by Ella Hickson
JOHN. Three!! Michael, John and Wendy!
WENDY. No – you’re wrong – we lost a boy!
JOHN comes crashing down to the floor with a thud, furious. The BOYS stop.
JOHN. You’re always ruining all the fun!
WENDY. John, I’m sorry – I /
JOHN. / Leave me alone!
JOHN storms out. Long pause. The LOST BOYS stand in silence.
WENDY. I don’t want to be un-fun. I – it’s just – if I don’t remember then who… who – (Pause.) I – I didn’t sew his button on. I played battles instead and he got cold. It’s my fault. It’s my fault that we lost him.
The LOST BOYS look blankly at her – dumbfounded by the outburst.
MICHAEL. Wendy, you’re clearly overtired, perhaps you should have a lie-down.
WENDY. Bog off, Michael!
CURLY. I don’t like it when Mother gets shouty.
WENDY (standing up on a chair). I am Wendy Darling, I am brave and strong and I’m going on an adventure – who’s with me?
All the BOYS exit – leaving only PETER and WENDY.
I don’t understand why you won’t help me, Peter.
PETER stands. MRS DARLING enters. She is holding a suitcase and preparing to leave the house, she has defiance in her face. MR DARLING enters.
PETER. You’ve got a lovely biscuit face.
WENDY. That’s not an answer.
WENDY starts packing up her bag.
MR DARLING. Where are you going? You can’t leave, Mary.
PETER. You can’t leave.
MRS DARLING/WENDY. Why not?
MR DARLING. You have to stay and look after your children. It’s your duty.
MRS DARLING. To suggest I have been held in this house by duty is to deny fifteen years of affection and common understanding, if you keep me here, now – by duty – you may win a wife in name and function but you will lose everything that we hold dear.
WENDY. You gave me a – (Looks at the button around her neck.) kiss.
PETER. No one is ever sad in Neverland.
MR DARLING. Mary – you can’t leave – I have a reputation to protect. I cannot be seen to /
MRS DARLING. / We lost our boy, George. How can you still give a damn about losing face?
WENDY and MRS DARLING pick up their suitcases and exit. MR DARLING and PETER look at one another for a moment – they seem to see something they recognise. MR DARLING exits. PETER stands, torn between going after WENDY and staying. PETER picks up his harmonica and tries to play a tune but thrashes it down in frustration. PETER chews his finger. PETER laughs.
Scene Five
TINK. All right, Pete?
PETER. Tink – I didn’t know you were still /
TINK. / Watching the rain and writing in your diary, mate?
PETER. No.
TINK. Why’s ya smile all upside down?
PETER. What if I did tell her, Tink, about Lost Boys – about how they come to Neverland and /
TINK. / Peter, no.
PETER. Why not?
TINK. One – because they are the secrets of Neverland and they are not for girls in nighties who can’t stop banging on about their feelings. Two – it wouldn’t help. The harder she looks for her brother, the longer he’ll stay away. We cannot meddle in mending people – the drying of eyes is not our job. You know that.
PETER. But she hates me and it’s not my fault.
Pause. TINK looks at PETER, disgusted.
TINK. Oh get a grip, you great big wet.
PETER. What?
TINK. You are Peter Pan, you are a fearless, pirate-killing adventurer – you are not a snivelling whinger that gets wet-faced over a girl, do you hear me?
PETER. But Tink – she’s /
TINK. / I wasn’t going to mention it – but – I ’eard a rumour.
PETER. What?
TINK. Fairy grapevine report is – Hook is going about saying ‘If only I’d known that all it took to defeat Peter Pan was some dipstick in a nightie – what a wimp.’
PETER. Defeat? He hasn’t defeated anything. What’s he talking about?
TINK. Well, sitting here on your bum doing the old – (Imitates a baby crying ‘she hates me’.)
PETER. Get me my sword.
TINK. Your what?
PETER. MY SWORD.
TINK. My pleasure.
PETER. Tell the boys to meet me at Marooner’s Rock.
TINK. That’s my boy.
PETER. Tell them Pan is leading an attack.
TINK gives PETER his sword.
TINK. Oh but Peter, what about Mandy out there on her lonesome?
PETER. He’s going to die this time. Captain Hook is going to die!
PETER exits.
TINK (to audience). Oh, come on – it was just a smidgy little white lie. (Shouting off.) Laaaads! Up and at ’em – we’re going into battle!
