This is the transcript for Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen.
Transcript[]
Narrator: A wise man once said not to be afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
Vashti: (knock on the door.) Who is it?
Haman: Um, Your Highness, ahh, the king was wondering if you could make him a sandwich.
Vashti: (closes the door.) It's 3:00 in the morning.
Haman: Ahh, yeah, but he says that he's the king and whatever he says goes.
Vashti: Well, I'm the queen, and the king can make his own sandwich. (slams her door, bouncing away by Haman, turning the light off)
Haman: Okay. (throws Vashti to the ground.)
Vashti: You can't do this to me! I'm the queen!
Haman: Ho, ho! You want to bet? (throws a suitcase by Vashti.) The king can do whatever he wants! He's the king! And don't come back!
Xerxes: (to Haman.) Don't you think that might have been a little harsh?
Haman: Oh, no way! If she got away with that, no one would listen to you.
Xerxes: Well, what am I gonna do now?
Haman: It looks like we're gonna have to find you a new queen.
Xerxes: Hmm... Make me a sandwich. (walks inside.)
Narrator: This is the story of a great person. It's hard to say whether our hero was born that way, or it was just placed in the right place at the right time and decided to do the right thing. I suppose you can be the judge of that. Oh, and one more thing. Our hero isn't a king, just an ordinary girl.
(The screen puts up "Big Idea Production Presents", then the title card appears, saying, "Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen", translating into daytime, with the train peas, sliding on the rail, zooming down with a sign, saying "PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION why wait till A.D.?")
Mordecai: Now wait a minute. Wait a minute, Essie.
Esther: Yeah?
Mordecai: Let me see if I got this. You saw your friend steal an apple.
Esther: Yeah, that's right.
Mordecai: Now, it wasn't hers, but she took it.
Esther: Yep.
Mordecai: And now you don't know what to do.
Esther: Yeah, what should I do?
Mordecai: What do you think you should do?
Esther: Well, ah, I suppose I should tell her it was wrong and that she should pay for it.
Mordecai: Sounds like a good answer!
Esther: Yeah, but I'm... I'm too scared.
Mordecai: Esther.
Esther: Yeah, cousin Mordecai?
Mordecai: How long have I been your cousin?
Esther: Well, uh, pretty much forever!
Mordecai: Eh, give or take. Have I ever steered you wrong?
Esther: Well, no, I guess.
Mordecai: You never need to be afraid to do what's right. Do you remember that song your grandmother used to sing?
Esther: Ummm, you mean the one about God being on our side and not having to be afraid? Yeah, I remember that one.
Mordecai: Good.
Esther: But what if she doesn't want to be my friend anymore?!?
Mordecai: Oh, Essie, you can do the right thing. And there are problems out there a lot bigger than stolen apples.
(The car drives by the veggies.)
Mordecai: Ah, like that one. It's Haman! That guy hates me! I got to get scarce! (bounces away by Esther.)
(The car passes by Esther, then Teresh appears.)
Percy: Ahem! Make way for Haman! The king's right hand man!
Haman: (land on the coach.) Hello, people of Persia! His royal highness, King Xerxes, finds himself, for reasons that do not concern you, in need of a new queen!
(The people cheer.)
Haman: So, I would like to ask all eligible young ladies, to please, come with me!
(The ladies go in the coach.)
Haman: Ah, young lady, that means you.
Esther: If it's all the same to the king. I think I'd rather stay right here.
Haman: I did not ask you if you were interested. The king needs a queen. Get in the wagon!
Mordecai: Um, Essie, for your own good, you should probably go!
Esther: What? But I... Sir... I need to stay here so I can take care of my...
Mordecai: Shhhhhh!
Haman: Did you 'shush' me?!?
Mordecai: What? No! I was shushing...
Haman: Hey, I know you! You're Mordecai!
Mordecai: Hello, Haman!
Haman: You can call me, sir! You know, we both work for the king, but compared to me, you are a g-nat!
Mordecai: It's a 'G.' Silent. It's 'nat.'
Haman: Are you calling me a g-nat?!?
Mordecai: No! Just correcting your pronunciation.
