"WITNESSING STICK"
Episode #14
FADE IN:
INT. book - dAY - intro
Narrator
In a land before time, far, far away, ...I mean a long long time ago, there was a legendary kingdom; a place called Sugarland.  Its people were gentle and kind. 
CUT TO:
EXT. desert - dAY
Narrator
One time, out there in the desert, two travellers became companions. Ha ha... Who is this! 

Hey, you!
Judge
Who, me?
NARRATOR
Yes you. Why are you travelling alone? Aren't you afraid? 
Judge
Ha ha Me? Fear? What an odd thing to say. I am not afraid of anything. 
NARRATOR
But in the story, it says you are kind of a coward and don't dare to travel alone, by yourself. 
Judge
What? I am a coward? Listen, those stories are all lies anyway... 

Ahhhhh! ...But now that I think about it, I think it's better to have a traveling companion.  Hehehe.. But there is no one here in this empty desert. Hmmm... 

Huh?! Maybe that's someone! In the distance. Hey, there traveler! 
Traveler
Huh, who is that?
Judge
Hey, traveller. Wait up. 
Traveler
You talking to me?
Judge
Why in such a rush? Hi there. Don't be afraid. 
Traveler
Hey man. So, what can I do for you?
Judge
Haha I saw you are very afraid traveling alone, Said to myself, pair up. That's what friends do.. 
Traveler
Sure, good idea man. We could travel together. 
Judge
Okay, tell me. What do you do, where you come from, where you headed.
Traveler
Who me? I'm from Nomanland. I'm on my way to Sugarland brother. Well, I'll be buying some dishes and so on... you know. 
Judge
Hehehe. But I am a big deal Judge, that's right... Own more than 10,000 camels, all across the lands. My ships sail across all the oceans, it's true yes. Everybody knows me, how come you don't?
NaRRATOR
Anyway, the Judge started to talk. He talked and talked and talked. 
Judge
Waves as high as a mountain were hitting the ship. All the sails were torn up. I said to myself... Why you stopping? 
Fast cut to:
EXT. desert - nIGHT - coNTINUOUS
Traveler
Well, man, It looks like it's night out. We need some rest... You know. 
Judge
But Sugarland is so very close.
Traveler
But by the time we get there man, the gate is going to be closed... you feel me...  
Judge
Ya, you're right. Better get some rest here.
Judge (CONT'D)
Anyhow, I took my dagger out and jumped on my horse. I attacked the thieves. There was hundreds, maybe thousands, maybe tens of thousands... They were coming at me from all directions, and right then... 
A howling in the distance can be heard.
JUDGE (CONT'D)
Oh, dear! What was that sound? 
Traveler
Yo, get off me man. It's just the sound of a howling wolf, brother... come on... 
Judge
Wolf? What wolf? We didn't see any on our way here. Maybe it's the thieves. 
Traveler
Yup, some big old scary looking thieves I bet...  
Judge
Why are you so calm? Aren't you afraid of the thieves? They are going to steal every coin we have. 
Traveler
What do you want me to do about it?
Judge
To do? How do I know? I'm ruined. There is nothing to do. 
Traveler
Look this is what we're gonna do, alright? We're gonna hide our money under this stone over here? This way, if they come at us, they won't find the money, you feel me... 
Judge
Sure, sure. Good idea. 
Both  the Judge and his traveling companion hide their money under the stone. 
Judge (CONT'D)
Hmmm... Look at how much money he has.... Of course, don't you worry about your money. Money comes and goes. One time forty thieves attacked us, you don't know the half of it, it was scary, I'm telling you... oh, you wanna sleep, no problem. I'll tell you the rest tomorrow morning.
But, interesting. This simple guy has much more money than I do. So, you're showing off your money, huh! Hmmm... 
The men wake from their rest and prepare to continue on their travels.
EXT. desert - dAY - cONTINUOUS
Traveler (o.S.)
Ah.... Get up, donkey. Time to get up ya'll... we gotta get going... You too man... 
Judge
Ah, what? I dind't sleep at all... I mean I had a great sleep... Now let's go get the money, and head out of here. 
Traveler
Huh!? But where's the money man?
Judge
You're right! What happened to it? Huh, What's this?
Traveler
Huh?! That looks like my knife! What's it doing here?
Judge
I'll tell you what it is doing here. It was you who took the money. Come on, give me back the money. 
Traveler
Aye... get up off me man... I didn't take no money. 
Judge
OK, No one else knew of the hiding place. And more than that, your knife was there. You must have dropped it when you were stealing the money. 
Traveler
What? Yo, man you're talking crazy. Maybe it was your sticky fingers that took the money?
Judge
What! Now you're accusing me? I'll complain to the Judge. I'll have you arrested. You will see.
Traveler (O.S.)
Okay, we'll see, we'll see... 
CUT TO:
EXT. town square - dAY - cONTINUOUS
Judge
OK, we'll get to the bottom of this... People! Listen to me please. Help me please! This man has stolen my money. 
Cheerful Old MAN 
What's going on?
Sheriff/King's Guard
Stealing? Where?
NANNA
What's that you say?
Judge
Well, this man has stolen my money. Which way to judge's office?
NANNA
His office is in the next square over, but it's been closed for a week. He's traveling abroad. 
Judge
Huh, What am I to do. How can I get my money back? Who is going to help me with it then?
Cheerful Old MAN 
OK, Tell me what happened. Start from the top OK?
Judge
OK, I'll tell you. This ungrateful man was all alone in the desert scared witless. It was crazy... Then I arrived and took him under my protection. You wouldn't believe how he was carrying on... 