Scene Six
WENDY walks alone in the Never Forest. The night draws in.
WENDY. Oh, please don’t get dark, not now. Come on, Wendy, be brave.
A twig cracks.
What was that? Who’s there?
An arrow shoots out over her head – she ducks. A hooded figure – TIGER LILY – appears and holds her bow up at WENDY.
Stop – please – please don’t shoot. I’ve already been shot once today and I’m – quite tired.
TIGER LILY lowers her bow.
Thank you. Who are you? It’s you – you’re the one who saved me earlier!
TIGER LILY raises her bow in WENDY’s face.
Look, if you’re going to shoot me just get on and do it and if you aren’t then have the manners to stop pointing that thing at me.
TIGER LILY. Kid’s got courage.
TIGER LILY drops the arrow and drops the hood of the cape. She’s wearing a hoody with jeans, hi-tops, her hair is braided. She’s young, early teens, black with a vibe of impossible cool. She has the look of someone ready to move. She has a hand-axe slung through her belt and an amazing bow and quiver slung across her body with ‘TIGER’ etched on the side.
WENDY. No way! You’re a – girl?
TIGER LILY. And?
WENDY. I’m a girl.
TIGER LILY. No? Really?
WENDY. Yes, yes I am – and I’ll tell you what – there aren’t any others – except Tink – who’s hardly friendly – we should team up – we should /
TIGER LILY. / Let’s have a sleepover!
WENDY. Yes!
TIGER LILY. No.
WENDY. Oh.
TIGER LILY. Now get lost. It’s not safe out here. Pirates are on the prowl.
WENDY. No – wait – just, listen to me – you might be able to help me – I’m looking for a lost boy – he’s about this tall with a big smile, he’s six – no, wait, he’d be seven by now – and I think he’s in the forest or the pirates might have him or /
TIGER LILY. / All the Lost Boys live with Pan.
WENDY. The boy I lost was my brother; I need to get him back. I need to fix my family. Please.
TIGER LILY stops and turns back to WENDY. Something has moved her, changed her.
TIGER LILY. I’m sorry; I haven’t seen your brother.
WENDY. I’m Wendy. Wendy Moira Angela Da– (Stops herself, tries to be cool.) Just call me Wendy. Or Wen. Or W.
TIGER LILY. Tiger Lily. You can call me Tiger Lily. Good luck.
TIGER LILY turns to go.
WENDY. No wait – please – you look like you can fight and /
TIGER LILY. / Rah!
WENDY jumps. TIGER LILY laughs.
WENDY. I can be – I’m quite – I was actually fourth in hopscotch championship at school. Fourth.
TIGER LILY. Oooh – easy now, homeslice.
WENDY. If you’re not a Lost Boy or a pirate or a fairy then what are you?
TIGER LILY. I’m a Picin.
WENDY. What’s a Picin?
TIGER LILY. A tribe – good people, proud people from the most beautiful part of the island.
WENDY. Will you s
how me? Maybe the Picins might know something about /
TIGER LILY. / They’re gone. They’re all gone. I’m the only one left.
WENDY. What happened?
TIGER LILY. Hook happened.
WENDY. Oh, Tiger Lily – I’m so sorry that’s – that’s –
WENDY tries to hug TIGER LILY. TIGER LILY steps back.
TIGER LILY. Tch – relax – don’t get all fluffy on me.
WENDY. Sorry. Sorry.
TIGER LILY. I got to go and make some pirates un-alive – you should find somewhere to hide. They’re baying for blood tonight.
TIGER LILY turns to go.
WENDY. No, wait – I was just trying to be cool with the hopscotch thing – I’ve never really fought anyone and I don’t know where I am and I’m – I’m a bit scared. I need some help. And I know you already saved me once and I shouldn’t push my luck – but we could maybe fight together – I could return the favour – I could be your friend, Wendy. Fwendy.
WENDY shudders in embarrassment.
TIGER LILY. ‘Fwendy’?
WENDY. Or – not – or /
TIGER LILY. / You’re a little joker, aren’t you, Fwendy?
The eerie sound of the pirate horn calls out across the forest. TIGER LILY jumps.
Go! Now! That’s the sea-dog call – they’re coming this way!
WENDY. Please! Let me fight with you.
TIGER LILY. I hunt alone.
WENDY. I’ll be useful.
TIGER LILY. You’ll get hurt.
