Episode 8: Music for the Masses--Part 1
Outside Noble Mountain, on the Kesler Estate, Marcus is sitting outside under a tree strumming
his guitar. He continues to play a song with perfection. Maya is not far away as she comes in
closer to hear Marcus play. She’s quiet so as not to bother him. She gets in close enough to hide
herself behind the tree he’s sitting under. When he finishes the song, she peers around the tree.
Maya: That was absolutely beautiful.
Marcus: (startled) Oh! Hey, gee, I . . . I didn’t know I had an audience.
Maya kneels down next to Marcus.
Maya: I didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I didn’t want to interrupt.
Marcus: Well, I’m glad you liked it.
Maya: What song were you playing anyway?
Marcus: Um, I don’t know. I just made it up.
Maya: You’re kidding! That’s incredible. How’d you become so gifted?
Marcus: It just kinda came naturally. My mom said that one day, when I was only a kid, I
picked up a guitar and started playing. I never seemed to put it down ever since. We couldn’t
afford to pay for lessons, so I just practiced on my own, doing what felt natural to me. Then I
started teaching for extra money to get my sister through school.
Maya: You never mentioned your sister before.
Marcus: Well, it never came up. Her name is Cami. She’s a sophomore in college. She’s a
good girl, just a little shy sometimes.
Maya: Kinda like her brother.
Marcus: Yeah, I guess you could say that.
Maya: Well, I think you play wonderfully. I wish I were as talented in something.
Marcus: It’s not all that impressive. But I mean, just look at you. You’re beautiful. What more
could you ask for?
Maya gives Marcus a look of disbelief, shakes her head and gets up, upset at what Marcus just
said.
Marcus: What, did I say something wrong?
Maya: Contrary to popular belief, beauty isn’t everything. I’d expect you to know better.
Maya crosses her arms and starts to walk off. Marcus gets up to stop her. He grabs her arm and
turns her around.
Marcus: No, wait! I didn’t mean it like that. I . . . I just meant that you’re perfect the way you
are, regardless of what talents you may or may not have. I mean, people are impressed by the
combination of your looks and your personality. Your talent is being able to walk into a room
and bring this air of beauty and radiance. I don’t think there’s one person who wouldn’t be
impressed by that.
Maya’s tense face slowly turns into a blushing smile.
Maya: You’re just saying that.
Marcus: No. I mean it.
Maya: Thank you. That was really sweet. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to attack you like that.
Marcus: No, that’s okay. I can understand why you got so upset. I just need to explain myself a
little better. I’d never do anything to intentionally hurt you.
They both stand there, awkwardly smiling at each other. Paige walks up to them from the estate.
Paige: Hey, guys. What are you doing?
Marcus: Oh, nothing.
Maya: We were just talking. I overheard Marcus playing his guitar and we talked a little bit
about his experience.
Paige: Wow, I’d really like to hear you sometime. And while we’re on the subject, I just saw
that there’s a concert this evening with the city’s philharmonic. Would either of you be
interested in going?
Maya: Yeah, sounds like fun. What about you, Marcus?
Marcus: I’m game. What about the other guys?
Paige: I already asked. They wanted to stick around and help my dad with some modifications
on a new weapon. They’ll let us know when it’s finished.
Maya: So, how many tickets do you have?
Paige: Well, I don’t have any right now. This was a last minute decision so I thought maybe we
could leave a little early this evening to buy tickets before the concert.
Marcus: Sounds like a plan.
Paige: Okay, then we’ll meet in the foyer at six o’clock then.
Maya: Six o’clock?!? That’s in five hours! We have to start getting ready now, Paige. C’mon!
Maya grabs Paige by the arm and starts pulling her towards the estate. Marcus has a
dumbfounded look on his face. Paige hesitates going in such a hurry but Maya urges her on.
Paige: But . . . I already know what I’m wearing.
