COIN TRICK
Season One, Episode Five – "Cave Creatures"
Written by Susan Hanson
©2021 Coin Trick, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
NARRATOR: Welcome back to Coin Trick. The last we saw our heroes, they have been taken captive by the Frog Army, and Cassidy uses her bike pump to turn General Frog into a giant balloon.
GENERAL FROG: I feel somewhat light-headed--
NARRATOR: The two grab hold of the General as he floats away, but Koko loses his grip ...
KOKO: I’m weighing Froggy Boy down!
NARRATOR: ... and appears to fall into the gaping mouth of the Water Monster.
CASSIDY: NO!!!!
NARRATOR: Left to face the Giant alone, Cassidy makes her way inside his ominous cave.
[ECHOING HEARTBEAT]
NARRATOR: Its walls are a strange pinkish color and seem to pulsate.
CASSIDY: Ugh! Oh man ... Okay, I got this. Just take one step at a time....
[GROUND CRACKING]
CASSIDY: Wha--, what was that???
[GROUND BREAKING]
NARRATOR: Just then, the ground gives way beneath her feet and ... oh, no! She’s fallen into the abyss!
CASSIDY: AHHHHH!!!!!
NARRATOR: Cassidy drops further and further down a seemingly endless tunnel, until finally ...
[LOUD THUD]
NARRATOR: ... she lands inside a huge, circular room with numerous passageways. A thick, glowing ooze drips from the ceiling.
[SLOW DRIPPING]
CASSIDY: Bah, slime!! Gross! (sighs) I can’t believe this. I cannot believe this!
NARRATOR: Oh, my ... It is sad to see Cassidy in such a sorry state. Unsure what to do, she plops down and pulls out the medallion.
CASSIDY: You were my only friend, Koko. Ashley, Alex ... they didn’t care about me. Jonathan, I suppose, but he’s such a--I was gonna say loser. Hah! He’s not the loser, I am. I’ve lost everything. Even you. What am I gonna do now??
NARRATOR: Cassidy leans back and closes her eyes. Soon her grip loosens on the coin, which falls to the ground. She certainly deserves a rest, poor thing. Let’s leave her be for a while, shall we?
[LONG PAUSE]
NARRATOR: What do think, should we give her a few more winks?
[SLIGHTLY SHORTER PAUSE]
NARRATOR: Okay, that’s long enough. Because--
HAPLESS: Hello?!? Can you hear me?
NARRATOR: A wiry old man now stares down at Cassidy. He’s got stringy hair, a mangy beard, and, uhm, very bad teeth.
HAPLESS: Hello?? Are you with us, then?
CASSIDY: Huh? What?
HAPLESS: Ah, you are with us! For a while there I thought you’d left us ... but no, I’d say you’re with us. Unless of course, you’re against us. In which case, I’d have to--
CASSIDY: Who, who are you?!?
HAPLESS: Bellomy’s the name, treasure-hunting’s the game. Used to call me ‘Happy,’ but now they call me ‘Hapless.’ Hah! And you might be?
CASSIDY: Cassidy. Cassidy Loneman.
HAPLESS: Well, it’s nice to meet you, Cassidy, it truly is. Good to see a friendly face in these parts. It’s one of the best parts to be in, I’d say. (chortles) Yes, indeedy.
CASSIDY: Well, how do you get back out?
HAPLESS: That’s just it. There isn’t a way out.
CASSIDY: What?!? Look, I am in no mood to be messed with. First, I come flying through this rock wall and Thunderbird attacks the village ...
HAPLESS: Oh, my!
CASSIDY: ... and some huge head tries to roll over us ... then these Corn Maidens trap us in their maze ...
HAPLESS: Tsk, tsk!
CASSIDY: ... and we get captured by these crazy frog people ...
HAPLESS: You don’t say!
CASSIDY: ... and all I want is to go home. But the only way I can is to bring back the Giant’s heart!
HAPLESS: A colossal task!
CASSIDY: Tell me about it! And I just lost my only friend to the Water Monster.
HAPLESS: Oh, that’s a sad, sad tale, that is there.
CASSIDY: And now I’m in this stupid cave and I just want to get what I came for and go! And you’re telling me there’s no way out??
