And so it came to be that RC the STORYTELLER, without hesitation, dives right in… to treat the @TheSEA gatherers to a Tell-Tail-Tale. Let’s listen in! —The Gang
Need to Ketchup (er… Catchup)?
click here for RC at The SEA 01
click here for RC at The SEA 02
click here for RC at The SEA 03
click here for RC at The SEA 04
click here for RC at The SEA 05
click here for RC at The SEA 06
Let us begin, shall we ??
It’s SHOWTIME @TheSEA.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WESTSIDE BREW PUB
RC’s Corner at the brew pub is dimly lit. There are shadows on the screen… doing a SHADOW DANCE of some sort. The music? It’s an instrumental version of Whine Up.
Voices behind the screen are chatting.
[Members of the JEDEMI GANG have stayed over the hill to enjoy the WESTSIDE for a while and help RC get over his bump]
DOC
Mr Squeek put me onto it… he said it is perfect — WIND UP, WIND UP, WIND UP, OH YEAH…
DOSSIE
Our WANDER / WONDER KAT gave you a music tip? Really, Doc? You know his reputation, right?
Doc gives her a look.
…he’s always mucking with lyrics to the point that you think HIS words ARE the ACTUAL lyrics.
DOSSIE
The polite description is poetic license… but really… he’s always mucking with lyrics to the point that you think HIS words ARE the ACTUAL lyrics.
DOC
So.. Not WIND UP?
DOSSIE
Yeah… no… Close but W-H-I-N-E UP is how you’d GOOGLE it. This INSTRUMENTAL…?
DOC
Forwarded to me by our BASEMENT TAG-TEAM
DOSSIE
Explains it… SIR TOMMIE has hearing challenges anyway. All good though. It’s doing the job!
They peer out from behind the screen and see folks assembling and dancing their way towards RC’s spot.
Just then, FRANNIE and JOEY arrive.
FRANNIE
Hey guys! I believe we should retreat to our VANTAGE POINT from last week and… see how this plays out.
JOEY
The bouncing ball on screen…? FRANKIE’s idea…
FRANNIE
Gotta see for yourself. PLUS… The word is… SGA from MR SQUEEK our… BREAKDANCIN’ WONDER / WANDER KAT.
DOSSIE
What are we waiting for??
DOC
Let’s go!!
They retreat to their aerial view, while the rest are … let’s just say… the anticipation is building while the lights remain low.
The music starts to fade as RC begins.
RC THE STORYTELLER
The ball on the screen there… See it bounding about… like an alternate version of that PONG game… Well… thus starts the TALE of FINN-FINN.
He pauses to let the words settle in. A spotlight hits his face as he wanders the stage describing: WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT.
RC THE STORYTELLER
Imagine, if you will, a NURSERY… as in a FLOWER NURSERY… get it in your mind’s eye. There are some beautiful nurseries south of San Jose proper.
The beauty coming from the fine flowers and plants that are cultivated. Can you see your eyes?
He pauses. Observing nodding heads. Then he continues.
RC THE STORYTELLER
These nurseries are … what I’d describe as stomping grounds… or just… a super awesome environment for a NIWASHI garden architect to wander, gain inspiration and perhaps discover something super fantastic for her clients.
AUDIENCE MEMBER 1
NIWASHI?
In the WORLD OF JOY I’ve teased in other sessions, resides a fantastic NIWASHI…
RC THE STORYTELLER
In the WORLD OF JOY I’ve teased in other sessions, resides a fantastic NIWASHI… Truly gifted at creating LIVE GOODS (industry term) visuals that put a smile on your face… It seems quite appropriate that THE WORLD OF JOY has such a person in it’s ‘hood.
AUDIENCE IN UNISON
Ah!
RC THE STORYTELLER
So… in this particular day… when the NIWASHI was going about her business, frequenting nurseries and, where possible, meeting up with pals for coffee, there was… Let’s not call it a disturbance in THE FORCE, as that’s too INTENSE. Rather, a gentler way is … an opportunity to FLEX-N-FLO…
LISTENER IN THE SHADOWS
Huh?
RC THE STORYTELLER
A… Slight change of plans…?
LISTENER IN THE SHADOWS
Huh?
