BUGTIME ADVENTURES
“It’s The Pits”
(The Story of Daniel in the Lions’ Den)

SCRIPT #5

LOG LINE:  Do what’s right, no matter what the consequences.

									Written by:
									Kelly Ward

This script is not for distribution, publication, duplication or reproduction in any form or by any means.  Unauthorized distribution, publication, duplication or reproduction is strictly prohibited.
©2001 Santa Fe Communications, Inc., d.b.a. Lightning Bug Flix.

BUGTIME ADVENTURES
 “It’s The Pits”
SCRIPT #5

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

INSECT CHARACTERS

ANTONI		
MEGAN
IGGY
WALLY	
DEX
RODERICK
MAYOR GREEN
WALKING STICK #1		An insect. Erudite.	Timid
WALKING STICK #2		s/a above
BUGGELSVILLIANS		misc. citizens of Buggelsville. Hungry

HUMAN CHARACTERS

DANIEL		The King’s favorite Governor
KING DARIUS		King of Persia.  Thoughtful & generous.	
ZATHU		Governor for King Darius. Lean. Clever
BAGA		Governor for King Darius. Stocky. 
NORIK		Daniel’s Persian friend
MISC. TRADESMEN		Persian citizens
MISC. DROVERS		Persian citizens
ANGEL		(an undulating figure of light)

OTHER

THREE LIONS		Fearsome felines. Growls
MOTI		An affectionate camel. Camel sounds
CAMELS & DONKEYS		Miscellaneous

BUGTIME ADVENTURES
 “It’s The Pits”
SCRIPT #5

ACT ONE
FADE IN:

EXT. CAPITAL OF PERSIA - KING’S PALACE - DAY - establish
The palace features high walls, towers, balconies and columns. Outside, at the foot of the palace, is a bustling TRADE CENTER with TRADESMEN and FARMERS coming and going, leading donkey-drawn carts, wrangling camels, etc.  

1.  narrator (vo)
A long time ago, in the kingdom of Persia, there lived a man named Daniel.

INT. PALACE - KING’S CHAMBER - DAY
DANIEL is received by KING DARIUS, who stands beside a table. On the table are plates of EGGPLANTS, BREADS, SQUASHES, and GRAPES. Holding several SCROLLS, Daniel bows in formal greeting.   

3.  Narrator (vo/CONT)
Taken from his homeland as a youth, he had been brought to Persia, where he served the king as one of three governors.  

The king smiles, and beckons Daniel to come forward.  

4.  King Darius
Daniel! What news do you have for me today?  

Daniel crosses to King Darius and spreads out two scrolls on the table. The top scroll is filled with writings (NOTE TO ARTISTS: the writings should not be legible, just scribbling and no specific language). 

5.  Narrator (VO)
In spite of having different beliefs from the Persians, Daniel prospered.  

6.  daniel
My district has again been blessed with a huge harvest of grain, your majesty. Look at how much we have harvested.

Daniel points to a spot on the top scroll.

7.  daniel (cont.)
Everything has been shipped ahead of schedule. 

The king studies the figures and gives Daniel a hearty pat on the back.  

8.  king darius
Good, Daniel.  Very good.

Daniel removes the top scroll to reveal the one beneath.  Side by side, they review it together. The king smiles, pleased. Daniel smiles as well. CAMERA DOLLIES slowly RIGHT, so that at the end of the move, there’s a BASKET OF BREADS between Daniel and the king, separating them. 

CHYRON: “It’s the Pits” 
9.  Narrator (vo)
He was the king’s favorite governor. But one day, Daniel had to choose between the king and his own faith in God. 

10.  narrator (vo/CONT.)
This is the story of “Daniel In The Lions’ Den.”

CAMERA TILTS DOWN and PUSHES IN on:

Int. king’s chamber - floor - continuous 
The tiles and mortar of the palace floor look like clay flats broken up at regular intervals by dry ravines. From this perspective, the palace’s walls look like cliffs; the table legs appear as big as redwood trees.

WALLY, IGGY and MEGAN are positioned to snatch any morsel of food that might fall during the exchange between the king and Daniel. Iggy holds a CHUNK OF BREAD. 

11.  Iggy 
Talk about a crummy assignment. Hanging out and waiting for the giants to drop bits of food. (chomp)  

Iggy takes a bite out of his bread chunk.  

12.  wally
Iggy, are you nuts? Free food is - well, free!

13.  Megan
And Buggelsville needs every crumb we can catch. 

ON MEGAN
14.  Megan (CONT.)
I can’t remember the last time we were all so hungry!   

cut to:

EXT. BUGGELSVILLE - FLASHBACK
The town is located in a corner of the king’s palace. MAYOR GREEN hands out small BITS OF BREAD to a LINE of FAMISHED CITIZENS. Each citizen clearly cherishes their tiny ration. The last one in line, Iggy gets the last piece of bread.
 
15.  wally (vo)
You’re telling me. Yesterday Mayor Green gave out the very last of our bread.  

cut to:

INT. KING’S CHAMBER - RESUME SCENE - WIDE - FAVOR IGGY
16.  wally (CONT.)
I’m getting weak just thinking about it.

Iggy stops chewing his bread, looks at it self-consciously.

16-a.  IGGY
(chews then stops)

SINGLE - WALLY

He slumps melodramatically, feigning increasing weakness.  

17.  wally 
Can’t...hold...out. Need...food!

TWO-SHOT - wally and Iggy
18.  Iggy
Aw, here you go, big fella. You need this more than I do.

Iggy holds out the bread to Wally. Wally snatches the bread and pops it into his mouth, his composure recovered.

19.  wally
Mmmmmmmmmmm. (through his mouthful) Thanks Iggy.

Favor megan
20.  megan
We all might be hungry but we can get through this.  We won’t be hungry forever!

