"Journey in the Dark"

by DJ Clawson

First draft - 1/9/05
Final draft - 9/26/05

Edited by Rygar

SCENE 1 - RED PLANET

	The planet is the very picture of a wasteland. There is red in 
every direction, across a totally barren plateau lacking any signs of 
life. A brownish haze covers the sky, obscuring the stars and the suns. 
	A dust storm is kicking up. A black machine resembling a bug 
flies across the plateau, its long antenna out in front, waving back 
and forth furiously in search of the smallest signs of life. The 
incessant buzzing breaks into the fierce howling of a gust of wind.
	The snooper dies suddenly and at an angle, its tiny body sliced 
neatly in half by a blur of golden light. The two halves go flying in 
opposite directions and land inaudibly in the sand, next to the tall 
figure in dark robes who has emerged from his hiding place beneath the 
dust.
	The figure powers down his lightsaber and bends over to collect 
part of the bug. The wires and power cell mean nothing to him, so he 
tosses it aside with a muffled curse beneath the mask, which he 
retracts.
	Beneath the mask is FRITZ WARNER, not exactly looking his best. 

FRITZ
Was that supposed to make me feel better? Because it didn't.
(beat)
And now I'm talking to myself. Great.

	Fritz kicks the smoking remains of the snooper as he passes. It 
provides no further resistance, and this only seems to frustrate him 
more.

FRITZ
What else is going to go wrong today?
(beat)
Tonight? Tomorrow?

	Fritz looks at his watch. The hands are spinning wildly. 

FRITZ
Fucking shoddy expensive Rolex.

	Fritz continues on the path -- or the path he has made for 
himself in his mind, because the landscape is devoid of actual roads. 
He comes to a chasm separating him from the direction he wants to go.

FRITZ
Jump? I could jump it.
(he hops a bit)
What, am I crazy? I'm almost fifty. 
(beat, looking around nervously)
I didn't want to do this. OK, no one see me do this. Dirt, I'm looking 
at you. You're not looking at this.

	With a sigh, a pair of white feathered wings spring out of 
Fritz's back, piercing his cloak. Their silvery brilliance is a beacon 
of light in the dull red landscape. With an anxious curse, he flaps his 
wings and soars across the gap as if he were weightless. The wings 
retract into nothing as soon as he hits the ground. 

FRITZ
No one saw that.

	Fritz pauses, resting on the incline, which is the same color as 
anything else.

VOICE
Of course not.

	Fritz looks over his shoulder. Further up on the hill is a figure 
-- well, more of a wisp than a figure. A white, transparent ghost is 
perched on a rock, staring down with a gentle face. He is wearing 
simple robes and a cloak that might have been black, but the hood is 
pulled down to reveal the face of an older man, almost human but for 
purple growths on his forehead. He resembles Thoras Ignatius, Fritz's 
dead mentor, except that his face is wider, and he is balding and 
beardless. He leans on a scythe that is taller than he, and there is a 
lantern hanging from his belt -- but his accessories, like him, are 
transparent.

FRITZ
(mildly relieved)
Quintis Aldin.
(beat)
Though that I can be found is probably a bad sign.

QUINTIS
I have been told that I am excessively good at tracking people who 
don't wish to be found.

FRITZ
How are you, Quintis?

QUINTIS
I haven't changed since you met me, so you may venture a guess. 

FRITZ
How's Thoras?

QUINTIS
You want me to be honest with you?

	Fritz stands up, and begins to climb towards him. It was the way 
he was going anyway.

FRITZ
He's pissed at me.

QUINTIS
For any number of reasons. 

	Fritz pauses thoughtfully.

FRITZ
But he sent you?

QUINTIS
Yes.

FRITZ
Why? Because he doesn't have the strength to berate me himself?

QUINTIS
Because he saw where you were going and wanted someone to go with you.

	Fritz turns away and decides to take this as a gesture of concern 
instead of an insult. He still hesitates, though.

QUINTIS
(reassuringly)
He finds this quest rather admirable.

FRITZ
He would have done it for you. 

QUINTIS
Yes, but that's not the point. It's a strength of character.

FRITZ
Strength of character?
(laughs sickly, as he continues walking)
This might be the only good thing I've done, and it's only because I 
did something really stupid before. I should have listened to Daffy.

QUINTIS
(following beside him)
Regret meanings nothing; time ...

FRITZ
(finishes)
... only flows in one direction. I know. I listened, OK? I listened to 
Thoras. I didn't like him, because he didn't like me. But I listened to 
him.

	Fritz reaches into his robes and pulls out a golden pocket watch 
on a chain. It has no hands.

FRITZ
Father Time and all that. 

QUINTIS
One of the hundred and nine blessed names of Fri ...

FRITZ
I *know*.
(stops, and continues in a softer tone)
Sorry. I didn't mean to get mad at you.
(looks at Quintis's calm face)
I'm under a lot of stress. I may have killed my best friend. And right 
hand. And Death. Whatever. 
(beat)
Do *you* know where he is?

QUINTIS
Not any more than you do.

	Fritz stuffs the watch back in his robes and looks far off into 
the distance.

