Written by Turt1eShark

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Script Guide:

Breaks in dialogue-Listener response/quiet moment

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(Example)-Voice direction

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[Example]-Additional Information

Example:-Name of Speaker

This script is part 4 of a series! You can find the other parts here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 5 Bonus Episode

For Juso’s[J] Speaker:

A few more months have passed in your new life with Baba, and you’re starting to feel insecure. They can’t talk or write in your language, they can’t move on their own, and it took them until last month to even sit up without support! You’re starting to worry about whether this adoption was a bad idea. If Baba would be better off with a different parent…But for now, you put on a brave face. You’re taking Baba on a playdate with your friend’s child. This will be the first time Baba interacted with anyone other than you, so you’re nervous about how it will go. This is also the first time you’ve talked to your friend in person since before your cruise, so your social skills are noticeably rusty.

For Fanin’s[F] Speaker:

You are Fanin [Fawn-in], Juso’s childhood best friend. You have a family of your own, consisting of your wonderful son Ralio [ray-leo]. Today you’ll be taking him on a playdate with Juso and their baby! You don’t know what to expect from the baby, or even from Juso. But you’ll keep up your friendly attitude and caring demeanor, no matter what. You know how stressful it is to be a new parent, after all.

Listener’s Summary:

Another few months have passed in the care of your new parent, and you’re happy as ever. You get consistently fed, clothed, bathed, and you can even sit up on your own now! You still can’t understand what your caregiver is saying, but you know they love you. And that’s all that matters.

Script:

*light wind* *city ambience*

J: *walking* Well Baba, you’re about to go on your first playdate! How are you feeling? *baby babbling* That’s great.

(slightly nervous) I thought it would be best to introduce you to other children your age. Social interaction is an important skill, after all. Even though I’m worried, you’ll have a great time! I’ll make sure of it.

The park is only a few steps away. That’s where we’re supposed to meet my friend and [their/her/his] baby! You do remember me talking about them, right?

Baba?

*sigh* In any case, I’m excited for you all to finally get acquainted! This meeting is long overdue.

Look, Baba! It’s the park! *baby babbling* Are you excited? *baby babbling* Wonderful. Just keep your eyes out for- [interrupted]

F: Juso! Hi!

J: *walking stops* Oh goodness! *lights blinking* *baby giggling* Fanin, you scared me!

F: Sorry! I’m just excited to see you! We haven’t met in person for, what? Over a year now?

J: (guilty) Has it really been that long?

F: Yeah! Granted, you were lost in space for quite a bit of that time, but still. Nothing but phone calls for that long made you feel more like a robot voice than a person.

J: I sincerely apologize for my absence. I was- [interrupted]

F: I get it, don’t worry! Having a baby takes up all your free time. *alien growl* I never said it was a bad thing, Ralio! You know your [parent/mama/papa] loves you more than anything! I’ll happily give up all of my free time to take care of you.

J: Goodness, I didn’t even see you there! How are you doing, Ralio?

F: *alien growl* Come on, now! Can you use your big boy words and say hi to [my/Mama’s/Dada’s] friend? *alien yelp*

J: He can talk?

F: He can, but he doesn’t like to. We’re working on that. Aren’t we, Ralio? *alien growl*

J: (slightly embarrassed) Oh…

F: Speaking of my child, are you gonna introduce us to yours?

J: R-right! My apologies, again. This is Baba!

F: Oh my goodness, they are so cute! Can you say hello to Baba, Ralio? *alien mumble* I meant with your big boy words! Pleeeease? For [me/Mama/Dada]? *alien growl* *sigh* I’m so sorry.

J: No, no. There isn’t an issue. Baba wouldn’t be able to understand it anyways. I’m still trying to teach them words outside of their home language.

F: Oh, fun! And how’s that going?

J: (lying) It’s…fine. All is progressing smoothly.

F: I’m really happy to hear that! Ralio, are you ready to play with Baba? *alien grumble* That’s great! Be sure to play nice. Got it? *alien growl* Thank you. Now you two go have fun! *running away*

(confused) Aren’t you gonna let Baba join him, Juso?

J: Oh! I- Baba is shy, so I promised to walk them to the playground.

F: Oh, that’s not a problem! I’ll walk with you. *two people walking*

J: *walking stops* (nervous) Look Baba, there’s Ralio! He’s waiting for you! *baby mumbling* I’ll just…sit you down…*sigh*

F: (calling out) We’ll be on the bench over here if you need something, kids!

J: R-right. I’ll be just over here. I won’t be too far. Alright, Baba? *baby mumbling* Ok… *two people walking*

*walking stops* *sitting down* (worried) Ralio has some really big claws…

F: (speaking) *groan* I know, right? I gave him tons of scratching toys and told him that if he doesn’t file them down they’ll start to curve back at him, but he just doesn’t listen.

