(first draft)
By
D. M. Larson
From
Freedrama.net
Copyright (c) 2007 All Rights Reserved
CAST OF CHARACTERS
(All of the characters can be of either gender with the except of MOON and MARK)
ZANE (or ZANA) � He is one of the kids who goes to Magic Camp. He has the ability to sense the future.
ZONE � Leader of Magic Camp, wears fantastic circus ringmaster type clothing, mentor of ZANE.
TRISTAN (or TRISTANA) � Kid going to Magic Camp. His powers are unknown.
MOON (f) � She is a kid going to Magic Camp. She has mysterious powers that are untamed.
BRIGIT (or BRIDGER) � Kid going to Magic Camp. She is a singer who is good with animals and plants.
KURT (or KIRA) � Kid going to Magic Camp with wolf like qualities and powers.
JOEY (or JOANNA) � Nerdy kid at Kurt�s school.
BILLY (or BETH) � Bully at Kurt�s school.
BOB (or BOBBI) � Bully #2 at Kurt�s school.
MARK (m) - A handsome young man that was turned into a monster. He has the power of charisma/charm. NOTE: A second actor of similar size and build can play the monster version of MARK so the transformation from monster back to human is more dramatic.
JAG � Woman with jaguar qualities and look. Mentor of KURT.
RUNT � Mentor of BRIGIT � He is a small man, who looks like a little boy but has a grey beard. He is close to the Earth and can make things grow.
SOL � He wears bright colors, skin shines, mentor of TRISTAN. He has the power of happiness that he can give to others.
SPIRIT � She wears flowing clothing, sparkles, skin sparkles. She is the mentor of MOON. She has ghost-like powers.
KING � He is handsome, dressed in black goth-like clothing and makeup, has snake-like speech and qualities.
MING � She is beautiful, dressed in black goth-like clothing and makeup, has cat-like speech and qualities.
ROGER � Father of Mark.
ANNA � Mother of Mark.
NOTE: the staging of this play is extremely difficult. There are several scene changes that require a large crew to move the sets in and out. Sets should be as simple as possible to allow for quick changes.
ACT 1 SCENE 1 � Kids in living rooms, video of ZONE (or ZONE standing on a platform speaking)
ACT 1 SCENE 2 � KURT�s school lunchroom (already on set behind screen or ZONE�s platform)
ACT 1 SCENE 3 � Actors set up camp as part of scene (tents and fireplace). Crew can be dressed in black and clear lunch tables. The character of SPIRIT can have little spirits (the crew) that help with set changes. The UC backdrop can be of a really spooky trail.
ACT 1 SCENE 4 � L is the entrance to the cave. This can be in place before the play begins as long as it remains out of sight and unlit until this point in the play.
ACT 2 SCENE 1 � Camp again
ACT 2 SCENE 2 - Stage R where there is a ritual stone. Perhaps something like a Stonehenge arch. This can be in place from the start of the play or start of ACT 2.
ACT 2 SCENE 3 � Camp again
ACT 2 SCENE 4 � Ritual stone � R.
ACT 2 SCENE 5 � Camp again
(Lights come up on a kid, ZANE, R who puts a video in a player and sits, hits play on a remote and starts watching a tv. A video is projected onto a large screen C with an odd looking man, ZONE, and cheesy text saying �Magic Camp.� [note: if a screen and projection is not possible, have ZONE appear on a small platform center with a sign saying �Magic Camp.�])
ZONE
Welcome to� Magic Camp.
(Cheesy magical effect on video. Other kids appear UR, UL and L. These are TRISTAN, MOON and BRIGIT)
ZONE (cont.)
If you�re watching this video, you have been specially selected for a summer pass to� Magic Camp.
ZANE
Yeah, right. Everyone kid in town probably got one of these.
ZONE (cont.)
Actually, only five children have been selected for this honor.
(ZANE looks around nervously because it�s like ZONE is hearing him)
MOON
Children? I�m no child.
ZONE
Children was a poor choice of words� how about young adults?
(MOON is freaked out now too)
ZONE
Our counselors have identified each of you because of your unique abilities.
TRISTAN
What special abilities?
ZONE
Well, some of you may not know yet what these abilities are, but we can see the potential in you.
(Lights go off on kids. ZONE points to someone in the audience then his video fades and screen rises)
(A school lunchroom appears [already on set behind screen or behind where ZONE was standing] with a table C and another table UC. JOEY sits at the C table. He�s a nerdy little kid who looks around nervously. KURT sits at a table behind him with his back to the audience eating hungrily. JAG is in shadows watching them. BILLY and BOB go up to JOEY)
BILLY
Hey, Joey.
BOB
How�s lunch?
(BOB dumps lunch into JOEY�s lunch)
BILLY
Ooops. Looks like you lost your lunch.
(BILLY and BOB laugh. JOEY speaks quietly)
JOEY
Please leave me alone.
BOB
What�s that? What he say?
BILLY
Don�t know. I don�t speak Loser!
(BILLY and BOB laugh again. KURT rises from his table but doesn�t turn. He speaks in a low growl)
KURT
He said to leave him alone.
BOB
Hey, Joey. Looks like the new kid wants to join your loser club.
BILLY
That means a trip to the loser whirlpool.
BOB and BILLY
Swirly!
(BILLY grabs KURT by the arm and BOB goes for the other but KURT grabs them and lifts them up [note: have BILLY and BOB stand on table bench that hopefully can be hidden from audience view]. KURT has wild hair, almost like he has ears and he�s got some shadow on his face like he already shaves and his eyes appear yellow [this would involve tinted contacts � only do this with professional consultation so eye damage doesn�t occur])
KURT
Don�t touch me.