HAPLESS: Well, yes, I can see why you’re upset. But that’s the truth and a sorry truth it is. It was a trap, you see. That Seer lady said some gold treasure was buried hereabouts. We all fell for it, you might say. Hah!
CASSIDY: You mean, the Great Seer sent you here?!?
HAPLESS: Yep. Looks like she duped you, too.
CASSIDY: Wait a sec. You said ‘we’ ... you mean, there are others in here?
HAPLESS: We weren’t the only two to get duped, no sirree. There’s plenty of us fools in here. Come on out, boys!
[SHUFFLING, GRUMBLING]
NARRATOR: One by one, a group of disheveled men shuffle out from the caves’ many alcoves.
HAPLESS: Welcome to the club, Cassidy!
[LOUD, BOISTEROUS MUMBLING]
HAPLESS: Oh, no--
CASSIDY: Is that the Giant?
HAPLESS: Nah, just Smitey and his crew.
CASSIDY: Who’s Smitey?
HAPLESS: He’s a big numbskull is who he is. He and his cohorts get their kicks outta picking on the rest of us.
SMITEY: Will ya look at this measly group! (belches) Bunch of weaselly cowards. I should strike the whole lot of ya--
[QUIVERING VOICES, THEN SNICKERING]
HAPLESS: C’mon Smitey, why don’t you just leave us alone?
SMITEY: ‘Cause I’m bored, that’s why. (belches) Picking on you nudniks is the only entertainment around. Ain’t that right, boys?
[CALLS OF AGREEMENT]
SMITEY: Why, you gonna take me on now, Hapless?
HAPLESS: Oh no, I didn’t mean that!
SMITEY: You want a piece of me? Huh?
HAPLESS: Now, Smitey, you don’t have to push me--
SMITEY: You want a piece of me then?
HAPLESS: No, no I don’t--
CASSIDY: But I do. Leave him alone!
SMITEY (chuckling): Are you kidding me?? Who is this little pipsqueak, anyway?
HAPLESS: That there’s Cassidy. She’s new here.
SMITEY: Well, that explains it. Hasn’t learned the rules yet. Maybe you need to be taught a lesson ... What do you think, boys? Does pipsqueak here need a lesson?
[CHEERING]
NARRATOR: Oh, dear! Smitey looks like a big ol’ grizzly bear as he lumbers toward Cassidy. But wait, hold on ... she’s just pulled out her flashlight and is waving it around wildly.
CASSIDY: Hah! Take this!
NARRATOR: The beam of light casts strange, ghostly patterns against the cave walls.
[OOHS AND AAHS]
CASSIDY: C’mon, bring it! I just took on General Frog ... so don’t even think I’m scared of you, you big hairy ape!
HAPLESS: Whoa! What is that thing?
CASSIDY: It’s my magic light saber, and I’m not afraid to use it!
NARRATOR: Cassidy karate kicks the air as she waves the flashlight around. Everyone is taken aback, even Smitey, who finally puffs out his chest.
SMITEY (snorts): Bah, who wants to bother with a little twerp like you, anyway? (belches) Bah!
NARRATOR: And just like that, Smitey backs away to the other side of the cave with his bewildered cohorts.
HAPLESS: I can’t believe you stood up to him!
CASSIDY: He’s just a big bully. Now, I gotta find a way outta here.
HAPLESS: I told you, there isn’t one.
CASSIDY: But the Giant has to get in and out, right? There must be one. Maybe that passage over there....
HAPLESS: You don’t wanna go that way.
SMITEY: No, let her go! She’s such a big shot.
HAPLESS: No one ever comes back from there.
[RUSTLING THROUGH BACKPACK]
CASSIDY: Maybe that’s because it’s the way out.
SMITEY: Or the way to your demise. Heh!
NARRATOR: Cassidy pulls the rope out of her backpack and ties it around her waist.
CASSIDY: Only way to know is to go. What, you scared, Smitey?
SMITEY: I ain’t scared of nothin’!
CASSIDY: Then here, take this end of the rope.
SMITEY: I’m not stupid, neither!
CASSIDY: Fine. Hapless, you coming?
