Unwell Season 4/Episode 9- Tighten the Ropes

by Jessica Wright Buha

I scream You scream We all scream
Unimaginable fear
Something must be done

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Listen to the Episode Here.

Content Advisories for this episode can be found here.

Support Unwell and HartLife NFP on Patreon at www.patreon.com/hartlifenfp

This episode features: Clarisa Cherie Rios as Lily, Pat King as Chester, Miles Buha as Jamie, Joshua K. Harris as Rudy, Corrbette Pasko as Maureen, Michael Turrentine as Wes, Mark Soloff as Silas Lodge, Sebastian H Orr as **$&#*$, Ele Matelan as &&@)@*&, Hilary Williams as Joey, D'Souza's employees and patrons: Tina Daniels, Newt Schottelkotte, Bob Raymonda, Jeffrey Nils Gardner, Kris Kaiyala.

Written by Jessica Wright Buha, sound design by Alexander Danner, directed by Jeffrey Nils Gardner, theme music composed by Stephen Poon, recording engineer Mel Ruder, associate producer Ani Enghdahl, Theme performed by Stephen Poon, Lauren Kelly, Gunnar Jebsen, Travis Elfers, Mel Ruder, and Betsey Palmer, produced by haydée r. souffrant, Unwell lead sound designer Eli Hamada McIlveen, Executive Producers Eleanor Hyde and Jeffrey Nils Gardner, by HartLife NFP.

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INT. DESOUZA'S ICE CREAM - DAY

SFX: A VERY CROWDED AND SMALL ICE CREAM SHOP. ICE CREAM SHOP

MUSIC PLAYS. RING OF BELL ON DOOR, CLINK OF SPENT METAL SAMPLE

SPOONS IN A BOWL. LOTS OF SHOUTING/BUSTLING.

WORKER #1

Welcome to DeSouza's home of DeLicious. Would you like to sample any of our ice creams?

PATRON #1

Could I try the salted caramel?

WORKER #1

Sure!

PATRON #2

Hey Maureen, what's the difference between sherbet and ice cream? I've always wondered...

MAUREEN

Okay, aside from everything, sherbet is definitely more fruit forward, to start--

SFX: THE BUSTLE FADES INTO THE BACKGROUND.

LILY

All right, Jamie. What're you gonna get.

JAMIE

I can't decide! What are you gonna get, Lily?

LILY

Cookie dough. Or, ooo, peanut butter cup. I

remember that being good.

JAMIE

Dad always gets peanut butter cup.

CHESTER

It is very good.

JAMIE

Dad, I think you should get blue raspberry today.

Because if it spills on your shirt, it's fine

cause it's already blue.

LILY

You got a smart kid here, Chester.

CHESTER

I do.

LILY

Thanks for asking me to get ice cream, Jamie.

JAMIE

Well, it's cause I like you. And I love ice

cream. I guess all these other people like ice

cream, too.

LILY

Yeah, maybe next time, let's not go on opening

day.

JAMIE

Why is it opening day?

LILY

Because Maureen doesn't sell ice cream in the

winter.

JAMIE

Why?

CHESTER

It's not too much fun to eat ice cream when it's

cold out.

JAMIE

Yeah, cause then your whole body would freeze.

LILY

And you'd have to walk around like,

(with clenched teeth)

my teeth are frozen shut.

SFX: JAMIE LAUGHS--A BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL SOUND.

LILY (cont'd)

(with clenched teeth)

How will I eat my ice cream.

SFX: QUICK FOOTSTEPS IN AS RUDY ENTERS.

RUDY

Chester!

CHESTER

Rudy. Oh, the end of the line is actually

outside--

RUDY

What's Hazel planning to do to Silas?

CHESTER

But you must try the rum raisin.

RUDY

Sorry.

(lowering his voice)

I was in the August Hall just now, doing some

research.

CHESTER

Research?

RUDY

And Hazel told me,

JAMIE

(with clenched teeth)

Will someone please melt me. Excuse me, Dad, will

you melt me?

CHESTER

There go the clouds, here comes the sun!

There. You're melted.

JAMIE

Hoooo! That was close. I thought I was frozen

forever.

RUDY

And Hazel said, "Don't worry about Silas, he will

soon be brought to heel.

JAMIE

What's "brought to heel"?

LILY

Jamie, why don't we make a maze? Hold our place

in line, Chester.

RUDY

So her plan is to try and control Silas.

CHESTER

Yes.

RUDY

No.

LILY

Here Jamie, let's sit here, and we'll...

SFX: FLIT OF A PAPER NAPKIN BEING TAKEN OUT OF A HOLDER. CLICK

OF A PEN BEING OPENED.

LILY (cont'd)

Draw on this napkin. Here's a pen.

JAMIE

Thanks!

LILY

I'll be right back.

