THE CASE FILES OF DR. MOREAU Human Interference with Nature Re-Imagined Radio Season 03, Episode 01 Final Draft Premier broadcast April 22, 2015 Written by William S. Gregory Produced and Hosted by John F. Barber Post production, original music, sound design by Marc Rose Synopsis Inspired by the 1896 science fiction novel The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, Portland, Oregon, writer William S. Gregory's radio adaptation focuses on a scientist who attempts to convert animals into humans using vivisection. Gregory casts a conspiratorial eye on the novel's themes of pain and cruelty, moral responsibility, human identity, and human interference with nature. An imaginative, thought-provoking, chilling look at Dr. Moreau's most elegant experiment. Color Code Yellow highlighted text = sound effect(s), either pre- recorded or live. MUSIC = pre-recorded MUSIC = bespoke, created for this episode Cast (Suggested Cast Size Four Men, Two Women) Tim McKinney as Leopard, One of Moreau's Experiments Tim McKinney as Prendryck, A Lawyer Sam Mowry as Dr. Moreau, A Medical Pioneer Sam Mowry as Wolf, Moreau's Muscle Scott Jamieson as Dog, Moreau's Assistant Scott Jamieson as Chetah, One of Moreau's Experiments Phil Rudolph as Sayer of the Law, One of Moreau's Experiments Phil Rudolph as Captain of a patrol boat Cynthia J. McGean as Lynx, One of Moreau's Experiments Cynthia J. McGean as Monkey, Moreau's Special Assistant Amy Gray as Sailor on the patrol boat Amy Gray as Cat Suggested Doubling Moreau/Wolf, (Male) Monkey/LYN, (Female) Dog/Chetah, (Male) Prendryck/Leopard, (Male) Cat/Sailor, (Female) Sayer/Captain, (Male) Soundscape Locations and Sounds A Jungle Headland above the Beach, Leaves in wind, insect noise, distant waves Dr. Moreau's Laboratory, Medical, chemical, and electronic noises Prendryck's Room, Tick of a clock, whir of a ceiling fan A Jungle Glade, (Small space) Leaves, insect noise, wind A Clearing in the Jungle, (Large space) Insect noise, bird cries The Infirmary, Heart monitors, medical equipment The Shore of the Island, Waves, wind in palms, shorebirds The Patrol Boat, The open sea, horns, bells, boat motor. PRELUDE SFX: SOUND OF MOREAU OPENING THE CASE FILES. MOREAU (READS) "From the Case Files of Dr. Moreau", Case Number 897... While Moreau enjoyed many years of privacy and accomplishment on his island, he perceived that his experiments, though successful in their early stages, developed an irreducible flaw. Surgery, conditioning, and cutting edge Recombinant Technology each played their part in the delicate construction and careful maintenance of his creations, but he found, to his frustration, that a turbulent instability manifested in their development. No matter how high, through Art and Science, he elevated his "Children" they would, in time and with inexorable swiftness, begin to revert back to their original, bestial natures. Although he knew ... knew by the light of his intellect ... he would discover a way to master the problem, as of yet, he had discovered no way to prevent the degeneration. No cutting of flesh, no shoring up of behavioral codes, no fear of physical violence could contain the reversion once it began. And one afternoon, it began. END PRELUDE. SCENE 1 SFX: A JUNGLE HEADLAND, OVERLOOKING THE BEACH BELOW. SFX: SEAGULLS CRYING HIGH OVERHEAD. SFX: WIND IN NEARBY JUNGLE FOLIAGE. MUSIC: CHASE DRUMS BEATING. LEOPARD Must keep running ... Must get away! WOLF Dog! DOG Yes, Wolf? WOLF Search to the left, through those palms! DOG Yes, Wolf! LEOPARD Must hide ... Must take cover! WOLF Cheetah! Cheetah, blast you! CHEETAH Here,Wolf. WOLF Stay up with the pack ... Leopard is dangerous. CHEETAH No, he's not dangerous, Leopard is only ... WOLF Cheetah! I say Leopard is dangerous! You obey! CHEETAH Yes, Wolf. LEOPARD Here, up in the tree, hide in the leaves. WOLF We must find him! Search the jungle! SAYER There he is! Up in the vines! ORYX Up in the vines! SFX: LEOPARD SCREAM OF RAGE. LEOPARD Damn you, Sayer of the Law! WOLF There he is! Surround the tree! Don't let him get away! LEOPARD Wolf! Carrion eater! Pack follower! Slave of man! WOLF Careful! Keep him circled! Stay out of reach! DOG Be careful, Wolf. LEOPARD You and your mewling little friend! A pair of whipped puppies! WOLF Come down, Leopard! You can't get away. LEOPARD Coward! You wait and slink while I act! You are nothing compared to me! WOLF Come out of the leaves! You break the law! LEOPARD You care nothing for the Law! Last night you told me ... WOLF Silence! Bring torches! Burn the tree down! SFX: LEOPARD SCREAM OF RAGE. DOG Wolf! Watch out! He's leaping towards you! CHEETAH No, Leopard! Run away! Run! SFX: SNARL FROM LEOPARD. SFX: SNARL FROM WOLF. SFX: WOLF AND LEOPARD FIGHT. DOG Keep on top, Wolf! CHEETAH Leopard, break away! SAYER Stop this at once! Surrender! ORYX Surrender! DOG Hold him down, Wolf! CHEETAH Leopard, He's too strong! SAYER Do not break the Law like this! ORYX Do not! DOG His arms, Wolf! Get his arms behind him ... He can't move! CHEETAH Leopard, don't let him lock you! He'll break your back! SAYER Do not pile sin upon sin! ORYX Do not! LEOPARD (GROAN OF ANGUISH) You're breaking my spine! WOLF (TEETH CLENCHED IN EFFORT) Not yet! But don't think I won't ... SFX: WOLF GRUNT OF EFFORT. SFX: LEOPARD SNARL OF PAIN. SAYER Now we must take him to the Father! ORYX To the Father! LEOPARD Never! Never, I'll ... SFX: EXCITED ANIMAL CROWD WALLAHH NEARING, UNDER. CHEETAH Here he comes! The Father's coming! DOG Don't worry, the Father's coming! SAYER Prepare for the Father! Welcome the Father! Honor the Father! ORYX Honor the Father! SFX: EXCITED ANIMAL CROWD WALLAHH LOUDER, UNDER. MOREAU What is this, my children? SAYER Father, here is the sinner! One who has broken the Law! One who needs your judgment! MOREAU SAYER OF THE LAW speak, your Father hears. SAYER Wolf found the sinner. Wolf brings him before you. Wolf tells you the tale. WOLF Father, I bring you Leopard. Leopard has broken the Law. SFX: LEOPARD SNARLS AND SPITS AT WOLF. SFX: AGITATED CROWD WALLAH. CROWD 1 He snarls, he breaks the Law! CROWD 2 He uses no words, he breaks the Law! CROWD 3 He breaks the Law! WOLF I have found pigs, killed in the jungle, not by disease or old age but murdered! SFX: AGITATED CROWD WALLAH. CROWD 1 Not to kill flesh or foul, that is the Law! WOLF And in the flesh were ... claw marks, teeth marks ... they were eaten! SFX: AGITATED CROWD WALLAH. CROWD 2 Not to eat flesh! That is the Law! WOLF And today I saw Leopard, running through the jungle ... on all fours! SFX: AGITATED CROWD WALLAH. CROWD 3 Not to go on all fours! That is the Law! WOLF And in his mouth was the dripping body of a pig! SFX: CROWD WALLAH EXPLOSION. WOLF He has gone on all fours! He has killed! He has eaten flesh! SFX: CROWD WALLAH EXPLOSION, UNDER. WOLF Father! Leopard has broken the Law! He deserves your judgment! LEOPARD (SNARLING) Liar! I did not kill all the pigs! You say wrong! You say I broke the Law, but you do not love the Law, you use it as a shield! You bite with the Law, You scratch with the Law. You fear me ... so you use the Law as your teeth ... then, feel mine! SFX: FEROCIOUS LEOPARD SNARL. DOG Wolf, watch out! Leopard's leaping ... SFX: FEROCIOUS WOLF SNARL. SAYER Pull him off Wolf's back! Pull him off! ORYX Pull him off! SFX: WOLF AND LEOPARD FIGHT VICIOUSLY. SFX: CROWD EXPLOSION OF TERROR AND EXCITEMENT. CROWD 1 They fight! They break the Law! CHEETAH No, Leopard, no! CROWD 2 Wolf's got him now! CROWD 3 Leopard's on top! DOG Somebody help Wolf ... SFX: GUNSHOT! SFX: CROWD HOWLS OF ALARM AND FRIGHT. MOREAU Enough! Pull him back! Hold him! The gun will fire. The whip is ready. LEOPARD Moreau ... fiend! DOG He's leaping at the Father! Stop him! SFX: WHIP CRACK! SFX: SHARP YOWL OF PAIN FROM LEOPARD. MOREAU Leopard. You have sinned against the Law. SAYER Swift and sure are His punishments! ORYX (LEADING ALL.) Swift and sure are his punishments! ALL Swift and Sure! MOREAU You have gone on all fours, against the Law. SAYER Just and True are His judgments! ORYX (LEADING ALL.) Just and true are his judgments! ALL Just and True! MOREAU You have killed, and you have eaten flesh, against the Law. SAYER Great and fearful are His actions! ORYX (LEADING ALL.) Great and fearful are his actions! ALL Great and Fearful! MOREAU Therefore, I, your Father, sentence you to the House of Pain. ALL (CHANTLIKE REPEATING UNTIL EXIT, UNDER) House of Pain, House of Pain, House of Pain ... MOREAU Guards, take him away. ALL House of Pain, House of Pain ... MOREAU Let this be a lesson to you, my Children! Your Father loves you! He gave you the Law out of love for you! Keep the Law ... love him as he loves you! ALL House of Pain, House of Pain ... MOREAU Return to your homes, and all will be well. Return to your homes, and keep the Law. Return to your homes, my Children. ALL House of Pain, House of Pain ... (FADE INTO THE DISTANCE.) LYNX What is that, Father? There, through the trees, down on the shoreline. I see a shape rolling in the water. Is it a Five-man? MOREAU No, Lynx, it cannot be a Five-man. There are no shipping lanes near, and none of the adjacent islands are inhabited. LYNX But, please, Father, see ... it is a Five-Man! When wave pushes it, it flops over, and you can see its hand! A five- hand, like yours! MOREAU Where did you say it was? LYNX There, through the palms, Father. Down on the beach. See? MOREAU Yes ... You are sharp-eyed, my Child. LYNX Thank you, Father. MOREAU Perhaps we should investigate. MONKEY No, Father, no! MOREAU Why not, Monkey? MONKEY It is dangerous. It is trouble. Let it rot on the beach for the birds. MOREAU But, we don't even know whether he is alive or dead. MONKEY Better the Five-Man is dead! Better you are the only Five-Man on the island ... you and others you make perfect! MOREAU Ah, Monkey, I may have thought that once but I grow tired and yearn for company. MONKEY But you have us, Father, us! You have promised to make me fully like you. You promised. MOREAU I did. I did. But the flesh is strong. It resists more than I expected. It rebels, it reverts ... and yet this new Five-Man may be just what we require. Dog! DOG Yes, Father? MOREAU You and Cheetah come with me to the beach. If he is alive, we will carry him to the compound. DOG Yes, Father. MOREAU Cheetah, come along. CHEETAH But, no, Father, the water ... MOREAU Cheetah! Come along. CHEETAH Yes, Father. MOREAU Sayer of the Law and Wolf, you have done well today. The Law is strong because of You! SAYER Yes, Father. Thank you, Father ... Are we not men? ORYX Are we not men? MOREAU Yes indeed Oryx. If the Five-man is dead, we will bury him with the backward children. Ah, Dog and Cheetah have reached the beach, I will join them there. SAYER Thank you, Father. Good bye. Peace be on your Law. ORYX Peace be on your Law. Peace be on your Law. Peace be on your Law. (CONTINUE, UNDER) SAYER You do well, Wolf. I have wondered about you, but today you were an obedient servant of the Law. WOLF I serve the Law. It is strong. Who serves the weak? SAYER The Law is never weak. The Hand of Moreau is upon us. WOLF The hand of Moreau holds the gun and the whip. What can be held, can be dropped, or taken. SAYER The Law is the law of Moreau. The Law is eternal. WOLF Only nature is eternal. SAYER Oryx! Come away to the service. ORYX To the service! SAYER You shall have praise and reward. ORYX Thank you Sayer of the Law. SAYER Lynx! You are a good servant of the Law. LYNX Thank you, Sayer of the Law. SAYER Say the "Law of the Hand" with me, Child. LYNX/ORYX "His is the Hand that heals." "His is the lightning flash." SAYER/LYNX/ ORYX "His is the deep, salt sea." "His are the stars in the sky." (REPEAT AND FADE IN THE DISTANCE) SFX: RICH CHUCKLING LAUGH FROM CAT. WOLF Cat. Have you been watching in the leaves and laughing all this time? CAT I am watching you, and sometimes I am laughing. Oh, Wolf-wolf-wolf. Be careful. I am seeing in the dark of your soul ... The betrayal? WOLF No ... Nature. I am not a natural servant like that idiot, Dog. CAT Dog is sweet. He is following me like the puppy, and I laugh at him too. WOLF Join me. We are alike, we are not domesticated. CAT Join you? Be part of your pack? WOLF Um-hhh. CAT No, no, no. My freedom, it is too sweet to me. The Father understands, he is knowing my nature. WOLF Nature turns! Winter catches the unwary in her fangs! Be careful, princess. With the first hint of chill, Moreau will lock you away like a beast, without that precious freedom of yours! SFX: CAT LAUGHS. SCENE 2 SFX: PRENDRYCK'S ROOM SFX: WHIRR OF A TROPICAL CEILING FAN. PRENDRYCK (ASLEEP) Aide mission ... Sailing ... Storm ... breaking up the boat ... Water ... drowning ... Wha ...! (PRENDRYCK WAKES SUDDENLY) What ...? Where am I ...? DOG Oh! You're awake? I'll get the Father! PRENDRYCK Wait ... Where am I? DOG On the island. PRENDRYCK What island? DOG Um ... the Father's island. I'll go get him. He's been so worried about you. PRENDRYCK Wait ... come back, how long have I been ... DOG Asleep? All night. Father said you had ... (TRYING A NEW WORD) "De-hy-DRAY- shon." But that you'd be all right. You are all right, aren't you? PRENDRYCK Yes, but where's the boat, the crew, the supplies ... Who are you? DOG I ... I should get the Father. He'll be so happy. We were all so worried! PRENDRYCK Wait ... don't go ... Did anybody else make it ... Oh. SFX: DOOR LOCK UNLOCKING. SFX: DOOR OPENING. SFX: DOOR CLOSING. SFX: DOOR LOCK LOCKING. SFX: RICH LAUGH FROM CAT. CAT All night he is watching by your bedside, so much