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Adventures in Sonoris

Episode 10“The Farm”

Script for audio recording

ByMiriam Patrick

Patrick Boland 58 Springwood Drive Asheville, NC 28805

828-299-3405

pboland@bellsouth.net www.earforadventure.com

© 2011 Ear for Adventure

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Theme musicThen theme music behind dialogue

MIMICan you believe it, Zack? We’re practically home!

ZACKOoooh, I can almost taste the pizza. Large pie, extra cheese…

RADOLF(sinister) Very clever, switching the keys.

MIMI & ZACK(scream)

GUIDESavannah rushed up the steps to the front door.

MIMI(frantic) Where is he, Zack?

ZACKI can’t tell!

GUIDESavannah tried in vain to squeeze through the door. Spying Radolf crouched behind one of the massive marble columns, she reached out her trunk.

RADOLF(laughing at Savannah) Oh, what a pity. You’re so close.

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ZACK(terse whisper) There! Stun him now.

ZACK, then MIMI1 5, 1 5, 1 5!

ping, ping…

GUIDEBut the stun codes just ricocheted off the massive column.

RADOLFHand over the keys! (pause) Try to run, and I assure you I’ll kill at least one of you before you reach the door.

ZACK(calling) We can wait you out! You move and we’ll stun your mangy butt.

RADOLFSuit yourself. Oh. While we all wait, my troops are regrouping. They’ll be back any minute.

ZACK(whispering) He’s bluffing.

MIMI(whispering) But we can’t risk it, Zack. They’d kill Savannah.

RADOLFI’m losing my patience! Now, GIVE ME THOSE KEYS!!

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Note:Ep. 9 ends hereEp. 10 begins here

ZACK(whispering) Meems, get ready. Now! (loudly) 1 5, 1 5, 1 5!

Sound of fast running (X2)heaving against door

GUIDEHurling a volley of stun codes toward the marble column, Zack dashed up the circular stairs. Mimi followed Zack’s lead, catching up to him on the second story landing, where he was throwing his body against the only door.

ZACKLocked!

MIMII think one of my stun codes got him.

Sound of fast moving paws on stone

No! He’s coming!

GUIDERadolf bounded up the staircase, moving surprisingly fast despite his claws slipping on the stone steps.

MIMIGo up, Zack!! 1 5, 1 5, 1 5!

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ping, ping…

GUIDEMimi’s stun code caught Radolf’s shoulder, slowing him for a second. They sprinted up the stairs and rushed through a door onto the roof of the turret.

ZACKGet behind the door! We’ll stun him.

GUIDEBut before they could duck behind the door, Radolf burst through the doorway.

MIMI & ZACK1 5, 1 5, 1 5!

claws on stone

GUIDEThe stun codes missed Radolf, who skidded to a halt!

MIMIZack!!!

GUIDEWith the instincts of a mother bear, Mimi shoved Zack as she dove to the floor. Radolf pounced, catapulting over them and flying over the battlement wall.

falling howl that abruptly stopsM&Z panting

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GUIDEMimi and Zack stared at each other for a second… then leaped up, rushed to the wall, and peered down at a grisly sight.

ZACKHa! Look at old fur face now; serves him right.

GUIDEBelow them, Radolf’s body hung awkwardly, skewered by the flag pole in front of the castle.

SAVANNAH(calling from below, worried) Mimi? Zack? Are you OK?

MIMI(shouting) Yes, Savannah.

ZACKWe’re good! Hey, do you see any other wolves around?

SAVANNAHNo sign of any wolves, but I’ll look around.

MIMIGreat, Savannah! We’ll be right down.

ZACKI knew that mangy fur bag was bluffing. (pause, then quickly) But you we’re right – didn’t want to risk it. Hey, are you bleeding?

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MIMII’m… OK. I think one of his back claws nicked my head.

ZACKLemme see. (pause) Yeah, but it doesn’t look like much. (enviously) Lucky. Maybe you’ll get a scar as a souvenir.

MIMIRight. Lucky. By the way, next time you’re gonna go all superhero on me, tell me the plan first.

Fade out next 2 lines under GUIDE

ZACKI did tell you the plan.

MIMI‘Get ready? Now’? That’s what you call a plan?

GUIDEMimi and Zack made their way back down the staircase and into the foyer.

ZACK(solemnly) Don’t forget your doll.

