RAT RACE: A TRILOGY OF TROUBLE

By Dawn G. Griffiths

Imprisoned in a barren tent for a cell in what is now his emeny’s camp, Justin spends a most despairing night.

Terrible enough to deal with is his knowledge of his scheduled death come daybreak; in addition, he is made to suffer all night long, when he is tortured, beaten, and inappropreately assaulted (in this last case, by Jenner) — sufferings that are all made worse by his attempt to escape, after observing the construction of the gallows where he is doomed to die come morning.

Is despair, Justin attempts to prepare himself for the end …

[Come morning, JUSTIN is woken ... by TEMPLETON, who kicks him awake]:

So, yer still alive, eh? Too bad fer yer! ‘Is Majesty shoulda put that knife ... up yer tale even ‘arder! Wasn’t bad enough, eh — and you thought yer’d die las’ night! Yer’d only be so lucky if yer had, eh? Ah, well! C’mon then, prisoner! Get up, yer! ‘S breakfast time! C’mon, yer lump! Get up!

:{almost stupidly}:

You mean, ... I — I get ... a last meal ... after all?

[JUSTIN sits up very slowly, trembling with weakness.]

I — I th-thought ... he said ... I — I wasn’t to be fed.

[TEMPLETON laughs cruelly]:

A last meal!? Hah! Naw — yer don’t get no food! ‘Is Majesty made ‘at quite clear — clear as glass. No. You get no breakfast; you are the breakfast! Well, your blood is, anyway!

[He draws out his dagger, approaching JUSTIN with a fancy, gold goblet.]

[Alarmed, JUSTIN struggles weakly to his feet.]

:{moaning}:

Oh, no! Not again! Not again — please!

[He tries to back away, but stumbles in weakness and pain, falling down again.]

Yer outta luck, Wilson! Lord Genre likes yer blood. And he wants more ... fer his own breakfast — before yer hang! I dare say after yer die, he might even find a way to preserve — ‘n’ store up yer blood — eh? Plenty o’ breakfasts there, I do reckon — huh? Lunches ‘n’ dinners, too. Not really a staple diet, eh? But I’ll betcha it’ll mix well — with wine! Hah! Bloody Maries, heh? Or, I should say ... Bloody Wilsons? S’really is too bad for yer then, ... eh?

[He seizes JUSTIN’s collar, yanking him to his feet, raising the dagger to do its terrible work.]

No-ooo!

[JUSTIN screams in enraged terror, trying to back away]:

Isn’t it enough that I must die!? Must he torture me like this, ... too!? Please! Why must I suffer — like this!?

[He manages to briefly break TEMPLETON’s grasp, backing away slowly.]

Oh, yer know well enough! Just as Lord Genre said! Yer deserve yer suffering! Yer deserve all the pain ‘at we cin give yer — as a prelude to ‘n’ a part o’ yer death!

No! No, you —

[TEMPLETON seizes him, roughly.]

Shut up ‘n’ hold still, yer lidder wretch!

[JUSTIN cries out, trying to shake loose.]

It’s th’ Lord’s orders — and ‘is orders er ter be carried out — er else! ‘E’s made ‘at quite clear — ‘n’ I’m not ter be der one ter raise ‘is wrath! It’s either yer blood — or mine!

[TEMPLETON strikes him with the pommel of his dagger, knocking JUSTIN down, his mouth all bloody from a split lip.]

‘N’ I’d much rather … it be yers!

[He tries to mount JUSTIN, but JUSTIN tries to fight; TEMPLETON beats his face several times with the dagger pommel, slapping him with his free paw.]

Knock it off, yer wretch — or I’ll beat yer to a bloody pulp!

[TEMPLETON pins him down, setting the cup and dagger down and out of JUSTIN’s reach — as JUSTIN tries to grab for the blade.]

[They grapple; finally, tho’, TEMPLETON gets hold of both of JUSTIN’s wrists — and holds them together, pinning JUSTIN’s paws against his stomach.]

[Then he takes up his dagger.]

JUSTIN:{staring in horror at the blade}:

No! No! Please — no! Don’t! I — I’ll do anything you — you want, … please! Pl-Please, don’t hurt me anymore! P-Please, … d-don’t! D-Don’t do this, … don’t do this —

Shut up. It isn’t like I’m gonna kill yer, ... not tha’ I — and a lot o’ th’ others, by the way — wouldn’t like ta. <Chuckle> Nah. Yer death comes later. <Laugh> But unfortunately for yer, … not much later! Ha!