In a flash, WENDY reaches out and grabs TIGER LILY’s dagger. TIGER LILY is impressed.
WENDY. Let me.
TIGER LILY. Still your mind – keep your eyes fixed – breathe – steady now –
The PIRATES come bowling out of the forest – JONES, DOC SWAIN and MARTIN. TIGER LILY goes out to meet them. WENDY stays back in the undergrowth, gripping her dagger tightly.
JONES. It’s the Picin Princess!
MURT (to MARTIN). You said we killed all of them!
MARTIN. Did I?
TIGER LILY. Did you say you killed me? You little liar, pants on fire, Martin.
DOC SWAIN. Get round the other side, Murt.
MARTIN. Now I’m back.
TIGER LILY. Forgive me if I don’t pass out from fear. Easy, ginger.
MARTIN. That is discrimination!
MURT. Stab her – do something, Martin. Do something!
MARTIN holds his sword out at her with all the aggression he can muster – which isn’t a lot.
MARTIN. You had better be quite worried about what is going to happen next.
TIGER LILY. Yeah?
MARTIN. Yeah.
TIGER LILY laughs and unleashes a reign of terror on the PIRATES – she’s incredible. WENDY stares eyes wide at the brilliance of it. JONES is quickly injured and retreats.
Get the Captain! Get someone! Hurry up!
DOC SWAIN and TIGER LILY fight hard. SWAIN is injured. TIGER LILY gets MARTIN at knifepoint, about to skewer him.
I didn’t want to kill you – I thought you seemed nice.
TIGER LILY goes for the kill but just as she does so, WENDY screams. HOOK has snuck up behind her and has her captive – a knife at her throat.
WENDY. I’m sorry, Tiger Lily – I’m sorry!
TIGER LILY. Wendy!
TIGER LILY turns to try and save WENDY and is distracted long enough that SWAIN staggers up and stabs her hard in the side. TIGER LILY gasps and falls to her knees.
MARTIN. No!
WENDY. No! Tiger – No!
HOOK. Now, Martin, tell me, is that or is that not Tiger Lily, the Picin Princess? The one you savagely murdered?
MARTIN (looking at her, shocked, like he hadn’t noticed). No?! Oh, actually, now you mention it it does look a lot like /
HOOK. / Go and get the ropes from the ship, you idiots!
MARTIN. Yes, yes – will do.
SWAIN and MARTIN exit. TIGER LILY lies lifeless on the floor. HOOK holds WENDY out in front of him – at knifepoint.
HOOK. And what have we here?
WENDY tries to run away. HOOK quickly, impressively, hooks her back to him.
Uh-uh-uh. No you don’t – little lady. Now what are you doing on Neverland?
WENDY. Have you got my brother?
HOOK. Not on me right now, no.
WENDY. He’s called Tom – he’s a lost boy. I’m here to find him.
HOOK. Know many Lost Boys, do you?
WENDY. Tell me if you’ve seen my brother.
HOOK. Or what?
WENDY. Or I’ll – I’ll –
WENDY stamps on HOOK’s foot. HOOK laughs – it doesn’t even touch him.
HOOK. How about this – you tell me where the Lost Boys live and I’ll tell you where your brother is.
Beat.
WENDY. I don’t trust you.
HOOK. Oh, how hurtful – whyever not?
WENDY shakes her head, clamps her mouth shut – doesn’t respond.
Now listen, Mandy.
WENDY. IT’S WENDY.
HOOK. Come on, tell Uncle Hooky where those little Lost Boys are, you see I’ve got some food and clothes and lovely things I wanted to drop round to them /
WENDY. / I’ve seen you try and chop Peter’s head off.
HOOK. Who?
WENDY. No one.
HOOK. Did you say – Peter?
WENDY. No.
HOOK holds his hook up to WENDY’s throat.
Peeeeetttteeer!! Peter!
A crowing – PETER enters. HOOK laughs.
HOOK. Peter Pan has got a girlfriend! God, it’s brilliant – it’s priceless. (Can’t stop laughing.) Wendy, come on – are you kidding me – have you seen that hair?
PETER. Let her go, you crinkly faced, limp-limbed, sad sack.
HOOK. You bagged yourself a tough guy here.
TIGER LILY. Hook is mine!
HOOK. You’re half-dead, pipe down.
PETER. You pathetic excuse for a one-handed cabin boy.
