Read the production script for Episode 3 of The Chronicles of Oz: The Marvellous Land of Oz. This script may differ slightly from the final released audio.
Episode Three
PREVIOUSLY
Recap of the previous episodes.
EXT. EMERALD CITY
The Army of Revolt run around the streets of the Emerald City. Chaos. Soldiers everywhere. Jinjur is on a megaphone.
JINJUR
People of the Emerald City, may I have your attention please. You will now consider yourselves under the direct command of the Munchkin Army of Revolt. Do not resist us, for we outnumber your Storkguards three to one. I repeat, it is useless to resist. Allow us access to the Royal Palace and there will be no bloodshed!
INT. THRONE ROOM
The Scarecrow, Omby Amby and Jack Pumpkinhead listen to Jinjur’s rant over the Rings.
JINJUR
(distorted)
I repeat, there will be no bloodshed.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Who is that terrible woman?
SCARECROW
I don’t know, but I don’t think she likes me very much.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
What makes you say that?
SCARECROW
Well she’s trying to take over my Palace and steal my throne. That’s pretty rude if you ask me.
OMBY AMBY
(talking to his Ring)
Right, thank you. Keep me updated.
(hanging up)
We’ve got minimal staff in the building, but not enough to properly defend the Palace. Faramant’s redirected as many as he can from the bomb site, but there’s no way they’ll get here before the Munchkin Army does. Thank Lurline we put the place under lock down when the bomb hit.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Who’s Lurline?
SCARECROW
How long will it take them to get into the Palace?
OMBY AMBY
Not long I expect.
SCARECROW
And how much longer until they get in here?
OMBY AMBY
I don’t think we’re under any immediate danger in here, Sire. We’re lucky the Wizard was a paranoid despot. Re-enforced security. The Palace may not be impenetrable, but it’ll take some doing to breach the Throne Room.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Something tells me this woman is going to try, though.
SCARECROW
Right, so what do we do Omby? Send for help?
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
We could ask my Dad! He’s out there somewhere!
SCARECROW
I mean some real help, if you know what I mean?
OMBY AMBY
Well ahead of you, Sire. The Tin Woodman’s coming.
INT. WINKIE PALACE
Ugu, with the TIN WOODMAN, marches down the halls.
TIN WOODMAN
How big’s the army?
UGU
Omby didn’t say, your Grace, he’s trapped in the Palace. Faramant’s in the field but communication is sketchy.
TIN WOODMAN
Must be an impressive battalion if they’re overpowering the Storkguards. I never knew the Munchkins had it in them.
UGU
They’re aggressive little blighters.
TIN WOODMAN
Let’s hope the Winkies can match them. How are our troops?
UGU
I’m arranging for our reserve forces to start travelling east immediately. The way Omby was talking, it sounds desperate.
TIN WOODMAN
How’s the Scarecrow?
UGU
Under siege.
TIN WOODMAN
He’ll love that. Right, cancel my schedule, organise transport.
UGU
You’re going?
TIN WOODMAN
Of course I’m going. Can’t let the Scarecrow have all the fun.
UGU
But it’s a war zone, your Grace. You could be damaged.
TIN WOODMAN
A war is exactly where an Emperor should prove his metal. If you’ll pardon the expression. It’s ok, you don’t need to come.
UGU
Oh yes I do, your Grace. As Chief of Staff, I need to stay by your side and give advice.
TIN WOODMAN
Then keep up, Ugu. We’ve got an Emerald City to save!
EXT. EMERALD CITY STREETS
Tip races through the streets, with Victon close behind him.
VICTON
Get back here!
TIP (V.O.)
Don’t ask me how I got away from the Munchkins — it was probably something boring like taking advantage of a distraction. But I was soon racing through the Emerald City streets away from whatsisname. No idea where I was going. Or at least that’s what I thought at the time.
VICTON
You’re a prisoner of the Army of Revolt, and we control the city. You can’t get away from us!
TIP
(out of breath)
He’s got a point there… oomph!
He runs into the Sawhorse. It whinnies.
TIP (cont’d)
The Sawhorse! Oh you beauty! So Jack got here after all!
VICTON
Hey!
TIP
Yikes! Steady boy, let me climb on.
VICTON
(rounding a corner)
Get off that thing. Can’t escape now, kid!
TIP
My name’s Tip! And you haven’t met my horse yet. Gee-up horsey!
The Sawhorse whinnies again, rears and gallops off past Victon who falls.
TIP (cont’d)
Catch ya later!
VICTON
Hey! Hey!!!!!
JINJUR
(distorted, on communicator)
Victon! Victon, report!
VICTON
Ma’am, I’ve lost the kid. He got away from me at the entrance.
JINJUR
(distorted)
Forget him. I need you at the Palace. We’ve entered the building, but the city guards will be back here at any moment.
VICTON
Defend the Palace. Got it.
INT. SECURITY OFFICE
Jinjur continues the conversation.
JINJUR
I’m going to see to it that the Scarecrow doesn’t get any more help. Over and out.
(she hangs up)
So. Press Secretary?
JELLIA JAMB
My official title is Guardian of the People.
PREENA
Good job you did at that, didn’t you Jamb?
JINJUR
I don’t care what you call yourself. Where’s the City’s communications array?
JELLIA JAMB
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
JINJUR
Don’t play the fool. You communicate with the people every day, you use the wideband communications system, you know where it’s controlled you know how I can disable it.
JELLIA JAMB
And why am I going to tell you? And don’t say you’re going to cut my hand off, bitchface over here’s tried that already.
PREENA
What did you call me?
JELLIA JAMB
Yeah, I went there.