[Staring at the ceiling in terror, JUSTIN bares his teeth, his throat exposed. He lays there, his held paws tightly clenched into fists, persperation running off of his brow.]

[TEMPLETON brandishes the dagger, lowering the blade to JUSTIN’s exposed throat — and draws it over the semi-healed cut on the side of his throat.]

[JUSTIN cries out in pain.]

[TEMPLETON drains JUSTIN’s blood into the cup, then stands.]

Oh, yeah. By th’ way, if yer hopin’ that yer little friends’ll show up right outta th’ clear blue ter save yer wretched neck from dat noose, ... don’t ‘old yer breath — th’ little patrol ‘Is Majesty sent out dis morning jus’ got back ... and all yer liddle buddies ‘re all long gone. Der all miles away by now, jus’ like yer said yer see ter it — so den, don’t count on anyone breakin’ yer outta ‘ere! <Chuckle> Yer all alone. And yer gonna die — all alone! <Laugh>

[With that, TEMPLETON turns — and leaves the tent.]

[Propped up on one elbow to listen to him, JUSTIN sinks back down and lays there on the floor — weeping in despair, grasping at his wounded throat.]

[Slowly, he sits up, trembling in pain and despair.]

[Already, he can hear the henchrats right outside the tent, preparing for his execution.]

[He tries to stand, ... but he is so weak from his pain, despair, and blood-lose that he falls to his knees with a grunt — managing to keep himself from falling on his face by catching himself with his forepaws.]

[There, on his knees, he clasps his paws together in an attitude of prayer]:

:{moaned whisper}:

Pl-P-Please! Oh, pl-p-please, … dear God, ... h-help me! Help m-me! Please! Oh — Oh, God, … please! <Sob>

[Collapsing, he breaks down, weeping pitifully into his paws.]

[It is now morning, cold-looking and overcast.]

[JACKSON’s rescue effort lies in wait, hiding, overlooking where the gallows has been built, along with a royal box on a hollow platform-like foundation — and a sectioned off area for an audience.]

[They are weaponless, save for MR. AGES (who has a pair a dart-guns) and AURORA (who has a bolo on her right hip and a dagger on her left, fixed to her belt).]

[Everyone is in little groups, talking quietly.]

[BRIAN, looking especially ill at ease, talks with ARNOLD]:

:{to Arnold}:

Too bad we weren’t able to get ahold of some weapons, eh, Arn? This is dangerous business to go about unarmed, ... huh?

What do ya expect on such short notice. None o’ us were about to get ahold of any kinda arms ... before that scum chased us outta camp, y’know.

Uh-huh. By the way, Arn, have you seen Isabella this morning?

No. Why?

Well, when the last shift of the night watch woke us up this morning, I couldn’t find my sister, ... well, ... anywhere.

Maybe she had to go ... take care of herself. Y’know? Uh, female things — that sorta thing, ... right? I mean, I don’t think there’s anything ... to worry about back there.

... You sure?

Brian, I don’t think you’ve really anything to be overly concerned with. I’d guess she’s probably off somewhere, ... moping around and stuff, ... y’know, from worry for Justin ‘n’ all.

Maybe. Anyway, all I found was a letter from her, saying that she was gonna go find the tallest tree she could and climb it.

Eh? How come?

Said if we weren’t gonna let her come with us, she wanted to find a good vantage point to watch camp and see what’s happening — maybe even take a report back to the hideout.

That’s good.

In the middle o’ th’ night?

Hey, she probably wasn’t serious. Just sayin’ stuff; y’know, blow a bit of steam off while we’re waitin’ out th’ night. I wonder, tho’, how she got by the night watch?

You know Bella. She’s always had her ... ways. Been something o’ an escape artist at that, eh — could always seem to get to wherever she was goin’. Y’know — how she’s always been, huh?

Maybe. Willis was on night-watch, right? I’ll bet he fell asleep.

You could be right.

What d’ya think? None o’ us’re used to being up all night — not for a long time anyhow. So, Willis fell asleep — ‘n’ Bella slipped out to climb a tree. You would think she would have waited for morning — heh — before she went "tree spelunking".

But last night, ... I woke up for a few minutes and saw her awake — and leavin’ the room. I asked her what she was up to and she told me ... "ladies’ business", like this is heck of a place to try ‘n’ find a wash-room.

See? I told you you had nothing to worry about. She just wanted some privacy. And anyway, ... what’ve Velma ‘n’ Colbert to say about it?

Not much. I don’t think they’re worried. Guess they think Bella can talk care of herself.

