Ep 43 – A Warning from a Tree

 

SCENE STARTS: (Everyone is still at the cafe. “Proserpina Bops” plays in the background.)

ALINA: So this is how you guys set out to make your own myth. 

JESSICA: Right…

DREW: And as a reminder to everyone at this table, we will not attempt anything that is about to be said here today. Last thing we want to do is add another creature we have to deal with. 

SAM: Yes… Having one creature is more than enough.

JUN: But what if we solved the first creature with another creature?

ALINA: Isn’t that the plot of the Godzilla franchise?

DREW: Yeah and how did those end up Jun?

JUN: …Honestly, I don’t remember.

DREW: Ugh, just get to the story!

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Jessica and Juni are alone in the park, wandering around for a good space to test their theory.)

JUNI: …Oh, by the way, you’re not going to believe this, but remember the martian we met like last week? Turns out my mom found her on a random street and now she lives with us! So much for adventure, I think she secretly likes being spoiled—

JESSICA: —Juni, shouldn’t we have asked if Sam was interested in joining?

JUNI: (sighs) I feel like if we wait for him, he’ll never come to a decision. We’re wasting time. We don’t even know if this will work. So if we try and succeed, we can surprise him with it and if it fails… We’ll just forget we ever talked about it.

JESSICA: I guess that’s true… Just kinda feels like we’re going behind his back though. 

JUNI: He’ll like it! I just know it. Now, what goodies did you bring today?

SFX: (They stop walking and Jessica starts pulling out stuff from her bag.)

JESSICA: Right, I have some dolls and plushies, some figurines… But I don’t know if that’d work since they’re based on fictional characters. Like would they be completely new spirits or would they be the fictional characters themselves?

JUNI: Yeah, let’s stay away from the figurines then. Oh, what about this guy? He looks pretty cute.

JESSICA: I was actually thinking about this one, but… promise you won’t laugh?

JUNI: Which one? 

JESSICA: Uh, this one, here.

SFX: (Jessica pulls out a super old and barely held together plush.)

JUNI: Oh! Oh my god, well… It’s certainly been around.

JESSICA: Since I was a toddler. Probably covered in who knows what, but it’s been there my entire life. If it could talk, I’m sure it’d tell you all my secrets.

JUNI: Exactly how many secrets are you hiding, mystery girl?

JESSICA: Okay, not that many, but you know what I mean right? This plush was here when my grandpa died…

JUNI: Yeah. I get what you’re saying.  Okay, let’s give it a try then!

JESSICA: Right, we need to build it a shrine. 

SFX: (Junichi pulls out a little wooden shrine out of his bag.)

JUNI: Yup! Did you know they sell little kits like this online? I think it’s technically for birds, but it’s perfect for our situation! Kinda glued the pieces in a way so it looked more like a shrine than a house, but hey! I think it turned out pretty good.

JESSICA: Oh, how cute! Okay, will it fit in there though? 

JUNI: Oh… uh… hmm. Okay I guess plushies are bigger than birds. Which… makes sense. Feels like that should have been obvious. 

JESSICA: What do we do now? 

JUNI: Does it have a name, your plush? 

JESSICA: A name? Oh… I think I used to call it Pelu.

JUNI: Pelu? 

JESSICA: I was a child!

JUNI: Hey, I’m not judging. Okay, give me a second…

SFX: (Juni takes a pen out of his bag and starts writing on the shrine.)

JUNI: There! That way, even though it can’t fit in the shrine, it’s clearly his. The shrine of Pelu.

JESSICA: I guess that name does sound kinda dumb doesn’t it.

JUNI: I think it sounds majestic.

JESSICA: (laughs) okay, and now what? Offer some food and coins and wait?

JUNI: I guess so… 

JUNI: (bored mouth sounds.) Okay yeah, this is embarrassing. I’m glad we didn’t tell Sam about this.

JESSICA: Oh don’t worry, I’ll tell him myself about our failures so he won’t miss out.

JUNI: Hey!

JESSICA: Come on, I don’t understand why you hide so much from Sam. He’s genuinely interested in you, and you keep telling him to rely on you. Double standards much?