JAMIE

Okay.

SFX: LILY'S FOOTSTEPS WALK BACK TO CHESTER AND RUDY.

JAMIE (O.S.)

So, here's the start...

RUDY

We have one chance to deal with Silas. One!

CHESTER

Lower your voice.

LILY

Chester, what exactly is her plan.

CHESTER

Well...

RUDY

Well?

JAMIE (O.S.)

And then there's going to be some rocks--here are

the rock throwers, BOOOSH BOOOOSH, "Ahhh, I got

hit by a rock!"

CHESTER

Looks great, Jam'!

LILY

Chester?

CHESTER

Yes. Ah, first. A mixture of Deep Water and the

iridescent mineral from the bottling works.

LILY

Ah, of course that's what she stole.

CHESTER

Hazel believes it's the--. It's valuable.

RUDY

Iridescent mineral from the--this the same

compound from the chapel?

LILY

What?

RUDY

Lily, you were the one lowered into it.

LILY

Oh dang. It is probably the same thing.

JAMIE (O.S.)

And these are the Eveeeee...fers. Lily, look! I

drew some Eve-fers!

LILY

That's so cool!

JAMIE (O.S)

Eve-fers are little evil but also a little bit

not. They're really hairy--I gotta draw more

hair.

SFX: JAMIE SCRIBBLES WITH THE PEN.

JAMIE (O.S.)

There we go. That's enough hair. And they like to

eat your arms off. But only when you're not

looking.

LILY

Okay, so she's watering the stones. That it?

JAMIE

Second, one takes this water-stone mixture and

submerges the bell pull--

RUDY

Bell pull.

LILY

What's this bell pull.

CHESTER

It's the rope they used to ring the bell above

the former chapel.

LILY

You're laying way too much new stuff on us,

Chester.

RUDY

You found the original bell pull from Silas'

chapel?

CHESTER

Lying in plain sight, as it were. Hazel found it

coiled up in the basement of the observatory.

RUDY

The good rope. We used it to lower you down.

LILY

Oh my God, so that was, what, three-hundred-year

old rope?

RUDY

Pretty good rope.

LILY

Hooo. Okay. Water the stones, sound the bell,

then...

CHESTER

Last, simply a matter of taking the infused bell

cord, setting the snare, and proceeding to--

LILY

Tighten the rope.

JAMIE (O.S.)

Oh! And I forgot to add one thing!

CHESTER

I think it looks great, Jamie.

JAMIE (O.S.)

It needs one more thing. A secret exit. And it

leads right...

SFX: PAPER IS RUSTLED AS JAMIE TURNS IT OVER.

JAMIE (O.S.) (cont'd)

Here.

SFX: PEN SCRIBBLES ON RECEIPT PAPER.

JAMIE (O.S.) (cont'd)

And then the rock goes wooooosh.

SFX: JAMIE GETS UP AND RECREATES A BATTLE, WHERE HE PLAYS ALL

THE PARTS AND CREATES ALL THE SOUND EFFECTS.

RUDY

Chester, this plan is not going to work.

CHESTER

I fear it will. Hazel's spent her life studying

the lore. And she's not one for mistakes.

LILY

What happens after she ties him up.

CHESTER

Her aim is not containment, but a harnessing.

LILY

So now we get a lady Silas?

How is that fixing things.

CHESTER

The ramifications have not

been thought through.

JAMIE (O.S.)

And the eve-fers are like

chomp, chomp, "aaaaah, stop

chomping my arm!" "These Evefers

are going crazy!" Chomp

chomp chomp. "Ahhh!"

CHESTER (CONT.)

Hey Jam'? Can we use our indoor voice?

JAMIE (O.S)

Sorry.

CHESTER

That's okay.

RUDY

All this plan is going to do

is make Silas angry, and give

him the justification he

needs to do terrible things

to this town.

JAMIE (O.S.)

And then this goes

brrrrrrrrr, ah, run, they're

coming! BOOOSH,

Fffffffffwomp. "Quick! Duck

through here!"

LILY

Yeah, it's really risky. I'm honestly thinking

maybe the smartest thing is do right now is

nothing.

RUDY

I'm not doing nothing.

LILY

For now.

LILY (cont'd)

Rudy, look, nothing actually that bad has

happened.

RUDY

Oh, Lily.

LILY

It hasn't!

RUDY

The wolves?

LILY

No one's actually--

LILY

--been bitten.

CHESTER

The bottling works, Lilian.

LILY

See, exactly! The bottling works thing was

horrible and so messed up, but no one actually

got hurt. It's way too risky to be aggressive

with Silas, but we might be able to--eventually--

convince him that it's in his best interest--

LILY

--to leave.

CHESTER

Jamie?

SFX: THE ICE CREAM SHOP IS VERY LOUD.

CHESTER (cont'd)

Jamie?

