Fable Story Rough Draft

Preview & Rough Draft of my second Cinema Novel.

Transcript

2. Cinema Novel Cinema Novel instructions written here. Cinema Novels are meant to be tapped rather than swiped to create an animation effect. By Austin the Artist
6. “Ahem, ladies and gentlemen,” Elder Mouse clears his throat and speaks to draw the crowd’s attention.
7. This certainly isn’t the first gathering of the mice, although it’s been quite some time. They’re assembling again with renewed zeal. In all the excitement, the room is noisy, taking some time to quiet down. Murmurs of unintelligible conversation reverberate and echo throughout the space.
8. Elder projects his voice over the crowd. “So, we’re finally holding council regarding that vicious cat.
9. “It’s high time we settle the matter once and for all.”
14. “Today we devise a plan on how to free ourselves from oppression from the cat. Let us live in fear no longer,” Elder continues in a grave and stoic tone.
15. “So, what’s the plan?” asks a mouse. The room once again reverberates with hushed whispers as mice deliberate on potential courses of action. They get carried away with their own ideas and conversations. “One step at a time,” says Elder, regaining attention. “We must proceed methodologically. First, we clearly define the problem we’re solving, which is to —”
22. The room is completely silent.
29. But the room is as rambunctious now as it was quiet just a moment ago.
31. “This isn’t time for laughter, as this is a serious matter. We live in perpetual fear of those claws,” Elder gestures around the room with his arm, “that we hardly dare stray from these quarters.”
32. “Yeah, it’s almost as if we’re imprisoned here,” says a disgruntled member of the audience. Other elders standing on stage step forward, one of whom asks, “So, what shall we do about the cat? Let’s decide before he returns.” The lot of mice proceed to brainstorm, exchanging inquisitive looks as they consider each others’ ideas. They’re blabbering out potential solutions in rapid succession.
38. says an old rat. He looks battle-hardened. His countenance is intense as he’s carried away in whatever it is he’s envisioning, his fist balled, and brows furrowed. His appearance leads some mice to wonder about his past. He’s clearly been through rough times. His idea provokes genuine consideration. The mice never thought of equipping themselves and being on the offensive for once. They take the idea into genuine consideration, even if for just a moment, but they quickly become disillusioned with the idea, altogether aborting it, and laughing at themselves for even considering it.
53. Silence ensues for a moment. “What did she say?” mice from the audience ask in hushed whispers
56. “Belling the… cat?” The elder repeats, making sense of what he just heard. And the audience hears again, too, confirming they weren’t mistaken in what they heard the first time.
57. Some of the mice seem to get it, delighted at the idea. Others are bewildered. “Mhmm,” Elder ponders. “This may just be a splendid idea, young child. A simple plan, yes, but effective. All we must do is hang a bell around the cat’s neck. That way when we hear the bell ringing, we will know immediately that our foe is coming.” “Yes, a wonderful plan the lad has proposed, but it begs the question, who will bell the cat?” asks another elder, stroking his chin, thinking out loud. “That cat won’t bell himself.” And this elder’s tone begins to take on a pessimistic tone. “Indeed, it is one thing to say that something ought to be done, but quite a different matter to do it.”
59. a courageous mouse from the crowd blurts out, stepping forward toward the stage. Everyone turns and looks. “And I have a friend who can help.” the courageous mouse continues.
64. “But don’t you think that so-called friend of yours is kinda suspicious?, Says Kal, who is like family to Clouse, the courageous mouse who stepped forward volunteering to be the hero who’ll bell the cat. “But don’t you think that so-called friend of yours is kinda suspicious? I mean, what’s a bat always doing out in broad daylight anyway? How long have you known him?” Kal is referring to Jak the bat, Clouse’s new acquaintance. Jak suddenly showed up a couple of days ago, and he and Clouse hit it off.
66. “…I suppose he is quite the character,” replies Clouse. His eyes stare blankly off into space as he reflects on Jack. “...Quite clumsy and a bit erratic, and perhaps rather rough around the edges.” Clouse again turns his gaze to Carl. “But his wings will prove useful for belling the cat.” Carl resists Clouse’s plan. “Yeah but, you said it yourself. He’s clumsy,” says Carl.
67. I can see it now...”
73. “I uh, don’t think things will go so well. Besides, how do you know he’s even willing to help?”