JUNI: My problems are like miniscule compared to what Sam deals with! 

JESSICA: But you’re hiding who you really are. 

JUNI: What? A super self conscious guy who can’t make a single decision in his entire life? A guy who abandoned his own twin because he couldn’t admit that he didn’t want to go to space for like fifteen years?

JESSICA: Everyone has baggage. It’s how you deal with it that makes the journey more bearable. 

JUNI: All right, oh great therapist of mine, what about your problems?

JESSICA: I don’t have any problems.

JUNI: No one talking to you in school is kinda a problem. 

JESSICA: You and Sam talk to me. My grades are fine. I don’t need anything else. 

JUNI: The whole point of college is to network. How are you going to get a job if no one is willing to work with you?

JESSICA: I’ll just put you on my list of references three times to make up for it. 

JUNI: Ha! Sounds like the two of us might just be alone for the rest of our lives. 

JESSICA: You say that as if it’s a bad thing.

JUNI: Well, it doesn’t hurt to want more, does it?

JESSICA: I guess not.

JUNI: Wait, wanting more. Like praying.

JESSICA: Well, I believe praying is technically supposed to be less selfish than wanting…

JUNI: No but, I think that’s the step we’re missing here!

JESSICA: What do you mean?

JUNI: We gave Pelu a shrine, we offered it gifts, but now we need to give it meaning! We need to give it a prayer. I think that’s why nothing’s happened so far.

JESSICA: I mean, the other thing could just be that we are literally playing make believe at the age of twenty here…

JUNI: Hush, humor me this one last time, and if nothing happens, we’ll just tell Sam we’re scraping the idea.

JESSICA: Okay, so what should we ask for?

JUNI: I think what we just talked about makes sense, don’t you?

JESSICA: For you to open up and for me to make more friends?

JUNI: Okay that does sound kinda sad when you say it like that.

JESSICA: Hey, like I said, I’m fine with having less people in my inner circle.

JUNI: Well… I should probably open up to people more…

JESSICA: We should also pray to protect the park as well shouldn’t we? That was the original goal.

JUNI: Oh yeah. Yes! Okay so we got one legit wish and two kinda sad ones. I think that’s enough to work with. 

JESSICA: Okay, let’s do this. Uh, hey Pelu, it’s me, Jessica. As you know… 

JUNI: And my name is Jun, or Junichi. And we have a request for you. 

JESSICA: Pelu, we really like this park, but we need someone to keep us safe. Please watch over us and help us stay in this park. 

JUNI: We also hope you can help us work… on ourselves. 

JESSICA: Help Juni be true to himself and to his friends.

JUNI: And help Jessica make some more friends.

JESSICA: I’m fine!

JUNI: Like, five more friends. At least.

JESSICA: Five?!

JUNI: That’s not that many!

JESSICA: I guess… but now what?

JUNI: We just… wait again. 

JESSICA: How long should we wait until we give up?

JUNI: I don’t know… What if this is something we have to do, like, multiple times? 

JESSICA: That does make sense… It wouldn’t be too hard to do that either, but again, how long should we wait for?

JUNI: Ah shit, I don’t know. It’s not like this is something I’ve done before either. What did we even do wrong?

SFX: (A murmur in the distance.)

JESSICA: Do you hear that?

JUNI: (sighs) Why isn’t it working? If creatures exist, then we must be able to make our own…

JESSICA: Juni, I need you to look up.

JUNI: What’s up? 

JESSICA: I swear I’m seeing something in the woods.

JUNI: Well, even if there is a creature there, it’s still light out so it can’t be a night creature.

JESSICA: Still… I think we should clean up and go. Doesn’t the park seem really quiet now? Even the birds are silent. 

JUNI: Oh, yeah. Let’s take a look, and if we see something, then we’ll book it. 

SFX: (It gets quiet and then Junichi and Jessica jump back, just noticing a new addition.)

LESHY: What are two humans doing alone in the woods?

JESSICA: Um… hello.

JUNI: Who are you?

LESHY: The question isn’t who am I, but what are two humans doing alone in the woods?

