THE MOON CROWN

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EPISODE 05 TRANSCRIPT:

HANGED FOR A SHEEP

INT. -  A ROOM OF AN INN

Quick note from the producer - There is a lot going on in the usual tuning, here is a description of everything happening.

INTERRUPTING BROADCAST

SFX:

Tuning through channels, stopping on a clip of “Duck And Cover, Bert The Turtle” which has a person saying, "We all know the a-" Interrupted by brief radio tuning.

“Au Clair de la Lune” plays backward.

Tuning. A rumbling pulsing noise plays under another clip of "Duck and Cover" with a person saying, "Fire is a danger! It can burn whole buildings if someone is careless."

Tuning. Beeping, almost musical sounds of Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons, captured by Cassini.

Tuning. A clip from NASA's First Communications Satellite: Project Echo, saying, "The Moon was used as a reflector for tests of the communication systems."

Tuning. A clip saying, "Duck and Cover-Cover."

Tuning. Click.

Papers rustling

SFX:                CLICK, STATIC

LOU

low quality recording

Okay. Little recorder, I don’t even know where to begin with this Pierrette. But I think she’s a spirit. Maybe a lost soul?

But then, Chess says she should be in the underworld, right? And Henrik? He says they’re called "ghosts", which, I’ve never heard that term, but, okay.

I mean, he may be — er, may have been — a professor. But I am a little more up to date on the current state of things. I think.

But Pierrette… I… I keep thinking about that song? The one I’ve been hearing. And the letters. I’ve dug up some information there too, in the nearby library.

There’s this old song - the documents are from the other lands. You know, things that have traveled through liminal space? Ah, anyway, it’s called “Au Clair De La Lune”. And I’m probably not pronouncing that right.

There’s a few translations, but some are less popular. This one, it says, ah — “At your door I’m knocking, by the pale moonlight.”

W-which…

is pretty… but…

I think maybe this all has something to do with the moons? Maybe some cult, like the ones worshiping him back home…

Bakunawa…

You know, I don't - actually - I don't really want to talk about that right now.

So, um. I picked up something at the market the other day. And I think I have the song down. Listen.

SFX:                PLAYING "MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB" ON THE KALIMBA, THE SOUND IS WARPED

Kidding.

My pen pal seems to like, I guess. But the other one, it goes like this.

SFX:                PLAYING "AU CLAIR DE LA LUNE" ON THE KALIMBA.

The sound is warped and Lou misses a few notes.

Shit. It...

SFX:                TUNING. CLICK.

LOU

(???)

Goes like this.

SFX:                AU CLAIR DE LA LUNE PLAYS AS USUAL

LAMB

Yes! Hello, again. I told you, I did. I haven’t forgotten you. How could I?

E-ternity may seem like a long time to hold a grudge! But don’t! Worry! I’ll be keeping it for a while longer.

What choice do I have?

But, you see... I believe I’ve found a way out, through our little mutual friend. It’s quite interesting, actually. When you fold reality, it is possible for some things slip through the layers. For some of us to make it through.

Pulsing rumbling

Ah, you're bringing these memories up again? Are you bitter?

Alright, Friend. Why DON’T we talk about the day you and I nearly came face to face.

SFX:                CLICK, CONSTANT DISTORTION THROUGHOUT

LAMB

It was my first ball. The first, and only. Every hour the bell tower in the city went off, and we all cheered… There was a… Panicked? Sort of energy to it.

I watched drunk nobleman, raising champagne bottle after bottle, from time to time slicing them open at-

SFX:

Tuning, static.

A clip from "Duck and Cover", a person saying, "Remember to keep your face and the back of your neck covered tightly!"

Tuning, static.

LAMB

The whole spectacle was entrancing! Bits of glitter flowing around the courtiers as they danced. And yet… It was the smallest thing. The smallest hint.

Something cracked under my shoe. The glitter, glass glitter, was too thick.

As I do at any gathering, I stood back and watched the nobles dance faster. Faster. As if they were afraid that if they stopped, if they ended the dance, they might slip and fall.

And it made sense, ultimately. That.

Fear.

I couldn’t help but be a little curious, I was careful not to cut myself on the glass. And I walked toward the balcony, studying the blood crusted along its edges.

Of course, the streets below were filled with people, so much excitement! So much yelling.

They were almost… Screaming. In the ecstasy of it all of course! It was the anticipation, surely.

Of the upcoming announcement, for the lottery winners!

We all signed up for it. Everyone in the Kingdom of Anapogee. But I knew. We all knew! It could only be one of the families attending the ball.

It was only right.