HAPLESS: I’m plenty scared of everythin’ ... But, I’ll go with ya.
CASSIDY: Good man. Smitey? Last chance to prove how brave you are.
SMITEY: Bah! Fine. I’ll go just to watch you come crawling back.
CASSIDY: We’ll get help for the rest of you as soon as we can.
HAPLESS: I’m not sure there is any help for us.
CASSIDY: There always is. Just gotta help yourself first. You ready?
SMITEY (smirks): Pipsqueaks first.
NARRATOR: The men grab hold of the rope as Cassidy slowly enters the dark, winding tunnel. A large blob of ooze drops in front of them.
[DRIPPING]
NARRATOR: Cassidy points the flashlight toward something on the ground--It’s a skeleton!
CASSIDY: Ahhh!
SMITEY: Hah! Who’s scared now, eh?
CASSIDY: I’m not scared.
NARRATOR: Just then, her flashlight flickers--and goes out.
CASSIDY: The batteries must be dead!
HAPLESS: Batteries?
CASSIDY: I don’t have any more--
HAPLESS: Uhhh ... I think I forgot something.
NARRATOR: Hapless drops the rope and races back down the passageway.
SMITEY: What now, big shot?
CASSIDY: Don’t worry. The Chief Elder showed me how to see in the dark.
SMITEY: Hah! You think I’m a fool??
CASSIDY: No, really. Here, watch--
NARRATOR: And just like the Elder taught her, Cassidy closes her eyes, breathes deeply, then slowly walks onward with Smitey close behind.
SMITEY: Yeah? Well, I don’t think I trust ya.
CASSIDY: Wha--, what are you doing?
SMITEY: That there’s a knife in your back. So, no funny business!
CASSIDY: Hhmm. Yes, I feel that. But what you don’t seem to remember ...
[FUMBLING SOUNDS]
CASSIDY: ... is that I’m the one who can see.
NARRATOR: Cassidy unties the rope from around her waist and lets it drop.
SMITEY: Hey! You can’t just leave me here!
CASSIDY: Can’t trust someone who doesn’t trust me.
SMITEY (voice fading): I trust you, I trust you! Don’t leave me here!
NARRATOR: Cassidy continues down the passageway without Smitey. But as his whimpers fade away, they’re replaced by voices inside her head.
ASHLEY: You blew it now, Cassidy.
LIZZIE: Heads are gonna roll!
MOTHER: It wouldn’t hurt if you tried a little harder.
MR. MINDER: I’m disappointed.
JONATHAN: You’re fooling yourself.
CASSIDY: No, no! I’m not listening to you! I can do this, I can do this....
NARRATOR: Cassidy now hears a different set of voices--
GREAT SEER: You will make your way home.
JOE: You can do it, Cassidy. You can.
SPIDER WOMAN: Remember, the answer is within you.
KOKO: Listen, little one. Just listen.
CASSIDY: Just listen....
[FAINT SPUTTERING MOTOR SOUND]
NARRATOR: Wait, hold on--
[SPUTTERING MOTOR, GROWING IN VOLUME]
BRAVE: Shhh!
CASSIDY: AHHHH!!
NARRATOR: Cassidy peers into the blackness to see a young Brave, standing behind a barred cell door.
BRAVE (whispers): Shhh! Don’t wake him up.
CASSIDY (whispers): Who are you? ... Are there more in there with you?
BRAVE: We’re from the village. He locked all of us in here.
CASSIDY: You mean, the Giant? Is he--?
BRAVE: Sleeping, yes. Be careful!
NARRATOR: Indeed, that motor noise you hear is actually the Giant’s snoring. Cassidy cautiously follows the sound to a small room and peers inside.
[LOUD SNORING, INTERRUPTED BY MUTTERING]
NARRATOR: It’s him, the Giant! And he certainly is a colossus of a man, sleeping in a bed that’s far too small for him. Huh ... you know, despite his ogreish features, he looks like a child dreaming. He even has his thumb in his mouth. It’s rather sweet, actually.
CASSIDY: Awww--
NARRATOR: That is, until one of the Giant’s eyes opens and stares straight at Cassidy.