(BILLY and BOB scream like little girls. KURT drops them down, he howls and they run)
KURT
You okay?
JOEY
Thanks.
KURT
Just howl if you need me again.
JOEY
Too bad this is the last day of school. With you, we�d rule this place.
KURT
Maybe next year then.
JOEY
Yeah!
(JOEY picks up his lunch and exits with new found confidence and lets out a little howl. KURT smiles and takes one last big bite of his lunch. JAG enters. She�s dressed so you can hardly see her and she hangs by the shadows)
JAG
I like your style kid.
KURT
Who are you?
JAG
Have you ever heard of Magic Camp?
KURT
I got some stupid video in the mail about it.
JAG
But you didn�t watch all of it.
KURT
I didn�t have to. I know those videos. They get you all excited and then they flash some price you can�t afford.
JAG
The camp is free.
KURT
Free? Yeah, right. Nothing is free.
JAG
This is. I already talked to your parents. They�re old friends. They said you could go.
KURT
Is this some camp for troubled kids? My parents have tried that before and you ain�t got the cure for my troubles. They all act like they understand but they don�t. Nobody knows what I�m going through.
(JAG steps into the light and removes her hood. We can see she looks like a jaguar [face painted and hair streaked with jaguar colors])
JAG
I do.
(KURT is stunned into silence. Lights fade to black. Everyone starts setting up tents and campfire is setup DC)
ZONE
Okay, everyone, let�s get the tents ready. The campers will be here soon.
(JAG, RUNT, SOL, and SPIRIT bring out tents that are already set up and place them R and L. RUNT is very small but has a grey beard. SOL wears bright colors and has very bright skin and SPIRIT wears flowing gowns that sparkle. She has sparkling skin as well)
SOL
This is just like when we first came to magic camp.
SPIRIT
We�re all a lot bigger now.
JAG
Except for Runt.
RUNT
Very funny.
ZONE
Ready for the kids?
RUNT
Do we have a choice?
ZONE
No.
SOL
Then let�s go camping!
(ZONE waves his hands and the kids appears in the light UC)
KURT
What was that?
MOON
I thought I was waiting for a bus.
TRISTAN
That was the quickest bus ride ever.
MOON
It was so quick we didn�t even see the bus.
ZONE
Welcome to Magic Camp!
SOL
Where every day is magical.
MOON
Give me a break.
ZONE
Let�s start with introductions.
SOL
Maybe we could play a name game.
(Kids grown and so does RUNT. SOL gives RUNT a disappointed look.)
RUNT
Hi, kids. My name�s Runt.
MOON
That will be easy to remember.
RUNT
Ha! I like this one.
SPIRIT
Fortunately, she isn�t your charge. You, no doubt, would be a bad influence on her. I�m Spirit, your teach and mentor.
ZONE
Each of you has been assigned a mentor during this camp. A coach so to speak.
BRIGIT
Coach. I hate sports.
ZONE
This is better than sports actually. Your coach will be passing along special knowledge they have worked a lifetime to learn and perfect. Brigit. Your mentor is Runt.
(BRIGIT shakes hands shyly with RUNT)
BRIGIT
Nice to meet you.
(JAG steps into the light)
JAG
And Kurt and I have already met.
(KURT nods slightly. Other kids look at her in wonder)
TRISTAN
Is she for real?
SOL
Amazing isn�t she? You must be TRISTAN. I�m Sol. Your coach.
(SOL shakes hands with TRISTAN and his fear of JAG disappears and he smiles)
TRISTAN
Great to meet you, Sol.
ZANE
What about me?
ZONE
I�m your teacher.
MOON
Five coaches and five kids. This is the weirdest camp ever.
RUNT
Just wait. It�ll get stranger.
(Kids look at each other nervously)
MOON
What is Magic Camp anyway?
ZONE
Good question. It�s a place where we help you discover the magic inside you.
MOON
Oh, great. Another cheesy, make you feel good, camp.
SPIRIT
This is real magic, Moon. Don�t you believe in magic.
(MOON shrugs)
ZANE
So you�re saying you can teach us magic tricks?
ZONE
The magic is already inside of you. We are here to help bring it out.
SOL
Everyone has magic inside.
RUNT
But some have more than others.
SPIRIT
You five have the most powerful magic we�ve seen.
TRISTAN
I don�t understand. I can�t do anything.
SOL
Not yet, but soon you�ll be doing amazing things.
TRISTAN
How do you know?
ZONE
I did a spell. A magic detection spell that led us to the children with the most potential.
BRIGIT
Why kids?
SPIRIT
It�s too late for adults. They have too many barriers and can�t discover their any magic without a lifetime of work. We� don�t have that much time.
MOON
What do you mean?
ZONE
She means that children learn so much quicker. And could you see your moms and dads going to camp for a summer?
(The kids chuckle at this thought)
KURT
My mom would freak if she didn�t have room service.
ZANE
My dad would die without his computer.
SOL
Adults have way too many distractions. But kids know how to focus.
KURT
You�ve never talked to my teachers have you?
(BRIGIT is looking at JAG)
JAG
Do you have a question, Brigit?
BRIGIT
Well, we can see your magic pretty clearly. What about the others?
RUNT
I am close to the Earth.
JAG
In more ways than one.
RUNT
Funny. I can talk to the earth, the trees, the animals� and I have to tell you, Moon. There�s an ant who is pretty mad at you.
MOON
What?
RUNT
You stepped on his friend.
(MOON looks at her shoe)
MOON
Oh, man.
RUNT
And you might want to get him off your sock before he climbs up and bites you in revenge.
