Read the production script for Episode 1 of The Chronicles of Oz: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This script may differ slightly from the final released audio.
Episode One
EXT. KANSAS – DAY
DOROTHY, late teens, sets the scene with the first of what will be many, many voice overs…
DOROTHY (V.O.)
Sometimes your whole world can change in the space of a minute. A second. A moment. Just when you think you’ve got the hang of it, just when you think you’ve worked out how everything is supposed to work, something happens. You meet someone. You make an enemy. You find something new. And suddenly you realise everything you thought was right is wrong. Everything you thought you knew blown away on a gust of wind. And nothing would ever be the same again.
That’s how it was with me. The first time I found myself in Oz.
Fade up on a farmyard. A wind blows in the distance – quiet but ominous.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
I’m Dorothy, by the way. Dorothy Louise Gale, your standard-issue farm girl from Butterfield, Kansas. Back then, it was my entire world. Kansas, I mean. Every day I’d get up, collect the eggs, help Aunt Em with breakfast, go to school, come home straight after, help Uncle Henry with the horses, milk the cows, and then back in for dinner and bed. And then we did it all again. That was it, that was my life. Won’t pretend it wasn’t hard, cause it was. Other kids might be off playing, or chatting, or doing whatever. But my family needed me. I’m all they had.
Toto barks, trying to get attention.
AUNT EM
(from afar, not voice over)
Dorothy! Dorothy, will you get in here now please!
DOROTHY (V.O.)
(continuing regardless)
See what I mean?
AUNT EM
(from afar)
Dorothy, get that wretched mutt out of my vegetables or there’ll be hell to pay!
Toto barks again – he’s having too much fun.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
(laughing)
And Toto, yes, can’t forget Toto. My only friend in Butterfield. The only thing stopping me going as grey as the rest of Kansas, so they tell me. He’s a bit cheeky, sure, but he’s brave, he’s a good heart, and he’s smarter than you’d – (think)
AUNT EM
(from afar)
Dorothy, now!
DOROTHY
(breaking out of the voice over)
Oh all right, Aunt Em, I’m coming! Toto, stop that! Stop it!
Toto keeps barking happily as Dorothy chases after him.
INT. FARM HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Dorothy comes into the house where Aunt Em is washing dishes.
AUNT EM
Dorothy, if you can’t keep that dog from digging up my cabbages, I’m putting him in the stew, you hear me?
DOROTHY
He’s just bored that’s all.
AUNT EM
He won’t be bored on the stove. Get over here and dry these dishes please.
DOROTHY
Sure.
She joins her at the sink, cleaning dishes.
AUNT EM
That Hugson boy called earlier.
DOROTHY
Who?
AUNT EM
Don’t pretend you don’t know him. Whatsisname. Sam. Simon.
DOROTHY
(correcting her)
Zeb.
AUNT EM
Knew you know him. He was asking about you.
DOROTHY
No he wasn’t.
AUNT EM
If you say so.
DOROTHY
He’s coming over to talk about the farm with Uncle Henry. Probably. Last time he came by –
AUNT EM
Day before yesterday.
DOROTHY
– day before yesterday, he was saying something about trading a horse.
AUNT EM
Same excuse he gave the time before, and the time before that. Let’s face facts, Dorothy – he’s not coming over here to trade horses.
DOROTHY
What else would he want?
AUNT EM
I’d hate to imagine, Dorothy, you’ll make me blush.
DOROTHY
What? Aunt Em, you’re insane.
AUNT EM
It wouldn’t hurt you to be nicer to him, you know.
DOROTHY
Insane. Nutso. Batshit crazy.
AUNT EM
You should have more friends. Friends your own age and human. Toto can only get you so far.
DOROTHY
I’m nearly done with the dishes, Em.
AUNT EM
I’m glad you’re helping us out so much help around here, but you need to have your own life too –
A car pulls up outside. Dorothy seizes on the distraction.
DOROTHY
Hear that? Sounds like Uncle Henry’s back.
AUNT EM
That ain’t good.
DOROTHY
Why?
AUNT EM
Takes longer than that if you’re getting a bank loan.
The door opens and Uncle Henry storms in. He slams the door.
UNCLE HENRY
Bankers!
AUNT EM
Don’t use that sort of language in my house, Mister Gale.
UNCLE HENRY
I said ‘bankers’, Em.
AUNT EM
I know what you said.
DOROTHY
It didn’t go well?
UNCLE HENRY
Refinance not possible. Global Financial Crisis, high interest rates, blah, blah, blah, loads of mumbo jumbo just to piss me off I’m sure.
DOROTHY
So they’re not going to help us?
UNCLE HENRY
They gave us another three months, and I had to practically beg them for that. If we can’t dig up the cash for them by then…
DOROTHY
Hello auctioneers! Please come along and sell our home and our livelihood to people who can actually afford it.
AUNT EM
(scolding)
Dorothy.
(to Henry)
Henry, you sit yourself down and I’ll make some tea.
UNCLE HENRY
Thanks, Em.
AUNT EM
We’ll get through this, we always do.
UNCLE HENRY
Can’t quite see how. Not unless some miracle makes it rain and breaks this drought.
DOROTHY
Maybe we’ll get one?
UNCLE HENRY
What?
DOROTHY
A miracle. I can see clouds coming in out there. Maybe we’ll get some rain?
Henry gets up and moves to the window.
UNCLE HENRY
Uh-oh.
DOROTHY
They sure came in quick. Couldn’t see a cloud in the sky out there five minutes ago. What’s wrong, Uncle Henry?
UNCLE HENRY
(worried)
Those aren’t rain clouds, Dorothy.
