Script

SIDE 1

(to himself, neither angry nor scornful, just resigned)
It s all a waste of time. Everything. Even school. Especially school. Who cares about all that stuff?  A can dig a hole twice as fast as  B. Big deal! Maybe  B was sick. Or maybe he just doesn t like digging holes. It s boring... useless... all of it.

SIDE 2

(TOCK enters, barking and growling fiercely, scattering the LETHARGARIANS, who flee in all directions in  fast slow motion. TOCK is an ordinary dog, normal in all respects except that in his chest is a large alarm clock, which is now ringing loudly. When the LETHARGARIANS have all been routed, he shuts of the alarm and turns his attention to MILO.)

(fiercely, like a traffic cop)
All right! What do you think you re doing?

I, uh& I don t know... just killing time, I guess.

(TOCK S alarm rings; he shuts it off.)

(Outraged, he shields his clock unconsciously.)
Killing time! It s bad enough wasting time without killing it!

(TOCK sniffs MILO, then surveys him head to toe.)

Say& what are you doing in the Doldrums anyway?

I was on my way to Dictionopolis when I got stuck here.

And do you know why you got stuck?

I guess I just wasn t thinking.

Precisely. Now, since you got here by not thinking, in order to get out you must start thinking.

(TOCK looks at MILO S car.)

I do love chasing cars.

(forcefully)
Start thinking!

About what?

Anything! Use your brain. That s what it s for.

Think about what?

Think!

(stares at TOCK and has an idea)
I know! I ll think about animals.

(MILO concentrates; it isn t easy for him.)

There are birds that swim... and fish that fly.

(The car lurches forward, then stops.)

It s working! Keep thinking!

Animals... Some have spots&

(The car moves forward then stops.)

Some have stripes&

(It moves again.)

Some have quills&

(It moves again.)

And some have scales!

(It moves again.)

You re moving! Keep thinking!

(As MILO thinks, we see that he is becoming genuinely curious and interested.)

I ll think about comets  and rocket ships!

(It moves again.)

Blast off!

(Music: THE DRIVE TO DICTIONOPOLIS. MILO drives the car downstage center, facing the audience. TOCK jogs easily in place beside the car.)

You did it! Isn t it amazing what you can accomplish with just a little thought?

I guess I should thank you for helping me out of the Doldrums.

You re welcome. By the way, what s your name?