RAT RACE: A TRILOGY OF TROUBLE

PREVIOUSLY:

When Justin is flushed out of the hide-out by the threat of the eradication of his band, he attempts to negotiate for the lives of his companions, of whome Jenner planned to let Justin lead him to — so he could kill them all.

Justin’s efforts go awry, however, when it becomes obvious that Jenner will not be entreated into showing mercy — and he finds himself having to challenge his arch-enemy to singular combat instead. He looses — and is about to be put to death, … when he successfully pleads for a last request.

Can he turn his last request into a plea for the lives of his companions?

---

ISSUE #9: JUSTIN’S SACRIFICE

 

[JENNER lowers his sword.]

JENNER:

Very well. What do you want?

JUSTIN:

Well, ... a-actually, ... it ... it’s not for me.

[JUSTIN glances at his friends — ]

JUSTIN:

Well, really, ... it’s ... for them. You ... You’re so set on taking everyone, but I just don’t want to see anyone get hurt here, in spite of ... what you mean to do ... to me ... and — and —... Uh...

[ — and then towards JENNER’s men, as if he is embarrassed.]

JUSTIN:

Um, ... ahem ... Look, ... uh ... can we ... ah ... speak in private?

[JENNER pauses again, chews his lower lip, then lets out an exasperated breath, hissing thru’ his teeth, sheathing his sword slowly.]

[He nods at his men ... and they slowly release JUSTIN — and retreat.]

[Looking faint, JUSTIN braces himself against the tree for support; he closes his eyes — and sighs in relief.]

[Slowly, JENNER backs away, into the middle of the clearing, gesturing JUSTIN to come forward as he does.]

JENNER:

Granted. Approach me and state your business. And do not be tempted to try anything ...

[He threateningly grasps at the hilt of his sheathed dagger.]

JENNER:

... or I shall cut out your throat — and kill you where you stand!

[He starts to draw the dagger as — ]

[ — they meet in the middle of the clearing between the hideout entrance and all the surrounding undergrowth, in an open space between both sides. At once, both are engage in some sort of a discussion.]

[Members of both sides forming a fractered circle around them.]

[The 7 friends watch anxiously, even tho’ the two leaders are so removed from the rest of both groups that neither catch the content of the following discussion]:

JUSTIN:

:{intimidated by Jenner’s dagger}:

P-Put th-that a-away. Th-There ... isn’t any need … f-for that — now.

[Grudgingly, JENNER resheaths the partially drawn dagger — the same that MRS. BRISBY recovered earlier, glaring at JUSTIN, eyes narrowing slowly as he speaks. As his paw remaining on his weapon’s hilt, he growls in a voice so low only JUSTIN can hear]:

JENNER:

:{growl}:

You cannot imagine, Wilson, how much I want to just put this blade into your wretched throat — right under your chin! I really wonder why I just don’t do so ... since you stand right here before me, in my power and at my mercy, ... with no possible escape? Tell me, why do I not just kill you now, eh? As you well know, ... I would simply love to ...

[There is a pause.]

[His paw still on the hilt of his dagger, JENNER tightens and loosens his grip on the weapon’s handle several times, obviously inching to do as he threatens, glaring at JUSTIN.]

[Intimidated by JENNER’s apparent eagerness to do just as he threatens, JUSTIN trembles, gulping in fear and fighting the urge to back away or bolt, fidgeting uncomfortably, his brow damp with persperation, looking ill with fear.]

JENNER:

But ... I am curious to know, Wilson, ... just what is it ... that you want?

[With a short pause, JUSTIN pauses to take a deep, shuddering breath before he manages to begin]:

JUSTIN:

I — I’m giving myself up, now, ... of my own free will. Arrest me. Do what you will with me, but please, just let everyone else go — as a last request — to me. As I said, I get a last request ... by the rules of conduct in a situation like this ... and that’s what I want. I — I’ll go with you and — and you do what you want with me. Just let my friends and family go — please. Give me what I want — and I — I’ll give you what you want ... willingly.

JENNER:

Well, Wilson, that is what I am intending anyway, so you are not really making a deal with me. You are simply agreeing with what I had in mind to begin with, as I did intend to have you. My initial threat did work, did it not? You do realize, tho’, that I could have flushed you all out — and easily enough in any case. It is just more satisfying — this way. As for sparing all of you, I did intend to arrest you all.

