INSIDE | Scott Charters Fiction | Earth-Based Sci-Fi. Drama | Theatre is not only about the drama on stage.
Something has been discovered
in the basement of a theatre.
Present Day
Johns "office" is a shelf in a niche out the back with the props.
When Jacqui walks out, she is still taken back by the enormity of the storage / props area.
She looks and sees his desk lamp is on.
There are enough dust covered lamps hanging to light the area but she doesn't step any further.
Jacqui: 'John. John.' Listens in hope then lets out a sigh.
Jacqui: 'John?'
CAR SPACES.
BACK OF THEATRE
Kristie: Sarcastically. 'You must have been talking to a ghost.'
Eight
JACQUI'S OFFICE.
EARLY MORNING
Screen after screen of information.
Jacqui: 'No, nothing mentioned.' In front of her screens.
Kristie: 'Thanks bye.' Kristie walked over to Jacqui's desk then burst into a smile. 'Council knows about it and it isn't deemed "unsafe".'
Jacqui: 'So, what they just left it?' Quizzed.
John: 'They wouldn't have put much effort into it. Not their problem.' Shrugging.
Kristie: 'The Show, must go on.' Dismissive. Raised eyebrows.
They all hated the expression.
Jacqui: 'No, and better. Just fantastic.' Agreeing.
The sisters were sitting as usual in a row with all lights up and just watching.
The weeks just gone were frenetic but good.
Every show sold out and advanced bookings for the next.
Quietly, they reached to each other and held hands then John appeared.
KRISTIE: 'It's just me Jack.'
JACQUI: 'Ok.' Softly. 'Just be careful of your footing.'
The next partition brick wall revealed the pipe.
JOHN: 'Wow.' He couldn't believe it.
Kristie was pleased. Mainly because she didn't want to go any further and stood well back while Claire tried climbing; getting closer glancing at John and Kristie to assure them.
JOHN: 'Look, there's a ladder whatever.' He pointed for Claire who was close and repositioning herself, leapt and landed.
Silence.
JOHN: 'Claire. Are you ok?' Firmly.
Silence.
CLAIRE: 'Yes, I'm good and now there's an up and now - I'm standing.' Her voice picked up and they could clearly hear her sigh in relief and could also hear her having a stretch. 'This, right here, reminds me of August in caves in Mexico.'
KRISTIE: 'Pull the pin girl.'
CLAIRE: 'I'm ok. I'm crouching but stretching my legs one at a time.'
JACQUI: 'Are you sure?'
CLAIRE: 'Yes, and I'm moving on and oh,'
They all froze.
in the basement of a theatre.
It has been there
for a very long time.
One of Twenty Four
The 1920'sCITY. SIDE STREET. EVENING
Grandfather: 'Hey there young man. What a darn beautiful evening don't you think?'
A large man seemed to appear from out of the bitumen.
Thick, dark coat, scarf and gently swinging a walking stick.
His breathe just catching the final moments of pure sunlight.
A young man in top hat and tails stands on a road in front of an old, abandoned building.
He could see his grandfather approaching as he has always done and apparently could "picture" a lavish theatre.
Grandfather: 'Hey Simpson.'
The towering dark coat expanded; a hand rested on the young man's shoulder. 'It's going to be fantastic.'
His breathe could be heard.
'You'll see.'
Present Day
CITY. SIDE STREET. EVENING
A grand ol' lady.
A beautiful theatre.
Kolston's Theatre; family owned and operated by two sisters and brother.
It was opening night of their latest theatre production and John the brother, was assured by his sister Jacqui 'This one will do well.'
The grandeur of the entrance.
John stood opposite looking up at the building as was the tradition and was waiting for Kolston's Theatre as it was about to be "lit up".
'For the world to see.' He thought thinking back to his grandparents who started it.
The photos were in the foyer and the staff were spilling out onto the front rolling out rugs, cleaning both sides of all the windows and glass doors, all in costume for the show was "Gangsters City".
He watched as portable searchlights were setup, turned on and did actually light up the immediate sky.
His younger sister Jacqui always amazed him.
Two
ROW OF SEATS. EARLY MORNINGJacqui is doing the paperwork in one of the rows while staff are on the stage getting everything ready for rehearsals and her pocket vibrates.
It's her husband saying their second daughter isn't feeling well and has come home from school.
Jacqui: 'Are you OK with that?' Listening. 'You sure, I'll come home if you need to get that project completed?'
A lot of banging starts up on the stage and so she takes her paperwork, tablet and walks out from the row and wanders through the corridors to her office and sits.
JACQUI'S OFFICE. EARLY MORNING
Jacqui: 'You sure. Ok then, love you and see you tonight bye.' She takes a deep breathe, has a moments pause then starts back on the paperwork.
FOOTPATH. AFTERNOON
Kristie; the oldest sister is out the front setting up the "A" frame and getting the mat rolled out and sees the window displays getting a once-over.
She casts her eye out and around and smiles recognising people as they pass.
It is a beautiful afternoon.
She takes a deep breathe.
JACQUI'S OFFICE. AFTERNOON
Jacqui is calculating when she hears a sound. She questions herself but also happy to have a distraction and finds, reaches for her coffee mug.
Jacqui: 'That you?' Looks puzzled. 'John, you?'
OFFICE CORRIDOR. AFTERNOON
In one of the office corridors, Jacqui tries ringing him but he doesn't answer. 'John?' She yells and reacts to her voice; the only one around and sighs knowing what this means; with her head back, starts walking.
Three
BACK STAGE
When Jacqui walks out, she is still taken back by the enormity of the storage / props area.
She looks and sees his desk lamp is on.
There are enough dust covered lamps hanging to light the area but she doesn't step any further.
Jacqui: 'John. John.' Listens in hope then lets out a sigh.
FOYER
Kristie checks with cashier and front end staff then walks out the back.BACK STAGE
Jacqui has walked all the way through to the back of the building to the very end and she can "see" where he has gone. She rolls her eyes.She leans over the railing of a set of stairs to below ground.
She has never liked this area but this is where everybody will find John.
