Otter Island Episode 9 Cast Narrator Zarro Snij Tak Pan Oliver Grint Cafe Picado Spikenard Voa zombie Sandie Councilman 1 Councilman 2 Dustun Wink Blalok Sayna King Queen scene 1: Orchards Narrator: It is a hot day on Otter Island. The pups are splashing about in the rivers, the lake, the lagoon, and wherever they can find water. The ice caves and snowy hills of the western peninsula are packed. In his orchard, Tak takes a break from the noontime heat. Tak: Whoo! Can you believe this heat? Zarro: Opressive, isn't it. You want to go sit in the shade for a bit? Tak: Let's. (pause) Tak: Hey, I have an idea. Let's go to Cafe for lunch. Zarro: You mean Amy's place? Tak: No. The place Pan discovered. I hear it's fall there. Zarro: I've been really wanting to see that place. But I need to finish pruning the gooseberries. Maybe Snij would like to go with you. Tak: (shouts) HEY, SNIJ! WANNA GO VISIT CAFE? Snij: (curtly) NO. Tak: I could have told you he'd say that. Zarro: (curiously) Snij never wants to have any fun. Tak: I wonder sometimes if he's really an otter. Zarro: (Laughs) Tak: Well, I'm heading to the gate. See you later. Scene 2: Murmle Homeworld Narrator: Meanwhile, in a distant dimension, Ambassador Pan is speaking with some new friends. (this conversation is very casual and should not be spoken distinctly.) Pan: Every world is different, you know. Loam: Of course. Pan: Androids take very little time to decide things. Their alphas can think and communicate so quickly. Loam: I imagine so. Pan: And the elves- very cautious elves are. They don't like to rush into anything. They take so long to decide on anything at all. Loam: Long lifespans. Lots to lose. Pan: Indeed. I used to think I was old. Fifteen years old, last week. Loam: That's old. Pan: For an otter, yes. We might get to be six in the wild if we're lucky. Loam: No kidding. Pan: Still, when you've held council with elves, androids and a sentient fungus a thousand years old, it makes you appreciate what little time you have. Loam: I bet. Pan: (volume rising) ...And not want to waste it. what is taking your council so blasted long? Oliver: Take it easy, Pan. Remember your blood pressure. Pan: Oh, fiddle-faddle. I'm just fine, thank you very much. And where is Picado? Oliver: Picado is working with Cafe today, Sir. Remember? Pan: What? Oh, that's right. Don't look at me like that, Oliver. I forget things once in a while. It happens when you're fifteen. Loam: The chamber doors are opening. It looks like the council has finished. Grint: Mister Pan, I thought you would have gone home for a siesta by this time. Doesn't this heat bother you? Pan: Oh, it's hotter than this where I come from, Councilman Grint. And I'm very anxious to hear what the council has decided. Grint: Yes... (hesitates) I know you're going to be disappointed to hear this, Pan, but we have decided not to join the alliance. Loam: Not join? Pan: After all the testimony I've given concerning Nexicul...? Grint: Well, Nexicul is a tree, isn't he? He's made of wood. our guardian is Voa, a sentient volcano. No tree can reach us in Voa's shadow. And what use would we be to the alliance? We're aquatic moles, my friend. We swim and we build. We're not fighters. Loam: What has Voa said? Grint: Well, you would know that better than anyone, wouldn't you, Loam? What with you being an Earthspeaker and all. Oliver: Earthspeaker? Loam: A few of us have a psionic connection to the ground. It enables us to communicate with Voa. But I was under the distinct impression that Voa favored joining the alliance. Grint: well, your impression was obviously mistaken. Tiaga and Mulch, both earthspeakers themselves, assured us that Voa favored neutrality. Pan: But... Grint: (Interrupting) I'm sorry, Pan. The matter's been decided. My claws are tied. Now if you'll excuse me, I am late for my siesta and lunch. Good day. (pause) Oliver: Well. That was disappointing. Loam: More than that. This situation smells like rotten fish. Voa told me that it FAVORED the alliance. No... there's more to this than we're seeing, and I'm getting to the bottom of it. Scene 3: Cafe sfx: restaurant noises Tak: This place looks pretty busy today. Cafe: For best service, please place a tissue sample in the basket. Tak: OW! There you go. One whisker. Cafe: Ah, Tak! Welcome back. Right this way. Tak: How is the pineapple today? Cafe: If