Fluke (film)

Fluke is a 1995 American fantasy drama film.

Dialogue

Rumbo: Rise and shine, squirt! Don't let 'em catch you sleepin' here. That old dogcatcher gets up mighty early lookin' for easy targets just like you. Uh, did you run away, or did they pull that old "drive across the bridge and dump the pup" trick?

Young Fluke: You can talk?

Rumbo: [amused] Don't be goofy. I'm a dog, pal.

Young Fluke: But you're not barking. What you're saying to me are words.

Rumbo: It's a mental thing. It's what I want you to know and what you want me to know. That's all it is.

Young Fluke: But... But...

Rumbo: Didn't you ever meet anyone who could communicate?

Young Fluke: No, never.

Rumbo: Well, now you have. They call me Rumbo. What about you?

Young Fluke: Fluke.

Rumbo: [licks Fluke's face] Mmm-mmm. I smell hunger with a capital "H". Whaddya say we get something to eat, huh?

Young Fluke: What about Bella?

Rumbo: [evasively] Err, I'm afraid Bella had to move on, my friend. You won't be seeing her anymore. Hey, come on. It's chowtime. Let's roll.

---

Rumbo: Hey. Hey! What's going on?

Young Fluke: I guess I was dreaming.

Rumbo: You were what?

Young Fluke: Uh, dreaming. I was seeing pictures inside my head.

Rumbo: Pictures ain't got no business being inside your head. Next time, you just growl and chase 'em away.

Young Fluke: Rumbo, have you always been a dog?

Rumbo: What you talkin' about? Now what else could I have been?

Young Fluke: I don't know. A human?

Rumbo: A two-legger? Me? Rule number one: stop asking dumb questions.

Young Fluke: Well, it's just that-- But--

Rumbo: No, no buts, no ifs, no ands. Stop talking all this nonsense. It's sack time! Good night.

---

Rumbo: Maybe we should stop here for a minute. They'll never find us here. I think maybe I'll lay down for a while. How are your eyes?

Fluke: A little better. [notices a wound on Rumbos side] Rumbo, you're bleeding.

Rumbo: Listen to me, squirt... You stay in these woods until your eyes heal.

Fluke: [confused] What do you mean? I'm staying with you.

Rumbo: I don't think I can help you anymore, squirt.

Fluke: Rumbo, why are you talking like this? You're gonna be all right!

Rumbo: Forget it. There's nothing you can do. Come closer.

Fluke: Look, we've got to stay together. You and me, like always. I can't make it without you, Rumbo. I had another dream. My family's in danger.

Rumbo: Fluke, things aren't always what they seem. Rule number one: there's no going back. You can't be sorry about that's been, squirt. You got to be.

Fluke: Please. I have to know. Am I the only one? You were a man once, too, weren't you, Rumbo?

Rumbo: Remember that snapshot behind old Bert's counter? That was me, in another life. Bert was my brother. Hmm. I never really missed being a two-legger. But the sea? Huh. I wish I could smell the sea again. All I know is, you were the best friend I ever had. I'll miss you.

Fluke: Rumbo, don't leave me!

Rumbo: Maybe we'll meet again, squirt. Next time around. [dies]

Fluke: [sobbing] No... Rumbo? No...

---

Fluke: [narrating] Of course, I had to go away. I loved them too much to get in the way of their happiness. Jeff would be there now, in a way that I hadn't been. I didn't know how to live as a man, and I didn't know how to live as a dog. Now I understand that life is something to be cherished in every form. So this is my story. Perhaps I was made to remember so that I could share it with you. And perhaps there are many out there like me, hiding behind the eyes of simple creatures. Maybe even someone close to you.

[Fluke is reunited with Rumbo, now reincarnated as a squirrel]

Rumbo: Rise and shine, squirt! Now don't let 'em catch you sleepin' here!

Fluke: Rumbo?

Rumbo: [laughs] You didn't think you could get rid of me that easy now, did you, squirt?

Fluke: [overjoyed] Rumbo, I can't believe it's you!

Rumbo: You better believe it! Come on over here. Come here! We've got a lot to talk about. But first, let me tell you something about being a squirrel. Rule number one...