[LION-LIKE ROAR]
NARRATOR: Cassidy’s own eyes grow wide as the man-beast scrunches his face in anger and rushes to stand. But his large legs get tangled in the tiny blanket ...
[THUMP, THEN CRASH]
NARRATOR: ... and he falls out of bed, hitting his head on a side table.
GIANT: Ouch!
CASSIDY: Oh, my!
GIANT: Why, you little fool!! I’m gonna wring your puny neck!
NARRATOR: The Giant screws up his face again and charges at Cassidy, then stops.
GIANT: Oww, my head!
CASSIDY: Uhmm, I have something for that--
[RUSTLING IN BACKPACK]
CASSIDY: Here, try this balm. A friend gave it to me.
NARRATOR: The Giant rebuffs her goodwill effort.
GIANT: Bah! I’m gonna make mincemeat out of you!
CASSIDY: Excuse me, Mister Giant sir, I mean no disrespect ... but, somehow I don’t believe you will.
GIANT: You’ll believe me when I crush you!
CASSIDY: Look, you’re obviously very big. Very, very big--
GIANT: Humph!
CASSIDY: And strong ... and smart! Otherwise, you wouldn’t have captured all those Braves back there, right?
GIANT: That’s right!
CASSIDY: And clearly, you’re very talented. I mean, you closed off the doorway between our worlds.
GIANT: Well, perhaps you’re not so foolish after all.
CASSIDY: Here--
NARRATOR: Cassidy extends the balm again. This time, the Giant takes it--although he can barely get the tip of his pinkie finger inside the container. He sits down on the bed and dabs some on his injury. Cassidy struggles, but finally is able to hop up next to him.
CASSIDY: The thing is, Mister Giant, sir ... you did let those Braves live. And those other fellas, too.
GIANT: So what?
CASSIDY: So, I don’t think you’re as mean as you pretend to be.
GIANT: Eh, what do you know??
CASSIDY: Well, you’d have to be a pretty decent guy not to hurt ‘em.
GIANT: I never wanted to do that. I just wanted to, to be left alone ... Why couldn’t they just leave me alone??
NARRATOR: The Giant’s eyes well up, and a lone tear rolls down his huge cheek.
CASSIDY: Sounds like maybe someone hurt you.
GIANT: Bah! What do you know?
CASSIDY: I know that sometimes people act mean because other people have been mean to them.
GIANT: I can’t help how big I am!
CASSIDY: Of course not!
GIANT: They all made fun of me and got mad because I knocked their things over ... They told me I didn’t belong in the village!
CASSIDY: Well, they just don’t know the real you! You should go back and show them who you truly are.
GIANT: Why would I do that?? I don’t have any friends there.
CASSIDY: Who wouldn’t want to be friends with you?!? I mean, look at you. You’re awesome!
GIANT: Yeah?
CASSIDY: Of course! C’mon, let’s all go back to the village together. You shouldn’t be hiding in here, sleeping on that tiny little bed--
GIANT: But, that’s my bed from home.
CASSIDY: Oh ... well, wouldn’t it be nice to sleep in it back there?
GIANT: I do miss my mother--
CASSIDY: Of course you do!
GIANT: You really think I’m, great?
CASSIDY: Absolutely!
GIANT: And you’re sure they’ll want to be my friends?
CASSIDY: They’d be fools not to.
GIANT: Will you? Be my friend?
CASSIDY: I’d be honored. I mean, friends with a Giant? How cool is that?!?
GIANT: Well, okay. I’ll go.
CASSIDY: Good man.
NARRATOR: And with that, Cassidy pats the Giant on the back as he lifts her off the bed--
CASSIDY: Wee!
NARRATOR: And the two leave the small cave room. Will the Giant really lead Cassidy back to the village, or will he lock her up with the other prisoners? Will Hapless ever take a bath?? Find out in the next episode of COIN TRICK. Until then, if you encounter a bully, keep in mind that they are often insecure people who feed off of fear. So even though you might feel afraid, keep your head up and don’t give them any attention. If you stay calm and confident, they lose their power. Never respond to online bullies, and be sure to tell your parents or an adult you trust. And of course, always remember to listen!