21.  Iggy
If only we hadn’t moved Buggelsville inside for the summer...(gasp)

Suddenly, there’s a <MISSILE WHISTLE>. The bugs look up.  

22.  Megan 
(gasp) Heads up! Incoming!

on Iggy
He positions himself to catch the incoming item. An EGGPLANT falls IN and <SMASHES> over him. A BEAT and he woozily <POPS> out the top of the eggplant.

23.  Iggy
(loopy)
That was one heavy crumb. 

INT. PALACE - KING’S CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS - wide
Along with his rolled-up scrolls, Daniel holds a large bunch of eggplants (source of the one that fell). The king reaches for a plate of delicious-looking bread twists.

24.  KING darius
Here, Daniel. Take some of these fine breads. 

ON DANIEL

25.  daniel
No please, the eggplants are enough, your highness. 

The King loads Daniel down with the breads.  

26.  King Darius
It’s the least I can do. I only wish my other two governors were half as productive as you are.   

PAN to the ANTECHAMBER, visible from the King’s Chamber through an archway. 

INT. KING’S PALACE - ANTECHAMBER - CONTINUOUS
Daniel’s colleagues, the two other governors, BAGA and ZATHU, are waiting impatiently. Zathu, the smarter of the two, paces. Baga remains seated. 

27.  Zathu
This is most annoying. Daniel always gets the first meeting with the king, and we must sit and wait.

ON BAGA 

28.  Baga
I don’t mind waiting, Zathu. I’m getting pretty good at it. See? 

He adopts a indolent pose, born of long practice. 

On ZATHU
He gestures emphatically.

29.  Zathu 
What’s wrong with you, Baga! Don’t you want your chance to impress the king?  

BAGA - narrows his eyes suspiciously.

30.  Baga
Oh dear, is that a trick question?  

ON ZATHU
Zathu puts his fists on his hips, looking stern. 

ON BAGA

31.  Baga (CONT.)
I mean, “Yes! Yes! I want to impress him!” (weakly) Right...?

Zathu takes a seat beside Baga. They grouse together. 

32.  Zathu
Of course! Daniel uses every opportunity to make us look bad by making himself look good. 

33.  Baga
Daniel brags!  

34.  Zathu
He boasts! 

Both men look at the O.C. Daniel.

THEIR POV - DANIEL & KING DARIUS
Daniel bows to the king, struggling with his armload of food.

35.  Baga (vo)
He works hard, never lies, and always delivers on his promises! (BEAT) It’s criminal!

Int. king’s chamber - floor - continuous 
Megan REACTS to the “giants’” actions above.

36.  Megan
Get ready to grab whatever drops.  

Wally, Iggy and Megan hunker down like a SWAT team. They are focused on the human action above and ahead, and don’t notice ANTONI, who sneaks up behind them.

37.  antoni (VO)
In coming!

38.  wally, Iggy, Megan
(ad lib startled Walla)

Wally, Iggy and Megan startle and fall all over themselves for a beat, before recovering. 

				38-A. ANTONI
		(chuckle)

another angle
They turn on Antoni.

39.  Megan
Antoni, where have you been?

on antoni
41.  antoni
With the news I’ve got, you can all forget about crumb catching!  

42.  wally / iggy
Hooray!  

He’s about to explain, Megan cuts him short.

43.  Megan (vo)
(gasp) Giant feet!

Wide on group
They hustle out of Daniel’s path – all four barely avoiding his stride. They look up, watching the following.

ON DANIEL - THE BUGS’ POV

Daniel walks past, towering above them.  

INT. KING’S PALACE - ANTECHAMBER - CONTINUOUS
Daniel acknowledges Baga and Zathu as he moves through the antechamber.

44.  daniel
(sincerely)
Greetings, Zathu, Baga. Have a pleasant meeting. 

Daniel disappears into his nearby palace apartment, carrying the king’s gifts.

on Zathu and Baga  
45.  Zathu
(sarcastically) “Have a pleasant meeting.” Did you see those gifts from the king?! Just another reason why I can’t stand Daniel.  

46.  king darius (vo)
Governors!

Startled by the O.C. king, Zathu and Baga jump to their feet. WIDEN to reveal King Darius gesturing for them to enter his chamber. The two governors bow deeply.

47.  Zathu / Baga
King Darius! / Live forever!

int. king’s chamber - continuous
Zathu and Baga join the king standing at his table. They’re about to begin their reports but the king speaks first.

48.  King Darius
I’m thinking of giving Daniel a promotion. 

WIDE ON KING DARIUS
He picks a grape but does not eat it. 

49.  king DARIUS (CONT.)
Perhaps under his supervision, you two could be more productive.

WHIP PAN to Zathu and Baga. They each look like they just sucked on a lemon. TILT DOWN and PUSH IN on:

Int. king’s chamber - floor - WIDE ON FOUR BUGS
Wally turns away from watching the humans.

50.  WALLY
(sadly) You’re right Antoni, we can definitely forget catching any crumbs now. The king never gives those two anything.
on iggy

51.  iggy
Man, that’s the pits. Everyone’s counting on us to bring back stuff to eat.

on antoni
52.  antoni
But that’s just it! We’re never going to have to worry about food again!

wipe to:

EXT. ABANDONED “STOREHOUSE” - ESTABLISH
The exterior of the “storehouse” is a crack between the palace’s painted bricks. The facade is slightly reminiscent of PETRA, only bug-style. TRUCK IN on crack. 

53.  Megan (vo)
(incredulous) Look at all this!

INT. ABANDONED STOREHOUSE - continuous
The area inside the wall is a large, enclosed storage space. As Antoni looks on, Iggy, Megan and Wally gawk at row-upon-row of neatly stacked FOOD LOAVES. 

