RAT RACE: A TRILOGY OF TROUBLE

[As his men retreat, JENNER calls down the tunnel, his voice amplified thru’ a bullhorn]:

Attention, Wilson! You and your friends shall surrender to me — unconditionally, at once ... or else ... we shall put this place to the torch! I generously grant you roughly five minutes ... to prepare yourselves and to comply with me or you shall all be roasted alive! You all will die in there!

[Below, many of JUSTIN’s friends and family cry out in horror.]

[Glancing around at his companions, then looking entranced with shock and horror, JUSTIN backs away from the entrance.]

:{whispering}:

Ohhh! D-Dear God! O-Oh—Oh, no!

[He moans in distressed]:

Oh, ... if only w-we had the Stone! I-If only ... I — I hadn’t ... dropped it ... d-down that hole, ... Mrs. Brisby could have taken it and ... and —

[ARNOLD glares at him in open-mouthed shock and angry horror]:

[He stares towards the "exit" intently, frightened.]

[JUSTIN looks deeply ashamed as well as terrified.]

I ... I lost it, ... I — I lost … the Amulet! And it ... i-it could’ve —...

It could’ve saved us! Justin, how could you — how!? Wh-Wh-What — What happened!? How did it happen!? I don’t understand how it —

I ... I was trying to keep it from him — while we fought. I lost my grip on it — and it fell down a small hole — where no one could possibly reach it.

But what can we do without it!? We’re —

Well, ... at least, he can’t use it —

Well, a lot of good that does us! If he can’t use it, well, neither can we! Justin, you — you — !

:{hissing}:

Not so loud! He’ll hear — all o’ ‘em!

Oh, bury it, Papa, … so what!? They — They already know we’re down here! It’s not like we’re still hiding! They know we’re here; we’re trapped!

[As ARNOLD and JACKSON speak, JUSTIN looks around the chamber at all his friends and family. Everyone there — everyone of whome the lives are his responsibility — are either looking towards the "exit" — or staring at him.]

[Suddenly, he exclaims aloud]:

I must go! It’s me! Me that he wants! H-He ... He’s trying to get me to come out ... by threatening all of us! I can’t let him come in here and ... and —... I — I ... don’t want to go. H-He — He’ll k-kill me.

[He seems to go into a trance of terror, but starts forward slowly.]

But ... I - I must ... If — If I don’t, he’ll k-kill ... everyone here and —

[JACKSON blocks him off, a paw at JUSTIN’s chest.]

Just a minute there, my boy, where d’ya think you’re goin’ to!?

[JUSTIN answers in protest, in nearly a stupidfied trance]:

I ... I ... must go to him. If — If I don’t —

[Disbelievingly, JACKSON and MR. AGES scold JUSTIN]:

What’re ya saying!? Go out there — and you’re dead!

Jack is right, Justin! He’ll kill you on sight! You know that!

He wants you dead! You can’t go out there! You crazy!?

H-He will anyway! He wants ... us all ... d-d-dead! H-He’s gonna set the place on fire — and burn us all alive ...

:{quickly}:

But wait! If that’s the case, if he can do that, then why doesn’t he? Maybe it can’t really be done. Maybe it’s just a bluff. Maybe he isn’t really serious —

But ... But maybe he is!

I think that he’s bluffing, Justin. If he were really serious about burning this place down, then we’d be fighting fire right now —

But ... can we afford to find out ... the hard way?

[ARNOLD moans in terror, shuddering]:

Then what, what’re we gonna do now!? H-How’re we — we g-gonna get outta this one!? What’ll we do!? Oh — Oh, my God! We’re all gonna die —

[Not seeming to hear his brother, JUSTIN shakes his head.]

No, listen. I tell you, ... it’s really me he wants. He’s trying to force me out — by threatening all of us. If I go out to him — but willingly, maybe I can save the rest of you! He wants just me ...

Brother —

Son, please, listen to us —

No, Dad, ... please — you listen. If it wasn’t for me, none of the rest of you would be in this ... this ... mess! This whole damned thing was a set-up! A trap! He let me go just to get at the rest of you! I led them right to all of you! I must go, I got you all in this, right? He wants me — and he’ll kill everyone here to get me! Like I said, if it wasn’t for me —

No, Chief! You should say ... that if it wasn’t for him —

Mr. Ages, don’t you understand!? This is my fault —

No, it isn’t, son. Don’t say things like that.

