RAT RACE: A TRILOGY OF TROUBLE

By Dawn G. Griffiths

As his last request, Justin finally negociates successfully for the lives of his companions — but the price is his life. If his friends leave Thorn Valley as out-casts … and never return, they will be spared.

But to get Jenner to agree to this, Justin had to sacrifice himself and agree to return to camp with Jenner and his minions. It is decreed that in the morning, he is sentenced to die by hanging — as an example as to the cruel punishment that awaits any others who dare to defy Jenner.

Is there anything that can be done for him … or … is Justin Wilson’s number finally up …?

[As they all go back in, WILLIS walks alongside ISABELLA, an arm around her shoulders, her head on his shoulder. She seems to have quieted down a bit.]

[As they enter, everyone else crowds around and so many questions fly, it is all once again unintellegible.]

[MRS. BRISBY kneels to embrace her children collectively, silently weeping]:

Mama, you’re crying.

[The other 3 children notice what TIMOTHY states]:

What’s wrong, Mom?

Mother, what happened?

[Everyone quiets down to listen as COLBERT steps up to JACKSON at this — and seems to confront him]:

So what happened, Jack? Are we safe now?

Jack, where’s your son? Where’s Justin?

Yes, where is our Chief, Jack?

[ISABELLA bursts into tears openly now.]

[At this, ISABELLA blurts out loudly]:

:{sobbing}:

He — He — Oh, Mother! That villain — took my Justin — took him away! Mother! Father! H-He — H-He — Jenner — h-he’s going to — to k-k-kill ... Justin! Hang him — tomorrow morning! <Sob> <Sob>

[As her words, everyone looks at each other, horrified, many crying out in horror or commenting grimly to each other.]

[VELMA embraces ISABELLA as she collapses, weeping in her mother’s arms.]

[BRIAN hugs his sister.]

Oh ... Oh, sis.

[ISABELLA sobs, hugging him back with her mother.]

Oh — Oh, Brian!

Oh, ... dear God! Colbert —

COLBERT:I

know, Velma. Jack, is there —

Daddy! Is ... it true? Is ... Is my big brother really —

Yes, Roger, I’m afraid so ...

[SAMANTHA starts to cry.]

Our brother!

Smithie, don’t cry —

[SAMANTHA’s outburst gets baby LILIAN going.]

Arnold, please help Roger take care of your sisters. If Samantha keeps that up, the baby will never get to sleep.

Lilian, too? I’m not good with babies, Mama, and —

Please. Now, Jack —

I know, Judith. We’ve gotta do sometime — and we’re going to!

[He turns to the complete assembly]:

I saw the whole thing, the whole messy business. I’ll tell you what we should do ... and even if it screws up this deal Justin made with Jenner. As far as I’m concerned, our poor Chief might as well have just made a deal with the Devil himself, becase I don’t believe that Jenner will honor that so-called deal anyway — he’ll come after all of us the moment that Justin is dead. Don’t think he won’t! You’re right about that, Arnold. He wants us all dead, all of us — and if we don’t do something, Justin will be only the first of us to die! We’re all in danger. Each — and every last one of us. Even the kids ...

[He glances around at everyone, especially the children — and his gaze rests longest on his own baby daughter.]

[Every mother present protectively pulls her frightened children to herself.]

But — what do we do?

:{to her}:

You mean, … what can we do?

:{firmly; resolutely}:

We’re gonna make a plan. We’re gonna stop that tyrant — and rescue Justin, ... that is what we’re gonna do! And we can figure out the rest, like avoiding recapture and getting rid of that ... Goddamned ... son-of-a-bitch ... after Justin is safely back with us — where he belongs.

[The others exchange nervious glances, muttering, a rapid fire of talk]:

Stop ‘im? How? That — That —

Jack wants us to challenge ... him!?

And do what? Kill him? Drive him out?

Then what? What happens then?

:{background}:

We’re gonna get killed, if we meddle with him.

:{to him}:

B-But ... we must help Justin!

[She is near tears again.]

I agree.