DOROTHY
They’re not?
UNCLE HENRY
Grab the valuables and get in the cellar. I’m going to see if I can set the horses loose before it’s too late.
AUNT EM
Henry, what is it?
UNCLE HENRY
It’s a twister. Heading our way. And fast!
AUNT EM
Goodness!
DOROTHY
A twister? It can’t be, we don’t get twisters here.
UNCLE HENRY
I won’t be long. Get into the storm cellar! I’ll use the outside door.
AUNT EM
Henry, for God’s sake, be careful!
He slams the door behind him. The wind outside builds in intensity.
AUNT EM
(stressed)
Come on Dorothy.
DOROTHY
I don’t understand, it’s just a storm –
AUNT EM
It’s a twister, Dorothy – a tornado! I’ve seen them rip through houses like paper. We need to get into the cellar now!
She opens the trapdoor.
DOROTHY
But –
AUNT EM
For once, Dorothy, don’t argue with me.
Toto barks and scurries across the floor.
DOROTHY
Oh for God’s sake, Toto, get out from under there.
AUNT EM
Dorothy, leave him!
DOROTHY
I can’t leave him, Aunt Em! He’s just scared. I’ll try and drag him out from under the bed…
AUNT EM
Dorothy!
DOROTHY
Toto! Here boy! Come on, don’t make me chase you in this weather, Toto!
AUNT EM
Dorothy! Dorothy!!!!
DOROTHY
Come on, Toto, here boy, here boy…
She keeps trying to coax him out.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
Perhaps I should have left him there. Perhaps I should have joined Aunt Em in the storm cellar, or been out with Uncle Henry freeing the horses. Or perhaps Toto, somehow, knew what was going to happen and was keeping me there in the house. Sometimes your whole world can change in the space of a minute. A second. A moment. And that moment – in that house, with a twister bearing down on me – making the choice to save Toto rather than save myself, was mine.
Dorothy drags Toto out from the bed.
DOROTHY
Gotcha!
DOROTHY (V.O.)
Because then a strange thing happened.
The house cracks, the foundations ripping asunder as the tornado reaches its climax.
DOROTHY
(shriek)
Ahh! What’s happening? Aunt Em, what’s happening!!!
AUNT EM
Dorothy!!! Dorothy!!!!!!!!
DOROTHY
Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Dorothy continues to scream as Aunt Em’s cries fade off into the distance.
OPENING CREDITS
INT. FARM HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
The sound of the tornado overpowers everything, shrieking and howling all around while the house spins and crashes and breakable things fall over.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
You can’t know what it was like to be in that house, in that twister, carried off to heaven knows where. You might imagine it was quite a sedate journey, watching out a window while various bits of debris floated past – boats, random chickens, cows or whatever. The truth was, I didn’t see much at all. Nothing in a tornado, house or otherwise, stays upright for long, so Toto and I spent most of the trip sitting on the ceiling trying to not get killed by falling cutlery. It was nothing short of a miracle that the house stayed together as long as it did, protecting us from the destructive forces outside. Well, I say ‘stayed together’, there were bits of the house breaking off all the time. And with the twister tumbling us around like dice in a cup, I was always on the edge of falling out into the swirling nothingness.
After a while – and I don’t know how long, it felt like forever – the house began to fall again. My heart was in my stomach and I was crammed up against the ceiling, screaming all the way as what was left of our old farmhouse plummeted from the sky!
Dorothy screams as the house falls.
EXT. MUNCHKIN CITY – CONTINUOUS
The house hits the ground hard and loudly, various bits of debris falling nearby. Soon the chaos subsides into silence.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
How we weren’t killed on impact I have no idea.
Dorothy opens the door and takes a cautious few steps out of the house.
DOROTHY
(shaken)
I think we’re safe… Toto? Toto, are you ok?
Toto whimpers
DOROTHY
Oh you poor thing, but don’t worry, it’s all over now. But … God, where are we? I’ve never seen… is this a town square? Toto, we’ve crashed onto a town! I have a feeling we’re not in –
BOQ
(scared and shocked)
Who are you?
Dorothy spins around to see BOQ – adult, high-tenor but not helium – staring at her incredulously.
DOROTHY
What?
BOQ
What are you?
DOROTHY
I … I’m Dorothy. This is Toto. Could you tell me, please, where am I?
BOQ
You’ve … Mother of Lurline, what have you done?
DOROTHY
What have I done? What do you mean, what have I done, I’ve just fallen … I mean a twister… oh my head hurts.
BOQ
You can’t stay here. They aren’t going to like this.
DOROTHY
They? I don’t get it –
A crowd begins to form – a normal sounding crowd, not comedy helium-characters – all concerned and curious as to what’s happened.
MUNCHKINS
(various)
‘Is she a witch?’
‘She dropped a house on her!’
‘I saw it with my own eyes, she killed the Witch of the East’
DOROTHY
(feeling the panic)
No, wait, I didn’t kill anyone.
BOQ
Leave her alone, she’s not well.
MUNCHKIN #1
Look what she’s done though! She’s dead!
DOROTHY
(increasingly vague)
I don’t understand….
MUNCHKIN #1
You did! You killed her! The witch is dead and you killed her!
DOROTHY
What?
(She gasps at seeing the witch’s body)
DOROTHY (V.O.)
And that’s when I saw them. Sticking out of the debris of what was left of our old farm house were two feet, with two glistening silver shoes on them, attached to two legs that stretched back into an icky mess that I didn’t want to look at too closely. I felt sick.
DOROTHY
Oh my God…
MUNCHKIN #1
You did it! You actually did it. So many have tried and failed and yet you … She’s dead! You’ve killed the Wicked Witch of the East!