you wish to ask a question, please frame the question clearly in your mind and... Tak: Oh, yes, right. um... have an eyelash. Cafe: Excellent. I have recently learned to make citrus extra juicy. But first, I have something for you to try. Tak: what's this? Cafe: Try it. Tak: Mmm. some kind of caviar? It's very savory. Cafe: You're eating nightshade. Tak: (coughs and sputters) NIGHTSHADE?! Cafe: Not to fear. The black berries are not poisonous. Only the red, white and green. Tak: But I'm alergic to nightshade! Cafe: If you wish to change the topic, please... Tak: (spits) I said I'm alergic to nightshade! Cafe: Oh my! Perhaps you should come to the back room. I will cure you right away. Tak: (voice fades as he walks) I think my tongue is starting to swell. My teeth feel fuzzy and I'm starting to sweat! My hands feel funny... sfx: soft door close Picado: Hello, Tak. Tak: (as if tongue is swolen) Heggo, Pigabo. Picado: (chuckling) Relax, Tak. You're not having an alergic reaction. Tak: I'm not? Picado: Unless you're alergic to the power of suggestion. Those were were cheeseberries with a little squid ink. Tak: Then why... Picado: As a pretense to get you back here. I have some important information for you and I don't want to be seen giving it to you. Nexicul has spies everywhere. Just last week, one managed to infiltrate an alliance meeting. Tak: How did he manage that? Picado: He was wearing a second skin. Cafe couldn't determine his thoughts because he never got a tissue sample. That is... until nature called. Tak: HNG HNG HNG! Picado: Ssh! Okay, listen carefully. There is a very secretive creature in our world called the Buuknor (BOOK-nor). They say it's a titan. Tak: A titan? Picado: Yes. A very ancient and powerful creature as old as the sprites. Buuknor is the titan of intelligence. Tak: As in smarts? Picado: As in gathering information. His senses literally span the entire planet. If you want to know where your missing magician is, I'd go talk to him. Tak: where is he? Picado: He lives beneath one of the Tanuati (tan-WAH-tee) islands to the east. Tak: Is there anything else I should know? Picado: Yes. Buuknor doesn't like visitors. You'll need a gift if you want his cooperation. Tak: Thanks, Picado. I'll tell Sayna and Blalok right away. Picado: Don't tell them until you're sure it's safe! And you'll want to have lunch first. Otherwise it looks like you came here for the express purpose of getting sick. Scene 4 Voa Loam: ...And over here, these workers are removing the fresh ah-ah. Pan: I think our language magic must be breaking down. What did you call it? Loam: Ah-ah. Oliver: You heard correctly. Ah-ah is a type of lava. Loam: Very good. And don't worry. Our world has lingual magic, too. Yes, these workers are removing ah-ah from Voa to use as building material. It's relatively strong, very light, and it tends to irritate Voa if we leave it. Pan: You mean to tell me you're wiping his... Loam: Yes. Spikenard: Loam! Could we see you for a minute? Loam: What is it, Spikenard? Spikenard: We need to dig a tunnel over to there, but there's a vein of granite in the way. Can you tell us how far it goes? Loam: Give me a second. Okay... there's actually a perforation about six feet down. You can go through it rather than around. Spikenard: Thanks, Loam! You're a lifesaver! Pan: That's an interesting talent you have. Loam: It does come in useful, but right now, I need it to talk to our protector. Here. This is close enough. Voa: welcome, friend. Pan: Oliver, did you hear that? Oliver: Hear what? Pan: I hear a voice! Voa: I sense a new presence. Who is your friend, Loam? Loam: This is Pan. Oliver is also with us. Voa: There is much of the ground in you, Pan. Pan: huh? Loam: That's a compliment. Pan: In that case, I'm honored. Loam: I need to ask you a question, Voa. Did you not say that you support joining the alliance? Voa: (pause) I did say that. Loam: well, do you or don't you? Voa: No. Not anymore. Loam: WHAT? Voa: Tiaga assured me that it would be in everyone's best interest if we did not. Loam: since when is Tiaga an expert in diplomatic relations? Voa: He was speaking for Grint. Grint is a wise statesman. Through Tiaga, he explained to me how dangerous it would be to attract Nexicul's attention. Loam: He told us that you felt Nexicul was NOT a threat. (10 min) Pan: Listen, Voa. I have seen what this dryad