Catweazle Episode 4 THE WITCHING HOUR ( SCENE BY SCENE)

[michaellevenson]

Farmhand Sam and Carrot are in a country lane, on Lulu , the Hexwood Farm tractor, a hooting noise behind them as a car tries to pass. The driver, a Miss Bonnington impatient as she leans out the window.
SB " hey..move...move.."

Carrot turns to Sam,
Ct " it's her again"
SB " I'm in a hurry "
Sam ( to Ct) " well we ain't "
Carrot laughs as Susan Bonnington continues to press horn.
S " miss bloody Bonnington, I can't stand her"
Ct " no neither can I "
The tractor pulls off the lane and into a field, the car a Rolls Royce passes.
S " what does she want anyway, always hanging around "
Ct " she's coming for lunch"
S " oh is she,"
Carrot jumps off of tractor,
S " where are you off to?"
Ct " nowhere special "
Carrot runs off into woods.
Robin Davies is Carrot and Neil McCarthy is Sam

 

[michaellevenson]

Carrot arrives at Castle Saburac, the water tank home of Catweazle. He climbs up ladder, through hatch and down into tank, no sign of Catweazle. Touchwood is there, Catweazle's toad.
Ct " morning, where's the boss?"
Carrot gazes at Touchwood,
Ct " wish I could speak basic toad., well where is he?"

Catweazle is in the forest eating berries off of trees, he sees a snail, picks it up, letting it sit in his hand.
C " thou horned imp, always at home, born wearing thy destiny. I have no shell, no armour, but on my back 900 years. There must be a way, I came by magic and by magic I will return "
Geoffrey Bayldon is Catweazle.

 

[michaellevenson]

At Hexwood, Susan Bonnington is lunching with George Bennett, Carrot's dad. They chat as they eat.
SB " gave us a jolly good run, viewed him across Ganly Heath, through Meddington Woods, then we lost him. Daddy was furious, he really is awfully keen. Why don't you hunt George?"
G " I don't really have the time"
SB " you really ought to, it's great fun "
Carrot enters dining room,
G " oh there you are, what time do you think this is?"
Ct " I was in the woods "
G " I told you last night Miss Bonnington was coming to lunch, can't you remember anything "
SB " oh he saw me anyway, tractor held me up in the lane. Thought it was terribly funny didn't you Edward "
Carrot stifles a smile,
G " go and get washed, put a clean shirt on"
Ct " yes Dad"
Carrot leaves as Miss Bonnington says,
SB " very difficult age for boys George "
In his bedroom Carrot picks up pet tortoise Beelzebub,
Ct " beats me what Dad sees in her be- elzy I think she's awful "
Bud Tingwell is George, June Jago is Susan Bonnington.

Carrot dressed more smartly is finishing his meal as George and Susan chat.
G " coffee Susan?"
SB " thanks..I say that boy's hair needs a jolly good cut."
G " yes it does "
SB " nearly long enough to take him with me this afternoon ( laughs)"
G " when do you have to go?"
SB " plenty of time, my appointment is not until 4"
G " splendid "
SB " masses to talk about "
G " we have indeed "
Ct " may I be excused Dad"
G " yes I suppose so"
Carrot gets up,
G " Edward..."( nods in Susan's direction)
Ct " goodbye Miss Bonnington "
SB " goodbye Edward, don't forget the hair"
Ct " no I won't "

 

[michaellevenson]

In Castle Saburac Catweazle has placed logs in his brazier,
C " now for the fire"
Catweazle picks up a couple of sticks and starts rubbing them together hoping for a spark to light his fire. Carrot climbs into tank.
Ct " I didn't know you were in the boy scouts"
C " disturb me not thy brother I make the fire of time"
Ct " fire of time? What are you trying to do?"
C " return to my own time "
Ct " I wish you'd drop this stupid idea about the past "
Catweazle not having luck with the fire , Carrot takes box of matches out of pocket,
Ct " here have a match"
Catweazle puzzled shakes box, hears matches inside box, then shakes box over brazier.
Ct " no no, here I'll show you "
Carrot lights match, Catweazle in awe and terrified at the same time.
C " OH LUCIFER! OH MORNING STAR, truly thou art my master "
Carrot lights fire ,
C " oh thou art truly great, can thou conjure fire at will?"
Ct " sure it's easy"

Carrot lights another one,
Ct " you have a go"
Catweazle lights match, and puts it to his ear.
C " the spirit whispers" ( blows out light)
Carrot takes back box.
C " give them to me"
Ct " no I don't think so"
C " fire is power, fire is spirit , give me the little sticks"
Ct " no you shouldn't play with matches it's too dangerous "
C " I beseech thee"
Ct " tell you what"
C " yes master"
Ct " I'll give you the whole box if you do something for me"
C " verily verily thy Prince of Fire, what must I do"

 

[michaellevenson]

Ct " I don't know where to start really. I know we're in some sort of jam"
C " jam?"
Ct " with the farm, I wish I could explain. I know how desperate Dad must be , but money isn't everything is it. This woman has got pots of dough"
C ( puzzled)" pots of dough?!"
Ct " she's always hanging around Dad, and if he marries her just to save the farm life won't be worth living. She's bossy she shouts at everyone. Sam hates her and...."
C " slowly brother slowly "
Ct " sorry Catweazle, I want her to go, I'll do anything to get rid of her"
C " is a shrew most like"
Ct " trouble is how do I get rid of her"
C " there are many ways to rid thyself of meddlers many spells, Rapkyn will know"
Catweazle picks up his magic book.