We were new to the court, my family and I. Expected, of course. No choice in it. I arrived with my brother, newly made a lord. We were all so excited to see the queen in person. Who gets the chance? WHO, out of everyone here, would be so LUCKY, as to DIE-

For

For

For

For

The Queen?

SFX:                STATIC

LAMB

As to dine with the queen?

Below us, the festivities below shone brilliant jewel tones. Varying shades of scarlets, spraying up through the confetti. Because they decided to do this at night… Shadows wound through the crowds, a faint glinting rising from the darkness every now and then.

This was not unusual. The shadows.

They crept through the streets in the evenings, followed by slews of missing children. We had no name for them. We. Did not. Look at them. If you offer something your attention, you give it… Power. I suppose.

You give it shape. Make it real. It was common to stay home at night. Too many voices in the darkness, soft and gentle, asking you to turn down a street you don’t recognize.

Asking if you’re sure you’re heading the right way. Telling you-

SFX:

Tuning, fast ticking played over the (at present) oldest sound in recording history, an 1860 rendition of "Au Clair de la Lune". Tuning.

LAMB

distorted

NO -  PLEASE, please, you-

SFX:                TUNING, TICKING CLOCK, MUSIC.

DON'T-

TUNING, TICKING CLOCK, MUSIC.

Please!

TUNING, TICKING CLOCK, MUSIC.

LAMB

distorted

Perfect.

INTERRUPTING BROADCAST

Tuning. The original "news broadcast" clip from episode two plays in the background, along with the ambient noises of an office. Phones ringing, people speaking, and typing. There is no static.

LUNA

Nerves still getting to you?

PAUL

I don’t know how either of you are handling this right now.

SFX:                DISTORTED CLOCKS AND TUNING

LAMB

distorted

Will that EVER get any easier?

PAUL

Whoa, hey! You alright, lady?

LAMB

No!

LUNA

Oh no! Hang on. Please, you should sit down…

SFX:                CHAIR LEGS SQUEALING

There you go. Want me to get your manager?

LAMB

I don’t — I shouldn’t be here right now.

PAUL

Don’t worry, we’ve all got jitters around here recently too. You hear the PSA this morning?

LUNA

I don’t think she wants to talk about that. Hey, you new to the station?

LAMB

I suppose I am new to this place.

SFX:                CIVIL DEFENSE SIRENS BLARE CONTINUALLY

LAMB

We need to get out of here.

LUNA

Relax, it happens all the time.

LAMB

You don’t understand!

PAUL

What the hell?

SFX:                RUMBLING, ALONG WITH COLLAPSING CONCRETE AND CRACKING WOOD. DIGGING THROUGH ROCKS AND DEBRIS.

LUNA

Give me your hand. Give me your hand!

SFX:                EXTREME WINDS

LAMB

coughing

Great. Where’s your friend?

Well…

I see…

SFX:                SIRENS FADING

Can you walk? We need to leave this place.

LUNA

Are we being… Invaded?

SFX:                “AU CLAIR DE LA LUNE” PLAYING IN THE DISTANCE, LOW RUMBLING

LAMB

No, friend. At least, not in the way you’re thinking. Over here.

LUNA

What is happening? What is happening?

LAMB

Have you somewhere safe? Somewhere to hide? Maybe some place underground?

LUNA

There’s - ah - a county bunker nearby.

LAMB

Can you get to it from here?

LUNA

You’re not coming with me?

LAMB

distorted

Why are you still here? Go! Get there as fast as you can!

SFX:                DISTORTED CLOCKS AND TUNING, TICKING CLOCK AND STATIC

LAMB

out of breath

Well, friend. Shall we continue? Have you had your fun? Where was I...

SFX:                CLICK.

LAMB

It was tiring eventually, watching the crowds. I went from the balcony to the ballroom, as the music stopped. And there she was!

The queen.

Gliding onto the mezzanine above, followed by a child holding a pillow.

The moonlight gleamed over her crown.

SFX:                TUNING. SAID OVER AU CLAIR DE LA LUNE.

LAMB

We all watched in admiration, as she took the crown off and set it on the pillow. Graceful as ever, she shooed the child away, sayi-

THE QUEEN

echoey

Now, don’t worry. I’m getting a new one soon enough!

LAMB

How... Where is that coming from? I almost enjoyed it, being surrounded by laughter in that chamber. Until she announced the-

THE QUEEN

echoing

The lottery! I know you’re all excited, and I’m just as excited. Now, for the winner. Lord Tohma Lamb! Come now!

LAMB

You know, Tom… Tom actually beamed at me. From across the room. I gave him a little wave, of course. The queen extended her hand to him... Telling all of-

THE QUEEN

echoing

Oh, no need to fret! Let’s drown any sorrow left in this room!

LAMB

It's like... it’s like she's here… Right now.

