Dead Weight, home
The Flying Rat's room: a cracked monitor glows green in the dark.

Adult animation · TV-MA

Dead Weight

A homeless mongoose, vampire, robot, and comedian rebuild their lives after a flying rat loses all their money.

[FROM THE CREATORS OF NOTHING YOU'VE EVER HEARD OF…]

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[SCROLL. THE MARKET IS OPEN.]

01 The Investment

Wide of the Rat's windowless room: the Flying Rat seen from behind at a CRT showing a rising chart, neon 'ENERGY' sign, brick wall, shelves of cans with invented glyph labels, a street lamp, a bed.

Rat: Yes. Yes yes yes. I love watching money move.

Rat: Trust me, this is gonna make us rich.

High-angle shot looking down into the Flying Rat’s Bedroom. The room is a claustrophobic nest of trash, buried under takeout containers and energy drink cans.

Rat: Look. I bet all of it on Pear.

[THE GRAPH SPIKES UPWARD. HARD.]

Close-up on the Flying Rat's face. The green light of the stock chart reflects in his beady eyes.

Mongoose: Wow. You made a LOT of money.

Rat: Yeah. I can see through time.

Rat: And I can fly.

A frame from chapter 1.

Rat: Can you fly?

Mongoose: No.

Rat: Can you fly?

Low-angle shot from the floor. A Vampire sweeps into the cramped room, his Eastern European cape taking up too much space.

Vampire: Greetings! I am a Russian vampire, here to court you for playing the stock market too well.

Rat: Can you fly?

Vampire: No.

Rat: When you have use in society, people really appreciate you.

Wide shot of the room, which is now feeling very crowded. The Girl enters, mid-twenties, looking at her phone, effortlessly cool.

Girl: I'm the woman of the stock market.

Rat: Can you fly?

Girl: No.

Girl: You believe this guy?

Mongoose: I -- uh. He can see the future apparently.

Mongoose in medium close-up with a cigar and katana strap, glancing sideways; the Robot behind him and the Rat's wing in the left foreground.

Robot: Can I interrupt?

Rat: Can you fly?

[THE ROBOT SAYS NOTHING. HIS VISOR FLICKERS.]

Chapter 1, The Investment, as one scene (67 seconds, captioned).

02 Joyride

Low-angle shot looking up from a run-down city street. The Robot, a metallic mechanical figure with glowing eyes, blasts upwards into the sky.

[THE ROBOT HAS ROCKET BOOTS.]

Medium shot, tracking with the subjects. The Robot holds the Flying Rat securely against its metallic chest.

[THE RAT HAS A TINY HAT.]

Medium shot. A flock of grey city pigeons is mid-flight.

[THEY LOOP PAST A FLOCK OF STARTLED PIGEONS.]

High-angle shot looking down. The Robot and Flying Rat nose-dive back towards the city.

[AND ROCKET BACK DOWN.]

Chapter 2, Joyride, as one scene (20 seconds, captioned).

03 The Crash

A frame from chapter 3.

Rat: Okay. NOW we're going to buy.

Close-up of the laptop screen: a green stock chart climbs, then at 4.25 turns red with a falling line and the word CRASH.

[THE STOCK PLUMMETS.]

Rat: Damn. I lost all my money.

[EVERYONE WATCHES IN SILENCE.]

Rat in horror at the laptop (6.5-8.5), speaks line 2, makes a hand seal (9.0-9.5), white smoke puffs (9.5-10.3), and is gone; the laptop stays lit.

Rat: Okay, so that's, that's a problem.

Over-the-shoulder shot from the Flying Rat's perspective looking up at the Mongoose. The Mongoose looks furious and desperate, gesturing wildly with paws.

Mongoose: I thought you knew what you were doing.

Rat: I can fly.

Mongoose: Then why did you use the Robot to fly?

[THE FLYING RAT SAYS NOTHING.]

Over-the-shoulder shot from the Flying Rat's perspective looking up at the Mongoose. The Mongoose looks furious and desperate, gesturing wildly with paws.

Mongoose: I GAVE you a fortune. I have NOTHING left!