Season One, Episode Five – "Cave Creatures"
Written by Susan Hanson
©2021 Coin Trick, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
NARRATOR: Welcome back to Coin Trick. The last we saw our heroes, they have been taken captive by the Frog Army, and Cassidy uses her bike pump to turn General Frog into a giant balloon.
GENERAL FROG: I feel somewhat light-headed--
NARRATOR: The two grab hold of the General as he floats away, but Koko loses his grip ...
KOKO: I’m weighing Froggy Boy down!
NARRATOR: ... and appears to fall into the gaping mouth of the Water Monster.
CASSIDY: NO!!!!
NARRATOR: Left to face the Giant alone, Cassidy makes her way inside his ominous cave.
[ECHOING HEARTBEAT]
NARRATOR: Its walls are a strange pinkish color and seem to pulsate.
CASSIDY: Ugh! Oh man ... Okay, I got this. Just take one step at a time....
[GROUND CRACKING]
CASSIDY: Wha--, what was that???
[GROUND BREAKING]
NARRATOR: Just then, the ground gives way beneath her feet and ... oh, no! She’s fallen into the abyss!
CASSIDY: AHHHHH!!!!!
NARRATOR: Cassidy drops further and further down a seemingly endless tunnel, until finally ...
[LOUD THUD]
NARRATOR: ... she lands inside a huge, circular room with numerous passageways. A thick, glowing ooze drips from the ceiling.
[SLOW DRIPPING]
CASSIDY: Bah, slime!! Gross! (sighs) I can’t believe this. I cannot believe this!
NARRATOR: Oh, my ... It is sad to see Cassidy in such a sorry state. Unsure what to do, she plops down and pulls out the medallion.
CASSIDY: You were my only friend, Koko. Ashley, Alex ... they didn’t care about me. Jonathan, I suppose, but he’s such a--I was gonna say loser. Hah! He’s not the loser, I am. I’ve lost everything. Even you. What am I gonna do now??
NARRATOR: Cassidy leans back and closes her eyes. Soon her grip loosens on the coin, which falls to the ground. She certainly deserves a rest, poor thing. Let’s leave her be for a while, shall we?
[LONG PAUSE]
NARRATOR: What do think, should we give her a few more winks?
[SLIGHTLY SHORTER PAUSE]
NARRATOR: Okay, that’s long enough. Because--
HAPLESS: Hello?!? Can you hear me?
NARRATOR: A wiry old man now stares down at Cassidy. He’s got stringy hair, a mangy beard, and, uhm, very bad teeth.
HAPLESS: Hello?? Are you with us, then?
CASSIDY: Huh? What?
HAPLESS: Ah, you are with us! For a while there I thought you’d left us ... but no, I’d say you’re with us. Unless of course, you’re against us. In which case, I’d have to--
CASSIDY: Who, who are you?!?
HAPLESS: Bellomy’s the name, treasure-hunting’s the game. Used to call me ‘Happy,’ but now they call me ‘Hapless.’ Hah! And you might be?
CASSIDY: Cassidy. Cassidy Loneman.
HAPLESS: Well, it’s nice to meet you, Cassidy, it truly is. Good to see a friendly face in these parts. It’s one of the best parts to be in, I’d say. (chortles) Yes, indeedy.
CASSIDY: Well, how do you get back out?
HAPLESS: That’s just it. There isn’t a way out.
CASSIDY: What?!? Look, I am in no mood to be messed with. First, I come flying through this rock wall and Thunderbird attacks the village ...
HAPLESS: Oh, my!
CASSIDY: ... and some huge head tries to roll over us ... then these Corn Maidens trap us in their maze ...
HAPLESS: Tsk, tsk!
CASSIDY: ... and we get captured by these crazy frog people ...
HAPLESS: You don’t say!
CASSIDY: ... and all I want is to go home. But the only way I can is to bring back the Giant’s heart!
HAPLESS: A colossal task!
CASSIDY: Tell me about it! And I just lost my only friend to the Water Monster.
HAPLESS: Oh, that’s a sad, sad tale, that is there.
CASSIDY: And now I’m in this stupid cave and I just want to get what I came for and go! And you’re telling me there’s no way out??
