First Day, Missing Mascot

Cover

FIRST DAY, MISSING MASCOT ISSUE 01 LITTLE NAUTS LITTLE NAUTS FIRST DAY, MISSING MASCOT Four arrivals. One little mystery. Three new friends each.

Narrator

Near Dread Town stood a school full of things to discover.

Narrator

Jahari, Zion, Pax, and Lux had come from four different children's homes. Today, each was starting somewhere new.

Jahari

Oh. Sorry. Is that yours?

Pax

I think so. Unless yours has my snack in it.

Jahari

Then I wish it was mine.

Lux

Is this everyone's first day?

Zion

Mine is.

Pax

Mine too. I'm Pax.

Jahari

Jahari.

Lux

Lux.

Zion

Zion.

Jahman

Morning, everyone. I'm Jahman. Come in. We can be new together.

Sound effect

CREEAK

Pax

You're new too?

Jahman

To knowing you, I am.

Jahman

Bags here. Books there. And you can sit anywhere.

Jahari

Even beside somebody?

Jahman

That's usually a good place to begin.

Pax

Who's that?

Jahman

Our school mascot. Official ribbon helper. Very enthusiastic dancer.

Lux

Hello, official ribbon helper.

Sound effect

BOOP

Jahman

When this bell rings, we'll all do a welcome song.

Lux

I don't know it.

Zion

Me neither.

Jahman

Good. We'll learn it together.

Sound effect

TUP TUP

Sound effect

PEEP?

Jahman

Ready to begin?

Sound effect

DING!

Pax

Ready for the dancing bit.

Jahman

Our helper was right here.

Lux

The ribbons are here.

Pax

Maybe it's a hiding dance.

Zion

How would we watch that?

Jahari

There's ribbon up there too.

Sound effect

TAP... TAP

Jahman

What else can we see or hear?

Zion

Something tapping.

Lux

Can we look?

Jahman

Yes. Stay in these rooms, and call when you find our helper. I'll check here.

Jahari

Come on. It can't have gone far.

Jahari

I bet it's in here.

Pax

Is it?

Jahari

Only if it's turned into cushions.

Sound effect

FUMP

Pax

That's a very comfy disguise.

Zion

There it is again.

Sound effect

TAP... PEEP

Lux

Is it the drum?

Zion

No. It's farther away. Listen after the tap.

Lux

A little squeak!

Pax

Look. Little muddy feet.

Jahari

Yours?

Pax

Mine are bigger. And only mostly muddy.

Jahari

They go toward the plants.

Lux

This ribbon goes the same way!

Jahari

I've got the basket!

Pax

And I've got... most of the stars.

Zion

One's on your head.

Sound effect

RUSTLE!

Jahari

Sorry. I thought my cupboard idea was right.

Lux

I wasn't watching where I was going.

Pax

We found the stars, anyway.

Zion

The tapping's in there.

Sound effect

TAP... TAP

Pax

So are the muddy feet.

Lux

And the ribbon.

Jahari

We were finding the same thing.

Jahari

Shall we look together?

Lux

Together.

Jahari

Jahman! We're checking the greenhouse.

Jahman

I'm right here.

Zion

It's quieter now.

Sound effect

PEEP

Pax

Hello? Official ribbon helper?

Lux

Oh. Look...

Pax

There you are!

Sound effect

PEEP

Lux

Oh, little one. You're all tangled.

Jahari

You were trying to help it.

Sound effect

TAP

Zion

That's the tapping. Your buckle.

Pax

You weren't playing hide-and-seek at all.

Pax

We can help!

Lux

I think we look very big from down there.

Pax

Oh. How about now?

Lux

That's better.

Jahari

Jahman, they're stuck together.

Jahman

I see. What might help?

Zion

Make the ribbon loose first.

Pax

And give the little one somewhere to sit.

Jahari

Can I try the knot?

Zion

I'll hold this end loose.

Pax

I'll keep the basket still.

Lux

And I'll stay right here with you, little one.

Zion

Wait. That bit's getting tighter.

Jahari

Okay. Stopping.

Zion

Try the loop beside your thumb. I'll feed it through.

Jahari

This one?

Zion

That's it.

Pax

Still as a stone.

Lux

A very helpful stone.

Jahari

The bow's coming loose.

Zion

A little more... there.

Lux

Your turn, little one. Take your time.

Sound effect

SHUFFLE

Pax

Basket's steady.

Lux

And the last loop is off.

Jahari

You're free!

Zion

Both of you.

Pax

We did it!

Sound effect

FLUFF!

Pax

Now we get the dancing bit.

Lux

I think that means thank you.

Sound effect

TUP TUP... FLOP

Pax

It's harder than it looks!

Zion

You're doing the hiding dance.

Sound effect

HEE HEE!

Jahari

I didn't know who I'd sit with today.

Lux

Neither did I.

Pax

There's four seats at our table.

Zion

Good. We need four.

Jahman

That was careful helping, all four of you.

Lux

Can we still do the welcome song?

Jahman

Of course. Everyone's here now.

Jahman

Shall we try a line each? I'll help with the beat.

Sound effect

TUM... TAK

Pax

Can the mascot do the dancing?

Lux

Only if we can join in.

Zion

I think that's the idea.

Jahari · singing

Different hands

All Four · singing

One helping heart!

Lux · singing

Different paths

All Four · singing

One brand-new start!

Sound effect

CLAP CLAP

Pax · singing

Different hands

All Four · singing

One helping heart!

Zion · singing

Different paths

All Four · singing

One brand-new start!

Sound effect

CLAP CLAP

Sound effect

PEEP!

Pax

It knows the song too.

Zion

Just the last note.

Jahari

That's a good place to start.

Jahman

Would you like to leave a mark for your first day?

Pax

What if mine's wobbly?

Jahman

Then we'll know you made it.

Sound effect

SWISH

Lux

You've got a little on your face.

Pax

That's my second mark.

Zion

Very wobbly.

Jahari

So... are we a crew now?

Jahman

Looks like a good beginning, Little Nauts.

Lux

Little Nauts. I like that.

Pax

Same table tomorrow?

Zion

Same table.

Pax

Snack time?

Jahari

Now I know which bag is yours.

Narrator

That morning, four children had arrived with four bags.

Narrator

By the end of the day, they each had three new friends.