Wednesday 11 February 2015

Coraline



When adventurous and feisty eleven year old Coraline moves to an old house, she feels bored and neglected by her parents. She finds a hidden door with a bricked up passage. During the night she crosses the passage and finds a parallel world where everybody has buttons instead of eyes, with caring parents and all her dreams coming true. When the other mother invites Coraline to stay in her world forever, the girl refuses and finds that the alternate reality where she’s trapped is only a trick to lure her. This strangely idealized version of her frustrating home however has sinister secrets. When Coraline’s adventure turns dangerous, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination and bravery to save her family.


CORALINE JONES
MEL JONES
BELDAM
MISS. APRIL SPINK
MISS. MIRIAM FORCIBLE
THE CAT
CHARLIE JONES
MR. SERGEI ALEXANDER BOBINSKY
SWEET GHOST GIRL
WYBORNE ‘WYBIE’ LOVAT
GHOST BOY
TALL GHOST GIRL
PHOTO FRIENDS
MAGIC DRAGONFLY
MOVERS
TOYS
GRANDMOTHER
SHAKESPEARE RASCAL

SCENE
CORALINE’S NEW HOUSE. LUGGUAGE AND BOXES ON THE FLOOR.
MEL JONES:
We’re here, time to muscle up.
MOVERS TWO:
(ENTER. DROP OFF MORE BOXES)
MEL JONES:
(TIPS THEM. MOVERS EXIT)
CORALINE:
I’m going out!
(EXITS HOUSE. CURTAINS)

SCENE
 GARDEN FULL OF EMPTY FLOWER POTS.
CORALINE:
(ENTER PLUCKS A BRANCH FROM THE BUSHES. STARTS WALKING AROUND WITH IT. HEARS A SOUND)
Hello! Who’s there?
THE CAT:
Meow.
CORALINE:
(STARTLED. FROWNS AT THE CAT) You scared me to death you mangy thing. I’m just looking for an old well. You know it? Not talking, huh?
(HOLDS UP HER STICK) Magic dowser, magic dowser show me the well!
WYBIE:
(ENTER ON A CYCLE WEARING A MASK. GRABS THE DOWSER FROM CORALINE. THEY BOTH FALL DOWN) Ooh. Let me guess. You’re from Texas or Utah, someplace dried out and barren, right? I heard about water witching before but it doesn’t make sense. I mean, it’s just an ordinary branch.
CORALINE:
It’s a dowsing rod. (SHOVES WYBIE)
WYBIE:
Ow!
CORALINE:
And I don’t like being stalked, not by psycho nerds or their cats!
WYBIE:
He’s not really my cat. He’s kind of feral. You know, wild. Ofcourse I do feed him every night and sometimes he’ll come to my window and bring me little dead things.
CORALINE:
Look I’m from Pontiac.
WYBIE:
Huh?
CORALINE:
Michigan and if I am a water witch, then where’s the secret well?
(STOMPS HER FOOT)
WYBIE:
You stomp too hard and you’ll fall in it.
CORALINE:
(TAKING TWO STEPS BACK) Oh!
WYBIE:
(DIGS IN THE DIRT) See? It’s supposed to be so deep, if you fell to the bottom and looked up, you’d see a sky full of stars in the middle of the day.
CORALINE:
Ha.
WYBIE:
Surprised she let you move in. My gramma owns the Pink Palace. Won’t rent to people with kids.
CORALINE:
What do you mean?
WYBIE:
I’m not supposed to talk about it. I’m Wybie. Wybie Lovat.
(SHAKING HANDS WITH CORALINE)
CORALINE:
Wybie?
WYBIE:
Short for Wyborne. Not my idea ofcourse. What’d you get saddled with?
CORALINE:
I wasn’t saddled with anything. It’s Coraline.
WYBIE:
Caroline what?
CORALINE:
Coraline. Coraline Jones.
WYBIE:
It’s not real scientific but I heard an ordinary name like Caroline can lead people to have ordinary expectations about a person.
GRAMMA:
(SOFT VOICE HEARD)Wyborne!
CORALINE:
I think I heard someone calling you Wyborne.
WYBIE:
What? I didn’t hear anything.
CORALINE:
I definitely heard someone, Why-were-you-born.
GRAMMA:
(VOICE HEARD) Wyborne!
WYBIE:
Gramma! Well, great to meet a Michigan water witch but I’d wear gloves next time.
CORALINE:
Why?
WYBIE:
‘Cause that dowsing rod of yours, it’s poison oak.
CORALINE:
Argh! (THROWS IT AWAY)

SCENE
CORALINE’S NEW HOUSE. KITCHEN.
CORALINE:
I almost fell down a well yesterday mom.
MEL JONES:
Uh-huh.
CARALINE:
I would’ve died.
MEL JONES:
That’s nice.
CORALINE:
Hmm. So, can I go out? I think it’s perfect weather for gardening.
MEL JONES:
No, Coraline. Rain makes mud. Mud makes a mess.
CORALINE:
But mom I want stuff growing when my friends come to visit. Isn’t that why we moved here?
MEL JONES:
Something like that but then we had the accident.
CORALINE:
It wasn’t my fault you hit that truck.
MEL JONES:
I never said it was.
CORALINE:
I can’t believe it. You and dad get paid to write about plants and you hate dirt.
MEL JONES:
Coraline, I don’t have time for you right now and you still have unpacking to do. Lots of unpacking.
CORALINE:
That sounds exciting!
MEL JONES:
Oh, some kid left this on the front porch. (HANDS CORALINE A PACKAGE)
CORALINE:
(CORALINE OPENS IT AND READS THE NOTE)
“Hey Jonesy, Look what I found in grandma’s trunk. Look familiar? Wybie.”
Huh. A little me? That’s weird. (IT’S A CORALINE DOLL)
MEL JONES:
What’s his name anyway?
CORALINE:
Wybie and I’m way too old for dolls.
(EXIT KITCHEN. CURTAIN. RE-ENTER. DAD WORKING IN HIS STUDY)
 Hey dad how’s the writing going? Dad!
CHARLIE JONES:
Hello Coraline and Coraline doll.
CORALINE:
Do you know where the garden tools are?
CHARLIE JONES:
It’s… it’s pouring out there, isn’t it?
CORALINE:
It’s just raining.
CHARLIE JONES:
What’d the boss say?
CORALINE:
(IN HER MOTHER’S FIRM TONE. LOUD. WAGGING A FINGER)
“Don’t even think about going out, Coraline Jones!”
CHARLIE JONES:
Then you won’t need the tools.
CORALINE:
Ugh! (PLAYS WITH A SQUEAKY DOOR)
CHARLIE JONES:
You know, this house is a hundred and fifty years old.
CORALINE:
So?
CHARLIE JONES:
So explore it. Go out and count all the doors and windows and write that down… list everything that’s blue. Just let me work.
CORALINE:
I already did that! Twelve leaky windows, lots of bugs in the bath, one rusty old water heater, one boring blue boy in a painfully boring painting. Fourteen incredibly boring windows and twelve incredibly boring doors.
(EXITS. CURTAIN. RE-ENTER KITCHEN)
All right little me, where are you hiding?
(DOLL’S HALF FALLEN BEHIND A PAINTING WRAPPED IN BROWN PAPER AND STANDING AGAINST THE WALL ON THE FLOOR AND DISCOVERS A SMALL HIDDEN DOOR) Huh? Hey mom, where does this door go?
MEL JONES:
(CALLS FROM THE NEXT ROOM) I’m really-really busy.
CORALINE:
I think it’s locked. Please!
MEL JONES:
(ENTER) Will you stop pestering me if I do this for you?
CORALINE:
(BEGS AND WHIMPERS LIKE A PUPPY)
MEL JONES:
Fine. (RUMMAGES IN A DRAWER AND PULLS OUT A KEY. UNLOCKING THE SMALL DOOR. IT’S BRICKED UP)
CORALINE:
Bricks? I don’t get it.
MEL JONES:
They must’ve closed this off when they divided up the house.
CORALINE:
You’re kidding and why is the door so small?
MEL JONES:
We made a deal! Zip it!
CORALINE:
You didn’t lock it. (SHUTS THE DOOR. REPLACES THE KEY IN THE DRAWER. UNPACKS A SNOW GLOBE AND PLACES IT ON A SHELF)
CHARLIE JONES:
(ENTER. SITS DOWN AT THE KITCHEN. SERVES CAROLINE FOOD. SINGING)
Oh my twitchy-witchy girl,
I think you are so nice,
I give you bowls of porridge
And I give you bowls of ice… cream!
I give you lots of kisses
And I give you lots of hugs
But I never gives you sandwiches
With grease and worms and mung… beans!
CORALINE:
(PUSHING AWAY HER PLATE) Why don’t you ever cook mom?
MEL JONES:
Coraline, we’ve been through this before. Your dad cooks, I clean and you stay out of the way. I swear I’ll go food shopping as soon as I finish the catalogue. Try some of the charred, you need a vegetable.
CORALINE:
It looks more like slime to me.
CHARLIE JONES:
Well its slime or bedtime, fusspot. Now what’s it going to be?
CORALINE:
(SPEAKING TO HER DOLL SITTING ON THE CHAIR NEXT TO HER)
Think they are trying to poison me?