Rat: You're a mongoose. You live like an urchin. What do you need money for?

Medium shot of the Girl and the Vampire standing side-by-side. The Girl looks terrified, hands on her head.

Girl: I bet everything on you! I cancelled my health insurance for this!

Robot: Totally. I need food and shelter. I can fly though.

Rat: Nice. I'm happy you can fly. You're the only one who's cool here.

Extreme close-up on the Flying Rat's paws forming a complex, anime-style 'shinobi mudra' hand sign. The background is blurred.

Rat: Now then. Ancient shinobi art.

Mongoose: What?

[POOF.]

Wide shot of the same angle as frame 3. The Flying Rat is gone.

Vampire: Where did he go?

Girl: Did that rat just ninjutsu us?

Chapter 3, The Crash, as one scene (71 seconds, captioned).

04 Rock Bottom

Extreme wide shot, high angle looking down at The Homeless Shelter. The room is vast, sterile, and depressing, illuminated by harsh, buzzing fluorescent lights that cast a sickly green hue.

[HOMELESS SHELTER. NIGHT.]

Medium shot of the group sitting in a row. Vampire, looking pale and dramatic in tattered finery, gestures with frustrated hands while speaking.

Vampire: We leveraged all our assets on a man with no scruples, a tiny brain,

Vampire: furry hind legs, and a perfume reminiscent of turd.

Wide shot, profile view of the row of cots. Mongoose, Vampire, and Girl have all turned their heads sharply to the right to look at Robot.

Mongoose: It's almost as if we should have seen this coming.

Close-up on Robot. Its metal face is devoid of expression, eyes glowing with a dim, steady light.

Robot: I've always been homeless.

[EVERYONE LOOKS AT THE ROBOT.]

Close-up on Mongoose. The lighting catches the fur on his face as his expression hardens into determination.

Mongoose: We find him, and we torture him until money falls out.

Medium shot over-the-shoulder of Mongoose, looking at Girl. Girl has a deadpan, slightly unhinged expression.

Girl: Why don't you just all live inside me?

[LONG PAUSE. THEN THEY BURST OUT LAUGHING.]

Vampire: You should do stand-up.

Extreme close-up on Girl's eyes. The smile fades into a look of sudden, intense realization.

Girl: You know what? Yeah. Yeah I should.

Mongoose (under his breath): That's actually kind of brave.

Chapter 4, Rock Bottom, as one scene (51 seconds, captioned).

05 The Open Mic

Manager (grey-streaked messy hair, light grey shirt, sleeves rolled) behind the bar polishing a wine glass; bottles on the back shelf; gestures with an open arm at 2.0; speaks line 1.

Manager: Another sold-out show.

Girl at the microphone, medium close-up: dark hair in a messy top bun, grey hoodie, mic at right, green and amber tube lights behind; speaks line 1.

Girl: My therapist says I use humor to avoid my feelings. I said, that's hilarious.

Three-person audience at a round table: bearded man in a black tee, woman with an updo in a black top, man in a grey suit asleep with his head back; a drink on the table. The Girl's second line starts over this shot (5.46).

Girl: I'm not avoiding my feelings.

Girl: I'm just managing them in a fun, fun, legal way.

EXT. COMEDY CLUB - NIGHT.

Girl: I BOMBED AND I'M STILL BROKE!

Girl: 'What's the difference between a stock portfolio and a dumpster fire? One smells better.'

A frame from chapter 5.

Girl: Nothing. NOTHING.

Robot: I thought it was statistically humorous.

Girl: That's the worst thing anyone's ever said to me.

[SOLIDARITY SMOKING.]

EXT. COMEDY CLUB - NIGHT.

Manager: Man, that was a putrid set. No offense.

Mongoose: Yeah well, we just lost everything to the flying rat crisis. Not too funny.

Manager: Tell you what. I got an empty room upstairs you can all stay in.

EXT. COMEDY CLUB - NIGHT.

Girl: I am so MAD.

Vampire: Are you sure those are tears of anger and not tears of defeat?

Robot: There there.

Chapter 5, The Open Mic, as one scene (67 seconds, captioned).