Jacqui: 'Don't forget the stage crew need those ties and ropes and those sparky things for the second act ok?'
She stands upright and waits silently.
Her eyebrows raise, she rocks on her heels.
She has never liked this area but this is where everybody will find John.
Jacqui: 'Don't forget the stage crew need those ties and ropes and those sparky things for the second act ok?'
She stands upright and waits silently.
Her eyebrows raise, she rocks on her heels.
Jacqui: 'Stopping pissing around. Are you there? Come in John.'
Her phobia for tight spaces is controllable but she is a doer and is very persistent.
She holds onto the railing both sides, takes a deep breathe and starts descending.
Her phobia for tight spaces is controllable but she is a doer and is very persistent.
She holds onto the railing both sides, takes a deep breathe and starts descending.
LOWER GROUND FLOOR STAIRCASE
The single dusty lamp hangs above the stairs.
Her shadow darkens the steps as she continues descending and remembers the light switch is just to the left at the bottom.
The railing can be seen but the floorboards below are blackened from wear.
Four
LOWER GROUND FLOOR
Her heels finally touch the floorboards which creek then she swings, turns the light on and to her absolute horror; there were three corridors.
She had forgotten about them.
It had been a while.
She was a metre or so from the intersection where another dusty lamp hung.
She made her way across to the intersection when her phone rang.
Jacqui: 'Hi.' She took a deep breathe. 'Great and she's ok. You're home. You sure? Ok bye.'
She snapped out of it. 'John!?'
She looked down each corridor and could clearly see which one went under the stage and then she heard the sound again and it was coming from one of the other corridors.
Slowly walking down, the corridor went right toward the back lane.
Jacqui: 'John.' Stern. She nearly didn't bother anymore when she heard the sound again and leant against the narrow wall. 'Don't forget the stage crew.'
She heard the sound again and just shook her head and began to smile thinking of her brother.
Jacqui: 'Need those ties and ropes and those sparky things for the second act ok?' Again she heard the sound.
Nodded with eyebrows raised, turned and walked away.
Five
THEATRE SEAT ROWSLike every other day, the three gather and watch rehearsals before they part and go home. As they watch, they see an essential part has not worked so well.
Jacqui: 'You didn't get the ropes and ties like I asked?'
There was no reply from the other end of the row.
The cast on stage looked stymied but just got on with it.
Jacqui: 'What are those sparky things called?' Asking her sister shaking her head. 'The sparky things?'
The three were clapping and yelling full of encouragement to the cast and also the crew who were in black and keeping out of sight.John: 'The ropes and ties are arriving tonight and aren't a big problem.'
There was silence.
All applauded again as the second act finished.
Kristie: 'What are those sparky things called anyway John?' Wryly.
John: 'When did you see me?'
Jacqui: Clapping. 'Well done everyone.' Standing. 'Earlier on when I heard you around, you know when you're out the back like normally.'
John: 'I wasn't around there.'
Jacqui made eye contact with different cast as they started retreating for time-off until "The Show".
She looked across at him and as Kristie put on her coat, she could see John looked serious.
Jacqui: Looked inwardly, gathered her coat and car keys. 'I spoke to you after lunch about the ropes and those sparky things.'
John: 'Nup. Wasn't here. I was out getting those things.'
Jacqui: 'Oh. Ok then.'
She felt unsettled but then followed them both out to their cars.
BACK OF THEATRE
Kristie: Sarcastically. 'You must have been talking to a ghost.'
Six
JACQUI'S OFFICE.
EARLY MORNING
John talks to Jacqui briefly in her office which is the regular meetings place for everyone and everything.
It's a large space and Jacqui sits in the middle.
'I like to see everything and to know that I have space all around me.' She would say.
John: 'I'm not fooling around. I was not down there. I was genuinely at the hardware store getting all that stuff.'
Jacqui: 'Well something was definitely down there and I-.' Stopped as she could see he was not taking her serious. 'Could you please just take a look for me.'
Silence.
'Please.'
He could see she was serious.
'Something "spoke" to me ok?'
John: Ok. I'll take a look.'
She nodded.
John: 'But it might not be until say tomorrow or so.'
Jacqui surrendered and mouthed thankyou.
Regular patrons shook hands with the three siblings as they left to their cars.
People on the street queuing were watching as matinee crowds poured out with their show books and flyers.
FOYER
Jacqui: 'And the reviews are good.' Quietly huddling up to both John and Kristie.
Kristie: 'And we're making profit now.' She couldn't hold back.
They stayed in the foyer until everyone left.
Kristie: 'You can all go home thanks every one of you.'
John clapped the staff as they took in what was said.
John: 'I'm going out back to check on everything.'
He didn't wait for an approval.
It's a large space and Jacqui sits in the middle.
'I like to see everything and to know that I have space all around me.' She would say.
Silence.
'Please.'
He could see she was serious.
'Something "spoke" to me ok?'
John: Ok. I'll take a look.'
She nodded.
John: 'But it might not be until say tomorrow or so.'
Jacqui surrendered and mouthed thankyou.
FOOTPATH. AFTERNOON
The show was a complete success.Regular patrons shook hands with the three siblings as they left to their cars.
People on the street queuing were watching as matinee crowds poured out with their show books and flyers.
FOYER
Jacqui: 'And the reviews are good.' Quietly huddling up to both John and Kristie.
Kristie: 'And we're making profit now.' She couldn't hold back.
They stayed in the foyer until everyone left.
Kristie: 'You can all go home thanks every one of you.'
John clapped the staff as they took in what was said.
John: 'I'm going out back to check on everything.'
He didn't wait for an approval.
Seven
STAGE
'Bye Mr Kolston.'
The cast were calling out as John told everyone from stage and out back to go home also.
The cast were calling out as John told everyone from stage and out back to go home also.
BACK STAGE
The large props were on wheels, so it was reasonably easy for John to do most of it on his own.BACK STAGE CURTAIN
He slid and dragged the rest into their positions for next show.
He stopped.
He was sure he heard something then went and got the remaining props.
Pushing the last into position he heard it again.