FRITZ
He's this way. Or it's a trick. Either one.
(helplessly)
I don't know which. But I have to go.

QUINTIS
Then I will go with you.

	Silently, a dirtied, harried rabbit and a ghostly Death move 
across the barren landscape.

SCENE 2 - RED PLANET

	Some time has passed. Fritz, looking even more exhausted than 
before, halts in his path.

FRITZ
Stop. We have to stop.

	Lacking even a rock to sit on, Fritz collapses straight in the 
dirt.

FRITZ
Why am I tired?

QUINTIS
Because you've been walking for quite some time.

FRITZ
So why am I tired?

QUINTIS
Because you're in mortal form.

FRITZ
(like he can't believe he forget it)
Right. Fuck.
(beat)
We have to stop. 

	Quintis puts up no argument. Fritz sits cross-legged, 
unsuccessfully trying to meditate before giving up entirely. He looks 
around him.

FRITZ
What is this place?

QUINTIS
This is now a domain of Suran. 

FRITZ
Now?

QUINTIS
It once belonged to Frith. It was once a place of order. 

FRITZ
(semi-interested)
What happened?

QUINTIS
Thoras once believed he could defeat Suran. So in his first years, he 
waged a war across the galaxies. 

FRITZ
And what did you do?

QUINTIS
(with a smile on face)
What else was I going to do? I was his right-hand man. I would have 
followed him to the ends of the universe.

FRITZ
Why?

QUINTIS
Because I was his friend. 
(beat)
This was a long time ago, you understand. Not a lot was gained by the 
war. In fact, much was lost. Including this planet -- this whole 
dimension. Thoras mellowed a bit afterwards -- settled down. 

FRITZ
So what you're saying is -- Thoras was the same inexperienced schmuck 
that I am?

QUINTIS
Interpret it as you will.
(calmly)
Behind you.

	Fritz whips his blade out and strikes a furious brown monster 
that has come out of nowhere. This hellbeast is a mess of teeth and 
horns, all of them pointed at Fritz. 

FRITZ
Can you help?

QUINTIS
It depends. 

	Quintis readies his scythe like a weapon to be wielded, but he's 
slower than the younger and more vibrant (and more alive) Fritz, who 
strikes the assailant first. The beast responds by ramming Fritz in the 
chest and hurling him with his horns. Thrown aside, Fritz collapses. 
The last thing he sees is Quintis disappearing in a burst of energy, 
taking the hellbeast with him.
	Fritz rolls over to the best of his abilities to face the awful 
red sky. It's the last thing he wants to see, so he closes his eyes for 
a bit, drowning it all out.

SCENE 3 - RED PLANET

	A voice penetrates the darkness.

FEMALE VOICE
You should probably get up.

	Fritz opens his eyes, but it's all a red haze.

FRITZ
Yeah, I know.

FEMALE VOICE
You need help?

FRITZ
Maybe.
(He shifts around a bit in the sand)
Ow. OK, definitely.

	A paw takes Fritz's and helps him to his feet. Shambling about, 
his consciousness still somewhat in a fog, he opens his eyes to a 
female black duck, dressed in a very simple dress. There is something 
almost serene about the look on her face. 

FRITZ
Sheila.
(beat)
You know you're dead, right?

	SHEILA WARNER nods, as if she has been expecting this question 
for a thousand years.

FRITZ
Jesus, I'm really going crazy.

SHEILA
(good-naturedly)
Well, you *are* a bit of a mess, I have to admit.

	Fritz smiles wearily, to his own surprise.

FRITZ
So are you a ghost, or a reincarnation, or a figment of my imagination?

SHEILA
Does it really matter?

FRITZ
I'd like to know if I'm being tricked. No offense.

SHEILA
Now, why wouldn't you trust this place?
(smiles gently)
I'm not a trick. At least, not that I know of.

FRITZ
So I'm just crazy.

SHEILA
I wouldn't blame you if you were. Do you want to keep going?

FRITZ
If you'll come with me.

	Fritz and Sheila continue across the nothingness that the 
landscape offers them, two souls in the night.

SCENE 4 - RED PLANET

	Some time has passed, though it's rather hard to tell. There 
still are no real identifying landmarks. The path Fritz and Sheila use 
is one they're blazing themselves, though Sheila seems rather oblivious 
to her surroundings. 
	At a certain point, Fritz stops and looks around. All the 
directions look the same.

SHEILA
Do you know the way?

FRITZ
I think so.
(beat)
Do you?

SHEILA
I'm just following you.

	Fritz curses silently in frustration.

SHEILA
How can you tell where to go?

FRITZ
It's like ...
(he gestures out in the distant)
Like he's a point of light. Not visual. I can't *see* it. But I can 
sense it, if I close my eyes.
(annoyed)
I can do it better anywhere else. It's like -- my powers don't work as 
well here. They haven't worked so well since he was kidnapped. That's 
how I knew. I didn't know where he was any more.
(beat)
It's weird. It's like, all muted. Everyone I care about is off 
somewhere else and I can't tell where. Or if they're alive.

SHEILA
Like being mortal again.

