Where Death Likes to Ride

Below we present the complete text of “Most Ferocious Steeds”, episode 3 of our new Weird Western serial; Where Death Likes to Ride. This is a brand new (unpublished) series (featuring Jim Wilkes, Annie Deems, Sally Turner, and Speeding Elk). If you would like to see these new stories advance from being drafts into polished publications then please consider supporting us by purchasing one or more of our previously published titles (they’re only $25.99 (AUD), great value for a whole night of entertainment for 6 – 8 people). Every sale directly funds the production of new stories.

Parental Guidance Recommended: May contain content some parents may feel is inappropriate for younger children

EPISODE #3 – MOST FEROCIOUS STEEDS

by Philip Craig Robotham

Cover Illustration by Miyukiko

Unedited Draft

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) Edition.

CC by-nc-nd 4.0

This play is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) International license. This play may not be commercially reproduced, performed, or sold. Non-commercial production, performance, and reproduction are allowed under this license so long as attribution is maintained. No derivative content or use is allowed. It can be freely shared in its current form (without change) under this license. If you would like to purchase one or more copies of this work (for your own personal non-commercial use, or to help financially support the author) then please return to https://www.weirdworlstudios.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Serial #2: Where Death Likes to Ride

Jim Wilkes, former Sherriff of Liberty Gulch, wakes up to find he is dead, murdered by Mayor Dan Wilson, a skin-walker that has escaped from the spirit world. He, along with Annie Deemes, Sally Turner, and Speeding Elk, are now spirit walkers returned to the world of the living by the powerful magic of Speeding Elk’s tribe. They must band together to track down the mayor and put an end to his attempts to tear open the barrier between this world and the dark realm from which the thing inside him originates. In order to do this, they will need to find mounts willing to carry them, overcome the fear and distrust of the living, survive the challenges of a valley full of dinosaurs, and learn to use and control their new undead powers. Can they overcome these obstacles in time to thwart Wilson’s evil schemes? Tune in and thrill to the excitement of “Where Death Likes to Ride” and find out for yourself.

Episodes in the Host Your Own “Old Time Radio Drama” series are designed to provide a fun dinner party experience for 6–8 participants. Read along, taking on the role of one or more of the characters in the story, and listen as the exciting drama unfolds. This is the theater of the mind, where the special effects are only limited by your imagination, and your participation will build a memory that you’ll treasure for years to come.

MOST FEROCIOUS STEEDS

CAST LIST

NARRATOR: The Narrator

JIM WILKES: Dead Sheriff of Liberty Gulch

ANNIE DEEMES: Dead Crack-Shot

SPEEDING ELK: Dead Indian

SALLY TURNER: Dead Gambler

PRIEST: Religious leader of the surviving descendants of the builders of the lost city

VILLAGERS: Surviving descendants of the builders of the lost city

CROW’S SHADOW: Tribal Shaman/Medicine man

TRIBAL COUNCIL: Members of the council of the indian tribe that has resurrected the heroes

ACT 3

SCENE 10: EXT – INSIDE THE NETS – LATER (JIM, SPEEDING ELK, VILLAGERS, PRIEST, ANNIE, SALLY)