can do to a person. Death is preferable by far to what he has in store for all of us, including the murmles. Voa: I cannot let my friends come to harm. Pan: That is why you must join the alliance! Voa: I am confused! I do not know any more what I should do! Scene 5 Narrator: Meanwhile, in the tunnels below... Grint: It was extremely difficult to sway the vote in our favor, but the council has voted not to join the fight. I cannot guarantee they will continue on this path. what you have in mind to do, do quickly. Zombie: It shall be as you say. Grint: I shall bring the members of the council to you. Once they are out of the way, I shall be the defacto leader and hand the rest of the planet over to you. Zombie: I don't think that will be necessary. Grint: What do you mean? Zombie: You have allowed me to take root here. Now I need only spread. Grint: well, that's fantastic, but... hey... what are you doing? Let me go! Zombie: Oh, no, Grint. We are in this together, now! Grint: Please! Don't do this! I have power! I can give you anything you like! Just... just... silly Grint. You are what I want. There. Isn't it much more satisfying being part of me? Scene 6 (interior. Loam's house) Sandie: Welcome home, Loam. Wipe your feet before you come in. I just swept. Loam: My wife, Sandie. Sandie, these are the dignitaries from Otter world. Pan: Island. Loam: Right. I forget. Sandie: Oh! So you are! I thought you were the neighbors. My eyes aren't that good, you know. Tell me, is it true that your island is alive, just like our volcano? Pan: Quite right. (12 min) Loam: There's a problem. Grint has been influencing Voa. He has it convinced that we shouldn't join the alliance, and of course, the council won't join if Voa won't. Sandie: That is a problem. What is your favorite type of bread, Mister Otter? Pan: Oat. Why? Oliver: Cranberry! Sandie: Because I do my best thinking when I'm baking. Come help me, Loam, and we'll talk. Scene 7 (exterior) Councilman 1: And if he had actually come and asked me, I probably would have agreed with him. Councilman 2: His own fault, really. As for me, my vote was... I say, is that Grint? Councilman 1: Grint? Grint: Councilmen. How are you? Councilman 2: Fine, fine. But you... you look terrible, much as I hate to say it. You look as if you haven't slept in a month. Grint: If only you knew. But come. I need to show you something. Councilman 1: show us something? What? Grint: Something that may change the way you feel about the alliance. Put your claws here. Councilman 2: It's just a root. Grint: Oh no. It's more than that. Councilman 1: I can't move my claws! Councilman 2: It's inside my hand! Let us go! Councilman 1: Grint, how could you do this?! Grint: I'm sorry. Grint doesn't live here anymore. (strangled screams) Scene 8 (Loam's house) Sandie: The problem, of course, is that Voa, despite being a volcano, is a very gentle soul. Hates conflict. Pass me the honey, would you, Oliver? When a strong personality like Grint comes along, he'd much rather capitulate than argue. Don't suck the honey off of your claws, dear. Use a napkin. Loam: so then the obvious solution... Sandie: The obvious solution is to demonstrate to our gentle friend that defying Grint will head off a much greater conflict. Namely, with Nexicul. You need to tell him all that you know about the deeds of... Just a teaspoon of salt there, Oliver. There will be more salt in the butter. ...the deeds of the evil dryad. Loam: What's the best way to do that? Pan: Cafe. We get Cafe to place all the stories he can into some food, then we bring it here and throw it into Voa's crater. It will take seconds for Voa to absorb the knowledge. Sandie: In that case, you'd better get going and go see Cafe. Loam: Darling, you're a genius! Oliver: And I can't wait to taste this bread, either. Pan: You know the way, Loam. Lead on. Loam: The quickest way to the gate is across the underground river. It's just over... wait... I can't hear it running. Oliver: What's that? Loam: It's the riverbed. But where is the water? There's something strange in the ground here. It feels like... roots! Gigantic roots. They extend forever! Oliver and Pan together: Nexicul! Pan: Oliver, go and get Sandie! Meet us at the volcano. Tell as many people as you meet to get to the volcano. If Nexicul is already in this world, it may be our only chance for