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⠀Tales from the Aspen: Story I – Wake Up, Flanagan
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FLAN [19] a pyromaniac with suicidal tendencies, starts a fire in the forest with the plan to die in it.
His friend, MOSS [18] fails to put the fire out, and now has to juggle both keeping FLAN safe from himself, and deciding whether to turn
the both of them in.
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⠀⠀Scene I
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Opening theme plays, “The Man With The Skeleton Arms” by Sycamore Smith. Until the end of the first chorus, after which it begins to fade out
Fade to MENTAL INSTITUTE SOUNDSCAPE: Tick, tick, tick of clock, pitter patter on thick window.
INSTRUMENTAL of “The Man With The Skeleton Arms” plays with an old radio filter, continuing from when the song left off in the intro.
The front door creaks open. Shut. Step step step. The creak of a plastic stool being sat on.
MOSS’ overall tone is calm but careful.
Moss: [Flustered, slightly out of breath] H-Hey, Flan? Sorry I’m late. Got caught in the rain. [Pause. Emphasis on the rain] Whatcha doing?
Sitting and staring out the window like that.
…
Moss: Still mad at me, huh? [Mutters] That’s fine… hope you talk to the doctors, at least. I’m sure they’d love to know what’s going on in that…
brilliant head of yours.
…
Moss: Are you.. all there, actually? It’s okay if you aren’t. But it’d be nice to at least see your face again. You show me your face now, don’t you?
[Beat] How about a story? Would that help?
Rustle. Ambience continues.
Moss: [Huff of laughter] Okay, then. [Stool creaks] You might know this one. It’s about two friends, Moss and Flanagan – sounds familiar, right?
And it all starts in the Aspen Mountains on the outskirts of town.
All sound cuts, but INSTRUMENTAL plays on longer.
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⠀⠀Scene 2
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FLASHBACK. Fade to FOREST SOUNDSCAPE: Leaves rustling. Chirp chirp. Distant grass and thicket rustling.
Step, step, step. Stepstepstepstep. On dirt they approach.
Y[OUNG] MOSS has a more anxious tone. Y[OUNG] FLAN sounds both sharp and somewhat absent from reality.
Y Moss: [Panting softly] Flanagan, please. Can you please just stop for a moment and think about this?
Y Flan: I am. And I think it’s gonna be beautiful. My magnum opus even. Imagine– flames flickering like gold, scorched trees and blackened
grass, ash in the air– [Lighter clicking] aaand my lighter’s out of juice.
Whenever FLAN speaks, soundscape becomes muffled, not enough to detract from the atmosphere, but enough to be noticeable. This effect
lingers even after he is done, until Moss speaks.
Y Moss: [Cautious] Oh nooo, guess there won’t be a fire today. [Rustling of fabric as Moss grabs Flan’s arm] Come on, Flan. The fire can
wait, let’s just go home.
Y Flan: Oh, sure. If you’re going to be such a buzzkill then you run on home. But I’m not leaving until– wait, weren’t there some guys camping
here the other day?
Y Moss: – Uh, yes? Why–
Lighter drops. Stepstepstep, fading out into the distance. Beat.
Y Moss: Flanagan! [Sigh. Mutters] One day. One day.
Footsteps and forest ambience continue.
Y Flan: [Footsteps slow to a stop] HAH! Jackpot; they left a whole bag here.
Ziiiiiiip. Rustling in bag.
Y Moss: [Slightly out of breath] How many times do I have to say this? You can’t pilfer others’ supplies!
Y Flan: Well, they’re gone this time. Something something finders’ keepers. [Rustling continues] A full lighter? And, oh, what is this? A bottle
of vodka? All dropped right next to this dry thicket! Guess today was my lucky break after all! Come on Moss [Uncorks bottle,
liquid splashing] let’s get this fire started–
Y Moss: W-Woah! Wait! Alcohol? On dry thicket? [Laugh of disbelief. Somber] You can’t be serious…
Y Flan: … Seriously, mate, what’s gotten into you? ‘This your first time seeing a fire or what?