Haman: Are you calling me stupid?!?
Mordecai: Ah, no?
Haman: You! Get in the wagon! You! Bow to me!
Mordecai: Uh, no!
Haman: Bow!
Mordecai: No!
Haman: Bow!
Mordecai: I bow to no one except my God and my king!
Haman: (growling.) Get in the wagon!
Esther: But I want to stay with my...
Mordecai: Shhhhhh!
Haman: Did you shush me again?!
Mordecai: No! I! Essie, go! I'll explain later!
Haman: (hops back in his car, honking, crashing, screaming, driving down.) Mark my words, old man! One of these days!
(Mordecai watches Esther go away, then cut to night.)
Mordecai: Essie! Essie! Are you there?!?
Esther: Cousin Mordecai? Mordecai, what's going...
Mordecai: Shhhhh! Okay, okay! Sorry about all the shushing. But look, Haman hates us. Hates our whole family! If he knew I was your cousin, he'd hate you, too! And then, you could be in grave danger. Esther, you mustn't let anyone here know that you're part of our family.
Esther: But I don't even want to be here. Why do I have to be here?!?
Mordecai: Oh, Essie. I don't know the future. But God does. Maybe there's a reason. I'll come visit you again. (climbs down on a vine.)
(Esther looks down at Mordecai, climbing down, then "Tell Me Why" begins.)
Esther: (singing.) Tell me why I don't understand, tell my why or show me your hand. Tell me why because I can't see my way through. What now would I do?
[cut to the show, with the music of "Lost Puppies" playing]
Achmetha: (singing.) Puppies are cuddly puppies are cute! They're never nasty or mean! I'd give a home to all the lost puppies, if ever one day I were queen! (barking.)
Scallion 1: Yes, that was contestant number 37. Ah, Miss Achmetha.
Xerxes: What am I gonna do with all those dogs?
(They both put a sign up with a thumb down.)
Xerxes: Next!
(Miss Achmetha walks away by Scallion 1.)
Scallion 1: Ah, yes, ahem, now, all the way from Babylon, home of the hanging gardens, Miss Babylon!
(The spotlight puts on the curtain hall.)
Scallion 1: Go ahead.
Esther: What am I supposed to do again?
Scallion 1: A song! You're supposed to sing a song! Didn't you prepare anything?!?
Esther: I guess I wasn't expecting to get this far.
Scallion 1: Well, please! Sing something! You're making me look bad!
Esther: Let's see... (thinks of cousin Mordecai.)
Mordecai: (offscreen.) Remember that song your grandmother used to sing?
Esther: Okay, I've got something!
("The Battle Prelude" begins.)
Esther: (singing.) The battle is not ours we look to God above. For he will guide us safely through, and guard us with his love. So do not be afraid we need not run and hide.
(They both raise their signs with thumbs up.)
Scallion 1: (gasping.) Oh, yes! But we have a new queen! What's you name, dear? Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to Queen Esther!
(The camera flashes on Esther, taking pictures, putting her crown on, translating into night, taking her crown off, looking at it.)
Mordecai: Essie! Essie! I just heard the news! You're the queen of all Persia.
Esther: Yep.
Mordecai: Well, you got to be at least a little excited...
Esther: Nobody even asked me if I wanted to be queen.
Mordecai: Oh, Essie. You always did have a mind of you own! Heh, heh! I always liked that about you! Oh, don't worry. There must be a reason. But, hey! Tomorrow you'll be introduced to the court! Oh! That'll be fun! Ha, ha, ha! Get some rest, queen Essie! My cousin, queen of Persia! Huh, who knew?!?
Esther: Mordecai! The king! What's he like?
Mordecai: Oh, he's sharp! Real sharp! I think you're really gonna like him!
(cut to Xerxes, looking at a mirror.)
Xerxes: Do you think she's gonna like me?
Haman: Oh, you bet she will! You're the king. Everybody likes you, under penalty of death!
Xerxes: Well, yeah, but you know, even if I weren't the king, say I was a one of the guys who cleans up after the camels or a lawyer of something? Do you still think?
