"THE CLAY POT MERCHANT"
Episode #13
FADE IN:
INT. book - intro - dAY
Narrator
Another day, and time of course for another story. Let's see what Sugarland has in store for us. We'll open the book and find out whose story we are telling today. 
CUT TO:
EXT. town road - dAY
Randolph tries to dig up a bush with out success.
Randolph
Oh... Aye... Oh, what a stubborn bush. Why don't you want to come out! I'm beat... 
TEA MASTER
Hey, you over there... Get out of the way, sir Korbin the Merchant, he's passing... already...
Randolph
You have all this desert! But, you want to go right over me?? Well, go ahead then...
NaRRATOR
This is Randolph the, thorn-collector. He lived a happy and quiet life. 
Randolph
Happy life?? What happy life? You call this life? I don't want to do this anymore. I am going to be a merchant. Just like sir Korbin. 
NARRATOR
OH! So it looks like Randolph is tired of thorn-collecting. Humm, let's follow him and see what's wrong. 
EPISODE TITLE "The Clay Pot Merchant"
CUT TO:
EXT. Randolph's House - dAY - backyard
RAANA sweeps the floor as he arrives.
Randolph (O.S.)
I won't collect thorns anymore even if they do fire me. Yes, sir. No more!
RAANA
What are you doing at home? Why are you at home? Where is your load of thorns?
Randolph
From today on, I'm not doing that anymore. 
RAANA
So? What are you going to do then? 
Randolph
I want to become a merchant. Buy and sell merchandise. Just like sir Korbin. 
RAANA
Merchant? Suddenly you're feeling clever? Being a merchant is not easy. You have to read and write, pay attention to detail. You forget everything. Every day you forget to bring your sickle with you. Merchant? How do you expect to know how to be a merchant?
Randolph
Who said I am forgetful? I remember everything. Tomorrow I'm selling my sickle and starting my merchant business. 
RAANA
My Dear, Randolph. Don't be so stubborn. Being a merchant is not what you know. You can't buy your products at a corner store. How are you going to do well in business?
Randolph
So, you're saying I don't know how to buy and sell? I'll show you tomorrow. 
RAANA
Fine, fine. Do what you like. Now that you're so full of yourself, go get a clay pot from the shop. I want to make some meat stew for today. 
Randolph
No problem. Not a problem at all. 
RAANA (O.S.)
Randolph, Randolph! Randolph!
Randolph
Ah! Now what?
RAANA
After you buy the pot, ask the store owner how much salt I have to put in it. 
Randolph
Fine. I'll ask. And instead of one pot, I'll buy you one hundred. In fact, I am going to become a clay pot merchant. 
RAANA
Oh, Look at him. The future merchant. I'll make you a stew that'll make you forget all this merchant nonsense. 
CUT TO:
INT. clay shop - dAY - mOMENTS LATER
Randolph
Hello, there friend. 
Clay master
Hey! How are you, Randolph. Nice to see you. What can I do for you?
Randolph
Hmmm... What did I want... it on tip of my tongue... Oh, yeah. I wanted an urn. 
CLAY MASTER (O.S.)
Here you go. This is a good urn. It'll keep water cold. 
Randolph
But I didn't want cold water... Maybe I want a clay bowl. 
CLAY MASTER
Oh, boy. Alright, here's a clay bowl. You can serve some nice yoghurt in this. 
Randolph
But I didn't want that either. What was it I wanted? 
CLAY MASTER
Ahh... You're making me tired. I just have urns, bowls and pots here. Tell me which one you want.
Randolph
Aha! It was the clay pot I came in here for. 
CLAY MASTER
Your sure?
Randolph
I'm sure!
CLAY MASTER
Here. This is a nice glazed pot. 
Randolph
Ah, thank you friend. Ah, friend?
CLAY MASTER
Now what! What do you need now? 
Randolph
I forgot to ask. How much salt should I put in this pot, here?
CLAY MASTER
How would I know. Half a fistful maybe. 
Randolph
What? One fistful?