FRITZ
Ja, like that. 

SHEILA
Are you worried about them?

FRITZ
Who? Like, Bucky and Mimi? 
(beat)
Wait, you don't know them. You died before I knew them.

SHEILA
That they're important to *you* is really all that matters.

	Fritz pauses, then smiles.

FRITZ
You always had the knack for saying just the right thing. You know 
that?

SHEILA
You told me that once, I think.

	Fritz turns his attention back to the quest. 

FRITZ
OK, we were going the right way. Let's keep moving. 

	By now, Fritz's robe is thoroughly covered in sand and beginning 
to show some wear. There are still splotches of blood on his inner 
robes, but they're not growing. 

SHEILA
You didn't answer my question.

FRITZ
(thoughtfully)
They can take care of themselves.
(beat)
I *hope* they can take care of themselves. 

SHEILA
Can you?

FRITZ
Take care of myself?
(laughs emptily)
Who else was going to come with me?
(beat)
I mean, *other* than you. And Quintis. Sort of. And Jonathan I guess 
would come, if he didn't have a million other responsibilities. He 
always liked Daffy. 
(looks at her)
But you don't know Jonathan, do you? Garfield adopted him. Good kid, a 
little schizo on the side. Not his fault. Spends a lot of time at 
Watership and nobody knows it, but Daffy always visits.
(beat)
Sorry if I'm giving you useless information, but it's nice to talk to 
you again. I'm really sorry we couldn't bring you back. It wouldn't 
have been good. You'd been dead too long. 

SHEILA
I know.

FRITZ
Daffy was very upset about it.

SHEILA
I know. But it wouldn't have worked. 

FRITZ
I hear Quintis did that, when he became Death. Resurrected his sister. 
She went crazy. She's the Great Mother now, or something.

SHEILA
He did it for Thoras. Cassandra was his wife. 

	Fritz pauses in shock.

FRITZ
I didn't know that.

SHEILA
The dead tell a lot of tales, believe it or not.

FRITZ
(chuckles)
I suppose they do.

	They pass on in silence again, Fritz moving tiredly and Sheila 
more easily. 

FRITZ
I need to stop. 
(he kneels in the dirt)
I need to rest. 

SHEILA
I can wait.

FRITZ
The point is, I don't know if Daffy can.
(tiredly)
I guess he'll have to.

	Fritz plops down on the ground, resting his head on the incline. 
Sheila sits next him, and he watches her.

FRITZ
You don't have a cigarette, do you? You used to carry them around. For 
us.

SHEILA
I did. 

	Sheila pats her pockets and finds a plastic bag with three 
cigarettes, as well as a box of matches.

FRITZ
I quit, you know.

	Fritz accepts the cigarette from her and strikes a match, with 
shaking paws.

FRITZ
I'm not addicted anymore. But it is nice once every few years. They say 
you don't go right back into addiction, like alcoholics do. 
(takes a long drag)
Oy gevalt, das es gut.
(frowning)
I can't remember. Do you know Yiddish?

SHEILA
Some. Very little.

	Fritz closes his eyes.

FRITZ
I just had a thought.

SHEILA
Yes?

FRITZ
Is this some kind of test? Or some kind of challenge? Like the demon. 

SHEILA
What do you mean?

FRITZ
I want to know if Suran is fucking with my head, is what I mean.
(opens his eyes intently)
First off, you're dead. Second, seeing you is really nothing short of 
traumatic for me.

SHEILA
If it is, you're taking it rather well.

FRITZ
(guiltily) 
Because I love you.

SHEILA
I know.

	Fritz straightens up sadly, playing with the slow-burning 
cigarette in his paws. 

FRITZ
Why couldn't I have found someone like you? 
(beat)
I suppose that's a horrible thing to think. Daffy needed you more than 
I did.

SHEILA
This isn't about who needs what. Life isn't like that. G-d doesn't 
assign people together based on their wants and needs.

FRITZ
Maybe.

	Fritz doesn't seem satisfied. He can't face Sheila now, so he 
stares down at the red earth.

FRITZ
I still feel bad about it. I think I'll always feel bad about it.

SHEILA
Have you ever told him?

FRITZ
Well, I didn't see *you* racing to, thank you very much.

	To this, Sheila actually has no response, shrinking back a bit. 

FRITZ
I'm sorry. I just -- well, there was never a good time. He always 
seemed miserable enough. He doesn't need this in his life. 

SHEILA
You're being dishonest.

FRITZ
I'm doing it for *him*, G-ddamnit!
(recovering himself)
I suppose I should tell him. But all he has is your memory, and me. 
Those are the only two things in his life. Telling him would wreck them 
both. I just can't do that to him. 

	Sheila pauses before answering.

SHEILA
I always liked to give Solomon a lot of credit. I felt he deserved it.

FRITZ
(skeptically)
He's crazy. He's bipolar. You were there for the diagnosis.

SHEILA
That doesn't mean he isn't an adult with adult feelings and adult 
maturity. That's what the doctor said. The only difference between him 
and "normal" people is that his emotions aren't always in his control. 
(sadly)
Which I suppose could be said for us, too.