Haman: No doubt about it. You're big and strong, charming, handsome, why, any girl in the whole kingdom would be happy to make you a sandwich. King or no king.
Xerxes: Do you really think so?
Haman: Oh, I know so.
Xerxes: Well, all right then, bring her in.
(Markus continues writing down on his scroll, then Xerxes continues looking at a mirror, spraying in his mouth, putting steam on a mirror.)
Bigthan: Hello, king!
Xerxes: Who are you?
Bigthan: I am Bigthan! Your royal chef!
Xerxes: Well, what are you doing here? I don't remember inviting...
Bigthan: Every newlywed needs a cake, no?! (bounces down to the cake.)
Xerxes: Oh, my! Well, that's lovely! You made that for me?!
Bigthan: Oui!
Xerxes: Oh, you shouldn't have! It looks delicious! Why don't you bring me over a piece.
Bigthan: Well, you know, I was thinking you could come over here to eat it.
Xerxes: Well, I always eat right here on my throne, why would I need to come over...
Bigthan: Oh, king! It's the light! The light in this particular spot is just right! You can only appreciate the full beauty of this confectionery masterpiece in the proper light!
Xerxes: Oh, the light, huh? Well, that makes sense, I guess. I suppose I could come over there... (bounces down to the cake.)
Haman: Hey, who's this guy?
Bigthan: Ah, I am the royal chef!
Haman: I've never seen you...
Bigthan: I'm, ah, new.
Xerxes: He made me a cake.
Mordecai: Pssssstttt!
Xerxes: Isn't that nice?
Haman: Did you invite him?
Xerxes: Well, no.
Haman: Did you tell him what can happen to someone who appears before you uninvited?
Xerxes: Well, no, I was too busy thinking about that cake. Doesn't it look yummy?
Esther: Stop! It's a trap!
(Teresh flies with the rope, then the piano crashes on the cake, splashing on Xerxes.)
Xerxes: Why is there a piano on my cake?
(Teresh land by Bigthan, then they bounce away.)
Haman: Seize them!
(Bigthan and Teresh look at Mordecai, then Markus continues writing down.)
Haman: Hey, aren't you the Peaoni brothers? The most wanted peas in Persia?
Bigthan: That's right we are!
Teresh: And we could have taken over the kingdom, if it wasn't for that meddling queen!
Xerxes: You saved my life!
Esther: Well, actually, Your Highness, it was the good guard Mordecai. He alerted me. It was Mordecai who saved your life.
Xerxes: Oh, well, Mordecai, I, uh...
Haman: Ah, king! What should the punishment be for these two dangerous criminals? The most wanted peas in Persia who appeared before you uninvited and tried to drop a piano on your head?
Xerxes: Well, let's see, it should probably be pretty stiff, huh? What do you think?
Haman: I say, the punishment should be banishment to the island of perpetual tickling!
Teresh: You don't mean...?
Bigthan: The island where you are tickled day and night...
Teresh: Night and day...
Bigthan: Without stop...
Teresh: Not even if you say "pretty please"?!
(They both scream, then the Grim Tickler appears, shaking his feather, tickling Teresh, bouncing away by the Grim Tickler.)
Bigthan: No, stop! Stop!
Narrator: There are two things you don't do in Persia. One of them is trying to drop a piano on the king's head. The other is appearing before him uninvited. The Peaoni brothers found these thing out the hard way. Now it might seem that things are going pretty well for Esther and Mordecai. After all, they saved the king's life. But Haman had something else up his sleeve, or wherever. You see, nothing could be worse for Haman than for his cousin Mordecai to be on the king's good side. If the king liked Mordecai more than him, it might jeopardize his position as the second-in-command. So Haman came up with his own sneaky little plan.
("Haman's Song" begins.)
Haman: (singing.) Your Highness I believe there is much to fear.
Xerxes: (singing.) Really? Those Peaonis are no longer here.
Haman: (singing.) A much greater danger may await you now.
Xerxes: How's that possible?
Haman: (singing.) With permission, Your Highness, I'll tell you how.
Xerxes: Go on.
