THE SQUIRRELS by Robert Askins “HE ‘ QUIRRELS - ROBERT ASKINS * DRAMATISTS. PLAY SERVICE INC(CHARACTERS SSCIURUS, Great old gray squirrel. Big Fatih The grates gutherer ‘of mut the forest eve sav, Nowe gone to sce, Father to Chordata, Partner to Mammalia. Adopted father to Rodents, CHORDATA, Young gray sguizel, Squire sexy: Squeel smart She knows the forest changing Shei in love with Carolinenss Shes perhaps a itl oo Sentimental MAMMALIA, Older gry squeal. The long-ufering partner to Scirus. She loves hist. Knows his fats, Ha aided his schemes. Shes dediated to er daughter and wants only the best fr he. RODENTIA. Adopted daughter of crus Young fox squerel She srms with the tide that ase er boat. CCAROLINENSIS. Young for squire. Fierce Strong, Heise but Fhungy ister all the den of winter and mating seasn coming SCIURIDAE/THE SCIENTIST. Gray squire. He is smooth. Too Smooth. He stares too long. Hes creepy ike an evil RT Taw The scientist is nota ral scents, Hes a cartoon scent. Make of that what you wil SQUIRREL ENSEMBLE NOTE ON CASTING Listen here you clever sons of itches, you have an opportanity in casting squirels to cast Bind. The cortames should do the job of taking the distinctions cbvios. So cst he rinbow: THE SQUIRRELS Prologue! A man comes out onstage He i sient No rel cet. ‘cartoon sini No to say he is no a actor tf he “He shuld maybe sem es ral han what allows He shoul walkout when the Hight are up andthe people re sil tlking, He should clear his trot aggresive SCIENTIST. ARRRRHHHMMMMM, Arerhmm, AEsthm, Several times T DOWN! He pullsouthis phone. He turn tof The light tart to di, ‘THIS THING IS DESIGNED TO EMBARRASS YOU IN THE ‘THEATRE, DO NOT LET IT Turn iff. Thank you, The scientist produces long telescoping pointer, and he exons otf length nv dramatic gesture (Our subject fo tonights, ‘A picture of squire Very big THE SQUIRREL “He hts whatever projection eurfac very ard ANIMALIA. CHORDATA, (Keps iting the oar) MANMALIA RODENTIA. SCIURIDAE, SCIURUS. CAROLINENSIS, THE WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL, He akesasacond. He stares ot he audionc. Now Ihave tosay. am proud of you. You get the season announce The season announcement i projectedAnd youlelike musical. Okay: Tinky ply about think things all the way from New Yeek. Sue. Duh Then wha this? Squires? ‘Other people might go, "BAWHA? A play abou gurls? Wht” ‘Not you You sald, “Okay” You si, "Tim curious You sid, “Give rme some” And some You shall have. Buckle up you discerning Patron ofthe arts Because we ae going to get sletfisl, because, SQUIRRELS ARE FASCINATING, Back to pictures of quire ‘These guys make maple syrup. They chew the bark of the te, Wait fori to leak and harden then lp the sap. They go wild fri The sugar high i ike a day traders coke binge. They make mas room jerk. Tey chop them ip and ry them ut Laying them in ‘he sun to preserve them for longer Is your mind blown? Nol yet? A picture of the diet ofthe sure, SQUIRRELS LOVE NUTS. That will come a no suprise Bat that ‘just the tp ofthe feshorg, THEY WILL EAT ANYTHING. More about that te, Pte of a squtrel hiding shit These tiny neat-feaks can have thousands of caches of ats. AND EACH ONE HAS A DIFFERENT SINGLE NUT VARIETY. Thats right. They organize their nuts. Walnuts over here Pecans over here. WHO TAUGHT THEM TO DO THAT? eat, They are sneaky, They ae devious, They watch and wat and ig ‘up another squirrels nuts and if they know thee bing watched, they wil pretend to bury the nut, then pt itn their cheeks nd then hidet somewhere ese. mein.» THAT IS, Weseea fox quiere. This is THE FOX SQUIRREL. A branch of he gray-squce fy They'e a litle redder and ite bigger and their habitats overlap and wellsometimes they dost et long, ture of aby squire Tey adopt. Tatsight A baby squire whose parents ae killed wil be taken ino the dee, thats a squire nest ofan accommodating squire any Sounds are heard THEY HAVE A COMPLEX EMOTIONAL LIFE. They til, these squtrels. They communicate with eich other in & wide range af tones. They havea squeak like a mows, We heart A chater, when aggressive, Acall to waen about predators. We hart And mukuk-mul, This isthe sound that parents make for cient the sound @ lover makes forthe beloved Tre scents collapses hs pointer My mother haa bird feeder. The squirels would ses feed fom it ‘We would wath them in the morning befre I went to school We would watch them go round and ound. My mother made up litle Stories and I always wondered why they did wha they di. ve dedicated my life tothe squire and nowt watt to share tat with you. SONOW RIGHT NOW HEREIN THIS PLACE. .YOU WILL FIND OUT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT. THE SQUIRRELS The carta ies up Seene 1 NOW YOU SONS OF BITCHES MAKE SQUIRRELS. BOY ‘SQUIRRELS. GIRL SQUIRRELS. OLD SQUIRRELS. YOUNG SQUIRRELS. They are al actors be squire sts. Suits of varying red, white and gry. They are funny and sly and eck and sexy ‘asthe par reuies There ae five of theme Scirus, Ch Rodentia, and Ceralinensis(ere ione more squire but we wllmet hin later) ‘The fix squires havea sgl diferent coloring and shape fears I noticable but nothing to write home about We ae in the hollowed out centr of ts. There de Maybe sme chai Ie should folie the wll appoint fa businessman but iti the holon out cote of Sciurasis staring athe other our SCIURUS. YOU WILL NEVER GET MY NUTS. (CHORDATA. Daddy SCIURUS. No. No. No, squash blossom. listened to you. Now you Ten to me am generous. Everybody knows 'm generous RODENTIA, The most generous SCIURUS, Super generous. When winds come up and mts ilo the ground I shout. NUTS. NUTS. NUTS onthe ground. When the bird feders ar full my cheek pouches and then dsgorge them forall the litle ones so they can gobble up the sweet seed. Two ‘winters ago Tan {lone fought off the treble hawk. MAMMALIA. Ita blue jay SSCTURUS, It asa haw, MAMMALIA. Itwas a bls jay SCIURUS. DAMNITMAMA itwasa awk witha wingspan ike, He pushes his hands out wide RODENTIA, I elev you, Poppe SCIURUS. Thank you, Rodents, ‘MAMMALIA. Rodenti thera litle brown on your nose RODENTIA. Really Mama Mammalia thera twig up your SSCIURUS, Rodentia. This sug in front our guest. What re we voles, marmots. mocking chipmunk? No, We are squiel SQUIRRELS Tay: Let ae ket They ac like quires, Posing, Tels ou. Chests high (ote om the word “igual” Sometimes iti said like sometimes tke“ Sometimes with ride and sometimes with dain} And [know what you're thinking, but this isnt about color (CHORDATA. Daddy no one was thinking that SCIURUS. I welcomed thi one nt my de. ud ise for quire thoagh she maybe. she Ig inthe ov Pik lind ot een shaking. He ps hs arm nt. Rodentia cries int RODENTIA. Half of me froze through SCIURUS. Halfof her foze straight through Yu wish there was a bar cart so Mamma could make herslf drink MAMMALIA. And that squirzels is why she so cold-hearted Rodentia stick out her tongue. Mama hiss the SCIURUS, Mama, please, MAMMALIA, Sorry det Idan know what came over me (CAROLINENSIS. Can we please get back tothe nas SCIURUS. Ob, well get bac to the ntl sight-—uh—uh—what Marna clocks this CCAROLINENSIS, Its Cerolinensis SCIURUS. Carlinensis, Whete you fom Carolinensis? CCAROLINENSS. in from her SCIURUS. No originally CHORDATA, Dad CAROLINENSIS. It okay. SCIURUS. Thank God i kay CCAROLINENSIS. My parents were from the other sie ofthe Tew, SCIURUS, Tat expainsthe accent, Long wsy fom home ret you? CCAROLINENSIS. This sy home SCIURUS. Let me tel you how things go around hers squireYou dont just come into my ole and tll me that Lm no giving ‘nosgh, When I giv all ean You do tht take tas an ins CCAROLINENSIS. No ones tying a insult you. Wee just saying at you have mote nuts tha any other squirrel in these tree nd ings are ery bain the ranches, SCIURUS, Not my problem, CCAROLINENSIS. Ib problem fora ous, SCIURUS, We're doing just fine CCAROLINENSIS. I know and vo does everyone els, Thats part of it You have nats enough fo last ten winters, You have more food than you could ever et. SCIURUS. Those squirts in thou branches have the same summer as do. They haveall the hour inal the days To gather mas To dry ‘mushrooms. To lap up syrup. Lor knows yo foes love to ap the om. CCAROLINENSIS, Excuse me SSCIURUS, You herd me CHORDATA. DAD. CCAROLINENSIS. Fox squirrels love tolap syrup? MAMMALIA. Oh lord, SCIURUS, It tre. Ise you squirts al dy long He makes rpg noises CCAROLINENSIS. Theres nothing elie to et. SCIURUS, Soon the te willbe bone dryallyour— Sciurus makes rove nos CGAROLINENSIS. Soon there wont be any more tres with all the ‘is you've putin the ground SCIURUS, There wil aways be tes. CCAROLINENSIS. Ys tke too much SCIURUS. You ae ot going to tl me how many mas take CCAROLINENSIS, Sires are starving Schur ant is dangerous, SCIURUS. Isthata threat? (CHORDATA. No.Dad, Carol and wee commited to donviolent selutions. CCAROLINENSIS. Were commited to geting you to see eas, SCIURUS. You litle squtrels. You think you know beter. You ‘ome 1 me, you suave tome like Ym some kindof it. Like | havent been around the porch atime or two. Ia five years ol Te seen more shit than you two can imagine. My father was mily-yed sp-sucking. slow-moving branch squire. I started gathering when Iwas stil pink and bails. ve gathered hard ll nny life and you know wy? Family. Family i all you have. These foes in the branches? I dot know them an I don know you, CCAROLINENSIS. Yes, you do. come fom acros the igh. Past the sign ofthe 7-Bleven, I came fom land of barking dog and Poisoned bird feeders. My parent arid me out of hat wat zone tnd we found peace in this twee. We found place to ret. as like your father di Youknow me, just equi ike you, looking for agree spot. trying to find sf plce where my babes can play SCIURUS. You are nothing ike me CCAROLINENSIS. Goddamnit. You have to listen. You have to mucking listen, SCIURUS. Squire please—1Idoithave todo anything You think youre going to come in here and bully me ito pouring ts into the mouths of feloaders CCAROLINENSIS. Freeloader? SCIURUS, Tha ight. ‘CAROLINENSIS. Come to the branches se how fre our lad is. SCIURUS. now the branches CCAROLINENSIS. Marmot shit SCIURUS. Marmot shit? Marmot shit Let me tel you siething, Scirus boas into the chatring squire noise offi CAROLINENSIS, Oh yeah ‘Scirus gives ito him gain. Carol gives it back hist They both squeak teach the RODENTIA. Oh shitHORDATA. Mama, Do something MAMMALIA, clus contol youre RODENTIA. Thisiss0 exciting (CHORDATA, Carl stop. Th wo male squire each other They dot as squires da ery st, Stop-and-stary. They cater and ce Ready MAMMALIA. Scirus your too old for this CHORDATA, Cal this sit what we squawked abou [CAROLINENSIS. [dost want to bite you SSCIURUS. Then this going tobe ea Seiurus takes «swipe at Crain RODENTIA, fs on now Cara dees Sears ers up but Chordata leaps in beter CHORDATA. STOP BOTH OF YOU. DAD. Do you know where hes from? CAROLINENSIS, Chordata dont. im not going to stoop. CHORDATA. Daddy, he rom the high branch, SCIURUS, The high branch? (CHORDATA, The high branch Te ld squire pauses SCIURUS fm from the igh branch CHORDATA, Thats why wee here. I no just any branch wee ‘Stking foe Its your branch our old Branch, SCIURUS. Is ital foxes now? CCAROLINENSIS. Its every squirrel who doessit havea place atthe hear ofthe te CHORDATA. You remember what that ike, dnt you Dad, You emember what its like to Be scared. Every day Tscamper out of this dry {goto the waters edge and Thea the chatter. There are resto the wes they say but dot see theres. dot sel coyotes ros or weasels Al there iss us. A sees us screeching our vay towards disse, cat sep. My tail wont stop