SCENE
CORALINE’S DRAB BEDROOM.
CORALINE:
(SPEAKING TO HER FRIENDS IN A PICTURE FRAME BY HER BED)
Don’t forget about me guys. Okay? Goodnight, little me.
(SHUTS HER EYES IN SLEEP. ENTER LITTLE MOUSE FROM UNDER THE BED. MOUSE EXITS ROOM. CORALINE FOLLOWS THE MOUSE. EXIT CORALINE. RE-ENTER MOUSE AND CORALINE TO KITCHEN. MOUSE STANDS IN FRONT OF THE DOOR. CORALINE OPENS THE DOOR. GASPS)
Whoa! There’s a tunnel. (ENTERS TUNNEL. EXIT. CURTAIN)

SCENE
THE OTHER KITCHEN.
CORALINE:
(RE-ENTERS FROM TUNNEL INTO KITCHEN. LOOKS AROUND. EVERYTHING IS NICER)
Huh? Mmm. Something smells good.
Mom? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?
MEL JONES:
(WITH BUTTONS FOR EYES) You’re just in time for supper, dear.
CORALINE:
You’re not my mother. My mother doesn’t have…
MEL JONES:
Buttons? Do you like them? I’m your other mother, silly. Now go tell your other father that supper’s ready. Well go on, he’s in his study.
(EXIT CORALINE)
CORALINE:
(ENTER OTHER STUDY) Hello.
CHARLIE JONES:
(WITH BUTTONS FOR EYES) Hello, Coraline. Wanna hear my new song?
CORALINE:
My father can’t play piano.
CHARLIE JONES:
No need to! This piano plays me.
(SIINGING AND PLAYING)
Making up a song about Coraline,
She’s a peach, she’s a doll, she’s a pal of mine,
She’s as cute as a button in the eyes of everyone
Whoever laid their eyes on Coraline.
When she comes around exploring,
Mom and I will never make it boring
Our eyes will be on Coraline!
CORALINE:
I’m sorry but she said to tell you the food is ready.
CHARLIE JONES:
Mmm. Who’s starving, raise your hand. (THROWING UP BOTH HANDS)
CORALINE:
(SMILES WEAKLY. CHARLIE, CORA EXIT OTHER STUDY. RE-ENTER OTHER KITCHEN)
CHARLIE JONES:
We give our thanks and ask to bless our mother’s golden chicken breast.
CORALINE:
Mmm. This chicken is good.
MEL JONES:
Hungry, aren’t you?
CORALINE:
Do you have any gravy?
MEL JONES:
Ofcourse dear. (POURING GRAVY IN CORALINE’S PLATE)
Another roll? Sweet peas? Corn on the cob?
CORALINE:
I’m real thirsty.
MEL JONES:
Ofcourse dear. Any requests?
CORALINE:
Mango milkshake? (POURING MANGO MILKSHAKE INTO CORALINE’S GLASS. CORALINE FINISHES THE GLASS)
MEL JONES:
(CLEARING CORALINE’S PLATE AND PLACING A LARGE CAKE IN ITS PLACE. IT SAYS WELCOME HOME)
CORALINE:
Home?
CHARLIE JONES:
We’ve been waiting for you, Coraline.
CORALINE:
For me?
CHARLIE JONES:
Yep. Wasn’t the same here without you kiddo.
CORALINE:
I didn’t know I had another mother.
MEL JONES:
Ofcourse you do, everyone does.
CORALINE:
Really?
MEL JONES:
Uh-huh and soon as you’re through eating, I thought we’d play a game.
CORALINE:
You mean like hide-and-seek?
MEL JONES:
Perfect. Hide-and-seek in the rain.
CORALINE:
What rain? (THUNDER HEARD. IT STARTS TO RAIN)
What about the mud?
CHARLIE JONES:
We love mud here.
MEL JONES:
Mud facials, mud baths, mud pies. It’s great for poison oak.
CORALINE:
How’d you know I… I’d love to play but I better get home to my other mother.
MEL JONES:
But I’m your other mother.
CORALINE:
I mean my other, other mother. Mom number one? I think I should get to bed.
MEL JONES:
Ofcourse sweetheart. It’s all made up.
CORALINE:
But…
CHARLIE JONES:
Come along sleepyhead. (EXIT KITCHEN. ENTER CORALINE’S ROOM)

