Video transcript
Drama Ensembles 2021 - Puppetry Ensemble - 02. Group A

NELLIE: Yesterday, they arrested my mother, framed for the crimes of her evil boss, Brutus McKop. My father is in his room on his deathbed for grief and fear for my mother. What am I to do? It is Christmas Eve, and here in my head I hold two letters both from Mr McKop. One is a notice of eviction whose company owns this house, and they will cast us out this very night. The other one is a proposal of marriage. He says that if I marry him, we can stay in this house and he will find the evidence to free my mother.

It is all too much to bear. How can I marry him? He's a villain and has single handedly destroyed my family's happiness. If I don't, I alone am responsible for how low we must fall. If only my true love, my sweet Drake Dogooder was here, he would come to my rescue and all would be well. But my dearest love is in the Amazon, fighting for the forest. Or perhaps he is saving the seals in Antarctica. Oh, I just can't keep track of all his good deeds. Now he will never know my real love and admiration for him. I've sent him a telegram telling him of our plight. But what if he never gets it? What should I do? I am ruined.

BADGER: Knock knock.

MR MCKOP: Boohoo.

BADGER: No. The next line is who's there.

MR MCKOP: What?

BADGER: I say knock knock, you say who's there. Here, I'll show you, knock knock. Who's there? Boo. And then you say boohoo. And I say, there's nothing to cry about. Or is the next line about a ghost? Well, I can never remember.

MR MCKOP: Shut up badger. Now where was I?

BADGER: Boo.

MR MCKOP: Boohoo. Did I hear salty crocodile tears? What if I can feel sadness? You know what to do to make all this right, and you hold both choices in your hands right now.

NELLIE: I do not love you.

MR MCKOP: I do not care.

BADGER: We do not care.

MR MCKOP: Although you have never sold me affection and are repelled by my appearance, I will make my life. Where'd you hear them now? Nowhere. But should they turn up, I have set a trap to rid the world of Dogooder forever. I've several men with guitars sticking out of this house and have been told to bunk on site should he come near.

BADGER: Do you? How do you know that many people with guitars?

MR MCKOP: They're for hire.

BADGER: And how much is that costing the business?

MR MCKOP: It's tax deductible. Now my dear, is it just you and me and your decision? What do you say? So you'll marry me or choose a destitute life for you and your family. Make your decision now.

NELLIE: I have no choice. I must save my family. I must say yes, even though he's the most odious man alive and his sidekick smells like onions.

MR MCKOP: A wise choice. Let us get ready.

NELLIE: Now?

MR MCKOP: Yes. The nuptials will take place tonight.

NELLIE: I must try to delay him. If my Drake is to arrive on time, I must do whatever I can to postpone the dreadful wedding. But I must ready myself. I have the dress all chosen and want to do something special with my hair. A woman cannot be rushed. I may not have wanted to marry you. In fact, I would have rather married a snake than you. I would have rather married Badger than you.

BADGER: You would?

MR MCKOP: Harsh.

NELLIE: But if I must marry you, then I want the wedding of my dreams. The flowers, 15 bridesmaids, the diamond ring, the carriage, the dress, the beach location, the professional makeup, the honeymoon in Bali, got to get my hair and nails done, the lace shoes, the veil, a cute little dog with a silky vest with the words just married, and a cushion he drags up the aisle bearing the rings that--

MR MCKOP: Enough.

NELLIE: I'm only getting started.

MR MCKOP: Marry me now or heaven help me, I'll drag a file from the bed and throw him into the street myself.

DRAKE: Never fear, Drake is here.

MR MCKOP: What are you doing here Dogooder? I thought I used everything in my power to destroy you.

DRAKE: You sound disappointed, McKop. But none of your feeble attempts to destroy me could ever stand in the way of my true heart's love, Nellie. When you torpedoed my ship, The Saving Grace, I valiantly swam the hundreds of miles to shore. And when you sent the shark to eat me as I fought my way through the waves of salty despair, I punched him in the nose. And when you tried to have me bunked outside, I sat the ledge down and explained the fragile nature of morality and the path to salvation. Laying down their guitars, they immediately began volunteer work and are out there now feeding the stray cats and dogs.

MR MCKOP: I do not think I could hate you more than I did before you arrived. But then you go and do something like that?

DRAKE: And that's not all. When I arrived, I went to the police station and delivered the real documents of your embezzlement and destruction. Nellie's poor mother is free and is on her way with the police to arrest you.

MR MCKOP: Dogooder, I think you are forgetting one thing. I have my hands on the girl, and if I can't have her, no one will.

NELLIE: You should be ashamed of yourself. You know what? I'm not even mad, I'm just disappointed.

BADGER: Damn.

DRAKE: That's my girl. She's so feisty. Perhaps I can convince Badger to marry us.

MR MCKOP: I-- I-- I had a tough childhood. You wouldn't understand.

NELLIE: Would your younger self be proud of the man you've become?

MR MCKOP: No. No.

DRAKE: Well, you'll have plenty of time to reflect on your personal growth journey in gaol. And now, my dearest Nellie, shall we marry?

NELLIE: Yes. A thousand times yes.

DRAKE: Badger?

BADGER: At your service, sir.

DRAKE: Do you need the bridesmaids, the diamond ring, the beach location, the--

NELLIE: With you by my side, I have everything I need.