JUSTIN, please, don’t do this; don’t go out there.

And what’ll happen if I don’t!? Besides, we can’t get by them! I’ve got to go! Don’t you understand!? I must go! If I don’t, he — he’ll come down here ... and — and everyone of you will be —... No! He’ll kill everyone — all of you! I may be crazy! I know you must all think I am — but I must go … and negotiate for the rest of you. If I can save all of you by — <gulp> — d-dying ... myself, ...

[Grimly, he starts out]:

... then, I ... I must!

[ISABELLA dashes up to him from behind and grabs his arm in both paws.]

Justin — no!

[She stops him briefly; he turns to face her.]

[JUSTIN breaks her grip, shaking loose.]

:{gently}:

Please, Bella. I — I know that ...

Justin —

Don’t try to stop me. Any of you. Please. I’ve got to do this. Maybe I can save all of you. If I’m the only one of us that’s ... lost ... before this is over and you all escape, then — Oh, well, ... I ... I’ve got to try anyway! Please, for the sake of you all, ... let me try.

[As JUSTIN finishes his entreaty, again JENNER calls down from the surface]:

Your five minutes are up, Wilson! Come out! Before I come down there ... and kill all of you myself!

[JUSTIN starts, looking back towards the "exit" (that is anything but), gulping in fright.]

[Terrified, but resolute, he leaves the chamber, going up the tunnel before his friends can protest further.]

[Anxious with dread and concern for JUSTIN, AURORA, GREGORY, MR.AGES, MRS. BRISBY, ARNOLD, ARTHUR and WILLIS follow him.]

[ISABELLA starts forward as well, hesitates, then starts forward again, very slowly.]

[COLBERT stops her gently and she turns to him to protest, sees his expression, then relents, silently.]

[Meanwhile, as for the others, going up the tunnel]:

:{murmuring to herself}:

Oh — Oh, my goodness. Justin, my friend, my dear friend, what do you think you’re doing?

:{to Mrs. Brisby}:

I believe he was more upset about his fears than we had thought, Mrs. Brisby. His self-esteem is so very low right now, ... so low that he might, ... um, ...

You mean ... he’s trying to ... to redeem himself ... to himself?

Even at the cost of his very life?

But — But ... that seems ... almost like suicide. He knows that Jenner intends to kill him. And ... And yet ...

... he’s doing it anyway. He needs to prove himself — to himself. Of course, it is for us, too.

Oh, the poor, dear boy ...

[Just inside the entrance, they all stop as JUSTIN turns to them]:

Please. Wait here. Don’t expose yourselves. There’s likely to be a pack of them — of course, ... how else could he threaten so large a group as ours? Even more of them than we’ve already seen — all liable to be armed. This ... is a dangerous situation … and I don’t want to see anyone get hurt — like, maybe, in a cross-fire — if they decide ... to — to attack me. Stay hidden; this could get ugly.

[Before any of them can speak to him, he turns away and emerges outside.]

[As JUSTIN surfaces, JENNER shouts commandingly, pointing at him]:

Archers — ready, aim —

[Suddenly, all of JENNER’s archers (including TEMPLETON, BENJAMIN, and RATTEN) aim at JUSTIN; crossbows and longbows drawn.]

[TEMPLETON, BENJAMIN, and RATTEN all appear to be relishing the moment along with JENNER, all with narrowed eyes and teeth bared in evil grins.]

[The rest of the group, a group 16 rats (20 altogether with JENNER, TEMPLETON, BENJAMIN, and RATTEN included), possess grim, no-nonsense expressions, as if just doing their jobs — and taking the task too seriously.]

[Shocked, in horror, JUSTIN recoils sharply from the sudden movements of the archers, his back against the natural archway of the entrance, crying out sharply, in terror.]

[Arms held high over his head, surrenderingly, eyes wide with terrified shock, chest heaving in terror, he calls out at once]:

No — wait! D-Don’t shoot me — please! Don’t shoot me! I — I give up — pl-pl-please, I — I give up! I — I surrender! Pl-P-Please!