MIMIOh… yeah, thanks.

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GUIDEMimi and Zack shuddered as they passed the flag pole outside. Savannah, who had circled about the area looking for wolves, rushed to Mimi and Zack.

SAVANNAHGoodness, I’m glad you’re OK. No sign of any wolves, except… that one.

MIMII guess we’ll have to leave him there.

SAVANNAHHe’s definitely out of my reach.

ZACKI’m sure Buzz will find him soon.

MIMI(shuddering) (pause) Zack, we need to find the portal remote. I saw it fly out of your hand after Stefan jumped you. Somewhere over there.

ZACKI hope no wolf grabbed it. Maybe they’d be too scared to touch it; you know, cause it’s magic. Ooweeoo.

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GUIDEThey soon found the portal remote in the brush and were on their way to the Temple. All three were quiet as they walked the road, thinking of the battle, the brave students, and Radolf’s gruesome end.

At the Temple, the first elephants were arriving with the wounded. There, two wolves had remained ever since Luther’s failed attack. Their ears perked at the faint but certain sound of approaching elephants.

PANHearsalot! Look! The wolves are running away. And… yes! Elephants are approaching!

HEARSALOTQuick, Pan! Turn off the amplification system and then meet me out front.

GUIDEAs they arrived, the elephants paused at the Temple front door, where Hearsalot and Pan hurried to help Tony the llama unload and care for the injured students.

HEARSALOTWhat happened? Where are Mimi and Zack?

TONYThey’re fine. They should be here soon with Savannah.

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GUIDEWhile they cared for the injured, Tony told Pan and Hearsalot of the battle at the castle. Upon hearing how Zack had fooled Radolf, Hearsalot grew concerned.

HEARSALOT(worried) And what of Radolf?

TONYLast seen escaping into the woods with the bag of dominoes.

HEARSALOT(very worried) Oh, my.

GUIDEA bit later, Mimi and Zack arrived with Savannah. Hearsalot rushed to greet them.

HEARSALOTMimi! Zack! Savannah! Oh, what a relief. Are you alright?

MIMIWe’re fine. Hearsalot… Radolf is dead.

ZACKHe sneaked back after Tony and the others left. He figured out I switched the keys for dominoes.

HEARSALOTYes, Tony told us of your clever hoax, but I worried that Radolf would return. He did know what the keys look like.

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ZACKWell, now he’s impaled on a flag pole at the castle.

HEARSALOTA victim of his own unbridled ambition. Poor lost creature.

MIMIYes, but now we’re finally back, Hearsalot. And with all the keys!

HEARSALOTCongratulations, my brave warriors! And just in time.

GUIDEHearsalot glanced at the sky. Much of it was now green with streaks of brighter green zapping in a grid-like fashion.

ZACKAnd Uncle Walter?

HEARSALOTJust as you left him.

MIMILet’s not wait another second, Hearsalot. Let’s replace the keys now.

HEARSALOTYes, let’s go.

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GUIDEMimi and Zack followed Hearsalot to the naos chamber.

Footsteps, echo

ZACK(whispering) I’m nervous.

MIMIWhy? This is it, Zack. What we’ve worked so hard for.

ZACKI know, but… what if something’s wrong with Uncle Walter? I mean, he’s been frozen a long time. What if his muscles atrophied or something?

MIMIWe’ve done all we can, Zack.

Long rumble

GUIDEIn the naos, Uncle Walter appeared exactly as he had ten days before: frozen with his hand reaching out. Tenderly, Mimi placed the tattered doll from the castle on a chair in the corner. Zack withdrew the domino box from his pocket, opened it and held it out to Mimi.

ZACKBe my guest.

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MIMI(deep breath) OK, here goes.

Long rumble

GUIDEOne by one, Mimi inserted the keys into the computer.

ZACK(loudly, nervously) Hang on, Uncle Walter. You’ll be free in just a minute.

Sustained rumbling

GUIDEEveryone held their breath as Mimi inserted the last key.

Rumbling continues

MIMI(softly) Uncle Walter? (louder) Uncle Walter?

ZACK(louder) Time to go home, Uncle Walter! (pause, insistent) Wake up! (upset) Why isn’t it working!?

HEARSALOTTry to be calm, children. We must have overlooked something.

MIMIMaybe a key got damaged.

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HEARSALOTThey all look fine to me.

