(Doubar and Firouz are dropped somewhere else)

Firouz: We’re alone here.

Doubar: I hope so.

Firouz: No, I mean Sinbad and Rongar.

Doubar: Probably went through their own door.

(They begin to walk)

Firouz: You know, I was wondering.

Doubar: Of course.

Firouz: What do you think the four skulls represent?

Doubar: What?

Firouz: Well, why’s it so important for the throne to have four skulls? What comes in fours?

Doubar: Two pairs of sandals.

Firouz: I’m serious!

Doubar: I don’t know. There are four seasons.

Firouz: Hmmm. I’ll have to think about that one.

Doubar: I wouldn’t worry too much about trying to make sense of it. If this Scratch is behind it, there’s nothing we could ever figure out.

Firouz: This Scratch is a pretty powerful demon in the west?

Doubar: The most powerful. He rules an entire underworld.

Firouz: And he knows you. How?

Doubar: I’m not sure. When Sinbad was just a toddler, our parents died. We were sailing toward the west. The storm of all storms came up. Had a verocity I hadn’t seen before, or since.

Firouz: Scratch’s work?

Doubar: Who knows? Mother and Father disappeared in a huge wave. The entire crew was gone. I was thrown into the sea when the boat broke up. I made my way to a piece of wreckage. I was safe. Even as a child, I was pretty buoyant. Then I saw Sinbad, stuck to a piece of the deck. He was going down fast. I knew I was going to make it. But I couldn’t let my little brother drown.

Firouz: So you dove in and rescued him?

Doubar: Aye. Nearly died in the process. The whole time I was struggling to keep the two of us alive, I kept hearing this voice saying, ‘Save yourself. The devil take the baby!’

Firouz: Do you think it was Scratch?

Doubar: Maybe. He takes men’s feelings, and twists them to his own cause. Selfishness. Evil.

Firouz: His drawings didn’t look all that frightening.

Doubar: He takes many forms, Firouz.

Firouz: (stops walking) Ah, here comes one, now. (they see a skull, with a snake wrapped around it)

Doubar: What devil’s work is this? Do you like snakes?

Firouz: I know logically, they’re just another species of life and not inherently evil…no, they give me the willies. How about you?

Doubar: Logic, smogic. I can’t stand them, and they can’t stand me.

(Sinbad and Rongar are still trying to figure out how to get the skull)

Sinbad: We’ll just have to be faster and more agile next time. As long as we know what we’re up against, let’s figure out a way to fight them. (suddenly, something hits him) Rongar! (he is attacked again) What the devil! I see nothing! (he is hit again) Rongar! (he is hit again) Rongar. (he notices the tracks in the ground; he knows that spirits don’t make tracks) Now, when was the last time I met a spirit who wore sandals? (he is hit again) (Sinbad hides behind a bush, and waits until he sees the tracks come towards him; he jumps out, and on top of the person, fighting him; after a bit of struggling, a helmet rolls away, and the person is revealed; Rongar picks up the helmet)

(Sinbad is on top of the man, and is poised to punch him)

Man: Get off of me, you oaf! What are you trying to do? Kill me?

Sinbad: In a word? Probably!

(Rongar stops Sinbad from punching the man)

Man: That’s right, sonny. Take him away from me. It’ll come to great harm! (he sees the helmet Rongar held in his hands) My hat. Give me my hat!

Sinbad: Not so fast.

Man: If they see me, they’ll kill me.

Sinbad: You mean the devils by the tree?

Man: The Wind Warriors. They’ve driven everyone away. I’m the only one left. I get by because they can’t see me.

Sinbad: How did you get into this mess?

Man: This used to be quite a spot, you know. Old wind gods used to summer here. Zephyrus. Guatza. Heck, even Quatso-Quatso used to come here every so often.

Sinbad: What happened?

Man: Times have changed. So did people’s beliefs. The gods just stopped coming around. We wind worshipers stayed and frayed, but all we got were those wind warriors, who guard that skull. Attacking anyone near that tree. The whole village left. I stayed. I guess I’m old and stuck in my ways. Those wind demons are devils, they are. Real mean.

Sinbad: When your people left, did they leave anything behind?

Man: Hmm. Almost everything. Half of the wind gods left the sacks behind, that they carry the wind in. Empty, of course.

Sinbad: Excellent. I think I just found the solution to all our problems. If we rid you of all the wind devils, may we have your magical helmet?

Man: Sure. I wouldn’t have any use for it. If you can rid us of the wind demons.

(Sinbad laughs)

Man: Do you boys have a plan up your sleeve?

Sinbad: Is the sky blue?

Man: Is that a trick question? I mean, are we talking nighttime here?

(Sinbad puts the helmet on, and is invisible; he makes his way to the skull)

Man: Those warriors won’t notice Sinbad with that helmet on.

Sinbad: (flings the skull off the post) Catch! (they catch it) All right, come and get me! (he fights all the wind warriors, and Rongar and the man put them all into the wind bags)

Man: That a boy, kiddo! Knock the wind out of their sails! (he laughs)

Sinbad: Here comes another one!