JINJUR
Enough! Honestly, do I have to spell out everything? If you don’t tell me, I’ll kill you and find someone else who will. And then another and another until the pile of bodies in here inspires someone to give me what I want. It’ll take me longer, but I’ll get there. Why not save me time and needless deaths and just tell me now?
Pause.
JINJUR (cont’d)
Did I stutter? Do I have to prove it?
JELLIA JAMB
No, you —
JINJUR
I have to prove it, don’t I. Fine.
She draws her sword and swings it at Preena.
PREENA
No, please, I —
THWICK her head comes off and bounces on the floor.
JELLIA JAMB
Holy Lurline, you… you…
JINJUR
Now do you believe me?
JELLIA JAMB
But she was on your side. She was helping you!
JINJUR
She was a traitor to her own people. If she betrayed you, she’d betray me eventually, and I must have loyalty. Now I’ll ask one more time. Communications array?
JELLIA JAMB
Over there.
JINJUR
Thank you.
She stabs it with her sword and the thing sparks and explodes.
JINJUR (cont’d)
I don’t want the Scarecrow contacting the outside world. Not when we’ve got him just where we want him.
JELLIA JAMB
You’ve cut us off completely! What if you need reinforcements?
JINJUR
The point is the Scarecrow won’t have reinforcements. I have all the military support I need.
JELLIA JAMB
Do you? You’re still not in the Throne Room. While his Majesty is in there you haven’t got control.
JINJUR
Oh, I’m not done yet. The Palace is nearly secure, the Storkguards won’t get in here now. Then there’s nothing stopping me getting into the Throne Room.
JELLIA JAMB
Well good luck with that.
JINJUR
I’m glad to have your support. Cause you’re going to help me.
JELLIA JAMB
I am?
JINJUR
Move. Throne Room door. Now.
She marches her out of the room.
EXT. EMERALD CITY RIVERBANK
Faramant attempts to contact Omby on his Ring.
FARAMANT
Omby? Omby are you still there? Oh bloody hell…
WOGGLE BUG
What happened?
FARAMANT
We’ve been cut off. They must have got to the communications.
QUEEN MOUSE
So how will you —
FARAMANT
(outburst)
I don’t know, all right, I just don’t —
(deep breath)
I’m sorry your Grace, that was uncalled for.
QUEEN MOUSE
No need to apologise, you have a lot to deal with here.
FARAMANT
If the Munchkins are in the Palace then that means my guards didn’t get there in time. I need to see what’s happening myself.
WOGGLE BUG
You’re going into the heart of the danger?
FARAMANT
That’s my job, you can stay if you like.
QUEEN MOUSE
I’ll stay here and assist the wounded.
FARAMANT
Thank you, they could use your help. Although…
QUEEN MOUSE
Yes?
FARAMANT
Can you still contact your attendants? And could they manage to get out of the City?
QUEEN MOUSE
I’m sure they can manage it. Smallness has its advantages.
WOGGLE BUG
Even so, the Munchkins are formidable. It’ll be a narrow squeak getting out.
Queen Mouse sighs at the pun.
FARAMANT
Can you summon your own military forces? The Emerald City needs the aid of the Field Mice.
QUEEN MOUSE
Of course, I’ll arrange it immediately.
FARAMANT
Thank you. I’ll get back as soon as I can.
He starts to leave.
QUEEN MOUSE
Oh Faramant? Does this mean that the Emerald City and the Field Mice are officially allies now?
FARAMANT
(laughing)
We’ll formalise the paperwork after the invasion is done.
EXT. EMERALD CITY STREETS
Tip is still racing around the streets on the Sawhorse, who continues to whinny excitedly.
TIP
(scared, out of breath)
Sawhorse, you can stop now. We’ve — we’ve lost him. Sawhorse! Whoah Sawhorse! Whoah!
The Sawhorse whinnies and presses on.
VOICE (V.O.)
(laughing)
The silly thing!
TIP (V.O.)
Yeah, you’re laughing now. It’s easy to get the Sawhorse started on a run. Not so easy to get him to stop. Was all I could do not to fall off as it tore up and down the Emerald City streets. And just when I thought I had this wooden horse riding thing down, something came up that stopped us in our tracks.
The horse skids to a halt. Tip comes flying off.
TIP
Oww! Didn’t mean you to stop that suddenly —
Sawhorse whinnies in response.
TIP (cont’d)
What is it, boy? It’s just a statue. They’re everywhere. You could have gone around.
Sawhorse whinnies again, insistent.
TIP (cont’d)
That said, weird to make such a detailed statue for a tradesman. Out of marble too.
(realising)
A marble statue…
MOMBI
(marching towards him)
Tippetarius!
TIP
Oh no!
MOMBI
You’ve been using my Powder of Life!
TIP
(scrambling onto the Sawhorse again)
She found me! Holy Lurline, she found me!
MOMBI
Don’t think you can get away from me that easily boy! I’m going to show you!
TIP
Run, Sawhorse, run!
The Sawhorse rears and starts to bolt.
MOMBI
No one escapes the Wicked Witch of the North!
She fires a magic bolt at Tip.
TIP
Ahhhh!!
And everything goes silent.
INT. THRONE ROOM
Omby throws his Ring down in frustration.
OMBY AMBY
Well that’s that, we’re cut off.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Oh no.
SCARECROW
You called the Tin Woodman though? He’s coming to help?
OMBY AMBY
I spoke with Ugu who’s going to pass on the message.
SCARECROW
What about the Lion?
OMBY AMBY
I’m afraid Rings aren’t readily available in the Quadling forest, Sire.
SCARECROW
That’s a shame.