Haman: (singing.) It's my duty to inform you and if I'm correct, to ignore this grave emergency would be neglect. It's the motto of my office serve and protect! There are those who walk among us who show no respect.
Xerxes: Really?
Haman: (singing.) The law must be adjusted! There are those who can't be trusted!
Xerxes: Oh, my goodness. Tell me about these people.
Haman (singing.) A sneaky little family who do sneaky little things. Who stick their sneaky noses into matters of the king. I fear they're not dealt with the prospect makes me weep. A zucchini-shaped sarcophagus is where you'll sleep!
Xerxes: Really? (singing.) The nerve! I am disgusted!
Haman: (singing.) There are those who can't be trusted!
Xerxes: That sure doesn't sound like a nice family.
Haman: Nope. (singing.) Your Highness, I must act with speed.
Xerxes: Agreed! Say the word! I'll give you what you need!
Haman: (singing) A simple solution, but you must act now!
Xerxes: Well, how can I help?
Haman: (singing) With permission, Your Highness, I tell you how.
Xerxes: Go on.
Haman: (singing) After careful calculation, I've just got the thing, we'll send them to the dreaded isle of tickling. But before I can take action, we have to close the deal! And it needs the kingly imprint of your royal seal!
Xerxes: I agree! They must be busted!
Both: (singing) There are those who can't be trusted! That sneaky little family who do sneaky little things who stick their sneaky noses into matters of the king for crimes against the kingdom the punishment is steep. The Isle of Endless Tickling is where they'll sleep!
Xerxes: (singing) The law is now adjusted!
Both: (singing) For those who can't be trusted!
Haman: Ha! Mordecai is busted!
Chorus: There are those who can't be trusted!
(Haman leaves to the right of the post, then exits the scene. After the song ends, Mordecai hops by the bulletin board)
Mordecai: Huh? (Notices his picture and hops back) What's this? (Sees his eviction notice and takes it off to show Esther) Oy! (Runs back to the balcony) Essie!
(The screen fades back to the balcony with Esther, who hears Mordecai shouting as he climbs up.)
Mordecai: Essie! Essie!
Esther: Cousin Mordecai? What is it?
Mordecai: Oh, he's done it! He's finally done it!
Esther: Who? Done what?
Mordecai: Look! (Shows Esther Haman's edict)
Esther: What's this?
Mordecai: It's an edict! In just a few days, all of us, our whole family! We'll all be sent to the Island of Perpetual Tickling!
Esther: What!? Who... who did this!?
Mordecai: Oh, who do you think? Haman! I told you he hates us! Hates our whole family! And now he's done it! He got the king to sign this, and... and... we'll all be banished!
Esther: Oh! What are you going to do?
Mordecai: That's just it, I can't do anything. I'm just a guard. (Then realizes Esther is the queen) But you! You're the queen.
Esther: What do you mean?
Mordecai: You must go to him! You must go to the king!
Esther: WHAT!? Don't you know what happens to people who appear before the king uninvited?
Mordecai: Esther...
Esther: Remember the Peaoni brothers?
Mordecai: Esther, there is no other way! You are the only one who can stop this!
Esther: No! No, I'm not not gonna, I... (Takes off her tiara and slams it down in frustration) I didn't even want to be the queen! No! You're smart, Mordecai. Think of another way.
Mordecai: Esther, there is no other way.
Esther: I... I wasn't even brave enough to go to my friend about the apple. And... and now you want me to go to the king? Even if he doesn't banish me for showing up, why would he listen to me? I mean, Haman is his right hand man!
Mordecai: I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you this. You wanted to know why you were here. Why you became queen. I told you God must have a reason. Esther, perhaps He put you here for such a time as this. Perhaps this is the reason! Esther, you never have to be afraid to do what's right. I'll pray for you. We'll all pray for you.
(As soon as Mordecai climbs down the vines, "Tell me why" starts to play.)
Esther: (singing) Tell me why I don't understand. Tell me why, or show me your hand. Tell me why because I can't see my way through. What now, should I do?
(The music begins to alter with notes playing "The Battle Prelude" in the background, with drums banging to the beat of the score as Esther puts her tiara back on.)