John: 'Jacqui?' He seemed puzzled why it would be her, but she was the only other that would come out to this area. 'Jacqui? Is that you?'
He stopped what he was doing and went to take a look.
JACQUI'S OFFICE.
EARLY MORNING
He stopped.
He was sure he heard something then went and got the remaining props.
Pushing the last into position he heard it again.
John: 'Jacqui?' He seemed puzzled why it would be her, but she was the only other that would come out to this area. 'Jacqui? Is that you?'
He stopped what he was doing and went to take a look.
~
JACQUI'S OFFICE.
EARLY MORNING
John: 'I don't know how to explain this except to ask you to come and take a look.'
Kristie: Bright eyed. 'Ok.'
Jacqui just rolled hers.
John: 'You'll need a torch.' Handing them to his sisters.
Jacqui: 'Seriously?'
Kristie was humoured.
BACK STAGE
Kristie: Bright eyed. 'Ok.'
Jacqui just rolled hers.
John: 'You'll need a torch.' Handing them to his sisters.
Jacqui: 'Seriously?'
Kristie was humoured.
BACK STAGE
John: 'Watch your head.' As he led them beside the props area and down a narrow corridor.
Kristie: Seriously. 'This leads to the very back doesn't it?'
John: 'That it does but.' He swung his torch and waited for their reactions.
NARROW CORRIDOR
Kristie: Seriously. 'This leads to the very back doesn't it?'
John: 'That it does but.' He swung his torch and waited for their reactions.
Jacqui: 'Oh my -.' Started shaking her head.
Kristie: 'Has this just happened? -' Stopped herself feeling stupid.
Jacqui: 'Not good. Not good.' Still shaking her head.
Their torch lights were absorbed by a large crack in the ground.
Kristie: 'The back wall too. I'll check the records and hopefully everything will be ok.'
Kristie: 'Has this just happened? -' Stopped herself feeling stupid.
Jacqui: 'Not good. Not good.' Still shaking her head.
Their torch lights were absorbed by a large crack in the ground.
Kristie: 'The back wall too. I'll check the records and hopefully everything will be ok.'
JACQUI'S OFFICE.
EARLY MORNING
Screen after screen of information.
Jacqui: 'No, nothing mentioned.' In front of her screens.
Kristie: 'Thanks bye.' Kristie walked over to Jacqui's desk then burst into a smile. 'Council knows about it and it isn't deemed "unsafe".'
Jacqui: 'So, what they just left it?' Quizzed.
John: 'They wouldn't have put much effort into it. Not their problem.' Shrugging.
Kristie: 'The Show, must go on.' Dismissive. Raised eyebrows.
They all hated the expression.
~
THEATRE
Plans and sketches were being drawn up, finalized for the next big show.
Paint was being readied, fabrics measured and cut, and rehearsals were in full swing.
THEATRE SEAT ROWS
Kristie: Jacqui: 'No, and better. Just fantastic.' Agreeing.
The sisters were sitting as usual in a row with all lights up and just watching.
The weeks just gone were frenetic but good.
Every show sold out and advanced bookings for the next.
Quietly, they reached to each other and held hands then John appeared.
Jacqui: 'Now there's a look.'
John: 'Can we – talk?'
John: 'Can we – talk?'
Nine
MAIN OFFICE. THEATRE
They moved to the main office leaning and sitting on desks.
John: 'I have taken a closer look.' He could see the girls had no idea what he was talking about. 'The crack? You found out through the council-?'
Both Women: 'Yes, yes yes.'
John: 'A much closer look and you won't believe it.' Tensely.
Kristie: 'Oh.'
John pulled out his phone and showed them.
They both leaned over to see and then both frowned.
Jacqui: 'What is it.?'
John: 'It appears to me, a passageway. It's brick and goes quite a distance or so it seems.'
Kristie: Smirking. 'You've had a look-see haven't you?'
John: 'Yes, I have.' - He was handed back his phone. 'I'd like you to see it for yourselves.' He knew they would not go.
Jacqui winced.
John: 'Please come down with me and take a look.'
Kristie: 'Ok, ok.'
Kristie said tilting her head, swung around to Jacqui who sighed.
Ten
BACK STAGE
John: 'There are stairs.' Showing them with a torch.
Kristie: 'Yes, there is definitely stairs John.' As she slowly descended. She looked back at her sister and held out her hand. Jacqui responded.
John was at the bottom of the stairs and the sisters could see up ahead.
Kristie: 'Oh wow.'
John: 'It feels like a bower bird but you know it’s not…'
Kristie: 'So, what is it?'
John: 'I'm really not sure I want to find out.'
Jacqui: 'N n not me.'
Kristie: 'Does anybody know?' Kristie sounds curious and starts looking around with her torch.
Jacqui sighs seeing this.
Kristie was always the curious one, first born then John; random in thought and always spontaneous but got the job done then Jacqui.
Kristie: 'Yes, there is definitely stairs John.' As she slowly descended. She looked back at her sister and held out her hand. Jacqui responded.
John was at the bottom of the stairs and the sisters could see up ahead.
Kristie: 'Oh wow.'
John: 'It feels like a bower bird but you know it’s not…'
Kristie: 'So, what is it?'
John: 'I'm really not sure I want to find out.'
Jacqui: 'N n not me.'
Kristie: 'Does anybody know?' Kristie sounds curious and starts looking around with her torch.
Jacqui sighs seeing this.
Kristie was always the curious one, first born then John; random in thought and always spontaneous but got the job done then Jacqui.
JACQUI'S OFFICE. EARLY MORNING
Early next morning and the three are looking at Jacqui's big screen with all the information she could find.
It gave them a good picture of the history.
Jacqui: 'I know Tom would be interested. And he's head of lighting?'
ELEVEN
NARROW CORRIDOR
The four of them had stretched out electrical cords and Tom had a bank of lights attached to a trolley and they slowly moved into the tunnel void.
Kristie: 'It isn't the best of smells.'
Jacqui: 'No worse than your dog.' Dryly.
The trolley wobbled then stopped abruptly.
Tom and John looked with their torches.
Tom: 'This must be the divide between council and commercial.'