C " she will be blasted like the riven oak, drowned in sulphur, torn by whirlwinds "
Ct " couldn't we just scare her a bit"
C " ah here, (reading) to spite thine enemy make thee a mannequin of wax, burn thy garlic, and at a striking of a church bell at the seventh hour take thee a long pin and pierce thy image thoroughly"
C " sounds a bit final doesn't it"
C " aye it does "
Ct " listen Catweazle don't you think we should think of something else "
C ( reads)" provide thyself with any ring, thing or knick- knack of thy enemy and tie it to thy doll"

 

[michaellevenson]

At the farm Susan is being escorted to her Rolls Royce by George,
SB " I really will do my best George, if not I'll phone you"
G " it's very kind of you, I'll keep my fingers crossed "
SB " don't worry George.....oh silly old me I forgot the eggs"
They go back into the farmhouse, Carrot and Catweazle come out of barn where they were hiding. Catweazle fearful as they approach car.
Ct " come on , it's alright it's only an old car, it won't bite you"
They both hurriedly enter car, looking for knick- knacks. Susan and George come back, Carrot runs out and back into barn, Catweazle not so quick. He's trapped, he hides on floor in back of car.
Susan places punnet of eggs on front passenger seat.
SB" how much do I owe you "
G " oh no"
SB " please, I shan't be able to ask you again"
G " certainly not "
SB " very well George thank you. See you tonight "
She drives off with Catweazle in the back. Carrot gets on his bike and is in pursuit.

 

[michaellevenson]

In Westbourne village Susan Bonnington parks her car outside hairdressers and walks in. Receptionist is on phone,
Audrey( phone) " got to go now Fred, Queen of Sheba is coming in"
Susan enters,
Au" good afternoon Miss Bonnington "
SB " haven't time for a shampoo and set today Audrey just a trim"
SB " got a date have you "
Carmen Cryan is Audrey


Susan sits at salon chair indicated by assistant,
" afternoon Miss Bonnington just a trim is it?"
SB " yes"
Sitting in the next chair is Mrs Willoughby.
SB " afternoon Mrs Willoughby "
Mrs Willoughby seems pretty horrible!!
Mrs W " girl ! Where's that coffee I asked for "
Outside Carrot opens the car door for Catweazle.
Ct " you can come out now."
Catweazle staggers out,
Ct " enjoy the ride?"
C " nay a nightmare, trees running past like storm clouds, I'm sick"
Ct " did you get anything?"
C " she was protected by Lucifer "
Catweazle holds a little doll, a horned imp that was hanging from the rear view mirror.
Ct " you mean we can't use that as a thing or knick- knack?"
C " nay, it is a charm"
Ct " back to square one, she's in there"(points)

 

[michaellevenson]

Carrot and Catweazle look through window of hairdressers,
C ( shocked) " a torture chamber!"
Ct " no it's a hairdressers, where they cut people's hair "
C " monstrous hair is magic hair is strength "
Ct " er..yes of course "
C " remember Samson, who hath thy hair has power over thee "
Catweazle and Carrot both realise that they have found the answer, they both smile and nod.
Inside Susan to Mrs Willoughby,
SB " you'll be at the meeting Mrs Willoughby?"
MrsW " I certainly will "
SB " we can look forward to a long session then"
MrsW " there's no need to be rude "
Some of Mrs Willoughby's hair being cut is falling onto the shoe of the assistant, she shakes the hair off, then kicks it under Susan's chair.
Ruth Kettlewell is Mrs Willoughby.

Carrot enters salon,
Ct " may I speak to Miss Bonnington please it's urgent "
Aud " she's over there "
Ct " thanks "
Catweazle meanwhile has entered the salon side door, through back room and is standing awaiting cue from Carrot at back of salon.
Carrot goes up to Susan,
SB " good lord...Edward "
Ct " afternoon Miss Bonnington, Mrs Willoughby "
SB " what d'you want?"
Ct " well you see er..it's er...like this "
Carrot nods to Catweazle, who steps forward,
C " FOOLISH WENCHES..."

Everyone looks astonished as Catweazle continues,
C (dancing a jig) " buzz went the bumblebee, buzz went the fly, eating the honey, as do I!"
The ladies start to scream, Audrey runs to phone,
Audrey " I'll get the police"
C " buzz went the bumblebee buzz went the fly, eating the honey as do I"
In the confusion Carrot grabs a fistful of hair from under Susan's chair and runs out.
Catweazle runs out too, the two of them scarper, Carrot on his bike, Catweazle running behind.

 

[michaellevenson]

Back at Castle Saburac Catweazle has made a wax doll of Susan Bonnington, hair attached to it.