FRITZ
We were pretty drunk.

SHEILA
It was our decision to do that, in the first place. And, to be honest, 
nothing would have happened if there had been nothing to build on. 

	Fritz frowns because he knows she's right. 

SHEILA
If you tell him, you risk losing him. That's true. But that's your 
loss, not his. 

FRITZ
Do you regret not telling him?

SHEILA
That's not a fair question.

FRITZ
(coldly)
I suppose not. We haven't totally decided if this is really you or not. 

SHEILA
I don't know the answer to that. How do I tell that I'm really the 
person I think I am?

FRITZ
(angrily)
The point is, you died and left all the responsibility to me!

	Horrified, Sheila coils back, looking on the brink of tears.

FRITZ
(stammering)
I'm sorry. That was a horrible thing to say. My G-d, I'm really sorry. 
I'm really tired, and I'm saying things I don't mean.

SHEILA
Do you want me to go?

FRITZ
(honestly)
I don't know.
(beat)
I have to keep going. I feel like I'm running out of time.

SHEILA
How do you know?

FRITZ
I just know, G-ddamnit!
(beat)
Sorry. Again. I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm sorry; I can't deal 
with you right now.

SHEILA
I'll ask again -- do you want me to go?

	Fritz turns to Sheila tiredly.

FRITZ
Will I ever see you again?

SHEILA
You know where to find me. 

FRITZ
That is true. 
(smiles)
Good-bye, Sheila.

SHEILA
Good-bye, Moshe.

	Fritz hugs Sheila, albeit painfully, before turning away. When he 
turns back, she is gone.

SCENE 5 - RED PLANET

	More time has passed. Fritz is resting on a rock, his pocket 
watch in his paws. The spinning noise is a loud hum against the wind. 

FRITZ
Aren't I supposed to be Father Time? Can't I just speed things up until 
I get where I'm going?

DEMON
Not here, you can't.

	Fritz turns sideways, noticing now the armored DEMON with 
gigantic horns, mounted on a black horse, trying to look very imposing. 
He wields a glinting sword with an insignia on the hilt -- two 
concentric circles, one inside the other. Fritz is not impressed.

DEMON
Do you know who I am? 

FRITZ
Don't be stupid. 

	The demon responds by laughing.

SURAN
I could kill you now. This is my territory, and you aren't at full 
strength. You won't be for what, another year? Until you're crowned.

FRITZ
If you kill me, I'll just be reborn. The whole process will start over 
again. Another Potential will be anointed. 
(shaking head)
This is stupid. This is a stupid process. You can't kill me and I can't 
kill you. Order and chaos are two halves of the same coin. 

	This gives the demon pause. He lowers his sword.

SURAN
You're not talking very much like an order angel. 

FRITZ
Then I was very poorly trained. But my comment stands. Now get out of 
my way. 

SURAN
You really want to fight me now?

FRITZ
No. 

	Fritz takes his lightsaber off his belt and tosses it into the 
sand. 

FRITZ
I don't want to fight you. I've never wanted to fight you. I honestly 
don't care about you in all of your horrible demonness. I don't give a 
fuck about angels and demons and gods. I just want you to GET THE FUCK 
OUT OF MY WAY.

	Fritz stands up wearily and begins to shuffle past the demon on 
the giant stead as if he isn't there. The demon huffs impatiently and 
raises his sword again, thrusting it into Fritz's bared back. It goes 
right through, and the rabbit drops to his knees. 

SURAN
How does it feel, to be stabbed in the back by your own creation? The 
first Frith created me, and so I have returned the favor to him and 
every new one! 

	Suran draws out the blade, taking a good deal of Fritz's blood 
with it. Fritz staggers back, dropping to the ground. 
	The demon's horse kicks the ground, and Fritz's lightsaber rolls 
to his feet.

SURAN
Fight me!

FRITZ
Avodah zorah.

SURAN
*What*?

FRITZ
Idol worship.
(shakes head slowly and painfully)
I won't fight you. I kind of like being alive. 

SURAN
Then you shall not pass.

	Suran rides his horse in front of Fritz, blocking passage. 

FRITZ
You just ... don't give up ... do you?
(beat)
Shmuck.

	Fritz gets to his feet and attempts to shuffle around the horse. 
Suran quickly moves in front of him again, putting the tip of his blade 
against Fritz's heart. Fritz looks up at him wearily. He's barely on 
his feet as it is.

FRITZ
What do you want?

SURAN
What?

FRITZ
There has to be something you want. I'll cut a deal with you. All I 
want is passage and Kadaf. 
(beat)
Do you want to kill me -- is that it? Will that really accomplish 
anything? 

SURAN
(annoyed)
You really have so little understanding of your place.

FRITZ
Fine. If that's what it is. My life for Kadaf's. Since it's all you 
seem to want.

	Suran halts, his horse neighing impatiently. His blade is still 
waiting to pierce Fritz's heart, but the rabbit doesn't waver.

SURAN
Your life isn't yours to give up! 

FRITZ
Yes it is. I was Fritz Warner before any of this. This is my decision 
to make. Though I can't see why you would have such a problem with it. 

