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

ALINA: Hey, why didn’t we ever go to the summer solstice party? 

SAM: They… stopped after that year…

ALINA: Oof, yeah I guess that makes sense.

DREW: So is that when things became official between you two?

SAM: Well, we almost got there… Things kinda kept getting in the way back then. 

DREW: You mean like when El Silbon attacked the party?

JUN: And before that, it was the Leshy too, right?

ALINA: But… wait. Why was everyone so against Pelu in the first place?

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Jessica and Pelu are walking towards the fairy mounds in the park.)

JESSICA: Okay Pelu, remember what I told you. We’re going to go talk to the fairies. Tell them that this isn’t funny and they should leave us alone. If we have to, I’ll tell them that I don’t care if they tell Terry. We have to prove to them that you can stay in this park anyways.

PELU: Why do we need to go talk to the fairies if we don’t care what they do?

JESSICA: I’m scared they’re going to do something else in retaliation if it seems like we’re ignoring them. I think we should take the initiative and tell them to back off first so they leave us alone for good.

PELU: Okay, just tell me what to do! I don’t like how they treated you last time.

JESSICA: Thanks Pelu. I know I can always count on you. 

SFX: (Sounds of footsteps approaching. Junichi also happens to be in the park today.)

JUNI: (talking to himself) Gosh what was I thinking, I can’t do this—

JESSICA: Juni? What are you doing here? 

JUNI: Oh hey! I could ask you the same thing. Were we supposed to meet today? Please tell me we were supposed to meet today. 

JESSICA: No, no. I uh, have something to do in the park. 

JUNI: Oh? (pause) Ooh, is it about the fairies? You’re doing this today? Then I’m coming too.

JESSICA: No, you’re clearly here to meet Sam. Just make sure I make it back out, okay? Let’s meet tonight, I’ll catch you up on everything that happens. 

JUNI: Hmm, okay. But please, if you feel like you’re unsafe, just come back. We can figure out what to do together. 

JESSICA: Fine, now go have fun! I’ll see you soon. 

JUNI: Right, see you soon. 

SFX: (They start going their own way.)

PELU: Don’t worry, I’ll protect Jessica from anyone who tries to hurt her!

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Jessica and Pelu arrive to the Sidhe.)

JESSICA: Now then, let me do the talking first okay, Pelu?

AOS SI 1: Ah! Our guest has arrived!

AOS SI 2: We love a punctual guest. Although, no sweets for us this time?

JESSICA: I’m not here to play games with you all today.

AOS 1: Aw, you’ve just arrived and you’re already being a bit of a grouch. Come on, take a load off. Let’s take the time to get to know each other and have a proper discussion, yeah?

JESSICA: Do you really think I don’t know what you’re trying to do here? Just tell me what you want and why. 

AOS SI 2: Let’s take a walk. No games. It really is a shame to come here and not see where we live. 

SFX: (poof.)

JESSICA: I… don’t know. 

PELU: I thought you said this would be a quick meeting…

JESSICA: Right… We came here to tell you that we don’t care about the blackmail. You can’t have Pelu, so go ahead and tell Terry whatever you want. We don’t care.

AOS SI 1: All right, all right. Now will you stop being such a tightwad? Come on, look, we want to show you something cool.

SFX: (The Aos Si start walking away, but Jessica is flabbergasted.)

JESSICA: That’s it?

AOS SI 1: What do you mean?

JESSICA: You’re not going to argue or threaten to take Pelu away?

AOS SI 2: Who do you think we are? We just worry you’ll cause trouble with that powerful creature you created. It’s a lot for any human to handle.

JESSICA: Now you’re just patronizing me…

PELU: Can we leave now? 

AOS SI 1: Okay, okay. Look, no more talk about the creature. No offense, uh Pelu, was it? 

PELU: I’ll bite you again.

AOS SI 1: Temper, temper with this one. Now, look, you see in the distance? Over there? Those lights? 

JESSICA: Yes, what are they?