moving. Lam Tosing far trying to figure out how to stop the sistorm that els likes coming and ll Know is need yo. need your help. SCIURUS. Is thee sil that thick knot of wigs on the west side ear the robin’ nest? CHORDATA. Wha? SCIURUS, In the high branch? I there sl hat knot of igs? ‘CAROLINENSIS. No. got nibbled ay SCIURUS. My brother and I used to ide there and jump out at ha, MAMMALIA. Blu jays SCIURUS. There are some has CCAROLINENSIS. We di tha oo Me and ll he cousins Before he knot was nibbled away. We defintely saw a hawk or SCIURUS, Stupid birds CCAROLINENSIS Yes. Those binds are stupid Sciurus walks back ois desk He pullout a dene. From out ofthe drawer he pulls comic rand places RODENTIA. Wow CHORDATA, Daddy MAMMALIA. Seutry be earful SCIURUS. I know my own mind Mama ‘ut his hand onthe hing wals forward slow. He [CAROLINENSIS. Tis is very generous, but cant accept CHORDATA. Carol CAROLINENSIS. This is ot forme, but its not enough forthe branch. You have enough or ten winters. Give ws enough for one ‘Scirus loos at he young sie SCIURUS. You have some pai on you squireCAROLINENSIS. Where come from we dont eae wnt we have what we came fi SCIURUS, Yesh, CAROLINENSIS, Yeah SCIURUS, Tike that, CCAROLINENSIS. Tn glad, but whet does tht mes SCIURUS. That means Tm going think abou it (CHORDATA. Oh my God Daa SCIURUS. DON'TGO FAR Ie got tofookat my cache and seit ean make t work, CCAROLINENSIS. Yu have to make it work CHORDATA, Carol, pease. SCIURUS. Listen to her—Carlinens, This isa win. Letitstay won Sciurs eaves with a sgh of hs tail. He gos 10 hale depen this dey (CHORDATA. Of, Caro MAMMALIA, Well done, quiz CAROLINENSSS, You thinkit worked? (CHORDATA. He’ thinking abou it He never thinks about MAMMALIA, He never thinks RODENTIA. He thinks He thinks al the time MAMMALIA. Shut up Rodeata, That sa squirrel ruled by his ant squire acart and thie squires great appl might ust have ‘won imal dhe nuts, RODENTIA. You doit thinkheld giveaway the ashews He knows Tean only eit the cashews, MAMMALIA. The cashews wil be the first to go, Whatever will youdor RODENTIA. Iim—tim-—tm going tose if the mushrooms are dry She campers off fer the old squirrel MAMMALIA. I should have eaten her when Thad the chance. (CHORDATA, Gross Mom. MAMMALIA, You ae some kinna fx arent you squire (CHORDATA, Mama! MAMMALIA. Ob, go comb your til Chordie. Mama not dead yet (CHORDATA. Mom, please stop. MAMMALIA. Come on Chor, just ait fan, Poor me ater al hese seasons you father sil makes my heat go mak muh mule CCAROLINENSIS, Thats bestia MAMMALIA. If whole lot of work just hope you two find squires you can work wit for that ong. ifyou haven already. Manolis wits at them, CAROLINENSIS. Mama Mammalia in you squeak wih him, He MAMMALIA. He wet, Lately helistns tothe ls squirrel who opened thoi mouth CCAROLINENSIS. Pleas, is very important tome MAMMALIA. Ilse what can do. She ses amy. CAROLINENSIS, Do you think she knows? CHORDATA. I dont care Chordata throws her arms around kim CCAROLINENSIS, Chordie be caret CHORDATA. Carol be reckless CCAROLINENSIS, Not now He brushes her off She pouts CHORDATA. Dont you mak me? (CAROLINENSIS. So isk, butts not the season to uk, (CHORDATA. Isjustafew days away and maybe hit ea. Dont you want tohititeaeh? CCAROLINENSIS, I want ohitit so badCHORDATA, Then do baby do. CCAROLINENSIS. Baby you know there are squrels who would ‘0 crazy if they found out about us. oks around. Se CHORDATA. I dont cate about hem. CCAROLINENSIS. [know you dos. You have the lary of ot caring Tm the one that’s going to haveo bite them of CHORDATA. You'l beat them al CCAROLINENSIS. Ie take on the entire ee CHORDATA. Yes CAROLINENSIS. you can, You can do anything ith you. can do anything wth you They squire ss. ll mum ond the ubbing of No. No, We have to wait He gently pusher of Weaveto focus, We ean worry about the est off ter, CHORDATA, The rest oft? Ar Ith est of it CAROLINENSIS, No. No thas not wat CHORDATA. Are you cared? Do yu think fhe finds out about she wort give us these nts? CAROLINENSS, I think he an old squieel.1hink that thea of a fx and a gray together still makes lo of squizels very un comiortable, CHORDATA. He is a good squire, Hea good squirrel and he ‘wants me to be apy. eat (CHORDATA, You know you almost bow With ll tha CAROLINENSIS, You hesrd how he was He make the fighting noieas well (CHORDATA, You have to keep your co Beat CCAROLINENSIS, Its had CHORDATA. I know its hard CAROLINENSIS No, you dot CHORDATA. 1 know my fiber, Hei a good squire with a big heart and in his dy he was the greatest squirrel inthis tre, You ont eto be that auirel by being tid And be ies you le is neck 1 jumps ontop of hin CCAROLINENSIS. Chord, stop it ites he. She pl tes hi back CCAROLINENSIS. Ob, yu tough non CHORDATA, Tougher han you. CAROLINENSIS. You think sa CHORDATA, Yeah. CAROLINENSIS. You think so, 1 do the mating dance of squirrel ks sila 0 the 2 male squire. Soppyand: Now who ough? CHORDATA. You ae baby. You ae. another gre appears Hs He pokes his heed up from boi red Heb ite wad the wot. His checks ane Hes sipping yr oof the op ofan acorn He waddle very cloe tothe two love-making squire. Het ching with a squirrel intrest. He gts closer. Closer: Almost n thei foneChordata notices hi SCIURIDAE, Dorit mind me. She sera abit (CAROLINENSIS, What the hell man, The 0 lovemakers stop making love SCTURIDAE, Sorry Sorry. ust I dds want to interrupt. (CAROLINENSIS, Interrupt what? CHORDATA. Nothing to interrupt CCarlinensis and Chota iy apar. [CAROLINENSIS. We were jst. CHORDATA. Thad tick CCAROLINENSIS. Iwas checking he for es, SCIURIDAE. With your mouth? CCAROLINENSIS. Thats the way we do it sometimes. CHORDATA. Is totally hares. CCAROLINENSIS. Bt understand ifyou dont understand, SCIURIDAE. Oh think understand allright. fm sure hada got here jut when Id ou be checking her for ickeon the inside CCAROLINENSIS. Hey CHORDATA. Carl plese, Sura smiles at him SCIURIDAE. Ti sory. Tim so sorry. That was. Tm srry I dont know whats come overme That ws ater thing osay terrible inappropriate thing to sym aways saying inappropriate tings get a litle syrap in me and WbIbIb my moth just rans any swith me (Chordata touches hs arm aa CHORDATA, He dostt mean anything by it Cara. SCIURIDAE. Nothing atl Awkward boat Well his weirs your futher home? CHORDATA. Yes CCAROLINENSIS. Ie expecting you? SCIURIDAE, Are any of us expected? Really Truly expected, CAROLINENSIS. Ihave no des, SCIURIDAR, Exactly Goodluck iading tho ticks Sciuridae leaves Cra grow ite. Chord grabs ont im They both watch he strange quire ge (CAROLINENSIS. Ihave a bad feeling about him, (CHORDATA. Don! worry baby, Wht harm could edo? Scene 2 Scirus is dep bv the dry Iie private space A bedroom, A closet A kagstharomer tis lined with bi osthes sft ‘ranches, ad pice of posters that have ben if oti the Scuruscecs the le nestor mut has iden as Rodentia ‘hates thi. He migh behaving ate trouble wth He might be pulling ou strange thing, Bind sul, Overs liters Asoc RODENTIA. You cast give avaythe cashews, Giveaway the walnuts an the pin nts andthe Braz mts Let thers take the azn No ‘one likes the hazelnuts Scirus pork up SCTURUS. Isthat rue? RODENTIA, Ofcourseit true SCIURUS. Na Na. No i not. Mama likes he hazel RODENTIA. Ob, right og SCIURUS. You dds forget you sneak ‘She snuggles up thin RODENTIA. You know [haves delicate constitution, IT have test peanuts de ‘She pretend fits. Maybe ito his op »SCIURUS. Ob, you are so dramatic RODENTIA. Donit nae fun of me SCIURUS. Fm not yo tiny lite baby squire RODENTIA. Promise youl keep the cashews, SCIURUS, I promi RODENTIA. Thank yoo, Poppa thank you. She muzzes her way int is arms ‘Thankyou thank you thank you. ‘She mms hi SCIURUS. There nothing woulda do for myite snow baby RODENTIA. And ther’ nothing {would do for my big strong Poppa SCIURUS, Nothing RODENTIA. Nothing Best. Just ask and i yours “There issomething the way he tals thai le to Mammalia ents MAMMALIA. Am Iineropting? SCIURUS, No. No. Not ata RODENTIA, 1 sus. MAMMALIA. You were just begging for nt SCIURUS. She can only eat cashews, RODENTIA. can only ext cases, MAMMALIA. Of course my dear, We wouldst want you to stare, There san aka bea. Didnt you have some mushrooms to check on? RODENTIA, Dried mushrooms ony get dre. SCIURUS, Goon Rodie, RODENTIA. Fine ll eheck onthe mushrooms athe goto the bird feeder and seif theres any sed, there il ring some back for Poppa, SCIURUS. Good squire RODENTIA. (To Mama soft) And you wort et any. Mama makes «fighting nose and Rodentia scampers of SCIURUS. Lordy, Mama, wll you keep your paws ff of er? MAMMALIA. Shes trouble SCIURUS. She mks me MAMMALIA. Weall mak you SCIURUS. You dont a ike it MAMMALIA. Just because we dori fawn allover you SCIURUS, tama great squirrel maybe deserve alte fawning MAMMALIA. Oh lord SCIURUS. 16 tue. My cost i thick My eyes are cle I ean stl si it up withthe best of them, MAMMALIA. Have you lost your mind? SCIURUS. Have you? Squaeking to me like that, MAMMALIA. Why are you in here playing with tha litle tramp when you should be ou thee helping your daughter. SCIURUS. My daughters rude, She comes in ere acting like she Knows beter MAMMALIA. Maybe she dos. SCIURUS. Ifshe knowsbetterlet her go out ad ind mus and give them tall he litle fone shelves so much [MAMMALIA. She does know nuts bt she knows this ee SCIURUS. All she knows i macking mil chatter. “This tee Is fanily? Nya aya nye ny, MAMMALIA. Come on, Scurry. You like the fox You do SCIURUS. Hes strong. MAMMALIA. You dam right hes Makes my tll twitch, SCIURUS. Carefal Mama MAMMALIA. Of tobe two again, SCTURUS, Donitokesbout it MAMMALIA. Why no?SCIURUS. Just don. MAMMALIA. You‘e not planning on having me agai, ae you? The way you ply with that ite one. SCIURUS. Kalite harmless iting MAMMALIA. Ifyou want to muk with me then you beter keep ber out of your mucking hole, SCIURUS, Leave her: Beat. (MAMMALIA. Where are you, Scurry? SCIURUS, Tin here. in ight here MAMMALIA. No you're not. Youle somewhere fr away In 3 squiteld of your own, SCIURUS, Why do you sy that? MAMMALIA, Scirus wee been ere befor SCIURUS, Have we? (MAMMALIA. Thre winters pst The wind washand ce on ever thing. The mucking sason was coming Squirrel came out ofthe branches asking you for help. And youefered one nut SCIURUS, Wenough. MAMMALIA. Seirus squirls know what you have and when you dont leave them enough olive they ge angry. That yar we lost half our nuts inthe storm and ou iter... bepupsthey..they. SCIURUS. They what? MAMMALIA. Dont you remember? SCIURUS, I remember. I remember. [emember the hawk. [1 member stealing rom the bird feeder I remember the snow baby MAMMALIA, What weretheirnames? What were our pups names? There lok om is fc, hat rainy window lok, That faraway empty wold ook Alt sad tle desperate Oh ay God SCIURUS. I right there. ll come to me: Isic sin. be ‘okay, Just give mea mucking second snd Il be okay Beat MAMMALIA. What ese cat you remember? SCIURUS. I cant remember what I eat remember: Thats the problem. MAMMALIA. Tknow you'e confused bt don ike tout on me, SCIURUS. Im vor MAMMALIA. Dent be sory. Just tell me whats going on Beat SCIURUS. dost know where my mas are Sometimes doit know where anything is. Thar callin the night. Theres no ane there. Jpear tories. They sound tus, but the. .then..then somebody tis me something diferent and that. hat sounds tue too. dont know ‘what real You al ay the tei changing What do know if dont ‘Know this tee? Squeels eame to me, Looked up to me MAMMALIA, Squicree stil comet you. SCIURUS. Chordata used to tll me I wis the biggest strongest sire the squire, MAMMALIA. Youre geting ol SCIURUS. Youte hard The both of ou ate so hard (MAMMALIA. Im sorry baby ‘She goes thm. Ter ite mucking. SCIURUS. Iwasa to tell you MAMMALIA. Scutry how do you not know by now that [wil stand by you? No mate wht. Tuk you. 