(pause)
I don’t suppose…
OMBY AMBY
No I didn’t call Dorothy.
SCARECROW
Ok, ok, I was only asking.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Who’s Dorothy?
OMBY AMBY
Don’t get him started.
SCARECROW
She’s my best friend and my first friend and if she was here she’d get us out of this mess. In like a minute. She’d walk right up to this General Jinjur and say, ‘Hey. You. Get out of this city’.
OMBY AMBY
And then she’d drop a house on her.
SCARECROW
Probably. I wish she was here.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
I wish she was here too. She sounds so amazing!
OMBY AMBY
Well she’s not, she’s in Canada.
SCARECROW
Kansas.
OMBY AMBY
Or wherever. Somewhere far, far away.
SCARECROW
In the meantime, we need a plan.
OMBY AMBY
We do?
SCARECROW
Yes. Something to start the ball rolling in defeating the Wicked General of the East.
OMBY AMBY
Is that what we’re calling her now?
SCARECROW
For the moment until I think of something better.
OMBY AMBY
Right. So what are we doing, your Majesty?
SCARECROW
We’re taking stock of our assets.
OMBY AMBY
Oh. Ok. Well, we have a stuffed king, a walking talking Pumpkinhead for which I don’t think we’ve got an explanation yet, and a paranoid, out of his depth, fed up Guardian of the Throne, trapped in his own Throne Room.
SCARECROW
I’m sensing a bit of frustration, Omby Amby.
OMBY AMBY
Are you? I’m sorry, your Majesty, but what exactly do you expect us to do from in here, besides wait for help from outside? Do you think the solution to all of Oz’s problems is going to drop in from the sky?
The other half of Mombi’s magic bolt from the previous scene is heard as Tip and the Sawhorse appear. They crash to the floor in a loud oomph. The horse whinnies and Tip moans.
TIP
That was way more dramatic than I was expecting.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Dad!
SCARECROW
What?
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
It’s my Dad! And the Sawhorse, you found him!
TIP
Jack, is that you? What are you doing here?
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
What are you doing here?
TIP
I don’t know, where’s here?
SCARECROW
You’re in the Throne Room.
TIP
Oh. Neat. Yeah, not sure how that happened…
VOICE (V.O.)
Yeah, that was me again. Mombi was throwing pure magical energy at you without any sort of channelling with the hope it would destroy you. Very sloppy of her. Meant I could give the magic a purpose, and I redirected it into a short range teleport once it hit. You’re welcome.
TIP
Last I saw, Mombi was firing an energy bolt —
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Mombi? Mombi’s here?
TIP
Yeah, looks like she caught up with us, Jack.
(pause)
Wait, did you say Throne Room?
OMBY AMBY
Yes.
TIP
Hang on, you’re a Scarecrow.
SCARECROW
That’s right, I am!
TIP
The Scarecrow… oh your Majesty, I didn’t recognise you, I’m sorry.
SCARECROW
That’s ok — we’re all a bit lax today. Stop bowing, please.
TIP
I’m still sorry.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
This is my Dad, Scarecrow! His name is Tip!
SCARECROW
Oh. So you’re the famous Tip, then?
TIP
It’s short for Tippetarius.
SCARECROW
You have to tell me, cause I’m so interested — how did you make this Pumpkinhead and the Sawhorse come to life?
OMBY AMBY
We’re under attack and strange people and their wooden horses are appearing out of nowhere. But please, let’s all have story time.
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR
Jinjur, Jellia Jamb and some troops wait outside the Throne Room.
JINJUR
Are there any other entrances?
JELLIA JAMB
You think I know? Up until six months ago I never set foot in that room. The Wizard wasn’t known for being social. Wouldn’t be surprised if he sealed it up tight.
JINJUR
I need to get in there. Once I’ve secured the entire Palace and the Scarecrow is in my custody, then I’ll have control of the whole City.
Mombi approaches with Victon.
MOMBI
Then what you need is something significantly more powerful than swords. Will a Wicked Witch do?
JINJUR
Victon, why are you bringing me crones? Go secure the entrance!
VICTON
I found her in the streets outside throwing magic bolts of whatever. Thought you might want to meet her.
MOMBI
Permit me to introduce myself. My name is Mombi.
JINJUR
Never heard of you.
JELLIA JAMB
I have. Didn’t you used to be the Wicked Witch of the North?
MOMBI
Ahhh, what a good memory you have, my dear.
JELLIA JAMB
My parents told me about you. And how Locasta put you back in your place after the Desolation was stopped.
MOMBI
One spell goes awry and suddenly you’re not fit to rule Gillikin anymore.
JINJUR
You’re a powerful witch then? Can you break down this door?
MOMBI
A door? I was once the most powerful witch in all of the north of Oz, and you’re asking me to open a door?
JINJUR
If you can’t, then I have no further time for you.
MOMBI
I didn’t say no. Stand back.
She snaps her fingers. Some magic builds around them.
INT. THRONE ROOM
The doors start humming.
TIP
Oh no.
OMBY AMBY
What’s that?
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Why’s the door starting to glow like that, Dad?
TIP
It’s Mombi!
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Oh no!
SCARECROW
That wicked witch you were talking about?
TIP
She’s trying to vanish the door.
OMBY AMBY
General Jinjur has a witch on her side? That’s just not fair.
TIP
It’s not. But you’ve got something nearly as good.
OMBY AMBY
Like what?
TIP
A witch’s apprentice. Right, what have we got in here? We need a mirror or a reflective surface. And a light source, like a torch.
SCARECROW
I think I have something, let me look.
TIP
And quickly, this spell won’t take her long.