MUSIC: OPENING THEME – LET IT FINISH
NARRATOR: Murdered by the shapeshifting mayor of Liberty Gulch, our four undead heroes (Jim Wilkes, Annie Deemes, Speeding Elk, and Sally Turner) have been taken captive by the survivors or a lost civilization deep in a hidden valley full of dinosaurs.
SOUND: (WALLA) SQUEAKING OF PULLIES – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
JIM: How long have we been carried along in these nets?
SPEEDING ELK: You white eyes have no patience.
JIM: And you redskins can’t tell the time.
SPEEDING ELK: Then why did you ask?
JIM: For something to say, I guess.
SPEEDING ELK: You talk too much too.
JIM: I’m pretty sure no-one ever accused me o’ that before. Hey, is that a fence coming up?
SPEEDING ELK: Mmmm! We will pass over it shortly. It is made from thick logs. Sturdy.
JIM: Yeah. And with plenty of sharp points facing outward. Probably to keep the lizards out.
SOUND: FADE IN SOUND OF VILLAGE – ESTABLISH AND UNDER. SQUEAKING STOPS.
JIM: Hold on. I think we’re going to be dropped…
SOUND: WHOOSH THUNK OF BODIES FALLING TO EARTH – LET IT FINISH.
JIM AND SPEEDING ELK: (GRUNTS) Ugh!
VILLAGERS: LOTS OF ANGRY JABBERING
JIM: Alright, alright. We’re getting up.
SOUND: MAGICAL CHIME – LET IT FINISH.
VILLAGERS: SOUNDS OF AWE. REPETITION OF WORSHIPFUL WORDS.
JIM: What the? Is it this pendant? It means something to you?
SPEEDING ELK: Perhaps they think you are a god?
JIM: Well, that could be useful. Take yours out as well. Let them see it.
SOUND: MAGICAL CHIME – LET IT FINISH.
VILLAGERS: RENEWED WORSHIPFUL REPETITION AND CHANTING.
PRIEST: ANGRY JABBERING
VILLAGERS: SOUNDS OF CONFUSION
JIM: Looks like that one’s not impressed. Let’s show ’em the dirt trick.
SPEEDING ELK: As you wish.
SOUND: TWO MAGICAL CHIMES (ALMOST SIMULTANEOUS) – LET IT FINISH.
VILLAGERS: SOUNDS OF FEAR AND CONFUSION.
SOUND: TWO MAGICAL CHIMES (ALMOST SIMULTANEOUS) – LET IT FINISH.
PRIEST : JABBERING IN FEAR.
VILLAGERS AND PRIEST: ALL JOIN IN WORSHIPFUL CHANTING.
JIM: Ain’t superstition grand?
SPEEDING ELK: What superstition. We really are doing magic.
JIM: (EMBARRASED COUGH) Ahem. I guess you’re right. Where are the ladies?
ANNIE: (AT A DISTANCE) Over here, you Jackass. They’ve got us locked in this here bamboo cage.
JIM: I guess we better go let them out.
SPEEDING ELK: You could always leave them in there. Life would be quieter.
JIM: It’s tempting, but there’d be hell to pay sooner or later.
SPEEDING ELK: (GRUNTS NON-COMMITTALLY) Hmmpf.
MUSIC: (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 11: EXT – THE VILLAGE SQUARE – LATER (SALLY, ANNIE, JIM, PRIEST, SPEEDING ELK)