See, you’re making a big deal of nothing.

BRIAN:{seriously}:

... Arnold, ... she never came back to bed.

[ARNOLD looks at him in astonished puzzlement.]

[BRIAN glances at COLBERT.]

Please, … don’t say anything to Mom ‘n’ Dad — they’re worried enough about Bella; ... y’know, because of what Jenner did to her once — ‘n’ what he might do if given the chance ... again.

[JACKSON turns to his team. They all look grim and nervous.]

[MR. AGES is speaking to the group about his dart guns]:

I only had time to make two.

Well, it look’s like we’ll be roughing it until we can snatch something from the guards. Who knows? The good ones might even give us something ... if they can.

That is, ... if the bad ones — Jenner’s thugs — don’t kill them for trying.

I’m not much of a fighter, so I’ll need one of these dart guns. I’ll find some high ledge ... and pick off the guards when the raid begins. Does anyone else need one as well?

[There is a pause ... as the group quietly discusses the matter.]

None of us think we need one, except —

— me. I’m not much of a fighter either.

Fine. You can come along and assist me. As Jack said, we mice won’t be much good for fighting.

[He gives GREGORY the other dart-gun.]

They’re not much, ... but we can sedate a few from a distance ... if necessary. Don’t fire, tho’, unless you see it’s absolutely necessary, like if someone’s in trouble ... and shooting is the only way to help. I didn’t have time to make many darts — and it takes too much time to reload, especially in an emergency.

Alright, let’s review it once more ...

:{seemingly bored}:

Again? This must be the dozenth time since last night! Any more ‘n’ I’ll be able to recite it in my slee —

:{almost with satisfaction}:

Willis, ... will you shut up already!

Well, don’t take it out on me; you’re the one who’s bla —

:{quietly}:

Willis, Arnold, shh! For pity’s sake, be quiet!

I know, you’re scared, Arnold — we all are.

Well, he started it, Mama.

I did not. You —

Jack’s right. Just knock it off, both o’ ya ... Apt to give us away, bickerin’like that.

<Ahem> Okay, everyone. Now remember, no one does anything until I make my move. And you’ll all know when, ‘cause it’ll be a bomb-shell — tho’ it might take me a while to get set, because of the risks I’ll need to take in getting to my position. Now then, ... we —

[Suddenly, BRIAN starts]:

Ah, oh ...

Eh?

[ARNOLD looks towards where BRIAN is looking]:

:{fearful}:

<Gulp> It — It’s — starting ...

[At that moment, in his tent-cell on his back, JUSTIN sits up, slowly and painfully, staring in helpless despair towards the tent door.]

[He can see the silhouettes of henchrats moving around outside.]

[Sitting on the hard-packed earth floor, he pulls his legs close to his body, so that he can rest his arms on his knees and his head on his arms.]

[He stares into space in a trance of horror and despair, trembling.]

[Ears flat, tears pour slowly down his cheeks — as he thinks]:

(Heaven, … help me. Please. Only — Only a miracle ... can get me out of this — this mess ... now. I — I just don’t ... see a-any way outta this. Pl-Please, God, ... oh, ... please, ... I — I d-don’t wanna d-die.)

[He buries his face in his arms — and despairingly sobs quietly for a few minutes.]

[He is that way when BENJAMIN and BRUTUS enter.]

[His face pale and tear-streaked, JUSTIN looks up at them in dismay.]

[Outside, thru’ the briefly opened tent door (just before it falls closed again), JUSTIN can see the area is still under heavy guard.]

[BENJAMIN is armed with his short sword.]

[BRUTUS has a small coil of rope around one shoulder ... and a long chain with a wrist-loop on one end — and a neck-shackle at the other.]

[JUSTIN begins to weep helplessly.]

:{moaning}:

[He cowers away as they come near him.]

[As he speaks, BRUTUS grabs JUSTIN by the throat, yanking him up.]

[Crying out and choking from the cruel man-handling, JUSTIN struggles. He manages to break free and tries to bolt, but before he can reach the tent entrance, BENJAMIN blocks him off, his short sword drawn — and at JUSTIN’S throat.]

Freeze!

[JUSTIN is instantly still, paws up, panting in terror.]

Another false move, Wilson, ... and I’ll split yer gizzard!

[BRUTUS grabs JUSTIN’s wrists and holds them together.]