78. Jack suddenly appears, waltzing into the room, humming, and a look of delight uplifting his countenance. “What’s up guys?” he says,
80. but he pauses, sensing something’s off.
82. “Before leaving to help you, I have a favor to ask,” says Clouse. “Favor?” Carl’s ears perk up as he looks at Clouse with a look of suspicion, then redirecting his gaze to Jack. Clouse never mentioned anything about helping Jack. Carl’s already had it with this Jack fellow and they don’t even know each other.
85. Carl responds with a question. “Whaddya want?” Carl asks with a blend of annoyance and impatience in his voice. “Well, pal, my nav is a bit wonky and a couple days ago I accidentally stumbled in this place. I asked my fellow rodent friend here to help me nav home.” “How do you expect him to help you with your echolocation troubles?” asks Carl. “My friend can hitch a ride on my back and help direct me,” Jack replies. Carl thinks it a strange plan. If it were up to him, he’d never allow Clouse to venture off with this Jack fellow. “I’m convinced you’re nothing but trouble,” Carl grumbles, although Jack hasn’t really done anything in particular to warrant the bad rap. “You want me to help with your favor, but you’re not willing to help me?” says Jack. “His favor,” replies Carl, nodding his head towards Clouse. “I have no involvement in trying to bell that cat. I value my life, you know.” “Wha—” Jack interrupts himself. “Belling a cat? Are you crazy?” Clouse is unphased by Jack’s rattled reaction. “Yeah, so, help me bell the cat, and then we can be on our way,” says Clouse nonchalantly. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. And I’ll be delighted to help you nav home. This is my chance to see the great outdoors! There’s a whole world out there full of adventure!” “You and this adventure talk,” Carl grumbles. “I gotta hear more details on this plan of yours,” Jack requests. He wonders in himself how this unassuming mouse-any mouse could manage to bell a cat. “All I need are the bells hanging on the front door of this house,” Clouse explains. We can use your wings to get up there.”
86. “Ha, ‘use my wings’. Okay, so grab the bells and then what? “Umm, then we just bell the cat.” Clouse’s intonation peaking at the end of the sentence and his voice fading quieter. His confidence in Jack’s willingness to help tapers as he verbalizes the plan out loud. Then his mind races searching of a way to redeem himself. “Just think of it as practice with me helping you with your nav.” Carl has heard enough of the conversation. “Y’all are on your own,” he says as he walks away.
89. It’s early in the afternoon, and Clouse and Jack are hanging out on a window ledge of the house.
93. They’re planning and discussing how they’re going to snag the bells from off the front door.
95. “Listen, pal, helping you fetch the bells is cool and all, but I dunno about helping with belling a cat.”
96. “Actually, I do know. Not happening.”
97. “Your help would be much appreciated,” replies Clouse. “What’s with this cat anyway? Give me the scoop on the situation,” says Jack. “This pesky cat, so watchful that we mice hardly dare show the tip of our whiskers for fear of a pounce, has been a constant terror for seemingly forever. So, we’ve been sort of confined to our rather cramped quarters.
98. Us mice are only free to roam the house when the cat is out with his human owner.” “Sounds like quite the predicament,” Jack replies. “Mmm,” Clouse gives an acknowledging nod in agreement. “He’s fooled us a time and again.” “Is that so? Mind telling?” Jack questions.
99. “Well, after being recluse in our dens, the cat used his wits to catch some of the mice,” Clouse replies.
102. One day he climbed up on a shelf and hung from it, head downward, as if he were dead, holding himself up by clinging to some ropes with one paw. Some mice saw him hanging up there and thought he had been hung there for some misdeed.”
103. It seems Clouse doesn’t notice the question, as he continues telling the story.
107. But we were fooled. When the mice were celebrating, the cat suddenly let go of his hold and in one fell swoop made an end to a mouse or two.”
112. “Yikes, that is pretty bad. No doubt you mice have been keeping in y’all’s quarters more strictly than ever,” says Jack. “Yeah. No fun at all. That cat’s been full of tricks. It’s time we outwit him.” “Full of tricks, huh. So, there’s more?” “Yeah, more,” says Clouse.
113. “One day the cat rolled himself in flour until he was covered completely and laid in the flour bin.
121. “Sure enough, the mice soon began to come out,
122. but it turns out he had one eye open for the mice...”