[There is a pause as JENNER breaks off his command, holding up a paw towards his men, flat-palmed]:

Archers, … hold.

[His archers hold their bows ready.]

So, Wilson. You surrender, eh? It is ... high time. <Chuckle> You must have finally realized that you could not win, that you can never defeat me, nor can you escape me!

[JUSTIN stares at JENNER, gulping fearfully.]

Now then, it is time for you and your little friends to be desposed of — once and for all, in accordence with your unconditional surrender to me ... and now that your ... are up here — as a kind of hostage, … I am sure I shall have no more trouble from your little band, now, ... eh?

[He turns to his men]:

Mr. Willard! Take some of the squad down there — and bring those fugitives up here for verdict of their present dispositions … and their immediate executions!

[Behind JUSTIN, his friends gasp in horror, crying out, talking together unintelligably.]

No! Oh, no — don’t! Don’t do this! You can’t —

[He tries to block of JENNER’s men as they advance — and his own friends cry out and cower back into the darkness of the tunnel, still crying out to each other, still unintelligably.]

Get out of our ways, yer little wretch!

[He aims his crossbow at JUSTIN’s chest]:

[Gasping in alarm, JUSTIN cowers, but stands his ground.]

No, you can’t do this — I won’t let you!

[TEMPLETON is about to fire — ]

:{pressing his eyes shut}:

Oh — Oh, … my God! No — please!

[ — even as JUSTIN cries out; but]:

Hold, Willard! You and the men — get back! I shall deal with him — myself!

[JENNER takes the crossbow from TEMPLETON — and takes aim at JUSTIN.]

Can’t wait to perish, … eh, Wilson? Very well. So then, … now we have come — to the parting of the ways. Prepare ... to ... die!

No-oooo!

[JUSTIN tries to dodge, lunging towards JENNER and slaps the crossbow to one side, making the bolt go wild as JENNER fires — and the bolt disappears into the trees.]

[For a brief moment, the two struggle with JENNER managing to get ahold of JUSTIN by the throat with his one good paw and JUSTIN trying to break his grip (as JENNER drops the crossbow, his minion TEMPLETON recovers his weapon and reloads it) before JENNER (as JUSTIN manages to break free) succeeds in knocking his foe back against his former hideout’s doorway, crying out to his men]:

Archers, prepare to fire on him —

[JENNER’s men (including TEMPLETON) begin to take aim.]

[JUSTIN cowers against the hideout’s entrance, trying to sheild himself with his arms as]:

:{interrupting}:

Oh, no! No! Wait — please! Stop! Jenner, please! I — I m-must speak ... with you! Now — please! I ... I have something to say!

[There is another pause, JUSTIN can see that JENNER is silently debating whether or not to order his archers to fire now, slowly stroking his short, thin beard.]

Pl-Please! P-Please, ... I ... I gotta talk to you! Please, ... y-you — you g-gotta listen to — to me!

[JUSTIN stands his ground, trembling, tho’ still stoic. Persperation runs down his brow and he is barely breathing, arms still held up — heart pounding loudly in his ears … and echoing. His shallow breath catches in his throat ... and he holds it.]

[The moment lasts a very long time as he thinks]:

(Oh, God! Is — Is this it? Is he gonna have me shot — right here, right now? Is — Is ... this ... the — the end? No, ... no, please, ... no! D-Don’t — Don’t let them — )

[He breaks off this line of thought; then]:

(No! I must be brave! I ... must have courage! I won’t weaken before that — that bastard again. I — I won’t! I ... I won’t let him — or my friends — see me ... be scared! N-No, ... n-not again — e-even ... if he —) <Gulp>

[JENNER glances at his archers, seeing that they are all eager to fire.]

[JUSTIN notices this, too, shuddering helplessly.]

[After a long moment, JENNER decides]:

Hold your fire, men!

[JENNER’s henchrats lower their bows, all looking angry and disappointed; but all ready to resume and fire at a second’s notice.]

[JUSTIN lets out his breath now in partial relief — ]

Alright, Wilson! What is it you want?

[ — but catches it again, anxious at JENNER’s contemptuous tone, slowly lowering his arms, full of dread, still pressed against the natural archway.]

[His friends gather in the tunnel’s entrance, looking anxious and subdued, but remaining just inside the entrance.]

