RAT RACE: A TRILOGY OF TROUBLE

By Dawn G. Griffiths

The Brisby house has been successful moved to the Lee of the Stone, with the combined efforts of both the Rats and Mrs. Brisby herself, utilizing both conventional means … and magic.

Now, in spite of the many obsticles, the Brisby home is now safe — and little Timothy Brisby can recover from his illness in peaceful safety. And the rest of the Brisbys can enjoy the beginning of a beautiful, new spring.

But then — looks can be deceiving. Are things really and truly as idealic as they seem …?

[It is the night that the Rats moved MRS. BRISBY’s house. As far as she knows, all the loose ends have been tied up — and the crisis of the night is over. It is bed-time for the BRISBYs — and everyone is settled in for the night.]

[In the middle of the night, MRS. BRISBY’s paws begin to burn, making her toss and turn. When they stop, they start ... to itch — so bad, she has to clench her teeth to keep from scratching them raw.]

[Exhausted, she lays on her back, rubbing her paws on her comforter and staring at the ceiling, going into a staring trance.]

[Her eyes drift to the bedroom doorway.]

[There, she sees the figure of a rat — in fact, one of the Rats — standing there, staring at her piercingly … while leaning in the doorway with his arms crossed and one ankle crossed over the other.]

[At first, it seems, she sees this Rat and his surroundings the way she might as if she had been looking at a negative photograph — then, she sees him normally as this strange effect slowly fades.]

[The Rat’s eyes glare at her accusingly; then blaze to a glow from blood-red to a white-gold.]

[With a loud, gasping cry of alarm, MRS. BRISBY sits bolt upright, staring towards the doorway.]

[Now, it seems, there is nobody there!]

[With an alarmed gasp, MRS. BRISBY jolts awake from the dream, sits up, … and looks towards the empty doorway.]

[With her expression of great unease and misgiving, she stares dismally around the bedroom, looking towards each of her children in turn — but her children sleep on peacefully.]

[Looking uncertain, but terribly exhausted, MRS. BRISBY slowly lays back down, rolls over and … and eventually manages to go back to sleep.]

[Morning comes.]

[MRS. BRISBY awakes slowly. She sits up slowly and stretches her arms, yawning.]

[She stands up quietly and puts on her cape, wincing in pain because of her paws, and then stares at her welted, blistered paws in shock, seeing the extent of the injury in the soft, morning light.]

:{thought}:

[She goes over to TIMOTHY, who is still asleep as is the rest of the children, and stands with her back to the window as the morning sunlight, coming thru’ the window, is so bright right then.]

[She smiles as she watches him.]

[She feels his forehead.]

[She sighs happily, looking around to the others children, who sleep peacefully in their beds.]

[She starts daydreaming, now, about her next thoughts.]

(On some warm day later this spring, when Timothy is strong again, we can move to the summer-house by the brook. Another nice thing is, when we leave, I can close up the entrance, so that no one can find it. Undisturbed by the plow, it will be ready and waiting for us in the fall. It’s ours — forever. Thanks to the Rats. I just wish there was more I could have done for them.

They saved our home, … but lost their own — )

[Suddenly, a dark shadow falls over her from the window.]

[With a gasp of alarm, she whirls to the window — and the shadow disappears like smoke, with a motion-blurred flash … of gray, red and black.]

[MRS. BRISBY cowers against TIMOTHY’s bed, eyes wide in terror, breathing hard.]

(What was that!? What did I see!? I — I ... I was just dreaming last night, … wasn’t I!? I ... just couldn’t have seen what I thought! I must still be shook up from what happened. That must be it.)

[She remains pressed against TIMOTHY’s bed, trying to catch her breath, a forepaw pressed to her chest.]

[It is the next morning. An overhead view of the FITZGIBBON FARM reveals a NIMH facility truck in the FITZGIBBON’s driveway. A hose leads from the truck’s open back door into the now-deserted Rosebush.]

[Pull in now on the BRISBY house in its new location. As we pull closer, we can hear TERESA’s and CYNTHIA’s laughter.]

[TIMOTHY can be seen thru’ the BRISBY house’s window, pulling free of his blankets and stands up in bed, puts his paws to the glass and pushes.]

