Hit The Bricks- Prologue: Lost
Description: 100 years after L. Frank Baum’s saga that began with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Gale Family Farm sits abandoned in what’s left of the great Kansas prairies. After her parents’ messy divorce, Jessi Hugson and her mother move to Dorothy’s old neighborhood for a new beginning. Things were already off to a shaky start, but when Jessi and her cousin Wallace find a jewel-studded bracelet in Dorothy’s front yard…things get twisted. Twister’d, even.
Now Jessi and Wallace find themselves in an Oz that’s a little worse-for-wear. Dorothy is missing, and when her beloved friends went in search of her…well, they went missing too. Anybody with the means to get Jessi and Wallace home are gone and an Unseen Evil is lurking in the shadows.
Jessi must join forces with a new generation of Ozites and save Oz in this new Radio-Play in the tradition of the Audio Dramas and Fairylogues that came before it.
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Transcript
Hit the Bricks Prologue Lost Transcript
HIT THE BRICKS EPISODE 0: LOST
Scene 1: The Crossroads
SOUND: MUSIC: RADIO CLICKING FOLLOWED BY STATIC AND
FREQUENCIES PULSING. AN OLD SONG COMES IN OVER THE RADIO.
THE WOODSHEEP, LOST
They say sleeping under stars is romantic/
but when the roof is a thousand miles away/
there’s a new definition to “the bright side”/
and stars are just old photographs that fade…
Old friends tell me that I’ve found my way/
I’m not cut out for getting caught/
I’m getting good at getting lost these days…
SOUND: THE RADIO FADES OUT WITH MORE DESPERATE CLICKING.
JESSI
I guess that’s the end of my entertainment. Shoulda’
known the pocket radio wouldn’t have a signal out here.
How long have I been walking, anyway? Feels like it’s
been forever… At least there’s a log to sit on.
SOUND: JESSICA’S FOOTSTEPS STOP, AND YOU CAN HEAR HER
PLACING HER WEIGHT ON THE LOG, AS IT CREEKS THERE’S ALSO A SQUEAK OF A PLUSH TOY. SHE
SCREAMS IN SURPRISE
JESSI
Aah! Wh-what? Why would someone hide a little pink
teddy bear in a log out in the middle of nowhere?
Maybe that means I’ll come across a house or something
soon… Hm. So…you’re a wind-up. I wonder if you play
music or something.
SOUND: JESSI WINDS UP THE BEAR. SHE STOPS AND YOU HEAR A
LIGHT TICKING NOISE, LIKE A TEENY TINY CLOCK.
JESSI
…that’s all? What a rip-off. Do you, like, do
anything else?
(THE MECHANICAL VOICE OF THE LITTLE PINK BEAR)
LITTLE PINK BEAR
Yes. I can walk. I can speak. I can ob-serve. And I can
an-swer most ques-tions.
JESSI
Huh. Like an old-fashioned version of those creepy
Storytime Bears. Nice. So, Little Pink Bear, why are we
here?
LITTLE PINK BEAR
Many phil-os-o-phers have pon-dered that same
ques-tion. De-Carte once said-
JESSI
No, no. I mean. What is this place? How did I get here?
How did you get here?
LITTLE PINK BEAR
When I wind-down in the real world, I re-treat to this
plane in or-der to ob-serve. To put it simply,
Jess-i-ca Hug-son, you are dream-ing.
Your dream is start-ing to resonate with the dreams of
others, and you are slow-ly wan-der-ing into a network
of dreams. Soon, your dreams will not be your own.
JESSI
If this is all happening in my head, then
how can I cross over into someone else’s dreams?
LITTLE PINK BEAR
Well. In 1890-
JESSI
Nevermind. It doesn’t really matter much if it’s just a
dream. You might as well tag along. I could use the
company.
LITTLE PINK BEAR
Ver-y well. I will join you in or-der to ob-serve.
JESSI
Weirdo.
SOUND: THEY CONTINUE WALKING AND JESSICA STOPS ABRUPTLY,
STAMMERING HER SPEECH IN AWE.
JESSI
Wh-what…what on earth? Two…four… six… There
must be over 20 forks in this crossroad.