JUNI: Um, we’re friends. With Sam. And Cerberus. We’re invited to come here.

LESHY: Hmm, the boy and his dog. But they are not here. 

JESSICA: That’s right. But we’re meeting up with them soon, so they’ll look for us if we don’t show up.

LESHY: …My question still hasn’t been answered. What are two humans doing alone in the woods?

JESSICA: (whispers) I don’t think he cares that we know Sam.

JUNI: (whispers) Then what should we say? Can we tell him the truth?

JESSICA: (whispers) No, I don’t think that’s a good id–

SFX: (The Leshy shifts weight and then notices the little makeshift shrine. Suspenseful music starts to play.)

LESHY: What’s this? A shrine? In my woods?

JUNI: It’s just a test!

LESHY: A test?

JESSICA: Juni!

JUNI: We… want to see if we can make our own creature. 

LESHY: You want to go against the laws of nature… for a test? 

JESSICA: We just want a friend.

LESHY: …Come with me.

SFX: (The Leshy starts to leave. His steps thump with every step he takes.)

JESSICA: Oh um I think we’ll just clean up and head over to Sam.

LESHY: I will lead you to the boy. 

JUNI: Okay, thanks…

VOICE: (In Jess’s ear) Don’t go…

JESSICA: I’m sorry?

JUNI: What’s up Jessica?

JESSICA: I thought… I heard someone say something. 

JUNI: I didn’t hear anything. (pause) We should go along with what this guy wants until we can somehow escape.

JESSICA: I don’t think we should go with him at all. When has it ever been a good idea to follow a mysterious giant green man? 

JUNI: What choice do we have? 

LESHY: Do not keep me waiting.

JUNI: Come on, we’ll book it as soon as we can. And who knows… maybe he actually will lead us to Sam.

JESSICA: I hope so…

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (The three of them are walking seemingly deeper into the now foggy woods.)

JESSICA: We’re going deeper into the woods…

JUNI: Let’s talk to him… (to the Leshy) So, um we didn’t really introduce ourselves, I’m Jun and this is my friend, Jessica. Who are you?

LESHY: I am a Leshy. 

JUNI: Look him up, I’ll keep talking to him… (to the Leshy) And what is that? I like your pinecone hair accessories by the way. And leaves. Very uh, nature related? 

SFX: (Jessica starts typing on her phone.)

LESHY: You are right that I am connected to nature. It is my job to preside over the greenery and the hunt. 

SFX: (Music starts to play.)

JUNI: That’s cool. Why is there a need to have this position? Isn’t nature supposed to be pretty self sufficient? 

LESHY: Nature may be, but humans not so much… Not so much. They tend to need much guidance and discipline…

JUNI: Heh, fair. I guess. Probably why you’re such a big guy. Look at those guns, am I right? 

JESSICA: Juni, I found it. Leshys are from Slavic mythology. Similar to fairies, they typically remain hidden in nature. They can shape shift, look completely human, or be entirely invisible, presenting as just a voice in the wind. 

JUNI: Okay, and he said he protects nature. So, I think we should be fine right?

VOICE: Don’t believe him. He will lure you away from society…

SFX: (Juni gasps and stops walking. Jessica also gives him a look. The Leshy is still thumping away.)

JESSICA: You hear it now? 

JUNI: Yeah… Okay, so we might be in a Hansel and Gretel situation… 

JESSICA: I’m more concerned that we’re hearing voices in our heads!

JUNI: One problem at a time. What else does the internet say?

JESSICA: Um, there are various stories about the Leshy, some say it can be rather jovial, gambling and drinking and apparently one caused a whole migration of squirrels–

JUNI: Okay, Jess, focus. That’s an amazing fact, but I don’t think that’s this guy.

JESSICA: Right, um–

LESHY: You’ve been talking to each other for a long time now. 

JUNI: Oh! Um, yes. We were just trying to learn more about you. Something to do with… squirrels?

LESHY: Hmm, sometimes my kind gets too energetic with gambling.

JUNI: You gamble animals?

LESHY: The animals that reside in our territory are our possessions. We can do with them as we please.

JUNI: That’s uh nice I guess.

