Prunella Packs it In/Transcript

Introduction

In her fantasy Prunella walks through a stone hall carrying a torch.

Prunella: Grizelda the Fearless knew that the magic chalice lay hidden nearby but first, she had to sneak past the dreaded three-headed dog of Doogenkirk. Luckily, it was asleep. So all Grizelda had to do was tiptoe by in utter silence.   Prunella sneaks past the dog and up a stairway. A small stone falls down.   Oops!    The stone hits a shield on a wall with a loud gong. The dog wakes up and chases Prunella up a spiral staircase. On the upper floor she bangs on a door.     Lady Pinfore, Lady Pinfore, let me in! I beseech thee!

The fantasy ends. Rubella opens the door holding a book. Prunella’s torch is a plunger and the three headed dog is a stuffed toy dog.

Rubella: What?!

Prunella: Your Ladyship, you must grant me shelter. The three-headed dog of Doogenkirk is right behind me!

Rubella: I can't play right now, I'm studying for a test.

Prunella: How could the threat of a mere test compare with being savaged by the...?

Rubella: It's not just a test, Pruny, it's the college exam, and it's much much scarier than any three-headed dog, so keep it down.   She closes the door. Prunella picks up the dog.

Prunella: Don't worry, boy. I still think you're terrifying.  

#  

Prunella lies on her bed and reads the Cultural Center’s catalogue. Marina sits beside her and does string figures.

Prunella: Oh, this one sounds great. "Kendo, the ancient art of Japanese sword fighting”.

Marina: You're only nine! You don’t have to worry about college yet.

Prunella: Easy for you to say, you get straight A's. Oh! How about "Artisanal cheese making?" Do you think colleges would like that?

Marina: But you don't even like cheese.

Prunella: Yeah, but this is cheese making, not cheese eating. What about, "Assembling your own V8 engine"? I bet there are no other nine-year-olds taking that.

Marina: I think they should at least be things you actually want to do.

Prunella: Well, unfortunately, the Cultural Center isn't offering any classes in Fortune Telling. "How to speak useful Czech." That sounds... useful. Now all I have to do is get my mum to sign me up. This is going to be great.

#

Prunella is sitting cross-legged with other students in a room in the Elwood City Cultural Center. She is the only child.

Sensei: Now breathe into your core. Feel the air. Hold it... and release.  Once again... breathe in.  Prunella looks around and addresses the man next to her.

Prunella: Excuse me. I thought this was Japanese sword fighting? Where are the swords?

Man: We don't get swords till week five. Until then, it's just breathing.    Prunella walks out the door.

Sensei: ...Expelling...

#

In the Cultural Center corridor Prunella meets Bailey who is dressed as a cook.

Prunella: Hi, Bailey. What are you doing here?

Bailey: Miss Muffy and I are enrolled in a puff pastry seminar.    He puts on his chef’s hat.

Prunella: Do you know where room three-twelve is? I'm late for my “Useful Czech Language” class.

Bailey: Straight down the hall, on the left.   They part ways.

#

Prunella opens a door to a room in which a teacher is writing a Czech sentence on the blackboard using phonetic spelling. There is only one student.

Czech Teacher: „Náš výrobek se prodává velmi dobře na americkém trhu.“  "Our product is selling very well in the U.S. market."

Czech Student: „Náš výrobek se prodává velmi dobře na americkém...“

#

Prunella sits on a bench in the park. Marina juggles a soccer ball with a bell inside, so she can hear it.

Prunella: And the cheese making course made me nauseous so I had to quit that, too. But I’m not giving up. I signed up for three more classes. Do you think colleges want students who know how to yodel?

Marina: Beats me. What about volunteer work? If you're gonna run around doing things you don't like you might as well be helping someone.

Prunella: That’s a great idea!

Marina: My dad helps out at the Elwood City Wildlife Center. I could ask if he knows of anything.

Prunella: Perfect! I love animals.

Marina: So can we play some soccer now?    Prunella gets up. Marina passes the ball to her.

Prunella: Can’t. I’m late for scuba. Call me.    She walks away.