OMBY AMBY
Why, what are you going to do?
TIP
Fight magic with magic. Jack, come stand over here by the door. Quickly!
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Why?
TIP
Just do as you’re told. Now put your hand on the panel there.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
No! I’m not touching the door, Dad! It’s glowing and it’ll hurt!
TIP
Don’t argue, Jack. Put your hand on the door!
SCARECROW
(carrying a mirror)
Here we go. Big full length mirror for you.
TIP
Great, put it down there, thank you. Have you got the torch, Mr Amby?
OMBY AMBY
I don’t know what you expect to do with this sort of thing.
TIP
Me neither, yet. The theory’s sound, hopefully. If I point the torch into the mirror, so that it reflects against Jack who keeps holding on to that door…
The door glows even more.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
This door is getting very hot, Daddy!
TIP
Keep holding on Jack, don’t let go whatever you do!
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS
JINJUR
Shouldn’t we be in by now?
MOMBI
Working on it. It’s… there’s something…
(gasp)
It’s the boy!
JINJUR
Boy? What boy?
MOMBI
Tip! Tip’s in there, he’s using my own magic against me! Oh you just wait until I get in there…
INT. THRONE ROOM – CONTINUOUS
SCARECROW
What exactly is this supposed to do?
TIP
Mombi’s basically trying to pump the door with magic to persuade it to disappear. Except Jack Pumpkinhead’s already infused with her magic, with a bit of the Powder of Life in there too, so he’s basically immune to what she’s trying to do.
SCARECROW
I see.
OMBY AMBY
No you don’t!
SCARECROW
Shh!
TIP
So with him touching the door, and the torch beaming light out of the mirror, he’s siphoning off her magic into the Mirror Realm.
OMBY AMBY
The what?
TIP
Mirror Realm, it’s the universe behind the looking glass and — look that would really take me too long to explain, just trust me, it’s working.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
This door is getting really hot now!
TIP
But it’s not going to work forever, she’s going to up her power.
SCARECROW
What if we got the Sawhorse, he’s been magicked with the Powder of Life too, hasn’t he?
TIP
He has, but I don’t think that’ll be enough… Powder of Life, of course.
He grabs the bottle out of his pocket.
SCARECROW
I’m sensing another plan!
TIP
Your Majesty, hold on to this, keep shining the lantern beam into the mirror. Jack, don’t move, I’m just going to duck under you here…
OMBY AMBY
You’re going to powder the door?
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
You’re bringing the door to life, aren’t you Dad?
TIP
Just a little bit. Shh! Weaugh, Teaugh, Peaugh!
Powder of Life takes effect as the door comes to life. Jack Pumpkinhead falls away.
TIP (cont’d)
Done it!
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR
MOMBI
Curses!
JINJUR
What happened?
MOMBI
The brat’s still got my Powder of Life! I knew it! He’s…. damn it!
She cuts off the power.
JINJUR
What are you doing? Keep pushing through!
MOMBI
He’s brought the door to life with my own magic, I can’t vanish it now.
JINJUR
He’s brought the … door to life? What?
MOMBI
It’s a thing. I’ll need to revisit this idea…
JINJUR
Revisit it quickly, witch! I need to claim the throne!
MOMBI
It just got a whole lot trickier.
VICTON
Ma’am!
JINJUR
What is it?
VICTON
Just got word from the agents to the west. Winkie troops are on the march.
JINJUR
Are they indeed. Looks like the Scarecrow called for reinforcements after all.
VICTON
Shall I divert a platoon to head them off?
JINJUR
That’ll leave the Palace vulnerable to the Storkguards.
JELLIA JAMB
Oh. So looks like the Winkies are going to bail us out. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. You’ll be going then?
JINJUR
I’m not so easily defeated. Victon, lock her up! Get this bitch out of my sight!
VICTON
(to Jellia)
Come on.
JELLIA JAMB
That’s really, really rude!
He leads her away.
MOMBI
Perhaps I can be of assistance with the Winkies?
JINJUR
You? You can’t even get through a door. What are you going to do to an army?
MOMBI
The door’s eluding me for the moment, but I can take care of idiot Winkies. But not here, I’ll need a space for my tools.
Pause.
JINJUR
Fine. I’ll give you a go. Please, step into my office.
MOMBI
I’ll need a cauldron.
EXT. WESTERN WASTELAND
The Tin Woodman and Ugu are marching, with the Winkie army behind them.
TIN WOODMAN
There it is! Just past that hill there! The Emerald City. Onward, Winkies, onward!
UGU
Are we sure we have enough troops to battle the invaders?
TIN WOODMAN
No idea. But adding our forces to the Scarecrow’s can’t hurt.
UGU
I see.
TIN WOODMAN
Nervous, Ugu?
UGU
Just a bit your Grace, yes.
TIN WOODMAN
Don’t be. This will be nothing. When you’ve faced down Wicked Witches you’ll realise how petty some jumped up Munchkin woman can be.
UGU
But you didn’t face down the Wicked Witch. You weren’t there, you were dead at the time.
TIN WOODMAN
That’s a technicality.
UGU
It was Dorothy who did that. And she’s not here.
(pause)
She’s not here is she?
TIN WOODMAN
Not as far as I — hang on.
UGU
What?
TIN WOODMAN
Have you ever known sunflowers to grow near the Emerald City?
UGU
Not that I know of, they’re usually in the east.
TIN WOODMAN
That’s what I thought. Then why are they in front of us?
A magical special effect kicks in as Mombi’s spell progresses.
UGU
Are they growing? Like, you know, getting bigger and bigger?
TIN WOODMAN
And getting closer.
