The Scarecrow of Oz
Adapted from the story of L. Frank Baum
Version 3.2
February 14, 2008
Act I
Sequence 1_01 – “Scaredycrow”
INTERIOR: TIN CASTLE THRONEROOM
1_01_01
TIN WOODMAN sits on his throne. He takes the hat off his head, which is an oilcan, and uses it to oil his joints.
1_01_02
A CROW flies through the Throne Room.
1_01_03
TIN WOODMAN looks up but sees nothing, so returns to what he was doing.
1_01_04
Another CROW flies through the room.
1_01_05
TIN WOODMAN looks up quicker this time, head turning back and forth, looking carefully. Slowly he returns to what he was doing. Then there is the sound of loud flapping and he looks up, surprised…
1_01_06
To see a whole flock of CROWs flying through the Throne Room.
1_01_07
TIN WOODMAN stands up, turning to look after the crows then he follows.
INTERIOR: TIN CASTLE HALLWAY
1_01_08
TIN WOODMAN peeks around into a Castle Hallway, sees nothing.
1_01_09
TIN WOODMAN walks slowly down the Castle Hallway, listening carefully. There’s the sound of rustling through a door just down the hallway. He creeps towards the opening of the doorway and peers in…
INTERIOR: SCARECROW’S BEDROOM
1_01_10
SCARECROW sits in a chair of his Bedroom reading. His concentration is on the book and he seems to be unaware of the dozen CROWs perched around his room.
1_01_11
There is a CROW on either of SCARECROW’s shoulders, peering into the book with him.
1_01_12
TIN WOODMAN (demands)
What is the meaning of this?
1_01_13
SCARECROW (startled)
Huh? What?
1_01_14
TIN WOODMAN (perturbed)
What are all of these crows doing in your bedroom?
1_01_15
SCARECROW looks around.
SCARECROW
They don’t seem to be doing anything.
1_01_16
One of the CROWs lands on TIN WOODMAN’s head, and another one on his shoulder.
TIN WOODMAN (surprised)
What?
TIN WOODMAN shakes CROWs off. CROWs caw indignantly as they are chased away.
1_01_17
TIN WOODMAN (incredulous)
Why are they here?
1_01_18
SCARECROW (lamenting)
It was lonely in the Farmer’s field. There was nobody to talk to but the crows, and they became my friends… They’re visiting. Would you like me to introduce you?
1_01_19
TIN WOODMAN
Huh? What kind of scarecrow are you? Don’t you know how to scare crows?
1_01_20
SCARECROW (sheepish)
Uh, not really... No one ever taught me.
1_01_21
TIN WOODMAN looks surprised for a moment then he waves his arms in the air.
TIN WOODMAN (yelling)
Blubbity, blubbity, blub!
1_01_22
CROWs immediately scatter and fly out the window.
1_01_23
TIN WOODMAN (exclaims)
How hard was that?!
1_01_24
SCARECROW bows his head, chagrined.
1_01_25
TIN WOODMAN (orders)
You try it.
1_01_26
SCARECROW stands up, unenthusiastically. He raises his arms, half-heartedly.
SCARECROW (uninspired)
Blub… Blub…Blahhhhh.
1_01_27
TIN WOODMAN (disgusted)
That won’t scare anything. What? Are you really a scaredycrow instead of a scarecrow?
1_01_28
SCARECROW (petulant)
I can be any kind I want.
1_01_29
TIN WOODMAN
You need to go out to the Farmer’s field and practice scaring crows.
1_01_30
SCARECROW crosses his arms and stands straight.
SCARECROW (defiant)
Maybe I will?
1_01_31
A last CROW bumps into TIN WOODMAN’s head, tilting his crown into his face. He pushes the crown back to the top of his head.
TIN WOODMAN (annoyed)
You should!
1_01_32
SCARECROW (pouting)
I will!
SCARECROW turns angrily and walks out of the room.
1_01_33
TIN WOODMAN looks on belligerently at first then his face turns to concern at Scarecrow’s absence.
Sequence 1_02 – “Journey”
INTERIOR: TIN CASTLE THRONE ROOM
1_02_02
TIN WOODMAN lies in his throne, bored, his head propped up by his hand. He sighs heavily.
1_02_02
TIN GIRL, who is seated next to TIN WOODMAN, knitting, looks over quizzically then returns to work.
1_02_03
TIN WOODMAN stands and begins to toss his AXE into the air, catch it, toss it, catch it, toss it, catch it…
1_02_04
TIN WOODMAN drops the AXE and it clatters on the floor.
1_02_05
TIN WOODMAN looks down at his AXE and sighs heavily.
1_02_06
TIN GIRL again looks at TIN WOODMAN, this time annoyed.
TIN GIRL (curious)
Where’s Scarecrow?
1_02_07
TIN WOODMAN looks at the ceiling but does not respond.
1_02_08
TIN GIRL
Tinny, why are you fidgeting and sighing and making a general pest of yourself? These are things that you should be doing with Scarecrow. With him you can fidget and clank and make all manner of confusion without bothering me - now where is Scarecrow?
1_02_09
TIN WOODMAN looks around guiltily.
1_02_10
TIN GIRL’s eyes narrow:
TIN GIRL (suspicious)
Tinny…?
1_02_11
TIN WOODMAN
He’s practicing.
1_02_12
TIN GIRL (insists)
Practicing what?
