Read the production script for Episode 4 of The Chronicles of Oz: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This script may differ slightly from the final released audio.
Episode Four
PREVIOUSLY:
Previously on Oz, catching up the audience.
OPENING CREDITS
INT. TOWER
The Witch is poring over a crystal ball. The faint sounds of a creature can be heard, as the Witch coos over it.
WITCH
Soon, my pet. Soon. Your time is close now, so close. You will be released you from your bonds and…
She stops to listen to a sudden new presence. The crystal ball becomes silent.
WITCH
What is this feeling so sudden and new?
GLINDA
Don’t tell me – loathing?
WITCH
Irritation.
GLINDA
That’s not sudden and new. You’ve been irritable for decades.
WITCH
Insulted then. If you think I would be fooled by such a ridiculous projection.
GLINDA
You don’t think I’m silly enough to visit your castle in person, do you?
WITCH
Where are you now? Your palace in Quadling Country I suppose?
GLINDA
I understand you wanted to speak with me.
WITCH
So hostile Glinda.
GLINDA
You can talk.
WITCH
I was hoping the two of us could be friends once more.
GLINDA
Is that so?
WITCH
Like we used to be, in the old days. Do you remember? When it was you, me, Mombi, Zixi –
GLINDA
If you’re going to waste my time, I’m going.
WITCH
Oh all right. A sense of humour was never your forte, Glinda, even then. But I did want to propose an alliance.
GLINDA
This just keeps getting better. Go on.
WITCH
If you’re not interested –
GLINDA
I’m interested. I could do with some entertainment.
WITCH
Oz is in flux. I know you’ve felt it. With my counterpart in the East out of the way, it won’t be long before the balance of power shifts again.
GLINDA
This is true.
WITCH
What better way to ensure that the balance shifts in our favour, than by joining forces.
GLINDA
With you?
WITCH
No, with the Nome King. Of course with me.
GLINDA
Ruling Oz together?
WITCH
The Wizard couldn’t stop both of us. Locasta would fall into line. Together we’d be the greatest team there’s ever been.
GLINDA
You don’t know what a team is. You’ve been alone in this castle for so long.
WITCH
I’m not alone.
GLINDA
And how good at conversation are your subjects these days? I’ve seen how you rule the Winkies. I honestly don’t think our management styles will gel, do you?
WITCH
Very well. I thought I’d offer, I shan’t do so again.
GLINDA
Thank Lurline for that.
WITCH
You realise the only alternative is civil war?
GLINDA
You realise I know you’ve been preparing for this for some time?
WITCH
Of course.
GLINDA
And so have I.
WITCH
I look forward to it.
Pause.
GLINDA
Well, this was fun. All the best and whatnot.
WITCH
Get out of my castle, Glinda.
GLINDA
Before I go, just one more thing.
WITCH
Really?
GLINDA
The house. Strange choice of weapon wasn’t it, even for you?
WITCH
What makes you think I was responsible?
GLINDA
Oh please, who else would benefit by taking a key player from the board? Kill the Witch of the East, seize on the opportunity it presents to control Oz. It’s got you written all over it.
WITCH
And I was thinking I could say the same about you. And dropping a house on somebody is exactly the crazy, nonsensical thing you’d try, Glinda.
GLINDA
I guess we’ll never know who really brought Dorothy to Oz.
WITCH
I guess not.
GLINDA
Unless you ask her yourself. She’s coming, you know.
WITCH
Of course I know.
GLINDA
Do make her feel welcome.
She disappears.
WITCH
Oh, I will.
(shouting)
Ugu! Bring me my Golden Cap!
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM
Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman wait in the room, silently. From outside the door we hear the Lion’s terrified screams as he races down the corridor and bursts into the room.
LION
Keep it away from me! Keep it away!
TIN WOODMAN
Lion, Lion, it’s just us!
SCARECROW
You’re safe, there isn’t anyone there.
DOROTHY
The Wizard is back in his throne room, he can’t hurt you in here.
LION
(shaking)
A big ball of fire. He was just a big scary ball of fire!
SCARECROW
Really? Wow!
LION
Didn’t you see it too?
SCARECROW
No! I saw a beautiful woman. Probably. I think she was meant to be beautiful, but without a brain I can’t –
TIN WOODMAN
Yeah, we all saw different things.
DOROTHY
But were we told different things?
TIN WOODMAN
I doubt it.
SCARECROW
What did he say, Lion?
LION
He said I had to… had to…
SCARECROW
Yeah, had to…?
TIN WOODMAN
Kill the Wicked Witch of the West?
LION
How did you know?
TIN WOODMAN
Psychic.
DOROTHY
He told the rest of us the same thing.
SCARECROW
Kill the Witch of the West and I’ll grant your wishes. He’s consistent, I’ll give him that.
LION
The Wizard must be very scared of the Witch if he’s asking everyone to kill her.
TIN WOODMAN
I think the idea was that we worked together, somehow.
Omby Amby coughs in the doorway.
OMBY AMBY
Sorry to interrupt your reunion, but I just wanted to let you know you’re free to go.
SCARECROW
Oh?
OMBY AMBY
By direct order from the Wizard himself. He didn’t give details. And from what I’ve just overheard, I don’t want to know.
DOROTHY
Probably a good idea.
OMBY AMBY
Anyway, just give me a holler when you’re ready to go, someone will show you out.
DOROTHY
Thank you.
Omby Amby goes and closes the door. There’s a silence.
SCARECROW
Now what?
DOROTHY
I don’t know. I guess we… kill the Wicked Witch?
The Lion whimpers.
