Ep 24 – Terry Just Wants Coffee

SCENE STARTS: (Mirai is at the local library. There’s some quiet chatter in the background.)

MIRAI: I’ve been trying to wrap my brain around the cryptic message Anansi gave. How creatures are a human-made problem… 

Oh! What if it’s another alien? That would make sense as to why Dog feels responsible for it, right?

But why is everyone being so hush-hush about it if it’s an alien? The fact that Junpei hasn’t already run to NASA with Dog is proof enough that they can keep a secret! (muttering) I’m actually surprised he hasn’t, now that I think about it…

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (“Proserpina Bops” fades in along with the interior of the cafe. Drew and Alina are chatting.)

DREW: Alina, not that I don’t like seeing you all the time, but haven’t you been hanging out in the cafe a little too often?

ALINA: What?! No… I’m just taking my time, you know, taking breaks is really healthy.

DREW: (sighs) Have you heard from Dog at all?

ALINA: No. Jun says she’s been getting coddled by his mom so hopefully, she’s calmed down after that talk with Anansi?

DREW: I just don’t understand what is going on–

TERRY: Oh, just my luck. 

ALINA: Terry?!

DREW: Ugh why here, of all places, why here?

TERRY: Sam recommended this spot to me… I should have known. Whatever, it’s fine. I can just leave.

ALINA: Wait, no! You can stay!

DREW: Yeah leave! Wait, w-wait, they can?

TERRY: You want me to stay?

ALINA: I mean… we’re all in the same kinda group now right? It could be… a good team bonding exercise!

TERRY: It’s more like Sam’s too nice and I’m just… tolerating you all.

DREW: What?

ALINA: Oh come on, you can’t just get rid of us, might as well join us.

DREW: All right, Alina’s got a point. Come on, what can I get ya?

TERRY: You’re just going to agree to all this?

DREW: Listen, I’ve got half an hour left on my shift, nothing can ruin my mood and that includes you. So, what will it be?

TERRY: Just… just get me an espresso.

DREW: You got it, sit with Alina… I guess.

TERRY: Hey, but I didn’t pay— 

SFX: (Drew moves on to help another customer. Off to the side they say something like, “Hey how’s it going, what can I get you?”)

ALINA: Aw, they like you.

TERRY: What? That’s not possible.

ALINA: I mean, they’re probably still mad that you left us with all those vampires last time, but not enough for them to charge you overpriced coffee.

TERRY: You guys are weird.

ALINA: What?! That’s interesting coming from someone like you.

TERRY: I grew up with dead creatures, what’s your excuse?

ALINA: …fair.

SFX: (Someone calls Terry’s name for them to get their drink. “Terr Bear?” Terry groans. Alina laughs. They get up to go and get the drink and then come back.)

ALINA: So… can I ask you something?

TERRY: Haven’t been able to stop you yet.

ALINA: What exactly are you guys trying to hide about the woods?

TERRY: Heh, so you really did listen to the recording.

ALINA: I mean… Okay, of course I did, you predicted it too!

TERRY: Please don’t make it sound like I know you. 

ALINA: Anyways, I get that there’s a dangerous creature in there, but why can’t we help? You left us with the aswangs last time, clearly you think we can handle ourselves. 

TERRY: The woods are just a different level okay. 

ALINA: So it’s the woods you’re worried about? Not this creature? And how does Jessica play into this? And Dog? You know, she’s been so worried about– 

TERRY: Jessica? Wait, how do you know about Jessica?

ALINA: What do you mean? We’ve met her a couple of times in the park already.

TERRY: That’s not good. I need to go. 

SFX: (Terry gets up to leave. And Quickly. Alina tries to stop them.)

ALINA: Go? Wait but we just started chatting! Wait, hold on!

DREW: Alina?! Alina! (Alina: Drew, come on!) Where are you guys going? (Alina: we gotta go!) My coworkers are going to hate me if I clock out earl again! (Alina: Just do it!) All right, gimme, gimme one second!

SFX: (Cafe and “Proserpina Bops” music fade out as Drew tries to catch up with them.)

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Somewhere outside on the way to the park. Someone is playing guitar on the street as the group walks by.)

ALINA: (panting) Terry! Wait up.

TERRY: Sam’s at the park today, I need to tell him Jessica is back.

DREW: Why is everyone nervous about her being there? She seems like a natural in the park.

TERRY: What do you mean?