JUSTIN:

What would happen to everyone here ... i-if you did?

JENNER:

What do you expect? You are all traitors — to my authority! As you must realize, I am well within my rights on that detail ... alone ... to have the whole lot of you done away with — this very instant! Your little band must die now —

[JUSTIN cries out, interrupting]:

JUSTIN:

Oh, no — please! No!

JENNER:

Yes! For as I was about to say before, Wilson, you must all be taken into proper custody ... and then, be accordingly desposed of!

JUSTIN:

No! You can’t do that! I — I demand that you at least —

[JENNER, angered by this, storms at JUSTIN, making him cower in alarm]:

JENNER:

Do not dare to tell me what I cannot do, you miserable, interfering meddler! You are in no position to demand or dictate ... anything ... of me! I have ordered your unconditional surrender ... and, as you both see and realize, I have the manpower here to enforce it! And yet, ... here you seem to think that you can strike some sort of a deal with me, … but in the end, … it is I that shall ultimately decide whether your band lives ... or dies! And you know that I can do so ... if I so choose! I am the power of life or death — over everyone ... that I oversee! All who live do so — by my whim alone! I am the only life here ... and the only way to life! I can have you all slaughtered — in an instant! And you can safely wager ... that I probably will! You will all be done away with —

JUSTIN:

:{interrupting in fright}:

No! No, please! Listen! I’ll go with you — okay!? I give up! I give myself up! Please, let everyone here go — and I — I’ll go, ... I’ll go with you! I’ll go — peacefully! Please! If — If only you — you’ll spare everyone and —

JENNER:

Not good enough! They are your friends! They are on your side — not mine! Besides, what would I do with them otherwise? Where would I put them? Your friends have no place in my Empire! They are all rebels against me; they must be —

JUSTIN:

Look, if I make them leave Thorn Valley, in addition to my going with you, then will you spare everyone else here? Please! Let everyone else go! Do it. Please! They’ll leave Thorn Valley — permanently. Please. Just do it ...

JENNER:

So then, ... you say that your friends would leave Thorn Valley?

JUSTIN:

Yes.

JENNER:

Permanently?

JUSTIN:

Yes.

JENNER:

If you so ordered them to ... ?

JUSTIN:

Yes, they would! They will — please!

JENNER:

:{suspiciously; slowly}:

And what if I do not believe you? I have not one reason to trust you —

JUSTIN:

Please! Please, I promise! I swear — on my life! I’ll get them all ... to leave Thorn Valley ... for good ... and — and never come back! Just don’t — please, don’t kill them! Some of them — are just children! One ... is just a baby — newborn, ... a — a little girl! Please, I — I beg you, ... don’t kill them! I’ll make them go ... and I’ll go with you, if — if only ... you’ll ... just have some compassion, ... especially for the females ... and their children ...

JENNER:

Hmmmmm. Well, ... I just don’t know ... about that.

JUSTIN:

Please! Do what you will with me, but please, I — I beg you, spare the lives ... of my friends and family! Pl-Please! Especially ... the children. T-They have ... nothing to do with our fight. They shouldn’t have to suffer, too. Please. Let them go. They’ll leave Thorn Valley — and never meddle with you, ever again. Please. I — I pledge my life — for the safety of my family and friends. Take me — and let them go — please! If it will keep you from committing a massacre, I — I’ll sacrifice myself to you ... in — in whatever way you demand of me.

[There is a long pause; then]:

JENNER:

<Sigh> Very well ... One one condition. I have a special plan in mind that your arrest will serve to me. You see, ... you shall assist me, in solidifying my rule —

JUSTIN:

:{angry}:

<Gasp> I — I will not! It’s bad enough that you want to murder me! But if you think that I’ll help you enslave the rest of my folk before I die, then you’ve got another thing coming, pal! I —

JENNER:

Remember, Wilson, ... the children, as you say. <Chuckle>

JUSTIN:

:{in defeat}:

... <Sigh> ... What ... do you want me to do?

JENNER:

As I was saying, you will assist me in solidifying ... my rule — by agreeing to become ... an example, ... to the rest of the colony.

JUSTIN:

:{afraid}:

An ... An example? ... Y-You — You ... mean ... y-you’re g-gonna —... ?