SCENE
CORALINE’S OTHER ROOM.
CORALINE:
(ENTER WITH HER PARENTS) Wow!
BIRDS:
(ENTER THREE LITTLE BIRDS) Hello Coraline. Hello hello hello
CORALINE:
Hello.
OCTOPUSS TOY:
(WIGGLING) What’s shaking baby?
CORALINE:
Hello.
GIRLFRIEND:
(FROM BEDSIDE PICTURE)
Hey how’s it going Loper? Where’s your swampers and chook?
CORALINE:
(TALKING TO THE PICTURE FRAME) Cripes almighty! How are my best trolls? I can’t wait till summer. You’re both coming, right?
BOYFRIEND:
(BEDSIDE PICTURE) We’re already here Coraline. Gone to Oregon.
MEL JONES:
(APPYLING MUD ON CORALINE’S HAND)
CORALINE:
Oh. The mud. (YAWNS AND DRIFTS OFF TO SLEEP)
MEL, CHARLIE:
See you soon. (LIGHTS DIM)
CORALINE:
(NEXT MORNING. WAKES UP SHE’S BACK IN HER OWN DRAB HOUSE)
It’s gone. My poison oak! It’s gone!
(EXIT ROOM. ENTER KITCHEN)
It was incredibly real, Mom. Only you weren’t really you. You were the other mother.
MEL JONES:
Buttons for eyes, huh? Coraline you only dreamed you ate all that chicken.
CHARLIE JONES:
Take your multivitamin at least.
CORALINE:
You were in the dream too, Dad. You had wild-looking pyjamas and orange monkey slippers.
CHARLIE JONES:
Orange? My monkey slippers are blue. Psst, can you get me some of that magic mud you were talking about? I have a terrible case of writer’s rash on my…
MEL JONES:
(GLARING AT CHARLIE) If the real Charlie Jones wants his pages edited, he better wrap them up ASAP.
CHARLIE JONES:
(EXIT)

Coraline why don’t you go visit downstairs? I bet those actresses would love to hear your dream.
CORALINE:
Miss. Spink and Forcible? But you said they’re dingbats.
MEL JONES:
Mmm-hmm. (CURTAIN)

SCENE
GARDEN.
CORALINE:
(PICKING POST FROM THE PORCH)
Bobinsky. Bobinsky. Bobinsky. Bobinsky. Bobinsky. Bobinsky.
(SNIFFING THE SMALL PACKAGES) Yuck!
(KNOCKING ON NEIGHBOURS DOOR) Hello? I think our mail got mixed up. Should I leave it outside or… (HAND ACCIENTLY PUSHES THE DOOR OPEN. CORALINE PEERS IN)
MR. BOBINSKY:
Secret! (SNEAKING UP FROM BEHIND CAROLINE. DOING A HAND STAND)
CORALINE:
(CORALINE STARTLES AND TURN AROUND) Huh!
MR. BOBINSKY:
Famous jumping mouse circus not ready, little girl.
CORALINE:
Circus?
MR. BOBINSKY:
Uh-huh.
CORALINE:
I brought this for you.
MR. BOBINSKY:
(GRABS AND SNIFFS THE PACKAGES)
CORALINE:
Huh?
MR. BOBINSKY:
New cheese samples. Very clever using this mix-up to sneak my home and peek at mooshkas? (DOING A CART WHEEL)
CORALINE:
Mooshkas?
MR. BOBINSKY:
The mice! (DOING JUMPING JACKS)
CORALINE:
Oh. Sorry. I’m Coraline Jones.
MR. BOBINSKY:
And I am the amazing Bobinsky but you call me Mr. B, because amazing I already know that I am. (DOING A HAND STAND)
You see Caroline, the problem is… my new songs go Oompah, Oompah but the jumping mice play only toodle-toot, like that. Is nice but not so much amazing. So now I switch to stronger cheese and soon, watch out!
(DOING A SALUTE) Here have beet. Make you strong.
Do svidaniya Caroline.
(EXIT MR. BOBINSKY INTO HIS APARTMENT AND SHUTS THE DOOR)
CORALINE:
Coraline. (CORRECTING HIM)
MR. BOBINSKY:
(POPPING OUT OF HIS DOOR AGAIN)
Caroline. Wait! The mice asked me to give you message.
CORALINE:
The jumping mice?
MR. BOBINSKY:
They are saying do not go through little door. Do you know of such a thing?
CORALINE:
(SURPRISED) The one behind the wallpaper? But it’s all bricked up.
MR. BOBINSKY:
Bah. So sorry, is nothing. Sometimes the mice are little mixed-up. They even get your name wrong, you know? They call you Coraline instead of Caroline. Not Caroline at all! Maybe I work them too hard. (EXIT TO HIS HOME)
CORALINE:
(HUMMING) Oompah, oompah, toodle-toot
(WALKING AROUND THE BARREN PORCH TO THE OTHER NEIGHBOURS DOOR. SIGN SAYS, ‘NO WHISTLING IN THE HOUSE’. CORA KNOCKS)
MISS. SPINK:
(OPENS THE DOOR. COUPLE OF CUTE LITTLE DOGS BARKING)
Cease your infernal yapping. How nice to see you Caroline. Would you like to come in we’re playing cards. (CURTAIN)
CORALINE:
(ENTER MISS. SPINK AND FORCIBLE’S HOUSE) Still Coraline, Miss. Spink.
MISS. SPINK:
(LOUDLY) Miriam! Put the kettle on!
(MOVES TO SIT ON SOFA FOLLOWED BY CORALINE)
MISS. FORCIBLE:
April I think you’re being followed.
MISS. SPINK:
It’s the new neighbour Miriam. Caroline.
CORALINE:
(WAVES HELLO)
MISS. SPINK:
She’ll be having the oolong tea.
MISS. FORCIBLE:
No! oh, no, no. I’m sure she’d prefer jasmine.
MISS. SPINK:
No, oolong.
MISS. FORCIBLE:
Ah. Jasmine it is then.
MISS. SPINK:
(THUMPS HER FORHEAD IN HOPELESSESS)
CORALINE:
(GASPS AT THE WALL IN FRONT OF HER WITH NINE STUFFED DOGS)
Are those dogs real?
MISS. SPINK:
Our sweet departed angels. Couldn’t bear to part with them, so we had them stuffed. Now there’s Hamish the third…
MISS. FORCIBLE:
(BRINGING THE TEA AND SOME TAFFY)
Go on. Have one. It’s hand-pulled taffy from Brighton. Best in the world.
MISS. SPINK:
Hamish the ninth, yes. The fourth , I’m right and Jock jr., Jock Sr., Jock the third, the fourth and that’s Jock’s second cousin thrice removed.
CORALINE:
(STRUGGLES WITH THE HARD TAFFY)
MISS. SPINK:
I’ll read them if you like. 
CORALINE:
Read what?
MISS. SPINK:
Your tea leaves, dear. (PUTTING ON HER FORTUNE TELLER’S CAP)
They’ll tell me your future. Drink up then, go on. No, not all of it. Not all of it. That’s right. Now hand it over. (TAKING THE TEA CUP FROM CORALINE)
Oh! oh Caroline. Caroline, Caroline, Caroline. You are in terrible danger.
MISS. FORCIBLE:
Oh give me that cup April!
(TAKES THE FORTUNE READER’S CAP OFF MISS. SPINK’S HEAD)
Your eyes are going.
MISS. SPINK:
My eyes? You’re as blind as a bat.
MISS. FORCIBLE:
(READING THE CUP) Well, not to worry child. It’s good news. There’s a tall handsome beast in your future.
CORALINE:
A what?
MISS. SPINK:
Miriam, really. You’re holding it wrong see? Danger. What do you see? I see a very peculiar hand.
MISS. FORCIBLE:
I see a giraffe.
MISS. SPINK:
Giraffes don’t just fall from the sky, Miriam.
CORALINE:
Well, what should I do?
MISS. SPINK:
Never wear green in your dressing room.
MISS. FORCIBLE:
Acquire a very tall stepladder.
MISS. SPINK:
And be very very careful.
MISS. FORCIBLE:
Now, was there something you came to tell us?
CORALINE:
No. I guess not. Thanks for the tea though.
MISS. SPINK:
Toodle-too.
MISS. FORCIBLE:
Cheery-bye.
CORALINE:
(EXIT. CURTAIN)