Momma, … I’m tired of bed — I wanna get up!

[MRS. BRISBY and TERESA are sitting nearby, on a root.]

[TERESA has a ball of bandage gauze. She pulls a length out, snaps it off, then applies it to MRS. BRISBY’s burnt and blistered fore paws.]

[MARTIN is sitting near the window, playing with a stick.]

[CYNTHIA is near him, playing with her doll.]

:{firmly}:

Well, you’re not getting up ...

[Suddenly, JEREMY can be heard, calling for MRS. BRISBY in the background.]

:{panting and puffing in background}:

Miss Briz! Oh, … Briz! Where are ya!?

Over here!

[JEREMY appears out of the grass-weeds with a huge bundle of string.]

:{laughing tiredly}:

Well, … I got the whole mess. There’s plenty more where this came from, too. I got connections!

[Then, he notices the different location of the mouse-house.]

Hey! Your house is moved!

[He puts wing over eyes in exaggerated disappointment.]

Oh, no! What’m I gonna do with all this string?

You’ll think of something ...

[MRS. BRISBY giggles gently with amusement as TERESA continues to bandage her paws.]

[JEREMY sighs in dismay, turning away.]

:{disappointed}:

Ah, what’s the use? What’s a guy like me going to do with a love nest anyway?

[He turns and starts to walk away, head low walking with a ponderous, heavy gait, towards the grass-weeds, the string trailing from his "grasp" in both "hands" behind him.]

[Then, after several seconds, from out of nowhere, something flies into the scene — and another crow swoops down and crashes into his back, sending both of them sprawling into the tall grass.]

<Wah!>

[JEREMY and the second crow go right into the weeds by the impact. The weeds wave about from the disturbance.]

Excuse me, pardon me!

:{innocently; pointing}:

Look, Mommy! Another turkey!

[She comes out from behind a stone she is peeking out from behind of. Then toddles towards the weeds, slowing as she nears them, then stand there, puzzled. We hear the two crows in the weeds giggling together.]

[He suddenly bursts out of the bushes so fast, he sends CYNTHIA running, first in a circle, then ducking for cover.]

Miss Briz! Miss Briz! Let me have the sparkly!

[Falls down on all fours — pleadingly — before MRS. BRISBY.]

Girls can’t resist a sparkly! Oh, please! Please!

:{quietly}:

I gave it to Justin.

:{frantic}:

Justin!? Who the heck is Justin!?

The Leader of the Rats.

:{dismally mimicking her}:

"The leader of the Rats!" What’ll I say? Mrs. B! What’ll I do?

:{as if pondering}:

Well, ... just be ... be athletic!

:{as if relieved}:

Ah, that’s right!

[He turns and runs towards weeds.]

I’ll just be a little — a-a-ahh!

[He trips over CYNTHIA in the path, who — prior to his trip — curls into a protective ball of fur.]

[JEREMY goes flying into weeds, which tremble from the disturbance — and after a moment, there is the sound of male and female laughter.]

[CYNTHIA, peeking over her shoulder, crawls up to the line of weeds as the two crows inside start giggling again. She peers in, eyes widening, her jaw dropping.]

[We see now JEREMY sitting in his sting tangle with the lady-crow. She also has a string bundle. And both bundles have become irrevocably tangled — together ... ]

[And back with the BRISBYs]:

:{as her sister approaches their mother}:

Mother, did the Rats really go to Thorn Valley?

Yes, they did.

:{looking round towards them}:

Will we ever see them?

Perhaps.

:{excitedly}:

[She crawls up to her mother.]

:{amused, but touched}:

No!

[She hugs Cynthia.]

When you’re older.

:{voice o.s.}:

Brisby!

:{turning towards voice}:

Oh, … Auntie Shrew!

:{same}:

Oh, Auntie!

:{disgusted}:

[MRS. BRISBY giggles, drawing CYNTHIA closer lovingly.]

[Overhead, JEREMY and TIFFINY, holding a long length of string between them, fly off together into the early morning sky, laughing with delight to have met.]