JENNER:

Yes, Wilson, ... I do mean ... just that! I have intended to do so — for a long time now, … for I most certainly am going to do ... just that. Not that you have much choice; I shall do with you just as I want, whether you agree to it ... or not!

JUSTIN:

... B-But I ... I thought you wanted — wanted to just arrest me, maybe imprison me — and force me to help you —... I — I don’t want to, ... but I got the impression just now —... I — I thought you were going to spare me — if I helped you!

JENNER:

Oh, you shall help me all right! Just as I told you earlier, there is but one way you can help me! <Chuckle> Poor fool. Why, what do you think I want you for? <Laugh> After all this time, after all the trouble you have been for me, did you really think ... that it could be ... any other way? I did not track the lot of you down for nothing, you know. What else would I do with you? What do you think I have been trying to do to you — all this time? <Chuckle> What else did you expect, Wilson — for me to spare you indefinitely? <Laugh>

JUSTIN:

... No ... I ... was hoping otherwise, ... but ... I knew, I—...

JENNER:

You asked what I want you to do, Wilson. I want you to die! <Chuckle> Be grateful, my friend, ... that I happen to be in a generous mood — enough to forgo taking your friends along with you, even tho’ my purpose ... for sparing you before is defeated, as I could have disposed of you many times over by now, ... had I not considered taking you all prisoner ... of such importance. Surely, ... you realize that that is the only way that I would, or ever could, be persuaded in sparing your little friends? <Chuckle> After all, either way, ... well <chuckle>, you must know that it cannot be any other way between us — not for you. You know what they say, Wilson: "Take it — or leave it." Except that, I do not believe ... you will much like ... the alternative, ... such as it is — or would be — for all of you, now. Eh? That is, if you leave it. <Chuckle> Realize this much, Wilson: one way or other, ... you ... are finished. So, whether your friends live or not, ... you are thru’! Well then, my little friend, ... what shall it be?

JUSTIN:

... <Gulp> Okay. I ... I guess I don’t have much choice, do I?

JENNER:

No, I would say, you definately do not!

JUSTIN:

... <Sigh> Alright. But I want this in writing — for the sakes of everyone here! I want that we should draft a contract for both sides — a copy for you ... and them. I — I just want to make sure that we don’t have any, ... uh, ... "misunderstanding" here.

JENNER:

Hah! A wise attittude, I see! You trust me no more than I trust you!

JUSTIN:

:{bitterly}:

What makes you think ... that I ever would? At least, ever since you’ve made your true self known, ... you don’t exactly have a good track record with me.

JENNER:

<Chuckle> Be so as it may, eh, Wilson? You realize, then, ... that I could still very well come back — and do away with your verminous little pack of interloping rebels! That is, ... after I have finished with you! <Chuckle> I would very much prefer to do just that — and even before my men and I go, by the way!

JUSTIN:

No, please! Please, you have me! I — I surrender already! Just leave everyone alone — please! Think ... of them! The children that some of us have in there — please! Innocents — that have nothing to do whatsoever ... with our conflict! Please! Leave them alone!

[He pauses, staring at JENNER — with pleading desperation.]

JENNER:

A truce?

JUSTIN:

Yes! Please! Let there be a truce between our parties!

JENNER:

Very well. A truce between both parties then. In writing. With you as my prize. Everyone else goes free — and as long as I never see any of them here, ever again! You are aware then that they are banished out-casts … and will die — if they ever try to come back, regardless of age or gender? They shall be killed — on sight. Remember that when you tell them.

JUSTIN:

Yes, I know. I understand that. That’s what I’m trying to keep from happening. This is our battle, our conflict. Yours and mine — and no one else needs to be dragged into this cursed mess between us! They’ll leave. I swear it — for their sakes. Just ... give them until morning, ... so they can get some sleep first. It’s dark — and too dangerous ... to be out in the woods now anyway.

JENNER:

… Done!

[JENNER turns to the nearest henchrat, who seems to have a pack of supplies.]

JENNER:

You, there! Come here!

[At this, the henchrat comes forward.]

[Using the henchrat as a table, both JENNER and JUSTIN handle a paper (that they got from the henchrat’s supply pack) between them, writing out the contract on the spot — and signing it.]

[ISABELLA comes out slowly. She gasps in alarm when she sees JUSTIN — standing so close to JENNER ... and her paws fly to her mouth, her eyes wide in horror.]