Esther: (singing) The battle is not ours. We look to God above. For He will guide us safely through, and guard us with His love. I will not be afraid! I will not run and hide! (Esther starts showing a little bit more of a smile at this point) For there is nothing I can't face when God is at my side. No, there is nothing I can't face when God is at my side. (The sun starts to rise and Esther starts feeling a little more courageous and confident as she watches the sunrise.) The battle is not ours. We look to God above. For He will guide us safely through, and guard us with His love.
(Screen fades from the balcony to the outside of the castle during morning. Then fading to Esther heading to the king in his courtroom.)
Narrator: Another one of them wise guys once said, that in a moment of truth, a great person doesn't have to think much about what they're going to say or do. They just speak and do what's right. Esther knew what she had to do was right, so, she figured she didn't have to be nervous. (Esther looks back, debating whether to go for it or not.) Alright, so she was a little nervous, but give her a break.
(Off-screen, we hear a toilet flush, then Markus walks up to the entrance.)
Markus: Hi queen. (Opens the door and enters)
(Esther enters after him, and as she enters slowly, we hear Haman speaking.)
Haman: (O.S.) So we're all set! I got the big boat reserved for Friday. Two more days, and we'll be rid of that dangerous family forever!
Xerxes: Good work, Haman! What would I do without you?
(King Xerxes and Haman notice Esther, as she looks on horrified.)
Haman: Hey, who invited the queen? Did you invite the queen?
Xerxes: Uh, no. I don't think I did.
(Esther gulps, awaiting to be banished.)
Xerxes: But that's okay!
(Both Esther and Markus sigh in relief.)
Xerxes: C'mon over here, Queenie Pooh!
(Esther walks up to the king.)
Xerxes: I dunno if anybody told you, but popping up uninvited in generally discouraged around here.
Haman: By death or banishment.
(Xerxes angrily looks at Haman.)
Xerxes: But my little Queenie Pooh can visit me anytime she wants!
(Esther smiles.)
Xerxes: So what is it you want? Just tell me. Whatever you want, it's yours!
Esther: (Haman stares at her, which scares her.) Um, if it, uh....if it pleases the king, there's something that I'd like to....(Haman stares at her harder, which horrifies her.) ....I'd like you and Haman to come to dinner tonight!
(Xerxes and Haman stare at each other for a second, then smile.)
Xerxes: Oh, isn't that nice! She's inviting us over for dinner!
Haman: Mhm!
Xerxes: You bet! We'd love to come! What time do you want us over?
Esther: ...uh, say 8?
Xerxes: 8 it is!
Esther: Uh, see ya then. (Esther walks off, upset at herself for bailing out.)
Haman: Oh, that's nice.
Xerxes: Yep, she's a keeper!
(We then fade to the front of the palace at night.)
Narrator: Now, don't get me wrong. Showing up uninvited before his highness is a very brave thing to do. But telling the king that his right hand man is weasel is especially difficult. What if he doesn't believe her?
(We fade to inside Esther's place, and the camera flies to the right, where we see all sorts of Chinese food lined up on a table. It stops as we see Xerxes and Haman playing "Trivial Pursuit".)
Narrator: If the weasel stays, well, let's just say it wouldn't be so hot for our girl.
(Esther hops up to King Xerxes and Haman with a platter full of soft drinks in cups with straws)
Narrator: No. Esther was looking for just the right moment to spring the news on him.
Haman: Okay, this is for the wedgie.
Xerxes: It's for the wedgie?
Haman: Mhm!
Xerxes: Ooh, make it an easy one!
Haman: Okay. (picks up a card) "Who was the youngest Jackson?"
Xerxes: Oh, I think I know that one! It's, uh....wasn't it, uh....Tito! Yeah, Tito!
Haman: Nope, not Tito.
Xerxes: Not Tito?
Haman: Nope.
Xerxes: I thought for sure it was Tito.
Haman: Nope, not Tito!
Xerxes: Not Tito?
(Esther puts down the platter.)
Esther: Um, your highness? The real reason I asked you over tonight was to.....
(Xerxes listens, while sipping on his drink.)
