"The Lady in the Green Skirt"
Characters:
LEAH: A dark haired, fair-skinned woman who is rumored to be a witch in the small town she inhabits. Her dog has been purposefully injured by people who despise and fear her for being 'odd'. She has just found the dog, trembling and lying on his side on her porch.
BRADY: An eleven year old boy who lives in the neighborhood. He is aware of the rumors about Leah, and is fascinated by the possibility that she can do magic.
VOICE: Someone who lives nearby.
TOBY: The dog.
.................................................... ...
LEAH: (coming up her front porch, two steps at a time)Toby? What's the matter, fella? (she kneels down to gingerly touch the dog's side and lame, back leg)
TOBY: (whimpers)
LEAH: Shhh... it's alright. Let me have a look. What did you get yourself into now? Did you tangle with another dog? I thought I locked your gate this morning. This almost looks like... (she goes silent for a moment) Well, this isn't a bite. No animal did that. Did somebody hurt you, boy? You're all messed up back here. (for the first time she raises her head and looks around the property uncertainly; it is quiet)
(Leah stands up, she calls out:) If anyone has a problem with me, you take it up with me and leave my dog out of it!
VOICE: (from a neighboring window) Clamor down, you crazy old witch!
LEAH: If I find out this was you, Harlan, a crazy old witch is exactly what you'll get! You will not take your petty grievances out on a helpless animal!
VOICE: I didn't do nothin', now stop your shouting or I'll call the cops.
LEAH: Call the cops then! I have a lot to talk to them about, actually. (her voice drops to a mutter) Abusing an animal, taking out their rank stupidity on some helpless beast. I just can't even fathom... (she suddenly collapses down beside her pet and buries her face in his fur) Oh Toby, I'm so sorry this happened to you. I should have realized you'd be in danger. It's all my fault, boy.
BRADY: (who has come up to the edge of the yard after hearing all the shouting, and now stands, tentatively, ready to run but unable to ignore the distressed woman.) Ma'am?
LEAH: (looking up, squinting) Nicholas?
BRADY: No, that's my brother. I'm Brady.
LEAH: Oh, hello Brady. Do you need something?
BRADY: I just heard the yelling, and I thought I'd come and see... (he trails off) Is something wrong with your dog?
LEAH: (sitting up straighter and smoothing her hair back from her face.) Yes. He's been injured.
BRADY: What happened?
LEAH: It looks as though someone poked him with a sharp object, and hit his back haunches. One of his hips is possibly broken.
BRADY: (Wide-eyed) Someone did that?
LEAH: Yes. You live right up the street. Did you happen to see anyone around my house today?
BRADY: Well... (thinks) the mailman came. I heard a dog making a ruckus and some sounds, but I was in my backyard playing with Abel, so I didn't see.
LEAH: It's alright. I don't suppose anyone will feel compelled to come forward, even if they did see something. (she gives the child a direct look) They don't like me very much around here.
BRADY: (looks down) No ma'am. I guess they're kinda scared.
LEAH: Well, I don't go around stabbing other people's animals, so I guess I have more to be scared of than they do.
BRADY: They're scared cus they think you're a witch, ma'am.
LEAH: (rather drily) I'm well aware of what they've been saying.
BRADY: Is it true?
LEAH: (looking at him curiously) What do you think?
BRADY: Well, they hurt your dog, and that doesn't seem right, so maybe they're wrong about the other stuff too. But, you know... (looks at her a bit shyly) it would be cool to have some magic that you could do, like to the people that hurt your pet. You could make them be sorry and maybe turn them into animals to see what it feels like to have people treat you that way.
LEAH: (smiling a bit) That does seem like pretty fair retribution. (she strokes the dog)
BRADY: So can you? I mean, ... are you going to?
LEAH: (patiently) No, Brady. I won't be turning anyone into anything.
BRADY: Is it cus of your dog? Is that why you're upset? In the book I read for study hall, there's a witch who has two crows. Those were her family.... or, family types, and she needed them to do magic, so I thought maybe you need Toby for your powers.
LEAH: I think the term you're looking for is 'familiar'. The witch had animal familiars.
BRADY: Yeah. So is Toby your familiar?
LEAH: No Brady, Toby isn't my familiar, he's my friend. My very dear friend. And I don't have a lot of those, so... (her voice cracks) it hurts a lot to see him hurting. Especially knowing that someone hurt him because they're angry at me. You don't want to see your friends get hurt, especially when it's your fault. I need to get him to the vet now, would you like to help me pick him up? He's a big dog.
BRADY: (looking nervous) And you aren't a witch, right? I won't get in trouble or get a spell on me?
LEAH: (shaking her head) I'm not a witch, Brady, but I promise that even if I were, I wouldn't hurt you. That's just not the kind of person I am.
BRADY: Alright then. I'll help you lift him. And Mrs. Leah? I'm really, really sorry they hurt your dog.
LEAH: Thank you, Brady. That means a lot.