ISABELLA:

:{whispering}:

<Gasp> Justin! Oh, my God — Justin! H-He’s ... trying, ... he’s really trying ... t-to negotiate for us ... !?

ARTHUR:

What do you think, Izzy, that all the talk inside was about? You knew the Chief was determined to face him and — try to talk this out!

ISABELLA:

But — But Justin —... He’s —

MRS. BRISBY:

:{softly; to Isabella}:

Yes, Isabella. Justin ... is trying to negotiate for our lives, ... but ... we can’t hear what they’re saying ...

[ISABELLA clasps her forepaws together.]

ISABELLA:

:{anxiously}:

Justin! Oh — Oh, ... my … poor Justin! Doesn’t he know ... that Jenner ... might — that he might —

AURORA:

Yes. He ... certainly knows the risks, ... but there is not much he can do about that. We can only hope that he can persuade Jenner into sparing our lives. I believe from what we can see, that it is a very ... unenviable and thankless task ... on Justin’s part ... and it may very well be considered nothing less than a major miracle if he can really save us, for Jenner came here to kill every last one of us ... if he could — even children. And I don’t think trying to escape would do us any good at this point; we’re out-numbered and out-gunned at the moment — trying to escape would result in our being massacred. Justin’s efforts are our only hope. He’ll have to all but bend over backwards to accomodate Jenner’s demands — and also ... to convince him to do ... otherwise. And — nothing may be able to persuade him of that. Just saving us will be all Justin can do.

ISABELLA:

But — but ... wh-what’s ... to stop that ... that evil, ruthless, back-stabber ... from — f-from — Oh-hh-hhh!

AURORA:

That is, unfortunately, what I meant.

ISABELLA:

Oh, ... my God! Oh, no! What’s going to happen now? W-What’s going t-to — to — Oh-hhh-hhhh!

[She faulters as if she is trying to find more words and failing to, breaking off in confused distress.]

AURORA:

I do not know, my friend, but we can only pray ... that they reach ... some sort of a civil ... and peaceful agreement ... of some kind. At least for our sakes. He just might be able to do it, ... but ... we can only pray ... for him.

ISABELLA:

... But — B-But ... what happens now!?

ARTHUR:

:{grimly}:

We’ll find out soon enough. I think they’re done.

MR. AGES:

:{nodding}:

Yes. They’re done alright.

AURORA:

Justin’s coming back.

[ISABELLA looks partly relived, but puzzled.]

[JUSTIN starts back towards them. He looks, paradoxically, relieved and anxious. As if a great weight now rests on his shoulders and not on them.]

ISABELLA:

But — what’s the matter with him? Why does he look ... so peculiar?

[AURORA shakes her head uneasily.]

AURORA:

:{muttering dismally}:

... I ... I have ... a bad feeling about this.

[JUSTIN rejoins them.]

ARNOLD:

Well, Justin, what happened!? What’d you two say!? What —

[JUSTIN raises a paw to quiet him. He smiles faintly, a sad smile.]

JUSTIN:

:{quietly}:

According to the terms ... of the agreement between me... and him, there ... is a truce now, ... between our groups. You’re all free to go now ... as long as you don’t meddle ... in Jenner’s affairs. And ... as long as you leave Thorn Valley ... now — and never try ... to return to New Valley Colony — or even to Thorn Valley. You have no later than morning to get out, since there will be patrols who will be on orders — to kill anyone they find from our group still here ...

ARNOLD:

:{taken aback}:

... You mean ... we’re — we’re banished?

JUSTIN:

:{very softly}:

I’m afraid so. It was all I could get for all of you. But you wouldn’t be happy here anymore anyway. Not that ... he ... now controls things here now. You would ... all be stuck here, ... living under the occupation of tyranny ...

[He pauses, as if at a loss for words, then goes on, suddenly tiredly]:

JUSTIN:

Also, ... I — I must ... go ... with him.

[Everyone looks at each other anxiously, puzzled and confused.]

JUSTIN:

I — I’ve agreed ... I’ve pledged ... my very life ... for all of you, ... my family ... and friends ...

[Everyone is shocked. As JENNER approaches JUSTIN, slowly, from behind, as if to claim a prize, MR. AGES breaks the sudden, stunned silence]:

MR. AGES:

... Wha — What’re you talking about, my boy?

