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This often facilitates CardboardPrison. Sister-trope to ConvenientlyPlacedSharpThing. Compare BringHelpBack for when there aren't any keys around. See also JailBake and PassiveRescue for other ways of getting keys to prisoners, though this is more likely to occur on the spur of the moment than to be a part of a GreatEscape. If the imprisoned character is a villain, this is a subtrope of BreakingOutTheBoss. May involve a CoolKey or a DangerousKeyFumble.
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This often facilitates CardboardPrison. Sister-trope to ConvenientlyPlacedSharpThing.ConvenientlyPlacedSharpThing and HookingTheKeys. Compare BringHelpBack for when there aren't any keys around. See also JailBake and PassiveRescue for other ways of getting keys to prisoners, though this is more likely to occur on the spur of the moment than to be a part of a GreatEscape. If the imprisoned character is a villain, this is a subtrope of BreakingOutTheBoss. May involve a CoolKey or a DangerousKeyFumble.
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-->-- Rule #42 on the EvilOverlordList
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-->-- EvilOverlordList, Rule #42 on the EvilOverlordList
#42
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* In the second episode of ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOnDeck'' the main cast is [[JailedOneAfterAnother entrapped in the same cell]] on Parrot Island. They escape when a feral pig Bailey befriended earlier gets them the keys, [[RuleOfFunny and was in the Process of getting London a latte.]]
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* In the second episode of ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOnDeck'' the main cast is [[JailedOneAfterAnother entrapped in the same cell]] on Parrot Island. They escape when a feral pig Bailey befriended earlier gets them the keys, [[RuleOfFunny and was in the Process process of getting London a latte.]]
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* In the second episode of ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOnDeck'' the main cast is [[JailedOneAfterAnother entrapped in the same cell]] on Parrot Island. They escape when a feral pig Bailey befriended earlier gets them the keys, [[RuleOfFunny and was in the Process of getting London a latte.]]
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* Before its destruction in a fire in 2018, ''Ride/EuropaPark'''s "Piraten in Batavia" had the same scene as the above, only it was in the Dutch East Indies and the pet was a monkey.
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* Before its destruction in a fire in 2018, ''Ride/EuropaPark'''s "Piraten in Batavia" had the same scene as the above, only it was in the [[EastIndies Dutch East Indies Indies]] and the pet was a monkey.
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* Before its destruction in a fire in 2018, ''Ride/EuropaPark'''s "Piraten in Batavia" had the same scene as the above, only it was in the Dutch East Indies and the pet was a monkey.
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[[folder: Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/TheWesterner'': Subverted in "School Days": When Dave wakes up and finds himself bound hand and foot, he calls his dog Brown in and tries to get him to undo the ropes. Brown just licks the ropes and then goes to help himself to uneaten food on the table, leaving Dave to figure his own way out of the ropes.
[[/folder]]
* ''Series/TheWesterner'': Subverted in "School Days": When Dave wakes up and finds himself bound hand and foot, he calls his dog Brown in and tries to get him to undo the ropes. Brown just licks the ropes and then goes to help himself to uneaten food on the table, leaving Dave to figure his own way out of the ropes.
[[/folder]]
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* ''Film/OneHundredAndTwoDalmatians'' has Kevin getting busted out of a jail cell not by any of his three dogs (who are locked in with him), but his ''parrot''.
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* In ''Emperor Mage'', part of ''Literature/TheImmortals'' series, FriendToAllLivingThings Daine is imprisoned by the corrupt emperor, but rescued by the marmoset Zek, who compares her situation to his previous experience of zoos and brings her the key to her cell.
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So, you're in {{Prison}}. Or, at least, a jail cell. Your enemies have caught you and, having better things to do than murder you right away, have thrown you behind bars for safe keeping. Or maybe your allies have handcuffed you to a radiator [[LockedUpAndLeftBehind to get you out of the way]]. But who's not locked up? That animal on the other side of the room . . . right next to the big ring of keys on the wall.