SCENE
BARREN GROUNDS.
CORALINE:
Danger?
WYBIE:
(ENTER)
CORALINE:
Great! The village stalker.
WYBIE:
Ow! I wasn’t stalking you. We’re hunting banana slugs.
CORALINE:
What do you mean ‘we’? (CAT APPEARS)
Ha! Your cat’s not wild. He’s a wuss puss.
WYBIE:
What? He hates to get his feet wet.
CORALINE:
Wuss puss. Wuss puss. So that doll. Did you make it look like me?
WYBIE:
Oh no. I found it that way. It’s older than grandma. Old as this house probably.
CORALINE:
Come on. Blue hair, my swampers and raincoat?
WYBIE:
Dang! Check out slugzilla. (PULLING A HUGE SLUG FROM THE GROUND)
CORALINE:
You’re just like them.
WYBIE:
Huh?
CORALINE:
I meant my parents. They don’t listen to me either.
WYBIE:
(HANDING CORALINE A CAMERA) Uh, you mind?
CORALINE:
(CLICKING PICTURES)
WYBIE:
(POSING WITH THE SLUG, PRETENDING TO EAT IT, SNORT IT OUT, ATTACKING HIM, A MOUSTACHE) Hmm!
CORALINE:
Ew!
WYBIE:
You know, I’ve never been inside the Pink Palace.
CORALINE:
You’re kidding.
WYBIE:
Grandma’d kill me. Thinks it’s dangerous or something.
CORALINE:
Dangerous?
WYBIE:
Well she had a twin sister.
CORALINE:
So?
WYBIE:
When they were kids, grandma’s sister disappeared. Grandma says she was stolen.
CORALINE:
Stolen? Well, what do you think?
WYBIE:
I don’t know, maybe she just ran away.
GRANDMA:
Wyborne!
WYBIE:
Look I gotta go. (EXIT)
CORALINE:
Wait a minute. (CURTAIN)

SCENE
THAT NIGHT, CORALINE ENTERS HER OTHER HOUSE THROUGH THE TUNNEL. KITCHEN.
MEL JONES:
Welcome back, darling.
CORALINE:
Hi.
MEL JONES:
So thoughtful of you to visit again Coraline. Would you go fetch your father? I bet he’s hungry as a pumpkin by now.
CORALINE:
You mean my other father.
MEL JONES:
Your better father dear. He’s out in the garden.
CORALINE:
But my parents don’t have time to garden.
MEL JONES:
(STUFFING A FRUIT IN CORALINE’S MOUTH)
CORALINE:
Mmm!
MEL JONES:
Go on. (CURTAIN)

SCENE
THE PRETTIEST GARDEN.
CORALINE:
(ENTER) I can’t believe you did this!
3 MAGICAL BIRDS:
(ENTER)
CORALINE:
(FLOWERS LIGHT UP AS SHE WALKS PAST THEM) I love your garden.
CHARLIE JONES:
Our Garden Coraline. Your mother knew you’d love this. Boy, she knows you like the back of her hand.
CORALINE:
(FLOWERS TICKILING CORALINE. GIGGLES) Stop!
CHARLIE JONES:
Daughter in distress. Tickle no more, you dragon snappers.
CORALINE:
(FOUNTAIN COMES TO LIFE. GASPS WITH DELIGHT) Well she says it’s time for dinner, breakfast, food.
CHARLIE JONES:
Let’s go kiddo.

SCENE
KITCHEN.
CORALINE:
Mmm. So good. I love dinner-breakfast-food.
MEL JONES:
Coraline, Mr. Bobinsky has invited you to come see the jumping mice perform after dinner.
CORALINE:
Really? That know-it-all Wybie said it was all in Mr. B’s head. I knew he was wrong.
CHARLIE JONES:
Well everything is right in this world, kiddo.
MEL JONES:
Your father and I will clean up while you and your friend head next door.
CORALINE:
My friend?
WYBIE:
(ENTER)
CORALINE:
Great. Another Wybie. Hello why-were-you-born.
WYBIE:
(SIGNALS HELLO WITH A WAVE OF HIS HAND)
CORALINE:
Hello!
MEL JONES:
I thought you’d like him more if he spoke a little less so I fixed him.
CORALINE:
So he can’t talk at all?
MEL JONES:
Nope.
CORALINE:
Hmm. I like it.
MEL JONES:
Now run along you two and have fun.
CORA, WYBIE:
(EXIT. CURTAIN)

SCENE

OUTSIDE MR. BOBINSKY’S DOOR.
CORALINE:
You’re awful cheerful considering you can’t say anything. It didn’t hurt did it, when she… (KNOCKING ON DOOR. ENTER CORA, WYBIE)
Whoa! Cool!
(A CIRCUS TENT, POPCORN MACHINE, CANDY FLOSS MACHINE. THEY TAKE SOME OF EACH AND TAKE A SEAT)
MR. BOBINSKY:
Lady and gentleman, for to tickle your eyes and ears and making hearts to thump, I, Sergei Alexander Bobinsky, am introducing my astoundishing, stupendulous and amazing jumping mouse circus!
(ENTER MICE WITH HORNS, DRUMS, MARCHING IN SMALL FORMATIONS, FORMING A CIRCLE, STAR, GYMNASTICS AND THE FINALE A BALL DANCE )
CORALINE:
It’s wonderful Wybie.
WYBIE:
(NODDING HAPPILY)
CORALINE:
Wow! (TO MR. BOBINSKY) Yahoo! That was great.
MR. BOBINSKY:
Very, very thank you, lady and gentleman.
CORALINE:
We loved it Mr. B. It was so… so…
MR. BOBINSKY:
Aaaa….
CORALINE:
Amazing!
MR. BOBINSKY:
You are welcome anytime you like. You and also your good friend there. Do svidaniya, Caroline. (KISSING CAROLINE’S HAND. CURTAIN)
                                      
SCENE
IN THE CAR
CORALINE:
There were garden squash like balloon animals and snapdragons. Oh! and next door I saw a real mouse circus. Not pretend like the crazy man in our house. 
CHARLIE JONES:
You sure you won’t come?
MEL JONES:
Don’t fret, Charlie. They’ll love the new catalogue. Atleast they’ll love my chapters.
MEL JONES:
I did not call him crazy Coraline. He’s drunk.
CHARLIE JONES:
Well, I guess I’ll see you around you dizzy dreamer.
(TWEAKS CORALINE’S NOSE. EXITS CAR)
CORALINE:
Dad! I’m not five anymore.

