And now my pitch...

It is the 1600's. The Queen's most honored privateers, while sailing the seas, open a cursed box instantly transforming them into canines. The mangy team, now somewhere between the animal and human world, continue to sail and fight for the Queen as... THE SEA DOGS. Their origin story...

Captain Tyrone O'Flynn is the leader of the most elite and glamorized group of privateers in England, the Flying Wings. The Queen values him and his team her greatest asset in defending England from its many "hungry" suitors abroad. However, unknown to the Queen, she faces a graver danger at home: a key member in her staff is the plotting Sir Francis Basil. He has devised a plan to overthrow the Queen by having one of her guards murder a visiting dignitary.

While on an adventure, O'Flynn discovers the plot and heads back to England to warn her. Basil, fearing for his life, visits the magical Druid Priestess in hopes of stopping O'Flynn. The Druid tells Basil of an ancient curse that has "never failed to banish any foe." However, for it to work, it must be laid by a member of the victim's family. Basil chuckles evilly and says that will work fine, for he is actually O'Flynn's lost, older brother. The curse is thus set and Basil plans to trap the privateers.

He gets a message to the incoming Flying Wings to pick up a treasure chest on a small, uncharted island. Captain O'Flynn and his crew arrive at the island where he and a landing party go on shore. The landing party consists of Aloysius Hale, O'Flynn's right hand man, Joseph Trump, the ship's procurer and resident scoundrel, Samson Bull, their feisty first mate, Friar Sebastian, a somewhat dubious man of the cloth and the cook.

They first discover a lone female castaway, Priscilla "Prissy" Davis. She is a tough, tomboy of a woman who, since she has been on the island for sometime and knows her way around, leads them to the chest. The chest is on an elaborate pedestal with a plate that reads: "Those sent to plunder the chest of the mighty Cerberus Will be cursed to become the very dogs that they are. Once linked by blood and now by a life most dangerous, Cursor and cursed must join to send this curse afar."

Upon opening of the chest, a gigantic explosion rocks the island.

Back in England, Basil suddenly collapses in pain. When he awakens, there is a strange medallion around his neck. It is the figure of a dog's head, but only half the image is there. The chain is so small and strong, that he can neither get it over his head, nor cut it. As word is quickly spread through the kingdom that the Flying Wings have met with a disaster, Basil, now recuperating from his strange attack, feels secure.

He has a meeting with his hired assassin the day before the planned murder. However, that night he hears that the Flying Wings is putting into port. Angered, he revisits the old Druid. She is equally surprised by the news since few who have been cursed by Cerberus ever return. When she inquires about Basil's health he becomes curious. She states that if he was stricken down, then so was O'Flynn, for the curse has the affect of touching the cursor too. Basil learns in horror that the fate of his brother is also his own. As the Priestess states, "though his lot in life is now with the furs, when his life ends, so does yours."

Back at the castle, the Queen receives a mysterious message from someone who claims to be O'Flynn. It states that O'Flynn will meet her at midnight in the darkest corridor of the castle, but she must come alone. Basil, in the meantime, calls his evil cohorts together and tells them that they must search the city and castle to locate O'Flynn, but under no circumstances are they to injure the Privateer. While the search begins, none notice a small band of covered churchmen sniffing and scratching.

Once near the castle, the churchmen sneak into a dark alleyway. From their voices, it is obviously O'Flynn, his crew and Prissy. The leader states he will go alone from here to meet with the Queen. Some feel it is too dangerous to go alone since they know there are spies and conspirators in the castle. O'Flynn states he trusts the Queen to come alone, and besides, "no man would recognize me now."

As the Queen searches the dark corridors, she whispers O'Flynn's name. As she rounds a corner, a covered figure emerges from the shadows. She raises her royal lantern only to have the figure recoil and push the lantern away. "No light, M'lady," states O'Flynn. The Queen is taken slightly aback. "O'Flynn?" she asks, "We heard you'd perished in a great explosion."

