the hatching well
TRANSCRIPT
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
1/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
GRAMS INTRODUCTION MUSIC
NARRATOR This is the story of a miserable tramp called Samuel Smith. Now Samuel
was a plump and bearded sort of a chap in his early fifties who enjoyed
nothing more than to inebriate his condition with vast quantities of beer.
Often after a mild tipple on the ale, he would go about the streets of
Lewisham dressed in his haggard old rags and sing loudly to himself about
the good old days when folk treated him with respect and knew him by his
name rather than his filthy stench. He was of course, a frequent source of
irritation and anyone who would have the misfortune to pass him by,
would often get besieged by a barrage of unintelligible insults and saliva.
But Samuel wanted to be happy; he wanted people to like him and to
know that he wasnt really a miserable chap and that given the chance he
could be nice. But nobody ever gave him that chance and so he always
succumbed to his one and only friend in this world; his beer.
But one day, things took a change for the better, and for the worse. Samuel
woke up on a cold December morning and decided that enough was
enough, he was fed up with scrounging off heartless people for food and
money and decided it was time he took matters into his own hands. And
so he left his park bench that had become his home for the last ten years
and traveled to a grocery store on a busy street in the centre of town. There
he did the one thing that was to change the course of his life forever; he
1
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
2/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
stole an apple. And in the instant he did so, a strange and malicious feeling
came over him that sent a shiver bolting down his spine and struck fear
into the deepest hollows of his mind. Then within seconds he was being
chased down the street by a shopkeeper welding a knife and a sinister
policeman with a devious grin on his face. Fate was about to make its
cruel advance on the poor tramps life and there was nothing that he or
anyone else could do about it. What the tramp did next to escape his eager
pursuers surprised him more than it might have surprised anyone else, and
very soon he found himself sat on a stone table in a forest clearing, trying
to explain what had happened to a curious bunch of talking pigs in
jumpers, who no less than fifty seconds ago, had been trying to kill him.
Confused? You will be. Intrigued? So was I.
F/X RUSTLING LEAVES AND SINGING BIRDS
JOHNNY So you were chased down a street after steeling an apple?
SAMUEL Yes, thats what I said. I was hungry; I hadnt eaten for days on that
repulsive bench of mine. And it was only an apple after all, how was I to
know that theyd kick up such a fuss and come chasing me down the
street?
2
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
3/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
JOHNNY Yet you stole it all the same. It only takes one broken rule for the dark
giant of Dementon to come looking for you . You should never have
taken it in the first place.
SAMUEL What are you talking about? I was hungry and cold and didnt have any
money on me! What did you expect me to do, just sit back and allow
myself to die?
JOHNNY Death! Death is by far a lighter consequence than the torture you may
suffer in these lands.
SAMUEL Oh come off it Mr. Piggy! You dont expect me to listen to a word you
say. After all, you are only a pig, and pigs as we all know, cannot speak a
word of English
BOB (LAUGHING) Do you hear him lads? He says we cannot speak a word of English! And
yet here I am, as plain as pork, speaking to him and he, though he denies
we can talk, is answering me back!
TOM (LAUGHING) Oh they all do that Master Johnny. They deny everything they see and
hear until very soon they go completely mad and kill everyone in their
sights. And then they run off in the direction of The Valley only to be
taken as slaves under the power of The Giant.
3
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
4/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
JOHNNY Youre right Master Tom. We must not forget what has become of all the
creatures from his kind. What say we kill him now while we still have the
chance?
BOB Here, here! We will have him for dinner as a big feast for all the island to
enjoy! What say you Tommy?
TOMMY Oh yes indeed! I cannot think of anything better for my long-suffering
stomach than a nice chunk of human flesh. Kill him now! Kill him at
once!
ALL PIGS Hurray!
SAMUEL No! No! Im sorry, Im sorry. I didnt mean to offend you when I said
that pigs cant talk. I just meant that from where Im from, pigs dont
talk. They just run around in farmyards and make grunting noises, Im
just rather surprised, thats all.
TOMMY So how do we know youre not going to kill us like the rest of your kind?
4
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
5/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL Ill give you my word; I will never kill you under any circumstances at
all, and if I ever say I will, then you have my complete permission to eat
me. Now will you spare me, please?
JOHNNY No! Not yet at least. For you must finish telling us your tale before I
decide what to do with you. I need you to make it absolutely clear as to
exactly how you got here, only then will I be able to know by what force
brought you to our island. Do you understand me?
SAMUEL Yes, of course, I will tell you all I can.
JOHNNY Then start, as it were, from the beginning. Where did you go after
stealing the apple?
NARRATOR And so the tramp proceeded to tell the less than convinced pigs, how after
stealing the apple from the grocers shop, he ran as fast as he could, down
the street and straight through the door of the nearest pub. There he hid in
a toilet cubicle for quite some time until he heard the footsteps of the
shop keeper and the policeman slowly approaching the door. And so with
nowhere else to go and nothing better to do, the tramp opened the lid of
the toilet, hoped for the best, and dived straight in. Yes I know, it sounds
a little far fetched and far beyond the boundaries of reason, but that is
5
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
6/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
how the story goes and if you dont believe it, well, youre not alone, the
pigs were having trouble as well.
JOHNNY Straight down the toilet? Do you really expect us to believe that? For a
start you wouldnt stand a chance of fitting through the pipes!
SAMUEL I would sooner deny it, but then youd have to kill me. I know I wouldnt
fit through pipes but I never even reached the pipes, I just vanished and
found myself lying on this table in front of you.
JOHNNY A likely story indeed. Okay then wise guy, answer me this; if youre such
a reasonable person, what ever processed you to dive into the toilet in the
first place? You must have known that such an act was irrational!
SAMUEL True and yes, looking back at it now, it was a stupid thing to do for a
plump guy like me to jump into a toilet, but I could think of nothing
better at the time. And whatever it was that processed me to take the
ultimate plunge, I could not resist it, for the urge was so great.
BOB (LAUGHING) Behold, for here lies before us the biggest toilet plunger ever to have
lived!
6
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
7/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
JOHNNY Very good Master Bob, you are truly blessed with the precious gift of
wit. But let us not make light of the situation yet, for there are truly dark
forces at work here, and if the man wishes to stay alive, he had better
listen to all that we have to say for he would not last longer than only a
few nights in his condition. Master Tommy, what do you make of this
mans strange tale?
TOMMY It is a good story indeed Master Johnny, but as yet, I am not convinced
that everything the Man says is true, I believe he is concealing something,
something that might reveal to us the real extent of his shifty character.
JOHNNY Enough from you Master Tommy, you are far too cynical in your
summing up. I am prepared to give the Man a chance and to aid him in
what way we can to help him out of this ominous realm, for I can tell by
the fear in his eyes, and the smell about his beard, that he is not supposed
to be here. What say you Master Bob?
BOB Aye Master Johnny, in truth it seems you are right.
JOHNNY Then we are agreed. We shall not give cause to do this man any harm, but
we will help him in whatever way we can on his mission.
SAMUEL Oh thank you all so very much indeed, you are truly wonderful....pigs.
7
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
8/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
JOHNNY And now, if you wouldnt mind in me asking, what is your name, Mr
Man?
SAMUEL My name is Samuel. Samuel Smith. From Lewisham.
JOHNNY Pleased to meet you Samuel. My name is Johnny, this here is Tommy and
that one over there is Bob. Together we make up the Three Little Pigs of
Yonder, and we welcome you to our island paradise, Keepers Island, the
island of the brave and guardian of Pelican Lake, in which it lies.
SAMUEL I am honored to be here.
JOHNNY Indeed. Now come, follow us to Keepers Mount, where we will show to
you the realm of Yonder and reveal to you the substance of our mission.
