October 31st, late morning
It is now Halloween or as the Magicals call it-Samhain, the start of the witches' New Year. Morning brings forth new journeys in the dark tunnels of Blackhill Mountain, all the town's getting ready for the night's celebrations, and serious deliberations. The nine realms hang in suspension this coming night. All is not well.
Make sure you listen to previous episodes.
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Thank you for listening to Save Erce
Directed by Margo Attaya
Written by the Brio team
In order of appearance, this episode stars:
Nicolas Stavre as Jeremy Hamilton
Alexandra Sturm as Gabriel Hart
John Zeisel as Vince
Stacey Lightman as Zikki
Brian Hunt as Duncan
Erin Boyle as Storm
Erin MacArthur as Electra
Javier Thompson as the goblin Earko
Jack Richard as the goblin Ermar
Alexandra Sturm as the goblin Eeblix
Stacey Lightman as Wolf Queen: Morrigana
Jack Douglas Riter as Elfin King Galrand, Wizard Tovenoar,
and as Grand Squirrel: Exunut
Marleny Angely-Jimenez as Fairies: Mia & Galdi,
Nova Rose Pasquantonio as Fairy Katinka
Timothy Leahy as Grandfather Dragon : Onnalth
Lief Manhiem as the goblin Geezee
Jason Dorce as Goblin Lord Stagdazz
Sound design by Margo Attaya and Alexandra Sturm
Special shout out to NuPath and Wincam
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Winchester Cultural Council,
a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Save Erce is produced by Brio Integrated Theatre, it is an all abilities production
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We’ll be back in January to continue the adventure. Tune in to find your magic!
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CREEPATHON
JEREMY
Well, well, listeners, It’s finally here. My favorite holiday of the year. HALLOWEEN, of course. Burl Ives is wrong. THIS is the best time of the year, and this Halloween seems to be shaping up to be the best yet. We have an incredibly stacked list of wonderful activities on the itinerary. Wait, did people say stacked in the 80’s? Ah, who cares, we can take a few small liberties. The point is, we have a lot of great stuff around town today, including our highly anticipated costume contest.!!
GAB
I’m excited to see everyone’s costumes! What do you think of my costume, Jeremy?
JEREMY
Your Princess Leia costume is fantastic, Gab. And surely you love my Indiana Jones costume, right?
GAB
I do. It’s awesome.
JEREMY
And I’m sure everyone else’s will be, too. Now, here’s a list of all the Halloween festivities that will be taking place tonight.
First up, we have the Little Spooks Parade, for all the little gremlins who are too impatient to go trick or treating at night like everyone else. It will be taking place in the downtown area where all the upper class businesses are, and last from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
GAB
Next, the OctoberFest fair opens at 12:00 PM, which features all sorts of amazing rides, bumper cars, as well as the famous 200 foot ferris wheel. There’s also delicious pizza, hot dogs and fried dough, as well as classic carnival games, and the introduction of the new arcade featuring all sorts of fantastic virtual games,
JEREMY
including the biggest arcade hit of the year, Ms. Pac-Man. Ah, video games. There’s no way an innovative new market like that could possibly fail, am I right?
GAB
Wow, Jeremy, that sounds like a very exciting night.
JEREMY
Yes, and there’s more where that came from. The Haunted House opens at 5:00 PM at the WinCharm Middle School. Be warned, though, the school says they went all out this year. They really wanted to amp up the realism, to the point that the actors use REAL chainsaws. Though, I do find it strange that they hired a bunch of people with extended criminal records.
GAB
Wait, are you kidding me?
Next, there’s the annual lighting of Wincharm’s Halloween Tree at 6:30 PM. Basically a Christmas tree, but Halloween-y. It’s said to be the biggest Halloween Tree to date and houses over 57,000 gorgeous lights.
The tree lighting has always been my favorite part. I cannot WAIT to see it in all of its beauty.
JEREMY
Me-too.
And FINALLY, at 7:00 PM, we have the Wicked Concerts, a musical extravaganza featuring covers from the hottest and most popular artists working in the industry today: The Bee Gees, Earth, Wind and Fire, David Bowie, Elton John, Madonna, Bon Jovi, Queen, and to cap the night off, a live and in-person performance from Michael Jackson, singing his hit new song, “Thriller.”
GAB
They certainly have a STACKED performance in store for all of us this year.
JEREMY
Indeed it is, Gaberella. We’ll be back soon listeners. Tell us which of these festivities you’re most excited for when we return from our commercial break.
Home Cookin’
HALLOWEEN Morning - VAMPIRE in the kitchen
VINCE
“Ok Zikki, thanks for helping me make the blood sausages, I’ll let them cook now”
ZIKKI
“That was fun. Hey this ssssausage looks like my Aunt Widlocks, blessss her sssssoul.”