ALINA: She has a jinn with her now. That’s basically how she’s been getting around the park.

TERRY: A jinn?! Did she not learn from last time?!

DREW: What happened last time?

TERRY: Jessica used to be just like you guys. New to the park, naive, curious. Then she got caught with fairies. You’d think she learned her lessons dealing with dangerous creatures! 

ALINA: Oh but, she seems to have decent control over her jinn though.

TERRY: No. Listen. She was unstable. You don’t come out unscathed when you’re dealing with fairies. Stay away from her from now on, got it? 

ALINA: Okay… sure. But you didn’t answer my question about what Jessica has to do with this.

TERRY: (sighs) Like I said, the woods are a very dangerous place. It’s where Jessica was taken.

DREW: Okay, but that was with the fairies right? I think Alina is asking about the other creature.

TERRY: And we agreed that we weren’t going to talk about this. 

ALINA: Uh we agreed not to talk about the woods, but we didn’t mention anything about Jessica.

TERRY: She did something stupid, okay?! And she paid a price. Everyone did. 

DREW: Are you… are you talking about why Sam can’t hear creatures and why Jessica can’t see creatures? What on earth did Jessica do for that to happen?

ALINA: Well, Terry, aren’t you going to answer us?

TERRY: No. If you’re not going to keep your promise to Sam, I’m not going to keep talking to you.

DREW: Wow, uh, I knew you were petty, but I didn’t think you were this petty. Sheesh.

TERRY: Oh, don’t even try me. Now, I’m going to the park. You can join me or you can continue your useless discussions elsewhere. 

SFX: (Someone walks over.)

BOTO: Well hello, if it isn’t nice to see some lovely ladies out on this lovely day… 

TERRY: Watch it. Now is not the time and we are not the ones.. 

DREW: And besides, um, there aren’t many ladies present at the moment.

BOTO: Now, now, don’t be like that. Summer is here, I’ve got my guitar, why don’t we all relax and enjoy each other’s company? I’ve been told my singing is… enchanting. My name’s Boto, what’s yours, my dear? 

DREW: No thanks—

ALINA: As kind of an offer that is, Mr. Boto, I suggest maybe sticking to flirting with people indoors. You look almost as red as a lobster and that white suit doesn’t help.

DREW: (laughs) Which is very impressive considering you’re wearing a hat.

BOTO: I’m not sunburnt, I’m just naturally this color! It’s not nice to make fun of someone’s complexion like that. 

ALINA: Well, it’s not nice either to bother people when they’re busy.

TERRY: We’ve wasted enough time, let’s go. 

BOTO: W-wait, come on, girls, don’t be like that. Let me just sing you one song, I promise it’ll change your mind. 

DREW: (Very curt) I guarantee you, no amount of singing will ever convince any of us to fall in love with you.

SFX: (The three of them start walking away. Alina says something like “nice response” or something.)

BOTO: How.

ALINA: What was that?

BOTO: (slightly angry) How. I know three is a lot to influence, but not one of you will fall for me? How is that possible…

DREW: What do you mean… influence?

TERRY: You guys, he’s clearly a creature. Stay on your guard. 

SFX: (Drew and Alina freak out, concerned that they’re not prepared. Boto starts singing. I’ll need to somehow record some guitar for this lol.)

MUSIC: (“False Alarm” plays.)

BOTO: Let me just sing to you, I promise I will treat you well. 

ALINA: W-wait, no don’t!… This is the fight?

SFX: (Terry mutters to themselves, maybe something like, what creature could they be…)

DREW: What was that Terry? 

TERRY: Pink skin, white suit, and hat, a singer…Oh, I think I know what the creature is.

DREW: Oh good, please share.

SFX: (While Boto is still singing, Terry goes and knocks off his hat.)

BOTO: What are you doing?! My hat! 

ALINA: Does he have a hole in his head?!

TERRY: It’s his blowhole. He’s an Encantado. A were-dolphin known along the Amazon River.

DREW: A were-dolphin? Like a werewolf but dolphins?

TERRY: Ding, ding, ding. Exactly that. What are you doing here Boto?

BOTO: (gasp) Terry, no wonder! I didn’t recognize you with… friends. Excuse me, I need to go. 

DREW: Oh no, you don’t! Don’t think you can get away with… whatever you call this. Whatever you were doing. You need to apologize.

BOTO: I assure you most of my techniques are entirely consensual, but I’ve never failed in getting a date. 