54.  wally 
Be still my fluttering tummy!

55.  Iggy 
It’s like, ah, gigantic, i ... i ... it’s ... sssstupendous --

56.  roderick (vo)
It’s a bonanza!

WIDEN to reveal RODERICK giving the foursome a tour of the storehouse. DEX is nonchalantly watching. 

57.  Roderick (CONT)
Good thing for Buggelsville that Dex and I found it. Now, all we need are a few dedicated citizens to help us relocate it.

ON IGGY

58.  Iggy
You mean like take it somewhere?

on wally

59.  wally
Ooh, ooh, you can keep it all at my house!

ON RODERICK
60.  Roderick
Well, my enthusiastic fellow, we can decide those details once we’ve removed it from this storehouse.

ON ANTONI, MEGAN, WALLY & IGGY
Antoni enthusiastically jumps in, encouraging his friends. 

61.  megan
We’ll cart it right to Buggelsville and give it away, right Roderick?

on roderick
He REACTS angrily to Antoni’s statement, then catches himself. 

62.  Roderick
Give it a...?!! Way-hey-hey! Riiiight. Of course! (solemnly) Our hungry citizens must be fed.

favor antoni
He looks dubious about the whole scheme.

63.  antoni
Roderick, are you sure this doesn’t belong to someone? It took a lot of work to gather all this food here.

WIDEr angle 
64.  Roderick
Not to worry, Antoni, the storehouse is quite abandoned. Just look at all this dust!

He swipes a finger along the ground to gather dust. Dex crosses to stand beside Roderick.  

65.  dex
(lying thru his teeth) Yeah, and Mayor Green said that anything we did with the food is okey-dokey.

ON ANTONI

66.  antoni
Okay, if you say so.

WIDER - ON MEGAN & ANTONI

67.  antoni (CONT)
If Mayor Green’s behind this, that’s good enough for me.  

Wally, Iggy & Megan - smile and nod agreeably. 

68.  iggy
Me, too! Let’s get started!

ON WALLY

69.  wally
Yeah. The sooner we start, the sooner we eat!

on Roderick
He speaks loudly for the foursome’s benefit. 

70.  Roderick
Dex, see that our volunteers are well-rewarded for their hard work.

ON DEX

71.  dex
Sure thing, Boss. 

Roderick leans close to Dex.

72.  Roderick
(sotto) And after we sell this food to Buggelsville, I’ll be rich!

73.  dex
Wait a minute, don’t you mean WE?

74.  roderick   
Yes, yes, anything you say.
wipe to:

ext. storehouse - later
THREE CARTS, filled with food, are lined up just outside the storehouse. Megan and Antoni emerge from within with yet another food-filled cart. They park it beside the others.

75.  antoni
Whew! Ready to load another?

76.  Megan
Ugh...lead on!

They head back into the storehouse.

cut to:

INT. PERSIAN TRADE CENTER - day - ESTABLISH
A CARAVAN is being assembled. Zathu shouts at WORKERS who busily load grain into CONTAINERS to be fastened to the backs of CAMELS. Baga helps oversee the operation.

77.  Zathu
Hurry up, you worthless loafers! We must ship this grain today! 

ON BAGA
78.  Baga
Load those camels faster, FASTER! 

MOTI, an overly affectionate, slobbery camel, LEANS IN and nuzzles Baga. 

79.  Baga (CONT.)
Woof! Stop it, Moti! I’m trying to supervise the caravan.

Baga pushes Moti’s head OUT OF SHOT. 

TWO-SHOT

Zathu JOINS Baga. The two governors stand side by side, never taking their eyes off their O.C. workers. As they speak, Baga absent-mindedly grabs kernels of GRAIN from a nearby CONTAINER and pops them into his mouth like popcorn.

80.  Zathu
A double curse on Daniel! We’re killing ourselves just so he won’t become our boss! 

81.  Baga
(chewing)
We should kill him instead. 

Zathu REACTS, and pulls Baga close. 

82.  Zathu
Why Baga! I think you’re on to something. Come with me!

As they begin to exit, Moti LEANS IN as if he’s going to follow them. Zathu gives him a surly look.

83.  Zathu (CONT.)
(to camel) Is your name Baga?

84.  Baga
Oh dear. Is that a trick question?

85.  Zathu
Argh! Come on!

Zathu yanks Baga O.C. leaving Moti behind.

ext. TRADE center - PALACE ADJACENT - A SHORT TIME LATER
Zathu and Baga are huddled close, conspiring. Between them, in the BG, we SEE a palace BALCONY - Daniel’s balcony.

86.  Zathu
We’ll have Daniel thrown into the lions’ den!  

87.  Baga
But Zathu, that punishment’s only for criminals.  Daniel never does anything wrong.  

In the BG, the doors to the palace balcony open and Daniel emerges. Zathu and Baga turn and look up at him.  TRUCK IN on Daniel as he unrolls a SMALL CARPET, kneels on it and extends his arms, palms up in prayer.

88.  Baga (CONT. vo)
In fact, he prays three times a day to his god!  

89.  Zathu (vo)
Excellent idea, Baga.  We’ll make that a crime. 

dissolve to:

EXT. ABANDONED STOREHOUSE - later
Antoni and Megan are resting on a fifth food-laden cart, as Iggy and Wally wheel a sixth into position beside them. 

90.  wally
Ugh. This job is wearing me out.

91.  iggy
Yeah, but it sure beats getting squished catching giant leftovers!

92.  antoni
Six carts full. Not a bad day’s work.

93.  dex (vo)
Not bad – for a start.

The foursome look O.C. WIDEN to include Dex, standing in the entrance to the storehouse. He holds FOUR LOAVES OF FOOD. 