JUSTIN:

Don’t you know? You don’t, do you? But, I think, you can guess. I told you all that I would save you, but that I — I couldn’t garantee my situation, since he wants me. I’ve got to go with him now. You ... You know how it is, ... don’t you?

ARNOLD:

Go? With ... him? Justin, ... what —

[JUSTIN is suddenly fighting back tears; he speaks, frightened, but brave]:

JUSTIN:

:{faulters; blurts out the last}:

It — It’s true ... What else ... did any of you expect? According ... to a written contract ... we’ve made, ... I — I —<Gulp> I must ... must now — ... <choke> I ... I ... must now ... die!

[Everyone is too shocked by this to respond at once — except ARNOLD]:

ARNOLD:

What!?

[JUSTIN visibly struggles to maintain emotional equalibrium.]

[He hands ARNOLD as envolope, trying to compose himself. As he speaks, his voice cracks as he chokes on his own struggling emotions]:

JUSTIN:

Now ... here’s your copy ... of the contract, Arnold. Take it — Take it ... to Dad. He ... is in charged now ... of our small group, as ... Acting-Chief ...

[ISABELLA starts towards him, slowly, starting to cry.]

ISABELLA:

Oh, no. No! Justin —

[She is about to embrace him.]

[JUSTIN stops her gently, with a paw on her shoulder, appears uneasy at her attention and glad to have reason to hold her away.]

JUSTIN:

:{gently; softly to her}:

Now, Bella, ... don’t cry. You’ll be fine.

[He addresses them all collectively]:

JUSTIN:

You’ll all ... be fine, just ... fine ...

[ISABELLA goes on weeping. WILLIS tries to comfort her.]

WILLIS:

Bella, please, calm down. It’ll be okay!

[ARNOLD glances at ISABELLA and WILLIS, then looks at JUSTIN]:

ARNOLD:

Now, Justin, … wait a minute, … you ... you can’t just throw your life away — like this — and certainly not ... not to ... to h-him and —

JUSTIN:

I — I’m not ... just throwing my life away, Arnold. You know I’m not. I — I’m doing this for all of you. Please, don’t make this any harder than it already is ... Please, don’t. Just ... don’t.

ARNOLD:

But —

JUSTIN:

:{ignoring him}:

As for me, ... it — it’s over. All over.

[He glances over his shoulder at JENNER resentfully]:

JUSTIN:

Jenner’s got ... what he wants now. Me.

ARTHUR:

:{horrified}:

Justin, … you must be mad!

MR. AGES:

That’s right! Chief, … you can’t be serious! You —

[JUSTIN looks at him, answering with quiet resolve.]

JUSTIN:

I am.

[ISABELLA cries even harder at this.]

[MRS. BRISBY, AURORA, GREGORY, MR. AGES, ARTHUR, WILLIS, and ARNOLD all suddenly burst out talking, protesting to this change of events.]

JUSTIN:

Quiet, now quiet down, all of you. Be quiet!

[They do quiet down for him]:

JUSTIN:

Look, this way, only one of us dies. Me. The rest of you ... get to go free. You guys, you get to live — as long as you all get outta Thorn Valley, right away — and never come back! Please, don’t make this any harder than it is, you guys. I mean, he’s gonna kill me either way — this way, you guys live and go free. If I don’t do this, ... there’ll be a real slaughter, a terrible massacre. Everyone ... would die. Males, females, children, ... even babies, like my poor littlest sister. So, ... I ... I must do this, ... especially since I — I’m going to be ... k-killed — e-either way this goes. I ... I c-can’t escape — and everyone here will die, too, if I don’t do this, ... so ... I’ve no other choice.

[They all stare at him forlornly, including ISABELLA, who is still teary-eyed. For a long moment, no one speaks; they just stare at him as if in disbelief.]

JUSTIN:

Please, ... understand. It — It’s not like my — my death will be meaningless.

[JUSTIN reads the incredulousness in their eyes; he tries to convince them]:

JUSTIN:

It — It’s really ... all for the best, everyone! Really, it is.

[JUSTIN watches ISABELLA weep for a moment, then glances at JENNER]:

JUSTIN:

I suppose ... it would be too much to ask for more?

JENNER:

That ... depends — on what you want now.