I don’t know wha’ yer thought yer were doin’, yer wretch! Iffen yer’d actually got outside jus’ now, the guards’d’ve stopped yer! In fact, yer’d be lucky if they ‘adn’t killed yer — or unlucky, ... as the case may be, ... considered what’s ‘bout t’appen t’yer!

[BENJAMIN resheaths his weapon.]

Okay, Brutus, gimme th’ rope. We cin tie ‘im up now.

[Firmly holding JUSTIN’s wrists together with one paw, BRUTUS hands BENJAMIN the rope — as JUSTIN struggles weakly]:

:{softly}:

N-No! No, … pl-please! Please — let me go! I — I’ll do ... anything — please!

Be silent. You are not getting out of this one — not this time!

[JUSTIN moans in terror, hunched over, sobbing. He struggles weakly, futilely, his knees weakening with terror, threatening to collapse at any second, as BRUTUS continues to hold JUSTIN’s wrists together.]

[BENJAMIN takes the rope from BRUTUS and ties JUSTIN’s wrists together behind his back (pulling the ropes extra tight, making JUSTIN cry out in pain), using a small dagger to cut away the extra rope, leaving it on the ground.]

[Then, BENJAMIN fixes the neck shackle of the chain around JUSTIN’s neck, handing the chain to BRUTUS.]

[BRUTUS slips his wrist thru’ the wrist-loop and yanks brutally on the chain, at the shackle, forcing JUSTIN to stand up-right as]:

[TEMPLETON appears in the doorway, sneering at JUSTIN. He is armed — with a cross-bow. He aims his crossbow at JUSTIN’s chest as he enters.]

[Terrified, JUSTIN stares at him in despair, eyes pleading. Seeing the cross-bow aimed at his chest, he pales in horror, eyes and mouth wide, trembling.]

:{slowly advancing}:

Okay, Wilson. Let’s go. An’ no more of yer futile fightin’ — or I’ll beat yer so bad, yer’ll die ... even before we get yer out dere ‘n’ into dat noose — ‘t is, if I jus’ don’t shoot ya — first!

[JUSTIN stares at him in terrified despair, shaking his head pleadingly.]

Well, c’mon, yer wretch. Dis is it. Yer time ... is up!

[BENJAMIN exits the tent with BRUTUS following him, holding on to the leash-like chain that holds JUSTIN.]

[Whimpering in terror, JUSTIN tries to hold back, straining at the chain, on the verge of crying as he whimpers, tears sliding down his pale face — as he manages to back into a corner.]

[BRUTUS yanks on the chain — and pulls JUSTIN out of the corner.]

[Behind JUSTIN, TEMPLETON brutally propels him towards the tent door with a cruel shove.]

C’mon, y’wretch! Get a move on! Move it!

:{whispering}:

N-No! Ohh, dear God, please! Please, no!

[With that, BRUTUS exits the tent, too, pulling JUSTIN along, as TEMPLETON covers JUSTIN’s back with his cross-bow.]

[A group is starting to gather in the section marked off for an audience, with guards directing the group and keeping order.]

[At first, there is soft, subdued talking, getting slowly louder with the increase in the group’s size.]

[And the rescue party watches — from their secret vantage point.]

Okay, this is it. Everyone knows what to do. Let’s go.

[The seven rats seperate, all going off in seperate directions alone, while the mice stay together.]

[In minutes, the entire population of the colony has been gathered.]

[The talking becomes even more subdued as JENNER appears from his fancy, private tent, taking his place in his fancy, private seat, which is an elevated platform (elevated a little higher up than the gallows scaffold). He is dressed now in his best finery for this occasion.]

[Two chairs are provided. One is a throne. The other, a simple chair, on the right.]

[JENNER sits in the throne seat (on the left). He looks grim, ... but satisfied and triumphant.]

[In their hiding place, MRS. BRISBY, AURORA, GREGORY, and MR. AGES crouch together.]

[MRS. BRISBY trembles — and AURORA notices her friend’s nervousness.]

[They whisper together the following exchange]:

Frightened?

... Y-Yes. Very.

So — So am I ...

Try to be brave, my friends.

I — I will. I am. But — I’m also worried ... for Justin ...

Yes. Poor Justin. Be brave ... for him. His life depends on us this day.

I — I’ll do my best ...

Me, too. I hate to admit it, but I really do like that feather-head — even if he does seem to irratate me, at times. I hate to think of him in this trouble. Poor boy. And he really is just a boy. It’d be just terrible if we can’t get him out, terrible for him, to have to die so young, not even for a good cause. Just awful.