SALLY: (SIMPERING) Ain’t these folks just the friendliest? Giving us all these lovely little trinkets and gifts!
ANNIE: And the fact that most of them are solid gold don’t make no difference to you at all?
SALLY: Now don’t you go sullying their generosity by bringing material value into it.
JIM: I doubt this stuff has much value here. They seem to make everything from plates to toys out of it.
SALLY: That just means they’ve got plenty to spare. (TO A VILLAGER – SIMPERING) Why thankyou. That’s lovely!
JIM: You know you cain’t keep any of it.
SALLY: (HORRIFIED) What?!!
JIM: I told you before. This ain’t a treasure hunt. We need to have found some mounts and gotten out of this crater by sundown tomorrow or we’re gonna be permanently dead. We’ve no time to figure out how to pack all this gold out of here.
SALLY: But… But… Look at it all. And they want us to have it!
ANNIE: Sally, you’re covered in so much finery you can barely walk. It’s time you got your act together.
SALLY: Just cause you’ve always been rich, little miss “General Store Owner”. That don’t mean others cain’t aim for something equivalent.
ANNIE: Ha! You’re a gambler. I’m guessing more money’s passed through your hands than I’ve ever seen. Just cause I’ve had to work for a living…
JIM: Ladies, Ladies. As glad as I am to see you back to your old animosity (not least cause it seems to take your minds off of my shortcomings) we’ve got business to attend to. (BEAT) Hey, you! The priest! Yeah, that’s right. We need to talk.
PRIEST: SYCOPHANTIC BABBLING – LET IT FINISH.
JIM: Um. Right. (BEAT) Well it’s like this we need to (EPHASIS) hunt… some er lizards… you know Rar! Rar!… out there.
SPEEDING ELK: You white eyes always think you can be understood if only you… speak… slowly… enough.
JIM: (EMBARRASSED) Um, right. Maybe if I draw a picture.
SOUND: SCRAPING NOISE OF PICTURE BEING DRAWN – LET IT FINISH.
JIM: Now here’s the four of us and…
SOUND: SCRAPING NOISE OF PICTURE BEING DRAWN – LET IT FINISH.
JIM: Here’s four of the big lizards… and…
SOUND: SCRAPING NOISE OF PICTURE BEING DRAWN – LET IT FINISH.
JIM: Here’s us riding the lizards.
SALLY: Is that supposed to be me?
JIM: What?
SALLY: I said, is that supposed to be me?
JIM: It’s just a …
SALLY: ’cause I’ve got curly hair and her hair is lifeless and flat.
JIM: Just hush now. The priest looks like he’s starting to get the message. (BEAT) Can… you… help… us?
PRIEST: EXCITED JABBERING IN ASSENT.
JIM: (PLEASED) I think we got through. Gather up what you need… and Sally, leave behind everything that’ll slow you down… we’re going hunting!
SALLY: (BEAT) Can I at least take the earrings? (BEAT) (ALL INNOCENSE) What?
MUSIC: (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 12: EXT – JUNGLE – LATER (SALLY, SPEEDING ELK, SALLY, JIM, PRIEST)

SOUND: TRUDGING FEET, BRUSHING THROUGH UNDERGROWTH, OCCASIONAL BIRD – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
SALLY: Do these savages even know what they’re doing?
SPEEDING ELK: They are following the signs of the lizards’ passing.
SALLY: How can you tell?
SPEEDING ELK: I see it in the bent twig, the indentation of the ground. Even a child of my people could read this. How is it you cannot?
SALLY: Are you calling me stupid?
SPEEDING ELK: Only a fool calls savage those skills they do not possess for themselves.
JIM: Enough! We don’t have time for another fight. Besides I think we’re coming up on something.
SOUND: FADE IN SQUAWKING ROARS AND GRUNTS OF A DINOSAUR PACK CONSUMING ITS PREY – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
SOUND: TRUDGING COMES TO A HALT – LET IT FINISH.
ANNIE: Now would you look at that?
JIM: Well, there’s four of ’em at least, and all of about rideable size.
ANNIE: Yeah, but I don’t like the look of their teeth… or those claws. Besides they’re moving about on their hind legs. Wouldn’t something on four legs be better?
JIM: Perhaps. But beggars cain’t be choosers. What do you think, Speeding Elk?
SPEEDING ELK: I think time is short.
SALLY: Does anyone care what I think?
ANNIE: Not really.
SALLY: Hey!
JIM: Shhh! Be quiet. We’re down wind so they cain’t smell us. But I’d like to avoid scaring em off with that hollering.
SALLY: Like those things have got anything to be afraid of.
SOUND: THUNDEROUS ROAR IN THE DISTANCE – LET IT FINISH.
SALLY: Then again…
PRIEST: (WHISPERRED JABBERING).
JIM: I think he’s telling us we need to get a move on.
SALLY: What? Ain’t they gonna catch em for us?
JIM: Doesn’t look like it.
ANNIE: What’s a matter Princess? Cain’t you do your own hunting?
SALLY: Hmmmpf.
JIM: Better keep your guns handy. C’mon and let’s see what these here necklaces can do.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS APPROACH THE DINOSAURS – GRUNTS AND SQUAWKS FADE UP.
JIM: Easy… easy now…
SOUND: HARSH WARNING SQUAWK – LET IT FINISH.
JIM: Whoah there.
SOUND: MAGICAL CHIME FADE UP.
ANNIE: Hey, do you feel that?
JIM: Yeah. It’s almost like I can…
SPEEDING ELK: I can feel its mind, see what it sees. The amulet lets me control it.
SALLY: I don’t know. Mine don’t seem very inclined to be controlled.
SPEEDING ELK: It can tell you are afraid. Show it no fear. Show it that you are in control.
SALLY: Alright. Here goes… (SHRIEKS) Aaaah!
SOUND: HEAVY FEET. BODY STRIKING THE GROUND – LET IT FINISH.
SALLY: Ow! Kick me will you?
SOUND: WHIMPER FROM DINOSAUR AS IF STRUCK – LET IT FINISH.
SALLY: That’s better. Now I just have to climb up…
SOUND: WHOOSH THUNK OF SPEAR STRIKING NEARBY – LET IT FINISH.
SALLY: What the?
PRIEST: ANGRY WAR CRY – LET IT FINISH.
VILLAGERS: MANY ANGRY CRIES AND YELLS – FADE UP.
SOUND: LOTS OF SPEARS STRIKING NEARBY – LET IT FINISH.
JIM: Quick. Watch out for them spears. Up on the animals. We need to get out of here, now.
ANNIE: Yah! Yah!
SALLY: Yip!
SOUND: TWO LEGGED GALLOP OF DINOSAURS – FADE AWAY.
SPEEDING ELK: Hup!
JIM: Hah. Go! Go!
SOUND: DINOSAURS GALLOP OFF. YELLS OF VILLAGERS AND SPEAR STRIKES FADE.
MUSIC: (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 13: EXT – JUNGLE – SOME TIME LATER, SOME PLACE FURTHER ON (SALLY, ANNIE, JIM, SPEEDING ELK)