Y Moss: No! But those were controlled dumpster fires. This? This is a whole forest we’re talking about! What if it spreads out of control?!
Y Flan: …
Y Moss: And besides, what if we get caught? You know how seriously they take bushfires around here– we’ll be in trouble no matter how big
the fire gets!
Y Flan: … Well, it won’t be a problem for me.
Y Moss: Huh?
Y Flan: Light ‘er up.
Y Moss: WAIT–
Lighter clicks, fire flares. A few frantic footsteps back. Crackling, louder and louder.
Y Flan: See? Isn’t that neat?
Y Moss: [Farther back] I– right. Right. Okay. Yeah it’s cool. Alright, now, please, let me put it out.
Y Flan: Whaaat, no?
Y Moss: Uh, yes!
Y Flan: Erghhh… fine. [Mutters] Buzzkill. Just, give me.. a sec… wow, that’s pretty…
Fire flares.
Y Moss: Uh, Flan? Flan?! Flanagan!
MOSS’ continues calling, voice becoming distant. Crackling grows louder. Skin sizzling.
Y Moss: [Distant] Argh, screw it!
Stomp on thicket.
Y Flan: Wha- What the heck, mate?!
Stomping continues.
Y Moss: Go out, go out, GO OUT!
Wind howling, leaves rustling intensifies. Flaring gets louder.
Y Moss: Shit, SHIT! Flan, we have to go!
Y Flan: What-?
Y Moss: I said go! [Grab] Come on!
Footsteps running, one set dragging, fading out. Fire continues to flare and crackle. RETURN TO PRESENT. Fade back to MENTAL INSTITUTE
SOUNDSCAPE.
INSTRUMENTAL is now slightly distorted.
Moss: We really were cowards back then, weren’t we? We should’ve said something– I should’ve said something, reported the fire the moment
we returned to town. I could’ve saved the woods, and you.
Moss: [Sigh] But, no, instead we let the Aspen burn for a whole day before people finally noticed the first smoke column. By then, it’d already
spread far out of anyone’s control. And we… we just ran between our home and the bar for the next few days. We claimed it was
to try and process everything. But really, I don’t think we made any attempt to comprehend what we’d done.
MENTAL INSTITUTE SOUNDSCAPE fades. INSTRUMENTAL lingers before distorting out.
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⠀⠀Scene 3
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FLASHBACK. Fade into BAR SOUNDSCAPE: Murmuring. Occasional drink pours and glasses clink. A TV is on in the background.
News Anchor: [In background] Authorities are working around the clock to put out the fire that mysteriously started in the Aspen
Mountains a few days ago. Preliminary investigations into the cause of the fire show no evidence of foul play. Fortunately, the town is
expected to be safe
from the flames, but be prepared for smog, and try to stay indoors. In other news…
News anchor drones on, now entirely incoherent. Lighter clicking. MOSS breathing heavily.
Y Moss: [Whispering] What have we done? What have we done?
Clicking pauses.
Y Flan: Moss.
Y Moss: A whole forest, Flan. All those trees, all the animals… What have we done?
Footsteps approaching on wood.
Bartender: [Incoherent] Would you like anything to drink?
Y Flan: … The usual, I guess. Same for you, mate?
Y Moss: [Muffled] How can you be so calm after everything?
Y Flan: … Nothing for them, then.
Footsteps retreat. Clicking restarts. Eventually. A clink, followed by Flan taking a long swig. He sets the glass down.
Y Flan: Why?
Y Moss: … Hrm..?
Y Flan: Why did you do that?
Y Moss: Wh-What?
The following conversation is in hushed voices.
Y Flan: When we were at the thicket, those few days ago. You tried to snuff out my fire.
Y Moss: I–, excuse me?
Y Flan: That was my magnum opus, Moss. Remember? My magnum opus, that’s why I chose the woods this time. And you ruined it! Then
dragged me away just as the fire was starting up again.
Y Moss: I– That’s what you’re concerned about!? Flan, that was days ago! And right now an entire forest is burning down because of us.
I– I was trying to save you back there!