LILY

Where'd he go?

CHESTER

Jamie!

SFX: THE MUTTERS CHANGE TO QUESTIONS.

PATRON #1

Where is he?

MAUREEN

Is there a lost kid?

LILY

Jamie?

CHESTER

JAMIE!

EXT. DESOUZA BACK ALLEY - DAY

SFX: DISTANT CARS ARE HEARD FROM MAIN STREET. UNSWEPT AUTUMN

LEAVES RATTLE AGAINST THE TRASHCANS IN THE WIND. CHESTER'S

SHOUTS ECHO OFF THE CLOSE BRICK WALLS.

CHESTER

Jamie! Jamie! Jamie!

LILY

Jamie! Jamie! Come out, come

out, whereever you are!

CHESTER

He's not here.

LILY

Jamie, if you're playing hide and seek, you win!

SFX: BACK DOOR SNAPS OPEN.

RUDY

I checked the front. No one saw him.

CHESTER

He's not here.

RUDY

Jamie! Hey, Jamie!

LILY

JAMIE! JAMIE!

CHESTER

Stop screaming! He's somewhere else.

LILY

Where is he.

CHESTER

He's safe.

RUDY

What?

CHESTER

Perfectly safe. The town takes care of its own.

LILY

Chester--

CHESTER

I assure you, he's not in danger.

LILY

Chester, I don't know if that's true.

CHESTER

Merely a question of which safe location he was

taken to. But he is safe.

LILY

Okay, I'm going to go find him, and I'll call you

once I do. Okay?

CHESTER

That's fine. I may go to the Hall--ask Grandpa

where he is. Save us some trouble.

LILY

Cool. Do that.

RUDY

Chester, let's go.

CHESTER

Yes.

SFX: CHESTER AND RUDY HURRY DOWN THE ALLEY.

RUDY (O.S.)

I'll drive.

CHESTER (O.S.)

No, I'll drive. I'm just here.

SFX: CHESTER AND RUDY HURRY DOWN THE ALLEY.

LILY

Okay.

SFX: LILY TAPS THE SCREEN OF HER SMARTPHONE. PHONE RINGS.

LILY (cont'd)

(to herself)

Fuck.

WES

Fenwood House, this is--.

LILY

Wes, get over here. Back of DeSouzas.

WES

Okay.

LILY

I think Silas took Jamie.

EXT. WEST PART OF TOWN - DAY

SFX: ENGINE ROARS. NO MUSIC. WIND RUSHES PAST THE OPEN

WINDOWS.

CHESTER

(into a phone)

Lulu, it's Chet. As calmly as

you can, go home and search

the house. Jamie is...[gone]

RUDY

Got a light coming up.

Slow down, it's a red light.

Chester, stop!

SFX: THE CAR SCREECHES TO A STOP.

CHESTER

(into the phone)

I don't know where Jamie is, at the moment. Love

you.

SFX: CLICK AS PHONE IS HUNG UP.

CHESTER (cont'd)

There is a chance he was deposited at home.

SFX: THE CAR ENGINES IDLES AT THE STOPLIGHT.

CHESTER (cont'd)

There is, Rudy, a history of this happening in

Mount Absalom. Someone's in a dangerous

situation, and they are taken out of it and put

somewhere safe.

SFX: CHESTER IS STRAINING TO KEEP A HOPEFUL MINDSET. IT'S VERY

DIFFICULT.

CHESTER (cont'd)

Stories of people saved. Waking up in trees

during floods. Many stories.

RUDY

Chester, don't you think it's possible that Silas

has taken him?

CHESTER

That would not have been allowed. But a little

clarity is needed. So. To the August Hall we go.

RUDY

Lots of things have happened recently that should

not have been allowed.

CHESTER

All will be explained at the Hall.

RUDY

Chester, it's a green light.

CHESTER

Yes. I--

RUDY

Chester?

CHESTER

There's a faster way, but I forget it.

RUDY

What?

CHESTER

A shortcut to the Hall. It's ah--

I'm sorry, I was attempting a shortcut to the

Hall and I'm afraid I'm having trouble focusing.

Ah. Let me see. Um.

SFX: CHESTER'S BREATHS BECOME MORE FRANTIC. HE'S VERGING

VERGING ON HYSTERIA.

RUDY

Chester.

CHESTER

Left. It's left.

SFX: CAR ENGINE ROARS TO LIFE AND SPEEDS AWAY.

EXT - EASTSIDE OF TOWN. DAY

SFX: LILY AND WES' FOOTSTEPS RUN DOWN MAIN STREET.

WES

Why would Silas take him.

LILY

I don't know. Send a signal.

WES

Lily, are you sure you looked everywhere in

DeSouza's?

LILY

Yes. Car's this way.

WES

Under the tables--

LILY

WES. He's not there.