Maya: Forget that. I’m going to fix you up in one of my little numbers. Then we have to do
your hair, your makeup. Unh, and then I have to get ready. There’s just not enough time!
Marcus starts to giggle as the two girls rush off. He turns around to pick up his guitar and holds
it in his arms. He starts to strum a few chords and walks towards the estate.
In Mount Havoc, Dimoc summons his mercenaries.
Dimoc: Balizar! Vex!
Balizar and Vex come and kneel before him.
Balizar: We are here to serve you, Great Dimoc!
Vex nods his head.
Dimoc: Yes, you two have been very loyal. Where is Levina?
Balizar: I do not know, sire.
Dimoc: Well, find her. We have no time to waist waiting for that foolish sorceress to play with
her magic potions.
Balizar: Yes, Dimoc!
Balizar and Vex rise and exit the cavern.
In another part of Mount Havoc, Levina looks over a tiny volcano within the cavern. Red,
boiling lava flows around with steam coming out of it.
Levina: Ah, it is almost time. My plan will come to being. Soon I will have Zodiac Five and
nothing will be able to stop me. For centuries Dimoc has used me like his little puppet,
unappreciative of my great powers, along with those two degenerates he so foolishly beholds.
But now it is my turn. And without the others around to divert my attention, I will have the
chance to prove what a great and powerful sorceress I really am! Ha, ha, ha!
Levina starts to laugh uncontrollably as she raises her arms into the air and looks up.
At the Kesler Estate, Marcus paces back and forth in his tux, waiting for Maya and Paige to
come downstairs. Marcus looks at his watch.
Marcus: (to himself) Leave it up to the girls to be fashionably late.
Paige is the first to come down. She stops half way down the stairs. Marcus is in awe at how
beautiful she looks and hesitates before he speaks.
Paige: So? What do you think?
Marcus: Uh . . wow! You look great!
Paige: Thanks! Wait till you see Maya.
Paige continues to walk down the steps and Maya steps out, decked out in a beautiful evening
gown. Marcus stares in amazement as she gracefully makes her way down to the middle of the
steps. She turns around effortlessly to show herself off.
Marcus: (dazed and to himself) Incredible.
Maya: I take it you approve?
Marcus: Yeah! You look absolutely amazing!
Maya makes her way down the steps.
Maya: Thank you. The good thing about being a model is sometimes I get to keep the clothes.
Not too shabby, hunh?
Marcus: Not shabby at all.
Kevin and Leon enter the room.
Kevin: Well, don’t you three look snazzy tonight.
Leon: You guys ready for a night on the town?
Paige: We’re just going to the symphony. I wish you two would reconsider.
Kevin: Nah. You go on ahead. We promised your father we’d help him out.
Marcus: Too bad. You guys are gonna miss out.
Kevin: I guess it’s the price you pay for defending the world.
Leon: No kidding.
Maya: Um, hold on just a sec. I forgot something upstairs.
Paige: Okay. But hurry up. We still have to get tickets.
Maya rushes back up the steps and into her room. She looks around to find her mini tape
recorder and puts it in her purse.
Maya: (to herself) Well, if Kevin and Leon can’t come to the concert then I’ll just bring the
concert to them.
Maya rushes back downstairs where the others are waiting.
Maya: All set!
Paige: Last minute touch up on your makeup?
Maya: Uh . . . yeah. You know me.
Marcus: It’s not like you needed it.
Maya: Thanks. Now c’mon. Let’s go before we’re late.
Marcus/Paige/Maya: Bye!The say their good-byes to Kevin and Leon as they head out the door.
Kevin: You have fun! (to Leon) Okay. Let’s see what Dr. Kesler’s been working on.
Leon nods as they enter the door to Zodiac Central.
At Mount Havoc, Balizar and Vex arrive back at the main cavern without Levina.
Dimoc: You have failed to follow my orders.
Balizar: My apologies, evil one. It seems Levina is nowhere to be found. She must have gone
to the surface.