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So, you're in {{Prison}}. Or, at least, a jail cell. Or [[{{Birdcaged}} an implausibly oversized birdcage]]. Your enemies have caught you and, having better things to do than murder you right away, have thrown you behind bars for safe keeping. Or maybe your allies have handcuffed you to a radiator [[LockedUpAndLeftBehind to get you out of the way]]. But who's not locked up? That animal on the other side of the room . . . right next to the big ring of keys on the wall.
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* Music/GwenStefani's video, "The Sweet Escape," shows Gwen begging the tranquil lab holding the key to her LuxuryPrisonSuite to come closer. her cellmates eventually manage to coax it over with a large gold bone.
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* Music/GwenStefani's video, "The Sweet Escape," shows Gwen begging the tranquil lab holding the key to her LuxuryPrisonSuite to come closer. her Her cellmates eventually manage to coax it over with a large gold bone.
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For other types of animal rescues, see TimmyInAWell and SaintBernardRescue.
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For other types of animal rescues, see TimmyInAWell HeroicDog, TimmyInAWell, and SaintBernardRescue.
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** ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'': Another group of prisoners are whistling and hooting to call someone over...but in this case, they're cat-calling Elizabeth, sitting in the next cell after being wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when Governor Swann comes to get her out, he looks around and remarks "Now, where's that dog with the keys?" In a BrickJoke, we later find out where the pup went: a [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] reveals that he's somehow become the new king of the cannibal island that Jack was trapped on earlier in the film.
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** ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'': Another group of prisoners are whistling and hooting to call someone over...but in this case, they're cat-calling Elizabeth, sitting in the next cell after being wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when Governor Swann comes to get her out, he looks around and remarks "Now, where's that dog with the keys?" In a BrickJoke, we later find out where see Pintel and Ragetti in a rowboat having escaped their cell, and then we see the pup went: a [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] reveals that he's somehow become the new king of the cannibal island that Jack was trapped on earlier dog (keys still in mouth) is in the film.boat with them.
** Concluded in ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd'': The Brethren Court bring out the (locked) book containing the Pirate's code, and the dog turns up carrying ''these'' keys as well.
** Concluded in ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd'': The Brethren Court bring out the (locked) book containing the Pirate's code, and the dog turns up carrying ''these'' keys as well.
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* ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'': Adapting the scene from [[Ride/PiratesOfTheCaribbean the ride]], Captain Jack Sparrow mocks the other prisoners for trying to coax the mangy dog into bringing them the keys. A cannon ball opens up part of their cell, allowing them to escape. Once they leave, Sparrow starts whistling for the dog, too, but when the cursed pirates appear, the dog runs away with the keys, leaving him completely trapped.
** This reaches RunningGag status as the series goes on. In ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'', another group of prisoners whistling and hooting to call someone over...but in this case, it's Elizabeth, sitting in the next cell after being wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when Governor Swann comes to get her out, he looks around and remarks "Now, where's that dog with the keys?" In a BrickJoke, we later find out where the pup went: a [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] reveals that he's somehow become the new king of the cannibal island that Jack was trapped on earlier in the film.
** In [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd the third movie]], a variation is used. The Nine Pirate Lords and Captain Teague call for someone to bring them the Pirates' Codex...and the ''same dog'' promptly trots out with the book in his mouth. Jack [[LampshadeHanging starts to question how it happened]], but Teague (who's also his father) has a simple answer: "[[RunningGag Sea turtles, mate.]]"
** This reaches RunningGag status as the series goes on. In ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'', another group of prisoners whistling and hooting to call someone over...but in this case, it's Elizabeth, sitting in the next cell after being wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when Governor Swann comes to get her out, he looks around and remarks "Now, where's that dog with the keys?" In a BrickJoke, we later find out where the pup went: a [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] reveals that he's somehow become the new king of the cannibal island that Jack was trapped on earlier in the film.