LITTLE PINK BEAR
Well. Ac-tu-all-y. The a-mount of roads will change
each time you count them.
JESSI
I guess there’s no point in worrying about it, then.
These roads exist, so they have to lead somewhere…
even if this is just a dream. Pinkie. Which road will
get us to a person the fastest?
LITTLE PINK BEAR
The se-venth.
JESSI
…the seventh from where?
LITTLE PINK BEAR
The se-venth from where you be-gin to count.
JESSI
Okay… (whispering to her self) …five, six, seven. I
guess this is it.
Scene 2: The Meadow
JESSI
Well, at least this route is pretty. The path’s a bit
windy, though. I can’t see much over the next foothill.
How far away is the closest person?
LITTLE PINK BEAR
The Clo-sest per-son is 300 feet away.
JESSI
Which way? Over here?
LITTLE PINK BEAR
Re-cal-cu-lating.
SOUND: WE HEAR HER STEPS GET MORE ERRATIC
JESSI
Okay, how about now? Hot or cold?
LITTLE PINK BEAR
Make a u-turn at the next a-vail-able…
JESSI
It’s fine. I don’t you bear-splaining everything to me.
I’ll just find them myself.
…
JESSI
Hello!? Can anyone hear me?
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Hiya!
JESSI
Oh! It’s just a kid. Hi, my name is Jessi. Who are you?
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Button-Bright.
JESSI
That’s a cool name. Where did you come from?
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Don’t know.
JESSI
Mm. Are you lost?
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Don’t know.
JESSI
O-kay… Um. Have you ever been to sea?
BUTTON-BRIGHT
To see what?
JESSI
No. I mean, like. Are you from a shoreline? Have you
ever been on a ship?
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Don’t know.
JESSI
Then why are you in sailor clothes!
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Huh… Don’t know.
JESSI
Come on, you must know something!
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Oh… Must I?
JESSI
Of course!
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Oh! What must I know.
JESSI
Well…for starters, you gotta know your plan. You have
to know what you’re going to do next.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Ooooooh. Do YOU know what you’re going to do next?
JESSI
Um. Well, I guess not. Even if this is a dream… I
guess I can’t leave you out here. Let’s get you home.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
I’m okay, lady. I get lost all the time! But, as long
as I have my family’s magic umbrella, I can always find
my way back home.
JESSI
Okay. I see and where is this umbrella.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Don’t know… Oh. That’s a problem, huh?
JESSI
Heh. Don’t worry about it, Button Bright. I think I see
something that can help you. Is that your umbrella in
that tree?
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Oh! It looks like it! But I can’t reach!
JESSI
It’s okay. I’ll get it.
SOUND: JESSI MAKES A BIT OF A GRUNT AS THE BRANCHES OF THE
TREE CREAK AND THE LEAVES RUSTLE. AT LAST SHE GETS IT.
JESSI
Oh boy… Looks like it hit a snag on the twigs. It’s
broken, buddy.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Can you fix it?!
JESSI
Don’t kn- Erm. I mean, I’m not sure. The canopy got
ripped by a broken stretcher. Um. I need to patch this
part here, and then mend this part here. I don’t have
anything on me that can do it, but with some fabric and
wire, it shouldn’t be too hard.
LITTLE PINK BEAR
There is a litt-le store one mile down the road.
JESSI
Come on, Button-Bright. We’ll find a way to fix this.
SOUND: THEY EXIT THE SHRUBS AND CONTINUE TO THE ROAD.
JESSI
Hey, Little Pink Bear. If this is my dream, why can’t I
just magically fix everything by thinking it?
LITTLE PINK BEAR
We have wan-dered out of your dream space. The fur-ther
down this road we go, the less I know of our
sur-round-ings. Like a pow-er-ful magic is keep-ing me
in the dark.
JESSI
Cool. Sounds great.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
I like your bear.
JESSI
Thanks, but he doesn’t belong to anybody. He’s kinda
doing his own thing. … You know, Button-Bright, you
seem pretty unfazed by this whole being lost thing.
Your parents must be worried about you.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Oh. Must they?
