Nature walk.
Shopping.
Nature walk.
Shopping, nature walk, shopping!
This is the new repetitive formula of my trips. Tomorrow, I'm going on a nature walk with Ben, and next week, I'm going shopping in Alness with Helen!
Monday, 26 September 2022
Comfortable
We see a cover of the original Scream Street: Attack Of The Trolls book laiden out on a red blanket. The book opens and the pages begin to flip through.
DISSOLVE TO:
The night sky, full, beautiful.
TITLE: “COMFORTABLE”
PAN DOWN TO:
EXT. FOREST. NIGHT.
Luke, Resus and Cleo are lying together on a soft patch of moss, gazing up at the night sky.
LUKE
Isn’t it peaceful out there? Us. Together. Out in the open.
CLEO
(yawns)
Sure.
RESUS
I think tonight might not be too bad after all. All that running around from trolls and getting covered in dung. Pah! Do we still stink or what?
LUKE
We’ll need a serious bath when we get home.
CLEO
At least there’s a lake we can bathe in.
LUKE
It’s too late for us now.
All three of them breathe in…then breathe out silently, snuggling next to each other and falling asleep. As Luke snuggles beside Resus, he looks towards Cleo, and gently shakes her awake.
LUKE
Cleo…Cleo!
CLEO
(groans)
What?
LUKE
What was life like before you moved to Scream Street?
Cleo is moved to tears by these words. She buries her face in her hands and begins to sob. Resus wakes up, still lying on his side.
RESUS
(softly)
Cleo?
LUKE
She has…issues.
CLEO
I used to have a happy life in Egypt. I was looked after and cared for by my many servants, and my dad loved me. But then when I was mummified and brought to Scream Street, I guess I didn’t get to sleep in a comfortable bed anymore.
LUKE
But you’re fine here with us!
CLEO
Fine?! All this time I’ve been frolicking around searching for those stupid relics, and now where have we ended up? NOWHERE!
RESUS
Okay, Cleo, calm down.
CLEO
Why should I be calm when all we can think about is our comfortable beds at home?
LUKE
This is comfortable, Cleo. Look - a soft patch of moss, just perfect for us three.
(yawns)
It just isn’t fair you’ve decided to discuss your past at a time like this.
RESUS
May I interrupt?
(beat)
Back when I was in Scream Street, I was just a toddler. My father and mother were shocked to tears when I was born, and the moment I learnt to walk, my dad would be embarrassed that people would see me in public. I wasn’t comfortable with the way I looked, so from the age of 8 I started doing this whole makeup thing.
LUKE
Resus, listen, you’ve got to be comfortable with the way you look. Everyone’s comfortable with what they appreciate and feel like.
SAMUEL SKIPSTONE
(muffled, from inside Luke’s pocket)
He’s right, you know.
Luke pulls Skipstone’s Tales Of Scream Street from his pocket. Skipstone’s smiling face relieves the trio.
LUKE
Thank god you’re here, Mr Skipstone, I was worried we wouldn’t be comfortable with the way we live. I brought my parents to Scream Street because of my werewolf, Cleo isn’t happy about living in the neighbourhood and Resus desperately wants to be a vampire.
SAMUEL SKIPSTONE
(chuckles)
Oh, never mind about all those. What matters most is that you are altogether in the safest place on earth.
CLEO
What do you mean?
SAMUEL SKIPSTONE
You were meant to find one another. You all come from different backgrounds.
RESUS
And I had to miss Vampire New Year because-
SAMUEL SKIPSTONE
(interrupts)
Discrimination and parental worries brought you together. Poor things. If you could just stick together and return those relics, you’ll never have to face your pasts again.
Luke silently looks at the book, then looks up at the sky. He reaches his hand up and pretends to grab the stars. He smiles over such a motivational thing.
LUKE
You’re right, Mr Skipstone, being together is what can get those relics back to their owners.
SAMUEL SKIPSTONE
You got it, Luke! Now get some rest. Things will seem better in the morning.
Luke tucks the book carefully away in his pocket.
LUKE
Goodnight, Mr Skipstone.
SAMUEL SKIPSTONE
(muffled, from inside Luke’s pocket)
Goodnight.
Resus and Cleo yawn and snuggle up next to Luke, who giggles. His giggles turn to yawns, and then he silently snuggles right up next to Resus.
MATCH DISSOLVE:
Now the scene has become an illustration in the book, which slowly closes.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END.
The Big Race (My Version)
It was an unregrettably lazy day, and Kipper and his friends Tiger, Pig and Arnold were outside under the shade of their favourite tree enjoying the weather. “What a beautiful day,” said Kipper, looking up at the sky. “Yeah,” said Tiger. “Not too hot.” “Not too cold,” said Pig. “Just perfect,” said Kipper, winking at Tiger. He winked back. Arnold was playing about with a dandelion he just found. For a few moments, all was quiet. Until Kipper sat up and said, “The next one to say anything is a…a…banana!” Kipper took a blade of grass and tickled Tiger with it. Tiger started laughing then, which caused Pig to tease, “Tiger’s a banana! Tiger’s a banana!” But Kipper stubbornly turned to Pig. “You’re the one who talked first, not Tiger!” “It’s not fair!” said Tiger, “I got the chance to speak first!” “Not if I can make this Pig squeal!” said Kipper, and he pounced onto Pig, tickling him hard. Pig screamed with laughter! Arnold just ignored everything and continued playing with his dandelion.