Just then Jacqui jerked and screamed.
All shone their torches and could see it was something wet and dripping down.
They continued along the brick tunnel and ahead was the "bower bird" area.
Tom: 'Oh my.'
They were now amongst a collection of things.
Tom: 'This is definitely well organized.' Whispering.
Claire: 'Hi there.' Another woman's voice.
Everyone jumped and screamed.
Tom: 'Hello darling,' Matter-of-factly. 'I'm sorry everyone but this is Claire, my wife.'
They knew of her and getting over the scare, all said "hi". 'She's into abseiling, cave exploring and cave diving, so I thought- '
Twelve
NARROW CORRIDOR
There were puddles ahead and some metal piping ran through along.
John lost his footing through a puddle and his ear went close to the metal pipes.
John: 'Shhh. I can definitely hear scratching.'
Kristie: 'I'm turning my torch off for backup.' Quietly.
Claire: 'Good idea.' Loudly and did the same. Hers was on her forehead.
Kristie: 'The scratching is probably rats or mice.' In a low tone.
Tom "looked" with his torch along the metal pipe and it went around a corner and as he shone it further, there were sheets of metal stacked against the elbow which made his light bounce around the corner and all that could be heard was a whine like a crying dog.
Jacqui: 'I really, really don't think I can go any further.'
Tom, John, Claire and Kristie picked up poles.
John: 'Stay with us.' To Jacqui. 'We will be ok. Just stay together.' He motioned for her to pick something up.
Tom moved the trolley through to further in front with a pole.
Dripping was the only thing heard then the cry again.
They continued to the corner and all swung their lights.
Further ahead was a large industrial-size pipe with a grill facing them. As they approached, again the cry.
Claire, Tom and John went ahead, and Claire went all the way up for she saw something.
Tom just had to look on.
Claire: 'Have we got rope or string or something?' In a low tone voice.
Thick string was passed along, and they watched as she wound it around her length of pole and poked it slowly through the grill.
Jacqui and Kristie could see how gently Claire was being and were curious.
None of them came closer then suddenly the thick string slowly pulled into the grill and another cry.
Claire slowly lifted the string and gave them a reassuring look and more string was taken in behind the grill.
Slowly, Jacqui lifted her light and shone it into the age-old industrial pipe and there it was.
It wasn't big.
The size of a child; in the foetal position and shiny like a beetle but as they gathered cautiously, they could see it was human-like and sitting with fold-like legs.
Jacqui and Claire shed a tear.
Kristie was trying to make sense of it all while John and Tom shone their torches further down the gigantic pipe to see where it went.
Thirteen
JACQUI'S OFFICE. EARLY MORNING
JOHN: 'Good news I think.' Alone in front of Jacqui's big screens in her office. 'I dug a little bit and found these plans of this area earlier.'
One by one they gathered around with coffees and eating.
JOHN: 'That pipe, I feel is this one, and I'm going to take a look to see, hopefully that it is still there.'
TOM: 'Damn. I've got to get back to work. Let me know.' He disappeared.
KRISTIE: 'I'm going to go down now and relieve Jacqui ok? We're tagging one another and job swapping so keep her desk pretty.' Leaving hurriedly; yelled 'Thanks.'
JOHN: 'That pipe, I feel is this one, and I'm going to take a look to see, hopefully that it is still there.'
TOM: 'Damn. I've got to get back to work. Let me know.' He disappeared.
KRISTIE: 'I'm going to go down now and relieve Jacqui ok? We're tagging one another and job swapping so keep her desk pretty.' Leaving hurriedly; yelled 'Thanks.'
NARROW CORRIDOR
There was a glow and a grill and then another flickering.KRISTIE: 'It's just me Jack.'
JACQUI: 'Ok.' Softly. 'Just be careful of your footing.'
From around the corner Kristie appeared and turned off her light and slowly walked up to Jacqui.
KRISTIE: 'How is-?'
JACQUI: 'Piney is good.' Jacqui said smiling, eyebrows raised. 'He hasn't said anything but he oozes.' She shone the torch down to show.
KRISTIE: 'Oh.'
JACQUI: 'It doesn't smell and I'm not coughing so.'
KRISTIE: 'John feels he has found the other end of this pipe and is going for a "look-see".'
JACQUI: 'I might join him and yes, I will be back.'
KRISTIE: 'Ok then bye.'
As Jacqui was going around the elbow. 'Are you sure you'll be ok?'
She nodded trying to reassure her sister.
KRISTIE: 'How is-?'
JACQUI: 'Piney is good.' Jacqui said smiling, eyebrows raised. 'He hasn't said anything but he oozes.' She shone the torch down to show.
KRISTIE: 'Oh.'
JACQUI: 'It doesn't smell and I'm not coughing so.'
KRISTIE: 'John feels he has found the other end of this pipe and is going for a "look-see".'
JACQUI: 'I might join him and yes, I will be back.'
KRISTIE: 'Ok then bye.'
As Jacqui was going around the elbow. 'Are you sure you'll be ok?'
She nodded trying to reassure her sister.
Fourteen
BACK OF THEATRE BUILDING
The land behind their building was half fenced off and had galvanised electrical towers laying down and other structural left-overs.The pipe they were looking for was not obvious.
John walked into the grassy area and his footing went from hard concrete to compressed soil to hard concrete and then he heard footsteps.
CLAIRE: 'Sorry, I just couldn't help myself.'
JOHN: 'Not a problem. Jacqui was going to be here as well but changed her mind.' They went from a clearing to thick, dry bushes. 'Me thinks it's over here somewhere amongst this stubborn scrub.'
They yet again found poles and started poking and tried to thrash the thick grass but not too obvious to create attention when suddenly a clunk sound and Claire looked.
John walked into the grassy area and his footing went from hard concrete to compressed soil to hard concrete and then he heard footsteps.
CLAIRE: 'Sorry, I just couldn't help myself.'
JOHN: 'Not a problem. Jacqui was going to be here as well but changed her mind.' They went from a clearing to thick, dry bushes. 'Me thinks it's over here somewhere amongst this stubborn scrub.'