SALLY: What was that all about? I thought they believed we was gods.
ANNIE: Maybe watching you get kicked onto your keister gave ’em a crisis of faith.
SALLY: If you ain’t gonna say anything sensible…
JIM: Actually, that may be closer to the truth than you think.
ANNIE: Heh!
JIM: No really. They were almost cheering for us before Sally got knocked over. Perhaps any sign of weakness was gonna disillusion them. (TO SALLY) You did let out a pretty loud yell when you fell.
SALLY: Yeah, but it wasn’t like it hurt me none. It was more just outta habit. We don’t really feel pain any more.
SPEEDING ELK: True. Annie has an arrow sticking out of shoulder.
ANNIE: What?
SPEEDING ELK: Your shoulder. It has an arrow sticking out of the back.
ANNIE: Well damn! I guess that illustrates Sally’s point.
SOUND: SOUND OF ARROW BEING PULLED OUT AND SNAPPED – LET IT FINISH.
SALLY: So what you’re saying is we cain’t go back to the village for any o’ that gold… and it’s all my fault?
JIM: (AMUSED) More or less.
SALLY: (SIGHS) What now?
JIM: Time’s short. I think we need to get outta here. And I’m pretty sure that those villagers could track us pretty easily if we don’t skedaddle pronto.
SOUND: LOUD ROAR IN THE DISTANCE – LET IT FINISH.
SOUND: SKITTISH MEWLING SOUNDS FROM MOUNTS, SKITTISH HEAVY STEPS AS DINOSAURS EXPRESS THEIR NERVOUSNESS – LET IT FINISH.
JIM: And besides one of the big one’s is nearby and these fellas seem much harder to control when they’re afraid.
SALLY: Mine’s a girl.
JIM: What?
ANNIE: Cain’t you tell? Sally’s is way more dangerous and aggressive than the others. Yip!
SOUND: DINOSAUR CANTERS OFF – FADE UNDER.
JIM: (MUTTERING) Why don’t that surprise me any? (BEAT) Hyah!
SOUND: DINOSAURS FOLLOW ANNIE – FADE OUT.
MUSIC: (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 14: EXT – THE CRATER’S EDGE – SUNDOWN (SALLY, ANNIE, JIM, SPEEDING ELK)

