the entire FRENCH ARMY defeated by JOSEPHINE, who breathes heavily and angrily. OTTO hangs by his shirt on a rifle's bayonet, his glasses and teeth broken. LARRY lies in a heap on the ground next to TUDDRUSSEL, who rubs his head.
TUDDRUSSEL
Wow.
He chuckles.
TUDDRUSSEL
Lady, I-I ain’t had my butt kicked like that in years.
JOSEPHINE brightens at this.
JOSEPHINE
Really? Oh, you’re just saying that. I’m no good at anything.
OTTO
No, seriously. You’ve got real talent. You could be a great conqueror. Maybe even as good as Napoleon!
JOSEPHINE
Oh, you mean it?
NAPOLEON approaches JOSEPHINE.
NAPOLEON
(speaks gibberish)
He bends on one knee in front of her.
JOSEPHINE
You want me to fight beside you? Oh, Nappy, I love you!
JOSEPHINE picks up NAPOLEON and kisses him on the forehead.
SOLDIERS / TIME SQUAD
Aww.
SOLDIER
My empereur! The English!
The SOLDIER holds a telescope. The ENGLISH ARMY is seen in the distance marching towards the FRENCH ARMY.
JOSEPHINE
The English?
She drops Napoleon onto the ground.
JOSEPHINE
Well, come on! Let’s get ‘em!
JOSEPHINE whistles and mounts NAPOLEON'S horse. She lifts NAPOLEON right next to her and sets his hat back onto his head.
JOSEPHINE
Okay men, let’s show ‘em what we’re made of!
She turns to the TIME SQUAD.
JOSEPHINE
Thanks for all your help, boys!
JOSEPHINE, NAPOLEON, and the FRENCH ARMY charge forward into battle. Suddenly, LARRY gives a slight gasp and calls out to them.
LARRY
Don’t forget the babies’ three-o-clock feeding!
OTTO
Well, I guess that worked out.
LARRY opens up his arm computer and enters in coordinates. TUDDRUSSEL sniffles, wipes his eye, and clasps his hands together.
TUDDRUSSEL
Oh, I love happy endings.
OTTO looks behind him and notices a large sign that reads "WELCOME TO WATERLOO".
OTTO
Uh, actually... uh... Oh, nevermind.
LARRY taps a button and the TIME SQUAD teleports away.