HAPLESS: Well, yes, I can see why you’re upset. But that’s the truth and a sorry truth it is. It was a trap, you see. That Seer lady said some gold treasure was buried hereabouts. We all fell for it, you might say. Hah!
CASSIDY: You mean, the Great Seer sent you here?!?
HAPLESS: Yep. Looks like she duped you, too.
CASSIDY: Wait a sec. You said ‘we’ ... you mean, there are others in here?
HAPLESS: We weren’t the only two to get duped, no sirree. There’s plenty of us fools in here. Come on out, boys!
[SHUFFLING, GRUMBLING]
NARRATOR: One by one, a group of disheveled men shuffle out from the caves’ many alcoves.
HAPLESS: Welcome to the club, Cassidy!
[LOUD, BOISTEROUS MUMBLING]
HAPLESS: Oh, no--
CASSIDY: Is that the Giant?
HAPLESS: Nah, just Smitey and his crew.
CASSIDY: Who’s Smitey?
HAPLESS: He’s a big numbskull is who he is. He and his cohorts get their kicks outta picking on the rest of us.
SMITEY: Will ya look at this measly group! (belches) Bunch of weaselly cowards. I should strike the whole lot of ya--
[QUIVERING VOICES, THEN SNICKERING]
HAPLESS: C’mon Smitey, why don’t you just leave us alone?
SMITEY: ‘Cause I’m bored, that’s why. (belches) Picking on you nudniks is the only entertainment around. Ain’t that right, boys?
[CALLS OF AGREEMENT]
SMITEY: Why, you gonna take me on now, Hapless?
HAPLESS: Oh no, I didn’t mean that!
SMITEY: You want a piece of me? Huh?
HAPLESS: Now, Smitey, you don’t have to push me--
SMITEY: You want a piece of me then?
HAPLESS: No, no I don’t--
CASSIDY: But I do. Leave him alone!
SMITEY (chuckling): Are you kidding me?? Who is this little pipsqueak, anyway?
HAPLESS: That there’s Cassidy. She’s new here.
SMITEY: Well, that explains it. Hasn’t learned the rules yet. Maybe you need to be taught a lesson ... What do you think, boys? Does pipsqueak here need a lesson?
[CHEERING]
NARRATOR: Oh, dear! Smitey looks like a big ol’ grizzly bear as he lumbers toward Cassidy. But wait, hold on ... she’s just pulled out her flashlight and is waving it around wildly.
CASSIDY: Hah! Take this!
NARRATOR: The beam of light casts strange, ghostly patterns against the cave walls.
[OOHS AND AAHS]
CASSIDY: C’mon, bring it! I just took on General Frog ... so don’t even think I’m scared of you, you big hairy ape!
HAPLESS: Whoa! What is that thing?
CASSIDY: It’s my magic light saber, and I’m not afraid to use it!
NARRATOR: Cassidy karate kicks the air as she waves the flashlight around. Everyone is taken aback, even Smitey, who finally puffs out his chest.
SMITEY (snorts): Bah, who wants to bother with a little twerp like you, anyway? (belches) Bah!
NARRATOR: And just like that, Smitey backs away to the other side of the cave with his bewildered cohorts.
HAPLESS: I can’t believe you stood up to him!
CASSIDY: He’s just a big bully. Now, I gotta find a way outta here.
HAPLESS: I told you, there isn’t one.
CASSIDY: But the Giant has to get in and out, right? There must be one. Maybe that passage over there....
HAPLESS: You don’t wanna go that way.
SMITEY: No, let her go! She’s such a big shot.
HAPLESS: No one ever comes back from there.
[RUSTLING THROUGH BACKPACK]
CASSIDY: Maybe that’s because it’s the way out.
SMITEY: Or the way to your demise. Heh!
NARRATOR: Cassidy pulls the rope out of her backpack and ties it around her waist.
CASSIDY: Only way to know is to go. What, you scared, Smitey?
SMITEY: I ain’t scared of nothin’!
CASSIDY: Then here, take this end of the rope.
SMITEY: I’m not stupid, neither!
CASSIDY: Fine. Hapless, you coming?
