|
CAST OF CHARACTERS, in order of appearance
EARTH
Harry Applegate - Owner of Applegate Nurseries
Rose Applegate - Married to Harry, also runs Applegate Nurseries
Brian Applegate - Son of Harry and Rose
Carol Applegate - Daughter of Harry and Rose
Barney Creech - Owner of rival company Creech Garden and Leisure
Belinda Lovechild - Friend of Harry and Rose
ASTRILON
Janeeka - Supporter of the Overseers
Darro - Supporter of the Overseers
Vandrit - Astrilonian citizen
Reemo - Astrilonian citizen
Kayla - Astrilonian citizen
Pentrand - High-ranking official of the Progress Movement
Sirio - Next in command to Pentrand
Milantis - Lady Overseer of Astrilon
Kaspovar - Lord Overseer of Astrilon
Seetu - Servant of the Overseers
Valkor - Leader of the Progress Movement
Somaya - Daughter of the Overseers
Clarrod - Son of the Overseers
1. EXTRACT ONE (EARTH)
2. EXTRACT TWO (ASTRILON)
3. EXTRACT THREE (ASTRILON)
4. EXTRACT FOUR (ASTRILON)
5. EXTRACT FIVE (EARTH)
To go back to the description page, click here
To enquire about script availability or production rights, please contact New Theatre Publications.
EXTRACT ONE (EARTH)
HARRY: Don’t switch the computer off will you, I want to use it. (Pats the Cam-Com.) I’m going to try your new toy and put in a call to your Aunt Sadie.
BRIAN: (sarcastically). Uh, Dad, I’ve only spent a couple of hours with you on the computer, are you sure you can manage?
HARRY: Hey, less of your cheek, sonny. I’m sure I’ll get along quite nicely, thank you.
BRIAN: Oh well, at least it’s insured! Catch you later, Dad.
(BRIAN exits UR.)
HARRY: (shouting after him). Not if I catch you first! (To himself.) Cheeky blighter, I’ll show him. (He sits down and peers at the computer screen.) Right. Now, where’s that program… (He surveys the screen.) Ah, there it is — “I-C-U two point nought”. OK. (He double-clicks the mouse, waits a moment while music plays, and rubs his hands together with anticipation.) Ooh, looks like we have a connection, so far so good. Let’s see if Sadie’s around. She usually is — old girl doesn’t get out much these days. (He makes a few movements and clicks with the mouse, then thinks about his appearance.) I probably look like I’ve been dragged through a bramble or two but never mind, the picture’s never that wonderful anyway. (He looks in puzzlement at the screen.) Oh. What’s this? It didn’t look like this before; maybe I’ve done something wrong.
(Lights come up on JANEEKA on Astrilon, DL, who is speaking into a visual communicator.)
HARRY: Eh? (Embarrassed.) Oh dear. You’re definitely not Sadie. I’m ever so sorry, Miss, I must have got the wrong number somehow. Sorry to have bothered you. Goodbye…
JANEEKA: …Please, don’t go. Who are you?
HARRY: Uh… I don’t know if I should give you information like that, my dear. I’m sorry, but I really ought to stop this conversation now. If my wife turns up here and catches me talking to a pretty young girl like you, I’ll be for the high jump.
JANEEKA: High jump?
HARRY: Oh, never mind, it’s just an old phrase. Look, I really ought to go now, sorry about this.
JANEEKA: (with urgency). Wait. Please wait. You may be able to help us.
HARRY: Help you? In what way?
JANEEKA: My name is Janeeka. I am part of a small resistance group trying to find a way to bring an end to the tyranny that has swept our planet…
HARRY: …Hold on a minute, are you having me on here? (Squinting at the screen.) Where are you, a film set or something?
JANEEKA: Filmset? What’s filmset? Please look. I’ll show you where we are.
(JANEEKA sweeps her communicator around. HARRY’s eyes flit about the screen as he takes in what he is being shown.)
JANEEKA: This is the planet Astrilon.
HARRY: Sorry, what was that name you just said?
JANEEKA: Astrilon.
HARRY: And that’s the name of your… planet, you say?
JANEEKA: That’s correct.
HARRY: Right. So you wouldn’t say you were... on Earth then?
JANEEKA: Earth? No. Is that where you are?
