Note:
A fight develops over Melissa's tendency to lewd and provocative behavior, and quickly degenerates into a bout of overnight drinking and cutting.
Under the influence of drugs and alcohol as she is, Melissa is an easy target for depression, which sets manifests itself in the shape of a visit from The Feelings Monster.
BEGIN:
CUE MUSIC: PITY THE CHILD
Action: MELISSA and SUSAN talk through the introduction, at the end of which MELISSA shrugs sadly, looks up, and begins to sing.
Action: SUSAN hands MELISSA the cup of tea.
SUSAN:
There you go Mel. Take a prozac and have a lie down. and make sure you call me first thing in the morning. OK?
MELISSA:
I will Susan and thanks for coming. I don't know what I'd do without you.
SUSAN:
Oh think nothing of it. I just wish there was more I could do to help.
Action: SUSAN and MELISSA head towards the door.
SUSAN:
Oh, John and Steven send their love by the way. And Steven says isn't it about time you were showing your face again? You know I do believe that boy is sweet on you.
Action: SUSAN grins and MELISSA blushes hotly.
MELISSA:
Yes well thank John and tell him I'm fine, but Steve is going to have to wait. I don't feel up to dancing right now.
Action: SUSAN smiles and gives MELISSA a hug then leaves. MELISSA closes the door behind her. then goes to pour the tea down the sink. and get a bottle of scotch from the kitchen cupboard. She downs a tablet with the scotch. then sits at the kitchen table and pours another even larger drink.
Action: ENTER TAPES TWELVISH and PRINCESS.
Action: TAPES sees MELISSA with the bottle, and, as a heavy drum beat begins, she immediately begins to annoy Melissa by dancing erotically with TWELVISH and PRINCESS. Princess eventually begins to sing.
CUE MUSIC: WHORE SLAG SLUT BABY
Action: All hell breaks loose, as fists begin to fly and CPI argue amongst themselves as to who has the right approach to dealing with their stuff. HARMONY finishes the song somewhat nervously, as tempers flare and people become upset.
Action: Everyone is exhausted except TAPES, who is angry, and stomps around slamming cupboard doors and pushing people around in an attempt to provoke a reaction from MELISSA. It works.
MELISSA:
God I'm sick of this noise. Why don't you all just go away?
TAPES:
You're sick of it? What the hell do you think we are? It's US who have to live with it every damn day. If you can't deal with it then shut up and DEAL with it!
MELISSA:
Oh no, not you again... Please not you... won't you just stop it for once. Please? I do know you're only inside my head you know, you're not really real, you're not supposed to be talking to me like this.
TAPES:
Oooo, touchy today aren't we... and who do you think put us inside your head you wimp? Remember all those other times you couldn't deal with it, and you shoved it all down here cluttering the damn place up? Well we're IT and we ain't going nowhere! We're here to stay, get it! God, you're so pathetic you make me sick.
Action: TAPES takes a swig from the whisky bottle and bangs it back down angrily on the table top.
Action: MELISSA is startled.
Action: MELISSA pleads.
MELISSA:
But I didn't do anything... I mean it wasn't my fault I couldn't cope, I was supposed to be loved!
Action: TAPES looks disgustedly at MELISSA.
TAPES:
Oh for Christ sake don't start on that love thing again.
Action: TAPES rounds on MELISSA angrily.
TAPES:
Get real bitch there ain't nobody gonna love you but yourself, and that's IF you can stay off the bottle long enough to admit who you are!
Action: TAPES grabs the bottle and takes another swig, then slams it down again directly in front of MELISSA, who by now is very scared.
TAPES:
You're a nothing, a worthless piece of garbage. I wish you'd do us all a favour and go kill yourself and let us get on with living.
Action: TAPES drinks yet again then shoves the bottle back to MELISSA and goes to sit down moodily.
Action: MELISSA drinks deeply and tries to open a packet of cigarettes, the contents of which end up the floor.
TAPES:
Sheesh... I give up... there's no helping you is there.
Action: ENTER BADBITS, who has been hiding in a large cardboard box under the sink. She proceeds to pick up the cigarettes, and apologizes for being the cause of the upset.
BADBITS:
I'm sorry MELISSA I didn't mean it, it's my fault. I was just thinking. I'll go away again, sorry Mel.... sorry Tapes... sorry.
Action: BADBITS climbs back into her box speeded, on her way by wild kicks from TAPES and TWELVISH, which, in turn, prompts an unexpected outburst from HOPTY.
HOPTY:
Do you lot HAVE to pick on her all the time! Why can't you just let her stay out for once? You're such big bullies!
TAPES:
If you like her so much, why don't you join her!
Action: TAPES knocks HOPTY to the floor, where she resigns herself to staying close to BADBITS's box, in a vague attempt to give her some support.
Note:
MELISSA is by now too drunk to argue, and the situation is already well out of hand, as one by one, the others go silently to their sleeping quarters, leaving MELISSA and TAPES scowling at each other, as night draws in and the kitchen becomes dark.
Note:
LIGHTS dim.
Action: MELISSA has just about drunk herself into a coma by now, and is slumped across the table, leaving TAPES to finish the whisky alone.
Action: BADBITS comes out and wanders around the kitchen, picking up scraps or food as she goes and hiding them about her person.
CUE MUSIC: WERE YOU THERE
Action: By now both TAPES and MELISSA are both slumped semi-comatose across the kitchen table.
Action: The imminent aproach of The Feelings Monster is demonstrated by "thoughts" which pervade Melissa's mind from off-stage in the form of a song.
Action: part way through the song a secret door opens into the kitchen... TAPES tries to rise and close, it but is too drunk, and the kitchen is lit by an eerie red glow eminating from beyond the door as the Feelings Monster enters.
Action: During the latter half of the song Tapes can no longer stand being so close to The Feelings Monster and scratches a long serated kitchen knife across her arms and legs time after time after time.
Action: During the last verse Tapes can no longer stand being so close to The Feelings Monster and scratches a long serated kitchen knife across her arms and legs time after time after time.
Action: She then passes out and slumps across the table.
CUE MUSIC: WALK IN MY SHOES
Action: EXIT THE FEELINGS MONSTER, CLOSING THE DOOR BEHIND IT
Note:
LIGHTS out
Action: END OF SCENE 1
Scene 2: Tapes sets off in search of answers.
Note:
CPI are most perplexed, to find that even when their supposedly most-strong member, Tapes, is in charge, things can go badly wrong.
Tapes attempts to explain the reasons for her cutting and tells them about The Feelings Monster and her hunch that things are not quite what they seem.
Tapes then sets off Deep Inside in order to find out more about what is going on.
BEGIN:
NARRATOR:
All things considered it hadn't been a very good day for Melissa. The alcohol and prozac did her no good at all and by the time morning came she was in no fit state to remember to call me as she'd promised.
Action: MELISSA, badly hung over, rises from the kitchen table holding her head in one hand while proceeding to make coffee with the other - oblivious to the fact that she is still dressed from the night before and that her clothes are stained with blood. She sit s back down at the kitchen table still holding her head when (ENTER PRINCESS) there is a sudden scream from PRINCESS. TAPES's body can be seen lying on the kitchen floor.
PRINCESS:
Tapes! Tapes wake up! What's wrong? Help! Somebody come! Quick!
Action: ENTER HARMONY TWELVISH and HOPTY on the run.
PRINCESS:
SOMEBODY HELP ME! Tapes is bleeding!
Action: MELISSA is shocked into reality in an instant and stares in amazement at TAPES's body laying full length on the floor. MELISSA looks at her arms and legs and sure enough, they are covered in cuts that she knows she hasn't done. Almost crying with anger and frustration she races out to the bathroom.