As do I. It’s dangerous, … but — poor Justin! What —

[ARNOLD speaks, overlapping the nervious conversation.]

Papa? How? For God’s sake — tell us!

[Everyone bursts out talking and now they are unitelligible, because of the overlapping.]

Everyone, please — be quiet!

[The gibberish talking goes on; JACKSON shouts]:

Will you guys shut up already!?

[Everyone quiets down]:

Can’t tell ya what’s gonna be done and so on ... not with all this ... this babbling. You ask how, Arnold? Well, I’ll tell you how: That sick devil has a couple hostages — one of which is my other eldest son and your brother, ... your twin brother, Arnold. His prisoner. So then, we must take one, too ... and pray that our boldness is worth it, for everyone’s sakes, as well as Justin’s, ... not to mention Beatrice.

What if Jenner doesn’t have anyone worth our bargaining with ... for Justin? Then what? You know how much he wants Justin dead ...

Yes. You know he’s sworn to ... to "get" Justin ... at any cost. He may not have anyone serving him that he thinks is worth trading ... for Justin’s life, you know. He might just as soon kill every last one of own his men — and by his own hand — rather than trade Justin to us! He could just as soon put the whole camp to death — everyone we know!

:{grimly}:

Then — we’ll go after Jenner — himself! Two sides can play at his slimy, rotten, foul little game. If he can play dirty, ... so can we! He may be sworn to kill Justin at any cost, but he may think twice if he thinks that the price of eliminating Justin may cost him his own life as well ...

Well, ... I don’t know ...

[JACKSON pauses, taking in the varying expressions of the group]:

This isn’t just for Justin. We gotta do this — for us as well. And we’re doing this for everyone else as well, — everyone else who’s still stuck in camp — trapped there, ... under the occupation ... of a murderous, blood-thirsty tyrant!

[Everyone looks preturbed and hestitant.]

Now, then, we are gonna make a plan. Now the first order of business, of course, is who is to look after the children — while we’re out rescuing Justin?

Ya mean we gotta stay here?

Yeah — who says? We can help, too!

Yeah, let us at ‘em!

We’ll give ‘em what for — hurtin’ our big bro and —

Roger —

But, Arnold —

Daddy —

Enough! Like you kids would enjoy this? Believe me, you kids don’t want any of this — no matter how much you care. This is dangerous business, not a kids’ game!

Yes, Daddy ...

But —

Mom —

[She just looks at him; it is enough, he gets the idea]:

<Sigh> Alright, alright ...

Don’t worry, Martin. You’ll get a turn some day.

<Sigh> Yeah. Some day. When?

I can watch them, Jack. I believe you and Judith will want to go after your son.

Good. Then that’s settled. But, … no women. Judith and the rest of the females can —

:{firmly}:

Jack. Justin is my son, too. I am going with you. And I won’t take "no" for an answer!

Okay, okay. Then it’s settled. All you kids go to "Auntie" Velma —

[VELMA giggles at this.]

— and stay with her. You in on this mess, Colbert?

You bet your tail! As you mentioned, that bastard has one of my daughters ... and I’m gonna get ‘er back!

:{quipping}:

Her back? Heh. What about her front and sides?

<Groan> Willis! This isn’t really the time.

<Chuckle> Well, ...

[JACKSON shakes his head, then ignores them.]

Okay. Good. Now then, it isn’t required ... and anyone who is afraid and doesn’t want to, doesn’t have to come. No one’ll say anything, if anyone doesn’t feel they can handle it. Besides, ... it’s really better to figure it out now — rather than having someone freak out and panic at a bad time and not be able to react in a tight when time is of the essence and the situation is critical, ... but ... I must say that any one of you who is able to ... really should participate — if at all possible. Sitting here in this hole, being afraid, ... that is not gonna save Justin’s life and —

:{at once}:

Then count me in! I’d do anything for Justin — even if he doesn’t appreciate — or even know yet — how I feel!

Mother, please — I must do this!