WES

Just checking.

LILY

WHERE IS MY CAR.

WES

Lily, I think I should just meet you at the

woods.

LILY

No, run with me and scare away the wolves by town

hall.

WES

Should we call Dot?

LILY

Why?

WES

I know she hates Chester, but a lost kid? She'd

want to help.

LILY

We'll call her when we find him.

SFX: THEY RUN.

WES

You should've parked closer.

LILY

These spots weren't free earlier. Didn't realize

what an event the DeSouza DeSpring Opening was.

WES

Oh my goodness, yes. I remember--

SFX: LILY'S FOOTSTEPS STOP. THE SOUND OF THE FOUNTAIN AS THEY

STAND IN FRONT OF TOWN HALL.

LILY

Wes.

WES

What.

LILY

The wolves are gone.

WES

Where'd they go.

LILY

You tell me, Wes. Where'd they go?

WES

What--?

LILY

You and the wolves, man. There's something there.

It's like you guys are kinda... the same.

WES

I think we're both echoes. Sometimes I think

we're sensitive to the emotions of other echoes--

like we're radios tuned to the same frequency or

something.

LILY

Okay, so how're the wolves feeling?

WES

Calm.

LILY

Calm?

WES

Yeah. Oddly calm.

LILY

Good. I guess. Ooo, there's the car, let's go.

SFX: FOOTSTEPS RUN.

LILY (cont'd)

Also, sorry about what I said the other day.

about leaving.

WES

That's okay. Sorry too. We were mad.

LILY

Yeah, things've been stressful--

SFX: MUFFLED SOUND OF BOWLING AND PEOPLE CHEERING. LILY AND

WES STOP RUNNING.

LILY (cont'd)

Oh my God.

SFX: MUFFLED CLATTER OF PINS.

WES

Paradise Spared Lanes and Billiards

LILY

What.

WES

"Grand opening."

LILY

This definitely wasn't here when I parked.

WES

I don't like this place. It smells sour.

LILY

Silas has gotta be behind this. Let's go.

SFX: DOOR CREAKS OPEN. PINS FALL. CHEERS!

LILY (cont'd)

Wes, let's go!

WES

Okay.

INT - BOWLING ALLEY. DAY

SFX: BALLS ROLL DOWN LANES, PINS CRASH. WHENEVER PINS FALL, A

GROUP CHEERS LOUDLY. ALL OF THE PATRONS SEEM TO BE FROM THE

1950S.

ANNA THE AX(O.S.)

Big Bad B! Yes!

BIG BAD BETTY (O.S.)

Anna the Ax! You're up!

SFX: WES AND LILY'S FOOTSTEPS ENTER. SHOES STICK TO THE FLOOR

WES

What's wrong with the floor.

LILY

Yeah, that happens when you spill a beer and

don't mop it up. Ugh.

SFX: LAUGHTER. MORE BALLS ROLL. PINS CRASH. CHEERS.

ANNA THE AXE (O.S.)

You creamed those pins, Betty!

BIG BAD BETTY (O.S.)

You said we're going for

pinks. So let's go for pinks!

WES

Lily, there are no bars in

Mount Absalom.

LILY

Well, Silas just opened one. Knew it--there he

is. Reverend Lodge!

SILAS (O.S.)

Lilian!

SFX: WES AND LILY WALK OVER TO SILAS.

LILY

Reverend Lodge!

(low)

Wolves are calm?

WES

(low)

Very calm.

LILY

(low)

I’m trusting you.

WES

(low)

I know.

LILY

This your place, Reverend?

SILAS

It is!

WES

I'll ask if anyone's seen Jamie.

LILY

Great, thanks.

SILAS

Might I pour you something, Lilian? A barn burner

perhaps?

LILY

Sure!

SFX: BOTTLES CLINK AND LIQUOR IS POURED AS SILAS FIXES THE

DRINK. FOOTSTEPS AS WES APPROACHES SOME PATRONS

LILY (cont'd)

So why a bar slash bowling alley?

SILAS

There was a thought it would make people happy.

WES (O.S.)

Excuse me, have you seen this little boy?

SILAS

Here you are.

SFX: CLINK AS DRINK IS SET DOWN. LILY TAKES A SIP.

BIG BAD BETTY (O.S.)

Look who drove in from Squaresville. Beat it,

daddy-o.

LILY

This is nice! I see you've moved past persimmon

brandy.

SILAS

I have. I've a full range of options for my

discerning guests, and a sympathetic ear for

those in need.

LILY

Oh good! Cause that's me.

WES (O.S.)

Excuse me, I'm looking for this little boy...

LILY

You know, Reverend Lodge, I have been so lucky to

live in Mount Absalom for the last few months.

SILAS

It is a most fortuitous place.

LILY

But something happened today. A kid went missing.