Y Flan: Well I didn’t want to be saved! I was fine!
Y Moss: You weren’t fine, Flan! You dissociated again and just- look at your arms, they’re burned.
Rustling of fabric. Beat.
Y Moss: Now what if I didn’t pull you away, then what, huh? [Choked] It could’ve been so much worse than this! You could’ve died. Then
what would I do, huh!?
Y Flan: … [Somber] That was the point.
Y Moss: … What?
Y Flan: I didn’t want to be saved. I was supposed to go out.. with that fire.
Beat.
Y Moss: You’re.. you’re insane. You’re really insane.
Y Flan: And you’re [Table slam, glass shudders] making a scene.
Y Moss: I–
Y Flan: And don’t just pull my sleeves up like that! [Rustle] If people see the burns they’ll know I did it and they’re going to turn me in!
Y Moss: Well, maybe I should turn you in! What do you mean “Go out”?! Why, Flan? Why?!
…
Y Moss: [Choked] Why..?
Y Flan: I can’t stay here. [Chair scraping, stepstepstep] I- I don’t wanna- I’m going home.
Y Moss: Flanagan..!
Door creaks open. Distant SLAM! …
Y Moss: [Shaky sigh]
RETURN TO PRESENT. Fade to MENTAL INSTITUTE SOUNDSCAPE. INSTRUMENTAL is even more distorted.
Moss: I was scared, you know? Took me so long to go after you because I didn’t know if you’d still be there when I came home.
…
Moss: [Sigh] I was mad too. At you. Since forever, I always wondered why I stuck with you. You were never present unless you’re talking
about fire, you kept putting yourself in risky situations. Heck, you never cared for how I felt, always trying to keep us safe until one day I failed.
And… I guess when you revealed you were planning to die, I snapped. You were the most selfish, uncaring person I’ve ever met. And no matter what
I did, how hard I tried, I just couldn’t fix you.
Moss: But now I know it wasn’t you, it was your head making you do all of that. And now I’m mad at myself, for constantly trying to be the
hero who fixed the delusional pyromaniac in town. [Beat] You never needed fixing. You just needed someone to take care of you.
MENTAL INSTITUTE SOUNDSCAPE fades out. INSTRUMENTAL lingers before distorting out.
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⠀⠀Scene 4
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FLASHBACK. Fade into ROOFTOP SOUNDSCAPE: Wind howling, trees rustling, distant crackling.
Lighter clicking. Clang, clang as MOSS clambers onto roof top. Step step on shingles.
Y Moss: … Flan..? Hey. I was wondering where you were.
Clicking stops. Rustle as FLAN turns around.
Y Flan: … Hm.. [Mumbling] hi. [Beat] Hey… did you bring my drink back? I think I left it behind at the bar.
Y Moss: No. No more drinks, I need you to stay with me.
Y Flan: I– [Deep breath. Groan]
Beat. Moss sits down beside him.
Y Moss: It smells like smoke out here.
Y Flan: That would be the fire.
Y Moss: We should go inside. It’s not healthy, breathing all this in.
Y Flan: No, but it’s nice isn’t it? Soundscape mutes altogether. Y Flan: … Nevermind.
Soundscape returns to normal. Clicking restarts, seems louder than before.
Y Moss: … Are… are your arms okay?
Y Flan: [Clicking stops again. Sharp inhale. Beat. Mutters] They were fine… Didn’t hurt until you brought it up.
Y Moss: … I’m sorry.
Y Flan: You always are.
Y Moss: I mean it.
Y Flan: You always do.
Y Moss: Well, one of us has to be. Keeps the both of us safe.
FLAN huffs softly. Maybe a laugh. Clicking again. Soft spark of flame.
Y Moss: Hey, no more. [Whispers] No more, please– [Grab]
Y Flanagan: Mm.. no.. give that back!
Y Moss: Flanagan, please. [Places lighter on roof] I don’t want you to hurt yourself again. How about I bandage your arms? [Quickly]
Non-stick, of course. Come on, have some faith in me.
FLAN huffs, definitely a laugh this time. Bandages rustling.