06 The Room Upstairs

A frame from chapter 6.

Manager: Just don't make a mess. There's no power but there's running water.

Mongoose in medium close-up on a maroon couch, cigar in hand with smoke curling, in front of an orange heart poster and a pink panel; deadpan; speaks line 1.

Mongoose: So the rat stole everything.

Vampire: Not everything. He left us the shame.

Mongoose: That's not a consolation.

Low-angle shot from the center of the group circle. The Mongoose, Vampire, Robot, and Girl sit cross-legged on the floorboards.

Mongoose: He wasn't such a bad guy. I knew him for years.

Vampire: I knew him for a day.

Girl: I knew him for twenty minutes and gave him my life savings.

Close-up on the Robot. His visor is glitching, displaying erratic patterns instead of eyes.

[THE ROBOT SWITCHES ON HIS DRUNK MODE.]

Robot: The stocks just kept going backwards.

Close-up on the Girl. Her expression softens from cynicism to genuine vulnerability.

Girl: Stocks only go one way, loser.

Robot: That's what they all say.

Medium two-shot of the Vampire and the Mongoose. The Mongoose is wiping a tear from his fur.

Vampire: I'll say this: it's the worst experience of my life.

Girl: What are you trying to say?

Vampire: I'm trying to say we're all in this together.

[SOMETHING GENUINE FOR ONCE.]

Close-up on the Girl. Her expression softens from cynicism to genuine vulnerability.

Girl: I'm gonna need some more of that.

Mongoose: I'm so tired.

Everyone: Same.

Chapter 6, The Room Upstairs, as one scene (66 seconds, captioned).

07 I'm With You Always

High-angle (God's eye) view of the apartment floor. The Girl, Vampire, and Robot are passed out in a pile, looking like cast-off toys.

[THE BOTTLE EMPTIES. EVERYONE SLEEPS.]

[EXCEPT THE MONGOOSE.]

Over-the-shoulder shot from behind the Mongoose, looking at the dirty window pane. In the reflection of the glass, superimposed over the dark city skyline, is the faint, ghostly image of the Flying Rat gliding across the sky.

Rat (distant, echoing): I'm with you always.

Extreme close-up on the Mongoose's eyes. They are wide, bloodshot, and filled with intense rage.

Mongoose (seething): That ████.

Chapter 7, I'm With You Always, as one scene (14 seconds, captioned).

08 We Get Jobs

Extreme-wide shot of The Apartment Above the Comedy Club. Harsh, overexposed white daylight blasts through the window, clashing with the lingering pink and green neon glow.

[DAYLIGHT SLAMS IN.]

Mongoose: I SAW THAT ████ LAST NIGHT!

Vampire: It's not like you to freak out.

Close-up on the Mongoose. He looks unhinged—fur bristling, eyes wide and bloodshot, teeth bared.

Mongoose: IF I SEE THAT ████ ONE MORE TIME, I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!

Medium two-shot of the Girl and the Robot. The Girl is sitting up, hair messy, looking at the Mongoose with a mix of shock and intrigue.

Girl: Woah.

Girl (whispered): He's kind of hot when he's unhinged.

[TINY HEARTS PULSE IN HIS VISOR.]

Low-angle medium shot of the Mongoose. He stops pacing abruptly.

Mongoose: WE'RE GONNA ████ING DIE! Unless...

Girl: What is it?

Mongoose: We get jobs.

Wide shot of the whole room. The Vampire, Girl, and Robot are all looking up at the Mongoose.

[THEY ALL LOOK AT EACH OTHER.]

Girl: That's PERFECT!

Chapter 8, We Get Jobs, as one scene (40 seconds, captioned).

09 Gainfully Employed

INT. MOVIE THEATRE - PROJECTION BOOTH.

[THE MONGOOSE THREADS FILM THROUGH A PROJECTOR.]

[QUIET WORK IN A DARK ROOM.]

A frame from chapter 9.

Girl: Welcome, moviegoers!

Girl: Tonight's feature is a story about loss, redemption,

Girl: and a flying rat who destroyed my credit score.

[A FEW CONFUSED LAUGHS.]

