Ep 26 – Everybody Loves a Flower Crown

SCENE STARTS: (Mirai is still in the library doing some research. Some quiet murmurs here and there.)

MIRAI: Okay, I know I was confident in looking for information on the town, but everything looks pretty normal! I don’t know what Jun-nii could possibly be looking for here.

The town’s history looks legit, if a little sparse, but looking at this place, I’m not even sure if they have wifi! It’s just a small town. I bet no one really knows about this place and that’s probably why no one bothered to update it. Though I’m surprised that people here want to stay in a town like this. I guess you can’t miss what you never had…

Ugh okay, maybe I haven’t been researching hard enough, but can you blame me for not wanting to get involved? Jessica just tried to fight a freaking elephant, who happened to be a very important pet to a very important god! That woman is crazy!

SFX: (Someone in the library shushes Mirai.)

MIRAI: ああ、すみません。 (sorry) ><

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Alina and the gang are at the cafe. “Proserpina Bops” plays in the background.)

ALINA: Okay! Finally, take two! You all are meeting Sam officially once and for all! I can’t believe it’s taken this long for this to happen… only for Dog to be feeling down!

DREW: I mean, a lot of stuff has happened…

JUN: And technically we’ve all met Sam already.

ALINA: But it’s not the same! I’ve been trying to organize this meeting for so long, and I feel like maybe, just maybe, he’s been trying to put this off for as long as possible! I mean, I’ve been able to meet him from time to time on my own.

DREW: Yeah, but it’s way easier to meet one on one versus the entire gang. I mean, I’m juggling two jobs and Jun’s doing his master’s on… alien physiology or something.

ALINA: Okay so, to recap: he’s met Drew already and he knows they’re the barista by campus. 

DREW: Yup.

ALINA: And he knows about Jun— should we call you Junpei? I feel like we’re going to talk a lot about Junichi today… 

JUN: No!

ALINA: But he knows about Jun and we will officially introduce him correctly this time.

JUN: Man, only my parents call me Junpei…

DREW: Oh come on, it’s just for one day. Junpeiiiiii.

JUN: Shut up Drew, or I’ll bring up your full name too!

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (The gang goes to the park.) 

ALINA: Sam! Yes, you’re actually here today!

SAM: Alina, hi. I told you I would be.

ALINA: Okay, I can’t believe we’re finally doing this. This is Drew, yes they make your coffee, we’ve said this. And this is Jun. Our Jun. Junpei. Whatever’s easier for you. 

SAM: Hi. 

JUN: Hi, Sam. It’s nice to meet you, properly. This time.

SAM: Right, yeah. Sorry about that… last time.

JUN: Oh I mean no, It’s okay. I’ve gotten a lot of reactions when people find out I’m a twin, though your reaction was definitely the most… interesting. 

SAM: Yeah… I uh, knew your brother… kinda.

DREW: Yeah, you guys were… “friends,” right?

SAM: We were… something… Hey, I hear there are Peris are out and about today. It would be fun to go say hi to them and watch them fly. How does that sound?

JUN: …Did you just say… fairies?

SAM: No, Peris, well, I mean, they are fairies.

SFX: (Everyone freaks out.)

SAM: Are you guys okay?

DREW: No more fairies, please!

ALINA: How could you recommend fairies to us?!

JUN: Please don’t let them kidnap and torture us!

SAM: Woah, okay. Tell me what happened. 

ALINA: Yes! Sam! I somehow forgot to tell you this, but we bumped into Jessica again! And she was… CRAZY! I thought you guys were friends but she tried to teach us to instill fear in creatures. 

SAM: What? That can’t be right. There was an incident in the past, but she was the one that loved creatures the most. 

ALINA: Can you talk to her about it? I feel like she’d listen to you. She could seriously hurt herself and others.

SAM: I wish I could… but it’s literally impossible for us to meet. I’ll see if Terry can talk to her.

DREW: What do you mean? 

SAM: You guys already know about our condition. But the truth is, it doesn’t extend to just creatures. It affects us too. I wouldn’t be able to hear her, and she wouldn’t be able to see me. It’s the same, regardless of how we try to contact each other. Plus, it’s kinda awkward; when we saw each other last… Some harsh words were spoken. I may not be able to talk some sense into her, but you know, Terry should. 