HARRY: Yes. I’m on Earth. And you’re… not on Earth, you say?
JANEEKA: No.
HARRY: (to himself). Right… uh… what now… uh… (To JANEEKA.) So… what exactly is your problem again?
JANEEKA: A man called Valkor from our neighbouring planet Vistrilon has deposed our rulers, the Overseers. Only a few of us have escaped this new regime and we’re in hiding now. We must find a way to stop what’s going on and restore the Overseers to their rightful place. Our fellow citizens have allowed themselves to be enslaved and degraded by this tyrant… (There is a burst of noise.) they’re just automatons now…
(There is another, more prolonged burst of noise, followed by silence. Lights down on JANEEKA.)
HARRY: (to himself). Oh. She’s gone. Hello… hello? No, she’s definitely gone. Well — what was that all about?
(ROSE enters UR.)
ROSE: Hello, dear. You got through, then.
HARRY: (startled). Oh, hi love… uh… not exactly, no.
ROSE: Who were you talking to then?
HARRY: (sheepishly). Well… uh… there was this… young lady on… another planet… I think… and… uh…
ROSE: …What?
HARRY: She… she said she was on a planet called… uh… oh, I can’t remember the name of it now…
ROSE: ...Harry, really!
HARRY: Honestly, love. Then she showed me where she was and there was this… incredible landscape on the screen.
ROSE: For heaven’s sake, Harry! I can only imagine there must be something in the marmalade, you’re obviously having delusions.
HARRY: I saw it with my own eyes, love. Now, it was either a very elaborate hoax, or it was genuine.
ROSE: Well, it could hardly be genuine, could it? Talking to a girl from another planet! I thought the stuff on the Internet was bad enough, but this!
HARRY: It wasn’t like that, love. This girl seemed to be in real trouble.
ROSE: Trouble? What kind of trouble?
HARRY: She said something about her planet being taken over by someone who’d turned the people into slaves… something like that.
ROSE: Sounds like fiction to me, dear, complete fiction — either that or someone who’s using banned substances.
(There is a burst of noise again from the computer. Lights come up on JANEEKA and DARRO, DL, looking into JANEEKA’s communicator.)
HARRY: Ooh, hang on. (He points excitedly at the computer screen.) Look, love — this might be her again.
(HARRY and ROSE look at the screen, then at each other. HARRY looks vindicated and ROSE puzzled.)
HARRY: There — what did I tell you?
Back to top : : Back to description page
EXTRACT TWO (ASTRILON)
VALKOR: You really are completely ignorant of what’s been taking place, aren’t you? Under your very noses, vast swathes of your people have been rejecting your sovereignty in favour of our Progress Movement.
KASPOVAR: And they’ve all changed allegiance to you? In five days?
VALKOR: Allegiances can change with devastating rapidity, Kaspovar. Have you learned nothing from all your years in power?
KASPOVAR: We’ve learned one very valuable thing. The ordinary folk see things with a certain clarity — trust what they tell you.
(VALKOR laughs mockingly.)
VALKOR: You know, I think I might just agree with you there. Let’s put it to the test, shall we? We’ll need a sample group of your ‘loyal’ subjects. They shall come in here and tell you what they really think of you, how about that?
MILANTIS: If you want to play games, Valkor, carry on. We’ve nothing to fear.
VALKOR: Good. (He gets out his communicator and presses buttons.) Pentrand, I’d like you to bring through a selection of the latest branding batch… that’s correct… thank you, Pentrand.
(VALKOR puts the communicator away again.)
KASPOVAR: I see. This game is to be played by your rules.
VALKOR: This is no fix, Kaspovar — there’s no coercion. All the people you are about to see have come here willingly and are perfectly free to speak their minds. Why, you could go out into the streets now and make your own selection of ‘ordinary folk’ — anyone you like. They’d all tell you the same thing.
(PENTRAND enters DL with a group of CITIZENS who are all virtually expressionless.)
VALKOR: Ah, here they are. Our little cross-section of Astrilonian society.
(The CITIZENS stand together, almost motionless.)
VALKOR: The people must reveal their wish for you. (To the gathered CITIZENS.) Citizens! You are blessed with a choice. What shall be the fate of your Overseers? Do they continue as rulers here, with all their privileges intact, or shall they be deposed — banished forever from Astrilon?