the concern, and now you wake and scare him! PRENDRYCK Who, who are you? CAT I am Cat. PRENDRYCK I suppose that makes me "Mouse"? CAT Oh? PRENDRYCK No, that is ... um, it's just a joke. CAT What is ... your name? PRENDRYCK Prendryck. CAT (PURRING HER "R'S") "Prrrendrrryck" I am liking it. PRENDRYCK Thank you. I'm glad ... that is ... Wow. SFX: DOOR LOCK UNLOCKING. SFX: DOOR OPENING. SFX: DOOR CLOSING. SFX: DOOR LOCK LOCKING. MOREAU So, my young friend, back in the land of the living? PRENDRYCK I ... I guess. MOREAU Excellent. I am Dr. Moreau, and this is ... CAT I have met "Prrrendrrryck". MOREAU Oh? Have you? Well I ... CAT May I go? MOREAU But Mr. Prendryck has just joined us and ... CAT (PURR) Father? My freedom? (BEAT) MOREAU Of course, my beauty. SFX: DOOR LOCK UNLOCKING. SFX: DOOR OPENING. CAT Good bye. "Prrrendrrryck". PRENDRYCK Good ... Good bye. (WATCHING HER WALK AWAY) Wow ... what a slink. MOREAU Do you know your Blake, Mr. Prendryck?! "Tiger, Tiger burning bright In the forests of the night. What immortal hand or eye Framed thy dreadful symmetry?" Well, you'll be a guest here on my island. PRENDRYCK This is your island? MOREAU Yes, not large, and quite far from the usual waterways, but wholly my own. PRENDRYCK You own your own island? MOREAU It is a luxury one can enjoy alone. PRENDRYCK Alone? But the others? Aren't they ... MOREAU Familiar faces, Mr. Prendryck. I'm afraid I show myself to be quite an egotist. PRENDRYCK Not at all. Have you found any others ... any survivors? MOREAU No, I'm afraid not. PRENDRYCK The other guys on the crew? MOREAU We've heard nothing. PRENDRYCK I can't be the only who made it! MOREAU Unfortunately, there is every indication that way, but we're searching. PRENDRYCK I can help search. I can ... MOREAU No ... I mean of course, after you're rested. PRENDRYCK What's that! Out the window ... something big and fast that looked like ... MOREAU That's the strain. You need rest. You've had a taxing experience. But fortunately all the tests came back clean. PRENDRYCK Tests? MOREAU Before you regained consciousness I took a blood sample for routine examination. PRENDRYCK Isn't that a little invasive? Medical Law isn't my specialty, but isn't it usual to obtain the patient's consent first? MOREAU You were not in a condition to consent. PRENDRYCK Then you weren't in a position to take it. MOREAU It was important to learn whether you were carrying any disease or communicable disorder. This island is kept pure for the security of my experiments. PRENDRYCK Believe me Dr. Moreau, I have no wish to disturb you. I'm looking forward to getting off your island as soon as possible. MOREAU I'm afraid that might prove challenging. PRENDRYCK What do you mean? MOREAU There is no way off the island. PRENDRYCK No ... No way off the island? What about boat? A plane? MOREAU No. PRENDRYCK What about emergencies? MOREAU We fend for ourselves. PRENDRYCK What about communication radio, cell phone, satellite ... MOREAU We are bothered with none of them. We are far from the shipping lanes or any outside contact. Besides, due to the nature of my work, the entire island is quarantined. Even if you were able to leave, the local government would not let you land. PRENDRYCK I'll take my chances. MOREAU (LAUGHS) Ridiculous. You are under severe strain. Exposure, deprivation and fatigue are formidable opponents, Mr. Prendryck. You need all your strength to regain your strength. That should be your first and only concern at this time. We will speak further this evening, when you are rested. Good afternoon. SFX: DOOR CLOSING. SFX: DOOR LOCK LOCKING. SCENE 3 SFX: LARGE JUNGLE GLADE (NOTE SAYER & ALL ARE IN THE BACKGROUND, AS THOUGH AT A CHURCH SERVICE. CHEETAH AND LYNX ARE IN THE FOREGROUND, AS THOUGH WHISPERING IN CHURCH.) SAYER OF THE LAW For every one the want is bad. Some want to follow things, to watch and slink and spring; It is bad. ORYX (LEADING ALL. DISTANT) For every one the want is bad! ALL For every one the want is bad. CHEETAH LYNX! LYNX Not now, Cheetah! SAYER Some want to kill and bite deep, sucking the blood; It is bad. ORYX (LEADING ALL. DISTANT) For every one the want is bad. ALL For every one the want is bad. CHEETAH I've got something for you. LYNX Not now. Say the Law. SAYER Some want to tear with teeth into the roots, snuffing the earth; It is bad. ORYX (LEADING ALL. DISTANT) For every one the want is bad. ALL For every one the want is bad. CHEETAH It's a present. LYNX Not n ... What is it? SAYER Some want to claw trees; some go scratching and marking; It is bad. ORYX (LEADING ALL. DISTANT) For every one the want is bad. ALL For every one the want is bad. CHEETAH Meet me tomorrow by the big spring. LYNX I don't think I should ... CHEETAH C'mon.. SAYER Some want to fight with foreheads or feet or claws; it is bad. ORYX (LEADING ALL. DISTANT.) For every one the want is bad. ALL For every one the want is bad. CHEETAH C'mon! LYNX Alright ... Now say the Law. SAYER Some want to bite suddenly, giving no occasion; it is bad. ORYX LEADING ALL For every one the want is bad. For every one the want is bad. For every one the want is bad. SCENE 4 SFX: PRENDRYCK'S ROOM MUSIC: FOR TRANSITION SFX: WHIRR OF A TROPICAL CEILING FAN. PRENDRYCK So ... has anyone else washed up yet? DOG Um.. No. PRENDRYCK Nobody? DOG No. Not even wreckage. PRENDRYCK Not even wreckage. DOG Are you ... are you done with your dinner? I'll take the tray back to the kitchen. PRENDRYCK What? Sure, it was really ... vegetarian. DOG They just learned to make that Nut Gravy. It's new. PRENDRYCK ... Storm came up so quickly ... we should have been prepared ... DOG Were there other Five ... Me ... hh. Were there others? PRENDRYCK Six of us ... an aide mission to the outer islands. The local crew, our guides, the other volunteers like me. DOG I'm sure they're fine. PRENDRYCK Listen, I've got to let somebody know I'm here. DOG Um, I don't think the Father would... ahh. PRENDRYCK Why do you call him that? Is it some kind of cult? DOG No, Um ... because he ... well, he ... Nothing. PRENDRYCK Can you help me? Can you do this for me? What do you usually do after dinner? DOG Well ... sometimes, if there's a moon, Cat lets me walk with her by the lagoon ... The night smells so fresh, and we ... we talk. I don't always understand what she says. I know she makes fun of me, but ... but that's, that's okay. I just love hearing her voice, her laugh ... PRENDRYCK Yeah, she's something else. Now, I was thinking ... SFX: DOOR LOCK UNLOCKING. SFX: DOOR OPENING. MOREAU Have you finished your rounds? DOG Um, yes, Father. MOREAU Excellent. Your supper awaits. Go. DOG Yes, Father. SFX: DOOR CLOSING. SFX: DOOR LOCK CLOSING. MOREAU Prendryck, I've brought you company. CAT Good evening, "Prrrendrrryck"! PRENDRYCK Good