Chapter 9

Setting: Back on Planet Earth. Outside in Rani’s neighbourhood.

Vaux (calling with hand around mouth): Rani! Where you?

Peuge follows looking at his hand. Imprint still not glowing.

Vaux: Rani! (Turns to Peuge) Hey, why are you not helping me to find her?

Peuge: I am.

Vaux: What, by looking at your hand?

Peuge: Exactly!

Vaux laughs.

Peuge: I’m serious!

Vaux looks at Peuge with one raised eyebrow.

Peuge (sighs): Look, if you haven’t noticed our imprints seem to glow when an Earthling who believes in us is present. It flickers when both a non-believer and a believer is present.

Vaux: And doesn’t glow when just a non-believer is present?

Peuge (nods): That’s right! And it’s the believers that can see and hear us.

Vaux: That explains why the Mad Boys and Rani’s Parents didn’t notice us.

Peuge: Yep.

Peuge looks back at his hand. Imprint starts flickering.

Peuge: We’re getting close now.

Vaux (concerned, looking at his flickering imprint): Ok, what if who we find isn’t Rani?

Peuge (smiles): I doubt it very much, cous. You could tell by her face that she’s the only one thriving here to have her beliefs understood.

Vaux (smiles with fascination): Wow!

A sad figure leaning against a wall appears.

The imprints start glowing brightly again as it appears to be Rani.

Vaux (runs to Rani, eyes lit up): Hey Rani! You’re ok.

Rani (sniff and dries tears): Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?

Peuge: You look like you’ve been crying.

Rani: What else would you do if you have no one who understands you?

Vaux (mumbles): You got that right.

Peuge elbows Vaux.

Vaux: Oi!

A sudden wind comes from nowhere.

Rani’s Alien Detector goes off again as another Teleport Machine with Mondi, Hal and Granddad.

Mondi’s Vi-Poodle jumps off and lands on Rani’s feet.

Mondi (shouts): Mini!

Rani (Bends down, pat’s the Vi-Poodle): Hey there!

Granddad (gets up, mumbles): They come here, by accident and befriends with an Earthling already (puffs).

Vaux (excited): Hal! Granddad! You found us!

Granddad: Yes, and now you are coming back. (Tugs on Vaux’s arm).

Hal: Where’s the other Teleport Machine?

Peuge: Er... Well, it got stolen.

Granddad (freaks out): Stolen?! How can it be stolen? You should have used the power of your hand to make it visible only to you!

Peuge: Really how?

Granddad: Like this...

Granddad just about to demonstrate when he notices his imprint was already glowing.

Granddad: How is this possible?

Peuge: That would be the power of Rani.

Granddad (turns to face everyone): Rani? Who’s Rani?

Rani (steps forward to greet Granddad): I am.

Granddad (surprised and confused): So our imprints glow for a different cause?!

Vaux: Cool huh?

Peuge: But at the moment it only works when Rani is present.

Vaux: She believes us, you know.

Mondi narrows eyes on Rani.

Mondi (pushing Rani aside): Step aside Earthling, you’re not going anywhere near my Vaux.

Rani falls to the ground.

Mondi (putting arms around Vaux’s shoulders): Come on, Vaux. Let’s find that Teleport Machine and take you home.

Vaux (goes red in cheeks, takes Mondi’s arms off his shoulder): Er... Sorry, but even if we do find the Teleport Machine, I’m not going back.

Mondi, Hal + Granddad (wide eyes): What?!

Vaux (walks over to Rani, aids her back up): Rani’s our only hope now. Without her help, our strengths would one day disappear, and our planet would be in jeopardy.

Mondi (crossing arms and narrows eyes again): Trust an Earthling Maiden to be the one who believes.

Peuge (walking to Rani and Vaux’s side): He’s right. And if we can help Rani, she can help us.

Deep Sinister Voice: How very intriguing!

Mondi, Hal, Granddad, Peuge, Vaux and Rani turn with wide eyes of shock and worry.

They see a tall yellow-green Vi-ackling, sitting on the ‘stolen’ Teleport Machine, grinning at them.

Mondi, Hal, Granddad, Peuge + Vaux (Gasp): Volco!

Chapter 8

Setting: Back on Vi-ackle, in the lab of Vaux and Hal’s family home.

Narrative: After a couple of hours of hard work...

Hal (drinking from cup): Looks like it’s nearly done!

Mondi (working at the back of the new teleport machine, with instructions in one hand): Yep, almost finished!

Mondi’s Vi-Poodle sniffing around beside her.

Granddad (enters with mug in hand): That is wonderful me dear!

Mondi (stands up with a sigh of relief): There all done!

Hal: Cool!

Granddad: Come on then, let’s go!

Hal and Granddad puts mug and cup on a tool box and sits down on seats of teleport machine.

Granddad switches machine on.

Mondi (picks up her Vi-Poodle): Can I come too?