(A high-pitched tone is heard. The CITIZENS freeze.)
VALKOR: Citizens — feel free to declare your decision. Now.
CITIZENS: (in unison). Banish them.
VALKOR: (to MILANTIS and KASPOVAR). There you have it. Spoken plainly and freely. Take heed — the people have decided.
KASPOVAR: No they haven’t. They’ve been tampered with. Their minds are not their own. They…
VALKOR: …Oh, I think you’ll find they do know their own minds. We’ll ask them again, shall we? (To the CITIZENS.) What is the will of the people?
(There is a growing chant of “Banish them, banish them...” from the CITIZENS, terminated by another high-pitched tone. They once again freeze.)
MILANTIS: This is absurd. There’s no justice here. This is evil and twisted…
(VALKOR loses his temper, draws a weapon and points it at MILANTIS and KASPOVAR.)
VALKOR: …Be quiet! You’ve had more than enough time to express yourselves — years and years of wasted opportunities! Listen to your people and have the good grace to accept what they say. Your time on Astrilon is finished. You have out-stayed your welcome, taken advantage of the good will of your… perhaps I should say... ex-subjects. (Laughing.) Yes — that’s the position you find yourselves in now — governors without a people. The time has come for you to go.
MILANTIS: Go? Go where? Astrilon is our home. If our citizens really have abandoned us then we must accept that, but surely we can remain here and live out our days in peace?
VALKOR: Peace? And what sort of peace would that be? Plotting your return no doubt, by fair means or foul. No. You’ve had your time. Now your lives will enter a new phase — one that will give you plenty of scope for contemplation.
(MILANTIS and KASPOVAR look at each other in confusion.)
VALKOR: The Vydrox Corporation thinks a spell on Vistrilon would be in order. Vistrilon is no longer a fitting home for our people but it should make a suitable dwelling place for you… for the time you have left.
KASPOVAR: And what’s that supposed to mean?
VALKOR: You’re old. Your best years, such as they are, are behind you.
MILANTIS: (with indignation). How dare you…
VALKOR: …Be quiet! (Pointing his weapon at them.) Remember, you are now powerless. (To PENTRAND, indicating the gathered CITIZENS.) Pentrand, please take these people back to the branding compound.
PENTRAND: Very good, Sir.
(PENTRAND exits DL with the CITIZENS.)
VALKOR: (to MILANTIS and KASPOVAR). The final shuttle for Vistrilon leaves tomorrow. You will be on it. Until then you will be held in a secure area.
MILANTIS: (to herself). I can’t believe this is happening. (To VALKOR.) What about our son and daughter? We must see them.
VALKOR: You should have thought of that before you rejected my offer. All contact now is forbidden. Your passage to Vistrilon must be uninterrupted.
KASPOVAR: This is barbaric.
(VALKOR walks over to a window DC, still pointing his weapon at MILANTIS and KASPOVAR.)
VALKOR: Take a good look at Astrilon. Well, go on, look. (VALKOR motions with his weapon to MILANTIS and KASPOVAR who move over towards the window.) Your next view of it will be from the increasingly arid surface of Vistrilon.
MILANTIS: Valkor, you’ve reached depths we could never sink to.
KASPOVAR: You’ll regret this.
VALKOR: Keep your opinions to yourself, the both of you. Your views are irrelevant now. (VALKOR motions with his weapon towards the door DL.) You must now proceed to the cargo bay.
(MILANTIS and KASPOVAR look at each other once again in confusion.)
VALKOR: Move!
(MILANTIS and KASPOVAR walk slowly towards the door DL followed by VALKOR. All exit as the lights go down.)
Back to top : : Back to description page
EXTRACT THREE (ASTRILON)
(Progress Movement headquarters. There is a large grating UC. SIRIO is poring over a pile of printouts on the table DC. There is a large bag on the floor next to him. PENTRAND enters DL.)
PENTRAND: I have to say, Sirio, these figures go way beyond all expectations — don’t you think?
SIRIO: Oh, yes, Ma’am, I totally agree. It couldn’t have gone more smoothly.
PENTRAND: And with so little effort required on our part. I’ve never known such a compliant race as the Astrilonians.
SIRIO: They were just itching for it, Ma’am, there’s no doubt about that.