Now, princess, your sister is already a prisoner of his. I don’t want that you should end up —

:{desperately}:

Jack! Jack, please! Let me go with you! Let me come, too! You need all the help you can get! Justin needs all our help! Please, I must help, I —

No women.

:{whining}:

But — But ... Judith’s going!

Because I am Justin’s mother, dear. I have a right to this mission. I have to go!

Well, so do I — on both of those points! I love him! Someday, he’ll be my —

Isabella, ... no.

Why? Why? Tell me, why can’t I go, too?

I can’t be responsible if you get hurt ... or worse, certainly, I can’t abide any female casualties.

But I can take care of myself — just like Judith! Please!

It’s not my decision. You’re not completely of age yet. Even if you were —

[At this, ISABELLA turns to her parents]:

Mother! Father! Please! Let me go with them!

Honey, we’ve already discussed this.

No! Please! Please! Tell Jack I can go! Please! It’s not fair!

It’s for your own good, dear. We ... know that ... Jenner, ... uhhh, ... well, ... "likes" you. Do you want him to ... to catch you — and "like" you — even more? Like I said, ... he already has Beatrice. I don’t want him to get you, too. And I know you’d want it even less, ... right?

[ISABELLA is about to protest more, then breaks off with a gulping, shuddering sob, looking totally miserable and frightened, shuddering, paws over her mouth, her eyes closed.]

Right.

Hey, I’ll go. I like Justin. He’s a great guy.

Son, ... no.

Mom ...

You’re not of age either, son. No, somebody’s son is already in peril. Your mother and I — we won’t risk you, too. As I told your twin sister, your older sister is already in trouble. I’m not about to risk any more of my children in this matter.

[As he speaks to BRIAN, he gestures towards ISABELLA; she looks offended.]

<Sob> I — I ... am not a child! I —

But — But Isabella is right! Justin needs all the help he —

[COLBERT answers him, directing a part of his response towards ISABELLA]:

Beatrice is enough for that villian to have, don’t ya think, ... Bella? You want he should get you, too? As for you, Brian, like Jack said, ... one son in peril is enough for me! I just don’t want to loose either of you as well.

Dad! Mr. Wilson! Please! I can fight! You need me! He needs me! He needs as much help ... as any of us can give him! It’s gonna take as much power as we can put into this effort! And — And ... if we fail him, ... he — he dies! Don’t you understand!? He’ll —

Brian ...

Mom, Dad, ... please. For Justin — and Beatrice. And ... for Bella. Please, if she can’t go, then let me stand in her place. I ... I’m her twin. She can be there — thru’ me.

[As he says this, BRIAN looks to ISABELLA, then reacts for her paw — and she takes his.]

Alright ...

Colbert ...

[Her husband just looks at her]:

<Sigh> Alright. But you’ll be careful. Both my men will come back to me! And my daughter, too! You’ll all come back!

Well, if he’s goin’, so am I. Speaking of twins, I’m Justin’s twin. I gotta go, too. ... Dad?

I’d ... rather you were safe, but ... I ... we really do need the help. Okay, my boy. You’re in. Just don’t you go all jelly-fish on us and panic if things get hot — it’s liable to be quite a squeeze tomorrow. We don’t need to be rescuing you both ‘cause you panicked or something — get yourself caught — and, as that bastard said, you join JUSTIN tomorrow.

[ARNOLD looks intimidated, gulping hard; he looks uncertain for the rest of the meeting.]

Excuse me, Jack, but that’s the second time that you’ve implied the rescue is for tomorrow.

Yes, Healer. What’s your point? Morning is as late as we have. It’s tomorrow for Justin — or it’s never ... because the execution is scheduled for daybreak. If we don’t save him then, … then we’ll never get another chance — and neither will he.

Yes. I understand that. That’s not what I meant.

Then what are you getting at?