Esther: Was to.....
(Haman stares at her, which frightens her.)
Esther: ...to see if you would both like to join me for dinner again tomorrow night!
(Xerxes and Haman stare at each other for a second.)
Xerxes: Well sure! Yeah, that sounds great!
Haman: (over-top of Xerxes' dialogue) Oh, yeah! I'd love to come!
(Esther picks up the empty platter, angry at herself for bailing out again.)
Xerxes: (O.S.) Are ya sure it wasn't Tito?
Haman: (O.S.) Nope, not Tito!
(We fade to the palace gate, which Mordecai is guarding. Haman is on his way out, while holding a stack of cards.)
Haman: Well, hello there!
(Mordecai doesn't respond.)
Haman: I guess there's not much to say, eh Mordecai? Seeing how in two days, you'll be waking up in Chuckle City! Ha! Y'know, I just came from dinner with the king and queen, and they invited me over again tomorrow night! Heh, I guess they must like me. Why don't you like me, Mordecai?
Mordecai: Eeesh....
Haman: Y'know, it wouldn't be too hard to show me that you like me. Just a little bow, that's all. Is that so hard? Eh, who knows? I'm a very influential guy. I might be able to work something out for you and your family-
Mordecai: Arrogance is not fitting for a fool, Haman! Much less is lying fitting for a right hand man! I'll NEVER bow to you!
(Haman throws his card stack in shock.)
Haman: Hngggh...oh yeah?! Well, maybe this "foolish right hand man" can arrange for you to take your trip to Tickle Town TONIGHT!!
(Haman storms back through the palace gates, leaving Mordecai worried. We cut to a card flipping over, revealing the word "Janet", which was the answer to "Who was the youngest Jackson?". Then, we cut to Xerxes in his bedroom, while Markus is reading him his recorded events for the day.)
Markus: "9:28 a.m.: King puts on his slippers and brushes his teeth. 9:32: King cuts himself shaving".
Xerxes: Ouch! I remember that one. How 'bout something more recent? You got anything more recent?
(Markus looks through his scroll.)
Xerxes: Thanks for doing this. Y'know, it really does help me sleep.
Markus: "1:40: King is joined by Haman in the throne room".
Xerxes: I really like it when you read me these records. I guess you could say it's the story of me!
Markus: "1:45: Haman leaves to get queen. 1:47: Chef arrives with wedding cake".
(Xerxes' eyes open in suspense.)
Markus: "1:50: King stands up to eat cake".
Xerxes: Ooh! This is a good one! Excitement! Drama!
Markus: "1:51: The king's life is saved by the guard, Mordecai. 1:52..."
Xerxes: Wait! Wait! Wait! Did you say Mordecai saved my life? He's that little grape with the mustache, right?
Markus: Uh, yep.
Xerxes: Mordecai, huh? Did we ever do anything to thank him for that?
Markus: Uh, nope.
Xerxes: That's a shame. Maybe I oughta give him a card or something, y'know, to show my appreciation?
(A knocking is heard at the door.)
Xerxes: I wish I were more creative with things like that. Uh, come in!
(Haman bursts through the door, out of breath.)
Haman: King! I have a most urgent request! I'm wondering if you can...
Xerxes: (interrupting him) W-wait a minute there, Haman! Lemme ask you something. I need a little creative advice.
Haman: Ah...oh..okay. What is it?
Xerxes: Okay, there's this really great guy that I really wanna thank, y'know, showing my appreciation for something he did. You got any ideas?
Haman: (Thinking Xerxes is talking about himself) Oh, heh, well King I'm flattered! I, uh...
Xerxes: (interrupting him) I was thinking of a card or something.
Haman: Oh, no, no! No, cards are nice, but this sounds like a very special guy!
Xerxes: Uh-huh!
Haman: It sounds like the kinda guy who deserves a.....parade!
Xerxes: A parade! Hmm.....
Haman: Yeah! I think this guy should be dressed in royal robes, and be marched through the whole city on your horse! And...and..and maybe you should even let him wear one of your crowns!
Xerxes: I guess he is pretty special.