Granddad (presses yellow button and types destination on keyboard): You must be tired, my dear, so I suggest you go home and have a rest. (Looks up at Mondi) You have done what you had to do, and I am very grateful. You deserve a good rest.

Mondi: What are you talking about, Mr. Astro Sr.! I’m a Swift Doer, not a Slow Worker or a Guzzler!

Hal (Angry): Hey!

Mondi: Sorry, all I’m saying, is that I don’t need a rest, I’ll fine!

Granddad (sighs): Ok.

Mondi happily sits down in the middle. Vi-Poodle on lap.

Hal (mumbles to Mondi): You really had the guts to say that didn’t you. Swift Doers never ‘think’ about other Vi-acklings, or what they say!

Mondi: Hal, I’m sorry ok? Besides you’re brought me here to help your granddad.

Granddad: Actually Mondi, it was my idea.

Hal (sighs, shaking head): I warned you though.

Granddad (Smiles): No harm done.

Granddad presses yellow button, keyboard goes back in. Granddad presses green button. Teleport Machine disappears.

Chapter 7

Setting: Rani’s family home.

Narrative: A few minutes later, they arrive at their destination. Rani’s family home...

Rani, Vaux and Peuge enter the house.

Rani’s mother greets her as she comes out from kitchen with folded up washing, ready to be dried.

Rani’s mother: Hey, sweety, everything go well at school today?

Rani: Yeah, it was great!

Before Rani could explain her extraordinary day in detail, her mother disappears upstairs out of sight.

Rani (shrugs): Oh well. (Turns to Peuge and Vaux) Make yourselves at home and I’ll right back.

As Rani goes into kitchen to prepare some snacks, Peuge and Vaux step into the living room and sit themselves down on a two-seater sofa, only to find themselves sitting face to face with Rani’s father reading the evening newspaper with a cup of tea.

Peuge: Er... Hello Sir. How are you?

No response from Rani’s father.

Vaux: Hello, anybody home?

Still no response.

Vaux and Peuge exchange expressions of confusion.

Peuge gets up and as he waves his right hand in front of Rani’s father’s face, he notices the glow of the imprint stops all together.

Then a few seconds later, the imprint starts flickering again as Rani enters living room with a tray of refreshments.

Rani: I wasn’t sure what may suit your stomachs so I brought in an assortment.

Rani puts tray on centre table.

Rani’s father (behind the paper): Thank you my dear, but I think this cup of tea is enough for me.

Vaux dives in and takes a biscuit.

Rani (giggles): Oh papa, I know that. This is for my new friends who came home with me today.

Rani’s father (Puts paper down): Really? Where are they?

Rani: They’re here. (pats Vaux on shoulder) This is Vaux and Peuge is standing next to you.

Rani’s father: Darling, I thought we already had this conversation. No more fantasy into reality stuff. You’re 15 years old now, time you put this in the past.

Rani: But it’s true! Look they’re right in front of you!

Rani’s father: Rani...

Rani: Even my Alien Detector proved it!

Rani’s father: Rani, there are no such things as aliens!!

Rani (cries): Yes, there is!!!

Rani, runs out and slams front door as her mother comes down.

Peuge and Vaux look at each other as Rani’s father sighs, lifting paper back.

Peuge looks down at his hand again. The flickering stops and glow disappears again.

Rani’s mother (enters living room): Rani upset again?

Rani’s father (nods and sighs as he put down paper again with worried look on face): She needs professional help.

Rani’s mother: Then why don’t you call the GP to refer her to someone, before it gets out of hand?

Rani’s father: I will do.

Rani’s mother: Tomorrow!

Rani’s mother walks into kitchen and Rani’s father continues reading newspaper and finishes his tea.

Peuge and Vaux quietly walks out of house without anyone noticing the door being opened and shut.

Chapter 6

Setting: On a main road on Planet Earth.

Long shot of Rani, Peuge and Vaux walking on footpath.

Cars passing by every so often.

Narrative: And so the aliens follow Rani back to her home.

They were cautious of everyone noticing them, but they trusted Rani to keep them safe...

Vaux (jumps after a fast car goes by): Woah, what was that?

Rani giggles unnoticeably.

Peuge: Aye, it looked like the ones we saw earlier. But they weren’t moving.

Rani (giggles again): That was a car, one form of transport.

Vaux: Wow! We haven’t got anything like that on our planet.

Rani (surprised): Really? How do you go places?

Vaux: Well, we walk...

Peuge (top half pretending to run): And we run.

Rani (Eyes lowered): I mean if you wanna go long distances in short space of time.

Vaux (Grins with offering hand): Why don’t you come with us.

Rani: Ok.

Vaux (turns round, back facing Rani and bends forward): Hop on then!

Rani: What?

Vaux: Hop on my back.

Peuge: Don’t worry Rani, it’s perfectly safe.

Rani (still hesitant, climbs on Vaux’s back): Ok.