AOS SI 2: They’ll lead you to our home. Come on, I want to show them to you up close.

PELU: Jessica. We’ve finished our discussion already, I think we should go back now.

SFX: (poof.)

JESSICA: Uh, let’s just see them real quick and then we can go, okay?

PELU: All right, but I don’t like this.

AOS SI 1: Come on, we wouldn’t do anything to put you in harm’s way! That would mean we could get hurt as well after all.

JESSICA: Of course, can’t hurt your pretty little selves, can you?

AOS SI 2: We’re not that vain. Now let’s go.

SFX: (They all start walking.) 

PELU: What is it exactly that we’re walking towards?

AOS SI 2: It’s called the Will-o’-the-wisp.

PELU: Who’s Will?

JESSICA: I’m sure it’s just a saying, not an actual person. 

AOS SI 1: Uh no, actually, I think there was a Will.

AOS SI 2: Or was it a Jack? It’s been a while.

PELU: Those are two very different names.

AOS SI 2: Hey, it’s not our fault humans just come and go.

JESSICA: So who was this person?

AOS SI 1: Well, there’s a couple of variations, as always.

AOS SI 2: The one where he tricks the devil is my favorite. 

JESSICA: The devil? What does the devil have to do with these lights? I thought we were going to your home!

AOS SI 1: And we are, we are. Don’t worry, the devil is just a part of the story. There are of course bad kinds of will-o-the-wisps out there, but this truly is just a blue light that leads us home. 

AOS SI 2: But if a human randomly followed it, they would get lost and probably end up in a ditch. So remember, it’s not advisable to follow mysterious lights without proper fairy supervision. 

JESSICA: Why am I doing this again… 

AOS SI 1: Oh It’s Jack, it’s Jack! His name was Stingy Jack!

AOS SI 2: Yes! That’s his name. Terrible man, he was. Always drunk.

AOS SI 1: And yet somehow insanely smart. Remember how he got away from the devil the first time?

SFX: (Music plays as a door opens and pub ambiance floods in.)

AOS SI 2: Didn’t he take him straight to the pub and even asked the devil to pay for his drinks? He was rather cheeky, wasn’t he?

JESSICA: Why was that a smart thing to do?

AOS SI 2: Well, the devil doesn’t have any money! He’s the devil. I guess he felt gracious that night and turned himself into a coin so Jack could pay. 

SFX: (Coin flip.)

AOS SI 1: But then Jack put the devil, who’s now a coin, in his pocket with a crucifix, thus trapping him in that form.

SFX: (Magical sound as the devil is stuck.)

JESSICA: I think I see where this is going.

PELU: You do? Where?

JESSICA: The devil probably promises something to Jack if he lets him go, and Jack wins.

AOS SI 2: Exactly, but remember, this was just the first time.

JESSICA: How many more times does he trick the devil?

AOS SI 1: One more? Two more?

AOS SI 2: He dies in the third round, remember?

JESSICA: What happened when he died?

AOS SI 1: Well, let’s back it up real quick. So, the second time he tricks the devil, they make an agreement that Jack would never go to hell. 

SFX: (A contract is written.)

JESSICA: Okay…

AOS SI 2: But the thing is, there’s no way heaven would allow a drunkard or a con artist up there either, would they?

JESSICA: So he’s stuck…

AOS SI 2: Forced to wander with nothing but a light forever and ever. Jack’s lantern. Or better yet, Jack O’ Lantern.

PELU: I thought you said these were Will O’ the Wisp.

AOS SI 1: Well, what does it matter, I’m pretty sure his name was Jack!

JESSICA: You’re both awful storytellers.  

AOS SI 2: Well, why don’t you tell us a story then?

JESSICA: Me? I don’t know any stories. 

AOS SI 1: How do you not have any stories? What have you been doing with your life?

JESSICA: You don’t want to hear about my life’s story.

AOS SI 2: Well it can’t be worse than poor old Jack, can it?

JESSICA: I suppose… What do you want to hear? 