SCENE
UNIFORM AND CLOTH STORE. SIGN SAYING. BLOWOUT SALE, ALL UNIFORMS AT HALF PRICE.
CORALINE:
(PICKING UP A PAIR OF GLOVES)
MEL JONES:
Put them back Coraline.
CORALINE:
But mom, the whole school’s going to wear boring gray clothes. No one will have these.
MEL JONES:
Put them back.
CORALINE:
My other mother would get them.
MEL JONES:
Maybe she should buy all your clothes. So what do you think is in the other apartment?
CORALINE:
I don’t know.
MEL JONES:
Not a family of Jones imposters.
CORALINE:
Then why’d you lock the door?
MEL JONES:
I found some rat crap and I thought you’d feel safer.
CORALINE:
They’re jumping mice mom and the dreams aren’t dangerous. They’re the most fun I’ve had since we moved here.
MEL JONES:
Your school might be fun.
CORALINE:
With these stupid uniforms? Right.
MEL JONES:
Had to give it a try. How do you feel about a mustard, ketchup, salsa wrap for lunch?
CORALINE:
Are you kidding me?
MEL JONES:
Have to go food shopping later anyway. Dad’s planning something special.
CORALINE:
Grossgusting.
MEL JONES:
Come along now, you can pick out something you like.
CORALINE:
Oh like these gloves.
MEL JONES:
Look Caroline, if things go well today, I promise I’ll make it up.
CORALINE:
That’s what you always say.
MEL JONES:
Come on, we won’t be long
CORALINE:
But I might be. (CORA, MEL EXIT STORE)

SCENE
THE OTHER KITCHEN.
CORALINE:
(ENTER THROUGH TUNNEL) I knew it was real!
(GIFT BOX ON THE TABLE ADDRESSED TO CORALINE. READING THE NOTE)
Dearest Coraline, Miss. Spink and Miss. Forcible have invited you downstairs after lunch. I hope you like the new outfit I made you. Love mother.
(OPENS THE BOXES. LOVES HER NEW PANTS, BLOUSE AND SHOES)
THE CAT:
(ENTER)
CORALINE:
Wybie’s got a cat like you at home. Not the quiet Wybie, the one that talks too much. You must be the other cat.
THE CAT:
No, I’m not the other anything. I’m me.

Um, I can see you don’t have button eyes but if you are the same cat, how can you talk?
THE CAT:
I just can.

Cats don’t talk at home.
THE CAT:
No?

Nope.
THE CAT:
Well you’re clearly the expert on these things. After all, I’m just a big fat wuss puss. (WALKING AWAY)
CAROLINE:
(GASPS IN SURPRISE. CLASPS A HAND OVER HER MOUTH)
Come back, please? I’m sorry I called you that. I really am. How’d you get here?
THE CAT:
I’ve been coming here for awhile. It’s a game we play. She hates cats and tries to keep me out but she can’t, ofcourse. I come and go as I please.

The other mother hates cats?
THE CAT:
Not like any mother I’ve ever known.

What do you mean? She’s amazing.
THE CAT:
You probably think this world is a dream come true but you’re wrong. The other Wybie told me so.

That’s nonsense he can’t talk.
THE CAT:
Perhaps not to you. We cats however, have far superior senses than humans and can see and smell and shhh! I hear something. Right over… meow! (EXITS IN A HURRY)

SCENE
THE OTHER MISS SPINK AND FORCIBLE’S HOUSE. THE ROOM IS SET WITH CHAIRS AND A PUPPET STAGE LIKE A MINI AUDITORUM.
CORALINE:
(ENTER. TAKES A SEAT NEXT TO WYBIE AND TWO DOGS) Hey Wybie.
MISS. SPINK:
(ENTER PUPPET SHOW BOX IN A MERMAID OUTFIT)
CORALINE:
She’s practically naked! (GIGGLING)
MISS. SPINK:
(SINGING)
I’m known as the siren of all seven seas
The breaker of hearts by the bay
So if you go swimming with bowlegged women
I might steal your weak heart away.
MISS. FORCIBLE:
(ENTER PUPPET BOX SINGING)
A big bottomed sea witch may bob through the waves
And hope to lead sailors astray
But a true ocean goddess must fill out her bodice
To present an alluring display.
ALL:
(CLAPPING)
MISS. SPINK:
(SINGING)
Beware old oysters too large in the chest
Let’s banish them from the buffet
I’m far more nutritious
MISS. FORCIBLE:
You smell like the fishes
You’re sea green with envy
This mermaid enchantress
MISS. SPINK:
No , I, birth of Venus
SPINK, FORCI:
Will send sailors swooning
Will send sailors swooning all day!
ALL:
(CLAPPING)
MISS. SPINK:
(PREPARING TO SWING ON A TRAPEZE) Ready to break a leg Miriam?
MISS. FORCIBLE:
(PREPARING TO SWING ON A TRAPEZE) Our lives for the theatre April!
CORALINE:
Ooh! I can’t look. (CLASPING A HAND OVER HER EYES. CURTAIN)

SCENE
THE OTHER KITCHEN.
MEL JONES:
Was it wonderful dear?
CORALINE:
Oh yeah. They swooped down and pulled me right out of my seat, Spink and Forcible, only they weren’t old ladies. That was just a disguise. But then I was flying through the air and it was… it was magic.
MEL JONES:
You do like it here, don’t you, Coraline?
CORALINE:
Uh-huh. Good night Wybie.
WYBIE:
(MAKES A VERY SAD FACE)
MEL JONES:
(SIGNALS HIM TO SMILE)
WYBIE:
(FROWNS. EXITS)
MEL JONES:
You could stay here forever if you want to.
CORALINE:
Really?
CHARLIE JONES:
Sure. We’ll sing and play games and mother will cook your favourite meals.
MEL JONES:
There’s one tiny little thing we need to do.
CORALINE:
What’s that?
CHARLIE JONES:
Well, it’s a surprise.
MEL JONES:
(HANDING CORALINE A BOX WITH BUTTONS, A SEWING NEEDLE AND THREAD. ALL ARRANGED IN A HAPPY FACE) For you our little doll.
CORALINE:
(LOOKS UNHAPPILY AT THE BUTTONS)
MEL JONES:
Black is traditional but if you’d prefer pink or vermillion or chartreuse… though you might make me jealous.
CORALINE:
No way! (DEFIANTLY) You’re not sewing buttons in my eyes!
MEL JONES:
But we need a ‘yes’ if you want to stay here.
CHARLIE JONES:
(PICKING UP THE NEEDLE) So sharp you won’t feel a thing. Ow!
MEL JONES:
There now. It’s your decision darling. We only want what’s best for you.
CORALINE:
I’m going to bed. Right now!
MEL JONES:
Bed?
CHARLIE JONES:
Before dinner?
CORALINE:
I’m really, really tired, yeah. I just need to sleep on things.
MEL JONES:
Well ofcourse you do darling. I’ll be happy to tuck you in.
CORALINE:
Oh no, thanks. You’ve done so much already.
MEL JONES:
You’re welcome and I… (GRABBING CHARLIE) We aren’t worried at all, darling. Soon you will see things our way.
CORALINE:
(EXIT. CURTAIN)

SCENE
CORALINE’S OTHER BEDROOM.
CORALINE:
(ENTER)
MAGIC DRAGONS:
What’s wrong Coraline, don’t you want to play?
OCTOPUS:
Yeah I wanna hug your face!
CORALINE:
(GRABBING THE TOYS AND SHOVING THEM IN A TRUNK)
TURTLE:
Get a grip soldier!
GIRLFRIEND:
Hey!
BOYFRIEND:
Hey! Where are your buttons Loper?
GIRLFRIEND:
You want to stay don’t you?
CORALINE:
Going home tonight, robots and I won’t be back.
(DIVES UNDER HER COVERS)
Go to sleep. Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
(ROOM BRIGHTENS A BIT. CORALINE JUMPING AWAKE)
Mom! Dad! Oh god! I’m still here? (EXIT. CURTAIN)

