Monkey Trouble

In Los Angeles, nine-year-old Eva longs for a pet dog. Her mother Amy believes she isn't responsible enough, and her stepdad Tom, a police lieutenant, is allergic to fur. The home dynamic sets the stage for Dodger to enter Eva's life and complicate the family routine.

Drake and Charlie recruit Romani kleptomaniac Azro and his capuchin monkey Fingers into their crime syndicate. In a test burglary, they steal valuable items from Eva's home to prove themselves. The act seals Azro's admission to the group, while Fingers grows resentful of the mistreatment.

Tension between Azro and Fingers escalates, and Fingers bolts from Azro after the test. He hides out in a park near Eva's house, avoiding pursuit by the crime group. This escape plants the seeds for Eva to encounter Dodger later.

The next day, as Eva walks home from school, Fingers drops from a tree and latches onto her. She instantly bonds with him and names him Dodger, drawn to her Dodgers hat. She secretly keeps the monkey hidden at home for now.

Eva hides Dodger in her bedroom and leaves him in the care of Annie, a pet-store businesswoman, while she attends school. The domestic routine continues, but Dodger's presence gently destabilizes the household. Tom and Amy remain mostly unaware of the furry newcomer.

Tom starts sneezing frequently, suspecting a cold or a rat problem in the apartment. Meanwhile Azro continues the hunt for Dodger but comes up empty-handed. The tension between the family and the criminals grows louder.

Over the weekend, Eva plans to visit her biological father Peter at his house, but learns he will be out of town. She keeps this from her parents so she can have the place to herself and Dodger for the weekend. Dodger even squeezes in through an upstairs window when there’s no key.

To earn money, Eva and Dodger perform on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, and Dodger secretly pickpockets people. Eva is horrified when she discovers the stolen items in her backpack. She struggles to train Dodger to stop his illicit antics.

Azro learns Peter's address and arrives at Eva's house, frightening Eva and Dodger. Eva calls the police, but Azro claims she dialed 9-1-1 as a joke to deflect suspicion. The encounter intensifies the danger around Dodger.

Tom notices a stolen jewelry item on Eva and, together with Amy, discovers more stolen pieces in Eva's room. The truth starts to surface, casting doubt on Eva's account and increasing the tension at home. Eva fears losing Dodger as the situation spirals.

Azro steals Dodger back, heightening Eva's fear and confusion. She tries to explain everything to her parents, but they do not believe her. Determined to find Dodger, Eva resolves to uncover the truth on her own.

Tom and other officers arrest Azro, and Tom finally overcomes his allergy to monkey fur. Eva meets Azro's son Mark, who comes to take Dodger back; Dodger initially leaves with him, but he changes his mind and returns to Eva. The story closes with Eva and Dodger showing both him and Jack to her classmates at school.