CLAY MASTER
No! Half a fistful. 
Randolph
I got it. Half a fistful... So how much salt did you say again, friend?
CLAY MASTER
Half a fistful! Half a fistful! 
Randolph
I got it, I got it. Half a fistful. 
Randolph leaves the shop, but in all the confusion forgets to pay for the pot.
CLAY MASTER
Hey! What happened to my money? 
NaRRATOR
Ha ha! And after all that, Randolph forgot to pay the clay maker. Oh well. Now let's see what other trouble he's going to get into. 
CUT TO:
EXT. town road - dAY - mOMENTS LATER
Randolph walks along the road as he repeats to himself almost in a song like manner, the amount of salt to put in the pot. 
Randolph
(almost singing)
Half a fistful and not more. Half a fistful and not more. Half a fistful and not more... Half a fistful and not more... Half a fistful and not more... Half a fistful and not more...
Randolph heads down the alley and towards the wheat seller and his associate.
Captain
What a large wheat crop. Our land is truly fortunate. 
Man #5
Boss, may each seed become 1000 next year!
Randolph passes by repeating his almost song like sentence.
Randolph
Half a fistful and not more....
Captain
What's he saying? He's wishing bad luck on us.
The Assistant seller gives chase after Randolph, followed by the boss.
Man #5
Yes! He is cursing us. I'll show him!... What are you saying? I am going to show you!
Randolph
What! Oh, no... What did I say! Please... What did I say? 
MAN #5
Take that... and this....

RANDOLPH
No... please... ohhh... Oh...!!
Randolph stumbles on a rock and falls to the ground, just barely saving the clay pot from being destroyed.
Captain
You cursed our harvest? I am sure it was because of you we had a bad crop last year... 
Man #5
He's right. You must have put the evil eye on us. 
Captain
Why are you saying "half a fistful there my friend, huh? 
Randolph
The clay maker told me to. 
Captain
Damn both you and the clay maker. You say it one more time and you'll regret it. Instead of cursing and putting an evil eye on people, just say 'May one become 1000'. 
Randolph
Fine, I'll say it. May one become 1000. May one become 1000... May one become 1000... 
Captain
Well done. Now you are talking. Just keep saying it as you go. 
MAN #5
Ya, keep saying that....
RANDOLPH
May one become 1000...
Randolph heads off on his way and passes by the town funeral home where a service is in progress.
CUT TO:
EXT. tOWN ROAD - DAY - funeral home - mOMENTS LATER
SIGN:"My Condolences from the People of Sugarland for the Passing of my Mom".
Franky
(crying)
Momma.... 
SAL
Hey... how you doing... Oooo.. Aaaaa...
Roseanne 
I am sorry for your lose.
Franky
Thank you for coming, very kind of you... Oh momma.... Why did you leave me all by myself? What am I to do?  
SAL
Oooo... Aaaa.... Oooo.... Hey how you doing... ya....
Ray
Have a snack. Just one, not two...
Randolph passes by at that moment as he repeats what the Wheat seller instructed him to say.
Randolph
May one become 1000. May one become 1000. May one become 1000...
Franky
wait a second! What is he talking about?
Ray
He's cursing us, Boss. 
Sal
Boss, let me straighten him out. 
Franky
He's cursing, is he? I'll show him who he's dealing with! Why I'm gonna... Hold me back somebody...
Randolph
One becomes 1000... One becomes 1000... 
Ray (O.S.)
Hey, you cursing us?
Randolph realizes that he's now being chased again.
Randolph
Oh, no! What a day! Why's everybody picking on me today?!
Franky
I'll show you! I'm gonna give you a meatball sandwich... my mother made great meatballs... may she rest in peace... Hey! Stop right there! I'm gonna teach you a lesson. What is he, a monkey....
Randolph makes just in time to climb up a tree, while Franky and his sidekicks are below.
SAL
Hey, get down... hey...
Franky
Sal, Ray, get this guy down... On my mother's grave, may she rest in peace... I am gonna kick some serious... funny looking shoes... Hey... what's up with you saying, may one get you a thousand...? 