DOROTHY
No, wait, I didn’t mean to kill anyone I just … Oh my God, I’m so sorry!
MUNCHKIN #1
Don’t be sorry! This is fantastic! At last the Wicked Witch is – ugh…
(dies)
Arrows zip through the air taking down Munchkins. Panic!
DOROTHY
What was that?
BOQ
Quick, run! Run!
MUNCHKIN SOLDIER
(from afar)
Kill them all! Avenge our Queen! I want no rebel to leave this square alive!
The arrows keep flying. Chaos abounds.
BOQ
Quickly, with me.
DOROTHY
Come on Toto!
The Witch’s forces march on the square. Swords clash as battle commences.
MUNCHKIN SOLDIER
Find the one who did this! Find the murderer of the Witch of the East!
EXT. ALLEYWAY
Dorothy and Boq rush down an alleyway, the sounds of battle behind them.
DOROTHY
It’s a dead end!
BOQ
Back the way we came!
DOROTHY
We can’t go that way, they’ve got swords!
BOQ
We’re trapped!
DOROTHY
Why are they chasing us? What’s going on?
BOQ
What do you think? You’ve dropped a house on our ruler and now there’s anarchy. Can’t you do something?
DOROTHY
Like what?
BOQ
You’re a witch aren’t you?
DOROTHY
Excuse me?
BOQ
Sorceress then, whatever. You have to have some kind of magic power! How else could you have killed her?
DOROTHY
Don’t be stupid, there’s no such thing as magic.
BOQ
You’re kidding right?
MUNCHKIN SOLDIER
There you are!
BOQ
Crap.
MUNCHKIN SOLDIER
It’s you! You’re the one who dropped that house on our beloved queen. You’ll pay for what you’ve done…
DOROTHY
No, please, don’t, I didn’t mean to –
LOCASTA
(echoey, magical disembodied voice)
Leave her alone! The Good Witch of the North commands you!
With a magical whoosh, Locasta appears. She’s a kindly old woman, the sort everyone wishes was their grandma.
DOROTHY
What the hell?
LOCASTA
You do not want to mess with me, young man, do I make myself clear?
MUNCHKIN SOLDIER
I – I –
LOCASTA
(with an edge of menace)
Run away. Now.
MUNCHKIN SOLDIER
Ahhhhhh!!!!!!
(he runs away screaming)
LOCASTA
(giggling)
Well, that showed him. Are you all right?
BOQ
Thank you. That was close.
LOCASTA
Indeed it was. And you, my dear?
DOROTHY
I’m … I think I’m going mad. How did you do that?
LOCASTA
Just a simple transportation spell with a few bangs and flashes thrown in for good measure. Nothing special to you, I’m sure.
DOROTHY
Transportation spell? Spell?
LOCASTA
You seem surprised?
BOQ
She says she’s not a witch.
DOROTHY
Because I’m not a witch!
LOCASTA
Oh? Well… that’s unexpected… We assumed that you… Then how were you able to drop the house onto the Wicked Witch?
DOROTHY
I am not answering any more questions until someone answers some of mine. Who are you? What are you? How did you just appear like that?
LOCASTA
Forgive me, my dear. My name is Locasta, I am the Good Witch of the North.
DOROTHY
Witches aren’t real!
LOCASTA
They are in Oz.
DOROTHY
Oz? What’s Oz?
BOQ
This is Oz.
DOROTHY
Huh?
LOCASTA
You really don’t know, do you?
DOROTHY
I really don’t, and I’m getting fed up with nobody telling me!
LOCASTA
You’re in the land of Oz, my dear. This is the Munchkin City.
DOROTHY
I’ve never heard of it.
LOCASTA
Well I can’t help that. Where are you from?
DOROTHY
Butterfield. Butterfield, Kansas.
LOCASTA
I’ve not heard of that either. That makes us even.
An explosion echoes in the distance.
DOROTHY
What was that?
BOQ
Sounded like the Witch’s prison being burst open. The Resistance is taking control.
LOCASTA
I wouldn’t call that control. This isn’t going to plan. I was hoping a revolution could have happened with far less bloodshed. Your assassination was poorly timed, I’m afraid.
DOROTHY
I didn’t assassinate anybody! It was an accident!
BOQ
Yeah, sure. People have spent decades trying to take her out, and then you do it by mistake?
DOROTHY
It’s the truth! I was just in the house. I couldn’t control where it landed!
LOCASTA
In any case, it’s done. The Witch of the East is dead, at last.
DOROTHY
I am so sorry-
LOCASTA
Stop apologising, it’s been a long time coming. She’s been terrible to the Munchkin people.
BOQ
We were just her slaves, her … play-things. Her death is a good thing.
More explosions.
DOROTHY
I think the people with the explosions have other ideas.
BOQ
What did you expect, singing and dancing? You’ve started a revolution!
DOROTHY
Yay for me.
LOCASTA
Which means it’s not safe for you to stay here. Even the Witch had her followers, and until we can bring order back to Munchkinland they will want to seek you out and destroy you for what you’ve done to them.
DOROTHY
Oh. Great.
LOCASTA
We need to get you out of Munchkinland. As soon as possible.
DOROTHY
Good, because I really don’t want to stay. No offence, but I just want to get Toto and me out of this place and back to Uncle Henry and Aunt Em.
LOCASTA
Aunt Em?
DOROTHY
My family, in Kansas. They’ll be worried about me.
LOCASTA
I see. This could prove a problem.
DOROTHY
Why? I just want to go home.
LOCASTA
But we don’t know where your home is. It’s not within the boundaries of Oz, as far as I know. It must lie beyond the Deadly Desert and my knowledge is very limited there. I don’t think I can help you.