(MOON finds an ant and looks at him on her finger [note: ant can�t be seen by audience so just pretend he�s there])
MOON
Sorry about your friend little guy. Ow! He bit me.
(MOON flings ant)
BRIGIT
Don�t hurt him!
(RUNT runs over to ant)
RUNT
Oh� he�s okay. But just be glad you can�t understand him now. Wow, ants can curse up a storm when they want to.
TRISTAN
And Sol? What are your powers?
SOL
The power of happiness. I can bring joy to anyone.
MOON
Wow, that�s special.
SOL
Actually it is.
(SOL touches MOON and she tries to fight it but she breaks into a smile and skips around [or does a flip or something dramatic])
MOON
Wow.
SOL
See.
MOON
Promise me you�ll never do that again.
(SOL laughs)
BRIGIT
What about you, Spirit?
SPIRIT
I have ghostly powers.
(SPIRIT waves her hands and takes a step back. The kids looks around amazed. The audience can see SPIRIT but the kids can�t)
BRIGIT
Where did she go?
TRISTAN
She vanished.
SPIRIT
I�m still here, but you can�t see me.
(MOON waves her hand at SPIRIT but misses)
SPIRIT
Or touch me.
(SPIRIT waves her hands and steps forward)
BRIGIT
Amazing.
MOON
What else can you do?
KURT
Wasn�t that enough?
MOON
She�s my mentor. I want to know.
SPIRIT
Many things. I can also speak to the dead.
MOON
Cool.
ZANE
And you, Zone?
ZONE
I�m a collector of magic. I have the ability to learn other people�s magic.
MOON
That�s possible?
SPIRIT
We can all learn more magic than we know now, but Zone is a much quicker study than the rest of us because of his ability.
MOON
So you�re the most powerful of all.
ZONE
This isn�t a contest. I certainly can�t do magic as well as the person I learn from, so in a duel of magic, I couldn�t beat someone with their own powers.
MOON
Duel of magic? Let�s see that now.
RUNT
No, thank you. I�m still sore from the last time we did one of those.
JAG
Not up for rematch huh?
SOL
What great introductions. What�s next?
ZONE
Let�s start out with some campfire stories.
MOON
But it�s not even dark yet.
(ZONE waves his hand and the stage gets dark. Moonlight appears [blue light] and stars in the sky [white Christmas lights])
ZONE
How about a fire as well.
(ZONE points DC and campfire flame appears [tiny fan and light on red, yellow and orange cloth]. Kids are amazed)
RUNT
Show off.
SPIRIT
Come and sit, children.
(Kids come and sit by fire with ZONE in the middle. Other coaches sit behind the kids)
SOL
Tell them a nice story.
RUNT
Naw, this is camp. Something scary!
MOON
Yeah!
ZONE
Sure, let�s do a scary story. Many years ago, when we were your age, we came to a Magic Camp very much like this one. And the camp was near a dark, spooky cave, very much like that one.
(ZONE points behind them and spooky lights and a cave appear. [NOTE: one option would be to do a video of ZONE�s story and blow smoke onto stage and project the video through the smoke for a mystical look])
ZONE (cont.)
All of the kids were curious about the cave despite the warnings from the camp counselors said the cave was cursed.
(SOL makes scared sounds for dramatic effect. SPIRIT smiles at SOL and joins in with spooky sounds. RUNT rolls his eyes)
ZONE (cont.)
Despite the warnings, we all decided to explore the cave. One of us, Mark, convinced the others that the curse was just a way to keep us from finding powerful magic that was hidden away there. Mark led the way. When we found the entrance to the cave, it was covered with thorny vines. Mark didn�t care. He ripped at the thorns, refusing to turn back. The thorns pieced his hands and they began to bleed badly. Then he began to change. He turned into a horrible monster before our eyes. We ran as fast as we could to camp and no one has seen Mark ever since.
(SOL and SPIRIT get carried away with their scary sounds. JAG gives SOL a poke and he screams. RUNT laughs)
BRIGIT
So no one went to save Mark? No one helped him?
ZONE
No one has been brave enough. No one has wanted to suffer the same fate and no one knows the cure. I�m afraid he is lost forever.
SPIRIT
Time for bed everyone.
RUNT
Yes, good-night.
TRISTAN
You�re not leaving us alone are you?
ZONE
Yes, but there is a level 10 protection shield around this place. Well, everywhere except the path up to the cave.
SPIRIT
Boys over there. Girls over here.
SOL
Sleep well everyone.
(Coaches quickly exit leaving kids alone)
MOON
This has to be the most bizarre camp of all time. Did you get a good look at all of them? What a bunch of freaks.
KURT
They�re not freaks.
MOON
Look who�s talking. You�re how old and you�re already shaving?
ZANE
What�s your problem, Moon? They didn�t force us to come here.
MOON
My parents did. What kind parents let their kids go to camp bizarro with a bunch of circus freaks.
KURT
(growls)
Quit calling them freaks.
(BRIGIT puts her hand on KURT. He stops.)
BRIGIT
Let�s all get some rest.
MOON
But we just got here. And I�m not tired.
ZANE
I�m not either. Is it really night? It was just daylight not that long ago.
(They are all quiet. ZANE is looking up at the cave)
ZANE (cont.)
Let�s go to the cave.
BRIGIT
What?
TRISTAN
But� it�s cursed.
MOON
Sure, let�s go.
(MOON gets up. KURT shrugs and stands. ZANE does too)
TRISTAN
You�re not leaving us alone are you?
(MOON turns)
MOON
You won�t be alone if you come with us.
BRIGIT
I�ll stay with you, TRISTAN.
TRISTAN
Okay.
(MOON follows ZANE and KURT up the dark path to the cave. BRIGIT and TRISTAN sit by the fire)
TRISTAN
I�m scared, Brigit.