94.  dex (CONT.)
You gotta get it all unloaded before we take it into Buggelsville. Here, take some more “bonuses” for your hard work.

OTS DEX - ON FOURSOME 
Antoni and the others approach Dex to get their “bonuses.”

95.  antoni/megan/iggy/wally
Swell! Thanks Dex. Yum!

ANOTHER ANGLE - dex
He prepares to go back inside the storehouse.

96.  dex
See you tomorrow?

on the antoni/megan/iggy/wally
97.  antoni/iggy/wally
You bet! / Bright and early! / Count on me!  

The foursome turn and head for home. TRACK WITH THEM.

98.  Megan
Doesn’t it feel great to help solve the food shortage?

favor wally
Wally munches on his “bonus.” 

99.  wally
(munching)
I’m not gonna be able to sleep just thinking about what we’ll be eating tomorrow!

WIDE ON GROUP
as they move AWAY FROM CAMERA.

100.  antoni
Hey! I have an idea for an invention that will make tomorrow’s job faster and easier!

dissolve to:

INT. king’s palace - KING’S CHAMBER - the next day
Zathu plucks and hands the king grapes. Baga fans him with a FAN comprised of a short handle and woven reeds.    

101.  King Darius
What is this you bring me?

102.  Baga
Is this a trick question...mlrf?

Zathu pushes Baga’s hat down over his head, silencing him. NOTE: The king never sees this action. 

103.  Zathu
A petition, sire.  We need your help. We could be so much more productive, except our workers are taking too much time off to pray.  

104.  King darius
And this is a problem?

on Baga
He lifts his hat back up.

105.  Baga
A most serious problem! They’re praying to gods other than you. (laughs) That’s not even a trick question – mlrf!

Zathu reaches in and pushes Baga’s hat down over his head. 

ON KING DARIUS
106.  King Darius
Go on.  

ON ZATHU
107.  Zathu
The problem will vanish, my lord, with a law saying that, for 30 days, all subjects can only pray to you.  

ON king darius
King Darius ponders the idea, then nods.

108.  King Darius
And what if someone breaks this law?

favor Zathu
109.  Zathu
They’ll be cast into the lions’ den, sire.  

110.  King Darius
A harsh punishment.

On Baga
111.  Baga
But harsh is good, your...awesome-nessity.

FAVOR Zathu
He shoot’s Baga a “shut up” look. Baga pulls his own hat down over his head.

111-A.  Baga
Umph! (pulls hat down on his own head)

112.  Zathu
More importantly, the new law will make our districts more productive. 

113.  King Darius
Very well. I will write such a law then.  

Zathu smiles wickedly to Baga.

INT. ABANDONED STOREHOUSE - continuous
The foursome are using a lever and fulcrum system to lift  food into the carts. Iggy piles loaves on the end of the lever. Antoni waits in the cart. Megan holds it steady, and Wally prepares to lean on the raised end of the lever.

114.  Iggy
You really outdid yourself, Antoni, my man.  

115.  Wally
Yeah, it makes the job much easier.  

116.  Megan
And we’ll have this place emptied in no time!

Wally levers a load of food up to Antoni.

117.  WALKING STICK #1
Stop, please! That belongs to us! STOP, THIEVES! 

Startled, the foursome spin around. Their eyes go wide. 

END ACT ONE

ACT TWO
FADE IN:

INT. ABANDONED STOREHOUSE - continuous
Antoni, Megan, Iggy and Wally find themselves facing a PAIR OF WALKING STICK bugs. 

118.  WALKING STICK #2
Why are you stealing our food?!

on antoni, Megan, Iggy & wally
119.  antoni
We’re not stealing. This storehouse is abandoned.

two-shot - on walking sticks
120.  WALKING STICK #1
Why would you think that?

121.  Roderick (vo)
Because I said so!

The two Walking Sticks turn around. WIDEN to reveal Roderick, standing in the entrance to the storehouse. He’s entered behind the Walking Sticks.

WIDE

The speaker of the two Walking Sticks points a long, accusative finger at Roderick.

122.  WALKING STICK #2
You can’t take something that isn’t yours!

123.  Roderick
I most certainly can if no one’s around to claim it.

ON ANTONI, Megan, Iggy & wally
They watch the confrontation with some confusion. Megan, Iggy and Wally nod as Roderick makes a strong argument.  Antoni is less certain.

124.  Roderick (CONT. vo)
As the old saying goes: “finders keepers”. 

ON WALKING STICKS
125.  WALKING STICK #1
But we worked hard gathering this food.  It is ours.

ON RODERICK

126.  Roderick
I think there’s a very simple way to settle this argument. (BEAT) DEX!

Dex LUMBERS IN to the storehouse, settling in front of the Walking Sticks.

ON THE WALKING STICKS
They exchange nervous looks. They’re no match for Dex.  

127.  dex
Take a hike, stick boys. Before someone gets -- broken.  

wide
The fragile Walking Sticks skedaddle OUT, THROUGH SHOT. Dex follows them to the entrance making sure they’re gone.

ANTONI, MEGAN, IGGY and WALLY
They’re all feeling a little uncomfortable.

128.  antoni
Roderick, you didn’t need to act like that.

129.  megan
Yeah, there’s so much food here, we could have shared a little with them.  

130.  wally
It’s not like they’d eat much. 

on roderick
131.  roderick
I’m in charge here. You were hungry and I fed you. If you want to keep being fed, you’ll keep your mouths shut. 

on dex
at the storehouse entrance. He turns back to Roderick at the mention of his name. Dex grabs four loaves of food nearby.

132.  Roderick (vo CONT.)
Dex - give them their bonuses.

on antoni, Megan, Iggy and wally - ots dex
The foursome approach Dex, who perfunctorily hands them the food.

