The Great Fairytale Robbery

By Eric Scott

Sarah and Julie switch on the television: instead of the movie they expect, they see a crowd of their favourite storybook characters, including Cinderella, Puss-in- Boots, Aladdin, Bo Peep and Hansel and Gretel, calling out for help. So the two girls step into the fantasy world beyond the TV screen and find themselves involved in a battle of wits against the witchlike Studio Head, whose ambition is to destroy all books. Oz, Julie's life-size rag doll, dreams up a plan to save the fairy tale people from fading away... to Studio Head's dismay.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Acorn Books
• Release date: Nov 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781783333981

Eric Scott

Eric Scott is a published novelist with adult, teenage and primary school books to his name as well as two editions of one-act Plays for teenagers. Most of his plays have been performed in amateur and professional venues. He does a regular theatre review and preview spot on the Spectrum arts program on radio 4EB, 98.1 FM, at noon each Friday and runs his own entertainment web page at www.absolutetheatre.com.au He is also an actor and director with more than 50 productions under his belt.

Book preview

coincidental.

Chapter 1

Sarah’s room was a mess. It usually was until her Mum told her to clean it up. She was sitting on the floor looking at a picture book with the television set on. The volume was turned up loud. Sarah, who was eleven, was not in a good mood. She and her sister Julie, who would be nine, next week, were being babysat for the weekend by Aunt Mildred - not their favourite relative.

All round the room books were scattered on the floor, alongside her favourite toy, Oz, the giant scarecrow, who was lying face-down on the floor.

Sarah looked up from her book as Julie came into the room. Julie looked around and wrinkled her nose. It’s a mess in here, she said. I’d clean it up if I were you, before Aunt Mildred sees it.

Sarah shut her book with a bang. "Why did she have to come? Why didn’t Mum and Dad find somebody else to babysit? She put the book down and sighed. I wish we could have an adventure like they do in books or on television. Her eyes gleamed. Wouldn’t it be great if Peter Pan came flying in the window and took us away to the Never Never Land."

It would, agreed the practical Julie. But it’s much more likely that Aunt Mildred will come flying in the door in a temper because your room’s such a mess.

Julie walked over to Oz and straightened him up, leaning him neatly against the wall.

And then Aunt Mildred did come in. She was a tall woman with black hair which she usually wore pulled tightly back from her forehead in a pigtail. Sometimes she swirled it round on the top of her head in a bun. Today she was wearing a black skirt that reached just below her knees and a jacket- also black - that Mum had said was very fashionable. She was not as old as Mum, but she was much more severe, and her eyes went dark whenever she got angry, which, as far as Sarah was concerned, was far too often.

Julie secretly thought that her Aunt was a witch. Aunt Mildred moved quickly all the time. Mum said she swept everywhere, like an overwound robot. She certainly swept into Sarah’s room, but then she came to a sudden stop. Her eyes began to darken and Julie knew there was going to be trouble.

I’ve never known anybody as untidy as you, Sarah, said Aunt Mildred.

Sarah had picked up her book as soon as her Aunt came into the room and she had her head buried in it now. Julie stood quietly beside Oz.

Aunt Mildred picked up a book from the pile on the floor. Why can’t you keep your things neat, she said, pursing her lips. If I were your mother I wouldn’t let you have books at all. She turned and looked at the television set. I expect you spend all your time watching that anyway.

No, I don’t, Sarah protested. Well, you can’t read and watch TV at the same time, said Aunt Mildred. With that she switched the television off and marched to the door. You will both clear up this mess and then come for your supper, she said, looking the children up and down. You two don’t eat enough to keep a bird alive - you’ll fade away to nothing if you’re not careful. With that she went out and closed the door behind her.

Fade away! said Sarah. That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. She looked at the mess around her. I’ll clear it up later.

Julie looked at her disbelievingly.

I promise, said Sarah. But first there’s a show I want to watch. Where’s the TV guide?

Julie turned on the television again. Which channel? she asked, yawning. She was feeling sleepy.

Sarah leaned against the chair by her bed and yawned as well. I’m not sure. We’ll just have to change channels until we find it.

They both watched as the picture slowly appeared, but there was no sound.

Julie turned up the volume switch; there was still no sound. Sarah was beginning to get cross.

You’d better get the sound going, she said grumpily, because your favourite movie is on.

Cinderella? Julie said eagerly. I didn’t know that was on tonight. She came and stood next to Sarah. That’s funny, she said. This isn’t the show 1 usually watch. Why, this Cinderella looks exactly like the one in my fairytale book!

Sarah stared at the screen. Cinderella did look different.

Julie searched among the books on the floor until she found the fairytale book. I’ll show you. She turned the pages of the book over and over and over, getting faster all the time. There was a puzzled look on her face. She stopped at the last page and looked at Sarah. This is really strange. All the pages are blank! There are no pictures anymore and the printing is so faded I can hardly read it.

But Sarah wasn’t listening. She was concentrating hard on the television screen, where even more peculiar things were happening. She blinked her eyes. On the screen, standing right next to Cinderella, was Jack from the Beanstalk and Little Bo Peep, looking very worried indeed. Then there was a beautiful Princess, and several other people standing too far back to be recognised.

I don’t believe this, Sarah said. All these people are out of our books. This is crazy!

Julie looked from the empty book to the television screen. That’s Princess Briar Rose, she said, "from The Sleeping Beauty. What’s she doing talking to Cinderella? They’re not even in the same story!"

Quick, said Sarah, let’s have a look at the other fairytale books. .

Quickly they rifled through the pages of all their books. They were all the same. Some were completely blank; others had several blank pages and faded printing.

Suddenly Julie pointed to the television set again.

Who are those two beautiful girls? I’ve never seen them in any of our books.

Sarah looked closely, screwing up her eyes so she could concentrate fully. I don’t know. I’ve never seen them before. What’s going on, Julie?

Julie didn’t answer, because she didn’t know.

Chapter 2

Sarah and Julie continued to watch the strange scene on the television screen. The fairytale people were chattering away - they seemed to be arguing with each other. Then they came to the front of the screen and gazed right in to the room.

Can you see what I see or am I just imagining it? Julie said.

I think they’re trying to talk to us, said Sarah.

"That’s what I think too. But that’s impossible, isn’t it? I mean, people on TV can’t see us."

"It certainly looks as if they’re trying to talk to us," Julie said.

And indeed it did. The little people on the screen were waving their arms and their lips were moving ten to the dozen. Cinderella, looking very distressed, pointed to her face and her clothes and then to her companions.

"They can see us, can’t they?" Julie had begun to