SOUND: (WALLA) NIGHT SCREECHES AND SOUNDS – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
SOUND: LOUD ROAR AT A DISTANCE – LET IT FINISH.
SALLY: Damn but if that thing hasn’t been tracking our scent since we passed the city wall.
ANNIE: It’s just a shame we couldn’t get these things to ride on through it instead of going around. But even they seem to be too afraid o’ the snakes.
JIM: Well, we’re back at the crater’s edge now. It shouldn’t take too long to get out of here. Assuming the tribe is still waiting for us atop the crater’s edge.
ANNIE: And assuming they can lift these creatures out. They must weigh as much as a train carriage a-piece.
SALLY: What was the signal to let em know we’s ready to come back up.
SPEEDING ELK: I will tug on the ropes three times and three times again. This will let them know we are here. Then we must harness the lizards. They will go up ahead of us.
SALLY: What, you expect us to travel separately? How on earth are we gonna manage that? Once they’re out of range of the amulets they’re gonna panic. If they actually make it to the top without pulling everyone down with them, they’ll make a fine dinner outta the folks that are waiting up there.
SPEEDING ELK: We will put them to sleep.
ANNIE: How?
SPEEDING ELK: We are in their minds. Tell them to sleep and they will. Watch.
SOUND: MAGICAL CHIME. HEAVY THUMP OF DINOSAUR BODY COLLAPSING. HEAVY BREATHING OF SLEEPING DINOSAUR – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
ANNIE: Well I’ll be…
JIM: Okay, let’s put the others down. Sleep!
ANNIE: Sleep!
SALLY: Off you go honey!
SOUND: MAGICAL CHIMES FOLLOWED BY HEAVY THUMPS OF DINOSAUR BODIES COLLAPSING. HEAVY BREATHING OF SLEEPING DINOSAURS FOLLOWS – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
JIM: Well let’s rig up these harnesses then.
MUSIC: (BRIDGE) TIME PASSING SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 15: EXT – SAME LOCATION – LATER (JIM, SALLY, ANNIE, SPEEDING ELK)

SOUND: (WALLA) SQUEAK OF ROPE PULLING UPWARDS – GRADUALLY FADE OUT,
JIM: There goes the last of them. Now we just have to wait for the ropes to come back down.
SOUND: LOUD ROAR OF LARGE DINOSAUR APPROACHING (BUT STILL AT A DISTANCE) – LET IT FINISH.
SALLY: I hope they’re quick cause that one that’s been hunting us is getting closer by the minute.
JIM: We’ll be fine. It sounds like it still hasn’t figured out where we’ve gone. We’ve still got plenty of time. What could possibly go wrong?
SOUND: LOUD ROAR. LUMBERING FOOTSTEPS. NEARBY BUSHES BEING SHAKEN. LOUD ROAR OF RECOGNITION.
ANNIE: You had to go and ask, didn’t you?
JIM: Aw hell! And it had to be such a big feller too, didn’t it?
SPEEDING ELK: Fight or run?
SALLY: What?
SPEEDING ELK: (URGENTLY) No time. Fight or run?
ANNIE: I say fight. If we try to sink into the ground now it’ll have us out before we’ve got down three feet.
JIM: Alright, aim for its eyes.
SOUND: GUNS FIRING. DINOSAUR LET’S OUT A SHRIEK. PAINED ROARS ENSUE – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
JIM: Good shot Annie. You’ve taken out its left eye.
ANNIE: Maybe so, but I think that’s only made it mad.
SPEEDING ELK: Use the amulets. Maybe we can control it.
JIM: It doesn’t feel right. I don’t think we’ll be able to put it to sleep while it’s in so much pain.
ANNIE: What if we suggest to it that we’ve run into the undergrowth. Maybe get it to chase after a ghost or two?
JIM: Can you get its other eye? I don’t think the amulet’s gonna fool it while it can see us.
SPEEDING ELK: Leave this to me.
ANNIE: What? No. Speeding Elk! Come back!
SALLY: He’s leapt onto its back and run up its neck.
ANNIE: Dang. Look at it trying to throw him off.
SOUND: DAGGER STABBED INTO EYEBALL OF DINOSAUR. RENEWED ROAR OF PAIN – LET IT FINISH.
ANNIE: He got it!. Look out. He’s been thrown clear.
SOUND: PAINED ROARS AND FOOTSTOMPS OF DINOSAUR – ESTABLISH AND UNDER
JIM: But the monster’s crashing about blindly. Use the amulets before it crushes Speeding Elk.
SOUND: THREE MAGICAL CHIMES – LET IT FINISH.
SOUND: CONFUSED ROAR OF DINOSAUR – ANOTHER BIG ROAR – SOUND OF DINOSAUR FOOTFALLS RETREATING THROUGH BRUSH – FADE OUT.
ANNIE: It worked. Thank heaven for that!
JIM: Speeding Elk! Are you okay.
SPEEDING ELK: Fine.
SOUND: COIL OF ROPE LANDING – LET IT FINISH.
SALLY: The rope’s come back down. I think it’s time we high-tailed it outta here, don’t you.
JIM: Damn straight! Come on then. Ladies first.
MUSIC: (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 16: EXT – ATOP THE CRATER – MIDNIGHT (JIM, ANNIE, CROW’S SHADOW, SALLY)