HAPLESS: I’m plenty scared of everythin’ ... But, I’ll go with ya.
CASSIDY: Good man. Smitey? Last chance to prove how brave you are.
SMITEY: Bah! Fine. I’ll go just to watch you come crawling back.
CASSIDY: We’ll get help for the rest of you as soon as we can.
HAPLESS: I’m not sure there is any help for us.
CASSIDY: There always is. Just gotta help yourself first. You ready?
SMITEY (smirks): Pipsqueaks first.
NARRATOR: The men grab hold of the rope as Cassidy slowly enters the dark, winding tunnel. A large blob of ooze drops in front of them.
[DRIPPING]
NARRATOR: Cassidy points the flashlight toward something on the ground--It’s a skeleton!
CASSIDY: Ahhh!
SMITEY: Hah! Who’s scared now, eh?
CASSIDY: I’m not scared.
NARRATOR: Just then, her flashlight flickers--and goes out.
CASSIDY: The batteries must be dead!
HAPLESS: Batteries?
CASSIDY: I don’t have any more--
HAPLESS: Uhhh ... I think I forgot something.
NARRATOR: Hapless drops the rope and races back down the passageway.
SMITEY: What now, big shot?
CASSIDY: Don’t worry. The Chief Elder showed me how to see in the dark.
SMITEY: Hah! You think I’m a fool??
CASSIDY: No, really. Here, watch--
NARRATOR: And just like the Elder taught her, Cassidy closes her eyes, breathes deeply, then slowly walks onward with Smitey close behind.
SMITEY: Yeah? Well, I don’t think I trust ya.
CASSIDY: Wha--, what are you doing?
SMITEY: That there’s a knife in your back. So, no funny business!
CASSIDY: Hhmm. Yes, I feel that. But what you don’t seem to remember ...
[FUMBLING SOUNDS]
CASSIDY: ... is that I’m the one who can see.
NARRATOR: Cassidy unties the rope from around her waist and lets it drop.
SMITEY: Hey! You can’t just leave me here!
CASSIDY: Can’t trust someone who doesn’t trust me.
SMITEY (voice fading): I trust you, I trust you! Don’t leave me here!
NARRATOR: Cassidy continues down the passageway without Smitey. But as his whimpers fade away, they’re replaced by voices inside her head.
ASHLEY: You blew it now, Cassidy.
LIZZIE: Heads are gonna roll!
MOTHER: It wouldn’t hurt if you tried a little harder.
MR. MINDER: I’m disappointed.
JONATHAN: You’re fooling yourself.
CASSIDY: No, no! I’m not listening to you! I can do this, I can do this....
NARRATOR: Cassidy now hears a different set of voices--
GREAT SEER: You will make your way home.
JOE: You can do it, Cassidy. You can.
SPIDER WOMAN: Remember, the answer is within you.
KOKO: Listen, little one. Just listen.
CASSIDY: Just listen....
[FAINT SPUTTERING MOTOR SOUND]
NARRATOR: Wait, hold on--
[SPUTTERING MOTOR, GROWING IN VOLUME]
BRAVE: Shhh!
CASSIDY: AHHHH!!
NARRATOR: Cassidy peers into the blackness to see a young Brave, standing behind a barred cell door.
BRAVE (whispers): Shhh! Don’t wake him up.
CASSIDY (whispers): Who are you? ... Are there more in there with you?
BRAVE: We’re from the village. He locked all of us in here.
CASSIDY: You mean, the Giant? Is he--?
BRAVE: Sleeping, yes. Be careful!
NARRATOR: Indeed, that motor noise you hear is actually the Giant’s snoring. Cassidy cautiously follows the sound to a small room and peers inside.
[LOUD SNORING, INTERRUPTED BY MUTTERING]
NARRATOR: It’s him, the Giant! And he certainly is a colossus of a man, sleeping in a bed that’s far too small for him. Huh ... you know, despite his ogreish features, he looks like a child dreaming. He even has his thumb in his mouth. It’s rather sweet, actually.
CASSIDY: Awww--
NARRATOR: That is, until one of the Giant’s eyes opens and stares straight at Cassidy.