JUSTIN:

Isabella’s sister Beatrice. Will you ... send her to her family here? Please? Before everyone has to leave? It would mean a lot — y’know, ... if they could stay together ... that is, if — if only y-you would —

JENNER:

:{suddenly angry — and very hostile}:

You have a lot of nerve, Wilson! As if I did not have enough traitors and rebels running loose in these hills! And after I have made such generous allowances for the rest of them, ... now you dare to ask for more — and especially something like that!? You dare to ask ... that I turn another rebel loose up here!? You do know that I ought to have you all put to death — this instant! I must be mad to even consider letting your friends go, ... you wretch! And now, you dare to ask me something like that! You can just forget it — that one stays with me! And if you value what is left of your miserable life —

JUSTIN:

Alright! Forget I mentioned it — never mind!

[He turns to ISABELLA]:

JUSTIN:

Well, ... I tried, Isabella. You saw. I really did.

[Then to the others]:

JUSTIN:

But, at least, you’ll all be well.

[As JUSTIN finishes, JENNER grabs him by an arm, giving JUSTIN a rough pull with his working, unhurt arm, turning JUSTIN to face him.]

JENNER:

Fine — you’ve had your last words! Now, come!

[Startled and instinctively resisting at first, JUSTIN turns to stare at him with forlorn, despairing fear.]

[ISABELLA pales in anger, her face still wet with tears. She rushes forward to embrace JUSTIN, getting beween him and JENNER, trying to sheild JUSTIN from JENNER, pushing JENNER back.]

ISABELLA:

No, no, no, you can’t take him, you can’t have him! I won’t let you take him, I won’t let you, I won’t! You can’t have him, you —

[Growling, JENNER grabs her by a shoulder and shoves her away, making her stumble and fall.]

JENNER:

:{shouting}:

Back off, you insolent, little wench!

[As ARNOLD and ARTHUR catch her before she hits the ground, she cries out]:

ISABELLA:

<Woo-ooof>

JENNER:

You don’t know who you are dealing with, do you!?

[In ARNOLD’s and ARTHUR’s arms, ISABELLA stares up at him, cowering in fear at his threatening attitude.]

[With a curt nod from JENNER, a henchrat comes up behind JUSTIN — and starts to tie JUSTIN’s forepaws behind his back.]

[JUSTIN stares despairingly down at the ground.]

[His friends stare in shock and disbelief.]

[JENNER visably confronts JUSTIN before them all.]

[JUSTIN looks blankly, despairingly, at him.]

JENNER:

As of this very moment, Wilson, you are under arrest by the newly founded Empire of the Genre Dynasty! I hereby arrest you ... under my authority — as the true and rightful leader … of the Rats of NIMH!

[At the word "arrest", JUSTIN closes his eyes, head in a despairing pout.]

[JENNER advances menacingly on him.]

[Looking up at him in alarm, JUSTIN cringes from him, backing away.]

[JENNER grasps the front of JUSTIN’s tunic, halting his retreat — with jerking abruptness, making him <Gasp>.]

JENNER:

I charge you with the defiance and betrayal of a superior authority — mine! The point here is made: resistance of the Empire ... and my rule — specifically, my authority — is high treason!

[JUSTIN’s friends are very shocked by JENNER’s choice of words, angry and horrified.]

JENNER:

That alone deserves capital punishment!

[JUSTIN’s friends are even more shocked to hear this — and JUSTIN is paralyzed with horror, staring at the ground.]

JENNER:

Therefore, here and now, before witnesses and on my superior authority, I hereby sentence you to be immediately executed, for your wretched offences against me are punishable — by death!

[Still gripping the front of JUSTIN’s tunic, JENNER shakes him slightly.]

[ISABELLA starts to cry again as WILLIS tries to comfort her.]

[JUSTIN’s reaction to JENNER’s pronoucements is of increasing horror and despair — and an increasing effort as well to keep from crying, too, gasping out a small cry of fear as JENNER shakes him.]

[JENNER goes on slowly, his voice a low growl, hissingly thru’ his teeth]:

JENNER:

And so, ... at dawn tomorrow, ... before the entire assembly of Empire Colony’s collective population — and as an example to any other potential dissidents, ... I ... shall ... see ... you ... hang!

[On the word "hang", with his good paw, he releases the front of JUSTIN’s tunic — and seizes JUSTIN by the throat with his good paw, to make the point, clutching JUSTIN’s throat tightly.]

[JUSTIN cries out, eyes closed, losing his balance as he collapses to his knees, with JENNER’s paw still clutching his throat, arching himself backwards in an effort to pull away from him.]