Over-the-shoulder shot from behind Captain Marsh looking out at the class. Most of the recruits are asleep or on their phones.

Captain Marsh: ...and that is why form 27B strictly prohibits the use of glitter in evidence bags.

[THE ROBOT TAKES NOTES WITH A TINY STYLUS.]

Robot (rusty, amber eyes, blue cap with badge) typing at a cluttered precinct desk; mug 'WORLD'S OKEYEST CAPTAIN', CRT monitors, desk lamps; speaks line 1.

Robot: I have completed the report.

Captain Marsh: This is just the word 'crime' printed forty times.

Robot: Crime occurred forty times.

Robot: I will now patrol.

Vampire in medium close-up in a neon alley ('OPEN LATE', green arrow, vertical 'NVTEL', palm tree): pale, slicked-back dark hair, pointed ears, fangs, blue police uniform with a long dark open coat; walks toward the camera; speaks line 1.

Vampire: I am creature of night.

Vampire: I am eternal.

Vampire: I am... wet.

Vampire: Do you know where is the nearest laundromat?

Vampire: This city has no culture.

Robot close-up, hand raised into frame; speaks lines 3 and 4.

Robot: I have a job.

Robot: I am police.

Girl: You broke three desks this week.

Robot: Crime is hard on furniture.

Chapter 9, Gainfully Employed, as one scene (75 seconds, captioned).

10 The Parking Lot

Extreme wide shot of The Parking Lot at night. A vast expanse of cracked asphalt illuminated by a single, buzzing sodium-vapor streetlamp casting a sickly orange glow.

Girl: Can I get your advice on something?

Mongoose: No.

Medium two-shot at eye level. The Girl looks down at The Mongoose, who is perched on a crate or ledge to be closer to eye level, smoking a blunt.

Girl: How come?

Mongoose: Taking advice is the death of yourself and the death of others.

Close-up on the Girl's face. She is looking down, her expression softening into genuine understanding and connection.

Mongoose: I can't be a better you than you.

Girl: I get you.

Wide shot from the Girl and Mongoose's perspective looking out at the lot. Harsh, blinding white headlights sweep across the frame, flaring the lens and washing out the orange sodium light.

[HEADLIGHTS SWEEP ACROSS THE LOT.]

Mongoose: Shit.

Girl: Holy shit, you actually came!

Robot: Of course, my love.

Over-the-shoulder shot past the Robot's metallic shoulder. The Vampire leans against the cruiser, looking serious.

Vampire: We found him.

Mongoose: No ████ way.

Vampire: He was seen crossing the border with two kilos of crystal methamphetamine. Not joking.

Close-up on The Mongoose. He exhales a long plume of smoke.

Robot: He was shot trying to cross.

Mongoose: So that's it? He's just dead?

Robot: Yep. He's no longer mortal flesh.

[SOMETHING BETWEEN RELIEF AND GRIEF.]

Medium shot. The Robot extends a metallic arm, handing a pack of brightly colored wine coolers to the Girl.

Robot: Wine coolers.

Mongoose: Holy shit. I love you guys for sport.

Wide shot from behind The Mongoose and the Girl. They stand side-by-side, small figures watching the police cruiser drive away into the distance.

[THE MONGOOSE WATCHES THE CRUISER GO.]

[THE GIRL WATCHES THE MONGOOSE.]

Chapter 10, The Parking Lot, as one scene (70 seconds, captioned).

11 Mind Control

Over-shoulder shot from behind Mongoose as he shrugs the coat on. He turns his head slightly back toward the Girl, who is still standing in the darker area of the room near the entrance.

Mongoose: Need anything from the store?

Girl: You know what? I'll come with you.

Wide tracking shot of The City Streets at night. The Mongoose and the Girl walk side-by-side along a wet sidewalk.

Mongoose: I was thinking.

Girl: 'Bout what?

Mongoose: About you, actually.

Medium shot favoring the Mongoose. He looks nervous, his fur backlit by the green neon of the bodega.

Mongoose: When you think of something, do you ever get pulled to think something else?

Girl: Yeah. All the time.