(The man laughs)

Sinbad: Rongar! Catch! (he sends another demon down into the bag Rongar is holding)

(The demons are all in the bags; Sinbad takes off the helmet and becomes visible again)

Man: I haven’t had so much fun since Talcor and Bomar took a battle action to cabbage! (he laughs)

Sinbad: Huh?

Man: Oh, that’s a long story.

(Sinbad does a flip off the rock he’s standing on, and lands beside Rongar and the man)

Man: How can I ever repay you?

(A door appears)

Sinbad: I think that’s our cue to leave.

Sinbad: Here. (holds out the helmet) You better take this. Just in case one of your blowhorns breaks free.

Man: No, you keep it. A deal’s a deal. I don’t know what you boys are up to, but I’m sure it’s for the side of good. Maybe that will bring you luck.

(Sinbad and Rongar walk up to the door)

Sinbad: Hopefully this will take us to Doubar and Firouz. And the next skull.

(The go through the doorway; the man laughs after them)

(Doubar and Firouz are trying to figure out how to get the skull; when suddenly they are attacked by two barbaric men with axes)

Doubar: It’s getting harder and harder for an honest man to take a day off these days.

Firouz: Perhaps if we don’t move. (then he whispers) Stay very, very still.

(One of the barbarians throws an axe, and they have to duck, so it won’t hit them; it hits a tree behind them)

Doubar: I hope you have a plan B! Come quickly over here! (they run to hide behind some bushes) Now what?

Firouz: Look at them. They’re animals. They’re going to be able to smell us before they can just see us. You go for the skull. I’ll create a diversion.

Doubar: I don’t like it.

Firouz: It’s okay. I won’t go far.

(Firouz gets out from behind the bushes)

Firouz: Hey, you! I’m over here, you sorry cesspool! (they follow him, while Doubar goes to the skull)

(Doubar takes a stick and reaches for the skull; he gets it, but the snake is also on the stick, so he flings the skull up, catches it, and quickly puts the stick with the snake down)

Doubar: Firouz! Over here!

Firouz: (the barbarians are still chasing him) Doubar!

(Doubar picks up a log with an ax stuck in it; he turns around quickly, and lets the ax and log go; it flies toward Firouz, who ducks, and hits the two barbarians)

Doubar: Firouz! Let’s go! (they run) I think we should make a timely exit!

Firouz: I bow to your logic!

(A doorway appears; they run to it, and go through it)

(They are thrown to where the third skull is)

Firouz: At least this is a more picturesque location.

Doubar: I’ve seen many a lovely graveyard, too.

Sinbad: That’s my brother. Always the optimist.

Doubar: Sinbad!

(They laugh as they reunite)

Firouz: Two down, one to go.

Sinbad: Did you have any trouble getting your skull?

Doubar: Heck, no. It was a cake walk!

Sinbad: Right. And ours rolled right into the bag, right, Rongar?

(They all laugh)

Sinbad: Oh, plus we’ve been rewarded with this helmet of invisibility. You put it on, and poof! No one can see you.

Firouz: (reaches for the skull) I’d love to examine it.

Doubar: (takes the skull from Sinbad) I think it would be safer with me. Just for now.

Firouz: Yes, I suppose it would.

Doubar: Have you located the third skull, yet?

Sinbad: No. We thought we’d wait for you.

Doubar: I guess there’s safety in numbers. Not that we were worried, or anything.

Sinbad: Me neither.

(They start walking)

Firouz: If anyone’s interested, I figured out why the throne has to have four skulls.

Doubar: And why is that?

Firouz: Four elements. The one on the throne already, fire.

Doubar: And the others?

Firouz: The two we’ve retrieved, earth and wind. And the one we’re after, water.

Sinbad: Why do we need all four?

Firouz: Well, optimists believe that the most powerful magic of all on earth can be generated by uniting the four elements, combining them with the fifth ingredient.

Doubar: The power of good?

Firouz: Yes. Or evil.

Doubar: I guess I’m not the only optimist around here.

(That’s when they see the last skull, sitting on a rock, in front of a river)

Doubar: Now, to complete our task.

(He is hit on the head with a staff, and the helmet rolls away; the crew quickly turns around, drawing their swords)

Alkon: Why don’t I complete it instead, huh? You. The skulls. Now! (they hand him the bag of skulls) Why shouldn’t I, Alkon, one of the old gods, rule the air and the earth, as well as the sea. With that helmet of yours, I will be able to snatch fire from that throne you were talking about. I’ll get Daite to reckon with that.

Firouz: I’m afraid we can’t allow that, sir. You see, it’s our world that is in danger. Not yours.

Alkon: Oh, you’re breaking my heart. See, I was looking for a nice world to rule. Yours will do.

Firouz: There is one other small point. You see, we outnumber you.

Sinbad: Now, we’ll forgive you for attacking my brother, and call this whole thing a big misunderstanding, if you put your weapon down, and stand aside!

