7 PM. CENTRE OF TOWN. EXTERIOR FAÇADE Of A TRADITIONAL CARPENTER'S STORE
Monty Uno locks the front door of the store, humming while doing so, and gets into his car. The ride to his house takes about twenty minutes. He continues humming throughout the journey. Today's rainy weather has put him in a good mood. It's the kind of weather that reminds him of home. Home…one day, he will have to take Nigel to visit England. Sometimes, he has the impression that Nigel has forgotten his origins. It's lovely that he's made some American friends, but he's lost contact with his family and with their values. Monty drives his car into the garage and gets out. Still humming, he heads into the kitchen and fixes himself some homemade tea.
As the kettle boils, Monty feels like it's unusually quiet.
MONTY
Oh Nigel? Are you home, old bean?
NIGEL
(morosely)
I'm here, dad.
Monty follows Nigel's voice to the living room and gasps. His eyes swell to the size of golf balls.
MONTY
Nigel. What happened to you?!
NIGEL
(resignedly)
Let's sit down. I can explain.
They sit down on a sofa.
MONTY
What on earth happened to you? You look like you've aged twenty years!
NIGEL
The Wigglesteins, those goody two shoes from Down the Lane…they did something to me today.
MONTY
The Wigglesteins, you say?
NIGEL
Yes. They live in a big mansion down on Avenue Lane. You must have heard of them.
MONTY
(looking at Nigel in confusion)
No, I'm afraid the name doesn't ring a bell. So these kids turned you into an adult? And how?
NIGEL
They used an age cigar on me. It can turn the victim any age you choose.
MONTYBut why?
NIGEL
Why? Because they've been brainwashed to hate all normal children. We've been at war with them for years.
Monty gets to his feet, head spinning. He takes a deep breath and gets a grip. A sense of purpose and self-confidence courses through him. He's doesn't remember ever experiencing it, yet it feels oddly familiar.
MONTY
If this is a war, then I'm joining it and rewriting the rules. My first order of business is to make sure the Wigglesteins are punished. I'm calling the police.
Nigel stares at Monty, surprised at his change in behavior.
NIGEL
Are you sure, dad?
MONTY
(with determination, and picking up the phone)
I'm never been surer in my life.
NIGEL
Oh by the way, dad. If you're wondering what that that pile of wreckage is outside, it's my treehouse.