Mongoose: You ever think it's mind control?

Close-up on the Mongoose. He stops walking.

Girl: Oh yeah. Everything can mind-control you. First thing you learn on the stock market.

Mongoose: I think madly of you. But I don't think it's mind control.

Medium two-shot. They are standing still on the sidewalk.

Girl: I've really always had a crush on you.

Mongoose: So what now?

Low-angle shot. The lighting instantly shifts from warm neon to a harsh, cold spectral blue.

Rat (ghost): I am here!

Girl: Oh, you've GOT to be kidding me.

Extreme close-up on the Mongoose's paws/hands. He forms a complex Shinobi mudra (ninja hand sign).

[THE MONGOOSE HOLDS UP A SHINOBI MUDRA.]

[HIS EYES NARROW.]

Chapter 11, Mind Control, as one scene (60 seconds, captioned).

12 The Spectral Plane

Mongoose in lo-fi close-up with a cigar in front of the orange poster wall; calm.

Mongoose (in Japanese): Looks like you've met your match.

A frame from chapter 12.

Rat: What language are you speaking?

Low angle close-up of the Mongoose. Dramatic lighting from below casts deep shadows over his face.

Mongoose (in Japanese): Prepare for combat.

Wide shot. A single horizontal streak of blinding white light cuts across the dark Spectral Plane.

[ONE SINGLE TELEPORTING SLASH.]

Mongoose (in Japanese): Too slow.

Wide shot. The Flying Rat in the background suddenly detonates into a massive cloud of green dollar bills and coins.

[THE RAT EXPLODES INTO A SHOWER OF MONEY.]

Chapter 12, The Spectral Plane, as one scene (28 seconds, captioned).

13 The Payday

Extreme wide shot of The City Streets at night. The wet asphalt reflects pink and green neon signs.

[MONEY RAINS DOWN FROM NOWHERE.]

Close-up on the Girl, face illuminated by the soft glow of a nearby neon sign and street lamps. Her mouth is slightly open in shock, eyes tracking the falling bills.

Girl: Oh my god. We're rich.

Mongoose: I'm rich.

Girl: Huh?

Mongoose: It was my kill.

Over-the-shoulder shot looking past the fuzzy shoulder of the Mongoose down at the Girl. She looks devastated, tears welling up, illuminated by harsh street orange sodium light.

[THE GIRL SOBS. THEN NODS. SHE GETS IT.]

Mongoose: There there.

Girl: Now I know how a toddler feels when they can't have a Mega Stack.

Low angle from the pavement level looking up. A grate in the street explodes with cash, shooting bills upward into the air, adding to the rain from above.

Mongoose: Or forty million of them.

[SHE CRIES HARDER.]

Medium shot. The Mongoose bends down, his small paws frantically scooping up massive piles of wet cash from the street.

[HE SCOOPS UP TWO FISTFULS OF CASH.]

Mongoose: Here.

Girl (sniffling): Really?

Mongoose: I'm a mongoose. I live like an urchin. What do I need money for?

Wide aerial shot looking down at The City Streets. The Mongoose puts a paw around the Girl's shoulders.

[THEY STAND IN A BLIZZARD OF CASH.]

Chapter 13, The Payday, as one scene (48 seconds, captioned).

14 Can I Fly?

Close-up on Robot. Its metal face is devoid of expression, eyes glowing with a dim, steady light.

[THE SHELTER. NIGHT. THE ROBOT IS ALONE.]

[HE LOOKS AT HIS PHONE. NOTHING.]

Close-up on Robot. Its metal face is devoid of expression, eyes glowing with a dim, steady light.

Robot: …Can I fly?

Close-up on Robot. Its metal face is devoid of expression, eyes glowing with a dim, steady light.

[HIS ROCKET BOOTS IGNITE.]

[HE CRASHES THROUGH THE CEILING.]

[SMASH TO BLACK.]

Chapter 14, Can I Fly?, as one scene (20 seconds, captioned).

Dead Weight

[COMING TO SCREENS NEAR WHATEVER DEVICE YOU'RE HOLDING.]

Rat: I'm still here.

…Can I fly?

Scene