[LION-LIKE ROAR]
NARRATOR: Cassidy’s own eyes grow wide as the man-beast scrunches his face in anger and rushes to stand. But his large legs get tangled in the tiny blanket ...
[THUMP, THEN CRASH]
NARRATOR: ... and he falls out of bed, hitting his head on a side table.
GIANT: Ouch!
CASSIDY: Oh, my!
GIANT: Why, you little fool!! I’m gonna wring your puny neck!
NARRATOR: The Giant screws up his face again and charges at Cassidy, then stops.
GIANT: Oww, my head!
CASSIDY: Uhmm, I have something for that--
[RUSTLING IN BACKPACK]
CASSIDY: Here, try this balm. A friend gave it to me.
NARRATOR: The Giant rebuffs her goodwill effort.
GIANT: Bah! I’m gonna make mincemeat out of you!
CASSIDY: Excuse me, Mister Giant sir, I mean no disrespect ... but, somehow I don’t believe you will.
GIANT: You’ll believe me when I crush you!
CASSIDY: Look, you’re obviously very big. Very, very big--
GIANT: Humph!
CASSIDY: And strong ... and smart! Otherwise, you wouldn’t have captured all those Braves back there, right?
GIANT: That’s right!
CASSIDY: And clearly, you’re very talented. I mean, you closed off the doorway between our worlds.
GIANT: Well, perhaps you’re not so foolish after all.
CASSIDY: Here--
NARRATOR: Cassidy extends the balm again. This time, the Giant takes it--although he can barely get the tip of his pinkie finger inside the container. He sits down on the bed and dabs some on his injury. Cassidy struggles, but finally is able to hop up next to him.
CASSIDY: The thing is, Mister Giant, sir ... you did let those Braves live. And those other fellas, too.
GIANT: So what?
CASSIDY: So, I don’t think you’re as mean as you pretend to be.
GIANT: Eh, what do you know??
CASSIDY: Well, you’d have to be a pretty decent guy not to hurt ‘em.
GIANT: I never wanted to do that. I just wanted to, to be left alone ... Why couldn’t they just leave me alone??
NARRATOR: The Giant’s eyes well up, and a lone tear rolls down his huge cheek.
CASSIDY: Sounds like maybe someone hurt you.
GIANT: Bah! What do you know?
CASSIDY: I know that sometimes people act mean because other people have been mean to them.
GIANT: I can’t help how big I am!
CASSIDY: Of course not!
GIANT: They all made fun of me and got mad because I knocked their things over ... They told me I didn’t belong in the village!
CASSIDY: Well, they just don’t know the real you! You should go back and show them who you truly are.
GIANT: Why would I do that?? I don’t have any friends there.
CASSIDY: Who wouldn’t want to be friends with you?!? I mean, look at you. You’re awesome!
GIANT: Yeah?
CASSIDY: Of course! C’mon, let’s all go back to the village together. You shouldn’t be hiding in here, sleeping on that tiny little bed--
GIANT: But, that’s my bed from home.
CASSIDY: Oh ... well, wouldn’t it be nice to sleep in it back there?
GIANT: I do miss my mother--
CASSIDY: Of course you do!
GIANT: You really think I’m, great?
CASSIDY: Absolutely!
GIANT: And you’re sure they’ll want to be my friends?
CASSIDY: They’d be fools not to.
GIANT: Will you? Be my friend?
CASSIDY: I’d be honored. I mean, friends with a Giant? How cool is that?!?
GIANT: Well, okay. I’ll go.
CASSIDY: Good man.
NARRATOR: And with that, Cassidy pats the Giant on the back as he lifts her off the bed--
CASSIDY: Wee!
NARRATOR: And the two leave the small cave room. Will the Giant really lead Cassidy back to the village, or will he lock her up with the other prisoners? Will Hapless ever take a bath?? Find out in the next episode of COIN TRICK. Until then, if you encounter a bully, keep in mind that they are often insecure people who feed off of fear. So even though you might feel afraid, keep your head up and don’t give them any attention. If you stay calm and confident, they lose their power. Never respond to online bullies, and be sure to tell your parents or an adult you trust. And of course, always remember to listen!