've mocked you for seasons. Tve mucked you since you were aating but branch squire, bures in his ti lching to show the forest what he was made of SCIURUS, And you was the seeks pretest princess MAMMALIA. Daddy did have auto two. Baby, stand by you. You know that We can deal with thi Well find your nats ‘Well weather this winter But for aow.ight now She whispers nt his a Peas. Poppa Please Give them what the ask fo 2SCIURUS. Okay MAMMALIA. There he i The biggest strongest squirrel inthe squirrel He smiles SSCIURUS, Plate Mama, Please dont tel MAMMAUA. Sciurus SCIURUS. Pleas MAMMALIA. Okay SCIURUS, Thank you, Mama They mk. The nev quer, curiae, appears at the dor. SCIURIDAE. This has gt to he the mos aetonate dey Ihave ever ha te pleasure to..enter: MAMMALIA. Excuse me SCIURIDAE. Timor: dont meanto interrupt. just didn expect so much action, Outo season. SCIURUS, Who are you? SCIURIDAE. Your daughter lt men MAMMALIA, That docs sound ike he. SCIURIDAE. Iam SciuridseScuridius curiam, SCIURUS, Of the West Knot Seurdiums? SCIURIDAE. The very same MAMMALIA. And do the West Knot Scutidiums not announce themselves when they vis SCIURUS, Mama dost be ride. SCIURIDAE, Usually we dont have to SCIURUS, Can I get you something? Pinecone? Mama we have MAMMALIA. I dont know if we can spare it SSCIURUS. You were just squaring about how we shuld give. SCIURIDAE, Its quite alright, squirrel. My fis caches are tore than ficient to keep mein pinecones and syrup SCIURUS. OF curse they are. Ofcourse they ate, Mama he’s not hang go get his something to et MAMMALIA. Be careful with this one Scurry. Hes hungrier than heletson. She camper of SCIURIDAE, Quite the female SCIURUS. Ob, dont know it SCIURIDAE, And her daughter Exquisite. SCIURUS. Tank you im very proud of my family SCIURIDAE, Fine examples of ray ladies. SCIURUS. Syrup? SCIURIDAE, Is five cock somewhere SCIURUS, HA. HA, HAHAHAHAHA, He laughs too much. They lp athe bubbleof syrup aggre sively one after the her Like ura do, SCIURIDAE. Love your dey Very comfortable Very"lved in” SCIURUS, Thank you They lap syrup SCIURIDAE, You know my family had this hoe SCIURIDAE, Yes ‘Thay lp syrup ‘We were here fora ver ong time SCIURUS. Your family ha aways been veryimportan to this tre SCIURIDAE, Fm glad you el that wa 2sSCIURUS. OF course el that way, Who doc fel hat way? SCIURIDAE, Youll be srprised Scinrus aps syrup. Siri does no. This tree changing Sara SCIURUS, Ugh, That hear about SCIURIDAE. You dnt sound happy abot it SCIURUS. Happy not happy. What en you do? SCIURIDAE, ‘Thats an intresting question. Youve always asked intresting questions, Youve a squirel of vison. Youve scen $0 uch of what was coming. You Ssiurus are one of.1n0 ae you are the gents equerel of our time SCIURUS, Well tobe honest ny lady squire gives great counsel SCIURIDAE. Ibet she does, bether counsels great, ut istening to counsel is pal of grestness to. Knowing when to ten and vn to squeak. When to squeak and when fo at. And you know hore things. SCIURUS. Ithink so SCIURIDAE. Which is why you now that we have to act nv. SCIURUS, Act SCIURIDAE. Exact SCIURUS. Bat how? SCIURIDAE, Oh Sciuros dont pay games with me. I know you SCIURUS, Ofcourse T can seit Beat Just tell me what Lee. SCIURIDAE. You se the end of our tre. SCIURUS, That anit happen SCIURIDAE. It will happen, Unless SCIURUS, Unles SCIURIDAE. Something must be done. SCIURUS, Wehive to act SCIURIDAE. Jost as you sy. SCIURUS. Yes did sy SCIURIDAE. Sothen ite sete SCIURUS. Ii. SCIURIDAE. Thank God for you squitre. Thank God for you SCIURUS. Thank God for me SCIURIDAE. rilgettoitright away. All ned ifr yout tlle Where you've hidden your nus SCIURUS. My nus SCIURIDAE. Yes Your cache SCIURUS. My cache. SCIURIDAE. Your caches? SCIURUS. Go back one more tine and tell me what we gota do, Bea SCIURIDAE. Come on suid, suey squsel of your intellect, does esd me a plod through the minor deals SCIURUS. Do it anya. ‘Scunidae laugh Sear laughs. They both tp lau SCIURIDAE, We used to be the envy ofthe forest. Gray squires were the lords ofthe treetops. The masters ofthe canopy Loved, Feared, desired SCIURUS. Thote were the days SCIURIDAE, Now lok ts Paunchy. Milky. Sagging. Sedurs loka hinsell. ‘Our pups runing a mak: Our squirrel filing apart But what can we do the damn foxes. Theiler are huge. They spend all day sicking sp and aking for handowts. They dont know how our wee ‘works and they don want to know They dorithave the bal espect for other squiel SCIURUS. Leth not gt cry. ve met some fine fox squiresSCIURIDAE. Just because there area coupe of good ones doesnt mean we ea et them ron wid SCIURUS. Is not that ba, SCIURIDAE. Yes iti SCIURUS. Listen frend. Is good to see you but you est jst one round here sposting that kindof squae, SCIURIDAE, Ob, I ids realize you were with them, SCIURUS. Im not "with them SCIURIDAE. | didit know you were one of those blesing heart foxlovers. SCIURUS. Nov just secon SCIURIDAR, I dda thine you were the kind of sire that ‘would et females and fone tell him what odo. SCIURUS. Listen. Tm no fox lover It makes me eazy to watch them lazing bout, Mating ot of season. Barking afer gray ladies SCIURIDAR. Basking ater gray ladies? SCIURUS. You've seen them onthe Branches. They jst make all Hinds of noises, He makes some noes. ts not ight. Thats somebody’ daughter. Bea. 1s inappropriate SCIURIDAE, Its downright disgusting, but thats what hey want ‘Thats what they're here fo, SCIURUS. Whats what they here for SCIURIDAE. Te take our women, SCIURUS. No SCIURIDAE. You know Scurus Fora squitr of vision you cat see whats happening in your own dey SCIURUS, What do you mean? SCIURIDAE. Hove wel do you know the fox in the othe oom? SCIURUS, Chordata met him by the water edge SCIURIDAE, Abh, that makes sense SCIURUS. What? What makes sense? SCIURIDAE, Prety young gurel slumming. Daddy’rich and her Man good-looking All the males turn as she scampers by. but there one. fox. He chases after her. Barking ashe goes. He comers her. Pils his til andthe nex thing you know SCIURUS. What? SCIURIDAE. They'e mucking SCIURUS. No SCIURIDAE. Nigh afer nigh. She saaks out of he deey. Down tothe water edge. SCIURUS. She wouldnt. He— SCIURIDAE. Thats what they do, They take things Fst ts our daughters then our nat SCIURUS. Thats why they here. They're trying to get my mts SCIURIDAE. OF course they ar SCIURUS. Bu they got good reason Tei reasons seem good SCIURIDAE, Shes ying to you SCIURUS. You are wrong My Chordie. My Chordie. She woulisit letome He might nae dk mk SCIURIDAE. She not your Chon ayore Shes his Chord now SCIURUS, Na. SCIURIDAE. Isa it when Latived. They wee on the Boor. The foxand your daughter. Biting at each others tale, Eating rom your stores and laughing. Seria laughs cas “The laughed and mucked righ therein the mle of your dey: In the mid ofl you had provided for them SCIURUS. No, No SCIURIDAE. They laughed about how stupid you ae. How easly manipulated. OLD FOOL THEY CALLED YOU. OLD FOOL,THEY LAUGHED AND LAUGHED AND LAUGHED. OLD FOOLOLD FOOL SCIURUS. Itcantbe true. SCIURIDAE. ITS AND YOU KNOW Ir SCIURUS. NO, SCIURIDAE, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT Tr SCIURUS, [=I SCIURIDAE WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT SQUIRREL SCIURUS, ILLSHOW THEM. Seirus bounds out ofthe dre Scare stands there ad smooths his fur He gost the tl pours himself another syrup ad sis Scene 3 Weare back nthe main oon of th dey, Cains pases floor whie Chordata watches and Rodentia fies her squires ita giant rack (CAROLINENSIS. What could be taking him so long. CHORDATA. te patient CCAROLINENSIS.Itdeives me can just siting here RODENTIA, Icantllyou one thing. Youare nat geting any of my cashews Caroline advances upon Rodentia ‘CAROLINENSIS. Whe are you RODENTIA. Excuse me? ‘CAROLINENSIS. Do you even know who you ae? RODENTIA. Isthat supposed to bes deep and challenging question? CCAROLINENSIS. Doesit mater to you tha there are squires out there that ae dying the cold? 0 Beat. RODENTIA. te been metning to ak you Carol: What part ofthe high branch are you from. The way you squak-you sound like youre from nea the tank, ‘CAROLINENSIS. My parents came all the way fom RODENTIA. You'ea trunk squire arent you, CCAROLINENSIS, My life has not ben easy. RODENTIA. Maybe but you pay the branch sit up dont you, Caroli okay you can tel me You had ole. litle one, but hole nonetheless. Your parents serimped and saved, Gathered ext hous. Found you pace by knot ad you were warm. You dot now what it ike tobe without a dey Yu don't know wht ike to havea hungry father, starving ater Did your fuerte to «at you Caro. Did you cra ey frm him, Did you fl int the Snow below. Did you cry. Did you ery as you wafehed your lle hands turn blue? Noone hat looked ike me cae looking forme So oul have to forgive me for not giving a shit about the squirels inthe high branch, They can starve forall care (CHORDATA. You donitremenber what it was ke when you were pup. RODENTIA. I remember everything. CCAROLINENSIS. You have ore shove that Rodentia, RODENTIA. Dont el me about sing lit prnce, CHORDATA. Tell her Cara. RODENTIA. Yeh Carell me, ‘CAROLINENSIS. I= Suns bounds in SCIURUS. IS1T TRUE CCAROLINENSIS. Squire SCIURUS. IST? (CHORDATA. Daddy, what are you squawking shou? SCIURUS, Dont play stupa with me. RODENTIA. No ones playing. Popp.‘CAROLINENSIS. I this about the nuts? SCIURUS, THE NUTS, THENUTS. ALWAYS ABOUT THENUTS, CHORDATA. Daddy SCIURUS, Dont you Daddy me, Tato, (CHORDATA. Traitor? Scars stalks down his daughter SCIURUS, Liar Conniver Sneak ‘Caroline gets in beten them. CCAROLINENSIS. Squire, SCIURUS, What fox CCAROLINENSIS. I don ike how youre squawing ther SCIURUS, Oh, You donike how Tm squawking ther. You dort like how Tam squaveing to my own daughter in my own dey CHORDATA, Daddy what this about? RODENTIA, I would alto liketo know whats ging on, SCIURUS. Do youhave your ey on anyone this season Chordata? Boat. Maybe er eyes fick to Caro Inn ow whats gong ogo de CHORDATA. Day. SCIURUS. Is there particular male that cles your fncy? CAROLINENSIS Squire, RODENTIA. {dont gti. CHORDATA, Iwas going ttl you CAROLINENSIS. We were going to tl yu aftr we SCIURUS. Affe you stole me blind CHORDATA. No Dade CAROLINENSIS. Our intenons were good. SCIURUS. Is this what you ell good? Coming into a squirrels dee. Taking his only daughter. RODENTIA, Oh sit SCIURUS, Polltng her mind. Turing her agunst her fer neni those he CHORDATA. Daddy youre acting cry TT SCIURUS, Lam not some old ook That you can jut trick ino giving everthing way RODENTIA. Hes smarter than that CCAROLINENSIS. This i forthe good othe tee SCIURUS, Thats what they always say when they come to tke your uts aay, Tha God there somcone here looking out for ites ike me. Scare links otro he shadow SCIURIDAE Rodentia goes Seurdae the sexy ee. RODENTIA SCIURIDAE. Well squavicater CCAROLINENSIS. You. You dd thst SCIURIDAE. Well CHORDATA. Item choice who I mate with. SCIURUS. Iwas your choice until you wasted ton this fx CAROLINENSIS. Iam nota waste CHORDATA. Can wejuscalm down Sciridecaters soy at Caress Caan sees SCIURIDAE, What di all you, squire ‘Thay both begin oct loudly and cl each other: My earsare During. And who this? Enlightenment goes right out the window SCIURUS. Not in my deey squire RODENTIA. Yass CHORDATA. No, SCIURUS. Sant eps in ete ther. Leave my dre at once (CHORDATA. Carol lett get out of here SSCIURUS, Chordata dost you move ‘CHORDATA. Il come bck when you've calmed down, 2SCIURUS. No. She goes fo eave. Siar moves to sp he CCAROLINENSIS, Chordie AS Caroinen is distract tae claws at Cart face (Cra dodges bute spits caters and ise boring a oo, SCIURIDAE. See. See. The animal cannot coat! himsele, (CAROLINENSIS. Ol show you the ania, Garo spring at Sciriae. The tvo ral around the dey Carol cory has the per hand At this moment Mania returns from he eran MAMMALIA. ound the pinecone SCIRUS. Damn the pinecone Mem MAMMALIA. Oh my God. CHORDATA. Daddy tak him. SCIURUS. No you do no. CHORDATA. Hes the best squiere know SCIURUS. Thebes squirrel you know Setar los ite hel ben struck RODENTIA. That was the wrong thing os. MAMMALIA. Sefras dont just stand there Sci enters the fray. He parts the to squires. His strength simp He is sarge. He throws tha is ay nd hat, Carol ands on his ft facing theo qe ‘CAROLINENSIS. 