DOROTHY
Oh no.
LOCASTA
But I may know someone who can. Follow me.
DOROTHY
Where are we going?
LOCASTA
Back to your house. There’s something I have to give you, then I’m sending you on a journey…
EXT. MUNCHKIN CITY
The sound of battle continues in the distance. Dorothy, Boq and Locasta creep along.
BOQ
Wait here. I’ll check out the square, make sure it’s all safe.
He scurries ahead.
LOCASTA
(to Dorothy)
There are many kingdoms within the land of Oz, but there are five major realms. We are in Munchkinland, in the east, ruled until very recently by the Wicked Witch of the East. In the west is the land of the Winkies, ruled by the Wicked Witch of the West.
DOROTHY
Wicked witches, revolutionaries … have I mentioned how appealing this place of yours seems to be? I mean, really.
LOCASTA
In the south is Quadling Country, ruled by Glinda, the Good Witch of the –
DOROTHY
South? I’m picking up on a theme here.
LOCASTA
And I look after the people of Gillikin in the north. Two magical forces for good balancing two forces for evil.
DOROTHY
Until I got here and screwed it all up. Go me.
LOCASTA
The centre of Oz is the fifth realm – the Emerald City. That’s where you need to go if you have any hope of returning home.
DOROTHY
Why? What’s there?
LOCASTA
The Great Oz himself – the Wonderful Wizard.
DOROTHY
Which is he – good or wicked?
LOCASTA
(hesitant)
Let’s just say he’s mysterious, shall we?
DOROTHY
And you’re sending me to him?
LOCASTA
If anyone in Oz knows how to get you back to your home, he will.
DOROTHY
Can’t you just magic me home? Snap your fingers or something?
LOCASTA
I’m afraid haven’t that kind of power.
DOROTHY
And this Wizard does?
LOCASTA
For your sake, I hope so.
BOQ
(running up to them, out of breath)
It’s clear. The fighting’s moved on, but we have to be quick, they could be back any second.
LOCASTA
Then quick we shall be.
They move on.
DOROTHY
Wait, so how do I get to this Emerald City? Walk?
Another distant blast. Someone screams in agony.
LOCASTA
No. You’ll need to run. Get past the Munchkinland borders as soon as possible before the Witch’s followers take out their vengeance on you.
DOROTHY
Is that likely?
BOQ
Listen to that chaos! They’re pretty angry.
LOCASTA
But I will do all I can to protect you.
(she stops at the house)
Ah-ha!
DOROTHY
What? It’s my house. Well what’s left of it anyway. Why did you bring me back here?
LOCASTA
To collect what we left behind. And they’re still here, wonderful!
DOROTHY
Wait a minute, where did the witch’s body go?
LOCASTA
Gone to dust, the way of all things wicked. Her Silver Slippers, on the other hand…
DOROTHY
Bit gauche aren’t they?
BOQ
(worried)
No, you can’t!
LOCASTA
I was worried the Munchkins may have claimed them, but the fighting has been the distraction we needed. But they will be back for them before we know it. Put them on.
DOROTHY
You’re kidding?
BOQ
(appalled)
Good Witch, the Slippers are sacred, you can’t just –
LOCASTA
Quiet! Dorothy, these Slippers were the Witch’s most prized possessions. The source of her power they say, though I’ve never been sure of their true nature. But if any Munchkin faction got hold of them it would mean outright war for the entire eastern realm.
DOROTHY
I’m not wearing a dead woman’s shoes, I don’t care what colour they are!
LOCASTA
They will protect you on your journey. You must wear them or you will never make it through Oz!
DOROTHY
Well… oh, all right.
(she slips them on)
But I swear, if these start to … ooh. These are pretty nice. Pretty darn comfortable actually … I could get used to these.
LOCASTA
One more thing – my kiss.
DOROTHY
Huh?
LOCASTA
It signifies my protection. No one would dare harm a person who has been kissed by the Witch of the North.
She leans forward and kisses Dorothy’s forehead. A ping of magic is heard.
DOROTHY
Umm, thanks?
LOCASTA
That’s the best I can do. The rest is up to you. The road to the City of Emeralds is paved with yellow brick, so you cannot miss it. When you get to Oz, do not be afraid of him, but tell your story and ask him to help you.
DOROTHY
Wait, you’re not coming with me?
LOCASTA
I cannot, I have to stay here and try to establish order before Munchkinland dissolves into complete anarchy.
DOROTHY
But I don’t know where I am! I can’t just go wandering through this place, I need help!
BOQ
I’ll help you.
DOROTHY
You will?
BOQ
I’ll take you to the Emerald City. You freed us from the Witch, it’s the least I can do to repay you.
DOROTHY
But I didn’t mean to –
The sounds of battle get closer.
LOCASTA
I’m afraid our time has run out, you must go. Good luck, my dear. To both of you. And whatever you do, do not take those slippers off until you’re safe at home again!
She disappears. Toto barks.
DOROTHY
Oh my… She’s gone…
BOQ
And so should we. Remember what she said – we have to run.
DOROTHY
Right, of course. Come on Toto, stay close. You lead the way – I’m sorry I don’t know your name.
BOQ
Boq. My name’s Boq.
DOROTHY
Thank you Boq.
BOQ
Thank me later.
They rush away down the streets as the sound of battle grows.
EXT. HILLTOP – DAY
Locasta waits, watching the battle from afar.
LOCASTA
(to herself)
Good girl, Dorothy. Don’t stop, get ahead of the fighting before it’s too late. I hope she gets there, I’m so bad at giving directions…
GLINDA
You did very well, Locasta.