They yet again found poles and started poking and tried to thrash the thick grass but not too obvious to create attention when suddenly a clunk sound and Claire looked.
John went around the clump of high grass, swung-hitting something again.
JOHN: 'This could be it.' John hit again making a dull thud sound then hit again and a hollower sound.
CLAIRE: Rose above the thick grass. 'Ahha.'
Fifteen
JOHN: 'So, what are we to do?' Concerned.
JOHN: 'This could be it.' John hit again making a dull thud sound then hit again and a hollower sound.
CLAIRE: Rose above the thick grass. 'Ahha.'
JACQUI'S OFFICE. EARLY MORNING
CLAIRE: 'We tried every which way but couldn't get close enough.'JOHN: 'So, what are we to do?' Concerned.
They had all gathered at Jacqui’s desk and surrounding empty desks.
They could all hear heels tapping along the corridor and waited.
They could all hear heels tapping along the corridor and waited.
It was Kristie.
JACQUI: 'You look like you've caught a mouse.' Cheekily.
KRISTIE: 'How about a grandparent's diary.' She revealed it from around her back and passed it to Tom who placed it in front of Jacqui at her desk.
JACQUI: 'You look like you've caught a mouse.' Cheekily.
KRISTIE: 'How about a grandparent's diary.' She revealed it from around her back and passed it to Tom who placed it in front of Jacqui at her desk.
Opened it.
They all reacted.
CLAIRE: 'Clippings and photos!?' Declaring.
There were photos of the building, streets, the foyer, the stage, seating and audiences.
JACQUI: 'Look, probably our grandparents.' Flipped a large photo. 'Oh my, 1925 and look at the back of the stage?'
JOHN: 'Well that explains a whole lot.' Commented wryly.
CLAIRE: 'Clippings and photos!?' Declaring.
There were photos of the building, streets, the foyer, the stage, seating and audiences.
JACQUI: 'Look, probably our grandparents.' Flipped a large photo. 'Oh my, 1925 and look at the back of the stage?'
JOHN: 'Well that explains a whole lot.' Commented wryly.
Everybody just burst out laughing.
Jacqui swung around and looked at Kristie who was leaning forward to show articles deeper in the pile but Jacqui was looking in another area of the stack and then saw it.
Jacqui swung around and looked at Kristie who was leaning forward to show articles deeper in the pile but Jacqui was looking in another area of the stack and then saw it.
Jacqui went quiet then pulled what she had seen out.
TOM: 'Photos of back of stage, sketches of back of building. That land area and-.'
None of them could believe it.
TOM: 'Photos of back of stage, sketches of back of building. That land area and-.'
None of them could believe it.
Sixteen
JACQUI'S OFFICE.
EARLY MORNING
TOM: 'Sketches of the Weller's Sunrise Publishing building and a photo of the pipe in the grassy area but look, all the bushes are small. I'll be damned.'
JACQUI: 'So,' Swung her head around again. 'So, our grandparents,' She was trying to get her head around it. 'Knew about this too?'
TOM: 'I can't see why not.'
Jacqui was desperately filing through more.
She slowed and pulled out a sketch.
Everybody gasped.
It was a sketch of a large crack with wood spans.
JACQUI: 'A mild earthquake was reported and to us! It seemed more like a canon going off.' Reading from a hand-written note. 'So I went to investigate. We felt strongly that it was not an earthquake as reported by the Weller’s Sunrise newspaper even though it is just around the corner but it did however lead us to discover something truly remarkable.' She could feel everyone wanted more and looked and found another. 'These are mine and Christine's sketches and notes and hope that one day and hopefully our family, will endeavour to help out.' Jacqui could hardly finish and searched for her tissues. She looked at Kristie.
KRISTIE: 'Yes, Grandma; how I got my name.' Already wiping tears but also shaking her head amazed.
Jacqui couldn't take her eyes off her sister.
TOM: 'Ah Jacqui,? That folded piece just underneath.'
Jacqui acknowledged and pulled it out and it was triple folded, handed it to Tom who started to delicately unfold it.
TOM: 'It's a map.' Respectfully.
JOHN: 'And big.' He went over and lead Tom to a nearby table. 'Well I'll be.'
KRISTIE: 'So our grandparents knew, but it must have been only a crack?' With Jacqui at Jacqui's desk.
TOM: 'It looks that way.' Agreeing.
JACQUI: 'Oh oh, there was a fire in this building -.' Interrupted flipping over scraps of paper and clippings.
They all shot a look at Jacqui.
'Which looks like it destroyed this top section.'
KRISTIE: 'Look at the old fire trucks.' Amused. 'That's the side street and there's the "T".
JACQUI: 'Here's granddad's notes again. '"Unfortunately, most of my diligence towards this matter have been since lost and I am most angry."' Jacqui was "imitating" her Grandfather. '"I can clearly see a pipe and when upon I could find a length of some sort, I with haste, hit it like a Tibetan monk with a bell and surprisingly it clanged."'
They all took a moment then burst into laughter.
When they had calmed down.
KRISTIE: 'And that's it. There is another sketch here but,'
CLAIRE: 'Wow, so your Grandparents knew of this?'
KRISTIE: 'I don’t know.'
Tom, John and Jacqui looked on hoping there was an answer.
KRISTIE: 'We can't just leave it down there. I mean, how would anyone feel?'
Seventeen
THEATRE OFFICE CORRIDOR
John is about to go down for his "shift" when Jacqui calls out to him.
JACQUI: 'You're needed on stage right.'
He waited to see her and as she walked up to him.
'Yes, they need you, so I'll do your turn and you owe me.'
THEATRE SEAT ROWS. AFTERNOON
It was afternoon and they gathered like always in the rows to watch rehearsals.
JOHN: 'Jacqui still down there?'
KRISTIE: 'Yes, but it's my turn now just to go down and walk her out before we all go home-.'
JACQUI: 'It's gone,' It was Jacqui racing into the rows.
JOHN: 'It could be up and around the bend in the other end.' As the three of them gathered at the grill. 'I'll go and check and call you.'