TIN WOODMAN
Why? I mean, why do we have to do this? He’s a Wizard for Lurline’s sake, we’ve already seen his amazing powers. If he wants the Witch of the West dead, why not send a thunderbolt after her? Blow her to pieces from the safe distance of the Emerald City?
SCARECROW
Maybe it’s a test. He wants to see if we’re worthy of his help. If we can kill the Witch of the West, then we’re sure to be worthy of just about anything.
TIN WOODMAN
This is all your fault you know.
DOROTHY
Mine? How?
TIN WOODMAN
If you hadn’t killed the Witch of the East when you got here, he wouldn’t have had the idea to complete the set!
DOROTHY
I had no control over that. You know that. How dare you make this my –
TIN WOODMAN
Yeah, right, you had no control over it, so you keep saying. Doesn’t help us now, does it?
DOROTHY
Why not just call me a liar to my face?
TIN WOODMAN
If the Silver Slipper fits!
SCARECROW
Stop it, both of you. We haven’t got time for this. We have to make a decision.
LION
I was hoping we wouldn’t get to this bit…
SCARECROW
Is it worth getting the things we want if we have to kill the Wicked Witch of the West to do it?
Pause.
DOROTHY
I don’t even know who she is. I don’t have anything against her. I’m not sure I could just go up and kill her just so I could get what I want –
TIN WOODMAN
Like it’s the first time.
DOROTHY
You want a piece of me, tin man?
SCARECROW
Stop it!
LION
I guess it’ll be ok for us to do it. I mean, the Witch is evil, right? She keeps the Winkies as slaves, so I hear.
DOROTHY
Like the Witch of the East did with the Munchkins?
LION
Worse.
SCARECROW
Worse?
LION
You don’t want to know. I don’t want to know. I’ve only heard rumours. Stories. But she’s powerful. Way too powerful for anyone to stop her.
DOROTHY
Then what hope do we have?
SCARECROW
It’s not like we’d be killing anyone nice. She’s a Wicked Witch. We’re doing Oz a favour. Right?
TIN WOODMAN
It doesn’t matter! Better warriors than us have gone against her, and how they ended was not pretty. The Wizard couldn’t defeat her, the combined forces of Glinda and Locasta did nothing, and what are we? A girl, a brainless scarecrow, a cowardly lion and a guy who rusts at a raindrop.
DOROTHY
I’m going to do it.
TIN WOODMAN
You’re an idiot.
DOROTHY
Then give me another choice! This isn’t my home, and I can’t imagine how it could be. If the Wizard says he’s got the power to send me back, then I have to do whatever it takes to get him to do it.
SCARECROW
How do you know if he even can?
DOROTHY
He’s the first person in this whole stupid country who’s even heard of Kansas. He’s the best chance I’ve got. I have to do this. Or at least try.
TIN WOODMAN
You’ll be dead.
DOROTHY
What would you suggest then? Sit here and be happy with Oz as my new home?
TIN WOODMAN
Better than dead. And you can kill yourselves on your own for all I care. I’m out.
DOROTHY
What?
TIN WOODMAN
This was a long shot anyway. We all said we’d go ask the Wizard if he could help us. If he couldn’t, then we wouldn’t be any worse off than before. Well, he can’t. So I’m going home.
DOROTHY
He can help us!
TIN WOODMAN
Can he? Then why didn’t he? I’m not prepared to get myself killed so that I can have a heart. I’ve survived perfectly well up until now, I’ll get over it.
DOROTHY
Lion, how do you feel about this?
LION
I’m too scared. I’m sorry, but I can’t do it.
DOROTHY
What a surprise.
SCARECROW
Dorothy!
DOROTHY
What? He’s scared of pretty much everything. What a shock, he’s frightened of this too.
LION
I’m a coward, I know that. That’s why I came here. But this is too much. If I have to live the rest of my life in fear, then that’s what I’m going to have to do. I’m sorry, I have to go.
He runs away.
DOROTHY
What is with you people? Not prepared to take risks to get what you want –
SCARECROW
It’s different for you. If the Wizard doesn’t help you, you lose your home and your family and everything you’ve known, I get that. But with us … we just stay how we are. Nothing changes.
DOROTHY
So you’re not coming either then?
SCARECROW
I didn’t say that –
DOROTHY
Well fine. Who really needs you? Go back to your field or your forest, chopping down trees and running away from Kalidahs. You know what? I’ve helped each and every one of you over the last couple of days get out of whatever stupid situation you were stuck in – and you can’t even be bothered to help me. Well thanks. Thanks a bunch. It was nice knowing you.
TIN WOODMAN
Say hi to the Wicked Witch for me.
SCARECROW
Dorothy, please, don’t –
DOROTHY
Goodbye Scarecrow. Come on Toto…
She storms off.
TIN WOODMAN
Good riddance.
SCARECROW
Shut up.
TIN WOODMAN
You shut up. Do you want to die?
SCARECROW
I don’t want Dorothy to die.
TIN WOODMAN
She made her choice.
SCARECROW
So did we.
TIN WOODMAN
Hey, you want to throw your life away, go right ahead. I’m going back to my house and starting my life again. This was a stupid idea in the first place.
He stomps off, leaving the Scarecrow alone.
SCARECROW
I wouldn’t know if it was a stupid idea. I haven’t got a brain, I can’t tell what ideas are good or bad at all…
INT. EMERALD CITY OFFICE
Faramant and Jelia Jamb wait in anticipation as Omby Amby enters. They pounce on him excitedly.
JELIA JAMB
So, tell me what happened!
FARAMANT
Have they gone? Which way did they go?
OMBY AMBY
Can you let me get into the office before you beg me for gossip please? They’ve all left the city, by the Western Gate if that leaves you any the wiser.