** In [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd the third movie]], a variation is used. The Nine Pirate Lords and Captain Teague call for someone to bring them the Pirates' Codex...and the ''same dog'' promptly trots out with the book in his mouth. Jack [[LampshadeHanging starts to question how it happened]], but Teague (who's also his father) has a simple answer: "[[RunningGag Sea turtles, mate.]]"
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* ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'':
** ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'': Adapting the scene from [[Ride/PiratesOfTheCaribbean the ride]], Captain Jack Sparrow mocks the other prisoners for trying to coax the mangy dog into bringing them the keys. A cannon ball opens up part of their cell, allowing them to escape. Once they leave, Sparrow starts whistling for the dog, too, but when the cursed pirates appear, the dog runs away with the keys, leaving him completely trapped.
**This reaches RunningGag status as the series goes on. In ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'', another ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'': Another group of prisoners are whistling and hooting to call someone over...but in this case, it's they're cat-calling Elizabeth, sitting in the next cell after being wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when Governor Swann comes to get her out, he looks around and remarks "Now, where's that dog with the keys?" In a BrickJoke, we later find out where the pup went: a [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] reveals that he's somehow become the new king of the cannibal island that Jack was trapped on earlier in the film.
** In [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd the third movie]], a variation is used. The Nine Pirate Lords and Captain Teague call for someone to bring them the Pirates' Codex...and the ''same dog'' promptly trots out with the book in his mouth. Jack [[LampshadeHanging starts to question how it happened]], but Teague (who's also his father) has a simple answer: "[[RunningGag Sea turtles, mate.]]"film.
** ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'': Adapting the scene from [[Ride/PiratesOfTheCaribbean the ride]], Captain Jack Sparrow mocks the other prisoners for trying to coax the mangy dog into bringing them the keys. A cannon ball opens up part of their cell, allowing them to escape. Once they leave, Sparrow starts whistling for the dog, too, but when the cursed pirates appear, the dog runs away with the keys, leaving him completely trapped.
**
** In [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd the third movie]], a variation is used. The Nine Pirate Lords and Captain Teague call for someone to bring them the Pirates' Codex...and the ''same dog'' promptly trots out with the book in his mouth. Jack [[LampshadeHanging starts to question how it happened]], but Teague (who's also his father) has a simple answer: "[[RunningGag Sea turtles, mate.]]"
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* Played with in ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}''. Al is shackled in a dungeon for "kidnapping" Princess Jasmin. His monkey Abu comes to pick open the shackle locks, but that doesn't free him from the dungeon--a disguised Jafar does, as part of his plan to get the magic lamp.
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* Played with in ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}''. Al is shackled in a dungeon for "kidnapping" Princess Jasmin.Jasmine. His monkey Abu comes to pick open the shackle locks, but that doesn't free him from the dungeon--a disguised Jafar does, as part of his plan to get the magic lamp.
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[[folder:Film - Animated]]
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[[folder:Rides]]
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[[/folder]]
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%%
%% NOTE: EXAMPLES ARE ALPHABETIZED.
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%% NOTE: EXAMPLES ARE ALPHABETIZED.
%%
* Played with in ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}''. Al is shackled in a dungeon for "kidnapping" Princess Jasmin. His monkey Abu comes to pick open the shackle locks, but that doesn't free him from the dungeon--a disguised Jafar does, as part of his plan to get the magic lamp.
* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossibleMovieSoTheDrama'': After Team Possible is captured by Drakken, Rufus retrieves Kim's [[ShoePhone laser lipstick]] to get them untied.
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* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossibleMovieSoTheDrama'': After Team Possible is captured by Drakken, Rufus retrieves Kim's [[ShoePhone laser lipstick]] to get them untied.
* Played with in ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}''. Al is shackled in a dungeon for "kidnapping" Princess Jasmin. His monkey Abu comes to pick open the shackle locks, but that doesn't free him from the dungeon - a disguised Jafar does, as part of his plan to get the magic lamp.