VINCE
“Ok, now we’ll make the tomato sauce. Just think I grew these tomatoes right from my own garden: juicy Beef steak tomatoes, sweet sweet cherry tomatoes, and of course, my hardy plum tomatoes.”
ZIKKI
“Your ssssauce is always delicioussss!!”
VINCE (CHOPPING VEGETABLES )
“Thank you Zikki.
This is my great great great great great great great grandmother’s recipe, “Sugu divino”.
Did you know it started the village’s annual Tomato Festival?”
(WATER BUBBLING, SIZZLING SOUNDS OF SAUSAGES, AND SIMMERING OF SAUCE)
“Isn’t this triad on my stove beautiful?
Pot 1 - sizzling sausage,
Pot 2 - simmering tomato sauce,
Pot 3 - the pasta.”
Perfecto!
(PAUSE)
“When will folks look at me without slinking away?.
I left the old country to be a new me.
Not a vampire! not an undead!… just Vince.”
ZIKKI
“Who caressss what people sssssay!”
VINCE
“I do Zikki, I do.”
Ahh, I wonder if Mildred will like my song?”
ZIKKI
“SSSSShe’ll love it! You will ssssurely enchant thissss witch!”
VINCE
“Finally it’s my time for love!”
Index >
The Ride
As Duncan, Storm and Electra travel deeper in the mountain, they find themselves in Goblin territory.
DUNCAN
Door up, door down. Go this way.. now that way. They’re playing us!
STORM
Look guys, the only way out …is through!
ELECTRA
Look, these tunnels are starting to look like hallways.
I think we may be in Goblin Territory…
STORM
You’re right. Look at all the intricate etchings on these walls!
ELECTRA
Hey Duncan, Come here.
DUNCAN
What?
ELECTRA
Look! Isn’t this like your graffiti? You know… your sacred tree?
DUNCAN (incredulous)
Yggdrasil? They know of it?
ELECTRA
Maybe you do have more in common with these goblins than you thought!
DUNCAN
hmppph!
Sound of door opening in wall
GOBLIN Ermar
We know far more than you give us credit for, Dragon.
DUNCAN
What the…?
EARKO (giggling)
hehehe!
GOBLIN Ermar
Greetings, I am Ermar.
We are the keepers of these hallowed halls.
EARKO
I’m Earko. We are here to help!
DUNCAN
Well, You took your time doin’ it.
ELECTRA
Nice to meet you!
ERMAR
You can turn off your finder now.
EARKO
We have what you seek.
DUNCAN (incredulous)
I knew it!
ERMAR
Our Lord Stagdazz requests your presence.
EARKO
Please, follow us.
Sound of a echoing hall,walking dWe own stairs
ELECTRA
You goblins have quite the set up here. All these years we never knew…
sounds of a boat tied up and water
STORM
An underground river? There’s more to this mountain than we knew.
ERMAR
Please get in the boat, Eeblix will take you to him.
EARKO (singing happily)
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream…
EEBLIX
Yes, please step in my boat. Take my arm.
STORM
Err. Thanks,... EEblix.
EEBLIX
Ohh. I’ve never touched a witch before.
STORM
…and what were you expecting?
EEBLIX
I’ve seen you all do your spells. Witches are full of magic.
STORM
And so aren’t you? Magic isn’t skin deep you know.
EEBLIX
Yes, Yes sorry. I… I didn’t mean to offend you.
Wobbling boat rocking she sits down
EEBLIX
Let me help you get on board, Electra.
ELECTRA
You know my name?
EEBLIX
Yes, of course. We see all.
Electra sits down, wave sound
DUNCAN barges forward
I can get on the boat me self!
He plops down, a bit more impact
EARKO
Giggles
Dragons!
STORM & ELECTRA
Duncan! Don’t rock the boat!
EEBLIX
GeeZee told me dragons can be sensitive.
DUNCAN
What the..?
EEBLIX
A most unusual species.
EARKO
Yes indeed!
DUNCAN
I have a good mind to turn off this translator.
STORM whispers in Duncan’s ear
A-M-U-L-E-T Duncan.
DUNCAN
Huh? Uh… right!
I’ve never been on a boat. It's giving me the boke.
EEBLIX
If all are sitting, we will proceed.
(under his breath)
My first passengers of your kind….
DUNCAN (under his breath)
You goblins don’t get out much do ye…
Smooth water, eeblix has a long paddle.
EEBLIX
Please, do you want to take the long way or short way?
DUNCAN
Ohhhh me stomach is in bits already! Let’s get this ride over with!
EEBLIX
Short way - as you wish.