SOUND: (WALLA) WIND – OCCASIONAL NIGHT BIRDS – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
JIM: (GRUNTS) Ugh. Much slower coming up than down. Yes-sir, that was some climb!
ANNIE: Here. Let me help you onto your feet.
JIM: It looks like the whole tribe has been waiting for us.
ANNIE: No. Just the tribal council. (BEAT) Here comes Crow’s Shadow.
CROW’S SHADOW: Welcome spirit walkers. You have succeeded beyond our expectations.
JIM: Thank you Crow’s Shadow. May we now begin our journey in pursuit of Liberty’s murdering mayor.
CROW’S SHADOW: Shortly. We have a duty to perform first. You are now members of the tribe and require true names.
(TO SPEEDING ELK) You are SPEEDING ELK, this was your name when you lived and is reinstated in your death.
(TO SALLY) You were once known as Sally. Now you are “Words Like the Grass”.
SALLY: I’m not sure that’s a compliment.
CROW’S SHADOW: (TO ANNIE) You were once known as Annie. Now you are “Clever Raven”.
JIM: And me?
CROW’S SHADOW: (TO JIM) You are easy. Before you were Jim and Sheriff. Now you are “Silver Star”.
(TO ALL) You have earned a place in the tribe and we welcome you.
SOUND: GROUP SHOUT OF WELCOME FROM THE COUNCIL.
SOUND: (WALLA)DRUMS AND CHANTING BEGINS – ESTABLISH AND UNDER
JIM: (STAGE WHISPER) I don’t mean to cut things short but we need to get going as soon as possible.
CROW’S SHADOW: I know. And perhaps it is for the best. Speeding Elk has missed his place in the tribe and now feels he has been restored. It would not be good for him to discover how shallow the regard of his people is.
JIM: What do you mean?
CROW’S SHADOW: The people are going through the motions… welcoming you to the tribe… but many are uncomfortable with the notion of accepting the dead into our camp. Even now I believe our chief is regretting his bargain. (BEAT) Yes. I think your plan is best. Go soon. Now, if you can.
JIM: I will. (LOUDLY TO THE GROUP) Members of the People, we thank you for this welcome (BEAT) but our duty weighs heavily upon us and we must leave to pursue the Skin Walker who has slain so many.
You have aided us by granting us life and the chance to be revenged upon the one who took our lives away. We cannot repay this gift by waiting any longer. Our quest begins!
TRIBE: SHOUTS, YELLS, WAR CRIES ETC. ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
SALLY: Well… that was inspiring.
SOUND: CLOSING THEME AND CREDITS – LET IT FINISH.

