THE MAGICAL MUSIC BOX
The script from Issue 11 - "Sindbad and the Kraaken"
Original story by Alastair Dougall, audio script by Marja Giejgo
Illustrations by Bee Willey for Marshall Cavendish
NARRATOR: Sindbad and the Kraaken.......Their feet thudded on the wooden boards of a boat. A seabird screamed. The freshening wind filled a red sail above their heads and there was a tang of salt spray in the air. Sarah and Jamie ran to the prow of the boat.
SFX: SAIL FLAPPING. SEA SPRAY. SEABIRDS. SARAH & JAMIE RUNNING ACROSS DECK OF BOAT.
SARAH: Isn't this great? A sea voyage!
JAMIE: The only thing is.......where are the sailors?
SFX: MEN SHOUTING IN DISTANCE, ACCOMPANIED BY SPLASHING SOUNDS OF PEOPLE JUMPING OFF BOAT AND SWIMMING.
SARAH: There's only that one over there...in the red headscarf....What's all the noise about?
JAMIE: Only one way to find out.......(Moving off) Come on, Sarah!
SARAH: Coming!
SFX: FOOTSTEPS ON WOODEN DECK OF SHIP.
SINDBAD: (In distance) Go on, you cowards!
SARAH: Who do you reckon he is?
SINDBAD: (Still shouting in distance) Jump, you bilge rats, jump!
SFX: PEOPLE JUMPING INTO WATER.
JAMIE: Dunno......but he seems to have frightened all the others away.
SARAH: How d'you mean?
JAMIE: Over there in the distance.....those men swimming back to port.
SINDBAD: (Still shouting, a bit closer to S & J) I hope the sharks like the taste of ye!
JAMIE: Hello there!
SINDBAD: (Close now - he spins round to face them) Uh?
SARAH: Having a spot of trouble?
SINDBAD: Look at 'em all....Don't know what's the matter with 'em! I've promised them fame and riches beyond their wildest dreams and what do they do?
JAMIE: Abandon ship?
SINDBAD: Exactly.......can't understand it! D'you know how long it's taken me to beg, steal and borrow to buy this old tub and get that stinking crew! One thousand and one days and nights!
SARAH: (Calmly) The crew must have had some reason for jumping overboard.
SINDBAD: All I did was casually mention just now that we were stopping off to steal the Kraaken's skin on the way to rescue Princess Scheherazade from the City of the Dead. I thought they'd be excited!
JAMIE: Looks like they were excited all right!
SARAH: But in the wrong way!
SINDBAD: Never mind, you're here now! Look lively, boy!
JAMIE: My name's Jamie.
SINDBAD: Shin up the mast and check the sail! And you, girl...
SARAH: And my name's Sarah.
SINDBAD: Get below and cook something for supper! Unless you two feel like a long swim home, too!
SARAH: Er.....not really!
SINDBAD: Well, get on with it then!
JAMIE: Tell us your name first.
SINDBAD: I'm Sindbad...Sindbad the Sailor....and my boat is "Night of Arabia".....what are you waiting for?
JAMIE: Looks like we're the new crew then, Sarah! Just one question, Sindbad.....what's a Kraaken?
SINDBAD: Just a little sea monster.
MUSIC BREAK.
SARAH: So, Sindbad, what do you want the Kraaken's skin for?
SINDBAD: Once in a blue moon, the Kraaken sheds its skin. Anyone who wraps himself in it becomes invisible. I've got to get hold of it so I can rescue my girl, Princess Scheherazade. She was carried off and imprisoned in the City of the Dead by Grand Vizier Kamal a thousand and one nights ago. He captured her because he heard of her great gift for telling stories. But even the greatest story-teller can't think up new stories for ever. When she runs out of tales to tell him, he's sure to kill her!
JAMIE: Where do we find the Kraaken?
SINDBAD: Not far away......see that rocky island over there on the horizon?
MUSIC BREAK.
SINDBAD: Nearly there now.
SFX: SOUND OF SEA MONSTER CUTTING THROUGH THE WATER.
JAMIE: What's that in the water?....Something coming straight towards us!
SARAH: A submarine? A sea snake?
SINDBAD: By the beard of the Prophet - it's the Kraaken!