ZACK(yelling) Stupid computer! What’s wrong with you?!

GUIDEIn a rage, Zack kicked the altar, leaving a black scuff mark across the carved inscription.

MIMI(tearfully) Zack! Look what you’ve done!

GUIDEAs tears of frustration streamed down her cheeks, Mimi bent down and vigorously rubbed the scuff mark.

MIMIHey. (sniff) I forgot about these last lines:

(reading quickly)If the keys are ever lostThe coil wizard’s wave shall leadRestore the keys at any costEight sound steps to harmony

(deliberating) Eight sound steps. What has eight steps?

ZACKAfter all this, we have to solve another stupid riddle?

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MIMIOf course! An octave! Eight sound steps! The computer needs to hear an octave to reboot!

HEARSALOTSounds like something the Founders might have programmed.

MIMIOK. I’ll give the starting pitch: (sings) La. 1. Ready?

MIMI, ZACK, HEARSALOT(sing) 1... 2… 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8...

Rumble stops

UNCLE WALTER(loudly, finishing a sentence) … do these (cough) parts… (coughing/choking from not using voice)

MIMI & ZACKUncle Walter!!

Running across stone

GUIDEMimi and Zack ran to their bewildered uncle and wrapped their arms around him tightly.

UNCLE WALTERMimi?! (cough) Zack?! How…? (cough)

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GUIDEUncle Walter’s legs buckled when he tried to take a step, but Zack and Mimi steadied him.

ZACKCome sit down, Uncle Walter. You’ve been frozen like this for a long time.

HEARSALOTYes Walter, sit and regain your strength. We’ll tell you everything over a nice cup of tea.

GUIDEPan arrived with refreshments and the news that the Sonorian sky had returned to normal and a slow and gentle rain had begun to fall. As they sipped tea, Mimi and Zack told Uncle Walter much of what had happened to them, from how they had arrived in Sonoris to the battle with the wolves. At the end, Walter hung his head.

UNCLE WALTERMimi, Zack. I’m very grateful, but… (sadly) so sorry I got you involved. You could have been killed. (pause) Exactly how long have I been here?

MIMIAbout three weeks, Uncle Walter.

UNCLE WALTERThree…?! Oh no, Jean must be worried sick. Well, now that we have the portal remote, we should get back to the portal site and return home as soon as possible.

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ZACKThat might be a problem, Uncle Walter. The remote battery’s really low; probably completely dead by now. It hardly had any power last time we used it.

MIMI…it got stuck in the “on” position several days ago.

UNCLE WALTERThat’s not good. There’s no way to activate the portal without the remote.

MIMII’m so sorry, Uncle Walter. We tried to take good care of it…

UNCLE WALTERShhh, Mimi. If I had just stayed put in the first place, none of this would have happened. I went gallivanting in dimensions where I had no business. And what good did it do anyway?

ZACKWell, it did save Sonoris.

MIMI(tentatively) Uncle Walter, why did you come here? Did you somehow know about the danger Sonoris was facing?

GUIDEUncle Walter fidgeted.

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UNCLE WALTERUh… I was following a lead… it’s… it’s a private matter. I can’t tell you about it just now.

MIMIDoes it have anything to do with the diary we found in your workshop?

UNCLE WALTERYou saw that? That was not for your eyes, Mimi!

ZACK(angry/upset) Just great! We risk our lives to find you, and now you won’t even tell us why you came here! You didn’t even tell us you were leaving, Uncle Walter! That’s the least you could’ve done!

UNCLE WALTERZack, I understand your frustration. But what’s done is done. And now we need to figure out how to get back home. (pause) Perhaps there are batteries somewhere in the Temple. Hearsalot?

HEARSALOTI’m afraid not.

GUIDEUncle Walter stared into space, searching for a solution. Slowly, he focused on the chair in the corner.

UNCLE WALTERThat… doll. (with growing excitement) Where did it come from?!

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ZACK(irritably) It doesn’t have batteries, if that’s what you’re thinking.

MIMIWe found it - in the Castle of the Founders.

UNCLE WALTER(bewildered) The…? What did you call it? The Castle of the Founders? The same castle where you fought the wolves?

ZACKYep, same castle. You know… where the Founders lived? Guess you got frozen before you were able to get out and see much of Sonoris.