HOOK. Not the hand, Peter – you know how I feel about the hand!
PETER lets out an ungodly roar and charges at HOOK. They clash, it’s savage – it’s wild. HOOK bites PETER, PETER scratches HOOK. It’s feral. TIGER LILY staggers to her feet and picks up the dagger that WENDY dropped. TIGER LILY enters the fray. PETER turns and runs his sword through TIGER LILY. She staggers and falls.
WENDY. Tiger Lily!
HOOK. Poor old Tigger.
WENDY. Peter? What have you done?
TIGER LILY lies lifeless on the ground. PETER squares up to HOOK. SMEE enters. HOOK throws WENDY to SMEE. JONES and MURT enter, gather up TIGER LILY and exit.
HOOK. Take the Picin back to the ship – keep the other one here – where Peter can see her.
MURT and JONES exit, taking TIGER LILY with them.
PETER and HOOK clash once more – it’s fast-paced, impressive. PETER gets his dagger up to HOOK’s throat – it’s close – one more slip and HOOK is history. SMEE holds his knife to WENDY’s throat.
SMEE. Touch him and I’ll kill her!
HOOK. Oh dear, Peter.
WENDY. Peter – look at my biscuit face.
HOOK (laughs). He’s torn – bless him, not so savage after all?
The CROCODILE enters.
SMEE. The crocodile! Captain!
HOOK. Tick-tock, Peter – time to decide what matters more? Hooky or Wendy?
PETER decides to fight HOOK.
WENDY. Peter? No!
SMEE drags WENDY away. WENDY, offstage, screams.
PETER. Wendy?
PETER hears the scream and falters. HOOK stabs PETER. The CROCODILE nears and HOOK exits. PETER lies mortally wounded on the ground.
It is only a game. It is only a game… to die will be an awfully big adventure.
Interval.
ACT THREE
Scene One
The LOST BOYS, with MICHAEL and JOHN, stand crowded around the body of PETER PAN. Their heads are bowed, sniffing can be heard
. TINK stands in elaborate mourning dress.
TINK. It were ’eartbreaking – best fight I’ve ever seen him fight – so – blinkin’ – brave. And final moment, before he went – last thing he said, ‘Take me to the Lost Boys – have ’em lean in real close and whisper their biggest wish and I’ll make it true’ – go on, boys – on you go.
TINK turns away and can barely conceal a grin. The BOYS all lean in at the same time, bending their heads down to PETER.
PETER (leaps up). Rah!
The BOYS jump out of their skin. TINK and PETER roll around laughing and high-five. The BOYS chase PETER and TINK. PETER and TINK peg it, round and round – it becomes hysterically joyous. The cloud of laughing boys dissipates and exits to reveal…
MR DARLING in his hat and coat, desperately searching for his wife.
MR DARLING. Mary? Mary? Where are you? Mary?
MRS DARLING, suitcase in hand, walks on – alone.
The LOST BOYS dash on again. MR DARLING exits. The LOST BOYS chase offstage to reveal – WENDY tied and bound, back to back with TIGER LILY on the edge of the lagoon.
MRS DARLING looks up at the sky.
WENDY. Mother, if you’re out there – and you can hear me, if you’re looking up at the same sky – will you help me? Will you tell me what to do?
MRS DARLING exits.
TIGER LILY. You’re on your own.
WENDY. Maybe Hook has Tom.
TIGER LILY. And if he does? Then what?
WENDY. Then we save him.
TIGER LILY. We’re in chains, Wendy. I’m injured. That boat is crawling with pirates, it’s over.
WENDY. Not yet.
TIGER LILY. Yes yet – it was you thinking you was braver than you were that got us /
WENDY. / I said I’m sorry.
TIGER LILY. Yeah and I said stay out of it, but as we discovered – what Wendy says and what Wendy does /
WENDY. / I made it very clear that I wasn’t a good fighter.
TIGER LILY. Then you nicked my dagger like a tough guy and /
WENDY. / We’ve all got our strengths.
TIGER LILY. Remind me of yours?
TIGER LILY winces in pain.
WENDY. Are you okay?
TIGER LILY. Apart from the big hole in my leg – yeah.
WENDY. I can’t believe Peter did that to you.
TIGER LILY. Nothing stands between him and Hook. I’d have done the same if I hadn’t been /
WENDY. / I SAID I’M SORRY.
TIGER LILY. I swore I’d avenge my family before I died.