BRIGIT
You want me to sing you a song?
(BRIGIT sings. TRISTAN starts to feel better but then wind comes and blows out the fire. Stage goes black. Noises are heard [crew dressed in black start setting up the scene. When one makes a big noise, they freeze]. In darkness:)
TRISTAN
What was that?
BRIGIT
Raccoons.
(They are quiet again. More movement and noise)
TRISTAN
You sure.
BRIGIT
No.
TRISTAN
Moon? Kurt? Zane?
(Big noise. TRISTAN and BRIGIT scream and run into darkness)
(Lights come up on stage and we now see the cave L. ZANE, MOON and KURT approach. Moonlight lights their way)
MOON
There�s a cave. That part of the story is true.
ZANE
But no�
(MARK growls from inside the cave)
MOON
That wasn�t�
(MARK growls louder)
KURT
I can take him.
MOON
You really think that�s monster.
ZANE
I bet it�s one of the coaches trying to scare us.
(MARK the monster bursts out of the cave. He�s in rags and all dirty and has vines all over him. KURT growls and jumps to defend ZANE and MOON. MARK attacks KURT. They roll on the ground. KURT is down and he is holding MARK�s arms. He has huge claws and a large thorn in his hand. MOON and ZANE go to help KURT. MARK flings them away easily and goes at KURT again)
MOON
(yells)
Stop!
(MARK stops frozen. KURT moves away)
ZANE
Wow!
KURT
Time to even the score.
ZANE
Wait! Brigit can help him.
MOON
But she�s not�
(BRIGIT and TRISTAN run up)
ZANE
Brigit. Pull the thorn from his hand.
BRIGIT
Who� ah! Monster!
ZANE
It�s Mark. Pull the thorn from his hand.
MOON
He�s breaking free!
ZANE
Hurry.
(BRIGIT runs up to MARK. MARK breaks free and grabs her. KURT puts MARK in a headlock. BRIGIT starts to sing and pulls the thorn from his hand. MARK screams and drops BRIGIT and throws off KURT. MARK runs into the cave)
TRISTAN
That�s what was wrong with him, wasn�t it? The thorn turned him into a monster. We saved him.
ZANE
He�ll turn back to normal again.
BRIGIT
How long will it take?
ZANE
Not long.
MOON
And how do you know that?
ZANE
The same way you did the freezy thing. What was that anyway?
MOON
Magic.
TRISTAN
You know magic?
MOON
So does Zane.
ZANE
I guess so.
MOON
You know things or see the future or something. You knew which way to go. You knew how to stop the monster. You knew that he was cured.
ZANE
It is like I can see things coming. It�s not like I know what�s going to happen next year or even tomorrow, but I seem to be able to see things a little bit before they happen.
MOON
When you turn 21, you need to give me a call. We�re going to Vegas.
TRISTAN
So both of you have magic?
MOON
I�m guessing all of us do. Kurt�s got the wolf thing going on. You, I�ve got no clue about though.
TRISTAN
Me neither.
ZANE
But the coaches saw something in all of us. I�m guessing they know more about our powers than we do.
MOON
And with you, a guess is a bit better than a guess.
TRISTAN
What about Brigit?
MOON
Zane, you asked her to get the thorn. Why?
ZANE
I knew she was the only one who could do it.
BRIGIT
I�m good with plants� animals� living things respond well to me. I can�t speak to them like Runt, but living things do very well when I�m around.
MOON
The thorn was from a plant�
TRISTAN
So Brigit had the power to remove it.
KURT
That means we�re all a bunch of freaks.
(KURT grins at MOON who gives him a dirty look)
MOON
Some of us just look it more than others.
(KURT laughs. He�s just happy to have found others who are different)
TRISTAN
I�m not sure why they picked me though.
MOON
Maybe Zane knows what your power is?
ZANE
Nope.
TRISTAN
Maybe they made a mistake.
BRIGIT
Or maybe your powers haven�t fully developed yet. Give it some time.
(MARK stumbled out of the cave and falls to the ground. The kids rush up to him but are cautious. MARK gets to his knees and then reveals that he is a handsome young man. MOON smiles)
MOON
Well, hello. You clean up nicely.
MARK
Where am I? Who are you?
BRIGIT
You�ve been under some kind of spell. You went to the forbidden cave and touched this torn which�
MARK
Turned me into a monster.
MOON
But we saved you.
MARK
How long has it been?
ZANE
A long time. All the kids you were with that day are all grown up.
BRIGIT
But you didn�t age at all.
MOON
At least there was some benefit to being a monster.
MARK
Trust me. It wasn�t worth it. I have to get home. My mom and dad� they must be worried. They must have thought I was dead. (Angry) Why didn�t they come looking for me? Why didn�t the other kids tell them what happened to me?
MOON
Let�s go ask them.
MARK
They�re here?
MOON
They�re adults now� running a camp for us.
(MARK�s eye narrow. He�s still angry)
MARK
Really?
MOON
Come on. I�ll show you.
(MARK gets up but stumbles a little. MOON and BRIGIT help him)
MARK
Thanks.
MOON
Happy to help.
MARK
You�re making me feel better already.
(MOON, BRIGIT and MARK exit up the path UC. ZANE, TRISTAN and KURT watch)
ZANE
I have a bad feeling about this.
KURT
I can smell it on him. He�s bad news.
TRISTAN
We have to warn the girls.
ZANE
And don�t get too close to him. There�s something�
TRISTAN
What?
ZANE
I don�t know yet.
KURT
Come on.