PENTRAND: Precisely. Look at this settlement here, for instance. (She points to something on one of the printouts.) All the inhabitants fully branded within three days — two days before the deadline!
SIRIO: Amazing, Ma’am!
PENTRAND: It’s outstanding! Valkor will be very, very happy when he receives our report.
SIRIO: So he will, Ma’am, so he will.
(At this point, JANEEKA can be seen looking through the grating UC.)
PENTRAND: Now, I must go and view the next batch of figures as they come out. (Pointing to SIRIO’s printouts.) Bring those through to me when you’ve finished checking them.
SIRIO: Certainly, Ma’am.
(PENTRAND makes to exit DL, then stops and turns around.)
PENTRAND: Oh, and Sirio…
SIRIO: Yes?
PENTRAND: What have you got in that bag?
SIRIO: In here, Ma’am? Oh, just something I found whilst we were at the Overseers’ palace.
(SIRIO puts down his printouts and picks up the bag, taking from it a grand-looking hat. He looks at it admiringly.)
PENTRAND: A hat?
SIRIO: Not just any old hat, Ma’am. I think it must have belonged to Kaspovar, the Lord Overseer. Let me show you, Ma’am. (He turns away from PENTRAND and puts the hat on. As he does so, his expression turns immediately to one of confusion. He turns around and sees PENTRAND as if he were seeing her for the first time.) Who are you? What’s going on? Where am I?
PENTRAND: Yes, very funny, Sirio.
SIRIO: Funny? What’s funny?
PENTRAND: Look, Sirio, I like a joke, but we’ve got to get this report compiled… (She walks over to SIRIO.) …and now is not (She snatches the hat from SIRIO’s head.) the time for games.
(SIRIO immediately closes his eyes and freezes for a moment, then opens his eyes and carries on as if nothing has happened.)
SIRIO: Yes, Ma’am, was there something else you wanted me to do?
PENTRAND: (irritated). No. It was just the hat.
SIRIO: Oh, you found the hat. I picked it up at the Overseers’ palace as a sort of souvenir. I think it must have belonged to…
PENTRAND: …Yes, I know, you’ve already told me that.
(SIRIO looks puzzled.)
PENTRAND: Anyway, I’m confiscating it, at least until the report’s completed. It’s obviously proving a distraction.
(PENTRAND turns and exits DL.)
SIRIO: But Ma’am…
Back to top : : Back to description page
EXTRACT FOUR (ASTRILON)
(Progress Movement headquarters. There is nobody there. DARRO appears behind the grating UC. He gingerly opens it and crawls out, then stands up and looks around.)
DARRO: (sighing to himself). Oh, Janeeka. What’s happened? Where are you?
(DARRO spots a pile of printouts on the table DC and goes over to have a look at them. While he’s flicking through them, SOMAYA enters DR.)
SOMAYA: Good day.
(DARRO turns around, startled.)
SOMAYA: Do you work here?
DARRO: (nervously). Uh… maybe. (He realises who she is.) You’re Lady Somaya, aren’t you?
SOMAYA: Let me see your face, you don’t appear to have the talyst. (She takes a closer look at DARRO.) Just as I thought. You don’t belong here.
(SOMAYA backs away and sounds the alarm. DARRO runs to exit DL, only to be faced with VALKOR pointing a weapon at him.)
VALKOR: Ah! Another one! Well done, Somaya, you’ve found another of those resistance people. (To DARRO.) We’ve already had dealings with one of your clan.
DARRO: Janeeka? What have you done with her?
VALKOR: Don’t fret. She’s still alive, if that’s what you’re worried about. She’s just spending a little time in one of our security cells. She’s lucky... there’s a window in it — she’ll be able to witness the spectacle that’s about to happen before our very eyes.
SOMAYA: Spectacle, my love?
VALKOR: Yes, Vistrilon’s atmosphere is about to be magically vaporised.
(A look of disbelief spreads over DARRO’s face. He remains speechless.)
VALKOR: (to SOMAYA and DARRO). Come to the window. (He motions towards the window with his weapon.) We can bask in the full glory of it here.
(They all move over to the window DC. As they stand looking out towards the audience, VALKOR raises his hand and makes a signal. There is a very bright light in their faces for a moment, which then dies down. DARRO is horrified, SOMAYA mildly surprised and VALKOR has a look of satisfaction.)
