Side 1

CHILD CATCHER

There are children in here. I can smell them.

TOYMAKER

Children in a toy shop? Don't be absurd.

CHILD CATCHER

My nose is never wrong. I can smell their blood and when I find them you will have made your last toy.

(SOLDIER 1 and SOLDIER 2 enter.)

SOLDIER 1

We've found the car - hidden under the bridge.

SOLDIER 2

The Baron wants you back at the castle immediately.

CHILD CATCHER

My nose must have been mistaken. There are no children here.

Side 2

TOYMAKER

Sir, madam, I don't know who you are or what you're doing here, but take my advice and get out of Vulgaria.

POTTS

My father has been kidnapped by the Baron and Baroness. We came to get him out and that's what we're going to do. Please show us the way to the castle.

TOYMAKER

If I don't finish this toy for the Baron's birthday tomorrow he'll have me shot.

POTTS

All right, I'll go myself. Truly, you stay here with Jeremy and Jemima.

TOYMAKER

No, listen. There is a way, a secret way. It's past the hidden children.

TRULY

Children?

TOYMAKER

Those we have managed to hide. They're in the sewers under the castle.

POTTS

Take me there.

TOYMAKER

(to TRULY)

You'll be safe as long as you stay in my shop. The Child Catcher has been here already, he'll be looking elsewhere.

TRULY

Promise me you'll be careful.

Side 3

TOYMAKER

These are our children. The ones we've been able to hide.

(A few HIDDEN CHILDREN rush into the room with leftover food from a banquet in the castle.)

CHILDREN

Food! Food! Food!

TOYMAKER

They run up the drains and steal what food they can from the kitchens.

TOBY

Excuse me, Mr. Toymaker. Have you got any toys?

TOYMAKER

No toys this time, Toby. I've been too busy. It's the Baron's birthday. But listen, that means there'll be lots of leftovers.

MARTA

Someone's coming!

(The HIDDEN CHILDREN hide as TRULY enters.)

POTTS

Truly! What happened? Where are the children... ?

TRULY

They've been taken-

POTTS

What?!

TRULY

By that horrible creature, the Child Catcher. He tricked them-

POTTS

Where are they?


TOYMAKER

They'll be in the castle by now.

TRULY

What are we going to do?

POTTS

We're all going to break into the castle.

TOYMAKER

That's impossible, the children will be caught.

POTTS

Yes, totally impossible if we carry on like this.