* Played with in ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}''. Al is shackled in a dungeon for "kidnapping" Princess Jasmin. His monkey Abu comes to pick open the shackle locks, but that doesn't free him from the dungeon - a disguised Jafar does, as part of his plan to get the magic lamp.
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* Played with in ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}''. Al is shackled in a dungeon for "kidnapping" Princess Jasmin. His monkey Abu comes to pick open the shackle locks, but that doesn't free him from the dungeon - a disguised Jafar does, as part of his plan to get the magic lamp.
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can't be both "promptly" and "as the series goes on"
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** This promptly reaches RunningGag status as the series goes on. In ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'', another group of prisoners whistling and hooting to call someone over...but in this case, it's Elizabeth, sitting in the next cell after being wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when Governor Swann comes to get her out, he looks around and remarks "Now, where's that dog with the keys?" In a BrickJoke, we later find out where the pup went: a [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] reveals that he's somehow become the new king of the cannibal island that Jack was trapped on earlier in the film.
to:
** This promptly reaches RunningGag status as the series goes on. In ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'', another group of prisoners whistling and hooting to call someone over...but in this case, it's Elizabeth, sitting in the next cell after being wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when Governor Swann comes to get her out, he looks around and remarks "Now, where's that dog with the keys?" In a BrickJoke, we later find out where the pup went: a [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] reveals that he's somehow become the new king of the cannibal island that Jack was trapped on earlier in the film.
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** This promptly reaches RunningGag status as the series goes on. In ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'', another group of prisoners whistling and hooting to call someone over...but in this case, it's Elizabeth, sitting in the next cell after being wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when Governor Swann comes to get her out, he looks around and remarks "Now, where's that dog with the keys?" In a BrickJoke, we find out where the pup went: [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] reveals that he's somehow become the new king of the cannibal island that Jack was trapped on earlier in the film.
to:
** This promptly reaches RunningGag status as the series goes on. In ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'', another group of prisoners whistling and hooting to call someone over...but in this case, it's Elizabeth, sitting in the next cell after being wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when Governor Swann comes to get her out, he looks around and remarks "Now, where's that dog with the keys?" In a BrickJoke, we later find out where the pup went: a [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] reveals that he's somehow become the new king of the cannibal island that Jack was trapped on earlier in the film.
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* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossibleMovieSoTheDrama'': After Team Possible is captured by Drakken, Rufus retrieves Kim's [[ShoePhone laser lipstick]] to get them untied.
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** This promptly reaches RunningGag status as the series goes on. In ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'', another group of prisoners whistling and hooting to call someone over...but in this case, it's Elizabeth, sitting in the next cell after being wrongfully imprisoned. Later, when Governor Swann comes to get her out, he looks around and remarks "Now, where's that dog with the keys?" In a BrickJoke, we find out where the pup went: [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] reveals that he's somehow become the new king of the cannibal island that Jack was trapped on earlier in the film.
** In [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd the third movie]], a variation is used. The Nine Pirate Lords and Captain Teague call for someone to bring them the Pirates' Codex...and the ''same dog'' promptly trots out with the book in his mouth. Jack [[LampshadeHanging starts to question how it happened]], but Teague (who's also his father) has a simple answer: "[[RunningGag Sea turtles, mate.]]"
** In [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd the third movie]], a variation is used. The Nine Pirate Lords and Captain Teague call for someone to bring them the Pirates' Codex...and the ''same dog'' promptly trots out with the book in his mouth. Jack [[LampshadeHanging starts to question how it happened]], but Teague (who's also his father) has a simple answer: "[[RunningGag Sea turtles, mate.]]"
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheRoadToElDorado'': From their holding cell onboard ship, Miguel offers the captain's [[AllAnimalsAreDogs horse]] Altivo an apple if he will bring them a pry bar. Just as Tulio is ridiculing him for expecting a horse to understand the words "pry bar," Altivo shows up with the cell keys instead. Tulio promptly [[MovingTheGoalposts moves the goal posts]] by claiming that [[ExactWords technically speaking]], Altivo ''didn't'' understand the words "pry bar."