ALINA: Her situation just seems a little… concerning. 

SAM: C’mon, let’s go see the Peris, I promise they’re nice, and we can forget everything else and enjoy today.

ALINA: (muttering) I guess…

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (They walk to the fields. “Playful Peril” starts to play.)

SAM: So, I’m sure you all know the drill. Uh, originally Peris were considered mischievous and a little mean, uh like trickster type fairies, uh but with the introduction of Islam, they softened, and became benevolent winged creatures.

ALINA: So, they’re like the opposite of sour patch kids?

SFX: (The Peris flap their wings and come down to the army to warn about the upcoming evil.)

SAM: (laughs) Like I said, Peris are nice now. They’re most famous for being in the Persian epic, the Shahnameh, the Book of Kings. Uh in the beginning, it was a peri that came down and warned the Keyumars, the first mythical human in the world, of an evil spirit coming towards his kingdom. Later on, the Peris joined in the battle against evil and won.

But they’re not just known in ancient Persia. It also worked both ways where Islamic culture changed some things, but adapted as well. Uh for example, because of their benevolent nature, they became known for helping humans. From healing wounds to protecting people from evil spirits, they are quite beloved in the stories.

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

DREW: All right, so it seems pretty clear that these fairies are the good guys…  and dang, (notices the Peris in the field) they are beautiful.

JUN: Is it just me or do they look like actual angels?

ALINA: Yeah, you’re right… It’s like we’re looking at a fairy tale right now.

SAM: Looks like we made it just in time. It’s a wonderful day today, even the creatures are enjoying it. Let’s sit on the grass.

SFX: (They all sit down. A moment of silence.)

SAM: So, I’m sure you’re wondering about my relationship with Jun—

ALINA: YES! I– hmm, ahh, I mean, whenever you’re ready. I’m totally calm.

SAM: (pauses) I… I’m sorry. Alina, I know you’re going to be enthusiastic no matter what I say today, but your… staring is just so intense.

ALINA: What! But! But I’m being supportive! 

DREW: Okay, Alina. Alina, take a walk. 

ALINA: Oh, come on!

DREW: Just… Alina just take a walk. Jun! Hey Jun, go with her.

JUN: Okay, okay, I mean, hey! Let’s go check out the fairies!

ALINA: Ugh, fine! But I’m going to listen to this later! I’m literally recording!

DREW: Of course you are.

SFX: (Alina and Jun leave, bickering about why they shouldn’t stay.) 

SAM: I think I’d actually prefer Alina to hear this later rather than hearing it directly from me…

DREW: I know, her eyes were shining with a little too much anticipation. So anyway, tell your favorite barista what’s got you troubled? 

SAM: Is this how that works?

DREW: I provide the coffee and free therapy, and you provide the nice tips you always give me. Yeah but seriously, what’s up?

SAM: I know… you guys aren’t like that, but it’s still hard for me to try and just come out and say it.

DREW: Well, you’re certainly right about that. (break) I mean we’re a group that contains an amateur astronaut who actually believes in aliens, a student journalist who always gets in trouble, and a college dropout turned part-time barista, part-time graphic designer. 

SAM: I didn’t realize you had two jobs.

DREW: Eh, my life just happened to go a much different route. School wasn’t for me, so I’m trying different things. Plus, I’m fine with staying where I am.

SAM: What do you mean?

DREW: Alina and Jun… the’yre just so ready to get out. I mean, Jun literally wants to be in outer space and Alina, you know, she’s the type of person that just needs to be in the big city to thrive.

They’ve got big dreams and I don’t mind just dipping my toes in every now and then. 

SAM: Does Alina know this?

DREW: Yeah… she does. Well, she’s in denial; she’ll come around. She has to.

SAM: So you’ll all go your separate ways in the end?

DREW: Wow, you really are angsty, aren’t you? Listen, it’s not about how long we know each other or even how well we know each other. As sappy as it sounds, it’s about how much we mean to each other.