(TRISTAN, KURT and ZANE exit after them. Two mysterious figures, KING and MING, appear DR, watching them go. Both are good looking, but in goth style makeup and clothing. KING hisses as he speaks and MING is cat-like in her speaking)
KING
Sssso they�ve ressscued Mark.
MING
At last he is free.
(They do an evil laugh together, each trying to do a better evil laugh than the other. Then they disappear into the darkness)
(Campground again. Kids return to camp with MARK. ZONE appears with the other coaches and meets them)
ZONE
I see you didn�t listen to the warning and you all went to the cave anyway.
(Kids all look at each other nervously. No one knows what to say)
ZONE (cont.)
Good work, kids! You passed the first test. The test of bravery.
MOON
So we were supposed to do that?
SPIRIT
Sometimes you break the rules to do what is right.
ZANE
I had a feeling we should go.
ZONE
Trust those feelings, Zane, and they will take you far.
SPIRIT
Except to Vegas please.
MOON
You heard that?
SPIRIT
I was with you in case there was a problem.
KURT
A monster attacking me wasn�t a problem?
JAG
It wasn�t something you couldn�t handle. You were challenged, but not outmatched.
MARK
Close.
ZONE
So, Mark. It is so good to see you.
MARK
I wish I could say the same. Look at me. I�m still a kid and you�re all� old.
SOL
Some people would love to stay young for as long as you did.
MARK
But as a monster?! I don�t think so. I can�t believe you all left me there for that long. What about my parents? Weren�t they worried?
(Coaches all look at each other, not sure what to say)
MARK (cont.)
What?!
SPIRIT
They�re gone, Mark.
MARK
Dead?!
SPIRIT
I�m afraid so.
MARK
What? How?!
SPIRIT
It�s a long story.
MARK
I still want to hear it.
SPIRIT
This isn�t a good time.
MARK
It�s the perfect time. I want to know.
SPIRIT
Please, come with me. Let�s not talk in front of the others.
MARK
Why? Did you do something to them? Is it your fault they�re dead? You don�t want these guys to know what horrible people you are? Leaving me a monster. Doing something to my parents when they tried to find me.
(SOL tries to touch MARK and calm him down)
ZONE
It�s not like that.
(MARK pulls away from SOL)
MARK
Get away from me.
(MARK runs R and disappears in the darkness)
ZONE
Mark, no!
SPIRIT
I�ll see if I can find him.
(SPIRIT exits after him)
MOON
What was that all about?
ZONE
Mark�s upset.
MOON
Well, duh!
ZONE
It�s like he�s been asleep for a long time and suddenly he�s back and the world has completely changed.
BRIGIT
That must be so hard.
ZANE
What happened to his parents?
ZONE
It�s best if we wait to speak about that later. Sleep well everyone.
(Coaches exit)
BRIGIT
So his parents are gone?
MOON
I wonder what happened to them?
ZANE
We might as well get some sleep. I can promise you we won�t find out any time soon.
BRIGIT
Good-night everyone.
TRISTAN
Good-night. Sleep well.
(Lights fade as they head for the tents)
(Lights come up on R where there is a ritual stone. Perhaps something like a Stonehenge arch)
MARK
I can�t believe they let this happen to me.
KING
It comes as no surprise to us.
MARK
Who are you?
MING
Old friends of your parents.
MARK
Really? You knew them?
KING
We were very closssse.
(SPIRIT arrives and watches from the shadows)
MARK
Do you know what happened to them?
MING
No, but the coaches were there. They know how they died.
MARK
Why won�t they tell me?
KING
Maybe one of them did the honorssss.
MARK
Do you think one of them killed my parents?
MING
Puurrr-haps.
MARK
But why? They were all my friends when I was a kid.
KING
They were thinking of the future maybe. You were a tool that would help them train these new onessss.
MING
Maybe you parents got in the way of their plan.
MARK
They never seemed like killers. They were all such goody-goodies.
KING
Thossse are the worssst kind. Pretending to be good to your face�
MING
But ready to stab you in the back.
MARK
You really think they were just using me?
KING
Why didn�t they ssssave you ssssooner?
MING
Why wait for these children?
(MARK stops a moment)
MARK
Fine. You�re making some going points, but� why should I trust you? I do I know you�re not trying to trick me. You say you were friends of my parents, but I don�t remember you.
KING
Ssssmart boy.
MING
You are wise not to trust strangers.
KING
But can you really trussst your old friendsss?
MARK
I can�t trust anyone.
MING
Fair enough.
KING
But we can help you find the killer.
MARK
My parents� killer?
KING
Yesssss.
MING
We have a stone that can render their magic useless. Without their powers, they won�t be able to defend themselves and they�ll have to tell the truth.
KING
But the magic only works if they are bound to this ritual rock.
MARK
How do we manage that?
MING
Use the children to lure them here.
KING
The children will be bait. If they try to fight, then the children will suffer for it.
MARK
This doesn�t sound right to me.
MING
Do you want to find out the truth or not?
MARK
I have to think about it.
KING
There�ssss no time.
MING
It won�t be long before they discover our plans. One of them is probably watching us as we speak.
(MING looks with cat eyes around. She stares at where SPIRIT is. SPIRIT freezes and hopes she isn�t seen)
KING
They�ll never tell you what really happened. Our way is the only way to getting the truth.
MARK
You have to promise none of the kids will be hurt.
MING
Once they know we�re trying to help you, they�ll probably join in catching the adults.
KING
You can use your sssspecial charmssss.
MARK
You know about my powers?
MING
The power of charisma.
KING
You can charm othersss, can�t you?
MARK
I�m good at getting people to do what I want, yes.
MING
Do we have a deal?
MARK
Promise you won�t hurt the kids and we have a deal.