[And back with the family, MRS. BRISBY gives her oldest son a pointer on politeness]:

Now none of that, Martin. You be polite to Auntie Shrew — or you won’t have any lunch. Understand?

Yes, Mom. But — if she gets on my case again, I’ll —

• you’ll be still, Martin. Is that clear?

<Sigh> Yes, Mom.

[Again, the shrew can be heard, calling for MRS. BRISBY]:

Brisby! Brisby, where are you!? Where are you!?

Over here, Auntie!

:{calling}:

What!? What’re ya doing over there!?

[The shrew (CURLEW GALDONE) struggles out of the weeds, wrapped and bundled up heavily — and her contemptuous glare goes over each of them, making everyone rather uncomfortable.]

Well, … you see, we moved last night and —

Yes, I know. And it was those hairy monsters that did it. Just who told you to go to those wretched rats to begin with!?

Uh, well — the Great Owl did, … but you told me to see the Owl, … so in a way —

Well, … it was a very stupid thing for you to agree with and —

:defensively}:

But — I had to save Timothy! You must admit, the Rats did help us! They moved our house, … so that Timothy isn’t in danger from the plow anymore … and can stay here safe — until he’s better. They helped us —

I’ll say they did! They almost killed us all last night — with their crazy stunt! Those savage, hairy barbarians! They were just plain lucky that they stayed out of my way —

[MARTIN suddenly cuts her off, getting in between her and his mother, brandishing a stick]:

You leave my mom alone … or I’ll —

[MRS. BRISBY starts to protest]:

Oh! Martin — I told you not to —

[But CURLEW beats her to the punch — and it turns into a shouting match]:

You little brat! You ought to be absolutely ashamed of yourself to talk to me like that, you impudent, little mon —

I’ll talk to you any way I want to!

[He throws his stick — and this one is aimed at her, even tho’ she ducks, glaring back at him.]

And if I still think you’re a blabbering ol’ bull-frog of a loud-mouth —

[MRS. BRISBY stands quickly, coming towards them]:

That’s enough — both of you!

You know what his problem is, Brisby!? You don’t disipline him enough! Why, you ought to turn him right over your knee this very minute and —

Well, … you should! You never know what that brat’ll do next! And I still think your going to those rats was a foolish thing to do.

[She starts to turn away — as does MRS. BRISBY; but then, she adds something that brings MRS. BRISBY up short]:

Why, … do you know, they’re still lurking about? I saw one on my way here — and it was a big gray one, too. Coming from this direction, … so it must’ve been lurking about. I don’t need to tell you, I wasn’t about to stick around!

So go!

Oh, … you see!? You see!? Brisby — ?

Mom — ?

[But MRS. BRISBY seems to be entranced — for some reason.]

… <Humph> I can see I’ll get no sense outta anyone here today.

[And she leaves.]

Mom? Are you alright?

Wha — ? Oh, yes. Martin …

I know. No lunch right?

Right. Now, … what did I tell you —

I know. I’m sorry. But she doesn’t have to be so ungrateful and —

Yes, Martin. I know. Now, you get on inside. Until further noticed, you’re grounded.

<Sigh> Yes, Mom.

[As MARTIN goes inside, TERESA and CYNTHIA play in what is their front yard, and TIMOTHY settles down for a nap, MRS. BRISBY stands there, hugging herself with uneasiness … and looking around uncertainly — looking as if she is looking for something, but afraid that she will see it.]

[It is some three weeks later: The BRISBYs have made the move to their summer-house — in the place called Summer Village.]

[TERESA stands on a high rock, looking towards the farm house while her twin brother MARTIN and their little sister CYNTHIA plays below.]

[MRS. BRISBY comes out of her family’s summer-house below some tree roots. She stands in their door-way, looking around, then looks towards the farm-house.]

Hey, Mom! Is Timmy feelin’ better yet?

Yes, he is — especially since we really can stay in the block in the winter as long as we need to; he’s got all the rest he needed that Mr. Ages recommended before we moved; the farmer is convinced that it’s far too much work to bother the big stone our house is under and continue plowing around it; so we really are safe there, come winter. <Sigh> Oh, I am so glad the Moving Day problem is really, truly over.

