EPISODE 3 - A TOKEN OF THEIR WORST FEAR
TRANSCRIPT EPISODE 3
Soft music.
The following podcast was made possible by the University of Texas at Austin’s Cohen New Works Festival. Be sure to support other productions in the festival and go to spellsofthesea.com for activities following each episode.
Recap sound.
FINLEY:
We have to let the whirlpool carry us down.
CRANK:
Are you insane?! We’ll die!
FINLEY:
You have to trust me!
CRANK:
I don’t!
FINLEY:
You have to!
CRANK:
But—but—
FINLEY:
Jump!
MERMAID:
And with that, Finley the fisherwoman and H.S. Crank the lighthouse keeper found themselves at
the bottom of a whirlpool, in the mysterious cave of a mysterious sea monster.
Song: Whirlpool/Monster
ALL:
Waves coming
Rolling out
Your greatest fears are near
Waves coming
Whirlpool
Inside’s your biggest fear
FINLEY and CRANK emerge from the water. They are in a cave, on opposite ends.
FINLEY: (spoken)
Hello? Hello? ...What is this place?
CRANK:
Finley?
FINLEY:
Crank? ...Anybody?
CRANK:
Where are you?
FINLEY:
Hello?!
VOICES: (whispered)
Finley. Finley.
CRANK:
Finley!
VOICES: (whispered)
H.S.Crank.
CRANK:
Where are you?!
MONSTER: (spoken)
They couldn’tfindeach other.
But they can
always
find
me.
(sung)
I am the thing that haunts you
In all your darkest dreams
I am a frightening memory
You can’t escape me when you sleep
VOICES: (whispered)
You can’t escape me when you sleep
Monster may be my name
Yes, I’m whatever you call me
Most won’t speak my real name
For it’d kill them just as I would the same
ALL:
Waves coming
Rolling out
Your biggest fear lives near
Waves coming
Whirlpool
Inside...
MONSTER:
I’m waiting here
VOICES: (whispered)
I’m waiting here
End of song.
The singsong-y drip of water droplets in a cave. Voices whisper and bounce off of its walls.
CRANK enters, walking unsteadily. He sounds like he’s been shouting for some time.
CRANK:
Finley! Finley!
Nothing.
Finley...hello?
MONSTER:
I’m here, H.S. Crank.
CRANK:
Hello? Who was that?
SEA MONSTER transforms. It’s grotesque. She becomes PEARL.
Finley?
MONSTER:
Dad?
Beat. Crank recognizes this voice.
CRANK:
It can’t be...Pearl?
He sees her.
Oh, Pearl. Is it really you?
MONSTER:
It’s me, Dad.
CRANK goes to her.
CRANK:
Is your mother here, too?
MONSTER:
Later.
CRANK:
All these years. Ever since you—ever since I lost you, I haven’t left the house. I’ve kept it dark.
To keep everyone safe.
MONSTER:
Why did you let me go, Dad?
CRANK:
I didn’t. I haven’t. Ever.
MONSTER:
You’re lying, Dad.
CRANK:
No, I...I don’t understand.
MONSTER:
You let me take the boat that night.
CRANK:
I’m sorry, Pearl. I didn’t know it was broken.
MONSTER:
I needed help. Why didn’t you help me?
CRANK:
I know, I know. I’m sorry. But you must understand, I was in the lighthouse. I couldn’t hear or
see you. I thought you could start the boat yourself—it was your mother’s, after all—
MONSTER:
You left me ALONE!
CRANK:
I’m sorry! I’ve been so terribly sorry for over twenty years, Pearl. Please forgive me. I didn’t
know--
MONSTER:
I wanted to ride the boat, but I couldn’t start it because it was broken. So, I climbed to the top of
it to make repairs. I looked up, looked up at the lighthouse and asked you for help,
but instead, you turned the beacon on.
CRANK:
Please, Pearl—not this story—
MONSTER:
The light blinded me. I fell from the top of the boat to the ground.
And I didn’t wake up.
CRANK:
No, no, no, no—
MONSTER:
YOU TURNED ON THE LIGHT AND
I DIDN’T WAKE UP!!!
SEA MONSTER ROARS and the earth RUMBLES.
As it does, we cut to FINLEY, on the other side of the cave:
A faint echo from the same rumble.
FINLEY:
What was that? ...Hello?
Beat.
Alright, worst fear. Come on out. I’m ready for anything.
Silence, except for cave sounds.