Why tomorrow? Why not tonight? It’ll be much safer if we can get to Justin and get him out of there tonight. Tomorrow, ... everyone will be up — including Jenner’s guards, not to mention Jenner himself. It’ll be more dangerous if we have to rescue Justin during his execution than if we break him out of camp tonight while everuone is asleep. Why can’t we? We can —

No, Healer. We cannot. No one is going near that camp tonight — and my reason is this: there’s a very good chance that Jenner is going to have all of his forces on some kind of red-alert tonight. I believe that that makes any attempt to rescue Justin tonight ... all the more hazardous ... than if we did it tomorrow. I say that we do it at the last possible second — when Jenner least expects it. I’d say that Jenner will probably expect a rescue attempt — as early as possible. If there is no apparent rescue attempt the later the morning gets, ... I believe he’ll expect that there won’t be one. They’ll all be off their guard, all over-confident and complacent in their agenda, he and his lackeys. Besides, it’s too dark. We’d need light to get Justin free — if we tried to rescue him tonight. And all we’d have to use is torch light. We’d give ourselves away before we could do a thing. Then, Justin really wouldn’t be the only one to die tomorrow. We’re trying to stop this barbarism, Healer, not add to it! Rushing in foolishly and getting ourselves killed is not going to help Justin, ... especially since he’s in this on our account.

[JACKSON turns to the others]:

Okay now, … who else is in?

Count me in.

Uh, ... um, yeah. Okay. Me, too.

[JACKSON nods at both.]

I know you said "no women", but I see some are going anyway. Justin is my friend ... and he’s become very dear to me as one. I want to come, too.

[MRS. BRISBY’s children are all shocked and appalled at this. They all cry out in protest, their voices and words all mingling together and making no sense as a result; but TERESA’s voice carries loudest]:

<Gasp> Mother —

It’s okay, my dears; I’ll be okay.

And I. You may need a healer. We all understand that this is a dangerous situation — and someone could get hurt. I shall come, too. You’ll need me there tomorrow.

Aurora! I don’t know that I like that and —

Gregory, my powers will be needed tomorrow. I know it. There is going to be much trouble — and many will be hurt, ... tho’ I pray that the need for my abilities shall be no greater than ... basic need. Oh, ... may no use for me tommorrow be greater than ... a minor wound.

Mrs. Brisby, Ms. Griffin, ... I just don’t know.

Jack, ... we are coming with you.

<Ahem> Okay, okay. Fine.

Okay — but I’m goin’, too. Don’t think I expect you to go into something like this without me to be there for you and —

What the heck. You may need a doctor, too, if you need a healer. That poor feather-head’ll need all the help he can get tomorrow.

So, ... I take it, this is my team then? So, who do I got here then? Judith, Arnold, Colbert, Brian, Arthur, Willis, Mrs. Brisby, Aurora, Gregory, ... and Mr. Ages. ... Is that right? ... Everyone sure now? I know some of us obviously mean to go — one way or another, … but anyone one goes had better be sure, … because once we’re there and we start, … there’s no turning back. It’ll be the point of no return.

[Everyone nods, mutters rippling thru’ the group.]

Okay, then. I, of course, am going. Now on to the plan. I already have a notion ... of we can do ...

[He pauses to think, then says]:

First, because there will be that morning patrol here in the morning to arrest or kill any lag-behinds, everyone not going on the rescue must get out — preferrably a little before dawn, ... I should think. All those not going can wait for the rescuers at small cave at the entrance of the valley, okay? As for the rescue itself, ... here it is in a nutshell: we get close to the action as possible, wait to the very last possible second we can, ... so they’re off guard, and then we attack, taking a hostage ... or better yet, several. We demand that Justin be set free ... and at once. Aurora and Mrs. Brisby can assist me, ... probably as our spokes-women. I’m pretty sure you two ladies probably won’t be much for fighting, even if you were so enclined. Especially because of the diffirence in size — you two mice and all the enemy rats. And you two, Mr. Ages and Gregory — I might suggest you stick to providing medical care to whoever needs it. I mean, you two bein’ mice as well as our two ladies here. Now then, as for escape —

:{frightened}:

Yeah — tell us how we avoid getting all pinned down and chopped up alive, Jack! Y’know, ... we’re really askin’ for it! This — This stunt’s gonna get us all killed —

:{grimly}:

Willis! I thought you wanted to go. Now, ... if you don’t mind ...