JACQUI: 'Let's all go home. Yes, we’ll wait for your call, but upstairs thank you.' She could just tolerate the confined space.
KRISTIE: 'Oh, look out. Yes, John and you're on speaker.'
JOHN: 'Yes, it's here.' Slightly out of breath.
JOHN: 'Jacqui still down there?'
KRISTIE: 'Yes, but it's my turn now just to go down and walk her out before we all go home-.'
JACQUI: 'It's gone,' It was Jacqui racing into the rows.
Eighteen
NARROW CORRIDOR
They all had torches on. JOHN: 'It could be up and around the bend in the other end.' As the three of them gathered at the grill. 'I'll go and check and call you.'
JACQUI: 'Let's all go home. Yes, we’ll wait for your call, but upstairs thank you.' She could just tolerate the confined space.
OFFICE CORRIDOR
They waited in the corridor next to Jacqui's office looking out to the foyer.KRISTIE: 'Oh, look out. Yes, John and you're on speaker.'
JOHN: 'Yes, it's here.' Slightly out of breath.
Also though, they could hear its cry and they all nodded and were relieved.
JACQUI: 'Ok J, are you alright? We'll catch up tomorrow.' Directly.
KRISTIE: 'Ok J yep, we'll talk tomorrow bye.' Hung up.
TOM: 'I'd say it's stuck with nowhere to go.'
KRISTIE: 'But how long is it for it? It could only be a few days in its lifespan you know. It doesn't necessarily mean it's a death sentence although it must be annoying or frustrated that it just can't get on with whatever it was doing.'
JACQUI: 'Ok J, are you alright? We'll catch up tomorrow.' Directly.
KRISTIE: 'Ok J yep, we'll talk tomorrow bye.' Hung up.
TOM: 'I'd say it's stuck with nowhere to go.'
KRISTIE: 'But how long is it for it? It could only be a few days in its lifespan you know. It doesn't necessarily mean it's a death sentence although it must be annoying or frustrated that it just can't get on with whatever it was doing.'
JACQUI: 'Misdirected? Crash landed?' Guessed seriously.
KRISTIE: 'And if so, where's its spacecraft?'
KRISTIE: 'And if so, where's its spacecraft?'
Nineteen
OFFICE CORRIDOR
They gather the next morning and Claire turns up unexpectantly to great surprise to Tom.CLAIRE: 'I did some of my own "digging" around and found something quite interesting.'
They were all looking at her waiting.
'Oh no, you're all not getting away with it that easy.'
BACK OF THEATRE BUILDING. STREET
They were all gathered in one of the wings of the "T" intersection up from the road running along the back of their theatre building.
CLAIRE: 'Yes, the plans show that pipe runs diagonal from your premises and into here.' Speaking concisely; standing on the road near the footpath and her arms showing dramatically the directions. 'This used to be the "Weller's Sunrise" company. They did everything from finding the stories to printing to distribution so they made this building as well as yours, the main channel if you will, for the main pipeline.'
JACQUI: 'Actually, I remember seeing this paper,'
They all looked at her surprised.
'Well a clipping; it's in my office. Yes, this was big, and I can't believe I've never come around here – but then again.'
Claire moved further toward the high brick wall which still had the name albeit faint arched across three large doors...
JOHN: 'You're not going to climb it are you?' Sarcastically.
CLAIRE: 'No,' Smiling. ‘There's a door.’ She went over and opened it.
Tom saw this and helped but could see his wife handled it with her shoulder and she disappeared.They all looked at one another and all started to walk in.
JACQUI: 'I don't feel comfortable at all in here or doing this.'
TOM: 'I'll join you.' Giving Jacqui a smile and motioned for them to leave.
CLAIRE: 'Go back to work and we'll call you.' Calling out. 'We won't be long anyway.'
Jacqui and Tom walked back the two blocks.
CLAIRE: 'Yes, the plans show that pipe runs diagonal from your premises and into here.' Speaking concisely; standing on the road near the footpath and her arms showing dramatically the directions. 'This used to be the "Weller's Sunrise" company. They did everything from finding the stories to printing to distribution so they made this building as well as yours, the main channel if you will, for the main pipeline.'
JACQUI: 'Actually, I remember seeing this paper,'
They all looked at her surprised.
'Well a clipping; it's in my office. Yes, this was big, and I can't believe I've never come around here – but then again.'
Claire moved further toward the high brick wall which still had the name albeit faint arched across three large doors...
JOHN: 'You're not going to climb it are you?' Sarcastically.
CLAIRE: 'No,' Smiling. ‘There's a door.’ She went over and opened it.
Tom saw this and helped but could see his wife handled it with her shoulder and she disappeared.They all looked at one another and all started to walk in.
JACQUI: 'I don't feel comfortable at all in here or doing this.'
TOM: 'I'll join you.' Giving Jacqui a smile and motioned for them to leave.
CLAIRE: 'Go back to work and we'll call you.' Calling out. 'We won't be long anyway.'
Jacqui and Tom walked back the two blocks.
Twenty
ABANDONED BUILDING
JOHN: 'Wow.' He couldn't believe it.
Kristie was pleased. Mainly because she didn't want to go any further and stood well back while Claire tried climbing; getting closer glancing at John and Kristie to assure them.
JOHN: 'Look, there's a ladder whatever.' He pointed for Claire who was close and repositioning herself, leapt and landed.
Kristie gasped.
CLAIRE: 'I'm good.' Turning and smiled. 'Oh yeah, this goes straight to it.' She had her forehead light on, looked in then snapped around to them. 'It's open.' She declared.
~
JACQUI'S OFFICE
Maps were printed out and sticky taped together.Thumbs and fingers were running ruled lines.
TOM: 'You sure?' He had to ask.
Claire gave him a peck on the lips and nodded.
The other three could clearly see the absolute trust in them.
CLAIRE: 'See you when I come out from the dark side.' Adjusting her rope over the shoulder, raising her eyebrows then she turned and left.
CLAIRE: 'I'm well and truly in and so far, clear.'
KRISTIE: 'So, where are you?' Had the second map copy ready.
CLAIRE: 'I feel I'm under the road.'