(to the troops)
Everyone stop! We’ve got a problem!
UGU
What are we doing to do?
TIN WOODMAN
Chop them down I guess.
UGU
This is magic, I’m not sure if that’s an option.
TIN WOODMAN
It’s not magic, it’s a flower.
UGU
Maybe we should have got Dorothy after all?
TIN WOODMAN
Well, I have an axe, let’s —
They start laughing. The light female laugh of Mombi.
UGU
The sunflowers… they’re laughing at us.
INT. PALACE OFFICE
MOMBI
Excellent. That’ll keep you occupied for a while.
EXT. WESTERN WASTELAND
The sunflowers keep growing and threatening.
UGU
They’re getting closer.
TIN WOODMAN
I can see that.
UGU
What are we going to do?
TIN WOODMAN
What do you think we’re going to do, Ugu? They’re plants. I used to be a woodman. Let’s chop ’em down!
UGU
But they have faces!
TIN WOODMAN
I don’t care!
He swings his axe, slices a nearby sunflower in half. It gives out a tiny little scream as it dies.
TIN WOODMAN (cont’d)
See. How hard can this be?
UGU
Harder than you think, your Grace. Get back!
The plant explodes into dazzling light and fire. Mombi can be heard laughing.
TIN WOODMAN
Exploding plants.
UGU
They put the sun into sunflower.
TIN WOODMAN
You’re funny.
UGU
Thank you, your Grace.
TIN WOODMAN
This isn’t going to make it easy for us to cut them down.
UGU
You have a point.
TIN WOODMAN
Ok, stay behind me. I’m made of tin, so fire can’t do much to me.
UGU
Tin can melt, your Grace!
TIN WOODMAN
Not as easily as flesh, now stand back. I’m going to try and cut us a path —
Another sunflower explodes into a fireball.
TIN WOODMAN (cont’d)
Now that’s just cheating.
UGU
They’re exploding all on their own!
More sunflowers explode, in all directions.
TIN WOODMAN
And they’ve got us surrounded.
UGU
And I thought my days of living with witchcraft were over.
TIN WOODMAN
Are you absolutely sure it’s witchcraft?
UGU
You don’t live as the Wicked Witch of the West’s slave your whole life without knowing witch’s magic when you see it.
The sunflowers explode with more ferocity.
TIN WOODMAN
Ok, any possibility you can tap into that knowledge to get us out of this? Cause the sunflowers are turning into a tornado of fire!
The sunflowers have turned into a wall of ferocious fire surrounding them.
INT. PALACE OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
MOMBI
Nobody’s coming to help you, man of tin! Best you can do is run away.
JINJUR
You’re not going to kill them?
MOMBI
We don’t need them dead. We just need them gone. So long as they know to stay away from the Emerald City —
JINJUR
Not good enough, witch. I can’t have these people regrouping and renewing their attack. Kill them, Mombi! Now!
On the crystal we hear the Tin Woodman and Ugu talking
UGU
(distorted)
This feels familiar.
TIN WOODMAN
(distorted)
You said, already. It’s witchcraft.
UGU
(distorted)
It’s this specific spell though, I’ve seen it somewhere before.
TIN WOODMAN
(distorted)
Is it the Wicked Witch’s?
UGU
(distorted)
No. She had a totally different style, but sunflowers…
MOMBI
No… No, you can’t possibly remember that!
EXT. WESTERN WASTELAND – CONTINUOUS
UGU
The Witch had lots of magical allies in her circle. Crooked Magicians, goblin kings and so on. This magic reminds me of Mombi.
TIN WOODMAN
Great. Does this help us right now?
UGU
Well, it’s —
DOROTHY
(in the fire)
Tin Woodman! Tin Woodman, is that you?
TIN WOODMAN
Dorothy?
DOROTHY
It is you! You have to help me, she’s going to kill me!
TIN WOODMAN
Dorothy, I can barely see you!
DOROTHY
I’m trapped in the fire, Tin Woodman! Mombi has me captured! She’s going to burn me alive unless you go back!
TIN WOODMAN
But how are you even here? You went back to Kansas, you —
DOROTHY
She brought me back, she’s that powerful! And if you don’t stay away from the Emerald City she’s going to destroy the Scarecrow. She’s going to kill the Lion and she’s going to roast me! You have to go back.
TIN WOODMAN
Dorothy, stay there, I’m coming to get you.
DOROTHY
Go back, save yourself!
UGU
Your Grace, wait!
TIN WOODMAN
I have to save Dorothy.
UGU
That isn’t her!
TIN WOODMAN
Of course it’s Dorothy, I can see her through the flames.
DOROTHY
Tin Woodman, I can’t last much longer!
TIN WOODMAN
I’m coming!
UGU
She’s not real, your Grace. None of this is.
TIN WOODMAN
What do you mean?
UGU
That’s what I was trying to say about Mombi’s magic. It’s limited! She can’t transport people across realms, she can’t make sunflowers attack people, she can’t burn people to death from hundreds of miles away. It’s an illusion!
TIN WOODMAN
But… it feels so real. It sounds so real!
UGU
That was her speciality. But we should be able to walk right through it.
TIN WOODMAN
Are you sure?
UGU
I haven’t seen Mombi in years, it’s possible her powers have grown —
TIN WOODMAN
I need to be sure, Ugu, if I’m going to let Dorothy die —
UGU
I’m sure, I’m sure. It can’t be Dorothy.
DOROTHY
Tin Woodman, please!!!!!!!
UGU
Just walk through the flames, your Grace. All of us just close your eyes and walk through.
DOROTHY
If you come any closer she’ll destroy me completely!