JELIA JAMB
Then it’s true. They are going after the Witch?
OMBY AMBY
I don’t know what they’re doing. And heading into Winkieland, I doubt they know what they’re doing either.
FARAMANT
Are they all going that way?
OMBY AMBY
The girl is. She –
(he pauses)
Look, this doesn’t go further than the three of us, right? I don’t want to hear this turning up in some broadcast or on the streets, you understand?
JELIA JAMB
Off the record, understood.
OMBY AMBY
The girl was asking about how to travel in Winkieland. And where she can find the Witch.
FARAMANT
What did you tell her?
OMBY AMBY
What could I tell her? There’s no roads that way, not anymore. And lets face it, ten minutes in her domain and finding the Witch is not going to be a problem.
FARAMANT
That’s true.
JELIA JAMB
Did you try to warn her? Tell her what the Witch is like?
OMBY AMBY
The girl started a civil war in Munchkinland, I don’t think she needs much in the way of protecting. Especially not with those shoes.
JELIA JAMB
And her friends?
OMBY AMBY
No idea. She’s on her own as far as I know.
JELIA JAMB
I see. What do you want me to tell the people?
OMBY AMBY
Nothing.
JELIA JAMB
I have to give them something. I can’t just announce the assassin of the Witch of the East has been released without comment.
OMBY AMBY
It’s the Wizard’s command, that’s all we need to say. They’ll have questions, but that’s the Wizard’s direct order. We do not need to know.
JELIA JAMB
I see.
OMBY AMBY
But that said… Faramant, how many Storkguards do you have available?
FARAMANT
Not many. Most are patrolling the eastern border.
OMBY AMBY
Can you spare any to the west?
FARAMANT
Into Winkieland? And are you going to be the one calling the Storkguards’ families when they don’t come back?
OMBY AMBY
I want to know as much as I can about that girl’s movements. Don’t put any storkguards in any danger, if possible. But I want as much information as I can get.
FARAMANT
I’ll see what I can arrange.
OMBY AMBY
Thank you.
JELIA JAMB
All alone in Winkieland, at the mercy of the Witch of the West. I would hate to be in those Silver Shoes right now.
EXT. WESTERN WASTELAND
Harsh winds, scary lightning, dangerous landscape. Lightning cracks across the sky. Dorothy gasps, Toto barks.
DOROTHY
It’s all right Toto. It’s just some lightning. We’ve seen worse in Kansas, right? Nothing to worry about, except maybe some rain… Some storm clouds… Evil storm clouds…
Another lightning crack. Toto barks again.
DOROTHY
(startled and terrified)
What’s that Toto? You think we ought to go find some shelter somewhere? Like the house over there? What a good idea, I’m so glad you’re here to protect me…
INT. WINKIE HOUSE
Abandoned-sounding house. Very small, very unkempt. Practically falling apart.
Knock on the door. Then Dorothy opens the door cautiously.
DOROTHY
(nervous)
Hello? Is anyone home? The door was open so I thought we’d just pop our heads in and see… We just want some directions to the Witch’s house. Or castle. Or palace, whatever she lives in.
(pause)
I don’t think anyone’s here, Toto. Maybe they’re out shopping. Yeah, that’s what it is. They’re shopping. And they’ve been a really, really long time and that’s why this place looks so abandoned.
Toto starts whimpering.
DOROTHY
What is it, Toto? Don’t you – ahhhhhhhh!
She screams on seeing the inhabitants.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
I didn’t see them at first in the half light. But sitting in the corner of the room, around a table, were three people. A man, a woman and a little boy – practically a baby. A family. They weren’t moving.
DOROTHY
Hello? Are you… Are they dead? I… no, they’re breathing. Toto, I think they’re alive but they’re not moving. Hello, can you hear me?
DOROTHY (V.O.)
I touched the man on the arm, gently. He was cold to the touch. In the dim light, I could see his eyes were open, but they stared blankly ahead, barely a glimmer of life. But he was alive. It was almost like some sort of coma. Maybe a spell? I turned to the woman, and she was the same. And then the boy. The little boy, who in a very creepy way, smiled.
DOROTHY
(startled)
Oh my God!
The Winkie Boy giggles.
DOROTHY
Are you all right? My name’s Dorothy, do you need help?
The boy continues to giggle, then speaks suddenly with the Witch’s voice.
WITCH
(speaking through the Winkie Boy)
Welcome to my domain, Dorothy.
The Winkie Boy’s giggle then turns into a squeal. Thunder cracks.
DOROTHY
(scream)
DOROTHY (V.O.)
That was it. My brain gave up and my terror took over. Before I knew it I was out the door and running as far away from that house as humanly possible.
Dorothy races out the door, slamming the door behind her while the boy’s laughs fill the audience with terror.
INT. TOWER
The Witch is watching Dorothy’s actions in her crystal ball.
WITCH
She’s here. She’s here at last.
UGU
That’s really her? The girl sent to kill you? She’s so small.
WITCH
Don’t be naive. Let’s see how far we can push her before she breaks, shall we?
She begins summoning magic.
EXT. WESTERN WASTELAND – CONTINUOUS
A scary cacophony of ‘cawcawcaw’ echoes around the plain.
DOROTHY
(still terrified)
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary… suddenly there came a tapping, tapping at my chamber door…
(gasp)
Toto, they’re ravens! Hundreds and hundreds of ravens! We have to get out of here….
She runs. The birds swoop down and surround her and she screams as she struggles beneath them.
WITCH
(her gleeful cackle penetrates the sky)
DOROTHY
Get off me! Go away! Help me! Somebody please help me!