“No no no, Kipper, get off!” cried Tiger and he pushed Kipper off Pig within a few seconds! “Pig, are you alright?” asked Tiger. “Kipper almost converted to cannibalism!” he gasped, “I don’t know what’s to do with him now that he almost ate me bacon slice by bacon slice.” Kipper clapped his paw over his mouth in shock. “But…I…” “Dogs do eat bacon, Kipper, and if you so much eat Pig, I’m calling the police!” said Tiger. “Let’s do something less violent for once.” “Alright, fine.” Kipper took a few deep breaths and continued to relax under the tree. Arnold continued playing with his dandelion.
Kipper thought.
Tiger thought.
Pig thought.
Arnold played.
Then Tiger shot bolt upright, for he had an idea. “I know! How about a race?” “How about a race?” asked Pig sarcastically. “Yeah, how! Spoiler alert - the race is easy! We’ll run down Big Hill, through the park, past the duck pond and back to Pig’s house.” “I was going to explain that,” said Pig, “You don’t have to let me explain in full detail, you know. By the way, I have one of my chocolate cakes at home. It could be a prize for the winner.” “Yeah, let’s do it.” said Kipper. “Meanwhile, I’ll wear my sweatvest and my PE shorts and trainers,” said Tiger as they all set off.
Later, everyone gathered at Big Hill for the race. Tiger was running up the hill puffing and panting, his legs hurting like crazy. “Sorry I’m late,” he said. “I sounded like you said marmalade,” said Kipper. “Yeah, that’s what viewers who watch us think.” “Who are you referring to just then?” asked Pig. “No one, no one, no one,” said Tiger. “Now, for the second time today, I will tell you the plan.” Tiger explained in full detail. Then he, Kipper and Arnold lined up to start the race. “Would give you proper exercise, too,” said Pig. “Ready…steady…” PHEEEEEEP!! went the whistle. Off the trio set down Big Hill, Tiger running the fastest of all. “You’ll never catch me, Tiger!” he called. “Not if I can beat you to the duck pond first!” he called.
Kipper, Tiger and Arnold came to some signs. One sign said ‘Park’, one said ‘Woods’ and another said ‘Town’. Kipper and Tiger raced along the park route, but Arnold was left on his own. He looked up at the ‘Wood’ sign in curiosity. He wondered exactly where it lead to, so he followed the sign along the path. The further he got to the woods, the further away from Kipper and Tiger he was getting. He then came across a little glenn leading into the woods. Arnold looked inside, then looked back. He had no chance of turning away from his surroundings now, so he got down on his hands and knees and crawled through the bushes.
Kipper and Tiger meanwhile were still racing to the park. Kipper was running far ahead, but Tiger hid in a bush, which rustled for a bit. Tiger emerged, riding on his bike and honking his horn. As Kipper was running, he looked back and saw Tiger riding towards him. “You wait, Kipper!” called Tiger. “That’s not fair! You said you would run there!” “No one said what kind of race it was!” Tiger shouted as he zoomed past Kipper, laughing and punching his fist in the air. “Rock ahead, Tiger!” called Kipper. “Thanks!” “No! ROCK!” cried Kipper. Tiger saw the rock, and his bike stumbled over it, causing Tiger to fly head over heels and land with a SPLASH in the pond. The ducks who saw him scattered and flew away. Tiger screamed in anger as Kipper rushed to his aid.
Meanwhile, Arnold was still wandering around the woods, completely fascinated by his surroundings. He saw leaves on the trees and in the bushes, and everything was as green as it could be. Suddenly, he heard a snarl, and saw a bush shake. Arnold ran for it, but he saw the shadow of a wolf wearing a grandmother’s nightgown riding on a scooter. Yet it looked vaguely familiar. Arnold ran up to a tree and looked around for the wolf a couple of times, just to make sure. The wolf wasn’t there. Arnold crawled into a hole under the tree and curled up, hoping the wolf will not find him.
Meanwhile, Kipper was helping Tiger out of the pond. “It’s all your fault you asked me to use my bike, Kipper, now my shoes are soggy!” he growled, taking his shoes off and pouring water onto the grass. “Sorry, Tiger, I just wanted to let you know about the dangers of racing with your bike. Now you need it repaired.” “But..but I…dow! It’ll take weeks for it to be repaired!” “Arnold? Arnold!” Pig ran in, calling for his little cousin. “What’s the matter, Pig?” asked Kipper. “It’s Arnold, he’s gone missing!” “Oh no!” said Tiger, “I don’t like the sound of it.” “Are you going to help me find Arnold or what?” Pig asked stubbornly. “We’ve searched for Arnold before, when we went to the park and he wanted to feed the ducks. And by the way, the ducks are over there.” “Over there? This is no time to be feeding the ducks, we’ve got to find Arnold!” said Pig, and off they set.
