The Story of Four Animals

Act I

Scene 4

(Lights up; The scene has changed to woods; There are seven trees upstage center; three boulders along stage left; and six bushes center stage spread out; A big tree sits stage right with a boulder underneath it; The "river" is running down stage center; Milo and Crystal come in stage left; They stop stage right; Milo jumps up on boulder looking around)

Milo: Well, here we are! (Sighing) Isn't this a nice place? I love the sound of the stream and the beauty of the trees. I come here to think sometimes. When I was young my dad showed me this spot and I fell in love with it instantly.

(She can't believe that he led her to the perfect spot; Jumps up right next to him)

Crystal: It is very nice. I see why you love it here!

Milo (Happy): Yeah. I just love coming out here on nice days. There's plenty of prey to catch, you can relax, and just get away from the noise and smells of human society! (Licking his lips) Boy, I'm thirsty from that long walk though; that path seems to grow every time I walk it! (Laughing) Excuse me while I get a drink.

(Milo jumps off; Walks to down stage center; Bends down to drink; Crystal jumps down heading towards Milo; She stops because she hears a strange crackling sound; Looks over to center stage to find Toby watching them; She heads center stage; Meets Toby behind bushes)

Crystal: What are you doing here?

Toby (Excited): Making sure that this plan works! You didn't think I would miss it did you? Now get back out there! You're doing great!

(Looking over her and sees Milo drinking; Looks back at her)

Crystal (Unsure): Ok, but I'm still unsure about this crazy idea of yours.

(She walks out of the bushes; Walks downstage center; Slowly she creeps up behind him; Pushes Milo in)

(Milo trying to swim; Flailing for help)

Milo (Frightened): Ahhh!!! Help me! I don't know how to swim!!

(Crystal realizing what she's done hesitates; Looks at Toby; Then decides to jump in after Milo)

Crystal: Hang in their Milo! I'm coming!

(She jumps in; Swimming strongly towards Milo, she grabs him; Pulling him out of the water; They both collapse on the dry ground; They get up slowly coughing and shaking the water off themselves)

Milo (Coughing; Shaking): Thanks. (Looks at Crystal) But why did you push me in Crystal? I thought we were friends. (Looking down)

Crystal (Coughing): Your welcome. (Shaking the water off; Looking at him) And we are friends! (Sigh) Are you all right? (Milo nods; Still waiting for an answer) I'm so sorry Milo, I didn't mean to push you in. (Sits; Upset; Guilty look) The truth is, that it was Toby's idea to do it; he didn't like the way you were treating him the other day.

(Milo shaking once more; Looks at her with understanding in his eyes)

Milo: This was his idea? To try and kill me? (Crystal nods) I should have known. (Looking around) Where is he?

Crystal (Looking at him): Why?

Milo (Angry): I would like a talk with him!

Crystal (Thinking; Smiling): I just had an idea that just might work out for the both of us.

(There whispering to each other; Both nod their heads; Crystal leads Milo to the bushes center stage; Toby sees them coming; He runs downstage left; Both see him running and chase after him; Milo and Crystal tackle him to the ground)

Milo: We've got him! Now let's finish him!

(They both have him pinned down; Crystal is on his back holding him down with her paws; Milo has his legs; Toby is crying but can't get up)

Toby (Whining): I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please just get off! You're hurting me!

Crystal (Sad): Now you know how it feels. I'm sorry to do this, but you don't mess with an alley cat; we can change to you know!

Milo: Come on Crystal; let's finish him!

Crystal (Hesitates): I can't do it, it's not right.

Milo: But Crystal?

Crystal: He's my son Milo. (Milo Shocked) Look. If we kill him, then we'll be just as bad as him.

(Milo looks down at Toby and sees sadness in his eyes; Understanding)

Milo (Sighs): Your right, he doesn't deserve it.

(Both get off of him; Toby gets up slowly-Shaking)

Milo (Stern): Now you listen to me Toby, we'll let you go this one time. But you have to promise to never mess with me, or Crystal ever again. Do you understand?

(Toby looks at him and then at Crystal)

Toby: I promise never to mess with you guys again.

Milo: Very good. Now go! (Pause) Now!

(Toby leaves; Looking at Crystal-sadness in his eyes)

Toby: Good-bye mother.

(Toby runs offstage left)

Crystal (Silently): Good-bye. Toby. (Sad; Looks back at Milo) I'm so sorry about all this Milo. It just took me time to realize that what I was doing was wrong; I know now what's right.

Milo (Comforting her): Its ok. (Smiling) I think the lesson learned here is, that you don't have to do something that you don't want to do. Even if someone tells you to do something that you know is wrong, just say no and walk away. If they persist or threaten you, run and get help.

Crystal: I couldn't have said it better myself. (Thinking) Milo?

Milo: Yes?

Crystal: Do you now understand that you're a cat by what you have done here today?

(Milo is looking unsure; Crystal tries to explain)

Crystal: Well, you are a bad swimmer, and you used your instincts to defend yourself! You acted very much like a cat. (Looking triumphantly at him) It makes me proud.

Milo: I do, and thank you for helping me realize that I'm a cat, not a dog. So friends?

Crystal: Friends.

(Both walk back home together offstage left; 

Lights fade out; End of Act I)