SOMAYA: That was amazing. (To VALKOR.) Did you do that?
VALKOR: (smugly). Indeed I did — quite a clever boy really, don’t you think? Ah well... as one chapter ends, another begins.
DARRO: I... I don’t believe what you’ve just done, you... you arrogant, murdering bastard.
(DARRO lunges at VALKOR. VALKOR shoots at DARRO who falls to the floor, injured and writhing.)
VALKOR: I wouldn’t try anything like that again if I were you.
DARRO: (to SOMAYA). You do understand what he’s just done, don’t you?
SOMAYA: (nonchalantly). I saw it with my own eyes.
DARRO: He’s just killed the Overseers. Didn’t you know? They were banished to Vistrilon — he’s killed your parents.
(SOMAYA starts to look less sure of herself.)
SOMAYA: Don’t tell lies, my parents are here... on Astrilon… (Looking at VALKOR for confirmation.) somewhere...
DARRO: Is that what he told you?
(PENTRAND and SIRIO enter DL.)
VALKOR: Ah, Pentrand, Sirio. Take this man to the security cells.
(PENTRAND and SIRIO drag DARRO to his feet and take him away, exiting DR.)
SOMAYA: Valkor, that’s not true is it? Tell me what he said just then isn’t true. Valkor?
(VALKOR turns and starts to walk away.)
SOMAYA: Valkor, will you stop and talk to me? I want a straight answer.
(VALKOR stops. He does not face SOMAYA, and is clearly irritated by her questions.)
VALKOR: An answer to what, my love?
SOMAYA: Don’t “my love” me! You know perfectly well. Was that man telling the truth?
VALKOR: (sighing). This is tiresome.
SOMAYA: You’re evading me, Valkor. I won’t let up until you answer my question.
VALKOR: What’s the point? Sounds to me like you’ve already made up your mind. You’d rather believe the pathetic ramblings of a scruffy lay-about than anything I say.
SOMAYA: I just want you to look me in the eyes and tell me the truth. Well?
VALKOR: (turning to face SOMAYA). You don’t trust me any more, do you? I thought we had an arrangement, you and me, but it looks like that’s gone by the wayside. It didn’t take long, did it?
SOMAYA: (to herself). How quickly things can change. (To VALKOR.) You’re right, I don’t think I do trust you any more. I’m starting to get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and I don’t like it one little bit.
(CLARROD enters DR.)
CLARROD: Greetings, lovebirds!
(VALKOR turns away and laughs. SOMAYA looks at the floor.)
CLARROD: Sorry, did I say something out of turn?
VALKOR: You certainly know how to pick your moments.
CLARROD: I’ve obviously come in at a bad time. I’ll make myself scarce.
SOMAYA: No, don’t go Clarrod — there’s something I think you should know.
VALKOR: Don’t listen to her, she’s having a turn.
SOMAYA: Oh no I’m not, I’m perfectly lucid. In fact, I think I’m seeing things more clearly now than I have done for a long time.
CLARROD: (looking at SOMAYA and VALKOR in turn). I don’t get this, what’s been going on?
SOMAYA: I was told something earlier on, which, if it’s true, will be devastating for both of us.
(There is a pregnant pause.)
CLARROD: Somaya, what is it?
VALKOR: Rumour. Tittle-tattle.
SOMAYA: (ignoring VALKOR). There’s a distinct possibility that not only have we betrayed our parents, but Valkor has betrayed us in the most heinous way. (To VALKOR.) Well, go on Valkor, deny it.
(VALKOR barely flinches.)
SOMAYA: (to CLARROD). See. He won’t admit or deny anything. It seems that maybe, just maybe, our parents were up there on Vistrilon, not here on Astrilon as we were led to believe.
CLARROD: (in disbelief). No! On Vistrilon? But nothing or no one could have survived what’s just happened up there. (To VALKOR.) She’s talking rubbish, isn’t she, Valkor?
(VALKOR remains silent.)
CLARROD: Valkor.
(VALKOR suddenly turns, drawing his weapon and pointing it at SOMAYA and CLARROD.)
CLARROD: Valkor! What are you doing?