THE QUEEN

distorted, echoing

We will never see another night like this. I’m so very happy to share it with you all.

So drink!

SFX:                RUMBLING PULSE

Dance!

SFX:                RUMBLING PULSE

But first…

SFX:                RUMBLING PULSE

We di-

LAMB

distorted

What the HELL is happening?

SFX:

Static drops. Distorted clocks and tuning, followed by ticking clock and static. The noise of an ambient crowd, swirling glass.

LAMB

Oh for Christ's sake! [sharp inhale] I'm…

SFX:                CLINKING GLASSES, A DRINK BEING POURED

I'm here... I'm back in time. Back in my own world… How… Did I do this? Can I change things? Can I change what happened? I must have changed what happened with those people back there - I can - Tom?!

SFX:                A PERSON GIGGLING

LAMB

Move.

SFX:                SOMEONE GASPING, CLINKING GLASSES, ANOTHER PERSON LAUGHING

LAMB

God, he’s like a child…

SFX:                A BELL RINGING

LAMB

No - everything looks the same to me-

THE QUEEN

We will never see another night like this. I’m so very happy to share it with you all. So drink! Dance! But first… We dine!

SFX:                A HEARTBEAT, REVERSED SCREAMING GETTING STEADILY LOUDER

LAMB

I don’t want to watch this! Not-

SFX:                TUNING

AGAIN.

SFX:

Heartbeat quickens. Flesh being stabbed. PIERRETTE LAMB yells, being cut off by a high ringing as the sound of gore and cracking bones is clear, followed by a knife being pulled from flesh. Dripping. Tuning.

When the ringing fades, intelligible whispers can be heard along with a pulsing rumbling.

LAMB

This...

 This is why I'm here...

A penance - for escaping. Do you find this funny Bakunawa? Moon eater?

...He's so still.

SFX:                RUMBLING, A HIGH BELLOWING GROWL

LAMB

Oh, God, I can’t just sit here and let this happen! I… Ahaha. I ended it last time. I can do it again.

I just need something.

SFX:                FOOTSTEPS THROUGH GLASS, STONE AND SHARDS BEING PICKED THROUGH.

LAMB

This’ll do just fine.

Where is she…? Still on the mezzanine, I guess.

SFX:                CREAKING STAIRS

Her… Eyes. I'd forgotten… Well.

Don't you worry. That doesn't bother me, this time.

SFX:                THE QUEEN GASPS FROM A SHORT DISTANCE. SHE BREATHES HEAVILY AND QUICKLY, AS STEPS CREAK.

LAMB

laughing

You think you're getting away!

SFX:                CLOCK TICKING, TUNING

LAMB

distorted

Get. Back here.

SFX:                A DOOR CREAKS, CLOSE FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS

CHESS

distant

Lou? Where are you going?

LAMB

We all know the history.

CHESS

W-what?

LAMB

over creaking stairs

The trouble of summoning. And this? Why Tohma?

CHESS

closer

What are you….

LAMB

Why any of us?

CHESS

Lou.

SFX:                CREAKING DOOR

LAMB

Just hold still.

HENRIK

Put it down. Put it down. NOW.

I swear, I am going to throw you through the wall if you don't get the FUCK away from me!

LAMB

distorted

COULD SOMEONE TURN OFF THAT MUSIC? I know you can hear me!

CHESS

Please—

LAMB

What?!

SFX:                TUNING

LOU

Chess…?

SFX:                KNIFE CLATTERING

Henrik…?

HENRIK

What the hell is wrong with you?

LOU

I don't… know…

HENRIK

Stay here.

SFX:                CREAKING FOOTSTEPS, CLEARING THROAT

HENRIK

CHESS!

LOU

Henrik…

SFX:                A DOOR CREAKS AS IT OPENS

CHESS

from a distance

Are you okay?

HENRIK

distant

What was she doing?!

CHESS

distant

I don’t understand… I don’t think she meant—

HENRIK

distant

I don’t give a fuck what she meant! I’m going to kill her. I’m going to…

Did you see her eyes...?

CHESS

distant

Would it even have hurt you?

HENRIK

distant

Don’t be so naïve, Chess.

LOU

over “Thumb” by Monophona playing in reverse

What...

SFX:                TAPE RECORDER REWINDS, THEN SNAPS

LAMB

At your door, I'm knocking, by the pale moonlight!

Lend a pen, I beg you.

I've a word,

SFX:                THUMB STOPS

To write

SFX:                CLICK. CLOCK TICKING, THUMB BY MONOPHONA OUTRO PLAYS ON THE FINAL TICK, CREDITS ROLL,

LAMB

Now.

SFX:                CLICK.