Haman: And one of your most noble princes should lead this man through the streets proclaiming, "This is a really neat guy! The king really likes him! He's brave and has rugged good looks!"
(Both Xerxes and Markus look a bit confused.)
Xerxes: Ya see, Haman? You're the creative one around here! What would I do without you?
Haman: Oh, well, y'know, thank you your highness. I, uh...I...
Xerxes: (interrupting him) All those things you mentioned, every last one, do that for the good guard Mordecai, the man who saved my life!
(This horrifies Haman.)
Haman: (horrified) Eh?!
Xerxes: And...and you be the one to go with him on that parade, okay?
Haman: (horrified) Eeeee!!!
Xerxes: I knew I could count on you. Lucky thing you dropped by! Now, what was it you wanted?
Haman: (too horrified to even ask) Eh...gnegh......
Xerxes: Y'know, maybe you should ask me tomorrow. I'm getting kinda sleepy. Goodnight!
(Markus slams the door in Haman's face, who's still horrified. We then fade to the front of the palace.)
Narrator: They say that pride comes before a fall. It looks like nobody told that to Haman.
(We fade to the front doors of the castle)
But if Mordecai, Esther, and their whole family are gonna be saved, Esther's gotta come through. And she's only got one more chance.
(With the camera staying at the front doors, night fades to day with birds tweeting. Then day fades to night. We then cut over to the front of Esther's place, where she and King Xerxes are having pizza.)
Esther: I wonder where Haman could be?
Mordecai (O.S.): See you, Haman! Thanks for the parade! (Laughs)
Haman: Laugh all you want (Opens the door), you won't be laughing tomorrow! (Evilly laughs, but then stops.) No wait, you will. Oh, never mind. (Turns to Esther and King Xerxes) Hi. Sorry I'm late. (Closes the door)
Esther: The real reason I called both of you here again tonight is to... (Starts feeling nervous) is to... to... (thinks of cousin Mordecai.)
Mordecai: (offscreen.) Remember Esther, you never need to be afraid to do what's right.
(With that thought, Esther finally shows courage and asserts herself.)
Esther: Your highness, someone is plotting against my family. Tomorrow, my people and I will be banished to the Island of Perpetual Tickling!
Xerxes: What? Banish my queen? Who would dare?
Esther (Angry at Haman): It's Haman!
Xerxes (Questioning Haman): Is this true?
Haman: I don't know what she's talking about. She's crazy!
Esther: It is true!
Xerxes: (To Esther) Can you prove this charge?
Haman: I'm telling you, she's making it up!
(Shows the Edict paper.)
Xerxes: Wait a minute, that's Mordecai. I just gave him a parade!
Esther: Mordecai is my cousin. His family is MY family!
(Haman squeals.)
Xerxes (Angry): You had me banish the man who saved my life and my own queen?!
(Haman squeals again.)
Xerxes (Angry): For your punishment Haman, you are to be sent to The Island of Perpetual Tickling, along with anyone else who dares scheme against my queen and her family!
(The Grim Tickler slams the door open to Esther's home, taking Haman.)
Haman: NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! (The Grim Tickler tickles Haman with his feather and Haman laughs as he is tickled out the door, just like with the Peaoni Brothers.)
Haman (While laughing): Oh no, ple-he-he-ase stop it! Please sto-ha-ha-hap! Ha-ha, you're killing me, ha! Ha-ha-pretty please?
(Fades to black, then fades to Mordecai at the palace.)
Narrator: So Haman got what was coming to him, and then some. And Mordecai, this is my favorite part, (Markus gives Mordecai a paper) he got Haman's old job. The number two guy in the whole kingdom! Not bad. (Mordecai hands King Xerxes the paper and draws a diagonal line on the 3 O's, winning Tic-Tac-Toe. Then we cut over to the castle balcony, where Esther is shown smiling and proud of doing the right thing as she watches the sunrise.) And Esther, what a gal! She showed more courage than ten kings and saved her people! Now, she wasn't born for greatness, she didn't go to school for it, she just learned that sometimes God has plans so big only He can see them. All she had to do was believe. Yep, she was just a regular kid, just like you.