Dimoc: No one goes to the surface without my orders. Find her! That hag has quite a bit of
explaining to do.
Balizar and Vex both nod and exit the main cavern.
Marcus, Maya, and Paige arrive at the concert hall. Marcus opens the car doors for both the girls
and escorts them to the steps of the hall. People dressed in tuxedos and evening gowns enter the
building. The three walk up the steps of the hall and make their way to the ticket booth.
Maya: Oh, I hope we’re not too late.
Marcus: You ladies hang tight. I’ll go get the tickets. Be back in a flash.
Marcus rushes up the steps to the booth as Maya and Paige watch.
Paige: He looks really nice tonight.
Maya: Yes, he does. It’s a side of him I haven’t ever seen before. And he’s such a gentleman.
Paige, smiling, gives Maya a shifty little look.
Paige: Yeah. It’s guys like him that you don’t let get away.
Maya returns the looks, catching that Paige is trying to hint at something.
Maya: Really? So what are you trying to say?
Paige: Oh, nothing.
Maya: Paige!
Both girls start to giggle. At the booth, Marcus digs in his pocket for his wallet while talking to
the woman behind the booth.
Marcus: I know this is the last minute but I need three seats for the symphony.
Lady: I’m sorry, sir. But the concert is sold out.
Marcus: Sold out? You’re kidding!
Lady: No, sir.
Marcus: (shaking his head) This is great.
Lady: Actually, sir, I did just have a cancellation on two balcony seats. But that’s all I have left.
Marcus thinks impatiently about it.
Marcus: Okay, I’ll take them.
Lady: That’ll be $80.00, sir.
Marcus hands her the money and she give him the tickets.
Lady: Thank you and enjoy the concert.
Marcus: Yeah, thanks.Marcus walks back to the girls.
Maya: So, did you get the tickets?
Marcus: Yeah, but I’ve got good news and bad news.
Paige: Oh no.
Marcus: I did manage to get balcony seats at the last minute. But I only got two seats.
Maya: Unh! So what are we supposed to do with two seats?
Marcus hands the tickets to the girls.
Marcus: Here. You two take them and enjoy the concert.
Paige: We can’t do that. That’s not fair.
Maya: Well, it was your idea, Paige. And you are more of a music person anyway, Marcus. So
you two go.
Marcus: No, I insist. You two go on. I want you to go, Maya.
Maya: But . . .
Marcus: There’s no time to waste. The show is fixing to start. Now hurry up.
Maya: Well, if you say so.
Paige: Thanks, Marcus.
Marcus: Go on. I’ll be back to pick you up at 9:30. I’ll be down the street at the coffee shop.
Maya: Thanks. You’re the best.
Maya leans over and kisses Marcus on the cheek. Marcus starts to blush as Paige watches,
smiling.
Paige: C’mon, Maya. We still need to find our seats.
Maya: I’m ready. See you at 9:30, Marcus.
Marcus: Uh, yeah. 9:30.
The girls rush up the stairs and enter the building. Marcus stands in a daze.
Marcus: (to himself) Man, that was worth it.
In the concert hall, the orchestra starts to begin their practice. Up above them in the rafters,
Levina watches as a flutists stands up and begins to practice on her own.
Levina: (to herself) Ah, looks like we have a soloist tonight. A perfect way to fulfill my plan.
Levina taps her staff down twice and an eerie blue light floats down and surrounds the flute the
soloist is playing. The blue light absorbs into the flute unnoticed. Levina looks out into the
crowd.
Levina: (to herself) Soon, very soon, you people will be humming a different tune. Dimoc may
reign over the Dimocians, but I shall rule over the world! And then, ha, ha, ha . . . oh, what a
pleasant little surprise.
Levina suddenly notices Maya and Paige taking their seats in the balcony.
Levina: (to herself) Looks like my plan just got better.
Levina waves her staff and disappears.
In the balcony, May and Paige take their seats.
Maya: Well, looks like we’re ready for the symphony.