NaRRATOR
Yes, well anyway, the Judge started to tell his story and made the man from Nomanland look guilty. 
EXT. town square - dAY - cONTINUOUS
The Judge continues to explain his side of the story to the town folk.
Judge
... so after showing him great kindness, he got greedy and decided to steal my money. Can you believe it? 
Traveler
Oh, man, He's lying. I didn't take any money. He must have taken all of it... that's why he is accusing me. 
Judge
Madam, you be the judge. What was this man's knife doing under the stone then?
Raana
Well, of course, yes. You are right. 
NANNA
What a dilemma. Now, how are we going to find out who the real thief is?
Judge
Ah... Won't someone help me. What can I do? I lost everything. Ah 
The Judge and all the town folk speak all at once as Dumdum arrives.
EXT. tOWN SQUARE - DAY - cONTINUOUS
DumDum
Get out of the way, I know what to do. 
cHEERFUL OLD MAN
OK, tell us what we should do then?
NANNA
You mean to say you know which one is the real thief?
DumDum
Don't worry. Only my Witnessing Sticks can tell who is right and who is lying. 
cHEERFUL OLD MAN
Witnessing Sticks?
Raana
Well, what are those?
SCIENTIST
Well, scientifically, a stick cannot realistically speak, what does that tell us?. 
DumDum
HA ha ha.. I'll show you. Advisor, bring the witnessing sticks.
KID #2
Ah... What are they, Mr. DumDum Sir?
DumDum
Get closer and I'll tell you. 
Dumdum whispers in the kid's ear.
kID #2
Ah! Got it. I'll bring them right over. 
NANNA
I've never seen such a thing in my life. 
kID #2
(running)
Here you go. I brought them, here. 
DumDum
Ah huh... Take a good look at these sticks. They are both the same size. Each of you take one and tomorrow morning come back here. The guy who has lied, will have a longer stick. 
Judge
Tomorrow it will become clear that you are the thief. 
NANNA
What did he say? These sticks get longer in the hand of a lying man?
Sheriff/King's Guard
How can a stick grow?
kID #2
I saw it once myself, I did.
SCIENTIST
From a scientific point of view, sticks never grow longer, unless the stick is a part of a tree and that tree has roots. Where did everybody go?
CUT TO:
InT. town inn - night - man's room
The man lays down and gets some rest.
Traveler
Man, I wonder if this can really tell who the liar is. Oh, well. Better get some sleep. 
CUT TO:
INT. town inn - niGHT - Judge's room
Judge
Hehehe. What nonsense. How can a stick grow. But ... Looks like it's getting a bit longer... Getting longer, not getting longer... Getting longer, not getting longer... Getting longer, not getting longer... it's the size of my hand plus four fingers... No, no, no, no... A stick doesn't grow. I am going to hit the sack. 
The Judge lies down as the stick starts growing longer.
Judge(CONT'D)
Huh?! Where are you going? You'll shame me in front of everybody... Please! Please, don't grow longer. I'm sorry. I'll never do it again. What a nightmare. You think I'll let you ruin my plan? I'll cut you down right now. Looks like no one is watching. Now I'm going to deal with you. 
The judge proceeds to cut the stick shorter.
CUT TO:
EXT. tOWN SQUARE - DAY
Everyone now gathers in the town square to find out witch stick grew longer and who the liar is.
DumDum
Hahaha. Okay, now. Give me your sticks.
Traveler
Alright, Here's my stick. 
Judge
And this here is my stick.
Crowd
Wow! Look at that... What happened? 
Judge
Hehehe... Now you can see that I'm the honest one? His stick is longer.
DumDum
Not so fast. First we place the sticks in their place, then we see which one is really longer. Adviser?
kID #2
Yes, sir Mr. DumDum. I'm going to bring it right away.
The kid runs off to get the wooden wheel.
KID #2 (CONT'D)
Here you go.
DumDum
Okay, let's see. Hmm... here it goes. 
Traveler
Finally, justice... Hahaha 
DumDum
Now turn for this one. 
cHEERFUL OLD MAN
Ha, look at the size of his piece hahaha.
SCIENTIST
From a scientific point of view, how come this stick is shorter?
NANNA
But these are regular sticks.
Sheriff/King's Guard
Yes, regular, but they show who is telling the truth hahaha. 
DumDum
Hahaha... Yes, there is no such thing as a Witnessing Stick. A stick can't get longer or shorter. But it does show who the greedy person is, and who wants to trick and steal from others.
Judge
This was all a trick? I will sue you all. Where is the judge? I deserve justice...
Nanna hits the Judge over the head with her cane as he makes a run for it.
NANNA
Why you want to cheat this poor man? Give his money back, I say... Give his money back...
Judge
Well... looks like I have something to attend to ... I'm going... 
He runs into the Sheriff.
Sheriff/King's Guard
Where you going? And in such a rush?
Judge
Put me down, Put me down.... 
Sheriff/King's Guard
I got myself a thief!
Judge
My money, my money! 
TRAVELER
Ya, that's what you get player... ha, ha, ha.....
NaRRATOR
Haha. Yes. The greedy Judge fell into the trap he had set up himself. They were taking him to jail when I decided to tell you this story. 
Judge
Come on. Have some decency. At least give me my own coins back. I'am a respectable man. Come on... come on... Hey, lady. Lady! You speak for me at least. At least you understand me right? Come on.... 
NaRRATOR
Haha... Our story came to an end, and again, the honest man got the last word. Till another day and another story, be safe.

THE END.