KING
The kids will ssssuffer no bodily harm. We promise.
MARK
Fine. So what do you get out of all this?
MING
We get magic.
KING
The ssstone will transfer their magic to us.
MARK
But you�ll give it back right?
(MING and KING look at each other)
MARK
If they are innocent and they didn�t hurt my parents, you�ll give their magic back?
MING
If they are innocent of any crimes related to your parents� death� perhaps.
MARK
Perhaps?
KING
Do you want anssswerssss or not?
MARK
Fine. But if starts to go wrong� I�ll be charming the two of you.
MING
Bring us the children and then we�ll all get what we want.
MARK
I�ll be back soon.
KING
We�ll be waiting.
(MARK exits. SPIRIT does too)
MING
Do you think he�ll do it?
KING
He ssseemsss like he might.
MING
If he doesn�t?
KING
He mussst. He issss the key to our ssuccessss.
MING
And if he doesn�t do it, we�ll still his power and use it ourselves.
(They do their evil laugh contest and lights fade to black)
(Lights come up C on campground. Coaches are sitting around the fire waiting for SPIRIT who returns. Kids poke their heads out of the tents after the coaches start talking)
SPIRIT
Mark ran to the ritual rock. He ran into a couple of old friends.
JAG
Who?
SPIRIT
Ming and King.
RUNT
Oh, great. I should have known those two would show up.
ZONE
This is why we don�t all meet together all the time. Evil senses our magic and is drawn to it. With the addition of the children, we must be creating a serious draw.
RUNT
We should rent out our services to grand opening events.
JAG
Be serious for once please.
RUNT
So what are we going to do?
ZONE
This is getting too dangerous. We should send the kids home. Ming and King aren�t afraid to hurt them.
RUNT
We must finish this before it becomes something we can�t handle.
JAG
I agree. We can�t sit and wait for them to attack. We must confront them now.
RUNT
We will face them together. Ten against two. They don�t stand a chance.
SPIRIT
I don�t agree.
ZONE
I don�t either.
JAG
We can leave it up to the kids. I have a feeling they�d want to help and I believe their powers could be useful.
SPIRIT
They�re not ready for this kind of conflict. There hasn�t been any time to prepare them.
SOL
Perhaps this will be the best training for them. We know you are listening, children. Please come out and talk with us.
(The kids come out of their tents)
BRIGIT
Is Mark in trouble?
ZONE
Yes, I�m afraid he is.
MOON
What can we do?
KURT
Let us help.
ZONE
You must stay away from the ritual stone and Ming and King until we come up with a plan. Whatever you do, don�t talk to Mark. He has powers too so it�s important you don�t speak with him. Ignore him and you�ll be safe.
(Coaches go)
MOON
Ignore him? That�s terrible. The guy has lost everything and we have to ignore him.
TRISTAN
It sounds way too dangerous to me. I don�t even have any powers yet. I�d be doomed for sure.
ZANE
TRISTAN�s right. We shouldn�t go.
BRIGIT
And if Zane thinks it�s bad, I trust him.
MOON
How can Ming and King be so powerful that our coaches can�t take them?
KURT
They must be pretty powerful.
(MARK enters)
MARK
They�re just afraid. And fear makes them weak.
MOON
Mark! You�re okay!
BRIGIT
We were so worried.
MARK
I�m fine. I just needed some time alone.
ZANE
With Ming and King?
MARK
How did you know about them? Is that your magic?
MOON
No, Spirit was spying on you.
MARK
Figures. She doesn�t trust me. She never did.
TRISTAN
So� are Ming and King� dangerous.
MARK
No. In fact they want to help me.
BRIGIT
How?
MARK
They are going to help me find the one who killed my parents.
MOON
They know who did it?
MARK
No, but they can help me find out.
BRIGIT
How?
MARK
They think of you has the power to do it.
MOON
So that explains why they were acting so weird about us helping.
MARK
They don�t want you to help, do they?
MOON
Of course not.
MARK
They�re afraid of what you�ll find out.
ZANE
Are you thinking that one of the coaches did something to your parents?
MARK
Seems possible.
ZANE
I�m not convinced.
MARK
It makes sense to me. They stopped my parents from saving me because they knew they�d get in trouble.
TRISTAN
Huh?
MARK
They let me get turned into a monster so my parents would be mad at them for doing it to me. They�d get in trouble.
KURT
That doesn�t seem like a good reason to kill someone.
MARK
Whatever. Maybe someone else did it. But they know who did it. They know what happened to my parents and they won�t tell me. I have a right to know.
BRIGIT
Maybe it�s so horrible that they want to protect you.
MARK
I don�t care. I still want to know. Will you please help me?
MOON
But which one of us has the power to help?
MARK
I don�t know.
KURT
Ming and King didn�t tell you?
MARK
I�m not sure they know either, but they�re sure one of you has the power to help.
MOON
I�ll bet it�s TRISTAN. We don�t know his power yet. Maybe he can see the past or the truth or something.
MARK
Maybe, but I�d like you all to come to be sure.
TRISTAN
Sorry, but I�m not going. It�s too dangerous. The coaches�
MARK
They�re wrong. Ming and King won�t do anything to you. They didn�t hurt me.
ZANE
This doesn�t make sense. Why are they helping you?
MARK
They�re old friends of my parents. They want to get some answers too.
MOON
That makes sense.
ZANE
We should talk to the coaches about this.
MARK
You know what they�ll say. They won�t let you help me.
MOON
I�ll help you, Mark.
BRIGIT
I will too.
MARK
Thank you so much. This means everything to me.
KURT
I�ll go too. I hate waiting around anyway.
ZANE
But what if it�s a trap?
KURT
That will be fun too. Either way, I win.