WES (O.S.)

Excuse me, A kid's gone missing. Jamie Warren.

ANNA THE AXE (O.S.)

Ain't seen him.

SILAS

Ah, the child.

LILY

Yes. Where is he.

SFX: SILAS STARTS TO LAUGH.

LILY (cont'd)

It's not really funny. A lot of people are

worried about him. His dad, his--[mom]

SILAS

Chester Warren? The Delp-shit, as you say.

(to himself)

Naughty.

LILY

Look, Jamie means a lot to me.

SILAS

Why?

LILY

I just think he's funny. So, if you could just

tell me where he is, that'd be great.

SILAS

Now, Lilian. I wouldn't want to spoil the fun,

would I?

SFX: CRASH OF PINS. CHEERS.

INT. AUGUST HALL - DAY

SFX: THE WATER IN THE SPIRIT ORGAN BOILS.

CHESTER

It must be ready now.

RUDY

It's not--Chester, you're gonna let the steam out

early again--

SFX: CREAK OF VALVE AS CHESTER TURNS THE VALVE.

RUDY (cont'd)

Chester.

CHESTER

It's ready.

RUDY

Hold on--I gotta open that pitch-pipe app.

CHESTER

(to the steam organ)

Greetings, I wish to speak to those who have gone

before.

SFX: STEAM SHRIEKS SOFTLY

CHESTER (cont'd)

Request is granted. I summon the spirit of Arthur

Warren.

SFX: A FEW NOTES SOUND OUT.

CHESTER (cont'd)

Grandpa, where is Jamie.

SFX: THE DRONE NOTE SWITCHES

CHESTER (cont'd)

Rudy, quickly.

RUDY

That's D and F. Which means... moment--

SFX: RUDY FLIPS THROUGH BRITTLE PAGES.

RUDY (cont'd)

That's... House and many. Many houses. A

community? The town.

CHESTER

Yes. You've always taken care of your own. "In

thy hale and verdant arms, we have everything we

need." In turn, we are respectful, we follow the

signs, we rejoice in our safety.

Where is he. James Llewyn Warren, my son.

Where is he, please, he's a child.

SFX: THE STEAM ORGAN PLAYS

RUDY

G, that's ladder. Or, sorry, or love. Connection

between two things.

CHESTER

Yes, the town loves us, the town takes care of

us, tell me where he is, now, tell me!

SFX: THE STEAM ORGAN PLAYS

RUDY

C and D. House and rock. Oh, Safe! He's safe.

CHESTER

I understand he's safe.

SFX: THE STEAM ORGAN PLAYS

RUDY

Added a G. That's, ah...

SFX: RUDY FLIPS THROUGH THE BOOK.

RUDY (cont'd)

Wind, also future, eternity. Oh-- Always safe.

CHESTER

I would like to know where he is. Please. Can you

do that?

SFX: THE STEAM ORGAN PLAYS

RUDY

Yes.

CHESTER

Then tell me.

SFX: THE STEAM ORGAN PLAYS

RUDY

F sharp, that means you, then E flat, C, F, ah...

SFX: RUDY FLIPS THROUGH BRITTLE PAGES.

RUDY (cont'd)

Strong desire happiness? No, that's not right.

CHESTER

I need to be grateful.

SFX: THE STEAM ORGAN PLAYS

RUDY

Yes.

CHESTER

But I am grateful. I am nothing but grateful for

this place. I have labored my whole life, as had

my father, as have you, my grandfather, as have

my great-grandmother, all in service to thy hale

and verdant arms, and my son is taken and you are

silent.

How dare you.

SFX: THE STEAM ORGAN PLAYS

RUDY

C sharp and F, um--

SFX: QUICK FLIP OF PAGES.

RUDY (cont'd)

--wilting, sunset, fading-- um, dark...

CHESTER

You know where he is. Tell me.

Where is my son?

Tell me!

TELL ME!

SFX: SILENCE. THE HISSING STOPS. SOFT BUBBLING OF WATER FROM

THE STEAM ORGAN, BUT NOTHING ELSE.

CHESTER (cont'd)

He's lost.

INT - BOWLING ALLEY - DAY

SFX: THE BOWLING ALLEY IS GETTING GENERALLY AGITATED.

LILY

Reverend Lodge. Please. Just tell me where the

kid is.

SILAS

Allow me first to explain that it was in a spirit

of levity that the circumstances were--

LILY

WHERE IS JAMIE!?

SFX: THE CHATTER STOPS. A BALL ROLLS DOWN THE BOWLING ALLEY,

AND KNOCKS OVER A BUNCH OF PINS. NO ONE APPLAUDS.

SILAS

Respect me or reap the consequences.

LILY

That's a shitty thing to say to a friend.

SFX: THE BOWLING ALLEY PATRONS STARTS TO MUTTER TO EACH OTHER.