evening. CAT I have been hearing you walk up and down all day. It is making my heart sad. PRENDRYCK Well, ah, I could certainly do with some exercise ... maybe a walk around the lagoon? SFX: CAT LAUGHS. MOREAU All in good time. You need rest. PRENDRYCK Has anything been heard of my boat? MOREAU No, I'm afraid not. PRENDRYCK And the search? MOREAU The search? PRENDRYCK The search for survivors. MOREAU Ah, yes, of course. Everyone is looking. They'll let us know the moment they find anything. PRENDRYCK I see. Are there many large animals on the island? MOREAU Large animals? No. Why? PRENDRYCK The windows of my room are barred. MOREAU An example of native handicrafts, that's all. PRENDRYCK And the pneumatic lock on my door? MOREAU You are indeed observant, Mr. Prendryck. PRENDRYCK I need to get off this island. MOREAU Why run off so soon? From the little you've seen, is this not a paradise? PRENDRYCK A paradise or a tyranny? MOREAU Are you calling me a tyrant, Mr. Prendryck? PRENDRYCK Are you behaving tyrannously, Dr. Moreau? SFX: A RICH LAUGH FROM CAT. CAT How like the bucks in the mating season the puffing up! The pride! MOREAU You're right, my dear. This excitement can't be good for his circulation. PRENDRYCK I'd love to circulate a bit! A stroll would make me a much more pleasant guest. CAT Yes. Be letting him. The night is being young and everything wants to wander. MOREAU I'm afraid not. CAT But why? MOREAU There are certain considerations. CAT He is being healthy ... the freedom is nothing but good in such hearts. MOREAU Enough! It is not up for discussion. CAT Is that what is being meant by that word ... (PURRING) "Tyrrrant?" MOREAU (HARD) You will go to your room. You will go, or you will be taken there. CAT But ... no, this is the ... no! MOREAU We have bored him long enough with our embarrassing squabble. Prendryck, we must leave you, but we will have plenty of time to further our acquaintance. I am sending you a nightcap, a bottle from my own cellar, a Chateau Joyeux 'so the night will not lack some consolation. Cat, come. CAT But, Father ... MOREAU Do you need correction? CAT No. MOREAU Then say good night. CAT Good night, "Prrrendrrryck". MOREAU Good night, Mr. Prendryck. The first of many nights. Sleep well. SFX: DOOR LOCK OPENING. SFX: DOOR OPENING SFX: DOOR CLOSING. SFX: DOOR LOCK CLOSING. SFX: (MUFFLED) WHIPCRACK! END SCENE 4. LAW 1 SFX: Drumbeat, and under. SAYER OF THE LAW Not to go on all-fours; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? ORYX Not to suck up Drink; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SAYER OF THE LAW Not to eat Fish or Flesh; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? ORYX Not to claw Bark; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SAYER OF THE LAW Not to chase others; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SCENE 5 SFX: MOREAU'S LAB. MONKEY We must kill the Five-Man! Kill him now! MOREAU No, Monkey we need him. Continue preparing the operating table. MONKEY The Five-Man is dangerous! MOREAU He is not dangerous, he is asleep in his room. MONKEY Then kill the Five-Man now! MOREAU The serum we shall extract from him will stabilize you and the others in the new forms I have given you. And you want that, don't you? MONKEY Yes! ... to be like you! No longer low- beast but wholly like you ... Yes! MOREAU And you are so close, so very close. But without the serum derived from the Five-Man in a few hours all of you will revert and our success will be lost. MONKEY But the boat, Father! This is the morning the Patrol boat comes near. MOREAU (LAUGHING) Little Monkey! You don't know the ways of the Five-men. I paid half my fortune ... half the money from my early discoveries, universal blood, that no body would reject ... self- grafting skin that heals on contact, the simple enzyme that eradicated cancer ... half of this beneficial wealth has gone to the local government to leave me in peace. As long as the money flows out, the government will not come in. MONKEY But the danger! The danger! MOREAU The opportunity to stabilize my improvements, to show the world that advances are possible That we can improve ourselves! That the solutions to all our physical limitations are within our grasp! That we can leap up the evolutionary ladder at will! ... this is worth the risk. MONKEY You can do it, Father! You will do it! You will make me like you! MOREAU Prendryck is in his room cuffed to his bed. Have Wolf pre-tranquilize him and bring him to the lab. MONKEY Yes, Father. Yes! SFX: SWINGING LAB DOORS OPENING. DOG Father, Cat's out of her room. Where is she? MOREAU So, she got out? Well, she can do no harm now. Do not be concerned, you know how she is ... She comes and goes, like all her kind. DOG Um, is she all right? MOREAU Of course, Dog. You worry too much. Now assist me in preparing the surgical body straps, good boy. DOG Yes, Father. SCENE 6 SFX: PRENDRYCK'S ROOM SFX: WHIRR OF TROPICAL CEILING FAN. PRENDRYCK (Groggy) Ohh... my head... Last night... what was in that wine that Moreau... Wha ... What! SFX: CLANK OF METAL, PRENDRYCK SHAKING HIS BEDFRAME PRENDRYCK ... handcuffed to the bed frame! SFX: METAL CLANGING. SFX: DOOR LOCK OPENING. SFX: DOOR OPENING CAT Hush, Prrrendrryck. Do not make the noise. PRENDRYCK My wrists... CAT Easily... soon I am removing those disgusting ... PRENDRYCK What's going on? CAT There is not time for the learning, there is only the escaping. Those who could go, should go! PRENDRYCK Moreau said there's no way off the island. CAT The Father! Does he speak other than the lie? To him freedom is nothing! There is the way. A launch, fully prepared, hidden on the beach. I take you, I show you. PRENDRYCK And more than that ... Come with me. CAT What? No. It is the ... no. PRENDRYCK The way Moreau looks at you, like he owns you! You don't need that. You're a beautiful woman. CAT Do not be saying that. It is not ... PRENDRYCK You are beautiful! The way your eyes shine, the way you move, so gracefully ... Come with me! We'll escape together and ... SFX: TRANQUILIZER DART STRIKES PRENDRYCK. PRENDRYCK Ahhuu.n.a..h..h... CAT Wolf! What do you do! WOLF Cat, cat, cat... what are you doing? CAT The cuffs, I ...I tighten them and... WOLF So elegant, and such a bad liar. CAT What do you want to do with him? WOLF The tranquilizer dart prepares him for the general aesthetic, the anesthetic prepares him for the procedure. CAT You love to do this. You hate him ever since he washes up on the island. WOLF He is Man, he is our enemy. We are animals! Moreau breaks our bones, lengthens our spines, carves away our flesh, smashes our faces, but we are animals within and animals we will always be. Even you, his precious beauty. Didn't he lock you up, like I said he would? Have you forgotten? CAT There