SCARECROW
(running up to her)
Get away from her!
DOROTHY
Scarecrow?
SCARECROW
You heard me. Get off her! Boo! Scat! Get out of it, go on! Get! Get!
He rushes around scaring the birds away.
DOROTHY
(scared)
Scarecrow, is that really you?
SCARECROW
It’s all right, they’ve gone. I scared them off for you. Are you ok?
DOROTHY
Quoth the raven, nevermore…
SCARECROW
What?
DOROTHY
Nothing. How did you do that?
SCARECROW
I’m a scarecrow. It’s what I do. I scare crows.
DOROTHY
They were ravens!
SCARECROW
Oh. Well, I guess a bird is a bird, right?
DOROTHY
I’ve never seen birds like that before. They were… demonic. Evil.
SCARECROW
Wicked?
DOROTHY
Yeah. Could you help me up?
SCARECROW
Sure.
She stands up.
DOROTHY
You didn’t have to come after me you know.
SCARECROW
Yeah, I did. I couldn’t let you wander off into Winkieland on your own. Not after everything you’ve done for me. If it weren’t for you I’d be still stuck on that pole and I wouldn’t have seen all the things I’ve seen.
DOROTHY
You’d have found your own way off that pole eventually.
SCARECROW
But I didn’t. So I owe you. And besides, well … what else was I going to do?
DOROTHY
Anything you wanted to. But I’m glad you came. This will be so much easier with two of us.
(Toto barks)
Yes, all right, three of us.
SCARECROW
So what did you have in mind?
DOROTHY
I don’t know.
SCARECROW
You haven’t got a plan?
DOROTHY
Nobody could tell me enough about the Witch to make one. I don’t know her weaknesses, her powers, her faults … I don’t even know where she lives.
SCARECROW
So how are you going to kill her?
DOROTHY
I don’t know if I am yet. I’m just going to… well to see what happens.
SCARECROW
Well, I’m here to help you all the way, whatever you do. We’re a team, you and me.
DOROTHY
Thank you, Scarecrow. That means a lot. I just hope you think that way when the Witch sends the next big thing at us.
A howl in the distance.
SCARECROW
You mean like that?
DOROTHY
She doesn’t mess around does she?
SCARECROW
How do you know that’s coming from the Witch?
Another howl, joined by friends.
DOROTHY
How do we know it isn’t?
SCARECROW
Over there! Look! In the distance.
DOROTHY
It’s a wolf.
SCARECROW
Like Toto?
DOROTHY
Toto’s a dog, wolves are bigger. Nastier. Hungrier….
SCARECROW
And coming right for us.
DOROTHY
Ok. Right. Ummmm – run?
SCARECROW
I’m right in front of you!
They scamper away as the wolves, snapping and snarling give chase.
DOROTHY
(out of breath)
It’s no good. We can’t outrun them.
SCARECROW
We can’t just give up!
DOROTHY
I don’t plan to. I just need to think.
SCARECROW
We don’t have time for thinking. Here, climb up this tree.
DOROTHY
I can’t climb that, not holding Toto.
SCARECROW
I’ll hold Toto and pass him up to you. Quickly!
DOROTHY
What about you?
SCARECROW
The wolves won’t hurt me. They can’t, I’m made of straw.
DOROTHY
They’ll tear you apart, Scarecrow!
SCARECROW
Don’t worry about me, just get up there! I’ll hold them off. Go!
DOROTHY
Hold them off with what?
SCARECROW
This!
DOROTHY
A stick? You’re going to beat away wolves with a stick? You’re insane!
SCARECROW
Got any better ideas?
DOROTHY
Well, no, but – ahhhh!
She shrieks as a wolf leaps at them, snarling and growling. The beast yelps as the Scarecrow parries it with his branch.
SCARECROW
(false confidence)
Ok. Who wants some? Hmm? Ahhh!
He cries out in surprise as another wolf leaps at him. He wrestles with it and his stick.
DOROTHY
Scarecrow! Leave him alone you brute! Leave him al- aghhh!
A wolf growls, dangerously close. Its salivating jaws snarl before it yelps and runs away as the clattering sound of tin knocks it aside.
TIN WOODMAN
Pick on someone your own size!
DOROTHY
Tin Woodman!
TIN WOODMAN
I can’t leave you two alone for a minute can I?
(another wolf takes a flying leap at him, blunting its teeth)
Oh get off. Leave these things to me, Dorothy.
DOROTHY
I’m so glad you came back!
(she screams again)
More wolves attack and the Tin Woodman fights them off. The scene is one of utter chaos as the battle rages, wolves leaping around everywhere.
LION
(roar)
The roar brings the battle to a sudden halt. The wolves take off at top speed.
SCARECROW
Well, that sure told them!
DOROTHY
I don’t believe it! I’ve never been so pleased to see anyone! You were so brave!
LION
(approaching)
That wasn’t brave, Dorothy. That was just loud.
TIN WOODMAN
Doesn’t matter, it got rid of them. Well, not before they ruined my axe though.
SCARECROW
Aww, that’s so sad!
TIN WOODMAN
I’ll get over it.
DOROTHY
You came back. You all came back to help me! You really don’t know what this means to me!
LION
We couldn’t just let you go off on your own.
DOROTHY
And now nothing can get in our way!
There’s a horrific and scary thunderclap full of magic and power echoing far away enough to fill everyone with utter dread.
TIN WOODMAN
This is your fault, you know.
DOROTHY
Oh no…
SCARECROW
I don’t like the sound of that.
LION
Me neither – can we get away from here?
TIN WOODMAN
I don’t know if there’s anywhere we can get away to.
The horrific sound of the Winged Monkeys fills the air
LION
What are they?