Helloooooo? Giant spiders? Scary clown? Anybody?
SEA MONSTER enters, snaking around the cave.
Hello?
The sound of SEA MONSTER transforming. It sounds slimy, then, like cracking glass.
I’m not afraid of you! I can fight you! I’m a Frankfurter and I—
She stumbles on a mirror.
A mirror, huh? That’s not scary.
She looks into it.
I look like a baby...Ugh...wait, no! I don’t! I’m awesome. I look great.
Beat.
Well, guess this is my token. Crank?! Where are you? I’ve got a token of my worst fear! I’m
done!
SEA MONSTER talks back to Finley, its voice a distorted version of her own.
MONSTER:
No, you’re not.
FINLEY:
Who was that?
MONSTER:
Me. You. Us.
FINLEY:
Where?
MONSTER:
Look in the mirror.
FINLEY:
Well. Hello, evil twin.
MONSTER:
That’s who you think I am?
FINLEY:
Isn’t it? You’re like me, but evil. And you live in a mirror.
MONSTER:
Wrong. I’m you from the future, Finley.
FINLEY:
No, you’re not.
MONSTER:
You really think so?
FINLEY:
I know so. Me from the future would look older. And wiser. Just like Pa.
MONSTER:
Just like Pa? You’re funny.
FINLEY:
Then you’re not me.
MONSTER:
I’ll tell you a secret that no one else knows. Then will you believe me?
FINLEY:
Depends on the secret.
MONSTER:
Pa’s gone.
FINLEY:
No, he’s not.
MONSTER:
You couldn’t save him.
FINLEY:
You’re lying.
MONSTER cries.
Stop it! You’re fine! It’s alright!
MONSTER:
It’s not alright, Finley. Nothing is alright.
FINLEY:
We’re fine.
MONSTER:
We tried to take over Frankfurter Fishing after he died, Finley.
Small beat.
Do you want to know what happened?
FINLEY:
You’re lying.
MONSTER:
Don’t you want to know?
Beat. Nervous gulp.
FINLEY:
What?
MONSTER:
We couldn’t catch the fish like Pa could. We couldn’t run the business as well as Pa could. We
couldn’t be as likeable as Pa was. And now...now we’re nothing.
FINLEY:
No.
MONSTER:
Stop trying to be something you’re not, Finley. You’re weak, just like we say
you are.
FINLEY:
Stop it! We are not weak!
MONSTER:
Yes, you are. You don’t need anyone to tell you, because I will
never stop!! I am YOU, Finley, and YOU are NOTHING but a WEAK LITTLE GIRL—
FINLEY:
NO!
Finley breaks the mirror. A ROARas the glass shatters and explodes into tiny sparks of
light.
Silence. Finley sits, stunned, catching her breath.
Then, the sound of peace.
In the distance:
CRANK:
Tell your mother I miss her, too. I’ll see you soon.
A child’s voice says something indistinct, then fades away.
FINLEY:
Crank?
They see each other.
CRANK:
Finley! Are you alright?
FINLEY:
Yes. Are you?
CRANK:
Yes.
FINLEY:
Good.
Beat.
CRANK:
You...you were right, you know.
FINLEY:
About what?
CRANK:
About missing my family. I do.
FINLEY:
I’m sorry.
CRANK:
Thank you. But, it’s in the past. We’ll be alright, aye?
FINLEY:
Aye, boatswain. We’ll be alright. What’s gotten into you?
CRANK:
Forgiveness.
FINLEY:
I like forgiveness.
Something twinkles at the far side of the cave.
Do you see that?
CRANK:
Light.
FINLEY:
Looks like a way out of here.
CRANK:
You lead the way, Finley. You know how.
FINLEY:
Really?
CRANK:
Yes.
FINLEY:
Thanks.
The map whispers faintly.
Oh, I almost forgot!
She stops and picks up a broken piece of mirror.
Broken mirror piece. A token of my worst fear. What’s yours?
CRANK:
Pearl.
FINLEY:
Ooh, shiny--
CRANK:
You cannot take it.
FINLEY:
I wasn’t going to!
Beat.
Okay, maybe I was.
Come on, let’s go.
MERMAID:
And so, Finley, with a new sense of self, and H.S. Crank, with a new sense of family, exited the
sea monster’s mysterious cave through a door filled with light, which led to a long, wooden
bridge surrounded by water.
CRANK:
Where do you think it leads to?
FINLEY:
I don’t know.