JAMIE: It's getting nearer - look out!
SARAH: It's going to hit us!
SFX: BOAT BEING STRUCK. ALL THREE FALL TO THE DECK, SHOUTING. SOUND OF CREATURE RISING OUT OF THE SEA, ROARING AND SPLASHING.
ALL THREE: (Together) Help!!!!
SINDBAD: Hold on tight!
SFX: BOAT SPLINTERING IN TWO, FOLLOWED BY TIDAL WAVE. Sarah, Jamie and Sindbad are all hurled across the deck and into the sea.
MUSIC BREAK
SFX: WAVES COMING ONTO BEACH.
JAMIE: (Sneezes) Ah...ah..ah...chooo! (Muttering to himself) Sand up my nose! Where am I? What happened?......Oh yes, now I remember - the Kraaken smashed the ship....we fell into the sea....Oh, no! (Out loud) Sarah, where are you? (To himself again) Don't panic - I made it, maybe she did too. (Scrunching across the sand) Wait - that shape on the sand - it's Sarah!
JAMIE: (Running off up the beach) She's just lying there...drowned? I'd better give her the kiss of life!
SARAH: You dare!
SINDBAD: It's a miracle we're all still alive.
SARAH & JAMIE: (Pleased to see him) Sindbad!
SARAH: What do we do now?
SINDBAD: We can't let a minor setback like losing the boat put us off.....Let's find the Kraaken's lair!
JAMIE: You must be joking! Did you see the size of it?
SARAH: And its teeth! I don't fancy being the Kraaken's dinner!
SINDBAD: There's nothing to worry about...the Kraaken's in the sea somewhere - probably smashing the boat to even smaller bits. Come on, its cave must be round here somewhere!
SFX: WALKING ON SANDY BEACH.
MUSIC BREAK.
SINDBAD: There it is......that's got to be the Kraaken's cave...see all those bones scattered round the entrance? (Voice echoing now - he's inside the cave) Come on in - it's perfectly safe!
SARAH: (Muttering to Jamie) I wouldn't be so sure! (Calling out) Where are you, Sindbad?
SINDBAD: (A short distance away) Over here!
JAMIE: Where?
SARAH: We can hear you, but we can't see you!
SFX: RUSTLE OF LARGE SHEET OF TRACING PAPER.
JAMIE: Hey, how did you suddenly appear like that?
SINDBAD: Behold, the Kraaken's skin! I pick it up, (SFX Rustle) hold it before my face, and - hey presto!
JAMIE: (Gasps) He's vanished!
SFX: RUSTLE AGAIN.
SINDBAD: And here I am again.....it'll be just the thing for sneaking into the City of the Dead.
JAMIE: There's just one problem....How do we get there?
SARAH: Ask the Kraaken for a lift?
SINDBAD: Hmm, yes, that is a tough one!
SARAH: What are those big curved things there in the corner? Look like sheets of plastic.
SINDBAD: My guess is they're pieces of eggshell. The Kraaken must have had a baby!
SARAH: (Worried) That means it's likely to be lurking round here!
SINDBAD: Yes, I suppose it does.
JAMIE: Then we've got to get out of here, quick!
SARAH: I know....how about using a piece of this shell as a boat?
JAMIE: You're bonkers!
SINDBAD: It might be worth a try!
JAMIE: O.K....What've we got to lose?
MUSIC BREAK.
SFX: SMALL SAILING BOAT BOBBING ABOUT IN THE WATER.
SINDBAD: This piece of eggshell makes an excellent boat. Great idea of yours, Sarah!
SARAH: Thanks!
JAMIE: We can use pieces of driftwood to paddle with.
SARAH: (Enthusiastically) And we could use the Kraaken's skin for a sail!
MUSIC BREAK.
SFX: WIND IN SAIL. BOAT BOUNCING ACROSS THE WATER.
SINDBAD: At this rate we'll reach the City in no time!
JAMIE: Hey, Sindbad, isn't that land ahead?
SINDBAD: It's land all right - the City of the Dead. Somewhere there, my Scheherazade lies captive!
SARAH: There's something I've been meaning to ask you....Why's it called the City of the Dead?
SINDBAD: You'll see!