Y Moss: [Hollow] Heh… I don’t know what to do, Flan.
Y Flan: Do what?
Y Moss: I don’t want to call the police. I really don’t.
Y Flan: [Softly, but sharply] Then don’t.
Y Moss: But the fire, Flan – they need to know. This isn’t just another dumpster fire we can ignore; this one’s destroying everything.
And… [Chokes back a sob] I don’t know. I don’t know what they’ll do to us, to you. I just can’t lose you…
…
Y Flan: … You don’t have to do it tonight. It’s late; think about it and decide tomorrow. They’re probably busy anyway.
Y Moss: I… [Deep breath] yeah, okay. [Softly] Okay. Tomorrow. I’ll call them. Tomorrow.
Bandages continue rustling.
Y Moss: There we go; bandages done. Does it… feel okay?
Y Flan: Hm.. yeah.
Y Moss: Good. [Beat] I’m sorry.. again. I can go now, if you want. Do you want..?
FLAN shrugs.
Y Flan: You can stay. I don’t think I’m mad anymore.
Y Moss: … Thanks. [Soft grunt. Roof creaks as they lay down] I guess… we can stay up here tonight.
Rustling as MOSS wraps their arms around FLAN. For a while, they breathe in sync.
Y Flan: I can see it. Can you?
Y Moss: Hm..?
Y Flan: The smoke, filling the whole sky, blocking out the stars, blowing west with the wind. And I can see the orange glow, just peeking over
the trees. [Beat] What do you think it looks like? At the heart of the blaze.
Y Moss: … Go to sleep, Flan.
Fade into INSTRUMENTAL, normal at first but quickly distorts and cuts off.
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⠀⠀Scene 5⠀
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Cut back to ROOF SOUNDSCAPE. Wind and crackling quieter. Rustling, metallic roof creaking as MOSS wakes up, bones popping as they stretch.
Y Moss: Mmrh… morning, Flan… [Beat] Flan?
Rustling becomes quicker, more urgent.
Y Moss: Flan? Flanagan!? Shit, where did you go? Huh?
Picks up lighter.
Y Moss: Is this.. [Click, flame sparks] but, you wouldn’t go anywhere without your lighter. Unless… [Gasp] no.. oh no. No no no nonono FLAN!
MOSS stumbles up, footsteps clanging across shingles, clambering down, fading out. Silence.
Fade to FOREST SOUNDSCAPE Fire flaring and crackling, wind howling, trees rustling. Stepstepstep on dirt.
Y Moss: Flanagan?! Flanagan?! [Footsteps skid] Where are you where are you– [Gasp] Flanagan!
Soundscape continues.
Y Moss: Flanagan! There you are– I’ve been looking everywhere! Come on, we have to leave, it’s not safe here– [Flan giggles softly] Flan?
Y Flan: Hehe… it’s real, Moss. My magnum opus, it’s all real. Can you see it? The trees, they’re all scorched. The ground’s all black. The ashes
lingering in the air. And the flames… the golden flames… it’s exactly how I imagined it.
Y Moss: Flanagan.. come on–
Y Flan: And I’m glad you got to see it too. Before… [Inhale. Sigh] It’s not fair to you, to stay here and see this when you don’t want to. [Beat]
You should go home, mate. That’s what you’ve always wanted, right? I’ll stay behind, watch the fire a little longer.
Y Moss: Flanagan, you don’t have to– please. We can call someone – it doesn’t have to be the police we can call anyone. And I’ll explain
everything– I will dammit! We can get you help! Just, please– step away from the fire and–
Y Flan: No.
From this point onward, soundscape is not affected when Flan speaks.
Y Moss: Wh-What? Flanagan I swear–
Y Flan: They’ll lock me up, you know that. But I can’t.. I have to do this. It was always meant to be this way. Me, and the fire. [Watery]
So please, Moss, go home. If not for me then for yourself. But I’m ending this.
Beat. For a moment the soundscape falls away.
Y Moss: Flan–
Y Flan: Goodbye, mate.
Step step. Fire flaring.
Y Moss: NO!