AOS SI 1: Hmm, why did you start coming to the park? Isn’t it quite dangerous for you? 

PELU: That’s why I was created!

AOS SI 1: Okay, so it’s not dangerous anymore, but you came multiple times before you created him, didn’t you?

JESSICA: It was dangerous, yeah… But Juni and I just wanted a place where we could be ourselves. 

AOS SI 2: And a park full of creatures that could kill you is where you decided to stay?

JESSICA: You just don’t understand! It’s the adventure! The magic! There’s no societal pressure as to who you need to be, there’s no one trying to ruin your life with rumors and fake scandals. No one’s judging me for just being me here. 

AOS SI 1: Hang on, why would someone make up a rumor about you?

AOS SI 2: Sounds just like good ole Will.

JESSICA: I’m sure Laura could probably outsmart the devil if she wanted to…

AOS SI 2: Ooh, a “Laura” I see. And what did this Laura do?

JESSICA: Well, I’m pretty sure she started a rumor at school that I’ll basically sleep with anyone who asks, especially guys with girlfriends. 

AOS SI 1: You know, I have heard teenage girls can be scary.

JESSICA: I’m in college! 

AOS SI 1: (gasp) Even scarier, they’re older than teens!

AOS SI 2: Do you know why she would start a rumor like that?

JESSICA: Because her boyfriend wouldn’t leave me alone!

AOS SI 2: So she blames you for seducing her lover?

AOS SI 1: Ah, a tale as old as time.

JESSICA: And now other jerks won’t stop harassing me either. They all think I’m easy and that they have a right to touch me and it’s just so… frustrating. Carter especially won’t stop touching my hair! My supervisor thinks it’s cute that I have a little ”bully” at my internship. No one will listen to me and when I tell them to stop, it’s like I’m shouting at a brick wall. 

AOS SI 2: And the park has no wall. I get it. 

AOS SI 1: You know, it sounds like you’ve been having a pretty bad time in the human world. 

AOS SI 2: Yes, maybe it’s a good thing we’ve stopped visiting. Last time one of the good neighbors went, they said they were scandalized by some book about thorns. 

AOS SI 1: What’s so traumatizing about thorns?

AOS SI 2: I don’t know, I was too scared to ask. He looked rather shaken. 

PELU: Are we there yet?

JESSICA: We have been walking for a while haven’t we? I feel like the flames just keep going. 

AOS SI 2: Well, it is quite a distance. Can’t let anyone just wander into our place, you know.

AOS SI 1: And going back to the topic at hand; you could always stay here, you know? It’s really not that bad. 

JESSICA: Don’t give me any ideas. 

AOS SI 2: No really, you could. You’d have all the unlimited access to the park that you want and you’d never have to worry about human things like false rumors ever again. Sounds rather nice, doesn’t it?

JESSICA: And what would I do for the rest of my life then?

AOS SI 1: Well, you could do whatever that boy does in the park and then you can come and hang out with us for the rest of the day. We could dance and play games, you could make us more food…

JESSICA: Heh, you make it sound so nice.

SFX: (Another magical poof and music plays.)

AOS SI 2: We could even send over a changeling so no one in the human world would know you’re missing. I think we know a few… 

AOS SI 1: Oooh, that way you wouldn’t even need to go to the park! You could just stay here with us forever.

JESSICA: Right, stay here forever.

PELU: We have to go back. Sam and Jun will notice we are gone. 

AOS SI 2: That’s what the changeling is for!

PELU: Hmm, I don’t like it. Should we still be following this light, Jessica? Jessica?

SFX: (A poof.)

PELU: What’s wrong with her?

AOS SI 1: She looks rather peaceful to me, don’t you think?

AOS SI 2: Yes, I’m sure she’s just… thinking about what a great idea we thought of, all of us just staying here together. 

JESSICA: (mumbling) Yeah, it would be nice…

PELU: Why is she acting like this? 

AOS SI 1: Oh you know what, it’s probably the shiny lights. Humans love those things. 