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheRoadToElDorado'': From their holding cell onboard ship, Miguel offers the captain's [[AllAnimalsAreDogs horse]] Altivo an apple if he will bring them a pry bar. Just as Tulio is ridiculing him for expecting a horse to understand the words "pry bar," Altivo shows up with the cell keys instead. Tulio promptly [[MovingTheGoalposts moves the goal posts]] by claiming that [[ExactWords technically speaking]], Altivo ''didn't'' understand the words "pry get them a pry bar."
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheRoadToElDorado'': From their holding cell onboard ship, Miguel offers the captain's [[AllAnimalsAreDogs horse]] Altivo an apple if he will bring them a pry bar. Just as Tulio is ridiculing him for expecting a horse to understand the words "pry bar," Altivo shows up with the cell keys instead.
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheRoadToElDorado'': From their holding cell onboard ship, Miguel offers the captain's [[AllAnimalsAreDogs horse]] Altivo an apple if he will bring them a pry bar. Just as Tulio is ridiculing him for expecting a horse to understand the words "pry bar," Altivo shows up with the cell keys instead. Tulio promptly [[MovingTheGoalposts moves the goal posts]] by claiming that [[ExactWords technically speaking]], Altivo ''didn't'' understand the words "pry bar."
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* In ''Film/TheMask'', Stanley get his dog Milo to climb the wall into jail and sneak the keys off the sleeping policeman.
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* In ''Film/TheMask'', Stanley get Stanley's dog Milo's ability to fetch his dog Milo master's keys [[ChekhovsSkill comes in handy]] when he has to climb the wall into jail and sneak the keys off the sleeping policeman.policeman to break Stanley out--though he at first misunderstands the command, going for the policeman's sandwich.
-->'''Stanley:''' Not the ''cheese'', the '''''keys!'''''
-->'''Stanley:''' Not the ''cheese'', the '''''keys!'''''
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Removing duplicate folder control.
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[[/folder]]
[[foldercontrol]]
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[[foldercontrol]]
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See also SaintBernardRescue.
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Indices: IndexToTheRescue, PrisonTropes, ARestrainedIndex, ThisIndexBarks
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Gathering examples; Administrivia/RollingUpdates.
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Gathering examples; Administrivia/RollingUpdates.
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[[quoteright:350: [[Ride/PiratesOfTheCaribbean https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/key_dog_8.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Here boy!]]
->''"When I capture the hero, I will make sure I also get his dog, monkey, ferret, or whatever sickeningly cute little animal capable of untying ropes and filching keys happens to follow him around."''
-->-- Rule #42 on the EvilOverlordList
So, you're in {{Prison}}. Or, at least, a jail cell. Your enemies have caught you and, having better things to do than murder you right away, have thrown you behind bars for safe keeping. Or maybe your allies have handcuffed you to a radiator [[LockedUpAndLeftBehind to get you out of the way]]. But who's not locked up? That animal on the other side of the room . . . right next to the big ring of keys on the wall.
Now the task is to get the animal to bring the keys (or some other useful escape tool) over to you. If it's your NonHumanSidekick, this could be as simple as a meaningful wink or [[JustWhistle special signal]]. But if it's a critter you're not necessarily on the best of terms with or don't know--or, heavens forbid, one belonging to the enemies who was given the keys for safe-keeping--well, you could be screwed. A common variation is for the sidekick to have to steal the keys off TheJailer's person.
This often facilitates CardboardPrison. Sister-trope to ConvenientlyPlacedSharpThing. Compare BringHelpBack for when there aren't any keys around. See also JailBake and PassiveRescue for other ways of getting keys to prisoners, though this is more likely to occur on the spur of the moment than to be a part of a GreatEscape. If the imprisoned character is a villain, this is a subtrope of BreakingOutTheBoss. May involve a CoolKey or a DangerousKeyFumble.