SCARECROW
I don’t know but I – look!
DOROTHY (V.O.)
And there they were. The Winged Monkeys. Spindly limbs and giant teeth, they were like flying skeletons with fur. From their shoulders spread the broadest, blackest wings possible. And against the dark sky we’d have missed them entirely if they weren’t flapping so hard, propelling them towards us at great speed. But it was their eyes, the glowing yellow eyes full of anger and evil that took my breath away. Even before my brain caught up, I found myself wanting to run and never come back.
LION
(howls and cries)
DOROTHY
We have to get out of here!
SCARECROW
You run! I’ll take care of this.
DOROTHY
You’ll what?!?
SCARECROW
I can scare crows, I can scare flying monkeys. Easy peasy!
TIN WOODMAN
Scarecrow, don’t be an idiot!
SCARECROW
Hey! Hey you! Get out of it, go on! Boo! Boo-aghhgggh!!
DOROTHY
Scarecrow!!!!
SCARECROW
Put me down! Put me down!!!! Ahhhhhhh!!!!!
He screams and is suddenly silenced as the monkeys rip him apart, straw flying everywhere.
DOROTHY
(screaming)
NO!!!!
DOROTHY (V.O.)
I wanted to turn away, but I couldn’t. Once the monkeys ripped the Scarecrow’s head off, they set upon his arms and legs. Straw went everywhere, catching on the wind and drifting away into the distance. They finished him off in moments and let his lifeless remains fall in the branches of the tree. I could see the scraps of his head catch on a twig and hang upside down before us. His once excited, painted eyes now staring blank and lifeless.
DOROTHY
(screaming uncontrollably)
TIN WOODMAN
Dorothy, you have to get out of here.
DOROTHY
(inconsolable)
They killed him! They killed him!
TIN WOODMAN
Dorothy look at me. Look at me!
DOROTHY
(gasps and pulls herself together)
TIN WOODMAN
You and the Lion need to run.
DOROTHY
No, I can’t leave you, you have –
TIN WOODMAN
Take Toto, hold on to him tight, you need to get away. I’ll hold them back for you.
DOROTHY
I can’t, I won’t!
TIN WOODMAN
You must! Lion! Do you know what to do?
LION
Come on Dorothy!
TIN WOODMAN
Get away from here!
Dorothy and the Lion run. The Tin Woodman takes his final stand.
TIN WOODMAN
Ok, you little pieces of crap, let’s see how good you are with tin!
He swings punches at them, to no avail. The Monkeys pick him up and drop him to the ground loudly and sickeningly.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
I didn’t see the end of the Tin Woodman. I was too busy running. And before I could even process what had happened, two tiny hands grabbed me and dragged me into the air. The ground disappeared and I was flying away – fast.
DOROTHY
(screams into the distance)
The monkeys carry her away.
INT. EMERALD CITY OFFICE
Faramant is listening on a Ring while Omby Amby and Jelia Jamb listen.
FARAMANT
Storkguard 4, please say again.
(pause)
I see. All of them?
(pause)
Oh. Ok then. Right, don’t go any further. Return to the Emerald City for further orders.
He hangs up.
JELIA JAMB
What happened?
FARAMANT
It’s over.
OMBY AMBY
Winged Monkeys?
FARAMANT
Yeah. Took the girl and the Lion, destroyed the others.
OMBY AMBY
That’s it then. She lasted about as long as I expected.
JELIA JAMB
She could still be all right. I mean, they didn’t kill her in the wilderness, so –
OMBY AMBY
You can’t be that naive, Jelia. The Witch of the West has her. Face it. She’s already dead.
EXT. WITCH’S COURTYARD
Stone and brick walls, paved courtyard. The Winged Monkeys drop Dorothy, Toto and the Lion to the ground. The Monkeys then disappear.
DOROTHY
Where did they go? The Monkey things, they’ve disappeared!
LION
Dorothy? Dorothy, are you there?
DOROTHY
I’m over here Lion. I’ve got Toto.
LION
Did they get the Tin Woodman? I didn’t see, what happened to him?
DOROTHY
He’s … he’s not coming Lion.
LION
Oh… Where are we?
DOROTHY
I think we’re at the Witch’s castle.
(she gasps)
A dozen guards rush to the courtyard and surround them, pointing spears. Toto barks.
DOROTHY
Hush, Toto. Don’t be scared. I’m not.
LION
Well I am!
DOROTHY
You hush too. They’re just guards. With spears…
UGU
(entering)
Sharp spears, pointed at you, so please cooperate.
DOROTHY
And you are?
UGU
My name is Ugu. Come with me please.
LION
You’re not taking her anywhere!
UGU
The Witch demands her presence.
DOROTHY
I am not going anywhere without him. It’s all three of us or not at all.
UGU
Then it’s a good thing the Witch has asked to see all of you. And your little dog too. Follow me, lest the guards be forced to change your mind.
Pause
DOROTHY
Fine. After you.
He leads them up the stone stairs.
INT. WITCH’S GREAT HALL
Large, echoey and cavernous. Full of dark foreboding. The Witch sits on her throne. Ugu leads Dorothy and the Lion into the room.
UGU
They have arrived, Majesty.
WITCH
Dorothy Louise Gale, from Butterfield, Kansas? Witch Slayer, House Pilot, Wizard’s Assassin? Nice shoes.
DOROTHY
You… I know you.
WITCH
I’m so pleased you managed to fit a trip to Winkieland into your itinerary. I know you’ve been busy, what with the saving of field mice, culling the Kalidah population… theft of footwear.
DOROTHY
You were the one in the house. Back in Munchkinland. You killed Boq!