HEARSALOTWalter, I’m sorry I couldn’t reveal anything personal about the Founders, and the castle was their private residence here in Sonoris. When they left, the Founders gave me strict orders to reveal nothing personal about them to anyone who might arrive here. (pause) You seemed nice enough, Walter, but I had my orders.

MIMIBut, what about the doll, Uncle Walter? (pause) If you know something, tell us. (pause, frustrated) Why all the secrets?

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UNCLE WALTERI’m sorry, Mimi. I promise I’ll tell you everything I know, but not now. (pause) I’d like to see this castle. I feel something there might help us get home.

ZACK(perplexed) In the castle? We didn’t see anything…

UNCLE WALTERLet’s just go have a look, Zack.

GUIDEQuietly, Pan returned to the naos.

HEARSALOTYes, Pan?

PANAll the students are all resting comfortably.

HEARSALOTThank you, Pan. Honored guests, will you indulge me while I perform a little ceremony?

GUIDEHearsalot hopped twice and retrieved a carved box from under the altar.

Hearsalot hops

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HEARSALOT(clear throat) With the untimely and sad passing of Babu and Dr. Arpad, the Order of the Rabbit is left with but one surviving member – ahem, me. As such, I have decided to welcome new members into the Order.

GUIDEHearsalot reached into the box and withdrew a necklace woven of vines. From it dangled a familiar ear-shaped pendant.

HEARSALOTPan, for your loyalty and service to Babu and to Sonoris, I hereby induct you into the Order of the Rabbit, and bestow upon you the position of Keeper of the Pyramid.

GUIDEWith great affection, Hearsalot placed the pendant around Pan’s neck.

PAN(choked up) Thank you, Hearsalot. I’m so… humbled. I promise to do my best for the Order of the Rabbit.

MIMICongratulations, Pan.

ZACKWay to go, Pan. Congrats.

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HEARSALOTI won’t disturb Hanz and Tony as they need their rest. However, I will ask Hanz to head the Academy of Music and All Things Essential, and Tony to be his primary professor of musical defense codes.

ZACKOh… sweet!

HEARSALOT(softer) Pan, if you would assist me with these next two. (louder) Mimi and Zack – please stand.

MIMI & ZACK(gasp) What? Us?

HEARSALOTFor your courage and service to Sonoris, I am honored to present to award each of you the Medal of the Order of the Rabbit. I decree you both honorary lifetime members.

GUIDEBeaming, Pan placed the medals around Mimi and Zack’s necks.

ZACKThis is the coolest!! Wait till the kids back home see this!

MIMILike they’d believe you. Thank you, Hearsalot. We are so honored.

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Sound of rain gradually increasing

HEARSALOTWell, now. As it is getting dark, and with this wonderful and welcome rain, I’d like to suggest a good night’s sleep in the Temple before you start out for the castle.

UNCLE WALTERI suppose that would be best. I’m not sure my legs could carry me tonight.

MIMISavannah! We forgot her! She’s out in the rain!

HEARSALOT(chuckling) Don’t worry, Mimi. Rain doesn’t bother elephants. Savannah is sleeping peacefully on the Temple grounds.

Music changeNOTE: BEGINNING OF DAY 10

GUIDEHearsalot rose at dawn to prepare breakfast for the many Temple guests. Uncle Walter also woke early, anxious to set out for the castle. Difficult as it was, he forced himself to wait an hour before rousing Mimi and Zack.

UNCLE WALTERCome on, sleepy heads. Breakfast is ready.

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GUIDEAfter a quick breakfast, Walter was anxious to leave for the castle.

UNCLE WALTERThe rain has stopped. Let’s check out that castle.

HEARSALOTWe should say our farewells now, in case you do find a way home from the castle. Please know you’re welcome here any time. Mimi and Zack, my brave and honorable friends, I most humbly thank you for saving our beloved Sonoris.

MIMIThank you, Hearsalot, for everything you’ve done for us. I’ll miss you.

ZACKAnd I’ll miss you, too, Hearsalot. Thanks for teaching me to sing. I found out I actually like it.

HEARSALOT(laughing) I knew there was a singer inside you, Zack. Goodbye, Walter. Good luck everyone.

GUIDEMimi and Zack embraced the giant rabbit, and Walter offered his hand to Hearsalot’s paw.

MIMIPlease say goodbye to Hanz for us.

ZACKTony, too. And Pan!