NARRATOR Well then, this is all very interesting, in fact some would say that I
shouldnt be getting involved in this sort ludicrous twaddle, but alas, I am
the narrator and thus am compelled to continue telling you this tale. Now
the Tramp, not being tamed to such extreme examples of random
phenomena, wisely chose to accept the questionable nature of his queer
predicament, but not without grievance. For even as he slowly clambered
his way up the steep rocks of Keepers Mount, he could not help but to
8
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
9/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
have a few doubts over the stability of his mind. It must all be a dream,
he had consistently thought to himself, and oh what a hangover I shall
have in the morning, was another such hopeful belief. But it was all in
vain, for hours later they were at the top of Keepers Mount and gazing
out into the wilderness while the Tramp repeatedly pinched himself on
the cheek, but failed to wake up.
JOHNNY Look to the south and you will see the great Mount Fury steaming at its
peak. It threatens our very existence with its destructive ambitions and
one day it will indeed blow its top and overwhelm our entire cosmos
with its deadly rivers of contemptuous blood.
SAMUEL You talk with such hopeful optimism
JOHNNY Do not be sarcastic Samuel the Man, for there is no question of Mount
Furys design, and one day, its consequence will take revenge on us all,
and the great wrath of The Man on The Hill will be plain to witness for
all those poor souls still alive.
SAMUEL So when is all this supposed to happen then?
JOHNNY Any time soon, but we cannot tell when exactly. But we must keep a
watch while we still have the time, for even now the Mountain rumbles,
9
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
10/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
and my heart tells me that the time of its destruction is imminent. But
now, take a glance to the west and tell me what you see there.
SAMUEL I see...I see an enormous tree, with...golden apples growing amongst its
leaves.
JOHNNY Ah yes, what you see is the Roosting Tree, the most precious tree in all
our lands, nearly as tall as the Mountain of Fury and bearing the most
beautiful Golden Eggs you will ever set eyes upon.
SAMUEL Eggs?
JOHNNY That is right, they are the Eggs of Life, and when eventually, they fall off
the Roosting Tree, then The Great Pelicans of Pelican Lake fly off to
collect them and bring them to the North of Yonder, where they are
placed with great care into the Hatching Well.
SAMUEL Hatching Well? Roosting Tree. I may well have come to accept my
predicament (to a certain extent), but all this talk of such weird and
wonderful places is beginning to make my head hurt. Just what on earth
are you talking about?.
10
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
11/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
JOHNNY I talk only the truth and there is so much more of it that you must know,
and know it you must, for you cannot hope to survive your journey
without being able to at least slightly comprehend your surroundings.
TOMMY Hes right yknow is Master Johnny, you cannot hope to walk in these
lands without first knowing who is your friend and who is your foe, and
believe me when I say that there are many foes in this realm who will rip
the soul out of your body in an instant, if you let them.
SAMUEL All right, okay, I give in, what else must I know about this wretched
place?
JOHNNY That where the Golden Eggs fall from the Roosting Tree, so too do the
Rotten Ones. And these eggs must not be underestimated for their sheer
badness, for they are bad indeed, wicked beyond imagination and
protecting a life that is so deadly, that anyone who sets eyes upon one
when it is hatching, will be doomed for all eternity.
SAMUEL So where do these eggs go, do they go to the Hatching Well also?
JOHNNY Man forbid it! For the Hatching Well is only for Golden Eggs. The
Rotten Eggs must be taken by the honorable Giants of the East to the
bottomless ravine that is the Valley of Death. And there they must be
11
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
12/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
taken as quickly as possible, to be destroyed, before any one of them has
a single chance to hatch.
SAMUEL And have any of these Rotten Eggs hatched before?
JOHNNY Oh yes indeed. Such is their desperation to break free, that there have
sadly been many cases of Rotten Eggs hatching, and oh what disgusting
creatures they give life to, ugly, vile things, poisonous if they bite you
and lethal if you stare too long into their eyes. And their evil presence can
be found roaming all over our land, from North to South, East to West,
but rarely can they set foot upon our island.
SAMUEL And do we have to go where all these horrible creatures live?
JOHNNY Im afraid our journey must take us right into the heart of their territory,
for we must travel North through the Phantom Woods, past the
Mountains of Dementon and over The Valley of Death, across the
Invisible Bridge, and then eventually into the beautiful Valley of Sunny
Hill. Here is where the Well Watcher lives, and She is the one whom will
grant you speed back to your kingdom.
SAMUEL Then we must go as soon as possible while I am still strong, or I fear that
all this thought of darkness and death will unsettle my feet and make me
12
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
13/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
nervous. All this strange egg business seems a bit too odd for my liking
as well and I dont really care to learn much more about them, but help
me get to this Well Watcher Woman as soon as possible and I will be
eternally grateful to you all.
JOHNNY Patience man! First I must ask that you turn around and face the direction
of the North. For this is, after all, the course of our travels, and it will do
you much reward to know of where your feet must go in advance.
SAMAUL Okay then, although I probably wont like what I see.
JOHNNY Master Tommy, you have ventured North into the lands of Demonton on
many occasions before, will you not do us the honor of enlightening
Master Samuel of the path that lies before him?
TOMMY I will reveal only what I dare, for it is a treacherous route to the North
and one that I fear the man will find too tough to bear. Even though he
towers over us pigs like one of the Giants of the East, if he does not have
the nerves to withstand the horrors, and the heart to overcome the
darkness, then he will die for certain.
JOHNNY Thank you Master Tom, but Im sure it wont help Master Samuel to start
foreseeing his death at such an early stage.
13
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
14/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
TOMMY Forgive me Master Samuel, It seems that I am sometimes far too honest
for my own good.
SAMUEL Oh dont worry about me, Im fine, just hurry up and tell me where were
going.
TOMMY Very well. See the dark forest that is spread out before us beyond the lake
and the marshland?
SAMUEL I see it.
TOMMY Well that is the Phantom Woods, so called because of the evil spirits that
lurk among the shadows and haunt all those who dare to pass through it.
Some of the worst kind of creatures hide in these woods; spiders, snakes,
wolves, bears and scorpions, to name but a few, but let us not forget to
remember the dark Warlocks, who hide in the darkness only to be seen by
their shadows, but who are able to inflict such severe pain that they
cripple even the Honorable Giants of the East.
SAMUEL Right then.
14
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
15/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
TOMMY And beyond the Phantom Woods, you will see the towering peaks of the
great Mountains of Dementon. Here lies Demonton City, land of the
Demons, and the most brutal of all cities, where its citizens feed on your
fears, doubts and anxietys and then rip you apart for the most treasured
prize of your soul. Only the strongest Willed can survive this City, but be
warned, for Will power alone cannot defeat the wicked force that rules
over Dementon and all the darkness of Yonder.
SAMUEL Can this possibly get any worse? Its just that Im beginning to have
second thoughts about this whole adventure thing and I...
TOMMY Do you not want me to tell you about the terrifying presence of the Dark
Giant? The most powerful and wretched of all the demons, who hides
behind the Mountain of Fury, standing taller than even the Roosting Tree
itself, and wearing a huge, black cloak, pointed at the top, cone shaped in
its entirety, and with no apparent mark of any face at all. Would you
really want to meet this crude specimen at a late hour without first
knowing of his shady existence?
SAMUEL Im sure it would be a great pleasure.
TOMMY You talk as a foolish boy, oblivious of the dangers that lie ahead. Let me
tell you more of the Dark Giant, for I can foresee a certain encounter with
15
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
16/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
him in the days to come, and the chance of your survival under his spell
is nothing without guidance. So do you permit me to continue, or are you
going to carry on whinging like a small child?
JOHNNY Softly Master Tom, the man is obviously new to our environment and is
not used to the doom that we have grown accustom to, I am sure it will
do you no harm to tone down your disclosure, if only for the sake of this
mans sanity!
TOMMY Very well Master Johnny, I will try my very best to tone down my
descriptions of the hell that lies ahead. May I continue Master Samuel, as
if to sing to you a sweet lullaby perhaps? About your destruction!
JOHNNY Oh please!
SAMUEL Okay, go ahead, burden me more with your stories of woe, but please do
not expect me to remain calm under such conditions, especially as I
havent tasted a single drop of ale since nearly nine hours ago.
BOB Ale! Are you telling us that you enjoy the taste of beer?
SAMUEL Well, yes, beer is sometimes my only source of comfort in such extreme
situations. Its like a friend to me.