WITCH
Oh? You didn’t realise who I was until now? Seriously Dorothy, I’m disappointed. I thought you were quicker on the uptake than that. Nevermind. It is so rare we get visitors to the land of the Winkies, I apologise if things aren’t as hospitable as they should be.
DOROTHY
You really haven’t had any visitors, if you think this has been anything approaching hospitable.
LION
Dorothy –
DOROTHY
She killed our friends!
WITCH
Are you going to be boring, Dorothy, because I had expected better things from you. I killed your friends, boo hoo. And why is it you’ve come to my realm? Be honest now.
DOROTHY
(hesitating)
I, I came to –
WITCH
To destroy me, don’t even try and deny it, you insult both our intelligences. Can you begrudge me a little self defence?
DOROTHY
I –
WITCH
The Wizard ordered you to have me destroyed. You can hardly blame me for taking action when you entered my domain with malicious intent.
DOROTHY
If you thought my intent was malicious when I entered, you should see how I’m feeling now.
WITCH
Cute. So judgemental so quickly. Tell me, Miss Gale, how long have you been in Oz?
DOROTHY
A few days. I guess.
WITCH
Less than a week?
DOROTHY
I think so, why?
WITCH
And what makes you think that in that time you have come to a complete and total understanding about the moralities of this country?
DOROTHY
I don’t understand.
WITCH
Of course you don’t, you believe the first thing anyone tells you without question. I’ve been watching you, Miss Gale. Ever since your house crushed the Witch of the East, I’ve made it my business to know your every movement. Aligning yourself with Locasta, with Glinda, with the Wizard –
DOROTHY
I don’t think I’m anyone’s ally –
WITCH
– without even wondering if you’re even on the right side. There’s no such thing as a black and white world, my dear. Especially not in Oz. They call witches wicked and wizards wonderful, but never assume this is completely the case. Now, you’re an intelligent girl. Are you so sure the Wizard is where you should place your trust?
DOROTHY
Well, the Good Witch of the North said –
WITCH
Yes, Locasta. Who is no doubt conspiring with Glinda to recreate Oz in their own image, regardless of the methods required to get there. Everybody has their agenda, Miss Gale. You would be wise to remember that. The supposedly good witches, the Wizard –
DOROTHY
You?
WITCH
Absolutely. This is my point. Having been in Oz for less than a week, what makes you so qualified to pass judgement over who is bad and who isn’t?
LION
I was born in Oz, and I know you’re wicked.
WITCH
You know what the Wizard has told you, no more no less. The propaganda skills of that man are amazing. He’s had many years to convince the people of Oz that he is the greatest thing to ever come to this country and anyone who opposes him … did you know that the best way to rally a people to your side is to create an enemy for them to hate?
DOROTHY
So, what? You’re just misunderstood? You killed people!
WITCH
Don’t for a moment think the Wizard hasn’t done the same. The difference is I’m just a little more upfront about it.
(pause)
Miss Gale, I have a proposition for you.
DOROTHY
Oh, this should be good.
WITCH
Work with me. You’ve seen the state of this country. Oz is suffering underneath the thrall of the Wizard. He’s sequestered away in his Emerald City while the people fend for themselves. Help me to remove him from power. Without the Wizard, Oz will thrive!
DOROTHY
Under your control, you mean?
WITCH
Under our control. This land could use an original mind such as yours. You’ve already achieved so much since you got here. Just imagine what you could do for Oz under my guidance.
LION
Don’t listen to her, Dorothy.
DOROTHY
I’m not. Look, I know I haven’t been in Oz for long, but I know a villain when I see one.
WITCH
Is that a fact?
DOROTHY
Oh yes. You see, I’ve noticed these slaves you have guarding your castle.
WITCH
My Winkie guards –
DOROTHY
They’re all under a spell, its obvious. They can’t control their own actions, can they?
WITCH
A measure of control has been required to maintain order.
DOROTHY
Order? You’ve got an army of zombies. Except for Ugu over there anyway, for reasons I don’t get right now. At least when the Witch of the East enslaved the Munchkins they still had their free will but here your Winkies are all … and they’re still conscious, aren’t they? They can still see, they know what you make them do, and they can’t do anything about it! You’ve trapped these people in their own bodies!
WITCH
Enslave a people and you risk rebellion. The Witch of the East was always in danger of that. Here, I have no such problems. In Winkieland, I have order. There is no crime here, nobody complains –
DOROTHY
Because nobody can complain! And you still expect me to believe you’re better for Oz than the Wizard?
WITCH
Because I am! Have you ever wondered what the Great and Terrible Oz hides behind in his throne room?
DOROTHY
It can’t be any worse than imprisoning people in their own minds.
WITCH
(sigh)
I see I am going to be unable to convince you to work with me. Which means I have little choice.
DOROTHY
To do what?
WITCH
To take the Silver Slippers by force.
She throws a magical power blast at Dorothy, knocking the girl aside.
WITCH
The shoes are protecting you from my power. There’s an irony for you, the very thing I want is the very thing stopping me from getting it.
DOROTHY
I feel so sorry for you.
LION
Don’t touch her again! You hurt her and I’ll –
WITCH
Oh don’t be boring. I brought you here to be my slave, it is time that process commenced!
She fires a different spell at the Lion, who cries out in pain.
DOROTHY
Lion! Stop it, please you’re hurting him!
WITCH
Hurting him? I’m freeing him! From this point forth he will no longer be responsible for what he does. He will never fear anything again, for all his actions will be my actions. Is that not what you went to the Wizard for, to get some courage?
DOROTHY
Stop it, please!
She ends the spell.
WITCH
It is done. Who do you obey, Lion?