Kristie was running her finger along when she saw John and tried to get his attention.
TOM: 'You sure?' He had to ask.
Claire gave him a peck on the lips and nodded.
The other three could clearly see the absolute trust in them.
CLAIRE: 'See you when I come out from the dark side.' Adjusting her rope over the shoulder, raising her eyebrows then she turned and left.
Twenty One
THEATRE SEAT ROWS
KRISTIE: 'Hello.' With a wicked comforting voice. CLAIRE: 'I'm well and truly in and so far, clear.'
KRISTIE: 'So, where are you?' Had the second map copy ready.
CLAIRE: 'I feel I'm under the road.'
Kristie was running her finger along when she saw John and tried to get his attention.
KRISTIE: 'Then there's the other end of the fenced off area-.'
CLAIRE: 'Yes, then I should be pretty close.'
John plopped himself in the seat in the row beside his sister and rang Jacqui.
CLAIRE: 'Yes, then I should be pretty close.'
John plopped himself in the seat in the row beside his sister and rang Jacqui.
Kristie nodded thanking him.
CLAIRE: 'Still going, still going.'
CLAIRE: 'Still going, still going.'
Now on speaker and Jacqui followed by Tom joined in but in the row in front and knelt facing.
CLAIRE: 'Oh.'
They all listened.
Waited.
CLAIRE: 'There's a rise ahead and right in front of me is a large pool of water.'
Kristie: 'Pull the pin.' Serious.
Kristie: 'Pull the pin.' Serious.
PIPE
Claire really did not want to but, she half removed her mask from her nose and mouth just to get a quick breath to test.Nothing.
She ran her light along the edges.
CLAIRE: 'I'm ok and I'm going on.'
Twenty Two
THEATRE SEAT ROWS
KRISTIE: 'Are you through?' Agitated.Silence.
JOHN: 'Claire. Are you ok?' Firmly.
Silence.
CLAIRE: 'Yes, I'm good and now there's an up and now - I'm standing.' Her voice picked up and they could clearly hear her sigh in relief and could also hear her having a stretch. 'This, right here, reminds me of August in caves in Mexico.'
They all just listened and shook their heads.
Jacqui turned deliberately to look at Tom who just looked on.
KRISTIE: 'Oh. Claire, I have a call and I have to answer it.'
CLAIRE: 'That's ok.'
JACQUI: 'Hang up so I can call you.'
CLAIRE: 'Yep. Done.' The sound of grunting then cut off.
KRISTIE: 'Hello. Thanks for calling back Mel. Yes, I'd like to talk to you about-.' Kristie got up and passed them the map and she walked further along the row.
JACQUI: 'Hi Claire, how are you doing?' On speaker they could hear the grunting continue.
CLAIRE: 'Yes, I have just thrown the grappling and it seems solid so I'm climbing. It's not too difficult or slimy but there's definitely a smell.'
They became anxious and Kristie returned.
CLAIRE: More grunting and deep breathes. 'I'm up top now.' She took a moment. 'And, I can see the other end and hopefully-.'
KRISTIE: 'Oh. Claire, I have a call and I have to answer it.'
CLAIRE: 'That's ok.'
JACQUI: 'Hang up so I can call you.'
CLAIRE: 'Yep. Done.' The sound of grunting then cut off.
KRISTIE: 'Hello. Thanks for calling back Mel. Yes, I'd like to talk to you about-.' Kristie got up and passed them the map and she walked further along the row.
JACQUI: 'Hi Claire, how are you doing?' On speaker they could hear the grunting continue.
CLAIRE: 'Yes, I have just thrown the grappling and it seems solid so I'm climbing. It's not too difficult or slimy but there's definitely a smell.'
They became anxious and Kristie returned.
CLAIRE: More grunting and deep breathes. 'I'm up top now.' She took a moment. 'And, I can see the other end and hopefully-.'
The phone went dead.
Twenty Three
THEATRE SEAT ROWS
They all watched as Jacqui dialled.They all watched as they could clearly see no answer.
JACQUI: 'And yes, it is her number.'
They refolded the map on a seat between them.
KRISTIE: 'If she is here, then that's our end.'
KRISTIE: 'If she is here, then that's our end.'
CLAIRE: 'I dropped my phone,' Whispering.
JACQUI: 'Whoa.' Jacqui almost tossed her phone. 'Sorry about that guys but,'
They huddled.
They had a torch themselves and lit up the map.
CLAIRE: 'But, there's something moving at the other end.'
TOM: 'It could be a rat or something.' Encouraging her.
CLAIRE: 'It's big.' Whispered.
They all went wide eyed and felt helpless.
KRISTIE: 'Pull the pin Claire.' Reaffirming. Whispering.
CLAIRE: 'No, I think I'm ok. Wait a sec.' Silence. 'It's gone.' Whispered.
TOM: 'Claire? How much distance between you and that end?' Looking at John nodding.
CLAIRE: 'It looks about six to seven metres but could be more.' Whispered, grunted and heavily breathing. TOM: 'It could be a rat or something.' Encouraging her.
CLAIRE: 'It's big.' Whispered.
They all went wide eyed and felt helpless.
KRISTIE: 'Pull the pin Claire.' Reaffirming. Whispering.
CLAIRE: 'No, I think I'm ok. Wait a sec.' Silence. 'It's gone.' Whispered.
TOM: 'Claire? How much distance between you and that end?' Looking at John nodding.
KRISTIE: 'Pull the pin girl.'
CLAIRE: 'I'm ok. I'm crouching but stretching my legs one at a time.'
JACQUI: 'Are you sure?'
CLAIRE: 'Yes, and I'm moving on and oh,'
They all froze.
Waited.
CLAIRE: 'It's only a couple of metres and I can see the pipe sloping down and oh my god-.'
They were still, eyes wide and leaning to the phone and looking at the map like moths.
CLAIRE: 'It's Piney. Piney's just here.' Whispering.
'Where Claire?' All of them asked whispering.
Silence.
A bang noise. They all leaped, squealed and yelled. 'Sorry.' A lone voice from the stage.