1_02_13
TIN WOODMAN (innocently)
Blubbity, blubbity, blub.
1_02_14
TIN GIRL (annoyed)
Blubby… What? Did you send him alone on some errand, Tinny?
1_02_15
TIN WOODMAN grimaces guiltily.
1_02_16
TIN GIRL
You know what kind of trouble Scarecrow always gets into! Now you go find him and bring him back – right now!
1_02_17
TIN WOODMAN (whines)
Right now?
1_02_18
TIN GIRL thrusts TIN WOODMAN’s AXE into his face.
1_02_19
TIN WOODMAN stands up; carefully takes the AXE.
1_02_20
TIN WOODMAN smiles sheepishly as he nods his head at TIN GIRL.
1_02_21
TIN WOODMAN walks towards the castle exit.
1_02_22
TIN GIRL (calling)
I look forward to your and Scarecrow’s return… And a little peace and quiet.
1_02_23
TIN WOODMAN looks glum.
Sequence 1_03 – “Cap’n Bill & Trot”
EXTERIOR: OCEAN
1_03_01
CAP’N BILL and TROT are in a ROWBOAT on the ocean.
1_03_02
TROT (reluctantly)
Why must I go to school? You’re the best teacher I’ve ever had. If you don’t know something then it’s not worth learning.
1_03_03
CAP’T BILL
We talked about this ‘ready, Trot. It’s mighty time you got your learnin’ from folks that knows letters and books better’n me.
1_03_04
TROT (pleading)
But I don’t even know my cousin, Gloria? And Jinxland sounds like a place of trouble and bad luck.
1_03_05
CAP’N BILL
’Tis nothing of the sort: Jinxland is cultured and refined, as so I hear, and your cousin wants your company. She has written many times for you to come.
1_03_06
CAP’N BILL always rowed the boat, for he handled the oars with strength and skill. TROT sat in the stern and steered.
1_03_07
TROT suddenly sits up straight.
TROT (exclaims)
What’s that, Cap’n Bill?
1_03_08
CAP’N BILL
That, Trot, looks to me mightily like an Ork… If we are not careful, it will descend down and blow away our boat, for Orks make a powerful wind.
1_03_09
CAP’N BILL rows hurriedly in the direction opposite the dot in the sky.
1_03_10
The dot turns into a bird, and the bird into an ORK.
EXTERIOR: WHIRLPOOL
1_03_11
The wind begins to blow and the water around CAP’N BILL & TROT turns into a whirlpool.
1_03_12
TROT (warns)
It’s coming closer.
1_03_13
CAP’N BILL redoubles his effort on the oars and begins rowing with all his strength.
1_03_14
The WHIRLPOOL becomes even stronger, pulling the ROWBOAT in an ever-shrinking spiral.
1_03_15
TROT (frightened)
What is causing this, Cap’n?
1_03_16
CAP’N BILL (exclaims)
The whirl of the Ork’s tail causes the whirl in the water, and it is drawin’ us to it like a magnet!
1_03_17
The great hole in the WHIRLPOOL grows nearer and nearer, looking very terrifying.
1_03_18
TROT is very frightened.
1_03_19
Suddenly the ROWBOAT makes a leap and dives headlong into the murky depths of the WHIRLPOOL.
UNDER WATER
1_03_20
Under water, whirling like tops, but still clinging together, CAP’N BILL & TROT are separated from the ROWBOAT.
1_03_21
CAP’N BILL & TROT plunge down, down, down into the farthermost recesses of the great ocean.
1_03_22
CAP’N BILL & TROT fall swiftly but presently they slow down.
1_03_23
The water is no longer whirling them and they seem to be drawn in a slanting direction through still, cool ocean depths.
CAVERN
1_03_24
Abruptly, CAP’N BILL & TROT pop to the surface.
1_03_25
CAP’N BILL & TROT are cast at full length upon a sandy beach in a Cavern, eerily lit by glowing diamonds.
1_03_26
CAP’N BILL & TROT lay choking and gasping for breath.
1_03_27
CAP’N BILL sputters and coughs from the water he has swallowed. Both he and TROT are soaked through.
1_03_28
CAP’N BILL sits up and stares at TROT intently.
CAP’N BILL (gurgling)
Mighty good, Trot; mighty good! We didn’t reach Davy Jones’s locker that time, did we? Though why we didn’t, an’ why we’re here, is more’n I kin make out.
1_03_29
TROT
Yes, Cap’n, we’re safe enough, I guess, at least for the time being.
1_03_30
TROT looks around their surroundings.
TROT
Where do you think we are, Cap’n Bill?
1_03_31
CAP’N BILL
Can’t say, Trot.
1_03_32
CAP’N BILL & TROT get to their feet and creep up the incline to scattered BOULDERS above. Some of these are of huge size.
1_03_33
CAP’N BILL & TROT pass between some BOUNDERS and around others until they are able to reach the extreme rear of the cavern.
1_03_34
CAP’N BILL looks with interest at a tunnel entrance.
CAP’N BILL (speculative)
“Yes,”. “We may have found a way out of here.”
1_03_35
TROT
But it’s black as night inside it. It may be a way out of here, but it may be a way into a far worse place than this. I’m not sure but our best plan is to stay right here.
1_03_36
There is a sound behind CAP’N BILL & TROT.
1_03_37
In the darkness a pair of BRIGHT RED EYES show.
Act II (See attached script.)
Absolution Style by Premium phpBB Styles