1 did't want this SCIURUS. Too bad. ts whit you've got They tase, Carls ryng not fo hurt theo equi and his pus him a disadvantage CHORDATA. Caro, Carol please. What are you doing Stop this Stop this nan. CAROLINENSIS, I ent Chordie, Chore ant— Sciurs, taking advantage of Caro disacton, rips out Carols ye with his tert The emai squires srr (CHORDATA. CAROL u {hodata resto rn wo her or er mater ols her back Stirs stands oer Carl His paw hel hgh SCIURIDAE. Finis him, (CHORDATA, Dally Daddy no ea SCTURUS. Go, CCAROLINENSIS, What SCIURUS, Go get out ofhere SCIURIDAE. Seiurs you may not get this chance aga. SCIURUS. QUIET SQUIRREL, 'VE MADE UP MY MEND. CCAROLINENSIS. Chordie CHORDATA, Carol ‘Shestrain agaist her mother MAMMALIA. No baby. Not now SCIURUS. Ifyou eave Chords You are des to me CCAROLINENSIS. Chordie CHORDATA, Carol cant, SCIURUS. Go. Caro fee he de You will never see that fox in. CHORDATA. Who are you? SCIURUS, I'm your fther Chordata CHORDATA, My futher s better than this. (Chordata sures esprit the dry. SCIURUS, = There sien. What are you all loking st Sciras goes tos hole Seria chases afer him. SCIURIDAE. Well dane. Scurry: ust like the good od days, Rodentia and Mammalia ars standing there Mara oaks atthe Blood on the flor RODENTIA. Well Hu, What do we do now 33Scen Scuridae comes bck on the ab coat i again he the SCIENTIST. I'm so sorry. So 0 00 sary. Please forgive them and us Weknow you don ike blood, We dost ike blood ether | promise sus ‘The projections come up again. A coupe pictures of bad suite behavior. Squirel go craty during mating season. There are report of gray squirrels running down rottweiers and teetering joggers. There ate even reports, unconfirmed, of gray squirrel iting off the testes of other dierent kinds of squires, Like ions, they will, thee pups to force nursing females back into ers and when food is scarce female grays wl just not mate and that is hard on ‘everyone, Fox squirrels onthe other hand, dont have a mating sexton, They can just get down whenever So thats thing Can we get a pictr ofa squire ona round bed? ‘Time has passed in or tee andthe mucking season ha come and violence is reskin ou al over, The projection seren ol backup. Ie dark hee. Dark in the high branch. Tee libs are white egint the blak Loking both like columns ad wreckage, Le & bombed ‘There are dozens of savage small battles, Squire skirmishes Suireiishes you wil We hear a violent chatering. An anonymous gray and anonymous fox fight heir vy ota the stage and one of then: threatens the sient Schridae tear off is ab cat He igh rks aay They behead ‘One lst strange squiel fact. When a squiel is wounded. No ‘matter how ol oF nfrmed. They wil ind thee way back, lke 2 homing beacon, to thei agest cache of rats. Remember that It ‘might he important for Iter 36 io The cenit ds of A sguirel enters ner the bak ofthe sage, Is Mammalia She alle a gre lea up over ana around he shoulders is tapth buts trench coat She hast large mu iden inher els ‘She goe branch to branch, Dating around the edges. Shes sneaky as she ca be MAMMALIA. Cawol ‘She i trying to say Coral Bu another brench her mouth fl he goes fo ave She gost another Cao, Whew wu. Caw Cro pe around he edge the mares branch, where es been hiding. He hs a ye pch He looks tougher no CAROLINENSIS. What the pasword Mammalia is surprise. She spt out MAMMALIA. I~ Cara stu the nut back nto her mouth CCAROLINENSIS, Are you crazy? You ca justtake your nuts ot on thebranch MAMMALIA, Sow (CAROLINENSIS. Whats the password? MAMMALIA, Weevy twaweer. (CAROLINENSIS. What? MAMMALIA. Weevy sravewer ‘CAROLINENSIS. What? ‘Maina MAMMALIA. Weary tavelee CCAROLINENSIS. What the send password? tthe nut owMAMMALIA. I wast given a second pessword ‘CAROLINENSIS. Good. That wa trick, CCretnensis laksa the nut she provided and then oes itp int the branches and some ive squire aches What eae? Mama spit the other ome out Nie Carol osetia the ances. MAMMALIA. How many squittel do you have up there? The branches light up with ite red eyes My Goa She walk forward ooking into the tes. Hi everyone SQUIRREL IN THE BRANCHES, Hey there SQUIRREL IN THE BRANCHES 2, Shut up, Cr Beat MAMMALIA. Bye patch looks good, CCAROLINENSIS.Irhurts like «mish muk-mecker “He looks her over, What ee? MAMMALIA. Ion ave to cheeks CCAROLINENSIS. understand bt [have many moths fed MAMMALIA. I dont know CCAROLINENSIS. You have to come tomorrow MAMMALIA, They'e getting suspicious, CCAROLINENSIS. Wee getting desperate MAMMALIA. Ob, Lino, (CAROLINENSIS. Whatie that supposed 1 mesa? MAMMALIA, Itmeans you ave to tp them, Mama grabs his arm. Sh kes the wayit fs. Hon, CAROLINENSIS. Who? MAMMALIA. Sciuridse that ft old squirrel. He was out looking forfood, He beat down to digup some oot and he was attacked by CCAROLINENSIS. You blive him? MAMMALIA. I saw him hen he returned One of his tect was broken. His ae was mated with Blood, (CAROLINENSIS. You can fake blood, MAMMALIA. There area dozen stories ike this ll up and down, the trunk ‘CAROLINENSIS. im doing the best can Can youcome tomorrow? MAMMALIA. Carl {cat bring you any more nuts if you cat contol your suiels. Teresa chatering from all aru them ‘CAROLINENSIS. Dont sy that MAMMALIA. tn sorry Carol ‘CAROLINENSIS. 1am trying, Lam tying to keep this together MAMMALIA, Try hander ‘CAROLINENSIS. Harder? Mak you. {am killing myself ut her. My voice eracked. My throats rave spend every waking second squeaking with foes. Holding them back with my falling arms. amouthere alone and you want o take nay he last hope we have. (MAMMALIA. I doit want to but CCAROLINENSIS, You cant, You just—Listen, Mammals, You can just expect these squires to just rll over dont know aay thing about attacks, but did they would be completely jstiied Fores are being hunted. We cant even come down out of the branches without them snapping tour aut. MAMMALIA. Nuts? ‘CAROLINENSIS. Nuts. They got Cal ast wesk. SQUIRREL IN THE BRANCHES. Come on man, (CAROLINENSIS. Sorry, CaMAMMALIA. Im sorryto. fm sreytoalloFyou, but this moment sks alot ofall of us If ou can esp cals Theres a chtering in the branches, Know tat we stand wth you. Wee doing alle can. The gray females ‘may not mukthis season, CCAROLINENSIS. What? MAMMALIA. We at refsing to muk with the tee like this ‘unsafe fr you, or us, fo the paps CAROLINENSIS. Ik strong show of support, bu MAMMALIA ay Chordata and I squeak with her father, (CAROLINENSIS, Her father. Hee mucking father, MAMMALIA, Scurusis a good squire (CAROLINENSIS. Do you hear that? fea that wl hope this be over before it comes to tha. Every Scurus ea good squirrel Theres laughter from the branches. Seiurus is a ba squire MAMMALIA. Wo, nt MAMMALIA. Youte uyiag? You want credit for your effort? We aeall ying Your voices cracked? Yor throat saw? Tm arguing with an angry old squire. A squire that fee lied to, chested, betrayed, and forgotten. If youd been honest with him fom the begianing— CCAROLINENSIS. That wuldst have made god bit of do dam MAMMALIA. He not bad. It was so long ago he was ead to give you everything you wee asking for Hes old, Hesconfused. es ural of none CCAROLINENSIS. Alot of noise shat gets killed Tat les up the fraysin the branches MAMMALIA. Wait ti your strength fale you, Wait il you forget y your way in the tees. Wat "l you bark and no one listens. Then fave «young male ell you your busines. A male in the prime of isle A ale CAROLINENSIS, A male whose coats ifeent than is MAMMALIA. Just give us ime and everything will go Back the CAROLINENSIS. dont know that Iwan things to, way they wee. dont know that we can afford to depend on ke td squirts anymore. MAMMALIA. Carol wil ryt come tomorrow. il rig you as much scan, Remember ne areal inthis together CCAROLINENSIS. Then why is only squires who look like me ae dying MAMMALIA. What sbout Chords She only think of you and mks wih you and ifyou ether down yori no better than her father eat. jst wat i the season is over. Then you wo wil be together and val wit CAROLINENSI. Iam doing everyting in my power to kep the peace, but soon no one ill be able to keep thevesquiel from Protecting thet ves and the ives of thee children 0 matter what that takes. There is a barking i asen, Mama rans off right. Carol scampers back center The red ees the tes goon By il ond Rodentia stick her ‘one bone. Unt ony one pa head out from among the branches, RODENTIA. My my my. Wht trouble do you do Mama,Seenes The night deepens. We are back in ctype room of Sia” dre, Scurus has changed. He i bigger Fater His check seem swollen bai sare the shells of acorn and walnuts and hazelnuts al around him. Scirus niches is ast nat as Chordata ‘and Siuridae stand on ether ide of his des catering at SCIURIDAE, WE HAVE TO HIT THEM BACK. CHORDATA. THERE WILL BENO MUCKING THIS YEAR, SCIURIDAE. THISIS EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT. CHORDATA. What who wants? SCIURIDAE. The fox CHORDATA. Ob lord the mucking foxes again. SCIURIDAE. Iwill top squeaking about foxes when we have put 2stop othe screeching and biting in the branches (CHORDATA. You wort stp the biting wth more biting SCIURIDAE. Oh, ar you the expert on biting now? Iwas the one who was attacked. Me. A humble gray squire ust tying to get rut Js going about my business. When Iwas brutally attacked by no more than six-seven foregut CHORDATA, Theres more everytime. SCIURIDAE, It was ke this And this—And this—ifl didnt bite back I would suey be dead CHORDATA, Ob lord, SCIURIDAE. Ws the tooth, CHORDATA. You get your tooth busted and you want hal the tales this tee castrated SCIURIDAB, No, want the ll estrated but they wont hold sti Siu contnucs to serch wie Chondte and curiae fight CHORDATA, Dad se you listening tis? SCIURUS. Of course Lam, CHORDATA, Fox squires are starving in numbers too high to fount and there are more and more of then everyday Me and my Squcrel we have demands SCIURIDAE, Of course you have demands CHORDATA, We demand you fed the foxes. We demand you top the biting. We demand you get rid ofthis animal CHORDATA, Or no mucking this seo CHORDATA. Its not safe to bring pups into a winter like tis Daddy You have got to do something SCIURUS. Whatcan dot SCIURIDAE, You cant do anything The forests problems are the forests problems We have to worry about ou squires incur tre CHORDATA. We ct jut stick our hesdsin the mucking sand SCIURIDAE. Thisisarevoltion. Gray squresare finally sanding upforthemsehs, CHORDATA. Standing up for themselves against the poor and SCIURUS, Squesking of arving He gos back oloking formats SCIURIDAE. You think every ray is wel ed? CHORDATA. Iknow you sure the hel ar SCIURIDAE. Excuse me CHORDATA. Yous SCIURUS, HEY. HEY. HEY, Does anyone know what happened to ally connCHORDATA. Daddy we—we havent had acorns in