Randolph
Leave me alone!
Randolph (CONT'D)
It's not my fault. The wheat miller told me to say it. 
Franky
What! The miller!? Who cares about the freakin miller? Get down here!
SAL
Aaaaa.... Ooooo... you heard the boss....
Randolph
Okay. I won't say it again. I won't say it again.
Doc
You foolish boy, your mother is still not in her grave, and you're getting in trouble again?
Franky
Oh, no. It's dad!... Oh, mommy, you hat to leave me, and now he's gonna spank me again.... 
Ray
Hey! Yous was lucky this time, otherwise the boss would taken care of you real good. 
Sal
That's right. You got very lucky... Aaaa... 
Randolph
I won't say it again. 
Ray
You should just say, 'May this be the last, may there not be another'. 'May this be the last, may there not be another'...
Randolph
Fine, fine. I'll say it. From now on I'll say whatever you tell me. Believe me!
Sal
Glad you got the message.... Aaaaaa.... 
Randolph falls out of the tree, and then continues on his way as he arrives at a wedding. 
CUT TO:
EXT. tOWN ROAD - DAY - mOMENTS LATER - wedding
JAcob
(singing)
Hope there is a wedding every day! Congratulations to all! Hope there is always a wedding party. Congratulations to all! Just like the rain water, may it always come down with happiness. Congratulations to all. La, la, la, la..... 
Randolph
(almost singing)
May this be the last, may there not be another. May this be the last, may there not be another.. May this be the last, may there not be another.... May this be the last, may there not be another....
Nanna
What's he saying? Sounds like he's cursing us. It sounds like... Catch up with him! Don't let him get away. 
The people from the wedding now give chase after Randolph. He panic and looks for an escape.
Randolph
This is the worst day of my life. What should I do? Go donkey go....
Randolph see a donkey, he jumps on its back and tries to get away.
RANDOLPH (CONT'D)
(to donkey)
Come on, you foolish donkey... Lets go, come on... What are you doing? Come on! 
The donkey bucks and sends Randolph flying.
RANDOLPH (CONT'D)
Ahhhhhhhhhh......!
 He again just barely saves the pot from being destroyed.
Man #7
So, you're cursing us....
Randolph
Some guys at the funeral home told me to say this. 
Man #7
I don't care what they said. Don't ever say these things again. 
Randolph
Okay, I won't say it again. I'll just say what you tell me to say. 
Nanna
That's it. From now on, instead of saying these awful things, be happy. Sing. You understand?
Randolph
Congratulations! Just like the rain water in the brook. Every day a wedding, congratulations. May there be happiness in the air and weddings in your houses. Congratulations! Just like the sugar and sugar cube, may we always get along. Congratulations.  
Randolph continues on his way, now singing and banging on his pot in a very happy manner. He passes in front of the Palace.
RANDOLPH (CONT'D)
Congratulations! Just like the rain water in the brook. Every day a wedding, congratulations. May there be happiness in the air and weddings in your houses..... Congratulations! Just like the sugar and sugar cube, may we always get along. Congratulations.  
CUT TO:
INT. Palace - dAY
The is sleeping for his afternoon nap. He is awoken by Randolph's banging and singing.
King
What! Guard? Guard! Who is this fool who woke me from my afternoon slumber? Stop him!
King's Guards
Yes sir, right away sir!
CUT TO:
EXT. tOWN ROAD - DAY - mOMENTS LATER
Randolph continues his banging and singing as the kings guards give chase.
Randolph
Every day a wedding, congratulations. May there be... Oh no! I'm not sticking around here....
Randolph jumps in the well to try and escape the guards.
King's GuaRD #1
Hiding in the well? Huh? 

KING'S GUARD #2
Get out right away!
Randolph
I'm not coming out. 
King's GuaRD #1
You woke the king from his most beautiful sleep. 
KING'S GUARD #2
That's right. Now you ask what did I do?
Randolph
At the wedding they told me to play music and sing. 