PEOPLE START BOWLING AGAIN. SOMEHOW, THE VIBE HAS CHANGED TO

BE A LITTLE TENSE.

LILY (cont'd)

Don't you think?

SILAS

It simply pains me that you dismissed an attempt

at fun. I thought you all liked riddles and

puzzles and games--that it made you happy. You

cannot fault the attempt.

LILY

Come on, man. You gotta know no one would like

this.

SILAS

The child does. After all, he made it himself.

LILY

Is Jamie in the maze? His maze--the one he made?

SFX: LILY RUMMAGES IN HER PURSE.

SILAS

What child hasn't dreamed of such a thing.

SFX: THE MAZE (WRITTEN ON A RECEIPT) IS UNFOLDED.

LILY

Oh, wow. Okay, so where is he? What is that at

the end--a castle? Is he at Town Hall?

SILAS

Oh no. His path was a touch more winding.

SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS WES HURRIES BACK OVER.

WES

Lily.

LILY

Wes, hold on.

SFX: RUSTLE AS LILY TURNS THE MAZE OVER.

LILY (cont'd)

Secret exit.

SILAS

Indeed.

LILY

What are those fuzzy triangle things. Oh!

(laughing)

Oh, yeah--those are the Eve-fers. They're evil

and hairy and like to eat your arm off...

WES

Lily!

LILY

What.

WES

The wolves are angry.

SFX: LILY BREATHES IN SHARPLY.

LILY

Is Jamie with the wolves.

SILAS

I disagree with the child's description. The

wolves are not evil. Just fickle.

LILY

Where is he.

SILAS

The child is on the Witch's Altar.

LILY

Wes!

WES

I'm going.

SFX: WHOOSH/VANISHING NOISE AS WES DISAPPEARS.

LILY

And the wolves?

SILAS

They surround him.

LILY

Call them off.

SILAS

Impossible.

SFX: PINS CRASH. EVERYONE CHEERS.

LILY

Call off the wolves, Silas.

SILAS

They are not my wolves.

INT. AUGUST HALL - DAY

SFX: WATER BUBBLES IN THE STEAM ORGAN, BUT NO NOTES ARE HEARD.

RUDY

What now?

CHESTER

We search the town. The woods. Call Sheriff

Joshi. So much time lost.

RUDY

Let's go! Chester!

SFX: GRIEF OVERWHELMS CHESTER.

CHESTER

I can't.

SFX: RUDY'S CELL PHONE RINGS. RUDY PUTS IT ON SPEAKERPHONE.

RUDY

Yes.

LILY

(over the phone)

Jamie's at the Witches Altar!

LILY

(over the phone)

I'm on my way! Meet me there!

CHESTER

(to the Spirit Organ)

Thank you. Thy hale and

verdant arms provideth.

RUDY

Is he okay?

LILY

(over the phone)

Rudy, hurry!

CHESTER

Run!

EXT. DEEP FOREST - DAY

SFX: LILY'S QUICK FOOTSTEPS RUSTLE THE LAST OF THE FALL

LEAVES. BIRDS SING, WIND THROUGH THE SPRING BRANCHES.

WES (O.S)

Shoo! Shoo! Get away!

LILY

Wes!

WES (O.S.)

Lily, don't shout!

JAMIE (O.S.)

Be quiet or it scares them!

LILY

Jamie!

JAMIE (O.S.)

I said don't shout!

WES

I'll bring her up.

SFX: DISTANT WHOOSH AS WES DISAPPEARS. CLOSE WHOOSH AS WES

REAPPEARS.

WES (cont'd)

Hey Lily.

LILY

Is he okay?

WES

Yeah.

JAMIE (O.S.)

Lily, come meet my friend!

LILY

Okay!

SFX: THE WOLVES WHINE IN FEAR AND SLINK AWAY AS WES AND LILY

WALK.

LILY (cont'd)

Lot of wolves.

WES

Yep.

JAMIE

Almost there. Careful not to step on the wolf

tails. They do NOT like that.

LILY

Okay.

WES

Want a boost onto the rock?

LILY

No, I got it.

SFX: LILY TRIES TO SCRAMBLE UP THE ROCK. ROCKS CRUMBLE

LILY (cont'd)

Nope, boost would be good. Boost please!

WES

Eeeh!

SFX: CRUMBLE OF ROCKS AS LILY SCRAMBLES UP ONTO THE WITCHES

ALTER.

LILY

Thanks, Wes. Jamie!

JAMIE

That sure was good climbing.

LILY

Come here, little man.

SFX: RUSTLE OF CLOTHES AS JAMIE AND LILY HUG.

LILY

Oooooh, big hug.

JAMIE

Ahhh, you're squishing me!

LILY

You okay?

