Scene 3

As the lights fade on the scene shown is the backdrop of a starry night at sea, and the stage is set up to look like the boat that Chad, Frank and David have been using. In front of the stage large cutouts of waves have been set up.

Chad: We'll reach the cliffs by dawn. Why are you doing that? *directed at Frank who is staring behind*

Frank: *shrugs* Making sure nobody is following us.

Chad: *chuckles and brushes the though aside* That would be inconceivable.

Lucy: *jumps in on the dialogue* Despite what you think, you will be caught; and when you are, the prince will see you all hanged.

Chad: Of all the necks on this boat, highness, the one you should be worrying about is your own....*pausing, then glancing at Frank* Stop doing that! We can all relax! It's almost over.

Frank: Are you sure nobody is following us?

Chad: As I told you it would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways inconceivable! No one in Guilder knows what we've done, and no one in Florin could have gotten here so fast. *pauses* Out of curiosity, why do you ask?

Frank: *shrugs* Suddenly, I just happened to look behind us and something is there.

Chad: *in disbelief* What?! *now, spying a ship in the distance* ...Probably some local fisherman out for a pleasure cruise at night through eel infested waters.

The sound affect of a splash can be heard as Lucy jumps off of the stage and lands on the ground below. She then begins to mock swim in front of the stage, the cardboard cutouts and sound effects of splashing over the speakers giving it the affect that she is actually swimming.

(Nate- What, you couldn't add in an affect to make her look wet?

Alex- Well... *puts away the bucket of water he was planning to splash on Lucy* Nah... she'd kill me.

Nate- No, Brandon would kill you.

Alex- Well either way...)

Chad: What?! Go in!! Go after her!!!

Frank: *frankly* I don't swim.

David: *turning to Chad* I only dog-paddle...

Chad: Aauuuggghhhhh!!!!!!

Frank rushes over to the end of the ship and begins to fiddle around.

Chad: Veer left! ...left! ...left!

Suddenly, horrible screeching is heard over the speakers and large styrofoam humps begin to appear rising up and falling back down behind the cutout of the waves, circling around Lucy as she looks around franticly, treading water.

Chad: Do you know what that sound is, highness? *leans over the rail of the ship* Those are the shrieking eels! If you don't believe me, just wait. They always grow louder when they're about to feed on flesh! If you swim back now I promise no harm will come to you...I doubt you'll get such an offer from the eels.

The volume of the eels increases over the speakers and suddenly a styrofoam creature pops up and heads straight for Lucy. She lets out a loud gasp as the eel swims up quickly to her, its mouth open to attack, and then the lights drop from the stage and turn to where Alex and Diane are sitting together.

Alex: *glancing up from the book to look at Diane* She doesn't get eaten by the eels at this time.

Diane: *blinks in surprise* Wha'?

Alex: The eel doesn't get her...I'm explaining to you because you looked nervous.

Diane: I...I wasn't nervous. Well maybe I was a little bit concerned but that's not the same thing.

Alex: ...Because we can stop now if you want. *goes to close the book*

Diane: No, *tail waves as she motions for him to keep reading* you could read a little bit more if you want.

Alex: *begins to thumb through the book, looking for his part.*

The lights come back on at the stage, at the same time remaining on at Alex and Diane so that Alex can be seen reading, and once again the scene of the eel is played out silently by the cast as Alex reads Chad's lines.

Alex: Do you know what that sound is highness? Those are the shrieking eels!

The lights go out on the stage once more, leaving just Alex and Diane in view.

Diane: Pass that, Grandpa. You read it already.

Alex: Oh...oh my goodness, I did. I'm sorry. Beg your pardon. *now mumbling to himself* alright, alright, lets see..uh...she was in the water, the eel was going after her, she was frightened, the eel started to charge her and then...

As the lights of the stage flash back on it is noticeable that once again the ship has been pulled across the stage by the unseen ropes that have been moving it. Now the ship sits near the front of the stage, right behind Lucy and David reaches out of the boat, hits the eel on the head, and pulls Lucy back into the boat.

Chad: Put her down! Just put her down! *motioning in annoyance*

Frank: *looking back at the other ship again* I think he's getting closer!

Chad: He's no concern of ours! Sail on! *now turning to Lucy* I suppose you think you're brave, don't you?

Lucy: *stares up at Chad with hateful eyes* Only compared to some.