DREW: Ew, most?! Ugh, I think I’m going to gag. 

ALINA: How can such a creature exist?

BOTO: I swear I really am a good creature! 

SFX: (A storm ravages the waters as people are suffering/drowning.)

BOTO: My kind saves people when they drown in the water, and we protect them during storms. In fact, we even help women save face when society shuns them for being a single parent by claiming their child has the magical blood of the Encantado! 

DREW: Yeah but aren’t you actually the reason why they’re a single parent??

SFX: (The watery imagery changes to a battlefield.)

BOTO: No! I mean, okay maybe yes, sometimes there are cases, but you can’t ignore history and what colonialism has done to the Amazon. The people, the animals, the creatures! We all changed when the Europeans attacked… It was better to say that someone was spirited away by the Encantado instead of knowing the truth! 

ALINA: Okay but, how does that affect actual animals?

BOTO: My real selves are dying. The pink river dolphins are endangered!

SFX: (The show returns to the town atmosphere.)

DREW: But that still doesn’t give you a pass to brainwash people into being attracted to you. No excuse really does.

BOTO: Please, I really meant no harm. I will do anything, anything, to apologize! Please, Terry!

TERRY: My father and his family have no right to judge you in this scenario so you can relax. I won’t tell him about it.

DREW: Really, Terry??

MUSIC: (“Park in Twilight” Piano theme plays.)

TERRY: But that doesn’t mean I won’t be checking in. I’ll have some naiads keep an eye on you. One word, and the next time you see me, will be in the afterlife.

BOTO: Yes, of course. Thank you, thank you. I won’t push anyone if they don’t want to, I swear. 

TERRY: Come on, let’s go. This day just keeps getting worse and worse. 

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Mirai is still in the library.)

MIRAI: Ugh I guess there are creatures like that that also exist. I never thought about how a lot of pregnancy stories back then were probably used as a tool to hide a darker truth… 

These past couple of files have been bringing me down! I thought we were done with the dark, mean creatures. With Sam back, things should have returned to the same old craziness. (Sigh) I need a break, maybe it’s time I stop listening for a while. Let’s look and see what Jun-nii might be looking for in this town instead. Where should I look next…

FADE OUT.

CREDITS: Residents of Proserpina Park is a production written and produced by Angela Yeh. Directed by Angela Yeh. The voice of Mirai is Vida Shi. The voice of Alina is Angela Yeh. The voice of Drew is Ashley Dawson. The voice of Terry is Molly. The voice of Boto or the Encantado is Luis Alberto Martin. And the voice of Sam is G3.

Dialogue editing by Angela Yeh. Sound Design by Rebecca Liu. Mixed and mastered by Angela Yeh. Script edited by Sara Roncero-Menendez. Original music by Hoa Pham. Season 3 cover art by Molly James. Series Logo by Macy Tang. For more information about the show, please go to our website residentsofproserpinapark.com 

AFTER CREDITS SCENE: (The gang finally makes it to the park. Sam and Cerberus are there, not realizing what an adventure they just had.)

TERRY: Ugh we’re finally here.

SAM: Terry? Alina? Drew?! This is quite the surprise and very worrying at the same time.

DREW: Oh hey. Right. Um, we haven’t done this yet huh? So uh, hello from your local barista. Yeah, I’m also Alina’s best friend. Hey, turns out you were the Sam I was looking for.

ALINA: Aha… yeah… They’re one of the friends I mentioned who I brought to the park. They have to stay if that’s okay. Drew’s kinda my impulse control sometimes…

DREW: I’ll even sweeten the deal with free coffee every now and again. On occasion. Every now and then. Don’t tell my boss.

SAM: Okay… just keep me posted whenever you guys are here. 

TERRY: Now, can we talk about why we’re actually here? Jessica is also back. With a jinn.

DREW: Yeah, if you stayed a little longer, you know, that day with the aswangs, you would have known sooner…

ALINA: Drew! Play nice, please! I want Sam to have a good impression!

SAM: Well, we always knew that she would… but how? 

TERRY: I’m also concerned she might not be in the right state of mind.

ALINA: I know Terry is worried, but I really think she’s okay. 

DREW: Yeah. She was insanely good when she saved us from the aswang attack. 

SAM: Okay, then let’s try and find her? We should see how she is. We are her friends after all.

ALINA: Sure, we’ll let you know if we see her again. I’m sure she’s not that bad.

FADE OUT.