Well, it isn’t exactly like there’s no good cause, Mr. Ages. He ... He’s doing it for us. But you’re right. It is just terrible.

Yes, Mrs. Brisby, it is. I really like him, too. And he is such a good friend. But don’t worry, my friends. We shall save him.

Oh, Healer, I do hope so!

We will.

MR. AGES:{to Gregory}:

C’mon, lad, let’s get to our positions.

Yes, sir ...

[They move off, while the two females watch them briefly for a minute.]

[At that moment, a pair of henchrats appear — with a red-haired female between them.]

[She is chained with shackles on her ankles, the chain just long enough so she can walk, but just short enough to hobble her. Her paws are similarly bound with shackles, the chain very short, leading to a waist shackle, so that he paws are free enough, but not very useful. She weeps — in heart-broken grief.]

[In their hiding places, the would-be rescuers are shocked.]

[BRIAN and ARNOLD have the following whispered exchange]:

Oh, … my God! Isabella! Arnold, it’s my sister! They got —

Hoo, boy. What I said before? Did I say there’s nothing to worry about? I — I stand corrected.

But — But … what’s she doing here!?

Don’t know, friend; I’d guess impatience. She just couldn’t wait for morning, had to do something, got her tail in a fix.

She went —

— last night.

[COLBERT appears; he whispers, too]:

:{hissing}:

Brian! Did you see —

Yes, Dad.

So he has both of my daughters now! That flightly girl! Ohh, if only she’d listen to me once in a while! So help me, God, ... if that bastard hurts either o’ them, my poor girls —

Please, not so loud!

Loud? We’re all whispering and —

I swear, I’ll get ‘im both out along with Justin — whatever it takes!

[The two henchrats escort ISABELLA to JENNER’s throne-box.]

[He motions her to join him, jesturing to the empty seat beside himself.]

[She scowls at him, looking afraid and defeated; she slowly climbs the short flight of stairs and joins him — but she does not sit at first. Instead, she stands there, glaring at him.]

Ah, my dear! I am so glad — that you could join us!

You! Where is my sister!? What have you done with her!?

Ohh, do not worry about her. She is just fine — and shall remain so, as long as <chuckle> her little sister co-operates with me. For now, ... she is, ah, ... in a safe enough place.

[ISABELLA continues to glare at him.]

Where?

<Chuckle> Let us just say that ... she made a fine bed partner, … but ... after last night, ... she was too "spent", ... you might say, to come out this morning.

[So horrified that she cannot stand, ISABELLA finally sits, sinking into the chair provided. She glares at him in horrified revulsion.]

:{gasping out first word}:

Ohhh-ohhh, ... dear God, ... no! Ye — Ye didn’t! Not her, too! Wasn’t it bad enough, what ye did to me in th’ old colony —

<Chuckle> Why not? She is single, after all. She and your wretched little friend Wilson are no longer "going steady", as humans might say. Seems that they just were not very ... compatible. A good thing that they found that out ... before they ... "tied the knot", would you not say?

:{softly}:

You — You’re perverted.

[Turning his gaze from her, JENNER ignores this.]

I hear that my men extended to you an invitation, for this morning’s ... event. It is a shame — that you were not more ... eh, ... polite, you might say, in accepting it, ... eh? After all, if you were not interested, you could have just, as the old saying goes, "just say no".

[ISABELLA refuses to look at him.]

:{softly}:

Don’t you talk to me. Why, if I weren’t chained, I’d kick you there, too. And ... especially after what you did to me! You’d certainly never rape again. But I know, that’s why I am chained, isn’t it? You know what I’d do to you if I could kick — if I had even half the chance to! As if "just saying no" would help!

[Dropping her tone, ISABELLA remarks under her breath]:

Hoooo! Of all the uncivilized, barbaric, brutish ways to treat a woman!

Well now, we cannot have you raising such mischief, eh? That ... and we certainly cannot have you loose now, either, eh, my dear?

Don’t you talk to me!

:{suggestively}:

<Chuckle> I know what is bothering you. You are angry, my dear lady, because this execution is the end — of him. But do not fret, my dear, you won’t be without ... a suitor — for very long. <Chuckle> I promise you that!

[He chuckles, an obscene and triumphant sound.]

[ISABELLA does look at him now, glaring at him in fiery embarrassment, scowling, then turns away from him defiantly; angry]:

Oh! Why, I ... I never — !

[Nearby, a drummer rat starts to play a grim, slow death march.]