SCENE
THE OTHER STUDY. DAD PLAYING PIANO DULLY.
CORALINE:
Hey you! Where’s the other mother? I wanna go home.
CHARLIE JONES:
All will be swell soon as mother’s refreshed. Her strength is our strength. Mustn’t talk when mother’s not here.
CORALINE:
If you won’t even talk to me, I’m gonna find the other Wybie. He’ll help me.
CHARLIE JONES:
No point. He pulled a long face and mother didn’t like it.
CORALINE:
(EXITS RUNNING)

SCENE
THE OTHER GARDEN.
CORALINE:
(ENTER)
THE CAT:
(ENTER) And what do you think you are doing?
CORALINE:
Well I’m getting out of here. That’s what I’m doing.  Huh?
THE CAT:
What’s wrong?
CORALINE:
Something is wrong. Shouldn’t the old well be here?
THE CAT:
Nothing out here. It’s the empty part of the world. She only made what she knew would impress you
CORALINE:
But why? Why does she want me?
THE CAT:
She wants something to love I think. Something that isn’t her. Or maybe she’d love something to eat.
CORALINE:
Eat? That’s ridiculous. Mother’s don’t eat daughters.
THE CAT:
I don’t know. How do you taste?
CORALINE:
Huh? But how can you walk away from something and still come back to it?
THE CAT:
Walk around the world.
CORALINE:
What a small world.
THE CAT:
Hang on. (POUNCES ON SOMETHING MOVING)
CORALINE:
Stop he’s one of the circus mice!
THE CAT:
(TURNS OUT TO BE A RAT) I don’t like rats at the best of times but this one was sounding an alarm.
CORALINE:
Good kitty. I’ll go back in and try the secret tunnel.
CORA, CAT:
(EXIT)
                                      
SCENE
THE OTHER KITCHEN. DARK.
CORALINE:
(TRYING TO OPEN THE LITTLE DOOR)
MEL JONES:
(LIGHTS COME ON) They say even the proudest spirit can be broken with love. Ofcourse chocolate never hurts. Like one?
CORALINE:
Argh! They’re moving.
MEL JONES:
They’re cocoa beetles from Zanzibar. (CRUNCHING ONE)
CORALINE:
(DEFIANTLY) I want to be with my real mom and dad. I want you to let me go.
MEL JONES:
(THROWING AWAY THE CHOCOLATE IN HER HAND ANGRILY)
Is that any way to talk to your mother?
CORALINE:
You are not my mother.
MEL JONES:
Apologise at once Coraline!
CORALINE:
(DEFIANTLY) No!
MEL JONES:
I’ll give you to the count of three. (GRABBING CORALINE)
One. Two. Three! (SHRIEKS AND TURNS INTO A THIN TALL WITCH. GRABS CORALINE BY THE NOSE)
CORALINE:
What are you doing? Ow! That hurts!
MEL JONES:
(THROWS HER BEHIND A DOOR) You may come out when you have learned to be a loving daughter. (CURTAIN)

SCENE
TINY DARK AND DAMP ROOM WITH ALMOST NO LIGHT AND THREE LITTLE GHOSTS.
CORALINE:
(KICKING AND BEATING AGAINST THE DOOR) Who’s there?
TALL GIRL GHOST:
Hush and shush! For the Beldam might be listening.
CORALINE:
You… you mean the other mother? Who are you?
LITTLE BOY GHOST:
Don’t remember our names but I remember my true mommy.
CORALINE:
Why are you all here?
ALL GHOSTS:
The Beldam.
SWEET LITTLE GIRL GHOST:
She spied on our lives through the little doll’s eyes and saw we weren’t happy. 
LITTLE BOY GHOST:
So she lured us away with treasures and treats.
TALL GIRL GHOST:
And games to play
SWEET GIRL GHOST:
Gave us all that we asked.
LITTLE BOY GHOST:
Yet we still wanted more.
TALL GIRL GHOST:
So we let her sew the buttons.
SWEET GIRL GHOST:
She said that she loved us.
LITTLE BOY GHOST:
But she locked us here.
ALL GHOSTS:
And ate up our lives.
CORALINE:
Well she can’t keep me in the dark forever. Not if she wants to win my life. Beating her is my only chance.
TALL GIRL GHOST:
Perhaps, if you do win your escape, you could find our eyes.
CORALINE:
Has she taken those too?
SWEET GIRL GHOST:
Yes miss and hidden them. Find our eyes mistress and our souls will be freed.
CORALINE:
I… I’ll try.
WYBIE:
(DOOR OPENS. A HAND REACHES IN AND GRABS CORALINE. CURTAIN)

SCENE

THE OTHER KITCHEN.
CORALINE:
Wybie?
WYBIE:
Shoo… (THERE’S A LARGE DRAWER COVERING THE SECRET TUNNEL. THEY START TO PUSH IT)
BELDAM:
Coraline? Is that you?
CORALINE:
Let’s go. (CORALINE ENTERS THE TUNNEL) Come on, she’ll hurt you.
WYBIE:
(TAPPING HIS BUTTON EYES AND SHAKING HIS HEAD)
BELDAM:
(ENTER) Coraline! How dare you disobey your mother! Coraline!
CORALINE:
(EXIT. THROUGH THE TUNNEL LOCKING THE DOOR. CURTAIN)