Paige: Not quite. We better silence the alarms on our Z-Bands. Just be sure to keep an eye out
for any signals.
Maya: Good idea.
They both turn off the alarms on their Z-Bands.
Paige: Now we’re ready. I just wish Marcus could join us. I feel awful.
Maya: Oh, that reminds me!
Maya digs in evening bag and pulls out the tape recorder.
Paige: (alarmed) What are you doing?
Maya: I figured since the others couldn’t come, I’d take the music to them.
Paige: You can’t do that.
Maya: Oh, don’t be so fussy. It’s not like you’ve never done anything bad before.
Paige: But . . .
Maya: Shh! The show is starting.
The curtain rises and the conductor walks out on stage. Paige tries to say something else but
she’s cut off as the audience starts to applaud. Maya pushes the record button, and the
symphony begins.
Outside the concert hall, Marcus is still standing with his hands in his pockets. He hears the
music start and turns around.
Marcus: (to himself) Looks like they started on time. No sense in hanging around any longer.
He looks around before he takes off. Suddenly, Levina appears on the lawn of the concert hall,
not too far from where he’s standing.
Marcus: (to himself) Levina! But what’s she doing here?
Levina looks around but doesn’t turn far enough to notice Marcus. She hears the music begin as
well.
Levina: (to herself) Yes, it has begun.
Marcus starts to sneak up towards Levina to try and hear what she is saying. As he does so, he
speaks into his Z-Band.
Marcus: (into Z-Band) Kevin. We’ve got trouble here at the concert hall.
Kevin: (from Z-Band) We’ll be right there, Marcus. I’ll signal the girls.
Marcus: (into Z-Band) Alright.
Levina still does not notice Marcus as she continues to speak.
Levina: (to herself) They say music can have a hypnotic effect. They don’t even know.
Marcus: Alright, Levina!
Levina turns around.
Marcus: I don’t know what you’re doing here but it can’t be good.
Levina: You’re right. And it’s about to get worse! Argh!
Levina points her staff and a beam shoots from it. Marcus dives and rolls out of the way as the
ground explodes where he previously stood. Levina fires another shot which Marcus avoids
again. After he rolls he jumps into the air and tries to grab Levina. But Levina uses her staff to
throw him over and onto the ground. Marcus lands on the ground on his back.
Marcus: Unh!
Levina: Fool! You can’t fight me!
Levina fires another shot as Marcus gets up.
Marcus: Ahh!
This time he is thrown into the air by the explosion. But before he hits the ground, Aries catches
him from behind. Taurus is next to him.
Aries: Just in time! You alright?
Marcus steadies himself back on his feet.
Marcus: Yeah, thanks for the save.
Levina: Well, it seems you have an unfair advantage. Fortunately, I don’t play fair either.
Zoodos!
Zoodos come flying through the air.
Aries: Marcus!
Marcus: Right! Celestial change!
Marcus transforms into Blue Pisces, and the battle begins. They each take on three Zoodos.
In the concert hall, Maya and Paige sit attentively while the symphony plays. The flute soloist
stands up for her part and begins to play. As she plays her melody, her flute seems to get louder
than the other instruments and it echoes throughout the hall. The attentive looks on the
audience’s faces slowly turn into a trance-like daze. The alarm light signals on Maya and
Paige’s Z-Bands, but they remain motionless.
Outside, the guys finish off the Zoodos with their Z-Sabers. They turn towards Levina.
Pisces: Looks like the advantage is ours again.
Levina: (laughing) We’ll see who has the advantage, Blue Pisces.
The guys try to dash at her but she disappears into thin air.
Taurus: Argh! She’s gone.
Aries: But not for long. Dimoc’s up to something. I wonder what she’s talking about.
Pisces: I don’t know. Hey, didn’t you notify Maya and Paige?
Aries: Yeah, but that was before we left. They should have received the signal.
Taurus: I hope they’re alright.