Action: EXIT MELISSA
Action: HARMONY, TWELVISH, & PRINCESS try to revive TAPES
HARMONY:
What on earth happened? I've never seen Tapes act like this before! She cut! I can't believe it, Tapes Cut! Twelvish, fetch some water quickly! Princess, talk to her, see if you can wake her up
Action: PRINCESS shakes TAPES vigorously by the arm.
PRINCESS:
Please don't die Tapes, we need you! Wake up, it's morning, we have to go shopping, we need food and I can't go without you Oh Tapes, PLEASE wake up, you're scaring me!
Action: TWELVISH arrives without water but with a large bottle of anti-septic cleaner.
Action: ENTER HOPTY who all but swoons at the sight of blood and instantly makes excuses to busy herself elsewhere in the kitchen.
TWELVISH:
I'll wake her up. Stand back Princess, way back, she's gonna be as mad as hell.
Action: PRINCESS stands well back
TWELVISH:
Sit on her Harmony - She ain't gonna like this one bit.
Action: HARMONY sits on TAPES.
Action: TWELVISH dabs anti-septic onto the cuts on TAPES's arms and within seconds, the pain that it causes begins to rouse TAPES's consciousness to the point where she moans slightly and tries to object.
Action: TWELVISH pours lotion straight from the bottle onto the cuts on TAPES's legs and with a sudden yell and a mighty heave HARMONY is unceremoniously dumped on her backside and TAPES grabs an unfortunate TWELVISH by the throat and begins to shake her vigorously.
Action: PRINCESS is delighted and applauds enthusiastically.
PRINCESS:
Yeah! She WOKE!!!!
TAPES: (to TWELVISH)
What the HELL do you think you're doing woman! Have you ANY idea what it feels like to be pissed about with when you're asleep? Speak to me you slut, are you COMPLETELY mad or just crazy!
Action: TWELVISH points frantically towards her throat and TAPES's legs and makes strange noises.
TWELVISH:
urgleurgleurlgle*eck*! urgleurlgleutti arm n egs!
Action: which as luck would have it attract Tape's' attention to the facts that 1. TWELVISH couldn't speak, and 2, TAPES's legs felt like they were on fire.
Action: TAPES involuntarily relaxes her grip in order to think about this and TWELVISH seizes the opportunity to wriggle free and from the safety of the other side of the room hastily brings TAPES's attention to the fact that she's been unconscious and... cutting!
TAPES:
Cutting? Me! (looks down) Oh no!!!
Action: TAPES looks round fearfully but sees no monster and stares wide-eyed again at the cuts on her legs.
TAPES:
Oh no, I don't believe it, it must have got me, The Feelings Monster felt me, it must have done, I don't remember... I must have been drunk... (quietly now) Oh no... it did, it touched me, I can't believe I let it touch me. Oh My God it was awful, there were all these colours swimming round and round and round.
PRINCESS:
Come on Tapes stop joking, I don't like it when you act weird, you're scaring me
TAPES:
You're scared, kiddo?
Action: TAPES touches PRINCESS' shoulder reassuringly as she stands up and tries to make it to the sofa.
TAPES:
Boy I'm knackered, you don't even know half of it yet. I saw it you know, (to TWELVISH) God I can't believe I was so stupid, I saw it. I must have been *this* close to it... I saw right into it's eyes it was disgusting.
Action: TAPES falls silent and stares again at the cuts on her legs.
HOPTY: (stupidly)
What were the colours like?
Were they pretty?
I like bright colours best but pastels and luminescents are OK too I guess....
Action: HOPTY - realises that she is talking gibberish and simply trying to avoid further talk about monsters or blood or cutting so she did the sensible thing and tries to shut up and not to think about it.
Action: By now PISSY had woken up disturbed by the racket, MELISSA was back and looking somewhat shaken and even BADBITS was peeping nervously out of her box in the corner of the room.
TWELVISH:
You OK Tapes? I haven't seen you like this before. Can I get you something?
TAPES: (grinning wryly)
Yeah I'm OK, but you can get rid that bottle if you like, the stink's driving me crazy.
I dunno, there was something really weird about those eyes, and the colours too, they all went dull and opaque and turned into a mucky amber then went into yellow then nothing.
Nothing has a colour you know, I saw it, it's the same colour as death.
PISSY: (looking extremely worried)
You shouldn't have done it Tapes, you've ruined it for everyone, it'll all end in tears you mark my words, it's a bad omen for sure.
PRINCESS: (rounding on PISSY)
You stop it you! It's not fair! she didn't say she'd seen death, she just said it was the same as death you stop trying to make out she's bad all the time OK!
Action: PRINCESS goes to hug TAPES who tries wearily to brush her off but can't be bothered so tolerates the kid stroking her hair somewhat ungraciously.
HOPTY: (trying her best not to sound like an idiot this time)
So what did you see Tapes?
Is it really as ugly as we thought?
Did it hurt you?
Is that what the cuts are?
Oh dear... (getting quite carried away again...) Was it the monster that did that to you?
TAPES:
I dunno it was weird... you know how when it's coming too close and we have to bolt the door and we all get 'Feel Bad'... Well it was like that but I dunno, it was weird, it was as if it couldn't help it or something, like it wasn't it's fault that it feels bad... I dunno... it's hard to remember exactly.
Action: HOPTY absently hands TAPES MELISSA's by now cold cup of coffee. TAPES goes over and pours it down the sink and re-fills it from the pot.
HARMONY:
Try Tapes, if you try I'm sure you can remember.
Did it say anything, did it talk to you?
TAPES:
Oh yeah it talked all right. I wish it hadn't.
It kept going on about Gold Scarlet and Purple.
They were going away or something.
God knows what she was on about but she talked plenty.
Action: TAPES pauses to think then suddenly looks up in amazement.
TAPES:
Hey!
It's a SHE!
I just realized, IT'S a SHE!
Action: CPI Gasp collectively, but aren't at all sure why.
HOPTY:
Gosh I wonder what that means.
I mean it had to be something and it's nice to know it's a she but all the same it had to be something.
TAPES:
Shut up for pete's sake will you I'm trying to think.
Damn... There was something else... what the hell was it.
Damn, it's going again, I nearly had it. I nearly remembered something..
Action: Silence, as everyone watches TAPES thinking.
TAPES:
Hang on... it's coming...
Action: More silence, as everyone continues watching TAPES think.
TAPES:
Arrghhhhh!!!! (in frustration)
Action: CPI look startled - then disappointed.
TAPES:
Damn.
Action: CPI look even more disappointed
TAPES:
Hang on, I've Got It! It's Gold! It's precious!!!
Action: CPI are caught completely off-guard by TAPES's admission of the obvious.
Action: PISSY (in particular) is completely baffled.
PISSY:
Eh?
Is that IT?
Oh wow - cool thinking Tapes! Gold is precious?
You're a mine of useless information you are!
Action: TAPES ignores the challenge and attempts to explain
TAPES:
No you don't get it, it's like special, whatsername, symbolic, Gold is something precious right?...
Well the Monster's on about something precious that got lost.
God this is hard to explain.
Action: TAPES thinks some more
TAPES:
Hang on, it's all coming back now.
Gold is precious, something you don't want to lose, right?
And Scarlet - Scarlet is like... I dunno, it's like blood or something?
HOPTY:
You mean like the monster didn't want you to lose your blood 'cos it's precious? I can go along with that there's always something to live for waiting just around the corner.
Action: TAPES is clearly frustrated that she isn't being understood and that HOPTY (in particular) appears to be no help whatsoever.
TAPES:
No damn it I said it was symbolic.
Gold is something you don't want to lose and Scarlet is only LIKE blood...
...and Purple?... Why on earth can't I stop thinking about you Princess?
Action: PRINCESS beams with obvious delight while TAPES concentrates even harder.