	Fritz puts his paws up on the demon's blade, holding it in place.

FRITZ
So decide already.

	The demon lord hesitates, then slowly retracts his blade.

SURAN
Very well played.

FRITZ
(weakening)
I wasn't playing.

SURAN
You may be a worthy opponent yet.
(kicks his horse)
We'll fight on your terms, if you wish.

	With that, Suran gallops off into the reddish darkness. Fritz 
falls to his knees and stares dumbfounded into the distance.

FRITZ
Wait -- how did that work? 

	Fritz is too tired to really bother with it. He kneels over, 
blood soiling his robes, and his world dissolves into darkness.

SCENE 6 - RED PLANET

	A giggling sound wakes Fritz. Not of a woman, but of little KIDS, 
as if they're scampering around him. 

FRITZ
(thinking)
<Whatever this is, I don't need it today.>

KID
Hey, mister, wake up!

	Groggily, Fritz gets to his feet and seats himself on a wooden 
chair pulled up to a table alone in the desert. Opposite him, sitting 
rather regally in his own chair, is KADAF WARNER. He is wearing a silk 
black coat and the tall, round fur hat of a Hasidic man. Ducklings 
scamper about while he sits proudly.

FRITZ
You look like your grandfather.

KADAF
Ja.

FRITZ
Am I interrupting something?

KADAF
No. You want to eat with us? Sheila made kugel.

	Fritz's ears perk up.

FRITZ
Sheila's dead, you know. I probably shouldn't be this harsh, but I'm 
bleeding out my sides here, so let's hurry this up. 

KADAF
What do you mean? That's a horrible thing to say. She's in the kitchen.

FRITZ
There is no kitchen. This isn't real.
(points behind him)
See? Just empty space.

	Fritz is right; there's nothing there. The kids disappear.

KADAF
Don't be ridiculous.

FRITZ
I'm not being ridiculous. I'm being honest.

KADAF
You're terrible at being honest. That's why you're a politician.

FRITZ
(smiling)
That's true. But it isn't real.

KADAF
I want it to be, so it is.

FRITZ
Now who's being ridiculous?

	The table falls away, as do the chairs. Fritz and Kadaf are now 
sitting on the ground. Kadaf is growing increasingly concerned.

KADAF
I WANT IT TO BE REAL!

FRITZ
(sadly)
I know you do. But it isn't.

KADAF
(angrily)
You lie to everyone else! Why can't you lie to me? Can't you be nice 
and just lie to me? 
(shoves him)
Tell me this is real! 

FRITZ
You know it isn't.

KADAF
LIE TO ME, G-DDAMN IT!

FRITZ
Daffy ...

	Kadaf falls to his knees in a half-sobbing heap.

KADAF
What's wrong with me?

FRITZ
There's a chemical imbalance in your brain. Something about 
neurotransmitters. It's not your fault.
(sits down next to Kadaf)
I wish this could be your life, but it's not. I wish Sheila was alive, 
but she's not. And I wish I could lie to you, but I can't. You're my 
best friend, so I should at least have the decency not to do that.

	Kadaf puts his head in his wings.

KADAF
I don't want to be crazy anymore.

FRITZ
And I don't want to be a thrice-divorced, failed politician who's had 
to lie to everyone he's met since the invasion of Noctur II. My life is 
shit, but I can't make up a new one. We have to play with the cards 
we're dealt.

KADAF
(quietly)
I don't want to be crazy anymore.

FRITZ
And I don't want to be the next Frith.

	Fritz and Kadaf lapse into a tired silence, a rabbit and a duck 
sitting side by side in the dust.

KADAF
It isn't real.
(Beat)
I don't know what's real anymore.

FRITZ
Jonathan's the schizophrenic, not you. 

KADAF
Same difference.

FRITZ
You've always had a better grasp of reality than me. Or anyone else. 
And that would make anyone crazy.

	Kadaf nervously scratches his head, under his yarmulke. Some 
feathers come out.

KADAF
(laughs sickly)
You remember when I punched you?

FRITZ
(hesitantly)
Which time?

KADAF
When I was dating Sheila. And you told her I was sick.

FRITZ
... that's not how I put it. 

KADAF 
You fell into your pool. But there was no water. It was winter, I 
think. Even though it was in LA. It was in LA, right?

FRITZ
Yeah. I had that terrible condo. Sarah had just kicked me out. 
(beat)
G-d, Sarah. I haven't called her in forever.

KADAF
You're still talking to her?

FRITZ
Are you kidding me? She's the only ex not on the alimony list.
(thoughtfully)
Jesus, I'm pathetic.

KADAF
Are you kidding? You're the statesman. The god-king. The guy dating 
someone half his age. 

FRITZ
I don't think I will be any of those things when I get back. 

KADAF
Back?
(confused)
Where are we?

	The last vestiges of Kadaf's dream fall away, leaving him alone 
with the backdrop, back to his normal self.

FRITZ
You were kidnapped. Do you remember?

KADAF
I remember ... it hurts. I don't think I want to go back to that.