King's GuaRD #1
A sane man wouldn't go around singing and dancing. When you get out of there! I'll show how to dance!
King's GuaRD #2
GET OUT. I TOLD YOU TO GET OUT. Come on!
Randolph
I'm sorry. From now on, I'll say whatever you want me to say. 
King's GuaRD #1
From now on, you keep your head down and walk around quietly. Go quietly, come back quietly...
KING'S GUARDS
And no one will bother you. Do you understand?
Randolph
Ah, I get it. Go quietly and come back quietly so no harm will come to me. 
KinG
Guard. Guard! What on earth are you doing? 
King's GuaRD #1
His majesty is....

KING'S GUARDS
 ...calling. Come on! Let's go. 
Randolph
Phew.., I got rid of them. OK, so don't be loud, be quiet and I'll be alright... Wait!..`Where's the pot? Oh no, it`s down in the well. Ohhhhhh....!
CUT TO:
EXT. town square - day - mOMENTS LATER
Korbin
Oh, no. I lost everything. I'm ruined. They stole everything I had. 
Cheerful OlD MAN
Oh, dear. Thieves again?
Rosa
Good gracious, we got robbed again? 
Kid #4
We got robbed...
Korbin
I'm ruined. I lost it all. They took it all. .. They took everything... 
CHEERFUL OLD MAN
To bad....
Korbin now notices Randolph walking along quietly. Almost trying not to be noticed.
Korbin
(towards Randolph)
Huh?! Wait a minute! Who is this? Why is he walking like this? I think this the thief himself. That's him! Otherwise he wouldn't walk so quietly. Arrest him! Arrest him! I think he has my money in his pockets... Thief!
Everyone give chase and jumps on Randolph.
Randolph
Oh NO! Not again... STOP! STOP....!
Randolph crawls on the ground followed by Korbin.
Korbin
If you're not the thief, how come your walking around quietly and with your head down? Huh!? Why are you tiptoeing? Huh?
Randolph
What can I do? What do you people want from me? The kings' guard himself ordered me to walk this way, don't you know.... 
Korbin
Ah, why? You've done nothing wrong. Why do they want you to tiptoe? 
Randolph
I don't know. What can I do? 
Korbin
Keep your head up and walk with pride. 
Randolph
Fine. From now on, I'll hold my head up and walk with pride... How's this? 
Randolph lifts his head and walks "with pride" as the town folk get a good laugh from it.
Korbin
Ya, that's good. 
Randolph
Walking with pride. Walking with pride... Walking with pride... Walking with pride... 
NaRRATOR
Well now, that was quite the troublesome day for poor Randolph. But finally, it does look like he's getting the clay pot home safe and sound. 
CUT TO:
EXT. randolph's house - dAY - mOMENTS LATER
Randolph arrives at home.
Randolph
If getting the pot home is so difficult, how tough is being a merchant going to be. Never mind about the pot, how do I deal with what people say? What should I tell my wife? Look at me! I was going to be in pots and pans business!
RAANA
Why are you walking like a peacock? Keep your head down! Watch out for the door. 
Randolph
Oh, ouch...
RAANA
What a shocker! So finally we have a pot. 
Randolph
Yes, I bought one. And a good one at that. Here you are!! 
Randolph smashes the clay pot on the floor.
RAANA
Ah! Why did you break the pot?
Randolph
Because! The heck with it! I'm tired of this foolish pot. You know what? I don't even want the meat stew. 
RAANA
Fine. You don't have to shout. It was you who wanted to be in clay pot business. 
Randolph
No! I don't want to be a merchant anymore. I want to stay as a thorn-collector. Gathering thorn is just fine with me. What's wrong with being a thorn-collector, anyway? Thorn-collector it is! That's right, a thorn collector I said....
RAANA
(laughs)
So! Where are you off to? You forgot your sickle again! Ha ha ha...
NarRATOR
So, there we are. And that is the story of the clay pot trouble-maker and a lesson well learned by Randolph. Until next time, and of course, another story. Be well, and safe.  

THE END.