JESSI
Of course. Parents are supposed to always worry about
their kids. Even when they’re safe.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Why?
JESSI
Comes with the job.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Do your parents worry about you?
JESSI
I’m…I’m sure they do. I mean. I know my mom does,
anyway. And I worry about her too.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Kids are supposed to worry about their parents, too?!
JESSI
I think it’s just something that happens when you get
older. How old are you, anyway?
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Don’t know. At least a hundred!
SOUND: JESSICA GIGGLES AT THIS.
LITTLE PINK BEAR
He is not kidd-ing. Nor is he in-cor-rect.
JESSI
Whatever. You look good for your age, kid. Let’s get
you home.
Scene 3: The Shop
SOUND: A HEAVY WOODEN DOOR OPENS AS OUR GROUP ENTERS THE
SHOP, SETTING OFF A LITTLE BELL.
(THE WISE DONKEY, AND HIS PARTNER THE FOOLISH OWL,
BOTH CALL OUT ACROSS THE SHOP)
WISE DONKEY
Come in, come in!
FOOLISH OWL
Hoo-hoo. How do you do?
JESSI
Um. Hi.
WISE DONKEY
What’s the matter? You look a bit confused, my dear.
JESSI
Well… I honestly shouldn’t be, with the day I’ve had.
But, for whatever reason, when I read the shop sign
outside I thought “The Wise Donkey and the Foolish Owl”
was…just a name. I didn’t expect to be talking to a
donkey and an owl. But yeah, okay. Sure. This is
happening.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Look! The Donkey-man’s got glasses and the blue owl’s
got a sun bonnet!
JESSI
I’ve never seen a blue owl before.
FOOLISH OWL
And I’ve never seen a girl with hair so blue. Tell me,
my dear, how can we help you?
JESSI
Um. We’re actually hoping to fix my friend’s umbrella.
FOOLISH OWL
No need to explain. Outside definitely looks like it’s
about to rain.
LITTLE PINK BEAR
Well. Ac-tu-ally. The sun has been out all after-noon.
Air pressure suggests that –
JESSI
He doesn’t need it for the weather, he needs it in
order to get home. If you guys have the right parts in
stock, I can fix it in a jiffy. I think I might have
some money in my jacket…somewhere.
WISE DONKEY
Oh, sweetheart, no. That’s not *that* kind of shop. We
sell advice here.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Is it free?
WISE DONKEY
My dear boy, of course! Advice doesn’t cost anything —
unless you follow it. Permit me to say, judging you
merely by appearances, I think you’re better suited to
talk to the Foolish Owl yonder.
FOOLISH OWL
The boy in the sailor suit doesn’t look lost, he knows
exactly where he is and doesn’t care the cost.
JESSI
But he doesn’t know where he is!
BUTTON-BRIGHT
Sure I do. I’m at the shop!
JESSI
Mr. Donkey, the sign says you’re wise. Well, I wish
you’d prove it.
WISE DONKEY
Put me to the test, my little blue bird.
JESSI
How can I fix this umbrella?
WISE DONKEY
Why, by patching it and fixing that joint, of course. I
happen to have what you need in my desk
JESSI
But you just said you weren’t that kind of shop!
LITTLE PINK BEAR
Yes. But the Wise Don-Key never said he did not *have*
the parts.
JESSI
Can you give me the parts, please?
WISE DONKEY
Sure! Of course I will.
SOUND: THE WISE DONKEY RUMMAGES THROUGH HIS DESK.
WISE DONKEY
Now, this piece of canvas oughta patch up that little
hole. I got a screw right here that can go back in the
joint, but you’re gonna need a bonding agent.
JESSI
Already ahead of you.
SOUND: SHE UNWRAPS SOMETHING
WISE DONKEY
What is that?
FOOLISH OWL
Clearly it’s cement that is edible. If I may say so,
the smell is incredible.
JESSI
(IN MID-CHEW)
It’s bubble gum
SOUND: THERE’S A SMALL POP AS SHE TAKES IT OUT AND MENDS THE
UMBRELLA.
JESSI
Alright, Button-Bright. Now you can get back home.
BUTTON-BRIGHT
That’s okay. I don’t need it anymore, blue lady.