See also SaintBernardRescue.
Indices: IndexToTheRescue, PrisonTropes, ARestrainedIndex, ThisIndexBarks
----
!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Comic Books]]
* {{Subverted}} in ''ComicBook/RapunzelsRevenge''. When Jack and Rapunzel are locked up by TheSheriff, Jack tries to get his uncooperative goose Goldie to bring them the ring of keys on the wall . . . only to realize the cell was never locked in the first place.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film - Animated]]
* ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'': After Lady Tremaine locks Cinderella in her room during the Duke's visit, the mice Jaq and Gus have to get the key from Tremaine's pocket and carry it up the stairs to free her.
* ''Disney/TheRescuersDownUnder'': Cody is trapped by [=McLeach=] with some of the animals he's poached. One of them, Frank the frilled lizard, manages to free himself and tries to get the keys to Cody. Unfortunately, [=McLeach's=] pet goanna Joanna arrives to stop him.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheRoadToElDorado'': From their holding cell onboard ship, Miguel offers the captain's [[AllAnimalsAreDogs horse]] Altivo an apple if he will bring them a pry bar. Just as Tulio is ridiculing him for expecting a horse to understand the words "pry bar," Altivo shows up with the cell keys instead.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film - Live Action]]
* ''Film/TheBeastmaster'': The Beastmaster's ferrets, who make a habit of getting him out of sticky situations, steal a key and slip under a door to get it to him when he is trapped in a cell.
* A variant in ''Film/FantasticBeastsandWhereToFindThem'': while Newt's bowtruckle companion, Pickett, doesn't outright bring him a set of keys, he does repeatedly pick locks to get Newt out of handcuffs.
* ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'': When Yondu and Rocket are locked in the ship's hold, they catch Baby Groot's attention and tell him to bring Yondu's prototype [[WeaponOfChoice head fin]] so they can break out. Unfortunately, Groot doesn't quite understand what they're talking about and brings back a series of increasingly hilarious objects--including a pair of underwear, a severed toe, and a desk--before a regretful mutineer helps him out.
* In ''[[Film/TheLoveBug Herbie Goes Bananas]]'', Herbie (a [[SentientVehicle sentient car]] who behaves much like an [[NonHumanSidekick animal sidekick]]) retrieves the key to Paco's cell by [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IZbsigk_rY bending his antenna enough to hook the keyring]].
* In ''Film/TheMask'', Stanley get his dog Milo to climb the wall into jail and sneak the keys off the sleeping policeman.
* ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'': Adapting the scene from [[Ride/PiratesOfTheCaribbean the ride]], Captain Jack Sparrow mocks the other prisoners for trying to coax the mangy dog into bringing them the keys. A cannon ball opens up part of their cell, allowing them to escape. Once they leave, Sparrow starts whistling for the dog, too, but when the cursed pirates appear, the dog runs away with the keys, leaving him completely trapped.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* A technological variation in the fifth ''Literature/ArtemisFowl'' book. When Holly is imprisoned, her MissionControl remote-activates her ''[[TechnologyPorn helmet]]'' in the other room to bounce over and break her out with its laser. She is considerably weirded out to find it bouncing up and down outside her cell like a little animal.
* {{Defied}} by Fred Colon of the Discworld book ''Discworld/{{Thud}}''. He is described as being a particularly good jailor for, among other reasons, keeping the keys to his cells "in a tin box in the bottom drawer of his desk, a long way out of reach of any stick, hand, dog, cunningly thrown belt or trained Klatchian monkey spider." A footnote mentions this makes him possibly unique in the annals of jail history.
* In ''Literature/{{Worm}}'', Taylor uses cockroaches to steal a cop's keys and get out of handcuffs.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Music]]
* Music/GwenStefani's video, "The Sweet Escape," shows Gwen begging the tranquil lab holding the key to her LuxuryPrisonSuite to come closer. her cellmates eventually manage to coax it over with a large gold bone.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Rides]]
* ''Ride/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'': While the ride is taking you through the attack on Port Royal, you can see and hear several prisoners trying to coax a mangy dog into bringing them the keys to their cell. The dog has the keys in its mouth, but doesn't seem certain about going to the cell door.