133.  megan/iggy/wally
(ad lib mumbled thanks)

ON ANTONI & DEX

Antoni hands his “bonus” bread back to Dex.

134.  Roderick (vo) 
Oh. And one more thing.

wide - favor Roderick
He approaches the foursome, with an air of menace.

135.  Roderick (CONT.)
Don’t tell anyone about our two “twiggy friends”.

136.  antoni
Why not?

137.  roderick
(sighs) Oh, ants are so slow. Because I’m in charge and you’ll do as I say, right?! 

on the foursome
Iggy, Wally (both with frightened expressions on their faces) and Megan march out of the storehouse.  

TIGHTER ON IGGY & WALLY

Iggy and Wally turn to look back over their shoulders, still with the scared looks on their faces.

138.  Iggy
(nervously) Uh, sure thing, Roderick.

139.  wally
(nervously) Wha ... wha ... whatever you say. 

PAN to Antoni. He takes a last look back at O.C. Roderick, troubled. Then, he EXITS.

on Roderick and dex
They watch the foursome depart.

140.  Roderick
Keep an eye on them, Dex – make sure they don’t say anything to anyone!

Dex nods and discreetly follows the group outside.

ext. STOREHOUSE - the way home - a short time later
Iggy, Megan, Wally and Antoni head for home. 

141.  Iggy
Dum-diddy-dum-dum-day-o. da-da-dee-dee-dee-pah. POW. Etc.

The four bugs move in single file THROUGH SHOT, past a portion of REED MATTING, pushing it aside to continue their walk. Each successive bug pushes the reed aside. Antoni is last in line.

142.  Antoni (OC/ON)
I still don’t like the way Roderick and Dex treated those Walking Sticks.

Antoni pushes the reed aside.

ANOTHER ANGLE 
Dex trails after them, trying to be sneaky as he listens.  Antoni releases the reed and it <SWISHES> back, swatting Dex in the face. He rolls backwards O.C.

142-a.  dex
(impact)

on dex 
He scrambles to catch up. 

143.  Antoni (vo)
What if they were telling the truth?

ON THE FOURSOME
The path leads through a “tunnel” - part of a decorative ceramic grating in the palace wall. Iggy, Wally, Megan and Antoni go through the “tunnel.” They have to duck to get through it. Antoni and Megan clear the tunnel and continue, moving O.C.

144.  antoni (ON/OC)
...and the storehouse really was theirs?

angle on dex
Dex tries to follows the bugs but, because of his width, he has trouble squeezing through the “tunnel”.  

145.  antoni (CONT. vo)
And we’ve been stealing their food for Roderick and Dex?

Dex tugs and pushes to get free. Finally, he squeezes free and tumbles forward. PAN with him, as he lands in a heap.  

145-a.  dex
(struggles and tumbles)

On THE FOURSOME - favor megan
They continue walking home, single file.

146.  Megan
No no, that .. that storehouse looked abandoned to me.  

favor wally
147.  wally
Yeah, and, UH, Buggelsville really needs that food.

Leading the line, he approaches a deep HOLE - actually a portion of floor tile where the grout has fallen away. 

Wally carefully skirts the hole and keeps moving O.C. Iggy follows him INTO SHOT, carefully avoids the hole, and EXITS.

on DEX
He pulls himself together, and continues his pursuit, rushing to catch up. He stops and spies from behind a clay brick.

148.  Megan (vo)
Just forget about it, Antoni.  It’s a good deal for us – for .. for all of us.

ON GROUP  
As they group turns a corner, Wally pops the last bit of his food bonus into his mouth.

149.  antoni 
Yeah, maybe. 

OTS - DEX - on disappearing FOURSOME
The group of bugs disappears around the corner.  

150.  antoni (on/oc)
But it still doesn’t feel right.

PAN with Dex as he rushes to catch up to the foursome.  Suddenly, he finds himself running but getting nowhere.  WIDEN. He realizes he’s suspended over the HOLE. <WHOOSH> he falls O.C. Beat. <THUD>.

150-a.  dex
(falls and lands)
cut to:

int. daniel’s  apartment - DAY
Daniel is with his friend, NORIK. They’re breaking bread together, sharing the bread and vegetables from the king.  

151.  norik
Too bad the king’s new law will put an end to your prayer sessions for a while. 

152.  Daniel 
No it won’t Norik.  I’ll still pray three times a day. 

153.  norik
You’re not afraid to be thrown into a den of lions?

on daniel
154.  daniel
God has always taken care of me that’s why I will always be faithful to Him.  

ON norik
155.  norik
Daniel, I admire the courage your faith gives you. 
  
cut to:

EXt. daniel’s apartment balcony - EXTERIOR WALL and FLOOR
The bugs’ route home has taken them onto Daniel’s balcony.  They emerge from a seam in the palace’s exterior wall.  After they begin to cross the balcony, Antoni suddenly stops in his tracks.  

156.  antoni
(realization) Hey, wait a minute!  

The group comes to a stop.

157.  antoni (CONT.)
I know what’s been bugging me!

on antoni
158.  antoni (CONT.)
If Roderick and Dex really thought the storehouse was abandoned – why did they ask us not to tell anyone about the Walking Sticks?

on dEX
Looking a bit bruised and battered, with a lump on his head, Dex catches up with our foursome and spies on them from a distance, unnoticed.  

159.  Iggy (vo)
But Dex said that it was okay with Mayor Green.

ON ANTONI & THE OTHERS
160.  antoni 
That’s just it, Iggy. If Mayor Green already knows, why do we have to keep it a secret?  No, I think Roderick’s been lying to us from the start! 

TILT UP and WIDEN to reveal:

Ext. daniel’s balcony - continuous
Daniel is carrying a small carpet. He unrolls it and kneels to pray.  He stretches out his hands, palms up. 