LION
(monotone)
I obey you, Majesty.
WITCH
Of course you do.
DOROTHY
He didn’t say that. You made him say that!
WITCH
Of course I did. You should see what else I can make him do.
LION
I obey.
He prowls towards her
DOROTHY
Lion, what are you doing?
WITCH
Get my shoes off her feet, there’s a good kitty.
DOROTHY
Lion, I’ve kicked your ass before you know, I can do it again.
WITCH
Good work, Lion, make her suffer. Teach her that this is what comes of those who think they can get away with the murder of witches. No good deed goes unpunished!
LION
Give me those shoes!
DOROTHY
Lion, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry but –
She slaps him, hard and runs.
WITCH
After her! Don’t let her escape!
CUT TO:
INT. TOWER
Small, cold room, with the sound of wind and scariness outside the window. Dorothy races in, slams and locks the door.
DOROTHY
Oh good work, Dorothy. Run up the stairs away from the Wicked Witch until you’re in a room with only one exit. Two if you count the window and the sheer drop. I wonder if these shoes can make me fly?
There’s a bang on the door as the Lion throws himself against it. Toto barks at it.
DOROTHY
Yeah, that’ll work, I’ll sick Toto on to them.
LION
Let me in Dorothy!
DOROTHY
Not until you stop being possessed by a wicked witch!
(quieter)
Think, Dorothy, think…
LION
Help me, please, Dorothy. I can’t keep her out of my mind for long!
DOROTHY
Yeah, right, I don’t believe you.
LION
I’m telling you the truth, I need you Dorothy!
DOROTHY
I’ve seen more than enough movies to fall for that one.
WITCH
(from the window)
Then perhaps you’ll fall for this?
She swoops in and lands.
DOROTHY
So clearly your spells can make you fly, even if these shoes can’t.
WITCH
Those shoes have more power than you can imagine. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t actually need them. I’ve got more than enough power in my arsenal to take Oz myself. With Munchkinland leaderless, subduing them will be a breeze, then I can take the Emerald City from all sides! But with the Silver Slippers… having that power at my disposal certainly couldn’t hurt. Or at least, it won’t hurt me.
DOROTHY
Really? Oh, if that’s all you want them for, then here, have them.
WITCH
Your sarcasm does not hide your fear.
DOROTHY
No, but it makes me sound plucky and witty. Why should I be afraid of you? You’ve already said that as long as I wear these shoes you can’t touch me.
There’s another bash at the door from the Lion.
WITCH
I don’t think that will apply to the Lion when he rips you to pieces. Save yourself the pain, give me the shoes.
DOROTHY
Never!
WITCH
Very well. Let’s put this another way. Give me the shoes, or the dog dies.
She snaps her fingers and Toto is ripped from her grasp, yelping
DOROTHY
Toto, no!
WITCH
The shoes, girl, or I roast him here and now.
DOROTHY
Please, don’t hurt my dog!
WITCH
Then give me the shoes!
DOROTHY
All right, all right, just put him down.
WITCH
Shoes first.
DOROTHY
All right, I’m doing it, I’m –
WITCH
You try my patience, girl!
DOROTHY
Do I look like Cinderella? I’ve been wearing these shoes constantly for about a week, they don’t come off quickly!
WITCH
I tire of this. Roast the puppy!
DOROTHY
No!
Fire magically appears and Toto is set on fire. The witch cackles.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
What happened next would later be regarded as one of the turning points in the great history of Oz – and even you know what’s coming next. I had no idea at the time. All I saw was my best friend in trouble. I’d lost everybody else I knew, I couldn’t bear to see Toto hurt as well. And as luck would have it, a bucket of water was right at hand.
WITCH
No, stop!
DOROTHY
Nobody hurts my dog!
She throws the bucket of water. The Witch immediately starts to sizzle. She screams in pure pain, in a long, elongated and painful way as possible.
WITCH
(in pain)
What’s happened to me? What have you done?
DOROTHY
I… I don’t…
WITCH
(dying)
You’ve destroyed me! You’ve killed me… And you… you said I was wicked. Are you happy now Dorothy! I hope you know what you’ve done…
She gasps, chokes, and melts to nothing. Long pause.
The Lion finally breaks through the door.
DOROTHY
Stay back!
LION
Dorothy, it’s me. It’s just me in here.
DOROTHY
How do I know that? I don’t know anything anymore…
LION
Because the witch is … gone?
DOROTHY
She’s … she’s over there. That pile of brown gooey … oh God, what have I done?
LION
You’ve killed her. You killed the Wicked Witch of the West. You’ve saved us all!
DOROTHY
I guess I have…
Ugu enters and sees the mess.
UGU
Holy Lurline…
LION
(snarling)
Get away from her!
UGU
Please! Please don’t hurt me! I just wanted to see, I thought she might be… is that her? It’s all that’s left? I thought she must have been dead because… well the others are waking up you see.
LION
Others?
UGU
Everyone. The guards, the slaves, the prisoners. Everyone who was in her thrall, they’re all free again. They’ve been under her control for so long, they’re… I think they’re confused. They need help. We have to help them.
LION
Dorothy? Are you ok?
UGU
They haven’t had to think or care for themselves, I think some of them might have forgotten how. Oh gosh! I need to go down and make sure the guards don’t hurt themselves on their weapons!
He rushes out.
LION
Dorothy, can you hear me? Dorothy? Dorothy?
Dorothy bursts into hysterical tears.
INT. WITCH’S GREAT HALL
DOROTHY (V.O.)