:{thoughtfully}:

Jack? I ... I believe that I may have a suggestion on escape ...

My friend Jeremy the crow is suppose to check on the children and I and see when we want to go home tomorrow morning. I can get him to help us. It’s a good thing he’s checking on us tomorrow, at daybreak, in fact. We’ll have plenty of time to plan his help.

Hm. And ... he’ll do this — this crow?

Yes. He’s my friend. I can get him to fly us out of the danger zone — once Justin is safe.

And he can manage all of us, including Justin?

Heavens, no. A load like that? Not all at once. His mate Tiffiny can help us, tho’. We can find some way to signal them —

Easy. A flare.

:{nodding}:

I’ll tell Jeremy to watch for your signal flare and be ready with Tiffiny to fly us out as many as they can at one time. We mice can go all at once since we’re so light and small, but you rats will have to be flown out one at a time, by the two crows — at once.

And you say this crow is coming in the morning? Another reason, Healer, I dare say, for us to wait until daybreak. If that’s the earliest time to contact what is to be our source of escape, then we’ll have to wait. Of course, if we could do it at night, we probably wouldn’t need them. Anyway, I assume this bird will be by as soon as it starts getting light?

Oh, yes. Jeremy is, ah, ... an "early bird", if you’ll pardon the pun. But he does like to be up early ... and he said he’d check on us as soon as he was up.

Good. That’s fine. We can hold our own in the meantime, even if things break loose and —

Excuse me for saying so, Jack, but I’m not sure I like that. True, the crows — even just one of them — can take Mrs. Brisby, Mr. Ages, Gregory and me right out of there, while the other crow can handle, maybe, one of you rats, like one of the smaller ones, two will have to handle the larger ones, but you rats will have to fight. Of that, I believe, there will be no doubt. As the crows rescue each of you in turn, those who remain will have to fight — that much harder ... because there shall be that many less of you to take on the guards — whose numbers, by the way, won’t be going down like our numbers will during the escape as each of us is rescued — and if anything, they would probably be going up as reinforcements are called out. Plus, it will be increasing difficult for the birds, once Jenner’s minions know to watch the sky.

... Hm, ... I dare say, ... yes.

I mean, how long can who’s left hold out if he is the only one left — against all of Jenner’s entire guard?

The — entire guard. Good God. I — I ... hadn’t thought of that.

What I’m saying is, ... what happens when there’s only one left ... and that one surely has no help, not until the crows return again — see? That one would be outnumbered and overpowered, probably die as a result, unless caught, then, undoubtingly, to suffer a much worse fate. Do you see? It would be a shame to save Justin’s life — but lose someone else in the escape. I do wish so that there was another way we could save him ... without such grave risks to the rest of you. Do you see my concern? I am sure that Justin himself would hate to think that our saving his life had cost someone else theirs. That is why he surrendered to Jenner in the first place — to save the rest of us. It wasn’t just to redeem what he thought was his lost honor, you know. He said ... his death wouldn’t be meaningless, ... but I am sure that he’d say exchanging someone else’s life for his own would not make that loss anymore meaningful. In fact, I’m sure that he would find the whole thing unacceptable!

Yes, well, ... we can cross that bridge when we get there. First thing is ... to get to Justin out of there, ... stop that bastard from hanging him. Then we can concentrate on escape. We can worry about the rest of it later after we —

You know, what Aurora just brought up, that may not be too much of a worry.

Eh?

How so, Healer?

Well, normally I’m not to kind to suggest something like this, but maybe, ... just maybe, ... our efforts might encourage everybody else tomorrow — those who are not on Jenner’s side, ... but are being forced to be his subjects — and the guards who are forced to be privy to this evil who are not on Jenner’s side ... that is, if they had any kind of choice —

Why, of course, Mrs. Brisby! Jack, ... that’s it! We can start a riot! And drive Jenner and his minions right out of Thorn Valley — and all at once! Maybe we do not necessarily need to worry about a complete escape! Why, if Jenner can be driven off that easily — !

