The Firework-Maker's Daughter (3 page)

We wouldn't do that.

(
To LILA
.)

You're captured. I warn you, we're desperate men.

LILA:
That's completely obvious to anyone.

RAMBASHI:
Bring the prisoner ashore.

LILA is pulled ashore by the LITTLE PIRATE.

HUNGRY PIRATE:
Can't we eat some of her? I'm starving.

CHANG:
You promised a hot meal every night.

RAMBASHI:
How can we get a ransom if we eat her? You're a pack of scurvy dogs. Stop complaining.

RAMBASHI feints a punch at the complaining men.

RAMBASHI:
(
To LILA
.) I hope you don't mind this little transaction? It's purely business.

LILA:
Have you kidnapped me?

RAMBASHI:
I'm afraid so. You're going to have to hand over all your money, and then we'll tie you up and hold you to ransom.

LILA:
Have you done it before?

RAMBASHI:
Yes, yes, yes. Many times.

LILA:
What happens when you don't get any money?

HUNGRY PIRATE:
We definitely eat you then.

RAMBASHI:
Shhh.

LILA:
You're not cannibals, are you?

HUNGRY PIRATE:
We're really hungry.

LILA:
Have you always been pirates?

RAMBASHI:
No, I used to keep hens, but they all died of melancholy.

(
Sighing
.)

Poor hens... So I sold the business and bought the boat.

RAMBASHI steps back and pushes Lila in front of him.

RAMBASHI:
Oh no! Ssh! Stop! Don't move! Ahh!

They all freeze. Ahead of them is thick vegetation. Nothing can be seen.

HUNGRY PIRATE:
What is it? I can't see.

(
Excitedly moving forward
.)

It could be something tasty...

Suddenly, a huge tiger sticks its head out and roars loudly. RAMBASHI and his men are terrified. The HUNGRY PIRATE falls to the ground closest to the tiger.

LILA reaches into her bag and pulls out a firework. She pulls a pin and throws it at the tiger.

LILA:
Stand back!

There's a huge bang and plume of smoke. The tiger yelps and flees. The pirates make the “ahhh” noise heard at firework displays.

LITTLE PIRATE:
Pretty...

RAMBASHI recovers first.

RAMBASHI:
Magnificent! Congratulations! I was about to stab him to death, of course, but never mind. What was that?

LILA:
A self-igniting crackle-dragon. I made it.

RAMBASHI:
You made it? I knew you were a talented girl. I saw that in a flash. We can't keep her hostage if she's saved our lives, can we lads?

LILA:
Twice actually.

RAMBASHI:
We can't keep her hostage if she's saved our lives twice, can we lads?

The lads agree.

RAMBASHI:
You're now our honoured guest. We must have a feast!

HUNGRY PIRATE:
We've no food.

RAMBASHI:
Fish! Chang can catch some.

LITTLE PIRATE:
I'm allergic to fish.

RAMBASHI:
No, no, no, fish is
good
for you.

The boat has floated away.

CHANG:
Where's the boat?

RAMBASHI:
Who tied it up? Right that's it, I'm giving up crime. Fine pirates
you
are. I've got a better idea. Miss, can I interest you in a little investment?

LILA:
No thank you. It's been interesting meeting you, but I'm on an important journey.

RAMBASHI:
(
Not listening
.) This is a
much
better idea than piracy. It came to me in a flash. Can't fail.

LILA:
It's dangerous, but I have to do it to become a real Firework-Maker...

LILA starts to walk slowly away as the pirates ignore her.

HUNGRY PIRATE:
(
To RAMBASHI
.) Is there any food in it?

RAMBASHI:
My dear boy. It's
built
on food.

LILA:
Wish me luck.

RAMBASHI:
(
Calling after LILA
.) I say! Miss! Don't go!

LILA turns back as she walks.

RAMBASHI:
It's the safest investment you'll ever make! A million rupee idea!

HAMLET and CHULAK creep to the gate of LORD PARAKIT's house.

CHULAK:
Do you think anyone heard us?

HAMLET:
You forget, I'm a virtuoso creeper. They heard nothing. Can we escape past the Zoo?

CHULAK:
Forget about Frangipani for now. We'll see her when we get back.

Music plays.

CHULAK:
Stop that.

LALCHAND arrives with a tarpaulin.

LALCHAND:
Psst! Chulak?

LALCHAND hands CHULAK a tarpaulin. CHULAK swirls it over HAMLET's head. HAMLET looks like a grey ghost.

CHULAK:
You won't show up in the dark now.

HAMLET:
It's terribly scratchy and it reeks of marquee. Couldn't you find a nice blanket?

CHULAK:
Getting used to all that silken luxury after all?

LALCHAND:
Help me up.

CHULAK:
What? You're not coming.

LALCHAND:
Why not?!

CHULAK:
Hamlet's faster with one. And you're old with a weak heart.

LALCHAND:
I must come!

CHULAK:
You're slowing us down already.

LALCHAND slumps. Hamlet and Chulak set off.

LALCHAND:
(
Calling after them
.) Keep my beautiful daughter safe.

Out of the shadows steps LORD PARAKIT.

LORD PARAKIT:
You're Lalchand the Firework-Maker, aren't you?

LALCHAND starts with fright.

LALCHAND:
Lord Parakit...

LORD PARAKIT:
I've just seen you helping the White Elephant to escape.

LALCHAND:
And you didn't stop me?

LORD PARAKIT:
Why would I stop you? Do you know how much it
costs
to look after that elephant?

LALCHAND:
So you're not going to tell the King?

LILA limps to the bottom of the volcano. She's scared. Her clothing is ripped and she looks a mess. She's come a long way.