RC THE STORYTELLER
Deviation… As something prompted … an over-ride… And that something was…
On the screen, the bouncing ball shadow now takes on the shape of a dog… you can see the ears and snout and tail… As the dog is seemingly pin-balling about.
AUDIENCE IN UNISON
Gasp! GASP!!
RC THE STORYTELLER
So while driving to the meetup, THE NIWASHI gets a call.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. NIWASHI MOBILE
The Niwashi sees a call coming in from her friend and answers wirelessly — letting the speakers in the VAN project the conversation.
FRIEND
Hey there… Where are you…? Are you close?
Looking at the clock and the WAZE app, she responds.
NIWASHI
Says… Right on time… What’s up? Why are you out of breath?
FRIEND
OMG! I almost KILLED IT. Heart’s still pounding… I ….
NIWASHI
Killed? What? Where are you? Are you safe?
FRIEND
Oh… yeah… just a little freaked that’s all. On my way here… it darted… then stopped in its tracks and raced around and then…
NIWASHI
It?
FRIEND
A collarless dog. Looked … so… Frightened… Freaked… I pulled over and opened up my door to check, and it hopped in.
NIWASHI
The collarless dog? In your car? Now?
FRIEND
Hopped in… Got comfortable too.
NIWASHI
So you are… ?
FRIEND
At… our meetup spot… the freaked-out Puppy is in the car still.
When I went inside, I bumped into that nice cafe owner who gave me a bowl for water… which was lapped up! Thirsty for sure.
NIWASHI
What were his thoughts?
FRIEND
Well, I explained the situation… And… Was offered some rope to improvise a leash — to keep it tied up outside… but…
NIWASHI
Hang in there. I’m almost … few minutes out.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. NURSERY-SIDE CAFE
The Niwashi pulls up in her van next to her friend’s car and looks in… The PUPPY is there … doing that PUPPY DOG EYES thing they do.
Her friend meets her at the door and gives her a hug. Then pointing to the table…
FRIEND
Debbi my friend and MASTER GARDENER slash PROBLEM SOLVER… Please sit… And have a sip… or two or three. Your help I need.
DEBBI the NIWASHI takes a sip of her CHAI and ponders the situation. The owner rushes up to the table.
OWNER
You’re here!! Hey you! You guys figured out what to do…?
FRIEND
For sure, I can’t keep him… even in a FOSTER capacity. I wish I could…
Before Debbi could say anything, the Owner continued.
OWNER
Well, I mean… the easiest thing is… I can call the SHELTER or ANIMAL CONTROL… or…
Shaking her head.
NIWASHI
Ya know… There’s… Something… …Something about the EYES…
Owner looks towards the Friend’s car.
OWNER
Uh… Ladies… He’s gone!
Wait… What? How did…? A HOUDINI HOUND?
FRIEND
Wait… What? How did…? A HOUDINI HOUND?
[there’s some chuckling in the audience @TheSEA]
She jumps up and DEBBI the NIWASHI motions her to sit down.
NIWASHI
It’s okay… Breathe my friend… I got this… for now. HOUDINI HOUND is presently stretched out in the back of my VAN. I’ll figure out something… I mean… FOSTERING isn’t out of the question but… need to run it by …
FRIEND
Your husband? Of course… He grew to like your current puppy.
NIWASHI
Yeah… But now… A multi-pet household? He might bark at that…
FRIEND
Bark! Good one!
The friend seems relieved. Laughing and more relaxed.
NIWASHI
If I position the situation just right… he’ll be okay. Probably starting with… a firm END DATE.
FRIEND
Yeah… I get that.
And so they finish up their coffee and snack and head their separate ways.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. NIWASHI MOBILE
Looking in the rearview mirror, DEBBI The NIWASHI talks to her TEMPORARY PUPPY.
NIWASHI
Okay, Buster… There are ground rules… Seen NOT Heard. Got it.
The HOUDINI HOUND seems to nod… or at least in Debbi’s mind he did.
NIWASHI
Stick with me… Stay close. You can probably hang in the GREEN HOUSE– it’ll be comfortable and I’ll give you plenty of blankets… Build ya a nice nest…
Again, the HOUDINI HOUND nods.
This is TEMPORARY… NOT YOUR FOREVER home. Got it?