Pisces: They should be. We stopped Levina before she could do any harm. They probably
turned off their alarms during the concert.
Aries: Hey, why aren’t you listening to the concert?
Pisces: Only two tickets left so I gave them to the girls. I told them I’d be at the coffee shop up
the street and pick them up whenever it’s over. I think I’ll stick around here though just in case.
Aries: Good idea. We’ll head back. Let us know if anything strange happens.
Pisces: Will do.
Inside the concert hall, the flutist has finished playing her solo. Everyone slowly starts to snap
out of their trances Maya and Paige shake their heads and look around. Paige looks down and
notices the light signal going off on her Z-Band.
Paige: Maya.
Maya nods as she grabs her recorder and puts it back in her evening bag. They both exit the
balcony and rush outside. Outside, they find Marcus sitting on the steps.
Maya: What’s going on?
Paige: Yeah. Why are our signals going off?
Marcus: That was from earlier. We had a run in with Levina. What took you two so long?
Paige: (confused) Uh . . . well, I don’t know. I mean, I remember listening to the symphony and
we . . . um . . .
Maya: (confused) Yeah . . . there was this soloist who was . . . hmm, she was just incredible. I
guess we got so wrapped up in it that we didn’t pay attention to anything else.
Marcus: Are you two alright?
Paige: Yes, we’re fine. We were just enjoying the concert.
Marcus: Just making sure. Let’s head back to the estate. You can tell me about it then.
* * * * *
At Mount Havoc, Levina returns to the main cavern and stands before Dimoc. Balizar and Vex
glare at Levina as she walks past them.
Dimoc: You’d better have a good explanation, Levina.
Levina kneels on one knee and bows her head.
Levina: My apologies, Great Dimoc. I have been devising my own plans to rid us of Zodiac
Five and take over the world. I wish to keep them secret as I have yet to complete all the details.
Dimoc: I do not take kindly to surprises.
Levina lifts her head.
Levina: Believe me, sire. It’s to die for.
Marcus and the girls arrive back at the Kesler Estate. Inside they are greeted by Kevin and Leon.
Leon: So I guess everything’s okay?
Marcus: Seems to be. Nothing else happened.
Paige: Marcus told us what happened outside the concert hall.
Kevin: Well, did anything strange happened inside?
Maya: No, not that I could tell.
Paige: Everything was fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just a good concert.
Kevin: Too bad we missed out.
Maya: Um, not really. I recorded the concert for you. Or at least part of it.
Marcus: You what?
Maya reaches in her purse for the mini tape recorder.
Maya: Well, I didn’t want you guys to miss so I recorded the concert up until we saw our
distress signals and left.
Kevin: You shouldn’t have done that.
Maya: I know, but I did it for you. Why don’t you take a listen?
Kevin: We can’t. Leon and I still have to finish up with Dr. Kesler.
Leon: Yeah, maybe tomorrow.
Marcus: And I’m going to turn in for the night. I’ve had enough excitement for today.
Maya: Okay. Your loss. I’m going to get out of this dress and into something comfortable.
Paige: Good idea.
Everyone departs and goes about his/her own business. Later on that night, when everyone is
asleep, Maya and Paige are tossing and turning in their beds. The music from the symphony
plays in their minds. Levina’s voice can be heard through the music.
Levina’s voice: I am Levina. Hear my words. You belong to me. You will do as I say with no
questions. You will not resist me.
Maya and Paige continue to toss and turn, but as Levina’s message is repeated they begin to calm
down.
Levina’s voice: Tomorrow you will meet at the old industrial mill on the east side of town. But
you will not come empty handed. Bring with you whatever valuables you can find. Do you
understand?
Maya and Paige, still asleep, answer.
Maya/Paige: Yes, Levina. We will do as you say.
Levina’s voice: Good. Ha, ha, ha!
Levina’s voice starts to laugh as it dies away.
To be continued
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Episode 9: Music for the Masses--Part 2
