Scene 6

Narrator:

(Long pause.) I don’t have anything to say this time. I just came out so they could change the set.
(Lights up on Muckraker’s control room. Muckraker is sitting in a swivel chair facing USC. He has four or five minions, Minion Chorus Members, stationed at cardboard consoles around him.)

Minion 1:
Emperor Muckraker, I am prepared to target the death ray. May I proceed?
Muckraker:
You may proceed.
(Minion 1 presses some buttons on his cardboard console.)

Minion 2:
Emperor Muckraker, we have the target in our sights. May I prepare to fire?
Muckraker:
You may proceed.
(Minion 2 pushes some buttons on his console.)

Minion 3:
(Ad Lib) Emperor Muckraker, I have detected an escape in the prison sector. I will locate the escapees now.
(Muckraker turns violently towards Minion 3.)

Muckraker:
(Shouts) Hah! (in a mocking tone.) You lose. You didn’t say “Emperor, May I?”!
Minion 3:
(pointing to his console) (Ad Lib) But, sir…
Muckraker:
Did I hear a “but”? Guards! Take him away!
(Two guards come in and lead Minion 3 OSR.)

Minion 3:
(Ad Lib) I’ve always hated that game…
Muckraker: (Looking at his other two Minions)
Now what was he blabbering about a minute ago?
(Cinder and the others burst in from SL. They have their guns.)

Cinder:
All right, Muckraker, we’re here to put an end to your evil plan.
Muckraker:
You are too late, fools. I have made all of the necessary calculations and now I am going to blow up the Earth.
(The heroes look at each other. Then they say…)

Heroes:
So?
Muckraker:
Well, don’t you think that’s diabolical? Every villain has to try to blow up the Earth.
Fogg:
(apologetically) We don’t really care about the Earth.
Muckraker:
Oh. That takes all the fun out of it. OK I won’t blow up the Earth. I will blow up you instead. (He raises his hand to hit a button on his chair.)
(All of the heroes aim at Muckraker)

Cinder:
You hit that button and you take your last breath, Muckraker.
(Narrator enters DSR behind the heroes.)

Narrator:
What a catastrophe! Our heroes are in a deadlock with Emperor Muckraker. Who will win? What will happen next? How…
(The heroes turn around and yell at the Narrator.)

Heroes:
Shut up!
Muckraker:
(While they face away) Guards! (He hits the button. The Minion Chorus swarms in from everywhere. The heroes turn around and surrender. The Narrator sneaks away.) Looks like I win this round, Cinder. Minions number six and nine, get him!
(Minions 6 and 9 rush and grab Cinder and drag him SL.)

Fogg:
(as they drag him) Cinder, no! Don’t let them take you! (She is grabbed by Minions 10 and 11.) Cinder!
Cinder:
(Sees Fogg being dragged away) Cindy? No!
(Cinder breaks loose and defeats Minions 6 and 9 and then beats Minions 10 and 11. Fogg and Cinder embrace each other center stage.)

(Larger Than Life featuring Cinder) <BGSOUND="Scene_6_LTL.mid" AUTOSTART=false LOOP=1 WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=12>

Fogg:
Why did you do that?
Cinder:
I don’t know. I saw you in trouble and I just… Something snapped inside me.
Fogg:
You mean…
Cinder:
Yeah. I care about you.
(Muckraker laughs maniacally.)
(Sings)
I may run and hide
Like it’s some sort of game alright
But let me tell you now,
Something isn’t the same alright
All of my time spent dodging blasters of light

(Gestures to all of the Minions)
All you people can’t you see can’t you see
How her love's affecting my reality
(Goes back to Fogg)
When I’m almost down
You can make it right
And that makes you larger than life

I was lookin’ at the guards
Saw them takin’ you away, c’mon
Wishin’ I could save you.
Yes, there had to be a way, c’mon
After all of our time spent, I feel alive

(Gestures to all of the Minions)
All you people can’t you see can’t you see
How her love's affecting my reality
(Goes back to Fogg)
When I’m almost down
You can make it right
And that makes you larger than life
That makes you larger than life
(Music under)

Cinder:
I understand now. I love you, Cindy.
(They embrace. Muckraker is seen behind them, twinging in pain.)

Chorus:
(Sing) All of their time spent keeps them alive
(Music under)

Muckraker:
No! This can’t be! They love each other now. It just sickens me. (Muckraker starts to keel over.) It really is making me sick. I don’t think I can take it. Oh. (Muckraker falls)
(Music ends after Muckraker’s line.)

Prologue Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 Scene 6 Scene 7 Epilogue