J: Out of curiosity, has he ever…scratched anyone? Uh, n-not to be rude, or anything! I- Baba has such sensitive skin, and- [interrupted]

F: Don’t worry! He may act tough, but he’s a real sweetie. Wouldn’t hurt a bug.

J: (unsure) I assumed as much. I’m just…anxious, I suppose.

F: I’ll say. You’ve never sounded this out-of-sorts before! Not even when you got back from that new planet.

J: I’m not trying to be! I-! [interrupted]

F: Relax! I felt the same way when I first sent Ralio on a playdate. One of the kids he was meeting with could spit acid, and lemme tell you, I was a mess that day.

J: (slightly annoyed) Oh I remember. You called me right in the middle of an important business meeting…

F: Just keep in mind that we can see them both from here. And if anything starts to go wrong, we’re only a few steps away.

J: That’s true. I really shouldn’t be indulging my worries so much…

F: Exactly! This is your time for a little break. Enjoy it. *distant alien growling and baby babbling*

You wouldn’t mind if I asked a few questions, would you?

J: About what?

F: About Baba, of course! They, and the planet you discovered, have been the talk of the solar system ever since you got back home!

J: (frustrated) *goran* I’m well aware. The reporters still won’t give me a break…*blinking lights*

F: Don’t waste any brainpower on them! You’ll just stress yourself out. My only questions were about Baba themself.

J: By all means, ask them.

F: Where did that name come from, anyways?

J: It was their name on their home planet. At least, from what I could gather. I figured it would be best to keep at least some ties to their home culture. I didn’t want them to feel alienated from it.

F: Good thinking. If my parents did that, I would’ve had a much easier time in my teen years.

J: That was my thought process, as well.

F: How old are they, exactly?

J: I…don’t know for certain. But according to the doctors’ estimates, they’re between eight and ten months old now.

F: Wow! Last time we called, you said it was five to seven!

J: I’ve been just as surprised as you are. It feels like time passed me by…That almost makes me worried. It’s as if before I know it, they’ll be a full-fledged adolescent…maybe even an adult…

F: You’ve really changed, you know that? Past you never would’ve stopped to be all sentimental like this.

J: I’ve noticed that, too. It’s as if finding them turned me into an entirely different person.

F: What other changes have you been hiding from me?

J: I never wanted to deceive you! I…suppose I just never felt the need to mention them. It’s as if I’ve been this way forever…Almost like my life didn’t truly begin until now…

F: I really don’t want to interrupt your…”staring off into space”-ness, but that didn’t answer my question. We’re in a park, not your subconscious.

J: You’re right! My apologies. I’ve been wrapped up in my head so much recently that I…I forget what it’s like to talk to others.

F: Don’t worry about it. Now spill the details! What has Baba done to you?

J: Oh, everything! For example, I’ve been hugging them practically non-stop!

F: Wait, hugging? As in, physical contact?

J: That is the definition of hugging, yes.

F: Wow! (sarcastic) You really know how to make a friend jealous.

J: Oh! I apologize, Fanin. I didn’t realize- [interrupted]

F: *laughter* I was being sarcastic! At least we know your lack of humor hasn’t changed.

J: *sigh*

Fanin?

F: Yeah?

J: While we’re on the topic of change…there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. About my cruise, I mean.

F: Really? What is it?

J: I told you that I simply wanted some recreational time. But…that was a lie. I apologize.

F: (concerned) Why would you lie about that?

J: Because I wanted to get away from everything. Work, relationships, all of that. I needed to do some soul-searching. Alone.

F: You could’ve told me that!

J: But you had so much work ahead of you from having a kid that I…I didn’t want to make you feel like a burden. I didn’t want you to worry that you were the reason I was leaving.

F: Please! I know you wouldn’t do that to me. You were worried about nothing.

J: Even so, the last thing I wanted was to hurt you.

F: Awww, thank you! You’re really nice when you want to be, Juso.

J: I…elect to ignore the second half of that statement. Thank you.

F: *snicker*

J: Anyways…before that cruise, every waking moment was dedicated to my job. I wanted to nurture my career so it would grow into a passion! But no matter how much effort I poured into it, I felt like I wasn’t advancing at all…I was worried that I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to. That I lacked purpose…And that’s why I left. I needed to find what my purpose was.

F: Did you find it?

J: …Yes. Baba has been nothing short of a blessing to me. I love them with every fiber of my being, and I’d do anything to ensure their happiness…

F: There you are again, being all sentimental!

J: *chuckle* They really have changed me, that’s for certain.

I’ll be honest, I used to be jealous of you.

F: (surprised) Really!?