MARK
There�s no way you�ll go, Zane? TRISTAN?
TRISTAN
Nope.
ZANE
Please don�t go. I know it�s not the right thing to do.
MARK
The right thing for who?
ZANE
Please everyone, listen to me.
MARK
And what if this is another test from the coaches? Like when you saved me? You�re going to fail.
ZANE
I don�t think so.
(MARK turns to MOON, BRIGIT and KURT)
MARK
Let�s go everyone.
(They start to go. MARK pauses and points to ZANE and TRISTAN)
MARK (cont.)
If it turns out that one of you has the powers I need, then I�m coming back for you too, whether you like it or not.
(MARK exits)
TRISTAN
What do we do?
ZANE
I don�t know.
(Lights fade to black)
(Lights come up R on ritual stone area. MARK leads MOON, BRIGIT and KURT)
MARK
Ming? King? I brought some of them.
(MING jumps out like a cat. KING slithers out of hiding)
KING
Only sssssome of them?
MING
We must have them all.
KURT
Why? What if we have the power you need to help Mark?
MING
You don�t.
(KURT and MING face off)
KURT
How can you know?
(KING stops MING from attacking KURT)
KING
We need all over you. Your combined ssstrength is what we need. Your powerssss joined will give us the power we need.
BRIGIT
Power for what?
MING
Power for anything. Power to help Mark. Power to help all of you.
KING
You don�t need those sssilly coaches. Join ussss and know the real power of your magic.
KURT
Forget it. Zane was right. This is a trap.
(KURT howls and jumps at MING who hisses but is knocked down. KING does a two finger strike to KURT�s neck and he passes out)
MARK
Please don�t fight this. You can�t turn back now.
KING
Join us or be ssssacrificed.
MOON
I will join you.
MING
Purr-fect!
(MARK takes MOON�s hand happily. MOON doesn�t look too happy though)
BRIGIT
Moon, no!
KING
What about you, Missss?
BRIGIT
I�ll never join you.
KING
Then you�ll be our first sacrificsssse.
(KING and MING tie ropes around her arms and hang her in the stone arch. MOON goes to BRIGIT)
MOON
Please, Brigit. All you have to do is say you�ll join them and you won�t have to die.
KING
Ssssilly girl. We�re not going to kill her.
MING
We�re merely draining her of her powers.
BRIGIT
You can take my powers from me?
(KING holds up a rock [rock needs to be something like a sponge or plastic container that can look solid but when squeezed, liquid will come out])
KING
Thisss ssstone has the power to drain magic.
(MING takes it from KING)
MING
Hold it to their heart and it will suck away their powers.
KING
Then you sssssqueeze the rocks and drink the magic.
MOON
How can you squeeze a rock?
MING
Watch.
(MING goes up to BRIGIT and touches the rock to her heart. Lights flash, thunder booms and BRIGIT screams. Lights go out a second. Then slowly come up. Stone might look different in some way now. MING and KING look at it excited. MOON runs up to BRIGIT who looks like she passed out)
MOON
Brigit? Are you okay?
BRIGIT
Not really.
MOON
Thank goodness you�re alive.
KING
Now we will drink.
(TRISTAN and ZANE runs in with ZONE and SOL. JAG jumps from above and knocks down MING. If possible, RUNT comes from the ground to grab KING�s legs. SPIRT jumps out and grabs KING�s hand before he can strike)
MING
No!
(JAG struggles with MING)
JAG
What did you do to Kurt and Brigit?
KING
Kurt is merely stung. We needed him alive.
(MOON snatches the rock from MING)
MOON
They used this rock to drain Brigit�s magic.
MING
Give that back!
(MING breaks free and grabs MOON. She puts her claws to MOON�s throat)
MING (cont.)
Make a wrong move and she dies.
(Everyone stops)
MING (cont.)
Let King go.
(They do)
MING (cont.)
Come, Mark. We must go.
MARK
But I want to know what happened to my parents.
KING
There�sss no time for that. Let�s go.
MARK
We�ll make the time. No one leaves until I get an answer.
(MING and KING pause)
ZONE
It�s hard to tell Mark no. That�s his magic.
MARK
Zone. Please tell me� what happened to my parents?
(ZONE looks a long moment at him and shakes his head)
ZONE
I�m afraid� you killed them.
MARK
What?
ZONE
We did tell them what happened to you. They went to rescue you� and that monster that you�d become� it killed them.
MARK
No! It�s not true.
(MARK turns to run. MOON stops him and holds him)
ZONE
That�s why we didn�t want to tell you, Mark.
(KING and MING take the distraction as a moment of weakness. MING slashes RUNT with her claws. JAG jumps at her but KING stuns her with his two fingers and then gets SPIRT. ZONE jumps to protect MARK and MOON and MING slashes him. SOL defends TRISTAN and ZANE. MING looks at SOL)
MING
What you going to do, Sol? Make us laugh to death?
ZANE
TRISTAN, you have the power to put an end to this.
TRISTAN
I do?
ZANE
Yes, hold out your hands. And touch them.
TRISTAN
What?
ZANE
Do it!
(TRISTAN holds out his hands and ZANE pulls SOL out of the way)
SOL
You sure about this?
(MING and KING do their evil laughs and then stop as TRISTAN gets closer. They suddenly get fearful and then very sad as TRISTAN gets closer)
MING
What is he doing?
KING
I feel ssssooo� ssssad.
(MING and KING fall to their knees)
ZANE
Touch them, TRISTAN!
(TRISTAN looks at ZANE reluctantly. SOL nods encouragingly. TRISTAN touches them and the burst into tears)
MING
Mommy!
KING
I�m ssssooo ssssorry!