the dee since the hard eins, SSCIURUS, That ant be right, There were adore right here, (CHORDATA. Daddy sete down, You have other cthes SCIURUS. But not eight here. Not close by SCIURIDAE. I remember those acoras CHORDATA. You jus got hee SCIURUS. Seiuridse. Where did my aoens go? Scunidae suf at Chordata, SCIURIDAE. Moles, (CHORDATA. Moles can clini tees. SCIURIDAE, No. No, Sere undercover foxes, SCIURUS. Foxes in my tee? SCIURIDAE, There are fore aound us CHORDATA. This is ridiculous, SCIURIDAE, No. Nos nt. Theyre nea. They hide. They ste SCIURUS. {dont ee them SCIURIDAE. Exactly. Theyre good, CHORDATA. Dad there sno one but os hee SCIURIDAE. Maybe she’ one of them. Remember het Remember hor with he fox. (CHORDATA. Daddy dont you see what he doing SCIURIDAE. She ies. ciurs, You know she lis. I she says there «are no foxes hiding here. There certainly must be foxes hiding here, CHORDATA, Youatthe aoens, Daddy You just dont rember SCIURUS. I remember everything. am an excellent sguel with anexclleat memory and Ian sil do great thing, SCIURIDAE That right, Scars. And you can doa great thing now. ve go gas of rays ready to follow you tothe ends of te trl Give hema nat, bark ike you mean it and we cand this toe of resloadng foes bythe end ofthe season CHORDATA. Daddy you will burn trough more nuts iting the foxes than you would feeding them SCIURUS. We cant et them take from us, Thats what you doi et Mama, CHORDATA. Mama? SCIURUS. You ca jus roll over because someone tls you a sad SCIURIDAE. When someone takes from you You don't just give them more. When someone takes from you yu have to take what they've taken to tke i back SCIURUS. And we ate going to take it ack SCIURIDAE. Weare going to take this toe bac, SCIURUS, "Thats right we're going to take this te back. 've ‘decided, Open the caches. Give every gray a mut. Were going ogo ‘out int the branches and take back what wa stolen from us. Go. Go tell your squirels. Weve going to make those foxes pay. SCIURIDAE. Yes. Yes, squitl Ys. Scuridae lets lose wit a wl and rushes ut tthe eof the te. There might be howling from esage SCIURUS. Tel them to sharpen thei laws, Nuzze their mates ‘one last ime. Were going to go back. Back to the branches Were going to bie and caw and scratch until ody laoks like yesterday ‘We vill be strong again. Feared again. THEY WILL KNOW THAT GRAY SQUIRRELS ARE THE GREATEST SQUIRRELS IN THE SQUIRRELD, CHORDATA. Daddy ityou do thisthere wil be no mukthisseason, SCIURUS. So (CHORDATA. No new pups this spring SCIURUS. Chordata that iiculous (CHORDATA. tsnotfietothem orto The choice isin: This— She gestures tothe tr Orme Selurus listens 0 this Scuridae rs bakin SCIURIDAE. You hear it, Seirus? You hear ov they howl for you. Youve made them proud. Given them hope. All wee waiting For now isthe nuts, 45SCIURUS, The nuts? SCIURIDAE, Yes, cfu. Theyte hungry CHORDATA. Daddy: Lheg you, please lease dot do this SCIURUS. Ihave the nts, SCIURIDAE. fim sure you do (CHORDATA, Daddy ust wat Wit il Mama gets back SCIURIDAE. We've sted o0 lang already fst tell me where the SCIURUS. Theyre—which ones? SCIURIDAE. 1 dost cae. The walnut SCIURUS, the walnuts. Theyre bythe ite red wheelbarrow ll covered with sn. CHORDATA. Deda the whelharowsben gone sine sping SCIURUS. No.Notthe webu The gten Bose SCTURIDAE, Which ne? scrorus. -1-1— CHORDATA. Dad do you ot now whee your sus are SCIURUS. Yes of coune.Ofcouse SCIURIDAE, Yoanow where our nut are SCIURUS. Ye Yer ge mes mime CHORDATA. Oh Day. SCIURIDAE. Sls. know youknow, Weal lee ou kao Wells you and mayo an tele tha jou SCTURUS. STOP PRESSURING ME SCIURIDAE. tm sony squire SCIURUS, LEAVE ME ALONE, WILL YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONEY EVERYBODY WANTS. EVERYBODY WANTS TOO MUCH. DID GOOD. DO Good, BUT NOSODY'S WITH ME. NOHODY SUPPORTS ME NOBODY MUS ME 1080 GOOD AND NOBODY CARES ABOUT Me, NOBODY. in the howling of all the squirrels 7 MAMMALIA. Good lord what ial ts screching b— She sees her ma SCIURUS. Mama? MAMMALIA. Yes, Scurry SCIURUS. 1 GATHERED NUTS. | GATHERED MORE NUTS THAN ANYBODY. DIDN'T. MAMMALIA. Yes honey SCIURUS. Idi. Didi 2 Sciurae rag fing into confusion, Mammalia goes #0 sonore MAMMALIA. What dd you two say to him? CHORDATA, Nothing SCIURIDAE. It seems like he dossit know where his nus ae MAMMALIA. And thatthe worst thing in the squirrel? SCIURIDAE. Yes Yes itis. Right now itis MAMMALIA. You gthim too excited You push him too fr. fs to0 much fr one squires too much pressure for one old squire Why cnt you two lee him alone? Why cant you jst et him be? He deserves reall hes bon through, SCIURIDAE. We doit have time fora rest (CHORDATA. What has he been through? (Chordata is concerned for her aher Mara wants to tlle Mama, ned to know. What has he been through? MAMMALIA, Scurry? SCIURUS, No, Na. fine. in ine im beter than fine. know wet my nuts ae, know where ll the nue are [—1-—Tim just not going ote you. dont want ive aay MAMMALIA. Baby shhh Yue squawing nonsense SCIURUS 1 wil member. know Il remember. just—I cant right ao He ook up a Seurdae ad at Chordata ‘Ae you disappointed? SCIURIDAR, UhSciuride looks at Scurus wit dada, Chordata goes her father: CHORDATA. No Daddy: No ones dlsappoated in you. You're very good and proud and strong. SCIURUS. Ite tobe. realy try tobe ‘CHORDATA. Iknow. [know and In sonry ve been so harsh with ‘you. Goa this ast season must have been so hard SCIURUS. Oh, baby you ave no ides CHORDATA. Do you want tll met SCIURUS. Will you listen? Will you listen and not bark t me? CHORDATA, Of course. Should we est? Can we et and squeak? SCIURUS. Yes. Yes. I'm hungry, s very hungry. MAMMALIA. I think! sw some eatly buds out there go and sseif they've been plucked, CHORDATA. Lets go into your hole, Daddy SCIURIDAE, But ivr your squire, SCIURUS. Oh ys. My squitres MAMMALIA. No, Chordata do not leave his ide. I dont want hit lone. Not fora second, SCIURIDAE, They'e all waiting, Theyre jst outside. They SCIURUS. I'm tied, Scuridae. Im just going to lie down and squeak with ny daughter. SCIURIDAE, But wehave to find these moles, CHORDATA. You hear him suits SCIURIDAE, These fox moles willbe the death os SCIURUS. Tmorrow Scuridae. Well find them tomornow Chordata and Seurus ascend into his chamber Sear tres to gofter Scns, Memonalia tops him, Thereba beat of sence, Then MAMMALIA. Is time for you to eve SCIURIDAR, And what will you do iff doit? Ske look hi up and down with ddan, MAMMALIA. Pf, Weve not those kinds of quirels, You cat do ay more damage here: We know what you are and were not going to leve him ale with you ever aga. 1 pity you. You spiteful Suir When wil ou lean that barking and Biting, inthe end willy lead to you Being bitten SCIUREDAE, You know in anaher time I think | would get your Diy lke those fnes do, You would excose what you didn ike with Frnager and you would squeak to your well ed mate on my bba MAMMALIA. Idoubtit gure seriously dosbt SCIURIDAE, Jost give mea couple mots and Tl go away fast = Couple of nut forthe poor saving grays that are whipped up into sacha fenzy. MAMMALIA. Nice ry squire Nie ry. but Tin tooo for thst shit She eae. Sciuridae i ft on stage RODENTIA, God, I hate ber. Rodentia comes sinking on SCIURIDAE. Sheealys the worst. RODENTIA. Where are Daddy andthe mitch? SCIURIDAF. Inhishole RODENTIA, So that means Tei ees lock, The iy together. They uk frou. You nasty mk: muk-mucke. SCIURIDAR. You dirty thy nasty squire, RODENTIA. im going to mak the skin off your tick SCIURIDAE. Ob yah. Oh yeah. OH—Walt RODENTIA. What? SCIURIDAE, What did you find? RODENTIA, Oh,allkind of shit SCIURIDAE. Isher sat? RODENTIA. Masuaybe he easing in SCIURIDAE. Rodentia we dort have time fr this RODENTIA. Thats nt what you si ast night °SCIURIDAR, Rodentia lastnight wa incredible RODENTIA. Right nov could be incredible too if youll stop stopping SCIURIDAE, Oh, Rodentia dort you see no matter ove mach 1 ‘want to mk on. The squirrel wil never accept a mk ike ot RODENTIA. I don cave. SCIURIDAE, Especially with ll that going om inthe ree RODENTIA. Most ofthis your fu SCIURIDAE, No, Rodents no, Rodentia dont yous. rapped ‘Tm tapped in myles. squeaked al those things ll these er sible things. 1 want to be good, but Tm in to deep. [need help 1 ‘eed your help. need you tol me what you kon: Right nov Beat RODENTIA. Hs, SCIURIDAE. What "ha"? RODENTIA. You think dont ee you Sciuridae, You're a ia. SCIURIDAE. No, RODENTIA, And chest. SCIURIDAE, Whaaaat? RODENTIA, But I dont ear. sick ofthese do-gooders and these be-niver. I want to et faney mit and se-scamper ll ver the forest. A mak ike ons! Save the singsong forthe puppics Li Rodi wants ta have some fun SCTURIDAE, You wanna havea good time RODENTIA. Yeah SCIURIDAF. You wanna have really good time RODENTIA. Thebest, SCIURIDAE, Then tel me what you know, RODENTIA. Youre noun, He gra her bythe neck: SCIURIDAE. And get es andes fun the more you play wih RODENTIA. Harder Day. Harder. SCIURIDAE. What? so RODENTIA. Nothing, Best SCIURIDAF. You know why the gray squire survives Rodentiat RODENTIA. I this going tobe more gray squeal master race squat SCIURIDAE, Yes No, Kinds? The gray squicel survives Becatseit tu eat things that no otber suite! wil eat Sometimes living is Tout consuming the disgusting, You may not want o et the fil ber if you dont swallow t someone ese wil I-doest mater ifthe tlhe side is smarter or more sophisticated if they're starving, Get there fist. Eat tall Bite harder and get what you want RODENTIA. God this is hot SCIURIDAE, Now tll me, Where does Mama got RODENTIA. She goes to the high branch. Where she meets with foxes and gives them Daddys ats SCIURIDAE. Huh RODENTIA. And the best prt? Chordats paw prints reall ver A We can gtd ofthe both of them and then Daddy and all his tsar ours ad thi whole forest allt our. SCIURIDAE. {mk this plan. RODENTIA. Aad muk you. SCIURIDAE. Ther’ only one problem, Rodents. Daddy doesnt Know where the mat ae RODENTIA. What? SCIURIDAE. The old squtelisosing is mind RODENTIA. No, Oh no knew he was foggy knew he was wi find litle crazy, but always been that ay Tid know Trectes, for esquire ike that~tolose his mind. Thats got hurt. SCIURIDAE. Yes Yes. It snust—hurt. Sciuriael RODENTIA. What? Scardae mks her leShe us hie bak. He mts her harder ‘Where was this second ago? SCIURIDAE. You know whet happens when you hurt squire iy dea? Really hut them, RODENTIA. I think now i grest tne to squawh safety words SCIURIDAE. They suddenly can do things they couldnt do befor RODENTIA. {dont do but stuf SCIURIDAE. Tin not squeaking shout but staff Rodentia. Ix ‘squeaking about survival. You hurt equitel bd enough they will bite harder, scamper faster, and remember things they couldnt Defore Rodentia there isan animal inside of us that wakes whe swe fear were going to die RODENTIA. Yeah, we realy ned safe word, SCIURIDAE. LISTEN TO ME RODENTIA, Listen to me and do ‘what you'e told and youl have everything you want RODENTIA, Everything we want, He whispers inher SCIURIDAE. Yes, He’ tlng herbs whol pln, but it forepan foreplay. More mucking ard mb and whispering RODENTIA. What? i SCIURIDAE, Una, RODENTIA, God, you're disgusting, He mus her Tenuk SCIURIDAE. Now go, RODENTIA, But— SCIURIDAE. When were done Rodentia, Therell be tine for mucking when were done Rodentia cures of Scurduesudis diferent postures of regret and sane Te been wrong? I've een wrong, ve been wrong, He been 9 wrong, (Chordata enters from Sears oom He ook up her Chordata, ve been wong, CHORDATA. Him, Is my mother back SCIURIDAE. Dida you hear me? (CHORDATA. Im going bak to Daddy SCIURIDAE. leit Rodentia with hin? (CHORDATA. Yes but