JESSI
Wh-what do you mean?
BUTTON-BRIGHT
I realized that this is a dream! It won’t matter what
happened here when it’s over.
FOOLISH OWL
Hooo!
WISE DONKEY
Turns out you’re much wiser than I was expecting. I am
so sorry, my dear boy. I wish I’d seen it sooner.
JESSI
Yeah, well, *I* wish I was somewhere with more helpful
people.
SOUND: THERE’S A WOOSHING POP NOISE THAT CAN ONLY BE
DESCRIBED AS THE QUICK OPENING OF AN UMBRELLA. THERE’S A
RUSTLE OF WIND AS JESSICA IS THROWN INTO THE AIR BY IT
JESSI
Aaaah! What’s happening?
LITTLE PINK BEAR
I be-lieve the um-brell-a is taking you some-where with
help-ful people.
JESSI
How do I make it stop!
BUTTON-BRIGHT
You can’t until it takes you there! Goodbye, blue lady!
WISE DONKEY
Don’t let go now, at that height you’re gonna hurt
yourself! Mind your head on the way out!
JESSI
Wait! Help me!
FOOLISH OWL
I already did, though. I opened the window!
JESSI Aaah!
SOUND: SHE SCREAMS AGAIN AS SHE’S BLOW OUT AND INTO THE SKY.
Scene 4: The Farm
SOUND: WIND IS RUSHING PAST AGAIN, THERE’S A LIGHT CREAKING
FROM THE UMBRELLA.
MUSIC: ANDREW PRESTON, WINTER IN THE TIRE STACKS
JESSI
No, no no. Don’t descend so quickly! Wait!
SOUND: THE UMBRELLA RUSHES AGAIN, AND JESSICA HITS THE
GROUND WITH A GRAVELY PLOP.
JESSICA
…ouch.
SOUND: THE UMBRELLA POPS AND FLUTTERS AWAY.
JESSI
No! Wait! Okay… Jessica, you’ve got this. It’s
just…suddenly dark and foggy. Just corn everywhere.
SOUND: FOOTSEPS ON THE DIRT PATH AS SHE WALKS FORWARD.
JESSI
(A HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF)
A light? Oh! It’s a little farm house. It’s so cute.
Please, please have someone normal inside.
SOUND: JESSI FEELS IN THE DARK AND REACHES THE GATE, YOU CAN
HEAR HER FEET ON THE WOODEN PORCH. SHE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.
JESSI
Hello? Um. Is anyone home?
SOUND: THE DOOR OPENS.
(THE NAMELESS PERSON OPENS THE DOOR. MID TEEN,
LIKE JESSI. VOICE IS SOFT AND ROUND.)
THE NAMELESS PERSON
My goodness! Where did you come from?
JESSI
I-I don’t really know. California, I guess?
THE NAMELESS PERSON
I know you must be tired by now. Come in, I’ll get you
a cup of water.
JESSI
Thank you. You seem…very familiar. What’s your name?
THE NAMELESS PERSON
Oh dear. Well, it’s a little awkward. I can’t remember.
I can’t remember anything, really.
JESSI
That’s awful… I’m sorry.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
Oh, it’s alright. I’m so glad to see you. I can’t
remember ever having company before. What’s your name?
JESSI
Jessica. But, everyone calls me Jessi.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
It’s nice to meet you, Jessi. What brings you out here?
JESSI
I don’t know. I don’t know why I’m here, or where I am.
I was dreaming…but now I don’t know if I am, anymore.
At least… it doesn’t feel like my dream now.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
I wish I could help. I don’t know where we are… but I
dream about this place every single night. It’s the
only time I feel at home. It must be important to me.
JESSI
So, I’m in *your* dream now. Where are you when you
wake up from this dream?
THE NAMELESS PERSON
Everything is dark and gray and cold. I try to stay
asleep for as long as possible – but when I’m
awake…it’s just nothing. In some ways, this feels
more like I’m awake but I know I’m not. It’s hard to
explain.
JESSI
Wait. I know who you are. Wallace. You’re him. You’re
my cousin Wallace.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
Wallace? Him? …no. No that can’t be right. I don’t
feel like a boy. I don’t feel like I’ve ever been a
Wallace, either.