The privateer quickly tells the Queen that he and members of his crew did come upon the unexpected, but that he and key members did survive, but "somewhat disfigured." He quickly tells her of the murder plot. She thanks him and asks that he be in the chambers tomorrow to see the arrest of the traitor when he attempts to make his kill. O'Flynn states they may show up, but that he feels in their current state they will not be able to continue working for the Queen. "I'm not certain men could look upon us again."

O'Flynn asks the Queen to look at the medallion hanging on his chest. She squints to see in the low light and sees the head of a dog, with only half an image. (It is the missing image of the one worn by Basil.) He asks if she has seen one like it. She states no. Suddenly the figure looks up and around. "I smell someone coming, I must go." The Queen looks puzzled. "I smell nothing," she states, then sniffing the air again she adds, "I do smell someone's dog, though."

O'Flynn quickly moves back into the shadows as Basil arrives. He confronts the Queen who states she was alone to meet O'Flynn. Basil states that such actions could have been dangerous since no one has seen the privateers since the accident. The Queen recounts what O'Flynn told her, even about the medallion. Basil quickly clutches his chest. He tells the Queen not to worry about tomorrow for he will double the guards on all the dignitaries.

As the next day's court session arrives, the main hall is filled with the various dignitaries. Due to the extra security on the dignitaries, there are fewer guards around the Queen. Basil quietly talks with one of his conspirators about the "new plan." As the peasants begin to enter, the same group of covered churchmen is seen amongst them. The Queen rises to greet the people, when a small number of guards graâ her and Basil.

The courtroom is thrown into a desperate hush as the main captor and Basil's key conspirator, Williams, begins telling his demands. As guards head to the rescue, they are stopped as Williams, threatens the Queen's life with a sword. The small band of covered churchmen hover together and talk. Again, O'Flynn's voice is heard discussing what to do. O'Flynn is sure the group can take the captors, but they will need some form of diversion to "throw them off guard."

Slowly, all but one of the churchmen approach the throne, asking for the group of villains to release the queen. Williams patronizingly asks why. a short, fat churchman states that if the captors don't release the Queen, that by the word of the church, the villains will be thrown to the dogs. "What dogs?," laughs Williams. "These dogs," shouts Friar Sebastian as he and the rest of the crew take off the robes revealing that they are human-sized canines in privateers' clothes.

A gasp runs through the courtroom as everyone takes a slight step back. Williams, stunned as the rest, lowers his sword for only a second, but that is long enough for O'Flynn, who has sneaked behind them and also disrobed, to graâ the villain's hand. Turning around, Williams sees the handsome hound and exclaims, "who?" O'Flynn smiles broadly and shouts "It is I, O'Flynn of the Flying Wings." He then commands his men to "get them."

Pandemonium breaks out as the band of dog privateers battle the crew of traitorous guards. Samson and Joseph manage to pull Basil from the fracas as swords clash and fur flies. Being half human, half-hounds, O'Flynn's crew goes from standard sword play to biting and barking. When O'Flynn dodges a tossed chair, Williams makes a run out of the castle.

The privateers follow running through the streets shocking crowds of people and creating havoc among the street animals. Finally, when Williams is cornered O'Flynn begins to move in and question him. From the roofs a rope arrives to pull Williams to safety and he makes his escape in a coach... a royal coach.

Later, back at the main hall, the Queen tries to restore order as she officially greets the crew of the Flying Wing. O'Flynn states that the plot against her majesty is still very much alive and that though he and his men, "er and woman" he adds looking at Prissy, had hoped to leave and live on some deserted island, they now know it is there duty to protect and serve the Queen no matter their form. It will also give them time to search for the one who put the curse on them, so that they may break it.

O'Flynn raises his sword and leads the crowd in a cheer of "long live the Queen." Basil, feigning sincerity, shouts "long live the Flying Wing." However, before the crowd can join in, O'Flynn raises his hand in a halting motion. "No, my friend. No longer the Flying Wing, from this day on, we shall be known as 'The Sea Dogs...' and we will hound treachery and injustice wherever it is found." The room cheers as the Sea Dogs give conciliatory smiles to each other and the Queen picks a burr off of O'Flynn.