TIN WOODMAN
You’re not Dorothy! Dorothy went home to Kansas and is safe with her uncle and aunt! You’re playing a mean trick, Mombi, and I won’t be fooled by it!
He marches forward. Dorothy lets out a guttural scream, and the illusion is shattered.
TIN WOODMAN (cont’d)
That was a low blow.
UGU
That’s Mombi’s other speciality. Shall we continue?
TIN WOODMAN
Quite. There’s a few things I want to say to this witch.
INT. PALACE OFFICE
MOMBI
And I’ve got a few things to say to you, metal man.
JINJUR
Is what he said true? You couldn’t kill them?
MOMBI
I …
JINJUR
Why am I wasting my time with a useless wannabe witch? Get out of my Palace, I have no further need of you.
MOMBI
Wait, listen please. I can still help you!
JINJUR
With magic tricks and illusions?
MOMBI
You’d be surprised how effective an illusion can be.
JINJUR
I’ve just seen how effective that can be!
MOMBI
It was working fine until little whatsisname remembered me! When they get closer, my powers will be far stronger. Let me continue. I may not be able to kill them, but you’ll see what my illusions can achieve. Given time.
JINJUR
Fine. But this is your last chance, Mombi. You had better deliver.
INT. THRONE ROOM
Jack Pumpkinhead’s listening in at the door.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
I think they’ve gone, Dad.
TIP
Stop calling me that.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
But I can’t hear anything out there.
TIP
Which means Mombi’s probably torturing somebody else.
SCARECROW
Right. That gives us an opportunity.
OMBY AMBY
It does?
SCARECROW
While they’re distracted, we can make our escape.
OMBY AMBY
Escape to where? With respect, Sire, the Munchkins will have taken control of the Palace by now. Probably parts of the inner city as well.
SCARECROW
Well what’s the alternative? We stay in here and hide?
OMBY AMBY
Why not? We’re safe in here, the door’s been sealed.
TIP
For now. I’m not actually magic, I just know the theory. Mombi will find a way at some point to get through that. Your Majesty is right, we need to get out of here.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Oooh! You have another idea, don’t you Dad?
TIP
Not really.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
You sounded like you did.
TIP
Your pumpkin’s going soft.
SCARECROW
Tip, how much of that magic powder have you still got?
TIP
Most of the bottle, why?
SCARECROW
Cause I’m starting to have an idea myself…
EXT. EMERALD CITY RIVERBANK
The Tin Woodman and Ugu have arrived and are in discussions with Faramant, the Queen Mouse and the Woggle Bug.
FARAMANT
Your arrival couldn’t have come at a better time.
TIN WOODMAN
We’d have got here earlier if it wasn’t for a bit of bother on the way.
UGU
A bit of magical bother.
FARAMANT
Yes. General Jinjur has a witch in her employ.
UGU
Mombi, we know.
FARAMANT
Really? How?
TIN WOODMAN
Let’s not get into that, what’s the situation here?
FARAMANT
The Munchkins have managed to secure the Palace. I have limited forces surrounding them but the building’s a fortress, there’s no way to get in there.
TIN WOODMAN
Limited forces?
FARAMANT
Most of our troops are still trying to secure peace in Munchkinland.
WOGGLE BUG
And we see how well that’s turned out.
TIN WOODMAN
I’m sorry, and you are?
WOGGLE BUG
Permit me to introduce myself, your Imperial Majesty. I am Mr HM Woggle Bug, TE.
TIN WOODMAN
‘HM’?
WOGGLE BUG
Highly Magnified.
TIN WOODMAN
And ‘TE’?
WOGGLE BUG
Thoroughly Educated.
TIN WOODMAN
Right.
WOGGLE BUG
If you will permit me to seat myself in your august company, I will gladly relate my history so that you will be better able to comprehend my unusual — may I say remarkable? — appearance.
TIN WOODMAN
Yeah, we haven’t got time for that.
(to Faramant)
So all your troops are out of town, and you’ve thrown everything you’ve got at your own Palace?
FARAMANT
Correct, your Grace.
TIN WOODMAN
Then it is a good thing I’m here. Ugu, tell my troops to form a perimeter around the City limits. Concentrate on the Eastern Gate, but try and cover everything if you can.
UGU
I don’t know if we have enough soldiers for that.
TIN WOODMAN
Then do your best.
UGU
Right away.
He scurries off.
FARAMANT
I don’t understand, your Grace.
TIN WOODMAN
Most of your army is away, and everyone you’ve got left is at the Palace or the bomb site. Who’s protecting you from further outside attack?
FARAMANT
Are the Munchkins likely to send more troops?
TIN WOODMAN
It’s exactly what I’d do. Then you’re trapped between two armies and the Emerald City’s lost.
FARAMANT
Fair point.
TIN WOODMAN
Now. Tell me about the Scarecrow.
FARAMANT
We’ve lost communications, but last we heard he was trapped with Omby Amby in the Throne Room.
TIN WOODMAN
Jinjur hasn’t taken him prisoner?
FARAMANT
I understand they’ve sealed themselves in. Although that could easily have changed, we’ve been out of contact for hours.
TIN WOODMAN
Let’s assume for now that the Throne Room is secure.
FARAMANT
It’s a fair bet, the Wizard —
TIN WOODMAN
— was paranoid, I remember. How do we get in there?
FARAMANT
Past Jinjur?
TIN WOODMAN
Yes. We need to make sure the King is safe. As long as she hasn’t got him, she hasn’t got complete control.
FARAMANT
If they haven’t already broken in, they’ll still be trying. The main door will be a no go.
TIN WOODMAN
Are there any secret passages?
FARAMANT
None I know of.