Alkon: My, how well spoken you are, for an idiot. Look, I’ll tell you what. I won’t put my weapon down, but I will stand aside. (he stands aside) How’s this? Why don’t you try and take the skull, boys? It’s right over there. Go on, boys. Pick up the skull. I’ll just call my partner. (he takes out a conch and blows into it)

(A sea serpent appears out of the water)

Alkon: You were saying something about being outnumbered? (he laughs) Now, I’ll just take the skulls, and pick up my helmet. And be on my way to major daily status.

Doubar: Sinbad! Get out of here!

(Doubar goes after Alkon, and fights him)

Alkon: The skull, the helmet, it’s mine!

Doubar: Not in this lifetime, ponscum! Sinbad, catch!

Firouz: Sinbad!

Sinbad: Doubar! We have to leave, now!

Doubar: I can’t leave the helmet with that snake! You go ahead!

Sinbad: We’re not going to leave without you!

(The sea serpent seems to pick up Doubar, and swallow him whole)

Firouz: Doubar!

Sinbad: Doubar! No! No! No!

(Firouz and Rongar try to pull Sinbad to the doorway that just appeared)

Sinbad: No! No! Doubar! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! NO! NO! NO!

(The sea serpent disappears, and the three men go through the doorway)

(They go back to Sudra)

Sudra: You’re everything Dim-Dim said and more! Oh, I knew you wouldn’t let me down!

Sinbad: Yes, we succeeded. But at a horrible price.

Sudra: Oh, the loyal Doubar. A brave and loyal man. I will always remember his sacrifice.

Sinbad: He was the only family that I’d…I’d ever known. (he sighs) Rongar. (he gestures for the bag of skulls) Let’s free this poor woman.

(Dermott flies into the room)

Sinbad: Dermott!

(Dermott chirps)

Sudra: Get that feathered freak out of my sight!

(Everyone stares at her)

(Sinbad walks over to Dermott, who shows him the image of Maeve, talking to him)

Maeve: Flee this place, Sinbad. You are surrounded by lies. By evil. By illusions.

Sinbad: I don’t understand. (he turns around and sees Sudra turn into a demon) Sudra! What the devil?

(Scratch, the demon, laughs)

Scratch: I couldn’t have phrased it better myself, you twit! (he grabs Firouz, and holds him by the neck) Now, give me the skulls, or your tinkerer friend dies.

Firouz: Sinbad!

Sinbad: What have you done with Sudra?

Scratch: (laughs) You imbecile! There is no Sudra! There never was! Do you think I would ask you to do my bidding, looking like this?

Sinbad: Your bidding?

Scratch: I knew all about you from Dim-Dim. I wasn’t a student. I was a prisoner. He kept me here, to keep me from invading your land. But not the power of the elements. I’m nothing here. Nothing! Give me the skulls, or your tinkerer friend dies!

Firouz: Don’t do, it, Sinbad!

Scratch: He can’t help himself, now can he? I knew if I would capture all of you, in this case, Rongar, the rest of you would follow. Brave men. Heroes all. Buddies. Ha! You’d die for one another! Now, Captain, why don’t you give me the skulls? Or I remove your beloved friend’s head!

Sinbad: Doubar died for you!

Scratch: That big fool deserved to be nothing more than a serpent’s snack!

(Suddenly, something stops Scratch, and he lets go of Firouz; Doubar takes off the helmet he was wearing)

Doubar: I’ve always thought of myself as a main course type of fellow!

Sinbad: Doubar!

Doubar: Thanks for keeping that door open, little brother! As for you, demon. From hell you came, to hell you go!

Scratch: No. Wait! Before you act hastily, I can offer you power! I can offer you fame! I can offer you anything your hearts desire!

Doubar: You can’t buy friendship! You can’t buy family! You shall not rule the air! (he throws down a skull)

Scratch: No!

Sinbad: Or the sea! (he throws down a skull)

Scratch: No!

Doubar: Or the land! (Rongar throws down a skull)

Scratch: No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (he disappears)

Sinbad: Dermott! Shake a tail feather! (Dermott flies out of there)

(The room begins to cave in)

(They get out of the structure)

Doubar: Well, I don’t know about you all, but I’ve worked up a pretty big thirst.

Sinbad: Would some wine and rations aboard the ship suffice?

Doubar: You read my mind, little brother. A lovely location, a good menu, plus excellent company.

(They laugh)

(The four men are walking along the shore)

Doubar: We’ve been out perusing. I really don’t want any of them to know that I caused…well…that I was the…

Sinbad: That you probably saved the world from the ultimate evil? Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.

Doubar: I never really quite thought of it that way. Well, I suppose you could tell a couple of them. You know, drop a few hints. Maybe Maeve could stress just how important—

Sinbad: Doubar?

Doubar: Just a thought. (laughs)

(The others all join in; Sinbad puts his arms over the shoulders of Rongar and Doubar; Firouz stands off alone, feeling a little left out; Sinbad takes his arms away from the two men, and reaches to Firouz, to bring him into the group; they all laugh)

THE END