You’ll have to forgive me if I skip over some of the next bit. I honestly don’t remember it, at least not very well. There comes a point when the brain can only take so much before it shuts down. I retreated into myself, while I dealt with what I’d done. As the loss of my friends caught up with me.
But as I retreated into my own grief, the Winkies were coming back to life. After decades of mind control, now suddenly free, their personalities began to return. Laughter was heard in the halls of the Witch’s castle for the first time in living memory. And then came the tears. As people began to remember what they’d lost over those many, many years. The families who had died never being in control of their own minds. The people the Witch had destroyed over the years. Somebody started counting the names of the dead, and the number was devastating.
And soon, I wasn’t alone in my grief.
The Lion and Ugu walk through the hall.
UGU
I want to thank you, Lion. For everything you’ve done in the last few days.
LION
It’s nothing. Really. I’m here anyway until Dorothy feels better enough to travel back to the Emerald City. And you needed help.
UGU
I couldn’t have managed this without you. And Dorothy, of course. How is she?
LION
I think she’s grieving. Like everyone else, really. She was close to the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow in the end. We both were.
UGU
We should have some sort of ceremony.
LION
Really? What, like a party?
UGU
No. No, not a party. A memorial. Something to honour those who we’ve lost at the hands of the Witch.
LION
That’s a good idea. It would give everyone a chance to say goodbye. Even Dorothy.
UGU
And I had another idea I wanted to run past you…
EXT. WITCH’S COURTYARD
A mass crowd gathers in the courtyard. It’s a solemn, funereal occasion.
DOROTHY (V.O.)
And so the Winkies had a memorial. To honour those who were lost in the reign of the Wicked Witch of the West. People from all over the Witch’s domain gathered in the courtyard of the castle paying tribute. A dignified response, I thought in retrospect. They could have had parties. They could have lashed out at each other, like the Munchkins had. But the Winkies are a quieter people. They don’t do vengeance. They do forgiveness. Which is why Ugu was allowed to give them a speech, despite having been at the Witch’s side for so long.
UGU
(on a microphone)
I don’t know why the Witch spared me from her thrall. She never explained. She wasn’t the explaining type. Winkieland was such a quiet place. Nobody spoke except what the Witch willed them to say. I like to think that maybe the Witch was lonely. Nobody deserves to be alone. Not even the wicked. And that’s why it’s so important that now, in this time of healing, that we remain there for each other. None of us need to be alone right now.
Sombre, memorial music plays to the crowd, while Dorothy speaks quietly with the Lion.
DOROTHY
Lion?
LION
Hmm?
DOROTHY
I just wanted to say … I’m sorry. When I first met you I was such a bitch.
LION
I remember.
DOROTHY
I mean, you tried to hurt Toto – or at least that’s what it looked like. And I was so scared of everything.
LION
You didn’t look scared.
DOROTHY
It was all front, I was terrified. I’d lost my home, lost my house, my family… and I think I took out some of my frustrations on you, and that was wrong. I’m so glad you came back to me after we saw the Wizard, and I couldn’t have survived the Witch if I didn’t have you beside me. So I just wanted to say I was sorry for the way I acted earlier. I really am.
Silence
DOROTHY
Well, aren’t you going to say anything?
LION
I don’t know what there is to say.
DOROTHY
Well, ‘I accept your apology’ would be nice.
LION
I don’t know if I do. Because I don’t think you truly are sorry, Dorothy.
DOROTHY
But I –
LION
Because I think you just feel guilty, and you know you need help if you’re going to get any further on this journey of yours. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman have gone, it’s just you and me now. So you figure that you’d better make nice with me so I’ll stay with you when you start the trip back to the Emerald City.
DOROTHY
Lion, no, that isn’t –
LION
And I will help you, Dorothy. Because, like you, I know it’s just the two of us left, and we’ll need to help each other. But don’t think I’m going to let you just shake paws and make everything better. You know better than that.
DOROTHY
(crying)
Lion, I really am sorry. I want us to be friends.
LION
Maybe we will be. But not yet.
DOROTHY
Lion, please –
She stops, as the crowd reacts. A procession enters the courtyard, carrying a pile of rattling tin.
DOROTHY
Is that… Oh God.
LION
Ugu found him. What’s left of him. We thought you might need to say goodbye as well.
UGU
None of you met the Tin Woodman, but he contributed to our freedom. His sacrifice, and that of the Scarecrow’s, ensured that Dorothy was able to come to this castle and defeat the Witch. So we honour the Tin Woodman today, for what he has given us.
DOROTHY
(to Lion)
What about the Scarecrow? Did they find him too?
LION
I don’t think so. They’ll keep looking.
DOROTHY
(crying)
I don’t… I don’t know what to say. Oh Tin Woodman…
She grieves over the corpse. Then in the distance the beating sound of giant wings begins. The mood turns ominous.
LION
What’s that?
DOROTHY
I don’t know. Coming from the sky…
LION
Not the monkeys again?
DOROTHY
It doesn’t sound like winged monkeys…
A sudden draconian roar from a distance. The crowd begins to panic. Ugu rushes to Dorothy’s side.
UGU
No. No, I forgot. With all that was going on I forgot.
DOROTHY
What is it? What’s that noise.
UGU
The Witch had a plan. When Munchkinland fell, she had a plan, she was going to take control.
LION
With the Silver Slippers, we know.
UGU
No, not them. She had more. She had Quox.
LION
Quox?
DOROTHY
What is that? A place?
UGU
She must have had him in his thrall, like everyone else. And now she’s gone and he’s awake!
DOROTHY
Ugu, who is Quox?
UGU
A dragon! Quox is a wild dragon! And he’s going to destroy us all!
Quox, the dragon arrives belching fire. People scream.
CLOSING CREDITS