FRITZ
And I can't let you stay here. So somehow we're going to have to 
compromise, because I won't leave you here.

KADAF
I'm staying. Why shouldn't I stay? You can handle yourself. I'm not 
your bodyguard.

FRITZ
You are. 

KADAF
I'm not. You're the head-honcho. The badass. Always have been. You've 
never needed me.

FRITZ
(softly)
No, I have.

KADAF
FUCK YOU!
(gets up, pacing impatiently)
You can lie to everyone else, but not to me. 

FRITZ
... that's not true.

	Kadaf huffs indignantly.

FRITZ
I really hoped there would be a better time for this. Oh man, this is 
really going to suck.
(beat)
Kadaf, I lied to you about something.

	Kadaf only raises an eyebrow in surprise.

FRITZ
It -- it was a long time ago. A decade and a half. You were in the Ford 
clinic, drying out. 

KADAF
Heh. It took forever to get me in there.

FRITZ
Yeah, but that's not the point. Look ...

	Fritz looks for the best way to say this. Realizing there is 
none, he just goes for it.

FRITZ
Sheila and I had an affair.

	Kadaf stops pacing.

KADAF
... what?

FRITZ
(stammering)
Once. We were drunk and you were away. And we really felt bad about it. 
But then she got sick and she didn't want to bring it up and I didn't 
want to bring it up -- there was never a good time. 
(shakes his head)
And then I didn't want to, you know, tarnish her memory. Or lose you.

	Kadaf says nothing. He stares at nothing, his body becoming 
rigid, his face expressionless.

FRITZ
Daffy?

	Kadaf leaps at Fritz suddenly.

KADAF
I'LL KILL YOU!

	Fritz has to hastily fend Kadaf off. With his wounds, he is at a 
distinct disadvantage. 

FRITZ
(on the defensive)
I don't want to fight you.

KADAF
I don't care what you want! This is what I want!

	Kadaf clocks Fritz in the head, knocking him across the sand. 
Fritz opens his eyes to the disturbing figure of Kadaf in his black 
death robes. His wings, unlike Fritz's beautiful white, are made of 
twisted bone. He leaps at Fritz, but the rabbit is ready this time and 
kicks him back.

FRITZ
I can only take so many beatings today ...

	Kadaf tries to punch Fritz again, but the rabbit catches it with 
his left paw. A burst of pain ribbons through him, and he has to 
release it. 

FRITZ
Ow! Fuck! Ow!

KADAF
Fritz?

FRITZ
It's nothing. Continue beating me up.
(waves his paw about)
Motherfucker. OK, I'm not going to move this arm anymore.

	Fritz lets his left arm lie on the ground, motionless. The fight, 
it seems, has also gone out of Kadaf, who plops down next to him.

KADAF
I can't fight you anymore.

FRITZ
Well, that's good.

KADAF
I'm still pissed at you, though.

FRITZ
Well, at least you're being honest.

KADAF
This isn't real, is it?

FRITZ
I cannot honestly say what is real and what is not. Not here, not now.

	Fritz closes his eyes. There is no more talk from Kadaf. There is 
only silence for a while, until he opens them again.
	The scene has changed entirely. Kadaf is literally pierced on a 
sword, which pins him to the rock. It sticks out his shoulder. His 
feathers are caked in blood, and his eyes are half-open and dulled. It 
seems like he has been in this position forever.

FRITZ
Daffy?

	There is no visible response. Fritz walks around him, trying to 
figure out what exactly to do about this. As he assesses the situation, 
he notices the familiar two-circle design on the sword's hilt, though 
it's a smaller weapon than the one he saw earlier.

FRITZ
As much as I could do the King Arthur thing here, I don't want to kill 
you.
(beat) 
My mother was right. I should have been a good son and gone to medical 
school.

	There is a soft mumbling beneath Kadaf's cloth. Fritz removes it 
quickly.

FRITZ
You there?

	Kadaf's eyes are a bit more open but remain unfocused.

KADAF
Bugs?

	Fritz smiles for the first time in what feels like forever and a 
day.

FRITZ
As happy as I am that you're alive, you're probably not going to want 
to be awake for this.

KADAF
(in Yiddish)
Mah?

FRITZ
Hold your breath. I don't know why they say to do that, but you should 
probably try it. 

	There is no visible response. Fritz braces himself and draws the 
blade out. Kadaf shudders and falls the remaining length to the ground, 
looking up at the terrible visage of Fritz holding up a sword with his 
blood on it.
	Horrified, Fritz tosses away the blade and carefully picks up 
Kadaf. 

FRITZ
If you die on me now, so help me G-d, I will kill you.

	Fritz opens his wings and disappears into the sky.

SCENE 7 - PALACE ROOM

	In a square room made of marble and stone, Kadaf is on a table, 
unconscious by all appearances. Fritz has pulled up an ornate chair of 
velvet and gold by the table and has actually slumped over, sleeping 
uneasily, one paw still clutching his wounded side. The other arm hangs 
limply at his side.
	
VOICE
Wake up.

