Magpie Protocol

SCENE 1

Tourist Pandemonium

City Park, midday, sunny and breezy — A wild magpie, wings outstretched, dives toward a shrieking tourist while Jessie Brooks and Ollie Tran watch nearby, breakfast crumbs flying in the chaos.

SCENE 2

Kids Unveil the Solution

City Park stage, midday, marquee shade — Jessie Brooks stands beside Ollie Tran, each wearing goofy-looking padded helmets decorated with shiny CDs and pipe cleaners.

SCENE 3

Official Objection

City Park stage, midday, marquee shade — Trevor P. Dawes struts up, waving an official clipboard, scowling at the headgear as parents and tourists look on with idle curiosity.

SCENE 4

Blueprints and Bickering

City Park bench, midday, dappled sunlight — Ollie Tran unrolls a crumpled blueprint while Jessie Brooks points out a diagram to Auntie Lizzie Ferguson, who grins mischieviously.

SCENE 5

A Wise Word

City Park bench, midday, dappled sunlight — Auntie Lizzie Ferguson bites a scone and leans over, eyes twinkling, gesturing at a hidden note in the blueprint corner.

SCENE 6

Testing the Theory

Empty playground, early afternoon, bright sunshine — Jessie Brooks stands, arms wide, inviting a nearby magpie to approach; Ollie Tran watches behind the swing, helmet shining.

SCENE 7

Spectacular Swoop

Empty playground, early afternoon, bright sunshine — The magpie dives but pulls up short, startled by the helmet glare; both kids giggle with triumph.

SCENE 8

Authority Assembles

Park entrance, early afternoon, sunny — Trevor P. Dawes rallies a group of stern council workers, each holding pamphlets and frowning at the kids’ helmets.

SCENE 9

Enter the Magpie

Park entrance, early afternoon, sunny — The magpie, eyes locked on Trevor P. Dawes’ bare scalp, swoops determinedly as council workers scatter.

SCENE 10

Helmets in Demand

Park entrance, early afternoon, sunny — Tourists point and laugh, some asking Jessie Brooks and Ollie Tran for helmets as Trevor P. Dawes glares, flustered.

SCENE 11

The Challenge Remains

City Park, the sun setting, golden light — The kids regroup under a gum tree as Auntie Lizzie Ferguson hands out lemonade and the magpie eyes them thoughtfully from a branch.