PELU: Do they? 

AOS SI 2: Of course, now come on. We’re here. Welcome to our home. 

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Jessica and Pelu have been staying with the fairies for a while now.)

PELU: Is Jessica really okay? She’s been in a daze for almost a week now!

AOS SI 1: I’m sure she’s just… getting used to the time around here. It’s completely different from the human world, so there’s an adjustment period.  

PELU: How do I know you’re not lying?

AOS SI 2: Well, just ask her. Jessica, how are you feeling today?

SFX: (The fairy shifts and moves around with her arms.)

JESSICA: Happy. Peaceful. 

AOS SI 2: See? She’s fine. Stop stressing and enjoy your stay with us.

PELU: Jessica, do you really want to stay here?

JESSICA: Yes, let’s stay here forever. There’s no gossiping girls or rude boys here. And we can meet every single creature we want and play all day long. 

PELU: But we haven’t even met another creature since we’ve been here! And we were supposed to meet up with Junichi days ago! He and Sam must be looking for us.

AOS SI 1: We told you, remember? Different duration of time. Although perhaps we should go talk to that changeling soon. 

AOS SI 2: Oh yes, I agree.

PELU: No, we need to leave now.

SFX: (Pelu tries to leave.)

AOS SI 1: Would you disobey your creator? She says she’s having a good time here.

PELU: I… I promised Jessica that I would protect her. 

AOS SI 2: But she doesn’t need protecting, she’s fine.

JESSICA: I’m fine. 

PELU: She doesn’t seem fine! Stop touching her! You’re acting just like her bullies! You have to let us go!

AOS SI 2: We’re not bullying her. If we were, we’d be pulling her hair like this.

SFX: (Slight hair tug)

JESSICA: Ow! Stop it Carter!… (breaks out of it) Where am I?

AOS SI 2: Oh whoops.

AOS SI 1: You’re here in the Sidhe. With friends, remember? Think of the blue lights you saw before. Yes, yes, the blue lights, the Will-o-the-wisps, come on.

SFX: (A magical poof.)

JESSICA: Stingy Jack…

AOS SI 1: Yes, yes, yes! Stingy Jack. Phew.

PELU: What was that?!

AOS SI 2: Nothing, nothing. Seems like I pulled her hair a little too hard… Won’t do that again. All just for fun.

PELU: Jessica!! 

SFX: (Pelu tugs on Jessica’s sleeve, but Jessica doesn’t register it at all.)

AOS SI 1: Come on, it’s better to stay here at this point anyways. With the way human time works, who knows when you’d return to the park. Months or years could have gone by now at this point.

PELU: What!? Jessica, did you hear that? 

JESSICA: Timey Wimey. 

AOS SI 2: Enough already, you know you can’t disobey her. Don’t you have to grant her wish?

PELU: I don’t care! I know this is wrong! I can feel it! There’s no way Jessica actually wants to stay here.

AOS SI 2: Our home isn’t all that bad…

PELU: Let’s go Jessica. Our friends are waiting. 

SFX: (Pelu tries to leave again.) 

JESSICA: Stay. Let’s stay here. 

AOS SI 1: See? What did we say?

PELU: Ughh.

SFX: (Pelu then tugs on Jessica’s hair as well, causing her to flinch.)

JESSICA: Ow! Pelu, what did you do that for?

PELU: Jessica we need to go, now!

SFX: (Fire swirls as Pelu prepares for a fight.)

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Back at the cafe, “Proserpina Bops” plays as the group is shocked about what happened.)

DREW: Whoa, things are really getting intense. 

JUN: What happened to not cutting people off?! I want to hear more of the story.

DREW: Okay, but come on, this is serious! The fairies had her hostage for nearly a week!

ALINA: Yeah, it’s no wonder you were so angry the last time you saw them. 

JESSICA: Just you wait when you hear what happens next.

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 Junichi is Spencer Hiroshi Field. And the voice of the Aos Si are Cameron Gergett and Dylan Smith.

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