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HEARSALOTOf course. They love you and will miss you, as will I.

GUIDEJust then, Walter noticed Mimi didn’t have the doll.

UNCLE WALTERMimi, I thought you wanted to take the doll.

MIMI(slowly) No, Uncle Walter. After everything that’s happened, it just seems like she belongs here in Sonoris.

GUIDEMimi, Zack and Uncle Walter emerged from the Temple to a clear blue sky. Savannah waited near the Temple steps.

birds singing

ZACKSavannah! How are you feeling?

SAVANNAHGood morning, Zack, Mimi! Feeling better and on the mend – thanks!

MIMISavannah, this is our Uncle Walter… the one we came here to find. (quietly to Uncle Walter) Savannah saved our lives more than once.

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GUIDESavannah limped over to Uncle Walter and bowed deeply.

UNCLE WALTER(choking up in gratitude) I… thank you, Savannah, for all you’ve done for Mimi and Zack.

SAVANNAHIt’s been my honor to serve them, and my duty to Sonoris. (pause) So, where are you off to now?

MIMIUncle Walter wants to see the castle.

SAVANNAHThen let me give you all a ride. I’m headed home and it’s on my way.

ZACKNo, no. You’ve done enough, and besides, you’re limping. We couldn’t.

MIMIZack’s absolutely right… for a change.

ZACKHey!

MIMI(giggles) But we’d be happy to have you travel with us.

SAVANNAHLovely! Let’s go, then.

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hawk far off

GUIDEOn their way to the castle, the hawk soared lazily overhead, catching thermals in the crystal clear morning air. Though he knew it was useless to try, Zack again questioned Uncle Walter.

ZACKWhat exactly were you looking for in Sonoris, Uncle Walter?

UNCLE WALTERLike I said, I… was following a lead. Zack, I can’t tell you any more right now. I’m sorry.

ZACKYou’re sorry?! Do you know how worried we were?! And Aunt Jean!!

MIMILet it go, Zack.

UNCLE WALTERI don’t blame you for being angry, Zack, but I had to leave without telling you. I promise I’ll tell you everything when the time is right. (long pause) Can you forgive me?

MIMI(pause, then pleading firmly) Zack!

ZACK(reluctantly) I’ll try.

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GUIDEAfter a long silence, Uncle Walter tried changing the subject.

UNCLE WALTERSo what’s it like… at the castle?

MIMIWell, it’s huge. There’s a turret with a staircase that leads to the roof. We only went into one of the two wings, but on the first floor, there’s a big room with musical instruments and books.

ZACKAnd lots of toys in a basement.

UNCLE WALTERToys, huh? Anything else?

MIMIThere was just one door on the second floor…

ZACKBut it’s locked.

GUIDEAs they neared the castle, Mimi felt a bit queasy thinking of Radolf. When they arrived, though, they saw no trace of Radolf other than a mound of cleanly-picked bones at the base of the flagpole.

ZACKLooks like Buzz and his friends have been here.

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SAVANNAHMimi, Zack… Walter, I’m sorry but I must go on now. My herd needs me.

MIMISavannah… I… (starts to cry softly) don’t know what we would have done without you.

GUIDEWith tears spilling from her huge brown eyes, Savannah wrapped her trunk around Mimi and Zack and held them close for a long moment. Then, she gently released them, turned, and lumbered off in the direction of the jungle. Even Uncle Walter hastily wiped away tears.

UNCLE WALTER(trying to hide emotion) Well you two, shall we have a look inside?

GUIDEWithout the threat of wolves, the Castle seemed a much different place; a quiet monument to those who had fallen in battle.

MIMIHere’s the music room.

Footsteps on stone

And over there… (softly) is the door to the basement.

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GUIDEZack and Mimi were solemn as they remembered the spot where their loyal friend Ulfred had been murdered. After a quick look around the music room, Uncle Walter suggested they go upstairs.

ZACKThe door up there is locked, you know. Are you hoping we’ll find some batteries?

GUIDEUncle Walter didn’t answer. Climbing the stairs, Mimi and Zack silently noted the recent scratches on the marble steps - from Radolf’s claws.

Walter fidgeting with door handle

ZACKLike I said, it’s locked.

UNCLE WALTERWell then, let’s see if this works in Sonoris like it does back home.