And Timothy is doing so very well — and in spite of our move here to the summer house. The three weeks went by so very fast that I hardly even noticed it at all!

And now the warm weather is here, so we can be in Summer Village with all our friends, since the nights are perfect.

[She looks at her paws; they are no longer bandaged, but the still looks a mild red-pink.]

The burns are finally gone. It’s good to have the bandages off. That red Stone.

I — I’ve never seen anything do that — ever.

[She looks up towards TERESA.]

What are the humans doing now, Teresa?

[TERESA turns to her mother.]

They’re ... still there.

The Rats. They’ve done so much for us ... and now, in spite of my warning to them — and their getting out of the rosebush in time, ... the men might still be a threat. And now, after three weeks of their being here, ... in their trailers, ... I really am concerned. Why should they stay so long? That is, ... unless ... ?

[As she speaks, TIMOTHY appears in the window, wrapped in a heavy bath robe, and listens to the discussion at hand]:

Unless, Mother?

They are a threat, Teresa. There is no telling what they may do — or what may happen — with them around!

You really think so?

It is dangerous, where men are concerned, not to consider it — as more than just a possibility, Martin. And the danger to us — and all other mice on the farm, not to mention the common Rats that still live in the barn. If the humans decided to, ... many lives ... could be in grave danger ...

What are you gonna do now, Mama?

... I think ... I’ll go up to the farm-house ... and see what I can find out myself, why they are talking too long. I ... don’t like the looks of this — not at all. <Sigh> Oh, if only we could live elsewhere! But the truth is, the Rats may yet again be in worst danger, ... if the men figure out what’s happening. That’s why I —

[AURORA approaches.]

Good morning, Mrs. Brisby.

Good morning, Miss Griffin.

Isn’t it lovely here in Summer Village?

Yes, it is.

How did Timothy take to the move?

Well enough. It’s been three weeks. He’s fine now.

Um-hmm, … yes.

:{abruptly}:

Aurora, can you please watch the children while I’m gone?

Why, ... of course, Mrs. Brisby. Say, did you notice the humans seem to be taking extra long? I was coming back to get my things to go meet and accompany the last team of Rats to Thorn Valley when I noticed that they —

[But MRS. BRISBY is gone.]

(?) … Mrs. Brisby … ?

Mommy’s worried, Aurora.

About the humans.

She’s going to the farm-house then?

Yes. She went to see if she can find out anything.

Mama thinks the humans could be a threat.

<Sigh> Then, she has every reason to be worried, my dears — that is, ... where humans are concerned, because — yes. They can be trouble, … a lot of trouble.

[Meanwhile, at the edge of the farmer’s front yard, MRS. BRISBY hides in the undergrowth, listening to the humans.]

[DR. SCHULTZ is talking with MR. FITZGIBBONS.]

... because I’d hate to think those three we managed to gas as well as all that garbage in that hole where the rosebush was, was it, Mr. Fitzgibbons. Why, we have a ton of evidence pointing right to here — like the hardware shop incident.

Yes, … it was in the papers. Six or seven of what you think are possibly your Rats got in there, did some damage, got themselves electrocuted. Do you really think that they were yours?

We have good enough reason to believe so — after how these animals managed to escape my lab.

You know, I don’t understand that. You’d think that you’d have proper security,

what with taxpayers’ money and all —

[DR. SCHULTZ quickly, almost hastily, interrupting him]:

Plus, there is what you’ve told us about your rosebush … and how they seem to be avoiding traps with an almost uncanny ease. All very peculiar.

That doesn’t answer my question.

... Question?

<Sigh> Never mind; I’ll probably never get a straight answer on the matter, ... tho’ with what I and — God knows — just how many other people pay in taxes, I really deserve an honest answer.

If I was at liberty to discuss the point, sir, I assure you —

Okay, okay, never mind that. I just want to know, so what now?

What now ... ?

Just how much more of my lawn do you Plan to tear up, Dr. Schultz?