16
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
17/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
BOB Then what say we leave this wearisome mountain and gather at the
feasting table for one last banquet before we can depart for our journey
tomorrow? There old Samuel can drink all the beer he likes and Master
Tommy can continue his story of the Dark Giant as we all eat. What do
you think Master Tommy, is this not a merry plan?
TOMMY You may say so, but I would prefer to remain here. However Master
Johnny is our leader, let him decide.
JOHNNY Thank you Master Tommy, I agree with Master Bob, Samuel the man
must have time to deliberate over these revelations in moderation. Let us
not bombard his fragile mind any further on this mountain, or he may
turn giddy. Rather we shall sit down to dinner at the Feasting table and
prepare ourselves for tomorrow with food for thought. Come friends, let
us depart.
NARRATOR And so they all marched silently down the Mountain, back towards the
feasting table where the tramp had first laid eyes upon the pigs. And as he
walked behind his new companions, he thought long and hard about his
life and how he could never again maintain the same attitude to the world
that he had possessed all those hours ago on his bench. Things had
changed dramatically in the short space of a day, and where as previously
17
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
18/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
19/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
20/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL Cheers to you all my dearest companions and may no one other than
myself and the brave folk of Keepers Island ever be allowed to come near
these barrels again!
BOB Here, here! The man speaks like a wise pig indeed. Come, treat yourself
to a succulent Blue Bottle.
SAMUEL No thanks, while I like very much the taste of your beer, I am not so keen
on sampling one of your many colourful flies. However I will take a few
leaves of lettuce if I may, although you dont happen to have any secret
stashes of mayonnaise as well do you?
BOB Mayonnaise? I am afraid I am not sure I know what that is.
SAMUEL Oh never mind, the lettuce on its own will do for now.
TOMMY Enough! Enough now of this small talk. It is high time I told you more of
the journey that lies before you. I plan for us all to set off before dawn
tomorrow morning and so it is essential that I prepare you as much as I
can..
SAMUEL Oh here we go.
20
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
21/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
JOHNNY Thank you Master Tommy, you may continue with your tidings and then
we must all retire to sleep if we are all to awaken so early.
TOMMY Good, then I shall begin by resuming my account of the Dark Giant.
SAMUEL Off you go then.
TOMMY The Dark Giant, as I was saying before, hides behind Mount Fury, such is
his enormous height. He is black, cone shaped and faceless and from afar
it would seem that he creeps along with all the speed of a torpid slug, but
he is deceptive in his appearance and can intercept his prey at any time if
he so desires.
SAMUEL And how can he possibly intercept as he doesnt seem to possess any
limbs according to your descriptions?
TOMMY Oh, but the dark giant does not require limbs for his endurance for he
consumes his victims by means of possession and extreme mental torture.
He has no use for limbs even in his defense, as he is invincible. If you
ever got caught under the shadow of The Giant, you wouldnt have time
to run away or to turn round and fight, for before you had the chance to
think, the Giant would have clouded your mind with darkness and fear
21
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
22/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
and within minutes you would be sent to serve him for ever more within
the deep chambers of his burning city.
SAMAUL So how do you know all this?
JOHNNY I do not know everything there is to know about the Giants evil powers,
neither do I know exactly of your consequence if you were to fall under
his dreadful presence, but I am informed in part by a reliable source, The
Well Watcher of Sunny Hill Valley. She has lived long before even our
ancestors can remember, and it is widely known that she once knew a
man that fell deep in to the giants power and was sent plummeting into
the Valley of Death, but then he rose again to the disbelief of many and
from then on he sought to ensure the ultimate triumph of good and the
inevitable destruction of evil . It is said that he is crowned with glory
beyond the Hatching Well and his spirit lives on in these lands to protect
and guide all those who tread in his path. One day he will indeed return to
save us from our deaths and put an end to the Dark Giant of Dementon,
but until such a time we must struggle alone with all the energy we have
to resist the Giant ourselves.
SAMUEL So what became of this remarkable man after he had apparently risen
from this Valley of Death?
22
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
23/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
JOHNNY He stayed only a short while to wish his friends well and to warm them of
the darkness that threatened ahead, but then it is said that he passed
through the hatching well and into the realms beyond, where he remains
even now as King and Ruler over everything that is, was and will
become. We call him the Man on The Hill, after where it is thought he
was from and, even today his stone statue stands at the top of Sunny Hill
looking down over us all, and smiling.
SAMUEL Wow! Well that certainly is a nice story.
JOHNNY Indeed, and it is a true one as well, but let us also take heart in the
knowledge that we will not be alone on our journey to the Well Watcher,
for I am certain that we will be accompanied, by the unfailing spirit of the
Man on The Hill.
TOMMY If you say so Master Johnny
JOHNNY I do and I say it with full assurance and belief. But come now, let us not
get tired and irksome, for the hour is getting late and it is time that we all
got some sleep before tomorrows adventures. Master Samuel, follow me,
and I will show you to your hammock.
23
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
24/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
NARRATOR And he did. The tramp was escorted quietly to a lonely hammock on the
edge of the clearing and left on his own to rest. It had been an exhausting
day for him and so it didnt take too long for him to get to sleep. The beer
had helped to calm his mind, but thankfully he had not drunk too much of
it to affect his stability. He slept well that night and dreamt often of lying
back on his bench at home, shouting scornfully at the passers by and
taunting the pigeons with mild abuse, but then he saw a terrifying vision
of a dark giant towering over him like a black volcano and pointing
mockingly at his face. Then he was suddenly awoken by a terrific
rumbling noise that shook the whole island and sent apples falling from
the trees. Immediately he got up out of his hammock and went off in
search of an explanation. It was early in the morning and the light of day
had only just begun to slowly fade in through the trees. The first person
the tramp bumped into as he made his way to the centre of the clearing
was Bob, who had only just managed to wake up himself.
SAMUEL What the hell is that noise, and why does it feel like the whole island is
moving?
BOB Because it is Master Samuel, we are setting sail for the shores of
mainland Yonder and should be there within no time at all.
24
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
25/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL Im sorry, do you mean to say that this entire island is sailing across the
lake?
BOB Yes, although pushed is probably a more appropriate word than
sailing, as we have sent for one of the Giants of the East to push us onto
the mainland shores so that we can disembark without having to risk our
lives by swimming. I am afraid us humble pigs have trouble with
swimming, its our trotters you see, theyre just not up to all that kicking
about.
SAMUEL No I am sure theyre not. Tell me, where are the other pigs?
BOB They will be here with us soon, they are gathering provisions for our
journey. In the meantime you must help yourself to some breakfast, as
there lies a long day ahead of us. Here Master Samuel, have a banana.
SAMUEL Thank you, although I wonder if you would be so kind as to tell me
where all the beer has got to?
BOB (LAUGHING) Master Samuel! It seems that you cannot get enough of this mysterious
brew, come let me show you where the barrels are stowed.
25
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
26/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL That would be excellent, because I must have a small drop of that
wonderful beer again before we set off. There is surely not a breakfast in
all the universe that will do me as much good. Where are we going
exactly?
BOB Oh, just around the corner and in a secret bunker under this here tree.
Wait a moment, if I could just find the door handle....here it is. Master
Samuel, you have the bigger hands, turn this handle here as far as it will
go and then pull tightly.
SAMUEL Okay then, here goes..
F/X CREAKING DOOR OPENING
BOB There, take a look for yourself and tell me what you see!
SAMUEL Amazing. It is a great underground chamber, filled with row upon row of
gigantic barrels, with some smaller kegs by the door. Well this is a pretty
sight indeed, may I go in?
BOB Of course you may, and feel free to drink all the beer that you wish.
26
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
27/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL Well this certainly is a treat in a half, I tell you what, go back and wait for
the others to return and I will amuse myself in here until its time to go.
BOB Well if youre sure youll be okay
SAMUEL Yes, yes, Ill be fine. Trust me, I know what Im doing in here. Ill just
perk myself up a bit in readiness for the long road ahead.
BOB Very well Master Samuel, I shall leave you in peace for a while.