EARKO
Uh Oh!
Giggles
ERMAR
You’d better hold on tight.
Sound of rushing water gets gradually louder
DUNCAN
Hey!! Yer aff yer heid - we’re headed straight for those rapids!!!
EEBLIX
Here we go!
ELECTRA
Just go with it Duncan.
STORM (reassuringly)
You’re with witches! Nothing will happen.
DUNCAN
Yeah right.
Sound of accelerating water
EEBLIX
EEEaaaEEEEEaaaaaaaa
ELECTRA & STORM
(exclaiming happily)
DUNCAN
(Groaning and rocking with the boat) Can’t….you….witches ….stop this!!!!
Sound of water calms suddenly
EEBLIX (excitedly)
Oh I love that way!
(Suddenly serious)
Ahem. Nonetheless… we have arrived to our port.
ELECTRA
Thank you Eeblix! What a ride!
STORM
Yeah! That was fun!
DUNCAN Groaning
Oft! Yer both daft. Get me out of this thing.
They struggle to get him out of the boat - he lands with a thud
DUNCAN
Finally … back on the good earth!
EEBLIX
This is GeeZee, he will take you to Lord Stagdazz.
The Ancient Ones
The Council meets to discuss the fate of Erce
The Council is meeting
Elfin King: GALRAND, Wolf Queen: MORRIGANA, Fairies: MIA & GALDI,
Wizard: TOVENAOR, Grand Squirrel: EXUNUT, GrandFather Dragon : ONNALTH
At Samhain, it is believed that the veil between the physical world and the spiritual (or “other”) world is at its thinnest.
People speaking fall silent as Morrigana
QUEEN MORRIGANA
Constituents, we are brought together to speak of the tree, Yggdrasil. I share your apprehensions concerning the state of all the realms. I have sent Exunut to examine it from root to branch - he will be with us anon. I hope that his words will quiet our fears.
(pause)
Elfin King Galrand, have your healers had any success?
KING GALRAND
Most unfortunate, Queen Morrigana… Yggrdasil has benefitted little from our attempts.
*MIA fairy snickering
You could’ve heard them huffing and puffing from a whole realm away!
I guess the healers realized
they aren’t as “all-powerful” as they so proudly proclaim!
*GALDI fairy
You should have been there to see them!
Short, beet red…. and absolutely hopping mad ! (snickering)
KATINKA fairy
Don’t be mean! They’re trying to help.
QUEEN MORRIGANA
Mia! Galdi! Heed Katinka’s words. This is not the time for gossip and disunion - we must face this as we always have and – what's that? Councilmembers, I’ve just received word that Exunut has returned. Please, Exunut, what have you found?
EXUNUT:
Greetings council, please excuse my hastiness as I have no time nor the sense for formalities. I come bearing distressing news. I have found a fungus quickly expanding on the surface of Yggdrasil’s great bark. I fear that its spores have already penetrated through to its sapwood.
KING GALRAND
What does all this mean for the fate of Yggrdasil… and for us all, Tovenaor?
TOVENAOR
We must hasten to cure Yggdrasil of its ailments. The veil will be at its thinnest soon, opening the doors to the Underworld. Without the full power of Yggrdasil to protect us, the realms would surely fall to the daemons and dark dwellers.
QUEEN MORRIGANA
Onnalth, you have sent your youngest changeling out to retrieve the healing waters from the Pool of Urd. He may very well be our final hope. For one so young, do you believe he has the mettle for this challenge?
Grandfather Dragon ONNALTH
Young Duncan has traveled to this realm often to warn the world of man of their harmful ways. He has hope that they will change. He has proven his devotion to saving Erce. And I believe in him.
*GALDI
That’s all fine and good but aren’t we forgetting something??
*MIA
Yes! Every realm – all nine in fact –
are counting on this one 500 year old dragon!
He’s still a youngling… and a rather small one at that!
KATINKA
You can be small and be mighty!
ONNALTH
He is the one. He will save Yggdrasil.
KING GALRAND
He must! Index >
The Alliance
(footsteps coming closer - deep cavern echoes)
GEEZEE:
Please, enter here.
(sound of stone door moving)
DUNCAN: (scoffs)
You goblins and your secret doors. Secrets, secrets and more secrets!!
GEEZEE:
We must, we are the protectors. You are our first guests in centuries.
DUNCAN:
Guests? No wonder you don’t have any guests!
ELECTRA:
Chill out Duncan – let’s hear them out.
They enter a cool library in the cave
STORM
Now this is amazing! High ceilings, roaring fire – and oh I could definitely cozy up with one of these books.