[JUSTIN half-turns to them as they stare at him imploringly.]

[He hesitates, frightened and trembling; he speaks softly to them]:

... My friends, ... I ... I ... I’m ... s-sc-sca —

:{shouting}:

[JUSTIN breaks off, staring back at him in terror, then again at his friends, helpless and afraid]:

I have made up my mind: you are going to die and nothing shall change that, you wretch! Not even your cowardly, craven, yellow-bellied begging!

[JUSTIN, still looking at his friends, flinches at this obvious insult, angry and embarrassed, glaring at his enemy out of the corner of his eye.]

[His friends look sympathetic when he glances back at them, as if to check their reactions.]

[He bravely turns to face JENNER.]

Look. I ... I know you let me go on purpose for a reason other than kindness. I know all this was some kinda set-up, a trap. You wanted me ... to lead you to others you knew would defy you, too — right?

:{mockingly}:

Clever thinking, Wilson, yes, very clever thinking on your part, ... but a lot of good it will do any of you now. You are all under arrest — in the name of my superior authority!

[JUSTIN pauses, looking suspicious]:

You were bluffing, ... weren’t you? You couldn’t’ve burned this place down if you wanted to? Right? I’ll bet you weren’t serious, ... huh? The Healer didn’t believe you meant it.

<Chuckle> That would be a fair assessment of the situation on her part, but I would wager that you were not about to run the risk of finding out the hard way, ... now were you?

[Dismayed, JUSTIN stares at him, eyes briefly closed]:

... No.

[Eyes open, he casts his eyes down, defeatingly]:

I wasn’t.

Well, there you are, then ...

You’re not here just to arrest us all. Right?

Correct. You are all dangerous rebels ... and must be accordingly —

[JUSTIN blurts out with controlled anger; fearfully]:

No! No! You can’t do that! I won’t let you!

[At this, JENNER angrily advances at him]:

<Snarl> You dare —!?

[JUSTIN backs off in alarm, stumbling against the doorway; he blurts out]:

I ... I ... challenge you ... t-to single combat — for the lives of my friends here! (Oh-hhh, ... m-my God! W-What am I saying!?)

[JENNER breaks off, staring at JUSTIN in astonishment.]

<Laugh> Are you jesting!? Do you really think you can defeat me!? We have fought before — and I have always won! Have you not realized by now that I am the superior fighter!? I taught you everything you know about sword-play! There’s no trick you could accomplish that could defeat me — none that I wouldn’t see coming!

:{sourly}:

Oh, yeah? What about the time in the garden? As I recall, … you lost.

<Hmph> You think that dumb luck on your park makes you a better fighter? Yes, … you won, alright — but that’s because you had help! That fat slob McPherson —

I meant, before Sullivan hit you. As I recall, … you were wide open! You made it easy; so easy, that opening screamed "attack"! I got you — and good! And what about the other times? Y’know, maybe you’ve been the one with the dumb luck all this time! Maybe … you’re the one that isn’t as good as you think!

:{angrily ignoring this to state pointedly}:

And what kind of so-called fighter would that make you, then — since everything you know you learned from me? The only time I loose is when you have help — which is the only reason you still live after our fights! There shall be no help for you in a singular challenge, my little friend! If you are about to die — and you will — then that is how it shall be; no one will be allowed ... to save your wretched neck — this time!

<Gulp> I — I know that ...

So then, you must also know that you will most likely die if you face me again in battle — and without any assistance! So why —

:{interrupting desperately}:

I know you came here to capture us all — and probably worse! Now, I demand that you give me the chance to honorably win the freedom ... and lives ... of everyone here!

You are more of a fool than I thought! I will kill you easily enough ... and you know it! And believe me, Wilson, I can do it, too, ... even wounded ... as I am! <Laugh> You do not present any kind of a challenge to me! I shall finish you — and take great enjoyment and satisfaction while I am at it! And when I finish with you, your wretched head shall adorn the wall ... of my new Throne Room!

:{sourly}:

So you say. Look, I ... I’ve challenged you. Do you accept ... or not?

Well, ... of course, I accept. You are hardly worth my time or effort; but, yes, … I accept. I am not the coward that you are!

Oh, yeah? If I have a problem with guts where you’re concerned, buddy, … then it’s no thanks to you!