JAMIE

Yeah, I'm okay. It was crazy--

LILY

How'd you make it through all the wolves?

JAMIE

Well, first it was okay cause they were asleep.

LILY

They were asleep?

JAMIE

Yeah, but then I fell on one,

LILY

Oh my God.

JAMIE

It was just an accident. But then it wanted to

bite me, so I ran and climbed up on this big rock

and then I said to the wolf, "You better not eat

me!" And then there were a lot, and they were all

trying to bite me, and then I just yelled--even

though I was scared, I guess I was kinda brave--

and I said, "you wolves look ridiculous. You

can't even bite me!" That made them even more

mad, but then Joey said--

LILY

Joey!

JOEY (O.S.)

And then I said "shoo," and they eased up.

LILY

Joey? Where is she?

JAMIE

She's just hiding. We're doing hide and seek

while we waited, cause Joey said I'm going to get

rescued soon. There she is!

SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS JOEY WALKS UP TO THE ALTAR.

LILY

Joey!

JAMIE

She's my friend.

JOEY

Hi, Lily.

LILY

Hi. Wow. You look the same.

JOEY

You super do not. You got

really old.

JAMIE

Lily,

Lily,

Excuse me.

JAMIE (cont'd)

Excuse me!

LILY (CONT'D)

Yes, Jamie.

JAMIE

Can we still get ice cream? I know I was just a

little bit bad...

CHESTER (O.S.)

Jamie!

JAMIE

Dad!

JOEY

I'll get him.

CHESTER (O.S.)

Jamie!

JAMIE

I'm up here!

SFX: WOLVES GROWL.

JOEY

They're feisty today! Rawr!

SFX: WOLF GROWLS.

JOEY (O.S.)

You think you're scary.

CHESTER (O.S)

Jamie, I'm coming!

JOEY

Mr. Warren, wait! He's gonna get chomped.

SFX: WOLVES GROWL, THEN SHY AWAY AS JOEY RUNS OVER.

JOEY (O.S.)

Shoo! Go away!

CHESTER (O.S.)

Jamie!

JAMIE

Dad! I'm right here!

SFX: CHESTER'S FRANTIC FOOTSTEPS CRASH THROUGH THE WOODS.

CHESTER

Jamie! Jamie, stay there!

LILY

Lemme pull you up.

SFX: LILY HELPS CHESTER SCRAMBLE UP THE ROCK.

CHESTER

(as he climbs)

Jamie, are you-- is everything-- eh.

SFX: CHESTER FINALLY REACHES THE TOP OF THE ROCK.

CHESTER (cont'd)

Oh, Jam'.

JAMIE

Hi, Dad.

SFX: RUSTLE OF CLOTHES AS CHESTER GIVES JAMIE A HUG.

JAMIE (cont'd)

I'm gonna give you an extra-long hug.

CHESTER

You're okay.

JAMIE

Yep!

CHESTER

How did you get here?

JAMIE

Oh. Well, I guess I'm sorry for leaving by

myself. But there was a tunnel!

CHESTER

In the ice cream shop?

JAMIE

Yeah! And I knew it was from my maze, and I was

right! It lead directly to the secret exit.

CHESTER

You went through a strange tunnel by yourself?

JAMIE

Well, yeah.

CHESTER

Without telling a grownup?

JAMIE

I'm sorry.

CHESTER

James Warren. You must listen to me very

carefully.

JAMIE

Um, Dad? Can you not use your angry voice?

SFX: CHESTER'S VOICE IS SUDDENLY FULL OF TEARS.

CHESTER

You must listen to me.

JAMIE

It's okay, Dad. I was safe. Joey scared away the

wolves.

CHESTER

Never leave me.

SFX: NOW JAMIE AND CHESTER ARE BOTH TEARY.

JAMIE

It's okay, Dad. It's okay. Please don't be sad.

CHESTER

Oh, my little Jam'.

JAMIE

Can I still have ice cream with Lily, or was I

too bad?

CHESTER

You can have ice cream.

SFX: CHESTER BREATHES IN, WIPING AWAY TEARS.

CHESTER (cont'd)

Right. Let's get to the cars. Rudy is waiting.

JOEY

I'll guide you out.

SFX: FOOTSTEPS AS EVERYONE WALKS THROUGH THE WOODS. THE

WOLVES, WHINING, PAD AWAY.

JOEY (cont'd)

Scram, Wolfies! Look at em, with their stupid

tails between their stupid legs.

LILY

Why're they're leaving.

JOEY

Party's over.

JAMIE

They look sad.

JOEY

Yeah. Cause they couldn't eat kid for dinner.

JAMIE

Yeah, no kid for dinner! Just uh, I guess other

meat and stuff.

LILY

Chester, what should we--[do?]

CHESTER

Not now. Wait for Rudy.

SFX: FOOTSTEPS THROUGH THE WOODS.