JESSICA: I found it, some can be kind to humans, and even co-exist as a local deity to hunters and foragers. But…

JUNI: But??

JESSICA: The Leshy has a nickname that means… to “lure away.” Juni, that’s exactly what the voice told us. 

JUNI: Let’s just go. We should book it right now!

LESHY: I would not bother trying to run. 

JUNI: And why not!

LESHY: Look around you, can you even tell which way the exit is?

JESSICA: It doesn’t matter! We’ll call Sam and ask him to find us.

SFX: (Music starts to creepily play.)

LESHY: The boy will not be able to. My powers allow us to remain unnoticed by all living things. You are trapped here. 

JUNI: But why are you torturing us? 

LESHY: Those who do malicious things do not deserve to be here. 

JESSICA: But we’re not doing anything malicious! We told you, we just wanted to try something. 

LESHY: Something unnatural does not belong here.

JUNI: Wow, profound knowledge there. A creature is still a creature, regardless of how it is created. 

LESHY: You will only end up hurting yourselves and others if you continue down this path–

PELU: Go to your left! Right now!

JESSICA: Let’s go!

SFX: (The two make a run for it, though the Leshy is not far behind.)

PELU: You can let go of me now, Jessica. I will take care of this.

JESSICA: Pelu?! You’re the one that’s been speaking to us this entire time?

JUNI: Whoa! You can talk?

PELU: I’ll distract the Leshy so that it breaks the spell. Once the area has cleared, you should be able to find the exit.

JUNI: But what about you?

PELU: Don’t worry. I will protect you, just like you asked.

JUNI: You really heard all of our prayers… We did it!

SFX: (The Leshy quickly catches up to them due to his large size.)

LESHY: You shouldn’t exist here!

SFX: (The creature creates a fireball and throws it.)

PELU: You don’t get to decide that! 

SFX: (The two creatures start to tussle as Jessica and Juni decide to leave.)

JESSICA: Fire! He can use fire? What kind of stuffed animal can do that?

JUNI: We can figure out what powers he has next time, let’s go! I think I see a path!

JESSICA: Right, Pelu, find us out of the woods!

LESHY: Don’t! You mustn’t leave!

JUNI: Yeah, sorry, don’t think we’ll listen to what you say!

PELU: Go! It’s okay. I will always find you!

SFX: (The two finally escape the woods.)

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (The two are out of the woods, catching their breaths.)

JUNI: (Panting) We did it…

JESSICA: (Panting) We really did.

SFX: (They both start laughing and hollering.)

JUNI: We’re going to be unstoppable!!

SAM: Jun? Jessica? Are you guys okay? What are you doing here? And why are you screaming?

JUNI: Sam! Sam. Just in time. We have someone we’d like for you to meet…

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Back at the cafe, “Proserpina Bops” plays.)

DREW: Wow, so the creature’s name is Pelu?

ALINA: A very cute name for a not so-cute creature.

JESSICA: He was cute when I got him… 

JUN: I just can’t believe all it took was a makeshift shrine and some wishes.

SAM: I still don’t believe it either. But I guess that’s why it can only exist in the park. 

ALINA: Yeah… Can you imagine if Pelu could come out to the real world?

DREW: Let’s not think about that just yet.

FADE OUT.

CREDITS: Residents of Proserpina Park is a production written and produced by Angela Yeh. Directed by Angela Yeh. The voice of Jun is Ben Pollizi. The voice of Drew is Ashley Dawson. The voice of Jessica is Jess Syratt. The voice of Alina is Angela Yeh. The voice of Sam is G3. The voice of Dog is Sara Roncero-Menendez. The voice of Junichi is Spencer Hiroshi Field. The voice of the Leshy is Ahmad “AJ” Joudeh. And the voice of Pelu is Nick Fiore.

Dialogue edited by Angela Yeh. Sound design by Angela Yeh and Rebecca Liu. Mixed and Mastered by Angela Yeh. Script edited by Sara Roncero-Menendez. Original music by Hoa Pham. Season 5 cover art by Winona Noronha. Series logo by Macy Tang. For more information about the show, please go to our website residentsofproserpinapark.com