TIN WOODMAN
I can’t imagine that the Wizard didn’t leave himself an emergency escape route.
FARAMANT
He did. The roof. He flew away on his balloon, remember.
TIN WOODMAN
Besides that. There has to be some way to get in there.
WOGGLE BUG
Ahem. I may have a suggestion, if you’re of a mind to listen.
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR
Jinjur and Victon are on their way to the Palace Lounge.
JINJUR
I thought we’d got rid of him.
VICTON
Turns out he just relocated to the City.
JINJUR
He’s an irritant. Just give me a giant fly swat and I’ll sort him.
VICTON
I’m sure we can arrange that.
JINJUR
At least tell me he’s stopped wearing the dresses.
VICTON
He’s in standard fashion from what I could tell.
JINJUR
Good, that would have been too much to bear.
She opens the door.
INT. PALACE LOUNGE
Room with couches, furnishings — it’s an anteroom for the Throne Room. The Tin Woodman waits with the Woggle Bug as Jinjur and Victon march in.
JINJUR
You’d better have a good reason for being here, Bug.
WOGGLE BUG
My enthusiastic felicitations to you, Colonel Jinjur.
JINJUR
(correcting him)
General.
WOGGLE BUG
Who shall be Queen hereafter, no doubt.
JINJUR
Give me time.
WOGGLE BUG
My condolences for the passing of your father —
JINJUR
What do you want? I seem to recall when we last had dealings with you we told you that you were to never lay eyes on us again.
WOGGLE BUG
That was correct. And at once I ensured to remove my person from your principality, and decided to settle in this region. It’s no fault of mine that you followed me to the City of Emeralds.
JINJUR
This doesn’t tell me why you’re in my Palace.
TIN WOODMAN
Your Palace?!
JINJUR
Oh, so it does talk.
TIN WOODMAN
You bet I do.
WOGGLE BUG
Silence, prisoner, I didn’t give you leave to speak.
JINJUR
Prisoner?
WOGGLE BUG
Quite. This is why I have come. To present to you the Nickel-Plated Emperor himself. Commonly known as the Tin Woodman.
TIN WOODMAN
That’s what my friends call me. You can call me — ugh!
The Woggle Bug hits him.
JINJUR
Right. And you’re expecting me to believe you’ve managed to kidnap the Emperor of the Winkies.
WOGGLE BUG
That’s correct.
JINJUR
Did you grab him right from the head of his army, or did you tell them to all ‘look over there’ first? We saw the Winkies approach, we know they’re here.
WOGGLE BUG
And you’ll also know how very upset they are that their shiny leader has been taken from them.
VICTON
Not really, no.
WOGGLE BUG
Well, perhaps you need to check your information again, Victon dear.
JINJUR
You didn’t answer the question. And you’d better, if you don’t want Victon to string you up by your antennae.
WOGGLE BUG
I don’t want to bore you with the details, my dear. Shall it suffice to say that I wooed him with promises of assistance to rescue his Scarecrow friend, and it has resulted in a sudden but inevitable betrayal.
TIN WOODMAN
Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal.
JINJUR
Oh for Lurline’s sake… Ok, assuming for a minute I believe a word of this because I’m feeling a little bored, what exactly do you want in exchange for the Emperor of the Winkies?
WOGGLE BUG
Why, the same as I have always wanted.
VICTON
A purple, polka-dotted dress?
WOGGLE BUG
(seething)
That was a private discussion and you have no business bringing it up in public.
JINJUR
Getting bored, Woggle Bug.
WOGGLE BUG
I would like to be part of your campaign. To have a place in the administration of Queen Jinjur the First.
JINJUR
Right.
WOGGLE BUG
I can see which way the wind turns. I know when it’s time to pick the winning side. To the victor belongs the spoils. You’ve all but taken the Emerald City, you have the Scarecrow in custody — I now present you with the Winkie Emperor to ensure your succession to power is all but complete.
JINJUR
So you’re changing sides? Again? What’s it going to be in five minutes, Woggle Bug, you’re back to supporting someone else?
WOGGLE BUG
My Lady —
JINJUR
Actually I don’t care. You’re full of shit, Woggle Bug, and you always will be. And by always, I mean the next five seconds. Victon, cut his head off.
VICTON
Yes Ma’am.
He draws his sword.
WOGGLE BUG
(terrified)
Sweet Matilda!
TIN WOODMAN
Now!
A hinge opens on the Tin Woodman’s torso and a squadron of warrior mice emerge. They squeak and draw swords
QUEEN MOUSE
Attack!
JINJUR
Mice! Ugh! Kill them, Victon!
They do battle.
WOGGLE BUG
Run, your Grace!
TIN WOODMAN
Through that door!
In the chaos, the Tin Woodman and the Woggle Bug escape.
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR
The Tin Woodman and the Woggle Bug run down the corridor. Chaos in the room behind them.
TIN WOODMAN
The Throne Room is just around here.
WOGGLE BUG
I was right, she never suspected you were carrying warrior mice in your tin torso.
TIN WOODMAN
Yeah, I’ll thank the Queen properly when we get out of here alive.
They stop at the throne room.
TIN WOODMAN (cont’d)
Scarecrow? Can you hear me? Let us in, quick!
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
(behind the door)
Who is it?
TIN WOODMAN
What?
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Who are you?
TIN WOODMAN
Who am I? Who the hell are you?
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
My name’s Jack Pumpkinhead. And I’m not letting anybody in here, my Daddy said so!
WOGGLE BUG
Daddy?!
TIN WOODMAN
(to Woggle Bug)
Do you know who this is?
WOGGLE BUG
No idea.