EXT. EDGE OF THE WOODS - DAY

SFX: BIRDS SING. CARS RUSH DOWN THE ROAD. FOOTSTEPS EMERGE

FROM THE WOODS AND CRUNCH ON ASPHALT.

RUDY

Jamie! Looking good!

JAMIE

Hi, Rudy! Oh, Joey, wait! You want to get ice

cream with us?

JOEY

I'm good. You kids have fun.

SFX: JOEY VANISHES.

CHESTER

Jamie, let's just get you in the car.

SFX: CAR DOOR OPENS.

JAMIE

Okay.

CHESTER

Wes, could you sit with him?

WES

Sure! So, Jamie. What kind of ice cream do you

want to get?

JAMIE

I don't know! I--

SFX: CAR DOOR IS CLOSED, MUFFLING THEIR CONVERSATION.

CHESTER

Well.

RUDY

Kid's okay.

CHESTER

He's fine.

RUDY

How'd you know the kid was here?

LILY

Silas.

RUDY

How'd HE know.

CHESTER

He put him there.

LILY

Silas didn't actually, like, physically kidnap

him. There was just a tunnel that opened up.

CHESTER

He put a mysterious tunnel in front of a fiveyear-

old? Let's not split hairs here. Silas is

responsible.

LILY

That's fair. And he laughed when I asked him

about it. So.

RUDY

Man's got to go.

LILY

Silas always had to go. But I don't know how

we're--

CHESTER

I'm calling a town meeting. We must find a way to

get him out.

RUDY

Not sure a town meeting's the way to solve this.

CHESTER

It's a start.

RUDY

Yeah, there's been a lot of starts, of "maybe

this will be relevant to our problems", of, ooo,

here's an interesting little twist, little new

idea!" "Oo, here's another one." Time to fast

forward to the end.

CHESTER

Being deliberate is a mark of prudence.

RUDY

You're afraid when we get to the end that you

won't like what you see. But I'm not afraid.

LILY

I'm not afraid.

RUDY

Chester?

SFX: CHESTER IS VERY AFRAID, BUT HE CHOOSES TO BE BRAVE.

CHESTER

I'm not afraid.

RUDY

If NO ONE'S AFRAID, THAN WHAT'S THE PROBLEM.

SFX: CAR DOOR OPENS.

WES

Okay! We've decided on our ice cream!

CHESTER

Let's see how the town meeting goes.

(to Wes, Jamie, and Joey)

And what's the ice cream verdict, friends?

WES

I'm getting rocky road!

JAMIE

And I'm getting Blue Razzamatazz.

JAMIE (cont'd)

What are you getting, Rudy?

RUDY

Oh, I don't think I have time for ice cream,

little man. I have to do some work.

EXT. DESOUZA'S ICE CREAM PARLOR - LATER THAT DAY.

SFX: THE ICE CREAM PARLOR MUSIC SOUNDS TINNY THROUGH THE

OUTDOOR SPEAKERS. BIRDS. A GORGEOUS SPRING DAY.

CHESTER

Everything look good?

LILY/JAMIE/WES

Amazing! Yes! Mine looks so good.

CHESTER

I might fetch some more napkins. Oh, and water,

anyone want water?

JAMIE

Me!!!

WES

Me, too.

LILY

Definitely me.

WES

I'll help you carry em.

CHESTER

Thanks, Wes.

JAMIE

And thanks, Dad!

SFX: WES AND CHESTER'S FOOTSTEPS GO INSIDE. BELL TINKLES AS

CHESTER OPENS THE FRONT DOOR OF DESOUZA'S.

LILY

Water'll help with the brainfreeze.

JAMIE

I know why! Because the water in the pipes make

it not freeze.

LILY

Sure.

JAMIE

Mmm. This is so good! Yours also looks good.

LILY

Thanks.

JAMIE

Hey, Lily.

LILY

Yeah?

JAMIE

Knock knock

LILY

Who’s there?

JAMIE

Interrupting cow

LILY

Interrupting co--

JAMIE

MOOOO.

LILY

Classic

JAMIE

Now you say one.

LILY

Hmm, oh! Knock-knock.

JAMIE

Who's there.

LILY

Cash.

JAMIE

Cash who?

LILY

No thanks, I prefer peanuts.

SFX: JAMIE LAUGHS.

JAMIE

That’s funny! Because there’s a peanut named cashew.

LILY

Yeah.

SFX: ICE-CREAM-SHOP MUSIC PLAYS. BIRDS SING. THEY EAT.

LILY (cont'd)

Jamie, we’re gonna keep you safe. From the

wolves, from the... ah...[man in the woods]

JAMIE

From the man in the woods?

LILY

Yeah. We're gonna keep you safe from everything.

JAMIE

I know.

LILY

Good.

END.