GUIDEUncle Walter reached in his pocket and pulled out a credit card. He slipped it between the door and its frame and jiggled it up and down.

card jiggling, door click, door opening

UNCLE WALTERBingo!

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GUIDEUncle Walter swung the door open to reveal a large room filled with scientific equipment. Shelves of books and electronic devices lined the walls. In the middle of the room stood what appeared to be a massive tuning fork; next to it a large bronze gong measuring six feet in diameter.

ZACKCheck this out!

Gong sound crescendoing from very soft to very loud and back

MIMI(yelling) Careful, Zack. You’re gonna break something. Like my eardrums.

ZACK(tremolo as though vibrating) Woohooo!! That was cool! (pause) The Founders must have been experimenting with sound.

GUIDEUncle Walter was engrossed in the electronic equipment.

UNCLE WALTERAll this scientific equipment, and here’s what powers it all: these large batteries. (pause) As I suspected, looks like they run on solar power.

MIMIBatteries? Maybe there are smaller ones here, too.

- 32 -

GUIDEAs Mimi searched for batteries, a photograph across the room caught her eye. Curious, she walked over to it. As she drew closer, Mimi suddenly felt light headed and slumped to the floor.

ZACKMimi!

Footsteps rushing over

UNCLE WALTERMimi, are you alright?

GUIDEWith trembling hands, Mimi pointed to the photograph.

MIMIIt’s… Mom and Dad.

ZACKWhat?! (pause, in disbelief) I don’t get it. Why is their photo here in Sonoris? Did they know the Founders?

GUIDESlowly, Mimi turned her gaze to Uncle Walter. Tears streaked his face.

MIMIUncle Walter? Are our parents… the… Founders?

- 33 -

GUIDEUncle Walter remained silent, his eyes on the floor.

ZACKUncle Walter?

MIMI(accusingly) You knew, didn’t you? You knew all along that Mom and Dad had been here.

UNCLE WALTER Now, Mimi, I only suspected it… until I saw the doll. Your mom and Jean had the same dolls since childhood. I didn’t want to say anything until I could check out the castle.

MIMIThe notebook! It was their handwriting, wasn’t it? That’s why you thought they were here.

UNCLE WALTER Yes. (pause, long sigh) Soon after your parents disappeared, a package arrived at the farm. No return address, no identification, nothing. It contained the notebook and portal remote. I recognized your mom and dad’s handwriting in the notebook. I knew they’d been involved in top-secret work and, well, they were never found or heard from. I imagined they might still be alive; that they had sent me the package for safe keeping. I hid it under the floor.

ZACK(indignant) And you kept this secret from us?

- 34 -

UNCLE WALTER I’d almost forgotten about it, Zack, until about a month ago when the eight planes fell out of the sky and the stock market computers crashed.

MIMII remember. That was so bizarre. Go on.

UNCLE WALTERIt seemed to me something beyond coincidence. It just didn’t make sense. It reminded me of how I felt when your parents went missing. On a hunch, I got out the portal remote and put in fresh batteries. It started beeping! Of course, we know now that it was a distress signal from the Shiva 3000, but at the time I thought it might be a signal from your parents. That’s when I started to build the portal, using information in the notebook.

ZACKWe didn’t hear any signal in the workshop when we turned on the portal remote.

UNCLE WALTER Hmm. As you know, I tinkered with the Shiva 3000 after I arrived. Maybe I switched it off. (pause) Anyway, I was unable to find any sign of your parents in Sonoris before I was shocked into suspended animation.

GUIDEThey wandered about the room, continuing their search for small batteries and inspecting the other photographs.

- 35 -

MIMILook Zack, here’s Mom in front of the Castle with a hawk on her arm.

footsteps

ZACKMaybe she trained them. (pause) I’ll bet that’s the same one that’s been helping us. They can live up to twenty-five years, you know.

GUIDEZack drifted over to a desk cluttered with books and papers.

ZACKCheck it out! A computer! (pause) I don’t believe it! There’s an article pulled up from June 2nd about the plane crashes and stock market computers!

UNCLE WALTER(excited) Let’s see that.

Fast footsteps

GUIDEAs Mimi and Uncle Walter looked on, Zack scrolled further down the page.

MIMIHmmm. Lots of speculation about the accidents. (pause) Homeland Security investigating. (pause, reading under breath, then aloud) Adrian Braeden, head of Cyber Associates Consulting…

- 36 -

UNCLE WALTERBraeden?! Where?