TAPES:
Purple, purple, Princess... Princesses, royalty... kings and queens...
Something that's Precious - Blood - Royalty?
(Dejectedly...) Oh I don't know - it's all too hard and complicated and I'm tired, I'm going to bed.
PRINCESS:
My Daddy used to call me his Little Princess before he had to go away you know. He used to call me that all the time. He said I was His Precious Little Princess and that he loved me most of all in the whole world - and he did too.
Action: The strange look that suddenly appeared on TAPES's face goes un-noticed by all but HARMONY, due to the fact that everyone else is watching PRINCESS sat happily with her arm around her wounded friend chattering away about the daddy that she loved so much.
TAPES (almost to herself and in some considerable distress)
Oh no, surely it can't be..
On no
Not HER!
Action: TAPES reaches out in a sudden but incomplete protective movement towards PRINCESS which has the unfortunate consequence of making TAPES the focus of everyone's attention again.
Action: EVERYONE looks expectantly at TAPES who is obviously struggling to comprehend something. TAPES puts a hand gently on PRINCESS's shoulder.
TAPES:
It's you, Princess. She was singing about you.
The colours were you...
Gold is precious, Scarlet is Love, you were his Princess...
YOU were precious Princess - you were family, you were his child...
Action: PRINCESS is oblivious to the implications of what TAPES is saying and continues to chatter away about her daddy as if it was the happiest thing she could do. But the hurt look that flit across TAPES's face before she rose and went to sit alone at the other side of the room was far from lost on HARMONY who followed her and sat down quietly beside her as the others set about helping HOPTY to clear up the remainder of the mess in the kitchen.
Action: HARMONY and TAPES are effectively alone for the remainder of this scene.
HARMONY:
What is it Tapes. I saw your face... What did you see exactly.
Action: TAPES doesn't answer but sits staring with un-blinking eyes at something only she can see while HARMONY sits in silence for several minutes growing more and more concerned as tapes wrestles with comprehension.
HARMONY:
Come on Tapes, something big is bothering you. What is it.
TAPES:
Can't you see, it's The Feelings Monster, it got to me.
It knows something really big that we don't know and I felt it go right through me, I can still feel it but I don't know what it is.
I've never felt like this before and I don't like it - I'm not used to not knowing what's going on.
Action: The two companions sit deep in thought.
TAPES:
I have to find out what it did... it could be dangerous.
HARMONY:
What could be dangerous exactly, that stuff about Princess?
TAPES:
Yeah but that's only part of it, there's more, loads more, I just don't know what it all means.
Somebody has to catch that monster and find out what's going on.
Action: HARMONY stares incredulously.
HARMONY:
Catch The Monster?
You can include me out!
I'm not going anywhere near it!
TAPES:
But we have to, it could be dangerous, it could be catching.
HARMONY (moving backward away from TAPES)
You mean it could be contagious?
You didn't say anything about contagious when you were throwing me on the floor or throttling Twelvish or hugging Princess!
Action: HARMONY is quite panicky now
HARMONY:
What do you MEAN, it could be contagious?
TAPES:
Well it stands to reason... ever since it touched me I haven't been myself.
You know me... or at least you ought to.
I've never cut - wimps cut - not me.
I'm telling you there's something weird about that monster.
It's got some sort of power and I want to know what it is.
HARMONY:
But surely you can't be serious about catching it?
I mean where would we put it for heaven's sake?
You know what we're like whenever it's around, everybody's fighting all the time and nothing ever gets done... we're a mess!
TAPES:
Well that's a chance we'll just have to take. For all we know the damage might already be done... if it is contagious you are going to get it for sure and Twelvish and Princess too - that'd be nearly half of us done for already - the wimps would never survive.
TAPES:
So are you with me or what?
HARMONY:
Oh I do wish you'd make sense Tapes... With you or what - what?
TAPES:
Inside.
I have to go inside to find that monster.
I'll kill it if I have to but I have to go
HARMONY:
But that's crazy Tapes!
Nobody can stand up to that monster not even you!
TAPES:
OK, suit yourself...
Action: TAPES stands up and turns to go
TAPES:
....but some of us do what we have to do
HARMONY:
But Tapes!!!
Action: TAPES paused expectantly - thinking perhaps that HARMONY is going to go with her after all
TAPES:
Yeah?...
HARMONY:
... what if it kills you..
Action: TAPES pauses to think
TAPES:
Then you'll just have to take care of Princess for me won't you.
Goodbye.
Action: HARMONY tries to swallow the lump that has suddenly appeared in her throat as without another word TAPES leaves quietly un-noticed by the others.
Action: EXIT TAPES
Action: END OF SCENE 2
Scene 3: Tapes meets her match.
Tapes goes Deep Inside and discovers the monster in it's lair singing a
love song to their father.
The Monster is revealed to Tapes to be a young girl and Tapes flees in
abject terror.
BEGIN:
Action: TAPES is on the top-most section of the passageway and proceeds to work her way cautiously down.
NARRATOR:
And so it was that Tapes left the familiar surrounding of the part of MELISSA that she knew so well and set off deep inside towards the un-explored forbidden regions of the heart.
Further and further she travelled through a labyrinth of eerie caves and unknown passageways, the walls of which seeped deep thoughts and hitherto unfelt emotions that threatened to drag her down into the pitch black mire through which she made her way.
Action: TAPES gasps as she fends off large cobweb like structures and treads gingerly on her way across and down the passageways.
Action: ENTER the shadowy figure of THE FEELINGS MONSTER on the second lowest platform who proceeds to make her way down also.
NARRATOR:
All at once, in the distance, she spied The Monster, and cautiously followed it down endless passageways until it reaches a spacious cavern lit by a strange blood red glow which seemed to emanate from the very walls of the cave itself.
Action: THE FEELING MONSTER enters it's lair and as it does so the bottom sections (red) lights go up revealing it for the first time.
Action: TAPES descends no lower than the second section and contents herself to await whatever might develop.
NARRATOR:
To tapes amazement the cavern has been made into a simple but beautiful home, the like of which she would never have dreamed existed on the surface never mind Deep Inside.
As she crouched at the top of the staircase down which the monster had walked only moments before sweet music fills the air and The Feelings Monster takes a faded old photograph down from the wall and gazes at it as Tapes stares at her in disbelief.
Action: TAPES is surprised to hear The Monster singing it's plaintive appeal for love and deep long-forgotten emotions begin to stir within her. As The Monster continues it's song TAPES sits down and emraptured by the scene before her and the deep emotions The Moster has managed to engender in her.
CUE MUSIC: DEEP INSIDE
NARRATOR:
Tapes sits in stunned silence as The Monster's mournful love song came to an end. Surely this Monster could not be the same one that had terrorized them for so long?
What sort of Monster could make people feels so bad and yet make such a heartfelt plea to a much loved father?
A deep hatred for whoever could have betrayed such a loyal love began to find it's way into TAPES's heart, and the tears flowed down her face as in her confusion she fought to remember the harm the monster had done her the night before.
Action: THE FEELINGS MONSTER rises and turns to replace the picture on the wall. TAPES suddenly gasps and involuntarily relaxes her grip on the banister as for the first time she sees the image in the photograph and recognizes it as her own dead father.
TAPES:
DAD!
Action: As TAPES's brain races franticly and she struggles to regain her balance on the steps THE FEELINGS MONSTER turns to face her and as it did so it's cloak falls to the floor revealing it's true self to an astounded spectator.
THE FEELINGS MONSTER:
Hello Tapes.
I knew you would come.
Action: For a moment TAPES is rooted to the spot unable to utter a sound. As quickly as it came the moment is gone and TAPES takes to her heels and flees the monster but becomes lost among the twists and turns of the complicated passageways.