SAMUEL Good-bye, see you soon!
NARRATOR What was that Tramp thinking of? For while the poor little pig trotted
back to the clearing to wait for his friends, the stupid Tramp danced
merrily around the beer barrels, singing songs to himself and rapidly
getting very drunk indeed. It was certainly not the kind of preparation
that the pigs had in mind for the foolish old man. And the more he drank,
the louder he sang until eventually the whole woodland could hear the
ludicrous rhymes that he chirped boisterously at the top of his voice.
Very soon the pigs returned with all the rations they needed for their
perilous adventure, but they were much disturbed as they listened in
confusion to the repulsive noises of the Tramp, and after Bob had
revealed where he was, Johnny immediately stormed to the secret
27
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
28/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
29/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
30/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
to get through them in one piece. I do so hope very much that we all
make it alive, or I for one will for ever have to live with the guilt that
comes from my thoughtless stupidity.
NARRATOR The tramp walked on with a hint of regret in his eyes, although it was
greatly obscured by the intoxicated lifelessness that lurked within his
pale white skin. They walked on through the tropical woodland for quite
a while, barely able to hear themselves think with all the singing of birds
that went on above their heads. Then, after a short time, they finally
reached the northern tip of the island where there lay before them a long
widening beach of pure, golden sands and a short wooden pier, which
jetted out into the calm, silent waters of the beautiful lake. But what was
ultimately bizarre about the whole situation, was the fact that the island
appeared to be gradually moving, closer and closer to the opposite shores.
The distance from the island to the mainland had soon turned from a wide
river mouth to a narrow, tranquil stream, bridged almost with precision,
by the short wooden pier. Master Samuel the Pig looked up towards the
skies and waved a hand of gratitude to the heavens above, but when the
Tramp looked as well to nod at the clouds, he was suddenly taken aback
by the sight of an enormous, great giant of perhaps sixty foot in height.
The giant was dressed from his shoulders to his knees in a ridiculous blue
gown and the blonde hair on his head was long and greasy and grew
down beyond his arms. The Tramp frowned uncomfortably at the figure
30
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
31/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
32/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
GEORGE Oh a mystery then I see! Then you must be the fellow that these kind pigs
here, will be escorting to the Well Watcher?
SAMUEL Yes that it right, I think, apparently she will point me in the direction of
my home, or at least that is what I hope she will do.
GEORGE Hmm, right, well I wouldnt take that for granted if I were you. And it
still bothers me why you should be here in the first place, maybe there is
a concealed purpose for you yet.
SAMUEL Maybe.
JOHNNY Well we cannot stand and talk like this for too long, for we must cross
over into the mainlands of Yonder promptly so that the giant can return
the island into the middle waters, where it is safe.
GEORGE Right you are Master Johnny. I will bid you on your way. Dont forget
your provisions now will you?
JOHNNY Oh, yes of course, I wouldnt want to leave those lying here on the beach,
we wouldnt last a single day without them. Master Samuel, grab yourself
a back pack, and we will venture forth into the marshlands that await us.
32
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
33/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
GEORGE Farewell then my friends and I will look forward to seeing you when you
return.
JOHNNY Thank you again Master George and send my regards to all the other
honorable folk of the west from all at Keepers Island
GEORGE I will do so indeed. And Master Samuel?
SAMUEL Yes?
GEORGE Take care of yourself and the others, and beware not to stray off the path
which you are led down.
SAMUEL I will. Good-bye.
NARRATOR The Three Little Pigs and the Peculiar old Tramp then crossed the
wooded pier onto the marshlands of Yonder and began their perilous
journey to the North. Master Johnny pig led the company of four,
followed by Master Tommy, Master Bob and lastly The Tramp, who was
left trailing at the rear.
The marshland was indeed a treacherous stretch and Master Johnny had
to carefully carve out a meandering path to navigate round the deadly
patches of swamp. There were alligators and snakes that concealed
33
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
34/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
35/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
TOMMY Very well then Master Johnny, I will do exactly as you say.
JOHNNY Good, now Tommy, take a hold of my waist and on the count of three
everyone pull, got it?
TOMMY & BOB Loud and clear.
JOHNNY How are you doing Master Samuel, are you still able to hear what we
say?
SAMUEL Yes, I hear you, but do hurry please, I can feel something moving in the
water and I dont think I want to find out what it is.
TOMMY Sounds like a swamp snake, we had better get him out of there quickly.
JOHNNY Okay then, everyone, one...two...three and pull .
FX THE PIGS GROAN AS THEY PULL AS HARD AS THEY CAN
BOB Hes slowly coming up.
JOHNNY Keep pulling pigs, keep pulling, the mud is loosening its grip
35
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
36/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
FX THE PIGS GROAN AGAIN LOUDLY
TOMMY Its no good. Were going to have to pull a lot harder than this.
JOHNNY Then we must try with all our strength to pull harder. Ready, and pull ...
FX GROANING PIGS
JOHNNY Come on pigs, harder!
BOB Hes coming, hes coming!
TOMMY A bit more!
FX GROANING PIGS
SAMUEL Help, its a snake! I can see it slithering through the mud. Its coming for
me, quick.
JOHNNY Harder, harder!
SAMUEL Theres more of them, there all over the place! They must be able to
smell me!
36
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
37/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
TOMMY And heave!
NARRATOR Suddenly the pigs fell backwards and the Tramp came free. Quickly he
leapt straight out of the swamp and dived hurriedly onto the dry grass,
with ten venomous snakes flaring their jaws after him but unable to
escape the mud. The pigs then picked themselves up and breathed a
heavy sigh of relief. For they had come within seconds of losing their
blundering guest. Johnny brushed the dirt from off his jumper and grimly
leered over the trembling tramp.
JOHNNY Well I hope youre pleased with yourself you fool of a man.
SAMUEL Im sorry.
TOMMY How many times has he said that before? And how many times will he
have said that by the end of the day? I knew this man was trouble from
the moment we set eyes upon him, we should have killed him while we
still had the chance rather than letting him lead us into such needless
troubles.
JOHNNY Be quiet Master Tommy! Have I not promised that we will help him? It is
true indeed that the man is proving more trouble than he is worth, but that
37
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
38/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
is beside the point, we have committed ourselves to taking him to the
Well Watcher and doing it by whatever means possible, even if that
involves getting stuck in snake infested swamps along the way.
BOB Im sure it was only an accident, I dont think Master Samuel meant to
fall into the swamp on purpose.
TOMMY Well lets ask the man himself shall we? Come on Master Samuel, why
dont you tell us for yourself how you managed to stumble into a deadly
swamp, when we had made you a perfectly safe path for you to follow?
NARRATOR But the Tramp did not answer, for he was sitting alone on a small knoll of
grass, sobbing quietly to himself and wishing that he had never been so
stupid in the first place. If he had never stolen the apple, he would never
have had jumped in to the loo and if he had never drank so much beer, he
would never had fell in the mud. It was all his own fault and now he was
feeling like the biggest idiot that the world had ever seen, though where
the world was to see it, he didnt even know.
SAMUEL Im so, so sorry, I am such a stupid fool. How could I be so careless and
weak to do this to you, I am a strain to myself and to all that know me.
You might as well just kill me now for all I care, I am no use to anyone
38
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
39/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
here, just a silly waste of space. Look at me, Im covered in mud and
sulking like a lost child! I dont deserve to even know you.
JOHNNY Master Samuel please! Your dejection does not do yourself any good. But
I understand your grief and your sorrow and it is only what I would come
to expect from a true man such as yourself. Look at me Samuel, hold
your chin high in the air and listen. We have been with you now for not
one and a half days, and yet I know the goodness that flows in your heart.
You are not like the other men that have passed before you, for you are
strong. That is why I have pledged to help you, and I will help you, right
to the very end. But you must help yourself as well. And you can only do
this by taking a bit more care and putting in a bit more effort. Do you
understand what I tell you?
SAMUEL (SNIFFING) Yes.
JOHNNY Good. Then we must rest and have a bite to eat, and then move on. I
would like to reach the edge of the Phantom Woods by dusk.