LOCASTA
Glinda! You startled me.
GLINDA
My apologies.
LOCASTA
You’re playing a very dangerous game you know. This will not make us very popular with the rest of the Ozian hierarchy.
GLINDA
You should know by now that I have no interest whatsoever in being popular.
LOCASTA
But it’s not what we thought. She isn’t a sorceress at all. She had nothing to do with the house, she’s as much a victim as the Witch.
GLINDA
I thought she might be.
LOCASTA
And yet you still wanted me to send her to the Emerald City?
GLINDA
The Slippers had to get out of Munchkinland. If the wrong person found them –
LOCASTA
Don’t give me that ‘wrong person’ silliness, I know who you’re talking about. And there were other ways we could have kept those shoes out of her hands. Or feet, as it were. You can’t fool me, Glinda, you’re playing a bigger game, and Dorothy is your pawn. She’s just a little girl!
GLINDA
She’s more than that, Locasta, more than even she knows. That girl and her dog are the future of Oz.
LOCASTA
Bringing change and chaos wherever she goes. Just ask the Munchkins, I think they’re setting fire to the Witch’s castle as we speak.
GLINDA
Change always has its price.
LOCASTA
But can Oz pay such a price?
GLINDA
Oz can’t afford not to.
LOCASTA
If anything changes at all. Accidentally dropping a house on a witch is one thing, but the … the others will be another matter.
GLINDA
Without the Wizard, Oz will thrive. I guarantee it.
LOCASTA
And who would you recommend putting in his place? You?
GLINDA
Ozma?
LOCASTA
(scoffing)
Ozma’s not coming back. Those days are long gone. Glinda, I’ll help you like I promised, but I think you’re playing with fire. Before today, Oz may not have been perfect, but it was in balance. Now everything’s turned upside down. The others will know what’s happened by now and will be taking their own steps to ensure their advantage. I fear no good can come of this.
GLINDA
Have some patience. Have some faith in Dorothy. I think we’ll all be surprised as to what that lost girl and her dog will achieve before she finds her way home to Kansas…
EXT. MUNCHKINLAND STREETS
Dorothy and Boq rush along the streets of Munchkinland. Smoke flows around the place and Dorothy is coughing. Toto is barking, annoyingly.
BOQ
Can’t you make that animal be quiet?
DOROTHY
He doesn’t like the smoke. And he’s scared. I kind of understand how he feels…
BOQ
He’ll attract attention!
DOROTHY
Toto, shh! It’s ok, we’re getting out of here, it’ll be all right. Look, I’ll carry you…
Toto calms down.
BOQ
The smoke is from the Witch’s palace, they’re burning it down. Means our journey is going to be a bit harder from now on…
His voice fades as he moves away around a corner.
DOROTHY
Boq? Boq, are you there? Boq, I can’t see through this smoke, can you hear me? Boq? Boq!
MUNCHKIN GUARD
(scared, covering it badly)
Stay where you are! Don’t move!
DOROTHY
Oh my God, you scared me!
MUNCHKIN GUARD
Which side are you on, girl? Friend or foe?
DOROTHY
I’m not on anybody’s side. I’m just trying to keep out of the way and –
MUNCHKIN GUARD
Hang on … you’re not a Munchkin are you?
DOROTHY
No, I’m Dorothy Gale, I’m from –
MUNCHKIN GUARD
(scared and angry)
You’re … you’re that girl aren’t you? You’re the girl from the house.
DOROTHY
I … oh God…
MUNCHKIN GUARD
You killed the Witch of the East! It was you!
DOROTHY
I’m sorry, I really am, please don’t be angry with me.
MUNCHKIN GUARD
Angry? I’m going to kill you…
He draws his sword.
DOROTHY
(shriek)
The Silver Slippers kick into action with their own brand of magical zing.
MUNCHKIN GUARD
(gasp)
The shoes … you’re … those are the Slippers!
DOROTHY
Please don’t hurt me, please!
MUNCHKIN GUARD
Don’t … I beg of you, please, I… I…
(screams and runs away)
DOROTHY
(confused)
I don’t understand…
BOQ
Dorothy! Dorothy, what happened?
DOROTHY
I don’t know. There was this soldier and –
BOQ
The shoes! Dorothy, the Silver Slippers are glowing!
The Slippers’ magic fades.
DOROTHY
Well they were… What the hell are these things?
BOQ
They’re protecting you. They’ve chosen to save their new owner.
DOROTHY
They have?
BOQ
I guess. Look, let’s keep moving. That guard will be back before we know it….
They rush off. We fade up on the Munchkin Soldier.
MUNCHKIN GUARD
(breathing heavily)
The Slippers. She’s… she has the Slippers. Mother of Lurline…
WITCH
(ghostly appearing)
Lurline isn’t coming to save you now.
MUNCHKIN GUARD
Oh no. Please, no. I was faithful to her! I was faithful!
WITCH
Then continue to be so. Where did she go? Where is the girl who has the Silver Slippers? Tell me!!!
INT. EMERALD CITY OFFICE
Standard office, or as standard offices go in Oz. JELIA JAMB – mid thirties, career minded press-secretary equivalent – is at her desk while FARAMANT – anxious, highly strung security advisor is packing up for the day.
FARAMANT
I’ll tell you what – I’m done.
JELIA JAMB
Fantastic.
FARAMANT
I’m serious this time, I’m finished.
JELIA JAMB
You go, you.
FARAMANT
I’ve finished everything on my to-do list for the day. Look at it, Jelia, what do you see?
JELIA JAMB
Faramant, I’m busy.
FARAMANT
You see a to-do list with every single item ticked off.