Well, I really don’t see that it’s the lawn that needs to be worried about. No. There just doesn’t seem to be any further signs of rat activity on — or in — your lawn. Nor does there seem to be any sign on your entire farm. So now, what we are going to do now is to search the entire area. I imagine we’ll start with that local game preserve in the mountains. Let’s see — the Thorn Mountains National Forest, I believe. We’ll have to get a permit. That shouldn’t take too long. Now let’s take a break and we can —

[In her hiding place, MRS. BRISBY is about to bolt when the voice of an assistant makes her pause]:

Dr. Schultz, sir?

Yes?

Sir, it seems that we have found a third rat.

Let’s see it.

It wasn’t in the hole with the other two, doctor.

Where is it then?

It wasn’t dead, sir. It was alive — and dashing off into the woods.

Too bad. It would’ve helped to justify our search if we had a live specimen. We’ll still search tho’, Mr. Fitzgibbons. By the way, … what it look like?

Sort of greyish, I’d say. And I know you’ll think this is crazy, but I could have sworn, … it looked like it was wearing clothing — like some kind of a dark cloak.

You’re right; that is pretty crazy.

It must have just picked up a rag or something,

… to carry back to its nest — you know, for bedding.

Well, … I don’t know. Anyway, we also found something else peculiar — about that escaped rat.

Oh? What is it?

It seems it was holding onto something — and lost it when it ran.

What was it? Let’s see.

[The ASSISTANT hands DR. SCHULTZ a small square of paper — to which the doctor proceeds to examine with a magnifying glass.]

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that that —

Well, … I’ll be damned! If you’re about to say what I think you’re about to, you are right — that rat was carrying a map!

... A map? What — ?

One not made by human hands, I can tell you that! Now, we have a lead … and right to the Thorn Mountains game preserve — because this map is of that area!

So, now we have to get a permit to —

[At this, MRS. BRISBY bolts from the scene, puzzled and uneasy — by this last exchange.]

[Back at the block-house, AURORA, TERESA and CYNTHIA sit together, talking; the Healer is holding CYNTHIA on her lap.]

[TIMOTHY is napping and can be seen thru’ the window.]

[His shirt hanging on a nearby branch, MARTIN is wading around in a nearby miniature pond.]

[MRS. BRISBY bolts in among them, waking TIMOTHY.]

Oh! Mother, what’s the matter?

It’s bad, ... isn’t it, Mama?

Well, that goes without saying — right, Mrs. Brisby? Whatever has happened?

:{panting}:

Aurora, I ... I must ask you ... to — to watch ... the children ... this afternoon.

I — I must ... get to ... Thorn Valley — right away! It’s an emergency!

Oh, no! The humans? What —

They’re going to Thorn Valley to look for the Rats — they have to get something called a clearance first, but I don’t think that will take them long. It’s bad, … I — I think it means the humans can go there now — in spite of their usual rules of not being permitted there. Oh! The Rats are in danger! I — I knew the humans would be trouble! I ... I just knew it!

Oh, … our dear friends! Is there any time for me to and get Aunt Curlew? I can come with you —

No, Aurora. I ... I’m sorry; there just isn’t time. I must go — now!

Oh, boy, when can we go!?

Oh, boy! Today, today!

Oh, no, sweetheart. I said, when you’re older.

I’m not older now?

She meant much older, silly — not just a few weeks.

Aw, ... but I wanted to go see the Rats.

I sorry, it’s too dangerous. I can’t bring any of you. I don’t want any of you to be hurt —

Aw, Mom —

Don’t start, Martin, please! Just don’t!

Aw, shucks!

Martin! You’re being such a pain!

Am not!

Are, too!

Am not!

Are, too!

Am —

Children, please — not now!

How will you get there?

[MRS. BRISBY bolts, calling over her shoulder]:

Crow! Be back by evening! Good-bye!

:{calling}:

Good luck, Mrs. Brisby! Don’t worry, I’ll watch your babies!

:{grumble}:

[AURORA just smiles at him.]

:{to himself}:

I ... hope she’ll be okay ...

[MRS. BRISBY is in a small tree, looking around.]

[MRS. BRISBY jumps down; it is a small tree, only a sapling the height of a small bush. Landing, she starts to scurry towards the farmhouse yard, but cautiously, not going too fast and keeping to cover, eyes and ears open for trouble.]