survival. Oliver: Right! (pause) Loam: Up this staircase, out into the open, and it's a straight shot along the path up the slopes. Wait... over there... it's my son, Dustun. Dustun! Dustun: say... I remember you! You're that old fool who stopped me from collecting those blue stones. Pan: Loam, run! Loam: But my son! Pan: He's not your son anymore! Get to Voa! Tell him what's happening! Hurry! Dustun: You can't outrun me this time, weasel. I AM going to kill you this time. Pan: That may be so, but I will not let you have the murmles. Dustun: How do you plan to stop me? I already have a significant portion of them. My roots are spreading throughout this planet. (sound of arrow landing) what is this? someone is shooting at us? an elf? what is an elf doing here? (this conversation should be rushed, indicating urgency) Wink: Back off, zombie, or the next one goes into your brainpan. Ambassador Pan? Pan: That's me. Wink: I'm Wink. The alliance sent me to find out how the vote went, since you didn't report. Pan: I've been busy. Wink: as I can see. Pan: There are refugees gathering at the volcano. We need to get them off this world if we can. Wink: I think I can hold the gate if you can get them there. Dustun: I will have you, old one! scene 9 (voa) sfx: (rumbling) Oliver: How many people have made it here? Spikenard: about two hundred. Sandie: Look down there. Those horrible roots are everywhere! spikenard: How did they spread so fast? Oliver: Nexicul is drawing in nutrients from many different worlds and concentrating on growing here. Loam: He hasn't managed to get near the volcano or the gate. Pan: Loam! Laom: Pan, you made it! Pan: There's a root headed for the gate. Can Voa produce a stream of lava to cut it off? (pause) Loam: He says yes, but not for long. His magma is starting to cool! Pan: Nexicul is absorbing the energy from the ground. Loam, you have to get the murmles to the gate. There is an elf there who will escort you out of the dimension. Loam: Spikenard, get the people to the gate. Spikenard: What about you? Aren't you coming? Loam: No. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Just go. (more hushed) Pan: What are you planning, Loam? Loam: we were wrong to thing that Voa's fire could stop Nexicul. He's simply siphoning off Voa's heat. I have to make certain that the volcano's life-force does not fall to Nexicul. Pan: Oh my. Loam: Voa knows what he has to do, but he can't do it alone. He needs an Earthspeaker to help him. Pan: Or two. Loam: Pan? Pan: We discovered that I can speak with him, too. I have used up most of my strength just climbing up here. I would never be able to make it down in time. Not at my age. I will stay and do what I can to insure Nexiucul does not capture Voa. Loam: Together then. Pan: It's been good. Loam: See you at Heaven's gate, friends. Pan: Bet I get there first. Scene 10 (gate) Wink: Is that everyone? Oliver: Except for Loam and Pan. Wink: I can't hold these zombies off much longer. They need to get down here or... Oh no! sfx: (explosion) Wink: GET OUT! GET THROUGH THE GATE! GET THROUGH! (explosion sound abruptly stops) Oliver: Pan! He was still on the volcano! He's... oh my... oh no... this can't be happening! Pan! (19 min) Scene 11 (Southpaw rock) sfx: (surf and waterfall) Picado: Hey, Oliver Thought I might find you up here on Southpaw rock. Oliver: Hey, Picado. Picado: Are you all right? Oliver: Yeah. Picado: Thinking about Pan? Oliver: Yeah. I just can't get that scene out of my head. Picado: It WAS pretty awful. Hardened ash for miles. The murmle village, the volcano... everything was just... gone. Oliver: Who's going to be ambassador now? You? Picado: I'm just a bodyguard. I'm not an ambassador. What about you? Oliver: I don't think I could go back to that. Not with the pain of Pan's death weighing on me. Picado: (hesitantly) can I share something with you, Oliver? Oliver: What is it? Picado: I haven't told anyone this until now. I don't want anyone thinking I'm crazy. (pause) Picado: I had a dream the night after Pan died. I saw him walking down the street of a bright and beautiful city. Two murmles stood on either side of him. One was flesh, the other lava and stone. They all looked young and healthy, and so happy that they were laughing aloud. As they walked, they were surrounded by people of every conceivable species. Otter, human, tierune, elf... and