NARRATOR And so they all rested in the marshlands and had a bite to eat. They
snacked mostly on apples and grapes and drank water from wooden
flasks. There were no kegs of beer, but this didnt bother the tramp, not
for the moment anyway. Soon they were off again and trekking extra
39
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
40/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
cautiously by the swamps. The day wore slowly on and by the time they
could see the distant trees of phantom woods, the wind had picked up and
the light was already beginning to fade. By late evening they had finally
managed to reach the southern most edge of the wood, and it was here
that they decided to camp for the night, too afraid to wonder into the trees
for fear of the evil beasts that lurked amongst the shadows.
They all took it in turn to guard the camp whilst everyone slept and the
night seemed to pass safely by without incident, but no one slept
comfortably with all the dreadful noises that haunted the night. There
were howlings and screeches and footsteps and screams and although
nothing ever came into sight, they could feel something terrifying
watching from nearby. They woke up the next morning to relative
quietness and it seemed to all their shaken minds that the nights
disturbances were merely dreamt up by their vivid imaginations, but their
hope was soon dashed when they all spoke of the same bad dreams and
Master Tommy revealed to them all, the truth behind what they had
heard.
TOMMY The howlings you heard were ravenous Werewolves gathering amongst
the trees in search of flesh; the screeches were Vultures circling above
our heads and telling the entire woodland of our unwelcome presence; the
footsteps were the sounds of the dark Warlocks as they spied in the
shadows, watching our every move; and the screams, oh the screams,
40
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
41/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
they were cries of lost souls being murdered in the depths of darkness by
the demons of death.
BOB And a very good morning to you too Master Tom.
JOHNNY Hes right to warn us. There are many foul things in those woods, and
were going to have to go in there within the hour if we are to make it to
the other side in two days. And I dont want to have to torment you all
my friends, but were going to have to spend at least one night under the
shadows of those terrible trees.
BOB But we cant go to sleep in the woods, well all be killed!
TOMMY We would be fortunate indeed if all of us come out there alive.
SAMUEL Listen, I dont care what we do in this horrible place, I just want to get
home as soon as possible. I dont like it here at all.
JOHNNY Of course Master Samuel, then we must have ourselves some breakfast
and then go immediately. The more time we have to make a good start
then the sooner we can be out of there in one piece. Master Tommy, do
you have with you the map?
41
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
42/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
TOMMY The map is here in my pocket, but I must also warn you that these
woodland paths are like a maze, we must walk swiftly but with
tremendous care, for one false move could end in all of our demise.
SAMUEL And the weapons? Does someone have the swords?
TOMMY What is he talking about now?
JOHNNY Im afraid that we have no weapons other than our own bare trotters and
our sharpened teeth.
SAMUEL What? You mean were going to be facing the most dangerous creatures
that I have ever heard of in my life, and we have no weapons at all?
JOHNNY I am sorry Master Samuel, but this is the way that we have always lived
in these lands, it is also upon the strictest orders of the Well Watcher that
we should never be allowed to use weapons that are dangerous to
ourselves and each other.
SAMUEL Well youll have to forgive me for thinking that this is probably the most
ridiculous notion Ive ever heard. Just how do you expect us to defend
ourselves with nothing but our bare fists?
42
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
43/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
JOHNNY Never underestimate the strength that you have within you with faith. For
with faith, to the very end of our journey, is how we will survive.
SAMUEL Then let us go then with faith, and a colossal amount of hope, although I
still think youre all barking mad.
BOB Oinking if you please, I dont think youll ever come across a pig that
barks.
NARRATOR And so it was that all four of the company sat down for a spot of
breakfast before gathering up their belongings and heading off along the
gloomy path that led them into the Phantom Woods. At first the trees
were silent and not a sound was heard for miles around, but it was an
eerie silence as if the whole wood was listening and waiting for the first
opportunity to strike. The darkness soon crept upon them like a blanket of
sinister mist and then it started, a chilling wind blew menacingly into
their eyes and a distant echo of howling wolves slowly filled the air. The
Three Little Pigs and the Tramp relentlessly looked about them as they
walked along the path, searching with added care for any sign of an
imminent attack. They could hear rustlings and breaking twigs among the
trees and occasionally they heard the pitter patter of footsteps darting this
way and that. Johnny suddenly came to a halt and gestured for all the
others to stay very still. Something was there, in front of them on the
43
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
44/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
45/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
46/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
JOHNNY This is Master Samuel. He finds himself in these lands by accident and
we are here to help him seek his way out.
SNOWDROP And does he talk?
JOHNNY He does indeed.
SNOWDROP Then I will address him directly. Master Samuel, your presence here is
warmly welcomed and no doubt you have been an honorable friend to
these little pigs, but tell me now, by what accident have you come here
by?
SAMUEL Well, to cut a long story short, I fell down a toilet after being chased
down the road. Now I know its not a very convincing explanation, but I
can assure you, its the truth.
SNOWDROP May I ask why you were being chased down a road?
SAMUEL I had stolen an apple. I was being chased by a shop keeper and a
policeman.
SNOWDROP Well now it makes more sense. You are not the first and I doubt you will
be the last to fall in to these lands, but this is a fate that has consumed
46
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
47/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
many an unfortunate wanderer. Those before you have often succumbed
to the darkness, but you Samuel, you seem different. I have no doubt that
you should never have stolen that apple, but there may yet be a secret
purpose in your actions that has so far been concealed. But take heed my
friend, for I can foresee many a testing moment ahead, and you will have
to keep your wits about you to resist the temptations of the darkness.
SAMUEL Ive heard too much talk of the darkness to ever want to succumb to such
a prospect, but I should never have come here and the more I dwell on
my actions that brought about this whole stupid business, the more I
despair. This isnt natural, this isnt real, how could I ever be made to
believe that all this is happening? Its ridiculous! And yet it is happening,
and it is real, and my mind just cannot cope with all the pressure!
SNOW DROP Its okay Master Samuel, we have all at some stage of our lives shared
these same concerns.
SAMUEL But youre a pelican and these are three bumbling pigs!
SNOW DROP Calm yourself down! Your words may cause great offense to our
companions. You are right to be perplexed for I can see that these
circumstances are beyond you, but do try Master Samuel, do try to open
your eyes to the reality in which you are living in. I know it is hard for a
47
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
48/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
man like you to do such a thing, but I cannot stress enough how
important it is for you to try and understand and to comprehend it all, or
else Im afraid your life will drain out of you and you will never live to
see the world in which you came from again.
SAMUEL I know, I know, I have to learn to take it all in and have faith, and believe
me I have been trying. But every so often I get bogged down and begin to
wonder about the point of it all and so I turn miserable and depressed. I
am a weak man Snow Drop and I have little strength in my heart, I didnt
realise it before, but now I do; I am not as strong as I once thought I was.
SNOW DROP Now you talk like a man!
SAMUEL And thats another thing that gets to me. How come every time I break
down and burst out into a Ballard of self-deprivation, I get referred to as a
man?
SNOW DROP Because it takes a man to know what his faults are and then to confess
them in front of friends; and it takes a man to have the courage to try to
do something about them. You have done that here before us almost
completely without aggravation, and I commend you, for it is the true
sign of a growing man.
48
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
49/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL Well I dont feel like a man, I feel more like a sulking kid whos just
dropped his ice cream.
JOHNNY Yes, well, anyway we must be getting on.
SAMUEL Whats the egg for?
JOHNNY Master Samuel, have you not been listening to a word I have told you?
This is a golden egg from the roosting tree. Snow Drop has brought it
here to take with her to the Hatching Well. She is heading for exactly the
same location as ourselves.
SAMUEL So what exactly is in this egg and why must it go to a Well to be hatched?
SNOWDROP My dear Samuel, it seems you have a lot to learn. An egg that falls from
the Roosting Tree contains a life that has passed through another time; it
is like a lavi that waits in its cocoon, waiting patiently to fly off into a
better land. But these lives must not be liberated here, for darkness
lingers here that cannot be mixed with the golden beauty of the un-spoilt
eggs, instead they must be delivered through The Hatching Well and to
the paradise beyond.