I mean, I’ve known Jun for what like, two months? And yeah, I make fun of him. God, it’s easy to make fun of him. But if anyone tells me he won’t ever make it to space, I’ll deck them so hard that they’ll have to hitch a ride back to Earth from Jun’s spaceship. 

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

SAM: (laughs) Yeah, I know what you mean. I appreciate you telling me this. I… was in a relationship before. And I thought I knew a lot about them. But it turns out I didn’t know much about them at all. Not even their name. But it’s been three years. And… I think I still love him. 

DREW: Oh my god. Oh my god. So you are coming out to me! Are we having a moment? Are we having a moment right now without Alina? Oh, she absolutely can not know this. No, under no circumstance can she know this is happening. She will kill me!

SAM: Uh… is this because of the crush she had on me?

DREW: Yeah, no. Don’t worry about that, she likes to look but she doesn’t touch. I mean, she’s going to kill me because you came out to me first. Okay but oh my god. Sam, I am absolutely touched by all of this, and I mean it. I mean it. But I need to go before Alina finds out what just happened.

SAM: But what about the Peris? 

DREW: Right, ummm. You said they were originally tricksters right? Do you think they could help us escape? Oh nope, she’s looking this way, I gotta go.

ALINA (from a distance): Drew? Drew, why are you running? Drew, what did he tell you?! Come back here!

JUN (from a distance): Wait, Alina. What about the Peris? They were going to give us flower crowns!

SFX: (They continue to chase each other.)

SAM: Oh… maybe I should also run…

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Mirai is still in the library, but  someone rushes up behind them.)

MIRAI: Oh my god, I can’t believe Sam just came out! That’s amazing—

SFX: (Someone rips off Mirai’s headphones.)

MIRAI: Hey! Excuse me! What kind of person just takes out someone’s headphones?!

DAICHI: You need to listen to me. You’re in grave danger. 

MIRAI: Oh, it’s you again. Listen, sir. I don’t know how you found me, but I need you to please leave me alone.

DAICHI: We don’t have time for this. You’re not safe here. You really need to put that mask on. 

MIRAI: What does this mask even do? It’s just the face of a fox.

DAICHI: Exactly! So the people in this town will think you’re a kitsune.

MIRAI: Okay, I doubt the people are that gullible.

 DAICHI: Just put it on! 

SFX: (People in the library start speaking up, noticing Mirai.)

DAICHI: Come on, we need to go now!

MIRAI: I don’t need to go anywhere! And– wait, what’s going on, are they talking about me? What’s happening?

DAICHI: What’s happening is that you’re a human and everyone else in this town is not.

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 Jun is Ben Pollizi. The voice of Sam is G3. And the voice of Daichi is Zerreth. 

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: (Somewhere residential, out of the park. Alina and Jun catch up to Drew.)

ALINA: All right, Drew, we got you cornered, now spill.

DREW: Aww Alina, I really didn’t mean to! Look, you said Sam was super secretive, but my comforting barista powers must have been too strong!

JUN: What did he say? Gosh I hate running.

DREW: Okay look, I’m going to say it here because I do think he’s too embarrassed to tell you, and I know you’re going to listen to the recording anyways, but Alina, I do think you should talk to him separately since this is super important to hear from him directly. (pause) He’s gay.

JUN: Who?

DREW: Oh my god. 

ALINA: Ugh! Jun, are you even listening? Sam! Who else?! 

JUN: Oooh! Okay, yeah.

ALINA: Ugh, why couldn’t he tell me??

DREW: Alina, he thought you had a crush on him! You come on too strong sometimes!

ALINA: Okay, okay, guilty as charged–

DREW: Yes!

ALINA: But I just like to flirt sometimes, I’m not actually interested in dating! 

DREW: That’s what I said. So hopefully you two will clear this up and stop dancing around this conversation. 

ALINA: Ugh fine!

JUN: Do I need to have a separate conversation with him too?

ALINA/DREW: No!

JUN: Okay, okay, okay. Just checking!

DREW: I don’t know, maybe JunPEI needs another conversation.

JUN: Stop it!

FADE OUT.