PAN OFF Daniel to the inside of his apartment. Zathu and Baga are sneaking in to spy on him. Baga almost knocks over an URN, but catches it in time. Zathu holds a finger over his lips.

160-a.  zathu
Shhhh.  

ON ANTONI, MEGAN, IGGY AND WALLY 
Megan moves onto a corner of Daniel’s carpet as she speaks.  The others follow her. 

161.  Megan
Antoni, we already took Roderick’s bonuses, and we promised to keep quiet.  

FAVOR ANTONI
162.  antoni
Maybe we could give the bonuses back.  

163.  wally
(belch) Uh...too late for me.

favor iggy
164.  iggy
If we gave them back, won’t Roderick and Dex get mad at us?

wide angle on the group
165.  Wally
Yeah, and then we’d be in big trouble with em.   

166.  megan
Wally’s right. If we leave things the way they are Buggelsville will get plenty of food to eat… 

167.  wally
(interrupting) – we get plenty of food to eat. 

168.  megan
Roderick and Dex stay happy --. 

169.  iggy
(interrupting) – and you know what happens if they get mad. 

170.  megan
So we shouldn’t do anything. Okay, Antoni?

171.  antoni
Megan, (sigh) I just don’t know what to do. 

dissolve to:
INT. DANIEL’s APARTMENT - on ZATHU AND BAGA
172.  Zathu
Look, Baga! He’s praying! We’ve got him!

EXT. DANIEL’S BALCONY - continuous - wide
Zathu shoves Baga out onto the balcony to grab Daniel by the shoulders.
 
173.  Baga
Daniel! You are under arrest for...for...  Oh dear, what’s he under arrest for again?

174.  Zathu
For breaking the king’s new law!

on antoni, Megan, Iggy & Wally
Wally approaches Antoni who is sitting by himself, thinking.  

175.  wally
Say Antoni.  Maybe you’d feel better if you had a little something to eat. I’d give it to you if I had it. 

favor antoni
176.  Antoni
That’s okay, Wally. I’ll be okay. 

WIDE - ON DANIEL, Zathu and Baga
Zathu yanks Daniel to his feet.

177.  Zathu
Come along. And bring his carpet.  

on Baga
With a quick move, he rolls up Daniel’s carpet.

Int. carpet roll - on bugs
They are spun as if in a barrel.

178.  antoni, megan, Iggy & Wally
(ad lib shouts of surprise)

angle on balcony floor - feature dex
179.  dex
(dirty laugh) That takes care of...

As Dex turns to skulk away, WIDEN to reveal Mayor Green, looking suspicious.

180.  dex (CONT.)
Uh...hi, Mayor Green.  Have, uh, you been here long?

ON MAYOR GREEN

181.  Mayor Green
Long enough to see Antoni and the others get rolled up in that giant’s carpet.  We’ve got to save them!

Mayor Green EXITS. Dex winces and smacks himself on the head for allowing himself to have been caught by Mayor Green.

181-a.  dex
(goofy sigh)

cut to:

int. king’s CHAMBER - later
Zathu and Baga flank Daniel as he faces the king.  Baga holds the carpet.

182.  king darius
Daniel, it saddens me to learn that you have broken my new law.   

INT. ROLLED UP CARPET - continuous
Iggy, Antoni and Megan are trying to squeeze their way to the end of the carpet – and freedom. Wally, in front, has paused for a moment – he’s wedged tight in the rolled up carpet.

183.  Iggy
(straining) Push, Wally! 

184.  wally
(straining) Easy for you to say!

185.  Antoni
Quiet you two.  Someone else is in trouble. 

ext. king’s chamber - continuous
186.  king Darius 
Did you know the consequences of your actions, Daniel?  
 
187.  Daniel 
Yes, your highness. But even that couldn’t change my devotion to God. 

On King Darius 
He turns away from Daniel, sick at heart.

188.  king darius
I should never have signed this law.

ON ZATHU
He is determined to make his point.

189.  Zathu
Nevertheless sire, as you know, here in Persia, once a ruling is signed into law, it cannot be undone.  

ON king darius
190.  king Darius
Daniel, I am forced to send you to your death.  

inside the carpet - on the foursome
191.  king darius (CONT. vo)
(haltingly) Put him in the lions’ den.

The four bugs stop squeezing through the carpet roll, in reaction to Daniel’s harsh sentence. 

192.  Megan
Did you hear that? The giant named Daniel is going to be thrown to the lions.

ON ANTONI

193.  antoni
Hmmm, if he’d obeyed the king’s new law, he wouldn’t be in so much trouble.  

ON WALLY

194.  wally
Hey everyone! I see the light!

The group presses forward.

OUTSIDE THE CARPET - CLOSE ON ONE END
Just as the bugs escape the rolled up carpet (Wally first, followed by Iggy, Antoni and Megan), the end of the carpet is swung around. 

195.  ANTONI
Look out!

196.  Iggy
(groan) Gotcha big fella!

As Wally falls, Iggy grabs him. Antoni and Megan grab Iggy.  The four bugs dangle from the end of the carpet roll, holding on for dear life as the carpet is carried away.
 
197.  Megan
(straining) Hold on everybody. (grab)  

WIDEN to reveal:

197-a.  antony/Megan/wally/iggy
(straining) 

int. palace hallway - continuous
Baga carries the rolled-up carpet as he and Zathu lead Daniel down the hallway toward the lions’ den. Baga nudges Daniel in the back with the leading end of the carpet.

198.  Baga
Hurry up. The lions are hungry.

ANGLE BELOW - ground level
Mayor Green is rushing after the “giants” who are carrying the carpet. He calls back over his shoulder.

199.  Mayor Green
Come on, Dex!  

ANGLE BEHIND MAYOR GREEN

Dex follows, very reluctantly.  He stumbles along out of breath.  

