STORIES
41- Pop-Up-Tent
2005
Magical Michael is just visiting the Crew.
He has no dialogue because he isn’t mine.
Monday in Mez’s room ...
GRACE:
... Magical Michael, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you
were hiding from me, yes I would. I need your help. My new
pop-up-tent arrived and I want you to pop it up for me.
Mez was supposed to do it, but I can't find him.
MEZ:
And what am I supposed do now?
GRACE:
Pop up my tent.
MEZ:
What?
GRACE:
My pop-up-tent needs to be popped! Magical Michael said
he'd help me, yes he did. And now you can help too.
MEZ:
I don’t remember anything about a tent.
GRACE:
You're so forgetful, but isn’t this wonderful! You and Magical Michael don't need to fight over who gets to do it, you can both have all the fun. Magical Michael is looking forward to it.
MEZ:
He said that?
GRACE:
Come on, you can’t do it in here, there’s not enough room.
MEZ:
Mikey I told you to stay away from her. I can’t believe
you just volunteered us to fix her tent.
GRACE:
from the hall
I’m Waiting!
MEZ:
You don't know Grace - she's relentless. It'll just be
easier to do it than argue with her.
Then ...
GRACE:
Here it is. I’m sure it’s easy to do too, but I’m too little to help,
and I have to go now. My cartoonies are on.
GRACE:
… But I'll be back during the commercials to check on you,
yes I will. Now where's my Hello Kitty?
MEZ:
How do you like that? We’ll get done faster without her.
MEZ:
… Have you ever done this before? Me either. I don't see any
directions. Guess we’ll just wing it.
Later ...
KARANTHIR:
What in the world? Is that Mez’s voice I hear in there?
KARANTHIR:
... And Magical Michael too!
KARANTHIR:
... Dare I ask - just what are you boys doing,
wiggling about under all that canvas?
MEZ:
Go away. Can't you see we're busy.
KARANTHIR:
And to think, my dear brother lectured me on controlling
myself in regards to Magical Michael. To discover the two of you,
raising the tent pole right here in our living room. I mean really Mez,
I never dreamed you could be such a naughty fellow.
KARANTHIR:
... Then again, our guest is a bit irresistible. Is there room for
one more in your ... activities. I’d enjoy rolling about the floor with
the two of you. But first, I just can't pass up this opportunity to ...
MAGICAL MICHAEL:
! ! !
MEZ:
What’d you do to him?
KARANTHIR:
I barely touched the lad. Here, I’ll demonstrate. All I did …
KARANTHIR:
... was this.
MEZ:
Hey! Hands off!
MEZ:
… Do I need to to hit you again?
KARANTHIR:
So sorry, I promise it won't happen again, today.
GRACE:
Why isn’t my pop-up-tent popped yet?
KARANTHIR:
Well you see, dear Grace, it’s like this – your darling brother and
his ... assistant don't seem to know what they're doing. I offered
to help - but Mez rejected me. I guess they prefer to be alone.
Still, perhaps it would be best if you stayed and supervised.
GRACE:
I can’t. My cartoonies are on, yes they are.
They’re just in commercial.
KARANTHIR:
Cartoons - Grace why didn’t you tell me? You know how I
enjoy watching the ‘toons with you. Now you must catch me up on
all I’ve missed. Sorry boys, I guess you'll have to survive without
us. Come Grace, we don't want to miss a minute of our shows.
MEZ:
Can you believe this? Now what?
ESMODONTI:
Ooh! Do I see me some men - hard at work,
are you getting all hot and sweaty?
MEZ:
Es ... uh, what are you doing here?
ESMODONTI:
I live here or doncha remember? Cool tent! Goin' camping?
I'd kill to go camping again. Used to be one of my favorite
things before I discovered better ways to occupy my time.
ESMODONTI:
… Looks like you could use some help? Slide over
Mezzie and let Es give ya a hand.
MEZ:
You? You're going to help us set up a tent?
ESMODONTI:
Didn't I just say so? And don’t look so shocked.
I used to go camping all the time.
MEZ:
Yeah, right. Next, you'll tell me you were a girl scout.
ESMODONTI:
Now don't get insulting - I wouldn't get caught dead in one of those
uniforms. No really boys, it’s cool. Here, you start with this piece and
then add that one. Pass it here will ya? What are ya gawking at?
Stop starring and give me that pole.
Then ...
ESMODONTI
Almost finished. Magical Michael just take this piece
and attach it to that do-hickey.
ESMODONTI:
See, told ya we could do it. The three of us make a great team,
doncha think?
MEZ:
Thanks Es. You've been a big help. Grace will be thrilled
- plus it’ll get her off my back for a while.
ESMODONTI:
This is for Grace? Man, that sister of yours gives me headache.
Anyway, let's check out the inside.
ESMODONTI:
Pretty cozy. Come on in boys.
MEZ:
On second thought ... Grace! Your tent’s done.
You know Mikey - let's just go and get her.
Be back in a sec Es.
KARANTHIR:
Es love - what on earth are you doing in there?
ESMODONTI:
Just finished setting it up. What do ya think?
KARANTHIR:
Why Es - you're a woman of many hidden talents.
Looks very inviting, especially with you inside.
ESMODONTI:
Oh you're invited alright, Blondie. It's a sweet little hideout
- in case anyone needs a place to hide.
KARANTHIR:
The same thought crossed my mind.
GRACE:
Let me see! Let me see ...
KARANTHIR:
Grace dear, you do realize you just pushed me?
GRACE:
Excuse me, but you're in my way. Oh it’s so big. Hi Es,
what are you doing in my pop-up-tent? Isn't it lovely?
I sure wish it were pink, yes I do.
ESMODONTI:
Quiet - little girl, you make my head spin.
Blondie get me out of this thing before I swat her.
GRACE:
... Look - it has little flaps on the windows
that I can tie up, like curtains, yes I can.
ESMODONTI:
Can you believe that brat? She nearly plowed you down.
That kid gets away with way too much around here.
I don't know why you put up with her.
KARANTHIR:
Now Es love, one must admire her spirit. Besides, later, when she's asleep - think of all the fun we can have in her little pop-up-tent..
GRACE:
Thank you Mez, and thank you Magical Michael. Isn’t it a beautiful
pop-up-tent? The only thing that would make it better would be if it
were pink. Do you think we can paint it?
MEZ:
No.
GRACE:
I think if we had some pink paint, you and Magical Michael could ...
MEZ:
We are not your personal slaves.
GRACE:
What's wrong with Magical Michael? He looks like he's
seen a ghost or something.
MEZ:
What is it Mikey?
MEZ:
You’re right - something's in here. Look Grace …
MEZ:
… It's Lithium!