SAMUEL And whats so special about this paradise?
49
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
50/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SNOWDROP Little can we say about what lies beyond the Hatching Well except that
what awaits us there is a bliss that is unimaginable beyond our reasoning.
We can not pass through it in this lifetime, but one day we all hope to in
the next.
SAMUEL Even the rotten eggs?
SNOWDROP No! They are cast away into the Valley of Death and destroyed, but let us
not talk of such foul some things now for they are undeserving of our
attention, let us instead walk on and we will seek a safe place to eat and
sleep for this evening and tonight.
NARRATOR The Golden Egg gleamed in the murky forest air and guided The Three
Little Pigs, the Tramp and now the Pelican always in the right direction.
The Egg, as the Pelican later told them, also worked as a repellent to the
dark creatures of Phantom Wood, and no monster would ever go near it,
for fear of being exposed. And so they walked safely on for hours into the
day, stopping once for a midday snack and occasionally resting by the
side of a tree. It was a long, tiring walk, but the prospect of food and a
good nights sleep kept them going for many miles, and as they went they
kept their eyes constantly peeled for any sign of a suitable clearing in
which to reside. It wasnt until day seemed to blend into night when they
50
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
51/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
eventually found that clearing that they had long been searching for, and
its discovery could not have come a moment too soon. The Pelican
positioned herself in the centre of the arena and there she placed her
golden egg. The rest of the company, seeing the golden egg grow brighter
and warmer, briskly gathered around it and then collapsed into little
heaps on the floor. They were all hungry and very tired.
JOHNNY Thank goodness we are here, I was beginning to doubt that we would
ever arrive.
SNOWDROP Patience, hope and resolution are valuable assets. We have done well to
get this far.
TOMMY And we must be forever indebted to Snowdrop and the Golden Egg, for
without them I have no doubt that we would all have been consumed by
something unmentionable.
BOB Master Samuel, how have you fared on our journey today?
SAMUEL Badly, but Tommy is right and I am glad just to have arrived here without
being eaten or destroyed. But I could certainly do with something to eat.
51
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
52/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SNOWDROP Then we shall all have something now. Wait here and guard my egg, I
will be back in no time at all.
NARRATOR Before anyone had a chance to respond, the pelican had flown off into the
air and vanished. For a moment everyone just looked at each other and
didnt know what to say, but as promised, in no time at all, the Pelican
swiftly returned and with her she brought a beak full of fish and
wonderful news.
SNOWDROP I have seen a promising sight from above, for it seems we really have
walked a great distance in such a limited time, as we are no less that ten
miles away from the Northern most edge of Phantom Woods.
JOHNNY Then we must celebrate with a feast, for this is good news indeed. We
now need not walk for more than a few hours in the morning before we
arrive at Giants Pass.
SAMUEL Giants Pass?
JOHNNY Road of the Giants. This is the road that the honorable giants pass
through on their way to The Valley of Death, to dispose of the rotten
eggs. It is a green, sweeping valley where long grass grows and many
rare flowers flourish.
52
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
53/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
54/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SNOWDROP Do not let the issue bother any of us. The Warlocks are habitually lazy
and rarely come upon this part of the forest. And let us not forget that we
are supposed to be merry! Come on, let us feast on fish and berries and
forget the menace of the Warlocks, then they may never know we were
here.
BOB Here, here! What a veritable idea!
TOMMY It is an excellent idea indeed, but tell me mysterious Snowdrop, where
did you go to find such excellent fish?
SNOWDROP An easy question Master Tommy! There is a pond no less that five miles
to the East of this clearing where a permanent glimmer of light brings life
to the waters within, and there can be found some of the most
mouthwatering fish in all of these lands. It is from there where I bring to
you tonights feast.
SAMUEL Well get a move on then, I cant stand waiting much longer. That fish
looks delicious!
NARRATOR Sleep came upon the company soon after their spirited feast and all were
now happily dozing away except for the Pelican who remained awake,
54
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
55/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
guarding her precious egg. It wasnt long in to the silent night before the
Tramp also found himself lying awake and watching the egg. He found it
comforting and peaceful to just stare quietly into the glowing warmth of
the egg, it made him feel content. But one glance sideways into the
murky darkness of the forest suddenly brought fearful visions of monsters
and beasts flooding back into his impressionable head. Then as he stared
deeper into the darkness, he was sure he could make out eyes glaring
back at him and haunting shadows, creeping between the trees. He
remembered the deadly Warlocks and how Johnny had described them as
powerful and immune to the resistance of the egg and then he thought
back to the night when he had heard the footsteps and screams that
seemed to come from within the gloom of the forest where they now lay
asleep. A dreadful fear had come over him and it felt like someone close
was breathing cold air into the direction of his face. He heard a deathly
squeal in his mind and then the whole forest appeared to merge into a
horrible, eerie blur. And then he was asleep again, lying with his head
against the forest floor, but this time facing outwards, into the depths of
the Phantom Woods.
Samuel Suddenly awoke the next morning to a scene of chaos and
despair. The pigs were running around hysterically, gathering up their
belongings and preparing to flee and the Pelican was stood attentively
over her egg, anxiously looking around her and wondering what to do.
55
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
56/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
The pigs were blatantly disturbed and kept looking at each other as if
they were all about to discover a fate worse than death. The Tramp got up
onto his feet and brushed the dirt off his trousers, he then approached
Master Johnny and asked what on earth was going on. Johnny looked
back at him gravely and shook his head.
JOHNNY Something has been here whilst we were all asleep. Tommy got up before
all of us and discovered strange, new foot prints dotted all around the
clearing floor. Snowdrop was awake all night and said that she felt
something unsavory sneaking about the woodland, but she could not see
what it was.
SAMUEL Did it take the egg?
JOHNNY No, thankfully the egg is still here, but we are in grave danger, for what
ever it was that came here last night, resisted the light of the egg, which
can only mean one thing.
SAMUEL Warlocks!
JOHNNY Yes, and they may be near. We must go as soon as possible, but I fear
that they are watching us even now, and perhaps listening to every word I
say to you.
56
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
57/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL Well what do they look like? I cant see anything near.
JOHNNY No you wont see one, for they are cunning like snakes, and they slither
along the ground like dark blankets. I dont know what they are like up
close, but I wouldnt want to wait around to find out. Come on now, we
must go.
NARRATOR Rain had started falling on the woodland, and what little light there was
that made its way through the trees, was soon overwhelmed by an
enormous indigo cloud that loomed over their heads like a giant bats
wing. The company made off northwards as quickly as time would allow
them to, but something was definitely following them, chasing them
along down the path. The Pelican led the way with her giant golden egg
illuminating their course, but this time it was more than a hindrance than
a help, as it laid bare the path of their direction to all the enemies that
pursued them on their tail. Then, as the rain got heavier and thunder,
echoed through the trees, the company were certain that they could hear
footsteps either side of them and increasingly they felt as if they were
becoming absorbed by a terrible, lingering gloom that crept up on them
from all directions, like a deadly, invisible mist. They had been hastily
moving now for more than an hour, but still the enemy had refused to
57
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
58/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
advance. But then just as they had began fearing that their demise was
near, a glimmer of hope sparkled from beyond the trees in front.
BOB Daylight! I dont believe it; were almost out of the forest!
SAMUEL What, You mean weve been chased all this way, only to stumble on the
exit sooner than we hoped?
BOB Yes, this is surely a stroke a luck that even the Warlocks seem not to have
anticipated. By golly, I think weve defeated them!
JOHNNY I wouldnt be so certain yet. There is still something funny about the air
that I do not like the smell of.
BOB Oh nonsense Master Johnny! What you smell is your own apprehension.
You wouldnt know a victory if it smacked you right in the face.
SNOWDROP Quiet everyone. Something lies in the path ahead of us.
JOHNNY What is it Snowdrop?
SNOWDROP Im not sure, wait a minute, I know what that is it, its.... its another
Pelican! Now who can that be?