[In a nearby tree, a hawk sits watching her, darkened and almost hidden by the foliage of the more mature tree.]

[At its side is a small figure, smaller than the hawk, but bigger than a mouse — also hidden for the most part in shadow; unidentifiable.]

[Both figures are silhouetted against a patch of light coming thru’ the leaves behind them.]

[The small figure points towards MRS. BRISBY, appearing to be looking up at the hawk as it does so, as if instructing the bird; but it is too far away, too far to be heard by MRS. BRISBY — who does not seem to notice them anyway.]

[The hawk takes off.]

[MRS. BRISBY breaks cover to get to the farmhouse yard more quickly, so she is out in the open completely now.]

[As she scurries along, a shadow falls on her, rapidly growing bigger second by second; startled, she looks over her shoulder — and up.]

[Seeing the hawk, she squeals in terror, making a dash towards a tree, where she takes shelter in the roots. However, it’s a poor one, because the roots are mostly buried and small; there is not much cover for her.]

[MRS. BRISBY is forced to abandon the tree root shelter only mere seconds — ]

[ — just before the hawk strikes, its claws slashing into the tree-bark.]

[MRS. BRISBY finds fresh shelter under a slab of rock that has a space under it — between it and the ground — due to an inward curving underside. MRS. BRISBY quickly scrambles under there, shivering in fear.]

[The hawk dives at the rock, but the rock is too large to move. However, its dive does disturb the rock; in a sudden cloud of dust, the rock ceiling seems to collapse down on MRS. BRISBY, because of the hawk’s impact — but it does not collapse all the way; that is, not yet.]

[MRS. BRISBY squeals in terror, shielding her head with her arms, trembling as she lies there on her belly.]

[Again and again, the hawk dives on the rock; on the third try, the stone ceiling caves down far enough (and hard enough) that it hits MRS. BRISBY on the head; she is knocked unconscious: everything goes black.]

[For MRS. BRISBY, all is blackness for a long time.]

[Then, she faintly hears a soft voice filter thru’ the darkness.]

Hey! Look, Aurora! She’s waking up!

[His voice gets louder]:

Hey! Hey, Mom! C’mon, Mom! Wake up!

That’s enough, Martin. Not too loud. She may have a headache. After all, she did get hit on the head.

[Slowly, MRS. BRISBY opens her eyes to see AURORA standing over her.]

Are you alright, Mrs. Brisby? That was quite a bump you took.

:{weakly}:

W-What ... What happen?

Aunt Curlew found you under a rock. It’s night now, so when you didn’t come back, I sent Aunt Curlew to find you. Don’t worry; I didn’t leave the children alone. She came over here for a little while before. She managed to scent-track you and carried you home. She was so worried about you, she hovered over you for hours. Finally, ... she fell asleep —

Finally!

[TIMOTHY and CYNTHIA giggle.]

— then left a while ago. I convinced her you were fine — and that we would take good care of you until you finally woke up. So then, ... are you feeling better?

I — I guess so.

[She sits up slowly, looking dizzy; she is in her bed. She looks around.]

[AURORA stands over her at her right with TERESA. MARTIN and CYNTHIA are on her left. TIMOTHY is sitting on the foot of the bed.]

So, ... what happened, Mom? I guess you never got to Thorn Valley. We thought at first, maybe you were staying there overnight, but then we thought, you would have sent a message ... or something — and told us, huh?

<Sigh> I never found Jeremy.

The crow? Well, ... you found one bird, anyway … and not the kind that any mouse

wants to ever have anything to do with — if it can be helped. That terrible hawk almost crushed you under that stone! It was about to pull you out from under it when Aunt Curlew came along. It was ... very strange. She said the hawk flew off the moment it saw her, like it was afraid to be seen. Even stranger than that, there appeared to be a rat with it; approaching it rather. It, too, fled when Aunt Curlew came. It was like it, too, ... was afraid. Afraid, Aunt Curlew said, of being seen ...

:{getting up}:

... Well, <ahem> whatever the reason, ... I — I’m just glad ... that they’re gone.

Especially ... that hawk! A rat, ... you say? That is ... odd ...