Fade Out

The Characters
It is the 1600's. While sailing the seas, the Queen's most honored privateers open a cursed box instantly transforming them into canines. This mangy team, now somewhere between the animal and human world, continue to sail and fight for the Queen as... THE SEA DOGS.

This crack canine crew has lost none of their skill. They are still the rowdiest, most fun-loving and loyal privateers the Queen has ever had. Their unorthodox ways have simply gotten more irregular. Not only are they still the biggest batch of misfits to go to sea, now they have to handle the problems of being dogs. Strange looks from people, desires to scratch and sniff, and howling at the moon are all part of their new lives. There one hope is to find the means of ending the curse.

THE CANINE CAST:
Tyrone O'Flynn - The dashing leader of the team. As a human, he was an expert swordsman, seaman and ladies man. Now a massive malamute, he retains all of his former skills, though he tends to have less luck with the ladies. When danger strikes, he's ready with a plan of action or cunning. Never worried, he is the most self-assured member of the team. He thinks it inconceivable that that he, or any Sea Dog, can fail.

Aloysius Hale - Second in command. Aloysius is a lifelong friend and right-hand man to O'Flynn. He enjoys life and has fun doing almost anything... as long as it's with his friend. a Sheepdog in his new canine state, Aloysius is still larger than life. In fact, being a dog seems to almost agree with his "all for fun" attitude towards life.

Joseph Trump - The ship's procurer. Trump is the man, er dog, that the Dogs turn to when they need something. a wheeler-dealer, some might say "swindler", who can still "sniff" out a bargain or sucker with equal ease. His new life is as a wolf.

Samson Bull - The first mate. Bull is always ready for a fight. Being a bit shorter than the rest, his temper has "shrunk" to match it. a creature of action, his new form as Pit Bull, tends to highlight his aggressive tendencies. The only person he bows totally to is Tyrone.

Friar Sebastian - The ship's spiritual guide. Sebastian is a formidable friar. Though he tries to keep the crew on the generally straight and narrow, he can't really resist a good scrap or scam. His share of any loot is always given to the poor. (He figures it's a just system, they get the funds and he gets the fun.) As a bulldog, his more stubborn traits tend to be accented.

Cook - The ship's cook. He had a name once, but it was too long and he didn't have the time. Now he's just called "cook." Those who know him know they can call him anything they want, as long as they don't criticize his food¡ The only thing he enjoys more than cooking is joking with the shipmates.

Priscella "Prissy" Davis - a castaway. The lone survivor of a shipwreck, she was stranded on the very island that O'Flynn and his crew came upon the curse. Unfortunately she was with them at the time and has suffered the same fate. Originally a tomboyish young lady, she's now a lanky Afghan who travels with the crew and is determined to hold her own.

THE HUMAN CAST:
The Queen - The strong-willed ruler of the nation. A true monarch, she spends much of her time worrying about her subjects, but still finds moments to protect her power, demand more treasure, and harass the castle's occupants.

The Prince - The Queen's son and heir to the throne. As a child he was spoiled rotten, as an adult he is simply rotten. His flamboyant lifestyle is centered around his wealth and "soon to be" power. His favorite sport is annoying the Queen mother.

Sir Francis Basil - Court Counselor. He's one of the Queen's most trusted advisors. He's also forever plotting the overthrow of the country. Unknown to almost everyone is the fact that he is the lost brother to O'Flynn and the one that placed the curse on the Sea Dogs. Now he feels every pain that O'Flynn feels, and when O'Flynn dies, Basil will die!

Captain Stallone - Captain of the Guards. Another of the Queen's most trusted men. He is loyal to both Queen and O'Flynn, though his garbled speech makes it impossible for anyone to really understand what he's talking about.

Mary Sullivan - Sweetheart to O'Flynn. Always a "proper" young lady, Mary is somewhat taken aback by the new situation. Her crush/romance with O'Flynn goes back several years, but she cannot decide what to do with his new canine form. No matter how much she loves the man "inside," she cannot bring herself to love the dog outside. She waits, somewhat impatiently, for him to find a way to become human again.