MING
Please mommy� come back to me.
KING
I didn�t mean to hurt you.
SOL
This is amazing. He has the opposite of my powers. He brings sadness� and remorse.
MING
Please help me find my mommy.
KING
Please don�t die. I never meant to do this to you.
SOL
They�re reliving their saddest moments.
MING
Make� it� stop.
SOL
Promise to leave here and I�ll tell him to step away.
MING
Yes.
SOL
Promise.
KING
We promissse.
SOL
TRISTAN, stop please.
(TRISTAN lets them go. MING and KING struggle to their feet and go)
MOON
That was incredible.
ZANE
Powerful stuff.
TRISTAN
I do have powers!
SOL
I knew you were a powerful one. I sensed it.
ZONE
Is everyone okay?
(Everyone is recovering. ZANE helps BRIGIT down)
BRIGIT
My magic. It�s gone.
ZONE
We will return it to you.
(MOON gives the rock to ZONE. ZONE squeezes the rock over BRIGIT and the magic comes out in liquid form)
BRIGIT
I can feel it returning to me.
(BRIGIT reaches up and wipes away ZONE�s scratch marks)
SOL
She can heal!
(BRIGIT touches KURT who wakes up and then SPIRIT and RUNT. She then heals JAG)
SOL (cont.)
You are all so wonderful. So much potential.
ZONE
With time, you will all be very powerful indeed.
MOON
I wish you could heal Mark too.
SPIRIT
Perhaps I can help.
MARK
How?
SPIRIT
I can speak to the dead. Would you like to talk with them?
MARK
You can do that?
SPIRIT
It takes a great deal of my magic to do so, but I would like to do this for
you.
MARK
Please.
SPIRIT
Everyone sit in a crescent shape and face the moon.
(A full moon is rising upstage. Everyone sits in a semi-circle downstage, facing the moon)
SPIRIT (cont.)
I call on the parents to Mark Mathews. Roger and Anna. Mathews. Your son wishes to speak with you.
(Lights flash. Boom of thunder. Darkness. Then moonlight appears and two shadows are upstage)
MARK
Mother? Father?
ANNA
Mark?
ROGER
Son?
ANNA
Are you okay?
(MARK stands)
MARK
These kids. They saved me. I�m human again.
ROGER
We�re so glad, son. So very glad.
ANNA
We knew you would be free one day. There had to be a way.
MARK
I� I�m so sorry.
ROGER
It wasn�t you, son. It was the monster.
ANNA
You didn�t have any control.
MARK
I should have. I never should have hurt you.
ROGER
We pushed you too hard.
ANNA
We wanted you free so badly. We forced your hand.
ROGER
Please don�t blame yourself.
(Long pause)
ANNA
We love you, Mark.
SPIRIT
They are leaving.
MARK
Please. I need more time.
SPIRIT
I�m losing the connection.
ROGER
We�ll always be with you, son. Just think of us and we�ll be close by.
MARK
I miss you so much already.
BRIGIT
Wait!
(BRIGIT runs toward the shadows)
SPIRIT
Brigit, no!
(BRIGIT grabs the shadows. Lights flash. Booming thunder. Lights go black)
MOON
Brigit!
MARK
Mother! Father!
ZONE
Everyone stay where you are?
ZANE
Please. It�s okay.
ZONE
Light!
(Lights come up and BRIGIT is holding the hands of ROGER and ANNA)
MARK
It can�t be?
SPIRIT
They�re alive.
(MARK runs to them. They hug him)
MARK
How did you�
BRIGIT
I don�t know really. I just knew I could help them somehow.
SPIRIT
This is impossible.
ZONE
Nothing is impossible with magic, Spirit.
(RUNT goes to BRIGIT)
RUNT
You are one powerful little kid. Be careful how you use that magic.
BRIGIT
I will.
(Lights fade to black)
(Lights come up on the camp. SOL and TRISTAN side on either side of RUNT. They take turns making him laugh and cry)
RUNT
Okay, okay. That�s enough.
SOL
Thank you, Runt for help us today.
RUNT
Sure, sure. I�m just glad this will be the last day for awhile.
TRISTAN
I wonder what would happen if we grabbed him at the same time.
SOL
Yes. I wonder.
RUNT
Well, you�ll have to wonder until next year.
(RUNT stays clear of them)
SPIRIT
Well, the rest of the camp this summer has been rather uneventful.
MOON
But I�ve learned a great deal.
KURT
But it�s been so boring.
JAG
Tell you what. I promise to ambush you at least once a month this year.
KURT
Make it totally unexpected.
JAG
Of course.
KURT
Good. Something to look forward to.
ZONE
We all have much to look forward to. Your magic is growing stronger by the day. Next summer promises to be a good one.
ZANE
I even have a feeling next summer will be more exciting.
BRIGIT
Is that good or bad?
ZANE
I can�t tell.
RUNT
Good. I want it to be a surprise.
ZONE
Now for your homework.
KURT
Homework!
(Each coach gives a pile of books to each student)
ZONE
Just a little reading for next summer.
MOON
A little reading. I don�t see this many books in an entire school year.
SPIRIT
And whose fault is that?
(MOON is embarrassed)
MOON
Well�
ZONE
Study these books closely. We�ll have a test of your new knowledge when you return.
KURT
A test? Oh, great.
JAG
It won�t be a written test.
RUNT
Or even those annoying little bubbles.
SPIRIT
It will be a test of your powers.
ZONE
The knowledge in these books will help you survive next summer.
TRISTAN
Survive?
ZONE
Learn these lessons well and you�ll live to see the end of next summer too!
(ZONE waves his hands. Lights go black. Boom of thunder)
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