Chapter Ten

                                    

                                          
INT. BANDERSNATCH STABLES - DAY 
[Alice and Maddie wake up. The Bandersnatch looms over them. He's managed to shove the eye back into its socket. It stares upwards uselessly. But he seems to feel better for having it back in place. They notice a large key on a chain hung around his neck. The key to the lock. They reach for it. The Bandersnatch sniffs their arms and the wound he inflicted. They wince but will not be deterred. They pull the key off. The Bandersnatch gently licks the wound. His tongue is soothing. They sigh and allow him to lick the wound clean. They look at it. Miraculously, the infection is gone and the swelling is down. They move it around. No pain. The Bandersnatch looks at them, one eye askew.]
ALICE: I suppose you think this makes us even now. 
[Alice and Maddie fit the key into the lock on the chest and opens it. They lift the Vorpal Swords. Their made of shining silver with an ornate handle. They hold them up to the light. There are runes engraved on the blades. They carry them out of the stall, glancing back at the Bandersnatch before going out.]
INT. RED QUEEN'S GREAT HALL - DAY 
[The Knave is on his knees before the Queen, talking fast.]
KNAVE OF HEARTS: Um and Uh forced themselves on me. I told them my heart belongs to you. But they're obsessed with me. 
[The Queen goes bright red with rage.]
RED QUEEN: Off with their heads! 
INT. RED QUEEN'S DRESSING ROOM - DAY
[The Dormouse tries to pick the lock to the chain around Hatter's ankle with her hatpin.]
MADDIE (O.S.): Stand back, Mallymkun. 
[The Dormouse and the Hatter look up to see Alice and Maddie victoriously holding the Vorpal Swords high over their heads.]
ALICE: How's this for "muchness"? 
[They bring the swords toward the chain.]
MAD HATTER: Stop! They mustn't be used for anything but... 
[Stayne strides in with his Knights. He points to Alice and Maddie.]
KNAVE OF HEARTS: Arrest those girls for unlawful seduction. 
THE DORMOUSE: Hatter! 
[She tosses the Hatter the decorative sword from the hall. He fights with Stayne. Hatter is formidable even chained. Mally stabs the Knights with her hatpin. Alice and Maddie swing the Swords.]
MAD HATTER: No! Take them to the White Queen! 
MADDIE: I'm not leaving without you! 
THE DORMOUSE: Alice and Maddie! Go! 
[Stayne stops dead. He looks at them with sudden revelation.]
KNAVE OF HEARTS: Alice and Maddie? 
HATTER/DORMOUSE: RUN! 
[They run.]
KNAVE OF HEARTS: SEIZE THEM! 
EXT. THE RED QUEEN'S CASTLE - DAY
[They burst out the back. Stayne and the Knights just behind. They run, dodging Knights. But they manage to surround them. They swing the swords to keep them back.]
KNAVE OF HEARTS: Alice and Maddie. Of course! Why didn't I see it? Well, it has been a long time. And you were such a little tyke then and you were a child. Give me the Swords.
ALICE: Stay back! 
[He distracts them as two Knights come up behind.]
KNAVE OF HEARTS: The Queen will be so pleased. She'll take great pleasure in taking off both of your heads. I believe she wants to do the deed herself.