TIN WOODMAN
Jack Pumpkinhead, you have to let us in. Jinjur will be after us any minute now and —
OMBY AMBY
Your Grace, is that you?
TIN WOODMAN
It’s the Tin Woodman, let us in!
OMBY AMBY
Open the door Jack, quickly!
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
But Dad said —
OMBY AMBY
Jack!
The door opens and they rush inside.
INT. THRONE ROOM
TIN WOODMAN
Close the doors again, quickly.
OMBY AMBY
Jack, you have to do it.
TIN WOODMAN
Why him?
OMBY AMBY
Cause the magic doesn’t affect him. Don’t ask.
The door slams.
TIN WOODMAN
Right. You’re a Pumpkinhead. Explains the name.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
And you’re a tin man! Cool!
TIN WOODMAN
Where’s the —
SCARECROW
(other side of the room)
What took you so long!
TIN WOODMAN
— Scarecrow.
SCARECROW
I called for you ages ago!
TIN WOODMAN
Well in case you haven’t noticed, you’re a bit under siege in here!
SCARECROW
Because I have a crazy woman and her pet witch trying to take over my City.
TIN WOODMAN
I’ve got news for you, your Majesty. She has taken over your City.
SCARECROW
She has?
WOGGLE BUG
The Palace anyway. Your Guardian of the Gates is outside trying to maintain some order, but right now they’re not getting far.
TIN WOODMAN
Oh sorry, everyone this is the Woggle Bug. Woggle Bug, this is His Majesty the Scarecrow of Oz and… other people.
WOGGLE BUG
HM Woggle Bug, TE, to be specific. Highly Magnified and Thoroughly —
SCARECROW
So what’s your plan?
TIN WOODMAN
What?
SCARECROW
Your plan. If you got in here, surely it’s because you wanted to rescue us?
TIN WOODMAN
Well…
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Oh I’m looking forward to this. Should I get Dad to hear the Tin Man’s Plan?
(chuckling)
Look at me, I made a rhyme…
TIN WOODMAN
No, seriously, who are you?
SCARECROW
He’s Jack Pumpkinhead, he’s Tip’s son.
TIN WOODMAN
And who’s Tip?
SCARECROW
He’s… where is Tip?
OMBY AMBY
Upstairs still assembling the Thing.
SCARECROW
Oh of course.
TIN WOODMAN
Thing?
SCARECROW
It’s our escape plan!
OMBY AMBY
But we’re hoping against hope Your Grace might have come with a better one.
TIN WOODMAN
I’m afraid I didn’t have an escape plan as such. The idea was to get in here to make sure you were ok.
OMBY AMBY
Great.
SCARECROW
That’s ok.
OMBY AMBY
No it’s not!
SCARECROW
Yes it is. Everything’s ok, Tin Woodman, because I had an idea!
TIN WOODMAN
Uh oh.
SCARECROW
Shut up. Come with me while I tell you all about it!
EXT. TOWER
The same location as where the Wizard kept the balloon in Season 1. Open to the sky, above the Throne Room. Tip is there, assembling the flying machine.
TIP (V.O.)
Leaving the others to guard the door, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman made their way up the windy staircase to the top of the tower over the throne room. That’s where they found me, busily assembling the Thing.
VOICE (V.O.)
The Thing.
TIP (V.O.)
That’s what we’d been calling it. There weren’t any other ways to properly describe it. So imagine, two couches, tied together so they faced each other, their backs facing out. Strapped to each side of them were two giant palm leaves, so it looked like the contraption had wings. On one end was a broom to work as a tail, and on the front was an old mounted Gump’s head.
VOICE (V.O.)
I don’t have to imagine. I remember.
TIN WOODMAN
What’s it supposed to be? Modern art?
SCARECROW
It’s a flying machine!
TIN WOODMAN
Right.
SCARECROW
See, it’s got wings, and a tail so it can steer —
TIN WOODMAN
It’s a couch!
SCARECROW
It’s two couches.
TIN WOODMAN
Scarecrow, do we need to have a discussion about aerodynamics?
SCARECROW
And it’s even got a head so it can see where it’s going.
TIN WOODMAN
It’s a dead Gump!
TIP
Won’t be dead for long. Not when I sprinkle it with Powder of Life…
TIN WOODMAN
Powder of Life? Seriously, who are you?
INT. THRONE ROOM
Omby Amby, the Woggle Bug and Jack Pumpkinhead are watching the door. It’s quiet, but then a sound is heard behind the door. Something pushing against it.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
What was that?
OMBY AMBY
Sounded like the door.
WOGGLE BUG
The Throne Room door?
OMBY AMBY
How many other doors are there in here?
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Well there’s that one to the stairway where Dad is, and there’s that one to the King’s bedroom, and —
OMBY AMBY
Thank you, yes, I meant the Throne Room door.
Another creak.
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
It’s definitely moving!
WOGGLE BUG
Didn’t you say there was magic holding the door closed?
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
There was! But it’s still moving!
OMBY AMBY
I wonder…
WOGGLE BUG
What?
OMBY AMBY
Well Tip did a thing that sealed the door. But then we let you and the Emperor in, didn’t we? I wonder if that’s… I don’t know what you’d call it. Broken the seal?
The door pushes inwards again. Harder.
OMBY AMBY (cont’d)
And I wonder if Jinjur knows that?
WOGGLE BUG
Step back, Jack Pumpkinhead, I think it’s about to —
The door bursts open and guards rush in. Jinjur follows them.
JINJUR
Arrest them all! Nobody move!
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Dad! Dad, look out! Jinjur’s here! She’s here!
CLOSING CREDITS