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[[folder:Web Original]]
* Common enough to earn an appearance on the EvilOverlordList, where item 42 has the overlord vow to imprison the hero's pet along with the hero, to prevent it fetching the keys for them or otherwise breaking them out.
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[[folder:Western Animation]]
* In the ''WesternAnimation/ActionLeagueNow'' episode, "Hey! Who Stole My Face?", a blender accident leaves Bill the Lab Guy to put [[DaChief The Chief]] and [[PresidentEvil The Mayor]] back together. Bill does so, but accidentally switches their faces. The Mayor with The Chief's face takes advantage of this, and tricks the police into arresting The Chief with The Mayor's face. Because Justice, The Chief's pet dog [[EvilDetectingDog is the only one who can tell The Chief and The Mayor apart even with their faces switched]], he rescues The Chief with The Mayor's face by bringing him the keys to his jail cell.
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[[quoteright:350: [[Ride/PiratesOfTheCaribbean https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/key_dog_8.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Here boy!]]
->''"When I capture the hero, I will make sure I also get his dog, monkey, ferret, or whatever sickeningly cute little animal capable of untying ropes and filching keys happens to follow him around."''
-->-- Rule #42 on the EvilOverlordList
So, you're in {{Prison}}. Or, at least, a jail cell. Your enemies have caught you and, having better things to do than murder you right away, have thrown you behind bars for safe keeping. Or maybe your allies have handcuffed you to a radiator [[LockedUpAndLeftBehind to get you out of the way]]. But who's not locked up? That animal on the other side of the room . . . right next to the big ring of keys on the wall.
Now the task is to get the animal to bring the keys (or some other useful escape tool) over to you. If it's your NonHumanSidekick, this could be as simple as a meaningful wink or [[JustWhistle special signal]]. But if it's a critter you're not necessarily on the best of terms with or don't know--or, heavens forbid, one belonging to the enemies who was given the keys for safe-keeping--well, you could be screwed. A common variation is for the sidekick to have to steal the keys off TheJailer's person.
This often facilitates CardboardPrison. Sister-trope to ConvenientlyPlacedSharpThing. Compare BringHelpBack for when there aren't any keys around. See also JailBake and PassiveRescue for other ways of getting keys to prisoners, though this is more likely to occur on the spur of the moment than to be a part of a GreatEscape. If the imprisoned character is a villain, this is a subtrope of BreakingOutTheBoss. May involve a CoolKey or a DangerousKeyFumble.
See also SaintBernardRescue.
Indices: IndexToTheRescue, PrisonTropes, ARestrainedIndex, ThisIndexBarks
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!!Examples:
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[[folder:Comic Books]]
* {{Subverted}} in ''ComicBook/RapunzelsRevenge''. When Jack and Rapunzel are locked up by TheSheriff, Jack tries to get his uncooperative goose Goldie to bring them the ring of keys on the wall . . . only to realize the cell was never locked in the first place.
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[[folder:Film - Animated]]
* ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'': After Lady Tremaine locks Cinderella in her room during the Duke's visit, the mice Jaq and Gus have to get the key from Tremaine's pocket and carry it up the stairs to free her.
* ''Disney/TheRescuersDownUnder'': Cody is trapped by [=McLeach=] with some of the animals he's poached. One of them, Frank the frilled lizard, manages to free himself and tries to get the keys to Cody. Unfortunately, [=McLeach's=] pet goanna Joanna arrives to stop him.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheRoadToElDorado'': From their holding cell onboard ship, Miguel offers the captain's [[AllAnimalsAreDogs horse]] Altivo an apple if he will bring them a pry bar. Just as Tulio is ridiculing him for expecting a horse to understand the words "pry bar," Altivo shows up with the cell keys instead.
