The Monkey And His Nymph
Chapter 1- The King Is Disturbed
Advance: Pip is a monkey… his tribe makes a refusal for his question: are humans allowed to interact with monkeys? He is forbidden by his father, king bosco of the monkeys. However, in a streak of rebellion, he goes to find his long-lost brother Toby…who he believes was taken by humans.
Pip
Can you tell me again why we’re forbidden to interact with humans?
Pip
All you ever told me was that they were dangerous. I’m old enough to know now. Right…?
King Bosco
*Bosco gives a long sigh, his brows knitting into a bitter and cold scowl.* No. Not right. I’ve told you time and time again that humans are dangers, killers. They want nothing but your hide.
King Bosco
We’ve talked about this, and I refuse to talk about it more.
Pip
*Pip recoils slightly at his father’s suddenly sharp words, biting his lip in hesitation.* Is…is that what happened to Toby? They skinned him and took his tail? His tongue and teeth?
Pip
That’s all they want from us? No nurture, nothing?
Pip
What if they’re different? What if some of them just want-
King Bosco
*The monkey king raises his voice, hollow with anger and grief of the loss of his firstborn son, Toby.* PIP! THAT IS ENOUGH.
King Bosco
End of discussion!
King Bosco
*Bosco, hiding the smolder in his eyes, residue of his past wounds, shakes his head, turning away from Pip. A headache forms behind his eyes, and the twig he was holding snaps under his remorseful, angry grip.* I lost your mother to a fire. I lost your brother to the damn humans.
Pip
*Pip’s eyes turn downcast, knowing the weight his father carries. But… after being locked away within the tribe so long, he yearned to see the other half of the world. The half with humans, and beaches, and markets.*
King Bosco
If I lose you, though, pip… *his father trailed off, his burning gaze locking onto pip’s own.* I won’t go looking for you.
King Bosco
*Bosco turned away, his statement terrifyingly final. The other monkeys in the tribe stared as he stormed away, their eyes finding pip.*
Pip
*Pip could only gasp at his father’s words, his tail flicking wildly behind him as the meaning behind the lecture finally took place. Pip, like his mother, was gentle, kind and very intuitive. But… he couldn’t think his way out of this.*
Pip
*he began, trailing off. Bosco’s words hurt. But pip knew he wasn’t lying.*
Pip
Well, I wouldn’t look for you either!
Pip
*He called back, seething. Yet his voice wobbled. He wanted to prove to his father that he was strong. That he wasn’t just an infant, breastfeeding and riding on his mother’s back.*
King Bosco
*Bosco didn’t falter in his steps, though his ears perked up.*
Pip
I’ll… I’ll find Toby! And I’ll bring him back, and you’ll see just how strong I can be! I’ll be better than you. Just you watch. You’ll see. I’ll show you. I’ll show everybody.
Crowd
*A gasp rippled throughout the surrounding tribe.*
King Bosco
*Bosco turned fully around, addressing the suddenly rebellious son behind him.*
King Bosco
Don’t you understand, boy!? Toby is gone! And you’re soon to be if you go out there too!
Pip
*Pip turned around and sprinted back to the canopy, where he grabbed his one and only possession- a matte black compass with a broken glass window. Toby had given it to him before he disappeared…*
*Now it was his sole mission to give it back.*
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