SCIURIDAE. Your mother tod younotteave himalone. Heist alone (CHORDATA. I dont trast that squire SCIURIDAE. Please dot go. Dorit go now. Not now when the future ison the vin, Didrit Rodentia eve you my mesage? (CHORDATA, She gave me ome busi about working together? SCIURIDAE. T'vehada change ofheart CHORDATA. Good for yo. SCIURIDAE. Ive seen the light. ‘CHORDATA. Bulli SSCIURIDAE. Arent you even curious to hear me out? ‘CHORDATA. Tm curious to ge how stupid you think lam, SSCIURIDAE. I dont think youre stupid. I think ye passionate ‘nd young and— CHORDATA. Good night. SCIURIDAE. You now what Chordatst Youre right. think your arguments are lazy and youte naive tothe point | queton how you've made 10 CHORDATA, Two. Lam two yeas od. ow what Tin about and you an go muk yourse SCIURIDAE. Fn trying tobe honest th you hers ‘CHORDATA. This? This your move. This show you'e going to tet whateeritisthat you want? SCIURIDAE. dost know howto get what want That the problem,We go round and round, same bites, same sounds, uni all the hater loses its meaning. est you tied of that? She looks at hin. This is abeter pitch 1 remember being your age. 1 remember siting around in the branches eating mushrooms remember thinking if we could just listen to each othe. I we could jst lax, Were al the sume decp down, You should ave seen me then Per down to here CHORDATA. You're just changing your moon cause your losing SCIURIDAE, Maybe, but ask yourself thi, Why iit thatthe evo Tutions ofthe young never work? You make demands, You saa and sing and the old squires dont listen They just goon howrding nd howling and snapping at each othe jst ike we do now CHORDATA. ‘These things tak ime, Doni think youl goig to get meto sop SCIURIDAE. No neis trying to get yo to top, What in trying to dotsbreakthiscyle, When Tsar your father ying thereon the eon onfsed angry. ready to shapat whatever, I saw mys Tn stall ‘et. thnk, but what im not. Wht if who Tam jst soto smell made by my rotting brains: What fm onc half problem A problem thatisbgge than me A problem tha can only be soley ‘squeaking to squizls oa the oer side. Squire ke you (CHORDATA, 1s this for real? SCIURIDAE. Chordata, what it ca ook t whats gone before snd se where this kindof thing leads us, What iat ant se hat wwe need to teardown the squalls? Peat. CHORDATA. You paw in here. Pasty gray. Shiteating gen, Squeaking that hate squeak, SCIURIDAE, come on strong CHORDATA. You come on ik an asshole SCIURIDAE. There ae real problems for poor gray squirrels Problems the ft squires tthe het of the tee have nce for ay to long ll suites matter CHORDATA, See you cant squeak ik that. You squcak ik that and all can doe squeak louder, SCIURIDAE. Okay then what am I supposed todo? Tesch me, (CHORDATA, Hear me, SCIURIDAE. Ihe you (CHORDATA, Tell me what you hear when you hear me SCIURIDAE. Were in the same mucking room. We bar the same thing. (CHORDATA. No, we dost When you squesk what heat you say i "love my sgulzels but mm scared Tn scared the squireld 1 know s going to disappear. hate tha 'm constantly coveted 1 hate that used to beat the heat ofthe tee and now my home i the olf course. hate that was Beautiful once and now tm not ‘hear that and want to say o you “You are smart nought change and there isl place for you right hee SCIURIDAE. Then why dot you? CHORDATA. Because Im scared too, Sciurida pulls large aco out ofthe wall. SCIURIDAE, Here. (CHORDATA, Where you get that? SCIURIDAE. 1m sneaky too. She looks ait (CHORDATA. Pm oy SCIURIDAE. Eat with me He takes abit, Se takes abit 1 dont want anyone osu just want my pups tobe fed CHORDATA. Maybe were going abou this the wrong way? Maye the squeaking won't work unt weal fel safe. SCIURIDAE. Unt we've all, CHORDATA. If we could all eat together, Squak ike weve ast been squcaking. Maybe we could work this out SCIURIDAE. Maybe ther could be pups come thi spring ‘CHORDATA. Can we make that happen? SCIURIDAE. [can squeak tomy squirel. They wil sit down if ask them to, batt wort be cay.CHORDATA. Why not? SCIURIDAF, What can we do with Sciuridae cough CHORDATA. Dost wory het Ded CHORDATA. There ae place. SCIURIDAE, What places. CHORDATA. Places we know SCIURIDAE. {dont understand. You have your om caches? CHORDATA. There willbe nuts doit woryaboure, SCIURIDAE, Liste I can brig my suelo the maple en CHORDATA. Just trust me. 7 SCIURIDAE. Ith sone Kodo ap. tne in um uh Tet ed ae her rch squirrel, This is why nothing ever changes Torasy yee ant anew squireeld, but when push comes to ateve you aii ae anything to keep what you've go 7 CHORDATA. Please Please know youre scared. Hester toleave SCIURIDAE, To think thought we could resolve his squakfully (CHORDATA. Mama knows where the nuts SCIURIDAE. Oh yeah. fshe knew where the mats are why havent rou been giving them tothe ones? Shes quiet, ‘Ob my; you have haves you? Fm impressed (CHORDATA, 1st you were so har to deal with and the fones relly needed them and Mama old me Daddy wouldnt remember so we made someexecutive decisions SCIURIDAE. Your father told you not ta He explicly tld you (CHORDATA, Whats going on? SCIURIDAF, Whats going on it you're athe and a ir and you take food out of your fathers mouth and give ito his enemies. there a sound tke crying (CHORDATA. Daddy? SCIURUS. Chordata what have you done? (CHORDATA, (To Siurida.) Monster. ack Searidae He hols her fits. He toses SCIURIDAE. See Sciurus Shes violet. Like they ae. She's false lke they ae, She caught ved-pawed with acorn falling fons her south This is what they being nt our tree he cares more sbout her nasty fx mck than her own family SCIURUS. You told me. You told me and I dnt want to believe it RODENTIA. None of us wanted to belive it CHORDATA. Daddy Iwas just there with you, You were tling re about how hard its been SCIURUS. Were you? RODENTIA, No Daddy, Iwas me SCIURIDAE. See Scars. Lie es nd moc es. Chordata theres no more time for you les, You have to choose a side, Youre one of ‘sor one of them. CHORDATA. his is stupid. This is wrong. We cant ive lik this, cutting the squirrel ino two. nt natural isnot ight SCIURIDAE, Stop stalling, Chordata SCIURUS. Whatare you? (CHORDATA. Ifthisis what you are Iam ane of them,SCIURIDAE, I KNEW IT.TKNEW IT What should do with this SCIURUS. I~1—Thisis too hard RODENTIA. Poppa why doit you et him decide SCIURUS, [cai take this anymore (CHORDATA. Daddy: Dad SCIURUS. I'm not your father dout know what you are. Your far seems gray but I know i ed Al the sounds you make are like « flog baking, What is tha? CHORDATA. Daddy stop SCIURUS. ICAN'T HEAR YOU. Youdo so mach bi, NOTHING YOU DO CAN BE BELIEVED. CHORDATA. No, Daddy No Theyre the las SCIURUS.Iftheyethellaswhy doe everthing they sty comet, 15 of nto hs dey. Ch grabs her and throws her back onto he pound. SCIURIDAE, No, She hiss gray squish atin. He hos Unseen wl back Chordata charges again Knocking Scurdae out of thew r before she can get othe sts, more gray sures enter Aer Brie fight the gay suet ran Chordata ou of the dee This ation overlaps with he In ctr’ bole he paces and Rodentia SCIURUS. I'm std, Roi i so mucking a RODENTIA. Tknow Poppa. SCIURUS. Why am I sad? having trocble— RODENTIA. You're sad because your mate and pup betreyed you Youre sad becaise they've been fing to you and stealing from You sons Youle sad bacause is the mucking season SCIURUS. Isthat it? Rodentia? Am {ally allalone? RODENTIA, No, Po She mks. He barks. She rereats ate then meus She noes hi. She ms bi. SCIURUS. Rodents what are you doing? RODENTIA. Shh, Popp ve wanted this for along time He mucking changes, gets more hte. I tars They mk ar is back; Is ender at fe, bt this the season. The They miko hardin fact that they dnt no ft g loser and closer unt he alk up the Sinks his cas into Scars b Seirus sreams, Rodentia scream, Scturidae lashes tS wus face and arms Rodentia ts surprised and fghtencd Selurdae bites and saws a Sirus, backing hi farce ‘and farther out om Sera sling on by his cl SCIURUS, Sciurids, Sluride, what are you doing? SCIURIDAE. Whatever t ta dae knocks Sirus off the branch Rod ule go afer him Al this overlaps wit Chordata i outside bing pursued cross the snow by Si rac’ gay squirrels She ataced. Shei CHORDATA, No, No please stop. ch her teases She fights he roof of rats. She ops he bounty MAMMALIA. Help. Hep, Someone please Help meScenes Seine comes bac dow oto he in ab co ripped to shreds and covered in blood. He isthe sient SCIENTIST. When Europeans fit came to Noth Ameri the 147 sire asa migatory ail ikea bd. They lowed Sessoms. South an wet al the may rom New Pal the Coins and bck agin. Intel ters oud och and oe thousand of gurl scamperng hough the anc cough to lt et the sun Thon we red chopping dow th tes se sure! highwaynthe ky went hey of hedge and numbers. : We hoor anenormoussound isthe sound of etn tre iting he round When boas frst started ging back and fr to Europe sailors would Keep gry squiel ar et. The people of England were happy tose hers exo variation Then tena satel pop Inton tered squire started dying Gry sqirels cay dnenes Itisthe Squire! Nuthin f Rear Poter and in spite of our bert ction wll oon be ded ; Lights popup. Nuts tumble fort rom every, We oe inale deep in the gon Outside inthe branches four te, foxes and grays ae sp each other pecs. In the outer dark ofthe oes machines tearing eso ofthe ground There another hag om Thee sounds should su Btn here, dep under the earth, nthe largest of Sciurs caches, we have reaches kind of ey detente Scirus ls tothe side Heiaslep. sis vowing Intermittent dripping sound is hea Last litle fat, squiels cat vomit, So what do they do when they've pouoned themselves? They eat clay Ie neutralizes most of ‘whats ging on inside ther, but when theyre overfed it just makes *Avother re fills Seirus tats awa Drip. rp Hello? Hello i someone there? Is anyone RODENTIA. Sete the muk down Dad. Tm in the core SCIURUS, Why did't you answer? Drip. Dep, Isit morning? Drip. Feel ike morning RODENTIA. ‘The boms only comin the dy Scirus strain to pick up ama Dou SCIURUS, Why not? Drip Drip. Uhveto keep up my strength. For when the winters over RODENTIA. You wanna go out You wanna go out Daddy? Lets go. Lets go right aoe Youll protest me ight? Youll protect me ftom all ofthe bad squizee oot there wont Yo, Drip SCIURUS. Tomorrow I promise, Wel do something tomoero RODENTIA, Thats what thought sa bite ofa mut. sf. R lcs East down. And tries 0 come backup, SCIURUS, Oh God.RODENTIA. Iold you not t, You never listen SCIURUS. SHUT UP shai thet wal He haves the in Ut makes hi beter momentary RODENTIA. That wont work ether ; Sears eles. He rests, SCIURUS. Ha, Se, Old family re He cries out in pain, Then he tk RODENTIA. Stop it Stop it SCIURUS, NOOO. No, ick othe drt. Rodentia almost es on RODENTIA. WHY WON'T YOU STOP TE Heb na frenzy of ating SCIURUS. ITLL WORK IT'LL WORK. IKNOWIT WILL WORK, A huge tre falls like giant bomb last The wh Shakes. Dus rin from the roof Ten lec, That one was clos. RODENTIA, Shh Daddy, do you hear that? SCTURUS, I don’ hear thing RODENTIA, Exactly “The dripping its stopped, SCIURUS, Oh my RODENTIA. Dada the waters cut of There no more water addy, you have to sop. need you. You cant tay inher forever SCTURUS, You ean go gt water. RODENTIA. [can eave without you SCIURUS. Told you jst wit ti tomorrow RODENTIA. YOU SAY THAT EVERY DAY, SCIURUS. Im tying, Will ou leave me alone. AM MUCKING TRYING, RODENTIA. I'm sre: sorry. muk yo, Poppa She muks up o7 hin SCIURUS. Stop RODENTIA. Why? Because you're ite pudgy ‘Cause you're lite old SCIURUS. Dont Rodentia, RODENTIA, I stil thnk you'te mucky stil think youre strong SCIURUS. Rodentia stop RODENTIA. Just mak with me. fast mok with me nd then wll leave and take ou chances onthe bloody snow, Come on, Duddy SCIURUS. GODDAMNIT RODENTIA. 