[His friends all see that he is fighting to hide his terror, … which finally breaks as he gasps out in agonized terror, eyes pressed shut]:

JUSTIN:

Ahhhhh! Please! No — please! Oh, please, don’t —

[JENNER cuts him off.]

[At his nexts words, JUSTIN stares at him in horror, eyes growing wide and huge, mouth gaping, suddenly freezing in raw, cold terror.]

JENNER:

You shall hang, Wilson, you shall hang by your wretched throat — until you are dead! I have so decreed it: you are now under sentence of death! You are going to die ... and this time, there is no escape for you! I shall finally be rid of you — once and for all!

[For most of this piece of dialogue, JUSTIN is frozen with horror, but on the word "die", he seems to find his voice and cries out in terror — as JENNER continues, dialogue overlapping; his cries are nothing short of squeals of terror as he fights to keep from bursting into tears]:

JUSTIN:

Oh, no! No! No! No! Oh, God, don’t —

[Suddenly, ARNOLD pushes past JUSTIN angrily, cutting the overlapping dialogue short, almost knocking his brother down, at the same time, pushing JENNER away from JUSTIN — and seizes JENNER’s injured arm.]

ARNOLD:

Now just one damned minute here, you!

[JENNER winces from ARNOLD’s grasp unconfortably, sneering at him.]

ARNOLD:

Just who the hell do you think you —

[Teeth bared in pain and rage, JENNER rears his good arm back for a cuffing blow at ARNOLD, giving him no time to finish.]

[ARNOLD has no time to duck or even cower, but his eyes do go wide in alarm as he sees the blow coming even as he speaks — as JENNER cuffs him hard and viciously in the face, cutting off his words.]

ARNOLD:

<Ugh!>

[JENNER shouts at him in a rage as he strikes]:

JENNER:

Silence, you insolent fool! You dare to confront me!?

[ARNOLD, his mouth bloody, falls down backwards.]

[MRS. BRISBY, AURORA, GREGORY, and ARTHUR rush to help him, the mouse and the rat breaking his fall while the two mouse-maids come forward to help them — by attempting to revive ARNOLD, who is so stunned at first that he cannot sit up even as his friends try to help him.]

[ISABELLA goes on weeping brokenly, with WILLIS trying to comfort her.]

[As ARNOLD comes to, he rubs his mouth, staring dumbly at the blood on his palm, then at JENNER.]

[The others — MRS. BRISBY, AURORA, GREGORY, and ARTHUR — crouch around him.]

[They also stare fearfully at JENNER.]

[AURORA looks angry as well as fearful, but she stays quiet.]

[Advancing slowly on ARNOLD, JENNER goes on, pointing at him threateningly]:

JENNER:

One more word out of you — and you shall join him!

[Propped up against the hideout doorway, ARNOLD cries out in terror, cringing at this, shaking his head, a paw going to his throat in horror, his other paw held up as if to shield himself.]

[JUSTIN, still on his knees, observes the abuse of his brother with indignation and incredulousness — which seems to give him some courage … and defiant boldness.]

JUSTIN:

Leave him alone, Genre. You’ve already got me and —

[Eyes flashing with near-mindless rage, JENNER turns on JUSTIN savagely, drawing his one good paw back, snarling.]

[JUSTIN breaks off in alarm, cowering as he see the blow coming, then begins to cry out in horror]:

JUSTIN:

O-Oh, n —

[JENNER punches him brutally in the face with a fisted forepaw, knocking JUSTIN down as well, cutting off JUSTIN’s cry, which is replaced with a grunt]:

JUSTIN:

<Ugh>

[His mouth bloodied as well, JUSTIN cowers, sprawled on the ground before his captor — ]

[ — as JENNER looms over him menacingly, raging]:

JENNER:

:{snarling in rage}:

You, too, shall be silent, ... you little wretch — or, as I’ve said before, … I shall rip out your tongue! Right thru’ your throat!

[JENNER’s threatening action and words causes JUSTIN to cry out]:

JUSTIN:

<Gasp> Oh, no! Please! Don’t hurt me, plea — !

[Enraged by JUSTIN’s seeming defiance of his warning, JENNER snarls]:

JENNER:

Be silent! Here I have warned you — and still you dare to defy me!