Action: The bottom section lights go out (hiding THE FEELINGS MONSTER from view) and a spot follows TAPES flight as she races back the way she came.
NARRATOR:
How DARE The Feelings Monster be so Beautiful!
TAPES's brain was spinning as she tried desperately to reconcile the image she had just witnessed with the apparition and emotions of the previous night.
It was a wicked trick indeed to be both beautiful AND evil - and to what end the monster might wish to make it's appearance attractive to her she had no idea but deeply regretted now not heeding Harmony's words of wisdom.
Action: TAPES stops panicking and sits down on the middle platform totally lost and exhausted
NARRATOR:
It was quite some time before an exhausted Tapes realized that not only was she not being pursued by the monster but that she was also lost and in danger of collapse.
Hasty flight, she decided, was futile; for something strange was going on with the intricate twists and turns of the labyrinth through which she ran - the more she fled - the further away from the familiarity of the Outside World she felt herself to be.
But she needed rest. Looking around she found a secluded niche in the walls of the cave and curled up tightly in a ball and tried to imagine herself as being safe and secure in the old familiar cardboard box that was BADBITS's home.
And as she did so a strange and almost imperceptible notion flitted briefly through a distant corner of her mind and had she not been too tired to notice she might just have heard herself whispering...
TAPES:
Goodnight Badbits.... sleep tight... wherever you are.
NARRATOR:
...as her eyes became too heavy to bear, blackness released her from her thoughts and she slept.
Action: TAPES falls into a fitful sleep, punctuated with bad dreams and much shuddering.
Action: LIGHTS OUT
Visible:
[REVEAL NARRATOR]
NARRATOR:
But sleep was not something that was to come easily that night.
Every time TAPES's mind began to slide away from her - visions of A Monster that wasn't A Monster and A Girl who wasn't A Girl - leaped out of nowhere and prodded her back into semi-consciousness once more.
And so it was that tiny fragments of un-beckoned dreams and illusions intermingled and blended with each other in her mind then were torn apart once more as some other piece claimed it's place and laughed at her ignorance of the puzzle that tormented her.
The Feelings Monster was undoubtedly a young girl of some sort, but of what sort? and, if that were indeed the case, why was the mighty Tapes instinctively in fear of her?
One of the original Crazy People perhaps? Or even a throwback to some long forgotten insanity riddled ancestor - or maybe even a mutation caused by a terrible sickness or disease of the mind of which they were not yet aware?
It was a question that troubled Tapes greatly that night... what kind of madness could cause a monster to sing love songs... to their father...
Action: END OF SCENE 3
Scene 4: Tapes is forced to act alone.
Tapes returns to the surface to tell the rest of CPI what she has discovered about the monster.
CPI are not convinced that having Feelings near the surface is a good idea and Tapes is reluctantly forced to return Deep Inside alone in her endeavour to learn more about what it is the monster represents.
BEGIN:
NARRATOR:
Tapes was sick to the stomach that their father should be the object of such one-sided devotion; and by the time she had found her way back several days later and was banging on the secret door demanding to be let out she had already decided that in spite of their recent encounter the monster should be required to live near the surface where they could keep a close watch on it.
Action: CPI are startled to hear a loud knocking on the secret door
*BANG*BANG*BANG*BANG*BANG*BANG*BANG*
PRINCESS:
Tapes!
Action: PRINCESS is nearest and before anyone can say anything she has dashed over and opened the secret door.
Action: ENTER TAPES
Action: PRINCESS jumps up and excitedly and swings happily round TAPES's neck
PRINCESS:
Tapes!
You're alive!
Did you kill The Monster? Did you!
Action: TAPES laughs and hugs her little friend.
TAPES:
Well of course I'm alive Princess.
And how are you?
PRINCESS:
Oh I'm fine but Pissy said you'd be dead. She said the monster would have got you and eaten you up and I said she was a liar and she hit me.
Action: PISSY eyes TAPES nervously but TAPES makes no move towards her.
TAPES:
Did she now - well that just goes to show you can't believe everything you hear. I don't feel very dead.
Action: PRINCESS laughs happily.
TAPES:
Listen everybody, we need to have a meeting.
There's something you all need to know about.
HOPTY:
A meeting? Oh good, I'll put the kettle on, a nice cup of tea never hurts.
PISSY:
Tea? It's going to take more than tea to fix this.
No good ever comes from going inside.
I said it'd end in tears and I'll be right you'll see.
HARMONY:
Oh for heavens sake Pissy give her a chance she's only just got back.
OK - come on everybody gather round.
Action: CPI congregate around the kitchen table while HOPTY makes tea.
NARRATOR:
Starting from the very beginning Tapes recounted the story of how something had been bothering her ever since her encounter with The Feelings Monster the night CPI had got drunk. She told them all about her journey inside and how "Something", had been causing her to have feelings the like of which she'd never seen before.
Action: HOPTY sets a cup of tea down in front of TAPES.
HOPTY:
But that's good isn't it Tapes?
I mean I have feeling all the time you know, I enjoy keeping house and writing poetry and walking in the park and all sorts of things that give me feelings the rest of you never seem to care about.
PISSY: (to HOPTY)
Do you know you're really stupid sometimes...
Just think what would happen if Tapes went around getting "feelings" all over the place - I mean let's face it - you only have to look at Badbits to know that feeling aren't good for you.
Action: BADBITS retreats under the kitchen table
BADBITS:
Sorry pissy, sorry tapes, sorry everybody... sorry... I never meant to hurt anyone... I'm ever so sorry...
PISSY: (scornfully)
Just look at her...
Do you really want a Tapes-sized Badbits running this show?
HARMONY:
She's right Tapes. You haven't been yourself ever since this started happening.
One minute you're here telling everyone what to do and the next you're nowhere to be found and it's down to us to do things we haven't got a clue about.
We need you Tapes, it's part of the deal, you be you and we'll be us and we'll all be OK.
TAPES (sadly)
I know.
Action: TAPES pauses to concentrate on her thoughts then continues.
TAPES:
But there's more...
While I was inside I met her and she spoke to me.
She's not what we thought, in fact in a way she's worse.
She's a girl and she's us, she's all of us, she's our feelings.
She belongs to us - and much as I hate to say it, I want her back.
Action: TAPES pauses to let her statement sink in.
TAPES:
I intend to have her come live with us.
Action: In the commotion that followed BADBITS flees hastily back into the safety of her box and proceeded to moan loudly whilst TWELVISH becomes greatly distressed at the prospect of having to deal with Feelings so strong that even TAPES had cut. HARMONY stands up to speak against TAPES's plan to have anything more to do with The Monster.
HARMONY:
You can't do this to us Tapes, it isn't fair, just look at what it's doing to us... Even the mere MENTION of FEELINGS and we disintegrate.
I warn you Tapes, I'm not going to stand by and watch you destroy everything we've fought so hard to do.
TWELVISH:
Please don't do it Tapes. I can't take any more feelings, it's not fair, I don't want them, if they're my feelings I can not-have them if I want to and I won't, I shan't... I can't!
Action: TWELVISH is obviously very distressed but TAPES remains un-moved.
TAPES:
I'm sorry kiddo, but it doesn't seem to work like that any more.
I can do your feelings for a while if you want but sooner or later they're gonna find a way to get to you 'cos that's what Feelings do, that's what they're supposed to do, I think, they're supposed to get to you sooner or later. (sadly now) I know I want mine...
I miss them, so much.
Action: AN UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE
HOPTY:
But can't you see Tapes, these aren't good feelings, these are bad ones.
It's all well and good wanting nice feelings but you have to draw the line somewhere and I say Feel Bads ought not to be allowed.
They never have been before and they shouldn't be now.