123. “You’d think you mice would’ve learned y’all’s lesson,” says Jack. “I guess the cat was always one step ahead.” “Yeah…” Clouse says in a depressed tone.
125. “Although there was a wise one. An old rat who has much experience with cats and traps, and even has a lost tail to show for it. He sat up at a safe distance in a hole in the wall where he was perched. He tried warning the mice.
127. “The wise don’t let themselves be tricked a second time,” says Jack. He pauses momentarily, reflecting on what Clouse shared. “Well, I feel for ya, pal.” Clouse and Jack sit quiet for a moment. “Y’know, I don’t think I’m used to this feeling, but I actually feel for ya, almost like I wanna help.” “So that means—” says Clouse as he’s interrupted. “Haha, uh, that doesn’t mean I’m saying yes.”
129. Clouse climbs on Jack, and they prepare for takeoff. This is Jack’s first time flying with a passenger on his back.
130. They leap from off the ledge into the air,
131. but nosedive straight towards the ground,
132. but Jack’s wings catch enough air just in time to send them soaring upwards.
133. It’s a rough start.
136. Flying with a passenger is more difficult than Jack anticipated, plus, strong gusts of wind complicate things. They accidentally knock into stuff and avoid stray tree limbs hanging low. “Is your eyesight that bad?” asks Clouse. “It’s hard to explain,” replies Jack. “And I kinda have a harder time with my vision while flying,” he explains.
141. “You grab the bells yet?” asks Jack.
142. “...up...just a little more...” says Clouse. After struggling for a short while, Jack flies just in reach of the bells for Clouse to grab.
145. Clouse successfully yanks them off from the front door. The sudden sounds of the crashing, clanking, jingling bells, in addition to the sound of chimes which are inadvertently knocked into, plus a strong gust of wind sends Jack into a frenzy, and consequently Clouse along with him.
148. Clouse holds on extra tightly.
150. Now Jack is flying in the wrong direction from the house. “No, wrong way Jack!” exclaims Clouse.
151. “Turn back the other wa--”
153. Clouse almost falls off and proceeds to latch on tighter. This takes some getting used to, he thinks to himself.
161. The duo finds themselves tumbling down through mid-air quite a way from the house.
164. They crash land into a thicket of tall grass and lay on the ground disoriented.
165. They wait for their heads to clear and find themselves staring blankly up into the sky. Pretty reckless idea, Clouse thinks within himself, but it worked!
166. “That didn’t quite go as planned, huh,” says Jack. “Probably a little reckless eh. “Mmm,” Clouse nods in agreement. “I was just thinking the same thing. Rough go, but mission accomplished!” “Well, the first half anyway,” Jack adds. “You’ve got the bells in hand, but the rest is up to you now, pal.”
183. Clouse soaks in the sunlight and rejoices in the breeze, his head tilted up toward the sun, and his arms and hands outstretched as he deeply breathes in the fresh air. “I’m delighted to be outdoors on an adventure! And such beautiful weather...” “How often do you get out of that dwelling of yours?” asks Jack. But his answer is interrupted by the frog. “Adventure, you say? Won’t you pay me a visit?” says Frog. “I can promise you a great adventure if you do.” Clouse is all for it, although his appetite for adventure is clouding his better judgment. After all, who exactly is this frog? “Annnd who are you exactly?” asks Jack. “Gah! You don’t know who I am?” the frog replies, but he doesn’t really answer the question. What’s more, he’s already walking off with Clouse! They’re heading back in the direction Frog appeared from. “Hey bud, if you wanna miss out on adventure, you stay back then,” he says, gesturing with his hand in a manner that it’s obvious he couldn’t care less about Jack. “Hmph, fine. I’ll be right over here relaxing by myself,” replies Jack as he settles down comfortably in the grass. Frog and Clouse are heading toward their destination, wherever that is.
185. “I’ve got something to show yuh in the middle of the wada. It’s marvalous. Splendid. Wonderful I say. You gotta see it,” says Frog, motioning expressively with his arms and hands. “Uhh, okay, is it really that wonderful?” asks Clouse, his voice a subtley shaken with concern.
186. “Are you doubting me, bud?” “Well, water isn’t really my forte.” Frog and Clouse soon arrive at a clearing, with the pond just up ahead. Hmm, should I really be going with this frog?
192. They approach the water and prepare to head in. Clouse tests the water with one foot. A little cold. But I’m actually out here. Outside! About to swim in an actual creek, er, lake, whatever this is!