CLAIRE: 'Just at the bottom of the slope.' Whispering. 'It's huddled.' Silence. 'Wait.' Silence and breathing. 'Oh, there's two of them.'
The four of them reacted in silence reeling.
CLAIRE: 'Oh, there next to each other and one has their arms around the other. Oh, it's beautiful.' Whispering.
TOM: 'Claire?' Softly. 'Can you please come out?'
CLAIRE: 'There's room down there and I'm going to go down.'
Kristie had to stand up feeling frustrated. Then calmed herself and sat.
CLAIRE: 'It's only a couple of metres and I can see the pipe sloping down and oh my god-.'
They were still, eyes wide and leaning to the phone and looking at the map like moths.
CLAIRE: 'It's Piney. Piney's just here.' Whispering.
'Where Claire?' All of them asked whispering.
Silence.
A bang noise. They all leaped, squealed and yelled. 'Sorry.' A lone voice from the stage.
CLAIRE: 'Just at the bottom of the slope.' Whispering. 'It's huddled.' Silence. 'Wait.' Silence and breathing. 'Oh, there's two of them.'
The four of them reacted in silence reeling.
CLAIRE: 'Oh, there next to each other and one has their arms around the other. Oh, it's beautiful.' Whispering.
TOM: 'Claire?' Softly. 'Can you please come out?'
CLAIRE: 'There's room down there and I'm going to go down.'
Kristie had to stand up feeling frustrated. Then calmed herself and sat.
The other three were the same.
CLAIRE: 'I'm down and going to toss them a muesli bar.'
They all couldn't believe what they had just heard except Tom who nodded and smiled. Just shrugged.
CLAIRE: 'Listen.' Almost giggling.
A low pining sound but also an eating and consuming sound.
CLAIRE: 'They're sharing.' Whispered. 'And I have an idea.'
The four of them; their jaws dropped.
CLAIRE: 'I'm coming out now guys.' Through grunting and huffing.
Tom and John were at the top of the ladder and landing.
CLAIRE: 'I'm down and going to toss them a muesli bar.'
They all couldn't believe what they had just heard except Tom who nodded and smiled. Just shrugged.
CLAIRE: 'Listen.' Almost giggling.
A low pining sound but also an eating and consuming sound.
CLAIRE: 'They're sharing.' Whispered. 'And I have an idea.'
The four of them; their jaws dropped.
Twenty Four
PIPE
With her forehead torchlight, she wrapped and tied her other hand-held torch to the end of her spare bundle of rope which had about five lengths.CLAIRE: 'I'm coming out now guys.' Through grunting and huffing.
~
ABANDONED BUILDING
They all waited inside the old publishing building and near the pipe when suddenly a light then another shone dimly against the ceiling high above. Tom and John were at the top of the ladder and landing.
Both Jacqui and Kristie motioned when they could see Claire from their position far below.
They helped her out and the sisters could see her telling her husband and their brother something, they nodded and descended.
They helped her out and the sisters could see her telling her husband and their brother something, they nodded and descended.
CLAIRE: 'We have just given them their best chance to get out. So now it's up to them.'
Tom embraced her. Claire was trying to avoid him with all the muck but surrendered.
TOM: 'I feel that they had been able to get out, but at some stage, scuse the pun, our end grill, that could be hinged; stuck? -.'
JOHN: 'So, they couldn't continue building whatever to get out of here.' Agreeing.
JACQUI: 'And home.'
Tom embraced her. Claire was trying to avoid him with all the muck but surrendered.
TOM: 'I feel that they had been able to get out, but at some stage, scuse the pun, our end grill, that could be hinged; stuck? -.'
JOHN: 'So, they couldn't continue building whatever to get out of here.' Agreeing.
JACQUI: 'And home.'
They all slowly walked back the two blocks.
In the quiet of the old publishing building, the rope left anchored to the rim of the pipe by Claire became tauter then slackened then tight again then slackened then a torchlight.
The pining sound again and then two voices and it sounded just like the latest melody being rehearsed just down the road.
The 2030's
A young man in top hat and tails stands on a road in front of an old, abandoned building.
SON: 'On this day,'
The 2030's
A young man in top hat and tails stands on a road in front of an old, abandoned building.
SON: 'On this day,'
MOTHER: 'Come on.' The Mother was giggling inside the car from the back seat.
SON: 'The twelfth of March,' The young man ignoring his mother’s call. '2021, quite a few-.'
MOTHER: 'Come on. Rrr I give up.' Smiling and almost wanting to get out and get him into the car.
SON: 'Years back.' The son deliberately swinging around and tried to keep a straight face. 'Was a very proud Kolston's Theatre company.'
MOTHER: 'Yes, yes yes now come on, or we will be frightfully late.' Again, the Mother said then burst into laughter and watched as her youngest, took off his top hat, bowed at the building opposite, then ran around the car and got in.
MOTHER: 'Come on. Rrr I give up.' Smiling and almost wanting to get out and get him into the car.
SON: 'Years back.' The son deliberately swinging around and tried to keep a straight face. 'Was a very proud Kolston's Theatre company.'
MOTHER: 'Yes, yes yes now come on, or we will be frightfully late.' Again, the Mother said then burst into laughter and watched as her youngest, took off his top hat, bowed at the building opposite, then ran around the car and got in.
SON: 'Frightfully.' A father's, mothers and son's laughter could be heard from within the limousine as it drove away.
This man; the son, standing in front was the great grandson...
The mother was Jacqui's daughter.
End
This man; the son, standing in front was the great grandson...
The mother was Jacqui's daughter.
End
Lonely? Afraid? Scared? Lost?
Or just enjoying the company.
All I ever saw was a silvery domed-like forehead and to me it was a "stuck" alien.
Theatre was an easy choice – partly due to my earlier work working in theatre – behind-the-scenes but wanted to create atmosphere of ropes and pulleys and how we "dress-up" as oppose to this creature being so different.
It had to be dark and dank and drippy and I also like going underground.
I wanted many people for it was theatre and to enhance loneliness.
And a slight nod to dad whose favourite film was The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1939 with Charles Laughton.