MUSIC BREAK.
SFX: BOAT GLIDING INTO PORT.
SINDBAD: Here we are...This used to be a pretty nice place...Now it's known as the City of the Dead, thanks to the sorcery and cruelty of Grand Vizier Kamal, who has his home in the gloomy castle yonder. I'll just tie the boat to this post and we can make our way over there....Sarah, don't forget to bring the Kraaken's skin!
SARAH: Don't worry, I've got it! (SFX Rustle of tracing paper)
SINDBAD: Off we go then!
SFX: WATER LAPPING AGAINST BOAT AS THEY CLAMBER ASHORE.
SINDBAD: I know Scheherazade is in Kamal's castle somewhere. We have to discover how to get to her.
JAMIE: Why don't we ask in that market over there?
SINDBAD: Good idea - but be careful.....Kamal's spies are everywhere!
MUSIC BREAK.
SFX: BUSTLE OF MARKET.
SINDBAD: Good! Just in time.....before all the market traders close up for the day.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS OVER COBBLES. MARKET ATMOSPHERE.
AHMED: Good evening, sir....Ahmed at your service....can I interest you in one of my carpets.....finest quality Persian.....
SINDBAD: Actually, we wanted to ask you how we can get into Kamal's.......(He's interrupted by.......)
SFX: TRAMP OF MARCHING FEET, CLICK CLACK OF THE SKELETONS & HORSE ON COBBLES.
AHMED: (Terrified) Oh, no! Kamal and his skeleton guards....(His voice becomes muffled as he ducks behind one of his carpets).
KAMAL: (Evil voice) There they are....the sailor and the two kids....Seize them!
SFX: CLICK CLACK OF BONES AS GUARDS MOVE.
SINDBAD: (Voice strained as he's seized) You're not going to get away with this, Kamal!
JAMIE: (Gasping in fear) Sarah...the guards....they haven't got any faces...
SARAH: (Also terrified) Just skulls....
JAMIE: Grinning at us...
SARAH: (Whispers) We've got to get invisible...Quick, Jamie, (SFX Rustle) Get behind the Kraaken's skin!
KAMAL: How did you let the kids slip through your fingers, you boneheads?....Still, we've got the big fish - Sindbad!
SINDBAD: (Struggling to escape) Free the Princess or you'll be sorry, Kamal!
KAMAL: To the castle with him!
SFX: THEY ALL MARCH OFF WITH SINDBAD. HORSE GOES OFF INTO THE DISTANCE.
SARAH: Phew! That was close...(SFX Rustle) Thank goodness we had the Kraaken's skin!...Did you see, Jamie?
JAMIE: What?
SARAH: Kamal kept rubbing a big black bracelet on his wrist.
JAMIE: Yeah....odd, that!
AHMED: What sorcery is this - how could you disappear and then re-appear?
SARAH: Never mind that now. We've got to rescue Sindbad and save Princess Scheherazade! Can't you help?
JAMIE: How can we get into the castle and past those gruesome guards?
AHMED: There may be a way. On my travels I hear many stories - one concerns a secret passage into Kamal's castle on the cliff. There is a graveyard next to it. At the time of the full moon, at midnight, the graves open and the phantoms appear. The largest tomb of all, they say, is the entrance to a passageway that is supposed to lead to the castle dungeons. This could all be wild rumour. But tonight is a full moon.....Allah go with you!
SARAH: (Grimly) Well, Jamie, it looks like we've got a date with some phantoms tonight!
MUSIC BREAK.
SFX: EERIE SOUNDS. OWL SHRIEKING.
JAMIE: (Whispering spookily) Only one minute to go till midnight.......
SFX: OWL AGAIN.
JAMIE: Five, four, three, two, one.....midnight!
SARAH: What happens now?
JAMIE: I think we might be about to find out!
SFX: GRATING SOUND OF STONE LIDS OF TOMBS.
SARAH & JAMIE: (Both draw in breath in fear).
SARAH: The tombs....they're opening up! Something's coming out - like hissing steam!
SFX: HISSING SOUND.
JAMIE: The phantoms!
SFX: STONE LID CREAKING OPEN.
SARAH: Look, Jamie! The big tomb in the centre......A door's opening in it!