Ct " I do hope we're doing the right thing. Have to go through with it now. It looks quite like her."
C " it will serve"
Ct " you're sure the new spell will be okay "
C " it will be okay if that is thy wish"
Ct " I suppose it's better than piercing with a long pin"
C " very well...spots it shall be.... (mischievously)...not boils?"
Ct " no just spots, all over like heat lumps. Remember what Rapkyn said, at the striking of the church bell. You can hear it from here"
C " aye my brother I have it marked I will remember"
Ct " at 7 O'clock tonight "
C " aye, the magic number "
Ct " I know you'll do your best"
C" and the little firesticks?"
Carrot hands Catweazle one match.
Ct " one on account, the rest if it works"

 

[michaellevenson]

George is walking through the farmyard as Carrot arrives on his bike.

G " Carrot I want a word with you "
Carrot dismounts from bike,
G " what's the matter?"
Ct " what d'you mean Dad?"
G " you seem sort of....well if anything is wrong or worrying you, let me know and I'll try and sort it out"
Ct " yes Dad"
G " for instance what have you got against Susan Bonnington?"
G " nothing "
G " come on Carrot why don't you like her?"
They go into the house,
G " I said why don't you like her"
Ct " I don't know Dad"
G " there must be a reason "
Ct " I just wish she didn't come here"
G " but why, you're so rude to her, you make it so obvious you don't like her"
The cuckoo clock strikes 7,
G " the witching hour "
Ct " what did you say?"
G " she'll just be going in, I hope it goes well"
Ct " the witching hour!?"
At Castle Saburac Catweazle strikes the match as he hears church bell.
C " five, six seven...oh wood of fire flower for me"
He lights brazier,
C " see how quickly the spirit comes"

 

[michaellevenson]

G " Council meets at seven, hope she can swing it"
Ct " I don't understand "
G " I've told you haven't I?"
Ct " what about?"
G " those sheds I want to put up and having to get the council's permission. That's why I've been so puzzled by your behaviour to Miss B"
Ct " what d'you mean "
G " she's on the council, one of the leading lights, that's why I've been making such a fuss of her"
Ct " oh no"
G " now what's wrong?"
Ct " I thought you and Miss B were erm..."
G " you thought Miss B and I were going to....?"
Ct " YES!".
G ( laughs) " Carrot of course not, she's just trying to push my building plans through that's all "
Ct " oh crumbs "

Catweazle is holding wax doll over fire,
C " be thou my brother's enemy, now thy skin shall spotted be, as spotted as the Mildew tree, spotted spotted be "

 

[michaellevenson]

Later that evening, George pacing the room, Carrot looks decidedly uneasy at the dining table. What has he done!
G " I'm getting worried it's after ten"
Ct " she may have been taken ill"
G " that's a cheerful thing to say. Never get it passed those old dodderers without her"
Ct " wouldn't you Dad"
G " no, they've an inbuilt resistance to change "
Ct " I wish you told me"
G " don't see what difference telling you would have made"
Ct " I don't think she's going to turn up"
G " you are being cheerful, why not?"
Ct " Dad, there's something I have to tell you, I know it sounds fantastic but you've got to know the truth"
Carrot feels awful, but he must spill the beans, but suddenly.....a car horn is heard, George rushes to the door.
G( voice) " Miss B!"
Susan and George come in,
SB " tough meeting but I swung them round "
G " Susan you're a brick, isn't she?"
Ct " ...er yes"
SB " golly , I could do with a drink"
G " you've earned it, Carrot have a cider, let's all celebrate "
SB " what did you call him?"
G " Carrot "
SB " that's nice, much better than Edward , mind you things were made easy for me "
G " what d'you mean?"
SB " my arch enemy Mrs Willoughby wasn't there"
G " wasn't there?"
SB " you wouldn't believe it, she's suddenly gone down with measles "
Ct ( stunned) " measles!?"
SB " funny that, so sudden, a few cases in the village of course, but she was perfectly alright this afternoon in the hairdressers. I hope I don't catch it"

Carrot brings out of his pocket, unobserved a handful of hair, smiling, it's not Miss Bonnington's colour.
They all drink,
G " cheers"
SB " cheers George, cheers Carrot "

At Castle Saburac,
C " and now brother the little sticks, it was our bargain "
Carrot hands over matches.
C " we vanquished thy enemy "
Ct " you really did make it work didn't you"
C " together brother, we did it together "
Ct " I never really thought it would come off"
C " Rapkyn's magic is very strong "
Ct " could have been a disaster. You better give me Miss Bonnington...I mean Mrs Willoughby "
Carrot laughs as he takes back wax doll.
Ct " just in case you decide to have a practice. You must be very careful next time Catweazle "
C " next time? Hex time, from thy time to my time...( to toad)...eh Touchwood ? time we got home"
THE END

Next episode;

Catweazle Episode 5 - THE EYE OF TIME ( SCENE BY SCENE)

On a lake near to Hexwood farm Carrot and Catweazle fish. Catweazle pulls a fish out and adds it to his collection, Carrot looks glum. Meanwhile at the farm , Sam the hired hand is sitting in a jeep waiting for his boss, Carrot's dad George Bennett, he is reading the horse racing page in the...

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