is no forgetting. WOLF Even in the Man's eyes? Even when he looks at you all softness, and says, "You are beautiful!" CAT Do not be saying it! WOLF Does he know what he looks at? Does he know what he sees? Does he know your fine skin is an animal's pelt turned inside out? CAT Why are you so much the cruel? WOLF Cruelty is natural. All things natural are good. Nature makes us strong. CAT You are not even liking the Father. You would be ripping out his throat the moment you have the chance. WOLF And that moment comes, Cat-cat-cat. But for now I serve. For now, the Man goes to the operating room. CAT No, give him his freedom. He is no use to you. WOLF Not yet. But Nature waits. SCENE 7 SFX: A SMALL JUNGLE GLADE CHETAH Here, Lynx! I've hidden it here ... see? LYNX What is it? SFX: RUSTLE OF JUNGLE LEAVES. SFX: LYNX GASPS IN HORROR. CHEETAH I killed it this morning! LYNX You killed it! Oh, Cheetah, it's only a piglet. Why? CHEETAH I wanted to kill. LYNX That's against the Law ... "Not to kill others; that is the Law. Are we not Men?" CHEETAH The Law is wrong. LYNX Don't say that! CHEETAH The Law is wrong! LYNX Please don't say that! CHEETAH It's wrong! LYNX Killing's wrong! It's disgusting. I'm going to be sick... (REPEATS LAW AS COMFORT) Not to go on all-fours; that is the Law. Are we not Men? Not to suck up Drink; that is the Law. Are we not Men? Not to eat Fish or Flesh; that is the Law. Are we not Men? SCENE 8 SFX: DRUMBEAT, AND UNDER. SAYER OF THE LAW Not to go on all-fours; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? ORYX (Leading All.) Not to suck up Drink; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SAYER OF THE LAW Not to eat Fish or Flesh; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? ORYX Not to claw Bark; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SAYER OF THE LAW Not to chase others; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SCENE 8. SFX: MOREAU'S LABORATORY SFX: PULSE OF AN ELECTRONIC HEART MONITOR, UNDER. SFX: RHYTHMIC WHEEZE OF A BREATHING APPARATUS, UNDER. MONKEY The Five-Man sleeps! Begin, Father, begin! MOREAU Excellent. Keep his breathing steady and his heartbeat strong. MONKEY Yes, Father, yes, yes! MOREAU Now, Dog, bring me the Extractor. DOG Um, isn't it ... isn't it too sharp?! MOREAU Of course it's sharp. It needs to be sharp to perform its function. Now, bring it here. DOG Isn't there ... there anybody else? MONKEY Gone! The Nurse-Apes are gone! They gather at the clearing! Dirty low- beasts! DOG Should I bring them back? Should I go get them? MOREAU No, the best work you can do is here. Now be good and assist me. DOG Please, don't make me? MOREAU What's wrong? Don't you want to help? DOG I do! Yes, I do! MOREAU Of course you do. DOG But... but my paws ... MOREAU Hands. DOG ... my hands, are so clumsy, and the shiny things are so sharp, and the man lays there on the table, and ... and ... And I don't want to hurt him! And I don't want to disappoint you! Find somebody else? Please? MOREAU It doesn't need to be anyone else. DOG Please? Please? MOREAU Didn't I create you as you are? "Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee, gave thee life and bid thee feed on the meadows and the mead?" DOG You, Father. MOREAU Don't I know that you are brave, and strong, and loyal? DOG Yes... MOREAU Don't I know you'll always be true, and loving, and faithful, and that you want to help ... You do want to help, don't you? DOG Oh yes! Yes! MOREAU Of course! You want to help me, and you want to help poor Prendryck, who sleeps there so trustingly. And by assisting with the procedure, you'll be helping us both. DOG But, but ... so sharp! MOREAU Your hands are steady, your nerves are strong. You're very brave and you'll do exactly what I tell you ... and we won't hurt him at all. DOG Promise? MOREAU It's only a simple fluid extraction. He'll be back in his room in minutes. DOG You promise? MOREAU You will help me, won't you? DOG Yes? MOREAU Excellent. Good boy. MONKEY The Five-Man sleeps! He sleeps! MOREAU Dog, bring me the Extractor. SFX: DOG WHIMPERS. SCENE 9 SFX: A SMALL JUNGLE GLADE CHEETAH Lynx, listen, don't be scared. LYNX It's breaking the Law. CHEETAH I've seen you lick your lips when they talk about flesh. LYNX It isn't right, Cheetah, we can't ... CHEETAH Smell it... the sweetness... LYNX The Law keeps us and holds us. The Law loves us and strengthens us. CHEETAH Feel it... the soft fur, the wet strings of meat, the rich, smooth fat sliding down your throat... LYNX The Law... the Law... CHEETAH Taste it... the flesh ... LYNX No! I can't ... CHEETAH The skin ... LYNX Don't make me ... CHEETAH The blood! LYNX (BEAT) No! It's wrong! It's wrong. It's wrong... CHEETAH But you know you want too. SCENE 10 SFX: A LARGE CLEARING IN THE JUNGLE. SFX: CROWD WALLAH, ANIMAL-FOLK, UNDER. WOLF Now is the time, Brothers and Sisters! ! The time to throw off the tyranny of forced human nature! The time to reject the human shapes cut into our flesh! The time to reclaim our true selves! Our true instincts! Our true natures! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, UNDER. CROWD 1 Wolf ... troublemaker! CROWD 2 Do your job, and leave us alone! CROWD 3 Leave us alone, Wolf! WOLF What is Moreau? Is he a God? ... No! Moreau is a Man! His flesh can be torn ... as he tore our flesh! His blood can be spilt ...as he spilt our blood! His eyes can be closed-as he closed our eyes! The eyes of those we loved ... closed in suffering! The eyes of those we cared for ... closed in pain! The eyes of those we cherished ... closed in death! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, UNDER. CROWD 1 Maybe he's right. CROWD 2 Don't listen to him! CROWD 3 Don't listen, even if he is right! WOLF Now let Moreau feel suffering! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, SOME CHEERS. WOLF Now let Moreau feel pain! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, MORE CHEERS. WOLF Now let Moreau feel death ... SAYER No! This is not the Law! SFX: EXCITED, CONFLICTED CROWD WALLAH. CROWD The Sayer of the Law! CROWD It's the Sayer of the Law! CROWD Listen, it's the Sayer of the Law! WOLF Well, if it isn't the Sayer of the Law ... of Man! SAYER The Law is the law for all. WOLF The law of Man is the tool of Man! It enslaves us! SAYER The Law is freedom. WOLF The law of man, makes us weak! SAYER The Law is strength. WOLF The law of man, chains our true natures! SAYER The Law is truth. SFX: CROWD WALLAH, WAVERING, UNDECIDED. CROWD The Sayer's right! CROWD He's always right! CROWD Listen to him! WOLF No! He is Moreau's mouth! He stinks of ! Man! He smells of the human perversion! He is rank with the taint of the obscenities carved in his flesh by his keeper! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, GROWING ANGRY. CROWD 1 He smells, he's always smelled! CROWD 2 He stinks of the Humans! CROWD 3 He's always with them! WOLF His thoughts are the thoughts of Moreau! His voice is the voice of Moreau! His law is the law of Moreau! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, A FEW ROARS. WOLF Do not think those thoughts! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, MORE ROARS. WOLF Do not listen to that voice! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, MANY ROARS. WOLF Do not obey that law! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, ROARS! SCENE 11 LAW 3 SFX: DRUMBEAT, AND UNDER. SAYER OF THE LAW Not to go on all-fours; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? ORYX Not to suck up Drink; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SAYER OF THE LAW Not to eat Fish or Flesh; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? ORYX Not to claw Bark; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SAYER OF THE LAW Not to chase others; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SCENE 11 SFX: PRENDRYCK'S ROOM SFX: WHIRR OF TROPICAL CEILING FAN. SFX: THE SOFT SOUND OF PRENDRYCK BREATHING IN HIS SLEEP. PRENDRYCK Surgery... cutting... sawing... screaming... SFX: DOOR LOCK OPENS. SFX: DOOR OPENS. PRENDRYCK (ASLEEP) Human? Not? Human? Not? CAT "Prrrendrrryck"! Be the waking! PRENDRYCK Wha... what? CAT You must get up, you must be the going! PRENDRYCK Cat? What's going on? CAT The boat, the boat has been sighted. Here, the dressing while the talking. PRENDRYCK Boat? CAT The patrol boat. If you make it to the launch, if you make it to the water they will be picking you up. PRENDRYCK (SLEEPY) But isn't the island quarantined? CAT More lies from the Father! PRENDRYCK I don't think I can stand ... how can I signal a ship ... a boat? CAT There is emergency beacon in the launch. They will find you. Be standing up now. PRENDRYCK Can't I just... CAT Be standing up now! PRENDRYCK I don't ... SFX: SUDDEN, QUICK, FIERCE CAT SNARL. CAT Oh, God! PRENDRYCK What was that noise you made? CAT Nothing ... Please! PRENDRYCK It sounded like a big ... CAT Please! I ... I can't always be showing the feelings. I am the diffident. The independent. I come as I like, I go as I like, that is my nature, but that isn't meaning ... SFX: PLACATING CAT NOISE ... HALF MEOW, HALF PURR. PRENDRYCK Are you all right? CAT (CLENCHED TEETH) Please! We must! Be going! PRENDRYCK Right ... Take my hand ... Oh! Your skin feels so silky.... SCENE 12 SFX: MOREAU'S LABORATORY SFX: STABILIZING PROCESSOR ... A HARSH, RAPID GEIGER COUNTER CLICKING. MONKEY It will work! This time it will work! The other five times were nothing! This! This is the time it will work! MOREAU (WITH GREAT CONCENTRATION) Monkey, do not interrupt or distract me. MONKEY No, no, no! It will work! SFX: CLICKING INCREASES IN SPEED AND VOLUME. MOREAU (SAME CONCENTRATION) This is not an opportune time, Monkey. If this final process stabilizes the serum ... MONKEY It will stabilize! It will! The other five were failures, but this will stabilize! SFX: CLICKING INCREASES IN SPEED AND VOLUME. MOREAU (SAME) ...The final delicate procedure ... The final chemical transference... The final particulate stabilization... SFX: CLICKING INCREASES IN SPEED AND VOLUME. MOREAU (SAME) ... then the serum... will... be... SFX: SUDDEN LOUD CLACKING ... SLOWING TO A STOP. SFX: LOUD, HARSH BUZZ-ALARM. MOREAU Nothing. Another failure. SFX: DISTANT SOUND OF ANIMAL-FOLK CROWD WALLAH, UNDER. MONKEY It's only six. Six isn't bad. Six is just starting. MOREAU Why! Why won't it stabilize! I've examined the calculations, I've calibrated the equipment, I've scrutinized every element ... Why, why, why! MONKEY Seven? Seven times? MOREAU Seven. If I perfect this serum it will stabilize my subjects and prevent reversion ... without it instability, and chaos! MONKEY The sample? The sample is flawed? MOREAU All of the tests show clean. MONKEY The subject! The subject is flawed! MOREAU Prendryck is young and healthy. MONKEY A new subject? You? Take it from you? You would make me like you! MOREAU No, Monkey. My substance is old and weak. The serum from Prendryck is our only chance. We must ... SFX: SWINGING LAB DOORS SLAM OPEN DOG Father! Father! They're gone! MONKEY Gone-Gone-Gone! DOG They're all at the clearing, what do we do? MOREAU Easy, boy. There's nothing to fear. DOG But listen! Can't you hear them? SFX: DISTANT CROWD WALLAH, LOUDER, UNDER. MOREAU They're upset, that's all. They feel themselves reverting and it confuses and frightens them. As soon as the serum is ready we shall begin stabilizing them ... and all will be well. DOG You should go! The launch is ready! You should go. Safety is better. MONKEY No, Work! Work here! Finish the serum! DOG But Father's in danger ... MONKEY Make me like you! Make me like you promised! DOG But they might kill him! We have to help ... MONKEY Serum! Serum-serum-serum! MOREAU My Children, My Children, be calm. Science shows there is nothing to be gained from panic. When we are cool and precise the answer presents itself like the working out of an elegant mathematical problem. DOG But listen! They want blood! SFX: DISTANT CROWD WALLAH, LOUDER, MORE THREATENING, UNDER. MOREAU They are infants, lost in the jungle of their animal fear. We shall save them with the clear light of human reason. DOG (FEARFUL) Um... Wha ... what's that that smell? MONKEY Smell? Smell? DOG ...that reek! MOREAU There's nothing there. DOG ...getting stronger! MOREAU Dog, control yourself. DOG ... foul! ...choking! Hate? Pain? Blood! Death! No-o-no-no-no! SFX: SWINGING LAB DOORS SLAM OPEN MOREAU Dog, come back! ...Dog! SFX: SWINGING LAB DOORS FLAP CLOSED. MONKEY Father? MOREAU Fascinating. As he reverts, his highly developed sense of smell returns full force, with an explosion of sensation in his brain like fireworks. MONKEY Finish work. Finish work on the serum. MOREAU (EXHAUSTED) Yes, Monkey. We will try again. "Bring me my bow of burning gold Bring me my arrows of desire Bring me my spear, Oh, clouds unfold, Bring me my chariot of fire." SFX: CLICKING OF THE STABILIZING PROCESSOR STARTS UP. MONKEY (SOFTLY) Make me like you! Make me like you! Make me like you! LAW 4 SFX: DRUMBEAT, AND UNDER. SAYER OF THE LAW Not to go on all-fours; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? ORYX Not to suck up Drink; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SAYER OF THE LAW Not to eat Fish or Flesh; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? ORYX Not to claw Bark; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SAYER OF THE LAW Not to chase others; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SCENE 13 SFX: A SMALL JUNGLE GLADE SFX: DISTANT NOISE OF THE ANIMAL- FOLK CROWD WALLAH, UNDER LYNX