You’re feeling quite well?

Of course! It appears you have had your paws full with the children all day, so now, it’s my turn. Now, … I don’t suppose you’ve eaten?

Teresa and I made breakfast and lunch for everyone, then Aunt Curlew helped me with dinner, before she went out. We never finished, tho, because she came back

with you just as we were sitting down; everything was just put up for later.

That is fine, then. I’m sure, we are all hungry. Aurora, would you care to help me get the dinner back out? As it’s night, the humans won’t be a hazard; humans almost never work at night. So ... I guess, I can just wait until morning ... and try again —

[She breaks off sharply at the sound of scraping on the roof, her body rigid, her expression startled.]

[The scratching goes on for a few seconds — and stops.]

[A heavy, awkward tension fill the air as they all sit around and stare at each other in fear.]

[Hesitant, MRS. BRISBY calls out in an off-key voice]:

A-A-Auntie ... ? Is ... that you ... ?

[The reply is more (brief) scratching — and MRS. BRISBY pales.]

:{whispering}:

I — I don’t think that’s her, children. Sit still.

[She gets up and slowly makes her way to the top of the stairs.]

[The children watch apprehensively as their mother enters the tunnel to the surface.]

[Nervously, MRS. BRISBY crouches on the threshold of her family’s home, sniffing the air and listening carefully, ready to retreat at a second’s notice.]

[There is the "snap" of a twig — and MRS. BRISBY feels her pulse quicken; her ears and tail are down as she timidly starts forward.]

[She calls out again, nervous and off-key]:

[A large figure looms out of the undergrowth behind her, paws hooked into claws, poised over her — because it is dark, no identification can be made.]

Is anyone out h —

[The figure behind her seizes her roughly, an arm around her neck, a forepaw going over her mouth … as she tries — in vain, perhaps — to cry out in terror.]

[MRS. BRISBY struggles and tries to cry out, a muffled sound crossed with a little squeal as she gets her mouth free for a second, but for no more.]

Tho’ she had been warned, Mrs. Brisby could not help but to think that there was something strange about this whole situation — and, managing to free her mouth, she whispered fearfully: "Wh-Who are you — !?"

[At this, MRS. BRISBY cries out loudly, kicking and struggling desperately.]

[AURORA appears in the threshold of the door as MRS. BRISBY squeals, kicking and struggling so hard that her mysterious captor has a hard time holding her still.]

[AURORA, seeing only silhouettes of what is going on.]

Aurora — get inside! Protect the children!

[AURORA bolts back inside. When she gets to the top of the stairs]:

Children, hide — quickly now!

[The children, all sitting around the table get up — and bolt for cover.]

[Meanwhile, MRS. BRISBY continues to struggle, finally getting her mouth loose]:

[But she still cannot get loose, in spite of all of her struggling — and her captor manages to hold her quite well with only one arm, in a choke-hold.]

[And with his free paw, the stranger whips out a dagger with an ornate curve blade which catches the last of the fading twilight — and flashes brightly for an instant, the nature of the object made obvious.]

[MRS. BRISBY’s attacker holds the knife blade-point down in front of her, so that the point is aimed at her heart — and she sees it. Then, slowly and menacingly, he raises it, high over his own head — and MRS. BRISBY screams in terror.]

[Suddenly, from out of the tall grass nearby, a second figure appears with a flying leap — and attacks MRS. BRISBY’s captor head-on in a frontal attack, knocking the intruder backwards as this second creature leaps right into the intruder’s face.]

[MRS. BRISBY falls to the ground, landing hard on her rear with a soft grunt — and the intruder’s knife lands in the grass a short distance away.]

[At the same time, in black-silhoette view, MRS. BRISBY’s attacker falls over backwards with a snarl of surprise — with the new-comer clinging to his front. As the stranger lands, the second person is pitched forward and off of him — and there is the sound of cloth ripping as the second creature tries to hold on to the first by his clothing on their way down — and a large strip of cloth comes loose from the intruder’s clothes.]

[MRS. BRISBY bolts into the house, with the sounds of angry snarling behind her.]