58
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
59/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
60/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
NARRATOR At that moment the Pelican flew away into the sky leaving the Three little
pigs and the tramp to run off as fast as they could away from the Warlock
and in the direction of Giants Pass. But the black, slug-like Warlock just
stood there mockingly, looking out towards the Pelican as she flew off
into the distance. And then slowly he lifted his frail, crooked arms above
his dark, purple hood and cast an evil spell out into the menacing clouds
beyond. The sky turned darker and a chilling wind began screaming in all
directions, and suddenly a terrific bolt of lightning came shooting down
through the sky and made a direct hit onto the body of the powerless
Pelican. The company watched in anguish as the wings of Snowdrop
slowly stopped flapping, and her cold, paralyzed body gracefully came
plummeting down to earth.
Silence. The clouds dispersed and the wind stopped howling and the evil
Warlock slithered off in to the direction of the dead Pelican.
JOHNNY The egg, the egg! Hes going to take to the egg!
BOB What shall we do?
TOMMY There is nothing we can do against the evil powers of the Warlock. We
are useless.
60
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
61/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
BOB But we can not just let him go, the Golden Egg is sacred, he will use it for
his dark purposes and destroy all the goodness in Yonder. We are
doomed now for sure.
JOHNNY Well what do you suggest we do then? Pursue him into his hole and then
threaten him with our berries?
TOMMY We would all be dead in an instant.
JOHNNY Precisely. Look, the Queen of Pelicans is dead; let us now mourn her
death in peace.
SAMUEL No. Master Tommy is right; we cannot let this matter go. We have to go
after the Warlock, and I, as the only man here, am the one to do that.
JOHNNY Youre absolutely sure about this?
SAMUEL I must. It is my duty and my responsibility to do everything within my
power to retrieve that egg. I got us into this mess in the first place and I
refuse to let my actions get you into an even deeper one.
JOHNNY Master Tommy, Master Bob, what do you say about this courageous
idea?
61
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
62/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
BOB There is no other option. I will go with Master Samuel and help him in
his mission.
TOMMY Master Bob, are you mad? You will be slaughtered for certain! I refuse to
join you in your careless plan, but I wont stop you either. There may be
more to it all than I can foresee.
SAMUEL You do realise what you are letting yourself in for here, Master Bob? I
am only going because I have nothing to lose and it is something that I
must do. I could not bear to be responsible for dragging such an innocent
life into the gloom with me, It would be truly heartless for me to do so.
BOB Master Samuel, you do not drag me with you, rather I seek to walk by
your side. I know that I have often been clumsy and frivolous on this
journey, but this time I know that my time has come to take on my own
share of responsibility, and so I now wish to share it with you.
JOHNNY So thats decided then. Master Samuel and Master Bob will both go after
the Warlock alone and I will wait with Master Tommy for you to return.
TOMMY If they return.
62
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
63/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
JOHNNY Whatever. Master Bob, are you really sure about this?
BOB Of course I am sure, but we cannot wait around here a moment longer or
well lose all track of the Warlock, we have to go.
SAMUEL Yes we must, our destiny awaits us. Come Master Bob, let us go now.
NARRATOR And so they went, cautiously crawling their way through the woodland so
as not to be seen and heading for the spot where they thought the
Warlock would be. They were on the periphery of the Phantom Wood
and so were thankfully aided by a little measure of daylight. It didnt take
them long to find the lifeless remains of the Pelican Queen and it filled
their hearts with sorrow to see her once lively figure, now lying on the
ground, motionless and cold. But where was the Warlock and what had
he done with the Golden egg? Samuel knelt down by the Pelican for a
while, pondering what to do and then Bob spotted something. It was a
dark shape, loitering in the distance, occasionally wondering from tree to
tree, but watching them. They waited and watched it for a bit, pretending,
as much as they could, that they hadnt seen it, and then in a flash, they
disappeared.
Tearing through the woodland at a pace they had never thought was
within them, they scrambled with all their might to the place where they
had seen the figure. But it was gone. Scratching his head and chewing his
63
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
64/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
lip, the Tramp paced up and down the space they were in and wondered
where it could possibly have gone. And then Bob saw it again. Loitering
in the distance, wondering from tree to tree and watching them.
It was playing a game.
They continued this frustrating contest of cat and mouse for hours on end
until eventually they found themselves right on the edge of the forest and
looking directly out onto the Giants Pass.
SAMUEL Where has it gone now, I do not see it?
BOB Over there, see it? Behind that solitary thicket. Weve got him, theres no
where else for him to hide now. He cant possibly escape.
SAMUEL After him!
NARRATOR Once again they darted off as fast as they could with the rather cynical
expectation that he would almost certainly vanish, but this time that
wasnt the case, instead he ran. They chased and they chased, oblivious to
the fact that the mysterious shape was now that dark, cloaked figure that
they were previously in fear of. Every now and then the Warlock would
glance back deviously and seem to incite the two pursuers to chase harder
and further. And they did, harder and faster they ran, sweat pouring from
their reddened brows and legs aching with pain as if every bone was
64
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
65/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
being infuriatingly stretched and twisted in multiple directions. Then
unexpectedly, as they were gaining significant ground on the Warlock in
front, the ground suddenly gave way and they vanished down a deep and
murky hole. Down they tumbled, deeper and deeper into the earth, getting
faster and completely unable to see where they were going, until
eventually they landed with a painful thump on the floor of a narrow
tunnel. After a minute of childish moaning, the Tramp and the Pig
carefully pulled themselves up off the floor and had a good look around.
BOB Well were in a tunnel and its dark again.
SAMUEL And were not alone. Theres something walking ahead of us and getting
further away.
BOB Could it be the sound of the Warlock running from above?
SAMUEL No, weve fallen far too deep to be able to hear the noises from up there,
these footsteps are definitely coming from down the tunnel. It wouldnt
surprise me if that cunning Warlock had made his way down here and
was now trying to get us to follow him again.
BOB Then we mustnt follow him then, hes probably trying to lead us into
some kind of horrible trap.
65
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
66/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL That may be so Master Bob, but what other choice do we have? The
Warlock has the egg that we are trying to retrieve and down in this tunnel
there is no where else that we can go. Look where the tunnel leads behind
you.
NARRATOR Master Bob looked behind him and was annoyed to discover that the way
was blocked by a thick stone wall.
BOB Bother and blow. We are stuck in this wretched place.
SAMUEL Not if we go after the Warlock.
BOB If its the Warlock that you can hear.
SAMUEL Well theres only one way to find out. We must go immediately and hunt
this thing down quickly before it can catch us out with its devious trap.
NARRATOR Off they went again, almost blindly navigating themselves around the
winding tunnel and moving at a slightly slower pace than the last time
owing to their minor injuries that they had incurred from the fall. A faint,
misty light glowed threateningly in the distance and as they got nearer to
it, it seemed to the Tramp and the Pig that they were heading straight for
66
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
67/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
a giant, intoxicating furnace. They ran on for twenty minutes more
without passing anything of note, but now, the misty, red light was
glowing more furiously than ever before, and they could feel a
penetrating heat come blasting into their faces. After a further five
minutes, they could barely stand it any longer and they were forced to
shield their eyes from what they could now sense were towering flames.
They were now at a slow, walking pace and struggling to make any
progress at all. Where as before it was too dark to be able to see, now it
was just too bright. The pair came to a halt and crouched down upon their
knees, eager to have themselves a much-needed rest, and then,
unexpectedly, as if they were in an auditorium of a theatre, the lights
went out and a deep, unnerving silence surrounded them. Somehow
without any hint of a rational explanation, the burning hot flames that had
surrounded them before, had strangely vanished and now their only
source of light was something egg shaped, which was shining at the top
of what appeared to be a very large heap of rubble. The Tramp and the
Pig could now see that the tunnel they had run through had grown into a
huge underground cavern, which to the Tramps astonishment, was now
illuminated solely by the elusive golden egg. Finally they had found it!