MIMIThere. Says he took early retirement from Homeland Security.

ZACKYou know this guy, Uncle Walter?

UNCLE WALTERHe was a friend of your parents in college. Brilliant, apparently, but he dropped out and became a somewhat notorious computer hacker. He got caught, of course, and Homeland Security offered him a choice - an entry-level job or jail. He rose up the ranks quickly; it was Braeden who recruited your parents to work for the agency.

MIMIYou think maybe Braeden has something to do with our parents leaving Sonoris?

UNCLE WALTERDon’t know, but something seems fishy.

ZACKMaybe Braeden had something to do with Mom and Dad leaving in such a hurry.

UNCLE WALTERWell, I’ve always felt your parents must have believed themselves to be in extreme danger to disappear like they did.

- 37 -

GUIDEWalter walked over to a corner to examine a large cylindrical glass chamber. On the outside, wires climbed from the top of the chamber and into the ceiling. Inside, the chamber walls held dials and meters.

UNCLE WALTERMimi! Zack! Come here! This must be how your parents move between dimensions!

ZACKAnother portal?! Does that mean we can go home now?

UNCLE WALTERThis might be the ticket. And it’s large enough for all of us.

MIMI(distraught) But, suppose we leave Sonoris and Mom and Dad come back? We may miss them and then we may never see them again.

UNCLE WALTERAre you saying you want to stay and wait for them, Mimi?

MIMII… guess not. (pause) We could leave them a note.

UNCLE WALTERCouldn’t hurt! (pause) Zack!! Stop!

- 38 -

GUIDEZack had slipped into the chamber and was reaching for the dials.

UNCLE WALTERDon’t touch anything until I have a look.

GUIDEAnnoyed, Zack climbed out of the chamber. Given their uncle’s previous mishap with the Shiva 3000, Mimi and Zack watched nervously as Uncle Walter climbed into the chamber and examined the controls.

UNCLE WALTERThere are dials for…

UNCLE WALTER & ZACK…longitude and latitude coordinates.

UNCLE WALTERRight. (pause) Mimi, is there a pen and paper there by the computer?

MIMIYes.

UNCLE WALTERWrite down these coordinates. Latitude: 38 degrees, 57 minutes, 50.4498 seconds; Longitude: -77 degrees, 0 minutes, 41.0112 seconds. This was the last setting used.

- 39 -

MIMINow we know where Mom and Dad went! Let’s go!

ZACKYeah!

UNCLE WALTERNot so fast. We don’t know what we might find there. If your parents are in danger, it wouldn’t be good for us to just drop into that location!

ZACK(arguing) Uncle Walter, we’ve managed against packs of wolves…

MIMI…and quicksand and rapids…

ZACK…and tsunamis …

MIMI… and giant spiders…

ZACK…and…

UNCLE WALTEROK. Point taken. (sigh) But let’s go home to the farm and rest while we figure out our next steps. Remember, there is a portal in the workshop. (pause) Besides, I’d really like to see your aunt.

- 40 -

MIMI(pause) OK, maybe a short rest. (pause) Do you know the coordinates to the farm?

UNCLE WALTERUhhh… no.

ZACKGoogle Earth.

typing behind Guide

GUIDEZack sat down at the computer and within seconds had the aerial view of the farm on the screen.

ZACKOK… zoom in. There’s the workshop… and the coordinates are… ready Meems? Latitude: 33 degrees, 21 minutes, 20.5914 seconds. Longitude: -8o degrees, 36 minutes, 41.4036 seconds .

MIMIGot it! Hey Zack, while you’re there…

ZACKFind out where Mom and Dad went? Read ‘em, Meems.

MIMILatitude: 38 degrees, 57 minutes, 50.4498 secondsLongitude: -77 degrees, 0 minutes, 41.0112 seconds

- 41 -

typing

ZACKOK. Huh? It’s a warehouse in D.C. Hand me the paper, Sis.

GUIDEZack wrote down the street address for the warehouse on paper next to the coordinates.

ZACKWe’ll definitely have to check this out when we get back. (pause) OK. I’m ready. Let’s go home.

UNCLE WALTERMimi?

MIMI(pause) Yes, I’m ready… but I do feel a bit sad leaving Sonoris. Oh, wait! The note for Mom and Dad! (as if writing) Mom, Dad… we were here looking for you. Please come home soon. We… (chokes up) miss you. Love, Mimi, Zack and Uncle Walter. OK. Ready.