Kipper, Tiger and Pig came to the three signs, and saw little hoofprints leading past the sign that said ‘Woods’. “Those look like Arnold’s footprints,” said Tiger. “He could’ve been anywhere by now!” worried Pig, “He might’ve been eaten up by wolves!” “Don’t be silly, Pig, there are no wolves in the wood, but us dogs exi-” AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! A huge howl filled the air. “He’s got Arnold!” cried Pig. “Come on, everyone!” said Kipper, and they all ran to where the sign lead to the woods.
Arnold was cowering in fear as the wolf drew closer and closer, snarling and growling and showing rows and rows of sharp teeth, his drool making the mud all slimy and stinky. The wolf, for some strange reason, took his face and pulled it off, revealing….JAKE! It was Jake who had been the wolf this entire time. He was wearing a plastic wolf costume. “Hello, Arnold,” said Jake, “Feeling frightened? Don’t be! It’s only me.” Arnold got up and smiled as Jake helped him out of his little hole. He was delighted to see Jake and hugged him, then saw his scooter. “Do you want a ride home?” Arnold nodded. Jake got onto his scooter and lifted Arnold onto it. “Hold tight!” he called as he rode off out the woods. “Wheeeeee!” he said.
At that time, Kipper, Tiger and Pig were running to where Arnold was hiding. Pig stuck his head into the hole. “Arnold? Arnold, are you in there?” he called. “Arrrrrnoooooooold!” called Kipper. Sadly, there was no response. “Oh no!” wept Pig, “We’ve lost him for good, a wolf ate him up!” “Don’t worry, Pig, let’s go home and have some chocolate cake. We’ll console whoever ‘ate up’ Arnold first thing tomorrow.” Kipper, Tiger and Pig trudged all the way back to Pig’s house, feeling very sorry for themselves. What they didn’t know was that elsewhere, Arnold was enjoying riding back to Pig’s house with Jake.
Jake dropped Arnold off at the front gate and said, “There we are, Arnold, home at last. Goodbye!” and with that, Jake rode off. Arnold saw the door was open, so he got into the house and looked around for the chocolate cake. He went into the kitchen and saw a chocolate cake with delicious white icing placed on the table. Arnold climbed onto the chair and took a huge hunk of cake filled with chocolate mess, tucking into that slice wholesomely. It was the best cake he had ever tasted. Outside, Kipper, Tiger and Pig were just about to sit down on Pig’s deck chairs when they heard munching and slurping from inside the house. The door was wide open.
Kipper, Tiger and Pig followed the noise through the living room and into the kitchen, where they saw Arnold lying under the table, covered in chocolate. “Hello, Arnold,” whispered Kipper. “You got there first, didn’t you? You’re the winner! You won the race!” “He might’ve left us some cake,” said Tiger. Arnold crawled out from under the table and pointed to the cake. “Hooray!” cried Kipper and his friends, and each one of them took a piece of cake and dug in. As for Arnold, he continued sleeping under the table, oblivious to what his friends were doing and full up with the greatest, yummiest treat of all.
THE END.
Kipper's Ideas
The Softest Monster Nest
This is inspired by true events...in fact, it was inspired by yesterday. Luke, Resus, Cleo and I return home from shopping with our parents exhausted, so we build a nest out of cushions and blankets so we could relax. The copyright free version is just called 'The Softest Nest' includes Luna and Sophie in the same situation, building a nest so they can relax.
Comfortable
Set during 'Scream Street: Attack Of The Trolls'. Luke, Resus and Cleo rest on a soft patch of moss, lamenting how soft and comfortable their bed was, until they realise that they don't know how comfortable their friendship is...until Samuel Skipstone steps in to explain. The copyright free version includes Fang telling his friends from school, a unicorn and a dragon, about his day on a mountainside camping trip, while a small mouse who serves as the headteacher explains to them about friendship.
The Big Race (My Version)
My version of a Kipper episode that was present on my old 'The Robot' VHS. Pig organises a race to his house, with one of his delicious chocolate cakes for the winner, but the race has to be halted when Arnold goes missing. The copyright free version is called 'Where's (Name Of Smaller Character)?' and features a lion, a panda, an elephant and a mouse going head to head in a race, only to discover the mouse is missing.
Mitchell's Pain
A dark tribute to Strange Hill High. A teenage boy is constantly bullied by his teachers and friends in the support for learning zone at his school, so he runs home, vowing to never go there again. While searching on his laptop, he finds clickbait featuring two possessive characters who want to be his friend forever, with unexpected consequences. The boy is, thankfully, not named Mitchell. His name is yet to be announced.
Luke's Anger
A dark tribute to Scream Street. A young boy goes swimming with his father, only to discover that whenever he dives and swims underwater he transforms into a werewolf. This continues when he wanders downstairs in the middle of the night, until he transforms finally into a werewolf and runs away, getting taken by authorities and taken, not to a street full of monsters....
The boy is, like in the previous story, not named Luke. His name is yet to be announced....
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