200.  dex
(ad lib heavy breathing)  

ext. lions’ den - A SHORT TIME LATER
Zathu and Baga march Daniel up to the great round stone that seals the opening to the lions' den.

201.  ZATHU
You should thank us, Daniel.  You’ll soon find out how much your God values your prayers. 

INT. lions’ den - CONTINUOUS
The pit is lit by torches. It contains THREE LIONS. The big cats pace the room menacingly as Zathu rolls back the big stone. <SFX> LIONS SNARLS.  Baga pushes Daniel into the chamber.  

202.  Baga
And here. This will make your stay more comfortable.   

Zathu tosses Daniel’s carpet in after him.  

203.  Zathu & Baga
(laugh)

ANGLE ON GROUND
Wally, Iggy, Antoni and Megan are thrown clear of the carpet.  

204.  wally, Iggy, antoni & Megan
(ad lib landing impacts)

205.  antoni
Is everyone okay?

angle on great stone
We HEAR the great stone as it’s being <ROLLED CLOSED> rolled back into place, sealing the chamber.

Ext. lions’ den
Zathu and Baga walk away from the stone, dusting off their hands.

206.  Zathu
(chuckle) Finally -- that’s the end of Daniel. 

TILT DOWN and PUSH IN to Mayor Green and Dex, who arrive too late to help their comrades.  

207.  Mayor Green
(breathlessly)
We’re too late. 

Mayor Green turns to Dex.

208.  Mayor Green (CONT.)
How could this possibly have happened?

209.  dex
Well, um, those guys wanted to, um, have an adventure with the giants. Yeah, that’s it! Even after Roderick and I told them it wasn’t a good idea. 

210.  Mayor Green
Where exactly is Roderick?

211.  dex
Gee, I don’t know, I haven’t seen him.

Int. lions’ den - continuous
The lions circle Daniel threateningly. He carefully lifts his carpet and backs away from them. <SFX> LIONS SNARLS

low angle - on bugs
212.  megan
I think we’re okay.  The lions don’t even see us.    

THE BUGS POV  - DANIEL AND LIONS
The lions close in on him.

213.  antoni
Too bad the Daniel giant isn’t as lucky.

END ACT TWO

ACT three
FADE IN:

INt. lions’ den – favor antoni & megan - continuous
Antoni, Megan and Iggy watch with trepidation as the lions close in on Daniel.  <SFX> LION SNARLS

214.  Megan
Oh, I can’t look.

She turns her head away.

215.  antoni
Wait! What’s he doing?

on daniel 
As the lions come closer and closer, coiled to pounce, Daniel unrolls his carpet and kneels on it. He holds out his hands, palms up, preparing to pray.

216.  antoni (vo/cont)
(incredulous) He’s praying.

on the bugs
They watch Daniel, amazed. Even Megan can’t resist turning back to watch.

217.  wally
That’s a crazy thing to do right before he becomes lion food. 
  
THE BUGS POV - daniel & LIONS
As Daniel prays, an ANGEL (shown as an undulating figure in shining light) appears and stands between Daniel and the lions.  

218.  antoni (vo)
Maybe not.  

favor the lions
The lions look at the light and become docile, lying down in the presence of the angel. One of them yawns. One begins to groom itself like a tabby cat. The third puts its head down on its paws and regards the praying Daniel serenely.

on antoni, Megan, Iggy and wally 
They watch the O.C. scene almost slack-jawed.

219.  Iggy
Man, are you seeing what I’m seeing? 

220.  wally
(looking for the words) It’s, uh; he’s, uh -- .  

221.  antoni
(awestruck) Wow. An angel is protecting him.  

TIGHTER ON ANTONI

222.  antoni (CONT)
And I know why. It’s because the Daniel Giant did the right thing.

the bugs’ pov
The angel stands sentinel over Daniel. And the lions remain peaceful as Daniel, face upturned to heaven, strokes the lions’ manes.

223.  Megan (vo)
Even though he knew he’d get in trouble.

WIDE on the bugs – favor antoni
224.  antoni
Yes, Megan. Exactly. 

Antoni raises his eyes to look UP and OS.

225.  antoni (cont)
And now I’ve got to do the right thing about Roderick and that food. 

Antoni turns to look at the others.

226.  antoni (cont)
We all have to do the right thing. 

Megan comes to Antoni’s side and takes his hand.

227.  megan
Antoni, we should have listened to you before. 

Wally steps up and places his hand on Antoni and Megan’s.

228.  wally
As badly as we all want that food, we have to tell Mayor Green the truth!

Iggy steps up and places his hand on Wally’s, Antoni’s and Megan’s hands.

229.  iggy
Even though Dex might (gulp) do us some serious damage?

CAMERA WIDENS on the group.

230.  Antoni
Yes, Iggy. We have to do what’s right, no matter what happens. And we’ll do it together.

dissolve to:

EXT. LIONS’ DEN - THE NEXT DAY
King Darius looks on anxiously as Zathu and Baga roll aside the great stone blocking the lions’ den.  

231.  king darius
Daniel?  Daniel? 

ANGLE ON the stone
As it rolls aside, Daniel is revealed standing in the pit. The lions are at his side, tame as can be. Daniel steps forward, away from the lions, and bows to the king.

232.  daniel
King Darius, live forever.

angle on Baga and Zathu
Their jaws drop, and they take to one another.

Favor kinG darius
The king blinks in disbelief.   

233.  King Darius
How is it possible?! 

234.  Daniel
God was with me.

King Darius clasps Daniel’s shoulders, overjoyed to see him safe.

235.  king darius
Praise be to your God!