	Fritz picks his head up in the direction of the voice. The door 
to the left has opened, and someone is approaching.
	It's THORAS IGNATIUS, in ghost form. He is wearing a golden crown 
on his head, but it's as transparent as he is. Quintis is protectively 
by his side, similarly non-corporeal.

THORAS
Are you going to stay here?

	Fritz is a little too tired to think of something witty to say 
back. He's also unsure how to interpret Thoras's tone.

FRITZ
... of course. Why?

THORAS
It will take him time to heal. 

FRITZ
I know that.

THORAS
You are aware of the events transpiring in the aniverse?

	Fritz looks up, a little taken back.

FRITZ
You're paying attention to the aniverse? Other than Nharnia, I mean.

THORAS
They seem to be in a bit of a bind.

FRITZ
I know. 
(sighs)
I'm staying with Daffy. 

THORAS
What about the vixen? 

FRITZ
(angrily)
Mimi has always been capable of taking care of herself. But I don't 
want to have this argument right now. 

THORAS
Fine.

	Thoras bares a glance from Quintis, and softens his own.

THORAS
I thought it was ... admirable of you, to do what you did.

FRITZ
(distracted)
Thanks. 

THORAS
When you have a moment, I'll see you in the throne room.

	Thoras leaves. Meanwhile, Kadaf is stirring.

FRITZ
Daf?

KADAF
(hoarsely)
Yo.				[Hi.]

FRITZ
Vos hert zich bay aych?		[How are you?]

KADAF
Fercockt.			[Fucked up.]

FRITZ
I'm sorry. I should have listened to you.

KADAF
(confused)
About what?

	Fritz shakes his head. It's not worth explaining.

FRITZ
Gay shlafen, Shlomo.		[Go to sleep, Shlomo.]

KADAF
Are you staying here?

FRITZ
Ja.				[Yes.]

KADAF
Gut.				[Good.]

	Kadaf appears to go back into an uneasy sleep. Fritz leans back 
in the chair. It begins to occur to him that his shoulder hurts very 
badly, but he ignores it. His vigil continues as his eyes slowly close.

SCENE 8 - THRONE ROOM

	Thoras is alone in a throne room, standing beside an empty golden 
throne. He is waiting eagerly, though he doesn't show it much, for 
Fritz, who enters at last. He has cleaned himself up considerably and 
is wearing pure white robes. He still moves stiffly as he approaches 
Thoras and the throne.

THORAS
Are you still wounded?

FRITZ
A little. 

	Thoras touches Fritz's right paw, and to the rabbit's surprise, 
the ghost doesn't go through him. Instead, a warm and pleasant feeling 
flows through his body.

THORAS
Suran stabbed you in the back.

FRITZ
Trust me, I know.

	Thoras retracts, his face full of concentration.

THORAS
Make a fist for me.

FRITZ
What?

THORAS
With your paw.

	Fritz closes both his paws. The left one becomes a fist, but the 
right one remains half open, despite his best efforts. He wiggles his 
fingers, but the dexterity is decreased.

FRITZ
What I wouldn't give to be left-handed. When is this going to heal?

THORAS
Probably never. He severed the nerves that go all the way to your 
shoulder. 

FRITZ
This is going to seriously affect my handwriting. You know how many 
documents I have to sign on a daily basis?

	Thoras, as usual, is in no mood for humor. 

THORAS
You're at a disadvantage.

FRITZ
What, you think I could have taken him then? 
(beat)
Do you think I care? I care more about the Toad Wars than I do about a 
chaos demon.

THORAS
Then what are you doing here?

FRITZ
(authoritatively)
I'm here for Kadaf. 

THORAS
While your dedication is admirable, your efforts could go elsewhere.

FRITZ
They'll go where I want them to go. To the people that I care about. 

THORAS
You have a responsibility ...

FRITZ
I have a responsibility to my friends and the voting populace of the 
aniverse, in that order. Beyond that, I'm just a rabbit. 
(angrily)
That's where we disagree. You think you're a god, but I've seen 
evidence to the contrary.

THORAS
What would you know about that?

FRITZ
(coldly)
Cassandra. The Great Mother has been telling hares to massacre 
followers of her brother. Whose fault is that?

	This does give Thoras some pause, if a little. 

FRITZ
There are laws to follow. The dead have to stay dead.

	Fritz turns away to stalk off, but Thoras speaks again.

THORAS
That's not always true. It depends how long they've been dead.
(without ferocity)
You, for example.

	Fritz stops, spinning back around. His wounded side weighs him 
down. 

THORAS
You still don't think you were just in a coma when I dug you out of 
that grave? 

	Fritz's eyes light up with surprise, despite his attempts to hide 
it. Thoras, reveling, straightens on his golden throne. 

THORAS
I didn't tell you because I thought you couldn't handle it. Apparently, 
I was right. 
(continuing, unhesitating)
In the grand scope of things, several hours is not really a significant 
amount of time to be dead. In my experience, it's not until the soul 
travels to the underworld that real cha ...

FRITZ
(defiantly)
It isn't true.

THORAS
You would also know, with my experience, that the powers of an undead 
come as the necromancer wills it. Or so the mortals say, in their 
limited experience in the matter. 