CRANK:
I’ve never seen anything like this. Blue all around.
FINLEY:
During low tide it probably won’t look like this.
CRANK:
Yes. But it’s high tide, Pearl.
FINLEY:
Finley. That one wasn’t even close.
CRANK:
Argh. I’m getting old.
FINLEY:
I know, grandpa.
Beat.
CRANK:
What?
FINLEY:
I said I know, grandpa.
CRANK:
Ah. Yes. You keep on walking. Old...grandpa needs to rest his feet a while.
MERMAID:
And he did. And as the grumpy old lighthouse keeper looked at the fish swimming in the sea and
the stars in the night sky, he thought about Pearl. And he thought about how Finley called him
“grandpa.” And suddenly, slowly, the large hole in his heart started to mend itself back together.
Song: High Tide
CRANK:
High tide
Just the expanse of the deep
The islands are asleep, no sand to rest weary feet
High tide, but I don’t feel all that old
Anymore, or that cold, empty feeling
High tide
There’s treasure in the distance
I believe in its existence
We can find it, and it’s real, maybe
High tide
Is just what I needed
To feel home again, to feel completed
And if high tide was when I lost them
Low tide can bring them home again
FINLEY:
High tide
One more thing left, we’re quite near it
Don’t worry Pa, we can steal it
The elixir is the cure for you
High tide
Though you’re not right here with me
There’s hope that’s in the deep blue sea
Your reflection’s in the waves that roll at
High tide
It’s just what I needed
To feel your brave again, to feel completed
And if high tide was when you fell then
Low tide will bring you home again
FINLEY:
You are all the brave in me
Through highs and lows it was you and me
Elixir of life, it calls your name
Want it for you to live again, because
CRANK:
You were all my family
It was us three
Elixir of life, it calls your name
Want it for him—he’ll live again because
FINLEY & CRANK:
High tide
Is just what I needed
To feel your brave/home again, to feel completed
And if high tide was
FINLEY:
Why you fell then
CRANK:
Why I lost them
FINLEY & CRANK:
Low tide will bring you/them home again.
End of song.
Bubbles.
MERMAID:
And as they journeyed to the end of the bridge, they heard the sounds of an underwater city.
FINLEY:
Welcome to “Meltem.” Huh. Looks like a town.
CRANK:
A town with a castle.
FINLEY:
And where there’s a castle...
FINLEY & CRANK:
There’s a princess!
We move through the sea. Distant ukulele.
MERMAID:
And there did live a princess in the kingdom of Meltem. Her name was Princess Kelpssandra,
and she was the wealthiest young seaperson in all of Meltem. When Finley and Crank arrived,
she was in her room, doing what she loved to do most: complain.
Song: What the Shell
PRINCESS:
I am a princess
Trapped under waves I hear them roar
I hate the ocean, though I’m the richest girl on the seafloor, like
I want a boyfriend, but my mom and my dad keep telling me no
Like, what the shell
I want my life to end
Wish I could sell my soul to like, I don’t know
A fisherwoman and an old man
‘Cause this fish hole is like,
Worse than death I’m like, really pretty sure and
This castle is so dull, I want out of this prison cell
Like, what the shell, what the shell,
I want to bid this place farewell
What the shell, what the shell
All I want is some kind of spell
Like, what the shell?
QUEEN: (spoken)
Yoo-hoo, Princess Kelp! We have guests!
PRINCESS:
I don’t want to talk to anyone, mom!
QUEEN:
They’re humans! They say they’re on a quest and must speak to the Princess—that’s you!
PRINCESS:
Ugh. I’m so sick of being a part of everyone’s quests!
QUEEN:
You must do your duty, Kelpssandra!
PRINCESS:
No one UNDERSTANDS ME!
(sung)
Wish I could sell my soul to like, I don’t know
A fisherwoman and an old man
‘Cause this fish hole is like,
Worse than death I’m like, really pretty sure and
This castle is so dull, I want out of this prison cell
Everybody!
ALL:
Like, what the shell, what the shell,
I want to bid this place farewell
What the shell, what the shell
All I want is some kind of spell
Like, what the shell?!
End of song.
MERMAID:
Meanwhile, Finley and H.S. Crank just arrived at Meltem’s castle, and were filled with wonder
at the sight of it. Jewels upon jewels lined the walls. Seashells covered the throne. They sparkled
when the sunlight shone through the water.