VALKOR: That’s enough! I can see now I made a big error of judgement getting you two involved. Neither of you have the stamina or the nerve to see this through. But that’s fine — you plainly needed me far more than I needed you, and I certainly don’t need you any more.
CLARROD: (moving towards VALKOR). Now look here…
VALKOR: (stopping him in his tracks). Ah-ah-ah! Don’t even think about it, unless you want to go the same way as your parents.
CLARROD: Then it’s true. Are you out of your mind?
Back to top : : Back to description page
EXTRACT FIVE (EARTH)
(The Applegate Nurseries office. There is nobody there. Raised voices are heard off, then CAROL enters UR with BRIAN holding her upper arm, ‘marching’ her into the office.)
CAROL: Brian, let go of me.
BRIAN: What the hell did you think you were doing?
CAROL: When? Where?
BRIAN: You know perfectly well what I’m talking about.
CAROL: No I don’t. Will you let go of me?
(BRIAN lets go of CAROL.)
BRIAN: You just had to go wading in with your size nines, didn’t you?
CAROL: I still don’t understand.
BRIAN: I had a call from Barney just now. He said the deal’s off. He said some stupid woman’s come in and put the kibosh on it.
CAROL: Well don’t look at me, I didn’t do anything.
BRIAN: Oh, come on, Carol, do you expect me to believe that?
CAROL: Are you calling me a liar?
(ROSE enters UR followed by HARRY.)
ROSE: Children, children, please!
HARRY: Wasn’t there something about honour and thieves?
BRIAN: (taken aback). Eh? Do you know about this?
HARRY: Of course we do. You don’t think you can conceal anything from us, do you?
BRIAN: (looking at the floor). Oh, God!
HARRY: I wouldn’t bother seeking any comfort there, if I were you.
CAROL: It wasn’t my idea. Brian cooked this one up.
BRIAN: Oh, and you only went along with it…
ROSE: …Do shut up, the pair of you! Have you any idea how disappointed we are in you? Our own children?
BRIAN: That’s just it, Mum, we’re not children any more.
ROSE: I know that, Brian, but you do seem to have trouble behaving as responsible adults.
BRIAN: We just want the chance to be in control for once.
HARRY: There’s ways and means, Brian, but being underhand and taking without asking — that’s not right.
ROSE: We’re your parents Brian, doesn’t that mean anything to you?
BRIAN: Of course it does.
ROSE: Well, you’ve got a funny way of showing it.
(There is a pause.)
BRIAN: What I don’t understand is… how did you find out?
(HARRY and ROSE look at one another.)
HARRY: If we told you, you’d never believe us.
BRIAN: Try me.
HARRY: Well… (He goes over to the computer and pats the Cam-Com.) it was this little thing that did it for us.
BRIAN: You mean you were spying on us? Dad, that’s really... (Realising his hypocrisy.) sneaky.
HARRY: Huh! Pots and kettles, Brian, pots and kettles!
CAROL: But you were… spying on us?
ROSE: Not really, dear… you see…
HARRY: We had this communication going with uh… someone…
ROSE: From another planet. (To herself.) I can’t believe I just said that.
BRIAN: I can’t believe it either — have you two been drinking?
ROSE: Not at this time of day, dear.
HARRY: Actually, Brian, what we’re telling you is all true. I knew you wouldn’t believe us.
BRIAN: Can you blame us? I mean, it’s hardly credible, is it?
HARRY: Alright — if it’s evidence you want, we’ll show you.
BRIAN: Oh, this is just too much, it really is. (To himself.) I can’t cope with this, it’s just downright embarrassing.
(BRIAN looks at them all with dismay, then exits UR. HARRY turns to CAROL.)
HARRY: How about you, Carol, would you like a demonstration?
CAROL: Dad, you’re just being silly. I know you’re angry about what we’ve been up to and you want to get your own back, but there’s no need to try and make fools of us.
ROSE: You’ve managed that perfectly well without any help from us, dear.
CAROL: I’d better go. I can see neither of you is in any mood to talk sensibly.
ROSE: I wouldn’t say that, but perhaps it’s best you do go, dear. Have a long, hard think about what you and Brian have done.
CAROL: Mum, don’t. It’s not as bad as it looks.
ROSE: We’ll be the judges of that, Carol.
Back to top : : Back to description page |