	Fritz approaches the throne, one paw unconsciously going to his 
belt. 

THORAS
You may dislike me, you may even reject all of my teachings, but 
without me, you'd be nothing more than bones now. Only the illusion of 
otherwise has let you keep your pathetic attachment to the place you 
call the ...

	Fritz moves in a bolt of golden energy, his lightsaber in his 
paw. It swings weakly, most of his force gone with his injuries, his 
paw barely grasping the hilt. 
	The blade still strikes the throne. Thoras raises a jeweled 
sword, which blocks Fritz's blade, light against steel. He deflects it 
with a flick of his wrist, pushing Fritz back down the stairs.
	Fritz lands painfully on the red carpet. He raises his eyes to 
Thoras hovering over him, a white figure weightlessly on his chest, yet 
crushing him all the same, the blade pointing at his face.

THORAS
I am but a shadow of my former self, and yet see how easily ...

VOICE
Thoras! Stop!

	Quintis enters from the side, his face gentle but forceful.

QUINTIS
Stop taunting him.

	Thoras hesitates, then retracts his blade, stepping off Fritz, 
who is still rather helpless.

QUINTIS
You're not accomplishing anything. 

THORAS
He should know. 
(beat)
He deserves to know.

QUINTIS
Perhaps this is not the best way to do it.

	Thoras huffs, but he listens. He storms off, leaving Fritz 
panting on the ground. Quintis cautiously glides over to his side.

FRITZ
Thanks.
(sits up painfully)
Am I really dead?

QUINTIS
Not anymore, no.

	It's not the answer Fritz was looking for. He curses and looks at 
the ground.

FRITZ
Why did he resurrect me? I don't want to be part of his little game.

QUINTIS
I will refrain from comment on the size of the game. 
(thoughtfully)
Thoras is a man who makes decisions and sticks to them. You two have 
that in common. And only you can decide what is important to you. 

FRITZ
(chuckles humorlessly at that)
How's Daffy?

QUINTIS
He's awake. 

FRITZ
(surprised)
He is?

QUINTIS
I believe he's out on the terrace. I would approach with caution. 

FRITZ
Good to know. 

SCENE 9 - TERRACE

	Kadaf is sitting on the steps, facing the beautiful courtyard. A 
trail of smoke rises from his right paw, and the area around him is 
littered with the expected cigarette butts. 

FRITZ
Did they say you can sit up?

	Kadaf says nothing, barely acknowledging Fritz's existence. 

FRITZ
If I sit next to you, will you kill me?

	Still nothing. Fritz takes the opportunity to sit down on the 
stairs. Kadaf still won't look at him; he stares out at nothing 
instead. 

FRITZ
So you must be remembering things.

	The duck finishes another cigarette and fumbles for a new one. 
There are several empty packages on the ground. 

FRITZ
It sort of goes without saying that I'm incredibly sorry. And that I 
should probably never expect for you to speak to me again. 

	The silence says volumes. Fritz swallows and looks at his feet.

FRITZ
I should have told you a long time ago. There just was never a good 
time. I know that's a stupid excuse. There's never a good time for this 
sort of thing. So I was a coward. You can call me one if you want.
(waits)
Or you can say nothing. Also fine. You don't have to forgive me. I 
mean, it would be nice, but I know it's probably not going to happen. 
But Christ, I'm sorry. 
(beat)
I'll stop running my mouth off now. 

	Discouraged, Fritz waits for any kind of acknowledgement of his 
existence. When he receives none, he gathers his robes and starts back 
up from the steps.

KADAF
How did she look?

	Fritz stops in his steps, turning back to Kadaf, who is still 
facing away.

FRITZ
What?

KADAF
You said you saw her. How did she look?

FRITZ
She was imaginary.

KADAF
I don't care. How did she look?

	Fritz pauses, watching the plumes of smoke drip up. 

FRITZ
She looked great. Like she always looked.

	There is silence again. Depressed, Fritz turns away again, though 
more hesitantly this time. 

KADAF
(still not turning to look at Fritz)
I know we could have brought her back. 

FRITZ
Yeah.

KADAF
It would have been bad. Quintis did that for his sister, and she's a 
mess. Thoras's wife. Cassandra. I talked to her once. 

FRITZ
(genuinely surprised)
You did?

KADAF
Ja. She's around. Hard to find, but I can find anyone dead, or undead, 
or whatever she is. I talked to her a few years ago about it, and she 
was pretty messed up. Hard to talk to.
(peers over his shoulder)
The dead have to stay dead. We have to move on. 

	To this, Fritz has no response.

KADAF
I can't get up on my own. My back -- it's really fucked up, isn't it?

FRITZ
Yes, it is. But it'll get better.

KADAF
It'll probably take forever, though.
(looking at him expectantly)
Help me up, would you?

FRITZ
(with a hesitant smile)
Sure.

	With a great deal of effort, Kadaf is able to get to his feet, 
with most of his weight shifting to Fritz's shoulders. His webbed feet 
can only manage tiny steps as he shuffles back inside. They leave a 
smoldering pile of tobacco and ash behind them. 

THE END