TAPES:
But you don't get it Hopty... the bad feelings are ours too - I'm sick of chasing happy ones... I mean it just doesn't work does it. We argue all the time, we cut, we fall out, she's always getting drunk and saying we don't even exist... I mean come on, Feel Goods are fake Hopty - at least these feelings are REAL.
For the first time in my life I've found something I want and you say we should just turn and walk away?
I want more Hopty. And I intend to have it.
Action: AN UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE
HARMONY:
Do as you will Tapes. I have nothing more to say.
Action: HARMONY turns and walks away
TWELVISH:
Please Tapes, please don't do it.
Get yours if you must but leave ours there.
Please..
Action: TAPES releases TWELVISH.
TAPES:
I'm sorry Twelvish, I can't do that, she's all in one piece.
Action: TWELVISH too turns away and TAPES turns her attention to PRINCESS.
TAPES:
I'm going now Princess but I'll be back shortly.
You stay here and look after Twelvish for me will you?
And don't worry, we're all going to be fine you'll see.
Action: PRINCESS's lip quivers but she nods bravely as she goes to sit on the floor by BADBITS's box.
Action: EVERYONE ELSE leaves the room in silence.
Action: TAPES turns once more to the Inside Door and a tear momentarily blurs her vision as she thinks about the friends she had just managed to alienate.
She pauses just before she leaves - a strange expression on her face as if she has just half remembered something.
TAPES:
That's funny...
Action: TAPES brushes away a tear and stares at it.
TAPES:
Sadness is wet.
Happiness is wet.
Hurt is wet.
Kindness is wet.
How come every feeling I ever get is wet?
How on earth am I supposed to know which is which!
THE FEELINGS MONSTER: (cheerfully - from OFF-STAGE)
Don't worry Tapes.
You'll learn.
Action: TAPES is taken aback at hearing the monster's voice inside her own head but recovers quickly.
TAPES:
Huh? So that's it is it?
So now I'm going crazy too eh?
Who ever heard of a voice inside someone's head having voices in her head - this is getting downright ridiculous!
Action: THE FEELINGS MONSTER giggled but this time TAPES was already expecting a reaction.
TAPES:
Yes you, you little monster!
Are you listening to me!
Get out of my head this instant, do you hear!!
Action: THE FEELING MONSTER is still giggling happily as she answers.
THE FEELINGS MONSTER:
OK, I'll pretend you can't really hear me at all shall I?
Gold Scarlet and Purple can just be pigments of your imagination, and you can be plain crazy like Mel, and we'll see if we all feel any better, OK?
Action: TAPES tries to shake the impossible conversation out of her head but can't help but feel a sudden surge of sympathy for MELISSA.
TAPES: (grinning)
Hmmm..
"The Feelings Monster" eh..
Yeah, right... It hasn't exactly helped much you being called "The Monster", I think we're going to have to change that kiddo. We're going to need to call you something a whole lot less dramatic than The Feelings Monster if this is going to work.
Action: EXIT TAPES
Action: END OF SCENE 4
Scene 5: Tapes begins to learn.
Note:
On her return journey Deep Inside Tapes expresses her annoyance at having the onerous task of dealing with feelings thrust upon her.
Having reached the monsters' lair however, (Melissa's Heart), she and Feelings quickly discover a mutual yearning for something totally beyond their previous experience and are drawn magnetically towards each other.
Their relationship develops into one of truly unconditional love with Feelings being the adoring child-tutor and Tapes the parent-student.
BEGIN:
Action: TAPES is once more on the top-most section of the passageway and proceeds to work her way down expressing her frustrations in song as she goes.
CUE MUSIC: MAD AT YOU
NARRATOR:
It is with feelings of apprehension that Tapes approaches the heart part, where she last saw Feelings, and wonders how she's going to break the news of CPI's rejection and what she'll do if her hunch is wrong and the monster decides to turn nasty.
As Tapes neared The Monster's abode a great and uncontrollable fear descended on her and she once more found herself wanting desperately to return to the familiar surrounding of The Surface before it was too late.
But it was already too late... she was already at the entrance and could see The Feelings Monster turning slowly towards her.
Action: THE FEELINGS MONSTER turns to face tapes.
FEELINGS:
Hello Tapes, I'm glad you returned, I don't get many visitors.
NARRATOR:
Tapes wasn't in the least surprised to hear that visitors were infrequent, but, since (in theory at least), she intended to spend quite some time studying the monster she thought she ought to at least make some attempt at polite conversation.
TAPES:
Visitors?
I didn't know you'd ever had visitors?
FEELINGS:
Why surely you do. In fact it seems like only yesterday you were here yourself, I distinctly remember feeling you cry at my song.
Action: TAPES looks distinctly unsure of herself.
NARRATOR:
Tapes shivered. It was bad enough that she'd been seen at all but surely the monster hadn't felt her crying as well as seeing her run away - and she had still considered her "a visitor"? This was a strange reception indeed...
TAPES:
May I come in?
FEELINGS:
Oh dear me yes of course, how remiss of me to forget my manners. Please do come in and take a seat.
NARRATOR:
Tapes descended the stairs slowly and cautiously... taking time to gaze around the strange cavern as she did so in wonder and disbelief that anywhere in CPI could look so homely.
TAPES:
Where did you get all these things? This sofa, the books... and all those photographs... and that rug! How on earth did you get a rug down here?
Action: FEELINGS' laughter echoed happily from every wall of the cavern as she proudly picked up the sheepskin rug and hugged it passionately.
FEELINGS:
Oh that's easy they just come by themselves. If you wish hard enough for things they just appear you know.
Action: FEELINGS sees the look of skepticism that alights on TAPES's face.
FEELINGS:
Yes, really they do! It happens all the time. Haven't you ever tried it?
NARRATOR:
Tapes thought better of recounting the many times she and the rest of CPI had wished The Monster would DISappear but the hurt look on the monsters face betrayed the fact that the thought had somehow reached her anyway.
FEELINGS: (quietly and somewhat sadly)
Why?
TAPES:
Why what?
FEELINGS:
You know... why does nobody like me?
I try not to hurt anyone, I live all alone down here and hardly ever venture out but whenever I do people say horrible hurtful things about me and try their best to drive me away again...
Why?
NARRATOR:
Tapes had a sudden urge to put her arm around the Monster and say it was only her imagination but she steeled herself against it, anxious to find out more about the strange creature before she revealed the nature of her visit.
TAPES:
Have you really no idea what you do?
FEELINGS:
Well I know I sing. I must, it's what I do, and besides there's so much still to sing for.
Is that what it is? Mustn't I sing? Does it annoy you?
TAPES: (chuckling to herself)
No that's not it, well not exactly, it's more the things that you sing for than anything else.
Action: TAPES leans forward seriously.
TAPES:
Who are you exactly?
Where did you come from?
What do you want from us?
Action: FEELINGS looks genuinely hurt and on the verge of tears.
FEELINGS:
Who am I?
Why I'm FEELINGS of course - you know that.
I've always been here, this is where I was told to come to be safe.
She said she would come back for me one day.
Has she changed her mind? Is that what it is? Doesn't she want me any more?
Has she sent you to tell me to stay away for ever?
NARRATOR:
Tapes remained silent, but with great difficulty; confused, as she was, with Feelings' questions.
Surely Melissa could have had no part in TAPES's decision to seek out the monster?.. The very idea was preposterous! After all, none of the others wanted anything to do with Deep Inside - the feelings from which were all the time drawing Tapes ever closer and becoming so strong that it was all she could do not to reach out and hold the monster-child protectively.
As Tapes somberly gazes at the young girl and tried to reconcile her own feelings for her; soft gentle tears in patently non-monster eyes sparkle in the cavern's blood red glow and run silently down the girl's cheeks to fall one by one like sacred jewels onto the soft white rug still clutched tightly in the monsters hands.