JELIA JAMB
Ticked off is the word.
FARAMANT
I have renegotiated the work schedules for the Storkguards – tick! I’ve investigated that whole business in the South Quarter – tick! I’ve even – get this! I’ve even approved all the time sheets for the palace guards!
JELIA JAMB
I’m so happy for you.
FARAMANT
You mock me, Jelia Jamb, but you don’t understand the significance!
JELIA JAMB
I’m sure the People of the Emerald City are in awe of your ability to finish your to-do list.
FARAMANT
The significance is I’m going home! Before midnight! The sun has just set, and I am packing my things! I am leaving the office, the Guardian of the Gates has completed his business of the day.
JELIA JAMB
That’s great, Faramant, but I’ve still got another twelve press releases to write up before I go. The Guardian of the Gates might have got his work done, but the Guardian of the People has her work to do. So if you’re going, get out.
FARAMANT
You’re just jealous because I have a hot bath and hot dinner waiting for me and you have more scrolls to write.
JELIA JAMB
(sweet)
Have a nice evening.
FARAMANT
I will. I am leaving now! You enjoy writing your –
A Ring – Emerald City’s magical communicator system – bleeps on the desk.
JELIA JAMB
Oh what now?
FARAMANT
Whoever it is, tell them Faramant is going home!
JELIA JAMB
(answering)
Jelia Jamb.
(pause)
Oh. Oh, I see.
(to Faramant)
Faramant, wait.
FARAMANT
I don’t care if the Wizard himself is Ringing, I’m not staying at work another –
JELIA JAMB
It’s Munchkinland. Something’s happened.
FARAMANT
What something?
JELIA JAMB
Something big. Reports are sketchy but there’s… riots, anarchy… something about a storm and early reports of… oh Lurline.
FARAMANT
What?
JELIA JAMB
The Witch of the East. They’re saying… she’s been assassinated!
FARAMANT
(sigh)
I’m not going home tonight, am I?
EXT. CORN FIELD
Rural setting – slight breeze, crows cawing.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
Getting out of the Munchkin City proved easier than Boq had thought. The smoke from the burning Witch’s palace gave us the perfect cover. With the exception of that one guard, nobody paid us any attention. We were just another couple of Munchkins making our way through the chaos. We got lucky, as Boq was so keen to remind me.
BOQ
The sooner we get on the Yellow Brick Road the better. We’ll go to my house first for supplies and move out from there. I think we’ll be able to cut through Great Forest and cross the border at the river…
DOROTHY (V.O.)
Boq’s place, as it turned out, was right on the edge of the city. It was practically farmland, this far out, all fields and meadows. Would have reminded me of home, if it wasn’t for the blue corn.
BOQ
Come on, come on, quickly! It’s nearly dark! There’s my house up there.
DOROTHY
Boq, since it’s nearly night, you think we could maybe rest –
BOQ
We don’t have the time. The closer you are to the Emerald City when the Munchkins work out what you’ve got on your feet the –
DOROTHY
Ahh!
BOQ
What?
DOROTHY
I – I thought I saw … it’s nothing.
BOQ
What?
DOROTHY
Just thought I saw somebody watching us. In that field.
BOQ
That’s just my scarecrow.
DOROTHY
Well I know that now! Like you say, we’re losing light, I thought it was a guard or someone. And I thought it moved.
BOQ
It doesn’t move. I put it up myself this morning. I know it doesn’t move.
DOROTHY
Right… sorry, it’s been a long day.
BOQ
You’re telling me. Come on, inside.
INT. MUNCHKIN FARM HOUSE
Similar ambience to Dorothy’s house, though this place is bigger and less impoverished. Boq and Dorothy rush in quickly to start gathering stuff.
BOQ
Ok, grab that basket and start filling it.
DOROTHY
With what?
BOQ
Food, weapons, whatever you think you’ll need.
DOROTHY
I dunno, a basket? I don’t know if I want to be carrying one of these for the next couple of days, don’t you have a satchel or something? Something that goes with my outfit?
(pause on Boq’s look)
Ok, humour not something you’re into, I see. This is going to be a really long walk…
BOQ
Just be quick, please.
DOROTHY
Ok, ok.
Boq leaves the room. Dorothy starts collecting stuff.
DOROTHY
(singing)
‘This is the way we pack the basket, pack the basket, pack the…’
(she stops)
Toto, do you think we’ll need this? Breadknife could be good for defending myself maybe. I’ve heard stories about people getting killed by blunt objects, but maybe I’m being –
Toto barks – aggressively
DOROTHY
What is it? Toto, what’s wrong?
A crash in the next room.
DOROTHY
(gasp)
Boq? Boq, are you all right? Boq, answer – ahh!
WITCH
Give me the Slippers or the Munchkin dies!
BOQ
(strained)
Get out of here, Dorothy, just go.
WITCH
Be silent!
DOROTHY
What is this? Who are you?
WITCH
The shoes, girl. Now!
BOQ
Get out of here, run!
WITCH
Silence or I will destroy you now!
BOQ
Dorothy go! Ahhhh!
(death scream)
A blast of energy and Boq is magically fried on the spot.
WITCH
He was warned. And now the same for you …
DOROTHY (V.O.)
At that point I did the only thing I could think of – the last thing Boq told me to do before he was burned to a crisp. I grabbed my dog and my basket and got the hell out of there.
Dorothy races out the door, the door slamming behind her.
CUT TO:
EXT. CORN FIELD – NIGHT
Dorothy runs through the corn, panic and fear taking over.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
Boq said something about a Great Forest, and through the dark I could see some trees past the corn field. I had no idea if that was the right forest or not, but I had no other choice. I ran as fast as I could through the corn, hoping the night would hide me from whatever that thing was.