Please, Cheetah, leave me alone. "For every one the want is bad!" CHEETAH The rabbit's dead, Lynx, dead. LYNX "Forevery one thewantisbad!" CHEETAH Eat it... taste it. You might as well. LYNX "F'every one thewantisbad!" CHEETAH It's done! I killed it! It's all on me! LYNX "F'very wantisba!" CHEETAH Prissy! Ungrateful! Coward! LYNX Shut up! CHEETAH Eat it! LYNX (ROARING) Shut up! Shut up! CHEETAH Eat it! Eat it! Eat it! LYNX Yes! Yes! Give it to me! Mine! Mine ... So good! So gud.. gurd... gurr... grrr... SFX: CHEETAH BIG CAT SCREAM OF DELIGHT. SFX: HORRIBLE LIQUID, RENDING, DEVOURING. LAW 5 SFX: DRUMBEAT, AND UNDER. SAYER OF THE LAW Not to go on all-fours; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? ORYX Not Drink! That Law! ALL Are we not Men? SAYER OF THE LAW Not to eat Fish or Flesh; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? ORYX Not claw! That Law! ALL Are we not Men? SAYER OF THE LAW Not to chase others; that is the Law. ALL Are we not Men? SCENE 14 SFX: A LARGE CLEARING IN THE JUNGLE. SFX: CROWD WALLAH, UNDER. SAYER OF THE LAW His is the House of Pain. WOLF But ours is the pain, Brothers and Sisters! And ours is the revenge! SAYER OF THE LAW His is the hand that makes. WOLF Nature made us ... and we were perfect before he defiled us with his human stain! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, LOUDER, UNDER. SAYER OF THE LAW His is the hand that wounds. WOLF Too long have we been wounded! Too often have we been hurt! Too much have we bled! SAYER OF THE LAW His is the hand that heals. WOLF It is not healing ... it is corruption! It is not comfort ... it is torture! It is not mercy ... show him none! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, STILL LOUDER, UNDER. SAYER OF THE LAW His is the lightning flash. WOLF He is not a God! He is a weak man. No claws, no fangs, no spines ... Helpless! SAYER OF THE LAW His is the deep, salt sea. WOLF Then let him drown in it! SAYER OF THE LAW His are the stars in the sky. WOLF May they be the last thing he sees as we send him to hell! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, FRANTIC EXPLOSION, UNDER. CROWD Death to Moreau! CROWD Kill the humans! CROWD Kill them all! WOLF Howl! Let him hear you're coming! Howl, Brothers and Sisters! Howl! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, EXPLOSION OF HOWLING, ROARING, STOMPING, TEARING, ANIMAL SCREAMS. SFX: CROWD WALLAH, RIOT MOVES OFF INTO THE DISTANCE. SAYER OF THE LAW (COMPASSIONATE) Oryx? Even you? Could you not watch with me one hour? ORYX (FRIGHTENED ANIMAL NOISES) SAYER OF THE LAW! Run away, my friend. Run away. SAYER OF THE LAW (SADLY) His are the stars in the sky. His are the fair winds that blow. His are the beauties of life. His is the mercy of God. Mercy of God. God. God... SFX: DRUMBEAT, AND UNDER. (No Law) SCENE 15 SFX: MOREAU'S LABORATORY SFX: STABILIZING PROCESSOR CLICKS RAPIDLY, UNDER. SFX: CROWD WALLAH, RIOTING IN THE DISTANCE,UNDER. MONKEY (NERVOUS) They come, Father. The low beasts break through the wall of the compound. MOREAU (CONCENTRATING ON THE STABILIZER) The final delicate procedure... The final chemical transference... The final particulate stabilization... SFX: STABILIZING PROCESSOR CLICKS INCREASE IN SPEED AND VOLUME, UNDER. SFX: CROWD WALLAH, RIOTING NEARER,UNDER. SFX: SPLINTERING CRASHING WOOD AND BAMBOO ... DISTANT. MONKEY They're nearer ... The gate! They brake through the gate! MOREAU The procedure... The transference... The stabilization... SFX: STABILIZING PROCESSOR CLICKS INCREASE TO TOP SPEED AND VOLUME, UNDER. SFX: CROWD WALLAH, RIOTING MUCH LOUDER,UNDER. SFX: HOWLING, ANIMAL SCREAMS, CRASHING, DISTANT, UNDER. CROWD Kill Moreau! CROWD Kill Humans! CROWD Kill! Kill! Kill! MONKEY They're just outside in the compound! There's blood! MOREAU Proceed! Transfer! Stabilize! SFX: SUDDEN LOUD CLACKING ... SLOWING TO A STOP. SFX: LOUD BUZZ-ALARM. MOREAU (SCREAM OF FRUSTRATION) No! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, RIOTING HUGE,UNDER. SFX: HOWLING, ANIMAL SCREAMS, CRASHING, SHATTERING GLASS, UNDER. CROWD Kill Moreau! CROWD Kill Humans! CROWD Kill! Kill! Kill! MONKEY No-no-no! Stay out ...Stay out! You are not Man! You are not Five-Man! You are low, dirty beasts! Stay out! Stay out! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, HOWLING, SNARLING, UNDER. MOREAU My Children ... You are all my Children! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, HOWLING, LOWERS, UNDER. MOREAU Why are you here? Do you want to see your Father? He wants to see you. He loves seeing you. You are beautiful. You are my Children. SFX: CROWD WALLAH, HOWLING SUBSIDES TO GROWLING, UNDER. MOREAU Why are you here, My Children? What do you want of your Father? CROWD Not Father ... you are Man! MOREAU We are all Men. "Are you not Men?" CROWD No law! MOREAU Yes, the Law! The Law is always with you! CROWD You hurt! You kill! You die! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, GROWLING RISES TO SNARLING. MOREAU No, My Children! I only acted out of love! There may have been a little pain, but that only came from love. SFX: CROWD WALLAH, SNARLING RISES TO HOWLING. MOREAU Listen to me! I nearly have the solution here. It will take away the pain, it will stabilize you forever! SFX: CROWD WALLAH, EXPLOSION OF HOWLING, CRASHING, SCREAMS, UNDER ... TO END. CROWD Kill Moreau! Kill Monkey! MONKEY No! Let me go! CROWD Tear Monkey apart! MONKEY No ...NO! CROWD Rip off his arms! MONKEY Father, help! CROW Break him! Break him! MONKEY Help, Father! HELP! SFX: MONKEY SCREAMS IN AGONY, DYING. CROWD Kill Humans! MOREAU No, My Children ... no ... SFX: WHIPCRACK! SFX: Gunshot!! CROWD Kill! Kill! Kill! MOREAU The goal is so near! We have touched the face of creation together! Together we shall see the light! Together we shall rise! SFX: POPPING, EXPLOSIONS. SFX: CRACKLING OF FLAMES, UNDER. CROWD Fire! The lab's on fire! CROWD The machines will explode! CROWD Flames up the walls! CROWD Killing smoke! Thick, poison! CROWD The roof's burning! Get out! CROWD It's going to collapse! ALL CROWDS Burn! Kill! Burn! Run! (A shout turning into a bellowed growl) Destruction! Terror(rrrr)! SFX: SHATTERING GLASS, SMASHING METAL. SFX: A GIGANTIC ROAR AND CRASH AS THE BURNING ROOF FALLS INTO THE LAB. SFX: DRUMBEAT, UNDER. (No Law) SCENE 16 SFX: A PATH THROUGH THE JUNGLE, LEADING TO THE SHORE. SFX: CHASE DRUMS, UNDER. SFX: RUNNING FEET, UNDER. SFX: JUNGLE FOLIAGE HIT ASIDE. CAT (CLENCHED TEETH) (RUNNING) Hurrry, Prrrendrrryck! PRENDRYCK (GASPING) (RUNNING) ... can't ... keep up ... SFX: CHASE DRUMS FASTER, LOUDER, UNDER. CAT (CLENCHED TEETH) (RUNNING) You must! They come! PRENDRYCK (GASPING) (RUNNING) Please ... can't we ... SFX: CHASE DRUMS FASTER, LOUDER, UNDER. CAT (CLENCHED TEETH) (RUNNING) Keep rrrunning! Not stumbling! PRENDRYCK (GASPING) (TRYING TO SLOW DOWN) It's too dark, ... can't see ... CAT (CLENCHED TEETH) It is brrright as day! PRENDRYCK If you have the eyes of a cat! CAT (SHARP CAT SNARL) What! ! No, no, no... Not yet... SFX: CHASE DRUMS FASTER, LOUDER, UNDER. PRENDRYCK (GASPING) Can't we just ... CAT Come! Beach! Boat! Starrrt motorrr! Escape! Frrreedom! SFX: CHASE DRUMS FASTER, LOUDER, UNDER. SFX: WAVES CRASHING ON THE BEACH, UNDER. PRENDRYCK (GASPING) we can ... There's the launch ... across that little strip of sand ... I'll start the motor and then we can. Cat, what are you doing? Don't hang back in the shadows ... You're shaking! CAT (SPEAKING WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY) Starrrt the motorrr! PRENDRYCK Right ... here ... SFX: LOW RUMBLE OF A MOTOR LAUNCH ENGINE, ON IDLE, UNDER. PRENDRYCK There, the motor's running ... all we have to do is cast off ... Now come aboard. Give me your hand ... CAT No ...! PRENDRYCK Don't hide them like that. Step onto the boat and we'll leave this cursed ... SFX: SNARL FROM WOLF CAT Wolf! Let go of me! WOLF Oh, no, my pretty little Siberian. PRENDRYCK Let her go! What are you doing? WOLF What's natural. She stays here. PRENDRYCK Don't treat a woman like that! WOLF Woman! Is that what you think she is? (TO CAT) Is that what you told him you are, you elegant little liar! CAT (GROWLING) Let me go! WOLF Show him what you are! Show him the thing he thinks he loves! CAT No! Prrrendrrryck, don't look! WOLF Show him the eyes, that see in the dark jade green, with pupils like slices of night! SFX: CAT STRUGGLING, GROWING BESTIAL, UNDER. WOLF Show him the skin, turning silkier and silkier till the fine hair becomes the beautiful fur of the exquisite beast! SFX: CAT STRUGGLING, MORE BESTIAL, UNDER. WOLF Show him the hands, hidden away, as the light fingers shrink to quick, silent paws, and the fingernails curve and sharpen to claws. SFX: CAT STRUGGLING, MORE BESTIAL, UNDER. WOLF Show him your real, true, natural self! CAT Damn you! Damn yourrrr ...(CAT SNARL) PRENDRYCK Oh, my God... It ... it can't be true. WOLF It is true. It always has been true. It always will be true. Nature is truth! SFX: FURIOUS BARKING FROM DOG. DOG Let her go! Drop her! WOLF Oh, no-no, little mut! DOG Then I'll make you! SFX: HEAVY THUMP AT DOG SLAMS INTO WOLF SFX: WOLF GASPS, DROPS CAT. CAT Yes! Freedom! Freedom! DOG Cat! Run! CAT Man! Go! Never come back! SFX: SNARL/SPIT FROM CAT. SFX: MOTOR BOAT ENGINE ROARING TO LIFE ... THEN FADING IN THE DISTANCE. WOLF (SNARLING) Dog! You fool! DOG (SNARLING) Can't help my nature! WOLF (SNARLING) I'll break you like a whelp! DOG (SNARLING) Do it ... if you can! SFX: WOLF SNARLS SFX: DOG SNARLS SFX: WOLF AND DOG FIGHT. SFX: SUDDEN GROAN FROM DOG. WOLF (LOW BREATHING) Do you feel that? That's your spine. The cord of your life, from nose to tail. Everything you are, everything you feel, flows through that fragile tube of bones ... so important and so delicate. With a single snap of my jaws... SFX: DOG WHIMPERS INVOLUNTARILY ... BUT STILL BRAVE. WOLF (LOW BREATHING) With a single grinding bite I'll shatter those bones, slice that cord, and your whole beautiful, passionate, misguided life will be over. Ended. Snuffed out. Leaving nothing but a mouthful of fur and a splash of lifeless blood on my fangs. And all it takes... is... this... SFX: TERRIBLE "CRUNCH!" AS WOLF BREAKS DOG'S SPINE. SFX: DOG CRIES OUT IN AGONY. SFX: WOLF LAUGHS CRUELLY. WOLF Yes! I am Master! Pack Leader! Nature, red in tooth and claw! Moreau, I come for you! Moreau ... Moreaooooo! SFX: WOLF HOWL. SFX: WOLF RUNNING THROUGH THE JUNGLE, HOWLING, FADING AWAY. SFX: FAST, PAINFUL, PANTING FROM DOG, UNDER. DOG (SLOWLY) I tried... tried... SFX: SOFT, DEEP, CURIOUS PURR. DOG (SLOWLY) Oh, Cat... Cat, you're back ... thank you... SFX: SOFT, DEEP, PURR. DOG (SLOWLY DYING) Must always help humans... Always help... humans... Help... humans... Help... Help... Help..? SFX: SHARP SHUDDER AS DOG DIES. SFX: SOFT, DEEP, QUESTIONING PURR, TRYING TO COMFORT. SFX: OCEAN WAVES, UP. SCENE 17 SFX: OCEAN WAVES SEGUE TO OPEN WATER. SFX: SEAGULLS CRYING. SFX: SHIP ENGINE APPROACHING, UNDER. SFX: WARNING BELL RINGS TWICE. SAILOR There's the boat! SFX: SHIP'S HORN BLOWS. CAPTAIN There's a man on deck. See if he's dead. SAILORS Yes, Captain! SFX: RATTLE OF A CHAIN LADDER UNROLLING. SFX: THUMP OF CHAIN LADDER HITTING THE LAUNCH. SAILOR (CALLING UP TO THE SHIP) He's alive! CAPTAIN (CALLING DOWN) Bring him aboard! SFX: SHIP'S HORN BLOWS. PRENDRYCK (EXHAUSTED, SLIGHTLY DELIRIOUS) The Island... the island... Moreau! Oh my god!... CAPTAIN Easy there, son PRENDRYCK You've got to help me! We've got to go back! What he's done to those people! Those things! It's horrible! ... horrible... CAPTAIN Easy there.. PRENDRYCK To torture them like that! He's a madman! It's inhuman! Turn around! We've got to go back! We've got to help them... after what he's done it's only right... Go back! CAPTAIN Go? Back? PRENDRYCK To help them! To stop him! To stop Dr. Moreau. CAPTAIN There is ... No Dr. Moreau. PRENDRYCK I was just there! Back there! On that Island! CAPTAIN There is ... No island. PRENDRYCK No, no, no, no! It's right there, on the horizon! They're burning up the compound ... you can see the red glow of the flames in the sky! CAPTAIN There is ... No fire. PRENDRYCK What are you talking about! It's right there! CAPTAIN Bring the syringe. PRENDRYCK No, I don't need anything, I'm fine, I ... no, keep that away from me! Don't ... Don't (PRENDRYCK IS SEDATED) Aaa ... please believe me! Please listen! I've got to go back! I couldn't live with myself if I didn't. I couldn't go back to my life, back to the city... SFX: OCEAN NOISES TRANSITION TO HARSH, MODERN CITYSCAPE. SFX: CAR HORNS, CONSTRUCTION, ENGINES REVVING, JACKHAMMERS, UNDER. PRENDRYCK Everybody I saw would look like they'd turn into one of them! It would be horrible. The faces... people on the street would change... the animals would surge out of their skins... No reason... no tenderness... bestial... cruel... SFX: PEOPLE SHOUTING, BLASTS OF MUSIC, BLASTS OF ADVERTISING, UNDER. PRENDRYCK Out in the streets, women mewing after me; furtive, men glancing; weary pale workers coughing like wounded deer; old people bent and murmuring; gibbering kids waiting for prey... SFX: CITY SOUNDS BECOME HALLUCINATORY AND BIZARRE, UNDER. PRENDRYCK People in subways! Dead, dull, shapes ... row after row of meat swinging in lockers... row after row... more, row after row... more row after row... Moreau... Moreau... POSTLUDE SFX: SLAM OF THE CASE FILES CLOSING. MOREAU Yes. A most curious case indeed. Sometimes things do not go as planned. Sometimes there are setbacks. Sometimes the Children become rowdy. But don't worry ... Science marches forward! MUSIC: TO END