LORD STAGDAZZ
I’m glad you like my …how do you say? Ahhh… the place where the homosapien male - needs a place to ponder … yes? and talk with others of their manly kind. I think the word … is … dude dwelling? No that’s no right… a male shed?
STORM:
Do you mean… a Man Cave?
LORD STAGDAZZ
Yes yes… Man Cave. Sooo prehistoric. Yes?
hmmm and Mine …well mine does actually happen to be in a cave. Delightful, Yes?
Short history…we goblins use our magic to protect and guard the mountain. … but on my downtime, I conjured this wonderful cozy room by human standards … my sanctuary…simple comforts….especially love my books .. ahhh my grand library!
GEEZEE
My lord is a great student of contemporary man.
LORD STAGDAZZ
“A room without books is like a body without a soul. ― Marcus Tullius Cicero
Sorry, I do go on….where are my manners?….
… Welcome, welcome. Please sit down.
DUNCAN
I don’t want to sit down. You have my amulet. I want it back! Who do you…
LORD STAGDAZZ
Listen, I admire your fiery nature, Dragon. But don’t put the …yes …. ‘Cart before the horse’ hmmm …or as the Greeks say ‘Histeron proteron’ yes? what should be put last is in fact put first.
DUNCAN
What the?…
ELECTRA (interrupts)
Lord Stagdazz, this amulet is very important to him and others….
STORM (adds)
…and it’s why we came to this mountain!
LORD STAGDAZZ
Now, now, I didn’t mean to get you upset.
Duncan, you know this amulet is an incredible piece of magic.
I am a collector, you see. It is from the other realm, yes?
DUNCAN
That amulet has been in my clan for a very long time.
LORD STAGDAZZ
Yes, Yes! Fantastic Dwarfian craftsmanship, eh? …The work of Bhalmek Duskbringer, if I am not mistaken.
DUNCAN
My Grandfather gave it to me to….
LORD STAGDAZZ
Ahh ,Your grandfather, yes? A dragon changeling like you?
DUNCAN
No. Not like me.
LORD STAGDAZZ
What’s his name, your grandfather?
DUNCAN
ONNALTH the FAIR from the great mountains of Beinn a' Bheithir.
LORD STAGDAZZ
Onnalth…yes…yes… Onnalth …. I’ve heard stories of him… of his bravery and honor. Much deserving of a memoir, in fact.
DUNCAN
He’s always been my hero. I’m here because he put his trust in me.
LORD STAGDAZZ
Trust to do what? Please dragon, why are you here?
DUNCAN
I was told to tell no one of my quest.
LORD STAGDAZZ
Ahhh my dear Duncan, there are two witches here, Yes? so they most definitely know, ….and then let’s see…there’s that vampire, ….Vince… Yes? need I go on?
We trusted you enough to allow you into our inner sanctum.
Are we not deserving of a bit of trust in return?
STORM
Come on Duncan, we came all this way –
DUNCAN
OK! OK, you’ve got a point! I’ll tell ye.
(sighs)
The council has sent me on this mission to retrieve… the waters from the Pools of Urd. Yggdrasil needs it to heal. Or she will perish.
LORD STAGDAZZ
Oh my! We goblins could sense something … a deep disturbance in the realms. Ahhh Yggdrasil is it? This is devastating news. We goblins will do everything we can… to help save her.
DUNCAN
Well, then give me my amulet back.
LORD STAGDAZZ
Yes, Yes, right. Here… (he pulls out the amulet from a box)
it’s yours of course.
He hands Duncan the amulet
DUNCAN grasping it in his hand
Finally!
LORD STAGDAZZ
Now I did notice something.. something most unusual about it.
The center stone intrigued me.
Duncan, touch the stone here!.. ..yes …and press the right side of that symbol.
DUNCAN
What … what the?
LORD STAGDAZZ
Yes I knew it!
DUNCAN
It has… an inner chamber?
LORD STAGDAZZ
I suspected as much… young dragon.
its magic will protect you in more ways than one. Not only guide you..Yes?… but help …confront the darkness beyond.
STORM
That doesn’t sound good.
LORD STAGDAZZ
There are many kinds in the realms… especially those you never want to meet.
ELECTRA
There are those who try to summon the dark energy for themselves.
STORM
Some for good – but some for their own personal gain.
LORD STAGDAZZ
Be wary of it! It is not something to play with.
Duncan, this amulet is bound by its wearer.
It is said,
‘Use your power for good, it will magnify as it should,
but if you wield it with malice - your powers weaken with unbalance.’
Remember, all is not clear in the dark. Yes?
Fear and illusions… those are its greatest weapons.
Be ready!
Now follow me.
DUNCAN
Where are we going now?
LORD STAGDAZZ
To the Hall of Mirrors, of course!