CASTING SHEETS — MAJOR CHARACTERS

JIM WILKES: I was the Sheriff of Liberty Gulch. I’ve been a lawman fer a long time. Liberty was meant to be a change – a chance to relax after my time as a U.S. Marshall. It don’t look like I’ll be doing much relaxing though. The town has been destroyed. Its people are dead, and now, I’m undead and hell-bent on being revenged upon the thing that wears the face of Dan Wilson, the mayor of Liberty Gulch.

ANNIE DEEMES: I used to run the local store. I’m a woman alone in a tough town and I hold my own. A few months back I was shot and killed, but I’m still here, raised to a pseudo-life by the powerful magic of a local Indian tribe. I was murdered by the Mayor and I was then brought back by Crow’s Shadow to seek revenge upon the man that did it.

SPEEDING ELK: I am a tracker and hunter for my people. Murdered by white men, I have been brought back by Crow’s Shadow to serve my people in seeking their revenge upon the mayor of Liberty Gulch.

SALLY TURNER: I am a drifter and gambler. I’ve had to make a quick exit from many a town over the years, but, until recently, my luck kept me one step ahead of the game. I say “until recently” because my luck ran out in Liberty Gulch. I was murdered by the mayor and brought back by Crow’s Shadow to seek revenge upon the man that killed me.

CASTING SHEETS — MINOR CHARACTERS

NARRATOR: Hello, I am your narrator. I introduce the cold stormy nights on which our stories take place, the dark alleys, and darker personalities who inhabit the lonely city. It is my job to set the scene and establish the serious tone of suspense and intrigue that will carry the story forward. It is also my job to remind listeners of what came before in a calm, trustworthy voice and ensure that everyone is oriented to where we are and where we are going.

CROW’S SHADOW: I am a shaman – a medicine man. I have power, but I respect and fear it. I can work great medicine but I do not do so lightly. I perform dances for my people, to cure sickness, to bring rain, and to protect our lands from the nagloshi and other spirits from beyond.

TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS: We are here because Crow’s Shadow wills it and we respect him. But these outsiders he has raised from the dead? He asks much of us, that we should accept and aid them. They are our tools. Our puppets. Why should we give them honour?

VILLAGERS: We were once a great nation, a powerful and educated people. That was before our city was invaded by giant snakes. Now we are a superstitious and frightened group, fallen far from the glories of our past. We are easily awed, but equally easily angered.

PRIEST: I am the priest of my people. It has been a long time since suitable sacrifices have fallen into my hands. The God’s demand the blood of our enemies. But how can we worship the old gods if we cannot find suitable sacrifices? And how can the old gods show us their favor if we no longer have the means to placate them?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Philip Craig Robotham grew up in a house full of books and has held numerous jobs as a teacher, computer programmer, graphic and web designer, an e-learning consultant and, most recently, writer. He currently lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and two sons. When he was younger and fitter he enjoyed martial arts, but in recent years his hobbies have tended towards more sedate fare (board games, movies, books, and role-playing games).

He is extremely grateful for the encouragement he receives from his biggest fans — his wife and two boys — all of whom read and enjoy his scripts and in general make his life worth living.

You can contact the author regarding performance rights (or simply to say hello) through his website: https://weirdworldstudios.com.

Don’t forget to check out the free sample portions of our titles at https://weirdworldstudios.com/product-category/our-products/.

This post and all its content is copyright © 2013 Philip Craig Robotham and has been released under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license. This play cannot be reproduced, shared, or performed commercially without the written permission of the author. The production of derivative content, merchandise, or creative works and materials is expressly forbidden under this agreement. However you may share, reproduce, and perform this play freely so long as authorship is acknowledged, no money changes hands, and the play is not modified in any way.

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