INT. HAPPY HEARTS CASINO. THRONEROOM - DAY (LATER)
The Carpenter strides in with Walrus at his heels.
QUEEN OF HEARTS
Well? Where is he? I don't see him!
CARPENTER
Before I present Mad March, I feel I should warn you... I mean, prepare you...
QUEEN OF HEARTS
What?
CARPENTER
In the interest of expediency I have made certain technological... adjustments...
KING OF HEARTS
What are you talking about?
CARPENTER
Short cuts.
QUEEN OF HEARTS
How short?
The Carpenter nods at Walrus who gives a signal. MAD MARCH is led in... drawing a gasp from the gathered Courtiers.
He has a crude mechanical head... armature wire covered with a leather skin. Because of its crude shape it looks a little like the head of a wild hare.
Inside the head, a complex mechanism of daisy wheels, cogs and miniature chains, clicks and whirs.
QUEEN OF HEARTS (CONT'D)
What on earth have you done to him?
CARPENTER
Think of him as a hybrid, Majesty. In many ways, he's better than before.
Mad March swivels his head, gazing around the room with his one good eye.
KING OF HEARTS
We don't need a user manual, do we? I hate user manuals.
The Queen rises... approaches him...
CARPENTER
Perhaps not too close... He's still finding his way.
The Queen ignores his warning, circles the creature, intrigued.
QUEEN OF HEARTS
Does he have all his old skills? Forensics? Tracking? Homicidal mania?
CARPENTER
I believe so.
QUEEN OF HEARTS
Believe so?
CARPENTER
There wasn't much time for testing.
QUEEN OF HEARTS
Does he speak?
The Carpenter shrugs. He has no idea.
QUEEN OF HEARTS (CONT'D)
Let's try him out then.
(Clearing her throat)
Mad. March. How. Are. You. Today?
MAD MARCH
Piss. Off. You. Cow.
Hubbub. Shock. The Queen smiles.
QUEEN OF HEARTS
Excellent. Good as new.
She beams at the Carpenter.
QUEEN OF HEARTS (CONT'D)
Now then... Marchy, I need you to find someone, a girl.
MAD MARCH
Not interested.
QUEEN OF HEARTS
I see. How disappointing. In that case we'll have to find another use for you.
She turns away, looks to the King.
QUEEN OF HEARTS (CONT'D)
Let's put him in the Gaming Room where the Geeks can have fun with him.
Mad March's head whirs and cranks noisily...
MAD MARCH
What?
The Queen turns back to him, shrugs helplessly.
QUEEN OF HEARTS
What else am I to do with you? I'm devastated truly. You were always my favorite. I loved you like one of my own. But if you're not up to the job anymore, why, I'll just have to find someone who is.
MAD MARCH
Who?
QUEEN OF HEARTS
Someone younger, perhaps. Someone who still has the hunger.
(to Carpenter)
You can take him away. He's obviously past his prime.
MAD MARCH
Tell me about this girl.
The Queen smiles victorious.
CUT T0:
EXT. STREETS NEAR THE TEASHOP – DAY
Hatter and Alice sneak through back streets.
HATTER
The Looking Glass is the only way to get you home, and although it's here, in the city it's the most heavily guarded piece , of kit in Wonderland.
ALICE
First I've got to find Jack.
Hatter stops in his tracks, looks at her as if she's mad.
HATTER
Have you not heard a word I've said?
ALICE
I don't know how he got mixed up in this, but I know he's not a thief. He wanted to surprise me, sweep me off my feet, so somehow he got hold of this ring... and now it's landed him in a pile of trouble. If it wasn't for me, he'd be home safe.
HATTER
How did he get hold of it?
ALICE
I don't know. The point is, I'm the only one who can get him out of this mess.
HATTER
How d'you figure that?
ALICE
I've got the ring, I can use it to negotiate his release.
HATTER
Oh no, no, no. You can't negotiate with the Queen. She's crazy. You have to cut your losses and get the hell out of here before it's too late.
ALICE
I can't just abandon Jack. He's innocent. Besides. I like him.
HATTER
You like him?
ALICE
Yes. A lot.
HATTER
Trust me, I know a thing or two about liking people. In time, after much chocolate and cream cake, 'like' turns to 'what-was-his-name-again?'
ALICE
Not in my world. I have a bad record when it comes to liking guys. In fact, he's the first one who means something. I'm not about to give him up now.
They arrive at the Tea shop - and get a shock.
Suits are ransacking the Shop... trashing the place.
They duck back into hiding. They can see - the 10 of Clubs questioning RATCATCHER.
HATTER
Work with rats long enough and you turn into one.
Suddenly, Mad March appears in the doorway, looking out.
ALICE
What is that?
HATTER
Nothing I've ever seen before.
Mad March paces, swiveling his monstrous head, sensing someone out there.
HATTER (CONT'D)
Wait...
(shakes his head)
No, it can't be... Come on - let's get out of here.
He leads Alice away from the Tea Shop, back the way they Came.
A tiny gizmo glides out of a slot in Mad March's mechanical head - turning in all directions, like radar... it locks on the escaping duo.
Without a further thought, Mad March takes off after them, walking at a brisk, steady pace, but never breaking into a run.
The 10 of Clubs sees him...
10 OF CLUBS
Sir?
He quickly gathers his men and hurries after Mad March.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FIVE