[MRS. BRISBY does not stop, but bolts right down into the depths of her little home, plunging down the darkness of the intrance tunnel … and comes out at the top of the stairs — where she runs right into AURORA.]

[She cries out in alarm — and he gasps, also in alarm.]

Mrs. Brisby — it’s okay! It’s just me! C’mon!

Oh — Aurora! Where are the others!?

Hiding! My friend, what is that thing out there!?

[Up until this point, the intruder could be heard, snarling — and attacking the entrance of the tunnel. But now, and very suddenly, in is quiet.]

Shhh! … Listin!

[There are noises — pants and gasps — coming from the blackness of the tunnel — and getting louder bythe second.]

[MRS. BRISBY recoils in horrified alarm]:

[MRS. BRISBY gives AURORA a shoves as she repeats]:

[AURORA scampers down the stairs, but pauses when he reaches the bottem and looks back at MRS. BRISBY — ]

[ — who is staring into the darkness of the tunnel and backing away, wide-eyed in terror.]

[Suddenly, someone stumbles thru’ the doorway — and falls to the floor at MRS. BRISBY’s feet.]

[It is the Shrew. Panting and gasping, she lays there for a moment, stunned.]

[AURORA hurries back up the stairs and together, she and MRS. BRISBY help CURLEW up.]

[MARTIN emerges from under the stairs.]

It’s okay, you guys! It’s just Auntie! That thing’s gone away!

[The other children come out: TIMOTHY peeks out from under the table. TERESA peeks out from the pantry. And CYNTHIA peeks out from under the sofa.]

[MRS. BRISBY and AURORA help CURLEW to the sofa.]

Auntie, … are you alright?

[CURLEW collapses onto the sofa, moaning and gasping and trembling.]

Oh! Oh! Th-That thing! The terrible thing! It — It nearly had me!

Thank goodness I came when I did — or it would have had you, too!

[She goes to grasp MRS. BRISBY’s wrist — but passes out. As she does so, she drops a dark peice of cloth as she faints — the same that she accidently ripped from the intruder’s clothes when he fell — and inadvertantly threw her.]

Well, … I suppose I can help start with dinner now, Mrs. Brisby, since the excitement is over. Okay then, children. Let’s help your mother with supper.

[MRS. BRISBY stares down at the fallen cloth on the floor — then slowly, with a trembling paw, reaches down … and picks up the crumple wad of black cloth.]

[Transfixed, MRS. BRISBY holds the (unshown) object in her paws — and stares at it for a long moment, … then slowly looks up to stare into space — as she thinks]:

[AURORA comes up behind her, looking at her in concern.]

Mrs. Brisby? Are you okay? You look like … you’ve seen a ghost …

:{very faintly}:

Perhaps. In a manner ... of speaking …

Excuse me, I didn’t hear. What was that?

:{rather curtly}:

I — I —… It’s nothing. I’m … I’m fine. Everything is fine.

[AURORA stares at her in puzzlement as MRS. BRISBY turns away — and hides something in her sewing basket, then moves to assist getting the rest of the dinner on.]

[AURORA moves slowly towards the sewing basket, looking over her shoulder to make sure that MRS. BRISBY is looking elsewhere (in fact, MRS. BRISBY is sitting at the table, staring into space, almost entranced, with an anxious look in her eyes) — ]

[ — and then, she sneaks a quick look into the sewing basket. And freezes. She reaches in with a hesitant paw — and lifts out the crumpled cloth, unfolding it … and it seems to unfurl like a flower as she lifts one end — and a gold button appears on the corner she lifts, along with other details of its appearance.]

[AURORA’s eyes growing wide, mouth agape — and she almost drops it.]

[At this time, for the first time in the scene, the cloth is shown, when it has been obscured by shown as crumpled — or not shown at all. Now, its appearance is made clear: It is a black strip of cloth, with a strip of pinkish red on one edge, a raised purple boarder on the other, and a squarish gold button.]

:{breathed whisper; then thought}:

[Slowly re-crumpling the cloth and dropping it back into MRS. BRISBY’s sewing basket, AURORA turns to watch everyone else, looking as lost within herself as MRS. BRISBY.]

[TO BE CONTINUED]