There it was, right before their eyes and with no sign of a Warlock or any
dangerous beast around to stop them from taking it. And so cautiously,
but with some degree of excitement, the Tramp made his way alone up to
the top of the apparent heap of rubble and headed straight towards the
67
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
68/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
egg. It was a difficult climb and it felt to the Tramp as if the rubble was
loose and shattering beneath his feet. Finally he managed to scramble to
the top where nervously, he stretched out a trembling hand and reached
for the gleaming egg. And there he held it in his hands, admiring its
overwhelming beauty and feeling the warmth that it spread through his
fingers. But then there came a deep, bellowing voice that echoed around
the walls of the cavern and sent a cold, biting chill through the air.
WARLOCK (ECHO) Samuel...Samuel.
BOB Master Samuel, come down from there quickly, something bad is going
to happen and I dont think you want to be anywhere near that pile of
rocks.
SAMUEL Im coming Bob, Im coming. But be ready to catch the egg if I fall.
WARLOCK The egg is mine now. Theres no escape.
FX CRACKING NOISE, THE SOUND OF AN EGG HATCHING
BOB The rocks, the rocks! Theyre not rocks after all, their rotten eggs, and
theyre hatching!
68
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
69/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL What? What do you mean theyre hatching? Are there things living
inside these horrible rocks? And whats that foul smell?
WARLOCK Death .
BOB Hurry Samuel! This is a nest! And were right in the middle of it. We
have to get out of here quickly or well both be eaten for dinner!
SAMUEL Im going as fast as I can. These rocks are moving about all over the
place. Ahhh! Whats that?
NARRATOR The Tramp looked up to see hundreds of piercing yellow eyes looking
ravenously towards him. There was then an unbearable hissing noise
before the eyes began slowly creeping towards him. The Tramp tried to
quicken his pace even further and a number of times he lost his footing
and nearly fell flat on his face. The eyes were appearing all about him
now and even glared up at him from beneath his feet. The room was
filled with a deafening din of hissing and cracking that reverberated
around the walls and made it almost impossible to hear what the pig was
now shouting.
BOB Dont stare into their eyes Master Samuel, theyll kill you!
69
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
70/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
NARRATOR But then the Tramp slipped and fell awkwardly onto his back, loosening
his grip on the egg and launching him forwards into a terrifying slide.
SAMUEL Ahhh! I cant hold on to it any longer, youre going to have to catch it.
Here!
NARRATOR Suddenly the golden egg came flying out of the Tramps hands and spun
unpredictably through the air. The pig leapt immediately into action and
stood poised ay the base of the heap, ready to catch it. The egg hung
erratically above the Pigs head, spinning in multiple directions and
waiting teasingly before launching itself into a final descent. Then down
it came, speeding towards the little pig like a giant golden bullet. The pig
stood patiently with his trotters extended out in front of him, and then
casually, almost without any effort at all, he caught it with unequalled
perfection. A few seconds later, the hapless Tramp came skimming down
the base of the mound and plummeted feet first into the unsuspecting pig.
The pig fell backwards and was forced to let go of the egg, but the Tramp
hurried to his feet and threw himself at the egg, catching it just in time
before it landed on the floor, where it would almost certainly have
smashed into a million different pieces.
BOB Thanks a lot
70
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
71/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL Dont mention it.
BOB I meant thanks for nearly crushing me to death.
SAMUEL Oh. Sorry about that.
BOB Look, weve got to get out of this place before those nasty creatures catch
us.
SAMUAL What are those things?
BOB You dont want to know.
WARLOCK Kill them, kill them.... kill them!
BOB Come on, run!
NARRATOR The Tramp and the Pig ran as fast as they could down the tunnel that they
had arrived through, but already a dark and terrifying mist was forming
close behind them, hiding a sea of yellow eyes which hissed at them like
a gigantic venomous snake.
The pair carried on running for their lives until about after an hour they
had returned to the place where they had started when they had just fallen
71
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
72/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
through the hole. They had made a lot of ground since the cavern and the
foul smell of the dark mist was quite a way behind them, but they could
still hear the hissing in the distance as the evil eyes slowly made their
way closer towards them. But now they encountered a new dilemma,
which neither of them had remembered to consider.
SAMUEL The stone wall, I completely forgot! How are we supposed to get past
that?
BOB Well there must be some way past it.
SAMUEL Why must there?
BOB Because otherwise were stuck here.
SAMUEL I see.
NARRATOR The sound of hissing got louder and louder and they could now hear
footsteps, hundreds of them, marching angrily towards them. With
nothing else to do, The Pig and the Tramp began frantically kicking and
pushing at the great rock wall, but to no avail at all. The huge stones just
defiantly stared back at them as the hissing and the footsteps got louder
and louder.
72
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
73/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL Its no good, theres no point carrying on like this. Were doomed for
certain.
BOB No, we cannot give up so easily. Death approaches from around the next
corner, we must do everything within our strength to resist it. It is not
meant to end like this. There is another way.
NARRATOR The intense noise of the approaching darkness was now seconds from
revealing itself to the reluctant sight of the desperate adventurers. Murky
shadows could be seen flickering against the grey walls of the tunnel and
a deep, penetrating groan now hollered from amidst the gloom and filled
every available crevice with a burning fear. The Tramp and The Pig
looked on in horror as they saw the evil yellow eyes, that had hatched
from the rotten eggs, emerge from around the corner and advance
towards them. The little pig perilously started searching for an alternative
way to get past the wall, but all the while, the yellow eyes just kept on
approaching and the Tramp stood frozen, with his back to the wall, trying
to come to terms with his imminent fate. However, as luck would have it,
the little pig found something that they hadnt noticed before. It was a
hole. Not big enough for any animal to climb through, but a hole just the
right size for a key of some sort, and it was half hidden behind the
Tramps back.
73
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
74/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
BOB Look Master Samuel. I think Ive found the way out!
SAMUEL Please Master Bob, theres no time for fooling around now.
BOB No, no, look right behind you. Its a key hole.
SAMUEL Oh great, a keyhole! That is absolutely excellent, Ive never been so
relieved in all my life. Now all we need is a key to fit in the key hole and
well all be saved.
BOB Yes, and youve got it right there in your hands.
SAMUEL You what? Right here in my hands? But the only thing Ive got in my
hands is this stupid egg!
BOB Precisely.
NARRATOR But the Tramp was too dumb struck to figure it out for himself, so the
Pig, with very little time to spare, gently took the egg from the poor
Tramps hands and placed it into the hole himself. Then there was a great
rumbling noise and the hissing from the eyes came to a stop. Slowly the
great stone wall began swinging forwards, gradually revealing a new,
74
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
75/98
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
76/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
away in deep caverns behind thick inpenetratable walls that couldnt be
opened except with a golden egg.
SAMUEL But what about the Warlock? We were chasing him from behind, we saw
him in front of us. How could he possibly get into that cavern without us
knowing?
BOB Black magic Master Samuel. He is a Warlock after all.
SAMUEL Well Im just grateful were still alive.
BOB Me too. But now an even greater task awaits us.
SAMUEL An even greater task? What kind of malicious toil could be even greater
than being chased down tunnel by a sea of dirty yellow eyes?
BOB Look ahead of you, across these planes and to the North. There you will
see the distant Mountains of Dementon where lies Dementon City. This is
where we must go next, with or without our fellow pigs, for beyond here
lies the Hatching Well where we must take this egg, and deliver you to
your destiny.
76
-
7/28/2019 The Hatching Well
77/98
THE HATCHING WELL By Simon Derrick
SAMUEL But thats easy. Look, theres nothing but green fields and blue sky
between here and the mountains. And the mountains cant be that bad.
Could they?
BOB Oh couldnt they? So you would call deadly monsters and flesh eating
zombies not that bad would you? I dont think you entirely understand
whats going on here Master Samuel.
SAMUEL Youre right, I dont really understand very much at the moment. But at
least Im trying. Come on then, if were going to stand any chance at all
of defeating these flesh eating zombies as you call them, then we had
better get going now, before anyone knows that we are coming.
BOB I think they may already know.
NARRATOR The Pig pointed behind them at the shape of a huge black giant that was
creeping slowly forwards from beyond the Phantom Woods.
SAMUEL Whats that?
BOB Its