FINLEY:
You have a beautiful home, Queen Coral. And thank you for these sea suits. Are these helmets
made out of diamonds?
She knocks on hers.
QUEEN:
No, they’re petrified seahorse dung. And thank you. The Princess will be down shortly for—
what did you need from her, exactly?
CRANK:
Her / soul--
FINLEY:
Help with a quest!
QUEEN:
Oh, yes! Why, you just told me that, didn’t you? My memory fades every 5 minutes. Sometimes
less. It’s a side effect of a new seaweed medication I’m on. I’ll get my daughter.
(aside) Yoo-hoo, Princess Kelp! We have—
PRINCESS: (from the hall)
I’M COMING, MOM! Ugh, it’s like you can’t hear anything I say ever!
QUEEN:
Oh, Kelpssandra. Not in front of our guests. Do you remember what happened last time?
PRINCESS:
No.
QUEEN:
Oh...Well, neither do I. Nonetheless, attend to them. They need you for a—
PRINCESS:
A quest. I know.
QUEEN:
Princess, I wish you wouldn’t use that tone of voice with me. You aren’t ruler yet. Your father
has to die, and then I have to die. And with this new seaweed medication, I’ll be here for a while,
so...
Oh my...who are these people?!
PRINCESS:
I’ll take it from here, Mom.
QUEEN:
Are you sure? They’re human.
PRINCESS:
Mom!
QUEEN:
Sorry. Goodbye, strangers!
QUEEN swims away, exits.
PRINCESS:
Ugh, she’s so embarrassing.
FINLEY:
Oh no, she’s fine.
CRANK:
We need your soul.
FINLEY:
Stop!
PRINCESS:
What did he just say?
FINLEY:
Nothing.
CRANK:
I said we need your—
FINLEY:
Okay, fine! So, here’s the thing. My Pa is dying of the Big Bad Sickness from the Big Bad
Depths of the Sea. Me, Finley, and this old man, Crank, are trying to find the elixir of life to save
him. And in order to get it, we needed a Bottle of Kindness and A Token of Our Worst Fear,
which we have. Um. We only need one more thing from you to get the Elixir.
PRINCESS:
What’s that?
FINLEY & CRANK:
Your soul.
PRINCESS:
CORAL REEFING REEF! Are you KIDDING ME?!
FINLEY:
(to Crank) I told you this would happen. We can’t just--
PRINCESS:
I would LOVE to!
FINLEY & CRANK:
What?
PRINCESS:
Shell yeah!! Do you know how much my life sucks? Literally, I want nothing more than to sell
my soul to fulfill some rando Sea Spell. Like, all I do every day of my life is just freaking get
gifts, praise, and constant adoration. And then whenever I don’t get enough praise or adoration
my mom just buys me stuff—like jewels, or parts of the Titanic, or a trip to Atlantis, or rare
pearls--
FINLEY:
That actually sounds really nice—
PRINCESS:
Right? It’s awful! So, yeah, I’ll for shellzies sell my soul for...who are you land people?
FINLEY:
I’m Finley. My Dad is...I’m a fisherwoman.
CRANK:
H.S. Crank. Retired light--
PRINCESS:
No way no way no way no WAY! MOM! I CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE!
QUEEN: (from afar)
That’s great, sweetie!
PRINCESS:
Thanks, mom! Also I’m gonna go sell my soul now, bye!
QUEEN:
What?! Kelp, I can’t let you do—
PRINCESS:
Love you, too! (hushed, hurried) Quick, before she gets down here!
FINLEY:
Are you sure you want to do this?
PRINCESS:
Duh. Let’s go! High-fin!
They raise their hands.
Oh, ew, never mind. You have hands. Let’s go.
MERMAID:
And with that, they were on their way.
Upbeat music.
Spells of the Sea was created and written by Guinevere Govea and directed by Anna Pickett,
with performances by Kathleen Guerrero, Emily Watson, Will Derden, Michael Williams
Martinez, Gabriella Bastek, Ben Cervantes, Jayla Ball, Guinevere Govea, and Anna Pickett, with
additional vocals by Christian Scheller and Alexis Williams. Mixing, score, and additional
composition by Conner Darnell. Sound design by Alex Titsworth and Kasey Durham. Website
concept and design by Anna Pickett. Dramaturg: Mallory Maybin. Music and lyrics by
Guinevere Govea. Spells of the Sea is a production made possible by The Cohen New Works
Festival. Be sure to stay tuned for our next episode.
END OF EPISODE 3.