TAPES:
That rug... why does it remind me of thoughts I've never had? Why is it that everything here is so out of place yet seems as if it's been here forever?
FEELINGS:
It's because it's Her. This rug was once her most loved thing. She used to lay on this rug and curl her tiny baby fingers around the hair long before she could walk and things got sad. I keep it here for her because she loved it. And those books too...
Action: FEELINGS indicates row after row of books stacked neatly in shelves against the back wall of the cavern.
FEELINGS:
...they are the books that she read with her eyes alone because she was always away thinking about things. She asked then that I keep them here and hold them dear to her heart so that she might one day read them again and remember the things she forgot.
TAPES:
You mean all those things are real? They're really real? They're from Long Ago?
Action: TAPES wanders around picking up objects and examining them as she goes.
FEELINGS:
Oh yes they're quite real, or at least they were. They're as real as you want them to be I suppose.
I'm the custodian of all that she loved until such time as she can have them back and be happy.
I need to Love them back to life for her you see. It's my job. It's what I do.
Action: TAPES is silent for a while
TAPES:
And the music we hear Deep Inside, is that you too? Is that how you do it? Is that how you love your things back to life?
FEELINGS: (bravely wiping away her tears)
Yes.
In order to love things I mourn their loss and sing for their return.
Without expression Love is hollow and empty. Her heart must speak about it's pain and it's love and have it acknowledged or she risks losing it forever in a sea of loneliness and sorrow.
Action: The monster is struggling to remain present in the face of suddenly being allowed to talk about such things. Tapes feels a sudden rush of sympathy for her and turns to gaze around the cavern in mock interest thereby allowing the monster a few moments respite from the ordeal.
Action: FEELINGS eventually regains a semblance of composure and they continue.
FEELINGS:
I'm sorry I'm being so difficult.
I'm supposed to be used to feelings and had hoped that I would be better prepared for when she came.
I'm not used to receiving visitors I think. Are you sure you wouldn't like to sit down?
NARRATOR:
And as Tapes looked at the girl and considered the extraordinary possibility that a sane person would willingly feel tear-invoking feelings for the sake of someone she barely knew; ...
...she almost, but not quite, managed to grasp the corner of an idea that had been hovering tantalizingly just out of reach for some time;
...and as she did so, something began ever so softly and quietly to snap inside her head - releasing her from something by which she hadn't even realized she had been bound.
Action: TAPES crosses the room to sit besides the young monster-girl and place what she sincerely hopes is a comforting arm around the monster girl's shoulder.
TAPES:
Do you have need of me monster child?
And what are you anyway?
What are you?... Really!
Action: FEELINGS collapses sobbing into a somewhat perplexed TAPES's arms
FEELINGS: (in between sobs)
I told you before.
I'm Feelings.
I am the ones she should have had all along..
I'm the one all your books call Love...
...only... only I don't know if I can keep on loving things all by myself any more. I'm so tired - I'm just so very very tired.
TAPES: (resigning herself to the inevitable)
So - you're Love are you?...
Well that would certainly account for why nobody believes in you.
Action: TAPES comforts the girl for quite some time, wresting to find a way to come to terms with their dilemma.
TAPES:
And what would you want from me exactly?
Action: Something begins to dawn on TAPES at long last...
NARRATOR:
And before she had even finished uttering the sentence a glimmer of understanding and one small insignificant little word had seized their chance and had leapt out of the monster girl's desperate mind and slammed itself into TAPES's head... and she knew, in that moment, that nothing she did would ever be the same again...
TAPES:
Oh my God....
FEELINGS & TAPES:
"Love"
TAPES:
Oh my God it's true...
You want ME, to Love You, don't you..
FEELINGS:
Oh yes please Tapes. Please do...
Action: TAPES holds FEELINGS close to her bosom and cries as they profess their feelings for each other.
CUE MUSIC: MELTING ICE
Action: LIGHTS OUT
NATATOR:
And so it was that Tapes made the decision not to return to life on the surface but to remain there deep inside with the first feeling that she had ever loved.
Action: END OF SCENE 5
Scene 6: Living without Tapes.
Note:
At Harmony's prompting and after much anxious discussion CPI decide to go to church.
Hopty promises to keep an eye on Badbits and Princess should things begin to get out of hand, but without TAPES's leadership it is in a somewhat disorganised and wishy washy state that CPI set out.
BEGIN:
NARRATOR:
And so it was that Tapes made the decision not to return to life on the surface but to remain living deep inside with the first feeling she had ever loved.
A considerable time had passed since TAPES's disappearance and Sunday morning had arrived once more with still no sign of her return
Without her to keep order amongst them things had degenerated rapidly. Twelvish was in constant fear of Feelings coming to haunt her and even Badbits seemed to be sulking more than usual - if such a thing were possible.
In fact, come to think of it, even Hopty and Pissy seemed to be going for each other's throats on a regular basis and by all accounts it was time that something was done.
HARMONY decided to broach the subject over breakfast one Sunday morning...
HARMONY:
Who fancies going to church today?
Action: The response was totally under-whelming but she continued anyway.
HARMONY:
Come on don't be a set of miseries. If Tapes is going to have any chance of finding The Monster and getting her back here in one piece she might be ages yet and it'll pay to keep ourselves busy while we're waiting.
Action: A reminder of TAPES's mission was the last thing that CPI needed right then and PISSY rounds on HARMONY angrily.
PISSY:
IF she brings her here in one piece I for one aren't going to stand for it.
We have enough trouble getting anything done around here as it is without her inviting some Poe-faced feel-bad around to make things even worse.
Action: Everyone pause to consider the truth in Pissy's statement.
PISSY:
Besides... it's probably killed her by now anyway
Action: At the mention of TAPES being in danger, PRINCESS, who had been missing her terribly, burst into tears once more. It was all she had done since TAPES had left.
TWELVISH: (hearing PRINCESS'S cry and turning on PISSY)
Now look what you've done! You and your big mouth!... you're never happy unless you're causing trouble are you! You just wait till Tapes gets back!
Action: HOPTY interrupts to try and quell the argument before it gets out of hand again.
HOPTY:
Hang on Twelvish I think Harmony might have a point. Without Tapes we've just been wasting time feeling bad with one another, I think a nice quiet church service might be just what we need to calm us down a bit.
Action: The sound of BADBITS whimpering can be heard coming from her box.
PISSY: (sarcastically)
Oh great that's all we need, a whining dog following us into Sunday School and peeing all over the damn place.
HARMONY:
What's the matter Badbits don't you want to go?
I thought you might enjoy the singing and I know you like the flowers?
Action: BADBITS makes no answer
Action: HOPTY can't help but feel apprehensive about a visit to church without TAPES to bolster them up, but not having any better suggestion she keeps silent as she clears away the breakfast dishes.
TWELVISH: (to nobody in particular)
Kind of hard for the brat to enjoy the singing when she knows fine well Pastor John's going to cop a feel on the way out don't you think...
Action: HARMONY is shocked
HARMONY:
Oh Twelvish how DARE you! He does no such thing!
TWELVISH:
He does too, you know he does - YOU just pretend nothing's happening that's all!
Ask her yourself, go on, ask Badbits what he does by the door on the way out... I've seen him - and it's always her who's stuck out there every time, I'm not SURPRISED she doesn't want to go to church!
Action: HARMONY looks perplexed but HOPTY comes to her aid.
HOPTY:
I'm sure he doesn't mean anything really, he only hugs us. Ministers are just like that they like to touch you - it doesn't mean anything.
TWELVISH: (sarcastically)
Well that's easy for you to say, you're so brain dead you don't know what's going on half the time "I like bright colours best but pastels and luminescents are OK too I guess...."
HOPTY:
THAT'S NOT FAIR!
How was I to know Tapes was going to cut!