SFX: MORE CREAKING.
JAMIE: The carpet-seller was right - that must be the secret passage into the castle. Let's go!
SFX: ECHOING SOUND OF GOING UP STONE STAIRS.
SARAH: (Whispers) So far, so good!
PRINCESS SCHEHERAZADE: (Soft voice - in the distance) Have pity!
JAMIE: (Quietly) I can hear a voice.
SARAH: It came from the cells further up the passage.
JAMIE: Shhh! Listen!
PRINCESS S: (A bit closer) Have pity!
KAMAL: (Loud and sneering) It's no good...you are no longer of any use to me!
PRINCESS S: (Sobbing a bit) For a thousand and one nights I have entertained you with stories. Can you not be merciful and set me free? I know no more tales to soothe you to slumber. I have wracked my brains, but in vain!
KAMAL: It is quite simple, Scheherazade....You must die! A heart as black as mine craves peace. Without your stories to help me sleep at night, I have no further use for you!
PRINCESS S: (Falling on her knees) A little more time, I beg you. A few minutes!
KAMAL: Oh, very well! I will return shortly to see if the thought of your own death has provided you with any inspiration.
SARAH: (Whispers) Quick, he's coming - out of his way, Jamie!
SFX: DOOR FLYING OPEN. THEN SLAMMED AND BOLTED. ECHOING FOOTSTEPS GOING OFF.
SARAH: Phew! That was close!
JAMIE: Now's our chance to rescue Princess Scheherazade!
SFX: PULLING BACK THE BOLT. OPENING THE DOOR.
SARAH: We've come to get you out! Sindbad brought us.
PRINCESS S: Sindbad? Is he with you?
JAMIE: Um, no. He got captured, unfortunately...We'll explain on the way out - come on......this way.
SFX: STEPS DOWN STAIRCASE. ECHO ENDS AS THEY COME OUT INTO THE OPEN AIR. EERIE SOUNDS AND OWL AGAIN.
SARAH: (Gasps) The phantoms!
PHANTOM: (Hissing voice) Have no fear, strangerssss...We mean you no harm! We crave only your aid!
SARAH: How can we help you?
PHANTOM: We know that Sindbad, your friend, faces execution. We will help you rescue him if you do us a service. You must steal the black bracelet Kamal wears on his right wrist....It is the source of all his power....
JAMIE: So that's why he kept rubbing that bracelet!
PHANTOM: He has used it to rob us of our bones to create his skeleton guards. With them, he has terrorised the townsfolk, stealing a fortune in gold and jewels. Get the bracelet and his power will be gone. We spirits will be reunited with our bones and be allowed to rest in eternal peace. Follow us!
SFX: FOOTSTEPS ECHOING UP STAIRS.
KAMAL: (In distance) You have been a thorn in my side for some time, Sindbad! Killing you will be the highlight of my week!
PHANTOM: (In a hissy whisper) You must hurry, if you want to save your friend.
SARAH: Let's get invisible...Jamie and Sherry - get under the Kraaken's skin!
SFX: RUSTLE AS THEY WALK ALONG WITH THE KRAAKEN'S SKIN OVER THEIR HEADS.
JAMIE: (Whispers) The skeleton guards have got Sindbad's head on a block!
PRINCESS S: (Desperately) They're going to execute him!
SARAH: (Whispering) We haven't got any time to lose! We've got to grab Kamal's bracelet!
KAMAL: (Snarling) You don't look so brave now, do you, Sindbad? You may be amused to know, you meddling fool, that after your head is rolling on the floor, your beloved Princess will be next. I must have my evening's entertainment!
SARAH: (Whispers) Go on, Jamie - now! Grab it!
JAMIE: Here goes!
KAMAL: (Struggling) Help, you fools! I'm being attacked by something!
SFX: CLICKETY CLACK OF SKELETONS AS THEY MOVE FORWARDS.
JAMIE: Got it!
KAMAL: Where's my bracelet - where's it gone?....There it is, moving through the air!....It's bewitched!
JAMIE: Out the window with it! (Sound of him making an effort as he throws it out of the window).
SFX: FAINT SOUND OF BRACELET HITTING THE WATER.
KAMAL: Don't just stand there, numbskulls - do something!