1 SAID NO. He migh flail in sch away ast knock her oft RODENTIA. Breezes Dad didat know he was there Say something SCIURUS. Whatis there to sy RODENTIA. Tellme you believe me. You cat think that —meyou lite snow baby would —why do you think washed yout Why do you think patched your wounds With mad? Why do you think stayed with you here and tole you SCIURUS. Because youre too afraid to go back oi, RODENTIA. | SCIURUS. I'm remembering things. fm remembering ll sort of things. Theres so much, I did se, [=I makes te cry. It makes me‘never wasas stupid ssl oyu thought. just—Tjust believed the best jast dda remember, RODENTL . ‘Daddy, I'm pregnant, SCIURUS. Thats mince! dd Sh Ina ure of tears, she runs out. He closes is eye Alone at las. Nothing odo but at, Scene 7 ‘A knot of igs comes down. could leo bean ebandoned birds but ther way lok ikea military fortfcation A miliary friction on winter Snow coves the tage Mammalia eres, paling ef behind her On the Chordata, whois badly art. Mammals ps the ea gure MAMMALIA. Were here baby Were here CHORDATA. Ugh. Mama? MAMMALIA. Yes baby? CHORDATA. thd the best dream. I was spring gain. And we vere al ft had thumbs ss She looks at her hands. Shes str Oh, my God. Ido. do ave thus, MAMMALIA. No baby em down, Youre hallucaating (CHORDATA. Thumbs. Chordata starts to cough, She leans ove, MAMMALIA. Stay with me, Chordie coughs harder Thre os (Om baby. Baby, ye appear Red inthe wood nest. Maybe our anonymous by thank God, But these are not the polite, cid squirrels weve sen before. Tse squire are sever. They fae bark. The donot peak KNOW WE SHOULDN'T BE HERE BUT PLEASE PLEASE One sit Chordata, Sop that, Stop it shes hurt, Pease CAROL. WERE HERE TO SEE CAROLINENSIS. CAROL ARE YOU THER hind of laughing bark from th HE'S ONE OF YOU. YOU KNOW HIM. I KNOW YOU KNOW HIM. SQUIRREL IN THE BRANCHES, Ub Dub. SQUIRREL IN THE BRANCHES 2, Shu wp, Car MAMMALIA. Ifsme Its Marnmali gave you nuts. Tm hee. fn ete with Chordata. CChordatcs name sends hil throughout all of them. ‘enya suite. A chattering gin dhe a ight Thats ight 1 reaches a fever itch andthe SQUIRREL IN THE BRANCHES, OPEN THE GATES SQUIRREL IN THE BRANCHES 2. OPEN THE GATES. “The dor fly ope. ts Caeliners in ax armor made ofrats and grass He dos not speck Theresa cough fom Chordata ‘CAROLINENSIS. Oh God ershes to her He los bak at Mammalia What happened to her? MAMMALIA, We were attacked atthe water edge.He ifs up ale that cover er: She is bloody to be sure CAROLINENSIS By who? MAMMALIA. Squirrels your squisel, ‘CAROLINENSIS. NAMES GIVE ME NAMES, MAMMALIA. Im sorry We lds stop for intodectons ‘CAROLINENSIS, Did you tell them who you were? MAMMALIA. Not mach chattering goes on athe water's ed CCAROLINENSIS. hive their als. MAMMALIA. We dont nced revenge, We need food and wate CCAROLINENSIS. Wait here ediappears Mamaia oes t Chora She covers here CHORDATA. Was that Caro MAMMALIA. It was baby CHORDATA. He looked diferent, MAMMALIA, He is diferent CHORDATA. Bat he’ sill Caro. MAMMALIA. I dost know baby, Well have to walt and see ‘Shecougs and Cay eappears He asa large ha shal ful of water. CAROLINENSIS. Here Carol ahs the mt and he fos er CHORDATA. Thank you, CAROLINENSIS. Go slow, Chordat. Go slow (To Mam ‘What were you doing t the waters edge? MAMMALIA. Wevere drinking What do youthinkore were doing? CCAROLINENSIS. You cant go to the waters edge. They wat for squirel at the water ee MAMMALIA. You cant go anywhere. This whole forest i smoke snd fling timber, You cant dea or dig up amt without hungry ‘quite tearing out from around 3 rockto bite your mucking alo Chordata coughs, She gets Wood on ‘CAROLINENSIS Its okay. Weve goto get you south. Pl give you the password give you nuts and clean wate The lations of fur caches along the way CAROLINENSIS. Then how ae we going to get you sally avy fiom here? CHORDATA. Talim, Mama CCAROLINENSIS. Tellme what? MAMMALIA. Were at going anywhere (CHORDATA. She knows where my father id his nts. CCAROLINENSIS, Are you joking MAMMALIA. No, CCAROLINENSIS. Why did you no tellus sooner? MAMMALIA. lis complied CAROLINENSIS, Complicate, The entire squire sending and you want to equawk abou complicated. MAMMALIA, Because I mucked him, I micked him and I made him grt I fattered him and I guided him and whenever he dd something stupid I sid its all right heb a great squire. When he was defo me tookit. When he belied me l returned Because he wae great and that made me great and so always I ame back. protected him, bat was wrong, Ihave been wandering the snow Thinking shoot what Ive done’ And there are moments Tm sure. That coud have Bee straight when I was cooked and volt when [was hard, Moments that should have eaten prt hi inhi slp, Uhave made mistake afer mistake afer mistake but 1a rover going back to that mistake aguin CCAROLINENSIS, Sothen stastatlonglastllme wherareis ut. CHORDATA. One condition, CHORDATA. [want you to make sure e ves, MAMMALIA. Shes insistent,(CAROLINENSIS. To everyone ofmy squires enemy number ‘one. They have orders to chew ton ih CHORDATA. NO ONE EISE CAN DIE. No one. wont et anyone dls. Look at me, Carl. You did this. Your squires di this She di this Idi this, Weal did this. When we suid that al siels Were one Squirrel we meant i to ean tht we were all part of ¢ fama. Now know its that we areal pact of one giant anil. That rashes and teste. Tat screams and is aad ois own sound and when it too fat it chews aif ts own lps. When the forest tours it comes back stronger, but Caro, my Carol hk thal we ate our owm fire CAROLINENSIS. What did they do to you, Chordie? Heol her. Tam sorry. 0 sorry CHORDATA. 1 dont want your apologies. want you to Save my Father CCAROLINENSIS. I would ave to go lone, There ate grays every ‘where IT am caught without ny Sauirreltorian guard CHORDATA. Then go alone, You can do anything, Carol ‘CAROLINENSIS. With you. Lean do anything wit you. (Chonda gras is hand, MAMMALIA, Do we ave dea? CCAROLINENSIS. Yes. Yes, Weave adel. Now, where are his ats, MAMMALIA. There’ a yellowed fs of Jugs in theo itch in the side yard. Unde the ign ofthe gg headin it you will find old Scuras and his riches, ches the kes of which you have nevereven dreamed of before, Gt those nuts and fed your sires snd retake hist (CAROLINENSIS. I wil Carol goes o Cota Stay here. Rest be ed and when the oars ver wellbe together at hast CHORDATA. Yes, baby yes. Together at ast her head, Beets MAMMALIA. Dont worry baby. Hel be fine CHORDATA. Oh, Mam. m so trd of ying, Scenes desk is now Scuridae' headquarters. The posters ad sufng we ln the oon rein Back and red. Tey ‘Sol not be syed to lok rect Uke the design of the Third Reich but they should Rodentia thrown ita the room. RODENTIA. Helio, around the change her home Hello? Avice comes from nowhere, Its Scuridae doing a fanny voice, Something high and reed SCIURIDAE. Hello? RODENTIA. Umm Hello, SCIURIDAE. Yes, how can Thelp yout RODENTIA. Is that? SCIURIDAE, isnot Sarid. Ms Sciuida secretary. RODENTIA. Irsoundsike— SCIURIDAE, WHO IS IT WHO IS SQUEAKING TO ME RODENTIA. If umm Rodentia SCIURIDAE, Oh. Seluridae pop up from behind his des. Hi.RODENTIA. Hel SCIURIDAE. (Lashesou DAMN IT RODENTIA DID HETAK: YOU TONS NUTS RODENTIA. He did He runs to er He embraces her SCIURIDAE, Oh, thank God. RODENTIA. Thank God? SCIURIDAR, tim so happy. Pn happy youre live nm happy they id hurt you told them not to hut you sid do anything you want to whatever fox you want ast don hurt Rodentia, RODENTIA. Do they sometimes not do what yousay? SCIURIDAE, No. No. Never. mean its not ike I've lost contro snot like everyone around me wants to see me dead snot ike [remade promise ater promise and now Ihave to deliver. isnot ke that tal, “He punches is des and lags RODENTIA, Of wor. SCIURIDAE, Yeah. Imean the wees ours. Most And thers RODENTIA. Mostly SCIURIDAE, And the food oes are sicint and pring coming and were beter off than we were jst weeks ago. An everythings ‘okay and everyone ie good and noone isin trouble Everything is flonious. Everything is sparking, Everyone i happy. Happy HAAAAPY, Do you hear me? HAPPY HA. HA. HA, HAHAHA HAHA RODENTIA. And nobody needs win SCIURIDAE. Weve got lot of wins Allaround her. Therese wi, Theresa win, Theres another win over there RODENTIA. So you dont noed me tal? SCIURIDAE, 1 dia’ say that The things you know could be very hepfl. VERY helpful. And besides. ve mised you RODENTIA. Missed me? SCIURIDAE. Yes RODENTIA. I dont lieve that, SCIURIDAE, Ob, Rode. That hurts me. RODENTIA, ‘The things you did SCIURIDAE, Ital youal hoot it RODENTIA. Iewas diferent. was diferent than you si SCIURIDAE. If thre was some miscommunication | apologie but itsall beter no. You'e here and were together ad you know shies. RODENTIA. | want some gurantee SCIURIDAE, Ofcourse RODENTIA, [want sf place her. Inthe het ofthe reeSCIURIDAE. Okay RODENTIA. And I want nuts. Enough for two squtrel, To squttl atleast. Fm VERY hung. SCIURIDAE. Oka RODENTIA. twat to know that me savin that and any squirrels that lok ke me~will not be touched by you or your squirrels anyother squtrel a longa we live SCIURIDAE. I ent give all the foes pas RODENTIA. Notall foxes. fust—fones that lok ke me SCIURIDAE. Fores that look lke you RODENTIA. Its what I want SCIURIDAE. And this i not because you have any needs. An specific urgent needs RODENTIA. I dont know what youre squawking about They begin to pace around eachother SCIURIDAE. Fine RODENTIA. Fine SCIURIDAE. So spilt Where are the nuts? RODENTIA. Jus Se. How do know you wost just double SCIURIDAE, You have my word RODENTIA. Ha SCIURIDAE. Fine, les squawk brass tacks, You've gota baby in RODENTIA, Youre a terrible fascist SCIURIDAE. Hey, no name-calling, RODENTIA. Nothing agninst fascism, You ast bad at it SCIURIDAE. You neod protection RODENTIA. You need to feed your staring squire SCIURIDAE. Your pups wil be quite vulnerable RODENTIA. 