NIWASHI
But… I’m letting you know… upfront… This is TEMPORARY… NOT YOUR FOREVER home. Got it?
One more nod.
NIWASHI
Settle in… We’ve got a little bit of a ride ahead and some stops. You’ve been watered… But I’ll bet you’re starved, huh…
She again glances in the mirror but HOUDINI isn’t in her sights.
NIWASHI
Huh?
Pulling over, she puts the Van in park and gets out. When she opens the side door, she smiles.
Yum-Yums!
NIWASHI
Ah! Forgot those were in the back. Of course! Help yourself.
She smiles as she watches Houdini Hound munching away. As she closes the door she admonishes him.
NIWASHI
Okay to help yourself HERE in MY Work Van — however… when we get home, you need to behave… Okay?
A nod and back to the chewing.
NIWASHI
Note to self… Let my client know they’re a hit! May need to get in on her subscription.
So off they go. After a while, Debbi checks on her passenger who’s now curled up asleep.
NIWASHI
Fed. Watered. Next on tap… a bath… You’ll be a clean machine.
FADE OUT.
EXT. WESTSIDE BREW PUB
Indeed, as RC said that last bit, the spotlight on him disappeared and all was quiet until… a round of clapping begins.
Wow! I’m hooked.
AUDIENCE MEMBER 1
Wow! I’m hooked.
AUDIENCE MEMBER 2
Me too!
AUDIENCE IN UNISON
Yeah!
RC THE STORYTELLER
Well guys… I’m hooked too… as this story is JUST getting to me… shortly before I step up here… We ALL get to take this JOURNEY together. Cool right?
LISTENER IN THE SHADOWS
Yeah, right.
Said with sarcasm, the rest jump in.
AUDIENCE IN UNISON
QUIET YOU!!
And while they’re distracted by the disruptor, the WHEEL from the previous week, is in the SPOTLIGHT.
This time, it features MENU ITEMS from the SCRUMPTIOUS food truck.
RC THE STORYTELLER
You guys knew… our fabulous hosts provide a key… not so secret… ingredient for many of the…
RC spins the WHEEL — where the BEER-BATTERED items are intermixed with — twice cooked fries.
Snapshot of Menu…
THE HAPPY[HOUND] HOUR starts now!
RC THE STORYTELLER
Round she goes — See the options? Take a spin for a coupon — usable in a future visit. Meanwhile, enjoy today’s truck where everything’s 1/2 price — THE HAPPY[HOUND] HOUR starts now!
RC looks to the side and sees HAPPY BARISTA KIMBA munching away.
She smiles at him.
Another snapshot!
KIMBA THE DRIVER
Chip?? Help yourself… Channel your inner HOUDINI HOUND.
RC THE STORYTELLER
You were here for that?
KIMBA THE DRIVER
Yeah. And those Hula Lula Chicken Jerky For Dogs… Had several of my drive-abouts raving… wanting a local supplier.
RC THE STORYTELLER
Right?
They both are watching the SPIN with one of the WORKERS handing out the coupon.
BREWPUB WORKER
Step right up folks… While supplies last.
RC THE STORYTELLER
Oh… before I forget…
He points to the projector.
RC THE STORYTELLER
Can you do that PROJECTOR thing and…
KIMBA THE DRIVER
Of course!
Up on the SCREEN now:
PLEASE COME NEXT WEEK
WHERE… YOU’LL… FIND… OUT… WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT.
Stay tuned…
There appears also to be a PENCIL’S DOWN IMAGE.
RC THE STORYTELLER
Perfect! Now let’s sample some more lovely chips, shall we?
KIMBA THE DRIVER
Split a …?
RC THE STORYTELLER
Sure! You pick and I’ll beverage us up.
FADE OUT.
Pencils down…
Got you curious to learn WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT., right?
Stay tuned and thanks for reading! —The Gang
For your listening pleasure, “WIND UP” / “Whine Up” INSTRUMENTAL edition —The Gang
The OG? Catchy too (with some lyric changes of course!)…
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for MORE RC’s Stories @TheSEA: A Storyteller’s Journey.
Oh… and if you liked it, hit us up below [Speak Your Mind] and … please to share!
-The Gang & RC
Thanks for playing!! Oh… And if you haven’t done so already, we invite you to join our waitlist.
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