193. Frog picks up a makeshift reed rope. “It’s best I tie this around our ankles for when we enter the pond. That way you won’t have to swim as hard,” says Frog. It’s obvious Clouse is apprehensive at this saying.
194. Everything about this is suspicious to Clouse, but he proceeds anyway. As Clouse deliberates in his head, Frog interrupts, attempting to ease Clouse’s visible apprehension. “All for adventure?” says Frog, as some kind of awkward attempt to cheer him onward. Okay, this frog really is a character.
198. Minutes pass. “...But I don’t see anything,” Clouse complains. They’ve been waddling in the water for a short while now. Clouse senses that something’s off with this Frog. “I think I’m ready to head back to land. Thanks though.” What did I just get myself into?
199. Frog ignores Clouse’s request. He looks around and observes the surroundings. All clear. “Alrighty, this is a good spot,” he says. Then turning around to face Clouse, Frog says with an evil expression,
200. “I haven’t dined on mice in a long time. We’re heading under!” “Hey!—” Clouse yelps as he struggles to break free from Frog, but this one is quite large. “Let. Me. Go!”
209. Now Jack thinks he hears Clouse struggling in the distance, along with Frog, and sounds of splashing water.
211. Then he sees a bird with malicious intent heading in the direction of the commotion! He puts two and two together. He knows his new friend is in trouble. But is Clouse really a new friend, or is he just an acquaintance?
212. Jack wrestles within himself deciding whether to spring into action. “…But can I even actually help?” Jack thinks aloud to himself.
213. As Clouse and Frog toil and splash in the water, a shadow casts over them, demanding Frog’s attention.
214. “Oh no!” he exclaims. A hawk is heading toward them to swoop them up. The frog takes hold of one of Clouse’s bells and hurriedly attempts to sever the reed binding them, but he can’t manage to do it quickly enough.
215. The hawk snatches Clouse and drags Frog along with him. Frog can’t break free while mid-flight either because he’s awkwardly dangling in the air, and he’s too heavy to lift himself up.
224. Meanwhile Jack is still trying to rationalize and justify not helping. His nav troubles and subpar vision are valid excuses, plus, what kind of bird was that anyway? It was rather large. But Jack is surprised at himself as he gives in to his compassionate side. He’s not used to this. “Ah, what the heck...” Jack grumbles and mumbles and then takes flight heading in the direction of the noise.
233. Hawk takes notice of Jack and begins to fly more haphazardly.
239. Under ordinary circumstances Hawk is much faster, but not with Frog and Clouse hanging on his talons. “What’s that rodent want?” Hawk says in an annoyed tone.
241. Hawk alters his direction to the left, then to the right, and then upward. I can’t shake this darned rodent Hawk thinks to himself.
242. Hawk tries to evade Jack, but Jack’s flying is erratic and Hawk is unable to anticipate his movements well. Jack isn’t necessarily honing in on Hawk. His flight skills aren’t that good, but he’s surely catching up. Hawk declines his angle downward to gain speed.
245. The chase ensues until Jack manages to, by chance, knock into Hawk with just enough impact to send the lot of them carousing down to the ground. What’s more, Jack somehow becomes entangled and tumbles downward along with them.
252. At least it’s lush grassy lands below in which they crash land.
253. and there they lay for a moment.
258. They regain their composure from dizziness and disorientation. They proceed to detangle themselves from each other, arguing as they do so. They nearly detangle themselves, but
259. not before a bunch of weasels march out from seemingly out of nowhere behind the greenery.
263. Clouse and Jack whisper to each other as the Weasels approach. “What happened before?” Clouse asks. “Well, let’s just say my nav difficulties have landed me into a few sticky situations,” replies Jack. “I recently blundered into a weasel den accidentally,” Jack explains in a hushed whisper. “The weasels ran up to me. I begged for my life, but he would not listen.”
264. Clouse and Jack whisper to each other as the Weasels approach. “What happened before?” Clouse asks. “Well, let’s just say my nav difficulties have landed me into a few sticky situations,” replies Jack. “I recently blundered into a weasel den accidentally,” Jack explains in a hushed whisper. “The weasels ran up to me. I begged for my life, but he would not listen.”
278. The weasels had to admit that Jack was not a mouse. They scanned him up and down inquisitively. Jack didn’t expect such a diplomatic due process.