Running after. Crackling intensifies and fire flaring as Moss reaches in.
Y Moss: Agh! Shit! My arms–
They grab hold of FLAN, dragging across the dirt. Eventually, soft thud as they drop him. MOSS breathing heavily, coughing.
Y Flan: [Whispering, wheezing] You idiot. You idiot! Put me back– let me die!
Scraping against dirt. MOSS pins him down.
Y Moss: Never, never! I won’t let you! [Fumbling for phone. Dialing. Briiing.. briiing] Hello? I’m at the Aspen mountains, yes! My friend
jumped into the fire and I managed to pull him out but he’s badly burned. Please, please just send someone over he needs help.
[Incoherent response over phone] Thank you. Thank you.
Beep.
Y Moss: They’re coming.. they’re coming Flanagan I’m so sorry but- [Sob. Whispering] Don’t you dare die on me, don’t you dare. [Beat]
Please, Flanagan… wake up, Flanagan…
Fire continues to crackle. Distant sirens fade in, followed by hurried footsteps. Muffled conversation, fade to silence.
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⠀⠀Scene 6
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Fade to MENTAL INSTITUTE SOUNDSCAPE. INSTRUMENTAL starts out heavily distorted. It distorts out and an instrumental of
“Congratulations, You Survived Your Suicide” by Sycamore Smith plays, again with the old radio filter.
Moss: I don’t really remember anything after that. Except maybe a lot of doctors and machines, and an interrogation… [Beat] You could
probably guess how that went; I got locked up for criminal negligence not turning you in sooner, but they let me go after a few months. So
maybe I wasn’t so bad, or maybe I was lucky. [Deep breath, sigh] And maybe you feel like I betrayed you, or something. But I think you
were lucky too… that they brought you here–
FLAN has a somber tone that still packs a slight punch.
Flan: – To be institutionalized for the rest of my days. MOSS gasps. Sheets rustling.
Moss: Fl-Flanagan?
Flan: Hey, mate..
Moss: [Choking back a sob] Hi…
Flan: You look like shit.
Moss: Speak for yourself. You’re scarring all over.
Flan: Hey, ‘least my arms aren’t so ugly that they need gloves.
Moss: [Lighthearted] Hey.. these are cool gloves.
Flan: Pft, sure.
Rain seems to grow louder. Flan: The rain’s strong today. Moss: Yeah, it is.
Flan: That’s good. Undoing all the damage I’ve done.
Rain returns to normal volume.
Moss: … You won’t be stuck here forever. You know? The institute isn’t evil or anything; they’ll let you go when you get better. And you’ll
get better- are getting better… [Sigh] you’re a good person. I know you try your best to be one.
Flan: Maybe…
Moss: They’ll let you go one day. And I don’t care how many more months or years it’ll take – I’ll wait. Maybe the world won’t. But I’ll wait.
[Beat] And when you come home, we’ll go somewhere nice. Like, remember the lake you always wanted to go to? We can go there.
Camping, maybe, after they trust us enough to let us back into the Aspen.
Flan: … I think I’d want to go to the lake.
Moss: Oh, yes, the lake. And we can go swimming at night and find some cool rocks.
Flan: And the lake monsters.
Moss: [Huffs amusedly] There we go. That sounds nice, doesn’t it?
Flan: Mhm..
…
Moss: Flanagan?
Flan: Yeah?
Moss: … Do you still hate me?
Flan: Pft, well yeah. Hate that you didn’t come sooner. I missed you.
Moss: [Breathy] Heh… sorry.
Flan: Yeah, I know, I know. [Beat] I’m mad. Mad that you kept me alive… but I get now why you did it. So I guess… I don’t hate you anymore.
Moss: [Huffs a laugh] I love you too.
MENTAL INSTITUTE SOUNDSCAPE fades out. Music lingers for a while before fading into a COVER of “Congratulations, You Survived Your
Suicide” by Chonny Jash.
END
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⠀⠀Cadence Lanfear Quek’s writing is a celebration of all things whimsical; myths, Magic, music, and the
⠀⠀kindness in the world.
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