[He whips out his dagger, holding it blade down and]:

JENNER:

Another word out of you and, I swear, I will kill you — right where you lay!

[Advancing in rage, he raises his dagger high in the air over his head, aiming it down in JUSTIN’s direction; hissing]:

JENNER:

I promise you, Wilson, dare to deny me again — and I swear that you shall not even live to hang tomorrow! I shall cut out your living heart — right here and now!

[JUSTIN cries out in terror, cowering, staring up at him, frozen and trembling as the blade of JENNER’s dagger flashes evilly in the failing light. JUSTIN fearfully stares at the blade, paralyzed and terrified, holding his breath, seeing that it is aimed right at his heaving chest; he hears his pounding heart-beat, echoing loudly, in his ears. Ears flattening against his head, his eyes grow wide with terrified horror, his teeth bared. His head back hard against the ground, he gulps hard, shuddering violently.]

[Everyone else watches as if frozen as well, JENNER’s men with triumphant satisfaction and fasination ... ]

[ ... and JUSTIN’s friends with pity, sympathy, and horror.]

[For a very long moment, no one dares to move; everyone seems to be holding their breaths.]

[Then JENNER slowly puts his dagger away, staring down at JUSTIN coldly, eyes narrowed.]

[JUSTIN is relieved that JENNER has replaced his knife, but still cowers helplessly as — ]

[ — JENNER leans down and seizes JUSTIN by the collar, yanking him to his feet.]

JENNER:

Now then, … on your feet, wretch!

[JUSTIN gasps at the rough man-handling from his enemy.]

JENNER:

This time, … there is no escape ...

[JENNER drags him away, shoving him along ahead of himself, seizing hold his prisoner by the back of his collar, causing him to stumble along, gasping in fear — as everyone watches in shocked horror.]

JENNER:

... for now you are going to die!

[Pausing, JENNER stops, holding JUSTIN by the back of the prisoner’s collar.]

[JUSTIN stands there, immobilized with terror and helplessness; he trembles, eyes pressed shut, hanging his head — in despair. His shudders come out as whimpered moans.]

[JENNER turns to JUSTIN’s friends]:

JENNER:

And as for the rest of you, ... all of you have until morning to get out, as agreed. I shall send a scouting party up here first thing tomorrow — and you had all better be gone, ... because anyone who is found will be arrested ... and brought down to camp to be executed, if not desposed of on the spot!

[With that, he starts off again, with his helpless prisoner.]

[JUSTIN casts one last look at them; one of hopeless despair and helpless terror as he is lead away — to die.]

[JENNER’s henchrats follow, with TEMPLETON, BENJAMIN, and RATTEN bringing up the rear, who train their cross-bows on JUSTIN’s friends.]

TEMPLETON:

‘Ere, now, don’t be atryin’ anything unseemly — or we’ll let ya’ ‘ave it!

[The raid-party disappear thru’ the undergrowth.]

[AURORA tends to ARNOLD’s bloody nose and split lip with her healing magic as the raid party departs.]

[Except for ISABELLA’s renewed, steady weeping, there is an awkward silence.]

[ISABELLA’s sobbing causes MRS. BRISBY’s eyes to well up.]

[AURORA finishes with ARNOLD, then looks off in the direction the raid-party departed in.]

[She, too, is teary-eyed.]

AURORA:

:{nearly weeping for Justin}:

Oh ... Oh, that poor boy! He didn’t have to — Oh, ... what has he gotten himself into!? Redeeming his self-worth ... at the cost ... of his very life! Oh, no one should have to pay such a price, ... even if he did it — to save all of our lives as well!

[ARNOLD suddenly leaps to his feet; he is nearly hysterical.]

ARNOLD:

W-What’re we gonna do!? Oh, my God — poor Justin! What the hell are we gonna do, I —

JACKSON:

:{from behind; coming out}:

Shut up, Arnold. You talk too much.

[Looking offended, ARNOLD hushes.]

JACKSON:

Right. Now, all of you, get inside.

[At first, everyone just stands, looking at him, as in incredulous.]

JACKSON:

Justin’s made me Chief-Protem, dammit! That’s an order.

[ISABELLA continues to sob loudly.]

JACKSON:

:{annoyed by her weeping}:

<Ugh> Will somebody please help her?

[WILLIS takes ISABELLA in his arms.]

[JACKSON leads everyone back inside.]

 

[TO BE CONTINUED]