T.O.T.S.- The Bully Problem - The Script

Scene 2

PIP: You mean Freddy? What's so sad about it?

HUNTER: I mean, think, (stopped in front of him) You don't belong here. The only reason you're here is to guide Freddy along on his journey. A little extra weight for him to carry.

PIP: (frown deepened) I don't weigh that much. And Freddy...

HUNTER: Is a sad, sad, sight. He needs a penguin to help him stay on course.

PIP: (burned with anger) Freddy isn't stupid!

HUNTER: Then, where does that leave you? (waited for a moment to let pip think then answered for him) A useless little bundle of fat and feathers at the bottom of the earth. Count yourself lucky. (walks away)

NARRATOR: Pip wondered: did he really need Freddy so bad? He knew Freddy wasn't stupid. It was just hard for him to read the map and fly at the same time. But Pip... if it hadn't been for Freddy, he wouldn't be here. It was a stroke of luck a flamingo had been at the tryouts the same day he had. They were the only non-stork fliers here, and they needed each other.

((Pip raced after Hunter and catches up to him.))

PIP: Now, wait just a minute! (panted, finally getting hunter to stop) What do you mean by all that?

HUNTER: (smirked) I mean, you don't belong here. You belong at the end of the earth, because penguins are good for nothing. The only reason you're here is to guide Freddy through.

PIP: (rage curling inside him) You can't talk to me, or my friend that way.

HUNTER: Who's going to stop me? A helpless penguin like you? Who can't stand up for himself? Try me, little bird.

NARRATOR: Pip felt his courage deflate. Hunter was more than twice his size, and very strong. He couldn't take him. And he couldn't tell Captain Beakman either. It would only prove he was helpless. He wasn't helpless, and he said so.

HUNTER: If that's true, why do you need Freddy so much? Without him, you wouldn't be here. (leaned down, staring maliciously into pip's eyes) You're afraid of getting wet, I hear.

PIP: Well, not afraid. I just...I get slippery when I'm wet.

HUNTER: And you can't brave the desert?

PIP: I did!

HUNTER: (raised an eyebrow) With Freddy's help.

PIP: ... I guess I do need Freddy, but he needs me too!

HUNTER: (watched the penguin with sympathy) My heart aches for you. You can't accept the truth? You belong in Iceberg Alley, with all the other penguins, out of the way of us big creatures. (smiled) You never know. One of us might... EAT YOU!

((Pip jumped at the sudden velocity in Hunter's words. But he stood his ground. Hunter smirked.))

PIP: Penguins are not worthless. (stated through a clenched beak)

HUNTER: Really? Let's look at you, then. (he circled pip again, smiling at every detail) I wonder how Freddy can get anywhere, carrying a lump of fat like you? I wonder why she hired you, when you can't fly?

PIP: (frowned, trying to think of a response) You're just a big bully!

HUNTER: It sounds like you don't want to admit that I'm right. Stubborn, penguin. Such an annoyance to others, I would fear. (his smile dropped) Stay out of your way, Pip. You never know what will happen if you make someone mad. (left the hall and walks away)