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[[folder:Film - Live Action]]
* ''Film/TheBeastmaster'': The Beastmaster's ferrets, who make a habit of getting him out of sticky situations, steal a key and slip under a door to get it to him when he is trapped in a cell.
* A variant in ''Film/FantasticBeastsandWhereToFindThem'': while Newt's bowtruckle companion, Pickett, doesn't outright bring him a set of keys, he does repeatedly pick locks to get Newt out of handcuffs.
* ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'': When Yondu and Rocket are locked in the ship's hold, they catch Baby Groot's attention and tell him to bring Yondu's prototype [[WeaponOfChoice head fin]] so they can break out. Unfortunately, Groot doesn't quite understand what they're talking about and brings back a series of increasingly hilarious objects--including a pair of underwear, a severed toe, and a desk--before a regretful mutineer helps him out.
* In ''[[Film/TheLoveBug Herbie Goes Bananas]]'', Herbie (a [[SentientVehicle sentient car]] who behaves much like an [[NonHumanSidekick animal sidekick]]) retrieves the key to Paco's cell by [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IZbsigk_rY bending his antenna enough to hook the keyring]].
* In ''Film/TheMask'', Stanley get his dog Milo to climb the wall into jail and sneak the keys off the sleeping policeman.
* ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'': Adapting the scene from [[Ride/PiratesOfTheCaribbean the ride]], Captain Jack Sparrow mocks the other prisoners for trying to coax the mangy dog into bringing them the keys. A cannon ball opens up part of their cell, allowing them to escape. Once they leave, Sparrow starts whistling for the dog, too, but when the cursed pirates appear, the dog runs away with the keys, leaving him completely trapped.
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[[folder:Literature]]
* A technological variation in the fifth ''Literature/ArtemisFowl'' book. When Holly is imprisoned, her MissionControl remote-activates her ''[[TechnologyPorn helmet]]'' in the other room to bounce over and break her out with its laser. She is considerably weirded out to find it bouncing up and down outside her cell like a little animal.
* {{Defied}} by Fred Colon of the Discworld book ''Discworld/{{Thud}}''. He is described as being a particularly good jailor for, among other reasons, keeping the keys to his cells "in a tin box in the bottom drawer of his desk, a long way out of reach of any stick, hand, dog, cunningly thrown belt or trained Klatchian monkey spider." A footnote mentions this makes him possibly unique in the annals of jail history.
* In ''Literature/{{Worm}}'', Taylor uses cockroaches to steal a cop's keys and get out of handcuffs.
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[[folder:Music]]
* Music/GwenStefani's video, "The Sweet Escape," shows Gwen begging the tranquil lab holding the key to her LuxuryPrisonSuite to come closer. her cellmates eventually manage to coax it over with a large gold bone.
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[[folder:Rides]]
* ''Ride/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'': While the ride is taking you through the attack on Port Royal, you can see and hear several prisoners trying to coax a mangy dog into bringing them the keys to their cell. The dog has the keys in its mouth, but doesn't seem certain about going to the cell door.
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[[folder:Web Original]]
* Common enough to earn an appearance on the EvilOverlordList, where item 42 has the overlord vow to imprison the hero's pet along with the hero, to prevent it fetching the keys for them or otherwise breaking them out.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* In the ''WesternAnimation/ActionLeagueNow'' episode, "Hey! Who Stole My Face?", a blender accident leaves Bill the Lab Guy to put [[DaChief The Chief]] and [[PresidentEvil The Mayor]] back together. Bill does so, but accidentally switches their faces. The Mayor with The Chief's face takes advantage of this, and tricks the police into arresting The Chief with The Mayor's face. Because Justice, The Chief's pet dog [[EvilDetectingDog is the only one who can tell The Chief and The Mayor apart even with their faces switched]], he rescues The Chief with The Mayor's face by bringing him the keys to his jail cell.
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