LILA:
It's quiet here... No birds or monkeys... Not like the jungle...

There's a deep and scary rumble from the volcano. LILA sits and looks at her foot.

LILA:
I can feel that rumble in my chest...

LILA sucks at her foot.

LILA:
I'll start my climb in the morning.

LILA wraps a blanket around herself and tries to get comfortable.

LILA:
The air is cold, but the rocks are hot. I need a night in my own bed... With my father downstairs working late in the workshop...

LILA leaps to her feet and throws off her blanket in a sudden rage against her nostalgia.

LILA:
This ground is too hard. I'll never sleep. I might as well climb.

LILA looks up, then screams and leaps out of the way. A shower of burning rocks fall from the mountain. They just miss her and lie on the floor glowing red. LILA's nerve goes. She starts to stagger away.

LILA:
It's too dangerous... I could die in this lonely place.

LALCHAND in his workshop.

LALCHAND:
You'll never be ready! Listen to what I say - you aren't going to be a Firework-Maker.

LILA steels herself - she won't be beaten. She turns back to the volcano and starts to climb.

A restaurant in the jungle with RAMBASHI, CHANG, the HUNGRY and LITTLE PIRATES.

SONG AND DANCE:
Rambashi's Jungle Grill.

RAMBASHI breaks off from the song as the restaurant catches fire.

RAMBASHI:
What a splendid sight! Do you know, my boys, that gives me my best idea yet. It's just come to me in a flash.

CHULAK and HAMLET hurry into the clearing.

RAMBASHI:
Chulak! My dear boy! How delightful to see you. What're you doing here?

CHULAK:
Hello Uncle Rambashi. We're going to the Emerald Lake.

RAMBASHI:
For the Ceremony of the Full Moon?

CHULAK:
Yes.

RAMBASHI:
It's over-rated. Don't bother. Stay with me. I've had a fantastic idea. You'd be perfect for it.

CHULAK:
Sorry Uncle. We're in a hurry.

HUNGRY PIRATE:
When do we get some food?!

RAMBASHI:
(
Calling after HAMLET and CHULAK
.) It's a solid gold investment! A million rupee idea!

LILA has climbed high up the volcano.

LILA:
How much further can it be... My fingers and toes are red raw... I've had worse burns than these making fireworks...

LILA slips and loses a shoe and her bag. They fall for a long time before they're heard smacking against the ground.

LILA:
That was silly. Look where you're putting your feet, Lila, you clumsy clot!

LILA climbs on.

LILA:
It's a long way down. But I won't look. I won't look. I won't...

LILA looks.

LILA:
It's not that bad... I feel safer now. Father calls me...

LALCHAND in his workshop.

LALCHAND:
Clumsy clot.

LILA:
He wouldn't say that if he could see me here. I'm practically a mountain goat -

There's a scream as LILA slips and falls from the volcano.

A small voice shouts, “Moon!”. The moon is full, large and red. Villagers and a HIGH PRIEST shuffle to the edge of the lake chanting. Ghostly music plays under the chanting. The HIGH PRIEST walks to the edge of the shore.

HIGH PRIEST:
Oh Goddess of the Emerald Lake we humbly beseech thee to appear unto us!

The GODDESS rises out of the water, as high as possible. She shimmers. The crowd fall to their knees, awed by her presence.

GODDESS:
People of the Lake! The Goddess awaits. Come with your requests. I'll be kind to those that are deserving, but take care not to anger me. Those who are greedy or frivolous - beware!

The HIGH PRIEST pushes a villager to the water's edge.

VILLAGER 1: Goddess, hear my plea...

The Goddess silences him, holding up her hand.

GODDESS:
Your wish is just. Granted.

VILLAGER 1:
Truly?

GODDESS:
Truly.

The VILLAGER runs to his girlfriend and hugs her. HAMLET and CHULAK arrive.

CHULAK:
There she is. Shall I ask her?

HAMLET:
Don't be so impetuous. Wait and see.

Another VILLAGER arrives at the water's edge.

VILLAGER 2:
Goddess, hear my plea.

The GODDESS ponders for a moment.

GODDESS:
Weren't you listening? The Goddess doesn't like to hear greedy requests. You've already got two.

VILLAGER 2:
Yes, but one of them's got a faulty udder.

GODDESS:
No. Your wish is rejected!

VILLAGER 2:
I only wanted two cows-

VILLAGER 2 screams as he flies into the air and into the water.

CHULAK:
Hey! I didn't know that could happen.

HAMLET:
Now's the time, Chulak. Go forward and ask.

CHULAK:
Aren't you watching? Look what happened to him.

HAMLET:
Do it!

CHULAK:
All right.

CHULAK reluctantly goes forward.

CHULAK:
Goddess. Hear my plea.

Immediately, CHULAK is surrounded by villagers who grab his arms. Shouts ring out, “What are you doing, stranger?” “Away with him!” “Defiling the lake!” “Who is he? Who gave him permission?” “Stone him!” “Turn him out!”

CHULAK:
I've got a special request for the Goddess!

HIGH PRIEST:
How dare you come to this sacred place? The Goddess of the lake is not to be disturbed by you. Take him to the village boundary, and if he comes back, kill him!

HAMLET bellows and looks belligerent.

GODDESS:
Villagers! The Goddess will decide who she sees. Let the boy free. Come forward.

CHULAK goes to the shore.

GODDESS:
Bring the elephant.

HAMLET comes down to the water too.

GODDESS:
What's that on his back?

HAMLET turns round and shows the adverts.

CHULAK:
I thought I'd got rid of those.

GODDESS:
Take them off. The elephant's too wise and noble to be advertised on. If he could speak I'm sure he'd tell you that himself.