The tip-over trunk sounds like a good idea, but you might want to make it stand up on one end rather than lie on the bottom (opening up like a costume trunk). The Dodger could be strapped to the tipping shelf so he would appear in an upright position and come out ready to debate, complain about his travel arrangements, etc.

Another idea would be to make a pair of nesting box tubes (As in Jim Gerrish's "Production Tubes" in his Hardboard and Duct Tape Book 2, Book 1, item 8, on my site). The boxes could be strapped to the base for travel. The idea would be to show the boxes empty, then find a miniature Dodger inside one of them (a tiny action figure doll dressed the same). He demands (in a squeaky high pitched voice) that you restore him to his usual size, and you do, whereupon he demands to be made as big as you, etc.

Spellbinder,

Thanks for the great suggestions. I like the tube idea. You really got me thinking.

Oliver