SCENE
THE KITCHEN.
CORALINE:
Am home! Anybody here?
Hello? Hello, hello!
(GOING TO THE STUDY)
Real dad? Real mom?
Oh! mom’s groceries! (LOOKS IN THE BAG ON THE KITCHEN TABLE) Ugh! That’s disgusting.
(DOOR BELL RINGS. OPENS THE DOOR)
I missed you guys so much, you’ll never… oh, the Wybie that talks.
WYBIE:
Huh? Yeah, so you know that old doll I gave you?
CORALINE:
Um…
WYBIE:
My grandma’s real mad. Says it was her sister’s. The one that disappeared.
CORALINE:
You stole that doll didn’t you?
WYBIE:
Well it looked just like you and I figured…
CORALINE:
It used to look like this pioneer girl, then Huck Finn Jr., then it was this little rascals chick with all these ribbons and braids and … grandma’s missing sister. I think I just met her, come on.
WYBIE:
Listen I’m really not supposed to… whoa! (CORALINE YANKS HIM IN)
CORALINE:
She’s in there! (POINTING TO THE LITTLE DOOR)
WYBIE:
Can you… can you unlock it?
CORALINE:
Not in a million years. But it wouldn’t matter. She can’t escape without her eyes. None of the ghosts can.
WYBIE:
Yeah. So I really need to get that doll.
CORALINE:
Great! I’d love to get rid of it. Where are you hiding you little monster? (SEARCHING FOR THE DOLL)
WYBIE:
You and grandma been talking?
CORALINE:
The doll’s her spy. It’s how she watches you and finds out what’s wrong with your life. (SEARCHING FOR THE DOLL)
WYBIE:
The doll is my grandma’s spy?
CORALINE:
No, the other mother. She’s got this whole world where everything is better. (SEARCHING FOR THE DOLL) The food, the garden, the neighbours. But it’s all a trap.
WYBIE:
Yeah, I think I heard someone calling me, Jonesy.
CORALINE:
Don’t believe me? You can ask the cat.
WYBIE:
The cat? I’ll just tell grandma that you couldn’t find the doll.
CORALINE:
(FLINGING A SHOE AT HIM) You’re not listening to me!
WYBIE:
That’s ‘cause you’re crazy!
CORALINE:
You creep.
WYBIE:
Crazy! (EXITING)
CORALINE:
You’re the jerk wad that gave me the doll! (HEARS HER MOTHER’S PHONE RING)
Mom! Dad! (PICKING THE PHONE FROM THE CHAIR. DIALS)
Pick it up dad, pick it up. (DISCONNECTING) Where are you guys!
THE CAT:
(ENTER)
CORALINE:
Hello, how did you get in? Do you know where mom and dad are?
THE CAT:
(POINTING TO THE MIRROR. MEL, CHARLES, IMAGE APPEARS)
CORALINE:
Mom! Dad! She has taken them. What are you doing in the mirror and it’s freezing cold. The snow globe! You are trapped inside the snow globe in the other house.
MEL JONES:
Help us Caroline. (MEL, CHARLES, IMAGE VANISHES)
CORALINE:
How did this happen? They’re not coming back are they? Mom and dad. Not on their own. Only one thing to do.
(GRABS HER BAG, A SET OF PLIERS, HER CAP)
THE CAT:
You know you are walking right into her trap.
CORALINE:
I have to go back. They are my parents.
THE CAT:
Challenge her then. She might not play fair but she won’t refuse. She’s got a thing for games.
CORALINE:
Hmm. Okay.  (USES A TORCH AND CLIMBS BACK THROUGH THE TUNNEL)

SCENE
THE OTHER KITCHEN.
MEL JONES:
(VOICE) Coraline.
CORALINE:
(VOICE. HOPEFUL) Mom?
MEL JONES:
(VOICE) Coraline you came back to us.
CORALINE:
(EXCITED. ENTER CORALINE THROUGH THE TUNNEL) Mom!
BELDAM:
Darling, why would you run away from me?
CORALINE:
(FROWNING. DEFIANT) Where are my parents?
BELDAM:
Gosh I have no idea where your old parents are. Perhaps they’ve grown bored of you and run away to France.
CORALINE:
They weren’t bored of me. You stole them!
BELDAM:
Now don’t be difficult Coraline. Have a seat, won’t you?
(FORCING CORALINE INTO A CHAIR)
CHARLIE JONES:
(ENTER. HE LOOKS PALE AND SHRUNK IN BAGGY CLOTHES)
BELDAM:
The garden squash need tending, don’t you think, pumpkin?
CHARLIE JONES:
Squish-squash, pumpkin sauce. (EXITING)
BELDAM:
Breakfast time!
CORALINE:
(TO HERSELF) Be strong, be strong.
Why don’t we play a game? I know you like them.
BELDAM:
Everybody likes games. Uh-huh. What kind of game would it be?
CORALINE:
An exploring game. A finding things game.
BELDAM:
And what is it you’d be finding Coraline?
CORALINE:
My real parents.
BELDAM:
Too easy.
CORALINE:
And the eyes of the ghost children.
BELDAM:
Huh. What if you don’t find them?
CORALINE:
If I lose, I’ll stay here forever and let you love me and I’ll let you sew buttons into my eyes.
BELDAM:
Hmm. And if you somehow win this game?
CORALINE:
Then you let me go. You let everyone go. My real father and mother, the dead children, everyone you’ve trapped here.
BELDAM:
Deal.
CORALINE:
Not till you give me a clue.
BELDAM:
Oh, right. In each of three wonders I’ve made just for you, a ghost eye is lost in plain sight.
CORALINE:
And for my parents? Fine, don’t tell me. It’s a deal.
BELDAM:
Tick-tock, tick-tock. (EXIT)
CORALINE:
What does she mean wonders? I know! The garden, the circus and the puppet show. (CURTAIN)

SCENE
THE OTHER GARDEN.
CORALINE:
(LARGE BEES ATTACK) Stop! Stop!
(SMALL LIGHT ON THE FOUNTAIN) That must be it!
CHARLIE JONES:
(STOPPING CORALINE) Sorry. So sorry, mother making me.
Don’t wanna hurt you!
CORALINE:
(GRABS THE LIGHT)
LITTLE BOY GHOST:
Bless you miss you found me but there’s two eyes still lost. (PUTS IT IN HER BAG)
CORALINE:
Don’t worry, I’m getting the hang of it. (EXIT)
CHARLIE JONES:
(FALLS INTO THE FOUNTAIN)

THE PUPPET SHOW THEATRE.
SPINK, FORCIBLE:
(CLUTCHING THEIR HANDS TOGETHER TIGHTLY. RECITING)
Dfbjadfa
F kjkdjk
 Bbdkjkjdl
Kj kjdnkjdnkj

CORALINE:
The pearl ring. (GRABS AT THE RING FROM THEIR CLUTCHED HANDS)
MISS. SPINK:
Thief! Thief!
MISS. FORCIBLE:
Give it back! Give it back!
MISS. SPINK:
Thief! Thief!
MISS. FORCIBLE:
Give it back! Give it back!
MISS. SPINK:
Thief! Give it back.
MISS. FORCIBLE:
Give it back! Thief!
MISS. SPINK:
Stop! Stop! Thief! Thief!
CORALINE:
(GETS THE RING. PUTS IT IN HER BAG)
SPINK, FORCIBLE:
(COLLAPSE ON THE GROUND GROANING)
SWEET GIRL GHOST:
Hurry on girl, her web is unwinding.
CORALINE:
(EXITS)

SCENE
CIRCUS. WYBIE’S CLOTHES HANGING FROM A POLE. MR. BOBINSKY HAS SHRUNK.
CORALINE:
(ENTER) Oh Wybie.
(SHOUTING) Evil witch, I’m not scared!
MR. BOBINSKY:
Hello, galoobooshka.
CORALINE:
I’m Coraline.
MR. BOBINSKY:
Is this what you are looking for? (HOLDING UP THE BALL) Uh-huh? You think winning game is good thing? You’ll just go home and be bored and neglected, same as always. Stay here with us. We will listen to you and laugh with you. If you stay here you can have whatever you want. Always!
CORALINE:
You don’t get it, do you?
MR. BOBINSKY:
I don’t understand.
CORALINE:
Ofcourse you don’t understand. You’re just a copy she made of the real Mr. B.
MR. BOBINSKY:
Not even that anymore. (SADLY)
CORALINE:
(TAKES OFF HIS TALL HAT AND GRABS THE BALL)
MR. BOBINSKY:
No!
CIRCUS MICE:
(ENTER AND ATTACK)
CORALINE:
DEFENDS HERSELF. DROPS THE BALL. EXITS RUNNING. CURTAIN)