1 think you mean urs, SCIURIDAE. Ours. SCIURIDAE. You dont mean, RODENTIA. Yeah, Youre goingto be a dad SCIURIDAE, Daddy? Daddy? Da rd hr om his nse. He puts is ear The mystery RODENTIA. Tha ight SCIURIDAE. We have 1 protet thee bundles. Keep them sae Wiy did you tall me ight away RODENTIA. Iwas ure SCIURIDAE. WHAT KIND OF MONSTER DO YOU THINK I AM. Ignore my own sed. Endanger my precios ofopring, Throw ‘way my chance ta legacy? A dynasty. Along uninterrupted ine of Scuridums proceeding into the fate. And yu the mother whale new squirrel. By my sd, Heret the heart ofthe tee RODENTIA, Really? SCIURIDAE, Who could be beter? You're so mol flexible, You ‘an do what needs tobe done Ihave atlat founda squire as devin sl RODENTIA. I could never bess devious a you. SCIURIDAE, Youre sweet. He holds her close Sorell me mucky RODENTIA. Ive never sen so many nus SCIURIDAE. Resesselly RODENTIA. Ob yeah SCIURIDAE. Ise leaving? Does he eave? Will we hae to bite im? RODENTIA. He docs eave but he wot bea problem SCIURIDAE. Why not? RODENTIA, Heft He’ ters SCIURIDAE. Realy?RODENTIA, Oh yeah. And sad SCIURIDAE. Who could be sd with ll hose nuts? RODENTIA, Something in him is gone on SCIURIDAE, What coud ite? You know squerel cat vomit RODENTIA, t won! leo you Souris. thought about saying thers Staying there wth him. Staying there wth those nats Bs hevwas— SCIURIDAE. He was what? RODENTIA. He was aleeady dea, SCIURIDAE. Areall the nuts stinky now? RODENTIA. No no ins SCIURIDAE. Nothing wore than stinky aus RODENTIA. The nut ate fine SCIURIDAE, And where are they, Roi: Whete ae his nuts? RODENTIA. Do you ow the gs. SCIURIDAE. Inthe dich Hiding in pain sight. Under the Jags. He tightens hs ld on he RODENTIA. Baby SCIURIDAE. I cant blew fe all his ime, RODENTIA, Baby, you'te hurting me SCIURIDAE, All the power inthe sired was in ditch, RODENTIA, LEGO. SCIURIDAE. Oh no, east do that. Not fora coupe more minutes. RODENTIA. PLEASE PLEASE OUR BABY SCIURIDAE, Oh, mucky thats what go you into this. I cast have ‘mined baby running around. Espey one wha looks he we Bad policy RODENTIA. How can you--Why ae you—What are you SCIURIDAR. Can The honest? She chokes a 1 hate that question, Ws a losers question. The answers are so simple they tupd. Squizls thnk that because theyre nice when they safe IF they stay nice the le safe forever They forget ‘here alvays someone atthe bottom that they cat se Someone coming up behind them. Somseane who vil xy the way trath 0 fet sit done ay it again and again and agun ad yo just never listen. Weave to make sure gray aquellos andthe only way t0 do that sts the color of ou abies and an arm around a wind pipe Everything del) ave Everything tas yng oc the wa info pare ad hers the wat my never work Tis work is what work She lumps. He loses his grasp. She bites hi arm RODENTIA. Dida work today asshole She scratches his fce and ees i She races ‘ut the door. He below, SCIURIDAE. GET HER. GET HER. SHE'S STOLEN OUR NUTS, SHES A CRAZY LIAR WHO WILL SAY ANY LIE.SHECANNOT BE TRUSTED. He rus out of breath and collapse inthis char Come on Fat getittogether swig of sup Scene We are hack in Slur’ le As big as he wae athe tart of the act, es Bigger now Hei rll outa big. He the entre space , has been mast He hae bon trying to etl he mats and hasbeen mi He fishes mut ad toes the hall away. Are file isa enormous Boom. Sears ie tered SCIURUS, Mor He reaches about forthe mats onthe shelf is ell Ther’Moret sy more Thre are ony shill He tses thm this way and tha as Where ae you ay nuts? He nds on {wil all you Nutina, Came to me Nutina Come to me and meet your doom. boom and the mise fromhishands YOU CANNOT ESCAPE FROM ME. WILL EAT YOU ALL He reaches for them. Far out ofthe gasp fis stubby arms. He cant get them, ought off hawk, YOU WILL NOT DEFY ME He strains further, YOUTHIEE YOUSNEAK, YOU LIAR. YOUUNEAITHFULCHILD. You nut You stupid goddamned nit. What ave you made me do? There it anothersoundi shold be boom adjacent, but its realy ike aston bengal aay. He hears noes, Squire Rodent if you've come back for sex the answer sill no CCAROLINENSIS. Sciurs?Seiarus are you down here? Carolinensientes on Goa SCIURUS, Get out ofhete, GET OUT OF HERE neni ees this i treat He might ve lng [CAROLINENSIS. Cal dow A litle es tm not hereto bite you. im here to—save you SCIURUS. Go sve yourelI dot need you. dont want you Caroinesisquichy surveys the oom CCAROLINENSIS. Did youDi—Did you eat them al? SCIURUS, No there are several CAROLINENSIS, SEVERAL? SCIURUS, You can see them. Here and here That one name is CAROLINENSIS. ARE YOU KIDDING ME SCIURUS. They sty you can take i with you, but most of them sre skiany. CCAROLINENSIS, You disgusting. Bloated, Selish—t should tear you to mucking shreds, SCIURUS, Doit. Go ahead and do it ‘Carol wants, but he hesitates, Thre another Boom. COME ON, COMEON. CAROLINENSIS. Imadea promise SCIURUS. Who care. CCAROLINENSIS. [made promise to your daughter B SCIURUS, Chordie How is shet ‘CAROLINENSIS. Hurt badly but the only thing she wants is for SCIURUS. What happened ther CCAROLINENSIS. She was caught at the water edge SCIURUS. By who? ‘CAROLINENSIS By my squerels: He stop SCIURUS. Of, CAROLINENSI. Yeah Ares you going to give me an earfl abou he terible behavior of fax aquirel? Sciurs shakes is head and looks around for more foo. SCIURUS, Hand me that rt?Ther nother bom, CCAROLINENSIS. We don't ave time. My sgt are coming, They ae hungry and need ther strength forthe ht SCIURUS. Let them con ‘CAROLINENSIS. They dos ke you very nach SCIURUS, fm nats huge fan either They aleaysing the songs of eating and geting. Why so much doing snd nosonge of tng alone. Whete she song tet ayo "You dd fine Stop ete CCAROLINENSIS. There are Jot of songs ike thet SCIURUS. Why cart I remember any? Why cat I remember? Wi cant mucking remember? Theres got to bea way to ing 8 song hat can remember: Sing song I dnt lose whea get seared Theres another boom. Dus shakes from the cling CAROLINENSIS. Come on. We have to get you out af ere ‘Carol ight oto him and ry to it him out of his rade of SCTURUS. How’ the roar gong? You winning? CAROLINENSIS. Were doing okay. SCIURUS. Watch out for winning. Justa bad es losing (CAROLINENSIS. When we beat that monster everything wil be Seirus laughs SCIURUS. Are your squires perf? Wil they not ake too much, ‘Wil they noe screech, Will they not be squires. CAROLINENSIS. Not while Im atthe her ofthe te. SCIURUS. Then you had beter ive forever. You had beter never et ‘ld, Never have young sil tl yon youre wrong, Never have ‘one squire wholes. Newer one who fters. Never one who bite the drop ofa name, You beter ree time righ now, So you can ty ss you ae, The freedom bier forever. was ike you once Maybe 78 lil ss rave, maybe a litle moresomething. I dont knows Nowe look me. Look at what the seasons did to me Tin nothing CAROLINENSSS, You ae not nothing SCIURUS. What am 2 CCAROLINENSIS. Yourea squire Youre justa squire that neds lite help Bea. Sir sat him. Avon bell no, Are you serious ight now? SCIURUS. Please. ot nobody else nobody le and al want is one st mak Carols toad the heavens. Scars uk a gel int the cok of Ca ar. They mk af Ii ne Now eat me SCIURUS. Dont let me bea waste, Eat me and maybe it wil undo lite of what Ive done. CCAROLINENSIS, I ast—your daughter. SCIURUS. You mulher? CAROLINENSIS Ido. SCIURUS. Then eat me. All of you. Eat me ad live and bite and win alr I id something god. Tel er thi od ft squere id ‘nels good thing Thre is Boom A lite light breaks throug, Thee isa CCAROLINENSIS. My squires. Can it be my squirls already? SCIURUS, EAT ME ‘CAROLINENSIS, NO. ing nd along with the dit Sluride. He looks arounSCIURIDAR. Well wll well, What have we hee? CAROLINENSIS. SCIURIDAE SCIURIDAE. CAROLINENSIS CCAROLINENSIS. We mest gain, SCTURUS. Hi SCIURIDAE. Shut up you. Where ae the nats SCIURUS, What you see is what you get SCIURIDAE. You've gt tbe joking CAROLINENSIS. Hes not. SCIURIDAE. You've hidden them, You've spirited them away. CAROLINENSIS. There ae no more nuts SCIURUS, 1ate them al SCIURIDAE, NO.NO, NO, There have tobe some nts somewhere. MY SQUIRRELS ARE COMING AND THEY ARE HUNGRY There isa scratching anda catering that con be heard rom the righ side CAROLINENSIS, MINE TOO. There fa scratching and catering that comes fom the left SCIURUS, LET THEM COME SCIURIDAE, No matter. As you both know. Gray squirt wil et soything Sciurida reaches hs hand int Scirus’ lat bly Scare screches. The sounds of the approaching squirrel aemiee dnd healing of tres are deafening ‘CAROLINENSIS. No, SCIURIDAE. Yes ‘CAROLINENSIS. For God ses stop SCIURIDAE. NEVER. WILL NEVER STOR SCIURUS, LETIT COME. LAM READY Ay nut out of Scars bly an long sa detge of garbage, Tes trash, the bones of bygone squires Scturas sereeches end the ering caves Seene 10 A white curtain comes down. tn shadow we se the two rine of quires burs through the ceiling. The curtain bumps a billows under the force of the bat Then a the sures under it die, One by one lifters. Becomes a snow-covered fel Snow al Chordata come o CHORDATA. Tm hungry Mama, MAMMALIA. {know Chords [know CHORDATA. Ate we there yet? MAMMALIA, Almost bab. Almost CHORDATA. How long now? MAMMALIA, tlle minutes baby: Well be atthe hole, Carl wil ree your father and drive out that monster and all wil be right Maral ses red spon (CHORDATA, What ist, Mama? dis. The red gets bigger The re grows end {grows She elise Blood She look at her paws She looks What ist? MAMMALIA. The Juges. Right over there, Wee here. This i where he hid the nts This is where they were, Underground. And how There’ nothing but blo. Maramalia might start to break down CHORDATA. Daddys not dead Mama. Carol wouldnt MAMMALIA. Then why all the blood bab. Why all the Blood Mammalia sinks o her knees Chordata comfort her CHORDATA. Could be the red clay tht lives next tothe wate. Could be that flowers have turned ito rai. Could be so mn things, Mama,She snugeles up in her mothers MAMMALIA. Oh yeh, baby CHORDATA. So many beautifalthings Inthe background Rodentia enters a RODENTIA. Are you mucking kidding me MAMMALIA. Oh please no, CHORDATA. Rodentia? RODENTIA. Your goddaraned sight its Rodent |AMMALIA. Coeld you, Could you give usa second? CHORDATA. Rodentia come here RODENTIA. Ummm, Okay MAMMALIA. Baby (CHORDATA. There wastoo much scheming too much iting. Too ‘uch chattering and look what we've done well could have jt rucked each other I muk you. muk you both RODENTIA, Cool MAMMALIA. Goddamn Rodent CHORDATA. Mama malkhet Renta muk he back hand on Mamas shod ama gs era oo eens tokesit hack Theater cond den star MAMMALIA. How fr along are you? RODENTIA. Week ands hal MAMMALIA. Youre going to pop. RODENTIA. If dos drop dead ise MAMMALIA, Whereare you ging? RODENTIA. Where ee south MAMMALIA. Good lick RODENTIA. Thanks You to MAMMALIA. Do you want some company? RODENTIA. Sue Maral starts ap ook at her bly Looks ui Chora You ever tink of eating your young? MAMMALIA. The winter she was born didnt know if we were ong to make it Sciurus had done something stupid anditscemed like=itsemed ke the squirted was going to end [ooked down at Chordata Sh was pink and squealing. 1 wast even hungry. 1 ust thought ifs not worth. fs nat worth to pat her through this But then sping came and was beer, You cat jut ay dow tnd die. We have fo ad south, Find another tre. See if they figured it nt. Andi they havent wel go south again and again fant again un we find the best sounds the perfect sounds the ound that make everyone a family and RODENTIA. What the From the pool of blood Scud halemerge cuching a nut MAMMALIA, Dear God, SCIURIDAE, Dead, dead, everyone dead But they cant il ole Siuridae Scud always gets ut He trns back and see the fom Obst RODENTIA. U-uh rie to scamper away. Rodentia gets Behind him. Puts her arm around hs hot SCIURIDAE, Dont Stop. RODENTIA. Nota chance. She tightens he hal on hi SCIURIDAF. Mana, Mama Mammalia, Thi serzy. Hast hers been enough killing? Has therebeen—Tve changed ve changed Tinok you Mak: Buk Mak, RODENTIA. What sounds do we make now Mama? Wht sounds do we make for hit? amalia bends down and picks up a rock 8SCIURIDAE. No, No, youre bette than this out not this kin of squire Ste slams RODENTIA. Mama. wage MAMMALIA. Until wefind those perfect sounds, Rodentia, They are going to lear to fear us The sag oes to red and they tear Scirida apart. Epilogue Then they sop. Sciuridae stands up. Someone throws him a tome ant he tars wiping himself oft SCUENTIST: And tht is what happened in March 1992 in my backyard in Minos. Serious. My mom was planting garden nu found Uke forty dead squirl inthe ground. Tat rite nee remarkable, new shoots everywhere. Sce forget squires are why we have frets in the first place New squires came late. They were happy fl he ranks thinned ‘ut, But att help bat fee bad for the squire inthe on Maybe its sill. Maybe Yim jastsemtimemal. tb ot ik all tre Squires went sway. I not lke the mistakes of one squire or tes squitrels ora andl of squisels can endanger the entre spose, ts not ike ther slshness and erratic behavior ie + threa tool life. verywhere: that was tse, Then some squirt! would have ‘do something about it Something other then jst making none The Play Ends Ue this spa PROPERTY LIST it for your production)