JESSI
Well… you look just like my cousin. I mean, I haven’t
seen him since I was little. But I have been thinking
about him lately. Maybe my dreams are starting to mash
up with yours.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
I guess anything’s possible! I don’t really remember
what I look like. When I’m awake I don’t have a body at
all. So, even as your cousin, I suppose this is a
marked improvement. But…why were you thinking about
him if you haven’t seen him in years?
JESSI
Well. It’s not just him, I guess. It’s kind of
complicated. Um. So, how long has this been happening
to you?
THE NAMELESS PERSON
It’s hard to say. I can’t trace time like this,
but…it’s been a while. I don’t understand why I’m
here, or why you’re the only person I’ve talked to.
Sleeping or awake. Every once in a while, things will
come back to me. Nothing solid, you see,
but…sometimes it’s as close as the ripples in a
stream.
JESSI
You can’t give up hope.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
Well… what about you. You’re lost too. Why? What made
you come here today? You’re holding something back.
JESSI
(SHE’S SHEEPISH)
You’re right. Your farm made me think of it. It looks
like what I’d picture Kansas to look like. It’s very
charming in here.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
Thank you! Maybe next time we meet, I can see your
house. Wait… Kansas. That sounds familiar.
JESSI
It’s where my mom is from. It’s where my cousin lives
with the rest of my mom’s family. We’re moving there
tomorrow and leaving my home behind. And my dad.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
Oh. Oh, Jessi. I’m so sorry. How do you feel?
JESSI
(HER VOICE BREAKS)
I don’t know. I thought I was doing okay. But…there’s
so much to worry about. My mom keeps pretending that
she can handle it, too. But she’s about to have a baby.
Alone. No one can be that brave all the time. I
certainly can’t.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid,
and that kind of courage you have in plenty. Your momma
is incredibly lucky to have a daughter who cares so
much.
JESSI
(SHE SNIFFS)
Thanks. You know, I know you’re not my cousin. I feel
like…I’ve known you a long time. But I don’t see
how. I just…I wish I could help you out. I’m gonna
be okay, but you sound like you’re in real trouble.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
I’m alright, for now. When you wake up, you’ll have
forgotten all about this. But… when you go to
Kansas… can you do something for me? If it’s
possible.
JESSI
Of course.
THE NAMELESS PERSON
Look for a farm like this one. Please try to remember
me, even if I can’t remember myself. If my home is
really in Kansas, then someone there must know about
me. Someone out there has to care about me and wonder
where I am. Somewhere…
SOUND: THE NAMELESS PERSON GASPS
JESSI
What is it?!
THE NAMELESS PERSON
My name…I remember my name. It’s –
SOUND: THE ALARM GOES BLARING, MUSIC IS PLAYING IN A MUFFLED
STATE. ENDING THE DREAM. JESSICA HITS THE SNOOZE BUTTON.
Scene 5: Jessi’s Room
JESSI
(SLUGGISHLY)
Ugh. Moving day. Man. What a weird dream… I wish I
could remember it. Maybe after five more minutes.
SOUND: THERE’S A PAUSE THEN THE ALARM START BLARING AGAIN
JESSI
(DISGRUNTLED CRY)
Ugh! Wh-h-hyyyyy…
MUSIC: THE WOODSHEEP, LOST
Good at getting lost these days/ Good
at getting lost these days…
End of Episode
PJ: Thanks for listening to Episode 0 of Hit the Bricks: Lost.
Our Pilot Presentation starred:
Michelle Agresti as Jessi
Michael J. Andersen as Little Pink Bear
Andy Rumschlag as Button Bright
Dana Luery Shaw as The Foolish Owl
Tom R. Pike as the Wise Donkey
And me, PJ Scott-Blankenship, as the Nameless Person
The instrumental opening was composed by Jeff Ball and the rest of the music was provided to us by Andrew Preston and his band, the Woodsheep.
This Pilot Presentation was recorded in 2018 at Anarchy Post. It was engineered and edited by Andy Rumschlag. You can find out more information at hithebricks.com. See you then!