[Suddenly, all of the talking in the gathering audience breaks off in startled alarm at what happens next as the near-silent crowd bursts out (into hysterical, horrified cries, comments, and conversation) at this sight]:

[JUSTIN, his paws tied behind his back and a chain fixed with a neck-shackle around his neck, is led out of his tent-cell which is under heavy guard, who spread out to move with him at a distance, keeping tight security around the prisoner with BRUTUS leading JUSTIN on the chain and BENJAMIN preceeding them.]

[Directly behind JUSTIN is TEMPLETON, pressing his cross-bow into the prisoner’s back.]

[JUSTIN walks at their speed, but at first, he seems scarcely to notice any of them as he forcably marches along with his head down in despair, with his eyes tighty shut, tears glissening on his eyelashes, brow furrowed and teeth bared as if he is fighting both anger and despair simutaneously.]

[He walks as if wounded, as if it hurts to walk, as if there is something wrong with his crouch ... and maybe with his insides as well. There is dried blood on the insides of his legs and his throat bears a pair of cruel scars, one fresh, the other crusted over; these partially hidden by the neck shackle. Thru’ the short fur of his face, his face and neck appear to be one solid black-and-blue bruise, and covered with scratches, the blood dried into a crust, both of his eyes are black, his nose is crusted with dried blood, and his lip is swollen and bloody, too. His filthy tunic is so torn it is in shredded rags, almost useless as a garment now — and bloody scratches with many more bruises are visible. Furthermore, he seems to be just about to collapse because of all these wounds, including possible internal injuries ... and ... also by the knowledge of his upcoming death, trembling and stumbling along in despair and fear — and pain (by his expression) — as he is shoved along by TEMPLETON.]

[While JENNER watches in cruel triumph, ISABELLA stares in horrified shock, her mouth slowly dropping open, one of her paws rising slowly to cover her gaping mouth.]

[In their hiding place, AURORA and MRS. BRISBY stare in sympathetic open-mouthed horror.]

[MRS. BRISBY has both of her paws over her mouth; AURORA reaches out to her to offer comfort, angry as well as horrified.]

:{whisper}:

Oh, ... dear God. What have they done to him!?

[Both females flinch with horror — as JUSTIN suddenly stumbles and falls — and TEMPLETON kicks him savagely in the side — several times, making him cry out and squeal in pain, his face in the dirt; which gets in his eyes, nose, and mouth, making him gag as he becomes temporarily blinded.]

:{as he kicks Justin}:

On yer feet, you miserable, worthless piece of muck-ridden garbage; get up! On yer feet ... before I beat yer to a pulp!

[Struggling to his feet, JUSTIN is up again, sputtering dirt and gagging, struggling to stand.]

[He is slow in standing up ... and TEMPLETON belts him again — ]

[ — making him cry out.]

[As JUSTIN squeals, BRUTUS turns to him and smacks him hard in the face, so hard, his lip and nose start to bleed again — as he nearly falls down, but fights to stay on his feet.]

Silence, prisoner — shut up!

[JUSTIN cries out in pain — ]

[ — and BRUTUS beats on him even more viciously, making him fight to surpress his cries.]

Close your mouth — close it!

[JENNER watches the beating with vicious triumph and satisfaction, chuckling obscenely.]

[ISABELLA shakes her head in horror]:

:{whispering}:

Oh, please! Stop it! Tell them to stop it! Please, they’re hurting him!

[She glares at JENNER.]

Oh, please! Why’re they abusing him like that!?

Because he is my example to the masses, to this colony, that is now mine. Thru’ his death, everyone here shall see just what their own terrible fates shall be if they dare think to defy me! You see, I encouraged my men beforehand! I ordered them to to do so! I told them to be just as cruel as they wanted to be, as they could be! His humiliation and pain are a part of that meddling little wretch’s suffering, that and the beating — among other things! First, I break his will — and it must be broken by now, ... since he was untied all night, after I left him and he did not even attempt to escape ... a second time! And then ... I take his life. <Chuckle> So you see, ... my dear girl, ... he deserves it — every bit of his pain, … before he finally dies! And die he shall, ... quite soon!

[ISABELLA gasps out a sob, paws over her mouth.]

:{interrupting whisper}:

[JENNER simply glances at her, grinning in triumph — ]

Well, my dear, <chuckle> that is just too bad, now, isn’t it? We could really have something — if you were not so stubborn.

[ — as BRUTUS finishes beating on JUSTIN.]

[JUSTIN cowers, fearfully silent now, quietly weeping, fighting helplessly to remain standing; awkwardly, feet apart, but knees together, cowering.]