DOROTHY
(crashing into a pole)
Ah-ugh!
DOROTHY (V.O.)
If I’d been looking where I was going, I wouldn’t have run straight into the scarecrow in the middle of the field.
DOROTHY
Stupid, stupid, stupid –
SCARECROW
Yes! Yes, I am stupid. How did you know?
DOROTHY
I didn’t mean you, I meant –
(double take)
Oh God…
SCARECROW
What?
DOROTHY
You … did you just talk?
SCARECROW
I think that was me… yes, I think I did! Did you?
DOROTHY
Yes, I did I – I’m supposed to talk! I’m a person, you’re a scarecrow!
SCARECROW
And scarecrows aren’t supposed to talk?
DOROTHY
Not where I come from!
SCARECROW
Ah, right. Sorry, my mistake. I haven’t got a brain you see, so I don’t know these things. I’ll shut up now.
DOROTHY
Right. Look, sorry, I’d love to chat but I –
SCARECROW
What’s your name?
DOROTHY
What?
SCARECROW
Sorry, I know I said I’d shut up, but I’m curious. I don’t have a name, but I know people are supposed to have them. Do you have a name?
DOROTHY
It’s Dorothy. Dorothy Gale. And this is Toto.
SCARECROW
Very pleased to meet you!
DOROTHY
Likewise.
(A beat)
Sorry, but we can’t stay. We have to get away from … I don’t know what it is…
SCARECROW
That’s ok. I’ll just stay up here on my pole. You have a good trip now.
DOROTHY
I … can’t you get down?
SCARECROW
Dunno. Never tried.
DOROTHY
Well you might want to give it a go. That … thing that’s after me just killed… It doesn’t seem the type to take prisoners.
SCARECROW
Oh. That’s probably a good idea then.
A blast from the house.
SCARECROW
Golly, is that the sun back again already?
DOROTHY
No, it’s the house. That thing’s doing … something… glowing – I’m sorry I have to go.
SCARECROW
Take me with you!
DOROTHY
What?
SCARECROW
I don’t want to stay here when that thing catches up with you. If it makes you this scared, I don’t want to be anywhere near it!
DOROTHY
I … All right, I’ll help you. Let’s see if I can lift you down from the – God, you’re lighter than I thought!
SCARECROW
Well, I am made of straw!
She lifts him down.
SCARECROW
Oh, thank you so much, thank you – whoops! Standing, standing is new, something I’ll still have to learn I guess…
DOROTHY
Learn fast, Scarecrow, we’ve got to run.
SCARECROW
I don’t know if I can run!
DOROTHY
I’ll help you, come on, one foot in front of the other, that’s it. Quickly! Come on Toto, move it!
They run off.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOREST – CONTINUOUS
The Scarecrow, Dorothy and Toto race through the trees as quickly as possible.
DOROTHY
This way! Boq said go through the forest.
SCARECROW
I’m coming, I’m coming, I’m – oomph. I fell over!
DOROTHY
Come on, we have to keep moving! It can’t be far behind us.
SCARECROW
I know I haven’t got a brain or anything, but do you think we should maybe hide or something?
DOROTHY
We are hiding. It won’t find us amongst all these trees at night.
SCARECROW
Are you sure?
DOROTHY
Do I look sure? I’m making this up as I go along!
Toto starts barking
DOROTHY
Toto, shut up, you’ll give us away!
SCARECROW
What’s he barking at?
DOROTHY
Something shiny probably … oh, no. Down!
SCARECROW
What?
DOROTHY
Get on the ground, quickly!
SCARECROW
Whoah!
Behind them, a magical whoosh explodes into the sky and whooshes above their heads and into the distance.
SCARECROW
Golly! What was that?
DOROTHY
That was … yeah.
SCARECROW
Is it following the sun? Cause that’s where the sun went a while ago.
DOROTHY
Yes. That’s the west.
SCARECROW
What’s over there?
DOROTHY
I don’t know. Locasta said something about the west…
(getting stressed)
I don’t know. I can’t remember…
SCARECROW
No, not that, what’s that over there?
DOROTHY
Huh? Oh. That. It’s a house.
(double take)
A house!
She gets up and rushes across to it.
SCARECROW
(following her)
What’s a house?
DOROTHY
Exactly what we need.
(she bangs on the door)
Hello, is anyone home?
SCARECROW
Maybe nobody is home?
DOROTHY
I hope so. It’s dark, it looks abandoned… the door’s unlocked!
SCARECROW
What’s a house doing in the middle of a forest?
DOROTHY
Who cares, we can hide in here! That thing might come back!
SCARECROW
But didn’t you say that thing was inside a house when you ran away from it before? How’s this house any different to that –
DOROTHY
Shut up and get inside!
She throws him inside and slams the door.
CUT TO:
INT. HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Dorothy peers out the window.
DOROTHY
I can’t see anything out there. Maybe we lost it.
SCARECROW
Wow. Is this where people with brains live?
DOROTHY
I think … I think we might be ok. Whatever that thing is … I think it’s gone.
SCARECROW
Oh good. I didn’t like the sound of that. I’ve never been scared before, but whatever was chasing you –
DOROTHY
We should probably rest here for the night. Then decide what to do in the morning.
SCARECROW
Oh, I don’t need to rest. I’m made of straw. I can stay awake all night long.
DOROTHY
Oh. Good. I’ll just … I’ll….