Then in an instant, Vaux “whooshes” off as fast as a car goes and on to the streets.

Rani (laughs): This is fun!

Moments later, Peuge joins them.

Another long shot from a human’s point of view is taken, where Rani seems to be hovering in a strange position and moving forward as fast as a car.

Back to audience view with Vaux, Rani and Peuge in full view.

Vaux: Ok, Rani, navigate us to your home.

Rani (still giggling): Ok!

Chapter 5

Setting: Back on Planet Earth, in school car park.

Full front on view of Teleport Machine, with Rani, Vaux and Peuge sitting on it.

Rani: So let me get this straight. You (pointing at Vaux) were really thirsty, so you ran to buy some drinks at your local corner shop, only to get pushed out.

Vaux: Yep, that’s right!

Rani: Then you (pointing at Peuge) came and took him home.

Peuge: Uh huh!

Rani: Then when you got home, you sat on this (patting the backrest of Teleport Machine) and accidently pressed a button, which brought you here.

Vaux: You can blame that on Peuge.

Peuge (argues): How was I supposed to know?

Vaux: You should have looked before you placed your hand on the arm!

Rani (laughs): Guys, calm down! At least you can go back home, right?

Vaux: Yeah, but we don’t know how!

Rani (gets up and starts looking around the Teleport Machine): There’s got to be a manual with it somewhere.

Peuge: Well, all that’s with Granddad.

Rani (surprised): And you don’t know anything about this?! Not even the basics?

Vaux (gets up on knees on his seat and leans against back rest. Eyes follow Rani): Well, Granddad has never explained it to us!

Peuge: Aye! He promised us that he will, once it’s complete. He could have done it today!

Rani (crossing arms): Well, you guys are in a lot of trouble!

Silence pause.

Peuge looks down at Vaux’s right hand, palm down where a faint glowing light is seen.

Peuge (picking up and turning Vaux’s right hand): Hey, look at this!

Vaux (excited): Wow! The imprint of my hand’s glowing again!

Rani (looks down at Peuge’s right hand): Looks like yours is glowing too, Peuge!

Peuge (looking at his hand): Wow! This calls for a celebration!  

Vaux: Yeah, a new function is found and our power ain’t gonna die out now!!

Suddenly voices of two mad young boys gets Rani’s, Vaux’s and Peuge’s attention. They panic as the boys come closer.

Mad Boy 1 (looking at Rani): Wow, baby, that’s one awesome chair!

Rani (stammers turning to Vaux and Peuge for help): Er... Yeah.

Mad Boy 2 (looking at Teleport Machine): Yeah, look at those lights! (Walks over and touches one light) This must be worth a fortune!

Rani: Er... Guys, this isn’t for sale.

Vaux (shouts and steps forward): Yeah! And...

Mad Boy 1 (follows Mad Boy 2): And look at these buttons.

Vaux gets confused and worried. Then looks back at his hand and anxiety takes over as the glowing imprint on his hand starts flickering.

Peuge turns concerned as he looks at imprint on his hand which flicker too. But tries to help anyway.

Peuge (steps forward): I wouldn’t...

Mad Boy 2 (looks up at Rani): Does this thing work?

Rani (nods): But it’s only handled by professionals!

Mad Boy 1: What, like you?

Mad Boy 1 and Mad Boy 2 laugh as they make themselves comfortable on the seats of Teleport Machine.

Peuge: Please gentlemen, don’t get too comforta...

Mad Boy 2: Hey what’s this yellow button do?

Before anyone can say anything Mad Boy 2 presses yellow button and keyboard pops out.

Mad Boy 1: Awesome!

Rani: Ok guys, I think you need to get off and go.

Mad Boy 1: Nah way, baby! This is one gadget that cannot be tested before selling!

Mad Boy 1 eagerly types something on the keyboard.

Rani (panics): But it does work, and it’s not for sa...

Mad Boy 2 presses green button and Teleport Machine disappears.

Volco’s eyes flash on screen again, with a sly grin and a faint evil laugh.

Back at the car park...

Vaux (stunned): Wow! They were as bad as Volco!

Rani: Who’s Volco?

Peuge: A Vi-ackling who’s been banished.

Rani notices Peuge and Vaux’s hand start to glowing brightly again.

Rani: Look, your hand!

Peuge (looks at hand, confused/thrilled): It’s glowing again!

Vaux (breaks out, waving arms and jumps): NEVER MIND THAT!! WE’RE DOOMED!!! GRANDDAD’LL KILL US!! WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!

Peuge (puts hand on Vaux’s shoulder): Calm down, Vaux. It’s going to be ok.

Rani (nods in agreement): Why don’t you both come to mine and I’ll give you something warm to put you at ease.

Peuge: Thanks Rani.

Rani notices the cup in Vaux’a hand and takes it from him.

Rani: I can give a proper fresh drink too.

Vaux (smiles through tears): Thank you.