SCENE
THE OTHER GARDEN.
CORALINE:
(REACHING IN HER BAG. PULLS OUT THE TWO SETS OF EYES)
Oh, God. I’ve lost the game. I’ve lost everything.
(STARTS TO CRY. THIRD BALL DROPS IN FRONT OF HER. SHE SMILES)
THE CAT:
(ENTER) I think I mentioned that I don’t like rats at the best of times.
CORALINE:
I think you might have said something like that.
THE CAT:
It looked like you needed this one, however.
(ROLLING THE BALL OVER TO CORALINE)
CORALINE:
Thank you. I’m heading inside, I still have to free my parents. Come on, quickly! (PUTTING THE BALL IN HER BAG. CURTAIN)

SCENE
THE OTHER KITCHEN.
BELDAM:
So you’re back and you brought vermin with you.
CORALINE:
No. I… I brought a friend.
BELDAM:
You know I love you.
CORALINE:
You have a very funny way of showing it.
BELDAM:
So where are they? The ghost eyes?
CORALINE:
(SHOWING BELDAAM THE THREE GLOWING EYES)
BELDAM:
(TRYING TO GRAB THEM)
CORALINE:
Hold on, we aren’t finished yet, are we?
BELDAM:
No, I suppose not. After all, you still have to find your old parents, don’t you? Too bad you don’t have this! (HOLDING UP THE KEY TO THE DOOR)
TALL GIRL GHOST:
(TO CORALINE) Be clever miss. Even if you win, she’ll never let you go!
CORALINE:
I already know where you’ve hidden them.
BELDAM:
Well, produce them.
CORALINE:
They’re behind that door.
BELDAM:
Oh they are, are they? (WALKS TOWARDS THE LITTLE DOOR)
CORALINE:
(GRABS THE SNOW GLOBE OFF THE SHELF AND DROPS IT INTO HER BAG)
Go on, open it, they’ll be there all right.
BELDAM:
You’re wrong Caroline. They aren’t there. (OPENING THE LITTLE DOOR WIDE) Now you are going to stay here forever.
CORALINE:
No, I’m not! (GRABS THE CAT AND THROWS IT ON BELDAM)
BELDAM:
(BELDAM SCREAMS AND FIGHTS TO GET THE CAT OFF HER. THE CAT CLAWS AT HER BUTTONS) No! You horrible cheating girl!
CORALINE:
(CORALINE DASHES THROUGH THE TUNNEL. GRABS THE KEY FROM THE KEY HOLE. SHUTS THE DOOR BEHIND HER. EXIT)
BELDAM:
No! Where are you going? You selfish brat! You dare disobey your mother.
(TRIES TO OPEN THE DOOR BUT IT IS LOCKED)
Don’t leave me! Don’t leave me! I’ll die without you!

SCENE
KITCHEN.                   
CORALINE:
(ENTER THROUGH THE TUNNEL. BREATHING HARD)
MEL JONES:
Coraline, we’re home.
CORALINE:
Mom! Dad! I missed you so much! (HUGGING HER PARENTS)
CHARLIE JONES:
Missed us?
MEL JONES:
Oh no! You broke my favourite snow globe.
CORALINE:
I didn’t break it. It must have broken when you escaped.
MEL JONES:
And cut your knee.
CHARLIE JONES:
Coraline, I asked you to count all the windows, not put your knee through them.
CORALINE:
But…
MEL JONES:
Well, get yourself cleaned up. We’re going out tonight. (PUNCHING THE AIR)
CHARLIE JONES:
We got a lot to celebrate.
CORALINE:
You’re talking about your garden catalogue?
MEL JONES:
Ofcourse. What else?
CORALINE:
But look at the snow on your…
MEL JONES:
What’s gotten into you Coraline?
CORALINE:
(HAPPILY) So are you going to order the tulips?
CHARLIE JONES:
What’s that?
CORALINE:
For the garden party?
CHARLIE JONES:
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
CORALINE:
Dad! So, Ma, did you get the invitations? Don’t forget the invitations.
MEL JONES:
Even Bobinsky?
CORALINE:
Mr. B’s not drunk, mom. He’s just eccentric.
MEL JONES:
(HANDS CORALINE A PRESENT. EXIT MEL, CHARLIE)
CORALINE:
(OPENS THE BOX TO FIND HER GLOVES)
THE CAT:
(ENTER)
CORALINE:
Hello again. You still mad? I’m really sorry I threw you at her the other mother. It was all I could think of doing. (CAT, CORALINE HUG)
WYBIE:
(ENTER) I’m really sorry I didn’t believe you.
CORALINE:
Huh.
WYBIE:
About all this evil stuff, Coraline.
CORALINE:
Why did you change your mind?
WYBIE:
Well grandma showed me this picture after I called you crazy. (SHOWING HER A PICTURE) It’s her and her sister, before she disappeared.
CORALINE:
The sweet ghost girl.
WYBIE:
Oh man. What am I going to tell her?
CORALINE:
Just bring her by the house tomorrow. We can tell her together.
WYBIE:
We can?
CORALINE:
You know I’m glad you decided to stalk me.
WYBIE:
It wasn’t my idea. (LOOKING AT THE CAT)
ALL:
(LAUGH. CURTAIN)

SCENE
BEAUTIFUL GARDEN.
CORALINE:
(SERVING DRINKS) Thanks for helping me, Miss. Spink , Miss. Forcible.
MISS FORCIBLR:
Oh look Miriam, Pink Ladies
CORALINE:
Actually it’s just lemonade.
(TO MOM AND DIGGING IN GARDEN) Excusez-moi, cold drinks?
CHARLIE JONES:
Oh yeah great.
MEL JONES:
You were right Coraline. I really hate dirt! But the tulips look nice.
CORALINE:
Thanks mom.
(TO MR. B) How are the mooshkas, Mr. B?
MR. BOBOINSKY:
They tell me that you are saviour Caroline and as soon as they are ready, they wish to give special thanks performance.
GRAMMA:
Wyborne I know where I’m going, I grew up here.
CORALINE:
Welcome Miss Lovat!
MISS LOVAT:
Oh hello.
CORALINE:
I’m Coraline Jones. I’ve got so much to tell you.
GRAMMA:
Do you want to pop a little gin in it dear?
CORALINE:
Ofcourse! (CURTAIN)

14 comments:

  1. Is it okay if i use this for a school play?

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    Replies
    1. I guess he posted it for you guys to use it on play.

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  2. Our school's doing this for a play - thanks it was incredibly and free! :)

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    Replies
    1. I meant incredibly useful and free! Thanks alot :)

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  3. how does the copy right on the book work with doing the play?

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  4. Can this be produced for a community theater?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, children are meant to have fun with this and since they have a point of reference (the movie) they would potentially have a great production!

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  5. Thanks for providing the script. It was much needed.

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  6. Can this be done at a community theater

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  7. As long as it is not for commercial purposes and you are not making money or profits from the production, I don't see a problem. The script has been adapted in parts, to allow the children to execute it more easily on stage.

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  8. This is a copy of the screenplay and is being passed off as a stage play. There is not stage version of this show that is available for licensing. It's illegal and you can get into some serious trouble for producing this as a play. There is a musical version that you have to pay for and there has been an opera created. It would make a great stage play.

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