J: Indeed. Seeing you start a family, raise a little one of your own, teach him how to live and love…it made me jealous. Though tough, old, no-nonsense me didn't want to admit that. But I can now say with full confidence that having a little goofball to take care of makes life more fun! Even if it is messy or exhausting sometimes…

F: Wow…You really are full of surprises.

J: I suppose I am. I even surprised myself with that revelation.

F: I’m just happy that you’re happy, Juso. You deserve a good life.

J: Thank you. I wish the same for you, Fanin. And for Ralio too, of course.

F: Aww, thanks! I’d say the same, but I don’t even need to wish that for Baba. Because I already know they have a great parent.

J: (unsure) Do you really think so?

F: I know they do! Just seeing how they look at you, I know you’re their world.

J: Hmmm…

F: Is something wrong?

J: Oh, no. I’m simply wondering…how long did it take Ralio to start talking?

F: I think…three months? It was about as long as it takes for most species, anyways.

J: What about walking?

F: (confused) Uhh, a few minutes?

J: Right…! I knew that…

F: What’s going on, Juso?

J: Please, ignore me. I don’t want to burden you.

F: You’ll never be a burden to me! You know that, don’t you?

J: *sigh* I do. I suppose I’m just feeling…insecure.

F: But why?

J: …Do you remember when I told you that I was teaching Baba how to communicate in our language?

F: Yeah, I remember five minutes ago.

J: …That was another lie. My apologies. I did try to enroll them in a language class at one point,

but it never went anywhere. They couldn’t make any of the proper sounds or write any letters. They just kept scribbling.

F: Well, everybody learns at different rates! Just keep putting in that effort and I know they’ll learn one day!

J: But they speak their home language, so I know they can talk! But for some reason, they aren’t learning anything…

F: Hey, every parent worries about their kid! It’s alright to feel stressed. Remember that they still have plenty of time to learn.

J: But that’s not even the only thing I’m panicking about. They can’t move on their own!

F: (surprised) Really? Not at all?

J: No! They couldn’t even sit up on their own until last month. I dread to think how long it will take for them to start walking. If they ever start walking…

F: So that’s why they’ve been sitting still this whole time…I was worried Ralio wasn’t letting them play.

J: *deep sigh*

F: You’re right about that being unusual, but don’t beat yourself up over it! It might just be a thing for their species. Who knows?

J: (worried) Perhaps. Or…maybe I’m just a bad parent…

F: (concerned) Why would you ever say that!?

J: Just look at us! They can’t walk, talk, or write at all! I’m sure if they were with their own species, they’d be a genius by now…

F: Don’t say that, Juso! You’re getting lost in your own head again. Breathe.

J: *multiple deep breaths*

F: That’s it. Now, remember what you told me about the day you two met? You said that their own species left them outside to freeze! (assertive) If it wasn’t for you, Baba wouldn’t be here today. So don’t badmouth yourself like that!

J: (surprised) Fanin!

F: (nervous) Wh-what? Did I say something wrong?

J: No! No. On the contrary. I…I’ve never seen you get so agitated before.

F: Well…I’ve felt insecure before, too. About my parenting skills.

J: But you’re a wonderful parent!

F: Exactly. We all get insecure from time-to-time. Every parent worries about not being good enough. And I can only imagine that insecurity doubles when you’re parenting someone of a different species. But I promise Baba adores you more than anything else.

J: Do you really think so?

F: Of course! You’re that kid’s entire world! I know that when they’re all grown up, they’re gonna brag to all their friends that you are the reason they turned out so great.

J: (relieved) Wow…I really don’t know what to say, Fanin. Thank you.

F: You don’t need to say anything. Just remember that you’re doing the best you can, and that’s all anyone can ask for. And I’ve seen how hard you work! When you put your best into something, you don’t quit until it’s perfect. I don’t see anything different happening here.

J: Th-thank you…

F: Baba loves you more than you know, Juso. And if they could talk, I know they’d be saying that for themselves.

J: Thank you for this talk. I didn’t realize how much pressure I’ve been putting myself under. *baby babbling* Don’t worry, Baba. I’m just talk- (surprised and excited) *happy gasp* You’re crawling! Baba, you’re crawling! *blinking lights* *baby giggling* Come here! *hug* Oh my goodness, I’m so proud of you! *baby babbling*

F: *chuckle* See? I told you they love you more than you know!

J: Is that why you crawled over to me? Because you wanted to be with me? *baby babbling* Awww! *hug* I love you too, Baba!

F: *walking fades in* Hi Ralio! Did you see what Baba just did? *alien growl* If there’s something you want, you need to use your words. *alien growl* Here, why don’t you whisper it to me? Would you be more comfortable with that?

Ralio says he wants me to play, too.

J: Oh! In that case, I suppose we’re all going to be playing together. *baby babbling* Yes, that means I’ll play with you, Baba. I love you so much! I’m so proud of you! You’re the best baby anyone could ever ask for!