She makes herself out to be some kind of wonder woman and just when we get used to it off she goes getting all touchy-feely and traipsing around inside like it was a holiday camp! It wasn't MY fault she cut!
Action: TWELVISH was just about on the verge of launching a physical attack on the hapless HOPTY when she noticed PRINCESS eagerly tugging her arm to attract her attention.
PRINCESS:
Please may we go Twelvish? Please? I don't like all this shouting and I'm scared. I want to go and say a prayer for Tapes to come back and for the monster to go away and never come back. Please may we go? Please?
Action: TWELVISH looks down at PRINCESS' still tear-stained face and knows that TAPES would have taken her if she'd been around
Action: TWELVISH is torn between her own experiences of churches and PRINCESS' obvious need to take a break from the chaos of the last few weeks.
Action: TWELVISH looks at HOPTY
HOPTY looks at HARMONY
HARMONY looks at BADBITS, (silent now, but still shaking in her box).
PISSY looks at TWELVISH.
PISSY:
I dunno... who's going to look after us if we go.
If Tapes isn't here we're going to need a plan for somebody to look after Badbits in case she freaks out again.
Action: PRINCESS becomes exited at the prospect of a trip out.
PRINCESS:
I'll look after her!
I mean we can all look after her can't we?...
I'll sit next to her and hold her hand and Pissy can keep watch and Twelvish can kick Pastor John if he starts to get ikky and we can all come home together!
Action: HOPTY laughs out loud at the simplicity of PRINCESS's plan and gives her a huge grin.
HOPTY: (to PISSY)
Right, how does this sound, I'll look after Princess and Badbits and the rest of you can come and go as you please?
PISSY:
Oh yeah sure...
Action: PISSY turns away petulantly.
Action: PRINCESS looks up at TWELVISH.
Action: TWELVISH says nothing but grins and picks up her jacket and puts it on.
Action: PRINCESS dances up and down in delight then runs over to hug HOPTY before dashing off to get her favourite stuffie.
HARMONY: (to HOPTY)
Are you sure you'll be OK?
They won't be too much trouble?
HOPTY:
No, we'll be fine.
It will be nice to sit with the littles for a change.
Come on Badbits, time to get ready to go out.
Action: BADBITS reluctantly picks up a brush to tidy her hair.
Action: PISSY scowls at BADBITS then turns to HARMONY
PISSY:
You know Mony - Twelvish was right.
If you had a brain, you'd be dangerous.
Action: HARMONY looks hurt.
Action: HOPTY goes to put an arm around PISSY but PISSY shrugs it off and leaves the set.
HOPTY: (calling after PISSY as the exit)
Oh do cheer up a little Pissy dear.
Just relax, we'll be all right, you'll see!
Action: END OF SCENE 6
Scene 7:
CPI return home after a disastrous visit to church.
Note:
The disaster was caused in part by the subject of the sermon but also as a consequence of John (the Pastor) not being aware of their heightened sensitivity regarding physical touch and giving them a huge hug as they left the church.
Steven had rescued Melissa from the predicament by gallantly ramming his father's leg with his wheelchair and inviting her to the park with him the following day.
On returning home after church CPI set about expressing their feelings towards the day's events and their discussions highlight the contrast between John's motives and those of their Uncle Joe.
CPI are uplifted by their unusual ability to discuss such subjects openly and as night-time approaches Twelvish sings a bed time song about Steven, (her hero and would-be sweetheart), to princess.
Melissa too has noticed their unaccustomed ability to deal with difficult subjects, and when Badbits feels abandoned (at seeing Princess being cared for by Twelvish) Mel acts likewise and is able to comfort her.
NARRATOR:
And to be honest it wasn't exactly the most uplifting service that I've ever attended either.
Poor John had chosen as the theme of his sermon the bible's call for repentance and becoming cleansed in the blood of the lamb, which, (at least as far as Badbits Princess and Twelvish were concerned), referred directly to Tapes as "a Lamb to the Slaughter" and having deliberately going off in search of Feel Bad.
Although the message John had intended to deliver had been nothing of the sort, the message that arrived in Melissa's head had done so with startling clarity and had upset everyone no end.
Even Harmony was forced to conclude that on this occasion the service had not done them much good - and that if it hadn't been for Steven, it would have been a complete disaster.
As it was, it was a merely somewhat dishevelled and deplenished Melissa who made her way to the door when it was time to leave, and, pre-occupied as she was with her thoughts, she realized too late that she had forgotten to give the signal for...
"no hugs"...
and that John was about to envelop them in an embrace that I'm sure must have registered at least five point six on the Richter Scale in Honolulu.
Action:
NARRATOR sighs... then continues...
Poor John... he tries so hard..
Oh well, I suppose you can guess the rest... yet again the big parts of Melissa scattered in disarray and it was Badbits who was left to bear the brunt of John's delight at seeing her in church again.
Poor old Badbits... if Steven hadn't run into his father with that infernal electric wheelchair of his Lord knows what would have happened - if it had been left to John I dare say there's an even chance they would have still been hugging now.
You know they do make a lovely couple, Steven and Melissa... I'd give anything to know what they were talking about while I was having John's leg seen to.
But, Melissa made it home eventually, and once again began to un-ravel and sort through the differences of opinion between them concerning the way Pastor John is and the way that certain other so-called Preachers have been in her life.
Action: HARMONY starts singing as BADBITS and PRINCESS hand her everyone's coats to hang up.
CUE MUSIC: THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON SONG
Action: EXIT PISSY in a huff followed closely by HOPTY and HARMONY who turns the kitchen light out behind her leaving the stage in semi-darkness fully expecting TWELVISH and PRINCESS to follow her.
Action: PRINCESS though is clearly upset and confused and goes to spend the night on the sofa while TWELVISH remains perched in the corner of the work top watching her.
Action: BADBITS eyes them both up for a moment than climbs into her box.
NARRATOR:
It was sometimes difficult to prevent all-out war occurring following visits to church as memories of past unresolved conflicts come flooding back washing away the carefully nurtured denial that had always been Melissa's way of life.
But for some reason, the recriminations which a greatly relieved Harmony and Hopty had been expecting never quite materialized that day - instead it was a merely sombre Melissa who brooded on the cacophony in her head.
As evening gave way to night they one by one disappeared to their own private places out of reach of the commotion that had been their collective day.
All things considered, Hopty had done pretty miserably by Badbits and Princess that morning; and while not being called on it had given a welcome respite from Pissy's sarcasm and another of TWELVISH's consequential depressions she resolved to speak to the girls in the morning and apologize.
And for her part (and since the outcome of going to church had been entirely predictable anyway) Pissy lost no sleep over it whatsoever; preferring simply to content herself in the knowledge that she had been proved right yet again.
Religion had never been a good idea in her book and each and every visit to church nowadays served only to heighten her amusement as to how anyone with half a brain could possibly believe it might be otherwise.
Meanwhile; Princess had settled down on the sofa to sleep and was wishing sadly for the one thousandth time that day that their beloved Tapes would return soon to wake them from the horrible dream that was becoming her life.
TWELVISH:
Hey Princess
Action: There was no answer.
TWELVISH:
Prinny... Are you asleep?
PRINCESS:
Yes
TWELVISH:
Can I ask you something?
Action: Once again there is no answer.
TWELVISH:
Could I try to look after you do you think?
Action: Once again there is no answer.
TWELVISH:
Come on Prinny, can I try to look after you for Tapes please?
Action: PRINCESS thinks for a few moments.
PRINCESS:
I guess
Action: silence
TWELVISH:
Official?
PRINCESS:
Yeah if you want
Action: TWELVISH looks relieved and happy and thinks to herself for a moment.
TWELVISH:
Hey Princess
PRINCESS:
Mmmm...