Exactly, Healer! Our efforts could encourage the whole colony to do something about this oppression!

Yes. Jenner won’t stick around long if the whole colony turns on and attack him enmass, just like he and his lackeys attacked Justin. He’ll be out-numbered and over-powered. Okay. Good, that’s fine. We’ll incite a riot if necessary — if they don’t do so on their own — first; our actions may be an incentive. And if worse comes to worse, we’ll try to make a break for it ... with the help of the two crows. Well then, I guess that just about covers everything.

[As he speaks, COLBERT is looking towards the chamber’s entrance ... and sees the hint of movement. Slowly, he makes his way towards the entrance.]

[JACKSON pauses, nodding as if satisfied]:

Now then, ... everyone should go and get some slee —

[At that moment, COLBERT launches himself out into the passageway. Following this is the sounds of struggle and growling snarls.]

Goddamnit! We gotta spy out there!

[JACKSON bolts out into the passageway. At once, the growling snarls turn into several short, sharp, random squeals, then are muffled as]:

‘Ere now, you shut up now, y’ hear!?

[In the chamber, everyone looks about at each other — and there is much quiet comment and muttering]:

Goodness! A spy!?

Oh, spirits! He must have heard everything we said! Why, if Jenner learns of our plans to rescue the Chief, we may not get he chance!

Not even to save ourselves!

I don’t think so, ladies — look.

[At that moment, the others return — with the spy. JACKSON and COLBERT have him between them, dragging him in by the arms.]

[The spy makes a dreadful fuss, struggling and yelling angrily.]

Yer all mark me words well, yer dirty, litter rebels! The King — ‘e’ll git e’ery last one o’ yer fer ‘dis! Yer’ll all be dead, yer rebel scum!

"Scum" — yourself, you Imperial lackey! Get in there — and shut up!

[He pushes the spy down into the pit-cell.]

Yer’ll never git ‘way wit’ dis, yer rebel filth! ‘Is Majesty’ll ‘ave all yer guts fer garters, … yer jus’ wait ‘n’ see! Yer —

:{as the spy continues to rave}:

Gag ‘im! We don’t need him making all that racket! Who knows if there’s a patrol nearby! By now, the whole poking woods must know where we are!

[COLBERT jumps down into the pit and pins the spy down; he tries to gag him — ]

:{to the spy}:

‘Ere now, you shut yer yap. We’ve ‘eard all we need from you.

[ — but the spy just tears off the gag; he tries to bite COLBERT.]

<Yeowwcchhh> Why, you — ! Hey, ... up there, ... anyone got a rope?

No. Ages, go down there and give that nosey-poker a sedative.

Right.

[The herbalist does so — and the spy is soon fast asleep.]

[MR. AGES and COLBERT climb back up out of the pit-cell.]

Okay, all. Show’s over. Now off to bed. Everyone get some sleep. Tomorrow is gonna be a real bugger. We get up first thing at dawn — and we get out of here so we aren’t here when Jenner sends men up here to see if we’re gone. Those in on the rescue will come with me ... and we will stake our positions accordingly close to where it’ll be. We’ll have to get up early so we have time to scout around before Justin’s scheduled execution, ‘cause we won’t have time — not to sit around here waiting for a scout to return — we might be found out. As for Velma and the children, they’ll go off into deeper hiding in the woods. Are there any questions? No? Good.

[As the meeting breaks up, MRS. BRISBY sees AURORA is preturbed.]

Healer? Is ... something wrong?

I ... just can’t seem to loose the feeling ... that we’re forgetting ... something. I don’t remember what it is right now, but ... it really is imporant. I wish I could remember ...

[As MRS. BRISBY speaks, the visual fades to a shot of the hawk SHADOW-WING, perched on on the limb of a high tree high over the rats’ camp, a senital; an indication of what they forgot.]

:{voice over}:

If it’s important, … I’m sure that it’ll come back to you.