PP#17:

The Witches Keep Witching

The story continues to unfold while I also learn to screenwrite. Enjoy.

Start from the beginning.

What follows is a fictional account.

Witch Town, Part 5

“
(ANIMATED MOVIE)

EXT. CHURCH, MORNING

The sounds of church singing arise from within the building. Beautiful stained glass windows allow the sun to shine brilliantly into the church…

INT. CHURCH, MORNING

…and the light streams within to illuminate a MASS of people. They are standing in the pews reverently as the CHOIR sings.

The PRIEST walks through the church and comes to kneel before the altar to offer a prayer.

The choir stops singing as the priest prays, then a silence sets in.

After a moment, the priest stands again and walks to the pulpit. The congregation sits down.

PRIEST
Today, as with all our days together, the light and love of God shines upon us. May the light shine truth on all of the darkness in the world. Let us pray.

The people place their hands together in prayer, bow their heads, close their eyes, and continue to pray in silence.

But MARGARET, five years old, and TODD, seven years old, cannot sit still. They are bickering to each other and pushing and fighting.

MARGARET
Give it back!

TODD
No. It’s mine!

They both tug at something that each have part of a handhold on.

Their MOTHER, HOLLY, turns and scolds them.

HOLLY
(hushed frustration)
Stop that this instant. We are in church!

MARGARET
But Mom, he won’t give me my stretchy gummy!

TODD
That’s ‘cuz it’s not yours!

MARGARET
Is too!

TODD
Stop lying!

HOLLY
Children, stop this instant or you will both be grounded when we get out of here, no TV at home.

With one last tug at the toy, each kid tries to take it for themself. Stretching it to its limit, the toy cracks in half and the kids fall back with a clunk.

MARGARET
(shouting)
You broke it!

Margaret breaks out into tears. Todd looks at his mother apologetically and shrugs.

HOLLY
That’s it! You are both grounded. No TV the rest of the day, and tomorrow, too, if you don’t stop all this noise. Behave!

Margaret bears a miserable face of distress and guilt but is able to contain her crying. Todd crosses his arms and sits back against the pew. Both are able to maintain their calm for the rest of the service.

PRIEST
(voice heard only after the din of the children quiets, and fades out as scene transitions)
The world is home to angels and monsters alike. It is our deepest hope that the light of the heavens shine in the darkest places and purge the monsters from all the Earth.

EXT. CHURCHYARD, MORNING

As the church service ends and lets out into the churchyard, Margaret and Todd are being escorted closely by their mother. She holds them by their ears for a moment to get their attention.

HOLLY
That is the LAST time you embarrass me like that in church. Do you know that everyone has asked the priest himself if he could do something to help discipline you kids because of these scenes? You act like monsters sometimes. God, if only your father could see you two…

TODD
What IF he could see us, Ma, what then? Would he care?

HOLLY
Todd Albert Helsing, how dare you say such things! Your father was a wonderful man who cared deeply for both of you.

TODD
Then why did he leave? Maybe because we ARE monsters…

HOLLY
Todd…

MARGARET
I want my stretchy gummy back!

TODD
But it was mine!

MARGARET
No it wasn’t! It was mine, fair and square. I put the quarter in the machine!

TODD
No, that was my quarter, so it’s my toy!

MARGARET
Until you broke it, you idiot.

Margaret pushes Todd, and Todd moves in to hit his sister until their mother stops the two kids.

HOLLY
ENOUGH! Margaret Alice, you know not to hit and push. And Todd, don’t try to hit your sister, either. You are grounded the entire week. No TV and no games with the neighborhood kids. Do you understand me?

MARGARET AND TODD
Argh, really!

HOLLY
Do you understand!?

MARGARET AND TODD
(muttering)
Yes, Mom.

HOLLY
I can’t hear you.

MARGARET AND TODD
(more loudly)
Yes, Mom.

Many of the church-goers pass by and give a mix of sympathetic and judgemental looks towards Holly and her kids.

HOLLY
(crossing her arms)
Good. Now let’s just get home and stop all these episodes where everyone can get a free show of our drama. I am very disappointed in you two.

MARGARET
Well if you’re so disappointed in us, why do you even have us? All you’re worried about is what people think of you!

HOLLY
(aghast)
Margaret!

MARGARET
You guys don’t care about me!

Margaret runs away from the church then, leaving her mother and brother behind.

HOLLY
Margaret! Come back. You get back here this instant, young lady!

EXT. STREETS OF STOKESVILLE, MORNING

Margaret is running down the sidewalk away from the church. Her mom’s calls can be heard echoing in the distance.

EXT. CHURCHYARD, MORNING

Holly and Todd begin running after Margaret. Holly shows signs of bad knees and cannot run fast.

Todd is quick and runs well beyond his mother’s pace. He, too, runs out of sight.

HOLLY
Todd! Don’t you leave me! Come back!

EXT. STREETS OF STOKESVILLE, MORNING

Holly hobbles along a little ways further after her kids, but is clearly in a lot of pain and out of breath. It forces her to stop.

HOLLY
Margaret! Todd! Come back.

(beat)

HOLLY (CONT’D)
Don’t you guys leave me, too.

FADE OUT

“

I hope you’re enjoying my ongoing kid movie script. Continue to follow me as I write!

READ PART 6

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Many blessings,

Matthew