<Hmph> I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Like Hell, you don’t! Listin, pal, … I know all about your little trick! I know what you did to me!

Oh. <Chuckle> You mean … my little prank. Well, my friend, it seems to me that you can dish out the jokes, … but you can’t take as good as you get!

(!) Why, you — ( @#$%! )

<Laugh> In any case, … someone, ... arm him for our little ... <Chuckle> ... "contest". You there, Mr. Willard. Oblige ... the little fool.

[Grasping his sword’s sheath, TEMPLETON offers JUSTIN his sword, pommel first, grudgingly, sneering at him suspiciously and distastefully. He speaks only loud enough for JUSTIN to hear]:

:{low hiss}:

As unlikely as it is, even if yer win, yer lose. We’ll all cut the lotta yer ta shreds, startin’ with yer ... and ‘at is, should yer ‘appen ta win! Yer’ll be only th’ ‘ery first we slice thin, y’wretch. E’ry onna us’ll strike yer down enmass, ... right where yer stand ... ‘n’ we’ll literally shred yer guts! Yer gonna die, yer wretch ... ‘n’ bad, too — whether yer win er not! Either way, ... we’ll kill yer good!

[Gulping, JUSTIN glares at him, offended, angry and frightened; with TEMPLETON grasping the scabbard, JUSTIN slowly, hesitently and fearfully, draws the weapon out.]

[As JUSTIN takes TEMPLETON’s sword, JENNER draws his own, holding it in his good paw.]

<Chuckle> Then, let this contest begin!

[Trembling and full of dread, JUSTIN gulps and takes one slow, shuddering step forward — ]

:{nervous thought}:

[ — but MRS. BRISBY steps forward to grasp his wrist, stopping him; he looks almost relieved]:

Justin, wait! Do you really think that you ought to do this? All of us already know just how brave, how couragous you are, my dear friend! You just proved it!

[AURORA steps up to him on his other side, grasping his arm]:

Chief, please, don’t — you don’t have to do this! We think well enough of you already — all of us do! You don’t have to prove anything to us. We’ll find another way to solve this predicament.

[JUSTIN gently pulls his wrists free of their grips, eyes closed in despair.]

:{dismally; quietly}:

Please, Mrs. Brisby, Miss Griffin. Even if it doesn’t look like it, I ... I know what I’m doing.

[He opens his eyes to stare in JENNER’s direction for emphasis]:

And what’ll happen to all of you ... if I don’t? I ... I have no choice. Besides, what can I do now? I’m out here — and I ... I’m in his archers’ sights. I’ll get shot for sure if I try to ... to escape now. If I run, I’ll be cut down ... and then, the rest of you get killed. Besides, it might not even matter now — since that might just happen — anyway.

[Followed by ARTHUR, WILLIS, GREGORY and MR. AGES, ARNOLD comes forward. He puts a paw on JUSTIN’s shoulder.]

Please, brother. Be careful.

I will. But ... I — I can’t promise anything. Not for myself anyway. But I will save the rest of you. Anyway, ... I’ll try to, ... I —

Wilson — now! Or I shall dispense with your little challenge … and come over there and gut you ... from groin to throat — right now!

[Starting forward, he lifts his sword as he speaks]:

And then I shall kill the lot of you!

[AURORA gasps, embracing GREGORY in fear.]

[MR. AGES, ARNOLD, ARTHUR, WILLIS, and MRS. BRISBY look horrified.]

[ARNOLD puts a paw on MRS. BRISBY’s shoulder as she holds onto MR. AGES’s arm — and he is turn puts a paw over hers.]

[JUSTIN cries out in protest at JENNER’s words as his friends react in terror.]

<Gasp> No!

[JENNER pauses at JUSTIN’s potest, staring at him; then, with a slow and twisted grin]:

<Chuckle> Then, are you ready, Wilson?

[JUSTIN moans softly in fear with a surrendinging shrug; he starts forward — as does JENNER: Grimly, they face off.]

Y-Yes, … as much as ever, ... I — I guess.

… Then, ... defend yourself!

[He lunges at JUSTIN.]

[With a cry of terror, JUSTIN raises his sword and blocks the blow, cringing away as he does so and nearly stumbling from the force of the blow.]