SARAH: He's lost his power....
JAMIE: The guards.....they can't move any more!
SFX: EERIE SOUND AS PHANTOMS ENTER ROOM.
SARAH: The phantoms - they're merging with the bones!
PHANTOM: (In an unearthly whisper) Thank you, strangersss!
JAMIE: (Faintly) You're welcome!
SFX: GHOSTLY SOUNDS FADING AWAY INTO DISTANCE.
SARAH: They've all vanished!
SINDBAD: Now then, Kamal!
KAMAL: (Whining - on the floor) Have mercy!
SINDBAD: I'm not the one who'll judge you! Get up, you snivelling coward! (Hauls Kamal to his feet) The suffering people of this city will decide your fate! You're coming with me now! To the dungeons!
SFX: SINDBAD FROGMARCHING KAMAL OFF INTO THE DUNGEONS (Kamal still whining).
MUSIC BREAK.
SFX: END-OF-MEAL CLATTER OF PLATES.
JAMIE: That was a great meal! Now, Scheherazade...er...Princess...we've heard about your fine stories....how about telling us one?
PRINCESS S: (Embarrassed) Oh, I don't know...
SARAH: Just one...
PRINCESS S: Oh, all right.....Long ago and far away, O dearly beloved, far beyond the mountains, there lived a poor cobbler. Now this cobbler had a daughter called Fatima, with eyes like a thousand stars, hair like the raven's wing and skin as white as the foam from the rolling waves.....Hey, pay attention!
JAMIE: (Yawning) We are!
SARAH: (Yawns)
PRINCESS S: Wake up, Sindbad!
SINDBAD: (Snoring loudly)
PRINCESS S: That's the last time I tell you lot a story!
END ON SNORING.
FADE OUT AND END ON MUSIC.
MUSIC GUIDE
by Lesley Baxter, music consultant to the series
The music in "Sindbad and the Kraaken" is taken from Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov.
At the beginning of "The Sea and Sindbad's Ship", the brass and strings play slow, threatening chords, as if the storm at sea is rising. (00.00 - 00.23) A solo violin can be heard, accompanied by a rippling harp. It's the story-teller, Scheherazade's melody. (00.48 - 01.09)
The strings play a slow, rocking tune, as if the waves are rising and falling. (01.23 - 01.49)
Now the violins and flute play a scurrying tune. Sindbad's ship is being tossed about as the waves get higher and higher. (04.49 - 05.08)
The whole orchestra joins in as the storm rises again. (05.09 - 05.28)
Again, the high solo violin and flute repeat the scurrying tune as Sindbad's ship fights the storm. (08.17 - 08.36)
But the whole orchestra soon joins in again. The storm and sea are too powerful. (08.37 - 09.05)
At last, the storm dies down, and the sea becomes calm. The strings and wind instruments play a gentle rocking tune. Scheherazade's tune is heard again and it brings the piece to a peaceful end. (10.40 - 11.20)
In "The Festival at Baghdad - The Sea - Shipwreck on the Magnetic Rock", the flute plays a hypnotic, swirling dance to accompaniment from the strings and tambourine. (01.28 - 01.39) The tambourine beats time as the dance gets faster and faster. (01.50 - 02.11)
Another, gentler dance is played by the wind instruments, with gentle tapping from the tambourine. (02.43 - 02.57)
The strings play furiously and are joined by the brass as the dancing gets wilder and wilder. (04.21 - 04.39)
The whole orchestra plays louder and louder as the dancing reaches its end. (07.06 - 07.30)
The brass, accompanied by the rest of the orchestra, play the same tune as in the first piece. Sindbad's ship can be seen, tossing up and down on the waves. (08.04 - 08.28)
Cymbals crash as the wind instruments play a swirling tune. The storm is getting worse. (09.08 - 09.23)
Trumpets blast as the storm reaches its peak and Sindbad's ship strikes the rock. (09.28 - 09.40)
The storm's over. Violins play Scheherazade's tune, accompanied by the rest of the orchestra and the piece ends peacefully with three quiet chords. (11.09 - 11.40)
These are just some of the highlights from Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade". You are bound to discover more every time you listen.
IRDP website design and content by Marja Giejgo