Je Sus Goes to the Mall

Act 1: Scene 2

(Scene opens with Je Sus in the dimly-lit garage, kneeling beside a bike and oiling the chain.)

Je Sus: (Muttering to herself) Oh, why can't my step-sisters just be my friends? And why must Mother treat me so awfully?

(Suddenly, a large white mouse scampers up to Je Sus from the corner of the garage, steps forward and begins to speak. )

Leader-of-the-mice: I will always be your friend, Je Sus.

Je Sus: (Laughing) Yes, you and the magic hawk have always been there for me, even though the two of you are the only ones of your species who can talk. But I would like to have some human friends.

Leader-of-the-mice: (Disdainfully) Humans! They are no better than those red-tailed hawks! Taking over our planet, keeping cats in their houses, they are not something to be relied on.

Je Sus: I'd be more worried about pollution than cats.

Leader-of-the-mice: If you were as small as us, you'd worry about cats and hawks, too!

Je Sus: And I wish you'd forget about your rivalry with the red-tailed hawks. You and the Lord-of-the-hawks are the only magical creatures left on earth, after all.

(A large red-tailed hawk suddenly swoops through the entrance of the garage and lands in front of Je Sus.)

Lord-of-the-hawks: Don't be so sure we're the last magical creatures. (He glares at the mouse) We did come to speak to Je Sus for a reason you know, rat.

Leader-of-the-mice: I'm a mouse! But yes, we do have something to tell you. Soon your mother, step-father and step-sisters will go on a trip to the mall. You will not be allowed to come with them, but there is something there for you. I don't know what it is... you will have to ask the fairy.

Je Sus: Fairy?

Lord-of-the-hawks: Yes. Once your family have left, you must stand in front of the fireplace in your house and invoke an ancient spell to summon a fairy who will help you on your quest!

Je Sus: My quest... to the mall? What's there for me, clothes? Starbucks?

Leader-of-the-mice: I already said, I don't know. Just summon the fairy!

Je Sus: How do you even know that I need to summon a fairy and go to the mall?

Lord-of-the-hawks: We're magical animals. We know things humans don't. Humans are too stupid to sense magic. Listen to me unless you want to make all the wrong decisions in life, like every other human.

Leader-of-the-mice: (Glaring at the hawk) You mean, listen to us. But he's right. Humans will never learn anything if they don't listen to animals.

Lord-of-the-hawks: Right. Go back inside now, Je Sus. Wait by the fireplace, and once your folk have left, we will come and help you summon the fairy.