(she starts crying)
SCARECROW
Dorothy? Dorothy, is everything all right? There’s water coming out of your eyes…
DOROTHY
I’m crying you idiot! This is all … it killed him. It killed Boq, he was supposed to be the one protecting me and now… I don’t know where I am, I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing. All I want is to be in my bed in my house in Kansas with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry just like normal –
SCARECROW
Well why aren’t you?
DOROTHY
Because my house is in little bits in the Munchkin City Square and I’m in some freaky land with witches and wizards and magic shoes and talking scarecrows, that’s why. Oh God, how the hell did this happen?
SCARECROW
Your nose is running now.
DOROTHY
Yeah, thanks for that. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to blow up at you like that. It’s just… It’s a lot to take in. So much in one day.
SCARECROW
I’ve only been alive for one day. And I’ve climbed off a pole and run into a forest.
(a beat)
Yeah, not quite as much as you, I guess.
DOROTHY
I don’t know if I can do this.
SCARECROW
Do what? Cry?
DOROTHY
No, I can do that pretty well, obviously. I have to go to the Emerald City and see the Wizard of Oz. Apparently he’s the only one who can send me back home.
SCARECROW
You don’t live here?
DOROTHY
In Oz? No. I come from a place called Butterfield. It’s in Kansas.
SCARECROW
I’ve never heard of it. But then again, I haven’t got a brain, it’s not a surprise.
DOROTHY
Nobody’s heard of it, that’s the problem. No one here anyway. Hopefully the Wizard has and can send me back. Boq was supposed to help me, but now … I’m all alone.
SCARECROW
Well, you’re not all alone anymore. I’m here, aren’t I!
DOROTHY
(laughing)
That’s true, I guess. I guess it could be worse.
SCARECROW
It could? Oh dear…
DOROTHY
(yawning)
I’m so tired. I need to sleep. You don’t mind if I get some rest do you?
SCARECROW
Not at all.
DOROTHY
God knows if I’ll be able to sleep…
SCARECROW
I’ll just stand here in the corner and watch out for that thing that’s chasing you.
DOROTHY
Thank you.
SCARECROW
And wait for the sun to come back up again. It will come back up, right?
DOROTHY
It does that every morning.
SCARECROW
It does! That’s amazing!
DOROTHY
(yawning)
I guess. Toto, come up here, sit by me. Let’s keep each other warm. Good night … sorry, I just realised. I don’t know what to call you.
SCARECROW
I don’t know either. I guess you might as well keep calling me Scarecrow.
DOROTHY
Sounds good to me. Good night Scarecrow.
SCARECROW
Good night
(pause)
Dorothy?
DOROTHY
Hmm?
SCARECROW
This Wizard. The one you’re going to see. So he can do anything then, can he?
DOROTHY
Hmm-hmm.
SCARECROW
Do you … do you think … Dorothy, do you think he might be able to give me a brain?
DOROTHY
(yawning)
I guess so.
SCARECROW
I mean, if he couldn’t, I’d understand. Sending someone home is a whole different thing to giving someone a brain, it might not be his speciality. But it couldn’t hurt to ask could it? I mean, if he can’t do it, I’d be no worse off than I am now.
(a beat)
Dorothy?
DOROTHY
Hmm?
SCARECROW
Could I come with you to the Emerald City? So I can ask the Wizard to give me a brain?
DOROTHY
Hmm…
SCARECROW
Oh thank you! Thank you! You won’t regret it, Dorothy, I promise you. I’ll be a great travelling companion! I don’t eat or drink, I never get tired – hey, I could carry your basket for you! And I’m made of straw, so nothing can hurt me, so you don’t need to worry about me at all! Oh, I can’t wait! I’m going to get a brain!
DOROTHY
Scarecrow?
SCARECROW
Yes?
DOROTHY
Shut up.
SCARECROW
Sorry.
FADE OUT
INT. WITCH’S COURTYARD
DOROTHY (V.O.)
And that was how I made my first friend in Oz, though I didn’t know at the time how important to me the Scarecrow would become. That night, he was just some loopy creature I half expected to say goodbye to come morning. I didn’t want to make friends. I wanted to go home. Sometimes when you want something bad enough, you can’t see anything else beyond it.
Maybe with a more open mind, I’d have realised what was happening sooner. Because while I was sleeping, Boq’s murderer was returning to her castle in the west…
The Witch lands on the terrace of her castle. UGU, her assistant, greets her.
UGU
Welcome home, Majesty.
WITCH
Thank you, Ugu.
UGU
Is it true? is she dead?
WITCH
Did you really think otherwise? Assassinated. Munchkinland is a mess. We have to act now if we’re to capitalise on this.
UGU
But what of the Slippers?
WITCH
Smuggled out on the feet of the assassin herself. I see Glinda’s hands all over this.
UGU
Or the Wizard’s?
WITCH
Perhaps. Not the girl. She hasn’t got the intelligence to be working on her own.
UGU
You need to get them back. The Silver Slippers will be the key to taking control –
WITCH
Do not attempt to lecture me, Ugu! Do not abuse the limited freedom I permit you to have!
UGU
My apologies, Majesty.
WITCH
The Silver Slippers are powerful, but the girl doesn’t know how to use them, or she would have done so before I lost her in the forest. But I can’t expect the Wizard to be so naive. I need to act before the brat gets to the Emerald City and hands them over.
UGU
What do you want me to do?
WITCH
Summon my minions. The time has come for me to clear a path to the Emerald City. And bring to me my Golden Cap, I need to confirm what power it still allows me.
UGU
At once, majesty.
WITCH
There is a change in the air. A change to all of Oz. Everything they think they know, blown away on a gust of wind. Nothing will ever be the same again. This is only the start. The start of something… wonderful!
The Wicked Witch of the West cackles with menace.
CLOSING CREDITS