GUIDEMimi squeezed in to the portal with her brother and uncle. Walter entered the coordinates for the farm.

UNCLE WALTERCross your fingers.

- 42 -

GUIDEMimi clasped her Order of the Rabbit medal and closed her eyes as Walter hit the engage button.

Portal music

Once again, they felt the shimmering quality of being transported through dimensions, this time back to the cluttered workshop at the farm.

UNCLE WALTERAh, home sweet home. It’s been a long time.

MIMISeems like forever.

UNCLE WALTERLet’s put the portal remote back up here on the shelf, and I’ll get a new battery for it tomorrow.

AUNT JEAN(shouting from outside) Is someone there?

MIMIAunt Jean! She must be working in the garden. C’mon!

Rush of footsteps

GUIDEMimi and Zack burst through the workshop door and rushed to Aunt Jean. Uncle Walter lingered in the open doorway.

- 43 -

AUNT JEANMimi? Zack? (in shock) Is it really you??!! (begins weeping)

ZACKIt’s really us. We’re back.

MIMIAnd look who we brought with us.

GUIDEFrom the dark workshop doorway, Uncle Walter stepped into the bright sunlight. For a second, Aunt Jean seemed to stop breathing as her hand covered her heart.

AUNT JEAN(loudly through weeping) Walter!!

UNCLE WALTERJean!

GUIDEWalter stumbled toward Jean with open arms.

UNCLE WALTEROh, I’ve missed you so!

AUNT JEAN(weeping) I thought you were…

UNCLE WALTER(interrupting) I’m sorry, Jean. I’m so sorry. I should have told you.

- 44 -

AUNT JEANBut…? How? What?

UNCLE WALTERIt’s a long story. I’ll tell you everything.

ZACKUm… Aunt Jean, is there anything to eat?

MIMIZack!

ZACKWell, it has been a while…

AUNT JEANYes dear. Of course. Would you like some berries? I just picked some this morning.

MIMI(laughs) He’d love some!

AUNT JEANOr some leftover pizza?

ZACKY-y-y-yes!!

AUNT JEANIn the fridge dear. I’ll come warm it.

MIMIAunt Jean, you and Uncle Walter need to catch up. We’ll do it. Come on, Zack.

- 45 -

GUIDEWith Mimi close behind, Zack raced to the kitchen and threw open the refrigerator door.

ZACKCome to papa!

MIMIZack, go wash your hands. I’ll pop this in the microwave.

ZACKNo! We’ll eat it cold!

MIMIZack! After all we’ve been through, another minute or two won’t kill you.

ZACKAhrrrrg…

GUIDEZack waved his hands under the faucet as Mimi put the pizza in the microwave.

ZACKIs it ready yet?

MIMIJust a minute!

GUIDEZack sat at the table and fidgeted, staring at the impossibly slow timer. Just then, he noticed some paperwork on the table.

- 46 -

ZACKHuh? (pause, then gasp) Meems, you are not gonna believe this! It’s a check… for eight hundred thousand dollars for Uncle Walter’s “Periscoping Ear” invention!

MIMIYou’re kidding!

ZACKI’m not!

MIMINow that’s a good welcome home present.

ZACKGreat! Uncle Walter will have a lot more free time for inventing… and helping us find Mom and Dad.

ding of microwave, door opening

MIMIOK, ready Mr. Hollowbelly?

GUIDEAs Mimi carried the hot pizza to the table, Zack extended his left hand, palm up.

ZACKNo, allow me. (chuckles) 5 1, 5 1, 5 !!!

plate crashing

- 47 -

MIMI(gasps)

ZACKWhoa!! Oh, man! That’s hot!

GUIDEZack looked down the front of his shirt where the pizza had landed – cheese side down - after flying from Mimi’s hands.

ZACKMaybe I can still salvage some of this cheese…

Sound of eating

MIMIZack! You used the summoning code! Not in Sonoris, but right here at the farm! And it worked! (giggling) Well, sort of.

GUIDEFor just a second, Zack stopped scraping the cheese off his shirt. He stared at Mimi.

ZACKWow! You’re right. I have a feeling things aren’t going to be the same around here from now on!

MIMIY’think?!!!

Music inEnd Episode Ten