TWELVISH:
Wanna hear a song?
PRINCESS:
I'm tired
Action: TWELVISH thinks for a moment then abruptly gets out of bed and goes over to join PRINCESS.
TWELVISH:
Tough, move over, if I'm gonna look after you I've got to do it right
Action: PRINCESS reluctantly moves over and TWELVISH settles on the sofa beside her.
TWELVISH:
Right, here goes... shut your eyes, I feel stupid.
PRINCESS:
That's OK Twelvish, you are a bit stupid sometimes you know.
Action: TWELVISH *huffs* and shapes up to sing one of her customary rock and roll songs.
CUE MUSIC: THE BOLD TRIO DRUM BEAT
Action: As the traditional Bold Trio drum beat begins PRINCESS immediately gets agitated and waves for 12ish to stop.
PRINCESS:
No! No! No! No! *That's* not how you do it!!!
You have to sing something pretty!
TWELVISH:
Pretty? Like what!
PRINCESS:
You have to sing about Princes and Princesses and things!
TWELVISH: (incredulously)
What!... GIRLY stuff!
Action: PRINCESS nods vigorously.
PRINCESS:
Yeah and it has to be happy too, you have to sing about happy stuff
so I go to sleep else there's no point.
TWELVISH:
Hmm.... Princes and Princesses eh.
Action: TWELVISH thinks deeply.
TWELVISH:
And you promise you won't laugh?
PRINCESS:
Yeah, I promise
TWELVISH:
OK, I've got one, lets see now...
Action: PRINCESS makes herself comfortable in anticipation.
Action: In order to find inspiration concerning "girly stuff" TWELVISH finds she must draw more heavily than she has ever done before on her dreams of being in love with Steven, and having his love returned, without ever being hurt by it. It is not a task that comes naturally to her but she is determined to do her best for Princess' sake.
Action: During the course of the song BADBITS creeps out of her box un-noticed and crouches down to watch TWELVISH and PRINCESS intently.
CUE MUSIC: THE BEST OF YOUR DREAMS
Action: TWELVISH strokes PRINCESS hair sadly as she fights back her tears
Action: TWELVISH kisses PRINCESS good night sadly and curls up to sleep beside her.
Action: BADBITS moves even closer to the sofa and watches deep in thought until both TWELVISH and PRINCESS are fast asleep in each other's arms.
NARRATOR:
As darkness fell that night, Twelvish's unexpected lullaby for Princess had lent a particularly cruel loneliness to the inside of Babbits' box, and she began to reflect on life oblivious to the fact that Melissa had returned and had also been watching.
Action: BADBITS sits on the arm of the sofa next to TWELVISH and PRINCESS and begins to sing about what she has just witnessed happening between them. No sooner has BADBITS begun to sing than MELISSA ENTERS un-noticed to get a glass of water - MELISSA is intrigued to find PRINCESS and TWELVISH snuggled up to one another and stays to look a while.
Note: BADBITS is initially invisible to MELISSA - MELISSA can tell that she is there (and gets the feelings of what she is singing about) but she can not see her and at no time looks directly towards her.
Note: the subject of BADBITS's song hits Melissa far too close to home for comfort, and in the instrumental part of the song she makes as if to collect the whiskey bottel and leave the room - but she suddenly realised that BABBITS' abandonment is also her own and she decides to confront it. By the end of the somg BADBITS' is hanging on Melissa's every word since it is the first time in their life that Melissa has not responded negatively to her.
CUE MUSIC: IT'S ME
Action: BADBITS is beginning to look distinctly comfortable with MELISSA and reaches out and touches her shyly, for the first time MELISSA actually begins to take notice of and (sing directly to) BADBITS.
Action: EXIT MELISSA - SLOWLY leaving BADBITS standing alone in the centre of the kitchen with TWELVISH and PRINCESS still sound asleep on the sofa.
NARRATOR:
And with that thought caressing the corners of her mind Melissa headed off to bed to sleep soundly for the first time in weeks.
Action: A SHORT PAUSE.
Action: With a choking sob BADBITS turns to return to her box when suddenly...
MELLISA: (OFFSTAGE)
Well?
Are you staying there all night or what!
Action: BADBITS whoops happily and dashes offstage be with MELISSA.
Action: END OF SCENE 7
Scene 8: Happiness is suddenly within reach for Melissa.
Note:
Melissa (Twelvish mostly) and Steven have a wonderful day in the park, and she returns home to find that for once she is almost happy, and instead of dissenting brattish voices inside her head she is becoming ever more whimsical.
She allows Twelvish Badbits and Princess their childhood happiness and begins to understand at last how she might work together inside herself to resolve the many differences that a life-time of abuse and unhappiness has presented her with.
The bigs too are finding their own places in Melissa's life and celebrate the new fangled feelings that are coming through.
Tapes and Feelings re-emerge in the finale as having been the driving force behind Melissa's internal parenting and (hopefully) her future happiness.
BEGIN:
NARRATOR:
CPI rose early the following day - woken as they were by the sound of workmen drilling outside the house, and almost even before the breakfast dishes were cleared away, (a minor miracle in itself) she had decided to spend the entire day in the park.
It had been in a state of high excitement that Princess Badbits and Hopty had dashed around making neat little three cornered sandwiches that morning and a small flask of herbal tea especially for Melissa. To everyone's surprise, even Pissy was keen to go, and all thoughts about Sunday had been forgotten as they collected the things they would need and set out for the other side of town where there was a boating lake and beautiful well kept gardens.
It had occurred to Melissa on the way over, (who, not usually privy to such things, was most surprised to note), that even preparing for the adventure had been fun.
What a timeful turn of events, that on the very day that Steven had happened to mention that he would be in the park (by the bandstand at 9am prompt) that there were no dissenting voices clamouring for attention and demanding to be heard.
The park had been magnificent, but no less so than Mel, she had whizzed Steven from one flower bed to the next at breakneck speed insisting all the while that since she was running and he was sitting, 'do not walk on the grass', need not apply.
And with every happy child that she saw along the way; different parts of Melissa would leap out and join them in her mind as they danced gaily in and out of the picnic area where an ecstatic Hopty chattered endlessly about the view of the lake.
As she laid out their handsome spread on a gnarled old picnic table she noticed the initials of lovers carved in the top and it was all she could do to refrain from adding their own.
It was most certainly not a day to be wasted.
Melissa had been positively radiant as she nibbled her sandwiches and drank iced tea and looked for all the world as if she had been used to enjoying herself every day of her life.
They had sat and watched the children playing for what seemed like hours and Steven had howled laughing at Melissa's attempt to manoeuvre a punt around the lake.
Melissa herself had taken it all in great style and had insisted that next time Steven too would venture out onto the water and do his share of the punting wheelchair or not.
Action: CPI have just got back from the park in a remarkably good humour and proceed to take their coats off and make a cup of tea and sit down etc. TWELVISH BADBITS and PRINCESS are stage front as the others take their places around the table and talk quietly amongst themselves.
CUE MUSIC: HEADWAY
PRINCESS:
Wasn't that just the best thing ever?
BADBITS:
Uh huh
TWELVISH: (dreamily)
Yeah
He was magnificent
PRINCESS:
I meant the boat!
TWELVISH:
Oh.
Yeah... that too
Action: BADBITS and PRINCESS giggle
Action: PRINCESS and BADBITS make their way to the sofa to curl up with TWELVISH.
Action: ENTER SUSAN stage left.
CUE MUSIC: CRAZY DAY
Action: CLOSE CURTAIN:
HARMONY:
WAIT!
Action: RE-OPEN CURTAIN
HARMONY is jumping about excitedly.
HARMONY:
SOMETHING'S HAPPENING!
Action: HARMONY makes motions as if she's trying to listen to something and CPI + SUSAN all gather round.