Shadow Play

Written by Alex Ring

 9/12/2022                                                                       Alring20@student.scad.edu 770-880-6110

INT. play stage- day

A spotlight flashes over Percy, a foppish actor dressed in Shakespearian garb begins his soliloquy to an unseen audience and actress.

Percy

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with -

Percy is suddenly interrupted by a loud snort of a snore from the seats, which briefly makes the actor flinch before resuming his soliloquy.

Percy

That thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envi-

Percy is interrupted again, this time by a louder snore, and the noise doesn't end. Percy tries to ignore and belt his lines over the noise, but this naturally causes his acting to falter.

Percy

Her vestal livery is but sick and green, and none but FOOLS! do wear-

He finally breaks character.

Percy

Do you MIND!?!?

We cut to the other side of the theater to rows of empty seats, it is clear this is just a rehearsal. The only thing present is a strange, muscly lizard creature sitting in the front row. He was the one snoring, but he's just been startled awake and groggily replies to Percy.

Dinomight

HUH!? Wha-. Oh.

(yawn) Oh good, you finally finished?

Percy

No Dinomight I am NOT done! and I never WILL be if you keep interrupting my rehearsal!

Dinomight

Ah, come on Percy! you've been doing this prissy play junk for hours now! Wouldn'cha rather go outside? Meet new people? Brutally fight them in a test of strength and will to prove you are truly alive?!

Percy

Those are things only you want to do. I am a thespian, Dino! A born pacifist with a loving heart, and noble passion for the bard. Not some lizard brained barbarian like you!

Dinomight

Oh, is that right? then how come I'm your familiar?

we see a wide shot of both characters, and how Dinomight is an extension of Percy's shadow, stretched into the front row seat, connected by the feet.

Percy softly cringes as if regretting the reality, he lives in.

Percy

Well, that's clearly the fault of the Civilian Magic Department. A mistake I'm still waiting for them to fix. But in 9 to 10 business days, I'll be approved of my reconsultation, have them fix this mistake and summon from me a familiar more reflective of my character.

Percy's tone briefly shifts into a form of fan-boy-esk speculation.

Percy (cont)

I imagen something like a swan, maybe a fae sprite. Oh! or maybe a pair of wings like my acting coach got!

Dinomight becomes irritated upon hearing this.

Dinomight

Hey, hold a second. You really think you can replace me?

Percy

Can and will. And once I do, I'll finally have your abhorrent self out of my conditioned hair, and there's nothing you can do about i-

During this braggadocios rant, Dinomight has gotten up from his seat and approaches Percy, his large, imposing frame now towering over the actor, who's just realized the mistake he made.

Dinomight flashes a smug grin over his tiny master, before a mere flick of his finger sends him flying into the set backdrop. But he doesn't act superior for long before being flung backwards himself, the shadow tethering the two slinging Dinomight next to Percy on the wall.

Percy gets up.

Percy

Did you forget we share senses swamp breath?

Dinomight

Can it playboy!

Dinomight starts throwing punches at Percy, who barely is able to dodge out of the way of each, but he staggers backwards from every swing. Percy's delivery while speaking shifts whenever he dodges.

Percy

You are my familiar! You aren't supposed to attack me! This is just plain ridiculo-

One of the punches causes Percy to trip, he loses his temper.

Percy (cont)

Alright you asked for it!

From a crouching position, Percy springs into a lucky upper cut, but he feels the impact at the same time and is knocked backstage.

He finds some prop swords, takes one, and points it at Dinomight.

Percy

En Garde, caiman face!

Dinomight lets out a menacing growl, as the two foes stare each other down before launching into a full assault.

It devolves into a pattern of dodging hits, landing hits, and being hurt by the shared senses. Quickly, the two find their way up to the catwalk, where Percy seems to be in bad shape.

Dinomight goes for a clap! which Percy slips attempting to dodge, and he falls off the catwalk.

Dinomight is immediately concerned.

Dinomight

Ah NO!

He quickly grabs the tethering shadow to stop Percy's fall, but the momentum and direction of his fall swings him into the backdrop again. The shared impact pushes Dinomight backwards and over the edge, the two hanging across each other like a pair of rope scales.

But with Dinomight being much heavier the beguines sliding down while Percy is pulled up. The actor immaturely taunts his Familiar by blowing a raspberry and flapping his hands to look like dog ears.

Dinomight grabs Percy by the hair to pull them both to equal level. They struggle and snipe at each other in a very undignified manner.

Percy

Let go of me you wannabe fossil!

Dinomight starts ruffling and prodding Percy like a school yard bully shaking a mark down for lunch money.

Dinomight

Make me! We are master and familiar, aren't we? Just will me to let go.

Dinomight's continuous taunts and provocations fade into the background as the upside-down actor is shown becoming visually more and more furious, to the point he could explode at any moment.

Dinomight (cont)

Or are you not man enough to make me? maybe you don't have what it takes to be a familiar master. Maybe I should be the boss from now on. How do'ya like that huh?

Percy finally snaps.

Percy

ENOUGH!!!

Percy swings his sword to push away his familiar, then runs up its half of the shadow like a possessed monster. Percy uses that momentum to leap far over the catwalk the two first fell off of, cuts seven nearby sandbags suspended around him, and grabs the ropes in one fell motion to fling all at once at Dinomight.

All the bags hit him at once, accelerating him down rapidly until violently crashing through the stage floor. As the dust settles, Dinomight is pinned by the bags in a large crater. Percy landed next to his enemy but is able to pry himself up to stand on top of the felled foe. He brandishes the blade to Dinomight's neck with an animalist malice in his eye, the damage he received from the shared pain making him look more crooked and unhinged.

Percy

Any last words Dinomight? Maybe to beg for your life?!

Dinomight

(cough) Go ahead buddy. Cowards die many times before death, but the valiant only taste death but once.

Percy raises his to finally plunge it in but realizes something and stops himself.

Percy

Hey wait a sec. That's Julius Caesar! Act two scene two how do you know Caesar!?

Dinomight

Umm, I read it? Those scripts are all over your room and I was bored.

Percy lowers his sword.

Percy

But I thought you hated plays.

Dinomight

I hate mooshy romances an' crap, but I like Shakespeare's more actiony stories you know? Like Macbeth.

Percy throws away his sword.

Percy

Oh my gosh I LOVE Macbeth! It’s like my favorite story Ever! Especially the movie.

Dinomight

There's a movie?!

Percy

Oh, you've GOT to see it! I have it on Blue-ray, Here-

Percy frees Dinomight from the sandbags, and the two pull themselves out of the stage crater.

Percy (cont)

You’re going to LOVE how they filmed the battle scenes. It is PEAK Cinema!

Dinomight

No kidding? Wow, I guess the two of us are more similar than we thought!

Percy

I couldn't agree more! And I'm sorry for wanting to replace you Dinomight, that was a terrible thing for me to do.

Dinomight

Yeah, and I'm, you know, s-sorry for trying to crush your skull and stuff... ar-are we good?

Percy

We are good my friend.

The two once bitter enemies share a heartfelt stare at each other, before embracing for a hug.

Suddenly, a loud crush is heard off screen. The catwalk has fallen crooked into view, destroying the set backdrop. The curtains suddenly burst into flames for no apparent reason.

Percy and Dinomight gawk at the mess they made in shock and awe for a good few seconds. Dinomight breaks the silence in a tone suggesting he wants to leave the scene as soon as possible.

Dinomight

So how about that movie?

Percy acts the same way.

Percy

Good thinking!

The pair hurry out of the theater.

THE END