On Zathu and Baga
They realize that the lions’ den is still open and they scurry to close it. TILT DOWN and TRUCK IN on:

EXT. ground in front of lions’ den - wide
Antoni, Megan and Iggy emerge from the den to cheers from a relieved Mayor Green.  

236.  Mayor Green
You’re safe! Oh thank goodness! 

angle on Roderick and dex
Also present, they look a bit anxious.

Favor Mayor Green
Shaking his head with amused disbelief, he approaches Antoni, Iggy, Wally and Megan.

237.  Mayor Green (CONT)
You four should know better. Dex told me all about the silly stunt that got you into this fix.   

on antoni, Megan, Iggy & wally
They exchange suspicious looks.  

238.  antoni
What silly stunt?  

wide on Mayor Green
Behind Mayor Green’s back, Dex is frantically gesturing that they should zip their lips, and keep their mouths shut. Roderick narrows his eyes and waves a finger of warning.

239.  Mayor Green
Why, your plan to have an adventure with the giants, of course.

wide on foursome – favor antoni
240.  antoni
No, you’ve got it all wrong, Mayor Green.

Suddenly, Roderick barges IN to the middle of the group and puts his friendly arms on Antoni’s shoulders. He squeezes them a bit too tightly.  

241.  Roderick
Yes, yes, we’d love to hear all about your grand adventure -- after we get you safely to Buggelsville.   

CLOSE on antoni anD Megan
Reacting to the menace in Roderick’s voice, they share a look.  Then, Antoni breaks away from Roderick.

242.  antoni
No, STOP!  

wider
Antoni addresses Mayor Green.  

243.  antoni (CONT.)
Mayor Green, Dex and Roderick found a huge storehouse filled with food. 

243-a.  wally
It didn’t belong to anyone they said. 

244.  Megan
We believed them and started taking the food for Buggelsville.  

Megan and Antoni look at Roderick and Dex.

ON Roderick and dex
scowling with anger.

245.  antoni
But now we think it really belongs to someone else.  

ON WALLY

246.  wally
So we really were stealing it.

ON IGGY

247.  Iggy
And Dex and Roderick knew it all along.

ON MEGAN

248.  megan
We let our fears – and hunger – get in the way of doing what’s right.

On Mayor Green
249.  Mayor Green 
(clears throat) Roderick?

favor Roderick and dex
250.  Roderick
Mayor Green, I don’t know what they’re talking about! They must be dizzy from hunger.

wide ON THE FOURSOME
251.  WALLY
Naaa, you gave us plenty to eat.  

252.  Iggy
Yeah, to keep us quiet.   
 
on Roderick
253.  Roderick
(gasp) Why, you creeping – crawling -- bunch of snitches!

WIDE on Mayor Green
Mayor Green nods sagely and holds up a hand for silence. He then turns to Antoni, Megan, Iggy and Wally.

254.  Mayor Green
I’ve heard enough. You four are very brave to admit your mistake. 

on Roderick and dex
They look at each other, furious at being caught in a lie.

255.  Mayor Green (CONT. vo)
(clears throat) It takes great courage to do what’s right.  

wide - favor Mayor Green 
256.  Mayor Green (CONT.)
Especially when you know that you’ll be punished for it.

dissolve to:
ext. storehouse - later
Wally and Iggy are pulling a cart of food loaves back into the storehouse. PAN to Roderick and Dex who are also pulling a cart.

257.  RODERICK & DEX
(grunts of effort)

another angle - wide
Mayor Green and the Walking Sticks supervise as the others work.

258.  WALKING STICK #1
Thank you for returning our supplies, Mayor Green.  

ON MAYOR GREEN

259.  Mayor Green
Buggelsville needs the food, but we would never steal from someone else.

ON WALKING STICKS

260.  WALKING STICK #2
We can show you where to find plenty of food.

ON MAYOR GREEN

261.  Mayor green
Oh, why that’s most kind of you, yes, thank you very much.  

on entrance to storehouse
Antoni and Megan emerge from the storehouse, headed to grab some more food. Dex and Roderick approach and cut off their path.

262.  Roderick
Hey, Antoni. You and your little friends are going to pay for ruining my perfect scheme.  

favor antoni
263.  antoni
You can’t scare us anymore, Roderick. We did the right thing and that’s what really matters.

264.  Mayor Green (VO)
Roderick! Dex! Keep working!

With a surly look at the O.C. Mayor Green, Roderick and Dex stand aside for Antoni and Megan to pass.

on Mayor Green and the walking sticks
265.  WALKING STICK #2
Antoni, Megan, Iggy, Wally – you’ve repaid your debt.  

266.  WALKING STICK #1
You can stop.

on Roderick and dex
They turn around, angry.

267.  Roderick
Hey, what about us?

on walking sticks and Mayor Green
268.  WALKING STICK #1
Oh, you can stop too – 

269.  WALKING STICK #2
-- after you’ve unloaded 20 more carts.  

Mayor Green smiles.

270.  MAYOR GREEN
Yes. Better get busy.

The Walking Sticks hand a map to Mayor Green.

271.  WALKING STICK #2
This map will lead you to all the food you can gather.

Mayor Green and the Walking Stick shake hands as CAMERA PANS over to Antoni, Megan, Wally and Iggy gathered together.

dissolve to:

int. palace - king’s chamber - day
Baga and Zathu look forlorn, standing with their hands shackled. King Darius gestures and the two are taken away.

272.  narrator 
In the end, the two wicked governors that had plotted against Daniel were severely punished for their misdeeds. 

PAN as King Darius turns and steps over to Daniel.  The king enthusiastically reviews Daniel’s scrolls as they share bread and vegetables. 

273.  narrator (cont)
And as for Daniel, for staying true to his beliefs he was protected by God in the Lions’ Den and went on to live a full and happy life.

fade out.
THE END