many that I didn't recognize. Oliver: (crying) That's a wonderful dream. I just... I can't believe he's gone. I guess he's all right where he is. I'm going to miss him, though. Picado: We all are. Oliver: (sniffles) Good ol' Pan. Picado: But come. There is work we need to do. We have a large numbers of murmle refugees on our hands. You and I must consult with the king and queen. Scene 12 (ocean) Narrator: While Oliver and Picado comfort one another, a short jaunt out to sea finds Tak, Blalok and Sayna on a raft north of the lagoon. Tak: Isn't this a lovely day for paddling out to sea? Sayna: It's a lovely day, yes, but to be honest, I get nervous whan I can't see the bottom of the water. Blalok: Me too. Why are we out here, Tak? Tak: I wanted to be certain weren't overheard. Blalok, Sayna, I may have a way to find our missing magician friend. Sayna: You know where he is? Tak: No, but I know who does. The Buuknar. Blalok: (deflating) Oh, Tak. The Buuknar is a myth. Tak: That's what they said about the Waitoreke. Sayna: Don't tell me you believe in the waitoreke. Tak: Don't you? Blalok: Let's get back to shore. Tak: (voice becomes very serious and clear) Wait a minute, Blalok. we don't know what sort of evil scheme you-know-who has up his foliage, but we know that it bodes very ill for us, and that our lost friend is the biggest threat to that plan. This is our only lead. You can stay behind if you want, but I plan to follow it. I'll do it alone if I have to, but I'd much rather have your brains to help me, Blalok, and your muscle, Sayna. Sayna: It is a long shot... but Tak is right. It's the only lead we have. Blalok: (sighing) We'll need supplies. water, especially. And food. It won't be easy to catch fish in the open ocean. We'll also need a map and compass and a supply of soil. But more than anything, we'll need a boat. Tak: (relieved) Thank you. Thank you both. I'll make sure we have all of those things. Sayna: And Tak? Tak: Yes? Sayna: Don't pack the boat with fruit that's going to spoil in three days, okay? (23 min) Scene 13 (castle, exterior) Narrator: A short while later, at the lake Village Spikenard: Your majesties. It is a priviledge. King: Welcome, Spikenard. As I understand it, you are now the leader of the murmles? Spikenard: In a sense. Now that Voa, ambassador Loam and the entire council have either been killed or assimilated, There's just me- the one who got up and took charge in the chaos. I'm not royalty like you. King: No one is born a leader. One is groomed for leadership, either by his people, his predecessor, himself, or as in your case, by circumstance. Queen: You are as much a leader as we are. Make no mistake. Spikenard: As you say. King: Your people are welcome to stay on the island as long as you wish. You will be granted all the rights of citizens, as long as you obey our laws, which aren't many. Your people will also be assimilated into our military and expected to serve in times of war, as are all of our citizens. Queen: while we are at peace, I am hoping to make use of your people's unique digging and building skills. I would like to improve the health of our island by creating an underground water distribution system. King: And of course, I would like you to report to me regularly, just as if you were one of the village elders. You are, after all, the representative of your people. Spikenard: It will all be as you say. Thank you, your majesties. King: Make sure that the murmles understand that they may help themselves to whatever they need. We do not use money here. What resources exist are for all to share. Spikenard: thank you, sire! That IS excellent news. Queen: I think this is the beginning of a long and resilient friendship. Epilogue Tak: Hello. I'm Tak. Oliver: And I'm Oliver Tak: First of all, we'd like to assure you that no animals were harmed in the making of this programme. Oliver: Or volcanoes. Tak: We are professional actors. We know how to depict someone helping a volcano to explode and then go home safe and happy for a spot of juice and a salmon popsicle at the end of the day. Oliver: So please, do not try any of what you have just heard at home... unless your home planet is being invaded by zombies. Tak: Come back next time when Otter Island gets a brand new ambassador, and much more! Oliver: We'll be waiting for you, every weekday, right here on OtterTunes!