[As the fight begins, everyone stands around them in a circle, watching.]

[The fight rages back and forth, seeming surprisingly equal in spite of JENNER’s wound. JENNER’s greater size, strength, and (especially) endurance (compared to JUSTIN), compensates completely for his wounded arm, pressing JUSTIN hard and mercilessly, making it totally necessary for JUSTIN to grasp his sword with both paws most of the time, having to put all of his strength into every block — as sparks fly and the two blades practically ring (loudly) off of each other.]

[The out-come of this fight is anyone’s guess.]

[It does not last much longer, tho’, certainly nowhere near as long as their other fights — as JENNER executes a disarming trick on JUSTIN, a blow with his sword with a twisting motion that tears JUSTIN’s sword from his grip, sending it flying from JUSTIN’s paw. The weapon spins in an arc thru’ the air, landing impaled blade first in the ground some distance away, quivering from the impack of its landing.]

:{mockingly — and starting to advance}:

Well, … what do you know? I am the better fighter after all, … just as I said!

[JUSTIN staggers back in terror — as JENNER closes in on him.]

[JENNER pins him to a tree with his sword’s tip at JUSTIN’s chest.]

[JUSTIN tries to dodge, but two of JENNER’s men (one on either side of JUSTIN) grab his arms — and restrain him against the tree. He screams in terror, straining against the trunk.]

[He is about to dash forward to help his brother, but TEMPLETON leaps forward, aiming his crossbow at ARNOLD.]

[JUSTIN, JENNER — and the henchrats retraining JUSTIN watch]:

[ARNOLD backs down in fear, retreating slowly as TEMPLETON advances.]

Oh, no, y’don’t!

H-Hey, take it easy with that thing!

Yer ‘eard th’ King! Yer friend, ‘e ain’t gitten no ‘elp dis time, me matey! Y’m let ‘im fight ‘is own battles ‘ere, see?

Okay, okay — take it easy! J-Just ... w-watch it!

[Sneering nastily at them, the Hench Rat covers JUSTIN’s friends for nearly the rest of the scene.]

[Meanwhile, JUSTIN finds himself seriously compromised, restrained as he is — as JENNER returns his attention to him.]

Well, I trust that your friend shall not pursue in his rudeness now, ... eh? But ... as for you —

:{near tears}:

Oh — Oh, … please! No! Don’t do this to me — please, don’t! Oh — Oh, God! Please, … h-have mercy! Have mercy ... o-on me! P-P-Please!

[As JUSTIN cries out for mercy, JENNER takes the opportunity to gloat nastily]:

<Chuckle> Little fool! I told you that you could not win! And you knew it well! And now, my little friend, … you are going to —

No! Oh, n-no! N-Now, w-w-wait a — a minute h-here! P-P-Please! Wait! Wait!

I have you now. There is no escape for you! So, ... prepare to die!

Oh, no! No! Please, don’t! D-D-Don’t!

Ohhh, yes! Yes! You loose, ... Wilson!

No! N-No! H-Have mercy on me — please!

Now then, ... I am going to run you thru’ — and tear your heart right out of your chest!

[He pulls back, preparing to drive his sword into JUSTIN — right thru’ the young Chief’s chest.]

:{struggling}:

Oh, no! No — wait! Please! Pl-Please! Oh — Oh, God!

Then, I shall finish your friends ... and be rid of the lot of you!

[JUSTIN freezes at the mention of his companions, fearful.]

No! You mustn’t, you can’t, you —

[He breaks off, making an effort to calm down and regain his composure.]

Please, ... I — I have something to say.

[JENNER pauses, still aiming at JUSTIN.]

... Very well then. Out with it!

[For a moment, JUSTIN cannot speak as he stares in horror at the sword-blade that is about to be impaled into his heaving chest — and split his heart; then]:

I — I ask for a last request. It ... is my right, ... at least — to that. Y-You know I ... I have that right. That’s one of the rules in a situation ... like this — and you ... you know it! Please.

[JENNER pauses, looking disgusted.]

[JUSTIN’s friends look extremely sympathetic for their Chief.]

[For a long moment, no one moves — especially JUSTIN, painfully aware as he is of JENNER’s sword, aimed at his heart.]